Sunday Eye Candy

Excerpt - Trust by Shawn Lane

Brad stared at the closed doors leading to the intensive care unit. He was shaking all over and couldn’t seem to stop. Had been since seeing Justin lying in the wrecked car, pale and bleeding. Near death.

As soon as his shift ended, Brad changed into jeans and a blue polo shirt and came straight to the hospital where Justin had been taken.

He hadn’t even known Justin was in California. Didn’t his biography on both his books and website say something about upstate New York?

God, Justin.

“Brad, what are you doing here?”

Brad turned to face the pretty African-American nurse who called out to him. He knew many of the staff in the area hospitals. “Hi, Gretchen. I was just wondering how the accident victim we brought in is doing.”

“Oh, the writer? He’s critical. They’re watching him closely for brain swelling.”

No, please.

“The press has been calling ever since they learned of the accident,” Gretchen said. She sighed, crossing her arms. “We’ve already had some trying to get in to take pictures.”

Brad swallowed the bile rising to his throat. Paparazzi in Los Angeles were like piranhas.

“Listen, Gretchen, do you think I might be able to see him for a minute?”

“You? Why? Brad, you know only immediate family is permitted.”

Brad nodded. “I know but…Justin has no family out here anymore.”

“Do you know Mr. Lowe?”

“Yeah, we…we were good friends once.” Brad blanched. His heart threatened to leap into his throat.

Gretchen stared at him, her mouth twisting in consideration. “All right, but only for a few minutes. Come with me.”
He followed her through the double doors and past several rooms, most of which were merely covered by curtains. He heard groans of pain coming from some of the rooms and low but poignant weeping from the room next to where Gretchen led Brad.

“Wait here,” she told him. “I’m going to tell his nurse.”

Brad stood outside the room covered with one of those ringed curtains. He felt sick and wasn’t sure he should even be there.

Justin’s nurse, an older woman with gray curls, piercing blue eyes and a name tag that said Betty, walked over to him. “Are you a family member?”

“No, ma’am. I-I used to know Justin. I don’t know where his family is now. I’m one of the paramedics who were called to the accident.”

Betty appeared unimpressed but she shrugged. “Two minutes. We’re keeping him sedated so he won’t even know you’re here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She sniffed and drew the curtain aside to reveal Justin looking very small and ghostly white in the hospital bed. Tubes stuck out of him and a white bandage had been wrapped around his head.

“Two minutes,” the nurse said again then sort of nudged him in the direction of Justin and pulled the curtain closed behind him.

Brad walked within touching distance of Justin. He was so pale Brad could see little blue veins beneath his skin. Justin’s lips were almost as pale as his skin and there was a cut and a bruise next to his mouth.

He had an uncontrollable urge to touch his former lover’s face. His hand shaking, Brad reached out and touched his index finger along Justin’s cold cheek. Somehow it seemed a violation. He had no right to touch this man. He’d lost that right years ago.

His chest constricted and he dropped his hand away from Justin. His ex had always been smaller than him. Justin was five feet eight inches tops. But lying helpless in the hospital bed he appeared even smaller and frailer. Just as heartbreakingly beautiful, though.
Justin wouldn’t want him there, of course. Brad was well aware Justin hated him. He’d screwed up bad in college, and even after Justin walked out of the locker room, Brad had tried to talk to him. Justin would have none of it and had even moved away to avoid Brad. He’d given up then, not wanting to be Justin’s stalker.

Still, he followed Justin’s very successful career as a mystery novelist. Brad always knew he would do well.

The curtain moved and Brad knew his time was up. Had been thirteen years ago, really. The foolish prick of tears stung his eyes. The heartache never went away.

“Time’s up,” Betty said unnecessarily. She stood with her hands on her hips, looking like a bird protecting her baby in the nest.

“How is he doing?” Brad asked.

The old nurse shrugged. “About as well as can be expected. Airbag saved his life but he hit his head pretty hard. Doctors are monitoring him and so far there’s no swelling of the brain.”

