Beyond the Norm Now Available

Beyond the Norm is now available from Amber Quill Press

Beyond the Norm coming March 09, 2014

My reissue of Beyond the Norm has been moved up from March 30th to March 09th with Amber Allure.

Dave Johnson is closing up his bar in the early hours of the morning when he rescues a young Goth who identifies himself only as Kyle. When Dave realizes Kyle has nowhere to go, he offers to let the young man stay at his place.

Kyle is sexy and surrounded by mystery, and rather tight-lipped about it all. But he soon worms his way into Dave's life and heart. Yet dark secrets have a way of coming out at the most inopportune times, and Kyle's past life may catch up to the men sooner than either of them expected. 

Ah, A Long Weekend

Nothing all that new and exciting to report.

Beyond the Norm seems to be doing well in its first couple days of release so I am pleased about that.

I got my galley for Sweet Reunion so I will be going over that over the long weekend.

And my few days of rest after completing Ticket to Ride must officially come to an end and work begins in earnest on Twice in a Lifetime.

Also the most generous Barbara of the fabulous blog, Happily Forever After, who did some work on Ava March's blog has generously offered to tweak mine if I so desire and of course I do. So watch out for a new look sometime soon (got to figure out what I want).

And Beyond the Norm is released

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/newreleases.htm

Beyond the Norm Winner

Winner of the free ebook of Beyond the Norm is Kathleen.
Kathleen, please email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com with your information so I'll be able to send you the book tomorrow.

There were 11 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
Kathleen
Lori
EH
Eva
Eyre
Sandy
Nancy
Shayne
Barbara
The Falconer
Devon

Contest Ends Tonight

Okay so far these are the names I have listed for the contest. I will choose the winner (or randomizer will later today and the winner will receive the book tomorrow)




Lori

Eyre

EH

Barbara

Nancy

Devon

Shayne

Kathleen

Eva

Sandy

The Falconer



Hopefully I didn't miss anyone. You'll have time to let me know before 8PM PDT. And you can still enter up until that time as well. Then I will announce the winner shortly after.



Thanks for entering.

A New Beyond the Norm Excerpt

Okay, just to whet your whistle, I have decided to post one more excerpt from next week's release. Last one though. So enjoy.


DAVE bent over to peer into the refrigerator to see what he could feed his guest. He’d changed into sweats and a thin white muscle T-shirt, and he’d taken out his contacts and replaced them with his gold wire-framed glasses. He had some leftover Chinese food he’d picked up a couple of days ago. He opened the little white package and sniffed. Smelled okay. He set the container on the counter and reached into the cabinet for two plates.

"Hey, cool glasses."

Dave turned to see Kyle standing just inside the kitchen doorway. "Thanks."

"Dude, don’t you have anything in black?" Earlier when he’d brought him the clothes, Dave had resisted taking a peek while the young man showered. He hadn’t even glanced in the direction of the steamy shower glass. But now it was hard to keep his gaze off Kyle. Kyle had pulled on the navy blue shorts and pumpkin orange T-shirt Dave had left in the bathroom. They were way too big for him and hung rather awkwardly on his slim body. And he had reapplied his eyeliner.

Damn, the man was just adorable. Not at all Dave’s usual type. If he had one. Did he? He didn’t know. Maybe guys like himself. Whatever. But not pretty boys with black eyeliner and pouty, kissable lips. He sure hoped his sweatpants hid his obvious erection. But damn, the kid was hot.

"No, the navy shorts were as close as I could find," Dave said. "I threw your clothes in the washer. There was some blood on them. You okay?"

He noticed Kyle’s left cheek was already turning a bit purple, and there was a small cut there too. There was a bruise developing by his mouth. Dave suspected his ribs were probably bruised, too, if they weren’t broken. He wondered if Kyle had any head injuries. He really should have insisted on taking the kid to the hospital.

"Yeah, I’m all right. Just a bit banged up." Kyle smiled crookedly. "Maybe a bit sore, but I’ve had worse."

Dave nodded."You working the streets?"

"You mean selling my body or something?"

"Yeah."

