This will probably be my last post for May. It's pretty hard to believe it's nearly June.
For those of you who follow this blog (and amazingly there are a few), you probably have figured out by now that I am incredibly wish-washy. I’ll claim I am going to work on any one story and then all of a sudden I’ve changed my mind. This is one of those times.
As a couple people know, the story I was working on, Ticket to Ride, has been giving me fits. Not sure exactly why I am not feeling the story. I like the characters but so far they haven’t really helped me find a plot. Technically as it is supposed to be for a song-titled PAX out much later this year and isn’t due until September there is no rush for me to push it at this point. I might even need to re-think the title and choose another song title or choose another story for that and give these characters something else. It is definitely something I need to mull over for a while. Which leads me to the conclusion this is just not the time for me to write it.
I thought I might start the continuation of Nick and Ray’s story from The Other Side, but I am not really feeling that right now either. I wouldn’t mind starting Tempted to Taste, which is Ray’s brother, Devon’s story with a hot little blond chef named, Ryan, but the problem with that is that story takes place after the events in The Other Side 2 and it just doesn’t make sense to me to write them out of order.
I know Ava March would like me to start the historical, Undeniable, but honestly if you must know I’d rather turn my already written medieval paranormal, Sinful, into a m/m romance than create something new in the historical department. Which I will say I am most definitely going to tackle this summer (Sinful that is). My big strong warrior, Mathias, is going to get his man. This will take some fairly significant re-writes as you can imagine.
Anyway, what is the point of this long rambling nonsense? I have chosen the next project I will be working on, of course.
I feel like some angst. Angst on par with Perfect Man, as a matter of fact, so I am going to work on Pieces. As in pieces of my heart or I am in pieces or as one of my favorite candy, Reese’s pieces, lol.
Pieces is about a hero, Patrick, whose lover committed suicide. How is that for angst? My plan is to have the darn thing done by the end of June. Really. Piece of cake. Or is that pieces of cake? Lol.
Don't worry, Shayne, one of the heroes will have long hair, just for you.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
New Cover As Promised
Coming July 26, 2009 from Amber Allure. Preston Reynolds and Scott Trask's story continues.
Beyond the Norm Excerpt
Lazy again so I am posting the first couple of pages of a recently completed novella, Beyond the Norm. I hope you enjoy it well enough to want to read it when it comes out. FYI, it has not been through the editing processing.
The one drawback of being the owner of Dave’s Bar was having to close it up the six nights it was open.
David Johnson closed and locked the heavy oak door and glanced at his watch in the light of the neon sign of the bar. A little after three in the morning. And pouring rain.
“Shit,” he muttered. Apparently the weather man had been right after all. In the distant horizon lightning flashed. Unusual weather for December in Southern California.
He fingered his suede jacket. With the rain coming down as hard as it was he’d have to run to his truck to avoid getting completely drenched and even then he’d be pretty damn wet. The suede would be ruined.
Grimacing, Dave reopened the bar door, shrugging out of his jacket. He hooked it on the coat hook just inside the door and re-locked the door.
His pickup truck was the only vehicle still left in the strip mall parking lot. He made a run for it and nearly skidded on the wet asphalt. Reaching the truck at last, he slipped his hands into the front right pocket of his jeans and pulled out his truck keys.
A loud crack of thunder startled them right out of his hand.
“Shit,” he said again. He squinted down at the ground and spotted them under the truck next to the front driver side wheel. He crouched down. His red muscle t-shirt had already soaked through and stuck to his skin. Any minute his teeth would start chattering, Dave figured.
He dropped to a crouch to reach for the keys and lightning flashed overhead. Under his truck he spied three shadowed figures across the parking lot. He couldn’t see very clearly but he thought they were men. One lay prone and another knelt beside him dealing blow after blow to the man’s head. The third man stood and directed repeated kicks to the man lying on the asphalt.
“Hey!” Dave yelled, but if they heard him they ignored him. He stood and went to the other side of his truck, stopping by the bed of the truck to grab a crowbar. He hurried to them. “Hey, stop.”
The man standing froze in the act of kicking the man. “This isn’t your business, mister.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m making it my business. I’ve already called the cops,” Dave lied. He should have, of course. Would have even, maybe, if he’d actually had a cell phone. It was one of those stupid parts of modern life he had yet to adapt to. He only had land lines. He’d get one some day, Dave always promised. It would have come in handy just then. He waved the crowbar.
The man crouched next to the one on the ground pulled the hood of his sweatshirt up around his head and scrambled up. “Let’s go.”
“We can take this guy,” the kicker said with an ugly snarl on his face. Dave hadn’t gotten close enough to make out their features very well but he thought they were both Caucasians in their mid-twenties.
“I’m out of here,” his accomplice said, and ran away.
Dave took a step forward, brandishing his weapon.
“Dickhead,” the assailant swore, then followed after his buddy.
Dave watched them for a moment to make sure they were really leaving. When they didn’t come back, he hurried to the man lying on the ground.
“Hey, pal, you okay?”
The man lay face down, so Dave turned him around and cradled him in his arms. His breath caught in his throat.
