Kerry Freeman's Blog, page 7

Wordy Wednesday Guest Post: Mercy Celeste on writing Beyond Complicated

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Avid readers of fan fiction and yaoi will be familiar with stories involving actual and pseudo incest. The subject has also been touched on by movies such as From Beginning to End and a number of twincest books. The subject is always controversial, but it doesn’t stop authors and readers from exploring it. One such book is Beyond Complicated by Mercy Celeste (which I really liked), and in this post she discusses why she began writing the book.

In July 2011 I read three what we now call pseudo-incest books. At the time I’d never heard that term before, and after the big Paypal fun time from earlier this year I’m guessing I wasn’t alone in that ignorance. Anyway, I’d just read quite by accident three consecutive step-sibling books, not a single one of them of the M/M variety, all three heterosexual in nature, two by big name buy it in the bookstore or get it at the library authors. No names (mostly because I can’t remember them). And after the third one, which wasn’t labeled in anyway as a set of former step-siblings, my what dafug moment kicked in. All the way back to swapping Flowers in the Attic with the other fifth graders and snickering over the oh my god they’re brother and sister and they did it scene I’ve wondered why that was fascinating. I mean I have a brother, he’s younger, and to me he was about as attractive as an alligator. I mean yuck. And then as an adult reading straight romance and so many times the adult former step siblings met up and sparks flew and okay, yuck. I see my brother or a cousin or…ewww.

So there I was last July, a nobody writer with (at the time) three books out that no one was buying. I’d just finished writing Behind Iron Lace and was on a reading bender. I try not to read much in the genre I’m writing in at the time. I’ve since given up that idea with M/M. I was bored. Reading the same thing over and over. After the third pseudo-incesty book I decided I was going to write me a fun “daddy” story, and what if he’s the kid’s step-dad and yes I know there’s twincest all over the place, I’ve read some, this is about mainstream step-incest and how everyone gets away with it. Miss Big Name author got away with it. So why can’t I? I was kidding. Just playing around until a real idea for a new book came up.

Beyond Complicated might have started as a joke, and since I’d never once written anything in first person you can see how much actual thought I’d put into it. I even set the story in the area of Florida I grew up in. See, totally bullshitting my through a subject that I was just playing with and then it stopped being play and became real. Somehow Liam McGuire became a real person to me. He didn’t tell me his story so much as take over my fingers and typed for me. I wrote as if I were possessed. For six weeks. Two of which I took long freak out breaks because Liam’s story freaked me out. What he’d been through in his life nearly killed me. So many secrets, so much pain, his demons, his lies, his loves.

Beyond Complicated is pseudo-incest ménage. I explored the daddy-son issue that I played with in the beginning. Before Kel became a fully developed character with his own lies, secrets, and past. I threw in an old boyfriend to stir up trouble between the two. But even I was unprepared for where this story went. I mixed and swirled and threw in everything but the kitchen sink for this story. Some call it a soap opera. I call it the best thing I have ever written. If you decide to take a chance, please be warned it’s banned on Amazon for a reason. And no you won’t go to hell for reading it. But if you do, I’ll be sitting right beside you for writing it.

Blurb

Liam McGuire has the perfect life–his job is a nightmare, his apartment was swank back in the eighties, and he has a secret so painful it could destroy him. What can top that? Meeting his son’s new boyfriend, that’s what.

For former porn star Liam McGuire, life is pretty tame, except that his twenty-one year old son is now dating the love of Liam’s life. At the ripe old age of thirty-eight, Liam’s entire world is collapsing around him, his past catching up with him, his secrets and his lies are coming back to bite him. All because Kel had to go and fall in love with Seth.

Buy Beyond Complicated at Silver Publishing

Mercy’s Website

Coming soon: my new novel!

by Denise Krebs/Flickr

 

I have been dying to share this news, and now I can. My newest novel, a contemporary M/M about two high school baseball coaches, will be published by Loose Id in October. I am so excited to be working with Loose Id and editor Jules Robin again, and I’m really looking forward to sharing more about Matt and René as October approaches.

A special thank you to Becca and Trinity for their beta efforts. I hope I don’t drive them both nuts by October [image error]

My latest free story is now available

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My latest free story “The Lifecycle of the North American Love Virus” is now available for download and online at the Goodreads M/M Romance group. Written for the group’s Love Is Always Write event, this story is based on a photo and prompt submitted by a group member Gina.

