Mickie B. Ashling's Blog, page 153

Vessel Book Trailer

I'd like to present the book trailer for Vessel which will be available in paperback or e-book format October 7. Since LJ had maintenance issues yesterday I'd like to extend the two-for-one contest another day. The winner will be announced bright and early tomorrow morning. Anyone who comments on this or the previous post will be eligible for the drawing. Special thanks to my talented friend, Marita, aka qafmaniac for putting together this great video.

Vessel will be available for purchase after midnight. This link will take you directly to the buy page. http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/products_new.php

Two for One Contest!

Leave a comment on this post and enter the drawing for an e-book copy of Cutting Cords and the sequel Vessel which will release on Friday, October 7. One name will be drawn tomorrow evening.




Here's an excerpt of Vessel, book 2 in the Cutting Cords universe.


I stood abruptly and knocked over the chair. It clattered on the tile floor, and I bent to pick it up just as Trent walked in.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"You look pissed."

"Ya think?"

"What happened?"

"None of your business," I yelled.

"Hey, take it easy."

I stopped fuming long enough to notice that Trent was wearing lounging pants which hung far too low on his hips. Bloody fucking great! His lightly furred chest was chiseled in all the right places, and I couldn't help but notice the love trail starting above his navel and disappearing underneath the waistband of his pants. My hard-on returned in full force.

"Leave me alone, will you?"

"Don't get all weirded out."

"I'm not!"

"You've been in a bad mood since dinner. What's your deal?"

"Didn't I tell you to mind your own business?"

"Sorry. I was trying to help."

"I don't need your kind of help," I spat out. In retrospect, I'm amazed he stood there and didn't hit me in the jaw. I couldn't have been more obnoxious.

"Knock on my bedroom door if you want to talk."

"Don't hold your breath, buddy."

"We're not all bad guys, you know?"

"Who's "we"?"

"Dominants."

"Oh, please…let's not start that shit again."

"Just saying, Sloan. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it." He turned those sapphire eyes on me and damn if my cock didn't react. My body was responding on a visceral level while my brain kept fighting this attraction that had come out of left field.

"I have tried it, Trent. With Max."

"And he's the first one to admit he did it wrong," Trent said, moving toward me very slowly like a lion approaching a trembling gazelle. "Don't you think it would be worth another try? Second time's the charm."

"What part of 'partner' don't you get? I'm in a relationship and have absolutely no interest in you or your second chance."

"Why am I getting so many mixed signals?"

"What are you talking about"" I said, backing into the refrigerator. I was trapped. When he was close enough, he reached for my face and held it in between his hands. I didn't realize how large they were until they spanned my entire head. It felt like I was caught in a vice. "Your mouth is saying no, but this," he whispered, rubbing his groin against mine in slow, torturous moves, "is saying yes."

"Stop it," I said shakily. It was impossible to hide the erection that was about to stick out of my pants. He licked my mouth, tracing my lips with his tongue very, very slowly. I couldn't stop the whimper that escaped my throat. "Please."

"I do love that word," he said huskily. "Say it again, Sloan."

Pushing him away, I scampered over to the other side of the room, like the aforementioned gazelle. He was going to have to run to catch me. "Stay away, Trent. My body might be reacting, but that's a physical thing I can't control. My mind, on the other hand, knows better."

"Go on, Sloan. Run and pretend you don't feel the attraction. You'll be back and then maybe you'll see that I was right all along."

"I'm so out of here," I mumbled, leaving him standing there with his boner tenting his pants and his dimples mocking me.

I knocked on Max's bedroom door and walked in to find the room in complete darkness.

"What is it?" I heard him rumbling from somewhere to the right.

"I need to talk to you."

"Get in bed."

"What? I don't want to get in bed with you."

"I'm not getting up so if you want to talk to me lie down."

I felt my way over to the empty side of the bed, toed off my sneakers, and slid in under the comforter. "This is beyond strange, Max."

"Shut up and tell me what's wrong. I need my six hours."

"I can't do the Brit shoot."

"Yes you can, and you will."

"I just had another run-in with Trent."

"So? Deal with it."

