2 Cents Blog and Review

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Amber Kell's Birthday Bash!!

Greetings Loved Ones,

Today I'm blogging at my friend Amber Kell's Birthday Bash blog. As part of the overall celebration, she asked me to have a character throw a party for another character. I thought hey great! In 'A Royal Bind' my favorite born vampire Stephon, throws a birthday celebration for my young shifter prince Lance, who had never had a birthday party before. I thought to myself fabulous, I don't have to write a thing its already done.

 

Well... then it happened. The characters began talking, as they so often do and as Stephon lately has been telling me his story in bits and pieces... he's a very old vampire who doesn't give up his secrets easily... this other party began to take shape. Now having been paying attention, I know there has been an Unbirthday party or two among the stories being told at Amber's Birthday Bash, well this will be one of a slightly different nature. It seems Lance and Andrew, the mated pair from my Changing Moon series, The Pauper Prince and A Royal Bind, have seen fit to throw Stephon an Unbirthday Orgy, in an effort to help Stephon find a mate. I love the shifter pair, and their hearts are in the right place. They just want eternal mated bliss for the lovelorn vampire, but they don't know the whole story... and neither do we.

Happy Birthday Amber!
This orgy is for you. :)

Stephon's Unbirthday
from Blood Ties - Changing Moon Book 3
(Soon to be released with Dreamspinner Press)

