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Meet Lou Sylvre
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Jul 21, 2012 09:03am
Join Lou Sylvre, author of Yes, at 1pm EST to chat about various topics.
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Hello! I'm Lou Sylvre, and I'm checking in a little early just to let you know I'm really here. I'm looking forward to this! A fair number of people did say they'd stop by, which is good, because even though I do have some excerpts and things planned, mostly I just enjoy the chance to meet and chat, answer questions, whatever. I'll be back soon!
Okay, I'll start with the traditional cover and blurb, for the latest Vasquez and James release, Yes:Here's the cover...
And now the blurb...
Yes: A Vasquez and James Novella
Professional badass Luki Vasquez and textile artist Sonny James have been married for five years, and despite the sometimes volatile mix, they’re happy. From their first days together, they stood united against deadly enemies and prevailed. But now the deadly enemy they face is the cancer thriving inside Luki, consuming his lungs.
As Luki’s treatment proceeds, Sonny hovers near, determined to provide every care, control every thread of possibility just as he does when he weaves. But he can’t control the progress of the cancer or how Luki’s body reacts to the treatment regime. Sonny tries, but Luki dances with cancer alone—until he gets a startling reminder of the miracle of life. With renewed determination and mutual love, the two men emerge from their coldest winter into a new spring day.
And by the way, in the post above, the big, beautiful cover (the work of artist Reese Dante) is a buy link. In case you just gotta have it now (like Crackerjacks), just click on the image.(If you don't get the Crackerjacks reference above, I'm likely older than you.)
Moving right along... When I first started telling people about Yes, some of them were horrified that Luki gets cancer. Let's face it. It's not a fun topic. Other people expected Yes to be about the promised wedding. Here's my response to both. (I actually nabbed this to repost from the "release party" I had at the Dreamspinner blog on release day. I thought it would be okay to repost here, even though some may have seen it.)A brief history of Vasquez and James:
Luki Vasquez and Sonny Bly James met by chance on the street in the early pages of Loving Luki Vasquez, and got their relationship off to a rocky beginning. When a not-quite-sane criminal threatened their lives, they each recognized in the other the “good thing” they might have missed. They survived because Luki’s a badass and Sonny’s the very definition of courage, so naturally they got together for good.
Well… sort of for good. By the time Delsyn’s Blues rolls around, beginning late the following winter, Sonny has driven Luki away in the midst of his own misery about his nephew Delsyn’s failing health and eventual death. But it turns out Delsyn’s death was a murder, and bad things keep happening after that, and of course Luki is determined not to leave Sonny to face this on his own. Circumstances like murders and gun running—yes gun running—need a badass, like, say, Luki Vasquez just for safety’s sake. So their back together, but the relationship is up and down once again. But, by the time Delsyn’s Blues ends, the lovers are fiancés, and a wedding is in the works.
Yes is not about the wedding. No It takes place five years after said wedding has occurred. (Expect to attend the wedding in the next V and J suspense thriller, Finding Jackie, still in the creation stages.
Yes is sort of about the cancer in Luki’s lungs. I say sort of, because it’s really not about the disease, but about the struggle Luki and Sonny face in their fight for Luki’s life, how they live with it, love through it. Although authors usually don’t like to give away the end, in talking about Yes, I make an exception. Readers, it is a romance, and the ending is a happy one. But in telling you that, I’ve told you nothing at all about the soul of this story, which lies in the hearts of these two exceptional men.
I admit, I was somewhat horrified to think that Luki had cancer, but it was a very beautiful story. Life isn't always beautiful and I love books that reflect that. Luki and Sonny's love on the other hand. sigh. :)
Thank you, CarrieAnn! Of course that's always good to hear, but I confess this little book is quite dear to my heart, so it's extra sweet. If there's anything you'd like to ask or share, I'd entertain all notions... Before I forget, thank you much for stopping by!CarrieAnn wrote: "Hi Lou! I finished Yes the other day, and I must say I loved it."
Truthfully, I understand your initial horror. But you're right, I have read some very beautiful literature that made my heart break all the way through, and if there was no redemption at the end that was hard to swallow. As humans, unfortunately pain is part of the way we grow, and Sonny and Luki surprised me with their love and depth in this story. Once again, I'm glad you found it a worthwhile read. Thank you.CarrieAnn wrote: "I admit, I was somewhat horrified to think that Luki had cancer, but it was a very beautiful story. Life isn't always beautiful and I love books that reflect that. Luki and Sonny's love on the othe..."
