misslj_author: (Reading - outdoors)
2015-04-14 07:48 pm
Entry tags:

Dreamspinner Press 50% off Paperback Sale.

A whole bunch of my paperbacks are on sale at @dreamspinners so grab a bargain while you can!

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/AuthorArcade/lj-labarthe

The full list is here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=1421
misslj_author: (Laptop writer is writing)
2015-04-12 02:06 pm

Cover Reveal: Brick by Brick, co-authored with Cate Ashwood.

It's coming soon, but first, here is the cover. This is a contemporary m/m romance written by myself and good friend and colleague, Cate Ashwood. The cover art was done for us by Bree Archer. The book is being published by Dreamspinner Press.

Blurb: They say that time heals all wounds, but losing Parley, his one true love, left Zach with a hole in his heart that no one else can fill. After forty-eight blissful hours alone together as teens in an abandoned house, Parley disappeared. Parley is what he is, and the pray-away-the-gay camp his parents ship him to won’t change that. However, finding the balance between accepting his true nature and not losing his family means tough sacrifices.

Sixteen years later, Zach is thunderstruck when Parley stands on the front doorstep of his house—the house that had been their refuge, which Zach restored. But Parley isn’t alone, and Zach wonders if he’s found Parley only to lose him a second time. If they can overcome the terrors of the past and the situation of the present, maybe they can build a new relationship just as Zach rebuilt the house—brick by brick.

Cover:

BrickByBrickORIG-final-01



Isn't it lovely? We're very lucky. :D
misslj_author: (Cat with specs)
2015-03-19 10:14 am
misslj_author: (Daniel Craig)
2015-03-18 06:37 pm

What's Up Wednesdays #003.



More about What's Up Wednesdays here.

WHAT I'M READING.

Nearly half way through The Genome by Sergey Lukyanenko, finally! I had books from the library so I kept putting this back until those were read. Anyhoo, I think Lukyanenko is the bees knees when it comes to urban fantasy/paranormal, his Night Watch series are up there in my top ten all time favourite books. So when I got a notif from Amazon that there was now an English translation of The Genome, that was the one I bought with a gift certificate at Christmas.

I only have one problem with this one: the translation isn't as good as it is for the NW books. But having said that, this is terrific book. It's hard sci-fi but doesn't have so much sci-fi!science that my brain wants to melt; in fact, I actually understand what's going on, so I count that as a big win. For another thing, it's very obvious that Lukyanenko likes to poke the bear that is the Russian government (he's Kazak and lives/writes in Russia/Russian.), so his main characters in this book are a black woman who is a doctor, an executioner and a linguist; a gay man who is the best at what he does in the sector; a teenage girl who has been genetically altered to be an assassin; a Frenchman who has an uncanny ability with weaponary; and the captain, also genetically altered to be a specialist pilot. The captain, the teenage girl and the co-pilot are all Russian. There are issues of prejudice between the crew and their new passengers, while the crew themselves meld together into a tight knit unit akin to a family. Who just happen to be on board a discus shaped space ship with high tech weapons and internals.

It's fast paced, it's interesting, it's got me gripped. The characters are all awesome, especially Janet, the black woman, who is a tough, strong, no-nonsense character who also is the most empathic, alongside Alex, the captain. Actually, I like all the characters so far, but I bet that'll change! In short, another fantastic book from Lukyanenko, and I hope there's more English translations of his work done soon.

WHAT I'M WRITING (+ A WRITING GOAL).

Promo things for my new release, A Shot in the Dark, which is available in eBook and paperback.

I've done a bit more on the paranormal, but that's going slowly right now as suddenly, things have happened, much earlier than I expected and I'm suddenly running around like a chook with its head chopped off. (Read: VERY busy). Also have made a start of fixing up and synopsising the sci-fi, but that's also slow going because of aforementioned running around.

WHAT WORKS FOR ME.

Sleep. Ye gods and little fishes, sleep is so marvellous and wonderful and my bed is awesome and it must never leave me. Also, reading helps jiggle the old brainmeats, which is why we should do it. And because we enjoy it. And I'm so gripped and confused and impressed with the TV series Fortitude, which is confounding, wonderful, horrifying and brilliant. If I could write something that intense and maintain the suspense, not giving anything away, I would be delighted.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW.

More bullet points!

  • Epilepsy diagnosed. That's okay, I'd expected that, but laws regarding driving mean that getting my license has been set back by a few years, so that's annoyed me greatly. Oh well. C'est la vie.


  • My niece's wedding is in 6 weeks and I am so not ready!!


  • Planning a trip to the gorgeous Flinders Ranges for the near future sometime with mum, because she's never been and I'm of the opinion that everyone should visit at least once in their lives. This'll be my fourth trip up there.


  • Fortitude. I cannot get enough of this brilliant show. Stanley Tucci is amazing. The rest of the cast are too.


