Cardeno C.'s Blog, page 93

The Circle of Life

One of the most satisfying things I do each day is participate in the Circle of Life.  Now, before you all go off and start singing Lion King songs, let me explain what I mean.
To me the Circle of Life isn’t just about one generation being born as the next generation grows old.  It’s about things in life being circular, relying on each other for survival.  It’s the balance of nature. It can be hugely complicated, and can be on a global level, or it can be simple and happen in your backyard.
Those who know me a little more than just an author, will know that I love veggie gardening.  It is here that the Circle of Life can be most illustrated.
Fifteen years ago I brought an apple tree and planted in my backyard.  It has grown, and gives me more apples than a family can ever eat.  Unfortunately, most of those apples are destroyed by pests – birds, worms, and in particular, fruit fly.  In trying to be organic, I don’t use pesticides in my garden.  I try companion planting – where one bush attracts natural predators of the pest eating the second bush.
So in order to combat my fruit fly, I purchased chooks (chickens to you non-Australians) and placed their pen around the apple tree.  The theory being, that the fruit fly larvae live in the ground.  They hatch and reinfect the tree, which then drops the fruit (and the larvae eggs) to the ground for the next cycle.  So by allowing the chooks to scratch around the base of the tree, they eat the larvae and decrease the fruit fly.
So for the last twelve months, my apple tree, my chooks and I have been in a Circle of Life.  My apple tree has grown, watered only by the rain and occasionally my hose.  It has been fertilised by the numerous chook droppings, and has fruited, pollinated by the bees.
I have helped the tree by pruning some of the branches, and placing bags over the new fruit to stop birds and fruit fly.  I have also fed and sheltered the chooks.
In turn, the chooks have eaten any larvae in the ground, snails, slugs, caterpillars and other pests, and laid eggs for me.  The apple tree has provided them with shade and shelter.
And then, when the fruit ripened, I picked the apples and consumed them.  The apple cores were returned to the chooks for scraps.  I juiced most of the apples, consumed the juice, and gave the pulp to the chooks to eat.  Any apples that were spoiled were given to the chooks too.
So with some input from outside forces, but nothing particularly hard to do, the three of us have all helped each other.  We have created a Circle of Life, one that if we remove a single aspect of, will create a void for the other two.
I find writing to be the same type of circle.  There are circles each way I look.  There are symbiotic relationships between authors, reviewers and readers.  Without one of these three, the other two would not be able to work as well. 
Without editors, writers couldn’t do their work.  Without writers, editors would be unemployed.  And without readers, there would be no need for either.
But the Circle of Life I most enjoy participating in is the Reader-Writer-Life circle.  The writer takes life, sorts it, dissects it and funnels it into a book.  A writer without a life to observe, is a writer without inspiration.

Readers on the other hand, participate in life.  A lot of the time, the writer is able to help them with this.  Whether it be comfort in the form of cheering the reader up, or perhaps helping the reader to understand they are not alone in their problems, that other people feel that way too.  It is the writer that brings understanding to the reader.  Writers explain, entertain and support readers.  Readers read and then apply it to life, which then moves on and the writer gets more inspiration.  Writers learn from life, readers learn from writers. 
I now know basic French and all about American culture from writers. I know about Viking culture, Victorian manners and how it feels to travel the deserts of the world.  I’ve learned about ancient cultures, new cultures and how it feels to live that life.  I’ve learned about many jobs and tasks that I’ve never come across in my real life – all because of writers who share their knowledge with the world.
Another circle I enjoy is the review circle – although this is more of a tornado than a circle.  Imagine this: a writer publishes a book, and ten people read it.  Each of those ten people review it, recommending it to five friends, who then also read and review the book.  They recommend it to five of their friends, and so on.  The circle grows, spinning around and around and around. 

So today I urge you to be a tornado starter.  Which book have you recently read and loved?  How about you feed the author and write a review?
How to contact Renae:Email:  renaekaye@iinet.net.auWebsite:  www.renaekaye.weebly.comFB:  www.facebook.com/renae.kaye.9Twitter:  @renaekkaye Instagram:  renaekayeauthor