Brad nodded, aware one of the tears he’d tried to hold back fell hotly against his cheek.
Betty’s face seemed to soften a bit. “Want to be sure there’s no spinal damage too.”

Oh God.

Brad stepped away from the bed and Betty closed it off again. He felt a little lightheaded.

“You can come back tomorrow if you want,” Betty said with a sniff. “In the morning.”

Brad found he couldn’t speak so he mouthed the words thank you and walked back through the double doors and out into the regular wing of the hospital.

And as February Draws to a Welcome Close

Well Friday has arrived again. And not a moment too soon for my sanity. Also the end of February, too. I've decided it's one of my least favorite months.

Don't forget to send me questions for Ashtyn Long. Don't be shy. He's not.

Hopefully you've had a chance to notice my cover there for Still the One on the side. I like it, it's pretty, but I have to confess the guy with the long hair really does not look like Malcolm in the story as he is more muscular than our Malcolm is. Oh, well. It's a nice cover anyway and I like the way New York was worked in since that is a big part of the story. All in all, I think it's a good cover.

Tomorrow is excerpt day and I think I am going to focus on Trust. I know quite a few of you have read Trust, but there are probably some still on the fence because Brad starts out the story cheating on Justin. Believe me I am aware how easy it is not to sympathize with a cheater. To me it is a difficult if not impossible thing to forgive, thus why I really wanted to write a story where the reader couldn't help but not only forgive the cheater (Brad) but even like him better and root for his happiness. I think, at least from what I've heard from most readers, I accomplished that with Trust.

Anyway, that's my plan at this point, subject to changes of course. Sunday I'll have another lovely eye candy picture and I'll bet you can guess who it will be.

Speaking of Tea...

As I noted in a comment yesterday, I am going to be making Wednesdays "Musings" days to go along with Saturday excerpts and Sunday Eye Candy. Just trying to put some structure into the blog.



Since I have some Ashtyn news I figured I could post his picture. Lovely, yes?

EH (and others) interested in seeing Ash's teapot. I asked Ash about that and he advised that photographer David Vance has a coffee table book called, Ashtyn, wherein there are pictures of his teapot. On Ash's facebook page on the lower left corner there is a link to purchase the book. I, of course, have already ordered my copy. Purely research purposes, naturally.

Wednesday Musings

Just some random stuff today.

A watched inbox does not yield you the email you desire (covers for your books you are waiting for)

I've discovered I wouldn't like living alone.

Somehow time speeds up when you are not at work.

I'll never go to sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

It's fun to get fan mail.

It's fun to get emails from beautiful young men.

I love talking to my bff online. He's very precious.

No matter how much you want your pets to live forever there comes a time when you know that's not realistic.

Working in the health insurance industry makes you unpopular.

Even when you think you know someone they can surprise you.

Some people are hateful and there is nothing you can do to change that. It's still sad though.

My New Friend, Ashtyn

Well, as it turns out, the internet is a very small world indeed. Yesterday I received an email from none other than Ashtyn Long. That’s right, our Ashtyn on the blog.

It seems that Ashtyn has found my little blog world and has read many of our posts. I was, therefore, somewhat red-faced, but Ashtyn is as sweet as he is gorgeous and has assured me that he is flattered and thrilled to be the inspiration for some of my heroes.

Ashtyn and I have exchanged a couple emails and he is now my Facebook buddy as well. The very sweet man has graciously agreed to be interviewed for the blog as well. How cool is that? At the moment, he is out of the states on a photo shoot and does not get phone reception but when he returns we expect to talk further.

So, now is your chance to send me questions for Ashtyn. He has assured me is very open about himself and will answer anything. If you are too shy to post your questions for him here, please feel free to email me the questions to authorshawnlane@gmail.com. I will be asking Ashtyn when we speak.