Lou wrote: "And by the way, in the post above, the big, beautiful cover (the work of artist Reese Dante) is a buy link. In case you just gotta have it now (like Crackerjacks), just click on the image.(If you..."
Hi Lou!
Although I can't stay and play I wanted to stop by and wish you the best of luck on this new release. It's already on my TBR list:) The cover is outstanding! Have fun today!
Thanks for coming by Mickie, and for the sweet words! I'd love to hear your thoughts when you've read the book. I'm about to post a never-before-shared excerpt, in case you want to sneak back for a peak later when you have time...Mickie wrote: "Lou wrote: "And by the way, in the post above, the big, beautiful cover (the work of artist Reese Dante) is a buy link. In case you just gotta have it now (like Crackerjacks), just click on the ima..."
This excerpt from Yes can be found here only. It's later in the book, Christmas Day, and Luki's feeling... well you'll see.When Luki looked in the mirror and saw that shiny bald head over a puffy round face—a steroid induced moon—with a crevice down the cheek where the scar didn’t stretch as much as everything else, he said to his reflection, “Well, that won’t make anybody’s Christmas present.”
He could laugh about it, but that was the thing that most niggled at him, this Christmas day. He had nothing to give, and what if this was the last Christmas he’d have? The thought wasn’t bitter or angry; it was, he admitted, realistic. It didn’t devastate him the way it had at Thanksgiving, and he was not about to repeat that debacle, but… still. When he stood at the coffeemaker carefully pouring his black coffee, an idea floated into his thoughts, like a bubble of cautious joy pushing itself up from the sea bottom. He poured a second cup and stirred in flavored creamer until he thought it looked right, left his own coffee sitting on the shelf, and with slow steps—with Bear following—made his way to Sonny’s studio door. The dog sat on his haunches, waiting for Luki as he knocked twice, a knock Luki hoped Sonny would recognize.
“Just a sec,” Sonny said, and it was no more than that before the door swung open. At first Sonny’s face had mild alarm painted on it, but it turned into a smile.
“I brought you some coffee.” After Sonny took it from his hand, Luki added, “Merry Christmas.”
Sonny’s smile grew a bit wider. He set the steaming cup down on something behind the wall, then stepped into the hall to draw Luki into his arms for a long and intimate hug. Luki held on to him for all he was worth, and Sonny whispered across his ear. “Merry Christmas to you, Luki Vasquez. I love you, and you’re smiling.”
“Yes,” Luki said and let go.
Kaholo was doing Christmas dinner. Luki didn’t really have a desire to help, but he sat in the kitchen keeping the old man company and watching snow slowly blanket the yard, the chopping block, even the clothesline. Kaholo gave him a bag of green beans to snap, just like when he was a child, and for the first time in a long time, he felt at peace. Kaholo kept him busy with small, mindless chores until they were mostly done, and then Luki got an idea.
“Uncle, how about a game of Konane?”
“You’ve got the rocks and the board?”
“Of course. I’m your nephew.”
Taking it slow, Luki managed to fetch the game pieces from a closet where he kept such things and bring them out to the beat-up, round, kitchen worktable. Luki gave Bear an extra good scratching under the chin and whispered into his koala-like ear, “Merry Christmas, Bear." Then he turned to the game board, and by the time Kaholo finished tending to some stirring and poking, Luki had already set it up in diagonal stripes of black and white stones. “You pick, Uncle,” he said.
“No, I ain’t gonna pick, Mililani. Every time I do, you win.”
“I win anyway, Uncle.”
“That’s right, so why the heck did I agree to play? I haven’t won against you at Konane anytime after you turned ten years old.”
“You agreed to play because it’s fun, and it’s Christmas, and we always play at Christmas. It’s tradition.”
“All right, all right, nephew, then just beat me good, and get it over with.”
Luki laughed, and the almost smile he’d worn most of the day stayed with him as they played. Kaholo did pick after all, and Luki ended up with black stones. He moved them about the board, jumping and taking—“eating”—Kaholo’s white pieces. He hadn’t lost his skill despite very little practice over the last twenty years or so. Still, at the end, the last move was Kaholo’s.
“You let me win, Mili! Why’d you go and do that? You’ve ruined your perfect record.”
