Reviewing staff

Michele:

I live in a place where I allow my imagination to rule me. I have lived most all of my life wondering ‘What If?’ Things just sort of go from there. I have more fun sitting in front of my computer getting lost in my “characters’ lives” than riding a roller coaster. Then again I love playing the Sims too…something in common there?

It’s funny but when a writer says they get their ideas from everywhere, they are telling you the truth. I can sit in a restaurant, a bar, or the airport and out of nowhere an idea hits me, just by watching the people. I can sit there and come up with a story about his/her life right there. I can imagine what he or she is doing there at that moment and the next second I’m jotting down the plot and ignoring (not on purpose) the people I’m with. Used to be when I took the pad of paper out with a pen they kept talking and asking me questions, now they know that I’m lost in my own world, at least until I look up at them with a grin.

Inspiration is defined as Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity. And let me tell you, that my mind is always in overdrive. I love to create a story and get lost in its hold, in my characters lives. I get going on it and let me tell you, I get so caught up in it that it’s what I’m thinking of when I go to bed and it’s what I’m thinking of when I open my eyes. Honestly, someone needs to invent a way for me to write while in the shower. I don’t know how to not think about the story I’m working with for just a day. I can’t just take a day off, because really it feels as if I’ll just explode if I can’t get it out. Basically once I’m working with an idea, I stay lost until that idea is down and in the form of a manuscript, and ready to be read. I am so blessed to have been given a Muse; she keeps me going even when I don’t think I can go anymore.

Most of the time you can catch me sitting at my computer with my Zune going, and believe it or not, nine times out of ten I can’t tell you what’s playing. If someone puts the TV on and I can see it, I’m a lost cause. However, there is a bright side to that; I bet I will come up with another idea for another story.

As you’ve probably guessed, my passion is writing. I love to dream of make-believe places and people and make them come to reality so that I can share them. So, if anything that I write touches you in any way, and it leaves you thinking, then I can say I’ve done my job. And if you’d like, you’re welcome to send me an email, I’d love to hear from you. I guess I should add that I am also an avid reader and have been since I can remember. Being able to share my views on the wonderful worlds the authors create is just an added bonus for me.

Ken Harrison:

I’m the publisher and editor for Seventh Window Publications. I also maintain a Tumblr blog about publishing and any geekiness that encompasses publishing, including smartphones, called The Publishing Geek.  CSS, web design and eBook standards are my main interests.

Lydia:

I have been living in a rural area of the Mid-West for the last several years. Having lived in Las Vegas at one time it took a little getting use to. I am an avid reader, which both my mother and I find funny since in the ninth grade I was placed in a remedial reading class and I never really picked up a book until I was in the tenth grade. I started reading M/M stories about three years ago and I haven’t walked away since. I have several authors who I automatically buy, so its a good thing I read ebooks or I would have run out of storage space a long time ago. I also have a passion for history, especially World War Two. I am always on the look out for a new book to add to my collection, and I have to admit these I only read in hardback.

When I am not reading, our small farm keeps me busy. There always seems to be something to do, but I love it.

Gabbi:

Hi, I’m Gabbi and one of my first memories as a child is my Grandmother reading a book to me. I’ve always loved reading and I’m never without a book or my e-reader with me almost at all times. I started reading historical and contemporary romances when I was around fifteen. Twenty one years later, I read my first homoerotic romance, and ever since I’ve been hooked on them. I love to meet other readers who love the M/M romance genre and discuss the books we love. When I’m not reading and doing some writing on my own, I can be found hanging out with my husband and our three loveable dogs.

Justin James, CEO/Designer/Publisher of Dare Empire.:

From reading Manuscripts to mainstream published works of both my own authors and those of other mainstream publishing houses, I love to be lost in the authors mind. The beauty of the written word is to not only entertain, but provide the reader with a fantasy world to be enveloped in, that is what I look for in both a personal read, and a manuscript.

Although most people will know me from my numerous Covers adorning the books of so many talented authors, I have also reviewed and interviewed some of the best authors in many genres including; Michelle L Montgomery, Geoffrey Knight, and G. B Hobson. I have also been lucky enough to have reviewed and interviewed some very well known mainstream international bestselling authors such as; Jodi Picoult, Traci Harding, and Jennifer Fallon.
I look forward to your masterpiece finding it’s way to my desk.

