Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Free Mystery Suspense Books!

What is better than a gay romance mystery/suspense novel? How about a bunch of them? And what if they were all free? 

Look no farther, y'all! From now until the end of January, help yourself to some fabulous works! My own Diversion is among the offerings. 

Find them all here at BookFunnel!


Sunday, December 22, 2019

Consorts of the Red King Now Available at Audible

There are a lot of distinct voices in Consorts of the Red King, many of them alien beings. It takes an amazing performer to manage so many complete personalities. As much as I love Darcy Stark's narration of the Diversion series, with Consorts he took a difficult task and makes it look easy.

I believe all you The Sentinel fans will love his take on Connell and Stone.

Don't take my word for it, grab a copy at Audible and listen for yourselves!

In deepest space the ruthless Federation lays waste to one rebel colony after another, leaving comrades-in-arms Van Orskey and Tayn Kassik without family, without a home, and without hope.

With nothing left but each other, they run contraband and smuggle fugitives from the safety of their ship, the Cormorant—with the occasional clandestine mission for the rival Coalition thrown in. Their heists have not gone unnoticed, though even the bounty on their heads doesn’t prevent them from being a thorn in the enemy’s side at every opportunity.

Pissing them off? Big mistake.

From the day of his birth Prince Jorvik of Akiak learned duty, wisdom, and honor from his father, leaving him ill-equipped to withstand betrayal by his Federation-puppet uncle. He has no love for the greedy off-worlders who plunder his world’s natural resources and enslave his people. To defeat his foe, he needs the cunning, fearlessness, and touch of treachery only outlaws can offer.

Two off-world mercenaries make unlikely partners in Jorvik’s quest for vengeance, but the more he learns of them, the more common ground he discovers. In each other’s arms they find passion, heat, and maybe, a reason for living—until their common enemy threatens to tear them apart.

To survive, they must take on the corrupt Federation.

And win.

This novel features characters and the universe of The Sentinel. 


Saturday, December 21, 2019

Attention Gay Romance Mystery Fans!

Have I got a deal for you! And just in time after the holidays when you've worked so hard to give gifts to your loved ones. How about a gift for you? How about a gift for you that's absolutely free?

Introducing the M/M Cozy Crime Suspense Giveaway!  My own Diversion will be there too.

The promotion starts on January 1.



Sunday, December 8, 2019

Yay! Another Win For the Diversion Series!

The Rainbow Awards announced winners Sunday, 12/8/19, and I'm thrilled to say that Suspicion (Diversion 7) won third place for Best Gay Romantic Suspense!

Super-talented Tara Lain took first place honors with The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean, followed by Amy Lane's A Few Good Fish. What good company to keep!

Most of the series installments received Honorable Mention or better, with Corruption taking top honors back in 2014.



See this year's Romantic Suspense winners here:

For the complete lineup of the 2018-2019 awards, click here:

Not only does this event showcase authors and their work, it also raises money for worthy causes. So, thank you, Elisa Rolle, and the judges who dedicated time to this effort. I even found some new book titles I need to check out!

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Christmas With Bo and Lucky

After many years of trying, it looks like Bo and Lucky of the Diversion series might get to spend Christmas together.

Maybe.



Lucky has dreamed of an old-fashioned Christmas with Bo for years. Unfortunately, something always got in the way. This year is looking unusually promising, though, if they can keep well-intentioned family and work from spoiling the magic of the season. Their first Christmas together will set the bar for years to come, which means blending their favorite traditions and taking the best of both.

Last minute shopping? Bo’s list. Holiday junk food? Lucky’s. Nostalgic Christmas songs? Bo’s. Hiding to avoid the dreaded office Christmas party? Not Bo’s. And while Lucky is up for compromise, he’s got something extra special planned for his partner, something a little bit naughty and whole lot nice.


Get your free copy of Tradition (Diversion 7.2) at Bookfunnel. No email collection required.

Friday, November 22, 2019

What an Honor!

It's time again for the GoodReads MM Romance Group's Reader's Choice Awards, and I was delightfully surprised to find my own Diversion series in the running, as Best All-Time Favorite MM Series!

Suspicion (Diversion 7) has also been nominated in two categories: Best Mystery Whodunit and Best Law Enforcement.

What an unexpected honor!

Thanks, y'all! Wish Bo and Lucky luck!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

A Funny Thing Happened...

So, one of my books was in a promo recently, and I forgot the which one (I'm blaming flu medication). Anyway, I accidentally marked Diversion (Diversion 1) down to .99 cents on Amazon and other outlets.

My lapse of memory is your gain! I've decided to leave the price until the end of the month. And, all you Audible members, buying the book at .99 cents on Amazon means you get the discounted price on the audio file. Win!

Remember, this offer only holds until the end of the month.

Find it here at Amazon. 

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Fabulous Deals on Amazing Sci-fi and Fantasy!

20+ Authors—30+ Books
All 99c or less.*
https://mmbook.buzz/fantasy-uf-pnr-cross-promo/

If you like M/M Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romances, buzz on by for these sweet deals!
Score deals from popular and new-to-you authors:

Devon Vesper πŸ”₯ Pandora Pine πŸ”₯ BL Maxwell πŸ”₯ Abigail Kade πŸ”₯ Lily Lamb πŸ”₯ Joel Crofoot πŸ”₯ Meg Bawden πŸ”₯ Brea AlepoΓΊ πŸ”₯ Richard Amos πŸ”₯ Jackie North πŸ”₯ Kiska Gray πŸ”₯ Wendy Rathbone πŸ”₯ A. G. Carothers πŸ”₯ Noah Harris πŸ”₯ Emma Jaye πŸ”₯ Espen Arcadia πŸ”₯ Megs Pritchard πŸ”₯ A.D. Ellis πŸ”₯ Eden Winters πŸ”₯ Mandy Greenwood πŸ”₯ Shea Balik πŸ”₯ LJ Harris πŸ”₯ Zoe Perdita πŸ”₯ R. Phoenix πŸ”₯  Colbie Dunbar πŸ”₯ Leyla Hunt πŸ”₯ Drake LaMarque πŸ”₯ Michael Mandrake πŸ”₯ Meraki Lyhne πŸ”₯ Lynn Michaels

* Authors not for sale. Books only.