Stephon stepped out of the shiny, black lacquered horse-drawn carriage at the back of his property. It wasn't that he didn't have cars, or trucks for that matter, but when he came home after traveling, he enjoyed the slow ride through his lands in the old-fashioned, but highly modernized with all the conveniences, carriage. He’d only been gone a week, but his home was not as he’d left it.
“Maurice, what’s going on?” His yearly sojourn had gone as it always did—poorly—and it left him feeling bereft. He’d wanted to come home to peace and quiet, where he could lick his wounds alone. That was about as far from what he was seeing before him as it could possibly get.
“I’m not sure, it kind of looks like someone’s at the house and they’re throwing a party.”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious. That much I can see,” Stephon sniped. He swatted the arm of his burly drone.
Two more drones stood at attention, garbed in what appeared to be poorly copied Roman gladiator costumes. They wore red tunics, which were clearly not wool; the body armor was some sort of silver plastic and the fake leather cingulum that girded their waists were such that no self-respecting Roman soldier would've been caught dead wearing it. Drawing himself up straighter, he took a deep breath, grabbing hold of his temper, trying not to notice the horrible costumes and dress down his drones for their distinct lack of fashion sense, he approached them looking first from one to the other waiting for answers that were not forthcoming.
“Someone needs to speak now and explain what the hell is going on in my home before I completely lose my temper!” Stephon growled, his eyes flashing, his fangs dropping uncontrollably, as they hadn't done in years.
Both drones dropped to one knee and bowed their heads before their maker in complete submission. Stephon sighed. It hadn’t been his intention to throw that much power at his drones. They were his family, and it clearly showed how stressed he felt that he was hurting his own, even unintentionally.
“We’re sorry, my Lord, but Lance and Andrew insisted,” the guard on the right practically whispered, his eyes on the ground.
“They ask that you wait here just a moment and they will be out to explain. They are on their way now, my Lord.” The other guard visibly trembled as he spoke.
“I’m sorry, my sons. It appears I am more on edge than I imagined. I didn’t mean to take my agitation out on you. Evidently I am the recipient of some sort of joke…”
Lights glowed from behind billowing white canvas pavilion tents. They stretched along Stephon’s black wrought iron gates. Suddenly they winked out, the only illumination coming from the opening to the tent that blocked his way. A chorus of snickers and hushing sounds rippled from behind the canvas. Stephon could only sigh with tired frustration. Whatever was about to happen, he told himself he wouldn’t be angry. LB and his Poodle must mean well. The mated pair were like family to him, and would never intentionally hurt him. He just felt so bone weary, and with another year going by and his mate still eluding him after centuries of waiting, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could last before he lost his mind entirely. Of course none of this was Lance and Andrew’s fault, so he schooled his features to reflect an emotion that said annoyed, not homicidal, as he really felt.
Lance and Andrew walked out from behind the canvas and Stephon’s jaw dropped to his feet. The two men were nude except for the small black speedo’s they wore. He was used to seeing his shifter friends either clothed or nude, but the tiny black speedo seemed indecent in its teasing seductive nature.
Lance took one look at the tense irritated vampire, approached him and wrapped his arms around Stephon. “I’m so sorry. If I would’ve known you were this unnerved by surprises, I never would have suggested this.”
“I told you… he gets tense this time of year and goes on sabbatical to be alone.” Andrew rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Well, yeah, but I thought when he came back that he’d be relaxed and ready for company, not even more wound up than before he left,” Lance grumbled. “Nobody touched the house, I can have everyone close down and we can all disappear like we weren’t even here.” Lance took hold of Stephon’s shoulders and looked the vampire lord in the eyes.
Stephon closed his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. It felt so good to be held. To be touched by someone who cared about him. It was a luxury he only had with these two. Of all his children and friends, only Lance and Andrew ever touched him. He didn’t think he was unapproachable, but there was some barrier between him and others that nobody seemed willing to breach and he was starved for affection and touch. He allowed himself to lean into warmth for a moment before drawing back just a bit.
“Of course not. You went to all this trouble. Tell me about my surprise.” Stephon reached forward and tweaked Lance’s chin and tried to give him a relaxed mischievous grin.
“You aren’t fooling me, you know, but I think this might help.” Lance grinned back and took Stephon’s hand in his. He led Stephon through the canvas and into his yard which was suddenly filled with colored lights.
“SURPRISE!!!  HAPPY UNBIRTHDAY!!!” was hollered from men spread out around the large yard. They were all dressed similarly to Lance and Andrew, in swim trunks of various types and colors. The hard bodies of drones appeared pale in the light, intermixed with the golden bodies of a few male shifters that Andrew and Lance had obviously brought with them.
“Victoria called your usual party list and invited the eligible unmated males. We brought a few available friends from the men who volunteered to become part of Lance’s guard.” Andrew spoke from just behind them.
“Unbirthday?” Stephon turned to look at his friends, a bemused look on this face.
“Well, of course. You won’t tell anyone when you were born, so we decided to celebrate your unbirthday. Which can be done on any day of the year that isn’t your birthday. It isn’t your birthday today is it?” Lance teased.
“No.” Stephon chuckled and looked out over his lawn at the expanse of muscles and skin on display.
“So, first of all, you need to be properly attired… or should I say … less attired.” Lance laughed and led Stephon to one of the many white cabanas that ringed the yard.
“What kind of unbirthday party have you thrown for me!” Stephon’s shock  was clear in his voice as he looked around. The white tent was strewn with gently flickering fairy lights  that gave the room the private feeling of a spa. It was more like an upscale hotel room instead of a tent in his yard. Andrew untied a knot releasing the canvas flap that closed the cabana off from the rest of the yard. There was a clothing rack against one wall, a small table with red roses in a small vase, and a colorful bag with a bow. The center of the tent was taken up by a beautifully dressed double bed in burgundy and blue satin.
“The best kind there is. An all male party.” Lance nodded to Andrew, who picked up a colorful bag from the table.
“You’re throwing me an orgy?” Stephon started to laugh. In all his long life, and all of the parties that he’d thrown and in turn attended, nobody had ever done something like this.
“In a manner of speaking, I guess so.” Lance grinned. “Now off with the clothes. I have your designer label outfit all ready for you.
“You expect me to run around as unclothed as the rest of you.” Stephon tried to look affronted, but he wasn’t fooling anyone.
“Stephon, you used to attend frat parties in a toga with nothing underneath. A speedo is not going to embarrass you.” Andrew grinned. “Besides if I remember correctly, you have a beautiful body, so why not flaunt it? You never know, you might just find your mate.”
It was like a bucket of cold water, but Stephon tried not to let the hurt show. “My mate isn’t among the men out there, Andrew. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still have a good time.”
“How do you know? He might be out there. Don’t give up hope. If I’d ever given up… before I met Andrew… I could’ve died on the street a long time ago.”
Stephon paused. He’d heard Lance’s story, and knew what the young man had been through. It was amazing he wasn’t more damaged than Stephon knew him to be. And it wasn’t that he didn’t have hope. It was hope that kept him going year after year to the same place for his sabbatical, just in case… but the man he knew to be his mate had yet to come for him, despite what he’d promised all those years ago. The sabbatical had become his yearly self-flagellation of the spirit, but he couldn’t stop going, and seeing Lance and Andrew together in happily mated bliss was just one of the reasons he continued to try.
Still, all punishment and no play made Stephon a dull boy, and he’d be damned if he’d go out being prudish. His mate might not want him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have fun.
“Okay.” Stephon nodded and began unbuttoning his coat.
“Really!” Andrew’s jaw dropped.
“See? I told you he’d play along.” Lance chuckled. “You owe me a blow job.”
“But I was sure that he’d never…”
“What’s that old saying, never say die? Well, I decided there was too much handsome man-flesh out there to be a stick in the mud.” Stephon took off his suit jacket and walked over to the clothes rack. “But you two are going to have my lawn spotless when this is all over, and that means replacing the sod if all this activity destroys the grass. I won’t have my gardener paying for your little surprise with extra work.”
“You got it.” Lance grinned. He leaned over and kissed his mate before helping Stephon by hanging each piece of clothing the man removed.
“Here.” Andrew handed Stephon his gift bag before he took off his Calvin Klein underwear. “You’ll need this. Come out when you’re dressed.” With a growl, he grabbed Lance’s arm and led him outside.
“Some mates.” Stephon laughed as he heard Andrew possessively snarl something about not seeing any man’s underwear but his. Stephon was actually surprised that he could laugh, as he’d been in such an awful mood when he’d arrived. There was just something about being around Lance and Andrew that relaxed him and made him happy. Sure, he still longed for his mate. The problem was his mate didn’t want him, so the closest thing he had to that kind of happiness was when the pair shared theirs.
“I must have lost my eternal mind,” Stephon mumbled to himself as he looked into the bag. He couldn’t believe what he saw. He pulled out a hot pink spangled speedo with the words “Unbirthday Boy” on the little bit of material on the back. Accompanying the speedo, a few accessories had been added to the bag: a tube of ID Glide lube, a hot pink butt plug with what appeared to be a glass ruby in the end, and a pack of chewing gum so he could be minty fresh for whomever struck his fancy.
Stephon dropped his Calvin Kleins and put on the speedo. The things I do for my friends. He wasn’t about to use the butt plug, or any of the other accessories. Well, maybe the gum, but it tended to stick to his fangs in strange places. It wasn’t his favorite thing to chew.
He stepped out of the pavilion and Andrew and Lance each took an arm and led him out into the menagerie.
“First up, Wet Wild and Twister.” Andrew pointed to the left as they walked past a giant inflated twister board where the guys were playing wet bouncy twister. One man stood off to the side calling out colors and another was spraying a constant rain of water over the players, as they stretched and laughed, attempting to stay upright or, at the very least, taking out as many other players with them  as they could when they fell.
“I think I’ll save that for later.” Stephon couldn’t keep from grinning as one guy in the middle of the pack screamed, his feet sliding out from under him as his arms flailed about; he took out half the players on the board.
“Okay, here in the middle we have the Naked Jell-O Pool. Hop right in and let the Jell-O ease your way to a brighter tomorrow.” Lance motioned to the ladder at the side of the pool. Speedos littered the little walkway around the outside of the pool where guys had obviously ditched their trunks.
“A strong possibility, but I don’t think I’m ready to take the plunge.” Stephon laughed at a jello fight currently in progress, the guys flinging the sticky green glop at one another. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”
“Well, next up is the Bouncy House of Ill Repute.” Andrew motioned toward a deep red-and-black striped castle. Only it wasn’t open so you could see what was going on inside, but you could easily guess. Small black mesh windows with dimly strobing lights flashed in various colors, and the whole house rocked erotically. If that wasn’t enough of a hint, the sound of moans and the overpowering odor of sweat, sex, and blood poured from the building.
“Holy mother of orgies.” Stephon laughed and smacked Lance on the shoulder. “You definitely know how to throw a party.”
“Well, I didn’t originally intend it to go quite like this, but some of it has clearly gotten out of hand.”
“Last but not least, the maze.” Andrew led them to a blacked-out building and handed Stephon a glow stick. “You might find what you’re looking for at the center of the maze.”
A vaguely familiar shadow at the edge of the rows of pavilions detached itself from the darkness and disappeared into the maze. The breeze carried the faint scent of something familiar, then it was gone.
“One never knows for sure, I guess,” Stephon mumbled. He looked first into Lance’s eyes. He plastered a grin on his face and turned to Andrew. “Guys, I’m going in!”
 “We’ll see you on the other side… unless you find something worth staying for in the center.” Lance waved as Stephon gave his glow stick a shake and ducked around the corner into the maze, disappearing from sight.

