V.L. Locey's Blog, page 102
January 4, 2014
Dear Jon- Issue # 23
The next chapter in my M/M historical romance Dear Jon is up over at Storytime Trysts.
I hope you enjoy this romantic trip back in time.
Storytime Trysts
December 31, 2013
A Goal Post
Tee-hee. Suckered all the football fans in with that header. Actually, this is just a post about my goals for this brand new year. I know every other blogger in Blogville has one, but just bear with me as I chat about what I hope to accomplish in 2014. Hope, of course, being the key word for I could be mowed down by a herd of hungry chickens at any time. So here we go, Vicki`s goal post.
*~*
I cannot believeanother year has come and gone. I will remember 2013 with great fondness for last year I saw my dreams come to life. It was a fabulous ride, filled with way more ups than downs in terms of my writing as well as some personal goals being met. I reached a one year tobacco free goal in 2013, and am rather confident the cigarette monkey is off my back. I hope. Although I must admit that when I see people on TV smoking I find myself inhaling as they do. Damned nasty habit.
I`m not a believer in making resolutions. I`d rather work on goals throughout the year. I don`t believe resolutions or diets work. If they did we`d all weigh a hundred pounds, be married to Henrik Lundqvist . . .
Sorry, I drifted a bit. Where was I? Oh yes, hundred pounds and hot Swedish goalies. Right. We would be having J. R. Ward and J.K. Rowling coming to our New Year`s party as well.
So, instead of saying I`m going to diet, I say I`m going to cut down. That will work better for me. My hubby is now on one of his crazy crash diets where he eats nothing but salad topped with pine needles then walks ten mile a day. He has dropped ten pounds in under two weeks. Huzzah for him, but the thing that I can`t get into his head is that he is not changing his eating habits. So, when he stops torturing his body, the weight he lost as well as ten more pounds comes right back. But he does as he wishes as I do. So, I`ll be cutting down over the next year. If I drop a few pounds, wonderful! If not, c`est le vie.
Onto the writing goals. I need to streamline my writing projects a bit. I`ll be combining my two free reads to take one more task off my back. Over the past year I have learned to focus on one project at a time. That has helped me tremendously to keep on track with my books, which in turn gets the novels/novellas completed and into editing in a timely manner. I plan to continue with that work ethic. One book at a time. I know, you see two word meters over there on the right, but the anthology is a work-in-progress that I plan to continue adding to one novella at a time over the next year or so when time permits. I have two stories completed for it, and two more in the queue.
For me, 2014 will be the year of the Wildcats! I`ll be having at least three, possibly four, novels in my To Love a Wildcat series coming out over the course of the year. I`ll be mainly concentrating on promoting that series, editing the finished book, and writing the one that remains unwritten. I also have to do a rewrite for book three of the series, since I lost the majority in a coding incident. Yes, I shed a few tears to lose all that work, but sometimes life gives you a kick a rump. You can either lay on the ground rubbing your backside, or you can get up and flip off that darn Murphy and his law. Consider this my raspberry to you, Murphy`s Law!
I also hope to have the final book in my Gods & Goats trilogy released during 2014. As it stands at the moment, it may go right to digital with no print version. The cost of printing the books is almost beyond what I can justify, and since my printer stilldoes not offer print-on-demand services, I would have to order a large quantity. Times being what they are, with a daughter entering college next year, I simple cannot spend that kind of money on books. I hope my readers understand and will pick up a digital copy when Of Titans & Tractors becomes available. My editor informs me it is a barn-burner!
Don`t fear those of you who are waiting for more M/M romantica! I could never leave my beloved man on man love behind. As you can see over to the right, I have started working on the follow-up to Templeton and Mikel`s story. I hope to have An Erie Operetta done by the end of February. If I didn`t have to rewrite my lost hockey romance, it would be done in January, but that already contracted book takes precedence.
I hope to also have a new novella for the Toms & Tabbies series written next year. I have the outline done already, as well as goodly amount started, but I had to set it aside to fulfill other obligations. I`ll keep you updated on how Early to Riseis coming along. You can keep an eye on the word meters to the right. I always try to keep them updated so everyone can see what I`m whittling away on at any given time.
There is also an anthology call for Torquere Press that I hope to write a submission for, so that hopefully can be crammed in between hot hockey romance. I`m also hankering to pen a pirate tale. That would be a first for me, so I may hold off on that idea for NaNoWriMo in 2014. I`m planning to get 2013`s NaNoWriMo project, Laco Law, to a beta reader in the beginning of the year.
Wowzers. Sitting back and looking over the plans for the upcoming year, I have to wonder where the heck the streamlining begins! But what the hey. I love being able to share my stories with those who enjoy them. I`m sure I`ll be able to whittle off some of the sideline work. I can also let the housework slip a bit.
Being a woman of a certain age, I have come to the conclusion that I am spending the rest of my life doing what I enjoy, and not trying to maintain an image of what others thinkI should be doing. So if you drop by my house you`ll probably find dusty tables. Sorry about that. If it offends you the feather duster is under the sink. Knock yourself out. You`ll also find a fresh pot of coffee, a hockey game on the tube, a friendly gal to chat with, and a romantica tale just waiting for a reader. I hope you drop by often.
What are you goals for the upcoming year? I`d love to hear them!
Have a happy and prosperous 2014 my friends.
V.L. Locey
December 27, 2013
Dear Jon - Issue # 22
The next chapter in my M/M historical romance Dear Jon is up over at Storytime Trysts.
I hope you enjoy this romantic trip back in time.
