Time to breathe?

Hello! Steph here... trying to grasp that tomorrow is Christmas Eve! Hard to swallow for sure, since it seems to have eluded me. So, akin to my bretheren who stalk the malls at the 11th hour, I must brave the store and bank tomorrow in order to be prepared. Fun! At least it'll be over with and finished :)

I've overbooked myself completely...with my schedule of working, school, skating, writing, being a business owner (my latest addition) plus the whole wife and cat mom thing...I need to sit back and relax more often. I contribute it to hitting midlife and wanting to do things while I still can. So many of my family and friends are about my age but their physical ailments keep them from living life the way they want to. This translates to me as carpe diem! Seize the day! Do what I can while I can....

In other news, the huge project Julie and I started in May (which has since produced 4 novels with more to come) called the Mark of Love. We hoped to find out a yes or no today, but we'll just wait out the holidays and hope to hear then. :) Cross your fingers! It's a terrific series... one which has tugged at our own heartstrings...

My new business is up and running, Romance First Publishing! Within a month I should have two more authors added, with two more in the wings... I have submissions coming in, which is wonderful! In the new year I am starting a website and hope to attend conventions as well. Currently, I am open to subs... so check out my page romancefirstpublishing.blogspot.com for all the details.

That's about it for now...trying to stay active, focused, and on track. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Steph (S. L.) Danielson

Ah the holidaze....

Misspelled intentionally to accentuate the absolute frenzy people go into this time of year! This will be another year where presents are scarce and jobs/life are uncertain for me and mine, but at least we have each other and are together. Adversity can drive people apart or push them closer together. I am blessed to have my husband, my 'kids', my parents, my friends, and loyal fans. I'm also happy just to be working at not only my new biz, but also my 9-to-5.

I wax nostalgic tonight due to this being the five-year anniversary of my mother-in-law's death. She's lost her battle with lung cancer that had migrated to her brain. It was awful to watch a once vibrant woman go down so fast and die within months of her final doctor visit. She was a true character and a dear friend.

Otherwise, my days are so full of work, I don't reflect as often as I should... so I am taking the time now. May this week be a fair site better than the last one... and press on.

Steph

New site open!

Greetings one and all!

My new business has opened! Romance First Publishing is now operational and taking submissions, and selling books!

Site is www.romancefirstpublishing.blogspot.com

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely, Steph

We have a winner!

Thank you for all of you who participated in the blog hop! I hope you found some great new authors and had some fun!

I am pleased to announce my winner: Lily Sawyer!

Congratulations to Lily and thank you again for all of you for commenting and participating!

Steph

It's here! The Halloween Blog Hop!

Is here! And I'm running a contest for it :)

WIN a FREE copy of your choice of any one of my backlist (Lust in London, Ranch Hands, For the Heart of Phillip, Refugees, Love by the Numbers, or Bernard; Diary of a 46-yr-old Bellhop)!

Be sure to leave a comment to enter!

I'll choose a winner on Halloween night. Good luck!

http://dreabecraft.com/events-2/

For the Heart of Phillip - All Romance Ebooks

For the Heart of Phillip - All Romance Ebooks

Romancing the Book: Interview: S.L. Danielson

Romancing the Book: Interview: S.L. Danielson

Halloween Blog Hop!

Is here! And I'm running a contest for it :)

WIN a FREE copy of your choice of any one of my backlist (Lust in London, Ranch Hands, For the Heart of Phillip, Refugees, Love by the Numbers, or Bernard; Diary of a 46-yr-old Bellhop)!



Just goto the site below for complete details. Good luck! Ends Halloween Night!

http://dreabecraft.com/events-2/

IT'S RAINING MEN: Monthly Post from SL

IT'S RAINING MEN: Monthly Post from SL: Well...things are hopping in my world...next week I go and get final approval for the formation of my business, plus take a test in my cla...

Chugging along...

The formation of my own company is chugging along at a snails' pace, a snail that's stuck in molasses when its 30 degrees out. (for non-mountain folk...that's SLOW).

The process itself appears quite simple, but it is misleadingly so. After spending over $40 on postage to let my neighbors know I'm starting a HOME business (which is overkill to me, but I abide by the law)...now I await a meeting, then to actually file for the license itself.

That's the somewhat easy part...the hard parts are to put together a legal and bindable contract for my new authors, and to find a website provider. Any suggestions on these would be most welcome.