****

I hope you've enjoyed this never before posted sneak peek at Blood Ties - Changing Moon book 3. And for two lucky people, one copy of either A Pauper Prince or A Royal Bind... Birthday Girl's digression...  In other words if you want to be a winner... ask Amber, she gets to pick the winner.

Happy Birthday Amber!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Seeking Beta Reader - Experience not necessary but preferred...

Greetings Loved Ones!

I am currently seeking talented beta readers. I write M/M Erotic Paranormal Romances, so be aware that there will be adult content. A prior knowledge of my writing is a plus.
Excellence in English and Microsoft word a plus. Ability to spot repeat word usage, plot holes, independent body movement and give useful critique a must.
Must be willing to take a quick exam to demonstrate your skill level.
Must be able to respond to emails and return edited documents within an allotted time frame as I am working with publishers and I do have deadlines to meet as well. I am willing to make adjustments if you let me know that you are unavailable during certain times… vacations, family events, emergencies… we all have lives.
This is not a paid position. I do acknowledge my beta readers, giving them as much or little credit for their assistance as they would like. Some have chosen not to have their name in the acknowledgements and others like having their name in print. This is completely up to you.
I work very closely with my beta readers so expect to go back and forth over critical points. This position is a good one if you have aspirations of being an editor. It gives you the opportunity to hone your skills as well as getting your name out there. But experience is not necessary, just helpful. J
If you wish to apply, download the Beta_test_document.docx17.9 KB and go through it. This is a sample of a rough draft, similar to what I would be sending you. You may have to click "Enable Editing" at the top of the page. Leave the “Track Changes” button on under the review tab in Microsoft Word, so I can see the corrections you are suggesting. This lets me see what errors you find and any added critique of the pages you insert using the “New Comment” buttons or at the end of the document. Email me the corrected draft and your information… Name, contact information, abilities and/or education and schedule requirements. I will get back to you within a week or two with my decision.

Send your response to:  sui.d.lynn@gmail.com
In the subject line please put: BETA APPLICATION

This will assure that I get your application as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your interest and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sui Lynn~~

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Greetings Loved Ones,

I know I don't blog often, but this was something I just had to share. The wonderful reviewers at Gay List Book Reviews have interviewed me and reviewed my Changing Moon series. I was thrilled to hear that they loved it! Their interview was a lot of fun to do and I really think your going to enjoy it. So if you want to check it out... click here... GayListBookReviews.

While your there check out their reviews and interviews with other authors!

As Always,
Wishing you love and butterflies,

Sui Lynn

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

A Royal Bind - Changing Moon 2 Releases August 30, 2013

Releases August 30th, 2013

I have been so excited about this. Dreamspinner has been working so hard to get this series back on the market, and their editors have helped so much to make it even better! Lance and Andrew are in top form and things get hot and steamy, just as you'd expect from any newly mated couple. Lance still has lots to learn about this world he's living in.

This volume is available for presale at Dreamspinner Press. Now as with the previous re-release, the basic story line has remained the same, but the fabulous Dreamspinner editing team has done their magic and we've worked out a few bumps in the road. I'm very proud of this edition and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Lance Fitz and Andrew Reed are a blissfully mated pair, but Andrew’s benefactor Stephon, a born vampire, isn't happy with the pairing, especially after he discovers Lance’s pedigree. Stephon attempts to find answers using his mental connection with Andrew, and when his efforts fail, he goes after Lance’s new shifter family. Enraged, Lance severs the tie to Stephon. He wants to tear apart the abusive vampire and free his mate and family for good. But before he can try, the family reminds Lance that the death of one vampire won't change the social status of shifters as an enslaved people. The fight won’t end with Stephon, even if Lance succeeds.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

ARe All Romance Ebook's USC - Ultimate Shifter Challenge

Greetings Loved Ones!

Let's get ready to Roar!



ARe - All Romance Ebooks is running a contest for the Ultimate Shifter and 

The Pauper Prince


is in the running.

I need each and everyone of you who loved Lance and Andrew to cast your vote for The Pauper Prince on the ARe USC website. There's no cost to vote. Voters must be members of the ARe bookstore webstite and will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate from ARe for participating. 


Thank you for voting!

Sui Lynn~~

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Dark Chocolate and Raspberries Releasing Today with Extasy Books!

Greetings Loved Ones!

I am happy to announce the release of Dark Chocolate and Raspberries with Extasy Books

Its taken a while to find a new home for my work and I know many of you are more familiar with my paranormal stories than my m/m contemporary romance. But I got started by writing m/m contemporary romance before I ever sold my first paranormal novel. Dark Chocolate and Raspberries wasn't the first, but it is one of my absolute favorites. It tells a story of masks. How the persona we put on for the general public, if nobody cares to look deeper, rarely is the person we really are deep inside.

