Jaime Samms's Blog: Stories Between Men, page 15

Tools of Justice --- Total-E-Bound Erotic Romance Ebooks

Tools of Justice --- Total-E-Bound Erotic Romance Ebooks

One cop. One killer. Both dreamwalkers. Not every dream should see the light of day...


Let's talk about comfort zones. Mine is set far back from anything that looks like it might be a horror film or book. I've never read Steven King, nor do I ever intend to. (Well, except for his book on writing, but that's almost a prerequisite for anyone who thinks they're going to try and get published, and it's not really that scary.)


So what ever possessed me to write in this genre? Well, that answer is simple. Srah Masters. She said let's...and I said....Okay. Is the story warped? Maybe a bit, but she's known for that. Is it angsty? Hell yes, but that's my shtick. The beauty is in how well the two styles mesh. Even our editor had to ask who wrote what and that's a huge compliment to how well we worked together on this.


So while book two is in the offing, have yourse;f a read of this first book in The Dreaming universe and the good news, you probably won't need tissues this time around. 


Blurb:
Three very different people have one thing in common-a dreamscape steeped in horror. Barry has had dreams of violent death all his life, and as a cop, he now works to solve the crimes his dreams tell him about in hopes he can save at least one victim from suffering the fate he faces every time he lays his head on his pillow. His ex-lover, Tag—now his boss—has no idea how to help him cope other than to protect his job...and try to protect their hearts from the dreams that could end up killing them both.Layton welcomes the dream state that shows him his next victim. He's been a killer for as long as he can remember, and the land where he walks in shadow beside the horn-headed man who guides him feels more like home than the waking world. Now, in addition to seeking out those who would kill the innocent and ending their lives in his own special reign of terror, Layton is promised a bride—someone to love him forever. It seems everything he's ever dreamed is about to come true.Jessica just wants to get her life back after her boyfriend is murdered and she is abducted. Twice. Finding herself at Leyton's mercy is a nightmare she soon finds is only the very beginning. When the horn-headed man visits her, she knows nothing will ever be the same again.The four of them now have to find a way to navigate the real world while the dream state dictates their very lives and threatens everything they hold dear. If they manage catch a few killers and save a few innocent lives along the way, that will have to be their compensation for the "gifts" given by The Dreaming.

Sunday Entertainment March 4, 2012 (ish)

On Monday. I know. I was editing all weekend, so hopefully, that's some consolation. It means Tools of Justice, co-written by me with Sarah Masters is one step closer t it's release in May WOOT!!!

So, the News:

From the Web:

I haven't spoken up much about the PayPal fiasco. Not because I'm not following or don't have an opinion, but more because I don't know all the facts and I don't wish to spread mis-information. Suffice to say, I think the whole issue is a frightening and dangerous one and we should not let it slide lest we get buried in the resultant debris of lost freedoms. On that note, read this blog by one of my publishers, Loveyoudivine, and think about it. Learn the ins and outs of what's going on, and take a stand. It's important.

From My Publishers:
Total E-Bound's Weekly Newsletter
Read up on their new releases and free stories: Hot Shots, written by some of your favorite TEB authors.
And What About me?
Like I said, been neck deep in edits for Tools of Justice, but that is done and off to Sarah to work on. Next up, I will be working on Lace, another TEB offering being fixed before they make their final decision. I'll keep you posted.
I also spent a good deal of last week reading Bear Otter  and the Kid. Wow. Monster book. I remember why I had been putting it off. It's looong!! But to me, the character development required that length. I loved the ocean/drowning theme Mr. Klune used throughout the story. The way he built it up to the point where the main character, Bear was feeling helplessly washed out to sea and lost was extremely effective.
I'll admit, the book had me in tears by that point. I also need to point out by the time I got to there, it was well past midnight and I was...overtired....yes. That's just it. Overtired. ;~)
I know I say quite often not many books can actually make me cry, and then every other book I talk about, I end up saying it mademe cry. Keep in mind, I don't talk about the books that didn't really touch me in some way. I read a lot of books. I don't talk about them all. I talk about the ones that matter to me, and this one matters. Why?
Because it's an excellently written book. It explores the very potent world of the family you chose over the family you were born into. It explores responsibility, trust, honesty and forgiveness. And on another level, it will outlive controversy and it has proven to me that all those things that are central themes in the book are alive and well in the real world that published it.
I can only recommend this as a fine book about rising above everything and holding onto the things that matter with both hands and all your heart.

