Welcome Author S.A. Garcia

The decision to take my first novella Canes and Scales and turn it into an epic fantasy didn’t come easily. In fact, at first I wanted write two more novellas and create a series. Luckily Elizabeth North at Dreamspinner advised me to go for one large novel. Good thing--- I’d probably still fuss over finishing the series.

This time I outlined the chapters, not the norm for me. I’ll draft rough outlines, but this time I wanted control. I already struggled with stylistic problems__ my writing had changes in the last few years. Of course my main characters Alasdaire and Linden wanted more page time – what character doesn’t want more time to shine—but at a certain point they decided not to play nice with the storyline. They rebelled. Alasdaire and Linden refused to “talk” to me anymore. It’s a wacky but true concept.  The total disconnect drove me batty.

I originally planned to release the novel on its third anniversary.

That didn’t happen since Alasdaire and Linden delighted in shunning me. Fine. I shunned them in turn and worked on other short stories and novels. Ocassionally I’d poke at an earlier chapter that needed work, or realize I needed a strong new character to help the plot. Unfortunately, the novel refused to move past a certain sticky chapter.

Until the EUREKA! evening. A mental orgasm provided the solution. Did I really intend to stage a kidnapping along with more torture? Much of the novel is based around natural magic. Why wasn’t I listening to the book? Why not let the magic work for the characters?

Once I moved past my nefarious plans for Alasdaire and Linden, they worked with me. Together we created an entirely new ending. Everyone felt happy. Alasdaire escaped kidnapping and torture. Linden escaped mental disintegration.

And I escaped from thinking I’d never finish my book!

Thanks, Dawn, for letting me work out my issues.

Here’s an excerpt

PG Excerpt Canes & Scales M/M fantasy S.A. Garcia

 LINDEN

My trunks bobbed past along with my bags. I chuckled; it looked like my two travel trunks had sprouted legs. “Still running splendidly as always, eh, Anders?”

Raised voices echoing from the left interrupted Anders’s quiet reply. Scornful words violated the air.

“You annoying bore, I am ready, but he has arrived hours early! At least let me button my jacket.”

My, my, someone had a saucy attitude.

Anders’s scolding sniff punctuated the outburst. He thinned his lips before he twitched his right brow. He appeared ready to rip out a servant’s unruly soul.

“Excuse me, my Prince, there seems to be—”

A short young man dressed in a stylish black suit, not the normal dull rust livery, hastened from the left into the foyer. His abrupt arrival sent agitated waves through the foyer.

How odd. Why did I feel his agitation?

He rapidly buttoned his knee-length frock coat over his black silver-embroidered vest, adjusted his jacket, looked up, and froze, before he regained his composure and stared at the floor. He used his long black hair to curtain his face.

“A thousand pardons, Master Anders, erm, my esteemed Prince.” His melodic voice—ah, what an interesting accent—sounded breathless. “Forgive my shameful tardiness and unseemly behavior. Please forgive me. Please.”

The young man bowed lower until I feared for his balance. He straightened back up and took two more steps. He halted and bowed in a fresh dire tip. His short stature allowed his long hair to sweep the ebony marble floor. The two black hues swallowed each other.

Powers on High, his lively arrival rivaled an actor’s drama. My calming laugh fought against the unwelcome tension. “Please, young man, no need to fret. Cease the relentless bowing. Your constant up-and-down motion makes me dizzy.”

He needed to cease, since I wanted to see the fair face again to confirm my amazement.

The young man looked up. “Yes, my gracious Prince. My apologies.”

The words emerged from full lips set in a deep copper-hued, high-cheekboned face. Delicate violet swirls started at his right temple and meandered to his chin before winding around his neck. The languid swirls imitated wild Nerdean canyon rose canes—graceful, yet deadly. In the Southern Desert, the hunting canes hooked into their victims. The canes trapped their prey until the carnivorous blooms fed on the flesh. Since the roses sprang from old magic, they resisted all known modern pesticides.

There, today my knowledge of other races served me well. Before me stood a Southern Totandia elf of the ruling rank. The violet canes showed the elf’s startlingly high status. Up North we seldom saw Totandians. Their ancient race now hid in the deep Nerdean canyonlands edging against the inhospitable South Inatoli Desert. They believed in nature’s rule and nothing else. Their attitude challenged modern thinking. In the past, my ruthless Serpent family had used lethal efficiency to ferret them out from the realm. Their subtle magics and strange, secret culture made the elves a target. After nearly destroying the race, now our country regarded them as handy slave fodder. Delicate in stature, they usually acted docile and nonviolent.

My scholarly heart regretted the destruction of such a mysterious race.