In the meantime, work is boring as ever, but I believe it will end around Halloween...be hitting the job hunt trail very hard at that point. Searching for a job is ridiculous in itself; and very, very hard.

Other than that, got to see my family this weekend; albeit for a brief time. It was nice though! I will see them on Friday evening, have to shoot pool sometime! :)

Summer is winding down at last, and despite the temperatures...I am feeling it, esp in my commute. Traffic volume nearly doubled last Monday...I guess a lot of districts opened their doors at that time...I surely saw it. Not a fan of driving, traffic, parking, the lot. I'd rather beam into work...never be late again.

Almost time for bed here...another enthralling week of mind-numbing work just for $$$, then to come home and work on my passion...writing. (after studying for my exam, that is.)

Good night!!

Steph

Relief at last...

Hello all! Well...the heat has finally broken (no longer at the century mark)....but it's still hot on the ranch at Sid and Roger's in Ranch Hands...the new cover has made a huge difference, and I'm thrilled to death it's back on the market...it was missed by everyone!

Speaking of Sid, Roger, and let's not forget Jerry...the sequel is coming later this year. Jerry struck me so much he needed his own story....with all the complications I add in just for him. :)

My company is coming together in bits and pieces...I have yet to mail our P & Z items, but have my tax and state items together. It's a slow process....still need website and contract too...Suggestions are VERY welcome!

In other news...my bud Julie Hayes and I just subbed our 1st part of a book we named "Finding His Mark" to Silver! Wish us luck! We're already on book #2!

And last but not least...is My Fair Vampire which comes out from Silver in October. Can't wait for you to meet William and Misha and read their adventure based at the time of the St Louis Worlds Fair in 1904!

Ranch Hands returns!!!

It's baaaaaaaack!!! After months off the market due to a contract snafu...it has triumphantly returned!

The story of two men mistreated by past lovers willing to take a chance on real love. Sid Rosen is a 34 year old rancher who inherited financial trouble with his father's ranch. Roger Laramie is a younger man fresh from an abusive relationship and whose heart is as big as all outdoors. When these two men's lives come together to save Sid's ranch so do their hearts. The passion each feels for the other begins as a banked fire but as they get to know one another that fire begins to grow, but only if they're willing to let it in.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005D7TMPO

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ranchhands-578094-145.html

http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/ranch-hands/16302529

https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/glbt-westerns-c-53_57/ranch-hands-p-612

William Maltese! My guest today...

William Maltese is a multi-published-unstoppable force in the publishing world. He has written multiple genres from cooking, to m/m, het sex, you name it! I’m honored beyond words to have this fabulous gentleman with me here today!

What is the name of your latest book?

I’m trying to figure out what’ll be out at about the same time this blog hits the internet. As nearly as I can determine, the book will be EVEN GOURMANDS HAVE TO DIET which I co-wrote with Bonnie Clark who, also, did BACK OF THE BOAT GOURMET COOKING with me. After all of the pounds we put on while writing BACK OF THE BOAT, we decided that people should realize that it isn’t really easy for those of us who write cookbooks to stay thin 24/7. Sometimes, in fact, as in Bonnie’s case, it’s a damned hard struggle.

Also, I’m thinking that, about this time, the print book re-issue of my contemporary m/m adventure/romance SS MANN HUNT, with an additional 15,000 words over the original edition, should have hit the stands (having already been preceded by the ebook versions having received those same additional 15,000 words).

And, finally, I hope, several more short-short, very-short ebooks for my ongoing MALTESE BOYS’ REFORMATORY series, at .99 a shot, should be available.

But, just in case the 4^th of July long weekend screwed up release schedules (anything apt to screw up a release date, as you very well know), I might as well plug “the” book of mine that I know for a fact is out there, last in the present long line of my over 180-published books: GOD MAKER: VAMPIRES OF LONDON which is a particularly stellar x-rated graphic novel with some really great artwork by Brit artist Mike Bliss “Mikesbliss”. I just got my author’s copy the other day and was blown away by the great job MLR Press did with it. I was expecting tradebook-size, but it came out magazine/art-book size with some of the pages fit for framing in their own right. I can’t wait to throw that baby out on the coffee table and see what reactions I get.

And how did you come up with the title?

