LE Franks - GRL Blog tour

LE Franks - GRL Blog tour

Last year GRL Atlanta was held in a hotel run by aliens.

And not the ones we find bandied about under thinly disguised rational slurs—no these guys were straight from The Mother Ship. In fact by the end of our stay I’d become convinced that the hotel was the mother ship.

There is evidence to back this up. The disappearing/reappearing carpet swamp springs to mind and I have the rest of the list jotted down on the back of something…but that doesn’t matter. I have witnesses. If you don’t believe me just ask Jade Buchanan, Jet Mykles, Allie Blue… (and I want to throw Amber Kell under the bus here but I’m not 100% certain).

But my recall ability is not the point (yet). My point is that we can ask them ourselves in just a few weeks. Or sooner, if we want to reach out to them through our virtual connections…

Connections that begin with the books we love.

Books that become our family, that make us laugh, make us think, make us feel, or just distract us from the grind our soul can take on a daily basis. We finish one, we fall in love, and we start tearing through virtual bookstores and author websites and social media pages searching for their next literary crumb, that hint of the next book in a series, or the next novella penned in a voice we’d follow to the ends of the earth and back.

But for fans of our genre (and let’s face it, those of us who write are some of the biggest fans out there), we don’t have to leave it there.

We have something very special in our annual Gay Romance Literary Retreat…an event where very real and random meetings with those same authors can happen at any time of day or night. We trip across them in the elevators or the lobby, squee when we realize we’re seated next to them at dinner, have quiet moments of conversation when we keep each other company as we go on morning walks or stand in line at Starbucks.

The connections we spark light the fires of friendship or camaraderie or collaboration growing beyond the handful of days we share together each year.

So while I might gripe that I’m not ready to embrace the heart of con season, that I haven’t figured out costumes and swag and all the many painful details of travel, the truth of the matter is in its own way—it’s like coming home. No one cares what you wear, only that you’re back… even if only for the first time.

We all seem to share a shy reluctance to impose ourselves on each other coupled with a deep-seated desire to connect. And it can be worrisome until you take that great leap of faith and walk up with your hand extended. Scary. But the rewards for doing so are vast.

I was reminded of that last weekend as I prepared to board a flight to Seattle for GRNW 2014. My special box of swag was still in transit and I was whining about it online only to be put in my place by a reader ‘as long as you show up, that’s gift enough’. Enough said.

I can’t wait to see my friends: personal and virtual. And for those as yet unmet? I can’t wait to meet you.

Safe Travels and I’ll see you in Chicago where I hear anything can happen, maybe even aliens.


Can This Be Real

Chef Christian De Guisse can’t trust a man who doesn’t love his food, Detective Andrew Simmons won’t let any man close who thinks he’s broken—somewhere between these two points, love is possible, but only if they get real.

When Chef Christian De Guisse accidently outs Celebrity Chef Jordan Slayer during a fight in front of The Times entertainment reporter—it only gets Christian ex-boyfriend status and a one-way plane ticket to culinary exile in Oregon.

But a fortuitous meeting with Detective Andrew Simmons at the Portland airport keeps De Guisse and his collection of exotic herbs out of the hands of homeland security, starting the chemistry simmering between them.

Andy isn’t much of a foodie and for a chef who communicates love through his cooking this may be one hurdle too high.

Excerpt


“You fucking bastard!” Christian slammed through the door to Jordan’s office without knocking. The executive suite was built on a mezzanine overlooking the dining room and faced with an entire wall of glass that revealed a private chef’s table at one end and Jordan’s desk at the other. From the dining room floor the executive suite always reminded Christian of a giant aquarium; Jordan’s relentless pacing mimicking the school of piranha circling their tank at the NY Aquarium.

“Chris, what the hell? I’m in a meeting with the network, this is completely inappropriate!” Christian barely spared a glance at the room full of suits before blasting back.

“You want to know what’s fucking inappropriate? It’s cheating on me with some twat while I run your goddamned restaurant making you look good to all these pretentious assholes!” Christian swept a hand out, gesturing to those seated behind him with the paper still clutched in his hand.

Jordan lost all color in his face as Christian slapped the newspaper down in front of him. The pages were folded back to reveal a cozy photograph of Jordan, arms wrapped around a statuesque blonde in a tiny silver micro dress as they left a trendy SoHo eatery.

Page Six had spent several column inches speculating that perhaps Jordan had met the future Mrs. Happy Monkey, given the number of times he’d been seen escorting her around town over the last six months.

“Christian, you’re overreacting—”

“Fuck you, Jordan. If anything I’m underreacting here. How long have you been sneaking around?”

Jordan froze and then seemed to pull himself together after a quick glance at the startled faces around them. For the first time Christian focused on the other occupants in the room. Among the seven suits seated, Christian recognized Mickey Nichols, Executive Producer for Jordan’s shows, along with Melissa Halprin, entertainment reporter for The Times. While the others were studiously trying to avoid eye contact, Melissa had the glazed look of someone witnessing a car wreck as she clutched her recorder in one hand.

“Back off, Chris!” Jordan snapped, every inch of him channeling his “Jordan Slayer, TV star” persona. “I don’t know what the hell you think you’re doing but this is none of your business, and for the record I’m not gay.”

“Not gay? I find that incredibly unlikely since you had your tongue shoved up my asshole not three hours ago. In my experience, that’s usually a line a straight man won’t cross!” Christian would have been more satisfied by the horror on Jordan’s face if the view weren’t ruined by a sucker punch to his jaw.

The blow knocked him backwards into the glass wall, panels shuddering and pinging. Mickey jumped up to grab Jordan, pulling the cheating bastard out of harm’s way, while the sting of his mouth dissolved the last bit of Christian’s self-control.

“You can deny it all you want but there’s also the fact you’ve been inserting your cock into every orifice of sufficient size on my body since I was seventeen—you’re just one blowjob away from winning the award for World’s Most Prolific Cocksucker, Jordan!”

