"Spells", Shawn Lane, Writing and Sexy Heroes

I've had an interesting week. My 82 year old Grandmother had a "spell" last week. After taking her to the hospital that "spell" was a minor heart attack. She is the type of person that could be on her death bead, and still want to cook and please everyone. She is one of the strongest women I know, so when she says that she had a "spell" then we know something is wrong.

After surgery, she's doing much better. I wanted to stay with her a few more days, but she insisted that I come home. The only reason I agreed was because my mother is now there with her, otherwise I would have been as stubborn as she is and just parked it at her house anyway.

When I got home last night, I really re-read one of my blue collar stories and totally hated it. So, I threw it out and started over. Last night I wrote a little over four thousand words and tonight I hope to do close to the same. I'm very happy with how this one is turning out, and is totally in love with my heroes Allen and Shiloh.




Allen is my blue collared worker. He's a supervisor at a rendering plant, and has worked there for 15 years. Because he lives in a small town, he's very discreet about his homosexuality and because of that, he has closed himself off emotionally from others in the process. When I started envisioning Allen my mind immediately went to an actor named Charlie David. He stars in Dante's Cove and admittedly isn't the best actor in the world, but he sure is nice to look at.

Shiloh owns a bakery and is very out about his sexuality. He's fun and flirty and the minute Allen comes into his store to order his parents anniversary cake, sparks fly and the hormones start raging! But, with Allen being in the closet, this will cause problem between the two men. Not to mention problems Allen will have if he comes out at work.

I admit I surf the web a lot. I'm always looking for ideas and when I come across pretty or interesting men, I usually save their picture and put it under my inspirational men file. This picture of a young man struck me for some reason. I don't know if it's the sweetness in his face or the lost look in his eyes that called out to me. Yes, he's very young, but when I saw him Shiloh was born. Just add about ten years and he's the perfect Shiloh.



I'm really excited about this story. I'm anxious to get it done. Shiloh has been bugging me for a while now. He's even more persistent than Sidney, and believe me, that says a lot! I think this book will be a longer one than I've written in the past. Both men have a lot to say and I think it'll be a fun ride watching it come together.

I want to thank Shawn Lane for my interview last Friday. I had a great time answering her questions, especially about Jack. *wink* I also read both Only in his Dreams and Only for Him and fell in love with this series. If you haven't read them yet, you should. They were awesome and Barnaby will be a favorite character of mine. I can't wait until next Only book comes out!

Y'all have a great night!

My Little Rant on a Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day it is today! It's been hard staying inside and pounding away at my keyboard today. I've written about two thousand words on one of my blue collared labor stories, and I plan on writing more tonight.

One story will be about Chase and David. Chase is an emergency room RN and Dave is a mechanic. Chase has been out of the closet for years. He's recently gotten out of a bad relationship and is looking for a man who isn't ashamed to be seen and to be out and proud with him. Enter Dave, who has lived firmly in the closet all of his life. Dave knows that if he gives into his desires he will be disowned by many family members and friends. Once Chase and Dave meet, sparks fly and both men have to decide if their love is worth fighting for.

When I've pictured Chase in my mind, I've thought of Paul Walker. Paul has been in several movies, but he's best known as being in the Fast and Furious movies. There is something sexy about him, not to mention he has that boy next door quality about him that I absolutely love!


Dave has been a harder character for me. He's older than Chase and has had a rough family life and a tough time keeping his attraction for men under wraps all of his life. Chris and I watched Road House the other day and once I saw Sam Elliot, Dave was born. There is something about Sam's tough exterior, including that sexy voice that makes him the perfect example of male heterosexuality. Personally, I think he's even sexier once I thought of him being with another man; especially Chase!


I just read Still the One by Shawn Lane. I LOVED IT! My good friend Jack and his wonderful partner Shayne have both pointed out that I need to continue reviewing books on goodreads. I admit that I've been very slack at writing reviews. It's not that I don't want to write them, but finding the time and well having my own book on the chopping block has made me Leary of reviewing. It's not that some people didn't like it because not every book will appeal to everyone, it's the way it's reviewed and said that is often hurtful and sometimes downright mean.
So after much thought, I've decided to try to review at least a couple of books a week. I'm making it a goal of mine to make sure and point out good things about the book,even if it's not a favorite of mine. Since some of the reviews on there have been spiteful and just cruel, and as Jack and Shayne pointed out, it's time for us more positive people to keep reviewing and block out the people who constantly write negative things about books they supposedly love.