"It wasn't that kind of run-in."

"Oh?"

"Nothing happened."

"But you wish it had, and you're freaking out and wanting Uncle Max to fix it. I'm too old to give hand jobs."

I kicked him in the thigh.

"Ouch!"

"I don't need your hand job, thank you very much. I have my own hand, and it works just fine."

"Like I said," Max huffed and put his arm over his eyes. "Deal with it."

"You're as comforting as a cold compress."

"Damn it, Sloan," Max sat up and shoved a couple of pillows up against the headboard. "I'm up and listening. Tell me what the fuck is wrong with you."

"I don't know."

"Well, I do. You're horny and Trent's driving you nuts."

"Yeah," I whispered. "How am I going to resist?"

Contest!

Follow the link and leave a comment to enter the drawing for a free copy of Vessel which releases October 7.


http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/archives/15347

Behind the Story

Author Jadette Paige is hosting my latest release, Momentos: Mick's Journey on her blog. Read a new excerpt and the story behind my story.


http://jadettepaige.blogspot.com/

Signed Paperback Giveaway

Enter the contest for a chance to win a signed copy of Vessel. Follow the links and add your name to the drawing. Open to anyone in the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia.






Goodreads Book Giveaway












Vessel




by Mickie B. Ashling

Giveaway ends October 07, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Updated Post-Vessel will release October 7, 2011

Five years into their relationship, Sloan Driscoll's peaceful existence is suddenly upended. His lover, Cole Fujiwara, gives him an ultimatum: agree to a surrogate birth or break up. Noriko Evans, a beautiful woman of Japanese/American descent, is handpicked by Cole's father to be the surrogate. At the same time, Trent Hamilton, model and established Dominant, sets his eyes on Sloan, offering him another life choice.

Sloan is thrown off balance by this series of events he can neither understand nor control. He'd thought the topic of children had been laid to rest years ago, but with the advent of a new form of genetic testing, Cole's fear of passing on retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that leads to blindness, has been greatly reduced. Noriko's abrupt appearance threatens Sloan, as does Sloan's attraction to Trent and a side of the BDSM world he'd never thought to explore.

Will Sloan be able to muster the inner strength he'll need to deal with one shocking revelation after another, or will he succumb to a dangerous coping mechanism? His decisions will either lead to salvation... or hasten the end of the relationship that literally saved his life.

Vessel is a sequel to Cutting Cords and is slated for release on Friday, October 7. Cover art by the amazing artist, Anne Cain. Buy link is here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2546</b>

Coming Soon!

Five years into their relationship, Sloan Driscoll's peaceful existence is suddenly upended. His lover, Cole Fujiwara, gives him an ultimatum: agree to a surrogate birth or break up. Noriko Evans, a beautiful woman of Japanese/American descent, is handpicked by Cole's father to be the surrogate. At the same time, Trent Hamilton, model and established Dominant, sets his eyes on Sloan, offering him another life choice.

Sloan is thrown off balance by this series of events he can neither understand nor control. He'd thought the topic of children had been laid to rest years ago, but with the advent of a new form of genetic testing, Cole's fear of passing on retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that leads to blindness, has been greatly reduced. Noriko's abrupt appearance threatens Sloan, as does Sloan's attraction to Trent and a side of the BDSM world he'd never thought to explore.

Will Sloan be able to muster the inner strength he'll need to deal with one shocking revelation after another, or will he succumb to a dangerous coping mechanism? His decisions will either lead to salvation... or hasten the end of the relationship that literally saved his life.

Vessel is a sequel to Cutting Cords and is slated for release in October by Dreamspinner Press. Cover art by the amazing artist, Anne Cain. The exact date will be posted as soon as it becomes available

2 Book Rec!

Bear, Otter, and the Kid by T.J. Klune

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Three years ago, Bear McKenna's mother took off for parts unknown with her new boyfriend, leaving Bear to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson, aka the Kid. Somehow they've muddled through, but since he's totally devoted to the Kid, Bear isn't actually doing much living—with a few exceptions, he's retreated from the world, and he's mostly okay with that. Until Otter comes home.