The mention of underage sex and blowjobs seemed to light a fire under Mickey. He shoved Jordan into a chair and started hustling everyone else out of the room. Melissa was no longer being shy about her interest and was furiously jotting notes into a small notebook—lingering as long as she could—Mickey finally shut the door in her face and turned the panels to opaque before making his own escape.

“Seventeen?” Jordan spluttered, shock ripping away his façade. “I thought you had to be eighteen to apply to the CIA?”

Jordan was probably thinking back to all the times he’d dragged Christian into an empty supply closet or the guest quarters at the venerable cooking institution during that long weekend eight years ago.

“Yeah, Jordan. You were so hot to get in my whites that you never slowed down long enough to ask, not that it took very long as I recall. You know, I never could tell if it was my tight ass you loved more or my perfect sauces. I guess it’s a moot point now.”

Christian couldn’t stop the memories from surfacing, overwhelming his pain. As an undergraduate attending the Culinary Institute of America, Christian had been assigned to help Jordan prep for a cooking demonstration; to say they’d hit it off would’ve been an understatement. In fact, upon graduation Jordan came calling, luring Christian into hitching his professional career to Jordan’s star. Bile rose in Christian’s throat at the choices he’d made.

“Christian?” Jordan broke into Christian’s reverie.

Staring at him, Christian barely recognized the man he’d thought he’d spend the rest of his life with. For Christian, their early professional partnership had quickly become personal— in Jordan he’d found not only a mentor but also a partner and friend.

They’d done everything together. And even though Christian spent all his nights at the loft with Jordan, except for the late weekend shifts, Jordan had always resisted Christian’s overtures to make it official by moving in together. Now he knew the reason why. Just the thought of it made a red tide of rage rise once more.

“I can’t believe I never recognized what a low-life, no-talent, has-been, cheating scum you really are...” Christian shook with emotion, the words snarled, hands clenched at his sides and jaw throbbing.

Jordan appeared tired and defeated sitting with his head in his hands, but the look he gave Christian as he rolled his head to the side was mostly pissed.

“You’re fired, Chris. Get the fuck out of my restaurant.”


About the Author


LE Franks lives in the SF Bay area and writes M/M Romance in a unique mix of humor and drama with enough suspense to produce fast paced stories filled with emotion and passion and featuring characters that are quirky and complicated and sometimes a little bit dark.

LE Franks is a best selling author Published through MLR Press, Dreamspinner Press and Wilde City Press and is a 2013 Rainbow Awards Finalist along with Co-author Sara York.

Her website can be found at http://www.lefranks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LE.Franks1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/boxtersushi

Blog: https://lefranks.wordpress.com

Email: le.franks.books@gmail.com


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The Shearing Gun by Renae Kaye, 5/5 and a recommended read

The Shearing Gun by Renae Kaye, 5/5 and a recommended read

At twenty-five, Hank owns a small parcel of land in Australia’s rural southwest where he supplements his income from the property with seasonal shearing. Hank is a “shearing gun”—an ace shearer able to shear large numbers of sheep in a single day. His own father kicked him out when his sexuality was revealed, and since no one would ever hire a gay shearer, Hank has remained firmly closeted ever since.

Elliot is the newbie doctor in town—city-born and somewhat shell-shocked from his transplant to the country. When a football injury brings Hank to Elliot’s attention, an inappropriate sexual glance and the stuttered apology afterward kickstarts their friendship. Romance and love soon blossom, but it’s hard for either of them to hope for anything permanent. As if the constant threat of being caught isn’t enough, Elliot’s contract runs out after only a year.

Review 5/5 and a recommended read


This book would not let me go. I've read it straight through and I enjoyed every page. Hank stayed true to his character for every single moment of the book, the sex was integral and not just there for kicks. The world Hank inhabits was drawn so beautifully, I was envious. I loved Middy and part of me wishes he'd get his own book, even though... ROFL
I wanted Elliot's POV because I loved him so much, but equally, seeing him through Hank's eyes was enough for this to be a 5/5, so I'm probably being stupid even saying it.

An awesome read.

Buy Links


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Jamie Lynn Miller - Guest Post: These firemen are hot under the collar!

Jamie Lynn Miller - Guest Post: These firemen are hot under the collar!

Many thanks to RJ Scott for having me here today! Keep reading to find out how you can win an Amazon gift card!

I'm Jamie Lynn Miller and I'd like to talk about my novel Burnin' for You and my inspiration for writing it.

My tagline says it all: "Men in uniform...and out". Give me a cop, a fireman or a paramedic and I'll write a story about them.

I'm wildly passionate about this book because I was lucky enough to spend 14 days with my local fire department doing research, one of the most amazing experiences in my life.

I was fitted for my own turnout gear and went on ride-a-longs, where I sat in the jump seat in the engine. I was inside a live burn tower where I got to experience a "backdraft" first hand and help to put it out. I learned how to find my way blind in the dark in a smoke filled room wearing an oxygen tank and mask and full turnout gear. I went 60 feet up in the air in the snorkel. I learned exactly how the paramedics operate and looked at all their gear. I saw how the apparatus and equipment rooms were set up. I learned how to roll hose and attach it to a hydrant and the crucial role the engineer plays in getting that water to the fire. I used the Jaws of Life to pry a door off of a car and used an axe to break out a windshield.

Like I said - most amazing experience of my life.

And during all this, I took notes. Lots and lots of notes. Notebooks full. Because I knew someday I was going to write a story. Or four. :-) Not only does this book encompass my love of the fire department, but it's also an homage to my favorite shows like Emergency and Third Watch. Station 127 is real. It's the actual department in California where Emergency was filmed and I was lucky enough to visit there several years ago. And it still looks just like the fictitious Station 51!

