Andrew Q. Gordon's Blog, page 48
March 4, 2014
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – 9
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – Part 9
Nicholas tried to speak, but Alex cut him off. “And how come every time I have a date with Austin, you show up with urgent news?”
“Your uncle wants you to go back to your room.” He turned as soon as he started to speak. “He says it’s safer with the wards activated.”
“Duncan can kiss a helcor’s testicles.” Alex didn’t need any more reasons to dislike his uncle. “And what? Did you leap at the chance to be the one who got to tell me?”
Nicholas’ eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched for an instant. The look faded almost instantly. “Contrary to what you think, I take no pleasure interfering in your courtship.”
“It’s called a date, Nicholas. No one but you calls it a courtship.” Alex paused for a moment as two guests left the diner. When they’d move far enough away, he turned his focus back on his guardian. “Forget it. Tell my uncle I’m not going back until I’m ready. In fact, tell him if I can get lucky, I hope to sleep at Austin’s place tonight.”
“That would be most ill-advised Alex.” The condescending tone irked Alex more than the words. “Your uncle and cousin have been sent to watch you, going to Austin’s would only create a very awkward situation for you.”
“For them, you mean.”
“No, for you.” Nicholas tensed and scanned the area to the left of the diner. “Your cousin is coming. If you don’t want to create a scene, you should rethink your position.”
Part of him knew he was wrong, but the rest of him that wanted everyone to leave him alone won the moment.
“Why can’t they leave me alone? I think you and I can handle one helcor without an entourage.”
A hint of a smile threatened to undermine Nicholas’ stern visage. “I’m touched you feel that confident in my abilities, but if this helcor has targeted you, we need to be very careful.”
“I can be careful without cowering in my room.” Alex crossed his arms over his chest.
“Nicholas.” Donovan’s voice caused him to turn around. “Let me talk to my cousin.”
There had only been rare times that Nicholas looked undecided about anything, but Alex could see it now. Then again, Alex continued to keep his issues with Donny private.
“You can go, Nicholas, I’ll be fine.”
Nicholas’ penetrating stare did nothing to shake Alex’s resolve. That seemed to satisfy the angel as he nodded twice and walked away.
“So,” Alex turned toward his cousin. “Why now? Why do I have to leave right now?”
“Your father sent word that his intelligence chief said the evidence shows this demon is specifically after you.”
“We knew that already. Why else would he send you to guard me.”
“I was sent because they suspect you might be the target. We got confirmation today.” The inflection in his voice told Alex his cousin took the threat serious. “You need to go back to your room until we hunt him down.”
“No way. Last date I had with Austin, you and Duncan showed up and I had to cut things short. I’m not doing that tonight.” He noted the disapproving look and changed tactics. “C’mon, Donny. This is the first guy I’ve really liked since….”
Donovan flinch even without Alex completing the sentence.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that, but please, not this time. Don’t make me leave now. Nicholas is more than capable of warning me before this thing can get within a hundred feet.”
The look on Donovan’s face reminded Alex of when they were younger and his cousin would agree to something he didn’t think was a good idea. Alex toyed with the idea of saying he’d go, but couldn’t bring himself to agree.
“Give me a minute to talk to my father.” Donovan turned without waiting for Alex to respond.
* * *
Austin’s phone rang as they reached his apartment. He hesitated for an instant, than reached into his pocket.
“That’s my parent’s ring, do you mind?”
“Please, after all the family drama I’ve had, I feel like I owe you more than a few of your own.”
Austin kissed him on the cheek. “Let’s hope my drama isn’t like yours.”
The kiss had its usual affect on Alex, but he didn’t get a chance to return the favor.
“Hello?. . . .Yes, sir. . . . Yes. . . .Of course, sir. . . .Yes, I completely understand. . . . Did you want me to call and tell them or do you want to?”
Austin gave him a pained looked and a shrug. When he mouthed the word ‘sorry,’ Alex smiled, but kept quiet. He knew he sounded the same way when talking to his father.
“It would be easier if you made the call, but if….Yes, sir. Thank you. . . . I’ll call you tomorrow. . . .Bye.”
He stared at the phone for a moment before he slid it back into his left pant pocket. “Sorry. He um…has a bit of a commanding presence. Now you know why I left home.”
“No need to apologize. I’ve been on the receiving end of those calls before.”
Giving Alex a conspiratorial smile, Austin found the key to his door. “Haven’t we all.”
Austin flicked the light switch as he led Alex into his apartment. It had the standard couch, small round table and chairs in the corner, and crate that doubled as a stand for the small flat screen television that Alex expected. The prints on the wall and the two plants, however, made it feel so much more grown up than his dorm.
“It’s not much, but I like it.”
“Are you kidding, this is great. How’d you score a place like this with no roommate?”
“I like my privacy and since I have a full scholarship, I convinced my parents to let me spend some of my college fund on my own apartment.”
“That’s so cool. I’d….” Alex felt wards being activated around the apartment. He didn’t know how Donny managed to swing it, but he’d made it happen – just like he promised.
“Something wrong?” Austin stepped closer into Alex’s personal space.
“Nope.” He watched Austin lean closer. When they broke their kiss, he whispered. “Not anymore.”
