tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84439465677621301512024-03-13T11:29:58.474-07:00Kim Fielding WritesAuthor Kim Fielding talks about her books and whatever else catches her fancyKim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-36503445608697688132014-07-09T14:00:00.000-07:002014-07-09T14:00:35.165-07:00Brute on audio!This is a small rant and then a new release pimpage.<br />
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My life is too sedentary. Both writing and my day job--university professor--involve a whole lot of sitting in front of computers. Plus I'm inherently sorta lazy. I took bowling for PE when I was in college.<br />
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But the one type of exercise I genuinely enjoy is walking. When I travel, I pound the pavement as much as possible. The two times I've lived in Croatia, I loved not having a car. I walked for miles nearly every day, not just because I had to in order to get places, but because I wanted to. Zagreb is a fantastic place for strolling.<br />
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Here at home, though, it's hot. And booooooring. I live among subdivisions of beige stucco houses. Block after block after block of this:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUlZnTDzwrU/U72pnF4RzBI/AAAAAAAABjY/vNobG9YoWRA/s1600/houses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUlZnTDzwrU/U72pnF4RzBI/AAAAAAAABjY/vNobG9YoWRA/s1600/houses.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yawn. The big excitement on my neighborhood walks is when I see a lizard, or when I get to read informative signs like this one:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQedON6mpc4/U72qY8ZtOsI/AAAAAAAABjo/E3A2kkTBL4w/s1600/sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQedON6mpc4/U72qY8ZtOsI/AAAAAAAABjo/E3A2kkTBL4w/s1600/sign.JPG" height="142" width="320" /></a></div>
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I guess if I really wanted some variety I could cross the canal and walk past cows, almond orchards, and cornfields instead, but I doubt that would be much more interesting.</div>
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So I've taken to listening to audiobooks during my walks. I recently finished hearing my first novel, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stasis-Ennek-Trilogy-Book-1/dp/B00FED6KHK/ref=tmm_aud_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1404939108&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Stasis</a></em>, which was a lot of fun. It really makes walking enjoyable. I've sometimes even gone around the block again because the story's at an exciting point.</div>
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And I am thrilled to announce that today <em>Brute</em> became available on audio too! You <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brute/dp/B00LNFNJN6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404936719&sr=8-2&keywords=brute+kim+fielding" target="_blank">can buy it here</a>. The narrator is K.C. Kelly, who did a fantastic job. I am so looking forward to my walks now! Who cares if all I see is beige stucco? I've got Brute!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brute/dp/B00LNFNJN6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404936719&sr=8-2&keywords=brute+kim+fielding" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Brute/dp/B00LNFNJN6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404936719&sr=8-2&keywords=brute+kim+fielding" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lUkYvyhY6d4/U72tBLrcxBI/AAAAAAAABj0/jiR7-wL3y4Q/s1600/brute.PNG" /></a></div>
Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-66225345757654265152014-07-07T00:30:00.000-07:002014-07-07T00:30:00.771-07:00Writing JerksI was going to title this entry "Writing Assholes," but decided that could be taken entirely the wrong way. And let me be clear--I'm not going to talk about writers who are jerks. I'm sure some writers are, but most of the authors I know are creative, fascinating, lovely people. What I'm going to discuss today is writing about <em>characters</em> who are jerks. And I don't mean the villains or exes or minor players either. I mean when a main character--a protagonist--acts like an asshole.<br />
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I don't mean sexy rogues. Han Solo is cocky and--at least initially--mercenary, but he's always likable. I mean the kind of guys who treat others badly, who make us want to punch them in the face. The kind of guys our sweet boys should just kick to the curb.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIg_qMAlLBA/UhkAkxftxCI/AAAAAAAABEU/MPak0Ks05iE/s1600/TinBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIg_qMAlLBA/UhkAkxftxCI/AAAAAAAABEU/MPak0Ks05iE/s1600/TinBox.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>I suppose that in many genres, protagonists who are less-than-endearing are not only acceptable, but even expected. But I write romance. By definition, my protagonists fall in love. Doesn't that mean they should be lovable?<br />
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Well, sometimes. I mean, Colby in <em>The Tin Box</em>, he's capital-a Adorable. And what about perky Nicky from <em>Housekeeping</em> or sweet Goran<em> </em>from <em>Pilgrimage</em>? It's hard not to like them.<br />
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But my muse is a difficult bitch. People say that romance novel protagonists have to be handsome, so my muse gave me big, ugly Brute. And if protagonists are also supposed to be sweet--or at least broodingly appealing--my muse occasionally throws me an asshole.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jaBeuD4xAJ4/U1QhbPxASRI/AAAAAAAABhU/145cNVNOgKM/s1600/guarded1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jaBeuD4xAJ4/U1QhbPxASRI/AAAAAAAABhU/145cNVNOgKM/s1600/guarded1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>For instance, there's Berhanu in <em>Guarded</em>. Volos is loyal and good and brave, but Berhanu treats him like shit. Even after Volos nearly dies to save him, Berhanu doesn't seem to appreciate him. I know a lot of readers were pissed off with Berhanu. Heck, so was I! <br />
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Another example of a character who's not very sympathetic, at least at first, is William in <em>The Tin Box</em>. He's infuriatingly uptight and he's borderline rude to cute Colby. I didn't like him much as I began to write him, even though I knew <em>why</em> he acted like he did, and I knew he was going to change.<br />
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I hope that by the end of the story, it's clear why Berhanu acted like he did, and I hope he redeems himself. I hope that readers fall in love with William as they get to know him, just as I did. I hope that folks agree with me that even heroes sometimes act like pricks, and that even dickheads can improve.<br />
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What are your thoughts on main characters who act like dicks?<br />
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<br />Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-69095340992874009172014-07-03T21:05:00.001-07:002014-07-03T21:05:23.052-07:00Haiku winners!I am delighted to announce the winners of my gay romance <a href="http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com/2014/06/haiku-contest-prizes.html" target="_blank">haiku contest</a>! There were some really wonderful entries, and I so enjoyed reading them.<br />
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First prize goes to Megan (@essgem) for this gem:<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AaJ9paqZaZo/U7YnrygSFXI/AAAAAAAABjI/hTb0Nw6uYLI/s1600/sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AaJ9paqZaZo/U7YnrygSFXI/AAAAAAAABjI/hTb0Nw6uYLI/s1600/sunset.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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<strong>Later the men mused:</strong></div>
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<strong>It had not been their best plan,</strong></div>
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<strong>Coupling on the beach</strong></div>
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Esepcially appropriate since I'm looking out at the ocean this very moment (look at that sunset!), and will spend the next week removing sand from my car. <br />
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And second prize goes to Angel Martinez for this very lovely poem:<br />
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<strong>Filtered sun shadows<br />Flashes of skin, hard muscle<br />Lovers intertwined</strong><br />
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Beautiful! Congratulations to both of you.<br />
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Thanks so very much to everyone who entered. And extra special thanks to my wonderful panel of judges: Shira Anthony, Jamie Lynn Miller, Andrea Speed, and Tali Spencer. You can read more about them and their <a href="http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com/2014/06/haiku-contest-judges.html" target="_blank">fantastic books here</a>.<br />
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Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-50411753081819640162014-07-02T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-02T17:13:28.198-07:00Please welcome Andrew Q. Gordon!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
A Closed Door - Part of the Love, Loss, Laughter & Lust Anthology</h2>
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From Wayward Ink Publishing</h2>
<a href="http://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/llll-banner-fb.jpg"><img alt="LLLL Banner FB" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3993" src="http://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/llll-banner-fb.jpg" height="240" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">First, thank you, Kim for letting me use your blog to talk about
my newest story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With the progress of LGBT rights, the challenges of gay men and
their coming out is also changing. Once upon a time—like when I came out
27 years ago—you were considered among the lucky if your family didn't disown
you or freak out. Have them accept your boyfriend and you were even
luckier. It was the rare person who would come out in high school and usually
it was because they had no choice, not because they'd made a choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But as more and more people accept us as we are, as we now start
to marry in numbers, have children—either through adoption or surrogacy—it
isn't uncommon for gay men to be completely accepted and supported at home. I
won't say it's easy, or that no one is rejected—because sadly there are still
far too many cases of those—but suddenly it's not some 'fantasy' that a person
comes out in high school or college and finds acceptance among his family and
friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In LGBT fiction and MM Romance in particular, this creates a new
dynamic. Happy, well adjusted and well accepted characters are cropping up
where the tension and conflict has nothing to do with gay bashing, being
disowned, bullied or rejected. Now we're more likely to see main characters
struggle with problems everyone else has, the difficulties of dating, work,
school, and relationships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In my entry in the <i>Love, Loss,
Laughter & Lust </i>anthology, the main character—Orin Merritt—has the
full and total support of his family and friends—well his college and beyond
friends at least. The tension and conflict in the story revolves
around the loss of Orin's family and how he deals with his one time best
friend who struggled coming out. Moving forward I expect we'll see more
stories where the main source of conflict won't be the struggles of coming out.
Instead we'll see a broader swath of stories where the MCs deal with situations
more mundane, but no less stressful—dating and relationships and how difficult
those are all on their own. It's something of a brave new world and I for
one look forward to this changing face of our main characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #99ccff;">Blurb:</span></h3>
<a href="https://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/llll-andrew-q-gordon.jpg"><img alt="LLLL Andrew Q Gordon" class="alignleft wp-image-4003" src="http://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/llll-andrew-q-gordon.jpg?w=193" height="259" width="167" /></a>
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<em>A Closed Door; by Andrew Q. Gordon</em></h3>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Orin Merritt left home after high school hoping to escape
the hell his life had become since he'd been outted at thirteen.
