Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Denise

Today (Single Dads #2) by RJ Scott: Quick Review

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Firefighter Eric is on the front line, battling the threat of nature’s destruction in the California grasslands alongside his CalFire team. Focused and calm, even in the direst of situations, he has a strong affection for his fire truck, loves his career, and has best friends he can rely on. All he needs now is love, but that seems to be impossible to find. At his friend’s wedding. Eric falls in lust at first sight with the shy, slim and sexy Brady, even if Brady isn’t the type of guy he usually goes for. What Eric longs for is an equal in his bed, not a smaller guy who might want Eric to role-play big strong firefighter every time they have sex. He wants to find someone he can be vulnerable with, someone who will love him for his soft heart and quiet ways.

Brady’s life plans grind to a halt when his niece and nephew lose their parents in a tragic accident, and he becomes a dad overnight. His Developmental Coordination Disorder rules his life, but he fights both DCD and the fears that chase him every day, to give Maddie and Lucas a home. Agreeing to go to a friend’s wedding is a decision he regrets long before he even gets there. But, he refuses to give in to his fear, even if he might do something that makes him a target for people’s comments and laughter. Meeting Eric, a huge man with a gentle voice and a flair for chivalry, he falls hard. Now, if only he can let himself get past his panic that Eric would never want someone like him, then maybe he could fall in love for real.

Length: 55,500 words approx.

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Cute cover!!

We first meet Brady in book one, when Ash had met him in a single dad’s forum.
We didn’t get to know much about him, but I was intrigued, so I was excited to get his story. Raising his niece and nephew after the loss of their parents, Brady has his work cut out for him. The kids are at the age where they question everything but think they know it all and Brady suffers from a neurological disorder as well as dyslexia, and that leaves him feeling out of sorts and overwhelmed easily. There’s a lot to it, but it gets explained in the story, and frankly I don’t know anything about it so I don’t wanna try to explain it lol in saying that, I have anxiety disorders that have me feeling much the same way as Brady, so I found that I could relate with him a lot.

Now, Eric, as you probably remember, is Ash’s neighbor, who lived with Sean and Leo. The cop, the surgeon and the firefighter, right? Eric is the firefighter. His job is a big part of this story, almost bigger than the relationship I felt. I feel like we got descriptions of the fires and things that happened during them than we did of time that Eric spent with Brady.

The two had met at Ash’s wedding, when Ash asked Eric to keep an eye on Brady, and though it was awkward, to say the least, Eric was smitten. Even if Brady did keep running away from him each time he kissed him. Which always came out of left field for me. I didn’t see how he could be so self-conscious one second and brazen the next. He seemed to plan everything down to the second but would be spontaneous when it came to Eric.

Overall though, I enjoyed watching these two get together and I liked how the relationship between Brady and his kids worked itself out. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the kids from the beginning, they were bratty and seemed manipulative, but I’m glad they didn’t stay that way. I hope in future books we see Eric having more to do with them.

I didn’t feel the smushy, love connection between the two like I normally do, but I’m glad it worked out for them all the same. I’m curious to see what happens with the convict and the cop, next!

3.5 Pieces of Candy

Jeremiah (High Rise) by Jayce Ellis: New Release Review * 2

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Jeremiah Stewart’s sexuality is no one’s business. Not that he’s hiding it. When—if—he finds the right one, he’ll absolutely introduce him to Mom. But a late-night brush with a sexy stranger in too much lip gloss has him rethinking nearly everything…

To Collin Galloway, direction is a four-letter word. Sure, he hates his job, he hates living with his parents and he really hates watching everyone move on without him. But he doesn’t know what he wants to do, long-term, and he won’t figure it out by thirsting over Jeremiah, the superhot, superintense paramedic who is suddenly everywhere Collin looks.

When Jeremiah’s faced with losing all he’s worked so hard to build, he reluctantly accepts Collin’s help. They’re both determined to stay professional…which works about as well as either would imagine. But Collin only does closets with clothes, and Jeremiah has to decide if he’s finally found the one worth bringing home to Mom.

