Jaime Samms's Blog: Stories Between Men, page 18
May 10, 2011
Jenn Nixon Visits
Morning everyone. So Jenn Nixon is on a hop-about through cyber space, and today, her stop is here on my blog. I've read the blurb for her upcoming release in a number of places, and I have to say, it intrigues me. She's sharing it here, along with a little excerpt, and check out that cover art.
Blurb: Veronica Chance's sister has gone missing. In order to find Valerie, "Roni" takes a waitressing job at Foxxes Gentlemen's Club, the last place her sister worked, to search for clues. First day on the job, the club owner makes her give a lap dance to his VIP guest, Mr. Storm. Veronica's instant attraction to him spells trouble and threatens to blow her cover.
Former detective Mason Storm can't deny the connection he feels for the wild and mysterious Roni. During the lap dance, he learns about her missing sister, offers his help, only to be rejected. Not ready to give up, he confronts her again, adding in the fact he's see her sister in the club, but she denies him once more.
When Veronica calls, acting rather strangely, Storm finds her at the club, drugged and giving a lap dance to a kid at an illegal after party. Grateful for the help, Veronica comes clean about who she is, and accepts Storm's offer to help. Together, they unravel the clues surrounding Valerie's disappearance, uncover the horrible truth behind the illegal after parties, all the while exploring and succumbing to their lustful desires for each other.
Excerpt:"I'm sorry, didn't mean to get busted…you don't have to do this," Mason said.
"He's probably going to watch," Starr replied, eyes roving to the spots Karl had surveillance. Now why would a waitress know where the cameras were? "And it's my first day." She stepped close, drawing his attention. Long shapely legs, covered to the knees in leather, straddled his thigh. Her hips and waist were within reach, and her full bust directly eye level.
She swayed back and forth, stunningly hypnotic.
When she moistened her lips and spun around giving him a rear view, the blood rushed from Mason's brain. Starr bent down and pressed her ass against his thighs, his entire body flashed with heat. She grinded in a circular motion, awakening and enlarging him surprisingly fast. Spinning again, she dropped to his lap, put her hands on his shoulders, and stared down at him.
With her face clear, he tried to remember where he'd seen her.
She gyrated, eyes seductively peering down. He fought the strain in his jeans with each movement, though she made it impossible. She was hotter than hell during a heat wave. Starr lifted one leg, straddled a single thigh and shook her hips again. The woman bit her bottom lip. So naughty. So his type, he loved it.
Then an image of her with red hair flashed in his mind. She'd been in the club, disguised, sitting alone at the bar, drinking here yesterday. He glanced up at her, knew he was right.
Coming May 15th from Tease Publishing
Jenn Nixon resides in New Jersey. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Liberty State Fiction Writers. Her love for thrillers and suspense often finds its way into her novels whether they are Science Fiction or Romance. When not writing, Jenn spends her free time reading, absorbing pop culture and current events, and social networking online. For more information please visit www.jennnixon.com orhttp://jennafern.blogspot.com/
Blurb: Veronica Chance's sister has gone missing. In order to find Valerie, "Roni" takes a waitressing job at Foxxes Gentlemen's Club, the last place her sister worked, to search for clues. First day on the job, the club owner makes her give a lap dance to his VIP guest, Mr. Storm. Veronica's instant attraction to him spells trouble and threatens to blow her cover.
Former detective Mason Storm can't deny the connection he feels for the wild and mysterious Roni. During the lap dance, he learns about her missing sister, offers his help, only to be rejected. Not ready to give up, he confronts her again, adding in the fact he's see her sister in the club, but she denies him once more.
When Veronica calls, acting rather strangely, Storm finds her at the club, drugged and giving a lap dance to a kid at an illegal after party. Grateful for the help, Veronica comes clean about who she is, and accepts Storm's offer to help. Together, they unravel the clues surrounding Valerie's disappearance, uncover the horrible truth behind the illegal after parties, all the while exploring and succumbing to their lustful desires for each other.
Excerpt:"I'm sorry, didn't mean to get busted…you don't have to do this," Mason said.
"He's probably going to watch," Starr replied, eyes roving to the spots Karl had surveillance. Now why would a waitress know where the cameras were? "And it's my first day." She stepped close, drawing his attention. Long shapely legs, covered to the knees in leather, straddled his thigh. Her hips and waist were within reach, and her full bust directly eye level.
She swayed back and forth, stunningly hypnotic.
When she moistened her lips and spun around giving him a rear view, the blood rushed from Mason's brain. Starr bent down and pressed her ass against his thighs, his entire body flashed with heat. She grinded in a circular motion, awakening and enlarging him surprisingly fast. Spinning again, she dropped to his lap, put her hands on his shoulders, and stared down at him.
With her face clear, he tried to remember where he'd seen her.
She gyrated, eyes seductively peering down. He fought the strain in his jeans with each movement, though she made it impossible. She was hotter than hell during a heat wave. Starr lifted one leg, straddled a single thigh and shook her hips again. The woman bit her bottom lip. So naughty. So his type, he loved it.
Then an image of her with red hair flashed in his mind. She'd been in the club, disguised, sitting alone at the bar, drinking here yesterday. He glanced up at her, knew he was right.
Coming May 15th from Tease Publishing
Jenn Nixon resides in New Jersey. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Liberty State Fiction Writers. Her love for thrillers and suspense often finds its way into her novels whether they are Science Fiction or Romance. When not writing, Jenn spends her free time reading, absorbing pop culture and current events, and social networking online. For more information please visit www.jennnixon.com orhttp://jennafern.blogspot.com/
May 7, 2011
Interesting Call for Submission
DO you remeber what it was like? I know I do. How can you forget those very formative years of growing up, through high-school and college? If they were good years, you want to remember them. If they were bad, you sometimes can't forget. Like many GLBT youth, my high school years were a very mixed bag of exciting, confusing, and very often, frightening and lonely.
How better to show the youth of today that they aren't alone than to tell our stories? That's why many of us write YA fiction, and why I've been contemplating it. So while I was out and about on the net searching out possible venues, I came across this: http://www.omgqueer.com/
So, I don't know that anyone of the age group that can submit a story to this anthology actually reads my blog, however, there might e someone who knows someone...you get the picture. There is a call out by Bold Strokes Book for a queer anthology about being young in today's environment: stories about coming out, or not coming out, fears, family, dating, and all that fun (and scary) stuff. The catch: it's for stories written by youth ages 18-24. Very cool. here's the link again: http://www.omgqueer.com/ if anyone is interested.
How better to show the youth of today that they aren't alone than to tell our stories? That's why many of us write YA fiction, and why I've been contemplating it. So while I was out and about on the net searching out possible venues, I came across this: http://www.omgqueer.com/
So, I don't know that anyone of the age group that can submit a story to this anthology actually reads my blog, however, there might e someone who knows someone...you get the picture. There is a call out by Bold Strokes Book for a queer anthology about being young in today's environment: stories about coming out, or not coming out, fears, family, dating, and all that fun (and scary) stuff. The catch: it's for stories written by youth ages 18-24. Very cool. here's the link again: http://www.omgqueer.com/ if anyone is interested.
April 20, 2011
Drea's Visiting Again!
With her upcoming release, The Thrice Princess. It's available for pre-release at Secret Cravings Publishings, and it looks pretty good to me :) I do like that cover.
Buy Link: http://secretcravingspublishing.mybigcommerce.com/products/The-Thrice-Princess.html
Blurb: While her fate was set during the previous great wars of immortals, Anastasia Gruff is nothing but mortal until the night she stumbles upon a scene that turns her world upside down. Now, she struggles to adjust to a world where nothing is what it seems, and feels more at home than ever before.
Devlin Miconis, heir to the vampire throne, is facing certain death. When a mortal woman saves his life, and gives him back his soul, he must figure out how to repay her. Now that she has given him something to live for, can he protect her from those who mean her harm?
And, of course, and excerpt:
Excerpt: It was the end of his days. If the arrow currently protruding out of his chest wasn't enough warning, then the seven-foot Dergon demon hovering over him with his sword aimed at his neck was a pretty significant sign. Devlin had lived just a little under three hundred years and had never been this close to death."You have taken your last drop of blood, leech."The last of his blood seeped through the hole in his chest, blurring the edges of Devlin's vision. Out of no-where, a glint of silver crossed his vision. A thud filled his ears as the demon fell clutching his neck tightly. Pondering what had happened to the demon, Devlin very slowly turned his head to see a beautiful woman. A human woman.Crouching down to him, she looked at the arrow sticking out of his chest and began to speak. "I think it's out for the count at the moment. Let's see what we can do about this sharp pointy thing sticking out of your chest, shall we."Making slow persistent movements, Devlin turned to stare at his beautiful savior. Curly red hair settled around her heart shaped face. The length gathered back in a ponytail at the base of her neck, easily reached her shoulder blades. Startling green eyes looked down at him in worry, such eyes could belong only to a goddess. High cheekbones set off by a jaw line that brought more definition to her luscious lips—the bottom lip slightly bigger than the upper. A mouth made perfectly for his kisses, which is not something he should have been thinking about at that moment."Hey there big guy, I need you to stay with me so we can figure this out. At this point, would it be better to leave it in or pull it out?" she asked, pointing to the arrow sticking out of his chest.Trying to keep an eye on the Dergon demon lying not five feet from them, Devlin spoke in a whisper to keep his chest from moving. "Pull it out.""Okay! I am gonna try my best, it looks like it's in there pretty good." Shifting slightly she pulled the thoroughly worn sweater over her head, rolled it into a ball and left it at his side. Removing it left him with the tantalizing view of only a spaghetti strapped tank top to cover her cream-colored flesh. "We need something to keep pressure on the wound. You've lost enough blood as it is." Grabbing the arrow just above his chest, she braced herself to pull, but hesitated, fear and uncertainty shown in the depths of her eyes as she removed her hands from the arrow. Dropping them to her sides, the expression on her face changed with the contemplation of her choices.Hissing in frustration of laying at anyone's mercy who happened upon them, Devlin pulled his lips away from his teeth slightly elongating them. Studying him, she made no move to run."Please, just pull it out!" His chest felt like it was on fire."Are you sure this is the route to go? I don't want to hurt you anymore then you already are. Judging by the fangs, it's obvious that you're not human." Looking down with beseeching eyes, letting out a sigh, then with a shake of her head, she continued, "I just don't want to kill you."That she would even be worried about his welfare was humbling. Devlin gasped as he made the mistake of trying to lift his head off the ground. "Wont… hurt…worse…than…now." "Okay. Don't go getting your boxers in a twist."
