tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14748763707376935022024-03-15T16:59:40.525-07:00Gay RomanceGay Romance...with guys and spiceErica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-6062778324082021092016-05-17T01:19:00.054-07:002023-09-16T05:47:16.658-07:00BDSM: a Sexual Orientation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5mPlAlY5x4YBHLEZpaotYe9CeC76ZteYq1n4mhA57FWuLEn08nxKzUmuAy9XIbn9rrp7VisIqdC311lo3Asw7dLx_ZoVQyIxzsYZ41JlL_Ft637TiffpB7_3bqjqQKcggA2ppAO44M0L/s1600/HAPHOBIAUMBRELLA2016.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5mPlAlY5x4YBHLEZpaotYe9CeC76ZteYq1n4mhA57FWuLEn08nxKzUmuAy9XIbn9rrp7VisIqdC311lo3Asw7dLx_ZoVQyIxzsYZ41JlL_Ft637TiffpB7_3bqjqQKcggA2ppAO44M0L/s320/HAPHOBIAUMBRELLA2016.png" width="230" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hi guys :) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today is the International Day of Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, so it's time for the annual <a href="http://hopforvisibilityawarenessandequality.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hop for Visibility, Awareness and Equality</a>. That's the old Hop Against Homophobia, which then became Hop Against Homophobia and Transphoba, which <i>then</i> became Hop Against Homophobia, Bi- and Transphobia. With the new, all-inclusive name, I don't foresee any more changes ^.^ I stepped away from hop management from health reasons this year and handed the torch over to Cherie Noel and co, </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I want to talk about today is BDSM as a sexual orientation. I know. Most of you are probably furrowing your brow right now and getting ready to hit the back button, but please hear me out. First off, not all of the people who practice BDSM or some other fetish or kink are BDSM-oriented. Some are just doing it for fun and it's not deeply rooted in their internal selves. It's a hobby, something to spice up the sex life, and a way to meet new people. But then there are the others...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAQBGZDRI5nZ2JEImn5AO-a6JlepDT4bgitmVjNc7k7qLYxcs7uy4XB5J0lVN3c3AzxVwznOSrVKCgakoLDpBG7NrXD-kQq4eUrjAxnyeBRbViskqN9R098XPvH6apI_aD-tlsN4EkiHM/s1600/I_kinda_like_it_bdsm_is_the_way_to_go_f1cc43_461.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAQBGZDRI5nZ2JEImn5AO-a6JlepDT4bgitmVjNc7k7qLYxcs7uy4XB5J0lVN3c3AzxVwznOSrVKCgakoLDpBG7NrXD-kQq4eUrjAxnyeBRbViskqN9R098XPvH6apI_aD-tlsN4EkiHM/s200/I_kinda_like_it_bdsm_is_the_way_to_go_f1cc43_461.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Late last year, Iceland finally removed BDSM and other fetishes/kinks from the list of mental disorders, following in the footsteps of the other Nordic countries. After 50 Shades of Grey, this didn't really shock anyone. What surprised people was that the group, BDSM in Iceland, sent in an application to become a member association of the Icelandic National Queer Organization (Samtokin 78). The younger generation of equal rights fighters (indifferent of actual age) was all for it, but many of the people who first founded the organization were dead against it. They didn't see how BDSM people had anything in common with gays and lesbians (a lot of the same people are still not happy about bi, pan, trans, intersex, and asexuals being allowed to enter their organization and always refer to it as The National Gay and Lesbian Organization). At first glimpse, they seem to be right. I even had a problem with it at first, because I'd never considered it as an orientation before. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This caused some BDSM oriented people to step out of the closet to explain how it's an orientation to some, like I will explain to you how it's an orientation for me:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoB7nrXcHEwaVrgMbMHoFOI7BA3fOlLie5Kj05ifWsBaZgn1CaD37g7Pc9r6tWpindIZZAnNj7YBd3DzgwccXFizoqhgnj6TOPZCwyuv04l9WWLOQItCOHOaFaJ2Sur3UAvfr7AEljhjy/s1600/Spiders.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoB7nrXcHEwaVrgMbMHoFOI7BA3fOlLie5Kj05ifWsBaZgn1CaD37g7Pc9r6tWpindIZZAnNj7YBd3DzgwccXFizoqhgnj6TOPZCwyuv04l9WWLOQItCOHOaFaJ2Sur3UAvfr7AEljhjy/s200/Spiders.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have two kinks. One of them is bondage. I was six years old when I started having fantasies about bondage. That was the age I knew that people "hopped up and down in bed". I didn't know more details, but in my daydreams, one of them was tied up. I have no idea how those fantasies started. I don't remember seeing pictures of people being tied down during sex. This was before the internet and if there were ever porn magazines at home, I never found them. Of course, I'd seen old westerns where people were tied up with rope and it was interesting to me, but there wasn't anything sexual about it. I've never been sexually abused, and I have the world's best parents and family members. This seems to have come out of the blue. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, I never talked about it. I drew pictures of it, but hid them (I found one of them not long ago and hope that Mom never saw it >.<). Somehow I knew this wasn't natural and I repressed it for 32 years. Even in my 17-year relationship with my ex, who's a very open person, I barely dared to entertain thoughts of bondage because I didn't think it was natural. It's just like how I barely entertained the thoughts of me being anything but heterosexual, even though I later accepted that I'm pan. I was ashamed of my kink, I didn't choose it, and if given the choice I wouldn't have it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The other kink is something I've had since my teens. It's not something I'm willing to discuss publicly, because I feel it's more private than the bondage. I'm still very much in the closet with this one because there's so much more stigma. They didn't cover it in 50 Shades of Grey, after all. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zr87JK_VnBrLEJ-3r-_5bJeSE1SUzmZFbo3bSCGLq7tSmU1l8US23hCjkDHR4bB5OAly5tAibTd8prs47-bX0ENM_8QHtW48tfAAAivIVTPh9JPMpbb7H6bQhZytAEE4uWcAxEQ2V65J/s1600/naps-and-spankings.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zr87JK_VnBrLEJ-3r-_5bJeSE1SUzmZFbo3bSCGLq7tSmU1l8US23hCjkDHR4bB5OAly5tAibTd8prs47-bX0ENM_8QHtW48tfAAAivIVTPh9JPMpbb7H6bQhZytAEE4uWcAxEQ2V65J/s200/naps-and-spankings.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I was in the closet about these two kinks that I didn't choose. They were always on my mind. Always. Especially after I became sexually active. But I suppressed them until I met the people in BDSM in Iceland and saw how perfectly normal those people were. I honestly expected to see them walk in in leather and chains and masks and leashes. But they showed up in jeans and knit sweaters and were so nice. And these people, who had very similar tales to tell were being discriminated against in a very nasty way. That's when I decided that maybe it was okay for me to be me - to <i>fully</i> be me - and step out of the closet. I stopped suppressing who I was and I now embrace both kinks with other people. I now know that I'm not abnormal and this isn't something I need to be ashamed of. I've embraced myself as I am internally. I feel a lot more confident as a result. Maybe one day I'll be able to step fully out of the closet and reveal that other kink, but then maybe people don't need to know the specifics. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The naysayers fussed over the term BDSM orientation, saying it was something BDSM in Iceland made up to try to get in. They're wrong. It's a term that has been popping up for the past few years as more and more people are realizing that this can indeed be an orientation. I always explain it by saying that even when the term "homosexual" and "transgender" didn't exist, homosexuals and transgender people still existed. The term BDSM orientation may be new, but the orientation isn't. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyqt7HZ1r6JAu9MVFd4VZeoNslEBuom3CdK-cMJ-HXORk4hyphenhyphenfr8hVuvH1aKgBhqRnHUmSkjcqZ1o50dF-RsZbtFZoG17KIGPD_pRJLAg-tmU4qPxotxgLAGuX8dt9CDRXFLNqpnNpAxT3/s1600/Vanilla.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyqt7HZ1r6JAu9MVFd4VZeoNslEBuom3CdK-cMJ-HXORk4hyphenhyphenfr8hVuvH1aKgBhqRnHUmSkjcqZ1o50dF-RsZbtFZoG17KIGPD_pRJLAg-tmU4qPxotxgLAGuX8dt9CDRXFLNqpnNpAxT3/s200/Vanilla.jpg" width="200" /></a>Despite BDSM-oriented people coming out with their stories, naysayers still insisted that this clearly couldn't be an orientation, because it's about sexual behavior instead of who you love. But again they are wrong. People who are BDSM-oriented and are not suppressing it are more likely to be in a relationship with another person of the same orientation, because they can be themselves. If said couple are Dom/sub, their relationship sometimes reflects that. They are also less likely to identify as hetero, because their orientation is about the connection they get through BDSM (which is not only through sex, by the way); not the gender of the person they're with. A study showed that most BDSM-oriented identify as bi or pan, because it's about the BDSM connection; not the gender. If you ask a hetero person who's BDSM oriented if they could choose to have vanilla sex with a person of the opposite sex for the rest of their lives, or BDSM sex with a member of the same sex, it's not unlikely that they'll choose BDSM with a same-sex person. It's not because they're too perverted to choose the vanilla with a person they're naturally attracted to, it's because this is how their sexuality is wired. What attracts, for example, is the dominant or submissive or kinky personality; not the gender. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECXmTxaFT51fBZPZ5AOkyzC0v_pqHU9xDYfT_SCBDgnp0phRAPxlC2bxJoMc8D47Y6b4fImIXZC6zMOFsru3SIwgzv7mGqEeVNeUcUua_L9_VAhOv4qK7xE2PLGqKANjXzjOtwybAGihz/s1600/300px-Leather%252C_Latex%252C_and_BDSM_pride.svg.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECXmTxaFT51fBZPZ5AOkyzC0v_pqHU9xDYfT_SCBDgnp0phRAPxlC2bxJoMc8D47Y6b4fImIXZC6zMOFsru3SIwgzv7mGqEeVNeUcUua_L9_VAhOv4qK7xE2PLGqKANjXzjOtwybAGihz/s200/300px-Leather%252C_Latex%252C_and_BDSM_pride.svg.png" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Leather Pride flag, also used for BDSM.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I know, it's still hard to understand if you're not oriented like this. But I'm certain that in fifteen years or so, this sexual orientation will become as accepted as all the others. They're already ahead in Norway, where BDSM has been a member of the Norwegian LGBT Association for 20 years now. I'm hoping that BDSM in Iceland will be welcome within the Icelandic National Queer Organization. The naysayers are yet again trying to find a legal ground to null and void the decision to let BDSM in Iceland become members of Samtokin 78. This will be the second time, if they succeed, so we'll need to vote for the third time. It's weird that we're fighting for acceptance within the LGBTQ+ crowd, not the people standing outside - who are now beginning to wonder why the older generation of equal rights fighters are so vehemently discriminating against the BDSM-oriented people. And that they're using all the arguments that were used against them to do it. It's stressful, it's ugly, and it's hypocritical. Here are some of the arguments:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmQQN1zA6is7_w7dhdtLtKdmbWSjpTOgFbIQIUfABdFhu200-K9C2bCMuIsZP3k8OmNv5-cHmG1x6daJJiX7K1uiK3hc5j85pIagdrmw8ajiuxKcThSds4TdoFMF49S1cyJ1mZC8X_thI/s1600/motive-perv.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmQQN1zA6is7_w7dhdtLtKdmbWSjpTOgFbIQIUfABdFhu200-K9C2bCMuIsZP3k8OmNv5-cHmG1x6daJJiX7K1uiK3hc5j85pIagdrmw8ajiuxKcThSds4TdoFMF49S1cyJ1mZC8X_thI/s200/motive-perv.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What about the children?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It isn't natural. It's sick. It's perverted. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's all about the sex.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We don't need to know what you do in the bedroom.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's sexual behavior, not an orientation. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's a choice. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sure, buddy. My choice is whether or not I embrace and practice my kink, but that I have it is not my choice. I didn't choose this, just like I didn't choose to be pan, or have blue eyes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wait a second... It's fetish. It IS all about sex. No, it's not ;) When I practice my secret kink, I don't necessarily get orgasm. This isn't about the orgasm for me. Some BDSM-oriented people are left tied up in a corner and stay that way for a lengthy period and don't get an orgasm, because it's not about the sex for them. They get into a different state of mind when they're tied up like that. People in Dom/sub relationships may have sex, but then there are periods where they don't have sex but still maintain the Dom/sub aspects of their relationships. A person gets high from being spanked but doesn't get orgasm. A person gets high from spanking but doesn't get orgasm. BDSM orientation is so much more than just the sex, just like homosexuality is so much more than just the sex and, heterosexuality is so much more than just the sex. Now that I've embraced myself fully, I doubt I'll go into a relationship with a person who isn't BDSM oriented, or at least who's willing to let BDSM be a part of the relationship - and not because the bedroom will be vanilla (I sometimes like vanilla), but because that connection I get with a person through BDSM would be missing. It's extremely hard to explain, but it's time to start trying. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IKRq2Z7CKzrn701s-lZfQVonhVy_q4-igMpPokqN3zNo-CqdDV8YQXBw95AkRJQ_nCrmhFWx12hLeeoqTMo2dsc2Zy4_0F5d37ih_nLTcECDispe0DaEWHtlC-rj1fZkfl7uThP8r16C/s1600/Sub.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IKRq2Z7CKzrn701s-lZfQVonhVy_q4-igMpPokqN3zNo-CqdDV8YQXBw95AkRJQ_nCrmhFWx12hLeeoqTMo2dsc2Zy4_0F5d37ih_nLTcECDispe0DaEWHtlC-rj1fZkfl7uThP8r16C/s200/Sub.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, yes! Prize! I almost forgot. I'm going to do a tongue-in-cheek and offer up an ebook version of <a href="https://riverdaleavebooks.com/books/27/50-shades-of-gay" target="_blank">50 Shades of Gay</a> (that's GAY not Grey), by Jeffery Self. Just because. I'll also throw in an e-copy of one of my books. What you have to do to qualify is comment on this post and leave me a way to reach you (email, or facebook link). The contest runs from May 17th to midnight on May 24th. I will draw and contact a winner on May 25th. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBf8L96t3IUBLfrOiOMhqNXjppm1LEiniYgnDrfeZEASmKKY1AwLvBg8d2-O_13OHvO5AADm8WQZlgK4gpnbmCJ1Q1yE6AnbMygo691AzAyaNuCU76DuWsmQbmBoARTVkEvrM6C9VmTt0/s1600/50+Shades+of+Gay-large.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBf8L96t3IUBLfrOiOMhqNXjppm1LEiniYgnDrfeZEASmKKY1AwLvBg8d2-O_13OHvO5AADm8WQZlgK4gpnbmCJ1Q1yE6AnbMygo691AzAyaNuCU76DuWsmQbmBoARTVkEvrM6C9VmTt0/s200/50+Shades+of+Gay-large.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But there's more. Check out all these participating blogs, read their stories, and win their prizes. Happy hopping ^.^</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">>>Disclaimer: The photos that go with this post are purely meant as humor. I really don't think that every person who is against BDSM in Iceland becoming associated with S78 is a prude. <<</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div></div>
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document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=624137&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