Kyle shrugged. "I’ve done it before, but it’s been a while. A couple years, at least. And I only did it for a short time."

Dave spooned Chinese food on to the plates. "Drug habit?"

"Is this the Spanish Inquisition or what?"

Beyond the Norm Giveaway Begins

After closing his bar one night, Dave Johnson rescues Kyle, who is on the run after witnessing the murder of a federal agent in San Francisco. Dave knows Kyle is trouble but can't help falling in love; Kyle loses his heart but fears he's bringing danger to Dave's doorstep. When Kyle's pursuers close in, the two men are at an impasse. They can either separate and live in safety and loneliness, or find a way to stay alive and together.



Beyond the Norm is released next Thursday, September 3rd, and that means a giveaway. I'm starting it now. Just leave a comment and you will be entered. I'll let the randomizer thing choose the winner next Wednesday.

As you can likely tell from the cover, Kyle is Goth. Seems like a long time ago I originally started this story and for a while I let it just sit there unfinished until this past spring I forced myself to finish it and sent it off. Dreamspinner Press offered me a contract for it in June. So here is an excerpt if you want to see what you'd be getting (hopefully it won't prevent you from entering, lol):

Dave stood and reached down to help the kid up. He swayed a bit, and Dave held him. "You don’t think anything’s broken?"

"Nah," the guy said, feeling his ribs under his trench coat. "Just a little unsteady."

He had a slight lilt to his voice, but it was so faint, Dave couldn’t quite place it. Lightning flashed overhead and was followed quickly by a very large clap of thunder. "Look, we’d better get out of here. You got any place to go?"

The kid bit his plump, sensual lip pensively, and he shook his head. "Not really."

Dave hesitated. He knew nothing about this young man. For all he knew he could be an axe murderer. He might regret this, but…. "I don’t live far. Let’s get you dry and look at your injuries and maybe get you some food."

The younger man assessed him for a moment and then nodded. "Sounds good."

"Can you make it? Or do you want me to bring the truck over here?" Dave asked. The kid took a step but wobbled. "Stay here. I’ll be back."

Dave ran back to his truck, got in and started it, and drove across the parking lot to stop next to the kid, who opened the door and climbed in the passenger side. He leaned his head back on the seat and closed his eyes.

"What’s your name?" Dave asked.

"Kyle."

"Kyle what?"

Kyle stared at Dave. His mouth curved up at the corners just a bit. "Just Kyle."

Dave pulled out of the parking lot, switching on the windshield wipers. "Mine is Dave Johnson."

"Thanks, Dave Johnson."


Dave nodded and turned down the street that led to the block his house was on. He wasn’t kidding when he’d said he didn’t live far. His house was literally about two streets over from the bar. He’d chosen it for that very reason. "So why were those guys beating the crap out of you? Were they friends of yours?"

"Did they seem like friends?"

"No. So, then?"

Kyle sighed and ran his long pale fingers through his wet black hair. "Could be one of two reasons, I guess. I’m Goth, and for some reason that annoys certain people."

"And the other?"

"I’m gay. That seems to annoy guys like that even more." Kyle shrugged. "Maybe it was some of each."

Dave’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. Okay, so Kyle was gay. He was probably too young anyway, and Dave was supposed to be rescuing him from a bad situation. Not lusting after him. But, God, did he have to be gay? Because Dave’s cock had certainly perked up at the news.

Saturday Updates

I'm at the stage now where I am reviewing the galleys for Beyond the Norm so that is pretty exciting. Book comes out in less than two weeks now as it comes out on September 03. I will be doing a giveaway of a copy of course. I'll probably post about the giveaway next week.

I know I mentioned my submission of my Christmas story, The Best Gift, but the deadline for the Christmas stories has been extended so I will be waiting a few more weeks for the decision than I originally thought. So, some time in September I should know.

And speaking of Christmas stories, I'll be posting more about this as the holidays approach but look for some free Christmas stories on here featuring Kevin and Michael from Car Wash and Noah and Charlie from Pulling Away. These will be sexy stories, I promise.

