Wednesday 27 August 2014

Where Writers Write - Rachell Nichole

Hello lovely people, 

You may remember my 'Where Writers Write' series of blogposts, in which myself and other authors take you inside the studies and offices and coffee shops where we do our writing (not to mention our fair share of staring off into space while drinking copious quantities of tea). 

Well, today the lovely Rachell Nichole is here to show us where she makes that magic happen. Take it away, Rachell!

Hey Douglas, 

Thanks so much for having me stop by. When you first told me about your Where Writers Write series of blog posts, I was super excited because I have just finished setting up my brand new office, which along with being a giant logistical pain in my ass, was also a lot of fun! 


For starters, this is the doorway we had to wrestle my desk through last month: 


Oh, yeah, that was FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC, let me tell ya! 

So here’s a shot of the finished product: my shiny new office! 
Now this might look like a small space for most people, but since I’m rather small myself at 5’2” this is like my own personal little hidey hole and I fucking love it! 

On the left above my laptop (an ever-present fixture on my desk) you’ll see my multi-purpose board. In addition to being your resident guru for all things naughty, I also do a lot of other stuff. I teach, I run my own side business through a direct sales company, and I’m an avid traveler. So the board right above my desk is chock full of all those pieces of my life, staring me straight in the face every time I sit down at the desk to work. It’s my to-do lists, my writing quotes and inspirations, my accolades from previous writing accomplishments, and cute little sayings like, “Being a bitch is part of my charm.” And there’s also a print of the Moulin Rouge circa 1900 that I got in Paris a few years back in the photo frame. On the left of that, which you can’t really see in the photo is a poster of love quotes, an important thing to remember for a romance author, and my Writer’s Block: When your imaginary friends refuse to talk to you clock. 

This is where the magic happens folks… plus, it’s red, which is just too damned cool to speak of, and it has everything I need in an office. ☺ I recently moved, and this is the first time that I’ve had a fully-designated office space that was all mine. Even though the room it’s in is multipurpose, it’s all my multiple purposes, and let me tell you, it’s like nirvana up in this bitch! 

Now I’d like to say this is where I wrote my latest book, To Sir, but that would unfortunately be a lie. That was written back at the old place in the old office. Same desk, same computer, but a very different kind of space that was noisy as hell and crazy. But this is where I did the bulk of the edits for my newest release, so I guess that counts for something, right? 

I'd say that definitely counts Rachell, thanks for showing us your shiny new office. It looks fantastic! Certainly makes mine look dull by comparison. 

Below you can find out more about To Sir, the book Rachell didn't write in that office! ;-)


To Sir, published August 26 by Loose Id, was a book I just randomly got the idea for when I was in the midst of writing two other books. It was my first foray into BDSM writing and I had to put in on hold for a bit while I was working on the other books. But Liz & Chase just wouldn’t let me forget them! And I’m glad they didn’t. I am in love with this book, and I hope you all will love it to. 

Here’s some more on Chase & Liz. 

When Elizabeth Clark is plagued by the idea for a kinky novel she can’t shake, she has no choice but to plunge, head-first into a genre she vowed never to pursue. But when she realizes the seductive allure of submitting her will, her interest in the BDSM lifestyle becomes less academic, and downright personal.  

Dominant and club owner, Chase Masters, has no idea what to expect when his partner books a meeting with an author doing research on the BDSM scene, but he’s blown away with the woman who walks through the door. He’s sure at first that she must be a visiting Domme, not the author. Her manner is confident, brusque, and even a bit disapproving of his lifestyle, but when he switches from his easy-going club owner mindset into his Dom voice, she instantly backs off. Perhaps she’s more submissive than she let on. 

Chase and his club are in the crosshairs of a local senator and the bank, and he fears he might lose everything. So when Liz grudgingly agrees to be his, if only for a few weeks, he’s elated. But what kind of long-term relationship can a broke, out of work, homeless Dom offer to a burgeoning submissive who won't submit outside of the bedroom? 


And here’s an excerpt: 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. I don’t have time for this.” Chase glared at Dusty across his desk. He knew he shouldn’t be taking out his frustrations on his partner. He was a class-A asshole, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Each day grew more difficult. No sub, the club in some serious shit, and now this?

Chase rubbed his temples, closing his eyes for a moment to block out the sight of his dark office that overlooked his club. The club they’d worked so hard to build and that they were in real danger of losing.

“It’ll be good for business. Every new title on the shelves that has a damned thing to do with shades of any color helps change the minds of people like that jackass senator.”

