Author: Andrew

  • December Holiday Blog Event.

    As ‘lil q gets older, she’s understanding more of what goes on around her. Right now Christmas isn’t anything to her, but as witnessed by her getting her classmates to sing happy birthday to her six weeks after her birthday, she obviously has the ability to comprehend holidays and special occasions.

    I wanted to do something to celebrate the holiday on my site, but rather than put up 25 holiday posts from me, I’ve asked a group of people to contribute something instead. The only common theme for all of these posts will be they all come from parents. Not gay parents or parents of gay children, just parents. They’re will be gay parents, straight parents, parents with gay kids and straight kids, some with transgendered and some from grandparents.  Some are Christians, some Jewish, some pagan and something none of the above. My hope was to get a diverse group of people to contribute.

    I’ve not seen most of the posts yet, so I’m anxious to see what I get.  As the end of each post, I’ll let you know who’s next. I’ve asked people if they have a favorite holiday song to include with a link.

    Since this was my idea, I’ll start the event tomorrow.

    Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

    -AQG

  • What I’m Thankful For

    I’m not usually the overly sentiment type, but as I sat at breakfast with ‘lil q I realized what a great year it had been.  Aside from watching ‘lil q grow up and amaze me almost every day, I have a lot to be thankful for.  Not necessarily in chronological order: (more…)

  • DC Metro Area M/M Romance Readers Meet-Up 11-16-13

    So yeah, I’m a bit behind, but hey, better late than never.  The DC Metro Area M/M Romance Readers met on November 16. Mike was able to come this time so we made it a family outing.  Thanks to Joyfully Jay for being our fearless leader and to Treva Harte of Loose Id Publishing for hosting the event.

  • November Update

    NaNoWriMo has been interesting. Much like a lot of things, November started with a surge – the first 12 days I averaged almost 2000 words a day.  The last five I’ve done less than 800 a day.  That said, I’m hoping to get to that 50K mark by the end of the month.  Not sure it will be done at 50k – doubtful really – but at least I can say I made the 50K threshold.  If I do make it, I’ll have written almost  double the number of words in one month that I managed in the six prior, so no matter what the result, it will have been a good exercise.  I’ve got an updater on the right side of this page so check it out for my current progress.

    The hard part of course will be to keep the ball rolling. With the holidays that will be impossible.  Maybe NaNoWriMo can move to Feb or March so that once you get in the grove, you don’t let the holiday’s break the habit.  I think it’s safe to say that once I get the rough draft of Harp Strings done, I’ll need to go back and do some major work on it, but I’ll still be glad to getter done.

    As some know, I’m part of the Wednesday Briefs Flash Fiction group. We’re trying something new – our own website to help better cross promote each other’s work.  For those interested, here’s the site.:

    http://wedbriefsfic.com

    As part of the group effort we’re planning to post new releases from the authors involves so if you get a chance, click over and follow the site to get updates as they happen.

     

    -AQG

     

  • School Pictures Fall ’13

    ‘lil q had her pictures taken at school – I think they came out quite well, even if I am biased. 🙂

  • New Releases: Monday November 11, 2013

    All authors face the same daunting task – how to get their book noticed. In an effort to help some of my fellow authors, every Monday I’m going to post some of the numerous new books that have been released. For the most part these will be M/M Fiction with a heavy bias on Romance. That will probably evolve over time, but for now that’s were it is.

    I’ve not read everything that is listed, though I’ve probably read or will read many. Which means inclusion on the list isn’t an endorsement or suggestion. You should read the blurbs provided to see if you’re interested. I’ll post reviews to books I recommend under the ‘Books I Reviewed’ tab. This is just a partial list of what’s new for visitors of my site to check out. That said if you end up reading something listed here and want to comment – please do. I reserve the right, however, to delete nasty or personal comments.

    If you’re an author and want to include a new release, email me your blurb, cover image, buy links and any personal links you want included. No excerpts, interviews, giveaways etc. Those are welcome, but can be discussed separately.

    Housekeeping; by Kim Fielding

    BLURB: 

    HousekeepingFSWhen Nicky Hauser walks in on his restaurant-owner boyfriend having sex with a waiter, Nicky loses his lover, his job, and his home all in one night. Although he’s nearly thirty, he’s never settled on a true career, and he has nothing to show for his years with Tom. Depressed and unable to find work, Nicky ends up couch-surfing with friends until he lands a house-sitting gig for a wealthy family.

    When Nicky’s clients discover that he loves to clean, demand for his services skyrockets. Word of mouth leads him to Spencer Cartwright, a busy computer consultant and a slob. Spencer and his wife divorced when he came out, but he’s never found the time or courage to settle down with a man. As Nicky sets Spencer’s house to rights, the two men find friendship. But Nicky’s past experiences make him wary of risking everything on love.

    Author Bio: 

    Kim Fielding is very pleased every time someone calls her eclectic. She has migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States and currently lives in California, where she long ago ran out of bookshelf space. She’s a university professor who dreams of being able to travel and write full time. She also dreams of having two perfectly behaved children, a husband who isn’t obsessed with football, and a house that cleans itself. Some dreams are more easily obtained than others.

