Pretty Pictures

I'm in an Adam mood today. Enjoy

Wednesday Musings

The First Dandelion.

Simple and fresh and fair from winter's close
emerging,
As if no artifice of fashion, business, politics,
had ever been,
Forth from its sunny nook of shelter'd grass—
innocent, golden, calm as the dawn,
The spring's first dandelion shows its trustful
face.

WALT WHITMAN.

Story Behind the Story - The Other Side

The Other Side Story Behind the Story

I'll post my poem for Wednesday's Musing in the morning.

Sometimes All the Wishes in the World Don't Make it Happen

I'm missing someone terribly. That's right, it's Shayne. It's been a while since I've heard from him. I have no idea if he is okay or what is happening with him. I used to hear from him practically every day, even just a little note to make me smile, but that doesn't happen anymore. I think maybe I lost him. It feels that way and I'm broken-hearted.

So, sorry if I am a little bit of a downer. You know that old saying about losing your best friend? It hurts. I hope things get better no matter what happens. And I, of course, wish nothing but the best for Shayne. Always.

On a hopefully more positive note, I made progress on Twice in a Lifetime yesterday, so writing is going well. I'm looking forward to the long weekend quite a bit though. Anyone have any big plans?

UPDATE - Shayne is okay. He hasn't dropped off the face of the earth, thankfully. So, I'll stop whining I promise.

The Monday Updates

Made it back and had a great time.

But now I need to get serious. I had given myself a deadline to finish Twice in a Lifetime of the end of June but there is no way for it to be finished by Wednesday. So, I am changing my deadline to have it finished by July 15th. Ah, well, it's my own deadline.

This will be a busy week at work and at writing as we come up upon the Independence Day holiday this coming weekend in the Unites States.

(yes, that is cutie Ashtyn)

Sunday Eye Candy

Having a Lovely Time

Not getting any writing done though.

Yes, I'm Vacationing Again (writing too)

I've been working forever on the chapter I'm on for a while. It's the first sex scene between Rex and Jude. I want it to be hot and good. Needless to say my self-imposed deadline isn't going to be made. Grrrr.

I'm off for the next few days. I am bringing my precious laptop this time.

The first day I will be in Solvang. Here are some pictures.





After that, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I will be in Morro Bay. This is the view from our hotel last time.


So I'll be around (I think)

Wednesday Musings

Oh! Think Not My Spirits Are Always As Light by Thomas Moore

Oh! think not my spirits are always as light,
And as free from a pang as they seem to you now,
Nor expect that the heart-beaming smile of to-night
Will return with to-morrow to brighten my brow.
No: -- life is a waste of wearisome hours,
Which seldom the rose of enjoyment adorns;
And the heart that is soonest awake to the flowers,
Is always the first to be touch'd by the thorns.
But send round the bowl, and be happy awhile --
May we never meet worse, in our pilgrimage here,
Than the tear that enjoyment may gild with a smile,
And the smile that compassion can turn to a tear.


The thread of our life would be dark, Heaven knows
If it were not with friendship and love intertwined;
And I care not how soon I may sink to repose,
When these blessings shall cease to be dear to my mind.
But they who have loved the fondest, the purest,
Too often have wept o'er the dream they believed;
And the heart that has slumber'd in friendship securest
Is happy indeed if 'twas never deceived.
But send round the bowl; while a relic of truth
Is in man or in woman, this prayer shall be mine, --
That the sunshine of love may illumine our youth,
And the moonlight of friendship console our decline.

Series Plans

The planner/plotter in Ava March must be influencing me for I already have the third in the Sutter's Bay series planned.

Galaxy's Heart (Book # 3 in the Sutter's Bay Series) (title is tentative until Shawn thinks of a better one).

Ten years ago, Galaxy Winthrop had a one-night stand with the hottest guy ever. Besides the hot guy, there was one other thing Galaxy remembered from that long ago night, the man's mention of the Northern California town, Sutter's Bay, where he once lived. Years later, Galaxy has made it his mission to save his troubled little brother, Leo. The once bright, bubbly kid has become sullen, quiet and despondent. Sutter's Bay seems the perfect location to start a new life for him and Leo.

Adam Colfer came back to Sutter's Bay to run his dad's diner after his passing. He'd thought he'd left it behind when he moved to San Francisco, but it seemed Sutter's Bay had other plans. The last person he expects to see in his little quiet burb is Galaxy. After an explosive night of sex with a twenty year old Galaxy a decade earlier, Adam woke to an empty bed. But now Galaxy is in Sutter's Bay, a troubled brother in tow, and Adam can't help but wonder if this is his second chance to win Galaxy's heart.