Opening his eyes, Chase shook his head. Ever the optimist, his Dusty. “People like him will never change their minds. No matter how many books are on the shelves, or movies in the theaters, or clubs like ours around the world. Some people will never get it. And whatever. We’re not asking them to join in if they don’t want to, but they have to stop trying to prevent us from doing it.”

Dusty flopped down into one of the chairs facing Chase’s desk. The leather creaked under his ass. Behind him, the barely lit club stared back at Chase through the one-way glass window of his office. Mocking him.

“She sounded cute on the phone,” Dusty said, drawing Chase’s morose thoughts back to what he needed to focus on. At Chase’s frown, Dusty shrugged. “What? She did. And maybe somewhat shy as well. Come on, it’ll be good for you. Help take your mind off things.”

They were meeting with their lawyer in the morning to go over a way to stop the injunction. The damned judge, no doubt in the senator’s pocket, had signed off on the piece of paper that said the K Club had to close its doors. That had been four days ago. The world was closing in around him, and it was getting harder to breathe.

He had enough to deal with, and he didn’t need some author in here poking around, asking stupid questions, and generally treating the K Club as a sideshow she could laugh at. But he was already faltering in the wake of Dusty’s big blue puppy-dog eyes. The guy was like his younger brother and knew that look would get him his way.

“How cute?” he asked.

“Like super cute. And very hesitant. Like she wasn’t quite sure she wanted to visit us at all.”

“Fine,” he grumbled.

Dusty’s blue eyes sparkled as he clapped his hands. “Great. She’ll be here in an hour.”

“You shithead.” Of course Dusty had already invited her to come in for a personal tour.

Dusty stood and left Chase’s office without another word, closing the door behind him. A moment later, Chase caught sight of him back downstairs by the bar.

An hour later, Chase was still buried under paperwork, scouring the consent contracts, the original ordinance he’d received from the city when they first opened five years ago, and some more paperwork the lawyer had faxed over yesterday. A loud knock sounded from downstairs, but he didn’t get up. Dusty was still down on the main floor, and he’d been taking care of whoever came knocking for the past couple days. The man was a godsend. How had Chase ever gotten on before without Dusty to look after him?

He turned his attention back to his work. No doubt it was someone else coming to inquire about the club, when they’d be back open. Their members had been so lost when he’d announced the closing of the club, even though he’d assured everyone it would be temporary. And he was damned sure going to make good on that promise. He would not fail.
He glanced through the window again when the bright light from the main door shone into his office.

Shadowed in the doorway was a tall brunette. Hair pulled severely into a long ponytail, dark, elegantly slanted eyes bordered in charcoal, a tight black top with lace over breasts and arms, combined with the long, leather-clad legs told Chase this was a Domme. Her beautiful Asian face was not one he recognized. She must be new in town, or perhaps visiting and wanting to check out the scene before hours. He and Dusty would usually extend an invitation to a visiting Domme, but since the club was under lock and key, that wouldn’t be happening. Apparently the protesters and CLOSED signs outside meant nothing to her. And instead of sending her on her way, Dusty smiled, shook her hand, and ushered her in out of the stifling Nevada heat.

What the hell?

Chase half rose from his desk to peek through the tinted windows of his office into the club beyond. His groin gave a jolt as he caught sight of their visitor’s swaying hips in the skintight leather. That gave him another what the hell moment. It wasn’t like him to be attracted to other Dominants. Going three weeks with no outlet had started to take its toll.

Dusty started leading the woman around the club, showing her the bar area, then the open dance floor and the bank of small seating areas along the one wall. Her face remained impassive, and Chase shook his head. That author was late for their meeting, and he couldn’t help but be glad he was now free to go and greet their visitor. He strode from his office and down the private back stairwell to meet them in the main area of the club.

“And this is where we have our shows,” Dusty was saying, leading her up on the stage.

Chase stayed in the shadow of the staircase, watching. The delicate bone structure of this woman was showcased beautifully by her dark coal-rimmed eyes, deep red lipstick, and a light blush that appeared completely natural. Her gaze was hot, stubborn, and he could almost see a flicker of flame from within. It instantly ignited an answering burn inside him, and he gulped in a few cool breaths. What the fuck was his problem today?

She looked up, and their gazes locked. An image flashed through his head. Her, bound to the top of the canopied bed in his room, a white mask covering her eyes, head thrown back in ecstasy as he tortured her senses. He blinked reality back into focus, determined to shake this strange attraction. He knew from experience, some Tops could never bottom. And this woman obviously didn’t have a submissive bone in her entire lithe little body.

For more Chase & Liz: http://www.loose-id.com/to-sir.html and you can grab your copy at all good Ebook retailers including;

You can also watch a trailer of the book (very fancy!) on Youtube!


