Reconnecting

I got to hang out with an old friend of mine today. I don't get to see him nearly often enough. We got to chat about travel adventures, writing adventures, and life adventures. It reminded me that I need to get out of my shell/house/computer more often and see my friends in the real world. Sure, I knew some of what he and his hubby have been up to via his Facebook feed, but that is no substitute for tea at the dining table, a walk in the rain, lunch at the pub, and a genuine face-to-face chat and laughter. So remember from time to time to log off the 'net and log into RL. The intarwebz will be there waiting whenever you get back.

Keeping Karma

I got a contract renewal for one of my older books this week and I spent some time rereading it, just for fun. I loved writing Keeping Karma because Alex, the main character, has a talent that I've longed for my whole life -- he can hear animals' thoughts. With the number of animals I have in my house, this would make my life a heck of a lot easier!

Here's a little excerpt, and you can buy Keeping Karma here.



Alexander Myers stared into the face of a small, black and white rabbit and was not swayed by the twitching nose or the soft, floppy ears.

“This thermometer is going in,” he informed the bunny. “And I don’t mean your mouth.”

The rabbit stared back at Alex impassively, not impressed in the least. Alex glanced up at the elderly woman who was stroking the rabbit’s fur with a withered hand. “I’ll try to hold him,” she said in a quavering voice. “But sometimes he kicks.”

Alex smiled at her. “I can do it.” And with one swift move, he pinned the rabbit to the table and inserted the thermometer.

The rabbit did indeed give one strong kick before pretending that its life had ended and going limp on the table. Alex snorted. “You’re fine,” he told it, waiting for the thermometer to beep.

The rabbit did not respond, preferring instead to play dead, so Alex shrugged and watched the digital numbers on the thermometer. It eventually beeped and he withdrew it, jotting the animal’s temp down on the chart.

“Is it high?” the woman asked, like they always did. “Can you tell what’s wrong?”

“A little high,” Alex admitted. “The doctor can tell you more. He’ll be right in.” He cleaned the thermometer and deposited it back in the drawer before making a hasty exit. Patients always thought Alex knew more than he did, just because he was the first one they saw before the doctor. He really wasn’t sure how weighing an animal and taking its temperature could be good indicators that he knew what was wrong with their pets, but they always asked him anyway.

The thing was, he usually did have an idea what was wrong with them. But not for the reasons the clients thought.

Free ebook during Read an Ebook Week

 

Read An Ebook Week is upon us again. Every year I offer up a different free title for you guys. This time around I'm giving away copies of Bottom's Up. You can get your copy by visiting the book's page on Smashwords, adding the title to your cart, and then using the code RW100 at checkout. The book will be 100% free and with no strings attached. 

Here's the link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336667 

Happy Reading!

Solo Flight

The official reveal should be coming soon, so I can't share the lovely cover art with you just yet, but stay tuned to my blog over at www.piaveleno.com for the full details on Solo Flight sometime this week.

In the meantime, check out Loose Id's Tumbler for a contest LI is running alongside the release of these wonderful books. Yes, plural, Solo Flight  is part of the Eostre's Baskets release. There will be several books by several wonderful authors. As each one is revealed each it will be listed HERE, on the Eostre's Baskets page of LI's website.

Oh, and I didn't forget... You can read about the contest and how to enter on Loose Id's Tumbler page by clicking HERE.

Happy March, dear readers, and don't forget to pop in later this week at www.piaveleno.com for art, blurb, and release/buy details for Solo Flight.

~PV

That moment when...

That moment when your characters first meet and sparks fly.
That moment when they begin to reveal secrets that you, even as the author, didn't know they had.
That moment when you discover a third voice is necessary to tell the story.
That moment when your "short story" passes 31K with no signs of slowing down.

I love that moment. :-D

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

 

Building a Steampunk World

It feels like ages since I've done any proper world building. I did so much of it for several years running, and then poof! Nadda. Just last month, that began to change. I love to read steampunk stories. I attended Steamcon V last October. These days, it is my favourite costuming genre to peruse online and find excuses to build. For a couple of years now, I've wanted to write my own steampunk story in my own steampunk world. My first attempts were with potential co-authors, but for varying reasons we simply couldn't get on the same page. (No pun intended.) Then I tried for months to work on an idea of my own, but the damned thing wants to come out as a movie script and that is just not something I can deal with right now. Plus, it has too many ambiguities even for me, and I am a classic example of a pantser. Now, at last, I'm in a groove. A writing groove, a world-building groove, a steampunky groove.