Anyway, I thought that was very cool and as I said he is just as sweet as can be and flattered that we all think so well of him. I’ll be sending him one of my books to as he would like to read one. Any suggestions for Ashtyn?

A New Beginning

Well, as you all know, I finished Still the One over the weekend. I had intended to give myself a day or two to goof off (not weeks on end), but as it is I did not. I've already started, His One and Only , the final book in the Only series, with Drew and Mark.

Along with that I plan to work on Twice in a Lifetime, Jude's story. So those two stories are where my energies will lie for the most part over the next few weeks.

Hope everyone has a decent week.

And Another One Done

I finished Still the One and so Ash agreed to celebrate with me. Wasn't that lovely of him?

Excerpt - From Afar by Ava March

Coming February 23, 1010 from Samhain Publishing.


Leather creaked as Aleric shifted on the bench again. His knee bumped Raphael’s. Aleric’s quick intake of breath was clearly audible even above the sounds of the horses’ hooves pounding against the street as the driver took them swiftly to Mayfair. Another bump against Raphael’s knee, and Aleric pressed his calf against his. The slow rub of soft wool against his stocking-covered shin spoke louder than words that Aleric wanted his attention.

Desire flared under his skin. He could not have tamped it down if he had tried. Even the knowledge that Aleric only wanted him because he was there, to serve as a convenient vessel to sate his lust, could not dim the need building swiftly within him.

He looked to Aleric. The man’s silver-blue eyes were glazed with passion, his lips parted, exposing the sharp tips of his fangs, as he stroked his erection through his trousers.

Reaching up, Raphael closed the thin shade on the window in the door, blocking out most of the moon’s light, but not all of it. The silvery light seeping around the edges was just enough to cloak the interior in shadow, but not full darkness.

The soft swoosh of Aleric’s palm sliding over his trousers ceased. Both of them sat still, not moving a muscle. Raphael let the anticipation build until he could feel the waves of need rolling off Aleric, lapping against his skin, fueling his own.

Would it ever be like this with another?

Never.

A beckoning flick of his head, and Aleric shot off the bench. The carriage shook as he landed on Raphael, knees straddling his hips and arms braced on either side of his shoulders. Aleric slanted his mouth over Raphael’s, his fangs smacking against Raphael’s teeth. Before Raphael could even begin to savor the harsh kiss, Aleric dropped his head to nuzzle Raphael’s neck. Raphael tipped his head back, granting access as Aleric frantically dragged his lips along his jaw and up to nip at his ear. A shiver racked his spine. His now-hard cock twitched against the placket of his breeches.

“I can’t stop thinking about being with you.” A bit of confusion underlined the passion soaking Aleric’s low voice.

Raphael caressed his sides, felt the tremor shake the man’s body. “You mean you can’t stop thinking about sex. It’s to be expected. All your senses, all your instincts are heightened, strengthened. Lust is just one of them. With time, you’ll grow accustomed to the desires, to the constant need, and be able to temper it.”

“I do hope you’re right.” The quick puffs of Aleric’s hot, moist breath fanned his neck. He shifted closer, pressing full against Raphael. “It’s disconcerting, to say the least, to have such little control over myself.”

“Don’t be disconcerted. There’s no need. I’m here for you.” Raphael’s words turned into a groan as Aleric ground his hips, rubbing their hard pricks together.

With a tug on Aleric’s hair, he brought the man’s mouth back to his. There was nothing quite like kissing Aleric. The way it made him feel, as though he had found home. His heart clenched at the prospect of losing Aleric, but he pushed aside the despair, focused on the man in his arms. Determined to gather as many memories as he could of Aleric, for they would need to last him an eternity.

He grabbed Aleric’s arse, fingers pushing the soft wool of his trousers between his firm cheeks. Tongues twining, lips crushed together, they ground against each other, working each other into a fever pitch. Fluid seeped from the tip of his cock, dampening his breeches. Every move they made caused the slick satin to rub over the head of his cock in an agonizingly sweet caress.

