Welcome Shira Anthony!
I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday and didn't drink *too* much eggnog *G*! We're still in recovery mode from eating too much Chinese at my sister in law's on Christmas Eve, and I'm still the world's best mom for getting my daughter a laptop for Yule :) I'm very pleased to be hosting my friend, the lovely and talented Shira Anthony today. I love Shira's Blue Notes series and look *very* forward to carving out a little post-holiday-insanity time to read Symphony in Blue. (Probably after the kid-let goes back to school.)Take it away, Shira!
Thank you, Helen, for hosting me! It’s been a busy holiday season so far, since I have two releases in my Blue Notes Series of music-themed gay romances:
Encore
(released November 11th) and
Symphony in Blue
(released on Christmas day). Symphony in Blue also happens to be my 10th Dreamspinner Press release, so I’m going all-out with a Blue Notes Holiday 2013 Tour giveaway contest featuring a grand prize of a Kindle loaded with e-books as well as other fun goodies (details at the end of the post).The Blue Notes Series books, with the exception of Symphony in Blue, are standalone novels and can be read in any order. Encore shares themes in common with the other Blue Notes books: music and musicians, a heavy focus on character development, and long-term, committed relationships. And in Symphony in Blue, readers have an opportunity to revisit some old friends and share in the gift of developing love. It’s a happily-ever-after after the happily-ever-afters in the first four books.
I love happily-ever-afters, but not the Harlequin variety. I’m thinking years down the line, not wedding days, or the first time a couple says “I love you,” or even when a couple moves in together. I love to write what happens when an established couple grows and changes with time and experiences. Happily-ever-after isn’t a moment in time—it’s a state of mind, and it continues over time. And writing those happily-ever-afters was so much fun, especially because it gave me a chance to spend a bit more time with the characters.Looking for sexy hot romances with fluffy scenes? I think you’ll like the Blue Notes books. But if you’re also looking for something more—for something more real than Cinderfella and his prince? I think you’ll enjoy these stories about real men in real relationships making love work over time and through obstacles. You can find all of my Dreamspinner Press books by clicking here. Want to read more about me and about my books, including free fiction and excerpts? Check out my website, www.shiraanthony.com. Don’t forget to enter the Blue Notes Holiday 2013 Blog Tour giveaway by clicking here (Rafflecopter). There are plenty of ways to enter, and you can enter more than once by commenting, tweeting, buying books, and liking pages. I’ll be drawing winners on New Year’s Eve at midnight! Good luck! –Shira*****Excerpt from Symphony in Blue: DAVID TAPPED his cellphone, shoved it in his pocket, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
David and Alex “Something ruffle the maestro?”Alex grinned up at him from the couch, his bare feet tucked underneathhim, a pile of staff paper scattered about the floor and coffee table. He’d printedout a score for a new composition and managedto knock it off the printer tray. Of course,all the page numbers at the bottom of the sheets were cut off. Damn thing was at leastthirty pages andwould be a nightmare to organize. “Nothing that can’t be managed.Unlike your score.” David raised an eyebrowand Alex saw the ghost of a grin on David’s face.“You could just reprint it, you know.”“What? And waste paper?” “You’re stubborn,” David said as he picked up several of the pages and set them on the coffee table before joining Alex on the couch. When Alex said nothing,David leaned over and feathered several kisses over Alex’s neck. “Delightfully so, of course. But stubborn nonetheless.” Alex sighed contentedly and pushed the rest of the music onto the floor. Fine. He’d reprintthe damn thing. Later. “Who was on the phone?”
