HIking out 2017...and Resolutions

Yesterday Mike and I went hiking, despite the fact that I was getting over bronchitis. I thought it would be good to push my lungs a little, try to open them up and speed up the healing.  Of course, the prescription of prednisone I was on didn't help the bloating but it did help me breathe, so I call it a wash.

Mike and I enjoy hiking, and I appreciate that he doesn't use hiking as a lead in to "...this will help you lose weight.".  I have my own love/hate relationship with my body, and one of the things I don't need is a guilt trip that I've 'put on some pounds'.  I know it all because I've said it all to myself. This time two years ago I was about 20 pounds thinner, but that was before I started working full time, 8 hours a day on my legs, being a full time mom, and making sure I hit all my deadlines. I could only hit the gym on the weekends.

That...plus having a good time enjoying an alcoholic mixture (or two) every night, didn't help.

During the summer months, the temperature can reach up to 120 degrees F in Las Vegas, putting a

damper on hiking, but during the winter...well, it was about 70 degree F on December 30th, so Mike and I decided to do one last hike to send off 2017.

He took me to the Kraft Loop near Red Rock. The first part of the hike is called Hell Hill, and with me having to use my inhaler every few feet, it was aptly named.  But, by the time we got to the top, I was breathless for a different reason. The harsh, barren landscape that dotted Hell Hill gave way to these magnificent rock formations, in striking colors of reds and orange, with rust striations heavy threading through the layers. 

The rest of the hike was on a downward trip, making it much easier on my lungs.  Large boulders for me to climb over. I tell you, the best exercise in the world is traversing boulders. The last part of the hike is always the worst, when you get done with the exciting sight-seeing and have to proceed to the car.  The last half hour was simply excruciating as we trudged over flat terrain, bypassing those people carrying mattresses so they can climb a big rock and not hurt themselves if they fall. I don't see the appeal in that, but to each his own.

The whole hike was about 3.3 miles and took about two hours because of my lung problem. But I felt proud of myself, and I was happy to end 2017 on a positive note.

Stupid bronchitis.

I am fortunate to have found a man who loves me for who I am, not for how I look. My resolutions

for 2018 aren't so cliche as "I want to lose weight", but rather finding a healthy balance between my working life and my resting life. I'd like to go horseback riding. Goat Yoga, because why not? I like baby goats. See Magic Mike...the live action, not the movie. Pay off my credit card. Publish five stories.

Have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve. May 2018 find your ambitions and resolutions manageable and fulfilling. Let your romance take flight....

Readers' Choice Winner Casey Moss Visits!

The 2017 Evernight Publishing Readers’ Choice Awards have been announced and I’m thrilled to have Casey Moss, the winner for the Best in Category Sci-Fi, visiting with me on my blog! First of all, huge congratulations Casey! I’ve read Transcending Fire and I’m certainly not surprised that so many people loved it. What a compelling first book in the series, New World Bikers!

Thank you! I’m so excited this book has gained recognition, and that after a handful of nominations over the years, I’ve finally made it to the winner’s stand.

What was the idea that sparked this story?

This erotic, futuristic/sci-fi, dystopian story with strong romantic elements based around different motorcycle gangs has had quite a journey to get to this point. Its inception happened because of a different publisher. I started writing this story in the spring of 2015 for a special line (a series based off fairy tales) for the other company. While doing some research, I found some interesting tales that immediately piqued my imagination, and the contact person chose one from a list I’d submitted. When I started writing my version, the story just flowed out of me. I absolutely loved it, and it’s one of my favorites that I’ve written.

One person wrote: “I loved this story with its blend of a futuristic dystopian world and an alternate fantasy realm.” I have to agree, one of the things I really liked about this story was it was so unusual with the blending of each genre.

I love to blend genres, as you’ve noticed in my answer above, and I’m glad people are enjoying it! In fact, one blogger/reader who I work with wrote me and said, “You are an amazing blogger and author! I did read the book and it was so unique and just mindblowingly good!”

How did you find the voice of each character?

The voice of each character just kinda came to me. It’s like meeting a new person. You listen to them and get to know them and try to relate their stories and personalities to others the best you can.

I know that this is book one in the series. Could you tell us what you have in store for the New World Bikers?

