When Jude first walked into Vic’s Cae at just after seven-thirty, the only other customer was old Frank Carter sitting in the corner booth. As far as Jude knew he was here every morning and had been for years, even back when Vic himself had owned the place. Vic died before Jude ever moved to Sutter’s Bay and his son, Adam, owned the place.
Jude approached the counter and sat down.
Adam walked over wiping his hands on his apron. “Morning, Jude. You want coffee?”
“That would be great, thanks.” He picked up the tattered menu.
Adam brought his coffee in a chipped white mug and folded his muscular arms across his chest. The man was pretty good looking. Well, for someone in their forties anyway. He even had a touch of silver at his temples. He always wore the same thing every time Jude had seen him. Jeans and a tight white T-shirt.
“You look like hell,” Adam commented.
“Yeah. You got some Baileys for this coffee?”
Adam raised a brow. “A little early for that.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. You got some anyway?”
Adam bent beneath the counter and brought out a small bottle. He poured a dollop in Jude’s coffee. “What else can I get you?”
“What’s the special this morning?”
“Short stack, two eggs, choice of bacon or sausage.”
“All right, I’ll have that. Poached with sausage.”
Adam nodded and moved away, off toward the window to the kitchen.
Jude sighed and sipped his doctored coffee while still trying to push the dream…nightmare out of his mind. He hadn’t had the dream in a few months but he never went too long without thinking of that day.
The bell over the door jangled and Jude glanced in the direction to see who had entered the café. He blinked. The man standing there was a stranger. A fucking incredible one.
The stranger wore a black cowboy hat of all things, but he was tall, really tall, over six feet Jude guessed, and built of solid muscle. The hair he could see that wasn’t covered by the hat appeared to be the color of chestnuts. Blue jeans framed his backside and he wore a charcoal gray button-down shirt. Jude would bet five dollars he wore cowboy boots. In order to know for sure, though, he’d have to lean back on the stool which would make his perusal pretty damn obvious.
The man sat at the counter several spots away from Jude. Adam approached him, had a few words, and then brought the man coffee
.
Jude picked up his own mug and tried not to drool. Adam walked over to him with the coffee pot, offering him more.
“Bad dreams again?” Adam was one of the few people in the area who knew the truth of what caused Jude to flee San Francisco. Most people assumed he had a bad break up.
“How’d you guess?”
“You look like hell and the drinking is pretty early even for you.”
Jude grimaced. Even for him? Did Adam think he was an alcoholic or something? “As a matter of fact I did have the dream and it was awful thank you very much.”
“When was the last time you talked to Dr. Carew?” Adam referred to Sutter Bay’s very own psychiatrist. If anything ailed you, residents of the small city would give you the unsolicited advice of speaking to the good quack.
“I spoke to him at the grocery store. Nice polite chap.”
“I’m serious, Jude.”
He stared hard right back at Adam. “So am I.” He flicked his head just slightly in the direction of the café’s newest arrival. “Who is that?”
“Rex Warner.”
Jude raised an eyebrow. “Rex?”
“Uh-huh. He’s from Texas.”
Jude smirked and glanced the cowboy’s way. “Never would have guessed. Is he just passing through Sutter’s Bay?”
“Nope, he set up shop here,” Adam said.
“Doing what? Roping cows?”
Adam grinned. “Nah, he’s a vet.”
Jude tugged his bottom lip with his teeth and eyed Rex Warner with renewed interest. “A vet, huh? Competition for old Gonzalez?”
“Actually, Dr. Gonzalez plans on retiring before the end of the year and Dr. Warner is taking over his practice.”
“Well, aren’t you in the know?” Jude rolled his eyes and took another long swallow of his coffee. “Pardon me for asking and all, but did I just step into Mayberry?”
The other man shrugged. “You asked. Be right back with your breakfast.”
Jude couldn’t seem to look away from the new vet. Any minute now the man would turn around and demand he stop staring. In a way, Jude sort of wished he would because at the moment, Rex Warner didn’t seem remotely interested in glancing in his direction.
It was unnerving, really, the man refusing to look his way. Usually when someone blatantly stared it became so noticeable you couldn’t help but look. Not so Rex.
Jude coughed. Frank Carter glared his way, but Rex didn’t even move. His eyes were locked on the menu Adam had given him earlier.
He sighed and gave up. What did he care if some straight cowboy noticed him anyway? He got up from his stool, went around the counter and grabbed the coffee pot to refill his cup. He resisted adding more Baileys after Adam’s implication a few minutes before. He was about to set the pot back on the warmer when he noticed Rex Warner’s cup.
Shrugging, Jude walked over to the man and poured coffee into his half-empty cup. He waited for Rex to look up. The man had set his menu down and had picked up a newspaper.
“Eggs over easy, bacon crisp, fried potatoes, and an English muffin.”
“Right, I’ll tell your server.”
At that, Rex did lower the paper and stared at Jude.
He decided then and there dark chocolate eyes framed with long, black lashes ought to be illegal. The man was a bloody god, no doubt about it.
“Your hair is green,” Rex said, his gaze flickering up to Jude’s dyed green curls.
“Yes.” It wasn’t a question, but Jude answered it as though it was and that was all he managed to say. He just stood there staring at Rex, the coffeepot in hand.
Adam came hurrying over and with an eye rolling look at Jude grabbed the coffeepot. “Um, sorry, Dr. Warner. I’ll be with you in second. Jude, your breakfast is at your seat.”
Jude wanted to say something else, but couldn’t begin to think of anything that would sound halfway intelligent so he sauntered back to his seat and picked up his fork to eat his breakfast.
He felt more than just a little bit ridiculous. He’d finally managed to get Rex’s attention and all he’d done was stare as though the man were a zoo exhibit.
Bloody brilliant.
He reminded himself the dude was likely arrow straight and completely off limits to him. Besides, Jude was not looking for anything but mind numbingly great sex which he had wisely decided to seek outside Sutter’s Bay where no one would know him. Best to keep it that way.
He ate his food quickly, probably too quickly as he barely tasted it, and then threw down his money on the counter. He was suddenly quite anxious to be done with Vic’s.
“Thanks, Adam,” he called as he rushed through the door.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
So This Is What Is Happening
Next week, Wednesday-Sunday, I will be going to Las Vegas. We (me, mother, sister) are staying at Bellagio. Gorgeous hotel. I've never stayed there before as it's too expensive for me, but since my sister is paying, I am happy. She's going to a lawyerly conference and asked my mother and I to accompany her. She has to work, me and my mother get to play. Sweet deal.
Anyway, I've decided to finally see "O". I've wanted to see this show since in opened in Vegas many years ago. I saw the original Cirque de Soliel show they did in Vegas when it first opened, Mystere. I loved it, but even then in the early-mid-nineties, it was expensive. My friends and I splurged. When "O" came out it was Cirque in water and I wanted to see it but it came out at like $100 a ticket. Trust me, couldn't do it, and no one else I knew wanted to spend that kind of money either.
Now many years later, I've decided to treat myself and see it. It hasn't come down in price either. In fact, the orchestra seats are like $165. Needless to say, I decided I could handle seeing it from the theater's balcony. I was able to get 25% of the normal balcony price so I am seeing it for $80. Still a lot but more doable for me. And what else would I do with that $80 besides throw it into a machine not likely to give me any money in return. At least with "O" I expect to be entertained.
I'll be seeing it by myself, but that's okay. My mother is of the mind that she goes to a place like Vegas to gamble and nothing else. We are lucky if we can tear her away long enough to sit and eat a meal. The thing about my mother though is she is eighty-four now so she can't go as long as she once did. I'm not seeing the show until 10pm so I suspect by the time I am out at around midnight she will have already gone back to the room and bed. My sister will often go to shows with me but this time she has decided she needs to keep an eye on my mother and so I am going anyway. Go me! as Shayne would say.
I'll be bringing my laptop so I will have access to the internet and my computer for at least some of the time. Saturday night (May 8) we will be staying at Stateline (Nevada-California border) and I know from past experience it is a dead zone. If you've seen the area, it really is, in more ways than one. But it is about a good 60 miles closer to home on the way back and at like $45 a night to stay there a good $200-$300 cheaper than another night at Bellagio. But trust me, there is a big difference. LOL.
Anyway, though I am bringing my laptop to stay in touch, chances are I won't be writing any hot and heavy sex scenes between Mason and John with my mother and sister right there. So, it is my intention before next Wednesday to have another chapter of The Beach House done. I have done two so far and am working already on that third. It would be even nicer to have a fourth one done, but I'm not holding my breath. The requirements are I must have at least 18,000 words and it can go up to 39,999. I've got more than 6,000 words done already so I don't see myself having any trouble with beating the deadline of July 01st by quite a bit.
The good news for those interested in Jude is I finished a new chapter on his story. I’d like to have it come out late summer, early fall given the time of year the events take place, but we will see.
Tomorrow's excerpt will be a surprise. To me too! LOL. Haven't decided.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wednesday Musings - M/M Reader Meme
Okay, today’s Wednesday Musings are an M/M Reader Meme.
I’m pretty uncomplicated so you can answer here in the comments if you like, answer them in your own blog if you have one, or don’t answer at all. Entirely up to you. How’s that for easy? I’ve of course included my own answers, because yes, I am a reader.
1) What was the first M/M book you ever read? Without Reservations by JL Langley
2) What attracted you to the genre in the first place? Since I was a teen I’ve been more interested in men being with men than the chicks they were saddled with
3) What is the last M/M book you read? Son of a Gun by AM Riley
4) Do you read other genres? If so, what? Mystery, horror, true crime, and one het author I still read because her heroes are to die for. (Jayne Ann Krentz)
5) What is your favorite M/M cover? Probably Without Reservations because there is something about that blond dude I just love, but this is a tough question. I prefer covers with faces for the most part though some faces are…strange
6) Are there some elements you just don’t care for? For example (ménage, shape-shifters, historicals, paranormals, etc) I’m not really fond of ménages even if it is an M/M/M. I rather like monogamy. I’m not a huge Sci-Fi but will read it under the right circumstances (J.L. Langley), and I don’t want to read rape on the pages. It’s okay if it’s happened to a character in the past and has shaped who he is
7) Is there a book you read that you wished had a sequel? What? The Elegant Corpse by A.M. Riley. I’d love to re-visit those characters. There are definitely others but those stick in my mind at the moment
8) How soon do you want your guys to have sex? Does it matter? It doesn’t really matter to me if they get to it on the first date or the fifth date. It depends on the characters and where they are. It’s rare, though, that I’ve ever read a book and gone, “Oh, my God, they did it already?”
9) Do you like M/M stories that have no actual intercourse between the heroes? Nope. I feel cheated if the heroes in a book I have read only give each other hand jobs or oral sex. Sorry, I want everything
10) If you get to the end of a book and the two protagonists are not officially together, but there is a hint of maybe another book, do you feel satisfied or cheated? I’d feel cheated. This just happened to me in a book I read recently and I’ve read some others with a similar style written by some authors I really like and I think it sucks
I’m pretty uncomplicated so you can answer here in the comments if you like, answer them in your own blog if you have one, or don’t answer at all. Entirely up to you. How’s that for easy? I’ve of course included my own answers, because yes, I am a reader.
