New Cover Art: The Men of Buckshot Ranch- Mark

I love this cover. It's for the second book in my MM series with Total-E-Bound due out this February. Many thanks to artist, Emmy Ellis for the wonderful visual!

The Men of Buckshot Ranch: Jay

The first book in my new M/M series with Total-E-Bound is out today!

If you love hot cowboys combined with an old west setting, check it out: Jay.

Book one in The Men of Buckshot Ranch Series

Jay Harnett’s predictable world is knocked upside down when he encounters the new school teacher, Will, in town. As their unlikely friendship blossoms, it turns to lust, love, and a whole lot more, surprising them both.

But when Will’s old flame suddenly leaps into the picture a decision must be made that will change all those involved.

Reader Advisory: This book can be read alone or in sequence as part of a series.







Star Treatment is Out Today!

My m/m erotic romance is finally out today from Total-E-Bound!

Check out the blurb and excerpt.

Blurb: Superstar, Mark Hunter never expected his life to change within a matter of days when compromising pictures surface of him on a celebrity gossip blog in the arms of another man.



Mark Hunter, action movie star and closeted gay man is thrown into a tailspin after a night of casual sex with a cute guy named Frankie turns into something much more. Especially when photos appear on the internet, showing Mark kissing another man. Will he come out the other end with his career intact, and will Frankie reveal his secret before Mark has to find out the hard way?


Reader Advisory: This book contains anal sex, strong language and mild BDSM.
 
Excerpt: Mark Hunter sat in Rav Stanton’s office and listened. For once in his life, he was scared—scared of what could happen, scared of the possible realities he might face.

Rav sat beside him. Together they watched as the computer screen came alive with the graphics from that chubby celebrity gossip’s page.

“Just look at that,” spat Rav. “How could anyone look at that without being sick? Rav pointed to a horrid unflattering picture of the gossip himself. “You’d think with his money he’d be able to look after himself at least.”

Mark agreed, but he wasn’t in his agent’s office to criticise the looks and grooming habits of some hack journalist turned gossip-queen.

Rav summoned him just an hour ago, citing they needed an urgent meeting and that it was better to talk in person than over the phone. The agent’s tone of voice told Mark to do as he was told. So here he was and he was not one bit prepared for what he was about to face.

“And here it is,” said Rav, clicking a link. He sat back in his chair, turning the screen towards Mark. “Feast your eyes on that.”


MARK HUNTER IN THE ARMS OF ANOTHER MAN: EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS


Following the headline, Mark read how he was spotted in one of Los Angeles most popular gay bars in the arms of a random guy who wasn’t named. Three blurry photos showed him hugging Jason, a guy he had met, danced with and, of course, flirted with. But it was just a fun night out. Perhaps he was naïve, stupid or a mixture of both. He hadn’t seen the harm in it. Hell, he could count more than one male celebrity who played it straight to the media, but screwed around in private with guys. Most of them made him look like an absolute saint.

A lump formed in his throat, and he swallowed hard. “Fuck,” he muttered. He was blown right out of the water with this one. “Rav, I honestly don’t know what to say… I’m sorry?”

“Listen, Mark, you don’t have to be sorry for who you are. I did not call you here to rag on you about being…gay.”

Mark choked hearing the word. He never got used to hearing it when it was referenced to himself. Of course he liked guys, there was never any doubt in his mind about that—not since he turned twelve and the hormones kicked in. But back then he hadn’t even known what gay was. All he knew was that he was different, and that it was best to keep it a secret. It was ironic that, for the most part, at twenty-six he was still playing that game.

Rav closed the site’s window. “Say nothing. You may get a few phone calls requesting interviews. Redirect them to me. I just wanted you to be aware of things and how it is.”

Mark nodded. “I didn’t think that anyone would take much notice of me. I’d just finished filming at the studio and I needed to let off some stream. If I had known, I never would have gone there.”

“Listen, don’t beat yourself up over it.” Rav motioned to the computer. “That prick’s not worth it. And I’m not asking you not to have fun, if you know what I mean. Just be more discreet. There are services you can call who will provide you with top-notch companionship and they are very discreet. Heck, I can hook you up with one, if you like? I know a woman who runs one which has both male and female escorts. She can be trusted.”

Mark pondered the offer. “Naw, that’s not for me. I’ll lay low and deny everything if asked. That’s the best thing to do.”

Rav opened a drawer in his desk and extracted a small white business card. “All the same, call her if you need to. Just tell her that Rav sent you. She will take care of the rest.”

Mark glanced at the card. “Thanks.”

“I just don’t want to see you go down in flames, buddy.” Rav placed one hand on his shoulder. “You worked hard to get where you are, and with two hit films back to back and another about ready to clue-up, you’re a hot commodity in this town.”

“I suppose,” replied Mark, standing up. But at what cost? Was all this worth living a lie? Was it worth the hiding and looking over his shoulder? He liked Rav, he trusted the man. Heck, Rav was more of a father to him than his own had ever been.

“Call me if you need me, Mark. We’ll get together soon. I may have something else lined up for you.”

Author Interview with S.A. Meade

X- Tell us about your most current release and what inspired you to write it?

S.A.- My upcoming release, Stolen Summer came about as a challenge on Absolute Write, a brilliant forum for writers. The challenge was to write an erotic scene in a completely different point of view from your normal one. I wrote a scene told from a man’s perspective, in first person. I had great fun writing it and afterwards the characters wouldn’t let me go. I had to tell their whole story. The first draft was churned out in a month but it took a long time to get it right. All in all, 14 months from writing those first words to getting an offer.

