So after a few requests for it, I think that later this year I will be writing a sequel to The Other Side. I left the ending sort of a Happy For Now sort of ending with some unanswered questions and I've received some questions or requests for more from Nick and Ray so I think I'm going to do it. That will put off Tempted to Taste, Devon's story, but hopefully not for an extended time.
Right now I am concentrating on my Goth/Biker-Bar Owner story, Beyond the Norm. I've been neglecting it for too long. Once that is off and into the publishing world, I'll decide what to tackle next.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
March 29, 2009
I broke down and ordered myself an Amazon Kindle, Second Generation. Cannot wait to get it! I have a feeling I will love it.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
March 26, 2009
Sorcerer's Lover 2 is finished and sent off to te editorial staff at Amber Quill. It's scheduled to be released the weekend of July 26th. So look for the continuing adventures of Warin and Benedict at the end of July.
I've decided I should submit to Dreamspinner Press just because of their beautiful covers. I was just looking at their website and their coming soon pages and I have to say I am impressed. Their covers are very nice. Much nicer than some publishers that have been at it for a while. Will I really submit something to them? Good question. I am considering it.
You know I have to wonder why I am thinking of new angtsy ways to torture my characters. Now that Sorcerer's Lover 2 is finished (edits to be determined), I can move on to one of my other projects. One of which is a book called, Pieces. As in, pick up the pieces, pieces of my heart, Reese's Pieces (oh sorry, I love Easter when Reese's Pieces Eggs come out, I LOVE THEM). Anyway, since one half of my couple is still dealing with the suicide of his lover it's not a book of light and roses.
In fact every book I intend to work on in the next few months is filled with angst. That's what I like to read as well so maybe that is why. I don't know. I just can't seem to write a happy, cheerful, conflict-free book.
I've decided I should submit to Dreamspinner Press just because of their beautiful covers. I was just looking at their website and their coming soon pages and I have to say I am impressed. Their covers are very nice. Much nicer than some publishers that have been at it for a while. Will I really submit something to them? Good question. I am considering it.
You know I have to wonder why I am thinking of new angtsy ways to torture my characters. Now that Sorcerer's Lover 2 is finished (edits to be determined), I can move on to one of my other projects. One of which is a book called, Pieces. As in, pick up the pieces, pieces of my heart, Reese's Pieces (oh sorry, I love Easter when Reese's Pieces Eggs come out, I LOVE THEM). Anyway, since one half of my couple is still dealing with the suicide of his lover it's not a book of light and roses.
In fact every book I intend to work on in the next few months is filled with angst. That's what I like to read as well so maybe that is why. I don't know. I just can't seem to write a happy, cheerful, conflict-free book.
Monday, March 23, 2009
March 23, 2009
Now an excerpt from my other April release, Trust, coming April 29, 2009 from Ellora's Cave
“Yeah, yeah. Goodbye.” He closed his flip phone, his cheeks hot with embarrassment. He stood up. “S-sorry. That was my mom.”
Justin’s expression was unreadable but he nodded. “Yes, I heard.”
Brad looked away, unable or unwilling to meet Justin’s gaze. “The pizza. I’ll reheat it for you. And tea. I already have the teabag waiting.”
He moved toward the kitchen but Justin had already moved away from the doorway and stood in his way. Justin’s fingers curled around the bare skin on his forearm sending a powerful jolt straight to his cock.
“Brad, don’t.”
His heart leapt into his throat, then plummeted. This was the part where Justin told him he was calling a cab and getting the hell out of Brad’s apartment. Misery choked him but he wouldn’t back away from it like a coward.
“How much did you hear?” he managed to ask.
“All of it, I think.”
Brad nodded. “Just my mother being bossy. It was nothing.”
Olive green eyes met his. “You’re wrong, Brad.”
“Wrong?”
Justin stepped very close to Brad, so close he felt the bulge in Justin’s jeans. So close he felt Justin’s breath on his neck.
“I want you,” Justin said. “I want you so bad it’s tearing me up.”
