Saturday, December 5, 2009

Guest Blogging Today

I'm guest blogging over at Oh Get A Grip! today. The week's topic is 'Don't be scared; it's just a genre', and part of the topic includes writing a short piece in a genre you're not all that comfortable with. If you have time, stop on by and see which genre I picked. And thanks to Devon Rhodes for the invite to guest post!

In other blogland news, Shawn Lane is running a couple of contests on her blog for her upcoming releases - The Best Gift and Ticket to Ride. Both are wonderful books (something I can say with certainty since I'm her crit partner and get to read all her stuff before anyone else *g*), and they are well worth throwing your name in the hat for a chance to win.

So...did you notice anything different today? The blog got a shiny new makeover, courtesy of Barbara! *squee* Yeah, I've been gawking at it since it went up last night. So pretty!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

A Little Something Extra

It's been a busy, long holiday weekend, and I haven't posted in a week. So I'm offering up a hottie with a little something extra (...though I doubt he'd be pleased if he heard it referred to as 'a little something' *g*).

The only bit of writing excitement I've had this week - From Afar showed up on Samhain's Coming Soon page. The book will be released on February 23, 2010. There isn't much on the page yet - not even the blurb or tagline - but...yeah, I've been by to visit it more than a few times since it went up the other day. What can I say? I'm a geek like that. ;)

For those in the U.S., I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday. For everyone else, I hope you had a great weekend!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Pondering the Hottie

Since I don't have any exciting news to share, I'll keep this post short. I've been spending most every evening writing lately, typing furiously to finish a book. It's coming along nicely, so I'm pleased. And I'm very much looking forward to the three-day work week and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

Though I will say, I spent the last five minutes wondering just what that hottie is up to in today's picture. Is that yellow paint on him? Like it matters - he's quite yummy and I'd happily let him come over to my house and leave paint smears all over my couch *g*

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Tag - I'm It

I got tagged today by Shawn Lane for a M/M Meme, who got tagged by Erotic Horizon, who got tagged by Lily, who got tagged by Kris, who started it all.

Rules:
1. Answer all the questions below in either the comments here or post it on your own site. If you post it on your own site you have to come back and give the link here so I/Kris can mosey on over and see if you have a sticky beak.

2. You have to tag two other people once your done and pester them relentlessly until they do the meme too.

3. Instead of a meme image thing you have to post a cookie, preferably a twofer. It is an m/m meme after all. ;)

*rubs hands together in glee*


Questions:

1. How long have you been reading GLBTQ fiction? About 2 ½ years

2. What was the first book you read in this genre? I looked in my ebook file and the first m/m book (no chick thrown into the mix) I read was….Open to Possibilities by Carol Lynne. Yep. But that was a m/m/m, so maybe it doesn’t quite fit the m/m meme. In that case, my first m/m book was My Fair Captain by J.L. Langley.

3. Are you 'out' as a reader? Definitely online, as I write m/m books. Also out to the family for the same reason. Friends - most of them. Co-workers - no, because it rather falls into the TMI zone.

4. Ebooks, print or both? For m/m books - 99% ebooks.

5. Do you buy direct from publishers or from secondary sellers? Primarily direct from publishers.

6. Prove you're a Book Slut. How many books would you say you buy a week? Once upon a time, before I started writing, I was a complete and total slut, now I’m approaching celibate status. The last book I read was about 3 weeks ago and that was a m/m/f (Kate Pearce’s latest book - I *heart* her stuff). In my defense, I’m under a deadline, so unfortunately no time to read right now.

7. Are you a cover, blurb or excerpt buyer? I’m a cover whore. Love-love the pretty, shiny ones. But I never buy just based on the cover. A pretty one can attract me to a new-to-me author, but a not-so-pretty one won’t keep me from buying a favorite author’s book. The blurb and excerpt are really what sell me on a book. Unlike Shawn, I always read the excerpt before buying.