Rachell Nichole is a contemporary erotic romance author, who loves writing sexy romances about memorable characters who have to fight to hold on to love. 
Rachell holds two undergraduate degrees, one in Professional Writing and the other in French. She also received a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University. She is the author of The Marietta Hotels Series, Spicy with a Side of Cranberry Sauce, Break(Through) the Ice and Queen of Hearts. 
Rachell lives in New York with a mountain of books, a loving family, and an invisible cat who loves to snuggle.

You can find me online, everywhere!
and Twitter @RachellNichole

Douglas, thanks so much for having me stop by today! I’ve had a blast talking about my writing space and my lovely new book! Readers, thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to leave questions in the comments section and I’ll stop back in to answer them. ☺ 

~ Rach 

It's been a pleasure Rachell. Stop by any time!




Saturday 23 August 2014

Douglas Black - Spanish Heat

Hello my lovelies, I hope you are all well. I've been rather neglecting you all these past two weeks and for that I apologise. I was in Spain on a family holiday and the villa we were staying in didn't have an internet connection. I know, I was horrified too. There were tears before bedtime that first night, I tell you.

If I wanted to send an email or check in with you all I had to pop down to the local bar where an hour of wifi came at the price of a vodka and tonic. Or two. And frankly after the first week, this new means of paying to be connected with the outside world began to feel like it might not be great for my health!

However, I am now back in bonnie Scotland where the grass is green (because it's tipping it down in August and there was frost last night) and that means that I have to wear jumpers and socks again AND it means that I can share the following information with you...


Spanish Heat is available now! I'm very excited to see Spanish Heat back on the market. Some of you may remember this as Business or Pleasure which was released by Silver Publishing back in April 2013. After the problems at Silver the rights were returned to me and my story found a new home with Totally Bound Publishing. I'm loving the new cover and I'm so glad I can share this story with you all again. If you didn't get around to reading it the first time, you can find the blurb and an excerpt below. 

Blurb
Jack is looking for a new job and a fresh start, but he finds more than he expected waiting for him under the Spanish sun.

When Jack Campbell is unceremoniously dumped in favour of his high school best friend, he decides he needs a fresh start. He sees an advertisement in The Times. Clark Thomas is looking for a house sitter for his villa in Marbella. In a slightly inebriated state, Jack applies seeing this as the perfect chance to get away from his troubles at home in Glasgow, but when he lands in Spain, he finds a lot more than a just job opportunity waiting for him.

Clark has one weekend to show Jack the ropes before he leaves Spain and the memories of his own recent break-up behind for the next nine months. However, there’s just something about Jack. Instead of explaining the finer points of Jack’s contract, Clark finds himself introducing the young Glaswegian to some of his favourite Andalusian haunts, and he’s spending more time doing so than is necessary.


There must be something in the Spanish heat. All too soon Clark and Jack find themselves struggling to maintain the boundaries of their employer-employee relationship. Jack is behaving in ways he never has before, but knowing that what he’s doing is probably wrong doesn’t stop it from feeling right, and it might cause Jack a bigger problem when Monday morning comes around and it’s time for Clark to leave.


Excerpt
Clark swung himself to his feet and pulled his T-shirt over his head, dropping it onto the tiled floor. He faced Jack, who fought to keep his eyes from exploring Clark’s tanned, pleasantly hairy chest and abs. “Fancy joining me?”

The denim shorts dropped, pulling Jack’s eyes back south to a pair of baggy, purple board shorts. Clark was in the pool before Jack had time to work out what he was talking about.

“Come on. I keep the water nice and cool. There are spare shorts behind the bar.” Clark shouted, gesturing to the well-stocked bar at the edge of the large, barbecue kitchen at the end of the pool.

Jack watched the water rippling as Clark moved expertly through the pool. Slowly he stripped off his shirt and went behind the bar where he fumbled with a pair of green Hawaiian shorts before sliding off his jeans.

The high counter of the bar protected his modesty and he told himself the feeling of eyes on his skin was just paranoia. Suitably attired, he returned to the pool, tossed his clothes beside his beer and dropped into the water, grateful to be cool again.

“I’m sure you’ll really like it here, Jack. It’s a brilliant place.”

Jack nodded but kept his distance. Going swimming with his new employer half an hour after meeting him felt a little inappropriate, even by his newly lowered standards of behavior.

“Have you been to Spain before?” Clark rolled onto his back.

Jack struggled not to stare at Clark’s toned, tanned chest. “Family holidays when I was much younger. I’ve never been to this part, though.”

“Do you know anyone in this part of the country?”

Jack shook his head. “I wasn’t really thinking about whether or not I would know anyone when I sent the email. Getting away from it all was sort of the point.”