Be Sure To Check Out The Briefs Of These Other Flashers:
Find all your favorite flashers in one place and read the first 100 words on the groups website:
Wednesday Briefs Website:
or click on the individual links below:
Nephylim
March 2, 2014
Guest Author: Jamie Lynn Miller
Today Jamie Lynn Miller stops by to talk a bit fan fiction, why she writes eBooks and, oh yeah, her her new book, Memory’s Prisoner.
Thank you so much for hosting me here today, Andrew, I really appreciate it.
Today I’d like to talk about why I got into writing ebooks, back in 2008. Unlike some opinions I’ve read over the years, I embrace my fan fiction roots. I started back in 1995, writing X-Files fiction and it just spiraled on from there. In fact I’m still writing fan fiction today and loving every minute of it.
There’s always been this general impression in the “professional world” that all fan fiction is garbage, written by 15 year old girls. Well sorry, hate to tell you, but I’ve known fan fiction writers who would put professional authors (and TV show writers) to shame. And there’s been plenty of professional paperback novels I’ve read that belong in the trash can.
I’d finally gotten so fed up with fan fiction writers being looked down upon that I set out to prove (to myself at least) that my writing was good enough to get published, despite my “roots”. And look at that, it was! Five times so far!
After my fourth book with the same publisher I challenged myself again – to submit to another publisher. Would I be good enough for someone else? And look at that, Dreamspinner accepted me on my first try! My next challenge is self-publication and I’m already well on my way. I should have that book out in the next month or so.
Bottom line – everyone’s got to start somewhere. And for me (and many of you) it was the fan fiction world. Everyone needs to hone their craft and there is no harsher critic than fandom. I took my bumps and bruises along the way and it made me a better writer, to what I am today.
In fact, if it hadn’t been for fan fiction I never would have discovered my love of hurt/comfort, which is now the main theme in all of my ebooks. And Memory’s Prisoner here is no exception. This time the hurt is both physical and emotional with Mitch and Joey needing to lean on each other to get through their injuries that have changed their lives, providing the comfort they both desperately need.
Thanks again, Andrew, for having me here today! I hope to hear from all of you who are also proud of your fan fiction roots!
Read on for an excerpt from Memory’s Prisoner…
BLURB:
Detectives Mitchell Reid and Joseph Valentino of the Chicago Police Department have finally moved from friends to lovers, partners on the job and off. Then an escaped bank robber with a thirst for vengeance shatters their world. The police tactical raid to recapture the convict goes horribly wrong, leaving Mitch severely wounded and Joey with a devastating head injury. They both survive, but Joey’s long-term coma and memory loss will change their lives – and love – forever.
~~~~~~
Excerpt:
Mitch crouched at the corner of one crate, preparing to slip to the next closest one. The flash from a rifle’s muzzle inside the warehouse caught Mitch’s eye as it illuminated the gunman.
Doyle.
Their eyes locked and an evil, maniacal grin crossed the psychopath’s face. Mitch’s cover had been blown. A split second later he heard the ominous click of the triggering mechanism inside the crate he was leaning against and Mitch knew he had seconds to live.
Launching himself up and away from the crate, heedless of the gunfire surrounding him, Mitch desperately tried to put as much distance between himself and the bomb as he could. Four frantic strides were all he could manage.
The force of the explosion threw him off his feet and hurled him forward, wave after wave of intense heat and debris at his back, before he slammed down onto the dock. Excruciating pain like he’d never known raced through his battered body as he rolled across the wooden surface before coming to rest on his back. Dazed and winded, fighting unconsciousness, Mitch heard Tim frantically calling his name. His head lolled to the side as he tried to answer but his gaze caught sight of the torn, bloody mass of flesh that was his left leg.
“NO! MITCH!”
Joey’s cry of utter terror drew Mitch’s attention from his mangled body. He looked up to see his partner racing toward him, surrounded by Team Three, weapons blazing. Uncaring of the extreme danger he was in, Joey charged forward in a desperate rescue attempt, his fear for Mitch written all over his face.
Horrified, Mitch tried to call out, managing only a hoarse whisper. “No… get back….”
Two feet from Mitch it happened.
Another crate exploded, sending huge pieces of debris through the air. Unable to slow down or change course, Joey plowed directly through the explosion, his head suddenly snapping violently to the side as a large piece of wood impacted it.
“JOEY!”
The scream was torn from Mitch’s throat as he watched his partner’s expression change from one of terrified concern to one of total confusion as the wood hit its mark and his body crumpled like a rag doll.
The nightmare had begun.
~~~~~~
About The Author:
Jamie Lynn Miller has been writing fiction since childhood and decided to take the plunge and go pro in 2008, finding to her amazement that people truly enjoyed her love stories. She’s a romantic at heart, and her tales reflect the desire we all have to find “the one,” persevering through trials and heartache for that happy ending.
Jamie has a degree in fine arts and has spent the last twenty years working as a graphic designer, though she’d much rather be writing. She was born in Chicago and still lives there today with her husband and their two furry, four-footed children, er… cats.
If she’s not brainstorming story ideas, you can find Jamie at a sci-fi convention, in front of a furnace doing glass blowing, or on a mat twisted into a yoga pose.
Buy Links:
Purchase Memory’s Prisoner from:
DREAMSPINNER: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4414&cPath=55_994
February 26, 2014
Guest Author: Indra Vaughan – The House on Hancock Hill Blog Tour & Giveaway
Today’s guest is Indra Vaughan – whom I owe a huge apology to – I had planned to interview her, but I never sent her the questions. That said, she’s a wonderful author with a new book out that sounds delicious. (okay that was lame, but the main character is a pastry chef, and I do love me some cake and pie.) So take a moment and check out the blurb and the excerpt and click on her links for more information.
