Yaoi-con 2012 Preview

Go to: http://yaoicon.com for information.

Next weekend, October 12-14, I will be at Yaoi-con! I am very excited to be getting my Bishonen fix in my own back yard. This year, Yaoi-con will be at The Westin Long Beach 333 East Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 9080. There are some fantastic industry guests that include the mighty Hamlet Machine from Starfighter Web Comic, Jo Chen from Guilt/Pleasure , Alex Woolfson from Yaoi911 and Artifice and the great guys from Bent-con http://Bent-con.org. The Guest of Honor is Uki Ogasawara , mangaka of the Yaoi classic, Black Sun.

Panels, Panels, Panels

I have three and most likely four at Yaoi-con this year. I am pleased to be representing localizers from the Digital Manga Guild (DMG) on a panel called Localizing for the Digital Manga Guild for Fun and Profit. The Guild needs many more translators, editors and letterers for its growing catalog of licensed titles. I'm going to make a strong case for joining up. I will have a fun power point presentation and hopefully a lively Q&A session toward the end.

Yes, he is. But that's the least of his issues.

Of course, if it's me, there must be some BDSM. My first panel of the convention is Exploring Dark Fantasy: BDSM in Yaoi. That will involve a scary fun power point presentation and props that are even scarier. Those props haven't been used in a convention since the one where I collared and palled a naughty Klingon and had Battlestar Galatica's Richard Hatch on his knees. That was a fun one. Where was I? I will take the bdsm presented in various manga and light novels on its on terms. However, I will be drawing a distinction between what the mangaka and authors describe and what is reality in the lifestyle, including how rare it is that actual consent is given from the uke or submissive (nope, not letting that go). And I will get a little bit literary on everyone with a discussion of what it means that so many major authors and mangaka choose bdsm as a theme rather than a vanilla gay relationship.

The third panel stems from an amusing aspect of many manga the localizers have completed. It is unusual when vanilla sex in a bedroom at night happens between Seme and uke. The Panel Anywhere, Anytime, Anyhow explores the many places and strange implements involved in Yaoi hook ups. Have a mentioned the bud vase with water AND a flower??? And don't get me started on the school Nurse's Office! There will be a power point presentation of some of the manga pages for illustration.

The fourth panel that I may be a part of is the Bent-con panel. It is a really cool convention that covers anything an attendee would find at a comic-con only gayer! All geeks are welcome. I will be talking about the incredible panels I attended there and the amazing people in the industry fans got to have near one on one contact with. This year's convention will be even better!

I really hope that my gentle readers in the Southland and beyond can visit. Tickets are still available at the door. Aside from my panels, there are so many wonderful industry and attendee panels. Beyond that, there is merchandise for every yaoi fandom out there. There are people in astonishing cosplay outfits. And there is a great feeling of connection that comes from finding out that you aren't by yourself in this niche. Last year was my first Yaoi-con ever. I felt such a great vibe there in general and from the folks at Digital Manga in particular, that I joined the guild. That has been a great experience for me personally and professionally. I am beyond excited that the company is running the convention.

For those who can't make it, I will be doing videos based on the power point presentations. But I hope you can make it!

Book Updates

As I posted in my last blog, there is a three chapter preview of A Soldier's Destiny available on this site. Click on the link at the top of the menu on the right called A Soldier's Destiny Preview Chapters. Meanwhile, The next installment of Ensnared is in my brain and wanting to get out. I'm hoping to have excepts of that by the end of the year when we release A Soldier's Destiny. Thank you for all the notes of encouragement. I'm even thankful for the notes yelling at me to write faster.

The next blog will be all about Yaoi-con. My Hubs and I have a new camera, so we'll get lots of photos of everything. I hope to give full coverage like a news feature. It's been some years since I've covered anything as a reporter, but I thought I'd give it a try.

For my next regular blog – Insane Semes and Why We Love Them.

Non-Con Again, Scary Semes and Twisted Views

I thought this blog would be about the next Cook Like a Uke Video. The last few days have been spent doing strange research like finding lingerie – specifically teddys – that fit muscular guys. My Hubs looked over my shoulder, exclaimed 'whatever you're planning, count me out!' Then, he fled to the study. Silly Billy! It's nearly time for a new video shoot on Cook Like a Uke. Meanwhile, the latest edited video will go up by Friday. It's a real like Misaki from Junjou Romantica. However, I didn't get as far in my planning as I had hope. Instead, I'll talk about something that keeps coming up in reader e-mails.

