Andrew Grey's Blog, page 37
January 8, 2012
An Uusettled Range is available in Print
Amazon Print: http://www.amazon.com/Unsettled-Range-Andrew-Grey/dp/1613723296/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326032097&sr=1-1-catcorr
January 7, 2012
An Unsettled Range Excerpt - Releasing January 9, 2012 from Andrew Grey
Blurb:
The last thing Liam Southard expects when he flees his abusive father is to be taken in by a couple of gay ranchers. Soon he has a new job and a new perspective on his sexuality, and his life starts to turn around. Then someone pulls a gun on him.
In Troy Gardener’s defense, the gun thing was a mistake. Between his marriage falling apart and living in his uncle's isolated hunting cabin, he's been a little edgy. He wants to make it up to Liam, and once he discovers how much they have in common, he wants even more. But with Liam's father popping in unexpectedly and a mining company threatening the ranch’s water supply, the only guarantee is that life is never going to be boring.
Add to your Dreamspinner Wish List: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...
Excerpt:
“Is that a lion?” Liam could hardly believe his eyes.
Wally laughed softly. “We have three lions and four tigers right now. I try to find permanent homes for them with zoos and animal parks, but some of these guys are so old, no one wants them.” Wally stepped close to one of the doors and watched as a large male lion with an impressive mane loped over to him, yawning. “This is Manny. He’s getting quite old, but don’t let him fool you or think he’s a pet, because he’s a wild animal, and unpredictable. The first lion I got was Schian, and he loved to have his belly scratched. He was the only one I ever trusted enough to be in the cage with, and even then I was always wary. He died a little over a year ago.” Liam saw the loss momentarily in Wally’s expression, and he couldn’t help wondering what a full-grown lion looked like and sounded like when he had his belly scratched.
“What do you want me to do with them?” Liam took a step back from the cage as Manny let out a roar that echoed over the land before settling back down onto the ground. “You must think I’m crazy.”
Wally chuckled again. “You need to be wary and careful, but never afraid. Manny is just reminding himself that he’s a big boy. He thinks all these cats are part of his pride and that he’s the head honcho.” Wally moved to the next cage. “There are four enclosures in each group, with a shared exercise area. All you need to do is open the gate in the cage, and they’ll amble out when they’re ready. I try to give each one a chance in the yard every day.” Wally stopped at an enclosure with the most beautiful cat Liam had ever seen.
“Wow,” Liam mouthed.
“She’s impressive, isn’t she? That’s Shahrazad. She’s a Bengal tiger. She’s also the biggest bitch I’ve ever had. Don’t get too close to the enclosure under any circumstances,” Wally warned.
Liam had no intention of getting anywhere near her. “Then how do you feed her?” Liam asked tentatively, and Wally opened a chute in the back of the cage. “The food goes in here and the water here.” Wally showed him what he needed to do. “Once every few days, we enclose each animal in the common area and clean its cage.” Wally stopped talking and looked at Liam appraisingly. “Do you think you can do this? It requires vigilance and patience.”
Liam nodded slowly. “I never thought I’d be taking care of lions and tigers.”
“There’s more,” Wally explained, and he began to lead him away. By the time Wally had told him all about the care of big cats and the other exotic animals he had, Liam’s head was spinning. “I know this is a lot, so we’ll work together for a while. I’m not expecting you to do this alone, but I get called away, and I don’t want to worry about their care.”
“I can do it,” Liam answered with more confidence than he felt. If it meant food and a roof over his head, Liam could do just about anything. Manny roared again, making Liam jump slightly, and then all the other cats began growling, and Liam saw many of them pacing their cages. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. They sense something. Look at the way their ears are down and their hair stands on edge. Something has them all a bit spooked.” Wally began looking around; Liam did as well.
“There’s smoke,” Liam said pointing up into the hills surrounding the ranch. “The wind must be carrying the scent this way. It doesn’t look like the forest is on fire.”
