Please welcome Raine Norman! (And a giveaway!)

Please welcome the delightful Raine Norman, who once spent a wonderful day showing me and my daughter the delights of Cambridge, England!

 

Hello, Raine Norman here with my first ever guest blog spot! Many thanks to the lovely Kim Fielding for kindly allowing me to invade her blog. I am here to celebrate the release of my novella, Broken, and also to have a little chat to let you all get to know me. A giveaway will be up for grabs too – more details about that later.

 

Broken is the story of how a physical injury has emotional repercussions not only for Oliver, whose leg was broken in a skiing accident, but also for his partner of four years, Joel.

 

Summary:

More than Oliver’s leg is broken after a skiing accident. The months spent in hospital and enduring physical therapy leaves him bitter and insecure. His lover of four years, Joel, represents all Oliver fears his weak and disfigured leg has stolen – the ability to live an active and carefree life.

 

Joel endlessly tries to lift Oliver from his despair, but after being rebuffed one too many times, he suggests they take a break and moves out.

 

After a long and lonely week, Oliver is both delighted and terrified when Joel suggests they meet to talk things through. He discovers that Joel plans to make amends by helping Oliver realize he can still enjoy the snow.

 

From Joel’s old apartment to the snowy peaks of a Canadian ski resort, Oliver and Joel will face their greatest fears together and with a little luck and a lot of trust, rekindle their love.

 

*~*~*~*

Oliver’s self-esteem takes a plunge in the face of his ‘surfer-dude’ partner, Joel’s, physical fitness and outgoing personality after sustaining a serious leg injury. These very traits are what attracted Oliver to Joel initially, but now Oliver misreads all the signs. Joel, too, fails to realise how his normal behaviour is now causing Oliver to have doubts about Joel’s commitment to their relationship until it is almost too late.

 

I think the old adage ‘you need to love yourself before someone else can love you’ has some truth in it. Negativity can cause many problems not just in relationships, but in the workplace too.

 

Giveaway time!

 

My self-confidence can be boosted when I wear a favourite article of clothing. It is almost like putting on a coat of armour – nothing can touch me when I wear it. In my wardrobe I have a long black velvet dress I call my Morticia Addam dress, which makes me feel great whenever I wear it, even though it is seldom appropriate or conventional attire for the occasion. I recently bought a gorgeous embroidered coat which makes me feel like a million dollars. Do you have a favourite item of clothing that makes you feel great? Have any of you had a loss of confidence in yourself lead to relationship troubles? Or conversely, have you found your confidence and gone onto amazing things?

 

I’d love to hear your stories in comments and I will randomly select a winner of a free copy of Broken (e-book). If I have fifteen or more responses I will give away a second copy of Broken!

 

The winner (or winners) will be announced on my blog on 1^st March! Why not go and follow it now, and read how my loss of confidence affected my own relationship.

 

http://rainenorman.blogspot.co.uk/ http

 

About me:

 

Writing apart, the other things to fill my free time are my two horses, Mabel and her 2013 foal, Florence, and my ever faithful terrier, The Norm, who is generally anything but normal! The Norm has recently had major surgery due to a blocked duct in his liver, but he seems to be making a good recovery so far. I live in a beautiful part of the English countryside and enjoy being out and about with my animals. My day job is working in the office of a busy veterinary hospital, and I have plans to write a series of novels based around a fictional veterinary practice. I am also working on a fantasy novel and a contemporary novel which I hope you will see on Dreamspinner Press in the future.

 

The links to Broken are:

 

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4719

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Raine-Norman-ebook/dp/B00IJ1OBA2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393174055&sr=8-1&keywords=raine+norman

 

Sin Palabras

So as it turns out, Pilgrimage is just the beginning of your 2014 Kim Fielding Fest. Here's what I can promise you so far:

Sin Palabras, the Spanish translation of Speechless, will release March 18. It's available now for preorder! Here's the blurb:

Travis Miller tiene un empleo como operario de mecanizado, un gato llamado Elwood, y una patética vida amorosa. Lo único positivo en su existencia es el atractivo guitarrista que se encuentra a veces, al regresar a casa del trabajo. Pero cuando finalmente reúne valor para hablar con el hombre, descubre que Drew Clifford, antiguo novelista, sufre afasia: Drew puede entender todo lo que dice Travis, pero es incapaz de hablar o escribir.

Estos dos hombres solitarios forman una amistad que pronto se convertirá en amor. Pero la comunicación es sólo uno de sus retos; también están la inexperiencia de Travis con el amor y su precaria situación financiera. Si las palabras son lo que une a las personas, ¿qué va a mantenerlos unidos a ellos?

