Sunday, September 09, 2007

We truly take our hats off to Roy Simmons for his honesty in coming out about his addiction, sexual abuse and his life of love, lust and lies in the NFL closet.  In this eye-opening Autobiography Out Of Bound, Roy Simmons, known as " The Sugar Bear", talks about his life as a NFL football player, playing for the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and USFL Jacksonville Bulls.  Roy Simmons, a man who had it all was at the top of his profession.  He was making tons of money and loved by thousands of fans, fell from glory. 

Though Roy had a promising career as a NFL football player, like so many others, he allowed himself to be seduced into the world of drug-addiction. He followed in the footsteps of his teammates, refused to deal with his homosexuality, and forced himself to forget an unspeakable event that involved him being raped as a child by a respectable neighbor and was in denial about his sex addictions which all caused his down fall.  "It's amazing how he did not realize that his rape would trigger a future chain of events in his later years of countless promiscuity".  

Torn between his high school sweetheart; Sheila, who later became the mother of his daughter, and Joe, the only man he ever truly loved, he manage to lose them both, by letting his selfishness and his addiction interfered.

After leaving the NFL and trying to make a life for himself, Roy goes from "Sugar to Shit".  He continued to indulge heavily into drugs and alcohol and became more and more self-destructive.  His life became unmanageable and spirals out of control.  As the drugs and the alcohol took over his life, he became violent, desperate and started to prostitute himself. Eventually, Roy winds up on welfare. 

As you continue to read this book, you will learn more and more about the great Mr.Roy Simmons, the Ex NFL football player.  In this book, Roy shares his days of free basing, smoking crack, his time in prison and being HIV- Positive.  Roy even talks about dressing up in drag; yes dressing up in drag.

We found it truly remarkable for a man like Roy to encounter so many chances in life… just when you think he has hit rock-bottom, somehow he bounces back.  It's amazing to discover how such a lucky man was not able to learn from his mistakes.  Roy was definitely a man who had more than nine lives

So whether you're a Roy Simmons fan, a recovering addict, bi-sexual, or just plan old confused about who you are, Out Of Bound  teaches you a powerful lesson about the truth…. remember, you can run, but you can't hide because in the end, the truth will always set you free.  So we urge you to go out and get this book and delve into the un-restful soul of Mr. Roy Simmons.  

Until next month!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Lee Hayes, author of Passion Marks and A Deeper Blue: Passion Marks II, is back and trust me when we say he is going to blow you away with his heart -pounding thriller, The Messiah.  Lee Hayes definitely takes a different direction from his previous novels.

The Messiah takes you through a path of mystery and suspense.  What was going to be a night of sexual pleasure for Jazz McKinney turns out to be a night that almost cost him his life. As Jazz anticipates meeting the man of his dreams from the Internet, it unfortunately turns out to be the date from hell.  Jazz is brutally beaten and nearly castrated by his attacker, who calls himself The Messiah, better known as "Alpha and Omega".  The Messiah is on a personal, sick and twisted quest to save the soul of all homosexuals; however the price each of his victims must pay for their redemption is death.
 
Gabriel Kane is the ambitious investigative reporter who has followed this serial killer since the beginning.  Unfortunately, when The Messiah mysteriously vanishes, Gabriel's career comes to an end.  Now that the Messiah has come back from the dead, Gabriel finally has the opportunity to uncover the story of who this serial killer is and reinventing his career.  He befriends Jazz, the only surviving victim who has actually identified the Messiah.   He struggles with the decision of salvaging his career with the story of a lifetime or saving Jazz's life.  As Gabriel comes dangerously close to the truth, he will soon discover that The Messiah is someone he loves.

The GBM Bookclub loved The Messiah because we feel that this is Lee Hayes's best work yet.  Lee Hayes brought an interesting twist to the storyline.  Mystery and suspense were definitely it genres, bringing up some very real questions such as: How dangerous is it really to meet a stranger off the Internet?  Does the Church really accept all of God's children's?  What would you do if you found out you were dating a killer? Who in fact is the Messiah?  If you really want to know, then go get the book.

Until next time...

A GBM Book Club of New York City Review

In his debut novel My Man, My Boyz, author Dwayne Vernon tackles a story about losing and finding love and the importance of brotherhood.

