Cindy Sutherland's Blog, page 5

Wrapped up in Chains by Cindy Sutherland

Originally posted on Top 2 Bottom Reviews:

Title:

Wrapped Up in Chains





Author: Cindy Sutherland





Publisher: Dreamspinner Press





Pages: 250





Sub-Genre: BDSM, Contemporary





Kisses: 5










Blurb:

Devon and Chase were abused by the same Dom, James. Now a Dom himself, Devon rescues Chase. But James is still obsessed with Devon.

Devon West is a professional Dom who runs his own club, doesn’t believe in romance, and has never been in a long-term relationship. All this changes when he rescues Chase Mackenzie.

Chase is a runaway who has been kept as a slave since he was sixteen. Now twenty-three, he’s still innocent and sweet despite being severely abused and left behind by his Dom.

When Devon finds out that the man who held Chase hostage is the same man who hurt him terribly when he started learning about the sub/Dom lifestyle, he knows he has to keep Chase safe.

Spoiled rich boy and sociopath James Kingston is obsessed…

View original 312 more words

A few words from another writer in my family….

My 12-year-old daughter wrote this today. She says its how bullying makes her feel. It’s an assignment she wrote for school and I’m so damned proud I could smile and cry at the same time. I’m raising her to be kind, compassionate and understanding. She doesn’t put up with bigotry or intolerance and she will defend anyone whether she knows them or not. It scares me because it’s a scary world out there and I want to keep her safe, but I won’t stop her from being who she is. She’s going to attend pride with me this year and she’s so excited already. I can’t wait. The people in the poem are made up characters but the feelings are real and all hers.

Dear people who put me down,

I’m done listening to you clowns,

Done crying at night,

Done hoping for a little light.

What started out as ‘joking’ and ‘fun’,

Went downhill as quick as the sun,

You teased and taunted- I never as why,

It went darker then the night sky.

You’re words would cut, scratch and bruise,

You acted like it was as fun as a summer cruise,

But the waves turned rocky,

You got too cocky.

Diana Marie,

You would hurt me,

In more ways than one,

I bet you never thought I’d be done.

I know you will never change,

It’s like the sweetness you show to others is trapped in a cage,

Unlike me,

Who holds the key.

And then you pull in John,

You would con,

Make him as bitter as you,

Or maybe he would be just a cue.

Then it happened;

What started out as words,

“losers’ and ‘nerds’,

Quickly escalated,

And I contemplated.

Contemplated the Pro’s and Con’s,

Of telling someone,

Or fighting back,

Though it may only be a smack.

Then the emotional and mental cuts,

Became real and there was no ‘what’s’ or ‘buts’,

Because you still held onto,

The fake you.

You’re a monster in disguise,

Covered yourself in lies,

Nobody would believe me,

Said my lies was bigger than a tree,

But I know the real you,

The one where I would bruise,

Get accused,

Lose.

I never once did a thing,

Though it started last spring,

When the birds were chatting away,

And I was in the play.

That girl who loved to act,

She would even chat,

To the people backstage,

Since a young age,

Is now gone,

She doesn’t get to see dawn,

Broken beyond repair,

Trapped down in a lair,

I call my heart,

She used to love art,

Then BOOM!

You walked in the room,

Calling me out,

You would scream and shout,

The damage was mind blowing,

My self-esteem was lowering and lowering,

So dear people who put me down,

Make fun of my knowledge of nouns,

Make me feel bad about my last test score,

I bet I got more,

Than you,

You think this is cool?

If you only knew,

The things you put me through,

Would’ve changed me,

Killed me,

From the inside out,

And I have no doubt,

That these thoughts never cross your mind,

But you must be blind,

If you can’t see,

What you’ve done to me,

So today’s the day that I’m set free,

Because todays the day I stay me,

The day that I stand up,

The day I’ve had enough,

Sincerely,

The history nerds who remember the dates,

The science geeks going to NAIT,

The English losers who’ve read the book,

And the math people without the looks,

And from me,

Sandra Lee.