</script> <!--end InLinkz script-->Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-77352832500765724742016-04-11T01:03:00.005-07:002016-09-14T16:38:01.699-07:00BDSM hneigð: Ekki ákveða fyrir mig<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ég hef verið meðlimur að Samtökunum 78 í fjögur ár. Fyrst kom ég inn sem gagnkynhenigður stuðningsmaður, en svo fór ég að sætta mig við það að ég væri pankynhneigð og kom út með það á síðasta ári. Áður en ég gekk inn hélt ég, eins og örugglega flestir sem standa fyrir utan félagið, að allir væru þarna valhoppandi með regnbogafána í samstöðu sinni, en síðustu mánuði hef ég séð annað og heyrt enn meira.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Það eru ofboðslega miklir fordómar í Samtökunum 78!</span></b> Gegn tvíkynhneigðum, pankynhneigðum, transfólki, intersexfólki, og asexualfólki. Það eru kynþáttafordómar og fordómar gegn ákveðnum týpum af hommum og lesbíum. Nú síðast hafa verið gríðalegir fordómar gegn BDSM fólki (og fólki með blæti). Frá því málið með BDSM aðildina byrjaði hefur stór hluti af eldri kynslóð af baráttufólki talað um Samtökin 78 eins og að við hin séum ekki þarna. Að þetta séu enn bara samtök homma og lesbía. Það eru mörg ár síðan að þetta breyttist og allir félagar hafa atkvæðisrétt. Enginn hefur meiri rétt til þess að ákveða hluti fyrir félagið en annar. <b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Samtökin 78 snúast ekki lengur bara um baráttumál homma og lesbía. Það er engin ný stefnubreyting.</span></b> Samtökin hafa breyttst mikið frá því þau voru stofnuð og áherslurnar með. Þar þarf engu að breyta fyrir BDSM fólkið, nema að bæta þeim við rununa, því þau smellpassa inni í það sem Samtökin 78 berst fyrir:</div>
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"1.2. Markmið félagsins er að lesbíur, hommar, tvíkynhneigðir, asexual, pankynhneigðir, intersex fólk og trans fólk, hér eftir nefnd hinsegin fólk, verði sýnileg og viðurkennd og njóti fyllstu réttinda í íslensku samfélagi.</div>
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1.3. Markmiðum sínum hyggst félagið einkum ná með því:</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>að skapa hinsegin fólki félagslegan og menningarlegan vettvang og styrkja þannig sjálfsvitund þess, samkennd og samstöðu um sérkenni sín.</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>að vinna að baráttumálum hinsegin fólks, svo og fræðslu um reynslu þess og sérkenni, eftir þeim leiðum sem árangursríkastar þykja hverju sinni svo sem á vettvangi löggjafarvalds, í opinberu fræðslukerfi og í fjölmiðlum. </div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>að eiga samstarf við sambærileg samtök, hópa og áhugafólk hérlendis og erlendis sem stefna að sömu markmiðum; styðja önnur félagasamtök, sem vinna að mannréttindum, og afla stuðnings þeirra.”</div>
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Nú eru margir að reyna að finna hvað sem er til að mótmæla aðild BDSM á Íslandi að Samtökunum 78, til þess að þurfa ekki að viðurkenna að þeir séu með fordóma, meðal annars með því að segja að BDSM á Íslandi hafi engin baráttumál og eigi því ekki að vera með. <b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Hver voru baráttumál pankynhneigðra og asexualfólks á sínum tíma?</span></b> Engin, svo að ég viti, nema að “styrkja...sjálfsvitund þeirra, samkennd og samstöðu um sérkenni sín.” Að koma fram með “fræðslu um reynslu þess og sérkenni.” Og til að aðrir sem eru eins þurfi ekki að lifa í skömminni lengur yfir einhverju sem þau geta ekki breytt.</div>
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Og nú er ósátt fólk að lýsa yfir vantrausti á stjórnina. Ef aðildinni hefði verið hafnað á þessum fundi þá hefði stjórnin eflaust staðið sig frábærlega! Stjórnin hefur staðið sig frábærlega, og ég veit persónulega að það hefur verið erfið vinna fyrir þau að finna leið til þess að finna lausn á þessari klípu. Lög félagsins gera ekki ráð fyrir að aðalfundir séu véfengdir og því engin heimild fyrir því að halda annan aðalfund, þannig að stjórnin settu völdin í hendur félagsmanna, því það eru jú félagsmenn sem ákveða stóru málin. Allir kostir í stöðunni voru jafn ólöglegir. Það er ekki hægt að segja að ein leið sé ölöglegri en önnur. <b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Það voru félagsmenn sem ákváðu að fara þá leið sem var farin, ekki stjórnin.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: large;">BDSM hneigð</span></b></div>
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Nú langar mig til að útskýra svolítið með sjálfa mig. Ég man first til þess að ég var sex ára þegar ég var að teikna myndir af bundnu fólki. Í huganum var ég orðin fullorðin og var að gera slíka hluti með öðru fólki. Ég hafði aldrei séð klámfengt efni, vissi bara frá vinkonu minni að fólk lagðist nakið upp í rúm og hossaðist eitthvað. Ég vissi líka að þessar myndir sem ég teiknaði voru ekki eðlilegar og eitthvað sem ég varð að fela. Sem betur fer, því ég get ekki ímyndað mér hvernig foreldrar mínir hefðu brugðist við ef þau hefðu séð þetta. Allar götur síðan hefur þetta verið fantasía hjá mér. Og ég hef skammast mín alveg ofboðslega fyrir það. Þetta var ekki eðlilegt, ég var afbrigðileg, og ég var ein um að hugsa svona. Ég faldi þetta vel svo að enginn kæmist að þessu, ekki einu sinni maðurinn sem ég var með í 17 ár! Ég hef aldrei orðið fyrir kynferðislegu áreyti og hafði ekki enn lent í einelti. Ég á heimsins bestu foreldra og þau stóðu sig frábærlega í sínu foreldrahlutverki. Ég komst seinna að því að fólk stundaði byndingar, en vissi ekki að mörg þeirra væru eins og ég, þ.e. höfðu verið svona frá því löngu fyrir kynþroskaaldur.</div>
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Það sem ég vil, nú þegar byrjað að tala um BDSM sem hneigð er að ef foreldrar uppgötva að börn sín og unglingar séu með BDSM hneigð að þau sýni börnum sínu skilning. Ég vil að foreldrar viti að þetta sé eðlilegt og að barnið fái að vita að þetta sé eðlilegt. Ég vil ekki að fólk þurfi að hata sjálft sig í 20-40 ár áður en það lærir að það sé ekkert að því. Hvort það eigi að bæta þessu við í fræðsluefni skólanna þá þarf þess ekki í mínum huga, því bara það að vera í Samtökunum 78 mun flýta fyrir baráttu BDSM hneigðra gegn fordómum um fimmtán ár. Það er augljóst að það er mikið verk fyrir höndum, eins og sjá má á samfélagsmiðlum og reiði hinsegin fólks við aðildarsamþykkt BDSM á Íslandi.</div>
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Ég hef aldrei stundað bondage/byndingar. Ég veit ekki hvort ég eigi eftir að gera það, en hvort ég geri það eða ekki þá er ég samt með þessa hneigð (alveg eins og ég veit að ég er pankynhneigð án þess að hafa nokkurntíman verið með konu). Ég hafði aldrei hitt BDSM fólkið fyrr en á þessu ári og hef ekki haft samskipti við það fyrir utan þessa tvo umræðufundi eftir aðalfundinn, og svo á félagsfundinum. Ég var enn inni í skápnum með þessa hneigð mína þar til nýlega þegar mér blöskraði svo illilega að <b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">fólk væri að ákveða fyrir mig að þetta væri ekki hneigð.</span></b></div>
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Fyrir þessar umræður hafði mér aldrei dottið í hug að þetta gæti flokkast sem hneigð, þannig að það er ekkert skrítið að aðrir séu ringlaðir. En þegar ég hugsa út í það þá er þetta <span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b>1) ekki eitthvað sem ég valdi mér, 2) eitthvað sem ég vil ekki hafa! 3) eitthvað sem kom upp löngu fyrir kynþroskaaldur, 3) eitthvað sem ég hef falið allt mitt líf og skammast mín fyrir, 4) eitthvað sem ég hef verið í djúpri afneitun með 5) eitthvað sem ég get ekki losnað við</b> </span>(ég hef reynt að finna leiðir).<br />
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Ég spyr: <b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Ef þetta er ekki hluti af minni kynhneigð, hvað er þetta þá?</span></b> Og ef þetta er hluti af minni kynhneigð, af hverju má ég ekki berjast fyrir því að aðrir sem eru eins og ég fái að vita að það sé fullkomlega eðlilegt að vera svona? Að þau þurfi ekki að skammast sín og hata sjálfa sig í mörg ár áður en þau skilja að þetta sé ekki eins afbrigðilegt og samfélagið vill meina?</div>
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Eftir fimmtán ár þá eigium við eftir að líta til baka og hrista hausinn yfir þessu öllu saman, að fólk hafi í alvörunni verið að standa í vegi fyrir þessari aðild, alveg eins og við (flest) hristum hausin yfir því að tvíkynhneigðir hafi þurft að berjast fyrir því að komast inn í Samtökin 78, og að transfólk hafi svo þurft að berjast fyrir því að komast inn líka. Við eigum líka eftir að hrista hausinn yfir þeim gríðarlegu fordómafullu commentum sem eru í sambandi við þetta á samfélagsmiðlum. </div>
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(Sorry, international friends. This has to be in Icelandic as it is directed toward the Icelandic public.)</div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-90063299555772078352015-12-09T13:24:00.000-08:002015-12-09T13:24:44.974-08:00Giveaway: Black Hurricane by Erica Pike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Vs8Cv6NSy2wYtpf4hDRI2wpeXsBKehWa3LzJv0I6GqXopm-uJy67v2zl-Cu2ercS2sA2avdE4WXJ4s0Q8B3Oh1qNKlbzUs4O7WLC5H2UClsjYCudk-eGvjMi6yEh4fAtFGTwkCnqL-fu/s1600/Gratitude+and+Giving+small.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Vs8Cv6NSy2wYtpf4hDRI2wpeXsBKehWa3LzJv0I6GqXopm-uJy67v2zl-Cu2ercS2sA2avdE4WXJ4s0Q8B3Oh1qNKlbzUs4O7WLC5H2UClsjYCudk-eGvjMi6yEh4fAtFGTwkCnqL-fu/s320/Gratitude+and+Giving+small.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hi guys and happy holidays to those who celebrate it :) I know it's early, but this is my official Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's post. I'm not going to spend many words on it, as writing doesn't come easy for me these days. I'm hoping it'll pick up early next year. November and December are always a bit of a wash for me, and so is October because of GRL. I did manage to complete a manuscript this summer and it will be out sometime next year. It's a YA apocalyptic with gay characters. Beside that, I'm working on a couple of other things I'm hoping will be released next year as well, so I might as well make that my New Year's resolution ;)</div>
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Anyway, my lovely friend <a href="http://chaosinthemoonlight.blogspot.is/2015/12/gratitude-giving-day-9-erica-pike.html?zx=c422c463b3df0266" target="_blank">K-Lee Klein</a> is doing a 31 Days of Gratitude and Giving blog theme throughout the month of December. That means one giveaway a day! There's still time to take part in the giveaways that have already begun. Today is my turn and I'm giving away a copy of Black Hurricane to one commenter (on K-Lee's blog). </div>
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Hope you all have a great December and a wonderful new year! </div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-57802836489589353682015-09-04T03:19:00.000-07:002015-09-04T03:19:08.276-07:00Featured Guest Blog and Giveaway: Erica Pike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today (or yesterday!), I'm on <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/2015/09/03/grl-featured-blogger-guestpost-giveaway-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Love Bytes Reviews</a> to talk about my personal experience with depression and burnout (which is why you haven't seen anything new from me in ages! But you'll have something soon). Oh, there's also a giveaway. And I put in a whole lot of info on Iceland - landscape, LGBTQI rights and elves!</div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-32525311099054384262015-08-23T16:09:00.000-07:002015-08-23T16:14:46.019-07:00Guest Blog: The Bittersweet Reality of GRL 2015 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm on <a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015/08/the-bittersweet-reality-of-grl-2015-grl-spotlight-stop-with-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Prism Book Alliance</a> today to talk about the bittersweet reality of this year's GayRomLit. </div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-42196375710846248262015-08-21T13:00:00.001-07:002015-08-21T13:00:13.613-07:00GRL 2015 Pre-Orders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that time of year again: GRL!! That's GayRomLit Retreat, for those who don't know. It'll be held in San Diego this year and my cousin Thora and I are going. I can't wait to feel some actual sun on my skin. The weather in Iceland has been horrible this year. And I've been inside most summer...which is entirely my fault, but I've been writing (you heard me!). </div>
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Zathyn, Sam, Katie, Thora and I are doing a theme for the costume party. I already have my costume ordered ^.^ I'm going to bring the same SWAG from last year: postcards, bookmarks, short story paperbacks, and Icelandic candy. What's different this year is that I'll have a publisher table along with 19 other authors. I'll have my MLR books and my Ice Cave book there. We're calling it an indie pub table, even though it's also for books from publishers who aren't selling at the retreat. I haven't worked out the price for each book yet.</div>
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For those who are interested in buying paperbacks at a reduced price can order from this pre-order sheet. It's only for those who will be at GRL since I'm literally hand-delivering the books at the retreat. I've added short descriptions beside each title, but you can go to these pages to read more: <a href="http://www.ericapike.com/p/boston-boys-series.html" target="_blank">Boston Boys</a> and <a href="http://www.ericapike.com/p/college-fun-and-gays-series.html" target="_blank">College Fun and Gays</a>. </div>
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Because I'm going as a featured author, I did a guest post for <a href="http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/4620745.html" target="_blank">Elisa Rolle</a> a while back. I've been so busy trying to finish my next novel that I didn't have much time online, but I'm linking it now. I'll have three other guest posts on other sites leading up to GRL.<br /></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="1120" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RUJmWMdpH24CKsuJLbSxKkXoAtrXaWXwslNhnU_Bzak/viewform?embedded=true" width="535">Loading...</iframe>Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-55614279889038899692015-05-16T17:36:00.000-07:002015-11-18T01:51:51.296-08:00Freedom of Speech - HAHABT 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Isn't it strange how people who speak out against the LGBT community tend to paint themselves as the victims? We see it happen all the time. A recent example from the USA is a small pizza place that said they'd refuse to serve at a same-sex wedding. They got nearly $840,000 from people who saw the owners of the pizza place as the true victims for the backlash they received. According to their supporters, they had a right to state their opinions, even if it showed massive bigotry. A recent example in Iceland is a musician spreading and advocating hate against LGBT people when a town decided to add education about homosexuality into their schools' curriculum. Sadly, he had supporters, about 400 of them the last time I knew. That may seem like a tiny number to the big world out there, but there are only about 320,000 people living in Iceland, so 400 is a lot. They set up a Facebook page and called it "Protect the Children" and hateful things were said. But the difference between the USA and Iceland is that ten of those people are now facing lawsuits for their words.<br />
