Reading +Chai + Excerpt = Must be the Christmas Season!

I had the most lovely beginning to the weekend last night, leading into this morning. Lounging around at a friend's house is definitely something to pleasurable. Lounging around with books and Chai tea is awesome. The promise of pancakes cooked for me this morning was awesome beyond words!

My book pile now extends to half a dozen books that I am part the way through, though I know the ones I'll put on the back burner are the ones that are already mine. So far, I must say, I am really enjoying the summer here in Australia. It always means I get more reading done.

As promised from last week, I have a short excerpt from my current untitled work that I would like to share with you. Though I see I am not the first to put some pretty m/m fiction up on the blog. *smiles*

*

‘You really shouldn’t stare like that,’ Shaun murmured. He hid behind another sip of scotch, not sure that he really wanted to assert himself over this.

‘What?’ Adrian’s voice was deep. There was a half smile on his face, though Shaun couldn’t tell if it was friendly or mocking. Adrian’s half closed eyelids hid half of the expression from there. ‘Does it bother you?’

Shaun would have said no, but that would have negated the objection. Instead, he wasn’t quite sure what to say. The alcohol in his system was making his thoughts run slower. ‘I’m not—’ he started.

‘Wouldn’t bother me if you were.’

Whatever Shaun had been about to say, Adrian finished it for him, before smoothly crossing to Shaun’s side again. Shaun realized with a start that Adrian was talking about the idea of Shaun being gay not bothering him. His heartbeat sped up at Adrian’s close proximity, but before Shaun could speak again, Adrian’s sonorous voice drew him in.

‘Your hair really will look good when it’s long enough to tie back.’

Shaun carefully didn’t move, either towards Adrian, or away, too conscious that either one could insinuate more than he was meaning. He said the first thing that came to his head. ‘I find women attractive.’

'So do I,’ Adrian answered.

That confused Shaun. ‘Then why…?’

Adrian looked down at Shaun. His gaze trailed down past Shaun’s eyes, his high cheekbones, straight nose and full lips, which parted as soon as Adrian’s gaze landed on them. Adrian imagined himself kissing those lips, and found himself very well pleasured by the idea. ‘Why not have both?’ he asked in a low, teasing tone. His eyes rose again back to Shaun’s, and he said, ‘I’m greedy.’

Shaun swallowed, feeling the tightness there, but more worrying, the tightness that had started lower down in his body. There was no mistaking Adrian’s meaning now. He felt thoroughly strapped for words.

‘Um…’ He swallowed again, and now there was no mistaking the smile on Adrian’s lips. If there was mockery there, it was directed at Shaun, except now, the smile on the older boy’s face seemed more… tender.

Adrian stepped away, and Shaun immediately felt a sense of loss that he couldn’t have begun to put into words. The heaviness of the exhaled breath he took told him how long he’d been holding onto his breath with Adrian so close.

‘I have other DVDs we can watch, now that the television is no longer so accommodating.’

Shaun had no idea how Adrian went back to ordinary world again so quickly. He could still feel his heart pounding in his chest in a way that Jacinta or none of the girls Adrian had pushed him towards had caused. Adrian seemed, as ever, cool and unaffected by the world going on around him. Shaun wished he knew his secret.

Now, however, Adrian was looking at him expectantly. On the television behind him, Basic Instinct had changed to the six o’clock news, and Shaun had to make some approximation of acting normal, since that was apparently the game for now.

‘Sure. I can choose something.’ He turned towards the bookshelf against the wall and moved closer so that he would be able to read the titles.

Adrian watched the younger boy with fondness Shaun didn’t see as he fingered slowly through the few shelves of DVDs on offer. Shaun wasn’t the only one with a slight bulge in his pants, though Adrian hid it better.

In his estimation, the afternoon had gone quite well.

Hi again!

This lovely cover, which looks just like an old photo of my husband's grandmother outside her house is the copyright of Severn House.