An impending orgasm gripped his spine, teased his ballocks. Not yet! He wanted to be inside Aleric, wanted the man beneath him, but the cramped confines of the carriage would pose a challenge.

But he couldn’t leave Aleric untended to—he had given the man his word, after all, that he’d be there for him. He could well remember that overpowering, yet confusing constant need, during the initial weeks after he had been turned. Raphael worked his hands between their bodies, jerked on the placket of Aleric’s trousers. One tug and the ties of his drawers snapped in two. Twisting his head, he broke the kiss and pushed on Aleric’s broad shoulders. “Get up. Turn around.”

“Why?” Aleric moved to lean back down. Raphael had to lock his arms straight to hold the larger man back. Turning Aleric into a vampire had not only amplified his emotions but his physical strength as well, leaving Raphael with the distinct impression Aleric could have broken his hold in a trice if he so chose. He stared at Raphael for a moment, his lips wet from their kisses, his chest heaving, his muscles hard as iron beneath Raphael’s hands. Then dawning comprehension replaced the bewilderment on Aleric’s face. “Oh, you want to bugger—”

“No. Not here,” he said with a quick shake of his head. “Something else. Just get up before we reach Mayfair.”

Happy Friday

Continuing on these very cool pictures. I love the expression for this one too.

Ava, what do you think? Couldn't he be Raphael in From Afar?




Everything's okay. Still on track to finish Still the One this weekend and I already know it will be released April 11, 2010.

Hope everyone has a good weekend ahead of them and look for an excerpt of Ava March's From Afar. It's one she has chosen just for my excerpt day so you won't see it anywhere else

February 18, 2010 (Can't think of a clever title)

Thanks everyone again for your thoughts and well wishes yesterday. It's very appreciated. I'll be alone for the next two weeks so the good part of that is I should get plenty of writing time in as well as bff time.

On a much lighter note, progress is being made on Still the One and it will be done this weekend.

And now for a picture. There is just something about the decadence of this particular picture that really calls to me. Enjoy!

In Memoriam

Born December 18, 1935
Died February 17, 2010

I first met Nancy in 1972. Yes, that’s right, 38 years ago. I was 7.

I can’t tell you how many wonderful memories I have of vacations, camping trips, holidays, summer barbecues, sleepovers, and just plain old conversations I have had those past 38 years.

Nancy taught me how to cross-stitch as a young girl when I would watch her create the most beautiful creations out of thread and cloth. I never did get as good as Nancy. But she was a perfectionist and I don’t think I ever came across anyone who was at good at cross-stitch as she was.

My love of romance books started with Nancy. She used to buy Candlelight Regency romances and I would be in her house and I would pick up the paperback and just start reading. Many of them were gothic as well and I began to love suspense in my romance. I was hooked.

When I was still a teenager and my own parents sold their home to move to Las Vegas (for what turned out to be just a few short years) and I didn’t want to go, Nancy and her husband, Chuck, opened their home to me and allowed me to stay with their family. They did not have to and this was something that I remain forever grateful for.

What seems like just a short time ago, Nancy was diagnosed with lung cancer. She went through treatments and for a while seemed to be doing pretty good considering. But in December she began to feel weaker and she fell and broke her hip just before Christmas. Unfortunately, she never fully recovered and very recently they learned the cancer had spread to her brain.

38 years probably sounds like a long time. It’s not. It’s not nearly long enough.

Rest in peace, Nancy Alice Thomas Mahlmeister.

The Nothing New Day

This is one of those days when I really have nothing to say. Sad, isn't it? I'd decided I was going to try to post something pretty much every day but what happens to days like this when there is nothing to report?

Hmm. I am anxious to finish Still the One. I love Dusty and Malcolm but others are calling to me. The good news is I am working toward their satisfying conclusion and I don't anticipate having any trouble finishing this weekend.