Find Drea Becraft through her social networks and blogs:
My Website: www.dreabecraft.webs.comMy Blog: www.dreabecraft.wordpress.comMy Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/andreabecraftFacebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Drea-Becraft/103481939716429Twitter: www.twitter.com/dreabecraftPublisher's site: www.secretcravingspublishing.com/DreaBecraft.html
Buy Link: http://secretcravingspublishing.mybigcommerce.com/products/The-Thrice-Princess.html
Buy Link: http://secretcravingspublishing.mybigcommerce.com/products/The-Thrice-Princess.html
Blurb: While her fate was set during the previous great wars of immortals, Anastasia Gruff is nothing but mortal until the night she stumbles upon a scene that turns her world upside down. Now, she struggles to adjust to a world where nothing is what it seems, and feels more at home than ever before.
Devlin Miconis, heir to the vampire throne, is facing certain death. When a mortal woman saves his life, and gives him back his soul, he must figure out how to repay her. Now that she has given him something to live for, can he protect her from those who mean her harm?
And, of course, and excerpt:
Excerpt: It was the end of his days. If the arrow currently protruding out of his chest wasn't enough warning, then the seven-foot Dergon demon hovering over him with his sword aimed at his neck was a pretty significant sign. Devlin had lived just a little under three hundred years and had never been this close to death."You have taken your last drop of blood, leech."The last of his blood seeped through the hole in his chest, blurring the edges of Devlin's vision. Out of no-where, a glint of silver crossed his vision. A thud filled his ears as the demon fell clutching his neck tightly. Pondering what had happened to the demon, Devlin very slowly turned his head to see a beautiful woman. A human woman.Crouching down to him, she looked at the arrow sticking out of his chest and began to speak. "I think it's out for the count at the moment. Let's see what we can do about this sharp pointy thing sticking out of your chest, shall we."Making slow persistent movements, Devlin turned to stare at his beautiful savior. Curly red hair settled around her heart shaped face. The length gathered back in a ponytail at the base of her neck, easily reached her shoulder blades. Startling green eyes looked down at him in worry, such eyes could belong only to a goddess. High cheekbones set off by a jaw line that brought more definition to her luscious lips—the bottom lip slightly bigger than the upper. A mouth made perfectly for his kisses, which is not something he should have been thinking about at that moment."Hey there big guy, I need you to stay with me so we can figure this out. At this point, would it be better to leave it in or pull it out?" she asked, pointing to the arrow sticking out of his chest.Trying to keep an eye on the Dergon demon lying not five feet from them, Devlin spoke in a whisper to keep his chest from moving. "Pull it out.""Okay! I am gonna try my best, it looks like it's in there pretty good." Shifting slightly she pulled the thoroughly worn sweater over her head, rolled it into a ball and left it at his side. Removing it left him with the tantalizing view of only a spaghetti strapped tank top to cover her cream-colored flesh. "We need something to keep pressure on the wound. You've lost enough blood as it is." Grabbing the arrow just above his chest, she braced herself to pull, but hesitated, fear and uncertainty shown in the depths of her eyes as she removed her hands from the arrow. Dropping them to her sides, the expression on her face changed with the contemplation of her choices.Hissing in frustration of laying at anyone's mercy who happened upon them, Devlin pulled his lips away from his teeth slightly elongating them. Studying him, she made no move to run."Please, just pull it out!" His chest felt like it was on fire."Are you sure this is the route to go? I don't want to hurt you anymore then you already are. Judging by the fangs, it's obvious that you're not human." Looking down with beseeching eyes, letting out a sigh, then with a shake of her head, she continued, "I just don't want to kill you."That she would even be worried about his welfare was humbling. Devlin gasped as he made the mistake of trying to lift his head off the ground. "Wont… hurt…worse…than…now." "Okay. Don't go getting your boxers in a twist."
Find Drea Becraft through her social networks and blogs:
My Website: www.dreabecraft.webs.comMy Blog: www.dreabecraft.wordpress.comMy Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/andreabecraftFacebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Drea-Becraft/103481939716429Twitter: www.twitter.com/dreabecraftPublisher's site: www.secretcravingspublishing.com/DreaBecraft.html
Buy Link: http://secretcravingspublishing.mybigcommerce.com/products/The-Thrice-Princess.html
April 11, 2011
Overdrive by Ariel Tachna
Jaime has been kind enough to invite me to visit her blog again to celebrate the recent release of my novel, Overdrive, which is the story of a driver and co-driver in the World Rally Championship tour. For those who don't know what that is, here's a little video to help you see what my boys do for a living. This is not my video. I haven't ever had the chance to attend a World Rally Championship race, much less in Sweden, but it should at least give you an idea.
Enjoy!
Now that you understand the kinds of risks they live with on a daily basis, here's an excerpt that includes their first race as a team.
Overdrive by Ariel Tachna
Now available from Dreamspinner Press
Buy link http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2253&osCsid=cic24g35oqnlv55q4fj6pg3cu1
Blurb:
All his life, French racer Daniel Leroux has dreamed of one thing: winning the World Rally Championship. To do that, he needs a co-driver he can trust. If only he could find one….
At the end of a disastrous season, Daniel's manager replaces his incompetent co-driver with Frank Dufour, a young Canadian whose rally team let him go because he was gay. Daniel's in heaven, thinking he might find more than just a teammate, but his manager puts the brakes on, declaring Frank firmly off limits. Frank isn't any more ready to risk his second—and last—chance at making it in the WRC, no matter how attractive he finds Daniel. Sex and cars don't mix.
Amidst a bitter rivalry with another driver, sabotage attempts, extreme weather conditions, and the stress of racing, Daniel and Frank forge a partnership that defies the odds, but just as things start to heat up between them, a family emergency calls Frank away. Will they find their way back together or will the separation and the spotlight be too much for their fledgling love to survive?
Excerpt :
"There's no fresh snow this morning," Frank reported as they drove north to Hagfors for the service park and the day's stages, "so the roads should feel very much like they did yesterday except for the better traction from the racing tires. The trick here is going to be not making mistakes. We don't have to beat everyone else's times. We have to stay in the race and place high enough to get points toward the championship."
"Yeah," Daniel said, "the winter rally almost always goes to one of the Nordic drivers, although Michaels took the stage last night."
"A two-minute stadium course that was more showboating than anything else," Frank scoffed. "I know he's good on gravel, and he's proven himself on ice in the past, but it isn't a given that he'll win. He's had some pretty spectacular crashes on the ice too. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."
"Let's hope we don't make any this time," Daniel said.
"We won't," Frank replied, his voice confident. "Do you want to go over the pace notes for the first three stages again today, before the regrouping and service park at lunch time?"
"Yes," Daniel said. "Going through them before the race helped keep things clear in my head for yesterday. Let's not mess with success."
They spent the rest of the drive to Hagfors to meet Isabelle and her mechanics, as well as the other drivers and race officials, discussing the stages to come. Isabelle shooed them away from the car the moment the service park time began, the four mechanics going over every inch of the car with as much care as if they hadn't seen it in ages. Daniel would have made a comment about Isabelle second-guessing herself or not being sure she'd done the job right the first time, but she'd been surprisingly civil last night after the super special stage so Daniel hoped maybe Frank's conversation with her had helped. He wouldn't start anything if she didn't.
Forty minutes later, the race officials called for the drivers to start lining up for the first stage. Daniel strapped in and took his place behind Ryan Michaels's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. Daniel would start two minutes after Michaels did, enough that he wouldn't have to worry about catching up with the American, not at the speeds they'd be driving, unless Michaels had a wreck or technical problems that slowed him down. He'd be happy with not losing time.
Michaels disappeared in a spray of snow, and Daniel drove into position, eyes fixed on the starter. It flashed one minute and started the countdown. He waited, foot hovering over the accelerator as the count continued. As it neared zero, he gunned the engine, foot still hard on the brake. The moment the counter hit zero, he released the brake, Frank's voice in his ear guiding him through the bends. The car skidded beneath him on the bends, but their practice in the Alps held him in good stead and he managed the bends with enough control not to lose time. He clipped a snow bank on one curve, but it didn't slow him down by more than a fraction of a second as he manhandled the car back to the race line and around the next bend. He'd have a second chance at that stretch of road this afternoon. Hopefully he wouldn't make the same mistake a second time, but he'd worry about that during the break for lunch. For now he had to concentrate on the road in front of him, the car beneath his hands, and Frank's voice talking him through the course.
Eleven minutes and thirty-three seconds after they started, they crossed the flying finish. "How'd we do?" Daniel asked Frank breathlessly as he slowed the car to normal speeds and started the trek to the next starting line.
"We won't know until lunch, but it felt good," Frank said, "other than the one snow bank. You ready for the next stage?"
"Bring it on," Daniel said, flashing Frank a cocky grin as he navigated the narrow country roads, glad of the metal spikes on the tires even at normal speeds.
Michaels was already there ahead of them when they reached the second starting line of the day. They had a few minutes before the start of the next stage, so Daniel got out of the car to stretch a bit, hissing at the cold temperatures.
"Having problems there, Leroux?" Michaels sneered from his car.
"Not me," Daniel shot back, stretching his back a little.
"Don't worry," Michaels added. "You won't be eating my dust for long."
"No, you'll be eating mine," Daniel retorted, finishing his stretches and returning to the car. "His ass is mine," he said to Frank as he climbed back in the car.
Frank laughed. "Somehow I don't think you mean that the way it sounded."
Daniel scowled at his co-driver. "We can't let him win the championship. Regardless of how he does during this rally, he's going down for the season."
"You bet, boss," Frank agreed. "Are you set for the next stage?"
"All we need is the green light," Daniel replied as Michaels's start time arrived and he sped off down the course. Daniel pulled the car into position and prepared to tackle the third stage.
Enjoy!
Now that you understand the kinds of risks they live with on a daily basis, here's an excerpt that includes their first race as a team.
Overdrive by Ariel Tachna
Now available from Dreamspinner Press
Buy link http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2253&osCsid=cic24g35oqnlv55q4fj6pg3cu1Blurb:
All his life, French racer Daniel Leroux has dreamed of one thing: winning the World Rally Championship. To do that, he needs a co-driver he can trust. If only he could find one….
At the end of a disastrous season, Daniel's manager replaces his incompetent co-driver with Frank Dufour, a young Canadian whose rally team let him go because he was gay. Daniel's in heaven, thinking he might find more than just a teammate, but his manager puts the brakes on, declaring Frank firmly off limits. Frank isn't any more ready to risk his second—and last—chance at making it in the WRC, no matter how attractive he finds Daniel. Sex and cars don't mix.
Amidst a bitter rivalry with another driver, sabotage attempts, extreme weather conditions, and the stress of racing, Daniel and Frank forge a partnership that defies the odds, but just as things start to heat up between them, a family emergency calls Frank away. Will they find their way back together or will the separation and the spotlight be too much for their fledgling love to survive?
Excerpt :
"There's no fresh snow this morning," Frank reported as they drove north to Hagfors for the service park and the day's stages, "so the roads should feel very much like they did yesterday except for the better traction from the racing tires. The trick here is going to be not making mistakes. We don't have to beat everyone else's times. We have to stay in the race and place high enough to get points toward the championship."