  • The music of Ólafur Arnalds (he does the soundtrack for Broadchurch) is perfect to write to.


  • The new poster for the next James Bond movie, Spectre, is out and sweet mercy me. Daniel Craig. 'Nuff said.


  • Mum's had a few more falls, which is worrying, but her GP is on the case and I'm hopeful that the new plan will be a good one.





  • L-R: The Spectre poster; our first spring onions, fresh from the garden. They smelled amazing; my new release, A Shot in the Dark; the cat hiding under a stool in the bath... as they do; some of the cast of Fortitude.
    misslj_author: (Coke. My drink of choice.)
    2015-03-12 10:16 am

    Guest Blogging.

    I'm at Tempe O' Reilly's today, answering ten questions about A Shot in the Dark and other things too! Drop in and say hi!

    http://tempesteoriley.com/interview-with-guestauthor-l-j-labarthe/
    misslj_author: (Angels at rest)
    2015-03-12 10:14 am

    "A Shot in the Dark" Release!



    A Shot in the Dark is out! You can get it from Dreamspinner Press here: eBook and paperback.

    Blurb: Sequel to The Bone Cup
    Archangel Chronicles: Book Seven


    M/M Paranormal, Angels / Demons
    Publisher: DSP Publishing
    Cover Artist: Anne Cain
    Release Date: March 9, 2015
    Length: 210 pages / Novel

    After the theft and recovery of the Holy Grail, saving all of creation from destruction, and almost losing Michael, Archangel Gabriel devoutly hopes for nothing more dangerous than a stubbed toe. So when Archangel Michael sends a pack of his Venatores and two of Gabriel’s trackers on a rescue mission, Gabriel believes it’s purely routine.

    No one is prepared for the danger and terror the Venatores find. What they face is torture, kidnapping, medical experiments, vivisection, and the enemies’ desire to remove all nonhumans—including shifters—from Earth forever. The supposedly routine rescue mission turns into a struggle for survival, and Gabriel and Michael face a terrifying new foe, and a threat to not just their existence and love but to the existence of everything they know. If the Brotherhood of Archangels and their allies can’t prevail, all will be lost.
    misslj_author: (Cats! Nibbled to death by cats. (Vir B5))
    2015-03-04 07:27 pm

    What's Up Wednesdays #002.



    More about What's Up Wednesdays here.

    WHAT I'M READING.

    I'm quarter of the way through The Quick by Lauren Owen. I had absolutely zero expectations about this when I borrowed it from the library--the blurb told me absolutely nothing, so I borrowed it based on the cover. (See? Cover art matters!)

    I certainly didn't expect a gay romance that was very sensitively and tenderly written set in Victorian London. And I didn't expect suddenly! Vampires! either. So there's that.

    WHAT I'M WRITING (+ A WRITING GOAL).

    I've made a start on my paranormal. I settled on my shifter being a were-coyote because why not? And I chose my setting, made up a town on the coast of Massachusettes (seriously gorgeous area there) and wrote most of the first chapter yesterday.

    WHAT WORKS FOR ME.

    Right now, weaving. I can just not think and weave, and it's kind of nice to have that mindless activity going. Which is not to say that weaving is mindless, because it isn't, and it can be quite difficult. At the moment, I'm working on a scarf for my good friend [livejournal.com profile] meredith_shayne to go with armwarmers that I wove for her. It's nice to sit and work on the weave--it's like a bit of a brain cleanse, because I'm not thinking/stressing/worrying/plotting books, and it clears the cobwebs in the brain meats so to speak.

    WHAT ELSE IS NEW.

    More bullet points!

  • I clocked my head on the outside part of the split system airconditioner unit a few days ago and now my head is starting to hurt a LOT. I have a doctor's appointment next week, so this will be mentioned, but I'm not enjoying the bump on my noggin!


  • Cleared out the raised garden bed yesterday, and wowsa, it's amazing how stuff I pulled up. Mum (I'm her live-in carer) held a large garbage bag for me to stuff everything into. I had this idea that I'd pull up the basil and replant it elsewhere, but I discovered that it was very deeply rooted and had become something of a small tree, so I gave up. Also because I had the feeling if I kept trying to pull it out, I'd end up sprawled on my backside on concrete and I didn't like that idea at all. So the basil wins and stays put!


  • Have figured out the wedding gift for my niece and her fiance. One part will be hand woven by me, one part will be hand beaded by my friend M., and the last part is coming from a potter I know up in Queensland. So it's all very exciting and I hope they like everything.


