#3 How to Be An Author: What Personal Information Do You Share?

I have some dirt to dish. Some secret details about me that may just shock you. Brace yourself. Ready? Need a fortifying sip of tequila?

Okay. Here goes.

Despite the fact that the very first question on my nearly three year old interview series, Crawl in Bed, is about the sheets…I don't actually care about the thread count of the cotton I sleep on. I don't use silk or satin sheets either, because my SO says they're too hot and make him sweat. I indulge him, because it doesn’t matter.
What does matter to me is towels.
Thick, absorbent, soft, huge, fluffy towels.
Towels are important. Sheets are not. (Just ask Ford Prefect)

When I first joined the literary online world, I thought I'd share some of who I was, connect with readers and other writers personally as well as professionally. Then, all kinds of epic shit storms started hitting the interwebs. I was aghast.

I couldn't believe my innocence, my naiveté. I found myself being stalked, more than once. Mea culpa. I deleted all personal data and information about myself from my profiles everywhere. My SO took one look at some of the crap I was dealing with and had a meltdown.

He didn't want any part of a fishbowl existence, even just as an ambiguous accessory, my E. So, we hammered out some guidelines, some rules, to protect our privacy as a family and our position in the community.

As an author, that's for you to decide. YOU get to figure out how much of your personal data you put out there. Some readers and bloggers will try to make you believe you owe them a photo of the inside of your underwear drawer because they bought your book. Ignore them.

They'll scream long and loud, but the fact of the matter is that they are a minute portion of your audience. Most of the world doesn’t really care what size shoes you wear or whether you prefer boxers over briefs. If you want to show off your neatly rolled socks and starched cotton boxers, go for it. If you don't, your choice.

Most of the people you meet online, or at conferences and signings, don't care about that. They just want you to write another book because that's what attracted them to you in the first place.

Just one caution, and this comes from my heart. People love reading good news, your new releases, your good reviews, your latest contracts signed…They LOVE to see that.

But there are things they aren't going to love.

If you're having a bad day, week, month or whatever, people are going to be sympathetic. Of course they are! But if all you're sharing is the misery…the agony…the failure of being a writer, don't be surprised if there's no jump in sales.

I have an online acquaintance who updates her newsfeed periodically with "no books sold this month" and all sorts of sighs and whimpers and poor me's. At first I tried to be encouraging, to say the sales will come, that she just had to be patient. Then when the woe is me story continued, I tuned her out. And most likely, so did her other prospective readers.

So there's my caution, the lesson I learned. Share as much or as little as you're comfortable with, but remember that there is truth in these two old adages:

Familiarity breeds contempt

You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

Up to the Minute Discount News!

Trick or Treat?

 Lots of great deals on my books this month! 

Check out these sale prices and fill in any gaps in your collection! 

At All Romance eBooks 

Chances Are                       99 cents at ARE

Harold's Haven                  2.99 (25% off ) at ARE

A Beautiful Silence          1.99 (50% off) at ARE

A Visit to His Tailor           1.00 (50% off) at ARE

A Debt of Honor: Collected          1.00 (50% off) at ARE

Engagement at the Theater        1.00 (50% off) at ARE

Randall's Romance                          2.99 (25% off) at ARE

 SMASHWORDS DEALS

Chances Are       $0.99 (~66% off) with code FM25N until 2013-10-22

Encounter           $0.99 (~66% off) WITH CODE AB98Q UNTIL 2013-10-31

WIP Wednesday : Gerard's Gamble

Still working my way through Gerard's Gamble, which is turning out to be more complicated than I thought it would be. Today I have just a small snippet, completely unedited, mind you. 

Gerard's Gamble excerpt

Copyright 2013 Lee Brazil

Weak winter light from the windows cast a halo of gold and fiery red highlights about the bent head, turning plain brown hair into a mystery of color, outlining lean features with shadows and highlights.

"Martin," he breathed softly.

