NOW AVAILABLE From M Jules Aedin: Lovegames

Pimping out a new release from my good friend M Jules Aedin, Lovegames, which is now available from Loose Id, LLC: (Also available on AllRomance)

Adam and Keith like playing bedroom games -- and hot tub games and elevator games and backstage-at-a-concert games -- and they really like inviting other people to play with them. But when they both get a little more attached to Sebastian than they intended to, the rules of the game change.

Sebastian is just a journalism major trying to take control of his life when his plans get blown out of the water by a surprise one-night-stand with his favorite actor and the actor’s rock star boyfriend. What should have just been a great party story turns into an emotional entanglement that shakes his world, and he’s not prepared for the spotlight or what’s hiding in the shadows it casts.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: dubious consent, male/male sexual practices, menage (m/m/m).

COVER ART: Where There's Smoke

I am so in love with this cover art it isn't even funny. April Martinez, I am prostrating myself before you:

Anthony Hunter wonders what the hell he’s gotten himself into when he agrees to manage an unproven candidate’s campaign for governor of California. As soon as he meets the gorgeous, charismatic — and married — politician, attraction gives Anthony’s rock-solid professionalism a run for its money, and Anthony knows he’s in way over his head.

Jesse Cameron doesn’t like the idea of putting himself out there as a happily married, wholesome candidate, but his retired senator uncle insists it’ll give him an edge over a challenging rival. The only problem is that Jesse’s marriage is over, existing only to maintain his heterosexual façade. Oh, and there’s that minor detail about his undeniable attraction to his smoking hot campaign manager. Or the fact that the attraction is very, very mutual.

Before long, temptation explodes into a sizzling, secret relationship, but under the microscope of the media and the relentless scrutiny of the voting public, Anthony and Jesse can only keep their secret for so long. And this is one scandal a campaign won’t survive…

Where There's Smoke will be out Feb 21 from Loose Id LLC.

What Three Years Have Taught Me

On January 22, 2009, I received the first publishing contract of my career. I will never, ever forget that moment, sitting on the couch in my apartment in Okinawa, reading the e-mail containing the words "...would very much like to publish Playing With Fire..." It had only been a couple of months since I'd switched from epic fantasy to erotic romance, and suddenly, this. I stared slack-jawed at my computer. I blogged hysterically (I'm very eloquent when I'm excited, as you can see). I was more than a little tempted to run screaming around the neighborhood, and it was pretty damn cool that it happened to be a morning when Eddie didn't have to go to work early, so he got to be there for it too.

I wasn't just a wannabe writer anymore...I was about to. Be. Published. It didn't matter that it was a small press, that it was an ebook. All my life, I'd dreamed about having a book published, and this was validation on so many levels, I couldn't even articulate it. No matter how many rejections came my way now, I had one nugget of golden truth in my pocket that no one could take away: I could do this.

Now, those who've been following my blog for some time probably remember how things turned out. Those who weren't around in 2009 may have noticed there is no book called Playing With Fire on my backlist.

In June of 2009, the contract for Playing With Fire was terminated. Simply put, the publisher merged with another, and the new publisher decided they weren't interested in the book. Was I bummed out? Sure! Who wouldn't be?

But these things happen. I knew some contracts wouldn't make it through the merger, and I'd been quietly steeling myself in case mine was one of them. Sure I was disappointed, but I refused to let it get me down. By this point, I'd sold my second book --Between Brothers -- so even though it was a bit of an emotional kick in the nads, I knew two things: 1) this is business, not personal, and b) I could still do this.

Yesterday marked three years since that first contract landed in my inbox. Since then, I've accumulated over 300 rejections and sold over 30 novels and novellas. I've had good reviews, bad reviews. I've had good experiences, bad experiences. And let me just say, it's been an education. So, to mark this 3 years and 1 day anniversary of that first squee-inducing e-mail, here are some things I've learned:

1. Editing is a team effort, not a battlefield. There's a fine line between Golden Word Syndrome (tm) and a legitimate argument for rejecting an editor's change. I've worked with some amazing editors, and I've learned from every single one of them. I've learned how to watch for and fix problems in my writing, and I've also learned when and how to say "I see where you're coming from, but I disagree, and here's why." There's nothing to be gained by being right just for the sake of being right -- the book is what matters.
   