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Of course, the musician and his followers are now the "true" victims in all this, not being allowed freedom of speech and stating their "humble" opinions. What they failed to understand is that freedom of speech has its limit in Iceland. You're allowed to say whatever the hell you want as long as it doesn't ridicule, calumniate, insult, or assault a person or a group of people because of their nationality, color, race, religion, or sexual inclination (<a href="http://eng.innanrikisraduneyti.is/laws-and-regulations/english/penal-code-and-punishment/nr/1145" target="_blank">General Penal Code</a>, article 233 a). In other words, they're not allowed to verbally attack what is already a vulnerable minority group. If these ten people people are found guilty, they'll get heavy fines or prison for up to two years (but most likely it'll only be fines). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by ilco via FreeImages.com</span></td></tr>
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So, people over here are allowed to have their opinions, but they're not allowed to express them however they please in public. It sounds bad when you say it like that, but given the alternative of allowing hate speech without consequences, it isn't bad at all. Many countries forbid hate speech and are certainly not worse for it. Countries like Sweden, The Netherlands, France, and South Africa. Canada has banned the Westboro Baptist Church for entering their borders because of hate speech ("Church members enter Canada, aiming to picket bus victim's funeral", CBC News, 8 August 2008.).<br />
You see, when Freedom of Speech was first introduced, it did have its limits. John Stuart Mill introduced the "Harm Principle" that would put limitation on freedom of speech. He said "the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." ("Freedom of Speech". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 17 April 2008.).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by lusi via FreeImages.com</span></td></tr>
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Prevent harm to others, he said. But what are anti-LGBT activists doing? They are spreading nasty messages about LGBT people to cause harm. "Harm" doesn't always mean that it's physical, it can be financial, libel, and injustice. It can be a mob yelling demeaning things at a single person, and no one can convince me that it wouldn't cause the person psychological harm. Hell, they're allowed to spread <i>lies</i> about minority groups without having to face any consequences. Really, outright lies!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by coachen via FreeImages.com</span></td></tr>
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I think that officials in these countries - especially the USA that prides itself of free speech - are afraid of actually trying to put legal restriction on hate speech. They're afraid of backlash from the public and their fellow congressmen (because congressmen will use everything to attack one another in elections), of being accused of trying suppress opinions. Because that's what bullies do: they're loud, they act out, and they throw around big words and accusations to get their way. But these officials wouldn't be suppressing opinions, they'd only be limiting how these opinions are expressed in public, and the only reason they would do that would be to protect minority groups from harm. Freedom of speech is a human right, but how is it a human right not to be able to get justice for someone spreading lies about you and trying to get others to hate you because you're Hispanic/gay/Muslim/disabled/etc.?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by haiinee via FreeImages.com</span></td></tr>
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Now, most of my readers and fellow authors are United States citizens. I respect that you may have a different opinion about freedom of speech. This post is not about ridiculing Americans. It is simply about me being unhappy with acceptance - even protection - of hate speech when it does more harm than good (in my opinion ^.^). </div>
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In relation to this, but also on a completely different note, a study was made in 1996 about homophobes. The result? <i>"...students who had the greatest sexual identity conflict -- young men and women who reported a straight identity while scoring highest on homosexual tendencies -- also exhibited a number of behaviors consistent with homophobia. They tended to report more negative or fearful attitudes toward gays and lesbians, tended to be biased against homosexuals in hypothetical situations, and were more likely to endorse anti-gay policies."</i> (<a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/homophobia-linked-repressed-homosexual-arousal-authoritarian-parenting-435780" target="_blank">ibtimes.com</a>) Meaning that those who protest the loudest are most likely to be homosexual. Here's a video that explains the study:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xP4zr0agHSM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xP4zr0agHSM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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I should have started the post with the below introduction, but I wanted to dive right into the issue. Today is the <a href="http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/" target="_blank">International Day Against Homopohobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia</a>. For the last four years, I've been organizing the <a href="http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hop Against Homophobia, Bi- and Transphobia</a> with friends. The hop starts today and ends on the 24th. Over 100 authors, publishers, reviewers, and cover designers of LGBT literature are taking part in the hop to spread the message about bi-, trans-, and homophobic discrimination, and stand together against discrimination of our books. It is tradition to offer a prize. I'm offering one of my ebooks to four people who comment. The winners will be chosen at random and may choose which ebook and in what format. I will draw the winners on the 25th and contact them, so please include your email or a way for me to contact you (e.g. a facebook link) in your comment. But everyone can get something: I have a number of <a href="http://www.ericapike.com/p/free-reads.html" target="_blank">free works</a> that anyone can download.<br />
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If you're interested in more articles about the issue in Iceland, here are a couple of links:<br />
<a href="http://www.gayiceland.is/2015/freedom-speech/" target="_blank">Freedom Of Speech</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gayiceland.is/2015/come-kids-lets-gay/" target="_blank">Come On Kids, Let's All Join Hands And Be Gay!</a><br />
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Here are other links on free speech vs. hate speech:<br />
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/02/free-speech-isnt-free/283672/" target="_blank">Free Speech i</a><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/02/free-speech-isnt-free/283672/" target="_blank">sn't Free</a><br />
<a href="http://thoughtcatalog.com/tanya-cohen/2015/01/here-is-why-its-time-to-get-tough-on-hate-speech-in-america/" target="_blank">Here Is Why It's Time To Get Though On Hate Speech In America</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/world/americas/11iht-hate.4.13645369.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">Hate speech or free speech? What much of West bans is protected in U.S.</a><br />
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And below are the links to the rest of the people taking part.<br />
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Happy hopping :)<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b>Edited: The winners are redtigerburninglust, Kassandra, MA Church, and Trix. Congrats :) You will receive email shortly. </b></span></div>
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<script src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=644125FF-AACF-4A13-A08A-696A562D8FB3" type="text/javascript"></script>Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-62968874013558422402015-04-18T05:10:00.000-07:002015-04-18T05:10:04.610-07:00LGBTQ Push Back Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMTv1DbDxwOSjN7dKc06PoF3Bmc_vHas22ZL7wfQEph3g976pd_T3CZmVqzlU1j3JjCnsBS0fpdfhjb9tVerRY7ffn23SdYcyA_cVjIsF1LMDN-UOvt1t2qDlpOjDm1eUBoAwW4NFGCf0/s1600/LGBT+Push+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMTv1DbDxwOSjN7dKc06PoF3Bmc_vHas22ZL7wfQEph3g976pd_T3CZmVqzlU1j3JjCnsBS0fpdfhjb9tVerRY7ffn23SdYcyA_cVjIsF1LMDN-UOvt1t2qDlpOjDm1eUBoAwW4NFGCf0/s1600/LGBT+Push+Back.jpg" height="120" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hi guys,</div>
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I'm taking part in a massive giveaway to try to raise money for LGBT organizations. What you need to do to try to win one of the 224 books offered is to donate to an LGBT organization of your choice (but this is in answer to the Indiana <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3033049/Full-house-Indiana-pizza-parlor-reopens-owners-840-000-donations-saying-won-t-cater-gay-weddings.html" target="_blank">pizza place disgrace</a>, so an Indiana LGBT organization would be nice - but not necessary), comment about it on this site: <a href="http://diversereader.blogspot.com/2015/04/lgbtq-push-back-charity-giveaway.html" target="_blank">LGBTQ Push Back</a>, and do the Rafflecopter (on their site). </div>
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Here's a direct quote from the organizers of this fundraiser:</div>
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"Changing laws and attitudes takes time, and right now there are LGBT people in need who can’t afford to wait. The sooner we can help them, the better, and the more resources we have, the more help we can offer.</div>
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That’s why 224 authors, review bloggers, and publishers have got together to offer something wonderful: <b>a reward for people who do a little bit to give back to charity. Instead of spending $5 on a book in the next two weeks, give that $5 to an LGBT charity of your choice, tell us about it in the comments, and go into the draw to win a book from one of our participating donors. And because it’s not all about money, if you can’t make a donation then please take a moment to share a charity’s links and tell us about that instead.</b></div>
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Three fundraisers have been set up to counter the hateful effects of Indiana’s SB 101. <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/Pizza4Equality" target="_blank">#Pizza4Equality</a> is aiming to match the money raised by *that* pizza parlor, with all donations going to Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund. Another fundraiser is aiming to raise $100,000 for <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/lgbtIN" target="_blank">Indiana Youth Group</a>. Finally, <a href="https://www.crowdrise.com/lgbtpizza" target="_blank">Planting Peace</a> is trying to raise $100,000 to provide beds for homeless LGBT people.</div>
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Please consider giving to one of these deserving fundraisers, or any other LGBT charity anywhere in the world. We’re not telling you where you should donate your time and money, only asking that you do. The smallest things can make the biggest difference, and together, we can do something incredible.</div>
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<b>The Charity Giveaway will run from the 18th of April until the 1st of May.</b> [This last emphasis is mine]"</div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-91383909963486598392015-04-15T03:14:00.003-07:002015-04-15T03:14:55.118-07:00All Romance eBooks Book Blast! 25% Off.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjqeO1b82kncJ1jBe8D4QAoCfkD8hKEujbBItfXfNQjTwCEaAeeb_B7uwKKR8AtBFepsn5W-ANDhLmrRAOSBoPYGAU6fG2YO1CUmw7-rCN8Q2m0gtCsQuQ6gG2Iu3ctPKPq8hJkPxqX5f/s1600/AREBLAST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjqeO1b82kncJ1jBe8D4QAoCfkD8hKEujbBItfXfNQjTwCEaAeeb_B7uwKKR8AtBFepsn5W-ANDhLmrRAOSBoPYGAU6fG2YO1CUmw7-rCN8Q2m0gtCsQuQ6gG2Iu3ctPKPq8hJkPxqX5f/s1600/AREBLAST.jpg" height="87" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hi guys,</div>
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Today - on my birthday! - is ARe's Book Blast. All my titles are available at a 25% discount today. Loads of more books as well. Here's a link: <a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Erica+Pike" target="_blank">ARe's Book Blast</a>.</div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-53727130156533081672015-02-13T05:58:00.000-08:002015-02-13T05:58:43.271-08:00Boston Boys: "Erica Pike knows how to break a reader’s heart..."It was a wonderful surprise to see the <a href="http://www.ericapike.com/p/boston-boys-series.html" target="_blank">Boston Boys series</a> reviewed on <a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015/02/boston-boys-series-by-erica-pike-book-review-by-brandilyn/" target="_blank">Prism Book Alliance</a>. It received 4.5 stars and the review was for the series as a whole as well as each individual book. Here's a little quote:<br />
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"This series has a theme for everyone, characters you just want to hug and protect from the world, and age appropriate dialogue and prose. Each story in the series can stand alone, but as with most series, you get a richer experience if you read them together.<br />
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Throughout the series, we watch the power of friendship help heal heartbreak, protect fragile hearts, and guide friends to love."<br />
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Thank you Brandilyn ^.^<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F4MxVDMuLKFMAtH1mnan449XVFyS8wOojpl7RWuiYiFJdBN9P1OhSLns1D35fOVXxB3Y1M70eki-a1ulI2XTyN7sGZtuUtXG_fZwHjE0EYYEtN7GfwarRnwHCg7SzXBWezwDlU_K4q4m/s1600/Prism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F4MxVDMuLKFMAtH1mnan449XVFyS8wOojpl7RWuiYiFJdBN9P1OhSLns1D35fOVXxB3Y1M70eki-a1ulI2XTyN7sGZtuUtXG_fZwHjE0EYYEtN7GfwarRnwHCg7SzXBWezwDlU_K4q4m/s1600/Prism.jpg" /></a></div>
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By the way, Prism Books is having a fantastic contest throughout 2015. This is what they say on their site: "One random commenter will win a $25 gift certificate each month in 2015." That's for the site as a whole - not just this review.Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-16809881085650550052014-10-13T06:01:00.000-07:002014-10-13T06:01:00.158-07:00Jamie Lynn Miller: Romance Among the Stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8ufJCSbbHy-skabrT8-X_efrLaILQT-7XMcfbnQAmQUNmMUgJv6k-bxwqp8APPxPhca4OKb282TkWk4PTc4PdrKjt78MQLyS_TevzukjEKoj8Rsd5EUwj6nqyNXDFi0CqPgubLoLlng8/s1600/Stars+cover+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8ufJCSbbHy-skabrT8-X_efrLaILQT-7XMcfbnQAmQUNmMUgJv6k-bxwqp8APPxPhca4OKb282TkWk4PTc4PdrKjt78MQLyS_TevzukjEKoj8Rsd5EUwj6nqyNXDFi0CqPgubLoLlng8/s1600/Stars+cover+small.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">I have a guest today! I've been marathon-watching Stargate Atlantis (for the third time...), and appropriately have Jamie Lynn Miller here to talk about her latest M/M sci-fi release: An Endless Sea of Stars. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Let's start with some questions:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Is there, or has there been, a person in your life you dreaded telling
