Clare London's Blog, page 124

Away for a week ...

Hi all. I'm away from tomorrow for a week, with limited internet access, so I won't be around for much online interaction. I'll look forward to catching up on all the news after next Tuesday :).

WELCOME Hunter Raines and a new release

Welcome today to a guest post from fellow Carina author Hunter Raines, celebrating the release of Paradise Found at Carina Press this coming week, and the move to fill-time author.

Paradise Found has already received glowing pre-release reviews: I hope you'll enjoy reading about it, too :).

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Thanks so much, Clare, for having me here as part of the blog tour for my upcoming Carina Press release, PARADISE FOUND!

As I write this, I’m sitting by the pool in Austin, Texas, which is quite a change from my usual writing nook in Ottawa, Canada. I’m here to see friends and shop while hubby works, and it feels more like a real vacation than the working holiday it’s supposed to be.

Neither my husband nor I are social creatures. We’re homebodies, and we’ll take a good book or movie over a loud party any day of the week. But while we’re in Austin, we’re making the rounds, getting in as much socializing as we can. At times it’s been overwhelming, especially when everyone wants to ask about my life as an author.

You see, I left the corporate world behind and made the switch to being a full time author a couple of months ago. Our friends are intrigued, fascinated, and a little appalled by this decision. Naturally, they want to know everything about how I spend my days. Do I stare out the window and daydream? (Not much.) Do I keep regular office hours? (Sure do, 8:00AM to 5:00PM) How do I stay motivated? (Chocolate.) What do I write?

Uhh… that one’s a little harder for me. As much as I love the M/M erotic romance genre, I get tongue-tied when it comes to explaining it to people who don’t read romance, much less romance involving two men. And although our friends are quite open-minded, I still find myself muttering the answer to that question under my breath.

That’s where my husband comes to the rescue, bless him. He doesn’t read M/M. He doesn’t read M/F romance, either. But he’s so proud of me that he has no qualms about loudly announcing, “My wife writes gay erotic fiction for women.” And when he gets blank, confused, or shocked stares, he continues. “Just like guys love two women together, women love reading about two guys together.” That seems to satisfy most people, though the looks of wonder on their faces tell us we’ve just opened their minds to something they’ve never considered.

I draw strength from hubby’s support. So when our friends want to know what my next book is about, I’m a little braver when I say it’s a ménage with strong BDSM elements. After that, I’m on my own. Hubby will only help up to a point, and then he’ll retreat into the kitchen, grab a beer, and leave me to fend off dozens of questions about male sexuality, techniques, and the psychology of BDSM play.

The price I pay for living an artist’s life, I guess. And hey, at least I’m not a total bore at parties.

 

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BLURB

Paradise is just an illusion…

Or so Philip thinks as he vacations on exotic Anguilla. He should be celebrating the end of law school and the start of his successful career, but he’s tired of living a lie for his family’s sake. For just one night, he lets down his guard with two men he thinks he’ll never see again.

He isn’t the only one with secrets. For years, Cameron Drake has suppressed his need for dominance, afraid of hurting his lover, Mark Wilder. But when Cameron’s hand meets Philip’s ass, there’s no more pretending. Mark can’t face his conflicting feelings about the ménage; does Cameron want more than Mark can give?

The three of them may have been perfect together but consequences follow them back to their real lives. Will their desire for another encounter shatter the illusions they’ve built to protect themselves or clear the obstacles to paradise?

PARADISE FOUND will be available at Carina Press, Amazon, and other online retailers on June 6.

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About the Author

Hunter Raines holds an Honors B.A. in English Literature, and is the author of numerous short stories and novellas. When she's not working or writing, she can be found curled up in her library of more than four thousand books, or playing video games with her husband. Find her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook, or join her Yahoo Group.

 

BARE-FACED CHEEK AHEAD

Naughty, Sexy, Fun, Writers or "Clare & Chrissy go NSFW"

Come and join us on June 2nd at Beth Wylde's Group .

