boy hips

The last day of August always signifies the end of summer for me, even though summer in North America doesn't technically end until late September. But school has started in a lot of places, the Labor Day sales are in full swing, and the days are getting noticeably shorter. Boo. I know that many people love autumn, but I'm a summer girl, so switching over to the fall schedule is a bit depressing.

One thing that always keeps my spirits up when the seasons change, however, is that there is no lack of eye candy available to me through advertising. Namely the Abercrombie & Fitch emails that land in my inbox with delightful regularity. The latest one was a real jaw-dropper. Follow the link below to see why, and be sure to mouse-over the pictures. That's the real treat.

I do love the new season of men's jeans.

Dragon My Ass to Atlanta this weekend...

By the time you get this, I'll be at my first Dragon*Con. I won't be a special guest, nor will I be attached to any vendors, this time I am in pure observation mode. Can't wait to see the spectable of Borg costumes and Hobbits and whatever is in season for the well-traveled sci-fi/fantasy fan. I've wanted to go to this for some time - when I lived in Atlanta I never got over there, and now I'm driving ten hours out of my way for it, and bringing a three year old!

This trip is purely for recon. I'm hoping to set up a vendor booth next year to showcase Phaze and Mundania SFF titles - as you know we have some very talented authors in the genre, particularly in the M/M side. I would love to showcase Mychael and Shayne's Dark Needs, Kitten and The Duke's Husband, L.E. Bryce's Dead to the World, Twice Born, My Sun and Stars, and The Water Lovers of Sirilon, and James Buchanan's Lord Carabas.

What else? Oh, Jade Falconer's Morningstar and Bridget Midway's bi-M Original Sin. And the eBooks, too: my own Jack of Hearts and Jack of Diamonds, and other great titles by Gregory L. Norris, Michelle Houston, and many others. So many to name!

Of course, we have a number of het and F/F SFF titles to show off, too, as well as some yaoi. It's still a goal of mine at Phaze to get at least one yaoi print title out there. Maybe next year.

Other news? I signed a contract with Loose ID for a rerelease of two shorts to be put together in omnibus format. Exitable Gals features a bi-MMF alternate universe story and het werewolf short. I'm excited to be with another great company and look forward to sending them my next M/M work, to be titled Long Awaited Friend, when it is done.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Leigh

Series

I don't know about y'all, but I'm a sucker for series books -- reading and writing. After talking with Shayne the other day, we decided that we need a site dedicated to our dual-series, Legends of the Romanorum and Inferi Brotherhood.

Eventually, Shayne is going to redo the entire TPA website for that purpose, but until then, I've made a temporary home via Wordpress. There's not much of anything right now save for links and a couple pages. But keep checking as I add content such as character lists, a list of vampiric powers, prince-ruled cities, a bit of a brief history of both the Romanorum and the Brotherhood, and only the gods know what else.

The site is: http://legendsoftheromanorum.wordpress.com/

"Beautiful Liar" by JM Snyder

BEAUTIFUL LIAR by J.M. Snyder

Now available from Amber Allure Press!
Buy your copy today!

BLURB:
At fifteen, JT Pierce was the star of a hit TV show and had the world in his hands. Every teeny-bopper magazine had his face on it; every teenage girl had his poster on her wall. But then the show went on hiatus, and JT wouldn’t lower himself to bit parts or commercials. Slowly, his star faded from view.

Seven years later, JT is Johnny Thomas, who hopes to jumpstart his career by hiring his former manager, Lou Merrin. He wants to do serious movies, a huge blockbuster or two, and claim one of those coveted Oscars for himself. But Lou cautions Johnny about the paparazzi, who can make or break a star these days, and he’s heard rumors of Johnny’s sexuality that might prevent him from landing those coveted leading roles.

Still, Johnny’s nothing if not persistent, and he swears he’ll play it straight. Until he meets Brett, a photographer who turns his life ~ and his heart ~ upside down. Suddenly the celebrity gossip website Z-23 seems to have exclusive pictures of Johnny, and someone close to him leaks information about an audition that was supposed to be kept quiet. When photographs surface that Johnny thought were taken in confidence, he realizes he must choose between the career path Lou offers him and the love he wants to share with Brett.