"Yeah," Daniel said, "the winter rally almost always goes to one of the Nordic drivers, although Michaels took the stage last night."
"A two-minute stadium course that was more showboating than anything else," Frank scoffed. "I know he's good on gravel, and he's proven himself on ice in the past, but it isn't a given that he'll win. He's had some pretty spectacular crashes on the ice too. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."
"Let's hope we don't make any this time," Daniel said.
"We won't," Frank replied, his voice confident. "Do you want to go over the pace notes for the first three stages again today, before the regrouping and service park at lunch time?"
"Yes," Daniel said. "Going through them before the race helped keep things clear in my head for yesterday. Let's not mess with success."
They spent the rest of the drive to Hagfors to meet Isabelle and her mechanics, as well as the other drivers and race officials, discussing the stages to come. Isabelle shooed them away from the car the moment the service park time began, the four mechanics going over every inch of the car with as much care as if they hadn't seen it in ages. Daniel would have made a comment about Isabelle second-guessing herself or not being sure she'd done the job right the first time, but she'd been surprisingly civil last night after the super special stage so Daniel hoped maybe Frank's conversation with her had helped. He wouldn't start anything if she didn't.
Forty minutes later, the race officials called for the drivers to start lining up for the first stage. Daniel strapped in and took his place behind Ryan Michaels's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. Daniel would start two minutes after Michaels did, enough that he wouldn't have to worry about catching up with the American, not at the speeds they'd be driving, unless Michaels had a wreck or technical problems that slowed him down. He'd be happy with not losing time.
Michaels disappeared in a spray of snow, and Daniel drove into position, eyes fixed on the starter. It flashed one minute and started the countdown. He waited, foot hovering over the accelerator as the count continued. As it neared zero, he gunned the engine, foot still hard on the brake. The moment the counter hit zero, he released the brake, Frank's voice in his ear guiding him through the bends. The car skidded beneath him on the bends, but their practice in the Alps held him in good stead and he managed the bends with enough control not to lose time. He clipped a snow bank on one curve, but it didn't slow him down by more than a fraction of a second as he manhandled the car back to the race line and around the next bend. He'd have a second chance at that stretch of road this afternoon. Hopefully he wouldn't make the same mistake a second time, but he'd worry about that during the break for lunch. For now he had to concentrate on the road in front of him, the car beneath his hands, and Frank's voice talking him through the course.
Eleven minutes and thirty-three seconds after they started, they crossed the flying finish. "How'd we do?" Daniel asked Frank breathlessly as he slowed the car to normal speeds and started the trek to the next starting line.
"We won't know until lunch, but it felt good," Frank said, "other than the one snow bank. You ready for the next stage?"
"Bring it on," Daniel said, flashing Frank a cocky grin as he navigated the narrow country roads, glad of the metal spikes on the tires even at normal speeds.
Michaels was already there ahead of them when they reached the second starting line of the day. They had a few minutes before the start of the next stage, so Daniel got out of the car to stretch a bit, hissing at the cold temperatures.
"Having problems there, Leroux?" Michaels sneered from his car.
"Not me," Daniel shot back, stretching his back a little.
"Don't worry," Michaels added. "You won't be eating my dust for long."
"No, you'll be eating mine," Daniel retorted, finishing his stretches and returning to the car. "His ass is mine," he said to Frank as he climbed back in the car.
Frank laughed. "Somehow I don't think you mean that the way it sounded."
Daniel scowled at his co-driver. "We can't let him win the championship. Regardless of how he does during this rally, he's going down for the season."
"You bet, boss," Frank agreed. "Are you set for the next stage?"
"All we need is the green light," Daniel replied as Michaels's start time arrived and he sped off down the course. Daniel pulled the car into position and prepared to tackle the third stage.
March 26, 2011
Sunday Six
"Don't worry, Baby." Darian trailed a pattern of rough kisses over the side of Mikko's face and neck as his hand moved from Mikko's hip to the opening of his jeans. "I'll get you there. Don't I always?"
Mikko sighed, hips jerking into the touch of skin on aching, ready cock and he nodded, head bumping against stone. "Do it...need...to..."
This is from my latest WIP, the next Ageless book, used to be titled Severed, but since I'm carrying on through to the end, I think I'll call it Connections. Or something. Anyone who has read the other books might spot the inconsistency here...What can I say? I'm a rule-breaker.
Looking for more Six Sentence Sunday gems? Check out the Six Sentence Sunday blog.Until next week :)
March 10, 2011
Inventor's Companion by Ariel Tachna
Welcome Ariel Tachna, folks. One of my all time favorite authors. I've never met an Ariel book I didn't like. Or love, even, and the excerpt for this one is definitely promising. There two guys sound perfectly tough and tender, just right up my alley, and I hope yours, too.
Ariel, on why she went with steampunk...
Steampunk… it's a word I've started hearing in the past year or so (and I'm sure I'm behind the curve on that one), but it's not a genre I'd ever really explored.
Or so I thought. Then I started reading some steampunk and realized that what we call steampunk, the Victorians called science fiction. Anybody who's been around my fiction or my Facebook or my live journal or pretty much anywhere else I share some part of myself will realize that I'm a lover of all things French, and as I started delving into steampunk, I realized one of my favorite French authors wrote "steampunk" over a century ago, only he didn't call it steampunk. For Jules Verne, his novels were spectulative, the way things might develop. We know they took another track, but authors of traditional steampunk follow much the same train of invention Jules Verne imagined.
I, of course, never take the easy route. My "steampunk" novel fits some aspects of traditional steampunk in that it has a Victorian-esque society with strict rules of behavior and it has anachronistic steam-powered inventions. That's where the similarity ends. For one thing, if I went with traditional Victorian society, I'd be battling the prejudices against homosexuality. I can do that. I've written historical novels where those prejudices and dangers were front and center, but I didn't want to do that here. I had a different kind of plot in mind.
So why make it steampunk if I was going to break all the rules? Because it was fun. I liked playing around with inventions for Gabriel to make. I liked the society on the brink of upheaval. I liked creating a world where I made all the rules.
We'll see what the traditionalists think of it, but I had fun writing it, so much so that I've started a spin-off with three of the minor characters as the main characters in the new book. We'll see how it goes, but so far, so good!
The Inventor's Companion by Ariel TachnaComing Friday from Dreamspinner PressBuy link
Blurb:Gabriel Blackstone's world is divided quite clearly into castes. Everyone knows their place and abides by it. As an inventor in the merchant caste, his life is predictable in its routine until the night his best friends and assistants, Caleb and Andrew, purchase the time—and body—of a companion for his birthday. As an activist in the Caste Equality movement, everything Gabriel believes in tells him to refuse the gift, but then he meets Lucio. The beautiful and alluring companion is far more than the vapid courtesan he'd expected, and he can't get the man out of his mind.
After that night, Gabriel tells himself to forget about Lucio, but a chance meeting at a ball makes it clear neither of them is willing to ignore the strange chemistry between them. It will take all their combined trust and cunning, plus the help of a wily aristocrat and a plucky political activist, to overcome the challenges of infidelity, abuse, and social stigma that lay along their road; however, Gabriel knows it will all be worth it if at the end of the day, he can call Lucio his own.
Excerpt:Gabriel Blackstone adjusted his collar, the formal leather jacket uncomfortable in its unfamiliarity. In his workshop, he rarely wore anything over his shirtsleeves, and at home alone he wore even less, especially in the heat of the summer. His assistants and friends, Caleb Deahl and Andrew Lambert, had gone in together and purchased an evening out for him as a birthday present, though, so he had to make himself presentable. The gentlemen's club where he was supposed to meet his companion for the evening was one of the most exacting in town, only allowing members to enter unless special arrangements were made. Gabriel had no idea how Caleb and Andrew had made those arrangements, but they were quite clear about where Gabriel was to go, so he had replaced his old breeches with fresh ones and dug out his cravat and coat, even going so far as to don a hat. He doubted he would wear it for long in this heat, but it gave him an air of respectability as he waited for the mechanized hansom that would bear him to his destination. The coach arrived in a whoosh of steam, making Gabriel wish he had left on the goggles he wore in his lab. Instead he shielded his eyes with his hand to protect them from the cinders as he gave the address to the driver and climbed inside.
The coach resembled a horse-drawn carriage, but a large engine took the place of the unpredictable animal, making the contraption dependable regardless of weather or traffic. Unsurprisingly, it had almost entirely replaced horse-drawn carriages except for the aristocrats who considered the horses a sign of their wealth. Gabriel envied the man who had invented the mechanical conveyance. He was surely a rich man because of it.
Gabriel wasn't ready to retire just yet, but he was ready to have one of his inventions catch on enough to keep his workshop running instead of having to worry each month where he would find the funds to pay Andrew and Caleb or to buy the supplies he needed for his work. He'd enjoyed small successes here and there, but nothing big. As the coach carried him toward his destination, his mind shifted to the project in the basement of his workshop. Not even Caleb and Andrew knew about it yet. A flying chair that would allow people to travel short or long distances without having to sit in traffic or wait for a train. He was sure, if he could make it work, that it would be the discovery that made his name in the world. The Blackstone chair. Unfortunately he lacked the money he needed to invest in all the tools and supplies he would need to make an engine powerful enough to carry a person but light enough that its own weight would not hold it down. It worked in theory, but he had not completed a prototype yet, and no one would fund an idea as radical as this one based on theory, not without a big name inventor behind it anyway.
A rap on the roof of the hansom drew Gabriel from his musings. They had arrived at the club. Fighting with his collar once more, Gabriel descended and paid the driver. A burly man, clearly a guardian of the gate for all his formal attire, barred the door. "Your name?"
Gabriel might have taken offense at the lack of honorific, but the quality of his clothes proclaimed him to be part of the merchant caste even if the scales tattooed on the web of skin between his thumb and forefinger did not. Only the aristocracy escaped the process of being marked, their status in life proclaimed each time they shook hands.
They always shook hands.
"Gabriel Blackstone. I was told you were expecting me."The guardian scowled but checked his records, eventually opening the door to let Gabriel in. "Mind your manners. There's quality folk inside."
Gabriel did bristle at that comment. Although he did not have the wealth or social status of an aristocrat, he knew how to behave in society. "Mind your own," he snapped. He pushed past the guardian, ignoring the increasing grumbles. He might not be an aristocrat, but he had the right to be here. His friends had paid for this evening, and Gabriel refused to let a lout like that stop him from enjoying every part of it.
His righteous indignation fizzled out when he caught sight of the other patrons of the club. Unlike him, they all wore silk and linen instead of leather and cotton. Even more strikingly, many of them wore gloves. Despite knowing he had bathed and laundered his clothes, Gabriel suddenly felt grimy next to their polished elegance. He almost retreated, his earlier determination aside, when a soft, smooth hand clasped his. "Mister Blackstone, I presume?"
