Sunday Eye Candy

Special Picture

This is my nephew (24). Gorgeous, isn't he?

Today is my mom's 84th birthday!


So, that's pretty cool, I think.

I'm lucky I've had this many years with her. I hope to have a few more, of course. Three years ago she was diagnosed with colon cancer, but after some scary things, she's been doing very well.

But I know I am lucky. I lost my father some years ago now. Far too young as far as I'm concerned. Many people don't get to have their parents or a parent around as long as my mother has been for me.

She's funny. Very recently she discovered I wrote m/m romance. She knew I wrote "naughty" books but she didn't know they were about two men. We were having dinner somewhere, my sister, mother, and me, when my mother, who reads romance, expressed an interest in them. She's read my old non-erotic het historicals. I just sat there in silence, because really I'm not sure I like the idea of my mother reading my erotic romances no matter who is in them. But, my sister piped in and told her that they were homosexual romances. My mother is a strange one. She's conservative in her political thoughts, but she just shrugged, and went something to the affect, "Oh, that's nice." Not that she continued the idea of reading them, of course.

Anyway, because it is her birthday a large group of us are going out for a fancy steak dinner (paid for thankfully by the lawyer sister, lol). Probably the last time we'll see my brother and his wife as they are moving to Kansas the next day.



Over the next two weeks I'll be around but perhaps not quite as visible as usual. I have little mini-trips planned two weekends in a row. And yes, no suprise here, one is to Solvang and Morro Bay again. The other is to Disneyland (visitors coming). Disneyland in August. Pray for me.



I'm working on two works in progress. Just did my edits for Twice in a Lifetime and they were easy (no cover yet though). Busy, busy.

If I don't pop on here again before the weekend, have a great one.

Wednesday Musings

Reluctance by Robert Frost

Out through the fields and the woods
And over the walls I have wended;
I have climbed the hills of view
And looked at the world, and descended;
I have come by the highway home,
And lo, it is ended.

The leaves are all dead on the ground,
Save those that the oak is keeping
To ravel them one by one
And let them go scraping and creeping
Out over the crusted snow,
When others are sleeping.

And the dead leaves lie huddled and still,
No longer blown hither and thither;
The last lone aster is gone;
The flowers of the witch-hazel wither;
The heart is still aching to seek,
But the feet question 'Whither?'

Ah, when to the heart of man
Was it ever less than a treason
To go with the drift of things,
To yield with a grace to reason,
And bow and accept the end
Of a love or a season?

A Mini Survey

In a gay erotic romance novella, how much sex is too much:

A) Any sex it too much. I prefer sweet gay romance, so I don't want them ever doing it.

B) More than one scene

C) More than two scenes

D) More than four scenes

E) There's no such thing as too much m/m loving. Bring it on

Monday Updates

I've finished the first chapter of my new work in progress, Accidentally His. The guys, Kirk and Elijah, meet when the commuter bus they both take to work crashes in a rain storm. Should be a slightly lighter book than Pieces and my next two releases are (Twice in a Lifetime and The Beach House).

I'm also toying (pun intended) with the idea of working on a Christmas story titled, The Naughty Ones. It will involve two naughty Christmas Elves (think adult full sized elves ala Lord of the Rings elves rather than Hermie from Rudolph).

Those are my updates for now.

Eye Candy Sunday

Only Forever Paperback Winner

There were 18 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Andi
Nikyta
Leni
Jase
Mrsmarit
Stacey
Barbara
Sandy Jay
TT
Kaetrin
Lily
Tracey D
Sharon
Nancy
KT
Anna
Joder
Miranda


Congratulations Andi for winning the paperback version of Only Forever.

For anyone else interested: Only Forever, all four stories available in one paperback collection.

Friday Updates

Well you can see on the left there I got a release date of October 03, 2010 for The Beach House.

Other than that, I don't have much news. I'm working on something. I'm always working on something. It's in the very early stages though.

Nothing else to say, I suppose.

I'll post candy on Sunday, but otherwise, have a great one (If I happen to get a cover for Twice in a Lifetime, of course, I will share it.)

