It explains so much

For nearly 30 years, the American Library Association has observed Banned Books Week, an annual tribute to the First Amendment and the "freedom to read." This year's just began; it runs throughout the coming week, September 25 to October 2, 2010.

As to the books chosen, it never makes sense to me. Heck, an organization banning books makes no sense to me. What happened to one's mother coming in to your room and snatching the book away to read for herself? You know - that odd ritual called parenting? It's a parent's responsibility to guide their kids, not the ALA.

Anyway, this year's list contains The Lord of the Rings, Fahrenheit 451, the entire Harry Potter series, The Grapes of Wrath, and Grimm's Fairy Tales.

Say what? Yes, Grimm's Fairy Tales. I read the Brothers Grimm...

So THAT'S what happened to my sense of humor.....

A nice review of Open Roads

September 22, 2010

My thanks to E.H. on Books for the very nice review of Open Roads.

From the review:
"...OPEN ROADS hits the spot, it wasn’t over the top, there [were] no elaborate sex scenes - it dealt with that point in life where it’s just nice to have options, nice to have a choice knowing that there really is open roads ahead of you."

(This review is no longer posted, I assume because Amber Quill closed. I've retained a copy in my files.)

Thanks, E.H.! Happy to have you as a reader.

_*_*_*_*_

Tyler Phillips enjoys his small-town life. He’ll never get rich working the family business, but he knows there’s more to a man than the size of his bank account. Easing into mid-life, Tyler’s restless for something he can’t find in the little borough of Easton—male companionship.

Noel Springs got caught up in the economic downturn. With his job gone, and retirement many years in the future, Noel decides to take a long drive and see some of the country before dedicating himself to finding new employment. The open road is just what he needs.

But when Noel's car overheats outside the little town of Easton, he discovers the local mechanic is far hotter than his radiator, and just as eager to blow off some steam... 

Open Roads - book two of the Men of Marionville collection.

Open Roads is available at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and other online book sellers.

KC Kendricks
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/open-roads-by-kc-kendricks.html

Original ideas

Why is the world afraid of original ideas? Why are we so afraid to be different and unique? Why is having a separate identity such a scary thing?

I ponder these things as Yahoo attempts to become FaceHoo. Or is it YaFace? Or YaBook? Or FaceYa?

Change merely for the sake of change. What a bust.

My movie review: Shelter

September 14, 2010

Shelter is an amazing, beautiful movie. The unhurried pace reels the viewer in, unsuspecting, and unfurls a powerful, complex story that is simply told.

Set against a backdrop of contrasting economic backgrounds and surfing, Shelter is first and foremost a love story. If you need to label your movies beyond that, then yes, it's a gay love story. Except for one (to the writer of erotic romance) modestly - and very well done - love scene, this film transports you past the 'gay' label and proves that love is about what is in a person's heart, not their pants.

What few surfing scenes that are included are brief and beautifully shot, so don't let the apparent "surf theme" keep you from this movie. Zach and Shaun could just have easily been roller bladers for all it has to do with the heart of the movie, which is Zach.

The plot follows a wonderfully familiar arc, but that doesn't detract from the movie one iota. Instead, it's a poignant reminder of the shared human experience. We all struggle with who we are, how we want to grow as a person, and how family expectations are often at odds with personal needs. Trevor Wright, as Zach, brings this to the screen with a powerful and unpretentious portrayal of a young man on the edge of faltering, yet able to keep it all together and find his way. When he does, Shaun is there.

Trevor Wright and Brad Rowe (Shaun) deliver wonderfully understated and nuanced performances. In an era of big budgets, flashy movie stars, and special effects saturation, Shelter shines like a diamond, free of those detracting inclusions and focusing its light on people.

Shelter is a beautiful movie. If you have the chance, watch it. Better yet, buy your own copy of it, because you will want to watch it again and again.

So there it is - my first movie review. Obviously, I don't review for a living, and I don't have all the little buzz phrases down pat. That's okay. I know what I like, and I like this movie.

What You Don't Confess

September 12, 2010

New cover time!

What You Don't Confess - a man on the edge of big life decisions.

Coming out.

A new relationship.

Embracing his past, present, and future as a stronger man.

Taking a first step.

Good cover. I like it.

What You Don't Confess.

**update**
What You Don't Confess is available now at 
Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and other online book sellers.

KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
kckendricks.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks

I'm ready for the open road

September 7, 2010

Every once in a while, a girl has to treat herself to a little something new. Something she's admired. Something fun, yet with a practical side. Something dependable, and affordable, but not boring. Something fast and shiny.

Today that something became a 2006 Charger.

Some days a girl has to do what she wants to do.

Open Roads hits #5 on the Amber Allure August 2010 Top Ten List

September 3, 2010

As strange as this seems, the number FIVE is a recurring number in my life. Terry LaBonte drove #5. The great Brooks Robinson wore the #5 jersey for the Orioles. I've had five cars, and five jobs. Now Open Roads is number five on the best seller list. I think the universe is trying to tell me something. Like - stick with FIVE.

Silliness aside, a big CONGRATS to all my fellow authors for making the list with me. What amazing company to be in!

AMBER ALLURE / August 2010
(Please note Amber Quill Press closed on 3/30/16)

1. Lift Your Voice - T. A. Chase (Gay / Contemporary)
2. A Bid For Love - T. D. McKinney & Terry Wylis (Gay / Contemporary)
3. A Big Hunk O' Love - Hunter Raines (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Best Laid Plans - Cassie Stevens (Gay / Contemporary)
5. Open Roads - KC Kendricks (Gay / Contemporary)
6. White Out - Heidi Champa (Gay / Contemporary)
7. Sins Of Affection - India Harper (Gay / Suspense)
8. Chain-Male - Angelia Sparrow & Naomi Brooks (Gay / Contemporary)
9. The Manituw - Lisbeth Jenkins (Gay / Contemporary)
10. Cops And Rubbers - A. J. Llewellyn (Gay / Contemporary)

I'm going to give my own honorable mention to the three authors whose books released on August 29th, and therefore didn't really have time to rack up August sales: Pepper Espinoza, Terry O'Reilly and Devon Rhodes.

My to-be-read list just got longer, not that I mind on iota.

Open Roads is available at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and other online booksellers.

KC Kendricks

https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/open-roads-by-kc-kendricks.html

Obsidianbookshelf reviews Open Roads

September 2, 2010

My thanks to Val Kovalin at Obsidianbookshelf for the wonderful review of OPEN ROADS. The review is totally good with only one caveat, that of the mention of other characters at the end. However, KC Kendricks readers will certainly recognize those characters and be pleased to know life continues to be good for them. I can't fault the reviewer for not reading ALL of my published works, but with the glowing review she gave OPEN ROADS, I really wish she would!


From the review:
Here at Obsidianbookshelf.com, I'm impressed by Open Roads, especially by how much it offers while keeping to the challenging novella length. I have no gripes other than a tiny wish that the epilogue hadn't widened its focus, however briefly, to include four extra minor characters. Open Roads achieves its quiet power by focusing on that stunning moment that we all get once or twice in our lives when the path of our entire existence comes into sharp clarity and we regret our choices. - Val Kovalin

Thank you!!!

Open Roads is available at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and other online book sellers.

KC Kendricks
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/open-roads-by-kc-kendricks.html