Gabriel turned to see who had spoken his name, wondering as he did how anyone here would know him. He found the most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on. "Yes, I'm Blackstone," he choked out, not sure how he could make his voice work when every bit of his mind was taken with the vision in front of him. His companion had pitch black hair, pulled back into a long queue that fell below his collarbone as it lay across his shoulder. The locks contrasted sharply with fair skin that seemed never to have seen the sun. His eyes were the color of the dark chocolate Gabriel could rarely afford.
"I'm Lucio," the other man said, his grip changing so that he shook Gabriel's hand. "Your companion for the evening."
Automatically Gabriel glanced down to where their hands met, catching sight of the tell-tale fan on Lucio's hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Gabriel said, his mind reeling as he took in the number of ribs in the fan. Lucio was not merely pleasure caste. If Gabriel had counted correctly, he was the highest echelon of companion. Gabriel nearly flinched at the thought of what Caleb and Andrew must have paid to secure Lucio's presence at the club.
"Perhaps we could find our table?" Lucio suggested smoothly. "We would draw less attention that way."
Gabriel trailed along behind Lucio, his eyes raking over the companion's body now that the beauty of the man's face was denied to him. Lucio was almost as tall as Gabriel, but his lithe form gave him a much slighter appearance. His costume, nearly as elegant as that of the aristocrats who surrounded them, clung to his body in a way the other men's clothing did not, highlighting the line of his back and the curve of his legs most provocatively. Lucio's coquettish glance over his shoulder suggested he knew exactly the effect his appearance had on Gabriel, which pricked the inventor's pride enough to want to be contrary. He would enjoy the evening and the companion's company, but he would treat the other man as a friend or a colleague rather than as a body in which to take his ease.
"I hope you don't mind," Lucio said as he took a seat at the table in a private lounge, sprawling elegantly in the chair, "but I took the liberty of ordering a light repast for us. I was not sure you were familiar with the offerings."
Lucio's cultured tones bespoke an educated upbringing, everything but the fan on his hand giving the impression that he was one of the aristocracy. For a man who had more than once denounced the idiocy of the caste system to his friends, Gabriel found the illusion disturbingly arousing. Before Gabriel could reply, a server approached with a bottle of wine. He showed the label to Lucio who nodded his approval. The sommelier opened the bottle and poured a small amount into Lucio's glass for him to taste. The companion sniffed delicately and sipped the wine. "Would you care to taste it as well?" he asked Gabriel.
"If it pleases your discerning palate, I'm sure it will be to my taste," Gabriel said, not willing to show his ignorance in this setting. His clothes and the tattoo on his hand set him apart badly enough as it was.
Lucio nodded to the sommelier, who filled Gabriel's glass before topping off Lucio's. He left the bottle on the table and discreetly withdrew. Gabriel picked up the goblet and sipped at the wine as he had seen Lucio do, trying not to make a fool of himself. The flavor of the wine rippled over his tongue and up into his sinuses, filling his head with its richness, far more complex and potent than the liquor he was accustomed to drinking. He managed not to choke as he swallowed, approaching the next sip more cautiously.
"I understand you're an inventor, Mister Blackstone," Lucio said when Gabriel had recovered. "I've always been fascinated by machines."
Gabriel almost scoffed at the blatant fawning, but he stopped himself with the firm reminder that Lucio had not chosen his lot in life any more than Gabriel himself had and that being a companion did not make Lucio unintelligent. "It is a fascinating field," Gabriel agreed. "The new inventions over the past twenty years alone have changed the world as we know it."
"It always amazes me when I think of the amenities our parents had to do without," Lucio said enthusiastically. "I can't imagine not having steam to heat my bath in the morning."
Gabriel nearly choked on his wine again at the evidence of the luxury Lucio clearly enjoyed. Gabriel's own bath had no such heat. He still warmed his water in pails over the fire and poured them by hand into his copper tub.
"It is an improvement indeed," Gabriel agreed, trying not to imagine Lucio reclining in a marble tub, steam rising around his face and dampening his hair. He wondered cynically if the comment had been intended to summon just that thought, but Lucio's face bore no guile. "I cannot imagine working by candlelight."
"Such a prosaic example for an inventor," Lucio chided flirtatiously. "Give me a better example, something you have contributed to our technological revolution."
"My contributions have been small," Gabriel demurred. "You have probably never seen them."
"Don't be modest," Lucio insisted, leaning forward and taking Gabriel's hand in his own, his thumb 55stroking the lines that crossed Gabriel's palm.
The jolt of lust was undoubtedly what the companion had intended, reminding Gabriel where they were and why. Drawing his hand back, he shook his head. "Enough about me. Tell me about yourself instead."
Lucio's eyebrows jumped in surprise, making Gabriel wonder if no one had ever asked before. "I am a companion. What more is there to say?"
"You are fascinated by machines," Gabriel said. "I'm sure that isn't true of every companion, or if it is, perhaps I should have sought one out before."
"Most are not," Lucio said after a long moment, "unless perhaps they are out to dinner with an inventor and are not sure what else to talk about."
"Then it was simply a ploy to draw me out?" Gabriel asked, frowning at the idea of being deceived.
"No," Lucio replied quickly, reaching for Gabriel's hand again, "but it is the kind of gambit we are taught so we might be pleasing company to our guests for the evening. It was felicitous that our interests coincided and I needed no ulterior motive to bring it up."
That could be as much a lie as the rest, Gabriel knew, but he sensed honesty in Lucio's words. Either the companion was telling the truth, or he was even better trained than Gabriel had imagined. The one saving grace in the entire conversation was Lucio's willingness to admit to his wiles. Surely he would have hesitated to do so were he using them on Gabriel. Then again….
This was why Gabriel had always refused to hire a companion. He couldn't trust a word any of them said. He prided himself on being a plain-spoken man, and their pretty ways were more than he could tolerate.
They were interrupted by the arrival of the first course of their dinner, a thin soup the color of the rich earth. The server placed the dishes in front of the two men and retired without saying a word. "What is this?" Gabriel asked.
"It's onion soup," Lucio said before he tasted it. Gabriel watched in fascination as the companion's eyes closed and a look of bliss crossed his face. Gabriel's gut clenched at the idea of seeing that look again in more intimate settings. He pushed the thought aside. He had already decided not to take advantage of the companion's charms. He did not need release so badly that he would take it meaninglessly in the potentially unwilling body of the man across the table from him. Lucio might have been born into the pleasure caste, barely one step above servants, but that did not mean Gabriel had to demean him that way. Looking at the quality of Lucio's clothes, the elegance of his coiffure, Gabriel saw little to suggest any lack in Lucio's life, certainly nothing compared to the way Gabriel lived. Lucio might not have had a choice in his profession, but he had clearly thrived at it. Even so, Gabriel would not take that choice from him tonight.
Pushing all thought of desire from his mind, Gabriel tasted the soup, surprised at the richness of the thin broth. In his experience, clear broth, even one as dark as this one, was as bland and tasteless as a meal came, but this was different. Gabriel had no idea why, but his tongue proclaimed the truth of the situation with great delight. "This is wonderful," he said, determined to converse with Lucio as he would with any equal. "What other delights do you have in store for me?"
The moment the words were out of his mouth, Gabriel cursed silently. He had just handed Lucio the perfect opening to bring up the more carnal aspect of the evening. Lucio let the opportunity pass, though, smiling simply before replying, "The chef here is excellent as you've already seen. He has a salad, a fish course, a lamb dish, and then dessert. I prefer lamb to beef or pork. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Gabriel said, though in truth, he had only tasted lamb a few times in his life, the meat being out of his reach given his current financial situation. "It will be a lovely treat."
Lucio shifted slightly on the chair, drawing Gabriel's eyes back to his body. "I hope the rest of the evening will be a treat as well."
Gabriel looked away, uncomfortable with the suddenly suggestive mood of the companion's voice and stance. "I'm sure it will be," he said, his voice tight. "I rarely have an evening out."
"What makes tonight special?" Lucio asked, the seduction gone again as quickly as it had appeared.
"It's my birthday," Gabriel admitted softly. "My assistants arranged our meeting as a gift."
Lucio smiled and leaned forward. "I like the idea of being your birthday present."
Gabriel looked up sharply. "I don't. I don't like the idea of anything being forced on you."
Lucio laughed. "Do I look like I'm being forced? No one is standing here with a gun to my head. No one is threatening to hurt my mother or my sister in order to make me be here. I have earned enough status to choose which new guests I accept. If I had not wanted to be here, someone else would have come in my place. Your friends did not ask for me by name."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed. Lucio's words made sense, but he was a companion. He had already admitted to transforming himself in order to please his client. This could be one more example of that. "Why?"
"Why what?" Lucio asked, finishing his soup and pushing it aside. He rose from the chair and approached Gabriel.
"Why would you accept an inventor as a guest when you are obviously used to much better?" Gabriel rasped, resisting the urge to reach for Lucio.
"Because I was intrigued," Lucio replied, his hands resting on the back of Gabriel's chair so they brushed the inventor's shoulder blades lightly as he bent forward, his breath stirring the fine hairs on Gabriel's neck as he spoke. "I've never met an inventor before because rarely can they afford me. Your friends were very specific in what they wanted for you, though, and I decided I wanted to be the one to deliver it. I haven't been disappointed at all. I hope you haven't either."
Gabriel swallowed against a suddenly dry mouth. He told himself this was one more line, but his body didn't care. He caught all the signals Lucio was sending out, and he yearned for that contact. Only the knowledge that it was bought and paid for held him back. He would never be able to face his friends at the Caste Equality movement if he gave in. "I haven't," he croaked. "I should finish my soup. I'm sure the server will be back soon to clear the table and bring the next course."
Fortunately Lucio backed off, resuming his seat and easing the intensity of his approach. Almost as if on cue, the door opened, and the server came back in, setting down the salad Lucio had promised and clearing the used dishes. Gabriel regretted not finishing his soup, but the salad looked equally enticing. He nudged the greens with his fork, trying to decide what else was in the salad.
"It's cranberries, walnuts, bleu cheese, and a light dressing," Lucio said before taking a bite.
Gabriel nodded and ate, determined to finish this course rather than be distracted by Lucio's charms. Lucio seemed to sense his new mood, letting him eat without conversation. Only when Gabriel had finished did Lucio resume their earlier discussion as if the moments in between had never occurred. "You didn't tell me what you were working on, Mister Blackstone. I truly am interested."
Gabriel hesitated, deciding after a moment that it couldn't hurt to tell Lucio some of the public projects he was working on. If he kept the flying chair to himself, it was because he hadn't told anyone about it yet. "I have a patron who has always wanted a pet but is allergic to their fur," he said. "He has commissioned a mechanical dog that he can activate when he wants companionship and turn off when he's out of town or when having a live animal would be inconvenient."
