Kim Fielding's Blog, page 50
October 14, 2014
Flight
Stranded is a new anthology that just came out from Wayward Ink Publishing. Here’s the book blurb:
STRANDED
DEFINITION:
adjective
• (of a boat, sailor, or sea creature) left aground on a shore.
“a stranded whale”
• left without the means to move from somewhere.
“he offers a lift to a stranded commuter”
###
The boys in this collection of short stories have most definitely been left STRANDED!
They’ve been shipwrecked and abandoned.
Marooned and cast away.
And left helpless and high and dry.
But you should never underestimate the tenacity of the human heart…
My story is called “Standby,” and poor Tom is stranded in an airport when he misses his connection. I travel frequently, so I’ve been in his shoes. But here’s a photo from a happier trip I took last year:
I was the only passenger on this flight. It was a small plane and a short flight, but I was the sole passenger. It was so fun! The flight attendant and I had a great chat. She still had to do the safety stuff over the PA system–FAA regulations–and this time I had to listen.
I’m flying tomorrow. Let’s hope for no mishaps–or at least good outcomes if mishaps occur!
You can buy Stranded:
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October 13, 2014
Please welcome Andrew Q. Gordon!
A Closed Door, by Andrew Q. Gordon
Book Blurb:
Outted at thirteen, Orin Merritt left home after high school hoping to escape the hell his life had become. Ten years later when a tornado destroys his childhood home and kills his parents, Orin finds himself in an entirely new nightmare. One he can’t run away from.
Blaming himself for failing the two people who always loved and supported him, he returns home and confronts his past in the person of his one-time best friend, Thomas Kennett. Thomas not only rejected him when Orin came out, he led the group that tormented Orin into leaving.
As he struggles to deal with his grief, Orin also labors to fulfill the pledge he made to his parents before their death. In the process, Orin learns that sometimes when you go away to find yourself, you leave the answers you’re looking for behind.
Cover Artist: Lily Velden and Jay Aheer
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing.
Buy Links:
Amazon Canada:
Book Excerpt:
“Orin, I won’t.” Thomas stood a bit straighter and his eyes lost the sad, pleading shine. “I won’t hurt you again.”
“You can’t promise that. Things happen.” Orin watched as his words dragged Thomas back from the brink of hope.
“If you truly believe that, then there’s nothing I can do. You have to believe there’s a chance or else I can’t prove it.”
“That’s not what I’m telling you.” He locked his gaze on Thomas’s. “If I say yes, I’ll have to take down the walls I surrounded my heart with to keep it safe. Once it’s gone, I won’t be able bring it back if I get hurt. Not now.
“So what I’m saying is, think about what you’re asking me to risk. If you really love me, ask yourself if are you willing to risk what will happen to me if you can’t keep your promise.”
He knew how unfair he’d been, but self-preservation had been a skill he’d honed over the past fifteen years. He needed Thomas to know just how serious the repercussion could be for his actions.
“Orin, I . . . I . . . how . . .?” Their faces were inches apart, and Thomas moved in for another kiss.
This felt different than the first—less urgent, but no less intense. Orin trembled at the leap he was about to take. When they stepped back, Thomas rubbed his thumb across Orin’s cheek.
“I do love you, Orin. More than I can say. So much, that I’m not willing to risk what will happen if I fail you again. I don’t have that right.”
Thomas’s lips quivered and the tears welled at the bottom of his eyes. He kissed Orin’s forehead gently.
“Good-bye, Orin. Please be happy.” Without looking back, Thomas walked to the front door, opened it, and walked away.
Author Bio:
Andrew Q. Gordon wrote his first story back when yellow legal pads, ball point pens were common and a Smith Corona correctable typewriter was considered high tech. Adapting with technology, he now takes his MacBook somewhere quiet when he wants to write.
He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his partner of eighteen years, their young daughter and dog. In addition to dodging some very self-important D.C. ‘insiders’, Andrew uses his commute to catch up on his reading. When not working or writing, he enjoys soccer, high fantasy, baseball and seeing how much coffee he can drink in a day.
Author Contacts:
Website: www.andrewqgordon.com,
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrewqugordon,
Twitter: @andrewqgordon,
Email: andrewqgordon@gmail.com
Other Books:
The Last Grand Master: (Champion of the Gods – Book 1);
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October 11, 2014
Please welcome Brynn Stein!
