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Fandom 50 #22

Day by Day by

surprisepink
Fandom: Our Flag Means Death
Ship: Stede Bonnet/Izzy Hands
Medium: Fic
Length: 1361 words
Rating: Teen
My Bookmark Tags: slice of life, romance, humour, happy ending, established relationship, izzy lives, future, flirtation, compatibility, service
Summary: A typical raid for Captain Bonnet and his new first mate.

Excerpt:

“I’m getting the hang of this, if I do say so myself,” says Stede, cheerily.

“And you do.”

“What’s that, Izzy?’

“Say so yourself.” The man looks entirely unimpressed, but it does take a lot to impress Izzy. Stede has accepted it by this point, and knows not to take it personally. Knows, too, that if Izzy actually wasn’t at least a little happy with him, he could leave the ship just about anywhere and find another pirate crew to join. And yet, port after port, he doesn’t.

And all Stede had ever wanted was for people to stay.

This is everything I love about the idea of Stede and Izzy together on the Revenge, with Stede captaining and Izzy serving as his first mate. The way they rile each other up is perfect, tempered to just the right heat by a better understanding of each other. Izzy's ways of trying to serve Stede while keeping his ego in check are moving, and so is Stede's growing sense of what he's doing and what it means.

The story's funny, with a comedic moment early on that made me laugh out loud, and the sexual chemistry between Stede and Izzy absolutely crackles. This one really made my day.

alierak posting in

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boxofdelights

I hosted book group last Sunday and I'm only just feeling recovered today. We read How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community, by Mia Birdsong, which is a very timely book about weaving the web of connections that we all need to survive the current omnidisaster. Eight people showed up at my house!

I made broccoli & tofu with peanut sauce, a tomato-lentil dish, spiced nuts (sweet and not sweet), and served salad, bread, cheese and crackers. My friend Karen made mojitos.

I also had door prizes: a stack of books. Six of them went home with someone.

( pics )

reviews_and_ramblings

After a night of heavy drinking with his competent and dependable coworker Kamiya, Kaji slowly begins to regain his consciousness... Only to find Kamiya straddled right on top of him, legs spread and wearing nothing but a half-unbuttoned shirt. When Kaji is finally able to muster the energy to get up, he immediately asks Kamiya to explain himself. His response? "Things went sour with my hook-up buddy, and I've been pent up lately. That's all." Since that day, for some reason, Kaji begins feeling drawn to Kamiya. This is the story of a recently divorced man, his coworker who's secretly promiscuous, and the attraction that forms between them, set in the world of the ever-competitive Toto First Bank's head office.

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/4l3VttE)

reviews_and_ramblings

Alpha Keisuke Takaba and his Omega Mate, Miyabi Karasuma, are finally living and working together in blissful harmony–despite Karasuma being Takaba’s boss! But when Takaba is transferred to a new department, their perfect world is once again turned upside down. Will Takaba prove his worth in the entertainment world and find the confidence to work side by side with his Mate? Or will the proximity to a new alpha acquaintance ruin everything when Takaba’s possessive instincts kick in like never before?

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/4l4nP77)

The mood in the second volume of Takaba and Karasuma's story is very light in comparison to the previous dark tone. Here we have still a very nice graphic, a lot of cute moments, and a cat too! So yes, enjoys some fluffy stuff, no more drama, just smile and relax.

reviews_and_ramblings

In this day and age, same-sex marriage has become the norm. After failing at both marriage hunting and relationships, I have recklessly fallen in love with my coworker, Odajima, a super high-spec, perfect, handsome man.

In an age when same-sex marriage is the norm…
Gloomy office worker Ichigi has totally given up on marriage. After all, marriage isn't the key to happiness! Ichigi is perfectly happy to be on his own! Besides, it's not like his long-unrequited crush on his colleague, Odajima, is going anywhere...
That is, until Ichigi braves a blind date only to find himself face-to-face with Mr. Perfect! Weirder still, Odajima seems enthusiastic about partnering up with Ichigi, and makes a shocking proposition: "Why don't we try living together for just one year?"
How is Ichigi supposed to keep his feelings for Odajima hidden for a whole year?! Plus, there's no way Odajima could be serious about marrying someone like him... is there?

