Saturday Snippet: Summer Excerpts ~ Liquid Heat

Memorial Day is a FANTASTIC day!

Of course I think so, I'm a US Air Force veteran and proud of it. What's more hubby and I are both disabled vets. He's rated with a 50% disability and I'm rated with 10%. Personally, I think the loss of hearing in one ear is worth a lot more than 10%, but oh well.

Although I know that summer doesn't officially start 'til June 21st, it starts for me this weekend. Since I live in South Florida, it's felt like summer for the past 2-1/2 months. Honestly, most of the year feels like summer down here. It's hard to be surrounded by palm trees, canals, and beaches and not feel summery.

To celebrate the beginning of summer, the Saturday Snippets authors are celebrating with summery excerpts today.

My excerpt is from my (Summer) Heatwave series book "Liquid Heat".

Joshua Daly never dreamed he'd fall in love with a man, but when he's stranded in a nudist colony, it's the super sexy Paul Norris that he wants.

Blurb:
When Joshua Daly wrecks in Georgia, aka Hillbilly Hell, he's put up by his rescuer, Paul, while his car's being repaired--in a nudist colony. He thought he'd be turned on by all the heavenly female bodies, but to his surprise Paul's beautiful bod is the one that turns him on. It's not his fiancee Carole who makes him hesitate to shuck his clothes and give up the corporate life; he's not sure a Yankee will be welcome in the deep South.




Excerpt:
Dawn broke over the mountains in a breathtaking array of pastels as Paul Norris rounded a hairpin turn in the mountain road. Straight ahead, a mangled car wrapped around the carcass of a bloody deer. His adrenalin pumping, he swore and stomped on the breaks. His tires squealed and the acrid odour of rubber burnt his nostrils as his car skidded to a stop a few short feet from the vehicle. Jolted, he almost choked on the Tootsie Roll Pop on which he'd been sucking.


Spluttering, his throat raw, he spit the candy out the window and struggled to catch his breath. Scared a car would speed around the bend, he pulled over to the shoulder before cutting the engine. He dialled the sheriff, while praying the people inside were okay.

He peered through the window, and to his relief, he spied a lone man who appeared to be in one piece and stirring. Paul rapped his knuckles across the glass and raised his voice. "Hey, buddy, are you okay in there? Do you need help?"

The door groaned, but finally, the guy squeezed out. When a blue eyed, blond giant faced him, Paul sucked in a ragged breath, and his heart did several flips. His knees went weak. His stomach clenched. His throat constricted. Never before had he seen such a drop-dead gorgeous man.

The man squinted and frowned at a bruise growing dark on his arm. "I'll live." As if to test his theory, he gingerly rolled his shoulders and stretched his appendages one by one.

Birds cawed and forest animals grunted as Paul strained his ears, but he didn't hear any signs of approaching traffic. Nervously, he glanced over his shoulder, then back to the Adonis. "We should wait in my car until the sheriff arrives."

The guy peered beyond him as his gaze narrowed on his car. He swallowed hard and nodded. "Yeah. Okay."

Paul's heart fluttered, and his stomach did a crazy little spin. Doing his best not to tremble after they'd gotten in the vehicle, he thrust out his hand. "I'm Paul Norris. Did anyone warn you that deer have a crazy habit of jumping in front of cars 'round these parts?"

The guy leaned back against the seat and stared at the ceiling. "Yep. Just a second ago." He twisted in his seat and took Paul's outstretched hand. "The name's Joshua Daly. I'm on my way to Ohio, but it doesn't look like I'll make it on schedule," he said with a grimace.

A lightning bolt shot straight to Paul's heart, and he let his hand linger in Joshua's several seconds longer than necessary. He clasped it strongly and was pleased when he received a firm shake. He noted the man had long, tapered fingers with clean, clipped nails and that blond hair curled profusely on his hand.

Sirens whirring in the distance bounced around the hills. The whirring quickly grew louder, also reverberating inside the cab. Relieved, Paul rubbed the back of his neck, and opened the door. "Stay here. I'll wait around the bend for them."

"Liquid Heat" is available at Fictionwise (40% this weekend).

"Liquid Heat" is available at Total-E-Bound.


Celebrate the beginning of summer with more great excerpts from the following authors.

Jody Wallace
Mari Carr
Lauren Dane
TJ Michaels
Ashley Ladd
Shelley Munro
HelenKay Dimon
Eliza Gayle


Recent posts you might like to read:

Author Interview: Wendi Zwaduk 

Author Interview: Frances Pauli


Author Interview: Marcia James

Author Interview: Elaine Hopper

Weathering A Bad Review

What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

Rejection: Where Do You Go Next?

Procrastination

Cliche or Coincidence?

Incognito: free short story

Dedicating Books

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Wendi Zwaduk are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Saturday Snippet: Secondary Characters

The theme for this week is secondary characters.

Secondary characters add another dimension to a story: comic relief, danger and sometimes the plot hinges on a secondary character.

That's the case with "Sorry Charlie" an M/M story in the "Friction" anthology coming out in print by Total-E-Bound Monday December 7, 2009.

In "Sorry Charlie" Charlie's dad wants to make up after a 17-year family feud.

He's overjoyed, excited, and nervous as hell that his father is finally accepting his sexual orientation and speaking to him after a 17-year family feud but Charlie can't understand why his long-term partner Jonathan is acting jealous and clingy, when he should be happy for him or at least supportive.

Jon's afraid Charlie's family will hurt him again and he doesn't know if he can mend Charlie's heart if it shatters a second time or stand by and watch while Charlie sets himself up for more heartbreak.