Holy shit, the guy was beautiful. Just a kid, really. Pale white, long, dark lashes. Black eyeliner. A tiny diamond stud on the right side of his nose. A little silver cross in his right ear. Thick shoulder length black hair was plastered to his skull.
Dave frowned, glancing briefly at his attire. He had on black pants and a t-shirt, combat boots and black trench coat. Even his nail polish was black. Nail polish?
Oh right. Dave nodded. The kid was Goth.
The kid groaned and opened his eyes, blinking rapidly. Dave strained to see what color eyes he had. Would they be blue or brown?
Gray. Deep gorgeous pewter gray. Dave’s chest constricted. For a moment his world tilted.
“Hold on, I’ll get you to the hospital,” Dave assured him.
The one drawback of being the owner of Dave’s Bar was having to close it up the six nights it was open.
David Johnson closed and locked the heavy oak door and glanced at his watch in the light of the neon sign of the bar. A little after three in the morning. And pouring rain.
“Shit,” he muttered. Apparently the weather man had been right after all. In the distant horizon lightning flashed. Unusual weather for December in Southern California.
He fingered his suede jacket. With the rain coming down as hard as it was he’d have to run to his truck to avoid getting completely drenched and even then he’d be pretty damn wet. The suede would be ruined.
Grimacing, Dave reopened the bar door, shrugging out of his jacket. He hooked it on the coat hook just inside the door and re-locked the door.
His pickup truck was the only vehicle still left in the strip mall parking lot. He made a run for it and nearly skidded on the wet asphalt. Reaching the truck at last, he slipped his hands into the front right pocket of his jeans and pulled out his truck keys.
A loud crack of thunder startled them right out of his hand.
“Shit,” he said again. He squinted down at the ground and spotted them under the truck next to the front driver side wheel. He crouched down. His red muscle t-shirt had already soaked through and stuck to his skin. Any minute his teeth would start chattering, Dave figured.
He dropped to a crouch to reach for the keys and lightning flashed overhead. Under his truck he spied three shadowed figures across the parking lot. He couldn’t see very clearly but he thought they were men. One lay prone and another knelt beside him dealing blow after blow to the man’s head. The third man stood and directed repeated kicks to the man lying on the asphalt.
“Hey!” Dave yelled, but if they heard him they ignored him. He stood and went to the other side of his truck, stopping by the bed of the truck to grab a crowbar. He hurried to them. “Hey, stop.”
The man standing froze in the act of kicking the man. “This isn’t your business, mister.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m making it my business. I’ve already called the cops,” Dave lied. He should have, of course. Would have even, maybe, if he’d actually had a cell phone. It was one of those stupid parts of modern life he had yet to adapt to. He only had land lines. He’d get one some day, Dave always promised. It would have come in handy just then. He waved the crowbar.
The man crouched next to the one on the ground pulled the hood of his sweatshirt up around his head and scrambled up. “Let’s go.”
“We can take this guy,” the kicker said with an ugly snarl on his face. Dave hadn’t gotten close enough to make out their features very well but he thought they were both Caucasians in their mid-twenties.
“I’m out of here,” his accomplice said, and ran away.
Dave took a step forward, brandishing his weapon.
“Dickhead,” the assailant swore, then followed after his buddy.
Dave watched them for a moment to make sure they were really leaving. When they didn’t come back, he hurried to the man lying on the ground.
“Hey, pal, you okay?”
The man lay face down, so Dave turned him around and cradled him in his arms. His breath caught in his throat.
Holy shit, the guy was beautiful. Just a kid, really. Pale white, long, dark lashes. Black eyeliner. A tiny diamond stud on the right side of his nose. A little silver cross in his right ear. Thick shoulder length black hair was plastered to his skull.
Dave frowned, glancing briefly at his attire. He had on black pants and a t-shirt, combat boots and black trench coat. Even his nail polish was black. Nail polish?
Oh right. Dave nodded. The kid was Goth.
The kid groaned and opened his eyes, blinking rapidly. Dave strained to see what color eyes he had. Would they be blue or brown?
Gray. Deep gorgeous pewter gray. Dave’s chest constricted. For a moment his world tilted.
“Hold on, I’ll get you to the hospital,” Dave assured him.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sorcerer's Lover 2 Excerpt
Lazy today so I thought I'd just post an excerpt of my upcoming release, Sorcerer's Lover 2, rather than come up with something else.
Benedict clenched his fist and turned away from the sight of the soldiers. Somehow he had to escape this. Find Warin again.
Alas, he was no magical sort himself and his knightly skills were no match for twenty soldiers. Some he could take out, but not all. And there appeared to be no one here on his side.
He went to the door and twisted the handle, peering out into the hall. A heavily armed soldier appeared at the door immediately.
“I beg your pardon, my lord Benedict, but your brother has ordered that you are to stay in for the rest of the night,” the man, who had several years and muscles on Benedict, said with an apologetic smile.
Benedict tried to push aside his annoyance, but it was difficult. He would dearly love to strangle his elder brother just now. “What if I am wishing some sustenance from the kitchens?”