Movie and TV couples

<julia> waves
<julia> hey!
<BA> booo
<sean> eeek!
<sean> hey
<julia> heee
<julia> still funny
<sean> nods
<sean> it is
<julia> grins
<julia> we are frantically preparing for RT in Dallas
<julia> so sad you won't be there, Sean
<sean> I bet
<sean> yeah, I'd love to see you guys
<julia> nods
<julia> we miiiiissss you
<sean> ditto
<sean> is it november yet?
<julia> of course that's why we do this every week ;)
<julia> quality time
<sean> nods
<julia> are you Tweeting with us tomorrow for Cinema Craptastique?
<julia> we can't be there in person as we fly in Wednesday
<sean> oh what's the movie?
<julia> Legend of Hercules
<julia> with an entire cast of people I'm too old to have heard of
<sean> LOL
<BA> Cackles
<sean> that's not the one with Dwayne Johnson then?
<julia> noipe
<julia> Kellan Lutz?
<julia> I have no idea who that is
<julia> however
<julia> it's a mythology movie
<julia> we can expect bulging pecs
<julia> naked thighs
<julia> and rampant misogyny
<sean> nods
<BA> you just want to rub two boys together
<julia> me? yes
<julia> yes I do
<sean> yes, please
<julia> that's the best thing about movies
<julia> right?
<sean> hell there's tons of movies where the boys should have gotten together
<BA> *snorts*
<sean> the red riding hood one (I can't remember the exact name)
<sean> where the two boys after her so should have gone home with each other
<julia> oh we did that last year, didn't we?
<sean> nods
<julia> I think we missed the ending
<sean> I think so
<sean> the boy don't get together *pouts*
<julia> thundersnow
<julia> heee
<BA> Sherlock and Hotson
<julia> mmmm
<sean> god yes
<sean> that's canon, though, right?
<sean> ;)
<julia> Obi Wan and Qui Gon
<sean> uh-huh
<BA> you sluts
<julia> Alan Grant and his little love slave in the 3rd Jurassic Park movie
 * sean adjusts the halo
<BA> LOL
<sean> Jane and the doctor in Firefly
<sean> (I'm blanking on the doc's name)
<sean> or Jane and Mal in Firefly
<sean> Spike and Angel!
<julia> Wat and Chaucer in a Knight's Tale
<sean> am I cheating by going to TV?
<sean> Yes!
<sean> I love that movie
<BA> TV doesn't count
<sean> you know how you have movies that if you happen across it on the TV
<sean> you'll watch it
<sean> even if it's halfway through or almost finished
<BA> because if it did, it would be METHOS and DUNCAN
<sean> even though it has ads and you've got the movie right there
<sean> on dvd or whatever?
<sean> A Knight's Tale is one of those movies for me
<BA> Tango and Cash
<BA> mmm
<sean> 13th Warrior!
<BA> is it wrong to add Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday from Tombstone?
<julia> no
<julia> not wrong at all
<sean> nothing wrong with that
<julia> yum
<julia> TV is visual medium
<julia> it counts
<BA> I know that people slashed LotR
<sean> lol
<sean> nods
<sean> for sure, BA
<julia> Hobbit sex?
<BA> I couldn't handle the whole fuzzy feet thing
<julia> eurgh
<sean> there's about 40 bazillion different pairings you could go for
<sean> and half of those didn't include the hobbits
<julia> so then wrinkly old wizards?
<julia> eurgh
<sean> LOL
<sean> elves
<sean> men
<julia> dude
<sean> aragorn and legolas
<julia> Viggo Mortensen needed to bathe
<julia> like whoa
<sean> I actually loved that about that movie
<sean> that the characters who were outdoors for weeks on end
<sean> were dirty
<julia> yes
<julia> but NOT SEXY
<sean> I like it dirty, but not that kind
<sean> ;)
<BA> Julia hates the LotR movies, Sean
<BA> you're not going to move her
<sean> heeee
<julia> now, I don't hate them
<julia> but I don't adore them
<sean> they've got enough fans, they don't need her to love them
<julia> I have issues
<julia> partly with Tolkein
<julia> partly with hairy feet
<sean> heeeee
<julia> partly sad family history I won't go into
<BA> I think that the Tin Man and the Lion were headed into the lurve space
<sean> ah
<sean> *hugs*
<julia> LOL
<sean> heee
<julia> no straw?
<BA> The scarecrow belonged to Dorothy
<BA> they're my OTP
<julia> I thought that was Sherlock and John
<BA> nods
<sean> they don't live in OZ
<BA> I have one for every movie
<julia> though I know you love Moriarty best
<BA> Mulder/Scully
<BA> Skinner/Krycek
<julia> in the TV show, not the movies
<BA> Methos/Duncan
<sean> oh yes, Skinner/Krychek
<sean> now there's a dysfunctional couple
<julia> hangs head
<BA> Captain Jack/the boy and girl dingleberries
<julia> I never watched X Files when it was on
<BA> Marge/Homer
<sean> heeeee
<julia> heee
<BA> that's just obscene
<BA> Ethan/Dorian/Vanessa (I can hope)
<julia> yes
<julia> O.O
<sean> hey, they've gone ethan/dorian and dorian/vanessa
<sean> and they're hinting at possibly going ethan/vanessa
<sean> so yeah
<sean> we can hope
<BA> Penelope/Morgan
<sean> 4ever!
<BA> Grissom/Lady Heather
<julia> god yes
<BA> Pride/Lasalle
<sean> uh-huh
<sean> Sam and G
<BA> I gave up on them
<julia> heeee
<BA> I miss them
<sean> they were so married for the first few years of the show, they had to give Sam an actual wife
<julia> yeah, Sam's instafamily
<sean> we were supposed to be doing movies, though, weren't we
<julia> yeah, well
<BA> nods
<BA> I was doing OTPs
<julia> the last movie we saw in the theater was Brave
<BA> shit, the last movie we saw, full stop, was the Lady in Black
<BA> no
<BA> wait
<BA> we saw the last hobbit movie
<BA> it was endless
<julia> yeah
<sean> it was one endless fight after another
<sean> the first one was the best of those
<julia> the last fight scene was like the second Matrix movie
<sean> nods
<BA> Oh! Matrix! I slashed the brothers :D
<sean> yes!
<julia> heee
<julia> yes
<BA> Mummy -- Ardeth and Jonathan ;-)
<julia> heee
<sean> nods
<julia> I wrote that fanfiction
<julia> not kidding
<sean> heeee
<julia> so anyway
<julia> Cinema Craptastique
<julia> 5:30 to 8pm Tuesday central time
<julia> Legend of Hercules
<sean> I'll see if I can rustle up the movie and play along
<julia> stream it on Netflix or something and Tweet along
<julia> we'll be there
<sean> coolios
<julia> hugs
<julia> got to go write a pitch!
<BA> smooooooooooches
<sean> *hugs*
<BA> love you, honey. :D
<BA> see you later
<julia> night!
<sean> night!


