Clare London's Blog, page 127

NEW RELEASE today

Out today at JMS Books .

Lucas Fides has inherited his Victorian family's auction house, good looks and a keen, passionate mind. But he has far less control over his body's desires than his business, hiding an illicit and unspoken love for his boyhood friend and dependent, Valentine. As a result, Lucas suffers recurring, deeply erotic dreams, where a mystery lover demands and guides his sexual responses.

When the auction house runs into financial difficulty, Valentine introduces a new client to Lucas. Gideon Arnaud is a mysterious and charismatic man who seems to scorn society's restrictions. He offers Lucas a spectacular collection of jewels for auction and also his intense, seductive attention. He appears to know more about Lucas than any stranger should. Affronted by Gideon's bold pursuit, Lucas puts up a spirited defence, despite being increasingly exhausted by his dreams. His heart is already committed to Valentine, even if he thinks it's his secret alone. When Valentine announces his engagement to Lucas's sister, Lucas's pain and frustration are almost intolerable.

Torn between his need for Valentine's comfort and the determination to avoid Gideon Arnaud's disturbing presence, Lucas becomes more vulnerable by the day, until his loneliness forces his desire out of his dreams and into the light of day. The consequences will change his life forever.

NOTE: This story was originally published in the anthology Masquerade.

EXCERPT:
Gideon Arnaud slipped off his other glove and moved towards one of the armchairs. It was impossibly rude not to offer him a seat, and so I gestured to the chairs and sat alongside him. Valentine was still in the room, but he seemed content to stay by the picture window, his back turned to us. Arnaud settled himself easily, his movements confident, his limbs graceful despite his size. "I have caught you a little unawares, Fides, but you might guess that I enjoy that approach. I also guess that you like to know a little more about the men you do business with, and so I bring myself here tonight along with a sample of my goods for your ... entertainment." He paused, and I thought I heard Valentine shift gently, as if he listened more carefully than he appeared to. "Unless, of course, you are willing to accept my patronage and companionship without condition, and in the spirit in which it is offered?"

I wondered how many times Arnaud had asked that question and received his preferred answer. I suspected that other business associates had been both happy and grateful to answer 'yes, indeed.' I knew instinctively he was a man who expected attention and would usually receive it in full, but no, I was not ready to accept him on those terms. Instead, I stared back into eyes that expected obeisance, and I pursed my lips. Arnaud's gaze was marked by dark-flecked irises, a kaleidoscope of passion channelling out through his eyes. I felt the full force of him -- of a bold irrationality; of fervour and self-obsession; of an inherent danger. And all of it over laden with that vibrant, cynical charm.

"No," I said. "I will not accept anything from you, Arnaud, without condition. I think that you might guess that of me."


I definitely saw Valentine move this time. His face was in my view, over Arnaud's shoulder, and he seemed to be smiling.

My visitor rose and moved to the table by the fireplace. He drew out a black velvet bag from inside his jacket, and in a single bold movement he spilled out a pile of jewels onto the linen tablecloth. A pile of luxurious size; of many-faceted cuts; of a vivid brightness that caught the licking flames of the firelight and reflected them back across our enraptured faces.

"Rubies," I said, softly. I sounded shocked, even to my own ears.

"Yes, of course," he murmured. "Rich, ruby jewels. Thick, velvet cloth ..."

My eyes darted up to his face, the colour of the rubies staining my cheeks.

"The prizes of my collection," he said, gently, raising an eyebrow as if to admonish me for a childish overreaction. "That's all I describe, Mister Fides."

I stared. Valentine came around to stand at my shoulder and gazed down at the jewels. "Lucas, they're magnificent, aren't they? They would be such a spectacle. We could invite every jeweller in the city. Every woman would respond to them. Every man would buy them for a lover."

"Allow me a modest involvement in the event, and they're yours to handle," Arnaud said, smoothly. "I just ask for your time. Your company. It's not too much to grant me, is it, to be able to handle such treasure?" I felt Valentine's excited breath on my neck, but it was Gideon Arnaud's palm that I gazed at. The last, single ruby lay on the manicured skin, and winked its reflection at me.

"It's all yours to handle," he said, his voice much lower, as if he wished to exclude Valentine.

"The jewels ..." I said, a little shakily.

"Of course," he smiled. "That's what I meant." His gaze flickered to Valentine beside me, then back to me. "So should your young assistant take them now, to begin his cataloguing?"


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FREEDOM OR FRUSTRATION?

