Kayla Jameth's Blog, page 17

Free Read on the Breathless Press Website

[image error] This is the photo that inspired Johnny Mile's "Learning to Samba" and my short story "Morning Star." "Morning Star" is based on something that my friend Mark once told me he had done. The basic premise really happened, but I had to fill in the details. Mark was just a little bit sketchy on those details--something about "fucking him through the floor."

I told him it would make a great story and if he didn't write it I would. As you can see, I did follow through on that threat. I've been working on expanding it off and on while working on other projects. One day I would like to see Mark's story completed. In the meantime, the short story is very erotic and I hope you enjoy it.

Now my m/m story is up on the Breathless Press website as a free read.
http://www.breathlesspress.com/mornin...

Cover Art for Alexios' Fate

My new book cover is stunning. The cover artist put a lot of effort into making something that I just love.

She came up with a nice selection of young men and worked with me to get just the perfect mature man for King Lykos.

The men of "Alexios' Fate" from left to right:
  Αλεξιος - Alexios
 Γαληνος - Galen
Λυκος, - Lykos
Απολλων - Apollo

Blurb: What do you do when you catch the eye of one of the immortals? Alexios would have cheerfully gone the rest of his life without knowing the answer; however, through no fault of his own, Apollo takes a shine to Alexios. Will it end any better for Alexios than it has for any of Apollo's other lovers?

"Alexios' Fate" has just begun the first round of edits and is tentatively scheduled for release March 16, 2012 by Breathless Press.

An unedited excerpt can be found on my excerpt page.

Next Step

[image error] I sent "Alexios' Fate" off to the editor yesterday. I made some minor requested changes before the true editing process begins. Now my imagination has the opportunity to run wild. What are they going to like? What are they going to want me to change? The story is true to the time period, but will those truths be something our current time frame can understand and encompass? I used archaic language and terms because that is what Alexios knows. I'm pretty sure I kept anachronistic elements out of the story, but will they want them added to make it more familiar to the audience?

I'm pretty sure that won't be the case, but it's one of the things gnawing at the back of my mind. I'm such a stickler about accuracy, I would die of embarrassment, if I didn't get my facts straight.

Now I just wait for the next round of edits.