He pulled Brad’s head down and pressed his lips to Brad’s mouth in a deep, soul-searing kiss.
The last thing he ought to be doing was making out with Justin. Brad knew when it was over Justin would regret it. And so, therefore, would Brad. But it had been so long since he’d had such human contact. Brad leaned into the kiss, allowing the sensation of having Justin’s lips on his to overtake him. Wasn’t this what he wanted? What he’d wanted ever since Justin left him?
Justin tore his lips from Brad and searched his gaze. There was unmistakable need in his green eyes but also an aching vulnerability that made Brad want to weep.
“Justin, we shouldn’t go there,” Brad said, making his voice as firm as he could manage. His gut twisted but he didn’t want to cause Justin any more pain.
“Why not?”
“You know why not. Let’s… Why don’t we talk about the letters you mentioned? If there’s a threat to your life, I want to help.”
“No,” Justin whispered. His long fingers went to the snaps on Brad’s jeans. “Don’t. I don’t think I can stand any more rejection from you, Brad.”
What?
“Justin, I haven’t—”
Justin shook his head and dropped to his knees in front of Brad.
Justin’s expression was unreadable but he nodded. “Yes, I heard.”
Brad looked away, unable or unwilling to meet Justin’s gaze. “The pizza. I’ll reheat it for you. And tea. I already have the teabag waiting.”
He moved toward the kitchen but Justin had already moved away from the doorway and stood in his way. Justin’s fingers curled around the bare skin on his forearm sending a powerful jolt straight to his cock.
“Brad, don’t.”
His heart leapt into his throat, then plummeted. This was the part where Justin told him he was calling a cab and getting the hell out of Brad’s apartment. Misery choked him but he wouldn’t back away from it like a coward.
“How much did you hear?” he managed to ask.
“All of it, I think.”
Brad nodded. “Just my mother being bossy. It was nothing.”
Olive green eyes met his. “You’re wrong, Brad.”
“Wrong?”
Justin stepped very close to Brad, so close he felt the bulge in Justin’s jeans. So close he felt Justin’s breath on his neck.
“I want you,” Justin said. “I want you so bad it’s tearing me up.”
He pulled Brad’s head down and pressed his lips to Brad’s mouth in a deep, soul-searing kiss.
The last thing he ought to be doing was making out with Justin. Brad knew when it was over Justin would regret it. And so, therefore, would Brad. But it had been so long since he’d had such human contact. Brad leaned into the kiss, allowing the sensation of having Justin’s lips on his to overtake him. Wasn’t this what he wanted? What he’d wanted ever since Justin left him?
Justin tore his lips from Brad and searched his gaze. There was unmistakable need in his green eyes but also an aching vulnerability that made Brad want to weep.
“Justin, we shouldn’t go there,” Brad said, making his voice as firm as he could manage. His gut twisted but he didn’t want to cause Justin any more pain.
“Why not?”
“You know why not. Let’s… Why don’t we talk about the letters you mentioned? If there’s a threat to your life, I want to help.”
“No,” Justin whispered. His long fingers went to the snaps on Brad’s jeans. “Don’t. I don’t think I can stand any more rejection from you, Brad.”
What?
“Justin, I haven’t—”
Justin shook his head and dropped to his knees in front of Brad.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
March 21, 2009
An excerpt from my April 12, 2009 release, Most Likely to Succeed
Thomas shrugged out of the coat and Clark tossed it on a small round table he’d set out by the lounger for drinks. He had unbuttoned Thomas’s dress shirt and had it half way down the man’s arms. Clark rained kisses all along his collarbone.
“Shouldn’t we go inside?” Thomas asked, his breaths rapid.
Clark unbuttoned the cuffs of Thomas’s shirt and pulled it the rest of the way off, discarding it with the coat. Now Thomas’s top half was bared to the world.
“I have a confession to make.” Clark’s tongue darted down, flicking over the other man’s biceps.
“Confession?”
“I’m something of an exhibitionist.”