Clark fell silent, and Jack wondered if he had said too much. When Clark started to swim to the edge of the pool, Jack tried to work out what he could possibly have said. He watched Clark plant two strong arms on the side of the tiles and lift himself from the water, half a meter from the metal pool steps.

Water rushed from Clark’s hair and shoulders making his muscles glisten in the sunshine. His shorts, wet and heavy, were pulled down as Clark propelled himself from the pool.

Jack caught a glimpse of a tan line and dimpled buttocks and tried to create a bland expression on his face as Clark turned to him.

“Do you fancy grabbing something to eat tonight, then? I could show you around a little—help you settle in. I don’t exactly have much planned for my last weekend.”

“That sounds good,” he said a little warily.



“Great! Be ready by seven?”

You can get your hands on a copy of Spanish Heat at all good Ebook retailers now!




Friday 15 August 2014

Jacey Holbrand - The Encounter

Today I welcome Jacey Holbrand who is here to share her new release The Encounter with us. Jacey, the floor is all yours!

I’m so excited! My story The Encounter is now available!

The Encounter is the first book in a series I’ve started called: The Agency. An ‘advertisement’ for The Agency goes something like this: “Seen a ghost? Have issues with a poltergeist? Experienced a close encounter? If you’ve come across something odd and don’t know what your next step is, call The Agency. We’re here to help you regarding your supernatural needs.”


Cool, right? (: I’m currently at work on the next few stories in this series, but for now check out The Encounter available from Evernight Publishing.


Blurb
The Agency, 1
Evan ‘Zen’ Zenas is the top agent at The Agency and is known for his brusque demeanor. He’s also known to be tough on trainees. Those who find themselves under his tutelage usually don’t last long. When he’s assigned a new assistant, Seth Trivos, Zen’s faced with questions about his past he’s not too keen on answering.

Seth Trivos knew Evan once upon a time, loved him even, but when Evan disappeared, he unknowingly broke Seth’s heart. Now, he’s in Evan’s world as the newest recruit at The Agency, and he’s looking for answers.

Will Zen chase away another new assistant because he doesn’t want to open up about a past encounter or will being forced on a case together make him face the demons he’s been trying to hide from?


Be Warned: m/m sex

Excerpt
Zen threw his arms around him in a tight hold and claimed his mouth with wild abandon. Seth’s head reeled. He couldn’t believe he and Zen were kissing. Granted, it wasn’t anything like the soft moments and slow love making he’d imagined over the years, but he’d take what he could get at the moment.

Zen moved his hands up and down Seth’s back. The heated touch under his jacket and over his shirt seared his skin in a delightful way. Zen’s lips pressed upon his almost too violently. He swept his tongue out, forcing Seth to open his mouth.

Seth adored the taste of him, salty and spicy, and his scent of leather and earth as well.

God, for so long he’d waited to have Zen in his arms, his body close. Zen’s lips trailed down his neck. Seth reached up and cupped the back of Zen’s head. Zen pulled at his shirt, tugging it from the confines of his pants without breaking the kiss. In the process of kissing him, somehow Zen was able to unbutton and unzip both their pants and free their cocks out of the openings.

Desire rushed through Seth, clawing at his insides. Zen clutched at him like a drowning man scrambling for purchase on any floating thing to save him from the watery depths. Hands traveled over his shoulders, up his shirt, feeling all the nuances of his chest and back down to his rock-hard cock. The man held their dicks against each other, and Seth sucked in a long stream of air. The feel of their two satiny lengths rubbing together was a heady sensation.


Zen turned their bodies and laid them down. He stretched over Seth. Seth loved feeling the weight and heat of Zen’s strong body atop his. Still, Zen continued to kiss him, and he continued to surrender to the demand of Zen’s mouth.

Well, i think we can all agree that was pretty hot! Here's some more info about The Encounter and, most importantly (!) links to where you can get your hands on a copy!

The Encounter ~ The Agency by Jacey Holbrand
Publisher: Evernight Publishing  ( Twitter ID: @evernightpub )
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary, Urban Fantasy, Gay, Erotic, May/December
Heat Level: 3
Word Count: 17, 775
ISBN: 978-1-77130-909-7
Editor: Tricia Kristufek

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs


About The Author

Jacey Holbrand believes love comes in all forms and should be celebrated. She’s committed to her muse and writing so she can share those kinds of stories with readers. 

Hot days. Sexy nights. Come play in her world.

Jacey loves to hear from readers! Click the link to eMail her: JaceyHolbrand@gmail.com

You can also get in touch with Jacey using the links below! Thanks so much for stopping by!







