Andrew Q. Gordon's Blog, page 50
January 30, 2014
4.5 out of 5 stars to (Un)Masked by Andrew Q. Gordon
SUMMARY: Jay Walker has two wishes: to perform the play of his dreams alongside his best friend at Wellington's Downstage Theatre, and to meet that special someone. Someone he'd go to the ends of the earth for. Someone who might only exist in fairy tales.
When Jay meets accordion busker Lethe Cross, it's like living a dream come true. Lethe's music captivates Jay, and he resolves to meet the man who plays so beautifully.
Nice reviews are great, but they're even better when someone discovers one of your earlier books and ends up really enjoying it. This made both Anyta and I smile. :)
January 28, 2014
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – 4
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – Part 4
The Campus Grind was busy–especially for a Thursday night mid-semester, but just as they arrived, a couple vacated a prime table in the back of the café. Grinning like they’d won the lottery, the pair quickly claimed the prize.
“What would you like?” Alex asked before either of them sat.
Austin shook his head. “No, let me get this.”
“Nah, I asked you to come with me.”
“But I called you first.”
Alex nearly laughed. First time anyone ever fought to buy him a drink. “How about you get the next time?”
“Next time?” Austin’s smile grew. “So, if I let you pay today, you’re agreeing to a second date?”
Of course he wanted a second – and more – date. He tried to act less excited than he felt. “Sure, if you’re asking.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Austin chose the seat that allowed him to see the counter. “I just want black coffee.”
Alex almost called Austin a ‘cheap date,’ but figured that wouldn’t be his best line. “One black coffee, coming up.”
He resisted the urge to look back as he walked, but he turned toward their table several times while in line. Each time he found a smiling Austin staring his way.
After Alex collected their drinks, he headed back. Each step closer seemed to make Austin’s smile grow. All the things Alex thought to say or ask while in line evaporated as he soon as he reached the table. “Two black coffees.”
“Thanks.” Austin accepted one of the cups. “Hannah says you’re from around here?”
“Yeah, kinda. I grew up outside of Philly.” Alex wished he’d called Hannah back to find out what she and Austin had talked about. “How about you?”
“San Diego.” He sounded almost apologetic. “People back home think I’m weird going a small school no one heard of on the east coast, but I wanted to be on my own.”
Alex could only dream about that kind of freedom. Even as an adult, he knew he’d be monitored. “I totally get it. I had to push hard just to get far enough away to live on campus.”
“What?” Austin’s smile returned. “Are you some kinda bad boy that your parents need to keep an eye on?”
Alex nearly choked on the drink he’d just taken and then floundered trying to come up with a witty comeback. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Oh good.” Austin pretended to make sure no one was listening. “I like that.”
Between turning red and thinking of a response, Alex wondered how he’d been so mistaken. He’d always thought Austin was the quite, reserved type–in fact that was part of the attraction. Unfortunately, Alex knew he wasn’t what he’d just suggested.
“Actually, they didn’t think I was ready to go away. If…I don’t think they’d have let me go if Nicholas hadn’t been coming here as well.”
“Are they like paying him to watch you or something?” Austin’s laugh didn’t settle Alex as they strayed too close to the truth.
He knew he was a terrible liar, something his parents, Nicholas, even Hannah had said many times, so he kept it simple. “Nah, they felt if I went with someone, I’d settle in better. I really didn’t need it, but it was cool having a friend when I got here.”
“I came here because I didn’t know anyone. I wanted a blank slate.” Austin shrugged. “You know, start over, be who I wanted, not who others thought I was, make new friends without someone talking about me first.”
A snort escaped Alex’s lips before he could stop it. “And yet you talked to Hannah about me before you called.”
“Yeah, well.” Austin’s bravado waned. “I wanted to be sure you were interested.”
Alex felt his heart pound harder. He might not have drooled over Austin like Hannah suggested, but he certainly had a lot of interest. “You mean you missed me checking you out every chance I got?”
When Austin looked up, Alex felt like his face was on fire. Of all the stupid things to say.
“Pretty much missed that I guess.” Austin ran his finger around the white plastic lid before he tore his gaze off the cup and made eye contact. “Every time you looked at me I turned away so you wouldn’t know I was checking you out.”
“What a fascinating mating ritual young people today have turned dating into.” Nicholas’ voice nearly caused Alex to turn to search for him. He managed to stop himself before he did, but it drew attention.
Austin’s eyes narrowed and Alex could see the question on his lips. Before Alex could say something he felt his guardian’s presence coming closer.
Raw anger swept away Alex’s good mood. His face twisted with the rage he felt building inside. Luckily, Austin’s gaze was fixed on the door or he might have thought Alex was reacting to his statement.
“I think your roommate followed us.” Austin’s lips twisted into a scowl.
He repressed–barely–the urge to mentally scream at Nicholas. After his slip up earlier, Alex couldn’t tick off his guardian angel again this soon. That, however, only added to his anger.
Alex spun around and watched Nicholas pretend to be interested in getting a drink–he didn’t even like coffee. And why could people see him? Nicholas could easily have made himself invisible. The urge to ignore the angel almost won the day, but a thought broke through his fury; Nicholas wanted to be seen. That meant it was important.
“Give me a minute.” Alex stood up without turning back.
