4/06/2013

FREEBIE ALERT! The Park at Sunrise


Everyone, this offer has expired. Thank you so much to those of you who went to Amazon and downloaded it! The story was downloaded nearly 700 times in 24 hours! 

I hope all of you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it! 

Hey folks, my story, The Park at Sunrise, previously published in Story Orgy's Word Play anthology (no longer available) is free for Today only at Amazon



First they were three, now there are two.
 Can Jason and Morgan make a relationship work without Paul?

For years the three of them had been inseparable, first as friends, then lovers. It's been ten years since they parted for what was supposed to be a year apart to pursue their dreams. This isn't the reunion they planned then. It's nine years too late for one thing, and they are one man short for another. 

In the years since Paul's death, Morgan hasn't exactly been waiting for Jason to reach out to him. He's been too busy trying to forget, to move on. Until Jason sends the right message. Is the painting just an excuse to see his ex again? 


MINI EXCERPT 
"Damn it, Jason, I don't want to go there. We can't recapture the past! You are not my mother. You are not Paul." I narrowed my eyes and gave him the look that intimidated school board members and recalcitrant football players alike. "Why did you send it if you won't sell me the painting?" 

"Were you here? May twenty-sixth, two thousand one? Because I was."

I stared at him. My anger was fading, heart rate returning to normal. The heat from earlier was replaced by a chill that had nothing to do with the low temperature. Surely he was kidding. "Why? Why did you bother? Paul was dead by then. You had to know I wouldn't come."

"No, I didn't. See, somehow, I never thought it was all about you and Paul. Somehow, I thought it was all about you, me, and Paul. I guess I naively believed that without Paul, you and I would need each other even more."



To take advantage of this offer, just click on over and download your copy today! 

New Excerpt from It's Simple, Simon- A Naughty take on a classic rhyme


IT'S SIMPLE, SIMON 
BUY LINKS 



Enjoy an all new excerpt form the contemporary mm romance, It's Simple, Simon based on the classic nursery rhyme, Simple Simon. You join our heroes at a point where Simon's vacation is coming to an end, and its time for him to say good-bye to his old friend and new lover, the Pie Man, Chase Garvin.



Chapter Seven

PI 2 at the mall was a smaller scale version of The Pieman bakery-style restaurants. It was more of a fast food place, and it really wasn't the place that Simon had planned to have this conversation, but Chase had just asked him something that shocked him into silence and made the conversation imperative. He pushed the plate with the half-eaten piece of pie away. Not that the blueberry and custard pie wasn't melt-in-your-mouth amazing, it was. It was just that the sudden lurch of his stomach made eating impossible. He lifted his cup of Dr. Pepper to his lips and took a long draw on the straw, trying to gather his thoughts. Only one thing was clear.

"Chase, I can't move in with you." He hadn't had a clue that Chase was even considering such a thing. They'd been together a lot this week, but this was out of the blue. Nice as it sounded, as appealing as the idea of waking up in bed with Chase every day was, playing and fucking and laughing together, it wasn't possible.

"Why not? You're still staying with your parents. You can just as easily stay with me while you look for work, and we'll be able to spend more time together. I'm not going to begrudge you the expenses for a few months while you look for work." Chase swapped pie plates with him, and Simon found himself looking at a thick creamy chocolate silk pie. He didn't want it either, so he shoved it back to Chase, who raised a brow but continued eating the blueberry pie.

Whoa. He sat back in the wrought iron chair in the food court and stared blankly at Chase. He liked Chase, maybe even still loved him. He'd certainly enjoyed the week he'd spent hanging out with Chase, meeting his friends, his employees, seeing his six restaurants. But the assumption that he'd give up his extremely lucrative high-ranking position with Bank of SoCal and move back to Denver was a bit much. "Chase, I can't quit my job. I just got a promotion."

Chase scowled, bite of blueberry pie halfway to his mouth. "I thought we'd put this pretense behind us, Simon. You're back here, out of work, and I want you to stay. You can find work here as easily as you can in California."

"I don't need to find work." The awkwardness of this moment was his just desserts for thinking he could just accept Chase's declaration that he "knew all about it". Confession time was upon him.

