Kaje Harper's Blog, page 24
January 1, 2016
New Year's Day 2016 – Highs, Lows, Best Books, and Plans
2015 was definitely a year of highs and lows, in both life and reading…
On the high side:
* Equal Marriage Rights in the United States – June 26, 2015. Can't top that one this year. I'd add the joy of watching the Irish referendum confirm that it's not just the courts, but the people, who believe that love is love.
* Seeing M/M romance move further into the mainstream, with authors and books getting mention in mainstream articles, and finding places on polls and best-seller lists that include het and LGBT books together.
* Putting out my first audio book – with Jonathan's help, finding a great narrator in Kaleo, and having the satisfaction of seeing his rating (and the book's) standing at 4.9 on Audible.
* Writing my first novel with a transgender main character, something I'd planned for a couple of years but not quite managed
* and some family joys and progress :)
On the low side:
* A political scene in the US that is increasingly nasty, bigoted, selfish and mean-spirited. Watching so-called leaders using tragedy and pain to further those ends. And seeing a sickeningly large proportion of the American population cheering on that viewpoint, unaware of how much money is being spent to push them into self-destruction for the short-term profits of the powerful.
* We saw plagiarism in the M/M community involve not just some random thief copying books to self-pub for fast cash, but a known author like Laura Harner copying entire novels and attending GRL to lie about how she came up with the ideas and characters. (Through rose-colored glasses, I choose to consider all the articles about it in the mainstream publications as a chance for some potential reader to find out M/M even exists...)
* We had painful reminders that the online community, which has brought me some of my now-closest friends, is also a place of risk, financial and emotional, as catfishing scandals repeated. The most hurtful was the exposure of Thorny Sterling et al as the years-long fraud of otherwise-talented author Missy Welsh. I wish I could believe the worst of such issues was behind us. But as long as the ability to exists create appealing characters, especially gay boys and men, who have potentially good reasons to never appear in person or on Skype, I'd bet this will repeat. It exposes the great heart of the M/M community and the ways that can be misused and abused. And is unfair to those who truthfully must hide online, and who face new distrust as a consequence.
* And personally, a couple of major health scares happened in the family, both fortunately now doing much better.
On the reading side:
My “top books of 2015” list was too long to put them all here but some big favorites included…
Axel's Pup by Kim Dare – a refreshingly new take on werewolves and bikers, (with BDSM,) - a hurt-comfort book that grabbed me by the feels and I reread twice in a week
The Gilded Scarab by Anna Butler – a steampunkish alternate world with a great plot, fun world-building, and a very appealing narrator.
Maps by Nash Summers – fun, quirky, sweet, Young Adult storytelling
King John by Edmond Manning – the amazing Lost and Founds series continues; with each book, I find out new things about Vin and fall harder and harder for him. Can't wait for his own true romance, but I'm loving the ride to get there.
Life is Awesome by Jordan Castillo Price – the completion of the Mnevermind trilogy with two great guys; I adore the alternate-world realism, and the way Elijah's autism makes him the person he is, and yet someone Daniel can love; so well done.
Trowchester Blues by Alex Beecroft – a contemporary that somehow felt fresh and a little different in the personalities of the main characters.
Winging It by Ashlyn Kane and Breakaway by Avon Gale – I started and ended the year with two fun hockey stories, quite different but each with action and sweetness and humor and great characters.
Love for the Cold-Blooded, or The Part-Time Evil Minion's Guide to Accidentally Dating a Superhero by Alex Gabriel – a book that managed to pull me into a comic-book world and still really enjoy the story and care about the main characters. Funny, but with surprising warmth.
For Real by Alexis Hall – this author's writing always seems to reach my heart and mind and not let go. This BDSM about a young, inexperienced Dom and an older, world-weary sub is a top candidate for my favorite book of the year.
Redemption by Eden Winters – this is the fifth book in the Diversion series, and I've enjoyed every one. Lucky and Bo are a wonderfully mismatched couple and the mystery elements feel fresh and well-written. I enjoyed getting a bit deeper into the guys' personal lives in this installment.
Guardians Of The Haunted Moor by Harper Fox – book 5 in this wonderful paranormal mystery series. Lee is a sweetheart, and Gideon is such a wonderful, solid country cop.