Blog Tour for Through the Years
Thanks Kim, for hosting me today. This is the sixth stop on blog tour for Through the Years.
I wanted to talk a little about juggling so many characters. This book contains by far the most characters that I’ve ever worked with at one time. Since it encompasses fifty years, there are friends of the two main characters, spouses of those friends, as well as Edward’s wife. Kids and grandkids, in-laws.
It was actually kind of hard to keep track of when I was writing it. I literally had to make a family tree to keep everyone straight, not to mention to try to figure out how old everyone was at any given time.
Since it was so much work for me to keep straight, I was really afraid that it would be hard for my readers too. I had numerous friends and family read over it before I submitted it, to make sure that everything was easier to keep track of as a reader than it had been as a writer.
I was told it was. And my absolutely wonderful editors at Dreamspinner didn’t have any problems, so I guess I managed it better than I was afraid I was going to be able to.
It was still a really different problem to have.
Always before, I’ve had a small cast of important characters with perhaps some minor characters thrown in. But in this story, just about everyone is important. We need to track Edward’s kids, of course, and the fact that he has a wife for a while is very important. But, because of the dynamic of Edward and Gene and three other friends from college, they all are intricately involved in each other’s lives, so all of their kids and spouses are really important too.
It was fun to write so many characters, even if I did worry about it for a while. I think it helps draw the reader in…make them feel like family. That’s what several people who have read it have said, anyway.
What about you writers? Have you had a book with what seems like a million important characters? How did you handle them all? Did you have to make some kind of chart or other visual aid to help when you were writing?
And readers, what do you think about books with a lot of characters? Love it? Hate it? Somewhere in between?
Comment below to be entered into the raffle.
Here’s how the raffle works:
I’ve listed the tour stops below and have given either the link to the blog in general or to my post specifically. Feel free to stop by as many as you want. For each stop that you comment on, you will receive one entry to the giveaway. I’ll check all the stops numerous times throughout the tour and will draw five winners on Thanksgiving Day, so even if you come in late to the tour, you can go back through the list and comment on past stops.
I’m giving away five prizes. 1) a signed paperback copy of Through the Years; 2 and 3) electronic copies of Through the Years, 4) your choice of either a signed paperback copy or an audiobook of Living Again (the audiobook won’t be available until December), and 5) an electronic copy of Haunted.
Blog Tour Stops for Through the Years
Blog Stop
Date
Blog Owner
Blog Address
1
October 6
Anne Barwell
http://annebarwell.wordpress.com
2
October 7
Grace Duncan
http://www.grace-duncan.com/
3
October 8
Jessica Skye Davies
http://jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com
4
October 9
Shira Anthony
www.shiraanthony.com
5
October 10
Emma Tett
http://emmy-j.blogspot.co.uk
6
October 11
Kim Fieldings
http://kfieldingwrites.com/
7
October 12
Bike Books Reviews
bikebookreviews.blogspot.com
8
October 13
Tempest O’Riley
http://tempesteoriley.com
9
October 14
Sean Michael
http://seanmichaelwrites.blogspot.ca/
10
October 15
Allison Cassatta
Allisoncassatta.blogspot.com
11
October 16
Jana Denardo
http://jana-denardo.livejournal.com/
12
October 17
Louise Lyons
http://louiselyonsauthor.wordpress.com
13
October 18
PD Singer
http://pdsinger.com
14
October 20
Shae Connor
http://shaeconnorwrites.com
15
October 21
Suki Fleet
http://sukifleet.wordpress.com
16
October 27
Charlie Cochet
http://purpleroseteahouse.charliecochet.com
17
October 28
Elizabeth Noble
http://www.elizabeth-noble.com/my-blog
18
October 29
Tara Lain
http://taralain.com
19
October 31
Sophie Bonaste
http://sophiebonaste.blogspot.com
20
November 4
Kit Moss
http://kitmossreviews.blogspot.com
21
November 10
Lane Hayes
lanehayes.wordpress.com
22
November 13
Mike Rupured
http://rupured.com
Thanks again Kim, for letting me stop by today.
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5539
Blurb for Through the Years
Edward and Gene were instantly drawn to each other when they met at college in Maryland. Fast friends, they developed a “closer than brothers” relationship. But then Edward began to feel more for Gene. In 1967, those kind of feelings would not be tolerated. Not even by Edward himself.