A Conversation with Gavin Atlas

A Conversation with Gavin AtlasGuy Smiley:  Hi Gavin.  Why not start with a short bio? Gavin: Hi, imaginary Guy.  I'm a short story writer, mostly of gay erotica.  My book, The Boy Can't Help It , is a collection of fourteen of my stories from Lethe Press.  I'm also a publicist for Excessica Publishing, and I sometimes edit for publishers and beta read although I'm slow with that because of ADD.   Also, I'm a descendant of a wizard, and I'm mostly not kidding. 
Guy Smiley: Can you tell us about recent or upcoming releases?  Gavin: I have three stories due out within the next six months.  "Pink Cowboy Hat" will be in Neil Plakcy's anthology, Model Men (Cleis Press).  For that I had a Ferris Bueller-like college senior charm his way into the life of a sweet-natured male model.   There's "Fair Trade" which will be in Melt in Your Mouth (Lethe Press), an anthology from C.B. Potts,  coming out in 2012.  That anthology's theme is "chocolate, boys, and bed".  For "Fair Trade" it was lucky I'd been to a cocoa plantation in Tobago since that helped me form the story.  Then there is a story called "Engine of Repression" which will be in Jerry Wheeler's Riding the Rails (Bold Strokes Books).  As far as writing, I think that's my best story so far.  I'm hoping readers still find it hot, though. 
Guy Smiley:  How do reader reactions affect you and how do they affect your writing?  Has negative criticism (or positive criticism, for that matter) stopped you from writing certain stories?Gavin:  Negative criticism has made me examine how dark I write and from what point of view.  In the past I found readers don't always view some acts as consensual when I intended them to be.  Now if I write "dub con" work I'm probably going to write it from the bottom's POV.  Overall, constructive negative criticism is useful, although I have to remember most of the time, reviews aren't meant for authors so much as for other readers.  Positive criticism can pull me in different directions because I like pleasing everyone.  One person told me readers find realistic stories hotter because they can imagine them happening to themselves.  Therefore he wants me to steer away from sci fi scenarios.  Another reader preferred sci fi scenarios because they allow for more sex and wilder sex than is possible in real life.  So it's not easy to know what to do.
Guy Smiley:  You've said frequently you want to publish in other genres.  Why isn't  erotica enough?Gavin:  A friend of mine said, "it's the fundamental nature of a writer to want to put a book in someone's hands and say 'I wrote that,'" and even though I have a print book, more than 75% of the time I can't do that because it's erotica.  I would like to talk about writing with family and friends, and it's usually not possible.  What's worse, from my upbringing I've internalized discomfort with sex and sex writing, so sometimes it might be good for me to write something else.   What helps me, however, is "The Best Friend Technique" where you imagine what's bothering you happened to your best friend instead.  So say my best friend is named Porthos, and he's feeling like a bad guy for his erotica career.   I'd probably say "Porthos, you're not bad because you're writing erotica, even if it's not loving, monogamous erotica.  You're not writing about serial killers skinning people alive or making movies where every summer scores of teenagers go to Camp Crystal Lake to be mutilated on screen.  Nobody says those writers are bad people, right?  You're not either." 
Guy Smiley:  If you did choose other genres, which would you explore?  Gavin:  Many of my ideas are erotic, and if I have anything important to say about the human condition, it will likely be about sexuality.  So I don't think I'm ever going to stop writing erotica, although perhaps I'll write more fiction with explicit content that's not really meant to arouse.  I wouldn't consider that erotica.   One genre I wish I could publish in is humor, but humor is nearly impossible to break into unless you're already famous for something else, like a TV show or a newspaper column.  Also, if you look at some of the most popular humor writing such as David Sedaris, nearly none of it is fiction.  Also, humor is so subjective.  Who says I'm funny besides my mom? (::cue crickets::)   
Guy Smiley:  Why not just write novels that are considered mainstream or literary, but happen to be funny? Gavin:  My ADD is fairly bad and getting worse (Yes, I know.  I should not be on the internet, but here I am.)  Also, bipolar lows make it difficult to complete any project, let alone a lengthy one.  I will keep trying though.  It may not happen, but writing a novel is a top goal.   Once at a conference, I was told by an agent that she'd heard the story I wrote for Wired Hard 4 was very good, and she wanted to know if I had any novels.  I wish I could have told her yes. 
Guy Smiley:  What do you think is the secret to making sex scenes hot? Gavin:  I'm not sure I always succeed at that, but I follow the advice of author Emma Holly.  There should always be tension in the sex scene.   You don't want to have the sex scene occur after the story is over because if the conflict is resolved, continuing to read is less compelling even if the sex is good.  That's probably not that hard to do in a thriller or a mystery where the characters lives could be in danger, but I tend to want conflict over the sex itself.   I'm usually not a fan of using cheating as a device, but other kinds of indecent proposals can be fun as long as we know the somewhat coerced party is very much turned on.  I find reluctance and the inability to resist temptation to be hot components.  I think for something closer to romance, a longer chase with building lust and a growing friendship would result in a bigger payoff.  
Guy Smiley:  What aspects of your writing, if any, have improved the most since you started writing and publishing erotica?Gavin:  I think my ability to describe physical and emotional detail.  I have an author friend, Madeleine Drake, who does a lot of beta reading for me, and she's showed me how giving physical details – curling toes or the pleasant thrum of endorphins in your gut after you've come – makes the scene much more tangible to the reader. 
Guy Smiley:  What's the most recent book you've read that you recommend?   What's next on your reading list?  Gavin:  The ADD means I read little, but I really enjoyed The Cranberry Hush by Ben Monopoli and last fall I read The Silver Hearted by David McConnell.  The first book is light while the second is rich with evocative language and imagery, but they both do a wonderful job with human relationships.  I continue to be amazed with The Silver Hearted.  It's the kind of book that makes me wish I could be a graduate student and write a dissertation on it.  What's next?  I'm looking forward to Detours by Jeffrey Ricker and Holy Rollers by Rob Byrnes as well as a re-release from D.V. Sadero called Revolt of the Naked.  That book was originally published in the 1990s and was so popular that used copies were going for $200.  I imagine now that it's available at a non-larcenous price it will be flying off shelves. 
Guy Smiley:  Okay, it hasn't escaped my attention that you mentioned you were descended from a wizard and failed to elaborate.  Are you planning on getting around to that?  Gavin:  Every time I tell this story my dad says I get parts of it wrong, but here goes.  We're descended from a nobleman-slash-religious figure (I'm not giving his name to avoid family members finding this interview) who was an advisor to a pretty powerful king in India in the late 1700s and early 1800s.  His "acts" that he's known for are attributed to him being a "holy man" instead of a wizard, but according to legend, a river miraculously obeyed his command not to flood the king's capital and his "magic purse" was never empty of coins.  Anyhow, if I have any wizard powers I certainly don't know about them, but it's fun to say, "Hey, I'm part wizard."
Guy:  Finally, The Barbara Walters question – if you could be a tree, what kind of tree would you be?Gavin:  Honestly, Guy, you're a total nut, but to answer your question, I'd want to be a palm tree, I think.  People who live in non-palm tree areas usually associate palm trees with vacations, relaxation, tranquility, and happiness.  I like the idea of giving people happiness.  So that's what I'd like to be. :)      Gavin has a website at gavinatlas.com .