Storytime Trysts
December 26, 2013
Tuesday Tales Holiday Blog Hop & Free Book Giveaway - Naughty or Nice?
Me? Be naughty? *Bats lashes innocently*
Okay, I confess. I have been naughty a time or two.
Welcome to our Tuesday Tales Holiday Blog Hop! The authors of Tuesday Tales are joining up to offer our readers a chance to win a book for those brand new e Readers Santa brought. At the end of my post I`ll have instructions on how you can enter to win a PDF copy of my brand new holiday romance, All I Want for Christmas, an M/M romantic-comedy novella that was inspired by a picture prompt here on Tuesday Tales!
Blurb for All I Want for Christmas
*~*~*
Alexander Dawson thought this Christmas would be a lonely one. He has no way of knowing that his cantankerous cat, Mister Tibbets, would turn a simple online shopping trip into a cataclysmic Christmas conundrum.
Alex ends up on a madcap dash to another state during a snow storm to return a painting to dreamy wildlife artist, Cooper Reynolds. Once he stumbles across Cooper`s remote log cabin, he and the sexy but emotionally distant painter end up sharing more than a kiss under the mistletoe.
Things aren`t all holly-jolly for the men though. Cooper gets a terrible case of icy feet, and Alex hits the road as soon as the snowplow clears it. Can Alex, Cooper, and their feline friends find a way to have a purrfect holiday together?
*~*~*
Now I suppose I have to get back to my one naughty time. Back in the day, I had a thing for The Archies. Yeah, they were pretty darn cool. I adored their music, and asked for a copy of their album. One day I spied an album-shaped present under the aluminum tree. I know some of you remember them, and the multi-colored spotlights that shone upon the lovely silver trees. Please tell me some of you recall them!
So there I sat, knowing without a doubt that I was almost pretty sure that album-shaped present was the Archies album. It ate at me. Day after day, night after night, until one day about a week before Christmas morning, I could take it no longer. While mama in her kerchief was sound asleep I snuck out, grabbed that album, opened it with care, and played it on my record player. Then I, in my childish wisdom re-wrapped the gift. Boy howdy was I a clever one! Mom would never know!
Alas, she did know. Somehow, she knew. Maybe it was the rocking and rolling taking place in my room? Or the obvious sloppy re-wrap job. Mom never punished me for that naughtiness. I suppose she knew that the disappointment of not being happily surprised would be enough punishment. She was right. Opening a gift I had danced to wasn`t quite as exciting.
Have you ever peeked at a holiday gift? Tell me about it in the comment section and you`ll be entered to win a copy of All I Want for Christmas! Just leave your childhood – or adulthood – confession of holiday naughtiness along with your contact information. When the hop ends on 12/29 I`ll put all the names into the always merry Random Thing Picker. One lucky winner will be sent a PDF version of my new M/M holiday release! So get commenting, and don`t forget your contact information. I can`t contact you without it. Good luck!
Please return to the main blog to keep participating in our blog hop:
Tuesday Tales
V.L. Locey
Okay, I confess. I have been naughty a time or two.
Welcome to our Tuesday Tales Holiday Blog Hop! The authors of Tuesday Tales are joining up to offer our readers a chance to win a book for those brand new e Readers Santa brought. At the end of my post I`ll have instructions on how you can enter to win a PDF copy of my brand new holiday romance, All I Want for Christmas, an M/M romantic-comedy novella that was inspired by a picture prompt here on Tuesday Tales!
Blurb for All I Want for Christmas
*~*~*
Alexander Dawson thought this Christmas would be a lonely one. He has no way of knowing that his cantankerous cat, Mister Tibbets, would turn a simple online shopping trip into a cataclysmic Christmas conundrum.
Alex ends up on a madcap dash to another state during a snow storm to return a painting to dreamy wildlife artist, Cooper Reynolds. Once he stumbles across Cooper`s remote log cabin, he and the sexy but emotionally distant painter end up sharing more than a kiss under the mistletoe.
Things aren`t all holly-jolly for the men though. Cooper gets a terrible case of icy feet, and Alex hits the road as soon as the snowplow clears it. Can Alex, Cooper, and their feline friends find a way to have a purrfect holiday together?
*~*~*
Now I suppose I have to get back to my one naughty time. Back in the day, I had a thing for The Archies. Yeah, they were pretty darn cool. I adored their music, and asked for a copy of their album. One day I spied an album-shaped present under the aluminum tree. I know some of you remember them, and the multi-colored spotlights that shone upon the lovely silver trees. Please tell me some of you recall them!
So there I sat, knowing without a doubt that I was almost pretty sure that album-shaped present was the Archies album. It ate at me. Day after day, night after night, until one day about a week before Christmas morning, I could take it no longer. While mama in her kerchief was sound asleep I snuck out, grabbed that album, opened it with care, and played it on my record player. Then I, in my childish wisdom re-wrapped the gift. Boy howdy was I a clever one! Mom would never know!
Alas, she did know. Somehow, she knew. Maybe it was the rocking and rolling taking place in my room? Or the obvious sloppy re-wrap job. Mom never punished me for that naughtiness. I suppose she knew that the disappointment of not being happily surprised would be enough punishment. She was right. Opening a gift I had danced to wasn`t quite as exciting.Have you ever peeked at a holiday gift? Tell me about it in the comment section and you`ll be entered to win a copy of All I Want for Christmas! Just leave your childhood – or adulthood – confession of holiday naughtiness along with your contact information. When the hop ends on 12/29 I`ll put all the names into the always merry Random Thing Picker. One lucky winner will be sent a PDF version of my new M/M holiday release! So get commenting, and don`t forget your contact information. I can`t contact you without it. Good luck!