So far I have the outlines for the next two books done. Book 2, tentatively titled Transcending Time, will be a mix of a continuation of book 1 and a prequel. Hunter and Justin will learn how their world came to be through the words of people who lived decades upon decades ago. Book 3, tentatively titled Transcending Tides, will return to the first book’s timeline where it left off and feature new people and a new place, along with some original characters. I also have ideas brewing for a fourth book.

Are we going to meet Hunter and Safaia again?

Yes. Hunter will be in book 2, and then both of them should be making an appearance in book 3.

Thank you so much for visiting with me! Once again, congrats on your win in the Reader’s Choice Awards!

Again, thank you, not only for having me on your blog but for the congratulations as well. I’d also like to put out a big thank you to my readers for helping my story Transcending Fire win in the Sci-Fi category and give a hearty congrats to my fellow authors who have also won. 

For the full list of winners and runner’s up visit: http://evernightpublishing.blogspot.com/2017/12/2017-readers-choice-award-results.html

If you would like to pick up a copy of this fantastic sci-fi book, just follow the links below…

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/transcending-fire-by-casey-moss/

(As of the writing of this post, Evernight is offering a special on the 2017 winners. Click on this link to find the coupon code: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/readers-choice-winners-2017/?sort=alphadesc)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075DGY3V6

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/transcending-fire-casey-moss/1127078126?ean=2940154541043

BookStrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/transcending-fire-mf

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/746447

BIO

Casey Moss delves into the darker aspects of life in her writing, sometimes basing the stories on reality, sometimes on myth. No matter the path, her stories will take you on a journey from the light-hearted paranormal to dark things unspeakable. What waits around the corner? Come explore…

LINKS

Website: https://caseymossbooks.com/

Blog: https://caseymscorner.wordpress.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Casey-Moss/e/B0080RC9DQ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CRMoss

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_crmoss/

E.D. Parr's new MM Romantic Sci-fi Story!

Gorgeous, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn, sells his magic spells to people looking to make a dream come true. One night, as he gazes down on the city below from his sky barge The Dreamboat, he wonders why, in centuries, his own wish for a man to love hasn’t materialized.

Beautiful, sexy, Darian O’Harr has suffered his fair share of misery. He’s a musician and learned long ago to sing for his supper. New to the city, he comes to Indigo seeking a spell that will bring him the love of a handsome man.

As soon as he sets eyes on Indigo, his heart races and his body betrays his pent up needs.

Here is the man of his dreams. What can Darian do as the warlock gathers his magic to cast a spell that will bring him another man?

BUY Links

On launch special discount price at Evernight Publishing

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dreamboat-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TB36FS

Global Amazon link http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B077TB36FS

http://www.bookstrand.com/the-dreamboat-mm

Coming soon to, KOBO and NOOK

Read an excerpt 18+

Indigo didn’t sleep well for three nights after meeting Darian. On the fourth night he didn’t sleep at all. His sexual needs beat at him, until he couldn’t think straight. His desire burned until all he could think about was fucking. He pushed his breakfast around on his plate the next morning. That day he stalked the corridors of The Dreamboat eschewing meetings and focused only on the security arrangements for the queen’s celebrations. At sixteen hundred hours he called Milan to his side.

“Will you make an appointment at Temptations for me? Twenty-three hundred hours will be good.”

Milan’s gentle smile comforted him. “One, Two, or Three, sir?”

Indigo shook his head slowly. His desire threatened to overwhelm him. Nearly crazed with sexual need, Indigo needed to deal with it or be incomplete for weeks to come. “All of them. Thank you.”

Moments later, Milan returned. “You’re expected at Temptations, twenty-three hundred hours as you requested. Permit me to take you there and wait to bring you home?”

“Yes, of course.”

****

Temptations buzzed with chatter and thumped with music in the main downstairs room. People danced, some grinding their bodies against each other’s.

A host met Indigo. “It’s been a while, sir. I trust you are well. Your requested companions are ready.”

Indigo nodded. He silently followed the host to the upstairs room where beautiful men he knew only by a number would slake his desires that night.

The host left him.

Indigo wore only a belted kilt and ankle length hooded cloak over his naked body. He stepped out of his soft suede ankle boots, and waited, his cock already half-erect with anticipation.

Gorgeous men entered the room, their naked bodies muscled, their eyes dark with desire, they came to Indigo silently.