If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about (or any other favorite things you'd like us to share), please let us know. We’re totally up for that.

You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.

Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com
BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com

Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWrites
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthor
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga

Sean
smut fixes everything

Writing Update: March & April, 2015 by Cardeno C.

Happy Monday! I haven't done a writing recap in a while so I thought it’d be a good time to check in about what I've been doing and what I have in the works.

I released the first book in my new Siphon collection – Johnnie and I’ve been working with Greg Tremblay on producing an audio version of it.I released the 2nd edition of Perfect Imperfections (with bonus scene & gorgeous cover by Jay Aheer) and I’m working with a narrator on producing an audio version of it (more on that later). I’ve been working with my editor Jae Ashley on 2nd editions of a few novellas:All of MeA Shot at ForgivenessPlaces in Time          We’ll have those ready in June(ish).
I’ve been working away on a new contemporary novel called Strange Bedfellows. The name has changed a few times, but I think this one’s a keeper! I’m hoping for a June/July release date but I’ll keep you posted as I know more.I’m also working with Jae on edits for 2nd editions of the Mates and Family books and with Jay Aheer  on new covers for those books. We’re looking at mid-July releases for the Mates books and mid-October releases for the Family books.I’m outlining details about the next Hope novella and the next Pack novella (Red River), both scheduled for the Fall.And last but not least, I’ve had several readers in my FB group ask me for an MPreg story so I brainstormed and I think I have a new series/collection idea. It has a sci-fi bent to it and I think it’ll be really fun! As far as timing for this one, well, I need to catch up on that list up there and then I can write the first book. I’d love to see it released by the end of the year but maybe I’m being overly ambitious? I’ll keep you posted.

Have a great week.

CC

www.cardenoc.com

What my characters will be doing on Mother’s Day.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day for Australia.
I couldn’t half-tell when I went shopping yesterday.  The slippers and dressing gowns were prominently displayed out the front of Target.  Over at Kmart, a wall of pink greeting cards were obviously placed as we walked through the door.  And today, driving around, the roadside flower sellers were pushing their product.
It’s become very commercialised.  But the thought is there.  Even though I’m not supposed to know, my children have been cleaning the weeds from behind the shed to surprise me.  Yep – I’m raising my kids the right way.
Mother’s Day is not only a day to give mothers all over a present, but a day to reflect on the sacrifices and hardships your mother went through to raise you.  A time to reflect on the positive, instead of the negative.  A day to think about all the things shegave you in life.  So what did my mother give me?
Her feet.  Okay – all the editors out there will be screaming, “Autonomous Body Parts.”  So my mother didn’t literally give me her feet, but when you put our feet side-by-side, they are the same shape, right down to our funny, small little toe.  I have a sister, who is two years older than me, and although we are the same height and were identical growing up, she has a very different shaped body.  Her feet are two sizes bigger than mine, and are very similar to our father’s.  I have Mum’s smaller foot.
Mum also greatly influenced my hair.  Dad’s hair was fine and straight, and I get my hair colour from him.  But my hair is thicker, coarser and curlier – like Mum’s.  Not as much curl as Mum’s hair has, but definitely not straight.
So away from the physical, what else did Mum give me?  My domesticity.  We’re very alike in that respect – my mother and me.  We both adore home, and looking after our family.  Many times I stood with Mum as she doctored and mothered a sick or orphaned animal.  My mother opens her heart to those who need it, and she delights in her pets.  I’m also very like my mother when it comes to gardening.  The two of us can visit for an hour, chatting away while we’re outside pruning and weeding, never feeling the need to go inside and sit down.  We both need that solid home base to feel secure.
And that follows on to my own children.  My children both have my half-curly hair and my black eyes.  My son has my ears and my daughter my feet.  (Editors – please, back in your box.  They know I don’t mean literally!).  Both of my kids are also caring and high energy – they get the best of me.