Sam and Aiden “Aiden.” David spoke the name with his lips so close to Alex’s ear that Alex nearly gasped.David’s voice just did that to Alex—thatsexy baritone seemed to resonatethrough every part of his body. Alex was pretty sure David knew what it did to him too.“Aiden? I thought he and Sam were in Australia.”David pulled away and offered Alex a sardonic eyebrow. “Austria.” “Oh, come on!” Alex laughed. “You know I can hardly keep track of my own schedule. Now you expectme to keep up with his?”“Not even the correct continent.” David went back to kissing him. “What was he callingabout?” Anything to keep David focused on his neck. “The party in Connecticut is off. They’realso postponing the civil ceremony in New York for now.” Alex shot up off the couch. “What?But we’ve been planning the receptionfor six months now! It’s only two weeks away. What the hell happened? Are they okay? I mean…. Shit. You know what Imean.” David smiled—a strangeexpression for someone who’d just learnedthat he’d wasted four months arranging the party to celebrate Aiden and Sam’s wedding. Caterers, musicians, guests, and a dozen different schedules to coordinate.“Okay. Fess up. Why are you smiling?” “Aiden and Sam are fine. They’re just postponing it.” David appearedentirely calm. Too calm. Happy, even?“Postponing? They’ve been doing that for two years now.” “Three.” “Fine. Three years. So why are you happyabout it?” Alex pressed. Of course, David was yanking his chain, but he liked that. Anyone who thought David Somers didn’t have a sense of humor simply didn’t know him. “I’m happy,” David said as his eyes brightened, “becausethere’s a good reason for it. In fact, there’sa wonderful reason for it.”Alex laughed. “What reason would that be?”“Who might bethe more appropriate way of say—”“David,” Alex warned.“Graziella MichaelaRedding.” “Graziella? You mean….” “Mother and child doingquite well, I’m told.”David grinned outright this time.“Cary and Antonio’s baby?” “Born last night. Almost five pounds. Threeweeks early but doing well.” David stood up and wrapped his arms around Alex’s waist. “A good reason to postpone a wedding, don’t you think?” “The best.” Alex kissed David. “Shouldwe plan a visit in a few weeks?” “A few weeks?” David’s sly grin made Alex chuckle.“Just because we can’t have the party to celebrate doesn’t mean we can’t take advantageof the opening in everyone’s schedules.” “What did you have inmind?”“Thanksgiving in Milan. It’s been years since we’ve been able to get everyone together.”
Carey and Antonio“The villa?” David’s Italian villa was certainly large enough. “But—”“Is that a problemfor you? Last I looked at your schedule, your next performance is in Buenos Aires in three weeks.”David nipped at Alex's earlobe.“No… it’s not… ah…. Shit, David, I can’t think straightwhen you do that!” Alex shiveredand closed his eyes. “And no. No problem for me. But didn’t you give the staff at the villa the entire month off?”Alex knew David had completely forgotten about that particular detail. He frowned, then said blithely,“We’ll just have to do it ourselves. Jules and I can handlethe cooking. You and Jason can get the placed openedup. Rachel can help you with therooms.”“You’re serious about this?”“Am I ever not?” David pulled at Alex’s earlobe with his teeth. “I’ll call the travelagent and look into rebooking all the air travel.”
Jules and Jason“Travel agent?”Another kiss, a nip, and then: “The travel agent. Too complicated to handle that much rebookingonline and you needn’ttrouble yourself with that. Just call Jules and Jason and let them know we’ll meet them in Milan on Saturday. I’ll text them the flightinformation as soon as I have it.”“Ah…. Okay. Sure. Jules and Jason.”Alex could handle that. He’d been meaning to call Jules to see how the Blue Notes album was coming along anyhow. He’d joined Jules and the other members of the trio on several of the tracks when he’d been in Paristhree weeks before.“Good.” David brushed his lips against Alex’s. “And one more thing.”“Hmm?” Focus, Bishop,focus!
“This.” David pushed Alex onto the couchand began to unbutton his shirt.“First things first. Always.”
Buy Links: Encore: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4353&cPath=55_484Symphony in Blue: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4479&cPath=55_484
Blue Notes Holiday 2013 Blog Tour stops:November 11th (release day – Encore): Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words (Melanie Marshall)November 12th: Live Your Life, Buy the BookNovember 14th: Michael Rupured’s BlogNovember 15th: Joyfully Jay(Blue Notes Cover Art – Interviews with the Artists)November 18th: Elin Gregory’s blogNovember 22nd: Aisling Mancy’s blogNovember 26th: Andrew Q. Gordon’s blogDecember 6th: Oscar’s Bruised Petals(Sandra Garcia’s blog)December 10th: Brilliant Disguise (Tali Spencer’s blog)December 13th: Lily Sawyer's BlogDecember 16th: Rebecca Cohen’s blogDecember 20th: Purple Rose Teahouse (Charlie Cochet’s blog)December 23rd: Mrs. Condits and FriendsDecember 25th: Symphony in Blue Release Day Party at Melanie Marshall’s Scattered Thoughts and Rogue WordsDecember 26th: Book SuburbiaDecember 27th: Helen Pattskyn’s blog
******
Again, a huge thank you to Shira for being here today!