1) What was the first M/M book you ever read? Without Reservations by JL Langley
2) What attracted you to the genre in the first place? Since I was a teen I’ve been more interested in men being with men than the chicks they were saddled with
3) What is the last M/M book you read? Son of a Gun by AM Riley
4) Do you read other genres? If so, what? Mystery, horror, true crime, and one het author I still read because her heroes are to die for. (Jayne Ann Krentz)
5) What is your favorite M/M cover? Probably Without Reservations because there is something about that blond dude I just love, but this is a tough question. I prefer covers with faces for the most part though some faces are…strange
6) Are there some elements you just don’t care for? For example (ménage, shape-shifters, historicals, paranormals, etc) I’m not really fond of ménages even if it is an M/M/M. I rather like monogamy. I’m not a huge Sci-Fi but will read it under the right circumstances (J.L. Langley), and I don’t want to read rape on the pages. It’s okay if it’s happened to a character in the past and has shaped who he is
7) Is there a book you read that you wished had a sequel? What? The Elegant Corpse by A.M. Riley. I’d love to re-visit those characters. There are definitely others but those stick in my mind at the moment
8) How soon do you want your guys to have sex? Does it matter? It doesn’t really matter to me if they get to it on the first date or the fifth date. It depends on the characters and where they are. It’s rare, though, that I’ve ever read a book and gone, “Oh, my God, they did it already?”
9) Do you like M/M stories that have no actual intercourse between the heroes? Nope. I feel cheated if the heroes in a book I have read only give each other hand jobs or oral sex. Sorry, I want everything
10) If you get to the end of a book and the two protagonists are not officially together, but there is a hint of maybe another book, do you feel satisfied or cheated? I’d feel cheated. This just happened to me in a book I read recently and I’ve read some others with a similar style written by some authors I really like and I think it sucks
Monday, April 26, 2010
Light or Angst
So, lately, though I have written angst in the past, I have been writing lighter fare. I think the Only Forever series is definitely an example of this and so is The Best Gift and its sequel, Still the One.
What made me think of this was recent comments made by a few readers. One said I write angst and the other didn't see it that way but thought I wrote mostly light, sweet fare. Not sure either opinion is wrong. Certainly a suicidal hero is angsty. But sure there are probably writers out there writing a lot more angst than I do.
Amor En Retragado is definitely an example.
However, I think you will find after my next two releases of Only His Heart and His One and Only (neither are without some troubles, of course), that the next few releases will be more angst-filled, beginning with Pieces. I believe The Beach House will be a bit more angsty even if it does surround a summer affair. And God knows, Twice in a Lifetime (Jude) will be, as well as The Same Side and Sorcerer's Lover 3.
What made me think of this was recent comments made by a few readers. One said I write angst and the other didn't see it that way but thought I wrote mostly light, sweet fare. Not sure either opinion is wrong. Certainly a suicidal hero is angsty. But sure there are probably writers out there writing a lot more angst than I do.
Amor En Retragado is definitely an example.
However, I think you will find after my next two releases of Only His Heart and His One and Only (neither are without some troubles, of course), that the next few releases will be more angst-filled, beginning with Pieces. I believe The Beach House will be a bit more angsty even if it does surround a summer affair. And God knows, Twice in a Lifetime (Jude) will be, as well as The Same Side and Sorcerer's Lover 3.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Another Weekend Passes
I didn't get much of anything done this past weekend. I did get the new desktop and a new router and now all computers in the household are up and running once more in the house. Still have to transfer the data from the old dead computer to the shiny new one, but that's someone else's task to complete!
Saturday was pretty much spent at someone else's house helping prepare for a party and then there was the party itself. Sunday just a bit lazy and watched television while trying to convince myself I should do something, lol.
Anyway, usually I get more written during the week anyway, so I suspect I will have at least another chapter done on The Beach House this week. Maybe more.
I hope everyone has a fabulous week.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday Eye Candy
I went to the birthday party of a 25 year old Saturday and the first picture is from a birthday card she got. I told someone I would post it so I am.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Saturday Excerpt Early - Only His Heart by Shawn Lane
I'm going to be working on setting up the desktop tonight (and since I don't know how soon the wireless router will be working with both computers), I am posting the excerpt early. Also tomorrow I am literally going to be gone for the entire day and night. I should be back to posting Sunday's Eye Candy on Sunday.
Blurb:
Dr. Calvin Lassiter is an emergency room doctor who buries himself in his high stress job. He has no time for a relationship and most definitely is not interested in the new emergency room nurse, Matt Walton.
Matt is exactly what he doesn't want. An eyeliner wearing bad boy who rides a motorcycle.
Matt is intrigued by the stuffy, too beautiful for words doctor, but the good doc is as cold as ice. Matt's fellow nurses bet him he can't melt Dr. Lassiter and get him into his bed.
Too fascinated by Calvin not to try, Matt succeeds in breaking the doctor's hard exterior, but as their relationship turns serious, the possibility hangs over his head that his co-workers will tell his sexy doctor the truth and end his dreams of winning Calvin's heart forever.
Excerpt:
Matt Walton was having a pretty decent second day. Sure his feet hurt. Whose wouldn’t when they hadn’t been allowed much rest in the last forty-eight hours? Finally, he had a few moments to take a lunch.
He glanced around the basement cafeteria. Only a handful of people were there, not surprising as it was close to one in the morning. He didn’t recognize any of them, but it was only his second twelve hour shift.
Matt walked over to the food area and decided on a small salad and a slice of peach pie along with a cup of coffee. As he approached the register, he couldn’t help but notice a pretty young thing sitting by himself at a table in the corner drinking something out of a Styrofoam cup, his eyes downcast. The young man was dressed in scrubs and Matt figured he was probably an orderly or a lab tech.
Even as he was paying at the register he couldn’t keep from staring at the pretty young man. He was just Matt’s type.
Matt, who had come out as a teen, didn’t bother to hide his sexual orientation from anyone. He was out and proud and had participated in a number of gay pride events.
And this kid was seriously hot. Damn, he hadn’t been hit with such a wave of lust across a room like this in…a long fucking time.
Everything about him was gorgeous. His dark sandy blond hair, the porcelain skin, and those big pouty lips. Matt wondered what color eyes he had. He would guess blue. No reason not to find out.
He took his tray and walked to the corner table. He was really hoping this beautiful man was gay. Probably not, knowing Matt’s luck, but he could dream.
“Hey, kid, is this seat taken?” he asked as he stopped at the table.
The pretty young thing, who had blue eyes Matt noticed when he looked up, gave him the coldest look he’d ever seen. He stared daggers is how it was referred to, and lesser men would no doubt have been felled by it.
“That would be Dr. Lassiter to you…nurse.”
Matt’s jaw dropped. Whoa, this was Dr. Lassiter? Since the moment he began his day yesterday the other members of the nursing staff had warned him about Calvin Lassiter. Biggest prick you’ll ever meet, as cold and arrogant as they come, and even guy is an ice queen. This reminded Matt that when the nurse who said that about the doctor found out Matt was gay, she’d apologized all over herself, saying she hadn’t meant anything bad. Dr. Lassiter was gay, though, which is how he got the nickname.
“Sorry, doctor. Can I sit anyway?”
Dr. Lassiter didn’t respond, he just raised his cup to his stunning lips and took a sip.
Shrugging, Matt sat across from him and stuck his hand out. “Matt Walton.”
“I know who you are.” He didn’t take Matt’s hand. “You almost ran me over today in the parking lot with your motorcycle.”
“That was you?”
“You really ought to drive more carefully in a hospital parking lot. We don’t need any more patients.”
“You walked in front of me and I was barely able to swerve to avoid,” Matt angrily retorted. “Maybe you should watch where you are walking.”
The doctor sighed. “Even if I did, there will be lots of people in the parking lot doing the very same thing. Families visiting loved ones. I’m sure as a nurse you don’t want to be responsible for running over some child coming to visit their sick mother, do you?”
His jaw tightening, Matt nodded. “Okay, point taken. I’ll slow down.”
Dr. Lassiter’s full lips curved up in a slight smile that was too damn adorable for such a jerk. He hated being a sucker for a pretty face.
“I have to say, Walton, I’m kind of surprised.”
“At?”
He shrugged. “I would think someone who is a nurse, one working in an emergency room, no less, wouldn’t be so careless as to ride a motorcycle.”
Okay, now the good doc was sounding like his mother.
“I’m a safe driver,” Matt replied in a tone to match Lassiter’s.
One blond brow rose. “Even so, car drivers may not be so safe. I’ve seen too many motorcycle accident victims here not to be concerned.”
Matt tapped his fingers loudly on the table, realized he was doing it, and hid his hand in his lap. “So, doctor, you don’t see car accidents, too? Just motorcycles?”
“Of course I see both.”
“Hmm, so do you tell all the staff you are surprised they drive cars?”
“No.”
To Matt’s delight, Calvin Lassiter turned a light shade of pink. Unfortunately, it made him even more appealing, damn it.
“Okay, then, I appreciate your concern and I’ll be sure to be more careful driving through the hospital parking lot.” He stabbed his fork into the salad. Then something occurred to him. He looked up, staring. “You look kind of familiar. Have we met?”
“No, you probably recognize me from when you nearly killed me.”
He ignored that and stuffed a bite in his mouth. “No, it’s something…Lassiter. I’ve heard that name before.” He tilted his head to the side, studying the sexy doc. “Wait, I know.”
Lassiter scowled when others in the room looked their way. “Keep your voice down.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I remember now. I should have thought about it yesterday when the other nurses were talking about you.”
That got him another icy glare. “And what were they saying?”
He felt himself heat in a blush this time. He cleared his throat. “How great a doctor you were. A-anyway, I guess I didn’t connect it then, but now that I see you, it makes sense.”
“I’m glad to hear it. What?”
“You have a brother named Barnaby, don’t you?”
Dr. Lassiter grimaced. “Former lover?”
“What? No.”
“You looked sort of like his type. His old type, I should say.”
Matt wondered what type he looked like, but decided to let that pass, at least for the moment. “My stepbrother is Nathan Llewellyn.”
Matt’s stepbrother, Nathan, had brought his new boyfriend, Barnaby, along for a family gathering about a month ago. He’d been surprised because he thought Nathan went for stuffy lawyers just like himself, not pretty boys in makeup.
He had to admit Barnaby was very attractive, but Matt thought his brother, Calvin, was even more beautiful.
“Right. I do seem to recall Nathan mentioning a stepbrother who is a nurse. I don’t think he ever mentioned your name.”
Matt nodded. “Yeah, we aren’t very close. We see each other maybe twice a year at family things. His father married my mother several years ago and we share some half-siblings.”
“Hmm.”
Silence descended over the table and Matt felt the need to break it. “So, you and your brother are both gay?”
Lassiter stiffened and pushed aside his Styrofoam cup and stood. “I don’t discuss my private life with the nursing staff. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back.”
Blurb:
Dr. Calvin Lassiter is an emergency room doctor who buries himself in his high stress job. He has no time for a relationship and most definitely is not interested in the new emergency room nurse, Matt Walton.
Matt is exactly what he doesn't want. An eyeliner wearing bad boy who rides a motorcycle.
Matt is intrigued by the stuffy, too beautiful for words doctor, but the good doc is as cold as ice. Matt's fellow nurses bet him he can't melt Dr. Lassiter and get him into his bed.
Too fascinated by Calvin not to try, Matt succeeds in breaking the doctor's hard exterior, but as their relationship turns serious, the possibility hangs over his head that his co-workers will tell his sexy doctor the truth and end his dreams of winning Calvin's heart forever.
Excerpt:
Matt Walton was having a pretty decent second day. Sure his feet hurt. Whose wouldn’t when they hadn’t been allowed much rest in the last forty-eight hours? Finally, he had a few moments to take a lunch.
He glanced around the basement cafeteria. Only a handful of people were there, not surprising as it was close to one in the morning. He didn’t recognize any of them, but it was only his second twelve hour shift.
Matt walked over to the food area and decided on a small salad and a slice of peach pie along with a cup of coffee. As he approached the register, he couldn’t help but notice a pretty young thing sitting by himself at a table in the corner drinking something out of a Styrofoam cup, his eyes downcast. The young man was dressed in scrubs and Matt figured he was probably an orderly or a lab tech.