Gene always thought he was asexual. He had never been attracted to anyone… until he met Edward. He dreamed of Edward as more than a friend throughout college, but he knew Edward would not welcome that kind of attention. So Gene wasn’t surprised when Edward reacted badly to a drunken kiss just before Edward’s graduation. He was surprised when Edward moved to Florida and had little to do with him for years afterward.
When fate finally brings them back together, Edward is married and has a little girl. Gene gladly accepts the role of “Uncle Gene,” happy to have Edward in his life in any capacity. Together, they face all the trials and tribulations life throws at them, including the death of Edward’s wife, and as each grows and matures, their life views change. The relationship they’ve secretly wanted all along is closer than ever, and if Edward can break free from his homophobic upbringing and admit his feelings for Gene, there might still be a chance for them to share their lives in the way they both desire.
A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.
Brynn Stein has always loved to write. Fan fiction, original fiction, whatever. While Brynn wrote in numerous genres – everything from mystery, to contemporary, to supernatural – she had always tended toward strong male characters. And then she discovered ‘slash’, male/male romance, and all those strong male characters were finally allowed to express their love for one another. It seems that there are always at least two characters clamoring to tell Brynn their story.
Brynn lives in Virginia with one of her two two-legged children, and two four-legged ones. Her supportive family encourages her writing and provides a sounding board for fledgling stories. When she isn’t writing, Brynn teaches children with special needs. In free time, when such a thing exists, she reads anything she can get her hands on, and haunts bookstores. She draws and paints, and enjoys the outdoors—especially if she can get to the beach—and is always thinking about her next story.
Please feel free to contact Brynn at any of the following:
https://twitter.com/BrynnStein http://brynnstein2.wordpress.com https://www.facebook.com/
or
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October 10, 2014
New Releases!
October 10 is a very special day for my new releases.
Exactly 15 years ago today, this was my new release:
9 months in the draft stage. She’s been in editing ever since.
When she was 2, she insisted on wearing those Snow White shoes everywhere. And this my is my first release today (please ignore the very ratty couch. Also, the kid on the left is a newer edition):
She’s a few inches taller than me and has way more attitude. She’s a great kid.
So today would be special to me anyway. (And hey, shouldn’t I be the one getting cake and presents? Twelve hours of back labor say yes.) But to top things off I have two new books out today!
One of them is Bone Dry, the third in the Bones series. If you’ve read the first two, I hope you’re excited to read more about Dylan and Chris’s strange little farm. This time we’ll pay particular attention to their friend, Ery Phillips. If you haven’t read the rest of the series, you can jump in now and you’ll do fine.
Bone Dry is available now at Dreamspinner, Amazon, ARe, and everywhere else.
In addition, my short story “Standby” comes out today in the Stranded anthology. This story has a touch of magical realism and takes place in an airport. I’ve always felt that if there’s such a thing as purgatory, it’s very much like an airport.
Stranded is available at Wayward Ink Press, Amazon, and all the usual suspects.
A new book or two might not be quite as exciting as a new baby, but there’s less pain involved.
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this special day!
Also, don’t forget the Fieldingpalooza blog tour and contests, going on right now!
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October 8, 2014
Please welcome Andrea Speed!
In honor of the relaunch of the Infected series, I thought I’d Google some random questions, and have characters from the series answer them. First up is Dylan Harlow, bartender/artist, and all around nice guy. He has the distinction of being one of the most normal people in the Infected universe. (Poor guy.)
Where are you most likely to be at 8:00 on a Saturday night?
Dylan: At work
What is the biggest change you have made in your life in the last year?
Dylan: I think it’s been learning to let go and accept some things that I’d rather not. But life isn’t ideal, and sometimes you have to accept situations and people as they are.
What’s your middle name?
Dylan: Alejandro
On a scale of 1-10 how honest are you?
Dylan: I’d say I’m a solid nine. I’m including lying to myself, and the occasional bar patron. I don’t like to do it, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.
1. What is something unusual you like to put on a sandwich?
Dylan: I guess fruit. I’ve been known to throw in grapes or mango, depending on the sandwich. Fruit goes better with savory things than most people know. Strawberry can work too, as long as they’re really fresh. And I’d recommend growing your own for best taste, as the ones they sell in grocery stores have almost no flavor at all, and strawberry plants are readily available and easy to grow in containers. But that’s probably way more than you wanted to know.
If you could trade lives with somebody you know, who would it be?