Excerpt:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

Inside the club, the air is close and smoky. The crowd moves like the tide, flowing from one side of the room to the other, catching Johnny in the undertow and pulling him along until he’s washed up against the side of the bar. He’s seeing stars he only dreams about meeting one day and he stands with his back against the bar, watching them bob past him like ships in the night. All the big names are here, and he feels his own status burn a little brighter just being this close to the others. This is what he’s missed all these years. This is where he should’ve been, where he belongs.

Someone bumps into him. He moves aside to make room but the stranger presses against him, clinging to his side. He feels a strong hand ease around his arm to settle somewhere in the small of his back, and hot breath curls into his ear. A masculine voice sighs into him, “Hey.”

Johnny spares a glance and finds himself staring into deep eyes the color of rich chocolate. His gaze flickers to take in short brown hair, lighter than his own, streaked by the sun and standing up from a tanned, sweaty brow. A strong, aquiline nose above too red lips. A small gold hoop earring in one ear and, around a slim neck, a black cord with a handful of white puka shell chips like all the surfer guys wear. The shells fall in the hollow of the stranger’s throat, accenting his dusky skin.

One thought crosses Johnny’s mind. Fuck Lou. He isn’t famous yet, right?

His grin must be encouraging, because it makes the stranger grin back. Leaning against Johnny, he shouts to be heard over the music and the crowd. “Anyone ever tell you that you should be a model with a smile like that?”

Johnny laughs. “Is that your best line?”

“I’m serious. Brett Cary.” The stranger holds out a business card for Johnny to read. Freelance Photographer. “With your looks? I could make you a star.”

Taking the card, Johnny jokes, “That seems to be the general consensus today. You do headshots?”

“I’ll do whatever you want,” Brett says.

His suggestive look says he’s not only talking about photos, either. And suddenly Johnny’s evening goes from just alright to hell yeah.

“You come here often?”

Johnny shakes his head. “I’m usually at the Den downtown,” he calls out, raising his voice to be heard over the crowd.

The Den, only Hollywood’s hottest gay club. Johnny watches Brett smile, a slow, sexy grin that says he got the hint. Closing the distance between them, he leans down over Johnny’s shoulder, one hand brushing over the soft skin on the inside of Johnny’s elbow. the touch is ticklish but Johnny doesn’t pull away. Instead, he studies those dark eyes and imagines they’re shadows he could disappear into tonight. Brett’s mouth curves into a bemused grin. “Can I buy you a drink?”

His gaze flickers past him and Johnny turns to see the bartender, waiting to take his order. When he moves, his back presses against Brett’s arm ~ warm, firm, strong. With a coy glance over his shoulder at Brett, he suggests, “How about some Sex on the Beach?”

The photog’s eyes widen at his brazen words, but a moment later, they soften and the smile’s back. One hand drifts to Johnny’s waist, nimble fingers easing into the band of his jeans. “You want to wait that long?” he teases. “I was thinking the VIP Lounge upstairs … ”

Buy your copy of Beautiful Liar today!

XO XO

I marathoned S1 of Gossip Girl over the weekend, and it was delightfully trashy fun. Sex, drugs, lies and even some rock 'n' roll. Very, very pretty cast, including Chace Crawford, who makes me want to write all kinds of debauchery:


And here he is with his male costars:


Chase lives with Ed Westwick, pictured on the left, and rumour has it that they're more than just roommates. Gee, if only there was a real-life Gossip Girl to get to the (ahem) bottom of it.

Win a free copy of PRECIOUS ACHE on September 1st!

Every month I run a drawing through my yahoo announcement list. This month's prize is a free download of Precious Ache, due out on September 1st at Amber Quill. I'll draw a winner at random from the members of my group and announce the winner's yahoo id through my group on the morning of the first.

If you're already a member, you don't have to do anything further to be entered to win. If you aren't, what are you waiting for? I promise not to overload your inbox with spam. ;)

You can find my yahoo group here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmandaYoung

--

Amanda Young

Romance Without Inhibition

http://www.amandayoung.org/

Coming out

Or, well, kind of. Little by little, more of the people in my life are finding out 1) that I am an author, and 2) exactly what I write. In the last few weeks, two of my oldest and dearest straight male friends found out that I write gay romance. I'll be honest, I was worried about what they'd say. Not because I write GAY romance, but because I write romance at all. You have to understand these two to understand why I was worried about that. One has a doctorate in philosophy, the other actually speaks Klingon. They are the type of people who actually have long, heated discussions about deep philosophical issues. I was scared to death they'd both think I was a shallow airhead for writing romance, even though they know better about me. I was afraid they'd look down on my chosen genre as being beneath their notice. Instead, both these guys have been wonderfully supportive and encouraging.

