Kim Fielding's Blog, page 59
February 19, 2014
Sin Palabras
So as it turns out, Pilgrimage is just the beginning of your 2014 Kim Fielding Fest. Here's what I can promise you so far:
Sin Palabras, the Spanish translation of Speechless, will release March 18. It's available now for preorder! Here's the blurb:
Stitch will be available in April. It's an anthology with four Frankenstein/created man themed novellas. The other authors are Sue Brown, Eli Easton, and Jamie Fessenden, and my story is called "The Golem of Mala Lubovnya."
Motel. Pool. will release in a May. It's a paranormal novel. Here's the blurb for that one:
In the mid-1950s, Jack Dayton flees his working-class prospects in Omaha and heads to Hollywood, convinced he’ll be the next James Dean. But sleazy casting couches don't earn him stardom, and despair leads to a series of poor decisions that ultimately find him at a cheap motel off Route 66, lifeless at the bottom of the pool. Sixty years later, Tag Manning, feeling hopeless and empty, flees his most recent relationship mistake and takes to the open road. On a roundabout route to Las Vegas, he pulls over to rest at an isolated spot on Route 66. There’s no longer a motel or pool, but when Tag resumes his journey to Vegas, he finds he’s transporting a hitchhiking ghost. Jack and Tag come to find much-needed friends in each other, but one man is a phantom and the other is strangely cursed. Time is running out for each of them, and they must face the fact that a future together may not only be a gamble... it may not be in the cards.
And in June, my short story "The Border" will release. It will be part of Dreamspinner Press's Mended package, which means you can buy the whole package and get a story every day in June, or you can buy stories individually. All will have a hurt/comfort theme (yay!).
I currently have a novella under submission and I'll be submitting the third Bones book soon. So you should have plenty to keep you busy for a little while!
Sin Palabras, the Spanish translation of Speechless, will release March 18. It's available now for preorder! Here's the blurb:Travis Miller tiene un empleo como operario de mecanizado, un gato llamado Elwood, y una patética vida amorosa. Lo único positivo en su existencia es el atractivo guitarrista que se encuentra a veces, al regresar a casa del trabajo. Pero cuando finalmente reúne valor para hablar con el hombre, descubre que Drew Clifford, antiguo novelista, sufre afasia: Drew puede entender todo lo que dice Travis, pero es incapaz de hablar o escribir.
Estos dos hombres solitarios forman una amistad que pronto se convertirá en amor. Pero la comunicación es sólo uno de sus retos; también están la inexperiencia de Travis con el amor y su precaria situación financiera. Si las palabras son lo que une a las personas, ¿qué va a mantenerlos unidos a ellos?
Stitch will be available in April. It's an anthology with four Frankenstein/created man themed novellas. The other authors are Sue Brown, Eli Easton, and Jamie Fessenden, and my story is called "The Golem of Mala Lubovnya."
Motel. Pool. will release in a May. It's a paranormal novel. Here's the blurb for that one:
In the mid-1950s, Jack Dayton flees his working-class prospects in Omaha and heads to Hollywood, convinced he’ll be the next James Dean. But sleazy casting couches don't earn him stardom, and despair leads to a series of poor decisions that ultimately find him at a cheap motel off Route 66, lifeless at the bottom of the pool. Sixty years later, Tag Manning, feeling hopeless and empty, flees his most recent relationship mistake and takes to the open road. On a roundabout route to Las Vegas, he pulls over to rest at an isolated spot on Route 66. There’s no longer a motel or pool, but when Tag resumes his journey to Vegas, he finds he’s transporting a hitchhiking ghost. Jack and Tag come to find much-needed friends in each other, but one man is a phantom and the other is strangely cursed. Time is running out for each of them, and they must face the fact that a future together may not only be a gamble... it may not be in the cards.
And in June, my short story "The Border" will release. It will be part of Dreamspinner Press's Mended package, which means you can buy the whole package and get a story every day in June, or you can buy stories individually. All will have a hurt/comfort theme (yay!).
I currently have a novella under submission and I'll be submitting the third Bones book soon. So you should have plenty to keep you busy for a little while!
February 17, 2014
Please welcome Lane Hayes!
Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes
Thank you for having me here today, Kim! Better Than Chance was released almost a month ago and I’m over the moon with the response so far! This is the second book in the Better Than series. Those who’ve read my first novel, Better Than Good will recognize Jay and Peter as Aaron’s best friend and his long-time partner. Aaron makes a point of describing the couple as having a relationship he admires. “In the land of gay, they are what I would wish for one day…. they just seem to get each other.” But it wasn’t always so simple for Jay and Peter.
When Jay first meets Peter, he’s excited to be working with the guy he’s had a major office crush on for a couple of years. However, the long hours, stress and pressure soon turn his infatuation upside down. Peter is not only difficult to work for but Jay is sure he’s homophobic as well. But then… he’s not so sure. Jay is forced to concede he may have misread Peter all along, which makes it difficult to hide the fact he’s still wildly attracted to him. When Peter admits he feels the same, things get fun but they also get complicated. Jay and Peter are complete opposites. Jay is easy going with an open friendly nature while Peter is intense, driven and extremely private. He tells Jay he isn’t “boyfriend material” but Jay knows “friends with benefits” isn’t a title he’s going to be fine with for long. Especially when he knows he’s falling for his gorgeous boss.
How characters interact is what always interests the reader in me. I want my Happy Ever After, but I also want to be a part of the action from the start. I’m greedy that way! The voyeur in me wants to know about the small ways we tend to overthink and assume we understand what we later have to admit may not be so clear. At one point later in the story, Jay realizes he may never know or understand everything about Peter. Some things are left to faith and to chance.
I hope you love Jay and Peter! Their story is the second in the Better Than series, but not to worry… it is a standalone book. So if you missed Better Than Good, don’t worry, you won’t be lost. Hopefully you’ll be curious to go back and read about Aaron and Matt too!
Happy Reading!
Lane Hayes
Blurb Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:
Jay Reynolds has a crush on his project leader at work, but an office romance with Peter Morgan isn't likely to happen since Peter is straight. Worse, Jay soon fears Peter is homophobic, and his initial infatuation turns to loathing. But one fateful night, Jay is forced to acknowledge things aren't quite as they seem with Peter. Suddenly, his crush is back and unbelievably, Peter is interested too.
They begin a “friends with benefits” arrangement, which becomes difficult for Jay when he starts falling for his sexy boss. Peter’s past issues keep him from committing, and Jay has to decide if he can be satisfied with friendship if Peter isn’t ready to take a chance on anything more.
Excerpt from Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:
“Close the door, Reynolds.” His tone was sharp and concise. No argument was expected or welcomed. I obeyed and waited for him to speak.
He didn’t say a word. He pointed to a chair and directed me to sit with a simple wave of his hand as he began a slow pace around the perimeter of the small round table. It was like being stalked by a tiger. There was an electric air of danger in this tiny space and I had set it in motion. I clung to my anger. I wasn’t wrong. Was I?
Peter suddenly stopped. He stood at the other end of the table with his arms crossed over his broad chest. As usual he was impeccably dressed in a gorgeous dark suit tailored to perfection. His dark wavy hair seemed a little longer. I absently wondered if he was growing it out. But his dark furrowed brow and intense stare told me to keep my ponderings to myself. He wasn’t in the mood to chat about hair. He looked pissed.
“Explain yourself.”
I blinked twice. I was almost afraid of him, but I knew that was irrational. I had a legitimate reason for my outburst. I just wished I had been a bit more professional about it. Fine. I will.” Professional, I cautioned myself. Don’t get personal. “You have given me rather baffling critiques, Mr. Morgan that I frankly find ridiculous and almost contrived in a way that suggests you want to point out the negative whether or not it has any bearing whatsoever to the project at hand.” Good, well said, I thought.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He looked genuinely perplexed.
“You know what I’m talking about!” I exploded. “Correct paragraph two, sentence one.... that’s one example! What was today’s going to be? Change the use of my pronoun from direct to indirect? Or is it an adjective that you want me to reconsider? Or...”
I had become so worked up that I didn’t register that he’d moved until he was three short feet away from me. He wore the strangest expression. It was a cross between tempered fury and frustration. He held up his hand in that authoritative way of his, demanding that I stop. Stop everything. Don’t talk. Don’t move. I waited like a deer in headlights to see what he’d do.