Sunday Entertainment: February 26, 2012

Stuff from the Web:

Jamie Fessenden found these blogs and shared them on one of the loops we mutually belong to. I thought they were fun blogs about stuff all writers sould think about now and then, so if you're a writer, and you've got a few minutes, have a gander.

http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2012/02/you-are-what-you-love-a-numeri.html

http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2012/02/between-the-perfect-and-the-re.html

http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2012/02/operating-narrative-machinery-.html

http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2012/02/not-enough-credit-not-enough-t.html

Appearances:

I'll be poking my head in at Ethan Day's Yahoo group today for Gay Day to talk about my latest release: Better, and just generally hang out and chat. I'm sure, as always, there will be tons of other readers adn writers there to play. It's always great fun and all those books down there will be available to win just for stopping by. So dooo it!





Lords of Aether:

Of course. This week, Beare has made another log post of his and the club's history. Drop by and have a read. this character has more disdain for his Lords than you can shake a tail at, but he'll protect them just the same. Plus, he's entertaining when he goes on about the Lordlings of his self-imposed  charge.

Sunday Entertainment February 12, 2012

Fun Stuff First:

A video. I know it's old, but so what. I like it and I suspect a fair number of people who might wander past a blog by a m/m romance writer might as well, and besides. It's Lady Gaga. What's not to like, right?

The Edge of Romance: The Gay version. (Sorry about the link. One day, I swear I will change my Wordpress Theme to one that will allow me to embed video. Just not today.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be9w4QpQ4Xw&feature=player_embedded#!

Where Am I At?

First, at SJD Peterson's blog talking about valentines Day celebrations and my latest release, Better.





Also, I posted at Lords of Aether this week. Alexi finally unveils his surprise for Leo, and Leo struggles with his feelings. Some more. The poor boy is so repressed.
  The Rest:
So, on a day that's been rather melancholy for a lot of reasons, but also full of celebration for others, I leave you with this review for Better, in which April says:  "Samms did a great job avoiding easy solutions or turning either of her leading men into stereotypes...And do not even get me started on how much I want to have the babies of Chapters 20 and 21." (Yes, I did take a quick peek to see if those were the last two chapters in the book, and they are, and yay! I'm thrilled they worked.)

Book Talk: Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling

I know, I know. This book has been out for what? A decade? And me a fantasy reader from way back in the beyond, so whats taken me so long to read this series? But I am reading it, at last, and I'm enjoying it.

It isn't epic fantasy in the tradition of Tolkien. More like...Robin Hood, maybe? Seregil, one of the main characters, is your basic swashbuckler/master of disguise. I know. Those two should be mutually exclusive, but somehow, in this book, anyway, they are not. I'm around a quarter of the way into the book and am finding this character delicately balanced on the knife edge of selfish indifference and paternally overprotective as of his young and clueless apprentice, Alec, whom iveheard is supposed to be his love interest eventually. But I've also been told to be patient on that.

We all know that's one of my strongest traits...so not!

And Alec. What is there to say about Alec? He's just stepped over the threshold of manhood. Barely. Seventeen, I think he told Seregil was his age, and newly orphaned (can he be an orphan if he's practically a man?) so he's a man-child of exceedingly naive proportions, and they, he follows Seregil around with nary a twinge of doubt or contemplation over the 'bard's' many disguises, his skill with weapons or ability to bust them both out of a torture dungeon and be away before dawn. And at the same time, the kid can shoot a bow, skin a rabbit, ride a horse, sing, track, guide and do any number of things with confidence and skill. Do I sound tongue in cheek? I might be, a little bit.

