tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69277061673465165522024-03-21T10:48:42.526-07:00Shayla's Little ShellAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-22726054646461875652015-11-03T08:56:00.000-08:002015-11-03T08:56:00.564-08:00The girl-with-penis syndrome and how to avoid it - advice for M/M writers<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ok, guys this post may hit a sensitive nerve for some people so please don’t bash me, but I heard a
few writers complaining that reviewers call their characters too girly and
unrealistic and they wonder where they went wrong. I’ve especially been thinking
about this topic ever since a great author friend of mine has received the same
treatment from a reviewer and I felt honestly bad for her.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Firstly, I’m gonna
point out that it really is a matter of tastes on how fluffy you want your
reads to be. Some readers really enjoy characters who are open about their
feelings and make lots of love declarations and use lots of endearments. For
those readers, these kinds of books won’t be a problem at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the opposite side
of the spectrum are readers who want to read about very manly men. Tough and
rough and gruff guys who’d never acknowledge their feelings and when they
eventually do, they spit them out through their teeth, feeling as if they’d bit
into a lemon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A total matter of
tastes. I'd like to think I’m a versatile reader and I enjoy all sorts of
stories as long as they’re beautifully written, and I think most M/M readers are
a lot like me. However I sometimes stumble upon one of those books that sounds
so freaking cheesy it makes me want to barf from too much sweetness and then I
realize I do have a limit as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But how would an
author avoid making their male characters look like girls with penises? Here
are my tips:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*<b>Don’t make your
characters instantly fall in love.</b> This is the biggest mistake a cheesy author
does and, sadly, I don’t want to generalize, but I stumbled upon this mostly in
shifter stories </span><span style="background: white; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">. (guys, just because they're fated mates doesn't mean they need to say "I love you" from the first five chapters; give them a little room to know each other). Take
this situation: character A meets character B and he’s so attracted to him that
for the whole chapter he sings his praises- he’s so sexy, so beautiful, he has
pouty lips, he has rosy cheeks etc. They have a roll in the sack and A tells B
he’s never met anyone like him. B says the same. He </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">suddenly</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> calls him “babe” or
“sweetheart” or “honey” etc and they act like a married couple. After three
chapters, they say the “I love you”s and for the rest of the story, they will
continuously reiterate how they couldn’t live one without the other, and how
lucky they are to have met each other, and how much they would hurt anyone who’s
dare tear them apart. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Why is this a problem:</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">** Ask yourself this: where’s the emotional
conflict in that? Where’s the pain of unrequited love or being separated or
struggling with falling in love? It’s like a situation where a single person
meets up with a pair of newlyweds that
call each other sickly-sweet names in public and make the single one feel like
a third-wheel. Total turn off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">** Readers
seek romance because they want to read about the hardships of finding love, not
read about instant lovey-dovey moments. That’s not what romance stories are
about. The reason why instant love makes characters so girly it’s not because
girls are necessarily like (like the stupid blond cheerleader cliché. It’s just
a cliché. Not all blonds are stupid, not all cheerleaders are stupid, nor are
they all blonds, but that image is stuck in our collective mindset as the
illustration of what a stupid girl looks like), but because it’s not realistic,
because they act silly and superficial, which, unfortunately, is how sometimes
some girls are perceived as. As a result, your characters will look like girls. Rarely would a writer pull this kind of plot off without having
their characters look corny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*A posteriori, <b>refrain
from using terms of endearment</b> between the characters. Guys are known not
to express their feelings much. Even if your hubby may call you “pumpkin”, try to
remember how it was when you guys first met. I really doubt your husband/boyfriend
called you “pumpkin” after the third date. I think it took more like 100 dates, most definitely the length of a whole novel, time-wise. Terms of endearment are a way of
expressing affection. Affection takes time to build up. In order to like, let
alone love, a person, you first need to know them, you need to have something
in common with them. Love and affection can form after first going through some
trials or after revealing to each other<b> your vulnerabilities</b>. Now, this is a
topic that leaves room for juggling for those authors who really love their
characters to be (obnoxiously) sweet. For example, terms of endearment may depend
on the character’s personality and degree of flamboyance (I love to have my
flamboyant characters use ‘honey’ or ‘sweetie’ all the time, but I would in
contrast, make them look manly using other artifices; this is a talk for
another day though) or they may be part of their cultural background. But, generally,
if you want your men manly, then try limiting terms of endearment. In my
opinion, no manly man would call you "pumpkin" in public unless threatened with castration. even in private, they may find it awkward. If they do call you that, lucky you; you must be very loved, but he’s one in a million. Really.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*<b>Don’t make them
whiny</b>. This, I confess, is something my characters suffer from and I really
struggle sometime to not make my men moan like some five year olds. Yes, unrequited
love is a pain in the ass, fighting between MCs is also a depressing thing, but
when a character lies in his bed and bemoans his horrible fate it’s not that sexy.
It pretty lame. And it makes them look like girls </span><span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*Communication is the
key BUT <b>too much talk will only make your men look like girls</b>. Yes, I know. You’ve
read in plenty of writing advice columns that you shouldn’t have a plot where
everything could be resolved with a good talk. Sadly I made the mistake of
writing such a story once or twice myself (LOL Listen to me talking like I’m an
important person). And that’s a sound advice. You should always come up with a
plot that’s real and not full of pseudo-obstacles, but that has nothing to do
with character being chatty. I recently betaed a manuscript where character continuously
talked about their issues and how to solve them, and after they talked,
magically, everything was alright between them. Mmmm, that’s not how men act,
in my opinion. As far as I know, women are the ones who want to talk about
things, while men would rather hide in hole and die starving than talk about
their feelings and their relationship issues. You see how talking would make
them look like women? I’m not saying they shouldn’t talk at all about how they
feel, but, as the writer, you should find a way to make that realistic. Have
them spill out their metaphorical guts after a particularly emotional scene,<i> not on an every
day basis</i>. I’m a woman and<i> I</i> find it
extremely hard to talk about how I feel. I’d rather eat a pint of ice-cream or
watch a TVshow (or both hehehe) every time I feel depressed than call a friend
and unload my issues on them. Every time you tell someone about how you feel,
you’re leaving yourself vulnerable, you’re practically giving that person
ammunition to later hurt you and that’s something a lot of people have
difficulty doing (smart people like me </span><span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">). Especially men, who are raised to be manly and are taught that men must have
pride. Well, pride mostly implies not to show your weak side to anyone. Remember
the saying “big boys don’t cry”? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*<b>No corny sex scenes.</b>
I know this might sound ambiguous and hard to understand for some people. How the
hell could one avoid corny sex scenes in the first place? Sex scenes in romance
books are all about showing the love between your characters, they’re kinda
bound to be a little corny, right? Well, this is my humble opinion, but the
hottest sex scenes I ever read (see here: Josh Lanyon, Jordan Castillo Price,
Abigail Roux, A.E. Via, feel free to fill in the blanks) are <i>often times</i> about men trying not to show
their feelings. Everything that’s going on, emotionally-wise, is strictly in
the head of the characters. The sex becomes a battle between dominants, because
men are equal and just ‘cause one is a bottom, doesn’t mean he’s not on top. In
effect, it takes a really brave man to be on the receiving end. There are a lot
of things going on during sex on a mental and emotional level (for instance, some
people think about laundry during sex :P ). So before you start writing that
sex scene, you need a little exercise in psychology: what could go on in these
guys’ heads? Why are they even having sex? What’s the whole context of the plot?
Are they doing it because they’re desperate? Because they can’t get enough of
each other, like a freaking drug (remember there’s always a part of the addict that
hates their drug of choice, despite, but also because of how much they love it)? Because they need someone to, maybe, heal their
wounds? Because of revenge or in order to blackmail? <b>God, there are so many
reasons to have sex, but there’s never sex without a reason.</b> Simple attraction
is a reason. But never forget that men are always terrified of looking weak
(sorry guys!) so analyze your plot and take advantage of every weakness your characters
have, then use it in the context of sex. Play with their mental state and <b>make
them struggle</b> not to show how much they love it. Even when they show it, make them
just a little uncomfortable after the deed (that could definitely translate
into not being chatty). I guarantee they won’t look as girly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, these are some ideas on how to make your men less girly. I may not be a great writer, but I'm an avid enough reader and I've read plenty of amazing books to know how to recognize the less amazing ones. If you have any more advice please do share
your opinions :D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hugs and kisses! Shayla<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-76387206730272692832015-05-25T08:05:00.001-07:002015-05-25T08:05:51.675-07:00And the WINNER is!Congrats to avsanders! I'll send an email now. If the winner doesn't claim the prize in 24 hours, I'll make another drawing. thank you everyone for joining and commenting!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-84790871519610343352015-05-17T00:00:00.000-07:002015-05-17T11:58:25.452-07:00Hop against Homophobia,Transphobia&Biphobia - My message to homophobes & all the other haters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Hello everyone! Today, May 17th, is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Please visit this link to support the fight against these horrible phenomenons<a href="http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/"> http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/</a><br />
<br />
My first and only encounter with homophobia was back in high school. I remember I was out clubbing with my friends and there were a two gay boys kissing in the middle of the dancefloor. It was the one and only time we've seen an open gay couple in my town btw. At that time everything was cat-calling, only my best friend looked disgusted and she said they made her wanna vomit. We shrugged it off at the time. I wasn't very invested in supporting the gay community. I just said I thought they looked cute and all my other girlfriends agreed.<br />
<br />
This ex-best friend of mine, she is pretty homophobic though. Or at least was at the time. I'm not friends with her anymore and haven't seen her in over five years. I think. But she made a few more homophobic comments along the years and it sickened me how self-righteous she acted toward a category of people that hadn't done anything to her and that she didn't even know to begin with.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I've never seen any bullying in my school or anywhere else in my town. But I think that's mostly because gay people in our town are deep in the closet. So deep that everyone likes to think they don't exist. I'm sad this is happening in this day and age.<br />
<br />
So this is my message to homophobes:<br />
<br />
Every single person has the right to live their own life and make their own decisions. When straight people fall in love and start dating, they don't ask for anyone's approval, so why should LGBT people be any different?<br />
<br />
Heterosexuals don't ask for anyone's permission to be happy. Why should gays ask for permission and from whom?<br />
<br />
If you believe in God then you believe in the Bible. The Bible says God created humans. Which means God created heterosexuals and homosexuals alike, transexuals, shemales and every other color of the rainbow. Doesn't that mean that God loves all of us equally? If God loves LGBT peeps, how can some homophobes claim God doesn't? <b>If </b>they believe in God, their claim makes no sense.<br />
<br />
So stop using God's word as an excuse. The Bible was written by people, not God. The Bible was translated in thousands of languages and thousands of times and the people who wrote it were most likely sexually frustrated bigots in the first place.<br />
<br />
If you really want to <b>use the Bible as an excuse to hate others, </b>why don't you also hate those: who cheat on their wives/husbands? Who kick their kids out on the street because they don't agree with their "immoral life choices"? Who divorce and re-marry a dozen times? Who don't circumcise their penises? Who cut their hair or shave their beards? Yes, all of these are prohibited by the Bible. Why don't you check out this list:<a href="http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/List_of_actions_prohibited_by_the_Bible"> http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/List_of_actions_prohibited_by_the_Bible</a>?<br />
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If you think about it, by encouraging homophobia, we encourage normal, sane LGBT people (who have all the right to be happy and live their lives the way the want to just like any other damn person in this stupid world) to hide in the closet and try living <b>a life that doesn't belong to them</b>. We encourage them to marry someone they don't love and have kids with them. We force them to stay beside a person despite not loving them, when all the while heterosexuals break up and cheat and divorce all the time. But then we act all scandalized after this closeted lesbians/gays/transexuals inevitably come out of those stuffy closets and ruin they families or at least leave them and themselves permanently scarred. So who's fault is it? Is it really the fault of closeted gays or society's fault, who pushed them into the closet to begin with?<br />
<br />
Why don't we, instead of pointing the finger to others, start looking more in the mirror? Are we really perfect? Do we have the right to criticize others and be concerned with other people's lives? If at least <b>a minuscule grain of humanity</b> is left in you, you will be forced to admit that your life and your choices aren't perfect either, that you might have made mistakes in your life, that <b>you're not a fucking saint</b>. And even if you don't agree with other people's life choices, would you gladly have taken "advice" form others when you made your own choices? Newsflash : you wouldn't have. Because we all want to live our lives the way we like it. So what makes you think that if you tell a gay person not to be gay anymore, they're gonna listen to you? You're just turning into the people you hated who told you to do things they thought were best for you despite you wanting something else from life. Just like you lived your life the way you wanted to, so do LGBT people have the right to live their lives the way they want to. What's your business what they do anyway?<br />
<br />
You narrow-minded homophobes act all disgusted and call gays perverts and sick. But let me tell you another shocker: if you are so concerned with how perverted gays are, doesn't that mean you imagine them having sex? I think you're the perverts and way sicker than any gay man or woman could be.<br />
<br />
And to conclude my little speech, I want to say how happy I am that the LGBT community is finally getting its right recognized. You guys deserve to be considered a normal part of society and live your lives in the open, with no shame and without having to explain yourselves. I am so proud of being an LGBT supporter. That's why I'd say to my idiot of a homophobic ex-best friend if I ever saw her again.<br />
<br />
PS. Dear homophobes,<br />
Have you ever heard of Alexander the Great? Michelangelo? Da Vinci? Just to name a few. I'd like to remind you all that it's thanks to them the whole world has something that we call HISTORY!<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I'm sure no actual homophobe landed on this page, but if they ever do, I'd like to think my arguments were solid enough to at least make them ponder the issue of homophobia. I strongly believe that some people are homophobes simply because they're ignorant.<br />
To read more posts on the theme of homophobia, please visit <a href="http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.ro/"> http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Now for the prize: </b><br />
<b>From all the commenters, I will randomly pick a winner with random.org.</b><br />
<b>The winner gets a 15 $ gift card from Amazon.com or Allromance.com</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>OR if the winner is a writer and would rather have a custom ebook cover made by me instead of the gift card, they can pick that as a prize.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Contest ends on May 24th</b><br />
<b>*UPDATE - Please don't forget to leave your email address so I can send you the prize if you win!</b><script src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=644125FF-AACF-4A13-A08A-696A562D8FB3" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Other participants' posts:</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-52094883724012117012015-02-04T02:02:00.000-08:002015-02-04T02:07:06.924-08:00Psychic Storm anthology - Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Today's review is a bit unusual for me because I almost never read M/F, but, surprisingly, I did enjoy most of the stories in this anthology and I truly recommend it to lovers of the urban fantasy/paranormal genre. I APOLOGIZE BEFOREHAND FOR THE LITTLE SPOILERS. Because I suck at coding, I tried to alert their presence with bold writing. Here it goes:</span></div>
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<b>PSYCHIC STORM: Ten Dangerously Sexy Tales of Psychic Witches, Vampires, Mediums, Empaths and Seers</b><br />
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Ten books. Ten internationally bestselling authors. Ten different tales of sexy psychics, empaths and seers who solve crimes, fall in love, make magic and fight to save the world.<br />
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Over 2,000 pages of extrasensory reading await, with three brand new, original novels and over 1,400 5-Star Reviews for the rest! <br />
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From Bestselling Author, <b>HEATHER TOPHAM WOOD –– <i>NEW REVELATIONS</i></b> –– <b><i>Life should’ve been perfect.<i></i></i></b> Kate Edwards won the heart of police detective Jared Corbett and is coming to terms with her psychic ability. Things are blissful—until the day she meets Declan Brayden. Kate doesn’t trust the damaged and arrogant seer, but knows combining their abilities would allow her to help more people. When visions of a missing fitness instructor turn into a race against time to save her life, Kate might have no choice. HEAT LEVEL: 2<br />
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From Bestselling author, <b>APRIL AASHEIM –– <i>ARMAND</i></b> –– <b><i>"Never trust a warlock…”</i></b> Before Maggie Maddock and her sisters returned to Dark Root, Oregon, a generation of witches and warlocks reigned over The Council -- 13 men and women devoted to holding back the dark they believed would eventually end the world. This is the origin story of Dark Root's most notorious warlock: Armand. HEAT LEVEL: 2<br />
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From USA TODAY bestselling author, <b>DALE MAYER –– <i>TUESDAY’S CHILD</i></b> –– <b><i>What she doesn't want...is exactly what he needs.</i></b> Shunned and ridiculed all her life for something she can't control, Samantha Blair hides her psychic abilities and lives on the fringes of society. Against her will, however, she's tapped into a killer--or rather, his victims. Sam knows she must go to the authorities, but will the rugged, no-nonsense detective in charge of tracking down the killer believe her? HEAT LEVEL: 3<br />
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From bestselling author, <b>JESI LEA RYAN –– <i>JUST A LITTLE NUDGE</i></b> –– <b><i>Marley Sexton never aspired to be a stripper.</i></b> But it’s the only job that puts a dent in her mother’s medical bills. It’s also the only job where she feels justified using a little talent she calls nudging. But JC Moreno figures out Marley may have taken the nudge too far. Marley’s not big on trusting people, especially a man with a gun, a badge, and a story that doesn’t add up, but maybe they can work together to both get what they want…if they don’t end up dead. HEAT LEVEL: 3<br />
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From NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author <b>DEANNA CHASE –– <i>HAUNTED ON BOURBON STREET –– Jade loves her new apartment—until a ghost joins her in the shower.</i></b> When empath Jade Calhoun moves into an apartment above a strip bar on Bourbon Street, she expects life to get interesting. What she doesn't count on is making friends with an exotic dancer, attracting a powerful spirit, and developing feelings for Kane, her sexy landlord. But when the ghost moves from spooking Jade to terrorizing Pyper, the dancer, it's up to Jade to use her unique ability as an empath to save her. HEAT LEVEL: 4<br />
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From bestselling author, <b>MORGAN HANNAH MACDONALD –– <i>SPIRITS AMONG US –– WHAT HE SEES WOULD SCARE YOU TO DEATH.</i></b> Cajun bad boy and ex-FBI profiler Jon-Luc Boudreaux is in Paris hunting a serial killer. That's nothing new, neither is being haunted by the victims, but watching the murders through the killers eyes, now that's something new entirely. Jon-Luc is on the hunt for the most diabolical killer he's ever encountered, and Angela Henderson, fashion designer, is next on the killer's list. HEAT LEVEL: 4<br />
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From bestselling author, <b>JC ANDRIJESKI –– <i>LONDON –– If there was ever a race-traitor job, this was definitely it.</i></b> Revik arrives in London with a new job, a new home…and new people watching him, seemingly more than he has helping him watch the Bridge, a holy warrior hidden among humans to keep her safe from dark Seers called the Rooks. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Allie has no idea that she’s the Bridge…or even that she’s a Seer. Then she meets Jaden. HEAT LEVEL: 4<br />
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From bestselling author, <b>JORDAN CASTILLO PRICE –– <i>AMONG THE LIVING –– Victor Bayne, the psychic half a PsyCop team, is a gay medium more concerned with flying under the radar than making waves.</i></b> He hooks up with handsome Jacob Marks, a non-psychic from an adjacent precinct at his ex-partner’s retirement party and it seems his luck has taken a turn for the better. But then a serial killer with a gruesome M.O. surfaces--and no one agrees what he looks like. HEAT LEVEL: 5<br />
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From NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, <b>C.J. ELLISSON –– <i>VAMPIRE VACATION –– Meet Vivian. She's a 580-year-old vampire who exudes sex,</i></b> has a talent for drama, and is passionate about two things: her human husband, Rafe, and their resort for the undead. Her ability to project physical illusions creates the perfect vacation spot—a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true. The powerful vamp is put to the test when she discovers a corpse in a locked guest room minutes before the next arrivals. HEAT LEVEL: 5<br />
