As you may remember from my post on my writing goals, I planned to up the ante on my blog posts and really get out there more. Well guess what? I’ve done it. I’ve agreed to be a monthly guest blogger over at Love Bytes Reviews.
What am I talking about? World building.
Why? Because that’s what I’m doing right now.
So head on over to Love Bytes by clicking here and leave a comment. Let me know what you think. <3
It’s with great pleasure that I welcome Lara Brukz to my little piece of the Internet. I couldn’t be happier to have Lara here. Not only is she a great gal and a wonderful author, but I’m lucky to call her my friend. I hope you enjoy this author spotlight of Lara’s latest release. I’ve already got my copy. Do you have yours?
Reviewing Life
Sequel to Five Star Review
A Review Story
Recovering alcoholic Marshall Ellerbee still grieves the loss of his best friend and lover, Eric. After a year of sobriety, Marshall accepts a new job with the Wellness Center, something else to help him continue cleaning up his life. Things are finally improving when his sponsor has a heart attack. The counselor hired to replace him is none other than Kyle Young, the lost ex’s best friend. Kyle has always hated Marshall, but now they must work together and move past their history. When Marshall saves Eric’s life, Kyle suddenly sees Marshall in a new light. But will romance unsettle Marshall’s hard-won new stability…
ISBN-13 978-1-62798-275-7
Pages 134
Seth’s heart attack and subsequent death was hard on everyone at the center. I missed my friend, and the kids missed Seth’s down-to-earth counseling methods. I hoped whoever replaced Seth knew he or she would have very big shoes to fill. I worried it wouldn’t work for the replacement or for any of us.
Turned out that was something else I hadn’t needed to be concerned about. Marla had told me the new counselor was being given a tour that day, and I’d asked her to bring him by so I could meet him.
“Hello?” I heard Marla say when she knocked on the door.
“Come in.” I stood and was shocked when I saw Marla with the new counselor. He was tall, with dark hair, chocolate eyes and bronzed skin—flat-out, drop-dead Abercrombie-and-Fitch gorgeous. I would have said he was a perfect man, if not for one problem… he hated me.
His name was Kyle Young, and he was Eric’s best friend. Eric—my ex-boyfriend, the man I ran over with my car and paralyzed. Yeah, he hated me and justifiably so. Eric and Kyle had been best friends since childhood. They were damned-near brothers and had been inseparable when I entered the picture. I’d met them in college, and even back then Kyle hadn’t liked me.
“Marshall,” Marla said, “I’d like you to meet….”
“Kyle Young.” I extended my hand, and he took it. His grip was firm and solid. Evidently he hadn’t recognized me as quickly as I had identified him. He looked at me a moment before I saw the light dawn in his eyes.
“Marshall?” He could’ve caught flies with his mouth open so wide.
Marla looked back and forth between us. “You already know each other?” Kyle and I both nodded slightly. “That’s great,” she said, evidently not feeling the tension between us. “Since Kyle is taking all Seth’s cases, I was hoping you two would get along, but looks like I don’t have to worry about that.”
It always amazed me when smart people were clueless to obvious things, like the fact that the look Kyle was giving me meant he’d rather kill me than work with me.
“How are you, Kyle?” I swallowed hard. The man made me nervous. I’d never noticed before how attractive he was because I’d always been so focused on Eric. Kyle had no idea I was a changed man; I hadn’t seen him or Eric since before I had stopped drinking.
“I’m good,” he answered. The tick in his jaw didn’t go unnoticed. I had a challenge ahead of me. I’d been working on step nine—making amends to those people I had wronged. Eric was the person I had wronged the most, and I had been waiting to take that step with him.
“I’m the activity coordinator,” I said. “Seth and I used to work together with the kids on a regular basis.”
“I’m sure we can work together,” he replied. What he wasn’t saying was: We need to talk privately.
“I can finish giving Kyle the tour, if you have other things to do, Marla,” I said. As if on cue, her phone rang. She mouthed a thank you to me as she left the room.
“Well, this is awkward, isn’t it?” I said. He looked at me and attempted a smile.
“Just a little. I assume you’re sober if you’re working here.”
“Yeah, more than a year now.”
“Good to know.”
We were both silent for a very long minute and then we both tried to speak at the same time. “Please, go ahead,” I said.
“Look, Marshall, obviously there’s tension between us. I’m sure we can both be professional pertaining to our job.”
“Of course.” I’d learned a lot about being a professional in my months of working here.
“I’ll admit though that I don’t trust you.”