She’s also holding a giveaway so make sure to click on the Rafflecopter link to enter.
![HouseonHancockHill[The]_headerbanner](http://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/houseonhancockhillthe_headerbanner.jpg)
Blurb:
![HouseonHancockHill[cover]](http://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/houseonhancockhillcover.jpg)
Pastry chef and bakery owner Jason Wood bakes a mean chocolate soufflé, yet his love life keeps falling flat. He’d blame his past if he wasn’t trying so hard to avoid it.
When his family’s farmhouse burns to the ground, he’s summoned to identify a body found in the ashes. Jason returns to Hancock, Michigan, and reunites with a childhood friend, small town vet Henry McCavanaugh. After fifteen years apart, their rekindled friendship soon develops into much more. But Jason’s baggage threatens their blossoming romance, and he leaves town unannounced to escape his feelings—and Henry’s feelings for him. He has learned the hard way if something seems too good to be true, it’s best to run for the hills. Jason stress-bakes more confections than he knows what to do with before wondering if he’s running in the wrong direction.
Time for the Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
When I return from my trip to Italy on Sunday March 8th, the three winners will be announced on my Facebook Page and Livejournal!
About The Author:
Indra Vaughn moved from Belgium to Michigan in 2008, leaving everything behind that wouldn’t fit in a single suitcase. She now lives in the suburbs of Detroit with a dog who thinks he’s a toddler and a toddler who resembles Bam Bam in more ways than one.
Indra’s professional background is in nursing and Chinese medicine, but she prefers to spend time making up stories about mysterious men and their unrequited love.
If you ever meet her, ask her about that teenage angst-infused poetry collection. That’ll break the ice for sure.
If you would like to get in touch with me in the meantime, you can find me on:
Tumblr (which is NSFW)
Now go forth and indulge in something yummy.
Excerpt:
Since the bakery had closed two hours ago, I considered not going inside the shop to check who it was, but the knock came again. I couldn’t remember any other time anyone had tried to get in at this hour, so I stuck my head through the kitchen door. A man was pressing a hand to the window and peering in. I didn’t need to turn on the light to see who it was. That build—those strong shoulders and narrow waist, sharp cheekbones and a well-defined jaw. An exquisitely tailored three-piece suit.
It was Tom.
If he hadn’t spotted me then, I’d have hidden in the kitchen and waited for him to leave. Swallowing hard, I wiped my hands on a clean towel, snatched off my chef’s hat, and quickly looked down. There was chocolate on my apron, a smear of marzipan on my sleeve. I had butter under my nails.
Well, he’d arrived unannounced, he’d have to take it or leave it. I unlocked the door and stepped back, pulling it open. On the threshold, Tom smiled at me in a way that used to make my heart swell.
“My God, Jason.” Tom said nothing else, and I couldn’t help it: it thrilled me to see him look at me like that.
“Tom.” I faltered. What could I say? Good to see you? I wasn’t sure it was. He grinned at me, and it was so familiar, it ached somewhere inside me even after all these years.
“I sent you an email a couple of days ago to say I was in town, but I gather from the look on your face you didn’t get it.”
“It’s been really busy.” With an apologetic little wave, I indicated the yellow and green Easter decorations, the chocolate ducklings arranged in a row according to size, the huge halved chocolate eggs filled with smaller sugar eggs.
“Well that’s great,” he said, smiling a warm, white-toothed smile. “I’m pleased. Is this a really bad time? I’d love to take a look around your bakery.”
“I—yeah, sure.” I stepped aside and let him in, locking the door again so no one else could wander in. At the back of the shop, I flicked the lights on and then watched Tom look around.
To see him here was surreal. He was part of a life that had been over for so long, I didn’t know if I was comfortable with him in my bakery.
Who was I kidding? Of course I wasn’t comfortable. Tom looked like he’d walked off the front cover of Forbes magazine, and I probably had flour in my hair. To be fair, he peered around with real interest. When he spotted the marzipan animals in every color imaginable, I thought he was going to press his face to the display window like a kid. Tom didn’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I remember marzipan being his Achilles’ heel.
“Those look amazing,” he said on cue, and I laughed. “Did you make all this yourself?”
“I do the confections and Alice does the bread.” Tom beamed at me, and I rolled my eyes. “Yes, you can try one.” I stepped behind the counter and plucked a little pink piglet off the tray, handing it over with a smirk.
“Thanks, Jason. I’ll pay you.”
“No need. Go on, try it.”
Tom bit off the nose. For some reason I knew he’d do that. “Mmmm,” he went, closing his eyes and making a dramatic blissful face. “Oh my God.” He ate the rest of the piglet and licked his fingers. “That article wasn’t lying.”
I frowned at him and took off my stained apron, draping it over the cash register. “What article?”
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Tom explored the rest of the display. “Just something I read awhile back. I can’t remember where, but it’s how I found out you owned your own bakery. Oh.” He straightened. “It was about opening a second one in Detroit and how it was quickly becoming a household name or something.” I hadn’t read the article, but I couldn’t say it didn’t please me to hear it. “Who was it that opened the other one? Denny Sherwood or something?”