This is a story that explores the challenge of finding love again after it has been tragically ripped away. Tariff is the grief stricken lover who falls into this dilemma when the love of his life, James, is murdered during a car-jacking gone bad. James's last request to Tariff is to love again.

Demetrius is one of Tariff's and James’s many good friends who tries very hard to help Tariff make peace with the past so they could work towards a promising future. Things seem to look up when Mike and his lover, Reese, invite Tariff, Demetrius, and their other good friends, Tyrell and Jay, on an all-expense paid trip to Miami in celebration of Reese signing with the NFL.

Do they really exist? Well, come join your host Eric Jones from Blogtalk Radio.com, Wakiem Freeman author of Down Low Sistahs and GBM Bookclub expose the truth. My sisters, It's time to let the kitty Kat out of the bag.

When: Saturday, January 5, 2008
Where: www.Blogtalkradio.com\Ericljones
Time: 10:15 am

We urge all listeners to call in and give their opinions
Call-in number (646) 915--9508

Eric Jones	Host Blogtalk Radio
Wakiem Freedman	Author "Down Low Sistahs" and "No One To Blame"

Manhood: the Longest Moan by L. M. Ross is a captivating and exciting novel that will bring tears to your eyes. You will be taken back and amazed by the way the author writes and captures the true essence of each character. As you continue to read this book, you will start to develop a strong connection with each of the characters, as if you are a part of their lives.

Mr. Ross, thank you for writing such a brilliant and outstanding masterpiece, you have taken the lives of four young men and have written a literary work of art. Trust me when I say, this book will have you laughing and crying, so you better get your Kleenex ready.

Tyrone Hunter, Faison "Brownie" Brown, David Richmond and Pascal "Face" Depina all meet in high school and were forced to work in a singing group in order to pass their music class. Even though it proves to be a great success, the end of high school forces them to embark on their own separate journeys.

Tyrone is the aspiring writer who lands a job, working for a newspaper. David focuses on his career as a dancer; Browny continues his dream to become a great singer for the ladies; however he runs into trouble with drugs and the law. The only character out of the group who is truly embraced by his success is Face, who makes it big as an actor/model, from television to the movies in a flash.

All seems good until a shocking secret kept by one of the guys ultimately changes their relationships with each other and challenges their true friendships. The Lies, deceit, revelations, and an unexpected death will truly keep you glued to this book. So I dare you take the journey and decide for yourself, come find out the different twists involving the guys' live and who would turn out to be successful, but most of all, who grows into their "Manhood"

Until next time

GBM Book club invites you to an On-line interview / discussion With your host Eric L. Jones from www.Blogtalkradio.com, and author Vertell J. Dodd, The Damaged Mind

• When: Sunday, February 10, 2008
• Where: www.blogtalkraido.com\ericljones
• Time: 10.15 am Eastern Standard Time

We urge all listeners to call in and give their opinions Call-in number (646) 915--9508

The Damaged Mind

Dr. Tanenbaum has a string of male clients of color: an ex-gang member, a minister, a man on the down-low and Jiair, a young man dealing with the pressures of having grown up in an abusive home. Each of these men is living with great pain, particularly Jiair, who seems to have had it tougher than the others. After his mother’s death, he finds himself even more in battle with his damaged mind. He seeks revenge on his father, a reverend, the man responsible for his damaged mind. Jiair didn’t go to his father’s church to listen to the sermon; he went home to settle a score.

If we had to use one word to describe Grown and Sexy, by Phillip- Thomas Duck, we would truly be at a lost. From the moment you open the book and turn the pages, the author's pulls you into a world full of intrigue, suspense, sex and shocking twists. As he cleverly lays out each character and their story, it soon turn out to be just a little more than expected, leaving you at the mercy of every single page as each character's lives are slowly unfolded.
LeVar Path is an ex-con, who tries to escape his past life by taking on the role of an Associate Pastor in a New Jersey church. As he slowly but surely gains the approval of the congregation, he encounters two intriguing and sexy sisters, each with a big secret to hide.