Lesson learned: do not assume you know what someone is going to think based on stereotyped ideas about their personality type, their likes and dislikes, etc. People can still surprise you, even after twenty-plus years :)

The next hurdle: letting people at the EDJ find out. Eep. I am not sure that's going to happen. They might decide that erotic romance reflects badly on the business (it's a hospital) and fire me. They're allowed to do that, which is scary. And I cannot afford to lose my job no matter how much I despise it. So, yeah. I guess my gay smut will remain a delicious secret in certain circles *g*

Porn v. Erotica

One of the lists I'm on is in the midst of that debate. I don't know exactly where I fall in all that. I like to read books with sex in them...but with a book, I do want characters I care about and an actual plot that doesn't consist of just transitions between sex scenes.

Yet, visually I'm on Xtube surfing wank videos (not me wanking, I'm on watching guys masturbate kick right now). For that I want longer than a minute but if we're going on 6 you need to do some judicious cutting.

I read sex stories on Nifty and Literotica (a lot) and a good short locker-room scene can be great. I guess it's an expectation of what I'm buying. If I surf a free porn site, I expect wham-bam-thank-you-sir, if I pick up a 200 word erotic novel I want to be entertained and wound up. Even in my mainstream fic reading, if you shut the bedroom door on me I get annoyed. I don't expect hard core ...you can fluffy it up for me, but don't take away my experience of the characters.

I guess that's why I write stories the way I do. Sex is a character at their most raw and vulnerable. People will do and say things while screwing they'd never let happen any other time. It's a chance to explore real depth in a character. So I don't know as I'll ever solve it. The two most cognizant definitions I've heard are:

"I write erotica, he writes porn, and she writes smut." Since it's all in the "who's judging."

the second was on that same list. The difference between Porn and Erotica (according to Cork) is 200%...cause if you call it hard core you can charge about 200% more than if you call it sensual or erotic. As a corrallary to that...I guess it's just plain smut if it's free.

So, I'm off to go surf some smut and see who's wanking for cameras tonight....

I've Been Through the Brainstorming on a Character with No Name

Hey, character in my head? Could we settle on a name already?

I already know a lot about you. I know your personality, profession, attitude about relationships—even your dick size. I know you’re tall with red hair and green eyes, and that you freckle and burn before you tan. I know better than you what you like in bed. You’re going to be pleasantly surprised, trust me. But I don’t know your name.

We’ve been through countless websites, all my baby name books, and harassed anyone unfortunate enough to start a conversation with me.

The thing is, sweetie, I know what name you want and you can’t have it. In the book world, unlike the real word, characters can’t have similar names. In real life, I’ve known same gender couples who are Beth and Beth, Kathy and Cathy, Dave and Dave and Tyler and Ty. But in the book world it’s hard on readers when characters’ names even start with the same letter. And honey, there are established characters in this series with names too close to the one you think is yours. You’re going to be hanging out with Joey and Aaron later, so Jamie just won’t do. Despite what non-writers think (and try to tell me) I have no control over the people in my head. You’re probably more stubborn than I am but I beg you let it go.

Since you can’t have Jamie, what do you want? Jae Sun Kim, your incredibly sexy, funny and smart hero, is waiting and he’s got exactly what you’re looking for (even if you don’t know it yet.) You just need to pick a name, preferably something Celtic.

While I have the stage, I’d also like to thank my fellow bloggers for the slash goggles I now wear when I watch sporting events. The Toronto Blue Jays pitching staff was especially friendly last night. Those weren’t even bro hugs, guys. Those affectionate embraces had full out body contact.

Intimate yet public, and soooo sexy!