Monday morning of my big RELEASE WEEK…ramblings and a fic rec

You know, when I’m waiting for a novel to release, time somehow seems to speed up and slow down at the same time.

Once all the editing and cover making and all the other details are taken care of, I want it out as quickly as possible because I want everyone to see it and read it and love it!

But that’s also the problem. People are gonna see it and buy it (hopefully) and read it and what if the DON’T like it? The thought makes me tremble in my slippers and feel sick to my stomach. This is a little bit of my heart and soul that I’ve put down into words and the thought of people thinking it sucks is almost too much for my poor little writer self to bear. But then again that’s the nature of the writing beast. Write your little heart out and then put it out there for people to see, hoping they don’t trash you too badly.

My biggest bane of publishing is promoting. “What do you mean the book won’t sell itself?” Reminding myself that my name isn’t Stephen King or Danielle Steele, I am forced to accept that people will not buy my book just because my name is one the cover. Well, except maybe my family and friends. They probably will. (**waves** thanks guys)

So, promote I must. I post on Twitter and Facebook like crazy, tell pretty much every person I meet on the street about it and jump through all the hopes I can. One of the reasons I do my fic recs on here is to promote my fellow authors and hope that they will do the same for me. It’s good Karma and we can all us a little more than that. Besides, when I read something awesome, I feel like it’s my duty as a hardcore reader to share it with other people who might appreciate it.

On Friday I will be taking over the Dreamspinner Press Blog, talking about me and my novel and answering any questions that people might wanna ask. I hope someone actually shows up! You can check it out here if you’re interested: Dreamspinner Blog It’s my first time doing this so please bear with me as I probably make a fool out of myself. Oh and I will be giving away copies of Wrapped, so tune in to enter!

In other news, it’s finally nice enough for me to actually leave the house and get some exercise, so I’m starting up my routine again, walking at least three times a week and eating much better. I’m still waiting for the Snap Fitness to open and once it does, I will be getting by butt down there to join up. I have my starting weight recorded (nope, not sharing that) and I will go from there. Wish me luck!

So, now it’s time for a fic rec.

Something in the Way He Needs by C. Cardeno is a story about two men who’ve been looking for something and when they find it in each other, it seems like the least likely place for both of them. Asher is a man who needs routine and control and Daniel is the exact opposite, drifting he way through life. The attraction is instant and intense but being so different brings a lot of issues to overcome into their relationship. If they can get through them, it will be the best thing that could ever happen to either of them.

You can get it here at Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3599&cPath=55_376

And here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Something-Way-He-Needs-Family-ebook/dp/B00BKSTKFW/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394461387&sr=1-3&keywords=something+in+the+way+he+needs

And of course, as always you can find my stories here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Cindy%20Sutherland&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

And here at Dreamspinner, including the pre-order for Wrapped Up in Chains: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_454

Also, have another beautiful picture from my friend Ty! It’s kind of stormy but I love a good storm!

My world is still frozen and I have a big mouth….

Feb 24th…4 more days until the end of the most dreaded month, at least for those of us who don’t have the strange obsession with risking life and limb to slip around on pieces of fiberglass and wood in freezing temperatures. I’m much better at the whole “sitting by the fire with spiked hot chocolate while reading…or writing…or doing anything that doesn’t require being outside. But I have to be honest…I’m tired of being stuck in the house.

So, a few things to chat about today…the first one being Arizona and it’s attempts to put equality back 50 years. The legislators in this fine state have put forth a law that allows business owners to discriminate against the LGBT community based on religious beliefs. Well, doesn’t this just open a bucket of worms.

So, you think that gay couple is the very example of sin so you can show them out of your restaurant. Lesbians want you to provide the flowers for their wedding? How disgusting…kick them to the curb.

But wait how about this one…this woman wants to work for you but your precious religious beliefs tell you that women belong at home cooking and cleaning and serving their man (hello Pat Robertson) so you can refuse to hire her based on your religious beliefs.