But how about characters – do they have mothers?  Do their mothers influence them?  I once read an article about Walt Disney who disliked mothers, and encouraged his writers to get rid of them in the fairytales.  It’s true – think about the big childrens’ stories.  Cinderella, Snow White, Bambi, Dumbo, The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians…  They all lose their mothers in some way.  Why?  To make the character vulnerable – because we all need parents.
I will often read a book and think to myself, “Where is this character’s family?”  Authors seem to be reluctant to write in families.  I know what they mean.  Family can weigh a story down, and does the reader really need to know that Scott is a good son and visits his mother every Saturday?  Does it really matter?
The simple answer is yes.  Some authors ignore any family ties, while other “conveniently” kill off the family in a car accident so they don’t have to deal with them.  I prefer to write in the family.  It makes the character more real.  More relatable to the reader.  More like a person, and less like a character. 
All of my characters have mothers.  Some mothers are needy, some loving, some great weights around the character’s neck, and some are even dead or no longer involved in their lives.  But who and what they are/were is important in the character’s development.
Jake’s mother in The Blinding Light is a right pain in the arse.  Jake should’ve told her to grow up long ago.  But taking care of his mother and sisters is a part of who Jake is.  If he didn’t care about his mother (and continually bail her out of her messes), then Jake would’ve probably been working in the mines up north and making a ton of money.  He would never have met Patrick.
Patrick, on the other hand, says he doesn’t care about his mother who abandoned him when he was two days old.  Maybe he never felt a lack of her in his life, but she certainly influenced him.  This was one of his first lessons in life.  Patrick was born blind, so his mother didn’t want him.  Logically, as an adult he can see that not everyone will abandon him.  But he’s still insecure about his disability, expecting people to leave once they get tired of putting up with him.
So what will my characters be doing this Mother’s Day?
Loving Jay:  Liam and Jay will need to divide themselves between the two mothers.  Liam’s mother will insist on a Sunday Roast, so lunch will be spent at Liam’s parents’ house.  Then they will drive straight to visit Carol, Jay’s mum who lives the next suburb over.  Two mothers = the whole Sunday.
The Blinding Light:  Jake will host a Mother’s Day lunch at his house.  He will fuss, ring Ellie and Maria ten times to make sure they’re organised, and run around like mad cleaning the house.  Maria will bring Corrine, and everyone will come to celebrate.  Patrick will give a fleeting thought to maybe taking time soon to track down his own mother.  But then he will look at Maxine and decide that motherhood is something you earn.  Then he will kiss Jake, and forget about it.
The Shearing Gun:  Elliot will be on the phone first thing in the morning.  Melbourne is two hours ahead of Dumbleyung, so it will be nearly mid-morning, but his mother will be waiting for her call.  She’ll fuss and lie, and tell him he didn’t need to call.  Then Elliot will mention that he’s posted her gift and she’ll probably get it soon.  She’ll be happy.  Hank’s mother died when he was young, so he’ll be a little sad over Mother’s Day.  But Hank knows that his brother and father will be missing her too, so he’ll ring them, even though it’s not his turn to ring, and they’ll all chat.
Safe in His Arms:  Roses.  Lon and Casey won’t need to discuss it beforehand.  Just some time on Saturday, they will spot someone selling flowers, and they will grab some roses for Lon’s mother, in anticipation of the Sunday visit.  Casey will already have bought some sort of flowering plant in a pot for his grandmother.  And Friday afternoon he will remember to post a card off to his mother – late, but at least he remembered!
Shawn’s Law:  Mother’s Day will be hard for Shawn.  Very hard.  But the others will know, and they will rally around him.  John, Lisa, Kris and Harley will be there with hugs and laughter.  Shawn will be happy and sad at the same time.  Harley, on the other hand, holds bitterness to his mother.  He’ll frown and try to forget his mother by fussing over Shawn.  But some time during the day, he will sit down next to his father and they will hug – no words necessary.

So to all the mums out there – have a great day.  Enjoy your new slippers and your bunch of flowers.
Always laugh,
Renae
How to contact Renae:Email:  renaekaye@iinet.net.auWebsite:  www.renaekaye.weebly.comFB:  www.facebook.com/renae.kaye.9Twitter:  @renaekkaye Instagram:  renaekayeauthor

Inspiration for Day and Knight

Over a year ago, I got the idea for the first Day and Knight story.  I was at the Dreamspinner conference and speaking with Elizabeth as well as Rhys Ford, Amy Lane, and Mary Calmes.   They all encouraged me to go for it and I'm so thrilled they did.  I decided that since the story was going to be different enough that I would publish it under a new pen name.  So Dirk Greyson was born.  I always wanted to be Dirk and now I get to be.  :)

However as I was starting the project, I contacted Mary and told her I needed some inspiration.  I described how I saw the characters in my mind, and Mary, being the incredible person she is, went into her vast library of pictures and sent me a collection of images.  Bless her heart, she hit the nail on the head. 

