3 more days...

... until release day! That's right, November 25 is just around the corner. The day before American Thanksgiving, in fact, so believe me when I say that Chris and I are EXTRA thankful this year!

(Ignore the fact that she's actually Canadian and doesn't celebrate American Thanksgiving. She will celebrate it through me.)

We have three gorgeous new covers for all the Never Too Early books, and you can now get them IN PRINT! Links here:

And the cover for Never Too Early: Full Circle (currently available for preorder) is just as beautiful as the other two. Huge props to Kris Norris for her hard work!

Be sure and tune in to the Romance for the Rest of Us blog on Wednesday. Chris and I will be hosting, sharing some stories about writing this series together, divulging tidbits about Jake and Tor and Chance and Tucker, and answering questions. Looking forward to seeing all of you there!

It's almost release time!

Another beautiful autumn Sunday here in southern California! At least the nights have finally turned cool, if not the days. All those meteorologists keep warning us that El Nino's on the way, but we're stil waiting.

It's finally release month for Chris Owen and me and we couldn't be more excited! The final installment of the Never Too Early series will be out on November 25. All three books will be released in print with all new covers! Our cover artist is super talented and did an amazing job and we can't wait to show them off. Stay tuned here or to our Facebook pages over the next few days for the reveals.

I'll leave you with the last little tease you'll get before Never Too Early: Full Circle comes out on November 25.

Chance was quiet for several minutes. A woodpecker in the front yard tree gave its high-pitched tweeting call before busily getting back to work.

"I definitely was not prepared," he finally said. "And I know Tuck wasn't. I'll have to really sit and talk with him to see what he thinks. I can't decide if us leaving today is a good idea or a shitty one."

"I'll miss you either way," Jake said. "I don't know Tucker well enough to know how long it takes him to think things through, and he might be uncomfortable being here. Which would suck. But you guys leaving and not being here to sort it all out sucks, too."

"There isn't much of a choice," Chance sighed. "Our flight is at two. If I didn't have to attend a meeting at headquarters tomorrow, I'd try and change it. But we -- well, at least I -- need to get home."

"I know." The distance sucked, and the fact that everyone had responsibilities they couldn't shake off was both a good thing and a bad thing. It made for good people, but it made it difficult to handle issues as they came up. "Maybe the four of us can make this morning a good one, and everyone will feel better by the time you leave. Even if things aren't completely settled, maybe they'll be better."

"It'll be better right now if you kiss me like you mean it."

Jake smiled and set his coffee mug aside. "Like I mean it?" He touched Chance's cheek and kissed his mouth softly. "More?"

"More." Chance smiled against Jake's lips and kept his eyes closed.

Jake gave him more, the smiles fading as the kisses deepened and Chance's mug was put down as well. They turned to each other, and Jake would have happily let his coffee go cold if he could stay right where he was for an hour or so.

Chance didn't seem inclined to go anywhere, either. He put both hands on Jake's face and held him gently as he pressed light kisses to Jake's forehead, cheeks, and bridge of his nose before returning to Jake's mouth with a sweep of his tongue and a slight nip. "I'll miss you," he murmured into Jake's ear, then sucked Jake's earlobe into his mouth for a split second.

"One of these days I'll ask you not to go," Jake whispered back. "Someday we'll stay together." Jake had no idea how that would work, but he knew that he wanted it.

Chance pulled back and looked at him, eyes soft. "Maybe someday we'll work it out."

Jake nodded and kissed him again. He was about to say something even more honest and probably embarrassing when the door opened and Tor said, "So, you two don't need more coffee, then?"

Print Release and Excerpt

It feels like it's taken all year (and maybe it has, but I sincerely do not want look and find out that I'm right), but at long last Compass Hearts is available in print form. Bring home this sexy winter romance to keep you toasty this December. Here's an excerpt to get you warmed up.

Compass Hearts by Maia Strong

He barely recognized his own voice as he went on. “The human body is...fascinating.” There was a question, an invitation, underlying his statement. He hoped Ash would hear it and understand. Despite this sudden swell of bravery, he knew he couldn’t say that out loud.

A slow smile spread across Ash’s face. Matthew grinned back, guessing his message had gotten through. His guess was confirmed when Ash asked, “Have you ever had a live model?”

“No.” Matthew’s cock strained at his breeches. He yearned to draw Ash, see him stripped and posed. He couldn’t remember ever wanting anything so much or so urgently in his life.

Then reality crashed down on him. His face fell. “My materials are at my apartment.” In the time it took to get there and back, the moment would be beyond lost. And there was no way he was taking Ash back to his flat. He didn’t want him to see it. It was so unbearably grim, lacking in any charm or comfort, especially when compared to Ash’s quirky and inviting room upstairs.

