Shawn Lane Writes Romance

What's New

2012-02-06T16:54:00.001-05:00

So what have I been up to as you can see over there in the side bar I have only one “coming soon’ listed.

I’ve been writing. I am about half done or so with a new story unrelated to anything I’ve written so far. It’s still M/M. Once it is finished, it will be out there in publishing land to find it’s home. I’ve really liked writing this story and this character. And I hope once he is out there available you all will enjoy reading him.

Because my concentration has been on that story for more than a month, I don’t have anything else ready to go. I think I did mention that I will likely have less releases this year and that’s definitely how it’s playing out so far.

I do intend to tackle Sutter’s Bay 4 once I am done with the story I am writing and it’s been sent out. I’ll write that one straight through before beginning something else as well. Don’t have any idea how long it will take me to write it, but I would guess it won’t be out until late spring early summer.

I have a deadline book due September 01 and that sounds pretty far away right now, but once Sutter’s Bay 4 is finished, that will be the book I turn to because I don’t want to be rushing to finish it when August rolls around.

But as you can see I am not rushing out stories at the moment. My household will feel the pinch believe me, but at this point where I am, this is what I need to do writing-wise. I also already know what I will work on after the fairytale story due September 01. It’s quite possible I will only manage to write 4 stories this year. Shocking coming from me who once had like 13 releases in one year.

It also explains why I do way less posting on here than I once did. How many times can you say, oh, still writing this. I have seen what's going on in the blogsphere and romance writing world including the RWA stuff, but I have been mostly quiet on websites and the like lately. I rarely go onto goodreads and other sites I used to frequent.

There you have 2012 so far for me.

Eternally His Contest Winner

2012-02-03T23:39:00.000-05:00

The randomizer has chosen and the winner is Panda.

Panda, please email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com with format choice and I will send you your copy when I have my author copies.

Thanks everyone

Final Days

2012-02-02T10:56:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the last day to enter the contest to wine a copy of Eternally His.

Eternally His Contest

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

In the Dark Ages, Morton was taken from his lover, the warrior, Graham, and changed by the evil immortal, Seymour. When Graham is gravely wounded in battle, Morton changes his lover and the two immortals flee. But Seymour isn’t about to let the beautiful Morton go that easily.

After centuries of playing a cat and mouse game, Morton and his protector Graham are finally free from Seymour at last. They build a life together with Morton becoming the popular rock performer, Xavier. When rumors swirl that Seymour has been revived, Graham knows he must get his beloved away before Seymour appears seeking to keep Morton as his once more.

Contest is open now until February 03, 2012. Leave a comment to be entered. Book comes out February 05, 2012.

* fyi, this is not a historical in case you are wondering.

Amber Allure December Best Sellers List

2012-01-08T11:02:00.002-05:00

AMBER ALLURE / December 2011

1. Pushing The Envelope 4: Orders Enclosed - Kim Dare (Gay / Contemp. / BDSM)
2. At His Throat, A Promise - Lilith Grey (Gay / BDSM / Ménage)
3. Angel Voices - Rowan Speedwell (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Wysh, Book I: The Wysh - L. Shannon (Gay / Dark Fantasy)
5. Safe Harbor - Derek Adams (Gay / Contemporary)
6. Left Of The Dial - Heidi Champa (Gay / Contemporary)
7. More Than Enough - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
8. A Long Way Home - G. R. Richards (Gay / Contemporary)
9. Christmas In Flip Flops - A. J. Llewellyn (Gay / Contemporary)
10. Office Hours - Sean Michael (Gay / Contemporary)

managed to make it in there two months in a row with the same story. Pretty cool.

Officially Back

2012-01-05T00:00:00.004-05:00

Okay, so I'm officially off my self-imposed holiday. For the most part I did goof off and get some reading and game playing done. I did, as the month got closer to an end, start a new writing project but I didn't push myself on it.

Eternally His should be released the beginning of February. I'm currently waiting patiently for the cover which I suspect will arrive in my in-box at any point. This is my first vampire story (a vampire-rock star-warrior story, actually) but may not be my last depending on how well it actually does. I think it's a good story anyway.

Finally His is due to be released the beginning of March. This story was written by request and I'll get into that more as it gets closer to release. Don't have a cover for that one yet either but I suspect that will be a while yet.

I'm working on a story that is a bit of a departure for me and I don't really want to say too much about it right now. It's going extremly well and I don't want to rock the boat. Once it is completed and off to find it's official home, I'll speak more openly about it. Not to worry it's M/M.

But I am also concentrating soley on this story through it's completion. The plan is to tackle Leo's story (Sutter's Bay 4) once this new story is out of the way.

Hope everyone had a great holiday.

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!

I hope it is safe and prosperous for us all

My Last 2011 Post

2011-12-08T10:20:00.000-05:00

For all intents and purposes I have finished Finally His (finally). It took me a bit longer than I had hoped, but it's finished (except for a few little tweaks) and will shortly be off to Amber Quill for scheduling (which will be updated on the sidebar when I know anything). And so ends my writing for 2011

I seem to always write an end of the year post. Something to remind me and readers of where I’ve come from, how far I’ve gotten. This one is a bit early but the reason will become clear by the end of this post.

I was counting stories I’ve published since I was first offered a contract (The Squire) back in the very beginning of 2008 (wow, seems like a long time ago now), and at this point I’m up to about forty-two or so (not counting paperback collections or free stories). It’s not completely surprising since back in my early published days I could write a lot faster. I’ve slowed way down since then. I think I ended this year with 11 releases. I know that sounds like a lot, I guess it is, lol. But it’s down from 2009 which I think was my most prolific year with 13 (I was using multiple publishers than).

I don’t really know what it means for 2012. I already have two novellas written for the “his” series, Eternally His and Finally His, which are scheduled. I’m going to be working on the fourth Sutter’s Bay book but those always take me a bit longer to write because they are a bit more angsty, and I am going to tackle my restaurant owner story, Tempted to Taste (inspired by the guy who owns my own favorite restaurant in Morro Bay). I’m hoping to shop that one around to other publishers. I adore Amber Quill, but I feel the need to spread the love a bit. Maybe.

And of course I will probably write a few more “his” stories. I still have my cop partner story to write. I’ve written some on it but it always stalls in my mind and I end up putting it aside. I am hoping 2012 will be the year for it. And I’ve still got my fairytale romance I’m working on (and working on), Waking the Prince. I’ve got several chapters done.

That’s my plans for 2012 at this point. I’m trying not to get too crazy with the releases, because it’s starting to stress me out a bit. If I can get 6 or 7 releases for 2012 I’ll be happy. I could even be happy with fewer than 10 at this point.

Anyhow, it’s been a good year for me and I thank those of you who are reading my books for your continued support. I hope I can continue to entertain you in 2012.

I’m going to take the rest of December off from blogging, so I will wish you Happy Holidays now. My next release is February 05, 2012, but I will catch you in January.

Amber Quill November Best Sellers

2011-12-04T11:21:00.000-05:00

AMBER ALLURE / November 2011

1. Office Hours - Sean Michael (Gay / Contemporary)

2. Pushing The Envelope 3: Written Request - Kim Dare (Gay / Contemp. / BDSM)

3. Duty Bound - Lynn Lorenz (Gay / Futuristic)

4. More Than Enough - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)

5. Loving Someone Extraordinary - K. M. Mahoney (Gay / Superheroes)

6. Dating The Delaneys - Anne Brooke (Gay / Contemporary)

7. More Than Anything - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)

8. My Big Fat SX-File Wedding - Mimi Riser (Gay / Dark Fantasy / Werewolf)

9. The Right Wrong Turn - Heidi Champa (Gay / Contemporary)

10. All Or Nothing At All - Carolina Valdez (Gay / Futuristic)

Both "More" stories got in there this month, so that's pretty cool.