The man at the desk looked up and his expression softened into a welcoming smile. Gerard's heart tripped, stilled and then resumed a hasty thump the made his breath catch in his throat. "Gerard, you are back sooner than I expected. How did your errand go?"

"Well, Perry as you say, caught on quickly to my ruse, and though I daresay he's got a dozen questions, I'm sure his agile mind filled in the blanks." He turned the key in the lock and began to cross the room, feeling his interest stir as Martin's blue eyes widened and his nostrils flared. "He'll be back this evening, as will the other boys, if I don't miss my guess. But…"

He paused at the edge of the desk, staring intently at Martin, taking in the beating pulse in his temple, the faint flush on his cheekbones. *Holding out a hand, he quirked a brow in inquiry. Martin slipped an ink-stained hand into his, and rose, a bemused expression on his face.

"Are you asking me to dance?" Gerard smiled at the gentle mockery.

"Something like that. We have unsettled business, you and I. Would you care to join me in a drink while we talk?" He tugged Martin out from behind the desk and over to the flickering fire.

"I…" Martin fumbled at his pocket and extracted a silver cheroot case. "I think I need a smoke."

The Behind Closed Doors Series is currently on sale at Evernight for 40% Off! 

Gerard's Gamble is the third of my contributions to the Behind Closed Doors Series I am writing in conjunction with Raven McAllan. 

Available at All Romance  for 25% off! 

Randall's Romance 

Cecelia's Claim

Harold's Haven 

Nash's Niche

Fabulous Review from Mrs. Condit's for Temptation!

I had the good fortune to be reviewed at Mrs. Condits, where Kym had the following to say about Temptation, my last m/m/m piece with Breathless Press.

“I’m pretty certain, “ the man chuckled, “That I would have been tempted to treat you badly myself if you’d spent our whole dance flirting with someone else over my shoulder.”
“I’m equally certain,” I licked my lips, “That if you were my dance partner, I would not be flirting with anyone else.”
GENRE: M/M/M, menage
RATING: 4 Sweet Peas!

BLURB: After a hot interlude at a holiday party, Lake Wynters and Solomon Arsdale exchange phone numbers but not promises. Lake is fine with that until something happens he’s never experienced. As days pass without Solomon calling, Lake discovers he just can’t forget the sexy older man. Giving in to temptation, he takes matters into his own hands and visits Solomon at his office, breaking his own dating rules.

"Lee Brazil’s writing is emotional and angst-y. Lake is high maintenance and, luckily, he finds two men who are committed to welcoming him into their relationship.
There’s no real heavy thinking to Temptation; it’s just a great ménage love story that leaves a happy feeling when the final words are spoken."

Read More at  Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books

Pick up your own copy of Temptation at 

Amazon 

All Romance

or 

Breathless Press

Top Five: One Hit Wonders

Top Five : One Hit Wonders from the 80's

Can't get out of the 80s lately unless I’m listening to Tom Petty or David Bowie, and I have to wonder sometimes…All those promising bands, with the fabulous songs, what happened to them?

These are a few of my favorite one hit wonders from my school days, and if you happen to know that they went on to superstardom, drop  me a line or a link to their latest!

1.  Soft Cell "Tainted Love"

2.  Modern English "I Melt With You"

3.  Kajagoogoo "Too Shy"

4.  Nena "99 Luft Balloons"

5.  Til Tuesday "Voices Carry"

Who do you think should be on this list? Who are your favorite one hit wonders?

#2 How To Be An Author: Publishers…Yay…

Way back in that long ago October, when I was first starting out, (and let me re-iterate here, I am by no means declaring that after three years I know all there is to know about this crazy writing world, or am an expert on marketing, or any other aspect of being a professional author) I finished my first manuscript, and started a new one right away while I tried to figure out what to do with my baby.

I started with some of my favorite ebook publishers.

Read their submission requirements, which were written, btw, with a lot more tech savvy individuals in mind than I was then. I reformatted to the best of my ability, labored over synopsis and summary, and query letter and …

Paid attention to that little phrase "We do not accept simultaneous submissions."