Tuesday 12 August 2014

Nikka Michaels - Mile High Service

Good morning, everyone. Hope you're all well. 

As a little treat for you, today I have invited Nikka Michaels over to my blog to share her new story Mile High Service with us. 

Mile High Service is the prequel to Room Service (also published by Cobblestone Press) and is an M/M erotic romance (I know how much we all love those!) 

This story is part of Cobblestone's 'Blue Line' which is a short story line for erotica. Here's what the publisher has to say about this particular line. 

For us, erotica is about the fulfillment of a sexual fantasy.  These stories are sexy, very graphic, and are by no means a “traditional romance”.

Sounds good to me! Take it away, Nikka!




Blurb
In this prequel to Room Service and Lip Service, Dr. Seth Coleman is bored and restless while he waits for his flight to leave. While waiting, he muses on how he met his husband Carson Randall.

Seth Coleman is a talented surgeon who has the career he’s worked toward his whole life but is still missing something. As he’s standing in an airport store contemplating buying a tie, he meets handsome stranger, Carson Randall. After sparks fly, they both realize they want the same thing. They want more than just a passing meeting in an airport; they want a relationship.




Excerpt
I turned to face the wall of ties, staring at our reflections in the small mirror in the middle of the display. I cursed the color that had risen in my cheeks from the stranger’s attention. When I licked my lips nervously, his gaze landed on my mouth, and he echoed my gesture. I took a deep breath, hoping for some kind of Zen state to keep from reacting to his proximity. There was nothing more awkward than an erection at an inopportune moment.

He moved close as he reached around my body, fingers deftly flipping up the stiff collar of my shirt. The heat from his body warmed my back, and the scent of spicy aftershave and clean male flooded my senses. My eyes blinked closed as my overactive and underused imagination paged through possible scenarios that could involve us in the same position, and my blood heated. What I wouldn’t give to have him buried inside me as I braced my hands against the wall. How long had it been since I’d had this feeling?

I opened my eyes and tried to steady my breathing as I heard him move behind me. He removed the tie from the box, unrolling it slowly, and carefully draped it around my neck. His arms closed around me again as he quickly and efficiently tied a Windsor knot. The stranger’s warm breath tickled the hair at the back of my neck as he moved, sending gooseflesh prickling over my skin. He tugged the tie’s knot sharply and adjusted the fabric so it dimpled and hung just right. As his thumbs brushed against the muscles of my chest through the fabric of my shirt, I pushed back a sound that threatened to escape my dry throat. The touch had to have been completely innocent, but it still made blood rush south.

He flipped the collar of my shirt down and adjusted the stays back in place, his movements practiced and precise. As the stranger straightened the tie one last time, color rose in my cheeks. This close to this attractive man, I wondered if he could feel how he affected me as he studied my face in the small mirror.


“See, it’s perfect. Calm. In control. Commanding. Simple. Authoritative. Sexy.” The last word was a low purr in my ear as I swallowed hard and closed my eyes. Who knew tie shopping was a form of foreplay? “It looks good on you.” He lowered his voice, his murmur seemingly meant for only my ears. “But it’d look better off of you.”

You can grab your copy of Mile High Service at any of the links below.

Cobblestone Press


About The Author
Nikka Michaels lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She loves to read and write M/M romance but believes everyone deserves a love story. She currently has four releases out, Chasing Matt, a M/M novella co-authored with Eileen Griffin, Christmas with Caden, a M/F romance novella from Cobblestone Press, “Waking up Wolf”, a M/M shifter romance in Evernight Publishing’s Alpha’s Claim: Manlove Edition anthology, and Room Service the M/M BDSM short story from Cobblestone Press’ Blue line. Lip Service, the sequel to Room Service is also out from Cobblestone Press. She also has a short story, “His Assistant” in Evernight Publishing’s Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition anthology. Nikka is currently at work with her co-author on two M/M foodie romance novels, to be released October and November 2014 from Carina Press.

You can get in touch with Nikka using via the contact information below. 
Website and Blog
Twitter
Facebook Profile
Facebook Author Page
GoodReads
Cobblestone Press
Evernight Publishing
Amazon Authors

Thanks so much for dropping by, Nikka!






Tuesday 5 August 2014

Douglas Black - The Bucket List

Ladies and Gentlemen, the day is finally here!

I am absolutely chuffed to bits and over the moon to announce that The Bucket List is available now! So far, it's only up on Loose Id's website but there you can pick any format of your choosing for download. It will be available on Amazon later today. 

I'm really excited to share this story with you all. You can check out the blurb and an excerpt below. 

Thank you all once again for all your support and have a lovely day!