What Happens When You Put Things Off...

So several weeks ago, my old car started popping up with the "check engine" light sometimes. And I do mean...sometimes. It would come on if it was cool in the mornings but by the time I went to drive it home in the afternoon...no "check engine" light. I don't drive it much. It's a 1998 and it only has 80,000 miles on it. It's paid off which makes it quite a lovely car in spite of the fact the electronic locks and sun-roof no longer work.

Anyway, I'm going to have to start driving it a lot more beginning in August. The lovely city of Los Angeles decided to cancel the public transportation I was taking (because clean air and less traffic isn't important I guess). I finally made an appointment for my car to be checked by the mechanic for all that ails it this Friday morning.

Unfortunately, the precious car decided it wanted to die yesterday instead. Got in, tried to start it...click, click, click. Sigh. It's having to be towed to the mechanic.

Thus went my evening last night. Hope yours was better.

Wednesday Musings

I'm going with quotes today instead of poems. Oh...and a pretty.



A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world.
Leo Buscaglia

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.
Arnold H. Glasow

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.
Buddha

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
George Washington

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.
C. S. Lewis

Friendship needs no words - it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.
Dag Hammarskjold

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.
Henry Ellis

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
Anton Chekhov

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches.
Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Random Writing Musings

Recently I've been thinking about promises. More specifically author promises.

When an author mentions or even promises that there will be more stories in a series or a direct sequel to story (meaning the same couple) and it never materializes, do you feel cheated?

My first published Shawn book was now two years ago. In the beginning, you are enthusiatic about every story that you think of and are eager to write sequels and related books to every book you've written. Trust me. It works that way. It does for me anyway. And the first time you get a fan note asking you about a sequel you definitely can't help feeling giddy.

The reality two years later is you learn a few things. What sells, what doesn't. What deserves your attention, what maybe should be set aside for good. Where your strengths lie, and where perhaps you should leave a certain type of book to more qualified authors. You learn no matter how much you love an idea or a set of characters...well it doesn't always make business sense to write a story when you could be devoting that time and energy to other more viable projects.

But still...as you decide maybe you won't finish that saga after all, you wonder, are there readers out there feeling like you made promises you aren't keeping. I'm not sure.

I know Ava March and I were just talking about stories/sequels we thought we'd never get to after all for one reason or another, which is what made me think about this.

Monday Updates

I have news!

I did, indeed, finish Twice in a Lifetime this weekend and I sent off the forms and everything. And...drum roll...talk about fast track to published...I have a release date. And wow, is it soon. Septmeber 5th! Yes, you read that right.

As it turns out, Amber Allure had an opening that weekend that needed to be filled and along came my story. That together with the fact The Beach House will probably be an October release, and well let's just say you won't have to wait long for Jude and Rex.

I'm thrilled of course to have a September release because I don't have anything coming out in August.

As soon as I get a cover, I'll share it. I assume it will be soon given the release date.

Pieces is now available

Available Here: Pieces

Eye Candy Sunday

Pieces Winner

The Winner of Pieces is:

There were 20 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Nikyta
Miranda
Sandy Jay
Mrsmarit
Nancy
Rachel
Sharon
Eyre
Andi
Lily
Tracey D
Janna
Jase
Zach
TT
Joder
Leni
Anna
Chris

Congrats Nikyta. Please email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com and I will send you your book tomorrow. Thanks everyone for entering

ATTENTION NIKYTA: I haven't heard from you and I saw you entered another contest to win this book today. You already won. Please contact me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com

Just Briefly

I'm down to one chapter to go on Twice in a Lifetime so it is my goal to have it finished by the end of this weekend.

Once that is done and submitted I will be taking a very short break to help a friend with her story before I get involved in the next WIP. It might not be until August that I really get working on the next one since I have an out of state visitor coming at the end of the month, my mother's 84th birthday, a couple of weekend trips planned, etc...

Anyway none of that matters until Twice in a Lifetime is finished and sent off to happy publishing land.

