WHAT COMES AFTER?

***This blog originally posted at Decadent Publishing's 1Night Shand blog HERE on 7/23/2014***

Every novella that steals our heart leaves us wanting more, which is what a good 1Night Stand story is all about. My personal favorite (I know writer’s shouldn’t have one but I do) is my book ACCIDENTALLY BEAUTIFUL. It tells the story of an uptight Scottish man named Martin Baird. A concierge for Castillo Resorts, he personally ensures Madame Eve’s customers have flawless encounters. He first appears in THE ONE HE CHOSE by Wendy Burke, as the best butler anyone could ever want. Then he “accidentally” meets Garret Fisher, a confident sexy Dom from America while in the Caribbean. It’s soon becomes apparent that they are made for each other—as if Madame Eve makes mistakes! Ha!

We are gifted with a peek at their life in HASTE YE BACK by Wendy Burke, but how can a Scot living in Canada make a HEA with a guy from Detroit?

Well, Garret took care of everything, per his usual.

He found them an apartment in Windsor, Ontario, less than a half hour drive from his bar The Fifth Base, a popular sports bar near Ford Field. Being in Canada but so close to the states works great for both of them and Martin didn’t even have to bother with a US visa.

Three hours from their new home is the Toronto Castillo Resort and Casino. Though he is rarely on site, Martin transferred there soon after returning home from the vacation which changed his life forever. He makes an average of three to four out of town trips a month all over the world to set up 1Night Stand encounters according to Madame Eve’s very specific requirements. The Castillo family is exceedingly happy to entrust Martin with this job, because very few concierges would go to the trouble of collecting an ancient suit of armor from an antique shop in Queens and setting it up in a room at the Castillo Resort-Dalmahoy’s in Scotland then not question why the occupants and suit of armor completely vanished the next morning. (I bet you wanna read that book but I haven’t written it yet!)

 Martin’s newfound confidence is something Garret looks upon with a deep sense of pride. But by no means is Martin any less of a sub. Under Garrets gentle direction, both in and out of the bedroom, he has come to a greater understanding of his nature, embracing his need to serve others and thus growing in confidence. The ease the two men share, the perfection of the roles both of them were born into, has created a devoted love that others can easily see when they are together—which they try to do as often as possible. At least once a month, Garret goes with him on assignments, checking out the local color and of course the beer!

Garret’s family has welcomed Martin into the fold and when he’s in town he’s often seen bussing tables and waiting on customers at The Fifth Base. After a fair amount of teasing and harassing from his brothers—which Garret only allowed to continue for a while—Martin is a bone fide member of the Fisher clan.

Garret and Martin have no intention of bothering with a marriage certificate—much to Garret’s mother’s disappointment because she has always wanted to attend a gay wedding. The bond the two men share transcends the normal, and mere paper cannot define the depth of their devotion to one another. They are going to be together for the rest of their lives and that is no accident!

And in case you were wondering, it didn’t take long for Garret to get Martin into a kilt. He bought one of the Baird family plaid, instructed Martin to wear it and nothing else on their first night at their new apartment in Windsor, and then...let’s just say, after that Martin had a whole new appreciation for the garment of his countrymen and the inventive mind of his lover.

ACCIDENTALLY BEAUTIFUL—A 1Night Stand Story

Martin Baird is perfectly content in his safe, predictable job as head concierge for Castillo Resorts, but when a handsome stranger whisks him away for a night of tropical escapades—first visiting an isolated gay bar then to a secluded beach where erotic delights await—Martin’s world is thrown upside down. He’s never met a man like Garret Fisher, but it seems he has been waiting for a night like this all his life.
Could something truly beautiful come out of this accidental meeting? Or was it really not an accident at all?

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Cocktails and Cock Tales with Kate Larkindale

Today we have Kate Larkindale at the cyber bar. Kate is a YA author whose debut novel, An Unstill Life, was released in January this year.

What we are Drinking

I invented a cocktail called a Siberian Dusk when I worked in a bar years and years ago.  I like to go to bars now and confuse bartenders by asking for one…  To make it, pour one shot of vodka and one shot of peach schnapps over ice in a tall glass.  Add two shots of cranberry juice, a squeeze of lime and top it up with soda water.  It’s delicious!  And a little dangerous.