about writing M/M romance?</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My husband. It was four years after we got married that I started writing gay
fiction (I'd previously been writing m/f). Telling my husband that I wrote
male/male stories was one of the most awkward and difficult conversations I’ve
ever had in my life! At least on my part! Turns out I’d worked myself up for
nothing. Bless his heart, he took the news without even blinking and has been
my biggest supporter ever since my first book was published in 2008. Like he
said, it’s perfectly acceptable for a man to get turned on by watching two
women together, why should it be any different for a woman and two men? Smart
man, my husband.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">If you could live a day in your favorite film of all time, knowing to come
out of the experience alive and well no matter the genre of the movie, would
you? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, absolutely! And the movie would be Star Wars, hands down. I'd give anything
to either wield a lightsaber or fly an X-Wing!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Have you studied anything that you consider backs you up as a writer? </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, actually, I have. I've been interested in law enforcement since I was a
kid and over the last several years I've taken more than 72 weeks of citizen
police and fire academy classes. I used my knowledge to write Memory's
Prisoner, Burnin' for You and Out of the Shadows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Almost everyone has a quote that has stuck with them for a long time. Do
you have one?</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge
from almost all the miseries of life" - W. Somerset Maugham<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
was on a bookmark I found inside a hardcover book I bought at a used bookstore.
I couldn't believe how appropriate it was. I've always escaped into a book when
things got tough, from when I was a kid. I think it's why I ended up becoming a
writer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Do you believe in the supernatural? If so, what kind, i.e. UFOs, ghosts,
rebirth, poltergeist?</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, absolutely! I believe in ghosts, aliens and reincarnation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">What's the best fortune you've ever gotten in a fortune cookie?</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Honest to God, about five years ago I got one that read "You will become
an accomplished writer". I nearly fell out of my chair! I immediately
taped it to my computer monitor where it still is today, inspiring me every
day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">You can only watch one TV show for the rest of your life. What show is it?
Why?</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That would have to be The X-Files, hands down. I loved every aspect of that
show, from the aliens to the creature of the week to Mulder and Scully's
amazing relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Could you just stop writing, for the rest of your life? </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Good lord, no! There are way too many stories locked up inside my head and I
don't see myself running out of ideas. Ever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">You’re going to end up on a desert island, all
alone except a couple from one of your published stories. You get to choose,
but keep in mind you’d probably end up witnessing them trying to kill boredom
with sex. A lot. Which couple would you choose, and why?</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think I'd pick Cade and Toby from An Endless Sea of Stars. They're both
quite comfortable being in and around water. So I'd get to watch them walk
around in just their underwear (or nothing at all!) and frolic in the ocean. No
way could I ever get bored!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Writing summaries and blurbs, love it or hate it?</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hate it! LOL! Writing a 50,000 word story is easier than having to try and
condense the whole thing down to a couple of sentences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Well, thanks for that. I haven't had the internet since I moved houses, so I've been watching TV series while I've unpacked. Among those were Firefly (and Serenity) and Stargate Atlantis. I also watched Star Wars as a child and they certainly made an impact on me. Those who know me know I'm a sucker for sci-fi. So, here's the guest post:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many thanks to Erica for having me here today to talk about my new
novella, An Endless Sea of Stars. I've been a sci-fi fan since 1977, the year
that a little film called Star Wars hit the movie screens. I was only six years
old back then. While my friends wanted to go see Bambi I was begging my dad to
take me to Star Wars. My mother thought I was nuts and refused to go, saying my
dad was just wasting his money because I wouldn't understand the movie. Seven
days later and seven consecutive trips to the movies with my dad and she had to
admit she'd made a mistake. :-)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To this day Star Wars remains a big part of my life. My home is
filled with about a thousand pieces of memorabilia and photos of myself with
many of the actors. I also love shows like the original Battlestar Galactica,
Stargate SG-1, Firefly, Buck Rogers, Babylon 5, Fringe, Doctor Who and Alien
Nation. I also read sci-fi novels voraciously.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So why it's taken me to this day to write my first m/m sci-fi
novella I have no idea! LOL! But inspiration finally hit and An Endless Sea of
Stars was born.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is Book One of the Genesis Project series, which follows the
lives of a test pilot and an engineer as Earth strives to build a starship that
will take them beyond the Milky Way and into deep space. My friend Gina calls
the book a "futuristic romance" and I love that description. While it
has sci-fi elements to it, the story takes place entirely on Earth with its
focus on the love story between Toby and Cade. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US">BLURB:</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The year is 2121. While Earth has conquered exploration of the Milky
Way, we have yet to develop an interstellar engine to take us beyond our own
galaxy. Thus the Intergalactic Exploration Alliance and the Gemini Project were
formed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lieutenant Tobias Dekker is fresh out of the IEA academy and
determined to be assigned to the Gemini engineering team. Putting career above
all else. He knows from experience that relationships have no place in the
Alliance. Commander Caden Flynn is equally determined to see the Gemini
prototype take flight to uncharted space. The engine is his late father's
design and he wants nothing more than to be the test pilot that breaks the next
light speed barrier.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Two men dreaming of a sea of stars find that it's instead an ocean
here on Earth that brings them together. Can Cade convince Toby to open up his
heart and take a chance on love and explore the universe with him, side by
side?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US">EXCERPT:</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby rolled
his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a
smartass?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At that Cade
finally let loose with his suppressed laughter. “I had you going there, though,
didn’t I?” he smirked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby waved his
hand in dismissal. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll have you know that’s <i>never</i> happened
to me before. I would’ve gotten us outta there. I just needed another minute…or
two,” he finished with an embarrassed grin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You know, I
really should report this to Hank,” Cade quipped as he finished removing his
wetsuit. “But!” he held up his hand before Toby could say anything. “We can
forget about the entire thing if…” he trailed off for a second and rummaged in
his duffle bag, pulling out a bottle of Kentucky bourbon and showing it to
Toby. “…you have a drink with me.” He shrugged one of his shoulders. “Since I
couldn’t get you to a bar with me I thought I’d bring the bar to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby paused.
Alone, in the dark, sharing a few drinks. This wasn’t a good idea. He should
politely decline and say they needed to start heading back. But his mouth was
apparently not listening to his brain, because before he could stop himself…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Deal.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A very pleased
smile crossed Cade’s face and he reached over and squeezed Toby’s bare shoulder
before turning back to the duffel bag and producing two plastic cups. A few
minutes later they had donned their t-shirts and shorts and were relaxing on
the bow, sitting close enough that their shoulders were almost touching. The
clouds had dissipated, revealing millions of stars twinkling in the clear sky
and a full moon reflecting on the water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade took a
swallow of bourbon and turned his head toward Toby. “I can’t get over what an
amazing feeling it was, being down in those caves tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby took a
drink as well. “Been through those caves ‘bout a hundred times. But like I said
earlier, there’s something different every time. It never gets boring.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade looked up
toward the sky. “It’s like being out in the stars. I don’t think I’ll ever get
tired of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby couldn’t
help his wistful, and envious, sigh. “Closest I’m probably ever gonna get to
the stars is in one of the flight simulators.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“From what I
hear you’ve made some fabulous improvements to those simulators,” Cade said. “I
wish I’d had you building and programming them when I was in flight school.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby turned to
look at him. “How did you know I was on the simulator team?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade shrugged,
took another drink. “After we met I took the liberty of looking into your
Academy history.” He grinned. “I was curious as to who was going to be teaching
me.” Cade shifted so that he was turned more fully toward Toby. “And I was damn
impressed at what I read. You need to stop selling yourself short when it comes
to your dream of working on the Gemini project. You’re in the top two percent
of your class, Toby. Alliance Command is not going to overlook that when they
hand out assignments next month.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby shook his
head. “Don’t you think they’d want someone older, more experienced, working on
something as monumentally important as Earth’s first hyperdrive engine?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Just because
you haven’t been in space doesn’t mean you’re not qualified to work on a
starship engine. It’s about technical expertise, not flight time.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby now
turned to face Cade, a tinge of excitement in his voice. “Tell me about that.
What’s it like up there? I’ve gotta admit that as much as I want to experience
it for myself, it makes me kinda nervous, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“It’s a lot
like scuba diving, actually,” Cade began, then tipped his head up toward the
sky, his voice gone quiet. “Surrounded by an endless sea of stars instead of
water. It’s beautiful. And so serene. But there’s so much more out there to
explore than in just our galaxy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby couldn’t
help but smile at the passion and wonder in Cade’s voice. “You said we’re close
to breaking barrier three?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade nodded
and finished off his drink, poured himself another and topped off Toby’s. “The
engine tests we’ve been running are really promising. Captain Hoffman’s team is
burning the midnight oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“From what you
told me last month it sounds like you are, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade blew out
a breath. “You know how badly you want in the Gemini program? That’s how badly
I want to pilot that next barrier flight. It’s going to come down to myself,
Logan Ramsey, Kenji Tran or Padma Singh. And they’re all damn good test
pilots.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Well let me
give you some sage advice that a friend of mine gave me,” Toby said with a
grin. “Don’t sell yourself short.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade gave him
a look. “Now who’s the smartass?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby just
laughed and knocked his cup against Cade’s. He settled back to look up at the
stars, and Cade did the same. They let the quiet of the open ocean surround
them for several minutes, nothing but the sound of gentle waves against the
hull.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Does this
place have a name?” Cade asked quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Not that I
know of,” Toby answered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Then I think
we should call it Dekker’s Cove.” He once again turned his head to look at
Toby. “Thanks again for taking me out here. This is your spot and you didn’t
have to share it with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby turned
his head to look back at Cade, his voice sincere. “I wanted to. I knew you’d
appreciate how special it was.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade pinned
him with a gaze full of hope and desire. “There are a lot of things I’m finding
are special down here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby’s breath
caught in his throat. It would be so damn easy to give in to Cade’s
flirtations. To say the hell with it and just reach over and touch him. Because
Toby knew that’s all it would take. One touch. But then what? A summer fling,
like they were teenagers away at camp? Toby just wasn’t wired like that, for
one-time hook ups. Especially with someone like Cade. He knew he’d want more
and he knew it’d never work. He just needed to keep reminding himself that it
was Cade’s <i>friendship</i> that was most important, what he really wanted,
was the only thing that would work between them. But it was getting harder and
harder to do with each passing day he spent with Cade. His heart was warring
with his head. And he honestly didn’t know which was going to win.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The moment
stretched on between them, Toby knowing Cade was waiting for <i>something</i>
from Toby, but he didn’t trust himself to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade glanced
away, then back. “Toby, I…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And Toby’s
stomach somersaulted, certain of what Cade was going to say next. He wasn’t
ready for this…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“…I have to
leave tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby blinked
and released a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Wh-what?” he
stuttered, completely caught off guard by Cade’s words, so far from what he had
been expecting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cade sighed.