These young men have dealt with and are still dealing with adversity in their lives. While trying to discover who they are and create a future for themselves, they are dealing with a past full of hidden mysteries and misunderstandings. There are so many times in our lives that our point of view colors our understanding of what is going on around us, and so too in this story Dylan and Taj each have their own point of view of the events of a past they must discover together. Of course, they do this among a cast of college characters who are all just trying to find their place in the world and have fun while they're doing it.

[On a side note - the game Raspberries - is completely fictitious. Nobody I know would ever do anything like that. I never drank before I was legally 21 years old. I never kissed boys in closets. I never played spin the bottle. I never kissed girls in closets. I never did anything I wasn't suppose to. I was a virgin before I was married. (And if you believe all that I'm sure there's a bridge somewhere I can sell ya dirt cheap!)]

So now that I'm completely off topic... Dark Chocolate and Raspberries... LOL!



Coming of age has never been so sweet.

18-year-old Dylan’s talent for music almost equals his diva persona. Everyone knows Dylan enjoys pushing people around, but does he really? When Taj is charged with taking Dylan under his wing, he discovers the shy boy behind the diva mask.

When Dylan walks in on Taj kissing Ben, their budding feelings may not be able to withstand the blow. Stunned, Dylan runs from the room. Taj gives chase, trying to catch him to tell him the kiss he saw was the result of a game played in the dorm called Raspberries. Will their love blossom into kisses, drown in drunken chocolates, or erupt in raucous raspberries in Dark Chocolate and Raspberries?

Excerpt:

Taj headed slowly down the hallway towards his room. Dylan had sparked his interest and fascinated him all day. Dylan had watched Taj’s every move, listening attentively to everything he’d said. Taj had found the intense observation unsettling at first; he hadn’t been scrutinized so closely in a long time. Every time he’d glanced at the young man, Dylan had been staring at him, watching, almost waiting for something.

The real Dylan, the shy, quiet, careful young man, was a surprise, and so unlike what Taj had expected. He’d spoken very little, seeming to prefer to listen and watch everything going on around him intently. Most performers Taj had known were outgoing and gregarious, striving for more attention and flourishing in the spotlight. Dylan’s diva pose screamed extrovert, but when pushed, the persona folded and the real Dylan appeared, so timid Taj wouldn’t have believed him to be the same person. He wondered which one would be coming to dinner, the diva or the speechless freshman.

College often changed people; they would grow and develop. Maybe away from those who expected him to behave like a spoiled brat, the façade would fade and Dylan’s real personality could mature and flourish. Taj found Dylan fascinating. His silent attentiveness made Taj wonder what went on beneath the surface, in the depths of those deep brown eyes, eyes the color of dark chocolate.

Taj felt a challenge in Dylan he found hard to define. The diva screamed catch me if you can, and something in Taj intensely hoped to see him cry, yet at the same time Taj wanted to protect the shy, attentive young man. He had no idea how to reconcile such conflicting feelings towards one person, but maybe if he got to know Dylan, he’d learn.

The door to his room hung open to the hall; as he approached, he could hear boisterous laughter and recognized the voices of his friends. They were scattered about the room, already engaged in their favorite pastime, Raspberries.

“Go…Go…Go!” they chanted.

Taj stood in the door and watched. Justin leaned over to Paul, lifted his shirt, and blew a raspberry against his bare stomach. A fresh bout of laughter broke loose and Taj joined them. Justin stood and gasped for air, Paul yanked his shirt back down over his bare stomach, squirming and shivering uncontrollably, shoving Justin away.

“God damn! That always gives me goose bumps.” Paul quivered all over. “Ehhh—” he shivered and rubbed his hands up and down, over his arms.

“I want to play!” Taj slapped Paul on the back in greeting.

“Okay, since you’re late, you spin.” Paul nodded towards the desk.

Taj dumped his bag on his bed and leaned over. There sat a game spinner, divided into nine sections decorated in three colors; red, brown, and purple. Grinning, Taj flicked the pointer, spinning it rapidly around to slow and finally stop on red.

A couple of the guys ooh’d, while Tom wolf- whistled. Taj abruptly grabbed Paul’s head and planted a kiss firmly on his lips while the rest of the guys hooted and hollered.

“Tom, you’re next since you’re making the most fuss.” Taj jeered and passed the spinner to Tom.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Stone Heart Releasing with Extasy Books!

Greetings Loved Ones!


I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to be announcing my first release with Extasy Books.


It is so exciting to have found a new home for my work and the people at Extasy Books have been very welcoming and wonderful to work with. With that said, I am happy to announce that Stone Heart has re-release with Extasy Books and has a beautiful new cover. It has been re-edited and I can't say how great the editors have been to work with, it's been a complete pleasure.


Blurb: 


Love comes wrapped in leathery wings…

With renovations of his old Gothic church almost complete, Justin prepares for the grand opening of his gallery. Justin feels safer than he has in a long time, but it’s shattered when he’s attacked and beaten in his own home. David finds Justin and leaves him unwanted gifts, tormenting him, Justin’s no longer safe, day or night. His dreams of warm strong arms and dark wings are his only comfort, offering him an illogical security through the night.

Gargoyle Cullen sits his post as he has for centuries, guarding the souls of those who enter the church. Awake for the first time in this age of technology, he notices the new owner with curiosity and a possessiveness he’s never known before.

Will Justin finally find peace, wrapped in dark wings and the beating of a Stone Heart?

Excerpt:


Justin didn't hear her leave, but he knew she couldn't stay. Her husband didn't like the fact that she’d decided to work for him, knowing she risked becoming a target for David’s wrath. Whenever she came to work, she ran the risk of facing the lunatic. So far, he’d left her alone. She’d never actually had a run in with him, but she’d come close today.