When a tornado destroys his childhood home and kill his parents,
Orin finds a new kind of hell. Blaming himself for failing the two people
who always loved and supported him, he returns home and confronts his past in
the person of his one time best friend, Thomas Kennett. Thomas not only
rejected Orin when he came out, he led the group that caused him to leave. As
he struggles to deal with his grief , he tries to fulfill a pledge he made
to his parents before their death. In the process, Orin learns that
sometimes when you leave to find something, you might have left what you're
looking for behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/llll-thumbnail.jpg"><img alt="LLLL Thumbnail" class=" wp-image-3996 alignleft" src="http://andrewqgordon.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/llll-thumbnail.jpg" height="165" width="165" /></a>
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Love, Loss, Laughter & Lust Anthology, by Wayward Ink Publishing.</h3>
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<i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We’ve all loved.</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We’ve all laughed.</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sadly, we’ve also probably all known loss in one form or
another.</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And, yes, we at Wayward Ink are sure we’ve all experienced lust!</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In Love, Loss, Laughter
& Lust, you’ll experience one or more of the “L”s as we take you on a
roller coaster of emotions.</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <i>Whether you like to sigh over the sweet, cry for the
broken-hearted, enjoy a good laugh, or get a little hot and bothered, there’s
something for everyone in this collection.</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #99ccff;">Buy Links:</span></h3>
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<a href="http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/love-loss-laughter-lust/"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Wayward Ink
Publishing:</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Loss-Laughter-Lust-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00L5NGYMY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403349605&sr=8-1&keywords=love%2C+loss%2C+laughter+%26+lust"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Amazon US: </span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-loss-laughter-lust-wayward-ink-publishing/1119845146?ean=9781783014453"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Barnes and Noble:</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/love-loss-laughter-lust"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kobo:</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com.au/Love-Loss-Laughter-Lust-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00L5NGYMY/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1403350236&sr=8-9&keywords=love+loss+laughter"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Amazon AU:</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Loss-Laughter-Lust-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00L5NGYMY/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403350293&sr=1-2&keywords=wayward+ink"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Amazon UK:</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.de/Love-Loss-Laughter-Lust-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00L5NGYMY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403350398&sr=8-1&keywords=wayward+ink+publishing"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Amazon Germany:</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #99ccff;">Giveaway:</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As part of the release of the new Anthology, Wayward Ink is
holding a giveaway. Just click the code below for a chance to win a
$25.00 Amazon Gift Card. Two people will also win a paperback copy of the book,
and three people will win a WIP USB Extension Cord and Fridge Magnet.
There are 11 ways to enter and you can earn up to 20 chances to win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bab9863/"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">a Rafflecopter
giveaway</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #99ccff;">About the Author:</span></h3>
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<b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Andrew Q. Gordon</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> wrote his first story back when yellow legal pads, ball point
pens were common and a Smith Corona correctable typewriter was considered high
tech. Adapting with technology, he now takes his MacBook somewhere quiet when
he wants to write. He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his
partner of eighteen years, their young daughter and dog. In addition to
dodging some very self-important D.C. 'insiders', Andrew uses his commute to
catch up on his reading. When not working or writing, he enjoys soccer, high
fantasy, baseball and seeing how much coffee he can drink in a day and not get
the shakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #99ccff;">Social Media Links:</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You can find his books at<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Wayward Ink
Publishing</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_656"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dreamspinner Press</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Q.-Gordon/e/B008YYKZKO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Amazon</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Follow Andrew on his website: </span><a href="http://www.andrewqgordon.com/"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">www.andrewqgordon.com</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On Facebook: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/andrewqugordon"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">www.facebook.com/andrewqugordon</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On Twitter: @andrewqgordon,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Or just email him: </span><a href="mailto:andrewqgordon@gmail.com"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">andrewqgordon@gmail.com</span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-42730126372551314102014-06-28T13:34:00.001-07:002014-06-28T13:34:18.078-07:00UpdateHi folks! I have not disappeared from the face of the earth. I am actually halfway through a family vacation--which is lots of fun, but doesn't lead to much productivity. <br />
<br />
We had some fantastic entries in the haiku contest! The lovely judges are currently doing their jobs. I'll announce the winner next week.<br />
<br />
If you haven't done so already, you can <a href="http://www.mmromancegroup.com/guarded-by-kim-fielding/" target="_blank">download my novella</a> <em>Guarded</em> for free. You can also <a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5149&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">buy my newest short</a>, "The Border". And<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_603" target="_blank"> everything at Dreamspinner Press</a> is on sale through the 30th!<br />
<br />
Right now I'm working on two winter holiday stories and a short sequel to <em>Guarded</em>, this one focusing on Mato. In August, my Bosnian novella, <em>The Pillar</em>, will be available--with an amazing cover by Shobana Appavu (who also did the cover for <em>Venetian Masks</em>). I'm about to begin edits on my two October releases: the third Bones book, called <em>Bone Dry</em>; and my novella <em>The Dance</em> in the second Gothika anthology (this one has a vodou theme!).<br />
<br />
I'm also in the planning stages of a website redesign. I'll have a new logo, a new look, and some new features. Which brings me to a question: what features would you like to see on my website? Are there things that could make your browsing experience easier, more fun, or more informative? Please let me know in the comments!Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-39904455166271740662014-06-20T16:25:00.001-07:002014-06-20T16:42:48.894-07:00Haiku contest judgesI'd like to introduce you to the wonderful people who will be judging the haiku contest (There's still time to enter! <a href="http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com/2014/06/haiku-contest-prizes.html" target="_blank">Click here for details</a>.)<br />
<br />
The judging panel is:<br />
<br />
<strong>Shira Anthony</strong><br />
<strong>Jamie Lynn Miller</strong><br />
<strong>Andrea Speed</strong><br />
<strong>Tali Spencer</strong><br />
<br />
I'm a big fan of all these authors and so excited that they've agreed to judge!<br />
<br />
Here's more information on them. If you havent already, go check out their books!<br />
<br />
***<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In her last incarnation, Shira Anthony was a professional
opera singer, performing roles in such operas as <i>Tosca</i>, <i>Pagliacci</i>,
and <i>La Traviata</i>, among others. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with
her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on
her Kindle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs, and
when she’s not writing, she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world
safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 35’
catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shira can be found on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Shira-Anthony/100002261894384" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4641776.Shira_Anthony" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, Twitter (@WriterShira) or on her web site, </span><a href="http://www.shiraanthony.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.shiraanthony.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
You can also contact her at </span><a href="mailto:shiraanthony@hotmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">shiraanthony@hotmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. You can find all of Shira’s books
at </span><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_484"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Dreamspinner
Press</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=shira%20anthony&sprefix=shira+a%2Caps"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">,
</span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/shira-anthony?store=allproducts&keyword=shira+anthony"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Barnes
and Noble</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, and </span><a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">All
Romance Ebooks</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=673"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Blue Notes
Series</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: Contemporary gay romances set in the world of music and musicians.
Each Blue Notes novel is a standalone story, and books in the series can be
read in any order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blame it on jet lag. Jason Greene thought he had everything:
a dream job as a partner in a large Philadelphia law firm, a beautiful fiancée,
and more money than he could ever hope to spend. Then he finds his future wife
in bed with another man, and he’s forced to rethink his life and his choices.