This book is approximately 82,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

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A new to me author that sounded like it had lost of angst. One main character (and cover model) was a person of color, which we need more of please, and sort of an opposites attract vibe going on.

The angst was severely lacking for me.

At 82,000 words, it is a good sized book. So I am wondering how it missed out on so much. It was a good story, but it took too long for secrets to be revealed, I never really got that Collin didn’t feel worthy- I assumed it was shyness, and the tension between Jeremiah and his best friend’s girlfriend didn’t make sense until the end, Just a lot of missed opportunities,

The story that was there was decent. And even though half the book was gone before they got together, they were some of the best sex scenes I have read. Not too long, not repetitive, a bit inventive. Well done there.

The ending was both neat and tidy- as far as the main relationship goes- but also left things unresolved.

Being that this is the start of a series, I will definitely give the next book a chance. I just hope it is meatier.

3.5 Pieces of Candy

This was a new author to me, and looking at the short backlist for Jayce Ellis, she appears to be new as an author. However, I think she did a marvelous job with several different avenues in this book.

First the #ownvoices in this book was fantastic. I could definitely tell the difference between Jeremiah as an African American man and Collin, who was Caucasian. Sometimes in books with MC’s of color, there is not a feeling of a difference, in background, in speech, even in family dynamics, and this author did an amazing job of creating those differences. Yet, in the storyline of the book, that was of little consequence, which I loved as well.

Jeremiah‘s heart was so big, and his love for his family, especially his Mama, it was obvious in everything he did. And yet, knowing that being with Collin was going to cause tension, they could not stay away from each other. It was so sweet.

Collin definitely had some issues to deal with, in regards to his own family, and I never really felt that they were. Meanwhile, there were issues still with Jeremiah that were not resolved to this reader’s satisfaction either. I know that real life doesn’t always work that way, but some were issues that were going to affect Jeremiah’s every day life and feelings with a family he’s always been close with, so I would have liked resolution there.

Jeremiah and Collin did get their HEA, and I would definitely like to read another book from this author to see how she grows as an author.

4 pieces of eye candy

Damaged Hearts: Book 1 in The Boys of Venice Beach Series by Jan St. Marcus: RB, Excerpt and New Release Review

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Tragic Pasts. Unexpected Love. Unseen Danger.

When 19-year-old military veteran Brandon Hawkins is attacked on Venice Beach by a gang of frat boys, he is saved by Michael Angelo Curtis, a passer-by. Michel Angelo was roaming the boardwalk grieving the death of his twin brother six months earlier. The two men’s unexpected encounter forges a strong bond between the damaged and lonely men.

Inviting the homeless Bran to his place for some food and a shower, 25-year-old Michel Angelo finds himself drawn to the younger man. Neither of the men is gay. But before long, their friendship morphs into something like love and takes them both by surprise.

And they have something else in common: The frat boys are out for revenge.

Book Title: Damaged Hearts: The Boys of Venice Beach, Book 1

Author: Jan St. Marcus

Publisher: SBPRA (Paperback), Blue Ascot Media (eBook)

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance, LGBTQ Romance, LGBTQ Fiction

Trope/s: Hurt/Comfort, First Time Gay

Themes: Rescue Me, Romantic Thriller

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 138 000 words/ 466 pages

It is Book 1 of a planned Series

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Trailer Video

youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORNTDx9G8R8

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BRANDON

But a little ways down, the pizza joint is just closing down. They have those ridiculously big slices of pizza and most people who don’t weigh at least three hundred pounds can’t finish their slices. Fuck the hot dogs. Half of a giant slice of pizza will do me just fine. Besides, trying to remember to say “catsup” instead of “ketchup” would make my brain hurt. And if I’m being honest, I do see the frat boy douchebags laughing and being all loud and douchey, but I really want to see if they’ll leave some of their slices uneaten. So I hang back a little and pretend to be looking for something on the ground. After about a minute or so, they drop their slices on the counter and start walking away. Score! I walk towards where they left their pizzas with my head down, like I haven’t noticed what they left for me. They’re about twenty feet away when one of them turns back and clocks me checking out their pizza. The fat one grabs the other one’s arm and points to me. I look up and see them seeing me seeing their pizza. Did that make sense? Fuck it. So anyway, as soon as they notice me, I kind of figure that they are going to be douchebags about their pizza, but I hold out hope. The fat one doesn’t need any more pizza, that’s for sure, but my stomach is getting the better of me, so I speed up a little bit. They’re closer and they return to the counter, beating me there by three steps.