    My Links:

    Website:

    http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com/

    Facebook:

    https://www.facebook.com/KFieldingWrites.

    Twitter:

    @KFieldingWrites.

    Pre-Order Link:

    Housekeeping, from Dreamspinner Press

    Encore_headerbanner

    Encore; by Shira Anthony:

    Blurb: 

    Encore-BuildCool kid violinist Roger Nelson doesn’t give a damn about anything. Wannabe conductor John Fuchs is awkward, effeminate, and just figuring out he’s gay. Despite their differences, they become friends—then lovers—and after college, they try to make it work. But it’s the 1970s, and Roger can’t bring himself to admit he’s gay. Worse, after his brother is killed in Vietnam, Roger tries to live up to his memory and be the perfect son. Then after suffering one tragedy too many, he makes the biggest mistake of his life: Roger pushes John away.

    Through the years, they dance around the truth and in and out of each other’s lives, never quite able to let go. Twenty years later, Roger still carries the pain of losing his dream of a brilliant career with him, while John is a superstar conductor with a wild reputation. John’s off-stage antics get him plenty of attention, good and bad, though deep down, he wants only Roger. Finally determined to hold on to what really matters, Roger asks John for another chance, and when John panics and runs, Roger has to convince him to listen to his heart.

    NOTE:  Encore is chronologically the first book in the Blue Notes Series and a great place to start if you’ve never read the other books.  All Blue Notes novels are standalone books that can be read in any order.

    Buy Link: 

    You can purchase Encore at Dreamspinner Press by clicking here.

    Author Bio:

    Shira Anthony was a professional opera singer in her last incarnation, performing roles in such operas as ToscaPagliacci, and La Traviata, among others. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle.

    Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs, and when she’s not writing, she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 35’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel.

    Shira’s Blue Notes Series of classical music themed gay romances was named one of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Word’s “Best Series of 2012,” and The Melody Thief was named one of the “Best Novels in a Series of 2012.” The Melody Thief also received an honorable mention, “One Perfect Score” at the 2012 Rainbow Awards.

    Brokenhearted; by Cate Ashwood:

    Blurb:

    BrokenheartedOliver Parrish has been alone in the world since he was born. So when Sheriff Owen “Mack” Macklin shows up on his doorstep to deliver the news that Oliver’s sister has died, he’s beyond surprised. Still, Oliver returns with Mack to Hope Cove, Maine, hoping to get to know the sister he never knew he had. As he tries to snap these new elements into his solitary life, he’s not sure how they might fit.

    His life is shaken up further as he falls in love with the irresistible town of Hope Cove, and with Mack, its equally irresistible sheriff. But when he receives devastating news about his sister’s cause of death, Oliver doesn’t know whether to stay and fight for love and a good life, or cut his losses and run.

    Buy Link:

    Brokenhearted:

    Author bio:

    Cate Ashwood wrote her very first story in a hot pink binder when she was in the second grade and found her passion for writing. Her first successful foray into romance writing came five years later when she wrote her best friend, who was experiencing a case of unrequited love, her own happily ever after.

    Cate’s life has taken a number of different and adventurous roads. She now lives a stone’s throw from the ocean, just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband and two cats. Her life is filled with family and friends, travel, and, of course, books.

    My links:

    Website: http://www.cateashwood.com
    Blog: http://cateashwood.blogspot.ca/
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cate.ashwood
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/cateashwood

    Island House; by Bru Baker:

    Blurb:

    IslandHouse_FinalUnable to move on after the death of his lover, British expat Niall Ahern clings to Nolan’s dream of living in the Caribbean by moving to Tortola. Once there, he finds that not even the beauty of the island can fill the hole in his heart. Broke and spent in nearly every way imaginable, Niall wants out of the lonely, miserable, guilt-ridden life he’s carved out for himself.

    When Ethan Bettencourt, a wealthy tech guru, shows up in British Virgin Islands looking to purchase a second home, he gives Niall hope that he can move on. Both men fall hard and fast, but Niall finds piloting his yacht in the midst of a hurricane is nothing compared to weathering life’s simple misunderstandings. As their troubles come between them, Niall is left to wonder if he and Ethan are over before they’ve begun.

    Buy Link:

    Island House From Dreamspinner Press:

    Author Bio:

    Bru Baker is a freelance journalist who writes for newspapers and magazines. She knew she was destined to be a writer by the tender age of 4, when she started publishing a weekly newspaper for her family. What they called nosiness she called a nose for news, and no one was surprised when she ended up with degrees in journalism and political science and started a career in journalism.

    While reporting the news is her day job, fiction is Bru’s true love. Most evenings you can find her curled up with a mug of tea, some fuzzy socks, and a book or her laptop. Whether it’s creating her own
    characters or getting caught up in someone else’s, there’s no denying that Bru is happiest when she’s engrossed in a book. She and her husband live in the Midwest with their two young children, whose antics make finding time to write difficult but never let life get boring.

    My Links:

    Website:

    http://www.bru-baker.com

    Twitter

    http://www.twitter.com/bru_baker.