On a moment’s notice, he runs away to Paris, hoping to make peace with his
life. <br />
<br />
But Jason’s leave of absence becomes a true journey of the heart when he meets
Jules, a struggling jazz violinist with his own cross to bear. In the City of
Love, it doesn’t take them long to fall into bed, but as they’re both about to
learn, they can’t run from the past. Sooner or later, they’ll have to face the
music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=914"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Mermen of Ea
Series</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: High fantasy, high romance, set on the high seas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taren Laxley has never known anything but
life as a slave. When a lusty pirate kidnaps him and holds him prisoner on his
ship, Taren embraces the chance to realize his dream of a seagoing life. Not
only does the pirate captain offer him freedom in exchange for three years of
labor and sexual servitude, but the pleasures Taren finds when he joins the
captain and first mate in bed far surpass his greatest fantasies. <br />
<br />
Then, during a storm, Taren dives overboard to save another sailor and is lost
at sea. He’s rescued by Ian Dunaidh, the enigmatic and seemingly ageless
captain of a rival ship, the Phantom, and Taren feels an overwhelming
attraction to Ian that Ian appears to share. Soon Taren learns a secret that
will change his life forever: Ian and his people are Ea, shape-shifting
merfolk… and Taren is one of them too. Bound to each other by a fierce passion
neither can explain or deny, Taren and Ian are soon embroiled in a war and
forced to fight for a future—not only for themselves but for all their kind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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****<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpXzKrPy5dw/U6S5dtoIjSI/AAAAAAAABiI/LDhpZ_cmPFk/s1600/Jamie+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpXzKrPy5dw/U6S5dtoIjSI/AAAAAAAABiI/LDhpZ_cmPFk/s1600/Jamie+photo.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a>Jamie Lynn Miller has been writing fiction since childhood and decided to take the plunge and go pro in 2008, finding to her amazement that people truly enjoyed her love stories. She’s a romantic at heart, and her tales reflect the desire we all have to find “the one,” persevering through trials and heartache for that happy ending.<br />
<br />
Jamie has a degree in fine arts and has spent the last twenty years working as a graphic designer, though she’d much rather be writing. She was born in Chicago and still lives there today with her husband and their two furry, four-footed children, er… cats.<br />
<br />
If she’s not brainstorming story ideas, you can find Jamie at a sci-fi convention, in front of a furnace doing glass blowing, or on a mat twisted into a yoga pose.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5I02gOUFtE/U6S5qGyC4gI/AAAAAAAABiU/9Km1cxhstb8/s1600/Burnin+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5I02gOUFtE/U6S5qGyC4gI/AAAAAAAABiU/9Km1cxhstb8/s1600/Burnin+cover.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
BURNIN' FOR YOU BLURB: Lucas Taylor is a New York City fireman at Station 127, dedicated to his job, even though it has brought him heartrending tragedy - the loss of his lover, Ryan, in an explosion.<br />
<br />
Evan Singer is the new guy in town, a paramedic transferred into Station 127 and he sets his eyes on Lucas from the get-go.<br />
<br />
Neither knowing who the other is, their first meeting is a night of passion and desire that awakens something inside Lucas he never thought he’d feel again.<br />
<br />
But when Lucas discovers that Evan is a paramedic, it all comes crashing down. For despite the feelings he has for Evan, Lucas has vowed to never again get involved with someone on the job, after losing Ryan to it.<br />
<br />
Can Evan convince Lucas to open up his heart and take a chance on love again, despite who Evan is?<br />
<br />
Includes the sequel – Where There’s Smoke!<br />
<br />
Things turn explosive at the FDNY when a young man Lucas rescues from a fire becomes an obsessed stalker, and Evan's altercation with a victim's husband threatens to end his career.<br />
<br />
CONTACT INFO:<br />
<a href="mailto:jamielynnmiller@live.com">jamielynnmiller@live.com</a><br />
http://www.jamielynnm.wordpress.com<br />
http://www.facebook.com/jamielynn.miller.3<br />
<br />
<br />
BUY LINKS:<br />
<br />
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/ng25ocw<br />
LuLu (Paperback and epub): http://tinyurl.com/ndxvae7<br />
Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/nvj3toh<br />
Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/ow92qj2<br />
Dreamspinner: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kvuj9on">http://tinyurl.com/kvuj9on</a><br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<span class="category_desc">Andrea Speed writes way too much. She is the writer of the Infected series for Dreamspinner Press and is Editor In Chief of <a href="http://www.cxpulp.com/" target="_blank">CxPulp.com</a>, where she reviews comics as well as movies and other stuff. She won a Rainbow Award for best horror/paranormal novel in 2012, and feels she may be ubiquitous on the web. But she is not (sadly) the Italian DJ of the same name that often comes up first in Google searches.<br />
</span><br />
<span class="category_desc">Andrea's newest story: <a href="http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/collections/my-haunted-blender" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403306695246_3266" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/collections/my-haunted-blender</a><br clear="none" /><br />
</span><br />
<span class="category_desc"><div class="MsoNormal">
Visit her website at <a href="http://www.andreaspeed.com/" target="_blank">http://www.andreaspeed.com</a> and her Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrea.speed.3" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/andrea.speed.3</a>. She tweets at <a href="https://twitter.com/aspeed" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/aspeed</a>.</div>
</span><br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pfLaGqNgQ4/U6TA-tcpReI/AAAAAAAABio/bfBf8mBT2s0/s1600/photo+(57).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pfLaGqNgQ4/U6TA-tcpReI/AAAAAAAABio/bfBf8mBT2s0/s1600/photo+(57).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tali Spencer fell in love with writing at an early age and
never stopped. Thanks to a restless father, she grew up as a bit of a nomad and
still loves to travel whenever she can. Her longest stint in one place was
Milwaukee where she went to college, enjoyed a series of interesting careers,
and raised three surprisingly well-adjusted sons. She later married her true
love and put down new roots in Philadelphia, where she lives in an ongoing
Italian American family sitcom. At least she’s learned how make good pasta. When
not writing, Tali reads everything from sweet goofy romances to medical
research, manages her fantasy football team—go Gekkos!—and takes long walks
with her loving, if slightly neurotic, poodle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit Tali’s blog at </span><a href="http://talismania-brilliantdisguise.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://talismania-brilliantdisguise.blogspot.com</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
E-mail: tali.spencer1@gmail.com<br />
Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tali.spencer"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.facebook.com/tali.spencer</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Twitter: @tali_spencer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blurb for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thick as
Thieves:</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ush0rp0MCds/U6TA7Nm2h7I/AAAAAAAABik/_bQltprMRp8/s1600/ThickAsThieves2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ush0rp0MCds/U6TA7Nm2h7I/AAAAAAAABik/_bQltprMRp8/s1600/ThickAsThieves2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After Vorgell the barbarian fucks himself with a unicorn
horn, he ends up in a cell with Maddog, a pretty young thief. It’s lust at
first sight for Vorgell—but honestly, he can’t help it. Unicorn horn is a
potent aphrodisiac, and now he can’t stop thinking about sex. Luckily, Madd is
one male witch who knows how to put Vorgell’s new magical body to good use when
he tricks Vorgell into a kiss that helps them escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vorgell may desire sex in general—and Madd in particular—but
Madd has no intention of being screwed by a man twice his size. He has problems
of his own, including an enchanted collar that causes him to desire his most
hated enemy. He wants that collar off as soon as possible, but that requires
stealing a basilisk egg from the castle they just escaped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Drawn together by lust and magic, the two men join forces
and soon find themselves up to their necks in witches, wizards, and trouble.
Vorgell and Madd might just be perfect for each other, but first they have to
survive long enough to find out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buy Links for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thick as
Thieves</i>: </span><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4002"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4002</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thickasthieves-1228425-143.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thickasthieves-1228425-143.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thick-as-Thieves-ebook/dp/B00DTNALTK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1373317387&sr=8-5&keywords=tali+spencer"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.amazon.com/Thick-as-Thieves-ebook/dp/B00DTNALTK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1373317387&sr=8-5&keywords=tali+spencer</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-16122959167495661062014-06-14T16:54:00.000-07:002014-06-14T16:54:11.809-07:00Haiku contest! Prizes!Two events coincided these last couple of days.<br />
<br />
First off, I passed 1000 Twitter followers! Yay! My 14-year-old daughter says this means I am officially cool. So there's that. And I wanted to celebrate being cool because, well, it doesn't happen all that often. Sure, the next time someone cuts me off in traffic or an administrator at my day job does something obnoxious, I can think at them, "Yeah. But I bet <em>you</em> don't have 1000 Twitter followers."<br />
<br />
Still, I wanted a slightly more public celebration. A contest, perhaps.<br />
<br />
The second thing is that I joined some friends for dinner in San Francisco. Got to hang out in the Mission. Had ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery and bought stuff at the pirate store. Eavesdropped on hipsters. Enjoyed perfect, 70-degree sunshine.<br />
<br />
But getting to the Mission meant a 95 mile drive, followed by a BART ride. Then the reverse on my way home. So I had time to think.<br />
<br />
Ta-dah!! Haiku!!<br />
<br />
Here's the contest.<br />
<br />
You write a haiku about m/m romance. You can make it about the genre in general, about your fave characters or your fave books or your fave author--whatever you want. But it must conform to traditional haiku standards: 5-syllable line, 7-syllable line, 5-syllable line. Like this:<br />
<br />
<em>Chris is grateful that</em><br />
<em>He is allergic to cats</em><br />
<em>But not to canines</em><br />
<br />
or<br />
<br />
<em>Have you read Guarded?</em><br />
<em>It is a free novella</em><br />
<em>You can download now</em><br />
<br />
Post your masterpiece to Twitter--making sure you use the hashtag #kfieldinghaiku. If you don't Tweet, you can post it here or on my FB page instead. Here's a rundown of the rules/procedure:<br />
<br />
<strong>1. Post a haiku with an m/m romance theme</strong><br />
<strong>2. Haiku must follow 5/7/5 format</strong><br />
<strong>3. Post it to Twitter using #kfieldinghaiku hashtag, or here, or to my FB wall</strong><br />
<strong>4. You may submit as many entries as you wish</strong><br />
<strong>5. Entries need not be in English </strong><br />
<strong>6. All entries are due June 23 at noon PDT</strong><br />
<strong>7. Entries will be judged by a fabulous guest judge panel</strong><br />
<strong>8. Judges' decision is final</strong><br />
<strong>9. The winner will receive: all three books in my Ennek trilogy (in print if you're in the US; in Kindle versions if you're elsewhere); a $10 Dreamspinner gift certificate; a $10 donation to the LGBT organization of your choice; naming rights to one minor character in a future story; AND a special surprise from Oregon (where the Bones books are set).</strong><br />
<strong>10. If there are more than 30 entries, I'll do a second prize winner as well: a print copy of either <em>Pilgrimage,</em> <em>Motel. Pool. </em>or <em>Stasis</em> (the first Ennek book)</strong><strong>, plus a special surprise from Oregon.</strong><br />
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If you have any questions, feel free to post them here.<br />
