8/28/2014

50% Off @Breathless Press #mmromance #birthday #discount





Just a final notice that the Breathless Press Birthday Month Sale is coming to a close. 

For just a few more days, you can save 50% on all purchases (except paperbacks) made on their website. 

Sale ends August 31, 2014.

I have twenty or so stories over there, and all of them are on sale. Some for as little as $1. 








8/27/2014

Beat the Heat #mmromance #FREE

Always complaining about the weather aren't I? Just wait till the snow falls again! 

Just in case in your neck of the woods, like here, it's to effing hot to do anything outside, 

Here's a little Hump Day pick up 


Click on over to 


and get your copy today. 

Five Articles & One Meme(y) Type Thing For Writers Interested in Improving Their Self-Editing Skills #writerstuff #selfedit


Editing. E.D.I.T.I.N.G.

We all have to do it. I've even heard there are some out there who enjoy it. I don't. Enjoy  it, that is. I do it. I try not to complain too much about it, but the fact of the matter is, I'm not all that good at it.

Most publishers however require that you self-edit to a certain degree before you submit. If you self-publish, then you have to self-edit even more rigorously. Yes, you can pay for editing services, and I do, but...

I'm always looking for ways to make it easier, or quick tips to improve what I'm sending to my editor. Hours upon hours of reading and rereading in the hopes of finding a flaw aren't effective for me. I find that if I search for specific errors, I do a lot better.

For instance, I always do a search for the word "form". I do that because I have some weird typing dyslexia thing and almost always type "form" when I mean "from". Then I do the same thing for the word by. Not because I misspell it perpetually, but because I use it a lot and I know its a key sign of passive voice. (Learned that one in high school. One of the few things I never forgot. lol)

Each weekend, after I've spent my week pouring forth words onto the page, I search Google for articles and advice on self editing. This week, I found a few articles, and yes, a lot of their advice is repeated, that were quite helpful.

In no particular order: 

Promised Meme
Download at http://thewritelife.com/25-editing-tips-checklist-form/

25 Steps to Edit the Unmerciful Suck Out of Your Story (If you only have time to read one article this week? Make it this one. It's a riot - but full of truth.)





Not all of these are by writers, for writers. Some of them aren't even geared for fiction. But I found something useful in each one, and hope you do too. 

8/26/2014

Welcome Angel Martinez #mmromance #serioustopics


Hi, Lee and thanks for having me! I’ve probably written as many humorous stories as I have serious, and even the more serious stories usually have lighter moments.

Restoration is not a funny story. It’s not in any way a funny subject. But talking about male rape can be tricky since it’s one of the most under-reported crimes in the US. We’re not comfortable talking about it and so the myths people have spouted for years are perpetuated. In perpetuating the myths, we minimize the seriousness of the crime and often the credibility of the victim while we also minimize the responsibility of the rapist.

I wrote this story, originally titled Aftermath as a reaction to one of these myths being spouted on the radio. This is not a story about rape – it’s a story about a survivor and his partner and how they put the pieces back together. All cases of rape, male or female, have myths attached to them, but there are some myths specific to male rape.

The biggest one? It’s one I’m surprised to still be hearing, but it’s still out there:

Myth – Men can’t be raped.

Of course they can. A man’s strength, his appearance, and his sexuality have nothing to do with it. It has nothing to do with engaging in behaviors or dressing in a way that “asked for it.” Rape, no matter the gender, is not a sexual crime. It’s a violent crime designed to exert power and control.

But male rape so often goes unreported because the victim blames himself. From the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault: “Another major concern facing male rape victims is society's belief that men should be able to protect themselves and, therefore, it is somehow their fault that they were raped.” This, coupled with the fear of dismissal and disbelief that many male victims experience contribute to non-reporting.

If you are a survivor, only you can make that decision. No one should try to compel you in either direction. If you do report, please take support with you—a friend, an advocate. Reach out. Don’t feel you have to get through this alone.

