Happy New Year

Featuring Brad and Justin from Trust:

Justin Lowe looked at his watch for the tenth time in an hour. His stomach twisted and the food he’d ate soured. He rose from the easy chair and went to the front door of the house he shared in suburban Los Angeles with his lover, Brad Callahan.

He opened the door and looked out into the night. For being New Year’s Eve it was almost eerily quiet. Again, he looked at his watch. 11:45. Brad wasn’t going to make it home by midnight.

Brad had told him his shift at the fire station ended at four that afternoon. Justin had planned a romantic New Year’s Eve dinner. Steaks, baked potatoes, champagne, even a coconut cake for dessert, Brad’s favorite.

At six, Brad called to say he had been delayed with emergencies. Justin hadn’t gotten to ask any questions before the call was disconnected.

Eventually, he’d put the food in containers in the fridge and ate a bowl of cereal. He spent some time on the computer working on his latest mystery novel. It was due the first of February. Justin had gotten a good amount done but stopped at 11:00. He still hadn’t heard from Brad.

They’d already missed Christmas because of Brad’s work. They’d had it a couple days later, but still.

Justin sighed and came back into the house closing the door behind him. He just hoped Brad was all right. He went and turned on the television figuring he might as well watch the ball drop.

At 11:55, he heard a car door slam. Trying not to get too excited, Justin rose from the couch and went into the front hall. It could just be Mrs. Nash from next store getting home.

Footsteps approached the door. He heaved a sigh of relief and opened the door before Brad got to it. His lover stopped when the door opened and smiled.

“Brad,” Justin exclaimed, his heart fluttering like the first time he ever saw Brad all those years ago. He threw his arms around Brad. “You’re home.”

Brad’s arms tightened around him. “Of course I’m home. I’ll always come home to you.”

Justin kissed him and tugged him into the house. “I thought you’d never get home.”

“I‘m sorry. There are a lot of accidents out there.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Starved.”

“I made dinner. I’ll reheat it.”

Brad followed him into the kitchen. His gaze rested on the coconut cake. “Oh, my God, you’re the best.”

Justin laughed. “I’m glad you think so.”

Brad brought him close and pulled him against him. “I do. I love you so much, Justin. More than anything in the world. I hope you know that.”

Justin buried his face in Brad’s neck. “I do. I feel the same about you, Brad. I love you.” He pulled back slightly when he heard the ten second countdown to midnight. “Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year, Justin.” His lips covered Justin’s in a thorough kiss of promises to come.

A Mixed 2009

As 2009 comes to close, I wanted to talk about what it has been like for me as I look to begin 2010.

I think every year as the year closes, we cannot help but hope for a better year than the one ending. As humans, hope springs eternal and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Like most years in my memory, 2009 was a mixed year of some good and some bad and some really good and some really bad.

The Good -

I managed to have 13 releases this year. One from Dreamspinner Press, two from Ellora's Cave, and ten from Amber Quill Press (I seriously doubt I will come close to this in 2010). My releases were: At Long Last, The Other Side, Wanting Sam, Jake's Regret, Most Likely to Succeed, Trust, Car Wash, Sorcerer's Lover 2, Until the End of Time, Beyond the Norm, Sweet Reunion, Ticket to Ride, and The Best Gift. Really I had 14 because Perfect Man came out December 31, of the prior year.

My popularity as an author increased. I know this because I made the top seller lists a few times at Amber Quill and All Romance Ebooks, as well as getting some lovely fan mail, and very kind reviews on places like Goodreads from readers who enjoyed my work. Plus I have more blog followers this year, too, as well as more hits on my website.

I've made some decent money on royalties this year writing as Shawn Lane which helped me financially quite a bit.

I met Shayne (this falls under the really good).

I met lots of other great people on line and I probably can't recall them all and it isn't because they don't matter, believe me, but Jack, Shellie, Eyre, Maggie, Drew, Josh, Brent, Lindsay, Gabbi, Dorothy, Sandy, Ivan, Nick, Zach, Stacey/Devon, E.H., Spring,..oh probably many more. You all rock.

I went to Morro Bay twice this year. If anyone knows me, they know this is where I want to live.

I read some great books this year. Not as many as I would have liked, but still some really great ones.

The San Diego Chargers have made it into the playoffs.

I went on a really great trip with my friends to Coastal Oregon and Northern California (wine country).

I went to Las Vegas twice. Once with my mother and sister where I actually won money and was one of the best times I've ever had there and the second time with my friends and that was a lot of fun too.

I still have a job that pays me and provides benefits.

My family is still with us, and my 83 year old mother appears to be doing well and has fully recovered from the cancer she had the year before.

I still have my house and two worthless cats and was able to pay my taxes and provide friends and family with a nice holiday season.

I got a Kindle and a laptop both of which I adore.

I've had great cover art for my books.

The Bad-

My own personal life has been touched by extended job loss.

Two ladies I considered second and third moms broke their hips. One in February and the other two days before Christmas. Georgette died in August and I still miss her. Christmas Eve at her house was not the same without her. Nancy has had a rough year. She has been battling lung cancer and the treatment has been rough on her. Because she was weak from the treatment, she fell and broke her hip and had to spend Christmas in the hospital. She's still there and will probably have to spend many weeks at a convalescent home to recover.

I've struggled with depression. I can honestly say that I've had trouble sometimes over the past year trying to see any bright side to anything. Likewise, I've had some serious trouble with insomnia.

Many people close to me have suffered illness and loss of their own including Dawn, Lynn, Shayne, Jack, and Shellie. I know there are others and I'm sorry not to have mentioned you.

I had a pipe break at my house and had it flood while I was in Vegas. Fortunately, my sister came by and diverted it from being a lot worse.