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Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-13489913767707522242014-06-12T11:44:00.001-07:002014-06-12T11:44:49.803-07:00Thoughts on MarriageToday is our wedding anniversary. We got married so long ago that we rode a woolly mammoth to our honeymoon. Okay, not quite--but our car did have an 8-track player. (Our honeymoon destination? Exotic Lincoln, Nebraska, where we were about to relocate for grad school). And we've known each other forever. We met when I was 15 and he was 17. I remember him calling me the first night after we'd met, and we talked for hours. He was making all sorts of plans for what we could do during the summer, and I was thinking, <em>How presumptuous to assume we'll still be together then!</em> And here we are, three states, six houses, two kids, and many gray hairs later.<br />
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My husband has his annoying quirks (like a football obsession), but he's a wonderful man. He's willing to hold down the fort when I travel ("Okey-doke, hon. You stay here with the job and the kids and the bathroom remodel while I go live in Europe for six weeks. Bye!"). He's patient. Last night, one of the smoke alarm batteries started chirping at nearly midnight. Older daughter and I couldn't figure out how to wrench the damn thing out of the ceiling to replace the battery. Despite the late hour and a recent back injury, hubby schlepped downstairs, climbed the ladder, and disabled the thing, all with only minor complaints. And he's hugely supportive of my writing. He generally doesn't read much but sports and finance stuff, but he reads my books. And he pimps them to people he knows, and he makes me lovely spreadsheets to keep track of my sales. He even occasionally serves as consultant on Man Matters, as well as on specific issues such as playing blackjack (<em>Motel. Pool.</em>) or home improvement (the Bones books). <br />
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He surprised me when he proposed to me at an Italian restaurant while I was in college. And since then, he's surprised me with a fantastic car, a Mexican cruise, and a night at the Grand Canyon. <br />
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As we celebrate our anniversary this year, I'm particularly pleased to know that in so many places, marriages have recently become more inclusive. It makes us so happy that our LGBT friends and family members can now also enter into <strike>the bondage of matrimony</strike> the joys of married life.<br />
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Some folks are content having a "partner"--and there's nothing at all wrong with that. But I think for many of us, "spouse" implies a bit more. It means optimism about a shared life. It means a commitment to forever. It means a willingness to climb ladders at midnight with a sore back, and to give up on going anywhere on Sundays from August through early February.<br />
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Happy anniversary, honey!<br />
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Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-41976477137425242902014-06-11T00:00:00.000-07:002014-06-11T00:00:06.920-07:00Guarded illustrationHave you read my new novella, <em>Guarded</em>? If so, you might enjoy this artwork by my 11-year-old daughter:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoaKgvL62Tw/U5eQ0Nigw0I/AAAAAAAABhk/7iPr6rkJpOA/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoaKgvL62Tw/U5eQ0Nigw0I/AAAAAAAABhk/7iPr6rkJpOA/s1600/scan0001.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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That dragon is sleeping, not dead. :-) She produced it on commission for me, which is fitting for the family artist. Hubby's great with numbers and mechanical things, and Older Daughter and I do words. We make a good team.<br />
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If you haven't read <em>Guarded</em> yet, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1857162-guarded-by-kim-fielding-6-9" target="_blank">it's free</a>!Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-32271179063941373352014-06-09T12:46:00.001-07:002014-06-09T12:46:22.232-07:00Free novella & an interviewSo the last 24 hours have been quite busy for me!<br />
<br />
Last night I got to have dinner with the wonderful Amy Lane and her amazing family. So much fun! Her kids (and her husband too!) are really fantastic.<br />
<br />
Then this morning, Amy and I were interviewed on Capital Public Radio. You can listen to our segment here: <a href="http://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2014/06/09/insight-060914/">http://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2014/06/09/insight-060914/</a><br />
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Amy is such a fabulous person. Plus we got to hang in the green room with a band called Kumyn, and the band members were really nice. And, of course, for the near future I can begin all conversations by saying, "Well, when I was hanging out in the green room with Amy Lane and the band...."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jaBeuD4xAJ4/U1QhbPxASRI/AAAAAAAABhU/145cNVNOgKM/s1600/guarded1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jaBeuD4xAJ4/U1QhbPxASRI/AAAAAAAABhU/145cNVNOgKM/s1600/guarded1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>And also this morning, my novella <em>Guarded</em> released! It's free! If you're a member of the Goodreads M/M Romance group (also free) you can read it here: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1857162-guarded-by-kim-fielding-6-9">https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1857162-guarded-by-kim-fielding-6-9</a> It'll be available to everyone for download within 5 days.<br />
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So today you can hear me and read me. :-) And it's supposed to hit 105F here today and I think I need a nap.<br />
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Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-68554288076092693332014-06-09T00:00:00.000-07:002014-06-09T00:00:08.918-07:00Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet-- cover reveal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Hell and High Water </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(Thirds Series, Bk #1)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">By Charlie Cochet</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Blurb:</span> </b></div>
When homicide detective Dexter J. Daley’s testimony helps send his partner away for murder, the consequences—and the media frenzy—aren't far behind. He soon finds himself sans boyfriend, sans friends, and, after an unpleasant encounter in a parking garage after the trial, he’s lucky he doesn't find himself sans teeth. Dex fears he’ll get transferred from the Human Police Force’s Sixth Precinct, or worse, get dismissed. Instead, his adoptive father—a sergeant at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron otherwise known as the THIRDS—pulls a few strings, and Dex gets recruited as a Defense Agent.<br />
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Dex is determined to get his life back on track and eager to get started in his new job. But his first meeting with Team Leader Sloane Brodie, who also happens to be his new jaguar Therian partner, turns disastrous. When the team is called to investigate the murders of three HumaniTherian activists, it soon becomes clear to Dex that getting his partner and the rest of the tightknit team to accept him will be a lot harder than catching the killer—and every bit as dangerous.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22267616-hell-high-water" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ9KoERDhso/Umls74jUkJI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/XRq-VPv9coU/s1600/Goodreads-button.png" /></a></div>
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Available for Pre-Order at </div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Excerpt</span></b></i></div>
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<div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: Georgia, Garamond, serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; height: 450px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 600px;">
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane observed Dex as he made his way to the center of the
mat. The guy had a nice ass too. On that note, maybe it was time for S<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>loane to get laid. It had been way too long since he’d
picked anyone up, but then, the only thing that seemed to interest him these
days was the job. Why the hell was he thinking about sex now? He followed Dex
onto the blue mat and stopped a few feet away from him, pushing any and all
sexual thoughts out of his mind. He had work to do. </span><span class="CharAttribute3">A lot</span><span class="CharAttribute0"> of work
to do.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br />Dex readied himself, stretching his neck and back. Despite
his disastrous introduction, the guy actually had excellent poise. He balanced
perfectly on one leg while he pulled the opposite knee up to stretch then
swapped and did the same with the other. He bent over and grabbed his ankles
with ease then slowly rolled his back to stand upright again. Rotating his
shoulders, he shook himself off and hopped on his toes for a few seconds to
warm up. His movements revealed he was lithe and flexible, yet Sloane couldn't
understand how this was the same guy who had scored top of his class during the
training run. It was true he didn't know much about Dex, but he’d read the file
the moment he’d been informed of the decision.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br />Both parents had been killed during the riots when he was
five years old. He’d been adopted by his father’s friend and work partner,
Anthony Maddock. A year later, his baby Therian brother was rescued and
adopted. Went to Berkeley at eighteen for four years, earned a Bachelor of
Science degree in Justice Studies, and joined the HPF a year later. Four years
after that, was promoted to homicide detective. Dexter J. Daley, thirty-three
years old, unmarried, and recently testified against his Human partner in a
murder trial. Sloane was still figuring out what to think about that last part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex took his stance, bending his knees, his left leg a little
farther up than the right, and his fists up near his face.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Your stance is good,” Sloane murmured, ignoring Dex’s
surprised look. Taking up his own fighting stance, Sloane motioned for Dex to
advance. “Okay. Come at me.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br />Dex shook his head. “No.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane paused. Was the rookie messing with him? “What do you
mean ‘no’?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“How about </span><span class="CharAttribute3">you</span><span class="CharAttribute0"> come at </span><span class="CharAttribute3">me</span><span class="CharAttribute0">.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“That’s not how this works.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“I’ve seen what attacking you head on does. You want to see
what I can do? You’ll have to work for it.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane arched an eyebrow. Well, if nothing else, the guy had
balls. “Okay. Remember, you asked for it.” He advanced, faked with his right to
land a left hook to Dex’s ribs. A swipe to his left foot brought Dex crashing
down to the mat.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Fuck,” Dex moaned, rolling out of the way. He jumped to his
feet and rounded his shoulders. “Okay.” Bouncing on his toes, he circled
Sloane. “Let’s try this again.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span>
<span class="CharAttribute0">This match was over. Rookie just didn’t know it yet. Sloane
was good at exposing weaknesses, and he was already working on discovering his
new partner’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">They slowly circled each other, and Sloane got closer to Dex
with each step until he was close enough to throw a punch. Dex blocked it, his
concentration focused on keeping Sloane from landing a hit. He was studying
Sloane, trying to get a handle on his technique so he could formulate a plan of
attack. Rookie was using his head—that was good—but he was taking too long to decide
on his course of action and that was bad. Hesitation was something his Human
partner couldn’t afford out in the field, not when dealing with Therians. As a
species, Therians were faster, stronger, healed quicker, and had a higher level
of tolerance when it came to pain.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex blocked a left hook to the ribs with his right elbow
tucked up against his body, but in anticipation of Sloane faking a right, he
tucked his left elbow in as well, leaving his head exposed. Sloane took
advantage and clipped Dex under his chin. His head came up, once again leaving
himself exposed long enough for Sloane to give his cheek a smack. Dex shuffled
back, eyes wide.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“What the fuck was that?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“I’m sorry. Did I smear your makeup?” Sloane held back a
smile at Dex’s glare. <span style="line-height: 150%;">This was too easy. Forgetting all about keeping his
distance, Dex charged him.</span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute0"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">A fierce combination of hooks, jabs, and an attempt at an
uppercut were nicely executed, but still not enough to catch Sloane off guard.