“You have but to command me and I will see to it. Is there something you wish me to have fetched?”
“No. No, there is nothing. What is your name?”
“Gerard, my lord Benedict. I have been given the position of your personal guard.” The older man straightened, trying to look authoritative.
“Ah, so that is the way of things is it. You are to follow me around like a lap dog, Gerard?”
Gerard cleared his throat and nervously fingered his graying moustache. “I would not say that, my lord. I am just not to leave your side for the near future.”
Benedict nodded. “The very definition of a lap dog. Very well, Gerard, I will retire for the night.”
“As you wish. If there is anything you do need, just come out and tell me. I will be here.”
He gritted his teeth and closed the door of his chamber.
Benedict moved restlessly to the window again, looking out. Thick clouds hung in the sky, some reaching low to the ground to form mist. The air was heavy and damp.
The tiny hairs on his neck rose suddenly. He turned sharply to face the room. His heartbeat flipped, then sped up. “Who’s there?”
At first no answer followed his question, yet he felt a presence.
“Hush, your highness,” a familiar voice whispered next to his ear.
“Warin?”
Lips pressed the pulse at his throat, teeth nipped. Benedict shook with instant, fiery need. His now hard cock pressed uncomfortably against his braies and hose.
“Warin, say something, please.”
“Shh, Benedict. It is I.”
Invisible arms wrapped him, pulling his body tight against a muscled torso. He felt Warin’s erection against his ass. Though he could not deny Warin’s magical powers frightened him, Benedict closed his eyes and gave himself up to his lover’s caress.
“You must be very quiet, your highness. You do not wish to cause Gerard to come bursting in to your rescue.”
Benedict clenched his fist and turned away from the sight of the soldiers. Somehow he had to escape this. Find Warin again.
Alas, he was no magical sort himself and his knightly skills were no match for twenty soldiers. Some he could take out, but not all. And there appeared to be no one here on his side.
He went to the door and twisted the handle, peering out into the hall. A heavily armed soldier appeared at the door immediately.
“I beg your pardon, my lord Benedict, but your brother has ordered that you are to stay in for the rest of the night,” the man, who had several years and muscles on Benedict, said with an apologetic smile.
Benedict tried to push aside his annoyance, but it was difficult. He would dearly love to strangle his elder brother just now. “What if I am wishing some sustenance from the kitchens?”
“You have but to command me and I will see to it. Is there something you wish me to have fetched?”
“No. No, there is nothing. What is your name?”
“Gerard, my lord Benedict. I have been given the position of your personal guard.” The older man straightened, trying to look authoritative.
“Ah, so that is the way of things is it. You are to follow me around like a lap dog, Gerard?”
Gerard cleared his throat and nervously fingered his graying moustache. “I would not say that, my lord. I am just not to leave your side for the near future.”
Benedict nodded. “The very definition of a lap dog. Very well, Gerard, I will retire for the night.”
“As you wish. If there is anything you do need, just come out and tell me. I will be here.”
He gritted his teeth and closed the door of his chamber.
Benedict moved restlessly to the window again, looking out. Thick clouds hung in the sky, some reaching low to the ground to form mist. The air was heavy and damp.
The tiny hairs on his neck rose suddenly. He turned sharply to face the room. His heartbeat flipped, then sped up. “Who’s there?”
At first no answer followed his question, yet he felt a presence.
“Hush, your highness,” a familiar voice whispered next to his ear.
“Warin?”
Lips pressed the pulse at his throat, teeth nipped. Benedict shook with instant, fiery need. His now hard cock pressed uncomfortably against his braies and hose.
“Warin, say something, please.”
“Shh, Benedict. It is I.”
Invisible arms wrapped him, pulling his body tight against a muscled torso. He felt Warin’s erection against his ass. Though he could not deny Warin’s magical powers frightened him, Benedict closed his eyes and gave himself up to his lover’s caress.
“You must be very quiet, your highness. You do not wish to cause Gerard to come bursting in to your rescue.”
Monday, May 25, 2009
Contest for Free Copy of Car Wash Begins
Coming June 07, 2009 from Amber Allure (Amber Quill)
Today starts the day for my giveaway of a copy of Car Wash. Between now and Friday, June 5, 2009, please leave a comment somewhere on the blog (does not have to be this post) that you want to be entered. One winner will be randomly chosen.
I have one caveat. The book comes out the weekend of June 07, 2009 and I will be out of town from June 5-8. I will be unable to determine the winner and get them their book until some time June 9, 2009. So, if you are anxiously awaiting the release and must read it on the day it is released this contest will not be for you (ha ha, I can hope huh).
For more about Car Wash, check out my website, http://www.authorshawnlane.com/
Friday, May 22, 2009
Story Pet Peeves
Recently I've read a few blogs and/or reviews wherein the person mentions some story pet peeve that they just hate to read. Whether it is "gay for you" or "the big misunderstanding" or whatever other story elements bother them. This got me to thinking. Are there plot elements that bother me?
The only one I can think of is the TSTL (too stupid to live) main character which can be present in any plot, really, but thankfully I come across that much less in m/m romances (which is almost all I read these days). But this isn't really a plot element.