Before he’d agreed to let her work in the gallery, Justin had made a deal with her. If she ever came upon David there, no matter what he was doing to Justin, she needed to run, get away, and call the police. In that order. He’d never been so happy that she’d kept her part of the bargain and stayed safe. He’d never have forgiven himself if she’d gotten hurt.

Justin stopped at the top of the stairs and struggled to catch his breath, clutching his painful ribs. He stumbled into the bedroom, to his dresser. He pulled his prescription out of his pocket, took out a couple of pills, swallowed them without water and pulled his pajama bottoms from the top drawer. He ever so slowly forced himself to go to the bathroom and painfully relieved himself, not surprised when he saw blood in the toilet, the result of his bruised kidneys. “Damn.” He groaned and closed his eyes. He sat there for a few minutes, resting his head on his hands against the sink vanity beside the toilet. His ribs hurt so much it was an effort just to breathe, but the pain meds were starting to kick in so he willed himself to make it back to his bedroom and to his bed.

The sun slowly set outside his window and the shadows had lengthened along the wall. He stood uncertainly in the center of the room, as exhaustion finally overcame him; he couldn't force his body to take one more step. The medication was making him feel lightheaded and loopy. He realized he wouldn't make it.

“Should’ve let Tracy help me to bed,” Justin mumbled to himself.

Something in his mind told him to hold on, just a little longer, and everything would be okay. As the last rays of the sun gave way to twilight, his body began to sway and his knees buckled. His eyes closed and he felt himself falling to the floor, thinking, Oh, this is gonna hurt.

To his surprise, he never hit the floor. Warm arms wrapped around him. For a second his mind shrieked, fearing David had hidden here from the police. But the arms holding him were tender and kind, they held him protectively. David was incapable of being gentle or caring. Justin’s mind had already passed the point of no return and it was too much trouble to force coherent logical thought. Someone picked him up and carried him to his bed.

“What happened to you? Who did this to you?” A deep rich voice, with just a touch of anger, questioned.

Justin frowned slightly, he didn't want that soft voice to have such a deadly edge. He wanted and needed to feel wrapped in strong loving arms—cared for and protected, not afraid.

“It doesn't matter. You’re here. I’m safe now.” Justin tried to smile, but winced instead and tears flowed from his closed eyes. Tentative fingers carefully caressed the bruises on his face, gently outlining the swollen purple discoloration around his eyes and stroked his hair.

“You have a fever. Are you in pain?” the voice asked gently.

“Nope. No more pain—good meds. I’m just hallucinating, but you’re a nice delusion.” Justin snuggled deeper into the velvety arms. “What’s your name?”

“I don’t know. You haven’t named me yet,” the voice purred softly.

“Oh, then you’re my handsome gargoyle, watching out for me and protecting me. I see. I thought of a name for you earlier today.” Justin yawned and whimpered as the deep breath forced his ribs to move.

“What’s my name then, little one?” The gargoyle stroked Justin’s hair. It seemed to be the only place on him that wasn't bruised.

“I’ll call you Cullen.” Justin struggled to finish his thought, his head rocking a bit as he nuzzled into the chest of the gargoyle that held him. “Means handsome, which you are.” Justin drifted off, his mind finally fading into unconsciousness.

* * * *

“Who attacked him?” Bob asked, climbing in the window, his cloven hooves clacking on the hardwood.

“He passed out before he could tell me. There are so many scents. I can’t tell which to hunt.” Cullen snarled and wrapped his wings around Justin, completely hiding them both from sight.

“Is he going to be okay?” Bob put a comforting hand on Cullen’s shoulder.

“I don’t know. His body’s pretty beaten up and he’s running a fever. He thinks I’m a hallucination.”

“He’s strong. He’ll pull through.” Bob sighed, hoping he was right. He didn't know how much damage a man could take and still heal. They watched people all the time but didn't normally have a real relationship with them. Humans were usually blind to their kind. They’d see them but not really believe they were real, living beings.

“I’ll go down and search the rest of the building. Maybe if the fight took place here, I can get a scent to follow.” Bob trotted out the door. The sound of his hooves faded as he moved down the hallway.

Bob found the rooms downstairs disrupted; they’d yet to be cleaned since the attack. In both the gallery and the kitchen, chairs had been toppled, blood spatters crisscrossed the floor and along the wall, as well as the footprints of many different people coming and going, filling the rooms with their unknown scents. There were so many that Bob could barely differentiate Justin’s scent from all the others. He sighed and headed back up to the bedroom.

“The fight took place downstairs, but there are so many scents down there. I've no idea who all those people were. I could probably make a couple of good guesses. Maybe I can get Draco and Snout to follow the most likely ones, and then we can check them out when Justin’s stronger?”

“Fine, you deal with it. I’m not moving from his side tonight.” Cullen growled. “I can’t, he needs someone here to watch over him in case he gets worse. He shouldn't be alone like this.”

“Okay. We’ll be back soon.”

“Good hunting, my friend.” Cullen peeked at him over his wing and then tucked his head back beneath to nuzzle Justin’s hair.

Bob went downstairs. He opened the side door and whistled. Two enormous beasts bounded into the room. They were about the size of small horses. Both had rows of vicious looking teeth, but Snout’s large tongue lolled out of his mouth like that of a big puppy. Draco had spikes on his tail, which he held curled over his back. “Tonight we hunt, boys. Someone hurt Justin. Can you find who did it?”

Draco and Snout began sniffing around the floor and walls, moving first from the gallery into the kitchen and then back to the gallery, repeating their actions a couple of times before returning to the kitchen. Draco caught a scent first; he snarled and bounded out the door. Within seconds he was airborne and had disappeared into the night. Snout snuffled around a bit more, concentrating on the wall and the floor before he let out a hunting howl. Then, with his nose to the ground, he dashed out the door into the shadows of the night. Bob ran after Snout, his little legs amazingly able to keep up with the large dog-like creature, both of them disappearing into the darkness.