So, like everyone on Earth with a television, I've been devouring all the Olympic coverage I can get. Thank gods I live where I can get both CBC and NBC coverage! I had a moment of...revelation? titilation? I don't know how to categorize it without dating myself with an Arsenio Hall "things that make you go Hmmmm" moment or a Scooby-Do "Rrr?". Let me set the scene: Male Olympic Swimmers. ::happy sigh:: Some might lament the loss of the Speedo bikini suits, but not I. I am officially in love with the full body suits. Why? Becuase of that moment I just mentioned. I may have the players of the scene wrong, but I'm pretty sure it was Micheal Phelps and Jason Lezak after the Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay. Phelps wears the long half suit (nice, too); Lezak wears the full body suit. In a split second I saw an oddly casual but inimate moment between the two of them. A moment probably repeated thousands of times at these sorts of meets over the course of a year, but it was new to me. Phleps reached over and undid the zipper at the back of Lezak's suit for him. I thought at the time: How many men ever do that for each other? Women? Sure. Were it two women, I wouldn't have thought twice about it. What woman hasn't had someone unzip the back of a dress for her? But two men? On international TV? In HD? Mmm...sexy!

So what's your favourite non-medal, perhaps even non-competitive, Olympic moment so far this year?

Vacation inspiration...

Well, July and the beginning of August has been interesting and not boring at all. My husband received a promotion, we had to move, switching from cable to satelite internet, the children are starting virtual school (rather than regular pubic school), and then we take a vacation. A Disney Cruise.

It's a very family oriented attraction, but that didn't mean my mind stayed PG :P My brain had all sorts of fun with the yummy eye-candy of both the employees (loved the variety of accents) and the daddys that were chasing their kids around. *lol* Top it off with the scenery of the Bahamas and Castaway Cay -- Mmmm, the lifeguards were delicious -- well, it was a great inspiration for a brain dead muse. It's amazing the scenerios one can come up with as you lounge in the sun, drink in hand, and little worries. :D Good thing I had my voice recorder handy.

Oh, and with the move I've made, it means a new mall...and I have a Waldenbooks!!! My new favorite store. I met the Asst. Manager today and she's a lover of yaoi and gay fiction. She tries to keep some M/M fiction when she can from publishers like Samhain and such. Which I bought an Ally Blue book today *whoo hoo* We've traded emails and plan to keep in touch. Those type of contacts are a good thing all around.


Well, I'm glad to be back and hope to get back into my routine again.
Oh, and send all good thoughts toward me as Tropical Storm Fay is supposed to pass right through my area tomorrow *sigh*

I love sports.

Everyone knows by now the phenomenon that is Michael Phelps. If you're really swimmer-savvy, you also know his BFF Ryan Lochte. Here is a visual aid:




I love how much they clearly adore each other. To honor the Phelps/Lochte friendship, here is a picture of the German beach volleyball team, also clearly adoring each other:



And just because I have saved this picture for years, please feast your eyes upon this show of affection from the 2004 Summer Olympics:




You're welcome.

Rock Me Baby

A friend well aware of my complete devotion to Rush sent me this allegedly rare pic that's making the Rush fan board rounds. While the band has been photographed often over the last 30+ years, I find I prefer the days of long hair and pornstaches, though they all have aged rather well. This shot I love, particularly for coyly linked arms. A few of us manlove gals on my favorite message board have speculated aplenty about hidden meanings there. :) A few days after I received this picture, an e-mailed slash story appeared in my inbox. Yowza.

Used to be that a female Rush fan was as rare as the Siberian tiger. Our numbers are growing, but it's taking time. At the DC show last month, I could still walk into the ladies' room without having to wait in line. That part I don't mind not changing. Yet, the growing fandom among women my age has led me to wonder about existing slash fanfic. I did a search and found Rockfic Press, which specializes in band fiction. No Rush, but if you want Police or Metallica slash you've come home. There's even some Motley Crue in there somewhere. Can't even begin to picture that.

As for writing news, I am considering a contract with a top eBook publisher for a novella which features a bi-MMF relationship. The book is called Excitable Gals and might spawn more stories in that universe if successful. The publisher had noted to me, too, that would like to see more stuff, so I plan to finish an M/M novella set in the Surveillance universe. I had originally intended it to be a Phaze Urban title, but as it's not a Dareville story I will shop it first. In Dareville news, I've started work on Daring Red, the first M/M story in this series. The prologue is finished, and since I have completed another short for Phaze I now have more time for Red.

If I can just stop staring at this picture.

ON COMPANY TIME by JM Snyder

Now Available

On Company Time
by J.M. Snyder

a gay interracial erotic romance
Amber Allure Press, e-book, $4.00

Buy your copy today!