My cat's illness worsened and for a while I thought I was going to be forced to make a terrible decision this year, but she has improved somewhat. I still don't know how much longer she'll be with us but she has some of her spunk back.

I rather reluctantly decided to give up writing the heterosexual historical romances under my other name. The main reasons are I prefer to write m/m romance now and the other is it just wasn't making much. I had trouble selling the novels to mainstream New York and traditional historical romances just don't do well as ebooks at this point. It's frustrating putting in the effort to write a 80,000 page book and making $12.00.

I wish I had been able to spend more time talking to my bff than I have these past few months. I've hardly had but an hour or two since before Halloween, maybe even before that. We miss each other.

I think that's probably enough bad stuff to mention though I know there is likely more.

I am grateful for the good things. Like I said, 2009 is a mixed year. And I hope, as I always do, when this time comes around, that 2010 will be a better year. For me. For you. For all of us.

Do You Make Them?

I'm one of those people who make resolutions when the New Year looms. Can't help it. Just do.

So, mine for this year:

1) Stop reading reviews. This is a big one for me because I let them affect me all too much. Some reviews, whether on a blog or on reader sites, have crushed my spirit to the point I have seriously thought of giving up writing. I don't think I will be entirely successful at not reading reviews of my work but I am going to be a lot better about resisting the urge to google myself to find them.

2) Lose weight. This one comes up every year. But I know I am not as healthy as I should be and if I don't do something soon, well, it could be too late. So I must try.

3) Manage my money better. Basically keep track of what I am spending and stop spending it on frivolous stuff I really don't need. I can't tell you how many earrings I own that I almost never wear, how many video games I almost never play, and how many cross stitch kits I will never do.

4) Appreciate what I have in my life more instead of envying what someone else has

5) Have eight to ten published stories

Do you do resolutions? If so, what are yours? If not, why not?

Looking Forward

I hope everyone had a simply fabulous holiday. I, for one, am now looking forward to 2010. I know many of you are also. I've got tons and tons of writing to do to get many more books out.

I discovered that in 2008 I had eleven releases. And in 2009 I had only eight. So now we will see how many I can do for 2010. The only one scheduled is Only in His Dreams, but I intend to change that very quickly.

For those of you in the rest of the country, you should know yesterday was clear and beautiful with temperatures in the high sixties.

My House Guest

Right now I have an extra animal. See that cutie there? That is my brother's Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Teddy. My brother decided to visit his wife's family in Kansas for three weeks and somehow I got talked into watching him. He's staying with me.

I have two cats. One of my cats, the male, is kicking the dog's ass, lol. We were worried about Teddy attacking the cats and as it happens he is afraid of them. When one of them gets near the dog, he yelps like he's being murdered.

So far, just about five days into his three weeks here, he is very cute and sweet and everyone around us just loves him (except the cats). Makes life interesting.

Merry Christmas To All And To All A Good Night

Merry Christmas to all who stop by here. I wish you joy as you enjoy the holiday with those you love and treasure. I'll catch you after Christmas.

Waking the Prince Excerpt

Since I am running out of topics to discuss before Christmas and Only in His Dreams still is without a cover, thought I'd post an excerpt fr0m my current work in progress, Waking the Prince.


Roland kept a wide berth as he walked with the warrior, Magnus, to Amir’s graveyard. He’d never seen such a big man before. Magnus was dressed in his chain mail with large bulging muscles and a wicked looking sword.

Still, Roland could not deny he found much to admire about Magnus. His cheeks heated just thinking about how handsome the man was. Roland knew he was not supposed to find men attractive. But how was he to help it when faced with a man like Magnus?

Magnus was quite a bit taller than Roland. Probably a foot taller. Roland didn’t know how tall he was himself. The warrior had shoulder length dark hair, almost black, and dark piercing eyes with long, thick black lashes. His face was hard and rugged, his jaw chiseled like rock.

Roland missed a step and tripped. Magnus’s arm shot out bridging the distance between them effortlessly and steadied Roland. His face flamed hotter.

He cleared his throat. “Thank you.”

Magnus merely nodded and kept walking as though he knew where the graveyard was without Roland’s assistance.

Roland lifted his heated face to the cloud-filled sky for a moment, hoping it would cool him. He hurried after Magnus. “H-how long have you been a warrior?”

Magnus shrugged. “A long time. My father was one before me. I’ve been trained to be one since a boy.”

“I don’t think I could wield a sword like yours.”


“We will work on that.”

Roland frowned as they reached the graves. “We will?”

Magnus crouched down next to Roland’s father’s grave and the one next to it, but said nothing.

“That one there must be your father’s,” Roland said. “I’m sorry my parents did not speak of him.”

“He was a good man and a great warrior. Very loyal to the king and queen.” Magnus straightened, his gaze fixed intently on Roland.

Roland squirmed under the scrutiny. He did not know how to take such open staring. Especially from someone he found attractive. He stepped back and nearly stumbled over a large rock.

Magnus once more caught his arm and steadied him. “You must be careful, Roland.”

“I’ve always been a bit clumsy.”

“Every action you take from now on must be carefully thought out.”

He seemed so serious, Roland laughed. He could not help it. “What does that mean?”

“You will learn very soon.” Magnus glanced at the clouds. “I’ve felt a sprinkle or two. We should head back to your hut. I would not want you to be soaked and then to become ill.”

He might be younger and considerably smaller than Magnus, but that did not make him a child to be coddled. “I am not a baby. I will take the chance.”

A smile curved Magnus’s lips. “Nay, you are no mere babe.” And then, to Roland’s surprise, Magnus felt the muscles of his arms sending unwelcome jolts of longing through him. “Taking care of the crops has given you some muscles. You will fill out more with the training.”

“Training?”