There may be a fourth story involving Rex's brother, Stevie, and the infamous psychiatrist mentioned in the stories, Dr. Carew.

If that is the case, there will be five stories, because Leo will eventually get a story as well. I'm thinking of pairing either Stevie and the psychiatrist or Leo and the psychiatrist or even Leo and Stevie. I haven't planned that far ahead yet, though if I was Ava, I probably would have and written like 5 pages of planning as well, lol.

Anyhow, you will meet Adam, Galaxy, Leo and even a bit of Stevie in Twice in a Lifetime. If I ever get it finished, of course.

Monday Monday

This promises to be a short week at the evil day job as I am off Thursday and Friday. Looking forward to it greatly.

I'm making some changes again to the blog. Sunday will remain for eye candy but I think I'll be dropping excerpt day. I'll leave it up to whim if I post anything on Saturdays. Wednesday Musings will be a day I will be posting poetry or quotes that move me at that particular time.

Mondays and Thursdays will be for updating my progress on current works in progress.

Other days...whatever I feel like if anything.

Update on the Ashtyn Long interview. He's pretty much disappeared so I am guessing there will never be an interview posted. I am disappointed since he was the one who approached me, but since I can't force him to answer questions, well...Sorry. I'm rather embarrassed by the whole thing at this point.

Anyhow, I didn't get as much done on Twice in a Lifetime this weekend as I hoped. I goofed off A LOT. Bad Shawn.

Eye Candy Sunday

His One And Only - New Release

Now Available at Amber Quill Press.

Winner of His One and Only

There were 16 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Lily
Leni
Jen
Tracy Francis
Devon
Elaine
Ivan
Andi
Sweet Vernal
Eyre
TT Kove
Anna
Janna
Dorothy
LV
Sandy Jay

Congratulations Lily. Email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com. When the book releases this weekend, I'll get it to you.

If you did not win here, there is still a contest running over at Stumbling Over Chaos.

Sometimes It Just Doesn't Go the Way You Want

Okay, so Twice in a Lifetime isn't going as fast as I wanted it to. There's no problem. I'm not stalled or anything, I just think it's going to end up being a wee bit longer than I originally thought. I think it means I'll be going into July before it is finished. I will be working on it extensively over the weekend (I think), but I'll be away again next week/weekend, though this time the laptop will be with me. And my calendar tells me July is coming at breakneck speed.

This will mean a slight delay in getting to The Same Side, but those interested never fear, I am getting to it next.

Um, though I admit I did start a new story. Just started it. Honestly. I am not going to bump anything else in place of it.

The Only Forever series concludes at last this weekend.

Last Day to Enter

Today is the final day to enter the contest to win, His One and Only.

Here is who I have. Don't see your name? Then I don't have you.

Lily
TT Kove
Sweet Vernal
Ivan
Tracy Francis
Sandy Jay
LV
Leni
Devon
Eyre
Andi
Dorothy
Elaine
Anna
Janna
Jen

His One And Only Contest

Contest is open, Winner announced Saturday, June 19, 2010. Leave a comment to enter.



The moment former art teacher Drew Richards spots gorgeous African-American lawyer Mark Stevens at a party, he is intrigued. Though rebuffed at first, a persistent Drew convinces Mark they can be friends at least.

After the death of his partner, Mark buried himself in work, a habit he can’t seem to break...until he meets Drew. The short, dark-haired Drew is not Mark’s usual sort, but he finds the man way too appealing, and before he knows it, he and Drew become more than friends.

Since Mark’s been out of the dating scene for a long while, he can’t help but make a few missteps in their growing relationship. But Drew is looking for a serious commitment. Can he become Mark’s one and only?

Sunday Eye Candy

Today's Post....

is here....Story Behind the Story of Most Likely to Succeed

His One And Only by Shawn Lane, Excerpt

I'm doing a blog post tomorrow over at Ava's on the story of Most Likely to Succeed, so today I'm going to post an excerpt of the very soon to be released His One and Only.


“Hey, Mark, can you take this call later this afternoon?” Travis Anderson asked, after knocking briefly on Mark’s closed office door the following Wednesday and just opening the door without waiting for an answer.

Mark looked up from his pleadings at the tall blond man. Along with Travis, Mark and Nathan had formed their law firm, Anderson, Llewellyn and Stevens, a few years after they had finished law school. All three men had become friends after meeting in law school and forming a bond over being gay.