Otter is Bear's best friend's older brother, and as they've done for their whole lives, Bear and Otter crash and collide in ways neither expect. This time, though, there's nowhere to run from the depth of emotion between them. Bear still believes his place is as the Kid's guardian, but he can't help thinking there could be something more for him in the world... something or someone.(less)


This novel was an unexpected surprise wrapped up in fresh dialogue and unique characters. It surpassed all my expectations. I particularly loved the Kid who was a reincarnation of Obi-wan Kenobi. The pain and angst leaps off the page, as does the love and shared moments of pure unadulterated joy. 5+ stars and highly recommended.






Buddha on the Road by Jeff Pearce

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Burma is known as "The Golden Land." And for Brin Harper, Burma means golden memories from a youth spent in an exotic country with his mother, an accomplished diplomat. But today Brin Harper is an NYPD homicide detective haunted by his mother's suicide, and his grief is slowly eroding his relationship with his journalist boyfriend, Richard. Now a set of vicious murders is about to dredge up secrets and bitter regrets from thousands of miles away and many years ago. The trail leads to a strange monk who doesn't behave at all like a holy man. Brin is faced with a range of suspects, including the American widower of dissident Marlar Swe, to his on-again, off-again lover, Aung, a quiet professor who has survived time in Burma's infamous Insein Prison. As the killer claims more victims, each murdered in a fashion inspired by Burmese culture, Brin must confront his own past and play a duel of wits with the monk, trying to decipher what his role is in the case. And there are more disturbing personal revelations waiting for him than just exposing a psychotic murderer


I was attracted to this novel by the title and the excellent review posted on Jessewave. I could relate to Brin Harper as I also grew up a 'foreigner' in an Asian country. Trying to blend both worlds can be challenging and very often confusing. Mr. Pearce described Brin's conflicting loyalty and interpersonal relationships perfectly. I was lost in Burmese culture for two days and so grateful for having picked up this gem of a book. This author is an artist with words, painting beautiful pictures that take you right into the heart of this beautiful country. It's primarily a murder mystery but there is a paranormal aspect to it as well. It's spiritual, romantic, and very exciting. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. Highly recommended.

How cool is this?

See the beautiful new banner my lovely friend Chris clmiles made for me. It's on my author page at Amazon and the GLBT bookshelf.

The reason I've been so quiet these last few weeks is because I've been busy editing the sequel to Cutting Cords which will release in October.

Lastly, I'd like to share this link my son sent me this morning. It made me happy. I wish all parents were this cool.

http://getstooobsessed.tumblr.com/post/9004061623/mommy-they-are-just-like-me-my-oldest-son-is

Book Rec

Last Line by Harper Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



John Griffin has fallen hopelessly in love. He's trying to hide it, because the man he loves is also his partner in a renegade counterterrorism agency, and John loves the job too. Michael, the most loyal of friends and partners, doesn't return John's passion. Nor that of anyone else, as far as John can see. Sexy and handsome as hell, Mike is a chained-up man, haunted by memories of a mission gone wrong during his time in Russia for MI5. Their one sexual encounter only drives them apart: Mike's guilt has left him needing a violence John isn't prepared to deliver.

Enter Anzhel Mattvei, a charismatic secret-service agent who held Mike captive in Russia and has now apparently changed sides. The psychological programming he instilled soon has Mike in sexual thraldom, fighting for possession of his will and his soul. Only John's love can call him back from the brink. The Russian war criminal Anzhel serves has hidden a nuclear device in London, and Anzhel has set Mike up to detonate it. John must find a way to help Mike overcome his programming, or millions of lives will be the price.(less)

4.5 Stars. Last Line is a dark and mysterious read that kept me glued to my Kindle for hours. The paranormal element was unexpected and added yet another layer to this wonderfully complex novel. Be prepared for some pretty graphic scenes that you may end up reading through fingers. The ending felt more like a pause, which is why I left off half a star. There are too many unanswered questions. Rumor has it that this is the first in a series. I sincerely hope so. I'm completely invested in these characters and would love some answers. Despite these minor niggles, I really enjoyed the novel. Recommended.