  • FINALLY watched Haider, which is the Bollywood interpretation of Hamlet and... oh. OH. I have so much love for this, I really, really do. It was a wonderful adaptation, set in 1995 in Kashmir, during a period of unrest and rebellion between the Kashmiri people and the Indian army. The two most famous soliloquys ("Alas, poor Yorick..." and "To be or not to be...") were woven into the dialogue brilliantly. Tabu, who played the Hamlet mother character, was *sensational*, and Shahid Kapoor, who played Haider (Hamlet) was phenomenal. And the actors who played the grave diggers were brilliant. This film is a definite favourite and I really think it's one of the best Bollywoods I've seen in a while. And I say this as a Bollywood fan.


  • Less happily, my uncle in France died a few days ago. I am worried about my cousin, who is of course devestated. It's a sad loss.




  • L-R: Shahid Kapoor as Haider in Haider; Scarf wip, though it's much longer now!; Mum's new Doc Marten shoes; One of my mosaic solar powered garden lights; Two bottles of one of my favourite wines, White Barossa by Kies Winery.
    misslj_author: (Sleepy Shahid Kapoor)
    2015-02-18 06:59 pm

    What's Up Wednesdays #001.



    More about What's Up Wednesdays here.


    WHAT I'M READING.

    I'm half way through Ice by Sarah Durst right now. I'm enjoying it, and I like the melding of the modern world of an artic research station with the fairy tale fantasy element of a castle made of ice and the Polar Bear King. The characters are pretty likable and the story is engaging. If only I had more energy to read, I'd have finished it by now.

    WHAT I'M WRITING (+ A WRITING GOAL).

    The only thing on the go right now is another collaboration with my good friend and wonderful author, Cate Ashwood. We're working on a contemporary set in my hometown of Adelaide. It's about a Canadian nurse who comes to work in Adelaide to get away from his personal demons, and meets a local, who is the son of one his patients. Attraction ensues and romance happens!

    My goals for this year are pretty basic because I am Lady L. J. of the Many Edits this year, with six books on the go in the editing queue. (And my editor, Erika, is really the bees knees of awesome, she's been so helpful and understanding with regard to surprise life issues that have cropped up, which is a huge relief.) So with the co-write with Cate and the editing, I've only got a few ideas percolating. I want to go through and change some things in Song of Song, which is finished, but I need to be sure for myself. Then I want to finish my contemporary m/m set in the Flinders Ranges, and I've got notes and ideas for a paranormal, which I'm looking forward to having energy to write.

    WHAT WORKS FOR ME.

    Right now, I'm afraid to say, not a lot. While 2014 was a bad year, I channeled that badness into writing, hence having the six books out in 2015. I think I wore myself out in the process, and there's some health issues happening that have sidetracked me, which happens to us all. But generally, when I'm in the zone, what helps me best stay there is either having on some very loud hard rock or something particularly atmospheric (current choice for this genre is the work of Ólafur Arnalds, an Icelandic ambient composer, who has done the music for the UK series Broadchurch among other things. Otherwise, the sound of rain is always awesome, but as it's summer and hotter than the armpit of Hell here, there isn't any rain to be had! That, no conversation or discussion, lots of water, and keeping hydrated helps too.

    WHAT ELSE IS NEW.

    Hm. I think I'll use ye olde bullet points for this!

  • Catching up on telly that I've missed--a rewatch of True Detective, then I binge-watched Broadchurch season one, now we're up to season two, and I'm watching Fortitude. Enjoying the lulz of Would I Lie to You? and Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell.


  • Booked in for another tattoo, set for the 31st March. YAY!


  • Delighting in new, fresh tomatoes from the garden--best ones so far have been the Mortgage Lifter variety, which are beefsteak toms and SO GOOD.


  • Finishing up some weaving projects. I love doing them, but there's such a great satisfaction in finishing them!




  • L-R: Castiel reposing; my new Doc boots! Dark blue baroque patterning on white leather. I <3 them.; the Mortgage Lifter tomato all sliced and ready for eating; A finished leg warmer, all woven up; my new dwarf Eureka lemon tree.
    misslj_author: (Beach scene)
    2015-02-18 04:58 pm

    What's Up Wednesdays #000.



    Via my friends list, comes a new-to-me weekly blog hop, which I'm hoping will get me into blogging a bit more. I've been very absent the last few months for a variety of reasons, most of them personal. It's my hope that by doing this, I'll be able to get back into blogging a bit, and back into writing a bit, as I feel rather flat at the current moment. I have ideas and notes sitting in my notebook de jour, but no energy to write. So, baby steps, I think, and hopefully, all being well, the flatness I'm feeling will be lessened.

    The blog hope is a weekly thing, for Wednesdays, and is pretty easy. Information is here, and there are some good examples here. Given that it's Wednesday per US timezones, that makes it Thursday for us in Australia, but I figured I'd post my entries on Australia!Wednesday and then pop the link on the required page when it goes up later in my timezone. Clear as mud? Marvellous!

    So later tonight, I'll put up my fist Wednesday post, all being well. :)
    misslj_author: (Writing)
    2015-01-07 11:03 am
    Entry tags:

    Guest Blogging.