Thomas’s inhaled sharply. “Wh-what?”
Clark chuckled. “I would have thought you’d realize that after the restaurant. I said I’d rather do it then watch, and that’s true, but I like the thrill of possibly being seen by someone while I’m having sex. A little crazy, I know.”
"Yeah."
But Clark noticed Thomas didn’t push him away. His hands roamed over Thomas’s beautiful pecs and down over his smooth, rippled stomach. Thomas had a smattering of hair on his chest, but he wasn’t a gorilla. Thank God. Clark’s hands stopped at the waistband of the other man’s pants.
“Okay?” He nuzzled Thomas’s throat, loving the tiny goose bumps and slight dampness there. Thomas smelled clean and male with just a hint of peppermint. An oddly intoxicating scent.
“Uh-huh,” Thomas moaned.
Cark undid the button and zipper of Thomas’s suit pants. His fingers slip into the other man’s briefs, barely grazing over the erect shaft before he inched toward Thomas’s tight, round ass.
Moving his lips to Thomas’s ear, he whispered, “I want to fuck you right here, right now, on the balcony. Will you let me?”
Thomas leaned back into him, groaning. He turned his face until their mouths were just inches apart. “I shouldn’t.”
“Yes, you should.” Clark touched his lips to Thomas’s, but only just a teasing touch. Later in bed, he intended to kiss Thomas breathless. Now, he was interested in other sensations.
He knelt behind Thomas, tugged the man’s pants and briefs down, then spread Thomas’s cheeks.
Friday, March 20, 2009
March 20, 2009
I was interviewed at the new website devoted to interracial ebook romances. Check it out if you get the chance.
www.interracialebooks.com
www.interracialebooks.com
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saint Patrick's Day & Other Ramblings
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
It's interesting the different reactions I am getting to one of my most recent heroes, Jake, from Jake's Regret. I have had readers tell me they really liked him and readers tell me they hated him. Thought he was weak and unsympathetic.
Funny, when I wrote Jake's Regret, I just went where I thought the character needed to go. I didn't think, and I don't think, that it's always easy for gay men to be gay openly. Even now. Sometimes people forget that, thinking the world we live in is more progressive, but it's not as progressive as you might think and gay men and women are subject to terrible hate crimes all the time even still.
So, in my view, being raised by a hateful bigot in a small town and then becoming a professional athlete, it was particularly hard for Jake. Yes, I see that makes him weak and unsympathetic to some. I'm okay with that. Not every character resonates with every reader.
For those readers who did not care for Jake or his regrets (sorry play on the title), I hope you come back to read my next release, Most Likely to Succeed when it is released in April.
Shout out to my writing buddy and critique partner who just got another contract offered from a major New York publisher. Her second one from this publisher. She deserves it as she writes amazing characters.
It's interesting the different reactions I am getting to one of my most recent heroes, Jake, from Jake's Regret. I have had readers tell me they really liked him and readers tell me they hated him. Thought he was weak and unsympathetic.
Funny, when I wrote Jake's Regret, I just went where I thought the character needed to go. I didn't think, and I don't think, that it's always easy for gay men to be gay openly. Even now. Sometimes people forget that, thinking the world we live in is more progressive, but it's not as progressive as you might think and gay men and women are subject to terrible hate crimes all the time even still.
So, in my view, being raised by a hateful bigot in a small town and then becoming a professional athlete, it was particularly hard for Jake. Yes, I see that makes him weak and unsympathetic to some. I'm okay with that. Not every character resonates with every reader.
For those readers who did not care for Jake or his regrets (sorry play on the title), I hope you come back to read my next release, Most Likely to Succeed when it is released in April.
Shout out to my writing buddy and critique partner who just got another contract offered from a major New York publisher. Her second one from this publisher. She deserves it as she writes amazing characters.
Monday, March 16, 2009
March 16, 2009
For readers who enjoyed Wanting Sam, my interracial m/f romance from Ellora’s Cave, you might want to check out It’s Only Make-Believe, my interracial m/f romance from Amber Quill.
