B.A. Tortuga's Blog, page 39
June 10, 2015
June 9, 2015
Guest Post: Julia Talbot and a magical book
Hey, y'all!
Julia Talbot here, BA's wife.
I hijacked her blog today to tell you about Book of Love, my upcoming release from Samhain Publishing!
Eeee. Ahem. Yep, my first Samhain book, and I couldn't be more tickled.
Here's the cover.
Can you tell it's mmf menage goodness? Liam and Elijah are paranormal investigators called to a small Colorado town to help Shiloh with a magical book she found while tending her dear friend Bella's bookstore. Craziness ensues, with lots of magick induced sex.
Here's the warning from Samhain: Contains wild acts of sexual magic, a porny old book about demons, and a threesome where the boys touch each other as well as their woman.
Heck yeah, right?
It's on pre-order here at Samhain!
The bookstore was inspired by this amazing little used bookstore in Hotchkiss, CO. It sits back off the street In a wee house and smells of incense and cannabis.
I hope you'll check it out.
XXOO
Julia Talbot
www.juliatalbot.com
Julia Talbot here, BA's wife.
I hijacked her blog today to tell you about Book of Love, my upcoming release from Samhain Publishing!
Eeee. Ahem. Yep, my first Samhain book, and I couldn't be more tickled.
Here's the cover.
Can you tell it's mmf menage goodness? Liam and Elijah are paranormal investigators called to a small Colorado town to help Shiloh with a magical book she found while tending her dear friend Bella's bookstore. Craziness ensues, with lots of magick induced sex.
Here's the warning from Samhain: Contains wild acts of sexual magic, a porny old book about demons, and a threesome where the boys touch each other as well as their woman.
Heck yeah, right?
It's on pre-order here at Samhain!
The bookstore was inspired by this amazing little used bookstore in Hotchkiss, CO. It sits back off the street In a wee house and smells of incense and cannabis.
I hope you'll check it out.
XXOO
Julia Talbot
www.juliatalbot.com
June 8, 2015
What I'm Reading Now
Currently reading The Witch and the Gentleman by JR Rain. I'll withhold judgment, but... (And lord, I'm behind! I couldn't read for a while with all the drugs. I'm back now!)
***
1. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett — so far, loving it. So damn funny.
2. The Best Horror of the Year Volume Six, edited by Ellen Datlow — there wasn’t a single story where anything happened. So frustrating.
3. Indian Cooking Unfolded by Raghavan Iyer — great narrative, interesting recipes, but not for a foodie, for someone who wants the very basics.
4. A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters — lovely little mystery
5. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg — absolutely charming and made me cry
6. Joyland, a Hard Case Crime by Stephen King. Loved it.
7. Shadow Man by Cody Macfayden — I have to admit by the end I was furious and screaming. This could have been exceptional. It was not.
8. The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook by Martha Davis — nothing I didn’t know, but I needed the reminder.
9. Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy Cohen — very interesting. This one’s a keeper.
10. Writing Mystery and Crime by Marg McAllister — for a beginning writer more than an experienced one, I think.
11. The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg — beautifully written, a lovely, warm read that’s like a hug. Gave me a lot to talk about with J.
12. Fermented Vegetables by Kirsten Shockey — cookbook, not the best read, but decent recipes
13. Borderline by TA Chase — loved it. Think the wife will love it, too.
14. In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd by Ana Menendez — a fabulous collection of short stories set in Cuba.
15. Poe by J. Lincoln Fenn — clever as hell, not scary, but viciously clever.
16. The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles — quite adored this one. Clever and utterly charming.
17. Wolf’s Desire by Ambrielle Kirk — Uh. Not my thing. At all. Whoa.
18. Controlling Parker by Sean Michael — KINKY
19. Dark Carnival: An Anthology of Horror, Edited by Jolene Haley, Kristen Jett and Jessi Shakarian — nothing happened. Ever.
20. Blue Collar by Sean Michael — adorable, sexy and sweet
21. Guarding January by Sean Michael — I love the depth of characters in this one
22. The Biker's Pup by Sean Michael -- you know whose story I want next, right?
23. Voices from the Moon by Andre Dubus -- I just want to write 1/200000th as well
24. Fearie Tales edited by Stephen Jones -- incredibly satisfying collection
25. Spirit Rider by Cotton Smith -- I got bored. :P
***
1. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett — so far, loving it. So damn funny.
2. The Best Horror of the Year Volume Six, edited by Ellen Datlow — there wasn’t a single story where anything happened. So frustrating.
3. Indian Cooking Unfolded by Raghavan Iyer — great narrative, interesting recipes, but not for a foodie, for someone who wants the very basics.