Just recently, one of my publishers showed us some covers up for grabs for possible inspiration of a story for them. Though many of them were very tempting, I am trying to resist. I really have too many stories I must write now. Really. So I am remaining strong.

A Requested Update

My friend, Ryan, who checks out my blog on a regular basis complained that I hadn't updated it all week so this is for him.

As you probably know, I have no releases in August, so it's difficult for me to find much to post about.

I will say that I am going right along on my song-themed story, Ticket to Ride. I just crossed the 12,000 words mark and expect it will end somewhere around 20,000 words when I end. Which is novella length.

Unfortunately, Ticket to Ride is part of the song themed PAX collection for Amber Quill and though it wasn't due until September 01, five other AQ authors beat me. Their stories are already done and submitted. So, my story will not be part of the first collection being released in November. Bummer.

No worries, though, it will be released either in December as part of a second collection or on its own.

Beyond the Norm, my goth/biker story, releases in less than three weeks so I will do a giveaway closer to the date.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Beyond the Norm Release Date

Got a release date of September 03, 2009 for Beyond the Norm.

Also made the coming soon pages

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/comingsoon.htm

Beyond the Norm Cover and Blurb

After closing his bar one night, Dave Johnson rescues Kyle, who is on the run after witnessing the murder of a federal agent in San Francisco. Dave knows Kyle is trouble but can't help falling in love; Kyle loses his heart but fears he's bringing danger to Dave's doorstep. When Kyle's pursuers close in, the two men are at an impasse. They can either separate and live in safety and loneliness, or find a way to stay alive and together.

Coming in September 2009 from Dreamspinner Press

Shawn's Boring Life

Haven't had much to say as you can see. Just working on Ticket to Ride.

Hope to be able to post my cover for Beyond the Norm from Dreamspinner Press soon, but until then, I really am left with nothing to say.

Anyway, enjoy the eye candy and hope everyone else is having more excitement in their life.

Just Some Updates

Two guys kissing, sigh. Something so sexy about that.

Things are going along fine with Beyond the Norm coming from Dreamspinner. Got my draft cover and I think the final product will be great. They took my request for Kyle to appear Goth on the cover to heart which really pleases me. The blurb for the book is also done. I cannot wait for the book to make its debut later this summer.

Sweet Reunion is coming along well, too. I'm past the first two chapters and about to cross the 5,000 word mark. I submitted the forms to Amber Quill for it, too. I still intend to be finished with it by next Sunday, July 5, 2oo9.

Once Sweet Reunion is done I will return to full time work on Ticket to Ride so I can get that obligation (due September 01) out of the way and I can move on to something else.

Beyond the Norm finds a home

I have been offered a contract for Beyond the Norm by Dreamspinner Press. If all goes as planned it should be released early autumn.

So, I can't wait to see what the cover will be like and will post it when I get it which I am guessing won't be for a while.

Beyond the Norm Excerpt

Lazy again so I am posting the first couple of pages of a recently completed novella, Beyond the Norm. I hope you enjoy it well enough to want to read it when it comes out. FYI, it has not been through the editing processing.

The one drawback of being the owner of Dave’s Bar was having to close it up the six nights it was open.

David Johnson closed and locked the heavy oak door and glanced at his watch in the light of the neon sign of the bar. A little after three in the morning. And pouring rain.

“Shit,” he muttered. Apparently the weather man had been right after all. In the distant horizon lightning flashed. Unusual weather for December in Southern California.

He fingered his suede jacket. With the rain coming down as hard as it was he’d have to run to his truck to avoid getting completely drenched and even then he’d be pretty damn wet. The suede would be ruined.

Grimacing, Dave reopened the bar door, shrugging out of his jacket. He hooked it on the coat hook just inside the door and re-locked the door.

His pickup truck was the only vehicle still left in the strip mall parking lot. He made a run for it and nearly skidded on the wet asphalt. Reaching the truck at last, he slipped his hands into the front right pocket of his jeans and pulled out his truck keys.

A loud crack of thunder startled them right out of his hand.