Magnus seemed to step closer until they were only inches apart, so close he could feel the heat radiating from the big warrior’s body. Roland could barely breathe. There was something in Magnus’s gaze he couldn’t quite place, but it warmed his insides.

Magnus shook himself and broke their eye contact. A muscle ticked in his jaw and he exhaled heavily. “Is there a maiden here you are fond of?”

Roland swallowed, startled by the question. “No, there is no maiden.”

New Release...

Malcolm Rowland’s nearly year-old relationship ends just before Christmas when he learns his boyfriend has been cheating on him. Unfortunately, the breakup leaves Malcolm with no place to live and no job.

His best friend, Dustin Jones, who has stood by him for years, takes him in and is determined to show Malcolm not only a great Christmas, but that love between the two of them can be the best gift of all...

Sunday Eye Candy

The Six Winners...

I went with the top five people that Randomizer thing picked. All five of you get a free copy of The Best Gift this weekend. I'll send pdfs unless you indicate otherwise in the email you send to me with your email address so you can receive your book. Email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com.

I wish I could afford to give out a copy to all of you. Thank you for entering. And remember it's on sale this month at AQ for just $2.25!

1. Sidda Lee
2. Nick
3. Kathy K
4. Andi
5. Anna

And because I found out Eyre had a birthday this week, she gets a copy of The Best Gift too.

Kevin's Perfect Christmas, Conclusion

Kevin stopped in the middle of the kitchen doorway. He’d almost forgotten.

“Hey, babe, put on the Johnny Mathis Christmas CD, will you?”

“Yes, dear,” Michael responded.

Satisfied, Kevin smiled and pulled Noah into the kitchen. It was filled with the smells of Christmas. Or what he decided Christmas smelled like anyway. Gingerbread, sugar cookies, and roast beef. Oh, and peppermint patties, too. He picked up his glass and took a large sip.

“So, who did you see at the mall?” Noah asked. He stopped and stared at the counter where several Gingerbread men were laid out. Kevin had decorated them with clothes,…well frosting clothes…the ones left sitting on the cookie sheet were wearing lederhosen. “Oh, my God, those are the cutest things I’ve ever seen.” He reached out to pick one up and Kevin slapped his hand.

“Those aren‘t for you. I already made you and Charlie a Christmas package with some in it. Those ones are for Gabby and her sons,” Kevin explained, referring to the manager of his car wash.

“You aren’t open on Christmas are you?”

“Course not. But Gabby and the boys are coming over tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got those and other presents for them.” Kevin got out the step stool from beside the refrigerator and set it before the cabinet containing his Christmas dishes. He eyed Noah. “You’re taller than me. You go up and get my Spode plates.”

Noah didn’t hesitate to do as Kevin asked which reminded him why he adored Noah in the first place. He smiled and took the Christmas tree plates when Noah handed them to him.

Noah picked up his peppermint patty when he got down off the stool. “So, who did you see at the mall?”

“Oh, yeah. So, I went to the mall yesterday. I wanted to get something else for Michael. Just a teensy little thing. Nothing big, because I’d already gotten him a bunch of other things. And damn, that place was packed. I know they say the economy is bad, but you wouldn’t know it to look at the mall. I had to park like miles and miles away from the building.”

“Kev—”

“By the time I got inside, my legs were wobbly from all that walking.” Okay, so that was a tiny exaggeration. Wait. What the hell?

“Kev, who did you see?” Noah asked impatiently.

“Is that Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer I hear?” Kevin yelled. He went to the edge of the kitchen and listened. “That is not Johnny Mathis.”

Michael’s only response was laughter, the bastard.

“Kevin, the story,” Noah reminded him.

He turned back to Noah. “Right. Where was I? Oh, yeah, so I walked and walked. You should have seen the line for Santa. All these kids weeping and wailing because their mama wanted them to get their picture taken with Santa. Most of them looked terrified.” Kevin reached into a cabinet under the counter to pull out a pot for Noah to make his gravy. “Did I ever tell you about the time when I was a kid and Danny and I caught Santa smoking a joint on his break?”

“Yes, you have.”

“Oh. Anyway, I went into Macy’s. I went over to the men’s cologne and smelled a bunch of them. You know, is this one going to smell right on Michael? Or this one? Or any of them, really.” He thrust the pot into Noah’s hand. “And all of a sudden someone touched my ass.”

“What?” That had gotten Noah’s attention.

“Yeah, what, indeed.” Kevin nodded. “So, I turned around ready to pop whoever it is and guess who stood there smiling with his hand out near my ass?”

“Who?”

“Raphael.”

“Oh, my God, will that idiot ever get a clue?” Noah wondered, going to the stove to make the gravy.

“Apparently not. So I told him I had a husband for crying out loud and he says, well, if you ever want some variety look me up.” Kevin shook his head, remembering the leer Raphael had given him. “As if.”

“Did you tell Michael?”

“No, he’d just get pissed someone was touching my ass. Can you believe that Raphael?”

“I never knew what you were thinking when you hooked up with that moron in the first place,” Noah told him. “You were always way too good for him. I’d tell Michael, just in case. Raphael has a way of turning up.”

“Well, enough of that. Let’s focus on Christmas.”

“What about Michael’s parents? Are they coming over tomorrow?”

“No, they went up north to be with Danny and his fiancé for Christmas. Danny decided to stay close to school over the break. We’ll see them over New Year’s. And before you ask, I heard from my dad in Vegas.”

“He doesn’t want money does he?”

“Well, of course, he hasn’t changed any. But I guess he’s finished, at least for now, going through a variety of cocktail waitresses, and now has a steady one living with him.” Kevin rolled his eyes and started mixing more peppermint patties. “He actually asked me if we were going to visit him for Christmas.”

Noah smiled. “That’s kinda nice. Trying to reach out.”