“No, but that’s still a lot of smoke, and as dry as it’s been, that fire could spread and take out the entire ranch and half the valley.” Wally was already hurrying back toward the house.
“What are you going to do?’ Liam asked as he followed behind, and Wally stopped, like he hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Like I said, I don’t think the forest is on fire—the smoke isn’t moving or spreading. If you tell me the way, I could try to go up there and see what’s up,” Liam offered. He didn’t want to sit around doing nothing when he could be of help.
“There’s not much up there. I think Dakota told me once that there was a track up there at the end of the road on the west edge of the ranch, but I’ve never been up there.” Wally turned and looked at the smoke again, worry plain on his face.
“Is it okay if I take one of the ATVs? I can ride out there and see what’s going on. It shouldn’t take very long,” Liam offered, and Wally nodded absently. There wasn’t any reason to assume it was anything other than someone camping up there, although it seemed to Liam that there was too much smoke for just a campfire.
“Go on, but be careful,” Wally cautioned, still looking worried.
Liam hurried to the equipment shed and hopped on the ATV he’d used before, grateful that he was doing something that didn’t involve animals that could rip him apart. He started the engine and pulled out of the shed, traveling along the road in front of the ranch before turning down a dirt road at the end of the range that went back toward the hills. The warm, dry air ruffled his hair as he opened the throttle until the road appeared to end at a path just wide enough to allow the ATV to pass. Liam slowed and began to climb steadily up the hillside. Through breaks in the overgrowth, Liam could occasionally see the plume of smoke getting closer and closer.
Liam dove carefully, mindful of washouts and limbs across the path. A few times, he had to move limbs before he could pass, and as the trail got thinner, Liam began to wonder how he’d turn around if he couldn’t go any further. Then the trail dumped him onto what looked like a two-track that appeared to have been used recently, and Liam turned. He hadn’t gone far before he began to smell the odor of something unpleasant burning. Liam wrinkled his nose as he continued up the path, the scent becoming more pervasive and strong enough that his eyes began to water and his nose to run. What in hell could be burning?
Finally, Liam rode to the edge of a clearing where he saw a large fire burning in a pit, the smell making him gag, and he tried his best not to throw up. Of course, he forgot all about that when he saw a man approach him, a rifle leveled at his chest. Liam didn’t know what to say and sat totally still as he watched the man walk toward him. “What are you doing here?”
“I… we saw the fire, and it was dry, so I was just checking it out,” Liam answered nervously and watched as the gun wavered for a second before slowly lowering.
“You’ve done that, so now I suggest you leave.”
Relieved that the man was no longer pointing a gun at him, Liam looked at him and felt his mouth drop open. He removed his helmet to get a better look. Beneath the rough clothing and hard eyes was the most beautiful man Liam had ever laid eyes on.
Guet Professor at Romance University
http://romanceuniversity.org/2012/01/06/setting-goals-for-your-writing-by-andrew-grey/
An Unsettled Range Releasing Monday, January 9, 2012.
December 31, 2011
The Love Romances Cafe Awards
Best Contemporary Book Andrew Grey- Love Means…Healing (DSP)
Best Author of 2011 Andrew Grey
Best GBLT Author 2011 - Andrew GreyBest Cover of 2011 - Andrew Grey: Work Me Out (DSP)Best Western/Cowboys Book - Andrew Grey-A Troubled Range (DSP)
Best Series All Around (can be multi-author or single author) - Gym Series by Andrew Grey (Dreamspinner)
Happy New Year
Happy New Year!!!!
December 26, 2011
Love Means... Double Feature
Blurb for Love Means... Family: Four months ago Robert Edward “Arie” Hawkins lost his sister and the rest of her family in a plane crash. Now his parents have decided it’s time for him to marry and carry on the family name. Arie knows it’s most likely the grief talking—especially from his mother, who’s taken to putting more than ice in her iced tea—so to escape Mississippi, Arie calls his best friend, Robbie, and arranges for a visit.