Still, the male’s features had a distinctly human cast, especially in the strong cheekbones and firm chin. As I recalled, pure elves had narrow faces and extremely pointed chins. No hint of the uniquely slanted Totandian eye structure met my examination, but his eyes displayed the unusual violet color befitting his noble rank. The robust coppery skin and one pointed ear tip peeking past his hair screamed elf, yet his long narrow nose appeared too pronounced for an elf’s. His compact muscular build also refuted his elven heritage.

Before me stood an exotic human-elven mixture, rare to see in this age.

Even more curious—something about the refined features sparked a hazy memory. How odd.

Another deep bow almost followed before the male conquered his instinct. He respectfully inclined his head. His wavy mane drifted around his face.

“I am Alasdaire, my esteemed Prince. During your visit here, my duty is to serve you to my full ability.”

To my surprise, Anders released a quiet but pointed huff. Coming from him, the sound counted as a cruel slap across the young man’s face.

“Yes, my Prince, since he knows you travel sans your normal staff, Lord Keith arranged for Alasdaire to be your personal slave.” Anders sniffed. “That is, if you will allow a lowly half-breed slave to serve you.”

Powers on High, I could have ice-skated on Anders’s last words. I disliked how Anders emphasized the slave aspect. I thought Keith had servants, not slaves. Hmm, a hidden story lurked here. I certainly wanted to give the unusual male a chance, especially since I understood what Alasdaire meant by serving me. Keith had remembered my fondness for fascinating young men.

“How lovely, yes, I heartily approve of my cousin’s special choice for me.” I sounded positive and upbeat—in fact, I sounded nauseatingly charming. Dreadful. “Anders, feel confident to leave me in Alasdaire’s company.”

I smiled at the watchful young half-breed. He quickly looked at the floor. Hmm, no mutual flirtation from a pleasure slave? Why?

“Very good, my Prince. If this particular slave annoys you, please let me know immediately. I shall correct the staffing error. Above all, I desire your complete satisfaction.”

Anders shot Alasdaire a deadly glare. I wondered why Anders despised this glorious male. Ah, sadly, the prejudice against elves ran strong in many men’s hearts. Such ill behavior from the normally stoic head butler bothered me.

Despite my annoyance, I nodded. “Thank you, Anders.”

Anders bowed and glared at Alasdaire one last time before he turned on his heel like a king departing from a council meeting. Even I never acted that regal. He paused to swivel back toward me.

“Ah, I almost forgot, my Prince. Master Adrian has comms from the palace for you.”

I managed not to sigh. “No surprise there, Anders. I’ll check in with Adrian later.”

Another stiff bow answered me. “Very good, my Prince.”

Around us, bustling footmen finished carrying my belongings up the grand staircase. I winced. Had I really brought along that much luggage? Gerald must have packed enough outfits to last for months. I would have been happy with one formal suit, casual clothing, and plenty of underwear.

I glanced back toward Alasdaire. He still frowned after Anders’s retreating back before he realized I watched his ire. He inclined his head with silent apology, then gazed up at me. In a flash, his expression turned blank as he banished his former passion.

“My Prince, it is time to create today’s schedule. Lord Keith and his guests currently attend Lord Lazio’s grand picnic. Do you want to join them?”

I held up my hand. “Please, absolutely not, Alasdaire. I wish to enjoy a light lunch along with a not so light drink, then a bath. Perhaps I’ll act slothful and indulge in a nap.”

I grinned with glee. Ahh, the thought of sprawling against a feather mattress thrilled my aching body. The last war had destroyed my stalwart constitution. Before this past week, a carriage ride had never defeated my body. My constant exhaustion bothered me. At least I knew no one had poisoned me—a personal ward spell guaranteed protection from common poisons.

My brother Edward had already tried to poison me.

He had regretted the attempt.

“Of course, my noble Prince. I shall arrange for your supreme comfort.”

Alasdaire signaled to four watching young pages. They stepped forward. He leaned down to issue orders. The boys bowed and scurried off in different directions.

Alasdaire turned back. He gracefully gestured forward.

“My Prince, I trust you enjoyed a pleasant journey from Rahalda? I understand the weather embraced calm, sunny conditions, unlike the recent unruly storms.”

“Pleasant enough, although it was a long journey. Five days of carriage travel taxed my old body.”

At least the young slave chatted with me. Normally everyone acted dumbstruck around this so-called mighty prince. Still, his words sounded mechanical and rehearsed, merely a pleasure slave’s trained interest. But I sensed his uniqueness. I wondered how many times Alasdaire had entertained Keith’s

guests? Did he despise his pleasure-slave status? Hmm. Usually the pretty young men in such positions were well-treated, pampered pets, since they supplied the master or mistress discreet pleasure. Judging by how basely Anders treated him, this manor did not regard Alasdaire as special. How foolish of them. I certainly looked forward to enjoying this exotic creature’s company.