Kevin shrugged. “So maybe, maybe, in January we might go visit him. For like a day or half a day.”

Noah stopped stirring his gravy and hugged Kevin. “You’re too cute, you know?’

Kevin pushed him away gently, but returned his smile. “I guess I made those drinks, too strong, huh?”

Noah laughed. “Kev, remember us last December? You’d just broken up with Raphael, if you could call it a relationship, and were hitting the gay clubs in West Hollywood every weekend.”

Kevin grimaced. “Don’t remind me.”

“And I was still hopelessly in love with Charlie who barely wanted to give me the time of day.” Noah shook his head. “I’ll never forget the night I decided to give up on Charlie and I ever being together. You came on your motorcycle and took me away.”

“I remember. Damn, I wouldn’t go back to those days for anything.” Kevin thought of Michael. Letting him back into his life after his stupid teenaged hurt had been difficult, but he couldn’t imagine not going to sleep every night with Michael’s arms wrapped around him.

“Me either,” Noah agreed. “Merry Christmas, Kev.”

It was Kevin’s turn to hug Noah. “Merry Christmas, girlfriend.”

Hours later, Kevin stood at his front door, with Michael’s arm around him, saying goodnight to Noah and Charlie. Dinner had been a smashing success. After dinner, they’d played the game of Life. Michael won, damn him. Then, they’d played Trivial Pursuit and that bastard had won again. Nah, he loved having a smart husband. Even if he was a little too smug sometimes.

Kevin had a somewhat crazy dream. He would love it if they could have a great big house and everyone they loved and cared about could live there with them. They’d all have their own rooms, of course, but when the night was over no one would ever have to leave.

“We had a wonderful night, Kev, thank you,” Noah said, kissing his cheek. “Love you.”

“Love you, too. And Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas. And to you, too, Michael.” Noah hugged him and then Charlie hugged them both, too.

Charlie grabbed Noah’s hand. “Come on, Slycat. I want to hear you purr.”

Noah turned bright red. “Charlie!”

Everyone laughed and then his friends went out the door. Kevin closed the door somewhat wistfully.

“Hey,” Michael said, pulling him under the mistletoe. They kissed for long, breathless minutes and Kevin thought they’d be heading upstairs to their bedroom any second. But then, Michael ended their kisses and said, “Come into the living room.”

He led them to the sofa and then sat down, pulling Kevin on his lap once more. He laid his head against Michael’s shoulder. For a while they didn’t speak, just watched the tree, its multi-colored lights blinking in different patterns. In the background, Bing Crosby sang Little Drummerboy.

“I have a couple of presents I want to give to you tonight,” Michael whispered, gently stroking his hair.

“Tonight? Really?” Kevin leaned back, getting excited. “What? What are they?”

Michael chuckled. He reached down to where he’d earlier left his briefcase and withdrew a small square box in professionally wrapped Christmas paper. “This one first.”

Kevin tore open the package, never one to carefully preserve the Christmas wrap, and bounced with joy. It was a small motorcycle Christmas ornament and on the back had been painted a pink helmet. “Wow, this is so cool. How did you find this?”

“I got it from a custom Christmas ornament place.” He pulled Kevin down for a quick kiss. “That’s the only motorcycle you’ll ever have, by the way.”

Kevin pouted and then moved to go put it on the tree, but Michael’s arms drew him back.

“One more, sweetheart.” He pulled out another package from next to the couch.

Kevin ripped the paper off that one too and then stared in wonder at the ornament he held. It was a miniature replica of a car wash. But not just any, his car wash. The ornament included a tiny dark red Maserati and next to it a very tiny Kevin with dark hair and cherry highlights.

Tears flooded his eyes and his throat clogged. He didn’t think he’d ever received a more precious gift in his life.

“Hey.” Michael gently wiped a tear from his cheek. “It’s supposed to make you happy.”

“It—” He stopped. Tried again. “It does.”

Michael smiled. “Good.” He grasped Kevin’s hand and held it to his chest over his heart. “That car wash means a lot to me. It brought me you. Merry Christmas, my Christmas angel.”

He hugged Michael close, still unable to get coherent words out. When he could finally get enough steadying breaths, Kevin said against Michael’s throat. “I love you.”

Kevin's Perfect Christmas, part two

Noah fiddled with the radio buttons while Charlie drove to Kevin and Michael’s house in the canyons. He found one of those stations that played twenty-four hour Christmas tunes and leaned back in his seat and yawned.

Charlie glanced his way. “Are you okay?”

“Just tired. That business trip wiped me out.”

“Well, why didn’t we cancel?”

Noah laughed. “You still don’t know Kevin. He would have thrown a hissy fit and insisted we come. He’d probably have even sent Michael to fetch us. It’s okay, it’ll be fun.”

“All right. But you know, you have been gone for several days. I was hoping for some serious alone time.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll see that you get that. Tomorrow is just for us, I promise.”

His lover nodded. “Sounds great.”

“I’m sorry I missed the last few nights of Chanukah.” He’d been forced to fly to St. Louis on December sixteenth. He loved getting promoted, but traveling sucked.

Charlie nodded. “I know. It’s all right.”

“It’s not,” Noah insisted. “But I’ll make it up to you, I promise. I want us to celebrate both. So, what did you get me for Christmas?”

“Nope, you have to wait for Santa to bring it to you tomorrow morning like all the other kids. My lips are sealed.”

“Aren’t we too old for surprises? Haven’t we reached the age where surprises could hurt us?”

Charlie laughed. “Not even close, hon.” He turned the car down the street where their friend’s house was. The residential block was heavily decorated with Christmas lights, including many lawn ornaments and lighted deer. He parked in the long winding driveway per the instructions they’d been given by Kevin.