Deanna: First things first. Where are you and what are you wearing?

Kate: I’m in my dining room and since it’s just after 6am and I just stumbled out of bed, I’m in my fluffy robe.  It’s probably all kinds of wrong to be drinking at this time of day, but what the hey! ((slugs back a half glass))

Deanna: What’s your poison? Vodka? Gin? Beer?

Kate: I’m actually a wine drinker mostly.  But on a hot day I can be talked into a gin and tonic or a cold beer.  I learnt my lesson about strong cocktails when I worked in a bar while at college.  Those things can be dangerous!  It feels like you’re just drinking pop, then, wham! You’re on the floor.

Deanna: True that! (((pours them both a round))) Cheers! Now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new book? (((sips on her cocktail)))

Kate: It’s about  fifteen-year-old Livvie who is essentially abandoned when her best friends get boyfriends just at the time she needs their support most.  Her sister is sick with leukemia and her mother is insane with worry.  Livvie finds comfort with the school ‘freak’ and they soon find their friendship turning into something more.  But this opens them up to bullying and persecution and even gets them banned from a school dance.  While she’s dealing with this, Livvie’s sister asks for help ending the pain and Livvie has to make some tough decisions about what she’s willing to do for the people she loves.

Deanna: Sounds great. Where did the idea for this story come from?

Kate: It started with a newspaper article about a girl banned from attending prom with her girlfriend.  It kind of outraged me and stuck in the back of my head.  When I read another article about a boys’ school also refusing to allow same-sex couples to attend dances, I realized there was a story I needed to write.

Deanna: What was the hardest part of writing this story for you?

Kate: It’s a very emotional book and a lot of the emotions aren’t pleasant.  Livvie’s relationship with her mother is a mess too, and that was hard to write.  I also really struggled with what Livvie’s decision about her sister’s plea should be because it’s a very delicate and controversial subject.

Deanna: Yeah it is. On that note, let's have another. (((pours them another round))) Boy, these things are tasty!! Now, what’s the easiest thing about writing your book?

Kate: Livvie has synesthesia so she sees sounds as colors and tastes color as flavor.  I thought writing descriptions through her eyes would be challenging, but it was actually a real joy.  I loved thinking about the world through this unique perspective.

Deanna: Are you a plotter or a panster?

Kate: Total pantser.  I’ve tried plotting, but if I outline too thoroughly, I know the story too well and writing it isn’t interesting anymore.  I love finding the story as I write.  It means more editing and revising, but I think my books are better for it.

Deanna: How long have you been writing?

Kate: Seriously for about six years, but I’ve always written.  I just wasn’t ready to admit it publicly.

Deanna: Do you ever have writers block? On those occasions that I do, I usually have a cocktail … or three…LOL But that’s just me.

Kate: I do.  I often get stuck somewhere along the way.  I tend to have a secondary project I’m working on, and when I get stuck, I work on that for a while and usually that unsticks me.

Deanna: Most of my stories have a theme song, do you do that for your characters?? If so what is it?

Kate: Not all my books have music attached, which is weird considering how into music I am.  An Unstill Life doesn’t have any music associated with it, really.  But the book I wrote after that is steeped in songs.

Deanna: Tell us about a scene that you have written then afterwards, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Kate: There’s a scene in An Unstill Life where Livvie and Bianca take a bath together.  When I re-read that scene in editing, I was blown away by how hot it is even though they barely touch each other.

Available NOW!

Amazon

Musa Publishing

Smashwords

Nook

An Unstill Life

Things at home are rough for fifteen-year-old Livvie Quinn. Jules, her beloved older sister is sick again after being cancer free for almost ten years.  Her mom becomes more frantic and unapproachable every day. School isn’t much better.  Just when she needs them most, her closest friends get boyfriends and have little time for Livvie – except to set her up on a series of disastrous blind dates.