“I’m needed back at Alliance HQ. I found out this morning but was putting off
telling you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“That – that’s
okay. I understand,” Toby replied, trying to hide his disappointment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I even
brought a holo vid of a rugby match I was hoping to show you tomorrow,” Cade
grinned and Toby chuckled. “Next month, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toby nodded.
“Next month.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next month.
One last chance for Toby to sort out his feelings for Cade. And be able to live
with that decision with no regrets. He had a sneaking suspicion that was going
to be easier said than done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BUY LINKS:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ng25ocw">http://tinyurl.com/ng25ocw</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">LuLu (Paperback and epub): <a href="http://tinyurl.com/qe5oeal"><span style="color: blue;">http://tinyurl.com/</span><u><span style="color: blue;">qe5oeal</span></u></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kobo: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nvj3toh">http://tinyurl.com/nvj3toh</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Barnes and Noble: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ow92qj2">http://tinyurl.com/ow92qj2</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also available at the iBookstore<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CONTACT INFO:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jamie Lynn Miller<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="mailto:jamielynnmiller@live.com">jamielynnmiller@live.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.jamielynnm.wordpress.com/">http://www.jamielynnm.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/jamielynn.miller.3">http://www.facebook.com/jamielynn.miller.3</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3EQmlztHOUN2n4M6z54zRJKl5cObXwavQ_ItVctdly4pywwYCGebU5sXm7RS2d9EMUa9xc8r5j6YOz-h3iXYS44uWXYCE0vHuhQQ0FUjYMrSS_eTb5R_n9qrtLheTCiyuhMUiVbkQ8Cq/s1600/Jamie+photo+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3EQmlztHOUN2n4M6z54zRJKl5cObXwavQ_ItVctdly4pywwYCGebU5sXm7RS2d9EMUa9xc8r5j6YOz-h3iXYS44uWXYCE0vHuhQQ0FUjYMrSS_eTb5R_n9qrtLheTCiyuhMUiVbkQ8Cq/s1600/Jamie+photo+small.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jamie Lynn Miller has been writing
fiction since childhood and decided to take the plunge and go pro in 2008,
finding to her amazement that people truly enjoyed her love stories. She’s a
romantic at heart, and her tales reflect the desire we all have to find “the
one,” persevering through trials and heartache for that happy ending.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jamie has a degree in fine arts
and has spent the last twenty years working as a graphic designer, though she’d
much rather be writing. She was born in Chicago and still lives there today
with her husband and their two furry, four-footed children, er… cats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If she’s not brainstorming story
ideas, you can find Jamie at a sci-fi convention, in front of a furnace doing
glass blowing, or on a mat twisted into a yoga pose.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-35099919008832693442014-09-09T03:18:00.000-07:002014-09-09T03:18:57.674-07:00The Super Couple Rockers of Black HurricaneToday is the day you can play Hangman at <a href="http://www.theromancereviews.com/" target="_blank">The Romance Reviews's Fall Into Love</a> event. I believe my question will be up again during September, so you should be able to answer it a few times to get points for the fun cover matching game. There will only be one question to answer, though, and that is:<br />
<br />
<b>What super couple name has the media given the two main characters of Black Hurricane?</b><br />
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Really, you're not supposed to know the answer when you play Hangman, - that's the whole fun of Hangman - but if you need a clue, you can find the answer in this excerpt:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezw_PwWTA5RaiWeSOj3nWZdNzTaKM3GVm6y5zNBCCYrsK9f7u4utBvWYIDWf3h82N9RUUbBt3u-Ook758J-jLFjA-37bOsAL6cCbXdsDuuyDAhcKkp00_YYeMY1aU71TXq-YCA_yDNAOj/s1600/Black+Hurricane+Official.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezw_PwWTA5RaiWeSOj3nWZdNzTaKM3GVm6y5zNBCCYrsK9f7u4utBvWYIDWf3h82N9RUUbBt3u-Ook758J-jLFjA-37bOsAL6cCbXdsDuuyDAhcKkp00_YYeMY1aU71TXq-YCA_yDNAOj/s1600/Black+Hurricane+Official.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a></div>
<br />
The sun beams down on the black
car that stops outside my door at noon two days later. Ally rolls down the
window and tells me to hop in. Dean’s not in the car and for a moment I worry
that Ally might be working on some scheme concocted by Lee to get rid of me.
Crazier things have happened.<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“We’ll meet up with Dean later,”
she explains as she shifts the car in gear. “Need to ditch the paparazzi first.
Buckle up.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">I fasten the seat belt as soon as
she starts driving. Christ. Maybe this is a plot to kill me after all. I close
my eyes while she zooms between lanes to give photographers a run for their
money.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">The paparazzi have been hounding
my place ever since that YouTube video and tripled in numbers after the
concert. They’re part of the reason why I've been hanging out in my loft so
much these days. They've even started bugging my friends. Eric came by late
last night and shoved a glossy magazine in my face with a picture of him in some
awkward position while getting out of Alex’s car with his arms full of
take-out. His name was even mentioned, as was his <i>Glitter Guys Magazine</i>. They dug it up, somehow, ’cause I know Eric
didn't tell them. Knowing him, he would have posed if he’d known they were snapping
pictures.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“I take it we’re not going to the
house?” I say to Ally. With a gasp, I grab the handlebar to keep myself steady as
she takes a sharp turn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Nope, he has something else
planned,” she says and grins at me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Eyes on the road, please!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Ally laughs and turns back to the
road. “It’s so cool you guys are together. Talk about a hot couple. We've been
trying to come up with a super-couple name for you, but it’s not easy since you
both have short names. Dazz, maybe? McJazz? JazzQueen? Jazdean?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“JazzQueen and Jazdean?” I scoff.
“Makes us sound like girls.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Ally snickers. “The media’s sort
of already decided on Jazdean. Probably a gibe because you guys are gay. Dean
didn't sound too happy about it, so us groupies have been thinking Dazz. Much
cooler, right?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Still sounds gay. Dazz for
‘Dazzle’? But whatever, it’s way too early for a super-couple name. Technically,
we've only been together for two days,” I mutter while I check the mirror for
any chasers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Not according to the media.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">She zooms past Chinatown and through
South Boston. Even though there’s no sign of the paparazzi she keeps driving
like a maniac, taking extra ramps only to get back on the road southward. Damn
lucky there are no cops around. By the time she stops in an empty parking lot
in Dorchester, it feels like my heart got left behind somewhere on Columbia
Road where she dove between two trucks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">An old rust bucket of a pickup
with tinted windows and peeling red paint sidles up next to us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“He’s in <i>there</i>?” I point at the vehicle that seems like it’s about to run on
its last mile. I don’t want to believe that Ally’s in on Lee’s evil plot, but
why would Dean drive a truck like that with all the money he’s got? This looks
more like something within Lee’s budget.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yeah.” She gives me a small
finger wave. “See you at the party tonight?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Party?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Well, it’s more like a
get-together. Maxime thought it would be a good idea to throw one, since there
are still ten days until the next concert. You know, let loose a little. But
Yin didn't want a bunch of people passed out around the house, so they’re only
inviting a few. I think Yin’s already called all your buddies. There’ll only be
a couple of other people.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Right…” I take another look at
the beat-up truck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Well, go on. He’s been planning
this since yesterday. I've been following the band for a whole year now and
I've never seen him this excited about anyone. So romantic.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">“Right,” I repeat a little softer.
My heart finally catches up with us at her words. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US">Taking a deep breath, I open the
door and close it with a resounding snap. It only takes three steps for me to
reach the handle of the junkyard truck. Who will I find behind the steering wheel?
Lee with a gun or Dean with long stemmed roses?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Black Hurricane is available from most online retailers, including: <a href="http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=EPBLKHUR" target="_blank">MLR Press</a>, <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-blackhurricane-1271227-149.html" target="_blank">All Romance eBooks</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Hurricane-ebook/dp/B00EQM5AOE" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/black-hurricane-erica-pike/1116742480?ean=2940148586524" target="_blank">Barnes&Noble</a>, and <a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Black-Hurricane/book-29SBBkAsqEeOerHp2Buu9w/page1.html?s=wqRXR9cmqUqE6F-7yJMBww&r=1" target="_blank">Kobo</a>. </i></span></div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-33618733355848121372014-09-08T07:32:00.000-07:002014-09-08T07:41:40.755-07:00Black Hurricane Blog Tour (5): $50 Amazon GC and Three Signed Paperbacks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdSLVo5erG0twddlUVufXXCpxnJM5B2pLen0ANtVi2SNjlLLKTOfJYbMnISpGHB_9MD1ZIhXaqWseJE7eur0qHdXkpGnh3KIsg0qs3vNiEqQPEJEVJVB2oaWftgKqaHND5C1A8jBxDWpm/s1600/BlackHurricane.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdSLVo5erG0twddlUVufXXCpxnJM5B2pLen0ANtVi2SNjlLLKTOfJYbMnISpGHB_9MD1ZIhXaqWseJE7eur0qHdXkpGnh3KIsg0qs3vNiEqQPEJEVJVB2oaWftgKqaHND5C1A8jBxDWpm/s1600/BlackHurricane.png" /></a></div>
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Today I'm stopping over at <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/2014/09/pride-promotions-presents-black.html" target="_blank">Decadent Delights</a> to share a post about my favorite genre. As always, stop by and take part in the Rafflecopter for a chance to win the VIP pack. You can visit the past stops as well to increase your chances.</div>
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VIP pack: <span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">A $50 Amazon gift card</span></span>, a signed paperback of <span style="background-color: black; color: white;">A Life Without You</span> (novel), <span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Hot Hands </span></span>(novelette), and <span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The Walls Have Ears</span> (short novella) for one (international) winner.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5oG-BfzJIiNSckhcdO6aWZH5QYvOLBtJ-cJsbPZS3Hf9Nrb0JhswGD4NRQnw6ouMepuc-kQuMx_GKAnV-XKgVQQhUFzdF2EU6JP-T1GdKP0Qy__AJzcUo_iaUWSPEopDr2cX9Mbmx0dB/s1600/Prizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5oG-BfzJIiNSckhcdO6aWZH5QYvOLBtJ-cJsbPZS3Hf9Nrb0JhswGD4NRQnw6ouMepuc-kQuMx_GKAnV-XKgVQQhUFzdF2EU6JP-T1GdKP0Qy__AJzcUo_iaUWSPEopDr2cX9Mbmx0dB/s1600/Prizes.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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The other tour stops:</div>
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<i>August 11: <a href="http://becausetwomenarebetterthanone.com/2014/08/11/giveaway-with-great-prizes-black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Because Two Men Are Better Than One</a></i></div>
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<i>August 18<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com/2014/08/virtual-book-tour-black-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Full Moon Dreaming</a></i></div>
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<i>August 25<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/black-hurricane-by-erica-pike-blog-tour-excerpt-review-giveaway/" target="_blank">MM Good Book Reviews</a> - <a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=28681" target="_blank">Hearts on Fire</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<i>Sept 1: <a href="http://velvetpanic2.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Velvet Panic</a> - <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/qa-with-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Fallen Angel Reviews</a> - <a href="http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/2014/09/ive-got-visitor-black-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Havan Fellows</a> (Three stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 8: <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/2014/09/pride-promotions-presents-black.html" target="_blank">Decadent Delights</a></i></div>
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<i>Sept 15: <a href="http://upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Up All Night, Read All Day</a> - <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/" target="_blank">Love Bytes</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 22: <a href="http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/" target="_blank">Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words</a> - <a href="http://www.smoochersvoice.com/" target="_blank">Smoocher's Voice</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 29: <a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/" target="_blank">Prism Book Alliance</a></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<i>Oct 6: <a href="http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">It’s Raining Men</a> - <a href="https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Michael Mandrake</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Oct 13: <a href="http://cateashwood.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cate Ashwood</a></i></div>
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<i>Oct 20: <a href="http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/" target="_blank">T<span id="goog_86286571"></span>he Novel Approach</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_86286572"></span></a></i></div>
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<i>Oct 27: <a href="http://raineotierneyhatparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Hat Party</a> - <a href="http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dawn's Reading Nook</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<i>Nov 3: <a href="http://taralain.com/" target="_blank">Tara Lain</a></i></div>
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<i>Nov 10: <a href="http://www.myfictionnook.com/" target="_blank">My Fiction Nook</a></i></div>