“Sheridan. Denny Sheridan. Sherwood is the name of the bakery.”
“Right, of course.” He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. “Got to be tough to have a long distance thing going.”
Laughing at the badly hidden snooping, I said, “He’s married with two kids.”
Tom headed back my way and grinned at me with an open affection I wasn’t used to from him. “It’s so good to see you. I didn’t give you a hug. Can I hug you, or are you still allergic to affection?”
A sudden lump rammed its way into my throat when I thought about how I’d kissed Henry in front of his clinic, visible to all and sundry. I shoved the image away. “I guess not.” It was still awkward to hug him. Maybe because it’d been so long since I’d seen Tom, and he’d just appeared out of nowhere. Or maybe I was forever going to be unable to adjust to holding someone shorter.
“You look good,” Tom said, and I let him go.
“You too.”
After a silence that had me look away first, Tom said, “Is there anywhere we can get dinner at this hour, or does everything close at eight?” He laughed, but for some reason his attitude grated on me. Traverse City wasn’t that small.
“I’m actually in the middle of making a chocolate Easter bunny. I can’t leave it overnight.”
“Can I watch?”
That was the last thing I wanted, but I didn’t know how to say it without being rude, and I doubted very much the request would’ve bothered me if it had come from Henry. “Okay. Yeah, sure.”
The Easter bunny broke in two when I took it out of the mold. Tom was perched on the clean worktable behind me, and he laughed. It took me a good minute before I could turn around without showing moisture in my eyes. Tom slid off the counter and put his hands on my arms, rubbing them up and down, so I probably hadn’t hidden my dismay very well.
“Come on,” he said. “Let me take you to dinner.”
“I’ll go grab my coat.” I went into the small office. It had a little mirror behind the door, and I quickly checked my hair. It did have flour in it. Ah well, at least the scar on my chin was slowly beginning to fade.
February 25, 2014
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – 8
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – Part 8
Alex noticed Nicholas watching him. He’d been silent since he’d been allowed back in the room. They glared at each other as his cousin left the room, but Nicholas never commented.
Slipping on a tee shirt, he shucked his jeans and folded them. “Are you going to speak to me again?”
“Do you want me to?” Nicholas had changed his appearance so he was wearing shorts and a tee shirt. A definite improvement over the nightshirt he wanted to wear when he first arrived.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not mad at you.” He stepped into his shorts and pulled his covers back.
“You threw me out to speak to Donovan–who I might add, you looked ready to kill before I left–and you’re keeping secrets from me. What else should I expect?”
“Some things…some things are meant to be kept private, Nicholas, even from you.” He quickly slipped into bed and rolled away from the angel.
An instant later, the ethereal form appeared on the other side of the bed. “If your disagreement with Donovan threatens your safety I need to know.”
“It’s nothing like that. Donny won’t hurt me.” He rolled on his back, but Nicholas didn’t take the hint. The angel materialized directly over Alex, peering down at his charge.
“Your safety can still be compromised even if he doesn’t harm you. You need to trust and listen to him – at all times.”
“Nicholas, let it go.” Switching to his side again, he hoped his guardian wouldn’t show up again.
After several minutes, he turned toward Nicholas’ bed and found the simulated image under the covers. Too tired to check further, he closed his eyes and sank into his pillow.
* * * *
“You don’t sound happy that your uncle and cousin came to visit.” Austin used the extra-long spoon to stir his chocolate milkshake. It clinked against the sides of the old fashion metal cup. Alex always liked how the place never tried to upscale.
“My uncle’s a prat – I never liked him. He’s always so condescending.”
“Why are they even here?”
Donny and he had come up with the back story and Alex stuck to it now. “They’re down here on business. My cousin works with him now. Uncle Duncan makes a big show of ‘family’ which I guess isn’t totally an act. It’s his expectation that we’ll all rejoice at his presence that’s so annoying.”
Austin laughed and tilted the metal cup, dumping the remainder into his glass. “This place is pretty cool, how’d you find it?”
One advantage to being Quinton’s son, the local kelsin had been happy to supply him with a list of the ‘better’ places to eat. “Family friend recommended it.”
“Cool.” Austin dipped a fry into the ketchup. “Good fries too.”
Taking a bite from his burger, Alex tried to keep his mind on their date. He knew Donny and the others were around – he was reasonably sure the man and woman in the booth three down were part of the detail – and that unnerved him. But if he didn’t want Austin to find him too boring, he needed to forget they were there.
Austin had attacked his food with gusto since it arrived. The way he enjoyed his meal made Alex smile. Snagging one his fries, he continued to watch until Austin looked up.
“What?”
Alex’s smile grew. “Nothing, I just like seeing you eat. You clearly like your dinner.”
“You know it, so much better than those lame places around campus.” He glanced at Alex’s plate. “What about you? Not hungry.”
He wasn’t. What little he ate already sat like a stone in his stomach. “No, I am. I’ve just been talking too much and eating too little.”
“I suppose I could help you.” Austin reached over, plucked a fry off the plate, rolled it in the ketchup and moved it closer to Alex’s mouth. Alex bit the offered food and found his smile made it hard to eat.
Austin’s playful act helped erase most of the sour taste Alex had from the intrusion into his life. It also left him visibly hard. Thankfully he remained seated.
“That’s better.” Austin sat back and from the movement of his hand, he had the same ‘condition’ as Alex. “Glad to see you can still eat.”