2. The shadows make the highlights brighter. You know how they always say if it weren't for the bad times, no one would appreciate the good times? I don't think I've ever understood that more than I have since I've been in the publishing business. A run of rejections makes that bright, shiny new contract infinitely sweeter. Some "meh" sales makes that bestseller spot an awesome little personal triumph. The funks, slumps, burnouts, and dry spells make those periods of major productivity feel like an actual accomplishment. The clouds and thorns make you appreciate the sunshine and roses.
   
3. Do your homework. There are ways to get burned. There are ways to avoid getting burned. Research the latter, avoid the former.
4. A rejection simply means "No thanks, it's not for me." It's easy to take rejections personally, or to hear things like "this book is horrible, you're an awful writer, what is wrong with you?" between the lines of "regretfully, your book is not for us." It's tempting to hold that rejection in your hands (or stare at it on the screen) and think, "My God, did I really waste all that time and effort, and ultimately create something horrible?" But the thing is, a rejection isn't the kiss of death. It isn't a proclamation from on high that this book should never see the light of day. I have had books rejected that sold elsewhere and became some of my top sellers. I've had books accepted immediately that sold "meh". Editors and agents are human, just like us, and their opinions and tastes vary as wildly as anyone else's. What one editor loathes, another may love.
5. You're never too experienced for beta readers. Yeah, you may know what you're doing, but you just never know what that second set of eyes might pick up.
   
6. Book #40 requires just as much work as Book #1. Okay, with time, you do hone techniques, write smoother prose, plot better from the start, etc. But the fact is, you still have to sit down at your computer, stare down that blinking cursor below the words "chapter 1", and type all 85,000 words of the book. Fortunately, I enjoy that -- I couldn't imagine any job I could possibly love more than I love writing -- but I'll admit, I still have moments where I wish a scene would just write its own damn self. I just finished my 40th book yesterday, and that troublesome chapter 22 still made me write it. Every last word.
7. Book releases don't get any less nerve-racking or exciting. I totally do not have an Excel spreadsheet that tells me how many days are left before each title releases. I absolutely do not look at those numbers and try to will them to count down faster. No matter what anyone tells you, I do not lose sleep or get queasy the night before, and I never squeal like a kid on Christmas when the book goes live. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
8. It pays to try new things. Whether it's a different subgenre or a different writing technique, a change of scenery or a different playlist on your iPod, it's good to experiment. You just never know when you might find something that works.
9. Discipline becomes a habit, but as with all good habits, it's easy to backslide. The more you get in the habit of writing X amount of words or hours a day, the more it becomes second nature. I get downright twitchy if I don't write for a day or two, because it's my routine. But if I start cutting myself too much slack, or being lazy, it's easy to get into that downward spiral of "oh, I can stop early today, just like I did yesterday...and the day before...and the day before that..." Make it a habit, but keep after yourself.
   
10. This is the most awesome job in the world.
    

But what about Playing With Fire? You would think I could have sold it again after three years, right? Maybe. But after a substantial rewrite, Playing With Fire has been indefinitely trunked. Will it ever see the light of day again? Probably not. Reason being, I agree with the publisher's decision to terminate the contract. The book was good, but not good enough, and now I can honestly look back and say I'm glad they did it. I have gone on to work with that publisher on other books, and have an excellent relationship with them.

So, three years later, I have to say...

Thank you, Linden Bay Romance for giving me that shining moment of "yes, you can do this", which I still treasure to this day no matter how things ultimately turned out.

And thank you, Samhain Publishing, for telling me I could do better.

Some Awards, Some News, and Some Updates

First, the Cock & Bull Blog Tour is still going -- click here for a full list of the daily blog stops, and comment to win a chance at a $150 Amazon gift card!Second, I'd like to announce that my first lesbian short story, What This Woman Wants, is due out in early April from Carnal Passions. Just a short little F/F erotica story for those who enjoy some fun with the ladies.

And I'd like to thank the M/M Romance group on Goodreads (join if you haven't already!) for voting three of my books into the 2011 Readers' Choice Awards!