Beth is hosting a month-long series of guests and chats in celebration of Pride Month. Make sure you pop in over the course of the month to meet authors and publishers, read great excerpts and enter contests :).

And here's our blurb :

"That's Clare London, multi-published m/m author from the U.K., and Chrissy Munder, m/m author from the U.S. We chat, we write, we laugh - a lot, and we share some of this in our monthly blog post - The Clare and Chrissy Show . We can't remember exactly how we got together, but the results have been explosive. In the fun way that is. And we are excited to once again share that fun and celebrate Pride Month with the Beth Wylde Group.

Join us on June 2nd with our no-holds barred NSFW Day. That's right! From 12-6 pm EST We'll have NSFW Excerpts. 3 NSFW Contests where you'll have a chance to win our eBooks as well as our almost-trademarked glittery swag bags, All Clare and Chrissy will be NSFW for your chatting pleasure. And that's a lot of NSFW.

Hope to see you there!"

To learn more about Clare and her work:
Website: http://www.clarelondon.co.uk/
Blog: http://clarelondon.livejournal.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/clarelondon
Twitter: http://twitter.com/clare_london

To learn more about Chrissy and her work:
Website: http://www.chrissymunder.com
Blog: http://chrissymunder.livejournal.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chrissymunder
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChrissyMunder

HOLIDAY book bargains

Happy Memorial Day! from All Romance Ebooks .

It's Memorial Day weekend in the United States, the unofficial start of summer, and ARe is celebrating in a big way with a 50% rebate sitewide!

With vacation season coming, a three day weekend upon us, and your summer reading list to buy, what a perfect time to fill up your ARe Library and your eReader all at 50% off. But hurry, like all good things, this sale too must end.

*Rebate to be given at check-out in eBucks equal to 50% of purchase for use on a future purchase. The Memorial Day 50% Site-Wide Rebate applies to paypal and credit card purchases from 12:01 am 05/28/11 to 11:59 pm 05/30/11 US central time only.



From JMS BOOKS LLC :

"Every month a new message is sent out listing all our latest releases. Five members are chosen at random from all subscribers to win one free copy of any e-book we've published. And information about upcoming events or specials is highlighted, as well.

You can join the newsletter HERE to celebrate in July our 1 year anniversary, when we'll be giving one lucky subscriber a FREE KINDLE! Other winners will receive free books and Amazon gift certificates each week in July.

Also, next month (June) is GLBT Pride Month in the United States. To celebrate, all our GLBT titles will be 30% off. The discount will appear automatically and run from June 1 to June 30. Spread the word!"



Greetings! from Coffee Time Romance Bookstore .

Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with a new book to read! We have a lot of great savings for you to take advantage of and new books to buy!

SPECIAL BONUS: Every single order you place (1-500) will get you an extra 100 Reward Points! Yes, 100 Reward Points that you can use on your next purchase to save money!

Publisher Sales this weekend:
* Carnal Passions - Save 25%
* Champagne Books - Save 25%
* Eternal Press - Save 25%
* New Dawning Bookfair - Save 25%
* Wild Horse Press - Save 25%
* MuseItUp Publishing - Save 30%


♥ I'm off book-buying now ... LOL

Romance and Mystery Mayhem tomorrow ...

Come on over on SATURDAY 28 May to Love Romances Cafe to meet me and the other authors of the Not Your Usual Suspects Blog.

ET 12 - 6pm.

Not Your Usual Suspects is a group blog featuring an international array of authors writing mysteries, suspense and romantic suspense. The premises and story lines are different than your "run of the mill" mysteries as you can tell by our group's name. We tend to write what is considered outside the box and are published by Carina Press as well as other publishers.

We'll be chatting about what we love in our genre and what challenges we face. We'll also be sharing excerpts from our books and news about any new and upcoming releases.

And Prizes!

