Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy New Year 2017!

Has another year gone by already? Wow! Where does the time go? It's been an eventful year. Writing-wise, there's been A Bear Walks Into a Bar (which won a Rainbow Award Honorable Mention), and the re-release of The Angel of 13th Street.

Personally? I became engaged, and next week will stand before family and friends (in full Star Wars regalia!) and take the huge step of joining my life with another's. Yes, the romance writer found romance. Who'da thunk it?

On a professional note, The Angel of 13th Street II, Fallen Angel Second Edition is in formatting for release, and a third, never before seen side story is in edits: Broken Wing, featuring minor characters from Fallen Angel, with Noah and Jeremy providing backup.

Also, Diversion XI, Reunion, is in the critiquing and betaing process. I'd hoped to have it ready by January, but Lucky won't be rushed. (And what was I thinking, planning a wedding so close to Christmas?!"

Along the way in 2016 I've met some new friends, hung out with old friends, and have the distinct honor of having several people I've met through my writing join me in celebrating my wedding and starting a new chapter in my life.

So, goodbye, 2016, and welcome, 2017. Let's be kind to each other, okay?

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Merry Christmas

This time of year holds so many memories for me, both good and bittersweet, as I recall holidays past and those who live on in my mind.

If you've followed my blog for a while, you'll know that the song "Silent Night" has special meaning to me, and I'm especially fond of Lindsey Stirling's version.

In tribute to my sister, who sang this song with me so many times:


I wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday seasons, filled with love, family, friends, and great memories.

Hugs,
Eden

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Looking for a Holiday Read?

It's that time of year when I round up my holiday CDs, watch different versions of A Christmas Carol, and pick up some great holiday-themed reads. Due to the busy season, I'm particularly fond of short stories that I can read on work breaks.

The Match Before Christmas was written to be the kind of story I like to dive into at this time of year:


Candlelight, mistletoe, gaily wrapped packages beneath a trimmed tree, and someone to share it with. That's all Barry Richards wants for Christmas. Desperate for a traditional holiday, he creates a profile on "GetaDate.com," in hopes of finding the perfect man in a matter of weeks. One date after another goes sour, while all around him friends are falling in love, and Barry starts to lose faith.

The first snow falls and the world fills with seasonal cheer, all except for Barry, for whom time is running out. Facing the prospect of a lonely holiday, he tries just once more to make The Match Before Christmas.


***

For more of Barry's dating adventures, check out Fanning the Flames, which picks up at Valentine's Day, and side character Otis searches for his happy ever after in A Lie I Can Live With, a Thanksgiving-based tale.



Fanning the Flames 

The man of Barry's dreams has gone from a sugarplum fantasy to sweet reality, thanks to the GLBT dating site GetaDate.com. Introducing a new boyfriend to the family and settling into coupledom aren't the easiest things in the world for a man with little dating experience, but the romantic demands of Valentine's Day are beyond Barry's imagination. His piteous cry for help brings all kinds of suggestions from family and friends. Fully believing he's found the perfect ways to charm his sweetheart, Barry isn't prepared to hear "Achoo " at every turn. Adam's allergic to what? And will sneezes and welts wreck Barry's painstaking plans for Fanning the Flames? 



A Lie I Can Live With 

A dating site profile faked up to make geeky gamer Otis Tucker more alluring hasn’t done much for his social life, so what does he have to lose by putting his real picture and honest interests online? His pal Barry swears there’s someone out there who will love Otis for himself, extra pounds and all. 

Handsome Garret Mims sends “I’d love to meet you!” but takes things so slow Otis is quite sure they’re stopped. Is it really a date if there’s not so much as a kiss between them? Maybe he shouldn’t worry about Garret’s intentions and just enjoy every platonic moment. Instead, Otis could work on finding the missing ingredient for his pumpkin pies before Thanksgiving. 

Garret’s up front in every way but one, and Otis may have found a lie he can live with. 


Why settle for one? Why not get all three?



Adventures in computer dating. 

What starts as Barry Richards’ desire for someone to share Christmas grows into an adventure in friendship and a little matchmaking of his own. Now the three-story set: The Match Before Christmas, Fanning the Flames, and A Lie I Can Live With have been combined into a single collection. 

Follow Barry and his friends as they navigate the tricky (and often bizarre) world of Internet dating, in their search for love. 

Contains the complete texts of The Match Before Christmas, Fanning the Flames, and A Lie I can Live With, which are also available separately. 

Friday, November 25, 2016

Black Friday Sale at All Romance Ebooks!

A sale to be Thankful for! 25% off my Rocky Ridge Books and Dreamspinner Press titles at All Romance Ebooks, today only. 

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Big Gay Fiction Giveaway!


Everybody loves free books, right? And especially here at the holidays. Not only is this a chance to find some great books, it's also an opportunity to get acquainted with some amazing new-to-you authors.

Here's how it works. Go to the host Michael Jensen's hosting site and click on the cover for the book you want. Sign up for the author's newsletter to keep up with their latest news and claim your book. My own Diversion is being offered, so get on over there and fill up those, e-readers, folks.


There are good guys, bad guys, and then there’s Lucky.

Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter flaunts his past like a badge of honor. He speaks his mind, doesn’t play nice, and flirts with disaster while working off his sentence with the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau. If he can keep out of trouble a while longer he’ll be a free man–after he trains his replacement.

Textbook-quoting, by the book Bo Schollenberger is everything Lucky isn’t. Lucky slurps coffee, Bo lives caffeine free. Lucky worships bacon, Bo eats tofu. Lucky trusts no one, Bo calls suspects by first name. Yet when the chips are down on their shared case of breaking up a drug diversion ring, they may have more in common than they believe.

Two men. Close quarters. Friction results in heat. But Lucky scoffs at partnerships, no matter how thrilling the roller-coaster. Bo has two months to break down Lucky’s defenses… and seconds are ticking by.



Come to think of it, I'm seeing a lot of books that are catching my eye too.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Friday Review - Tyler Glenn's Excommunication

It's been way too long since I've done a Friday review. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long. But sometimes you read/hear/experience something that you are compelled to share. Only, unlike my usual reviews, this isn't about a book, but an album. An amazing album.

I must admit that I didn't know much about the band Neon Trees until reading an article about the lead singer, Tyler Glenn, how he came out as a proud gay man two years ago and continued to try and make his religion work.

And it didn't work with him.

The article broke my heart. Having been through a faith crisis, I found myself nodding along with the things he said. Whereas I wrote The Telling as my therapy during that troubled time, Mr. Glenn poured his soul into music, creating the album Excommunication as a solo project. A very personal, heart-rending solo project.

Anyone I've ever betaed for has heard those four cringe-worthy words that I use a lot when critiquing stories: Make. Me. Feel. It.

Tyler Glenn makes you feel the pain, the uncertainty, the feeling of being ripped raw and totally exposed. And then he offers a glimpse of hope.

I'm not really sure how many times I've listened to Excommunication, but I have it in my home, car, and at work. I'm very close to knowing every word of every song by heart, and I can belt them out, reliving and exorcising pain.

With most albums, there are songs I love, songs I like, and some I skip over. Not here. I'll play one, think, "This is my favorite," and think the same of the next. But the overriding theme is not just about losing faith, it's about discovering yourself, not hiding who you are, and staying true to yourself.

There are words in those lyrics that speak to, not only people of various stages of faith, but LGBTQ, and anyone who's ever felt marginalized.

The first song is Sudden Death, and the words capture the feeling of being questioned, of having others turn their backs.

Next up is G.D.M.M.L. Grls - God Didn't Make Me Like Girls, a coming out anthem, and one of my favorites on an album full of favorites.

Trash - If I could only capture this type  of raw emotion for a book. Laid bare, feeling betrayed by something you put so much of yourself into. There's also an awesome video for this one that has offended some in the faith community, but the feeling I get is someone trusting you enough, or has been pushed far enough, to tell you how they really feel. The agony of rejection. Raw, gritty, and with a driving beat like a human heart.

Gods + Monsters - This is a song I wish I'd had during my last horrible breakup. It says so much that I couldn't put into words at the time, and woulda gone well with the booze and cigar. (Long story).

Gates -  That moment when you decide "I'm gonna stop listening to everybody and just live my life and be happy" is well summed up in this work.

Shameless - What I said about "Gates", to the tenth power, and an awesome song to belt out wholeheartedly in the car on your way home after a crappy day at work.

Waiting Around - Been there.

One More - One of the more hopeful songs on the album, and a nice respite while you recover from the "cut and bleed" aspects of Trash and Shameless.

Black Light - That glass of wine you've waited for all day. Okay, I'll be honest, I'm more of a beer girl, but still.

John, Give 'Em Hell - I want to play this for all my fellow PFLAG folks and others who stand against social injustice. Keep doing what you do.

Devil - Yes! This! That feeling of being in church and cringing, fearing how some people would treat you if they knew your mind. Been there so many times. Very powerful lyrics about finding yourself in the aftermath.

I've watched interviews with the artist on how this work came to be, and the real life inspirations. I want to find this guy and hug him.

I'll leave you with the video for Shameless (that I've seen... okay, A LOT of times).



I bought my copy of Excommunication from Amazon: Nicely done, Mr. Glenn, and may you find peace, as I did. Highly recommended.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Duet is a Dreamspinner Weekend Read

Just in time for Halloween: Dreamspinner Press presents a spooky trio, bargain priced at .99 cents, including my novel Duet.

Get your copy of one of these three great novels.


 conqueror’s decree can’t separate Aillil Callaghan from his Scottish heritage. He wears his clan’s forbidden plaid with pride, awaiting the day he becomes Laird, restores his family’s name, and fights to free Scotland from English tyranny. An Englishman in his home? Abomination! Yet the tutor his father engaged for Aillil’s younger brothers may have something to teach the Callaghan heir as well.

Violinist and scholar Malcolm Byerly fled Kent in fear, seeking nothing more than a quiet post, eager minds to teach, and for no one to learn his secrets. He didn’t count on his charges’ English-hating barbarian of an older brother, or on red-and-green tartan concealing a kindred soul. A shared love of music breaks down the barriers between two worlds.

Aillil’s father threatens their love, but a far more dangerous enemy tears them apart. They vanish into legend.