I'm waiting on two covers at present. I submitted my cover form for Still the One so I am waiting for that and of course the cover for Calvin and Matt's story, Only His Heart.

Once this one is out of the way, I intend to continue writing Jude's story and also to start the final "only" book, His One and Only starring Drew and Mark. Yes, I named Drew after our Drew. I have a tendency to name characters after some people I know and many of the characteristics of people I know, as well as myself, end up in the book.

On Saturday, the excerpt posted will be from Ava March's upcoming release, From Afar. I suggest you don't miss this book if you are an Ava fan because it will be a long time before her next one comes out. Isn't that right, Ava? lol.

Not So Bad

This is a Monday better than most because I don't have to work. It was lovely Sunday night realizing I did not have to get up at 5:30AM.

My cold is much better. Not 100% but better. The worst part is the lingering cough. It's making my chest and stomach muscles hurt.

I got a couple of chapter done over the weekend on Still the One. My current goal is to have it done by next Sunday, February 21, 2010. That will be well in advance of the March 01, 2010 deadline.

Then I will give myself a breather day or two and then move on to the next story.

Sunday Eye Candy (Happy Valentine's Day)

Excerpt - Only For Him by Shawn Lane

Coming April 18, 2010 from Amber Allure



“You’re cute when you’re flustered.” Barnaby said, taking a step forward until they were an inch or two apart.

He could feel warmth radiating from the other man.

“Am not.”

Barnaby’s lips moved even closer, his breath caressing Nathan’s mouth. His cock filled and rose to press against his briefs. He puckered to touch Barnaby’s pouty lips with his when Barnaby moved away with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and dashed out of the kitchen.

Nathan shook his head and followed. Barnaby was already slipping through the door of his bedroom. He hoped to God he had condoms and lube. If he didn’t…well, they’d be taking a brief break to go to the all-night drug store down the street.

Even as he approached his room, doubts crept in. He still wanted to fuck Barnaby like crazy, but he wasn’t really a one-night stand kind of guy and he knew any kind of relationship with Barnaby would go exactly nowhere. The younger man was too young, too impetuous, too damn gorgeous and just…too much.

“I’m going to start without you,” Barnaby called.

Swallowing a moan, he entered his room. True to his word, Barnaby had already pulled off the bedspread of Nathan’s bed to reveal the pristine white sheets and taken off his pullover sweater. His jaw dropped, his gaze fixated on Barnaby’s sculpted, perfect abs.

“You work out?”

Barnaby smiled. “Sure. Dude, with a brother for a doctor? His gift for my birthday last year was a gym membership.”

Nathan just nodded. He watched as Barnaby’s fingers worked the button fly of his jeans. He thought maybe Barnaby should have been a stripper because those long fingers slipping across those buttons was sexy as fucking hell.

The jeans inched down Barnaby’s hips in such slow motion he began to wonder if he had started drooling yet. Nathan blindly unfastened his own pants. In the back of his brain he still tried to tell his cock this was a bad idea. Barnaby was an employee of the firm and totally wrong for him and—

Barnaby’s jeans shimmied down to his knees. He’d gone commando.

“Fuck,” Nathan whispered as the other man’s cock pointed up.

The younger man winked and then turned his back on Nathan as he removed his shoes and the last of his clothing, giving him a great view of Barnaby’s tight, round ass.

Nathan tripped trying to toe his own shoes off.

Saturdays Will Be Excerpt Day

I've decided to make Saturdays "Excerpt Day".

Every Saturday I will offer an excerpt of either something from the past (for new readers), something from a future release or even an excerpt from one one my fellow author's upcoming releases.

If you are an an author with something coming up and would like an excerpt posted one Saturday shoot me an email at authorshawnlane@gmail.com.

Happy Friday

I know there are those of you who cannot stand one more picture of Ash, but you are in the minority and he makes me feel better.



I wanted to break the 3,000 mark last night but I didn't quite make it because this cold is really kicking my ass. This is the sickest I've been in quite some time. I was 100 words short of that goal when I just couldn't write one more word.