Lucio bit back a laugh. "How very… practical of him."
"Self-indulgent is more like it," Gabriel muttered, "but he's paying me, and I can't afford to turn down the commission."
"Is it going well?" Lucio asked.
"Well enough, I suppose," Gabriel said with a shrug. "The challenge is making all the parts move together in something that approaches natural movement. I've built a prototype, but its movements are still awkward. Too awkward for my client."
"It sounds like challenging work even if the result will be less than groundbreaking," Lucio said.
"It pays the bills," Gabriel replied. "At this point I'm grateful for that. I have another project I'm working on, but I don't have a sponsor for it, and that means it always gets pushed aside."
Lucio nodded. "Money does seem to rule the world. Even among the aristocrats who pretend to be above all that, money determines who enters where, as much as the lack of mark on their hands."
"At least that's honest," Gabriel said. "No matter how much money I make, there will be doors closed to me because I have a tattoo. The same is surely true for you."
"It depends," Lucio said. "If I am on the arm of a wealthy aristocrat, his status is enough to gain me entrance. On my own, I imagine even more doors would be closed to me than to you."
"You were able to gain us entrance here," Gabriel pointed out. "I could not have done that alone."
"Point taken," Lucio replied, "but I'm known here because of the number of guests I have entertained. I neglected to mention when I made our reservation that you were merchant caste. They assumed you were an aristocrat, and I didn't correct them."
Gabriel laughed. Perhaps there was a bit of revolutionary inside Lucio after all. "I think I like you."
Ariel, on why she went with steampunk...
Steampunk… it's a word I've started hearing in the past year or so (and I'm sure I'm behind the curve on that one), but it's not a genre I'd ever really explored.
Or so I thought. Then I started reading some steampunk and realized that what we call steampunk, the Victorians called science fiction. Anybody who's been around my fiction or my Facebook or my live journal or pretty much anywhere else I share some part of myself will realize that I'm a lover of all things French, and as I started delving into steampunk, I realized one of my favorite French authors wrote "steampunk" over a century ago, only he didn't call it steampunk. For Jules Verne, his novels were spectulative, the way things might develop. We know they took another track, but authors of traditional steampunk follow much the same train of invention Jules Verne imagined.
I, of course, never take the easy route. My "steampunk" novel fits some aspects of traditional steampunk in that it has a Victorian-esque society with strict rules of behavior and it has anachronistic steam-powered inventions. That's where the similarity ends. For one thing, if I went with traditional Victorian society, I'd be battling the prejudices against homosexuality. I can do that. I've written historical novels where those prejudices and dangers were front and center, but I didn't want to do that here. I had a different kind of plot in mind.
So why make it steampunk if I was going to break all the rules? Because it was fun. I liked playing around with inventions for Gabriel to make. I liked the society on the brink of upheaval. I liked creating a world where I made all the rules.
We'll see what the traditionalists think of it, but I had fun writing it, so much so that I've started a spin-off with three of the minor characters as the main characters in the new book. We'll see how it goes, but so far, so good!
The Inventor's Companion by Ariel TachnaComing Friday from Dreamspinner PressBuy linkBlurb:Gabriel Blackstone's world is divided quite clearly into castes. Everyone knows their place and abides by it. As an inventor in the merchant caste, his life is predictable in its routine until the night his best friends and assistants, Caleb and Andrew, purchase the time—and body—of a companion for his birthday. As an activist in the Caste Equality movement, everything Gabriel believes in tells him to refuse the gift, but then he meets Lucio. The beautiful and alluring companion is far more than the vapid courtesan he'd expected, and he can't get the man out of his mind.
After that night, Gabriel tells himself to forget about Lucio, but a chance meeting at a ball makes it clear neither of them is willing to ignore the strange chemistry between them. It will take all their combined trust and cunning, plus the help of a wily aristocrat and a plucky political activist, to overcome the challenges of infidelity, abuse, and social stigma that lay along their road; however, Gabriel knows it will all be worth it if at the end of the day, he can call Lucio his own.
Excerpt:Gabriel Blackstone adjusted his collar, the formal leather jacket uncomfortable in its unfamiliarity. In his workshop, he rarely wore anything over his shirtsleeves, and at home alone he wore even less, especially in the heat of the summer. His assistants and friends, Caleb Deahl and Andrew Lambert, had gone in together and purchased an evening out for him as a birthday present, though, so he had to make himself presentable. The gentlemen's club where he was supposed to meet his companion for the evening was one of the most exacting in town, only allowing members to enter unless special arrangements were made. Gabriel had no idea how Caleb and Andrew had made those arrangements, but they were quite clear about where Gabriel was to go, so he had replaced his old breeches with fresh ones and dug out his cravat and coat, even going so far as to don a hat. He doubted he would wear it for long in this heat, but it gave him an air of respectability as he waited for the mechanized hansom that would bear him to his destination. The coach arrived in a whoosh of steam, making Gabriel wish he had left on the goggles he wore in his lab. Instead he shielded his eyes with his hand to protect them from the cinders as he gave the address to the driver and climbed inside.
The coach resembled a horse-drawn carriage, but a large engine took the place of the unpredictable animal, making the contraption dependable regardless of weather or traffic. Unsurprisingly, it had almost entirely replaced horse-drawn carriages except for the aristocrats who considered the horses a sign of their wealth. Gabriel envied the man who had invented the mechanical conveyance. He was surely a rich man because of it.
Gabriel wasn't ready to retire just yet, but he was ready to have one of his inventions catch on enough to keep his workshop running instead of having to worry each month where he would find the funds to pay Andrew and Caleb or to buy the supplies he needed for his work. He'd enjoyed small successes here and there, but nothing big. As the coach carried him toward his destination, his mind shifted to the project in the basement of his workshop. Not even Caleb and Andrew knew about it yet. A flying chair that would allow people to travel short or long distances without having to sit in traffic or wait for a train. He was sure, if he could make it work, that it would be the discovery that made his name in the world. The Blackstone chair. Unfortunately he lacked the money he needed to invest in all the tools and supplies he would need to make an engine powerful enough to carry a person but light enough that its own weight would not hold it down. It worked in theory, but he had not completed a prototype yet, and no one would fund an idea as radical as this one based on theory, not without a big name inventor behind it anyway.
A rap on the roof of the hansom drew Gabriel from his musings. They had arrived at the club. Fighting with his collar once more, Gabriel descended and paid the driver. A burly man, clearly a guardian of the gate for all his formal attire, barred the door. "Your name?"
Gabriel might have taken offense at the lack of honorific, but the quality of his clothes proclaimed him to be part of the merchant caste even if the scales tattooed on the web of skin between his thumb and forefinger did not. Only the aristocracy escaped the process of being marked, their status in life proclaimed each time they shook hands.
They always shook hands.
"Gabriel Blackstone. I was told you were expecting me."The guardian scowled but checked his records, eventually opening the door to let Gabriel in. "Mind your manners. There's quality folk inside."
Gabriel did bristle at that comment. Although he did not have the wealth or social status of an aristocrat, he knew how to behave in society. "Mind your own," he snapped. He pushed past the guardian, ignoring the increasing grumbles. He might not be an aristocrat, but he had the right to be here. His friends had paid for this evening, and Gabriel refused to let a lout like that stop him from enjoying every part of it.
His righteous indignation fizzled out when he caught sight of the other patrons of the club. Unlike him, they all wore silk and linen instead of leather and cotton. Even more strikingly, many of them wore gloves. Despite knowing he had bathed and laundered his clothes, Gabriel suddenly felt grimy next to their polished elegance. He almost retreated, his earlier determination aside, when a soft, smooth hand clasped his. "Mister Blackstone, I presume?"
Gabriel turned to see who had spoken his name, wondering as he did how anyone here would know him. He found the most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on. "Yes, I'm Blackstone," he choked out, not sure how he could make his voice work when every bit of his mind was taken with the vision in front of him. His companion had pitch black hair, pulled back into a long queue that fell below his collarbone as it lay across his shoulder. The locks contrasted sharply with fair skin that seemed never to have seen the sun. His eyes were the color of the dark chocolate Gabriel could rarely afford.
"I'm Lucio," the other man said, his grip changing so that he shook Gabriel's hand. "Your companion for the evening."
Automatically Gabriel glanced down to where their hands met, catching sight of the tell-tale fan on Lucio's hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Gabriel said, his mind reeling as he took in the number of ribs in the fan. Lucio was not merely pleasure caste. If Gabriel had counted correctly, he was the highest echelon of companion. Gabriel nearly flinched at the thought of what Caleb and Andrew must have paid to secure Lucio's presence at the club.
"Perhaps we could find our table?" Lucio suggested smoothly. "We would draw less attention that way."
Gabriel trailed along behind Lucio, his eyes raking over the companion's body now that the beauty of the man's face was denied to him. Lucio was almost as tall as Gabriel, but his lithe form gave him a much slighter appearance. His costume, nearly as elegant as that of the aristocrats who surrounded them, clung to his body in a way the other men's clothing did not, highlighting the line of his back and the curve of his legs most provocatively. Lucio's coquettish glance over his shoulder suggested he knew exactly the effect his appearance had on Gabriel, which pricked the inventor's pride enough to want to be contrary. He would enjoy the evening and the companion's company, but he would treat the other man as a friend or a colleague rather than as a body in which to take his ease.
"I hope you don't mind," Lucio said as he took a seat at the table in a private lounge, sprawling elegantly in the chair, "but I took the liberty of ordering a light repast for us. I was not sure you were familiar with the offerings."
Lucio's cultured tones bespoke an educated upbringing, everything but the fan on his hand giving the impression that he was one of the aristocracy. For a man who had more than once denounced the idiocy of the caste system to his friends, Gabriel found the illusion disturbingly arousing. Before Gabriel could reply, a server approached with a bottle of wine. He showed the label to Lucio who nodded his approval. The sommelier opened the bottle and poured a small amount into Lucio's glass for him to taste. The companion sniffed delicately and sipped the wine. "Would you care to taste it as well?" he asked Gabriel.
"If it pleases your discerning palate, I'm sure it will be to my taste," Gabriel said, not willing to show his ignorance in this setting. His clothes and the tattoo on his hand set him apart badly enough as it was.
Lucio nodded to the sommelier, who filled Gabriel's glass before topping off Lucio's. He left the bottle on the table and discreetly withdrew. Gabriel picked up the goblet and sipped at the wine as he had seen Lucio do, trying not to make a fool of himself. The flavor of the wine rippled over his tongue and up into his sinuses, filling his head with its richness, far more complex and potent than the liquor he was accustomed to drinking. He managed not to choke as he swallowed, approaching the next sip more cautiously.
"I understand you're an inventor, Mister Blackstone," Lucio said when Gabriel had recovered. "I've always been fascinated by machines."
