3/30/2013

On Writing: Sylvia Plath



Do you ever feel like there's nothing left to say? Like it's all been said and done before? Doubt is one of those things that keeps us from pursuing our dreams, and valuing our creativity as we ought. Many times a reader tells me how they love something I've written and it strikes me anew that hey, I wrote that. I think the doubt is one of the things that helps us to perfect our work.  

When doubt strikes me, I switch on the Tom Petty and let music soothe my soul. 

How do you deal with doubt? 

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3/29/2013

New Excerpt for Upcoming Release: Setting the Trap


Setting the Trap 

Coming April 12 from 

Breathless Press 


"I’m not the kind of guy who lets someone else control my life, Jesse."

EXCERPT 
In between selecting essays, poems, short stories and novels to drive his point home, he had begun preparations for a dinner that would be easy on Drake's stomach and filling. The home made chicken noodle soup simmered on a back burner, and Jesse sat peeling apples into lemon water for a fresh apple crisp. Served with ice cream it would be the perfect dessert.
"I thought you were making a chocolate pie?" Jay slung two grey plastic bags from the grocery store onto the counter.
Frowning, Jesse dropped his apple into the water bowl and began to unpack the bags. "It's too rich; it'll upset his stomach with the drugs, won't it? Why didn't you use the recyclable bags?" They had a stack of environmentally approved re-usable grocery bags in both cars.
"Didn't have the jeep. I had to take what they had. Just use them to reline the trash cans." Jay leaned over the counter and kissed Jesse softly. "Missed you. How is he?"
Flicking a glance at Drake, who hadn't stirred for at least half an hour, Jesse pulled Jay back for a deeper kiss. "Mmm. I think he's okay. He's just been out of it all afternoon."
Jay's thin fingers curled around Jesse's jaw and his sweet breath just hinted at the acrid taste of tobacco as it rushed over Jesse's mouth. "The codeine might make him queasy. Chicken soup was a good meal plan."
Jesse stared into his brother's blue eyes, so pale and intense. "You were worried about him and me here alone?"
Color rushed into Jay's cheeks and he ducked his head. "No. I... Jesse, I have to tell you something."
Puzzled, Jesse pulled his chin from Jay's hand and seated himself on a stool. "Okay. Do you mind if I peel while you tell me? I'd like to get this baked and cooled for dinner."
Jay nudged aside one of the stools to make room at the counter then leaned to the center to draw another paring knife from the butcher block. "I'll help. I could use something to do."
He resisted the urge to protest. Jay wasn't inept in the kitchen, Jesse was just a little bit of a perfectionist. "How about you peel and I'll slice? Try not to peel too much fruit with the skin, okay?" That way he could control the size of the slices and... "Shit. I'm sorry. I'm such a control freak sometimes. The crisp will cook more evenly if the slices are all the same thickness, Jay. That's all."
Startled blue eyes met his. "Huh? I didn't say anything. I'm happy to peel." And Jay began peeling, long thin ribbons of pale green apple skin coiling around his fingers to fall to the table. Jesse watched those strong hands, their nimble movements sure and unconsciously sensual. He shook off the allure and picked up the apple he'd peeled right before Jay arrived. He sliced it into neat, even pieces for the filling.
"You said you wanted to talk?" He prodded when Jay sat concentrating on his apple peeling.
"Drake came to see me for lunch today." The fine fingers trembled a little, slowed in their motions.
Some odd note in Jay's voice brought Jesse's gaze to his face instead of his hands. His twin's cheeks were flushed, his eyes downcast. He swallowed hard, and Jesse thought it must have been a painful gesture, because his lips tightened and thinned.
"I know, I told him to, remember?"
"He brought me Indian food." The splash of the apple Jay had peeled landing in the bowl of ice water followed the moody comment.
Jesse paused in his slicing. "You like Indian food." Why did it matter?
"Yeah. We didn't eat it."
Indignation on Drake's behalf sparked. "Jay! When a man goes to all the trouble—"
"Because we were too busy fucking like bunnies in the supply closet." Jay threw the knife on the table and Jesse couldn't guess what it cost his brother to meet his eyes at that moment.