Friday, November 8, 2019

Who Doesn't Love a Free Bo and Lucky Story?

Diversion readers! Wanna finally meet Bo's family?

In case you missed it, there is a new Bo and Lucky novella out. This is information that falls between books seven and eight, but didn't quite fit in either. The solution? A free story, and gift to readers.

If you're not familiar with Bookfunnel, you might have to create an account that you can delete after, but that is currently the only place you can get a copy of Relation (Diversion 7.1). Normally, the process is that you sign up for a newsletter, using your email address, in order to download the offered book.

In this case, the "give us your email" portion has been turned off. So, simply go to Bookfunnel and get your copy.


Expecting to die while trapped in a Mexican drug tunnel can make a man rethink his life choices.

Bo and Lucky have a home, steady, if dangerous, work, and each other. Maybe even the beginnings of the reconciliation with the Lucklighter clan they promised themselves. The Schollenburgers, though—Bo hasn’t yet opened up that can of worms, near-death experiences or no.

Yet another Thanksgiving approaches with no plans to celebrate with family. Lucky’s willing to wait as long as Bo needs to get up his gumption.

He’s not nearly so patient with the bikers stalking him.

Get your FREE copy here!

Sunday, October 27, 2019

New Release! Consorts of the Red King

Six years ago I released a novella through a Goodreads campaign, entitled The Sentinel, the story of a cybernetic supersoldier who breaks free of the commands in his head and learns what love and family are.

The story was well-received, many readers lamenting the lack of science fiction in the MM romance genre, and wanting more. Connell and Stone's story had been told. No more adventures whispered into my ear for them. However, other ideas came to mind, about men existing in the same universe, with the same technology. Rather than speak of cyberships, controlled by a human brain, what would it be like to pilot one?

It's taken years, but the final result has been launched into the world.

Consorts of the Red King features three very different men, pulling together for a common goal: fighting a corrupt government. So many good books include average men bucking the system, how about two mercenaries and a prince?


In deepest space the ruthless Federation lays waste to one rebel colony after another, leaving comrades-in-arms Van Orskey and Tayn Kassik without family, without a home, and without hope.

With nothing left but each other, they run contraband and smuggle fugitives from the safety of their ship, the Cormorant—with the occasional clandestine mission for the rival Coalition thrown in. Their heists have not gone unnoticed, though even the bounty on their heads doesn’t prevent them from being a thorn in the enemy’s side at every opportunity.

Pissing them off? Big mistake.

From the day of his birth Prince Jorvik of Akiak learned duty, wisdom, and honor from his father, leaving him ill-equipped to withstand betrayal by his Federation-puppet uncle. He has no love for the greedy off-worlders who plunder his world’s natural resources and enslave his people. To defeat his foe, he needs the cunning, fearlessness, and touch of treachery only outlaws can offer.

Two off-world mercenaries make unlikely partners in Jorvik’s quest for vengeance, but the more he learns of them, the more common ground he discovers. In each other’s arms they find passion, heat, and maybe, a reason for living—until their common enemy threatens to tear them apart.

To survive, they must take on the corrupt Federation.

And win.
 


Consorts of the Red King is now available at Amazon.com  and Kindle Unlimited.

Amazon UK

Amazon FR

Amazon AU

Amazon DE

Amazon CA

Amazon IT

Amazon JP

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Super Diversion Sale!

Had your eye on the Diversion series but haven't given in to temptation yet? Now might be the perfect time. Until October 21, Diversion Box Set Vol 1 is on sale at Amazon and B&N for the bargain price of $1.99.

That's right, y'all, three full-length novels for less than two bucks.


This volume contains Diversion, Collusion, and Corruption of the Diversion series.

Diversion:
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.

Collusion:

Dead men can’t love.

Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.

While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.

When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.

Corruption:

Renegade biker. Drug runner. Recovering addict. Wanted by the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau. But he isn’t a crook, he’s the law.

SNB Agent Bo Schollenberger’s solved his cases using his brains and not a gun, and with his partner, not alone. Now he’s handed a tough new case involving designer drugs that turn users violent. One false move could end his life as he immerses himself into a motorcycle gang to locate the source. His fate depends on how well he can impersonate someone else. Someone named Cyrus Cooper.

Cyrus is everything Bo Schollenberger isn’t, including the badass enforcer for a smuggling ring. He establishes pecking order with his fists and doesn’t take shit from anybody, not even the undercover agent who comes to help his case.

Simon “Lucky” Harrison’s always been the best, whichever side of the law he was on. Former trafficker turned SNB agent, he damned well ought to be undercover in this motorcycle gang, instead of hanging around the office going crazy with new policies, new people, and “inter-departmental cooperation” that sticks him in a classroom. Yet he’s passed over for the SNB’s biggest case in decades in favor of the rookie who shares his bed. A man Lucky thought he knew.

When survival depends on a web of tangled lies, lines blur, worlds collide, and a high stakes game turns friend to foe. Lucky knows the difference between Bo the agent and Cyrus the outlaw, but does Bo?


Pick up your copy today at Amazon or B&N

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

GRL 2019

Hey, everyone!

Once more I'll be attending GRL, this time in Albuqueque. I've only missed one in all the time they've been a thing. So much love there. So many great people. And awesome books!

Anyway, here's my schedule for the event. Please look me up if you're there, I have plenty of swag to share.