I am pleased to say that I have remembered today is Friday and Friday is my day to blog here. Regrettably, I forgot last week and I am sorry about that. Sometimes the work just piles up on top of me and I do forget the days, let alone what I am supposed to be doing!

Today I want to tell you about the book from Severn House coming out in January 2008. It is called Love Is Not Enough and is an Anne Herries saga. It takes place just before the first world war and tells the story of sisters and the man they both love. Marianne is engaged to him but jilts him in a fit of temper. Troy is not the kind of man to come crawling back, and even though Marianne later tries to make up their quarrel he is not interested. Instead he turns his attention to Sarah, Marianne's younger sister, who has always loved him. However, Sarah's father is afraid of scandal and refuses to listen to them. Now the war intervenes and Sarah is swept up in a drama that will bring both pain and lasting hurt. Is she strong enough to overcome what for many would be an overwhelming obstacle?

This story is the first of a trilogy and the second book is already written and has just been sent into the publisher. I now have to write the second book in a Regency trilogy for HMB. I also have some edits coming up and Christmas is nearly here, though I am happy to say that I have done all my presents. I like to be well ahead so that I can settle down and enjoy the festive season.

I want to congratulate my fellow authors on their blogs. I find them interesting to read and I hope others will too. Next week I will tell you about one of my ebook publishers - unless I do something about Christmas. It is nearly here and I love the excitement and the way everyone wishes each other A Happy Christmas. Maybe I'll do something different next week!

If anyone would like to read a Christmas Robin there is a lovely Regency tale on UK Historical romance. I shall be writing the last part nearer Christmas. Best wishes to you all, Linda

A Recent Interview

By Pat Cromwell

I was recently interviewed for the Amira Press Newsletter, November 2007 issue. I thought I’d share a sampling of questions and my response with you as a way to get to know me a little better:

Tell us a little bit about your current Amira Press release Behind Blue Eyes.
Behind Blue Eyes is the story of Michael O’Neal and Seine Simmons. It’s a love story and like all romances, there is always at least one obstacle that stands in their way. While outside influences threaten them, the biggest challenge they face as a couple is their failure to communicate properly with each other.

How did you come up with the idea for Behind Blue Eyes?
Behind Blue Eyes went through a lot of changes before I came up with the final version that I submitted to Amira Press. I suppose the biggest influence is the song Behind Blue Eyes as sung by Limp Bizkit and that killer video with Halle Berry and Sexy Fred Durst (IMO – smile).

What is a typical day like for Pat?
Stressfull! I thought life was tough when my kids were younger, but these days are far busier. I don’t seem to have enough hours in the day to get everything done. Outside of my regular nine to five, I do bookkeeping for a couple little business in Indy, and I write Database Programs and Application. So far, that has been very lucrative and I am developing a nice little referral service thanks to the handful of companies that I have wrote applications for. My leisure time is stretched between writing, reading, and checking out tapes of my favorite soaps!

You spend a lot of time supporting your fellow authors, and reading many different books. What are your favorite genre’s to read?
My all time favorite genre is of course contemporary Interracial Romance. Although after reading a book by Shara Azod, I think I’ll have to take a look at historicals a little more closely. I like a story with heart and underlying messages. A good book to me is one where once it is finish the characters linger on in my mind. Next on my list of favorites are thiller / suspense romance. I am a serious Sandra Brown and Anne Stuart fan.

Do you have a favorite genre to write?
Interracial Romance. I find it easier to write what I know (lol), to celebrate the challenges that IR couples face and to dispel some of the misconceptions that are too often touted in some IR books. IR couples do not spend morning, noon, and night obsessing over societies perception of them, but instead spend time doing the same thing that same race couples do.