My self-pitying sigh made me sound in need of comfort. “I confess I feel battered as an old boot.”

“Now you may relax. You will be pleased to hear fresh weather graces us, Prince. The late-spring storms have passed on their way east. You will enjoy a lovely visit.” Alasdaire mounted the carved staircase.

Interesting. My new companion ignored my baiting words. He wasn’t prone to abject fawning. I appreciated the trait. I followed Alasdaire, taking the opportunity to admire his knee-high, pearl-button boots. The supple black leather sculpted his strong calves into delicious fullness.

We traveled down the long hall. Dreary portraits depicting dour deceased ancestors cluttered the walls. During my childhood visits, Keith and I had made up silly names for them. Lady Hortense Horseface, Duke Dreadful Drooler, and Sir Sticky Spankalot still scowled at me with painted menace. I scowled back at them.

 About the Author

Thirty years ago, I started writing gay male romance. Writing about men inserting tab A into slot B didn’t seem the norm for a suburban female teenager. Reading Gordon Merrick, John Rechy and Larry Kramer helped me fill in the serious informational gaps. Yes, I read those books in my bedroom. No wonder.

As the years progressed, I still wrote gay male romance, although the stories progressed from lurking in notebooks to hiding on the computer. I wrote fantasies, contemporaries, bodice rippers; I chugged along following my goofy muse.

Now I’m glad I kept the writing faith. I never thought I’d have published novels. Imagine, my comedy An Elf for All Centuries (Silver Publishing; now in talks for a new home) was in the running for a few awards. The novel didn’t win, but come on, what a thrill.

My life has turned into a fun quandary of too many stories hindered by my slow, two-fingered typing skills. I blunder onward into more trauma, drama, and humor. I just hope I can keep up with sexy men who insist on running off with the plots!

Check out my latest releases:

Love in the Shadows, my first attempt at mixing M/M historic and contemporary with a touch of the supernatural, is at MLR Press.

My M/M romdramedy (romance/drama/comedy) The Gospel According to Cher is now at Dreamspinner, home to my novellas, assorted short stories, and the novel Cupid Knows Best.

You can find out more about me at my blog and website.

Facebook: S.A. Garcia

Twitter: SAGarcia_Writer

Talking with Heidi Belleau and Comment to WIN!

Hello hello! I’m Heidi Belleau, and welcome to the Riptide Books “Straight Shooter” blog tour! Straight Shooter is the third (and final?) novel in my Rear Entrance Video series, and is the story of roommate Austin, a homophobic hockey player with a kinky secret . . . and the Dominant porn star who helps him get his act together. For the next two weeks, I’ll be hopping blog to blog giving you an inside look at the novel . . . and also giving away a prize! Read on for details! Thanks to Dawn’s Reading Nook and to all of you for tuning in!

Today on the tour, I’m talking humiliation kink!

When I was planning Rear Entrance Video, I knew I wanted one book between co-workers (Christian and Max), one between clerk and customer (Bobby and Dylan), and one between a clerk and a porn star. I also knew I wanted to write a story about a hockey jock, preferably one that played on the (Gay For You) trope. I also knew I wanted one BDSM-themed story in the series.

My initial pitch to Riptide was this: “Douchebro typical porn consumer falls for porn star. He’s a sub whose perfect Dom happens to be a guy. Part of the appeal is the humiliation of performing sex acts with a man when he’s straight.”

Basically, I wanted to write a GFY novel from a BDSM angle, where someone who identifies as heterosexual falls for another man, but only in the context of a BDSM relationship. Austin has a kink for being humiliated and demeaned (more on that later), and due to his specific hang-ups, being dominated by a man is extra potent to him sexually. He doesn’t count on falling in love or becoming 24/7 with another man.

So what’s “humiliation kink”, you ask? Well, just like some people are fulfilled by service (sexual or otherwise), and others are fulfilled by receiving physical pain, people with humiliation kinks specifically derive pleasure and fulfillment from the pain of being humiliated. Being demeaned by your dom verbally: called names and insulted, sometimes using racial, homophobic, or ethnic slurs. Being treated as furniture or a toilet or a subhuman animal. Giving up your right to privacy. Doing embarrassing or private things in public or with an audience.

It’s not right for everybody, but just like with people who enjoy a good paddling, sometimes what from the outside can seem like pain actually—between consenting partners—is actually a source of pleasure and satisfaction.

I’m not talking about verbal or emotional abuse, of course, any more than pain-play is physical abuse. In BDSM consent is the name of the game, and humiliation play is only play so long as both parties are safe, sane and consenting. Nobody should ever put you down without your permission, your blessing, or your enthusiastic participation.