So, being the law abiding, rule following sort who can get lost finding my way out of a paper bag, I sent it to one publisher at a time.

It took six weeks to find out that the first publisher wasn't interested. I moved on to the next publisher on the list, and finished my second manuscript. I started the third, as it was a second book in a series.

Six weeks later, I'd finished first drafts for two more books in my series, and hadn't yet heard back from the second publisher about my first story.

I started looking for a third choice, and you know what? Almost all of them had variations in how they wanted material submitted. But they all had that little phrase, "No simultaneous submissions." Then, I decided to explore other options for my first book while I focused on the second, third, etc.  I decided to self-publish my first book (oy, Lessons learned there, in a separate post, coming along one day.) in order to move on with the publication process on my series.

And I made a few other decisions too.

1.  I formatted my documents in Times New Roman, size 12 double-spaced. That is a perfectly legible font used frequently in academic circles; it's easily read, and when submitting, for consideration, that OUGHT to be the publisher's sole guideline. (Why? Because if a publisher is going to nitpick the use of font, hidden formatting objects, and so on…then they may not have the flexibility to work with the directions I wanted to pursue…which didn't always fall strictly in the boundaries of what was "right".)
2.   I sent my submission to as many publishers as I wanted to, all at once. (Why? Because it's my right to do so as an author. I don't have to sit back and wait, subbing consecutively just because the publisher says so. Publishing isn't a one sided activity. I could be sitting here, sending out A Beautiful Silence every six to eight weeks, three years later, one publisher at a time, letting them decide before I moved on. You don't have to do that. In truth, I seriously doubt if until this moment, any of the publishers even knew that I sent Keeping House to six publishing houses at once.)
3.    The publisher is a partner in your book – not your boss. Seriously, he's making money off your work. Don't be so thrilled to be offered a contract that you forget that you are THE KEY ELEMENT to the success of the venture.

Now, those were all decisions I made without experience, no contacts, no real knowledge of the ebook publishing industry. Since then, I've learned a bit.

For instance…You know why each publishing house has its own little nit-picky guidelines for how they want your submission formatted?

            Because then they can make it harder for you to send a blanket submission. In the long run, while you will have to change all your tabbed indents to automatic, and your font to whatever they prefer, the fact is, that is something that can be fixed in minutes during your first round of edits or even pre-edits. Adjusting the formatting to house standard ought to occur after acceptance. It just makes more sense, doesn't it?

            Why would they want it to be harder for you to send a blanket submission? Because then you are more inclined to cheer and cry in delight and accept that contract they offer you. Because let's face it, if you have to receive a contract, then sub again, then wait six weeks to get two offers to compare? That's not going to happen. Odds are, you're going to accept that first offer, and it might take a few before you realize there might just be something better out there.

            You see, like a lot of people, publishers want the option of accepting or refusing you.  They have hundreds of submissions, and they want to choose the ones they think will sell best. They want the power position.

You don't have to give it to them. By sending your ms to a variety of publishers, you share power. You are choosing, not just waiting to be chosen. You have the option of looking at contract terms and publishers and deciding which one you want to work with.

            The publisher isn't your boss. He's your co-worker, your adviser,  your partner. He may have a contract for your work, but he doesn't own it. Don't think you have to accept everything he says as a mandate from heaven.

            The bottom line is you can get your book out there without a publisher. Without an author, a publisher has nothing to sell. 

Dear Editor: There's a Name For That, Too

#2 – Metonymy

Good morning and welcome back to my place. *sips coffee* Help yourself, make yourself at home, just don't dip a wet spoon in the sugar bowl, okay?

I'm talking about editing lately, giving things some serious thought. When I got back my first round of edits, I was shocked as all get out to discover that I really didn't know how to write as well as I thought I did.

At least, that's what it looked like, with comments all down the margins and changes throughout the document.  I confess, I seriously thought about throwing it all in. Then I girded my loins so to speak, and waded in.

Turned out a lot of those changes were typos that had escaped my notice, and my beta reader's notice as well.

