Where I Overshare…

First – I hope everyone had a fantabulous Easter (or Sunday).

Second – Don’t forget this is the last week Amber Quill will be around 😢 Be sure to back up your libraries, and grab whatever books you’ve been pining for!

Third – This is the over-sharing part.

So, I’ve been pretty AWOL online since just after Christmas. Without going into details (I’m sick of living it; I won’t subject you to reading it), I took a pretty hard spiral down the rabbit hole of my anxiety and depression. I had (and still have, really) nothing positive to say, and I very strongly do not want to be *that author*, the one who spends all her posts bemoaning her life. (Which isn’t to say I don’t want to know when my friends are struggling. PLEASE let me know when you need support. It’s a total double standard, I know. But I spent nearly 40 years listening to my mom gnash her teeth and wail over the hell that was her life. I can’t bear the thought of being my mother.)

To sum up – I did not die, nor was I abducted by aliens. (Bummer) I have had some contact with folks on my RL page, and got a wonderful card from Crystal Marie that came at the perfect time.

Huge thanks to those who’ve checked in on me – yes, when I go walkabout there’s usually something wrong 😕

So, I’ll be back posting soon, I hope. In the meantime, here’s Easter Eye Candy!

In Which I CONTINUE to Mourn Amber Quill

So, as I’ve mentioned, the very classy Amber Quill Press will be no more as of March 31st. I am still heartbroken for my author friends who are losing a good home and, selfishly, for myself because several of my favorite authors have books there, and who knows how long before their books re-issue – I’m talkin’ to YOU Angel Martinez. I have books one, three and four! I NEED book two, dammit!

Speaking of Angel Martinez, I *highly* recommend her sci-fi, fairy tales slashed, and urban fantasy, much of which you can find at Amber Allure (AQ’s LGBTQ imprint). I hope you’ll check Angel’s stuff out. I’m pretty sure it’s on sale on the Amber site, and I *know* it’s on sale at ARe.

Here’s her latest cover – hot guy, ancient gods and magic… Book FOUR… (bk 2, grumble…)

In Which I Mourn Amber Quill

I was so sorry to hear that at the end of March, Amber Quill Press will be closing it’s metaphorical doors. I’m sorry for the readers, because Amber Quill and Amber Allure published consistently quality stories. I’m devastated for the authors, because from everything I’ve heard, Ingrid Arbaiza, J. Kathe, Karin Story, and Trace Edward Zaber were a pleasure to work with and for. It’s a rare publisher who can make the artists feel personally important and valued while still keeping a *professional*, *trustworthy* operation. (Something many of us have been learning the hard way… 28 days and counting down…)

As sad as I am to see it happen, I want to give massive kudos to the Amber Administration for recognizing when it was time to close on a high note – too many e-publishers over the last few years have waited it out, juggled resources and staff, and in the end the losers are the readers who end up with substandard stories/editing/cover art (and GUILT, bc you love an author and want to read ALL THE BOOKS, but you aren’t sure s/he is getting paid, so you hesitate…*), and authors and artists who end up with missing royalties, indecipherable statements, and a situation where they can’t win whether they sit back and hope for the best, or vocally take it to the readers… Seeing Noble and Silver go down was like watching two impressive pleasure yachts succumb to the kraken. So, I’m so very pleased that it appears (at least from my place on the outside) that Amber is being fair with its authors. That’s huge.

So, for the next week or so, I want to highlight a few of my favorite Amber authors. I know a lot of their stuff’s been on sale at ARe, and it looks like it’s on sale on the Amber site as well.

Today I’m highlighting my dear friend K-Lee Klein. I love this woman SO MUCH. And she’s a pretty kick ass author. She’s got tons of books out there, but my favorite of her series’ starts with Unbreak My Heart (which I admit I originally bought for the cover, and cuz it was K-Lee, but ended up loving everything about the story!).

You can find K-Lee’s Amber back list at ARe, on Amazon, and HERE, on the Amber site. I hope you’ll check it out soon!

*I wouldn’t encourage people *not* to buy my books. I’ll either get paid or not, and I honestly don’t think actual sales will have anything to do with the check I get. That said, you could wait a bit on my solo stuff (28 days & counting!), and check out my stories at eXtasy Books, and the fabulous  (they’re being *very* patient w my neurosis and screwed up family right now) Changeling Press . There’s some good stuff – both solo and co-authored.

Saturday Share, With K-Lee Klein!

One of my favorite people in the world is K-Lee Klein. In fact, I’m totally bummed that I’m not hanging out with her in Tampa even as I write this ( Lord knows it isn’t any hotter there than it is here in Detroit today!)