Livvie seeks refuge in the art room and finds Bianca, the school ‘freak’.  Free-spirited and confident, Bianca is everything Livvie isn’t. Shaken by her mom’s desperation, her sister’s deteriorating condition, and abandoned by her friends, Livvie finds comfort and an attraction she never felt before with Bianca.

When their relationship is discovered, Livvie and Bianca become victims of persecution and bullying. School authorities won’t help and even forbid the pair to attend the Winter Formal as a couple. If Livvie defies them and goes, she risks expulsion and further ridicule from her classmates. At home, her mother’s behavior escalates to new levels of crazy and Jules is begging for help to end the pain once and for all.

While searching for the strength to make her life her own, Livvie must decide how far she’s willing to go for the people she loves.

GLTB YA

Publisher: Musa Publishing (http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=24)

(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18979066-an-unstill-life)

Excerpt:

I lolled against Bianca, aware of her distinctive raspberry scent enveloping me. My laughter caught in my throat, and I had trouble breathing through it. I looked up at her, watching the way the streetlights played across her features. With her head thrown back, her throat was long and white, and I was overcome with a sudden desire to touch it.

I didn’t say a word, but she seemed to hear my thoughts. Her laughter quieted, and she turned to look at me, her eyes glittering in the sodium glow. For a long time we stood there, eyes locked, the warm breeze wafting across our skin.

Bianca bent her head, and her lips settled upon mine. They were warm and soft, slippery with lipstick. I shivered and pressed my own lips hungrily against hers. Her mouth opened a little, and I followed, admitting her inquisitive tongue. It tickled mine, darting in and out, waltzing across my taste buds. The flavor of wine, exotic and sour at the same time, flooded my mouth.

My heart beat a rapid tattoo through my chest. This was wrong. I should not be doing this. But I remained mesmerized, nerves I’d never noticed before singing songs of ecstasy along my spine. Kissing Jesse had been nothing like this.

She pulled away, slowly, as if surfacing from a dive. She licked her lips, smiling in satisfaction. Her lipstick, smeared now, blurred her mouth into something unrecognizable. I ran my tongue across my lips and tasted her there, spikes of electricity igniting in my belly. This was better than I could have imagined.

“Wow…” she breathed. “You’re good.”

“Am I?” I reached for her again, wanting nothing but her mouth on mine once more.

“Yeah, you are.” She pushed me against the wall, and I lost myself in her kisses.

Time held no meaning. It could have been seconds or forever before I drew back. Nothing so good could be wrong, yet my stomach writhed with guilt. “I…I should get home.” My voice was unsteady.

Bianca glanced up at the star-speckled sky and nodded. “Yeah. Me too.”

It felt completely natural when, as we walked toward the bus stop two blocks away, she slipped her hand into mine.

About The Author

Having spent a lifetime travelling the globe, Kate Larkindale is currently residing in Wellington, New Zealand.  A cinema manager, film reviewer and mother, she’s surprised she finds any time to write, but doesn’t sleep much.  As a result, she can usually be found hanging out near the espresso machine.

Her short stories have appeared in Halfway Down The Stairs, A Fly in Amber, Daily Flash Anthology, The Barrier Islands Review, Everyday Fiction, Death Rattle, Drastic Measures, Cutlass & Musket and Residential Aliens, among others.

She has written eight contemporary YA novels, five of which other people are allowed to see.  She has also written one very bad historical romance.  She is currently working on a new YA novel that is still looking for a title other than its Twitter hashtag, #juvvielesbian.

Author Links

Website: http://katelarkindale.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vampyr14

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4086706.Kate_Larkindale

Cocktails & Cock Tales with Evelise Archer

Deanna: Today we have Evelise Archer at the cyber bar. Evelise is a wife, mother, reviewer and author, and in her spare time she teaches.

What we are Drinking

Girl, homemade Sangria is on tap today. Easy peasy recipe to pass along…

  

RECIPE: Bottle of red wine, cranberry ginger ale, fresh assorted fruits (Strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, grapes) and 2 trays of ice cubes with grapes frozen in them). I mix the red wine and ginger ale together and keep for 3 days in refrigerator so they can come together so to speak. On third day  or so I add the fresh fruit. I like to wait another day before I actually serve the sangria over my grape filled ice cubes. The fruit has absorbed the alcohol, so whether you drink or eat, it’s a nice surprise! Yummy!