“Shit,” he said again. He squinted down at the ground and spotted them under the truck next to the front driver side wheel. He crouched down. His red muscle t-shirt had already soaked through and stuck to his skin. Any minute his teeth would start chattering, Dave figured.

He dropped to a crouch to reach for the keys and lightning flashed overhead. Under his truck he spied three shadowed figures across the parking lot. He couldn’t see very clearly but he thought they were men. One lay prone and another knelt beside him dealing blow after blow to the man’s head. The third man stood and directed repeated kicks to the man lying on the asphalt.

“Hey!” Dave yelled, but if they heard him they ignored him. He stood and went to the other side of his truck, stopping by the bed of the truck to grab a crowbar. He hurried to them. “Hey, stop.”

The man standing froze in the act of kicking the man. “This isn’t your business, mister.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m making it my business. I’ve already called the cops,” Dave lied. He should have, of course. Would have even, maybe, if he’d actually had a cell phone. It was one of those stupid parts of modern life he had yet to adapt to. He only had land lines. He’d get one some day, Dave always promised. It would have come in handy just then. He waved the crowbar.

The man crouched next to the one on the ground pulled the hood of his sweatshirt up around his head and scrambled up. “Let’s go.”

“We can take this guy,” the kicker said with an ugly snarl on his face. Dave hadn’t gotten close enough to make out their features very well but he thought they were both Caucasians in their mid-twenties.

“I’m out of here,” his accomplice said, and ran away.

Dave took a step forward, brandishing his weapon.

“Dickhead,” the assailant swore, then followed after his buddy.

Dave watched them for a moment to make sure they were really leaving. When they didn’t come back, he hurried to the man lying on the ground.

“Hey, pal, you okay?”

The man lay face down, so Dave turned him around and cradled him in his arms. His breath caught in his throat.

Holy shit, the guy was beautiful. Just a kid, really. Pale white, long, dark lashes. Black eyeliner. A tiny diamond stud on the right side of his nose. A little silver cross in his right ear. Thick shoulder length black hair was plastered to his skull.

Dave frowned, glancing briefly at his attire. He had on black pants and a t-shirt, combat boots and black trench coat. Even his nail polish was black. Nail polish?

Oh right. Dave nodded. The kid was Goth.

The kid groaned and opened his eyes, blinking rapidly. Dave strained to see what color eyes he had. Would they be blue or brown?

Gray. Deep gorgeous pewter gray. Dave’s chest constricted. For a moment his world tilted.

“Hold on, I’ll get you to the hospital,” Dave assured him.

Beyond the Norm Finished and Future Plans

I finished Beyond the Norm. It ended up being about 24,500 words or so. It's off to my critique partner for a final read.

And just in case anyone is interested, these are the books I plan on working on/hope to have finished/out in the rest of 2009:

The Other Side 2 – For those who didn’t like my Happy For Now ending this is the continuation of Ray and Nick’s story. Many if not all the dangling plot points from the first book should be answered in this book.

Ticket to Ride – Not really sure what shape this story will take but some of the characters are Malcolm and Jordan. I chose the song title because I am a Beatles fan and the theme was a song title. I know that Malcolm is going to be younger than his lover and he’s going to find a plane ticket in his lover’s name that he didn’t know about but that’s really all I have and I will be working on this one soon. If I get it worked out completed I think it will be out in December or so.

Pieces – this is my next really angsty one. I really want to work on it this year. I started it, but then stopped to finish up Beyond the Norm. The characters are Patrick and Josh. Patrick is still trying to recover from the suicide of his long-time lover who also happened to be Josh’s cousin.

And if I have time:

Never the One – I also started this one. It is my cop partners-murder mystery story. Characters are Tyler and Eric (Boone). I am really going to try and make this my first novel-length gay romance so wish me luck on that.

Tempted to Taste – A related story to The Other Side, this will be the story of Ray’s brother, Devon (yes, he is gay also-you’ll see more in TOS2) and the hot little blond chef, Ryan, hired to work in his restaurant. My plan is to make Ryan a little more flamboyant than some of my other heroes.