Stitch will be available in April. It's an anthology with four Frankenstein/created man themed novellas. The other authors are Sue Brown, Eli Easton, and Jamie Fessenden, and my story is called "The Golem of Mala Lubovnya."

Motel. Pool. will release in a May. It's a paranormal novel. Here's the blurb for that one:

In the mid-1950s, Jack Dayton flees his working-class prospects in Omaha and heads to Hollywood, convinced he’ll be the next James Dean. But sleazy casting couches don't earn him stardom, and despair leads to a series of poor decisions that ultimately find him at a cheap motel off Route 66, lifeless at the bottom of the pool.

 

Sixty years later, Tag Manning, feeling hopeless and empty, flees his most recent relationship mistake and takes to the open road. On a roundabout route to Las Vegas, he pulls over to rest at an isolated spot on Route 66. There’s no longer a motel or pool, but when Tag resumes his journey to Vegas, he finds he’s transporting a hitchhiking ghost. Jack and Tag come to find much-needed friends in each other, but one man is a phantom and the other is strangely cursed. Time is running out for each of them, and they must face the fact that a future together may not only be a gamble... it may not be in the cards.

And in June, my short story "The Border" will release. It will be part of Dreamspinner Press's Mended package, which means you can buy the whole package and get a story every day in June, or you can buy stories individually. All will have a hurt/comfort theme (yay!).

I currently have a novella under submission and I'll be submitting the third Bones book soon. So you should have plenty to keep you busy for a little while!

Please welcome Lane Hayes!

Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes

Thank you for having me here today, Kim!  Better Than Chance was released almost a month ago and I’m over the moon with the response so far!  This is the second book in the Better Than series. Those who’ve read my first novel, Better Than Good will recognize Jay and Peter as Aaron’s best friend and his long-time partner.   Aaron makes a point of describing the couple as having a relationship he admires.  “In the land of gay, they are what I would wish for one day…. they just seem to get each other.”  But it wasn’t always so simple for Jay and Peter.

When Jay first meets Peter, he’s excited to be working with the guy he’s had a major office crush on for a couple of years.  However, the long hours, stress and pressure soon turn his infatuation upside down.  Peter is not only difficult to work for but Jay is sure he’s homophobic as well.  But then… he’s not so sure.  Jay is forced to concede he may have misread Peter all along, which makes it difficult to hide the fact he’s still wildly attracted to him.  When Peter admits he feels the same, things get fun but they also get complicated.  Jay and Peter are complete opposites.  Jay is easy going with an open friendly nature while Peter is intense, driven and extremely private.  He tells Jay he isn’t “boyfriend material” but Jay knows “friends with benefits” isn’t a title he’s going to be fine with for long.  Especially when he knows he’s falling for his gorgeous boss. 

How characters interact is what always interests the reader in me.  I want my Happy Ever After, but I also want to be a part of the action from the start.  I’m greedy that way!  The voyeur in me wants to know about the small ways we tend to overthink and assume we understand what we later have to admit may not be so clear.  At one point later in the story, Jay realizes he may never know or understand everything about Peter.  Some things are left to faith and to chance.

I hope you love Jay and Peter!  Their story is the second in the Better Than series, but not to worry… it is a standalone book.  So if you missed Better Than Good, don’t worry, you won’t be lost.  Hopefully you’ll be curious to go back and read about Aaron and Matt too!

Happy Reading!

 

Lane Hayes

 

 

Blurb Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:

Jay Reynolds has a crush on his project leader at work, but an office romance with Peter Morgan isn't likely to happen since Peter is straight. Worse, Jay soon fears Peter is homophobic, and his initial infatuation turns to loathing. But one fateful night, Jay is forced to acknowledge things aren't quite as they seem with Peter. Suddenly, his crush is back and unbelievably, Peter is interested too.

They begin a “friends with benefits” arrangement, which becomes difficult for Jay when he starts falling for his sexy boss. Peter’s past issues keep him from committing, and Jay has to decide if he can be satisfied with friendship if Peter isn’t ready to take a chance on anything more.

 

Excerpt from Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:

“Close the door, Reynolds.”  His tone was sharp and concise.  No argument was expected or welcomed.  I obeyed and waited for him to speak.

 He didn’t say a word.  He pointed to a chair and directed me to sit with a simple wave of his hand as he began a slow pace around the perimeter of the small round table.  It was like being stalked by a tiger.  There was an electric air of danger in this tiny space and I had set it in motion.  I clung to my anger.  I wasn’t wrong.  Was I?