8. Yeah, you read reviews, but do you actually take notice of them? It depends on the source, and on the review. If the review hits on things/themes that I usually like in a book, then it may lead me to further check out the book. However, if the review comments on poor/bad writing or editing, then that can put me off checking out a book, even if it otherwise sounds like a book I would normally love.

9. Who's your fave publisher? Samhain and Loose Id. I can’t pick just one because both are my publishers and I love them equally *g*

10. What about authors? Your top two only!! Two only?? Damn!! Um…I’m stealing Devon’s answers. J.L. Langley and K.A. Mitchell.

11. Is there a sub-genre you particularly dis/like? Contemporaries are my favorite. I read far more of them than anything else, which is odd considering I write historicals… I guess I like to read what I couldn’t possibly write. Dislike? Hard core BDSM, and I don’t usually get into fantasy or sci-fi, but it really depends on the book. There have been a few that I’ve really liked from those genres.

12. Short or long?? *rolls eyes* And, no, I'm not talking about cocks. I read more novellas than anything else, because I can read them quickly (time…wish I had more of it). But my favorite of favorite books have all been novel length.

13. Anything turn you off about m/m or is all just glorious smut to you? Hard core BDSM, bodily fluids other than cum or spit, and 24/7 slave/master relationships.

14. Finish this sentence. You know it's m/m twu wuv when... When a total top gives it up and suddenly decides he’ll happily catch for the rest of his life, because, you know, he'll do anything for love ;) ...and now I sound like Meatloaf. lol

15. What trope or theme are you heartily sick of in m/m romance? Can’t say I’m heartily sick of anything yet.

16. If you could choose any 3 characters for a m/m/m who would they be? Dante Santiago from Reckless Seduction/Reckless Behavior, Joey Miller from Collision Course and Lainey Campbell from With Love

17. What new GLBTQ release are you most hanging out for right now? An Improper Holiday from K.A. Mitchell. It’s her first Regency m/m and I’m going to be so all over that one on 12/1.

18. What GLBTQ book has completely blown you away this year? Boys of Summer by Cooper Davis. I loved the feel of that book. It was just so…sigh…romantic.

19. What do you think we'll see more of in m/m romance in 2010? Romantic suspense, historical and paranormal. I also think we'll see more non-erotic m/m romances.

20. Don't you agree that author Josh Lanyon should kill off arsehole character Jake Riordan? And here’s where I admit I haven’t read the AE series yet. I’ve got a couple of the books on my hard drive, but haven’t been able to get to them yet. Yes, I know, I’m like one of the few m/m readers on the planet who hasn’t read them yet.



Tag -

Andi Anderson http://andiandersonauthor.blogspot.com/

Mandi at Smexy Books http://smexybooks.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Deadlines

When it comes to writing a book, I have a love/hate relationship with deadlines. On one hand I love them because they mean that some publisher out there liked my idea enough to contract the book before it was written and that they trust me enough as an author to believe I’ll write a book good enough to be published. Pretty much, that I won’t turn in crap. *g* I’ll admit, it’s a heady feeling to sign a contract for something that’s still swirling around in my head.

But deadlines also mean that well…the book HAS to be done by a specific date. It doesn’t matter if the muse decides it would rather work on some shiny new idea, or if a bunch of other stuff for other commitments pop up, sucking up my time. I still need to find a way to get the contracted book finished by its deadline.

Even though the muse loves having the freedom to work on whatever and whenever she wants, deadlines also snap my butt in shape. As the date looms ever closer, I buckle down even harder. It gets easier to resist the lure to linger over scenes and edit them until my internal editor is content (and it takes a lot to please that picky b!tch). My focus is fully on the book and I can crank out pages at a nice little clip.

So why this little discussion about deadlines today? Because one is currently breathing down my damn neck. I also write m/f sensual regency romance under another name (it’s that Evangeline chick up in the menu bar), and I’ve got a single title due at the end of the year. I’ve been working on it for months, hence why I didn’t have any Ava releases in the second half of this year. Rest assured though, as soon as I turn this puppy in, I’ll start work on a new m/m (Oliver and Vincent are currently bugging me to do their final book next) and I also plan to co-write a regency m/m with Shawn Lane.

