Andrew Q. Gordon's Blog, page 45
May 27, 2014
Wednesday Briefs: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 32
Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 32
“Damn, that eye looks like it’s getting worse.” Blake reached out to touch Jason’s injured eye, but pulled his hand back before he made contact.
Loosening his towel, Jason let it drop as he removed his boxers from his locker. Given how little it hurt, he didn’t understand all the fuss. “It’s fine. Everyone acts like they’ve never seen a black eye before.”
“Jase is right,” Darryl said, pulling on his shirt. “That ain’t nothing.”
Jason groaned. “Here it comes.” His comment drew a blank stare from Blake.
“When we were thirteen, Jase and I got jumped. You shoulda seen his face then. That was a black eye. It’s a wonder he wasn’t scarred for life.”
“Does everything have to get back to that?” He turned away from his best friend and continued to get dressed. “It was like ten years ago.”
“Seems to have stayed with him.” Blake shrugged and opened his locker. “Not that you should forget it, I mean.”
“You had to be there.” Darryl sat on the bench and searched through his gym bag. “It was a defining moment in my life.”
Jason stared at the back of the metal locker. “I’ve had a few of those lately.”
The row went quiet and he regretted the comment. Once he put on his shirt he turned to Blake. “When is Ethan getting here?”
His friend smiled and Jason thought he looked flushed. “Um…anytime now. He’s probably at your place already.”
With school about to start, people—including Blake’s roommate—started to move into the dorm. Which meant Jason’s house was going to be busy again this weekend.
“No worries, he knows to text Pete when he gets here.”
“I really appreciate you letting us stay with you.” Blake had gotten dressed in record time and glanced rather obviously at his watch a couple times already. “Not sure when we’d see each other if you didn’t have the guest room.”
“No problem, ” Darryl answered first. “Just ask Ethan to keep it down this time, okay?”
Blake’s face turned crimson quicker than Jason thought possible. While his friend stumbled for an answer, Jason took a swipe at Darryl who didn’t stop laughing as he ducked. “He’s kidding, Blake. No one heard you two last time.”
“Well, I was kidding about having heard you before, but I don’t want to hear you this time, so I’m serious about asking him to keep it down.”
“Stop, D.” He stepped between the two. Not that they were fighting, but he knew how embarrassed Blake had been asking if they could stay over. “This is Ethan we’re talking about. If you tell him to be quiet, he’ll do the opposite just to spite you.”
Darryl’s eye opened wider and Blake snorted behind Jason.
“Listen to the man, Darryl.”
Jason turned around to comment, but stopped when he saw his brother standing at the entrance to the row of lockers. “Hey, Dean.”
He watched Blake’s smile disappear to be replaced an instant later by a new, forced one before he turned around. “Hey, Dean.”
“Hey, guys.” Dean moved a few steps closer and stopped. “Um…Jase, can we talk.”
“Yeah, sure.” He twisted toward Darryl. “But let me take D and Blake back to the house, I’m their ride today.”
Blake waved his left hand. “I can walk, it’s no problem.”
Jason considered insisting he’d drive them, but his brother looked like he needed to talk sooner than later. Digging though his bag, he pulled out the keys and tossed them to Darryl. “We’ll meet you home.”
“You sure?” He glanced at the keys and then at Jason.
“Yeah, we can talk on the way.” It would also be less awkward than showing up, saying hello to Ethan, and than walking out seconds later.
He motioned with his eyes for Darryl to leave and was relieved when Darryl nodded and grabbed his bag. “See at home, Jase.”
Blake raised an eyebrow, but turned when Darryl approached. “See ya.”
“Catch you in a few, Deano.” Darryl punched him lightly on Dean’s shoulder as he past.
His brother’s lack of reaction to his less than loved nickname told Jason he made the right decision. When the others had enough time leave, he put the last of his dirty clothes in his bag and looked up. “Ready?”
Dean nodded but didn’t speak as he followed Jason out of the gym.
Adjusting the strap on his bag, Jason moved to his right so they could walk side-by-side. “So what’s going on?”
Dean kicked a stone, then twitched his head to the side. “It’s about, you know….”
“Hanna?”
“Yeah. You told me to be smarter than you, but I don’t really know how to do that.”
Despite the mood, Jason snorted. “Being smarter than me shouldn’t be too hard. Have you seen my GPA?”
“Not like that.” He smiled and bumped their shoulders together. “I don’t know what to do about her.”
“It might be better to ask Dad, or someone else. I’m not sure how objective I can be.”
“Dad’s the one who suggested I talk to you.” He half turned, but kept walking. “He said it was important to find out how you feel.”