Luki leaned sideways to pet the dog, turned back to answer Kaholo’s smile, and almost impishly said, “Yes. Merry Christmas.”
It all made for a busy day, as Luki’s days went, and by the time the light had begun to fade into that cobalt twilight that happens only in winter snow, he felt a little low.
“Honey,” Sonny said, wandering out of the studio for a piece of Kaholo’s macadamia fudge. “Are you going to be upset with me if I tell you to take your meds, turn your oxygen on, and sleep for a while?”
“O—”
Sonny interrupted him with a hand held out in the universal stop signal. “Before you answer, I’m only saying about the nap because you’ll want to be up, later, when everybody’s here for dinner and the tree and all that.”
“As I was saying, okay. I’m pretty tired, and I don’t think I’m breathing right.”
“Your inhalers are in the drawer….”
Sonny let his words drift off when Luki rolled his eyes. Luki started to get up, but he fell back into the chair, more spent than he’d realized. He held a hand out for help, and Sonny took it. When Luki was secure on his feet, he walked past Sonny, putting a smile in his eyes. “Okay, dear. Tell me where they are if it’ll make you feel better.”
Hi, Lou - I finally figured out how this works. Phew! Anyway, I'm excited that I won the contest, and can now download "Yes" - one of my favorite words, BTW. (Remember the movie "Yes"? - (I think the quote is, "No doesn't exist, there is only Yes.")) And, hurry up with the wedding! LOVE you and your books.
Thank you, Anna! Yes, (he-he) Yes was a very memorable movie, and I love the quote. Though there isn't much in common between that movie and this book. I'm excited you persevered and figured out the process, here, too. It's very nice to have you here. And yeah, you won the contest (from the Thursday-Friday character blog tour), how cool is that? And you reminded me, saying that, that I've forgotten to post today's contest. (You can't win if you've already won, of course, but somebody else can!) I'll be back to post that shortly.Anna wrote: "Hi, Lou - I finally figured out how this works. Phew! Anyway, I'm excited that I won the contest, and can now download "Yes" - one of my favorite words, BTW. (Remember the movie "Yes"? - (I think..."
Well, I knew I was forgetting something. Contest: Commenters, names go in hat, I pick one out and that person wins an ebook of Yes. If you've already won Yes, you can't play, sorry. If you haven't won the book but did read it... We'll figure something out?
Hi Lou. I've only read the first Vasquez and James book so far but I really loved it. I was wondering how far in advance you know what's going to happen in Sonny and Luki's story?Sorry if that doesn't make sense but I'm not sure how to word my question! What I mean is when you were writing Loving Luki Vasquez did you already know what was going to happen to them in the second and third books?
I know how stories evolve during the writing process. What inspired "Yes", and what kind of research was required to portray Luki's cancer. What surprises did the boys have for you while you wrote? Pesky characters. Always wanting their own way.
That does make perfect sense, Susan. Here's the thing. What I think I know is never completely on target. Whe I was writing Loving Luki Vasquez, it bothered me how much he smoked, but he insisted (yes characters do insist sometimes) on the habit. By the time I was done with it, I knew it was inevitable that some health problem would be the result of all that smoking, but I didn't know I was going to write it. Then I had to. It wouldn't leave me alone. I tried to stop writing that so I could write Delsyn's Blues, but I couldn't write Delsyn's Blues until I'd written through the first solid draft of Yes.The real sequel to Delsyn's Blues is almost completed (stay tuned for an excerpt), and it too happens, in the timeline, before Yes. So did that make sense? Thank you very much for coming by, for reading my book, and for your question! Susan wrote: "Hi Lou. I've only read the first Vasquez and James book so far but I really loved it. I was wondering how far in advance you know what's going to happen in Sonny and Luki's story?
Sorry if that ..."
Lou, I'll admit I'm one of those warped people who like cancer books (I'm a nurse. It's an occupational hazard). I read the book as soon as I got my grubby little hands on it! And you're right. Giving away the ending doesn't give away anything about what's in the story. You did a wonderful job!