Hope everyone has a spectacular weekend and don't forget to pick up Pieces when it releases from Amber Quill.

Thursday Updates

This picture was just too cute to pass up



You know Twice in a Lifetime has surprised me. I expected to be able to whip right through it and get it done by the end of June and as you know that didn’t happen. I think I underestimated a couple of things. How busy I would be during the summer and the length of the book.

For example, Twice in a Lifetime is the second in the Sutter Bay series, after Sweet Reunion, which yes, came out last September. Sweet Reunion was, I think, about 13,000 words or so. I think I had in the back of my mind, that this one would end up being around that, but Jude and Rex had different ideas and I am already heading for twice that number.

I still want it done this month, July, and I’m pretty damn sure I’ll make this self-imposed deadline. I don’t intend to wait another year before writing the third book, which will be Adam’s and Galaxy’s story (you will meet them in Twice in a Lifetime). Really, I won’t.

Still don’t have a release date for The Beach House (and damn it I am getting frustrated, I am SOOOOOO spoiled). The “rumor” is not until October. I’m trying to wrap my feeble mind over skipping August and September without releases. I have to remember to remind myself to breathe.

And Monday I came up with yet another idea for a new story. I really wish that part of my mind which thinks up stories would have an off switch because believe me it would totally be switched off right now.

Wednesday Musings

How still, how happy! by Emily Bronte

How still, how happy! Those are words
That once would scarce agree together;
I loved the plashing of the surge -
The changing heaven the breezy weather,

More than smooth seas and cloudless skies
And solemn, soothing, softened airs
That in the forest woke no sighs
And from the green spray shook no tears.

How still, how happy! now I feel
Where silence dwells is sweeter far
Than laughing mirth's most joyous swell
However pure its raptures are.

Come, sit down on this sunny stone:
'Tis wintry light o'er flowerless moors -
But sit - for we are all alone
And clear expand heaven's breathless shores.

I could think in the withered grass
Spring's budding wreaths we might discern;
The violet's eye might shyly flash
And young leaves shoot among the fern.

It is but thought - full many a night
The snow shall clothe those hills afar
And storms shall add a drearier blight
And winds shall wage a wilder war,

Before the lark may herald in
Fresh foliage twined with blossoms fair
And summer days again begin
Their glory - haloed crown to wear.

Yet my heart loves December's smile
As much as July's golden beam;
Then let us sit and watch the while
The blue ice curdling on the stream -

Pieces Contest Update

Here is who I have for the contest to win Pieces. Contest runs through Saturday, leave a comment to enter:

Chris
Jase
Joder
Lily
Sandy Jay
Tracey D
Sharon
Anna
Nikyta
Miranda
TT
Leni
Mrsmarit
Eyre
Janna
Nancy
Rachel
Andi
Zach

Feel free to still enter.

Only Forever Contest Update

This is who I have so far entered to win a copy of Only Forever in paperback. If I missed your or you still want to enter, leave a comment.

Jase
Anna
TT
Sharon
Lily
KT
Kaetrin
Nikyta
Joder
Leni
Tracey D
Mrsmarit
Barbara
Miranda
Sandy Jay
Stacey
Nancy
Andi

Monday Updates

Managed to get another chapter done on Twice in a Lifetime this past weekend. I think I have one chapter to go, maybe two. I don't think I'll be done by the 15th but hopefully by this weekend. Then I can get it and the forms off to AQ. Then, I'll move on to the next project.

You know what they say about never saying never, but anyway....

Things I Will Never Do:

Write in first person

Write another ménage (see backlist, did one), whether m/m/f or m/m/m

Write a brutal rape or physical attack (this does not include the aftermath of any such events)

Add a third to an established couple (yes this basically falls into the no ménage category but I wanted it said).

Write a sequel where one of the heroes of an established couple cheats. No one-night stands, no two-month affairs.

Write another cheater. I loved Brad. Really. But it was hard to make a cheater into someone sympathetic. I don’t think I’d be capable of doing it again. I love angst but not that kind. No.

Write another het romance. Um, sorry, really not interested.