Out of Focus -- 1st, Hottest M/M/M

Static -- 2nd, Most Surprising/Unique Plot Device
A Chip In His Shoulder -- 3rd, Hottest Vampire

Huge thank you to the readers who voted, and congrats to the authors who also won, including Marie Sexton, Amy Lane, Heidi Cullinan, TJ Klune, Damon Suede, and Josh Lanyon. It blows my mind to be in the company of names like those!

It really is a wonder I get any work done.

So as I settle into my new office, I'm finding it has its occasional minor disadvantage. A heater vent that randomly coughs cold air RIGHT up my pant leg. A bunch of stairs rudely standing in the way of me and my choice of refreshing beverages.

And...well, I have just a wee bit of ADD.

Now, this is the view from my desk:
You might notice on the left there is a rather skeletal looking tree. I'm sure it'll be infested with leaves in a few months, but for the time being, it's fallen victim to the cycle of the seasons and the evil cold of the midwest. It's not just an idle, barren tree, though.

For the most part, it just sits there quietly in the yard, but it also happens to be populated by--

SQUIRRELS!
Do you have ANY idea how hard it is for someone like me -- who is seriously ADD and adores anything of the cute and furry variety -- to focus when I have THIS looking at me from out there???
I think I may have to lower the blinds. Cause seriously? This is epic distracting cuteness of lethal proportions.

Anyway. Back to work. Gotta finish this chapter before-- SQUIRREL!

Cock and Bull Tour -- Come Join Me!

Freddy MacKay will be here tomorrow, but today I'm over at Julia Knight's blog talking about how The Given & The Taken came to be. Stop by and check it out, plus you have a chance to win a $150 Amazon Gift Card!

For info on the entire tour, click here.

NOW AVAILABLE: The Given and The Taken

The Given & The Taken is now available from Samhain Publishing! It's also on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and additional links will be added to my website as they're available.

Their bond could be the death of them all.

After pleading his case to his wolf clan’s Elders, Levi is granted the right to bond with Ian, his male human lover, on one condition: they must spend one year apart. Then Ian must use only their spiritual connection to find Levi, or the deal is off.

Tracking down his lover is easy for Ian, but Levi isn’t prepared for the changed man who finds him.

The agony of separation was too much for Ian. In a moment of weakness, he reached out—to a vampire. Now he’s a vampire himself, and Levi’s devastation—and rejection—is like a stake to his heart. But it’s nothing compared to the fury of the clan that wants Ian brought to justice for desecrating their most sacred ritual.

Afraid for Ian’s safety, Levi puts the pain aside and races to get to Ian first, but he faces unexpected competition: Darius, Ian’s maker. When they come together, all hell breaks loose, Ian is on the run…and the only way Levi and Darius can save the man they love is to work together.

If they don’t kill each other first.

Warning: Contains two vampires and a werewolf who really, really, really want to hate each other. Except when they want each other. And have violent, sweaty, angry sex with each other. But they still hate each other. Mostly.

NOW AVAILABLE: Noble Metals

Surprise! Noble Metals is available a couple of days early! Currently available at Carnal Passions, and third party sites will be added later this week. Additional links will be posted on my website.

Ever since he gambled away his chance to make it to Dawson City during the Klondike Gold Rush, Robert Belton has been stranded in Seattle working as a prostitute. When an attractive customer carrying a mysterious wooden box comes into the brothel in search of a bed for the night, Robert’s more than willing to oblige. When he learns his customer is also looking for a crew to help him haul provisions to the gold fields in the frozen north, Robert jumps at the chance and volunteers.

Dr. John Fauth is only looking for one thing in Dawson City, and it isn’t gold. He needs platinum for his semiconductor research, and if he doesn’t find it in the Klondike, the university that employs him will be more than happy to redirect their funds to more profitable scientists. Just getting to the gold fields is a grueling, dangerous journey, especially when a competitor will stop at nothing to get his hands on an invaluable device in John’s possession.

As they fall for each other out on the bitterly cold trail, John and Robert may just find themselves with more to lose than they could ever gain in the gold fields of the Yukon Territory.

I haz an OFFICE!

I know, it's terribly exciting for anyone who isn't me. But after over two months of moving, traveling, and working at my parents' dining room table, I am absurdly excited to be more or less settled into my new office. So, naturally, I have to share pictures.

It wasn't pretty when I started, let me tell you. I have, shall we say, a rather large library. Most of it has been in storage the last three years, and ALL of it needed to be sorted and shelved.