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From bestselling author, <b>HAZEL HUNTER –– <i>TOUCHED –– In the world of Isabelle de Grey, eyesight isn’t the only way to see.</i></b> When she touches objects and people, she looks into their past. But her gift is equal parts curse. She has yet to find the lover who can accept the brutal truth of what she sees. Isolated and rejected, she is ready to leave Los Angeles and abandon her career when she meets FBI profiler Gavin “Mac” MacMillan. Thrown together when the daughter of a mutual friend is abducted, Isabelle discovers that Mac could be the man who won’t push her away. HEAT LEVEL: 5<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>My review:</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">HEATHER TOPHAM WOOD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ––</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> NEW REVELATIONS</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At the beginning I was unsure about New Revelations. Firstly, the story was obviously a sequel, the characters had backstory that I hadn't known firsthand and I usually, out of principle more than anything else, prefer reading stories that come from a series in the order they were meant to be read. That instantly put me in a bad mood because I would have liked to get to know the character from the very beginning, experience their first adventures together with them. Having landed in the middle of a longer story, I felt irritated and a bit cheated. And then the heroine turned out to be this very unsure girl, sexually frustrated, not confident in her lover's feelings towards her, barely just getting comfortable with her new psychic gift. Her boyfriend, on the other hand, seemed to perfect to be real—too kind, too patient, too understanding, and, honestly, I didn't feel they were right for each other at all. No matter how in love Kate insisted she was in every chapter, I only felt her insecurities, rather than their chemistry. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That being said, Kate slowly grew on me, just like mold—her words, not mine. I was taken by her candid kindness and her desperate need to help people. I loved how honest she was and how sarcastic she could be. And I loved, that unlike some other heroines, she wasn't obsessed with fashion and looking good. She's definitely a great, lovable character. Just like Declan. Unlike Jared, Declan was real—snarky, playboy-ish, unashamed. He was an imperfect character, which made him very interesting and very fascinating. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The plot was interesting too, though a bit lacking in action. All along, there are just visions that Kate follows to save the victims, but, in fact, all the action consists in her letting the families know what happens and then crying her eyes out. There is little external conflict. In fact the real external conflict only happens at the end of the book—the cliffhanger. If you wanna read this book, I strongly suggest buying the whole series, otherwise you won't be truly satisfied. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All in all, in spite of its imperfection, I did enjoy the story and I will certainly buy the whole series. Thumbs up! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">APRIL AASHEIM</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> –– </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ARMAND</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.5 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Armand was a very unique read for me because it was unlike most books I read and enjoy. I wish I could rate it higher, but, unfortunately, the style really didn't match my tastes and I had to struggle to read it, even though the execution was impeccable, in terms of plot and characterization. What I truly missed was humor and a lighter vibe. True, there was teasing between the hero and heroine, but there's not enough to dampen the dark, depressing atmosphere of the book. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The story takes place is a strange universe where electricity, televisions and all modern appliances coexist with misogyny and primitive religious beliefs. From the start, I was particularly repulsed by the view society, in this universe, has on women. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If that wasn't enough, the hero himself is a phychic that feeds on sexual energies and uses women to satisfy his urges without caring what happens to them after he leaves them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I usually love imperfect characters, but I found Armand had too many flaws to be completely likable. He only managed to redeem himself at the end by righting his wrongs and his finding his father's grave was such an emotional scene that it truly made me weep for him and almost made up for all the scenes I didn't like. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I did like Armand, the character, in the end, especially when he insisted he couldn't love anyone, because characters who build a wall around their feelings are the most interesting and turn out to be the most profound.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">However the story ended just when I was getting into the action and starting to love where it was going. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If I were to summarize what this book is about, I would say Armand is a dark, quite lyrical tale about a lonely man's journey to finding himself and his purpose. Although psychic gifts play a part of the story, it is more a character driven account rather than an action book and I have the feeling it's one of those books you love from the start or you won't ever be completely comfortable reading, depending on your personality. If you enjoy dark tales and highly troubled heroes, this is definitely the book for you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">DALE MAYER</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ––</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> TUESDAY</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">S CHILD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – 5 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I loved everything about this book. The plot was very good, the pacing was perfect and the characters were all amazing. It's hard for me to find words for praising books, so usually the ones I like most get the shortest review. I will try, however to describe why this book took me from the start. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">First of all, it began with visions of death. From the very first chapter I was sympathetic toward the main character, Samantha. Not only does she see the experiences of murder victims, but she feels their physical pain, which manifests on her own body. She bleeds together with them, both metaphorically and physically. Despite all that, and despite how mistreated she's been all her life because of her unusual gift, Samantha shows incredible braveness and strength. She goes against her fear to do what she believes she's right and, eventually, she earns people's respect thanks to that. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But her journey isn't easy. The police treat her like a suspect and a looney. The only person who believes in her is detective Brandt, who ends up falling in love with her. Brandt sees her hidden strength and falls in love with her vulnerable side as well as her brave side. Together they battle against the system until their voices are heard and they manage to capture a serial killer, bringing justice to his numerous victims. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the process, Samantha learns how to open up and trust people, how to control her psychic gifts and how to rely on the people who love her. I loved that, on a micro level, her dog Soldier, whom she saved from euthanasia, goes through the same emotional journey of learning to trust. Ultimately, Soldier overcomes his trauma by saving Samantha from his former trainer, who's none other than the killer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I can't wait to read the next books in this series. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">JESI LEA RYAN</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> –– </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">JUST A LITTLE NUDGE</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4.5 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I had mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I liked the plot and Marley's powers and well as the idea of a stripper and a CIA agent solving a case together. It was original and written in an upbeat style. However, I felt like the whole plot was a bit rushed, there wasn’t enough time for a real connection to be created between the main characters. The heroine's feelings for JC were a bit muddled. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It feels like the author concentrated so much on Marley coming off as a strong female character that she completely ignored giving her a real vulnerable side. True, her vulnerability came from her mother's health state and her financial issues, but I didn't feel it was enough. I feel at her core, she was all strength—no hang-ups, no bad choices, no complexes and self-doubts. I didn't see any of that. She was smart, which I liked, but too cold, whereas, in comparison, JC seemed like a puppy drooling over her. That wasn't a good match, in my opinion.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That being said, the writing wasn't poorly executed at all, so, despite voicing those objections, I found it a fun and enjoyable read. If romance isn't the main reason you buy this book…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">DEANNA CHASE - HAUNTED ON BOURBON STREET -</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 5 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wow! This story was intense. Perverted ghosts, witches, strippers, dreamwalkers, nasty exes, lesser angels, ghost hunters and…I'm sure I could come up with more if I think about it. I bet that's exactly what the author told herself when she brainstormed this book. It had pretty much anything you could imagine. Seen from this point of view, you'd expect a disaster, but I was amazed how well they all fit together. The author managed to create a very entertaining read, lovable character and a captivating plot. That tells me she's a master at GMC – goal, motivation, conflict. There was simply no chapter without some sort of obstacle the heroine had to overcome. I loved the pacing and the intense chemistry between characters. I'm not only referring to the sexual chemistry between MCs, but the relations between all characters. The bonds of friendship felt real, the supporting characters were strong and had their own distinct voices. I loved this book!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">MORGAN HANNAH MACDONALD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> –– </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">SPIRITS AMONG US</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What can I say? This story was perfectly executed, but I didn't fully enjoy the atmosphere. I loved that it was written from a man's perspective and I loved Jon-Luc's character a lot. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">However, some things weren't as enjoyable. For instance, I felt his and Angie's instant attraction and instant "love" was a bit forced or, rather, the way the author described it all was implausible.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>*SPOILER* </b></span><i><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moreover, Angie's experience with ghost is coming out of nowhere, like the perfect solution to Jon-Luc's doubts. That seemed to be solved too easily and with no preamble whatsoever—another implausible detail. It's like the author though: "Hmmm, 'kay, I need Jon-Luc to confess to Angie he's a psychic, but how do I do this? Oh, I know, I'll just give her a past ghost experience! I'm a genius!" All of a sudden, when we were already at two thirds of the story with no mention of this whatsoever before this point? Didn't work for me.</span></span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>*/SPOILER* </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I also didn't enjoy the descriptions of the ghosts. For me it was a complete turn-off </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>*SPOILER* </b></span>the scene when Jon-Luc has a vision of having sex with one of the victims</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> */SPOILER* </b></span>. That scene grossed me and I didn't think it was a necessary scene either. And after that scene, all the ghosts apparitions grossed me out. If the author was aiming for horror, it was a total success. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From the point of view of the plot, however, I have no criticism, aside from Angie's ghost experience scene I mentioned before. The plot was well-thought. The characters were charismatic, the killer was interesting and I really didn't expect that turn of events, which is a huge plus! Unlike 90% of the stories where you know who the killer is, this one came as a surprise and it really tied the plot like a perfect bow placed over the gift box. I loved it. The scene at the end seemed a bit rushed, but all in all, the plot was full of adventure and interesting twists and the characters were really likable.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So, despite my reservations, I recommend this book. I think readers of the genre will enjoy it a lot. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">JC ANDRIJESKI</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ––</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> LONDON</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">– </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In terms of plot and originality, this book was a masterpiece. I was so impressed with the universe the author has created and with the complexity of the intrigues she's woven. In fact, this series is so big I can't help feeling it's all happening in an alternate universe for real.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But, the reason I gave it a tad lower rating is the lack of a satisfying ending. The whole story was full of angst and abuse. I cried 90% of the time and I craved that ending which would have made the pain worthwhile. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>*SPOILER* </b></span> <span style="color: #999999;"><i>The ending however showed Allie falling in love with her abuser while Revik was forced to witness her confession and withstand the pain that came with it. </i></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>*/SPOILER* </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From a logical point of view, I get that this was necessary for the story to come and I applaud the author for bearing to do this to her characters. I think this is one of the most skilled writers whose books I've ever had the honor of reading. On the other hand though, the story was so depressing and the ending so bitter-sweet that I don't think I want to read more. Because I have the feeling there will only come more pain in the future volumes. This is not a story for those of us who like humorous, light reads.I don't want to say it's a story that has more depth, because that would mean implying humorous stories have no depth and that is absolute BS, but it's definitely a story that treats very serious subjects. Disguised as a fantasy book. It's not just a fantasy book, just an adventure book, just a story about unrequited love. It is also a story about the human condition, about abuse, about human behavior under particular circumstances. I couldn't help feeling, at certain points, that it was a lot like a study in psychology. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">London is only a prequel to a long series and the world the author built is so complex and amazing that I'm sure many of you will be fascinated. So, give it a try, see what you think. I think this is one of those that you either like or not, depending on your personal tastes and the events you're going through in your own personal life. Either way, whether you'll like this particular prequel/series or not, keep an eye on this author because she's a true gem! Warning: You will need a lot of tissues and a certain bitter mood to be able to stomach some of the scenes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">JORDAN CASTILLO PRICE</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ––</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> AMONG THE LIVING </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">– </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5+ stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I may be a bit biased because the whole reason I wanted to read this collection of stories was Jordan Castillo Price's Among the Living being featured in it. I've already read Among the Living twice and, even though it's not my favorite out of Jordan's works, it holds a very dear place in my heart because it's the first story I ever read by this amazing author. This review is more about the whole Pyscop series, because this book is just a small bite ad the entire development of the story is much more complex. I feel the need to explain what exactly psycop is about for those readers who are completely new to M/M and/or Jordan Castillo Price's works.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Among the Living is the first book of the Psycop series, a series about a medium who helps ghosts cross over and solves mysteries in his own special way.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What I love about this author's books is the way she builds characters. Her boys are always troubled, rough guys who, deep inside, fear intimacy, fear opening up to others, making friends, falling in love. This series essentially follows Victor in his own personal battle against himself and his innermost fears. We see him falling in love, slowly making friends and maybe even realizing that not everyone wishes him harm.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Among the Living, in particular, introduces readers to a universe where psychics are pretty much government dogs. Victor is one of the first generations psychics, meaning that before him the people who had real psychic powers were catalogued as mentally ill. As such, Victor has been experimented on and virtually held prisoner in what his generation's psychics called Camp Hell. As a result, Victor doesn't trust authority figures, he doesn't trust anyone—this is, in fact, the main internal conflict of the whole series. He was smart enough not to show his true power while he undergone Camp Hell and, even so, he's considered one of the strongest mediums in the world. No one is actually aware of the true extent of his powers. And that is the main external conflict—him trying to keep his powers hidden. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As all of Jordan's characters, Victor has a snarky, sarcastic personality that instantly amuses you. At the same time, readers will fall in love with him due to his unawareness to how amazing he is and, especially, thanks to his weaknesses and vulnerabilities. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From a romantic point of view, the whole series isn't extremely graphic so I doubt any new readers of the M/M genre will be scarred for life reading sex scenes between male characters, however the books have a certain heat level and I, personally, believe the author is quite a master when it comes to passionate scenes. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I could write a whole book about the Psycop series alone so I will try refraining from singing its praises further before this turns into an essay. Bottom line is, I can guarantee this book is worthwhile and, more so, the books to come. You will fall in love with the world-building and the amazing characterization. Hands down one of the best authors ever!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">C.J. ELLISSON</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">VAMPIRE VACATION</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – 5 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Woot! This book was written to match my tastes like a glove. Loved the very original idea of a vampire resort. Loved that it had lots of sex, yet it wasn't so overwhelming to the point of wanting to browse over it. And, most of all, I loved the main character. She is the strong, lonely type, only truly trusting her husband. However her hidden strength attracts everyone and makes them naturally gravitate around her. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In this story, we're shown how Vivian/Dria slowly, albeit reluctantly, opens up to others by allowing them to witness her true abilities and by welcoming new people into her family. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hot guy, snarky humor and a meddling hostess playing matchmaker—this had all the ingredients of a really fun books. I loved the plot so much I will definitely buy the next books in the series. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">HAZEL HUNTER</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">TOUCHED -</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3.5 stars</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The idea behind Touch is very nice and I liked the execution. My only complaints are the short length and the lack of a satisfying ending. I love the twist about the killer, but it felt like it all ended too abruptly. Still, this being a novella, I think the author did a great job. But, obviously, if you want to get the nice ending you'll be waiting for, you have to buy the following books, otherwise, there'll be no point. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I loved the characters and the way Isabelle's powers manifests. I think it's worth buying the whole series. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ah, this has been quite a rollercoaster ride. I loved the whole stories in the anthology, despite not being a huge hetero stories fan. I am, however, a really huge psychic stories fan, mainly thanks to Jordan Castillo Price (OMG! Don't I sound like a stalker?). But, this whole collection was filled with exceptional stories written by very skilled authors that I would love to check out in the future as well. I want to thank the whole team and especially Jordan for the opportunity to read and review this book. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-48932405381019773842015-01-23T08:26:00.001-08:002015-01-23T08:26:48.519-08:00Sacrati by Kate Sherwood - review<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">A year or two back I stumbled upon Kate Sherwood on a writers' forum and took the opportunity to tell her how much I loved her writing. I was truly taken aback that such an amazing author like her was so modest, saying how she needed a lot more experience and she was just a beginner writer. Truly? Even after years from her Dark Horse series no other author has managed to write a better M/M/M, yet this really wonderful woman thought her work was just beginner level. I wonder if Kate Sherwood has any more excuses to be modest after this masterpiece .</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">It's why I wanted to read Sacrati even though, to be honest, the blurb and cover didn't appeal to me. Because, Knowing the quality of Kate Sherwood's work I couldn't imagined it being anything other than flawless. What I got though, exceeded even my expectations. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Like Dark Horse, I don't think this book will ever be unpopular for the M/M readers. It will be an iconic read. The plot, the characters, they were all flawless. But beyond all that, I loved the message of the book, the emotions it makes you feel. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">At first it made me think a lot of Captive Prince. The idea itself is very similar in the beginning, but then the book, thankfully, takes a completely different and original route. The action is placed in a fictional world where civilizations are divided in valleys. On one hand there's the Torian Empire with its many valleys and the Elkat valley, one of the few left unconquered by the Empire. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Theos is a Torian Sacrati- a group of highly trained soldiers. He's grown up and lived in a society where people are separated by gender: women live in the city, they rule over everything that doesn't have to do with war. Once a year they choose men to conceive their children with and then men and women never see each other again until the next year. Men live outside the city, in barracks; they train, have sex and go to war. For Theo's society, sex with the same gender is normal and natural. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">On the other hand, Elkati have completely different principles. They believe in mating for life and only with people from the other gender. When Prince Finnvid of Elkat is captured by Theos and his men, he's forced to change his whole view on sexuality and social customs. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The story would have been beautiful just like this. But that's only one layer of the story. Mrs. Sherwood went much farther than that, layering levels upon levels of complexity to the plot. She brought in political intrigues and emotional betrayals. She forced her characters to face their fears, she made them see behind the façades and challenge everything they've been raised to believe in. For example, while Finnvid learns that Torians aren't the vulgar, barbaric people he was led to believe, Theos understands there is much more to the world than having sex and going to war. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">You'll find touching pieces of dialogue, superb characterization and so much adventure it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I'm telling you, you will never forget this book. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">*Disclaimer - No, I do not know the author and I was't paid to write this, in case anyone's wondering. I just loved it SO much and I vow to bugger everyone I know to read it !</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-53130553953295582582014-12-24T23:18:00.000-08:002014-12-24T23:18:09.485-08:00Cold Feet by Jay Northcote - Review<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
Hello everyone! Merry Christmas! Hope your holidays are filled with warmth and love. </div>
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My gift to you is a review of Cold Feet by Jay Northcote. In exchange for this review, I received a free copy of the book. </div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/coldfeet_jaynorthcote_final.jpeg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/coldfeet_jaynorthcote_final.jpeg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="ColdFeet_JayNorthcote_FINAL" class=" size-medium wp-image-322 alignleft" data-mce-src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/coldfeet_jaynorthcote_final.jpeg?w=199" height="300" src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/coldfeet_jaynorthcote_final.jpeg?w=199" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; display: inline; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="199" /></a>Blurb:</strong></div>
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Getting snowed in at a remote cottage in Wales with someone he’d fancied for ages isn’t exactly how Sam expected to spend Christmas. His feelings for Ryan are pointless. Ryan’s straight—or so he thought.</div>
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Until now, Ryan’s kept his feelings for Sam buried. Why ruin a friendship over what might only be gay experimentation? Playing it cool seems safer, until a cold snap makes sharing body heat vital. In their Welsh safe haven, anything seems possible.</div>
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As Ryan’s reserve melts away, Sam wants more than stolen kisses under the mistletoe. But a sudden thaw means making decisions. They could face the New Year together—unless one of them gets cold feet.</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Buy Links:</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QFN1NY8" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QFN1NY8" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QFN1NY8</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-coldfeet-1689541-149.html" href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-coldfeet-1689541-149.html" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-coldfeet-1689541-149.html</a></div>
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You can find an excerpt of the story in my previous post: <a href="http://shaylamist.blogspot.ro/2014/12/what-mm-books-to-buy-this-xmas-day-5.html">http://shaylamist.blogspot.ro/2014/12/what-mm-books-to-buy-this-xmas-day-5.html</a></div>
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My rating: 5 stars</div>
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I fell this story because it had all the themes I love (and most other readers love) - best friends to lovers, snowed in in isolated location were the heating doesn't work (eeep!), college boys and closeted MC. Wow! With themes like these it was impossible not to enjoy the read.</div>
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Now some of you might think this is too cliché. I know some people really hate clichés. But think about it: why do clichés exist in the first place? Because clichés are proofed to work. Because people love them just as much as they hate them sometimes! If a writer takes a cliché and renders it in such a way that it makes it unique, then the readers will fall hard for the story. Such example is Cold Feet. Despite the cliché situation the characters were in, the author excelled in characterization, thus giving the story its unique voice. I loved how the story was paced, I loved that there was no hurry and, at the same time, it was filled with sexual tension. I loved how threedimmensional the characters were and I'd truly want to read more about them in the future. The story had an amazing ending that will make your heart stutter. </div>
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In other words, there's nothing cliché about Cold Feet. </div>
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I also noticed some readers didn't like the "miscommunication issue" (yes, I do tend to read other people's reviews too). Not sure what was wrong about that. I think it added just the right amount of angst to move the story forward, and, believe it or not, miscommunication exists in real life as well. I blowed most of my relationships thanks to that. Read any study on relationships and they'll tell you communication is the key. Per a contratrio, this mean people don't communicate enough. So what exactly is the problem that the author used miscomunication as the internal conflict factor? I think people who latch on that to give bad reviews are being entirely too subjective. </div>
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So before buying any book, do read excerpts, go to the author's blog, read about the process of writing that particular book, read about their research, their struggles. I cannot stress enough how important it is. You will have build your own opinion without being influenced completely by reviewers, who, at the end of the day, are people just like you, which makes them subjective and not truly reliable. </div>
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That being said, for what it's worth, I really enjoyed this book and I think it was the perfect cozy holiday read.</div>
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If you wanna take my advice, check out the excerpt I mentioned above, as well as Jay Northcote's website: <a data-mce-href="http://www.jaynorthcote.com" href="http://www.jaynorthcote.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">www.jaynorthcote.com</a></div>
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Cheers guys! Happy holidays!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-44845427265365055612014-12-22T09:30:00.001-08:002014-12-22T09:30:57.164-08:00What M/M books to buy this Xmas? - Day 7<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