By way of GOD MAKER: VAMPIRES OF LONDON, it just kind of came naturally, since it’s about vampires (and how becoming one makes one feel so god-like). Of course, the fact that the artist is from London (and I’ve been there on several occasions), just made the setting a foregone conclusion.

I already explained the premise behind EVEN GOURMANDS HAVE TO DIET. I know there’s the general conception that there’s never a good cook who isn’t a fat cook, like there’s never a good bald barber, BUT a lot of weight isn’t good for anyone, cooks included. Bonnie and I figured weight-loss from a gourmet cook’s perspective, where recipes are forever being tested for the next book, would be a unique and interesting insight for our readers to see; our publisher agreed.

SS MANN HUNT, of course, is a play on the German Nazi “SS” storm-trooper designate, and on the term “manhunt”, this being a contemporary tale of three sons searching, in the Brazilian rain forest, for their fathers, one of whom, Sebastian S. Mann, just might have been involved in Nazi atrocities during WWII. It’s all very man against man, and man against nature stuff, with hot m/m sex thrown in to boot; the kind of book that’s always been a particular favorite of mine.

MALTESE BOYS REFORMATORY defines the correctional institute around which the stories in this series revolve, keeping in mind, of course, that all the “boys” are of age and not minors. We all know that incarceration can be a frightening experience, some inmates adapting better than others, and these are merely some of the tales that prove that point, written in a very short-short ebook format that hopefully maintains the interest of readers who have, these days, been known to let their minds wander if subjected to too many words at one time.

What is this book about?

GOD MAKER: VAMPIRES OF LONDON is about a sexy British artist who is turned by a sexy Italian vampire with hopes of them both exploring their burgeoning relationship possibilities. Of course, there are complications (aren’t there always?) that provide for anything but easy sailing (or, should I say easy blood-sucking?).

EVEN GOURMANDS HAVE TO DIET is a mainstream diet-, health-, and cookbook about a couple of us who make our living cooking and eating, but are health-conscious enough to know that it isn’t healthy for us to get and maintain waistlines that match the circumference of the planet Jupiter.

SS MANN HUNT is a m/m romantic/adventure, keeping in mind that I’m an author whose definition of “romance” isn’t always what others think it is, although this book, admittedly, does have a pairing up of two guys who have had a relationship in the past, aborted through no fault of their own, now resumed under circumstances that may or may not see it survive to see full resurrection.

MALTESE BOYS’ REFORMATORY stories are all m/m, too. While I suppose I could inject heterosexuality into the scheme of things, what with story possibilities available for women nurses, and vocational instructors, and the like, existing within the prison system, I’ve kept these purely man-on-man, if just because so many gay readers do NOT like reading about heterosexual sex, and the series is aimed primarily at readers of gay fiction.

And what genre is this book in?

GOD MAKER: VAMPIRES OF LONDON is an x-rated contemporary m/m “graphic” novel. Think comic book. For some reason, a lot of people seem to assume that graphic has to do with the x-rated content, but it’s really the term that designates the pictorial aspects of the work in question.

EVEN GOURMANDS HAVE TO DIET. Mainstream diet-, cook-, and health book.

SS MANN HUNT. M/m contemporary romantic/adventure.

MALTESE BOYS’ REFORMATORY. M/m contemporary prison short-short ebooks, with plot lines likely thought of, by some, as one-handed reads® (yes, by the way, I do own the registered trademark on that last phrase).

Who is/are the main characters?

GOD MAKERS: VAMPIRES OF LONDON is about the relationship between Ethan, a sexy British artist, and Antonious a sexy Italian vampire.

EVEN GOURMANDS HAVE TO DIET. That would be me (I?), and my co-author Bonnie Clark. Admittedly, I have to give a lot of credit for this book’s existence to Bonnie, since her struggles with weight (gain and loss) have been long ongoing, and often downright traumatic, where mine are all kind of Johnny-come-lately. If it wasn’t for Bonnie’s struggles in self-image, this book would make far less interesting reading and have far less meaningful relevance to and for as many people as it does.

SS MANN HUNT. Three young studs, Brad Lexly, Kurt Mann, and Jim Kenner, all team up to find their fathers who disappeared years before on a caving expedition into the wilds of the Brazilian Mato Grosso.

MALTESE BOYS’ REFORMATORY. There are a whole range of characters in these short-short ebooks, covering just about every male member of a juvenile detention system, including prisoners, guards, warden, doctor, nurse, vocational workers, psychiatrist.