“I’m sorry, Kyle.” I saw the dark clouds before the storm formed into Kyle’s eyes and I knew I was about to get hit by lightning.
“You’re sorry, Marshall? It’s not me you need to apologize to. It’s Eric. He is the one you hurt, and you weren’t man enough to own up to what you did. No! You ran and hid your sorrows in more booze. I had to comfort and care for your lover.” Kyle ended his tirade with a single long huff, still looking as though he wanted to hit me. I didn’t know how to respond. He clearly didn’t want to hear my apologies. “I can’t do this here and now, Marshall.” Kyle stalked away.
I truly felt bad that he’d held on to that anger, but he was right in one way: I needed to own up and apologize to Eric. And Kyle as well, for standing in for me when I was too afraid.
Who is Lara Brukz? Born and raised in the natural state, Arkansas. Yes that’s right, we have computers too and shoes as well. Shoes are optional especially in this heat, hell sometimes clothes are optional too. So how does a girl from the middle of nowhere end up writing m/m fiction? Hell if I know. I started reading m/m fiction several years ago. Having the option of m/m with 2 dicks, or a m/f with a dick and a parts that I have but don’t care to read about. Of course I clearly choose the 2 dicks dueling. Just gets my groove moving!! Couple of years ago I met the awesome Ethan Stone, he’s like my twin except with a dick and I have a lot more hair on my head 🙂 . We’ve been pretty inseparable ever since. I have helped him (more like arguing) with some stories, you know giving my opinion and stuff. So long story short, he is the reason I started writing. He was the inspiration in my first book. Kiss and hugs to my gay husband. I work full-time crunching numbers and also attend college going for my 2nd degree. Mother of a rambunctious 7yr old and a wife. Yup you got it I don’t sleep a lot.
Here’s the trailer for the book. This book can be read as a standalone.
Or click here to enter the giveaway
A.E. Via is here on my blog today, where she will be talking about her latest release Blue Moon: Too Good to Be True. She’s even provided an excerpt and there will be a giveaway. How awesome!
Angel DeLucca is one of the most sought after gay bachelors in Virginia Beach. He’s smart successful, lethal, and more than anything he’s drop dead gorgeous. Angel has his pick of the men that come to his popular Oceanfront night club, but lately the one night stands haven’t been enough…Angel craves something deeper. When a one night hook-up goes terribly wrong, Angel comes into contact with the breathtaking Maximus (Max) Strong.
Max is a firefighter for the Virginia Beach Fire Department. Max is beautiful, charming, and also very straight. One meeting with the mysteriously, sexy Angel DeLucca and a whiff of that silky, jet black hair, Max finds himself questioning everything he’s known to be true about himself. Max tries desperately to understand the new feelings he has for another man and turns to his gay, older brother…Ryker.
Ryker has always been Max’s protector and his guide their entire lives, which has left him feeling uncared for and alone to handle his own life’s problems. Ryker craves to be taken care of, he craves the attention and praise of a Master. No one knows the dark desires within him until Angel’s Chief of Security, Sebastian ‘Bass’ Bagatelli, shatters that secret with their first intense encounter.
How will Angel win the heart of the straight firefighter that was tailor-made just for him? Will Max be able to continue denying his feelings for another man? Can Ryker and Bass get through their personal issues to take and receive what they both need from each other? Or will they each give up on a happiness that appears too good to be true?
These men’s stories will unravel in a whirlwind of romance, bdsm, revelations, lots of action and very hot sex, co-starring very entertaining supporting characters.
Word Count: 89,513
Heat Level: SCORCHING HOT!
A.E. Via graduated in May of 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Virginia Wesleyan College.
She’s a new author to the beautiful gay erotic genre. Her writing embodies everything from spicy to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, A.E. runs a very successful paralegal-for-hire business and in her spare time, she devotes herself to her family – a husband and four children – her two pets, a Maltese dog and her white Siamese cat, ELynn, named after the late great gay romance author ELynn Harris.
While Blue Moon is her first novel, she has plenty more to come…so sit back and grab a cool drink, because the male on male action is just heating up!
My Links to all my social media pages and blogs can be found on my website which is updated daily; it seems that I register daily for a new literary club. http://www.authoraevia.com
Max seemed very comfortable at dinner and Angel’s stomach was finally relaxed. He was no longer concerned about Max being skeptical about being on a date with a man. He even held Angel’s hand while the waitress took their order, and stole little feels under the table. Angel was not oblivious to the eyes that tracked his man as they walked through the large restaurant. Max didn’t realize how strikingly handsome he was. Decked out head-to-toe in Gucci damn near made Max edible.