Even as he was paying at the register he couldn’t keep from staring at the pretty young man. He was just Matt’s type.
Matt, who had come out as a teen, didn’t bother to hide his sexual orientation from anyone. He was out and proud and had participated in a number of gay pride events.
And this kid was seriously hot. Damn, he hadn’t been hit with such a wave of lust across a room like this in…a long fucking time.
Everything about him was gorgeous. His dark sandy blond hair, the porcelain skin, and those big pouty lips. Matt wondered what color eyes he had. He would guess blue. No reason not to find out.
He took his tray and walked to the corner table. He was really hoping this beautiful man was gay. Probably not, knowing Matt’s luck, but he could dream.
“Hey, kid, is this seat taken?” he asked as he stopped at the table.
The pretty young thing, who had blue eyes Matt noticed when he looked up, gave him the coldest look he’d ever seen. He stared daggers is how it was referred to, and lesser men would no doubt have been felled by it.
“That would be Dr. Lassiter to you…nurse.”
Matt’s jaw dropped. Whoa, this was Dr. Lassiter? Since the moment he began his day yesterday the other members of the nursing staff had warned him about Calvin Lassiter. Biggest prick you’ll ever meet, as cold and arrogant as they come, and even guy is an ice queen. This reminded Matt that when the nurse who said that about the doctor found out Matt was gay, she’d apologized all over herself, saying she hadn’t meant anything bad. Dr. Lassiter was gay, though, which is how he got the nickname.
“Sorry, doctor. Can I sit anyway?”
Dr. Lassiter didn’t respond, he just raised his cup to his stunning lips and took a sip.
Shrugging, Matt sat across from him and stuck his hand out. “Matt Walton.”
“I know who you are.” He didn’t take Matt’s hand. “You almost ran me over today in the parking lot with your motorcycle.”
“That was you?”
“You really ought to drive more carefully in a hospital parking lot. We don’t need any more patients.”
“You walked in front of me and I was barely able to swerve to avoid,” Matt angrily retorted. “Maybe you should watch where you are walking.”
The doctor sighed. “Even if I did, there will be lots of people in the parking lot doing the very same thing. Families visiting loved ones. I’m sure as a nurse you don’t want to be responsible for running over some child coming to visit their sick mother, do you?”
His jaw tightening, Matt nodded. “Okay, point taken. I’ll slow down.”
Dr. Lassiter’s full lips curved up in a slight smile that was too damn adorable for such a jerk. He hated being a sucker for a pretty face.
“I have to say, Walton, I’m kind of surprised.”
“At?”
He shrugged. “I would think someone who is a nurse, one working in an emergency room, no less, wouldn’t be so careless as to ride a motorcycle.”
Okay, now the good doc was sounding like his mother.
“I’m a safe driver,” Matt replied in a tone to match Lassiter’s.
One blond brow rose. “Even so, car drivers may not be so safe. I’ve seen too many motorcycle accident victims here not to be concerned.”
Matt tapped his fingers loudly on the table, realized he was doing it, and hid his hand in his lap. “So, doctor, you don’t see car accidents, too? Just motorcycles?”
“Of course I see both.”
“Hmm, so do you tell all the staff you are surprised they drive cars?”
“No.”
To Matt’s delight, Calvin Lassiter turned a light shade of pink. Unfortunately, it made him even more appealing, damn it.
“Okay, then, I appreciate your concern and I’ll be sure to be more careful driving through the hospital parking lot.” He stabbed his fork into the salad. Then something occurred to him. He looked up, staring. “You look kind of familiar. Have we met?”
“No, you probably recognize me from when you nearly killed me.”
He ignored that and stuffed a bite in his mouth. “No, it’s something…Lassiter. I’ve heard that name before.” He tilted his head to the side, studying the sexy doc. “Wait, I know.”
Lassiter scowled when others in the room looked their way. “Keep your voice down.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I remember now. I should have thought about it yesterday when the other nurses were talking about you.”
That got him another icy glare. “And what were they saying?”
He felt himself heat in a blush this time. He cleared his throat. “How great a doctor you were. A-anyway, I guess I didn’t connect it then, but now that I see you, it makes sense.”
“I’m glad to hear it. What?”
“You have a brother named Barnaby, don’t you?”
Dr. Lassiter grimaced. “Former lover?”
“What? No.”
“You looked sort of like his type. His old type, I should say.”
Matt wondered what type he looked like, but decided to let that pass, at least for the moment. “My stepbrother is Nathan Llewellyn.”
Matt’s stepbrother, Nathan, had brought his new boyfriend, Barnaby, along for a family gathering about a month ago. He’d been surprised because he thought Nathan went for stuffy lawyers just like himself, not pretty boys in makeup.
He had to admit Barnaby was very attractive, but Matt thought his brother, Calvin, was even more beautiful.
“Right. I do seem to recall Nathan mentioning a stepbrother who is a nurse. I don’t think he ever mentioned your name.”
Matt nodded. “Yeah, we aren’t very close. We see each other maybe twice a year at family things. His father married my mother several years ago and we share some half-siblings.”
“Hmm.”
Silence descended over the table and Matt felt the need to break it. “So, you and your brother are both gay?”
Lassiter stiffened and pushed aside his Styrofoam cup and stood. “I don’t discuss my private life with the nursing staff. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back.”
Only For Him Contest Elsewhere
If you still need to get a copy of Only For Him, Chris over at her blog is holding a contest for it. The details can be located at:
http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/archives/7016
In fact, Chris runs frequent contests so it may be worth while to check out her blog every once in a while.
Thanks to Chris for help in figuring out the link!
http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/archives/7016
In fact, Chris runs frequent contests so it may be worth while to check out her blog every once in a while.
Thanks to Chris for help in figuring out the link!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Mason, John and the Other Guys
EH’s declaration that my male model hero in The Beach House (Mason Phillips) deserved another hot, unique name had me thinking about the name Mason to begin with.
Back in the 1980s, before my adopted son, Drew, was born, I used to watch many soap operas on television. Among them was a soap called Santa Barbara. Knowing Santa Barbara pretty intimately, I watched the show about it. One of the main characters was named Mason Capwell. Thus my fascination with the name Mason began.
My Mason is a gorgeous male model who is spending the three months of summer in a rented beach house in Morro Bay. This is a sort of intervention on the part of Mason’s agent because she found Mason nearly dead of a drug overdose. Mason has spent some time in rehab, but he’s been in rehab before and it didn’t entirely work. It’s gotten to the point where many fashion photographers won’t even work with Mason anymore so his agent thinks it’s time for him to cool it and get his life together.
My other hero, John Harding, lives full time in Morro Bay and happens to live in the house next door. John is a former firefighter (forced to quit after an injury) turned crime fiction writer.
I wanted John to be a normal guy because I really think, after consultation with a certain bff, this is what Mason needs.
Anyway, this is why Mason isn’t going to get a hero named Blake or Sivon or Ari ( do wonder if EH wants to write her own romances, though).
ok
But that brings me to another soap I watched back in the 80s called, Capitol. There was a character named Trey. Hmm…maybe someday there will be a Trey.
Oh and how about these pictures for Lance and Maurice:
Here they are:
Close anyway. LOL. Maurice is a little older. But the baldy is cute.
Back in the 1980s, before my adopted son, Drew, was born, I used to watch many soap operas on television. Among them was a soap called Santa Barbara. Knowing Santa Barbara pretty intimately, I watched the show about it. One of the main characters was named Mason Capwell. Thus my fascination with the name Mason began.
My Mason is a gorgeous male model who is spending the three months of summer in a rented beach house in Morro Bay. This is a sort of intervention on the part of Mason’s agent because she found Mason nearly dead of a drug overdose. Mason has spent some time in rehab, but he’s been in rehab before and it didn’t entirely work. It’s gotten to the point where many fashion photographers won’t even work with Mason anymore so his agent thinks it’s time for him to cool it and get his life together.
My other hero, John Harding, lives full time in Morro Bay and happens to live in the house next door. John is a former firefighter (forced to quit after an injury) turned crime fiction writer.
I wanted John to be a normal guy because I really think, after consultation with a certain bff, this is what Mason needs.
Anyway, this is why Mason isn’t going to get a hero named Blake or Sivon or Ari ( do wonder if EH wants to write her own romances, though).
ok
But that brings me to another soap I watched back in the 80s called, Capitol. There was a character named Trey. Hmm…maybe someday there will be a Trey.
Oh and how about these pictures for Lance and Maurice:
Here they are:
Close anyway. LOL. Maurice is a little older. But the baldy is cute.
Thursday Updates
Okay, so, I'm a believer that as a writer, you should write the character that's calling to you at that time.
And right now that character is Mason. Mason is my model hero from my upcoming Hot Summer Daze story for AQP, The Beach House. I'm working on the first chapter now and already I am in love with my tortured Mason.
I did get a chapter written, as I said earlier this week, on Maurice and Lance's story.
And no, I haven't forgotten Jude. He'll be done before the summer is over, I am promising that right now. Quote me from this post later if I break my promise.
Anyway, still waiting for covers for His Only and Only and Pieces.
Not sure what I will talk about tomorrow, but Saturday, I will post an excerpt from Only His Heart, Calvin's story, coming in May.
And right now that character is Mason. Mason is my model hero from my upcoming Hot Summer Daze story for AQP, The Beach House. I'm working on the first chapter now and already I am in love with my tortured Mason.
I did get a chapter written, as I said earlier this week, on Maurice and Lance's story.
And no, I haven't forgotten Jude. He'll be done before the summer is over, I am promising that right now. Quote me from this post later if I break my promise.
Anyway, still waiting for covers for His Only and Only and Pieces.
Not sure what I will talk about tomorrow, but Saturday, I will post an excerpt from Only His Heart, Calvin's story, coming in May.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday Musings
If he abuses an old dog, he'll abuse you.
I love my bff, muah!
I adore my online friends and readers, you are the best.
If I had a time machine, I'd go back to the last time I saw my dad alive and tell him I love him. I never said those three words because we didn't come from a family that did.
If I could go back a second time, I'd go back to the day I decided not to go to the Cal State University I had been accepted to. Dumb mistake.
If I could take a trip anywhere I would go to England. I've wanted to for years and haven't gone. I've been to Ireland and Germany but not England, and I would love to go someday. I don't know if it will ever happen though.
I love my bff, muah!
I adore my online friends and readers, you are the best.
If I had a time machine, I'd go back to the last time I saw my dad alive and tell him I love him. I never said those three words because we didn't come from a family that did.
If I could go back a second time, I'd go back to the day I decided not to go to the Cal State University I had been accepted to. Dumb mistake.
If I could take a trip anywhere I would go to England. I've wanted to for years and haven't gone. I've been to Ireland and Germany but not England, and I would love to go someday. I don't know if it will ever happen though.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday and Rain
Take a look at the date on the calendar. April 20. It's supposed to rain here tonight. It never rains here this late in the season. I know it does elsewhere but here, no. So, yeah I am skeptical.
I completed the first chapter of my untitled story involving Maurice and Lance from Still the One. They are the waiter and sous-chef Dusty had coffee with. Maurice is balding and Lance is British.
I'm not sure how well this will go with a balding hero. I thought about asking if anyone would read about a bald hero but decided I found Bruce Willis and Ed Harris sexy, so what the hell. We'll see how it goes. But that's basically what I have been working on for the last five days or so. That and goofing off and mourning the desktop.
Of course, Calvin's story doesn't even come out for another month and I am already getting excited for it.
Hope everyone has a good Tuesday (Shawn's least favorite day of the week)
I completed the first chapter of my untitled story involving Maurice and Lance from Still the One. They are the waiter and sous-chef Dusty had coffee with. Maurice is balding and Lance is British.