The blond haired beauty is Day and the Dark broody one of Knight.  I used these images the entire time I was writing the story and as I was writing Sun and Shadow, the follow up.  I find they're very... inspirational. 

      

As former NSA, Dayton (Day) Ingram has national security chops and now works as a technical analyst for Scorpion. He longs for fieldwork, and scuttling an attack gives him his chance. He’s smart, multilingual, and a technological wizard. But his opportunity comes with a hitch—a partner, Knighton (Knight), who is a real mystery. Despite countless hours of research, Day can find nothing on the agent, including his first name!

Former Marine Knight crawled into a bottle after losing his family. After drying out, he’s offered one last chance: along with Day, stop a terrorist threat from the Yucatan. To get there without drawing suspicion, Day and Knight board a gay cruise, where the deeply closeted Day and equally closeted Knight must pose as a couple. Tensions run high as Knight communicates very little and Day bristles at Knight’s heavy-handed need for control.

But after drinking too much, Day and Knight wake up in bed. Together. As they near their destination, they must learn to trust and rely on each other to infiltrate the terrorist camp and neutralize the plot aimed at the US’s technological infrastructure, if they hope to have a life after the mission. One that might include each other.

Purchase form Dreamspinner Press:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6310

Be sure to check out Dirk's web site and see what's coming next.

www.dirkgreyson.com

May stuff and other rambles

<sean> hi!
 <BA> hola!
 <BA> how goes it?
 <julia> it rained cats and dogs
 <BA> nods
 <BA> all of a sudden
 <BA> BOOM
 <BA> RAIN
 <sean> heee
 <BA> CRASH
 <sean> we had rain today too
 <sean> not like that
 <julia> there are many May things to talk about!
 <julia> May Day
 <julia> Maypoles
 <julia> which sounds dirty
 <sean> nods
 <sean> it does
 <julia> the merry month of masturbation
 <sean> merry month of masturbation
 <BA> It's the Merry Month of Masturbation!
 <sean> heeee
 <sean> gmta
 <julia> first of may, first of may, outdoor fucking starts today
 <julia> I love spring
 <BA> (as a total aside, THEY REMADE FUCKING POLTERGEIST?????)
 <BA> (what the fucking fuck?)
 <julia> (Crimes against movies)
 <sean> heee
 <sean> nothing is sacred
 <julia> Cinco de Mayo
 <BA> I have roses to replant, aloes to pot, herbs to pot
 <julia> which also happens to be my SIL's birthday
 <BA> that's the official planting day
 <julia> yep
 <BA> oh, dude -- we sent her her box, right?
 <julia> yes
 <julia> she loved the queso dip mmix
 <BA> we still have Kiernan Kelly's Easter box on the desk...
 <julia> yes well
 <julia> Sean will get a Christmas box in February
 <BA> Sean will get all the things in November
 <julia> oh right
 <BA> just like always
 <sean> nods
 <BA> it's cheaper to have a visit than to fucking mail things
 <sean> I know!
 <julia> May flowers
 <julia> our roses are booming
 <julia> blooming
 <sean> our tulips are almost ready to bloom
 <sean> ;)
 <julia> woo
 <BA> booming roses
 <BA> I have huge orange ones on the side of the yard
 <BA> I have 2 Mr. Lincolns
 <BA> a peace
 <BA> a JFK rose
 <BA> and
 <BA> of course
 <BA> a yellow rose
 <julia> nods
 <sean> *grins*
 <sean> of course
 * BA siiiiiiiiing-- It's the yellow rose of Texas I'm going home to seeeee
 <BA> no order man has held her, her heart belong to me
 * BA grins
 <BA> I know, I've become one of those boring old lesbians that's obsessed with fixing my house and gardening
 <BA> sue me
 <BA> ;-)
 <julia> heee
 <BA> (did I mention we're remodeling the bathroom?)
 <julia> nah
 <julia> no suing
 <julia> we can't afford it
 <BA> no shit, we're remodeling the bathroom
 <sean> LOL
 <BA> Okay, let's perv this up
 <BA> best masturbation scene you've ever written
 <julia> hmmm
 <sean> oh god, we're supposed to remember?
 <julia> LOL
 <BA> yep
 <sean> I didn't even remember to write a snippet using one of last week's pic-up lines
 <BA> strain your brain
 <BA> well, neither did we
 <julia> I know my favorite BA one
 <julia> it's in Latigo
 <BA> awwww
 <BA> Dean and Will!
 <sean> oh, I love those boys
 <BA> My favorite Sean one is Rig
 <sean> thinking about his Marines
 <BA> fantasizing about the marines
 <julia> yep and one is spying on the other
 <BA> my favorite Jullia one is in Pictures of You
 <BA> with Hal and Leanne and Church
 <BA> and the window
 <julia> oh yeah!
 <julia> hee I love that one
 <sean> heeee
 <julia> grins
 <julia> what about outdoor sex?
 <BA> does sex on a boat count?
 <julia> yes!
 <BA> MJ AND SONNY!
 <sean> heeeee
 <julia> didn'rt Dave and Amos have sex outside in Stress Relief
 <julia> I know Ross and Tank did in Taking the Leap
 <julia> when they went fishing
 <julia> so that will be mine ;)
 <BA> does anyone even remember poor Dave and Amos?
 <BA> my first original babies
 <julia> I do!
 <sean> I do
 <julia> that book had a dog named Moodle
 <julia> <noodle>
 <julia> siiiings
 <julia> me and you and a dog names
 <julia> <named>
 <BA> Mooooodle
 <BA> MOOOODLE
 * BA giggles hysterically
*** julia has quit IRC
*** julia has joined
 <BA> dude, that was so funny that J pooted...
 <julia> heeee
 <sean> LOL
 <julia> not for real
 <julia> in the channel
 <sean> *cackles*
 <BA> well, only the people that know you would think that
 <BA> the people that know you would KNOW that
 <julia> sean has the may flowers thing cornered with the Briar Rose books
 <julia> (see me try to stay on topic)
 <sean> heeee
 <sean> I'm working on a new one
 <sean> no
 <sean> I have a new one coming out in July
 <julia> hee
 <julia> no, I am working on it
 <sean> what I'm working on is a new Box of Nails
 <julia> as a proofer
 <julia> lalala
 <sean> cool
 <BA> grins
 <BA> okay, my snack is calling
 <sean> mmmm food
 <BA> I have a strict schedule
 <sean> nods
 <BA> shot food food shot food shot food food shot
 <sean> yeah
 <BA> grins
 <BA> love you, honey
 <julia> hugs
 <BA> have a good one
 <sean> *hugs*
 <sean> you too!
 <sean> night
 <julia> night y'all!
 <BA> next week will be whining about travel.
 <BA> ;-)
 <BA> night!
 <sean> lol