Dylan: No one. I’m generally happy with my life, as weird and stressful as it can be.
Do you want to be buried or cremated after you are dead?
Dylan: Ooh, morbid. But cremated, definitely. Bodies are just a shell. They aren’t us. Once I’m dead I don’t give a crap what happens to my body.
Would you rather have a beautiful home in an ordinary suburb or an ordinary home in an extraordinary place?
Dylan: There’s no contest. An ordinary home in an extraordinary place. I mean, just imagine. On top of a waterfall? In space? On top of a mountain? In an underwater cavern? I don’t give a shit about having a split level with one and a half bath in those circumstances.
What is your favorite condiment?
Dylan: Salsa. Is there anyone who wouldn’t pick salsa? Oh, strike that. Roan would probably pick mustard.
What do you think is beyond the stars?
Dylan: Stars, planets, life, one assumes.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Dylan: I think it can happen. It’s never happened to me, though.
What makes you jealous?
Dylan: Guys who get clearly obsessed with Roan. I’m really not a jealous person, but some guys get under my skin. I know Roan is the type of person who will always garner a lot of attention, and the fact that he has a type of blindness to his own magnetism isn’t helpful, but I’m not above the occasional pang of jealousy.
If you were to write a novel what would it be about?
Dylan: The intersection of art and Buddhism. It’d be a total fucking bore. Even Roan would force himself to try and read it, and then lie and say he did, because he’d be unable to finish. It’d be terrible. I’m an artist, not a writer.
What is your idea of heaven?
Dylan: A nice, quite place in the country with my husband. Far, far away from anyone who could bother us. Oh, and I’d have a private gallery where I could paint, of course.
If you could have a drink with someone from history who would it be?
Dylan: Interesting. Right now I’d probably say John Stuart Mill, because I’ve been reading some of his writings lately, and his philosophies are fascinating. He was ahead of his time in many respects, and that must have been difficult.
Do you say meaner things to your friends or your enemies?
Dylan: I really don’t like to be negative, and I don’t stay in contact with anyone I’d consider an enemy. But enemy is the answer to your question, because I can’t stand people who are negative towards their own friends. Save that creepy, bitchy behavior for reality shows.
What three adjectives best describe you?
Dylan: Quiet, artistic, friendly. Or at least I hope I’m friendly.
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
Dylan: That’s a tough one. I think I’d like the power to heal. Not just myself, but other people as well. Healing I could share.
What is something most people do not know about you?
Dylan: I was really into archery as a teenager, and I actually tried out for the Olympics in college. Isn’t that weird? Even I can’t believe I ever did that.
I’m really good at …
Dylan: Painting.
Blurb: Infected: Book One In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds. The murder of a former cop draws Roan into an odd case where an unidentifiable species of cat appears to be showing an unusual level of intelligence. He juggles that with trying to find a missing teenage boy, who, unbeknownst to his parents, was “cat” obsessed. And when someone is brutally murdering infecteds, Eli Winters, leader of the Church of the Divine Transformation, hires Roan to find the killer before he closes in on Eli. Working the crimes will lead Roan through a maze of hate, personal grudges, and mortal danger. With help from his tiger-strain infected partner, Paris Lehane, he does his best to survive in a world that hates and fears their kind… and occasionally worships them.
http://www.dsppublications.com/
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Please welcome Andrew Speed!
In honor of the relaunch of the Infected series, I thought I’d Google some random questions, and have characters from the series answer them. First up is Dylan Harlow, bartender/artist, and all around nice guy. He has the distinction of being one of the most normal people in the Infected universe. (Poor guy.)
Where are you most likely to be at 8:00 on a Saturday night?
Dylan: At work
What is the biggest change you have made in your life in the last year?
Dylan: I think it’s been learning to let go and accept some things that I’d rather not. But life isn’t ideal, and sometimes you have to accept situations and people as they are.
What’s your middle name?
Dylan: Alejandro
On a scale of 1-10 how honest are you?
Dylan: I’d say I’m a solid nine. I’m including lying to myself, and the occasional bar patron. I don’t like to do it, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.
1. What is something unusual you like to put on a sandwich?
Dylan: I guess fruit. I’ve been known to throw in grapes or mango, depending on the sandwich. Fruit goes better with savory things than most people know. Strawberry can work too, as long as they’re really fresh. And I’d recommend growing your own for best taste, as the ones they sell in grocery stores have almost no flavor at all, and strawberry plants are readily available and easy to grow in containers. But that’s probably way more than you wanted to know.