A lot of the comments and suggestions made perfect sense, and I proceeded with the feeling that I was making positive changes in my story that would improve the reading experience for everyone. Then I hit this one.

            His eyes roamed around the room, restlessly seeking distraction from the unwanted sexual awareness.

It was tagged IBP.

I scratched my head. Then I went to my support group of people, the ones who talk sense into you when you're being all crazy…and I asked them.

Independently Moving Body Part.

There was much back and forthing as they told me what this meant.

Silly me.  It never occurred to me that ANYONE would think that my hero's eyes popped out of his head and started wandering around the room looking at things whilst his body lounged still on the sofa.

I didn't like it, because something told me that your overtly naïve assertion that people would think such a thing was er… disingenuous.

But I changed all the roaming eyes to gazes, which then led me to wondering how many times I used the word gaze…and that was an entirely different rabbit hole.

www.lexcovato.com 

It's a long way down the line, and I've edited a lot of books since then, and read thousands more – mainstream and ebooks, classics and contemporary works, literary and genre fiction.

And I think its time we were honest about that IBP.

It's a little trick of rhetoric developed way back in the early days of writing by the ancient Greeks called metonymy. That means that you're substituting one thing for something closely associated with it, whether for ease of comprehension or flow, or what have you.

So, rather than say 75 times in my ms that someone's gaze did something? Sometimes I might prefer to say that their eyes did it.

That doesn't mean I'm writing zombie fiction.

After all, when Shakespeare wrote, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears"' no one took that as stage direction to pelt the actor with actual ears, did they?

Readers are clever enough to understand figurative language. I trust them not to picture eyes wandering about the room on little stalks. If there are readers who are sensitive to that structure, then perhaps they might conclude that my writing style isn't for them. 

Risking It All Gets 4 Stars at scatteredthoughtssandroguewords

Stumbled on this awesome review of Risking It All, Truth or Dare #5 while reading reviews of the Chances Are series the other day. *grins* Rick was a challenge to write, and I'm so glad to see that he is appreciated! 

"I felt Rick had depth to his character and liked how Brazil created a character who is dealing effectively with his past abuse.  Too often we are given stories populated by characters broken by their past, it was a nice change to be given someone who has surmounted his past and we get a glimpse into how he has achieved this remarkable goal.  I found Rick believable, likable, and totally someone I become fond of immediately."

You can read more at the reviewer's blog

http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/2012/10/30/review-risking-it-all-truth-or-dare-5-by-lee-brazil/

The Truth or Dare Series  in Order

Keeping House (m/m)

Telling the Truth (m/m/m)

Giving Up (m/f)

Taking the Dare (m/m)

Risking It All (m/m)

Donovan's Deal  (m/m)

Available at 

All Romance eBooks

Breathless Press

And other ebook retailers. 

Top Five : 80's Dance Songs

I probably danced to these songs at my prom in 1985, I can't really remember what exactly they played. But these are among my favorite dance songs of the 80's. Maybe you remember them too?

Just hearing them today is guaranteed to get me bouncing in my seat or taking a bop around the kitchen. .

1.  Like a Virgin - Madonna

2. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears

3.  I Wonder If I Take You Home _ Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

4.  Freeway of Love - Aretha Franklin

5.  Sugar Walls - Sheena Easton

Looking Back: I've Learned A Lot About Being An Author

Come October, it's been three years since I started doing this writing for a living gig. *bows* Thank you. How's it going? Well, I'm content with where I'm at although I've stumbled along the way.

There are dozens of things I wish I'd known three years ago, things about editing, about cover art, about reviews, and blogs, and promotion and it goes on and on.

When I started, I knew one thing.

The story I wanted to tell.

That's how easy I thought it would be. The story in mind would go onto the page and out into the world. I'd always been told, since elementary school that I had a natural gift for writing. My essays earned high scores and eloquent comments…

My favorite comment came from a college professor in a rhetoric class who wrote in red across the top of my essay, "Have you always written with such grace?"