Original Prompt

I’m set in my ways, self-centered, perverse and often disagreeable…prone to fits of self-isolation and moodiness. I live a solitary life and I like it that way. However, as the staff meeting ends, The Dean informs us that each professor was to open their home and become Mentor to an aspiring apprentice. The Dean had given us all little choice. If you wanted improved lab facilities, take on an apprentice…or don’t and do without. The instant I laid eyes on him I knew I’d made a terrible mistake.

Blurb

Dr. Oswald Culpepper is an island unto himself. A respected infectious disease researcher, he is used to doing things his way and everyone else going along with it. When the new dean demands Oswald take on an apprentice like all the other researchers, Oswald is forced to agree. And when he sees Aiden Pearse walk into his lab, Oswald knows he’s in trouble.

Aiden is everything Oswald isn’t. Entertaining, gregarious, tall, dark, and gorgeous. Oswald should hate him on general principle. So why does he watch his new assistant when he thinks the young man isn’t looking? And how is he going to make it to the end of Aiden’s apprenticeship with his dignity intact?

You can download the story in PDF or read it online (if you’re a member of the M/M Romance group). Hope you enjoy it!

Music Monday: New York, here we come

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I am mostly a home body. I am also terrified of flying. These two things have resulted in my only having travelled as far as I can reasonably drive in a day. (And, no, driving more than 12 hours in a day is not reasonable.)

Later this week, however, my fifteen-year, self-imposed ban on travelling by plane will end. My husband and I will go to New York for the first time. I’m excited but also extremely nervous. I mean, come on, New York is HUGE! Here at home, I’m considered a city girl, and my home town metro area has maybe 300,000 people. There are EIGHT FREAKIN’ MILLION people in New York City. The mind boggles.

In honor of our trip, this week’s song is Empire State of Mind Part II by Alicia Keys.

 

Wish me luck [image error]

P.S. Congratulations to Sadonna, who won the giveaway of Bella Leone’s short stories, and Amilyn, who won the Manga & Romance bloghop grand prize.

Manga & Romance Bloghop: From Twilight to Gay Romance, with Stops at Slash and Yaoi

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How did a geeky, Southern girl end up writing gay romance? Well, it’s all my husband’s fault, you see. In an indirect way. Here’s what happened.

 

Timeline of Kerry’s Path to Gay Romance
March 2009 (approx.)

Smug little fucker

I don’t want to watch Twilight, but my husband guilts me into it. He doesn’t know that the vampires are sparkly (he is horrified) or that I’d fall instantly in lust with Robert Pattinson (again, he is horrified).

April 2009 (approx.)

If I’d never read New Moon…

Reading New Moon, I get to the part where Bella takes Edward back after he dumps her in the fucking forest. Obviously, this pisses me off.

May 2009 (approx.)

I spent way too much time on this site.

I discover fan fiction.

June 2009

It’s not one of these stories.

I post the first chapter of my first fanfic. In it, Bella doesn’t wait around for Edward to come back to her. When he finally does, she tells him to fuck off. (Come on, of course they eventually get back together, but she doesn’t have to make it so easy, does she?)

March 2010

Bella? Bella who?

I discover Jakeward. It is love at first read.

April 2010

Ginny? Ginny who?

I discover Drarry.

May 2010

Yeah, there’s no Emmett/Edward fan art that I know of, so enjoy these guys.

I write my first slash fanfic: Edward & Emmett

June 2010

Nowaki & Hiroki 4 ever

I discover yaoi, Junjou Romantica in particular. I toy with the idea of learning Japanese so I can read the original manga, but I realize I’m entirely too old to learn a new language.

November 2010

My cover design skills have improved since this.

I participate in NaNoWriMo. The book, original working title Goodbye to My Heart, becomes a menage and changes its title to What We Deserve by week 3.

 

I dare you to look at Xanthe’s sadface and not have a sadface yourself. It can’t be done! (From Emirain’s Teahouse)

Since then, I’ve also discovered the wonderful world of webcomics (I talk about some of my favorites here – I’ve discovered a few new ones since). And I didn’t even have to learn a new language to follow them. The artists who create comics such as The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ & Amal and Teahouse are incredibly talented, and I fangirl over them as much as I do the authors of my favorite gay romance novels.