I've come to the end of my sojourn over at Desert Island Keepers this week. They made me give back the complimentary margaritas (ok, so they weren't really complimentary, but I never read the small print), somehow discovered that cute waiter boy folded up in my luggage (someone ratted on me, nothing to do with his whining from my toothbrush digging into his kidneys), and they sent me on my way *lol*.

Today's final post is on Freedom or Frustration? ... Ace, the hero of my paranormal novella The Tourist is a ghost and believes that means he has the freedom to go and do exactly what he likes. But would we actually welcome that freedom - or would we instead find ourselves rather lonely and rootless, like Ace?

Well, it's been fun, goodbye to DIK and thanks for all the fish Margaritas :).

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TIPPING THE HAT TO MR. CHOICE

I'm over at Desert Island Keepers this week, blogging aimlessly as the sun goes to my head *lol*.

Today's post is on Tipping the Hat to Mr. Choice ... the Hat represents the different genres of book, both in reading and writing: the Mr. Choice is a nod to how much fun we have nowadays with having the *choice*! LOL
not a nod to tipping that hat off the poor sunbather's bottom half...

Come on over, share a Margarita with me and say Hi. I'm appearing for Three Nights Only! (well, days, that is, last day Saturday...)

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CLOTHES MAKETH THE WOMAN ...?

I'm over at Desert Island Keepers this week, blogging aimlessly as the sun goes to my head *lol*.

Today's post is on Clothes Maketh the Woman ... though it's really about the Men :). Fictional ones, anyway.

Come on over, share a Margarita with me and say Hi. I'm appearing for Three Nights Only! (well, days, that is...)

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GOODREADS / clare's question of the week!

So, I'm still sitting over at Goodreads ready for any questions or discussions you want to throw at me.

And I'm setting up a weekly giveaway to try and tempt you in :). All you have to do in return is comment and help me write my current WIP...

*am a lazy cow or what?* *LOL*

****

Hi all! Things have gone quiet on the Author Thread at Goodreads, and even though I welcomed the break to finish a novella for a recent submission call - keep your fingers crossed for me! - I'm looking forward to chatting again.

I'm setting a couple of questions for this week, and anyone who comments is in the draw for a *free download* of one of my books. What's more I'll do this again on the next two Thursdays in March.

I'll announce the winners each time on the following Thursday. Simple, eh?

And those who've already commented? You'll be entered automatically

Today's question???? I'm struggling with names for my heroes in my current WIP which has 4 main, male characters. Bearing in mind I don't really like too-unusual names, especially as this is set in England and we're not very adventurous with our names over here :). Any ideas?

I'd love to hear how you feel about *your* heroes' names. Do you think there are definite "generation" names that sound weird today? Do you like or hate the fanciful fantasy names that some of us can't pronounce off the page? Do some names ally themselves in your mind too closely with people you love or hate? Or are some of them too similar between books? How do *you* feel about the main characters having the same initial, something *I* always struggle with?

Well, gosh, that's a *lot* of questions :).

Feel free to chat on any bit you like LOL.
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ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY at Michele 'n Jeff Reviews

Anniversary Giveaway Recap

Michele 'n Jeff Reviews would like to thank all of the authors, publishers, and booksellers who so generously donated prizes for our Anniversary Celebration. The participation has been phenomenal, and we feel honored and overwhelmed, frankly, by the tremendous show of support.

The following is a recap of the prizes which have been offered, along with links to the individual blogs. We will conclude the giveaway contests on Wednesday, March 9th, at midnight EST.

Follow THIS LINK to find the details of these giveaways - LAST DAY TODAY!.


Giveaway List
1 Place for Romance: $25 Gift Certificate
A.J. Llewellyn: The Oasis
Alan Chin: Butterfly's Child, The Lonely War, Island Song, Match Maker
Amy Romine: Trust Me-Book 1-Serinity Lost
Andrew Ashling: (3 Copies) Bonds of Hate, Prince of Ximeron
Andrew Grey: Accompanied by a Waltz
Ariel Tachna: Any e-book from backlist
Carol Lynne: The Haunting of St. Xavier
Charlie Cochrane: Lessons In Love
Claire Thompson: Any book from her backlist
Clare London: The Tourist
Damian Serbu: The Vampire's Angel
Dreamspinner Press: $25 Gift Certificate
Eden Winters: Duet
J.J. South: 33 A Gay Love Story
J.P. Barnaby: The Perfect Tree
Jaime Samms: Goodbye Scrooge, Permanent Ink, Ghosts and Lovers
Michele L. Montgomery: Lies of Omission
Paul G. Bens, Jr.: Talk Story and Kellands
R.J. Scott: The Heart of Texas
Rowena Sudbury: Promises and Lies
Stormy Glenn: Heart Song
Sue Brown: Morning Report
Susan Roebuck: Perfect Score

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FROM AN EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT ...