    Today, I'm at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. You should come and say hi! My post is over this way, and there's a nice set of facts about Australia and New Zealand for the day here.
    misslj_author: (Books and herbs)
    2015-01-05 09:34 pm
    Entry tags:

    Books I Read and Enjoyed in 2014.

    To start the new year off, I decided to take a leaf out of [livejournal.com profile] meredith_shayne's book, and do a post of books I really loved that I read in 2014. Now, not all of these books were published in 2014, but they're books that I read during the year and stayed with me. They're books that I've gushed about at length to anyone who'll listen to me rave about them. They're also not all romance, because I don't read just romance--I read a lot of different genres and authors and styles. There's a link at the bottom of each of my gushings to the book, so you can go check them out.

    Also, this is for books that are published, not counting one's that I've beta'd. Just thought I'd add that. (Because the two I'm thinking of are out in 2015!)

    In no particular order:


    The Archer's Heart - Astrid Amara.

    I borrowed this from my local library, after reserving everything they had that was gay romance. It's a long book, but let me tell you, I didn't notice. I was too busy tearing through it as if my eyes would fall out if I didn't keep reading, and I had to know what would happen next. Astrid Amara tells a wonderful story and I found all the characters very believable and three dimensional. As this is a retelling of the Mahabharata, and I'm not too familiar with that (only on the most basic level), I found it a really interesting book as well as engrossing, engaging, and other words that start with 'E.' If you like mythology, fantasy and a cracking good read, try this book, you won't regret it.

    Get it here.

    Tangle - Anthology; Blind Eye Press Books.

    Oh. My. God. The second book I got from the library in my reservation frenzy was this anthology. This book, I can't even. This is amazing. So amazing, that before I'd finished reading the library copy, I found a paperback copy to buy to own, and then bought another paperback for [livejournal.com profile] meredith_shayne for Christmas! I also talk about this book a LOT. I enjoyed every single story, the variety and range of tales was terrific. But the final story, Feral Machines by Ginn Hale... this story packed such a punch. It stayed with me for months. It was a perfect little nugget of science fiction m/m romance, with so much atmosphere and emotion. The whole collection is great, you won't be disappointed.

    Get it here.

    Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein.

    This is an unusual book in that it's told from the point of view of an unreliable narrator--or is she?--and that narrator is a female pilot from Britain in World War Two. This book broke my heart, I have to say, in that I bawled like a baby in the last several chapters, but I couldn't put it down. It's a stunning read, a tale that isn't a war story alone, but a story of true love between two women who share a passion for flying and deep friendship for each other. Having said that, this is not a F/F romance novel--the love is real and it's made very clear that it's mutual, but this isn't romance. It's war, there's loyalty, devotion, love, sorrow, and the book is just... well, it's incredibly good and I highly recommend it.

    Get it here.

    Wild - Cheryl Strayed.

    Believe me, I'm very surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. I wasn't sure I was going to, and I borrowed it from my trusty library because a lot of it is set in Oregon and I really loved Oregon. There's one scene in the book that made me furious and brought me to tears, and I did, for a minute, think about not finishing the book because of that scene, but in the end, I did, and I'm glad. It's a good, solid story of coming to terms with grief, and how the grieving process is different for everyone, how we deal with our pain, sorrow and loneliness in life is various ways. The descriptions of the Pacific Crest Trail are amazing and I could actually picture it in my mind's eye.

    Get it here.

    New Watch - Sergei Lukyaneko.

    I love this series--the Night Watch series. Lukyaneko was born in Uzbekistan and now lives in Russia and the series is about the Night Watch who are the "good" guys and watch over the Day Watch, who are the "bad" guys and watch over the Night Watch. The series first came to my attention with the release of the movie, Night Watch, and I loved that and it's sequel, Day Watch, so much, that not only did I buy the books, but the dvds too--three copies of each, in fact, because the Russian, Australian and US versions are all different. Then I bought the rest of the series of books and devoured them. I like Lukyaneko's version of vampires and his magical universe, the melding of the "real" world with this magical one, and the ending of book four was quite satisfying. So I wasn't too certain that a new book, the fifth book--this book--would be a good read. I am relieved and thrilled that it is, that it's true to the whole series and that Lukyaneko hasn't lost his humour or wit or his ability to craft a complex, interesting story, with engaging and fascinating characters. Plus, his little digs at international politics are great. It takes a while for Lukyaneko's books to be available, because of the translation from Russian to English, but this one, like the four before it, is worth the wait.

    Get it here.

    The Silkworm - Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling).