Grace.

I'm blushing now just thinking about how I felt seeing that and more than twenty years have passed.

I started out that October with all kinds of preconceived notions about how I would behave as an author.

Arrogant, selfish and rude weren't on my list.

But I've been accused of all of them at more than one point over the last three years. (Oddly enough, never to my face.) Many of things I thought I'd do, I've been forced to adapt over the years. Who knew that just thanking a reviewer was frowned upon? Three years ago I thought it was only polite to say thanks on every review I received, as I found them. Turns out that is just one of the things I've been wrong about. I wish someone had told me back then.

And maybe that guy who called me arrogant was right, because I think that there are things I've learned over the years that others might benefit from knowing. So consider this fair warning. I'm going share what I've learned. Bits and pieces of things I wish someone had told me along the way.

I’m not telling you what to do, or how to do it. I'm sharing what worked for me, and how I achieved a level of success that I am comfortable with.

Some of what I have to say may be common sense, some of it may seem controversial. You've no doubt seen some of it before. Some of it is so trivial that you're going to wonder why the hell I've even bothered to mention it.

Take for instance, this bit.

When you put yourself out there as an advocate for equality, you make fair-mindedness a part of your brand.

When you then make sarcastic or jocular remarks that show what a low opinion you actually hold of some groups, whether they are race, orientation, gender, or body-type based, you tarnish your brand.

Think about who you are as a writer and what you stand for.

Let that image be your guide.

I can't really believe in your tolerance and avowed stance that "love is love" when I skim the news feed and see your public statements that show me your prejudices.  

You think it's funny to denigrate someone based on a physical characteristic, to equate intelligence with appearance, or size, or socio-economic background.

It's not. Because the gay community you claim to support isn't just made of "gay".

It's made of rich, poor, middle class working folks. It's made of pretty, beautiful, austere, stark, angular, round folks. It's made of geniuses and artists, savants and average Joe's. It's made of models and writers and gas station attendants and doctors and lawyers and teachers and chefs…

So when you point at the one guy and laugh, and wave the rainbow flag in your other hand…

It doesn't really matter, does it?

If you're an orientation bigot or a size bigot…

It's all the same.

Think before you post.

Because I'm not just an author; I'm a reader, a teacher, a chef, a musician, an OCD bleach freak, a long haired hippie, a procrastinator, a Catholic, a friend, a lover, a spouse, a loner, a sibling… and I care about equality for everyone, and tolerance for everyone.

Banned Books Week 2013: Read for Freedom of Speech

Add caption

Dear Editor: Just Because It's Not Active...Doesn't Mean It's Passive

Good morning. *sips coffee* Welcome to my humble abode on the web. I've been writing for three years now, having started back in October of 2010. I've learned a lot in that time. Many things I struggled to learn on my own (marketing, finding my voice, time management) and many things I've learned from other authors, industry professionals, and editors. Please excuse me if the following comes off as arrogant. Or just snort and drink your coffee and think I'm an idiot for quibbling about inconsequential things. Totally up to you.

Everyone is full of advice for writers; even people who have never written a word want to tell me how to write. I listen, weigh, and use what I believe is valuable.

It's easy to dismiss some things, especially when you consider the source.

It's harder to say that a publisher or an editor is wrong, especially when you can tell that there's a kernel of truth in what they're saying. Sometimes, as a person with a degree or two in the English language, I stare at the comments on my manuscript pages, dumbfounded.

More than once I've said WTF?

More than once I've taken your comments to my colleagues and asked for an interpretation.

More than once, I've shaken my head and rejected your suggestion, because it just didn't make sense.

I've received comments that sent me off to find the CMOS, or any other grammar guide for elucidation. Sometimes I've searched in vain, and had to accept that things aren't the way they used to be, just because you said so.

But sometimes, it's not me; it's you.

For example... I occasionally get comments of "passive" in my margins. ( Is there a term for heavy reliance on "state of being" verbs? Maybe we ought to come up with one that's not already in use?)