After dinner was over Max suggested they walk along the boardwalk for a while. Angel always enjoyed walking on the beach, but he’d never had anyone to do it with. When they got to the boardwalk Max put his hand in Angel’s and they began to walk. All these people around and he’s not the least bit uncomfortable. Angel walked with his man in silence, both content with breathing in the salty air and listening to the waves crash against the surface.
After fifteen blocks they realized they were completely alone, no one else venturing down this far. The few businesses on this end were already closed for the evening, giving them some privacy. Max turned and leaned against the railing, pulling Angel against him. I wish I knew what he was thinking when he looked at me like that, Angel thought.
Then Max was kissing him passionately, holding him tight against his strong chest. This kiss was unlike the others. This kiss was making promises to Angel, promising him forever. Angel felt the overwhelming urge to be claimed by this magnificent man in the most primal, animalistic way. I need him now, I can’t wait any longer, I have to have him inside of me.
“Your hair is so beautiful, Angel, I think it’s becoming my weakness,” Max said into Angel’s neck. “It reminds me of Antonio Banderas in the movie Interview with a Vampire.”
Angel chuckled. Now that’s new. “Oh really. Did you find him sexy, baby?” Angel looked into Max’s eyes. He already considered this man his.
“No…I find you hot…only you,” he confessed.
“Come back with me to my house, Max. You have no idea what I want…no…what I need to do to you right now.” Angel didn’t care if he was begging again, he would beg this man forever. The raw edge of his voice betrayed his composure. He had none when it came to Max. It frightened him and thrilled him simultaneously. What if he doesn’t think he can actually bring himself to fuck another man? What if we can only take this relationship so far…fuck.
“Yes, I would love to spend the night with you.” Max cut off Angel’s last thought.
This is definitely one of my favorite excerpts from the book. I’ve read hundreds of gay romance novels from SciFi to Western. I’m always astonished on when and how the men show their affection, express their feelings, and display their wants. My favorite character Angel is as alpha male as they come. His hair may be long and luxurious but he’s far from feminine…you’ll see that in the fight scenes.
In this piece Angel is recognizing that what he’s been wanting and looking for for so long is right there in front of him…he’s not going to let male bravado stall his needs. He tells Maximus: “You have no idea what I want…no…what I need to do to you right now.”
I have been a fan of insta-love for many years. I like to see the characters relationship grow of the course of the novel…not wait for a MC to drop the machismo swag…then fall in love in chapter thirty. Men aren’t afraid to love fast and love hard…at least my men aren’t.
I hope you have enjoyed or will enjoy Blue Moon because although there is love (not annoyingly mushy) there is plenty of intriguing twist, a little domination and submission, and packed with kick ass action scenes.
I’d love to hear what you think.
p.s. Just in case you’re wondering…no…all my books will not be insta-love…I do like a little angst and sexual tension too. *smiling*
Happy Reading,
A.E.
11/17/2013 Books, Books and More Books
11/18/2013 Coffee Time
11/19/2013 JP Barnaby
11/19/2013 Literary Nymphs
11/20/2013 Jacob Z. Flores
11/20/2013 Dawn’s Reading Nook
11/25/2013 Babbling About Books
11/26/2013 Guys Like Romance Too
11/27/2013 Lynley Wayne
11/29/2013 We Love Kink
12/2/2013 Mrs Condit Reads
12/3/2013 Top2Bottom
12/3/2013 Sid Love
12/4/2013 The Novel Approach
12/12/2013 Michael Rupured
Or click here to enter the giveaway
Today, I’m excited to have Wt Prater over in my neck of the online woods. He’s here to discuss his latest release and the subject of polyamorous relationship.
This post began at a dinner party. My wife and I, along with another couple who were also in an open relationship, or having dinner with a third couple who had never heard of such a concept. And after what felt like a million and a half questions, the most dreaded question came out: So basically here in an open relationship you’re cheating on someone, right? To which I answered a most adamant NO. After more questions, we revisited this question and were asked what the difference is. I answered, “ Three words. Honesty and communication.”
Now I am thirty-four years old, so I cannot say that I have figured out everything regarding relationships, not even my own. I still have not figured out how much honesty is too much. There are those of the mindset that everything should be answered completely honestly, but I’m here to tell you if she asks you does this outfit make me look fat or bad and you answer that question honestly, someone will be sleeping on the couch. Perhaps with the few bruises. With that said, I am as brutally honest as I can be without intentionally hurting anyone. And this is my agreement with my partner: do not ask a question that you do not want a completely honest answer to.