“Honestly? Based on what she said to you, I pretty much don’t want to be around her. I’m always going to wonder what she really thinks and whether her reactions around me are just an act.”
“But that’s what I don’t get. Why would she pretend? We just met, it’s not like she couldn’t find someone else.”
Jason stopped, grabbed his brother’s arm and turned him toward the field house. When Dean gave him a confused look, he pointed toward their grandparent’s name across the top of the field house. “That’s why. That and you’re not half bad looking, I guess.”
“But Pop and Grans put their money in a charitable trust. We’re not getting it.”
“She doesn’t know that.” He turned and started walking again. “But I’m not saying that’s the only reason, but I’m sure it’s part of it.”
“So what should I do?”
Jason had been prepared for this question. “That’s for you to figure out.. But let me say this. The school year hasn’t even started yet. You haven’t seen a tenth of the available girls. Why rush into this with her? You’re smart, good looking, play soccer, a bit immature—” he smirked when Dean frowned at him “—but you’re totally a nice guy. You don’t need to settle down with the first girl you meet.”
“Pete was the first guy you dated.”
“Different circumstances. I never had questions about his feelings about Darryl being black, or you being straight. Wondering what she really thinks about me being gay can’t be a great way to start.”
They walked for up the hill, past the student union. With classes starting in a few days, the sidewalks were busier than they’d been the last three weeks. Neither spoke until they were alone.
“I don’t know what to do, Jase. I like her, but if she isn’t cool with you, or Pete, or Blake, being gay…I wish I could find out for sure.”
Jason thought about it for a minute then put his arm around his brother. “Maybe you can.”
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May 25, 2014
Double Alchemy – Climax; by Susan Mac Nicol – Book Tour & Giveaway
When I was asked to do the Double Alchemy tour I was eager to say yes, because Susan Mac Nicol is not only a very good author, she’s a fun person. Our first post turned out to be quite entertaining for me. So it’s only natural that I’d was eager to be a part of the tour for Double Alchemy – Climax; which is – wait for it – the climax of the story. If you like this genre – Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, modern day setting with magic – whatever you want to call it – you need to read these two books. I plan to give them reviews – yeah like so much with me lately it’s going to be a bit delayed – but don’t wait for them to go out and buy these books. They’re good.
Now, if that wasn’t enough to get you to go buy the books, Susan has stopped by with a bit of an interview with Cade, Warlock Quinn’s not so human lover, to give a bit more insight into the main characters of both books. Oh and be sure to read til the end to enter the giveaway.
Susan: What does your character’s name mean to him?
Cade: *Snorts* Well, my dad always told me that my mother was expecting a girl originally and she wanted to call me Kate. Then I came along, with a penis and she hastily named me Cade *grins*. However, Quinn and Taliesin have taken great pleasure (in their arrogant way) in telling me that in Welsh, Cade means ‘small battle’ or ‘spirit of the battle’. I quite like that.
S: If your character could change one physical detail about himself, what would it be?
C: I’ve always thought my chin was too pointy myself, I wanted a more manly one. But Quinn says he loves it just the way it is.
S: Your character comes face-to-face with his worst enemy. What is his first reaction?
C: I’m not really a man of physicality, I’m more used to using words to fight than my fists. I suppose I’d throw insults at him or her first, then if that didn’t work to reduce them to tears, maybe throw something a little more substantial like that crappy vase Quinn keeps floating about the place.
S: A police officer stops your character for a minor violation. How does he react?
C: I guess if he was cute I might bat my eyelashes at him, or show him my nipple piercing. If that didn’t work I’d just keep quiet and take the damn ticket.
S: Does your character have any phobias? What are they and how intense are they? How have they impacted his life?
C: Nope, no phobias. I’m pretty lucky that way. Except I have this fear Quinn might make one day make good on his threat to turn me into a frog when I’m sleeping *laughs*
S: Your character lies on his back and looks up at the clouds. What image does he see in the cloud formation?
C: I see clouds. I’m not huge on that kind of imagination. I’m steeped in history, earth and facts. Believe it or not I leave that sort of cloud dreaming to Quinn. Under that macho soul likes a romantic….
S: A terrible crime has been committed and evidence points to your character’s guilt. He didn’t commit the crime but doesn’t have an immediate way to prove his innocence. What does he do?
C: I’d get the boyfriend to fix it. Wipe everyone’s memories, make them focus on something else. What’s the point of having the world’s greatest Warlock for a lover if they can’t do that for you?
S: What is your character’s earliest memory?