Champion of the Scarlet Wolf Book One by Ginn Hale - a wonderful fantasy duo of books in the world of and connected to "Lord of the White Hell", one of my favorite M/M high fantasies.
There were many other good reads, but these were the books that jump first to mind when I look back at the reading pleasures of the year. I still have books on my to-read list that will no doubt join them on my favorites list as well. It's a joy and a pain of the genre that every year reading all the good stuff becomes more impossible…
2016 Plans - On the writing side:
*
Tracefinder: Contact
is set to come out on January 9th.
I'm excited to see what readers think, and since this is a book with a HFN ending, I hope to get the next in the series out before the end of 2016.
* Hidden Wolves book 4 is almost re-written (although not yet titled LOL.) It overlaps a little in time with the end of book 3, and will reveal some of the events that rocked the Packs, from a closer viewpoint. Release... hopefully the middle of the year?
* Finding Family book 3 is the next project. Rick and Travis had a tough winter, and although they were in a good place at the end of book 2, it was hardly the end of the story for these two young guys with mountains yet to climb.
And then whatever other stories happen to come to mind. Planning is not my forte, but letting a story grab me by the heart and demand to be written? That I'm pretty good at.
~~~
Best wishes to you all for the New Year – may we become kinder to each other, more willing to take good risks, willing to support each other, and aware that when we cooperate to build a better world, we all win. May the spirit of compassion for others take hold and grow in all our hearts in the coming year. (And do remember to vote, wherever you live; whether the election is for two school-board members, or President of the United States, the people we elect do matter. Even if it's a choice between bad and worse, please vote.)
My love and best wishes to all my family, friends, favorite authors, readers, and the wider community for 2016... And may you have talented help when you take down those holiday decorations.
On the high side:
* Equal Marriage Rights in the United States – June 26, 2015. Can't top that one this year. I'd add the joy of watching the Irish referendum confirm that it's not just the courts, but the people, who believe that love is love.* Seeing M/M romance move further into the mainstream, with authors and books getting mention in mainstream articles, and finding places on polls and best-seller lists that include het and LGBT books together.
* Putting out my first audio book – with Jonathan's help, finding a great narrator in Kaleo, and having the satisfaction of seeing his rating (and the book's) standing at 4.9 on Audible.* Writing my first novel with a transgender main character, something I'd planned for a couple of years but not quite managed
* and some family joys and progress :)
On the low side:
* A political scene in the US that is increasingly nasty, bigoted, selfish and mean-spirited. Watching so-called leaders using tragedy and pain to further those ends. And seeing a sickeningly large proportion of the American population cheering on that viewpoint, unaware of how much money is being spent to push them into self-destruction for the short-term profits of the powerful.
* We saw plagiarism in the M/M community involve not just some random thief copying books to self-pub for fast cash, but a known author like Laura Harner copying entire novels and attending GRL to lie about how she came up with the ideas and characters. (Through rose-colored glasses, I choose to consider all the articles about it in the mainstream publications as a chance for some potential reader to find out M/M even exists...)
* We had painful reminders that the online community, which has brought me some of my now-closest friends, is also a place of risk, financial and emotional, as catfishing scandals repeated. The most hurtful was the exposure of Thorny Sterling et al as the years-long fraud of otherwise-talented author Missy Welsh. I wish I could believe the worst of such issues was behind us. But as long as the ability to exists create appealing characters, especially gay boys and men, who have potentially good reasons to never appear in person or on Skype, I'd bet this will repeat. It exposes the great heart of the M/M community and the ways that can be misused and abused. And is unfair to those who truthfully must hide online, and who face new distrust as a consequence.
* And personally, a couple of major health scares happened in the family, both fortunately now doing much better.
On the reading side:
My “top books of 2015” list was too long to put them all here but some big favorites included…
Axel's Pup by Kim Dare – a refreshingly new take on werewolves and bikers, (with BDSM,) - a hurt-comfort book that grabbed me by the feels and I reread twice in a week
The Gilded Scarab by Anna Butler – a steampunkish alternate world with a great plot, fun world-building, and a very appealing narrator.
Maps by Nash Summers – fun, quirky, sweet, Young Adult storytelling
King John by Edmond Manning – the amazing Lost and Founds series continues; with each book, I find out new things about Vin and fall harder and harder for him. Can't wait for his own true romance, but I'm loving the ride to get there.