Blurb:
Jimmy's job in customer service is just a paycheck,in his eyes. His boss Debbie wishes he were more of a "people person" and more enthusiastic about coming to work. To improve his skills, she schedules him to attend a two-day, out-of-town workshop Jimmy's already dreading.

Then he discovers Scott Raines will be tagging along.

Jimmy's had a fierce crush on Scott, who works in sales, since his first day at the office. The man is gorgeous and funny and so damn intimidating, Jimmy hasn't yet screwed up the courage to ask him out. Maybe the workshop will provide the perfect opportunity to remedy that. They'll travel together, share a hotel room, and who knows where things may lead? Johnny might yet get to make his move.

Unless Scott makes one first.

Excerpt:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

I finally push through the heavy glass door at the front of our building and step out into the hot summer sun. Squinting around the parking lot, I see Scott by his car ~ he leans against the open trunk as he watches me hurry down the steps. When I approach, his smile widens, flashing impossibly white teeth that seem to dazzle against the darkness of his skin. Fashionable sunglasses hide his eyes but I feel his gaze trained on me.

A ball of excitement bounces around inside my stomach, making me anxious and nervous and not a little bit silly. I’m leaving work early and going on a road trip. With him. “Hey,” I call out when I’m close enough. I point to my own car a few spots from his. “Let me get my stuff.”

He nods. “Are you getting hungry?” he asks. “I was thinking maybe we could grab a bite to eat before we hit the road, so we don’t have to stop on the way.”

Now food is involved, and in my mind it’s escalated into a date. I resist the urge to whoop into the air and hide my stupid grin by ducking into the back of my car for my overnight bag. My pants bite into a sudden erection that pounds at my crotch, and I resist the urge to fling myself across the back seat, unzip my pants, jerk off hard and fast in my hand just to alleviate the sweet ache that’s set in. I love him, I decide. If we don’t hook up this week, I’m going to come home and join a freaking monastery. This guy is meant to be with me.

“Jimmy?” Scott asks. “You want to get some food before we head out on the road?”

He sounds like he’s coming closer, and suddenly I’m all too aware of the fact that my ass is up in the air, aiming his way. I hope he enjoys the view ~ I have a nice round butt that looks great in tight pants, if I do say so myself. What the rappers call junk in the trunk. Lots of padding for the pounding, I liked to say when I was in college and looking to score. I wonder if Scott’s staring at my ass right now, thinking something along those lines.

I hear his shoe scrape over the pavement ~ he’s stepped up beside my car, and for the briefest second, I feel a slight brush across my backside. Barely there, might have been fingers or might’ve been the hem of his shirt, it was that indistinct. But in the confines of my slacks, my dick jerks to attention, coming a little in its excitement. Did he just cop a feel?

God, I hope so.

In my haste to stand, I don’t step back far enough to clear the car door and crack the top of my head on the edge of the jamb. Bright pain flares across the back of my head and blooms behind my eyes as I lean down over the back of the driver’s seat. “Fuck!”

Strong hands grasp my head as Scott massages my scalp, his fingers rubbing gently through my dirty blond hair. I melt beneath his touch. “You all right?” he asks, pulling me toward him. “Jeez, that had to hurt.”

“No shit,” I mutter. What a way to damper a good mood.

I stay bent at the waist and let him examine my head. He’s mere inches from me now, my face impossibly close to his groin. Anyone passing by would think I was blowing him.

And why aren’t I?

Buy On Company Time today!

Swifter, higher, stronger

I've already written one book about pro tennis players, and the Olympics is providing me with not only eye candy, but ample inspiration for other sports-based stories. Not that I have time right now for writing anything until I finish the novel sequel to Eight Nights, but both the men's swimming and synchronized diving are inspiring multiple plot bunnies. Oh, to be able to quit my job and write full time!

In the meantime, please enjoy these boys of summer. *g*

New Cover Art: Precious Ache

This is the new cover for Precious Ache, due out September 1st at Amber Allure. Isn't it pretty? :)








Blurb:

Dave thought falling in love with an unattainable man was his biggest mistake. Not being able to resist his best friend’s tempting lips was much worse.