A fresh wave of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I found myself literally shoved up against the conference room wall with Peter’s large hand at my throat. I swallowed hard and looked into his dark angry eyes, his face was two short inches away from mine. His breath was warm against my cheek. He pulled back and shook his head as though puzzled by his own actions before he tightened his hold at my neck and covered my mouth with his own.
I could barely breath. There was nowhere to hide, no retreat possible so I gave in. My mouth melted underneath his allowing the lip lock to become a kiss. A fiery passionate joining. Our tongues fought for dominance, licking and sucking. Peter’s hands trapped my head as he plunged even further into my mouth taking every last bit of control away from me. He ran his tongue over my lips before tracing a path along my jaw and biting my earlobes. I nudged him back with my nose and heard his low groan as he once again fused his mouth over mine.
I wrapped my arms around him and pulled his body close to mine. My hands kneaded his perfect ass through the fine fabric of his pants as I sent my hips forward to meet his. We gasped at the first feel of friction as our hardened cocks pressed together through our suits. It was electrifying and wickedly carnal. A mere glimpse into how intensely hot the real thing could be if we let ourselves go there. Peter stopped abruptly, straightening his arms on either side of my head. Our heavy breathing was the only sound in the room.
“I want you.” He growled, resting his forehead against mine.
Purchase Links:
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Chance-Stories-ebook/dp/B00HZOKLXK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390505685&sr=8-2&keywords=better+than+chance+kindle
Dreamspinner Press:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4614
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-than-chance-lane-hayes/1118167051?ean=2940148281894
5 Star Reviews for Better Than Chance!:
Sinfully Sexy Books:
http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/better-than-chance-by-lane-hayes.html
Sidlove Book Reviews:
http://sidlove.com/2014/01/22/release...
Author Bio:
Lane Hayes is a designer by trade, but is spending more time these days doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband, three teenage kids, and Rex, the coolest yellow lab ever.
Contact Info:
Website: www.lanehayes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LaneHayes3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lane-Hayes
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com
Thank you for having me here today, Kim! Better Than Chance was released almost a month ago and I’m over the moon with the response so far! This is the second book in the Better Than series. Those who’ve read my first novel, Better Than Good will recognize Jay and Peter as Aaron’s best friend and his long-time partner. Aaron makes a point of describing the couple as having a relationship he admires. “In the land of gay, they are what I would wish for one day…. they just seem to get each other.” But it wasn’t always so simple for Jay and Peter.
When Jay first meets Peter, he’s excited to be working with the guy he’s had a major office crush on for a couple of years. However, the long hours, stress and pressure soon turn his infatuation upside down. Peter is not only difficult to work for but Jay is sure he’s homophobic as well. But then… he’s not so sure. Jay is forced to concede he may have misread Peter all along, which makes it difficult to hide the fact he’s still wildly attracted to him. When Peter admits he feels the same, things get fun but they also get complicated. Jay and Peter are complete opposites. Jay is easy going with an open friendly nature while Peter is intense, driven and extremely private. He tells Jay he isn’t “boyfriend material” but Jay knows “friends with benefits” isn’t a title he’s going to be fine with for long. Especially when he knows he’s falling for his gorgeous boss.
How characters interact is what always interests the reader in me. I want my Happy Ever After, but I also want to be a part of the action from the start. I’m greedy that way! The voyeur in me wants to know about the small ways we tend to overthink and assume we understand what we later have to admit may not be so clear. At one point later in the story, Jay realizes he may never know or understand everything about Peter. Some things are left to faith and to chance.
I hope you love Jay and Peter! Their story is the second in the Better Than series, but not to worry… it is a standalone book. So if you missed Better Than Good, don’t worry, you won’t be lost. Hopefully you’ll be curious to go back and read about Aaron and Matt too!
Happy Reading!
Lane Hayes
Blurb Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:
Jay Reynolds has a crush on his project leader at work, but an office romance with Peter Morgan isn't likely to happen since Peter is straight. Worse, Jay soon fears Peter is homophobic, and his initial infatuation turns to loathing. But one fateful night, Jay is forced to acknowledge things aren't quite as they seem with Peter. Suddenly, his crush is back and unbelievably, Peter is interested too.