All of it.
After a few hours of toiling, I had made some progress...
I agree, Midget. That's enough for one day.
The next day, I had to add two more bookcases...
...which made a big enough dent that I could put my desk together!
You'll notice Midget looking very interested in something that isn't my office. That's because we have a bunch of fat gray squirrels in the backyard, and they fascinate her. (I'll get pictures of them eventually -- every time I break out the camera, they disappear)

Watching squirrels are srs bznz...
And here's some books that have a more or less permanent residence on my desk, though some may eventually move to a bookcase (when there's room):
After two years of being published, you'd think this would lose its novelty, but it doesn't:
I haven't done much decorating yet, but I do have a couple of signs on the door:
And finally, for all those who said Nebraska would be flat, boring, and tree-less, I give you...

The view from my window:
Why yes, I think I will do JUST fine here.

Road Trip - Days 2 & 3 Survived

Two more days on the road, survived! The cats behaved and weren't terribly traumatized by the ordeal. Sleeping for hours on end will do that to you, I suppose. Even if they were angry with me, a couple of chicken strips pretty much atoned for any crime I've ever committed against them. At least, if the purring was anything to go by.

I spent last night in the Bay Area, where I spent a few hours gabbing over coffee with the one and only Aislinn Kerry before we traipsed off to the theatre for the juicy slashy goodness that is Holmes 2. OMFG. Love that movie. RDJ...*swoon*...
*snerk* I can't help it, I love that pic.

Anyway, this morning, I continued in a southerly-easterly-kind-of-meandering-towards-the-midwest direction. The first few hours of that was spent looking at this:
And I thought the San Joaquin Valley was boring when it was clear.

Eventually, the weather cleared up, and I drove a few bazillion miles through farmland and scrubby scrubland. I didn't take any pictures, though, because FUCK farmland and scrubby scrubland.

I did, however, stop to take these pics:
Why? Because it's pretty.

The obligatory sunset:
Shortly before crossing from California into Arizona, I stopped for gas. And I can I just say, those of you living in that area...you are seriously getting ripped off for gas.

SERIOUSLY.
The only real downside to the day is this lovely sinus infection that seems to have set up shop in my upstairs breathing parts. I totally should have stayed in the Bay Area for another day with Aislinn, which I nearly did because of blizzardy conditions on I-40, but then there was a lovely window of clearness and sunshine that I wanted to make it through...without realizing I'd end up feeling like someone hit me in the face with a baseball bat by the end of the day. *sigh* So, since driving through the mountains is not fun during a sinus (and possibly ear) infection, I'm staying an extra day in Flagstaff, AZ, where I will engage in sloth (and likely writing) all day tomorrow before continuing to...um...Amarillo, I think. My notebook is on the other bed, and I'm too lazy to get up and get it (shut up, I'm sick), so we'll just call it Amarillo.

Also, I saw snow up close and personal for the first time in three years...in Arizona. There's something almost poetic about that.

Anyway. I've made it safely to Flagstaff, my debit card's been eviscerated by California gas robbery, I'm sick as a dog, and I totally should have listened to Aislinn and stayed in California for one more day. Live and learn...

Stay tuned for the Flagstaff-to-Amarillo-or-wherever-it-is-I'm-going installment of the road trip adventures!

Day One: Survived.

So today was the first day of the road trip to Nebraska, and so far, so good. No snow, no ice, no cops...knock on wood.

Those who have been following my blog for a while are likely familiar with the pair of sidekicks accompanying me on this trip. The infamous Annie (or Tubby):
(it should be noted she's sleeping on THREE pillows in that picture)

And of course Midget:
As per usual, they both went out to the truck in cages, and as soon as the doors were shut, I let Tubby loose. Midget can't be loose while I'm driving because she freaks out and gets into stuff (and tries to get down by my feet). Tubby, however, is a pretty chill passenger, and does considerably less bitching when she's loose.
Plus when Tubby is happy and quiet, so is Midget. On a lengthy car trip, anything that results in quiet cats is okay by me.

And just in case they try to tell anyone they're abused and mistreated, I'd like to point out that this was their lunch:
Abused and mistreated, my ass.