“What do you need?” Ash asked.

“Charcoal pencils, largish paper.”

“I have that.”

“You do?” Matthew perked up at this spark of hope. It was almost too good to believe. “How? Why?”

“Botany class. We do a lot of plant sketching. I not only have charcoal pencils, I have pressed pigment pencils.”

Matthew’s eyes lit up and Ash grinned and grabbed his hand. “Come on.” Ash pulled him to his feet and toward the stairs.

Matthew’s practical side asserted itself and, still clinging to sense, he asked, “What about our books?”

“No one will bother them. Come on!” He practically dragged Matthew from the parlor. By the time their feet hit the stairs, though, Matthew was plenty willing to follow him up.

Inside the cozy comfort of the little attic room, Ash went immediately to the window seat. He opened it and fished around inside, coming up a moment later with a large tablet and a tin box. “Here.” He handed the box to Matthew, who opened it and looked in wonder at the myriad colored pencils within.

“Where did you get these?” he asked, awed and envious.

“Some of them I bought in town. Some of them my dad gave me before I came here.” Ash flipped through the tablet of his botany drawings, Matthew looking over his shoulder. The plants were barely recognizable, and then only because he’d labeled them. “They’re awful, I know,” said Ash. He pulled a disgusted face. “It’s all right to say so.”

“I just have one question,” said Matthew.

“Yes?” Ash turned and looked up at him. “What?”

“Are you actually passing botany?”

Ash burst out laughing. “All right, Master Critical.” He flipped to a blank sheet and shoved the tablet at Matthew. “Let’s see you do better.”

“That much I can guarantee.”

“I’ve never been an artist’s model.” Ash’s eyes shone deep blue in the lantern light and his voice was husky. “Tell me what to do.”

Matthew swallowed hard once. The heat and tightness in his groin were intense, and he was glad for the tablet he held in front of him. What was he thinking? He’d never get through this! Panic began to rise in him, quelling his arousal. No. I want to do this, damn it! Steeling himself and taking control of his fear, he said with as much authority as he could muster, “Strip.”

Print releases

At long last (and I admit to my share of the delay in this), False Dawn is now available for purchase in PAPERBACK! I can't tell you how wonderful it is to hold the real book in my hands. ::sigh::

Relevant linkage:
False Dawn from CreateSpace
False Dawn from Amazon.com

It's the exact same book, whichever link you follow, so order from wherever you want.

On the way next to print is Compass Hearts followed by Client Privileges. And then... and then... something new, mayhaps? We shall see...

Confession & Announcement

I have a confession to make.  I still prefer to read print books. I know, I know. I've spent several years now in ebooks, and I just cannot convert my preferences to the electronic. I love the feel of a book in my hands. I love seeing my book mark sticking out of the top, showing me how far I've come and how far I have to go. I love the smell of a brand new book. I love the sound it makes when you flip the pages really fast.

Now with the confession out of the way, I have an announcement. I'm working to publish all my re-released (originally Torquere Press published) ebooks in print form. I am so excited about this that it makes me squee. Just this past weekend I ordered a printer's proof of False Dawn. It should be here by Friday. Friday! *squee!* So keep watching here, or my Facebook page, or just pop over and search me on amazon.com every now and then to find out when my titles go to PRINT.

Book Giveaway!

The Station is now available in print! You can pick it up at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I'm giving away one print copy this week, so come on over to my website to enter the contest!

New and Old

Oooo, look. Shiny new print book. I think that may be my favorite cover so far. There’s something about the 3D effect. And hey, check out that name with mine on the cover. I was thrilled to be included in an anthology with Josh Lanyon. I love his voice. His story "The Dickens With Love" is a really fun read, and I highly recommend it (either in the print or separately in digital).

My story is the historical Christmas novella that came out last December, “An Improper Holiday.” It’s funny that it wasn’t until my sixth published work that I sold a historical. When I started trying to make a living at writing, I always thought that I would write historical romance. After all, it was my first love as a romance reader. I went right from The Black Stallion and Trixie Belden to Shanna. As far as my published work goes, I think it’s my best piece of writing, maybe because I wrote the first draft of it twenty years ago, never imagining it would ever find a market. Twenty years is a nice long time to get the revisions done! That early draft was full of overblown prose and sappy declarations, but I loved the structure and the characters: a twelve-day house party, a wounded veteran with issues, and the holiday traditions of another time.

No one could be happier than I am to see Nicky and Ian’s love story make it to the page after all these years. I have a few other old gay historicals hanging around in my drawers—my file drawers, thank you very much. I think maybe Deverell and Ethan are due to be dusted off and spruced up.