So in all honesty as long as the story is good and entertaining I don't really have a problem with cliched plots or "gay for you" or "big misunderstanding" or "secret babies" or "May-December" or "crazed stalker/ex". Any of that. Like I said, done well, I am fine with it.
So for anyone out there who might be reading this, are there plot elements you don't like to see in stories?
The only one I can think of is the TSTL (too stupid to live) main character which can be present in any plot, really, but thankfully I come across that much less in m/m romances (which is almost all I read these days). But this isn't really a plot element.
So in all honesty as long as the story is good and entertaining I don't really have a problem with cliched plots or "gay for you" or "big misunderstanding" or "secret babies" or "May-December" or "crazed stalker/ex". Any of that. Like I said, done well, I am fine with it.
So for anyone out there who might be reading this, are there plot elements you don't like to see in stories?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Until the End of Time
is finished, off to Amber Quill, and has a release date.
This is my sequel of At Long Last, featuring Preston Reynolds and Scott Trask. The date for release is July 26, 2009 (the original date for Sorcerer's Lover 2).
I will post the cover as soon as I have it.
The other thing I want to mention is I am giving myself a break. I wrote this last book in less than five days and it took a lot out of me. Plus I'm dealing with a bit of a depression right now (nothing major just a little writer's burnout I think), so I am giving myself the rest of the week and all of Memorial Day Weekend free from writing. I'll get back to Ticket to Ride next Tuesday.
This is my sequel of At Long Last, featuring Preston Reynolds and Scott Trask. The date for release is July 26, 2009 (the original date for Sorcerer's Lover 2).
I will post the cover as soon as I have it.
The other thing I want to mention is I am giving myself a break. I wrote this last book in less than five days and it took a lot out of me. Plus I'm dealing with a bit of a depression right now (nothing major just a little writer's burnout I think), so I am giving myself the rest of the week and all of Memorial Day Weekend free from writing. I'll get back to Ticket to Ride next Tuesday.
Monday, May 18, 2009
New Release Date for Sorcerer's Lover 2
I learned today from Amber Quill that Sorcerer's Lover 2's release date has been moved up a month. The new release date will be June 28, 2009. Good news for anyone anxiously awaiting the next installment in the love and adventures of Warin and Benedict.
This means I will have two releases in the month of June for Amber Quill.
Friday, May 15, 2009
And Then a Sequel Occurred to Me
So my latest work in progress, Ticket to Ride, is coming along. I have close to 1,500 words done on it and it isn’t due until September 01 so I think I should be fine. As long as I actually come up with a plot. I know, 1,500 words and no plot. Don’t ask.
But, along the way, last night as I was contemplating it and what other works I needed to write, my brain kicked into high gear. It does that to me sometimes. And I came up with an idea for a sequel for At Long Last. I don’t expect it to be terribly long. Possibly only Amber Kiss length which is under 10,000 words. I think of it as more of a little interlude with Preston and Scott. Anyway, I think I plan on getting that down in the next week. As I’ve stated before, I can write a story in 4 days if I force it. I don’t know about forcing this one, but I think I am going to get it done and off to AQ at least in the next week – two weeks. I have decided on Until the End of Time as the title. Don't worry it will make perfect sense when you read it!
But, along the way, last night as I was contemplating it and what other works I needed to write, my brain kicked into high gear. It does that to me sometimes. And I came up with an idea for a sequel for At Long Last. I don’t expect it to be terribly long. Possibly only Amber Kiss length which is under 10,000 words. I think of it as more of a little interlude with Preston and Scott. Anyway, I think I plan on getting that down in the next week. As I’ve stated before, I can write a story in 4 days if I force it. I don’t know about forcing this one, but I think I am going to get it done and off to AQ at least in the next week – two weeks. I have decided on Until the End of Time as the title. Don't worry it will make perfect sense when you read it!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Jane Austen, M/M Romance, & Opposites Attract…
(by Ava March – official moocher of Shawn’s blog)
…three of my favorite things. I love Jane Austen. My favorite book of hers is Pride and Prejudice (which some of you may have picked up on already). I love M/M romances, and I love Opposites Attract story lines. And yes, all three things actually go together.
When I read Austen’s books, I can’t help but think that some of her heroes would be better suited to each other, than to their heroines. Not just my favorites, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, but also Mr. Knightley and Frank Churchill (Emma), and Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility). Of course, this could be because I tend to have M/M romances on the brain - I do write them and spend a lot of time mulling over new plots and characters. But Austen’s works are also prime ground for my overactive imagination because she tended to write one reserved/pragmatic hero and one playboy/easy-going hero. My personal opinion (and I’m no literary scholar) is that Austen used the two types of heroes to play off each other and drive the primary heroine to her ultimate hero.
I personally love to write gay heroes who appear as opposites but actually go together perfectly. I find the dynamics of such a pairing quite interesting. Letting the heroes smack into each other and bouncing back rather like the ends of a magnet, until they snap together like puzzle pieces. And no, not just in the physical sense. *g* But that moment when they realize how well they complement each others’ strengths and weakness, making each stronger when they are together.