I'm not sure how well this will go with a balding hero. I thought about asking if anyone would read about a bald hero but decided I found Bruce Willis and Ed Harris sexy, so what the hell. We'll see how it goes. But that's basically what I have been working on for the last five days or so. That and goofing off and mourning the desktop.
Of course, Calvin's story doesn't even come out for another month and I am already getting excited for it.
Hope everyone has a good Tuesday (Shawn's least favorite day of the week)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thanks and Computers
Big thanks to anyone who bought Only For Him over the weekend or any of my other books. And big thanks if you plan on doing so later this week. Remember the first week it is released it is discounted.
Ordered a new desktop computer this weekend. Should be here by the end of the month. I am through screwing around so I bought one with 1 TB memory, which trust me is mega memory. This is often used by gamers who play graphic heavy games online. I also am getting a shiny flat screen LCD monitor. Beautiful screen. I shall be petting it when it arrives.
The laptop is doing well but I admit I am tempted to get a new one. I will try to resist as there is nothing wrong with the one I have.
However, when the desktop took a motherboard dive, it took with it the wireless router. The router isn't broken (I don't think) but it does need to be reset. So, at the moment I cannot sit comfortably on the couch with my laptop but instead must sit at the computer desk with it plugged into the highspeed wireless cable.
I assure you I will be extremely happy when everything is back to normal. Right now, I am grumpy.
Hope everyone has a good week.
Ordered a new desktop computer this weekend. Should be here by the end of the month. I am through screwing around so I bought one with 1 TB memory, which trust me is mega memory. This is often used by gamers who play graphic heavy games online. I also am getting a shiny flat screen LCD monitor. Beautiful screen. I shall be petting it when it arrives.
The laptop is doing well but I admit I am tempted to get a new one. I will try to resist as there is nothing wrong with the one I have.
However, when the desktop took a motherboard dive, it took with it the wireless router. The router isn't broken (I don't think) but it does need to be reset. So, at the moment I cannot sit comfortably on the couch with my laptop but instead must sit at the computer desk with it plugged into the highspeed wireless cable.
I assure you I will be extremely happy when everything is back to normal. Right now, I am grumpy.
Hope everyone has a good week.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Winner #2
I'm feeling good so I decided to pull a second winner. This time it it is Lindsay.
List Randomizer
There were 13 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
Lindsay
Lily
Jase
Jack/Shayne
Riya
Eyre
Nick
Leni
Chris
Anna
TT
Brent/Josh
Andi
Lindsay please email me for your book.
If the book is ever released, it will be cool, lol
Fear not, if you didn't win there is next month for Only His Heart (one I absolutely love myself).
List Randomizer
There were 13 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
Lindsay
Lily
Jase
Jack/Shayne
Riya
Eyre
Nick
Leni
Chris
Anna
TT
Brent/Josh
Andi
Lindsay please email me for your book.
If the book is ever released, it will be cool, lol
Fear not, if you didn't win there is next month for Only His Heart (one I absolutely love myself).
Only For Him Winner
The winner of Only For Him, as you will see below, chosen by the random list thingy, is Zach.
There were 14 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
Zach
Eyre
Anna
Jack/Shayne
Brent/Josh
Nick
Leni
Andi
Lily
TT
Chris
Lindsay
Riya
Jase
Zach, please email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com with your contact information
There were 14 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
Zach
Eyre
Anna
Jack/Shayne
Brent/Josh
Nick
Leni
Andi
Lily
TT
Chris
Lindsay
Riya
Jase
Zach, please email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com with your contact information
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Interview with Andi Anderson, Author of M/M Romance
Andi Anderson is the author of the adorable Got Mistletoe?, which was part of Dreamspinner Press’s 2009 Advent Calendar of Holiday Stories. Andi’s story was popular among readers and already she has developed a devoted fan base anxious to read more romances from her.
Recently, Andi accepted a contract offer for her novella, A Realistic Romance. She’s still waiting on a release date for this story coming from EXtasy Books.
First, thanks Andi for agreeing to be interviewed.
1)What made you decide to progress from reading M/M romances to deciding to write your own stories?
Ever since I can remember I’ve been a very active reader. My sister mentioned the other day that she can’t remember a time when I didn’t have my nose buried into a book. That still holds true today. I think that writing is a natural extension of reading for me. I’ve always wrote stories either for myself or for friends, but never considered trying to get anything published. When I saw the open call for submissions for Dreamspinner’s Advent Calendar stories I thought I would give it a shot and go for it!
2) In the beginning, you read M/F romances, what was it that drew you to the exciting world of M/M?
I had been a die hard romance reader since I read my first romance novel at age 13. When I got married in 2002, I stopped reading for several years for some unexplainable reason. When Chris and I went to Las Vegas a few years ago, I picked up an erotic romance and was hooked. But, as time went on, and the more books I read the more I became extremely frustrated with the heroines. They either fell into that too stupid to live or bitch from hell category. I became restless and to try something different, I had picked up a M/M/F ménage book written by Amanda Young, and loved the dynamics of the two men together. After that, I really started exploring M/M romances and I’ve never looked back.
3) Do you still read M/F or are you strictly reading M/M now?
I don’t read M/F at all anymore. I’ve honestly tried to read M/F romances, but I just can’t stay interested in them at all. Plus, I firmly believe that M/M authors are some of the best authors out there.
4) Where do you get your ideas for the stories you create?
From anything and everything. My mother used to say my head was in the clouds all the time, and she was right. I’m always imagining different scenarios in my head. I really think I need to keep a small notebook with me when I’m not on the computer! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of some great scene and the minute I sit down, I forget what I had thought of.
5) Are there subject matters that are taboo for you in your writing?
I don’t like ménages. I know it was a ménage based story that led me to this genre, but I’ve never really liked them, I was just trying something different, so I know if I even attempted to write one it would be horrible because it’s something I don’t like to read myself.
6) You are happily married, do you find your husband is supportive of your writing M/M? Do you think he reacts any different to you writing M/M as opposed to M/F?
LOL! Chris is your typical down home, blue collared, down to earth southern man. He’s more comfortable in jeans than a suit. One thing I love about him is, he is very open minded and liberal about equal rights for everyone, despite living in a small southern town. He’s always known that I wanted to write, and has been very encouraging to me to get off of my ass and do it. When I told him I wanted to write a gay romance he just basically patted me on the back and told me to go for it. Once Got Mistletoe was published, he asked if I ever would switch over to writing straight romances. When I told him no, he told me he wasn’t surprised and was more than cool with it. He’s very proud of me and has been very supportive of my writing. I really couldn’t ask for a better husband.
7) It was exciting to see that you’ll have a new release later this year. What else are you working on?
Thank you! I appreciate all of the encouragement and support my online friends have given me. I really couldn’t ask for a better support group than what I have. I’m actively working on two blue collared themed novels I plan to have done in a few weeks. I’m also about to start Samuel brother, Sidney’s, story and I have a May/December romance I’ve been working on.
8) What is your writing routine? Where do you write? Do you set aside times for it?
I don’t have a routine. I really need to sit down and set a routine for myself. I basically do my writing at night. When Chris is home I have a horrible time concentrating because he wants to monopolize my time. I have a laptop that I write on in the living room. I usually have some music or the television playing in the background, other than that I have no set times. *hangs head in shame*
9) Do you find other authors of the genre inspirational?
Very much so! I truly believe that this genre has the best authors writing for it. Plus, it’s fantastic writers like you, Ava and Devon who continue to teach and embrace newbies like myself how to be wonderful and considerate with their readers. I really love the support and encouragement that we give to each other. There is no cattiness or jealousy at all. It’s great that we all genuinely want each other to be happy and successful. I love that.
10) You are a voracious reader of the M/M genre. What do you think of authors who write M/M but never read anyone else’s work?
UGH! That really ticks me off! How in the world can someone write something they don’t have a love for? I don’t understand it. I’ve heard of some authors refusing to watch gay movies or look at gay couples in pictures together because it disgusts them. I find that it’s that kind of thinking that is disgusting. They are hypocrites and I think it will show in their work.
11) Do you feel you have to have a real love of the genre to do it justice? What do you think of writers who decide to jump on the M/M bandwagon because they think it’s a good way to make money?
I don’t know. I hope I will do it justice and people will really enjoy what I write, but only time will be able to tell that. Realistically, my style of writing won’t be for everyone and I’m okay with that. I do think I’m writing for this genre for the right reasons and not for the wrong ones. I truly love this genre and I don’t think it gets enough credit. And, as hokey has this sounds, I don’t do it for the money at all. I’m very proud that I had a book published, but I know realistically there aren’t many very writers, popular or not, who can do this full time and make ends meet. So, I don’t know why anyone would do it for the money.
12) When are you going to get an Andi Anderson website?
Hopefully soon. I am so computer illiterate it’s pathetic. I look at my little blog compared to some of my friends and wonder how in the world they made look so cool and interesting! I do plan on getting one up soon, it’s really just a matter of time and me figuring it all out.
13) Many fans of the genre can’t help imagining unusual pairings of popular men in movies and television or even in books. For instance Kirk and Spock from Star Trek, Harry and Malfoy from Harry Potter, Aregorn and Legolas from Lord of the Rings. Are their any imaginary pairs you are fond of yourself?
I think the Twilight books and movies would be far more interesting if Edward and Jacob dumped Bella and got together. Talk about hot!
14) If you could revisit any pairing in an M/M you have read, who would it be?
I revisit my favorites quite often! Scott and Keegan from Eros Rising, Biton and Cavan from 30 days, Kyle and Dave from Beyond the Norm, Kevin and Michael from Car Wash, Aiden and Nate from My Fair Captain, Ethan and Jamie from The Tin Star, Keaton and Chay from Without Reservations, Oliver and Vincent from Bound to Him, Mark and Pablo from Second Sight, Hell and Brent from Heaven Sent: Hell, Jael and Quan from Where Flows the Water, Will and Jack from Handyman and Jordan and Alec from the Curtis Reincarnation.
15) Don’t you want to strangle Jack sometimes? (Just kidding, but feel free to answer)
LMAO! Yes! Recently in fact, but I love him anyway.
16) Do you like pretty boys (like another author we could mention) or do you prefer muscular he-man types who turn to jelly when the right guy comes along? Or are both yummy as hell?
I prefer pretty boys. I do like it when tough guys turn to mush over a pretty boy. That is yummy as hell! Lol!
17) Do you like sensitive heroes or do you want someone like John Wayne who just so happens to want to boink men?
That depends on my mood. I like both. Especially together!
All right, thanks for answering my questions, Andi. Especially the silly ones. We’re all looking forward to many future releases from you.
Thank you, Shawn! I’ve had a blast answering your questions! *Hugs*
Check out Andi's blog: http://andiandersonauthor.blogspot.com/
Recently, Andi accepted a contract offer for her novella, A Realistic Romance. She’s still waiting on a release date for this story coming from EXtasy Books.
First, thanks Andi for agreeing to be interviewed.
1)What made you decide to progress from reading M/M romances to deciding to write your own stories?
Ever since I can remember I’ve been a very active reader. My sister mentioned the other day that she can’t remember a time when I didn’t have my nose buried into a book. That still holds true today. I think that writing is a natural extension of reading for me. I’ve always wrote stories either for myself or for friends, but never considered trying to get anything published. When I saw the open call for submissions for Dreamspinner’s Advent Calendar stories I thought I would give it a shot and go for it!
2) In the beginning, you read M/F romances, what was it that drew you to the exciting world of M/M?