Noah got out and looked around at the yard and house. Kevin and Michael’s driveway had been lined with flashing candy canes. On the front lawn were several lighted lawn ornaments in reindeer, snowmen, angel and Santa shapes. And of course the outside of the house was adorned with enough multi-colored bulbs to make Clark Griswold proud.

Charlie smiled and glanced at him over the car. “Festive.”

Noah laughed. “Yes, that’s Kevin.” He reached in and grabbed the gift bags they’d brought with them.

The front door, upon which was placed a giant blinking lighted wreath decorated with a large red velvet bow, was flung open as soon as they approached. A practically bouncing Kevin stood in the doorway.

“Merry Christmas,” Kevin called.

Noah had to admit his friend’s enthusiasm was infectious. He pulled Kevin into a tight embrace. “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

“Come in, come in.” Kevin practically ripped his arm off pulling him inside. Just before he turned around, Noah noticed his cheerful Christmas sweater. Kevin quickly pulled Charlie in, too. He placed a quick kiss on Charlie’s cheek and then closed and locked the door. “Wait here.”

Noah watched his friend dash down the hall, bemused.

“Hey, what are you two standing in the hallway for?” Michael came into the hallway wearing a green Christmas sweater with snowflakes and glitter for crying out loud. Noah’s jaw dropped.

“Nice sweater,” Charlie murmured.

Kevin returned carrying two gift bags. He shoved one at Noah and one at Charlie. “Open them now.”

Noah eyed it suspiciously. He was beginning to think he knew what it was with a tiny bit of dread. He peered inside. A long-sleeved green and red striped sweater. He pulled it out with resignation. In the middle of the chest was a rather goofy looking penguin wearing a Santa hat.

“Isn’t he adorable?” Kevin asked. “Put it on.” He looked expectantly at Charlie.

Charlie’s lips twitched, but he pulled out a blue sweater with stars and snowflakes.

“I didn’t think you’d want to wear one with Santa or a nativity or anything,” Kevin explained. “Put those on and then come into the living room.” He grabbed Michael’s hand. “Come on.”

Charlie smiled after them. “I guess we have to put these on, huh?”

Noah was already pulling his over his head. “I couldn’t disappoint Kevin, so I would say yes.”

“Yeah, if I crushed Kevin’s feelings Michael would pummel me.” Charlie put the blue sweater on with a grimace. “Geez, I’m hot already.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about Michael pummeling you. I’ll protect you,” Noah said.

Charlie chuckled. “No offense, hon, but I think he could take you.”

Noah shook his head. “I’m a black belt in karate.”

“Wait, what? How come I didn’t know that?”

Noah patted his arm and kissed his cheek. “You didn’t ask. We’d better head into the living room.” He reached down to scoop up the presents they’d brought.

“Wait,” Charlie said. He gestured at the ceiling where Kevin had hung a bit of mistletoe. “Kiss me.”

Noah pulled him close, threading his fingers through Charlie’s dark curls. “My pleasure,” he whispered, just before taking Charlie’s lips in a slow, sensual kiss.

“Hey, no hankie-pankie in the front hall,” Kevin yelled from the living room.

Charlie sighed, but smiled. “Guess we’d better go in.”
Hand in hand they walked into the brightly decorated living room.


“There you are,” Kevin exclaimed. He pointed to a silver tray laid out on the coffee table. On it were two glass mugs filled with a chocolaty–looking steaming hot drink. “Those are peppermint patties. Each of you gets one.”

Noah couldn’t help but grin as he picked up one mug and handed it to Charlie and then he took a sip from the other mug. “Hey, this tastes just like a peppermint patty.”

“I know, I practiced all week,” Kevin assured them.

“No wonder you’ve been in a good mood every night,” Michael said, drinking from his own mug.

“Ha, ha.”

“It’s pretty good, what’s in it?” Charlie wanted to know.

“Peppermint schnapps, crème de cacao, and chocolate syrup.”

Noah noticed that now perched on the top of Kevin’s head was a dark red velvet Santa hat. He hoped his friend hadn’t also bought one of those for each of them. “What’s for dinner, Kev?”

“I’m glad you asked, because I want your help in the kitchen. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, your gravy, and because Michael insisted we have a vegetable, sautéed kale.”

“Vegetables are good for you,” Michael insisted.

“Whatever.” Kevin grabbed Noah’s arm. “Come on. I want to tell you who I saw at the mall.”

“Santa?” Noah guessed with a laugh.

“Well, duh, yeah, but no, come on into the kitchen with me.”

Only in His Dreams

Yes, my friends, I finished Only in His Dreams and submitted it to Amber Quill. As my BFF would say, "go me".

I have a release date of March 14, 2010.

Three months seems like a long time but in the publishing world it really is not long at all. As soon as I have a cover I'll post it.

No resting for too long though as I have way too many stories that need to get done.

I'm nearly finished with part two of the Christmas freebie too so I will be posting that sometime today.

Just One to Go...

Thanks to everyone for the great response to Ticket to Ride so far. Once I got who the characters needed to be for that story (thanks to Nelson, lol) it flowed fairly easily for me. Darn thing has been done since August so I was very ready for it to come out.

It's funny, a friend said to me, now that you have a book with the Beatles title, Ticket to Ride, are you going to make it a series with other Beatles song titles like Eight Days a Week or Paperback Writer or You've Got to Hide Your Love Away.

Um, I admit, my stupid brain sort of perked up at the notion. "Hmm, I could write a mystery series starring Chad and Jack. Or a new couple every book," the brain said. Hmm...fortunately, I turned off the brain and said no to it.

In other news, I am on the last chapter of Only in His Dreams. Go me! I should get it done today and off to where it needs to go. Huge sigh of relief. I'll post a release date, etc, when I know.

