A.M. Arthur's Blog, page 10

Acts of Faith: Cover and Blurb

Cost of Repairs fans! It's the book you've been asking for!

Love can be built on a broken past…but not on broken trust.
Cost of Repairs, Book 4
Rey King has settled into his new life with Samuel Briggs, and his catering business has taken off to the point he’s brought a business partner on board. Yet something is missing. He’s still haunted by the pain of losing his daughter, Faith, in a custody battle six years ago.
Then, one month before Christmas, Faith’s grandmother passes away, and Rey gets a shocking offer he never saw coming.
Samuel knew loving Rey wouldn't be easy, but then again he’s no walk in the park either. Still, for eighteen months they’ve thrived as a couple…until a shy, seven-year-old girl shakes his belief that he and Rey can overcome anything.
Settling Faith into their chaotic lives would be a welcome challenge, if things weren’t complicated by Rey’s too-cute, overly attentive new business partner. As misunderstandings, miscommunications, and unresolved tensions escalate, Rey begins to wonder if the best Christmas gift of his life could cost him the man he loves.

Warning: Product contains one overprotective (and slightly jealous) police office, an angsty chef whose heart is in the right place (even when his actions backfire), and an adorable little girl who turns their lives upside down. Added bonus—hot man-on-man action and the inappropriate use of a washing machine.

Some of my very favorite Rey/Samuel scenes are in this book. Acts of Faith releases December 17 from Samhain. I'll post pre-order links when they're available.

Excerpt: Weight of Silence (Cost of Repairs 3)

It was after midnight by the time they tumbled through the cold night and into the Jeep. Gavin cranked up the heat as he turned around and headed back toward the road, amazed he’d managed that much without some sort of accident. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel, betraying the nervous energy that had been present since the moment he saw Jace standing on the sidewalk, looking so attractive in his LL Bean jacket. His anxiety had only grown over the course of the evening, especially after he’d felt Jace’s wood and knew he’d guessed correctly.

Jace wanted him. And good God, he wanted Jace right back.

He turned slowly onto Tillman Road. “Any place you want to go?”

Jace swallowed audibly. “Um, not really.” He was nervous too, unsure about the next steps, which only endeared him to Gavin more.

And it made him want to not screw this up. Jace obviously wasn’t out, and he probably didn’t have much experience with guys. They needed privacy. “How about Carter’s Lake?”

“Is that safe?”

“It’s November. No one’s going to be out there this time of year.”

“Except us?”

“Well, duh.”

The Jeep hit a rut and Jace grabbed the door as he bounced in his seat. “Wasn’t Mr. Rhodes assaulted up there earlier this summer?”

“Mama said that had something to do with a guy he knew in high school. It’s got nothing to do with us.”

“Okay.”

Gavin glanced at him. “You sure?”

“Yes. The lake.”

Warmth flashed through him at the confidence in Jace’s words, and Gavin actually turned the heat down two notches.

For decades, people had been parking up at Carter’s Lake late at night to make out. The plastic roof and windows on the Jeep didn’t make it the ideal vehicle for hooking up in thirty-degree weather, but Gavin didn’t want to waste time finding out if Jace had a car, and he wasn’t about to invite Jace to his trailer. He wasn’t ashamed of the place, but Mama wasn’t working tonight, and he didn’t want to make Jace any more self-conscious than he already was by trying to sneak him past her.

Gavin turned onto the narrow road to their destination and tried to not tap his foot or fingers too much. He’d never felt so much like he was driving in slow motion, and it took forever for the weedy parking lot near Carter’s Lake to flash in his headlights. Empty, thank God. He parked in the far corner of the weedy lot, angled so they’d see any other approaching car lights before anyone saw them, then he shut off the engine.
The noisy heater wheezed into silence. The lot had no exterior lights, and the moon was only half full. When the Jeep’s interior light faded out, the empty spaces filled with shadows. Jace unsnapped his seatbelt and then sat there staring straight ahead, hands balled into fists on his thighs. Gavin almost had to sit on his own hands to keep from reaching for Jace first, to not be the one to start this. He wanted to kiss Jace stupid, to see what was inside those jeans, to suck him off, to bend him over and fuck him good.

More than those things, though, Gavin wanted to do this right. He didn’t want to scare Jace off, so he unbuckled his own seatbelt and waited, hoping he looked as relaxed and open as he intended, even though his heart was slamming into his ribs. He wasn’t the newbie here, so why was the idea of Jace kissing him giving him palpitations?

“I’m not a total virgin, you know,” Jace said, almost defensively.

“Never assumed you were.”

“I just…haven’t done much…not with guys.”

“But you want to.”

“Yes.”

“I’m all yours, Jace.”

Jace turned in his seat, putting half his face in a beam of light. Heat burned in his eyes, which took their time traveling up and down the length of Gavin’s body, only to zero in on his lips. Gavin smiled then licked his lips. Jace exhaled sharply. In one fast and fluid motion, Jace leaned across the console, slid his right hand into Gavin’s hair, and pulled him forward. He paused then, their mouths centimeters away, warm breath gusting across Gavin’s lips, and it took all of Gavin’s strength to not kiss first.