Have a great week.

Sunday Eye Candy

Pieces Excerpt

Here is an excerpt from the beginning of Pieces. Skip if you don't like to read excerpts.



Joshua Stevens picked up a bar towel and rubbed the highball glass, his gaze fixed on the patron sitting in the darkest corner of the bar. The man was hunched down in the booth, his expression sullen, his eyes downcast, staring at the drink in front of him.

“Why don’t you go over and talk to him?”

He turned to his brother, Eddie, the co-owner of the bar. “Not sure that’s a good idea. Not at the moment, anyway.”

Eddie, who was older than Josh’s twenty-eight by three years, reached up and grabbed a bottle of rum from the top shelf directly above Josh. “Someone’s going to have to give him a ride home, anyway. Might as well be now. “

Every year—well, for the last three—this particular patron came to their bar on this exact night. The bar, formerly known as Bill’s, had been the place they’d all hung out together at one time or another over the last several years. So much so that eventually Josh and Eddie had purchased the bar and renamed it, EJ’s. That was before Andrew’s death.

“Can I get some more peanuts?” a customer on a barstool called out.

“Sure.” Josh grabbed the empty bowl, filled it with cocktail peanuts and then set it in front of the man.

It was getting late, almost one o’clock, and the bar had mostly emptied out. Besides Peanut Man and the man in the dark corner, there was a couple cuddling in a booth just to the left of the bar.

Eddie poured rum and Coke into a glass and then nudged Josh. “Go on. Why don’t you take him? I can handle what’s left and close up. Unless, you’d rather we call him a cab?”

“No, I’ll get him home.” Josh tossed the towel down and walked around the corner of the bar, picking up used napkins and other trash as he went and discarding it along the way. As he approached the dark corner, the man didn’t even look up. He just continued to stare at the drink.

“Hi, Patrick.” Josh sat across from him.

Patrick Donovan’s gaze slowly rose to look at Josh. His blue-green eyes didn’t focus. In fact, he appeared to be looking over Josh’s shoulder.

Three years ago this night, Patrick’s longtime lover hanged himself. Patrick had the extreme misfortune of discovering Andrew’s body. Josh had been well acquainted with both Patrick and Andrew. His mother and Andrew’s mother were sisters and he, Patrick, and Andrew had all gone to high school together.

Josh reached across the table and covered Patrick’s hand with his. “It’s Josh.”

Patrick blinked, and then ran his long fingers through his chin-length sandy blond hair. “I know.” He looked away.

“Come on, I think you’ve been here long enough. I’m going to drive you home.”

Still not looking at him, Patrick whispered, “What about Eddie? Why can’t he drive me home?”

Josh sighed. “He would’ve, except you broke his nose the last time. He won’t do it again.”

“I said I was sorry,” Patrick said with more than a touch of petulance.

“I know. Still, I’m taking you home.” He gestured to the drink he had left. “I think you’ve had enough. Want me to take that away?”

Patrick didn’t bother to answer, so Josh just scooted it across the table. Josh rose and placed his hand under Patrick’s arm, pulling him up out of the booth.

On the one hand, Josh was glad for the man’s unexpected subdued manner, as he’d gotten violent in the past when someone tried to extract him from the bar. But it also troubled him. Patrick seemed even more despondent than usual.

Patrick was shorter than Josh’s six-foot-two frame by several inches, only reaching to about Josh’s shoulders. Back in high school, when Josh, Andrew, and Patrick had been pretty much inseparable, Patrick had been the smallest.

The man slumped in his arms and Josh had to lunge to keep him upright. “Easy, Patrick. I’ve got you.”

“Need help?” Eddie yelled from behind the bar.

Josh just shook his head. He knew well enough why Patrick preferred Eddie’s company on the way home. Andrew, being their cousin, had resembled both Josh and Eddie, but Josh looked more closely like Andrew. They’d been about the same height, the same age, the same muscular build, and had the same shade of sable hair and brown eyes. To Patrick, Josh was a constant reminder of Andrew.