Despite previous blogs like the one on Power Exchange, I've had some emails from those kind souls who've taken the time to read the sample chapters of Ensnared and some of my blogs. They raise some interesting points – even the ones that kind of called me a hypocrite. I have blogged against and have often spoken out against the continuing use of non-consensual relationships in yaoi (I hope to have an even bigger panel on this subject at upcoming conventions this year). It paints a picture to the outside world that all yaoi is about rape and torture. These opinions have become really important of late as companies like Amazon and Apple have banned yaoi. And, for a short time, Smashwords was going to ban erotica with such themes. It could be argued that it wasn't non-con that got those books banned, but why give anyone that ammunition when it isn't necessary? These perceptions can impact where we can buy yaoi or even if we can buy yaoi. I am a publisher as well as a writer who doesn't want a tired trope impacting my bottom line. I'm not trying to be provocative in saying it's a tired trope. I think times have changed in the decades since Yaoi was young. The general public know a lot more about gay men and their relationships. It isn't looked upon as something to be ashamed of. Thus, there is no need to have these pairings begin with an act of force or blackmail or any kind of coercion.

And as I mentioned in the Power Exchange blog, I think there is often a fundamental misunderstanding of how dominant/submissive relationships work. I plan on revamping my Primer on Writing BDSM and offering it for free as an e-book later this summer. I love D/s fiction! I adore strong, even overbearing Semes. Who doesn't love Usagi-san in Junjou Romantica or Al from Ikoku Irokoi Romantan? They are a tad pushier than I like, but overall, they are loving and protective and devoted to their exasperated ukes. They are irresistible in their arrogance. I'm with you all with regard to this type of Seme. I want yaoi to remain as sizzling hot and sexy as always!

The gentle readers who wrote were asking how the scenario I set up between Lord Darius Galatea and underworld gang leader, Andreas Hesper was not a non-con relationship. I admit that it looks like a duck and even quacks like a duck. But it isn't a duck. It's more like a platypus. Part of my point in creating that couple was that I wanted to prove that there could be all the tension and drama between the Seme and Uke that there is in a non-consensual pair while being a consensual relationship.

But readers of the excerpts point out that it seems that Andreas is being pressured to stop hanging out with his childhood friend and second in command, Viktor. This situation is not at all what it seems. I'm glad that the sample chapters intrigued readers enough to write me with these observations. I will respond to them as best I can; however, the best way to see that this story is not the usual trope but one that turns that trope on its ear is to read the entire story over the two volumes. I will answer what I can without revealing too much if only for the sake of not having readers think I am being a hypocrite. I must first give a little background.

Early in the existence of Zed Crew, a couple of members who held powerful positions were either booted from the Crew or, in one case, killed over love affairs that went very badly (in that, a jealous lover killed the Crew Member). These unfortunate events caused Andreas to issue a decree that none of Zed Crew was to be involved in high drama relationships. Further, there were restrictions on how much drinking and partying was allowed. The new rule suited Viktor as he was secretly in love with Andreas and didn't want anyone else closer to him than he was. This rule also coincided with the opening of Club Zero, a nightspot popular with almost all strata of that society and their Crew's base of operation. Thus, no one who frequented that club, including those who lusted after Andreas, ever saw him party hard or show a romantic interest in anyone. Viktor had spent years at Andreas' side and never saw him show an interest in another man or woman.

To Viktor and the others who wanted Andreas, Darius seemed to be able to waltz into the building and take what they all wanted. Despite everything they witnessed with their own eyes to the contrary, they couldn't accept that Andreas was the one who initiated the first encounter between him and Darius. So there is jealousy from those who want Andreas. Coupled with those intense and dangerous feelings, there is a plot to remove Darius from power by forcing him to take an outrageous action against those who want to trespass into his relationship with Andreas. This is the backdrop to what appears to be irrational possessiveness on the part of Darius. The only danger for Andreas and his freedom is the very real possibility that Darius will deem it unsafe for Andreas to live his life as he has. There are real physical dangers to this uke as those who lust after him grow more and more frustrated that their feelings are not returned. It is Darius' prerogative to determine how best to keep Andreas safe. Under the terms of their contract, Andreas must obey – even if that means being locked away or chained to Darius' bed. This is not a non-con relationship, because Andreas agreed to accept the terms of their contract without hesitation and without coercion. The fun of reading the book is finding out whether or not Andreas can find a way to stand up to such a powerful being and keep his freedom while keeping his Owner happy. And, if this is possible, how he manages to pull it off without triggering Darius' world famous temper.