Passive vs. Active. - Passive and active writing does not mean what you think it means. In order to BE passive, a verb must first BE active. An active sentence is one in which a subject performs an action. A Passive sentence is one in which an action is performed on the subject.

He ate peanuts. (ate is an action verb)
Peanuts were eaten by him. (were eaten is a passive construction of the action verb eat)

A BEING verb, does not convey action and cannot be passive.

He was nuts. (Nuts was he... hmmm rather poetic but hardly sensible.)
He appeared nuts.

I did not FIX the passive nature of that sentence by changing the verb from was to appeared. Appeared is a BETTER word choice, but it is still NOT active. It's a linking verb (expressing state of being), and any word I substitute for was in that context will serve the same function. Otherwise, the sentence doesn't make sense. (Now, shouldn't I be showing you that he's nuts and not telling you? Sure, but that's an entirely different post.)


I even have a list of verbs from one publishing company that they have deemed "passive". What they meant, of course, was "These words are commonly overused in one way or another so please don't use them in your manuscript more than once or twice."  I know this because I know that watch, listen and think are action verbs. I can use them in active sentences. I shouldn't use them in my ms, but for an entirely different reason than their supposed passivity.


The problem: When you tell me something is passive, you aren't actually referring to the voice. You're referring to the lack of action. Do I know what you mean? Well, I do NOW!

The solution: Tell me my passage is heavy on linking verbs, or that lengthy descriptive passages are boring. Tell me to break up the dull passages with actions, but don't tell me that it's passive. In grammar, passive does not mean simply inactive.


Simply put, an editor needs to use correct terminology. Otherwise, I think you don't know what you're talking about, and I don't trust your suggestions. 

Updated Discounts, Deals and Offers : M/M Romance on a Budget

Hey there! Great News! My publisher, Breathless Press has a selection of M.m romances on sale this week for only 99 CENTS!

Included in that is my novella, Loving Eden

Eden St. Cyr wants to let the boy who's crushing on him down easy. 

Drew Harris wants to protect his son from what he considers a disastrous relationship.

 Neither of them counted on on the scorching attraction between them.

Pick up your copy at 

BREATHLESS PRESS 

for 99 cents 

Limited Time Offer 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Smashwords Deals 

(requires coupon codes)

A Beautiful Silence is 75% off at Smashwords with coupon code FN92H making it 0.99 until Sept. 22nd. 

The Aristocrat & His Servant is FREE at Smashwords with coupon code TE58Y until Sept 21. 

Under the Pier is FREE at Smashwords with coupon code QA58Q until Sept. 21. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crawl in Bed With Raven, Felicity, And Nash

Crawling Into Bed With Felicity Oakley and Nash Gretton

 from Nash's Niche ( book four, Behind Closed Doors, the story of The Brigstock Family)

And a Good Book

Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton?

Felicity: Always silk. It makes me feel much more sensual, and in touch with my romantic side. Yes I do have one, even if it's well hidden.

She pokes Nash, he grunts. "Huh? I didn't say a word. I prefer cotton, but I abide by my lady's rules. In this anyway.

What are you wearing?

Felicity *looks down* A muslin shift, with a chemise.

Nash: Much to my disgust. Chemises are worn simply to annoy men

Felicity: true.

Nash: I'm in working gear. Boots, breeches and a tweed thornproof jacket. I will be in noth...er a nightshirt I believe. Felicity however will stay clothed, or put on that voluminous thick nightrail, and my banyan over it.

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

Felicity Cheese, Fruit, and no bread. I hate crumbs under me. Or over me, or in places where someone thinks they should be nibbled or licked.

Nash Spoilsport. *he winks* But I always find crumbs. Cheese is very good for that.

If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?

Felicity... You tell him. I'm too much of a lady.

Nash *rolls eyes* Yes love. *they both burst out laughing*. A candle, no sorry three candles varying thickness, an inking set, scissors, and some silk scarves. Oh and ouff, er… nothing else. *aside* Love that elbow very nearly stopped us having any young Grettons.