Here are some M/M Christmas books I have on my to-buy list. If you click on the pictures,A new window will open to the Amazon buy link. Happy shopping!</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Heidi Cullinan</strong>'s series, Minnesota Christmas:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Let-Snow-Heidi-Cullinan/dp/1619222043/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1419267198&sr=8-4&keywords=heidi+cullinan"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81w0sFMqJIL.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81w0sFMqJIL.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Sleigh-Ride-Minnesota-Christmas-Book-ebook/dp/B00M494K3S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419267198&sr=8-3&keywords=heidi+cullinan" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sleigh-Ride-Minnesota-Christmas-Book-ebook/dp/B00M494K3S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419267198&sr=8-3&keywords=heidi+cullinan" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91L2uGiR88L._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91L2uGiR88L._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Josh Lanyon</strong>'s new book, "Baby, it's cold"</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Baby-its-Cold-Josh-Lanyon-ebook/dp/B00QOLCRR8/ref=pd_sim_kstore_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=16PEAFZ2QMJYNFWDHKHQ" href="http://www.amazon.com/Baby-its-Cold-Josh-Lanyon-ebook/dp/B00QOLCRR8/ref=pd_sim_kstore_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=16PEAFZ2QMJYNFWDHKHQ" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/916s3pdVZiL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/916s3pdVZiL._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Kaje Harper</strong>'s series "Finding family" - Attention! Kaje has a NEW Christmas book that will be out real soon! Can't wait!</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Family-Were-Born-With-Finding-ebook/dp/B00HBTG2AK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1387131867&sr=8-13&keywords=kaje+harper" href="http://www.amazon.com/Family-Were-Born-With-Finding-ebook/dp/B00HBTG2AK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1387131867&sr=8-13&keywords=kaje+harper" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81jGI%2BepF2L._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81jGI%2BepF2L._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Family-Make-Finding-Book-ebook/dp/B00MPWXUNA/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0G1BTVSWRCME4FRGQ5QD" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Family-Make-Finding-Book-ebook/dp/B00MPWXUNA/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0G1BTVSWRCME4FRGQ5QD" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81AAHEtuthL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81AAHEtuthL._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a></div>
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Less Than Three's new<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"> Christmas anthology</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Mistletoe-Megan-Derr-ebook/dp/B00PPH94GO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419267770&sr=1-1&keywords=less+than+3+press" href="http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Mistletoe-Megan-Derr-ebook/dp/B00PPH94GO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419267770&sr=1-1&keywords=less+than+3+press" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91c09estryL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91c09estryL._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a></div>
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More stand-alones:</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-Augur-Cecil-Wilde-ebook/dp/B00PPH99SM/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419267770&sr=1-3&keywords=less+than+3+press" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-Augur-Cecil-Wilde-ebook/dp/B00PPH99SM/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419267770&sr=1-3&keywords=less+than+3+press" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91gMeaRkasL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91gMeaRkasL._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-For-Winter-L-B-Gregg-ebook/dp/B00QO359XA/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XZTVAM61GVSR2TR1RNC" href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-For-Winter-L-B-Gregg-ebook/dp/B00QO359XA/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XZTVAM61GVSR2TR1RNC" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91PIrAsyN4L._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91PIrAsyN4L._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Rest-And-Thankful-Joanna-Chambers-ebook/dp/B00QJPDVA6/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XZTVAM61GVSR2TR1RNC" href="http://www.amazon.com/Rest-And-Thankful-Joanna-Chambers-ebook/dp/B00QJPDVA6/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XZTVAM61GVSR2TR1RNC" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91OcjZEHd7L._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91OcjZEHd7L._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Holiday-Hoax-Skylar-Cates-ebook/dp/B00Q7QPBX2/ref=pd_sim_kstore_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XZTVAM61GVSR2TR1RNC" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Holiday-Hoax-Skylar-Cates-ebook/dp/B00Q7QPBX2/ref=pd_sim_kstore_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XZTVAM61GVSR2TR1RNC" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81tgOlrW-hL._SL1350_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81tgOlrW-hL._SL1350_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Dust-Snow-Indra-Vaughn-ebook/dp/B00OXIT2W2/ref=pd_sim_kstore_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=01H7XX6GBFT6GXZKC1F9" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dust-Snow-Indra-Vaughn-ebook/dp/B00OXIT2W2/ref=pd_sim_kstore_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=01H7XX6GBFT6GXZKC1F9" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91pLf2dKiEL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91pLf2dKiEL._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-His-Heart-Havan-Fellows-ebook/dp/B00QEB3GGY/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0STD8Z4PM7560FYFVXVQ" href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-His-Heart-Havan-Fellows-ebook/dp/B00QEB3GGY/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0STD8Z4PM7560FYFVXVQ" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91XQV8CvZ7L._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91XQV8CvZ7L._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Bowl-Full-Cherries-Raine-OTierney-ebook/dp/B00Q084VLK/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RZHZCPS4VA7R2Y1WQ56" href="http://www.amazon.com/Bowl-Full-Cherries-Raine-OTierney-ebook/dp/B00Q084VLK/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RZHZCPS4VA7R2Y1WQ56" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/813e6UPW--L._SL1350_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/813e6UPW--L._SL1350_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Working-Elf-Blues-Piper-Vaughn-ebook/dp/B00PPH92RK/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419267770&sr=1-2&keywords=less+than+3+press" href="http://www.amazon.com/Working-Elf-Blues-Piper-Vaughn-ebook/dp/B00PPH92RK/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1419267770&sr=1-2&keywords=less+than+3+press" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91tijHsCMFL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91tijHsCMFL._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Unwrapping-Hank-Eli-Easton-ebook/dp/B00OWIQH5I/ref=pd_sim_kstore_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DKR6M9NYSBMTJTSABJG" href="http://www.amazon.com/Unwrapping-Hank-Eli-Easton-ebook/dp/B00OWIQH5I/ref=pd_sim_kstore_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DKR6M9NYSBMTJTSABJG" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/915e453Ec-L._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/915e453Ec-L._SL1500_.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="195" /></a></div>
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Think I can manage to read all these? Probably not, but I sure as hell will try :D </div>
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Now it's your turn. Do you have any Christmas recs for me?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-90742877805760467192014-12-21T07:36:00.000-08:002014-12-21T07:36:13.223-08:00What M/M books to buy this Xmas? - Day 6<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
Today I want to remind you all (for the last time, I promise!) of the Boughs of Evergreen holidays anthology. It's a collection of various stories dedicated to holidays, and not just Christmas, but also Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa and more. All the stories I talked about at the beginning of the week are only a small part of the whole anthology pack. Each story is published individually, so make sure you go to <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/#1" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/#1" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Beaten Track Publishing's website</a> and check all of them out. You can also buy the two volumes of the anthology, that contain all the stories. Don't forget: proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: <a data-mce-href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org" href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">www.thetrevorproject.org</a>.</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/images/book_covers/BoughsofEvergreen.jpg" height="524" src="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/images/book_covers/BoughsofEvergreen.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); display: inline; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="350" />BOOK DESCRIPTION</strong></div>
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Boughs of Evergreen is a two-volume collection of short stories celebrating the holiday season in all its diversity. Penned by authors from the UK, the USA, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, these are tales of the young and the not-so-young from many different walks of life.<br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" />Themes of family, friendship and romance take readers on a journey through some of the major holidays, both past and present, including Thanksgiving, Advent, St. Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Eid, Saturnalia, Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas and New Year. In each we find at the very least hope, and often love, peace and happiness.</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Buy links : <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=106" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=106" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=106</a> - Here you will find links to all retailers if you don't wnat to buy from the publisher's website.</strong></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">THE STORIES: (links go to samples and author biographies)</strong></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Volume One</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=115" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=115" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"A Friend for Christmas"</a> - <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=43" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=43" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">JP Walker</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=113" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=113" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"A Midnight Clear" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=1" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=1" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Debbie McGowan</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=109" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=109" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"From All of Us to All of You"</a> - <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=66" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=66" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Ofelia Gränd</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=124" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=124" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Homme for the Holidays" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=61" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=61" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Jonathan Penn</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=130" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=130" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Kiss Me At Kwanzaa" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=64" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=64" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">LL Bucknor</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=123" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=123" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Lion's Hero" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=55" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=55" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Alexis Woods</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=122" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=122" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"One Nightstand" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=51" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=51" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Rick Bettencourt</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=111" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=111" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Shiny Things" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=57" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=57" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Amy Spector</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=116" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=116" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"The Bard and his Boyfriend" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=63" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=63" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Kathleen Hayes</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=111" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=111" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"The Christmas Present" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=31" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=31" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Larry Benjamin</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=110" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=110" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"The Invasion of Tork" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=54" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=54" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Al Stewart and Claire Davis</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=127" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=127" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"X-Mas Cake: A Modern Fairytale" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=67" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=67" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Raine O'Tierney</a></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Volume Two</strong><strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /></strong><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=119" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=119" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"A Christmas Tale" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=59" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=59" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Hans M Hirschi</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=117" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=117" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"A Family Christmas" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=71" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=71" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Terry Kerr</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=126" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=126" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"A Good Word" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=39" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=39" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">L.M. Steel</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=121" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=121" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"A Little Christmas Magic" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=62" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=62" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">K.C. Faelan</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=128" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=128" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Always Have, Always Will" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=56" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=56" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Amelia Mann</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=120" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=120" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"An Angel in Eyeliner" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=60" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=60" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Hunter Frost</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=114" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=114" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Boyfriend Goes Home" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=29" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=29" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Laura Susan Johnson</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=118" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=118" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Christmas Commitment" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=69" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=69" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Shayla Mist</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=129" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=129" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Coming in from the Cold" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=58" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=58" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Ava Penn</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=125" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=125" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Holidays with Drum and Bell!" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=65" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=65" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Matthias Williamson</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=131" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=publications&id=131" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">"Te Amo, You Mushrooms" </a>- <a data-mce-href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=68" href="http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com/?n1=authors&id=68" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">S.H. Allan</a><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /><em style="font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Cover Design by <a data-mce-href="http://www.tamiveldura.com" href="http://www.tamiveldura.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Tami Veldura</a> (<a data-mce-href="http://coverthepages.blogspot.com" href="http://coverthepages.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">http://coverthepages.blogspot.com</a>), protected under a creative commons Attribution, Non Commercial, No Derivatives license (<a data-mce-href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/</a>).</em></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">ONLINE RESOURCES</strong></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Video trailers</strong><a data-mce-href="http://youtu.be/Pht-scIWiJg" href="http://youtu.be/Pht-scIWiJg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">http://youtu.be/Pht-scIWiJg</a> - 17 minutes<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;" /></strong><a data-mce-href="http://youtu.be/YbZkPKRFks0" href="http://youtu.be/YbZkPKRFks0" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">http://youtu.be/YbZkPKRFks0</a> - 4 minutes</div>
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Video trailers can be supplied as .mov, .mp4 or as DVDs on request to nigel@beatentrackpublishing.com</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-72091841335823765662014-12-20T08:50:00.001-08:002014-12-20T08:50:44.304-08:00What M/M books to buy this Xmas? - Day 5<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/coldfeet_jaynorthcote_final.jpeg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/coldfeet_jaynorthcote_final.jpeg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="ColdFeet_JayNorthcote_FINAL" class=" wp-image-322 alignnone" data-mce-src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/coldfeet_jaynorthcote_final.jpeg?w=199" height="453" src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/coldfeet_jaynorthcote_final.jpeg?w=199" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="304" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Cold feet by Jay Northcote</strong></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Buy links:</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QFN1NY8" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QFN1NY8" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QFN1NY8</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-coldfeet-1689541-149.html" href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-coldfeet-1689541-149.html" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-coldfeet-1689541-149.html</a></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Blurb:</strong></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Best friends snowed in together. When the heat rises, will they get cold feet?</strong></div>
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Getting snowed in at a remote cottage in Wales with someone he’d fancied for ages isn’t exactly how Sam expected to spend Christmas. His feelings for Ryan are pointless. Ryan’s straight—or so he thought.</div>
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Until now, Ryan’s kept his feelings for Sam buried. Why ruin a friendship over what might only be gay experimentation? Playing it cool seems safer, until a cold snap makes sharing body heat vital. In their Welsh safe haven, anything seems possible.</div>
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As Ryan’s reserve melts away, Sam wants more than stolen kisses under the mistletoe. But a sudden thaw means making decisions. They could face the New Year together—unless one of them gets cold feet.</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Excerpt:</strong></div>
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Afterwards, Sam denied he’d started it.</div>
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He’d been aiming for the tree behind Ryan, not at Ryan himself, he insisted. But whatever its intended target, Sam’s snowball hit Ryan perfectly on the back of his neck, exploding on impact and sending powdery snow down the gap between beanie and jacket.</div>
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After that, mayhem ensued. Snowballs flying as they ran and ducked, laughing and trash-talking each other. They were in a small copse with a few trees and bushes for cover, but as soon as one of them ventured out in search of a new patch of snow to make missiles with, the other would take the opportunity to release a fresh barrage of snowballs.</div>
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Finally, frustrated by Sam’s surprisingly good aim, Ryan reverted to his rugby skills and tackled Sam, knocking him full length into the snow with an “Oomph!” Of course, Ryan went down too. But by then he was too wet and cold to care.</div>
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They were on a slope, and the impact caused them to roll together, over and over until Ryan wondered if they were going to turn into a giant snowball like characters in a cartoon. But they finally came to rest, panting and laughing as the slope levelled out.</div>
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Sam ended up pinned beneath Ryan, laughing out loud. He’d lost his hat at some point in their tumble, and his hair was in his eyes. Snow crystals had caught in it, glinting in the sunlight. His smile was wide and infectious, and Ryan laughed too, dazzled for a moment. Then Sam’s gaze drifted over Ryan’s shoulder and focused on something above them.</div>
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“Is that mistletoe?” he asked.</div>
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Ryan pushed himself up and offered a hand to Sam to help him back onto his feet. Then he tilted his head back to squint at the spherical tangle of leaves in the bare branches of the tree above them. “I think so.”</div>
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Ryan met Sam’s eyes again, then realised he was still holding his hand. They each had gloves on, and Ryan wished they didn’t. He wanted to feel Sam’s skin. They stared at each other for a moment, and Sam licked his lips. They were pink, a little chapped from the cold, and Ryan’s gaze locked onto them. His heart surged, and panicky heat flooded him.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/jn-banner2.jpg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/jn-banner2.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="JN-Banner2" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-323" data-mce-src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/jn-banner2.jpg?w=300" height="132" src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/jn-banner2.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Links</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.jaynorthcote.com" href="http://www.jaynorthcote.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">www.jaynorthcote.com</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/jay_northcote" href="https://twitter.com/jay_northcote" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/dellamere" href="https://www.facebook.com/dellamere" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Facebook profile</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotefiction" href="https://www.facebook.com/jaynorthcotefiction" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Facebook Author Page</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Jay-Northcote/e/B00G4I0KNO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1409493030&sr=8-1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Jay-Northcote/e/B00G4I0KNO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1409493030&sr=8-1" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Jay’s books</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-70062389999078913592014-12-19T09:17:00.000-08:002014-12-19T09:18:44.572-08:00What M/M books to buy this Xmas? - Day 4<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Sorry folks! Yesterday my day job has been so hectic I didn't have time to write my next post - since I'm a procrastinator it's a given I don't have my posts already prepared and scheduled to go live. I keep telling myself I'll do that some time in the future, only that time never comes :P So what books to buy next?</div>
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Author Keira Andrews is stopping by with excerpts from her Christmas stories, one released this year and an "oldie" from last year. I'm sure you'll find them as intriguing as I did :)</div>