    I wasn't sure whether to pick this one or its predecessor, The Cuckoo's Calling, as I enjoyed both of them. I decided on this one in the end, because the two main characters, Cormoran Strike and his assistant, Robin, are much more fleshed out in this one, and I find their dynamic to be a very enjoyable read. They're not romantically involved, Cormoran is a private detective and Robin was first his temp and is now his assistant. The murder scene itself was very gruesome, and the unravelling of the case was done really well, the build up of tension was steady and consistent. Rowling certainly writes a damn fine mystery and if you can tolerate a really gross scene involving the body of the victim, then this is a cracking good read.

    Get it here.

    Here's to more great reads in 2015!
    misslj_author: (Pagoda and lake)
    2014-12-25 07:39 am
    Entry tags:
    misslj_author: (Coke. My drink of choice.)
    2014-12-17 08:14 pm
    Entry tags:

    Guest Blogging.

    Today, I'm sharing a blog post with A. B. Gayle at Renae Kaye's website so do pop along and say hi.
    misslj_author: (Music)
    2014-12-16 05:33 pm
    Entry tags:

    Down Under Author Showcase at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words--all January 2015.




    Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words are presenting in January 2015 a Down Under Author Showcase

    For the entire month of January, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is showcasing 28 authors from Australia and New Zealand. Journey by way of these authors stories and settings through the mountainous regions and rocky coasts, and cities of New Zealand, or the vastly different and beautiful territories of Australia! Get to know the authors and let them act as your travel guides, introducing you to faraway countries, places they call home.

    Think everyone in the US, CAN, AUS, and NZ all speak the same English? Oh the joy of discovering what an “esky”, “chilly bin”, “jandals”, “mozzie” or even a “woop-woop” is. Each day brings a new author, new books, new giveaways and, yes, new surprises.

    In addition to these wonderful authors and their novels, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words has multiple event prizes to be awarded to readers who participate in the Down Under Author Showcase Scavenger Hunt. Visit each author’s page in January, search out the Scavenger Hunt word or phrase, and then follow the directions on the Showcase page at our website.

    For all the details and information for our first January Down Under Author Showcase, visit http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com

    Check out our participating authors below (in no particular order):

    N.R. Walker * Christian Baines * Anne Barwell * Nic Starr * Renae Kaye * Meredith Shayne * John Terry Moore * John Wiltshire * Lily Veldon * Barry Lowe * L.J. LaBarthe * Beany Sparks * Jack Burnes * Nicki J. Markus * Michelle Rae * A.B. Gayle * Lisa Harris * Isabelle Rowan * N.J. Nielson * Bette Browne * Lisa Henry * Toni Griffin * Pelaam * RJ Jones * Penny Brandon * Cecil Wilde * Ellen Cross * Maggie Nash

    Plus Down Under publishers:
    Wayward Ink Press * BDPublications

    I will be on the blog on January 6th, 2015. Do drop in and join in the scavenger hunt to win terrific prizes!
    misslj_author: (Cats! Nibbled to death by cats. (Vir B5))
    2014-11-28 09:59 pm

    Life and Writing.

    It's the end of the week, and I feel very much as if my brain is "argle blargle wargle." You see, I haven't had much sleep, and there's been a few reasons for this. They include the weather, joint pain, my cat deciding to be a LOUD conversationalist at silly o'clock in the morning, and finally, my Nano novel.

    This is going to be the novel that ate L. J.'s brain, I can just tell. I've hit the point in my targeted wordcount that I have to keep extending it. I'm over 75K words now, and this morning, mum said to me, "Are you nearly finished it?"

    Oh, how I laughed. LAUGHED, I tell you. And then I sighed, because the joke's on me, really, as I have to wear my fingers to the bone, typing uphill both ways in the rain and snow and drought... you know how it goes. Basically, I'm tired, so I'm a bit dramatic and a touch sleepy-hysterical, which is of course, the best time to write a LJ post! Y/Y? Y.

    Anyway, I've neglected blogging for the healthy pursuit of gardening, which is more in the nature of the pursuit of agony and fear of the summer sun burning all our plants. Subsequently, two giant outdoor umbrellas are on their way, because I can't figure out anything else that works to shade everything. I've tried just about everything else, hit Gardner Google, and mum suggested the umbrellas, so that was the winner. I like the idea a lot because when it's not summer, we can fold them up and store them in the garden tool nook, so they're not out all the time.

    In October, though, I had a lovely weekend visit from my good friend and fellow author, [livejournal.com profile] meredith_shayne. We went all over the Adelaide Hills and down into the Barossa Valley, bought a lot of things, tasted a lot of amazing wine, and had a great time. It's been a while since we've had the chance to hang out together, that little thing called the Tasman Sea is a bit difficult to drive over! So that was terrific, all in all.

    Then in November, there was a visit from another old friend and fellow author, [livejournal.com profile] vayshti, an Adelaide expat, so we spent a lovely day together in a different part of the Adelaide Hills and then went to a brunch with some of the members of the South Australian M/M Group at a great cafe in North Adelaide called E For Ethel. (Best toasted cheese and ham and tomato sandwich I've ever eaten.)