In Other News

2011-11-26T11:06:00.001-05:00

More Than Enough has been released this weekend. I hope you will enjoy it when you read it. It's my last official release for 2011. I have also released a free Christmas story on All Romance eBooks, Last Christmas. I posted the story on my blog last year but I have added a bit to it and those that didn't read it or want it in pdf might want to pick it up.

I finished my vampire story, Eternally His, and it's off to Amber Allure to be scheduled. When I get a release date I will update the blog. I'm still working on Finally His but hope to get that one done soon as well. That's one someone suggested the plot for and I went with it.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving And Progress

2011-11-22T00:05:00.000-05:00

I'm still working on finishing up Eternally His and Finally His. It's going fine but I am not sure I will have them both done by Thanksgiving. I'm still trying by the end of Thanksgiving weekend though. End of November at the latest. I know I can manage that. I'll still give myself December off writing wise.

There's still time to enter the contest for More Than Enough.

Since this will be my last post until after Thanksgiving, I wish everyone in the United States who celebrates it a great Thanksgiving.

More Than Enough Contest

2011-11-18T16:17:00.001-05:00

I didn't realize the contest for More Than Enough had gone live on Stumbling Over Chaos. My Bad! Sorry, so if you want the chance to win it, go there!

BTW, that is not the "official" blurb, so it might change slightly.

Plans

2011-11-15T16:02:00.000-05:00

I should probably post something but, well, I just don't have much to say. I'm just working. I'm trying to get two books done by Thanksgiving (I have all of Thanksgiving week off from the EDJ), because I am trying, really, honest, I am, to take the rest of the year off from writing. Can I refrain from writing for the entire month of December? I sure want to. I'd love to catch up on some reading, including the many holiday stories releasing. And having these books finished and ready for my first two 2012 releases would be extremly helfpul.

Once January comes and I have returned to writing, I will probably work on Sutter's Bay 4, Leo's story. That's my plan anyway. But first I have to finish Eternally His and Finally His.

A Few Updates

2011-11-07T00:15:00.002-05:00

I chose this picture because in one of my current WIPs one of the cuties wears scarves. He doesn't quite look like Jay in Finally His, but he'll do for the blog purposes.

Just an update to say I am working on both Eternally His and Finally His and I hope to have them done this month. We'll see.

More Than Enough comes out at the end of this month and there will be another giveaway hosted by Stumbling Over Chaos.

In addition, I will have a free Christmas story available at All Romance Ebooks also at the end of the month.

That's it for now.

October Best Seller List

2011-11-03T17:38:00.001-04:00

I have to say I am particularly proud of More Than Anything getting in there at 8 since it was released October 30th. Not too shabby!!

1. Love's Baggage

- T. A. Chase

(Gay / Dark Fantasy / Werewolf)

2. Tame

- A. J. Llewellyn

(Gay / Dark Fantasy / Werewolf)

3. Moon-Touched

- Vivien Dean

(Gay / Dark Fantasy / Werewolf)

4. Conway

- D. J. Manly

(Gay / Dark Fantasy / Werewolf)

5. Nathan's Angel

- Melissa Bradley

(Gay / Dark Fantasy / Werewolf)

6. Pushing The Envelope 2: RSVP

- Kim Dare

(Gay / Contemp. / BDSM)

7. Devotedly His

- Shawn Lane

(Gay / Contemporary)

8. More Than Anything

- Shawn Lane

(Gay / Contemporary)

9. The Institute, Book I: Healer

- Cassandra Gold

(Gay / Paranormal)

10. Blood On The Mountain

- India Harper

(Gay / Contemp. / Suspense)

More Than Anything is now available

2011-10-30T09:00:00.004-04:00

More Than Anything has now been released : More Than Anything

College freshman, Shayne Ralston, never expected to meet the man of his dreams on his first day of school, but star quarterback, Desmond Stratton, is a force to be reckoned with. Soon he slips past Shayne’s reluctance and romances the shy history major.

Des has a decision to make about his future. His family has been pushing him toward a professional football career for years, but Des also has dreams of being a doctor. As his feelings for Shayne grow, Des's decision becomes more important than ever. Shayne is openly gay, and Des needs to remain in the closet if he wants a football career. Staying in the closet, however, could lose him the man with whom he's fallen in love...

Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Sports / Athletes / Series
Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (23k words)

USA Today Review and Interview, Part 2

2011-10-24T20:12:00.000-04:00

I am happy to report that the interview is now live at Happy Ever After, the romance blog at USA Today.

Shawn Lane Interview

Check it out!

USA Today Review and Interview

2011-10-23T21:56:00.000-04:00

I was thrilled when a few weeks ago, I was contacted by Joyce Lamb at USA Today about an interview and review for a new romance blog they were creating.

The review is up for Devotedly His at USA Today's new romance blog. As you will see, the reviewer liked it. Devotedly His Review

The interview should show up soon, but I'll post when it does.

More Than Anything Contest

2011-10-20T10:04:00.001-04:00

The contest for More Than Anything is live over at Stumbling Over Chaos, so here's the link: More Than Anything Contest.

So go check it out for a chance to win!

Just a Few Writing Updates

2011-10-14T15:40:00.001-04:00

I've been writing away on a couple of stories planned for 2012.

I'm roughly half done with Eternally His and have a good start on Finally His (an idea/plot requested of me). If all goes well, I should have them finished and off to Amber Quill by the end of the year for scheduling.

Then, I will be either working on Tempted to Taste (possibly for submission to a new publisher) or Leo's story, the fourth Sutter's Bay story. I don't expect to get to those until early next year, though.

My interview/review for USA Today's new romance blog should be appearing any day so I will post the link when it does. I know I'm on the schedule.

2011-10-09T00:11:00.000-04:00

I'm back from my Las Vegas adventure and seeing Elton John. Great show!

As I stated before, I was interviewed for a new feature that USA Today is featuring online as well as Devotedly His has been reviewed by them.

Here is the new romance blog for USA Today: Happy Ever After- USA Today

My interview and the review should be up some time this week (I've been told) so I will link to it when it appears.

I'll be continuing my two wips now and later this month More Than Anything will be released and there will be a contest for it on Stumbling Over Chaos.

Updates - See You Soon

2011-10-04T00:03:00.001-04:00

I'm off to Las Vegas Wednesday to see Elton John's Million Dollar Piano Show at Ceasar's Palace. Won't be back until Saturday night. I'm pretty excited as I've never see Elton John before.

I'm working on a couple of projects, Etermally His, and something else I'm not very far on so I won't talk about it yet.

Later this month, at the end of the month, More Than Anything, my Hot College Daze story will be released (there will be a related story, More Than Enough released in late November). There will be a giveaway for More Than Anything hosted by Chris and her Stumbling Over Chaos site. I'll let you know as that time gets closer. So that's about it for me. Here's a pretty picture until I am back to report more.

Devotedly His - New Release

2011-10-02T11:25:00.000-04:00

For years, Spencer Lyons has been a devoted best friend to Max Ramirez, helping him through break up after break up. And also for years, Spencer has never let Max know his true feelings—he’s been in love with his best friend.

It doesn’t occur to Max that club-hopping Spencer has deeper feelings for him. Yet when he finally learns of Spencer’s love, Max begins to wonder...should he admit to the love he also feels toward Spencer and risk losing his friend if the relationship ends in yet another break up? And whether or not he voices his feelings, will Spencer always be devotedly his?

Genres: Gay / Contemporary / The Arts / Interracial / Multicultural / Series

Heat Level: 3

Length: Extended Amber Kiss (12k words)

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DevotedlyHis.html

Devotedly His Winner

2011-09-30T19:29:00.000-04:00

I've used List Randomizer and it has chosen:

SueM

Congrats, Sue. Please email me to let me know your preferred format and I'll send it to you when the book releases.

Devotedly His Contest

2011-09-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

It doesn’t occur to Max that club-hopping Spencer has deeper feelings for him. Yet when he finally learns of Spencer’s love, Max begins to wonder...should he admit to the love he also feels toward Spencer and risk losing his friend if the relationship ends in yet another break up? And whether or not he voices his feelings, will Spencer always be devotedly his?