What is the coolest or best part about your book? (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc…)

GOD MAKER: VAMPIRES OF LONDON has some genuinely fantastic artwork by Brit artist “Mikesbliss” whose artwork has always been a favorite of mine to the point where he’s done not one but two portraits of me, based upon one nude black-and-white photo taken of me awhile back, for my ARTISTS “DO” author WILLIAM MALTESES art collection. Since one of these is me as “Vlad Draqual”, the vampire in my novel SUCKS! FIRST OF THE DRAQUAL VAMPYRE CHRONICLES, I knew from the get-go that Mike was the vampire-drawer to join me on this particular book.

EVEN GOURMANDS HAVE TO DIET is cool in how it lets people know that they’re not alone in their efforts to lose weight and keep it off, and by how it clues them in on how those of us who might look like we have an easy go of it, as regards what, when, and where we eat, really don’t.

SS MANN HUNT is cool in not being all that cool in its setting that, my having spent a good deal of time there, myself, in real time, is hardly ever cool as far as temperatures go…even the rain, more often than not, hot; the rivers and streams often filled with the kinds of bacteria and critters that make them downright dangerous in performing cool-downs. Of course, there are the caves of the book, often cool. In fact, for those who don’t know very much about spelunking, the subject matter, I think, is cool, in and of itself, which is why I made it an important aspect of the plot line.

MALTESE BOYS’ REFORMATORY, of course, is cool in that I always find it cool to get hot and bothered while reading something, and these stories are definitely geared primarily, for, at least a short while, to turn the reader on.

Do you have a favorite character in the book? If so, why?

GOD MAKER: VAMPIRES OF LONDON has me vacillating between Ethan and Antonious. Both are hunks from the word go, and there’s something always sexy about a vampire, whether British artist, or Italian stud.

EVEN GOURMANDS HAVE TO DIET has Bonnie as my heroine, in that she has had a life-long struggle with weight gain and loss but has persevered to where she is today, a lady with a plan, who has learned from her mistakes, and is anxious for others to learn from her mistakes and errors in the dieting process.

SS MANN HUNT probably sees me preferring Peter Lexly, if just because the book is written in the first person, from his perspective, which is probably as good an indication as any that I feel myself having a certain connection to him, specifically, that doesn’t carry over quite as much to the other characters involved.

MALTESE BOYS REFORMATORY stories usually have my favorite character being the main subject of whatever the short story in progress. In stories so short, with a cast of players usually whittled down to a mere one-on-one, the main character obviously is the one to whom I usually give preferential treatment.

Is this book part of a series?

GOD MAKER: VAMPIRES OF LONDON definitely is, I hope, depending, of course, upon whether or not this first in the intended series makes a go of it. There’s no denying that coming up with enough artwork to fill a picture book, and getting the pictures reproduced in a genuinely artistic way, is not only time-consuming but expensive; it needs a lot of things to “come together” to make it happen.

EVEN GOURMANDS HAVE TO DIET is part of “The Traveling Gourmet” imprint published by mainstream Wildside/Borgo Press, and, likewise, includes my BACK OF THE BOAT GOURMET COOKING (with Bonnie Clark), and my THE GLUTEN-FREE WAY: MY WAY (with Adrienne Z. Milligan), as well as my ongoing WILLIAM MALTESE’S WINE TASTER’S DIARY series of books of which there are presently two, SPOKANE/PULLMAN WASHINGTON AREA (of Washington State), and IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT PINOT-G ON AUSTRALIA’S MORNINGTON PENINSULA (with A.B. Gayle).

SS MANN HUNT isn’t part of a series and stands very well on its own.

MALTESE BOYS’ REFORMATORY, of course, is a series of short stories connected by the detention institution in and around which all of the stories revolve.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No.

You’ve written so many books, do you learn something from each one?

A writer learns by writing, and I’m no exception.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? (you are one of mine)

Firstly, you’re sweet to put me in your “mentor” category.