If you’re a fan of slash, I encourage you to check out yaoi and gay romance. If you’re a yaoi fan, there’s a lot of gay romance you’ll really like *cough*Drawn Together*cough* And, if you’re a gay romance fan? Check out some yaoi (I recommend Junjou Romantica and Antique Bakery to start).

 

This blog hop is the brainchild of Hayley B. James, and there are many other artists and authors involved. You want to visit them all because they’re great. But you also want to visit them because every comment you leave on a blog hop post is an entry into the bloghop grand prize drawing, which includes seven ebooks (What We Deserve among them) and three yaoi titles (the full list of bloggers and prizes is here).

Go forth and comment! [image error] (And read more yaoi/slash/gay romance)

Wordy Wednesday guest post: Fair Puckled by Bella Leone (& a giveaway!)

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Today I’m so happy to have a guest post by Bella Leone, whose short story “Fair Puckled” is available from Torquere Press starting today. She’s also a great friend and fellow Book Bunny. Take it away, Bella!

What is Fair Puckled?

Well, it’s my new story that was just released by Torquere Press!

It also is a fun Scotish-ism. Something my Scottish greatgrandmother, Lula, would say sometimes that always made me laugh as a kid. When you’re “fair puckled” you are confused or out of sorts. My main character Jackson is definitely fair puckled in this tale.

I started writing “Fair Puckled” when I was trying for an awesome story for my dear friend Rheana’s birthday. I write her a story every year and last year we had spent a lot of time debating the merits of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon in our book club. James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser is one of our favorite male characters. So when I started writing I thought about what it would be like if someone like Jamie Fraser liked dudes. Not sure why… my mind just wanders sometimes.

I’m a bit of a nerd and I love opposites attract stories so I thought about who would be the complete opposite of a giant, manly, muscle-bound Highland warrior. Pale, scrawny history nerd in glasses and a cardigan, no?

It all just rolled together so seamlessly. I was able to write a majority of it on my layover in an airport filled with Boy Scouts.

When I delivered the goods to Miss Rheana, she adored it and encouraged me to keep writing. I decided to develop it further and look for a place to publish. Torquere Press published my first story, “Happy Hour,” in September of 2011 so they were my logical first choice. I was thrilled when they expedited the release for the 20th of June. I’m so glad they liked it and I really hope you guys will too!

Also I hadn’t realized, but the release of Disney/Pixar’s new movie Brave, is June 22nd. I am so excited that my naughty little story about my nerd and my Highland warrior will be out at the same time as this awesome story about a tough, bright Scottish redhead fighting to change her own destiny!

I hope you’ll love Jackson and his adventures in Scotland! Head over to my site www.bellaleonebooks.com for a sneak peek at “Fair Puckled” and my other books. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter!

Blurb

When Jackson Stuart accompanies a professor on a research trip to Scotland for the Highland Games, he is thrilled to see the majestic country he has only ever read about in books. The one thing his books haven’t prepared him for is the stunning ginger warrior who wants to welcome Jackson to Scotland in the very best way. When he gets a true taste of the warrior, he may never go home to Boston.

“Fair Puckled” at Torquere Press

“Fair Puckled” on Goodreads

Giveaway

I am giving to one lucky person PDF copies of Bella’s short stories “Fair Puckled” and “Happy Hour.” Just leave a comment with your email address to enter. (By entering, you are indicating you are over 18 years old and erotic materials are not illegal where you are.)

And check out my post on hot guys in kilts on Bella’s website. Commenting on that post will get you a second entry in the giveaway.

You have until 11:59:59 PM on Sunday, June 24th to enter. Good luck!

Music Monday: Lego House

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As I’ve said before, I’m pretty obsessed with Ed Sheeran’s music right now. His debut album came out in the US last week and went straight to #1 on iTunes. One of my favorite songs on the album is “Lego House,” and will lyrics like this, you’ll understand:

I’m gonna paint you by numbers and colour you in

If things go right we can frame it and put you on a wall

And it’s so hard to say it but I’ve been here before

Now I’ll surrender up my heart and swap it for yours

See if you recognize the fellow in the video. I hear he’s been in a movie or two.