If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about (or any other favorite things you'd like us to share), please let us know. We’re totally up for that.

You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.

Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com
BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com

Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWrites
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthor
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga

Sean
smut fixes everything

Cardeno C. Is Supporting the Keith Milano Memorial Fund

I’m proud to be included in the group of authors who have agreed to donate a portion of their May 2015 books sales to the Keith Milano Memorial Fund at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). A portion of all Jumping In sales will benefit the Keith Milano Memorial Fund.
The Keith Milano Memorial Fund was established to help raise awareness about the devastating and deadly disease that is mental illness.  The goal is to raise awareness about mental illness and to get people talking…..Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals 10-24The US loses 22 veterans a day to suicide, more than are lost in combatThere is 1 death by suicide in the US every 13 minutesThese statistics are scary but together we can work to make a difference! Please join us on Facebook.

CC



News news news

Have you ever heard of the saying, “You made your bed, now you have to lie in it.”  I like this saying.  My mother’s favourite saying is “Reap what you sow.” It’s along the same lines, but sowing and reaping sounds all too laborious.  I prefer beds and lying down.  Lots of good things happen in beds.
Whenever I think of this saying, I picture a large bed with a fluffy white coverlet and piles of pillows.  If I make my bed, that’s what I want it to look like.
So about six weeks ago I was a little downhearted.  Grumpy.  Nothing new. (LOL).  I was whining to a friend that I didn’t know what was happening with my writing career.  I had been so bogged down in edits and blog tours and releases that I hadn’t written anything.  After having a flying start to my chosen career as a writer, I now had a looming 2015 calendar with nothing on it.  What was I going to do about it?
The obvious solution of “write more books” was the first thing I thought of, but writing a 60k word novel takes a while, and then it needs to be submitted, edited, etc.  It takes time.  So I sighed and got on with it.  At least my empty calendar would leave me plenty of time to write.
Famous last words.    
My calendar has suddenly EXPLODED.
Audio News
Loving Jay and The Blinding Light are already available in audio.  
The Shearing Gunis being recorded now.  I anticipate it will be out in June 2015.
Shawn’s Law will be recorded soon and should be out in about August 2015, I think?  We’ll have to see.  I have a feeling the poor narrator will have a tough time with this one.  Queer quokkas and all.