Two centuries later, concert violinist Billy Byerly arrives at Castle Callaghan—and feels strangely at home. Legends speak of a Lost Laird who haunts the fortress in wait of his lover’s return. Billy doesn’t believe in legends, ghosts, or love that outlasts life.

But the Lost Laird knows his own.
 

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Sale Ending on October 15 for Settling the Score

Get your copy of Settling the Score for .99 cents, until October 15.


Outed and dumped on national television by his rising star boyfriend, Joey Nichols must face the bigotry of the locals in his small Southern town alone. His dreams of a happy ever after lie crushed at his feet. 

Novelist Troy Steele has an axe to grind against Hollywood heartbreaker types. Transforming Joey into a gorgeous, unobtainable hunk would be payback worthy of Troy’s poison pen. It's a brilliant way to get back at Joey’s image-obsessed ex-boyfriend and the movie producer who’s mutilating Troy’s novels. 

What begins as simple revenge may tangle them together in something far more complicated. Living well may be the best revenge, but Troy and Joey could rewrite that to loving well.




Find it at:

All Romance Ebooks

Amazon:

France

Germany

Canada

Australia

UK

Italy

US

Friday, September 30, 2016

Settling the Score is a Bestseller

Settling the Score 2nd Edition is up for pre-order and has made Bestseller at All Romance Ebooks.




Outed and dumped on national television by his rising star boyfriend, Joey Nichols must face the bigotry of the locals in his small Southern town alone. His dreams of a happy ever after lie crushed at his feet. 

Novelist Troy Steele has an axe to grind against Hollywood heartbreaker types. Transforming Joey into a gorgeous, unobtainable hunk would be payback worthy of Troy’s poison pen. It's a brilliant way to get back at Joey’s image-obsessed ex-boyfriend and the movie producer who’s mutilating Troy’s novels. 

What begins as simple revenge may tangle them together in something far more complicated. Living well may be the best revenge, but Troy and Joey could rewrite that to loving well.




Find it at:

All Romance Ebooks

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Settling the Score Second Editon

I've had folks asking me what happened to Lambda Finalist Settling the Score, and if it would ever be available again. I'm happy to say that the second edition is publishing on October 6, and is now available for pre-order at the discounted price of .99 cents. Get your copy soon! On October 12, the book reverts to the full price of $4.99. And it's got a great new cover!



Outed and dumped on national television by his rising star boyfriend, Joey Nichols must face the bigotry of the locals in his small Southern town alone. His dreams of a happy ever after lie crushed at his feet. 

Novelist Troy Steele has an axe to grind against Hollywood heartbreaker types. Transforming Joey into a gorgeous, unobtainable hunk would be payback worthy of Troy’s poison pen. It's a brilliant way to get back at Joey’s image-obsessed ex-boyfriend and the movie producer who’s mutilating Troy’s novels. 

What begins as simple revenge may tangle them together in something far more complicated. Living well may be the best revenge, but Troy and Joey could rewrite that to loving well.




Find it at:

All Romance Ebooks

Amazon:

France

Germany

Canada

Australia

UK

Italy

US


Saturday, September 10, 2016

Writing Update

Wow! Has it really been nearly a month since my last post? Sorry, folks, but maybe this news might make up for the lack of posting:

I've just completed the first draft of Reunion, Diversion 6. It's rather rough at the moment, so I'm in the polishing stages. I've ordered the cover art and am not quite ready to create a blurb.

I'd intended to focus on relationships in this installment of the Bo/Lucky saga, but darned if the story didn't grow more plot. So now there is a bit of mystery mixed in. Your favorite side characters make appearances, and you'll meet a few more.

And yes, there will be more Moose and Cat Lucky. I hope to hand the manuscript off to my critique partners by the end of the month.

That said, Fallen Angel Second Edition, the sequel to The Angel of 13th Street, is now in the beta process, as is a brand new book, Broken Wing. Broken Wing takes place in the Angelverse, but could be a standalone, telling the story of Lark, a side character from Fallen Angel.

So look for three releases from me in the next few months. I was planning a total of eight Diversion books, but have decided not to close the series completely--I have too many ideas for side stories, and too much pharmaceutical crime information to let waste.

And there are so many more ways I can torture adventures I can dream up for Bo and Lucky!

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Getting Ready for GRL!

As part of the lead up to this year's GayRomLit convention in Kansas City, I'm guest posting today on Elisa Rolle's site.

Come on down!

And be sure to say "Hey, y'all!" to Elisa. (Yes, "y'all" is both singular and plural.)

How to Go From Anxiety to Anticipation in Six Easy Years (Or Why I Love GayRomLit)

Saturday, July 30, 2016

And Aillil and Malcolm Speak German!

A few days ago I posted about Bo and Lucky's soon to be released Diversion (Diversion 1) in Japanese. Now another book is about to meet a new audience: Duet.

So far it is Duet (English), Duo (French), Duetto (Italian), and on August 23, Duett (German). This novel is also available as an audio book.

I'm thrilled that Aillil and Malcolm's story has been so well received!