Abandoned as a child, Dave Blanchard learned to be self-reliant at an early age. Puberty brought a distressing attraction to other boys, and an abnormal growth spurt that drove Dave further into his shell. Adulthood granted him the freedom to stand on his own two feet, but cloistered him in a plastic bubble of his own making. At seven and a half feet tall, Dave has no problem finding men for anonymous sex through sleazy backroom romps, but the experiences leave him feeling cold and unsatisfied. Although he dreams of love and commitment, finding someone interested in a relationship seems like a pipe dream.

Desperate for companionship, Dave signs up for an online matchmaking service. To his utter embarrassment, his first date never shows, but his luck improves when he runs into a former foster brother, Micah Black. Dave and Micah quickly rebuild their friendship, but with it comes the resurrection of the forbidden crush Dave harbored for Micah when they were teens. Micah is off limits to Dave, but that doesn’t stop Dave’s imagination from spinning torrid scenarios involving his straight friend.

When Micah’s life is threatened, Dave’s inhibitions melt away. Unfortunately, the price of one chaste kiss could mean the end of the friendship Dave wanted so badly.

Ally has a happy!

Okay, so I spend a leeeeetle too much time on LOLcats. Never mind that. Ally feels the Happy Happy Joy Joy today because I've finally, FINALLY, finished Where The Heart Is and turned it in to my editor. Yay!

For those who aren't aware, Where The Heart Is is Dean Delapore's story. Dean's the hottie who almost stole the second Bay City Paranormal Investigations book right out from under Sam and Bo, and now he's finally getting his own HEA. Soooo, now I am without deadline pressure for the first time in probably years. It is good timing, as my girl-child will be moving into the college dorm on Saturday and I'm off work all but one day this week, so now I'll have extra time to spend with her before she leaves.

Happy happy Ally :D

NEW RELEASE: Mission: Possession

Mission: Possession
Live Action Hero Book 3
By Mary Winter
http://www.marywinter.com/
RELEASE DATE: 08/02/08
Changeling Press
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=954
genres: urban fantasy, m/m, action figure come to life

BLURB:

Hugh has put his marketing talents to work for the store he owns with his friends, The Fantastic Five. He knows a hunk when he sees one, and the broken action figure has model material written all over his muscled body. Hugh repairs him and places the figure in the center of his new ad campaign. But when Hugh finishes taking the photos, the figure, magically returned to life, comes out from behind the camera and into Hugh's life.

A model before he was a soldier and then an enchanted action figure, Talon is no stranger to the camera. The handsome man behind it, however, is completely new and all his. Talon is determined to show Hugh that a picture is worth a thousand kisses. But inside his chest beats the heart of a hero, and when he interrupts a robbery, he's wounded, and Talon might lose not only his magazine-cover good looks, but Hugh.

Read an excerpt now!

Some "Super Duper " reads

Back in July, I had the most awesome experience of attending the San Diego Comic Con for the first time. Anyone who's ever been to one knows it's THE place to celebrate geekdom in all it's glory, and I absolutely loved it. One of the highlights was getting to know some really cool artists and writers, and discovering new comics to fangirl over. Which leads me to two very special finds I learned about at Prism Comics' "Emerging LGBT Voices" panel: Pride High and So Super Duper.

Both titles are available in print and e-book through the creators' websites, and I hope some of y'all will check them out. "So Super Duper" is very sweet and funny, and if you're a comic fan like me who's pissed off at Marvel for killing off Northstar (again)--their only openly gay superhero who never once got some lovin'--Brian Anderson's take on relationships in a team of superheroes is a real treat. "Pride High" is also fantastic, with great characters and neat plot twists. The creator is such a good storyteller and his book is so much fun.

So if you're in the mood for some good comics with an LGBT twist, pick up these books! :D Hmmm. Now I kinda feel like writing and drawing some gay superstuds of my own. Yeah, yeah, I know...like I don't already have enough on my plate. *g*

What we do for love...

My guy is a biker (well me too). He's been wanting some bling for his rod for a while and his birthday's coming up. So I've spent the last 2 hours at various sport and automotive places, 'cause, you know, all the peices can't be at one place. Mototoys (the skull valve caps), the Harley Dealer (smoke lenz replacements for the turn signals), Kragan (specialty license plate frame), PepBoys (magnetic decals) and auto dept at WalMart (the skull license plate bolts to go with the frame carried at Kragan but not at WalMart).

Thank god I love him.