International News
Loving Jay has been translated.  I’m dying to see it.  I’ve been told that it’s a great translation – but oh my Gawd! How will Jay’s personality turn out?  The book will be released on the 7th of May and is already up on Amazon for pre-order.  It will also be available in paperback from Triskell Edizioni.  
Check out the pretty cover.
And if you’re wondering about the others?  Yes – Italian translations will be coming for them too.  The Blinding Light, The Shearing Gun and Safe in His Arms have all been contracted for translation and will be released in 2016.
New Releases
I have a short story out called Hard Feelings.  It’s a great little tale, and I’m hoping to get it to you.  It is part of an anthology called Queermance Vol II and has been released through Clan Destine Publishers.  At the moment it’s only on the publisher’s website, which is a little frustrating, but I am told it will be placed on Amazon.

I need to negotiate with them, but after a period, I will re-release this story as a stand-alone, because I think you’ll love it.  I have an amazing cover all ready – look!  A wonderful cover designer, Meg Bawden did it for me.  (http://www.megbawden.com/custom-book-covers.html) 

I’m also working on getting another short story to you.  I’m editing it now, and will have to negotiate my way through some sort of program to get it on Amazon.  Technology and me are not the closest of friends.  
People say to me, “What sort of phone do you have?”  My answer is always, “A purple one.”
AND of course, the big news is that there is a second novel coming in The Tav Series.  You Are the Reason is being edited now (ugh, I hate editing) and I anticipate August 2015 for its release.  But seriously guys?  This book is great.  I’m really proud of it.


So from an empty calendar, to a rather full one, I’ve made my bed and I’m wallowing in it.  Now, I must get back to writing…
Check out my new updated website for more information and links.
How to contact Renae:Email:  renaekaye@iinet.net.auWebsite:  www.renaekaye.weebly.comFB:  www.facebook.com/renae.kaye.9Twitter:  @renaekkaye

Introducing Dirk Greyson and Day and Knight

When I decided I wanted to write some Romantic Suspense and Paranormal stories, they ended up being so different from what I normally write, that I decided to create a new persona and pen name for them.  Dirk's first story releases soon!!!!!

 Day and Knight releases Monday May 4 and I thought I'd offer up a taste. I had an amazing time creating these characters and I really hope they work their way into your hearts the way they did into mine.    I hope you enjoy it.



Blurb:
As former NSA, Dayton (Day) Ingram has national security chops and now works as a technical analyst for Scorpion. He longs for fieldwork, and scuttling an attack gives him his chance. He’s smart, multilingual, and a technological wizard. But his opportunity comes with a hitch—a partner, Knighton (Knight), who is a real mystery. Despite countless hours of research, Day can find nothing on the agent, including his first name!

Former Marine Knight crawled into a bottle after losing his family. After drying out, he’s offered one last chance: along with Day, stop a terrorist threat from the Yucatan. To get there without drawing suspicion, Day and Knight board a gay cruise, where the deeply closeted Day and equally closeted Knight must pose as a couple. Tensions run high as Knight communicates very little and Day bristles at Knight’s heavy-handed need for control.

But after drinking too much, Day and Knight wake up in bed. Together. As they near their destination, they must learn to trust and rely on each other to infiltrate the terrorist camp and neutralize the plot aimed at the US’s technological infrastructure, if they hope to have a life after the mission. One that might include each other.

Purchase a copy:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...


Excerpt:
“Are you going to knock off for the night or sleep at your desk, newbie?” Knight asked, breaking Day’s concentration. “I have our travel arrangements all set, and the company even sprang for a decent stateroom.”

“We’re only going to be on the ship a few days. It seems like a waste to—”

Knight cut him off with a wave of his hand. “You’ve been busy and haven’t heard the latest. The sailing we’re on is a gay cruise, so you and I are playing the part of lovers on a vacation together.”

Day’s stomach did a flip and he tried his best to keep his discomfort off his face. “Sounds… interesting.” God, what in the hell did he say to that?

“Don’t worry, we don’t have to take it too far, but it was the easiest way to get us on the ship we need, and it will help us blend in with the other passengers.” Knight handed him a set of papers.
“Put this someplace safe. That should be all your travel arrangements.”

Day nodded, reading through the details.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Knight said. “And you’re welcome.”

Day looked up from the travel documents and opened his mouth to say thank you, but Knight was already leaving the office with the grace of a panther on the prowl. Day was transfixed, his mind instantly stripping away the dress shirt and pants, imagining what might be hidden beneath. Probably acres of rich, olive-toned skin with just enough short dark hair on his chest to make things really interesting. Day’s mind conjured up a scent that made his head swim.

“Practicing for the cruise?” Knight asked from the doorway, and Day blinked once as he fell back to reality.

“Just wondering if being an ass came naturally to you or if you actually worked at it?” Day flashed a smile, thankful he’d been able to come up with something to cover his little daydream. Shit like that had to end. He needed to keep things together. He could do this.

“It’s a talent gifted by the gods,” Knight countered and left the room before Day had a chance to respond.

Day ground his teeth for a few seconds. That guy was going to drive him insane. He wished he had someone else as his partner for his first assignment. Day closed the transmission files he’d been working on and saved them onto a USB stick so he could take them home. A grin formed on his face as he opened a window into the Scorpion internal systems and went to work, searching for information on Knighton. If he was going to be working with the man, he was going to find out everything there was to know about him. Fuck if he’d stumble around like some newbie and let Knight get the better of him all the time.