I don't dislike these characters. Don't think that. I like them both as long as I remember to embrace their epic, bigger-than-life qualities. It's been a long time since I read a fantasy novel, i tend to forget, at times, I'm not reading one of my many contemporary paranormal or real world gay love stories. The characters are meant to be competent, intelligent people with the ability to learn and develop necessary skills for survival. They don't have to be tragically flawed just because that's what seems to have become the norm in the books I often read lately. They are allowed to be completely capable men who don't balk when asked to step outside their comfort zone.

Still. The author in me who loves to torture her own characters would like to see one of them stumble and fall on his face. Just once. Promise I won't laugh....much.....

But don't let my assessment steer you away. Remember, this is just my opinion of a book I'm still reading, and despite my remarks about the characters seeming perfection, I do like both men and I'm enjoying the read quite a bit.

New Release: Better

The past never goes away. Getting better is about learning to live with the truth.
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2739&osCsid=to1sc0u2342r40ga7qpjhjlvs6[image error]

After filing charges that put his abusive ex-Dom behind bars, Jesse Turbul relocates  across the country, hoping to escape his past—but, of course, it's never that easy. When Jesse meets third-year law student Aadon at the library where he works, their mutual attraction is instant and obvious.
Despite the sparks, they just can't seem to make it work. Aadon is mired in guilt over his inability to help his older brother, damaged by events far too similar to to Jesse's past. Jesse is stuck in his own desperate wish to forget the painful shadow that continues to threaten him and any hope of a happy future. 
The only way to move forward is for Jesse to acknowledge he's broken and for Aadon to accept he can't make him better. 
Excerpt: Jesse watched his date for a while, waiting for the blond head to lift. Only when Mike came to the table a few minutes later did Aadon look up. He glanced at Jesse, turned to Mike and placed his order, waited until Jesse had ordered and Mike had left before quietly excusing himself from the table.
Jesse waited a long time, much longer than it would take for Aadon to use the facilities, before following him.
The heavy restroom door swung open on silent hinges, and the peculiar smell of a bathroom trying too hard not to smell like a bathroom engulfed him. Jesse drew in a silent breath and stepped inside.
Aadon leaned on the counter by the sinks, his back to the mirror.
"I'm sorry." Jesse tried to make the apology light, tried to see into Aadon's shrouded eyes.
Finally, Aadon looked at him. "Why?"
"I got a little defensive." He held up his hand, finger and thumb an inch apart, sheepish smile on his face. 
Aadon stifled a groan. How could he be so fiery one minute, and this…adorable the next and not know how crazy it made him? He pushed himself off the sink and closed his hand around Jesse's fingers, closing the space and kissing the fingertips. "Maybe that's the point. As long as you feel you have to defend yourself around me, I have to be careful." He closed his eyes, kept his lips pressed to his warm fingers.
God this was hard. He wasn't doing Jesse any good, wanting him this bad, knowing he couldn't—shouldn't—and knowing he wouldn't be able to resist much longer. He shouldn't still even be with him. It was too much. Hejust wasn't what Jesse needed.
Jesse felt the churning sensation in the pit of his stomach even before Aadon spoke again and yanked his hand free, mouth open, ready to fill the void before Aadon could speak. Before he could say what Jesse knew he wasabout to say. He was too slow.
Aadon took his face in both hands, tilting it up and looking into his eyes. "As long as I have to be that careful, this can't work."
"But—"
"Because I don't want to be careful, Jesse," Aadon went on, overriding his faint protest, passing a thumb over Jesse's lips and backing him up against a stall.
"Then don't." The words warbled out past Jesse's pulse fluttering in his throat. He swallowed hard. "Don't be careful." Aadon's toned body pressed his against the cold metal. The rush of fear and excitement mingled, and he knew he'd lost the ability to tell which was which. He didn't know if he cared.
"If I'm not, I could do more damage than Anthony ever did." Aadon's palm caressed his cheek, his fingers slid into Jesse's hair, and he kissed; a light strike of his lips and tongue, there and gone too quickly to capture, butexpertly bringing him back down to where he could almost breathe normally.
The rush faded, and Jesse wanted it back.
He gripped the front of Aadon's shirt, preventing him from moving away. "You're not anything like Anthony, and I'm not who I was then." He never would have demanded Anthony answer his desire like this. Kissing Aadon firmly, not hard or angry, just without compromise, Jesse closed his eyes, willed the other man to understand. He needed this so desperately. Needed to know he was wanted, desired. Needed to know Aadon could lookon him as a man and not a shattered thing.
A soft groan welled in Aadon's throat and spilled out into Jesse's kiss. It was so good. So sweet, and held so much conviction. It was, finally, too much to resist. He answered it, tongue stroke for tongue stroke, slowlywresting control of the kiss from Jesse as he pinned him between his hard body and the cold metal of the bathroom stall. His big hands cupped Jesse's head, his body an immovable weight against him, soaking in Jesse's heat and desire, keeping him still and contained.
Jesse couldn't breathe, couldn't think, and his fingers tightened to fists in Aadon's shirt. This was exactly the kind of mindless surrender he'd always craved. Exactly what Anthony had never once given him. Because Anthonyhad never asked for it the way Aadon was doing with his firm, gentle touches and his warm hands, possessive, but not hard or hurtful. Jesse let go of that last bit of control and felt his head impact the stall wall with a soft thud. His hands relaxed, his body heated and melted to conform with Aadon's, and he opened that last little bit to feel Aadon's tongue sweep in and possess him.