****

Wishing you Love and Butterflies!

Sui Lynn~~

Friday, April 5, 2013



Greetings Loved Ones!

Things are definitely on a positive turn. Two of my individual titles have been picked up by eXtasy Books! I'm so excited because there are quite a few wonderful author friends of mine who write for this particular press and have spoken so highly of them. It encourages me to really get on the ball and get writing. As it turns out, Not Only have they taken on two of my previously published stories, but will also be printing two of the stories I'm in the process of completing.

So, on May 15, 2013 Stone Heart, will be released by eXtasy Books and will soon be followed by Dark Chocolate and Raspberries on June1, 2013. I can't wait to see what they come up with for covers!

These two stories are a couple of my favorites. Dark Chocolate and Raspberries is one of the very few M/M Contemporary Romances I've written. Stone Heart is a M/M Dark Fantasy I wrote around my love of gargoyles!

The two new stories you will be able to find at eXtasy in a couple of months (considering I need to get to writing and finish them) will be Light in the Dark, which is my first M/M Science Fiction Romance. The other is Downtown Bus, which began as a series of flash fiction stories on my blog last year. It's since been rewritten to flow a bit more smoothly, but remains unfinished at this time. Once they are finished, I will get their pages up and give you more information about each of them.

I know ... stop gabbing and start writing! Well I'm working on it!

Wishing you Love and Butterflies,

Sui Lynn~~

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Changing Moon - to be published by Dreamspinner Press!

Greetings Loved Ones!!

I received the best news today. The Changing Moon Series has been picked up by
DreamSpinner Press.

This means that those of you who are patiently waiting for the series to continue won't have much longer to wait.

The entire series will be re-edited and receive new cover art. I can hardly wait to see what fresh vision and life the series is going to receive with the new art. Speaking of which, the beautiful wolf at the left was a picture taken from facebook. I have no idea who the artist is but it has served to inspire my visions of Lance for quite some time.

The estimated release time frame for the series currently stands as The Pauper Prince will be released in July/August 2013, A Royal Bind will be released August/September 2013 and if I can stay on schedule ... Blood Ties will follow being released September/October 2013.

I can't thank you enough for your patients and support during this rough time. It has meant so much to me, hearing from you, knowing you are out there still interested in knowing the rest of the story.

So while we once more begin the story at the beginning. As the curtains are drawn back from the stage and the lights go down, and we prepare once more to venture into the world of Changing Moon ... know I'm just as excited and thrilled as the rest of you to be getting to the rest of the story.

Wishing you love and butterflies!!
Sui Lynn~~

Friday, March 15, 2013

Review: Etiquette & Espionage


Etiquette & Espionage
Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I love this author. She has the ability to transport me from the dreary mundane world into the marvelous steampunk world of her creation. This world has all the wonders of airships and steam powered mechanicals intertwined with the propriety of the Victorian era of petticoats and cravats.

Unlike her previous books, this is a young adult novel and the characters are in their early teens. They are just creeping up on adulthood and the prepubescent interest of life around them, their place in the world, their interests and the interests of their friends and creating the lasting bonds of friendship. There are hints of puppylove, as many of the girls have a crush on the unattainable and mysterious werewolf captain.

I was so happy to see some of my old friends from the previous books making an appearance in this series as well. This series is set before the Parasol books. So the characters you know and love are much younger and it is great fun to see them here.

Some have referred to this being a "Harry Potter" like story. The only connection I could make is both take place in a school and under special circumstances for the main characters. Other than that, there is little connection. There are no wand waving classes, no spells and incantations and no trolls in this book. Instead we have etiquette and curtsy classes as well as deception and the best way to manipulate a conversation. Air pirates and mad scientists fill out the dance card of characters and of course parents that just don't seem to understand their own children.

I loved every minute of this story and I can't wait for the next one! So Hurry Author!! Please!!



View all my reviews

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Review: Revelations


Revelations
Revelations by Julie Lynn Hayes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



What to say...

Revelations has been a long time in coming. I beta read this story over a year ago and its come a long way since the first read. I loved it then and I love it now! This is the untold story of a man who spends all his time with 12 other guys ... Hello! This is the love story we all know is there and has been there since it was first told but has become taboo to western culture. Its done in a new and refreshing way... giving Jesus and Judas 2000 years to come to terms with their love affair and the ever repeating cycle of love and loss that has become a script for the ages. But this story has a modern day edge and a current events feel that takes the story of old and places it in the here and now.

Our hero's have to deal with modern issues and modern life with all their old friends, old rivalries which haven't mellowed with time. The world of today is doing everything it can to repeat the cycle with the help of that ever flashy, suave, and evil... but evil with style... Lucifer's manipulation.

I have to say I love this story! Judas is everything I expected him to be. His snarky attitude and dislike of everyone and everything... except Jesus, is endearing. Jesus is purity and love in all things, and his love of Judas only enhances his understanding of mankind. Lucifer is nasty and manipulative and a riot. Mary(not Jesus's Mom)well what to say about the harlot... I loved hating her in the beginning, and I hated that I loved her towards the end. LOL.

I will put one warning on this story... IF YOU ARE A SERIOUS CHRISTIAN WHO CAN NOT LAUGH AT YOUR OWN RELIGIOUS ICONS AND FIND THE HUMOR BEYOND THE SYMBOLISM ... THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!

If you enjoy poking fun at icons, then this is filled with characters of old poking fun at themselves and their fellow time travelers. Read!!! Laugh!!! Enjoy!!!



View all my reviews

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Review: Claimings, Tails and Other Alien Artifacts


Claimings, Tails and Other Alien Artifacts
Claimings, Tails and Other Alien Artifacts by Lyn Gala

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



First up, I liked this story. It was a study in angst and frustration for the characters.

