Or let’s not. That song just keeps on running through my head tonight, which is odd, since I haven’t actually heard it in years. But here, let’s all share the joy…
OK, so I’ve got to fess up, I’ve been stunned, amazed and humbled at the response to “An Uncommon Whore.” In fact, it almost made me forget that I had another book come out just within days to that release. (Devil’s Advocate, which I’ll write about later this week.) Anyhow, I decided to give some time to some of the questions and comments about this book.
Yes. Yes. Maybe. No.
All right, enough smart ass stuff. I’ve had some letters, read some discussions and feel the need to talk about the book a little more in depth than I have. There are also a few questions I want to answer.
“Is this your first m/m book? Why did you decide to write in this genre? Are you leaving your other genres behind?”
No, actually, this is not my first m/m story. Bad Angels: Falling is for all intents and purposes a m/m romance. It was marketed as a bisexual ménage because it was the prologue to the story of Rion, Rex and Noemi that begins in Bad Angels: Burn and finishes in the upcoming BA: Heaven. We didn’t want readers to expect books 2 and 3 to be m/m.
Why did I decide to write m/m? Well, I’m a writer, and at times, I’m subject to my imagination. I write what the story demands. In this case, the romance is clearly between Griffin and Helios. That’s the way life is, romance isn’t just for boys and girls…and boys…and maybe another girl…In truth, I’ve also written f/f (Jimmy the Dog in the Masquerade Anthology) and gender queer and cross dressing. (Draggin’ in Phoenix in the Phoenix Rising anthology) I’ve been fortunate enough to live in a very diverse community and my writing reflects that.
I am not leaving anything behind. I really hate to get locked into any single genre. For those of you who didn’t know, I have a sweet western short floating around, and a BDSM novella on the way. Belle Starr has werewolves in space. :)
Was that really the end of the story? Will we read more about Helios and Griffin?
That was the end of Helios' narrative. No, it isn’t the end of the story, there’s still a lot to come. It ended there because frankly, politics is boring. What Helios and Griffin are facing at the end of Uncommon Whore is really not the stuff that action stories are made of.
Yes, you will read more about Helios and Griffin. Those two are the gift that keeps on giving. Next up is Griffin’s narrative. It begins about a year down the road when the young king is faced with the prospect of a mining run on their planet.
Helios doesn’t seem like king/warrior material.
Give him time. He’s been through a lot and is still finding himself.
Is this going to be a series?
Yes, there are other books planned. Yes, the series will continue as a m/m series.
Will we ever find out who was behind Helios’ kidnapping? Will he get his revenge?
Well, Markus is now enslaved on Warlan, so doesn’t that mean he’s guilty? Hmm? Hmm? (or does it? Mwahahahaha…)
Yes, Helios will get his revenge.
What culture did you base this story off of?
This was sort of a mish-mosh of ideas from Golden Age Greece, and Sparta with some Roman elements thrown in for fun. Mostly, I started with the Spartan tradition of young soldiers taking their brothers-in-arms as lovers. It was believed that a soldier would fight more bravely if he fought to impress his lover. Also, the Spartans viewed capture or the loss of the shield as horrifically shameful. “It’s better to come home on your shield than to come home without it.” That’s what Spartan mom’s told their sons. My mom just told me to wear clean underwear. That aspect of honor will come up in the next book.
The Temple of the Sun was drawn from Apollo, of course.
Here's a sexy, adult excerpt from Devil's Advocate!
Blurb:
Tiger shifters Mya and David have a problem. Every time Mya gets aroused, it wakens a beast within her that threatens to overpower her tiger. Unable to consummate their marriage with a proper mating, they turn in desperation to the Last Call, looking for a demon to undo the curse that afflicts her.
Jedidiah Wormwood Worth is a powerful demon and at the top of his field. He's not only a devious trickster who will rob you of your soul, he's also a successful attorney for the underworld -- the real underworld. When he sees the straitlaced shifters at the Specialty Bar, he knows that they'll be his. What he doesn't realize is that by the time the night ends, his heart will belong to them.