Hi Eden! Thanks for stopping in! The question of inspiration is a good one because I don't really have a straight answer. I have, as with all of us, had people in my life affected and taken by cancer, I read medical records and personal statements about how cancer affects a certain individual's function frequenly in my 'day job.' And Luki wouldn't stop with the cigarettes, as I mentioned to Susan. It just all totaled up to "You must write this, Lou." As far as research, not a whole lot, because of both the personal experience with people in my life and being familiar with the medical side. I did have to double check medical facts (because who can remember it all?), and just be sure about cure rates and treatments and likely/possible side effects. As far as surprises... I didn't expect Sonny to turn into the sterilizing homemaker but he insisted on door knobs. I didn't expect Sonny to almost let anger get the best of him. I didn't expect Luki to rage just the way and time that he did. And the thing that happened at a critical moment, I had not planned it ahead, and the way Luki took it was a complete surprise. Not much else I can really say.Eden wrote: "I know how stories evolve during the writing process. What inspired "Yes", and what kind of research was required to portray Luki's cancer. What surprises did the boys have for you while you wrote?..."
Zahra, you have no idea how good that comment makes me feel. Thank you so much. Zahra wrote: "Lou, I'll admit I'm one of those warped people who like cancer books (I'm a nurse. It's an occupational hazard). I read the book as soon as I got my grubby little hands on it! And you're right. Giv..."
Hi Lou :) Dropping in before work. As you already know I love this story, and their relationship.I read the interviews etc on your blog tour yesterday -one of the comments that really hit home was the comment to you about how once you let them out, as an author, they're here to stay. Unmaking isn't an option. So true.
Lou wrote: "Zahra, you have no idea how good that comment makes me feel. Thank you so much.I'm not just paying lip service here. I know how hard it is to walk that thin line. In my next novel I have one of my three main characters dying of cancer. Yes, I killed him. The romance is about the remaining two living with what happened and still finding a way to love each other after the one person they both loved dies.
I hope I can do at least half as good a job as you did!
Excerpt from Finding Jackie, the true sequel to Delsyn's Blues. Still a WIP so could change, but I hope you like it. This is only part 1, because the whole thing was too long for the post box!Before going into the Seattle Art Museum’s main building, Luki spent a few minutes in the shadow of Hammering Man. The sculpture, Sonny had told him, isn’t unique, and though it’s forty-eight feet tall it isn’t even the biggest Hammering Man in the world. It seemed to Luki a hardworking and down to earth statue, lifting and lowering its hammer four times a minute all day. But it was near seven in the evening, now, and the Man rested from his labors.
“He’s off work in the evening,” Sonny had said. “And he doesn’t work on Labor Day.”
It had struck Luki as such an odd thing to say about a sculpture that he laughed, and he started laughing again, standing there bathed in the cool, damp, Northwest summer dusk. With a smile probably clearly evident on his face, all he could think of was laying eyes on Sonny. Upon whom Luki realized his own suns rose and set. Sonny hadn’t actually been in bed, or even still at the hotel when he got back from the so-called interview with Assistant Special Agent in Charge, comb-over Bob. Luki hadn’t seen him all day.
He felt lonely. And antsy. Because he hadn’t seen Sonny and because all day, everywhere he went, people were smoking.
I need to fix this situation, he thought, and popped two mints followed by a piece of Juicy Fruit (his favorite except following vomit). Then he turned to head for the glass doors. He bought a ticket, since that seemed quicker than explanations about who he was, and the need to confirm that with Sonny. Pass in hand, he stepped into the hall. Late.
Not wanting to draw attention to himself, instead of looking for a seat, he stepped to the side and stood with a few other outcasts in a dim corner of the lecture hall. He gazed at Sonny and tried to listen for a few minutes, then tapped his heel quietly on the carpet and counted on his fingers the number of days since the wedding. If he counted that day it had been ten since his last cigarette. He tried to remember whether there had been any mention in the smoking cessation literature the doctor had given him about how long it would be before a man would stop turning into an antsy sex fiend every time he looked at his husband.
Because that was exactly what was happening. Well, not every time perhaps, because as long as Sonny was within reach, and nothing interfered, and Luki could reach over and smear some kisses on Sonny’s face, or drag his hand over some perfect piece of Sonny’s anatomy, or even just talk, close enough to feel Sonny’s breath—as long as it was like that, Luki didn’t mind the absence of cigarettes at all. But now, like this, Sonny up on the dais, behind a podium with a microphone, using a pointer for God’s sake. Luki took in a sharp breath, feeling his cock twitch in a too-lively manner.