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<strong><a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/ka_wherethelovelightgleams_coverin.jpg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/ka_wherethelovelightgleams_coverin.jpg" style="color: #cd4517;"><img alt="KA_WheretheLovelightGleams_coverin" class=" size-medium wp-image-316 alignleft" data-mce-src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/ka_wherethelovelightgleams_coverin.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/ka_wherethelovelightgleams_coverin.jpg?w=200" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="200" /></a>Where the Lovelight Gleams</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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This Christmas, actor Ryan Drake is pining. He may get to kiss gorgeous Cary Holloway on the set of their hit TV show, <em style="border: none;">Space Academy</em>, but he knows it’ll never happen in real life. Charming Cary–the son of Hollywood royalty–is straight, as evidenced by his starlet girlfriend. But Christmas is a time for unexpected gifts, and Cary accepts Ryan’s invitation to leave the palm trees behind and spend the holiday with his family at their cabin in the Great White North.</div>
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Amid the snow and mistletoe, Ryan struggles to keep his longing under wraps. Little does he know, Cary wrestles with his own unspoken desires and his very identity. Surrounded by family and holiday joy, their warm friendship deepens. Will these two co-stars have the courage to brave Hollywood pressures and take their romance offscreen–or will it be only in their dreams?</div>
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<strong>Buy links:</strong><strong> </strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.loose-id.com/where-the-lovelight-gleams.html" href="http://www.loose-id.com/where-the-lovelight-gleams.html" style="color: #cd4517;">http://www.loose-id.com/where-the-lovelight-gleams.html</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-wherethelovelightgleams-1366219-149.html" href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-wherethelovelightgleams-1366219-149.html" style="color: #cd4517;">https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-wherethelovelightgleams-1366219-149.html</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2UG9X8/" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2UG9X8/" style="color: #cd4517;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2UG9X8/</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-the-lovelight-gleams-keira-andrews/1117793892?ean=9781623005597" href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-the-lovelight-gleams-keira-andrews/1117793892?ean=9781623005597" style="color: #cd4517;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-the-lovelight-gleams-keira-andrews/1117793892</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/where-the-lovelight-gleams/id811256316?mt=11" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/where-the-lovelight-gleams/id811256316?mt=11" style="color: #cd4517;">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/where-the-lovelight-gleams/id811256316?mt=11</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/where-the-lovelight-gleams" href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/where-the-lovelight-gleams" style="color: #cd4517;">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/where-the-lovelight-gleams</a></div>
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<strong>Read an excerpt from </strong><em style="border: none;"><strong>Where the Lovelight Gleams :</strong></em></div>
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Half an hour later, they struggled through knee-deep snow. Ryan had an ax slung over his shoulder, and he led the way. Cary had picked up top-of-the-line boots, which was a good thing since in LA he only ever wore flip-flops or sneakers.</div>
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“How do you know where we’re going?” Cary gazed around at the sea of trees. It was brighter at the tree farm, and Cary’s hair gleamed golden in the sun. “They all look the same.”</div>
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Ryan mock gasped. “The same? No, no. Among these trees is The One. The one true tree that I must find to bring home to my family. Usually it would be my dad accompanying me on this quest. But this year it’s you who must prove your bravery, good knight.”</div>
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Cary chuckled. “Are there Orcs in this forest? Because I didn’t sign up for Orcs.”</div>
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“You’re a Portigan warrior. You can handle a few Orcs.” Ryan changed course and went deeper into the trees.</div>
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“Too bad I left my warp blaster at home.”</div>
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The snow crunched underfoot as they continued along, away from the families and other people looking for their own trees. The sun darted in and out of the clouds, but there was no wind, so even though it was below zero, it didn’t feel cold. At least not to Ryan. Cary’s cheeks were rosy in the chill.</div>
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“Are you warm enough? Here, take my toque.” Ryan pulled off his woolen beanie hat and held it out.</div>
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“Your what?” Cary laughed. “It’s okay, I’m fine.”</div>
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“You’re not used to this weather. Take it.”</div>
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After a moment, Cary relented and slipped on the red hat. “Thanks. How do I look?”</div>
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<em style="border: none;">Gorgeous. Perfect. Sexy as hell.</em> “Fine.” Ryan’s voice sounded strange, and he cleared his throat. “My mom’s probably knitting you your own as we speak, so I hope you like it.”</div>
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Cary grinned. “I love it.” After a moment, he stopped walking. “See something you like?”</div>
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Heart thumping, Ryan huffed out a strangled breath. “What?”</div>
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Cary waved his arm around. “The trees. You looked like maybe you spotted one.”</div>
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“Right. No. Not yet.”</div>
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Ryan started walking again and hoped the blush staining his cheeks would be mistaken for a reaction to the temperature. He ducked around a particularly large pine, and then he saw it.</div>
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The sun beamed onto the thick snow-covered branches. Ryan could instantly imagine the tree strung with lights and garlands, his family’s ornaments hanging from the branches and his grandmother’s star beaming from the top. The tree was just the right height to fill the corner of the living room—not too big, not too small.</div>
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“Just right?” Cary asked.</div>
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“Yeah. You can tell?”</div>
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Cary smiled. “I can tell by the way you’re looking at it. Come on, let’s chop this sucker down.”</div>
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They took turns with the ax, thwacking away at the trunk. Cary listened to Ryan’s instructions and went about his task with a concentration that Ryan really needed to stop thinking of as adorable. As the tree fell, Cary grinned.</div>
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“Timber!” he called out.</div>
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They surveyed the tree, and Ryan couldn’t stop smiling. Yep, this was the one.</div>
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“So…now what? Do those Orcs carry the tree back for us?”</div>
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“Usually old Mr. Barnes would help take the tree back and wrap it up, but I don’t want to put him out. Think we can manage it on our own? We’re pretty far out.”</div>
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“As Angelo at the gym would say, this is functional training. Maybe I’ll start a new fitness trend: hauling trees. Of course in LA they’d have to be palm trees.”</div>
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“I think you’re on to something there. You should tell <em style="border: none;">US Weekly</em>.”</div>
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Cary laughed and picked up the trunk of the tree. “Stars: they’re just like us! They haul Christmas trees through the snow.”</div>
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Ryan grabbed on as well, and they worked in unison to drag the tree back to the farm’s entrance. It wasn’t easy work, and after a few minutes sweat moistened the back of Ryan’s neck. He put the tree down and scooped up a handful of snow into his mouth. Cary followed suit, his brow furrowed as he tentatively placed some snow on his tongue.</div>
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“For the record, we should never eat snow if we’re lost in the woods.” Ryan put another handful into his mouth, where it melted refreshingly.</div>
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“Really? Why not?”</div>
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“You can get hypothermia. But I think we’re safe here on Mr. Barnes’s farm. Even if we got lost, someone would come by sooner or later.”</div>
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“Huh. What else are you not supposed to do with snow?”</div>
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“Well, don’t ever eat the yellow snow.”</div>
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“Ha-ha. That much I know.” Cary bent down and picked up another handful before packing it into a misshapen ball. “Should you do this?”</div>
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Before Ryan could react, the snowball smacked his face, and he sputtered.</div>
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“I’ve always wanted to throw a snowball.” Cary grinned and backed up.</div>
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“Oh you asked for it, California boy!”</div>
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Laughing and shouting, they did battle, dodging behind trees and firing snowballs at each other. For a newbie, Cary had great aim. He launched a missile that Ryan had to dive to evade.</div>
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“Just like throwing out a runner at second!” Cary shouted.</div>
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“Except you missed! Need some glasses, huh?”</div>
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Back and forth they went, the tree forgotten as they dodged and ducked and hurled snowballs. They were both breathing hard by the time Ryan called for a time-out. “Okay, okay. I think it’s safe to say you’ve got the hang of it. With all the cardio you do, I’ll never beat you.”</div>
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“So you’re giving up?” Cary grinned.</div>
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“On snowballs? Yes.” Ryan dusted off his parka and wet jeans. As Cary reached his hand out to shake, Ryan grabbed him and used Cary’s momentary surprise to topple him into the snow. “But we have another tradition here. The snow job.”</div>
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Before Cary could answer, Ryan ripped the red toque from Cary’s head and crammed fistfuls of snow into his hair and down the back of his jacket. Cary squirmed and kicked, laughing so hard his breath hitched.</div>
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“Okay, okay. I surrender!”</div>
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Ryan straddled Cary’s hips and pressed Cary’s arms above his head in the snow. “You’re an honorary Canadian now.” His chest heaving as he caught his breath, Ryan smiled down at his friend.</div>
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Cary’s face was wet and flushed, and a smile played at his parted lips. His tongue darted out, and Ryan couldn’t look away. Desire thundered in Ryan’s veins, and before he could stop himself, he leaned down and captured Cary’s mouth with his own.</div>
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Although Cary’s lips were cool, beyond them the heat of his mouth drew Ryan in uncontrollably. Their tongues tangled, and the fire in Ryan’s veins shot straight to his cock. It felt so good, and he’d wanted it for <em style="border: none;">so long</em>. He breathed Cary in as Cary shook off Ryan’s grasp on his wrists and grabbed Ryan’s head and—... ... ... ...</div>
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<strong>Holding the Edge<a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/ka_holding-the-edge_coverin.jpg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/ka_holding-the-edge_coverin.jpg" style="color: #cd4517;"><img alt="KA_holding the edge_coverin" class=" size-medium wp-image-319 alignright" data-mce-src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/ka_holding-the-edge_coverin.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/ka_holding-the-edge_coverin.jpg?w=200" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 5px 15px 5px 0px; max-width: 645px;" width="200" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<strong>Gay figure skaters keep their relationship secret—and end up on thin ice</strong></div>
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Misha Reznikov has an Olympic gold—and a secret lover who just happens to be the silver medalist. Now that their competitive days are over, Misha and former rival Dev Avira are setting up house in LA and giving their relationship a shot in the real world. They agree that keeping their romance strictly under wraps is best for their pro careers and Misha’s family back in Russia. So what if Dev hasn’t told his parents, and they never eat out for fear of being spotted? It’s not perfect, but they’re together.</div>
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But as they prepare for a special holiday skating show on Christmas Eve in Dev’s hometown, tension builds. How long can Misha and Dev keep their love secret—and what happens if one of them wants to stop hiding?</div>
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<strong>Note: </strong>This is the sequel to <em style="border: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.keiraandrews.com/contemporary-fiction/cold-war/" href="http://www.keiraandrews.com/contemporary-fiction/cold-war/" style="color: #cd4517;">Cold War</a></em>.</div>
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<strong>Buy links:</strong></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Read an excerpt from </span></strong><em style="border: none;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Holding the Edge</span></b></em></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">In the barest glimmer of a crescent moon, the dark waves broke and rolled to shore. Misha leaned his forehead against the cool glass of the floor-to-ceiling window. He could watch the ocean for days and never tire of it. Behind him, Dev stirred with a snort and mumble.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Dev’s voice was sleep slurred. “You okay?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Yes. Only thinking.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">There was a smile in Dev’s voice. “That only leads to no good.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">After the whisper of sheets and creak of the mattress, he was there, lips soft on the nape of Misha’s neck. They were both naked, and Misha shivered as Dev caressed his ass while his other hand stole around to stroke Misha’s chest and he pressed close.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“What’s up? Aside from you at three fifteen in the morning.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Leaning back into Dev’s warmth and the security of his arms, Misha closed his eyes to the sea. “It feels like such a dream sometimes. Being here. Being with you. Some nights I think when next I open my eyes, it will all have vanished and I’ll be back in Moscow in that tiny apartment. With only practice, practice, practice. Nothing but ice forever.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Dev’s hands were gentle. “It’s over now. You’re here. You’re safe.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Misha sighed. “<em style="border: none;">Da</em>.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">After a silence, Dev spoke softly. “It’s still strange sometimes. After all those years, the same routine every season. Right now we’d be exhausted from the Grand Prix circuit, and you’d have Russian Nationals next week while I’d try to squeeze Christmas into my training schedule. Sometimes I wake up and for a moment I panic because I think I must have slept in and my coach is going to kill me.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Misha chuckled. “Yes. Very strange at times. As though we are playing make-believe. Hiding from our true lives.” Misha shuddered as the vestige of a dream whipped through his head. “Sometimes I fear a bang on the door. That they will come to take me away.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“But you kept up your end of the bargain. The KGB or whatever the hell they’re calling themselves these days don’t have any power over you. Not since you won the gold.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Opening his eyes, Misha tried to see Dev’s face in their moonlit reflection on the glass, but there were only the waves. He caught Dev’s fingers in his own and raised his hand for a kiss. They’d barely spoken of it since the Games, but he knew the silver medal would always be a disappointment for Dev. He had a passion for skating that had died in Misha years ago when officials had forced him back to train in Russia. “I wish you could have won.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Dev’s laugh was a harsh burst of warmth on the back of Misha’s neck, and his body tensed. “No you don’t.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">He held onto Dev’s hand and sighed. “Perhaps not. But part of me wishes it. Truly.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“And part of me is glad you won.” He wrapped his arms around Misha’s waist, the tension dissipating as quickly as it came. “And a big part of me still can’t believe we’re here together. A year ago I would have said the odds of me living with Mikhail Reznikov in a beach house in Santa Monica were about a bazillion to one.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Is that more than a billion?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Clearly.” Dev nipped Misha’s shoulder.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Will I meet your parents in Boston?” Misha blurted out the question before he could stop himself.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Dev went still, his arms around Misha’s middle. “Do you want to meet them?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Yes. Perhaps. I don’t know.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“I thought we agreed. We both said it was better this way. At least at first.” His hands dropped away as he stepped back.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Misha faced him and reached out to brush a wayward curl from Dev’s forehead. “It’s getting long again.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“I’m getting it cut next week before the show. Misha, don’t change the subject.” Dev frowned. “Am I wrong? We said we’d keep this private until…until I don’t know when. I just don’t know if my parents are ready for this yet.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“My parents know about you.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“I know.” Dev blew out a long breath. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell them. I just want to make sure it’s the right time. Which I realize sounds incredibly lame. But it’s…complicated.” He rubbed his face. “There’s so much to learn at work, and we have the show coming up. It makes me nauseous to think about telling my family right now.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“It’s all right. It’s your choice.” Misha petted Dev’s hair. “Don’t be upset.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“It feels so safe here with you. I don’t want everyone else and their bullshit to ruin it. Not while we’re still figuring everything out. You’re not even sure what you want to do.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“I thought I might…” He shook his head. “It is silly, really.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“What is it?” Dev ran his hands over Misha’s sides. “Tell me. Please?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“The other week I started writing. I brought my laptop outside to answer e-mail, and I found myself with words to say. A story about a boy in a castle with dragons and giants. See? It’s foolishness. I have always made up these stories in my mind, but who would want to read about such things?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Me, for starters. And lots of people. If you want to be a writer—write. Go for it. What do you have to lose? I think it would be amazing.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Yes?” Excitement sang in Misha’s veins. “Although I will have to write in Russian. My English spelling is not so good. You really think this would be a worthy thing?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Absolutely.” Dev kissed him. “And about my parents…I do want you to meet my family. Once my mom gets over the fact that she’s resented you for years, she’s totally going to love you.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">He chuckled. “Hmm. Yes, perhaps we wait. It is as you said—complicated.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“They’ll be at the show on Christmas Eve. You could meet them then. Show them what a nice guy you are, so when I do tell them, it won’t be such a shock. So that means you have to be the real you. Not skating you.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">He frowned. “I am real as a skater.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Dev rolled his eyes. “You’re aloof and cold and perfect as a skater. There’s a reason we called you Robot Reznikov.” He ran his hands over Misha’s ass. “If people only knew what you’re really like.” He nipped Misha’s neck, his breath hot. “How you are when we’re together. I love being here with you. It’s better than I ever dreamed.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Truly?” Misha’s chest felt so full of his heart he could hardly breathe.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Of course.” Dev kissed Misha gently. “I love it here. I love my new job.” He huffed out a laugh. “It’s funny, you know. Only Bailey knows about you, but I’ve never been so committed to someone. We live together. We don’t see anyone else. I don’t even know why we use condoms anymore.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Excitement bolted through Misha, everything else forgotten. “You want this too? Sex with…only us? No rubber?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Dev nodded, his breath coming shallowly. “I know I’m clean. Had all the tests for the tour insurance. You did too, right?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“Yes. It is safe.” Misha’s fingers tingled and he licked his lips. “I want this very much. I wasn’t sure if you…if you would…” It had been part of their fantasies when they’d had phone sex, but the real thing was different.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Dev brushed back Misha’s short hair where it swooped over his forehead. “I’ve never trusted anyone the way I trust you.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">“<em style="border: none;">Ya tozhe</em>,” Misha murmured. “Me either. How I would love to feel you come.” He grazed his teeth over Dev’s earlobe. “Love to have you fill me with nothing between us. Love…”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Yet he hesitated to say the words properly. He loved Dev. This he knew without doubt. He thought Dev loved him as well, but neither of them spoke it.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Then Dev was kissing him, and Misha stopped thinking.</span></div>
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<strong>Keira Andrews social media</strong> </h4>
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Website: <a href="http://www.keiraandrews.com/">http://www.keiraandrews.com/</a></div>
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Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/keiraandrews">https://twitter.com/keiraandrews</a></div>
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Facebook: <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/keira.andrews.author" href="https://www.facebook.com/keira.andrews.author" style="color: #cd4517;">https://www.facebook.com/keira.andrews.author</a></div>
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Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1366040.Keira_Andrews">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1366040.Keira_Andrews</a></div>
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Amazon Author Page: <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Keira-Andrews/e/B005SWX15G/" href="http://www.amazon.com/Keira-Andrews/e/B005SWX15G/" style="color: #cd4517;">http://www.amazon.com/Keira-Andrews/e/B005SWX15G/</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-23383484529509541482014-12-17T06:00:00.000-08:002014-12-17T06:02:00.401-08:00What M/M books to buy this Xmas? - Day 3<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Moon Runners 1: Heart-mate, Mine! by N.J. Nielsen</b></span><br />
<a data-mce-href="http://firebornpublishing.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_bookx_info&cPath=4&products_id=51" href="http://firebornpublishing.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_bookx_info&cPath=4&products_id=51">Buy Link</a><br />
<a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/fp-mr-2-heart-mate-mine.jpg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/fp-mr-2-heart-mate-mine.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="(FP) MR 2 - Heart-mate, Mine!" class=" size-medium wp-image-308 alignleft" data-mce-src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/fp-mr-2-heart-mate-mine.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/fp-mr-2-heart-mate-mine.jpg?w=200" width="200" /></a><b>Blurb:</b><br />
<i>Two
lives--One destiny. When fate decides two people belong together,
nothing can stand in its way. Liam Kantry and Carlo Bruenelli find
themselves caught up in the madness of Christmas and taking care of a
child as they discover the meaning of being true heart-mates.</i><br />
<i>Liam
Kantry wants to be with the man he has loved his whole life, yet
incessant gossip and innuendos have labelled him the pack whore—a point
he has never disputed. Now the rumours have come back to bite him in the
arse.</i><br />
<i>Carlo Bruenelli is waiting for his heart-mate; he's
one of the pack who truly believes they really do exist. In his heart he
wants it to be his best friend, only problem is he knows Liam doesn't
believe in heart-mates. What will it take to change Liam's mind? And
should he even try?</i><br />
<i>Christmas is drawing near, and between
snowball fights and the inter-pack gathering, Liam and Carlo find
themselves caught up in the excitement and obsessing over what their
future holds. Especially when a small child forms a bond with them. They
learn there is more out there than they ever dreamt was possible.</i><br />
<i>Can Liam and Carlo work around the newness of their own mating to protect someone who needs it most?</i><br />
<b>CONTENT ADVISORY:</b> This work is a significantly expanded (almost tripled in length), re-edited re-release title.<br />
<b>Excerpt:</b><br />
Everyone had a fear, and Carlo's was probably no different to anyone
else's. His fear involved running into the love of his life, Liam
Kantry, and being ignored completely. Liam often starred in Carlo's
nightly dreams of who his heart-mate should look like, yet sadly Liam
only ever looked at him like an annoying, dorky, younger brother--a
brother you didn't want hanging around all the time. Usually, it was
hard to avoid him since they belonged to the same pack. Thoughts like
these had been plaguing him for the last month or so leading up to this
special week.<br />
The Moon Runner Pack had been chosen to host the
inter-pack meet-and-greet on their lands where guests from other packs
would be coming in hope of finding a mate. Most people didn't believe in
heart-mates. Carlo was truly one of the few in the pack who actually
believed heart-mates existed. Somewhere out there's the perfect person
looking for me. A tingle of excitement surged through him at the mere
possibility of it being true. I'm twenty-one. I'm finally old enough to
attend the party. Let's hope he's here and just as eager to meet me.