So here it is, the story of Lucas and Evan and how they battled their way through smoke and flames to find their happy ending. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

BLURB: Lucas Taylor is a New York City fireman at Station 127, dedicated to his job, even though it has brought him heartrending tragedy - the loss of his lover, Ryan, in an explosion.

Evan Singer is the new guy in town, a paramedic transferred into Station 127 and he sets his eyes on Lucas from the get-go.

Neither knowing who the other is, their first meeting is a night of passion and desire that awakens something inside Lucas he never thought he’d feel again.

But when Lucas discovers that Evan is a paramedic, it all comes crashing down. For despite the feelings he has for Evan, Lucas has vowed to never again get involved with someone on the job, after losing Ryan to it.

Can Evan convince Lucas to open up his heart and take a chance on love again, despite who Evan is?

Includes the sequel – Where There’s Smoke!
Things turn explosive at the FDNY when a young man Lucas rescues from a fire becomes an obsessed stalker, and Evan's altercation with a victim's husband threatens to end his career.

EXCERPT:


“We need to talk,” Evan said firmly, walking toward Lucas.

Lucas turned from the sinks to face Evan. “No. We don’t,” he replied, just as strongly.

“You owe me an explanation, damn it,” Evan countered, and Lucas could sense the hurt under his words.

Hardening himself, he flung his reply at the young man. “I was drunk. It was nothing but a mistake, sleeping with you. End of story.”

Evan shook his head. “No. No, I’m not buying that. You never would’ve called me on Sunday if that was true.”

Knowing he was caught, Lucas floundered for a moment before finding his voice, softer this time. “Evan…nothing more can happen between us. So just let it go. Please.”

“I don’t understand. Why are you acting like this?” Evan asked plaintively, taking another step toward Lucas, reaching out to touch him. “What’s going – “

The door to the bathroom opened at that moment and Tom walked in, dressed in only his boxers, a towel over his shoulder. Evan immediately dropped his hand and took a step back from Lucas, as they both averted their gaze from one another. It was obvious from the look on Tom’s face that he knew he’d just interrupted something, but before he could speak, Evan was brushing past him, out of the bathroom.

Lucas sighed and turned back to the sink, bracing his arms on it and hanging his head. Tom walked up beside him a moment later.

“Want to tell me what that was all about?” Tom asked.

"Nothing,” Lucas muttered.

“Certainly didn’t look like nothing. Something going on with you two?” Tom pressed gently. “You haven’t even known him for 24 hours yet and you’ve pretty much been avoiding him since he got here. Something about him just rubbing you the wrong way?”

Lucas hesitated for a minute, then decided to confide in his friend. He blew out a long breath then straightened up, turning to face Tom.

“Actually…we’ve known each other longer than 24 hours,” he confessed.

Tom blinked. “You…what?”

“Remember when I said I wasn’t alone on Saturday?”

Tom nodded. “Yeah…” Then his eyes widened. “You don’t mean…? You were with Evan? How…I mean – “

Lucas glanced away from his friend. “I picked him up at Casey’s.”

“You picked him up? You mean you…?”

“Yes, Tom, we fucked each other,” Lucas confirmed bluntly.

“What were you thinking?” Tom hissed. “Sleeping with some guy you don’t even know? You’re lucky he wasn’t some psycho and killed you!”

“God damn it, Tom! I was lonely! I was hurting and I was lonely. I miss Ryan so fucking much…”

Lucas swallowed deeply. “And with Saturday the anniversary of his death…I just wasn’t thinking straight, okay? I’d had too much to drink and he was interested and I just wanted to pretend…”

Tom sighed and reached out and squeezed Lucas’s shoulder. “So I take it from what I saw in here things didn’t go so well that night?”

Lucas gave a rueful chuckle. “Actually, it was just the opposite. I even spent the night. He gave me his number and I called him yesterday.”

“Hang on, I don’t understand. Why are you avoiding him like the plague, then?”

“Because the one thing we neglected to talk about was our jobs!” Lucas pushed angrily away from the sink, his back to Tom. “I told him today there can’t be anything between us.”

Tom was silent for a long minute, then asked softly, “Do you like him? You must if you called him.”

Lucas whirled around. “It doesn’t matter if I like him or not. He’s a paramedic.”

“Ah, Luke…don’t do this to yourself. Ryan was a fireman – “

“We’re ALL firemen, Tom! The medics are in just as much danger as we are. Half the time they’re rushing in right behind us into some burning, collapsing building to pull someone out. Or they’re pulling up on a gang-banger bleeding in the street while bullets are still flying,” Lucas finished, pulling in a deep breath.

“Do you think Ryan would’ve wanted this for you?” Tom asked gently. “For you to be alone and unhappy? Or do you think he would want you to move on? Not to forget him, but just to find someone that makes you happy again.”

Lucas stared at Tom, throat working against the emotions threatening to smother him. Finally, he shook his head, his voice rough.

“I already lost someone I loved to this job. I won’t go through that again. I can’t.”

Then he was pushing past Tom, out of the bathroom, swiping angrily at his moisture filled eyes.

He leaned against the wall next to the doorway leading into the dorm, taking a minute to get himself back under control before heading in, knowing what he’d find. And sure enough, Evan was lying there in his bed on his side, facing Lucas’s bed, wide awake, his expression hurt and angry and confused.