So how does this relate to Enver and Deanna of Exercising His Options? When I wrote this story, almost two years ago, I wanted this couple to be a representative of a faithful, loving pair that grows and becomes something different – maybe better, maybe worse. I wanted Enver to be challenged and for Deanna to understand this did not undermine the love that Enver had and has for her, but rather this growth will be a phoenix to a new level in their relationship. I have read a lot of fiction and seen various TV shows where dishonesty and look disloyal to break the bond. That is one of the biggest reasons I wanted to ensure that those elements were not present in this story. I wanted to show a couple that were blatantly honest with each other, for better or for worse.
The second element of an open relationship that I feel is incredibly important is communication. About everything, exhaustively. There is an old saying, “it is easier to ask forgiveness than for permission.” This saying does not work in an open relationship, at least not for me. If I want to pursue a relationship with someone else or my wife decides that she wants to, we sit down and discuss it beforehand, talking about the pros and cons and how any additional relationships and/or commitments will affect our relationship. Sure we both make mistakes and often have to come back together and apologize to the other for miscommunication or lack of clarity. But the point is that for us, we both need to understand that our relationship with each other is the priority. Number one. No exceptions.
When writing Exercising His Options, I felt it was very important that the two of them have clear, concise communication even when facing the fear of ill reactions to such. Enver and Deanna both fight to make sure that the other knows that this relationship, their relationship, is the most important thing in the universe. Period.
https://www.allromanceebooks.
http://www.bookstrand.com/ad-
“Addicktion” with Wt Prater
BLURB
Exercising His Options
When Enver Mann started jogging every morning, it was at his wife’s provocation. After a year, he’s still at it, but now it’s his choice. Little does he know, that choice may open up a whole world to him. While jogging one day, he happens upon two men having sex, and for the first time he wants that. The man with the red hair and the incredible ass. And while his mind might second guess him, his wife doesn’t. When she instigates their encounter, Enver knows he will never look at life, or sex, the same way again.
AUTHOR BIO
Wt Prater is a writer, having four short stories in various states of publishing, and approximately thirty works in progress. Just Write and SO Gay is his blog, which he strives to update weekly. He is a producer and host on Blog Talk Radio, partnering with Writer’s Online Network of which he helps lead. He is also an Assistant Organizer of the Nashville Writer’s Group. Online, he has active social networking on Facebook, Twitter, Fetlife, Linked In, Tumbler, Goodreads, and Meet Up. In real life, he stays just as busy bouncing around in his non-profit volunteering from the GLBT community to the BDSM community to church community.
EXCERPT
As Enver Mann looked at Kurt’s hair caught in the wind, and the freckles on the back of his neck that disappeared somewhere into his jacket, Enver wanted nothing more than for this man to lay him down and kiss him. All of course while he was fucking him as hard as he could. The breeze continued to blow the leaves up and around, creating still more of the tornado like shapes. As the sun continued to peek out of the sky, from behind a cloud, Enver noticed that it now set its gentle light on some places while leaving some spots completely dark. He looked at Kurt again and saw that the light bounced from his copper hair to his now sweaty shirt. For the first time that he could remember in his life, his mouth actually watered for a sexual act. Thinking of that tender flesh, and the taste he had been yearning for since he had first seen Kurt, he got even harder. Every dream and desire for the last week or so had all involved this man, in some form or fashion. His wife made sure of that.
Jacob, thank you very much for having me on your blog! I appreciate having the chance to get to know some of your readers.
My new novel, a shape-shifter romance, called Secret Chemistry released today. I’m—naturally–very excited about it!
I don’t know about you, but coming up with titles isn’t exactly my strongest suit. Whenever I start a new story the folder usually just gets labeled with the main character’s name. Sometimes it stays this way until the book is finished (worst case scenario). Most often I get some ideas soon after I start writing but nothing really seems to fit. It usually takes me a long time to settle on one title idea and become comfortable with it. I wonder how the process is for other authors?
I like my books to have short titles—it’s just a personal preference—so I try to limit myself to two or three words for the title. On the other hand, I want the title to reflect some of the book’s content or message. In my last release A Purrfect Match the title was a playful hint on Jim’s ability to shift into a cat. I also seem to have a thing for titles that start with the letter S. Secret Chemistry is already the third book to start with this letter. 😉
Secret Chemistry is pretty self-explanatory, I think. Tim and Jay, the main characters, are mates and therefore pulled together by a secret force, a certain kind of chemistry that’s characteristic for mates. At first they don’t realize what’s going on but at least one of them understands it pretty soon. The secret part in the title stands for various things: their shape-shifting is a secret to the outer world, and their relationship has to stay a secret because Jay’s not a pure-blooded werewolf. He’s a hybrid between wolf and fox and others detests him because of that. Not only do they detest him, no, some of Tim’s pack even go so far as to hunt him solely because he’s not a pure-blooded werewolf.