The generous authors have offered a FREE download to lucky visitors. Just drop in to the LRC Group tomorrow and add your name to the Prize Post, to be entered into the draw for any one of these great, best-selling titles:

Toni Anderson's Sea of Suspicion or Storm Warning
Clare London's Blinded by Our Eyes or The Tourist
Josh Lanyon's This Rough Magic or Snowball in Hell
Marcelle Dube's On her Trail or The Shoeless Kid
Kathy Ivan's Desperate Choices
Wynter Daniels : choice of backlist
Carol Stephenson's Courting Disaster or Courting Death
Maureen Miller's Endless Night
Julie Moffett's No One Lives Twice and (out in June) No One to Trust
Julie Wachowski's In Plain View


♥

A First Time for Everything - at Literary Nymphs this weekend

Come on over to the Literary Nymphs Chat Yahoo Group this weekend.



Dreamspinner Press are having a party, introducing the First Time for Everything Daily Dose of fiction next month.

From true love's first innocent kiss to finally getting down and dirty on the kitchen floor, there's a first time for every sort of cherry to be popped. Whether discovering the ravenous thrill of sex or the heartwarming power of romance, these men are going to take the plunge and try something new—something romantic or kinky, daring or safe, passionate or relaxed, even comforting or scary—all in the name of love. The First Time for Everything Daily Dose package delivers 30 M/M stories about all kinds of first times.

Summer reading fun! A story delivered automatically to your bookshelf each day in June. Over 1,500 pages of fiction selling individually for a total $81.20. Buy the package early and save:

May - $49.99* *Sale of packages for daily delivery ends May 25.

Beginning June 1, stories will be available individually as priced or as a bulk package for $54.99.



Includes my novella: Just-You Eyes.

♥

CLEARING OUT AN AUTHOR'S CLOSET!

Clare: Welcome to The Clare and Chrissy Show – May Edition. Mother's Day is sadly far behind us, but long summer weekends are ahead. Hopefully everyone survived the April Showers and are enjoying the beautiful May Flowers…

Chrissy: Spring is in the air … deedum deedumm lala lala…

Clare: Chrissy.

Chrissy: Hmmmm?

Clare: It's time for the show Chrissy, could you stop with the singing and get with the program?

Chrissy: Already?

Clare: Yes.

Chrissy: I'm late?

Clare: Absolutely.

Chrissy: Whoopsie.

Clare: Now that we're all here…

Chrissy: Did you already cover the April showers/May flowers part?

Clare: More than a few sentences up.

Chrissy: Did you tell the joke?

Clare: *frowns*.

Chrissy: Oh come on, who doesn't like the old, "if April showers bring May flowers what do May flowers bring" joke?

Clare: *Sigh*.

Chrissy: Fine.

Clare: Fine.

Chrissy: But I bet you laughed the first time one of the boys told you the joke.

Clare: Chrissy!
Chrissy: Heheh. It's Spring. And much to our bemused dismay, Clare and I have been sucked into one of the more bizarre rituals of the season.

Clare: Otherwise known as Spring Cleaning.

Chrissy: Not happy with mere wall washing, carpet scrubbing, baseboard wiping, and other tasks best left to professionals, mothers-in-laws, and brawny pioneer women, we delved below the surfaces of our respective households in search of bigger game.

Clare: Chrissy tackled the bulging file cabinets in her basement…

Chrissy: … and Clare faced the ghosts of wardrobes past.

Clare: Oddly enough, we did this on the same week, and without prior discussion.

Chrissy: Spooky, wasn't it? We need some spine-chilling music there, you know.

Clare: Our shared consciousness at work. Resistance is futile.

Chrissy: Anyway, while neither of us should qualify for our own episode of "Hoarders: Buried Alive", *cough* ...

Clare: ... our equivalent is "Life Laundry" over here ...

Chrissy: ... it was surprising to see just how much paper I had collected. After all, for much of my life I've picked up and moved jobs and states with nothing more than my coffee maker and a bag of clothes.

Clare: Sadly, with two boys and a husband, the amount of gear I went through was no surprise at all. None of us has ever mastered the art of letting go of stuff.

Chrissy: I'm always conflicted during the experience. It's not something I'm comfortable doing, especially with an audience.