Releases: New and Otherwise

So, today is a big day. A few months back, I offered to write a free story for one of my favorite blogs, to help them celebrate their birthday. Over at Coffee and Porn in the Morning, Marie and Heidi share some very tasty morsels with their blog followers every day, and being one of the happy recipients of their diligent adherence to their quest to share the sexy, I thought it only appropriate to help them celebrate this birthday.

Today is the day my story, just one among the offerings of a host of other authors (including one of my very favorite big-time authors,  Lynn Flewelling, who wrote the Nightrunner series) , goes live, at 2:30 Easterm.

Not a Whore, by Jaime Samms: Purple tinsel and roses and a kiss under the New Years ball might be romantic, but are they enough for Ansell to give up his independence to please his lover?

Check out the index of stories available from, OMG, a host of amazing authors giving it up for free!!!

ANd on the Otherwise note, my latest novel (and wow, it's been so long since I got to celebrate a new release, I almost forget the drill!!!) Better comes out at Dreamspinner Press tomorrow!!!



The Blurb: After filing charges that put his abusive ex-Dom behind bars, Jesse Turbul relocates  across the country, hoping to escape his past—but, of course, it's never that easy. When Jesse meets third-year law student Aadon at the library where he works, their mutual attraction is instant and obvious.

Despite the sparks, they just can't seem to make it work. Aadon is mired in guilt over his inability to help his older brother, damaged by events far too similar to to Jesse's past. Jesse is stuck in his own desperate wish to forget the painful shadow that continues to threaten him and any hope of a happy future.

The only way to move forward is for Jesse to acknowledge he's broken and for Aadon to accept he can't make him better.

movie talk: Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows

If you ask me, the loveliest thing about this movie is that no one pretends they don't know fans will be slashing these two all over the place. And yet, to the average viewer, it's just another bromance. Well, if by bromance, you mean the the kind where everything blows up, everyone gets shot at least once, and there are giant fish hooks and man on man waltzing. If you mean that kind of bromance.

So did I like it? well of course! Witty, fun, fascinating, especially listening to hubs beside me analyzing all the genius manipulating I was too busy watching the for Meaningful Gazes to notice. Oh! And the visual of where steampuk started. Yeah. That was pretty cool, too. And totally didn't hate the actual female love interests, either. Always love a good female role where the girl kicks ass and shoots a few baddies to boot. Even the genteel wife shot off a few zingers. No shrinking violet, she.


Hats off to another great, entertaining movie. I may not be terribly hard to please in this department, but hey, I wasn't in that theater alone, and hubs didn't complain. Must have been enough explosions to go around :D

Sunday Entertainment Jan 01, 2012

Well, despite the fact it is a brand new year...doesn't get much newer than this, really, I do have a few things to talk about today.

INTERESTING THINGS I CAME ACROSS ON THE WEB

On Kristen Lamb's blog, and article on why tradiotional advertising won't sell your book. It made a lot of sense to me, and it might to you, too. Go read the post here.