Life is Awesome by Jordan Castillo Price – the completion of the Mnevermind trilogy with two great guys; I adore the alternate-world realism, and the way Elijah's autism makes him the person he is, and yet someone Daniel can love; so well done.
Trowchester Blues by Alex Beecroft – a contemporary that somehow felt fresh and a little different in the personalities of the main characters.
Winging It by Ashlyn Kane and Breakaway by Avon Gale – I started and ended the year with two fun hockey stories, quite different but each with action and sweetness and humor and great characters.
Love for the Cold-Blooded, or The Part-Time Evil Minion's Guide to Accidentally Dating a Superhero by Alex Gabriel – a book that managed to pull me into a comic-book world and still really enjoy the story and care about the main characters. Funny, but with surprising warmth.
For Real by Alexis Hall – this author's writing always seems to reach my heart and mind and not let go. This BDSM about a young, inexperienced Dom and an older, world-weary sub is a top candidate for my favorite book of the year.
Redemption by Eden Winters – this is the fifth book in the Diversion series, and I've enjoyed every one. Lucky and Bo are a wonderfully mismatched couple and the mystery elements feel fresh and well-written. I enjoyed getting a bit deeper into the guys' personal lives in this installment.
Guardians Of The Haunted Moor by Harper Fox – book 5 in this wonderful paranormal mystery series. Lee is a sweetheart, and Gideon is such a wonderful, solid country cop.
Champion of the Scarlet Wolf Book One by Ginn Hale - a wonderful fantasy duo of books in the world of and connected to "Lord of the White Hell", one of my favorite M/M high fantasies.
There were many other good reads, but these were the books that jump first to mind when I look back at the reading pleasures of the year. I still have books on my to-read list that will no doubt join them on my favorites list as well. It's a joy and a pain of the genre that every year reading all the good stuff becomes more impossible…
2016 Plans - On the writing side:
*
Tracefinder: Contact
is set to come out on January 9th.I'm excited to see what readers think, and since this is a book with a HFN ending, I hope to get the next in the series out before the end of 2016.
* Hidden Wolves book 4 is almost re-written (although not yet titled LOL.) It overlaps a little in time with the end of book 3, and will reveal some of the events that rocked the Packs, from a closer viewpoint. Release... hopefully the middle of the year?
* Finding Family book 3 is the next project. Rick and Travis had a tough winter, and although they were in a good place at the end of book 2, it was hardly the end of the story for these two young guys with mountains yet to climb.
And then whatever other stories happen to come to mind. Planning is not my forte, but letting a story grab me by the heart and demand to be written? That I'm pretty good at.
~~~
Best wishes to you all for the New Year – may we become kinder to each other, more willing to take good risks, willing to support each other, and aware that when we cooperate to build a better world, we all win. May the spirit of compassion for others take hold and grow in all our hearts in the coming year. (And do remember to vote, wherever you live; whether the election is for two school-board members, or President of the United States, the people we elect do matter. Even if it's a choice between bad and worse, please vote.)
My love and best wishes to all my family, friends, favorite authors, readers, and the wider community for 2016... And may you have talented help when you take down those holiday decorations.
December 31, 2015
A Tracefinder blog post, excerpt and giveaway
I have a blog post up today on Prism Book Alliance - come check out a brief excerpt from Tracefinder: Contact where you'll meet Brian Kerr, and read a little about my writing process. I'll be giving away 2 release day ebook copies to commenters on the blog. http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015...
(Only comments on Prism are eligible for the book giveaway drawing. )
The book release is now scheduled for Saturday, January 9th.
December 26, 2015
Tracefinder:Contact - coming soon!
We're getting close to release day for
Tracefinder: Contact
- time to meet Nick and Brian.
What could an undercover cop and a drug lord’s pet psychic have in common?
Brian Kerr has spent years hiding behind a facade of mental slowness. His brother and sister got all three of them off the streets and into a cushy life, under the protection of a dangerous criminal. But to keep that safety, Brian has to use his Finding talent to track down the boss’s enemies. Although he pretends not to know what he’s really doing, each Find takes its toll, and he’s trapped in a life he hates, losing touch with his true self.
Nick Rugo’s job is to protect and serve the people of Minneapolis as an undercover cop. He isn’t closeted, but he isn’t out at work, and there’s a wild, angry side to him that he’s managed to keep hidden until now. When he’s assigned to bring Brian’s boss to justice, he intends to use anything and anyone it takes to do that.