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ItsOnlyMakeBelieve.html
For those readers who also enjoy interracial m/m romance at present I have three available. They are Stone of Wrath from Ellora’s Cave, and The Other Side and Jake’s Regret from Amber Quill.
Look for more interracial romances from me in the future.
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ItsOnlyMakeBelieve.html
For those readers who also enjoy interracial m/m romance at present I have three available. They are Stone of Wrath from Ellora’s Cave, and The Other Side and Jake’s Regret from Amber Quill.
Look for more interracial romances from me in the future.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Lawyers In Love
Sometime in late July, I will have a paperback anthology collection of my three lawyer stories,
At Long Last, Most Likely to Succeed and Car Wash. Here is the cover!
March 12, 2009
So, as I told a fellow writer, I’ve decided I need to get over myself. Seriously.
Not everyone is going to love me or even like me in this life. And certainly not everyone is going to love my books. So, I need to get over it, get over me.
See, the thing is I have this sort of Sally Field complex (you like me, you really like me). But there are going to be people out there that dislike me because I write, write ebooks, write gay romance, whatever. There will be people who dislike me because I am Irish and come from California. It’s just the way of things.
You would think, having gotten to the nearly ripe old age of 44 (this month), I would have already learned I am not the one person in the world everyone will like.
I am really going to age myself here, but I am a fan of the Golden Girl series. I can say that because my writer friend, Ava, who is about ten years younger than me loves Frank Sinatra and other oldsters. She listens to Frank and I listen to Ozzy (and yes, I mean Osborne). But I digress. There is an episode in the Golden Girls where it drives Rose nuts because some guy at her work dislikes her. Everyone likes her, Rose explains, and she just can’t comprehend why this guy doesn’t. She spends the entire episode trying to figure it out and trying to get this guy to like her. He never does.
Thus, when one of my stories gets 3 out of 5 stars or even 2 out of 5 or horrors 1 out of 5, I need to just grow up and deal with it. Not let it hurt me, ruin my day, or any of that. It’s not the end of the world or life or even your career because someone doesn’t think everything you create is brilliant. It really isn’t.
And, here is a concept, even those that do enjoy your work, may occasionally, not like a particular story as well as others. It happens. It has even happened to ME as a reader. I have certain writers that I read no matter what they write because I am a fan girl (unfortunately one of them died a few years ago and therefore I am left re-reading his works rather than new stuff), but I like or love some stories better than others. There may even be a story I didn’t care so much for. And you know, that’s going to happen to me. It’s okay.
Not everyone is going to love me or even like me in this life. And certainly not everyone is going to love my books. So, I need to get over it, get over me.
See, the thing is I have this sort of Sally Field complex (you like me, you really like me). But there are going to be people out there that dislike me because I write, write ebooks, write gay romance, whatever. There will be people who dislike me because I am Irish and come from California. It’s just the way of things.
You would think, having gotten to the nearly ripe old age of 44 (this month), I would have already learned I am not the one person in the world everyone will like.
I am really going to age myself here, but I am a fan of the Golden Girl series. I can say that because my writer friend, Ava, who is about ten years younger than me loves Frank Sinatra and other oldsters. She listens to Frank and I listen to Ozzy (and yes, I mean Osborne). But I digress. There is an episode in the Golden Girls where it drives Rose nuts because some guy at her work dislikes her. Everyone likes her, Rose explains, and she just can’t comprehend why this guy doesn’t. She spends the entire episode trying to figure it out and trying to get this guy to like her. He never does.
Thus, when one of my stories gets 3 out of 5 stars or even 2 out of 5 or horrors 1 out of 5, I need to just grow up and deal with it. Not let it hurt me, ruin my day, or any of that. It’s not the end of the world or life or even your career because someone doesn’t think everything you create is brilliant. It really isn’t.