If you like you are most welcome to participate in the GoodReads giveaway for the paperback version of Secret Chemistry here: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/40767-secret-chemistry
Blurb:
Not all werewolf societies are created equal. The one Tim Evans grew up in detests those not of “pure blood”—so when Tim discovers his mate is Jay, a male fox-wolf hybrid ten years his junior, it shocks him, to say the least. Too young to claim his mate and too weak to protect him from the rest of the pack, Tim fears for Jay’s life. When a human gets hold of Jay, Tim believes he has lost him forever.
The next eighteen years are hell. Tim devotes his life to his family and running their stable, but anger and depression threaten to consume him. Then fate brings Jay back into his life. Tim knows Jay feels the same attraction he does—mates always do. So why won’t Jay act on it?
Excerpt: From Secret Chemistry, Chapter Two. Tim is waiting for his parents, together with his four siblings.
Tim stood at the large windowpane in the living room, gazing outside. Dusk had begun to settle. Shadows crept toward the house, dipping it into darkness. Even the flowers seemed to fold in on themselves. Their bright colors receded to dull variations of gray.
There was no sign of their mother or father.
Tim started to pace the living room. He’d tried settling down with a book like Daniel had done, but to no avail. Nervously, he paced through the room again and again.
That scent kept pushing its way into Tim’s nostrils, growing more intense by the minute. He wanted to howl in frustration but kept his voice to a low persistent grumble. At least he had deduced that the scent came from another wolf, a male wolf. He had to be quite young because he smelled vaguely like Robin.
First, the scent clearly spoke of a male wolf. Second, it had to be a pup. Third, something unknown lingered in that scent, calling out to Tim like nothing had ever done before.
Tim couldn’t deny his interest in other boys. He had tried liking girls, like his buddies did, but no girl had ever aroused him. Some of the other boys, though… yeah, he had jerked off at the thought of some of them.
He knew he was different and had to come out to his family at some point. He preferred that point to be in the future—a future far, far away. His parents would love him, no matter what, but they would be disappointed in him.
Tim shivered slightly. He hated disappointing his family; he valued their opinion and their respect and feared losing that.
That scent kept luring him. It confused him even as it touched something primal deep within him. It wasn’t sexual, more… spiritual, maybe? Tim didn’t know. A low, pained groan escaped his mouth.
“Tim? Are you okay?” Daniel asked, looking up from his book.
Tim startled and almost tripped over his feet. “What? Yeah, sure.”
“Really? You’re… skittish.”
“Skittish?” Tim snorted. “I’m just burning off some energy.”
“You’ll burn a hole in the carpet if you keep pacing back and forth on the same path for much longer.”
Debra, Laura, and Robin interrupted their play to look at Tim. He flushed, and before he could process what he was doing, he snarled at them. Debra cried out, whereas Laura pulled a baffled-looking Robin on her lap.
“Leave me alone!”
“Hey, hey, stay calm, Tim.” Daniel said, setting his book aside.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Tim shot back hotly.
Annoyed, he wiped sweat away from his forehead. It was hot in the room, intolerably hot.
That scent filled his nose completely now, and nothing else registered. Tim staggered; he couldn’t think straight anymore. He could only think of hunting down the originator of the scent, burying his nose into the other one’s fur and never letting him go.
A yelp tore free when Daniel grabbed his shoulders to stop his pacing. Wild-eyed and panting, he looked at his brother. Daniel’s eyes widened before he whispered, “Oh shit!”
“What? What’s going on with him?” Laura demanded to know.
“He made Robin cry!” Debra added.
“He did not!” Laura replied. “Look, he’s quiet but not scared.”
A harried smile crossed Daniel’s face. To himself, he muttered, “That’s because he’s not only cute, he totally gets what this is about.”
Tim didn’t have a clue what Daniel was talking about, but the urge to run was too strong now. “Daniel, I have to get out. I can’t stay inside.”
“Tim, I can’t let you go outside. Neither Dad nor Mom would ever forgive me if I let you go outside now.”
“Please, Daniel!” Tim pleaded.
He needed to get out, to get to that enticing scent. Whoever the originator was, Tim knew he was in trouble. Tim needed to get him away from the fights; he needed to protect him, no matter what.