Clare: *nod* I understand what you're saying. I have good friends who offer to help me out - what, they don't think I can be ruthless enough?!

Chrissy: Maybe it's the fact someone else's stuff is always more interesting than our own.

Clare: Well, let me send you a plane ticket. If and when I get In The Zone, I need no further prodding. I can confirm the much talked about feeling of lightness that comes with a good dose of de-cluttering. Not to mention the joy of empty closet space (~~~more shoes, more shoes~~~)

Chrissy: But there's some sadness as well. I suppose these items, paper or not, are tokens. Remembrances of places, people, lives we once lived, and the people we were at that moment in time. They deserve a bit of mourning before being discarded.

Clare: And since we remember the good, far more readily than the bad, all of it is shaded with rose-colored glasses. But I measure the places I've been and the good times I've had by many of my clothes and items. This is the sweater I bought on holiday in Scarborough when I finished that novel; this is the jacket I wore to Son#2's confirmation; this is the summer bag I bought on my whizzy shopping trip with Chrissy in 2010 ...

Chrissy: And I have the matching bag myself *smooches*. Quite dashing.

Clare: At the same time, change is inevitable. By holding on too tightly we're not allowing ourselves space to grow, or even time to accept the people we are now. And my God, have some of us changed! (and I'm not *just* talking about my thickening waistline, and the fact that confirmation jacket no longer really fits...)

Chrissy: Of course, all of this segues nicely into our writing, *g*. I recently read a series of articles where the author ruthlessly set aside older works in progress and story ideas to de-clutter their workspace and mind to better concentrate on the new work ahead.

Clare: Intriguing. How did you feel after reading those?

Chrissy: Honestly? I had a panic attack. You've seen my ever-growing stack of WIP folders stacked on the floor.

Clare: I have to admit, that's a huge stack. But, I have plenty of my own, so who am I to point the finger?

Chrissy: I'm making progress though. Over the last year I've taken all the little scribbled-on pieces of paper and turned them into Word documents - thus reducing the immediate area of fire hazard. And I've been keeping up doing the same with any of my research.

Clare: Maybe I need to put one of the boys on that *rolls eyes as less than likely*. But I never seem to have the time myself. I suppose that's the heart of the problem once again, isn't it? Lack of time. I have story concepts I'd like to explore, but then a deadline or a sub call comes up and takes precedence. Or is that ...?

Chrissy: Lack of concentration? Too easily distracted by shiny new things? *whistles innocently*

Clare: Yes, well. Let's move on.

Chrissy: Could you see yourself trashing any and all story ideas you've not gotten to yet? Just draw a line in time and say everything prior to here is no longer an option?

Clare: *Arrgh*. I can do it, but it hurts. I recently shelved a 34k story that stalled a year ago when I changed a major plot path. When I came back to it, it *still* stalled, and I've admitted temporary defeat. It's not working, it doesn't feel right. Clare's head, meet brick wall. Step away.

Chrissy: But it's hard to learn, as you say, when to let go.

Clare: Hell, yes. There's still a lot of me tied up in many other stories that haven't come to fruition or conclusion just yet. And it's not like I can just switch them off. Sometimes I'm working on a story and my mind keeps creating dialogue for one that's not even in the queue.

Chrissy: LOL, we can all relate to that. If we continue our analogy then, by holding on to these older works in progress are we refusing to allow room to explore the works of now? An interesting thought, but perhaps a bit short-sighted?

Clare: How so?

Chrissy: As you mentioned, change is inevitable. And while we may not be the same writer as when we originally came up with a certain story idea, I'd like to think that we are better, more seasoned writers now. Maybe we would take that same concept in a totally new direction.

Clare: Have you emptied another file cabinet? Sucked in too much dust? You sound enchantingly enthusiastic.

Chrissy: Maybe instead of de-cluttering our writing spaces, we could use this spring as a time of renewal for our writing. Get back in touch with what inspired us in the first place, take an older idea and let it flower into something exciting, new, and bold.

Clare: You've been gardening again, haven't you? Sigh.