To be honest the author spent so much time explaining humanity to the aliens that I sometimes felt like she thought her aliens were too stupid to understand humans. I would think after watching human behavior and being exposed to humans for years as well as having a one on one friendship between the Liam and Ondry somethings could safely be understood and not need to be explained, while the author explains practically nothing about the alien's society. That is where I found this book seriously lacking. Liam is baring his soul to Ondry who throws him tidbits here and there but we get nothing about the Alien society he is becoming part of. Nothing is explained. There are no reasons behind any of it. Why do Rowndt find it necessary to leash their lovers are they considered to dim to know they are loved and stay or are they fickle and change their loyalty often. Very little is explained about the society or the world itself that the Rowndt live in.

As for the kink, I think it was handled well, even though it is ultimately a one way relationship sexually. For Liam will never satisfy his partner sexually because the aliens don't feel satisfaction or pleasure during sex.

Ultimately the story from a sci fi point of view is a good concept but not well delivered. From a Dom/sub point of view, it is a unique view of that type of relationship.



View all my reviews

Monday, February 18, 2013

Help Me Title the Chasing Seth Sequel Contest!


Greetings Loved Ones!

Today we welcome my good friend J.R. Loveless to the center stage. Give her all your attention and you never know what sweets and treats she has for you!




The response for this book blog tour has been phenomenal! Thank you to everyone who has participated thus far and to all of the wonderful hosts who have offered me a space on their blog! Spread the word to your friends, family, and even co-workers because the ride is far from over! So far we've had three winners - Deb Hansen (His Salvation paperback), Tali Spencer (His Salvation Tote Bag), and Christopher Hammel ($25 Dreamspinner Press Gift Certificate). There's a prize every week and each week you make a comment, you're entered into the Grand Prize contest to win a huge bundle including a Nook or Kindle, so be sure to follow along on my tour for more great chances to win! And of course, this week is no exception!

Today the contest is for one of each of my four handmade charms from each of my books - Touch Me Gently, White Rain, Fragments of a Unicorn's Soul, and Chasing Seth. Your choice of colors. The picture does not encompass all colors, these are just a sample. The charms are made with glass and acrylic beads, have a convenient lobster clasp to hang from your purse, cell phone, jacket, zipper, anywhere you can think! They feature a charm on the end to signify a key point in the story, (e.g. snowflake, cowboy hat, etc.) All you have to do to win is suggest a title for my currently unnamed Chasing Seth sequel featuring Nick and Thayne. Keep reading below for more information on the plot line for the book. I will pick the one I like the best which quite possibly could be the name of my upcoming novel! 

It's hard to believe how fast these last three weeks have gone by! There's been an amazing response and I hope everyone will continue to help make this book blog tour a success. His Salvation is only book one in the world of Deviants. I have two more already planned out in my head and I am certain as I write, more will come forward. I thoroughly enjoyed writing the story of Alex and Gabriel and devising the world they live in with amazing Deviants, concentration camps, war, and hope for peace. My only hope is that you enjoy their world and stories as well. :)

I hope to attend the upcoming GayRomLit con in Atlanta in October this year. Keep your fingers crossed that I can register in time! I would love to attend and meet some of my readers as well as some of my favorite authors! I also have a ton of brilliant swag ideas that I have already begun working on, things I am pretty sure will fly off the swag table in the first night. ;) I hope you'll come visit me in Atlanta at GRL 2013 and stop by to say hi!

My current works in progress include the sequel to Chasing Seth with Nick and Thayne's story. I've had quite a response to Chasing Seth and many emails requesting a sequel so I hope to deliver that to you before the end of the year! In this one Nick is having a hard time dealing with his true mate's rejection and is called to Senaka when Seth claims there's a Created One in the area that is believed to be Taggart, the Created One who'd tortured and raped Seth a few years back. Thayne, running from the biggest mistake of his life, is forced to go home and beg for help only to end up between a rock and a hard place. Either continue running for the rest of his life or submit to the one thing he'd never wanted -- a mate. The sequel is currently at a little over 16k words and I'm aiming for around 75 to 80k. You can follow my progress at my blog with my word count meter; http://jrloveless.blogspot.com . The sequel is yet untitled, so here is where I reach out to my readers and the fans of Chasing Seth for a title. :) Suggest one for this week's contest and the one I like the best will win and most likely will be used on the upcoming novel!

I also have a next installment for Touch Me Gently planned out and started which will feature Kaden and Logan ten years in the future and will focus primarily on their adopted son, Benjamin (Ben). This one I already have a title for... 'Capture Me Softly'. More to come on that later. :)

I look forward to seeing your suggestions for titles and to seeing your comments in the coming weeks! Next week I will be over at Hayley B.James's blog and the contest will be quite... interesting. LOL. Thanks for stopping by and remember comment each week to receive one entry into the Grand Prize drawing at the end of March!

Websites to follow updates on my current works in progress, blog tour posts, events, contests, and upcoming releases:

http://jrloveless.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/authorjrloveless


Excerpt:
GABRIEL stormed into the mansion, his chest aching at the reminder of what he tried so hard to forget. Alex’s innocent gaze and the curious question forced him to think back to the day he wanted nothing more than to change, to rewind time and make it disappear. Only not even a Deviant had that ability. “Gabe?”

Bryan’s voice snagged him midstride, and he halted at the bottom of the steps leading upstairs. Turning, he looked at his boss, unaware of the anguish burning in his eyes. Bryan frowned and beckoned him into his office. Gabriel’s lips tightened into a flat line as he strode in. “Is
everything okay, Gabe?”

“Assign someone else to the kid, Bryan,” Gabriel ground out, pacing the office like a caged animal.

His boss and friend didn’t answer for a long stretch of silence before replying, “No.”

“Why?” Gabriel demanded in agony, swinging a beseeching gaze toward Bryan. “Why are you doing this to me?”

A sad smile drifted over Bryan’s face for a split second. “Because he’s good for you, Gabriel. I haven’t seen you look at anyone like that in the years I’ve known you. Since your brother died, you’ve been cut off, and even during our time together you never let yourself go enough to feel
things.”