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3/28/2013


Freebie Read...Harlan's Ryde


Free at Amazon from now until Saturday, March 30th...

The 1st of the Synchronous Seductions Series...never before offered as a free read...snag a copy today! :)

Ryder made a mistake Harlan can't forgive. Will Ryder cross a line no man should cross to obtain a second chance?

Ryder Halloway made a life changing decision about his relationship with Harlan when he was young and stupid. Thanks to one rash moment, he lost it all. He lost the only man he would ever love, his drive to even try to finish college and his zest for life.

Seven years later finds him in front of Harlan's house preparing to take back what he lost with a vengeance. He's prepared to use all the tricks in his arsenal to plow through every wall, protest and excuse Harlan might come up with.

Of course, he never expected Harlan to put him in the hospital...

Harlan Mychels had his heart broken in college by the popular Ryder. He learned his lesson about love and since then hasn't allowed anyone even remotely close to his heart. Then one morning he turns and sees the one person able to tear his walls down and destroy what is left of it.

He uses every defensive tactic in his possession to keep Ryder at arm's length, but Ryder is persistent. Harlan's not sure if he can stay safe from heartache...and he starts wondering what the real heartache is – letting Ryder in again...or letting him go for good.

**This book was previously published in the Story Orgy anthology Word Play**








Havan's newest releases:
~ SALE on Pulp Friction titles at ARe
~Wish Me Nothing – Finding out genies exist...bad. Finding out your boyfriend of over a year is a Djin, and wanted by other Djins...worse. Available at AReAmazon & B&N

Freebie Alert!


Honey House by Laura Harner is FREE at Amazon 3/28 to 4/1!

Former con artist Katherine "KC" Carmichael inherits the Honey House, a Bed and Breakfast located in the tiny town of Juniper Springs, AZ, a hot bed of the paranormal tourism industry. It doesn't take her long to discover that both the town and the House are keeping secrets. The town entices thrill-seekers with special photo-safaris at "The Way They Were" Ranch, to take advantage of the rumors that werewolves have been spotted in the area.

KC realizes something doesn’t add up when the local sheriff throws her in jail for breaking the town’s full moon curfew. She soon discovers werewolves and witches are real, and she wonders what other fairy tales might be waiting to come to life. With multiple murders and men to distract her, KC needs to discover her own hidden magick in order to survive.
Free at Amazon

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Crawl in Bed With Elodie Parks

Crawling Into Bed With

Elodie Parkes


And a Good Book

Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton? 
Cotton definitely, I find white cool cotton sheets very sexy
What are you wearing? Depends on who I'm with and the time of day, so maybe a T-shirt and boy shorts


What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight?
raspberries


If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find? 
eye drops, an iPad, kleenex

Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?

I use a 'duvet' or quilt so no blankets and it kinda just moves with me

Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up?
Yes

What are we reading?

The Horoscope Writer

A love at first sight story. Two people hungry for love.
Something draws Cassie to Dominic and it's not just that he's gorgeous.
Dominic struggles with a secret and the intoxicating degree of his love for Cassie.
A winter warmer. 
A delicious love story with a twist.

Cassie and Dominic's love is written in the stars.



Excerpt
Her hands felt cool on him, and he was still thrusting his hips, as he moved his fingers in her. Cassie was close to coming and she kissed Dominic shaking a little against his lips.
“Dominic I’m going to---”. He knew, and he decided to give her that first.
He kissed her tenderly and moved his thumb over her bud, his fingers deep inside her. “Cassie I know, let go, do it”, he whispered, and left his lips soft against her mouth as she moaned and thrust on his fingers coming. It seemed to last a long time and Dominic liked that. He looked at her with love as she finally opened her eyes and smiled a little at him.
He wanted to be inside her and he reached over her to the drawer in the bedside table to find a condom. He couldn’t find one, and because he was kissing Cassie as she stroked his erection, he stopped kissing her to look into the drawer.
Cassie took the opportunity to move down his body and take him into her mouth. She felt his intake of breath as she did it and held his hips still before moving a hand to hold him low on his shaft and suck him.
Dominic let the feeling of complete pleasure soothe his worry about not finding a condom. He held Cassie’s head gently with his hands in her hair. As he looked down at her, Cassie shifted her body and moved her leg over his so that he could feel her entrance wet against the top of his shin. Her hair fell over his lower stomach. She was doing amazing things with her tongue and his gaze fell on the lovely curve of her bottom and length of her satiny thighs.
Dominic felt his orgasm rise up from his thighs as Cassie’s hair feathered across them. The sensation rippled up him all the way to his lips and he groaned. Cassie kept him in her mouth until she knew he had completely finished.
She had never known quite what to do with the mouthful of seed and this seemed like such a lot. Without thinking too much about it she swallowed and then kissed up his stomach and chest until she nuzzled against his throat.
Dominic could feel her moving gently against his thigh and sighed at the pleasure it gave him to feel her damp entrance on his skin.
“Cassie”, he whispered, as she sucked a little at the base of his throat.

