Jaime Samms's Blog: Stories Between Men, page 11

All Wretch and No Vomit

No, I’m not trying to gross you out. it’s a quote from a short video I found on You Tube talking about how we live our lives and how we teach our children to live. We teach them to live the same sort of life we have lived, and mostly, that’s to find a way to make enough money to live, and more often than not, the thing we find is a thing we don’t particularly like doing. and we teach our children this is the way o the world so that they can grow to teach their children to follow this path the find a way of life that works, and so on and so on, but no one ever finds a life they love because they spend their time doing things they don’t love.

We keep trying and we keep trying and nothing ever changes. All wretch and no vomit.

It won’t really. Only you can change your life, but it might change the way you see your life enough to encourage you to start making changes.

I advocate we break the cycle. My husband agrees. Maybe that is why we have the unconventional lifestyle that we do. I write and he home schools our children. Maybe that’s why we got married in the first place. Because I’ll tell you right now, as far as interests and thought processes go, we have very little in common. The one thing we both believe in is that no one ever found happiness spending their working life doing something they hated.

Anyone else think so?

Friend release: Storm Season by Nessa Warrin

I’m super stoked about this book. Being the environmental advocate that I am, I love how Nessa has interpreted the inevitability of global warming and the effect it’s going to have on our world. It’s a sad and scary fact that the world and the weather are going to change. I appreciate the hope inherent in this book that has the human race persevering. It isn’t a perfect world, and never will be, but as far as apocalyptic scenarios go, this one makes it seem plausible that people, and love and compassion, will survive.

Not to mention, she’s created a couple of very sympathetic characters in this book. I totally recommend this story to any and everyone who likes to see their heroes strive for something better and win the fight.

The Story: In Brightam’s Ford, a storm is coming. Ranch owner Jasper Borland and the rest of the townspeople have been rushing to prepare for the months of destructive weather the wet season brings, but with their limited technology, survival can be a struggle in itself. When Jasper finds a lost, injured young man on his property, he has no choice but to take him in. At least he’s quiet.

Unable to speak, the young man communicates by projecting his thoughts—a process that hurts anyone he isn’t touching. Since most people fear him, that means everyone but Jasper. Soon Jasper learns his guest is a telepath, a northerner named Tobias Thatcher, who is searching for his kidnapped sister, Samantha. Hesitant to leave and wary to stay, Tobias must find his sister before the men who took her follow through on their plans.

When the men come for Tobias, he can remain at Jasper’s no longer. But Jasper can’t let him go out alone. As the storms begin, he and Tobias set out on a dangerous journey to save Samantha and uncover the truth.

And about Nessa, and where you can find more of her books: Nessa L. Warin lives in a fantasy world that’s mostly inside her head, though her physical address is in southwestern Ohio. Her two cats kindly play along with her fantasies and graciously let her pay all the bills, but they do require her to provide pampering on a regular basis. Nessa enjoys exploring the wonders of this world through travel—something her cats strongly disapprove of as it cuts into their pampering time—and can find whimsy in the most mundane places. When the real world becomes too much, Nessa enjoys dressing in costume and going to Renaissance Festivals and fantasy conventions. A short trip to either does wonders for her state of mind, so she makes sure to attend at least one of each a year. These trips help Nessa add to her collection of faerie and dragon art, and she swears she will frame and hang all the prints she’s collected some time soon.

When she’s not living in a fantasy world, Nessa enjoys tasting and learning about wine, particularly since it’s one of the few things she and the rest of her family agree on. She’s a regular at the wine tastings held by her local wine shop, and considers it a sin for her wine rack to have more empty spots than full ones. She’d prefer her wine rack to be filled with Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Syrah, but one of her favorite things about wine is the way it can always surprise her. More than once she’s been taken aback by which wine she likes best at a tasting, and she loves the way her wine rack illustrates the joys of trying new things.

Follow Nessa on Twitter @nessalwarin and Facebook at NessaLWarin. She can also be reached at nessa.l.warin@gmail.com.

The Next Big Thing

Michele L. Montgomery caught me just when I’d thought everyone I know had already done this meme, and in a moment of weakness, I said yes. So here I am, a part of The Next Big Blog Hop. The goal is to tag as many authors as you can…sorta like paying it forward. Talk about your recent WIP, or new release. And then find a couple other authors and tag them. Michele, darlin’ you have to know I love ya, babe, but I don’t know if I have anyone left to tag!!!