Then the fat one, who seems to be the leader of this fucked-up pack of douchebags, picks up what’s left of his slice and lifts it up in my direction, like he’s offering it to me. Really? Maybe they aren’t such douchebags after all. I lift my eyes and start to smile. I’m going to thank him. I’m actually going to say “Thank you.” I do manage to smile as I approach because I realize that I haven’t said two words to anyone all day. He looks me in the eye and when I start to reach out my hand, he hocks a big ol’ lugey and splats it right on the pizza. Then he holds it out like I still want it. Okay, I know it’s probably gross, but I do still want it. His aim was pretty good and the glob of spit and snot has landed pretty much in the middle of the slice. But I could tear the pizza around the gross part and still have a pretty good amount of food. So I reach for it and he must have seen my eyes studying the pizza because he hocks another one and it lands on one of the good sides. He starts laughing and then his friends start laughing and they’re staring at me and laughing like it’s the funniest thing in the world. Assholes.

I turn around, about to say, “Fuck my life” again when one of the other guys apologizes and offers me his piece. It’s not as big as the fat guy’s, but it still looks good to my hungry young ass. And I can’t believe I am so hungry that I start to walk back over and take it, but I do. You can probably guess that he does the same thing his leader does and hocks a lugey and spits on his piece, too. My stomach growls with as much anger as I am feeling and I turn around and start walking back towards the boardwalk. It’s going to be a long night.

Their laughing stops and I hear a deep voice talking to them. “Why would you do something like that? What kind of asshole do you have to be to fuck with someone who is obviously hungry?”

As I turn around, I see the fat guy step in front of the other guy, who is six inches taller, and the frat-boy leader guy speaks in this bullshit little sing-song voice: “What business is it of yours, asshole?”

The guy just stands there, hands by his sides, not seeming to be bothered by the fact that there are three of them. Then he laughs. He looks right at the fat-assed guy and laughs.

If you cut out probably half of this book, my review would go up by at least a star. But since you can’t, let’s talk about it.

This book is loooooooooooong. 450 pages long. And while I love long books, they have to say something. The words need to move the story along. The words should actually answer several fairly big things in the book. And with all of those words- the ending should bee satisfying. Not tied up in 5 pages.

And it started out so good!! Michelangelo basically rescues homeless Bran from 3 frat boys who are just tormenting him. Then he takes him home, feeds him, clothes him and offers he the spare room for however long he wants.

I mean, a stretch, but ok. Michelangelo is lonely and he is a good guy. He seems like the hero type. And Bran desperately needs and wants someone to care about him. And they keep it platonic (we’re not gay!) for a while.

But then… the frat boys who started it all want retribution. Michelangelo recorded the whole thing and it went viral. By whom? We never find out. What follows is so convoluted it was eye rolling.

NSA, FBI, private investigators, a rug merchant? I don’t even know.

Because of those things, Michelangelo is told by his handler to go on vacation for 5 days. Specific, but ok. Of course he knows a private pilot who just happens to be flying to Hawaii. And since Michelangelo rented a 6 bedroom air b&b, he invites the pilot, co-pilot, pilot’s friend and the flight attendant to stay with them. What?

So many unanswered questions. Such a lame ending, So many words that DID NOTHING. It did have 4 words that made me want to throw my Kindle. “I love you, dude”. Dude? DUDE? ARGH!

Unless you are looking mind numbing to put yourself to sleep, give this a pass. Which is so unfortunate because it had great potential.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Jan has been a professional writer since he 15 and got a job writing for a local paper in the Washington, D.C. area. Since that time, he has travelled the world and enjoyed a myriad of experiences, meeting interesting people and sharing epic experiences. He is currently a full-time professional photographer and completed his first novel, DAMAGED HEARTS, the first book in a series partially inspired by his experiences living and working in Venice Beach, California.