Indigo savored their looks, big cocks already filling out into erections. His admiring gaze raked over the men, their lush dark hair, soft and well-cut, blue eyes, gray eyes, smooth skin free of body hair, and his cock jerked as his stomach tightened. He loved men. These men were the best of Temptations male brothel, and they’d serviced him once before a year ago. He sighed recalling the satisfaction. The night sparkled with promise. He watched with growing sexual hunger.

One carried a tray and placed it on the table away from the huge low bed. On the tray—a carafe of water so cold it misted the glass, sachets of lube, condoms, sex toys, tissues, and a wine glass.

One unclipped Indigo’s cloak and after grazing his lips on Indigo’s, he brought the cloak to a freestanding rail and hung it.

A low murmur of appreciation fell from Indigo’s mouth as he savored the fleeting kiss from One’s perfect lips.

Two knelt and traced his fingertips up and down Indigo’s legs, reaching his balls and circling feather light touches there that made Indigo’s cock fill out in a delicious slow sensation.

Indigo closed his eyes with lust as his stomach tightened and jerked his cock when Two stroked the backs of his thighs.

Three took the belt from Indigo’s kilt as One slid his hands around Indigo’s face and held him fast kissing him hungrily. The kiss seared desire through Indigo and he slid his palms along the satiny skin of One’s muscled chest with a groan.

Copyright E.D.Parr 2017, Evernight Publishing

JJ Lore Visits With her Sci-Fi Gay Romace!

Hello J.J.!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…

Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?

One of my characters, Venture, appeared in an earlier book I wrote titled Beyond Love. I’d liked writing him as a secondary, but one day he just popped up in my mind and I knew I needed to give him a little story of his own. He’s very savvy and confident, and operates by his own, slightly moral, code of conduct. Cai, on the other hand, is shy and very careful about playing by the rules, which makes sense since he’s a skilled professional athlete.

Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?

This might be overkill, but I created an entire sport for this story. Cai is a superstar player of tussle, so I had to understand the game, even though there’s no more than a mention of it in the book. It’s played on an oval field with sloping sides and a flat center section, there are multiple field goals, and it’s very fast and rough. In your mind, combine Australian rules football, rugby, and a little bit of wrestling thrown in for good measure.

Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?

Always tea, either iced or hot, and low-key instrumental music. Recently I’ve been lighting incense and I really like the way it clears my mind as I’m working.

Q) What are your upcoming projects?

Right now I’m nearly finished with the first draft of a book which will hopefully be the start of a three part series. It’s in a completely new genre for me, and I’m too superstitious to say more about it.

Blurb:

Star tussle player Cai travels the galaxy with his team playing intense matches, but is too introverted to have much of a social game. At a mixer before the next day’s match, he meets a man who is capable of drawing him out of his shell, and he lets his guard down, hoping for a connection.

Stalking his target in a crowded bar seems like a good idea to Venture, at least until the conversation he’s sharing with the handsome athlete turns personal. But he has a job to do, and no matter how much he likes Cai, Venture still has to knock him out, tie him up, and hide him away until payment from gamblers hoping to influence the outcome of the contest comes through.

The dynamic between captor and captive shifts and evolves even in the short time Cai and Venture spend together. Despite the binds holding Cai, he longs to touch Venture, and it doesn’t take much encouragement for Venture to let down his guard with his attractive prisoner. Who is the jailor now?

Teaser:

Venture isn’t ashamed of what he does, or at least he hasn’t been until he kidnaps the man of his dreams.

Where to Buy:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774G4LDF/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509748507&sr=8-1&keywords=venture%27s+gain

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/ventures-gain-by-j-j-lore/

J. J. Lore bio

J. J. Lore has been interested in the dashing men who roam outer space since she was transfixed by Han Solo piloting the Millennium Falcon a long time ago in a theatre far, far away. Sadly, there is no way for her to join in the fun of intergalactic adventures unless she writes them, so that’s what she does whenever she isn’t taking care of the business of life. If you can’t find her typing madly on her sluggish keyboard, she’s probably poking around in a thrift store searching for the perfect pair of worn jeans or a vintage kachina bolo tie. These days she puts her anthropology degree to work when she whips up dishes from many different cultures, most of which benefit from a liberal dose of sriracha or a smear of green curry paste. Her favorite reading topics are costume history, epidemiology, and permaculture, all of which she’d like to work into a story if she’s suddenly overcome with a brilliant idea someday.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-J-Lore/1393971707546734

Twitter: @JJLore1