Justin James
CEO
Dare Empire eMedia Productions
www.darempiremedia.com
www.empirebookstore.com

Nadja:

“Nadja, also known as N.L., a native of Germany and nomad by choice, once again calls the beautiful and hopelessly gridlocked island of O’ahu home. She loves the beach, which is good, because she’s allergic to grass. After a number of years in self-inflicted writing exile, Nadja is once again working on a novel – unless she’s reading. In the grips of a good book, she’s been known to burn water or wash the same load of laundry twice.”

Tracey:

I am known by a few names. At any one time I am known as Mom, Mommy or Mama, depending on which of my three children are wanting me. My husband of 19 years has his own names for me. But the name on my driver’s license says Tracey. I work as a cost accountant at a local manufacturing plant.

I’ve been having a love affair with books since I was a teenager. I love to read. Romance novels are my favorite. I read traditional and non-traditional.

About 12 years ago, my husband introduced me to NHRA drag racing and I loved it. We try to go as often as possible. Mmmm…the smell of Nitro.

I love to bake when I have time.

I always thought that I would like to write a book some day. I don’t know how many times I’ve started what I thought would be a fantastic story only to have the story go completely out of my head or just get stuck on how to get from one point to another. This summer a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she was looking for writers to take part in an anthology. I figured I might as well give it a try. The worst that could happen was she would kindly reject it and that would be that. What happened instead was that she liked it. She offered a couple suggestions for changes that would make it better and I was in. Holy Shit! I was in! This brought new motivation and interest in writing. I did it once, I could do it again, right?

Jennifer:

My name is Jennifer Merino, i;’m Hispanic American and I’m from Brooklyn New York. I started reading during Intermediate school and haven’t stopped reading books since. Before that time i hated reading any types of books and one of my friends from intermediate school made me read a manga, and there it was when i started to read. During the years i have broaden my love for different types of genres. I love reading romance, sometimes suspense, adventure, fantasy, paranormal, and much more. Now recently a friend of mine introduced me to MM books and i loved them .

Jymbo:

I am a proud member of the breed referred to as a True Romantic. It’s easy to make me cry and laugh, just be sure it’s where you want me to cry and laugh otherwise we’ll both be embarrassed. And I’m a gentleman to a fault; just don’t cross me. I was fortunate to have had wonderful teachers all through my schooling; ones who were there because they loved to teach and were dedicated to that task, thus my love for reading.

I’ve always known that I was attracted to other men. I asked my mother at age 9 if it was okay to like other boys and she said “sure, you have a lot of boys as friends.” (Actually, ALL my friends were boys; big red flag there!) I then responded, “I mean like you like daddy.” Stumped! But just for a second when she then said, “absolutely.” It took me awhile after that conversation but subsequently I was privately out at age 10 and publicly out at age 13. Lived my formative years in a very small town in northern New Hampshire, and survived, barely. Hitchhiked across the country at age 27, back in the days of long hair and tight jeans (which got me more than one adventurous ride). Have had only one true love in my life and managed to screw that up royally, but can boast several boyfriends. So I know angst.

Fast forward to 1999 when I landed in Chicago and have been here ever sense. From all of this I have derived a substantial data base of male-on-male experience!! I started reading M/M romance about 2 years ago, when I bought my first Kindle, and haven’t been able to put it aside yet. You see, in my day this was unheard of, illegal even in most states! I also have a passion for the Gay Indie Films genre and have an extensive DVD library in that arena. I’m thankfully retired and enjoying it but when I was offered this unique opportunity to be a reviewer for Top2Bottom Reviews I gracefully acquiesced! Actually I jumped up and down and hooted a few times!