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Tough Guy (Game Changers Book 3) by Rachel Reid: New Release Review * 2

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They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

Amazon

A while back everyone was raving about Heated Rivalry, book 2 in this series. I finally bought it and I was so glad I did. So when this one came up to be reviewed I was all over it.

Same author. Same theme (hockey). TOTALLY different stories. I loved it.

We met Ryan very briefly in book 2. Enough to know that he gets traded every year and he hates flying. Those things haven’t changed and this time his new team is in Toronto.

On the ice, Ryan is “the enforcer”. His job is technically to defend the other players, but really it is to fight someone on the other team. And he hates it. In reality, he is this anxiety ridden teddy bear who thinks he isn’t worthy of anything. Ugh, he broke my heart.

Many times when there is a character like this who is self deprecating, you kind of want to slap them. How can they not see that they are hot, or talented, or loved or a great person? But not Ryan. I felt his despair and how little he thought of himself. I just wanted to cuddle him and pet him. He broke my heart. He didn’t even hide that he was gay. It’s just that no one seemed to care.

And Fabian, musician who hates hockey- for good reason. I wanted to not like him. But it was impossible. He was so likable! Unapologetically fem without being over the top or throwing it in your face. He was just comfortable with who he was and didn’t care if you didn’t like it. So the total opposite of Ryan.

Watching Fabian really take care of Ryan was just so swoony. Teaching him that sex can be fun. That it is ok to laugh. That it is about only the two of them together and no one else.

There are definitely some laughs- Fabian’s friends are hilarious. And I really loved Ryan finally connecting with a team member and becoming friends with him. This guy needed all the love he could get.

We get a well placed cameo of Ilya (book 2) as well as Ilya and Shane.

After reading these two books, I cannot wait to go back and read book 1. Because even though they are very loosely interconnected, all are stand alones.

4.5 Pieces of Candy

So, I read this for an entirely different reason than Erin. I had not read any of the previous series. In fact, I don’t read hockey books, because as much as I am a sports fan, hockey has never been one of those sports. However, not only did I enjoy the entire book, but I even enjoyed the hockey bits.

Fabian and Ryan were just perfect together. I loved that they had known each other as teenager, and appreciated each other as people before they were separated. Otherwise, the likelihood that they would have been able to connect as adults was pretty slim.

Watching Ryan transition into the man that he wanted to become was great. He wanted to have friends, wanted to connect, and wanted to feel better about himself. He never wanted to be the enforcer. He was a gentle soul, who wanted to enjoy his time playing professional hockey, as much as he did when he played with the kids.

Fabian was a perfect complement to Ryan, and Ryan a perfect complement to Fabian. They just worked really well.

I will absolutely read more of this author’s works, and want to go back and read the first book in the series.

4.5 Pieces of Candy

Fire and Onyx (Carlisle Deputies Book 5) by Andrew Grey: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Andrew Grey is stopping by today (Yeah!) to talk about his newest book in the Carlisle Deputies series, Fire and Onyx. He’s brought a character profile on Wes, the MC who is raising his nephew. Check out the profile as well as the 4 star review on it. Enjoy!

 

A Carlisle Deputies Novel

Undercover sheriff’s deputy Evan Whittaker is close to infiltrating a vicious local gang. He just needs to find an opening. Instead, he finds Wes Douglas, a web designer who is raising his irresponsible brother’s son. Wes agrees to help with a stakeout, but he pays the price when his home is destroyed in a shootout.

Evan’s always been a loner, but when he invites Wes into his home, living together feels right, and the two men only grow closer as they adapt to each other’s lives and rhythms. A future as a family looks brighter by the day, but all of that could collapse when Wes’s brother—and his connection to the drug dealers—crashes into the life they’re carefully building.

Title: Fire and Onyx

Author: Andrew Grey

Series: Carlisle Deputies #5

Genre:  M/M Contemporary Romance/Law Enforcement

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Jan 14, 2020

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

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Barnes and Noble

Dreamspinner Press

Character Profile

Full Name:   Wesley Douglas

Nickname (if applicable):   Wes

Age:  22

General physical description:  slim, lanky, and bright eyed.