And that made him think of something he hadn’t thought of before. He looked around the auditorium, saw students and artists and collectors and retirees—apparently those last had just come because they’d decided to become interesting and artsy in their sunset years. How many of them had cocks—or something—twitching for Sonny? He thought he spotted a few from the looks on their faces and the way they wiggled in their seats. Male and female, young and old. Sonny appeared to be an equal opportunity turn-on in this crowd. Luki didn’t like it.
We’re married, for the love of all the saints. They can’t have him. Even a little!
Excerpt from Finding Jackie, Part Two:Jealous and unsettled by it, not to mention Jones-ing for either a bite of Sonny or a drag off a Winston, Luki began to consider turning around and heading out the door. He could wait for Sonny out in the lobby. It shouldn’t have been that hard of a decision, but it was, and that made him even more anxious. For something to do with his non-smoking hand he began to twist at his rings—his wedding set of yellow gold, fire opal, and clear sapphire.
He twisted. He pulled. The rings came off. He dropped them. They rolled. He stepped after them and reached out his right foot to stop them under his boot sole. He missed. He repeated the effort, but the rings were rolling down the sloping aisle now and they managed to stay a step ahead of him the whole time. Luki heard but didn’t register that Sonny had been saying his name from up on the podium until he said it a third time into the mike.
“Luki!”
Luki stopped and looked up at him. Doctor Sonny James looked very serious, and very, very much in charge. Luki kind of liked it, except at the moment he wanted to crawl under the carpet. He didn’t say anything.
“You dropped your rings again?” Sonny asked, not unkindly.
Luki nodded.
“Do you know where they are?”
Luki shook his head, but then said, “Somewhere in these couple of rows, right here.”
Sonny tilted his head to the side and took and released a noisy breath, looking a little annoyed, Luki thought. He wondered when Sonny had become the sensible one between them. He decided to blame the nicotine withdrawals.
“We’ll take a short break, people,” Sonny was saying into the mike. Before we break, I’d like to point out that if you take some time to view the tapestries on the west wall of the lobby, you might recognize my husband in the beach, tai chi scene entitled Tricky Wind. This is him, Luki Vasquez, standing right here at the moment looking like a newlywed who dropped his wedding ring.”
The audience, in general, laughed. Luki didn’t. Sonny tilted his head the other way, smiling at him, and perhaps thought a little remediating kindness was in order. “He quit smoking as a wedding present to me,” Sonny said to the crowd, and they applauded. “It’s only been ten days. Otherwise, I’m pretty sure he never would have dropped the rings. Anyway, let’s adjourn for a few minutes while he and I find them. People in those seats right near there, please be careful?”
Next thing Luki knew, people started swarming around him to migrate out to the lobby. The way they cut him a careful berth let him know that though he might feel like a clumsy curmudgeon, to them he likely looked like a pissed-off badass, Sonny’s sweet introduction notwithstanding. Somehow that made him feel better. Then, Sonny was right there, leaning his beautiful face toward Luki, and Luki leaned up to smash a kiss on Sonny’s super-sweet lips. He still wanted a cigarette, but it didn’t matter so much.
“If you just stop messing with your rings all the time, honey, they’ll stop falling off.” Sonny was serious in a teasing way, or the other way around.
“Yeah, you’re right, sweetie. I know. For some reason watching you lecture turned me on and filled me with angst all at once. And by the way a whole bunch of these people out here are turned on, too. I can tell.”
“Hah! You’re just jealous.”
“I am but it’s true anyway. They’re all squirmy and doe-eyed. Women too, not just men.”
“It’s not me, Luki. It’s the legend.” He made his voice really deep. "The stupendous, unsurpassed weaver, Doctor Sonny James.”
Luki had been strolling through the aisles trying to spot the rings, but Sonny laid down and scooted under the seats, and he found the treasure almost immediately. “I’ve got ‘em, Luki!” He scooted back out into the aisle, grabbed Luki’s hand and slid the yellow gold over Luki’s brown fingers. “I like the way that looks on you.”
Luki laughed, even though his smile was a not-quite smile by habit, and pulled his lover into a hard kiss. When he broke it off, they were both breathing a little heavier. “Anyway,”Luki said, “I think I should leave and let you finish your lecture without me there to disturb the proceedings. But listen, what time are you done?”
“About 8:30, so not long really.”
“Because I heard from Jerry—you remember him? The nurse?” When Sonny nodded, he went on. “He and Donnell want to meet us over the Metro—for dinner if you want, or just a beer or something.”
“Yeah, okay. Dinner sounds good—I’ll be hungry by then.”