For Austin, who spends so much time and energy trying to live up to the hockey player ideal, having a loving Dom humiliate him with his worst fears—not being a real man, not being straight, not being virile and powerful and in control—gives him a kind of freedom from himself and society that he’s never found before. The deeper he falls into submission, the safer and more free he feels. His notion of masculinity and how he tries to perform it is strangling him, but with Liam he doesn’t have to play that part. The exact opposite, in fact: Liam forces him to confront and become everything he can’t let himself seem in public.

Of course, with that sense of freedom and safety comes a comfort he’s never known before . . . the kind of comfort that he might just want permanently.

About Straight Shooter

This macho jock has a crooked little secret.

College hockey player Austin Puett is in trouble. Unless he starts treating his flamboyantly gay roommate with respect, he’ll lose his room and his job at Rear Entrance Video. But Austin’s got a not-so-straight secret of his own: nothing turns him on more than insults implying he’s gay—even though he’s definitely not!—and all his old coping methods have stopped working.

Pure desperation drives him to rent a Mischievous Pictures porn flick about straight men tricked into servicing Puck, a male dominant. Instead of letting off steam, though, it just leaves him craving more, more, more, and suddenly, Austin finds himself at Mischievous Pictures Studios for an audition. After all, you can be Gay For Pay and still be straight . . . right?

But meeting Liam Williams, the real person behind Puck, confuses Austin even more. Liam really seems to like him as a person, and Austin likes him back. And while Gay For Pay’s okay, what does it make Austin if he still wants Liam when the cameras aren’t rolling?

About the Author

Heidi Belleau was born and raised in small town New Brunswick, Canada. She now lives in the rugged oil-patch frontier of Northern BC with her husband, an Irish ex-pat whose long work hours in the trades leave her plenty of quiet time to write. She has a degree in history from Simon Fraser University with a concentration in British and Irish studies; much of her work centered on popular culture, oral folklore, and sexuality, but she was known to perplex her professors with papers on the historical roots of modern romance novel tropes. (Ask her about Highlanders!) Her writing reflects everything she loves: diverse casts of characters, a sense of history and place, equal parts witty and filthy dialogue, the occasional mythological twist, and most of all, love—in all its weird and wonderful forms. She also writes queer-flavoured M/F as Heloise Belleau.

Chat with her on twitter using the handle @HeidiBelleau.

Browse her website at HeidiBelleau.com or HeloiseBelleau.com.

Check out her books on Goodreads.

Follow her Facebook and Tumblr accounts.

Or contact her using good ole-fashioned email: heidi.heloise.belleau @ gmail.com

Contest

Comment to win! I’m giving away ebooks one and two of the Rear Entrance Video series (that’s “Apple Polisher” and “Wallflower”) to not one, but two lucky commenters on this tour! All you gotta do is leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you (and if your preferred method of contact is email, make sure to put that in the body of the comment, not just in the blog’s form—I can’t see that info! Each comment counts for another entry in the draw, so be sure and follow the entire tour. Entries close at midnight, Eastern Time, on April 21, and winners will be chosen on April 23rd. Contest is valid worldwide.

Getting to know L.E. Franks

Welcome to my Reading Nook, L.E. Franks. Please make yourself at home and let my cabana boys/girls get you a drink.

Comfortable? Wonderful. Now let’s get started.

To get us started can you tell us a little about what you are working on or have coming out? Hi Dawn!  I take my martini's dry as the Sahara with four olives please! Thanks for having me and Happy Holidays, everyone!

I'm currently in the middle of promoting Snow Globe my short story recently released as part of Dreamspinner's annual Advent Calendar.

It's a little quirky, one MC has a form of Tourette's that isolates him, the other has left his life in Chicago to care for his elderly uncle and brain damaged older cousin. It's the cousin who brings the two men together.

This year's calendar theme was "heartwarming" and when the submission call came I spent months racking my brain for a story that was original and interesting (I'm a huge fan of Christmas/holiday stories in general and the Advent Calendar in particular). By the time the deadline loomed, I'd given up. Two days before, inspiration finally hit and Snow Globe flowed out of me like a river--I practically wrote every spare minute I had, just submitting it seconds before the midnight deadline. The result is a story with an energy that mimics some of the frenetic pace of the way the Kris' brain works.

The story captures moments of connection between the two men - bad and good as they occur over six months - and yes, the fast pacing doesn't allow for much lingering or fleshing out. However, my plan writing this was to follow up with a longer novel written from Tyr's point of view. Tyr's a much more complicated man and it will be interesting to explore the reasons behind some of the decisions he makes in Snow Globe.

Currently I'm working on a sequel to my Novella 6 Days to Valentine which should be out next month. 6 Days to Valentine is the story of Nick, happy living his life as a mixologist for a trendy bar/restaurant in the South. He's shut himself off from having more than a casual relationship and his friends and co-workers are starting to worry.