    Email

    [email protected].

    The Impetuous Afflictions of Jonathan Wolfe; by Charlie Cochet:

    Blurb:

    IAJW200Eight years after leaving the deserts of Africa and the French Foreign Legion behind, Jonathan Wolfe has settled into life at Hawthorne Manor in the English countryside. Johnnie helps his adopted family run the manor and provide a safe, loving home for a new generation of “brats”: boys mistreated and discarded for their homosexuality—something all too familiar to Johnnie.

    Although no longer an unruly youngster, Johnnie is as stubborn, foul-mouthed, and troublesome as ever. His recent rash behavior becomes a concern for those closest to him, especially Dr. Henry Young, the only man ever to capture Johnnie’s heart. Instead of soothing him, their closeness brings Johnnie’s insecurities from an unsettling past to the surface, and leads to an explosive situation that threatens to tear them apart. Then Henry’s past catches up to them….

    Buy Link:

    The Impetuous Afflictions of Jonathan Wolfe; from Dreamspinner Press

    Author Bio:

    CCochet100Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

    Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

    My Links:

    Website: http://www.charliecochet.com

    Blog: http://www.charliecochet.com/blog

    Email: [email protected]

    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charliecochet

    Twitter: @charliecochet | http://www.twitter.com/charliecochet

  • A Girl And Her Dog

    The weather in DC is beautiful today.  Mike took took this video of ‘lil q and Emma while they were out for a walk today. This is more proof that the expression – a girl and her dog – is every bit as true!

  • 200th Post

    This is my blog’s 200th post. I wish I had something stupendous to announce, or wildly entertaining. Instead I figured I’d use it to do what I had planned to do today all along – post an update. Boring? Perhaps, but I try to make it mildly interesting if I can.

    When I started this site/blog, it was meant to promote my first book and the others that would hopefully follow. I had no idea what that really meant – even if at the time I thought I had it all figured out.  In the 199 posts that preceded this one, I learned a few things that I hope will make the next 200 better.

    I’ve almost finished Book Two of Champions – well the rough draft. I hope to have this finished by mid December and submit it and see what happens. Hopefully by next month’s update I’ll know for sure when I plan to submit it.

    Right now it’s NaNoWriMo and I’m taking a stab at successfully doing it.  I’m writing a story I’ve titled Harp Strings. This is a contemporary story so it’s a bit of a new genre for me. Although I wrote Second Shot and Bettor To Lose, neither of those were submitted for publication. This one will be – hopefully it will get picked up.  I’ve posted the rough draft of the first chapter if anyone wants to take a peek and let me know their thoughts.

    Harp Strings – First Chapter:

    If you want a short synopsis, check out my home page on NaNoWriMo

    Also, because this is post 200 and I promised something mildly interesting, I’ve also posted the first chapter of two other stories I’ve started – typically if I have a new idea that needs to be written, I’ll take a break from what I’m doing and write as much as I can of the new story. Some get more than others.  But here are two that I’ve started:

    ArchAngel:  Chapter 1:

    I’m quite sure how much to write about the plot – I don’t want to give too much away so I’d want to think about it a bit more before writing too much.  The basis of this is there are Angels living among us and we don’t know. The story revolves around Nick Fenton who is not all that lucky at love. He blames part of it on having a totally hot best friend/roommate who always seems to be the center of attention.  But things are never as they seem including Nick’s lack of a love life.

    Dlgen: Chapter 1:

    I’ll be honest, in some ways, this is the story I most want to write. But it is also another series and I really need to finish Champions before I start a new one.  Dlgen get’s it name from the warriors graced by the gods with special talent. There are 5 levels of Dlgen,  and I planned to have 5 books each one following Harlan as he progresses through the ranks.

    Harlan is 18 when the book starts, his father – Telg is the only living Dlgen of the fifth order. Telg adopts Harlan after he comes upon Harlan being attacked by the other boys in his village. Harlan has been disowned by his family and cast out. But Telg saw something special in Harlan and claimed him as his own son.

    Harlan is indeed special. The gods have chosen Harlan and  Stefrem, a prince of Gillum, as the ones to protect the world from a return on an ancient evil. But first these two need to figure out that they don’t hate each other.

    My plan is to finish NaNoWriMo and then finish Champions – book two. The rest of Champions is written – in rough draft form – so I hope to get all those books out in rapid succession after book two.  Once that is over, I have to decide what to focus on next.

    So here’s a quick Poll – what should I focus on after I finish The Eye And The Arm; Book Two of Champion of the Gods? Please vote and leave comments if you like.

  • ‘lil q Teaching Us How To Make Pizza

    As some know, I’m the cook in the family.  But this year is my first time doing NaNoWriMo so I felt I needed a little help in the kitchen. ‘lil q volunteered to help and she told her daddy how she was going to make the pizza for dinner.

  • Some New Pictures

    Took ‘lil q to her friend ‘lil a’s b-day bash.  Hard to believe they are two already. It feels like just a few weeks ago we were taking pictures in the pool at swim class but that was more than a year ago.  Here are the pictures – feel free to comment if you like.