The Latest

Rather than post an excerpt on Saturday this week I am going to post Kevin's free story. Which, of course, means I need to have it done by then.

Next week's excerpt (April 3) will be from my next release, Still the One (and then of course there will be a giveaway after that).



Last call to send me any questions you have for Ashtyn as I intend to emal them to him before the end of the month. Email me at authorshawnlane@gmail.com with anything you want me to ask.

Now, I have a question. It relates to direct sequels rather than related books like the Only series.

If you as a reader like a certain couple who had a happy ever after, would you continue to want to see more of them in sequels? Or would that be enough? And if you wanted sequels would the length bother you? If the only sequel to your beloved couple would be short, say even less than 10,000 words, would you still want to read it or would that be unsatisifying? Am I rambling? Probably.

I guess what prompted this was a recent comment I saw on a sequel where the person mentioned they had been looking forward to it but it was too short and that left them unsatisfied, so I'm wondering if the sequel should have never been written if it didn't add anything to the couple's story.

So answer if you want or if I am even making sense. It's quite possible I am not.

Anyway, look for the free story (speaking of beloved couples) on Saturday.

How Long Becomes Too Long

So, I have been pondering something in the back of my brain for a while now that has lately come closer to the surface. Or the front or something.

How long are readers willing to wait for a sequel?

Originally, when I wrote The Other Side, I did not envision a direct sequel. I thought of writing Ray’s brother’s story, Tempted to Taste. But then there were comments I saw about unresolved issues in The Other Side and I had an idea of where I could take a sequel. And I couldn’t write Tempted to Taste before the sequel to The Other Side, could I?

But then as happens to me, I got other ideas for stories I wanted to work on and I kept pushing aside the sequel in favor of other stories. The problem being, I mentioned I would eventually do a sequel so that creates reader expectations, doesn’t it?

But as I have come into 2010 and more ideas take precedence over the sequel to The Other Side, I stop and realize it’s now been over a year since The Other Side came out.

Commitments I have since made mean I couldn’t possibly get to the sequel until late summer, early fall, which probably would put it close to the end of 2010 and nearly two years after the release of The Other Side. This seems like, to me anyway, readers will be at the point they will hardly care.

Now, I could conceivably drop the direct sequel and make Tempted to Taste the book I started in the late summer, early fall and cover some of the unresolved issues of The Other Side in Tempted to Taste.

So, I guess where this is going is, what does everyone think? Is there a point where a promised or hinted-at sequel is no longer relevant and you just don’t care anymore?

Keep in mind the following stories are higher priority for my schedule right now: Pieces (the one I am finishing soon), His One and Only, The Beach House, Twice in a Lifetime.

I also need to do Sorcerer’s Lover 3 which was always intended to be a 3 part series. In addition, Waking the Prince, my fairytale, needs to be finished, and I need to work on my co-authored book with Ava March, AND my own Regency m/m historical, Undeniable. And there is still my cop partners story, Never the One.


I know from comments from Sharon she wants the sequel to The Other Side. So on the other hand, if a promised sequel never materializes do you as readers feel cheated?

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

Sorcerer's Lover II is released

Sorcerer's Lover 2 is out.

This is it folks until the end of July.

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/SorcerersLover2.html

There will be one more book in the series, late 2009 or maybe 2010

Already Winners

Okay, the winners of the Sorcerer's Lover 2 contest are: Stacey, J, Shayne, and Shellie. Since these are the four people who entered you are all winners.

Please email authorshawnlane@gmail.com with your email address if I don't already have it and whether you need both Sorcerer's Lover and Sorcerer's Lover 2 or just Sorcerer's Lover 2. This weekend I will email you your copy.

Now, there is still time before Saturday night at Nine p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, to enter and guarantee yourself a free copy. But once that time comes and go, the contest is officially over. I don't know if I will be doing any more contests anytime soon.

Have a good weekend everyone

A Matter of Sequels

So how do people feel about true sequels in books?


Now what I mean is not related books. For instance, Car Wash is related to Pulling Away in that a secondary character, Kevin, from Pulling Away is the hero in Car Wash. This is not a true sequel because you do not need to read either book to get the other one (I'd love it of course if you did). I know most readers like this and even expect it at times when you've introduced secondary characters.


But what about sequels featuring the same characters in multiple books about them? I have two of those coming out shortly, Sorcerer's Lover 2 and Until the End of Time. I think to fully appreciate those books you should read Sorcerer's Lover and At Long Last. I think the same with Ava March's book, Bound to Him. In order to fully appreciate it you need to read Bound by Deception first.


For my novella, The Other Side, I have plans to write a second story involving Nick and Ray, as well as a related story involving Ray's brother, Devon. But where should you draw the line?


Well, I don't know. I often get asked on certain stories if I am going to write sequels. Honestly if I spent all my time on writing sequels I'd never get any new stories out.


So let me say now I don't plan on re-visiting the characters in the following stories, some of which I have been asked about:

Ellora's Cave Stories:


Another Chance - For the time period Aubrey and Daniel come from, there isn't going to be a true happily ever after in the sense that Aubrey and Daniel cannot set up a home together. A sad, but all too true fact. Therefore, I made their story end with the promise between them that they would be exclusive lovers and they would make the effort to see each other when they could. I don't see any benefit to addressing this again.


Stone of Wrath - For Jed and Topaz, they got their happily ever after even after many, many years apart thanks to the gods. They definitely lived HEA


Perfect Man - Honestly I adore Craig and Alex (especially Craig) and I would love to re-visit them. Craig is probably one of my all-time favorite heroes I have created and I think he is complex enough I could get a lot of mileage on him. However, the problem is my contractual obligation with EC would likely require I go to them first with any story written about them and with their current aversion to male/male romance I doubt it would fly there. I can't see a different publisher wanting to take on a story arc from another publisher, so I think it just won't happen.