NEWS FROM FRIENDS

Most of you have probably heard about Love Romances Cafe's yearly Best of Awards. I have a few highlights for you here:

2011 LRC's "Best of" Awards Nominee List


Best Paranormal/Fantasy Book

Andrea Speed-Pretty Monsters

Haven't read it yet, but I've heard really, really good things...

> Best Book of 2011
TJ Klune-Bear, Otter and the Kid
Rick R. Reed-Caregiver
Two more books in my TBR pile that I've heard are fantastic....


Best GBLT Book
Damon Suede-Hot Head

No secret who I'd vote for in this category ;) Hot Head remains my favorite book of the year.

Best Contemporary Book
Damon Suede-Hot Head
Johnny Miles-Learning to Samba
ZA Maxfield-The Book of Daniel
The first two I've read, and that's a tough call for me. I loved them both...and I've yet to read The Book of Daniel, but again, I hear wonderful things and I have yet to meet a Z.A. Maxfield book I didn't like...

Best Historical Romance Book
Best BDSM Book
Best Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Thriller Book

I haven't read any of the books in these categories, so I really don't have an opinion, but good luck to all the nominees!

Best Author of 2011

Damon Suede
Andrew Grey
Ethan Day
Johnny Miles
Tara Lain

Just a few nominees I'll be rooting for. Besides being terrific authors, they are all wonderful people I've had the distinct pleasure of meeting face to face....

> Best GBLT Author 2011
Andrew Grey
SJD Peterson
Margie Church
Xavier Axelson
Amber Kell
Jambrea Jo Jones
Kim Dare
Serena Yates
Carol Lynne
Bailey Bradford
TJ Klune
Mary Calmes
Sue Brown
Lynn Hagen
Stormy Glenn
Joyee Flynn
Chris Quinton
Brannon Black
Johnny Miles
ZA Maxfield

Well...that's the whole list of nominees, and yeah. Good luck choosing just one....

Best Cover of 2011
Damon Suede-Hot Head always one of my favs, and odd, since I don't usually go for naked torso....

Best Cover Artist
Reese Dante...does beautiful work
Dawné Dominique...not afraid to capture the kink
Valerie Tibbs....wonderful to work with
Anne Cain....what can I say? Love her work, loved working with her, brief ass it was. She did a wonderful job! (I'll show y'all in a sec)
Jet Mykles....talk about multi talent!

Best e-Publisher 2011
Dreamspinner Press...professional and awesome
Riptide Publishing...new and exciting
Samhain Publishing...tried and true
Loose Id Publishing...have yet to read a Loose Id book I didn't enjoy
Total E-Bound Publishing...like family.

There is more. Much more. Go check out Dawn Roberto's blog for the full list!

And as promised, the Anne Cain cover for my upcoming release, Better, to show why she's one of my cover artist heroes. Check her DeviantArt page if you need further proof :)

Book Talk: First Watch by Peter Hansen

I'm not entirely sure why I chose this book as the first book I read from Riptide Publishing. It seemed like a good idea at the time?


It's making me...squeamish. It isn't even very long and I'm finding I have to read it small doses at a time because I'm not liking the situation or, in a strange way, the main character. But still, I feel for him and his predicament. I'm kinda pissed at him for how things are turning out for his friend, but the details on the sale page promise me a HFN ending, so I shall soldier on.

And in fact, I don't want to turn anyone off this book. Just because I'm having difficulty with it doesn't mean everyone will. Some of my very favorite books, like The Slayer's Apprentice by Zathyn Priest and the Last Harold Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey, I had this same visceral reaction to. It isn't a bad reaction, necessarily. Its a strong one. One that can't be ignored. One that comes when the book is well written, engaging and demanding. That's strong writing, strong editing, and commitment by the author. It demands commitment from the reader, and you definitely have to be prepared to give this book your attention, whether you like it or not.

For me, whether I like the book or not, I suspect will strongly hinge on the ending. If that is as strongly written as the rest, not a cop out, and not gratuitous, then I suspect despite my squeamishness thus far, I will not only like it, but probably re-read it some day. As a writer myself, I can't ask for more than to touch a reader so deeply they want to read the same thing over again.