If you could trade lives with somebody you know, who would it be?
Dylan: No one. I’m generally happy with my life, as weird and stressful as it can be.
Do you want to be buried or cremated after you are dead?
Dylan: Ooh, morbid. But cremated, definitely. Bodies are just a shell. They aren’t us. Once I’m dead I don’t give a crap what happens to my body.
Would you rather have a beautiful home in an ordinary suburb or an ordinary home in an extraordinary place?
Dylan: There’s no contest. An ordinary home in an extraordinary place. I mean, just imagine. On top of a waterfall? In space? On top of a mountain? In an underwater cavern? I don’t give a shit about having a split level with one and a half bath in those circumstances.
What is your favorite condiment?
Dylan: Salsa. Is there anyone who wouldn’t pick salsa? Oh, strike that. Roan would probably pick mustard.
What do you think is beyond the stars?
Dylan: Stars, planets, life, one assumes.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Dylan: I think it can happen. It’s never happened to me, though.
What makes you jealous?
Dylan: Guys who get clearly obsessed with Roan. I’m really not a jealous person, but some guys get under my skin. I know Roan is the type of person who will always garner a lot of attention, and the fact that he has a type of blindness to his own magnetism isn’t helpful, but I’m not above the occasional pang of jealousy.
If you were to write a novel what would it be about?
Dylan: The intersection of art and Buddhism. It’d be a total fucking bore. Even Roan would force himself to try and read it, and then lie and say he did, because he’d be unable to finish. It’d be terrible. I’m an artist, not a writer.
What is your idea of heaven?
Dylan: A nice, quite place in the country with my husband. Far, far away from anyone who could bother us. Oh, and I’d have a private gallery where I could paint, of course.
If you could have a drink with someone from history who would it be?
Dylan: Interesting. Right now I’d probably say John Stuart Mill, because I’ve been reading some of his writings lately, and his philosophies are fascinating. He was ahead of his time in many respects, and that must have been difficult.
Do you say meaner things to your friends or your enemies?
Dylan: I really don’t like to be negative, and I don’t stay in contact with anyone I’d consider an enemy. But enemy is the answer to your question, because I can’t stand people who are negative towards their own friends. Save that creepy, bitchy behavior for reality shows.
What three adjectives best describe you?
Dylan: Quiet, artistic, friendly. Or at least I hope I’m friendly.
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
Dylan: That’s a tough one. I think I’d like the power to heal. Not just myself, but other people as well. Healing I could share.
What is something most people do not know about you?
Dylan: I was really into archery as a teenager, and I actually tried out for the Olympics in college. Isn’t that weird? Even I can’t believe I ever did that.
I’m really good at …
Dylan: Painting.
Blurb: Infected: Book One In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds. The murder of a former cop draws Roan into an odd case where an unidentifiable species of cat appears to be showing an unusual level of intelligence. He juggles that with trying to find a missing teenage boy, who, unbeknownst to his parents, was “cat” obsessed. And when someone is brutally murdering infecteds, Eli Winters, leader of the Church of the Divine Transformation, hires Roan to find the killer before he closes in on Eli. Working the crimes will lead Roan through a maze of hate, personal grudges, and mortal danger. With help from his tiger-strain infected partner, Paris Lehane, he does his best to survive in a world that hates and fears their kind… and occasionally worships them.
http://www.dsppublications.com/
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October 7, 2014
I love my daughters
After dinner last night, my 11-year-old asked my husband to debate same-sex marriage with her (because she likes to debate). She asked him to take the anti-equality stance. He obliged, and she proceeded to give a really excellent refutation of every argument the anti-equality people have come up with. Did I mention that she’s 11?
And then there’s the other one, who turns 15 this week. For her English class yesterday, she had to write a short story using specific words. Here’s what she came up with:
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Charles. He was a very taciturn boy, rarely speaking to anybody. Then one day he met a girl named Mabel. Charles was very melancholy when he first met Mabel, but her amiable manner soon cheered him up. His parents’ fears of him never having any friends were assuaged, and Charles and Mabel got along swimmingly.
Charles and Mabel had a tacit agreement that they would take each other everywhere whenever they went out with friends- well, whenever Mabel went out with friends. They went on forays a lot, venturing out late at night to mess with their rival school.