Now, here are the ten questions to ask and that I’m answering.

1-      What is the working title of your novel? The working title is Combine.

2-      Where did the idea for the novel come from? Originally, a song called n the Combine by High Valley about a man’s memories of growing up working a wheat farm, and how riding the combine encompasses things from bonding with his father to discover first love. Ultimately, the song is about the man’s love of his life and his land. My story veers of f into more of a love story, though.

3-      What is the genre of the novel? Like always, this is m/m romance. Unlike my usual fare, though, it is very tame in the heat department despite the fact the love story centers on three men mapping out how to love one another without destroying friendships, family or anything else.

4-      Which actors would you choose to play the characters in a movie rendition of the novel? Hmmmm. Griff is a dead ringer for someone like Toby Keith. I know I kow, he’s a singer, but I think he could pull off hit-first-ask-questions-later, big-hearted Griff. Howard, the mechanic should be played by someone dark and a little brooding. Maybe Jake Jyllenhal? And Don is a wee thing, all big brown eyes and dark curls. Elijah Wood comes to mind, except he’d have to wear coloured contacts. No one would recognize him!

5-      What is a one-sentence synopsis of the novel? Love isn’t complicated, people are.

6-      Will the novel be self-published, published by a publisher, or represented by an agency? I’m hoping it will be a Dreamspinner release.

7-      How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript? I’ll let you know when I’m done. The first 30K took about a month.

8-      Who or what inspired you to write this novel? That High Valley song was the main inspiration, but it quickly veered into new territory after that.

9-      What other novels would you compare this story to within your genre? I wouldn’t presume to compare what talent I have to his, but Andrew Grey’s Love Means… series shares the farm and family themes with this story, and since I recently ploughed through the entire series, I would have to say they probably influenced this books somewhat, as well.

10-  What else about your book might pique a reader’s interest? It is a three-way love story. Some readers like that, but I have to warn them, if they’re looking for hot man on man on man sex, they’ll be disappointed. All of the love scenes thus far are pretty tame and feature only two of the lovers at a time. It also spans the character’s life, from age 12 to their present in which they’re in their early thirties. (No, there is definitely no child engaging in anything remotely sexual, so don’t worry on that count.) Ultimately, this story is about bonds of friendship triumphing through adversity, and ties of love holding fast in times of stress. It’s about love being deep, about it being simple, even while it’s hard work, and abut it being its own reward, and well worth that effort.

Book Talk: Eric Arvin’s Slight Details and Random Events

This book is actually a collection of short stories, and Eric is reported to be one of “today’s most talented and challenging writers”. I’ll tell you what. He’s got my attention. Weirdly, I can’t say everything I’ve read so far is exactly to my taste. Where it gets weird is, I also can’t say it isn’t to my taste. It’s different and interesting, a little disturbing, a little sad, and definitely not boring.

The book’s first offering is a poem. About God, I think. I’m not sure I get it, but then, I don’t get most poetry that’s more complicated than a limerick or deeper than “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day.” I get romantic, I’m in love with your pretty, pretty face poems. Shakespeare I understand Eric Arvin? I am intrigued.

Prometheus is, well, a big phallus. And I think maybe about the futility of being the pretty guy everyone loves and leaves? Or being the guy who never keeps the pretty guy? Again, I’m not sure, but I thought about it, and I think the main thing is that I don’t usually read to think. I read to be entertained. And yet, I didn’t put the book down, because maybe I wanted to know more.

Tater ‘n Purgatory is maybe a love story in a twisted and weird, but ultimately, strangely fulfilling sort of way.

Camera Phone gave me the heeby-jeebies.

Dismagic Planet is very, very sad.

And…that’s as far as I’ve read since yesterday.

Book Talk isn’t always about singing the praises of a book or a writer. Though sometimes it’s about that, sure, it’s not always. It isn’t even about me saying I liked a book and you should read it. Sometimes, it’s about me saying I read a book and you should too, because I can’t tell you what it’s about or if you’ll like. It just won’t be a waste of your time.