A uch nicht die Anordnungen der englischen Eroberer können Aillil Callaghan von seinem schottischen Erbe trennen. Er trägt die verbotenen Farben seines Clans mit Stolz und erwartet den Tag, an dem er zum Clan-Oberhaupt ernannt wird, um den guten Namen seiner Familie wieder herzustellen und darum zu kämpfen, Schottland von der Tyrannei der Engländer zu befreien. Ein Engländer in seinem Haus? Ein Gräuel! Doch der Hauslehrer, den sein Vater für Aillils jüngere Brüder angeheuert hat, kann auch dem Callaghan-Erben noch etwas beibringen.

Der Violinist und Gelehrte Malcolm Byerly floh einst voller Angst aus Kent und suchte nichts mehr, als eine ruhige Stelle, kluge Köpfe zum Unterrichten und niemanden, der seine Geheimnisse aufdecken würde. Doch er hatte nicht mit dem Engländer hassenden Barbaren eines älteren Bruders seiner Schützlinge gerechnet, oder damit, dass sich unter rot-grünem Karomuster eine verwandte Seele verbergen könnte. Die geteilte Liebe zur Musik reißt die Mauer zwischen ihren beiden verschiedenen Welten ein.

Aillils Vater gefährdet ihre Liebe, aber ein viel gefährlicherer Feind reißt sie schließlich auseinander. Sie verschwinden in die schottischen Legenden.

Zwei Jahrhunderte später kommt der Konzertviolinist Billy Byerly im Callaghan-Schloss an – und fühlt sich seltsamerweise sofort zu Hause. Die Legenden erzählen von einem verschwundenen Lord, der die Burg heimsucht und darauf wartet, dass sein Liebster zu ihm zurückkehrt. Billy glaubt nicht an Legenden, Geister oder eine Liebe, die ein Leben überdauern kann.


Aber der „Verschwundene Lord“ weiß, was er will.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Bo and Lucky Speak Japanese?

I've got big news! I'm thrilled that Diversion 1 will be released in Japanese in August. I've been working with an amazing translator and publishing company, and they're bringing Bo and Lucky to Japanese audiences.

I'm a big yaoi fan, and the yaoi-styled cover makes me happy. The artist did a fabulous job of bringing the guys to life, I believe.

I'll post buy links when they're available. Until then, I give you the lovely cover.

What do you think?


Sunday, July 10, 2016

Love is Love Poetry Anthology






On June 12, 2016, the most horrendous mass shooting in US history and an unfathomable act of hate was directed at the LGBT community in Orlando. The horror of this tragedy reverberated around the world, leaving millions shocked and appalled at the senseless violence that destroyed so many innocent lives. 

In a display of solidarity with the victims and survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting, a group of LGBTQ+ and straight allies, from all across the globe, came together to produce a collection of poems in celebration of love and acceptance.

The resulting Love is Love Poetry Anthology is dedicated to the families and victims of the shooting and all proceeds of this work will be donated to Equality Florida’s Pulse Victims Fund.

In this small way, the authors, along with the readers who purchase this work, seek to contribute to the lives of those who still suffer from the consequences of the malice directed toward them, and offer some positivity and compassion in the face of such bigotry. 


Contributing Authors:

AC Benus, Aditus, Andrew Jericho, Ann Anderson, Ash Marie, Asta Idonea, Betti Gefecht, Cam Kennedy, Cynus Eldranai, Darren White, dughlas, Eddy LeFey, Eden Winters, EmiGS Em, F.E. Feeley Jr., Gelybi , Headstall, Jack L. Pyke, Jana Denardo, Jason Frazier, Jay Rookwood, J.L. Merrow, Karina Rye, Kathy Griffith, Kay Ellis, Kaye P. Hallows, Kit Loffstadt, Laura B. Damone, Layla Dorine, Lily G. Blunt, L.J. Harris, L.M. Somerton, Louis Stevens, L.S.K Harris, L.V. Lloyd, Lynn Michaels, Maggie Chatterton, Maria Siopis, Monika De Giorgi, Parker Owens, Patricia Nelson, Pelaam, Petra Howard, Ravyn Bryce, Rick R. Reed, Ruski, Valik and Addy, S.J. Davis, Skylar M. Cates, Star Brady, Steve Baldry, Susan Crane, Tamara Miles, Tash Hatzipetrou, Tim Landon, Tracy Gee, Vicki Tubridy, Victoria Kinnaird, and Wendy Rathbone.


My own contribution, Flight, was posted on my blog a few weeks ago. 

Find it here at:
Amazon 
All Romance Ebooks

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Welcome Z. Allora!

Please welcome Z. Allora to the blog today, and sink your teeth into the hotness that is Zack Davis, from her soon to be released novel, Lock and Key. 



I want to thank Eden Winters not only for hosting a part of Zack’s story but helping to tame my squirrel speak. When she and I get together we talk a lot about our characters and what their motivations are for the choices they make/made.

I wrote this 11-part backstory to allow a peek into Zack Davis’s life so you’ll have a deeper understanding of why he chooses the paths he does in Lock and Key.

Hugs, Z.

Part 8 can be found at here at Rainbow Gold Reviews.

Part 9

Zack’s ears still rang from his mother’s tirade as she dragged his little brother from their house. She had bellowed, “No son of mine can be gay, therefore you’re no son of mine! Out!”

Jordon’s tears, look of hurt, and disbelief kicked Zack right in the heart. His little brother would be okay. She had taken him to Dusty. Their oldest brother would take care of him, he’d been doing it for years.