To get the answers, you will have to start reading!

NEW Cook Like a Uke - Featuring 'Again Tomorrow's' Hot Seme!

 

Yuusei isn't exactly a Uke. And he is up to something! But what?

Nabako Kamo's Again Tomorrow is available on Kindle, Nook and Emanga :

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FN03L6/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/again-tomorrow-nabako-kamo/1109212837

http://www.emanga.com/books/Again_Tomorrow

(Again Tomorrow - Ashita Kara Mouichido © Nabako Kamo. All rights reserved. Original Japanese edition published in 2010 by Taiyoh Tosho Publishing Co., Ltd.)

For the behind the scenes story -- read this blog tomorrow! 

Cook Like a Uke February Update

The next Cook Like a Uke episode will be up early next week. I've been delayed again by my various real life obligations. One of them, as I mentioned last week, is an editor for Digital Manga. My localizing team, Heaven's Blade, was putting our first title to bed. Again Tomorrow by Nabako Kamo was as fun to do as it was challenging. I wrote a brief blog about the Semes in the book and their tendency toward really public and explicit public displays of affection HERE.

I have managed to shoot most of the video while juggling my other work. I just have one scene to re-shoot. I'm doing my version of the perfect breakfast from Junjou Romantica episode 2. I've added and deleted some dishes. I'll explain that more fully when I post the video. The one after that will be the Pork Tonjiu recipe from episode 1 of Junjou Romantica. What can I say? Misaki Takahashi is adorable, and he really loves to cook for his Seme, Akhiko Usami or Usagi. I should have a more consistent shooting schedule now that I have a stable routine for the rest of my work. Meanwhile, I'll be posting a regular cooking video that is a response to video posted by one of my favorite Japanese chef's online, Ochikeron. If you're interested in Kara Age Style Buffalo Wings, subscribe to my channel or just check in there early next week.

Thank you for your patience and encouragement. 

 Ensnared Volume One, the Paperback is now  on Amazon.com HERE

 Ensnared Volume Two is LIVE on Kindle HERE
The paperback is available HERE
Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE  
Ensnared Volume One Kindle Ebook Available HERE 
Check out full chapter excerpts for Volume One and Volume Two under Hot Links in the Menu on the right side of this page!

The Secret Side of a Seme

One of my alter egos is an Editor at Digital Manga. This past week, my team and I finished the first pass on Again Tomorrow. I've written a blog for the manga about a characteristic common to the Semes in the three stories. Then, I realized that they had something in common with my Semes. You can read the Again Tomorrow blog HERE before continuing onward. Don't worry, it's not very long, and it is pertinent.

No real spoilers here.

I realized that along with the secret lives these Semes, Yuu and Ryou lead with their lovers, they had a secret side to themselves that only their ukes saw. I also realized that this was true of the Semes in my books, Darius and Rik. Given how naked the Semes are in these books and manga, I'm sure it raises the question of whether it is even possible for them to have a secret side that doesn't involve an x-ray. It's a side to their personalities that they only allow their lovers to see. It's basically vulnerability. All four characters appear aloof – even cold to the outside world. In the case of Darius from Ensnared and Rik from A Soldier's Choice and A Soldier's Fate, they are also rightly viewed as dangerous to outsiders. In Darius' case, he is absolutely and justifiably frightening to the public. These public faces are essential for these Semes to maintain their standing in their social circles. For Yuu, he is a Vice President and heir to his father's company. He must be stoic and focused solely on business. Ryou has his campus image to maintain. In Rik's case, he needs to be perceived as a hard-assed special forces Colonel in order to be taken seriously as a trainer and commanding officer. Darius' rule over a region of space as well as his life hinges on being seen as unyielding and lethal.

Somehow, these ukes see through these carefully constructed images to the hidden personality. Andreas sees a glimpse of something beyond the iron fisted ruler in Darius before they even speak to each other. Vincent sees hints of something more tender in Rik long before they become lovers. All facets of this gentler side to these Semes is revealed when they realize that the only way to keep their uke's by their sides and in their beds is to truly show how they feel about everything. These ukes are very smart along with being incredibly beautiful and extremely sexy. They know what a gift they were given in being able to see the true nature of their Semes. Thus, each is protective of their lovers and make sure that side is only seen by them in as much privacy as these impulsive, headstrong men allow.

To learn more, you'll have to read these titles. Again Tomorrow is coming soon on Digital Manga's page linked in the first paragraph.