4. A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters — lovely little mystery
5. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg — absolutely charming and made me cry
6. Joyland, a Hard Case Crime by Stephen King. Loved it.
7. Shadow Man by Cody Macfayden — I have to admit by the end I was furious and screaming. This could have been exceptional. It was not.
8. The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook by Martha Davis — nothing I didn’t know, but I needed the reminder.
9. Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy Cohen — very interesting. This one’s a keeper.
10. Writing Mystery and Crime by Marg McAllister — for a beginning writer more than an experienced one, I think.
11. The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg — beautifully written, a lovely, warm read that’s like a hug. Gave me a lot to talk about with J.
12. Fermented Vegetables by Kirsten Shockey — cookbook, not the best read, but decent recipes
13. Borderline by TA Chase — loved it. Think the wife will love it, too.
14. In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd by Ana Menendez — a fabulous collection of short stories set in Cuba.
15. Poe by J. Lincoln Fenn — clever as hell, not scary, but viciously clever.
16. The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles — quite adored this one. Clever and utterly charming.
17. Wolf’s Desire by Ambrielle Kirk — Uh. Not my thing. At all. Whoa.
18. Controlling Parker by Sean Michael — KINKY
19. Dark Carnival: An Anthology of Horror, Edited by Jolene Haley, Kristen Jett and Jessi Shakarian — nothing happened. Ever.
20. Blue Collar by Sean Michael — adorable, sexy and sweet
21. Guarding January by Sean Michael — I love the depth of characters in this one
22. The Biker's Pup by Sean Michael -- you know whose story I want next, right?
23. Voices from the Moon by Andre Dubus -- I just want to write 1/200000th as well
24. Fearie Tales edited by Stephen Jones -- incredibly satisfying collection
25. Spirit Rider by Cotton Smith -- I got bored. :P
June 3, 2015
June 2, 2015
Guest Post: Welcome K. Lynn!
I have always been interested in genderswap fiction, but I find most of it jumps straight to objectification rather than exploration. You're turned into another gender, so the first thing you do is feel yourself up and try to have sex with the nearest willing person? I don't buy that.
Essentially your body doesn't match your inner self anymore. That should cause some kind of journey to either accept or reject the situation. That's what I tried to do with His Womanly Ways. Alex didn't ask for this to happen to him, and the process is gradual, as is his acceptance of the changes. His mind doesn't match the image he sees in the mirror, and that's important to realize.
Alex is a womanizer. He makes no excuses for it. Yes, he picks up women at the local bar, leaving them with just a memory of a good night and a good lay, but he hasn't had any complaints yet. That is, until he picks up the wrong woman. Not satisfied to be tossed aside as just another notch in Alex's bedpost, she curses him, wishing he “knew what it was like for a woman.” And he's about to find out what she means, embarking on a genderswap journey that he can't stop. Alex starts slowly gaining secondary female characteristics. Waking up with his cock gone, replaced by a vagina, was bad enough. Then it gets worse, as his body becomes more like a woman than the man he used to be. Alex tries to hide the changes he's going through, for fear that someone will discover his secret, but keeping this quite literally “under wraps” might be impossible before the curse runs its course.
With the help of his female best friend, Eve, Alex tries to deal with who he is becoming. He feels like he's lost his identity, his mind not matching the body he now has. But Eve sticks by him, and they become closer as Alex's changes progress. What started out as friendship may become something more before Alex's journey is over. Perhaps this curse was actually a blessing in disguise.~~
About The Book: His Womanly Ways His Womanly Ways is a 65,000 word genderswap novel with adult language and adult concepts.
Read an excerpt here: https://www.torquerepress.com/fiction/hiswomanlyways.html#sample
Release Date: May 27, 2015 http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4390
About The Author: K. Lynn
K. Lynn has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. While in college, K. Lynn increased her involvement in LGBT issues and writing within the LGBT fiction genre. She has become a long-time fan of the authors that seek to explore the commonality that exists within all sexualities and genders. Most of K. Lynn's work features LGBT characters, many of whom are in established relationships and show how love perseveres through every trial and tribulation that life holds. She also has a particular interest in seeing transgender characters gain a larger foothold within the LGBT fiction genre, hoping that the market for these works expand in the future. Contact K. Lynn at
writerklynn@gmail.com
or follow her on Twitter
@WriterKLynn
Essentially your body doesn't match your inner self anymore. That should cause some kind of journey to either accept or reject the situation. That's what I tried to do with His Womanly Ways. Alex didn't ask for this to happen to him, and the process is gradual, as is his acceptance of the changes. His mind doesn't match the image he sees in the mirror, and that's important to realize.