Nick initially sees Brian as a pawn to be played in his case, but he keeps getting glimpses of a different man behind the slow, simpleminded mask. As the two men get to know each other, it becomes clear they share secrets, some of which might get them both killed.
~~~
~~~
I couldn't resist this picture - the moment I saw it I knew this was Nick, my conflicted cop. There will be a book 2 later next year, and I'm looking forward to finding a picture of my sweet, complicated Brian for it.
Release is planned for early January - I'm hoping for Jan 1st, but don't want to promise until the formatting is all done :)
What could an undercover cop and a drug lord’s pet psychic have in common?
Brian Kerr has spent years hiding behind a facade of mental slowness. His brother and sister got all three of them off the streets and into a cushy life, under the protection of a dangerous criminal. But to keep that safety, Brian has to use his Finding talent to track down the boss’s enemies. Although he pretends not to know what he’s really doing, each Find takes its toll, and he’s trapped in a life he hates, losing touch with his true self.
Nick Rugo’s job is to protect and serve the people of Minneapolis as an undercover cop. He isn’t closeted, but he isn’t out at work, and there’s a wild, angry side to him that he’s managed to keep hidden until now. When he’s assigned to bring Brian’s boss to justice, he intends to use anything and anyone it takes to do that.
Nick initially sees Brian as a pawn to be played in his case, but he keeps getting glimpses of a different man behind the slow, simpleminded mask. As the two men get to know each other, it becomes clear they share secrets, some of which might get them both killed.
~~~
~~~
I couldn't resist this picture - the moment I saw it I knew this was Nick, my conflicted cop. There will be a book 2 later next year, and I'm looking forward to finding a picture of my sweet, complicated Brian for it.
Release is planned for early January - I'm hoping for Jan 1st, but don't want to promise until the formatting is all done :)
December 7, 2015
Second place in the Rainbow Awards for "Chasing Death Metal Dreams"
I'm delighted to say that my book "Chasing Death Metal Dreams" received second-place awards for "Transgender Romance" and "Transgender Book"in the Rainbow Awards tonight. And I really enjoyed the winning book (in both categories) - "The Burnt Toast B&B"
by Heidi Belleau and Rachel Haimowitz. If you liked mine, give that one a try. I loved both closeted Derrick and wonderful, confident Ginsberg in this book. And appreciated the way the transgender theme was secondary to the rest of the plot, not primary.The third place Romance winner was
"The Errant Prince" by Sasha L. Miller; clearly that needs to be moved higher up on my TBR. (Tied for third place in the Trans Book category was "To Summon Nightmares"
by J.K. Pendragon)I'm very grateful to everyone who helped me get Carlos and Nate onto the page in a couple of short hectic months over the summer writing event. Funny how the prompts, and writing the freebies, seems to let me have great fun and stretch my creative wings.
By the way, the Rainbows only happen because Elisa puts a ton of her time into it, and many generous people take time to read and judge the books. If you would like to see the posting of winners, you can find them on Elisa's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/elisa.reviews1
or on her blog. http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid...
Or on Twitter : https://twitter.com/ElisaReviews
Congratulations to all the winners across the categories. It's so wonderful that there are more excellent LGBTQ books than any one person can read. :)
December 6, 2015
A post on gratitude, and a chance to win
I'm over at K-lee Klein's Chaos in the Moonlight blog today, talking about gratitude and things I'm thankful for, and giving away a free book- either the new Holiday anthology "Wish Come True", or an audiobook of "Into Deep Waters". Check it out! Comment there to win: http://chaosinthemoonlight.blogspot.c...Today is also Release day for K-lee's 5th story in her "Unbreak My Heart" series - "Unbridled Hearts" gives us another chance to hang out with her two guys - Brett and JT <3 - http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/230...
November 29, 2015
"Wish Come True" is now released
The buy links for Wish Come True went live early so...You can now buy this Holiday anthology with great stories from authors I'm delighted to share covers with:
"A Very English Christmas" by Keira Andrews gives us a look at the first Christmas out in the world for our favorite Amish guys - Aaron and David.
"Mr. Perfect's Christmas" by Joanna Chambers has an unexpected Secret Santa gift changing some assumptions.