I had been a die hard romance reader since I read my first romance novel at age 13. When I got married in 2002, I stopped reading for several years for some unexplainable reason. When Chris and I went to Las Vegas a few years ago, I picked up an erotic romance and was hooked. But, as time went on, and the more books I read the more I became extremely frustrated with the heroines. They either fell into that too stupid to live or bitch from hell category. I became restless and to try something different, I had picked up a M/M/F ménage book written by Amanda Young, and loved the dynamics of the two men together. After that, I really started exploring M/M romances and I’ve never looked back.
3) Do you still read M/F or are you strictly reading M/M now?
I don’t read M/F at all anymore. I’ve honestly tried to read M/F romances, but I just can’t stay interested in them at all. Plus, I firmly believe that M/M authors are some of the best authors out there.
4) Where do you get your ideas for the stories you create?
From anything and everything. My mother used to say my head was in the clouds all the time, and she was right. I’m always imagining different scenarios in my head. I really think I need to keep a small notebook with me when I’m not on the computer! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of some great scene and the minute I sit down, I forget what I had thought of.
5) Are there subject matters that are taboo for you in your writing?
I don’t like ménages. I know it was a ménage based story that led me to this genre, but I’ve never really liked them, I was just trying something different, so I know if I even attempted to write one it would be horrible because it’s something I don’t like to read myself.
6) You are happily married, do you find your husband is supportive of your writing M/M? Do you think he reacts any different to you writing M/M as opposed to M/F?
LOL! Chris is your typical down home, blue collared, down to earth southern man. He’s more comfortable in jeans than a suit. One thing I love about him is, he is very open minded and liberal about equal rights for everyone, despite living in a small southern town. He’s always known that I wanted to write, and has been very encouraging to me to get off of my ass and do it. When I told him I wanted to write a gay romance he just basically patted me on the back and told me to go for it. Once Got Mistletoe was published, he asked if I ever would switch over to writing straight romances. When I told him no, he told me he wasn’t surprised and was more than cool with it. He’s very proud of me and has been very supportive of my writing. I really couldn’t ask for a better husband.
7) It was exciting to see that you’ll have a new release later this year. What else are you working on?
Thank you! I appreciate all of the encouragement and support my online friends have given me. I really couldn’t ask for a better support group than what I have. I’m actively working on two blue collared themed novels I plan to have done in a few weeks. I’m also about to start Samuel brother, Sidney’s, story and I have a May/December romance I’ve been working on.
8) What is your writing routine? Where do you write? Do you set aside times for it?
I don’t have a routine. I really need to sit down and set a routine for myself. I basically do my writing at night. When Chris is home I have a horrible time concentrating because he wants to monopolize my time. I have a laptop that I write on in the living room. I usually have some music or the television playing in the background, other than that I have no set times. *hangs head in shame*
9) Do you find other authors of the genre inspirational?
Very much so! I truly believe that this genre has the best authors writing for it. Plus, it’s fantastic writers like you, Ava and Devon who continue to teach and embrace newbies like myself how to be wonderful and considerate with their readers. I really love the support and encouragement that we give to each other. There is no cattiness or jealousy at all. It’s great that we all genuinely want each other to be happy and successful. I love that.
10) You are a voracious reader of the M/M genre. What do you think of authors who write M/M but never read anyone else’s work?
UGH! That really ticks me off! How in the world can someone write something they don’t have a love for? I don’t understand it. I’ve heard of some authors refusing to watch gay movies or look at gay couples in pictures together because it disgusts them. I find that it’s that kind of thinking that is disgusting. They are hypocrites and I think it will show in their work.
11) Do you feel you have to have a real love of the genre to do it justice? What do you think of writers who decide to jump on the M/M bandwagon because they think it’s a good way to make money?
I don’t know. I hope I will do it justice and people will really enjoy what I write, but only time will be able to tell that. Realistically, my style of writing won’t be for everyone and I’m okay with that. I do think I’m writing for this genre for the right reasons and not for the wrong ones. I truly love this genre and I don’t think it gets enough credit. And, as hokey has this sounds, I don’t do it for the money at all. I’m very proud that I had a book published, but I know realistically there aren’t many very writers, popular or not, who can do this full time and make ends meet. So, I don’t know why anyone would do it for the money.
12) When are you going to get an Andi Anderson website?
Hopefully soon. I am so computer illiterate it’s pathetic. I look at my little blog compared to some of my friends and wonder how in the world they made look so cool and interesting! I do plan on getting one up soon, it’s really just a matter of time and me figuring it all out.
13) Many fans of the genre can’t help imagining unusual pairings of popular men in movies and television or even in books. For instance Kirk and Spock from Star Trek, Harry and Malfoy from Harry Potter, Aregorn and Legolas from Lord of the Rings. Are their any imaginary pairs you are fond of yourself?
I think the Twilight books and movies would be far more interesting if Edward and Jacob dumped Bella and got together. Talk about hot!
14) If you could revisit any pairing in an M/M you have read, who would it be?
I revisit my favorites quite often! Scott and Keegan from Eros Rising, Biton and Cavan from 30 days, Kyle and Dave from Beyond the Norm, Kevin and Michael from Car Wash, Aiden and Nate from My Fair Captain, Ethan and Jamie from The Tin Star, Keaton and Chay from Without Reservations, Oliver and Vincent from Bound to Him, Mark and Pablo from Second Sight, Hell and Brent from Heaven Sent: Hell, Jael and Quan from Where Flows the Water, Will and Jack from Handyman and Jordan and Alec from the Curtis Reincarnation.
15) Don’t you want to strangle Jack sometimes? (Just kidding, but feel free to answer)
LMAO! Yes! Recently in fact, but I love him anyway.
16) Do you like pretty boys (like another author we could mention) or do you prefer muscular he-man types who turn to jelly when the right guy comes along? Or are both yummy as hell?
I prefer pretty boys. I do like it when tough guys turn to mush over a pretty boy. That is yummy as hell! Lol!
17) Do you like sensitive heroes or do you want someone like John Wayne who just so happens to want to boink men?
That depends on my mood. I like both. Especially together!
All right, thanks for answering my questions, Andi. Especially the silly ones. We’re all looking forward to many future releases from you.
Thank you, Shawn! I’ve had a blast answering your questions! *Hugs*
Check out Andi's blog: http://andiandersonauthor.blogspot.com/
More Quickies
Just a few more quick things.
I'll announce the winner of Only For Him Saturday.
I won't be posting an excerpt this Saturday because I just don't want to. LOL. Look for it to come back NEXT Saturday.
I'm excited for Only For Him to come out. I've been talking up Barnaby for ages. I hope you'll like him as much as I do. Hopefully, Nathan won't come off as too much of a prick! lmao.
Don't forget to check Friday for author, Andi Anderson's interview.
I'll announce the winner of Only For Him Saturday.
I won't be posting an excerpt this Saturday because I just don't want to. LOL. Look for it to come back NEXT Saturday.
I'm excited for Only For Him to come out. I've been talking up Barnaby for ages. I hope you'll like him as much as I do. Hopefully, Nathan won't come off as too much of a prick! lmao.
Don't forget to check Friday for author, Andi Anderson's interview.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Quick Updates
Okay the following people are signed up for the contest to win Only For Him. If I missed you, tell me ASAP.
Chris
Anna
Andi
Jase
Eyre
Jack/Shayne
Brent/Josh
Nick
Zach
Lily
Leni
Riya
TT
Lindsay
Friday, I will be posting Andi Anderson's interview.
That's it for now!
Chris
Anna
Andi
Jase
Eyre
Jack/Shayne
Brent/Josh
Nick
Zach
Lily
Leni
Riya
TT
Lindsay
Friday, I will be posting Andi Anderson's interview.
That's it for now!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Wednesday Musings
Hmmm...
I'm not sure what I am musing about today.
It's great to have friends.
Computer problems suck.
Drew is spectacular!
I wonder if I will live forever, lol.
There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
And since all of those (except Drew) were kind of lame, here is some candy!
I'm not sure what I am musing about today.
It's great to have friends.
Computer problems suck.
Drew is spectacular!
I wonder if I will live forever, lol.
There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
And since all of those (except Drew) were kind of lame, here is some candy!
Monday, April 12, 2010
What is Next for Shawn
So having finished the Only Forever story, what is next for me, writing-wise?
Well, I am going to be working on The Beach House, which is my Hot Summer Daze story for Amber Quill. This is the barebones premise of it:
"Just out of his second try at Rehab, beautiful and famous male model, Mason Phillips, spends the summer at a rented beach house. Just the sort of thing his agent thinks will be good for the out of control beauty. Mason thinks the isolation sucks until he spots the guy next door, John Harding, and sets out to seduce him for a summer fling. Mason is sure John won't be able to resist him. Who can?"
There will be a little more to it then that, but you get the idea. This story isn't due until July 01, but I doubt I'll wait that long to have it finished. You never know about me though.
Also, as I have been continuously promising, I will be working on Jude's story. I'm hoping to have it completed within the next couple of months since very soon it will be coming up on a year that Sweet Reunion was out. I may be doing a third story set in the fictional world of Sutter's Bay, too. Twice in a Lifetime is one of the angst-ridden stories, so those are always a bit more complicated to write.
But up next, before either of those stories, I'll be working on chapter one (my chapter) of The Price Paid (that's the working title) of my co-authored book with Ava March. This is a first for the two of us and we're not really sure how others go about it or if it will work for us, exactly, but we're giving it a shot. The plan right now is for me to write one character, Aaron, and Ava to write the other, Conrad. The opening chapter is in Aaron's point of view. It's funny because even though we are critique partners we have a differing style. Ava tends to write much longer chapters than I do and she writes slower, too, probably because her chapters are more detailed. Should be interesting!
So, that's it for now.
Edited to add:
I hesitate to mention this, because I am breaking my OWN rule, but last night while I struggled to fall asleep (what else is new), I came up with a nagging idea in my surely delirious mind.
Though Lance and Maurice made only a brief appearance in Still the One, I got an idea for THEM as a couple. Lance is a red-haired English transplant sous-chef and Maurice is a tall, thin, BALDING man from Chicago who works as a waiter at Dustin's restaurant.
This would be a first for me, having a balding hero, but something about this pairing intrigues me.Sigh.
MAKE IT STOP. LOL.
Happy One Year To My BFF.
Well, I am going to be working on The Beach House, which is my Hot Summer Daze story for Amber Quill. This is the barebones premise of it:
"Just out of his second try at Rehab, beautiful and famous male model, Mason Phillips, spends the summer at a rented beach house. Just the sort of thing his agent thinks will be good for the out of control beauty. Mason thinks the isolation sucks until he spots the guy next door, John Harding, and sets out to seduce him for a summer fling. Mason is sure John won't be able to resist him. Who can?"
There will be a little more to it then that, but you get the idea. This story isn't due until July 01, but I doubt I'll wait that long to have it finished. You never know about me though.
Also, as I have been continuously promising, I will be working on Jude's story. I'm hoping to have it completed within the next couple of months since very soon it will be coming up on a year that Sweet Reunion was out. I may be doing a third story set in the fictional world of Sutter's Bay, too. Twice in a Lifetime is one of the angst-ridden stories, so those are always a bit more complicated to write.
But up next, before either of those stories, I'll be working on chapter one (my chapter) of The Price Paid (that's the working title) of my co-authored book with Ava March. This is a first for the two of us and we're not really sure how others go about it or if it will work for us, exactly, but we're giving it a shot. The plan right now is for me to write one character, Aaron, and Ava to write the other, Conrad. The opening chapter is in Aaron's point of view. It's funny because even though we are critique partners we have a differing style. Ava tends to write much longer chapters than I do and she writes slower, too, probably because her chapters are more detailed. Should be interesting!
So, that's it for now.
Edited to add:
I hesitate to mention this, because I am breaking my OWN rule, but last night while I struggled to fall asleep (what else is new), I came up with a nagging idea in my surely delirious mind.