Deanna: First things first. Where are you and what are you wearing?

Evelise: I’m sitting in my favorite chair, rocking with a tall glass of sangria and as you can see, I’m still in my running clothes, so don’t get too close- I haven’t showered yet.

Deanna: What’s your poison? Vodka? Gin? Beer?

Evelise: If I’m going to have “hard liquor”, I’m a rum girl. That’s the Latin in me, but I love a nice cold glass of sangria, especially if it’s been chillin’ in the freezer and it has flecks of ice in it.

Deanna: (((pours them both a round))) Cheers! Now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new book? (((sips on her cocktail)))

Evelise: Mmmm- damn this drink hits the spot after running three miles. Well, my new book is Tropical Paradise and it’s part of the 1Night Stand collection. As a reader and reviewer, I’ve always loved the series and have well over a hundred of the books. So, (((crosses legs on the chair))) I decided to take a stab and write one of my own, and yes! Decadent accepted it.

Deanna: Where did the idea for this story come from?

Evelise: As a Latina, what better place to write about than what you know, or at the very least what you know you can easily research (((smiles over the rim of the glass))). The last time I was in Puerto Rico, I happen to see a young gay couple holding hands, walking the streets of San Juan, and wondered what their story was. So…I made up my own, and now I have Tropical Paradise. A lot of Tropical Paradise is from my own personal knowledge, including the parts about Phildalephia.

Deanna: What was the hardest part of writing this story for you?

Evelise: The hardest part was conveying the emotion and then forgiveness in a short piece- you know, staying within the word count. I hope the readers think I hit the mark!

Deanna: (((pours them another round))) Boy, these things are tasty!! Now, what’s the easiest thing about writing your book?

Evelise: (((Smiling))) I’m glad that you like the drink. It’s perfect for this heat that we’re having. (((Leans head to one side))) The easiest thing for me is once I have a picture of my character in my head, the words seem to flow. Being a visual person and having a pic of a smexy man always helps. (((fans myself)))

Deanna: Are you a plotter or a panster?

Evelise: I’m a plotter. A good friend of mine, another author, told me about a great book GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra Dixon. Best investment yet! I create a GMC chart for each character and story that I am writing. All my GMC’s go in a folder for each manuscript on my flash drive and computer. I have backups for backups (((laughs)))…I’m type A, if you didn’t figure out that one.

Deanna: How long have you been writing?

Evelise: I officially started writing in 2013, and had my first story published by Secret Cravings Publishing. But, I’ve always loved to write or spin a good tale.

Deanna: Do you ever have writers block? On those occasions that I do, I usually have a cocktail … or three…LOL But that’s just me.

Evelise: Oh lord girl, three?…love it! I hit the coffee pot. I have two on the kitchen counter. A regular full- size maker and a full -size Keurig. Writers block be damned, good coffee will always help…LOL

Deanna: Most of my stories have a theme song, do you do that for your characters?? If so what is it?

Evelise: Oh yeah….when I wrote Tropical Paradise my iPod was queued with an assortment of Pitbull, Ricky Martin, Carlos Vives and Marc Anthony. Got to have the Latin flare.

Deanna: Tell us about a scene that you have written then afterwards, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Evelise: I loved writing the beach scene with Leo and Skyler- specifically the part where manly bits stuck up out of the water as my boys relaxed and floated. Of course that led to other sexy and naughty activities back in their cabana. I chuckle about it now, but I wonder what I would have done if I really would have seen poking manly bit when I was at the beach. (((laughing))) The horror…not!

Oh to be taken away to a secluded island and ravished…Shouldn’t that happen to all of us at one point in our lives?!

(((Pours the last of the Sangria for both of us))) So Deanna, let me just say thank you for having me on Cocktails and Cock Tales. I love talking about my new release and sharing a great glass or two, or maybe it was three, of , what did we drink again? ((( places hand over mouth and burps))) sangria, that’s what it was!

Before I eat the fruit in the bottom of my glass and lose all my faculties, how about a contest? 