Life is always changing at the Michigan farm where Robbie lives. Owner Geoff Laughton and his partner, Eli, have started a therapeutic riding program and adopted a little boy, creating a family. It’s while feeding Jakey that Arie meets Officer Hunky.
Officer Hunky’s real name is Deputy Duane Keenan, and he has troubles of his own, but not enough to stop him from pursuing Arie. But Duane’s and Arie’s families are pulling them in opposite directions. Trying to build a connection to support their mutual attraction may prove to be more than difficult… it may be impossible.
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press : http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2678
Purchase from Rainbow eBooks: http://www.rainbowebooks.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5752
Purchase from All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lovemeansfamily-662916-145.html
Purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Means-Family-ebook/dp/B006PIYPCA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1324720797&sr=1-1
Blurb for Love Means... Healing
Seven months ago, Len Parker lost his partner of more than twenty years, and he isn’t sure how to feel about his blossoming attraction to Chris, one of his farmhands. Hesitant and still hurt, Len remains aloof and distant until he’s goaded into teaching Chris to ride.
Fresh out of a thirty-year career with the Marines, Chris can explore his sexuality openly for the first time in his life, but what he needs more than anything is peace. He’s convinced Len doesn’t like him until he digs a little deeper, and then, armed with hope, Chris sets out to prove that love can provide the healing he and Len so desperately need.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Means-Healing-ebook/dp/B006CBFH22/ref=zg_bs_172503011_5
Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2633
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lovemeanshealing-644175-145.html
Rainbow eBooks: http://www.rainbowebooks.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5430
December 24, 2011
Love Means... Family is Now Available at Amazon.
The folks at Amazin have now added Love Means Family. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas.
Here's a link to amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Means-Family-ebook/dp/B006PIYPCA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1324720797&sr=1-1
Blurb: Four months ago Robert Edward “Arie” Hawkins lost his sister and the rest of her family in a plane crash. Now his parents have decided it’s time for him to marry and carry on the family name. Arie knows it’s most likely the grief talking—especially from his mother, who’s taken to putting more than ice in her iced tea—so to escape Mississippi, Arie calls his best friend, Robbie, and arranges for a visit.
Life is always changing at the Michigan farm where Robbie lives. Owner Geoff Laughton and his partner, Eli, have started a therapeutic riding program and adopted a little boy, creating a family. It’s while feeding Jakey that Arie meets Officer Hunky.
Officer Hunky’s real name is Deputy Duane Keenan, and he has troubles of his own, but not enough to stop him from pursuing Arie. But Duane’s and Arie’s families are pulling them in opposite directions. Trying to build a connection to support their mutual attraction may prove to be more than difficult… it may be impossible.
December 23, 2011
Love Means... Family is Now Available
Love Means... Family is now available. Unfortunately Amazon doesn't have it yet, but I'll post when its available.
Blurb: Four months ago Robert Edward “Arie” Hawkins lost his sister and the rest of her family in a plane crash. Now his parents have decided it’s time for him to marry and carry on the family name. Arie knows it’s most likely the grief talking—especially from his mother, who’s taken to putting more than ice in her iced tea—so to escape Mississippi, Arie calls his best friend, Robbie, and arranges for a visit.
Life is always changing at the Michigan farm where Robbie lives. Owner Geoff Laughton and his partner, Eli, have started a therapeutic riding program and adopted a little boy, creating a family. It’s while feeding Jakey that Arie meets Officer Hunky.
Officer Hunky’s real name is Deputy Duane Keenan, and he has troubles of his own, but not enough to stop him from pursuing Arie. But Duane’s and Arie’s families are pulling them in opposite directions. Trying to build a connection to support their mutual attraction may prove to be more than difficult… it may be impossible.
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press : http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2678
Purchase from Rainbow eBooks: http://www.rainbowebooks.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5752
Purchase from All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lovemeansfamily-662916-145.html
December 22, 2011
Love Means... Family Releasing At Midnight
Love Means... Family releases at midnight tonight from Dreamspinner Press. I'm so excited about this release. There will be another Love Means... story. Love Means.... Renewal has been written. It's a novella for this summer. There will also be at least one more novel. The ideas are starting to percolate. We'll see what comes up.