He blocked Dex’s advances, ducked under a right hook, and grabbed Dex’s leg.
With a forceful pull, Dex was once again sprawled on his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“I haven’t spent this much time on my back since college.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane laughed. “It’s a good look for you, Rookie.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“You asking me out on a date? Because I don’t date assholes,”
Dex grumbled, sitting up.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“I may be an asshole, but even I’ve got standards.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">With a smirk, Dex hung his head and held an arm out.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Giving up already? How disappointing.” Sloane reached out
and took Dex’s hand, ready to pull him up when Dex twisted his torso and kicked
a leg out, catching Sloane on the side of his knee and sending him down onto
it. He was jerked forward and Dex’s legs wrapped around his waist. He twisted
his lower body to throw Sloane onto his back. Dex landed on him, his hands pinning
Sloane’s wrists to the mat beneath them, their faces inches away from each
other.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“So, about that date,” Dex said, laughing breathlessly. His
eyes shifted to Sloane’s lips before moving back up and his smile grew wider.
The little shit was taunting him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane didn't know what pissed him off more, that he’d been
caught by surprise, or that he was enjoying it. His anger started bubbling up
inside him and that pissed him off even more. He didn't get angry. Anger meant
the rookie was getting to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">With a pleasant smile, Sloane jerked his left wrist free to
snatch Dex’s in a tight grip. He looped his arm around Dex’s neck, forcing
Dex’s arm to come up and around as well. With a swift yank, Dex spun off him
and onto the mat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">That was better. Sloane casually got to his feet with a
satisfied grin. He took a deep breath to regain his calm and turned, frowning
at the sight of Dex on his stomach, his back arching as he let out a frustrated
groan. He ignored the curve of the rookie’s spine and the way he looked when he
got onto his hands and knees. Jesus, what was wrong with him? It was time to
put a stop to this… distraction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Come on,” Sloane snarled. “Get up. I’m not here to be your
Xbox buddy.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Come on, Dex!” Cael sat on the floor a few feet away, and Sloane
tilted his head, his bottom lip jutting out in a pout as he teased Dex.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Aw, isn't that cute? Baby brother is cheering for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex lunged at him, throwing his arms around Sloane’s waist in
an inane attempt to knock him over. Sloane didn’t go down. He was bigger,
stronger, and heavier than Dex, but to the rookie’s credit, he managed to get
in a nice jab to the ribs. With a well-maneuvered twist of his body, Sloane was
out of Dex’s grip and holding him in a headlock. Instead of punching him, he
delivered another slap to his cheek. Dex let out a frustrated growl and tried
to push away from him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Stop doing that!”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Ooh, Rookie’s got a bit of a temper.” Sloane ruffled Dex’s
hair, pissing him off further.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Aw, isn't he cute,” Ash teased from the end of the mat.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Fuck you, Simba!”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Rosa burst into laughter and Ash glared at her. “Are you
fucking serious?” He turned back to Sloane with a scowl. “You better kick his
ass.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex struggled in Sloane’s grip. “Come on, Rookie. Is this the
best you got?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span>
<span class="CharAttribute0">“This isn't fighting,” Dex spat out. “This is you being a
prick.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane shrugged. “Either way, I've seen what you can do and I
gotta say, it’s pretty uninspiring.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Uninspiring, huh?” Dex pulled back a fist and Sloane
released him, jumping back and narrowly missing Dex’s fist, his knuckles
brushing Sloane’s crotch. Sloane gaped at Dex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“You were going to punch me in the nuts?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“You said it yourself. This isn't a fight, so yeah. And I
would have enjoyed it too.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Hey, watch it.” Sloane stormed up to Dex who held his ground,
his chin lifted defiantly. Rookie had nerve, but he needed to learn his place.
Sloane grabbed him, hauled him off his feet and slammed him into the mat. “Stay
the fuck down, if you know what’s good for you.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex ignored him, his breath coming out heavy as he got back
on his feet and threw a punch. Stupid little bastard didn't know when to quit.
Sloane ducked, grabbed Dex around the waist and once again slammed him back
down on the mat. With a low groan, Dex rolled onto his side and pushed himself
onto his hands and knees. Sloane wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of
his hand as he circled Dex. He’d lost count of how many times he’d dropped Dex,
yet the guy kept getting back up. Granted, each time took a little longer than
the last, but he pushed himself to his feet regardless. Sloane didn't know
whether to be impressed or aggravated.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“You’re not cut out for this, Rookie.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex didn't reply, simply glared at him. He charged Sloane
with a growl, ducking under Sloane’s right hook and landing a jab to Sloane’s
exposed ribs. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Sloane used the adrenaline
pumping through his veins to keep going and bring his fists down onto Dex’s
back. Dex hit the mat painfully, his head smacking against it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute3"><i>Fuck</i></span><span class="CharAttribute0"><i>.</i> Sloane touched his ribs and winced.
Damn, the rookie had gotten him pretty good. “Why don’t you stay down? It’s
only going to get worse.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">With a humorless laugh, Dex rolled onto his back, his chest
rising and falling rapidly. “Let me guess. This is the part where I’m supposed
to go crying home to Daddy. “Ooh, my new partner hates me. Boo-hoo.”’ Sloane
could see the strain on the rookie’s face as he struggled to stand, sucking in
a sharp breath when he straightened. “Well fuck you. Here’s a little FYI for
you. I would rather fucking </span><span class="CharAttribute3">bleed</span><span class="CharAttribute0"> to death
than give you the satisfaction, you prick.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane arched an eyebrow at him. “Charming.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0" style="font-style: normal;">“I </span><span class="CharAttribute3"><i>am</i></span><span class="CharAttribute0" style="font-style: normal;"> fucking
charming!” Dex shouted, his entire face going beet red. “I am the most charming
motherfucker you will ever know, so kiss my perfectly perky ass!”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span>
<span class="CharAttribute0">After some consideration, Sloane cocked his head to one side
and shrugged. “I've seen better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Oh, now you’re insulting my ass?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane opened his mouth when a booming voice came over the
speaker system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span>
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Destructive Delta, please report to briefing room “A” in one
hour as per Sergeant Maddock’s orders.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Looks like you were saved by daddy after all.” Sloane turned
to his team and clapped his hands together. “Okay, hit the showers. See you
upstairs.” Everyone headed out, and Sloane made his way to the towel rack. He
grabbed himself one to wipe his face, and when he turned, he almost ran into
Dex, his rig hanging from one hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Well, let’s see it.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane threw his towel over his shoulder. “See what?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“You know.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Are you asking me to go feral or whip out my dick?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex looked like he was actually considering it. “Come on. I
want to see the alpha beneath the asshole. We’ve got lions, and tigers, and….”
Dex shifted his gaze to Sloane’s neck, a strange little smile coming onto his
face as he looked back up at Sloane. “Jaguar. Oh my.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Holy shit, the guy was serious.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex shrugged. “I don’t see what the big deal is. You’re my
partner, we’re in a wide open space, and there are vending machines down the
hall for post shift. We’ve got time before we need to get to the briefing room.
It’s my turn to see what I’m dealing with.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Sloane mulled it over. “Okay.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Yeah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Sure.” Sloane circled Dex and crowded him, making him
retreat until his back hit the wall. With his arms to the sides of Dex’s head,
he watched Dex’s Adam’s apple bob as his new partner swallowed hard. Just as
Sloane suspected, Dex was clearly having second thoughts about seeing the “big
bad alpha.” He leaned in close, his lips inches away from Dex’s jaw as he
inhaled deeply. “Do you know why jaguar Therians are the most lethal of the
Felids?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute1" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">“Um….”</span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute0" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 27.35pt;"><br /></span>
<span class="CharAttribute0" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 27.35pt;">“My
Therian bite has twice the strength of a lion’s. I can use a deep-throat,
bite-and-suffocation technique where my fangs pierce through the temporal bones
of your skull, right between your ears and pierce your brain.” Sloane gave a
little demonstration with his fingers on Dex’s scalp, earning him a scowl.
Sloane laughed then whispered in Dex’s ear. “I bet the only word you heard from
all that was </span><span class="CharAttribute3" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 27.35pt;">deep-throat</span><span class="CharAttribute0" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 27.35pt;">.”</span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute4" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 27.35pt; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute5" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; word-break: normal;">
<span class="CharAttribute0">Dex lifted his chin, his eyes
dropping once again to Sloane’s mouth before moving back up to meet his gaze.
He licked his lips, his eyes clouding over. “Your pupils are dilated. Does that
mean you want to fuck me or eat me? Because I might have a problem with one of
those.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></b></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8DndoBIBKns/U35zaetOuKI/AAAAAAAACJc/f18JLnDloO8/s1600/CCochetDSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8DndoBIBKns/U35zaetOuKI/AAAAAAAACJc/f18JLnDloO8/s1600/CCochetDSP.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! When she isn't writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers. </div>
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You can find Charlie at </div>
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Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-81759893345779874812014-06-06T00:00:00.000-07:002014-06-06T00:00:10.392-07:00Tune in next week....So. This coming Monday (June 9) at 9 am PDT, the amazing Amy Lane and I will be interviewed on the radio. We'll be on <a href="http://www.capradio.org/news/insight/" target="_blank">Insight, on Capital Public Radio</a> in the Sacramento area. If you're in the Sac region, you can listen to us live. Or anyone can listen later online.<br />
<br />
I got us into this. I meant to get just Amy into this because I knew she lives 'round here, and because she's wonderful and funny and I thought, <em>I'd love to hear Amy interviewed on this show</em>. But I ended up roping myself too, so I will try hard not to mumble incoherently. I am nervous. <br />
<br />
God, at least it's not TV! <br />
<br />
Although radio means you all will miss out on my fabulous, freshly dyed red and blue hair. You can picture it while you listen. Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-16665397412323006272014-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:002014-06-04T00:00:13.108-07:00More teasing! Second excerpt from Guarded.