6 Days to Valentine takes place in the days running up to Valentine's day - a holiday Nick loathes because of his name, and the state of his love life currently being complicated by pushy bouncer, Davis "Fat Boy" Newman, who's trying to set him up on a blind date. My hope for the series is to follow the main character Nick Valentine as he slowly gets a clue about life and love.


If we asked your muse to describe you using five words, what do you think they would say? Changeable, Eclectic, Sensual, Quirky, Pain-In-The-Ass (that counts as one word, right?)


Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you. I'm a mostly-Vegan.

Food often plays another character in my stories. I have an amazing editor who slums, playing Beta for me and I can crank her up with descriptions of food dishes. She was craving steak by the time she finished going through 6 Days To Valentine for me.

What's surprising? That I can describe food and the sensual pleasure of eating as well as I do, since I'm a natural born vegetarian/mostly Vegan. By the time I was 15 I was down to a small selection of shellfish and, of course, bacon (the candy of meats). High school biology killed the last lingering enjoyment I got from any sort of food with a digestive track after dissecting clams, and the rest was pretty easy to let go. But it doesn't stop me from cooking with meat or writing about it.


If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? France.

I confess, I've been in love with the country, the language, the culture since I was in middle school. Whenever I'm in Paris, it feels like home. I was there on business for a couple of weeks and the last thing I did was buy a fresh Pain au Chocolate to bring home to my husband. I hand him the bag at the airport, he opens it and pokes it, eventually taking a bite and then sort of shrugs. I'm staring at him like he's grown another head. For him, after twelve hours it's a stale pastry the cafe would toss…but for me--it's a frickin' Pain au Chocolate FROM PARIS! He has no soul. I ate it (and it was good).


If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why? Snow Globe is a good one to start with - it's short and gives you a flavor about my writing style - the downside is the frenetic pacing and short length leaves a lot on the table. 6 Days to Valentine coming out in January, is a longer piece - you'll get a better sense of my love a characters and quirky humor. 

Where do you find the inspirations for your stories? I have no clue. The submission prompts help - but it's lightening in a bottle. That's the muse at work. If I can't capture that split second impulse…it's gone for good.

Are your characters able to love or do they need to be taught? I have to say I feel most comfortable tagging along in the middle of their journeys, so it's often a combination of both. I think they're headed for a HEA, but it's the internal development that surprises and interests me. Sometimes it's easy--they just need a random circumstance to get them on track, and sometimes there's a cluelessness that makes things complicated (Nick Valentine from 6 Days is a case in point). Sometimes I get caught in their heads and I can't get out. A few weeks ago I wrote a birthday not-so-flash fiction for a friend of mine - another author. I made the MC so angsty and such a head case I suffered along with him for weeks. Finally I had to remind myself that birthdays are to be celebrated. I lightened it up a little and it turned out fine.

Do you have a book that was easiest to write or one that was the hardest?

Once I got started Snow Globe was the easiest by far. It just poured from me.

Birthday Cake - a flash fiction I wrote to celebrate author Vicktor Alexander's 30th birthday was the hardest. In that story I wrote in First Person, Present tense and then used sensory deprivation ad a vehicle that kept him in his head. I'm surprised people like it. I still can't read it with any objectivity, all I see is the suffering and angst I went through. One of these days I'll post it on my website and see if someone can explain it to me.

If you could collaborate with one author who would it be? Anyone? Can I pick three? Currently I co-write the Wolves & Waves series with author Sara York. She is amazing to work with. Kind, generous…talented. What more can you want? We wrote Prodigal Wolf together over a few months. It's the introductory book to a series which is a little unconventional for wolf shifters. There's no easy HEA or simple romance. We wrote our pack angsty and hot. I think we have to finish the series for some readers to understand where Sara and I are going with these books. 

But if I could pick anyone else? Hands down, it would be Josh Lanyon for craft and style and story… and Mary Calmes for voice (and the other stuff, too.) It would be like taking a masterclass from these folks.

Coffee, tea or other drink to get you moving in the morning? Coffee is my preferred brew (as dark as you can make it…smoky roasts…yum) I do take it with scaled almond milk in the morning. When I'm being a good vegan I'll go off coffee and turn to green tea. Peets Green Tea Lattes are bliss. I'd like to give a shout out to LatteBoy - he's been delivering my first cup to me in bed most days for years now. I highly recommend to everyone to find your own LatteBoy. Bliss!

What is coming up from you in 2014? Anything you want to tease us with?