Still time to enter to win Devotedly His, which releases October 02, 2011. Only two more releases for me in 2011 after this story is released. Contest ends September 30, 2011

The End of Summer, Update, and Contest

2011-09-20T12:00:00.004-04:00

I know in many parts of the country it's no longer summer hot, but here in Los Angeles we are still experiencing heat, hopefully not for too much longer.

My plan is to have Eternally His done by the end of November. I'm not rushing myself so yeah all the way until the end of November at least. If it's done before then, splendid.

And speaking of "His", on October 02, my last "His" book for 2011 will be released (the last two releases for me are the More novellas). If you'd like to win a free copy of Devotedly His, comment here. Contest starts now and runs until September 30. This one's a little longer than the last one (though not as long as the two More novellas).

Interesting News and More on Eternally His

2011-09-15T00:31:00.001-04:00

Recently I was contacted by someone from USA Today asking if I'd be interested in having them review an Advanced Reader Copy of Devotedly His and also being interviewed. Apparently they are working on something new there though I don't have all the details yet.

So off the ARC went for the review and now I wait for the interview questions. I'll advise if/as I get more details. Pretty cool, I thought.

I've managed to get 4,000 words done on Eternally His so that's a step in the right direction. I'm combining two ideas with this story. My friend, Shayne, had asked me to write a rock star story (with a sort of Adam Lambert type) so that's one of my vampire heroes. This story is not a warm fuzzy story though or it won't be. Fair warning for the future when it's released sometime in 2012.

What's Up

2011-09-10T00:01:00.001-04:00

I'm working on my first vampire story, Eternally His, and it's going slowly. Fine, but slow. I guess I'm in a little bit of a writing funk, honestly. But if he doesn't inspire me what does?

Candy and Plans

2011-09-04T15:28:00.001-04:00

Can't Be His was released yesterday. This is my last really short story, an Amber Kiss, (other than a free Christmas story coming on ARe later). Devotedly His is considered an "Extended Amber Kiss" and the two More Than books are novellas.

I'm currently sort of working on Eternally His, the next His story which is also a vampire story. I'm not really working hard on it though. Once that is done I will probably be working full steam on Leo's story as the 4th Sutter's Bay story(no title yet) and may work on Tempted to Taste, which might or might not be Sutter's Bay 5 or could be a standalone unrelated to anything else story.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend and here is some candy to get you through the rest of it.

Can't Be His Winner

2011-09-03T12:12:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, eight people entered to win my short story, Can't Be His, the next in the His series, coming out this weekend and the randomizer chose:

Sharon S.

Congratulations Sharon. I'll send you your story this weekend.

And thanks to everyone for entering.

August Best Sellers List Amber Quill

2011-09-01T18:19:00.000-04:00

August 2011

1. Why I Love Waiters

- T. A. Chase

(Gay / Contemporary)

2. Ashton And Justice

- Stephani Hecht

(Gay / Contemporary)

3. On The List

- L. A. Witt

(Gay / Contemporary)

4. Cowboy Obsession

- Sineth Killiri

(Gay / Contemporary)

5. Pushing The Envelope 1: For The Attention Of

- Kim Dare

(Gay / Contemp. / BDSM)

6. Hitting It Big

- Shawn Lane

(Gay / Contemporary)

7. The Truth About Al

- M. L. Rhodes

(Gay / Contemporary)

8. Kaleidoscope

- A. J. Llewellyn

(Gay / Contemporary)

9. Kissing Sherlock Holmes

- T. D. McKinney & Terry Wylis

(Gay / Historical)

10. In His Arms

- Brita Addams

(Gay / Contemporary)

Not bad considering mine released in July.

My First Audio Story

2011-08-30T10:15:00.000-04:00

And maybe my only? Not sure.

Anyway, a couple of months ago I learned last year's Christmas story with Silver, The Naughty Ones, would be produced as an audio story. I didn't hear anything else for a while but found in my email box this morning a link to listen to it and approve the audio copy. It will be interesting to hear someone else read my words. I'm guessing this is fairly common for that particular publisher.

So, besides, that, there's still time to send me an email should you wish to win a free copy of my short story, next in the His series, Can't Be His.

Can't Be His Contest

2011-08-26T12:35:00.000-04:00

Okay, in about a week, Can't Be His will released. Fair warning, this is a short story so if that's not your thing, you may wish to skip this offering in the His series. You don't have to read it to read any others as it is a standalone. I wrote it by request from someone I worked with named Roach. Instead of having you comment if you'd like to win a free copy of the story, please email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com with the simple words "I'd like to enter". The winner will be chosen when the story is released Labor Day weeked. Thank you!

Exterminator Lonnie “Roach” Raines and ice skater Alexi Summerville have been friends and roommates for years, but they’ve never taken their relationship to the next level.

When Alexi’s coach wants him to train for the World Championship in another state, however, Roach is forced to examine his feelings before he loses Alexi, possibly for good...

Excerpt

...Roach crushed the slighter man to him, so tight he was almost afraid he was squashing him, but he didn’t loosen his grip. He closed his eyes and inhaled the scent that was Alexi. Roach’s dick hardened. The prospect of fucking Alexi’s tight ass made him light-headed. And then there was that thing Alexi had mentioned before.

He released Alexi just enough to be able to look at his beautiful face. “Do you really like to be spanked?”

Alexi grinned wickedly. “Oh, yeah. Come with me.”

He let Alexi lead him to Roach’s bedroom and they undressed each other quickly. They’d have long enough to linger over such things as undressing other times. Right now, he wanted Alexi beneath him naked and hot and begging for release.

Ah, fuck.

Falling onto the bed with Alexi, Roach framed the man’s face with his hands, lowering his lips to just inches from Alexi’s. Now that the moment was here he could hardly believe it.

“I’ve wanted to taste your lips for so long,” he whispered.

Alexi cupped his jaw. “What are you waiting for? Kiss me.”

He crushed his mouth to Alexi’s, the plump lips parting under the assault, a sigh escaping Alexi. God, they were better than he imagined. He tasted them, over and over, slanting his mouth over Alexi’s like a starving man. Their tongues twirled, danced, caressed, and, finally, unable to help himself, Roach sucked Alexi’s tongue into his mouth.

He wanted to spend hours…days…a lifetime like this. But his leaking prick brushed against Alexi’s thigh, and Alexi reached down and closed his hand over Roach’s straining shaft.

“Ah, damn, Lex,” he breathed, trapping Alexi’s lips for a possessive, demanding kiss.

His lust fogged brain struggled for thought. Lube, condoms. He needed those. He wanted to be buried in Alexi and fast. His palm itched to feel soft, round flesh jump at contact.

Focus, Roach...

Good News

2011-08-22T12:15:00.000-04:00

Both myself and Ava March, my fabulous critique partner, had productive weekends. She finished Thief, the first book of her trilogy from Carina Press next year, and I finished More Than Enough. We did a bit of squeeing about it, let me tell you.

Ava must turn her attention to her next book in the series soon, but this puts me in the most excellent position of no hard deadlines for the rest of the year. I can do as I please as far as writing and it feels great. I have projects in mind to work on, of course, but they are all open-ended.

Woo hoo!

That will bring More Than Enough as the final release for me in 2011. I have some forms to tackle before I send the story in to Amber Quill. I will have a freebie available on ARe in December as well, but that's actually already written as well.

2011-08-19T23:48:00.002-04:00

Back to Reality

2011-08-16T12:33:00.000-04:00

I spent the last few days in Morro Bay, re-charging. It was glorious. The first day remained overcast, but the rest of the time I was there it was beautiful and sunny and never hot. We didn't want to leave. Alas, reality always sets in.

While I was there I started thinking more and more of a story I want to write. There's a restaurant there that's been there for 70 years and has been in the same family for that time. It's one of my all-time favorite restaurants. The owner now is the son of the original owners and is young and good-looking. When I say young he's probably between 35 and 40. He's a little on the the skinny side, but still very nice and cute.