It wasn’t a big deal. Jordon would live with Dusty and Zack could still spend time with him. All he had to do was hold his breath for few weeks until graduation. Then he could get a job, an apartment, and eventually not have to hide.

He could deal with that. Right?

Though sometimes living in the shadows exhausted Zack. Especially right now being invisible seemed wrong. It wasn’t fair Jordon was thrown out and Zack was allowed to stay.

He grabbed the box from the back of his closet he hid behind old sports equipment. Making piles of his books and magazines, he stared at them. Ha! Maybe he could wear a button that read I heart BDSM. Or he could wear a T-shirt with Paddles Aren’t Just For Canoes scrolled across the front. Or maybe he could just—

The front door slammed shut. His mother was back. Her footsteps stopped. Did she see the family picture that had fallen off the wall lying shattered on the floor? Their family was now in shreds because of her broken beliefs.

Shit! He should put away all the evidence she’d use to convict him, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to be surrounded by what she would consider his sin. Granted, a part of him he still considered everything he wanted shameful.

She stomped into the bedroom ranting, “We’re going to remove any gay your brother left behind!” Stopping midstep, she asked, “What’s all this?”

For a second he wanted to hide, lie, and do what he had to do so she wouldn’t know. The safety of the shadows called to him. The weight of the vintage BDSM magazines resting on his lap and his Tom of Finland art books in a stack at his feet screamed out what he craved: Bondage, discipline and hot men.

There was still an escape hatch. He could say these were Jordon’s— “I was packing my books.”

“What do you mean yours? Don’t protect your perverted little brother! Thank you for gathering all his dirty smut. Take them to the shredder and destroy them!”

“No.” He stood and stared at her. Resigned to his fate, he admitted, “These are mine.”

“You’ll get rid of them or you’ll leave my house,” she hissed with tears in her eyes.

“Okay, fine by me.” Zack hadn’t expected a different outcome. He grabbed three pairs of jeans and scooped up all the T-shirts he could jam into his knapsack. He grabbed a duffel bag and stuffed his books in it.

She rushed over to his bed and grabbed a magazine. “You’re even sicker than both of your brothers…. Where did I go wrong? How could you want to tie someone up and beat them? What kind of sinful sickness do you have?”

That was the question that bounced around his head for as long as he’d had these cravings. He had no words to give her.

“You’re twisted and disgusting! How can you look at these pictures of men doing this to each other?”

How could he not? It was the beautiful simplicity he sought. He yearned for those clearly defined boundaries that would set him free. To suffer for his Master—

His face heated. He didn’t want to be ashamed of what he needed but he found no words to defend himself as he added his magazines to the bag.

She smacked him with the magazine and screamed, “Get out! Get out! You filthy disgusting pig!”

He snatched the mag from her hand, grabbed his duffel bag, backpack, and car keys and left the house he had grown up in.

Part 10 will be hosted by: http://lovebytesreviews.com


Lock And Key by Z. Allora



Rejected. Heartbroken. Devastated.

Zack Davis wanted to serve only one man, Andrew Nikeman. He was denied because Andrew thought he was too young and because their brothers were together. So Zack crushed his submissive tendencies and focused on being the perfect Dom, giving every sub he played with something he couldn’t have.

After years of denying his submissive side, Entwined’s charity auction “Are you Dom Enough to be a sub?” gives Zack an excuse to get a little of what he’s always craved.

Andrew doesn’t know when his infatuation turned into more, but it kills him to see Zack with a constant parade of submissives. He’d refused to jeopardize his brother’s relationship or become Zack’s regret; however, Zack isn’t a kid anymore, and his brother’s relationship is unbreakable. Now Zack’s popularity and success as a Dom might ruin Andrew’s dreams of collaring him, but he can’t wait any longer to confess his feelings or he risks losing the man he loves forever.

Now available for preorder at Dreamspinner Press. Release date July 15,2016. 



Please follow the rest of the blog tour. You can find the schedule at http://zallora.blogspot.com.

Big hugs,
Z. Allora
https://www.facebook.com/Zallorabooks








Saturday, May 28, 2016

Flight by Eden Winters

“Stay, don’t go,” they said to him,
“Don’t venture from the nest,
Hide here and they’ll never know,
Lies will keep you safe.”

And so he stayed behind the glass,
longing to be free,
With every soul he saw take wing,
He mourned what couldn’t be.

He gave someone his heart and soul,
And never let him know,
For doing so would tell the truth,
And leave him so exposed.

Love from afar ate at his heart,
And bitterness began,
Why couldn’t he follow his own path
As openly as his friends?

What made their lives worth more than his,
That he could never show,
His true self to all the world,
His longing to be loved?

“Follow your heart, don’t be like me,”
An old man said to him,
“A life lived by another’s rules,
Isn’t truly living.”

“But I am afraid!” he cried,
While tears flooded his eyes,
To be who he was born to be,
He’d have to break some ties,

What would they think? What would they say?
If ever he should leave,
But staying killed him day by day,
His battle to deceive.