Sonoran Heat now available in print!

My latest novel, Sonoran Heat, is now available in trade paperback! This is my first M/M story to come out in print, and I'm very excited.

Order it today from Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/160272766X?ie=UTF8&tag=katstrautsit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=160272766X

Oh, and Happy Autumn, everyone!

Sing Along

I know, you've seen that cover before, but I do have my reasons. Chasing Smoke is now available in print (even at my local Barnes and Noble—in the romance section, no less). And the cover is very pretty. worth a second look, thanks to the talented Anne Cain.

Chasing Smoke was one of those books I wrote to a playlist. The music really helped me access all that teenage misery Daniel held onto and Trey's wish that he had handled things better. One song in particular seemed to express the frustration of being gay in high school and dealing with a push-pull from a potential boyfriend (or girlfriend). Although the lyrics aren't that specific, "Shriner's Park" by Melissa Etheridge was in heavy rotation.

In kindergarten they taught me to share, so I'm offering—and I hope I can make it work—an iTunes download of four of the songs from my playlist to the first three commenters who tell me the name of the city and state where Daniel and Trey acted out their high school drama. (I'm pretty sure it's in the blurb.)

The playlist:
"Shriner's Park" Melissa Etheridge
"Chasing Cars" Snow Patrol
"Grand Theft Autumn/Where is Your Boy Tonight?" Fall Out Boy
"Tangled Up in You" Staind

What Hides Inside in print!

This October is an exciting month for me and my Bay City Paranormal Investigations series (Samhain Publishing). Book three of the series, Twilight, comes out October 30th (y'all will get an excerpt from that one on my next blog day *g*). Book two of the series, What Hides Inside is being released in print on the 25th of this month. In honor of its upcoming print release, here's a shamelessly smutty excerpt from What Hides Inside.

WARNING FOR XXX MANSEX! Enjoy :D

Sam Raintree’s life changed forever when he started his dream job with Bay City Paranormal Investigations. In one fateful week, he learned he was psychic, discovered he possessed the power to open interdimensional portals, and accidentally let loose a horror like he’d never imagined. He also began a relationship with his boss, Dr. Bo Broussard, a man who’d been in the closet all his life.

Now, three months later, the burden of secrets has become too heavy for a fragile relationship to bear. Bo isn’t ready to come out, and Sam is tired of hiding. When Bo hires a new investigator, Dean Delapore, Sam is intrigued in spite of himself. Dean is bisexual, attractive, and very interested in Sam.

During the intense investigation of South Bay High School, from which three students have mysteriously disappeared, Sam and Dean draw closer together, while Bo pushes Sam away despite their feelings for one another. When the investigation erupts and Sam comes face-to-face with his worst nightmare, he has to decide whether to fight for Bo’s love, or let him go.

(© Copyright 2007 Ally Blue)

They moved at the same time, mouths fusing together in a hard, desperate kiss. Sam cupped Bo’s head in one hand, using the other arm to pull their bodies together. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss, swallowing Bo’s soft little moans. Bo clutched him close, one hand fisted in his hair and the other sliding down to knead his ass.

“God, Sam,” Bo breathed. “I need you.”

Electricity surged through Sam’s veins. “Anything. Anything you want.”

“Let’s make love.”

The raw need in Bo’s voice made Sam’s chest tight. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like you have to do anything you don’t really want.”

Bo’s lips brushed Sam’s jaw. “I’ve wanted this for a long time, but I was afraid.” He pressed closer, the unmistakable evidence of his arousal digging into Sam’s thigh. “I’m not afraid anymore. I’m ready.”

The thought of making love to Bo was enough to bring Sam achingly erect in the space of a heartbeat. He kissed Bo again, very gently, hands stroking down Bo’s back. “I’ll make it good for you. I promise.”

“I know.” Bo groaned when Sam’s hand slipped between his legs, tracing his hardness through the worn denim. “Just…let’s go slow, okay? I’ve never… No one’s ever done that, I haven’t even…touched myself that way.”

The fact that Bo was willing to bottom for him made Sam’s head swim. As much as he wanted it, though, he wanted something else more.

“Maybe another time,” Sam whispered. “Right now, I need you inside me.”

A shudder ran through Bo’s body. “Jesus.” He leaned against Sam’s chest, his heart pounding so hard Sam could feel it. “Take me to bed, before I fall down.”

Taking Bo’s hand, Sam led the way to the bedroom. His insides churned with a mix of desire and nervousness. He’d never been this anxious to please a lover. It’s being in love for the first time, he thought as he pulled Bo into his arms again. It changes everything.

Bo’s palms slid inside Sam’s T-shirt. “Get undressed, Sam. Let me see you.”