Please return to the main blog to keep participating in our blog hop:
Tuesday Tales
V.L. Locey
December 25, 2013
Please Welcome Sharita Lira!
Today Sharita Lira is here to fill us in on some of her favorite couples, as well as to dish about her new releases!
*~*
My Favorite Couple
BLMorticia
Hey readers! When watching a TV show, movie, or reading a book, do you have a favorite pairing that you gravitate to? Is it because they look wonderful together, like Mr. and Mrs. Smith in that movie, or if you’re an eighties baby, you recall General Hospital with Luke and Laura! Well romance authors have that kind of relationship with their characters too and I’m sure some of you readers have found your favorites that stick out more than most.
Who are some of my book faves? Luke and Simon from Sue Brown’s Morning Report is definitely tops, Roan and Jake from Tara Lain’s Attraction series even though they have a third. And another I can think of, Donovan and Mischa from Lee Brazil’s Truth or Dare series. Did ya’ notice they were all m/m couples? *laughs* I haven’t been reading a whole lot of hetero so these couples stood out to me.
What about in my own writing? Well, my very first couple will always be my fave regardless! I mean I have several that I adore. Vanessa and Jayson from Losing My Inhibitions, Jimmy and Alex from Something Fresh, as well as Ty and Alain from Candyman just to name a few but no one tops Nathan and the Lieutenant from My Lieutenant.
Like Rawiya, I’m partial to interracial romances and think it’s a lot hotter. Nathan and Bryant’s story seemed so easy to write from day one because they gel so well together. From the beginning when Nathan gives Bryant grief about being on the fence to Bryant convincing his lover to move to New Orleans, the situations I write them in flowed off the page.
For this reason, Nathan and Bryant will continue to have shorts I’ll be releasing as free stories in the near future. Just like the one I did for Christmas. Also, my loving couple make an appearance in the series the Triad is doing right now, called N’awlins Exotica. They pop up in book one, I Like Em Pretty and will continue to be part of the supporting cast.
What is it about Nathan and Bryant that makes them so special? Not sure, but like I stated earlier they were made for each other and nothing makes a book, tv show, or movie like a couple who gels!
Who are your favorite couples from a book, tv show, and or movie. Leave me your comments!
Follow this link to read all of Nathan and Bryant’s stories
My two latest releases. One under BLMorticia, the other under Rawiya
Blurb: Bryant is still trying to convince his lover how great the holidays could be but Nathan isn’t buying into the holiday cheer. However, the Lieutenant has some tricks up his sleeve to show his husband to be the true meaning of Christmas.AReSmashwordsAmazon
Blurb: Denny Brothers is upset about being alone. After spending it with the man he’d been gushing over for years, he’s wishing for his sad existence to be change and little does he know witch Shelba Marrisco already has plans in the works. Enter Paul Alexander, a charming and sexy package handler with a special after Christmas gift they both can enjoy for the rest of their lives but in order to have a chance, Denny has to let go of his beloved chocolate lab, Preston, in exchange for everlasting love.
Link
Author Sharita Lira: In one word, crazy. Just crazy enough to have 3 different muses running around in her head, driving her to sheer exhaustion with new plot bunnies and complex characters. This happily married mother of two beautiful children loves music, computers, reading, and still enjoys reading and writing fanfiction. She’s a proud member of the Erotica Readers & Writers Association, as well as an advocate for rights of LGBT citizens. She’s also a contributor to the heavy metal ezine Fourteeng.net.
For more information, please visit http://www.thelitriad.com as well as her Facebook fanpage, The Literary Triad.
The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#! Michael Mandrake – http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com BLMorticia – http://blmorticia.wordpress.com Rawiya - http://rawiyaerotica.wordpress.com TriadPromo – http://triadliteraryworks.blogspot.com/ Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TheLiteraryTriad AuthorGraph – http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/rawiyamikembl Signup for Newsletter
*~*
My Favorite Couple
BLMorticia
Hey readers! When watching a TV show, movie, or reading a book, do you have a favorite pairing that you gravitate to? Is it because they look wonderful together, like Mr. and Mrs. Smith in that movie, or if you’re an eighties baby, you recall General Hospital with Luke and Laura! Well romance authors have that kind of relationship with their characters too and I’m sure some of you readers have found your favorites that stick out more than most.
Who are some of my book faves? Luke and Simon from Sue Brown’s Morning Report is definitely tops, Roan and Jake from Tara Lain’s Attraction series even though they have a third. And another I can think of, Donovan and Mischa from Lee Brazil’s Truth or Dare series. Did ya’ notice they were all m/m couples? *laughs* I haven’t been reading a whole lot of hetero so these couples stood out to me.
What about in my own writing? Well, my very first couple will always be my fave regardless! I mean I have several that I adore. Vanessa and Jayson from Losing My Inhibitions, Jimmy and Alex from Something Fresh, as well as Ty and Alain from Candyman just to name a few but no one tops Nathan and the Lieutenant from My Lieutenant.
Like Rawiya, I’m partial to interracial romances and think it’s a lot hotter. Nathan and Bryant’s story seemed so easy to write from day one because they gel so well together. From the beginning when Nathan gives Bryant grief about being on the fence to Bryant convincing his lover to move to New Orleans, the situations I write them in flowed off the page.