They begin a “friends with benefits” arrangement, which becomes difficult for Jay when he starts falling for his sexy boss. Peter’s past issues keep him from committing, and Jay has to decide if he can be satisfied with friendship if Peter isn’t ready to take a chance on anything more.
Excerpt from Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:
“Close the door, Reynolds.” His tone was sharp and concise. No argument was expected or welcomed. I obeyed and waited for him to speak.
He didn’t say a word. He pointed to a chair and directed me to sit with a simple wave of his hand as he began a slow pace around the perimeter of the small round table. It was like being stalked by a tiger. There was an electric air of danger in this tiny space and I had set it in motion. I clung to my anger. I wasn’t wrong. Was I?
Peter suddenly stopped. He stood at the other end of the table with his arms crossed over his broad chest. As usual he was impeccably dressed in a gorgeous dark suit tailored to perfection. His dark wavy hair seemed a little longer. I absently wondered if he was growing it out. But his dark furrowed brow and intense stare told me to keep my ponderings to myself. He wasn’t in the mood to chat about hair. He looked pissed.
“Explain yourself.”
I blinked twice. I was almost afraid of him, but I knew that was irrational. I had a legitimate reason for my outburst. I just wished I had been a bit more professional about it. Fine. I will.” Professional, I cautioned myself. Don’t get personal. “You have given me rather baffling critiques, Mr. Morgan that I frankly find ridiculous and almost contrived in a way that suggests you want to point out the negative whether or not it has any bearing whatsoever to the project at hand.” Good, well said, I thought.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He looked genuinely perplexed.
“You know what I’m talking about!” I exploded. “Correct paragraph two, sentence one.... that’s one example! What was today’s going to be? Change the use of my pronoun from direct to indirect? Or is it an adjective that you want me to reconsider? Or...”
I had become so worked up that I didn’t register that he’d moved until he was three short feet away from me. He wore the strangest expression. It was a cross between tempered fury and frustration. He held up his hand in that authoritative way of his, demanding that I stop. Stop everything. Don’t talk. Don’t move. I waited like a deer in headlights to see what he’d do.
A fresh wave of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I found myself literally shoved up against the conference room wall with Peter’s large hand at my throat. I swallowed hard and looked into his dark angry eyes, his face was two short inches away from mine. His breath was warm against my cheek. He pulled back and shook his head as though puzzled by his own actions before he tightened his hold at my neck and covered my mouth with his own.
I could barely breath. There was nowhere to hide, no retreat possible so I gave in. My mouth melted underneath his allowing the lip lock to become a kiss. A fiery passionate joining. Our tongues fought for dominance, licking and sucking. Peter’s hands trapped my head as he plunged even further into my mouth taking every last bit of control away from me. He ran his tongue over my lips before tracing a path along my jaw and biting my earlobes. I nudged him back with my nose and heard his low groan as he once again fused his mouth over mine.
I wrapped my arms around him and pulled his body close to mine. My hands kneaded his perfect ass through the fine fabric of his pants as I sent my hips forward to meet his. We gasped at the first feel of friction as our hardened cocks pressed together through our suits. It was electrifying and wickedly carnal. A mere glimpse into how intensely hot the real thing could be if we let ourselves go there. Peter stopped abruptly, straightening his arms on either side of my head. Our heavy breathing was the only sound in the room.
“I want you.” He growled, resting his forehead against mine.
Purchase Links:
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Chance-Stories-ebook/dp/B00HZOKLXK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390505685&sr=8-2&keywords=better+than+chance+kindle
Dreamspinner Press:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4614
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-than-chance-lane-hayes/1118167051?ean=2940148281894
5 Star Reviews for Better Than Chance!:
Sinfully Sexy Books:
http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/better-than-chance-by-lane-hayes.html
Sidlove Book Reviews:
http://sidlove.com/2014/01/22/release...
Author Bio:
Lane Hayes is a designer by trade, but is spending more time these days doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband, three teenage kids, and Rex, the coolest yellow lab ever.