Who were they to judge right and wrong?
Place their beliefs on him?
He who’d tried to get along,
Had as much right as them,

To live his life being who he was,
And never have to hide.
To live and love with all his might,
Letting heart and love be guide,

And so he took those first few steps,
Though others caused despair,
They told him he would go to Hell,
Wasn’t he already there?

He turned his face into the wind,
To start his life anew,
Holding the hand he’d longed to hold,
He spread his wings and flew. 

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Dreamspinner Press Anniversary Sale

To celebrate Dreamspinner Press' ninth anniversary, they're giving a 35% discount on books from authors who joined them in year 4-5, which includes Yours Truly!



So, if you've had your eye on Naked Tails, The Wish, Duet, or A Matter of When, now's the time to buy. 

And don't forget perpetual freebie, and side story to The Wish: Valentine Wish. 

Here's a full list of all participating authors:

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Early Musical Influences - Songs That Shaped My Life

Normally I post about early literary influences, but tonight I picked an artist on my iPod to play, only to have the songs bring back quite a few memories.

I grew up on a farm way out in the middle of nowhere, rather isolated, no kids around to visit or play with except my siblings and we were usually fighting. Mom played country music and Grandma played gospel.

Ever heard of Kitty Wells? Wendy Bagwell and the Sunlighters? Those were my favorites once upon a time. Then, at the age of twelve, something wonderful happened to me: I won a radio of my own, probably through the 4-H program but I don't rightly recall now. You gotta remember, I lived in a time when kids didn't have iPods, and even if they'd existed, they weren't necessities so I'd never have hoped to have one at that age.

Anyway, this magical radio introduced me to a whole other world, full of new songs to sing. I'm a lyrics girl. I write poetry, and appreciate words that have been well put together, so when I find a song I like, I pretty much wallow in it until I can sing it, have made up my own verses, and have scoured every source I could find for the story behind the song (which is a whole lot easier with the Internet).

Heading into the teen years, and being a teenager, isn't always fun. Songs filled the void when I needed to say something and couldn't find the words, or they helped me identity my emotional turmoil and move on.

That said, I owe Sir Elton John a tremendous "Thank you." His music has gotten me through some really tough times. My favorite song in high school was "Tiny Dancer" and whenever I'd had my heart ripped out (at least once a week) then I'd commiserate with "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word." And "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" should be self explanatory.

Bear in mind that I didn't have albums, CDs, or even eight-tracks--I had to wait for the song to come on the radio or sing it to the top of my lungs while shoveling stuff I'd rather not talk about out in the hen house on the farm.

I grew up, moved on, made a life for myself outside the farm. I own hundreds of CDs, an iPod, and lots of other ways to play music. I can even pull YouTube up on my TV and watch videos to my heart's content.

But sometimes, when I least expect it, I'll hear a familiar voice and get swept back in time.

I'll leave you with a song from my past, that I love as much today as I did then.




Tuesday, March 8, 2016

.99 Cents Eden Winters Books at Dreamspinner Press

This coming weekend, the weekend of March 11, 2016, pick up three of my titles in e-book format at Dreamspinner Press for the bargain price of .99 cents.

Choose from:

A Matter of When



Wealth. Fame. Gold record. Hookers and Cocaine front man Henri Lafontaine has it all…including a control freak manager, band members who smile as they sharpen blades for his back, and last but damn well not least, a fan out to steal his heart. Literally. Trying to write hit songs and plan a comeback in the midst of the hi-fi white noise of LA feels more like watching his world implode, until he’s offered a month in the Colorado Rockies for vocal coaching.

Sebastian Unger’s rich, classically trained tenor inspires wicked thoughts. More than a pretty choir boy, he cracks the whip without hesitation to drive tattooed bad-boy Henri to give his all to his music. Working, fighting, and finally establishing a fragile peace, they find inspiration and perhaps more in each other. But the clock is ticking. Time will pull Henri back to the grit and gold of LA’s mean streets and fame machine, while Sebastian must return to the opera circuit, where a mysterious man known as “the patron” holds far too much sway. Only the trust they've built on a handful of notes bridges their two worlds...and shields them from malice.
 

Duet



A conqueror’s decree can’t separate Aillil Callaghan from his Scottish heritage. He wears his clan’s forbidden plaid with pride, awaiting the day he becomes Laird, restores his family’s name, and fights to free Scotland from English tyranny. An Englishman in his home? Abomination! Yet the tutor his father engaged for Aillil’s younger brothers may have something to teach the Callaghan heir as well.

Violinist and scholar Malcolm Byerly fled Kent in fear, seeking nothing more than a quiet post, eager minds to teach, and for no one to learn his secrets. He didn’t count on his charges’ English-hating barbarian of an older brother, or on red-and-green tartan concealing a kindred soul. A shared love of music breaks down the barriers between two worlds. 

Aillil’s father threatens their love, but a far more dangerous enemy tears them apart. They vanish into legend. 

Two centuries later, concert violinist Billy Byerly arrives at Castle Callaghan—and feels strangely at home. Legends speak of a Lost Laird who haunts the fortress in wait of his lover’s return. Billy doesn’t believe in legends, ghosts, or love that outlasts life. 

But the Lost Laird knows his own.