You can find Elodie at





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3/27/2013

Recipe Theme of the Month: Favorite Winter Dishes

Cheesy Grits Casserole 

This simple dish makes an excellent side for pork, chicken, or ham. It's a great breakfast addition, and also goes well with dinner.

Ingredients
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking grits
2 cups shredded cheese (use cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, whatever you fancy)
1/4 cup melted butter
2 beaten eggs
Directions:
1.       Heat water and salt to boiling.
2.       Gradually add grits and return to boiling.
3.       Reduce heat.
4.       Simmer uncovered, stirring for 5 minutes.
5.       Remove from heat and allow to cool, slightly.
6.       Add cheese, butter and eggs, mix well to ensure all of the grits are incorporated.
7.       Bake at 350 degrees until a light golden brown, about 50 minutes.

Voila! Spice it up with green chilis, corn, bacon bits, diced ham or onion, really, anything you fancy can lend variety to this simple, tasty dish. 




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3/26/2013

Don't Miss This! The Blog of Sid Love




Don't Miss This: The Blog of Sid Love


This shiny new blog features m/m reviews, contests, new releases and glimpses of what's coming soon in the world of m/m romance. Add it to your resources today! 



Additionally, check out the new Facebook page, GLBT Romance Books for hot m/m and f/f reads! 


Don't Miss This has its own page where we try to share and support one another's efforts. There is so much negativity in the publishing world that sometimes it overshadows just how awesome the majority of authors, publishers, and reviewers really are. Join in our fun every Sunday as we share what we found to admire in the industry this week. 

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Writing Help

Sometimes, I just need a little boost to get me going and keep me on track. 

Sadly, this one didn't work, though I did spend ten minutes jotting down notes for a short story he inspired. 

Perhaps he'd be of more help to you? 




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3/25/2013

Top Five Foreigner Songs To Inspire Writers


Once again, restricting myself to only five was difficult, but these songs inspire me whether I'm already working through a scene or driving around running errands. 


1.  Cold As Ice ( I find this one particularly appropriate today, as I'm buried under yesterday's snowfall.)
2.  Feels Like the First Time
3.  Hot Blooded (You know, it makes certain scenes flow a lot faster...)
4.  I Want to Know What Love Is (Well, isn't that the plot of almost all romance novels? )
5. Blue Morning, Blue Day 







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3/24/2013

Spring Sale at All Romance!







And on Caturday Ye Shall...


5 Rules for Caturday

1. Feed the cat at 5 am. 
2. Open the window next to your computer, even though it's snowing.
3. Scratch the cat's spine...directly above the tail until a gentle nip lets you know its time to stop. 
4. The cat shall sleep on the keyboard, or the wireless router, or wherever the cat chooses. 
5. The cat is the boss. 

Sometimes I forget that the cat is mistress of my house. She's taken to nipping my fingers if I don't move quickly enough to accomplish her will. 


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RISKING IT ALL

Breathless Press All Romance eBooks Amazon Bookstrand Barnes and Noble
 

After nearly a year, Bastian Grey is growing discontent with the lack of intimacy in his relationship with Rick Claremont. Can an adopted cat be the key to a real relationship?

Be Yourself

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955
The Romance Reviews