Lucas looked away from him without a word, climbing into bed, facing away from Evan, but he still felt the young man’s eyes boring into his back until he finally fell into an uneasy sleep hours later.

~~~~~~~

CONTEST: To win a $10.00 Amazon gift card, leave a comment here (and your email address) with the answer to the following question: “Where did Lucas pick up Evan?” Contest ends Tuesday, September 30th . Winner will be randomly selected on October 1st.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


BUY LINKS:


Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/ng25ocw

LuLu (Paperback and epub): http://tinyurl.com/qe5oeal

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/nvj3toh

Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/ow92qj2

Dreamspinner: http://tinyurl.com/kvuj9on

Also available at the iBookstore

CONTACT INFO:


Jamie Lynn Miller

jamielynnmiller@live.com

http://www.jamielynnm.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/jamielynn.miller.3


BIO:


Jamie Lynn Miller has been writing fiction since childhood and decided to take the plunge and go pro in 2008, finding to her amazement that people truly enjoyed her love stories. She’s a romantic at heart, and her tales reflect the desire we all have to find “the one,” persevering through trials and heartache for that happy ending.

Jamie has a degree in fine arts and has spent the last twenty years working as a graphic designer, though she’d much rather be writing. She was born in Chicago and still lives there today with her husband and their two furry, four-footed children, er… cats.

If she’s not brainstorming story ideas, you can find Jamie at a sci-fi convention, in front of a furnace doing glass blowing, or on a mat twisted into a yoga pose.
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Recent Winners on my blog tours and appearances...

Recent Winners on my blog tours and appearances...

Winners

My Fiction Nook GRL blog tour - 1st Jen, 2nd Meredith King
Prism Book Alliance - Lee Todd
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words - Serena S
Sue Brown Blog tour with Love Lane Books - 1st Candace, 2nd Jen CW, 3rd Stella Matta

Competitions still running


Blogger Girls GRL blog tour - 1.5 days to go! http://thebloggergirls.com/2014/09/19/grl-blog-tour-rj-scott-finishing-your-reading-excerpt-giveaway/

Love Lane Competitions


Coming soon - Elin Gregory Blog Tour, watch this space for news
Coming soon - RJ Scott Blog Tour, watch this space for news
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Excerpts from 8 fabulous UK authors... and me!

Excerpts from 8 fabulous UK authors... and me!

You may recall I attended a UK MM writers signing event in London in September, arranged by the awesome Sue Brown.

I came up with an idea of collating excerpts from anyone that wanted to and creating a file for people to download to read the various excerpts.

Contains content from Chris Quinton, Faith Ashlin, Josephine Myles, SA Meade, Charlie Cochrane, KJ Charles, Julie Bozza, Clare London and me.

The files are listed here:

PDF file  |  ePub file  |  Mobi (Kindle)
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Coming soon... translations into French and Italian of New York Christmas - Cover Art

Coming soon... translations into French and Italian of New York Christmas - Cover Art




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News, Heroes, Texas, GRL, and other important stuff

News, Heroes, Texas, GRL, and other important stuff

Releases...


Coming soon, Last Marine Standing is with my long suffering EIC Erika Orrick and will be available everywhere 8 October 2014. This is my *yay it's GRL book* and came in at 54,000 words of hero goodness.

Heat will also be with you in October, written with Chris Quinton, this book is set in England and was a lot of fun to write. Heat, written with Chris Quinton

WIP


Yes, Texas 6 is my WIP, in fact today I will be putting my first words down. I'm aiming for 50-60k and this will be with you end November. Autumn and Texas Fall. I am currently imagining all the things that could happen in this book... I have such a long list. :)

Then I have... a snow story for MLR and my Christmas Story, The Angel In The Bookstore. Lots to write.

In the planning stages


  • Sapphire Cay #6, the final book in the series will be with you Spring 2015, written with Meredith Russell.
  • Deacon's Law (Heroes #3)
  • Max and the Prince (Bodyguards Inc 3)
  • Ross and the Boss (Bodyguards Inc 4)

Blog posts you may have missed


Red Dirt Heart (Red Dirt #1) by N.R. Walker, 5/5 Highly Recommended
Publishing Schedule @ 2 September 2014
US Lawyer
The Writing Process (aka wot i rite and how i rite it)
Conventions and meet-ups 2014 - 2015
For a Rainy Afternoon
Butterfly Hunter (Butterfly Hunter #1) by Julie Bozza - 5/5 Recommended Read
Reviews Round Up - July & August 2014

Gay Rom Lit


Last minute bits and pieces for GRL. Harrods *little* purses arrived today, they are so cute. I also have Harrods keyrings and teddies... and of course the awesome RJ Scott pens (which I LOVE!). I just need to go shopping for clothes now... :) GRL events list here.


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GRL Blog Tour - Jaime Samms talks swag

GRL Blog Tour - Jaime Samms talks swag

Cons come around every year, like clockwork. They almost seem as inevitable as death and taxes.

Of course, cons are a lot more fun that those, thank goodness, because there's always more than one a year I want to go to. It isn't the con itself that gets to me. It's the lead up. Plane tickets, roommates, extra curricular planning, SWAG. OMG swag, because I can't bring myself to order a bunch of junk with logos and pretty pictures on it that anyone sitting at a computer could order, swag gives me fits.

I'm a planet-hugger. I can't stomach the thought of the mounds of trash that swag becomes. (I know. I've collected enough of it myself) So I always want it to be meaningful, and maybe even useful. And let's be honest, as a starving writer, I can't afford useful. 


Things like coffee mugs and flash drives and phone covers might be handy, but they also cost. I still have swag from my first con, a stainless steel coffee mug from Devon Rhodes that I use on a regular basis.

Those types of things are great, but you definitely get what you pay for, and no money=no expensive shinies. So if I don't have money to spend on useful, that leaves meaningful, and so I hope I can make up for the lack of expense in dollars with time spent on effort.

Since I love making things anyway, I try to put a personal touch on everything. So this last week has been spent, pliers and string in hand, hopefully making plain swag into pretty enough swag for people to enjoy and want to keep. I want my readers to enjoy the weekend as much as I hope to, so if I can send them home with a pretty to remember their experience by, cool beans.