“’Kay. I’ll call Jerry and confirm. I’ll wait for you at the hotel.”
Sonny heaved a sigh, sat down in one of the plush seats, and pulled Luki into the seat next to him. “First, can we kiss again? Then I’ll tell you why I don’t want you to leave just yet.”
“Why not?”
“Kiss first, Luki! Dang, I’m really glad you’re not smoking, but you’re a little off your game.”
Luki couldn’t have said no if he tried, so he obliged. The last kiss had been hard and pushy, this one was smooth and sweet and tender. Luki ended it with a kiss to Sonny’s eyelid, his ear, hair. “Damn, baby. I don’t suppose you’d be game for a quick trip to the back alley.”
Sonny laughed out loud. “Not today. But listen, I’m kind of glad you’re here for other reasons, too. I’m a little nervous about something... I probably shouldn’t be. It’s probably nothing, right?”
Luki breathed a rough sigh, “Sonny, you have to tell me what it is before I can answer that.” He kept a close eye on Sonny’s eyes while they spoke. He wasn’t surprised that Sonny had been able to hide this nervousness, or push it aside, for his lecture. He was good at keeping things in their place until he could use them. But now, Luki saw those dark eyes narrow at the corners, just the slightest bit, and Sonny’s shapely lips straightened back against his teeth. He was really troubled by something.
“One of my tapestries went missing for a while.”
In typical Sonny fashion, he stopped right there.
“I need more information, baby.”
“No one here at the museum could find it, and they didn’t seem to have any idea who might know. I went to look over the exhibit, and the place it should have been was just empty. Even the placard was gone. No trace. The curator swore the piece was put up, that no one would have had opportunity to steal it. But it wasn’t there, and it wasn’t with any of my other stuff in the back, and it wasn’t in any storeroom, apparently, though I couldn’t search those myself. The museum was officially sure it would,” he used air quotes, which wasn’t typical, “turn up.”
Luki could tell Sonny had something else to say. He seemed to be temporarily stalled. Clearly, he had been shelving considerable emotion about this. Luki didn’t think it was just because his work was involved. In an effort to calm him, he held Sonny’s hand, stroked the back of it, giving him time to think. He chewed his bottom lip. “Sonny,” he said, focusing on what seemed an important question. “Is there anything about that piece that makes it special? Different from the rest of your work?”
“Yeah! I don’t like it much. It’s atrocious,” Sonny said, surprising Luki. “But the museum wanted it in the exhibit because the show and lecture are about how I use dyes, and that piece is the first time I used Sonny’s Red.”
Getting off the subject, Luki said, “I’m pretty sure it’s not possible for you to weave anything atrocious.”
“You haven’t looked at that piece, but that brings me to the rest of the story.” Sonny huffed. He stopped talking, staring into the distance and fiddling with a drab, crinkled paper square he’d pulled out of the breast pocket of his jacket.
“What is that, Sonny?”
“Part of the rest of the story,” he said, meeting Luki’s eyes again. “The tapestry was found—eventually. Someone had moved it to a room where they have some Francis Bacon pieces—among them that screaming pope that everybody raves about, absolutely horrid. What a horrible man that artist must have been to paint the things he did. It’s not fair to judge him that way, I’m sure, but….”
Sonny drifted off, again, looking at something across the room or behind his own eyes, and Luki let him drift for a moment. After a time Sonny started walking back to the lecture hall, and Luki realized he’d have to bring Sonny back if he wanted to get the rest of the story before Sonny went back to lecturing. “So the rest of the story?” he asked.
“Sorry. I guess I’m more upset by this than I was letting myself know. Anyway, I found this note behind the placard.” He handed the paper square to Luki. It had been printed in caps, in some casual font.
THE BLOODY RED IN THIS PIECE IS BEAUTIFUL, DR. JAMES, ESPECIALLY VIEWED WITH BACON’S BLOODY SCREAM. THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO ENJOY THEM TOGETHER. ENJOY YOUR TRAVELS. I SHALL CERTAINLY ENJOY MINE.
The signature, Luki noted, was simply initials. TC. Could be almost anyone. T could stand for Thomas or Tim or Tracey or Todd. Or it could stand for Titus. He couldn’t divine whether the T was coincidence or clue, so he let the subject lie, looked instead at Sonny. “I can’t know what this means—what the creep who did this intends. Not yet.”