The worse thing is I cannot stop coughing. Maybe if I had been able to stay home all week I would be better by now. Or maybe not. With all the coughing I haven't been able to sleep for days. I know I am whining a bit.

The good news, if there is any, is that this is a three day weekend as we have President's Day off on Monday. Maybe I can finally rest and get some significant work done on Still the One.

I want to thank everyone for their well wishes. Happy Friday!

The Heat Is On...

I'm posting this to show you the pressure I am experiencing, lol. Amber Quill listed in the coming soon section of Amber Pax's the best friend's Pax I am taking part in. Yes, the one that isn't finished.




From This Moment On...
A Collection of "Best Friend" Gay Erotic Romance
Beyond The Shadows - Deirdre O'Dare
A Hard Habit To Break - KC Kendricks
Independence Day II - Christiane France
Pinky Swear - Lynn Lorenz
Still The One - Shawn Lane
AVAILABLE APRIL 2010!

For those who might not know what an Amber Pax is, it's basically an anthology where you can buy all five stories at a discounted price. The way it differs though is that if you choose to buy only one or two stories, you can.

At least this is the last Pax collection I have volunteered for this year. I really have too many other stories going on and had to limit my participation. Too bad because some of my best stories came out of Paxes (At Long Last, Jake's Regret, and The Other Side).

Auto Buy Authors

I'm semi-delirious but thought I'd post this:

This is me the reader.

A recent discussion with Ava March had me thinking who my auto buy authors are. And I realized that it’s changed a bit over the years with some adding on and some dropping off.

Usually the ones that drop off are those that write in a genre I no longer regularly read (Marilyn Lee comes to mind) or an author that has perhaps changed genres his or her self. One auto buy author (Ed McBain) died a few years ago so that was the reason he dropped off.

Now there are authors I almost always buy, but aren’t what I would consider “auto”. I can think of one who writes various types of books and only some of those subject matters interest me. And sometimes even my auto buy authors release an occasional book I don’t feel was quite up to their usual standards. I’m sure we all feel this way.

So without further ado I decided to post my current auto buy authors, in no particular order.

1) J.L. Langley
2) Josh Lanyon
3) Ava March
4) Zathyn Priest
5) Ally Blue
6) A.M. Riley
7) M.L. Rhodes
8) Jayne Ann Krentz (and all her AKAs)

Now, there are many, many more authors that I enjoy many of their offerings, but if I have to go with, they could write a grocery list and I would buy it, these are the ones that come to mind.

Who are your auto buy authors and have they changed over the years? If they have, what are the reasons?

If There is a Worse Day Than Monday...It's Tuesday

I am not fond of Tuesdays. It's too far from the weekend on both ends. And since I feel like crap and had to work anyway, this Tuesday is particularly cruel. Therefore, I had to have Ash.



Well after what I thought was a slow start on Still the One, I actually managed to get about 1,200 words done yesterday. Considering my sick state of mind (I know how is that different from usual) I'm not sure it makes a ton of sense, but it's progress.

To make the Pax it has to be at least an Extended Amber Kiss which is 11,000-17,000 words. The Best Gift was actually only an Amber Kiss at 10,000 words so this story has to be longer than the original. I'm thinking this story will be on the lower end of the Extended Amber Kiss word count but we will see.

I am behind my fellow authors of the pax too. As far as I know only one other of the five of us hasn't turned in their story already. And the other author has 8,000 words done to my 1,200.

I'm not terribly worried. As most of you know I'm a pretty fast writer. See backlist of 4 day books, Pulling Away and Stone of Wrath. I'm pretty sure without even looking I wrote Only His Heart in less than a month. The Only books have been admittedly easy because none of them have complicated plots. They are just relationship stories. No outside forces are trying to rip the guys apart or any of that. Still the One is likewise a relationship story.