Helen Pattskyn, Fantasy Artist, Gay Romance Author
Thank you, Helen, for hosting me! It’s been a busy holiday season so far, since I have two releases in my Blue Notes Series of music-themed gay romances:
Encore
(released November 11th) and
Symphony in Blue
(released on Christmas day). Symphony in Blue also happens to be my 10th Dreamspinner Press release, so I’m going all-out with a Blue Notes Holiday 2013 Tour giveaway contest featuring a grand prize of a Kindle loaded with e-books as well as other fun goodies (details at the end of the post).The Blue Notes Series books, with the exception of Symphony in Blue, are standalone novels and can be read in any order. Encore shares themes in common with the other Blue Notes books: music and musicians, a heavy focus on character development, and long-term, committed relationships. And in Symphony in Blue, readers have an opportunity to revisit some old friends and share in the gift of developing love. It’s a happily-ever-after after the happily-ever-afters in the first four books.
I love happily-ever-afters, but not the Harlequin variety. I’m thinking years down the line, not wedding days, or the first time a couple says “I love you,” or even when a couple moves in together. I love to write what happens when an established couple grows and changes with time and experiences. Happily-ever-after isn’t a moment in time—it’s a state of mind, and it continues over time. And writing those happily-ever-afters was so much fun, especially because it gave me a chance to spend a bit more time with the characters.Looking for sexy hot romances with fluffy scenes? I think you’ll like the Blue Notes books. But if you’re also looking for something more—for something more real than Cinderfella and his prince? I think you’ll enjoy these stories about real men in real relationships making love work over time and through obstacles. You can find all of my Dreamspinner Press books by clicking here. Want to read more about me and about my books, including free fiction and excerpts? Check out my website, www.shiraanthony.com. Don’t forget to enter the Blue Notes Holiday 2013 Blog Tour giveaway by clicking here (Rafflecopter). There are plenty of ways to enter, and you can enter more than once by commenting, tweeting, buying books, and liking pages. I’ll be drawing winners on New Year’s Eve at midnight! Good luck! –Shira*****Excerpt from Symphony in Blue: DAVID TAPPED his cellphone, shoved it in his pocket, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
David and Alex “Something ruffle the maestro?”Alex grinned up at him from the couch, his bare feet tucked underneathhim, a pile of staff paper scattered about the floor and coffee table. He’d printedout a score for a new composition and managedto knock it off the printer tray. Of course,all the page numbers at the bottom of the sheets were cut off. Damn thing was at leastthirty pages andwould be a nightmare to organize. “Nothing that can’t be managed.Unlike your score.” David raised an eyebrowand Alex saw the ghost of a grin on David’s face.“You could just reprint it, you know.”“What? And waste paper?” “You’re stubborn,” David said as he picked up several of the pages and set them on the coffee table before joining Alex on the couch. When Alex said nothing,David leaned over and feathered several kisses over Alex’s neck. “Delightfully so, of course. But stubborn nonetheless.” Alex sighed contentedly and pushed the rest of the music onto the floor. Fine. He’d reprintthe damn thing. Later. “Who was on the phone?”