C: Being surrounded in water. I don’t know if it was in my mother’s womb but I’ve always remembered the sensation of floating in water.
S: How opinionated is your character? Does he like to share those opinions with others or keep them to himself?
C: *Snorts loudly* I’m not all that opinionated, not like a certain Grand Master I can mention. I’ll say my piece if I believe in something but I’m more ‘watch the fight but win the battle’ kind of guy. I pick my fights carefully but I won’t back down if I really believe in something.
S: How well can your character defend himself in a fight?
C: I had an ex boyfriend who taught me some martial arts moves and how to defend myself. I can fight dirty if I have to, and of course, I have a certain power to be able to move water so anyone picking a fight with me near that will have to watch out I don’t raise a tidal wave on his arse.
Thank you both for coming by. -AQG
Book Trailer:
Title: Double Alchemy: Climax (Double Alchemy Book #2)
Author: Susan Mac Nicol
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Release Date: 22nd May, 2014
Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance
Powerful modern warlock Quinn Fairmont found ecstasy with the silver-eyed and not-quite-human Cade Mairston, but to know true happiness the pair must best both the shadow of a long-ago lover and an ancient enemy who seeks to destroy love, light and all they hold dear.
A BLINDING LIGHT
It begins with a Book of Shadows discovered by a London coven. The grimoire is as dangerous as it is rare, which is why it evokes modern-day warlock Quinn Fairmont’s desire. He collects objects of great power and beauty—like his lover, Cade Mairston.
Against all odds he and Cade found each other, but their perils have just begun. First is the ex-lover who once held Quinn in thrall. And, someone has been killing warlocks. Could it be one of his own kind? There are those too who would challenge Quinn’s power in their quest to overthrow him as Grand Master. Or is the danger something darker, something invoked inadvertently, rising from the shadows, building from the very inside of a man until it brings an end with a quick flash of light? Of the truth, the surface has only been scratched. Now Quinn and Cade must go deeper and find both answers and an end. They must learn what lurks in the hearts of men…and whether it seeks to love or destroy.
Excerpt:
Quinn’s eyes flashed violently at his uncle. “I am not fucking losing him to the depths of a bloody Hampstead Heath pond.”
He knelt down beside Cade again, closing his eyes as he tried once more to heal, but the wound just kept seeping blood, now at a much slower rate than before. Cade’s face was ash white, his dark hair standing out starkly against the deathly pallor of his face.
Quinn. Your Cade is nearly gone. You have to put him in the water now before it is too late. There is no time for your modern medicine. He will not survive unless you do it now. The Water Sprites will take him and heal him as long as there is still a spark of life left in him.
“I can’t. Don’t ask me to do that. I can’t.” Quinn’s voice was strangled as he struggled to compose himself. His body was cold, his mind sluggish and he had never felt so desperate.
Daniel strode forward and despite his small and wiry frame, he picked Cade up in his arms. He looked at Quinn, his voice resolute. “He’s dying. This may be the only way to save him.”
Quinn growled and reached out with a hand to hold him back. Daniel sidestepped him and looked at him with a resolute expression. “You can hurt me if you want but it won’t help Cade. This is all we have left to try before he dies.”
Quinn’s hand still gripped him tightly and the older man winced.
“If anyone is going to do this, it’s going to be me.” Quinn’s voice cracked and he held out his arms. Wordlessly, Daniel placed Cade in Quinn’s outstretched arms and Quinn pulled his lover closer to his body. He walked down to the water’s edge and waded in as Daniel watched helplessly from the bank, his face stark. Quinn gently laid Cade down in the water. He seemed to float for a while, hair spreading about in the water like black smoke. His face was still, eyes closed as Quinn held tightly onto his cold hand, rubbing his thumb over the engagement ring. Quinn’s vision blurred as tears filled his eyes.
You need to let Cade go. Let him join his kind below the water. Trust me.
Taliesin’s voice was soft, compassionate. Quinn heaved a shuddering sigh as Daniel joined him in the water, laying a comforting arm on his.
“I can’t—” Quinn shook his head in grief, his heart breaking.
His uncle took hold of his shoulders, firmly holding him back. “There’s no other way, son. Let him go.”
Quinn relinquished his grip on Cade’s hand, standing there as he heard a soft splash and saw the water rippling around them. As they watched, two sets of pale hands emerged out of the water, and slowly, lovingly, Cade was dragged gently beneath the dark waters of the pond. Quinn saw the hand with his ring on it slowly disappear under the water. It was the last glimpse he had of the man he loved.