“I know. Maybe it’s nothing. There are some weird art fans. If you can call ‘em that. Anyway maybe it’s just someone being weird.”
“Yeah, could be,” Luki said, nodding agreement, though he was pretty sure that wasn’t the case. “There’s no one here that wants to hurt you, as far as you know? Enemies?”
“No… Doesn’t it seem like a familiar situation? Right down to the fucking note.”
There followed a silence during which Luki nodded and chewed his lip. It did seem familiar, and for Luki it was both tiresome and scary.
Sonny looked away, stared straight ahead at the exhibit pieces. “You’re going to ask me that same damn question, aren’t you?”
“I’m afraid so, baby.”
“Don’t ask, I’ll just go ahead and answer. No police, because number one, no permanent harm done, and number two we’d have to involve the museum.”
“Which is bad because…?”
“Luki, you have no idea the red tape and paperwork that can be generated in an art museum. Forget dinner with Jerry and Donnell. We wouldn’t make it to Nebraska until we were both long in the tooth.”
When Luki didn’t respond except to raise his eyebrows, Sonny added, “You’d be longer in the tooth than me, of course.”
“Tiresome,” Luki said, ignoring Sonny’s jibe at his age. He decided not to mention ‘scary.’ “Are you going to be all right, here, baby? I mean until you finish your lecture.”
“I’m fine, Luki. I feel better just because I told you.” He smiled and kissed Luki, more than friendship, less than romance. “You go on back to the hotel and I’ll meet you there. I’d better get back up there.”
“Mmm, no. I think I’ll stick around. I’ve got phone calls to make, but I’ll do that from out in the lobby. I’ll be here when you’ve finished.” Luki stood and held out a totally unnecessary hand to help his lover up. “Just because.”
As it often did, Sonny’s emotional response surprised Luki. Sonny bowed his head, and a breath sounded a little like crying. When he looked up, his eyes were dry but bright, and he was smiling. He tilted his head to the side, and said, “You love me, Luki.”
And Luki said, “Yes, Sonny. I do.”
I know! That Sonny James can be a bit of a smart mouth, (but a sweet one), but he was dead on with that comment. Mostly that's a good thing, yes? Thanks for coming by, Anne, and for your wonderful review, etc. I know you're probably gone to work by now, though I admit I have absolutely no idea what time it is where you are. Have a good day!Anne wrote: "Hi Lou :) Dropping in before work. As you already know I love this story, and their relationship.
I read the interviews etc on your blog tour yesterday -one of the comments that really hit home w..."
as always late to the party. I just wanted to drop by and say this sounds very interesting and very emotional. Good luck with it.
Hi, Lou. Luki & Sonny are such a unique, heart-wrenching couple, I just adore them. And that cover of "Yes" is just amazing. Have a great chat! :)
That sounds like a wonderful story line, but yes, I'll bring tissue when I read it. Zahra, you know you'll end with a very well-told tale. Thanks again.
Zahra wrote: "Lou wrote: "Zahra, you have no idea how good that comment makes me feel. Thank you so much.
I'm not just paying lip service here. I know how hard it is to walk that thin line. In my next novel I h..."
Yes! Yay! Hi, Judiana. Thanks for coming! It's almost time to wrap it up but if you have comments or questions, that'd be workable. "Judianna wrote: "!!!
Am I on time?!
xD If so yay!! and hi Lou! =3""
Thank you much, Jana! I'm glad you stopped by. Jana wrote: "as always late to the party. I just wanted to drop by and say this sounds very interesting and very emotional. Good luck with it."
D: darn... so I did miss a lot... oh wells... Just happy to stop by and say Hi! =D heh...Hm, Well, I got no real questions. I already asked what I wanted at the DSP blog. lol... I just came to lurk. haha! xD
Thanks very much, Susan, for the lovely words (which have gone straight to Luki's head) and for stopping by. Lovely!Susan wrote: "Hi, Lou. Luki & Sonny are such a unique, heart-wrenching couple, I just adore them. And that cover of "Yes" is just amazing. Have a great chat! :)"
Luki may be a bad-ass, but I've got my own attitude to match :) Good luck to both of Luki & Sonny.The realism in your stories is... difficult at times, pulling on heart-strings like no other, but it's worth it in the end. Can't wait to find out what you come up with next.