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

Nash I get what's left.

Felicity it depends on the weather. I prefer to roll up with Nash, and then roll us both in the covers.

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

Nash No.

Felicity. Well if you do and he lets you I will be very upset. I do try and Nash does extract retribution.

Nash That's why you try.

Felicity So true

What are we reading? (include your cover art, buy links & excerpt)

Felicity *sigh* Oh it's our story. Nash's Niche... *jumps out of bed, does a little jig around the room and jumps back in* from www.evernightpublishing.com

A wee tease...

What is it?"

Nash looked in the direction she was pointing. Set on the table was a leather pouch, around seven inches long, and a mere one or so wide, with several bulging pockets. "An inking set. To mark skin."

"For people?"

He inclined his head. "Or animals. To show to whom they belong. You pierce the skin and add ink to where the puncture is. That leaves a permanent marking. My animals are valuable, and this

way I can prove they are indeed mine. There will be no thought of disputed ownership." He knew he sounded grim, but he had been duped once, when he'd first set up his pack. It would never happen again.

Madame Felice knelt up and stretched over him to lift the leather pouch. Nash had left it there the night before to remind himself to take it back to Rutland with him.

"So can we use it? On us? To celebrate tonight? For even if it matters little to you, it has shown me what lovemaking should be. If I never feel like this again, then I'll have something to remind me." She looked so eager, his heart jumped. It had meant something more than a fuck to him as well.

"Why will this be the only time? We have other nights," he told her, and watched her eyes cloud over.

"But this is our first." Her gaze skittered away from his. "However, if you feel differently that is fine."

His decision made, Nash lifted her from him. "Stay there whilst I get what we need." He collected cloths and water, scissors and razor, in short shrift. "So where shall we mark? I thought here." He ruffled the curls that covered her quim. "As close to heaven as we can make it."

She nodded and sighed. "How beautiful. Will you mark yourself the same?"

He shook his head and she went ashen.

"No, I won't mark myself. You'll do it for me. I will however do the shaving. I'm not sure how well you would operate a cut throat and strop, and I need my cock and balls to fill you again."

 Her color returned and she giggled, even though her eyes were still shadowed by some indefinable sorrow. "Then who'll begin?"

"It's usually ladies first. Let me shave us both whilst you decide on the design." He cut her curls as short as he could. Her eyes widened as the cold steel skimmed over her skin. It seemed his lady was oh so receptive to that cold touch. If only he had some ice he could introduce her to many more sensations. Nash let the closed blades stroke her cleft, and laughed softly as she gasped and took a deep shuddering breath. It was with reluctance he put the scissors down and picked up the razor and strop and denuded a small circle of hair just above the entrance to her channel. He wanted to pin her under him, and tease every last inch of her with the chill of anticipation before showing her how heat and cold could work so well together.

 Later.

 She didn't move but watched him with wide eyes. Each scrape of the steel, each tiny piece of skin that showed under his blade, brought more tiny drops of perspiration to her skin. Her body had taken on a soft rosy sheen, her eyes cloudy with desire, and Nash wanted her with a need so fierce it took his breath away. Carefully he set the razor on the table and moved, to thrust his tongue between her lips. She met it with a determination to match his, and then to his delight, pinched one of his nipples. He had to force himself to move back.

"If we carry on no ink will be used, and you will be bare for nothing."

www.ravenmcallan.com

WIP Wednesday : Gerard and Martin -

Welcome back to WIP Wednesday. I am continuing my work on the regency Gerard's Gamble this week, at a little more than 12K, its about 1/3 done. The first phase of writing is over, and I'm moving into the second, central portion of the story, bringing in the last little bits of the smuggling/treason plot. It's interesting because I'm getting to include some research about Venice in the 1800's, and let me tell you, I would SO love to be able to travel there!

Okay- enough of the babbling.