If possum shifters are more your speed:
Naked Tails



Seth McDaniel wasn’t raised among a shifter passel and has no idea what it’s like to turn furry once a month. An orphan, torn from his father’s family at an early age, he scarcely remembers Great-aunt Irene. Now her passing brings him back to Possum Kingdom, Georgia, to take up a legacy he doesn’t understand and reconnect with a friend he’s never forgotten.

As Irene’s second-in-command, Dustin Livingston has two choices: assume control of the passel or select another replacement. Unfortunately, the other candidates are either heartless or clueless. Dustin’s best hope to dodge the responsibility is to deliver a crash course in leadership to his childhood pal Seth, a man he hasn’t seen in twenty years. However, while Dustin's mind is set on his task, his heart is set on his old friend.

Seth’s quest for answers yields more questions instead. What’s with the tiny gray hairs littering his aunt’s house? Why do the townsfolk call each other “Jack” and “Jill”? Do Dustin’s attentions come with ulterior motives? And why is Seth suddenly craving crickets?
 



But then again, at this price, why not pick them all?

Monday, March 7, 2016

Eden Winters - Ode to Goodreads

Ask twenty authors their opinion of Goodreads and you'll get twenty different answers. I, however, find it inspiring. So inspiring that I wrote this little poem:

Ode to Goodreads
by Eden Winters

I went to Goodreads,
Hey, don’t you scoff.
Fourteen new ratings,
New book is taking off,
But then I look too closely
That’s when I feel the pain,
“This book could be much better,
She ain’t no Amy Lane.”

I ain’t no Amy Lane,
No I can’t make ‘em cry,
I ain’t no Amy Lane,
And now I wonder why.

Amy she’s got it going,
She writes ten books a day,
And all get five star ratings,
I don’t know what to say,
‘Cause when I visit Goodreads,
I feel the pain again,
“This book should be more angsty,
She’s ain’t no Amy Lane.”

I ain’t no Amy Lane,
No I can’t knit, I fear,
I ain’t no Amy Lane,
I pub one book a year.

Now Amy’s back list stretches,
From Maine to Anaheim,
How does she keep the names straight?
I can’t keep up with mine.
And when I go to Goodreads
I get so confused,
No matter what I do,
I get the same reviews!

I ain’t no Amy Lane,
Can’t write a book an hour,
I ain’t no Amy Lane,
I’m so in awe of her.

I switched up genres,
Wrote me some ‘rotica,
Yeah, that oughta,
Get some attention,
Get some reviews,
But when I look on Goodreads
That’s when I see this news:

“She ain’t no Lacy Tate,
Can’t make those truckers hot,
She ain’t no Lacy Tate,
Oh no, she’s not.”

So when you see me smiling,
On covers far and near,
Be gentle,
and I won’t shed a tear,
To keep things simple,
I’ve changed my name,
From Eden Winters to
“No Amy Lane.”

But!

I went to BookLikes,
Let them have their say,
and read these words:
“She ain’t no Andrew Grey.”


Author's note: I have the utmost respect for all authors mentioned in this poem, and obtained permission for use. 




Saturday, March 5, 2016

Release Day! The Angel of 13th Street

Re-releasing one of my earlier books is like visiting old friends. The characters and story are the same, but I notice details that eluded me before, having been viewed through the lens of a newbie author.

Angel was the first book I ever submitted to a publisher, and as such holds a special place in my heart. It was also written before I began my "What's in a Word" blog series, or even understood the weaknesses in the craft work.

What a difference six years have made. I've grown and learned so much, and though Angel was well received in it's previous incarnation, I couldn't help but enhance the story some.

So once more Jeremy is struggling to survive, as is Noah in his own way, and once more I've enjoyed the journey of their finding each other.


Noah Everett shed his rent boy existence for a bar and helping young men get a second chance at life. Haunted by those he couldn’t save, he keeps others at bay until his self-imposed loneliness is shattered by ambitious but homeless Jeremy Kincaid.

Aged out of the foster system, Jeremy’s the perfect target for a ruthless pimp like Willie Carnell. He wants no part of any future that includes working for Willie, but without a strong ally, he may not have a choice.

Noah knows exactly what Willie’s capable of, and if he’ll fight for strangers, he’ll fight harder for Jeremy.

Even if it takes confronting his own past.

Amazon US
Amazon France
Amazon Australia
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Amazon Germany
Amazon Italy
All Romance E-books



Tuesday, February 23, 2016

The Return of The Angel of 13th Street

I've received several messages asking when The Angel of 13th Street would be available again. I'm happy to report that The Angel of 13th Street, Second Edition, is now available for pre-order at Amazon and All Romance E-books, and will publish Saturday, March 5.

The story remains pretty much the same, but I've deepened the POV and polished the manuscript up with all I've learned in seven years of publishing.


Noah Everett shed his rent boy existence for a bar and helping young men get a second chance at life. Haunted by those he couldn’t save, he keeps others at bay until his self-imposed loneliness is shattered by ambitious but homeless Jeremy Kincaid.

Aged out of the foster system, Jeremy’s the perfect target for a ruthless pimp like Willie Carnell. He wants no part of any future that includes working for Willie, but without a strong ally, he may not have a choice.

Noah knows exactly what Willie’s capable of, and if he’ll fight for strangers, he’ll fight harder for Jeremy.

Even if it takes confronting his own past.