Blurb
When Kade Doherty gets dumped, he expects sympathy from his friends. Instead, he gets a bucket list. His friends want to help him enjoy life again, but Kade isn’t convinced a list of outlandish leisure pursuits will help much with that. To keep the peace he goes along with the plan and in the process, he meets Blake. 

Blake’s Australian accent and surfer-boy looks are the stuff of sexual fantasies and Kade surprises everyone – including himself – when he wastes no time making a move. 

Kade goes with Blake into the Scottish highlands, but just as he is beginning to get used to life with his very own Mr. Australia, reality comes knocking. Kade’s newfound happiness falls apart when his abusive ex demands they meet. Blake senses something is wrong and he wants to help, but Kade knows he can’t confide in Blake.

After all, Kade hasn’t exactly been honest. He might feel like a different man when he’s with Blake, but Kade knows he’s still just an accountant from Glasgow with slight obsessive compulsions and a bucket list that someone else wrote. He knows Blake won’t hang around, let alone help, when he finds out the truth. 


Or will he?


Excerpt
Kade looked up at the unfamiliar facade of the building in front of him. If he hadn’t just checked his location for the third time, using both the sat-nav on his phone and the one in his car, he would have sworn he must have taken a wrong turn when he reached the unfamiliar streets of Glasgow’s East End.

Unlike the supermarket he normally frequented, this one had no branding or signage to speak of. There were no garish colors and definitely no cheesy logos. If it had an official name, the owners clearly didn’t think it was worth sharing with their customers.

The building looked like a windowless warehouse, and the car park, devoid of neatly painted grid lines and pointless shrubbery, was just a gravel-covered, pothole-ridden piece of ground hemmed in by a giant metal fence. If it hadn’t been for the steady stream of people coming and going through the single-door entrance, Kade wouldn’t have known if the shop was open or closed.

He sighed and leaned against the bonnet of his car. All he really wanted to do was get back behind the wheel and drive back to what was familiar. The temptation was almost overwhelming. It wasn’t like he hadn’t had enough changes and uncertainties to deal with recently without dragging the weekly shopping into the mix. He pulled out his phone and scrolled down until he found Ian’s number. Ian answered on the second ring.

“I’m standing outside an Asian supermarket. Are you happy now?”

“That depends,” Ian said. “Are you actually going to go inside, or are you just planning on standing in the car park, biting your bottom lip and looking at your feet?”

Kade looked up from his boots and removed the phone from his ear momentarily so he could stare at it instead. He heard Ian’s laughter through the handset.

“Fuck you very much,” Kade said under his breath when he put the phone back to his ear.

“And you. I’ll see you tonight. You know, I’m impressed. Doing two things outside of your comfort zone in one day? Hell, the council must be pumping chemicals into the water again.”

“Yeah, yeah. Very funny.” Ian was still laughing when Kade rang off and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

Ian’s jokes didn’t feel very funny to Kade at the moment, and his behavior had nothing to do with too much fluoride in the city’s water supply, as Ian well knew. Instead, it had everything to do with that stupid bloody list.

The bucket list. His bucket list. Only it wasn’t really his at all, because Kade hadn’t had any say in whether or not he wanted a bucket list, let alone what he wanted to put on it. Ian and his boyfriend, Paul, had drawn it up the morning after Kade had shown up on Ian’s doorstep, shouting and ranting and crying because Niall had left.



The Bucket List is available now. Get your copy at Loose Id's website!

Monday 4 August 2014

An Interview With Pelaam - Author of Captive!

Today, I have Pelaam, author of Captive, part of the 'Planet Alpha' range published by Evernight Publishing. Check out our interview below! 




Let’s start with the basics. Why write?
I've written since childhood. It's a huge part of who and what I am. If I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing. Writing comes as naturally as breathing to me.

And why did you write this book? Why now?
I loved Evernight's premise for Planet Alpha. Sci fi is one of my favourite genres in which to write. The lure of warrior aliens was way too much for me to resist. However, this book was also first for me. Captive is my first ménage, an m/m/m, so I was pushing my own boundaries, too.


Are you ever conscious of wanting to share a message through your work? If so, what is it?
I strongly believe in equality and that love is love. That's something I hope can be seen in what I write. 

If I gave you permission to rewrite the first book you ever had published, would you?
Good question. I have voices saying yes and no. I'm really not sure.

Are you the same author now as you were when you started?
No. I feel a lot more mature as a writer. I understand a lot more about the whole process. I'm much more conscious about how I write, as well as what I write.

It’s Friday night and I’m going to give you two hundred quid to spend getting up to whatever mischief you want. Which of your characters are you going to take with you and what are you going to do?
Another difficult one. I'd want to take way too many. But I have a couple of new characters that readers will meet in the near future, Noah and Uther. I would take us out for a meal in a restaurant overlooking the ocean, where we could talk about food and wine while we enjoyed a nice meal.

