Kayla Jameth's Blog, page 12

The Next Big Thing

What is the working title of your book?Unfortunately, I don't have a title yet. I'm just calling it Apollo's Men #2 until inspiration hits.
Where did the idea come from for the book?The original idea for the series was sparked by a photo of a half-naked man chained to a rock. A Greek temple and a trireme were in the back ground, so it made era and local easy to choose.
What genre does your book fall under?Historical m/m erotic romance.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?I hate this question. I have no idea who the current crop of actors are, much less their names! I Googled "hot actors" the last time I had to answer this. And this is what I came up with. I don't know if anyone knows who these guys are.Alexios - a young Allu ArjunApollo - Freddie StomaI do know the last two, but I had to go find out what their names were.Galen - a young David Chokachi (I liked him in Witchblade, especially the nude scene.)Lykos - David Wenham from 300 (He was also Faramir in The Lord of the Rings.)
What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?Prince Alexios and his former slave, now lover, set off for Delphi to serve Apollo.
Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?When I finish it, I will sub it to Breathless Press where the first story in the series, Alexios' Fate, is available.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?I haven't finished this one yet, I've been working on other projects at the same time. It can take anywhere from a day to a month usually for me to write a first draft. But this one is taking longer because I had to stop and get two other stories edited and published at the same time.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?The only comparable story I know of is Aleksandr Voinov's Spoils of War.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?The photo I mentioned above.
What else about your book might interest the reader?The story takes place in ancient Greece during the 5th century BC. The world is exactly as Alexios believes it to be (eg the immortals and all their lesser brethren do exist). I am striving for a somewhat more modern take on Homer.
The following authors will be posting in The Next Big Thing series next week:Deanna Wadsworth at http://deannawadsworth.blogspot.com/
Rebecca Leigh at http://blog.rebeccaleighromance.com/
Tara Lain at http://taralain.blogspot.com/
Kharisma Rhayne at http://www.kharismarhayne.com/

New Project

My friend Gavin Atlas forwarded a submission call for historical m/m erotic romances. He said it looked like it was right up my alley.

So I decided to write an Alexios/Galen short story. It is titled "496 BC" in accordance with the anthology guidelines, and takes place between the end of Alexios' Fate and the sequel.

496 BC gives us Galen's point of view, something we haven't seen previously. Along with insights into his life as a freed slave.

AB Gayle suggested that I rewrite it strictly from Galen's POV. I've given that a try and will take scenes from that version and put them into a dual POV piece. Then I'm going to ask my beta readers which one is better. So I'm not even sure which one I'm going with yet.

The single POV story is a hauntingly bittersweet love story. I don't know what the other version will be yet, but I think it will be a little more sweet. I'll have a better idea once I finish it.

Cinder Takes Wing

I've finished my content editing and have sent Cinder and his prince off to the proof reader and then the line editor. My boy is all grown up and no longer in my hands.

That is always the strange part for me. It's like the first time you put your child on the school bus and realize that someone else has a say in their life now. And after they are finished with him, I have to turn him loose in the big wide world where I hope everyone is nice to him.

From the Ashes Cover

Mina Carter outdid herself on my new cover for From the Ashes. Henri is sexy, sensual. And Cinder? Cinder is exactly how I and his godmothers pictured him.

From the Ashes is a Cinderfella. A m/m Cinderella story. Cinder's grasping stepmother forced him into a dress when his father died a decade earlier. Since then he has been a servant in his father's house, known as Cinderella. But soon his stepmother will be unable to continue the charade. What will be his fate then?

Blurb:

Cinder never thought that he could rise from the ashes of his life, but an unexpected encounter with a woman claiming to be his fairy godmother may be just what he needs. Finding himself flung into his very own fairy tale, she sends him off to meet his Prince Charming. But was the gown really necessary?
Excerpt: Cinder glanced around. Paper lanterns floated in the trees, lined the walks, and graced the gazebo near the reflecting pool, giving the grounds a mystical air. Their warm glow caught the dancing jets of the fountain splashing merrily to his right. The musical, crystalline tones carried on the night wind’s breath. He was reminded of the enchanted gardens in the fairy tales his father had read to him when he was a child. What would happen to him if he dared walk there?
Henri led him toward the gazebo. Soon he would find out.
The cool breeze caressed his uncovered neck. Cinder shivered at the ethereal touch. Henri turned to him, the question clear in his eyes, but he didn't know how to answer. Instead he breathed in the tangible scent of rich earth and flowing water, hoping to calm his bounding heart.
Henri lightly stroked his arm. Cinder’s breath caught at the silky brush of the other man’s fingers. He drew another shaky breath. Henri may have meant to soothe him, instead his touch set Cinder’s wayward body aflame.
They left the last of the courtiers behind as they entered the dim interior of the fanciful pavilion. Vines climbed its intricately carved posts, perfuming the air within. The music and voices of the aristocrats faded away. Only a single intrepid nightingale could be heard over the cheerful babbling of the fountain. Hidden from the rest of the court, an unworldly sense of peace filled him. Was his very own fairy tale about to come true?
Bespelled and bemused, he could feel the magic in every beat of his heart, in every trembling breath he drew.
Once inside the bower, Henri reached to cup Cinder's cheek. Unused to being touched, he nearly flinched away but managed to still, heart pounding, before giving himself away. The older man's thumb slid across his cheekbone and came to rest lightly on his mouth. Why did he want to lean into that caress?
The other man's warm, slightly musky scent filled his nostrils, drowning his senses.
Henri's other hand wrapped around his waist and drew him close while tipping his face upwards. Cinder's breath left him in a rush, stirring the noble’s hair. Henri was all that he could see, his mouth slowly, carefully descending toward Cinder’s. If he allowed this, the other man might discover his deception. He couldn’t risk that, so why then did he ache to feel Henri’s kiss? Their lips brushed, light as thistle down.
Surprisingly, Henri's mouth was soft and warm upon his own. After a moment, Henri's pressed more firmly against his. Something fluttered in his chest, trying to get out.
Cinder didn't think to pull away until he felt Henri's tongue seeking entrance. The hand on his face slipped to his nape and held firm. He froze in shock, not even daring to breathe, as flames rushed through his body. The very beat of his heart betrayed him.
The questing tongue stroked his lips and pushed between them. It slid over his teeth, seeking to enter. When he protested, Henri's tongue swept in and began a lazy, sensuous exploration that left him breathless.
Soon he found himself stroking Henri's tongue with his own. Henri responded to his fledgling attempts by pulling him closer and moaning into his mouth. He had never experienced anything so deeply sensual and erotic. He fed his own needy pleas to the other man one at a time.
Finally they separated slightly, Cinder panting heavily, trying to catch his breath. Was Henri as affected by their kiss as he was? A quick glance confirmed Cinder was not alone in his arousal. Flushed and gasping, Henri gazed at him with eyes full of wonder and something unnamed smoldering in their depths.

Alexios' Fate on Shelfari

Alexios' Fate is now on Shelfari. I've added some information and background details, but I'd love to see everyone come and add their own thoughts and impressions to the page.

Shelfari is new to me, but appears to be Amazon.com's answer to Goodreads and Wikipedia combined. I'm interested to see how it works.

http://www.shelfari.com/books/28554780/Alexios-Fate-(Apollos-Men)

Writing for Kicks

I'm working on the second round of edits for From the Ashes. Cinder's story is coming along nicely and only needs a little polish before it's ready to go off to the proof reader. This is only the second time I've gone through this process and I still find it exciting. Am I weird that I enjoy editing? Probably...

Once I'm done with this round of edits, it's back to the second story in the Apollo's Men series. I'm still working on some court intrigue and maybe death and mayhem. And if I manage it, an erotic short story that takes place between books 1 and 2.

Too bad I can't quit the day job so I can focus on my writing. Not really. I do enjoy my day job. Writing is my entertainment, my creative outlet. Something I do for fun.

Review of Alexios' Fate

I just found this wonderful review of Alexios' Fate on Goodreads.

"The author has done a great job of recreating that time, using just enough imagery to make you feel you are indeed back in that age without being overwhelmed. What's more I have it on good authority that the facts are correct.

The sex scenes are hot and fall naturally into the story line. The plot is good. All in all, I found it a very enjoyable read and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys m/m."

The rest of the review can be found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/348104217

Breathless Press Birthday Bash

This month is Breathless Press' third birthday. BP is celebrating with a collection of free stories. My Morning Star is one of the m/m erotic stories.

They have also discounted everything 30% for the event.

Be sure to check out my other m/m erotic romances: Legends and Alexios' Fate.

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=71

Morning Star Is Available for Free Download

This month Breathless Press celebrates their third birthday. To celebrate this, I and several other Breathless Press authors have written free stories as thank you gifts to our readers.

My free m/m story, Morning Star, is now available for download at Breathless Press. If you enjoy hot m/m erotica, Morning Star should be exactly what you are looking for.

Blurb: What would you do if you met Adonis?
Mark spends one night with him and is never the same again.

Based on a true story about one unforgettable night, Morning Star is my tribute to my dear friend Mark.






Download your free copy:
http://www.breathlesspress.com/newcart/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&products_id=326

Cover for Morning Star

Next month, Breathless Press is releasing some free reads for their birthday celebration. My short story Morning Star will be one of those stories.

Morning Star was inspired by something that once happened to my friend Mark. He told me the basic story. I just filled in some of the details.

I had fun with some of the symbolism surrounding the morning star. More than one culture and multiple meanings of the phrase morning star are employed. See if you recognize them all.

Blurb: What would you do if you met Adonis? Mark spends one night with him and is never the same again.

Here is the cover. Anyone care to unwrap Adonis?