If I don't add anything to Illinois' land fills, even better :) Because it's really about getting together and enjoying each other's company, right? Everything else is gravy.

So swag or no swag, here's to meeting up with old friends and making new ones, and getting inspired to go at this thing another year.

See you in Chicago!

Connect with Jaime


Jaime has been writing for various publishers since the fall of 2008, although she's been writing for herself far longer. Often asked why men; what’s so fascinating about writing stories about men falling in love, she's never come up with a clear answer. Just that these are the stories that she loves to read, so it seemed to make sense if she was going to write, they would also be the stories she wrote.

These days, you can find plenty of free reading on her website. She also writes for Freya’s Bower, Jupiter Gardens, and Total E-Bound.

Spare time, when it can be found rolled into a ball at the back of the dryer or cavorting with the dust bunnies in the corners, she's probably spending crocheting, drawing, gardening (weather permitting, of course, since she is Canadian!) or watching movies. She has a day job, as well, which she loves, and two kids, but thankfully, also a wonderful husband who shoulders more than his fair share of household and child care responsibilities.

She graduated some time ago from college with a Fine Arts diploma, and a major in textile arts, which basically qualifies her to draw pictures and create things with string and fabric. One always needs an official slip of paper to fall back on after all....

Website: http://jaime-samms.net/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000982219151&ref=tn_tnmn

Livejournal:http://dontkickmycane.livejournal.com/

Deviantart: http://dontkickmycane.deviantart.com/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/JaimeSamms

Amazon Author page: amazon.com/author/jaimesamms
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Red Dirt Heart 2 (Red Dirt #2) by N.R. Walker, 5/5 Highly Recommended

Red Dirt Heart 2 (Red Dirt #2) by N.R. Walker, 5/5 Highly Recommended

Up until Travis arrived on his doorstep, Charlie had lived a very solitary life. He had surrounded himself with isolation; a couple million acres of red dirt, scorching sun and loneliness.

Six months on, winter has settled over the desert, and Charlie has the life he never dreamed possible. But living and working together, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, for six months straight starts to take its toll.

Charlie is a stubborn, stubborn man, who tends to have more conversations in his head than what comes out his mouth, whereas Travis has no problem saying what’s on his mind. And even as they both struggle to communicate, struggle to make sense of need versus want, Charlie can see that he’s pushing Travis away - yet seems helpless to stop it.

When it all boils down to whether Travis should stay or go, maybe the decision won’t be theirs to make.

Review 5/5 and Highly Recommended


I devoured this book. I wanted to read more Charlie & Travis and I wasn't disappointed with this story. There was one point where I let out a *YES!* you'll see why when you read it! Again, told from Charlie's POV this is another visit to Sutton Station and I loved it. What more can I say? Beautifully written as was book 1, this didn't rush through the big scenes and the story built perfectly. 

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Red Dirt Heart (Red Dirt #1) by N.R. Walker, 5/5 Highly Recommended

Red Dirt Heart (Red Dirt #1) by N.R. Walker, 5/5 Highly Recommended

Welcome to Sutton Station: One of the world’s largest working farms in the middle of Australia – where if the animals and heat don’t kill you first, your heart just might.

Charlie Sutton runs Sutton Station the only way he knows how; the way his father did before him. Determined to keep his head down and his heart in check, Charlie swears the red dirt that surrounds him – isolates him – runs through his veins.

American agronomy student Travis Craig arrives at Sutton Station to see how farmers make a living from one of the harshest environments on earth. But it’s not the barren, brutal and totally beautiful landscapes that capture him so completely, it’s the man with the red dirt heart.

Please note: This book is set in Australia, using Australian English and lingo.

Review 5/5 and highly recommended


Awww, Charlie and Travis. Who can fail to love these two... beautifully written and I read the book in one sitting and immediately bought book 2. I loved the very real emotions with the two men, and the equally realistic way they were written. I usually prefer two POVs, but this were perfect as seen through Charlie's eyes.

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We're Celebrating the Ndulgent Bloggers' 4th BLOGiversary!

We're Celebrating the Ndulgent Bloggers' 4th BLOGiversary!

4 Years of Reviews. 4 Years of Supporting Authors. 4 Years of Great Books. 4 Huge Bags o' Swag.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit each of these BLOGS -Authors, Reviewers and Bloggers- and have fun!

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Scotland's decision

Scotland's decision

I watched Panorama - Scotland's Decision when it was aired a few nights back. I can't get it out of my head. I don't watch all the political posturing or the news reports, I'm not a person who enjoys all the crap that surround politics.

 But I do like shows that try to explain why things are happening, with historical fact, and I like to hear from people in the street. An awful lot of the show made sense, and it analysed the shattering of  industrial connection and the creation of a new kind of isolation. It spoke of post WWII and the Thatcher years and oil. It was some things I knew, some I didn't.

I don't want Scotland to leave, but that program I watched is nagging at me. I just abruptly feel so sad about the whole situation but I am not educated enough in the facts to really comment or defend why I don't want Scotland to leave. So please don't expect me to. I never thought it would bother me. Honestly, like my support of equality, I just want everyone to be happy, and every person should be able to decide their future. Then I watched the show (and B is off to Uni which means I'm emotional).

Abruptly I realised I did have an opinion, I wanted the No vote to win, but I wanted the win to be used to make things better for Scotland, and for the Union.

As I watched the show I came to understand one thing, I think something in us has broken, and I think it isn't just English & Scottish. I feel it's much wider than that, worldwide, something broken in society and in all of us, and for that I feel very sad. Scotland and England, Wales and NI, together we were strong, we are strong, I hate that the very concept of it is being broken.