That’s pretty much the underlying theme of a novella I just finished. In Convincing Arthur, one hero is the ultimate rakehell, just seeped in vice and debauchery, while the other is the workaholic solicitor. Shawn also uses opposites in a number of her books. The Other Side is a prime example, along with At Long Last, The Squire and Pulling Away, to name a few. And I also happen to know that Car Wash, which will be out in June, features a yummy pair of opposites. I love Kevin!!! He's so darn cute. *squee*
OK. Fan girl moment over, back to the post. Opposites and Austen. My personal favorite pair that never was is Bingley and Darcy. Darcy is so stuffy and reserved, and he’s not much of a social butterfly, to the point where he’s a bit intimidated to attend a country dance. But easy-going, sociable Bingley would be perfect for him, tempering Darcy’s rigid exterior. Darcy’s so aware of social standing whereas Bingley is so unassuming he doesn’t even realize he’s the object of every match-making mama. Plus, Bingley's the type to fall in love at first sight whereas Darcy has to analyze everything. The two men are the best of friends in the book, which emphasizes my belief that they’d be well suited to each other.
…three of my favorite things. I love Jane Austen. My favorite book of hers is Pride and Prejudice (which some of you may have picked up on already). I love M/M romances, and I love Opposites Attract story lines. And yes, all three things actually go together.
When I read Austen’s books, I can’t help but think that some of her heroes would be better suited to each other, than to their heroines. Not just my favorites, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, but also Mr. Knightley and Frank Churchill (Emma), and Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility). Of course, this could be because I tend to have M/M romances on the brain - I do write them and spend a lot of time mulling over new plots and characters. But Austen’s works are also prime ground for my overactive imagination because she tended to write one reserved/pragmatic hero and one playboy/easy-going hero. My personal opinion (and I’m no literary scholar) is that Austen used the two types of heroes to play off each other and drive the primary heroine to her ultimate hero.
I personally love to write gay heroes who appear as opposites but actually go together perfectly. I find the dynamics of such a pairing quite interesting. Letting the heroes smack into each other and bouncing back rather like the ends of a magnet, until they snap together like puzzle pieces. And no, not just in the physical sense. *g* But that moment when they realize how well they complement each others’ strengths and weakness, making each stronger when they are together.
That’s pretty much the underlying theme of a novella I just finished. In Convincing Arthur, one hero is the ultimate rakehell, just seeped in vice and debauchery, while the other is the workaholic solicitor. Shawn also uses opposites in a number of her books. The Other Side is a prime example, along with At Long Last, The Squire and Pulling Away, to name a few. And I also happen to know that Car Wash, which will be out in June, features a yummy pair of opposites. I love Kevin!!! He's so darn cute. *squee*
OK. Fan girl moment over, back to the post. Opposites and Austen. My personal favorite pair that never was is Bingley and Darcy. Darcy is so stuffy and reserved, and he’s not much of a social butterfly, to the point where he’s a bit intimidated to attend a country dance. But easy-going, sociable Bingley would be perfect for him, tempering Darcy’s rigid exterior. Darcy’s so aware of social standing whereas Bingley is so unassuming he doesn’t even realize he’s the object of every match-making mama. Plus, Bingley's the type to fall in love at first sight whereas Darcy has to analyze everything. The two men are the best of friends in the book, which emphasizes my belief that they’d be well suited to each other.
(and please excuse Frank’s hair – I don’t know what the stylists were thinking. Poor Ewan McGregor.)
My second favorite pair that never was is actually Edward and Willoughby.
My second favorite pair that never was is actually Edward and Willoughby.
All right, so that’s a rather brooding picture of Willoughby, but I think it’s hot so I included it. Perhaps this one suits the post better -
See...so happy. The devil-may-care playboy who takes Marianne for fast carriage rides about the countryside. And I think Edward would be a total missionary-man if left to his own devices (or if left with Elinor), so he needs someone like Willoughby to spice him up. *g*
So there you have it – why Jane Austen’s works inspire me to pen M/M erotic romances. Who is your favorite Austen pair that never was? Do you like Opposites Attract storylines, or do you have a different favorite? And what movies/books inspire you?
So there you have it – why Jane Austen’s works inspire me to pen M/M erotic romances. Who is your favorite Austen pair that never was? Do you like Opposites Attract storylines, or do you have a different favorite? And what movies/books inspire you?
Thanks!!!
-Ava
Bound to Him, Loose Id
Object of His Desire, Samhain
Convincing Arthur, Loose Id/July 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Brief Bragging Moment...
Most Likely to Succeed has made it to the top ten best sellers on All Romance Ebooks (#4) and #1 for erotica books, so I have to say this is my second book that has cracked the top 10 there (At Long Last being the first). Pretty cool.Edited 05/17/09
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Beyond the Norm Finished and Future Plans
I finished Beyond the Norm. It ended up being about 24,500 words or so. It's off to my critique partner for a final read.