Do you have any idols or people that are heroes to you?
My heroes are usually always the underdog. That is, people who are able to rise above their circumstances and to meet challenges in life. There is this trail in Indianapolis called the Monon Trail for walkers and bikers. I met a very special guy there one Saturday. We were park side by side and as I changed into my running shoes I kind of froze as I watched him do the same, replace his regular shoes with running shoes. I was in awe of him as he laced them because (and this is what made him a hero in my eyes) he had one arm. IMO people like that deserve admiration and are the real heroes. He’s a winner because he didn’t give up and he met one of his many challenges in life. I am honored to know him.

If you could have any super power, what would it be and how would you use it?
Okay at the risk of sounding like PollyAnna, I’d like the power to heal people of those disease that scientist claim there are no cure for. You know, Cancer, AIDS, Heart Disease, etc. And I would heal people of their craving and addictions to illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.

Can you share with your readers a little bit about what makes you unique as an author?
This is a tough one because we writers are all unique with what we do. For the most part the themes are pretty much the same - we just arrange the words differently and develop our own style. It’s that style that draws a reader time and time again to a particular writer. I do categorize certain unique styles. My favorite is the writer whose main emphasis is the hero and taking him from a very bad guy with issue’s to that of hero in the eyes of the only woman that counts – the heroine. I suppose that if I belonged to a "Unique Style" than that would be it. I don’t think very many women would find Michael to be all that great of a catch. But then he doesn’t care what other women think, only one – his Seine.

If you could be any one of your characters, who would it be and why?
This is my favorite question and the answer is definitely Lynda from Behind Blue Eyes. Actually, I really am a lot like her in real life. I am the goto friend and I am definitely all five of my sister’s goto sister!

Do you believe in love at first sight?
I do believe without a doubt, absolutely, positively yes in love at first site. I believe it personally, and imaginatively in the stories I write and the one’s that I read.

Where can readers learn more about you?
I have a website that is for the most part complete. There isn’t very much personal information on it, but I do have an excerpt for Behind Blue Eyes and several other books that I have penned and am in the process of completing. I have an IR Listing that is very important to me. It’s a list of recently release books with an interracial / multicultural relationship. Many sites do not list IR’s as IR’s so many of the books are not easily found by fans of the genre, thus my reasoning for creating the list. It’s just another tool for our reader’s to utilize.

Website: Pat Cromwell Romance To Tease The Soul is: http://www.freewebs.com/patcromwell/

YouTube book trailer for Behind Blue Eyes can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgnV3uXKwmM

Happy Reading

RWA Online Christmas Party Chat Invite!

Get into the Christmas Party Mood because RWA Online wants you! Put on some Christmas music to add to the ambiance and join the members of RWA Online on Friday, December 14th from 9pm EST to 11pm EST for lots of holiday cheer! We will have cyber treats and drinks to offer as well.It's not hard to find us, Holiday Tinkerbell will take you to the chat room with her Pixie dust when you click onto her picture!
Me and my other Christmas Elves will have lots of Christmas prizes, so don't miss out! You never know what we'll draw out of our magic bags!
Here are the invitation details once more!
When: Friday, December 14, 2007!
What Time: 9pm to 11pm EST!
Where: RWA Online Public Chat Room, click Christmas Tinkerbell to be taken to the chat room!



Who will be there: Members of RWA Online, and YOU our guests from outside of the chapter!

We hope to see you there!
~Marly and the rest of the RWA Online Christmas Elves.

Another Drive-By

Sorry to keep doing this to ya'll, but just three more days and I'll be done with finals, thank goodness!

Here's an excerpt from Leading Her to Heaven, which is being released in ebook this Friday, and in print March 15, 2008.

Blair Ruthven was experiencing something strange -- for him. He was nervous. Over a woman, of all things. Nerves before going into battle would be understandable, though Blair himself never had them, but nerves over a woman? It was downright embarrassing.

He paced the length of the great hall, back and forth, back and forth, like a caged beast. He hadn't bothered to unhook his sporran or his broadsword when he'd returned, and the accessories smacked against his thigh now as he stalked to and fro. The bright reds and greens of his mantle were a contrast to his tawny, sun-weathered skin, aqua-blue eyes, and unruly, brown hair. Four tight braids framed his strong, masculine face, while the rest of his long mane was left free, hanging down his back to just below his shoulder blades.