6 Days to Valentine will be released sometime next month by WildeCity Press. As I mentioned earlier, I'm very excited that Nick gets his time in the sun, so to speak. I'm currently writing the sequel 6 Days to Get Lucky - so fingers crossed on that one. Sara and I are working on our sequel to Prodigal Wolf but it's early days for that, and I have a couple of things submitted I'm still waiting to hear back from, and like every other writer a stack of wips, teasing me.

Anything else you want to add?  If you'd like to to read more, or follow along as I pick up the random threads of life I stumble across and see where there go here's where I am. Each is a little bit different.

Facebook - please like my author page. You'll find more news and links about what's important to me as well as release info: https://www.facebook.com/LEFranksAuthor

Twitter - this is where I'm my snarkiest as @boxtersushi https://twitter.com/boxtersushi

Tumblr - is well…tumblr. http://www.tumblr.com/blog/boxtersushi

Blog: Naked Butts and musings. I enjoy posting here - more personal & whimsical. http://lefranks.wordpress.com

Website: What can I say… It's practical and PG. http://www.lefranks.com

Thanks for taking the time to be here today. I wish you many sales and wonderful reviews.

Thank you Dawn, I'm grateful that you've allowed me a moment to put your readership to sleep - afternoon naps are very healthful, particularly during the stress of the holidays!

On a serious note, this is such a lovely, incredible community we have. When I look around I am constantly touched by acts of encouragement and support, not only from other authors, but readers and reviewers. I want to thank everyone who reads and supports LGBTQ writers and their work. Without you we wouldn't have a forum to share the knowledge that Love is Love, no matter the flavor it comes in. Thank you again, Dawn for this lovely opportunity to share a little more about myself.

Wishing everyone a joyful, happy, and safe holiday season.  - LE Franks

SNOW GLOBE – by LE Franks  

Heat rating PG-13 (no explicit scenes)

Available at Dreamspinner / Amazon / ARe

Kris Hamilton escaped the rat race in LA to live his dream of owning an art studio and making snow globes in a Christmas-themed town in northern Minnesota. But life in a tiny town isn’t as peaceful as advertised, and being treated like an outsider is making Kris’s Tourette's flare up. When he inadvertently offends Tyr Tollefson—a beautiful blond giant of a man—Kris is ready to chuck it all. But he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Tyr's cousin Bun, who shows them the magic of Christmas and gives them both a lesson in love and acceptance. 

Excerpt:

IT WAS the face pressed against his storefront window that first caught his attention.

"Pressed" might have been too delicate a word. "Mashed" is better, Kris thought idly, admiring the spread of pink skin sticking to the glass before his brain latched on to the thought spinning and tumbling at an increasingly alarming rate.

The litany of words shoved their way to the tip of his tongue, rushing to spill over and out of him in a waterfall of frothing adjectives: smushed, squashed, scrunched, crunched, crushed, squished, pushed, flattened, pancaked…. He'd barely been able to throw on the brakes, limiting the torrent to a barely audible whisper until the words dribbled to a halt.

Crap. It had been weeks since the last time he lost control of his own peculiar form of Tourette's.

He looked around the tiny store to see if anyone had noticed, but was quickly drawn back to the spectacle outside. The little voice teasing at the edges of his mind suggested a few more words that he ruthlessly rejected, fully alert to the insidious nature of his own brain. The person outside was an impossible mélange of old and young, tiny and broad, all brown and pink and white and fluffy red. Was that a scarf and hat?

Pompoms in July seemed off to Kris, and the noise came rushing back—odd, unusual, unexpected, surprising, strange, weird, astonishing, peculiar…. Gasping, he stuttered back a breath, choking in the words and squeezing eyes shut tight.

Twenty-five cleansing breaths. Twenty-four, twenty-three…. His head noise kept pace with his diaphragm until petering out around number twelve. Kris paid attention, waiting to open his eyes again until the countdown reached number one… or was it zero? He felt another tingle of panic try to erupt. Shit. If he wasn't careful, he'd be off to the races again, and he could feel the happy little ponies inside him bouncing in delight at the thought.

This time when he opened his eyes, his world was still. No strange visions at his window, no customers with pity or contempt in their eyes, no rampaging word strings waiting to torment him. With shaking hands he put up the Out to Lunch sign and locked the front door.

Not for the first time, Kris felt like he was living inside one of his own snow-globe creations—never knowing when something was going to yank him upside down and shake him. At least for now, all the blizzarding shards seemed to have settled back to the bottom. 

"NO, BUN, we'll be late for Eddie's appointment." Tyr ran his long fingers through his white-blond hair as he silently begged for patience. His cousin was having one of her "days," and she wasn't in the mood to go along with "the plan." Insisting that they go back to the little Christmas shop across the square. Gently he pulled out the yellow, lined paper, carefully unfolding it to show the pair. At least no one had started wringing their hands. Yet.