“Good service always helps.” Alex dismissed any idea of returning the favor. The more Austin smiled at him the ‘worse’ he got.
They ate for bit and Alex discovered he was hungry. He used the silence to push aside all the drama around him. Everything would probably blow over without any major upheaval and if he didn’t relax, all he’d achieve is he’d drive Austin away with his behavior.
“Do you have anything going on this weekend?” Alex asked when he felt a bit calmer.
“Nothing unless someone’s asking.” The coy smile sneaked out just before Austin looked at his food.
Alex wanted to play along, but couldn’t think of anything other than being straightforward. “Well, I thought if you were free we might take a drive and get away from campus. Maybe go hiking?”
“Hiking sounds great.”
He barely heard Austin’s answer as he felt Nicholas’ presence. Before he could turn around, he saw the smile drain from Austin’s face as he stared at the door behind Alex.
“Looks like your roommate knows about this place too.”
Alex let go of the table before he crushed it. He slowly turned, ready to scream. Nicholas noticed him and smiled; the fake kind he gave out when he thought it helped.
“Alex,” he said as he reached their table. “Can we talk?”
“You had to come?” Furious, he kept his hands from anything he might break. “You couldn’t call or text?”
“I did both. You didn’t answer.”
“That’s because I turned it off so I wouldn’t be disturbed on my date!” A quick glance told him Austin didn’t appreciate the interruption either. Glaring at his guardian, he said, “Just go away.”
“I really need to speak to you now.” The look in his eyes told Alex he wouldn’t leave without a scene. And that would likely bring Donovan, his uncle and everyone else.
“I’m really sorry, Austin. Can you give me a minute?”
“Sure.” Austin gave him a wink and a smile. “I’ll order dessert–for two.”
Alex grinned and winked back. “Good idea.”
Scanning the restaurant, he noted the ‘others’ sent to keep an eye on him were avoiding his gaze. The satisfaction of calling them out almost caused a lapse in control, but managed to focus on Nicholas’ back as he led the way out.
Nicholas stopped in front of Alex’s Ford Escape and before he could speak, Alex beat him to the punch.
“You’d better have a damn good reason for this.”
Be Sure To Check Out The Briefs Of These Other Flashers:
Find all your favorite flashers in one place and read the first 100 words on the groups website:
Wednesday Briefs Website:
or click on the individual links below:
Nephylim
Family Vacation – II
I think I read that if you do some thing three times it becomes a habit. Using that as a yardstick, I guess if you go some where on vacation three years in a row it’s a tradition? Last year we rented a house at the beach so we could all – even Emma our dog – could go. This year we rented the same place. So that make us two-thirds of the way to a tradition I suppose.
Fortunate favored the foolish as our winter beach vacation turned out to have 60+ degree weather. ’lil q loved the beach, even if we couldn’t go into the water. Here are some pictures. These are pretty much at the same place as last years.
Here are a couple videos to show how big she’s gotten.
February 24, 2014
Nineteen And Counting
Last week Mike and I celebrated 19 years together. I didn’t announce or post it before now, because we went away for a few days to celebrate. We rented a beach house – couldn’t beat the 60+ degree sunny weather for a ‘winter’ weekend at the beach – and all of us – Mike, me, ‘lil q and Emma (the dog) – had a weekend away.
I said 19 years together because now that we’re married, we’re not exactly sure how to talk about it. We’ve not been married five months yet, so do we tell people we’re newlyweds? I mean really? Newlyweds? Not sure that works. But on the other hand 19 years since our first dates isn’t quite the same as 19 years married. For the first two plus years we lived in different cities and spent a fortune taking the train between Philadelphia and Washington. Were we together, yes, were we married? Not so much.
I’m good saying we’ve been together 19 years, but I’d say if we were picking the point where we’d have gotten ‘married’ if they allowed it, I’d go with May of 1997. That’s when I quit my job and moved down to DC so we could be together. At that point we sold both our cars, bought a new one together, opened joint everything accounts, savings, checking, brokerage. We were as married as we could be at the time.
Since there are several dates we could use, we just say it’s been 19 years this month and leave it at that. Besides, you can’t beat February at the beach.
February 19, 2014
Guest Author: Rob Colton
Thanks for having me today, Andrew!
I’m Rob Colton and I’m here to talk about my newest release, An American Lamb in Europe. The book was released Wednesday, February 12th , and is available from Dreamspinner Press and all your favorite online book stores.
Dreamspinner is hosting a “Meet the Author” chat for me on GoodReads, February 22nd from 2:00 – 5:00 PM (EST). I hope to see you all there!
Before we get to our excerpt, I wanted to talk a little about secondary characters. I always enjoy writing secondary characters. They always seem to develop a life of their own during the writing process.
In An American Lamb, it was Horst for me, Tomas’s vampire bodyguard. He’s the strong and silent type. He spends much of the novella standing around and glowering, but there was something about him I really liked. Near the end of the novella, he comes through for Jamie. The circumstances may have left some lingering, unanswered questions though.
Who knows, maybe we’ll see more of Horst in the future…
Blurb:
Jamie Anderson knows you need to look before you leap, but he forgets it often enough to land in trouble. When his brother and only remaining family member disappears, he doesn’t think twice about quitting his job as a dental hygienist to travel to the Czech Republic to search for him.