I hope the voting tomorrow is peaceful and considered. I would love to say that if the vote is No that there won't be gloating or anger, and that if the vote is Yes, that neither nation will do anything stupid and shortsighted (I'm looking at England and the idiots with their rhetoric here - this isn't a reality show, this is real life).

And that either way we can begin to fix some of the broken bits in all of us and become one nation again, for real.


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Five Things to Keep in Mind for GRL - GRL Blog Tour - Erica Pike

Five Things to Keep in Mind for GRL - GRL Blog Tour - Erica Pike

GRL is less than a month away! I’m so excited! Aren’t you excited? R.J. was kind enough to let me visit her blog to talk about a few practical things to keep in mind:

Clothes

I would like to say that clothing is optional, but I doubt the hotel staff would approve, so let’s all wear at least something. What to wear, however, is optional. Some choose jeans and t-shirts while others like to dress up a bit. The main thing is to wear whatever makes you comfortable. The same goes for shoes and the same goes for the themed evenings. If you like dressing up in costumes, then do it (most will, but it’s okay if you’re not comfortable with it). If you like to wear fancy clothes for the Casino Royale, then wear some. You won’t find small groups of people whispering about other people’s clothes. That’s not how GRL works.

Companionship 


If you’re nervous about meeting all the people, then don’t meet them right away. Watch them first, take in the scene, and hopefully that’ll relax you enough to eventually talk to people. GRL is like Christmas: no one should be alone. If you’re arriving alone, then see if you can find some of the people you’ve been chatting with online. Trust me, they’re just as eager to see you as you are to see them, and they’re probably also just as nervous. Find comfort and companionship in each other. Someone in the facebook group suggested printing and cutting out a small copy of your profile image, so it will be easier for people to recognize you, and I think that’s a very good idea. If finding your online friends fails (or you just don’t have any), authors are always ready to chat. We’re there to socialize with fellow authors and readers (because we’re readers, too!). Then there’s the Meet and Greet on Thursday morning, which is designed to get people to talk to each other (no one’s going to force you to do anything against your will though, so don’t worry).

Pens


Sure, there will be a free-for-all SWAG room with pens, but it’s a good idea to bring at least a couple. If you’re a general attendee, it’s good to have one in the neck wallet you’ll get at registration, in case you run into your favorite author and he/she doesn’t have a pen to sign. If you want an author to sign fabric, then be sure to bring a fabric pen because the author will most likely not have one. Authors, this is mandatory! Have pens in your neck wallets! Not just pens, but sharpies as well. It’s good to have at least two sharpies: silver to sign black surfaces and dark to sign on light surfaces. Also have a normal pen to sign books, because a sharpie will bleed through the page and ruin it.

Flu shot


Eat a lot of vitamins a few weeks before arriving and, if you can, get a flu shot! I didn’t get sick after my first GRL in Albuquerque, but last year in Atlanta? I was sick for three weeks afterward and it took me another month to become fully functional (or as functional as I can get). People will be hugging - a lot, and you’ll be spending a lot of time with a lot of people in a lot of small rooms.

Rest


This is something I need to learn to do. I’ve been to GRL two years in a row and I did not stop the whole time I was there. My cousin Thora can confirm this. I believe that this may have contributed to my after-GRL fatigue. I was on my feet most of the time, often well into the night only to wake up very early. I was always on the run, talking, smiling, laughing, and stressing about my panel and SWAG table. I want to do everything at GRL, talk to everyone, but being so eager will come at a price. So, rest! Go to your room (Erica!) a few times over the day, sit down in the comfy chairs, go out of the hotel a few times (I only left the hotel twice last year, to get food - I’m not counting the trip to the strip club), and even skip a panel or two to enjoy the peace and quiet of the nearly empty hallways. You need to recharge your batteries before going in again.


Thank you for having me over, R.J. See you all at GRL!

About Erica Pike


I haven't been writing since I was in diapers and I haven't been an avid reader since I learned my ABC's. I have, however, always been a daydreamer spinning tales after tales in my head involving me and a tall, dark, and sexy man who doesn't exist in real life. So far I've been a vampire, jungle nymph, time-traveler, ghost, noblewoman, survivor on a deserted island, a witch and so, so much more that it'd take months to count out every occupation and scenario.

I have been writing for several years now and reading became an obsession roughly in my late twenties. Of course I read books before that, but since I'm a university business graduate I really didn't have much time to read in my free time. My free time back then was time to party! I now only read/write gay male erotic romance fiction.

I live in Iceland and I often say that my real name sounds like Klingon to foreigners so I don't even bother revealing it. I took part in a Taekwondo tournament in the USA once and felt so, so sorry for the announcer. I'm a happy single mother of two adorable boys.

Anyway, I'm a friendly, easy-going person, so don't be afraid to talk to me. I have a weird sense of humor - either you get me or you don't. Unfortunately, sometimes my humor gets mistaken for me being insensitive - please forgive that, it's the Icelander in me. 

Erica Online



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GRL events

GRL events

The GRL event calendar is available here: http://www.gayromlit.com/grl-2014/sessions

I will be generally walking about making a nuisance of myself, or sitting somewhere with wine... but there are specific places you will find me.

Wednesday 15

8:00 - book stamping volunteering with Amber Kell

Thursday 16


12:50 - 13:30 Author Lounge, Trillium III

Friday 17


9:00 - 9:55 Panel with Amber Kell, Stephani Hecht and myself - The Flawed Hero - Cypress I & II, games, prizes and a look at why we like our heroes flawed.

17:00 - 18:30 Pizza Party, non-GRL free event ticket holders only, hosted by Amber Kell, Stephani Hecht and Amber Kell. If you signed up for this then we'll be contacting you shortly.

Saturday 18


14:00pm - 17:00pm  - The GRL Featured Author Booksigning, Trillium II, III, IV

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US Lawyer

US Lawyer

Apropos of nothing...