Devil's Advocate: Sex for a service, damnation not included.
Excerpt:
“What is it?”
David was curled protectively around his wife; both were naked and lovely in the soft light of the room. Jedidiah settled into a wing chair and stretched his legs.
“Your lovely little wife harbors a hellhound.”
“What?” David sat up; his face looked pale in the golden light of the room. She slept on, deeply and soundly.
“A hellhound. You know, all muscles and teeth and an insane drive to maim and kill. Thankfully, I’m not unfamiliar with the species.”
Under his deeply tanned skin, David went pale. He held her tightly to his body.
“In all truth, it’s a miracle that nothing tragic has occurred this past year. Given the rather savage nature of tiger shifters, combined with the combustive fury of a hellhound, the two of you have been fortunate.”
“How did you control it?”
Jedidiah dropped his chin to his chest, eyeing the couple with a good deal of residual lust. He hadn’t climaxed during their little exploration; indeed, it would have been unwise to have allowed himself that little loss of control. But still… he flexed the muscles of his groin, enjoying the heated power of his erection.
“I’m a demon. We are the natural masters of the hounds. The beast recognized my dominance.”
“Then perhaps we shouldn’t go any further… it might not be safe.”
“Cheap attempt to avoid paying?” He lifted a brow in question.
“No… no, we’d release you from your end of the agreement.”
“Too late for that, David. Besides, how will you feel if one day the two of you succumb to your not inconsiderable libidos, and your wife forces you to kill her?”
“That wouldn’t happen!” David’s voice held a distinct, angry hiss. He pushed himself upright, his back against the massive headboard of the bed.
“That will happen. I agreed to help, you agreed to share…” He tapped a finger against his lips. “And don’t deny how this situation heats the blood in your veins. Don’t pretend you haven’t wondered how I’d taste in your mouth.” Jedidiah sat up and leaned forward. “I know damn well you’ve been imagining pushing into her body, your cock separated from mine by just the tiniest margin of flesh.”
“Bastard!”
He chuckled. “Most likely I am. But only if you accept that the Father of All Things committed such gross infidelity.”
David looked away, but Jedidiah didn’t miss the gleam of laughter in his eyes. It seemed the young tiger didn’t hold a grudge. It was a nice change. Jedidiah spent the majority of his life guarding his back from dagger blows and artfully tossed spells. Demonkind had been known to carry out feuds for centuries. It was rather lovely to relax without the fear of having his throat slit.
“You didn’t climax.”
“No, David, I didn’t. It seemed best that the moment belong to the two of you.”
“Thank you. That was kind.”
The words rested heavy in the air between them.
“Shall I…” David flushed and cleared his throat. “I can bring you. I’m not unwilling.”
Jedidiah smiled at the surge of arousal that hardened his cock even more. His hand dropped to his shaft, stroking the length. “I’ve been riding the edge for a while now. I can wait a bit longer.”
The tiger ignored him. David nimbly crossed over his wife’s still form on the bed and glided across the room, a vision of wild beauty. Without breaking eye contact, he dropped to his knees and rested his hands on the inside of Jedidiah’s thighs, spreading them slightly.
“If the rest of the night continues as it started, you and I will need our control. You can’t do that if you’re edging.”
“You’d be surprised what I can do, David.” Involuntarily, he reached out, stroking the shifter’s silky hair with the tips of his fingers. “I once encountered a tiger in the wild. It was black with yellow stripes. I’d never seen anything like it before.”
“That color has been long extinct.” David reached up and unbuckled the narrow leather belt that encircled Jedidiah’s waist. Next came the button and zipper. “My color is quite rare as well.”
“Blue?” He jerked involuntarily as David’s warm hand encircled his cock.
“Black. Pure, unrelieved black. My stripes look purple in the sun.” He stroked gently, studying Jedidiah’s long, thick cock.
“Were you expecting something exotic? Horns, hooves and a tail perhaps? I can arrange that.”