“No, Tim.”
Tim shifted, fast. Leaving Daniel no chance to intervene, Tim ran. He jumped over the tea party on the floor, which elicited a laugh from Robin and a terrified cry from Debra. Tim couldn’t stop.
No way could he stop now.
The scent pulled and Tim had to follow.
At the front door, he shifted only partway, so he could open the door. Outside, Tim completed the shift. An eerie howl came from the clearing a few miles away, stopping Tim on the porch. Another howl answered, then more swiftly followed. The wolves had gathered to start a hunt, a deadly hunt.
Tim’s tail tucked itself between his hind legs of its own accord and his fur stood up. That scent became even stronger.
Tim glanced over his shoulder and saw his siblings’ frightened faces, but knew he couldn’t stay at home. Daniel would stay with them and keep them safe; he was sure of that.
I have to go. I’m sorry.
“Tim!”
Author Bio:
Chris T. Kat lives in the middle of Europe, where she shares a house with her husband of many years and their two children. She stumbled upon the M/M genre by luck and was swiftly drawn into it. She divides her time between work, her family—which includes chasing after escaping horses and lugging around huge instruments such as a harp—and writing. She enjoys a variety of genres, such as mystery/suspense, paranormal, and romance. If there’s any spare time, she happily reads for hours, listens to audiobooks, or crafts.
Blog: http://christikat.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/christi_kat
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/ChrisTKat
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChrisTKat
Buy link for Secret Chemistry:
e-book: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3520
paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3521
In 2012, the Winter Solstice receives a bad reputation thanks to the Mayan calendar.
Imagine, the Mayan calendar claims the world will end on December 21, 2012, which is, eeeks, today! Here’s my take on the situation. I bet the problem is due to a pessimistic Mayan calendar designer. Let’s imagine the scenario, shall we? Come with me. Step through the quivering Scooby Doo time portal. Make sure to duck down; it’s a cheap time portal.
Shhh. Let’s watch.
Huehuetlot the disgruntled Mayan calendar maker
Huehuetlot the calendar designer is painstakingly inking the calendar in a hot stone room surrounded by his fellow workers. His fellow artists draw greeting cards celebrating the mighty rain god Chac or the Hero Twins, Mayan crowd favorites because they always kick evil’s ass. The frustrated Huehuetlot wants to illustrate the greeting cards, but noooo, his supervisor Inkan, who smells like a rancid billy goat, always wants Huehuetlot to ink the bloody boring calendar.
Precise strokes decorate parchment day in and day out. As he works, Huehuetlot seethes in frustration. His annoyance reaches volcano-hot fury. He decides, “Screw this crap! I’m better than this tedious, boring job.”
Since he is a dedicated craftsman, Huehuetlot finishes painting in the glyph for twenty-one, which looks like a striped football with two dots. He stands up and announces, “Take this job and shove it up your pyramid,” before he marches from the sweltering room. Only Inkan notices his defection. Of course Huehuetlot’s wife kicks him out for quitting his good-paying inking position. Huehuetlot becomes a hairy hermit obsessed with twenty-one.
Since the Mayans vanished not long after, the calendar is never completed. Huehuetlot is right; no one wants his damned boring job.
What the hell, the story sounds as good as anything else I’ve read. I’m not exactly an eschatologist. In fact, I didn’t know what that word meant until I looked up the meaning today. There, I’m confident I am not an eschatologist.
Come on, why pick on the Winter Solstice? Poor Huehuetlot didn’t hold a grudge against the Winter Solstice. The day might be short, but in Mesoamerica, no one feared winter’s threat. Huehuetlot really held a grudge against his crappy calendar painting job.
If Huehuetlot has screwed up time’s eternal flow only on a mental level, he will have pissed off a specific group; holiday retailers looking to rake in the cash this season.
If retail sales are slow this season, blame the problem on Huehuetlot. Why not? I envision people claiming they didn’t bother shopping for Christmas gifts because of Huehuetlot’s calendar snafu. Why shop if the world might end? By the time the embarrassed end-of-the-world believers race to the store on December 22, all the cool gifts will be rain-checked.
Poor Aunt Bessie hasn’t purchased her Xmas gifts
If you don’t receive the perfect gift from your Aunt Bessie, who is also an enthusiastic tabloid reader, blame the problem on Huehuetlot and his calendar. If nothing else, Huehuetlot’s story will be a conversation starter around the holiday table. Thanks to the Scooby-Doo time portal, you have the inside scoop on his story.
Guess what? My latest novel “Cupid Knows Best” has a Christmas themed-chapter.