Amazon US
Amazon France
Amazon Australia
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Amazon Germany
Amazon Italy
All Romance E-books




Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Contest for A Bear Walks Into a Bar

Enter to win an e-book copy of A Bear Walks Into a Bar at Stumbling Over Chaos. 

While you're there, check out Chris's other giveaways, the Linkity, and the many lovely pictures of the fabulous Chaos and Mayhem.


It takes one strong alpha with a tight grip to keep a mountain full of shifters under control. Sawyer Ballantine’s contending with an uppity wolf leader and a herd of shifter elk bound and determined to take over. He might be the lone bear on the mountain, but he’s not going to allow another four shifters to just move in, especially not when they whiff of power. They’ll either be his in all ways, or they’ll be gone.

Dillon, Jerry, Kevin, and Brad have no one but each other since their groups kicked them out. The young bear, wolves, and fox make a merry ménage, pooling their meager skills and serving beer. They’ve stumbled into more than they understand, caught in the dispute between the Urso of Ballantine Mountain and the elk. But winter’s setting in, and they don’t know how to keep Dillon safe for hibernation.

And then a bear walks into their bar.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Promises to Readers and Taking Chances

Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: I love my readers. When they pick up an Eden Winters book, I want them to feel the love I poured into the pages for them. And for them I promise that I will always tell every story to the very best of my ability. I’ll never cut corners to meet deadlines, and I’ll never write to market. The book must come from my heart or it won’t be my best.

That said, not every reader will love everything I write—that’s a given, and understood.

But one element is crucial to my ability to tell quality stories: I must take chances.

Who wants to read the same novel over and over again? I don’t, and I’m sure you don’t either. So I’ll try different things, or pursue a plot bunny that takes me down unfamiliar trails. 

Sometimes I’m challenged, either by myself or a crit partner, to expand my horizons and write outside my comfort zone. The most recent challenge was to write erotica.

Now, I’ll admit I’m not an erotica reader, and only write sex into my stories where it is necessary to the telling. A Bear Walks Into a Bar is no different, although it’s far more sex-heavy than my usual. I’ve loosely based my shifter society on bonobo apes, and my shifters engage in sexual activity for bonding, comfort, hierarchy, discipline, or because it’s Tuesday, in pair, trios, and groups. Some characters are monogamous by nature once they select a mate (wolves), others have no concept of monogamy (foxes).

I enjoy reading BDSM stories yet have never been bold enough to write one, but elements of bondage, dominance, and submission figure heavily into the story, as one of the main characters, bear shifter Sawyer, discovers that being a leader and maintaining order doesn’t require him to be the big, bad Dom all the time.

So, I’ve taken a chance and written something different. Will I continue writing erotica? At the current moment I’ve no plans to, though I do have a plot bunny involving a committed trio that’s based in The Sentinel world. However, Bo and Lucky are making demands about the next Diversion novel, and they're hard to say no to, and for all their idiosyncrasies, they're monogamous. 

But regardless of what is next, one thing is certain: taking chances has helped me to grow as a writer, and I promise to never play it safe.



It takes one strong alpha with a tight grip to keep a mountain full of shifters under control. Sawyer Ballantine’s contending with an uppity wolf leader and a herd of shifter elk bound and determined to take over. He might be the lone bear on the mountain, but he’s not going to allow another four shifters to just move in, especially not when they whiff of power. They’ll either be his in all ways, or they’ll be gone.

Dillon, Jerry, Kevin, and Brad have no one but each other since their groups kicked them out. The young bear, wolves, and fox make a merry ménage, pooling their meager skills and serving beer. They’ve stumbled into more than they understand, caught in the dispute between the Urso of Ballantine Mountain and the elk. But winter’s setting in, and they don’t know how to keep Dillon safe for hibernation.

And then a bear walks into their bar.
 

M/M. M/M/M, M/M/M/M/M/M... oh, you get the idea, right? 

Find Bear at Rocky Ridge Books

All Romance e-Books

Amazon Australia

Amazon Canada

Amazon France

Amazon Germany

Amazon Japan

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Release Day: A Bear Walks Into a Bar

A Bear Walks Into a Bar is now available at Amazon, All Romance e-Books and other e-tailers.



It takes one strong alpha with a tight grip to keep a mountain full of shifters under control. Sawyer Ballantine’s contending with an uppity wolf leader and a herd of shifter elk bound and determined to take over. He might be the lone bear on the mountain, but he’s not going to allow another four shifters to just move in, especially not when they whiff of power. They’ll either be his in all ways, or they’ll be gone.

Dillon, Jerry, Kevin, and Brad have no one but each other since their groups kicked them out. The young bear, wolves, and fox make a merry ménage, pooling their meager skills and serving beer. They’ve stumbled into more than they understand, caught in the dispute between the Urso of Ballantine Mountain and the elk. But winter’s setting in, and they don’t know how to keep Dillon safe for hibernation.

And then a bear walks into their bar.
 

M/M. M/M/M, M/M/M/M/M/M... oh, you get the idea, right? 

Find Bear at Rocky Ridge Books

All Romance e-Books

Amazon Australia

Amazon Canada

Amazon France

Amazon Germany

Amazon Japan

Amazon UK

Amazon US