Also, for those who've never traveled with cats, hotels are sometimes prone to charging extra fees -- on top of their pet fees -- if you leave any "pet evidence" behind. Crumbs, food, litter...not to mention the other unsightly and gross things pets can leave behind. Mine are pretty good about not horking or peeing on anything, but crumbs...well...they happen.

PREVENTING MESSES LIKE A BOSS, YO:
So then of course I also put my comforter over the bed to prevent incriminating cat hair from materializing on the hotel's sheets. And what does Tubby do? Burrow under the comforter. *sigh*

Oh well. We're all safe and relaxing in this very nice little hotel in Medford, and my bacon-fed world-traveled cats seem to have forgotten about the day's trauma:
There is something to be said for pets with the memory of a goldfish, I'm telling you.

Tomorrow, on to California...

The New Journey Begins

My time in Seattle has drawn to a close, and tomorrow, it's time to hit the road to Nebraska. You can probably expect some more frequent updates, since road trips (especially with pets) always result in some craziness and shenanigans. With any luck, none of those updates will involve snowbanks, ice, or my truck getting stuck in some combination thereof.

And of course, long hours of driving by myself mean one thing and one thing only: lots of time for plot bunnies to appear. I'm sure a few new ones will show up, but the game plan is to spend the next few days plotting out my next two WIPs -- a contemporary SFF and the sequel to my upcoming release, The Given & The Taken. We'll see how well that plan survives first contact with the enemy.

Now it's off to spend some time with the family before I leave, finish the Tetris-style packing of my truck, and let my cats enjoy one more blissful day of not riding in cages.

Tomorrow...it begins.

Holy Ned!

The results of the Rainbow Awards came out yesterday (full results here), and I have to say I was completely floored. Three of my books came away with a total of four awards, and...yeah...color me stunned.

So, if you'll indulge me, I have to share...
Cover Me took 7th/Honorable Mention in the Thriller/Mystery category.
But then two titles came along and...
OMG. Seriously. O.O

With The Band took 3rd (1st-3rd is considered an award winner as opposed to honorable mention) in the Contemporary Gay Erotica category...
And to my complete and utter speechless disbelief, Static won the Bisexual/Transgender Paranormal/Science Fiction category and took 9th in the Best Bisexual/Transgender Novel category.
Thank you so much to Elisa for hosting the Rainbow Awards, and to all the judges!

Also, congrats to the other authors who came away with awards, including Aislinn Kerry, Marie Sexton, Sloan Parker, Heidi Cullinan, Aleksandr Voinov, and Amy Lane!

NOW AVAILABLE: Search Me

Search Me is now available from Carnal Passions! Additional links to be added as they're available.

"I really enjoyed this story and even when fighting, these guys are as hot as ever. [...] If you are a fan of the series, this is one you don't want to miss." -- Joyfully Jay Reviews, 4.5 Stars

In Cover Me, Detective Andrew Carmichael and paramedic Nick Swain barely escaped Nick’s delusional stalker with their lives. Now, months later, the physical scars haven’t quite healed, and neither have the emotional ones. Lingering guilt and resentment threaten to tear their relationship apart, but Andrew isn’t ready to give up. He’s nearly lost Nick once, and he’s not giving him up this time without a fight.

In a last ditch effort to keep them together, Andrew suggests a weekend away, but is that enough time to find a reason to keep their relationship alive? Or is it time to let Nick walk away?

Reviews, Interviews, and Giveaways

All this "moving to Nebraska" nonsense has put me a little behind on updating my blog, but hopefully that will all be over very soon. My husband left this morning for Omaha, which means I'll be following within the next 10-14 days. By January, I expect to be back to my usual writing all day/blogging all the time schedule. Soon!!

In the meantime...

I've been interviewed over at Fallen Angel Reviews as well as Joyfully Jay Reviews. Comment on the latter to win your choice of books off my backlist!

And speaking of Joyfully Jay, they've reviewed A Chip In His Shoulder and given it 4.75 stars:

"First off, let me say this book kept me on the edge of my seat. The action starts almost right away and keeps going throughout the book. Not just physical action, but also the tension between Daniel and Liam as they confront each other for the first time in five years. The story was quite exciting and kept me frantically flipping pages." (Review)

That's all for now, but there should be more updates soon, especially now that I'm getting close to the last leg of this move. Omaha, here I come!