He got the other man to walk toward the exit with only a small amount of resistance. When they’d reached the door, Josh glanced back at the bar. The couple looked like they would be leaving soon, the man holding the bar tab in his hand. The man eating the peanuts had half his drink left, but the man was a regular so Josh didn’t have any concerns
.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Eddie.”

“Yeah. Drive carefully and call me if there are any problems.”

Josh buckled Patrick into the seat belt of the passenger side of his old beat-up truck. One of these days he would replace the damn truck, but it still ran pretty well even if it wasn’t exactly pretty.

“You okay there, kid?”

“I’m fine. And I’m only a year younger than you. Not even. Just a few months.”

“I know, but you’ll always be a kid to me.” Josh got in and started the truck. Patrick’s condominium was less than ten miles from the bar. Not many cars on the road this time of night, but Josh decided there was no need to speed. He’d rather they make it to their destination in one piece.

Over the years, first as a patron of the bar and now as co-owner, Josh knew a few people had wandered out of the bar having drunk more than they should. Early on in their ownership, he and Eddie had decided to continue the previous owner’s free cab ride home policy. They’d used it a few times. But that didn’t deter everyone and there had been a few nasty accidents on this road.

Patrick leaned heavily on the passenger door, his head resting against the cracked window.

“Do you think you might be sick?” Josh asked. “I can pull over.”

“As much of a piece of shit as this truck is, do you think anyone would notice if I puked inside?”

He winced over the surly tone. Apparently the detached Patrick had been replaced once more by the hostile one.

“I’d notice. Do you need me to pull over or not?”

“No.”

Josh didn’t quite believe him, but didn’t see how arguing would help. If Patrick got sick all over himself and Josh’s truck, he’d make Patrick clean it.

Right. You will not.

Friday Updates

I've got two contests going now, one for Pieces, to be released on July 18, 2010, ending July 17, 2010, and one for the paperback edition of the Only Forver series, ending when the paperback becomes available. Don't forget to enter if you are interested in either or both.

Twice in a Lifetime is making great progress this week. I'm hoping to wrap things up with a couple more chapters. So far there's angst, sex, more angst, car sex, and now on to a bit more angst.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I plan to spend much of it writing.

Pieces Contest

I'm going to go ahead and start the contest to win a copy of Pieces now. Here's the blurb:

Patrick Donovan has spent the last three anniversaries of his lover’s suicide getting drunk at Josh Stevens’ bar. It’s at the bar he feels closest to Andrew, the man he misses, as well as to the man he has truly loved since high school, Josh, his dead lover’s cousin.

Troubled by Patrick’s annual visits to the bar, Josh encourages the man to put the pieces of his broken life back together and move on from his grief. Though it’s clear to Josh that Patrick yearns to move on with him, he wants no part of it. He’s avoided long-term relationships and knows the last thing he should do is get involved with Patrick, especially when he believes the man’s shattered heart still belongs to Andrew.

But Josh changes his mind once Patrick takes his advice and begins dating other guys. Despite his fear of committment and becoming a substitute for Andrew, Josh can no longer ignore his growing feelings for Patrick. Will he be able to let the man go, or will he eventually surrender to the notion that Patrick is perfect for him after all?

Contest runs from now until July 17, 2010. Winner announced then. Just comment.

Wednesday Musings

With what a deep devotedness of woe
I wept thy absence - o'er and o'er again
Thinking of thee, still thee, till thought grew pain,
And memory, like a drop that, night and day,
Falls cold and ceaseless, wore my heart away!
~Thomas Moore


When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran


If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden. ~Claudia Ghandi


Gone - flitted away,
Taken the stars from the night and the sun
From the day!
Gone, and a cloud in my heart.
~Alfred Tennyson


Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle
Everything I do is stitched with its color.
~W.S. Merwin, "Separation"


I dropped a tear in the ocean. The day you find it is the day I will stop missing you. ~Author Unknown


Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos. ~Charles M. Schulz

Still Plugging Away

So I finished another chapter on Twice in a Lifetime today. It's already July 5th though and I thought I'd try and get this done by the 15th. That's only 10 days and I'm wondering if I will make it. I think not at the moment. Oh, well, anyway I'm pretty sure I'll be done sometime this month.