My newest novella will be available soon--and it will be free! You'll be able to read it at the Goodreads M/M Romance group, and then later it'll be downloadable from the web. In the meantime, I'm teasing you with a second excerpt:<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The king made a small noise deep in his throat. “I
understand you lost your own family to the Kozari.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The sharp pang never dulled, not even decades later.
Even before the war had begun, Volos’s father— an ardent advocate for peace—
had been forced to flee Kozar. He hadn’t been safe in Wedeyta, though. Kozari
assassins had tracked him down eventually. While Volos hid in terror inside a cupboard,
the men had murdered everyone. They’d likely have sought out Volos and killed
him too, but a neighbor had been visiting at the time— a sweet boy who was
friends with one of Volos’s sisters— and the assassins had mistaken the child
for Volos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Yes, sir,” Volos said evenly. “My parents and my
siblings.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaBeuD4xAJ4/U1QhbPxASRI/AAAAAAAABcA/FA_gKP5H0qo/s1600/guarded1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaBeuD4xAJ4/U1QhbPxASRI/AAAAAAAABcA/FA_gKP5H0qo/s1600/guarded1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“How do <em><span style="background-color: white;">you</span></em></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> feel about the
Kozari?” asked Prince Chidehu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“I don’t…” Volos scratched at his hair. “I killed a
lot of them during the war.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“And?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“And… it didn’t bring my family back to life.” Did
admitting this amount to treason?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“It never does,” the king replied sadly. Then his gaze
sharpened. “How far does your loyalty to the crown go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“As far as it needs to.” Volos’s heart began to pound
heavily, although he wasn’t sure why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“You’ve risked your life in service to this country.
Would you do it again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Of course, Your Majesty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“I… I took an oath, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The king continued to stare at him. “An oath is only
words.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“No, it’s—” Volos stopped himself. Took a deep breath.
The ground beneath him now felt more dangerous than any battlefield. “I beg
your pardon, Your Majesty. But to me, an oath is much more than that. My
promise is… apart from my sword, it’s the only thing of value I possess. And
even the best sword can be replaced. My… my integrity cannot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It was an honest answer, and perhaps also the right
one, because something in the king’s eyes softened slightly, and he nodded. But
he wasn’t through with the interrogation. “Captain Hiwot informs me that
Berhanu’s display in this room was hardly the first time he’s treated you with…
scorn.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’ve tried to behave
respectfully toward him, and—”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Yes. Your captain tells me this as well. She says
your restraint has been quite admirable, in fact.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Another shift of the floor beneath him. Volos wished
he had something to hold on to for balance. “Thank you, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Volos Perun, does your loyalty to the crown extend to
Prince Berhanu? Would you risk your life for him as well?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Yes, sir,” Volos answered immediately, even though
his tongue was thick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">King Tafari and Prince Chidehu exchanged a very long
look, clearly having a silent conversation. Perhaps they reached an agreement,
because they both turned to him at once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“I’m glad to hear you say that,” said Chidehu.
“Because you may very well end up dying on my brother’s behalf.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
***<br />
<br />
PS--Next Monday you can listen to the amazing Amy Lane and me being interviewed on the radio. If you're in the Sacramento region you can listen live, 9am on June 9. Or anyone can listen <a href="http://www.capradio.org/insight/" target="_blank">later online here.</a>Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-8161738195278991132014-06-01T09:58:00.001-07:002014-06-01T10:01:14.493-07:00New release, newsy updateI have a newsy little post for you this fine Sunday.<br />
<br />
First off, I have a brand new release. It's a short story called "The Border," and it's part of Dreamspinner's Daily Dose anthology. If you buy the Daily Dose package, you get a story every day in June. Or you can buy stories individually. They all have hurt/comfort themes. <br />
<br />
Here's the blurb:<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMlVf45t0yw/U4tVoLdwfDI/AAAAAAAABgw/W2u60HmfKyk/s1600/TheBorder_LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMlVf45t0yw/U4tVoLdwfDI/AAAAAAAABgw/W2u60HmfKyk/s1600/TheBorder_LG.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span id="freeText17147273131828598034"><em>Injured in a war that has stretched on for years, Sergeant John Peterson guards a lonely border. Aside from passing contact with railship captains, the only person he sees is the enemy: the man who guards the other side of the border. A bad fall places John’s life in the other soldier’s hands. He’s wary of his rescuer, First Lieutenant Thomas Fellowes, but over time he finds himself drawn to his new companion. Both soldiers carry the war in their souls, but they might find peace in each other.</em><a class="actionLinkLite" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22387498-the-border#"></a></span><br />
<br />
You can buy "The Border" at <a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5149&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Dreamspinner Press</a> or at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Border-Kim-Fielding-ebook/dp/B00KPC975C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401639488&sr=8-1&keywords=9781632160997" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br />
<br />
My second piece of news is that I just got the draft cover art for my novella <em>The Pillar </em>and I'm really excited about it. The art's by Shobana Appavu, who did that incredible cover for <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3568&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Venetian Masks</a></em>. I love that cover so much I framed a poster-size version to hang on my wall. <em>The Pillar</em> is set in 15th century Bosnia. It releases in August and I'm really excited to share it with you. Here's that blurb:<br />
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401638718546_8591" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<em><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401638718546_8590">During his youth, orphaned thief Faris was flogged at the pillar in the town square and left to die. But a kind old man saved him, gave him a home, and taught him a profession. Now Faris is the herbalist for the town of Zidar, taking care of the injured and ill. He remains lonely, haunted by his past, and insecure about how his community views him. One night, despite his reluctance, he saves a dying slave from the pillar.</span></em></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401638718546_8563">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><em></em></span><br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401638718546_8586" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1401638718546_8585"><em>A former soldier, Boro has spent the last decade as a brutalized slave. Herbs and ointment can heal his physical wounds, but both men carry scars that run deep. Bound by the constraints of law and social class in 15th century Bosnia, Faris and Boro must overcome powerful enemies to protect the fragile happiness they’ve found.</em></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
And, third piece of news! On Monday, June 9, the ever-amazing Amy Lane and I will be interviewed on the radio! The show is <a href="http://www.capradio.org/insight/" target="_blank">Insight</a>, which airs on NPR stations in the Sacramento region. If you get one of those stations, you can listen live at 9am. Or anyone can listen later online. I'm really excited by this and also terribly, horribly nervous. </div>
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</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_l_mf0BFtY/U4tZ8LynlsI/AAAAAAAABg8/9Zc1M8K1PGo/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_l_mf0BFtY/U4tZ8LynlsI/AAAAAAAABg8/9Zc1M8K1PGo/s1600/010.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>My kids had their last day of school on Friday, so part of my life for the next months involves keeping the older one from permanently attaching herself to electronic devices and keeping the younger one from tormenting the older one. Yeah, good luck to me. I took younger one to the library yesterday and she came home with a big stack of thick books, but she's already polished one of those off. Because she got straight As in 9th grade, the older one earned a reward: she's now allowed to watch R-rated movies. She celebrated by watching <em>The Breakfast Club</em> last night. That movie might be ancient, but she totally loved it. I see more John Hughes in her future.</div>
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That's all for now. I'm off to write about werewolves in 19th century Oregon!</div>
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Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-21351157726299546592014-05-29T12:26:00.000-07:002014-05-29T12:26:05.705-07:00Weird ResearchI think I've confessed here before that one thing I love about writing is doing the background research. <br />
<br />
Sometimes my reason for enjoying the research is obvious, such as the many times I've--tragically, I know--found myself needing to know something about men's underwear. No, seriously. My husband's a confirmed boxer-briefs-from-Target kind of guy, so if I want my guys to wear anything more exotic than that, I can't rely on Hubby as an information resource. I've visited the Andrew Christian website enough times that their ads keep appearing on websites I visit. Again, tragic.<br />
<br />
But not all my enjoyable research involves nearly-naked men. Sometimes I like the challenge of it. For my novella <em>The Pillar</em>, which will come out in August, I needed to know how much a male slave would have cost in 15th century Bosnia. I never found a definitive answer to that one. But I did find out the cost of a slave in Venice during the same timeframe, and I found out the name of the currency used in Bosnia then, and I even was able to do a currency conversion to arrive at an approximation that's close enough, I think.<br />
<br />
So now I'm writing a story set in rural Oregon in the 1880s. I'm only about 5000 words in, but here are the things I've looked up so far:<br />
<ul>
<li>How to load and shoot a shotgun from that era-- I'm still searching for good info on this</li>
<li>What color would a wolf's eyes glow in lantern light at night?</li>
<li>What were the most popular boy names in the USA circa 1860?</li>
<li>Were there possums in Oregon in the 1880s?-- I vaguely remember hearing they were brought west during the Great Depression, and it turns out that's true. So no possums in my story.</li>
<li>What year did the transcontinental railroad arrive in Portland?-- 1883, in case you wondered too.</li>
<li>How would a horse be attached to a cart it was going to pull?-- Because I know zilch about horses or wagons.</li>
<li>Where was a tony place to live in New York City in this era?-- Fifth Avenue</li>
<li>What would a fairly wealthy young man have for breakfast in Paris in the 1880s?</li>
</ul>
<br />
Sometimes it's a miracle I get any writing done at all!Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-75213684654026512062014-05-26T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-26T00:00:10.987-07:00Tease tease tease! Excerpt from Guarded.I do like to tease. So I present to you a brief excerpt from <em>Guarded</em>, a novella that will be available (for free!) sometime this summer. I don't have the release date yet. This will be part of the Goodreads M/M Romance group's Love's Landscapes event.<br />
<br />
So for now I present to you the initial interaction between the main characters, Volos Perun and Prince Berhanu. <br />
<br />
It doesn't go well.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Get up,” the king said. “Formalities aren’t wanted now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Volos rose. “Yes, Your Majesty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He kept his eyes trained carefully on the floor, but he could still
feel the weight of the king’s gaze— not to mention that of the other man,
Prince Berhanu. The prince always looked at him with contempt and disdain, but
this afternoon he looked furious as well. Volos wondered what he had done to
enrage him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What is your name?” the king asked. He didn’t sound angry, at least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Volos Perun, Your Maj—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And is it true that you speak Kozari fluently?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Volos snapped his head up in surprise. “I… My father was…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Your father was Kozari, yes. I am aware of that. But do you speak the
language?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It had been Volos’s first tongue, and although he’d had little occasion
to use it for some years, he still dreamed in Kozari. “Yes, Your Maj—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good.” The king turned to Prince Berhanu. “He will accompany you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No,” growled the prince. “I told you. I don’t need a nursemaid.” He
stood with his hands on his hips, perhaps deliberately displaying his
impressive musculature. He was a couple of inches shorter than Volos, but as
well built.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He’s not a nursemaid, he’s a guard. It’s not fitting for a prince to
travel alone, not even under these circumstances. And it’s not safe. I won’t
allow you to go unaccompanied.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any man but the prince would have been tried for treason for glaring at
the king like that. “Fine,” Berhanu spat. “Give me a guard. But not him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He can speak the language. His presence may ease your interactions
with the Kozari.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I won’t spend days with that Kozari trash at my side!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Volos had beaten men senseless for lesser insults. But now, he stood
with his face carefully blank, pretending Berhanu’s words hadn’t pierced him
like poisoned arrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The king had gray hair and a grizzled beard and was much slighter than
his son, but when he stomped close to the prince, Berhanu took a step backward.