Couldn’t happen you say? Well here’s the problem. The people who want to make laws based on religious beliefs have a tendency to forget that there is more than one kind of religion in the world and that each one comes with its own set of rules and regulations that their followers are supposed to adhere to. When you say that people can discriminate based on what their religion says that means ALL religions.

Maybe someone should start a religion that says legislators can only be allowed in public if they crawl. Lets see how they feel about being humiliated in public because someone’s god supposedly says it’s okay to treat them that way.

And before you get all upset and in my face, I’d like you to think about how you’d feel if you were forced to follow ALL the rules set out in the bible and not only adhere to the ones that you think are important.

Oh man, I’m running into dangerous territory here…let’s change the subject for now.

How about another topic completely relevant to me…reviews.

Once again over on Goodreads we have the case of a writer behaving badly. Someone wrote a bad review of their story and the author and their friends bullied the reviewer until she pulled her review.

Now, as a writer I know this is unacceptable behavior. Bullying in any form is just wrong and I don’t support it in any way. It’s totally a reviewers right to say whatever they want about something they read and the writer has to just sit back and take it. They put their stuff out there and once they do the work is public domain. Shut up and quit complaining because someone completely trashed something that you poured your heart and soul into creating. I know the rules and I follow them because I value what little writing career I have.

However, I do have one thing to say. I also write reviews and never once has it occurred to me to say something mean-spirited or personal about a story or it’s author, no matter how bad it is. I make sure to keep my comments and critiques to what’s written on the page (or my computer, whatever) and I try to be constructive instead of hurtful. I know that I probably hurt some people’s feelings when I don’t like their story but it’s never what I set out to do. I guess because I know how it feels to be on the other side of the review…

And maybe, just maybe, people writing reviews should remember that just because it’s their right to say what they want (and I’m definitely not arguing that) it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t stop and think about HOW they say it and why. I get lots of bad reviews and I know that I probably deserve a lot of the criticism I get. Writing never stops being a learning process and I’m the first to admit that I still have a lot to learn. But I will learn a lot more by being told how I can do things better rather than just being told it sucked.

Too often people get attention by being mean. They defend it by saying they are just “blunt and honest”. I’m a big fan of both bluntness and honesty, I just think that you can be both without being cruel.

Anyway, I’m not reccing anyone today. I’ve said a lot of things that will probably get me into trouble and I don’t want to bring wrath down on anyone’s head by association.

Oh, one last thing. The Olympics are over and Canada came home 25 medals richer. While I still don’t believe that Russia deserved to be hosting the best in the world, I supported the athletes from all over the world who participated and I am very proud of the way Canada’s athletes represented us!!!

February Blues…how I hate you and a few lovely stories to rec!

I hate February. It’s so dark and cold and for the shortest month, it seems to last forever. I always think…if I can just make it through, then hopefully the start of spring is on the other side.

This winter has been particularly blah for me because I got to used to going out walking last fall that being stuck in the house now is almost painful. But not as painful as the two falls I’ve already had on slippery sidewalks and so I am not even trying to venture out for some exercise. I’m entirely too large to be hitting the ground that fast and hard.

I’ve decided to join a gym. A real one. I belonged to Curves before but I suspect that I need a little more “push” than I was getting there and they are opening a Snap Fitness here in town. Now, if only I can manage to get a routine going that will help me without breaking me and please god, don’t let me die of embarrassment. My brother’s wonderful fiancée is going to join with me and maybe my mom too so at least I won’t be there all by myself all the time.

Now, on the writing front. I had to sign autographs yesterday…and it was weird. Dreamspinner sent me velum sheets to sign that will be put into the first 20 copies of the “Wrapped Up in Chains” paperback that will be going up for pre sale soon. They are doing the cover reveal today over on the Blog of Sid Love. Check it out later! https://www.facebook.com/groups/428135920611583/

I still can’t believe I’m gonna have a paperback…**giggles uncontrollably**…I can’t wait to hold it in my hand.