The nice thing about Malcolm and Dusty having been together for 5 years is I was able to have their first sex scene of this book in the first chapter. I thought I'd get it in right away and believe me the boys did not mind.

Cover Loving - Only For Him

Couldn't have Ashtyn but I love this one anyway. It fits the book perfectly. And the glasses on Nathan are perfect. I gotta love Trace for the covers he gives me.

And So It Is Monday Again

I've gone and got myself a chest cold. I'd blame Shayne, but my dear bff can't get me sick from the other side of the country. I called in sick at the EDJ. I can't afford to be out much though so I hope taking today off helps because I will need to be back there tomorrow.

I took the weekend off from writing (did some edits on Only For Him), but I need to get cracking on Still the One.

For those who don't recall or are new to visiting me, Still the One is a sequel to The Best Gift. It's a peek into the lives of best friends turned lovers, Malcolm and Dusty, five years later. It is due March 01, 2010 and that is a real deadline as it is part of the best friends pax, From This Moment On, releasing in April.

I hope everyone has a good week.

Sunday Eye Candy

The one of Ashtyn in the clouds is as close to EH's request as my blog can get. LOL.

Release Date News

Only His Heart will be released May 23, 2010.

In other "only" news, eventually the stories in the series will form a paperback collection to be called Only Forever. Not sure about timing on that yet as there is a distinct possibility of a fourth story called His One and Only.

Only His Heart News

I am pleased to report Only His Heart is finished and ready to submit (pretty close and will be submitted tonight). I'll advise the release date as soon as I have it.

I really loved working on Calvin and Matt's story and I hope you will love it when you read it. As usual, I'll post the cover when I get it.

And now I seriously need to pump up the volume on Still the One.

Fabulous Progress

I love this one because up close it almost looks like a painting.

I have made tremendous progress over the last couple of days on Only His Heart. As Shayne would say, GO ME. I've written two chapters and 4,853 words!

I have only one chapter to go. So I am definitely on track to finish and submit this story THIS WEEKEND.

Shayne, Drew and a Pretty One

I found myself a lovely brunette model with big pouty lips and one too young for EH. He does look young, I will agree. But with those lips you can see why I posted him.

My beautiful bff, Shayne, is under the weather again. As I am sure Shay would agree, he is sick too often. Jack informs me that my Shayster is grumpy and is now on medicine prescribed by his doctor.

Also, our dear sweet Drew has been missing for a while because of a personal tragedy that he is far too young to have to endure. I hope he comes back to us soon as we miss him.

Please keep Drew and Shayne in your thoughts.

Well...Um

As hinted on Eyre's blog, my schedule has changed a bit for AQ. I could still have a story out four months in a row depending on my story writing, but Still the One, the story I thought wouldn't be out until June has been bumped up two months to April.

The new release date for the best friends turned lovers Pax, From This Moment On, will be April 11, 2010. This means I will have two releases in April.

It also means February is going to be a very difficult, writing-packed month for me.

Amber Quill January Best Seller Lists

What's Hot?
January 2010
Best Sellers!

1. Fires Of Ballian
- M. L. Rhodes
(Gay / Shapeshifter)
2. Wranglers: Judgment
- Vivien Dean
(Gay / Contemporary)

3. His Wolf Heart
- Lila Dubois
(Gay / Werewolf)

4. Quinn's Hart
- Cassandra Gold
(Gay / Contemporary)

5. Solitude & Sea Glass
- T. D. McKinney/Terry Wylis
(Gay / Contemporary)

6. Schnickelfritz In Love
- Deirdre O'Dare
(Gay / Contemporary)

7. Wanting
- M. L. Rhodes
(Gay / Contemporary)

8. A Stranger's Touch
- Anne Brooke
(Gay / Contemporary)

9. No Good Deed
- Lynn Lorenz
(Gay / Mystery)

10. Ticket To Ride
- Shawn Lane
(Gay / Suspense)


How cool is it that Ticket to Ride made the best seller's list two months in a row? Prety cool to me.