Though Lance and Maurice made only a brief appearance in Still the One, I got an idea for THEM as a couple. Lance is a red-haired English transplant sous-chef and Maurice is a tall, thin, BALDING man from Chicago who works as a waiter at Dustin's restaurant.
This would be a first for me, having a balding hero, but something about this pairing intrigues me.Sigh.
MAKE IT STOP. LOL.
Happy One Year To My BFF.
Official Only For Him Excerpt
In case you are on the fence about entering for Only For Him, I decided to post the official excerpt. Probably not work safe.
...“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. Nathan’s 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 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 the bedspread off 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 off his own shoes.
Barnaby turned his head to look. “You okay?”
“Um, yeah.” He felt his face burn. He got his shoes off and then his pants. He now stood in his underwear and shirt feeling shy and embarrassed. He wasn’t hot like Barnaby.
Barnaby faced him again. “Should I help?”
Nathan watched as Barnaby stepped up to him. Those delectable fingers stroked his throat as they curved around the collar of his shirt and undid the first button. A simple brush of fingertips on his neck had never felt so erotic. He shivered.
“Are you cold?” Barnaby whispered against his lips, pressing them lightly across his mouth.
“No, I want you.”
He felt Barnaby’s full, plump lips curve just before his tongue entered Nathan’s mouth, searching and finding his. He groaned and lifted his hand to grasp the back of Barnaby’s head, crushing their mouths together hard.
Barnaby’s fingers sped up on his shirt, tearing at the buttons even as he whimpered low in his throat...
...“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. Nathan’s 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 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 the bedspread off 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 off his own shoes.
Barnaby turned his head to look. “You okay?”
“Um, yeah.” He felt his face burn. He got his shoes off and then his pants. He now stood in his underwear and shirt feeling shy and embarrassed. He wasn’t hot like Barnaby.
Barnaby faced him again. “Should I help?”
Nathan watched as Barnaby stepped up to him. Those delectable fingers stroked his throat as they curved around the collar of his shirt and undid the first button. A simple brush of fingertips on his neck had never felt so erotic. He shivered.
“Are you cold?” Barnaby whispered against his lips, pressing them lightly across his mouth.
“No, I want you.”
He felt Barnaby’s full, plump lips curve just before his tongue entered Nathan’s mouth, searching and finding his. He groaned and lifted his hand to grasp the back of Barnaby’s head, crushing their mouths together hard.
Barnaby’s fingers sped up on his shirt, tearing at the buttons even as he whimpered low in his throat...
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Some News
Okay lots of news today!
I have finished the last Only Forever story, His One and Only. We’re looking at a June 20, 2010 release for that one. That concludes the series so as Shayne would say, go me!
I also now have a release date for Pieces and that is July 18, 2010.
Also sometime in July will be the release of Only Forever, the entire series in a paperback collection.
Sometime in the near future, I’ll be posting an interview with author, Andi Anderson. So keep your eyes peeled for that.
Speaking of interviews, I sent the questions to Ashtyn Long and I’m just waiting for his answers. I know he’s been busy with work and life, but have no fear the interview is still on the horizon.
I have finished the last Only Forever story, His One and Only. We’re looking at a June 20, 2010 release for that one. That concludes the series so as Shayne would say, go me!
I also now have a release date for Pieces and that is July 18, 2010.
Also sometime in July will be the release of Only Forever, the entire series in a paperback collection.
Sometime in the near future, I’ll be posting an interview with author, Andi Anderson. So keep your eyes peeled for that.
Speaking of interviews, I sent the questions to Ashtyn Long and I’m just waiting for his answers. I know he’s been busy with work and life, but have no fear the interview is still on the horizon.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
New Release: Still the One
Looks like Still the One is available at Amber Quill now.
Bargain price of only $2.60! LOL
And early too.
Click on the boys to the left to be taken straight to the purchase page!
Friday, April 9, 2010
And Finally...New Contest
Fear Not... if you did not win Still the One.
Next week, Only For Him is released, the second in the Only Forever series. This is Nathan and Barnaby's story.
You know the drill...Leave a comment if you want to win. Book is released April 18
Contest ends next friday.
That's it for Saturday
Untitled Excerpt by Shawn Lane
Michael Westin peered out the dirty smudged window at the young man and older woman below getting out of a compact car.
“It appears we have visitors again, Sabin,” he announced to his companion.
Sabin’s ears flattened back and he rose from his nap on a nearby chair, his black fur rumpled. He began licking his paws to give himself a bath.
“I told Mrs. Livingston and Mrs. Bartley not to allow anymore guests.” Michael sighed and turned from the window. “They deliberately ignored me.”
He strode from the room and quickly down the stairs. The objects of his ire were behind a tall counter whereupon a guestbook and pen sat. He gritted his teeth.
“Who are they?” he demanded, gesturing to the people outside.
Mrs. Livingston jumped. “Mr. Westin…we didn’t see you there. Are you sneaking around again?”
“Never mind that,” he snapped. “Why do those two have bags with them? They aren’t guests are they?”
Mrs. Bartley, the older and shorter of the two middle-aged women who’d taken over his house, smiled. “Well, of course they are.”
Mrs. Livingston cast her a worried frown. “What Mrs. Bartley means to say is that they are not guests from London. Didn’t you say you wanted no more snotty, cigarette smoking tradition bashing youths from London invading your house?”
“If they are not from London, then where?” He looked through the front bay window. “Do not tell me they are Scots!”
“Would we do that you? No, Mr. Westin, they are American visitors,” Mrs. Bartley said smoothly.
Michael turned to gape at them. “Americans? Here? Devil take it. Except that I lack the power, I would sack the two of you in an instant.”
“Now, now, everything will be fine. Our guests are a widowed romance writer and her nephew. They won’t bother you at all,” Mrs. Livingston assured him.
“No loud rock music or demands for televisions,” Mrs. Bartley concurred. “You won’t even notice them. Nor they you, hopefully.”
Mrs. Livingston came out from behind the counter and hurried to the window. “They’ll be coming to the door soon. You’d better make yourself scarce.”
“Well, this is rustic, isn’t it?” Henry Porter frowned at the faded old house. The battered sign swinging in the breeze in front of the gate clearly said “Haverly Inn” in washed out black paint.
He debated getting back into the rental car and driving right back out of the English village called Dragon’s Point. The happily expectant look on his Aunt May’s face made him hoist his bag over his shoulder instead.
“I think it looks cozy,” his aunt announced, reaching down for her own suitcase.
“Cozy.” Henry blew out a breath and briefly leaned on the car. Well, he supposed if she really planned to write a romance set in England she couldn’t ask for better atmosphere.
Tucking a flyaway blond hair behind his left ear, he eyed the two-story inn. Hadn’t the website said it was once some titled Englishman’s country estate? Easy to see why he abandoned it. The cracked and peeling ocean blue paint gave testament to the fact the owners of the inn didn’t do much upkeep.
“At least it smells nice,” he commented as a gust of wind blew the scent of wildflowers toward them.
“There you see. We’ll have a wonderful time,” Aunt May said cheerfully. “Dragon’s Point is supposed to be the second most haunted village in England.”
“Hm.”
“You promised to have an open mind, dear.”
“To the ghosts. You didn’t say anything about the accommodations.”
Henry once more studied the inn. It might have been nice once. But those days were definitely long past. The small white gate leading to the path that would take them to the front door of the house rested on only one hinge. The shutters on the windows were half on and half off. Well, perhaps more off. The hole-ridden screen covering the front door banged in the wind.
When his widowed aunt asked Henry to accompany her on this Haunted England trip, he’d decided the vacation would help him twofold. Aunt May would be happy, a rare event since the death of Uncle Charlie; and Henry could finally take time off his job as a corporate lawyer. He hadn’t had any real vacation in five years. And he could get away, at least physically, from the painful breakup with Tad.
Henry pulled up the handle on his other suitcase and started wheeling it toward the gate.
Aunt May moved in front of Henry and pushed the wooden gate aside. It creaked and then crashed to the ground.
“Oops.” Aunt May shrugged sheepishly.
Henry rolled his eyes and followed his aunt to the front door. “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Why are we visiting the second most haunted village?”
“Pluckley is far too touristy, dear. Everyone goes there. The people from Pluckley themselves admit they don’t really have any spirits.” Aunt May sniffed derisively. “I’m looking for something more authentic.”
He didn’t have to remind his aunt he did not believe in ghosts. They’d had the discussion numerous times. Which was why he’d promised to have an open mind. Sort of.
“I hope this place has indoor plumbing,” he said only half-joking.
“Of course it does. The website said so, didn’t it?”
Henry grimaced and opened the door. “The place doesn’t exactly look like it does in the website. The Hyatt, it’s not.”
Aunt May patted his arm. “Thank God for that. Who needs one of those stuffy hotels anyway?”
She moved through the door briskly. Henry entered the dark hallway at a slower pace. Noticing the light bulb hanging from the ceiling with a single chain, he reached up and pulled it. Dim light lit the formerly dark hall.
Shaking his head, Henry reached for the handles of the suitcases once more. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement to his right. Glancing up quickly she saw a man standing just outside the hall. A very handsome man with dark curly hair dressed all in black except for a snow white scarf at his throat.
He took a moment to study his clothes more closely. The pants were tight fitting, as though tailor made, and on his feet were highly polished black shoes. His coat was short, but also looked expensive and the snow white shirt matched the scarf. No, not a scarf. A cravat, wasn’t that its name? His attire was straight out of a PBS production of Pride and Prejudice.
Someone dressed for a theater production? Perhaps for the Historical Festival? He could not make out the color of his eyes in the dimly lit hall but they were staring at him, assessing him.
"You startled me." Henry laughed and raised a hand to his chest.
The man's lips curved up at the corners just a tad. "Your pardon. It was not my intent."
He had an English accent, very proper sounding, and he wondered if it was part of his act.
"Henry, are you coming?" Aunt May asked from further into the house.
"Well," Henry said, smiling. "I guess I'd better go. I hope I will see you later."
He inclined his head but made no remark, and then stepped aside to let him pass.
Henry entered what was obviously the lobby of the inn. Directly in front of him was a tattered Queen Anne sofa with the stuffing coming out. In front of the sofa was a small coffee table.
In the furthest corner was a tall counter, in front of which, Aunt May stood. Behind the counter was a woman wearing glasses roughly the same age as Henry’s aunt, which was in her mid-fifties. The woman behind the counter was slender to Aunt May’s plump.
“This is Mrs. Livingston, dear,” Aunt May called.
Henry left the suitcases where they were and approached the counter.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Porter.” Mrs. Livingston shook his hand warmly. “Welcome to Haverly Inn.”
“Thank you. My aunt and I are excited to be here.”
“Oh yes.” Mrs. Livingston beamed. “It’s a very popular time of year for tourists. Spring is quite lovely here.”
Henry signed the registry Mrs. Livingston pushed toward her. “We’re looking forward to the Historical Festival in Dragon’s Point Town Square. How long have they been having it?”
Mrs. Livingston cleared her throat and took the registry. She turned away from her guests and dug through a drawer in a desk behind her.
“Mrs. Livingston?”
“Well, actually,” the woman said blushing, “this is the first year we’ve ever had it.”
Henry blinked. Next to him Aunt May stiffened ever so slightly.
“But your website said it was an annual event,” Aunt May interjected.
Mrs. Livingston smiled. “We mean to make it so.”
Henry gritted his teeth. “I see.”
“Anyway, it has been very popular so far.” Mrs. Livingston pushed two actual keys at them.
Henry glanced down and saw the numbers 202 and 210 on the keys. “Our rooms were supposed to be adjoining.”
“The inn has very few rooms converted to guest quarters,” Mrs. Livingston explained. “We weren’t able to accommodate adjoining rooms.”