For this reason, Nathan and Bryant will continue to have shorts I’ll be releasing as free stories in the near future. Just like the one I did for Christmas. Also, my loving couple make an appearance in the series the Triad is doing right now, called N’awlins Exotica. They pop up in book one, I Like Em Pretty and will continue to be part of the supporting cast.
What is it about Nathan and Bryant that makes them so special? Not sure, but like I stated earlier they were made for each other and nothing makes a book, tv show, or movie like a couple who gels!
Who are your favorite couples from a book, tv show, and or movie. Leave me your comments!
Follow this link to read all of Nathan and Bryant’s stories
My two latest releases. One under BLMorticia, the other under Rawiya
Blurb: Bryant is still trying to convince his lover how great the holidays could be but Nathan isn’t buying into the holiday cheer. However, the Lieutenant has some tricks up his sleeve to show his husband to be the true meaning of Christmas.AReSmashwordsAmazon
Blurb: Denny Brothers is upset about being alone. After spending it with the man he’d been gushing over for years, he’s wishing for his sad existence to be change and little does he know witch Shelba Marrisco already has plans in the works. Enter Paul Alexander, a charming and sexy package handler with a special after Christmas gift they both can enjoy for the rest of their lives but in order to have a chance, Denny has to let go of his beloved chocolate lab, Preston, in exchange for everlasting love.
Link
Author Sharita Lira: In one word, crazy. Just crazy enough to have 3 different muses running around in her head, driving her to sheer exhaustion with new plot bunnies and complex characters. This happily married mother of two beautiful children loves music, computers, reading, and still enjoys reading and writing fanfiction. She’s a proud member of the Erotica Readers & Writers Association, as well as an advocate for rights of LGBT citizens. She’s also a contributor to the heavy metal ezine Fourteeng.net.
For more information, please visit http://www.thelitriad.com as well as her Facebook fanpage, The Literary Triad.
The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#! Michael Mandrake – http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com BLMorticia – http://blmorticia.wordpress.com Rawiya - http://rawiyaerotica.wordpress.com TriadPromo – http://triadliteraryworks.blogspot.com/ Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TheLiteraryTriad AuthorGraph – http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/rawiyamikembl Signup for Newsletter
December 24, 2013
Happy Holidays!
May you and yours have a joyous holiday season.
Love,
V.L. Locey
Love,
V.L. Locey
December 20, 2013
Dear Jon - Issue # 21
The next chapter in my M/M historical romance Dear Jon is up over at Storytime Trysts.
I hope you enjoy this romantic trip back in time.
Storytime Trysts
December 18, 2013
All I Want For Christmas Release Day!
Happy holidays!
I`d so excited to be here in this most special time of year to talk about my latest M/M romantic-comedy from Torquere Press, All I Want For Christmas. This novella is a unique one for me in a couple of ways. It actually came about from two different sources which is not generally how my process works. I`m one of those ‘Holy Cow! What an idea!’ type of gals. My books come to me with the intensity of a toy-packed sleigh crashing into the back of my head. Not so with the story of Alex and Cooper.
The first source of inspiration was a picture prompt from Tuesday Tales, a group blog that I`m proud to be a member of. The image was of a snowy cabin out in the woods.
When I saw it I knew that cabin along with its outbuilding would be something important to me, I just didn`t know quite what. I began to fiddle with characters and ideas. I came up with a famous wildlife artist who would call the isolated cabin home. The outbuilding would be his studio. Of course, I then needed a fellow for this handsome artist to fall in love with. Since my leading man wasn`t ready to be revealed yet I let him play at being coy for just a little while longer. I knew he`d step out of the fog soon.
A few weeks later I was having a conversation online with a group of authors when one mentioned that her cat had walked over her tablet. The story clicked instantly! I knew how the men would meet. As soon as I knew the book would have a cat, my star not only stepped out of the mist, he leaped out with his grumpy cat, Mister Tibbets, in his arms. It was love at first imagining for Alex, Cooper, Mister Tibbets, and me. I hope you fall for them as well.
Here`s a blurb and a small excerpt!
*~*
Alexander Dawson thought this Christmas would be a lonely one. He has no way of knowing that his cantankerous cat, Mister Tibbets, would turn a simple online shopping trip into a cataclysmic Christmas conundrum.
Alex ends up on a madcap dash to another state during a snow storm to return a painting to dreamy wildlife artist, Cooper Reynolds. Once he stumbles across Cooper`s remote log cabin, he and the sexy but emotionally distant painter end up sharing more than a kiss under the mistletoe.
Things aren`t all holly-jolly for the men though. Cooper gets a terrible case of icy feet, and Alex hits the road as soon as the snowplow clears it. Can Alex, Cooper, and their feline friends find a way to have purrfect holiday together?
*~*
All I Want for Christmas
He inclined his head at the compliment. "You're very kind." He clapped his hands and the lights went out. I circled around the hidden painting and walked over to stand in front of a potbellied woodstove. Cooper opened the door of the stove to check the heat. The fire had dwindled down to a bed of glowing red coals. I removed my mittens and shoved my hands into my armpits.
"That needs more wood before we go back to the house," Mr. Robinson announced. He headed outside. Wind and snow rushed in. I was about to close the door when Cooper reappeared with an armload of split wood. After he was through I shut the door in winter's face soundly. "Want to get the door on the stove?" he asked. I hurried to the stove, opened the heavy door, then stepped back. Within a moment the fire was burning hotly.