Praise for Double Alchemy (Book #1)
“I love Paranormal stories & I’m a huge fan of Susan Mac Nicol’s M/M books. In this book, she brings both genres together & gives us this amazing story. With her master storytelling, she takes us into the mystical & magical world of Witches, Warlocks, Withinners & Feys. A world where danger lurks in the shadows.” – Maria Recchia
“I stayed up all night reading this story. Susan has a way of writing that is different than anyone else. She’s uniquely brilliant at weaving a tale that brings out my emotions. I have laughed in every one of her stories. That’s incredible for me. Not just a smile, but a laugh. I love that. This book needs to be read. You won’t be disappointed.” - Author Kindle Alexander
“Susan Mac Nicol has created a complex and fully realized fantasy world…. Quinn is the star of this novel, taking out the bad guy and learning how to trust in Cade’s love enough to share his unsavory past.” Library Journal
“I completely loved this beautifully and highly detailed written Paranormal story! This wasn’t a predictable story by any means. How Susan Mac Nicol takes us on a ride through this very creative and engrossing world that you will not forget, anytime soon and will be wanting more and more of it. I am a huge fan of this author and Double Alchemy, doesn’t disappoint by any means at all. I highly recommend this hot, steamy, love, paranormal and so beautifully written story!” Paul Berry
“Susan Mac Nicol brings us another sexilicious m/m romance but also takes us into a magyckal world of Warlocks, Withinners, Fae, Witchfinders and Witches… I loved the combination of the magyck and the m/m romance storyline. I am so glad Ms Mac Nicol is not keeping us waiting as the second book in the series will be released 22nd May 2014. I highly recommended this book to read and is an absolute five star rating from me.” Foxylutely Book Reviews
Praise for Susan Mac Nicol
“We have to re-iterate that this Author will always be an automatic one-click for us. Her writing is flawless and her flawed characters are completely lovable. There’s always something quirky and fun in her stories as well as drama, angst and heaps of passion! We can highly recommend!!” – Gitte & Jenny – Totally Booked Blog
“Susan has been hailed as a genius writer of male/male literature. Her Saving Alexander has been nominated for several awards and has been reviewed widely. Congrats on all your success, Susan. You have earned it.” – Gay Lit Authors
Purchase links for DOUBLE ALCHEMY (Book #1)
Boroughs Publishing Group | Amazon: US, UK, CA, AU
Purchase links for DOUBLE ALCHEMY: CLIMAX (Book #2)
Bio:
Sue Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. At the age of eight, her family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where she stayed for nearly thirty years before arriving back in the UK in December 2000. The first year Sue was back in the UK, it snowed on her birthday, as it did the day she was born in 19*coughs* and she swears this was England welcoming her back.
Sue’s career has mostly been in the financial services area and she specialises in what she calls ‘boring’ compliance and regulatory work. That’s why she escapes into the world of writing and fantasy where she chats to her characters ad nauseum and is overjoyed when they reply. It beats the monotony of legalese, contracts and legislation and let’s face it, writing hot scenes between men can only be rewarding.
Sue is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association in the UK. She is also a member of a rather unique writing group called the Talliston Writers Circle, whose ‘creator’ is a man who is both a Bard and a Shaman. It makes for a really interesting evening and dinner conversation. She lives in the quaint village of Bocking in Essex, set in the countryside and not far from the sea should she get the yen to eat oysters.
Social Media Links
Susan Mac Nicol
Twitter – @SusanMacnicol7
Now for those who’ve scrolled down this far – the giveaway info:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Picture Update: Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day couldn’t have been a nicer day. The weather was beautiful and we had both sets of grandparents to spend it with.
Picture Update – Easter ’14 – Part II
As I mentioned in the last two updates, I’m a tad behind with my pictures. I suppose I could do one big old post, but a few smaller ones will help me find them later in time.
The first one is the long promised but never delivered follow up to Easter. After the Easter Bunny came and we played with Hey Jelly Beano, we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
May 23, 2014
Update Part 2 – New – and Not So New – Works in Progress
These Works In Progress (WIP – not to be confused with Wayward Ink Publishing’s WIP) updates are always a bugger for me. I have such good intentions, but never seem to have the time to finish anything.
BUT – this time I have some news without hopes or best intentions. This time, I actually have completed stories to announce. (Shocking, yes I know.)