Since I am about done with that, I should be able to post part two of the Christmas story sometime Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Speaking of those whose names are in for winning this weekend's release, The Best Gift are:

Anna
Shayne
Andi
Kara
Drew
Brent
Josh
Lindsay
Eyre
Ivan
Kathy K
mishkismom
Sharon
Martha W
Rachel
Jack
Nick
Sidda Lee
Spring

Please, if I have missed anyone, let me know. Sometimes my eyes skip over names.

The Best Gift is short, being under 10,000 words and it will fly by as you read it, promise. I went the opposite in that Chad and Jack are older heroes. In The Best Gift, Malcolm and Dusty are in their 20s.

Kevin's Perfect Christmas (Part One)

Michael Bennett set his briefcase on the floor next to the couch and sifted through the papers he’d just removed from it. He’d removed his suit coat and shoes and now lay spread out on the couch.

Nearby, his husband, Kevin Flaherty, added Christmas decorations to an already over decorated tree. Kevin, dressed in tight black jeans and a garish red Christmas sweater complete with Santa Claus and his reindeer, stood on tip-toe to reach a few branches at the top. He was alternately humming and singing Good King Wenceslas. Michael figured he resorted to humming when he couldn’t remember the words.

“Hey, sweetheart, I have a question for you,” Michael said, briefly looking up from the court papers.

“Hmm?” Kevin stopped his decorating, tucked a dark strand of hair behind his ears, and looked at Michael expectantly.

For a moment, staring at Kevin’s cherry lip-glossed mouth and crystal holly stud in his nose, Michael forgot what he was going to say. He blinked and cleared his throat. “A few actually. Weren’t you done decorating the tree several days ago?”

“Well, I was. But I went to get a few stocking stuffers for you today and I saw these,” Kevin paused, indicating the glittery gold, red, and green Christmas balls, “and I just had to have them.”

“More presents? I thought you were done buying gifts for me.”

Kevin smiled. “Stocking stuffers don’t count, babe.”

Michael shook his head. “What time are Noah and Charlie coming?”

“Should be here in like half an hour.”

Not enough time for a thorough sexing up of his hot little Kevin, Michael supposed. Damn. “Okay. And the last question is, why Good King Wenceslas? Most people I know go around singing Jingle Bells or Silent Night or even Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

“I don’t know. It’s always been my favorite.”

Michael bit his tongue to keep from asking why he didn’t know all the proper words then. He had a feeling his husband was going to keep him on his toes for the rest of their lives.

Kevin put a few more Christmas balls on the tree and then turned back to Michael. He walked over to the couch and sat across Michael’s lap, leaning down to kiss him. “Now, I have a question for you.”

“Yes,” Michael said, grabbing Kevin’s head down for another kiss. “Whatever it is, yes, absolutely.”

Kevin laughed. “It’s not a yes or no question.”

Michael’s arms wrapped around Kevin and held him there. “I was hoping you were going to ask me if you should call Noah and Charlie and tell them not to come.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I’d rather spend the evening with you wrapped around my cock, of course.”

“It’s Christmas Eve, hon. We’re having friends over. You’ll have to wait for that when they leave.”

“Okay, then what’s your question?”

“Why are you still doing work? Why aren’t you dressed in the Christmas sweater I laid out for you on the bed?”

“What? That green sweater with the snow flakes and red glitter was for me?”
“Uh-huh. I bought it for you the other day. I got two of them for you. One for tonight and then another for Christmas tomorrow.”

“Kevin—”

“Don’t even try to tell me you aren’t going to wear it, babe. It’s Christmas. Wearing your sweaters is all the present I need.”

He clenched his jaw. “Really? Then what were all those circled items in the Abercrombie and Fitch Catalogue you left in my briefcase a few weeks ago?”

Kevin pouted. “I want those, too. Come on, please?”

“All right, I’ll wear the damn sweater.”

Kevin gifted him with his adorable smile. He leaned down for another kiss and then hopped up off Michael’s lap. “Go put it on now. They’ll be here soon and I have to go check the men in the kitchen.”

“There are men in the kitchen?”

Kevin rolled his eyes. “Gingerbread men, Michael.”

“Oh.” He looked at his court documents. “What about this?”

“You are so done working. You can break up relationships after Christmas.” He grabbed the papers out of Michael’s hands. “Now hurry.”

The Best Gift Contest Continues

See that beautiful picture there to the right? You can enter all this week. The winner/s will be chosen Friday.

Here is the blurb if you are undecided:

Malcolm Rowland’s nearly year-old relationship ends just before Christmas when he learns his boyfriend has been cheating on him. Unfortunately, the breakup leaves Malcolm with no place to live and no job.

His best friend, Dustin Jones, who has stood by him for years, takes him in and is determined to show Malcolm not only a great Christmas, but that love between the two of them can be the best gift of all...

And Excerpt:

...Dusty had taken the artificial tree from the box and set it up. He’d set the four-and-a-half-foot tree on a small square table in front of the window. He was now preparing to string lights over it. As he bent this way and that working on the tree, his jeans tightened across his ass. Oh, God, Malcolm needed to get a serious grip.

“Need some help?” Malcolm forced himself to ask.

“Yeah, why not start opening the ornament packages?” Dustin didn’t turn around.

Malcolm bit his lip. He hated the awkwardness between them. And damn it, he wasn’t the only one who’d gotten hard when they hugged. “Dustin, can I talk to you?”

Dusty stiffened. “Um, okay, but can it wait until after the tree is decorated?”

“No. I—look, I’m sorry I freaked you out earlier.”

“I didn’t freak out.”

“Dusty, will you stop that for a minute and look at me?”

Dusty finally let go of the string of lights and turned to face him. His cheeks were stained red and his baby blue eyes were suspiciously watery. Malcolm’s stomach dropped.