Gabriel almost scoffed at the blatant fawning, but he stopped himself with the firm reminder that Lucio had not chosen his lot in life any more than Gabriel himself had and that being a companion did not make Lucio unintelligent. "It is a fascinating field," Gabriel agreed. "The new inventions over the past twenty years alone have changed the world as we know it."
"It always amazes me when I think of the amenities our parents had to do without," Lucio said enthusiastically. "I can't imagine not having steam to heat my bath in the morning."
Gabriel nearly choked on his wine again at the evidence of the luxury Lucio clearly enjoyed. Gabriel's own bath had no such heat. He still warmed his water in pails over the fire and poured them by hand into his copper tub.
"It is an improvement indeed," Gabriel agreed, trying not to imagine Lucio reclining in a marble tub, steam rising around his face and dampening his hair. He wondered cynically if the comment had been intended to summon just that thought, but Lucio's face bore no guile. "I cannot imagine working by candlelight."
"Such a prosaic example for an inventor," Lucio chided flirtatiously. "Give me a better example, something you have contributed to our technological revolution."
"My contributions have been small," Gabriel demurred. "You have probably never seen them."
"Don't be modest," Lucio insisted, leaning forward and taking Gabriel's hand in his own, his thumb 55stroking the lines that crossed Gabriel's palm.
The jolt of lust was undoubtedly what the companion had intended, reminding Gabriel where they were and why. Drawing his hand back, he shook his head. "Enough about me. Tell me about yourself instead."
Lucio's eyebrows jumped in surprise, making Gabriel wonder if no one had ever asked before. "I am a companion. What more is there to say?"
"You are fascinated by machines," Gabriel said. "I'm sure that isn't true of every companion, or if it is, perhaps I should have sought one out before."
"Most are not," Lucio said after a long moment, "unless perhaps they are out to dinner with an inventor and are not sure what else to talk about."
"Then it was simply a ploy to draw me out?" Gabriel asked, frowning at the idea of being deceived.
"No," Lucio replied quickly, reaching for Gabriel's hand again, "but it is the kind of gambit we are taught so we might be pleasing company to our guests for the evening. It was felicitous that our interests coincided and I needed no ulterior motive to bring it up."
That could be as much a lie as the rest, Gabriel knew, but he sensed honesty in Lucio's words. Either the companion was telling the truth, or he was even better trained than Gabriel had imagined. The one saving grace in the entire conversation was Lucio's willingness to admit to his wiles. Surely he would have hesitated to do so were he using them on Gabriel. Then again….
This was why Gabriel had always refused to hire a companion. He couldn't trust a word any of them said. He prided himself on being a plain-spoken man, and their pretty ways were more than he could tolerate.
They were interrupted by the arrival of the first course of their dinner, a thin soup the color of the rich earth. The server placed the dishes in front of the two men and retired without saying a word. "What is this?" Gabriel asked.
"It's onion soup," Lucio said before he tasted it. Gabriel watched in fascination as the companion's eyes closed and a look of bliss crossed his face. Gabriel's gut clenched at the idea of seeing that look again in more intimate settings. He pushed the thought aside. He had already decided not to take advantage of the companion's charms. He did not need release so badly that he would take it meaninglessly in the potentially unwilling body of the man across the table from him. Lucio might have been born into the pleasure caste, barely one step above servants, but that did not mean Gabriel had to demean him that way. Looking at the quality of Lucio's clothes, the elegance of his coiffure, Gabriel saw little to suggest any lack in Lucio's life, certainly nothing compared to the way Gabriel lived. Lucio might not have had a choice in his profession, but he had clearly thrived at it. Even so, Gabriel would not take that choice from him tonight.
Pushing all thought of desire from his mind, Gabriel tasted the soup, surprised at the richness of the thin broth. In his experience, clear broth, even one as dark as this one, was as bland and tasteless as a meal came, but this was different. Gabriel had no idea why, but his tongue proclaimed the truth of the situation with great delight. "This is wonderful," he said, determined to converse with Lucio as he would with any equal. "What other delights do you have in store for me?"
The moment the words were out of his mouth, Gabriel cursed silently. He had just handed Lucio the perfect opening to bring up the more carnal aspect of the evening. Lucio let the opportunity pass, though, smiling simply before replying, "The chef here is excellent as you've already seen. He has a salad, a fish course, a lamb dish, and then dessert. I prefer lamb to beef or pork. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Gabriel said, though in truth, he had only tasted lamb a few times in his life, the meat being out of his reach given his current financial situation. "It will be a lovely treat."
Lucio shifted slightly on the chair, drawing Gabriel's eyes back to his body. "I hope the rest of the evening will be a treat as well."
Gabriel looked away, uncomfortable with the suddenly suggestive mood of the companion's voice and stance. "I'm sure it will be," he said, his voice tight. "I rarely have an evening out."
"What makes tonight special?" Lucio asked, the seduction gone again as quickly as it had appeared.
"It's my birthday," Gabriel admitted softly. "My assistants arranged our meeting as a gift."
Lucio smiled and leaned forward. "I like the idea of being your birthday present."
Gabriel looked up sharply. "I don't. I don't like the idea of anything being forced on you."
Lucio laughed. "Do I look like I'm being forced? No one is standing here with a gun to my head. No one is threatening to hurt my mother or my sister in order to make me be here. I have earned enough status to choose which new guests I accept. If I had not wanted to be here, someone else would have come in my place. Your friends did not ask for me by name."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed. Lucio's words made sense, but he was a companion. He had already admitted to transforming himself in order to please his client. This could be one more example of that. "Why?"
"Why what?" Lucio asked, finishing his soup and pushing it aside. He rose from the chair and approached Gabriel.
"Why would you accept an inventor as a guest when you are obviously used to much better?" Gabriel rasped, resisting the urge to reach for Lucio.
"Because I was intrigued," Lucio replied, his hands resting on the back of Gabriel's chair so they brushed the inventor's shoulder blades lightly as he bent forward, his breath stirring the fine hairs on Gabriel's neck as he spoke. "I've never met an inventor before because rarely can they afford me. Your friends were very specific in what they wanted for you, though, and I decided I wanted to be the one to deliver it. I haven't been disappointed at all. I hope you haven't either."
Gabriel swallowed against a suddenly dry mouth. He told himself this was one more line, but his body didn't care. He caught all the signals Lucio was sending out, and he yearned for that contact. Only the knowledge that it was bought and paid for held him back. He would never be able to face his friends at the Caste Equality movement if he gave in. "I haven't," he croaked. "I should finish my soup. I'm sure the server will be back soon to clear the table and bring the next course."
Fortunately Lucio backed off, resuming his seat and easing the intensity of his approach. Almost as if on cue, the door opened, and the server came back in, setting down the salad Lucio had promised and clearing the used dishes. Gabriel regretted not finishing his soup, but the salad looked equally enticing. He nudged the greens with his fork, trying to decide what else was in the salad.
"It's cranberries, walnuts, bleu cheese, and a light dressing," Lucio said before taking a bite.
Gabriel nodded and ate, determined to finish this course rather than be distracted by Lucio's charms. Lucio seemed to sense his new mood, letting him eat without conversation. Only when Gabriel had finished did Lucio resume their earlier discussion as if the moments in between had never occurred. "You didn't tell me what you were working on, Mister Blackstone. I truly am interested."
Gabriel hesitated, deciding after a moment that it couldn't hurt to tell Lucio some of the public projects he was working on. If he kept the flying chair to himself, it was because he hadn't told anyone about it yet. "I have a patron who has always wanted a pet but is allergic to their fur," he said. "He has commissioned a mechanical dog that he can activate when he wants companionship and turn off when he's out of town or when having a live animal would be inconvenient."
Lucio bit back a laugh. "How very… practical of him."
"Self-indulgent is more like it," Gabriel muttered, "but he's paying me, and I can't afford to turn down the commission."
"Is it going well?" Lucio asked.
"Well enough, I suppose," Gabriel said with a shrug. "The challenge is making all the parts move together in something that approaches natural movement. I've built a prototype, but its movements are still awkward. Too awkward for my client."
"It sounds like challenging work even if the result will be less than groundbreaking," Lucio said.
"It pays the bills," Gabriel replied. "At this point I'm grateful for that. I have another project I'm working on, but I don't have a sponsor for it, and that means it always gets pushed aside."
Lucio nodded. "Money does seem to rule the world. Even among the aristocrats who pretend to be above all that, money determines who enters where, as much as the lack of mark on their hands."
"At least that's honest," Gabriel said. "No matter how much money I make, there will be doors closed to me because I have a tattoo. The same is surely true for you."
"It depends," Lucio said. "If I am on the arm of a wealthy aristocrat, his status is enough to gain me entrance. On my own, I imagine even more doors would be closed to me than to you."
"You were able to gain us entrance here," Gabriel pointed out. "I could not have done that alone."
"Point taken," Lucio replied, "but I'm known here because of the number of guests I have entertained. I neglected to mention when I made our reservation that you were merchant caste. They assumed you were an aristocrat, and I didn't correct them."
Gabriel laughed. Perhaps there was a bit of revolutionary inside Lucio after all. "I think I like you."
February 26, 2011
Six Sentences: A New Release
This week, I'm interrupting my WIP to share a bit from my newest release at Pink Petal Books.
Tim is talking to the ghost of the young man he might have ended up with in life if things had worked out differently...
His voice was barely a whisper now and Gordon's nearness sent a shiver through him. "I bet you watch me sleep."There was a snicker, and Gordon jerked Tim's hand free of the fabric, crushed it in a tight fist.
Tim grimaced, but didn't utter any sound.
"I watched you do a lot of things, Tim‐tim."
"Why did you just watch?"
Check out the other authors's Six Sentences here
I almost forgot!!!! There are give aways for Six Sentence Sunday's one year anniversary. Comment and win. (Click on the cupcake for a list of what's on offer)
February 25, 2011
SL Danielson talks about new and upcoming releases
Big congrats on the upcoming release. Both stories sound like so much fun!
I won't natter at you all, I'll let my guest speak about the upcoming titles.
First I wish to thank Jaime for having me on her site today, thank you!
I have two things to mention: the first is my new book, "Life After Math" which is due out March 26th from Silver Publishing. Currently, it is in pre-order status so you can get your order in now.
This book is a sequel to my paperback book "Love by the Numbers" which I hope to convert to an ebook by summertime (keep your fingers crossed)! It is about a couple named Scott and Jared who met in high school, and Jared needed math help, and Scott is the brainy genius recruited to assist him.
Life After Math follows this happily committed and promised duo to college, where they face not only time crunches, but issues with their fellow students, tutors, and within their relationship. Can they survive all four years of bliss?
fyi, Love by the Numbers is available only through Publishamerica's site.www.publishamerica.com
Life After Math is at Silver's site: http://silverpublishing.info
Second on my list is the hopeful announcement soon of the sequel to 2010's smash, Ranch Hands...I've submitted the sequel and I hope for a yes very soon!