Undeniable – My return to the Regency period with the story of a third son of a lord and his love with the butler. Ava March has been nagging me to write this since forever.

If I can get all these stories done this year I will be surprised.

I promised my friend, Shay, I would write a long-haired hero just for him so I will have to think about which one of these guys will have long hair. Perhaps my hero in Ticket to Ride.

Friday at Last

I am so close to being finished with Beyond the Norm I can taste it. Or something.

Anyway, my plan is to finish it this weekend and get it off to determine its fate in the publishing world. It feels like I have been working on Kyle and Dave's story forever, but of course I haven't. The books only going to end up somewhere around 23,000 words or so.

Hopefully life won't get in the way of my plans. I have Saturday free to do as I wish so it should be doable.

Current Song I'm Listening to Over and Over: Just My Imagination by The Temptations. Truly a beautiful, touching, heartbreaking song. But I don't know, does this make me too much like Ava March and I'm listening to old timer's music?

And here is a teaser for Car Wash:

Reaching into his back pocket, Kevin pulled out the pad of paper where he marked what washing packages the owners chose. He went to the head of the line and started taking care of customers. He didn’t even look up for several moments, having no idea the size of the line.

Jose, who stood near him ready to vacuum the interiors, whistled. “Caliente.”

Kevin glanced up from the pad. Just a couple cars away was a dark red Maserati. Kevin recalled seeing it in a magazine advertisement. He thought the name of that particular model was the GranTurismo. His jaw dropped. He swallowed heavily, unable to keep from staring, but not at the sleek, sexy speed demon. Rather his gaze was fixated on the hot as hell guy behind the wheel.

The god had dark wavy hair and he wore deep, dark shades. Sensuous, kissable lips. Kevin’s tongue slipped out and he ran it along his own lips, imagining what the other man’s mouth would feel like. Even though he was still a couple spots away, Kevin could see he wore a suit. Broad shoulders filled out that suit. He frowned. Damn, but there was something disturbingly familiar about the man.

Jose nudged him.

Kevin blinked out of his stupor and realized the woman in the sedan in front of him glared at him. “Sorry, ma’am.” He flashed the woman his don’t-you-just-think-I’m-adorable smile. “You wanted the standard wash, right?”

He wracked his brain, trying to think of why the Maserati guy looked familiar. Someone famous?
The Maserati finally pulled up to him. The man smiled. Oh, lord, the god had dimples.

“Yum,” Kevin said, before he could stop himself.

Mr. Maserati lowered the sunglasses. Dark, chocolate eyes framed by impossibly long lashes stared back at him. “Kevin? Kevin Flaherty?”

Michael Bennett. It couldn’t be. But it was.

April 20, 2009

So I suppose I should mention that one of my stories, Stone of Wrath, is available in a print anthology from Ellora's Cave called Torrid Topaz. Don't know if I have mentioned it here or not. Honestly, I haven't really plugged it much since my story is the only gay romance in the book. Nothing wrong with heterosexual romances, but since most of my readers probably prefer gay romances it seems a little strange to encourage them to buy the print anthology. I thought I'd mention it anyway. Should be kind of interesting for those readers who expect all heterosexual romances in the anthology to come across Jed and Topaz's story.

Plugging away on Beyond the Norm, my Goth/Biker story. I'd like to have it done and off to publishers by the middle of May, but we'll see how that goes. Life gets in the way sometimes.

After that, I'll have to decide what to work on. I'd like to get started on The Other Side 2, the continuation of Ray and Nick's relationship, but also I'm reminded that I agreed to do a song-title book, Ticket to Ride. It's not due until September but I loathe waiting until the last minute. Not to mention I still have, Never the One, my cop partner-murder mystery book, and Pieces, my next very, very angsty book I want to write (one hero is still devastated over the suicide of his lover). As my friend Shayne would say, it will definitely be a two-hankie story.

Don't forget to comment if you want to win a copy of Trust, my last Ellora's Cave release coming out later this month. I'm really proud of Brad and Justin's story and I think my readers will really like it. So don't miss out. Right now there are so few comments, ALL those who have commented may win a copy.