Not only is K-Lee having a ball at RainbowCon, but she’s got a fantastic looking new release coming tomorrow from Amber Quill Press – check it out!

Available Sunday, July 10 from Amber Quill.

Genres: Gay / Fantasy / Shapeshifter / Witchcraft / Magic / Sports / Athletes / Series

Heat Level: 3

Length: Extended Novel (72k words / TBD paperback pages)

Ky’s a fighter, Blue’s an artist, but together they are truly magical.

*****

Ky’s fought his way to the championship for the third time, but the fight of his life isn’t against an opponent in the boxing ring. He’s fighting a darkness within himself that he can’t ignore and can’t control. If he fails, everything he’s spent his life working for will be gone, and he can’t see a way to win. Only a hint, a hunch, sends him out looking for help in unusual places.

Blue’s a quiet guy, living for his family and the art of his tattoos. He’s built up his shop, Blue’s Dungeon, to be a place for the celebration of art on skin. Simple, friendly, and mostly uncomplicated. He likes it that way. But when Ky shows up in his shop, searching for a lifeline, it’s the beginning of something magical.

*********

http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2226-Stone-Magic-Book-1-Moonstone.aspx

Excerpt:

It was like a maze of hallways, one leading to the next, with the odd fork in the road here and there. Ky felt like he was being sucked into some weird dimension with a whole lot of portals but no actual people or even signs of life. When the end of the hall was finally in sight, he released an embarrassing sigh of relief.

The last door was painted with the most extraordinary mural Ky had ever seen—two small naked figures with no discerning gender standing beside a flowing river of shimmering waves in bright blues and dark purples. Their arms were extended over their heads, as if they were reaching for the stunningly beautiful sun shining above. Iridescent stars, hearts, and wisps of electric color shot from the points of the sun, the sky a scramble of light purple and turquoise. Ky had never seen anything like it.

But the most stunning part was the dark blue that Ky would have sworn actually beamed with light. It was everywhere in the painting—outlining the sun and bursting from its rays, initiating waves and whirlpools in the water, even shading the landscape in brilliance. The color was mesmerizing, and Ky couldn’t tear himself away from it. He could have stared at it all day, until a painful flash of light and a wave of dizziness swept through him. He slapped a hand on the wall to steady himself, forcing his eyes closed and swallowing a cottony lump in his throat.

“Hey!” Blake’s voice broke through Ky’s reverie. “You okay? Look like you’re gonna pass out or something. Why don’t you come in and sit down? Just drop the box anywhere.”

He followed her voice into the room, his vision blurred and eyes teary, but not before he brushed his fingers over the brilliance of the door’s artwork. It felt warm and gave him a pleasant spark from his fingertips to the top of his shoulder.

“I’m…I’m okay.” He squared his shoulders again, straightening his body to its six-foot form. He struggled to return to reality, squinting as Blake finally reappeared in front of him. “So you, um, you don’t work here?”

Blake turned to look at him, reaching for the box he still clutched to his chest. “Naw. Blue’s a solo act. I don’t have an artistic bone in my body, at least in that way. I live close, so I help out all the guys. One of them’s been teaching me yoga so at least I look like I have a purpose around here. You sure you’re okay? You look kinda pale.”

Ky ignored her worries, breathing deeply and swallowing the last of the cotton in his mouth. “I do yoga.”

It was a matter-of-fact statement and totally random, especially since he wasn’t sure TV yoga counted as real yoga. Blake didn’t seem to notice though. She smirked, hoisting the box onto the dark blue counter that appeared to pave the way into the shop. Ky felt like he needed to explain.

“They made us do it in one of my group homes. It’s relaxing.”

“No explanations necessary, man. Just because you’re big and muscly doesn’t mean you can’t have some Zen in your life. We should totally do a session sometime. Oli loves to have new people in his class.” Blake turned away from Ky, and a big voice soared out of her tiny body. “Blue! Get your lazy butt out here. You have an actual customer.”

Ky stepped back at the abrupt change in Blake’s tone and volume. He tripped on the mat by the door, catching himself from completely falling on his ass by grabbing the edge of the counter. He was obviously still a little dizzy but had no idea why.

“Fuck. Sorry,” he said to Blake, as she incredulously looked on at his antics.

“Blake, you aren’t supposed to damage the clients before they pay.”

Ky glanced to the side, and discovered the most incredible sea-blue eyes he’d ever seen. “Um…no, that was my fault.”

Mr. Blue-eyes—Ky assumed his eyes matched his name—flashed a sweet smile, holding a hand out to Ky. “No problem, dude. I’m Blue.”

“Kyle—Ky Adamson. I guess I’m late. Sorry about that.”