Charlie's father is the catalyst for the story. Before Charlie's father came back into the picture, there was no conflict, thus no story.

Another secondary character in this story is Adam. Adam's a fun character. He's Charlie's and Jon's friend and provides the comic relief. In the act of trying to make Jon feel better, he causes more complications in an already complicated, emotional situation. The story wouldn't be the same without Charlie's father or Adam.




Excerpt From: Sorry Charlie

Search your feelings. You know I’m your father. The words rang in Charlie Lang’s head. For the past seventeen years, he’d wished anyone but Asa Charles Lang was his dad, even Darth Vader. His father made Vader look like a pussycat. At least, he’d wanted Luke once he’d found out about him.

Asa had been there at the moment of Charlie’s birth. He’d raised him ‘til he was seven when Charlie’s parents split. That’s when Asa had stolen off in the night to escape his debts, and according to Charlie’s mother, Gail, all his responsibilities to them. He’d found a new wife, made new kids, and only saw Charlie every few years for a measly day or two at a time.

Still, it hadn’t been too bad ‘til Charlie had come out of the closet at age twenty-two and announced he was gay. Then Asa, his stepmom, Sharon, and his half-siblings had disowned him. They’d declared him dead to them.

The thought of running into them on the street had his partner, Jonathan, freaking out.

Now Sharon and a half-brother were dead and buried, and his other sibs had moved away, leaving Asa alone. Now, he was ready to forgive Charlie and rebuild their relationship.

Charlie rubbed the half-day’s growth of beard on his chin and shook his head. This was a good thing. Right?

“I can’t do this with you right now,” he told Jonathan. “I have to meet my dad.” Charlie stood tall and didn’t allow himself to flinch—not outwardly anyway. He also didn’t let Jonathan’s pretty-boy looks or his pout sway him from today’s outing.

Jonathan glared and scrunched his nose. He threw down his towel like a gauntlet, leaving him naked. “When will you have time for me? This man abandoned you for seventeen years, trashed you to everyone you knew and made our lives hell. And now, you run every time he calls. I don’t get it. Explain it to me.”

"Sorry Charlie" in the "Friction" anthology is available in e-book now and print Monday Dec. 7, 2009 at Total-E-Bound.

To read more Snippet Saturday excerpts about secondary characters follow the links below:


Shelli Stevens
Leah Braemel
Anya Bast
Mandy Roth
Victoria Janssen
Sasha White

Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Jaci Burton
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers 

Jody Wallace

Kelly Maher
Lauren Dane
Ashley Ladd


Recent posts you might like to read:

When Do You Write?

Nanowrimo Thoughts 

To Nano Or Not To Nano - That Is The Question

Why You Should Consider Library Booksignings

Make Sure Pretentious Words Don't Turn Off Your Readers

Are You Writing Me Into Your Book?

Dont Give Up Too Early

Must Write Must Write Must Write!!!

Release day - How to prepare

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What is taboo in romance?

2008 society is a lot more accepting of things than we were in 1978 or 1950. When I was a kid, it was taboo for an unmarried couple to have sex and in particular to live together. Erotica and erotic romances were something I only found hidden in my dad's closet after my parents divorced. Homosexual relationships were even more taboo than they are now. Orgies were the thing of ribald jokes, but I'd never seen a book about them. MM and MMF romances are quite popular today. Still, a lot of people don't like them. I've been turned away from guest blogger spots because the host doesn't approve of or like MM romance. There was a time I thought MM and MMF was taboo. I thought I was being extremely naughty to read erotic MF sex scenes. When I began to write them, I felt even naughtier. For a long time, I felt traumatized by gay men and relationships. When I was 17, I was head over heels in love. We got engaged. And then my fiance confessed he was gay. Well, not gay, but "bi". And he had no intention of giving up his boyfriend just because he was marrying me. I was in utter shock. He messed with my mind and heart big time. What changed my mind? A couple years ago I became friends with a gay man who's been in a devoted, loving MM relationship for twenty years. He's one of the nicest, sweetest, and kindest men I've ever met. When he talks about his lover, it's always with a lot of love and respect. Their relationship is stronger, more loving than the vast majority of MF relationships I know. Now I know that my ex-fiance was a jerk. It wasn't because he was gay or bi. It had nothing to do with his sexual orientation. Once I finally let go my bias, I felt like a jerk. Who does it hurt if two consenting adults fall in love? If they commit to one another? I also realized that if one or more of my children turned out to be gay, I'd love them just as much. They'd be the same person they'd always been. Getting back to my original topic, I still have taboos: Incest. Rape. Torture. Sex with animals. But many SF romances involve shape-shifters: werewolves, dragons, and humanoids. I don't consider this bestiality and many writers and readers don't either. But some are questioning now if that's coming under attack and where the line is. What are your taboos?

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Doggy Style Review

I just received a review for my book "Doggy Style" in the Summer Seduction anthology published by Total-E-Bound. Doggy Style is a cute fast paced story ~ Night Owl Romance Click on the link to Night Owl Romance to read the entire review.

Book Blurb & Info for Doggy Style

Seasonal/ Contemporary/ Gay/ MM

Total-e-burning

Novella

Devon Barrett hates his baseball team's new name, but the sponsor is the yummiest man he's ever met. Devon can't stand the baseball team's new name but he falls for Sandy, the yummy new sponsor anyway. But his career as a nurse is on trial, everything's upside down, and it's not a good time to bring someone new into his life. Against his better judgment he lets Sandy in just to find out he's the last person who is able to support him in his time of desperate need. Thanks Night Owl Romance!

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)