Exotic and Delicious Fater by Ryoku Tsunoda

I had enjoyed Ryoku Tsunoda's Where Has the Love Gone? so I was looking forward to Exotic and Delicious Fate. I wasn't disappointed. Exotic and Delicious Fate is illustrated with the same light strokes as Where Has the Love Gone?, the difference is in the story. Exotic doesn't start off with a forced sex scene as the other book, which sets the light-hearted tone of this volume. And, the characters are more likable at the very beginning of the story!

The two main characters are total opposites and this creates the tension between them. Kaoru Miyagi has only a middle school education when a benefactor takes him under his wing and gives him a job at the upscale Tachibana restaurant. Within eight years, Miyagi worked his way up and now manages the restaurant. He's passionate and very dedicated to his job and to his benefactor. Enter a new chef, Kasuga, from the sister restaurant, and Miyagi's world is turned upside down.

Kasuga is a straight forward guy and he's instantly smitten with Miyagi. Miyagi is mortified that a guy is hitting up on him. He wants nothing to do with the immature, impulsive chef. Then he finds out Kasuga has secrets, and answers to some very personal questions about Miyagi's past.

There are many warm and humorous moments between Miyagi and Kasuga. Miyagi is forced to reevaluate who he is and where he belongs. By the end of the book, I was rooting for Kasuga and the ever so straight-as-an-arrow Miyagi.

As an extra bonus, there's an interview with the mangaka, reader's favorite scenes and other funky and fun tidbits.

Rated: 18+ Published by June Manga - http://www.junemanga.com/

Ze Volume 3 by Yuki Shimizu

This is by far one of the best yaoi to come out this year. I love how Yuki Shimizu weaves the many complex characters into a fascinating story. And, the artwork is stunning.

Volume 3 turns toward the dark side, and we come to know the elusive, scary Genma. He is indeed not a very nice person. He's arrogant, rough and really a brute. He takes out his sexual pleasure on his dead father's kami-sama, Himi. Himi doesn't know how to take his new kotodama, who torments him. He doesn't understand why he hates him so much?

As the story unfolds the reader gets to see another side to Genma. The past is revealed, but more secrets are introduced. The story just keeps getting better. I also liked how my feelings changed about Genma when I began to understand his past. Shimizu's characters are not just black or white but shades of gray which makes them far more interesting.

This book is sexually explicit and sizzling hot compared to the first two volumes!

Rated: 18+ Published by 801 Media: http://www.801media.com/

Steal Moon 2 by Makoto Tateno

Makoto Tateno always delivers an A-one story. Within the complex plot is a puzzle, and is the key to the happily ever after. I love how she weaves her themes throughout her stories. It's immensely clever for yaoi and immensely satisfying. And she IS the angst queen. Her heroes are forever fighting their desires or having to put duty above love.

This volume ties up the story of Coyote and Nozomi. It also features a wonderful cast of characters that support the urban fantasy world she has created, and ties in Lahti and Kai from Blue Sheep Reverie. (I can't wait for this second volume for these two are my favorite reluctant lovers.)

Coyote and Hermes have betrayed Nozomi, and now Nozomi finds himself alone. Well, not really alone, for the Isis computer has been reactivated and is now watching the city. Lahti convinces Coyote to join him in getting back Kai and finding out the truth. Coyote and Hermes aren't really who they seem to be, so many secrets confusing the situation. Can Nozomi ever trust Coyote again, even though his love for this double-crossing soldier is still strong and sure. Can Nozomi save Coyote and unravel the mystery behind the creation of Isis?

The artwork is distinctly Makoto Tateno. I happen to like her style and think her men are beautiful while retaining their masculine charm. I highly recommend this series, especially if you enjoy a complex plot, plenty of angst and sensuous heroes.

Rated: 18+ Published by June Manga: http://www.junemanga.com/

Cigarette Kisses by Nase Yamato

This is a beautiful book.

Cigarette Kisses by Nase Yamato is a long awaited yaoi released by Deux Press. And, like most of Deux Press releases, it's high quality in the translation and printing. The shades of blacks are rich and seductive, as is the artwork. It's a love triangle and all the boys are very pleasing to look at, as well as having unique personalities. I liked all three of them. My only complaint is that one has to be left behind! (But I won't tell you which one!)