Aunt May touched his sleeve. “It’ll be fine, dear.”
Henry nodded. Tempted as he was to make a fuss, this was Aunt May’s dream vacation that she wanted to take with Uncle Charlie for years. He wouldn’t spoil it anymore than it had been by the fact Henry was here instead of Charlie.
“Okay.” He smiled.
“Now, then. Your stay has already been paid for. You’re staying for a full week, is that right?” Mrs. Livingston asked.
“Right,” Aunt May said. “I plan on doing a lot of ghost hunting.”
“Splendid, splendid. I am sure that you will run across hundreds of ghosts.” Mrs. Livingston scribbled a note down on a pad of paper, then looked up at them. “As I am sure you will recall, the Historical Festival is two nights and it begins tonight at seven.”
“I think I already saw one of the gentleman attending,” Henry remarked.
“Oh?” Mrs. Livingston and Aunt May asked at once.
“In the hallway.” Henry gestured over his shoulder. “Nice costume, too. Pride and Prejudice.”
“Oh, I am sure you’ll see many people in costume wandering around here.” Mrs. Livingston averted her eyes for a moment, then flashed them an even brighter smile.
“I’m going as Marie Antoinette,” Aunt May confided to their hostess. “Before she lost her head, of course.”
Mrs. Livingston laughed. “Of course. And you, Mr. Lincoln?”
“A sorcerer,” Henry announced with no little satisfaction. “You know like Merlin from King Arthur?”
“Merlin? Tsk, tsk. A handsome man, like you?” Mrs. Livingston frowned her disapproval.
Henry held up the two keys. “Room 202 or 210, Aunt May?”
Aunt May glanced at Mrs. Livingston. “Which one is closer to the bathroom?”
“202.”
“Wait a minute.” Henry’s stomach dropped. “Closer to the bathroom? I…aren’t they in the rooms?”
Aunt May patted his arm again. “No, dear. I thought I told you about that.”
“This is an old manor, Mr. Porter. There’s one lavatory on each floor.”
“Cozy,” Aunt May repeated her initial impression of the inn.
“Rustic,” Henry repeated his.
“It appears we have visitors again, Sabin,” he announced to his companion.
Sabin’s ears flattened back and he rose from his nap on a nearby chair, his black fur rumpled. He began licking his paws to give himself a bath.
“I told Mrs. Livingston and Mrs. Bartley not to allow anymore guests.” Michael sighed and turned from the window. “They deliberately ignored me.”
He strode from the room and quickly down the stairs. The objects of his ire were behind a tall counter whereupon a guestbook and pen sat. He gritted his teeth.
“Who are they?” he demanded, gesturing to the people outside.
Mrs. Livingston jumped. “Mr. Westin…we didn’t see you there. Are you sneaking around again?”
“Never mind that,” he snapped. “Why do those two have bags with them? They aren’t guests are they?”
Mrs. Bartley, the older and shorter of the two middle-aged women who’d taken over his house, smiled. “Well, of course they are.”
Mrs. Livingston cast her a worried frown. “What Mrs. Bartley means to say is that they are not guests from London. Didn’t you say you wanted no more snotty, cigarette smoking tradition bashing youths from London invading your house?”
“If they are not from London, then where?” He looked through the front bay window. “Do not tell me they are Scots!”
“Would we do that you? No, Mr. Westin, they are American visitors,” Mrs. Bartley said smoothly.
Michael turned to gape at them. “Americans? Here? Devil take it. Except that I lack the power, I would sack the two of you in an instant.”
“Now, now, everything will be fine. Our guests are a widowed romance writer and her nephew. They won’t bother you at all,” Mrs. Livingston assured him.
“No loud rock music or demands for televisions,” Mrs. Bartley concurred. “You won’t even notice them. Nor they you, hopefully.”
Mrs. Livingston came out from behind the counter and hurried to the window. “They’ll be coming to the door soon. You’d better make yourself scarce.”
“Well, this is rustic, isn’t it?” Henry Porter frowned at the faded old house. The battered sign swinging in the breeze in front of the gate clearly said “Haverly Inn” in washed out black paint.
He debated getting back into the rental car and driving right back out of the English village called Dragon’s Point. The happily expectant look on his Aunt May’s face made him hoist his bag over his shoulder instead.
“I think it looks cozy,” his aunt announced, reaching down for her own suitcase.
“Cozy.” Henry blew out a breath and briefly leaned on the car. Well, he supposed if she really planned to write a romance set in England she couldn’t ask for better atmosphere.
Tucking a flyaway blond hair behind his left ear, he eyed the two-story inn. Hadn’t the website said it was once some titled Englishman’s country estate? Easy to see why he abandoned it. The cracked and peeling ocean blue paint gave testament to the fact the owners of the inn didn’t do much upkeep.
“At least it smells nice,” he commented as a gust of wind blew the scent of wildflowers toward them.
“There you see. We’ll have a wonderful time,” Aunt May said cheerfully. “Dragon’s Point is supposed to be the second most haunted village in England.”
“Hm.”
“You promised to have an open mind, dear.”
“To the ghosts. You didn’t say anything about the accommodations.”
Henry once more studied the inn. It might have been nice once. But those days were definitely long past. The small white gate leading to the path that would take them to the front door of the house rested on only one hinge. The shutters on the windows were half on and half off. Well, perhaps more off. The hole-ridden screen covering the front door banged in the wind.
When his widowed aunt asked Henry to accompany her on this Haunted England trip, he’d decided the vacation would help him twofold. Aunt May would be happy, a rare event since the death of Uncle Charlie; and Henry could finally take time off his job as a corporate lawyer. He hadn’t had any real vacation in five years. And he could get away, at least physically, from the painful breakup with Tad.
Henry pulled up the handle on his other suitcase and started wheeling it toward the gate.
Aunt May moved in front of Henry and pushed the wooden gate aside. It creaked and then crashed to the ground.
“Oops.” Aunt May shrugged sheepishly.
Henry rolled his eyes and followed his aunt to the front door. “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Why are we visiting the second most haunted village?”
“Pluckley is far too touristy, dear. Everyone goes there. The people from Pluckley themselves admit they don’t really have any spirits.” Aunt May sniffed derisively. “I’m looking for something more authentic.”
He didn’t have to remind his aunt he did not believe in ghosts. They’d had the discussion numerous times. Which was why he’d promised to have an open mind. Sort of.
“I hope this place has indoor plumbing,” he said only half-joking.
“Of course it does. The website said so, didn’t it?”
Henry grimaced and opened the door. “The place doesn’t exactly look like it does in the website. The Hyatt, it’s not.”
Aunt May patted his arm. “Thank God for that. Who needs one of those stuffy hotels anyway?”
She moved through the door briskly. Henry entered the dark hallway at a slower pace. Noticing the light bulb hanging from the ceiling with a single chain, he reached up and pulled it. Dim light lit the formerly dark hall.
Shaking his head, Henry reached for the handles of the suitcases once more. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement to his right. Glancing up quickly she saw a man standing just outside the hall. A very handsome man with dark curly hair dressed all in black except for a snow white scarf at his throat.
He took a moment to study his clothes more closely. The pants were tight fitting, as though tailor made, and on his feet were highly polished black shoes. His coat was short, but also looked expensive and the snow white shirt matched the scarf. No, not a scarf. A cravat, wasn’t that its name? His attire was straight out of a PBS production of Pride and Prejudice.
Someone dressed for a theater production? Perhaps for the Historical Festival? He could not make out the color of his eyes in the dimly lit hall but they were staring at him, assessing him.
"You startled me." Henry laughed and raised a hand to his chest.
The man's lips curved up at the corners just a tad. "Your pardon. It was not my intent."
He had an English accent, very proper sounding, and he wondered if it was part of his act.
"Henry, are you coming?" Aunt May asked from further into the house.
"Well," Henry said, smiling. "I guess I'd better go. I hope I will see you later."
He inclined his head but made no remark, and then stepped aside to let him pass.
Henry entered what was obviously the lobby of the inn. Directly in front of him was a tattered Queen Anne sofa with the stuffing coming out. In front of the sofa was a small coffee table.
In the furthest corner was a tall counter, in front of which, Aunt May stood. Behind the counter was a woman wearing glasses roughly the same age as Henry’s aunt, which was in her mid-fifties. The woman behind the counter was slender to Aunt May’s plump.
“This is Mrs. Livingston, dear,” Aunt May called.
Henry left the suitcases where they were and approached the counter.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Porter.” Mrs. Livingston shook his hand warmly. “Welcome to Haverly Inn.”
“Thank you. My aunt and I are excited to be here.”
“Oh yes.” Mrs. Livingston beamed. “It’s a very popular time of year for tourists. Spring is quite lovely here.”
Henry signed the registry Mrs. Livingston pushed toward her. “We’re looking forward to the Historical Festival in Dragon’s Point Town Square. How long have they been having it?”
Mrs. Livingston cleared her throat and took the registry. She turned away from her guests and dug through a drawer in a desk behind her.
“Mrs. Livingston?”
“Well, actually,” the woman said blushing, “this is the first year we’ve ever had it.”
Henry blinked. Next to him Aunt May stiffened ever so slightly.
“But your website said it was an annual event,” Aunt May interjected.
Mrs. Livingston smiled. “We mean to make it so.”
Henry gritted his teeth. “I see.”
“Anyway, it has been very popular so far.” Mrs. Livingston pushed two actual keys at them.
Henry glanced down and saw the numbers 202 and 210 on the keys. “Our rooms were supposed to be adjoining.”
“The inn has very few rooms converted to guest quarters,” Mrs. Livingston explained. “We weren’t able to accommodate adjoining rooms.”
Aunt May touched his sleeve. “It’ll be fine, dear.”
Henry nodded. Tempted as he was to make a fuss, this was Aunt May’s dream vacation that she wanted to take with Uncle Charlie for years. He wouldn’t spoil it anymore than it had been by the fact Henry was here instead of Charlie.
“Okay.” He smiled.
“Now, then. Your stay has already been paid for. You’re staying for a full week, is that right?” Mrs. Livingston asked.
“Right,” Aunt May said. “I plan on doing a lot of ghost hunting.”
“Splendid, splendid. I am sure that you will run across hundreds of ghosts.” Mrs. Livingston scribbled a note down on a pad of paper, then looked up at them. “As I am sure you will recall, the Historical Festival is two nights and it begins tonight at seven.”
“I think I already saw one of the gentleman attending,” Henry remarked.
“Oh?” Mrs. Livingston and Aunt May asked at once.
“In the hallway.” Henry gestured over his shoulder. “Nice costume, too. Pride and Prejudice.”
“Oh, I am sure you’ll see many people in costume wandering around here.” Mrs. Livingston averted her eyes for a moment, then flashed them an even brighter smile.
“I’m going as Marie Antoinette,” Aunt May confided to their hostess. “Before she lost her head, of course.”
Mrs. Livingston laughed. “Of course. And you, Mr. Lincoln?”
“A sorcerer,” Henry announced with no little satisfaction. “You know like Merlin from King Arthur?”
“Merlin? Tsk, tsk. A handsome man, like you?” Mrs. Livingston frowned her disapproval.
Henry held up the two keys. “Room 202 or 210, Aunt May?”
Aunt May glanced at Mrs. Livingston. “Which one is closer to the bathroom?”
“202.”
“Wait a minute.” Henry’s stomach dropped. “Closer to the bathroom? I…aren’t they in the rooms?”
Aunt May patted his arm again. “No, dear. I thought I told you about that.”
“This is an old manor, Mr. Porter. There’s one lavatory on each floor.”
“Cozy,” Aunt May repeated her initial impression of the inn.
“Rustic,” Henry repeated his.
Still the One Winner
First things first.