Then came an auspicious day, when Charles met Mabel’s brother, George. George was the opposite of diminutive; he was taller than Charles, who was already pretty tall, and he was very outspoken. He would always make snide remarks to Charles in the most placid way, making Charles furious. Mabel told Charles that George isn’t normally like that, but Charles didn’t listen.
Both Charles and George tested their prowess against each other, always competing to be better than the other, especially verbally. They would make asinine remarks about each other, Charles targeting the fact that George was single and George targeting the fact that he knows Charles likes Mabel.
George was wrong. Charles liked George.. They end up together, by magic. The end.
I love my daughters.
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October 6, 2014
Please welcome Charlie Cochet!
Hello all! Welcome to the Rack & Ruin (THIRDS, Book 3) cover reveal & giveaway! I’m super excited to share with you the cover to for the latest THIRDS book by the fabulous L.C. Chase! There’s also a giveaway, and Rack & Ruin is now available for preorder!
When the walls come tumblin’ down….
Blurb
New York City’s streets are more dangerous than ever with the leaderless Order of Adrasteia and the Ikelos Coalition, a newly immerged Therian group, at war. Innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire and although the THIRDS round up more and more members of the Order in the hopes of keeping the volatile group from reorganizing, the members of the Coalition continue to escape and wreak havoc in the name of vigilante justice.
Worse yet, someone inside the THIRDS has been feeding the Coalition information. It’s up to Destructive Delta to draw out the mole and put an end to the war before anyone else gets hurt. But to get the job done, the team will have to work through the aftereffects of the Therian Youth Center bombing. A skirmish with Coalition members leads Agent Dexter J. Daley to a shocking discovery and suddenly it becomes clear that the random violence isn’t so random. There’s more going on than Dex and Sloane originally believed, and their fiery partnership is put to the test. As the case takes an explosive turn, Dex and Sloane are in danger of losing more than their relationship.
Preorder links
Dreampisnner Press eBook | Dreamspinner Press Paperback
Release Day
November 7th
Giveaway
Excerpt
Dex had never been so eager to start his daily training session. Down in Sparta, he changed in the male locker room, swapping his uniform for his black Led Zeppelin T-shirt, loose jogging pants, and sneakers. He grabbed his boxing gloves from his locker and slammed it shut.
The bays were pretty busy at this time of day, but there was plenty of free boxing equipment in the boxing bays. He chose one of the emptier ones, and as he got ready, all he could think about was Sloane. The moment Dex had seen his face, he’d known. Sloane was going to run. I’m so stupid. He finished wrapping his hands and made straight for the punching bag.
After some quick stretches and warm ups, he started pummeling the red leather bag, hoping to release some of his frustration, but the more he punched the bag, the angrier he became. He’d told himself not to get so close. His head had known far longer than his heart what would happen, tried to warn him. But Dex hadn’t listened. He’d been a lovesick idiot, trailing after Sloane, getting on his knees, content to let Sloane bleed him. Maybe a part of Dex enjoyed it. Enjoyed being stripped, his vulnerability exposed. Why else would he continue to put himself through this? Why did he keep waiting? Because he’d promised Sloane he would. And what had Sloane promised in return? Dex remembered the words as if they’d been said yesterday. I can’t make any promises. Sloane had made it clear. Dex had no one to blame for his heartache but himself.
“Well isn’t that cute.”
Dex froze. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Someone up there was conspiring against him. Was this a test to see how much he could take before he lost his shit? Any other day, Dex would have walked away. But not today. He turned and faced Ash who was dressed similarly in a T-shirt and loose jogging pants. Letty was beside him looking worried.
“Come on. You and me,” Dex said through his teeth.
Ash let out a laugh. “Are you fucking kidding?”
“Does it look like I’m kidding?”
“Sloane wouldn’t be happy about that.”
“Well Sloane’s not fucking here, is he?” Dex snapped. He expected a smart-ass remark, but instead Ash seemed to be thinking it over so he pushed on. “You’ve wanted this since I joined. Now’s your chance. No one here’s going to stop you. You want to beat the shit out of me, now’s your fucking chance.”
“Okay.”
Dex nodded and swiped his boxing gloves off the side of the mat. He held them out to Letty. “Help me out here.”