Rescued by the sexy, mysterious Tomas in a small city near the German border, Jamie enlists his help in locating Rudy. Soon Jamie realizes the man knows more than he’s sharing. When Jamie demands Tomas tell him the truth, Tomas reveals he’s a vampire. Horrified the man he’s fantasized about is a monster, Jamie struggles with the fact he still needs Tomas’s help to find Rudy.
Jamie never expects their search will land him in the middle of a vampire turf war.
Purchase Links:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4693
http://www.amazon.com/American-Lamb-Europe-Rob-Colton-ebook/dp/B00IE9E5WS
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-american-lamb-in-europe-rob-colton/1118614781?ean=2940148305859
Excerpt:
“So what do we do now?” I asked Tomas. I had to take big strides just to keep up with his long legs. I found myself panting, my breath visible in the cold night. “How do we find the Russians?”
“We do nothing. If the Russians took him, he is likely… gone.” His word choice made both of us uncomfortable. “I will search out their leader, Oleg, and speak with him. I will find out what he knows.”
“But I want to be there.”
“No. They are dangerous, and I will not risk you.”
Risk me? What the hell did he mean by that? I looked at him, but his face revealed nothing.
Tomas gazed out into the sky toward the horizon. “It is nearly dawn. We must hurry.”
Picking up the pace, we quickly made our way toward the river to an old warehouse district. I followed Tomas and the others to one of several abandoned warehouses covered in graffiti. Otto closed the door behind us and secured it with a heavy metal bar.
“Where are we?” I asked, looking around the dark, empty warehouse.
I pulled my hands from my pockets and blew warm air into my fists, then rubbed them together. I could barely see anything, but I did notice there was a large SUV parked just inside the double-wide garage doors. It reflected what little bit of light there was like it was shiny and brand new, the only indication that someone used the warehouse.
“We are home.”
“You live here?” I said with a frown. From what I could see, there was nothing here. What did they do? Hang upside down from the rafters like bats?
“Technically this is just temporary housing for us. We are from Bavaria. In southern Germany.”
“Oh.” I was still confused.
We followed Tomas toward the back of the warehouse, where a stairwell led down to an underground level. Light was shining from below, and it got easier to see where I was going as we moved toward the stairs. We walked down the flight of creaky metal steps, which landed in a small barren room, lit with overhead florescent lights.
Underneath the warehouse was an old nuclear bunker, built during the Cold War from the looks of it, with walls made of thick concrete enforced with steel. A large metal door stood imposingly at the bottom of the stairs with a sophisticated electronic lock. It looked completely out of place, like something that belonged in a bank vault, not underneath an abandoned warehouse.
Tomas tapped at the keypad and unlocked the door. The thick, solid metal door opened with a loud clang and a hiss. I followed Tomas through the door and was taken aback by what I saw.
“Whoa.”
Author Bio:
Rob Colton is a software developer by day, and avid reader of romance novels at night. A romantic at heart, he loves stories that feature big, burly men who find true love and happy endings.
Rob grew up in northern Michigan and currently lives in the Atlanta area with his very supportive husband and their very spoiled miniature schnauzer.
Visit Rob online:
https://www.fa reamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4693
http://www.amazon.com/American-Lamb-Europe-Rob-Colton-ebook/dp/B00IE9E5WS
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-american-lamb-in-europe-rob-colton/1118614781?ean=2940148305859
February 18, 2014
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – 7
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – Part 7
Donovan swept a lock of brown hair behind his ear. Alex tried not to notice his cousin’s amazing blue eyes as they stared at each other across his bed. “I tried not to be picked, but I had no choice. Your father suggested it and mine accepted before I could say no.”
“Then you should have changed his mind.” This close to his cousin, alone, he felt his control threatened. He needed to relax before he did something foolish. “How could you think I’d want you this close to me?”
“It’s been over four years. I thought….”
“You thought what? That I’d forgotten? That I wouldn’t mind? What Donny? What did you think?” When Alex threw his arms out, Donovan flinched and took a defensive posture. “Relax, I’m not going to attack you.”
“I thought that if you were still mad, you’d have said something to your parents by now.”
Looking closer, Alex noticed sadness in his cousin’s eyes that he’d never seen before. Of course he’d barely looked at Donovan in four years.
“I didn’t tell them.” Alex closed his eyes and couldn’t stop the memory of what had happened from appearing in his mind. “My father would’ve killed you if I had.”
Donovan didn’t answer and Alex let the silence linger until he felt steadier. Though his cousin was still beautiful, he looked different. No doubt he’d spent the last four years waiting for the axe to fall. He probably felt a huge sense of relief when Quinton suggested him for the mission.
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
Alex snorted and tried to laugh. “Did you want me to?”
“Sometimes. ” He turned and faced the wall. “I’d get so nervous whenever I saw your father, I almost wished you’d have told him just to get it over with.”
He didn’t want to talk about anything regarding that night, especially not with Donny. Unfortunately, he knew nothing short of telling his father would get Donny removed.
Angst made him feel like he’d throw up at any minute. He could feel the adrenaline course through him, causing his heart to pound harder. Being with Austin earlier had created its own anxieties, but the two feelings were nothing alike.