    There's been a lot of other things of the less exciting and happy kind too--I was diagnosed with acute bursitis, and had a very painful injection of corticosteroids for that, followed by long sessions with my pain clinician, aka, physiotherapist. Mum had lots of various tests and so on as well, so November has been a mixture of medical things and writing and gardening. Suffice to say, that now the garden is looking pretty amazing, and my left shoulder is achey as opposed to agonising. And I haven't yet hit the point in my book where I know I'm nearing the end.

    To conclude, a couple of photos. As ever, click to see full size!

    10727586_542778845854674_1282810162_n 925650_848239631888099_432883295_n 10693377_1565809336965396_1117472002_n 915683_812663692125166_1510480703_n


    1. Meredith and her birthday present from me--a plush Captain America shield. 2. The Giant Rocking Horse in Gumeracha, one of the places we visited when Meredith was here. 3. Robyn Walker and I, up in Mt. Torrens in the hills. 4. The quirky awesomeness that is E For Ethel cafe.


    More later! Hope everyone is well. <3
    misslj_author: (Daniel Craig)
    2014-11-03 01:00 am

    Meet the Character Blog Hop.

    So I’ve been tagged by the my long-time good friend Meredith Shayne to participate in the Meet the Character Blog Hop, where those of us who are so inclined talk a little bit about the characters from our latest--and upcoming--books. Meredith introduced us to Shane Cooper, from her recent release Cutting Out. You can read more about Shane in Meredith's post here.

    Cutting Out is out now with Bottom Drawer Publications and you can get it here.



    Blurb:

    A twenty-year veteran of the shearing shed, Aussie Shane Cooper loves his job, and the home he’s made for himself in New Zealand. If he’s a little lonely, he’s got good mates to keep his spirits up. When a hot, cocky young shearer named Lachlan Moore catches his eye at a competition, he’s content to look but not touch, knowing the young man is out of his league.

    Lachie wouldn’t mind a piece of Shane, but the gorgeous gun shearer from Australia is soon forgotten when the Christchurch earthquake hits, and tragedy strikes Lachie’s family. Lachie deals with it the best he can, cutting himself off from all he knows. A year later and he’s back in the shearing shed, out of practice and lacking confidence. That Shane’s there to watch him flounder doesn’t help his nerves.

    As Lachlan struggles to re-acclimatise, Shane can’t resist giving him a hand to get back on his feet. As they move from friends to something more, Shane finds himself wanting to know everything he can about Lachie. But Lachie’s got secrets he desperately wants to keep, and when things come to a head, those secrets might just mean the end of them before they’ve truly begun.


    *~*~*~*



    And onward we go. Introducing Gray, one of the two main characters in my current release, Mythica.



    What is the name of your character?

    Gray. He has no surname or middle name. It's just Gray.

    Is he a fictional or a historic person?

    Oh, definitely fictional!

    When and where is the story set?

    Present day, and in the South Australian seaside towns of Tiddy Widdy Beach and Ardrossan. The Innes National Park at the bottom of the Yorke Peninsula gets a mention too.

    What should we know about him?

    Gray is an alien, from a race called the Sy'lph. He is one of only two hundred who escaped their home planet in a deep space vessel when invaders destroyed the place and every life on it. With the last survivors of his race, Gray travelled through the galaxy, until the ship reached Earth. They asked for and recieved asylum as refugees--after a long period of discussion and voting with the United Nations--and settled around the world. Gray used to live and work in London, but decided he wanted to see more of Earth, specifically those places that are more remote and less urban. He wanted to visit Australia, so he asked for a work placement there. He was given the job of a senior community officer with Bridging Lives, the government office that works to help the poor, the sick, students, imigrants and mythica.

    Gray, and his fellow sy'lph, do not understand hate. He has no concept of it, and has little comprehension of why a person would hate something or someone. He is a little naive in that regard, but he is generous and compassionate to a fault, has a wry sense of humour and is intelligent and interested to learn all that he can about his new home. As sy'lph are, in their natural state, creatures made of liquid metal, their scientists created a synthetic shell in humanoid form for the sy'lph to wear over their true shapes when on Earth. This is for two reasons, the first being that it's less alien in appearance and the second and more important one is that the light spectrum of the natural state of the sy'lph is such that it blinds anyone and anything that looks at them.

    Gray is also extremely passionate and devoted to those he loves; he cares for the friends and family of his lover, Caiden, and adores Caiden himself unconditionally, even if Caiden, who is a mythica, doesn't think too highly of himself at times. In his human synthetic form, Gray is just over six foot tall, slender with a muscular frame, pale-skinned with blue-green eyes and mussed blond hair. He is often smiling, and enjoys life.

    What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?