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<i>Nov 17: <a href="http://www.elizabeth-noble.com/my-blog" target="_blank">Emotion in Motion</a> - <a href="http://www.kimnsarah.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kimi-Chan</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;">Nov 24: <a href="http://www.amandastonebooks.com/" target="_blank">Amanda C. Stone</a></i>Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-75276773853464346822014-09-03T03:11:00.001-07:002014-09-03T03:11:49.239-07:00GRL Blog Tour Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWvsd1OitEKBkw7bP8zDMyBnOzolHqBwZ-z1Evo-4Tg-_BfXIQUph9S8zJXmMJ21DzAeEIyZr8ygotB7MTh_ndLZqFeAQkRhfSOsPY_fuG21PamG193Nw3cNfcFxKFTNPWhtiH354LbIy/s1600/blogger_giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWvsd1OitEKBkw7bP8zDMyBnOzolHqBwZ-z1Evo-4Tg-_BfXIQUph9S8zJXmMJ21DzAeEIyZr8ygotB7MTh_ndLZqFeAQkRhfSOsPY_fuG21PamG193Nw3cNfcFxKFTNPWhtiH354LbIy/s1600/blogger_giveaway.jpg" height="102" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hi guys,</div>
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It's time for my third GRL blog tour stop. This time it's at the lovely <a href="http://thebloggergirls.com/2014/09/02/grl-blog-tour-erica-pike-on-invading-grl-groups-giveaway/" target="_blank">Blogger Girls</a> where I talk about invading groups of readers and authors. </div>
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There's also a giveaway.</div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-79622544562893136162014-09-01T07:45:00.001-07:002014-09-01T07:45:14.941-07:00Black Hurricane Blog Tour (4): $50 Amazon GC and Three Signed Paperbacks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bCqOXiDfQX-JMNix3ITHkDfw9aKS8hIBrnkNOQawe4RgIGwPyUPTGcoRFSt_4P1aZuX2DBRBJeOpGszd-SfCj6eUTX92FJgMZpSbK9ESmrmV_nodD_z43LmCh4HnOTeeu_csnLAB9MEM/s1600/BlackHurricaneBanner300x250.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bCqOXiDfQX-JMNix3ITHkDfw9aKS8hIBrnkNOQawe4RgIGwPyUPTGcoRFSt_4P1aZuX2DBRBJeOpGszd-SfCj6eUTX92FJgMZpSbK9ESmrmV_nodD_z43LmCh4HnOTeeu_csnLAB9MEM/s1600/BlackHurricaneBanner300x250.png" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today is the fourth day of my Black Hurricane tour and there are three stops today: </div>
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I'm talking about about my writing habits on <a href="http://velvetpanic2.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Velvet Panic</a>.</div>
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On <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/qa-with-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Fallen Angels Reviews</a> I'm talking about my favorite scene in the book, how I came up with the theme in the book, and what I'm working on next.</div>
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Perhaps the most interesting post is on <a href="http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/2014/09/ive-got-visitor-black-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Havan's Heavenly Haven</a> where I'm answering the question: <b>Why did Eric do a complete 180 from book one to book two. </b></div>
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As always, you can increase your chances at the <span style="color: white;">grand prize</span> by going to all these places (and past places as well) and doing the Rafflecopter. The grand prize is a <span style="color: white;">$50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of <i>A Life Without You</i></span> (novel), <i><span style="color: white;">Hot Hands</span></i> (novelette), and <i><span style="color: white;">The Walls Have Ears</span></i> (short novella) for one (international) winner.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5oG-BfzJIiNSckhcdO6aWZH5QYvOLBtJ-cJsbPZS3Hf9Nrb0JhswGD4NRQnw6ouMepuc-kQuMx_GKAnV-XKgVQQhUFzdF2EU6JP-T1GdKP0Qy__AJzcUo_iaUWSPEopDr2cX9Mbmx0dB/s1600/Prizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5oG-BfzJIiNSckhcdO6aWZH5QYvOLBtJ-cJsbPZS3Hf9Nrb0JhswGD4NRQnw6ouMepuc-kQuMx_GKAnV-XKgVQQhUFzdF2EU6JP-T1GdKP0Qy__AJzcUo_iaUWSPEopDr2cX9Mbmx0dB/s1600/Prizes.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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Boston Boys blurb:</div>
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Twenty-three year old Jasper Jones fell in love with Dean McQueen at fourteen, but after a disastrous relationship, Jazz would like nothing better than to see the rock star choke on his own vomit.</div>
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After a catastrophic reunion, Dean seems bent on destroying Jazz’s life. It all started when an impromptu bar performance ended up on YouTube and Jazz became an internet sensation overnight. The name “Jazdean” keeps popping up in headlines and the paparazzi stalk his every move. To make matters worse, Jazz is about to end up on the streets for the second time in his life. </div>
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In a desperate attempt to keep his home, Jazz signs a deal with Dean’s band, Black Hurricane, to perform at a couple of concerts. It feels like one of Dean’s feeble attempts to get Jazz back, but painted into a corner like he is, Jazz has no choice.</div>
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~~~</div>
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The other tour stops:</div>
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<i>August 11: <a href="http://becausetwomenarebetterthanone.com/2014/08/11/giveaway-with-great-prizes-black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Because Two Men Are Better Than One</a></i></div>
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<i>August 18<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com/2014/08/virtual-book-tour-black-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Full Moon Dreaming</a></i></div>
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<i>August 25<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/black-hurricane-by-erica-pike-blog-tour-excerpt-review-giveaway/" target="_blank">MM Good Book Reviews</a> - <a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=28681" target="_blank">Hearts on Fire</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<i>Sept 1: <a href="http://velvetpanic2.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Velvet Panic</a> - <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/qa-with-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Fallen Angel Reviews</a> - <a href="http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/2014/09/ive-got-visitor-black-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Havan Fellows</a> (Three stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 8: <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Decadent Delights</a></i></div>
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<i>Sept 15: <a href="http://upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Up All Night, Read All Day</a> - <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/" target="_blank">Love Bytes</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 22: <a href="http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/" target="_blank">Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words</a> - <a href="http://www.smoochersvoice.com/" target="_blank">Smoocher's Voice</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 29: <a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/" target="_blank">Prism Book Alliance</a></i></div>
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<i>Oct 6: <a href="http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">It’s Raining Men</a> - <a href="https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Michael Mandrake</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Oct 13: <a href="http://cateashwood.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cate Ashwood</a></i></div>
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<i>Oct 20: <a href="http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/" target="_blank">T<span id="goog_86286571"></span>he Novel Approach</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_86286572"></span></a></i></div>
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<i>Oct 27: <a href="http://raineotierneyhatparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Hat Party</a> - <a href="http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dawn's Reading Nook</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<i>Nov 3: <a href="http://taralain.com/" target="_blank">Tara Lain</a></i></div>
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<i>Nov 10: <a href="http://www.myfictionnook.com/" target="_blank">My Fiction Nook</a></i></div>
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<i>Nov 17: <a href="http://www.elizabeth-noble.com/my-blog" target="_blank">Emotion in Motion</a> - <a href="http://www.kimnsarah.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kimi-Chan</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;">Nov 24: <a href="http://www.amandastonebooks.com/" target="_blank">Amanda C. Stone</a></i></div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-75284418350604580242014-08-31T09:43:00.001-07:002014-08-31T09:43:24.828-07:00Paperbacks for GRL - Last Chance!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzqgKPtQw6WK_papBGwQLegW1LphgvX56PFWexI8dEJHy6sON27iKppElsAmHREYvYfx84UO7RasWYopldDq1fOCwgFcuKSqM3PPEuTkD-loJTOf_Rer2gc9A6NJrdBfiSLjMU5nYMmXq/s1600/Paperbacks+for+GRL+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzqgKPtQw6WK_papBGwQLegW1LphgvX56PFWexI8dEJHy6sON27iKppElsAmHREYvYfx84UO7RasWYopldDq1fOCwgFcuKSqM3PPEuTkD-loJTOf_Rer2gc9A6NJrdBfiSLjMU5nYMmXq/s1600/Paperbacks+for+GRL+2014.jpg" height="120" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi guys,<br />
<br />
I just wanted to remind you that you can order and buy my paperbacks for GayRomLit this year for a reduced price. I have to order my copies from my publisher this week, so I'm closing the order form on Tuesday September 2nd before 11.59PM. That's next Tuesday.<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="780" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NsQcpjQFwKWPl36-NuMGIEMTVNqNTjIbXCqiagYUJv0/viewform?embedded=true" width="530">Loading...</iframe><br />Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-40220342615777303362014-08-31T03:39:00.001-07:002014-08-31T03:39:11.564-07:00Black Hurricane for Only $5.59<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidqd2PMjsYydAY3urczgrbnM21fCgu8TECH10IZfaciu9mYuKStk7xJaBJAvGDiPxVK3QFnCmyMdMRpNCbAY9H0bjLTz52BlpV7C2T1nSK8XweISo_xYlFO0naVgpNBGBjDboGIv1QuxD/s1600/Black+Hurricane+Official.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidqd2PMjsYydAY3urczgrbnM21fCgu8TECH10IZfaciu9mYuKStk7xJaBJAvGDiPxVK3QFnCmyMdMRpNCbAY9H0bjLTz52BlpV7C2T1nSK8XweISo_xYlFO0naVgpNBGBjDboGIv1QuxD/s1600/Black+Hurricane+Official.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a></div>
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We interrupt this blog with a quick announcement:</div>
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All Romance eBooks is having a Labor Day sale with 30% off all titles. That means:</div>
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Black Hurricane: $5.59</div>
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Absolutely Eric: $5.59</div>
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A Life Without You: $4.89</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLotPwnK20q5zMyK6vbQ6l8mht90mJPzbRJxvUo0hU0dE52h9XYMW2s_iDplvIyv6i_C417JSv_JoN__sX5c6Vzxp2X-XjmKub8w1ZuCBkyINRgsHsm5ly_qxXmbTruk-xs8Z6noWVjv0e/s1600/HomophobiaEricaPike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLotPwnK20q5zMyK6vbQ6l8mht90mJPzbRJxvUo0hU0dE52h9XYMW2s_iDplvIyv6i_C417JSv_JoN__sX5c6Vzxp2X-XjmKub8w1ZuCBkyINRgsHsm5ly_qxXmbTruk-xs8Z6noWVjv0e/s1600/HomophobiaEricaPike.jpg" height="85" width="320" /></a></div>
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The College Fun and Gays individual books are $2.09 and the anthologies are $2.79 each.</div>
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Go splurge! This discount doesn't only apply to my books. I've already spent a small fortune.</div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-45869848912631793232014-08-25T06:53:00.001-07:002014-08-25T15:16:48.927-07:00Black Hurricane Blog Tour (3): $50 Amazon GC and Three Signed Paperbacks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bCqOXiDfQX-JMNix3ITHkDfw9aKS8hIBrnkNOQawe4RgIGwPyUPTGcoRFSt_4P1aZuX2DBRBJeOpGszd-SfCj6eUTX92FJgMZpSbK9ESmrmV_nodD_z43LmCh4HnOTeeu_csnLAB9MEM/s1600/BlackHurricaneBanner300x250.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bCqOXiDfQX-JMNix3ITHkDfw9aKS8hIBrnkNOQawe4RgIGwPyUPTGcoRFSt_4P1aZuX2DBRBJeOpGszd-SfCj6eUTX92FJgMZpSbK9ESmrmV_nodD_z43LmCh4HnOTeeu_csnLAB9MEM/s1600/BlackHurricaneBanner300x250.png" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today is the third stop during the Black Hurricane tour. Technically, it's the third and fourth stop, since there are two today, but I'm calling it the third stop. Please visit <a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=28681" target="_blank">Hearts on Fire Reviews</a> if you're curious about <b>what might have happened if Jazz had refused to perform</b>, while <a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">M/M Good Book Reviews</a> posted their review:<br />
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"Both characters are great and neither is really the bad guy, both of them seeing things from their own points of view but Dean trying to make up for his callous teenage self, while Jazz tries hard to hang on to his anger and resentment." - Pixie at M/M Good Book Reviews.</div>
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I'm offering a nice prize for one (international) winner. A $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of <i>A Life Without You</i> (novel),<i> Hot Hands</i> (novelette), <i>The Walls Have Ears</i> (short novella). I don't care if you live in a science camp on the North Pole, you'll get your package if you win.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5oG-BfzJIiNSckhcdO6aWZH5QYvOLBtJ-cJsbPZS3Hf9Nrb0JhswGD4NRQnw6ouMepuc-kQuMx_GKAnV-XKgVQQhUFzdF2EU6JP-T1GdKP0Qy__AJzcUo_iaUWSPEopDr2cX9Mbmx0dB/s1600/Prizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5oG-BfzJIiNSckhcdO6aWZH5QYvOLBtJ-cJsbPZS3Hf9Nrb0JhswGD4NRQnw6ouMepuc-kQuMx_GKAnV-XKgVQQhUFzdF2EU6JP-T1GdKP0Qy__AJzcUo_iaUWSPEopDr2cX9Mbmx0dB/s1600/Prizes.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