First – I have a short story in Wayward Ink’s, Love, Loss, Laughter & Lust – Anthology. That will be titled, A Closed Door. The anthology will be released on June 20, 2014. It is available for pre-order now. Buy Link:
Next – Ashes of Life is my entry for the Goodreads MM Romance, Don’t Read in the Closet event. That is going to be released probably in July or early August. I don’t have a date yet, but I’ll let folks know as soon as I learn more. I already posted a cover reveal and excerpt, but in case you missed it, here’s that link: Ashes of Life
Harp Strings should be the next book released after Ashes of Life. I’ve been told that if I want this out by Gay Rom Lit, I need to have it done by June 30. Might be tough to do that, but if I don’t make that deadline, I hope I’ll have it out shortly afterward? I’m about 60K into it with maybe another 20K to go. We’ll see. But, some time this fall, however Harp Strings should be out. This will be my first contemporary MM Romance. (If no one likes it, it could be my last) I shared an excerpt earlier, here:
Moving along - The Last Grand Master (TLGM) is going to be re-released by Dreamspinner Press – Sorta. Dreamspinner has created a new imprint called DsP Publications. DsP Publications is going to focus on books that may or may not be a romance, but where the main plot is something other than a romance. These would include Sci-fi, Fantasy, Thrillers, & Mystery. Things that aren’t a straight up romance. Anyway, in preparation for the release of Book Two of Champion of the Gods – The Eye and The Arm - DsP Publications is going to re-release TLGM about a month or so before book 2. So look for that in Feburary 2015.
Which leads me to Book 2 of Champion of the Gods – The Eye and the Arm. Yep, it’s going to happen. I was told that if I can have the manuscript to DsP Publications by June 1, 2014, The Eye and the Arm will be out around April 1, 2015. Well, it’s done. It’s in a final round of edits, but it will go to DsP Publications no later than June 1. More importantly, DsP Publications will allow for a longer book – so books 3-5 will be twice as long a the first two. The nice part about that is books 3 & 4 are written, but just need some fixin. With the larger word count, I’ll be able to get these out on a schedule – no more waiting for me to finish a total rewrite of the next book. By the time Book 2 is out, I’ll know approximately when book three will be released. Hopefully, book two will contain the opening chapter or part of the opening chapter to book three. So this is great news for me – and anyone who wants to read the rest of the series.
Well, that’s up date two. The weekend updates will be pictures that I’ve been meaning to post for a while. See you tomorrow.
May 22, 2014
Update: Part 1 – Wayward Ink Publishing
Some of you know, some of you don’t, but Lily Velden recently started Wayward Ink Publishing (WIP).
She asked me to be her partner in this venture, and while I said yes, I’m more of a very junior partner with a big mouth. Lily is the driving force behind this new publisher, I’m just a helper.
WIP’s first book – Bollocks - is going to be released on June 5, 2014. It is, however, available for pre-order now on WIP’s website: Buy Link
Bollocks is an anthology with a British twist. It was created and released as part of WIP’s participation at UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet held this year in Bristol – June 6-8, 2014.
For more information about the anthology – check out the new video trailer for the book posted below.
For more information about WIP – visit our website and poke around: Wayward Ink Publishing
May 21, 2014
No Flashing This Week
Got some updates over the next couple days so I’ll post them along with a slew of pictures I’ve been holding onto until I have the chance to post them.
-AQG
May 13, 2014
Wednesday Briefs: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 31
Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 31
The sheet settled around them as Peter stretched his body on top of Jason’s. He slowly kissed around Jason’s face until their lips met. Jason put his hands on Peter ass and ground their naked bodies tighter. Pressed together, the hairs on Peter’s chest tickling his skin, which only fanned his need to get close.
After almost two years together, he’d learned Peter liked to control how they kissed. Since it felt amazing, Jason didn’t object. Tonight Peter kissed him hard, with an urgency that hinted that he might want to be on top. If Peter did want to switch things up a bit and fuck him, Jason knew from their lip lock that he’d be in for a rough ride.
For a moment he considered asking Peter to wait a day. The morning after a night when Peter got in the mood to fuck hard always left Jason more than a bit sore. Much as he liked the feeling—it was a daylong reminder of the night before—it gave him a perpetual hard on the entire day. His schedule for tomorrow made that a bad idea.
His intended protest died as Peter deepened their kiss and Jason’s entire body tingled. Tomorrow’s schedule didn’t matter. Wiggling his body, Jason moved until he’d positioned Peter between his legs.
Peter broke their kiss, but immediately move to nip at Jason’s ear. “Someone’s in a mood tonight.”
Sliding his right leg up, Jason licked around Peter’s ear and whispered, “That makes two of us.
Peter thrust upward, running their hard-ons against each other. Combined with their lips reconnecting, Jason writhed under his boyfriend’s body. When Peter pinched Jason’s nipple, he moaned loudly and bucked upward.