Alex is a womanizer. He makes no excuses for it. Yes, he picks up women at the local bar, leaving them with just a memory of a good night and a good lay, but he hasn't had any complaints yet. That is, until he picks up the wrong woman. Not satisfied to be tossed aside as just another notch in Alex's bedpost, she curses him, wishing he “knew what it was like for a woman.” And he's about to find out what she means, embarking on a genderswap journey that he can't stop. Alex starts slowly gaining secondary female characteristics. Waking up with his cock gone, replaced by a vagina, was bad enough. Then it gets worse, as his body becomes more like a woman than the man he used to be. Alex tries to hide the changes he's going through, for fear that someone will discover his secret, but keeping this quite literally “under wraps” might be impossible before the curse runs its course.
With the help of his female best friend, Eve, Alex tries to deal with who he is becoming. He feels like he's lost his identity, his mind not matching the body he now has. But Eve sticks by him, and they become closer as Alex's changes progress. What started out as friendship may become something more before Alex's journey is over. Perhaps this curse was actually a blessing in disguise.~~
About The Book: His Womanly Ways His Womanly Ways is a 65,000 word genderswap novel with adult language and adult concepts.
Read an excerpt here: https://www.torquerepress.com/fiction/hiswomanlyways.html#sample
Release Date: May 27, 2015 http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4390
About The Author: K. Lynn
K. Lynn has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. While in college, K. Lynn increased her involvement in LGBT issues and writing within the LGBT fiction genre. She has become a long-time fan of the authors that seek to explore the commonality that exists within all sexualities and genders. Most of K. Lynn's work features LGBT characters, many of whom are in established relationships and show how love perseveres through every trial and tribulation that life holds. She also has a particular interest in seeing transgender characters gain a larger foothold within the LGBT fiction genre, hoping that the market for these works expand in the future. Contact K. Lynn at
writerklynn@gmail.com
or follow her on Twitter
@WriterKLynn
May 28, 2015
Guest Blog: Mickie B. Ashling
I’d like to thank BA Tortuga for the opportunity to appear on her blog to share an exclusive excerpt of my latest release Enforcing Emory. This novel is set in a new universe—Olympic figure skating and hockey—so no catching up necessary. There’s an opportunity to win a free e-copy of the novel or a gift certificate by entering contact information in the Rafflecopter. Enjoy!
Excerpt
Nik’s rage carried over to the next day, and he was penalized several times for body checking, high sticking, and holding. Fueled by the pain radiating off his bruised ribs, he patrolled the ice with a vengeance, and anyone who got close to stopping Cory or messing with Jake got nailed. He ended up in a major smackdown against the boards when someone tried to cheap-shot Jake. He spent five minutes in the penalty box, but Jake was safe, and that’s what mattered the most.
Nik hurt all over, but the worst pain was the one in his ribs where Igor had battered him with the knitting box. He was sure one of them was cracked; he’d placed extra tape before the game, but now that it was over and he was laid bare, he saw a bright blossom of black and blue was radiating down his torso.
“Motherfucking prick,” he murmured, looking down at himself.
“That’s a nasty one,” Jake said. “Sorry it had to be on my account.”
“It’s all good,” Nik said, throwing on a T-shirt to cover up the ugly evidence of his father’s insanity. “I was just doing my job.”
“Dude, you were on fire tonight.”
“I have a toothache,” Nik said, fishing for an excuse. “Hurts like hell and it’s making me cranky.”
“Worked in our favor. Did you hear the cheers when you clobbered the Toronto D?”
“Huh?” Nik was oblivious to that part.
“Your family was up in the crowd screeching the loudest.”
“How do you know they were my family?”
“They had fucking signs, man.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Was my dad up there?”
“There was a guy with a bunch of chicks.”
“Must have been him.”
“You sound surprised,” Jake said curiously.
“We had a fight last night.”
“’Rents suck when you least expect it, and then turn around and do something over-the-top cool like that banner.”
Blurb
Olympic figure skater Emory Lowe falls in lust the moment he lays eyes on his new neighbor, hockey player Nikolai (Nik) Vetrov. On the surface, Nik is a typical badass enforcer, intimidating and dangerous, on and off the ice. The only son of Ukrainian immigrants, Nik has been groomed from childhood to fulfill his father’s dreams of seeing him in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Igor guides his son toward that goal with a controlling—and abusive—hand, steering him clear of anyone who might ruin his chances.
Although Emory is the US National Figure Skating champion, he’s in-your-face gay, and his audacious persona rubs Nik and his family the wrong way. Raised by supportive and loving parents, Emory is Nik’s polar opposite in every way but one—his desire to succeed. Underneath the fluff and glitter beats the heart of a fierce competitor, and this side of Emory’s personality begins to close the distance between the two athletes.
While the attraction was one-sided in the beginning, Nik finds himself responding to Emory’s flirting. Before the incongruous pair have a chance at any sort of relationship, they must survive the pressures of career, separation, and most importantly, Igor’s ruthless homophobia.