"This is a really nice place you have here. Very romantic," I said, enjoying the shimmering waves of heat rolling off the sides of the woodstove. I blinked when what I said clicked. "I mean, it's a romantic place if you were here to be romantic. Since you're here to paint and not be romantic and -- I'm going to go look at the bear picture now." I blushed and strolled away from the woodstove. I mentally slapped my forehead. Cooper appeared at my side a moment later as I stared woodenly at an oil of a black bear with two cubs. Feigning nonchalance I continued to study the artwork, even stroking my chin in a very artsy-fartsy affectation. Finally I got tired of sideways glances out of the corner of my eye.
"Did I sprout two heads or something?" I demanded. His eyes widened from the studious slits they had been. His head was angled to the right.
"You have very appealing features," he said roughly. I blinked stupidly. "Your eyes are colored perfectly for your face and skin tone. You have nice cheekbones, a fine straight nose, a strong chin and sensual lips. You're beguiling and very appealing to the artistic eye," he said almost dreamily, tentatively reaching up to tenderly turn my face into the dull winter light. I wet my lips while heat crept up my neck to my face. An admiring smile tugged at his mouth. A tsunami of desire swept over me. "And you blush when complimented. It's amazing that a young man as handsome as you still clings to some modesty. I'd think your ego would be nearly as large as mine with all the swains tossing themselves at you constantly."
"The number of swains in my home town is rather limited," I parried. Cooper cocked a dark eyebrow, his fingers still holding my chin. I allowed him to position me as he wished.
"I'd like to paint you," he announced, his hand now cupping my cheek.
I was momentarily stunned. "That's really flattering," I whispered. "I'd be thrilled to pose for...Wait, don't you only paint animals?"
He raised and lowered his left shoulder, his palm warm on my face. "They are my bread and butter, and I love capturing the wildlife of my home state. But there are times -- few, I'll admit, but times -- when a man will capture my eye."
Oh yes. He was seducing me well. Even as he spoke he was leaning in for a kiss. I closed my eyes in preparation.
*~*
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, belly laughs, anything romantic, dairy goats, Greek mythology, comic books and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, two dogs, two cats and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
V.L. is a self-published and conventionally published author. Her self-published works are the Gods & Goats trilogy, a romantic comedy series revolving around Greek gods, rural lifestyles, and a widowed goatherder. I know, but it works, trust me.
She is a proud Torquere Press author and her short story Two Guys Walk into an Apocalypse was included in the anthology He Loves Me For My Brainssssss. She also has several books contracted with Torquere for release in 2013, including her Two Guys zom-rom-com books, the Greek mythology romance Love of the Hunter, a short story in the Outserve Charity Sip Blitz, and the hockey novella Goaltender`s Penalty. An Erie Halloween, a novella about shapeshifters, rounds out her M/M backlist. 2014 will bring more romances about shifters, hockey players, and whatever else tickles her muse.
Next year her To Love a Wildcat sports romance series will be published by Secret Cravings Publishing. So far five books starring the hot men of the Philadelphia Wildcats professional ice hockey team, and their spunky leading ladies, have been contracted. The first novel in the series, Pink Pucks & Power Plays, is tentatively due for release in January, 2014.
When not writing romantic tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, and GoodReads.
I love to meet new friends and fans! You can find me at-
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/VL-Locey/124405447678452
Twitter- https://twitter.com/vllocey
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5807700.V_L_Locey
My blog- http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/
*~*
Yours in love, laughter, and mistletoe kisses,
V.L. Locey
I`d so excited to be here in this most special time of year to talk about my latest M/M romantic-comedy from Torquere Press, All I Want For Christmas. This novella is a unique one for me in a couple of ways. It actually came about from two different sources which is not generally how my process works. I`m one of those ‘Holy Cow! What an idea!’ type of gals. My books come to me with the intensity of a toy-packed sleigh crashing into the back of my head. Not so with the story of Alex and Cooper.
The first source of inspiration was a picture prompt from Tuesday Tales, a group blog that I`m proud to be a member of. The image was of a snowy cabin out in the woods.
When I saw it I knew that cabin along with its outbuilding would be something important to me, I just didn`t know quite what. I began to fiddle with characters and ideas. I came up with a famous wildlife artist who would call the isolated cabin home. The outbuilding would be his studio. Of course, I then needed a fellow for this handsome artist to fall in love with. Since my leading man wasn`t ready to be revealed yet I let him play at being coy for just a little while longer. I knew he`d step out of the fog soon.
A few weeks later I was having a conversation online with a group of authors when one mentioned that her cat had walked over her tablet. The story clicked instantly! I knew how the men would meet. As soon as I knew the book would have a cat, my star not only stepped out of the mist, he leaped out with his grumpy cat, Mister Tibbets, in his arms. It was love at first imagining for Alex, Cooper, Mister Tibbets, and me. I hope you fall for them as well.
Here`s a blurb and a small excerpt!
*~*
Alexander Dawson thought this Christmas would be a lonely one. He has no way of knowing that his cantankerous cat, Mister Tibbets, would turn a simple online shopping trip into a cataclysmic Christmas conundrum.
Alex ends up on a madcap dash to another state during a snow storm to return a painting to dreamy wildlife artist, Cooper Reynolds. Once he stumbles across Cooper`s remote log cabin, he and the sexy but emotionally distant painter end up sharing more than a kiss under the mistletoe.
Things aren`t all holly-jolly for the men though. Cooper gets a terrible case of icy feet, and Alex hits the road as soon as the snowplow clears it. Can Alex, Cooper, and their feline friends find a way to have purrfect holiday together?