The details for the lawyer I used in connection with Silver Publishing is as follows:

The company is: http://www.butzel.com/

The contact is: Robin Luce Herrmann, her email is luce-herrmann@butzel.com

They are US based and experienced in publisher issues.

RJ x
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Character Interviews - DH Starr, The One I Choose

Character Interviews - DH Starr, The One I Choose

Title: The One I Choose
Publisher: Wilde City Press

Buy Links: (Coming Soon)

Wilde City Press - Amazon

Blurb


Cal’s been with his partner Rhys for three years, their life together was perfect—or so he thought. When Rhys’s culinary path in NYC is detoured, Cal uses his inheritance to relocate them to Boston.

While using his contracting skills tirelessly to get Rhys’s restaurant operational, Cal realizes that Rhys’s happiness, their very relationship, may not be as solid as he’d once thought. 

Cal struggles as he realizes the many ways he’s taken Rhys for granted and needs to make some hard choices if he doesn’t want to lose the man he loves.

The Interview

Cal and Rhys settled on their rooftop deck overlooking downtown Boston, a bottle of their favorite wine on the table between them. Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon, the brand they’d fallen in love with on a trip to the vineyard. They each had their questionnaires in front of them and filled them out privately before sharing answers with one another.

Cal’s Responses:



If you were marooned on an island, what are the five things you would take with you?
A Saw, Hammer, Nails, Knife, and Wine.

What would you do if you won $10,000?
I’d finish this roof deck, laying down weather treated teak, and install a refrigeration and sound system so we could store beer and listen to music.

What are three things on your bucket list?
  • Build a cabin by a lake in Upstate New York
  • Run a marathon
  • Have one of my jobs featured in Better Homes & Gardens
What song can always make you dance, especially when no one's around?

September by Earth, Wind and Fire

If you could pick any character from a TV show and pair them with any character from a book for a whole new story, who would you put together?

Ian Somerhalder from Vampire Diaries and Talib Eldridge, the vampire from the book Feed. Prey. Love by D. H. Starr.

What’s your idea of romance?

Pitching a tent on a mountainside and camping out. There’d definitely need to be a campfire and water (preferably a high-elevation pond).

What’s an absolute no-no in a relationship?
Taking your partner for granted. I made that mistake with you and I’ll never do that again.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

When my mom walked in on me beating off. I was thirteen, had just figured out that I could take care of my boner and used every spare moment I could to take advantage of my personal toy.

What do you love best about Rhys? What one thing would you like to change about Rhys?

You’re the most nurturing person I’ve ever met. You know how to appreciate every day. It’s good for me since I’m always looking to the future. What I’d change? I wish you’d speak up more about your needs. I can be a bull-dozer and you accommodate me more than I deserve.

What's one thing that almost no one knows about you?

When I was younger, I dreamed of being a movie star. My favorite movies were the action flicks like Speed and Point Break. Actually, I guess I dreamed of being Keanu Reeves. Huh. No wonder I find you so attractive, you look a lot like him.



Rhys’s Responses:

If you were marooned on an island, what are the five things you would take with you?

A skillet, large pot, knife, cooler, and a trunk filled with books.

What would you do if you won $10,000?

I’d redo that fucking kitchen at the restaurant. I need twice as much shelving as I currently have, and I need to organize it better. Right now, too much space is dedicated to the freezer and refrigeration systems. I need a much larger pantry plus a better storage area for the cookware.

What are three things on your bucket list?
  • Be featured on The Food Network.
  • Buy a villa in Italy with a vineyard.
  • Have two or three kids.
What song can always make you dance, especially when no one's around?

September by Earth, Wind and Fire

If you could pick any character from a TV show and pair them with any character from a book for a whole new story, who would you put together?

Scott from D. H. Starr’s Wrestling With series and Blaine from Glee.

What’s your idea of romance?

Cooking dinner for the two of us, setting up a candlelit table on the roof deck, and getting drunk on Beringer Cabernet, then making love under the stars.

What’s an absolute no-no in a relationship?

Taking out your frustrations on your partner. It’s natural, but when we first moved to Boston I took it to an inappropriate level and caused you too much pain.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

When I was in high school, I had a crush on the captain of the football team. His name was Greg. Anyways, we had the same English class and I always managed to sit next to him and I sported wood every day for the whole fifty minutes of that class. Greg noticed my hard-on one day and announced it to the whole class. If I could’ve switched schools after that, I would have.

What do you love best about Cal? What one thing would you like to change about Cal?

I love how you refused to go commercial with your business. You could have made a shit load more money joining a bigger firm, but you kept your practice small and personal. If I could change something, I’d want to see you slow down and enjoy the day-to-day stuff a little more.

What's one thing that almost no one knows about you?

During the last few months of high school, I knew I wanted to cook and couldn’t imagine what four years of college would do for me, so I considered enlisting in the army to serve as a cook.

* * * * *

After exchanging papers, Cal and Rhys took a few minutes to read through the other’s responses.

Cal: We choses the same song for what can always make us dance.
Rhys: Does that surprise you? We’ve always loved that song. Remember when I caught you dancing naked to that back in New York.
Cal: I remember you sneaking up behind me and me almost decking you when you scared the shit out of me.
Rhys: (Sticks his tongue out). I remember us fucking like teenagers on the living room floor.
Cal: Yeah. That too.
Rhys: I appreciate what you said you love best about me, but I wish you’d stop beating yourself up about all the work you put in on the restaurant. How many times do I have to tell you I was as much to blame for our problems back then?
Cal: I know you say that, but it’s not true. I was an ass. I mean seriously. I couldn’t even give you that one weekend.
Rhys: (Remains silent for a second). Yeah, that was pretty shitty of you.
Cal: Thank you! Finally you admit it.
