44 Responses

  1. Jennifer
    Jennifer at |

    You, Mr. Haze, have an amazing way with words. That was absolutely hilarious…and true. The Next looks awesome and is going on my TBR mountain. And, may I say, you are the embodiment of why us women wonder why straight men aren’t nearly as good looking as gay men. *sigh*

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Jennifer, I very much appreciate your support! But…me? Better looking than straight men? I live in Manhattan, and I look like a troll next to the straighties I meet. (I’m drooling just thinking about them….*sigh*) Lol!

      Reply
  2. Debbie Firpo
    Debbie Firpo at |

    Wow! Loved that interview, I would love to win your book! Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  3. suze294
    suze294 at |

    Funny! I read because in RL ‘the best sex ever’ is in a book usually! Dont think I’ve ever said it or had it said to me – but in a relationship you do get to know what each other likes best – can’t imagine all the fumbling business that new sex would involve – certainly wouldn’t be the best!!!

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      I read that phrase (or something like it) all the time. And when I do, what pops into my brain is what songwriters of love songs are told over and over again: “Don’t say it, show it!”

      Reply
  4. Trix
    Trix at |

    Very honest and fun post! Have you ever read Tom Bouden’s comics? There’s one (I think it’s reprinted at the end of his book MAX AND SVEN) where you see the two guys’ inner monologues during sex (“You’re crushing me! Move your arm! MOVE IT!” “What did he eat? Yuck, his breath!”), and at the end the last panel has them cuddling and smilingly assuring each other “that was the best sex I’ve ever had!” (It was an established couple in his series, so I don’t know if that makes a difference.) Anyway, your work is new to me, but I’m very curious!

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Thank you, Trix! I’ll check Max and Sven out.

      Reply
      1. Trix
        Trix at |

        I also recommend his IN BED WITH DAVID AND JONATHAN (hot as hell, and also similarly candid about the “making it work” issues).

        Reply
  5. Debra E
    Debra E at |

    I’ve really been enjoying your blog tour posts. You have a refreshing point of view and I am so looking forward to reading your book. I’m sure it will be the best ever!

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Thank you! I feel this naughty drive to assert a gay male’s POV into a dialogue that seems driven and dominated by beautiful, open-minded women. It’s so very fun.

      Reply
  6. Rod B
    Rod B at |

    Rafe, this has to be the best post I think I have ever read. You had me laughing my ass. The realities of real life sex, so sad but so true. I think that’s why so many of us enjoy reading m/m romance, so we can live vicariously through the characters & have that fantasy sex life & relationship which is just that- a fantasy. Can’t wait to read your book.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Excellent, Rod! Now go read my last blog stop: “Spunk: the Real Barometer of Love” and let me know what cha think. 😉

      Reply
  7. sarayork
    sarayork at |

    Cynicism is the root of all evil, wait no, that’s money. Same difference. People don’t give a shit about others. That’s why no one can find love. It doesn’t exist except for a rare few who get it. In books, I don’t want real it real. Real sucks. Just like with a crime drama, or medical, or porn–though porn doesn’t suck–if it’s too realistic, it sucks. I guess realistic written porn would suck too because we want the crushing emotions, the big bang, the love without end, not the reality that while fucking most people are running through their grocery list, the emails they forgot to get to, the other guys who are cute in their lives and not focusing on the main attraction, the person they’re with. Maybe that’s why we hide behind half truths, never wanting to give up the truth, admit that we felt something amazing, because we’re too distracted to hit amazing or even passable, instead doing with ‘eh, I got off, instead of wow, that was a home run.

    The Next is fabulous. It makes me wish I had hours to read instead of 5 minutes here, 3 minutes there.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      I believe miss Sara without an H is indicating we stave off the curtailed joy of life with the uncompromised joy of fiction. Sex is carnal in its essential element, and the layer of love spread like margarine on top of it is supposed to make it feel even better. Problem is love isn’t a single emotion: it’s compromised of so many other anxieties we hope this lover will fulfill: someone to grow old with, someone to split the rent with, someone who’ll alleviate the low self esteem, someone who will value me the way Daddy didn’t, someone who’ll make me feel empowered the way work doesn’t, someone who will etc etc. The pressure in real life that this person will actually balance that complex, multi-layered equation is too impossible to be realistic – thus grocery listing while pummeling. But when you strip away the margarine, all you have left is…boy, his saliva over my head feels fucking amazing. That’s all. Just the beauty of pure physical sensations. That’s what sex could be without whatever love is…in real life. That half hour with that guy – in real life – could be a home run provided you don’t add an additional 3 miles between each plate on the field. (That kinda works.) Anyway, don’t tell anyone I sort of feel that way, cause readers may get pissed at me and not read the Romance I’m writing next.