Also, yesterday my short Valentine story called “Breaking Cupid’s Curse” Went on sale at Torquere press so if you’re looking for something short, sweet and a little hot, check it out. It’s available on Amazon and at ARE as well.

My wolf-shifter WIP is coming along slowly but surely. I have a few people who have decided I need to be poked and prodded along a little more and so they are taking that task very seriously. And they’re right. Every time I get a case of “insecurity” I tend to fall off the writing wagon.

I’m now down to one job after 5 years of 7 days a week and I’m hoping the extra time will be beneficial to my writing. Also, I’m getting my first three-day weekend in 5 years this coming weekend…whatever shall I do?

And how about those Olympics! I’m glad to see Canada doing so well. I’m not watching the events and I think Putin should be kicked in the ass, but I totally support all the athletes that are competing!

I do think the other countries that are competing should be offended and insulted at how unfinished everything is. The situation seems to be uncomfortable at the least and downright dangerous in some cases. They’ve known for how many years that this happening? Maybe they should have put some of the police to work as laborers seeing as how they can be bothered to do police work…like stopping members of the LGTBQ community from being terrorized by so-called “vigilante” groups. And at least if they were working, they wouldn’t have time to arrest people for being gay.

Yes, I may be a tad bit angry and disgusted with the whole situation.

Anyway, now I have some recommendations that Mr. Putin would definitely not approve of.

My dear friend Ashavan Doyon has two very different stories he’s recently released.

The Colors of Romance is a short story from the Dreamspinner Valentine anthology. It’s sweet and romantic and I loved every word. If you’re looking for a smile, this is the story for you! You can get it here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4670&cPath=55_813

If you like to cry a little before getting your happy ending, I suggest “I Almost Let You”. It has angst galore and two men you will be desperate to see work things out. You can find it here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4549&cPath=55_813

Now, if you’re interested in my new release, “Breaking Cupid’s Curse”, then you can find it here: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96&products_id=4134

And as usual, it’s on Amazon along with all my other stories. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Cindy%20Sutherland&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

This is the link to my author’s page on Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_454

Keep watching for the pre-sale on “Wrapped Up in Chains” and also the Spanish translation of “All The Things I Didn’t See!”

Here is another picture from my friend Ty. It sure makes me wish it was summer!

Panic attack coming up! Plus, a little Olympic talk…and a fic rec

The closer I get to a release, the closer I get to losing my mind. All those little voices in my head (yes, there’s more than one, got a problem with that?) start to overwhelm me a bit.

The loudest one always says No one’s gonna like it!!!

Yes, I know it’s bullshit. No story of mine ever goes to the publisher without a couple of opinions at least and so I know they are very likable stories.

But with two coming so close together, I think the insecurity gods are working overtime to try and drive me nuttier (Yes, nuttier. I am well aware of my level of insanity and I’m completely comfortable with it.)

Meanwhile, I’m still working on my cover release for Wrapped Up in Chains and I think that will come at the beginning of February. I love it so much and can’t wait to share it with you.

Also coming in February is my Valentine short story Breaking Cupid’s Curse. It’s part of the Torquere Press anthology Conversation Hearts and I hope you all love Charlie and Beau as much as I do.

Also on my mind? The Olympics. They start February 6th in Sochi, Russia and I will be keeping one eye on the news. Have I suddenly become a sports fanatic? Nope! I do wish all the athletes well and hope they all have a stellar Olympic experience, but I have to admit I’m a little concerned. About what? There’s two things really.

The first is security. There have been some people who seem very determined to do as much damage as they can as close to the venues as possible and I’m worried about the safety of all the people who will be attending, athletes and spectators alike. I guess all we can do is hope that the Russian security forces can pull away from their persecution of the LGBT community long enough to keep everyone safe.

And therein lies my second concern. I’m curious as to what effect having the eyes of the world on them will have on those who are so bent on punishing anyone who even mentions the word rainbow.

The way I see it, it could go a couple of ways. They could decide to let up on the hatred and the public beatings…or it could have the opposite effect. The childish “I can do whatever I want and you can’t stop me” kind of attitude. It could make things a whole lot worse for a lot of innocent people.

I’m also curious to see what the people attending will do. I’m not sure how I feel about someone taking a stand in the middle of the Olympic stadium. I’d hate for anything to steal the spotlight from the athletes who have trained so long and hard and deserve every bit of attention and accolades they should be receiving.

On the other hand, is there a better time to make a statement than when the eyes of the entire world are focused on one place? The thought of letting the rainbow flag fly in any way shape or form in support of not only the Russian LGBT community but also the LGBT community in general has a little part of me hoping for something to happen.

Whatever happens, I hope that everyone has an amazing time and that everyone makes it home safe. Oh and “GO CANADA!!!“

And now for my fic rec.

I read and reviewed Fish and Ghosts by Rhys Ford and it was a marvelous story. I love a good haunting and mix in funny, hot and sweet men and I’m hooked. Tristan and Wolf are adorable together and throw in family drama and a ghost dog and you have a fantastic story that will run you through ever emotion there is!

Get it here at Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4522 or

Here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Ghosts-Rhys-Ford-ebook/dp/B00HLME45W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1390403632&sr=1-1&keywords=fish+and+ghosts

And please check out my books here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Cindy%20Sutherland&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

And here at Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_454

Also, I’m still dreaming about being someplace warmer and a lot less slippery! Take a look at this gorgeous sunset taken by my friend Anthony.

I’m always so busy but nothing ever gets done…with a fantastic fic rec.

So, Christmas has come and gone along with the new year. I didn’t make any resolutions because I believe that’s just setting yourself up to fail. I am trying to get back onto my healthy eating thing and once my dad’s knee has recovered enough, we will be going to pick up the treadmill my cousin Joanne has waiting for me so I can get some exercise. Thanks for your patience Joanne.

I thought about trying to go for walks in the snow, but to be honest, when it’s not too freakin cold, it’s too damned slippery. I’ve fallen twice this winter so far and messed up my shoulder a bit so I’m gonna keep my activities indoors until the weather is a bit more Cindy-friendly. I’d like to join a gym come March but since Curves closed, I’m a little intimidated about joining one of the other gyms in town. Fat chick working out beside the muscle bound guys and perky girls? Might sound motivating but mostly it’s just depressing…and a little scary. My self-esteem can only take so many catty remarks and disgusted looks before self-preservation and my big mouth kick in. We will see.

What else is going on? I’ve gotten through the first set of edits for Breaking Cupid’s Curse, which is coming from Torquere Press on February 12th as part of their Conversation Hearts Anthology. I’ve also done the first set of edits for Wrapped Up in Chains, approved the amazing cover the art department came up with and approved the blurb for the story. I’ll be having a big cover reveal thingy coming up when my lovely adviser from The Blog of Sid Love and I come up with a plan. Thanks Dani! I’m very, very happy with the cover and I’m excited to share it with you all. WUIC is coming from Dreamspinner Press in late March or Early April. Please don’t judge my shameless plug.

Let me tell you though, this whole editing more than one story at a time thing is very difficult and nerve-racking, especially as they are coming from two very different places in my head.

Throw my WIP into the mix and there are a lot of things going on in this head of mine. I’m hoping to make some changes in the near future that will mean I’m less tired and have more time to write where I’m not nodding off with my head on keyboard.

I’d promise to be less distracted by my social media in the future but you all know that just ain’t gonna happen. I’ve made some pretty awesome friends that I keep in contact with there and also, I follow some amazing people, some of who make me laugh on a regular basis, while others sometimes make me cry. Being house-bound because of the weather sucks but I do find a few places to get my kicks.

Other than that? I’m doing my reviews for the Blog of Sid Love and hey, getting free reads AND being able to voice my opinion? You all know that’s heaven for me!

