Diversity in m/m fiction -- and a giveaway!

I'm over at Boys in Our Books this week talking about diversity in gay romance (and the lack thereof), and also giving away a FREE copy of my new contemporary figure skating romance Cold War. Check it out!

And here, have a pretty picture of the man who inspired my main character. :D

 

Gay Figure Skating Romance Giveaway!

Release day — and a sale! Cold War is available now at Loose Id, and four of my backlist books are on sale. Check out the slashed prices in red!

Enemies on the ice — lovers in the locker room

After an explosive locker room confrontation with his Russian rival ends in the most surprising and intense sex of his life, American pairs skater Dev Avira needs to refocus. He’s worked for years to win Olympic gold, and he can’t let himself—or his partner—down. Distraction in the form of steely and smoldering Mikhail Reznikov is the last thing he needs as he prepares for the biggest competition of his life.

But with the Games only days away, they can’t keep their hands off each other. Dev soon learns that beneath Mikhail’s arrogant and aloof exterior is Misha, a passionate man who warms Dev’s heart and scorches his bed. They’re both determined to win, but for Misha his freedom could be on the line. Can Dev put his deepening feelings on ice as he goes for gold?

Plus — enter to win!

I'm giving away three copies of Cold War as part of the Sports Romance Blog Hop. Contest closes Feb 5 at 11:59 eastern. Good luck!

Can these Olympic skaters put their attraction on ice?

In my new figure skating romance, Cold War, figure skater Dev can't stand his Russian rival. But he soon finds out ice-cold Misha is smokin' hot in the bedroom!

After an explosive locker room confrontation with his Russian rival ends in the most surprising and intense sex of his life, American pairs skater Dev Avira needs to refocus. He’s worked for years to win Olympic gold, and he can’t let himself—or his partner—down. Distraction in the form of steely and smoldering Mikhail Reznikov is the last thing he needs as he prepares for the biggest competition of his life.

But with the Games only days away, they can’t keep their hands off each other. Dev soon learns that beneath Mikhail’s arrogant and aloof exterior is Misha, a passionate man who warms Dev’s heart and scorches his bed. They’re both determined to win, but for Misha his freedom could be on the line. Can Dev put his deepening feelings on ice as he goes for gold?

 Gay figure skating romance — available February 4 from Loose Id and soon after at Amazon and other resellers!

Olympic Fever!

We're into the 2012 Summer Olympics and I can pretty much give up on being productive until the games are over. I mean, the swimmers, the divers, and the water polo players, the rowers, the beach volleyball players... ::drool:: ... Uh... What was I saying?

Oh! I should do a quick follow-up on my last post and my trip to OSF in Ashland, OR. Well... I was disappointed in Troilus & Cressida, which I was really looking forward to. My favourite Elizabethan/Ancient Greek m/m pair were sorely under-served. I can't recall the last time I saw a director play against the text like that. Oh wait, yes I can, but that doesn't make it okay. Frankly, the director did a few things right, but in more ways failed to make strong enough choices. Performances were strong; directing was so-so. Such a shame.

And now back to your Olympic coverage. I think there's more swimming on this evening...

Olympic Madness

I don't just mean the obsession of watching elite athletes compete against the best in the world. I also mean the fury I feel towards NBC and their shitty coverage of the Games. I want my CBC coverage! (Or CTV to be on my cable system. I really wouldn't care which if only I could watch LIVE coverage of events taking place a mere three hour drive from my house.)

But all rants aside, I love the Olympic Games, and I love the Winter Games even more than the summer ones. Sure, the Summer Olympics are great for ogling scantily clad athletes. But give me a guy a in a speed-skating suit and pass the whipped cream. You know what I'm saying? Or a figure skater? Fitness, artistry, and sequins? Dude. I don't even need the whipped cream. Honestly, I'm happy watching any Olympic winter sport--even the ones with all the layers and padding. It just leaves something for my imagination.

For you instant gratification folks (like me), however, here are some pics I found inspiring.








Who doesn't want to put their hands where his are right now? Am I right?












I have no idea what this costume is about, but it makes me want to write a shifter story. Ooo...feathers!















This one is for all of you who simply appreciate the beauty of the unadorned human form.



I know I'm inspired now, but to what, exactly, I know not. *happy sigh*

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?