 Ensnared Volume One, the Paperback is now  on Amazon.com HERE

 Ensnared Volume Two is LIVE on Kindle HERE
The paperback is available HERE
Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE  
Ensnared Volume One Kindle Ebook Available HERE 
Check out full chapter excerpts for Volume One and Volume Two under Hot Links in the Menu on the right side of this page!

The next Cook Like a Uke video is being shot this very day (Friday, February 17^th). I should be online sometime this weekend. It will be earlier if I can manage it.

Food and Yaoi/BL -- A Tasty Combo!

Buy all e-book formats of Ensnared, Ensnared Volume Two, A Soldier's Choice and A Soldier's Fate and find links to print and Kindle versions HERE
Scroll down the page for all titles above. Read 20 percent of each book for FREE!

I'm often asked 'what is with all the food in your yaoi?' The question is sometimes asked with exasperation especially after launching the youtube videos Cook Like a Uke. The short answer is that food is about seduction – especially for men. The adage – the way to a man's heart is through his stomach – is true. In the every day world, it is a far more realistic and a simpler writing device to have a male character become enthralled to someone via cooking than through more elaborate romantic advances. Bathtubs and fireplaces are very romantic, lend themselves to nakedness easily and are fun to imagine. They are devices I employ quite often and with great relish. However, I always base my characters on reality no matter how fantastic the setting I put them in. Men like food. I like cooking food. It's a very easy and fruitful union for me and my characters.

I use food and sometimes cooking in different ways in yaoi. I use it as a means of foreplay. My Semes and my Ukes all love good food. They taste it and savor it the same way they would the skin of their lovers. My characters are highly sensual beings. The taste of great food combined with the reactions of their lovers to the food often lead to heated sexual encounters. WARNING! Mild Spoilers Ahead!!

Andreas Hesper in Ensnared is first attracted to the angelic yet diabolical Darius Galatea by the way the powerful Lord enjoys his meal. He likens the way Darius eats his food to watching foreplay by a master. He immediately wonders what it would be like to have that intense attention of that mouth and that tongue on his body. Heedless of the danger, Andreas felt compelled to approach him because of that.

Truth be told, he couldn't really explain what possessed him to behave that way toward the most powerful man on the planet. He was far better looking in person than Andreas expected. Mykos Estevan was very attractive with his flowing platinum hair and strangely violet eyes. But Lord Galatea was strikingly beautiful with that creamy skin and hair the color of butter. The way the man enjoyed his food was like watching foreplay by a master. Andreas found himself wondering what it would be like to have that focus aimed at him. A simple introduction would not do. He had to do something to make Darius remember him beyond that night. Andreas believed he had succeeded, but to what end? Viktor was right about Darius and his reputation. No one refused him – ever.

Once Andreas was in service with Darius as his body slave, he often finds himself distracted when Darius is eating which often leads to being dragged into the bedroom.

Andreas was happy that his thoughts on the Convening were useful to Darius, but he was having trouble concentrating. Darius was a very sensual eater. The way he held and savored that sandwich reminded Andreas strongly of how his Owner made love, and it was driving him crazy. Though sore from the thorough use of his body the night before, Andreas found himself hungry for more. Everything the Cosi did while he enjoyed his meal reminded Andreas of their lovemaking. He could hardly get through his own delicious sandwich for stealing glances at Darius. Their leisurely lunch proceeded despite Andreas' growing distraction.

“Look at me, Andreas,” Darius murmured.

Andreas complied, meeting those vibrant blue eyes that were gazing warmly at him.

“What has you so distracted?”

“You, Darius. Your hands...your mouth...”

“Insatiable, are you?”

“No...it's you...what you do to me...”

Those incredible blue eyes flashed before he stood. Andreas watched as his Owner reached over to grab him by the hair, urging him to his feet. In a swift, elegant move Darius pulled his Dami against him then kissed him hungrily. Andreas felt a jolt of pure lust before his knees buckled. Darius continued the kiss even as he swept Andreas into his arms to carry him to the bedroom. During that brief trip, Andreas buried his hands in Darius' silken hair and held fast. He barely heard the bedroom door shut.

Andreas even becomes possessive about anyone else witnessing what he found so compelling as they spend more and more time together.

“What is troubling you, besides the mess we left in the living room?”

“I'm going crazy,” Andreas muttered. “You've made me crazy. I don't want anyone seeing how you look when you eat. It shows too much of who you really are.”

Darius smiled at him kindly.