King Tafari poked him in the chest. “This man is a citizen of Wedeyta. He was
born here. His mother was from one of our prominent families. And he proved his
loyalty during the war. He was a hero. I’m told he saved several dozen Wedey
prisoners.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A flash of sense memory: the reek of urine, shit, and sweat; the sounds
of harsh breathing and terrified screams; the taste of blood. Volos hoped
neither of the men saw him flinch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Berhanu shook his head. “I don’t care if he saved half the damn
country. I won’t go with him. Surely someone else speaks Kozari. One of our own
people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">King Tafari opened his mouth, then closed it. His shoulders slumped
slightly as he gave his son a long look. He turned to face Volos. “My
apologies. It seems your services will not be needed in this matter. You may
leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ignoring the prince’s triumphant smile, Volos bowed. “Yes, Your
Majesty. Thank you.” He hoped that his failure to address the prince wasn’t
taken as an unforgivable slight— but then, the prince hadn’t said a single word
to him. Ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-33608986269835435802014-05-23T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-23T07:22:20.139-07:00Motel. Pool. triviaSometimes when I write, I include little details that possibly nobody but me will ever notice. But they make me happy. Sometimes they help me understand a character better, sometimes they tie things together in ways that satisfy my slightly OCD-ish tendencies. Sometimes they just amuse me.<br />
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Here are three of them from <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Motel. Pool.</a></em> They're a little spoilery, so you might want to skip this if you haven't read the book.<br />
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Ready?<br />
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Scroll down just a bit....<br />
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Okay. <br />
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1. Jack in <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Motel. Pool</a>.</em> is related to Joseph, one of the main characters in <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2998&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Violet's Present</a></em>. Joseph was Jack's uncle. Jack mentions him briefly to Tag at one point.<br />
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2. While Jack waits at the Jasper Motel, he thinks he hears a car crash. What he heard was the accident that killed Officer Mike Broderick several years earlier. (Jasper's a strange place, where things like that can happen--like when Jack daydreams Tag.) Officer Broderick obliquely refers to that accident the first time he meets Tag.<br />
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3. About one-third of the way into the book, a character tells us how it's going to end. But nobody pays any attention.<br />
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Did you notice any of these when you were reading?<br />
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4. It's never mentioned in <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3443&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Brute</a></em>, but when they were young, Lord Meliach had an unrequited crush on Gray. That helps explain his complicated and perhaps conflicted behavior toward Gray years later.<br />
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I like it when characters from different stories cross paths.<br />
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5. Jeff and Cleve from <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3568&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Venetian Masks</a></em> make a cameo appearance in <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4663&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Pilgrimage</a></em>.<br />
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6. Of course, Travis and Drew from <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3105&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">Speechless</a></em> meet the Bones guys, Dylan and Chris, in <a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3871&cPath=55_603" target="_blank">The Gig</a>. And Travis and Drew will also make brief appearances in the third Bones book, <em>Bone Dry</em>. It's due out this fall.Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-39655871814719408572014-05-21T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T00:00:03.183-07:00LabelsI've been thinking about this and I'd love to know your thoughts.<br />
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The other day, one of my daughters asked me a question: "Hey, Mom. If someone is a transgender woman who is attracted to other women, is she a lesbian?" And then the next day she asked, "Hey, Mom. If two bisexual girls are in a relationship with each other, is it a lesbian relationship?"<br />
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She wasn't trying to be a smartass---they were honest questions. She's at an age where sexual identities and relationship dynamics are becoming really important. I answered as best as I could.<br />
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But her questions got me thinking about labels. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_m4FBfhH14/U3esKMq2-LI/AAAAAAAABgM/uCbK9qBVkCU/s1600/256px-Hello_my_name_is_sticker_svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_m4FBfhH14/U3esKMq2-LI/AAAAAAAABgM/uCbK9qBVkCU/s1600/256px-Hello_my_name_is_sticker_svg.png" /></a></div>
One the one hand, why worry so much about what we call people? Labeling leads to stereotyping. It can place artificial limits on human beings. All of us are way too complicated to be summed up in a word or two. And when it comes to romantic relationships specifically, does it make any sense to classify them? What's important is that people care for each other, right?<br />
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But. But I have degrees in psychology so I know that labeling seems to be an instinctive human trait. And labels can be empowering. They can be a source of pride and solidarity. Sometimes instead of dividing us, they can be a source of commonality, maybe even bringing us together with people who we might otherwise not notice. A label can even have profound legal consequences. For example, it matters in a lot of ways whether two people are domestic partners or spouses.<br />
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To what degree are you comfortable with labeling yourself and your relationships? What do you see as some of the risks and benefits? Do we try too hard to label people in our society? Does it make a difference when labels are self-imposed rather than placed on us by others?<br />
<br />Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-77448608678969737002014-05-19T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-19T07:12:15.853-07:00Motel Pool locations 6: Route 66I've been posting about some of the locations featured in my new novel, <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Motel. Pool.</span></a></em> Today is the sixth and final stop: Route 66.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vTn_mJXTux0/U2Wl86qkFKI/AAAAAAAABf8/ErNq44GR490/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vTn_mJXTux0/U2Wl86qkFKI/AAAAAAAABf8/ErNq44GR490/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm not generally a huge fan of nostalgia, although I did own a '55 Ford pickup (fire engine red!) until my second kid was born. And I have a special fondness for Route 66, maybe because it began in my birthdplace--Chicago--and ended in California, where I live now. Most of it's gone now, replaced by interstate highways. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-os41Oa9-sw0/U3oRLbhxw3I/AAAAAAAABgg/CL6l2_NmuXE/s1600/R66.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-os41Oa9-sw0/U3oRLbhxw3I/AAAAAAAABgg/CL6l2_NmuXE/s1600/R66.png" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
When Route 66 died, it left ghosts. Stretches of cracked, weed-choked asphalt. Abandoned gas stations, restaurants, and tourist traps. Entire towns gone to ruin.<br />
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Last year we took a family road trip to the Grand Canyon. Along the way we passed a former piece of Route 66. You could see where a motel and gas station had once stood, but all that was left were faded signs. I'm a little bit fascinated with abandoned places and the way they seem to reach out and promise you stories. This one reached out and gave me Jack Dayton, Tag Manning, and <em>Motel. Pool.</em> So, you know, I got my kicks.<br />
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I hope you do too.Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-52969571681939228402014-05-17T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-17T21:17:54.915-07:00Hop Against Homophobia & Transphobia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com/" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBLKZbXVbLk/UzixNp_1lbI/AAAAAAAABZk/aG0qtBCU8CQ/s1600/HAHAT+2014.png" height="320" title="" width="238" /></a></div>
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Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.</div>
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I have two daughters--one is 14 and the other 11. They have their quirks. The older one can be incredibly lazy. Given her druthers, she'd spend all day in her bedroom, reading fanfic and texting with her friends. The younger one is a melodrama queen who can turn being forced to bathe and brush her teeth into a three-hour tragic opera. She's also a picky eater who hates trying new foods. But they're both bright and funny and creative. They adore reading and traveling, and they're amazingly accepting of others. I love them.</div>
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What if one of them comes to me one of these days and says, "Hey, Mom. I'm gay [or bi or trans]." It wouldn't change what an amazing person she is. It wouldn't make her less lazy (or less melodramatic) or less smart or funny. It wouldn't change the fact that the older one can spell better than I can (and I'm a university professor), or that the younger one can draw wonderfully detailed dragons (and I can barely do stick figures). Of course I wouldn't love her one bit less. </div>
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How can any parent reject a child because the child is LGBTQ? I will never understand this. And yet some <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-siciliano/family-rejection-of-lgbt-_b_875841.html" target="_blank">studies claim</a> that half of all LGBTQ kids are rejected by their families. Many of these kids end up <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/07/12/515641/study-40-percent-of-homeless-youth-are-lgbt-family-rejection-is-leading-cause/" target="_blank">homeless</a>. These kids are<a href="http://scienceblogs.com/denialism/2009/01/07/rejecting-homosexual-children/" target="_blank"> also more likely</a> to attempt suicide, to abuse drugs, or to engage in risky sex.</div>
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I hope things are getting better. I hope we reach a point soon when no kid hesitates to reveal their sexual or gender orientation to their parents. Where, when parents find out their kids are LGBTQ, they can say the same kind of thing I'd say to mine: "I'm glad you shared that with me. I love you very much. You're wonderful. I want you to have a happy life, full of love. Now go clean your room."</div>
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<strong>For a chance to win an e-copy of my latest novel, <em>Motel. Pool.</em> plus a $10 donation to the LGBTQ organization of your choice, comment here. Make sure to include your email so I can contact you if you win. If 20 or more people comment, I'll give away two books and donations. I'll choose a winner at noon Pacific time on May 25.</strong></div>
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<br />Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-52378696990906212732014-05-14T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-14T00:00:10.636-07:00Motel Pool locations 5: ZzyzxI'm posting about some of the locations featured in
my new novel, <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Motel.