Admittedly I do always try to help and nurture other writers, but that’s sometimes not easy, especially for someone, like I, who thinks my two-cents’ worth really shouldn’t carry too much weight, as regards anyone else’s writing. It has always been my mantra that the best way for a writer to go is to write to please himself, then worry about an editor or publisher liking it; and, if he can’t find an editor or publisher who likes it, then wait until he finds an editor or publisher who does like it, rather than make changes, and compromises, and end up with something that simply isn’t “him” and/or “his”. Although writing is all I’ve ever done, I’m convinced that writers are usually far better off if they don’t give up their day jobs; second incomes allow writers to sit back and bide their time and not “need” to publish something, which they’ll no longer recognize as their own, merely to put food on the table.

As for me having had a physical mentor, I actually began writing in a vacuum and continued to do so for a very long time, having virtually no connection with any other published writer, or writers, or even any kind of one-on-ones with my publishers. It was all done long-distance, through the mail, my sending in my manuscripts, often from various places in the world, and my picking up the checks that were mailed back. I wrote what I wanted to write, and, since it seemed to sell well, I never saw any reason to do anything else and never stopped.

As far as writers whose writing may have affected me, from a distance, probably Edgar Allen Poe, H. Rider Haggard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Bram Stoker, in that I always liked a bit of adventure, mystery, and/or macabre in my reading material. Still do. My short ebook Ludus Scaenicus Mortis Rubrae (included in the anthology RED) is a homage to dear Mr. Poe. Certainly, you’ll find few, if any, of my stories about ordinary blokes in middle America. I usually put my characters into the same exotic locales I’ve personally experienced and expect them to perform there.

What books are you reading now?

M: THE MAN WHO BECAME CARAVAGGIO by Peter Robb.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

DINNER WITH CECILE AND WILLIAM (with Cecile Charles). THE GOURMET HUCKLEBERRY (with Bonnie Clark). EASY AND SWEET VEGAN DESSERTS (with Christina-Marie “Gonzo-Mama” Wright). OKALAHOMA WINE (with Rie McGaha). An autobiography, AN ABOMINABLE FANCY, about fetish artist John U. Abrahamson (with John U. Abrahamson). An m/m short-story collection, MALTESE/EKKEL, inspired by erotic pen-and-ink drawings by Dutch artist Johann Ekkel. Sequels to my DIARY OF A HUSTLER and SUCKS! FIRST OF THE DRAQUAL VAMPYRE CHRONICLES. Another book in my WILLIAM MALTESE’S FLICKER series. Another book in my STUD DRAQUAL MYSTERY series.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

It always seemed to be there, primarily sparked, I believe by how my mother often took the time to read aloud to me as a child. Well, actually, I’d have her read aloud to me through high school, anything from boring texts to those at-the-time-required-reading classics, like ETHAN FROME. Mom did a lot of reading on her own and so did my father. Reading definitely played a part in sparking my writing career, and was, later, bolstered by a good deal of world travel; the latter providing a virtual storehouse of things and experiences for me to write about.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I find re-writing, editing, and proofing major bores. By the time I figure I’ve finished writing a book, I’m ready to move on to the next project, and re-visiting something which I really consider over and done can drive me up a tree. Therefore, while I see every advantage to getting all of my print books into ebook formatting, the proofing required for that just to happen, lately, has proven to be an excruciating chore for me.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

Write what your heart and head insist you write, what you enjoy writing, what makes you happy writing, and pay little attention to what anyone else, including me, might have to say on the subject. Pay too much attention to others, to me, and you’ll end up writing like those others, and like I, when really successful authors have their own individual voices and styles. Always keep in mind that you’re really not a writer, no matter how much you may think you are, if you give up writing just because you’re not selling anything you write. A writer writes, and that’s why he’s a writer. Stop writing and start doing something else, and you stop being a writer and you become something else.

Thank you, William!

Thank YOU, Steph. As usual, it’s been a pleasure!

Coming in September...

Romance First Publishing...my new company!

Settled in, now it's decision time

Whew...finally moved in and pretty well settled down. This place is far better than where we were; despite it's distance from my workplace...but there are pluses and minuses to everything.

Things are shifting once again, and it is decision time...especially on a book myself and a dear friend of mine conjured up nearly five years ago. It has to get off the drawing board sometime; and I'm afraid I'm going to have to take the reins on it.

I don't want to have to do it, but the situation is forcing my hand. My co-author is too ill to be able to continue to try to help me at all. I hear from him perhaps once in a blue moon at this point and anybody who knows my style at all knows I like to move a lot quicker than that. This has yet to even be beta'd by anyone and it's nearly 300 pages long!