Calorie-Free Dining

No, sadly, I did not come up with a way to erase the caloric consumption of the quesadilla I just had at our new Moe’s (where apparently they ordered their entire staff from Central Casting, requesting surly, non-verbal adolescents). What I’m talking about is eating in books.

In The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde--and if you haven’t read him yet, lucky you, you get to enjoy it for the first time, though there is an appalling lack of slash--the bookjumping heroine Thursday Next is spending a year in the Well, hiding out in an unpublished mystery novel. What troubles Thursday in the first chapter are the many strange absences in the fictional world, particularly the absence of breakfast. She comes to the conclusion that the lack is due to the fact that dinners, lunches, and afternoon teas spend more time advancing the plot.

As a non-fictional character, I find skipping breakfast far more unendurable than skipping any of the other more plot-filled meals. Some of my love for breakfast must have spilled over into my fictional world because in Joey and Aaron’s book (and there will be a title soon, I promise) there were a lot of breakfasts. They advanced the plot, whether it was by Joey seducing Aaron with syrup, Aaron using up the rest of Joey’s cereal milk for his coffee or one of the many other conflicts that sprang up over a breakfast plate.

Come to think of it, in my August 12 release Regularly Scheduled Life, there are a few plot-advancing breakfasts to be found. There's even a brunch, or as one of the characters calls it: “Gay Church.” I guess there’s quite a bit of my breakfast-loving soul bleeding into my fiction—-though none of my characters share my passion for Lucky Charms and Twinings Irish Breakfast tea.

Since one of my favorite aspects of reading and writing is the chance at a vicarious thrill (and not always the obvious one), I’m going to pay better attention and enjoy the calorie-free dining in the books I read. Even as a life-long vegetarian I can appreciate when characters chow down on a meat-laden sub or crisp plate of bacon. Details, especially sensory images, draw me into the story. I love a story when the characters appreciate the sensual pleasures of food without me having to actually cook it and then work it off at the gym.

For some people and characters making food is a way of saying “I love you.” Eating is something that everyone does, has to do in order to live, but when you share it, with a lover or a character, it definitely becomes something more.

Mary, the character Thursday is replacing in the unpublished mystery novel is astounded to learn that “Outlanders” actually have to eat to stay alive, and not just when the story calls for it. Thursday tells her “It’s one of the great pleasures in life.” I’d probably rank it behind reading m/m romance, but I have to agree.

For a peek at Sean and Kyle having some issues over breakfast, check out this Regularly Scheduled Life excerpt.

For the next prequel to Regularly Scheduled Life, follow this link.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of Kyle and Sean's romance in Regularly Scheduled Life. They made me cry, the bastards.

work in progress

I woke up this morning with personal and family issues on my mind and realized I had absolutely nothing to post about regarding pretty boys! Therefore, I dug out the novella I'm working on and chose a snip for you to read. It's as yet untitled, but this thing will eventually be the sequel to Tinder, available at Torquere Press.

Chris and Morgan are back, and as argumentative as ever...

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“But I left mine at Station 16 when I worked overtime two days ago.”

“How is that my problem, Mr. Matthews? Go and get the damn thing. You’re off today.” Morgan’s voice was harried and rushed over the phone. “I have a class starting in four minutes.”

Chris glared at Morgan’s laptop on the kitchen table. The guy had the fucking thing password-protected all of a sudden -- or maybe it had always been like that and Chris never noticed or cared -- and Morgan was refusing to give him the password.

“Station 16 is a thirty minute drive! Why do they even keep that station in Oceanside’s district? It’s all the way over on the south side. Seems to me like they should just go over to Carlsbad or something.”

Morgan made a frustrated noise into the phone. “Christopher. It’s not my fault you forgot your laptop at work. Mine has the next month’s schedules and classes and rookie sheets all laid out on it and I haven’t backed it up. One little accidental deletion and I’ve got six captains giving me shit for fucking up their crews’ classes.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Morgan! I won’t screw up your precious schedules. I know how to use a fucking computer. All I want to do is check my email to see why the new helmet I ordered isn’t here yet. The package delivery sucks.” Chris poked at Morgan’s laptop again but had no success, password-wise. “What’s the password? ‘Chris has a big dick’?”

“Close. Substitute ‘is’ for ‘has’ and you’ve got it. I have to go, I’ll be home early.” Morgan disconnected and Chris would bet a large sum of money that he turned his phone off, too.