“You just look… normal. Big, but pretty normal.” His hand stroked the length of the demon’s shaft. “Here, let’s get these trousers off.”
Jedidiah lifted his hips and allowed the tiger to take charge.
“Before the night is over, I’d like to see your animals. Black and golden. I’m amazed to have fallen into such exquisite company.” He sighed once the clothing was away from his skin. David knelt back a bit, surveying his body.
“You’re quite lovely to look at. I’m still surprised.”
“I do have horns. Would you like to see them?” He allowed the small, hooked bones to emerge from his forehead. They were barely noticeable behind the curls that flopped over his eyebrows. “That’s about the extent of my evil appearance.”
His hips bucked slightly as David’s warm mouth covered his cockhead, his tongue lightly playing over the exquisitely sensitive glans. The tiger let him loose, gazing up at him from the floor.
“I’ve always thought that demons were rather horrific.”
Jedidiah laid his head against the velvet back of the chair. “That’s a defense mechanism. You’ll find that the more powerful demons are quite ordinary in appearance. We don’t need… oh, fuck, that’s good… tricks to frighten people.”
A warm hand cupped his balls, rolling and massaging them gently. He draped a hand over his chest, rubbing his nipples. “Like the vampire, we work with charm and charisma…”
With a grunt, he shuddered at the sensation of his cock hitting the back of David’s throat. He palmed the tiger’s head gently, running his fingers through his hair. David stopped for a moment, wetting a finger. When his mouth dropped to Jedidiah’s balls, his finger pressed for entry into the demon’s ass.
“Oh… yes…” Jedidiah wondered if steam was rising from his skin… he was that hot. The tiger was certainly not a stranger to men. His finger found the gland and gently massaged it. When a curved claw emerged from that buried finger, Jedidiah nearly went off.
“You like that touch of pain?” David rested his chin on Jedidiah’s thigh, and he looked up at him, a slightly wicked smile on his face.
“Danger…” he choked out. “I’m a bit of a fear junkie. I trust you, but after all, you are a wild animal by nature.” He panted, his chest rising and falling like that of a winded racehorse.
The claw retracted, and Jedidiah moaned.
“Leave your finger there. Make me come…”
David looked up and their gazes locked. Slowly, he returned to the demon’s swollen shaft. Deliberately, he licked the pre-come that was glistening on his glans. He took long, wet licks up the length of Jedidiah’s shaft, pumping with his hand at the base.
Jedidiah began to thrust against the warm, strong hand and mouth, gripping his ass on the finger that was in such a delicious position. His balls grew tight, his entire body flexed and he gasped. His seed jetted from his body, into David’s mouth, over his chin and lips. Each spasm was delicious torture, especially with the firm pressure on his prostate.
When he had nothing left to ejaculate, he shivered through several dry spasms. Down there, David was busy licking and nuzzling his softening cock, catching every drop of semen that had escaped him. The sensation nearly made him hard again.
“Lovely. That was lovely, David. Thank you.” He stroked the tiger’s hair, ran a finger down the strong angles of his face. “And thank you, Mya, for watching with such fervor.”
David whirled, mortified embarrassment on his face. “Mya!” He turned back to Jedidiah, anger in his face. “How long did you know she was watching?”
“Right from the start, kitten.” He smiled and glanced over at the woman on the bed. “And if I’m not mistaken, we’re about ready to start our little party once again.”
I got to thinking today...about some of the more stupid things I've done in my life. Some were stupid, harmless fun, some were flat-out stupid, dangerous things. For example, sliding through a culvert in a fast-moving irrigation canal, when everyone around me was drunk. (I wasn't drunk, I was just stupid.) Yeah, rural Utah. Not much to do.
Some of the stupid things I've done literally chill my skin, and I'm going to share one now.
Some people know that my degree is in History. My specific specialty is Public History, which trained me to get out in the field quite a lot. My minor was Cultural Anthropology. Again, that field puts you out among people, sometimes not always in the best places. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I often have no compunction about going someplace that I don't belong, primarily out of curiosity.