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/40oo0BN)

reviews_and_ramblings

This is a love story about a king and his knight...

The popular fantasy BL with nearly 7 million views on Webtoon, available for the first time in full-color paperback!

In a universe where destiny is literally written in the stars, the two star-crossed souls fight to keep their people and each other safe. Battling rival kingdoms and the internal forces that threaten to tear them apart, the night-kissed knight and his shining royal must break free from the shackles of their circumstances to stay together. Will their love shine bright enough, or will it be extinguished before it even begins?

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/4epUj9r)

reviews_and_ramblings

A sexy new BL one-shot manga that will seduce you with its sultry tones! A rocker meets a smooth-talker and falls deeper and deeper...until he finds himself longing for more...

College student Gen plays guitar in a rock band called Eve. At a gig one night, he meets a man named Mike. Mike’s the kind of person who has no trouble saying what’s on his mind, and Gen soon finds himself captivated by this smooth, handsome voice. The next day, the two meet again when they realize they go to the same college. Be it on stage or in casual conversation, Gen finds himself more and more captivated by Mike’s voice. The more time the two spend together, the more Gen realizes it’s more than just Mike’s voice he’s attracted to…

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/3TfS1jC)

reviews_and_ramblings

The spinoff bonus volume of sexy, supernatural boys love series Sanctify.

Happiness slips through our fingers the moment we reach for it... And once it's gone, it's lost forever.

Two years after Gilbert's demise, Lance is plagued by visions of his partner. Unable to reconcile the truth of their past lives with the tangled tragedy of their present, Lance has pushed himself to the absolute limits of his power as an Exorcist... and his body bears the scars of his self-destruction.

Called to investigate a new string of serial murders, Lance discovers a connection to The List of Hell: a sinister artifact similar to Gilbert’s. With nothing left to lose, Lance dives into the case, and a familiar foe reappears... In the end, can long-lost promises ever be fulfilled?

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/44svk0B)

reviews_and_ramblings

Popular novelist Isatora Motobu fell in love at first sight with Shinobu, the successor to the long-standing traditional sweets shop Kamijo. Motobu's the type to passionately hone in on his target once he's set his eyes on them, and this time is no exception. But to his surprise, Shinobu doesn't resist when he invites him over and brings him to the bedroom. Conflicted between feelings of obsession, and displeasure over Shinobu's seeming experience with men, what's Motobu to do?! A steamy, yet candy-sweet romance between a hunky writer who loves to lavish his affection, and the alluring, refined young man he meets.

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/4ngtPeu)

reviews_and_ramblings

Leo, the son of a wealthy family, is the silent and shy adopted brother of the cool and regal Sui. When they were born, their parents predicted they would be wed, and after Leo's parents died he joined the family officially, but his relationship to Sui changed forever.

Leo and Sui have been "engaged" since their parents introduced them in childhood... but in the years that followed, they were barely even friends.

That is, until much later, when Leo's parents passed away and he was adopted into Sui's family. As the "brothers" grew closer in adulthood, they could no longer resist their attraction to each other... and yet, they remain unwed.

Ignoring the pressure from Sui's parents to tie the knot, the two live together in blissful sin. Despite Leo's encouragement, Sui resists the urgency of marriage, hoping to keep his adorable betrothed all to himself just a little longer...

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/40ultWT)

I'm not sure what to think about this one. It feels like a good story with a lot of sex, and then, for whatever reason, they removed all the part without sex, and let only a sex scene after a sex scene. I think the only scene where they don't have sex is when they introduced Sui's parents, who wants for them to get married since they want to see their grandchildren... so what is this about? it's a mpreg romance? in which country they are since same-sex marriage is legal? Too much unsaid and too much sex: the incipit was nice, but the development non existing.

reviews_and_ramblings

If you've got no objections...
I'll spend tonight with you.

Bar manager Nagisa has been in one-sided love with his coworker, Haruma, for two years... so when Haruma breaks up with his girlfriend, Nagisa assumes he doesn't stand a chance. And since he can't be with the one he loves, anyone else will do for the night.