    When Caiden is kidnapped by Free Earth, a terrorist group dedicated to eradicating all mythica life, Gray grows very angry and with a friend and colleague, recruits an Aboriginal tracker to help find Caiden. He is filled with fear that something will happen to Caiden, as they haven't known each other long and he's fallen in love with him.

    What is the personal goal of the character?

    Being able to live free, happy and peacefully, with his lover, Caiden Jones.

    Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

    It's out! Mythica is available now at Bottom Drawer Publications.


    *~*~*~*~*



    Now to introduce you to the two authors who I’m handing the blog hop baton to. Both of these lovely ladies will be posting on November 10th, so watch out for their posts.

    First up: My good and dear friend and co-author, Cate Ashwood. Cate's release is forthcoming in 2015, so here's a little bit about it. (I've beta'd this one, and I have to say, this is a terrific book.) It's called "Thirty Things" and will be out with Dreamspinner Press.

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    Blurb:

    Finn and Nate have been best friends almost their whole lives, but Finn has something he's never told Nate—despite the fact that Nate isn't gay, Finn has been in love with him since he was eight years old. Finn has kept his feelings a secret for twenty-one years, terrified of what would happen if Nate ever found out.

    One month before Finn's thirtieth birthday, Nate gives him his gift; a road trip across America to check off a list of thirty things to do before Finn turns thirty. Starting in Crawfordsville, Indiana, they tour the country, experiencing new things and meeting new people. Along the way, Nate discovers Finn's feelings for him, and Finn makes some discoveries of his own.

    Learn more: http://www.cateashwood.com/coming-soon.html
    Visit Cate: http://www.cateashwood.com/


    Second up is L. V. Lloyd, fellow Adelaidean who's an author after my own heart, loving science fiction! L. V.'s release is Lunar Affair and it's available here.



    Blurb: Lieutenant Jack Alexander has wasted years, waiting for his best friend, Marc Duran, to return his affections. Perhaps it is time to finally move on and find someone new. However, when Major Ethan Pattisson is sent to the planet Mayia to investigate the theft of hundreds of illegal weapons, Marc comes under suspicion, and Jack can’t help stepping in to save him. When Jack finds himself caught in the middle between Ethan and Marc, he discovers that unrequited love might soon be the least of his problems. Fourth book in the Aurigan Space Saga series, although it can be read as a stand alone story.

    Learn more: http://www.amazon.com/Lunar-Affair-Aurigan-Space-Volume/dp/1502451247
    Visit L. V.: http://lvlloyd.com/


    Remember, these guys will be posting on the 10th, so check 'em out when the date rolls around!
    misslj_author: (Pharoah Sexypants)
    2014-10-22 07:35 pm

    "Mythica" Related Guest Blogging and Some Lovely Reviews.

    Here's where I've been, and some really lovely reviews that Mythica has gotten. Thanks so much to everyone who hosted me and/or read and reviewed the book. <3 to you all.

    WHERE I'M GUESTING:

    A short interview with L. J. at Bottom Drawer Publication's blog.
    Location, Location, Location, or, Where on Earth is Tiddy Widdy Beach? at Hearts on Fire Reviews.
    All About Inneston, at Sydney Gen Reads.
    On Selkies at Because Two Men Are Better than One.


    REVIEWS:

    Sydney Gen Reads Reviews "Mythica".
    Love Bytes Reviews gives "Mythica" 4.25 stars.
    Multitasking Mommas gives "Mythica" 4.5 stars.
    Trish at Rainbow Book Reviews.
    Great Review at I Am, Indeed. 4 stars, 3 flames.
    misslj_author: (Kitty of the Lord)
    2014-10-22 04:20 pm

    My Two Cents.

    A few days ago, author Andrea Speed retweeted a link to an article. I clicked the link and read the article, in which neither the author nor blogger were named, and so I was utterly confused as to what was going on. This is what happens when you're offline for reasons of Life. So, I hit Google and was rewarded with clarification. And then I sat, staring at the computer screen, in stunned horror, because what I read shocked me to the core.

    Let me say first that I have gotten bad reviews for my books. I've gotten good ones, great ones, meh ones, okay ones, too. I've had all colours of the review rainbow. And each and every one of those reviews--yes, even the bad ones--are valid. Am I upset that some people don't like my book? Of course! We want to be liked and our work liked, but the fact of humanity is that we are all unique and not everyone likes the same things. And that is totally okay.

    I've bolded these truths because they are exactly that: TRUE. How boring would the world be if we all liked the same things, had the same opinions, beliefs, ideas? Very, that's how boring. Diversity is awesome, and if a reader/reviewer doesn't like my book, that's okay.