Chase beamed. Now what had he said to put that joy on the man's face? "You're right. You don't have to. I won't lie. It would make me perfectly happy for you to just stay home. I like the idea of getting home to find you waiting there for me, you know?"

"I never said that!" Where the fuck had Chase gotten the idea he was unemployed? They'd covered all this ground a week ago. "I'm not a leech, to live off my friends and family." Though he had been quite content to do so in the past, he wasn't the same as that aimless, ambitionless boy, and he thought that Chase had realized that.

"I know. But it's obvious. There can't be a lot of work for a musician in this economy. You're here, driving your parents' old car, you don't have any money, and...." Chase trailed off as Simon's jaw dropped.

"I am regional vice president of the Bank of Southern California, newly appointed." Simon bit out. Grabbing his wallet from his back pocket, he yanked out his business card, a handful of high limit credit cards and a fistful of cash, tossing the whole mess on the table in front of them. "I am not a destitute musician looking to sponge off my friends and family, dammit."

Chase looked blankly at the black Amex, the wad of hundred dollar bills, the embossed business card. "What the fuck, Simon? What's been going on?"

He should have known accepting Chase's "I know" at face value was a stupid move. Simple-minded, even, but he'd been so eager to resume their acquaintance that he'd taken it and run. He'd wanted to avoid the truth too badly. "I didn't lose my job and come home to lick my wounds, Chase. I didn't realize you thought that."

"You didn't realize...what the fuck did you think, then?"

"Nothing. I thought you wanted to spend time with me, and I thought you knew I was leaving."

"You're leaving." Chase was echoing his words, and Simon wasn't sure what that meant, exactly, but it couldn't be a good thing any more than the lurid red flush creeping up Chase's neck was a good thing.

"I'm only here on vacation. I have to go home, go back to work." Back to intense traffic, cut-throat negotiating, and seventeen hour work days. Back to being respected, even feared, in the workplace. His employees certainly didn't accord him the casual friendly regard that he'd earned at Chase's eateries over the last week.

Chase slammed his hand down on the glass topped table, sending a paper soda cup toppling sideways to soak Simon's cash, his credit cards, and the half-eaten slices of pie with Dr. Pepper. "I thought you being here was you coming home!"

Simon righted the cup, then pulled napkins out of the metal dispenser and tried to blot up the mess. He felt like shit, like an utter ass. He had no choice now but to tell Chase the whole story. "Let me tell you how it happened. Please. I came home to visit. I wanted to see you again. But my motives weren't all that pure. I wanted to show you what a success I'd become."

He cringed as Chase scowled at him in fury. "So you showed up at the Ren-Faire in ratty old clothes with a lute to show me your success? That makes about as much fucking sense as anything else that's happened this week, I suppose."

Simon winced. "I'm not a genius, I admit that readily, Chase. This wasn't a brilliant plan. I decided to surprise you with my success by looking like I hadn't succeeded." It sounded even stupider when he said it out loud.

"Why? I don't understand this."

"Because you said I lacked ambition and would never make anything of myself. It was why you broke up with me." That part he managed to say with conviction, because it still had the power to hurt.

"Revenge? That's what this is about? You've been messing around with me, lying to me, fucking me, for revenge? So what? So you can break up with me this time? Laugh at me for being stupid?"

"No! It isn't like that!"

"Sure it's not." Chase rose fluidly and carefully pushed his chair under the table. His muscles were tense, his face an iron mask. "Fuck you, Simon."

Desperate, Simon threw out his only excuse. "You said that money didn't matter, that all you wanted was me."

"That was when I thought you didn't have any money. And you know what? It's still not the money that matters, Simon. It's the lies."

Chase disappeared behind the Employees Only door, and Simon mopped at his cash and the sticky credit cards with the soaked napkins. Had he really done all he could to get his feelings across there? Was there any point in pursuing Chase through that door when he had to get on a plane to Orange County tomorrow?

Did he really want to get on that plane?