For those who are on goodreads, I heartily recommend becoming friends with Erotic Horizon and Lily. Both of them are outstanding and fair reviewers. They are not spiteful and even when they aren't crazy about a book they've read, are tactful about it. It's apparent that both of them actually love what they do and what they read and I know when I read a review by either of them, it will be fair, entertaining and unbiased.

There are several other friends I have on goodreads that write great reviews. Eyre, Maggie, Shayne (Yes you Shayne), Jack, Drew and Lindsay. I'm hoping they will start showing up more often and reviewing more books, too. After all Lily and Erotic Horizon can't do it all by themselves! LOL!

I've decided to put my money where my mouth is and try to show up on Goodreads more often. Shayne pointed out that there has been some negativity there, but instead of giving into it, banding together with other positive friends and make it fun again. So, I'm going to join Jack and Shayne and make an effort to make it a more positive place.

Now, I'm taking a few hours off and I'm going to go enjoy the sunshine! Y'all have a great rest of the night and a great week!

Sometimes I need to be reminded...

I saw this picture of Adam Lambert on Face book and I had to share it because I really liked it. He's definitely taking glam rock to whole other level! Plus, he's an inspiration to a character I'll be working on real soon. :)

Not a lot has been going on this past week. The weather has been beautiful, which was nice. Chris and I splurged and went to see Hot Tub Time Machine Friday night. It was interesting seeing how different we are now, especially with technology, than we were in the early eighties. It's hard to believe that we survived without cell phones and internet!

It was a funny movie, but of course I enjoyed looking at John Cusack more than anything. *wink* I think he'd be great with Samuel's brother Sidney. John is almost like the boy next door, I bet it wouldn't take a lot to make him a little nerdy...hmmm....


I admit I've had the hum-drums this week. It's been hard to stay motivated for some reason. I don't know, maybe we all get this way at one time or the other. Then suddenly Chris does something that reminds me how lucky I am. Out of nowhere he picked some daffodils and wildflowers this afternoon and brought them to me. It reminded me that no matter what, I know I can always rely on him in the end.

AND Shawn Lane wrote a short about Kevin and Michael from Car Wash! If you haven't' read it, you should go over there and check it out! It was great! Here is the link if you are interested http://smlgr8.blogspot.com/2010/03/kevins-interlude.html .

I still haven't heard anything from any of the publishers. Of course I check my inbox a thousand times a day! I've been told the waiting is the hardest part, and I certainly believe that. UGH!

I'm going to start my blue collar book this week. I've been hashing out a plot in my mind, so hopefully it'll go really smooth!

Spring Forward

Can you believe it's already time to spring our clocks forward? I don't know about y'all, but I've been ready for Spring for months! I've missed the colorful flowers and lush green leaves on the trees. I'm ready to break out some of my cute sandals and put away my clunky winter shoes! Woo Hoo!

It's been a busy week this week. My mother, Ashley and Snow White came over and spent a couple of days with us. It's amazing how fast my niece is growing! It was great having some quality time with them and as usual, time flies when we're all together. Lucky for us we'll be seeing them this coming Friday. We're all meeting at my Grandmother's house and spending the day with her. That will be a fun filled day for sure!

Unfortunately now, my husband Chris is sick. He's running a temperature and has a bad head cold. It must be going around because Ashley said that Snow White is sick, my mother-in-law is sick and I've read that Shayne is sick. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everyone to have a speedy recovery really soon!




I haven't had any time to write this week. Staring tomorrow (hopefully) I'll be working on my two projects. I'm continuing to work on Angel's Redemption which is Jack and Riley's story and I'm starting a new book tomorrow. I'm planning on submitting at least two Blue Collared themed books to Amber Quill Press within the next couple of months. I've been brainstorming the storyline with my sister and Jack and I think I've got a good handle on what I'm going to write.

Now all I have to do is get it written and submitted. Whew! I'm already tired!



I will have to take time out to read Shawn Lane's newest book, Only in his Dreams, tomorrow. This is the first book in her highly anticipated "Only" series and I can't wait to read it! It's going to be great!

I hope y'all have a great weekend!