"Look, Bun, this is the step we're on." He'd gathered them next to a convenient mailbox, carefully laying it on the top so that they could all see. Bun jerked forward to smooth and touch every inch of the paper and run her fingers over each of the meticulously printed words.

They'd referred to it numerous times since leaving the farm. Tyr hoped this would be enough to get them all back on track with enough time to get his uncle to his cardiology appointment. Monthly trips into town had always been stressful, but his uncle's declining health and Bun's advancing age seemed to be making them worse.

Sighing, he carefully pointed to item number two: Eleven thirty appointment with Dr. Morgan for Eddie. "See, Bun, Dr. Morgan is expecting us in…." A quick glance at his watch showed that they were already ten minutes late. "Well… we have just enough time to make it if we walk over there now."

A flash of movement from across the way drew his attention. There was a God. Someone in the Christmas shop had just put up the CLOSED sign. From across the street, he caught just a glimpse of long dark hair before the figure disappeared. It only took a few nudges and a promise to stop by later to get them all moving again.

Prodigal Wolf by L.E. Franks and Sara York

Wolves & Waves Series, Book One

Paranormal M/M

MLR Press

Available at MLR Press / Amazon / ARe

Carlo has a problem, after years away he's finally returned to his South Carolina roots - but instead of peace and quiet all he's found are nosy wolves, romancing twinks, an out of control roommate threatening to expose them all, and a demanding Alpha who just won't go away.

All his Alpha wants is to show Carlo who he really is, and where he belongs. But Carlo Montefiore is a man fighting his instincts, memories, and responsibilities. His beachside home was supposed to provide sanctuary, but pack politics, unruly roommates, and human neighbors at risk of discovering that shifters exist, are making life anything but peaceful. Twinks Kevin and Grady have their own problems. Two college freshmen are no match for a couple of hot wolves who like to play chase. If they don't stop playing games they'll miss the biggest thing to happen in their young lives---love.

Talking with Kyle Taylor/Giveaway

Welcome to my Reading Nook, Kyle Taylor. 

Please make yourself at home and let my cabana boys get you a drink.

Comfortable? Wonderful. Now let’s get started.

To get us started can you tell us a little about what you are working on or have coming out? 

My newest novel is called Exposition.  It takes place during the construction of Chicago’s magnificent World’s Columbian Exposition, in 1893.  It follows a young architect working on the fair.  His wealthy family pressures him to marry a stunningly beautiful debutante, but after meeting a handsome electrician, who is also working on the fair, his world is turned upside-down.  The story has a lush, epic sort of feel.  It’s opulent but at times gritty.  I hope you like it!

How would you describe yourself using only five words? 

Curious, passionate, sensual, dreamer, motivated.

If you could write a warning label for yourself as a person or an author, what would it say?

Danger:  Beware of OCD vacuum-loving neat freak! 

Do you have any guilty pleasures? 

I gave up sugar three months ago.  Last weekend, as a special treat, I had half a slice of a chocolate cream pie plus a scoop of ice cream.  OH-MY-LORD!!  I see why sugar is supposedly more addictive than cocaine!  It was pure heaven! 

Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you. 

I get mistaken for Channing Tatum all the time…(sigh)…What to do?...

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

I’d want multiple homes in the following cities:  Miami, Austin, Palm Springs.

How do you get yourself in the mood to write?

By the time I actually have my outline set, I write in the evening after my other work.  I have to make sure my house is clean and the floor is vacuumed and all the lights are on in the living room.  (I write in a large, comfy armchair – similar to the one here in your nook.)  Sometimes, if it’s a particular era I’m writing about, I’ll put on some inspirational music from Pandora.  For Exposition, for whatever reason, I was listening to Pachelbel and baroque quartets.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing? 

Each book I’ve written, it has been a little different.  I just finished a book I was working on over the summer.  I have very low hours in the summer, so I did extra research every evening and then would write in the mornings, 8 to 12.  But generally, if I have a project and the outline is set, I’m very disciplined and work on it about six days a week. I think the pace of writing keeps the tone consistent.  I also love to have a good Diet Coke buzz going on.  Forget the booze.  My books are fueled by Diet Coke.

Who are some of your favorite authors?  

I like the masters: Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Ibsen, Chekhov, Wilde, Michener, and Steinbeck.  Moderns, I like the biggies:  King, Brocovich, Ludlum, Larson. 

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? 

 Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson.  I just read a page or two and the writing is sensational!

Is there something special you do to celebrate when one of your books is released? 

I find it depressing in a way when it happens.  You are with the characters so long when you put a novel together.  When the book comes out, in a way, you must let them go.  It is a little death in a way.

Do you have a favorite TV show you can't miss? 