Wish it could be Liam, but wouldn't we have known by now if we were?
Hopefully Christmas Day I'll have pushed aside my crush on Liam Kantry
and I'll know whether or not my heart-mate is out there searching for me
as well—that is, if he even comes to the gathering. My luck, he won't
even bother turning up.<br />
Man, he hoped he was wrong and his
heart-mate existed in the here and now, waiting to meet him as well.
Never once had he doubted that his future mate would be a male. Fate
wouldn't be so cruel to pair him with a woman he could never really
love. Being mated to a female wouldn't be fair to either of them. If it
came down to his mate being someone who wasn't male, he'd simply explain
everything to her and let her find someone else she could be happy
with. Carlo had even heard that this year there were packs coming to
attend from even farther afield than usual. This gathering also became
the time new alliances were made between packs, where packs could ask
another for help in any way. Bloodshed was frowned upon at these
gatherings, but sometimes it became unavoidable—or so he'd been told.<br />
The alpha had asked him, because it was his first time, to become
involved this year by being seen at the meeting hall, not hiding away
from the pack like he usually did. Apparently all members of the pack
who had come of age and were eligible to attend were asked to help out.
So here he was now, wet as all get-go—because he'd only moments before
slipped and landed in a puddle as he tried to dodge a car on the street
outside the hall. Dripping wet, he grumbled as he walked through the
falling snow toward the last place he wanted to be—the pack town hall.
Carlo hoped to avoid everything until the starting ceremony itself, but
Darian and the alpha had nixed that thought early on. The plain truth
was he didn't want to have to be anywhere he'd have to bear witness to
Liam flirting with other people. Carlo was a coward, and he knew it. He
wasn't disputing the fact at all. As he neared the building, the noise
coming from within sounded muted, but still loud in a raucous kind of
way.<br />
Carlo waved to a couple leaving the crowded room as he entered.
He didn't know them, but he thought it would be a polite and friendly
gesture to the wolves who'd be arriving to stay with the Moon Runner
pack over the next few days. He didn't even complain much when Sally
Anne Meyers, the alpha's younger sister, made him strip out of his outer
layers before she allowed him to step foot inside the door.<br />
She'd
joked, "If you were smarter, you'd strip in time to the music and make
yourself a little money on the side." Her laughter sounded light, and
Carlo knew she wasn't being mean. Being twenty-one herself, she probably
also found herself being forced to be sociable. Unlike him, Sally Anne
actually liked being the centre of attention, especially if it garnered
the interest of a certain pack member. According to Marcus, the pack
gossip, Sally Anne had set her sights on Wade Michelson this year. She'd
chosen him as her mate and she'd do anything to get what she wanted.<br />
"The only problem is they'd make me pay the money back with interest
once they saw me naked," he replied, snickering before he handed her the
wet clothes.<br />
"Go sit by the fire and I'll call your mum to bring
you some dry clothes. We wouldn't want all your lovely bits and pieces
to fall off, now would we?"<br />
What the fuck? Is she flirting with me?
"Are you trying to get my arse beat? If you keep that talk up, you'll
make Wade crazy jealous and he'll come after me."<br />
"Hah! That big galoot wouldn't know which end faced up if someone didn't tell him." There seemed to be no heat in her words.<br />
"I thought you were determined to be his mate?" Carlo asked, curious as he saw the glint of something in her eye.<br />
She waved him away. "He's mine. He just doesn't know it yet. His days
of sleeping around are over." She sniffed haughtily then burst out
laughing. "Go on. Go warm up and I'll get you some dry clothes. I saw
Liam in here earlier--not sure if he's still here though."<br />
He gave
her one last smile before he did as told. "Thank you." He wasn't sure
if he thanked her for calling his mum or for letting him know Liam
Kantry sat in the hall talking with friends.<br />
The sounds of carols
playing through the speakers, combined with happy laughter ringing out
were enough to get even the most miserable person into the Christmas
spirit. The interior walls had been transformed from their usual drab
wooden bareness to having an array of colours splashed across them. The
effect was kind of stunning. Whoever had decorated this year had taste.<br />
With all the festivities going on around him, Carlo couldn't have
stopped smiling even if he'd wanted to. He actually loved this time of
year--always had. The fact remained he loved everything about Christmas,
from the addictive aroma of the baked goods to the scent of the pine
trees filling the air, but most of all he loved the feeling of family
and everyone being together.<br />
His love of everything Christmas
started the year his father gave him his very own sled. That year he'd
met Liam Kantry for the first time. He'd also met Liam's brothers Marcus
and Theo. They'd taken turns sharing his sled while riding down the
hills out on the back of the pack lands. The day seemed to rush by, none
of them coming in until August Kantry, the boys' father, had come
looking for them. On the way home, he'd given them all a lecture on what
were safe and unsafe times to stay out playing when their parents were
sitting at home and waiting for them.<br />
Christmas was just around the
corner and his family was getting ready to celebrate in style. His
mother was known by many as a baking fiend when it came to roasts, but
no one in the pack came even close to beating Mary Kantry when it came
to baking Christmas goodies. She had become a legend among the pack,
especially for her Christmas bread. Hell, even just the thought of it
had Carlo's mouth watering. His thoughts came back to the present when
he heard an all too familiar voice. Oh great, so Liam really is still
here—yippee... not!<br />
<a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/n-j-nielsen.jpg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/n-j-nielsen.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="N.J. Nielsen" class=" wp-image-311 alignright" data-mce-src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/n-j-nielsen.jpg?w=182" height="264" src="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/n-j-nielsen.jpg?w=182" width="160" /></a><br />
<b>Author Bio</b><br />
NJ needs to write like she needs to breathe. It’s an addiction that she
never intends to find a cure for. When you don’t find NJ arguing with
Vlad, her muse or writing about the wonderful men in her stories, you’ll
find her reading work by other authors she greatly admires. NJ lives in
the SE of Qld, Australia with her family who all encourage her writing
career even if she does occasionally call them by her character’s names.
NJ thinks that anyone taking the time to read her stuff is totally
awesome.<br />
Find N.J. Here<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://normanielsen.blogspot.com.au/?zx=7a8372fdd631d445" href="http://normanielsen.blogspot.com.au/?zx=7a8372fdd631d445">My Blog </a>/ <a data-mce-href="http://nielsennj.wordpress.com/" href="http://nielsennj.wordpress.com/">WordPress </a>/ <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/norma.nielsen.9" href="https://www.facebook.com/norma.nielsen.9">Face Book</a> / <a data-mce-href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5042080.N_J_Nielsen" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5042080.N_J_Nielsen">Goodreads </a>/<br />
<a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/NJNielsen1" href="https://twitter.com/NJNielsen1">Twitter </a>/ <a data-mce-href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/n-j-nielsen/34/1a9/9ba" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/n-j-nielsen/34/1a9/9ba">Linked in </a>/<a data-mce-href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108478475874292907770/posts" href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108478475874292907770/posts"> Google+</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-1154827463226007942014-12-16T08:41:00.000-08:002014-12-16T08:41:52.231-08:00What M/M books to buy this Xmas? - Day 2<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Yesterday I talked about some stories from the Boughs of evergreen anthology. today I'll do the same. the anthology is full of awesoem stories that I feel need a little more publicity.</div>
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One of my favorite stories from this collection is this one:</div>
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<strong><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91DpoTVgo5L._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91DpoTVgo5L._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />THE INVASION OF TORK by CLAIRE DAVIS and AL STEWART</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">To make a perfect Christmas pudding you need Adam, a super-cool juicy sultana of a volunteer at the local homeless shelter. Add Tork, a green-haired, homeless, exotic spice.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none;">What happens when they are mixed together? You get a delicious, fiery dessert, and snow on Christmas day.</em></div>
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This story was fabulous! Absolutely fabulous!</div>
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And, please, check all of the other books by Claire Davis and Al Stewart. They are such amazing authors! I'm in awe of their talent and their skill.</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.</div>
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<strong><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91lBicbF9wL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91lBicbF9wL._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />HOMME FOR THE HOLIDAYS by JONATHAN PENN</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Cade Bishop is finally on the mend from a traumatic event that happened almost five years ago. That healing didn't really start until last April, when he met Alan Troxler.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Alan has problems of his own, but he's noticed over the last eight months that the more time he shares with Cade, the more easily he's able to put his troubles to rest.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none;">They're traveling together to Asheville, North Carolina to renew a Christmas tradition that was an important part of Alan's past, and to introduce him to Cade's parents - one of the few worries he hasn't been able to let go.</em></div>
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Loved this story. It was light and cute, perfect for the holidays!</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.</div>
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<strong><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91w173JvwsL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91w173JvwsL._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />A CHRISTMAS TALE by HANS M HIRSCHI</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Imagine meeting Santa Claus for real and being granted a wish on Christmas Eve... This sweet little story will take you back to a time, not all that long ago, when life for gays was quite different from how it is today—a time when it seemed easier to believe in Santa Claus than believing it would ever be possible to build a family of one's own.</em></div>
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Aww, I wish this story was longer. The idea was very good, and the author's style was unique. It really felt like a fairy tale. Loved it!</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.</div>
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<strong>THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT by LARRY BENJAMIN</strong></div>
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<strong><img alt="" class=" alignright" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/814Izz%2BgCdL._SL1500_.jpg" height="213" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/814Izz%2BgCdL._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 5px 15px 5px 0px; max-width: 645px;" width="142" /></strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">At Christmastime, a mother, unhappy her son is gay, turns to an Obeah practitioner to change him with surprising results.</em></div>
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I admit I found this story a bit sad, though it has a happy ending, as ambiguous as it may be. This will be a good choice for people who like fantasy because the plot is quite intriguing and the execution is beautiful!</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.</div>
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<strong><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414488010l/23310924.jpg" height="266" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414488010l/23310924.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="177" />A FAMILY CHRISTMAS by TERRY KERR</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Christmas is Brian Carson's favourite time of year - a time to be with his family, to share gifts, eat Christmas dinner and watch the Queen's speech, together. He's determined to be there, and nothing's going to stop him</em>. <em style="border: none;">Not even death.</em></div>
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Now some people might be a tad put off by this story because, the idea of having Christmas dinner with a zombie is not very...uplifting :P I must say though, it was so original and it made me so emotional! I think everyone should read this story. Beautfiful and zombies certainly don't go together, but I think you'll find this story an exception.</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.</div>
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<span id="freeText10612184260612231574"><strong><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413839274l/23403543.jpg" height="293" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413839274l/23403543.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />XMAS CAKE: A MODERN FAIRY TALE </strong><strong>by RAINE O’TIERNEY</strong></span></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Once upon a snowy Christmas season, in the glowing metropolis of Midday...</em></div>
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If this were a fairy tale Kyle would be the handsome prince and Riley would be the poor baker in distress. Oh wait, but that's exactly what it is!</div>
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When Kyle Prince sees Riley collapse in the snow-covered parking lot, he swoops in to the rescue, whisking the feverish young man off to his high-rise apartment without a second thought.</div>
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As Riley mends under Kyle's care, a feeling of closeness grows between the two men. But every fairy tale has its complications. Will the two find their happily ever after this Christmas?</div>
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This story is unrealistic, but who cares? It's so cute and fluffy! Just the type of book I like to enjoy on my Christmas break. ♥</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.</div>
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<strong>A LITTLE CHRISTMAS MAGIC by K.C. FAELAN</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong><br /><br /><em style="border: none;">It's the day after Thanksgiving and Ryan Forsyth is helping his friends decorate for Christmas. Little does he know that the weekend will usher in a profound change to his life, a chance for happiness if he isn't too afraid to reach out and grasp it. </em><br /><br /><em style="border: none;">Boone Ainsworth has been friends with Ryan since junior high, ever since their mutual friend Greg Hayes introduced them. Since the day they met, no one has stood a chance at claiming Boone's heart except Ryan, but Ryan is so deep in the closet, he hasn't got a clue. </em><br /><br /><em style="border: none;">Their happily ever after is just a step away, until a panicked decision changes everything. From that point on, things don't go smoothly and Ryan and Boone make mistakes neither may be able to forgive. But it's the holidays, and Ryan is banking on a little Christmas magic to help smooth the way. </em></div>
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I loved the chemistry between characters in this story. It was exceptionally written and a joy to read. Don't miss! Especially if you love friends-to-lovers plots. </div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.</div>
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This post can also be read on <a href="http://shaylamist.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/what-mm-books-to-buy-this-xmas-day-2/">shaylamist.wordpress.com</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-60695261229418353642014-12-15T06:10:00.000-08:002014-12-15T06:10:15.976-08:00What M/M books to buy this Xmas? - Day 1 + one F/F book<div style="font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Hello, my dearies. Yes, I'm aware. I've been neglecting this blog for an eternity, but I promise to get back on the metaphorical horse soon. I've had many, many new projects, both in real life, and virtually. As you might have already noticed, I'm trying to launch myself in the cover-making business (see my <a data-mce-href="http://shaylamist.blogspot.ro/p/are-you-author-looking-for-cheap-cover.html" href="http://shaylamist.blogspot.ro/p/are-you-author-looking-for-cheap-cover.html">premade book covers</a> page) because I'm having more fun with graphic editing than with anything else ever and I'll soon have an entire website dedicated to my covers only. I'm also planning to maybe move this blog on another platform (wither weebly or wix) because there are some things that truly annoy be about both Blogger and Wordpress. What do you guys think? smart move or bad move?</div>
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Anyway, enough about me already! Jeez! aren't I narcissistic or not?</div>
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This week we'll be talking about what books to buy for Christmas! Yay! My favorite holiday! Because we all know there is NO holiday without a good book. No way! So, for the next days, I'll be telling you what new books are out there focusing on the winter holidays as well as what oldies you might have missed that you can now buy and enjoy this winter.</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a data-mce-href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC52ytS7pwW-pNFGqF0tvB9EEMtRYXAEOMBal1ZMFW9ekDZwlNCb-vsq8sLGBMLqiNAj1EK2Rj3jQXW5GMHEmdWMyU3yHYj3MaZFv9ExcoZgqs2uQzQl2NCNzcp_a7umhhlmmuUJRclITb/s1600/my+cover.png" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC52ytS7pwW-pNFGqF0tvB9EEMtRYXAEOMBal1ZMFW9ekDZwlNCb-vsq8sLGBMLqiNAj1EK2Rj3jQXW5GMHEmdWMyU3yHYj3MaZFv9ExcoZgqs2uQzQl2NCNzcp_a7umhhlmmuUJRclITb/s1600/my+cover.png"><img alt="" border="0" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC52ytS7pwW-pNFGqF0tvB9EEMtRYXAEOMBal1ZMFW9ekDZwlNCb-vsq8sLGBMLqiNAj1EK2Rj3jQXW5GMHEmdWMyU3yHYj3MaZFv9ExcoZgqs2uQzQl2NCNzcp_a7umhhlmmuUJRclITb/s1600/my+cover.png" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC52ytS7pwW-pNFGqF0tvB9EEMtRYXAEOMBal1ZMFW9ekDZwlNCb-vsq8sLGBMLqiNAj1EK2Rj3jQXW5GMHEmdWMyU3yHYj3MaZFv9ExcoZgqs2uQzQl2NCNzcp_a7umhhlmmuUJRclITb/s1600/my+cover.png" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="133" /></a>And what better to start with than my own novella? After all, we already established I'm a narcissist *giggles*</span></div>
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You know what Christmas Commitment is about? Scroll down a few more post on my blog and you will find a blurb as well as a contest that you can still enter!</div>
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*nods nods*</div>
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Don't forget, all royalties from Christmas Commitment go to the Trevor Project, so it will really mean a lot if you buy it. And I promise it's not awful!*puppy eyes*</div>
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And here are some other great, sweet, fluffy books that will make you go "Aww!" and "I want more!" as you sip from your hot chocolate filled mug and warm your feet in front of the fireplace (or heater - no one blames you for not being a billionaire *whispers* Most of us aren't).</div>
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One of my favorite M/M authors and a very dear friend of mine, who made Christmas Commitment being published possible, Debbie McGowan, actually has two Christmas stories out this year. Reading all the reviews her books have on Amazon and Smashwords will be enough to convince you that this is an exceptional author, whose books are worth every penny. Her writing is full of love and sweetness and sometimes bitter-sweet emotions, but always with a heart-warming happy end that will turn you into the most content pile of goo ever :P</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDXLAt9nqVS9pHpqbTS0-3dOAeKrMjsByJ1AGODED1_Y-XfoKW46YTYkhEEuucmEpqCbMo-ny7GLmpUlYVaiLMp1kgoYJg03ap4Zu3Fjh08odzPBcfZFDgFjaMSlfnhrHtkeKe1bhQGTp/s1600/cover.jpg" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDXLAt9nqVS9pHpqbTS0-3dOAeKrMjsByJ1AGODED1_Y-XfoKW46YTYkhEEuucmEpqCbMo-ny7GLmpUlYVaiLMp1kgoYJg03ap4Zu3Fjh08odzPBcfZFDgFjaMSlfnhrHtkeKe1bhQGTp/s1600/cover.jpg"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" data-mce-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDXLAt9nqVS9pHpqbTS0-3dOAeKrMjsByJ1AGODED1_Y-XfoKW46YTYkhEEuucmEpqCbMo-ny7GLmpUlYVaiLMp1kgoYJg03ap4Zu3Fjh08odzPBcfZFDgFjaMSlfnhrHtkeKe1bhQGTp/s1600/cover.jpg" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDXLAt9nqVS9pHpqbTS0-3dOAeKrMjsByJ1AGODED1_Y-XfoKW46YTYkhEEuucmEpqCbMo-ny7GLmpUlYVaiLMp1kgoYJg03ap4Zu3Fjh08odzPBcfZFDgFjaMSlfnhrHtkeKe1bhQGTp/s1600/cover.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" /></span></a></div>
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<b>Blurb:</b></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: inherit;" style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="border: none;">It's a cold, desperate December when a young girl flees home, in search of food, shelter and the real Santa Claus. Stranded in George and Josh's hometown, she discovers that the spirit of Christmas can be found in the most unexpected of places. Includes the story of The Little Match Girl, by Hans Christian Andersen. </i></span></div>
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This is such an emotional story and, I warn you, you will need plenty of paper towels available. I advise you not to look in the mirror for a few hours after you finish it and dont get out unless you have to. But, seriously, it's so worth it!'</div>