10/16/19 Wednesday
4:00pm – 6:00pm 2nd Floor Registration

10/17/19: Thursday
4:00pm-4:45pm Book Room
6:00pm – 6:45pm Author Lounge 

10/18/19 Friday
10:00am – 10:45am Book Room
12:00pm – 12 :45pm Author Lounge
5:30pm – 6:20pm Featured Author Spotlight where you will hear what Bo and Lucky have been up to lately. 

10/19/19 Saturday
10:00am – 12:30 Book Signing Featured Authors


I can't wait to see you there!

Friday, September 27, 2019

Killing Creativity

When I first starting writing I had no idea what I was doing, I merely wrote the story that was in my heart. It couldn't have been all bad, because a publisher chose to publish the work. Fast forward, and I have 20 published books and quite a few awards. Yes, I have been blessed.

But... something strange happened along the way: I started listening to voices, and not the ones in my head. There are as many snippets of writing advice as there are words in the English language. While I appreciate any assistance in being a better writer, sometimes the contradictions get out of hand. Here's a few things that confuse me:

1.To engage your reader, write deep POV. Having the protagonist question themselves is a good way to do this.
2. Never, ever have your character ask a question unless it's in dialog.
3. Limit the words: was, that, it, and all their forms.
4. Never use just, really, or very.
5. Never use adverbs.
6. Never have autonomous body parts (though many cannot agree on what this means).
7. Never use passive voice.
8. Never use "Mom" and "Dad" unless in dialog.
9. Never start a story with dialog.
10. Don't use "so".
11. Don't use exclamation points.
12. Don't use semi-colons.
13. Don't end sentences with a simple word like "it."
14. Use inner dialog.
15. Don't use inner dialog.
16. Never use tags, only beats.
17. You need more tags.
18. Don't write in present tense.
19. Don't write in first person.
20. Don't write in third person.
21. Don't write omniscient POV.
22. Show don't tell. Always.
23. Sometimes telling is necessary to provide backstory and give your reader a break from constant tension.

Are you beginning to see the problem? What was once simple story-telling has too many rules, and many of those rules vary from editor to editor, reader to reader.

I, myself, am guilty of pointing out these things in works I beta. I pay attention to all writing advice because I want to become a better writer with each new book.

But you know what?

Excessive rules turn writing into a chore, and if writing is a chore, your reader will see it, and reading will be a chore. Know what else? I've been consuming books at an alarming rate lately. Wonderful books with high ratings and reviews. Most of them contained examples from above. Judging by the reviews, no one cared!

What has happened to my work is that I've become so focused on not using 'that' that I've lost sight of the true reason for writing. Don't get me wrong, doing a seek and destroy on "it" and "that" can make wording so much stronger, but all the fancy wording in the world doesn't make a good story.

What makes a good story is... a good story.

It's time to take a step back, pull in a deep breath, and let the words flow. I don't mean toss grammar rules out the window or abandon proper sentence structure, but if rules are getting in the way of writing, there is a problem. Advice, like a hammer, is a great tool. Also, like a hammer, if used improperly, it can cause great destruction.

Back in my early days I wrote good stories, and I didn't get one danged comment on the number of "thats", though someone did once count how many F-bombs Lucky dropped in Diversion: 85.

Trying to follow every piece of advice has put a damper on my creativity, leaving me so nervous I'm more afraid to publish a story now than I was ten years ago when I first started. So, I'm going to stop  stop trying to be perfect and just write.

Maybe then Diversion 8 will finally see the light of day.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Consorts of the Red King now available for pre-order

Consorts of the Red King is now available on Amazon for pre-order!




In deepest space the ruthless Federation lays waste to one rebel colony after another, leaving comrades-in-arms Van Orskey and Tayn Kassik without family, without a home, and without hope.

With nothing left but each other, they run contraband and smuggle fugitives from the safety of their ship, the Cormorant—with the occasional clandestine mission for the rival Coalition thrown in. Their heists have not gone unnoticed, though even the bounty on their heads doesn’t prevent them from being a thorn in the enemy’s side at every opportunity.

Pissing them off? Big mistake.

From the day of his birth Prince Jorvik of Akiak learned duty, wisdom, and honor from his father, leaving him ill-equipped to withstand betrayal by his Federation-puppet uncle. He has no love for the greedy off-worlders who plunder his world’s natural resources and enslave his people. To defeat his foe, he needs the cunning, fearlessness, and touch of treachery only outlaws can offer.
Two off-world mercenaries make unlikely partners in Jorvik’s quest for vengeance, but the more he learns of them, the more common ground he discovers. In each other’s arms they find passion, heat, and maybe, a reason for living—until their common enemy threatens to tear them apart.  

To survive, they must take on the corrupt Federation.  


And win.

Find it here!














Friday, September 20, 2019

New Sci-Fi Novel Heading Your Way!

Well, it's finally happened. My editor has ripped the final manuscript of Consorts of the Red King from my obsessive-compulsive fingertips and deemed it worthy of publication. To allow time for me to work myself into a worrying frenzy, arrange promo, and get through GRL, Rocky Ridge Books is shooting for an October 26 release.

Stay tuned for more details!

I've been told there is no audience for MMM sci-fi, but the commenters on The Sentinel say otherwise.

This one's for y'all!

The Friday Review - NoX, by Adrienne Wilder

Daaaaaaaayuuuuuuuum!

Whenever I read a book that truly resonated with me, I feel the need to shout it from the rooftops and share my discovery with other readers who enjoy the same type of books I do.

The latest is NoX, by Adrienne Wilder, and author I'm sad to say I've never read before. This may have been my first book by this author, but it won't be the last.

I am suffering from some of the worst book-hangover of my life, and for someone who voraciously consumes books, that's saying something.