I don’t go around reading books that make me think. I admit to being the kind of shallow reader that likes to be entertained, dragged into the character’s drama and watch him deal, and see him fight and get his man and live at least something I can compare to a happy-ish ending.  Occasionally, I stumble across a book that appeals more to my brain than my mushy other female sentiments. So far, I’d call this one a brain book. But also, my mushy female side isn’t turning a lip and wandering off to look for shiny rainbow unicorns instead. I don’t expect Mr. Arvin to guarantee me any unicorns with this collection, (unless they’re the black, dubious kind who hide their rainbows in the dark light, perhaps) but I also am pretty sure I won’t be reading anything he pens and labels as horror. That would just freak me out.

So, I’ll keep you posted. I’m pretty sure this book will warrant a second entry, at least.

 

Book Talk: Eric Arvin’s light Details and Random Events

This book is actually a collection of short stories, and Eric is reported to be one of “today’s most talented and challenging writers”. I’ll tell you what. He’s got my attention. Weirdly, I can’t say everything I’ve read so far is exactly to my taste. Where it gets weird is, I also can’t say it isn’t to my taste. It’s different and interesting, a little disturbing, a little sad, and definitely not boring.

The book’s first offering is a poem. About God, I think. I’m not sure I get it, but then, I don’t get most poetry that’s more complicated than a limerick or deeper than “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day.” I get romantic, I’m in love with your pretty, pretty face poems. Shakespeare I understand Eric Arvin? I am intrigued.

Prometheus is, well, a big phallus. And I think maybe about the futility of being the pretty guy everyone loves and leaves? Or being the guy who never keeps the pretty guy? Again, I’m not sure, but I thought about it, and I think the main thing is that I don’t usually read to think. I read to be entertained. And yet, I didn’t put the book down, because maybe I wanted to know more.

Tater ‘n Purgatory is maybe a love story in a twisted and weird, but ultimately, strangely fulfilling sort of way.

Camera Phone gave me the heeby-jeebies.

Dismagic Planet is very, very sad.

And…that’s as far as I’ve read since yesterday.

Book Talk isn’t always about singing the praises of a book or a writer. Though sometimes it’s about that, sure, it’s not always. It isn’t even about me saying I liked a book and you should read it. Sometimes, it’s about me saying I read a book and you should too, because I can’t tell you what it’s about or if you’ll like. It just won’t be a waste of your time.

I don’t go around reading books that make me think. I admit to being the kind of shallow reader that likes to be entertained, dragged into the character’s drama and watch him deal, and see him fight and get his man and live at least something I can compare to a happy-ish ending.  Occasionally, I stumble across a book that appeals more to my brain than my mushy other female sentiments. So far, I’d call this one a brain book. But also, my mushy female side isn’t turning a lip and wandering off to look for shiny rainbow unicorns instead. I don’t expect Mr. Arvin to guarantee me any unicorns with this collection, (unless they’re the black, dubious kind who hide their rainbows in the dark light, perhaps) but I also am pretty sure I won’t be reading anything he pens and labels as horror. That would just freak me out.

So, I’ll keep you posted. I’m pretty sure this book will warrant a second entry, at least.

 

Author Spotlight: Mykola Dementiuk

I thought I would try something a little bit different today. A sort of spotlight on an author I’m just getting to know and who’s books, while I haven’t had the leisure time to read yet, have got me really intrigued. I briefly talked about Times Square Queers a couple of posts ago over on my LiveJurnal, but that got me interested to go search out what else Mykola has on the go and I came across his blog and more books! Who doesn’t need more books, am I right?

Although, I admittedly mostly lurk on the forum Myck most appears on, since that particular forum is chuck full of authors I greatly admire and that brings out my shy in a big way, I’ve noticed he seems to be a pretty soft-spoken, understated kind of guy. Or maybe that’s cyberspace mellowing him a bit All I know is that he seems to be a kind heart and a well-spoken man. 

So first, here’s a bit about him that I lifted from one of his publishers, JMS Books:

About Mykola Dementiuk

A Ukrainian born in West Germany, Mykola (Mick) Dementiuk grew up and survived on New York’s tough Lower East Side streets, which are now a bare echo of what they once were. He is the author of Holy Communion (Lambda Awards Winner 2010/Bisexual Fiction), Vienna Dolorosa, Times Queer, and 100 Whores. His other writings in e-book are Dee Dee Day, Variety, The Spice of Life, Murder in Times Square, Times Square … in Brooklyn?, Queers of Central Park, A Sucker for the Circus, Times Square Cutie and Stallers, More Tales of Times Square Cuties, and On the Prowl.