For those familiar with the tale, remember Jerry? Well, he stood out to me and therefore deserved his own chance at love, just at he told Sid and Roger. In this book he more than gets a chance, he gets two! His old flame from high school comes back to haunt him, hoping to romance him once again. But there's another fly in the ointment, a handsome clerk named Daniel has made Jerry's pulse race! Who will win in this dramatic twist-n-turn story? It's not whom you may think...
Details to come as I get it accepted and into the process.
I won't natter at you all, I'll let my guest speak about the upcoming titles.
First I wish to thank Jaime for having me on her site today, thank you!I have two things to mention: the first is my new book, "Life After Math" which is due out March 26th from Silver Publishing. Currently, it is in pre-order status so you can get your order in now.
This book is a sequel to my paperback book "Love by the Numbers" which I hope to convert to an ebook by summertime (keep your fingers crossed)! It is about a couple named Scott and Jared who met in high school, and Jared needed math help, and Scott is the brainy genius recruited to assist him.
Life After Math follows this happily committed and promised duo to college, where they face not only time crunches, but issues with their fellow students, tutors, and within their relationship. Can they survive all four years of bliss?
fyi, Love by the Numbers is available only through Publishamerica's site.www.publishamerica.com
Life After Math is at Silver's site: http://silverpublishing.info
Second on my list is the hopeful announcement soon of the sequel to 2010's smash, Ranch Hands...I've submitted the sequel and I hope for a yes very soon!
For those familiar with the tale, remember Jerry? Well, he stood out to me and therefore deserved his own chance at love, just at he told Sid and Roger. In this book he more than gets a chance, he gets two! His old flame from high school comes back to haunt him, hoping to romance him once again. But there's another fly in the ointment, a handsome clerk named Daniel has made Jerry's pulse race! Who will win in this dramatic twist-n-turn story? It's not whom you may think...
Details to come as I get it accepted and into the process.
February 22, 2011
Shiela Stewart on On-line Dating
Today, Shiela Stewart drops by to speculate on a different sort of on line dating service, and to give away a copy of her new book: Horsing Around. Come on in and check it out!
Welcome, Shiela!
How many times have you seen ads for Dating services? Those promises that they will help you find just the right person who is compatible with you, someone who will be with you for the rest of your life. And those couples they parade on TV stating how they found their perfect match through the company. They seem so happy, don't they? But have you ever thought, "What if they're not sexually compatible?" What if he likes S&M and she doesn't. What if she prefers to role play "Doctor and Nurse" "Teacher and Student" and he finds it creepy? Sure, they have everything else in common, but if they don't work in the bedroom, how long will their relationship last.
That's what sparked a story idea for me. It started with Mistress Bella and her on-line Sex Dating service called Carnal Desires. I wrote out a questionnaire and everything, started a website called Carnal Desires and from there the ball kept rolling. She would need some place for her matches to meet, get to know each other, have sex, on neutral ground. That way if it didn't work out, neither knew where the other lived and they could part ways unscathed. Thus the Desire Inn was created.
Now I needed my first couple. Sara Miller and Andy McDonald popped into my head. Sara is tired of the men in her life not giving her what she wants in bed. Andy is sick of the women he's dated only wanting him for his money. They join Carnal Desires and Mistress Bella matched them up, knowing they would be perfect for each other. And she was so right.
Their first meeting proves explosive and it doesn't stop there. Though these two barely know each other, they know they click in the bedroom.
No, this isn't a sex for hire service. It's quite different. Aside from matching couples with their perfect sexual mate, Mistress Bella makes sure they have other things in common. She wants more for her clients than just a good lay. She hopes for love.
So my question to you, the readers is: Would you consider joining such a service. If yes, go to my Carnal Desires website and copy one of the questions on the questionnaire and post it here in the comments and one lucky commenter will win a free ecopy of Horsing Around. http://carnaldesiresdating.blogspot.com/
Horsing Around:Place of Purchase: www.breathlesspress.com
Shiela's Website: www.shielasbooks.ca Carnal Desire's: We've got a match for all your sexual pleasures. Sara Miller needs a real man. One who can give her what she desires in and out of the bed. So far, none have met her expectations. She's hoping all that will change after submitting her application to Carnal Desire's Web dating service. The owner of several prize-winning horses, more money than he knows what to do with, Andy McDonald has it all. Except for the love a good woman. He's sick of flighty bimbos wanting only his money and not satisfying his sexual desires. After a friend pressures him into looking on line for a woman, Andy gives in and submits his application. Sex takes on a new twist when Sara and Andy get together and nothing is taboo.Excerpt:Sara's heart was beating so hard, she was sure Mistress Bella could hear it. She could very well turn tail and run. Why did she need a man in her life right now, let alone someone she might consider for the long haul? Then the door opened. Before her stood the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen.He wore nothing more than a towel around his hips, dipping low enough to reveal a thin line of hair from his navel down. His chest was glistening with moisture from the shower he'd obviously just stepped out of and was firm and muscular. His sandy blond hair was damp and messed up. He had a bit of stubble on his face, which made the ruggedness even more prominent. And when he smiled, those big blue eyes twinkled. He was definitely yummy. His picture didn't do him justice by any means. Sara nearly swallowed her tongue.Then he spoke."Well howdy, ladies." Her heart calmed. His slight Southern drawl, with its deep resonance, was soothing and somewhat relaxing. And very arousing. She loved a man with an accent, and even though Andy's was faint, it was still enough to turn her on. Between her legs, her flesh began to swell and moisten."Good afternoon, Andy. Looks like we caught you in the middle of your shower."He stroked the damp sandy-blond hair from his face and Sara nearly swooned. "I just stepped out. I'm running a bit behind, I'm afraid." He turned his attention to Sara and her pulse pounded in her ears. "Pleasure to meet you in person, Sara."She took the hand he held out to her; he completely surprised her when he turned her hand over and brushed his lips across her knuckles. "Pleasure's mine." Like tiny electrical charges zapping every sensitive nerve in her body, he had her quivering with that one simple gesture."Well, come on in and make yourself comfortable while I go change." He stepped aside to let them in and as Sara walked past him, the scent of the woods after a light rain shower wafted off of him, like fresh, aromatic greenery touched by a kiss of sunlight. She was going to have no problem at all being with this man. She and Bella headed to the sitting area of the suite while Andy headed to the bedroom. It was spacious, and came complete with a mini kitchen, sitting area, TV and plush sofa and chair. Almost identical to her own suite."Pretty easy on the eyes, isn't he?"Sara smiled at Bella's comment, taking a seat on the sofa. "I'm not having any trouble looking at him.""And what better first meeting than to see him practically naked." Bella winked and beamed a huge grin. "Well, I'll leave the two of you to get acquainted now. If you need anything, you know where to find me.""Thank you so much, Mistress Bella.""I love making people happy. I'm heading out, Andy," she shouted at the bedroom door."Catch you later, sugar." He stepped out of the bedroom, dressed in jeans and a dark blue t-shirt just as Bella left the suite. "Looks like it's just you and me now, doll."God, he was going to make her come, just by speaking. "Looks like." She got to her feet. "So…how should we start this?""Let's start with this as an opener."He swung his arm around her waist and she gasped when he yanked her against his chest.
Welcome, Shiela!
How many times have you seen ads for Dating services? Those promises that they will help you find just the right person who is compatible with you, someone who will be with you for the rest of your life. And those couples they parade on TV stating how they found their perfect match through the company. They seem so happy, don't they? But have you ever thought, "What if they're not sexually compatible?" What if he likes S&M and she doesn't. What if she prefers to role play "Doctor and Nurse" "Teacher and Student" and he finds it creepy? Sure, they have everything else in common, but if they don't work in the bedroom, how long will their relationship last.
That's what sparked a story idea for me. It started with Mistress Bella and her on-line Sex Dating service called Carnal Desires. I wrote out a questionnaire and everything, started a website called Carnal Desires and from there the ball kept rolling. She would need some place for her matches to meet, get to know each other, have sex, on neutral ground. That way if it didn't work out, neither knew where the other lived and they could part ways unscathed. Thus the Desire Inn was created.
Now I needed my first couple. Sara Miller and Andy McDonald popped into my head. Sara is tired of the men in her life not giving her what she wants in bed. Andy is sick of the women he's dated only wanting him for his money. They join Carnal Desires and Mistress Bella matched them up, knowing they would be perfect for each other. And she was so right.
Their first meeting proves explosive and it doesn't stop there. Though these two barely know each other, they know they click in the bedroom.
No, this isn't a sex for hire service. It's quite different. Aside from matching couples with their perfect sexual mate, Mistress Bella makes sure they have other things in common. She wants more for her clients than just a good lay. She hopes for love.
So my question to you, the readers is: Would you consider joining such a service. If yes, go to my Carnal Desires website and copy one of the questions on the questionnaire and post it here in the comments and one lucky commenter will win a free ecopy of Horsing Around. http://carnaldesiresdating.blogspot.com/
Horsing Around:Place of Purchase: www.breathlesspress.com
Shiela's Website: www.shielasbooks.ca Carnal Desire's: We've got a match for all your sexual pleasures. Sara Miller needs a real man. One who can give her what she desires in and out of the bed. So far, none have met her expectations. She's hoping all that will change after submitting her application to Carnal Desire's Web dating service. The owner of several prize-winning horses, more money than he knows what to do with, Andy McDonald has it all. Except for the love a good woman. He's sick of flighty bimbos wanting only his money and not satisfying his sexual desires. After a friend pressures him into looking on line for a woman, Andy gives in and submits his application. Sex takes on a new twist when Sara and Andy get together and nothing is taboo.Excerpt:Sara's heart was beating so hard, she was sure Mistress Bella could hear it. She could very well turn tail and run. Why did she need a man in her life right now, let alone someone she might consider for the long haul? Then the door opened. Before her stood the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen.He wore nothing more than a towel around his hips, dipping low enough to reveal a thin line of hair from his navel down. His chest was glistening with moisture from the shower he'd obviously just stepped out of and was firm and muscular. His sandy blond hair was damp and messed up. He had a bit of stubble on his face, which made the ruggedness even more prominent. And when he smiled, those big blue eyes twinkled. He was definitely yummy. His picture didn't do him justice by any means. Sara nearly swallowed her tongue.Then he spoke."Well howdy, ladies." Her heart calmed. His slight Southern drawl, with its deep resonance, was soothing and somewhat relaxing. And very arousing. She loved a man with an accent, and even though Andy's was faint, it was still enough to turn her on. Between her legs, her flesh began to swell and moisten."Good afternoon, Andy. Looks like we caught you in the middle of your shower."He stroked the damp sandy-blond hair from his face and Sara nearly swooned. "I just stepped out. I'm running a bit behind, I'm afraid." He turned his attention to Sara and her pulse pounded in her ears. "Pleasure to meet you in person, Sara."She took the hand he held out to her; he completely surprised her when he turned her hand over and brushed his lips across her knuckles. "Pleasure's mine." Like tiny electrical charges zapping every sensitive nerve in her body, he had her quivering with that one simple gesture."Well, come on in and make yourself comfortable while I go change." He stepped aside to let them in and as Sara walked past him, the scent of the woods after a light rain shower wafted off of him, like fresh, aromatic greenery touched by a kiss of sunlight. She was going to have no problem at all being with this man. She and Bella headed to the sitting area of the suite while Andy headed to the bedroom. It was spacious, and came complete with a mini kitchen, sitting area, TV and plush sofa and chair. Almost identical to her own suite."Pretty easy on the eyes, isn't he?"Sara smiled at Bella's comment, taking a seat on the sofa. "I'm not having any trouble looking at him.""And what better first meeting than to see him practically naked." Bella winked and beamed a huge grin. "Well, I'll leave the two of you to get acquainted now. If you need anything, you know where to find me.""Thank you so much, Mistress Bella.""I love making people happy. I'm heading out, Andy," she shouted at the bedroom door."Catch you later, sugar." He stepped out of the bedroom, dressed in jeans and a dark blue t-shirt just as Bella left the suite. "Looks like it's just you and me now, doll."God, he was going to make her come, just by speaking. "Looks like." She got to her feet. "So…how should we start this?""Let's start with this as an opener."He swung his arm around her waist and she gasped when he yanked her against his chest.