So, I'm thinking of him for a romance. I don't know whether he's gay or not in real life but he wll be in the story I write, obviously. I'm going to adapt a bit of a story idea and a title I had for a story that never got written from 2009 and use it for this story. The characters and setting from the old story will change to this story. Obviously I won't get it written until some time in 2012.

So, in that way, my re-charge definitely helped me quite a bit. I'm still working on More Than Enough but am still on target to finish it by the end of August. Then I'll take it easy for the rest of the year, though, I suspect I will be writing something. I just won't kill myself over it.

Just Another Day

2011-08-10T00:00:00.001-04:00

I'm working on More Than Enough, which is my second college story (not sure if it's part of the college daze series or not) and the companion piece to the already completed and scheduled, More Than Anything (coming October 30). It's going pretty well and I'd say I'm about half done with it. It's got to be done by the end of this month.

Lo and behold, my entries for a contest arrived this past weekend. I am a judge. I have to have five books read by September 07, 2011. Um, yeah. This might be comptelely reasonable save for the above paragraph mentioning the work in progress. Note to Shawn: do not volunteer to judge contests.

Also, I am going away for a few days a couple of times this month. Little summer trips. During which my laptop will be staying behind.

So yeah, no pressure or anything.

The good news is this is the last story I must have done this year. I will be working on adding a little bit to a free story I will be putting out on ARe in time for the holidays, but that should be fairly easy as the bulk of the story is written.

I'm fairly certain I know what I will be working on for the end of the year, but I am fickle and change my mind frequently so it could change. I won't mention it now for fear it will.

Some Pretty

2011-08-06T00:25:00.000-04:00

July Best Sellers for Amber Quill Press

2011-08-03T10:28:00.000-04:00

1. Clay's Challenge

- Cassandra Gold

(Gay / Contemporary)

2. Lucky

- K. M. Mahoney

(Gay / Shapeshifter)

3. The Truth About Al

- M. L. Rhodes

(Gay / Contemporary)

4. Under My Bed

- T. A. Chase

(Gay / Paranormal)

5. Trust Me

- B. G. Thomas

(Gay / Contemp. / Western)

6. Cemeteries

- Lynn Lorenz

(Gay / Paranormal)

7. Lost Between

- Shawn Lane

(Gay / Paranormal)

8. Hellish Twist In Tinseltown

- Lee Avalone

(Gay / Paranormal)

9. Echoes

- Rick R. Reed

(Gay / Paranormal)

10. For One Night Only

- Anne Brooke

(Gay / Contemp. / BDSM)

There I am at number 7. Considering I hoped to get out of writing that story altogether, I have nothing to complain about!

2011-08-01T23:59:00.002-04:00

Winner

2011-07-31T12:07:00.000-04:00

There were 9 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.toplsz

2.Angie

3.kaytee

4.Midia

5.Chris

6.Kitty

7.joder

8.diannakay

9.Melanie, mcsc2008

toplsz, please email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com with your format choice for Hitting it Big.

Hitting It Big Contest

2011-07-29T22:35:00.001-04:00

Six years ago, Billy Grant had a night he never forgot—losing his virginity to the jock of his dreams, Mitch Crestfield. But Billy fled afterward, not wanting to hear Mitch’s regrets.

Now, Mitch has hit it big, winning the lottery, and Billy finds himself invited to Mitch’s celebration. When Mitch suggests another night of passion, Billy can’t seem to resist. But Mitch has something more than one night in mind...

Totally spur of the moment, but if you see this, the contest runs from now until Sunday, July 31, 2011 @ 9:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time.

I'll choose one winner and post it after the deadline. Please note this is a SHORT story. Just want to be clear this isn't going to be something long at all. But I think or hope you will find it a fun, cute story.

Commet to enter. The two winners who won earlier this month do not need to enter again.

Book News

2011-07-26T20:52:00.000-04:00

So, I have finished, More Than Anything, and it's tentatively scheduled to release October 30, 2011 as part of the Hot College Daze series.

Anyhow, I don't know if I'll have this as my cover or an individual cover at this point but I will update as I know.

In addition, I am currently working on a book for two secondary characters from the book, Bart and Evan, who will get their own story, More Than Enough.

So, that is the latest. Busy busy Shawn.

Cookies or Candy, anyone?

2011-07-23T12:19:00.002-04:00

What's New

2011-07-16T15:31:00.002-04:00

I'm getting a lot written on More Than Anything, my Hot College Daze story. It's the one and only story I'm working on at the moment so that helps. I've got over 16,000 words done on it. I'm still not entirely sure about whether I will do a Part One: Shayne and Desmond and Part Two: Bart and Evan or if I'll just make Bart and Evan into a separate offering. Right now, the 16,000 plus words are all Shayne and Desmond. Either way you'll get both stories with only two men having a POV at the time.

I'm toying with doing another free Kevin story which, if I do it, I will upload to ARe. The two I already included there ended up doing well and Car Wash got a bump in sales too, so it's all good.

That's about it for now. At the end of the month my very short story, Hitting it Big, about two guys re-connecting after one of them wins the lottery, will be out. It's pretty much a fun little short, but it does have a minor secondary character I might visit at some point in 2012. We shall see since that's still way into the future at this point.

Inspirational, No?

2011-07-13T00:12:00.000-04:00

Over the Weekend

2011-07-11T08:18:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I reconnected with my bff who I had been missing terribly and that was wonderful. I also went and saw the Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus's Totally 80's show. I have season tickets to the chorus and they generally do three shows a year, this one is their last of the 2010/2011 season.

And it was fantastic! They did so many great 80s songs and were all dressed up like many of the most famous people of the 80s.

There was one moment where they sang the song Thriller but they used it to represent AIDS in the 1980s and so while they sang about 3/4s of the members walked off stage representing those that succumbed to the disease. It was very moving.

I also bought a raffle ticket for $10 where I can win all kinds of cool prizes. One of which is to direct them for a song at their upcoming 2011 Holiday show. I don't have a clue how to direct a chorus, but wouldn't that be an awesome experience?

Anyway, if you are ever in LA during one of their performances I would highly recommend getting tickets. Here are some videos if you'd like to know more about them:

http://www.gmcla.org/galleries/gmcla-videos/

Lost Between is out

2011-07-10T01:56:00.001-04:00

Get yours here: Buy Lost Between

Contest Winners

2011-07-09T11:58:00.000-04:00

I wish I could make all of you winners but the randomizer list chose the first two. Jay Ross and Beatrice will both win Lost Between and Hitting It Big. Thanks everyone!

Okay, here is the list:

There were 27 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.Jay Ross

2.Beatrice

3.midia

4.Kaetrin

5.Bookwyrm369

6.joder

7.mage424

8.Sharon S

9.Loh Ah Mooi

10.Anonymous --- wildeeper@gmail.com

11. Pete

12.Nikyta

13.Chris

14.Melinda

15.Melanie, mcsc2008

16.Bogusia said...

17.Erica Pike

18.Kelly

19.Jason

20.moniqee

21.Anonymous

22.diannakay M

23.Melora

24.Sharon

25.Rachel

26.kaytee

27.Lily

A Few Updates

2011-07-08T00:00:00.003-04:00

Today is the last day to enter the contest to be one of two winners of Lost Between and Hitting it Big. I'll post the winners Saturday, July 9th.

I don't have any releases in August, so after these two go out, the next releases will be Can't Be His in early September and Devotedly His in early October.

That brings me through D in the alpha His series. The first one I will be doing for next year will be Eternally His and will be my first foray into vampires.I won't be working on that one for a while though.

I'm doing good on my college boys story, More Than Anything. I am quite certain I will have it done well before the deadline of September 01.

And that will leave me plenty of time to concentrate on what I want to write the last three months of the year.