And, here is a concept, even those that do enjoy your work, may occasionally, not like a particular story as well as others. It happens. It has even happened to ME as a reader. I have certain writers that I read no matter what they write because I am a fan girl (unfortunately one of them died a few years ago and therefore I am left re-reading his works rather than new stuff), but I like or love some stories better than others. There may even be a story I didn’t care so much for. And you know, that’s going to happen to me. It’s okay.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 10, 2009
Just a brief update to say that I have interrupted myself (my work on Pieces and Never the One) to finish Sorcerer's Lover 2. I have already successfully added 1,000 words today. I have a plan as to where the second one is going, so, if all goes as scheduled, I am hoping to have it completed by the end of March and off to AQ for adding to the schedule. Once I have finished (hopefully sooner than the end of the month) I will move back to Pieces.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Do You Like Flawed Characters?
So I'm having a mini-survey this week on this. I hope some people care to comment.
Basically the question is, do you want your characters as readers to be flawed? Do you mind if they sometimes are weak or indecisive? Do you like it when sometimes they make mistakes? Or don't always stand up for what they want? Or would you rather most of your characters were strong, take-charge individuals (not necessarily perfect), but always taking the high road and usually making the right decisions? Can you respect a character who sometimes takes the coward's way out?
What prompts this? Just wondered because sometimes I write pretty screwed up characters myself and on occasion I get comments or reviews about one of the main characters in my stories not always being likable, so I wondered if readers prefer less flawed characters.
ETA: Authors and Readers are welcome to post their thoughts in the comments section. Feel free to use your own characters or your favorite characters or whatever as examples too.
Basically the question is, do you want your characters as readers to be flawed? Do you mind if they sometimes are weak or indecisive? Do you like it when sometimes they make mistakes? Or don't always stand up for what they want? Or would you rather most of your characters were strong, take-charge individuals (not necessarily perfect), but always taking the high road and usually making the right decisions? Can you respect a character who sometimes takes the coward's way out?
What prompts this? Just wondered because sometimes I write pretty screwed up characters myself and on occasion I get comments or reviews about one of the main characters in my stories not always being likable, so I wondered if readers prefer less flawed characters.
ETA: Authors and Readers are welcome to post their thoughts in the comments section. Feel free to use your own characters or your favorite characters or whatever as examples too.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Jake's Regret is released
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/index.htmlEleven years ago, determined to be the son his father always believed him to be, former wide receiver Jake Fields broke up with his lover and teammate, quarterback Damian Grant, by leaving a note after a passionate night of sex.
Now, all these years later, Damian shows up at Jake’s father’s funeral.
After a reunion night of making love, Damian is hoping for a renewed relationship with Jake, but when a woman from Jake’s hometown sees them together, a still-closeted Jake panics and leaves Damian with only a note once more.
Now, when Jake’s small town turns against him and his life goes from bad to worse, he realizes he needs to take a chance with the man he has never stopped loving. Will Damian forgive him or has he moved on from the man who keeps breaking his heart?
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
March 06, 2009
So, soon, maybe even this weekend, I am beginning a new story. It is tentatively planned for Ellora's Cave, but you never know until you actually write the darn thing. I thought about making it quickie length for them, but I am not really sure it will make it as a quickie given the content. Anyway, the title is Pieces. I'll report more as I get further into it.
What does this mean for my cop story? Nothing. I plan on working on Never the One at the same time.
Honestly, I wish I could shut the brain off sometimes so I can just work on the stories I have already planned, but it just doesn't seem to work that way.
What does this mean for my cop story? Nothing. I plan on working on Never the One at the same time.
Honestly, I wish I could shut the brain off sometimes so I can just work on the stories I have already planned, but it just doesn't seem to work that way.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
March 05, 2009
Car Wash is finished! I'll post the cover once it has been created by AQ. This one comes out June 7th I think. Anyway, I had great fun writing Kevin's story and I hope readers will love him as much as I did.
And now, I believe, I will be moving on to my cop story. That's the plan for now, but you know I change my mind constantly.