“Now, you know how I feel about anyone looking at you at all. Your eyes, your smile, the way you laugh are all compelling,” Darius said. “And you are far more approachable than I am.”

“I approached you.”

“Yes, but only you could have gotten away with that,” Darius said. “You are singular in exquisiteness to me. I will not permit anyone else that access.”

“I've never felt possessiveness before. It scares me and pisses me off,” Andreas said. “I won't let anyone approach me. Even if I have to wear the collar and tag openly all the time. I don't ever want to cause you a moment of pain.”

Darius gazed at him with great warmth.

“You are well spent this evening, or I would make love to you again,” Darius murmured. “However, I will hold you close through the night, so you will be near my heart.”

For Darius and Andreas in Ensnared Volume One and Volume Two, food is something to sensually enjoy and often leads to lovemaking. Darius is aware of how much his enjoyment rouses his lover, and makes sure that it happens often. And though his arrogant Owner and lover exasperate him, Andreas doesn't mind the distracting turmoil that meals bring them.

For Rik Heron and Vincent Greven in A Soldier's Choice and A Soldier's Fate, food also leads to the bedroom but for different reasons. Vincent is combative by nature. He can also be quite boisterous in expressing himself most of the time, especially if he's ticked off. However, he is very shy about expressing his most personal feelings. He often uses food to show his love for Rik and later for their cobbled together family. Rik loves Vincent's cooking for a number of reasons. First off, it's delicious. He is often amazed at the skill and care his lover takes in preparing their meals. The other reason is that one of the rare times Vincent lets his real personality show is when he is cooking. From A Soldier's Choice:

I had never imagined that cooking would be a pleasure I shared with a lover. It was always difficult to watch Vincent without him becoming self-conscious and prickly. That didn’t happen when he was cooking. The process absorbed his attention making him lower his guard. His perpetual scowl was gone leaving the angelic, placid visage that I usually only glimpsed when he was sleeping. I sneaked long looks at him as often as my peeling or chopping allowed. When his gaze met mine, the expression in his eyes was soft and open. I adored the challenging and wicked glint that graced Vincent’s eyes most of the time, but there was something about that soft gaze that tugged at my heart. It could have shifted the mood, but I took the chance to tell him so.

A smile tugged at his lips, but his expression remained soft and open.

“I used to hate that smirk of yours,” he admitted quietly. “Then I realized it was part of your battle face – like my frown. And you’re smirk wasn’t always smug or all-knowing. Sometimes, you mock yourself; sometimes you’re daring me. I like your smirk, but I love how you look when you first open your eyes.”

“Why?”

“It’s a look that’s only for me,” he said with a slight blush. “I see everything in your eyes – what you feel about me and who you really are.”

Vincent let me corner him and draw him into long, lazy kisses while the fragrant soup stock simmered. In the back of my mind, I knew he was using a very pleasant diversionary tactic on me, but the rest of my body just didn’t care. I relished kissing that lush sweet mouth to my heart’s content.

Despite these practical reasons for having food play a role in the Soldier's titles, I still allow Rik and Vincent to let the pure sensuality of food propel them to the bedroom. Occasionally, food has been a major plot point for dangerous intrigue.

That really is the short reason of why I use food in yaoi. I could go on a lot longer. So enjoy the food along with my guys, and check out Cook Like a Uke!

Ensnared Volume 2 Ebook is LIVE!

Ensnared Volume Two is available in most forms of ebook at Smashwords!
Click HERE to preview 20 percent of this book!
Kindle and Paperback versions are coming soon!
An incredible twist of fate means a drastic change in fortune for Andreas. This change also tears Darius and Andreas apart. While they both cope with being apart, Andreas is faced with all manner of unexpected dilemmas. He has to find a way to be a success in his new role to have a chance at returning to Darius. Andreas also must fend off sexual advances from all manner of surprising people -- including another, very determined Cosi. He must also watch with dread as those close to Darius once again seek his favor, including an infamous ex-lover. Meanwhile, Darius has found that not only is any future relationship with Andreas in jeopardy, his rule as a Cosi may also be in peril. Both men’s freedom and their lives are at stake. Neither can afford the slightest misstep. Passion, however, will not be denied. Darius and Andreas are determined to find a way back to each other no matter what the cost!

When Semes Collide -- What Happens When Characters Don't Get Along

Ensnared, the Paperback is now  on Amazon.com HERE
Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE  
Ensnared Kindle Ebook Available HERE

Check out full chapter excerpts under Hot Links in the Menu on the right side of this page!