I won't give a synopsis of the story, I can only tell you my reaction. Though NoX brought to mind Terminator-2 in the fact that a remarkable being is sent to protect someone who sees himself as nothing special, the plot is so wonderfully unique. Again with the "I've read a zillion books" thing, making this quite a feat.

Told in three POVs, this tale kept me on the edge of my seat, stealing every possible moment to hear more. The narrator did an excellent job of not only voicing the characters in beleivable tones, but catching the nuances of their thougths and words.

What awesome characters they were, too, even those for whom we didn't get much backstory. Although we're left with a solid HFN, I'm hoping the ending means more to come. (Oh, please, please, please!)

While the story is rather long, it never once dragged, and all action was there for a reason. The sex also is a study in social behavior of beings that aren't human, and therefore cannot be thought of in human terms. Sex is a part of social structure, comfort, reassurance, and a single organism in multiple bodies connecting.

I've listened to many audiobooks this year, and this one just muscled its way onto my top five list. It's a talented author who can worldbuild so well that, even in a fantasy environment, readers are sucked into the plot, clearly visualizing even the fantastical events.

If the author made up all the scientific and historical details, then again I'm impressed. Everthing seemed so believable. I do wish the author had more works in audio, as those are the only books I can read these days.

If anyone knows of plans for a sequel, please let me know. Nothing would make me happier.

Find it here on Amazon. 

Oh, and by the way, the cover is perfect!

Thursday, August 29, 2019

The Unique Sound of an Author's Voice

Just as voices can be similar but not exact, so too the sound of an author's unique voice. I've been privileged to be a beta and crit partner to several authors, and have learned much about styles.

If you have paragraphs written by three different authors, fans of their work could match them up. For instance, one of my crit partners writes in an entirely different style from me: yaoi, and yet we work well as crit partners because we understand that we write differently, and that's okay.

Another crit partner writes linearly, start to finish, something I could never do. Their writing is so clean you could publish their rough drafts. I might give comments like, "Make me feel it" prompting more emotion in the scene, but I try not to insert my own style into theirs. The last thing I want to do is say something that translates to, "This is how I would write it."

It's their story. They have their own followers who expect certain things, and it certaintly isn't a book that sounds more like someone else wrote it than the author. 

The most valuable lesson I've learned in critiqueing others' work is:

It's their story, not mine. I can make suggestions, give them reader reaction, I can give an example of how to reorganize a tricky paragraph to eliminate overused words, but the moment I try to tell them how to write, I've crossed a line. 

I've changed their voice. All my crit partners have amazing voices that don't need changing. I do my best not to.

Betaing and critiquing is a privilege and honor. Also, I get to read totally awesome books before anyone else gets to.

Win/win. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

What's in a Word: All That

Any one I've betaed for knows I'm highly critical of the word "that". Early on I had an editing program that counted "that", "was", and other words in my manuscript and compared the number to industry standards for the same word count. Know what I found out? That most "that" is not needed, or that replacing with another word strengthens the sentence.

Below, I'll use examples from my current work in progress, Consorts of the Red King:

There, in that moment, Van saw a vulnerability in Jorvik not seen since their first night together, when he’d been accosted by the guard.

What I decided on:

Van hadn’t witnessed such vulnerability in Jorvik since their first night together, when he’d been accosted by the guard. 


Example 2

Their only advantage was in being thought dead, though that also presented disadvantages.

Being thought dead gave them an advantage, but also a disadvantage. 

Example 3


The little part inside of him that needed safe haven wanted to believe they were wrong, that the man they’d served for over ten years hadn’t betrayed them, hadn’t tried to kill them.

The little part inside of him needing safe haven wanted to believe they were wrong. Surely the man they'd served for over ten years hadn't betrayed them, hadn't tried to kill them.  

Example 4

There was that matter.

Example 5

That could be either of them, or both. 

Who'd spoken? Tayn? Jorvik? Both?

Let's face it, sometimes "that" is necessary, but team up an editor who shouts, "No 'that'!" and my OCD, and you get a perfect storm of find and replace. There are still many instances of "that" in the book, but not in every sentence. 

I'm sure readers will thank me for that. Oops! There I do again!

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Book Sale!

Since I am a featured author this year at GRL, Dreamspinner has marked all Eden Winters books off 35% until September 9.

Also, free shipping to GRL with the code GR2019, also good until September 9.

Titles include Duet (in four languages!), Naked Tails, A Matter of When, and The Wish.


Get your copies now!





Saturday, August 24, 2019

Settling the Score - Now Available at Audible

Settling the Score was one of my earlier works, that shockingly sent me to New York City and the 2012 Lambda Awards. Out of many entrants, my book was one of five finalists chosen for the event. Wow!

I never expected to win, or even get recognition, but I entered to show my support for Lambda Literary's efforts. The day the finalists were announced I was at my day job, and went out to the car for my lunch break. I saw an email on my phone "2012 Lambda Finalists" and opened it, as I wanted to see who of the authors I knew were in the running.

The email started with, "Dear Lambda Finalist". I read four or five times, sure I was mistaken, but no, "Dear Lambda Finalist" was followed by "Settling the Score."

I did what any self-respecting Southern girl would do: I burst into tears. Then called Mama.

I'm glad none of my coworkers noticed me, for they'd have flocked to my car wondering what was wrong. I was in the middle of a huge project at work, and taking off for the awards would be tricky. My boss knew I dabbled in writing, but I never elaborated. In order to get the time off, I had to give her a valid reason.

I confessed all.

She gave me time off.

She bought and read the book.

She bought and read the Diversion series.

The book didn't win, but the honor was to have been chosen for finalist, especially as I was a relatively new author at the time. Gaining support from by boss? Priceless.