And now, I believe, I will be moving on to my cop story. That's the plan for now, but you know I change my mind constantly.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
March 04, 2009
Nothing all that exciting to report other than I have only one scene left to write on Car Wash, my June 2009 release for Amber Allure. Can't wait!
This coming weekend, Jake's Regret is released. That's my only release for March. Then I do have two releases in April. Anyway, I am excited to see Jake's Regret coming out. I'll post again when it does.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Amber Quill February Best Seller Lists
Made the lists for February:
#6 for Amber Allure
1. What We May Be - Vivien Dean (Gay / Contemporary)
2. The Wolfe Proxy - T. D. McKinney/Terry Wylis (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Passion - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Making Waves - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Contemporary)
5. Hangin' With My Window Man - Carolina Valdez (Gay / Contemporary)
6. The Other Side - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
7. Furtive Liaison - Amanda Young (Gay / Contemporary)
8. A Taste Of Honey - Christiane France (Gay / Historical)
9. Playing The Field: Faceoff - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Contemporary)
10. However Long The Night - Jamie Craig (Gay / Vampire / BDSM)
#7 for Amber Heat
1. On The Follies Tour - Shara Bloodstone (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
2. Magic Man - Caitlyn Willows (Contemp./Ménage M/F/M)
3. Behind The Black Door - Darcy Abriel (Dark Fantasy/Ménage M/F/M)
4. If Looks Could Kill - Caitlyn Willows (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
5. Dirty Love - Lacey Savage (Futuristic/Ménage M/F/M)
6. Fast Forward - Christiane France (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
7. A Knight For All - Shawn Lane (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
8. Cymric's Rose - Mimi Riser (Historical/BDSM)
9. The Cowboys AndThe Courtesan - Mimi Riser (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
10. Caution: Wet Paint - Adrianna Dane (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
#6 for Amber Allure
1. What We May Be - Vivien Dean (Gay / Contemporary)
2. The Wolfe Proxy - T. D. McKinney/Terry Wylis (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Passion - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Making Waves - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Contemporary)
5. Hangin' With My Window Man - Carolina Valdez (Gay / Contemporary)
6. The Other Side - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
7. Furtive Liaison - Amanda Young (Gay / Contemporary)
8. A Taste Of Honey - Christiane France (Gay / Historical)
9. Playing The Field: Faceoff - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Contemporary)
10. However Long The Night - Jamie Craig (Gay / Vampire / BDSM)
#7 for Amber Heat
1. On The Follies Tour - Shara Bloodstone (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
2. Magic Man - Caitlyn Willows (Contemp./Ménage M/F/M)
3. Behind The Black Door - Darcy Abriel (Dark Fantasy/Ménage M/F/M)
4. If Looks Could Kill - Caitlyn Willows (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
5. Dirty Love - Lacey Savage (Futuristic/Ménage M/F/M)
6. Fast Forward - Christiane France (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
7. A Knight For All - Shawn Lane (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
8. Cymric's Rose - Mimi Riser (Historical/BDSM)
9. The Cowboys AndThe Courtesan - Mimi Riser (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
10. Caution: Wet Paint - Adrianna Dane (Ménage/Bisexual M/M)
Sunday, March 1, 2009
March 01, 2009
I got my first review for The Other Side. It seemed to have taken a while to get this one reviewed, but some books do seem to take longer. I recently got new reviews for Another Chance and Stone of Wrath which have been out for some time.
Anyway got 4 Stars from Rainbow Reviews. Check out their website if you want to see the full review but I am pleased with it.
I'm guessing Wanting Sam is doing pretty well since my website traffic has definitely risen since it's release.
I'm nearly done with Car Wash, my next promised male/male erotic romance for Amber Quill. Should be out in June. I've definitely liked writing this one.
Anyway got 4 Stars from Rainbow Reviews. Check out their website if you want to see the full review but I am pleased with it.
I'm guessing Wanting Sam is doing pretty well since my website traffic has definitely risen since it's release.
I'm nearly done with Car Wash, my next promised male/male erotic romance for Amber Quill. Should be out in June. I've definitely liked writing this one.
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