REVIEWS How could I not be intrigued by a gay twist on a classic nursery rhyme? I picked this book up because I wanted to see if it was possible to make a good story out of a not so good rhyme. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author managed to make it into a story I actually got into and wanted to read. – Reviewed by Andrea at Jessewave the journey was exquisite. It was a lovely balance of yearning and confidence, independence and compromise, love and hate. Through their experiences, we come to appreciate how love doesn’t always come easy, but if it’s right, the challenges are worth it in the end. – Reviewed by Doug at Top 2 Bottom Reviews 





4/05/2013

Back List: It's Simple, SImon




IT'S SIMPLE, SIMON

available at 





Simon Carter has achieved unimaginable success and he owes it all to a man from his past. 

"It's Simple, Simon. You lack ambition."






Chase Garvin's jibe had sent Simon Carter on unexpected paths and brought him unimaginable success. No longer a penniless musician, the highly paid investment banker is going home for the first time in years. He plans to rest, relax, and spend a little time rubbing his ex-lover's nose in his success. A visit to the Renaissance Fair brings this not-quite-so-simple- Simon nose to nose with his past and somehow revenge doesn't seem quite so attractive.

Chase Garvin, Denver, Colorado's very own Pie Man, is still incredibly handsome. What's more, the more mature Chase is very appreciative of Simon's talents.







When the old attraction flares between them, 

Simon and the Pie Man get caught up in tasting the wares, 

and neither counts the pennies.



REVIEWS 

How could I not be intrigued by a gay twist on a classic nursery rhyme? I picked this book up because I wanted to see if it was possible to make a good story out of a not so good rhyme. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author managed to make it into a story I actually got into and wanted to read. – Reviewed by Andrea at Jessewave

the journey was exquisite. It was a lovely balance of yearning and confidence, independence and compromise, love and hate. Through their experiences, we come to appreciate how love doesn’t always come easy, but if it’s right, the challenges are worth it in the end. – Reviewed by Doug at Top 2 Bottom Reviews










https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-it039ssimplesimon-932995-145.html

4/04/2013

Crawl in Bed With Diane Thorne



Crawling Into Bed With Diane Thorne
And a Good Book

Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton?

Cotton.

What are you wearing? 

Pajamas. I'm a cold freak and need to stay warm. I'm not married and I don't have a boyfriend currently. But if I'm with my imaginary boyfriend, I'm naked.

What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight?

Well first, I don't bring food to bed. That seems yucky to eat food in bed. I would not want crumbs that I could roll over on. Ick.
Now, if we're talking body parts as food, I wish I could say I snacked on a man. But, reading would be impossible if I were snacking on a man. I mean, really - No concentration on the book if I have a cock in my mouth. Since I don't have a boyfriend to gobble up at the moment there is no eating in bed.

If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?

Nothing. I don't have a nightstand. But my imaginary one has toys in it. Adult toys ready to use. Of course, they're to use with my imaginary boyfriend who is super hot. Big guy with large muscles...everywhere. Yum.

Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?

I actually do both. If I'm cold, I can end up like a burrito. If I get hot, I kick my feet out from the covers. And for some reason, I lose my thick fuzzy socks in the covers and can't find them. WTF? It's like the bed tugs them off my feet and eats them. I'm without one now as I type this because I can't find the ONE the bed ate over night. Crazy ass bed.

Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up?

No, you would not want to do that. My body temp is usually cool. You wouldn't get much heat from me.

What are we reading?

I'm currently reading the latest novel in the Hallows series from Kim Harrison. Yes, I read much more than erotic romance and erotica. Imagine that. lol

I have a variety of books to select from: Contemporary erotic romance, Urban Fantasy erotica/erotic romance, Menage a Trois, Contemp/Fantasy erotic romance... What can I say? I like to mix things up with erotica/erotic romance.


Find me here:

Here's info on one of my latest releases (Contemporary erotic romance series)



BLURB
Alison longs for a chance to have a threesome with two sexy and courageous men. Tony and Ben suit her fantasy, but they will soon be cops. They’re not the typical kind of men she dates, but even good guys can play naughty.

After her dream comes true, she finds herself needing more of her two lovers. And they desire more of her. Happiness lasts until one of her admirers shows up and causes trouble. Alison will have to act fast if she wants to save her relationship with Tony and Ben, and their careers.