And just in case anyone is interested, these are the books I plan on working on/hope to have finished/out in the rest of 2009:
The Other Side 2 – For those who didn’t like my Happy For Now ending this is the continuation of Ray and Nick’s story. Many if not all the dangling plot points from the first book should be answered in this book.
Ticket to Ride – Not really sure what shape this story will take but some of the characters are Malcolm and Jordan. I chose the song title because I am a Beatles fan and the theme was a song title. I know that Malcolm is going to be younger than his lover and he’s going to find a plane ticket in his lover’s name that he didn’t know about but that’s really all I have and I will be working on this one soon. If I get it worked out completed I think it will be out in December or so.
Pieces – this is my next really angsty one. I really want to work on it this year. I started it, but then stopped to finish up Beyond the Norm. The characters are Patrick and Josh. Patrick is still trying to recover from the suicide of his long-time lover who also happened to be Josh’s cousin.
And if I have time:
Never the One – I also started this one. It is my cop partners-murder mystery story. Characters are Tyler and Eric (Boone). I am really going to try and make this my first novel-length gay romance so wish me luck on that.
Tempted to Taste – A related story to The Other Side, this will be the story of Ray’s brother, Devon (yes, he is gay also-you’ll see more in TOS2) and the hot little blond chef, Ryan, hired to work in his restaurant. My plan is to make Ryan a little more flamboyant than some of my other heroes.
Undeniable – My return to the Regency period with the story of a third son of a lord and his love with the butler. Ava March has been nagging me to write this since forever.
If I can get all these stories done this year I will be surprised.
I promised my friend, Shay, I would write a long-haired hero just for him so I will have to think about which one of these guys will have long hair. Perhaps my hero in Ticket to Ride.
And just in case anyone is interested, these are the books I plan on working on/hope to have finished/out in the rest of 2009:
The Other Side 2 – For those who didn’t like my Happy For Now ending this is the continuation of Ray and Nick’s story. Many if not all the dangling plot points from the first book should be answered in this book.
Ticket to Ride – Not really sure what shape this story will take but some of the characters are Malcolm and Jordan. I chose the song title because I am a Beatles fan and the theme was a song title. I know that Malcolm is going to be younger than his lover and he’s going to find a plane ticket in his lover’s name that he didn’t know about but that’s really all I have and I will be working on this one soon. If I get it worked out completed I think it will be out in December or so.
Pieces – this is my next really angsty one. I really want to work on it this year. I started it, but then stopped to finish up Beyond the Norm. The characters are Patrick and Josh. Patrick is still trying to recover from the suicide of his long-time lover who also happened to be Josh’s cousin.
And if I have time:
Never the One – I also started this one. It is my cop partners-murder mystery story. Characters are Tyler and Eric (Boone). I am really going to try and make this my first novel-length gay romance so wish me luck on that.
Tempted to Taste – A related story to The Other Side, this will be the story of Ray’s brother, Devon (yes, he is gay also-you’ll see more in TOS2) and the hot little blond chef, Ryan, hired to work in his restaurant. My plan is to make Ryan a little more flamboyant than some of my other heroes.
Undeniable – My return to the Regency period with the story of a third son of a lord and his love with the butler. Ava March has been nagging me to write this since forever.
If I can get all these stories done this year I will be surprised.
I promised my friend, Shay, I would write a long-haired hero just for him so I will have to think about which one of these guys will have long hair. Perhaps my hero in Ticket to Ride.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Friday at Last
I am so close to being finished with Beyond the Norm I can taste it. Or something.
Anyway, my plan is to finish it this weekend and get it off to determine its fate in the publishing world. It feels like I have been working on Kyle and Dave's story forever, but of course I haven't. The books only going to end up somewhere around 23,000 words or so.
Hopefully life won't get in the way of my plans. I have Saturday free to do as I wish so it should be doable.
Current Song I'm Listening to Over and Over: Just My Imagination by The Temptations. Truly a beautiful, touching, heartbreaking song. But I don't know, does this make me too much like Ava March and I'm listening to old timer's music?
And here is a teaser for Car Wash:
Reaching into his back pocket, Kevin pulled out the pad of paper where he marked what washing packages the owners chose. He went to the head of the line and started taking care of customers. He didn’t even look up for several moments, having no idea the size of the line.
Jose, who stood near him ready to vacuum the interiors, whistled. “Caliente.”
Kevin glanced up from the pad. Just a couple cars away was a dark red Maserati. Kevin recalled seeing it in a magazine advertisement. He thought the name of that particular model was the GranTurismo. His jaw dropped. He swallowed heavily, unable to keep from staring, but not at the sleek, sexy speed demon. Rather his gaze was fixated on the hot as hell guy behind the wheel.
The god had dark wavy hair and he wore deep, dark shades. Sensuous, kissable lips. Kevin’s tongue slipped out and he ran it along his own lips, imagining what the other man’s mouth would feel like. Even though he was still a couple spots away, Kevin could see he wore a suit. Broad shoulders filled out that suit. He frowned. Damn, but there was something disturbingly familiar about the man.
Jose nudged him.