“Dusty, what is it?” He took the several steps to his friend and couldn’t stop himself from resting his hand on Dustin’s chest. The man shook.

"Malcolm, please.” Dusty sounded pained, tortured.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-I just want you, okay, I want you and—”

Malcolm stopped Dusty’s words with his lips, standing on tiptoe to crush his mouth to the other man’s.

Dusty tore away his lips and stared down at him, his jaw slack. “Malcolm?”

“I want you, too. Kiss me.” He fisted Dusty’s shirt, urging his friend to dip his head down to kissing distance.

Dusty moaned low and cupped Malcolm’s ass, lifting him up so their lips crashed together. Malcolm’s feet came up off the floor.

“The bed,” he gasped, even as Dusty devoured his mouth.

In the few seconds it took Malcolm to get them into his bedroom, Dusty didn’t tear his lips away. He slammed Malcolm and himself onto the double bed, their teeth clacking together.

Barely able to catch his breath, Malcolm pushed his hands under Dusty’s shirt, touching hot silken skin. He dug in his fingertips, wanting to brand Dusty in some small way as his.

Dusty flipped them over so Malcolm was now on top and he ripped out the band Malcolm used to bind his hair. His hair fanned out over Dusty’s fingers.

“Clothes off,” Dusty whispered.

Malcolm needed no further urging and he shoved Dustin’s shirt up to his armpits. His soon-to-be lover slipped it off the rest of the way. His own shirt was practically torn from his body and discarded.

He took a moment to admire his friend’s beautiful ivory skin and rosy nipples. He grazed Dusty’s muscular arms with the tips of his fingers, smiling at the goose bumps developing in their wake.
“Malcolm?”

Reluctantly, he tore his gaze from the perfect chest and met Dusty’s stare. His breath caught in his throat at the bare love and lust he detected in the man’s eyes.

“Take me, Dusty. Make me yours.”

Dusty groaned and grabbed strands of Malcolm’s hair, melding their mouths together...

Ticket to Ride is Released

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/TicketToRide.html

And the Winners Are

I decided to choose two winners of Ticket to Ride


There were 13 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Josh
Mindy
Shayne
Sharon
Zach
Eyre
Gabbi
Brent
Drew
Andi
Ivan
Maggie
Anna

There were 12 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Drew
Andi
Eyre
Maggie
Sharon
Anna
Mindy
Brent
Ivan
Gabbi
Zach
Shayne

Two winners are Josh and Drew. You'll need to email: authorshawnlane@gmail.com with your email addresses so I can send you the book. Please list format preference. If you don't list a preference I'll send pdf.

Thanks to everyone, and don't forget you can still win The Best Gift next week.

Some Shawn Updates

In other news, besides pimping my contest and my cat love story, I am still working on Only in His Dreams. I admit, this one is taking me a tad bit longer to write than I had hoped. First I wanted it done by the end of November. When that didn't happen I wanted to have it done in early December. Can I get a big grrrr to that? Now my self-imposed deadline to get to Amber Quill is December 15.

Since I've already missed two other self-imposed deadlines I certainly hope I don't do it again. I am going to be home this weekend so barring any major disaster I think I can do it. I only have two maybe three chapters to go. I just hope it isn't boring. It's pretty much a relationship story with no outside forces interfering. No intrigue or suspense or anything.

I'm also still working on Kevin's Perfect Christmas. The first part is ready and waiting to appear on Monday. The second part is half done. I'm not sure when the date for posting that will be.

Once those stories are out of the way, I'll be returning to Waking the Prince, my m/m fairytale inspired by Sleeping Beauty. And once that is safely done, I have to work on Never the One.

For those that don't know what Never the One is, it's another best friends become lovers story. Two cop partners trying to stop a serial killer who is targeting the elderly in their Northern California city called Wind's Canyon (totally fictional). This one has an Amber Quill set deadline of March 01, so you can see why I'll be bumping it up.

I know certain people have mentioned Jude's (from Sweet Reunion) story. I have started it and I apologize for the delay, it's in the queue in the not too distant future. I'll at some point be working on the story of Barnaby and Nathan (a couple who appear as secondary characters in Only in His Dreams, too). Barnaby is a fun, flamboyant guy who falls for a shy Clark Kent type.

If only I could quit the EDJ and work on these stories full time.

Thanks to all who stop by regularly, the ones who comment, and the shy lurkers, too.

Don't Be Shy

There's still time to put your name in to win Ticket to Ride.

The winner will be chosen by the randomizer thingy tomorrow and the book will be given during the weekend (when I receive my copy)

Good luck

Tiffin...A Love Story

I've been a dog lover all my life. I grew up with dogs and had the best one ever named, Whiskey. I still think about her years later though she has been gone for many years.

I was not a cat person. I didn't dislike cats. People who can look at little kittens and hate are evil, sorry. I just never thought to own one myself.

Then one day fifteen years ago my friend, Karen, started feeding a stray cat who wandered around her apartment complex. I'm sure you've heard this story before, it happens all too often, the cat ended up being pregnant. Six little kittens were born. At the time I lived in an apartment myself that did not allow pets.

But the first time I saw Tiffin, a little tiger-striped kitten, I fell in love. She was tiny and oh so precious. Karen could tell I was weakening every time I saw the little kitten. Pretty soon I was agreeing to take a kitten I couldn't have.

She was so small when I brought her home even at six weeks I was always afraid of stepping on her. From the very beginning she was too cute for words. She would crawl onto my chest and lay there and purr. I had just returned from a trip to Ireland and my tour guide was a wonderful old Irish woman named Tiffin and thus Tiffy received her name.

I've never known a cat who loved her name more than Tiffy. We'd call her Tiffers, Tiff, Tiffy. She loved them all and knew every nickname.