Contact Info:
Website: www.lanehayes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LaneHayes3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lane-Hayes
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com
February 15, 2014
What's coming next
Thanks so much to everyone who joined the Pilgrimage blog tour--and those of you who hosted me too! While the giveaway is over (and congrats to Jana and Trix!) you can still visit the blog sites to read a few short excerpts and check out my daughter's drawings of places in the book.
Here's what else is going on.
Now through February 19, everything at Dreamspinner is 25% off. Time to stock up!
My novella Speechless will be available soon in Spanish! I'll let you know when that's available, of course.
My next new release will be a novella called The Golem of Mala Lubovnya. It's in an anthology called Stitch, the first in a series of gothic romance anthologies. The other stories are by Sue Brown, Eli Easton, and Jamie Fessenden, and they're terrific. And Jamie made this great trailer for the book, which will be available in April.
After that, I have a novel called Motel. Pool. coming out in May. There's a ghost, there's 50s Hollywood and modern-day Route 66 and Vegas, there's a man with a strange sort of curse.
I have a couple of stories under submission, so I'll tell you more about those later. And right now I'm getting the third of the Bones books ready to submit. Although this one focuses on Ery Phillips, Dylan and Chris play a major part. Travis and Drew from Speechless and The Gig make a brief appearance too. And you know what? There's something strange in Chris and Dylan's pond....
Here's what else is going on.
Now through February 19, everything at Dreamspinner is 25% off. Time to stock up!
My novella Speechless will be available soon in Spanish! I'll let you know when that's available, of course.
My next new release will be a novella called The Golem of Mala Lubovnya. It's in an anthology called Stitch, the first in a series of gothic romance anthologies. The other stories are by Sue Brown, Eli Easton, and Jamie Fessenden, and they're terrific. And Jamie made this great trailer for the book, which will be available in April.
After that, I have a novel called Motel. Pool. coming out in May. There's a ghost, there's 50s Hollywood and modern-day Route 66 and Vegas, there's a man with a strange sort of curse.
I have a couple of stories under submission, so I'll tell you more about those later. And right now I'm getting the third of the Bones books ready to submit. Although this one focuses on Ery Phillips, Dylan and Chris play a major part. Travis and Drew from Speechless and The Gig make a brief appearance too. And you know what? There's something strange in Chris and Dylan's pond....
February 11, 2014
Piligrimage final stop
The Pilgrimage, Final Stop
Today is the final stop in the Pilgrimagepilgrimage. I hope you’ve been traveling along with us. I won’t tell you where the journey ends—you’ll have to read the book to find that out!
But as a reward for your company during our journey, I have a little tidbit of information for you. Remember Jeff and Cleve from Venetian Masks? Well, they make a cameo appearance in this book.
Thanks so much for visiting!
Join the Pilgrimage
To celebrate the new book, I’m doing a giveaway. Two people will each win a signed print copy of Pilgrimage, plus a $10 donation to a charity of their choice. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here or on any of the other tour stops. Make sure you leave your email address! Each stop you comment on earns you an entry. I’ll randomly choose the winners on February 14 at noon Pacific time. Click here to see a complete list of tour stops.
Fiscal analyst Mike Carlson is good with spreadsheets and baseball stats. He doesn’t believe in fate, true love, or fantasy. But then a fertility goddess whisks him away to another world. A promise has been broken, and if Mike is ever to return to California—and his comfortable if lonely life—he must complete a pilgrimage to the shrines of a death goddess.
A humiliating event convinces Mike to hire a guard to accompany him, and hunky Goran is handy enough with a sword, if a little too liberal with his ale. A man with no home and no family, Goran is deeper than he first appears. As Mike learns more about Goran, his disbelief wavers and his goals become less clear. Contending with feuding gods, the challenges of the journey, and his growing attraction to Goran, Mike faces a puzzle far harder to solve than simple rows of numbers.
Pilgrimage is available in print and e-book versions from Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, and all major booksellers.
Kim Fielding can be found at her blog: http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com
On Twitter: @KFieldingWrites
And on Facebook: http://facebook.com/KFieldingWrites
February 7, 2014
Facbeook chat coming up
Facebook chat on Sunday!