Fast forward to a few months ago, when a I put up the sixth book in the Diversion series on ACX for my narrator to grab (the whole "select your narrator" thing wasn't working). Narrator Joseph Morgan contacted me, and impressed me so much that I hated to decline.

What book did I have that I could offer him instead?

Settling the Score. And he did an amazing job.

Now Settling the Score is available at Audible here.



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.


Friday, August 16, 2019

A Gift for Fans of the Diversion Series

What is a series author to do with information that needs to be delivered between books 7 and 8, but that doesn't belong in 8? Why, write a novella! Or better yet, two novellas!

The first takes place after Suspicion (Diversion 7) ends, and introduces Bo's family (finally!) Relation (Diversion 7.1) is now available to all you Bo and Lucky fans, and best of all, it's absolutely free.



Expecting to die while trapped in a Mexican drug tunnel can make a man rethink his life choices.
Bo and Lucky have a home, steady, if dangerous, work, and each other. Maybe even the beginnings of the reconciliation with the Lucklighter clan they promised themselves. The Schollenburgers, though—Bo hasn’t yet opened up that can of worms, near-death experiences or no.
Yet another Thanksgiving approaches with no plans to celebrate with family. Lucky’s willing to wait as long as Bo needs to get up his gumption.

He’s not nearly so patient with the bikers stalking him.

Get your copy today. 

Friday, August 9, 2019

The Me of Today

I had an interesting conversation with a friend recently. We were discussing books we liked, and I mentioned a book I once picked up and didn't finish because it simply wasn't to my tastes. A year later, I tried again, and thought, "What didn't I like about this book? It's fabulous!" The answer?

The book didn't change, I did.

We are all influenced by the world around us, our experiences, and whether we like it or not, the opinions of others, however subtly at times. When I look back over my life, my thoughts, opinions, and worldview changed over time. I learned, I looked at things a different way.

A phrase crept into the conversation with my friend: "the me of today." Instead of saying we didn't like a certain book or genre, we realized how we evolve in our tastes, likes, and dislikes. The me of today is vastly different from the me of ten years ago, twenty years ago, etc. So instead of saying we didn't like something, we said, "the me of today didn't really care for that."

Which brings me to why you won't see low ratings on books on my Goodreads list. The book I didn't like today might be the book I adore three years from now. Wouldn't I feel bad if I'd given the story a low rating or review? Also, I use that site to talk about the books I think those with similar reading tastes might like.

The great part? We're all entitled to our opinions. Isn't free-thought amazing? But my opinions change as I become older, wiser, and my understanding of the world shifts. 

So, the book on my e-reader that I didn't finish five years ago? Maybe it's time for the current me to look again.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Fan Art

A dear reader loved the Diversion series, and created fan art to post to Twitter. Oh, my God! Fan art! And such squee-worthy fan art too!

I love it so much that I contacted them and worked out a deal to use the image for swag and promotion. It's a scene straight from the first book, Diversion 1, and is a fitting representation of Bo and Lucky's relationship.

The art is by super talented artist Ayu Yamane.

Isn't it amazing? And sssooooooo Lucky and Bo!




If you're attending GRL this year, be sure to stop by, see me, and get your Bo and Lucky swag!


Click here to see the artist's other awesome works!

Friday, July 26, 2019

The Passage of Time -- Or Books Don't Always Age Well

I'm currently reviewing the audio file for Settling the Score, one of my earlier books, one I'm quite proud of, and a 2012 Lambda Awards finalist. The narrator is awesome, with a great sense of comic timing, but in listening to this book, I have found a few things cringe-worthy. The book contains elements that mark it as a seven-year-old book.

While the mention of a telephone answering machine isn't really too outdated, especially since lead characters Joey's family lives simply, and don't necessarily keep up with technology, it still stood out for me.

Another statement that shows the story's age is Joey's sister's plucked eyebrows, which are no longer the fashion. Love interest Troy's Jaguar also has a CD player, which would work if it's a classic car. Troy uses an iPod, but seeing as he's technologically challenged, that could still work too.

Who knows? Maybe I'm the only one who'll notice because I know it's there.

Narrator Joseph Morgan brings the characters to awesome life. I'm currently reviewing the completed file, we plan for an early August Audible release.



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.

Monday, July 22, 2019

What I've Been Reading: All Souls Near and Nigh (Soulbound #2) by Hailey Turner

Not too long ago I discovered a book on Audible called A Ferry of Bones and Gold by Hailey Turner, and entered a world so different, yet so close to our own.

Vampires, weres, gods, and demons all live among humans, with their own hierarchies, their own agendas, and their own brand of law enforcement, the Supernatural Operations Agency. 

Special Agent Patrick Collins as been through the wringer: a traumatic childhood, raised without love and support, and with a damaged soul. He practiced magic in the mage corp, a supernatural division of the military, until an accident saps his abilities.

He's recovering, getting his feet under him, and trying to find his way in a world suddenly changed for him. Patrick is a complex character, hard to get to know, but worth the effort. An assignment to New York City introduces him to some interesting characters, some who make his life better, others who make it worse.

I gave a review on A Ferry of Bones and Gold a few weeks ago, and couldn't wait to read the second one. All Souls Near and Nigh picks up where the first book left off. In fact, at the end of book 2, only two months have passed since the beginning of the first story.

What impressed me most in this book was love interest Jono, who's really stepping into his role as an alpha godpack werewolf. He's not a part of the NYC godpack, and is in the city at the graces of the pack. He's promised not to create a pack with anyone under their protection, however, he starts finding those not under the pack's protection who need him.

My favorite of the newcomers is a dragon fledgling names Wade, a sulky teenager with an endless capacity for junk food. Sage is back from the last book, and she too shines. While the relationship between Patrick and Jono definitely grows in this installment, Jono shows tremendous personal growth.

I'd hoped he'd challenge the incompetent alpha of the current regime, but that didn't happen yet.