Letty took one glove from him and helped secure the strap before taking the next one. “Dex, are you sure you want to do this? You know he won’t hold back.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Letty cursed under her breath, saying something in Spanish Dex didn’t understand. He tapped his hip where his pocket was, and Letty reached in. She pulled out the small box containing his mouth guard and opened it, looking as if she was going to try again to convince him not to do this, but instead, she held the mouth guard up to him. He leaned over and closed his mouth around the rubbery piece. He could tell she wasn’t happy, but he needed this.
He hopped on his toes, rolled his shoulders, and waited while Letty helped Ash with his gloves and mouth guard. As soon as Ash was ready, they both stepped onto one of the larger empty blue mats. Looking at Ash, all the anger came flooding back, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop thinking about Sloane.
You really thought he wouldn’t run? He’ll always run. From you.
“Come on,” Dex said around his mouthpiece.
Ash shook his head, but there was no way Dex was letting him back out now.
“Come on!”
Ash gave him exactly what he asked for. The first punch landed across Dex’s jaw and sent him reeling. He fell hard against the mat, his face in a world of pain and stars in his eyes. How the hell Dex hadn’t been knocked out by that one hit was beyond him. Fuck. That hurt. Okay, maybe this wasn’t your brightest idea.
“That all you got, Daley? One hit? That’s pretty fucking pathetic.”
Bastard. Dex pushed himself to his feet and shook himself off. Would Sloane come back this time? He had to. They worked together. What if that’s all he came back for? You fucked up. The first guy you could see yourself spending your life with, and you fuck it up within months. A new record. Ash grinned at him, and Dex lost it.
He came at Ash with everything he had, mindful of Ash’s fierce hooks. He maneuvered around him, ducking under hooks and jumping out of the way when Ash swiped at him. Ash threw both arms out to grab him, and Dex dropped down to the mat and rolled. He popped back up and took a swing, catching Ash on his shoulder. Then Dex remembered what Ash’s proficiency was. Close Quarter Combat. The guy had been toying with him. Letting him land blows, waiting for Dex to realize the mistake he’d made.
About the Author
Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!
Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | THIRDS HQ | Tumblr | Instagram | Pinterest
Email: charlie@charliecochet.com
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October 5, 2014
Please welcome Nikka Michaels!
In the Raw
By Eileen Griffin and Nikka Michaels
Genre: M/M, Foodie Romance
Length: 84,000 Words
Series: In the Kitchen
Release Date: October 6, 2014
Publisher: Carina Press
ISBN: 9781426899119
Ebook ASIN: B00KV5ZHD4
Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22599510-in-the-raw
BLURB:
If you can’t take the heat…
James Lassiter has had a crush on fellow culinary student Ethan Martin for three years, but has never had the guts to make a move. Putting himself out there is hard, especially when under the thumb–and wallet–of his overbearing parents. Now that bad boy chef Ethan–who is always vying with Jamie for best in class–is struggling with the pastry course, Jamie suddenly has a reason to reach out.
Ethan doesn’t mean to be an ass–okay, so mostly he does–but even though he’s secretly hot for Jamie, he sure as hell doesn’t want help with pastry. Ever since his dad walked out, Ethan has been the one to hold things together and he’s done fine on his own. Except that he can’t get his cake to rise.
Jamie could be the answer to what Ethan’s been missing his whole life–someone to depend on. But with the two competing for the same scholarship, things suddenly get too hot to handle. And if Jamie finds the strength to go for what he wants, he isn’t about to settle for what he needs.
EXCERPT:
I opened the door, shivering when a gust of wind swept through. I pulled my jacket tight around my body, sighing when I saw no cabs waiting at the curb. “Shit.” I could either call information or wait a few minutes for another to drive by. I leaned against the brick wall of the building to wait when I heard the bar’s door squeak open and shut again.
“You could have waited for me, you know?” Ethan’s annoyed voice as he approached had me wondering what I’d done now.
“No worries.” I shrugged, tired from the long day and the confusing mix of emotions hanging out with him seemed to bring. “I didn’t want to rush you because I was ready to leave.”
He stepped closer, his shoulders hunched as he reluctantly admitted, “I wanted to hang out with you. Not Summer or the guys. Just you.”
I stared at him. “What do you want from me, Ethan? Half the time I don’t know whether you hate me or want to be friends. Then you do something like defend me to my father, who incidentally thinks you’re the antichrist. Tell me what we’re doing here.”
Instead of launching into the verbal tirade I expected, a determined look crossed his face and he murmured, “Fuck it.”