For more information, please visit mykoladementiuk.com.

 

And his latest release, Always Looking, from JMS Books. 

“I started going out early with girls and guys, not for sex because at that age, who the hell knew what sex was?”

With those words, Danny’s coming-of-age begins. From the gloomy, stifling hallways of high school in the 1960′s to the vast expanse of 1970′s New York, young Danny explores the complexities of love and lust in the arms of Luba, a girl he believes himself in love with, and then in the company of various men, from whom he learns his true nature.

Raised by a poor, single mother whose upcoming marriage to a second husband threatens Danny’s shaky world, Danny finds that accepting — and ultimately embracing — the unpredictability and promise of his future means letting go of the past and taking the leap of faith he knows he needs in his journey to maturity.

And I’m sort of, well, no, not “sort of” I’m definitely stealing a bit right off his blog to introduce the one I really, really want to read the most: Kinky Pubes”

 ”Kinky/Pubes” is out now! [Last October] Autobiographic novella about a young man lost in alcoholic consumption until he meets a man who will set him straight and refuses to take any crap from him. A short novella but more truthful than anything I’ve ever written before.  From JMS Books.

 

I’m always pleased to find new authors to read, and I hope a few of you find something here to intrigue you.  And Myck, thanks for hanging out and offering your quiet encouragement. You never know who’s listening, maybe, but I thank you for just being around as an example of yet another author who makes this business, and our tiny corner of it, worth the hassles.

More Random Moments

Morning, peeps. Well…*checks clock* okay, it’s way, way into afternoon, actually. So…yeah. But it’s been a busy day. Quick rundown:

1) I finished a Rainbow Alley MS last night. This will eventually be a Total E-Bound title and my view is that it’s important because an 82K manuscript with the words The End in place is an 82K Manuscript with the words The End in place. Am I right? Also, I think there might be (I hope!) readers out there who have been waiting for Skate’s redemption for some time, and this is it! Skate and Denny are back!

2) I signed a contract today for a short story (also, as it *is* very short, it can’t be a DSP title) but it’s about valentines and surprises and acceptance and it’ll be going to MLR. I’m still trying to decide if the main character is transvestite or transgender. It’s a little frustrating that I’ll probably have to label it for categorical purposes when I took such pains not to label the character inside the story. Anyone got ideas on this issue, I’m really receptive to listening to them, please.

and finally, 3) I received The Call this morning about my day job. I’ll be working nights starting March 18 and finishing (possibly) June 28. I’m liking that length of contract, however, I suspect it will increase in length by at least a month eventually. It usually does.

I also have a link round up for you, because I ran across some very interesting interviews and posts today that I thought you might like.

1) Victor J. Banis can partially be credited (blamed? lol!) for my preoccupation for men in women’s attire with his book Lola Dances. It’s an amazing, emotional, sometimes difficult but ultimately  extremely rewarding read, and I heartily recommend it. He’s offered a few excerpts on the Gay and Lesbian Fiction Excerpts blog if you feel so inclined. Here’s the link.
2) Alix Bekins interviewed Andrea Speed and the interview has now got me completely dithering over Andrea’s Infected series. It sounds like an incredible read. The trouble is, it also sounds like I’m going to do that thing where I go into fits over the Main character’s well being, and from the interview, I don’t get an overwhelming sense of reassurance that he’s going to be okay. I don’t have enough experience with Andrea’s writing to go in with the ritual understanding that it will all end with HEA or HFN, and that makes me nervous. Intrigued, but nervous. Check out the interview for yourself and see what you think. If you’ve been following the series, tell me: Am I in for heartbreak here if I pick it up?

3) And I was perusing movies and came across this one; The Incredibly True Story of Two Girls in Love that I remember watching and loving, so I thought I’d share :)

All around, 2013 is shaping up to be a decent year so far. Now, off to log a wordcount with farmers, ranchers and young men being horny and defying my plot ideas. (again)

Book Talk: Blood Price by Tanya Huff

This is a re-read for me, though this time, I’m listening to it through audible. I’d actually forgotten how much is in this book. Since I’ve seen the TV series a few times, and obviously, the screen leaves a lot out, I was glad to get back to the source. Not that I didn’t enjoy the series. I did, but for different reasons…

I am not even a little bit ashamed to say that Kyle Schmid getting his vamp on was a big part of my enjoyment of the show, and pretty much the entire reason I’ll watch it again.  The rest of the cast were nothing to sneer at, either.