The main character, Evan, is a British journalist. When he comes back from covering the war in Afghanistan, his best friend Colin confesses he’s in love with him. After he gets over the shock, Evan decides that he quite likes being with Colin. It’s a learning experience for him, but it’s also a happy and passionate one. They do quite a lot of shagging, bless ‘em.

Unfortunately, Evan has one last overseas assignment in Pakistan. He’s kidnapped and held hostage by insurgents. He’s freed after 4 months but he and Colin soon learn that being free doesn’t mean the ordeal is over. I put them through a lot, I’m afraid.

Total-E-Bound

X- When did you start writing and what was your road to publication like?

Do you have any advice for new writers starting out?

S.A.- I’m one of those writers who started writing as soon as I could hold a pencil. I had several tries, over the years, at actually finishing a novel. My first serious attempt at trying to get published was two years ago. I didn’t get very far and the poor thing was consigned to the trunk. I kept writing and will keep writing until my fingers drop off.

My advice to new writers is to read, read and read. Don’t expect things to happen overnight, learn patience and grow a thick skin. Find beta readers you respect and trust and cherish them. I would never be at this stage if it wasn’t for the terrific fellow writers who told me what worked and what stunk.


X- What other things interest you besides writing?

S.A.- There’s other things?

I love horses and horse racing (if it’s British). Cooking – we’ve been living on a tight budget ever since we returned to England and I love turning out great food for next to nothing. It goes without saying that I’m also very interested in eating.

X- What are you currently reading and what books can be found in your to-be-read pile?

S.A.- I recently finished reading Promises by Marie Sexton. It’s wonderful and so effortlessly written. At present I’m tracking down material on flying Spitfires and P-51s, because I’m revising a historical novel set in England during WW2. Some of the new bits will be told from a fighter pilot’s point of view, so I need to know how to fly these things.

X- If you could relive one moment in time, which one would it be?

S.A.- Eeeeee…tough one. Probably the moment I accepted the job in Arizona. If I could go back, I’d turn it down and held out for a job somewhere more … green and less dusty. It wasn’t all bad. My parents lived close by so we did see them a lot more than we did before.

X- Name one item you cannot do without in life and why.

S.A.- My lap top – it’s my link to the outside world and the repository of all my writing! *hugs shiny black lap top*

X- What’s your favourite flower?

S.A.- A variety of old-fashioned rose, the Rosa Mundi. It’s a beautiful old rose, it smells gorgeous and looks beautiful.

X- What’s your ultimate indulgence?

S.A.- It’s a toss-up between Godiva chocolates or a pepperoni and sausage pizza from Vincent’s Pizza in Pittsburgh. Sadly, I have access to neither at the moment.

X- What can we expect to see from you in the future?
S.A.- I have a m/m novella that needs a bit of polishing. When it’s all tidied up and making sense, I’m sending it to my editor at Total-E-Bound. I’m also hoping that the WW2 novel may be the one that attracts an agent.

X- Sounds good! Thanks you for being on Write Outside the Box, and best of luck with your writing career.
S.A.- Thanks for letting me spout drivel all over your blog, which is an excellent one btw.

I have a blog here, and email.

X- Thanks!

S.A. Meade's Stolen Summer will release from Total-E-Bound on August 29th, 2011.

Hot Cowboy Cover Art

This is the first cover in my upcoming m/m series with Total-E-Bound. Mucho thanks to the artist, Emmy Ellis for creating such a lovely image. I adore it!

This book will release in October. The second is currently with my editor, and I am working on the third.

Author Interview with JC Holly

First off, JC, thanks for allowing me to interview you.

V- Can you tell us about your journey to publication and where you draw your inspiration from?

JC – My journey was a short one. I wanted to try my hand at erotic romance (I write other genres under another name), and sat down in front of my computer with that goal in mind. After a few panic attacks and some feverish editing, I sent the result to Total E-bound, and it was accepted! I couldn’t believe it!

I draw inspiration from many places. Books, television, even from the people I meet while out shopping. It all smooshes together in my head, and somehow ideas come out. :o)

V- What’s the best advice you can offer a newbie writing hoping to publish?

JC – Practise, learn to take criticism, and don’t give up. It can be a hard road, but it’s well worth travelling.

V- Tell us about your newest release.

Buy

JC – One Wild Weekend (out May 30th), is an erotic short, published with Total E-bound. It’s about a couple who decide to try and liven up their relationship with a weekend of sex. It turns out they both have quite the kinky streak...

V- What’s your favourite dessert?

JC – I have to pick ONE?! :o)
(Probably chocolate fudge cake, but I may change my mind in an hour.)

V- If you could return to one moment in time, which would it be?

JC – I’d rather like to have the moment I got my first acceptance on ‘speed dial’, so I could visit it whenever I was feeling a bit down.

V- If you had one wish, what would it be?

JC – To be successful enough in writing to make it a full-time career.

V- What’s the one thing that most people don’t know about you?

JC – I’m a closet videogamer, though I’m rubbish at most of them.

V- In ten years where do you hope to be in life?

JC – In the same place as I am now, but with a heck of a lot of books under my belt. :o)

V- What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

JC – I have a M/M short that I’m polishing, as well as a longer M/F piece. I’m also looking into expanding into some of the ‘kinkier’ subgenres of erotic romance. Fun!

You can find me on Facebook. I'm in the process of setting up a blog.

V- Sounds good. I wish you the best of luck with your writing career, and again, thanks for allowing this interview.

More Cover Love

I received this beauty in my email today for my upcoming summer release, Star Treatment. The artist is the talented, Emmy Ellis. The publisher is Total-E-Bound.

I'm also delighted to share with you all the blurb and this lovely postcard by the same artist.



New Sale

As of this morning, I sold my M/M historical cowboy series to, Total-E-Bound. The series will start with three books with an option to expand to more. I am thrilled.