Hometown:  Carlisle PA

Type of home/ neighborhood:  lower middle class

Relationship status:  Single

Current family:  Mom, dad, brother, and nephew.

Family background (parents, previous marriages, etc.):  Wes lives at home and takes care of his irresponsible brother’s child.

Friends:  A few from school

Relationship with men:  He’s had a few, but mostly his effort is taken with raising his nephew

Relationship with women:   None

Job:  Web designer

Dress style:  Casual

Religion: Not if he can help it

Attitude to religion:  Neutral

Favorite pastimes:  Playing with his nephew

Hobbies:  None really.

Favorite foods:  Whatever he can grab when he isn’t looking after the baby.

Strongest positive personality trait:  Loyal, hard working

Strongest negative personality trait:  Fear of getting hurt

Sense of humor:  Definitely.  Desperate to laugh

Temper:  Sometimes

Consideration for others:  He’s willing to put himself behind his nephew and raise him.

How other people see him/her:  Most people don’t see him as anything other than a nerd.  But Evan sees so much more.

Other traits, especially those to be brought out in story:  Nurturer and caring.  He puts other ahead of himself.

Ambitions:  To build his own family.

Philosophy of life:  What you put out comes back to you.

Most important thing to know about this character:  He is an amazing parent and blossoms with love and support.

Will readers like or dislike this character, and why?  I thin k they will love him.

“Yeah, but you need a diaper because you forgot to bring extras, right?” Evan winked. “I have a few in my trunk.” He slid out of the booth. “I’ll be right back.” He jogged out of the restaurant, and Wes was beginning to wonder what the heck this ruse was about. Evan was a decent guy, and Wes had seen his badge so he knew he was a real cop and not some guy trying to run a scam on him or something.

Greyson gnawed on his cookie and fussed, squirming in the high chair until Evan got back. Then he grinned and played keep-away with his cookie again, smiling each time Evan reached for it so he could pull it away.

Wes nearly swallowed his teeth when Evan handed him a diaper. “Okay, you have these in your trunk. Why? In case you arrest a baby for poop-and-run?”

Evan actually smiled at his joke. “No. I have a box of general things in the back, and a few diapers are in there. One of my friends works for children’s services, and he has a list of things that he wants us to carry so we can be prepared whenever we encounter children. There’s a stuffed bear in there and a small blanket.” He shrugged. “You never know.”

“Did you get the info you needed?” Wes asked as Evan began to eat, seemingly much more at ease than he had been.

“Yup.”

Wes ate his salad. He loved the ranch dressing they had here, and when he was done, Nadine cleared the dishes and brought his sandwich and some more dressing for the fries. He handed one of them to Greyson, who gummed it happily, grinning and sometimes waving his fry around.

“Does he always do that?”

Wes shrugged. “He isn’t really hungry, but he needs something to do, so a fry or two will keep him happy. And hopefully he won’t start fussing until it’s nearly time for us to go.” There were always limits to the amount of time he was capable of sitting relatively quietly. “I’d ask you about your work, but I don’t know if you want to talk about it.” It seemed strange with how cagey Evan was being.

Wes is living with his mom and dad, raising his brother’s almost one-year-old son. He has guardianship of baby Grayson, but if it were up to him, he’d have his brother sign his rights over and adopt him himself. Unfortunately, his brother uses the baby as a “just in case”, he’s needed to help him gain something. It’s disgusting, but Wes doesn’t try to push, for fear that he’d take the baby and leave out of spite. Their parents sometimes seemed like decent people, but other times, just not… I never warmed up to them.

When Wes starts suspecting that his brother is getting in with the wrong crowd, it’s right at the same time Evan is trailing a crew that he suspects is running drugs in Carlile. When they run into each other not once but twice, Evan thinks that he Wes can be of some help to see if he can get an IN with his brother, and Wes hopes that Evan can help his brother get OUT. If only it were that easy.

When a shootout happens in front of Wes’s house and a fire leaves him temporarily homeless with baby Grayson, but thankfully, Evan is there and ready to offer the cute guy and his baby a place to be safe. Unfortunately, they both underestimate Wes’ brother and his importance and involvement of what’s been going on.