When Haruma stops Nagisa going home with his hookup, Nagisa suggests they go home together instead... the last thing he expects is for Haruma to agree.

Sex is one thing, love is another. There's no way Haruma could love Nagisa the way he loved his girlfriend... is there?

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/40vrUJc)

reviews_and_ramblings

Ibuki Doi has never forgotten his first love from high school—Mikami Baba, the kind, handsome, and totally straight student council president. Though he was too shy to approach Mikami back then, Ibuki always held his idol near and dear to his heart, wishing him nothing but the best! However, when he learns Mikami is soon to be married to a man, he just can't help it—he's absolutely devastated. He drinks himself into a stupor to drown his sorrow but is surprised to wake up and find...he's back in high school?! Could this be Ibuki’s second chance to make things go his way?

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/3TM0JGl)

reviews_and_ramblings

Yoshino and Rou's love story continues in the sequel story to the hit Boys' Love manga I Didn't Mean to Fall in Love!

Charismatic college student Rou never expected his one-night stand with thirty-year-old Yoshino to amount to more than a casual fling. But more surprises are in store for this unlikely couple! Rou has just joined the workforce and is looking forward to a happy future together. But things get off to a rocky start—Rou butts heads with Niko, a colleague at his new company, and the two lovers find they have less time to spend together now that they’re both working. When Yoshino begins to suspect that there’s more going on between Rou and Niko than Rou is letting on, his insecurity and anxiety threaten to tear their relationship apart!

My Rate: 9 (amzn.to/3I2vAfi)

The second volume in this series concentrates on Rou's first job experience, and the entering in his life of a new friend, Niko, very similar to Rou, and for Yoshino, the old say that opposite attracts seem to work on the contrary, and he fears that Rou will be attracted to the younger and cooler Niko. Of course, like the first book, this is a no drama love story, so readers don't need to worry. Just enjoy a sexy, but not dirty, love story, with a nice graphic. Sometime that I have to highlight is that the graphic is clean, sometime the panels are so rich in details that they are distracting. Here instead the focus is centered on the characters, and that is really nice. Also the bubbles are not too much wordy, and again, that is nice.

reviews_and_ramblings

A BL manga about men who love BL manga... and also each other. Fun, heartwarming and tantalizingly sexy, this is a boys love romance series about the world of making boys love comics!

Raizo and TOS are two men who also write BL in their spare time. Raizo is a cool, laidback and handsome guy whose dark BL style is popular, while TOS has a light and fluffy writing style, but is less popular due to his social awkwardness and difficulty communicating. Even though they are complete opposites in everything, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another...

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/464wwdd)

reviews_and_ramblings

When his first love breaks his heart， college student Fusuke goes to a bar to drown his sorrows， where he meets a guy named Seri and drunkenly tumbles into bed with him. Now， Fusuke’s no stranger to one-night stands， but it was always with girls before! Struggling to process everything the morning after， he bails out of the hotel room...only to find out later that Seri is his new stepbrother?! And what’s worse， his dad’s being transferred overseas and taking his new wife along， so now Fusuke has to live with Seri?! To Fusuke’s dismay， Seri clearly has no plans of keeping his hands to himself， but despite all appearances also won’t admit to having romantic intentions...and soon enough Fusuke is at his wit’s end just trying to keep his head on straight!
You’ll love this smutty romance between a carefree playboy and a hottie who’s used to getting whatever he wants.

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/44hjyaJ)

If I have to tell the true, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this manga much. But the first surprise is that the graphic is very nice, more than what the cover let you think. Second, the story is very cute and funny, maybe not very realistic, but it makes you smile and that is a big bonus. Actually, if we want to find a realistic side, both Fusuke and Seri have dysfunctional families, and, in the end, they create their own little family to be happy. I like that Fusuke, after the first little disconcernment over being attracted by a guy, is soon fully devoted to their story; Fusuke is like that, he is a happy and basic guy, not worried about other people prejudice, and if something makes you happy and is not hurting anyone, then just enjoy it. The turn of event of Seri's father is sort of unexpected, and again, unrealistic, but I suppose they had to find a way for them to have an happily ever after.

reviews_and_ramblings

A Boys’ Love sci-fi manga that pushes the boundaries on the meaning of love.