A Ghostly Affair Pax - Coming This Weekend From Amber Quill

2011-07-06T17:00:00.000-04:00

Promotion time. This weekend marks the release of the Amber Allure Pax, A Ghostly Affair.

Besides, my one and probably only ghost story, I have the privilege of being included with four other stories from some great authors. If you aren't a winner of Lost Between (and Hitting it Big) I hope you will consider purchasing the entire pax (or even if you are if the all stories appeal to you).

June Best Sellers for Amber Quill

2011-07-05T08:59:00.000-04:00

AMBER ALLURE / June 2011

1. Becoming His - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)

2. Between Sinners And Saints - Marie Sexton (Gay / Contemporary)

3. Sins Of Influence - India Harper (Gay / Contemporary)

4. Free Me - Brita Addams (Gay / Contemporary)

5. Your Whisper In The Dark - KC Kendricks (Gay / Contemporary)

6. Music Of The Night - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Contemporary)

7. Static - L. A. Witt (Gay / Contemporary)

8. Catch Me If I Fall - Riley Knox (Gay / Contemporary)

9. All Work And No Play - Anah Crow & Dianne Fox (Gay / Contemporary)

10. Sex, Lies, And Edelweiss - J. L. Merrow (Gay / Contemporary)

Don't Forget...

2011-07-02T12:18:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone here in the U.S. has a great holiday weekend and don't forget to enter to win my two July releases, Lost Between and Hitting it Big. Contest ends July 08, winners announced on July 09.

Lost Between and Hitting It Big Contest

2011-06-29T07:00:00.001-04:00

It's me...and I am announcing a contest. I have two releases in July (although one is at the very end of the month), Rather than having two separate contests I am having one for two winners. I will give an ecopy (format of your choice) of Lost Between to two winners on July 10th when it releases and than an ecopy of Hitting It Big when it comes out July 31, 2011. So two winners win both books (Hitting it Big is a very short story).

Famous horror author Curtis Macintyre has recently rented an apartment in an historical building in San Francisco. But the apartment comes with more than just old charm. It also comes with the spirit of Aaron Carmichael, a man murdered five years before.

After Curtis visits a medium, Aaron’s spirit comes to him and asks for his help in finding peace since he’s lost between two worlds, the living and the afterlife. When Curtis decides to visit Aaron’s boyfriend, Robbie Henley, a beautiful hairdresser, Aaron comes along...inside Curtis.

Now with Robbie’s help, it’s up to Curtis to find out what happened to Aaron so he can finally have peace. And maybe, together, Curtis and Robbie can find their own happily ever after...

Six years ago, Billy Grant had a night he never forgot losing his virginity to the jock of his dreams, Mitch Crestfield. But Billy fled afterward, not wanting to hear Mitch’s regrets.
Now Mitch has hit it big, winning the lottery, and Billy finds himself invited to Mitch’s celebration. When Mitch suggests another night of passion, Billy can’t seem to resist. But Mitch has something more than one night in mind...

Contest runs from June 29- July 08. Winners will be chosen randomly. Add your name in comments.

2011-06-24T06:58:00.004-04:00

So in case anyone wonders about the His series and how the books are connected, I wanted to explain it a little bit further. They aren't all going to be connected, directly anyway. Accidentally His and Becoming His were, but Can't Be His is not connected to those stories at all and the next in the series, Devotedly His, is not connected to Can't Be His.

There might be an ocassional one connected to a previous story but for the most part each one will be a standalone. The only connection is "His" in the title and they will start with a different letter of the alphabet. And yeah it will probably take me forever to get to "Z" but it will be fun trying.

Not Much Going On

2011-06-21T10:15:00.002-04:00

At the moment, I'm being lazy and not writing. It won't last. I am reviewing my galley for the upcomining release of Lost Between. Once I've finished that I intend to be unlazy again. I think I short-circuited my brain after writing Can't Be His but it's coming back. Once it does, I'll be working on More Than Anything as I have two stories to finish by September 01.

A Ghosty Affair Pax

2011-06-16T08:50:00.001-04:00

I don't normally post the "Pax" collection pictures, but decided to do so this time. This is what Lost Between is part of in July.

The Latest News

2011-06-13T07:41:00.000-04:00

Was busy writing over the previous weekend and managed to sneak in another "His" story, Can't Be His. Didn't want to spill the beans ahead of time in case I couldn't get it done. I did. It's a short one but I had loads of fun writing it and I think you will find the characters, Roach (an exterminator) and Alexi (an ice skater) appealing.

Now I will admit originally I had Can't Be His for another couple but well they will just have to deal with a different "His" letter title.

Now before anyone squawks at the name Roach I actually know TWO people in real life that go by the nickname Roach. One is a female co-worker and she asked me to write a gay romance with a guy named Roach. I said I would and did.

Video Candy

2011-06-11T01:00:00.000-04:00

A commercial I must say is very nice (and has the song from one of my book titles). Enjoy!

Forward Thinking...Or Why Is Shawn Talking About 2012

2011-06-08T12:56:00.002-04:00

I’ve been thinking ahead, which I do too often, while I work on the two stories I have due by September 01.

When I say ahead, I am talking 2012. I know the story that will take up my writing attention for much of the rest of 2011 once my already contracted September 01 deadline stories are finished.

In early 2012, I plan on working on Leo’s story, Sutter’s Bay 4, as well as the next “His” story, which will now be the "D" story. But…I started thinking about the “D” story. I know the “E” story is going to be Eternally His, but I can’t quite decide what will go for “D”.

So here are my thoughts:

Determined To Be His

Destined To Be His

Desperately His

Devotedly His

Er…that’s all I have. Opinions welcome.

Becoming His Released

2011-06-05T11:25:00.000-04:00

It's out and I'm very happy. Hope you enjoy: Becoming His

Lost Between Cover

2011-06-02T01:02:00.000-04:00

Here's my cover for Lost Between. I have an old apartment building in the book so it was cool that I got one on the cover.

May Best Seller List for Amber Quill

2011-06-01T20:13:00.000-04:00

AMBER ALLURE / May 2011

1. Kissed By God - T. A. Chase (Gay / Contemporary)

2. Between Sinners And Saints - Marie Sexton (Gay / Contemporary)

3. Between The Moon And The Deep Blue Sea - KC Kendricks (Gay / Contemporary)

4. Galaxy's Heart - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)

5. Infinity Pools - L. A. Witt (Gay / Contemporary)

6. Homeless In Heaven - Deirdre O'Dare (Gay / Contemporary)

7. Catch Me If I Fall - Riley Knox (Gay / Contemporary)

8. Crossing The Line - Christiane France (Gay / Contemporary)

9. Class Distinctions - Rick R. Reed (Gay / Contemporary)

10. Four Days With Jack - Kelli A. Wilkins (Gay / Contemporary)

Becoming His Release Change

2011-06-01T10:40:00.000-04:00

Good news for those of you anxious to read, Becoming His. Due to a scheduling change, it will be out this weekend, June 05, 2011, one week early.

For months, Toby Sherwood, a stripper in a gay club, has been a fan of bisexual actor Lucas Cartwright and his cable detective show, Harrow’s Eyes. So when Toby’s invited to a taping of the show, he can hardly wait. Too bad the hunky actor has a girlfriend.

Lucas was charmed by Toby when he originally met the man at the hospital during his brother’s accident. When he breaks up with his girlfriend shortly after Toby visits the set of his show, Lucas begins to romance him.

With concerns over Lucas’s career and Toby’s dancing for other men, can the hot actor and the sexy stripper find happiness in each other’s arms?

Weekly Update

2011-05-31T00:56:00.000-04:00

Not much to report. I'm working on my college love story, More Than Anything, exclusviely and it's taking up all my writing time. I'm liking it, though.

On Thursday, June 02, 2011, Chris at Stumbling Over Chaos, will be hosting a giveaway for Becoming His. I'll post the link here when the time comes.

I actually got this picture when my friends did a blog post on him. I looked him up after that and found these picture of him. As you can see, he's quite feminine.