Here is the excerpt. Enjoy!
BLURB:
When it comes to his professional life, photographer Carl Conrad is at the top of his game. He molds impressionable minds at university by day and jets off to Paris for gallery showings on long weekends. Unfortunately, he pays for it with his disastrous personal life: Carl kicked his boyfriend to the curb after one too many punches, so now it’s just him and his hamsters, one of which he suspects may be a space alien.
Then Cupid takes pity on Carl and hits him where it hurts. It takes Carl all of three seconds to fall head over heels in lust with set design student Marcelino Moya, despite the man’s questionable—okay, deplorable—fashion sense. Convincing Marcelino to give him a chance is the hard part, but Carl is up for the challenge, pun definitely intended.
Marcelino plays hard to get, but he isn’t immune to Carl’s charms. Carl talks him around to dinner, dating, and eventually moving in. There’s just one tiny word standing between Carl and perfect happiness. Why won’t Marcelino say the “L” word?
EXCERPT:
I massaged Marcel’s thigh and kissed his forehead. “You created a wonderful party, lover.”
“You really did, Marcelino. Here’s to the return of playful gatherings. You inspire me to drag my sad ass out of my doldrums and throw a private party at the gallery.” Hindy turned and kissed Tim’s cheek. “What am I saying? My fair Tim drags me out in quite an efficient manner.”
Tim fluttered and blushed. “See, I’m stronger than I look.” They kissed in hotter commitment.
How cute. Tim recovered from his near swoon and relaxed back. His fingers curled in Hindy’s hair. I adored how Tim had succumbed to Hindy’s elegant worship.
After he recovered, Tim pointed at our tree. “Marcelino, the tree is delightful. I’ve been meaning to say something all evening.”
“Thanks. When Carl told me he never bothered with a tree anymore, I straightened him, well, you know what I mean, out on the problem. This holiday fiend needs a tree to celebrate the festive season.”
“Of course clever Marcel created our flamboyant rainbow tree.” My witty planner had purchased simple glass ornaments in rainbow colors and artfully arranged them in zigzag waves across the blue spruce. The compact tree’s rounded bulk dominated the room’s right window corner. “I love the sight. I never realized how I missed having a tree.” I stood and bowed toward my guests. “Anyone want more wine?”
Agreements filled the air. I brought an open bottle of pinot grigio and a bottle of Malbec to the coffee table. “Have fun.”
Hindy huffed in annoyance. “Marcelino, when will you properly train this rude beast?”
“Carl isn’t too bad. He’s just a little undomesticated.”
I returned to my cuddle against Marcel. “Why should I bother? You look after me so well I feel content to drift along.”
“That’s not true. I noticed someone has learned how to empty the dishwasher, and no lie, Carl even uses the vacuum cleaner.”
“What a miracle! Dearest, I salute you for transforming Carl.”
“Yeah, right.” I grinned and winked at Cupid, who sat alongside the bewinged Cher doll that passed for our tree’s angel. Yeah, I had started making the domestic effort for my man.
Hindy patted Tim’s knee. His eyebrows performed their usual hairline tango. “Tim, trust me, you are lucky to have found a tidy man. I’ve seen this place when—”
“Stop spreading tales.” I rolled my eyes. “Here’s the deal. Four months ago, Hindy dropped by one evening after Martin and I had conducted a stellar battle over him slapping me. The kitchen table’s contents were sprawled across the floor. During the argument, we tossed our food-filled plates like crazy people. Then we started on the glassware.”
“Too bad you didn’t crack a plate over his evil head.” Marcel scowled and sipped his wine. “Or better yet a grease-filled frying pan.”
“The temptation flirted with me.”
“I wish temptation had flirted you into real action. Enough, enough, I don’t want to talk about the odious man. Tonight I want to celebrate the season with true friends.” Marcel slithered from his sprawl and flicked on the TV. He clicked around until he laughed in merriment. “There it is. Bridget told me about this festive channel.”
Hindy sputtered in disbelief. “How remarkable. They actually broadcast a film of a burning Yule log? Hilarious.”
“A Yule log and traditional Christmas carols. How fun.” Tim raised his glass in glee before he poured Malbec. Damn, his shaky aim almost baptized my floor in dark-red goodness.
Marcel switched on the tree lights. The sparkly glow filled the room.
To my relief, Tim’s wineglass landed on the table before he applauded the festive light show. He seemed toasted enough to forget he held a glass in his hands. “Why did you turn off the lights during the party?”