What do you have to do for a chance to win? Do the Rafflecopter on the tour stops. The more stops you do it from, the more chance you have of winning. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here's the tour schedule. You can go back to the old dates to increase your chances:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>August 11: <a href="http://becausetwomenarebetterthanone.com/2014/08/11/giveaway-with-great-prizes-black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Because Two Men Are Better Than One</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>August 18<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com/2014/08/virtual-book-tour-black-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Full Moon Dreaming</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>August 25<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/black-hurricane-by-erica-pike-blog-tour-excerpt-review-giveaway/" target="_blank">MM Good Book Reviews</a> - <a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=28681" target="_blank">Hearts on Fire</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 1: <a href="http://velvetpanic2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Velvet Panic</a> - <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog" target="_blank">Fallen Angel Reviews</a> - <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog" target="_blank">Havan Fellows</a> (Three stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 8: <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Decadent Delights</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 15: <a href="http://upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Up All Night, Read All Day</a> - <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/" target="_blank">Love Bytes</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 22: <a href="http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/" target="_blank">Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words</a> - <a href="http://www.smoochersvoice.com/" target="_blank">Smoocher's Voice</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 29: <a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/" target="_blank">Prism Book Alliance</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Oct 6: <a href="http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">It’s Raining Men</a> - <a href="https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Michael Mandrake</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Oct 13: <a href="http://cateashwood.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cate Ashwood</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Oct 20: <a href="http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/" target="_blank">T<span id="goog_86286571"></span>he Novel Approach</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_86286572"></span></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Oct 27: <a href="http://raineotierneyhatparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Hat Party</a> - <a href="http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dawn's Reading Nook</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Nov 3: <a href="http://taralain.com/" target="_blank">Tara Lain</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Nov 10: <a href="http://www.myfictionnook.com/" target="_blank">My Fiction Nook</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Nov 17: <a href="http://www.elizabeth-noble.com/my-blog" target="_blank">Emotion in Motion</a> - <a href="http://www.kimnsarah.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kimi-Chan</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;">Nov 24: <a href="http://www.amandastonebooks.com/" target="_blank">Amanda C. Stone</a></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVSTJM_oaqY-kWQtt5MFJsga7254PGTNP6GZfPMA1IbgRULgA8tx8oL57KBdo4-CjCYX-21-oxCCg9PMIm3DrXsBNHxeO3VNmTurlkETNaC9a62nGbUkhxAOqWCUYd_IyTkyxsLsBPLvs/s1600/BlackHurricane600x600Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVSTJM_oaqY-kWQtt5MFJsga7254PGTNP6GZfPMA1IbgRULgA8tx8oL57KBdo4-CjCYX-21-oxCCg9PMIm3DrXsBNHxeO3VNmTurlkETNaC9a62nGbUkhxAOqWCUYd_IyTkyxsLsBPLvs/s1600/BlackHurricane600x600Banner.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-39209666285944569622014-08-18T05:43:00.001-07:002014-08-25T06:51:39.400-07:00Black Hurricane Blog Tour (2): $50 Amazon GC and Three Signed Paperbacks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bCqOXiDfQX-JMNix3ITHkDfw9aKS8hIBrnkNOQawe4RgIGwPyUPTGcoRFSt_4P1aZuX2DBRBJeOpGszd-SfCj6eUTX92FJgMZpSbK9ESmrmV_nodD_z43LmCh4HnOTeeu_csnLAB9MEM/s1600/BlackHurricaneBanner300x250.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bCqOXiDfQX-JMNix3ITHkDfw9aKS8hIBrnkNOQawe4RgIGwPyUPTGcoRFSt_4P1aZuX2DBRBJeOpGszd-SfCj6eUTX92FJgMZpSbK9ESmrmV_nodD_z43LmCh4HnOTeeu_csnLAB9MEM/s1600/BlackHurricaneBanner300x250.png" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's time for my second stop on the Black Hurricane blog tour, that was organized by <a href="http://pride-promotions.com/wordpress/" target="_blank">Pride Promotions</a>. Today it's <a href="http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com/2014/08/virtual-book-tour-black-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Full Mooon Dreaming</a>.<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">I'm offering a nice prize for one (international) winner. A $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="text-align: justify;">A Life Without You</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">(novel),</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Hot Hands</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">(novelette),</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="text-align: justify;">The Walls Have Ears</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">(short novella). I don't care if you live in a science camp on the North Pole, you'll get your package if you win.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UNAtKyGIRbGsUIRWMWGw161L2l4a2HlOJE-XbRSaeK4xMzpQakdyF_90OZ3eEBbDGzNuaHKiKYjZnrQzNzWeRfh_bwFacK27vXH5Uuq6u3vfHfJhJp8qrVt5ZSTCNuwMQxuX6TVdtezf/s1600/Prizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UNAtKyGIRbGsUIRWMWGw161L2l4a2HlOJE-XbRSaeK4xMzpQakdyF_90OZ3eEBbDGzNuaHKiKYjZnrQzNzWeRfh_bwFacK27vXH5Uuq6u3vfHfJhJp8qrVt5ZSTCNuwMQxuX6TVdtezf/s1600/Prizes.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, what do you have to do for a chance to win? Do the Rafflecopter on the tour stops. The more stops you do it from, the more chance you have of winning. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's the tour schedule. You can go back to the old dates to increase your chances:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>August 11: <a href="http://becausetwomenarebetterthanone.com/2014/08/11/giveaway-with-great-prizes-black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Because Two Men Are Better Than One</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>August 18<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com/2014/08/virtual-book-tour-black-hurricane.html" target="_blank">Full Moon Dreaming</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>August 25<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">MM Good Book Reviews</a> - <a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/" target="_blank">Hearts on Fire</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 1: <a href="http://velvetpanic2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Velvet Panic</a> - <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog" target="_blank">Fallen Angel Reviews</a> - <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog" target="_blank">Havan Fellows</a> (Three stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 8: <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Decadent Delights</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 15: <a href="http://upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Up All Night, Read All Day</a> - <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/" target="_blank">Love Bytes</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 22: <a href="http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/" target="_blank">Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words</a> - <a href="http://www.smoochersvoice.com/" target="_blank">Smoocher's Voice</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Sept 29: <a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/" target="_blank">Prism Book Alliance</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Oct 6: <a href="http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">It’s Raining Men</a> - <a href="https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Michael Mandrake</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Oct 13: <a href="http://cateashwood.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cate Ashwood</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Oct 20: <a href="http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/" target="_blank">T<span id="goog_86286571"></span>he Novel Approach</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_86286572"></span></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Oct 27: <a href="http://raineotierneyhatparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Hat Party</a> - <a href="http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dawn's Reading Nook</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Nov 3: <a href="http://taralain.com/" target="_blank">Tara Lain</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Nov 10: <a href="http://www.myfictionnook.com/" target="_blank">My Fiction Nook</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Nov 17: <a href="http://www.elizabeth-noble.com/my-blog" target="_blank">Emotion in Motion</a> - <a href="http://www.kimnsarah.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kimi-Chan</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;">Nov 24: <a href="http://www.amandastonebooks.com/" target="_blank">Amanda C. Stone</a></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVSTJM_oaqY-kWQtt5MFJsga7254PGTNP6GZfPMA1IbgRULgA8tx8oL57KBdo4-CjCYX-21-oxCCg9PMIm3DrXsBNHxeO3VNmTurlkETNaC9a62nGbUkhxAOqWCUYd_IyTkyxsLsBPLvs/s1600/BlackHurricane600x600Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVSTJM_oaqY-kWQtt5MFJsga7254PGTNP6GZfPMA1IbgRULgA8tx8oL57KBdo4-CjCYX-21-oxCCg9PMIm3DrXsBNHxeO3VNmTurlkETNaC9a62nGbUkhxAOqWCUYd_IyTkyxsLsBPLvs/s1600/BlackHurricane600x600Banner.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-16203080567596320252014-08-17T08:25:00.002-07:002014-08-17T08:25:18.646-07:00GayRomLit 2014 SWAG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYJTaXGZitnqxKRl12169Z6PdBZbLmazKRYN-KxQ38ziXscJ-BqwpRguRKJmFkn-vND7qIgxcl8SI4DuUgLHmVYiRt2lsRQ4_xtrzkCVijE9BhI4nM3esVHMkLMPpck83hW-O0d9eg6ha/s1600/Hot+Hands_Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYJTaXGZitnqxKRl12169Z6PdBZbLmazKRYN-KxQ38ziXscJ-BqwpRguRKJmFkn-vND7qIgxcl8SI4DuUgLHmVYiRt2lsRQ4_xtrzkCVijE9BhI4nM3esVHMkLMPpck83hW-O0d9eg6ha/s1600/Hot+Hands_Medium.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last year, I brought around 50 copies of Hot Hands and put them on my SWAG table. They ran out like hotcakes and I was immediately sold on the idea that it was great and keepable SWAG. I'm bringing another 50 copies this year. It doubles as original art by Zathyn Priest, and since he'll be there too as an author you could try to bribe him to sign it as well.<br />
<br />
For the book signing event, I will have free copies of The Walls Have Ears. I might even throw in a little something extra for a super fan or three (first super fans come, first super fans get!). Additionally, I'm looking into bookplate stickers for those who have my paperbacks at home. Just come see me at the book signing and I'll sign one for you.<br />
<br />
I'm still undecided if I'm going to bring any books to sell, but if I do, it'll only be of Black Hurricane and it'll cost $14.50 (with sales tax). This is because all sales will have to go through an on-site vendor that charges 25% commission for every sale.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This doesn't mean you can't get Black Hurricane and my other books at the usual GRL-discounted price. I get my books cheaper from my publisher and I'm happy to sell them to you through the pre-order form below. Once I receive your payment through PayPal, I will set aside a book for you and deliver it to you at the conference.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzqgKPtQw6WK_papBGwQLegW1LphgvX56PFWexI8dEJHy6sON27iKppElsAmHREYvYfx84UO7RasWYopldDq1fOCwgFcuKSqM3PPEuTkD-loJTOf_Rer2gc9A6NJrdBfiSLjMU5nYMmXq/s1600/Paperbacks+for+GRL+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzqgKPtQw6WK_papBGwQLegW1LphgvX56PFWexI8dEJHy6sON27iKppElsAmHREYvYfx84UO7RasWYopldDq1fOCwgFcuKSqM3PPEuTkD-loJTOf_Rer2gc9A6NJrdBfiSLjMU5nYMmXq/s1600/Paperbacks+for+GRL+2014.jpg" height="120" width="320" /></a></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="780" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NsQcpjQFwKWPl36-NuMGIEMTVNqNTjIbXCqiagYUJv0/viewform?embedded=true" width="530">Loading...</iframe><br />
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If you're having problem seeing the form, here's a direct link: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NsQcpjQFwKWPl36-NuMGIEMTVNqNTjIbXCqiagYUJv0/viewform?usp=send_form">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NsQcpjQFwKWPl36-NuMGIEMTVNqNTjIbXCqiagYUJv0/viewform?usp=send_form</a><br />
<br />
As for other SWAG, I'm bringing postcards, character cards and bookmarks:<br />
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRcIr-rRq6RIh_klsIVD4aLEsDNJz6pzdQWkvQTpBuVRjes1DioV17892jpcTZ6Rc1wR4LbdefbOXCp1VVbou-u7AiVzLpwoQmKdFSPZaxzW6FXVjLxHMrsoqSj3nqmeDJd9oaaB2xqZC/s1600/College+Fun+and+Gays2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRcIr-rRq6RIh_klsIVD4aLEsDNJz6pzdQWkvQTpBuVRjes1DioV17892jpcTZ6Rc1wR4LbdefbOXCp1VVbou-u7AiVzLpwoQmKdFSPZaxzW6FXVjLxHMrsoqSj3nqmeDJd9oaaB2xqZC/s1600/College+Fun+and+Gays2.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Postcards</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad quality in photo, sorry.</td></tr>
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Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-70658170757775627782014-08-14T17:12:00.001-07:002014-08-14T17:12:13.914-07:00Second GRL Tour Stop: Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2uZ695IT3FVVU6fsvrbwQz1LCpK5UgORBleKZFB5jtHf5NGNoHhl16uXYReXioke6KMR_eoqByPhENFsrxZJD7APzI9qmKY-lD-DFFfRyRAvIPdzSLVfkqxDpH7W1_P-3PQ2AldagZt0/s1600/2014GRL_BlogTour.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2uZ695IT3FVVU6fsvrbwQz1LCpK5UgORBleKZFB5jtHf5NGNoHhl16uXYReXioke6KMR_eoqByPhENFsrxZJD7APzI9qmKY-lD-DFFfRyRAvIPdzSLVfkqxDpH7W1_P-3PQ2AldagZt0/s1600/2014GRL_BlogTour.png" /></a></div>
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It's time for my second GayRomLit 2014 tour stop and this time it's at <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/08/14/grl-featured-blogger-post-guestpost-excerpt-giveaway-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Love Bytes Reviews</a>. I wrote about the different kinds of excitement I've had before each three times I will have attended after this year's retreat. Having dinner with Alexandr Voinvo and L.A. Witt, dancing with Rick R. Reed, and cuddling B.G. Thomas. Meeting Zathyn Priest this year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOPeewyrMtBDyV0rZ-6g0LL6v37zAAR8LBRbfK4ob83f1DczPDGpOOaN5pzFBf05AT7qlVpUuAWnGswERZ25HloG7Yv57hSxkCYL54NtItzSZrJXfmvR6xvsx7uF0PNZrDSsUgep7t8NH/s1600/Lovebytes-guestpost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOPeewyrMtBDyV0rZ-6g0LL6v37zAAR8LBRbfK4ob83f1DczPDGpOOaN5pzFBf05AT7qlVpUuAWnGswERZ25HloG7Yv57hSxkCYL54NtItzSZrJXfmvR6xvsx7uF0PNZrDSsUgep7t8NH/s1600/Lovebytes-guestpost.jpg" height="91" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, there's a giveaway. Just do the rafflecopter on <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/08/14/grl-featured-blogger-post-guestpost-excerpt-giveaway-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Love Bytes Reviews</a> to take part. You could win an eCopy of <a href="http://www.ericapike.com/p/boston-boys-series.html" target="_blank">A Life Without You</a> ^.^</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomN_yFYDsY3tzAMNFtxKDRPnDvCSFZlOKrae1qVy_awHoouub1-dA_xav6uYNIY6O217rSqie45B3eor_5-5YYu5E2nmhtTSkR_R9Nare3nQOmQfyaMdVJqg-r9vAUPnsd4TaVoWnRDKf/s1600/A+Life+Without+You+Official+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomN_yFYDsY3tzAMNFtxKDRPnDvCSFZlOKrae1qVy_awHoouub1-dA_xav6uYNIY6O217rSqie45B3eor_5-5YYu5E2nmhtTSkR_R9Nare3nQOmQfyaMdVJqg-r9vAUPnsd4TaVoWnRDKf/s1600/A+Life+Without+You+Official+Cover.jpg" height="200" width="126" /></a></div>
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Blurb:</div>
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Jesse's like a bar of soap: the tighter Adam holds on, the faster Jesse slips away. Or that's how it feels to Adam. It doesn't help that Jesse has a girlfriend back home and claims to be straight, but there's no way with all the sparks and physical intimacy flying between the two roommates.</div>