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Just like in my case, p<span data-mce-style="font-family: inherit;" style="font-family: inherit;">roceeds from sales of this story, as part of the Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: <a data-mce-href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">www.thetrevorproject.org</a>. </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: inherit;" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: inherit;" style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, I totally copy-pasted that and I'll keep repeating it for every story that's related to this anthology. Shoot me :P</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: inherit;" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><img alt="" class="alignleft" data-mce-src="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/fed6f9ea9e412b9c2655be2b25009d9779c5472a" height="293" src="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/fed6f9ea9e412b9c2655be2b25009d9779c5472a" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />First Christmas</b></span></div>
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<b>Blurb:</b></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: inherit;" style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="border: none;">Remember the way you used to feel when you were little? So eager for Santa's visit, sleeplessly counting the minutes till morning, trembling with excitement and anticipation... Will I get what I wished for? Have I been good enough?</i></span></div>
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Josh and George spent half a lifetime apart, so it matters not that they're all grown up now. For this is their first Christmas together, in their new home. They finally have all that they wished for...</div>
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...But perhaps Santa still has a few surprises in store.</div>
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This Christmas, join Josh and George for a Christmas story full of festive magic and romance.</div>
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Best read in December, in front of a roaring log fire, by the twinkling light of a Christmas tree.</div>
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Other stories about these characters:<br />- Beginnings<br />- Breaking Waves<br />- A Midnight Clear</div>
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And, of course, you can read about them and the rest of their friends in the Hiding Behind The Couch series.</div>
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I haven't read First Christmas yet, but I do plan on it this Christmas. wanna join me? ;)</div>
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<strong><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81fg24hhEhL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81fg24hhEhL._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />AN ANGEL IN EYELINER by HUNTER FROST</strong> - another great, very uplifting Christmas story</div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">All Mitch wants for Christmas is a quiet holiday free from grief. Patching up the face of the target of a mugging in the back alley of his bar seems to throw that wish right out into the cold Chicago night. But the tatted, pierced, and skinny-jean wearing Keller Graham is fearless and proves to be more than a pair of icy blue eyes lined in black. Keller may be a thief, but Mitch never expected him to steal his lonely heart.</em></div>
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Hunter is one other writer I love from the bottom of my heart. Aside from being a really great person in real life, her stories are full of happiness and they make you feel good, they offer you comfort. She's one of the authors I go to for light books that will make me feel relaxed and give me that giddy feeling good romance brings. So, I hope you will enjoy her story as much as I did.</div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: inherit;" style="font-family: inherit;">Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of the Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: <a data-mce-href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">www.thetrevorproject.org</a>. </span></div>
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<img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81FFrOlBXzL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81FFrOlBXzL._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />I had the honor and great joy of making Matthias Williamson's cover for this holidays story, so I absolutely have to recommend it!</div>
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<strong>HOLIDAYS WITH DRUM AND BELL! </strong><strong>by MATTHIAS WILLIAMSON</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">When Jeff drops a card in the lap of meditating Jonah, they begin a journey of discovery and find out that anything is possible.</em></div>
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Despite no specifically referring to a holiday, this story is sweet and has an adorable ending. you will definitely enjoy it!</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of the Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: <a data-mce-href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">www.thetrevorproject.org</a>.</div>
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<img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81y4G39Y8LL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81y4G39Y8LL._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />Another really good Christmas story just released this year is:</div>
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<strong>ONE NIGHTSTAND </strong><strong>by RICK BETTENCOURT</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Doug’s not good with one-night stands, yet in the early hours of Christmas Eve, he returns home with Kirk—a good-looking guy he met at the club. Nestled together in the kitchen of his New England cottage, sipping hot chocolate and watching the snow fall, Doug wishes there could be more to this casual encounter. It’s a feeling that stays with him as he heads off to a frantic day of work at the mall, swamped with last-minute holiday shoppers…the last place he expects to find something magical.</em></div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of the Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: <a data-mce-href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">www.thetrevorproject.org</a>.</div>
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<strong><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/919fDM9HOXL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/919fDM9HOXL._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL </strong><strong>by AMELIA MANN</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Jay thinks official commitments aren’t necessary in a relationship. For the last fourteen years, he has loved waking up beside Gabriel, watching their two adopted kids grow up—even enjoyed painting the fence once in a while and paying his part of the mortgage on their New Jersey home. To Jay, that’s a family. No papers or ceremonies will make their relationship better than it already is...though Gabriel has a different opinion. Their lives are turned upside-down a month before Christmas, when he collapses in the plumbing aisle of the store. In the aftermath, Gabriel discovers that Jay’s only legal next of kin is his long-time absent father, and later Jay has to confront the painful memories of growing up, and the real truth behind his parents’ divorce. But perhaps now Jay might be ready to give Gabriel a Christmas gift he will never forget.</em></div>
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My God, I loved this story so much! Although short, the plot was complex and I really liked the way all the knots got tied up to make a perfect bow. Don't let the cover fool you. It certainly is a Christmas story and a must read one :)</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of the Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: <a data-mce-href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">www.thetrevorproject.org</a>.</div>
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And I'm ending today's post with a <strong>NON M/M</strong> story, one of my absolute favorites from the Boughs of Evergreen anthology,</div>
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<strong><img alt="" class=" alignleft" data-mce-src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/8113CQjVYKL._SL1500_.jpg" height="293" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/8113CQjVYKL._SL1500_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="195" />A FRIEND FOR CHRISTMAS </strong><strong>by J P WALKER</strong></div>
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<strong>Blurb:</strong><br /><em style="border: none;">Eve was always an outsider. So different from everyone else, she never made friends easily - until the day she met Anna, a totally mysterious girl who seemed almost too good to be true.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none;">A few times over the years they had found each other, and then Anna would disappear, leading Eve to conclude that she is an imaginary friend - a perfect girl she had created in her own mind to help ride the wave of difficult teens and other troubles in life.</em></div>
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I know it isn't related to the subject of my post, but this story was so good, that i have to recommend it. Who knows? Maybe among you there are F/F readers too, looking for a recommendation. This was my first F/F story and I was blown away by it. Loved the author's style and the plot, and, especially, I loved how it made me feel. It is really en exceptional story and it's my strong belief that everyone will enjoy it.</div>
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Proceeds from sales of this story, as part of the Boughs of Evergreen anthology, will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: <a data-mce-href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">www.thetrevorproject.org</a>.</div>
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That's it for today. Throughout this week, I will present more Boughs of Evergreen stories and then some more Christmas books that are not related to the anthology.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBY4NcuexmKkdSVYx_qCiVqmjCdMEsVQj2U7l9VXO1JAPEi4Ize3EfOHKml9vsBPwlxZBVh-9yjcpmlortujUPx95OyqdGnomh8E30PXrwHwKtqpUL4K2IGq33JvbqEb8Fdgx4XgCSBaN/s1600/my+cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBY4NcuexmKkdSVYx_qCiVqmjCdMEsVQj2U7l9VXO1JAPEi4Ize3EfOHKml9vsBPwlxZBVh-9yjcpmlortujUPx95OyqdGnomh8E30PXrwHwKtqpUL4K2IGq33JvbqEb8Fdgx4XgCSBaN/s1600/my+cover.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
To be honest it's been out for 3 days now but I've been procrastinating writing about it. That's right, a writer procrastinating. Haven't heard of those, Have you? Please notice that was sarcasm.<br />
<br />
Wondering what my story is about? Well, obviously, besides Christmas...<br />
<br />
Here's a brief, very, very brief, summary:<br />
<i>Dick hates Christmas. This year more than ever because he's been dumped
by his boyfriend. There's only one way to prove to Zack he's serious
about their future together: coming out to his family. Dick might be
willing to do that, but what if it's already too late? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Christmas Commitment is part of a two-volumes LGBT anthology, "Boughs of evergreen, a holiday anthology" published by Beaten Track Publishing, featuring some extraordinary stories written by very talented authors. It's an honor for me to be participating along with them in this project.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
For more information, visit:<a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.thetrevorproject.org</a><span style="line-height: 17px;">.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<b>GIVEAWAY:</b><br />
#1 Goodreads giveaway - Boughs of Evergreen volume one ends on <span style="color: #741b47;">November 27</span>. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/116575-boughs-of-evergreen-a-holiday-anthology">Click here</a> to be redirected to the Goodreads giveaway page.<br />
#2Goodreads giveaway - Boughs of Evergreen volume two ends on <span style="color: #741b47;">November 27</span>. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/116576-boughs-of-evergreen-a-holiday-anthology">Click here</a> to be redirected to the Goodreads giveaway page.<br />
#3 My own personal giveaway - It's easy. The <span style="color: #741b47;">first two persons</span> to comment on this blog post will receive a copy of Christmas Commitment.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-79424171346254459102014-11-15T07:46:00.001-08:002014-11-15T07:46:32.375-08:00Goodbye, my Little StarToday someone adopted my 6 months old dog, Little Star. I had put her and her sister up for adoption because we don't have enough space for them. And now I can't stop thinking about her.<br />
All the while I carried her away from home, she was trembling like a leaf and looking at me with sad, desperate eyes. She knew she wouldn't see her family again. I felt like a monster for putting her through this.<br />
I'll miss you, my Little Star!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-18535928023347000622014-11-14T02:29:00.001-08:002014-11-14T02:29:19.036-08:00The Valjevo Encounter by J. Vaughn - Review<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Well, hello friends. It's been a while since I updated my blog. My only excuse is real life, but, let's be honest, I'm simply a procrastinator. *cough cough* </div>
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I'm back with a review of J. Vaughn's new book, The Valjevo Encounter. Those of you who've browsed through my posts surely already know I've got a weak spot for J., but, please don't dismiss this simply by considering it too subjective because of my friendship with the author. I'm gonna be honest with you. If I don't like a book I'm not gonna trash it to pieces. There's always something good about any book, not matter how bad it is, believe it or not. But, at the same time, I won't sing its praises either.</div>
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So, the only reason I'm giving Jay's book five stars, it's because I honestly believe she deserves it. Now, all reviews are fundamentally subjective, so you might end up not loving the book as much as I did, but at least give it a chance. Read an excerpt, an interview, read the author's blog etc. before deciding whether to buy it or not.</div>
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That being said, let's move on to the review (you can find this review both here and on my Goodreads account, Blogspot account and Facebook account - links on the main page).</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This is the actual review:</span></strong></div>
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Oh, this was a book I've been waiting for. Firstly, because it's written by Jay (:P) and, secondly, because I was getting sick and tired of shiny vampires. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against them, but I miss those books where vampires are evil impersonated. That's exactly what this book is about and that's why I loved it. It's so much different than what's out there right now in the M/M world. It's original, it's fresh.</div>
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But that's not its only good point. The best point of The Valjevo Encounter is the characterization. It is amazing how much connection the reader feels with this characters. Well, I didn't expect otherwise from Jay Vaughn, but for those of you who haven't read her Rough Boys series, it might come as a pleasant surprise how much you'll fall in love with her characters.</div>
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On one hand, you have this strong alpha male named Guy (real name Salvatore) who's gone through so much hardship in his life, he's not afraid of anything, but becomes vulnerable as all hell when he meets Melvin and instantly falls in love. Yes, the whole story is mostly insta-love, but it's one of the few plots that worked for me. They didn't mate like animals in heat though they both felt the unstoppable, palpable attraction. They didn't declare undying love for each other or called each other silly endearments. On the contrary, both characters had pride and an underlying fear that wouldn't allow them to act on their attraction, which made the plot all the more captivating.</div>
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On the other hand, you have Melvin-cute, tiny and angelic virgin whose world turns upside down when he discovers vampires and other monsters are very real and very deadly. I loved this character because he's so proud and so strong on the inside. At the beginning of the book, he goes by the nickname "Tigger" only to give it up at the end by asking his best friend to start calling him Mel. I liked this metaphor for growing up, for becoming someone new. Not sure if anyone will see it like I did, but I tend to see subtle metaphors in anything, really, and I strongly believe J. Vaughn is a master of veiled messages.</div>
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But I also loved the supporting characters—Ed, Consuela and, most of all, Mel's best friend, Jon—all strong, brave, exceptional characters that will make your reading experience even richer. I honestly hope Jay will prepare a sequel with Jon as main character because he was amazing!<br />For those of you who've read Rough Boys and enjoyed it, you'll be happy to know J.'s writing is still as fantastic as ever and I'm sure you all can't wait to read this book.</div>
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For those of you who couldn't finish Rough Boys because of the dark subjects, I'm happy to announce you will certainly be able to stomach The Valjevo Encounter. It's much lighter in comparison to the Rough Boys series, and focuses a lot more on the romance between characters rather than the dark theme of vampires. Although not completely lacking dark moments, The Valjevo Encounter will not make you uncomfortable, will not make you cry rivers of tears. The whole purpose of it is a beautiful love story with just a bit of adventurous angst.</div>
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I'm sure everyone will enjoy this book immensely.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-29564770990863840192014-10-13T03:15:00.001-07:002014-10-13T03:40:29.601-07:00Meet the character blog hop<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been tagged by Ofelia Grand to be part
of the Meet the Character blog hop. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/60397d229592b9d26335664581a20e81?s=320" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/60397d229592b9d26335664581a20e81?s=320" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://ofeliagrand.com/" target="_blank">Ofelia Gränd </a>is Swedish through and through. She is
constantly thinking of stories she would love to write. Anything and everything
is a source of inspiration that has her lost in thought, staring off into
space, in no time at all. Sometimes she turns a street corner, and sees a
different world. She is often walking around mumbling to herself and her
intended characters. Every so often she is painting mental pictures of their
appearances, or wishing that she was better at Photoshop, because she knows
exactly what the cover of the story in her mind should look like. Real life,
however, interferes all too often, and the stories mostly remains unwritten.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can check out her <a href="http://ofeliagrand.com/">website </a>for more
information on her writing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In this post, I'm going to introduce you to
one of my MCs, Dick, who's the lead character in my upcoming novella, Christmas
Commitment. Christmas Commitment will be released on November 21st as part of the
LGBT holidays anthology Boughs of Evergreen, published by Beaten Track
Publishing. Earnings from this anthology will be donated to charity, so be
sure to keep an eye for it. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who is Dick? What should we know about him?</span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dick is the main character from Christmas
Commitment. The story is written from his perspective. Dick also hates his
name, so, from now on, we'll be calling him D.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When and where is the story set?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Christmas
Commitment is a contemporary story. I haven't set it in any place in
particular. I love leaving things ambiguous in terms of settings and let the
readers place the action wherever they feel like. You might notice though that
my European cultural background comes through at times. I can't help it!</span></strong></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/064.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/064.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">D. is
afraid to come out of the closet as a gay man, especially with his parents,
whom he doesn't want to disappoint. This causes his boyfriend, Zack, to break
up with him, right before Christmas because D. isn't willing to introduce Zack
to his family, like he'd promised.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong><span lang="EN-US">What is D's goal?</span></strong><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">D is determined to get his lover back.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is the problem?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNsd6_m8RVyQG7YwEDjT2C7GfzEVDQTKNY6C6bDZbP7xwyorUXU3J85iVEtaiCuiakRC55aL78EOWSQIHZaumsY5ZjydRA94hMM6YyA4G9qUsG8KK9Osyx7eo32nDxFfC_wx-i9wCVYS5/s1600/my+cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNsd6_m8RVyQG7YwEDjT2C7GfzEVDQTKNY6C6bDZbP7xwyorUXU3J85iVEtaiCuiakRC55aL78EOWSQIHZaumsY5ZjydRA94hMM6YyA4G9qUsG8KK9Osyx7eo32nDxFfC_wx-i9wCVYS5/s1600/my+cover.png" height="320" width="212" /></a><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
problem is that Zack doesn't want to see D or talk to him. Will D manage to
convince Zack that he's serious about them?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When can we expect the story to be published?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christmas
Commitment will be published on </span>November 21<sup>st</sup> by Beaten Track
Publishing<span style="font-weight: normal;">, both as an individual book and as part of the holiday anthology
Boughs of Evergreen. </span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></strong>
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></strong>
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who's next on the blog hop?</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></strong>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This fantastic author will post next week about his own characters. Make sure to check his works out. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007640056961&fref=hovercard">J.S. Frankel</a></b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">J.S. Frankel was born in
Toronto, Canada, many moons ago and managed to scrape through high
school and university, earning a BA in English Literature and leaving no
book unopened during his time at the University of Toronto. Shortly
after graduation, he moved to Japan in order to teach English to the
hapless residents of whichever city he happened to be living at the
time.<br /><br />In 1997, he married the charming Akiko Koike and their
union produced two rather interesting children. Frankel and his family