Quick Update

2011-05-26T13:45:00.005-04:00

So, as I think I’ve mentioned, I am writing my college boys themed story (the details are on Amber Quill’s site for any of you adventurous sorts who want to try getting into AQ) and I came to a recent decision.

As I was writing it, I realized I really had two couples to write about. Besides what started off as the main couple of Shayne and Des, I was enamored of the secondary characters of Bart and Evan.

I thought about a couple of things with them. I could get them together as a couple in the story but not have any real focus on them, rather have Shayne and Des say, oh and Bart and Evan seem so great together. That kind of thing.

Or I could write a separate story telling their romance.

I didn’t really care for either option, because I didn’t like the idea they wouldn’t get spotlighted and I didn’t have a clue when I could get to write a story just for them as I am filled up on the schedule for a long time to come.

My solution was to write both couples story in the same novella. So, yeah, my college story is going to include two romances and basically four points of view. Will it get confusing? Maybe, But I’m going to give it a shot.

I run the risk of readers liking one couple over the other but yeah that happens in all books written. Some couples are more popular than others.

We'll see how it goes. Ava seems to think I should just write two separate stories, but I am fighting that right now, lol.

And…I think…I’m going to go with the title More Than Anything.

It means no “name that book” contest but I reserve that option for a book I will be working on after the college story so have no fear that one is still coming.

Weekly News

2011-05-23T15:53:00.003-04:00

Don’t have anything to report at the moment.

I’m working on my unnamed college story. It’s not due for a while but it’s the only story I have that has a deadline so I decided I may as well get it done early.

I’m thinking of having a name that story contest if I can’t magically come up with a title soon. If I do, I’m going to not only give away a book but perhaps a gift certificate. We shall see. Stay tuned on that.

I’ve already chopped some out of the story and started a new part, but may add back in what I chopped at another point. I should do the Ava March thing and write out the plot for myself so I don’t forget my plans…but I won’t. LOL.

Quickie

2011-05-19T21:18:00.001-04:00

I don't have much to say since I've been goofing off most of the week. You'd think I was Ava between books. Well, not entirely I did write about 2.5 pages on Finding Forever (Sutter's Bay 4), Leo's story. But that's it and I'm not trying too hard. I'll get back to writing in earnest next week.

Enjoy the pretty boy.

Weekly News

2011-05-16T11:12:00.000-04:00

I've been busy, so I have some news.

I completed my ghost story, Lost Between, and submitted it with the forms to AQ. It's scheduled for July 10, 2011 and will be part of the A Ghostly Affair Pax.

This means Hitting it Big has been scheduled for the very last day of July, July 31. It's a very short story, might be my shortest yet.

Also, the first three Sutter's Bay stories will be out in paperback at the end of August, simply titled Sutter's Bay, Volume One.

Now...on to the next work in progress.

Galaxy's Heart

2011-05-14T22:21:00.000-04:00

Is Officially out

Galaxy's Heart

Galaxy's Heart Winner

2011-05-13T19:29:00.000-04:00

Hopefully this works after Bloggers massive meltdown.

There were 19 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.Mamarella

2.Arzu

3.Genise

4.Nikyta

5.Kaytee

6.Morgana

7.TT Kove

8.Chris

9.Mari

10.Eva

11.Moniquee

12.Joder

13.Lily

14.Sharon S

15.Ivan

16.Rachel1

17.Melinda

18.CL

19.Rachel2

Congratulations Mamarella. Please email me with your format preference and I'll send it on when the book is released.

New Cover - Hitting it Big

2011-05-11T21:55:00.000-04:00

2011-05-05T22:31:00.000-04:00

There's still a week left to enter the contest to win Galaxy's Heart, Sutter's Bay 3. Last day is May 12th. Winner will be announced May 13th.

As an added incentive, if you win and do not own the previous two in the Series, I'll give you those too. Such a deal. If you already have those...well you still will get Galaxy's Heart if you win. lol.

I'm working like a fiend on Lost Between and I'm really liking what I'm doing with it so far. In the last few days I've written 7000 words. I seriously doubt I will make the Ghost Pax, but the story will be released on its own if I don't. I expect it to be done before the end of the month regardless.

Galaxy's Heart (Sutter's Bay 3) Contest

2011-05-02T22:35:00.003-04:00

Official Amber Allure Blurb:

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

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

*Though, Galaxy's Heart is part of a series it is a standalone and you do not have to read the prior two in the series, though you certainly may.

The contest runs from now until May 12th. I'll have all formats available to send once the story releases on or about May 15th. Leave a comment to enter. Good luck.

Some Changes in Plans

2011-05-01T14:50:00.002-04:00

Well, chances are fairly high that Hitting it Big will be pushed back to an August release. I don't know for sure yet the day in August so for now I'll leave it with August 2011.

More probably I'll have a different release in July, though. I mentioned earlier working on something I thought I wasn't going to have to work on, but I now am. I changed the story though. I decided to start something entirely new rather than re-work a story I had little enthusiasm for.

I had signed up many months ago for A Ghostly Affair pax coming from Amber Quill. I had planned to rework a m/f ghost story I was writing a million years ago but soon realized it wasn't really my thing anymore. I had started it years and years ago and I just didn't care even changing the girl Haley into the boy Harry. Thinking myself clever, I quietly deleted myself from our Pax tracking system at Amber Quill, but I forgot to mention it to the editorial director (oops), who was still expecting my Ghost story (as were my fellow AQ authors). Since I had already backed out of the Vacation story, I knew I couldn't back out of this one as well.

I created a new ghost story called, Lost Between, and so far I am loving it. Basically one character, Aaron, was murdered five years ago, and in order for him to be at peace, the main characters, Curtis and Robbie need to put the pieces together to find out what happened to Aaron. Robbie was Aaron's boyfriend at the time of his death. It won't be scary and there won't be any graphic murder details for those of you who are squeamish about that sort of thing, but it will be all rather sad and tragic, but will end good.

There are actually six authors signed up for the pax and only five stories make it into it so it's very possible Lost Between will be a separate story from the pax but either way it will be released. If things change around, I'll report here.

So that's the latest.

Enjoy!

2011-04-30T14:03:00.002-04:00

Upcoming Releases and Plans

2011-04-28T10:00:00.001-04:00

So, in other news, while I was on hiatus, I wrote a short story for Amber Quill called Hitting it Big. It’s an Amber Kiss sized story so more along the lines of Manfred’s Curse as far as length is concerned. A light-hearted story about two guys who reconnect after one of them wins the lottery. We can dream, can’t we? It’s a bit of a departure for me in that the story is entirely from one character’s point of view. Not first person, though. I don’t plan to make a habit of it but for this story it worked.

The tentative release date for Hitting it Big is July 17, 2011, however this is most definitely subject to change..

I’m working on Waking the Prince and had hoped to have it done and submitted to a publisher by early summer. Not sure that's possible now, may be later summer, given that there was a project I had hoped to escape, but it's looking like I will not. I’ll keep you posted on when it’s finished and off to find a home.

For now I am working on the project I had hoped not to have to work on, but alas...well I am. I hope everything will turn out great on that score. And this is not the vacation story I bowed out of earlier, at least.

After that, I have another story I started that I will need to complete by September 01. Don’t anticipate any issues with that though. I can’t name it since I haven’t got a title yet, but I’ve started it.

Not sure if I will have time for anything else the rest of 2011 at this point. My schedule is really filling up. I still hope to work on my cop partners story later this year. I also have Sutter’s Bay 4 to tackle (Leo Winthrop’s story) and another “His” story, Can’t Be His.

If I can get that all done by the end of 2011 I’ll be surprised! LOL. Likely some of that will be pushed to 2012.

Becoming His Cover

2011-04-27T09:49:00.000-04:00

Here's my cover for Toby and Lucas's story, Becoming His, coming in June.