Chrissy: It shows? LOL.

Clare and Chrissy: So what Spring Madness have you all aspired to? A spot of Spring Cleaning, of De-cluttering? Authors, are you culling or cuddling your WIP folders? Readers, fancy trying a new genre this season? What is the new black, I wonder ...?

Share your thoughts and inspire us to live and write afresh - and add to Chrissy's streamlined-yet-still-brimful-of-promise WIP pile :).

****

APRIL Winner: bleedtoblue - Congratulations! Please email Clare at clarelondon11@yahoo.co.uk with your choice of eBook download from either of our current lists.

****

Missed any of our posts? Follow the 'sticky' post for these rambles of ours HERE .


Here's Chrissy! website // blog .


Here's Clare! website // blog .

Vist Romance Junkies today for fun and free books

Come over and say hello to Wynter Daniels today at the Romance Junkies blog.

Things are not always what they appear.

She's promoting her new release Protective Custody at Carina Press.



Witness to a murder, but no one will believe her…Shocked by the brutal crime she witnesses through the window of her small office, Megan Jackson calls the police and is devastated when they question the truth of her story. With no body and no evidence of a crime, she's written off as a nutcase.Megan suspects the killer saw her face. Terrified, she calls the only person she can trust—her ex-boyfriend and former police officer, Will McCoy.Despite a devastating breakup,Will jumps at the chance to help the woman who broke his heart. When the killer ramps up the stakes, Will is forced to take her into hiding—where the passion they once shared reignites, deeper and hotter than ever. But can Will keep Megan alive long enough to win back her heart?










Not only that! but if you comment on the post, Wynter is offering a FREE copy of both her new book and my The Tourist , to a lucky commenter :).


♥

DREAMSPINNER SPECIALS - Happy Birthday to them!

A CELEBRATION IS IN ORDER!



Dreamspinner Press is turning four this month, and we're celebrating in a big way!

I'm honoured and excited to have been with this publisher for over 3 years - or so I've been reminded, by seeing one of my first books on the Celebration list! :)

MAY SPECIALS
Now through midnight EST May 31, 2011.
20% off all ebooks in the Dreamspinner Press store.
A drawing each week for an ebook reader of the winner's choice: Kindle WiFi, NOOK WiFi, or Sony PRS 350SC
$49.99 on the 2011 Daily Dose set - First Time for Everything until May 25

Week One Specials:
40% off all ebooks that are turning 4 with us:
A Summer Place
Cursed
To Love a Cowboy
Slight Details & Random Events
Caught Running
Diplomacy

Week Two Specials:
30% off all ebooks that are turning 3
Far From Home by Madeleine Urban
Alliance in Blood by Ariel Tachna
The Archer by Abigail Roux
Murder Most Gay by John Simpson
Love Ahead by Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux
Condor One by John Simpson
Sparks Fly by Clare London
Selfless by Michael Powers
Children of Bacchus by Andrew Grey
Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux
Task Force by John Simpson
Covenant in Blood by Ariel Tachna
Irish Winter by John Simpson
True Blue by Connie Bailey

Week Three Specials:
Download the first book from seven of our most popular series FREE - a different book each day.
Sunday - May 15 - Condor One by John Simpson
Monday - May 16 - Litha's Whim by Amy Lane
Tuesday - May 17 - Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux
Wednesday - May 18 - Promises by Marie Sexton
Thursday - May 19 - His Hearth by Mary Calmes
Friday - May 20 - Love Means... No Shame by Andrew Grey
Saturday - May 21 - Luke by Jan Irving

Week Four Specials:
All Dreamspinner Press Anthology ebooks 50% off!
A Brush of Wings
Curious
Games in the Dark
Know When to Hold 'em
Make Me a Match, Vol. 1 & 2
Making Contact
Mr. Right Now
Myths and Magic: Legends of Love
Necking
Reflections of Love
Riding Double
Sandals and Sodomy
Sindustry Vol. 1 & 2
Uniform Appeal

And check the Dreamspinner Press Homepage on May 29, 30, and 31st for three special surprises.