DH Starr:

I don’t like labels, but they seem to be how most people open bios. So, I’m an author, a reviewer, an educator, a devoted son, brother, and uncle, and an optimist. I write m/m erotic fiction and GLBTQ young adult. Like everyone else, I have my hang-ups and figure out a million excuses to avoid the gym, healthy food, or any of those other things that are good for me but no fun. But underneath everything, I’m filled with the belief that life is good. I lost my mom when I was 30. I was fired from my first principal job because I didn’t get along with the Superintendent. I’ve loved and lost. But I believe everything that’s happened has shaped who I am, and I’ve become a stronger and better person for each experience. My mom lives on through my memories of her and through my niece and nephew. My loss of one job brought me back to NYC, my true home, and the school system I love so much. Each relationship I’ve had has helped me to better define who and what I want and need. The world of romance is a perfect vehicle to celebrate the triumph of the spirit over the many, many hurdles life throws our way. So when you read my reviews, know that I’m looking beyond the story itself (although I’ll share that too) and trying to convey the overall message the book portrays. As I read, I often contact the authors, asking questions and letting them know my experience while reading their books, and I try to incorporate their thoughts when appropriate to do so.

Please feel free to let me know if my reviews fall short of your expectations or if there is more you want to know. I love discussing books and welcome conversations with readers.

DH Starr
http://www.dhstarr.com
dhstarr@dhstarr.com

Sam Mazur:

Sam Mazur was born and raised in Kentucky, but now lives in the big city of New York, New York. Working in the fascinating fast paced wacky world of corporate America, the few luxuries that can be afforded are a bubble bath and a great story. There is no category left unread, no author unexplored within the Gay sub-genre, but plot is heavily preferred over just “one hand reading” material. When asked what three items to take in an apocalypse, Sam’s answers were a M/M loaded Nook, a bottomless bottle of water, and a never-ending peanut butter and banana sandwich.

Jerry Dunlap:

Jerry Dunlap opened Hairplay By Jerry after embarking on his own amazing journey of transformation and healing. In 2009, he was overworked and overstressed; caught up in the high paced world of hotel management. Seeing the toll it took on his live, and the impact that overworking the body and spirit had on his physical health and interpersonal relationships, he decided to exit the rat race and develop a skill that would help people feel better. He fell in love with hair care right away, noticing how happy it made people with a new style.

When not doing hair he can be found curled up with a good book or playing with his dogs(Kamakasi, Sandy and Captain).

Pammyla:

Hi, I’m Pammyla

I come from a land down under, also known as The Land of the Long White Cloud.

I’m an author of M/M romance (under another name), a reviewer, a worker in the health service, a foodie, a wine lover, and lucky to have a loving partner to share it all.

I love M/M romance, in many genres, and am fully committed to equality and freedom to love irrespective of gender or sexual preference.

Melissa:

My name is Melissa, I am a mother of one amazing 10 year old daughter, have been married for 13 years, work as a property manager and could use some excitement in my life. I currently live in Aurora Colorado but I am originally from Detroit Michigan. I enjoy reading any and all book genres and I am excited as well as eager to jump into reviewing with both feet!!

Susan Laine:

Susan Laine, a Finn through and through, was raised by the best mother in the world. She told her daughter time and again that she could be whatever she wanted to be. However, it took Susan until her thirties to find the spark for serious writing by discovering the gay erotic romance genre which is what she mainly writes today.

Her formal education revolves around anthropology, but she wishes to be a full-time writer sooner rather than later. Susan enjoys hanging out with her sister and friends in movie theaters and bookstores. Her other pastimes include walking, swimming, and fantasizing about sizzling hot manlove. Some of her likes are pop music, chocolate, and doing the dishes, and a few dislikes are sweating hot summer days, tobacco smoke, and purposeful prejudice.

Visit Susan’s website at http://www.susan-laine-author.fi/ or write her an e-mail at susan.laine@hotmail.com.

CR Guiliano:

CR Guiliano has been an avid reader since the tender age of four. She discovered gay erotic romance and was so inspired by the sultry, yet touching romances that she added it to her growing genre of writing. She also writes fantasy, paranormal and sci fi.

“I have to quiet the voices in my head somehow.” She says with a laugh. Many a night she has been awakened by those voices, only to feverishly write down the gist of their clammering so she can flesh out (sometimes literally lol) the story later at a more respectable hour.

In her spare time, she is a single mother living in the desert of Arizona with her son and a multitude of cats…and one very sweet snake.