Trust - Same story. Only more so. For those of you with a particular fondness for my cheater, Brad, well, I'm afraid I am definitely obligated contractually to EC where Brad is concerned. So, unfortunately you will have to decide for yourselves if Brad and Justin can truly make it work.


Wanting Sam - Believe it or not someone wanted a sequel for Krystal and Sam. I don't think I have anything to add to their story, really.


Amber Quill Stories:


It's Only Make-Believe - I like Sebastian and Melody but I am not writing heterosexual stories at this time and honestly if I were I'd more likely create a new story.


A Knight For All - unless Lady Katherine has been murdered in a horrific battle and attack on Edward's Castle, the answer is still no. I appreciate those that love to write and read menages. I think there are better authors out there for that kind of book than me.


Pulling Away - With the little look into Noah's and Charlie's life in Car Wash I don't think there is a need to write a whole other story with them in it. Unless someone want's to bribe me with Reese's Pieces.


Jake's Regret - I regret to say, no. God, no, lol.


Most Likely to Succeed - Clark and Thomas were quite happy at the end. No need for a continuation, I think.


Which brings me to The Squire. I get the question of a sequel to these guys all the time. I just don't know. I've thought about it, that's all I can commit to. They share the same issue as Aubrey and Daniel in Another Chance, but due to the isolated castle William owns there is more of a possibility of a sequel of some sort. William and Duncan aren't part of London Society in the same way as Aubrey and Daniel. So it is always possible. Or do readers think that ship has sailed?

New Cover As Promised

Coming July 26, 2009 from Amber Allure. Preston Reynolds and Scott Trask's story continues.

Sorcerer's Lover 2 Excerpt

Lazy today so I thought I'd just post an excerpt of my upcoming release, Sorcerer's Lover 2, rather than come up with something else.

Benedict clenched his fist and turned away from the sight of the soldiers. Somehow he had to escape this. Find Warin again.

Alas, he was no magical sort himself and his knightly skills were no match for twenty soldiers. Some he could take out, but not all. And there appeared to be no one here on his side.

He went to the door and twisted the handle, peering out into the hall. A heavily armed soldier appeared at the door immediately.

“I beg your pardon, my lord Benedict, but your brother has ordered that you are to stay in for the rest of the night,” the man, who had several years and muscles on Benedict, said with an apologetic smile.

Benedict tried to push aside his annoyance, but it was difficult. He would dearly love to strangle his elder brother just now. “What if I am wishing some sustenance from the kitchens?”

“You have but to command me and I will see to it. Is there something you wish me to have fetched?”

“No. No, there is nothing. What is your name?”

“Gerard, my lord Benedict. I have been given the position of your personal guard.” The older man straightened, trying to look authoritative.

“Ah, so that is the way of things is it. You are to follow me around like a lap dog, Gerard?”

Gerard cleared his throat and nervously fingered his graying moustache. “I would not say that, my lord. I am just not to leave your side for the near future.”

Benedict nodded. “The very definition of a lap dog. Very well, Gerard, I will retire for the night.”

“As you wish. If there is anything you do need, just come out and tell me. I will be here.”

He gritted his teeth and closed the door of his chamber.

Benedict moved restlessly to the window again, looking out. Thick clouds hung in the sky, some reaching low to the ground to form mist. The air was heavy and damp.

The tiny hairs on his neck rose suddenly. He turned sharply to face the room. His heartbeat flipped, then sped up. “Who’s there?”

At first no answer followed his question, yet he felt a presence.

“Hush, your highness,” a familiar voice whispered next to his ear.

“Warin?”

Lips pressed the pulse at his throat, teeth nipped. Benedict shook with instant, fiery need. His now hard cock pressed uncomfortably against his braies and hose.

“Warin, say something, please.”

“Shh, Benedict. It is I.”

Invisible arms wrapped him, pulling his body tight against a muscled torso. He felt Warin’s erection against his ass. Though he could not deny Warin’s magical powers frightened him, Benedict closed his eyes and gave himself up to his lover’s caress.

“You must be very quiet, your highness. You do not wish to cause Gerard to come bursting in to your rescue.”

Until the End of Time

is finished, off to Amber Quill, and has a release date.

This is my sequel of At Long Last, featuring Preston Reynolds and Scott Trask. The date for release is July 26, 2009 (the original date for Sorcerer's Lover 2).

I will post the cover as soon as I have it.


The other thing I want to mention is I am giving myself a break. I wrote this last book in less than five days and it took a lot out of me. Plus I'm dealing with a bit of a depression right now (nothing major just a little writer's burnout I think), so I am giving myself the rest of the week and all of Memorial Day Weekend free from writing. I'll get back to Ticket to Ride next Tuesday.

And Then a Sequel Occurred to Me

So my latest work in progress, Ticket to Ride, is coming along. I have close to 1,500 words done on it and it isn’t due until September 01 so I think I should be fine. As long as I actually come up with a plot. I know, 1,500 words and no plot. Don’t ask.

But, along the way, last night as I was contemplating it and what other works I needed to write, my brain kicked into high gear. It does that to me sometimes. And I came up with an idea for a sequel for At Long Last. I don’t expect it to be terribly long. Possibly only Amber Kiss length which is under 10,000 words. I think of it as more of a little interlude with Preston and Scott. Anyway, I think I plan on getting that down in the next week. As I’ve stated before, I can write a story in 4 days if I force it. I don’t know about forcing this one, but I think I am going to get it done and off to AQ at least in the next week – two weeks. I have decided on Until the End of Time as the title. Don't worry it will make perfect sense when you read it!