*~*
All I Want for Christmas
He inclined his head at the compliment. "You're very kind." He clapped his hands and the lights went out. I circled around the hidden painting and walked over to stand in front of a potbellied woodstove. Cooper opened the door of the stove to check the heat. The fire had dwindled down to a bed of glowing red coals. I removed my mittens and shoved my hands into my armpits.
"That needs more wood before we go back to the house," Mr. Robinson announced. He headed outside. Wind and snow rushed in. I was about to close the door when Cooper reappeared with an armload of split wood. After he was through I shut the door in winter's face soundly. "Want to get the door on the stove?" he asked. I hurried to the stove, opened the heavy door, then stepped back. Within a moment the fire was burning hotly.
"This is a really nice place you have here. Very romantic," I said, enjoying the shimmering waves of heat rolling off the sides of the woodstove. I blinked when what I said clicked. "I mean, it's a romantic place if you were here to be romantic. Since you're here to paint and not be romantic and -- I'm going to go look at the bear picture now." I blushed and strolled away from the woodstove. I mentally slapped my forehead. Cooper appeared at my side a moment later as I stared woodenly at an oil of a black bear with two cubs. Feigning nonchalance I continued to study the artwork, even stroking my chin in a very artsy-fartsy affectation. Finally I got tired of sideways glances out of the corner of my eye.
"Did I sprout two heads or something?" I demanded. His eyes widened from the studious slits they had been. His head was angled to the right.
"You have very appealing features," he said roughly. I blinked stupidly. "Your eyes are colored perfectly for your face and skin tone. You have nice cheekbones, a fine straight nose, a strong chin and sensual lips. You're beguiling and very appealing to the artistic eye," he said almost dreamily, tentatively reaching up to tenderly turn my face into the dull winter light. I wet my lips while heat crept up my neck to my face. An admiring smile tugged at his mouth. A tsunami of desire swept over me. "And you blush when complimented. It's amazing that a young man as handsome as you still clings to some modesty. I'd think your ego would be nearly as large as mine with all the swains tossing themselves at you constantly."
"The number of swains in my home town is rather limited," I parried. Cooper cocked a dark eyebrow, his fingers still holding my chin. I allowed him to position me as he wished.
"I'd like to paint you," he announced, his hand now cupping my cheek.
I was momentarily stunned. "That's really flattering," I whispered. "I'd be thrilled to pose for...Wait, don't you only paint animals?"
He raised and lowered his left shoulder, his palm warm on my face. "They are my bread and butter, and I love capturing the wildlife of my home state. But there are times -- few, I'll admit, but times -- when a man will capture my eye."
Oh yes. He was seducing me well. Even as he spoke he was leaning in for a kiss. I closed my eyes in preparation.
*~*
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, belly laughs, anything romantic, dairy goats, Greek mythology, comic books and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, two dogs, two cats and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
V.L. is a self-published and conventionally published author. Her self-published works are the Gods & Goats trilogy, a romantic comedy series revolving around Greek gods, rural lifestyles, and a widowed goatherder. I know, but it works, trust me.
She is a proud Torquere Press author and her short story Two Guys Walk into an Apocalypse was included in the anthology He Loves Me For My Brainssssss. She also has several books contracted with Torquere for release in 2013, including her Two Guys zom-rom-com books, the Greek mythology romance Love of the Hunter, a short story in the Outserve Charity Sip Blitz, and the hockey novella Goaltender`s Penalty. An Erie Halloween, a novella about shapeshifters, rounds out her M/M backlist. 2014 will bring more romances about shifters, hockey players, and whatever else tickles her muse.
Next year her To Love a Wildcat sports romance series will be published by Secret Cravings Publishing. So far five books starring the hot men of the Philadelphia Wildcats professional ice hockey team, and their spunky leading ladies, have been contracted. The first novel in the series, Pink Pucks & Power Plays, is tentatively due for release in January, 2014.
When not writing romantic tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, and GoodReads.
I love to meet new friends and fans! You can find me at-
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/VL-Locey/124405447678452
Twitter- https://twitter.com/vllocey
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5807700.V_L_Locey
My blog- http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/
*~*
Yours in love, laughter, and mistletoe kisses,
V.L. Locey
December 16, 2013
Tuesday Tales - Bells
Hello! It`s time for Tuesday Tales again. This week I`ll be sharing an excerpt from my 2013 NaNoWriMo novel, Laco Law – The Gnarled Oak. Laco Law is an M/M historical western romance, set in the fictional county of Laco, Texas in 1867.
This week our word prompt is ‘Bells’. A short amount of time has passed since Zeke was nearly killed. Clayton and Ezekiel have already battled things out. Knowing he would simply ride off to track down the men who had tried to hang him alone, Clayton has reluctantly agreed to let Zeke ride with him. As they are readying for the trip back to Chaparral Springs, the local feed store owner and his spinster sister arrive to check on Clayton, as Miss Sarah and Clay`s sister had become friends.
Since this is my NaNo work, it is quite rough. I do ask that you overlook any glaring mistakes you may find. Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thanks for stopping in!
An hour later we were saddling up. Zeke had not been overly fond of the black gelding I had found for him. He was upset that the horse was ‘over at the knee’ whatever that meant. I looked at the front leg Zeke was grumbling about. It looked fine to me, but I was not a horse aficionado like the man who was having trouble staying upright was. I eyed him doubtfully as I threw a saddle over Hessie`s back. She nipped my side again. I went to swat her nose. Zeke grabbed my wrist.
“Never hit . . . a horse,” he gasped, leaning heavily against the black gelding, “When she tries to bite . . . shake something in her face.”