“I don’t want to burn the living tree’s branches.” Marcel pointed to the large copper bucket holding the tree upright. “See, the spruce has a root ball. We’re donating the merry little tree to whatever city park needs trees. We can visit the spruce like proud parents.”
Hindy’s knowing stare met mine. “We are blessed old farts.”
“I agree.” I raised my glass for a communal toast. Our glasses clinked together without breaking anything although Tim almost fell off the couch. When it came to drinking, the slim blond was a lightweight.
Marcel switched off the room lights and returned to my side. He ruffled my hair. I wrapped my arm around his waist and pulled him close for a satisfied kiss.
We basked in the rainbow tree’s glow while watching the televised Yule log and listening to classic holiday tunes. The cozy scenario made sense. Tim and Hindy looked as settled as any old couple resting on a park bench, well, that is if the old couple wore black leather, black seersucker, or red-and-green plaid wool trousers. They sat holding hands and smiling for no good reason.
A gasp brushed my cheek. Marcel scrambled to his feet and pointed in fine dramatic style. I managed not to drop my wine. “Look, how cool, it’s snowing!” The pale light seeping through the right window framed his broad shoulders.
I admired his proud silhouette. Tim and Hindy stood to occupy the tall front left window. I stood and joined Marcel. There, a couple graced each window. Fitting. Outside the large flakes filtered down in indolent sloth. The streetlights illuminated their stately descent through the naked tree branches. This too made magical sense. I hugged Marcel close and kissed his temple.
Hindy shook his head in dismay. “I fear it’s time to find a cab.”
As he laughed, Marcel leaned over and prodded Hindy’s shoulder. “Why? You can use the spare bedroom.”
“Stay the night?”
“Look, we have plenty of treats and wine. I say let’s sit, eat, drink, and continue the celebration.” Marcel raised his glass into the air.
Tim clapped in glee. “I’m off tomorrow. I say yes.”
Hindy also lifted his glass into the air. “How wise. Why suffer winter’s bite? Jezebel loves her food dispenser, so no worries.”
Familiar thumping made me laugh. “Spazz wants to join the party.”
“Can I meet him in person?”
“Come on, Tim, I’ll let you hold his travel ball.”
Tim cooed in delight. Spazz entered his travel ball and danced in glee. My nutty hamster hated being left out of the action. Einstein stirred and started roaming through the colorful tube tangle. “Wow, Einstein is awake. These guys agree. They want to party. Go ahead, set Spazz on the floor.”
The merry Spazz rolled into the living room. He managed to bounce against Hindy’s and Marcel’s feet before he rolled back into the spare bedroom. I swear that hamster owned superior taste. No wonder, he was an alien.
We settled back into our comfortable cuddles. Marcel winked and kissed my cheek.
This time Hindy raised his wineglass into the air. The Yule log’s flames reflected off the glass. “My dear Tim, love for a pet is a sign of a good man. If you move in with me, will you bring along any pets? As you know, my ancient Jezebel is a sweetie, but she isn’t much on furry intruders. She does approval of you, which is enough for me.” Hindy set down his wineglass and stroked Tim’s long fine hair.
Marcel gasped. He gripped my shoulder until my muscles whimpered for release.
Tim almost hyperventilated. “Hindy, is this an offer?”
My friend flicked his pale left hand flicked through the air in imperial dismissal. “I planned to wait, but since our dear friends have created such a lovely romantic environment for us, I need to ask you tonight. After all, their love brought us together. Wise of them.” Hindy turned and winked at us before he grasped Tim’s hands. He kissed Tim’s knuckles and sighed in adoration. “Care to move in with me, sweetie darling? Care to be my much-needed breath of fresh air and keep dragging me from my shell?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Their hug created a devoted tangle of black and blond hair.
Marcel’s triumphant smile tried to blind me. I squeezed him close. “Congratulations, matchmaker.”
A brief wing flutter vanished into the sparkling snow. Cupid, you are da man.
The four riders
S.A. Garcia’s info:
Dreamspinner Releases including Cupid Knows Best:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3303
Silver Releases:
S.A. Garcia’s World of Words: http://sa-garcia.macmate.me/S.A_Garcias_World_of_Words/S.A._Garcias_World_of_Words.html
Facebook: Sandra Ann Garcia
Twitter: @SAGarcia_Writer
I’ve posted a guest blog on the website of the wonderful and generous J.p. Barnaby. She allowed me to talk about the origin of my new novel 3 and the lesson I learned from the book. If you’re interested on how this novel came about, hop on over and take a look.
J.p. Barnaby–The Uncommon Trio: http://www.jpbarnaby.com/?p=906