So, today I'm lowering the boom on him...if just to tap his head. I'm taking control of it, but will never undermine his involvement, he's written some wonderful sections, which I've left untouched I like them so much. Problem is, it was only a few chapters. After that his health deteriorated.

I'm also taking the reins on another book (my mystery book) written by my alter-persona, Mae.
This has been shelved for far too long, but only yesterday did I get the idea (thanks Julie)! to perhaps write it in first person. What do you think? That way it's easier to keep a mysterious person/suspect even more mysterious, wouldn't you think so?

It's shaping up to be a nice Sunday so far, after the hellacious storms last night. I'm shocked we don't have tree branches down everywhere, but there is a lot of standing water. Watch out for mosquitos!

Going to chat with co-author...wish me luck!

Moving...and other news

The last couple of weeks I've not been around much due to a move we just embarked upon. This was certainly not a surprise move; we'd been eyeing the possibility of exit for the entire time we were at the other place.
The move itself was a complete circus, full of missing helpers, old helpers, too-young-not-paying-attention-broke-our-grill helpers, and of course, taxiing the cats back to our new place.
Moving 30 totes into the garage was exciting enough (mostly because they were all unlabeled...making knowing their contents extra fun), but the super-sized sofa we just HAD to get and an enormous dresser we've had for over a decade made it extra exciting for the movers.

For four days after this 'fun', my legs killed me, I felt sick, and generally couldn't move very well. I went in to work on that following Monday and went home ill due to fatigue and overwhelming soreness. Oy, I should've gone for the wine to maybe soothe the agony.

We've met our neighbors this time around, actual NICE people! I love that! No one above our heads with stomping, hedonistic children either. ahhhhhhhhh

Now, 1 week, 2 days later...we're moved in, the cats are happy in their spots, and life is returning to 'normal', save for the new longer commute to work for me. Oh well...I knew that'd be the case...

As for writing...working on a WIP, a YA about two georgia teens. I love it to death so far...we're about 80 pages in. My co-author is Julie Hayes, this is our 2nd collaboration.

In other news, Life After Math just hit paperback on Silver.

and finally...

Ranch Hands triumphantly returns on August 26th from Wicked Nights. Hot new cover, same great story (just with a publisher this time, not on my own)! :)

Happy Reading!

Steph L. Danielson

Coming in early 2012....

After 20 years of writing, transcribing, writer's block, and waiting...I draw closer to finally publishing the words of my youth; rather, the characters from that time.

If everything goes well, then the stories from my 'first' novel about a town named New Malin and her dozens of residents will be seen starting in January, 2012.

I started this 'town' when I was 13 years old and stopped when the year turned 2006. (in my 30's)...at it's height it had swelled to 200 characters, and countless hours spent writing and drawing out stories. It dominated my teen and young adult years until I met my husband in 1997...then slowed a bit.

The core family is a large one, a widowed mother and her seven children; six of whom are adults. The eldest male, named Adam, is the newly-elected mayor of the town, taking the position vacated by his father's untimely death. He is newly married, with a child on the way, but his heart is not solely devoted to her (or women)....

A tall, handsome stranger named Mike enters the town from a neighboring village and introduces himself to the Mayor. The sparks are subtle at first, but are too real to be denied. (despite efforts on both their parts).

The tale evolves from these humble beginnings....

A Gay Man Inside a Female's Body: Taboo Tens: Day Three SL Danielson!

A Gay Man Inside a Female's Body: Taboo Tens: Day Three SL Danielson!: "Hello everyone! Welcome to day three of the Taboo Tens. Today, I have fellow IRMer and great author SL Danielson on with a post rega..."

Coming in early 2012....

New Malin - where the hills have eyes and the residents have secrets...

A new series by S. L. Danielson

Full Moon Dreaming: Guest Blogger: SL Danielson

Full Moon Dreaming: Guest Blogger: SL Danielson: "Good morning to you and to my special guest, my friend and co-author SL Danielson. Today we're in Forest Park, enjoying the view of the Art..."

Rave review already for Refugees....from Ryan Field!

Ryan Field

Home again. Getting ready to write a blurb for one of my favorite authors, S.L. Danielson for the work, "The Refugees." Loved reading this to the point where I hated to see it end.