There is some cruelty here, and some disturbing scenes, but this is a book of paranormal creatures who are one step away from full out war.

There is so much going on here, keeping the reader turning the page, or in my case, listening to an audiobook. By the way, excellent narrator.

The story is riveting, well told, so engrossing I couldn't put it down. I really wish the next one was coming out soon, because I'm hooked on this series.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Accidental Pumpkins

This year Bear and I created a container garden on our front porch. Although we have plenty of room for a regular garden, we also share this land with deer, rabbits, goats, and other critters who'd just love fresh produce.

We've been working on mulch pits since last fall, tossing things like vegetable peels, apple cores, etc., into the mix. When spring came, we used the mulch for our container garden. We planted squash, cucumbers, green peppers, tomatoes, and okra.

All came up beautifully, but there was something off with the okra. The blossoms appeared to look more like squash blossoms, and when they fell, a round ball-looking thing form.

It grew. And grew. And grew. Even more confusing, the okra had vine-like characteristics, and then started blooming the more familiar purple and yellow Okra blossoms.

It seems last year's Halloween pumpkin made a comeback, and a volunteer pumpkin vine had infiltrated our okra.

Now our one lone pumpkin is developing and nice orange color, it's way early for Halloween, and I have no idea what to do with an ornamental pumpkin this time of year. If it was a pie pumpkin, it would soon find itself in a pie crust, but for now, I just keep watering the plant and watching it grow.

As a side note, I finally got some okra too.


Monday, July 15, 2019

Getting Ready for GRL!

Even though it's a few months off, I'm trying to get ready for GRL. I've been many times, in fact, I've only missed the one in San Diego, so I'm a veteran of these things. However, I can't think of one single costume for the party, the theme being "My Superpower."

Dang. I just did. Okay. This might work.

Anyway, now I'm stuck for swag. In the past I've prepared tons of swag, and normally brought back too much of it. Usually I offer about ten different items. This year, I'm scaling back, but hopefully what I've chosen will be meaningful. And yes, I didn't have a clue what to do until I started writing this post. Y'all are amazing, you know that?

I'm having to travel light this year, as I'm flying and it seems most airlines don't want you to bring clothes, let alone a suitcase full of books.

Due to those restrictions, I'm afraid I'll be relying on presales, and bringing only the books I need. You can pre-order books here. 

Bear is coming with me this time, and so is one of the cubs! I can't wait for them to experience the whole GRL tribe. My husband looks forward to this event as much as I do, and has many friends among the attendees.

So if you're heading for Albuquerque in October, I'll see you there!

If you want to stop by at GRL and say hello, my author lounges are Thursday from 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM, and Friday, from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM.

Also, I'll be reading on Friday, from 3:30 PM to 4:20 PM. I'm not sure yet which book I'll be reading from.

Friday, July 12, 2019

Cheating in Novels and Real Life

One thing I've learned from social media posts is that readers hate cheating. They want the happy, and cheating is a big no-no.

There are also many different definitions of "cheating" too. Some readers are so adamant about the issue that if one of the main characters is intimate with someone other than the intended love interest, even before they actually get together, it's cheating. Others think it's perfectly fine for one or both parties to have sex with other people.

Cheating happens. It's brutal and it hurts and it's hard to recover from. However, sometimes cheating isn't the end, but merely a bump in the road on the way to a stronger couple.

I recently read a book about a long term couple, in which one made a horrible mistake, confessed, and destroyed the trust between them. I won't mention the book's title, because this situation is not described in the blurb and I don't want to give spoilers. However, the author vividly describes the situation from both points of view, and it broke my heart.

There are two sides to every story, and this one leaves you breathless and hopeful, showing the lengths it took for these two men to start talking again and trying to work through the issues in their marriage.

Cheating doesn't have to be the end, but sometimes there is no going back.

I know several people who have been there and chose to ride out the storm, hoping there'd be a light at the end of the journey, myself included. One of the people I talked to held on for two years while their partner had an affair, and ultimately the cheating partner left for their paramour.

There have been some cases, though, where the couple did reconcile--one couple I know getting back together after being divorced for  three years. They've been married over twenty-five years since then, so guess that's testament to the fact that cheating doesn't always mean the end.

Still, in romance, it's all about the happy, so tell me: How do you feel about cheating in books? End of the line, or obstacle to overcome?

Saturday, July 6, 2019

Back 2 Good, or the Wonderful Adventure

The Telling first published in book format in 2009, ten years ago. Today I thought of that story that launched my career as a writer, and did a little reflecting.

At the time, I was very open about the reasons for that book, but those who've discovered my writing more recently may not be aware of the book's inspiration. 

The Telling is a very personal work, what some call a "therapy book." I didn't merely write the story, I pretty much cut myself open and bled all over the pages. The pages are full of symbolism, though it might not be obvious. 

2007-2009 marked the darkest time of my life. Reality had kicked me in the teeth, leaving me reeling and wondering what I had done to deserve the hardship I found myself in. "Low" didn't even begin to cover my state of mind. Getting through a single day seemed like such a big accomplishment. I hurt. I didn't know a person could be in so much emotional pain and still exist. 

A dear friend tried to help, but what could she do long-distance? We talked books a lot, and our love of fiction is how we met and bonded. She challenged me to write a book, pouring out my bottle of pain. 

The result is The Telling, the story of a young veteran returning home with damaged hearing and internal scars from seeing so much, so young. He also struggled with coming out. His intention was to go back to his small town, get back on his feet, and leave to find a place where he could live his authentic life. 

How does this relate to me, you ask? I poured my doubts, fears, and insecurities into the characters. Every single person but one represents some facet of my life, from the ideals I was raised with and could no longer support, to my insecurities as a mother. 