Bevolyn Sykes is the faithful Christian who not only struggling to keep her marriage together while raising a foster child too smart for her own good, but she's also struggling with a strong sexual attraction she has for LeVar….. The more her attraction grows for LeVar, the more she despises him, which eventually drives LeVar into the arms of her sister Sela.

Sela takes a chance an embraces LeVar, which leads their love into a blossoming and promising relationship that tests their sexual restraints. As LeVar and Sela start to grow closer, Sela's secret life forces her to face a truth that she can no longer escape from and threatens the relationship between her and Le Var, even between her sister.

As the plot continues to thickens, Le Var, Sela and Bevolyn's past soon catches up with their present, putting their future definitely at stake. Especially for LeVar, who's being hunted down by the "Ruffin brothers", who are out to settle a score for the crime he committed against their sister. As bullets fly and lives collide, Phillip-Thomas Duck draws you into a world that is rough, rugged and raw. Trust me; you will be shock and amaze of the outcome.

Phillip-Thomas Duck's writing style is so unique and so cleverly captivating, he helps you visualize every detail, feel every emotion and experience every single character's moments page by page. So, if you want to experience a story that will take you on a non-stop, emotional, journey then we urges you to read Grown and Sexy, you wont be disappointed.

Until Next Month

Embarking on a journey to reestablish a life that was almost ruined is never easy, especially in a town where it all happened. In "This Place of Men", Author Doug Cooper-Spencer takes you on this journey through the eyes of Otis, who returns to his hometown of Cincinnati, a place he had never returned to ever since being falsely accused of the statutory rape of his teenage sweetheart Terrell. Even though it is twenty years later, both men realize they still have inner demons that they must face before facing each other. For Otis, it was confronting his father who turned his back on him when he needed him the most. For Terrell, even though married with children, it's dealing with the reality of his true sexuality. A reality that he not only didn't have the courage to face up to as a teenager, but also brought on the downfall of his lover, Otis.

Doug Cooper-Spencer carefully brings you into the complex life of both men, showing how ones past shortcomings can affect the others future. Terrell, a husband, father and successful accountant for his church, while Otis who was clearly struggling through hard times living homeless in the streets of New York City. Though now back in the same town, these past lovers are clearly living in two totally different worlds. However, Doug Cooper-Spencer slowly brings their worlds together by revealing a commonality both men have other than their sexuality.

A lot of us could really indentify with Terrell, due to his strong religious upbringing. There are a lot of young gay black teens, to this day, who are struggling with the pressures of growing up in households just like Terrell's. Many may have a hard time coming out or may not come out at all. Most may even end up like the characters such as Stanton and Jerry; married men who can only partake in exclusive parties that cater to men like them who feel the need to give in to their homosexual inhibitions.

GBM Book Club believes that this is a book that every gay black man needs to read. Doug Cooper-Spencer opens your eyes to the fact that as gay black men, we need to be conscious of the decisions we make in our lives. We cannot close our eyes to every little thing and take it for granted. Otis is an unfortunate example due to Terrell's parents waiting for him to turn eighteen in order to accuse him of statutory rape. If Otis had the right mind-set to take careful precautions, or if Terrell had the courage to speak up, Otis doing time could have definitely been prevented. Even in reality there are so many of us that are either doing time or suffering the consequences of a mistake we made along the way. And until we make right and conscious decisions and have the courage to speak up for one another, we will never find our place. But if you want to embark on a journey that will lead you down the right path, then by all means we encourage you to read and discover "This Place of Men".

The GBM Book club is proud to present “Meet the Author”, a forum that will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2008 from 11:45am- 3:45pm at the LGBT Community Center, located at 208 W 13th Street, New York, NY 10011.

“Meet the Author” will consist of a diverse panel of authors who will have the opportunity to share and discuss their latest novel / book with their readers. “Meet the Author” will also allow your fans the opportunity to meet and share their thoughts with you. After the discussion, each author will be given a table and the opportunity to sell autograph copies of their novel / books.

Since the event will take place during Gay Pride weekend and the LGBT Community Center is celebrating their 25th Anniversary, the GBM Book club feels that this will be the perfect location and opportunity for you to promote your book and meet your fans.

If you would like to participate in the forum, please download complete the attached registration form. (Full Story)

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Nicholas at (646) 241-9667 or email gbmbookclub@aol.com.