I show dogs. Every few years, I gird up my loins (Hi D!) and head to Manhattan to go to Westminster Kennel Club. The second time I went, my plane was delayed in Chicago for 3 days, and I missed seeing a dog that I bred on her day to show. In fact, I got there in time to have one day of shopping before Best In Show. My friend who will go by the name "Jane" suggested we go purse shopping. You see, all the dog show people go purse and scarf shopping when in Manhattan. It's just the thing to do. Heck if I know why, I'm no fashionista. Nevertheless, we went to Chinatown to go shopping.
Well, my friend Jane is with the Sheriff's department in her home county, so I didn't think we were going to be doing anything particularly off-track. I am a total goodie-two-shoes at heart. So when we went wandering into Chinatown, the adventure that we would have was the last thing from my mind. I thought it'd be like San Francisco, brimming with legal knock-offs, like Louis Vuitbone dog logo wallets, and so forth. But that's not what we found.
We hit a corner, and a little Chinese lady came up, tapped on Barb's Coach purse and said, "Cooche...Louis Vuitton..." and we followed her. We didn't follow her to a store, but to a back alley, where she gave a series of knocks on a cleverly hidden door. Inside, we wound through a maze of little corridors, up stairs and into little tiny cubbies. Inside those little rooms were mounds and mounds of purses, wallets, umbrellas and so forth. Louis, Coach, Prada...you name it, it was there. The bulk of what we saw there that day were counterfeits, but salted among the dross were some real items. I was later told that they were seconds that were to be destroyed, but were sold off the back of the truck.
After we visited the first site, it became an obsession. I'm not an accessories fiend, but we went from place to place, exploring the underbelly of Chinatown. We went into basements, behind false walls in stores, and into abandoned, boarded store-fronts. At one place, we climbed several flights of stairs, and our procurer got really angry at me when I snuck off to peek into a little factory, where dozens of people were busy sewing away on designer sportswear. I recall that at that location, the glue was so fresh on the purses that I came away a little dizzy.
The dubious highlight of the day was when we followed someone into the boarded up front of a store; it was painted black, and we slipped between two loose boards and went into this dark hive of silent corridors. There were several of us once we got to the tiny room, a wealthy couple, (I may not know fashion, but I do know gemstones) a mother and daughter, and a young couple. Midway through our browsing, a young man came to the door, whispered urgently to the man who was watching the room. They ran away, and very soon our original guy returned. He closed the door, locked us in and told us to be very, very quiet. For awhile, the lights were off. We waited in that locked room for fifteen minutes, but it seemed like hours. When he returned and unlocked the room, he quickly hustled us back out the entrance, and then sent us on our way one or two at a time.
Holy. Shit.
To this day, I don't know if they were hiding from cops, but I have a suspicion these operations are Triad operated, and we could very well have found ourselves in a truly nasty situation between competing "vendors." As we left, Jane shook her head. "If I get arrested, I'll lose my job." The realization of just how dangerous this industry really is hit me like a ton of bricks. By buying fake and stolen merchendise, we were breaking the law just as surely as the vendors.
I personally know people who have tangled with the Triads. One man uprooted his entire family and fled Canton, coming to the US for safety. In Hong Kong, I know actors who have been forced into projects that they don't want to participate in. I once worked on a project with a few Hong Kong based celebrities, and was warned that the bad guys might contact me for a shake-down. Honestly, I cannot explain my naivete in this instance, except to say that I have that stupid desire to see what's under the surface of things.
I haven't been to Manhattan since that time, but if I did, I'd probably visit Chinatown. New York Chinatown is just amazing. And if someone approaches me saying, "Louis Vuitton," would I follow?
Probably. That's just the way I am. Is visiting these places illegal? I have no idea, but the things that I saw that day were stunning. I have no doubt that brothels also operated out of these covert businesses, not to mention a drug industry.
Would I buy anything? Are you kidding? At $50 for a knock-off purse? I buy my purses at the thrift store...no possible way!
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