It had been three months since he'd signed the marriage contract, but the entire thing had seemed rather surreal to him until this morning, when the messenger had arrived with word that his bride to be would be leaving her father's estate and heading north within the week.

Blair had sent back that he would meet her in Edinburgh and accompany her the rest of the way to Perthshire, his family seat and her new home. Things were quiet for once; a begrudging peace of sorts had been reached between his clan and the Murrays to the south. And the Robertsons to the north were too damn scared of him to try anything foolish while he was gone. He could always send someone to meet his fiancée on his behalf - his brother, perhaps - but he preferred to go himself.

"I wager she's fat an' ugly," his younger brother announced, interrupting Blair's internal monologue. He was sitting at the end of the long dining table, one booted foot propped irreverently on the tabletop, a clay stein in his fist. "All English wenches are."

Blair sighed and ran a hand across the stubble of his beard. "I was promised she is'na fat."

Indeed, the messenger from the English king had come bearing a small portrait of the girl and, if the painting was accurate, she was the farthest thing from fat and ugly the Scottish Laird had ever seen. But he'd also heard stories of the king's crafty use of deception and trickery to get what he wanted. Still, he'd kept the tiny portrait; it sat in his bedchamber now. He hadn't shown it to anyone else, especially not his brother. For some reason, he didn't want any other man to see her.

"Granted," his brother continued as if he hadn't spoken, "I do no mind some fat on my wenches, but for Henry not to want her, she must be dumpy in all the wrong places."

"Ceallach!" Blair exclaimed, using his brother's Gaelic name, as he often did when he was annoyed with him. Which was most of the time. "Ye speak of my future wife!"

"Aye, and it would'na do for ye to get yer hopes up, bràthair." Kelly took another swig of whiskey. "Why did ye ever agree to this?"

Blair sighed. He was tempted to grab the whiskey from his brother's hand and down it himself. Getting good and drunk, that would solve his problems. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been truly intoxicated. He wasn't sure, honestly, why he'd signed the marriage contract. James had been in favor of the match, but would not have forced him into it had he put up a fight, and Blair knew it. "The King thinks it will be good for Scotland," he said finally, the excuse sounding hollow even to his own ears. Good for Scotland -- right. When had a Ruthven ever given a damn about that?

"Aye, an' a nightmare for ye. Fat an' ugly, bràthair, mark my words."

Exerpt of WIP titled Doomed to Be Charmed, 18+ only please...

This is an unedited exerpt.

Doomed to Be Charmed (18 and up only, this is a m/m paranormal erotic romance)

***Note: A little background. Kyle Morgan comes from a family of witches. He was raised by his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother along with his eleven older sisters. He’s the baby of the family. He’s also gay. His special gift is the ability to open doorways into other dimensions and worlds, but he has been taught not to use his ability because there is always the danger of allowing something evil into the earth realm. However, when he begins being contacted in his dreams by two very hot twins who claim he is their mate, and they ask him to open a dimensional gate, Kyle is torn between wanting the two handsome shape shifters, and his duty to protect his family and his world.***

Kyle Morgan turned and shifted in his sleep colliding with the teddy bear his five-year-old niece had left behind when she visited earlier that day.

His breathing caught as he was drawn into the dream again. He found himself standing in a shadowed forest glade beneath the light of a full moon. A set of familiar masculine voices entered his mind.

We need you! Open the door between our worlds so we can come to you.

Two men stood before Kyle beautiful in a way that was somehow alien. Obviously twins, they had matching sets of long ebony hair that reached their butts and that they tied back loosely with leather thongs. He thought it was sexy as hell. As usual they were naked as the day they were born, the tan skin covering defined muscles, but of the type from hard labor rather than the gym. They had brown eyes that could flash to amber in a heartbeat.