Peter suddenly stopped.  He stood at the other end of the table with his arms crossed over his broad chest.  As usual he was impeccably dressed in a gorgeous dark suit tailored to perfection.  His dark wavy hair seemed a little longer.  I absently wondered if he was growing it out.  But his dark furrowed brow and intense stare told me to keep my ponderings to myself.  He wasn’t in the mood to chat about hair.  He looked pissed.

 “Explain yourself.”

 I blinked twice.   I was almost afraid of him, but I knew that was irrational.  I had a legitimate reason for my outburst.  I just wished I had been a bit more professional about it.

 

Fine.  I will.”  Professional, I cautioned myself.  Don’t get personal.  “You have given me rather baffling critiques, Mr. Morgan that I frankly find ridiculous and almost contrived in a way that suggests you want to point out the negative whether or not it has any bearing whatsoever to the project at hand.”  Good, well said, I thought.

 “What the fuck are you talking about?”  He looked genuinely perplexed.

“You know what I’m talking about!”  I exploded.  “Correct paragraph two, sentence one.... that’s one example!  What was today’s going to be?  Change the use of my pronoun from direct to indirect?  Or is it an adjective that you want me to reconsider?  Or...”

I had become so worked up that I didn’t register that he’d moved until he was three short feet away from me.  He wore the strangest expression.  It was a cross between tempered fury and frustration.  He held up his hand in that authoritative way of his, demanding that I stop.   Stop everything.  Don’t talk.  Don’t move.  I waited like a deer in headlights to see what he’d do.

 A fresh wave of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I found myself literally shoved up against the conference room wall with Peter’s large hand at my throat.  I swallowed hard and looked into his dark angry eyes, his face was two short inches away from mine.  His breath was warm against my cheek.  He pulled back and shook his head as though puzzled by his own actions before he tightened his hold at my neck and covered my mouth with his own. 

 I could barely breath.  There was nowhere to hide, no retreat possible so I gave in.  My mouth melted underneath his allowing the lip lock to become a kiss.  A fiery passionate joining.  Our tongues fought for dominance, licking and sucking.  Peter’s hands trapped my head as he plunged even further into my mouth taking every last bit of control away from me.  He ran his tongue over my lips before tracing a path along my jaw and biting my earlobes.  I nudged him back with my nose and heard his low groan as he once again fused his mouth over mine.

 I wrapped my arms around him and pulled his body close to mine.  My hands kneaded his perfect ass through the fine fabric of his pants as I sent my hips forward to meet his.  We gasped at the first feel of friction as our hardened cocks pressed together through our suits.  It was electrifying and wickedly carnal.  A mere glimpse into how intensely hot the real thing could be if we let ourselves go there.  Peter stopped abruptly, straightening his arms on either side of my head.  Our heavy breathing was the only sound in the room. 

 “I want you.”  He growled, resting his forehead against mine.

 Purchase Links:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Chance-Stories-ebook/dp/B00HZOKLXK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390505685&sr=8-2&keywords=better+than+chance+kindle

 

Dreamspinner Press:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4614

 

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-than-chance-lane-hayes/1118167051?ean=2940148281894

 

 

5 Star Reviews for Better Than Chance!:

Sinfully Sexy Books:

http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/better-than-chance-by-lane-hayes.html

Sidlove Book Reviews:

http://sidlove.com/2014/01/22/release-day-review-better-than-chance-by-lane-hayes/

 

Author Bio:

 

Lane Hayes is a designer by trade, but is spending more time these days doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband, three teenage kids, and Rex, the coolest yellow lab ever.

 

Contact Info:

Website:  www.lanehayes.wordpress.com

Twitter:  @LaneHayes3

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Lane-Hayes

Email:  lanehayes@ymail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's coming next

Thanks so much to everyone who joined the Pilgrimage blog tour--and those of you who hosted me too! While the giveaway is over (and congrats to Jana and Trix!) you can still visit the blog sites to read a few short excerpts and check out my daughter's drawings of places in the book.

Here's what else is going on.

Now through February 19, everything at Dreamspinner is 25% off. Time to stock up!

My novella Speechless will be available soon in Spanish! I'll let you know when that's available, of course.

My next new release will be a novella called The Golem of Mala Lubovnya. It's in an anthology called Stitch, the first in a series of gothic romance anthologies. The other stories are by Sue Brown, Eli Easton, and Jamie Fessenden, and they're terrific. And Jamie made this great trailer for the book, which will be available in April.