I've come to enjoy certain aspects of S.L Danielson's work, which includes the way she treats family situations in her fiction, the way she freely refers to long term gay relationships as marriages, and the way she makes gay life look so effortless and yet complicated at certain times. It's the kind of positive, well written escapism I love when I'm reading a romance. And “Refugees” didn't disappoint me. It's is a structured inter-mingling of gay men and their relationships, with details about their careers, their lives, and their inner-most thoughts. It's life. And I think it's the kind of lgbt fiction that not only offers positive role models without working too hard to get the point across, but is also making it's mark as an overall social statement in an ever-changing world. I read The Refugees in one sitting but I have a feeling the characters, especially David, are going to remain with me for a very long time.

Just in time for Memorial Day...

A read the perfect length to take only some of your holiday weekend....Refugees

If you read "For the Heart of Phillip" and always wondered what happened to the two men left in the dust...now's your chance!

Coming Thursday, May 26th.

Winner!

Patricia G.

Thank you for playing and I hope you enjoy Bernard!!!

New cover for Ranch Hands!

Inspired by the plain but lovely original:

Coming from Wicked Nights Publishing Aug 26th

Bernard...the questions

1. What does Jack offer to do for Bernard?

2. What section of the menu does Bernard glance at on their date?

3. Who is the second Dr. who comes in to see him?

email answers to : ladyauthorsld@gmail.com

Thanks for playing!!!

Bernard...excerpt 2

On the night of their date, Jack sent a bouquet of gerbera daisies and dressed up in black pants, a crisp white shirt, and a navy blazer. Bernard saw him and smiled wide.

“You look terrific!”

Jack kissed him in thanks. “So do you, all in gray. Love that tie.”

Bernard straightened his jet black tie and smoothed his silver-gray suit. “Well, you said this was a nice place. Thought I’d dress the part. I had to buy some new pants after losing over 30 pounds so far.”

Jack grinned at him. “That’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you. See, that diet is working and you’re exercising too.”

“Every chance I get.”

Jack kissed him softly. “Maybe we could add something to that routine.”

Bernard’s smile disappeared and he flattened his lips to a thin line. “I wish I could do what you want to. I’m so afraid of that--”

Jack tilted his head and started a sentence when his stomach rumbled loudly. “Come on, we’ll talk about this later. I’m starved.”

“You can’t change my mind on this one.”

“All in good time, my dear.” Jack said confidently.

They dined at a nicer restaurant than usual. Bernard eyed the less expensive appetizer section.

“Don’t want to order something too expensive.” He explained.

“Why not?” Jack inquired.

“Uh, well ya know. Just in case…” Bernard started.

Jack cocked his head thoughtfully and took his hand. “In case of what? Getting sick off something new?”

Bernard shot a quick glance up at his boyfriend. “Uh, just in case this is our last date.”

Jack let out a long sigh. “Bern—how can you even think that? I have no intention of ever letting you go. I know how you feel about that, but I promise you, I can help you with it--”

The older man pulled his hands away, gripped his hair and sighed loudly. “Dammit, I thought I told you I can’t do that.”

Jack reached for his hand again, but he pulled it away. “Bern—”

“No, please don’t make a scene, Jack. I told you I’m not comfortable with being seen like that or doing that. Look, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or turn you off or do anything to jeopardize us and this wonderful relationship we have right now. I don’t want to hurt you, but I don’t think I can do what you want to do. Sex just is something that I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable with. Not ever…” Unshed tears glinted behind the blue eyes and Jack leaned towards him.

“Bern—”

The waiter walked up to interrupt and take their orders. Jack handled it. “We need a few more minutes, please.”

“Very good, sir.” The waiter left.

Jack reached for his companion’s hands again, but was denied. The man wouldn’t even look at him. Jack cocked his head and tried to look into his boyfriend’s face. “Bernard? Please just look at me?”

Bernard looked up with a sudden glare. “You know I can’t do that!” He snapped. “You take me out for an expensive dinner and expect me to just loosen up? Forget this! I told you, I’m not capable of that! Not even with the man I want more than anything-- His lower lip quivered and he jettisoned himself from his chair with a jolt as he ran out to the parking lot.

“Bernard! Wait a minute! Wait up!” Jack looked over his shoulder at the waiter and caught his attention. “We’ll be right back.”

“Yes sir.”

Jack ran out to the parking lot and found Bernard sitting on the bumper of his boyfriend’s car, bawling. He approached the man cautiously.