And finally. In a world where you and your characters co-exist, who would be your best friend, and whose invitation to dinner keeps getting lost in the mail?

I love all my characters – villains not included. So in that sense, I'd never lose anyone's invite. In terms of best friend, probably Ull, one of my demons from a book entitled "Ange et Demon" that was published through Silver Publishing and which is currently awaiting a new publisher to take it on.



Captive is available now. You can grab your copy and check out a free excerpt over on Evernight Publishing's Website





Sunday 3 August 2014

Avril Ashton - So Far Gone

Today I am absolutely delighted to welcome, Avril Ashton over to my little corner of the internet. 

I had a few questions for Avril and you can read her answers to those below. Keep reading for an excerpt from Avril's new release, 'So Far Gone'. 

Shall we get down to business?!

Let’s start with the basics. Why write?
Because there are a lot of voices in my head and the easiest way to get them to shut their traps is to write their stories?

And why did you write this book? Why now? 
The story just popped into my head one day. A nugget of an idea, so I followed the trail, determined whether or not it made sense then I wrote it.

Are you ever conscious of wanting to share a message through your work? If so, what is it? 
I don’t set out to make any kind of statement or share a message. I just write. If my readers do get a message that’s great, but it’s never been my intent.  

If I gave you permission to rewrite the first book you ever had published, would you? 
I would, yep. My writing has matured so much, and I know myself and my style infinitely better than I did back then. A rewrite is definitely in order.

Are you the same author now as you were when you started?
Not at all. With every book I put out, I learn something more about myself and about the industry.

It’s Friday night and I’m going to give you two hundred quid to spend getting up to whatever mischief you want. Which of your characters are you going to take with you and what are you going to do? 
I’m taking Sasha Forde, from A Wicked Ride. She’s crazy so I’d put her in charge of our activities. Pretty sure at some point we’d end up in jail.

And finally. In a world where you and your characters co-exist, who would be your best friend, and whose invitation to dinner keeps getting lost in the mail? 
Syren Rua from A Sinner Born would be my BFF. I’m thinking Gabe from Love the Sinner’s invite would be lost. Mostly because he doesn’t want anyone looking at his man, and I’m gonna need to eye his man down proper.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, Avril! But, we're not done yet. Stay with us to read an excerpt from Avril's latest release, 'So Far Gone' and to find out how you can get learn more about Avril herself!






SO FAR GONE
Avril Ashton

One night? Feels like three years…

Jacob Donnelly wants something new. Something different. Which is why he’s got a one-way ticket to New York and his bags packed. One last night out to the bar finds him in a sexy stranger’s bed, giving in to an explosive chemistry Jacob had been searching for, but never found. Until now. It’s too bad he’s leaving town, although once he finds out his one night stand’s true identity, Jacob can’t get away fast enough.

Cash Warner made a mistake. It doesn’t matter that he’d never felt anything like the fire generated between him and Jacob. He doesn’t plan to ever see his one-night hookup ever again. Except he does. When the reality of what they’d done fully sets in, Jacob flees, leaving Cash struggling with how to deal with the bitter taste of betrayal he can’t escape. Because even with Jacob gone for years, Cash can’t stop wanting more of that one night. Fate conspires against them once again, bringing Jacob home after tragedy strikes, and they’ll find it near impossible to keep their distance despite being committed to other people.


Excerpt

Time fell away and he became lost in the sight of the man he watched. Something about this Cash perked his body right up, made his blood sing. Tonight of all nights. The feeling was bittersweet. He’d never had a reaction to another man quite like this.

“Hey there.”

Jacob jerked his head up and almost gasped. Cash sank into the chair opposite him, dark gaze intent.

“Uh…”

“You been looking at me.”

That wasn’t a question. “I—” Jacob licked his lips.

“You.” The word mocked Jacob, but Cash’s gaze was searching.

“Yes.” Jacob cleared his throat. “I’ve been watching you.”

“You looking for something in particular?” Cash lifted a dark eyebrow and Jacob stared at him, trying to gather his thoughts. Cash didn’t break the gaze, he held Jacob tightly to him as surely as if they were locked in an embrace.

“Yes,” Jacob said slowly. “I was looking for something, but I…I think I may have found it.”

Cash blinked then, heat blazing in his eyes. He nodded once, but didn’t move otherwise. “I’m Cash.”

“Cash.” Jacob spoke his name for the first time testing it out. He liked it. “Jacob. I’m Jacob.”

“Jacob.” Cash smiled and Jacob shivered. “You should go to the men’s room, Jacob.”