Contest Winners

2011-04-26T00:06:00.000-04:00

Okay folks, the Randomizer chose these 5 names first so they are the winners.

1.Sarah

2.Laura

3.Leaundra

4.Luciatea

5.Joder

Please email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com. Give me your choice of book and which format (I have almost all formats available).

Please email me by April 30th with your choices. I've had unclaimed prices before.

I'll have another contest in May. Thanks for entering everyone.

Contest Names

2011-04-25T14:09:00.002-04:00

This is just to list of who I have that entered. I'm leaving these names up today. If you don't see your name listed and you entered I must have missed you so shoot me an email @ authorshawnlane@gmail.com and I will get you up. You can also enter today.

Tomorrow I will choose the 5 winners who can choose anything from my back list or Galaxy's Heart coming in May or Becoming His coming in June.

Sharon S

Kimberly Hunter

Anntryan

Linda

Wendy

Kaytee

Rachel

Martha

Chris

Luciatea

Devon R

Melinda

Lily

Laura

Jason

Moniqee

DianeKay

Rachel 2

Ivan

Sarah

Joder

Tracey D

Cathy M

Aobibliophile

Jen B

Brenda

Linda C

Wusswoo

Leaundra

Susan M

This Is Important For Others To see

2011-04-23T16:22:00.001-04:00

Please see the attached information about a very disturbing crime

http://doyounotunderstand.blogspot.com/2011/04/very-disturbing-urgent-post-transgender.html

Briefly

2011-04-20T17:06:00.001-04:00

Okay, we're in the last few days to win the contest. Next week I'll reveal who the five lucky winners will be of a Shawn Lane story of their choice (including upcoming releases).

I'm working on my current work in progress which I hope to have finished and submitted to a publisher somewhere around June.

In the meantime, I'm working on a short story for Amber Quill which I hope to have done in the very near future. The story is called, Hitting it Big.

That's my brief update and reminder. Carry on.

A Contest Reminder

2011-04-09T13:13:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to enter my contest before April 25th

Five winners will be chosen to win anything off my backlist or one of my two upcoming releases, Galaxy's Heart (Sutter's Bay 3) coming in May, or Becoming His coming in June.

Just comment.

Change of Plans, A Contest and Hiatus

2011-04-06T13:04:00.001-04:00

Okay a couple of things.

I’ve decided not to write The Way to Forever. That was the vacation story, part of the Postcards From Paradise series. It just wasn’t working. I hated the idea of abandoning the story, but when even changing the location of the vacation didn’t lead to inspiration for me I decided it was time to throw in the towel. I contacted the Editorial Director at AQ and he was just as nice as can be about my failure. I think my problem is I said yes to writing this story before I actually had any ideas in mind. So from now on, if I can’t think of an appropriate idea BEFORE volunteering, I won’t.

So the good news is I can use the name Billy for another story down the line. I’m working on other stories that I feel much more warm and fuzzy regarding.

Now for the other. I’m going to be busy for the next few weeks with real life issues pressing in on me. I'm going on hiatus. So, here’s what I am going to leave you with.

I’m having a contest. Just an ordinary comment one. Make a comment from now until I return to posting probably April 25th. I’m going to choose FIVE random winners to win their choice of anything off my backlist (including my two paperbacks if desired) or they can choose one of my upcoming releases, Galaxy’s Heart (Sutter’s Bay 3) coming in May or Becoming His coming in June.

So, comment away. Which can just be "I want to enter". And Good luck.

March 2011 Best Seller List

2011-04-05T19:55:00.000-04:00

AMBER ALLURE / March 2011

1. Why I Love Geeks - T. A. Chase (Gay / Contemporary)

*2. Accidentally His - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)

3. Into The Woods - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Shapeshifter)

4. Beneath Dark Stars - KC Kendricks (Gay / Shapeshifter)

5. Wrong Number, Right Guy - Mia Watts (Gay / Contemporary)

6. (Boys Of The Zodiac) Pisces: From Behind That Black Door - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Contemporary)

7. Love Matters - Christiane France (Gay / Contemporary)

8. Mask Of Night - Helen Louise Caroll (Gay / Futuristic)

9. The Wild Bunch: Spark - Deirdre O'Dare (Gay / Contemporary)

10. A Favor For A Friend - Stevie Woods (Gay / Futuristic)

Up To

2011-04-02T22:16:00.000-04:00

So what have I been up to?

Still working on The Way To Forever. I hope to have the darn thing done by the end of the month (April).

I've started another story (please don't ask, my head will explode) where I've gotten nearly 2000 words done on it. I suspect it is my way of procrastinating on The Way to Forever.

I have ZERO releases in April. Yeah I'm shaking with angst over it right this minute. I'll get over it though. I hope.

Tonight I'm watching The Sixth Sense, one of my favorite movies. It would scare Ava, lol.

Here's a nice little picture for you.

Galaxy's Heart Cover

2011-03-31T21:48:00.000-04:00

Moving Forward

2011-03-30T16:10:00.002-04:00

Sometimes what you originally intended for a story doesn’t really work, as I‘ve discovered recently while working on The Way to Forever.

Originally Billy was going to go to Ireland. I’ve been there myself, I thought, so piece of cake. But there was something not working with the story. I kept procrastinating on it. Billy was supposed to have a vacation affair you see, because, well, that’s the way it’s supposed to be for the Postcards From Paradise stories. But if he were traveling around different parts of Ireland, how was he supposed to carry on a two week affair while there. The Irish guy wouldn’t be traveling along with them.

Okay, so I changed it to they spend two weeks in Dublin. I still didn’t like it. Having been to Ireland I didn’t spend two weeks in one city. It seemed a bit weird to me. So I set it aside and began to work on Waking the Prince. Pretty soon, I thought, I will have to join Procrastinator’s Anonymous with Ava March.

Then I started thinking, oh, God, I don’t remember enough about Dublin to write about it. When I went I spent a day and a half there because we got to the tour we took late due to a plane problem. I’d have to do research, my stomach churned.

Finally I decided, I need to write this damn story and quit whining. I started in on it again and went…wait! Who says I have to have him vacation in Dublin or even Ireland at all. What place do I know better than anywhere that others in the country might decide to go to for a vacation? Why, Southern California, of course! And I know that also means Ian, Billy’s hero, can live there and have his two week affair with Billy while Billy explores Southern California. Perfect!

So, yeah, yesterday I changed all references to Los Angeles and California. Today, I actually WROTE on the darn thing for the first time in several days. Go me!

And yeah, even though they start out having the vacation fling, this is a romance, and I’m supposed to make it HEA or something. But I feel better now.

Got The Winners

2011-03-29T23:01:00.000-04:00

1) Another Chance
2) At Long Last
3) Kevin
4) Sleeping Beauty
5) Silver Publishing

The winners were Juni and Melinda.

Juni chose to receive Galaxy's Heart, Sutter's Bay 3, when the story releases in May.
Melinda chose Accidentally His

Congrats!

No One? No One?

2011-03-29T12:45:00.000-04:00

Either I made my contest too hard or no one wants to win a free book! Not one person has attempted to answser.

Here are the blurbs for the upcoming releases in case that gets you thinking (the existing books can be found on the publisher's sites for the description).

Galaxy's Heart - 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 rememberd 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 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.

Becoming His - A stripper in a gay club, Toby Sherwood has been a fan of bisexual actor, Lucas Cartwright, and his cable detective show, Harrow’s Eyes, for months, so when he’s invited to a taping of the show, he can hardly wait. Too bad the hunky actor already has a girlfriend.

Lucas has been charmed by the sexy Toby ever since he met him at the hospital during his brother’s accident. When he breaks up with his girlfriend shortly after Toby comes by the set of his show, Lucas begins to romance Toby.

With concerns over Lucas’s career and Toby’s dancing for other men, can the hot actor and the sexy stripper find happiness in each other’s arms?

A New Contest

2011-03-28T14:07:00.001-04:00

It’s time for another just for fun contest. I'll do another in April.