Have any of your great blog followers been ravished on a secluded beach, or any other fantasy place? 

Give me a shout out and tell me about it and I’ll give away a copy of Tropical Paradise. Don’t forget to leave an email so I can get in touch with the winner. I’ll choose the winner Monday morning, August 25^th.

Deanna: You heard her folks! Dish on your sexy beach story and win a FREE copy of Tropical Paradise!!

TROPICAL PARADISE 

Can Madame Eve work her magic one more time? Leo Santos left the one man he loved behind to care for his ailing father. Sky Macy never forgot his one and only that got away. When they meet again on a blind date setup by 1Night Stand, will they go their separate ways or will the sparks reignite the love they never forgot?
On a secluded beach at the resort Las Casitas Villas in Fajardo, Leo and Sky come face to face after years apart. Passion ignites so hot it threatens to burn them from within. They both will need to open their hearts and learn to trust if they hope to find love during one night of passion in a tropical paradise.

EXCERPT:

Skyler smiled, remembering the first time he’d seen the olive-skinned young man. Leopoldo Maria Santos. The hotheaded Latin that blew into his life with the force of the hurricanes that hit Leo’s homeland. He had strutted into Sky’s dorm room three days before classes started, freshman year.

“Hi.” Skyler’d waved from his perch on the bed. He’d been dressed in shorts and a tank top, trying to stay cool in the muggy early September day in Philadelphia. “You a nursing student, too?

“Yo? Hell no. Not that I have anything against nurses, but aren’t they usually women? Teacher. That’s what I want to do.” Hmmm, clearly not from around there, not with that accent.

“Nah, men are nurses, too. Maybe it’s not as common, but I’m hoping that’s in my favor. Where you from, cool accent?”

“Puerto Rico. Just arrived here last week. Stayed with my sister and her fiancé in New Jersey.” His new roomie, tanned and handsome, dumped his duffle on the empty bed. Sky moved over to sit on the bed. “So, I’m Sky. Skyler but not too many people call me that. And you?”

“Leopoldo Maria Santos. Leo, for short.”

“Damn, man, Maria is your middle name? Sucks to be you.” Sky laughed so hard, tears streamed down his face and he held his side.

“So what, your mami couldn’t figure out what to call you, so she decided on Sky instead of bird? What the hell stupid name is that? At least, where I come from, having Maria as your middle name, boy or girl, is something important. I was named after the Virgin Mary.” Disdain filling his voice, he gave Skyler the hairy eyeball.

Intrigued by the boy with the girl’s middle name, Sky admired his passion. It didn’t hurt that Leo also had killer looks.

Skyler pulled himself from his reminiscing and squinted in the sunlight, trying to get a better look at the man on the dock. Could it be Leo? He wanted to shout from the balcony but feared disturbing the other guests. And what if the man only resembled Leo? Years passed and people changed. Still…. Telling himself he needed to get to the dock anyway, he grabbed his overnight kit and sunglasses and made his way to the lobby desk.

“Hi, Celia, can you tell me where I go catch the launch? I swear I saw someone I know down by the marina.”

“Well, you won’t have much time to spare, but that’s where you’re headed. Out the front door, follow the right-hand path down to the marina, about a five-minute walk. When you get there, look for a yellow launch and ask for Joe. He’ll take you across to Palomino. Everything is ready there for you.”

“Has my date arrived on Palomino yet?” His voice cracked, nerves getting the best of him. How did Madame Eve choose the perfect person for someone? Would they get along? Have the same likes or dislikes? And had he really spotted Leo?

“I’ve not seen him, but I have it on good authority,” she winked, “that the man of your dreams is already on the island, enjoying the sun and sand.”

“Celia, you’re a tease, but I can tell we’re going to get along.” He chuckled and even that slight bit of humor settled his nerves. “Wish me luck. The man of my dreams may be just a short boat ride away.”

“You have no idea,” Celia called after him.

Evelise Archer can be found:

Email: evarcher5@gmail.com

Blog: http://sexyforreview.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @EveliseArcher

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evarcher5

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/evarcher5/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Evelise