Anyway, I’ve got to get back to the ms. What's tattooed on the hottie's lower back...yeah I don't have it (freedom) right now. That deadline is starting to feel like it’s tomorrow and not a month and a half away. Hope you all are having a great Sunday!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Sneak Peek at From Afar

Today I thought I'd offer up a sneak peek of my upcoming release, From Afar. For those who follow along, I did finish the blurb and turned it into my editor. As soon as I get the finalized version, I'll share it. Until then, here's a bit from Chapter One (the unedited chapter 1, so please be kind and forgive any typos).

Oh, and it's definitely an adult-rated sneak peek. *g* So here's your 'contains voyeurism' warning. And it is a m/m book, for anyone who may wonder.


November 1817
London, England

Raphael Laurent dropped down onto the tree branch and blinked against the bright light spilling from the window. He didn’t have to wait for his vision to adjust to know he was already in the room. The hollow tightness in his chest eased and Raphael took the first unrestrained breath he had taken since last night. Air filled his lungs. Cool and thick and ever so sweet. An old remnant of his conscience tugged on the back of his mind, threatening to douse the arousal quickening his pulse. Pushing it aside, he flicked the length of his greatcoat behind him.

He certainly needn’t worry he would go to hell for his unsavory behavior. Raphael had been in hell, or rather a very good imitation of hell, for the past thirty-six years.

Cloaked in the shadow of the tree trunk, he unbuttoned the placket of his black knee breeches and pushed aside his shirttail. Gaze fixed on the nude pair standing at the side of the bed, he pulled out his cock and ran a hand along the hard length. His touch light, mimicking hers.

For at least the hundredth time, he silently thanked whoever had left the large oak tree standing behind Madame Bessette’s brothel. The limbs strong enough to hold Raphael’s weight and positioned perfectly. Not directly in front of, but slightly to the right of this particular window. The window to Hannah’s bedchamber -- the favorite whore of Lord Aleric Vane, third son of the Duke of Haverton.

A whore who did not ever feel a need to close the drapes. The heavy scarlet velvet was pulled back, exposing the decadent room. Scarlet and cream patterned paper covered the walls. A bed large enough for any games Aleric wished to play stood to the left of the window. Discarded clothes were scattered on the wooden floor at the foot of the bed. The fire burning in the grate surely kept the November chill from the room.

Raphael flared his nostrils -- damp earth, dry leaves, cool moist air, and a foul combination he could only attribute to London. Not one hint of Aleric. The window must be closed tight. Why couldn’t it be summer? The window would be open and he’d be able to catch the scent of Aleric’s arousal on the night air. Male sweat mixed with the musky hint of pre-come and the heady spice of his blood rushing through his veins.

No bother, though. It was only a thin pane of glass. He had his eyes and ears, and they were more than up to the task.

Hand braced against the tree truck, Raphael continued to stroke his cock as he watched Aleric’s large hands coast up and down her back. His dark hair mingled with Hannah’s honey brown as he dropped his head to nuzzle her neck. Raphael lips tingled, as if the silken strands of Hannah’s hair tickled the surface. Idly stroking Aleric’s prick, she pressed her mouth to his chest.

If only she would move one small step right, then he would have a full view of Aleric. As it was, her slight form shielded half of the impressive width of his chest. Denying Raphael the hard abdomen, the crease of his navel, the thin trail of dark hair that led to --

She dropped to her knees, Aleric’s arousal now visible over her slim shoulder. Thank-you, Hannah. Raphael’s cock twitched. A frisson of lust raced up his spine. He could almost feel the wet heat of the whore’s agile tongue lapping at the head of his cock; a light whisper of a caress, teasing the tip. Frustration welled up inside him.