Only In His Dreams Excerpt

I feel like I've been pushing Barnaby's and Calvin's stories that you might think I don't love my men, Travis and Darrell, from Only in His Dreams, the first book in the series. So below the picture is an excerpt. Hopefully it will get you excited for next month's release.




Darrell couldn’t remember the last time he enjoyed an evening like this. They’d watched all the various Die Hard movies, laughing and commenting throughout them. They’d switched to beers and he’d made popcorn. Really he hadn’t wanted the night to end. At least Travis wasn’t going home.

But Darrell had always been a cautious man. Starting anything, even casual sex with Travis, could get complicated. Since the firm was Travis’s if something bad happened between them it would be Darrell who’d be forced to find new employment.

That didn’t stop him from wanting to bend Travis over the sofa and fucking him deep and slow.

Forcing the tempting thoughts from his mind before it gave him an obvious boner, Darrell stood and glanced at the clock. Nearly one in the morning. “The spare room is all set up. The sheets are clean and I left a pair of pajamas in there for you if you’d like to change. They should fit well enough for you to sleep in them anyway.”

Travis stood and stretched, his rumpled white dress shirt straining across his biceps and abs. His mouth dry, Darrell stared openly. He’d found white guys attractive before, though he hadn’t pursued it, but never like this. Every move Travis made riveted him. Every curve of his sensual, slightly plump lips fascinated him.

“Great,” Travis said. “I’m bushed.”

He let Travis go in front of him down the hall toward the bedrooms, unabashedly gawking at the man’s perfect round ass. Really, his resolve to take things slow with Travis began to waiver. Maybe just a goodnight kiss would satisfy him. After all it had been sort of a date.

Travis turned to him as they reached the spare room, a small smile on his lips, and before he could lose his nerve, Darrell pushed him against the wall and ground his mouth over Travis’s squelching the man’s gasp of surprise.

As soon as their chests melded together, as soon as his hands slid up Travis’s arms, as soon as his pelvis fitted against Travis’s, Darrell knew the goodnight kiss had been a mistake. Or the idea that it would satiate him had been anyway. His dick was so hard he thought it might tear through both his briefs and his slacks.

Travis moaned low and opened his mouth to allow the intrusion of Darrell’s tongue. For just a minute, second really, Darrell intended to pull away and return to his original plan, but then Travis’s hand crept between their bodies and cupped his erection.

Fuck.

And that’s just what he intended to do. He tore his mouth away with effort and asked the burning question in his feverish mind. “Do you top, bottom or both?”

The Beginning of Another Week

Well I didn't make as much progress on Only His Heart as I would have wanted to over the weekend. I did finish another chapter, but I really need to have it done by this coming weekend or it's going to be unfinished for a while as I will most definitely need to turn my attention beginning February 8th to Still the One (due March 1st). Anyway, so one chapter this past weekend compared to three the weekend before is not great. I have no excuse either than I caught Ava's lazy-itis. lol.

Obviously Still the One has a real deadline and Only His Heart has a self-imposed one, so this week really is the last one I can devote to Only His Heart before things get very serious.

I'm pushing Only His Heart because it would be simply lovely if it could be scheduled for May because than my only stories would come out one each three months in a row. Wouldn't that be lovely? And I know Still the One won't be out until June. Wouldn't it be grand to have four months is a row of releases? I think so.

The weekend wasn't complete laziness. I did get through the first seven chapters of Sinful. Originally this story was a het fantasy medieval historical (good versus evil, sorcerers, magic, warriors with big...swords). I have been convinced to turn it into a gay fantasy medieval historical romance but this has not been easy. Original plot elements have had to be discarded altogether because it simply won't work for two men. So, getting through converting the first seven chapters was certainly progress.

I hope that everyone has a good week. I know many of my regulars are having icky weather, so stay indoors and stay safe.