Reaching over, he couldn’t reach the drawer on the nightstand. Unable to get a condom on lube without breaking contact, he pulled back to catch his breath. “I want you, now.”
“Yeah?” Peter kissed him roughly for an instant. “Right now?”
“Now!” He twisted toward the small table, but Peter pushed him back.
“I’ll get it.” The words came out in a near growl as he leaned to his right. As he pulled open the drawer, the front door opened and slammed shut.
“Shit.” He could feel his mood deflating fast. “Did you lock our door?”
“No.”
Jason could hear the annoyance in his boyfriend’s voice as Dean stomped up the stairs. Part of him hoped Dean would respect their privacy, but he didn’t expect consideration from his brother when he was mad. And from the sound of things, Dean was pissed.
“Jason!”
“Not now, Dean!” He said it loud enough that Dean should’ve heard him.
Peter started to move, but Jason held on to him. If Dean barged in, tough shit on what he saw.
“Jason!” The call was closer. He heard his brother turn the knob and watched the door swing open.
Calm as he’d tried to be at Dean’s interruption, he couldn’t hold back. “Get the fuck out!”
Even with Peter mostly on top of him, he could see Dean step back when he shouted. He rarely yelled, but this went too far.
“Dean, I swear, if you’re not out of here in two seconds, I’m going to kick the shit out of you and send you home on a stretcher.”
Dean turned his head back the way he came. “We need to talk.”
The door slammed and Jason heard his brother storm down the stairs. So much for his mood. One glance at Peter’s face and he knew he wasn’t alone. “After I deal with this, any chance we can pick up where we left off?”
“I can’t say for sure.” He gave Jason a quick kiss and rolled to his right. “But I’ll be happy to see what happens when we try.”
* * *
After taking a minute to get dressed, Jason padded his way barefoot toward the kitchen. Dean sat at the table, a glass of water in front of him.
“That was so not right, Dean.”
“Oh and what you two did was any better?”
“Going on the offensive doesn’t work. You walk into our room like that again and I’ll let Pete kick your ass up and down the stairs, then we’ll kick you out of the house.”
“You can’t kick me out, Dad owns the house.”
“Trust me, Dean. You don’t want to test me. I’ve kept you here since the semester started by not narc’in on you to mom and dad. Do you really want to dare me?”
“Fine.” The anger smoldered in his eyes, but Jason didn’t care if Dean seethed.
“Now about tonight…”
“Yeah, tonight.” Dean shook his head. “Talk about so not right.”
“I told you we were going to dinner.” The longer he dragged it out, the harder it was to pivot to what he really wanted to say.
“And you just had to picked the same place as us?”
“Pete’s sister is the manager and he knows practically everyone who works there.”
When his brother’s expression lost some of it’s bite, guilt slithered around Jason’s stomach.
“Oh yeah, I forgot.”
“And…” he let out a small sigh. This needed to come out and it made no sense to let Dean get over his anger only to piss him off again. “We wanted to see Hanna’s reaction to us without her expecting to meet us.”
Dean shot out of his chair. “I knew you two were spying on us! I just knew it!”
“Yeah…well—”
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Darryl told me what happened.”
“He…what?”
“He told me how she reacted to seeing Blake and Ethan. We…I wanted to see what she’d do when she saw us holding hands.”
Dean stared at the ceiling in the direction of Jason’s room. “Pete put you up to this, didn’t he?”
“No, it was my idea, he just helped us pull it off.”
“That’s so crap of D’mon to tell you. I thought we were friends.”
“You are, but he and I are…” He almost said, “like brothers,” but didn’t think that would go over well. “We’re tight like that. He was watching out for Pete and me. Especially after what Jordan did.”
“Hanna is so not…”
“She failed, Dean.”
“What?”
“She failed. The moment she saw us holding hands, her face scrunched up and she shot daggers at us both. She didn’t lighten up until she found out I was your brother.”
“Hanna would never do anything like what Jordan did.”
That hit on the only reason Jason felt good about what they did. “I didn’t think Jordan was a bad guy either.”
“He was a total douche. You never saw it because he never let it show around you.”
“Exactly. See anything you recognize?” He stared at his brother, hoping he’d connect the dots on his own. If he had to spell it out, Dean would fight the truth.
Dean’s eyes seemed distant and his mouth moved like he was talking something through. After a couple seconds, he sat down and avoided Jason’s gaze.
“Tonight she got her second yellow card, bro. Don’t be the fool that I was. Be smarter.”