Be Warned: menage sex (MFM), anal sex, bondage, spanking


Thanks for having me as a guest ;)

Diane Thorne
Erotic Romance Author
Sweet & Erotic ~ Kinky & Hot ~ Taking Pleasure In All Forms



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4/03/2013

Recipe Theme of the Month: Bite Size Nibbles- Appetizers

For April I'm choosing a theme of appetizers. Tiny, bite size treats that make you wish they were a full meal, all month long. Some of these are things we do all the time, others are things I'd like to try. The first one is a nifty little trick I saw in Southern Living called Pinchos.

Southern Living 
Apparently this is a Spanish dish, but I would think you could create a theme for these around any country, region, or even holiday.

Their suggestions:

Skewer any two items on a pick, and serve a colorful assortment on a tray. Try our combinations, or experiment with some of your own.

  • Cube of salami + small gherkin pickle
  • Cube of fontina cheese + dried Mission fig quarter
  • Quartered marinated artichoke heart + 1 boiled medium-size shrimp
  • ½ small fresh mozzarella ball + rolled-up roasted red bell pepper strip
  • ½ pickled okra + one piece of country ham
My thoughts: 


  • A Curl of Salami + a cube of Provolone 
  • A Grape Tomato with a Ribbon of Basil + a cube of mozzarella
  • Pickled Asparagus + a Cube of Ham 
  • A chunk of fresh pineapple, a mint leaf + a cube of feta cheese
  • A curl of bacon + a Smoked oyster


 Just rambling there, but the endless possibilities... and then, you know, who doesn't like food on a stick? Hehe...

Any idea what you think would be good on a stick? lol
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4/02/2013

On Writing: April 2



Trying to work again- but work consists of so many things, and the weekend with the family was so chock full of moments that are currently intruding on my memory, and the sun is shining...Hell, I don't even need the internet to be distracted today! 



That sun...he's trying to lure me out into the world, to the park to take a hike or something... I think he's the worst today, keeping me from getting on with working on Fifty-Fifty Chance.





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4/01/2013

Autism Blog Hop

Thank you to all who participated! Our winners are 
1. vitajex
2. gigi

I'll be emailing the winners about how to claim their prizes. 

To everyone else, it means a lot to me that you stopped by and commented! 


Autism Awareness Blog Hop
I'm going simple with this post…


According to a 2012 survey, 27% of children with autism have been excluded from school.
On Prejudice
Anyone who's been excluded, whether because of race, religion, gender, sexuality, knows that hurts. 
I'm a little stumped on what to write for this today, because I've faced prejudice on many grounds in the forty-something years I've been here. 
I wore glasses, was overweight, wore the wrong clothes and spoke with an accent. 
I've been on the outside looking in. 
Who hasn't? 
It's a fact of our everyday lives. 
Only we can make it better by refusing to perpetuate the negativity. 

Include diversity in the classroom. 

Teach all our children to appreciate one another for their differences, 

and we'll end up with a better tomorrow. 

I'm offering a giveaway for those who comment. Please leave your email address so you can be notified if you win. Winners will be chosen by random draw from among the commenters. 

First offer: $5 Amazon GC 

Second Offer: Fabulous hand crafted book mark by Freia Inguz


Don't forget to enter for the Grand Prize!   
Grand Prize - to be drawn on 1 May 2013 -
Extasy Books - $25 credits
Total E-Bound - £30 voucher
Love Lane Books - £20 voucher
Click over to RJ Scott's to enter for the Grand Prize drawing


Top 5: Sunshine Songs to Chase Away the Gloom

I'm a sun lover- 
Not a sun worshiper- my pale skin can't take the heat, you know? 

But nothing stirs my soul like a beautiful sunrise or a clear blue sky. 

So after a week of cloudy skies, I though I'd dig out my favorite "sun" songs for you all this week. 

The first one is a lively 80's piece that practically makes me dance in my kitchen! (shh...no, you don't wanna see that! It ain't a graceful sight!) 

1.  Katrina and the Waves - Walking on Sunshine
2. ZZ TOP - Cheap Sunglasses
3. Terry Jacks -  Seasons in the Sun
4.  Cheryl Crow - Soak Up the Sun 
5. The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun




So here's hoping you get some sunshine this week to inspire your creativity, your garden, or just a wave of good will! 

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Be Yourself

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955
The Romance Reviews