Sunday, February 9, I'll be chatting on Dreamspinner Press's Facebook page from 11am to 2 pm Pacific time. I'll answer questions, share excerpts from Pilgrimage, and talk about first crushes and geeks versus nerds and upcoming projects (among other things). I'll have books to give away plus a fantastic discount code.
Please join me!
If you haven't already, Like Dreamspinner Press's page, then come chat on Sunday.
In Croatia, they say, "Come have a cup of conversation."
Sunday, February 9, I'll be chatting on Dreamspinner Press's Facebook page from 11am to 2 pm Pacific time. I'll answer questions, share excerpts from Pilgrimage, and talk about first crushes and geeks versus nerds and upcoming projects (among other things). I'll have books to give away plus a fantastic discount code.
Please join me!
If you haven't already, Like Dreamspinner Press's page, then come chat on Sunday.
In Croatia, they say, "Come have a cup of conversation."
February 3, 2014
Pilgrimage is here!
Release day is always so exciting! My new fantasy romance, Pilgrimage, is now available.
With, of course, Paul Richmond's fabulous cover--featuring Goran, Mike, and an important pair of underwear.
You can buy the book in print or electronic versions at Dreamspinner, Amazon, AllRomanceEbooks, or just about anywhere else. Did you know if you order a print copy through Dreamspinner, it's autographed? And you also get access to the electronic versions.
If you enjoyed my award-winning novel, Brute, I think you're going to like this one too. It would make a lovely Valentine's Day gift for yourself or a friend.
To celebrate, I'm doing a blog tour with chances to win free copies. Click here for details.
And on February 9, from 11-2 Pacific Time, I'll be taking over Dreamspinner's Facebook page to answer questions, share excerpts, and maybe give things away. Please join me!
With, of course, Paul Richmond's fabulous cover--featuring Goran, Mike, and an important pair of underwear.
You can buy the book in print or electronic versions at Dreamspinner, Amazon, AllRomanceEbooks, or just about anywhere else. Did you know if you order a print copy through Dreamspinner, it's autographed? And you also get access to the electronic versions.
If you enjoyed my award-winning novel, Brute, I think you're going to like this one too. It would make a lovely Valentine's Day gift for yourself or a friend.
To celebrate, I'm doing a blog tour with chances to win free copies. Click here for details.
And on February 9, from 11-2 Pacific Time, I'll be taking over Dreamspinner's Facebook page to answer questions, share excerpts, and maybe give things away. Please join me!
February 1, 2014
Pilgrimage blog tour and giveaway
In celebration of the release of
Pilgrimage
, we're going to do a pilgrimage of our own! Follow along as we visit the following blogs. At each stop, we'll learn more about one of the places Mike visits. There are illustrations by my 10-year-old daughter. *g* And there's a giveaway! Two lucky people will each win a signed print copy of Pilgrimage, plus a $10 donation to the charity of their choice. To enter, just leave a comment at any of the blog tour stops. You'll get one entry for each blog where you comment. I'll randomly choose the winners at noon Pacific time on February 14.
Also, on February 9 I'll be taking over Dreamspinner's Facebook page to chat about the book and answer questions, and maybe I'll have another prize or two.
Come join us!
February 3: Purple Rose Tea HouseFebruary 4: Anne BarwellFebruary 6: Grace DuncanFebruary 7: Andrew Q. GordonFebruary 8: Garrett LeighFebruary 9: Gus LiFebruary 10: Brynn SteinFebruary 11: back home
Also, on February 9 I'll be taking over Dreamspinner's Facebook page to chat about the book and answer questions, and maybe I'll have another prize or two.
Come join us!
February 3: Purple Rose Tea HouseFebruary 4: Anne BarwellFebruary 6: Grace DuncanFebruary 7: Andrew Q. GordonFebruary 8: Garrett LeighFebruary 9: Gus LiFebruary 10: Brynn SteinFebruary 11: back home
January 30, 2014
Please welcome Jana Denardo!
One aspect of Kept Tears highlights the very real issues facing injured veterans, but at my core, I am a fan of fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction. Both Aaron and Rhys share aspects of that, Aaron more so than Rhys. Aaron shares my geekiness, loving steampunk, comics, and the like. While Rhys writes fantasy young adult novels as his cover, most of it could be actually non-fiction from his own realm.