Slowly Dean turned toward him. When their eyes met, Jason shrugged and turned to go back to bed. If Dean didn’t work it out himself, things were going to get ugly—fast. He hoped it wouldn’t get to that, but he also knew how hard it was to grasp the truth when you didn’t want to see.
He sighed as his foot touched the cool wood of the first stair. There was no way he get back to the same mood he’d been in before Dean came home.
Be Sure To Check Out The Briefs Of These Other Flashers:
Follow all your favorite flashers and read the first 100 words on the group’s website:
Wednesday Briefs Website:
or click on the individual links below:
MA Church
Chris T. Kat
Jon Keys
LM Brown
Nephylim
Lily Sawyer
MC Houle
Grace Duncan
TC Collins
Larry Benjamin
Johanna
Cia Nordwell
Rob Colton
Jim Dunaway
Renee Stevens
Victoria Adams
Tali Spencer
E.S.
JC Wallace
Julie Lynn Hayes
May 11, 2014
Ashes of Life – My DRitC Entry – With Cover Reveal and Sneak Peek
Every year, the Goodreads MM Romance group does an event that gets authors to write stories based on the suggestions of readers. [If you're not a member of the group, here's the link to sign up - it's free. Goodreads MM Romance Group] The event is call Don’t Read in the Closet (DRitC). For those not familiar with it, the reader writes a ‘Dear Author’ letter. They provide a picture and what they see in the picture. Based on those two things, the author that claims the prompt writes ‘that story.’ The MM Group then compiles these stories, and posts them over a three month period. [There were 200 prompts this year so do NOT ask me how they manage to collect, format, and post these, but they do.] They also group the stories into anthologies after all the stories are posted. The stories are free to read on their website: M/M Romance Group. You can also downland them for free in ePub, Mobi or PDF formats.
This year I decided to try my hand at it. Here is the prompt I claimed: My Prompt
Yes I know that Fantasy is never as popular as contemporary **sigh** but I like what I like and I couldn’t help myself.
Lily Velden helped me with the cover art and Julie and Lorraine did the editing. With that, I submitted the final version. They won’t start posting until June and I suspect that since mine is one of the last to be submitted, it won’t be available until late July or August, but that’s good by me.
So with that, here it is:
Ashes of Life; by Andrew Q. Gordon
When Sergeant Thane asked his best friend and second in command, to go riding, he had no idea how much his life would change. Taken by his horse to a forest that shouldn’t exist, Thane hears a cry for help.
Answering the plea, Thane releases a phoenix—Eraq—from his centuries long imprisonment. Eraq’s first act of freedom is to claim Thane as his own.
But the phoenix is more than he appears. A mage-shifter, Eraq sets his sights on the man who answered his call for help. Thane returns the interest despite learning that his act of liberation has set in motion events that will change the world.
When he learns his relationship with Eraq places him at the center of events beyond his understanding, Thane refuses to abandon the man he’s come to love. Even if it hurtles him toward certain death.
Excerpt:
I pulled harder and was rewarded by the sound of metal grating on metal. The door inched upward until finally the vault opened with a whoosh. Foul air, thick with the smell of sulfur and acrid smoke, rushed from the tomb as fresh air filled the now exposed room. I stood frozen as a dread filled me that I’d unleashed an imprisoned demon.
Covered in feathers the color of fire, a bird cleared the gap. Its body resembled a large eagle, except he had long tail feathers that dripped fire. The meager sunlight that slipped through the trees reflected off the creature in a rainbow of colors. His eyes, however, held my attention. Surrounding the pupils, a rich yellow iris seemed to shift hues like pools of molten amber. The white around the edges was slightly bloodshot and appeared more human than avian.
“A phoenix.”
My fear changed to awe when he stared at me.
“I claim you, Thane, of the house of Jelcob.”
The voice was faint, barely a whisper, and the words seemed to take everything he had left. Without warning, the phoenix burst into flames and his ashes rained into the hole.
I sat backward and nearly fell over. Only Thunder’s impatient movements prevented me from rushing to the side of the vault to peer inside. I quickly untied the rope and pushed him. Satisfied he could flee if necessary, I cautiously moved to the open crypt.
Of all the magical creatures I’d read about, phoenixes were the most rare. Wise and powerful, the legends held they taught the first wizards and healers. Whether that was true, phoenixes were sought after and revered, even by kings and queens. Despite their lofty status, I’d never read anything to suggest they claimed humans.
A flash of light from below forced me to cover my eyes. When I opened them, he hovered over the opening again. This time his movements were fluid and graceful. His feathers shimmered now, bathing the forest floor in a faint red-orange glow. When our gazes met, I noticed his eyes had not changed.