Ethan, a battle-weary cyborg soldier, retreats to a tranquil planet in search of peace. There, he meets Mikhail, a gentle botanist whose warm smile and delicate touch seem almost fragile. Ethan finds himself inexplicably drawn to Mikhail, experiencing a restless unease whenever they’re together. He longs to touch, to cherish—feelings that are undeniably human. Bewildered by the feelings stirring within him, Ethan begins to question if he truly has a heart after all.

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/44FvRxu)

reviews_and_ramblings

Cool, confident, and topping the idol charts, Ao is the picture of perfection on stage, but off-camera, he's actually a shy, soft-hearted puppy. Former idol Shinji agrees to coach him on fan service in exchange for a no-strings-attached fling, but Ao keeps holding himself back by being too serious,leaving Shinji increasingly frustrated.

Then everything shifts when Ao realizes he's falling in love.
But afraid of getting hurt, Shinji tries to walk away before it's too late...

Includes steamy, never-before-seen bonus chapters bursting with love!!

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/44pZpOq)

reviews_and_ramblings

Love hits the right notes in this Boys' Love manga about two unlikely dance partners who make the perfect pair.

When Minobe Chihiro is admitted to a private arts academy to study ballet, the last person he expects to train with is the surly second year Ichinomiya Shun. Yet by some stroke of luck, the two have been paired up for their school’s mandatory pas de deux practice. While Minobe has fallen at first sight for Ichinomiya’s superior dance sense, the second-year’s attitude leaves a lot to be desired. For Ichinomiya, paired with Minobe as a dance partner is not how he’d like to be spending his time. The grumpy upperclassman has his walls up, but Minobe’s puppy-like affection might be just what he needs!

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/4kxB4fL)

After School Etude is quite beautiful graphically speaking, and I had the wrong impression it was some sort of esthetically beautiful piece of art with little feeling, but I was wrong. It's also quite cute, and strange enough very sexy at the beginning, some sort as to set off the mood, the slowly move more to being cute and romantic. Ichinomiya is this strong core in a litlle man body (little = short). The body contrast between Ichinomiya and Minobe is quite clear, but it's doesn't give you the feeling that Ichinomiya is forced by Minobe, on the contrary Minobe is very attentive and tender and caring... the perfect boyfriend. I also like that there is no drama in their relationship, they understand each other and the people around them too. I would have only liked that the ballet professor who is basically a pedophile suffered some consequences...

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julian_griffith

Julian Griffith: Historical QUILTBAG Romantic Fiction

August 2013

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Page Summary

delphi - REC: Day by Day by surprisepink (Our Flag Means Death, Stede Bonnet/Izzy Hands)
alierak in dw_maintenance - Rebuilding journal search again
delphi - Six Sentence Sunday
boxofdelights - book group
reviews_and_ramblings - You Love Me, Huh? Don’t Make Me Laugh by Tsubame Sato
reviews_and_ramblings - Wails of the Bound: Return by Keri Kusabi
reviews_and_ramblings - Sweet or Bitter Love by Conro
reviews_and_ramblings - Star Crossed by Crimson Chains
reviews_and_ramblings - Shout Loud, My Heart by Reiri Youga
reviews_and_ramblings - Sanctify: Lost Paradise by Godsstation
reviews_and_ramblings - My Dear Insecure Lover by Rui Akisame
reviews_and_ramblings - My Adorable Betrothed by Dogaek
reviews_and_ramblings - Imitation Play by Ann Homare
reviews_and_ramblings - I'm Here, Beside You by Natsuno Tea
reviews_and_ramblings - I Didn't Mean to Fall in Love: Double by Minta Suzumaru
reviews_and_ramblings - Comic Party Wonder Love by Deco Yamano
reviews_and_ramblings - Brotherhood Failed Successfully by Kaneko Nakagawa
reviews_and_ramblings - Black Blood by Hayate Kuku
reviews_and_ramblings - All the Way With Idol-kun! by Nawako Mineshima
reviews_and_ramblings - After School Etude by Hirune Cyan

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