As he moved closer, Alex convinced himself that whatever Nicholas had to say probably wasn’t important, but the angel would act like it couldn’t wait.
“Why are you here?” His words, though whispered, came out in a hiss.
Nicholas smiled as if Alex’s greeted him warmly. “The presence of a helcor* has been confirmed nearby.”
* Helcor = enemy of the Keslin/Angel/Humans
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January 27, 2014
Guest Author: Lane Hayes
Today I get the chance to welcome back Lane Hayes. Lane writes about characters that live in a place near and dear to my heart and home – Washington DC. She back today to talk about her second book Better Than Chance. She’s also giving away an eBook copy of her new book to one lucky commenter. Read on to the end to find out more.
Welcome back, Lane! Since it’s been a while, tell the readers a bit about yourself?
Thank you for having me back, Andy! Let’s see… what is interesting about moi? I am an interior designer who loves books. I also love chocolate, travel and hanging out with my husband and family, but I’ll stay on topic and admit, I LOVE reading! I decided a year and half ago I needed to focus my talents, which is when I tried my hand at writing again. I have a deep and abiding respect for the written word. The moment I freed myself of the burden to attempt writing the next Great American novel, I was able to enjoy writing for a genre I’ve always loved, Romance… or more accurately M/M romance novels.
Better Than Good, was your first novel. How did you find the experience of being published for the first time?
Thrilling! Absolutely amazing! When I first sent Better Than Good to Dreamspinner Press, my attitude was “you never know unless you try”. I was pleasantly surprised they wanted my story, but the response from the readers is what has been the most rewarding. Connecting with people who love the genre and really love the characters is extraordinarily gratifying.
How did you find the process the second time around?
The second time was nerve wracking too. The books were released roughly six months apart, but I’m too new an author not to get flustered by edits and bouts of self doubt. I have to remind myself that I write what I love and hopefully readers will feel the same way.
Like Better Than Good, your newest book, Better Than Chance, is set in my hometown of Washington, DC. What about DC do you like so much that you use it as the setting for your novels?
Georgetown
I love DC! It’s a beautiful, historic, walkable city with world-class museums, great bars and restaurants. All the things I love in a city! As far as how DC came to be the setting… that was dictated by the characters. Better Than Chance was actually written (or in my head) before Better Than Good. Jay is from Virginia, went to Georgetown University for his graduate degree and naturally works downtown. This isn’t something I’ve told anyone else in other interviews or blog posts, but even though this is the second book, this series started with Jay.
D.C. is a pretty cool place to live, even if I am a bit biased. So kudos on a good choice of locales.
First lawyers, now lobbyists, are you trying to humanize professions most of us love to hate?
Ha! Maybe so. And since my host is a lawyer, I’ll say I have nothing but the utmost respect for your profession! Truly, I think the reason the MCs ended up as lawyers and lobbyists had more to do with them working long hours in demanding jobs. The city fit the vibe and I know just enough to be dangerous about both. J
Tells us something interesting that’s not in the blurb for Better Than Chance.
Great question! Honestly sometimes it’s hard to convey the real message of a story in the blurb. Better Than Chance is about preconceived ideas and miscommunication.
It’s about opposites attracting and finding themselves in deeper than they thought. The one thing I want to assure readers who may not have read Better Than Good yet is that both books are standalones and can be read in any order. I’m particular about these things as a reader and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Are any of these characters based on anyone you know? (Or that you’re willing to admit to knowing?
)No, they are my own creation. J
Tell us about what you’re working on next?
I’m working on a new series. This time the boys live in my hood in Southern California. I’m hoping to submit it to the publisher within a week but I’ve been saying that for two weeks, so wish me luck!
Key Bridge from Georgetown to Arlington
With two books under your belt, what have you learned from those two that you’re going to bring to your future writing?
I have learned to write what I love and write characters who I feel I know well and understand. It’s the best way to keep a story “real”. It’s important to me that the characters are relatable to the readers on some level.
Have you read anything good lately that you’d recommend to people?
I just reread Fun with Dick & Shane by Gillibran Brown. It might not be for everyone, but I love his humor and sense of silliness. Right now I’m reading Legally Wed by Rick R. Reed. It’s very good!
Who among the many authors in the genre do you fangirl?
Too many to count! I’d love to meet TJ Klune, Heidi Cullinan, Marie Sexton, Ethan Day among many others. I’m a huge fan of this genre and I love that there is a growing fan base. It’s very exciting! (I’d love to meet you too, Andy!)
That might be possible come April - Just sayin’.
Last time you visited, you mentioned you love to travel. Have you been anywhere new lately or do you have any upcoming trips planned?
I haven’t been anywhere new in the past year, just back to New York City and San Francisco. I can’t complain because both are favorites of mine. I have lots of travel plans for 2014 though. Portland, OR, back to San Fran and hopefully a trip to Europe too (fingers crossed)!
Portland eh? Me, Mike and ‘lil q have a trip planned there as well. Maybe we’ll see you there. 
As always, the last question is all yours.
I’m eternally fascinated by the mystery of attraction. What is it that makes someone stand out? Looks? Sure, first impressions matter, but looks only take you so far. Most of us learn along the way that what’s on the outside is only as beautiful as what we find on the inside. Getting to know someone is key. Communicating. That’s real life. The reader in me has a hard time with MCs who fall in love immediately. I’m not suggesting it can’t happen but in a love story, I want more! I want to be a part of the journey. I feel cheated if I can’t feel that “oh yeah, I totally get this couple” moment. The moment when infatuation or even dislike or disinterest turns into friendship, passion and eventually love. I’m crazy for it! Jay and Peter’s story is about the journey of love. I’m excited for readers to get a “chance” to read their story!
Thank you very much for having me on your blog today, Andy!
Thanks for being my guest, now it’s time to plug your book:
Blurb:
Jay Reynolds has a crush on his project leader at work, but an office romance with Peter Morgan isn’t likely to happen since Peter is straight. Worse, Jay soon fears Peter is homophobic, and his initial infatuation turns to loathing. But one fateful night, Jay is forced to acknowledge things aren’t quite as they seem with Peter. Suddenly, his crush is back and unbelievably, Peter is interested too.
They begin a “friends with benefits” arrangement, which becomes difficult for Jay when he starts falling for his sexy boss. Peter’s past issues keep him from committing, and Jay has to decide if he can be satisfied with friendship if Peter isn’t ready to take a chance on anything more.
Excerpt from Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:
“Close the door, Reynolds.” His tone was sharp and concise. No argument was expected or welcomed. I obeyed and waited for him to speak.
He didn’t say a word. He pointed to a chair and directed me to sit with a simple wave of his hand as he began a slow pace around the perimeter of the small round table. It was like being stalked by a tiger. There was an electric air of danger in this tiny space and I had set it in motion. I clung to my anger. I wasn’t wrong. Was I?
Peter suddenly stopped. He stood at the other end of the table with his arms crossed over his broad chest. As usual he was impeccably dressed in a gorgeous dark suit tailored to perfection. His dark wavy hair seemed a little longer. I absently wondered if he was growing it out. But his dark furrowed brow and intense stare told me to keep my ponderings to myself. He wasn’t in the mood to chat about hair. He looked pissed.
“Explain yourself.”
I blinked twice. I was almost afraid of him, but I knew that was irrational. I had a legitimate reason for my outburst. I just wished I had been a bit more professional about it.
“Fine. I will.” Professional, I cautioned myself. Don’t get personal. “You have given me rather baffling critiques, Mr. Morgan that I frankly find ridiculous and almost contrived in a way that suggests you want to point out the negative whether or not it has any bearing whatsoever to the project at hand.” Good, well said, I thought.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He looked genuinely perplexed.
“You know what I’m talking about!” I exploded. “Correct paragraph two, sentence one…. that’s one example! What was today’s going to be? Change the use of my pronoun from direct to indirect? Or is it an adjective that you want me to reconsider? Or…”
I had become so worked up that I didn’t register that he’d moved until he was three short feet away from me. He wore the strangest expression. It was a cross between tempered fury and frustration. He held up his hand in that authoritative way of his, demanding that I stop. Stop everything. Don’t talk. Don’t move. I waited like a deer in headlights to see what he’d do.
A fresh wave of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I found myself literally shoved up against the conference room wall with Peter’s large hand at my throat. I swallowed hard and looked into his dark angry eyes, his face was two short inches away from mine. His breath was warm against my cheek. He pulled back and shook his head as though puzzled by his own actions before he tightened his hold at my neck and covered my mouth with his own.
I could barely breath. There was nowhere to hide, no retreat possible so I gave in. My mouth melted underneath his allowing the lip lock to become a kiss. A fiery passionate joining. Our tongues fought for dominance, licking and sucking. Peter’s hands trapped my head as he plunged even further into my mouth taking every last bit of control away from me. He ran his tongue over my lips before tracing a path along my jaw and biting my earlobes. I nudged him back with my nose and heard his low groan as he once again fused his mouth over mine.
I wrapped my arms around him and pulled his body close to mine. My hands kneaded his perfect ass through the fine fabric of his pants as I sent my hips forward to meet his. We gasped at the first feel of friction as our hardened cocks pressed together through our suits. It was electrifying and wickedly carnal. A mere glimpse into how intensely hot the real thing could be if we let ourselves go there. Peter stopped abruptly, straightening his arms on either side of my head. Our heavy breathing was the only sound in the room.
“I want you.” He growled, resting his forehead against mine.
Giveaway Information:
Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. One lucky person will be chosen at random from all comment left by Friday, January 31, 2014 at 8:00 pm EST.
About the Author:
Lane Hayes is a designer by trade, but is spending more time these days doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband, three teenage kids, and Rex, the coolest yellow lab ever.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.lanehayes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LaneHayes3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lane-Hayes
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com
Purchase Links:
Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4614
January 26, 2014
Guest Author – Grace R. Duncan
Today I’m pleased to welcome Grace back to my blog. She’s going to talk about her latest release Deception and the role of research in writing her books.
It never ceases to amaze me, the amount of research that goes into a story. I sat down and went through my catalog of both fanfiction and original pieces and there wasn’t a single story that I saw that I didn’t research at least something for. A quick glance at my adultfanfiction.net profile (the most complete collection of stories, though it still doesn’t have everything) shows that I’ve put some forty-one separate stories up there and as I scanned through the list, I can remember something I’ve researched for each one. Mind you for some – like my Golden Collar series- I have researched quite a bit more than one thing for it.
For Golden Collar, in fact, the list of things I’ve researched seems endless. I remember looking into everything from food to clothing to transportation (horses, royal conveyances, and travel time). I spent more time than was likely necessary researching deserts, desert peoples and the climate of those parts of the world. I have a folder on my computer with countless pictures of palaces, horses, food, you name it.Some stories require more research than others, obviously. For instance, Science Fiction— a genre I hope to write in someday —would, in my estimation, require a lot if the science were to be believable. Historical fiction is also like that, if the writer wants to make sure that the world is at least reasonably historically accurate. We all will still take some (even small) liberties with the worlds we write because some things just aren’t feasible within our stories. However, the research is still a must, no matter what liberties we take and the list of different items to look into can be quite long.
I also researched technology. In fact, at one point, I was about to write something on the passage of time and it occurred to me that during the time period in question, my characters might not actually know what a “few minutes” felt like… since “minutes” might not have even been a concept to them.
The Golden Collar series takes place in the fictitious country of Neyem in the late 11th century. Even though the country is made up by me (and, in fact, the entire map is), I still wanted most things to be as accurate as I could make them for a late 11th century Middle Eastern-type of nation. So, to the Internet!
What was the Middle East like in 1095 AD? What technologies – specifically time-keeping devices – would have been around? Well, fewer – and yet more – than one might think.
Cathedral clock created for Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, around 1450.
When we think of clocks in this day, we often think of our small watches, probably our cell phones or some other digital device. Those of us who remember big hair in high school will undoubtedly first think of classic clock faces and their internal gear workings. But the earliest spring- and gear-driven clocks were actually only referenced in the 15th Century. One such instance is the chamber clock that the Duke of Burgundy was gifted with in the early 1400′s.
Okay, well then, those were out, right? If we’re in 1095, obviously we can’t use spring-gear-driven clocks. So what did they use? Surely they kept time, right?
Most definitely. There were clocks (actually known as horologia – a Greek word meaning ‘hour’ and ‘to tell’) possibly as old as the 2nd century BC (though its exact date of construction seems to be contested). Called the Tower of the Winds, it was built on the agora in Athens and has quite a long history of changing hands and being buried and later dug up.
But as famous as the Tower of the Winds was, it was quite unusual, which is undoubtedly what lent to its fame. So it was also quite rare. Not something a small-ish Middle Eastern country was likely to build. So, then, what did the more common royals use?
Believe it or not, something that is occasionally still in use today and yet dates back as far as the 16th century BC (and possibly even earlier, though with no written records, we can’t know for sure). Yet again, when they first started to be used is in contention (like most of history, it seems), but they are all sure that the water clocks were first used at least by the 4th century BC in China.
As one of Neyem’s neighbors is based (somewhat not-so-loosely) on China, it would make sense that they would have these and possibly many. But what surprised me quite a bit was to find out that it was actually an Arab inventor & scholar (among other things, basically an earlier, Arabian version of Leonardo daVinci), al-Jaziri, who was instrumental in advancing the water clock. He lived about 40 years after Choices and Deception take place, but remember those liberties that we authors take? Well, I figured it was close enough.
So, what are water clocks? They are, essentially, a measured movement of water from one place to another. As the water moves, the person looking at the clock knows – again approximately – how much time has passed. The simplest water clocks were two pots – one higher than the other. The upper pot had a hole in it and the water flowed out into the lower pot. The level of the water in each of the two pots would indicate the general time.
al-Jaziri’s castle water clock
I didn’t actually use a water clock specifically in either Choices or Deception. Instead, I simply assumed that would be the time-keeping method of preference. Some countries had measured burning incense that I could see the Neyemen people using along with other time keeping devices like measured candles.The design drastically improved as time went on and, in fact, it was al-Jaziri who was very instrumental in their change, becoming much more intricate with large gears, moving parts and more. When I started reading about them, I realized quickly that unless Mukesh or Bathasar paid to commission one or he was gifted with one in an effort to impress him, he wasn’t likely to see one built. (Mind you, Bathasar might just inspire something like that. Mukesh… not so much.) So they would have them, though they would likely be more simplistic.
In the end, I decided it wasn’t worth making a point of. Teman would have known how to tell the time by the sun and used that. Bathasar, as a royal, would likely not have cared what time it was, specifically. And the situation I was concerned with – Teman on the floor waiting for his turn to be presented – would have felt infinitely longer than any actual time passage, anyway.
It’s still interesting to see what all is researched in the name of writing fiction. I know that I often research things that I end up leaving out entirely. And, in fact, I even researched medieval toilet options and decided I didn’t think people wanted to read about it!
Historical fiction, I think, is worse than most other genres because there is a need for accuracy. It’s often under the microscope as many people like to read history and want it to be as close to real as possible. This is, undoubtedly, why so many authors turn to alternate worlds so that they can have some freedom in what they do.
I’m lucky in that I love research. Most often, I get lost in it, clicking from one place to another. It’s something I find myself having to rein in quite a bit or I will never get my book written! I do hope, however, that it lends a fullness and realistic quality to the Golden Collar series.
Please note: Yes, I used Wikipedia in my links above. While I was researching, however, I can assure you I read many, many more pages. I would never actually depend on Wikipedia for all of my research. It’s a good starting point, though and there are many great links if the above really interests you.
* * *
Thank you very much to Andrew for hosting me today!
Free eBook Giveaway:
Answer any of the questions below or just leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win a free ebook copy of either Choices or Deception. One winner will be chosen at random from all the comments received by 8:00 p.m. EST on Friday January 31, 2014.
Questions:
Tell me, what do you look for in world building?
Do you like to see researched details like this?
Or do you feel they take away from the overall story?
Blurb:
Cyrus and Nadir first met as hungry orphans on Behekam’s streets at twelve years old. They became friends, then partners in the thievery that enabled them to survive, and as they passed their days together, they fell in love. When they are both taken as pleasure slaves in the opulent palace of the Malik of Neyem, love becomes more complicated.
Rumors of an attempt on Malik Bathasar’s life put Cyrus and Nadir’s relationship to the test—they must pose convincingly as intimate slaves to the young malik as part of a plan to lure the assassin into the open. Teman—Malik Bathasar’s real personal pleasure slave and true lover—was once trained by Cyrus for the same duties, and the attraction and care Cyrus developed for him then still remains. The Malik of Neyem proves an easy man to love and Nadir’s feelings for him grow while they’re pretending to love each other.
Cyrus and Nadir care deeply for each other but they’ve forgotten the first rule of love: communicate in honesty. Their love remains strong enough to weather the changes—if they have the courage not only to face the coming dangers, but to put aside deception and find their truth.
The Golden Collar series: Choices, Coronatin & Deception
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January 24, 2014
Guest Author: Hayley B. James – Polyester Prince Blog Tour
Thank you for hosting me today! I’m here to talk about Polyester Prince and the different areas of Albuquerque mentioned in the ABQ Heat series.
Benji from Paid Leave and Isaac from Polyester Prince are both with the Albuquerque Police Department, but they work different areas, different schedules, and Officer McGorgeous-Ass is a bicycle officer so the calls he takes in Polyester Prince are different from the ones Benji takes in Paid Leave. It makes sense in the real world, but I also wanted to avoid boring readers with frequent shoplifter arrests.
Isaac from Polyester Prince works the SE area of the city in a neighborhood named Nob Hill, and Benji’s beat is in the NW quadrant of Albuquerque known as the Westside. I spend a lot of time in both areas, and in some ways they can seem like different cities.
Central Ave runs through both officers’ beats, but Isaac works in the trendier district—Nob Hill. There are locally owned shops and restaurants in Nob Hill, and leisurely foot traffic and window shopping are encouraged by trees and awnings for much appreciated shade in the summer months.
It also has a night life the NW area doesn’t. Bars and clubs are grouped together in two locations of Albuquerque—one of which is Nob Hill. The other is downtown and just so happens to also be on Central Ave. (I swear Albuquerque has more than one street.)
I like the energy and atmosphere of Nob Hill. I would visit more often if lived closer and parking was always free. (I’m spoiled by ample, convenient free parking in much of Albuquerque.) Every winter Nob Hill gets dolled up and the road is closed for a shopping event to encourage buying locally. There are band performances in the street, hot chocolate vendors set up, and festive light displays. It’s a wonderful area all year round.
Is there a place or area in your hometown you enjoy visiting?
BLURB:
Kyle Edington built his life around clubs, alcohol, nameless sex, and turning a blind eye to his future, but having front row access to his best friend’s perfect relationship leaves him wanting something he doesn’t understand—the white picket fence. After an ankle injury hinders his plans for PrideFest and puts his day job selling furniture at risk, Kyle attends Pride anyway to cheer himself up. Leaving his crutches at home was a mistake, though, and he’s shoved off balance and hits his head.
A bike officer keeps him safe until the paramedics arrive. Kyle’s memory of the event is foggy. He doesn’t recall the name or face of his guardian angel, but he definitely remembers the finest polyester-covered ass in all of Albuquerque.
But when he goes in search of his polyester prince, Kyle realizes relationships take hard work. After he learns the name of that perfect ass, a lifetime of avoiding serious boyfriends leaves Kyle second-guessing himself and making difficult decisions about what he wants for his future
BUY LINKS:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4633
Amazon Link will be sent out to you as soon as the book goes live there.
Excerpt:
The music was too loud, the drinks too expensive, and the dance floor too crowded. It was perfect. Kyle drank until he floated. The dance floor was his play area. Touching and bumping required loose or removed clothing. Kyle gave himself over to the feeling of roaming hands and a heavy bass vibrating from the floor.
He lost sight of Jace and J-Roe sometime after midnight but caught up with Gareth near the exit just after one in the morning. He stood alone when Kyle approached with his latest dance partner.
“Do you want to split a cab?” Gareth shouted over the clubhouse mix of the latest pop song.
“You’re going home? To your home?” Kyle squinted at Gareth’s button-up shirt that wasn’t buttoned up anymore. “You feeling sick?”
“I’m saving myself for Prince Charming.”
“Yeah, me too.” Kyle leaned back against… someone. Was his name Mark? It could have been Tyler. It hardly mattered. He was tall, had gorgeously sculpted muscles, and lived nearby. “Let’s go, Charming.” Kyle closed a fist around the stranger’s white tank shirt. He grinned and took hold of Kyle’s hips to guide him out of the club.
“Text me tomorrow,” Gareth called after, and Kyle acknowledged him with a wave.
Charming’s home was a short walk from the club in a gated condominium building. Kyle was almost certain if he wasn’t drunk he would be awed by the ownership of a unit in the newly converted complex. The prices were outrageous for the city and space. If someone could afford the six-hundred-square-foot box surrounded by others here, they had cash to spare.
“I expected an apartment,” Kyle said with perfect clarity. After many years of practice, he knew how to control his alcohol-soaked tongue.
“Please. Apartments are for children. I’m an adult, Kylie.”
“Kyle,” Kyle corrected. He had no right to fault Charming for calling him by a wrong name, since he had designated the intoxicated stranger with a nickname, but he really couldn’t help it.
“Okay.” Charming chuckled and led Kyle into his living room. “Do you want a drink?”
Kyle studied the vast living space. He recognized the Cartwright sofa from Drexel Heritage collection from the prior year and immediately hated himself for it. When had furniture become his second language? His gaze roamed over the large TV and landed on a peculiar piece in the corner.
“Is that a stripper pole?”
Charming rested his chin on Kyle’s shoulder. “Fitness pole. But it’s used more for dancing than working out.”
“I thought that dancer line was bullshit to impress me.”
“It was.” Charming put his arms around Kyle. “Were you impressed?”
“Yes. I still am, but not by anything you said.” Kyle pushed free from Charming’s arms, turned to face him, and lifted his shirt. “Well, hello there, washboard abs. You look even more delicious in private.”
“You’re so funny, Kylie.”
“Kyle.”
“What?”
Kyle inspected Charming’s flat stomach with his fingers. “Never mind.”
“Are we going to get more comfortable?” Charming removed his shirt and grinned. Kyle wasn’t amused by the cheesy line but was more than willing to have Charming in less clothing.
“You gonna show me how to work that?” Kyle nodded toward the pole.
“No. I like to watch.” Charming pressed his mouth against Kyle’s neck. The touch reignited the lust from the dance floor. Kyle moaned and leaned against him. “Are you going to stay dressed all night?”
Kyle chuckled when Charming pulled away. In his inebriated state, Kyle knew he could do anything if he tried. He had never used a stripper pole or been close to one, but that hardly meant he couldn’t impress Charming with skills he didn’t know he possessed. There was a possibility he was concealing a secret stripper identity beneath his clumsy exterior. It was more likely he wasn’t, but impulse was not something Kyle could control even when he was sober.
“Let me warm you up, then, baby.” Kyle slipped away from Charming and strutted across the room. Charming got the idea and flipped over the back of the couch and onto the cushions.
With his audience ready, Kyle stepped onto the four-inch stage, grabbed the pole with a hand, and did what he saw in movies—locked Charming’s gaze and swung around. When his rotation came to a stop, Kyle’s grip slipped and his balance was compromised. He tumbled off the stage and crashed into the side table before sprawling across the tile floor.
Charming rushed to his side. “Are you okay, Kylie baby?” His memory was terrible, but his manners suited his name—or at least the nickname Kyle had graced him with.
“Sorry.” Kyle sat up, too embarrassed to stop his constant repeating of the apology. Go home with a guy for sex, use his stripper pole as a seduction tool, and attempt to break his furniture. Real smooth, Kyle Edington.
Visit my website http://www.hayleybjames.com and like my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/HayleyBJames for updates! I’ll also be chatting with readers on the Dreamspinner Press Facebook page on January 26 (11am mountain time): https://www.facebook.com/dreamspinnerpress
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hayley B. James is a lifelong resident of New Mexico with no plans to pack up and leave just yet. Writing is her part-time job and full-time hobby. She works in a small office during the day and lives in her written worlds at night.
When she isn’t writing, Hayley is reading m/m romance, mystery, real-life crime, fantasy, and yaoi novels, and can be found cruising Tumblr and webcomics. She may or may not have an unhealthy obsession with police officers. It’s still up for debate.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Website: http://www.hayleybjames.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/HayleyBJames.author?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hayleyb_james
GIVEAWAY INFO:
Winner’s prize – A set of paperback copies of Paid Leave and Polyster Prince
A “Paid Leave” coffee mug
Runner Up will win – An ecopy of the book
Click the link below for how to enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
1/24 – Elisa Rolle – http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/
1/25 – Andrew Q Gordon – http://andrewqgordon.com/
1/26 – MM Good Book Reviews – http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
1/27 – Prism Book Alliance – http://www.prismbookalliance.com/
1/28 – CupOPorn – http://cupoporn.blogspot.in/
1/29 – Fallen Angel Reviews – http://fallenangelreviews.com/
1/30 – Sid Love – http://sidlove.com/
1/31 – Live Life, Buy Books – http://liveyourlifebuythebook.wordpress.com/
2/1 – Book Reviews and More by Kathy – http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/
2/2 – The Novel Approach – http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/
Cover Reveal – Holding On To Hope
My friend Sid is beside himself with glee that his first published work will be out on February 14, 2014. [Talk about a great release date!]
TITLE: Holding on to Hope
AUTHOR: Sid Love
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 68 Pages
COVER ARTIST: Paul Richmond
BLURB: Bradley Parker has waited twenty years for Mr. Right, and on Valentine’s Day, he finally finds him. It’s love at first sight, and Brad even loses his virginity to the man of his dreams. But when he wakes up the next morning unable to remember anything—even what the man looked like—his best friend, Leslie, is convinced he imagined the whole thing. Brad knows he didn’t make up the best night of his life, but he has no idea of the danger he’s putting himself in as he struggles to recall the details of his perfect man. His search may lead him to parts of New York City he never dreamed existed and a war being waged in the shadows.
Available 2-14-14: Click Here to Pre-Order:
About the Author:
Sid Love grew up in one of busiest cities in the world, Mumbai, listening to the excerpts of Indian epics from his father every night. While it served as an inspiration back in time, he has always had an ambitious mind. In 2007, when he had just turned sixteen, he decided that he would make his lifelong dream come true—to become a well-known, respected author some day.
Ask him and he would refuse to accept that he is obsessed with books. Or movies. Or TV shows. Addicted may even be the right word. He is a die-hard fan of Jane Austen’s romance novels and loves to reread them time and again.
Social Media Links:
Blog: http://sidlove.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sid.love.16?ref=tn_tnmn
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/428135920611583/?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FatefulMercy
January 21, 2014
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – 3
My Guardian Angel Is A Cockblocker – Part 3
Alex gave up trying to hide his smile as he and Austin exited his dorm. He’d managed to change in something clean–not too dressy, but a step above ratty jeans and dirty sweatshirt. Even Nicholas refrained from making any snarky comments.
He did his best not to stare, but it proved impossible. Wearing jeans and a navy blue school hoodie, Austin set Alex’s pulse racing. The olive complexion, dark hair and sexy scruff fueled thoughts Alex knew would only embarrass him if he indulged too long. Despite the risk, he couldn’t stop thinking about the hairy chest he’d hoped to find when he finally got Austin shirtless.
The idea that he’d get Austin naked almost made him laugh. They hadn’t even had coffee together and he had plans to undress him. Still, he enjoyed looking – and hoping.
He turned to stare again and locked eyes with Austin’s perfect dark brown ones peering back. Austin flashed a big smile, his perfect white teeth catching enough streetlight that they almost glowed.
“Thanks for coming to get me.” Alex realized he was practically ogling Austin and turned forward. “I needed to get out for a bit.”
“Yeah, me too.” The sidewalk narrowed and Austin moved closer. When it widened, he didn’t move back. “Your roommate didn’t seem too friendly,”
“What? Oh, Nicholas? He’s cool, just a bit focused is all.”
Their hands brushed and it felt like Austin reached out with a finger. When they touched a second time, Alex moved his right pinky. For an instant their fingers hooked, but when a couple turned a corner in the distance and came toward them, Austin pulled back.
Alex’s moment of angst disappeared when Austin quickly closed the gap between them. When he felt Austin’s hand touch his, Alex knew that it hadn’t been an accident. He spread his fingers and welcomed the feel of Austin’s hand as it curled around his.
“How long have you been friends with Nicholas?” Austin asked. When he spoke, the couple coming toward them looked up. First the male, then the female seemed to zero in on their entwined fingers. The guy reached down and grabbed his girlfriend’s hand, never taking his eyes off the pair coming toward him.
Being a kelsin made it easy for Alex to ignore the typical threats some gay people encountered. Apart from magic, he was many times faster and stronger than humans. Humans like Austin. But revealing himself would mean he’d have to go home. Kelsin were tolerated as necessary, but that acceptance was guarded at best. His kind had decided long ago to remain hidden, appearing only when needed and then uprooting their lives to go hide anew somewhere else.
He hoped it wouldn’t come to a fight. Outside of his heavily shielded room, even the tiniest use of magic would draw unwanted attention to him. Taking a deep breath he tried to relax. Both he and Austin stood at least three inches taller than the guy, and they outnumbered him. When these facts sunk in, Alex wondered where the sudden angst came from. Another breath and he felt better. In fact he noticed the couple were smiling.
“Way to go.” The guy nodded toward them as he and his girl friend walked passed.
Alex remembered Austin’s question as he tried to clear his mind. “Um… Nicholas…I’ve known him my entire life.”
“Cool. So you guys are like best friends?”
The interest in Nicholas felt off, but the hand holding his felt warm and reassuring. Alex chose his words carefully, certain the angel would keep the pair in sight and in earshot. “Not really best mates. My father is friends with Nicholas’ family. Since we both didn’t know anyone else when we came to school here, my dad suggested – strongly suggested – we live together. He’s cool as a roommate; keeps his mess to a minimum, doesn’t stress over mine, usually leaves me alone when I need the space.”
“Okay. Sounds good.” Austin shrugged and his face scrunched up for a second. “I got the feeling he didn’t like me.”
“Nicholas?” Alex tried not to be obvious as he scanned the area for any sign of his guardian. Given their conversation before Austin arrived, Alex could understand the comment. “Nah, he’s not like that. Just give him some time to get to know you. He’ll warm up.”
At the edge of his thoughts, Alex swore he heard Nicholas say, “Highly unlikely.”
“I’m not sure time will help.” Austin let out a humorless laugh. “It felt like he was trying to stare into my soul.”