I'll See You in NOLA for the GayRomLit Retreat

In just three more days I will be waking up, getting the kids off to school and then driving to NOLA for GayRomLit. I've confirmed my reservations, printed out the directions and now all I have to do is pack a few items and hit the road Thursday morning. A six hour drive and I'll be there.
This year I am going as a reader because I had registered for the retreat before my first story was spoken for. Maybe next year I will be one of the authors. But either way I'll have a great time. I'm looking forward to meeting some of my Facebook friends and some of my favorite authors.
Hope to see everyone there!

Another Mile Stone

[image error] I just returned my very first cover art questionnaire. I answered all the questions and added numerous photos of what I wanted each character to look like.

I want Alexios to look like Theo over there. Nicely toned bronze body with dark hair and eyes. Greeks... Gotta love 'em! The other youth in my story, Galen, should look similar.


This is how I envision King Lykos. A mature man who has proven himself in battle as well as statesmanship. The kind of man that inspires other men to follow him. The kind of man that a youth might choose as his mentor.

He's a forceful, take charge kind of guy. A confidant man who knows exactly who he is and how to get what he wants. And what he wants is Alexios.

Picture him with dark hair with streaks of silver at the temples, in his beard and chest hair. I can hear at least one, and probably both, of my beta readers swooning.







And this is the Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, prophecy, healing, and the arts. He is typically depicted as a beardless youth and a blond at that. He is the final "man" in Alexios' story, if one could call one of the immortals a man.

Apollo has also taken an interest in Alexios and intends to have Alexios pay him homage. As a deity, he has taken mortals as lovers before; however, his male lovers usually come to a bad end.

If "Alexios' Fate" were yaoi, it would be classified as harem. Alexios has several men courting him after their own fashion. Each of his lovers comes from different circumstances. Apollo is a god, Lykos a king and Galen a slave. Who will Alexios give his heart to?