The winner of Still the One is:
Maggie! Here is the list.
There were 15 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
1. Maggie
2. Andi
3. Leni
4. Devon
5. Chris
6. Sophie
7. Nick
8. Ivan
9. Zach
10. Shayne
11. Eyre
12. Jase
13. TT
14. Lily
15. Dorothy
Maggie, email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com so I can send you your book when it comes out.
The winner of Still the One is:
Maggie! Here is the list.
There were 15 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
1. Maggie
2. Andi
3. Leni
4. Devon
5. Chris
6. Sophie
7. Nick
8. Ivan
9. Zach
10. Shayne
11. Eyre
12. Jase
13. TT
14. Lily
15. Dorothy
Maggie, email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com so I can send you your book when it comes out.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
And So...
Today is the last day to enter to win a copy of Still the One. Check back here Saturday to learn if you are the winner.
Still the One is short. I think it comes in at 11,000 words and I'll be honest and tell you it's just a sweet little story. No that doesn't mean no sex (if you read the official excerpt you'll know that isn't the case). But I think you will find the story can be read fast, it doesn't have much angst, and I hope will leave you with at least a half smile on your face when finished.
I wrote it to be short and sweet. I had volunteered to be part of the Amber Quill Pax about best friends known as From This Moment On. At the time I volunteered I had intended to use another work in progress, Never the One (notice the similarity in titles though they have NOTHING in common, lol). As the deadline approached, though, I realized Never the One was going to be longer and more complicated than I could devote the time to as I was in full swing on the Only Forever series.
I had vague ideas of maybe one day writing a sequel for Dusty and Malcolm from The Best Gift but never gave it a huge amount of thought until I realized my planned story wouldn't fly for the Pax. Thus, inbetween writing Only For Him and Only His Heart, I squeezed in Still the One.
So, it's not a complicated story (Neither was The Best Gift), but I think you will enjoy reading it.
If you don't win though, I think Amber Quill has started something new and the first week of release their books are like 35% discount. I think this makes Still the One under three bucks for its first week.
Tomorrow’s excerpt is going to be rather unusual in that it’s the beginning of a story I’m not sure I’ll write. I guess if I get a decent reaction I will consider it. If not…well, I won’t. LOL
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Updates on a Thursday
I've just got the chapter I'm working on and an epilogue and His One and Only will be finished. That will rap up the Only Forever series. I think I should have it completed within the week.
Okay so I now have entered to win Still the One are the following;
Lily
Andi
TT
Jase
Ivan
Leni
Devon
Chris
Eyre
Nick
Maggie
Dorothy
Shayne
Zach
Sophie
There's still time. As long as you enter by Friday night.
Wednesday Musings
Book I am most looking forward to in 2010: With Abandon by J.L. Langley
Book I read again and again and never seem to tire of: Without Reservations by J.L. Langley
First M/M book I ever read: Without Reservations by J.L. Langley
Last M/M book I read: Private Dicks by Katie Allen
First M/M book I wrote: Another Chance
Last M/M book I wrote: Pieces
Work in Progress: His One and Only
First Book I wrote: Duke's Project
First Book I Published: Duke's Project
First M/M Book I Published: The Squire
Will I ever write another M/F book: Not likely. Never say never but I don't want to and I've established myself now at this point as an M/M author. Why go back?
Favorite gay porn sites: Men at Play, BelAmi
Favorite Heroes Someone Else Wrote: Keaton (Bit) Reynolds from Without Reservations, Lainey from With Love, Aiden from My Fair Captain, Sean from The Elegant Corpse, Sean from White Knight and Dark Horse, Raphael from From Afar.
Favorite Heroes I Wrote: Craig Fontaine from Perfect Man, Calvin Lassiter from Only His Heart, Barnaby Lassiter from Only For Him, Scott Trask from At Long Last and Until the End of Time, Clark Sterling from Most Likely to Succeed and Kevin Flaherty from Car Wash.
Book I read again and again and never seem to tire of: Without Reservations by J.L. Langley
First M/M book I ever read: Without Reservations by J.L. Langley
Last M/M book I read: Private Dicks by Katie Allen
First M/M book I wrote: Another Chance
Last M/M book I wrote: Pieces
Work in Progress: His One and Only
First Book I wrote: Duke's Project
First Book I Published: Duke's Project
First M/M Book I Published: The Squire
Will I ever write another M/F book: Not likely. Never say never but I don't want to and I've established myself now at this point as an M/M author. Why go back?
Favorite gay porn sites: Men at Play, BelAmi
Favorite Heroes Someone Else Wrote: Keaton (Bit) Reynolds from Without Reservations, Lainey from With Love, Aiden from My Fair Captain, Sean from The Elegant Corpse, Sean from White Knight and Dark Horse, Raphael from From Afar.
Favorite Heroes I Wrote: Craig Fontaine from Perfect Man, Calvin Lassiter from Only His Heart, Barnaby Lassiter from Only For Him, Scott Trask from At Long Last and Until the End of Time, Clark Sterling from Most Likely to Succeed and Kevin Flaherty from Car Wash.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Monday Updates
Okay, let's see.
Don't forget to enter to win a copy of Still the One, releasing sometime this coming weekend. It is part of the best friends pax, From This Moment On, which includes five stories, but can also be purchased individually. The contest runs through Friday, April 9th.
Talked to the BFF Sunday for a couple hours or so and he's doing better but is still fighting his illness. Getting a little better every day though.
Got my galley for Still the One and I'm looking forward to its release. I think you will find it to be a cute, sweet story (no worries there is sex).
Made a bit of progress on His One and Only on Friday but not much over the weekend. Still I suspect I only have two-three chapters to go before I have that one finished.
Have a good week everyone.
Don't forget to enter to win a copy of Still the One, releasing sometime this coming weekend. It is part of the best friends pax, From This Moment On, which includes five stories, but can also be purchased individually. The contest runs through Friday, April 9th.
Talked to the BFF Sunday for a couple hours or so and he's doing better but is still fighting his illness. Getting a little better every day though.
Got my galley for Still the One and I'm looking forward to its release. I think you will find it to be a cute, sweet story (no worries there is sex).
Made a bit of progress on His One and Only on Friday but not much over the weekend. Still I suspect I only have two-three chapters to go before I have that one finished.
Have a good week everyone.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Amber Quill March Best Sellers
I made # 2 for March for Amber Quill's March Best Sellers, so thanks very much for that.
March 2010
Best Sellers!
1. Freaks In Love
- T. A. Chase
(Gay / Futuristic)
2. Only In His Dreams
- Shawn Lane
(Gay / Contemporary)
3. The Blue Moon Cafe
- Rick R. Reed
(Gay / Werewolf)
4. Give And Take
- Anne Brooke
(Gay / Contemporary)
5. When The Jazzman Sings
- Karma Eastwick
(Gay / Contemporary)
6. The Major And The Minor
- Pepper Espinoza
(Gay / Contemporary)
7. French Twist
- Christiane France
(Gay / Mystery)
8. Fawnskin
- A. J. Llewellyn & D. J. Manly
(Gay / Paranormal)
9. (Boys Of The Zodiac) Aries: Riddle Me Wicked
- Vivien Dean
(Gay / Adventure)
10. Soothe The Burn
- T. A. Chase
(Gay / Futuristic)
March 2010
Best Sellers!
1. Freaks In Love
- T. A. Chase
(Gay / Futuristic)
2. Only In His Dreams
- Shawn Lane
(Gay / Contemporary)
3. The Blue Moon Cafe
- Rick R. Reed
(Gay / Werewolf)
4. Give And Take
- Anne Brooke
(Gay / Contemporary)
5. When The Jazzman Sings
- Karma Eastwick
(Gay / Contemporary)
6. The Major And The Minor
- Pepper Espinoza
(Gay / Contemporary)
7. French Twist
- Christiane France
(Gay / Mystery)
8. Fawnskin
- A. J. Llewellyn & D. J. Manly
(Gay / Paranormal)
9. (Boys Of The Zodiac) Aries: Riddle Me Wicked
- Vivien Dean
(Gay / Adventure)
10. Soothe The Burn
- T. A. Chase
(Gay / Futuristic)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Excerpt of Still the One by Shawn Lane
“Dust? You there?” Malcolm called from the living room.
“In here.”
Malcolm appeared seconds later, smiling. “Hey, honey. I got your text. What happened to you? One minute you were there and then gone. Too tired?”
“Sorry about that. I just felt a little left out, I guess.”
“No problem. I’m sure all that acting talk can get boring for you. I just wanted them to meet my man.” Malcolm wrinkled his nose. “My smelly man.”
Dusty laughed. “Sorry, I was just going to go take a shower.”
“Well, I’ve already had one, but I don’t see why I’m not up for another.” Malcolm reached for his hand and led him down the hall toward their bedroom. He went straight into the bathroom, opened the glass shower doors, and turned on the knobs. “I was only going to stay until midnight but we got to talking. I’m sorry. You aren’t too tired?”
“Not too tired for some shower sex,” Dustin assured him.
“Ah, I see.” Malcolm grinned and peeled Dustin’s sweaty workout shirt from his body, then threw it toward the clothes hamper. He added his own navy T-shirt. “Drop the sweatpants and get into the shower.”
Dustin kicked off his shoes, yanked off his sweats, and got under the shower spray.
Malcolm entered the shower after him. He threw his arms around Dusty’s neck and placed his lips over Dusty’s. “Mmm. I missed you all day.”
“I missed you, too.” He pulled his lover against him, his hand slipping between their bodies to close around Malcolm’s erection. “What’s your schedule tomorrow?”
Malcolm closed his eyes and leaned into Dusty. “Um, I’m having breakfast with some of the others from the play, but not until ten. And then, I’m coming home to write for the rest of the day. The play’s dark tomorrow night. How about you?”
“Day off tomorrow. Have the whole day and night to veg.”
“Oh, that’s fucking fabulous.” He turned around to present his ass to Dusty, who squeezed the perfect globes.
Though they no longer had the need for condoms. They had a few of those soap dispensers in the shower and one they had filled with lube. Dusty squirted some into his palm and liberally spread it over his hard cock. Lifting Malcolm’s silky sable hair, he sucked on the back of his lover’s pale neck.
Malcolm leaned his head back, exposing more of his throat to Dusty’s lips. There were some really cool things about being together for several years. Knowing just what turned on your partner was definitely one of them.
Dusty reached back and squirted more lube into his hand, this time inserting his index finger between Malcolm’s rounded butt cheeks. He swirled around the hole for a moment, teasing him.
“Mmm,” Malcolm moaned as the finger slipped inside.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Still the One Contest Begins - Excerpt Saturday
Saturday's Excerpt will be from Still the One. It is a sequel to The Best Gift, but probably can be read as a stand-alone.
Here is the blurb:
Best friends, Malcolm and Dusty, have been together as a happy couple for five years. But now Malcolm’s budding career as a stage actor has taken an exciting turn sending him across the country to Broadway just as Dustin’s dream of being named Head Chef at the restaurant where he works is coming true.
As the distance tests their relationship, can their love and friendship survive? Can Malcolm find a way to prove to Dusty he’s still the one?
The contest officially begins. If you want to win a copy of April 11, 2010 release of Still the One, please leave a comment. Contest lasts one week.
Here is the blurb:
Best friends, Malcolm and Dusty, have been together as a happy couple for five years. But now Malcolm’s budding career as a stage actor has taken an exciting turn sending him across the country to Broadway just as Dustin’s dream of being named Head Chef at the restaurant where he works is coming true.
As the distance tests their relationship, can their love and friendship survive? Can Malcolm find a way to prove to Dusty he’s still the one?
The contest officially begins. If you want to win a copy of April 11, 2010 release of Still the One, please leave a comment. Contest lasts one week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)