Come on over and read a great interview at the Not Your Usual Suspects blog where author Toni Anderson has interviewed her Editor (and mine!) at Carina Press, Deborah Nemeth.

Deb's been a great support and practical help to me and my writing, ever since I first worked with her online in 2008. It's a treat to deal with her - even if and when she makes me rewrite chunks of my story LOL. Personally, I know it's always been for the better.

Read about what an Editor hopes to find, hopes *not* to find!, and some fascinating insight into the balance of Romantic Suspense, Mystery and Erotica that's passing her submissions inbox nowadays.

Wish I could write faster and get anywhere *near* approaching a submissions inbox *sigh*...:).

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THE OVERLAPPERS

A couple of times this week I've come across discussions about readers finding a "safe place" to discuss books.

This post isn't aimed at anyone in particular, and my thoughts are nothing to do with specific examples of authors - or readers for that matter - behaving badly, or not. Seriously, it's not. Bullying, aggression and/or abusive behaviour of any kind is always going to be shocking and unpleasant. I hate it and am intimidated and saddened by it, if you don't mind me going public with my upset and timidity.

*Everyone* deserves safe places.

No, what I want to ask is, who's looking after the interests of The Overlappers i.e. those who are authors as well as readers?

Does this mean we have to choose definitively one or other "status" in parts of our online life? Will we have to check a box somewhere to say, if we join these communities, we have never - or will never - write a book? Or drop out when we do? Who are we meant to discuss books we've read with, where can we chat with fellow fans? Aren't we given any credit for being able to talk about other people's books as objectively and on as level a playing field as other readers?

Logistically, I can't see how any online community can keep its eligibility that narrow yet still gather enough members, as I assume it needs and wants to, so that good discussions can be had. Otherwise it's a group of close(r) friends - which is great, and how many of us chat at the moment, but I can't see how that can be offered out to a wider population without getting tangled in these Overlapping issues.

If the need for safety is prompted by some people's inability to discuss or give/accept opinion civilly and with respect, isn't that something that's dealt with by moderation, not by restricting the membership in the first place? If the need for exclusivity is prompted by a desire to gossip and the option to give/take opinion UNcivilly, isn't that best handled in a private friends' group?

Am I missing a valid and valuable point?

These are only my initial thoughts, but it's starting to nag at me. I don't often express strong, personal opinion here (see note re upset and timid above) but I'm genuinely interested - in a totally civil and respectful way :) - to know if anyone else sees dichotomy in all this.

CONFESSIONS OF A BLOGAHOLIC...?

The reason I'm splattered all over Blog-land this month is not so much due to any personal popularity, but a total lack of proper scheduling *rolls eyes*. And me, purportedly a woman of spreadsheets.

Please feel free to say hello in the places you like and frequent the most - but I don't expect anyone to be *everywhere*.

All this is a lead-in to my spot on the Carina Press Blog today, with my post about THE TOURIST and seeing a ghost LOL.

And I just got another great review for The Tourist at Talking Two Lips .

Tina says (excerpt):
This book contains enough hot male-on-male sex to keep you reading, but it is the characters and their personalities that kept me turning pages. Seeing each character from the other person's point of view was a really original way to write this story. I would love to read more about the tourist, and maybe he can find his own love one day too.

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I'M READY FOR MY CLOSE UP ...

I'm a peripheral user of Goodreads at the moment and still finding my way around. But this could be my month LOL.

If you're a member of the M/M Romance Group - or thinking of joining up - I'm the Featured Author this month. Come and chat with me HERE .

Please *g*. I have visions of getting to the end of the month with 2 comments only, one from the Mod and one from me, grinning cheesily for my official photograph-kind of thing.

There's also an open chat about new release The Tourist at one of their Book of the Month discussions. I would *love* to hear your opinions and reactions to it. It's created a mixed ripple in the buying community LOL.

As any author knows, we *love* to talk about our books. And as a reader, I also know the many times I've wanted to ask the author - but hang on a minute, what happened to...? Am I reading that last part right, you meant...? Do you know how you made me feel when you wrote them doing ...? etc.

There's an open Chat forum later in the month too, but I'll let you know that another time. Too Much Info on one day, otherwise :):).

So I'll be dropping in daily at GR to chat with you if you have any questions for me (as outrageous and honest as you like, so long as you're civil) or thoughts about my books or characters you'd like to share.

And many thanks to the GR Group for inviting me!
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