Pool.</span></a></em> Today is the fifth stop: Zzyzx.<br />
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Yep, that's a place. See?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkKixRJ19EI/U2VwitkM2_I/AAAAAAAABfs/jzO1z_cMpGw/s1600/142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkKixRJ19EI/U2VwitkM2_I/AAAAAAAABfs/jzO1z_cMpGw/s1600/142.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's in the middle of the desert between Las Vegas and LA. I'd never heard of it until we drove by, and then of course this sign intrigued me.<br />
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I won't bother retyping the story of Zzyzx here. You can <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zzyzx,_California" target="_blank">read it on Wikipedia</a>. And you can see some fantastic <a href="http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/zzyzx-mineral-springs-and-healing-center" target="_blank">photos here</a>. In <em>Motel. Pool</em>., Tag and Jack pay the place a visit and Tag has an epiphany there.<br />
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Zzyzx has an interesting history and the scenery is unique, but I'd love it just for the name alone. Maybe it's because I grew up in a town called Beaverton, but I really like towns with weird, funny, or intriguing names. Mist, Drain, and Boring in Oregon. Wahoo, Nebraska. European places that are missing their vowels, like Krk (a Croatian island) or Trst (the Croatian name for the nearby Italian city of Trieste). Or those that threaten to sprain your tongue, like Ljubljana, Slovenia. And there's apparently a place near Sacramento called <a href="http://california.hometownlocator.com/ca/sacramento/manlove.cfm" target="_blank">Manlove</a>.<br />
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What's your favorite place name?Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-85836839110175484432014-05-12T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-12T00:00:16.462-07:00Motel Pool locations 4: Las Vegas<em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603">Motel. Pool.</a></em> releases today! I'm really proud of this book and I hope you'll give it a try. Also, let's all admire Paul Richmond's beautiful cover, shall we?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MfxsAMVHuU/U2Vr05tMMiI/AAAAAAAABfA/gVWtOlEwDg4/s1600/Motel.PoolFS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MfxsAMVHuU/U2Vr05tMMiI/AAAAAAAABfA/gVWtOlEwDg4/s1600/Motel.PoolFS.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<strong> </strong></div>
<strong>And guess what? Now through May 17, </strong><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_603" target="_blank"><strong>Motel. Pool. is 30% off at Dreamspinner</strong></a><strong>! In fact, all my books are currently discounted, so it's time to stock up!</strong><br />
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I've been posting about some of the locations featured in my new novel, <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603">Motel. Pool.</a></em> Today is the fourth stop: the Las Vegas.<br />
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I'm not a big fan of Vegas. It's like a city built by Walt Disney's evil twin. Still, even I have to admit it's unique in all the world.<br />
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My husband loves the place. Of course, this is the same guy who taught our then 8-year-old to play Blackjack, claiming he was only helping her with her math skills.</div>
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When we visited Vegas last year, my daughters went on the rides atop the Stratosphere. Um, no thanks! The girls had a good time, though.</div>
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In case you were wondering, these rides are on a platform 900 feet high, and that third ride shoots you up to nearly 1100 feet. Nope. No way.<br />
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Nausea, gambling, and tackiness aside, what does Las Vegas have to offer? Well, a lot of stories. And I got to wondering about the people who stay at the residential motels--the places that rent by the week. What were they looking for when they came to Vegas?<br />
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Tag Manning ends up at one of those motels--right next to the Stratosphere, in fact. Vegas isn't exactly known as a place to find salvation, though, and Tag's going to face some major losses there too.Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-56280335954336950062014-05-09T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-09T07:47:37.842-07:00Motel Pool locations 3: Hoover DamOver the next few weeks I'll be posting about some of the locations featured in my new novel, <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603">Motel. Pool.</a></em> Today is the third stop: the Hoover Dam.<br />
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Hoover Dam was built in the early 1930s. Take a look at this photo for a moment as you let that sink in.</div>
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The dam is damn enormous. And it was built well before computers and lasers and whatever other things modern engineers use to do their magic. Even through modern eyes, it's damn impressive. (Okay. I'll stop.)<br />
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It took a lot of people to build the dam, and although I suppose most of them were glad to find work during the Depression, it was a dangerous job.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uufrpsPsr9c/U2VoNv5lzzI/AAAAAAAABe0/iTEL5Xaj9KY/s1600/WashNo01333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uufrpsPsr9c/U2VoNv5lzzI/AAAAAAAABe0/iTEL5Xaj9KY/s1600/WashNo01333.jpg" height="506" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not too fond of heights, so just looking at the photos makes me a little dizzy. Also, that guy on the left looks like he's in danger of losing his pants any second, and this doesn't strike me as a good location for nudity. In all seriousness, though, it's important to know that around 100 men lost their lives building the dam. They probably came from all over the US, hoping for decent wages, and I wonder what it must have been like for them to die so far from home. That thought helped inspire a scene in <em>Motel. Pool</em>., which takes place right here:<br />
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Nowadays, the dam's a pretty safe place, I guess. Although my phone received this alert when we were literally atop the dam:<br />
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Does tend to make one uneasy, no?<br />
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In <em>Motel. Pool</em>., Tag stops at Hoover Dam on his way to Las Vegas. He gets more than a good view, though--while he's at the dam, he makes a couple damn important discoveries. (Sorry. Can't help it.)<br />
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<br />Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8443946567762130151.post-34338158155950683232014-05-07T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-07T00:00:10.871-07:00Motel Pool locations 2: Grand CanyonOver the next few weeks I'll be posting about some of the locations featured in my new novel, <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603">Motel. Pool.</a></em> Today is the second stop: the Grand Canyon.<br />
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Until last year, the only time I'd seen the Grand Canyon was from a jet airplane. It's pretty impressive even from thousands of feet in the air, but when you stand at the rim, it's breathtaking.<br />
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It's astonishing to me to look out and realize all of that was sculpted by water, and that I'm seeing layers of minerals that were laid down while our ancestors were still single-celled creatures floating around in the ocean.</div>
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Of course, the sunsets at the Canyon are stunning.</div>
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And even when there's mist and clouds, the Canyon is beautiful.</div>
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Heck, even the restaurants give you a view.</div>
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In <em>Motel. Pool</em>., Tag Manning runs from another bad decision in hopes of finding something worth living for. He comes to the Grand Canyon--he even has lunch at the restaurant in the photo above--but the stunning views fail to make his heart beat. But shortly after he leaves the park, as he drives down a dark highway, he discovers he's not alone in his car. And then... well, then things get interesting.</div>
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Over the next few weeks I'll be posting about some of the locations featured in my new novel, <em><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4985&cPath=55_603">Motel. Pool.</a></em> Today is the first stop: Hollywood.</div>
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The mall where I took this pic is right on Hollywood Boulevard, and was the setting for one of my very first stories, "<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2864&cPath=55_603">Act One</a>." Yes, there's the famous Hollywood sign and the famous smog.</div>
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To be honest, Los Angeles is not my favorite city. But I don't mind an occasional visit there, and I have to admit I'm a little drawn by the simultaneous glamour and seediness of Hollywood.</div>
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I mean--Cary Grant, right?</div>
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The opening chapter of <em>Motel. Pool.</em> take place in Hollywood in the mid-1950s, when Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe might have been hanging around. And when, I imagine, a lot of young men showed up hoping to be the next James Dean. Young men like Jack Dayton--a meatpacker's son from Omaha, who learns the hard way that the casting couch won't lead to fame.</div>
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The photo above is actually from a little way down Santa Monica Boulevard. It's West Hollywood, which today has its own interesting sights. Like pet stores with intriguing advertisements:</div>
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Do you have a favorite Hollywood icon from the 1950s?</div>
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Kim Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14351107783738983028noreply@blogger.com3