Pick up lines

<BA> booooo!
 <sean> eeeeek!
 <BA> *grins*
 <BA> hey darlin
 <BA> how goes?
 <sean> it goes
 <sean> how's you guys?
 <BA> we are both alive!
 <julia> hey y'all
 <julia> I am pooped
 <julia> I know, it's a thing
 <BA> J has two shoes
 <sean> as opposed to three?
 <julia> I know!
 <julia> not one shoe and a medical boot
 <sean> ah
 <sean> yay
 <BA> we're so proud
 <sean> heeee
 * BA grins
 <BA> So, J and I were pondering pick up lines
 <BA> like, Nice boots, wanna fuck?
 <sean> heeee
 <sean> Are you tired? Because you've been running through my dreams all night
 <sean> or do you mean fun pick up lines?
 <sean> ;)
 <BA> LOL
 <sean> Nice package, wanna deliver it to me?
 <BA> Do you know what my shirt is made of? Boyfriend material.
 <sean> cackles
 <sean> then there's the straight to the point ones
 <sean> wanna try my backdoor?
 <BA> Here's my library card. Can I chiech you out?
 <BA> chiech?
 <BA> check
 <julia> blinks
 <julia> did I fall asleep?
 <julia> Uh
 <sean> LOL Julia
 <julia> Are you a professional wrestler? Because your body is slammin'
 <BA> We're having a penis measuring contest over here. Do you have a yardstick we can borrow?
 <julia> Honey, you look sweeter than a new set of snow tires.
 <sean> Wanna see my swelling?
 <BA> Do you mix concrete for living? Because you're making me hard.
 <julia> You remind me of my big toe. Because I'm gonna bang you on every piece of furniture I own.
 <BA> LOL
 <BA> Come sit on my lap and we'll talk about the first thing that pops up.
 <julia> You should sell hot dogs because you know how to make a weiner stand
 <sean> heeee
 <BA> Nice ass...what time does it open?
 <sean> Wanna suck my lillipop?
 <sean> <lollippo>
 <julia> You have an ass like the North Star, and I'm a wise man, so I follow it
 <julia> <massive typos>
 * BA giggles happily
 <julia> Oh! From a Christian Dating site:
 <julia> You. Me. Song of Songs remix
 <BA> Ropes, spurs, leather gloves -- even if I wasn't a cowboy, you're talking about a good time.
 <sean> Wanna play with my handcuffs?
 <BA> How would you like a pinch of me between teeth and gums.
 <julia> I just signed up to be an organ donor. Can I give you  my heart?
 <sean> awwww
 <sean> that one's sweet
  <BA> heeee
 <julia> I lost my phone number. Can I have yours?
 <BA> The eternal redneck mating call: Hey, bay-bee! Hey, bay-bee!
 <sean> LOL
 <BA> I may not be in love, but I'm damn sure in heat.
 <julia> cackles
 <BA> Let's go somewhere private and I'll check you for ticks.
 <julia> snortgiggle
 <julia> okay I'm out of lines
 <julia> at least for now
 <BA> If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me?
 <sean> Hey Stud, wanna fuck?
 <julia> siiings with you
 * BA grins
 <BA> I may have been in a few honkytonks...
 <BA> a couple
 <BA> once or twice
 <BA> ;-)
 <sean> so I challenge you guys to each pick one of those pick-up lines and start a short ficlet with 'em
 <BA> works for me
 <sean> nothing long, just something fun
 <BA> I'll work one up and pop it on my blog?
 <julia> heee
 <julia> okay
 <sean> sounds good to me
 <julia> you're on
 <julia> though it might be tomorrow
 <julia> I need to get my newsletter out O.O
 <BA> shh
 <sean> sometime this week - no pressure
 <sean> newsletter, what's a newsletter?
 <julia> LOL
 <julia> bad sean
 <sean> (I am so behind on those)
 <BA> don't talk about that
 <BA> did I do one?
 <julia> I have no idea
 <julia> the month is a blur
 <sean> so far 2015 is a blur
 <julia> no shit
 <BA> nods
 <BA> damn it
 <BA> I need to do one
 <BA> tomorrow
 <BA> later
 <sean> lalalala
 <sean> ;)
 <sean> so same time next week?
 <julia> you bet
 <BA> same bat time, same bat channel
 <sean> cool
 <sean> be good!
 <julia> holy fucking shitballs batman
 <sean> LOL
 <julia> hugs
 <BA> BATMAN!
 <julia> night!
 <sean> night :)
 <BA> *smooch*

If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about (or any other favorite things you'd like us to share), please let us know. We’re totally up for that.

You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.

Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com
BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com

Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWrites
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthor
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga

Sean
smut fixes everything