Just when you thought you heard it all with women having problems with their men being on the down low, Urban Fiction's finest, Wakiem Freeman, takes a very popular topic and turns the tables by giving you a very raw point of view through the male perspective in his new novel, "Down Low Sistahs".

Since listening to a radio talk show in regards to the topic "Are there any good black men left on the planet earth?" Nicor decides to turn a new leaf and be a one-woman man, especially after six months of dating the woman of his dreams, Tamar. Unfortunately, Tamar brings Nicor's world to a surprising turn when she hits him with a devastating bombshell on his 25th birthday. Not only was she cheating on him during the duration of their relationship, but was involved with……………another woman.

Following the advice of his homie, the young-girl chasing Demetri, Nicor falls back into his old ways and starts playing the field again. Through out his bed hopping, headboard banging, one night stand-experiences, to his surprise, Nicor starts to discover that all of the women he has been dealing with are ALL on the down low. This really starts to push him to the brink and make him question, "Are there ANY good STRAIGHT women left on the planet earth?"

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Have you ever wanted to meet your favorite author?

GBM Bookclub Inc. & Eridani Developing Communities Presents " Meet The Author", a forum that will feature some of your hottest and upcoming authors.

"Meet the Authors" consists of a diverse panel of authors who will discuss their work, answer your questions and give you the opportunity to purchase their latest novel / book. The following authors will be at this exciting event: Mr. Stanley Bennett Clay author of  Looker, Dwayne Vernon author of My Man, My Boyz, Lee Hayes, author of Passion Marks, The Messiah and Flesh to Flesh, Peter Gebeshian, author of Journey To Love, Wakiem Freeman, author of Down Low Sistah's, Antron Reshaud author of Bohemian Rebel Naked and Exposed: Vol.1, Mike Warren, author of A Private Affair, Vertell J Dodd, author of Damage Minds and Michael Boyd author of Forever The Fat Kid.

This exciting event will take place during NYC Gay Pride Weekend, Saturday, June 28th, 2008 @ 12:00pm - 4:00pm at The LGBT Community Center. 208 West 13th Street New York, NY 10011. So, come out and meet and greet your favorite author. Free Admission & Light refreshments will be served. For more information contact Nick @ 646-241-9667 or email gbmbookclub@aol.com .

If you ever needed a reason why the military would enforce a rule such as "don't ask, don't tell", then you definitely need to read, Author, Mike Warren's latest, too hot to hold book, "A Private Affair". We do have to warn that this book will leave you turned on and turned out.

After graduating from 16 weeks of military training, Private Sean Matthews tackles a long awaited opportunity of being a family man to his son Khalil and wife, Venus, when he is permanently stationed at a base in Ft. Meade, Maryland, twenty minutes from his hometown of Baltimore.

Things seem to be going smooth at first when Sean's life takes a drastic turn when he unexpectedly befriends his flamboyant, sexy, and flirtatious gay roommate, Cameron, who also has a die-hard crush on him, which he does not hide.

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GBM Bookclub Inc is proud to inform you that Laurinda Brown, author of Undercover, Fire and Brimstone, Walk like a Man and her latest book The Highest Price for Passion, has just been added to “Meet the Authors” Panel discussion.

This excited event will take place during NYC 2008 Gay Pride weekend, Saturday, June 28, 2008 @ 12:00pm - 4:00pm at the LGBT Community Center. 208 West 13th Street New York, NY 10011. Please check out the excerpt from her latest book The Highest Price for Passion. For more information, please contact Nick @ 646-241-9667 or email gbmbookclub@aol.com.

Books by Laurinda Brown

Excerpted The Highest Price for Passion by Laurinda D. Brown Copyright (c) 2007 In their old age, Silas and Massa Gray did little to conceal their relationship, and after a while, Silas just moved right on in. At sunrise, they could be found riding through the plantation on their horses, occasionally stopping along the river to sit on the banks and talk. Afterwards, they would return home for breakfast and then retreat to the front porch where they would sit and chew tobacco. Neither of them held any regard for the slaves as they made it a point to be nasty and make life difficult for them. No spit ever made it to the spittoon, nor did they lift a finger to do anything else...

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