"The Christmas Ship" by Amy Jo Cousins pairs a twink and a college football player, with a challenging route to a happy ending.
"That Thing" by Megan Erickson pits professional ethics against the needs of a lonely guy.
"Just Like Heaven" by Suki Fleet traps a couple of young guys in a snowstorm, where they may have to find a different kind of heat.
My own story - "Not Your Grandfather's Magic" forces Zeb to make some choices between a family tradition of power, and the sweet, awkward guy who catches his eye, and maybe his heart.
"Bottle Boys" by Anyta Sunday shows what happens when a lucky golden boy has to grow up.
And best of all, the proceeds from the sale of this anthology all go to Lost-N-Found Youth , an Atlanta-based nonprofit corporation whose mission is to take homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths to age 26 off the street and transition them into more permanent housing.
A chance to read good stories and support a great cause. What better way to start the holidays?
You can find Wish Come True at
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018...
Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk/Wish-Come-True-Keira...
And soon at ARe, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers. Enjoy.
November 28, 2015
A chance to win audio
Check out my little flash fiction on Boy Meets Boy Reviews today... and comment for a chance to win a copy of the audiobook of "Into Deep Waters".
. This is the link: http://boymeetsboyreviews.blogspot.co...
Take a look back at earlier posts in the celebration too, for flash fiction and giveaways from other authors. The drawing for my audiobook giveaway is open until 10 PM on 12/5/15. (Only comments on Boy Meets Boy Reviews count for the drawing.)
. This is the link: http://boymeetsboyreviews.blogspot.co...Take a look back at earlier posts in the celebration too, for flash fiction and giveaways from other authors. The drawing for my audiobook giveaway is open until 10 PM on 12/5/15. (Only comments on Boy Meets Boy Reviews count for the drawing.)
November 9, 2015
An audiobook out in the world...
Three weeks ago I released
Into Deep Waters
in audiobook. And held my breath, because, you know, loving something myself doesn't mean others will. I was sure that Kaleo Griffith's narration would resonate with many listeners, as it did with me. But still... opening-day nerves, just like with any other release. With the added issue of having no real clue what to expect from audio.By now, the book has 12 ratings on Audible, and 11 of them gave both story and narrator 5 stars. There are two lovely reviews there, and now the first blog review I've seen, from BJ on scattered thoughts and rogue words is even kinder than I expected. (And I was invited to answer a few questions after the review. :) )
I'm so thrilled that other people are finding in the audio version what I did when I listened to it - a heartfelt emotional resonance. Thanks, Kaleo <3
As for sales... it's selling some. I really have no idea what is reasonable to expect, and with Audible credits and the cash price being different, that will be a learning process too.
There was a hiccup a week ago, as Amazon arbitrarily moved the book from "Gay Romance" to "LGBT Fiction" without telling me. I rushed to pull all the tags except "Gay Romance" off it, and it went back where it should have the most appeal. ETA - I checked and the ebook is still back where it belongs, and the audio apparently doesn't have a Gay Romance category, so we're where we should be. (Thanks Kathleen)
It's too soon yet to say if I'll do this again with another book, but I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, thanks to everyone who bought it, and especially those who took the time to review or rate it. I hope you enjoyed sharing the world with Jacob and Daniel, for the length of 7 hours, and 69 well-lived years.
November 4, 2015
Sharing blog space with Caraway
I'm featured today on fellow writer Caraway Carter's blog.
Cool pen name he has, eh? And I love that he put my effort at writing a bio into the third person - it sounds much more official that way <3
Come check out my interview. Maybe tease me a bit for getting too serious after a long day at work :)
http://www.carawaycarter.com/kaje-har...
Cool pen name he has, eh? And I love that he put my effort at writing a bio into the third person - it sounds much more official that way <3
Come check out my interview. Maybe tease me a bit for getting too serious after a long day at work :)
http://www.carawaycarter.com/kaje-har...
October 22, 2015
GRL = fun, even for us introverts
I came back from the GayRomLit conference on Sunday night, but my intended blog post was pushed back when Audible released
Into Deep Waters
in audio book Monday <3Now that I'm done dancing around, celebrating my first audio release, I do want to write about GRL. Because it's an experience I look forward to, worry over, enjoy, hide from, and then miss acutely when it's over. Every year.