Gerard's GAmble
copyright 2013 Lee Brazil

Helplessly, Gerard stroked a palm down Martin's spine, cupped a taut buttock through the silk of the banyon. It had come from one of their first ventures, a trading ship to the East. The lush silk had netted them a small fortune, and Martin had selected the elegant grey on grey print for his payment. Gerard had allowed his siblings and spouse to do likewise, then the rest had been sold and the proceeds reinvested. The banyon was a reminder of Martin's faith, his friendship. Gerard calmed, the pain in his belly eased. He relaxed. Martin was his friend, first and foremost. They understood each other.

  He bent his head and inhaled a dear, familiar fragrance, lemon and vanilla, a hint of other spices. "I think, that I shall miss you more than any of the rest. The children will carry on, and that is as it should be, but what of you my steadfast friend? What will you do? How shall I picture you in my absence?"

Martin pulled back and peered into Gerard's face, his expression slightly incredulous. "I? You've left me the most daunting task of our careers. Riding herd on your offspring like a Yankee cowboy. If you must picture me as you explore the treasures of the continent, I do doubt you'll have time for it, picture me tearing out fistfuls of my hair because Harold has managed to blow up some national treasure, or wasting away from constant travel as Perry manages to annoy all his brothers. Perhaps I shall grow wrinkled and squinty eyed from worry as Randall insists on risking his life in service of our country. Yes…"

Gerard laughed until his stomach hurt. Bent double, he clutched his belly and gasped. "Please. Stop. While I can well imagine Harry blowing up something, it is more like to be Nash's ice house than a national treasure, and Perry has a good heart, despite what he may show the world. They like and respect you Martin, they always have. No…" He raised and a hand to stop more outrageous commentary. "I mean …I wish to picture you happy."

"Then picture me in the rose garden, digging up rocks and planting cuttings. Picture me, at the desk in the study, balancing our accounts and realizing that we could not only pay all the quarterly bills, but set aside a healthy portion for the boys schooling. Picture me, teaching Randall to fence, and allowing Celia to trod upon my toes as she practiced the forbidden Waltz."

*A lump rose in Gerard's throat and he swallowed hard. Seeking to hide the tears that threatened to spill over, he stepped back and let his gaze wander, searching for his clothing. "Damnation." He whispered under his breath as he realized his trousers were the only thing he'd been wearing when he'd stumbled through the door hours earlier, lips locked with Martin's, body humming with lust.

Gerard's Gamble is the third of my contributions to the Behind Closed Doors Series I am writing in conjunction with Raven McAllan. 

Available at All Romance 

Randall's Romance 

Cecelia's Claim

Harold's Haven 

Nash's Niche

Fabulous Reviews: Randall's Romance at Mrs. Condit's & Friends

whoohoo! 5 Sweet Peas at Mrs. Condit's for Randall's Romance! 

JOSIE’S OPINION: Randall’s Romance by Lee Brazil is a thoroughly enjoyable, steamy, action packed regency romp.

Mrs. Condits & Friends

Randall's Romance is the first book in the Behind Closed Doors Series written in collaboration with Raven McAllan. 

Available at All Romance 

Randall's Romance 

Cecelia's Claim

Harold's Haven 

Nash's Niche

Top Five: The Spin Doctors

Good morning and welcome back to Monday! *sips coffee* *pushes pot across* Caffeine?

Dashing back to the 90's this morning, because hey, not only was I twenty years younger then, but I could actually  stay awake for 72 hours straight if the right combination of music, books, company and caffeine were available...*spins* I love this group, and I always forget how much until I hear them again. This usually begins with an overwhelming urge to listen to Cleopatra's Cat and then from there....


Then the lyrics get stuck in my head and... yeah.

The Spin Doctors

1. Little Miss Can't Be Wrong

2. Jimmy Olsen Blues

3. Two Princes

4. What Time Is It?

5. Cleopatra's Cat

New Video from Steve Grand - Loving It!

If you liked All American Boy, then you're going to love this one!

*Sigh*

It's lovely.

Get your copy at  https://stevegrand.bandcamp.com/