Chris glared at the phone and threw the cordless down on the table. He slammed down the lid of Morgan’s computer and went to find his keys. After that argument, he needed a drive or a ride.

Ride won out over drive, so Chris’ truck remained in the driveway as he pulled out on his motorcycle. Hopefully the trip to Station 16 and back would clear his head and remind him that Morgan didn’t mean to sound like Chris couldn’t handle using Morgan’s laptop without fucking something up. It had just come out that way accidentally.

Sure. Chris couldn’t contain an eyeroll.

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This little baby will be out early in 2009 (hopefully January) and you can buy Tinder now, to help you get ready. :D

I, Spy

Todoay I'm off to the Hanover Book Festival in Mechanicsville, VA, signing copies of my non-erotic mysteries and perhaps sneaking in some promo for my hotter stuff. Looks to be a fun time, my first actual appointment with an agent, and the prospect of good sales. In the meantime, I will keep the blog on topic with a taste of an oldie but goodie, my Phaze Force HeatSheet, Surveillance. I have started work on a follow-up story which, though not a sequel, features a minor character and some more hot manlove. Enjoy.

* * * *

The idea, originally, had been not to appear so desperately enthused when Darlene offered him the job. Acting gigs in Atlanta theatre were scarce now, leaving Troy with few options. He would need a job that allowed him to work around auditions. That his best friend operated a successful housecleaning business was fortunate, and he had hoped a blasé reaction would at least confirm his talent. He could play it cool on the exterior when his inner starving artist clawed and begged for rent and something to eat besides baked beans and Cheerios. Not even Cheerios, for this month's budget wouldn't allow it. He had to settle for a box of whole grain Ns from the salvage mart.

I should write that down, he thought wistfully. Write his own scripts, seeing as how none were coming his way. Do a one-man show, offer free beer if he thought it would fill seats and his coffers.

"It's twice a week, but it's a great job. You'll be able to get by on it for a while," Darlene was saying over a steaming mug of frothy cream. They were sitting on the deck at Caribou Coffee, overlooking busy Peachtree Street. Bloated with cars in both directions, filled with people who knew their intended destinations—their nine to five deskwork, their 401ks, their security until retirement and a life sentence to a Winnebago and Bermuda shorts.

Troy snorted and sipped the latte paid for by his friend, the first drink he'd enjoyed in two weeks that didn't have a sulfuric aftertaste. Where was the adventure in security, anyway? He rather enjoyed making soup from ketchup packets. Even the plastic added an extra thickness that he hoped would keep him regular.

Right.

"Pays five thou a week," Darlene continued. Troy did his absolute best not to shoot vanilla soy milk and coffee through his nose. Sir Olivier would have been proud. Damn, he was in the wrong biz. With that kind of cash he could realize his dream of upgrading to the Cheerios with those freeze-dried strawberry nuggets. And buy milk!

"Sounds good," he said, his voice cool, his knee bouncing nervously under the table.

"Of course, it pays a lot because it's a fairly big apartment, and the client is a total germophobe." Darlene rolled her eyes. "The guy grates soap over his pasta like it was parmesean. Well, he's out of town for a few months and wants the place spotless when he returns."

Troy crinkled his brow. "And I'd have to keep going back twice a week? Is somebody sub-letting the joint?"

"Nope. The apartment is empty." Darlene set down her mug, looking suddenly coy.

"Then why the need to clean the place so often if nothing gets touched? I mean, yeah, some dust might accumulate, but if the place is ventilated well enough..."

"He's a very anal retentive germophobe."

"Okay." This gig sounded better by the minute. For five thou a week he could watch TV from a rich weirdo's luxury Buckhead abode. Satellite, in color! Do a bang up job of cleaning on his last week, and collect a hefty paycheck.

"Oh, and all the rooms are always monitored with video security. He's a paranoid, anal retentive germophobe."

"I see." Crap. Still, five thou to polish furniture and maybe those large, porcelain cat sculptures rich weirdos were fond of buying...

"And you'll be naked, did I mention that?"

His face bent toward the glass tabletop. He could see, in the faint reflection, the tiniest bit of latte foam bubbling from within his nostrils. He choked and gargled like a virgin taken by surprise during her first blow job, and snatched the proffered paper napkin from Darlene's hand.

"I guess I didn't."