“You need to go lay back down, Fire Sky,” I hissed as I shook free of his weak grip. “You won`t get two miles before you collapse.”
“You just worry . . . about yourself,” he said. I threw up my hands. Let the ass faint dead away in the saddle. I`d be damned if I`d turn around to get him back on his horse. He could lay there under the Texas sun until he was nothing but Tonkawa jerky. Hell`s bells, the man was stubborn as a mule!
A retort steeped in acidity was about to explode out of me when I caught movement. Samuel and Miss Sarah were standing in the shade of the jail looking mildly anxious. Miss Sarah`s eyes went wide with fright as she got a good look at Zeke. I let Hessie`s girth straps drop. The smile I gave them didn`t seem to help. Samuel was trying to stare a hole right through Zeke`s back.
“Morning,” I said as I ambled over to them. Zeke threw a quick look over his shoulder. He was a terrible sight. He slid into his stoic Indian persona.
“Rumor has it you ran into some trouble last night,” Samuel said in a hushed whisper. I removed my hat in dereference to the lady then bobbed my head. Miss Sarah looked properly concerned. I wondered if she had any color in her wardrobe aside from grey and black. “I feared as much. Let me round up a deputy for you and--”
“I have a deputy.” The two visitors gathered behind the jail gaped at me. I ran my hand through my flattened hair then peeked at Zeke. Ezekiel Fire Sky seemed the most stunned by my announcement. It kind of shocked me as well to be frank. I certainly hadn`t planned it. But now that it was out it felt right. “This is Zeke Fire Sky.” I waved a hand at the silent Indian trying to saddle his rented horse. “He and I have been friends a long time. Saved each other`s lives as well. He has firsthand knowledge of the men we`re riding after as well as tracking skills. He`s been known to work for the Rangers from time to time.”
Samuel leaned close. I could see his cleanly shaved pores were still red from the razor. “Sheriff Moore, that man is an Indian.”
I looked over at Zeke silently centering the saddle on the black horses back. “He is?”
Samuel and Miss Sarah failed to see the humor. Zeke coughed roughly while tugging a crease out of his saddle blanket. A shout bounced from Main Street off the wooden buildings.
“Sheriff Moore, the city charter is not going to approve of some Indian being deputized. There are several men in town that would be suitable--”
I cut off Samuel Saunders with a cold glare. “I don`t need your men. I have one that I trust.”
Hessie whinnied. Miss Sarah lowered her gaze. Samuel met my hard look head on. I rather respected that.
“This will have to be approved by the city elders. I hope this man is as good as you claim he is, otherwise he`ll be ridden out of town. We can`t have heathens walking around without care among our women. Good day, Sheriff,” Samuel said curtly. I nodded at the two siblings as they scurried away from us as if we were lepers. I turned and walked over to help Zeke. We stood within a foot of each other. The fine hair on my arms prickled up as we worked side by side. Even with a foot of distance between us the desire was crackling like stormy charged air.
“You . . . stupid man, Pan.”
I shrugged a shoulder before I went back inside. When I returned I carried a set of old but well maintained Colt Paterson five shot revolvers complete with weathered holsters as well as a brass deputy star. All had been found in my new desk. Zeke squinted at the presents when I laid them over the black gelding`s saddle.
“Don`t say anything. Just strap the damn guns on, pin the star on your chest, and let me help you up.”
Amazingly the big bastard did as asked. The guns looked good hanging low on his hips. The star was dingy but bright enough to be seen. When I cupped my hands he actually put a big foot into it. I hefted as he mounted. The man was no lightweight. The hiss of pain that he tried to hide certainly didn`t ease my worry any, but there was nothing for it. If he didn`t ride at my side he would ride alone. I just could not allow that to happen. Without a word said we rode for Chaparral Springs, a funny looking dog jogging alongside my new deputy.
Copyright 2013 ©by V.L. Locey
*~*~*
Thanks for stopping in to visit! For more free reads by great authors follow the link back to the Tuesday Tales main blog.
Tuesday Tales
To help keep the season bright and spirits high, the writers of Tuesday Tales will be having a holiday blog hop! It will begin on 12/27 and end on 12/29. Every person who drops in to visit here during the hop, and leaves a comment with their contact information, will be entered to win a PDF copy of my brand new M/M holiday novella, All I Want for Christmas. I hope you`ll visit all the Tuesday Tales authors during the blog hop!
The authors of Tuesday Tales will be taking the next two weeks off, so we can spend the holidays with our loved ones, recharge our batteries, and welcome 2014 in with renewed ideas for more great romantic works! Tuesday Tales will return on January, 6, 2014 when our word prompt will be ‘Toes’. I plan to keep sharing more of Laco Law, so I do hope that you`ll return in the new year to see how Clayton and Zeke are faring.
Have a wonderful and joyous holiday season!
Yours,
V.L. Locey
This week our word prompt is ‘Bells’. A short amount of time has passed since Zeke was nearly killed. Clayton and Ezekiel have already battled things out. Knowing he would simply ride off to track down the men who had tried to hang him alone, Clayton has reluctantly agreed to let Zeke ride with him. As they are readying for the trip back to Chaparral Springs, the local feed store owner and his spinster sister arrive to check on Clayton, as Miss Sarah and Clay`s sister had become friends.
Since this is my NaNo work, it is quite rough. I do ask that you overlook any glaring mistakes you may find. Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thanks for stopping in!