“I am Eraq and I have waited centuries for you, Thane.”
May 10, 2014
New Release: Heart Knot Mine: By Lily Velden
Lily’s been a bit busy with some new things she’s doing so she didn’t stop by to promote her new book – [insert really sad face here]
But that won’t stop me from giving it a bit of a plug. Aside from an out of place “flutter” or two, Heart Knot Mine is a really good book. I’d recommend it to everyone.
First, a bit about the book:
Despite a successful college teaching career, Noah Daniels has become depressed. He feels he’s leading a monochromatic life: love has eluded him. When he’s offered a chance to teach in London as part of an exchange program, he accepts, hoping a change of scenery will do him good. But once he’s there, his outlook on love and sexuality changes in ways he never expected.
Robert Callinan is Noah’s English counterpart in the program. The men exchange not only their jobs, but also their homes, and it is what Noah stumbles across while staying at Robert’s house that sends him on a journey of self-discovery—both mentally and physically. A journey that puts color back into his life… just not in the way he expected. When the exchange program ends, Noah has to go home, but he doesn’t know if he wants to return to the life he left behind.
Dreamspinner Buy Link:
Amazon Buy Link:
Barnes & Noble Buy Link:
ARe Buy Link:
Next check out the video trailer. This is the song that inspired the book:
If that’s not enough to get you to check out the book, Lily provided an exclusive excerpt.
(I realize she’ll share it later, but I do so love being exclusive. :) )
The key baffled me.
I’d found the soul mate, the yin to the yang, for every other key on the ring. But for three days I’d explored the house and not discovered the home of the small ornate brass mystery. Its elusiveness bothered me. I found myself wondering about it at the oddest times, like when I was exploring the city or training at the tae kwon do club I’d found less than a mile from my front doorstep. It nagged at me when I rode the Tube, and at night when I brushed my teeth. It stood out on the ring, its intricate Celtic design drawing my attention every time I handled the keys. It was impossible to ignore. It might have been small in comparison to its more utilitarian cousins, but its very uniqueness made it large in my eyes. Perhaps for that reason, I felt the need to find its home.
I rolled a sip of red wine around inside my mouth before tipping my head back and letting it slide down my throat. I wondered what I should do for the evening. Pondering my options, I carried my plate to the kitchen and quickly washed it. After drying my hands on a hand towel, I pulled aside the curtain and looked outside. Seeing the steady rain, I sighed. The foul weather made my decision for me. A night in it was. Maybe it was time to check out Robert’s DVD collection.
Sauntering up the stairs to the master bedroom with its huge king-size bed, I paused just inside the door, my gaze on the large flat-screen TV—Robert obviously liked to watch movies while lying in his mammoth bed. The state-of-the-art modernity of the unit was in direct contrast to the antique Chinese sideboard upon which it rested. The cabinet was beautiful: long and dark, with three sets of double doors decorated with delicately painted birds and blooms in creams, greens and gold.
After placing my glass of wine on the bedside table, I strode to the sideboard, and upon opening the first set of doors, one glance informed me the DVDs were arranged alphabetically. I ran my gaze over the titles and removed one or two possibilities before moving to the second set of doors and doing the same.
The final set of doors stopped me in my tracks. There, on the bottom shelf, was an old-fashioned lockable box. As soon as I saw it, I knew I’d finally found the home of my mystery key…
About the Author:
Lily Velden lives on the east coast of Australia, her family having emigrated from Holland when she was a child.
She’s both a left and right brain person, holding qualifications in both Finance and Fine Arts. She tells her friends that her way with numbers will make her a profitable artist and writer… one day.
Lily has always had a love of language and a beautifully crafted sentence, and admits to having a fetish for collecting quotes, poems, and song lyrics. What she won’t admit to is how many notebooks she’s filled with those quotes… Her fascination carries on into her artworks where she often incorporates text. When a shoulder injury slowed down her art practice she decided to explore her love of the written word more fully and began writing. “I’ll paint my pictures with words.”
Not that she’s abandoned artmaking in its entirety—Lily collaborates on the designs for all her book covers.
There are many things Lily loves, here are just a few of the PG rated ones: a good laugh (all the better if caused by a naughty joke), the smell of freshly baked goods and mown grass, a smile from a stranger, rainbows after the rain, and witnessing a promise kept.
Lily Velden can be found at:
Website: http://lilyvelden.wordpress.com/
Email: lilyvelden@live.com.au
Twitter Name: @LilyVelden
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lily.velden
Tumblr: http://lilyvelden.tumblr.com/