The best part of today is I didn't have to work.

Have a good week

Kevin's Free Independance Holiday Story

I promised to do another free story starring Kevin Flahety (Car Wash) since I know many of my readers are fans of his. So withour further ado. Happy 4th for my American readers.



“You’re awfully quiet over here.” Kevin Bennett approached the corner of his backyard where his friend, Noah Riggins, sat sipping a beer in an Adirondack chair. Wearing jean shorts and a white t-shirt splashed with glittery fireworks, he plopped down in the cushy, flowered lawn chair he’d brought over with him. “Anything wrong?”

Noah smiled and shook his head, his gaze steady on the laughing crowd of people under the patio and splashing in the pool. “Nah, just thinking.”

Kevin raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his Bahama Mama through a pink straw. “That could be dangerous. You’re not having trouble with Charlie, are you?”

“No, he’s always on his best behavior since he’s convinced all my friends hate him.”

He laughed. “Well, honestly, at first I didn’t think much of him.”

Noah nodded and shifted in the chair. “I know. The slycat days.”

“Yep. You were so miserable you went out with me.” Kevin laughed again, his eyes straying briefly to Michael across the yard. His husband had a captive audience of his parents and their friends that came with them to their summer pool party. They appeared to be hanging on his every word. “You even danced with that guy…oh, lord, what was his name?”

“Minstrel.” Noah grinned and finished his beer. “What an idiot. ‘My name is Minstrel. Let me make your body sing.’ Worse pick up line ever.”

“What is with these men and their fake names? Raphael.”

His friend laughed. “Do you ever hear from him anymore? I know you saw him near Christmas.”

“No, thank God. Hon, the further he stays away from me, the better. I don’t know what I ever saw in him.”

“Well, he did have a big dick,” Noah reminded him.

“There is that. Getting back to Charlie, I didn’t like the way he hurt you. You were so into him.” Kevin shook his head at the memories. Back then he had a bit of a crush on Noah and resented Charlie even more.

“I know. But everything worked out for the best, don’t you think? You do like him now, right?”

Noah sounded so worried, Kevin answered right away rather than teasing him. “I love him, Noah. I think he’s fantastic. The two of you are so perfect.”

Noah smiled, reached over and squeezed his hand. “Thanks. I feel the same about you and Michael.”

“We’ve always been perfect for each other. It just took him longer to figure it out than it did me.” Kevin sighed. “Twelve years old and just figuring out I was gay and I had to fall for Danny’s brother. God, I can’t tell you how many times, even then, I tried to get his attention. Just a dumb kid.”

“What was he then? Eighteen?”

“Yup.” Kevin hitched his legs up onto the chair and wrapped his arms around his knees. “His family used to have parties like this and I’d totally be gawking at him in his swim trunks. One time he wanted a soda and I practically broke his mother’s arm trying to take it from her so I could give it to him.”

“Man, you did have it bad.”

“You don’t know the half of it, hon. So, there he was sitting in a chair under an umbrella, minding his own business, and here comes this idiotic preteen. I tripped over my own two feet and spilled the soda all over him.”

Noah laughed. “Oh, my God, I would have loved to see that.’

“I about died of embarrassment. It’s no wonder it took me until I was fifteen to swear my undying love to him.” Kevin winced, the old teenaged pain rearing its head for a second. He sighed. “Enough about me. Why are you thinking here anti-social like?”

“Okay, I’ll go mingle. I think I see Charlie looking uncomfortable talking to your neighbor anyway.” Noah rose from the chair. He tilted his head toward Kevin’s drink. “Need another one?”

“I’m good, thanks.” Kevin watched Noah head for Charlie and leaned back in his lounge chair, closing his eyes for just a second. He opened one eye when he felt a familiar hand on his bare knee. “Hey.”

Michael smiled from the chair just vacated by Noah. “Hey, yourself. You look tired.”