There seemed to be an epidemic of romance at the firm lately as both Travis and Nathan had hooked up with guys from the office. An epidemic, frankly, Mark intended to avoid. Fortunately, as far as he could tell, his partners had already discovered the only eligible hot gay bachelors at the firm.

He shook his head. “Sorry, can’t. Ask Nathan or maybe one of the associates.”

Travis’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

He smiled patiently. “I won’t be in the office this afternoon so I can’t take your call.”

“Oh. You have a trial or a hearing?”

“No.”

“Client meeting?”

“No.” He wouldn’t have believed it, but he was actually enjoying the dumbfounded expression on Travis’s face. They all knew him too well.

“Then—”

“I’m going to be in Newport Beach.”

Travis frowned and sat in the chair directly in front of Mark’s desk. “What’s in Newport Beach? Potential new client?”

“Definitely not. I don’t think Drew could afford us.”

“Drew? Who the hell is Drew?”

Mark grinned. “He is the reason I’ll be in Newport Beach. I’m having coffee with him.”

“Coffee? What for?”

“You’re a brilliant lawyer, counselor, you figure it out.”

Travis continued to frown, but then his eyes widened a little. “Are you saying, like a date?”

“Yes, like a date. Furthermore, this is the second time.”

“Really?”

“Is that so surprising?” Mark scowled. “That someone would want to see me?”

Travis put up his hands. “No, no. I’m not surprised someone would want to see you; I’m just surprised you’d want to see them. Mark, you don’t date. And in the middle of a work day, no less?”

He nodded. “I think Drew is trying to keep it casual. At first anyway.”

“Well, so tell me about this guy.”

Mark glanced at his watch. Saved. “Can’t, if I’m going to make it in time, I have to go now. Besides, it’s a bit premature. If things progress anywhere, and I’m not sure they will, I’ll consider telling you about him.” He stood and grabbed his suit coat off the coat rack in his office.

“Will you be back later?”

“Probably. He only gets a half hour for lunch.”

Mark left Travis in his office staring after him.

Much Ado

I'm not sure what I have to say today.

His One and Only comes out in just over a week. I'm starting the contest to win a copy on Monday. I've also volunteered a copy for Stumbling Over Chaos which I'll let you know the details for that if you don't win the one from my site.

It's hard to believe, but also a little bit of a relief, really, but this is the last book of the Only Forever series. The paperback collection should be out in July and yes, I'll be offering a contest for a copy of the paperback collection if anyone is interested.

My angsty Pieces is out in July and then I think I'll probably go a month (August) at least without a release. I'm still waiting on a release date for The Beach House but I know it won't be August.

Twice in a Lifetime isn't going as fast as I would like but I've always wanted a fall release for it anyway. This is part of a new series. I had promised/hinted last year after Sweet Reunion that I would consider turning the town of Sutter's Bay into fodder for several books. Twice in a Lifetime is number two, and I introduce the guys for number three in Twice in a Lifetime, Adam and Galaxy (you read that right). There should be at least a fourth in this series as well. This series won't be as light as the Only Forever series though.

Wednesday Musings

I'm going with Yeats today.

WHEN YOU ARE OLD
by: William Butler Yeats

WHEN you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;


How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;


And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

Tuesday's Ramblings

It took me a while to decide what to post today. I almost skipped it but I have been trying to make the blog pretty active. Nothing annoys me more than a blog someone posts on once every month or so (Shayne).

I'm working on Twice in a Lifetime. I finished a chapter yesterday and thought of several scenes in my head (no I don't write them down to remember them, if I forget, such is life, just the way I am). It's not going quite as fast as I would like. It took me a while to finish chapter 4. Funny some of the scenes I thought of made me tear up but I wonder how they will look once I get them on the pages.

I've also been thinking of what comes beyond the summer when I have finished both this and The Same Side. I'd thought of working on a historical but I'm not really feeling historically inclined these days. So I think I might be turning back to my cop story with Tyler and Eric in the fall. I had originally titled it Never the One but I don't think that goes as well for this story as it could for Maurice and Lance who were minor characters from Still the One (see previous post with my sample pictures of the guys). And for that matter I could work on their book as well to finish out the year.

Much to my chagrin, I thought of the beginnings of a new story yesterday. Not really sure where it would go but I think the beginning idea has potential and so I have filed it away in my mind for 2011 stories along with my Elvis impersonator Vegas story as well as more books in the Sutter Bay series (Sweet Reunion is number one, Twice in a Lifetime is number two, there will probably be a three and four). Also up for 2011 will FINALLY be Tempted to Taste, Devon's (The Other Side) story with his hot, little blond chef, Ryan. Wooo, I'm exhausted already, lol.