What do you want? Kyle sent the thought to them not venturing any closer. As attractive as they were, there was something dangerous about the two, and some inner voice kept him from going to them as it always did.

You know. This time the one called Tyrel answered. His mental voice was slightly huskier than his twin’s.

No. I don’t. Kyle stated emphatically, stubbornly resisting their pleas. He was pretty sure he did know what they wanted, but as attracted as he was to them, he wasn’t giving in.

Kyle watched as the two men exchanged looks silently conferring.

Baby… Tyber coaxed, taking a step closer and holding out his hand to Kyle.

No! Kyle sent the shout while stamping one foot angrily. Why won’t you just go away and leave me alone. Find somebody else to open the damned door. I…I can’t. He ended on a near sob.

Tyber’s hand dropped and Kyle could swear he heard Tyrel sigh deeply.

Distracted Kyle found himself ensnared by Tyrel’s deep brown gaze. Sweetie, you have nothing to be afraid of. We would never, could never hurt you, or those you love.

How do I know that? Kyle was getting mad again. They always did this, ganged up on him, called him by those ridiculous girly endearments. Tried to get him to do what they wanted. You two could be anybody, rapists, murderers. I’ll…I’ll bet you don’t even really look like this! Kyle gestured wildly at both men.

Even as he said it he knew it was at least partially true, but he also knew it was partially not. It was one of the reasons he’d been reluctant to let the pair very close to him. As usual this drew mental snickers from the other men. However, this time the dream changed significantly from what it had been the other times he’d traveled to this place.

Before he could protest, or try to force himself to wake up Kyle found himself sandwiched between the larger twins. At five foot nine, he was no match for the men who were half a foot taller than him, and carrying nearly twice his muscle mass. But that didn’t stop him from trying.

Hey, hey! Back off! He shoved against Tyrel’s chest with his hands, but only succeeded in pushing himself back into Tyber. They just moved in even closer, trapping him between their larger masculine bodies.

Kyle panicked, and mewling sounds began coming from him as he went into fight or flight mode. He hit, tried to use his nails to scratch, and kicked out at them with his legs. He was crying and didn’t even realize it. When he finally wore himself out, he could hear them both crooning to him in his mind.

Shh, shhh little mate. No one is going to hurt you or force you to do anything you don’t want to. Their mental voices blended together and it was the strangeness of this that finally got through to him.

Let me go!

However, instead of doing what he wanted he felt two sets of arms surround him.

We’re not going to hurt you Kyle. Tyrel murmured again, stroking one hand through his much shorter hair. Then he did something that totally shocked Kyle, he pulled on his hair, tugging his head back and captured his lips. Seconds later Kyle felt the gentle glide of Tyrel’s tongue silently asking for entrance. When he didn’t immediately open his mouth, Kyle felt Tyrel slide his tongue into the crease of his lips. Let me in mate, I must taste you.

The voice was almost begging and Kyle knew that this was not something this man did easily. Even though he was still afraid he relaxed his guard slightly, and tentatively opened his lips. The twins were so hot, it was difficult to resist.


© 2007 by Regina Paul. All Rights Reserved.

Christmas Grows Near

Well, Christmas is right around the corner and I haven't digested my Thanksgiving dinner yet. I feel sort of like a Grumpy Grinch at present but I'll get in the mood soon and put up the tree and turn on a light or two. I do like shopping for my six year old niece, Madeline, who wants to grow up to be a princess. Don't all six year old girls want to dress up in party dresses and pretend?

The Violin should be released very soon from Amira Press. The proof reader is giving it a go right now. I'll be having a little contest with some very nice prizes ao I hope you'll check out my website at www.sarahmcneal.com and enter. I'll be putting up an excerpt and the contest in the next day or two at my site so keep in touch.
I hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season and staying safe. Drive carefully and lock your doors.
All good things to your corner of the universe,
Sarah McNeal