To write a character well, I believe the writer must be empathetic to him or her. That applies to the unsympathetic characters as well. I never think of any character as evil. They each have reasons that are internally valid for their actions. It's just that their goals are diametrically opposed to the protagonists. That said, in my writing, protagonists are good guys and the antagonists are bad guys and never the twains shall meet. I have never had an occasion to turn a protagonist into an antagonist until now.

In A Soldiers Destiny, my enigmatic vampire, Simon Molinar from Demon Under Glass, is a less than sympathetic character. He is not quite an antagonist, but he is highly problematic for Rik and Vincent. Simon remains one of the most complicated characters I have ever written. I never write him from his point of view, so those who interact with him – mostly Joe McKay – have to sift through the words and motives and hope they can figure out the truth. Simon has centuries of experience in manipulating humans. Thus, aside from being innately funny and charming, He knows how to read people quickly and completely from his experience. He can be all things to all people. This works in the Demon Under Glass books, because Simon's goals are the same as Joe's for the most part. And those goals keep Joe by his side without any manipulating. Their pursuers' motivations and goals are horrific, thus it is easy to portray Simon as a protagonist.

The Foundation for Alterds is not like the Delphi Project. They have no sinister ulterior motives. The organization exists to better the lives of those with the genetic mutation whether they become soldiers or not. There are gaps in their knowledge about Delphi that Simon can fill. Also, he knows a great deal about where Delphi technology traveled beyond US borders and what has been and is being done with it. For that more than anything else, the Foundation is willing to extend him their considerable resources and protect him in great comfort indefinitely. Simon's situation is dire because the word has become much smaller than it is now. It is virtually impossible for anyone to exist without detection of a government. And there are organizations as powerful as some governments who know what Simon is.

The match appears to be perfect. But it is very difficult for a being as ancient as Simon to turn off his instincts or curb his desires. They have ruled his life for longer than anyone can imagine. Times have changed for Simon in many ways. He does not understand how the political climate affects his position. He believes that what he has is valuable enough to give him leeway in his life at the Foundation. Simon cannot help manipulating his surroundings to his advantage in order to feel as safe as possible. Rik and the rest of the staff expect that and are prepared to counter that tendency and make him feel safe. The bigger issue for Rik and Vincent is Simon's tendency to misbehave and believe that there will be little in the way of consequences because of the vital nature of the information he holds. There Simon is potentially gravely mistaken. The military brass is not happy that Simon actually exists and they are very afraid that the real origins of the Altered program will become public. Their stance is to destroy him immediately – no matter what he may know. Most of the Foundation's Benefactors are uneasy about his presence in the facility. Vincent gleefully informs Simon that an Altered soldier can be destroyed on the whim of the military despite the millions spent in creating them, so what chance does he think he has if he crosses the line? Simon is in an unprecedented situation. Though mortal, Rik and Vincent are stronger and faster than he his. They can also be as remorseless killers as he is despite their warm and fuzzy reputation in the media.

Rik and Vincent's motivation is simple. They want to find ways to protect mutants like them from exploitation and death. They also are very protective of the family they have cobbled together at the Foundation. They have found a happiness and contentment with this odd collection of people that neither had known since entering the Altered Program. For Rik, it's the only family he has ever known. They view anything that might threaten their goals or their family with great suspicion and, in Vincent's case, hostility. Readers who have taken the journey with them through the previous books understand how hard they fought for the lives they lead. They understand the kind of friendship and support Simon could have if he can resist his impulses. So, I suggest to the Demon Under Glass fans who have not read the Soldier's books to go through and read the excerpts from both books at http://soldierschoice.com or by the books at Smashwords (scroll down to the middle of the page). The ebooks are really cheap and you can read 20 percent of the book free on that site.

Simon is in a position with these men that he has never known. Charm will not work on them. They are soldiers. Actions are what impresses them. Simon is thus faced with the notion of going through both basic and advanced military training with these men before he can hope to cut any ice with them. That gives me an opportunity for a lot of humor. Which is a relief, because I find writing these scenes very awkward. It's like having an intimate dinner party with groups of friends who don't like each other and who each wonders why I bother with the other. Since I enjoy writing all of them – or I wouldn't write them – it's been a conundrum. Still, I think the story is coming together well and will be something both factions of my readers will enjoy.

 

Coming Soon!

You have arrived too early for the party! Check back in two weeks for excerpts from some sexy new books, book trailers and lots of beautiful artwork.