Before Donovan could turn around, Alex moved to the small window next to his desk. He tried to focus on the clear sky and the stars winking above. That, however, only reminded him that Donny taught him most of what he knew about astronomy. Part of his reason for wanting to learn was to be nearer to the cousin he idolized and later was in love with. They’d lay head to shoulder, looking up, and Donny would point to the different stars and constellations.
Finding no comfort, he closed his eyes. “You know why I didn’t tell them.”
“I don’t deserve your silence.”
“Probably not, but what you did, that wasn’t the Donny I…I knew.” Not the one he’d have done anything for. “At first I just hurt physically. Then when I realized you weren’t coming back it…caused other issues.”
“I should have. I wanted to, but…well you were very clear you didn’t want to see me again.”
Alex felt a tear roll down his cheek, but refused to wipe it. He’d been angry when he told his cousin to get the fuck away and never come back. Eventually he’d moved past what happened–moved past them. But not before he waited months for Donny to come back, call, email, something.
“Doesn’t it help that I’m so sorry for what I did?”
“No and yes.” He might–probably would have forgiven Donny if he’d said that right after. At least he didn’t say he was sorry for what happened. When Alex finally turned, he realized his cousin had moved closer. “It’s a bit late, but it still gives me some closure.”
“I mean it, Alex. I really am sorry. Seeing you again, I realize just how much.” He used the back of his hand to wipe his cheeks. “Take care of yourself and don’t let my father push you around.”
Donny started to walk toward the door, but Alex grabbed him by the arm. He snatched his hand back, but didn’t retreat. “Where are you going?”
“To make sure your father removes me.”
Alex twisted his way forward and put his hands on his cousin’s chest. He ignored the feelings bubbling inside. “Donny, stop. He will kill you.”
“A minute ago you told me to find a way to get removed. That’s what I’m doing.” He stepped back and to his right, but Alex moved with him, blocking the way.
“I didn’t … mean I don’t…damn it, Donny, just stop!” He closed his eyes and balled up his fists. Locking his eyes on his cousin’s , he growled. “Ugh!”
Donny reached up, but let his hands drop before he made contact. “Four years ago I betrayed your trust and ignored your pain to do what I wanted. Then, like a coward, I slinked away hoping you cared about me enough not to say anything. Coming here, I’d hoped you’d tolerate me enough that I could do this for you. Believe it or not I do want you to be safe.
“Your body language, however, screams at me the pain my presence causes you. This time I’m not going to put myself first. What happened was inexcusable. Anyone with any decency wouldn’t do that to someone they loved. But I was incredibly selfish and I did. I’m not that person anymore. I won’t deliberately hurt you again, no matter what it costs me.”
Alex’s chest burned and he realized he’d stopped breathing. He couldn’t tell how long they’d stood facing each other, but when he felt his cousin touch the wards on the room, he blinked and gasped for air.
“Don’t.” He seized the wards and made certain Donny couldn’t leave. Alex took several breaths to regain his control. Keeping his head down he said, “You asked me why I didn’t say anything…I kept silent because…because I loved you. At first I thought you’d come back and apologize. Make it better. I even hoped we’d try again, and you’d make sure it felt good like you promised.
“When you never came back, I hated you. Hated you so much that I might have tried to kill you. Finally, when my parents noticed the drastic change in my behavior, I lied and told them that I wasn’t dealing very well with being gay. I knew I needed help, but even then, I couldn’t tell anyone the truth. There was always that tiny part of me that hoped you’d come back.”
Pulling his eyes off the floor, he locked gazes with Donny.
“I don’t love you anymore–not like that–but I don’t want anything to happen to you either. I also don’t want to relive that night again.”
Donny nodded. They stared at each other for several heartbeats. Finally, Donny licked his lips. “So, now what?”
Swallowing loudly, Alex let the tension drain from his body. “We figure out how to make this work.”
Be Sure To Check Out The Briefs Of These Other Flashers:
Find all your favorite flashers in one place and read the first 100 words on the groups website:
Wednesday Briefs Website:
or click on the individual links below:
February 15, 2014
Swimming and Snow Day(s) (And some V-day pics too)
In an effort to give ‘lil q some exposure to things, we’ve been taking her to swimming lesson – which sadly means I have to get in the pool too. Sunday started the new classes and when we were getting her dressed in his sweat suit we realized just how much she’s grown – I mean we see her every day so sometimes it takes something to remind us how much she’s changed. When I looked at her, I was shocked at how much like a little girl she looked. Here take a look:
When we got home we sent grandma a message:
(That was – I’m mischievous, grandma)
As some of you know, I live in the DC area. Wednesday/Thursday of this week we had a snow storm! And while we’re not as bad as some parts further south, snow seems to bring out the chicken littles in far too many people. No, you won’t be snowed in for days on end. Yes, the stores will get new supplies of milk, bread, eggs and even toilet paper so you do not need to rush out and buy as much of said ‘staples’ as you can carry.
The night before the ‘big storm’ we had a concert at Chateau Q:
And lest you all think it’s all fun and no learning, ‘lil q made sure to give us a lesson in the alphabet:
Thursday dawned and we woke to a blanket of snow. Yep they got it right this time. A couple weeks ago ‘lil q got her first real taste of snow. It must have made a good impression on her, because when she woke up she told me we were going to play in the snow.
This was what I call ‘good snow.’ You know, the kind that packs well. Perfect for making a snowman:
Not that this has anything to do with snow days, but I had to put in a few Valentine’s Day pictures:
February 11, 2014
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – 6
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – Part 6
“Uncle Duncan.” It took a moment for Alex to notice the two other people in the room.