Something strange happened along the way: the characters started developing strengths. I realized their strengths were also facets of myself that I didn't even know I had. 

The main character, Michael, is in therapy, and takes music with him to his sessions to express his feelings. One song mentioned was Back 2 Good by Matchbox Twenty. My fondest desire at the time was to get "Back 2 Good" myself. Also, at the time, I couldn't see that happening. 

It took years, ten to be exact, from then until now, and during my reflection today I was surprised to realize how far removed I am from that time. It wasn't easy, in fact it was painful as hell, but step by step, day by day, I learned to live again. 

The book was, of course, too personal to sell, so I published some of it on websites, but also self-published, giving the book away for free. However, when I published it to Amazon, for some reason they never allowed me to mark it perma-free, so I put the price as low as possible (.99), and donated the proceeds to PFLAG. 

Besides the self-recovery, something else wonderful happened. People began writing to me, telling me their stories, or how much my book meant to them, or even how reading my book opened someone's mind and heart to LGBTQIA+ issues. 

Some of those stories were heart-breaking, some inspirational, all touched my heart. I made friends through those e-mails that are friends to this day. 

What a difference 10 years makes. I've got a darned good day job (though I'd love to write full-time), I'm about to publish my 21st novel, my work has won awards, I've gone to New York as a Lambda finalist, and have the greatest friends on the planet. I also did something I swore I'd never do: entered into a relationship. 

With a wonderful person. 

Much has happened on my way from there to here, and I'm so glad I hung on and kept going. My life is so, so worth it.  

Friday, June 14, 2019

Redemption (Diversion 5) Now Available at Audible

Not long ago, it seems, I wanted to add audio to the Diversion series format. At least nine books. My first step was to find a narrator with the right voice and attitude to bring Lucky, Bo, Walter, and the remaining cast of this series alive.

It took eight months to find the right voice, right attitude, willing to tackle a series, is amazing to work with, and could complete each book in a few months' time.

And, dang, what a right voice he is.

Darcy Stark gave an amazing performance with books 1-4, but I have to tell you, he totally nailed book five.

Don't take my word for it; listen to the sample at Audible.

Redemption (Diversion 5)



Living is the easy part.

Agent Lucky Lucklighter and his partner escaped Mexico alive, only to plunge into bureaucratic fallout from their mission. Hell, maybe Lucky should have stayed south of the border. Especially when the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau places Bo into rehab, and Lucky’s facing both therapy and an inquiry into a fatal shooting.

Watching over his shoulder for a vengeful drug lord or a cartel don calling in favors leaves his scarcely able to imagine a future for them as agents, or as lovers.

Bo Schollenberger once had a vision for their life together, but he’s bowed by the weight of his undercover work. Lucky’s hanging on by his deeply chewed fingernails, clinging to hope by making Bo’s dream of a home into reality. The last thing he needs is a phone call from a dangerous man who knows too much, summoning him back to Mexico for “An early Christmas present”.

Not when the SNB brass asks tough questions like “How well do you really know your partner?"

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Where the Frogs Bark

I'm not sure all the areas in the US they populate, but there is a little-known critter in the Southern US frog world called the barking frog. That's right, folks. A barking frog. While I'd never seen or heard one until recently, now they seem to be everywhere.

Especially sitting in the bedroom window sill in the middle of the night.

Barking.

All. Night. Long.

They are a form of tree frog, way too small to make so much noise, but there you go. Yes, they sound like a dog barking, or more precisely, a puppy. We call them puppy frogs. I even knew a woman once who went outside looking for the puppy.

The ones outside my house sound more like puppies, but this are the best video I could find:




Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Good Old Boys (and Girls!) in Pickup Trucs

I'm an independent woman, I do things for myself, and I'm proud to be that way, especially having been raised in a "young ladies don't do that" kind of world. It took me way too long to start replying, "This one does!" As independent as I am, however, there is a basic task that I've never performed:

I've never changed a tire on my car.

Don't get me wrong, I'm willing and I've tried, but one thing kept stopping me.

For all that the South has it's bad points, there is one shiny pinnacle of rightness: the good old boy or girl in a pickup truck.

Within moments of parking on the roadside, throwing open the trunk and digging out the necessary (if unfamiliar) equipment, help has always arrived. We're talking people who live to assist others, and who greatly restore my faith in humanity.

Today my 22-year-old daughter called, stranded with a flat tire. I made her sister a bet: that by the time we got there, the tire would be changed. I wasn't wrong. Thankfully, it was broad daylight and she found a safe place to park in a church parking lot, that more than likely was monitored by cameras.

It was a woman who saw my daughter, a mere wisp of a thing who could jump up and down on the tire tool and still not be able to loosen the lug nuts. This woman called her husband and said, "Go help this girl." He did.

There's a lot of bad in the world, but there's a lot of good too. Like people who go out of their way to help strangers.

May they forever be.


Sunday, May 26, 2019

Eden Winters and the Bath Bomb of Doom!

I'm a simple woman at heart, and like simple things. Whenever my family members tell me I'm hard to buy presents for, I merely remind them of these four things that make my world so much better:

1) Decaf dark roast coffee
2) Audible codes
3) Dark chocolate (bonus if it has peppers or ginger)
4) Bath bombs

I grew up with the occasional bubble bath, graduated to bath oil, dabbled in making my own for a while, then ordered exotic soaps online. Finally, a few years ago, I discovered bath bombs. Oh, happy day!

About that time I married and moved into my husband's house, complete with ginormous garden tub. (No, I didn't marry him for the tub, that's just a rumor.)

Anyway, nothing relaxes me more at the end of the day than a nice, long soak while listening to an audio book. Last week a new shipment of bath bombs arrived (I buy them in the 42-pack), and this time there were some new ones I hadn't seen before.