The first two people to email me the right answers will receive a free book of their choice, either off my backlist, or one of my two upcoming scheduled releases, Galaxy’s Heart (Sutter’s Bay 3) coming in May, or Becoming His (Toby and Lucas’s story) coming in June.

These answers can be found either on my blog, website, or other searchable source.

1) What was the first M/M story Shawn wrote?

2) Which book released first between these two: At Long Last and Most Likely to Succeed?

3) Michael’s hero is…

4) Waking the Prince is supposed to be a gay version of what fairytale?

5) Shawn has had books published with the following publishers: Amber Quill, Ellora’s Cave, Dreamspinner Press and….

Email answers to authorshawnlane@gmail.com

2011-03-26T13:01:00.000-04:00

Friends

2011-03-24T12:17:00.000-04:00

I’ve been thinking about friends again. Lost and missing ones. I have several online friends I felt I was close to. I think they know who they are and I don’t want to mention names in case I inadvertently forget one and they think they weren’t important. These friends were all fabulous. I haven’t heard from them in months.

Almost a year ago, my sweet, gorgeous adopted son, Drew, disappeared from the internet because of personal issues. After much pestering by many of us (including some of the now missing friends), Drew came back to us. I think we out-stubborned him and he realized our incessant emails weren’t going away, lol. I’m very grateful, because he is very special to me.

So this post goes out to other missing friends. I know real life gets in the way of the internet. I know it’s certainly more important than a friendship with me. But perhaps if you see that many of us are still concerned about you, still miss you, and still want you in our lives, even just on the internet, once or twice a month, you’ll reappear. We care about you, no matter what has happened in your life that has caused you to step away for a while.

Birthday Blues or Something

2011-03-22T13:41:00.000-04:00

So today is my 46th birthday. Yeah, yeah, I know I don't look a day over 21. Thank you for that, lol.

I often wonder how I got to this point. I swear I was just 10 years old yesterday.

Anyway, my first published work arrived in 2008 and I've lost track of how many I've had since then. Isn't that terrible? I used to count. Every year I make a little more and every year the government takes a lot more. Hmm.I suppose that happens to all of us.

I'm not really doing anything special for it and that's fine. I had a nice dinner out a few days ago for it. Probably will have another dinner with friends some time next week. I'm in no great hurry. Or at least I don't think I am. lol.

Some Candy

2011-03-21T23:49:00.002-04:00

Taking Chances

2011-03-18T14:09:00.000-04:00

After I finished writing The Impersonator, it occurred to me that many of my loyal readers would not be thrilled with it. It was a bit different than some of what I’ve written in that Ben, the main character, deals with the pain and self-doubt and imperfections he sees in himself by having sex, sometimes with not so great guys. He’s a slut.

After a while of writing several stories many writers decide they want to take a chance on throwing something new into the mix. I admit this is a big chance because if you got out too far from what your core readers expect of you it can damage your readership. Think I am exaggerating?

Say you are an established M/M author wildly popular with readers. Never in your entire career have you included two men with a woman in your story. Suddenly you decide to do this. You feel this establishes a character trait for one of your heroes. Your readers write scathing reviews of how you disappointed them. They never expected YOU of all authors to do this to them.

You are writing a popular M/M series. One book you decide to get a little adventurous and you have a short M/M/M scene in the book because it sets up the character. Suddenly readers are calling for your head. Talking about how they can’t trust you, they won’t be reading one of your books again for a while, maybe never. You broke their trust, they say.

You’ve established your couple, are bringing them down the road to happiness with a few bumps and then…one hero cheats on the other. In an already established relationship. Run for the hills because the readers are coming at you with pitchforks.

You write a popular M/M vampire series and several books into the series you suddenly decide to add a third character to their relationship. Readers scream, ARE YOU NUTS?

These are real scenarios I’ve seen in books and reactions.

Sure a very popular M/M author will survive such scenarios but there are some readers you may never get back and if you are going to be adventurous you should keep this in mind.

In the beginning, I wrote both M/F and M/M books. Even in my first M/M book, Another Chance (first one written) Aubrey was bisexual and had sex with a woman in the first part of the book. He was madly in love with Daniel, but sought comfort from his pain in the arms of a woman he’d known most of his life and who, possibly, bore his children. It never occurred to me in those early days that some strict M/M readers would be bothered by that scene, but some were. Now in my current writing career I would not write a scene with a woman.

Also, back in those early days, anxious to get my career as an erotic romance author going, I volunteered to write a ménage and not just any ménage, but a M/M/F. I knew as soon as I sat down to write it I didn’t want to do it. Now I would never volunteer and if I had, I would admit to my editors that I didn’t want to write the story and get out of it. But then, well, I didn’t want to come off as a flake. So I wrote A Knight For All. Even die-hard fans cringe in dismay when they come across that one. It’s got its fans, some people liked it. But not my die-hard M/M only fans. I’ve joked that if I ever revisited Gregory and Edward from the story, it would begin with Katherine’s funeral.

I no longer write M/F because as a reader it just doesn’t do it for me anymore so if I don’t even like to read it (with very few exceptions) why would I want to write it? So, I CAN guarantee that no matter how adventurous I become, you won’t see a woman in a sexual relationship in one of my books again.

However, what I am going to do in my cop partners serial killer story (sorry it doesn’t have a title, lol), is have one hero already with someone when the story begins. The other partner is in love with him, but there is nothing he can do about it. I don’t know if this will cause panic among readers or not, but that is the way I feel the story needs to begin.

I’ve taken chances before by having a cheater, Brad. And though many readers forgave Brad just as Justin did, I still get some who just can’t get past what he did. Not everything you write will work for every reader, not even your die-hard fans. Most often if your die-hard fans are disappointed in your latest offering, they will still buy and read your books.

Am I saying don't write out of the norm, don't take chances? No. As a writer myelf I couldn't say that, but be prepared. The reaction could be not quite what you were prepared for.

Not So Bad and What Next

2011-03-16T00:00:00.002-04:00

Well it seems I have more wiggle room for the deadline for The Way to Forever than I originally thought. I was getting frustrated and anxious because I thought I had to have it done by the end of this month and that is so not going to happen. So I checked with the Powers That Be and found I do have a few extra weeks if needed, which is a huge sigh of relief for me. I still intend to get it done sooner rather than later.

Than once that is over and done with, my schedule will be wide open to work on whatever I want. So, here are some of the things I have in mind. If anyone would like to put their two cents in as to what should be my next project once The Way to Forever is finished, comment away.

Manfred’s Cursed Again

Sutter’s Bay 4

The Price Paid, my collaboration with Ava March

A sequel to another book (please mention what book you’d like to see a sequel to)

My Cop Partners Serial Killer Story

My re-write of a medieval paranormal

Waking the Prince, my gay Sleeping Beauty story

Can’t Be His, the third “his” book

Write-in a suggestion of something else

Still Time

2011-03-14T09:54:00.001-04:00

There's still time to enter the contest to win Accidentally His over at Stumbling Over Chaos. I believe the contest runs until this Friday.

Accidentally His is a fun, light-hearted read that I think readers will enjoy. Besides the main characters of Elijah and Kirk, it also introduces Toby and Lucas who will get their own story in Becoming His.

Before I Forget

2011-03-11T17:18:00.002-05:00

My heart goes out to Japan today. The news, pictures, and video coming from there today are just horrible. Coming from an earthquake-prone place myself (where talk of THE BIG ONE is never far away), I can only imagine what those poor people are going through right now and will for a very long time, I suspect.

Once Again

2011-03-11T15:39:00.001-05:00

An author is sending minions off to bash a review and a reviewer. They certainly aren't doing the author any favors. I see this all too often on sites like Goodreads but now I am seeing it on review sites at an ever increasingly alarming rate. Anyway, I can only shake my head and wonder what it takes to get the message out that this is not a good idea, never ever make a comment on a bad review, really. No arguing. I really mean this. Don't send your fans to do it for you either.