I don’t want to give too much of the story away, because there are some twists that I didn’t see coming and it shocked me. But like all the guys in this series, if you enjoy a hot dad (or uncle that turns into Dad), babies, hot cops, lots of action, both in the streets and in the bedroom, and a sweet ending that’ll leave you wanting more… don’t pass this one up! It doesn’t disappoint!

4 pieces of eye candy

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing)  He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works

**** Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from RBTL Book Promotions and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. *****

 

Silent Heart by @AmyMacLane: Exclusive GuestPost with New Release

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Dog wrangler Preston Echo has been in love with his brother’s best friend, copilot, and business partner since high school—and Damien Ward knew it. As Preston grew into a stunning, hard-willed man, Damien began to dream of Preston too.

Then Damien almost died in a helicopter crash. While his physical wounds are slowly healing, the blows to his self-confidence and goodwill are almost worse. His body is broken and he’s afraid to fly—how can Preston love him now?

When Preston’s brother goes on a search-and-rescue mission and disappears in an earthquake zone in Mexico, Preston and Damien are thrown together in an effort to find him and bring him back. Preston’s merciless honesty—and relentless passion—may leverage Damien into his bed, but can Damien overcome his fears to allow himself to stay there?

Title: Silent Heart
Series: Search and Rescue: Book 2
Author: Amy Lane
Release Date: January 7, 2020
Category: Contemporary Romance, Dreamspun Desires, Gay
Pages: 217

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Setting the Table for Diner By Amy Lane

 I give a class in short-novel structure—in fact, I sort of wrote a book about it. One of the concepts in the class is “setting the table for dinner.”

The idea is that whether your book is long or short, you introduce the ingredients you will need for the entire dinner in the first couple of chapters—and you don’t put anything notable on the table that you don’t intend to use. For example, if I put out a couple of juicy, seasoned steaks on the table, while I was serving a vegetarian repast, my dinner guest might be a bit put out.

Translated into book-talk, you don’t write a policeman or a doctor or a witch into your book if they don’t get to chase criminals, fix boo-boos, or cast spells.

And you definitely don’t put a dog on the table if he’s not going to rescue people for our entertainment.

Given that, when we see Preston walking up with Preacher, his best trained dog at his heels, we get the feeling Preacher is going to have a role to play. When Preston has an entertaining conversation with a clerk in Wal-Mart about how Preacher’s best job was finding people—mostly alive people, but also dead, if that’s who needed to be found—we start thinking, “Buddy, that is one literary steak.”

And when we find out that an injured pilot is flying Preston and Preacher into an earthquake zone to find Preston’s brother (and Damien’s best friend) we think, “That steak had better be tasty.”

Well, I hope so—I truly do—but the truth is, I wrote that class about setting the table for dinner because, so very often, I don’t remember what I’ve put on the table until I’m in the middle of the book and it hits me: I’ve spent pages talking about the damned dog. Hell—I need to give him something to do. Also, Damien needs to have a confidence test, doesn’t he? Well, shit. What to do… what to do…

And I’ll leave it to you to see if I’ve done it in a satisfactory manner, but I need to tell you, figuring out how you’re going to combine all those ingredients on the table may sound like an impossible brain puzzle—and sometimes it is—but it’s also an incredible amount of fun.

In fact, setting the table for that big, juicy, tasty imaginary meal is part of what makes writing worth the agony of cooking it up!

Amy Lane lives in a crumbling crapmansion with a couple of growing children, a passel of furbabies, and a bemused spouse. Two of her books have received a RITA nomination, she’s won honorable mention for an Indiefab, and has a couple of Rainbow Awards to her name. She also has too damned much yarn, a penchant for action-adventure movies, and a need to know that somewhere in all the pain is a story of Wuv, Twu Wuv, which she continues to believe in to this day! She writes fantasy, urban fantasy, and gay romance–and if you accidentally make eye contact, she’ll bore you to tears with why those three genres go together. She’ll also tell you that sacrifices, large and small, are worth the urge to write.