GRL bills itself as an annual retreat that brings together the people who create and celebrate M/M and LGBT romance. And it really is that - a celebration of the books and the authors and the readers, in one warm, fuzzy, huggy (sometimes over-huggy), open-hearted, book-filled weekend.
There are events better suited to learning about the craft of writing. There are probably events with more varied opportunities for readers and fans. But in its small size (capped at 400 attendees) and its M/M-lovers-we-are-family atmosphere, GRL is a great chance to find a renewed love for the genre.
This year, GRL was in San Diego - that picture up top was the view from my hotel room. Leaving Minnesota's near-freezing October, it was lovely and warm landing in San Diego. And then not so lovely, humid and hot. I sat in the shuttle waiting for other passengers to go to the hotel, and thought, "Please don't let my swag melt!!" I'd brought chocolates with my covers on the wrappers, and hadn't planned on the half hour wait in the heat.
Luckily they were fine, and after a little time in the hotel room with AC, I was too. The rest of the weekend was more temperate, with beaches and palm trees.One of the things that makes GRL a bit unique is that there is really no separation between authors and readers. The person sitting next to you in a talk might just be Jordan Castillo Price. The guy buying a book at the next table could be Brandon Witt (who also might be the guy wearing the flamingo hat on his head at the dinner on the beach.) We authors are all readers too, and at GRL we swap roles at a moment's notice.
One hour, I'm asking questions of the three writers up front of the room in their Q&A panel. The next hour, Amy Lane is asking me in my Q&A why I upped the angst and shot some beloved character in the head. (To which my lovely moderator Kris Jacen's immediate response was, "Amy, you killed the horse!") My panel happened to be opposite Mary Calmes and Andrew Grey's spotlight, so we had a small but very select audience. (Thanks for the great questions, Amy!)
And then a couple of days later I'm back in the audience, as Amy explains, to the delight of all us reader-nerds, how heroic tropes play out in M/M, and the difference between the British and American Romantic Hero. (Briefly, she pointed out that the American hero is more likely to be willing to act outside the law, to put the people and causes he loves ahead of any social constraints or force of law. He'll go rogue, for a cause.) She asked if she was getting too far into analysis, and was met with a resounding vote of approval. I loved hearing someone who writes sexy guys that make me cry, discussing English literature. There is always a lot going on even when sessions aren't in progress, but much of it is informal - people meet up with glad cries, and head off to discussions, Cards Against Humanity games, trips to watch whales or to gay bars. For someone who's as introverted as I am, those are the times I head to my room for some solitary downtime. Even more so this year, since extrovert friends whose coat-tails I hoped to cling to had to cancel out. Going alone is fine - you will meet and make friends. But going with a friend is no doubt even better. Next year, Jonathan, Edmond, Sammy...
I met some wonderful people whom I know online, from Cody Kennedy (amazing guy with a huge heart, especially for teenagers in need), to Christy Duke (whose picture of Hans I borrowed below), to Caraway Carter (who does give the best hugs and is way taller than I thought), and many more. I received unexpected, thoughtful gifts, some handmade, all sweet, that I hope I expressed enough thanks for. I found new authors to check out, and added way too many books to my TBR list. I played Bunco, and Gay Romance Trope pictionary, and actually won. (Thanks to author Atom Yang.) So many great moments.
There's usually a costume party, given the closeness to Halloween, and our fondness for dressing up. Every year the costumes are
awesome
. The picture is of author Hans Hirschi, as Her Majesty the Queen. With an entrance to the strains of God Save the Queen, gowned, gloved, and tiaraed, Hans was the very model of regal splendor.There were many Marvel characters (exposing my ignorance of popular culture - I needed K-lee Klein to set me straight on who was who.) Spice Girls and pin-up girls, superheroes and villains, (and may I say many people, men and women, wore those spike heels, or leather and grenades, way better than I ever could.) And so many other imaginative choices. (How long did it take the gentleman in leather to shower all the glitter out of his lovely blond furriness? Good thing he had his guy to help him with that...)
It was hard to leave. There were people I meant to talk to, and kept missing all weekend. Next year in Kansas City, I hope to have another chance. ...
As lovely as it all was, I did come home to something Minnesota does better than San Diego - my family, dog, kitten, and glorious Autumn in the land of four seasons.