Obediently, Sam peeled his shirt off and threw it on the floor. Taking hold of the hem of Bo’s sweater, Sam lifted it, nudging Bo’s arms up so he could take it off. Once the garment was out of the way, Sam ran his hands over Bo’s chest, thumbs catching on his hard little nipples. “God, you’re gorgeous, Bo.”

Bo groaned. His hips rolled against Sam’s. “Pants. Off.”

“Yeah.”

Sam removed his own jeans first, wanting to put Bo at ease. Bo’s gaze raked down Sam’s body, hot and wanting. Reaching down, Bo yanked off his battered running shoes then started to undo his jeans. His hands shook. Staring into Bo’s eyes, Sam saw a lifetime of unfulfilled need, overlaid with a sheen of fear. He knew that fear, had felt it himself the first time he had sex with another man. Fear of the unknown, of something he’d been taught to believe was wrong. He didn’t want to see that look in Bo’s eyes. Sam was determined Bo would never again associate sex with anything but joy and pleasure and love.

“Don’t be afraid,” Sam murmured, never looking away from Bo’s wide eyes. Gently moving Bo’s hands out of the way, Sam flipped the button of his jeans open and slid the zipper down. “I’m going to take care of you.” He pushed Bo’s pants slowly down over his hips, leaning in for a feather-light kiss. “If you want to stop, just say so. We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

Bo gasped through parted lips when Sam’s fingers traced up his shaft. “Oh…”

Nudging Bo backward, Sam lowered him onto the edge of the bed. He tugged the jeans the rest of the way off and tossed them aside, and Bo was naked, finally, bare and vulnerable to Sam’s gaze. Sam pushed Bo’s knees apart and knelt between his open legs. Bo’s cock twitched against his belly, thick and dark and already leaking, making Sam’s mouth water. Bending down, Sam brushed his lips across the head, tongue snaking out to taste.

“Oh!” Bo cried, hips jerking. “God, Sam…”

Dipping his head, Sam nuzzled Bo’s balls, breathing deep to savor the scent of Bo’s arousal. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to do this.” Sam stroked Bo’s thighs, loving the way the caramel-colored skin quivered at his touch. “How many times I’ve dreamed about sucking your cock.”

Bo whimpered and spread his legs farther apart. “Please. God, please.”

That was all the invitation Sam needed. He slid his lips over the tip of Bo’s prick and down, swallowing him to the root.

“Ah! Oh God.” Falling back onto the mattress, Bo thrust his hips up, shoving his cock down Sam’s throat in one swift, sharp motion. Not that Sam minded. He was perfectly happy to relax his muscles and let Bo fuck his mouth.

Before long Bo was writhing on the bed, legs flung wide and knees bent up, hands buried in Sam’s hair. His complete lack of inhibition came as a pleasant surprise to Sam, who’d expected to have his work cut out for him breaking through Bo’s reserve.

When he felt Bo’s shaft swell and pulse in his mouth, Sam pulled off with a pop. Raising his head, he grinned at Bo, who gaped at him in silent astonishment.

“D-don’t stop,” Bo gasped, trying to push Sam’s head back down. “So close, please.”

Sam pressed a soft kiss to the inside of Bo’s thigh. “Let me rim you.”

Bo’s eyelids fluttered, his cheeks going wonderfully pink. “Oh Christ.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Rising to his feet, Sam moved up and gave Bo a long, lazy kiss, letting his lover come down a bit. When he felt some of the tension run out of Bo’s body, he pulled back and settled on the floor between Bo’s parted knees. He pushed Bo’s legs up and just stared for a minute, licking his lips. Bo’s hole clenched and relaxed as he watched, as if inviting him in. It was more than Sam could resist. He spread Bo open and flicked his tongue over the dusky pink skin.

“Fuck, you taste amazing,” Sam declared, taking another taste. “Gonna tongue-fuck you ‘til you come.”

“Oh my God,” Bo moaned, fingers bunching the covers as Sam’s mouth closed over his hole. “Oh fuck, I’ve never… Oh… So good, Sam, yes…”

Sam bent happily to his task, spurred on by Bo’s increasingly loud moans and half-formed pleas for more. Humming his pleasure, Sam worked Bo’s hole relentlessly until the tight muscles began to relax. As soon as Bo was loose enough, Sam stabbed his tongue inside and wrapped a hand around Bo’s cock.

“Fuck!” Bo cried, pushing his ass against Sam’s face. “Oh God, Sam.”

That’s it, Sam thought, wriggling his tongue deeper as he fisted Bo’s cock. Come for me.

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Click here to purchase the ebook, or here to pre-order the print book from Amazon.