Blurb: Four months ago Robert Edward “Arie” Hawkins lost his sister and the rest of her family in a plane crash. Now his parents have decided it’s time for him to marry and carry on the family name. Arie knows it’s most likely the grief talking—especially from his mother, who’s taken to putting more than ice in her iced tea—so to escape Mississippi, Arie calls his best friend, Robbie, and arranges for a visit.
Life is always changing at the Michigan farm where Robbie lives. Owner Geoff Laughton and his partner, Eli, have started a therapeutic riding program and adopted a little boy, creating a family. It’s while feeding Jakey that Arie meets Officer Hunky.
Officer Hunky’s real name is Deputy Duane Keenan, and he has troubles of his own, but not enough to stop him from pursuing Arie. But Duane’s and Arie’s families are pulling them in opposite directions. Trying to build a connection to support their mutual attraction may prove to be more than difficult… it may be impossible.
Add to your Dreamspinner Wish List: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2678
Read an Excerpt: http://andrewgreybooks.livejournal.com/101816.html
December 21, 2011
Love Means... Family Releasing Friday Just After Midnight
Blurb: Four months ago Robert Edward “Arie” Hawkins lost his sister and the rest of her family in a plane crash. Now his parents have decided it’s time for him to marry and carry on the family name. Arie knows it’s most likely the grief talking—especially from his mother, who’s taken to putting more than ice in her iced tea—so to escape Mississippi, Arie calls his best friend, Robbie, and arranges for a visit.
Life is always changing at the Michigan farm where Robbie lives. Owner Geoff Laughton and his partner, Eli, have started a therapeutic riding program and adopted a little boy, creating a family. It’s while feeding Jakey that Arie meets Officer Hunky.
Officer Hunky’s real name is Deputy Duane Keenan, and he has troubles of his own, but not enough to stop him from pursuing Arie. But Duane’s and Arie’s families are pulling them in opposite directions. Trying to build a connection to support their mutual attraction may prove to be more than difficult… it may be impossible.
Add to your Dreamspinner Wish List: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2678
Excerpt:
“Come on inside, and I’ll show you up to your room. Geoff is probably out in the fields. I’d like to spend the afternoon with you, but I have things I need to get done in the office.” Robbie moved so confidently. Yes, he was careful, but also sure of his movements, and Arie pulled one of his suitcases out of the trunk before following Robbie into the house.
“Adelle,” Arie called when he saw her in the kitchen, standing at the stove stirring a large pot of something that smelled like the most amazing chicken soup ever.
“Master Arie,” she whispered with a smile, “it’s good to see you. When Mr. Robbie told me what happened, I was heartbroken for you and your family. I’m glad you could pay us a visit. Now put your things up in your room and come back down. I’ll have supper ready in an hour or so.” She moved around the kitchen seemingly without making a sound.
Robbie continued through the house, stopping at the foot of the stairs. “You’re in the first room on the right at the top of the stairs. I’ll be in the office right here, and you can join me there when you’re settled. Take your time,” Robbie said softly.
“Okay,” Arie whispered, wondering why everyone was acting strangely, but he figured they had their reasons. Carefully, Arie lugged his suitcase up the stairs, placing it in the bright bedroom he’d used on his last visit. He unpacked the suitcase into the dresser before returning to the car to get another. By the time he was done, Arie was tired and thirsty. Coming back down the stairs, he did indeed find Robbie in the office, talking softly on the phone. “That’s perfect. We’ll see you and your daughter on Saturday.” Robbie hung up the phone. “Are you all set?”
“Yes,” Arie answered. “Can you tell me why everyone is whispering?”
“Because it’s Jakey’s naptime.”
“Who’s Jakey?”