Sam and Aiden “Aiden.” David spoke the name with his lips so close to Alex’s ear that Alex nearly gasped.David’s voice just did that to Alex—thatsexy baritone seemed to resonatethrough every part of his body. Alex was pretty sure David knew what it did to him too.“Aiden? I thought he and Sam were in Australia.”David pulled away and offered Alex a sardonic eyebrow. “Austria.” “Oh, come on!” Alex laughed. “You know I can hardly keep track of my own schedule. Now you expectme to keep up with his?”“Not even the correct continent.” David went back to kissing him. “What was he callingabout?” Anything to keep David focused on his neck. “The party in Connecticut is off. They’realso postponing the civil ceremony in New York for now.” Alex shot up off the couch. “What?But we’ve been planning the receptionfor six months now! It’s only two weeks away. What the hell happened? Are they okay? I mean…. Shit. You know what Imean.” David smiled—a strangeexpression for someone who’d just learnedthat he’d wasted four months arranging the party to celebrate Aiden and Sam’s wedding. Caterers, musicians, guests, and a dozen different schedules to coordinate.“Okay. Fess up. Why are you smiling?” “Aiden and Sam are fine. They’re just postponing it.” David appearedentirely calm. Too calm. Happy, even?“Postponing? They’ve been doing that for two years now.” “Three.” “Fine. Three years. So why are you happyabout it?” Alex pressed. Of course, David was yanking his chain, but he liked that. Anyone who thought David Somers didn’t have a sense of humor simply didn’t know him. “I’m happy,” David said as his eyes brightened, “becausethere’s a good reason for it. In fact, there’sa wonderful reason for it.”Alex laughed. “What reason would that be?”“Who might bethe more appropriate way of say—”“David,” Alex warned.“Graziella MichaelaRedding.” “Graziella? You mean….” “Mother and child doingquite well, I’m told.”David grinned outright this time.“Cary and Antonio’s baby?” “Born last night. Almost five pounds. Threeweeks early but doing well.” David stood up and wrapped his arms around Alex’s waist. “A good reason to postpone a wedding, don’t you think?” “The best.” Alex kissed David. “Shouldwe plan a visit in a few weeks?” “A few weeks?” David’s sly grin made Alex chuckle.“Just because we can’t have the party to celebrate doesn’t mean we can’t take advantageof the opening in everyone’s schedules.” “What did you have inmind?”“Thanksgiving in Milan. It’s been years since we’ve been able to get everyone together.”
Carey and Antonio“The villa?” David’s Italian villa was certainly large enough. “But—”“Is that a problemfor you? Last I looked at your schedule, your next performance is in Buenos Aires in three weeks.”David nipped at Alex's earlobe.“No… it’s not… ah…. Shit, David, I can’t think straightwhen you do that!” Alex shiveredand closed his eyes. “And no. No problem for me. But didn’t you give the staff at the villa the entire month off?”Alex knew David had completely forgotten about that particular detail. He frowned, then said blithely,“We’ll just have to do it ourselves. Jules and I can handlethe cooking. You and Jason can get the placed openedup. Rachel can help you with therooms.”“You’re serious about this?”“Am I ever not?” David pulled at Alex’s earlobe with his teeth. “I’ll call the travelagent and look into rebooking all the air travel.”
Jules and Jason“Travel agent?”Another kiss, a nip, and then: “The travel agent. Too complicated to handle that much rebookingonline and you needn’ttrouble yourself with that. Just call Jules and Jason and let them know we’ll meet them in Milan on Saturday. I’ll text them the flightinformation as soon as I have it.”“Ah…. Okay. Sure. Jules and Jason.”Alex could handle that. He’d been meaning to call Jules to see how the Blue Notes album was coming along anyhow. He’d joined Jules and the other members of the trio on several of the tracks when he’d been in Paristhree weeks before.“Good.” David brushed his lips against Alex’s. “And one more thing.”“Hmm?” Focus, Bishop,focus!“This.” David pushed Alex onto the couchand began to unbutton his shirt.“First things first. Always.”
Buy Links: Encore: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4353&cPath=55_484Symphony in Blue: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4479&cPath=55_484Blue Notes Holiday 2013 Blog Tour stops:November 11th (release day – Encore): Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words (Melanie Marshall)November 12th: Live Your Life, Buy the BookNovember 14th: Michael Rupured’s BlogNovember 15th: Joyfully Jay(Blue Notes Cover Art – Interviews with the Artists)November 18th: Elin Gregory’s blogNovember 22nd: Aisling Mancy’s blogNovember 26th: Andrew Q. Gordon’s blogDecember 6th: Oscar’s Bruised Petals(Sandra Garcia’s blog)December 10th: Brilliant Disguise (Tali Spencer’s blog)December 13th: Lily Sawyer's BlogDecember 16th: Rebecca Cohen’s blogDecember 20th: Purple Rose Teahouse (Charlie Cochet’s blog)December 23rd: Mrs. Condits and FriendsDecember 25th: Symphony in Blue Release Day Party at Melanie Marshall’s Scattered Thoughts and Rogue WordsDecember 26th: Book SuburbiaDecember 27th: Helen Pattskyn’s blog
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Again, a huge thank you to Shira for being here today!
Helen Pattskyn, Fantasy Artist, Gay Romance Author
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