Kevin blinked out of his stupor and realized the woman in the sedan in front of him glared at him. “Sorry, ma’am.” He flashed the woman his don’t-you-just-think-I’m-adorable smile. “You wanted the standard wash, right?”
He wracked his brain, trying to think of why the Maserati guy looked familiar. Someone famous?
The Maserati finally pulled up to him. The man smiled. Oh, lord, the god had dimples.
“Yum,” Kevin said, before he could stop himself.
Mr. Maserati lowered the sunglasses. Dark, chocolate eyes framed by impossibly long lashes stared back at him. “Kevin? Kevin Flaherty?”
Michael Bennett. It couldn’t be. But it was.
Anyway, my plan is to finish it this weekend and get it off to determine its fate in the publishing world. It feels like I have been working on Kyle and Dave's story forever, but of course I haven't. The books only going to end up somewhere around 23,000 words or so.
Hopefully life won't get in the way of my plans. I have Saturday free to do as I wish so it should be doable.
Current Song I'm Listening to Over and Over: Just My Imagination by The Temptations. Truly a beautiful, touching, heartbreaking song. But I don't know, does this make me too much like Ava March and I'm listening to old timer's music?
And here is a teaser for Car Wash:
Reaching into his back pocket, Kevin pulled out the pad of paper where he marked what washing packages the owners chose. He went to the head of the line and started taking care of customers. He didn’t even look up for several moments, having no idea the size of the line.
Jose, who stood near him ready to vacuum the interiors, whistled. “Caliente.”
Kevin glanced up from the pad. Just a couple cars away was a dark red Maserati. Kevin recalled seeing it in a magazine advertisement. He thought the name of that particular model was the GranTurismo. His jaw dropped. He swallowed heavily, unable to keep from staring, but not at the sleek, sexy speed demon. Rather his gaze was fixated on the hot as hell guy behind the wheel.
The god had dark wavy hair and he wore deep, dark shades. Sensuous, kissable lips. Kevin’s tongue slipped out and he ran it along his own lips, imagining what the other man’s mouth would feel like. Even though he was still a couple spots away, Kevin could see he wore a suit. Broad shoulders filled out that suit. He frowned. Damn, but there was something disturbingly familiar about the man.
Jose nudged him.
Kevin blinked out of his stupor and realized the woman in the sedan in front of him glared at him. “Sorry, ma’am.” He flashed the woman his don’t-you-just-think-I’m-adorable smile. “You wanted the standard wash, right?”
He wracked his brain, trying to think of why the Maserati guy looked familiar. Someone famous?
The Maserati finally pulled up to him. The man smiled. Oh, lord, the god had dimples.
“Yum,” Kevin said, before he could stop himself.
Mr. Maserati lowered the sunglasses. Dark, chocolate eyes framed by impossibly long lashes stared back at him. “Kevin? Kevin Flaherty?”
Michael Bennett. It couldn’t be. But it was.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Why Some Books Resonate More Than Others
I’ve been thinking about this lately. So far, my latest release, Trust, has had a great response from readers. I’m thrilled, of course, when readers enjoy my stories. I’m not naïve enough to believe everyone will like it, but still I’ve had a fantastic response thus far. I loved my characters in Trust, in particular Brad (I do love Justin, too), and it seems many of my readers have fallen for Brad, too. I never would have guessed when I set out to write Trust last summer how well it would do. I just wanted to create a character who made a mistake (dare I say forgivable) and make him worthy of being loved again.
On the other hand, I’ve had a very mixed reaction to my March release of Jake’s Regret. I’ve received some lovely emails from readers who enjoyed the story, but I’ve also had readers who thought Jake was weak and unsympathetic. Just as I hadn’t expected such a great response to Trust I was equally surprised at the displeasure with Jake’s character. As his creator I never saw him to be unsympathetic. I just wanted to create a character who was the product of his upbringing by a hateful parent and so therefore found it difficult to accept himself for what he was.
So this brings the point. Some books resonate better than others with readers. I find even with the authors I read over and over some stories I like better than others. I don’t know why this is either.
As a writer I want all my books to be well-received by everyone but I know that isn’t possible. I treasure the times when a reader has been moved in some way by my books and hope to grow and improve when they are not.
Speaking of stories that got a mostly positive reaction (recently I've had some very lovely reviews pop up, too) time for a little bit of self-promotion. My story, Pulling Away, which as I’ve noted on the blog before was a spur of the moment story I wrote in less than a week when one of my publishers needed stories to fill in gaps, was pretty well received by most readers. So those readers might be interested to know that my June release, Car Wash, is Kevin’s story. Kevin was Noah’s friend in Pulling Away. While you do not need to have read Pulling Away to read Car Wash and vice versa, I would love it if readers read both, of course. Anyway, I don't recall now if I mentioned the connection prior to this.
I will be doing another giveaway, this time of Car Wash, when it gets closer to the release date.