make their home in Osaka where he teaches during the day and attempts to
write YA fiction at night.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a list of authors who have already posted about their characters:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://ofeliagrand.com/2014/10/05/meet-character/">Ofelia Grand</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://deb248211.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/meet-character-jinja.html">Debbie McGowan</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://kcfaelan.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/meet-the-character-ryan-forstyth/">K.C. Faelan</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.bastardgenres.net/character-blog-hop/">Matthias Williamson</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.peachham-beach.com/characterbloghop.html">Laura Susan Johnson</a></span><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-44401132507170075212014-08-12T09:14:00.001-07:002014-08-12T09:14:35.522-07:00Fabulous Five blog hopI've been invited to answer these questions by <b>Debbie
McGowan</b>, author of contemporary fiction. Her current titles include the series <b><i>Hiding Behind The Couch, Champagne</i></b> and <b><i>Checking Him Out</i></b>. Further
info and download links can be found on her website: <a href="http://www.debbiemcgowan.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.debbiemcgowan.co.<wbr></wbr>uk.</a><br />
I love Debbie's works. She's one of my favorite authors. If you have time, please check out her works. She's awesome.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What am I working on?</b></span><br />
As usual, my head is all over the place, so I'm working on various projects. The project I'm most attached to these days is a friends to lovers story with an age gap between Mcs.<br />
Terrance was Chase's hero back in childhood, a worship that soon turned to infatuation from his part. But Terrance never saw Chase as more than a cute kid. Wanting to escape from his small-minded town and hoping to get over his childhood crush, Chase jumps to the opportunity to go to university in L.A. where he becomes a famous nature photographer. He thinks his feelings for Terrance are gone, but when his relatives abruptly die in a car crash, Chase is forced to come back home and see Terrance again. All the emotions he tried to suppress, along with the fears and insecurities he felt as a teenager come crushing back.<br />
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The story is yet to have a title, but I'm almost done with it, so the title will surely come to me. I'm very curious how the readers will react to the age gap between Terrance and Chase and if they'll find their reactions realistic enough or too dramatic.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How does my work differ from others in its genre?</b></span><br />
This is a tough one. Honestly I'm not even trying to make my books different and I don't really get why they should be. I write M/M and you can find plenty of other books similar to mine in this genre. I don't think this is a flaw though. Readers who choose M/M lean towards this genre for a reason and, obviously, they look for certain "ingredients". I, like many other authors, try to offer this ingredients in a nicely wrapped package. we are all different, as individuals. It's a given our books will be different too. But, thank God, there are plenty of books to choose from and there will always be readers there to support us.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Why do I write what I do?</span></b><br />
I love M/M for various reasons. It's sexy, original, fun and so much more engaging than hetero romance. But, most of all, I like writing M/M romance because I believe love is beautiful and people shouldn't judge others. I truly hope one day people will stop discriminating against gays. Already, there are many positive changes in the world and I believe M/M romance is a huge help. It's opening people's minds. I am proud to take part in this, even in such a small measure.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How does my writing process work?</span></b><br />
I am a procrastinator and I get easily bored. Because of that, I always need to have more than one current project. I like juggling between stories and daydreaming about characters, but I hate plotting. I find it a waste of time and I rarely outline stories. At the most, I write a phrase or two about my main ideas and plot points, but the rest is up to my imagination.<br />
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I enjoy writing a little every day. Half an hour is enough to get me going, and, usually when I start, I don't stop until I finish a scene or a chapter.<br />
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I hate editing though and I always procrastinate when it's time to correct the first draft. First, I concentrate on grammar and typos. Then I leave the draft for at least a week and read it again after. I correct more typos. At this point I try to brainstorm what scenes should be cut and if the characters react properly to certain scenes. I usually consult with my betas about it.<br />
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Then, I revise accordingly. Leave the draft one more week at least. Correct more typos. Done!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Who's next?</span></b><br />
Unfortunately, I can't tag five authors, but I hope you guys enjoy<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007640056961"> Jesse Frankel's </a>Fabulous Five blog hop answers. He's an exceptional YA writer whom I truly admire.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-83580314651434204682014-08-09T12:01:00.001-07:002014-08-09T12:01:27.108-07:00Coming soon - pre-made covers starting from 5 $!!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">Hi peeps! I'm </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">working </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">make myself an art portofolio. I'll be selling pre-made covers from now on on this blog with prices starting from 5 $ and up to 15 $. I'll make a new page with more works, so, stay tuned if you like what you see.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">Here are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">two </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">samples</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCuUhrr9MMhyxOXx2UYFe0iRUdsscWuM3qelSxZXJXjrvNtovaA5ne0qkwWBUhgYZ3gmwl_V0lIDar6WDExBnXN1YLnhYq0CJFsB1cRHvtyr0tazbYqpuMZaFqOABNEcC7nqQspWltGPN/s1600/PREMADE-CHESS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCuUhrr9MMhyxOXx2UYFe0iRUdsscWuM3qelSxZXJXjrvNtovaA5ne0qkwWBUhgYZ3gmwl_V0lIDar6WDExBnXN1YLnhYq0CJFsB1cRHvtyr0tazbYqpuMZaFqOABNEcC7nqQspWltGPN/s1600/PREMADE-CHESS.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-17281177428725949562014-06-26T11:39:00.001-07:002014-06-26T11:39:51.526-07:00Free story available for download<span style="font-size: large;">Guys, <b><i>Only you</i></b> is finally available for download!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can find it here: <a href="http://www.mmromancegroup.com/only-you-by-shayla-mist/">http://www.mmromancegroup.com/only-you-by-shayla-mist/</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmw_2Ja3qfR3VYS2lZIJFVEiUgODxTMO9jJqE-XViGzLt8kckd7Tz1CEylkAXACEsmHqUtxXQwhJeG5OibGqSXawTck2URTVOjct2ZppJHgJaveRFJUOAqR6ovxh9pE0thSNiY4fPBOUm/s1600/cover+only+you600x900.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmw_2Ja3qfR3VYS2lZIJFVEiUgODxTMO9jJqE-XViGzLt8kckd7Tz1CEylkAXACEsmHqUtxXQwhJeG5OibGqSXawTck2URTVOjct2ZppJHgJaveRFJUOAqR6ovxh9pE0thSNiY4fPBOUm/s1600/cover+only+you600x900.png" height="400" width="266" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanna say a big thank you, not only to my betas, but also to the wonderful people who left comments on Goodreads and reviews. You have no idea how much those meant to me. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-61363655324825802042014-06-01T23:12:00.000-07:002014-06-01T23:12:49.466-07:00Author Promo - M. E. Sanford<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
Remember, M.E. Sanford, guys? Not long ago, with the occasion of our free anthology release, <a href="http://www.divergentpublishing.com/?product=hunting-under-covers">Hunting Under Covers</a>, I interviewed him regarding his story in the antho. You can find that interview <a href="http://shaylamist.blogspot.ro/2014/01/interview-with-author-me-sanford.html">here</a>. </div>
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Now Mitchell is back to talk about his latest release, which has an awesome title: The Wind Your Voice, The Rain Your Tears. The title alone makes me crave this story. So, without further ado, I'll let Mitch tell you about his book himself.</div>
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<strong>When I came up with the story in <em style="border: none;">The Wind Your Voice, The Rain Your Tears</em>, I had been working 16 hour days in a gas station. When you work in a gas station, there is no filter of customers. Everyone and anyone gets gas, or buys snacks. I knew after some time that somebody would be so hurtful and cruel to me that it would be very painful emotionally. Sure enough, I was left in tears after an incident that directly inspired the interaction between Vinny Shields and Tristan May, my main characters.</strong></div>
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<strong>But why stop there? I turned that incident into an entire novel. Vinny is very much like I was during the period in which I began writing the book. He is trapped in his life with no drive forward, he grew stagnant. But then he meets Tristan May, the flamboyant gas station attendant that represents that much needed catalyst to inspire Vinny out of his dull life. </strong></div>
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<strong>The constant ridicule of his new relationship was something that I came up with during a phase of loneliness. Having lost so many of my closest friends I really felt the need to give someone a person that will appreciate Vinny unconditionally. Thus, the character of Tristan May. There is a lot to the novel, including tragedy and even situations of suicide as I believe mimicking the human condition is one of my greatest inspirations.</strong></div>
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<strong>I want people to be inspired by the story. And I want them to finish reading feeling that even through all hopelessness there is somebody out there that will be your savior without them even trying. </strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/thewindyourvoicetherainyourtears_400x600.jpg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/thewindyourvoicetherainyourtears_400x600.jpg" style="color: #cd4517;"><img alt="TheWindYourVoiceTheRainYourTears_400x600" class="alignleft wp-image-223" data-mce-src="http://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/thewindyourvoicetherainyourtears_400x600.jpg?w=200" src="http://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/thewindyourvoicetherainyourtears_400x600.jpg?w=200" height="422" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; max-width: 645px;" width="281" /></a></div>
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<strong>The Wind Your Voice, The Rain Your Tears - </strong><strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Small town mechanic Vinny Shields doesn't have much going for him. He has a girlfriend that seems to chase every man that crosses her path. His father and mother are consistently unimpressed with his lifestyle. And his younger brother just dropped a bombshell that will change the dynamic of his family.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none;">Vinny then meets the flamboyant gas station attendant, Tristan May, and learns more about what it means to love and be loved.</em></div>
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Purchase links:</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Voice-Tears-Golden-Nettle-ebook/dp/B00KN7EAD8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1401479278&sr=8-6&keywords=the+wind+your+voice" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Voice-Tears-Golden-Nettle-ebook/dp/B00KN7EAD8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1401479278&sr=8-6&keywords=the+wind+your+voice" style="color: #cd4517;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/442690" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/442690" style="color: #cd4517;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/me-sanford/the-wind-your-voice-the-rain-your-tears/ebook/product-21653501.html" href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/me-sanford/the-wind-your-voice-the-rain-your-tears/ebook/product-21653501.html" style="color: #cd4517;" target="_blank">Lulu</a></div>
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<strong>Abo</strong><strong>ut M. E. Sanford:</strong></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor7777211">A life long writer and storyteller, M.E. Sanford has always pursued creative careers. One of his passions is writing novels and other short stories.<br /><a data-mce-href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/578758_10151057521473984_2027294363_n.jpg" href="https://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/578758_10151057521473984_2027294363_n.jpg" style="color: #cd4517;"><img alt="578758_10151057521473984_2027294363_n" class="alignright wp-image-224 " data-mce-src="http://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/578758_10151057521473984_2027294363_n.jpg" src="http://shaylamist.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/578758_10151057521473984_2027294363_n.jpg" height="237" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 5px 15px 5px 0px; max-width: 645px;" width="158" /></a><br />Just recently he made a major move cross country to pursue a dream that includes publishing his stories that he's been working on the past several years. An entertainer at heart, M.E. follows the pull of his ambitions and turns his experiences into touching works of literature.</span></div>
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If just one person is touched by his stories he can consider himself a success.</div>
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<strong>Contact info:</strong></div>
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Twitter: <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/thesleepinggods" href="https://twitter.com/thesleepinggods" style="color: #cd4517;" target="_blank">@thesleepinggods</a></div>
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Facebook: <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/mitch.sanford.12" href="https://www.facebook.com/mitch.sanford.12" style="color: #cd4517;" target="_blank">M.E. Sanford</a></div>
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Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7777211.M_E_Sanford">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7777211.M_E_Sanford</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-45134306298204765692014-05-24T06:46:00.000-07:002014-05-24T06:46:28.086-07:00Moving to Wordpress? To move or not to move, this is the question.So i was so pissed last time when I had to post pic after pic with such an ugly result, that I decided "what the hell. I'll move to Wordpress." LOL I'm that sort of person. If something pisses me off, I don't think twice about it.<br />
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I imported my blog to Wordpress.com. Here's the link : <a href="http://shaylamist.wordpress.com/">http://shaylamist.wordpress.com/</a><br />
The moment I edited my "looking for guest bloggers" page though, BAM!, "Your blog is suspended for violating Terms of Service". What the fuck?!<br />
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I wrote an angry message and they stopped the suspension process, but, guys, I was so disappointed. It reminded me once again why I had some reasons for not liking Wordpress.<br />
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So, my honest question is, should I stick with Wordpress, or will this be the first in a long series of disappointments? I really need your help!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-10502147841635617432014-05-22T08:21:00.001-07:002014-05-22T08:21:40.032-07:00Shayla's (Mis)Adventures in Coverland PART 2As promised, my friends, here is part two of my adventures in Coverland.<br />
Last time I stopped at the point where I decided I needed to see my cover from a different approach. As a result, I oriented towards a more abstract/vectorish looks. No more stock photos for me.<br />
At first I wanted to have a microphone as the focus of my cover, but I soon changed my mind. I didn't find microphone illustrations for commercial purposes, I didn't find brushes that I liked. So I said "Never mind, i'll just do something cute, even though it might be unrelated with the story."<br />
That's how this cover was born:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwAB9wuFlQg5jTfCqrMo49sNjFSHeDinzeFAZecf4EwoTNAts3KTMg-QeuCWN9_s9_0eO3SCp9V7RNso0-oW9_hU4mNWV7s9ZFehy2hPyiHyCX-uL8uDmpctHbTpKOMdsz-6H1Ummdlp6/s1600/cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwAB9wuFlQg5jTfCqrMo49sNjFSHeDinzeFAZecf4EwoTNAts3KTMg-QeuCWN9_s9_0eO3SCp9V7RNso0-oW9_hU4mNWV7s9ZFehy2hPyiHyCX-uL8uDmpctHbTpKOMdsz-6H1Ummdlp6/s1600/cover.png" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
I used a free commercial font, a free music notebook texture and flower brushes that I made myself.<br />
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After I shared it with my friends, they all commented on the pink. no pink for us, lady, thank you very much. *Sigh*<br />
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No biggie, I'll make it purple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFT47MFurrrBkpmdK42ei3uatj34qlNAwdDkTIXAWKoJqgEAJiAuk5EoTHsifkJFbSEtZVcPYN3KVHT-M30Ts1lyw81qRBU0l7zwsax-cLU47gaAbuZpeHZrGH6Uxk1zko2slew00sNVB/s1600/cover2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFT47MFurrrBkpmdK42ei3uatj34qlNAwdDkTIXAWKoJqgEAJiAuk5EoTHsifkJFbSEtZVcPYN3KVHT-M30Ts1lyw81qRBU0l7zwsax-cLU47gaAbuZpeHZrGH6Uxk1zko2slew00sNVB/s1600/cover2.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Basically all I did was play around with layer modes, hue-saturation, curves, etc. I liked it a lot. Deb commented on the flowers though. now that they popped, she suddenly realized they had no place in the pictures. It made no sense for them to be there.<br />
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I didn't really understand her logic, I admit, but I'd rather trust someone else's opinion than my own when it comes to unexplored territories, and this was definitely an unexplored territory for me.<br />
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So I took the flowers out and came back to the main idea of my book. What was my book about? Two best friends. One of them is singer that uses his unrequited love to fuel his passion for music, the other one comes out for him in the end. It's that simple.<br />
I thought I could convey this with the use of the rainbow's colors and some music notes.<br />
I made various versions of the cover, some of which I have deleted . Here's what I kept.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZHNuTc-Kz99O4JBCgZDXp6NIu3XzIJJzR7_qWKM8BmJp6pC6RfWhKUObZ8f_tcejg5z0YmcA8Y6DvqTQJYuf2I033_5A3KlIkNI-U8UdFnGIIaqVlhJvQ6q5xqP3CyeiY9q_5CU5Bryd/s1600/cover9.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZHNuTc-Kz99O4JBCgZDXp6NIu3XzIJJzR7_qWKM8BmJp6pC6RfWhKUObZ8f_tcejg5z0YmcA8Y6DvqTQJYuf2I033_5A3KlIkNI-U8UdFnGIIaqVlhJvQ6q5xqP3CyeiY9q_5CU5Bryd/s1600/cover9.png" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFcrGZZjmVO6VKsLgzCriqhGZDBbQIRLnQfjdmgJVH8eoCUz4RftqnMUeAZgHxkGZbqcQ4Skab4jJXSNwe_SjRDUinrQchu4Q3OcZe0QLSjkRr9Puarc6O1w5Ao9XPmpL0KzVmABa7VC3/s1600/cover8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLASPvSbuqjZPINco7MHxwgNbKvbfQCw6PFmMVPLepHip5Nh7uP2CytlaGiNFx1dpKv5KkxNGUUyBsfxUwFnL9pTY0qTiZ0w8lrwMRIQXIGQXyOM7pBMeOz1KLMBTYVWdKX-nerOqYYOh/s1600/cover10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLASPvSbuqjZPINco7MHxwgNbKvbfQCw6PFmMVPLepHip5Nh7uP2CytlaGiNFx1dpKv5KkxNGUUyBsfxUwFnL9pTY0qTiZ0w8lrwMRIQXIGQXyOM7pBMeOz1KLMBTYVWdKX-nerOqYYOh/s1600/cover10.png" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvqv734QYMN4gXr0bV4iA0JGsBkAEVXY_PsAopPjZA50cOrPMeSeIMpsgW0c1rPM9jLDAGOYIy5j1djmNf8vcQZ0l_cAaLoi2u2HlH1A24ptxUTnwjbON9Sgd_Wy4MtBSUoxz0-tmqFAU/s1600/cover+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvqv734QYMN4gXr0bV4iA0JGsBkAEVXY_PsAopPjZA50cOrPMeSeIMpsgW0c1rPM9jLDAGOYIy5j1djmNf8vcQZ0l_cAaLoi2u2HlH1A24ptxUTnwjbON9Sgd_Wy4MtBSUoxz0-tmqFAU/s1600/cover+7.png" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rtKk8vO3IP39AB8NkPliTGYDcSqhFgSMKPFikxwqQUDjdgHrfqtGfpESjECPpvZ-w4efa3D7I5iLfiSVjAOb6pcS3tjNcYi4fytl0o5b3c9qkmopZrcOWXrTGvP3nwWDI79HoNpxHA6B/s1600/cover4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rtKk8vO3IP39AB8NkPliTGYDcSqhFgSMKPFikxwqQUDjdgHrfqtGfpESjECPpvZ-w4efa3D7I5iLfiSVjAOb6pcS3tjNcYi4fytl0o5b3c9qkmopZrcOWXrTGvP3nwWDI79HoNpxHA6B/s1600/cover4.png" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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I apologize, but I'm too tired now to modify the damn HTML so the pics show in one row. I swear I'm sick of blogger. It may be easy to customize sometimes, but other times...<br />
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Anyway, end of rant, back to topic. I again showed these to Deb. She pointed out that having some guitar picks and drums would be better. I didn't agree with this one because they had very little to do with the story. She even showed these covers to her students and they all agreed on the third from those above I believe. I'm not sure exactly because I deleted a few.<br />
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At this point I showed the cover to Vess. Vess immediately said she thought it was too dark. She suggested I enlarge and right (righten?) the heart in the middle. cange the layer mode a bit. This is how I came with the above fifth cover.<br />
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Well, Deb was very very helpful. But I felt that the cover had a too many things thrown on top of each other. I returned to the initial idea of something simpler.<br />
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It was then that Vess saved me again. She showed me a wallpaper with a rose and a text in a circle. It looked gorgeous, simple. Beautiful. I thought about it a little and I decided I could do something similar. With the use of a rose picture I had with my own garden roses and a few free brushes, I made this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRbcN9UlhEdCdTJ90PgLvNWxKt8xiJXWS0qwhRHljx6fd-6qcBdxMcOrFIyTdTIXQmy_5MBhQuVxiTuS_IE2hU92SanJK1gAIVuPiB4MtcRyvJJIV_ZJae4c7bjpRLX3LBwVERR2xO4eF/s1600/cover11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRbcN9UlhEdCdTJ90PgLvNWxKt8xiJXWS0qwhRHljx6fd-6qcBdxMcOrFIyTdTIXQmy_5MBhQuVxiTuS_IE2hU92SanJK1gAIVuPiB4MtcRyvJJIV_ZJae4c7bjpRLX3LBwVERR2xO4eF/s1600/cover11.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Vess loved it. But "What's the blood got to do with it?" she pointed out. Oops. Maybe I shouldn't so obviously point at bleeding heart. some might take it literally and confuse it with a mystery story.<br />