Well, it's technically after closing time, here, so I'm going to wash the glasses, wipe down the bar, and sweep up. Whilst I'm doing that, I'll tell you what the future may hold for Vasquez and James and me, as a writer. First, as you see above, I have a sequel planned and almost ready to submit to the publisher. (Oh Dreamspinner! Yoo-hoo... Want another Vasquez and James?) And then there's this ending that I once thought was going to be book 2. Obviously it wasn't. And now, all of a sudden I have in mind (and even jotted down in quick outline form) the beginning to it! So, that could be a sequel to Finding Jackie. If that becomes reality... wait for it... the guys go to Europe! Not at the same time! Feedback welcome and will be considered food for thought and/or good for laughs.
I also have 3 unrelated M/M romance projects that may or may not get written before I'm older than rocks. (1) A sci-fi, time travel missing person series. (2) Something historical and Scottish to be co-written with another author. (3) A series of shorter novels or novellas centering on occupations and opposites.
That's all my news. Visit me here at good reads or at http://sylvre.com, or lou(dot)sylvre(at)gmail(dot)com.
I'm going to check for comments and questions, then call it a wrap--but I'll check back later, too. Thanks to everyone who came to the chat!
Susan thank you, that is a thoughtful compliment, about realism. I'm glad to hear you say it's worth it.Actually Luki and Sonny don't need luck as much as I do having to deal with the two of them, but it's kin of you to wish them luck anyway. ;) Thanks again for coming by.
Susan wrote: "Luki may be a bad-ass, but I've got my own attitude to match :) Good luck to both of Luki & Sonny.
The realism in your stories is... difficult at times, pulling on heart-strings like no other, but..."
No, no, of course not. Come on in, take a seat. Thank you for coming by? Any burning questions, comments?Cardeno wrote: "Am I too late? Is the party over?"
Yikes! Now there's pressure. Nothing burning here, thankfully, or I'd have to get an extinguisher or some prescription cream. I will say that if you're taking votes on which new story to work on first, my vote is for the sci-fi time travel series. I just love that idea. I've loved many sci-fi time travel television series over the years and the damn things keep getting cancelled well before I'm ready to let them go. Will the series involve one couple? Will both travel through time? Can you tell I'm intrigued by the idea?
Yikes! Now there's pressure. Nothing burning here, thankfully, or I'd have to get an extinguisher or some prescription cream. I will say that if you're taking votes on which new story to work on first, my vote is for the sci-fi time travel series. I just love that idea. I've loved many sci-fi time travel television series over the years and the damn things keep getting cancelled well before I'm ready to let them go. Will the series involve one couple? Will both travel through time? Can you tell I'm intrigued by the idea?
Okay, everybody. All names are noted for the contest. I'm waiting a few hours for stragglers and will be back tonight, at which time I will answer any questions or comments and announce the winner. Thank you all very much for coming!Lou Sylvre
I actually like the short stories or novellas series. Opposites attract is always a nice read, and there are so many occupations to choose from. Good luck with that :)
Thanks, Susan. The first story in that is somewhat far along in development. The only problem with these ideas is finding the time to write them! I appreciate your feedback--it can help me figure out what to prioritize. Susan wrote: "I actually like the short stories or novellas series. Opposites attract is always a nice read, and there are so many occupations to choose from. Good luck with that :)"
No pressure, seriously. And I'm glad you're not on fire. Thanks for that feedback on the sci-fi. Actually, there are a number of players but one main character, and it is his partner/lover (the love of his life, I don't know what to call him, they aren't married) that is the missing person. It involves a lot of thinking he has found him, but he hasn't, or he slips away, etc. It's early yet, but I am enamoured of the idea, too. I wish I had more time. Seriously, I do. Cardeno wrote: "Yikes! Now there's pressure. Nothing burning here, thankfully, or I'd have to get an extinguisher or some prescription cream. I will say that if you're taking votes on which new story to work on fi..."
I haven't quite left yet! No one was here before the last hour and a half! That's how it often seems to go. It has been fun! I'm sorry you got in last minute, but it means a lot that you made it. (Thanks! If you have any comments or questions, I'll be back later to answer.)Elizabeth wrote: "Hey Lou, I just got in from work, sorry I missed everything. It looks like you were a hit!
Elizabeth"
Lou -- are you still here? Goodreads confuses me to the point of madness and I couldn't find the event!
Dreamspinner Press
Books mentioned in this topic
Yes (other topics)Loving Luki Vasquez (other topics)