February 21, 2011
Drea Becraft Visits to share her upcoming release
My guest today is Drea Becraft. She's one of the most gregarious loopers I've met and I've quite enjoyed her yahoo loop, Wickedly Sexy Romance. Lots of fun authors and readers there. Today, she's brought along the info for her upcoming release, and I must say, I like the concept of this story. Looks like great reading.Enjoy!
Buy it here ~~*Blurb*~~ Vengeance is only a mouse click away, but what happens when you fall for the one you're suppose to hate? Diane Miles lets very few people into her life, and the ones she calls family she never lets go of. But what is she to do when her best friend is dying and her whole world as she knows it is about to be torn apart.Chase Griffin is in shock when a woman accuses him of treating one of his employees wrongfully. When she takes over his system, making it impossible to work, he doesn't know whether to strangle her or spank her till she begs for mercy. When he discovers who his local vigilante is, strangling is the last thing on his mind as she becomes his rock during the last days of his sisters life.~~*Excerpt*~~To: griffinchase67@arcmanagement.comDate: Saturday, July 3, 2010, 8:19 AMSubject: Oops, did I do that????
It's been a month, Ace, and you have yet to find and fire the one who wronged my friend. I have given you more than ample time and now it's time for you to pay.You are up against one hell of a computer chick. And Ace, I am holding your system ransom until meeting the demands.I hope you don't have important meetings you need to be in this week, because I just cancelled them.Oh isn't it wonderful how the world translates in 101011, LOL.
NO YOU CAN'T,Your Local Vigilante
Oh, how good it feels finally sending that message. After a long night of hacking into the arrogant assholes computer system, she finally had the worm in place, and his system stalled. Sometimes, it pays to be one hell of a computer wiz and even one better, having software irreversible by anyone but herself.Sure, it would be a huge inconvenience for both Mr. Griffin and maybe his secretary, but that's as far as her vigilance went. Diane only wanted to make one man pay, so no need to hack the entire ARC main frame. Other employees should not pay for the failure of their boss, nor should the customers who pay for services needed.Totally engrossed in what she was doing, Diane didn't notice Tina standing in the doorway. Dressed in a black skirt suit with a yellow blouse, she had her hair pulled in a bun. If you didn't know any better, you would think she was your ordinary woman, but Diane did know better."You've been at it all night again, haven't you?" Tina said, crossing her arms across her chest and glaring. "Always treating me like a kid, yeah Mommy, I spent all night on the computer. But I swear, once I hit the pillows, I'll sleep all afternoon." With a half smile, Diane pushed away from the desk and headed toward her friend."You better, I swear I have no idea how you go on as little sleep as you do. I would have migraines out the ass if I tried to pull that stunt.""Luck of the genes, I guess." Diane shrugged then hugged her friend lightly. Releasing her, she stepped back a couple of steps to continue their conversation. "When are you going to give your resignation?""I will in a couple of weeks. We have some pretty big hitters coming in and I want to get them settled before I up and leave. It's the least I can do before I leave them bereft an acquisitions agent.""And a damn good one at that." "Amen, sister.""You are too kind to that man after the way he treated you.""Just because someone else got the job as agent doesn't mean he's not a good boss, Diane. I sure don't hold a grudge over what happened. And I have no clue why you would either.""I just hate to see anyone hurt the ones I love.""Oh, honey, I love you too but just let it go. It's so not worth the trouble or worry.""I can't help but worry about you, T. You're my family.""You're my best friend, and I would be so lost without you.""I know. I am pretty fabulous." Blowing on her nails, then on her shirt, she winked at her friend.
* * * *
Chase was pissed. Not only could he not get into any of his files, but his email didn't work unless sending to only one recipient. The tech guys from his IT department could do nothing to restore it but assured him that only his files were hostage, both were a relief and an annoyance. Obviously, he was the only target of this vigilante, and she was doing a really good job.Even more pissed now than when first discovering the problem hours ago, Chase shot off an email to his nemesis. Satisfied in the knowledge that while he enjoyed a great lunch with his sister and best friend she would be squirming.
From: Chase To: vengeance101@network.comDate: Monday, July 6, 2010, 12:10 PMSubject: RESTORE MY SYSTEM NOW!!!!!!!
Listen, I don't know who the fuck you are, or how the fuck you got into my system, but I want it RESTORED NOW. You can't just mess with someone's livelihood. You mess with me and you mess with the company. Not only are you screwing over your friend but also the people that work for my company. I have no idea what started this, but if you don't restore it, I will find you and have my lawyers so far up your ass you won't know where you end and they begin.
YES, I FUCKING CAN,Chase GriffinPresident & CEOARC Management Company
Buy the Book ~~*Where to find Drea*~~Website: http://dreabecraft.webs.comBlog: http://dreabecraft.wordpress.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/andreabecraftTwitter: http://twitter.com/dreabecraft
Buy it here ~~*Blurb*~~ Vengeance is only a mouse click away, but what happens when you fall for the one you're suppose to hate? Diane Miles lets very few people into her life, and the ones she calls family she never lets go of. But what is she to do when her best friend is dying and her whole world as she knows it is about to be torn apart.Chase Griffin is in shock when a woman accuses him of treating one of his employees wrongfully. When she takes over his system, making it impossible to work, he doesn't know whether to strangle her or spank her till she begs for mercy. When he discovers who his local vigilante is, strangling is the last thing on his mind as she becomes his rock during the last days of his sisters life.~~*Excerpt*~~To: griffinchase67@arcmanagement.comDate: Saturday, July 3, 2010, 8:19 AMSubject: Oops, did I do that????It's been a month, Ace, and you have yet to find and fire the one who wronged my friend. I have given you more than ample time and now it's time for you to pay.You are up against one hell of a computer chick. And Ace, I am holding your system ransom until meeting the demands.I hope you don't have important meetings you need to be in this week, because I just cancelled them.Oh isn't it wonderful how the world translates in 101011, LOL.
NO YOU CAN'T,Your Local Vigilante
Oh, how good it feels finally sending that message. After a long night of hacking into the arrogant assholes computer system, she finally had the worm in place, and his system stalled. Sometimes, it pays to be one hell of a computer wiz and even one better, having software irreversible by anyone but herself.Sure, it would be a huge inconvenience for both Mr. Griffin and maybe his secretary, but that's as far as her vigilance went. Diane only wanted to make one man pay, so no need to hack the entire ARC main frame. Other employees should not pay for the failure of their boss, nor should the customers who pay for services needed.Totally engrossed in what she was doing, Diane didn't notice Tina standing in the doorway. Dressed in a black skirt suit with a yellow blouse, she had her hair pulled in a bun. If you didn't know any better, you would think she was your ordinary woman, but Diane did know better."You've been at it all night again, haven't you?" Tina said, crossing her arms across her chest and glaring. "Always treating me like a kid, yeah Mommy, I spent all night on the computer. But I swear, once I hit the pillows, I'll sleep all afternoon." With a half smile, Diane pushed away from the desk and headed toward her friend."You better, I swear I have no idea how you go on as little sleep as you do. I would have migraines out the ass if I tried to pull that stunt.""Luck of the genes, I guess." Diane shrugged then hugged her friend lightly. Releasing her, she stepped back a couple of steps to continue their conversation. "When are you going to give your resignation?""I will in a couple of weeks. We have some pretty big hitters coming in and I want to get them settled before I up and leave. It's the least I can do before I leave them bereft an acquisitions agent.""And a damn good one at that." "Amen, sister.""You are too kind to that man after the way he treated you.""Just because someone else got the job as agent doesn't mean he's not a good boss, Diane. I sure don't hold a grudge over what happened. And I have no clue why you would either.""I just hate to see anyone hurt the ones I love.""Oh, honey, I love you too but just let it go. It's so not worth the trouble or worry.""I can't help but worry about you, T. You're my family.""You're my best friend, and I would be so lost without you.""I know. I am pretty fabulous." Blowing on her nails, then on her shirt, she winked at her friend.
* * * *
Chase was pissed. Not only could he not get into any of his files, but his email didn't work unless sending to only one recipient. The tech guys from his IT department could do nothing to restore it but assured him that only his files were hostage, both were a relief and an annoyance. Obviously, he was the only target of this vigilante, and she was doing a really good job.Even more pissed now than when first discovering the problem hours ago, Chase shot off an email to his nemesis. Satisfied in the knowledge that while he enjoyed a great lunch with his sister and best friend she would be squirming.
From: Chase To: vengeance101@network.comDate: Monday, July 6, 2010, 12:10 PMSubject: RESTORE MY SYSTEM NOW!!!!!!!
Listen, I don't know who the fuck you are, or how the fuck you got into my system, but I want it RESTORED NOW. You can't just mess with someone's livelihood. You mess with me and you mess with the company. Not only are you screwing over your friend but also the people that work for my company. I have no idea what started this, but if you don't restore it, I will find you and have my lawyers so far up your ass you won't know where you end and they begin.
YES, I FUCKING CAN,Chase GriffinPresident & CEOARC Management Company
Buy the Book ~~*Where to find Drea*~~Website: http://dreabecraft.webs.comBlog: http://dreabecraft.wordpress.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/andreabecraftTwitter: http://twitter.com/dreabecraft
Stories Between Men
My thoughts on writing, reading and enjoying stories about love and seduction between men.
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