It is Rhys's true nature that made writing Kept Tears so much fun. He's a prince of the Seelie Court, a Tylwyth Teg. I chose the Teg, since at least here in America, readers haven't heard too much about Welsh Faeries. It's a familiar theme with a little bit of a Welsh twist.
Rhys makes an excellent counterpoint to Aaron, who is facing life, learning to deal with his disabilities. Rhys, actually Prince Myrddin, is accustomed to a world filled with magic, even though he has been on Earth for centuries as a guard to ensure his people don't take advantage of the non-magical humans. While he has lost people he loved in war, magic usually eased any non-lethal wound without so much as a scar. Aaron's injuries make Rhys feel something he rarely has: powerless.
The urban fantasy parts of the novel were a lot of fun to play with, especially taking established folklore and expanding upon it. The concepts of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts are very old indeed, but I got to reimagine them in modern times. Rhys brings with him all sorts of magic, old rivalries, and a host of bizarre entities.
Baudelaire said Strangeness is a necessary ingredient in beauty. I couldn’t agree more. I like things to be a little bit strange, and that’s why I think I’m more drawn to urban fantasy and the like over contemporary fiction. I crave the unusual, and I have been reading folklore since my earliest memory. My mother was asked to please buy me a book of Bulfinch’s mythology when I was in second or third grade because I kept constantly checking it out of the school library, and no one else had a chance at it. In Kept Tears, I was able to merge that strangeness and my love of folklore in with the more serious and real issues facing veterans returning from war. It was a joy to write and I hope you enjoy it.
Excerpt - His portal home dropped him on the castle green. In some ways, the building resembled the Gothic style castles on Earth, built for much the same reason. However, instead of sand or limestone, his family’s castle—well, palace might be a better term—was made of rock not found on earth. Hard, dense, and opalescent, it was blinding in the midday sun: beautiful in a cold, glimmering way. Around the castle, detectable by only certain high-level magicks, stood ensorcelled barriers adding to the protection of the royals.
Myrddin went inside and found his mother in the royal chambers. Like most fae, his father had many lovers, but only one was queen.
Seren looked surprised to see her son. “Myrddin, isn’t it a little early for a visit? Is something wrong?” Seren glided over, her fiery hair brushing against her hips. Opening her arms, she hugged him tightly.
“Possibly.” He returned the embrace. His mother smelled of wyrhas flowers, reminding him of lilacs, only much stronger.
Seren gestured toward the soft leather couch set in front of a huge window. One of the many palace gardens lay beyond the glass, a wild riot of color. Myrddin settled on the couch, his mother sitting next to him.
“Do you remember Morcant?”
“It’s hard to forget those who betray us,” she replied, her voice hard with disappointment.
“He’s back with veiled threats.” Myrddin slapped a hand against the arm of the couch. “Damn it, this is the last thing I need right now. I’m starting over somewhere new, watching the Pittsburgh area like you and Father asked me to. It should be exciting. I’m making new friends. I don’t need to have my attention divided, worrying about my family when I should be worrying about keeping the city safe from any interference by our kind.”
“Do you think that could be it? Morcant is there merely to distract you while the Unseelie Court sets something into action in that area?” Seren tapped a finger to her lips. “They know how thin our ranks are. The human world is so much larger now than it was. Ideas fly about like magic with the Internet and world news. It would be easy for them to sneak in agents and tap into the human potential while you’re running back and forth making sure your family is safe. It’s what I would do if I were them.”
“Damn, that is a good idea. I should have thought of it.”
―
Thanks Kim for having me over. I appreciate it.
Blurb - Having left most of his arm and his self-confidence behind in the Afghanistan desert, young veteran Aaron Santori has enough on his plate learning to use his prosthetic arm. Attending graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh makes life both interesting and challenging. Mentally, he's ill prepared for meeting Rhys Edwards, a young-adult novelist from Wales and everything Aaron could want in a man. Between the scars from the explosion and his PTSD, he’s reluctant to date. Ready or not, though, Aaron finds himself jumping into the deep end of the relationship waters.