National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-HOPE


Restoration
by Angel Martinez
Mischief Corner Books
All Romance
Amazon

Victor and Cody have the American dream - a house, two cars, upwardly mobile income, and each other - but all is not well in paradise. Cody's trust in other people’s goodwill led to one recent assault. A few months later, a friend’s betrayal leads to another. Battered every waking moment by fear and shame, all his joyful creative energy transforms into brittle, aggressive lashing out.

Victor, wracked by guilt and shackled to a grueling, time-devouring career, must find a way to help Cody back from the darkness and to keep him safe from his self-destructive behavior. With the help of a common-sense therapist, some loyal friends and Cody's own impetuous nature, their recovery and their relationship might even stand a chance.

Please Note: This is a re-edited third edition with expanded content. (Formerly titled Aftermath)


About Angel:

Angel Martinez is the erotic fiction pen name of a writer of several genres who writes mainly Science Fiction and Fantasy with gay heroes. Currently living part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware, (and full time inside the author's head) Angel has one husband, one son, two cats, a changing variety of other furred and scaled companions, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate.

For more information on Angel’s work, please visit:

Website: Erotic Fiction for the Hungry Mind
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Angel.Martinez.author
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1010469.Angel_Martinez
Email: ravenesperanza@yahoo.com

8/24/2014

Dangerous Wish Blog Tour #giveaway #contest

My sincere apologies for missing this blog post. I think yahoo ate it. That seems to happen to a lot of my emails lately. Anyway, better late than never? Here goes:

Cover Artist: Posh Gosh
Publisher: Totally Bound
Blurb(s):
Love is a dangerous emotion that EMT Jared won’t risk. But it looks as though a sweet and sexy National Guardsman is about to make him wish for that—and much more.
EMT Jared Li loves his job, his friends and clubbing. There’s nothing like a night of fun getting glammed up, throwing on some heels and shaking his ass to the latest Britney tune. Life is all about having a good time with as many hot guys as possible.
Dan Harrison has been in the National Guard for about six months and out for not much longer than that. At twenty-two, he’s somewhat innocent, a little shy and not interested in meaningless hook-ups. One night at a karaoke bar changes everything for him when his fellow Guardsman Joseph introduces him to his friend Jared. Dan’s never met anyone like the luscious twink who’s filled with so much life and laughter.
A night of passion shakes them to their very cores. Jared really likes Dan, but doesn’t want to get caught up in any type of exclusive thing. Dan wishes there could be more between them, but is willing just to be friends in order to remain near the androgynous stunner.

Hanging out strictly as friends proves to be almost impossible for them both. Not only does Jared continuously lust after the muscular soldier, but he’s also falling for the caring and compassionate man. Dan’s every sex fantasy stars Jared in one of his daring club outfits, but his heart is what really matters and it’s already been lost to Jared.

A traumatic event breaks down the barriers between them and gives them the chance to be together the way they both want. But after Dan is called up by the Guard to assist at a natural disaster, the same bravery that Jared admires in Dan might be the final thing that separates them forever. 

Dangerous Wish Fact:  Fact #4 - EMT Jared Li loves karaoke, but can’t get the boring host to add Britney Spears’ Work Bitch on the system.