An hour later we were saddling up. Zeke had not been overly fond of the black gelding I had found for him. He was upset that the horse was ‘over at the knee’ whatever that meant. I looked at the front leg Zeke was grumbling about. It looked fine to me, but I was not a horse aficionado like the man who was having trouble staying upright was. I eyed him doubtfully as I threw a saddle over Hessie`s back. She nipped my side again. I went to swat her nose. Zeke grabbed my wrist.
“Never hit . . . a horse,” he gasped, leaning heavily against the black gelding, “When she tries to bite . . . shake something in her face.”
“You need to go lay back down, Fire Sky,” I hissed as I shook free of his weak grip. “You won`t get two miles before you collapse.”
“You just worry . . . about yourself,” he said. I threw up my hands. Let the ass faint dead away in the saddle. I`d be damned if I`d turn around to get him back on his horse. He could lay there under the Texas sun until he was nothing but Tonkawa jerky. Hell`s bells, the man was stubborn as a mule!
A retort steeped in acidity was about to explode out of me when I caught movement. Samuel and Miss Sarah were standing in the shade of the jail looking mildly anxious. Miss Sarah`s eyes went wide with fright as she got a good look at Zeke. I let Hessie`s girth straps drop. The smile I gave them didn`t seem to help. Samuel was trying to stare a hole right through Zeke`s back.
“Morning,” I said as I ambled over to them. Zeke threw a quick look over his shoulder. He was a terrible sight. He slid into his stoic Indian persona.
“Rumor has it you ran into some trouble last night,” Samuel said in a hushed whisper. I removed my hat in dereference to the lady then bobbed my head. Miss Sarah looked properly concerned. I wondered if she had any color in her wardrobe aside from grey and black. “I feared as much. Let me round up a deputy for you and--”
“I have a deputy.” The two visitors gathered behind the jail gaped at me. I ran my hand through my flattened hair then peeked at Zeke. Ezekiel Fire Sky seemed the most stunned by my announcement. It kind of shocked me as well to be frank. I certainly hadn`t planned it. But now that it was out it felt right. “This is Zeke Fire Sky.” I waved a hand at the silent Indian trying to saddle his rented horse. “He and I have been friends a long time. Saved each other`s lives as well. He has firsthand knowledge of the men we`re riding after as well as tracking skills. He`s been known to work for the Rangers from time to time.”
Samuel leaned close. I could see his cleanly shaved pores were still red from the razor. “Sheriff Moore, that man is an Indian.”
I looked over at Zeke silently centering the saddle on the black horses back. “He is?”
Samuel and Miss Sarah failed to see the humor. Zeke coughed roughly while tugging a crease out of his saddle blanket. A shout bounced from Main Street off the wooden buildings.
“Sheriff Moore, the city charter is not going to approve of some Indian being deputized. There are several men in town that would be suitable--”
I cut off Samuel Saunders with a cold glare. “I don`t need your men. I have one that I trust.”
Hessie whinnied. Miss Sarah lowered her gaze. Samuel met my hard look head on. I rather respected that.
“This will have to be approved by the city elders. I hope this man is as good as you claim he is, otherwise he`ll be ridden out of town. We can`t have heathens walking around without care among our women. Good day, Sheriff,” Samuel said curtly. I nodded at the two siblings as they scurried away from us as if we were lepers. I turned and walked over to help Zeke. We stood within a foot of each other. The fine hair on my arms prickled up as we worked side by side. Even with a foot of distance between us the desire was crackling like stormy charged air.
“You . . . stupid man, Pan.”
I shrugged a shoulder before I went back inside. When I returned I carried a set of old but well maintained Colt Paterson five shot revolvers complete with weathered holsters as well as a brass deputy star. All had been found in my new desk. Zeke squinted at the presents when I laid them over the black gelding`s saddle.
“Don`t say anything. Just strap the damn guns on, pin the star on your chest, and let me help you up.”
Amazingly the big bastard did as asked. The guns looked good hanging low on his hips. The star was dingy but bright enough to be seen. When I cupped my hands he actually put a big foot into it. I hefted as he mounted. The man was no lightweight. The hiss of pain that he tried to hide certainly didn`t ease my worry any, but there was nothing for it. If he didn`t ride at my side he would ride alone. I just could not allow that to happen. Without a word said we rode for Chaparral Springs, a funny looking dog jogging alongside my new deputy.
Copyright 2013 ©by V.L. Locey
*~*~*
Thanks for stopping in to visit! For more free reads by great authors follow the link back to the Tuesday Tales main blog.
Tuesday Tales
To help keep the season bright and spirits high, the writers of Tuesday Tales will be having a holiday blog hop! It will begin on 12/27 and end on 12/29. Every person who drops in to visit here during the hop, and leaves a comment with their contact information, will be entered to win a PDF copy of my brand new M/M holiday novella, All I Want for Christmas. I hope you`ll visit all the Tuesday Tales authors during the blog hop!
The authors of Tuesday Tales will be taking the next two weeks off, so we can spend the holidays with our loved ones, recharge our batteries, and welcome 2014 in with renewed ideas for more great romantic works! Tuesday Tales will return on January, 6, 2014 when our word prompt will be ‘Toes’. I plan to keep sharing more of Laco Law, so I do hope that you`ll return in the new year to see how Clayton and Zeke are faring.
Have a wonderful and joyous holiday season!
Yours,
V.L. Locey
December 13, 2013
Dear Jon - Issue # 20
The next chapter in my M/M historical romance Dear Jon is up over at Storytime Trysts.
I hope you enjoy this romantic trip back in time.
Storytime Trysts