I’m a self-confessed Netflix binge watcher.  I’ve watched Mad Men, Downton Abbey, House of Cards, Breaking Bad.  And, now that I feel comfy with you – I will have to admit --  I’m a sucker for any bridal show!  What is this strange hold Say Yes to the Dress has over me?   

If you could date any character from any book, who would it be and why­no it doesn't have to be from your books? 

John Driskill, the hero from my first novel, Billion Dollar Dreamer.  Who wouldn’t want to date a billionaire?

What is the strangest source of writing inspiration you’ve ever had?

The inspiration for Exposition came when I was sitting out the hundred ten degree heat in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a former Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice.  We were at Taliesin West, Wright’s home there.  In a gentlemanly sort of way, he revealed the hidden lives of the young architects who worked for Wright.  I couldn’t forget it.  I took that idea and placed it in the Gilded Age.

If your muse were to talk behind your back, what secrets would he/she tell?

No matter how challenging it is to write novels, Kyle gets a kick out of putting one together!  

Anything else you want to add? 

Sure – just a little scoop for you.  I just finished my nest novel.  It’s called Wildflower: The Dramatic Life of Barbette, Round Rock’s First and Greatest Drag Queen.  It’s a historical fiction piece based on a real life aerialist drag queen whose sensational performance packed theaters of Europe during the 1920’s and 30’s.  It was quite a research project, covering sixty years of his life.  Look for it next year. 

Here is my web page: www.billiondollardreamer.com. 

I put a small promo trailer together for Exposition on Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xvW01V732E

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002247108853&fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Exposition by Kyle Taylor

Whiskey Creek Press

Available at Publisher / Amazon

Check out the book trailer

Meet Benjamin Wyatt, a handsome young architect helping create the magnificent 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.  While immersed in work at the famous architectural firm of Burnham and Root, Benjamin’s pugnacious, social climbing father, Walter Wyatt, pushes him to marry the stunningly beautiful debutante, Evelyn Van Buren—thus securing the family’s position in Chicago society.  Yet, when Benjamin meets the cocky young electrical engineer, Spencer Bowles, who is also working on the fair, his world and its ambitions are forever shattered.

Set amidst the opulent splendor of Chicago in the late Victorian Age, Benjamin Wyatt must confront the perils of accepting his own true love and risk destroying everything he worked so hard to achieve.  Meticulously researched and filled with lush images of the Gilded Age, Exposition, tells the epic story of a love that dare not speak its name…

Excerpt:

Walter Wyatt looked at his son for a long time through the bush of his white brow.  “Now is your time, Ben,” he said seriously.

“My time for what?” Benjamin was unsure what his father was going to say next.

“You must seal the deal. Every salesman worth his salt knows, you never hang on too long.”

“I’m sorry father, I’m not sure I am following you.”

“We have dined with Evelyn’s family. She has entertained your affections. You have reported to us you have a great amount in common. Now is the time to seal the deal. You must ask her to marry you.”

“But father…” Benjamin attempted to protest.

Walter raised his hand to silence him.

 “There is only one Evelyn Van Buren. You have made quite an impression on her and even more importantly, you have made an impression on her parents. There is nothing more to it, Benjamin. If you do not propose to her now, you will risk losing the greatest prospect you will ever see. Do you understand what I am saying?”

“I think I do sir.” He thought of Spencer, just hours before. He felt hot and uncomfortable sitting in the leather armchair by the fire, in his topcoat, engaging the eye of his father.

“Then, I shall tell your mother to plan a dinner for our families at once.”

“Yes, sir. Of course,” he said straightening up in his chair. “That shall be perfect.”  Benjamin stood up.

“Thank you and good night, father.” He bowed slightly towards Walter Wyatt. He then turned and started heading for the door.

“Ben.” Walter spoke up with his deep, resonate baritone. Benjamin turned towards his father. Walter said nothing. He just looked at his son for a long time. Benjamin felt anxious about what his father might say next. “This shall be one of the happiest days of your life.”

Benjamin forced a smile.

“Yes, sir. I think it will. It will indeed.” He then left the room. 

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

About the Author

Kyle Taylor is the author of both Exposition and Billion Dollar Dreamer.  The Kyle Taylor character debuted in Billion Dollar Dreamer as a journalist who was assigned to write a story about high school history teacher cum overnight billionaire John Driskil.  Kyle has begun his next book, tentatively titled Wildflower.  He resides in New York -- and of course he is a work of fiction!

Author Web Page:  www.billiondollardreamer.com 

Giveaway Information: Kyle will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and as a special prize, Kyle's previous book, Billion Dollar Dreamer , will be given away free on Amazon the last day of the tour. Leave a comment or question for the author to be entered.

Then remember to follow the tour and leave additional comments; the more you comment, the better the chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/10/virtual-book-tour-exposition-by-kyle.html