Defining Gay Romance, Porn Fiction, and Gay Erotica

 Hi, this is Gavin Atlas, and Kayla is allowing me to respond to her post about m/m romance vs. gay romance as well as some of the great comments she got on that post.  How I view this may not clear anything up, but here goes.
First, why bother?  Here's why: Defining genres and sub-genres is done to help readers find books they'd like while helping them avoid what they wouldn't.  This usually generates sales.  One of the publishers I write for, Excessica, tells the readers if a story will have an HEA, HFN, or ambiguous ending with the intention of limiting disappointment as much as possible.  Not that it always works, but it appears that both reviewers and general readers appreciate the tactic.  
DC Juris commented on Kayla's post that m/m romance and gay romance are more alike than not.  I agree.  Although I'm not a publisher nor am I someone generally considered a romance writer,  from my training as an editor, publicist, and reviewer I can say that in publishing, to truly be a romance, there pretty much has to be a Happily Ever After ending—otherwise I suspect most (but not all) publishers would say it's not truly a romance.  Also, getting to that HEA is the primary conflict or goal of the story, not a subplot.  So no matter what subcategory of romance your story is placed in, I imagine the same bulwarks of the genre will have to be present. 
What Kayla noticed is that some readers are going to want to see gay relationships that are solidly built over time and portrayed as monogamous, and she labeled that as M/M romance.  Okay, sure. Why not?  I think that label would be helpful (or so I imagine) and if it's decided that "gay romance" is a story that still has an HEA ending but is more open to a variety of sexual situations, possibly more explicit on average, and less concerned with monogamy, then okay— that will help some readers find what they want or know what they want to avoid which, again, is probably the whole point of worrying over what belongs where.  
By the way, I don't want to ignore the fact that for some, terms like "M/M erotica" or "Gay erotica" carry some socio-political connotations when I don't think that was ever the intention.  What I'm imagining (and have heard) is that the term "M/M" denies the gay identity and is therefore inherently homophobic because it represents what the majority wants us to be like instead of what we are.  I've also heard the counter argument that "M/M" encompasses a much wider array of identities and is actually more inclusive than exclusory.  That sounds more plausible to me.   Personally, I have to say "Really?  Women (and men) who write about loving relationships between men and calling it 'M/M romance' are being insensitive and insulting?"  I can't say the negative attitude towards the term "M/M" is 100% wrong, but if there is any truth that M/M romance is somehow bad for gay men, I haven't seen it.  So for argument's sake, let's say both terms are positive ones and can be useful to readers, writers, and authors. 
Defining genres sharply is never going to be a perfect system, especially for erotica authors and readers and, nearly to the same degree, for writers and readers of non-erotic romance.  As the internet shrinks the divide between author and reader, it's become clear to writers that "squicks" and turn-ons are so individualized that what one person considers wonderful erotic romance is another person's DNF trash.  Because a squick is usually such a strong gut reaction, readers are probably going to have more interest in avoiding something they don't want to read in erotic fiction than, say, a cozy mystery or historical fiction.   So erotica authors have more landmines to navigate than writers in many other genres.  
This brings me to where D.C. Juris referred to sex writing where there is no romance "required, implied, or expected" as "Stroke Fiction".  I'm going to call that "porn," but it might also be called "erotica" or "literary erotica."  Here's why:  
I think it was author Lars Eighner who said something like the following:  "The goal of pretty much any other genre of fiction is to tell a story.  The goal of porn is to arouse the reader." I think the difference between porn and erotica is that in erotica, you have to both tell a story and arouse the reader. 
Meanwhile, I think publisher Steve Berman once said that with literary fiction, the author is trying to "either enlighten the reader or move the reader emotionally" so for literary erotica, it would make sense if that meant the author needs to either enlighten the reader or move the reader emotionally as well as tell a story as well as arouse the reader.  (By the way, I agree with Erastes in her comment that the definition of "literature" keeps changing, and it can mean different things to everyone who uses the word.)
Here's another asterisked observation:  I can really only speak as a short story writer, and I think the majority of readers would agree that for a romance to be successful, the relationship has to develop over time which means the author will want to show the connection grow steadily (or not so steadily) in a longer format like a novella or novel instead of a short story.  Meanwhile, porn stories are often brief encounters and, in my opinion, are more suited to short fiction instead of a novel.  
So there you have it:  "Porn," "Erotica," and "Literary Erotica" defined to the best of my ability with an attempt at how authors or publishers might divide "M/M romance" and "Gay romance" to guide readers toward what they want.  But wait, there's more…
I suspect the main difference between who reads and writes "erotic romance" and who reads and writes "porn" may change, and here's why:  Magazines like Honcho, Mandate, and Torso used to be some of primary sources of gay porn fiction, and their customers were probably more interested in the photos than the fiction.  Though there were some all-story magazines, in general, these markets usually wanted stories shorter than 3000 words and got to the sex before 1000 words.  Yep. The goal was to arouse the reader and get him aroused quickly before he went back to the photos of "Falcon Video's New Bottom Discovery".   
Now I only wrote one story for the magazines before they began to shut down, and writers younger than me are going to have even less reason to write for readers who are mostly interested in naked pictures and want hot encounters instead of complete story arcs. While Advocate Men and Freshmen still want fiction, most readers and writers who want gay "porn stories" or "erotica" will now go to anthologies from editors like Neil Plakcy, Shane Allison, Jerry Wheeler, Richard Labonte, Cecilia Tan, Fred Towers, and so forth. (These editors and others are developing niches so you'll know which ones to pick up if you want something more romantic, something more raw, something more experimental, something speculative, etc.)  Because there's really no visual stimulus except for the cover photo, these readers must have picked up the book for verbal stimulation, right?  Thus, readers are going to be much more interested in getting an actual story and, I bet, more and more writers are going to be adapting.   It may not be romantic, it may not end happily, but I suspect with greater frequency you'll be finding developed characters and a complete story arc for them.  And I bet nine times out of ten that will make what's hot much hotter.
Catch up with Gavin on Facebook or at gavinatlas.com. 