But back to the book. Yeah. Well worth the time to read or listen to. One thing I’ve always said Tanya Huff does well are strong but vulnerable female characters. I confess, I don’t generall pick up a book with a female lead, but if it’s a Huff book, I know it won’t matter. I’ll get a satisfying read about a strong character I can like, and with female characters, I’m a demanding bitch, so that’s saying something.

The men in her books are sometimes not as strong, but Henry is an exception and Mike Celucci might be a little bit too Alpha and vacant for my tastes, but he does grow on you. Then of course, there’s Tony. He plays a small role in this book, but a critical one, and he’s just so…in-your-face and brass balls to cover up that he’s just a kid and usually probably scared. I love him. Love. And I love that Henry falls for him a little bit, too.

Mostly, though, it’s Tanya’s voice that makes this book work. It speeds along like the subway, earthy and implacable and before you know it, your on the last chapter and needing the read the next one, and that’s how it should be.

I’m more than happy I’m going through the series again, and by the time I’m finished the Blood books, I hope the Smoke books are available trough audio, because this book also reminds me that Tony was then, and is now, my absolute favorite character in the entire series.

We need more Tony, Tanya. Just saying….

(one caveat to the Audible books, I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of this narrator. She’s a little nasal and draws her words out in a way that just doesn’t appeal to me, personally.)

Contests…

I rarely enter them. I think mostly because I don’t think of it.

However, this year, someone (I forget who) encouraged me to enter Stained Glass in Elisa Rolle’s Rainbow Awards., and so I did. I didn’t really expect much to happen. Not because I don’t think I’m a good writer, or that I don’t think my efforts are worthy. Only because I read in the genre, and I know the caliber of the books mine was up against. There have been some really, really good books written this year.  So imagine my surprise and delight to find out Stained Glass received an honorable mention in the Bobby Michaels’

award for gay erotic romance. 

First of all, there is very little I can say about “Stained Glass” that doesn’t begin with “a” and doesn’t end in “mazing”. Seriously. I don’t often call a book brilliant anymore but this one is. 100%. –Cira

I don’t know were she got that quote, but I can’t even describe how honoured I am that my little story was so well thought of by enough people to be remembered over all the books those judges read. Thanks you!

Another of my books, or at lreast part of  one was also nominated (by a reader, so thank you, whoever you are) in this year’s reader’s choice awards at the Goodreads M/M Romance group.

Better was nominated for best sex (or love?) scene for the final chapter of the book when Jesse and Aadon finally make their connection.

Stained Glass was also nominated for best BDSM novel, so thank you to

whomever made that nomination, as well. It’s a wonderful feeling and  very humbling to know my stories have lingered in people’s minds. Whether they win or not, it’s still an honour.

And while we are on the subject, if anyone is interested, Predators and Editors have opened their annual poll for this year’s Reader’s Poll. If you want to vote or nominate any of the fantastic books that have been released this year, here’s the link.   http://critters.org/predpoll

Book talk: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

 Perhaps I’m just acting like a great big kid. You know? I so don’t care. I’m excited. Crazy excited about this movie

When I was in sixth grade, I had an English teacher. His name was Mr. Blackwell, and he was, in a word, awesome. He introduced me to books, theater, and my first bout of bravery in the face of a bullied life.  He read The Hobbit to his homeroom class that year, and I’m sure some parents had conniptions over that. I soaked up every last word and re-read it when he was done, I loved it that much. Then I read the Lord of the Rings that summer. The summer of sixth grade. I was…eleven? *does math* yes. Eleven years old that summer, and I remember my mother telling me the books would be too advanced for me. Bah. That summer was the beginning of my love affair with words and books and the beautiful, rolling around in the sheer joy of going anyplace I wanted, being anyone I wanted, doing anything. I cannot even explain in words, and me being one who makes a living at this, what one man reading out loud to a bunch of pre-teens did to set the course of everything that was to follow.

I’ve had a lot of wonderful, encouraging, helpful, joyous people in my life since Mr. Blackwell. He will always be my Gandalf, because he set my feet on the road.

Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.