Blue grinned crookedly at him with a teasing wink. “We’re not too strict on time around here. Wanna come on through and have a chat?”

Ky could only nod, his heart thumping out a strong bass line in his ears. He wasn’t sure if it was the prospect of the tattoo itself, or the open friendliness of Blue’s handsome face that had him suddenly on edge. Electrified nerves skittered under his skin, trickling down his spine, his palms instantly clammy as Blue tipped his head for Ky to follow him.

There was something about the slighter-framed man that sent a little series of jolts straight to Ky’s gut. It might have simply been the knowledge that he was there so Blue could purposely inflict pain on him — surely not that much though. He hoped. It could also have been the weighty issue occupying three-quarters of his mind. Strangely enough, it was more of a this guy couldn’t possibly be making my dick hard feeling.

Of course, watching Blue bend down to pick up an errant pen, his low-riding jeans sliding down just enough to see the shadows of tattoos sticking up alongside the top of his butt crack, might have revved his engine a little, too.

“Have a seat, Ky.”

The instant familiarity of Blue using his nickname made Ky relax into the big-cushioned couch he’d been directed to. “Thanks,” he muttered when Blue settled beside him, tucking one leg underneath his bottom as he reached for a clipboard on a small table beside the sofa.

Everything in the small room was well used, or in a lot of cases, Ky surmised, just used period. Once he’d finished checking out the decor and necessities, not much more than the couch and table really—and no tattoo machines, needles or bottles of ink. He turned back to Blue, who listed his head to the side.

“You nervous? Not too late to change your—”

“Yeah, I know. Just getting used to my surroundings.” Ky shifted farther back into the worn leather, hoping he gave the appearance of being more relaxed than he actually was. “Interestingplace you’ve got here.”

He forced a pathetic grin, looking to Blue for a reaction, which he received in the form of a low chuckle. Heat seeped into Ky’s cheeks, so he quickly continued, “That…that painting on the door is amazing. I don’t know much about art, but it looks pretty cool.”

Blue’s vibrant eyes lowered beneath long, dark lashes and peeked out from beneath a fringe of messy hair. He had shaggy, dark brown, out-of-control curls, but as he pushed his hair back, Ky saw the distinct tracks where his hair had been shaved close to his scalp on one side. He had an interesting look, to say the least. Not to mention the full beard and mustache that Ky was honestly not sure how he felt about. He’d never been one for facial hair, and found himself wondering if it itched.

“I did it on a whim. Turned out okay, I guess. So, yeah, thanks.” Blue drew Ky out of his pondering, gazing determinedly into his eyes again. “You ready to start?”

Ky twisted so he was facing Blue dead-on. There were still faint flutters of anxiety in his belly, but Blake had been right, Blue made him feel more comfortable than he’d expected.

“Let’s do it. Shoot.”

“Cool.” Blue grinned at him as he clicked the end of his pen, then bowed his head again. Ky caught himself wanting to reach out and touch the dark mop of hair that Blue kept trying to sweep away from his eyes. “Just gonna ask you a few questions. Let’s see…are you high?”

Unable to keep his jaw hinged, Ky gaped at Blue, his eyes wide and burning a little with the effort. “Am I…am I what? High?”

“Around here its question number one. Sorry, but I’ve worked on enough stoned people to know it’s not a good idea. If you’re tweaking you don’t tend to feel the pain as much, but at the same time, you’re more likely to not have put much thought into the art you want on your body. No offense, man.”

Shifting a little in his chair, Ky furrowed his brow. “Not high or drunk. Not offended either.” He definitely couldn’t take offense since he’d asked Blake if Blue tattooed while he was high before even meeting him.

“All right. Ever been inked before?”

“No.”

“How are you with pain?”

“High tolerance.”

Blue lifted his head, his icy blue orbs skating over Ky’s face. “That shiner looks like it could have caused a little discomfort. Bruise on your cheek looks fresh, too.”

He paused, as Ky concentrated on his lap, then looked back up, a slow heat starting from his ears and running into his cheeks again. He’d forgotten about the current state of his face, and suddenly everything felt awkward.

“Not on the run from some mob guys or the law, are ya?”

The sweet smile that accompanied Blue’s teasing put Ky at a little more ease. He forced a half-grin. “Nope. Just a hobby.”

“Dangerous hobby,” Blue said with a low whistle.

Ky immediately wanted to disappear into the concrete floor. Since when did a pair of pretty blue eyes and a sexy voice make him want to do anything but dismiss whoever was behind them? He didn’t blush for anyone or anything—usually. And he definitely didn’t need the distraction to his real purpose for being there.

See? I told you it sounds great, didn’t I?