He stepped closer and I tensed. As unpredictable as Ethan was, I wasn’t sure what he’d do. I let it out a surprised gasp when his mouth met mine. There was nothing gentle about it. Months of tension, fighting, flirting all igniting when he touched me. Not a romantic kiss by any means…it was bruising, rough, passionate, intense, all the same things I’d come to equate with Ethan Martin. My fingers curled in the fabric of his sweatshirt, tugging him closer as my eyes slammed shut.
Braced between the solidness of his body and the cold wall behind me, I felt my entire body heat. Ethan’s ravenous lips and desperate tongue claimed my mouth, tasting of beer and mint. He slid one hand up to cup the back of my neck, holding me captive as he braced himself against the wall. I kissed him back fiercely, our teeth knocking together with the force of it.
Sounds I didn’t even know I was capable of making left my mouth and I didn’t care we were in public where anyone could see us. I nipped his lip, sighing with pleasure when he moaned into my mouth. He might be an infuriatingly stubborn asshole at times but one thing was for certain: Ethan Martin could kiss. He broke away, breathing hard as he leaned his forehead against mine.
“Wow.” I fought for breath, a smile tugging at my lips. “For once we’re actually on the same page.” As soon as the words left my mouth, he pulled back. His expression changed from needy to terrified as he released me, his hands clenched into fists.
“Ethan?”
“I’m sorry.” He backed away, staring at my face like I’d punched him. “I’m really fucking sorry, Lassiter.”
I swallowed hard and took a deep breath, raising my hands as if I was soothing a spooked animal.
“Ethan?”
He yanked up his sweatshirt hood and took off, leaving me to stare after him in silence. What the hell had happened?
Text Copyright © 2014 by Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin
Cover Art Copyright © 2014 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books
S.A. Cover art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited.
All rights reserved.
® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.
BUY/PRE-ORDER LINKS:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Raw-Nikka-Michaels-ebook/dp/B00KV5ZHD4
Amazon Universal Link: http://authl.it/B00KV5ZHD4
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-raw-nikka-michaels/1119740514?ean=9781426899119
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/in-the-raw-2
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Nikka_Michaels_In_the_Raw?id=4LjSAwAAQBAJ
EILEEN GRIFFIN BIO:
Eileen Griffin lives in the southwest, but loves to travel and has spent many summers crossing Europe with nothing but a backpack on her back. She enjoys TexMex, lives for good wine, and has a certain penchant for purple unicorns. She loves reading all genres of books, but her current obsession is writing M/M romance. Her past published works include: Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Nikka Michaels, Dinner For Two, a M/F romance novella, “Claiming Ayden”, a M/M shifter romance that is part of Evenight’s Alpha’s Claim Anthology: M/M Edition, and “Lost and Found”, a short story written for the M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Read in the Closet: Love’s Landscapes Event. Eileen is currently working on a new M/M series set in a Bed and Breakfast with Nikka Michaels, as well as several other projects both individual and co-authored.
NIKKA MICHAELS BIO:
Nikka Michaels lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She loves to read and write M/M romance but believes everyone deserves a love story. She currently has several releases out including, Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Eileen Griffin, Christmas with Caden, a M/F romance novella from Cobblestone Press, “Waking up Wolf”, a M/M shifter romance in Evernight Publishing’s Alpha’s Claim: Manlove Edition anthology, and the MM series which includes, Mile High Service, Room Service and Lip Service from Cobblestone Press’ Blue line. She also has a short story, “His Assistant” in Evernight Publishing’s best selling Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition anthology.
EILEEN GRIFFIN SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Website and Blog: http://eileengriffin.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/eileengriffin77
Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/eileen.griffin
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/eileengriffinauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/EileenGriffin
Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/eileen-griffin/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Eileen-Griffin/e/B00EOA3Z9A
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Eileen+Griffin
NIKKA MICHAELS SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Website: http://www.nikkamichaels.com
Blog: http://nikkamichaels.com/blog/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nikkamichaels
Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/Nikka.Michaels
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/nikkamichaelsauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7231273.Nikka_Michaels
Cobblestone Press: http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/nikkamichaels.htm
Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/nikka-michaels/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/author/nikkamichaels
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Nikka+Michaels
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October 3, 2014
Ssss
My sister-in-law took this photo yesterday. Isn’t this a lovely fellow? He lives on the farm that inspired the Bones series farm. I wonder if he knows any werewolves.
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