After that, I have a novel called Motel. Pool. coming out in May. There's a ghost, there's 50s Hollywood and modern-day Route 66 and Vegas, there's a man with a strange sort of curse.

I have a couple of stories under submission, so I'll tell you more about those later. And right now I'm getting the third of the Bones books ready to submit. Although this one focuses on Ery Phillips, Dylan and Chris play a major part. Travis and Drew from Speechless and The Gig make a brief appearance too. And you know what? There's something strange in Chris and Dylan's pond....

Piligrimage final stop

 

 

The Pilgrimage, Final Stop

 

Today is the final stop in the Pilgrimage pilgrimage. I hope you’ve been traveling along with us. I won’t tell you where the journey ends—you’ll have to read the book to find that out!

 

But as a reward for your company during our journey, I have a little tidbit of information for you. Remember Jeff and Cleve from Venetian Masks? Well, they make a cameo appearance in this book.

 

Thanks so much for visiting!

 

Join the Pilgrimage

 

To celebrate the new book, I’m doing a giveaway. Two people will each win a signed print copy of Pilgrimage, plus a $10 donation to a charity of their choice. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here or on any of the other tour stops. Make sure you leave your email address! Each stop you comment on earns you an entry. I’ll randomly choose the winners  on February 14 at noon Pacific time. Click here to see a complete list of tour stops.

 

Fiscal analyst Mike Carlson is good with spreadsheets and baseball stats. He doesn’t believe in fate, true love, or fantasy. But then a fertility goddess whisks him away to another world. A promise has been broken, and if Mike is ever to return to California—and his comfortable if lonely life—he must complete a pilgrimage to the shrines of a death goddess.

A humiliating event convinces Mike to hire a guard to accompany him, and hunky Goran is handy enough with a sword, if a little too liberal with his ale. A man with no home and no family, Goran is deeper than he first appears. As Mike learns more about Goran, his disbelief wavers and his goals become less clear. Contending with feuding gods, the challenges of the journey, and his growing attraction to Goran, Mike faces a puzzle far harder to solve than simple rows of numbers.

 

Pilgrimage is available in print and e-book versions from Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, and all major booksellers.

Kim Fielding can be found at her blog: http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com

On Twitter: @KFieldingWrites

And on Facebook: http://facebook.com/KFieldingWrites

 

 

Facbeook chat coming up

Facebook chat on Sunday!
Sunday, February 9, I'll be chatting on Dreamspinner Press's Facebook page from 11am to 2 pm Pacific time. I'll answer questions, share excerpts from Pilgrimage, and talk about first crushes and geeks versus nerds and upcoming projects (among other things). I'll have books to give away plus a fantastic discount code.
Please join me!
If you haven't already, Like Dreamspinner Press's page, then come chat on Sunday.

In Croatia, they say, "Come have a cup of conversation."

Pilgrimage is here!

Release day is always so exciting! My new fantasy romance, Pilgrimage, is now available.

With, of course, Paul Richmond's fabulous cover--featuring Goran, Mike, and an important pair of underwear.

You can buy the book in print or electronic versions at Dreamspinner, Amazon, AllRomanceEbooks, or just about anywhere else. Did you know if you order a print copy through Dreamspinner, it's autographed? And you also get access to the electronic versions.

If you enjoyed my award-winning novel, Brute, I think you're going to like this one too. It would make a lovely Valentine's Day gift for yourself or a friend.

To celebrate, I'm doing a blog tour with chances to win free copies. Click here for details.

And on February 9, from 11-2 Pacific Time, I'll be taking over Dreamspinner's Facebook page to answer questions, share excerpts, and maybe give things away. Please join me!

Pilgrimage blog tour and giveaway

In celebration of the release of Pilgrimage, we're going to do a pilgrimage of our own! Follow along as we visit the following blogs. At each stop, we'll learn more about one of the places Mike visits. There are illustrations by my 10-year-old daughter. *g* And there's a giveaway! Two lucky people will each win a signed print copy of Pilgrimage, plus a $10 donation to the charity of their choice. To enter, just leave a comment at any of the blog tour stops. You'll get one entry for each blog where you comment. I'll randomly choose the winners at noon Pacific time on February 14.

Also, on February 9 I'll be taking over Dreamspinner's Facebook page to chat about the book and answer questions, and maybe I'll have another prize or two.

Come join us!

• February 3: Purple Rose Tea House
• February 4: Anne Barwell
• February 6: Grace Duncan
• February 7: Andrew Q. Gordon
• February 8: Garrett Leigh
• February 9: Gus Li
• February 10: Brynn Stein
• February 11: back home