Nicholas sat near his desk and the other person had his back turned, but Alex’s chest seized when he recognized him. Duncan pushed back the material of his long trench coat drawing Alex’s attention away from the others.
“Out having fun?” His uncle’s question held more sneer than interest.
“I was.” He’d thought the night couldn’t get worse, but it had. “What do you want?”
Anger flashed for an instant then quickly disappeared. “Is that how you address me?”
“Sorry, what do you want, Uncle.” He refused to use the title Duncan tried to force other to use. As the eldest son of Duncan’s older brother, Alex didn’t need to kowtow to the pompous ass.
This time his uncle couldn’t contain his ire. “Still as insolent as ever, I see. One day you’ll learn your place.”
“I know my place, I’m Quinton’s eldest son.” He might not want to take his father’s place, but it still afforded him some respect, even from his mother’s brother. “I assume your presence has something to do with the helcor.”
“Very astute. I and my team have been sent to track and kill it.” He snapped his fingers and the other kelsin moved closer. “Your cousin Donovan has been sent to guard you.”
“I don’t need a guard.” And certainly not his cousin. “He can go help you.”
When his uncle laughed, Alex raised an eyebrow. He’d expect anger, not amusement.
“Silly child–and yes, Alexander, you are still a child until you reach your majority–you do not have a say in who is here. Not me, not my team and not your guard. These orders all came from your father.”
“You can stay, uncle, but he–” Alex pointed to his cousin “–he can’t, at least not with me.”
“As I said, you do not get to decide.”
“We’ll see.” His hand shook as he reached for his phone. It took two tries to remove it from his pocket and after it came out, he glared at his cousin. Donovan’s face had lost all color.
“Go ahead, nephew, call your father. I’ll wait.”
“Father.” Donovan’s shaky voice stopped Alex from dialing. “If you could give me a moment alone with Alex, maybe we can work this out.”
“No!” Alex’s refusal caused his Uncle to turn back toward him. “I’m not talking to you. You can leave with him. I don’t want you near me.”
Duncan raised a quizzical eyebrow then looked toward his son. Following his uncle’s gaze he saw the fear–rightful fear–in Donovan’s eyes. For anyone but his cousin, Alex might have had some empathy, but not him.
“Alex, just give me a minute. Please don’t call your father.”
Staring at his cousin, he tried not to feel sorry for him. Struggled to maintain the anger he’d held onto for years. Wanted to tell him to go fuck himself. He was about to do just that when his uncle spoke.
“What’s wrong with you, boy.” He crossed the few feet between them and smacked his son on the back of the head. “His threats are meaningless.”
The snide, condescending manner Duncan displayed toward his son turned everything Alex felt for Donovan into pity.
“Well?” Duncan turned his glare onto Alex again. “Are you going to call or not?”
“Not yet.” Alex locked eyes with his cousin, hoping he hadn’t made a mistake. “I want to talk to Donovan first. Alone.”
Nicholas shifted and Alex could feel the angel staring at him. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I’ll tell you later.” Maybe.
“I thought…” Duncan shifted his gaze between the two cousins. “Now you want to speak? Fine, go ahead.”
Alex opened the door and took a step back. “I said alone.”
His uncle’s eyes narrowed and the muscles in his jaw twitched. Alex wanted him to say no, lash out, anything that would give him the ammunition he needed to get his father to recall him. Instead the elder kelsin continued to glare.
Anger stiffened Alex’s resolve and he refused to yield. Even his uncle couldn’t refuse to leave once he’d been told. Finally Duncan blinked and growled as he exhaled.
“Don’t think this behavior will go unreported.” The loose fabric of his coat fluttered as he quickly left.
Donovan and Nicholas breathed a sigh, but Alex kept his rigid posture. “You too, Nicholas.”
The angel’s eyes went wide and as he tensed again. “But…”
“This is between him and me. And don’t think you can listen in, I’m going to activate the wards once you leave.”
“Is that wise? There is obviously bad blood between you two that no one was aware of. I’m sure if I informed your father, he….”
“I know what Dad would do, but you don’t need to talk to him.” He motioned with his head for Nicholas to leave. “It won’t come to that.”
Nicholas stared at Donovan, who never met the angel’s gaze. For a moment Alex didn’t think he’d go, but finally he frowned and turned away. “If you need anything….”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” The firm, confident voice reflected his feelings.
Nicholas seemed unconvinced, but quietly moved toward the door. He spared a glance back at Donovan then pulled the door closed behind him.
In touch with the wards guarding the room, Alex activated them the moment he heard the latch click shut. The spells pulsed once and he felt the warm comfort of the protection his father, mother and two angels spent hours creating when he arrived at school.
Although being sealed in the room normally comforted him, he felt anything but calm. The adrenaline coursing through his body made him jumpy. He stared at the closed door for a moment before he turned toward his cousin.
“You’ve got some balls coming here. You’re either completely stupid or incredibly arrogant.” Alex saw Donovan wince slightly, but didn’t let it sway him. “Either way it doesn’t matter. You go on your own or I’ll call my dad.”
Be Sure To Check Out The Briefs Of These Other Flashers:
Find all your favorite flashers in one place and read the first 100 words on the groups website:
Wednesday Briefs Website:
or click on the individual links below:
