Cameron D. James's Blog, page 46
July 18, 2013
Blog Tour Stop 6: Busy Moms Book Reviews
Today is stop number six on my blog tour — and we’re over at Busy Moms Book Reviews for a review!
The reviewer spoke highly of Autumn Fire:
Autumn Fire is not for the faint of heart. It’s hot, descriptive without being trashy, but also has a sweet side. Your heart breaks for these characters and the uphill battles they face. It’s like you’re reading about your best friend, the boy next door. M/M fans are going to love this one!
Click here to read the full review over at Busy Moms Book Reviews!
July 16, 2013
Blog Tour Stop 5: What’s On The Bookshelf
Today’s stop on the blog tour is at What’s On The Bookshelf for a fantastic review!
Click here to check it out!
July 15, 2013
Blog Tour Stop 4: Bettering Me Up
Today the Blog Tour Train stops at Bettering Me Up, for a brief review and author interview!
And the review… gave Autumn Fire… *drumroll*… FOUR STARS! Bettering Me Up particularly enjoyed that there was a real plot to this novel, as well as some solid characters!
Click here to visit Bettering Me Up and read the review / interview!
July 14, 2013
Queer as Folk (UK)
A couple months ago, the BF and I borrowed the original UK Queer as Folk from a friend. We weren’t quite sure what to expect as we’d never seen it, nor the US version. And the US version went for several seasons, whereas the original from the UK spanned two seasons, for a total of ten episodes, so, again, we weren’t quite sure what to expect.
We loved the first season. It was a romp through Manchester’s gay village with best friends Stuart and Vince. Stuart is sort of a power-gay — what he wants, he gets. (Or, more precisely, who he wants, he gets.) Vince, on the other hand, is a bit shy and awkward, ending up with slightly off characters and rarely getting laid. The show opens with Stuart bagging Nathan, the cute new twink to wander through Canal Street. And, as we soon find out, Nathan is only 15. Over the course of the first season, there are several storylines, with the most prominent being Nathan getting into the gay scene, Vince trying to get a good lay (and his eventual obtaining of a boyfriend), and Stuart’s manipulativeness. It’s a little unsettling that you never quite know what Stuart’s intentions are.
I really enjoyed that this book played a little with gay stereotypes and archetypes. Stuart, Vince, and Nathan are all characters, yes, but they’re also exaggerated slightly to become these archetypes — and their friends and hookups throughout the season are similar — they’re characters, but slightly exaggerated. (And, of course, there’s the whole amusing conversation over who Stuart’s online hookup, GoodFuck, is… “Who’s he?” “GoodFuck!”) It reminds me a little bit of my novel, Autumn Fire, as I play a little bit with archetypes through a series of online hookups that my main character undergoes — so it was enjoyable to see how someone else carries that off.
The second season, which was only two episodes long, was a bit different. It had less of that light-hearted feel to it. It’s a time of transition — Stuart wants to leave Canal Street, Vince is unsure if he might follow Stuart, and Nathan essentially takes the reigns as the power-gay of Canal Street. It was okay, but felt rushed. (The Wikipedia article didn’t indicate if this season was originally intended to be longer, or if it was always meant to be two episodes.) The whole final twenty minutes or so, I found to be kind of bizarre. It suddenly went from a real-life-drama into almost a stage-play-on-screen, as Stuart effectively dethrones himself from the power-gay position and passes the duties on to Nathan. It reminded me of the end of Angels in America, when the actors speak to the viewer — Stuart didn’t speak to the viewer, but the way the scene was produced had the same effect.
So, while I loved the first season, I found the second to be a bit of a disappointment. There were some truly wonderful moments in season two, but the balance was just a little off.
And, it took me a loooong time to realise that the actor who plays Stuart (Aidan Gillen), the sexually-charged power-gay, is the same actor who plays Littlefinger on Game of Thrones. I think I had a lot of trouble taking his role seriously when I realised that — but that’s due to his Game of Thrones role, and not at all due to his performance in Queer as Folk. As well, having just seen the movie Pacific Rim yesterday, it shocked me to realize the main character in that movie is the same actor who plays Nathan (Charlie Hunnam). I think Hunnam has a fairly decent acting career, as I saw online that he’s in Sons of Anarchy — but having not personally seen that, it was quite a leap to accept that the skinny twink in Queer as Folk is the same guy who plays the very muscular man in Pacific Rim. (Apparently, Hunnam is also in Children of Men, one of my favourite movies, but I have no idea who he is in there.)
So, yeah, good series, but I think the first season is the best. :)
Blog Tour Stop 3: Steamy Side
Today’s day three of my book blog tour! I stop at Steamy Side for a quick promo — the cover, the blurb, and the author info.
So if you haven’t yet checked out Autumn Fire, now’s your chance!
Click here to go to Steamy Side.
July 13, 2013
Blog Tour Stop 2: Books to Light Your Fire
Howdy, all!
Today’s stop two in my blog tour, and I’ve got a post up at Books to Light Your Fire about the importance of cover art!
What do you think about cover art? Have you ever bought something just because of the cover? Have you read an awesome book with a terrible cover?
Stop by, check it out, and leave a comment!
July 12, 2013
Blog Tour Stop 1: Meet and Greet
Howdy, folks!
Today kicks off my three week blog tour — and the first post is up! It’s a Meet and Greet with me over at Reading Addiction, the host for the blog tour.
Stop by and find out the answers to such thrilling questions like: Mashed potatoes or French fries? Coffee or hot chocolate? Comedy or drama?
These are crucial questions I know you’ve been dying to ask!
I’ll tweet and post each link for the next three weeks. Be sure to check them out! There’ll be some promo posts, reviews, guest posts, and interviews!
July 10, 2013
Book Review: How to Write a Dirty Story
How to Write a Dirty Story: Reading, Writing, and Publishing Erotica
Susie Bright
I found this book to be an enjoyable read, but the title felt a little misleading.
As far as a writing book goes, this one has a lot going for it. Number one is that it’s easy to read. A lot of those writing books are dry and clunky; it’s hard to write about writing effectively. However, Bright does just that. I whizzed through this book pretty quickly. The second main strength of this book is its empowering nature. The key message repeatedly emphasized is that absolutely anyone can write a dirty story and they should feel proud about doing so. You don’t have to be a sexual god or goddess — you could even be a virgin — there are no qualifications that need to be met. Moreover, it’s not just that anyone can write it, but anyone who can write it should take pride in their work. Erotica and sex writing is often seen as dirty, terrible literature, or a blight on the book industry. But erotic fiction continues to sell and can sometimes feature stellar writing (such as in the lesbian anthology I read recently).
Where this book stumbles is in its practical advice. Bright seems to give little in the way of how to construct a story, how to write the erotic scenes effectively, or how to pursue the publishing process. Instead, a lot of time is devoted to exploring how her career developed. This was certainly an interesting read (and I’m glad I picked the book up), but the lack of effectiveness of these sections means that this reads less like a book on how to write a dirty story and more like… I don’t know… a companion book. Someone wanting to write a dirty story should pick up this title to learn more about the industry and its development, but they should also pick up a good book on writing tools to help them put together an effective story.
But, like I said, for its weaknesses, it is still an enjoyable read. Bright’s casual style of writing almost feels like she is relating this information over a cup of coffee in her kitchen. Her openness and honesty make this, and subsequently the erotica industry, open and accessible.
July 9, 2013
The book is out, I’m on TWV, and I’m sick… :(
Hi gang!
The big day finally arrived! Autumn Fire was released in ebook form on July 2!
You can read an X-rated excerpt of Autumn Fire here — and you can purchase your copy here.
Annnnnddd… I stopped by The Writers Vineyard yesterday to talk briefly about my attempts to promote my book through social media (namely, Tumblr), without becoming one of those annoying people that shouts at you fifty times a day to “BUY MY BOOK!!!”
You can check out my post here.
Annnnnddd… the reason this blog post is so late is because I’ve come down with some sort of nasty flu — no fever or chills or anything, just overwhelming nausea. (I’m pretty sure I’m not pregnant.)
And now, dear friends, I must depart and return to the land of homework!
Catch ya later. ;)
July 2, 2013
Autumn Fire – Excerpt
Autumn Fire comes out today!
Here’s an excerpt from Chapter One — enjoy!
[This excerpt is very explicit and NSFW and is thus intended for mature audiences only.]
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Hot blowjobs! Call Dave!
Dustin glanced over the phone number scrawled in faded ink, marring the grey paint. A half a dozen more “offers” decorated the wall—hookups made inherently sleazy when delivered in bathroom graffiti.
Not that he should judge, since he occupied the stall in the men’s room at the back of the library for an anonymous blowjob with some guy he met on the internet.
Dustin barely knew anything more about CollegeJock22 than he did about “Dave,” but it was still different…somehow. He’d at least seen CollegeJock22’s picture, if only a grainy crotch shot.
His thoughts crashed to a halt when the bathroom door next to him opened. Blood immediately pounded in his ears, so loud he struggled to hear the hesitant footsteps make their way to the urinal. Cold sweat spread across his forehead. He’d done his share of hookups, but never in a public place before. The danger of being caught both terrified and excited him.
Dustin stared at the sneakered foot, visible just below the stall wall, as the other man stopped at the urinal on the other side of the metal divider. He waited for the signal. Until he heard it, he didn’t know who had come in, CollegeJock22 or some random dude needing to take a piss.
He heard a zipper open, but not the telltale sound of urination. The foot shifted. The pant leg lifted, briefly flashing a white sock. The signal. Dustin flashed his own sock.
Nothing happened. Embarrassment swelled as he realized the awkward coincidence. This was not CollegeJock22.
Then the other man’s feet moved. Another wave of cold sweat peppered his skin. He’d been right. CollegeJock22. Now he just prayed the man wasn’t fat and ugly, his profile one big lie. Dustin’s breath grew shallow and his heart thudded as the man stood on the other side of the stall door. Dustin left it unlocked, as planned.
It squeaked softly as CollegeJock22 nudged it open.
All doubts vanished. Quite simply, CollegeJock22 would be the hottest guy Dustin ever hooked up with, the rare man who actually lived up to his profile. He easily stood five foot eleven with tight golden curls peeking out from below his ball cap. His muscled chest pulled his shirt taut beneath his open jacket and his cock…a gorgeous piece of meat dangled from his open fly. The thick and semi-hard dick sprouted from a dusting of fine hair, probably at least seven inches when erect.
Dustin’s gaze wandered up to meet the nervous eyes of CollegeJock22. Normally, he might go slow and ease the guy into the act, but this setting made a laconic pace awkward. Also, Dustin had gone without sex for three months now—his last hookup being before he moved to Toronto. Masturbation didn’t cut it. He was fucking horny. He needed a cock in his mouth, he needed cum sliding down his throat, he needed to be nose-deep in the sweaty crotch of another man…
He refrained from yanking his hookup forward and eating his dick, fearing it would terrify the poor hunk. According to their online chat, CollegeJock22 rarely did this stuff, so Dustin needed to be gentle. Dustin reached out and wrapped his hand around CollegeJock22’s shaft, feeling its warmth and growing hardness.
Dustin read nerves in the gray-blue eyes of the other man. The cock in Dustin’s hand, though, stiffened to rock-hard in a matter of seconds. CollegeJock22 enjoyed it, even past the somewhat awkward situation.
Dustin placed his other hand on the man’s hip and pulled him closer. Shuffling shoes were the only sound in the washroom, bringing CollegeJock22’s tantalizing dick nearer to his face. The hunk reached back and quickly locked the door.
Dustin’s mouth watered, anxious to taste, to lick, to swallow. If it weren’t for the warm flesh in his hand, he’d be tempted to believe this wasn’t real. No one on hookup sites looked this good— Dustin resigned himself to a sex life full of homely closeted guys. But this…this sausage in his hand, one of the thickest he’d seen outside of porn, was attached to one of the most attractive guys he’d seen in Toronto. At full mast, CollegeJock22 surely reached eight inches.
CollegeJock22’s anxiety melted away, leaving a lustful glint and a crooked smile. Dustin shifted his focus back to the rigid penis throbbing in his hand. He reached out with his tongue, dragging it across the head, licking the slit. The jock shuddered.
“Ohhh…” CollegeJock22 groaned softly.
Dustin didn’t need to hear more. He closed his eyes and took the head in his mouth, sliding his tongue around the soft bulb, moving down the shaft to engulf as much as his mouth and throat would allow. The tip brushed the back of his throat and he fought back a gag. Dustin slowly pulled the cock out and quickly dove back in, moving faster, rhythmically swallowing and releasing. He pumped the lower inches with his hand, stimulating the length he couldn’t fit in his mouth.
CollegeJock22 let out a stifled moan which echoed loudly in the confined space. Dustin paused, fear crashing back into him. Could someone hear them?
“Don’t stop,” CollegeJock22 whispered in lustful agony. He braced a hand against the wall beside him and entangled the other firmly in Dustin’s hair, gripping his skull. His eyes were half closed as he nudged Dustin back into action.
He resumed his bobbing, sliding the meat over his lips and tongue, stopping briefly to pull it completely out and lick every inch. Dustin nudged CollegeJock22’s jeans and briefs down to his knees, freeing low-hangers from their fabric prison.
He stroked CollegeJock22’s shaft, moving in to taste more of the man. Dustin dragged his tongue against shaved testicles, eliciting another moan. Letting his lust take over, he continued stroking slowly, using his mouth to tease the man’s testicles a little more.
Smooth, round balls slid into Dustin’s mouth with the slightest of suction. He rolled the first testicle around with his tongue, then the second one. Dustin opened his mouth wide and pulled in both at once, fondling them with his tongue and lips.
Hungry for more cock, Dustin released CollegeJock22’s testicles and wrapped his lips around his dick. He tightened his oral grip, sucking and creating a vacuum. The jock trembled with the vigorous tongue and lip massage. He moaned and his knees wobbled, knocking gently against Dustin’s. The light sweetness of precum danced on the tip of Dustin’s tongue.
He ignored his own dick, hard and throbbing, torturously caged in his jeans, since no reciprocation was included in this hookup. Instead, he focused on only the beautiful meat in front of him, not only because of their arrangement, but Dustin also noted the nervousness in the man’s eyes. If he reached down and touched himself, CollegeJock22’s nerves would likely kick in. He might assume the plan changed, that he should get on his knees and service Dustin.
Though the thought more than aroused him, Dustin refrained. His cock pulsed with need, demanding to be played with. To keep his hand busy and out of trouble, he fondled the jock’s nutsack, tugging it in time with the blowjob’s rhythms. He rolled the grape-sized balls through his fingers before pulling on them once more.
Dustin moved his hand and let his fingers wander behind CollegeJock22’s testicles and gently massage his perineum. He inched them ever backward with each rub, until his fingertips brushed against the jocks’ tight anus.
CollegeJock22 moaned again, louder. His hand thrust hard against the stall wall, shaking the entire structure. His other hand gripped Dustin’s skull firmer and, beneath Dustin’s finger, the man’s opening twitched.
The jock’s breathing quickened. Dustin knew his mouth was about to fill up. He joined his left hand with his right to massage the base of CollegeJock22’s penis in time with his sucking. He went faster, pressed his lips tighter. His mouth watered in anticipation.
The moans filling the confined space got breathier and higher pitched as CollegeJock22 neared climax. His second hand joined the first on Dustin’s head, gripping and pushing him deeper and deeper, until the tip of Dustin’s nose brushed the man’s curly black hair and it felt like the jock’s dick was shoved halfway to Dustin’s stomach. He fought back the urge to gag, the promise of a grand explosion more important than minor discomfort.
Suddenly, CollegeJock22 stopped thrusting his hips. His hands slid down to Dustin’s ears and held his head firmly in place. The man’s breathy moans morphed into a low groan as a slightly sour, slippery, and sticky hot fluid cascaded over Dustin’s tongue, several shots reaching back to coat the back of his throat.
Dustin swallowed as it came, careful not to lose a precious drop. He let the last of the creamy goodness swirl around in his mouth, reveling in the taste of the final drops of cum.
Moving with the ease of practiced knowledge, Dustin slowly slid his mouth off of CollegeJock22’s penis, careful not to brush against the likely hypersensitive head. He watched the man’s penis for several moments as it bobbed with the ebbing pulses of a powerful orgasm, glistening with a mixture of saliva and semen. When the twitches subsided, Dustin gently licked the man clean, moving slowly over the head, sending shivers through the jock.
Satisfied he’d lapped up every speck of cum, Dustin let go of CollegeJock22’s cock and looked up into his eyes, a sticky grin spread across his lips. The other man flushed in a post-orgasmic haze, eyes half-lidded.
“Th-thank you.” His hand slid off Dustin’s head.
“No problem.” Dustin ran his tongue over his lips, savoring the remaining taste.
They stared at each other for a long stretch, endless thoughts of further lust tumbling through Dustin’s mind. His cock still throbbed in his pants, screaming out for release. CollegeJock22 reached out awkwardly and caressed the side of Dustin’s face, pausing to admire it. A simple gesture, but it warmed Dustin to the core. His skin tingled at the touch.
CollegeJock22 broke contact and packed his flaccid dick back into his pants and zipped up. He avoided eye contact the whole time. “I’ll look for you online again, sometime.”
“For sure.” Dustin would never see CollegeJock22 again, he knew. Most closeted guys, especially the hot ones, disappeared shortly after getting their rocks off—and CollegeJock22’s profile read “straight, but curious,” which was internet slang for “intensely closeted.”
He looked up into the man’s eyes again, giving him a last lingering look. Dustin tried to interpret the emotion behind CollegeJock22’s gaze…longing?
As their gaze held for a heartbeat more, Dustin felt something spark between them. Some sort of indefinable current ran from CollegeJock22 to Dustin and back again. The man’s lips flickered into a brief smile, one of the most adorable smiles Dustin ever saw, then he turned to unlock the stall door, disappearing back into the library.
Dustin sat, recovering from the all-consuming surge of heat and sex. He considered jacking off, but doubted he could muster the energy for it after the explosive finish. His dick still throbbed hard, but something told him it wasn’t going to work out. He stood and moved to the sink and mirror, washed his hands and checked for telltale cum drying on his face. Satisfied, and now relaxed enough to tackle his math, he walked out of the washroom.
—–
Hope you enjoyed this excerpt from Autumn Fire!
If you enjoyed it, click here to find out more!
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Text is copyrighted by Cameron D James (2013).