I've built the framework of the world and the general mores of two societies. I've done research that was more than just a string of increasingly unrelated distractions. I've presented a number of hurdles to my characters, and they are working hard to leap each of them in their arduous journey towards their HEA.

Now, if you'll excuse me, the two fine gentlemen talking at me inside my head would really appreciate having their story written down. I oughtn't keep them waiting.

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!

Editing, Proofreading, and Taylor Mali

I'm working on edits this weekend. In honor of this process I give you Taylor Mali "The The Impotence of Proofreading"

If you enjoyed this clip, Mali also has a video about speaking with competence and another about teachers. Well worth the time to explore all of his work.

Next month, I'll share more information on the upcoming release. Have a great February, dear readers!

~Pia

Giveaway!

Hopefully you already know about the fantastic contest being run by Samhain Publishing because it's nearly over. Check out the details in this post at Give Me Books. My first novel, The Ballad of Jimothy Redwing, is among the 32 titles being offered as prizes!

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!

Just wondering...

Have you ever read two different books by two completely different authors and wondered what would happen if the couples in those books decided to meet? How would it affect the universes of those two couples if they met, liked what they saw, and became a foursome?

There could be positives and negatives to this, don't you think? If they're two couples you really, REALLY love, maybe their chemistry together is amazing. It could be a love story for the ages. On the other hand, if they're two couples you love separately, maybe you don't want them to be with anyone but each other.

I'm interested to know how readers feel about this situation. Let's call it market research. An informal poll. Whatever! Please weigh in, either here or privately at my email address: ragingpixie at gmail.

Happy Sunday, slashers!

Olympic sports romance coming soon!

Here's the cover for my new contemporary m/m romance set in the dramatic world of Olympic figure skating, available February 4 from Loose Id.

Two pairs skaters: one American, one Russian. Bitter rivals on the ice — but things are heating up in the locker room. More details coming soon!

Under Contract

2013 was a busy year. I spent a ton of time in doctor's offices addressing neck and shoulder pain. It's not all gone, but I'm managing it -- some days better than others -- and that's the best I can ask for at this point. I've also revamped my diet, removing most grains and sugar-added items from my meals, returned to a steady running plan, and wrestled insomnia down to a moderate annoyance.

Between my literal pain in the neck and working through setting myself up for a potential career path adjustment with my current employer I've barely had time to write. Sure, I could get up early to write, but sleep is important. I could forgo football season but... hahaha. Never mind. I think you know how these things go.

So despite all of this, I do have an exciting announcement. In between all these other activities, I have managed to write a story for Loose Id, with an expected release this spring, in time for Ostara (Easter). I don't have more than that to share today. I've yet to name the story, or edit my query blurb, but when these things get addressed, I will share them with you.

My fingers are crossed for a productive 2014. I hope to write more, step up my running program, and start a new role that will carry me through the next few years at the day job.

I hope you all had a wonderful 2013 and are looking forward to exciting activities and goals for this new year. Best wishes to each and every one of you.

Pia Veleno

Happy New Year!

Gosh, it's been quiet around the blog this holiday season. I hope that means everyone is busy spending time celebrating with loved ones. I've done a bit more celebrating than is good for me, and I fear that 2014 must start with a resolution to stop eating all that crazy holiday food and get back to the gym more often each week. Oof!

If you're looking for a calorie-free way to ring in the new year, check out the year-end sale at Torquere Books. Just use the code "hello2014" to get 20% off EVERYTHING. But hurry! It's only good through WEDNESDAY! I don't have many titles left there, but you can get Rose & Thorn for a little while longer. (I believe it's about to go out of print, and after that you'll have to wait to pick up it whenever I can make the time to re-release it.) And there's also the anthology I Put a Spell on You where you'll find a short-story of mine that you won't find anywhere else. So go shopping and have a sexy New Year!