Yusuke and Soji have been friends since junior high school. They are inseparable through college, but when Yusuke gets an invitation to Soji's wedding he's devastated. He hides his feelings of love and is the best man at the wedding. Afterwards, he breaks away from the friendship fearful his jealousy will be discovered.

Years later, they meet up again in their company smoke room.

Their love for each other remain unspoken. Tensions run high every time they meet up in the smoke room. And now their childhood friend Masahito shows up, trying to win over Yusuke's heart! What's Yusuke to do? Masahito is persistant but can Yusuke forget his life long love?

Rating: 18+ Published by Deux Press: http://www.deux-press.com

On Bended Knee by Ruri Fujikawa

I enjoyed On Bended Knee by Ruri Fujikawa. This collection of short stories don't break any ground but the artwork makes up for it. The semes are very handsome and masculine and the ukes beautiful and delicate. And, very expressive.

The main story was my favorite, because it features a very tall, broad shouldered seme who is Chinese and dresses in all those lovely flower and brocade outfits. Yummy.

It's the typical bodyguard and client love story, although these two are childhood friends. Hibiki is the bodyguard who serves Wu Xiong, an influential business man who conducts his corporation in Japan. Hibiki has dedicated his life in serving Xiong and vows to protect him against his enemies. Danger heats up when Xiong is to be named the head of the family's corporation. Hibiki is agitated because Xiong doesn't take the impeding danger seriously. Instead, Xiong spends his time flirting with Hibiki. Then as danger encroaches the tables get turned.

If you want a light read with sexy men and hot sex scenes, then pick up this book.

Rated 18+ published by 801 Media http://www.801media.com

Tale of the Waning Moon by Hyouta Fujiyama

Wow, it's been ages since I've posted a review! That's what a dry spell it's been for yaoi. I've spent my time reading lots of gay fiction but I've been biting at the bit for more yaoi. I'm happy to write that I've finally read a book that was really delightful.

Tale of a Waning Moon by Hyouta Fujiyama delivers with a fun, humorous, warm hearted fairy tale, complete with Coon and Cymric, two adorable but feisty moon cats :)

Ryuka is a jilted young lover whose girl left him for a rich man. Drunk on booze one night, he stumbles to the "Wishing Hill" and speaks out loud his wish for a true genuine love. To his dismay, the next morning he wakes up and realizes he's been enchanted by the Spirit of the Last Quarter Moon, Ixto! This begins a wacky crazy journey toward Ixto and his true heart.

I've read everything by Hyouta Fujiyama that is available in the US. I've always enjoyed her work and her stories. This one is different that it's the first fantasy I've read by her. Usually she focuses on high school or college boy's love.

This is a solid story filled with crazy characters that you actually care about. Coon, the moon cat, is adorable and so darn *cute*. And Ixto is how I like my seme - older, handsome and looks good in his long military style overcoat :) Very forceful, but tempered by the rules he must follow in his world.

Yen Press does a good job of the translation, it's very clean and free of aggravating typos. There's even a translation list in the back of the book which is very helpful. This is a series, but I'm not sure how many volumes? Volume 2 can't come soon enough.

Rating: 18+ published by Yen Press: http://www.yenpress.com/

Love Control 2 by Ai Hasukawa

Those of you who know my taste will undertand why I gave Love Control a 4 rose review. I'm a sucker for older, adult men in love. Both men are handsome, and although emotionally they may act like teenagers, they are successful business men, and very talented at what they do. I like my semes very muscular, broad shouldered and tall, having an overwhelming presence over the uke.

I really enjoyed reading the two volumes back to back, giving the story more weight than just reading the first volume alone. I had no idea there even was a volume 2, and was pleasantly surprised to find it on the shelf.

The two men, Okumura, the director, and Yamashiro, the designer, are involved in a full blown romance but they won't admit it to each other. Both are too proud. It takes a third wheel to breath fire into their romance. The brash and forward bartender, Sasatani, puts the moves on Yamashiro forcing Okumura and Yamashiro to be honest with their feelings.

It's a simple story about jealousy and conflicts that arise from unexpressed emotions. The artwork isn't my favorite. At times Okumura's facial expressions appear out of proportion, but volume 2 is better executed artistically.

Rated 18+ (but really, there's hardly any sex at all in this volume!)

Published by June Manga - http://www.junemanga.com