Eventually I got suckered into taking her brother, too, but that's another story.

Tiffin never did get very big, weighing at the most about 7 pounds. Over the years she did so many cute things and was a wonderful companion. I am sure we all know how much we end up loving our pets.

Well, now, nearly fifteen years later, my little Tiffy is sick. I won't go into the gory details but suffice it to say it might be cancer and I'll likely be forced to make an extremely tough decision. She's given me many years of love and though I am not ready to say goodbye, I wouldn't want her to suffer.

So, whatever happens with Tiffin, I'll never forget that tiny little kitten who stole my heart.

Inspiration Strikes Everywhere

As I get close to the release of Ticket to Ride I am reminded of how it came about. Earlier this year, I volunteered with several other authors to work on a story with a song title. It would become one of five stories that become an Amber Quill Pax, basically you can purchase all five stories at once or you can buy the stories individually.

As someone who has always been a Beatles fan I wanted to use a title from one of their songs. For some reason I chose Ticket to Ride. At first I didn’t even have a clue what the book would be about, and then, eventually when I did start writing it…well the two heroes were Malcolm and Dusty.

That’s right my heroes from The Best Gift were originally the heroes for Ticket to Ride. But as I wrote the beginning it just didn’t seem to go where I wanted it to go.

Then in early June, I went to Las Vegas with my friends. We usually drive from Cali but for that particular trip we flew out of Burbank. On the way home, we were sitting in the airport waiting for our flight when my friend leaned over and asked, “Isn’t that the Nelson twins?”

For those who don’t remember in the early 90s (I think), Ricky Nelson’s twin sons, Gunnar and Matthew formed a band called Nelson. They did sort of glam rock and had long blond hair.

Anyway, I checked out the two guys sitting a couple rows away and noticed one of them had a guitar with them. Sure enough it was the twins. They were now in their early forties with short blond hair.
What does this have to do with Ticket to Ride? Out of this sighting, Chad Storm, former lead singer of Lightening was born and suddenly Ticket to Ride became a different book. Chad’s hero became a tough homicide cop, Jack Reeves.

Ava March, who some of you may or may not know, is my critique partner of a couple of years now mentioned to me that she had liked Malcolm and Dusty and hoped I would consider writing a story for them even though they were not right for Ticket to Ride and The Best Gift was born.

So these stories have always been connected really. It seems appropriate they release within a week of each other.

Ticket to Ride Contest So Far

Here is who I have listed for the contest for Ticket to Ride so far.


Ivan
Andi
Shayne
Zach
Gabbi
Drew
Maggie
Brent
Mindy
Anna
Sharon
Josh
Eyre
EH

If I have missed anyone let me know.

You still have until Thursday, December 10, 2009, to put your name in to win Ticket to Ride. I'll choose the winner Friday.

Sunday Eye Candy

Since it's cold so many places I thought I'd give you this hottie on the beach.

Thanks for the terrific response so far to my contests.

Blog at Amber Quill

I've blogged at Amber Quill's blog about The Best Gift and Ticket to Ride and included Excerpts if you'd like to check them out:

http://www.aqpauthors.blogspot.com/

The Best Gift Giveawy

Really simple, if you would like the opportunity to win a copy of The Best Gift merely leave your name on the comments of this post and I will randomly choose a winner by December 20, 2009 when it releases. And yes, you can enter both contests. Here is the blurb:

Malcolm Rowland’s nearly year old relationship ends just before Christmas when he learns his boyfriend has been cheating on him. Malcolm has no place to live and no job. His best friend, Dustin Jones, who has stood by him for years, is determined to show Malcolm not only a great Christmas, but that love between the two of them can be the best gift.

About Kevin...

For anyone who cares to read it, Kevin's Perfect Christmas should make its debut on Monday, December 14, 2009. I don't know how many parts it will be as it is still a work in progress. My guess is about four, but I can't say for sure. I'm not even sure when the subsequent parts will be posted. I am very busy right now working on Only In His Dreams as well as getting ready for the real holidays like most everyone else.

Basically the premise is it is Christmas Eve and Kevin has invited his very good friends, Noah and Charlie over to share the night with him and Michael. Pretty simple, no? It should be cute and sweet and maybe a little hot but no angst or unhappiness as it is Christmas after all!

Here It Is...Ticket to Ride Contest

It’s December and only two weeks to the release of Ticket to Ride. Wow, it seems like it took a long time to get here. To me anyway.

Today starts the giveaway for Ticket to Ride. I’m going to add a new element. The winner will be chosen randomly among those who can correctly answer one of three questions. You only need to answer one correctly when you comment.

The qualifying questions are:

1) What is the name of Michael’s brother in Car Wash?
2) What mental illness does Craig have in Perfect Man?
3) How does Justin make his living in Trust?

There you have the questions. Hopefully you can find one of those that you know the answer to.

Here is the official blurb if anyone is interested:

Chad Storm's longtime on-again, off-again boyfriend has a ticket to ride on a plane to Maryland and out of Chad's life for good. But someone decides on a more permanent end to their relationship. Former lead singer of the rock band, Lightning, Chad is working on his comeback album when he finds the body of his murdered ex-lover floating in his swimming pool.

Lieutenant Jack Reeves, from the homicide division, has never heard of Lightning, but now he has a gruesome murder to solve. The more he learns of Chad, the more intrigued he becomes, and his protective instincts kick in when Chad begins to receive strange phone calls—from the dead man.

Jack doesn't believe in ghosts and knows someone is trying to mess with Chad, leading him to think someone close to the singer could have murderous intentions. But his attraction to Chad takes him off the investigation.

Drawn to each other, Chad and Jack begin a steamy affair, and that brings the ruthless killer out of hiding...