“I felt things with you!” Gabriel protested.
Shaking his head, Bryan pinned him in place with his stare. “Fucking isn’t the same thing as feeling something real. Never once did it go beyond sex for you, Gabe. You always held back your heart.”

“That’s not true,” he murmured, sinking into the chair in front of Bryan’s desk. “I may not have shown it, but I did care about you, Bryan. I still do.”

“Not enough,” Bryan replied gently.

Bitterness swamped Gabriel, and the realization that he’d hurt Bryan came over him. He looked up at his ex-lover, grief stricken. “I’m sorry, Bry. So sorry.”

Bryan stood up and moved around his desk to sit in the chair beside Gabriel. He cupped Gabriel’s cheek in one hand. “Don’t apologize for not being able to love me, Gabe. I just wasn’t the person to help you find your way back to who you were meant to be. Don’t let the past control your life.”

“I can’t,” he whispered.

“Yes, you can,” Bryan insisted, stroking his thumb over Gabriel’s cheekbone. “I see that spark in your eyes when you look at him. Give it a chance, and stop fighting so hard to keep everyone away.”

Gabriel touched the back of Bryan’s hand, leaning his face further into his palm. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” Bryan murmured, carefully extricating himself from Gabriel’s grasp. “More than you’ll ever know.”

Bryan stood up and moved back to his desk. “I have an assignment for you. It’ll give you a chance to get away and think. Take Tank, but I doubt you’ll need him.”

Coughing to hide his emotions, Gabriel nodded and stood, taking the folder extended to him. “We received a call from one of our contacts a short while ago. Said the boy’s been living in an
abandoned building for a few weeks on his own. There’s not much to go on. Basic details are the
kid looks about fifteen or so. Blond, blue-eyed, skinny, roughly six feet. Extremely skittish. Our contact is pretty sure the kid is at least a level four.”

Gabriel looked over the brief description and a snapshot of the blond boy looking over his shoulder as he entered what appeared to be an empty warehouse. “How do we know he’ll go with us?”

“You don’t.” Bryan tipped the corner of his lip upward. “But I know you. You can be pretty persuasive when you want to be, Gabe.”

He tucked the folder under one arm and turned to head upstairs to begin preparing to leave. “Gabe?”

He stopped in the doorway, turning his head slightly. “Be safe.”

“I always am,” Gabriel replied softly and walked out of the office.

The sounds of dishes clattering in the kitchen and voices rumbling in the living room followed him upstairs. He kicked at the bedroom door to shut it behind him, failing to notice it didn’t close all the way. Picking up his cell, he punched in a quick text to Tank and pulled on his weapons vest, sliding his knives in their sleeves. The sound of the 9mm magazine sliding into place covered the footsteps on the hallway floor. Soft breathing and the sweet smell of sandalwood alerted him to the presence at his door. “You shouldn’t spy on people, kid,” he said flatly, shoving the gun into his vest.

“I wasn’t spying! I heard the sound of a gun cocking,” Alex replied as he edged further into the room.

Gabriel turned around to look at the younger Deviant, his eyebrow raised. “And you came to check it out on your own?”

Alex flushed and dropped his gaze to the floor. “I didn’t think about it to be honest.”

“Next time, don’t go toward the sound. Run away from it.” He went back to making sure he had everything, stuffing an extra change of clothing and the file on the runaway into a small black bag.

“Sorry. Are you going somewhere?”

“Had a report of a Deviant living alone in an abandoned warehouse. I’m going to get the boy and bring him back here,” he replied stoically, checking his phone to see if Tank was ready.

Alex moved closer to his side. “What do you need all the weapons for if he’s just a boy?”
Snorting, Gabriel peered at the younger man. “Haven’t you learned anything here yet? Why do you think we’re teaching you how to protect yourself? To control your abilities? We’re Deviants, and in this world that makes us freaks. If we’re caught out on the streets without some kind of
protection, active ability or no, it’s dangerous. You need to understand that and start doing what you can to protect yourself.”

He roughly unsheathed a knife and shoved it into Alex’s hand. Alex tried to jerk back from him, but he held on tightly, wrapping Alex’s fingers around the handle. “Until you learn to use your psychic ability as a weapon, which will only get you so far, you need to learn how to use this.”

Alex protested, “I don’t want to hurt anyone!”

“Even if they want to hurt you?” Gabriel challenged. “Or your brother? What then? Are you going to let them injure you or possibly kill you and your brother?”

Fear showed clearly in the younger man’s bright green eyes, but Gabriel forced down the guilt, knowing if he didn’t make the other Deviant understand, he could end up dead. “This may be the only thing that saves your life or the life of someone you love.”

Alex stared at the knife in their hands, the blade shining in the dim lamplight. Gabriel realized he still held Alex’s hand and slowly let go, carefully removing his fingers from around Alex’s. Neither of them moved for several heavy breaths. Gabriel’s eyes locked on Alex’s face as emotions flitted over his pale features. He broke the silence. “Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to, kid. It’s a part of life. No one knows why we changed, why we have these abilities now, but we do. We have to accept it and do what we can to survive.”

Gabriel reached out and gently took the knife from Alex, slipping it into its sheath. His cell vibrated in his pocket, notifying him that Tank sat waiting for him in one of the black SUVs. “Work on it with Jackal while I’m gone, Alex. You can show me what you’ve learned when I return.” He picked up his bag, sliding it over his shoulder, and brushed past the
teenager.

“Gabe,” Alex called quietly. Stopping in the doorway, Gabriel looked back at the younger Deviant. “Be careful.”

“Thanks, Alex,” Gabriel murmured before turning and heading out of the agency.

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Also available at other online ebook retailers!

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I hope you've enjoyed our guest blogger today. Remember to comment as we will be watching for those brilliant ideas for her next title and don't those charms look cool! JR you have to make me one!! Thank you for stopping by! 

Wishing you Love and Butterflies!
Sui Lynn~~