M/M Romance or Gay Literature: What's the Big Deal?

[image error] What's the big deal any way? They are just two different names for the same thing, aren't they?

A resounding "No!" will be your response from the readers of gay fiction. While readers and authors of m/m romances often mistakenly use the terms interchangeably. Only the gay lit reader or author seems to know there is a difference.

And this is where the trouble begins. Gay literature enthusiasts are looking for a specific genre. They aren't interested in sweet little HEA stories. They want something that reflects the reality of their lives and don't care to read something they feel is an artificial construct catering to the sensibilities of a female audience. These readers can be very vocal in their criticism of m/m romance. Not to be outdone, m/m readers can likewise be critical of a perceived romance that isn't very romantic.

Gay literature is rarely romantic. It tends to be edgier, raw. The protagonists are men looking for a hook up. Sometimes it turns into more, but that is not a prerequisite. Sex does not equal love in this genre. Word choices are also very different. Words and phrases get used that would never find their way into m/m fiction.

It all comes down to expectations. The reader was expecting one genre and got the other. The gay lit reader knows what he wants, but a m/m story has been incorrectly labeled as a gay romance or thriller, etc. The m/m reader thinks gay lit is just another term for m/m romance.

And the flame war is on. Women are ruining gay lit. Men think they are the only ones who should write anything m/m. Why are are things drawn along gender lines? Because each gender has different expectations, wants and needs. That is not to say that members from each group can't cross the line in the sand or on the paper.

I know men who read and write m/m fiction. I know women who prefer to read gay lit, but can rarely write it themselves. I know authors whose pen names are different genders depending on what they are writing. It's all in the perception.

Readers and writers alike would be happier, if everyone understood the difference in the genres. Just a look at some of the reviews on Goodreads should convince people of this. Reviewers who say, "I would have given this a higher rating, but..." Either the story was an unrealistic portrayal of men, or it was just sex without any redeeming qualities, ie romance.

I am an author of m/m fiction. I will likely never be in a position where I can claim to be an author of gay lit. So you gentleman who like a nice romance are more than welcome to read my stories. For the men who prefer gay lit, I welcome your input, but I won't be offended if you don't care for my fluffy sweet little bit of fantasy. I am capable of writing edgier stories, but my female audience wanted more dialog and felt that I was being crude. One of my male readers asked if I had been a man in a previous life.

However you will never find the shy blushing virgin in any of my stories and no one ruins the afterglow by going to get a wet washcloth only to lob it back to the bathroom where it makes an unglamorous splat. I don't know any men who do that in real life. Roll over and go to sleep? Decide they must eat something right this second? Yes, but none of them were ever the fastidious prissy type. So ladies, don't expect the men in m/m to act in a fashion that your own man won't.

It's all in the perceptions and expectations of your audience. We as writers should remember this and not confuse the reader with the incorrect label for our works.

Steaming It Up With Steampunk

About a year ago, I published my first Dreamspinner Press story – an erotic steampunk set in a modern day "old west" where men are men and steam is steam.