His brain wasn’t working properly, wasn’t getting enough oxygen or something because for a second there, Jacob felt bewildered. Lost. He couldn’t process the words Cash spoke. He stared and Cash stared back, waiting…waiting…

“Oh.” He jerked backward then jumped to his feet. Cash’s gaze dropped to Jacob’s crotch. He followed the gaze then cursed. “Shit.” He was hard. Clearly.

Cash’s lips quirked. “Bathroom?”

Jacob inhaled. “Yes.” One last gaze into Cash’s eyes and Jacob went. He walked to the bathroom on unsteady legs, palms sweaty, fists opening and closing as he tried to grasp and identify what it was he was feeling. He didn’t understand it.

Want to get your hands on a copy of So Far Gone? Check out the links below. 

Amazon

All Romance Books

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords


Author Biography




A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant spousal equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing the plot points of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother.  

Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.

Addicted to cake, the ID Channel and the UFC, Avril writes Erotic and GLBT Romance for Ellora's Cave, Evernight Publishing, eXtasy Books, Secret Cravings Publishing and Total-e-Bound.  

Connect with Avril at any (or all!) of the following links!
Avril's Website
Facebook
Twitter




Friday 1 August 2014

Four Days Until RELEASE DAY!

Hello everyone, 

As some of you may know (since I have been banging on about it, just a little bit!) it is now only four days until the release of my new novella, The Bucket List! I don't know about you, but I'm certainly counting down. 



The Bucket List started out life as a short story, inspired by a trip I took to an Asian in supermarket in Glasgow at the start of last summer. (My partner and I now shop there regularly.) I know a supermarket isn't a location that immediately springs to mind when thinking about possible settings for MM erotic romances, but I wanted to test myself and play around a little, to try to see what my characters would do and how they would move forward from an initial meeting over the fruit and veg.

I really enjoyed writing this story. It really did take me on a journey (hence it is now a 30K word novella and not a short story anymore) and I really hope it does the same to you. 

On August 5th, I will be able to share Kade and Blake's story with you all. For now, I can share the cover and the blurb, and tell you that you'll be able to grab your copy at Loose-Id's website and all other good ebook retailers.


Blurb
When Kade Doherty gets dumped, he expects sympathy from his friends. Instead, he gets a bucket list. His friends want to help him enjoy life again, but Kade isn’t convinced a list of outlandish leisure pursuits will help much with that. To keep the peace he goes along with the plan and in the process, he meets Blake. Blake’s Australian accent and surfer-boy looks are the stuff of sexual fantasies and Kade surprises everyone – including himself – when he wastes no time making a move.

Kade goes with Blake into the Scottish highlands, but just as he is beginning to get used to life with his very own Mr. Australia, reality comes knocking. Kade’s newfound happiness falls apart when his abusive ex demands they meet. Blake senses something is wrong and he wants to help, but Kade knows he can’t confide in Blake.

After all, Kade hasn’t exactly been honest. He might feel like a different man when he’s with Blake, but Kade knows he’s still just an accountant from Glasgow with slight obsessive compulsions and a bucket list that someone else wrote. He knows Blake won’t hang around, let alone help, when he finds out the truth.


Or will he?



Douglas Black
Novel
ISBN:978-1-62300-067-7
Genre:LGBTTQ, Contemporary 
Cover Artist:Valerie Tibbs

A Two Release Month!

August is going to be a two-release month for me. 

On August 5th, my new novella The Bucket List will be released by Loose Id.


The Bucket List is an M/M erotic novella that tells the story of Kade, a Glaswegian accountant recently dumped by his verbally abusive, long-term boyfriend Niall. 

Kade’s friends think his relationship has caused him to become introverted and stuck in his ways so, to try to help him, they write a bucket list. 

Kade isn’t exactly convinced by this plan, but he reluctantly goes along with it, only to discover it’s true: bucket lists really can change your life. 



The Bucket List will be followed on August 22nd by Spanish Heat. (Although you can already get your hands on a copy via Totally Bound Publishing's Website)


Spanish Heat is an M/M erotic short story that follows Jack, a young man who leaves his hometown of Glasgow and flies to Spain to take a job housesitting. The job was supposed to offer Jack a break from problems back home, but Jack is worried that he’s acted rashly, and the fact that things immediately stop going as planned isn’t helping much with his nerves. 

Spanish Heat is published by Totally Bound Publishing, but was previously released as Business or Pleasure by Silver Publishing. It has been revised and reedited for rerelease. 

I can't wait to share both these stories with you. I hope you're going to love these characters as much as I do. 

Thanks so much again to everyone for your continued support!