Like the green one, labeled "Balance." Now, I've had a few bad bath bomb experiences, like the glitter bomb from Hell, and the one loaded with lavender. Actual lavender. Nothing floating in the bathwater, please. But the moment I saw this innocent-looking green sphere, I should have been on my guard.

Now this wasn't just any old green. It was dark green, almost black. Okay, well, they wouldn't have put in in a bath bomb to contact skin if it wasn't safe, right?

Right?

I unwrapped it, tossed it into the tub, started my audio book and prepared to soak. Dark plumes of what looked like smoke snaked through the water, the embodiment of evil (okay, I'm a writer and might be prone to exaggeration).

It had to be safe, right? I mean, if it was as dangerous as it appeared buyers would be screaming to the company, wouldn't they?

I relaxed, listening to my book. Then lifted my arm. Oh, damn. What was that? And on my leg! And, and...

On the sides of the tub. Basically everywhere. Hell, how'd it get on the floor? I soaked for thirty minutes, scrubbed the tub for forty, and hope the stain fades from my skin by the time I return to work on Tuesday.

I look like Abe Sapien from Hell Boy!

At least it smelled nice.

Saturday, May 25, 2019

When Stories Attack! Or, Why There's Gonna Be a Diversion 7.1 and 7.2

If you've been following the Diversion series, then you know how book 7 ended. For everyone else I won't give spoilers. A funny thing happened on the way to Diversion 8, however: Story lines needed to happen to get from where 7 ended and 8 begins, but that additional information doesn't belong in book 8. I know, I tried to put it there.

The solution I came up with is two novellas, each between 15,000 and 20,000 words. The first introduces Bo's family and reveals a little more about him. The second? Well, Lucky and Bo finally, FINALLY get to spend Christmas together.

Maybe.

The first is tentatively called Relation, and the second, Tradition, as two very different people from very different backgrounds try to establish what their shared holiday traditions will be.

These two pieces also set the stage for some of the happenings in Decision (Diversion 8), which begins in March. Book 7 ended in September.

Both novellas are with my beta now and I hope to announce their publication dates soon.

The plan is still for 9 Diversion novels, but there might be an ending epilogue, Diversion 9.1, to firmly tie up the series. These guys have been a part of my life for so long I hate to say goodbye, but for now, it's full speed ahead on Bo and Lucky's adventures.

Also, Diversion 1-4 is now out in audio at Audible, as is a box set of the first three books: Diversion, Collusion, and Corruption.

The box set is also available in e-book format at Amazon.com and other online bookstores.

Friday, May 17, 2019

Diversion Box Set Vol. 1, Now Available at Audible

I devour audio books, going through several each week, so I love a good audio book sale. That's just what you'll get with the Diversion Box Set Vol. 1, Diversion, Collusion, and Corruption all in a package deal for one credit or $20.96.



Diversion:
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.

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. 

Collusion

Dead men can’t love. 

Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.

When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats. 

Corruption

Renegade biker. Drug runner. Recovering addict. Wanted by the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau. But he isn’t a crook, he’s the law. 

SNB Agent Bo Schollenberger’s solved his cases using his brains and not a gun, and with his partner, not alone. Now he’s handed a tough new case involving designer drugs that turn users violent. One false move could end his life as he immerses himself into a motorcycle gang to locate the source. His fate depends on how well he can impersonate someone else. Someone named Cyrus Cooper. 
Cyrus is everything Bo Schollenberger isn’t, including the badass enforcer for a smuggling ring. He establishes pecking order with his fists and doesn’t take shit from anybody, not even the undercover agent who comes to help his case.

When survival depends on a web of tangled lies, lines blur, worlds collide, and a high stakes game turns friend to foe. Lucky knows the difference between Bo the agent and Cyrus the outlaw, but does Bo?

Get your copy today at Audible. 

Saturday, May 11, 2019

What I'm Reading: Bone to Pick by T.A. Moore

Although I don't personally know T.A. Moore (I think we might have met briefly at a convention once), she has crafted a book that could have been taken from my perfect book wish list: Bone to Pick

Well written? Check
Well researched? Check
Gritty story? Check
Lots of action? Check
Complex characters? Check
Moments of comedy mixed in to ease the "twisting the knife*" factor? Check
Great secondary characters? Check
Character with average looks and not an Adonis? Check (non-GQ models need love too).
Realism? Check
Case wrapped up in a way that didn't require whiskey therapy? Check
Great, understandable tension between two main characters? Check, check, check

Bourneville the dog was pure bonus.

While I like romance, it's not a necessity to a story for my enjoyment. Not every relationship starts with hearts and flowers. That the two men care about each other is enough for me. I'm hoping that aspect continues into the next book, and grows there.

In that way this book reminds me of the Adrien English series by Josh Lanyon. Fantastic story, lots of believable action, and two protagonists who have their own issues to deal with before they can grow close. (Hmmm... Did I read the last book in the series? I can't remember how that all worked out *runs to check* Nope. Gotta get on that.)

Anyway, I digress. Sorry. Those who know me know to expect that. Oh! Squirrel! Bone to Pick is packed with action and I may have alienated my family while listening to this audio book.

Family outing: me in headphones.
Anyone trying to speak to me at home: me in headphones.
In my car: story playing through speakers.
Any moment I could get, no matter how brief:: me in headphones.

Sadly, I don't have time to read, so rely on audio books to get my fiction fix. Does anyone know when the second installment is due to hit Audible? Despite my recent bad behavior by devoting every waking moment to listening to this book, my loving family still gave me Audible credits for Mother's Day.

Highly recommended. I'd never read anything by Moore two months ago, now I'm a huge fan.

If your reading wish list resembles mine, read this book.  Loved it, loved it, loved it.

*Twisting the knife factor: When the angst begins and escalates on every page, twisting the knife tighter and tighter without a single moment of relief.