    This is not to say I read my reviews, because with a few exceptions, I don't. I fully admit to being something of a delicate petal and I don't really like being upset, so I control what I read by my own decisions. I don't hanker down in my writerly bunker (the living room), constantly refreshing GoodReads or Amazon or Google or something like that. I hanker down in my writerly bunker (still the living room) and write. Or look at garden photos. Or research. Or eBay.

    So now, you might be wondering what this is all about. I don't usually weigh in on things like this, but this one really struck a nerve. In sum: Author finds Blogger's real-time reviews of book on GoodReads. Is peeved. Follows Blogger around the Internet. Digs into Blogger's life. Finds out Blogger's real life name and living address and then pays Blogger a visit. God, I wish I were making this up. I really do. But I'm not, it happened, and said Author then went on to write an article about it for THE GUARDIAN.

    Now I'm going to use bold and capslock together for this next bit. It's important enough to warrant both.

    STALKING IS NOT OKAY. IT IS NOT OKAY TO DIG UP SOMEONE'S PERSONAL DETAILS FOR WHATEVER REASON. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO PERSONAL INFORMATION EXCEPT THOSE PEOPLE YOU CHOOSE TO GIVE IT TO. DOING SO BECAUSE OF BEING PISSED AT A ONE STAR REVIEW ON GOODREADS IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

    To all the readers and reviewers who have taken the time to read my books and left reviews, good, bad and in between, thank you. Without you, we authors would be shouting into a reviewer-less void, and that idea makes me sad. To the Blogger who has been at the center of this, I am sorry this happened to you. I am horrified that it happens at all, for any reason, to anyone.

    The internet is a great thing. But there is truth in the wisdom of the advice I was given when I started out as an author: Don't read your reviews and don't respond to them.

    And I'll add to that, Don't stalk those reviewers when they don't like your book.

    Oh--one last thing. Pseudonyms, nom-de-plumes, stage names, screen names, alternate identities--these are all valid because it's often not a matter of having something to hide, but a matter of keeping oneself safe from things like, harrassment, bullying, the potential of losing one's job, one's partner, and, y'know, stalking. So for it to be suggested that the Blogger here is at fault for using a screen name... well, perhaps before taking pot-shots at her because of that, one should look oneself in the mirror and realise that one's reflection is a bloody good reason why such things are used. And not just by bloggers, but by authors, actors, actresses, musicians, artists...

    Or has the Facebook outrage (legitimate) regarding making drag queens and other performers use their real names instead of their stage names been forgotten? (A link to remind one and all.)

    Links to explain in more detail (included in the meat of these links is the Guardian article):


    http://bibliodaze.com/2014/10/an-open-letter-to-kathleen-hale-guardian-books-stalking-is-not-okay/
    http://www.buzzfeed.com/jennaguillaume/this-is-what-happens-when-an-author-tracks-down-a-critic-irl
    http://dearauthor.com/features/essays/on-the-importance-of-pseudonymous-activity/
    http://bookthingo.com.au/shenanigans-in-social-media-an-author-brags-about-stalking-a-reader/
    http://www.lindapoitevin.com/2014/10/21/how-to-respond-to-a-negative-review/
    http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/blog/the-choices-of-kathleen-hale
    http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/10/21/five-ways-to-respond-to-a-negative-review-a-helpful-guide/
    http://jezebel.com/author-stalks-anonymous-blogger-who-gave-her-a-1-star-r-1648545005
    http://bookbinge.com/2014/10/catfish-doxx-stalk-need-know-kathleen-hale-staying-safe-haleno/
    http://alex-hurst.com/2014/10/21/kathleen-hale-vs-blythe-harris/
    http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/poisoning-the-well/
    http://www.killyourdarlingsjournal.com/2014/10/nepotism-bullying-stalking-online-reviews/
    http://www.jimchines.com/2014/10/victim-or-perpetrator/

    Twitter hastag feed: https://twitter.com/hashtag/haleno?f=realtime
    misslj_author: (Shahid Kapoor)
    2014-10-10 07:05 pm

    "Mythica" Is Out!

    Mythica is out! Click the link and grab a copy of my latest release, from Bottom Drawer Publications.


    Blurb:

    Caiden Jones is part-selkie and lives an idyllic life by the sea in South Australia. He’s had his fair share of disappointments, like being kept out of the Navy due to his mythica status, but overall he’s got a pretty good life. Until he’s in the wrong place at the right time.

    Cai steps in to subdue an out-of-control minotaur and in the process suffers a serious injury to his ribs. As Cai struggles to breathe, a gorgeous suit-clad sy’lph with mesmerising blue eyes races to his rescue. When it’s learned that the minotaur was poisoned, the sy’lph, Gray, makes it his personal mission to keep Cai and his family safe.

    Cai has always harboured some resentment towards the sy’lph because of their easy acceptance into the community, so the attraction he feels for Gray takes him by surprise. But how can they find out what this might mean when the lives of Cai and his family are endangered by someone closer than they realise?