      Reply
  8. Stephanie Fredrick
    Stephanie Fredrick at |

    Great interview and post. I’m very eager to read this one. I loved a Rear Window so I’m excited for this book.

    Reply
  9. Lee Todd
    Lee Todd at |

    cynical but most likely true…loved the interview 🙂

    Reply
  10. DebraG
    DebraG at |

    Great post. Fun to read. I hoe your books are the same.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      The book is that and then some. You might also enjoy, “Spunk: The Real Barometer of Love”. http://www.rafehaze.com/blog/

      Reply
  11. karen2432Karen
    karen2432Karen at |

    Love your wit and sarcasm! I read gay romance because I was sooooo tired of annoying female characters. I love that male characters are “allowed” to be rude and awful to one another and get away with it. Now I am just totally hooked. I haven’t read your work before, but will now seek it out! Awesome article.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Thank you, Karen. I wrote The Next with the notion that it may never get published because it was honest to the point of being offensive to some. Just like the blog post. Not mean spirited, just naming shit as it is. Hope you dig the book. 😉 For more sly blog posts, go to: http://www.rafehaze.com/blog/

      Reply
  12. Lynette
    Lynette at |

    This was great. Adding The Next to my TBR list.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Rock on!

      Reply
  13. H.B.
    H.B. at |

    Interesting post. If this post is any indication of what your book will be like, I think it’ll be a fun read.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      It IS an indication of just that, H.B. May. 😉

      Reply
  14. Alaina
    Alaina at |

    Very interesting and Funny post! Can’t wait to read The Next!

    Reply
  15. Kim W
    Kim W at |

    This book sounds really good.

    Reply
  16. Ryan Field
    Ryan Field at |

    “And above all else, no matter whether the Fannie Mae Hedge Funder fucks the Farm Boy in the conductor’s booth on the 2-Line…”

    That was you?

    Enjoyed your post. (I agree, too.)

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Oooohhh….should I reveal to the world about my exploits with a conductor in a subway in the late 1990’s when I was a brainless, opportunistic twinkie in Manhattan with a hardon for anything that wagged it’s tale at me? Should I?

      Reply
  17. Jen CW
    Jen CW at |

    What a great post! I think you are right about sex in books. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your book; it’s definitely going on my wishlist no matter what.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      That puts a grin on my mug. Thank you.

      Reply
  18. Ashley E
    Ashley E at |

    Yup, pretty much. *nods* If I wanted reality… I wouldn’t read romance.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      I hear you loud and clear, Ashley. As a gay man in 2014, though, when I read sex I get a little more turned on by sex when layered with a sense of humor about the bumps and hiccups en route to the orgasm. It just personalizes the scene more for me, and I looooove the specificity. Be well! Rafe.

      Reply
  19. Allison
    Allison at |

    Too true but I have to admit that I don’t much want to read about boring sex either. 😉

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      My opinion: the opposite of perfect sex isn’t boring sex. It’s personalized sex. (You might find some of the most personalized sex you’ve read in The Next.) Be well, Allison.

      Reply
  20. blackasphodel
    blackasphodel at |

    I had a wide grin on my face while reading this and found myself nodding along several times. It’s true that most of the time we read romance to forget about the less than perfect relationships and issues of real life, but sex scenes that are as perfect as described by you just make me roll my eyes. I like it when characters are jaded and cynical in regards to life in general. I like to fantasize about perfect first encounters and sex scenes, but I know that that’s where they’ll stay – in fantasy-land.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Thank you! Check out http://www.rafehaze.com/blog/ for other blog posts that…um…takes the wind out of sex in big fat way. 😉

      Reply
  21. Barbra
    Barbra at |

    Thanks for the laugh. It’s too bad I don’t know many people that I can share it with. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      Wow…I only know one other person in the world who spells Barbra like that…Maybe you should try sharing the post with HER? She might enjoy it. 😉

      Reply
      1. Rafe Haze
        Rafe Haze at |

        Also share with her “Spunk: The Real Barometer of Love” which she can read at http://www.rafehaze.com/blog/

        Reply
  22. jillprand
    jillprand at |

    Awesome post and I love the sharp wit! If the book is anything like this I will adore it as well.

    Reply
    1. Rafe Haze
      Rafe Haze at |

      I’ve been told The Next is like that X 20. It’s pretty snarky. 😉 For more snark, go here and read some more: http://www.rafehaze.com/blog/

      Reply
  23. scarlettruin
    scarlettruin at |

    I’m really looking forward to this – a friend directed me your way – she knew I’d appreciate wit!

    Reply
  24. flutterfli
    flutterfli at |

    Found your take very insightful and probably the most truthful of any I’ve heard. I haven’t had a chance to read your work yet, but this book sounds extremely interesting. Thanks for an opportunity to receive a copy.

    Reply

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