Purchase Links
Dreamspinner Press | All Romance eBooks | Amazon
Bio
Mickie B. Ashling is the alter-ego of a multifaceted woman raised by a single mother who preferred reading over other forms of entertainment. She found a kindred spirit in her oldest child and encouraged her with a steady supply of dog-eared paperbacks. Romance was the preferred genre, and historical romances topped her favorites list.
By the time Mickie discovered her own talent for writing, real life had intruded, and the business of earning a living and raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing and the inevitable emptying nest, dreams were resurrected, and the storyteller was reborn.
She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called "gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking." She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings.
Mickie loves to travel and has lived in the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East but currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.
Connect with Mickie
Email | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Goodreads & Ask the Author
Giveaway
Using Rafflecopter below, enter to win one of these prizes (contest open internationally): a $20 Dreamspinner gift certificate, one of five ecopies of Enforcing Emory, or an audio copy of Fire Horse. Must be 18 or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule
May 25 - The Novel Approach
May 25 - Garrett Leigh
May 26 - Charlie Cochet
May 27 - Emotion in Motion
May 28 - BA Tortuga
May 29 - On Top Down Under Book Reviews
May 31 - Diverse Reader
June 1 - Prism Book Alliance
June 2 - Book Reviews & More by Kathy
June 2 - Cup o' Porn
June 3 - WoW...from The Scarf Princess
June 4 - Love Bytes
June 5 - Divine Magazine
June 8 - MM Good Book Reviews
June 9 - Sinfully...Addicted to All Male Romance
June 10 - Hearts On Fire
Tour and materials organized by PAS Promotions
May 27, 2015
May 26, 2015
How the Hell Can I Do a Con Report
I went to RT and Austin Author Affair.
I saw my moma, my daddy, my sisters, my nieces.
There was singing and books, a cookout and long visits and goosebumps of truth. We taught Andrew Grey how to sing “You Never Even Called Me By My Name”. There was a metric ton of rain. There was Tex-Mex and steak and hugs and tears and laughter and softball and horses and LOTS of chiggers.
I’m not going to name names, because if I miss someone I’ll cry. The fact is that I love being a writer. I love my community of writer friends. It was a good 12 days away and I would travel with Andrew any time. My wife is still the center of my world, my goofy family makes me smile and it kills me to be so far away from them, I miss Texas but I see my mountains and I’m home again.
In short, I had a ball.
(Also, if you want a real detail con report, go read my wife’s blog — www.juliatalbot.blogspot.com)
Much love, y’all.
BA
I saw my moma, my daddy, my sisters, my nieces.
There was singing and books, a cookout and long visits and goosebumps of truth. We taught Andrew Grey how to sing “You Never Even Called Me By My Name”. There was a metric ton of rain. There was Tex-Mex and steak and hugs and tears and laughter and softball and horses and LOTS of chiggers.
I’m not going to name names, because if I miss someone I’ll cry. The fact is that I love being a writer. I love my community of writer friends. It was a good 12 days away and I would travel with Andrew any time. My wife is still the center of my world, my goofy family makes me smile and it kills me to be so far away from them, I miss Texas but I see my mountains and I’m home again.
In short, I had a ball.
(Also, if you want a real detail con report, go read my wife’s blog — www.juliatalbot.blogspot.com)
Much love, y’all.
BA
May 25, 2015
What I'm Working On
Here I go, trying to get my self together yet again.
Writing:
Tipping the Barrel -- f/f YA novel — This one is stalled on me a little, and I’m trying to find the beat again.
Musician. Bodyguard. Werewolves. Still working on it.
Wedding Vase — m/m contemporary. These boys are breaking my heart. I’m at the angsty part. :(
Super Secret Project — Eeee!
Ranger Boys (working title) — m/m/m werewolves. The hotness.
In edits/rewrites:
Ace/Kitty in rewrites.
Articles of Release in edits.
At beta:
nothing
At proofing:
nothing
Subbed:
nothing
Next week's plan?
Try not to panic
May 3, 2015
Six Random Fact Sunday -- Favorites
1. My all time favorite television show is Sherlock. Sherlock usurped the X-Files, which was damn hard to do.
2. My favorite book is Little Women. I wanted to be Jo when I grew up.
3. My very favorite movie is the Wizard of Oz. I know every word by heart. The best part is Munchkin City (in the county of the land of Oz).
4. I don’t have a favorite song.
5. My favorite all-time song moment was during my wedding — I sang The Cowboy in Me to my soon-to-be wife. At the point in the song where the lyrics go, “Girl, you know there’s times you must have thought, there ain’t a line you’ve drawn I haven’t crossed”, our beloved minister cracked up and said, “Oh! That’s perfect!"
6. My favorite food is popcorn. I could eat nothing but, and I’m not fancy. Just plain old popcorn with salt. That’s it. That’s all I need. ;-)
*kisses*
Much love, y’all.
BA