If they hadn’t been holding hands, Alex might have stopped. Nicholas probably had tried to exactly that. For Austin to notice nearly took his breath away. “Um…like I said, he can be kinda intense at times. Not to change the subject, but I didn’t really want to talk about my roommate…I mean…there’s nothing wrong with him, but I dunno know, it’s….”
He wanted to say, ‘it’s not the right topic for a first date,’ but he didn’t know how Austin would react. Then again, they were holding hands walking across campus. If this wasn’t a date, he had no idea what would be considered one.
“Not what we should be talking about on our first date is it?” Austin squeezed his hand. Alex smiled and turned toward his ‘date.’
“Yeah…I mean, no, I’d rather not talk about him on…on our date.” For a moment, Alex thought Austin might lean in for a kiss, but they were still walking and it would have been awkward, especially if Alex didn’t stop. Instead, Austin gave him a sheepish grin.
“Good. Same here. I’d rather find out more about you.”
Alex hoped Nicholas hadn’t followed them, but felt sure he had. Fine, so long as he stayed out of sight and didn’t make comments only Alex could hear, he’d live it.
“Yeah?” Alex closed his left eye and raised his right eyebrow. “What did you want to know?
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:
Julie Lynn Hayes
First Snow – 1-21-14
I have to eat a bit of crow, I was complaining earlier that they closed the schools, daycare, government before we even got a flake of snow. It did start snowing about 10:30 am. But really? Even the squirrel didn’t care.
Don’t try this at home – I’m a highly trained squirrel
Of course the snow picked up some and by 4:00 pm there was enough to go outside. ’lil q was born in Sept ’11 – the winter of ’11-’12 was so mild, we never got to use the winter coat we bought her. [Fortunately a co-worker of mine's daughter fit in it last winter and this winter it made its way to Boston to the co-worker's cousin's daughter.] Last winter was colder, but there wasn’t a snow fall that would allow us to go out and play. So this is her first real snow.
And since pictures are nice, but video is nicer – here are some videos:
We didn’t stay out too long, it was cold, the snow was a wet snow and we don’t have a proper snow suit for ‘lil q. So we came inside and had hot chocolate. Here’s what it looked like about 5:00 pm.
Seven hours later, the squirrel was gone, but we finally had snow.
After we thawed out a bit, ‘lil q and I set out to make dinner. One advantage to a snow day, we had time to make a proper meal.
Four cheese Manicotti for dinner.
I’m Officially A Grumpy Old Man
Once, when I too was a little q, I used to love my snow days; longed for them, prayed for them, maybe even did a few snow dances in hope some pagan deity might have pity on me and induce a foot or more of snow that would shut down the world for a day or two.
Even as I got older, it was nice to get those snow days. Who wouldn’t want a day off? Hell I lived in an apartment, I didn’t have to shovel the snow.
But now, well let’s just say I’m fed up with the ‘snow’ days around here. So far they opened late of less than an inch. Closed before Christmas for a big storm that turned out to me nothing more than rain.
Work was open when it looked like this:
And during an ice storm. This is the view from my back door today:
Today, given the severe condition you see above, they closed the government – and daycare. In theory we’re supposed to get snow today – maybe 5 inches – maybe. It’s just amazing that they close the government on the presumption it will snow, but keep it open when there is ice and snow.
So why am I being such curmudgeon? I had the day off anyway so while the office gets a free day – those of us who had scheduled leave still have to use their day off. :-/
Ah well, at least me and ‘lil q can hang out some more.
January 20, 2014
Book Two Of – ‘Champion of the The Gods- – Is Done
Kinda. Sorta. Maybe. Hopefully?
So After many months of start and stop, of rewriting while trying to keep the story intact, I’ve finished the rough draft of Book 2 – The Eye And The Arm. Those who’ve followed my blog know I struggled with this. Not because I didn’t have the story set, but because I had to make the story fit within a word limit. I’m having second thoughts now. Overall, I feel the Champions series is good – dare I say very good, though I know the hubris of saying that. My issue is I wanted it to be a bit more epic.
Nendor has three main continents – Ardus, Laudria & Erd. My goal was to make each book a journey that took the reader to each continent and back and than in Book 4 I’d wrap things up. The 100-120K word limit left me two choices: abandon the 4 book model in favor of more books or abandon the original series and try to create a new, scaled down story that would fit in the 4 book model.
Originally I decided to go with the former – preserve the overall story by breaking things into more, but shorter books. That sound great in theory, but the issue has been conflict, tension and keeping the readers attention. My original book 2 would have been about four times longer than the current book. With revisions and eliminating things that aren’t essential, The Eye And The Arm would probably be about three times longer - give or take 20-30 words. The first third set up the rest. Cutting it down to the first third didn’t make sense because it was all set up and no conflict/tension – or not enough to justify a book.
Re-writing the story required a major rewrite, I might as well have written a whole new book. That has been the labor of the last ten months. (Of course I also published Purpose, finished NaNoWriMo, wrote a couple other things when I needed a break, joined the Wednesday Brief Flashers group – oh yeah, and I got married and helped raise our daughter.)
The next step is to do a quick self-edit and send it to a few people who’ve agreed to read it and give me their honest opinion. Once I get that back, I’ll know where to go next.
In the meantime, I plan to work on another of the many projects I’ve been wanting to write. Stay tuned – details to follow.
-AQG