And speaking of my opinion…I have an amazing fic rec for you. Christmas Kitsch by Amy Lane is a wonderful story full of characters you can’t help but fall in love with. The innocent and oblivious Rusty will steal your heart while Oliver and his love for Rusty will make you smile. You will want to wrap them both up in your arms and keep them safe from everyone who wants to hurt them. I had as many tears reading this as I did smiles, and sometimes I had both at the same time. Trust me when I tell you, if you’re feeling down, this is the book to bring you back up.

You can find it here at ARE: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-christmaskitsch-1370399-149.html

or here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Kitsch-Amy-Lane-ebook/dp/B00H6A52QO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1389065853&sr=1-1&keywords=christmas+kitsch

or here at Riptide Publishing: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/christmas-kitsch

And as usual, you can find me here at Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_454

And here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Cindy%20Sutherland&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

I’d also like to share this pic that a friend of mine took. I love it and when I look at it, I’m reminded that not every place is living in the deep-freeze like I am and that eventually, summer will come back.Thanks Ty!

Merry Christmas Baby!

Merry Christmas Baby

So, here it is, two days before Christmas and while my old Christmas fever isn’t quite what it used to be, I’m a little better than I have been in the last few years.

I finished going through the first edit of Wrapped Up in Chains and it actually kind of made me happy. I can see the mistakes I’m NOT making like I used to and the re-writes I had to do were minimal. And I also liked the fact that Brian, the editor, made comments about the things he liked instead of just pointing out my stupidity. (trust me, I know where I fall on that scale most days.)

Now I’m just waiting for the first edit for Breaking Cupid’s Curse. Good thing it’s shorter and won’t take as long to go through.

My WIP is coming along nicely, although it’s taking longer than I hoped. I think I need some more free time and I’m also thinking that after Christmas it might be time to consider giving up job #2. My house is a disaster and this 7 days a week thing is starting to wear me down. If I take on one more kid in my dayhome, that covers the money aspect and although I’ll miss getting out of the house on the weekends, I think that I need the break. We’ll see…

So, is everyone ready for the big day? My gifts are all bought. And some are even wrapped! I best get to the rest of them or I will find myself wrapping like crazy tomorrow night after we get home from my brothers. Hmmm, we are going there Christmas Day too…in our PJs. I wonder if he knows I’m expecting some sort of breakfast with bacon??? No, not really. With the big turkey dinner Christmas day, I’ll be happy with toast and lots of coffee.

I wonder if my almost-teen-age daughter will be up early on Christmas morning or if her hormones will have her trying to sleep till noon? I think I’ll enjoying getting her ass our of bed about 7am…just to bug her. I’m sure all her presents will make up for the indignity of having her blankets pulled off and the bells ringing in her ear!

And now comes my little reminder(steps up onto soapbox):

If you can, please remember the less fortunate this holiday season. There are so many people out there who have no one to spend their holiday with for whatever reason. If you know someone who’s going to be alone, why not set one more place at your table?

And there are many charitable organizations who can put any donation you make to good use. Of course, being me, I encourage you to donate to equality-friendly charities that recognize that EVERYONE who is in need deserves our help. I like to donate gifts for older kids because everyone what’s to give a child a toy, but some people forget that you don’t stop wanting presents just because you turned twelve.

And helping out someone in need is a gift you are giving yourself for Christmas. There is nothing that warms your heart and soul like giving someone a smile during the holidays.

(steps down off soapbox)

To all of my family, you know I love you more than anything. To my friends, old and new, I’m blessed to have you in my life. You are all on the top of my list of things I need to be happy in my life. Merry Christmas.

Now, I do have a fic rec of sorts. First of all, if you get a chance, pick up the Dreamspinner Christmas anthology for this year. The assortment of stories is an amazing collection of short story smiles. You can get it here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=62_981

Christmas Wish by BG Thomas is a story about getting what you didn’t know you wanted to for Christmas. Sometimes, the thing you want the most turns out to be a big disappointment and the gift you love the most is the one you never knew you wanted. This story is smart and funny and sexy and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a cure for the holiday blues.