I've been fascinated with steampunk for as long as I can remember.  I didn't always call it by this name, but it's been around in some form or another for many years.  I love not only the historical aspect, but also the super sexy outfits!  It is a perfect genre in which to set an erotic romance.
Officially, steampunk is s a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternative history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s that involves a setting where steam power is still widely used.  (There are many resources for steampunk – I pulled this definition from Wikipedia).  Although many steampunk stories are set in Victorian England, or similar setting, my story is set in an alternate western reality.
THE OUTLAW tells the story a Damian Junter – a Bringer who works for the Eastern Aristocracy.  Damian's job is to bring the guilty to justice.  He is judge, jury, and executioner for those accused of violating crimes against the East.  Damian's mission takes him to the farthest reaches of the West.  In Terra Noir, Damian discovers much more than he bargained for – the man he is sent to kill, Kell Laughlin, is innocent.  Kell also stirs passions in Damian he has tried a lifetime to avoid – sexual feelings forbidden in the East.
Here's an excerpt: The steel beast floated just above the wooden tracks.
When the engine started, it sounded more like the bellow of a monster than the hiss of steam. The hull of the beast was coated with a three-inch layer of dark gray soot and had long ago lost its luster, the once-brilliant shade of red now completely obscured. Black windows kept onlookers from seeing who was riding the locomotive, no view from within or without.
That suited Damian Junter just fine.
"Are you coming aboard, sir?" The shrill voice of the conductor was enough to make Damian's skin crawl. It seemed to Damian as if the conductor was trying to burrow straight through his Italian leather trench coat with those beady eyes. He eyed Damian suspiciously in an attempt to figure out Damian's past, present, and future—all in a single glance.
Apparently the conductor had never seen a Bringer before. If he had, he wouldn't be so skeptical of the hulking man boarding the train. Compared to the thin and lanky conductor, Damian was Herculean. Ripped in hard muscle from head to toe, Damian was a force to be reckoned with to anyone unlucky enough to be placed on his hit list.
The black leather, itself coated in a black dust similar to the soot coating the train, strained over Damian's broad chest. His massive forearms bulged from beneath the tight sleeves, undulating with each movement he made. His thick thighs threatened to burst from the skin-tight pants.
"Yes." He handed the scrawny man his ticket.
"Traveling far?" the conductor asked.
"Yes." Damian was going to the outermost reaches of the west, to the Pacific coast, farther than he'd ever traveled. But he only gave single-word answers to strangers. It was better that way. The less they knew about his travels, the safer they'd be.
The conductor looked disgruntled by the lack of information but let Damian pass. With a paying fare, there wasn't much the man could do. Refusing him passage would be tantamount to theft. Not that Bringers punished average eastern folks, even if they violated the law.
A Bringer's purpose was far loftier.
Damian climbed aboard the steel ship. If he were wearing anything but black, the soot would have left a permanent mark. But black hid everything.
And not just dirt. Even though Damian's clothes were stretched over his massive frame, they nevertheless obscured the weapons fastened to his thighs and ankles. Most Bringers hid the tools of their trade in their luggage when they traveled. Not Damian. He was too brash, too confident for that.
Damian was not like most Bringers. He considered himself to be the Bringer. The best.
Damian had exacted more justice and taken down more outlaws in his time on the force than all other Bringers. Combined. He'd been on the front line since he was old enough to hold a gun straight and fire.
How long had it been? Two decades? Three? He'd lost track. Days melted into months that melted into years. One job after another. Bringing justice to the world, one outlaw at a time.
Being a Bringer was a job Damian loved. Hell, he cherished it. In Damian's eyes, he did more for the country than any of the politicians of the east. Officials passed laws, spoke on boxes, made promises. But Damian made the world a safer place. Only justice could do that.
And Damian relished bringing justice.
He moved quickly down the row of seats. His long, black trench coat whipped the sides of his legs with each step he took. His knee-length, metal-heeled leather boots clinked against the steel floor of the train. Passengers, already seated and ready for the beast to fly, looked toward him with fear in their eyes.