“Oh, I guess I haven’t told you. About six months ago, Geoff and Eli got Jakey. He’s nine months old. They adopted him officially a few months ago. He’s wonderful, but once he wakes up from his nap, there’s no stopping him, so everyone’s gotten used to speaking really quietly until he wakes up.”
“Geoff and Eli have a little boy?” Arie’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes. Jakey was taken away from his mother about a month after he was born because she was neglecting him. Unfortunately, she has a drug problem and is now in prison, and will be for a number of years. When he first came, he was underfed, and they told me that the doctors weren’t sure he hadn’t suffered permanent damage. But he’s doing very well now, and he’s a happy baby as far as I can tell. They tell me that he has blond hair and big blue eyes, but I can tell you from firsthand experience that he also has lungs that can make sounds that are guaranteed to rattle your spine and a laugh that you can’t help falling in love with. He also poops quite regularly, and that is never pleasant.” Robbie scrunched his face and smiled at the same time.
“There’s my boy,” Arie heard someone say from the doorway. Turning around, he saw Eli standing in the doorway holding a wide-eyed little boy, his thumb in his little mouth. “Arie, I’m glad you could visit,” Eli told him with a smile, “and this little hellion is Jakey.” Eli turned to his son, and Jakey immediately buried his face in Eli’s shoulder. “Oh, today you’re shy,” Eli said, turning so Arie could see Jakey. Arie had to admit that the tyke was adorable. “Do you want to see Uncle Arie?”
Arie felt a lump form in his throat as Eli handed Jakey to him. Arie held the small boy, who looked about two seconds from crying. Jakey twisted around so he could see Eli.
“Hi, Jakey,” Arie said with a smile and a small bounce, though Jakey looked like he wasn’t really buying it. “I’m a friend of your Uncle Robbie’s.” Jakey looked at Eli and then back at Arie, who bounced him again and then tickled his belly. Jakey smiled slightly, and Arie did it again. This had always worked with Bryce and Lizette, and it seemed to be working with Jakey, too, because Arie ticked him again and this time he laughed, showing Arie his two bottom teeth.
“You like your Uncle Arie, don’t you, Jakey?” Eli said with a tickle, and Jakey squirmed in Arie’s arms, laughing and giggling. “Are you ready for your dinner? I think Adelle has chicken and carrots for you.” Arie handed Jakey back to Eli, who flew him out of the room to more baby giggles. Robbie’s phone rang, and Arie let him answer it, wandering through the house and into the kitchen where he found Jakey in a high chair and Eli feeding him his dinner while Adelle continued working at the stove.
“I can feed him if you like,” Arie offered. He’d helped Charlotte with both her kids.
“Are you sure?” Eli asked, and Arie nodded.
“I fed both my niece and nephew when they were this age,” Arie replied, pushing back the memories and hurt that threatened. Remember the good times. Eli handed Arie the spoon, and he sat in front of Jakey, filling the small spoon with strained chicken and lifting it as Jakey opened his mouth expectantly.
“He’ll eat about half the jar, and then give him some carrots. After that he can have peaches,” Eli explained to him in what Arie was quickly coming to realize was his “happy, talk to the baby” voice. Arie wiped Jakey’s mouth before feeding him another spoonful of chicken. When it was time, he switched to carrots, and Jakey ate them with just as much gusto as he did the chicken. This kid was obviously an eater, and there was no messing around.
Arie heard the back door open, and he looked up to see a tall man in police uniform walk into the kitchen. Arie found himself momentarily distracted by a pair of broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a handsome face that for a second had him forgetting what he should be doing. Jakey whined softly, and Arie got him a spoonful of carrots.
“Hi, Jakey,” the uniformed man said as he came up behind Arie, and Jakey smiled a carroty grin before laughing and showering Arie with carrots. He tried to dodge the orange spray, but it was too late. Arie had carrots all over his shirt, on his face, and probably in his hair. And he so didn’t want to turn around to face Officer Hunky covered with spewed carrots. “Sorry,” the man behind him said with barely suppressed laughter.