♥

GET STEAMY ...with us on Sunday May 1

 On Sunday, May 1st, the first official festivities of the GayRomLit Retreat get under way as many of the participating authors gather together in theChatting with Joyfully Reviewed Yahoo Group where we’ll be posting excerpts, running contests for free books, and chatting about all the new and upcoming releases from your favorite authors.
Organizers will be on hand to talk about the Retreat, which is being held in New Orleans, October 13-16, 2011. Reader registration will only remain open until June 15th, so don’t wait! Stop by OUR WEBSITE for more information or to reserve your spot.
The thirty-six authors listed below will be participating in Sunday’s chat and have generously offered up the following e-books as giveaways which you can enter for a chance to win!!  WILLIAM NEALE - HOME ~ CAROL LYNNE - SPRING
RICK R. REED – HOW I MET MY MAN & HOMECOMING
PD SINGER – CROSS THE MOUNTAIN ~ MARIE SEXTON – PROMISES
HEIDI CULLINAN – THE SEVENTH VEIL
KATE MCMURRAY – THE BOY NEXT DOOR
JP BARNABY - ENLIGHTENED ~ KC BURN – SPICE ‘N’ SOLACE
BELINDA MCBRIDE – BLACK WOLF ~ AMBER KELL – KEVIN’S ALPHA
TD MCKINNEY – PAXTON’S WINTER ~ KIERNAN KELLY – CORNFED
ROWAN SPEEDWELL – KINDRED HEARTS
EM LYNLEY – EMERALD ~ ETHAN DAY – CHOICE FROM BACKLIST
EDEN WINTERS – SETTLING THE SCORE
BRYL R TYNE – FORSAKEN & TOUGH GUY
VIOLET SUMMERS – SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
BRITA ADDAMS – SPLENDID CAPTIVITY & LOVE IMMORTAL
SIMONE ANDERSON – TO LOVE AGAIN ~ AMBER GREEN - TURNCOAT
LYDIA NYX – FROM MOROCCO TO PARIS ~ MISSY WELCH – KLT23
DC JURIS – WHAT THE LADY WANTS & NO PLACE LIKE HOME
DAMON SUEDE – HOT HEAD ~ VJ SUMMERS – UNDER THE INFLUENCE
CLARE LONDON – CHOICE FROM BACKLIST
ANGELIA SPARROW – HOWL AT THE MISTLETOE
JAIME SAMMS – FIX THIS, SIR ~ JAMBREA JO JONES – TELL ME NOW
TREVA HARTE – MAXXED OUT ~ TRINA LANE – IN DREAMS HE CAME
TD MCKINNEY & TERRY WYLIS – PORTRAIT OF A KISS
JP BOWIE – BLOOD LURE & TRIP OF A LIFETIME
LYNN LORENZ – ROUGAROUX SOCIAL CLUB In addition you’ll be treated to excerpts from some of the latest releases like the ones provided by the following authors!

WILLIAM NEALE – A NEW NORMAL ~ TC BLUE – MANDARIN ORANGE
ANGELIA SPARROW – SWIMMING THROUGH THE NET
CLARE LONDON – THE TOURIST ~ BRYL R TYNE – AT DAY’S END
TRINA LANE – THE PERFECT BALANCE ~ BARRY BRENNESSEL - TINSELTOWN
CAROL LYNNE – CRIMSON MOON ~ PD SINGER – FALL DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
MARIE SEXTON – PARIS A TO Z ~ BELINDA MCBRIDE – BLAQUE/BLEU
KIERNAN KELLY – A WEAPON OF OPPORTUNITY
AMANDA YOUNG – PRECIOUS ACHE
EM LYNLEY – THIEF OF HEARTS The day will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST in the Chatting with Joyfully Reviewed Yahoo Group .
I hope everyone will stop by to catch up with your favorite authors and join in all the fun!
Can’t wait to see you there!
J.P. Bowie * Ethan Day * Lynn Lorenz * Carol Lynne * Amanda Young