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So I changed it. unfortunately I deleted the last file. I had a few falling petals, but they fell upside down. I noticed it thanks to Vess again. In the end, I corrected the mistake, deleted a bit more of the gray area, and ended up with this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikOFU5SjFwvwUilDux2AeIaPQFZ4rlmHRQ6VBIlbznnPX-m0hdgEDS5KYIGGVWQb-Bs8LgWEYXwrJtE7S1qbYw-aYLIXoBJJB1lLhnVoooDUc4afcaKTBgWWRyUahWBUvxkuntW4VixqJ/s1600/cover+only+you600x800.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikOFU5SjFwvwUilDux2AeIaPQFZ4rlmHRQ6VBIlbznnPX-m0hdgEDS5KYIGGVWQb-Bs8LgWEYXwrJtE7S1qbYw-aYLIXoBJJB1lLhnVoooDUc4afcaKTBgWWRyUahWBUvxkuntW4VixqJ/s1600/cover+only+you600x800.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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So, this is my final cover. I did not write "an LL story" or something like that as other authors did, simply because I forgot. I wanted to be done with it, otherwise, knowing me, I knew I'd end up tweaking it endlessly.<br />
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So, this was the story of my first self-made cover.<br />
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What I learned from this experience?<br />
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First and foremost, NEVER do it alone. I had three awesome friends who helped build this: Louise, Deb and Vess, who all pointed out my mistakes and gave priceless advice. I would have ended up with a mess if not for them.<br />
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Secondly, go with your first instincts.<br />
From the start, I wanted something simple and minimalist. No matter how many ideas I bounced back and forth with everyone, no matter how many versions I came up with, I was still attracted to the simple cover. I could have saved myself a lot of time and effort and spared my friends a lot of eye rolls and huffs if I'd just stuck to my first thought and worked around that.<br />
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Third, if you don;t know what you're doing, go with simple. I might not have the greatest cover. But for a beginner, I think it looks good. As long as it's simple, your rookie mistakes will be reduces to a minimum. It won't be so noticeable that you have no idea what you're doing. Monochromatic is also a good way to avoid bad result. As you can see, I went with both to minimize my risks LOL<br />
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If you can make it free, go with it. You can have a cute cover even for little or no money. for this cover I made my own rose brush from a photo. I used free for commercial use font from <a href="http://www.1001fonts.com/">1001fonts.com</a> (click the green dollar button) and free for commercial use brushes from<a href="http://www.obsidiandawn.com/"> Obsidian Dawn </a>.<br />
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Lastly, don't forget to give credit, even if it's not required, for the resources you use. It's common sense.<br />
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Well, thanks a lot for following me through my adventure. I'd be honored if you'd like to share your covers with me.<br />
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Lots of hugs and kisses,<br />
Shayla<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-42036905687766906132014-05-13T10:11:00.003-07:002014-05-13T10:23:48.637-07:00Shayla's (Mis)Adventures in Coverland or How I learned making covers is not that easy (gah!) - PART ISorry for the long title :P<br />
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It's been a while since I've updated this blog. Huge apologies to everyone who's following. In case you were curious, yes, I've been busy writing. My story for Love's Landscapes, <i><b>Only you</b></i>, is complete. Edited, revised, revised again, and again, and again, you name it. I really hope you guys will enjoy it.<br />
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So, this year I wanted to put a lot more effort into the process and decided to make my own cover as well. I didn't want to hire anyone to do it. I wanted it to be much more personal than that. However, I never expected it would be so hard to decide on an actual cover. And some point I was so frustrated I was ready to give up. Let me show you why (and keep in mind that this is the abbreviated version :D):<br />
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First, I thought I should buy stock image that would fit the mood of my story. Since my prompter was inspired by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmErRm-vApI#start=0:00;end=3:43;cycles=-1;autoreplay=false;showoptions=false" target="_blank">this song,</a> Say Something (I'm giving up in you) by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera - a super sad song in case you don't know - I figured I would use a photo that would give off that feeling. So I searched pics with guys walking away, autumn inspired pics, depressed guys, and, generally black and white backgrounds.<br />
Here are just a few I found particularly inspiring:<br />
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<td><img src="http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/15267335/2/stock-photo-15267335-lonely-teen.jpg" width="150" /></td>
<td><img src="http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/15972936/2/stock-photo-15972936-man-on-sea.jpg" width="150" /></td>
<td><img src="http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/13630131/2/stock-photo-13630131-winter-footprints-silhoutted-and-lens-flare.jpg" width="150" /></td>
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Of, course, there were a lot more to choose from. But as I started writing , I realized it wasn't my thing. I would never be the kind of writer that would write something particularly dramatic or angsty. I'm all for the cute and fluffy. No matter how sad the subject of unrequited love was, I knew I would eventually end up with a fun and cute story. A depressing cover would definitely not be fit.<br />
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On to plan B then. I figured I needed something to suggest the pain of love and loneliness, but at the same time have a hopeful message. So, I thought the best way to go about it was to find a cover with a heart somewhere in the middle. </div>
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My scavenger hunt for lonely hearts proved to be very rewarding. It turns out there are hundreds of images with hearts as the focal points.</div>
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Here are some I really liked.</div>
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<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX-vayVOQjV5bqxRjR7TCxbFl0oMKkljORb4InnLX74kbDiNUmDeYin4-JfigP3uh_PeJ1eqDbV3JwJ_bt5mP2edeJMj_h2viGLlFIBJpRH8LO_WHYuj6abg7bzYizhe-db-_ZT1IEi4O/s1600/canstockphoto17738857_comp.jpg" width="150" /></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVtCZ615QFpAhCOUsZsbFJ4bhyphenhyphen4fEEg4itoraqrXykuSqPqGEkkFLQMzxjHXkz26w91FruLMCPXWDWH15G2gPCRoucJezyOXKeqXlgwghIVGPR2wlIgOKTM1R7gQSzHSSW2AYOC1_orx2/s1600/canstockphoto8449419_comp.jpg" width="150" /></td>
<td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmTMM_M6pVQT_0afHrZwpyUawCd_Khzu6IrMZDZZS52BBD1fwQ3fqPlOhm6gnmmmUY-tC31rkdzrgCIuegCUyH23P6i6pAaEHnUUgzKADalv2A58I7VGOmQso8Ux7xEBwtesP-KKREUsK/s1600/canstockphoto17853037_comp.jpg" width="150" /></td>
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This is where I got serious. I really loved the pic with the rose petals. even though it was in low resolution I could really see its potential once I would buy it. I did a Google image search and confirmed it hadn't been used as a romance cover before so I made a mock cover. </div>
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I wasn't decided on the title and just put something in there.<br />
I posted this mock cover on the writers group on Goodreads and got lots of advice.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRPI6zIEWosDI1T1qIgOp4zod1gNXu-uRRWCY0iprAf3syihDbqVQLpNIwbN-rxC_xXmnicLr44ffewpY7bwKAgxH4zGVs9Pz47ETbaVROrKj8MIsDrTuS05GZFPebFqPgfHOJOPaU9JQ/s1600/cover+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRPI6zIEWosDI1T1qIgOp4zod1gNXu-uRRWCY0iprAf3syihDbqVQLpNIwbN-rxC_xXmnicLr44ffewpY7bwKAgxH4zGVs9Pz47ETbaVROrKj8MIsDrTuS05GZFPebFqPgfHOJOPaU9JQ/s1600/cover+1.png" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
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I used those pieces of advice and tweaked my cover some more:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_oBzkaDC0Y8lDks-42W4rSdzsTXdu_5LMdUYo4J4usliSMJqJ6HzpEtk9SUnh3YFC_tsZqWbtFCYeV30mTBvgMSKUvcO_HT4hFGvmkBuS5xOPxT5rWfH1Nx96A6Ejrzu0xWbL-G59WEQ/s1600/cover+1version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_oBzkaDC0Y8lDks-42W4rSdzsTXdu_5LMdUYo4J4usliSMJqJ6HzpEtk9SUnh3YFC_tsZqWbtFCYeV30mTBvgMSKUvcO_HT4hFGvmkBuS5xOPxT5rWfH1Nx96A6Ejrzu0xWbL-G59WEQ/s1600/cover+1version+2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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And then some more:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4g-GcOEKn9uHiVZBK5Q0V9Zs16IZMMkrXih6cAXtXaUl-f1UG9n03OlKRVgPznAOSVmCBhvuavLDKjigkEZUm9BpP3DBL8ijgm3auW_mVd766ieBarftBmHzKu8omnX_t1XjCtb2vzAe/s1600/cover+1version+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4g-GcOEKn9uHiVZBK5Q0V9Zs16IZMMkrXih6cAXtXaUl-f1UG9n03OlKRVgPznAOSVmCBhvuavLDKjigkEZUm9BpP3DBL8ijgm3auW_mVd766ieBarftBmHzKu8omnX_t1XjCtb2vzAe/s1600/cover+1version+3.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
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Still, I wasn't satisfied. Like several peeps from the group pointed out, the writing was too small. However, the image was already way loaded. If my typing would have been bigger than that, I felt that the beauty and simplicity of the image would have been lost. Sadly, as much as I loved the pic, I had to let this one go T_T</div>
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I reoriented myself towards another image and made this cover:</div>
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Again with the same issue. My typesetting just didn't fit. Too small. It didn't pop out. It didn't leave a strong impression. In other words, amateurish. I was definitely not satisfied. </div>
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But I'm a stubborn person.</div>
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Switching to plan C, the most radical so far. I decided I'd make two totally different covers and ask my friends for help in choosing the right one.</div>
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The first one was meant to be cute, but also very minimalist and airy, so there would be enough space for the typesetting to be big without crowding the picture. </div>
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I wanted to convey the image of a guy giving his heart to another guy. That, however, wouldn't have fit the minimalism criterion at all. Not to mention it would have been way too hard to find an image like that. I could have tried painting the guys, but I suck at digital art, so, I immediately dismissed that fleeting thought. </div>
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The best alternative I could come up with was to concentrate just on the hands. By this time, I also had my title picked. This sounded promising. I searched for some hands pics, one holding a heart and another one receiving it. Unfortunately, at that time I didn't find the best stock ever (after a couple of weeks, I did, but it was already too late) and here's the result:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Z7NYdeHZrO_XGlJQcNVwF_eXpMeHVF702weZ2FDcjg1AwR1-ANxTjC98RECbeP8V-UtlFRm6cLOukJjOLA3Kt-u7sSeyhcK6a7HabMPmJvhqSmwc8OuBeLwGvxdHNoTz8hvzZKWzX3fb/s1600/cover+only+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Z7NYdeHZrO_XGlJQcNVwF_eXpMeHVF702weZ2FDcjg1AwR1-ANxTjC98RECbeP8V-UtlFRm6cLOukJjOLA3Kt-u7sSeyhcK6a7HabMPmJvhqSmwc8OuBeLwGvxdHNoTz8hvzZKWzX3fb/s1600/cover+only+you.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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At this point, like I said, I was consulting my friends. One of them, Vess, said she didn't like the font. She also suggested putting my name under the title or, either way, make it centered. I followed her advice:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXsg-3wn_lq4Xd1xGngOA4gqllIMnx8OPuoT4_NYX3ErInfT0r2s_PtzmpzpiMvpYGnJkUcnn4PpY6Du6C3i84c1qmViWE2lQiJ2m9XHKNRrK6QXXejcDs4l8qQSX6uppkBoOikK_Rpsk/s1600/cover+only+you.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXsg-3wn_lq4Xd1xGngOA4gqllIMnx8OPuoT4_NYX3ErInfT0r2s_PtzmpzpiMvpYGnJkUcnn4PpY6Du6C3i84c1qmViWE2lQiJ2m9XHKNRrK6QXXejcDs4l8qQSX6uppkBoOikK_Rpsk/s1600/cover+only+you.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Much better, right?<br />
The problem was that this cover did not satisfy my other two friends, Deb and Louise. Deb, especially, really disliked the hands at the bottom of the cover.<br />
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Meanwhile, I had the second option available. I thought to myself, "Ok, cute doesn't seem to work. Let's try sexy." So I picked a really gorgeous hunk image. But I, again, wanted to connect the image with the title of the story. So I decided to put a heart on his chest, make it look like a tattoo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi40cgRU4GVfbhAmJE-5DaYEj4FkefSv-NmWlcuJFmSTdnA9HiDGzq4TSoCLq58n0fuYfawcB7UEIZcld8gQXl8BgYQcv8yimsoidDvGs_tURFCSFXRyZHE6S8Bx9wYuXM5figdHZs7Lb/s1600/second+cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi40cgRU4GVfbhAmJE-5DaYEj4FkefSv-NmWlcuJFmSTdnA9HiDGzq4TSoCLq58n0fuYfawcB7UEIZcld8gQXl8BgYQcv8yimsoidDvGs_tURFCSFXRyZHE6S8Bx9wYuXM5figdHZs7Lb/s1600/second+cover.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
It was guaranteed this would turn out awesome. I mean, who doesn't love a naked guy? Sadly, like Deb pointed out, naked guys are so last year. Plus, my tattoo wasn't very convincing (that was not my fault; his chest is way too flat. No matter how much of a distortion filter I applied it would not stretch further).<br />
Vess loved this one, but she also agreed that between the naked hunk and the previous cover, the one with the hands, the most original one was the first choice.<br />
Louise was the most smitten with this one. She only suggested changing the font. Just to please her, I did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic73TBMN8r5E17N_PPWWYl2wq8gI9XIl6qq4xERwVBKj2SDd8tv2LsdAPj4ku3blUCVniL1LUMa2mfm8ISPV_PZTFDiWOhyoEe-1aad0clEhiAfsCMJB3Zw9kguJVmA99oplU8_150ij7k/s1600/second+cover+only+you.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic73TBMN8r5E17N_PPWWYl2wq8gI9XIl6qq4xERwVBKj2SDd8tv2LsdAPj4ku3blUCVniL1LUMa2mfm8ISPV_PZTFDiWOhyoEe-1aad0clEhiAfsCMJB3Zw9kguJVmA99oplU8_150ij7k/s1600/second+cover+only+you.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
But, I had pretty much figured it out that this cover was hopeless too.<br />
<br />
Ok, sweet pics wouldn't work. Naked hunks were outdated. What was I going to do? Give up ad hire a pro, or stick with the group cover, which was guaranteed to be gorgeous?<br />
But, how could I give up when I had already reached so far?<br />
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It was all or nothing. I decided to completely switch gears and try a vectorish look. My last chance at making my cover. I was determined if plan D would also not work, then, and only then, I would give up.<br />
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In part II I'll talk about my next series of misadventures in coverland. That is, if you till haven't gone insane by the time you've reached the end of this post :P<br />
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Hugs and kisses,<br />
Shayla</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927706167346516552.post-24791754677985563362014-04-19T10:09:00.002-07:002014-04-19T10:10:16.800-07:00How to write proper reviews (my way) - a mini tutorial I really felt the need to write a post about reviewing because of many reason.<br />
I have recently become a reviewer at <a href="http://readtherainbow.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Read the Rainbow Reviews</a>, managed by Caitlin Ricci. Ever since reviewing for her, I've paid a lot more attention to reviews in general and especially to those of books I like. Some of them really enraged me, not because of their honesty or cruelty, but because the reviewers seem to completely miss the whole point of rating a book.<br />
I've also stumbled upon a very interesting topic on Goodreads that refers to " fake" reviews (maybe I'll write a post about those at some point too), and that, coupled with a low review of a series I have recently rated very high, prompted me to really speak my thoughts on the subject or reviewing author's books.<br />
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So you bought a book, you read it and you feel the need to speak your mind about it. Where do you start from?<br />
First, you should think of the whole reason why you want to review. Was the book that fantastic that you want to share this with the whole world? Was it so bad that you felt like warning everyone?<br />
Both may be the case, but, honestly, why should anyone care what you think? People have the right to their own opinions. What you think of a book shouldn't weight at all on their minds when they make the decision to pick that book up. Wanna know something? I could have missed on reading some amazing books if I had paid any attention to low reviews. Why didn't I pay attention to them? Because, with the risk of sounding like a pompous bitch, I consider myself a smart person. And some of those reviews didn't convince me at all.<br />
<br />
Writing a good reviews, guys, a review that will influence people's opinions, is more than just saying what you think of a book.<br />
Writing a good review is about saying your honest thoughts about it and then coming up with arguments to support your opinion.<br />
Ultimately reviewing a book means recognizing that every written thing has its value. Even the worst book will teach you a lesson. Maybe it will teach you that even you could write a better book, but that's still a lesson, right? And for that reason alone, no book should be dismissed.<br />
<br />
I'm sick of those reviews where people just say "This book sucked" or something along those lines. Are those worth being called reviews? Of course not! Those are just the opinions of narcissistic persons who think the world revolves around them and everyone should care that they "wasted" time reading a book they didn't like. Well, newsflash for those kinds of people, <i><b>we don't care</b>!</i><br />
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All that being said, let's move on to the real mini tutorial.<br />
In order to write a proper, meaningful review, these are a few things you need to take into consideration:<br />
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1. Don't be a selfish asshole. People don't really care what you personally thought of the book, but what the book is actually about, what goes beyond the small blurb they read on the publisher's site. So, what is the book actually about? In order to properly explain it, ask yourself the following questions:<br />
<br />
2. What is the theme of the book?<br />
-what does the main plot revolve around?<br />
-what do the secondary plots, if any, revolve around?<br />
-is it a happy book? A sad book? A book that transmits a message of encouragement, love, positive energy etc?<br />
No matter how short a book is, there's always something that the author wants to convey. Find that, and you'll find your theme.<br />
<br />
3. Are the characters three-dimensional?<br />
-do they have goals? Are there any obstacles that stay in the way of these goals?<br />
-what do they have to lose?<br />
-what do they love the most? What do they hate the most?<br />
-do they have flaws?<br />
-do they have issues? Do they surpass these issues along the way?<br />
-how do they react to the plot? are their reaction exaggerated or too mellow?<br />
-if this is a romance book, is the chemistry obvious? Do the characters connect naturally or does it seem forced? Etcetera.<br />
Does the author do a good at depicting all of the above? If so, then you have a book with real enough characters.<br />
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4. What about the action?<br />
-does the action flow or is it stagnant?<br />
-do the characters do something or just eat, grin, chuckle, and sleep for the whole book?<br />
-does what they do have a point,do chapters connect to form a linear plot in which every scene is the cause for the existence of another or are there chapters that seem to have no reason to be there?<br />
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5. Continuity, balance and grammar<br />
- are there any major plot holes or silly errors (like mistaking names or eye color etc)?<br />
- is the grammar really insufferable? (<b>Please check a dictionary first and foremost before accusing an author or editor of stupidity, and bring the evidence to the table</b>; for all we know, you might be the stupid one!)<br />
- is the vocabulary or the phrasing too unclear? Are the phrases too long or too short for the entire book, making it irritating to read?<br />
-does the author repeat too many words or do they use too many pompous words?<br />
-is the humor exaggerated or does the opposite happen?<br />
-are there too many descriptive moments as opposed to narrative moments; equally, is there too much dialogue, or too much sex on page, or too much action?<br />
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6. Finally, given consideration to all of the above and anything else that I might have neglected to mention, would you consider recommending the book?<br />
Now, and <b>only now</b>, after you have actually deconstructed the book, it is the time to give your own opinion, based on your tastes.<br />
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7. Don't forget to mention that, in the end, this was just your <b>personal </b>opinion.<br />
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I could go one like this forever, but, to recap, in my opinion, a meaningful reviewer should act like an editor. Bring objective arguments to the table. Don't just say you liked a book or you hated it.<br />
Obviously, you don't have to state everything. you don't need to share the whole process through which you have reached your conclusions, but bring solid, believable arguments that readers would care about. I, for one, don't give a rat's ass that you didn't like the book just because you said so. But, if you say "I didn't like the book <b>because</b>: the humor was forced, the language was too vulgar [give examples], there was just too much sex and no character development, the dialogue was ridiculous [again, examples], and there was absolutely no descriptions; I didn't even understand what planet was the action going on, etc," then, yes, I might really consider you opinion. Get my point?<br />
I really hope so, guys, 'cause I'm seriously sick of idiotic reviews.<br />
Hope you'll spend a couple of minutes during your precious holiday thinking of my post and pay more attention next time you review a book.<br />
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Happy holidays and lots of love from Shayla.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01896765474070871187noreply@blogger.com0