On the other hand, I’ve had a very mixed reaction to my March release of Jake’s Regret. I’ve received some lovely emails from readers who enjoyed the story, but I’ve also had readers who thought Jake was weak and unsympathetic. Just as I hadn’t expected such a great response to Trust I was equally surprised at the displeasure with Jake’s character. As his creator I never saw him to be unsympathetic. I just wanted to create a character who was the product of his upbringing by a hateful parent and so therefore found it difficult to accept himself for what he was.
So this brings the point. Some books resonate better than others with readers. I find even with the authors I read over and over some stories I like better than others. I don’t know why this is either.
As a writer I want all my books to be well-received by everyone but I know that isn’t possible. I treasure the times when a reader has been moved in some way by my books and hope to grow and improve when they are not.
Speaking of stories that got a mostly positive reaction (recently I've had some very lovely reviews pop up, too) time for a little bit of self-promotion. My story, Pulling Away, which as I’ve noted on the blog before was a spur of the moment story I wrote in less than a week when one of my publishers needed stories to fill in gaps, was pretty well received by most readers. So those readers might be interested to know that my June release, Car Wash, is Kevin’s story. Kevin was Noah’s friend in Pulling Away. While you do not need to have read Pulling Away to read Car Wash and vice versa, I would love it if readers read both, of course. Anyway, I don't recall now if I mentioned the connection prior to this.
I will be doing another giveaway, this time of Car Wash, when it gets closer to the release date.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
As a Reader...
I have a confession to make. I’ve pretty much done this all my reading life and I can’t seem to stop myself. It’s rather embarrassing really.
I read the ending of a book first. There I said it. If the ending isn’t happy I have trouble convincing myself to read the book. Likely it is the romantic in me who insists there has to be some sort of happy resolution before I will invest my time in it. After all I do write romance so really it isn’t surprising.
Obviously this doesn’t apply to a non-fiction book, but every other type of book I have read I read the ending first. Even horror books, while obviously don't always end happily, it still has to have an ending I am comfortable with before I will read the book.
I’m enjoying a series, for instance, about two gay detectives written by Victor J. Banis. Best described as the “Deadly” series. I read the first two (and yes I read the endings first) so when the third came out yesterday, Deadly Dreams, you bet the first thing I did was buy it for my Kindle. And yes, I read the end first. Now I can read the whole book with a clear conscience.
I can’t be alone in my reading the ending of books first. Please tell me I’m not just a little off my rocker about this.
I read the ending of a book first. There I said it. If the ending isn’t happy I have trouble convincing myself to read the book. Likely it is the romantic in me who insists there has to be some sort of happy resolution before I will invest my time in it. After all I do write romance so really it isn’t surprising.
Obviously this doesn’t apply to a non-fiction book, but every other type of book I have read I read the ending first. Even horror books, while obviously don't always end happily, it still has to have an ending I am comfortable with before I will read the book.
I’m enjoying a series, for instance, about two gay detectives written by Victor J. Banis. Best described as the “Deadly” series. I read the first two (and yes I read the endings first) so when the third came out yesterday, Deadly Dreams, you bet the first thing I did was buy it for my Kindle. And yes, I read the end first. Now I can read the whole book with a clear conscience.
I can’t be alone in my reading the ending of books first. Please tell me I’m not just a little off my rocker about this.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
No May Releases
So I have no m/m erotic romance releases for May and it's a little weird. Since August or September of last year I have had a release every month.
My next release, Car Wash, does not come out until June. Then Sorcerer's Lover 2 in July. Then, nothing...
The truth is my writing has slowed down a bit. I don't think that is a bad thing necessarily. No one could necessarily keep up that pace forever. Still...I am at a loss.
I'm still working on new material of course and will have more releases, but for now, it's a little disconcerting.
My next release, Car Wash, does not come out until June. Then Sorcerer's Lover 2 in July. Then, nothing...
The truth is my writing has slowed down a bit. I don't think that is a bad thing necessarily. No one could necessarily keep up that pace forever. Still...I am at a loss.
I'm still working on new material of course and will have more releases, but for now, it's a little disconcerting.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Amber Quill Best Seller Lists for April
What's Hot? April 2009 Best Sellers!
1. Allergies - T. A. Chase (Gay / Werewolf)
2. Most Likely To Succeed - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Satisfaction - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Carey'd Away - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Contemporary)
5. Playing The Field:Tee'd Off - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Contemporary)
6. Betrayed - Cassie Stevens (Gay / Contemporary)
7. The Obsolete Man - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Contemporary)
8. Paxton's Winter - T. D. McKinney (Gay / The Old West)
9. Sticks And Stones - Jamie Craig (Gay / Nostalgic)
10. Committed - Cassie Stevens (Gay / Contemporary)
1. Allergies - T. A. Chase (Gay / Werewolf)
2. Most Likely To Succeed - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Satisfaction - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Carey'd Away - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Contemporary)
5. Playing The Field:Tee'd Off - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Contemporary)
6. Betrayed - Cassie Stevens (Gay / Contemporary)
7. The Obsolete Man - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Contemporary)
8. Paxton's Winter - T. D. McKinney (Gay / The Old West)
9. Sticks And Stones - Jamie Craig (Gay / Nostalgic)
10. Committed - Cassie Stevens (Gay / Contemporary)
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