Spearing one hand into her hair, Aleric cupped Hannah’s skull. She heeded the silent request and opened her mouth, taking Aleric’s cock inside. Fisting his cock, Raphael thrust his hips, mimicking Aleric’s subtle motions in rhythm to Hannah’s expert attentions.

Aleric closed his eyes and tipped his head back, exposing the strong cords of his neck and the proof of his quickening pulse. Hunger spiked Raphael’s desire, the mix potent and heady, consuming his senses. He bared his teeth, his jaw slowly opening and closing, his head going light. Thump-thump. Thump-thump. He could hear the beats of Aleric’s heart, feel the vein yielding beneath his assault…

His hand began to slip from the tree trunk, his body swaying toward Aleric, when he regained himself. With a quick shake of his head, he straightened and willed the sharp points to recede; running his tongue over his teeth and forcing the need back. Hell, one of these nights he’d fall out of the tree if he wasn’t more careful.

He blinked, clearing the lingering haze of hunger from his vision, and refocused on the bedchamber.

Hannah’s grip on the base of Aleric’s prick shifted. On the next upward glide, she straightened two fingers along the rigid length. Then sliding down, took both Aleric’s cock and her fingers into her mouth. Once she had sufficiently wet them, she reached behind Aleric’s ballocks, all the while her rhythm never broken.

Raphael could tell by the look on Aleric’s face that she didn’t penetrate him. The little minx teased. Talented whore, that Hannah. He could well understand why Aleric preferred her.

The moment Aleric tilted his hips, seeking more, she pulled her lips from his prick and reached into the top drawer of the bedside table. Anticipation shortened Raphael’s breaths. Holding onto the tree, he leaned forward, craning his neck, trying to see into the drawer. He let out a low grunt of satisfaction. Not his favorite, but the glass plug was a close second. The tapered width substantial enough for a pleasing stretch. Enough to fill Aleric’s passage. To stay firmly in place.

Stroking Aleric’s cock, she looked up and showed him the toy. The wavy ends of her honey brown hair grazed the arch of her lower back. “Shall I?”

A smirk pulled one edge of Aleric’s lips. Holding her gaze, he widened his stance.

She chuckled, low and throaty, full of wicked delight. She brought the glass plug to her mouth and sucked on it. Raphael rested his shoulder against the tree and slipped two fingers into his mouth, wetting them. Cupping Aleric’s ballocks in her palm, she spread his firm cheeks with two fingers. Hannah slowly pulled the toy from between her lips. The glistening wet length caught the candlelight.

Raphael’s arse tightened in envy. Bark scratched the soles of his bare feet as he shifted on the limb, widening his stance. Careful not to wipe off the moisture, he worked his hand down the back of his loosened breeches and slipped the prepared fingers between his cheeks, hovering over his entrance.

And eased them inside just as Hannah pushed the glass plug inside.

Aleric lifted slightly up onto his toes and then sank down on a grunt. Through ingrained habit, Raphael bit his bottom lip stifling his own grunt. Needing to ease the ache, he worked his fingers deeper. Thick and lush, pleasure spiraled through him, but it wasn’t enough. His gaze fixed on Aleric’s prick jutting from the dark thatch of hair, the crown flushed plum-red, the length wet from the whore’s mouth. If only that thick prick was inside him right now. Stuffing him full. Stretching him wide. Slamming into him.


©Ava March

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Pick a Hottie

It's November and it's actually a beautiful sunny, 60 degree day here in the Midwest, so I thought we could have a bit of fun today and play a little game called Pick-a-Hottie.

The rules are simple. Just pick one of the three guys below that strikes your fancy, and he will be virtually yours to do with as you please. *G* And rest assured, each guy has an unlimited number of identical twins, so there is plenty to around. Oh, and no fair picking more than one. They have all informed me that they are not into sharing. I'd rather not have to come to your house to play referee, so unless you want grumpy, possessive men hanging around, I'd suggest just picking one. ;)

#1 - Mario

#2 - James

#3 - Bobby

One last thing - they've all just informed me that they do dishes, laundry, and cook! Squee!!
 
Barbara