Unlike the conductor, these people knew a Bringer when they saw one. Even men who'd never made a mistake in their lives feared Bringers. They'd quake in their polished, patent leather shoes and wet themselves at the slightest hint that a Bringer might be coming their way.
The aura of dread that accompanied the presence of a Bringer was one of the key elements of their success. No one dared disobey the ones who doled out justice, lest they find themselves on the wrong end of a Bringer's gun.
The metal monster roared to life, and spires of dark gray steam billowed through the air. Damian's body lurched when the engine jutted forward. He grabbed the side of one of the seats to keep from falling over.
The woman next to him gasped and looked at him with her big, blue eyes. "Pardon me, my dear sir."
"Sorry, ma'am." He tilted his leather Stetson in her direction. He might be able to make a grown man cry, but Damian was still a gentleman.
She batted her eyes. "Would you like to join me?" The look of fear she'd shared with the other passengers just moments before melted away and was replaced by a look of lust.
Women always reacted to Damian that way. The combination of the panic he prompted and the power he exuded was more than the female mentality could withstand, especially when confronted with his ruggedly handsome good looks.
Every woman Damian had ever been with had commented on his long black hair and how they liked the way it smoothed over their skin when he fucked them. They would remark about his green eyes, often referring to their emerald appearance. They swooned over his muscular build.
Not that he cared. He'd never found a woman yet that caught his fancy. He fucked them, but he didn't much enjoy it.
"Thank you." He took the seat next to the window and stared at the countryside as it shifted slowly by. Dirty, black buildings gave way to green-grassed landscapes. The gray sky was replaced by blue. Soon, even the beauty of the eastern outlands would be gone, only brown rock and dirt in its place.
The metal beast glided easily over the rugged land, guided by the rails several feet below the unnecessary wheels. But the train did not move quickly enough for Damian's tastes. He wanted nothing more than to get to the badlands and start his next assignment. The urge to bring justice was nearly overwhelming. He cursed under his breath.
One of the most common comments I received from readers is that they'd wished THE OUTLAW was longer – that the Damian's and Kell's story and their battle against the East had been more fully developed.I had always intended on THE OUTLAW  to be the first in a series.  It may have taken me a while, but I'm super excited to reveal that the second novella in the series will be released soon by Dreamspinner Press. 
Here is an unofficial blurb:After months of hiding out in the badlands of the west with his lover Kell, Damian finally returns to the Outlander stronghold of Terra Noir to plan a war against the east.  With the tide of pubic opinion turning against the corrupt Statesman Pauline, the Outlanders make the only move they can for peace – revolution. 
Although both sides are equipped with steam-powered mechanical beasts – only one side will prevail.  But more than a revolution against the Aristocracy is being fought.  Damian must battle his own demons too.  Damian must learn whether hot sex and battle are enough to keep him with Kell, forever.
I don't yet have a cover to share – but as soon as I do Kayla will be the first to know!
Mahalo to Kayla for having me.  Damian and Kell are my two favorite characters out of all that have come to visit me in my writing cave – I hope you enjoy them as much as me!
To learn more about the Bringer and the Outlaw, please visit my website:  www.rebeccaleighromance.com

My First Taste of Steampunk Was Hot

[image error] The very first steampunk I read was also the very first story I beta read, Rebecca Leigh's "The Outlaw." I wasn't sure what to expect, but her story was kind of like the Full Metal Alchemist meets the Wild, Wild West. You know, the fanfict slash stories where they put Roy and Edward together. Only there was no magic in Rebecca's story, unless you mean the magic between Damian and Kell.

This guy always reminds me of Rebecca's Damian. I think she says that he reminds her of Kell. Either way, one hot dude! Two hot dudes when Rebecca gets through with them. All worked up, hot and bothered...

"The Outlaw" is all about how these two hot blooded boys met. It covers what is obviously only the beginning of their story. I wanted more as I'm sure many others did as well.

And I must say that I was thrilled to be given the chance to beta read "The Revolutionary." Let me just say that these hot men continue to tear up the sheets, each other and anyone who stands in their way.

"The Revolutionary" is due to be released soon. I will update the release date as soon as I know what it is.