Get it here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2101&cPath=56_65

And here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Wish-B-G-Thomas-ebook/dp/B004GEARTK/ref=sr_1_15?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1387816595&sr=1-15&keywords=Christmas+Wish

And of course, I’m here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Cindy%20Sutherland&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

And here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_454

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you all have the best possible holiday.

Cindy

It has recently come to my attention….and a fic rec…

I just figured out that I may possibly have too much to do. It might be something I should have figured out a while ago, but I’m always a little behind.

I’m working on my shifter story (yes, Steve, Jen, Mom, Ty, Deanna and anyone else who’s waiting) and it’s coming along nicely plus I have a fandom thing on the go. All other writing has been put on the back burner for the moment because I only have so much writing time to go around.

I also recently volunteered to do some book reviews for a review blog run by a couple of friends of mine. Reviewing a book required reading it and while it’s a hardship (I can’t even type that with a straight face) I’m really enjoying the process. I think trying to figure out what to say about a story is helping me with my descriptive skills. Knowing that you like or don’t like a story and explaining why to someone else is two totally different things and as a writer who knows what it’s like to get bad reviews, I struggle to be critical and constructive at the same time. Saying “this story sucked” doesn’t really explain to people what the problem is.

I also hope that the people who wrote the stories I’m reviewing remember that my opinion is just that; my opinion. They shouldn’t take it as gospel and I hope they remember the good reviews they get as well. I never set out to deliberately hurt someone’s feelings, but I know it’s probably happening and I am sorry about that. My advice to any writer is don’t take the reviews too seriously. You’ll drive yourself insane that way. Also, I’ll remember those death threats…kidding, just kidding.

Also coming up? Two stories that I’m going to be editing…at the same time. Breaking Cupid’s Curse will be appearing in the Conversation Hearts Valentine Anthology coming in February and Wrapped Up in Chains is coming from Dreamspinner Press in April. I’m preparing to feel extra stupid as the mistakes I made are pointed out to me by not one, but two editors whom I’m sure will be shaking their heads and questioning the decision to publish me. Plus there is a cover for Wrapped Up in Chains that I have to decide on and I’m hoping my handsome friend really will pose for it. I have a feeling those eyes of his will sell a lot of books for me.

Plus Christmas is coming. Tomorrow we will be celebrating early with my sister and her kids because they are off to Disneyworld on the 20th. I’m not jealous of the whole amusement park thing. Standing in line for hours and scary rides aren’t my thing. But as I look out the window at the sidewalks that need to be shoveled and the weather forecast that doesn’t seem to get up over -15c, I am a little jealous of the warmer weather they are going to be enjoying. I know my oldest niece is totally looking forward to wearing a bikini in December.

Christmas is going to be quiet around here this year as all the family and long-time family friends who celebrate with us Christmas Eve are off with other parts of their family this year. My girl is going to be the only grandchild who will there for Christmas dinner and she’s planning on going to Uncle Steve’s in her pajamas Christmas morning so her and Aunty Jen can have a relaxing sort of day.

So, that’s what’s going on with me. And that’s not even all the stuff with my two jobs and you know, when I write it all down sometimes, it’s a little overwhelming! I can totally see how writers got the reputation for being alcoholics!

Oh, and just little reminder that there are a lot of young people out there who will be spending Christmas in less than ideal circumstances. If you can, please look into a charity in your community that helps homeless youth and help make their Christmas a little brighter. And please make sure it isn’t a charity that deliberately excludes LGBT kids. There’s more of them out there than you might think. You will never find me dropping another dime into a Salvation Army bucket ever again.

Now for my fic rec. Trusting Thomas is a wonderful story by KC Wells about a young man who needs to be rescued in more ways that one and the man who saves him. I love how the trust between the two characters takes time to build honestly and all the characters are very well written. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this authors “Collars and Cuffs” series.