EXCERPT

“Sam, I swear to all that is holy, don’t you ever get shot again. I thought I was going to faint.”
Sam smiled at him feebly, the painkillers the hospital had given him likely making him a bit groggy.
“It wasn’t exactly on my list of things to do yesterday. Plus, nothing in the field could ever make you faint. That’s something I can always count on.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a whole helluva lot different when it’s someone you care about. Which reminds me, ahem… When were you planning on sharing with me that you and Laura were having the romance of the century, hmmm?”
Jared had waited for almost an hour to give Sam and Laura some time alone. It was much more than obvious the two were an item.
“Don’t get all butt hurt, Jared. We didn’t want to start announcing it everywhere until we were sure we were in it for the long haul.”
Jared’s gut clenched unexpectedly. He frowned, not sure why Dan’s smile and the way he’d looked at him when they’d made love the night before would suddenly pop into his mind.
Made love?
He shook his head, trying to avoid getting cranky. “So I guess this whole thing outed you guys?”
Sam gave a weak chuckle. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“And?”
“And what?”
Jared sighed in frustration. “And are we excited or what?”
A look passed over Sam’s face that reminded Jared of pure contentment. “Yeah. We are.”
Jared felt exposed, like someone had called ‘shenanigans’ on him. He decided he was cranky after all. One good fuck and a moony-eyed partner in love didn’t mean it was time for him to take a trip to the sentimental fairy.
I hardly even know the guy. And I don’t want to get all tied down into a situation anyway.
He was so distracted by his own internal arguing that he didn’t notice Sam was asking him something, until his partner poked at him with his finger.
“Huh?”
“You could at least pay attention to me when you come and visit. I know I’m not the most fascinating thing around, but man, you were nowhere near here just then.”
Jared winced. “Sorry. I’m a little tired, too much drinking and dancing last night.”
Among other things.
“Usual crowd?”
“For the most part.” He cleared his throat a bit too loudly.
Sam raised his eyebrows. “Oh really? Now things are getting interesting. Who is this guy?”
“No one. Wait, that came out wrong. He’s someone, but I mean, we’re not… It’s nothing like that.”
“Nothing like what?”
Sam’s tone was teasing the way it normally was when they baited each other, but Jared wasn’t taking it the way he normally did. He was irritated. He didn’t want anyone to talk about Dan as if he were some casual hook-up that didn’t mean anything.
Shit. Fuck.

Sales Links: Totally Bound    Amazon US     Amazon UK


Rafflecopter Prize: Signed copy of Dangerous Wish



THE SERIES 
Set Ablaze (Uniform Encounters 1)
Hunky fire chief Eric is out of the closet after twenty years of marriage. Can he find true love, or will a spate of arson fires destroy his chances with Tom, the sexy young firefighter?
Arresting Behaviour (Uniform Encounters 2)
Native American Quinn and Detective Jake come from two opposing worlds. But when opposites attract, the result is explosive.
Lust Emergency (Uniform Encounters 3)
The new ER doctor is smoking hot, and the exotic African American paramedic can't keep his eyes off of him. Tricky relationships and subterfuge at a Phoenix sex club almost drive a permanent wedge between the two, but a bombing at City Hall changes the endgame.
Guarded Desires (Uniform Encounters 4)
A sexy young National Guardsman, a snarky bear of a DEA Agent and a vicious Mexican drug cartel. Someone’s going to be sorry.
Secret Fire (Uniform Encounters 5)
Police officer Zach and Fire Marshal Daryl would be perfect together—if they would ever quit fighting long enough to find out. A devastating fire and the secret behind it almost keeps them from getting what they really need—each other.


Although part of a series, all installments can be read as standalones. For more information, visit Morticia Knight’s author page at Totally Bound: https://www.totallybound.com/author/morticia-knight#books

The Author 

M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy tale – after all, who doesn’t? Since she loves several genres, you may find your heroes in a contemporary, historical, paranormal or sci-fi setting. One of her passions is bringing people's fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor.
When not indulging in her obsession for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. The Pacific Northwest is the ideal spot to enjoy both hiking and beachcombing. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She now resides on the northern coast of Oregon, where the constant rain and fog remind her of visits to family in England and Scotland when she was a child.
She is currently working on a new series about men in uniform entitled Sin City Uniforms and a BDSM spin-off to the Gin & Jazz series entitled The Hampton Road Club.


Tour Dates/Stops:
August 13: The Hat Party
August 15: Tara Lain
August 19: Emotion in Motion
August 20: My Fiction Nook
August 22: Smoocher’s Voice
August 25: Amanda C. Stone
August 29:  Nephylim



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