I come bearing manlove

Greetings from Katrina Strauss! I'm flattered, honored, and just plain tickled to be the newest member of Slash & Burn. I'll be posting here every other Thursday, and look forward to talking shop with readers and authors alike on all things M/M.

I was told the party's BYOB, as in Bring Your Own Boys, so I brought along an image that inspired my upcoming Amber Allure release, May/December contempo Sonoran Heat. The age difference looks a little more narrow between the hotties in this photo than between my characters Tony and Josh, but it's still an inspiring image with some lovely contrast, don't you think?


While I was at it, I thought I'd post a sneak peek from Sonoran Heat as well! Enjoy!

Blurb:
Tony sees a chance for a fresh start with 21-year-old Josh, but worries chasing a man half his age will lead to heartache. It’s hard to resist when Josh intrigues him on an intellectual level -- and fires his libido hotter than the Arizona desert they call home. As the desert nights heat up, Tony and Josh explore possibilities in and out of the bedroom, but when each man faces a difficult choice, they must decide on the future -- together, or apart.

Excerpt:
Josh looked out across the desert vista. Tony followed his gaze. The sun had dropped behind the mountains, silhouetting them against a purple velvet backdrop streaked with ribbons of red. As the colors deepened, Tony poured himself and his guest a second glass of wine. In silence, they watched the bright star of Venus blink to life, while the crescent moon turned a fiery shade of orange.

“We’ve shared one sunrise and one sunset,” Josh said. “What’s next?”

“Meteor shower?” Tony joked.

Josh’s laughter chimed in the cool evening air. He sobered and looked at Tony, point-blank, his face shadowed alluringly in the soft twilight glow. “I meant, what’s next now that dinner’s over?”

Tony shifted in his seat. What’s next indeed? “How late can you stay?”

“A while.” Josh shrugged, but his gaze grew more intent. He downed his last sip of wine and set his glass beside his empty plate.

Tony wondered if the wine had bolstered the boy’s bravado. He finished his own, letting the final sip linger on his tongue. As bad as he wanted to get in Josh’s pants, he didn’t want it courtesy of an alcohol buzz.

He scooted his chair back and rose. He held out his hand. “Let’s go inside.”

Josh’s fingers wrapped warmly around Tony’s palm. The current that had been growing between them thrummed stronger. Josh stood, and their bodies drew close, just shy of contact.

Tony’s lips hovered over the other man’s mouth. The promise of a kiss was enough to send pleasant tremors down his spine. He pulled back an inch, realizing he wanted to savor the buildup a little longer.

“What’s stopping you?” Josh murmured, his breath sweet with the scent of the vine.

“You’re the first since…”

“Your ex?”

Tony nodded.

“It’s okay,” Josh said, squeezing his hand. “I have all night.”

“Me, too.” Tony turned and led Josh inside. The dishes could wait.

*****
Excerpt from Sonoran Heat
Copyright 2010 by Katrina Strauss
Coming September 5th from Amber Allure!
*****