Is it Summer Yet Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the ‘Is it Summer Yet?’ Blog Hop courtesy of Julie’s Book Review.

I spent some time re-branding this site a couple of weeks ago. I call myself a multi-genre author, meaning I write as I read — anything and everything.

This isn’t altogether a good thing. It’s next to impossible to get a reader to follow across brands. There are readers out there, like me, who fall for any story that catches our interest, be it because I already know the work of the writer, or the cover grabs my attention. Or maybe the title, or the blurb, or I’m picking up something owing to someone’s recommendation. If I like a writer I tend to stick with them so if they switch genres, I’ve no problem with that and will trail right along. Even when a writer I love seems to lose whatever it is about their work I used to favour, I tend to remain loyal; it takes a lot for me to give up. I’m a collector.

Alas, I’m the same with my writing — my muse has a wandering interest. It’s not impossible to be a multi-genre writer, but it’s harder. It provides a wealth of story ideas, but makes the job to build a fan base more difficult. I decided I had to consider what I really wanted to write, and at least give people who stumble across my website a better idea. I settled on Writer of Dark and Light Fiction.

My romances tend to be in the GLBT category, and can be completely light and humourous, or deep and dark whether it’s paranormal, or some personal battle a character is going through. This is no more apparent than my latest title with Musa Publishing: Hard Pressed, which is both an Editor’s Top Pick, and a nomination for this year’s Rainbow Awards. I’m offering a copy to one lucky commenter here so read on below, and I will announce a winner at the end of the Hop.

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When one man has the worst of reputations and believes any misfortune befalling him is deserved, it’s hard to feel worthy of love. Can absolution arrive in three little words?

Journalist, Phillip Drake, is beginning to doubt the career he’s chosen, his motivation, his whole existence. Despite attempting a change of direction, his paper has informed him that’s not the sort of reporting they want. When an assignment arises — to trail up and coming, and coming out, actor, Gary Caldwell, he’s well aware it’s his duty to dig for dirt…and when Caldwell seems less than co-operative, Phillip half-convinces himself he’ll be happy to do so.

For Gary, the interaction is surprising — Drake is not all that he seems. Despite trying to be cautious, Gary has always been attracted to the reporter and finds it difficult to maintain a distance. Something is going on with Drake — not least of all the surprising revelation when Gary realises Drake is gay, and the attraction is mutual.

After an intimate encounter, Drake disappears and Gary sets out to unravel a mystery that not only involves tracking down the reporter’s whereabouts, but may also explain why Drake has done the things he has, why Drake harbours more than a little self-hate and more than emotional scars, and why the one thing Drake doesn’t believe he deserves — love — is the one thing he’s worthy of.

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My non-romance work seems to contain a dark thread, be it horror, or crime, or even gothic with erotic elements, but I’m willing to try anything a little different. When approached to write for the steampunk series, Space, 1889 and beyond…how could I refuse?

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Phobos, fearful son of Mars. A moon often likened to a diseased potato…but is there more to the legends surrounding the satellite than mere rumour? Drawn to Mars as part of a covert mission the team of the Esmeralda 2 are waylaid by Sir Henry Routledge, governor-general of Syrtis Major. Although at first reluctant to take on an additional mission — a search for a missing man — they change their minds upon hearing one Henry Barnsdale-Stevens has gone missing on Phobos, the mysterious moon of Mars that many say inspires fear.

The explorers set out for Phobos believing they may well find the minerals they’ve been looking for, and save a man’s life. Another myth calls to them — the strange monolith that rises from Phobos’ surface…but does it extend below? The team discover this is not an ill-formed ‘bit of rock’, nor a remnant of the Stickney crater impact. It’s much more mysterious and marvellous for there are words and drawings on the stone.

What secrets does Phobos conceal, and why does it inspire dread? Will the team manage to survive long enough to find the answers? Their descent beneath the surface may lead to the most amazing discoveries yet.

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So let’s talk about genre. What do you love/loathe? Write? Read? Why? Anything you have to say on genre, sticking to one or writing several, say it below before you hop to another blog. And a big thank you for dropping by.