What Aaron couldn’t possibly know is that Rhys isn’t human at all. As a prince of the Tylwyth Teg, Rhys is fae, with a list of enemies he’s accumulated over the past few centuries—among them a former lover, Morcant, who is back to make Rhys’s life miserable. An unwitting pawn in their Machiavellian fae politics, Aaron only knows he’s falling in love, never suspecting love might be his death sentence.
Buy it here - Ebook - http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4658
Paperback - http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4659
Jana Denardo's career choices and wanderlust take her all over the United States and beyond. Much of her travels make their way into her stories. Fantasy, science fiction, and mystery have been her favorite genres since she started reading, and they often flavor her works. In her secret identity, she works with the science of life and gives college students nightmares. When she’s not chained to her computer writing, she functions as stray cat magnet.
Jana is Queen of the Geeks (her students voted her in) and her home and office are shrines to any number of comic book and manga heroes along with SF shows and movies too numerous to count. There is no coincidence the love of all things geeky has made its way into many of her stories. To this day, she’s still disappointed she hasn’t found a wardrobe to another realm, a superhero to take her flying among the clouds or a roguish star ship captain to run off to the stars with her.
http://jana-denardo.livejournal.com/
http://twitter.com/#/JanaDenardo
www.facebook.com/jana.denardo
janadenardo@yahoo.com
January 23, 2014
Selfish guilty pleasures
Mwah-hah-hah.
I am about 34,000 words into writing the third book in the Bones series. I have tomorrow off from work but the kids will be in school and the husband will be at work. And I have my stash of selfish guilt pleasures to sustain me.
Left and front, we have salty-sweet black licorice from Germany, which nobody in the house except me will touch. All mine! Behind that, some yummy tea from Japan by way of San Francisco. I'm the only one here who drinks tea. Mine! The black box contains Recchiuti fleur de sel caramels, which are pretty much like orgasms for the tongue. I share these with my husband, because I'm nice that way. And on the foil? Turkish delight! I was recently whining about wanting some (it's really hard to find in the US). Coincidentally, a colleague was visiting family in Hawaii, and the aunt just brought a box of Turkish delight from Istanbul. My colleague left some for me at my office today, which was a very nice surprise. I'm sharing it with the older kid.
So tomorrow will be a good day, I think.
Do you have guilty pleasures you're selfish about too?
I am about 34,000 words into writing the third book in the Bones series. I have tomorrow off from work but the kids will be in school and the husband will be at work. And I have my stash of selfish guilt pleasures to sustain me.
Left and front, we have salty-sweet black licorice from Germany, which nobody in the house except me will touch. All mine! Behind that, some yummy tea from Japan by way of San Francisco. I'm the only one here who drinks tea. Mine! The black box contains Recchiuti fleur de sel caramels, which are pretty much like orgasms for the tongue. I share these with my husband, because I'm nice that way. And on the foil? Turkish delight! I was recently whining about wanting some (it's really hard to find in the US). Coincidentally, a colleague was visiting family in Hawaii, and the aunt just brought a box of Turkish delight from Istanbul. My colleague left some for me at my office today, which was a very nice surprise. I'm sharing it with the older kid.
So tomorrow will be a good day, I think.
Do you have guilty pleasures you're selfish about too?
January 21, 2014
A little tease
I have a little tease for you today because I couldn't resist sharing this cover.
This book will release in April from Dreamspinner Press. It's an anthology with four stories along a Frankenstein/created man theme. I feel so lucky to be among such talented company! My novella is about a golem. I've read the other tales and they are varied in setting but they're all terrific.
The cover art is by Eli Easton. Eli's not just one of my favorite authors; she's also a wonderful artist. She made the cover for my Treasure too.
Stitch is the first in the Gothika series of anthologies. I'm really excited to be involved!
This book will release in April from Dreamspinner Press. It's an anthology with four stories along a Frankenstein/created man theme. I feel so lucky to be among such talented company! My novella is about a golem. I've read the other tales and they are varied in setting but they're all terrific.
The cover art is by Eli Easton. Eli's not just one of my favorite authors; she's also a wonderful artist. She made the cover for my Treasure too.
Stitch is the first in the Gothika series of anthologies. I'm really excited to be involved!