###

Releasing August 6, 2013 from Samhain.

New Series Coming from Carina Press!

So I've been teasing for a few months about some exciting news and new books coming in 2014.  It's been in Publisher's Marketplace already, but now that the executed contracts are back in my hands, I feel comfortable making an official announcement!

I've signed with Carina Press for 2 books in a new series!  I'm so thrilled to be working with Carina, as they are another of my favorite ebook publishers.

CATCH & RELEASE is the first book.  The description below is NOT the official cover copy blurb. It's what I used in my query letter to Carina, but I think it does a good job of setting up the story (at least, I assume it does, since Carina contracted the book *grin*).

Sometimes three exclamation points can change your life.

 When Jaime Winters put the "Help Needed!!!" sign in his sister's breakfast diner window, he never imagined she'd end up hiring super-hottie Alessandro Silva right off the street—and Alessandro is just as eager to fill the position.  A few weeks ago, Alessandro left behind his life in the city to move back to his small hometown in order to support his newly-widowed foster mother and help her with her foster kids Tony and Molly.  A reformed troublemaker, Alessandro left a lot of ghosts and regrets behind when he left town, and his return has stirred up the attention of an old enemy.

 Unlike Alessandro, Jaime has spent most of his adult life watching the world go by—first from a series of hospital windows, and now over the spines of history textbooks.  It's easier to put all of his energy into his Bachelor's Degree than to face the fact that years of battling heart disease means he's a twenty-three year-old virgin—until Alessandro awakens desires he'd long ago given up on.  The last thing Alessandro wants is a relationship with someone as innocent and fragile as Jaime, but he can't fight his attraction, or his need to be with Jaime. 

 But Alessandro doesn't believe in "one and only."  He's willing to be Jaime's first, but can't hang his heart on the idea that this is a forever kind of thing.  And Jaime may have been given a second chance with a new heart, but he's scared of what giving it to another person means.  They agree to an arrangement—Alessandro will teach Jaime the finer points of gay sex, no feelings involved, no strings attached, and then he'll let Jaime go.  Easier said than done.  Alessandro doesn't mean to get attached, but when an angry ghost from his troubled past threatens the people in his present, Alessandro realizes how hard he's fallen for Jaime—and that Jaime's feelings just might be mutual.

This book was so fun to write, and I'm eager for readers to get their hands on it.  Book two, LOST & FOUND, is Ezra Kelley's story, whom you meet for a few memorable scenes in C&R.  This is also what I've been referring to on Twitter as "The Big Book of Angst." And boy howdy....

More as it happens!

New at Samhain

Two tidbits of news!


First, COST OF REPAIRS is now available in paperback from Samhain. It's on sale right now for $10.50, so if you're a fan and want a copy for your shelf, it's a good time to snatch it up.


Second, WEIGHT OF SILENCE is now up for pre-order at the Samhain site!  It's my first stab at younger characters (a few folks are calling this New Adult), and I'm so in love with these two I can't even tell you.  There is also an excerpt from chapter one up.  WEIGHT OF SILENCE releases August 6.


In other news, for fans of UNEARTHING COLE, I have good news.  I'm working on a sequel, this time from Jeremy's point-of-view. Jeremy and Cole's story isn't finished yet.

Book News and Updates

I'm so pleased to see such a warm response to UNEARTHING COLE from readers. It takes some serious subjects, and I was a little nervous about this book. Not anymore. I know some folks have had a few issues with the ending, and I want to ease your minds a bit: I will be writing a sequel.  Jeremy has been demanding his own point-of-view, and the love story between him and Cole isn't over yet. Their HFN has a long way to go to reach an HEA.  Jeremy's book is my next project, and I can't wait to get into his head.

In the world of Awesome News, I am happy to announce that the 4th Cost of Repairs book, ACTS OF FAITH, has been contracted by Samhain! This is the book that CoR fans have been waiting for: Rey and Samuel take center stage again! A year and a half into their relationship, they're as solid as ever, until a Christmas miracle is thrust into their lap. A miracle that changes everything.

You can probably guess that that miracle is....

WEIGHT OF SILENCE (Cost of Repairs 3) isn't up on the Samhain site yet, but it is available for pre-order on Amazon.

In the world of Awesome News I Can't Share Yet, I have something fun and new in the works for 2014. It involves two books, including the book I've been calling on Twitter "The Beast of Angst." I'll have more details once the contracts are signed.

Coming Soon: Weight of Silence

I'm very excited to show off the cover and blurb for WEIGHT OF SILENCE.  This is the third Cost of Repairs book, and it releases from Samhain on August 6, 2013.

The wrong secret can poison everything--even if it’s kept with the best of intentions. 

 Cost of Repairs, Book 3 

 Gavin Perez knows he’s a living cliché. He works a dead-end job, shares a trailer with his waitress mom, has an abusive, absentee sperm donor, and he’s poor. So color him shocked when middle-class, white-bread Jace Ramsey agrees to hang out with him. 