“I am. When do you suppose they’ll all leave?”

“Getting tired of playing the host with the most?”

Kevin sighed. “A little.”

“Is this the time I get to remind you this shindig was your idea?”

He raised an eyebrow at him. “No.”

Michael chuckled. “Anyway, it’s the 4th, no one will leave for hours. They’ll stay for the fireworks.”

He finished his drink and set it down on the cement next to his chair. “Remember last 4th?”

“Of course. I asked you to marry me.”

“Best day of my life. Or one of them anyway.” Kevin got up from the lounge and sat across Michael’s lap instead. His husband didn’t seem to mind, he wrapped his arms around Kevin’s middle. “Noah and I were talking.”

“Uh-oh. Should I be worried?”

“Nah. I was thinking about when I spilled the soda on you.”

Michael frowned. “You did? When?”

“You were eighteen.”

“Oh. Sweetheart, I can barely remember last week, let alone then,” Michael teased.

“I was such a geek.” He rolled his eyes. “No wonder you didn’t want me.”

“We’re not going through that again, are we?”

“No.” Kevin leaned his head on Michael’s shoulder. “’Cause I have you now.”

Michael kissed his forehead. “You definitely do. So, what else were you guys talking about?”

“I don’t know. He seemed kinda depressed.”

“Trouble in paradise?”

“He said no.” Kevin shook his head. “Far be it from me to interfere.”

Michael made a sort of strangled laugh sound.

Kevin pulled back and glared at him. “Have you got something to say, Michael?”

“No, of course not, angel.”

Kevin’s lips twitched. “I thought not.” He snuggled into Michael again. “If you ever had a problem with me, you’d say so, right?”

Michael’s arms tightened around him. “I’ll never have a problem with you, sweetheart. I worship you.”

“I know, but if you did, you would, right?”

“Yes, and I would expect the same of you.”

Kevin laughed. “I don’t think you’d have to worry about me telling you if I had a problem with you.”

“Yeah, you’re not exactly shy.”

“This is nice, but I guess I should go make sure everyone is happy.”

Michael sighed against his hair. “Just a few more minutes.”

“I love you, you know,” Kevin whispered. “More than anything in the world.”

“I know, I love you, too. I don’t know what I’d ever do without you.”

He smiled and reluctantly straightened. “What happened to the sparkle?”

Michael frowned. “Sparkle?”

“I put gold glitter in your hair. Did you wash it out?”

Michael attempted to look innocent. “Of course not.”

“You did so! That’s it.” He stood up and tugged on Michael’s hand until he too was standing. “Come with me. I’ll fix you.”

“How?”

“I’ve got red, white and blue glitter, too. I’m going to douse you with it.”

June Best Seller List

AMBER ALLURE / June 2010

1. Bastet - T. A. Chase (Gay / Shapeshifter)
2. Double Shot Cappuccino - Stephani Hecht (Gay / Contemporary)
3. His One And Only - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Martin And The Wolf - Anne Brooke (Gay / Werewolf)
5. The House Of Driscoll, Book I - A. J. Llewellyn & D. J. Manly (Gay / Vampire)
6. The Alpha's Pet - Louisa Gough (Gay / Werewolf)
7. Blood Oath - Keta Diablo (Gay / Vampire)
8. Everybody Wants Somebody - Shara Bloodstone (Gay / Contemporary)
9. A King's Ransom - Aislinn Kerry (Gay / Fantasy / Pirate)
10. (Boys Of The Zodiac) Gemini: The Wicked Things - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Fantasy)

There I am at #3

This Month

Later this month, somewhere in the middle, I think, the paperback collection of the Only Series, ONLY FOREVER, will be released.

So, beginning today, July 01, 2010, I am holding a contest to win a paperback of the collection, should you wish it. The cover is on the sidebar over there (I know they look nothing like any of them).

If you win, you can decide if you want it signed or not. The contest runs from now until the paperback is released. I'll announce the winner then. Just leave a comment to enter. I'll post reminders as the month passes in case you miss this announcement