Get it here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4251

Or here: http://www.amazon.com/Trusting-Thomas-Collars-Cuffs-Wells-ebook/dp/B00FOGBM0M/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1386947457&sr=1-2&keywords=trusting+thomas

And of course I’d be a poor writer if I didn’t give you my links: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Cindy%20Sutherland&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_454

Children lost….a Thanksgiving thought…

Yeah so, first thing is, I’m a bad, bad writer and blogger. Imagine, I’m so busy writing I forget to blog and time runs away from me so I hope you can all accept my heartfelt apology.

Second thing? I’m not American. I’m one of those crazy Canuks who celebrated our version of Thanksgiving around my birthday in October. We love our little holiday but America has turned Thanksgiving into an art! I will have my half-frozen ass parked in front of my television tomorrow morning watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade like I have for the past 30 years or so. It ranks right up there with watching Pops goes the Fourth in July, another holiday you guys do amazingly well.

But here’s what I’m thinking about today. I’m thinking about kids and how many of them are celebrating the holiday tomorrow…and every holiday…without their family. Not because they ran away or because some horrible tragedy has befallen the family, but because their family has thrown them away.

I look at my daughter and I can’t imagine anything that she might do that would cause me to throw her out of my house and choose to never see her again. I can’t ever fathom saying “you don’t live up to the ideals I have for you in my head and in my heart so you are no longer my child.”

I’m pretty sure she could commit murder and I’d be the first one at her side, figuring out the best way to help her.

But the thing that absolutely leaves me stunned with anger and grief are parents who abandon their children because of who they love. How can love ever be something bad?

I have a lot of friends who are a part of the LGBT community and I know some are going to be somewhere other than home tomorrow because they aren’t welcome in their families homes and it makes me wish I could bring them into my family and give them the acceptance and love they deserve to be basking in.

And it’s not just them who a left alone. There are parents who don’t approve of their child’s job, who don’t like some aspect of their children’s lifestyle so much that they just give them the ultimatum…be who I want you to be or get out.

The ones who give in end up almost more alone and miserable than they were before because they are forced to give up some basic part of themselves to made everyone around them happy.

And the ones who don’t? They are my hero’s! They gather their strength and realize that they can’t make anyone truly happy if the aren’t be true to themselves first. And maybe it’s not their job to make the people around them happy anyway.

As a parent, I didn’t give birth to my daughter so that she could live out all my dreams that I couldn’t make come true. I didn’t want a child so that I would have someone to take care of me when I’m old and can’t do it for myself. When she was born I didn’t put conditions or labels on her and decide to love her only if she lived up to them.

The day she came into my world I was already in love with here and my only ambition was to raise her to the best of my ability and hope that after I gave her the best childhood I could, that she would make the choices she needed to make herself happy.

Children do choose to be born. Regardless of how you got pregnant and any circumstances around it, once you made that choice to have that child then you are responsible for giving them everything they NEED in life to make it the best you can. Now that doesn’t mean Playstations and i-phones. This means love and acceptance for who they are, not who you want them to be.

I have other friends who are estranged from their families for other reasons and they know who they are and I hope all over you have friends to spend the day with (and maybe family that you choose instead of that you were born with).

I hope everyone who’s celebrating tomorrow has a wonderful day and please, if you’re traveling, be careful on the crazy roads.

To those who are going to be alone…I wish I could gather you in my arms like you are in my heart and give you all the love and hugs your deserve.

And to those families who have thrown their children away, I hope you come to your senses one day and realize that there’s a very limited amount of time to make amends with those children before it’s too late and someone is left with more regrets than they can handle. There is too many parent’s out there who would give anything to have the chance to spend one more holiday with their child.

I was going to rec a story about children who have been thrown out but realized I’ve already recced them all. So instead, I’m going to rec a story about courage and two young men who have to be braver than they’ve every been to be together. “A Face in the Window” by Cheryl Headford is a fantastic story about two young men who’ve work hard to overcome their past on their way to their future. It will make you cry but you will smile in the end.

Find it hear at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Face-Window-Cheryl-Headford-ebook/dp/B00GKR1OF2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385588725&sr=1-1&keywords=a+face+in+the+window

And as always you can find me here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Cindy%20Sutherland&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

And here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_454