 Granted, Gavin is trying to make up for dumping a bowl of cranberry sauce on Jace at Thanksgiving. And boy, is Gavin forgiven, over and over again…until Jace goes back to college for finals and stops returning Gavin’s calls. 

 Back home from the semester from hell, Jace doesn’t want to do anything but sleep through the holidays. It’s easier than coming out to his family—or facing Gavin’s hurt. But Gavin’s ready forgiveness draws them back together, and Jace won’t be able to stay in the closet much longer. 

 Nor will he be able to keep hiding his pain. He trusts Gavin with his body, maybe even with his heart. But can he trust that a devastating secret that’s eating him up inside won’t destroy everything—and everyone—he loves?

Unearthing Cole

I'm very excited to announce I have a novella releasing March 20 with Dreamspinner Press. It's up on the site and available for pre-order now!

Cole Alston swore he'd never return to his childhood home in rural North Carolina, but when his mother dies, he inherits her hoarded property. He hopes to sell everything and use the money to start over in Canada, far away from his abusive ex-boyfriend. It’s a daunting task, and Cole has no idea where to start. Luckily for him, the local antique store owner, Jeremy Collins, volunteers his services in sorting the hoard. Their professional relationship soon evolves into a personal one, but Cole must overcome his past and his anxiety before he can accept a new man in his life or the possibility of a happy future.

Don't Tattoo an Unconscious Person Who Fell In a Hole

With only two days left until COLOR OF GRACE is released, I've been visiting a few blogs chatting about the book and characters.

My first stop was "Coffee and Porn in the Morning" (and isn't that a fabulous title for a blog?), where I talked about tattoos and the role they play in the book.  I also listed a few fun facts you might not have known about tattoos.

Then I jumped over to see the lovely ladies at Smexy Books, who not only reviewed COLOR OF GRACE, but allowed me to yammer on about "The West Wing" and guys falling into holes (not that, potty brain!).

I can't wait to ring in the New Year with Schuyler and Barrett!

New Books Coming in 2013!

Forgive me! It's been too long since my last update. I announced this on Twitter a few weeks ago, but it definitely needs to go here, as well.

I've sold two more books!

WEIGHT OF SILENCE (Cost of Repairs 3) will come out August 6, 2013 from Samhain. I don't want to say too much about this one yet, but this book features two younger heroes who've been mentioned in previous books, but not yet seen. I'll give a hint and say one is college age.  Other familiar Stratton favorites (*cough*ReySam*cough*) also make appearances.

UNEARTHING COLE will release from Dreamspinner Press in March/April 2013 (the exact date is TBD).  This is my first foray into first-person m/m and I'm excited to get to work with Dreamspinner. I've included the blurb I sent with my submission query to give you an idea of the story, but remember this isn't the official blurb so please don't reproduce it.

The last place Cole Alston wants to revisit is his childhood home in rural North Carolina, until his mother's sudden death leaves several acres of property to him. He hopes to sell everything and use the money to start over in Canada, far away from the abusive ex-boyfriend he's still running from.  But selling won't be easy, because Cole's mother was a hoarder. Every building on the property is full, including the house, and Cole has no idea where to start.

Jeremy Collins owns an antique store in town, and he makes good money selling locally and online.  He offers to help Cole sort the hoard, to market the valuable items to collectors, and to set up an on-site auction for the rest.  Cole is reluctant to allow a stranger access to his shameful family secret, but Jeremy is easy to trust.  He's also attractive, gentle, and kind, and the heat between them is difficult to ignore.  Their business partnership soon crosses the line into a personal relationship, and as the auction date looms closer, Cole's anxiety increases. Staying with Jeremy means being honest about his past and the relationship that almost killed him--but sometimes the worst secrets are better left buried.

Color of Grace (Cost of Repairs #2)

COLOR OF GRACE (Cost of Repairs #2) is now available from Samhain! The page also has a nice little excerpt for your enjoyment. 

Looking to the future begins with forgiving the past.

Cost of Repairs, Book 2

Barrett McCall once lived like there was no tomorrow. Now the reformed party animal savors each day as a gift. His short order cook job at Dixie’s Cup pays the rent, and he’s content with his sober—if solitary—life.

When a fire leaves him homeless, Dixie’s offer to let him move into her basement apartment puts him on a collision course with her nephew, art teacher Schuyler Rhodes. The heat between them crackles, but in Schuyler’s eyes Barrett recognizes the same demons he exorcised long ago.

Dixie’s kind-hearted offer couldn’t come at a worse time for Schuyler. It’s the anniversary of his teenage cousin Matty’s drowning. Everyone believes it was an accident, but Schuyler knows the truth—and so does the culprit. For fifteen years that truth has burned a hole in his soul…and now it keeps Barrett at arm’s length.

One lingering kiss melts away the barriers between them, but when the other witness to Matty’s death shows up in town, Schuyler is forced into a confrontation that could cost him Barrett’s love—and possibly his own life.

Amazon Link.
Edited 2/8/13