Once Again

I have returned from Morro Bay. Had a great time, but um, well, we forgot to put on sunscreen and for several hours we walked around a very sunny Morro Bay. We got burned to a crisp. If you could see me you would see I am NEON RED. LOL

Oh, well, you'd think at my age I would learn. Nope.

Morro Bay was gorgeous. We had perfect weather and a fantastic dinner at our favorite restaurant, Dorn's. Unfortunately, we couldn't help wishing we had another night there. I think I'll be going back there very soon.

I took lots of pictures so closer to the release of The Beach House I'll post them.

Back to work on Twice in a Lifetime.

I Just Thought He Was Cute

Thursday Updates

I'll be gone Saturday and Sunday to Morro Bay and I'm not bringing my laptop. It's really shocking because I just got my beautiful ice blue baby this week and have hardly had a chance to pet it, plus Morro Bay motels have free internet. I can't tell you the number of places I've been where that is NOT the case.

Still it's only a couple of days and I made the decision I needed a mini-break from it. I'm rather obsessed with my computer. Plus it's a good rehearsal for later in the month when I am going to Denver for a couple of days for work and won't have internet access as I'll be stuck in meetings the entire time. Even the dinner is mandatory.

I'll be taking some pictures while in Morro Bay to post for later. As I think I've said, I set The Beach House in Morro Bay so I thought it would be fun to post pictures from where John and Mason hang out.

Anyway, so there won't be any posts on the blog either Saturday or Sunday this week and unless I can think of something mind-blowing for Friday I probably won't do much of a post Friday either. I'm getting a bit lazy I guess.

Twice in a Lifetime is coming along. I've only been able to write at lunch this week on it but since I have no real deadline except for the one in my head, I'm okay with that. Jude's first love was murdered so there's a bit more angst there. It's going to take some effort on Rex's part to convince Jude to give them a chance. Oh, Jude will be willing to have sex at some point (though I'm all the way through three chapters and no sex in sight, lol), but he'll be harder to convince to become involved in a more permanent arrangement. It's hard to believe that Sweet Reunion, where we first met Jude, briefly, was almost a year ago already. Time flies.

Hell, once I safely send Jude and Rex off into the sunset of happiness, I'll be working on The Other Side 2, AKA, The Same Side. By the time I have it finished and a release date it will be nearly two years. I plan on putting Nick and Ray through the ringer, too. And yes, be warned right now, spoiler alert, I am breaking them up. You'll just have to read it to see what happens.

That will take me into late summer and the next project. After that...who knows.

I ended up rambling a bit there, I know.

Wednesday Musings

I SAW IN LOUISIANA A LIVE-OAK GROWING

by: Walt Whitman

I saw in Louisiana a live-oak growing,

All alone stood it, and the moss hung down from the branches;

Without any companion it grew there, uttering joyous leaves of dark green,

And its look, rude, unbending, lusty, made me think of myself;

But I wonder'd how it could utter joyous leaves, standing alone there, without its friend, its lover near--for I knew I could not;

And broke off a twig with a certain number of leaves upon it, and twined around it a little moss,

And brought it away--and I have placed it in sight in my room;

It is not needed to remind me as of my own dear friends,
(For I believe lately I think of little else than them:)

Yet it remains to me a curious token--it makes me think of manly love;

For all that, and though the live-oak glistens there in Louisiana, solitary, in a wide flat space,

Uttering joyous leaves all its life, without a friend, a lover, near,
I know very well I could not.

Amber Quill May Best Sellers

What's Hot?
May 2010
Best Sellers!

1. Be The Air For You
- T. A. Chase
(Gay / Contemporary)

2. Only His Heart
- Shawn Lane
(Gay / Contemporary)

3. Master Bear
- Angelia Sparrow
& Naomi Brooks
(Gay / Contemporary)

4. Skipping Stones
- D. J. Manly
(Gay / Contemporary)

5. The Back Stairs
- KC Kendricks
(Gay / Shapeshifter)

6. Hot And Sticky
- Keta Diablo
(Gay / Contemporary)

7. You And Me And The Moon
- Pepper Espinoza
(Gay / Contemporary)

8. Allegro Vivace
- Cat Grant
(Gay / Contemporary)

9. Love Is Snowblind
- Deirdre O'Dare
(Gay / Contemporary)

10. (Boys Of The Zodiac)
Taurus: All That You Do
- Jamie Craig
(Gay / Contemporary)

I really have to thank all of you for making this series so successful. For Only His Heart to make number 2 when it came out the fourth weekend of May is awesome. Thank you.