Rhys: But I didn’t have to keep hounding you like I did. Talk about guilt trips.
Cal: Well, look at what you said about me. You want me to be able to stop and enjoy things more. I think I’ve gotten better at that. Haven’t I?
Rhys: You definitely have. I’m impressed. Does it bother you, taking time away from work to do simple things like apple picking or driving through the suburbs to look at the foliage changing color in the fall?
Cal: Not for one second. Those are my favorite times thanks to you. What is it, two years running for the apple picking. We’ll have to invite Dan and Greg this year.
Rhys: There you go again, planning for the future.
Cal: (Sticks out his tongue at Rhys). Moving on. Did yoou really get called out for having a hard on in the middle of class.
Rhys: (Blushing). Don’t make me sorry I admitted that.
Cal: (Pulls Rhys closer). I think it’s awesome. Who didn’t get a hard on in school at the wrong time?
Rhys: No one. But no one got called out on it in front of everyone. Do you really think I look like Keanu Reeves?
Cal: Better.
Rhys: Shut up.
Cal: Seriously.
Rhys: No way!
Cal: Way. Actually you’re better looking than him. Why would you pair Scott from D.H Starr’s wrestling series with Blain from Glee.
Rhys: They’re both so sweet. I bet they’d be an awesome couple. Why would you put Ian Somerhalder of Vampire Diaries with Talib from D.H. Starr’s Feed. Prey. Love.? Ian’s not even gay.
Cal: That wasn’t the question. Damon’s badass. Too badass. Could you imagine what it would be like for Talib to throw him down and fuck his brains out. I’d pay good money to see that.
Rhys: (Considers that for a minute). You know what, I think I’m gonna change my answer. You make an extremely valid point. Can I steal your answer.
Cal: C’mere. (Grabs Rhys and pulls him into a hug, then kisses him). Hey, three kids huh? What’s that all about?
Rhys: Have you seen yourself? Do you know how adorable it would be to have three little Cal’s running around? It would be so awesome I don’t think I could stand it.
Cal: I don’t think you could stand it for real.
Rhys: Hmm. Maybe it should be three little Rhys’s running around instead.
Cal: (Laughs). That sounds more manageable.

The buzzer rungs on the over timer.

Rhys: Oops. Dinner’s ready. Looks like this little game will have to wait for a while.
Cal: I have another game we can play afterwards, and it doesn’t involve anything little at all.
Rhys: Oh, I like the sound of that.
Cal: Maybe we could skip dinner and head right for dessert?
Rhys: If you’re planning what I think you’re planning, we’ll probably need the energy from dinner to last through the night.
Cal: Good point. Let’s eat.

Excerpt
It was the piercing whistle from the kitchen that finally drew me out of bed. Warmth fled the second I removed the covers. To add insult to injury, my slippers were nowhere in sight. The cold from the floor traveled from the base of my feet up my legs chilling me to the bone. Rubbing the rest of the sleep from my eyes, I glanced at the clock. Six-fucking-thirty. It’s Sunday for Christ’s sake.
I hauled my ragged ass down the hall, ready to give Rhys a piece of my woken-up-too-early mind, but as soon as I entered our newly renovated kitchen all indignant thoughts faded and the chill I’d experienced when I got out of bed turned to heat. My beautiful five-foot-eleven, perfectly proportioned boyfriend stood by the oven in nothing but his pajama bottoms, his rounded ass pushing invitingly at the fabric.
The sharp scent of dark roast coffee permeated the air, sweetened by the warm buttery morning smell of freshly made French toast. A bowl with cut melons, strawberries, and pineapple sat on the table next to a second bowl filled with vanilla yogurt. Based on the cutting board and orange rinds littering the countertop, Rhys had even squeezed fresh orange juice, bless his heart.
I sidled up behind him, knowing full well he knew I was there. It didn’t get any better than hugging this man close to my chest and burying my face between his shoulder blades to start my day off right. Inhaling deeply, the smells of the meal faded away, the aroma of Rhys so much sweeter. My morning wood, already at full mast, wanted to come out to play.
“Mmmm. You feel good.” I pushed my hips forward, my cock pressing into the crack of Rhys’s ass. If the damn fabric wasn’t serving as a barrier, I’d have already ripped down my pajamas, slid home and brought us both to the moon and back. At least I was leaking enough to make the use of lube irrelevant.
Rhys returned the pressure, rotating his hips, nestling me right where I wanted to be. “You feel good too.”
“Keep doing that and there’s gonna be a problem needing your immediate attention.” I leaned forward, brushing my lips against the nape of Rhys’s neck, reveling in the shudder the gentle touch evoked. Pursing my lips, I trailed my kisses with light puffs of breath and chuckled as his fine dark hair raised on end and goose-bumps formed on his skin.
Rhys moaned and leaned his head back to rest on my shoulder. Each response from him fueled my own need. Knowing my touch, my breath, my cock, could reduce him to putty in my hands never failed to throw my libido into high gear. I kissed the side of his head, then sat at the table and brought the fresh orange juice to my mouth. Sunshine in a glass.
“I’m sorry if the kettle woke you. I didn’t know if you’d want coffee or tea, so I heated up some water. I meant to keep an eye on it so I could turn off the heat before the whistle, but French toast is temperamental if it doesn’t get all your attention.”
“It’s all right. How often do I get to enjoy being spoiled by you…and the fact you’re half naked? Well, that’s just a bonus.”
Rhys chuckled. “I’ll take care of your bonus after I get some food into you. And you’ve gotten this treatment every weekend, three years running, Cal.”
It was true. Even before we’d moved in together, during the earliest stages of our relationship, Rhys had always spoiled me. Weekend trips, breakfast in bed, a surprise course in massage. These were the things Rhys brought to my life.
That wasn’t to say I didn’t bring a lot to the table as well, but in our relationship, I was the muscle and he was the heart. “If you keep bouncing around the kitchen like that, I’m not responsible for what happens to you.”
“Calvin Travers. Are you telling me you can’t keep it in your pants for fifteen minutes while I feed you?” Rhys turned to face me, the smirk on his face throwing me into overdrive. I couldn’t hold in my growl as I stood and crossed the room to Rhys. His high-pitched squeak and the widening of his eyes only increased my need to have him. Right on the kitchen floor. Breakfast be damned!
Sliding my hands to either side of Rhys’s head, my fingertips luxuriated in the softness of his hair. My gaze locked with his and I sank into impossibly blue eyes which always seemed aglow. Then I pulled him to me.
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