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When Adam believes he has reached his ultimate happiness, the bedroom walls come crashing down with a visit from Jesse's girlfriend.</div>
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Now Jesse has to decide if he can come to terms with his sexuality, while Adam has to learn to accept that Jesse might never be able to crawl out of the closet.</div>
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Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-57235559906756864672014-08-11T14:18:00.000-07:002014-08-14T17:21:41.380-07:00Black Hurricane Blog Tour: $50 Amazon GC and Three Signed Paperbacks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nwujKo7-4U5-itod4T8baVNelgs5mN25Qn2mmAbcZWzjwiKt9aTRoktD6AJ4DJ43ItMIVCrdP23xVTxCi-Y4c_criohYFGl9iQktyIcWmLh2QLqxGYM4JEZ-czpZMdlwIR_0GT-6dfU6/s1600/BlackHurricaneBanner300x250.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nwujKo7-4U5-itod4T8baVNelgs5mN25Qn2mmAbcZWzjwiKt9aTRoktD6AJ4DJ43ItMIVCrdP23xVTxCi-Y4c_criohYFGl9iQktyIcWmLh2QLqxGYM4JEZ-czpZMdlwIR_0GT-6dfU6/s1600/BlackHurricaneBanner300x250.png" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
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We're on! That is, the Black Hurricane blog tour that <a href="http://pride-promotions.com/wordpress/" target="_blank">Pride Promotion</a> has been organizing. It will be a mixture of excerpts, guest posts and interviews over the next four months with 25 stops along the way. I've never done anything like this before, so despite the countless (or 20ish) guest posts and interviews I have to do, it's exciting.</div>
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To top it off, I'm offering a nice prize for one (international) winner. A $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of <i>A Life Without You</i> (novel), <i>Hot Hands</i> (short novella), <i>The Walls Have Ears</i> (short novella). I don't care if you live in a science camp on the North Pole, you'll get your package if you win.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UNAtKyGIRbGsUIRWMWGw161L2l4a2HlOJE-XbRSaeK4xMzpQakdyF_90OZ3eEBbDGzNuaHKiKYjZnrQzNzWeRfh_bwFacK27vXH5Uuq6u3vfHfJhJp8qrVt5ZSTCNuwMQxuX6TVdtezf/s1600/Prizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UNAtKyGIRbGsUIRWMWGw161L2l4a2HlOJE-XbRSaeK4xMzpQakdyF_90OZ3eEBbDGzNuaHKiKYjZnrQzNzWeRfh_bwFacK27vXH5Uuq6u3vfHfJhJp8qrVt5ZSTCNuwMQxuX6TVdtezf/s1600/Prizes.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, what do you have to do for a chance to win? Do the Rafflecopter on the tour stops. The more stops you do it from, the more chance you have of winning. </div>
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Here's the tour schedule (man, do I feel like a rock star, going on a tour and all!):</div>
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<i>August 11: <a href="http://becausetwomenarebetterthanone.com/2014/08/11/giveaway-with-great-prizes-black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Because Two Men Are Better Than One</a></i></div>
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<i>August 18<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Full Moon Dreaming</a></i></div>
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<i>August 25<span style="white-space: pre;">:</span> <a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">MM Good Book Reviews</a> - <a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/" target="_blank">Hearts on Fire</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<i>Sept 1: <a href="http://velvetpanic2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Velvet Panic</a> - <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog" target="_blank">Fallen Angel Reviews</a> - <a href="http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog" target="_blank">Havan Fellows</a> (Three stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 8: <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Decadent Delights</a></i></div>
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<i>Sept 15: <a href="http://upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Up All Night, Read All Day</a> - <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/" target="_blank">Love Bytes</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 22: <a href="http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/" target="_blank">Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words</a> - <a href="http://www.smoochersvoice.com/" target="_blank">Smoocher's Voice</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Sept 29: <a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/" target="_blank">Prism Book Alliance</a></i></div>
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<i>Oct 6: <a href="http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">It’s Raining Men</a> - <a href="https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Michael Mandrake</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Oct 13: <a href="http://cateashwood.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cate Ashwood</a></i></div>
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<i>Oct 20: <a href="http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/" target="_blank">T<span id="goog_86286571"></span>he Novel Approach</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_86286572"></span></a></i></div>
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<i>Oct 27: <a href="http://raineotierneyhatparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Hat Party</a> - <a href="http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dawn's Reading Nook</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Nov 3: <a href="http://taralain.com/" target="_blank">Tara Lain</a></i></div>
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<i>Nov 10: <a href="http://www.myfictionnook.com/" target="_blank">My Fiction Nook</a></i></div>
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<i>Nov 17: <a href="http://www.elizabeth-noble.com/my-blog" target="_blank">Emotion in Motion</a> - <a href="http://www.kimnsarah.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kimi-Chan</a> (Two stops)</i></div>
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<i>Nov 24: <a href="http://www.amandastonebooks.com/" target="_blank">Amanda C. Stone</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJP0aKQXtk2IPZ3vn5xSrUwuw-MWaFC4eTI47e9ciV7-dAbXgd9yx_A2zilW4p2m0Hf-LauRpAFvAB4js88WlIiD7OY05wTm_s2cIDSPdkWTaQGjBYgq6vceX_ieknNdeB8sgfZtRqbXnH/s1600/BlackHurricane600x600Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJP0aKQXtk2IPZ3vn5xSrUwuw-MWaFC4eTI47e9ciV7-dAbXgd9yx_A2zilW4p2m0Hf-LauRpAFvAB4js88WlIiD7OY05wTm_s2cIDSPdkWTaQGjBYgq6vceX_ieknNdeB8sgfZtRqbXnH/s1600/BlackHurricane600x600Banner.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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As you can see, <a href="http://becausetwomenarebetterthanone.com/2014/08/11/giveaway-with-great-prizes-black-hurricane-by-erica-pike/" target="_blank">Because Two Men Are Better Than One</a> is the stop for today, so head on over and check it out ^.^</div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-6857519876224788192014-08-10T07:48:00.001-07:002014-08-10T07:48:38.804-07:00Douglas Black: The Bucket List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieN0-LisNH56Mij1oXKGsvNh87jk9GdyeFJrQzVBh_G5AHLurMam_n7LYTELhX6jRojxjkAvZDIe1y5EmRRti-nEN38C3Llaxlt-s5ycKkQhp_1vOY2MQw0UJlUE0wisvAxtXahWjeFLoK/s1600/DB_TheBucketList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieN0-LisNH56Mij1oXKGsvNh87jk9GdyeFJrQzVBh_G5AHLurMam_n7LYTELhX6jRojxjkAvZDIe1y5EmRRti-nEN38C3Llaxlt-s5ycKkQhp_1vOY2MQw0UJlUE0wisvAxtXahWjeFLoK/s1600/DB_TheBucketList.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">My buddy, Douglas Black, is back on my blog to give you a glimpse into his new novella. Take it away, Doug!</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hi
Erica, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thanks
so much for having me back on your blog. It’s certainly been a while, but in my
absence I haven’t been idle. Funnily enough, I've been busy writing and for
once I can say that and provide proof because I have a new release out! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
new novella is called <b>The Bucket List. </b>It
falls, as you would expect, into the MM erotic romance<b> </b>category and the story follows Kade, a young man whose friends
write him a bucket list to help him break out of the rut he has found himself
in after a recent break-up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
I was in my early twenties, I wrote a bucket list for myself. I put pen to
paper shortly after I had finished my Masters degree. By that point, I had
spent five years in higher education and for all of that time, my life revolved
around studying. That had been my choice and I didn't regret it, but by the end
of my Masters I was definitely suffering from a severe case of burn-out. I had
one long summer ahead of me and, instead of spending it preparing for another
four years in academia, I decided to redress the balance in my life by going
out into the world and having some fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
remember walking in to a little café in the west end of Glasgow - it was
probably April or May, but it was one of those dreich days Scotland does so
well so I remember keeping my coat on even as I sat inside. I took a seat by
the window and drank my overpriced coffee while watching the world go by.
Gradually, I started to jot down a list of things I wanted to do, not just that
summer, but as I went forward in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
still have that bucket list. Over the years it’s transitioned from
hand-scrawled notes on loose sheets of paper, to a neat draft in a posh
notebook, to a saved file on my computer. Lots of things have been added, far
more than have been checked off, and it continues to do what it first did that
day in that little coffee shop in Glasgow. It inspires me to keep moving
forwards. It convinces me that there’s not much to be gained from just standing
still. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
bucket list differs from my character Kade’s in a few ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Firstly,
I actually wrote mine so all the things I put on it were things I really wanted
to do. Kade is forced into going along with his bucket list ‘for his own good’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Secondly,
unlike Kade I wanted to make changes. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and
experience something new. Kade, at the start of the novella especially, is
perfectly happy in his comfort zone, thank you very much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thirdly,
my bucket list didn't turn my world upside down! Don’t get me wrong, in it’s
own way it really did. It changed the way I thought about my work-play balance,
it changed the way I spent my leisure time, and it changed the way I thought
about how much money I was spending and what I was spending it on. But, it
didn't lead to me meeting a hot Australian surfer-guy with a burning desire to
take my life to pieces and give it a good shake, before rebuilding it with him
in a starring role. More’s the pity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">No,
that didn't happen to me, but that does happen to Kade. It could happen to you
too, though, if you were to write a bucket list of your own, or dust down that
old one still kicking about from the time when you decided you needed to make a
change in your life. After all, they say life is out there and if that’s true
you’re not going to experience it by sitting inside, reading this! Although
please, do stay until the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
nothing else lists like this help you concentrate your thinking. They make you
realize how much there is to do in life, how much is out there just waiting to
be explored, and they help you to focus your attention on the future you want
and how to achieve it, rather than on the little details that so often hold us
all back. They help you look at the broader picture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
my story, that’s exactly what Kade’s bucket list helps him to do, and that’s
why I love this story so much. You get to watch a character change from a
nervous, downtrodden man who is uncertain of himself into a man who, despite
still going through some very tough times, is able to find a new path in life
with that hot Australian surfer-guy I was on about before. Those things happen
because Kade follows his bucket list, no matter how reluctantly. And if that’s
not a pretty good reason to try your hand at writing one of your own, then I
don’t know what is!</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blurb</span></u></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK12"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK11"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">When
Kade Doherty gets dumped, he expects sympathy from his friends. Instead, he
gets a bucket list. His friends want to help him enjoy life again, but Kade
isn’t convinced a list of outlandish leisure pursuits will help much with that.
To keep the peace he goes along with the plan and in the process, he meets
Blake.</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Blake’s Australian
accent and surfer-boy looks are the stuff of sexual fantasies and Kade
surprises everyone – including himself – when he wastes no time making a move.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Kade goes with Blake
into the Scottish highlands, but just as he is beginning to get used to life
with his very own Mr. Australia, reality comes knocking. Kade’s newfound
happiness falls apart when his abusive ex demands they meet. Blake senses
something is wrong and he wants to help, but Kade knows he can’t confide in
Blake.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">After all, Kade hasn't
exactly been honest. He might feel like a different man when he’s with Blake,
but Kade knows he’s still just an accountant from Glasgow with slight obsessive
compulsions and a bucket list that someone else wrote. He knows Blake won’t
hang around, let alone help, when he finds out the truth.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Or will he?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><u>Excerpt</u></b></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK13" style="color: #6fa8dc; line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kade made his way slowly over to
Blake, keeping close to the relative calm of the curving bar. He stepped in
beside his Mr. Australia. Blake didn't turn to look at him.</span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Kade
assumed that, even given the circumstances, it was still acceptable to start
with, “Hello.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Blake
turned his head, and Kade felt that warmth he had felt with his back to the
fish tanks in the Asian supermarket. “Hi,” Blake said, his voice deep enough to
carry against the music.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">He
turned, opening up his body and inviting Kade to step closer. Kade did. He
wanted to, wanted to see if that strange connection he had felt earlier was
still there between them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“Who’s
your friend?” Kade asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Blake
just shrugged. “Don’t know. Just some kid. Art student, apparently. He was a
good dancer, though.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“Not
a good kisser?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Blake
looked Kade up and down, taking his time doing so. Kade had always thought the
idea that someone could undress you with their eyes was a concept fit only for
the cheap romance novels his mum used to read, but he couldn't think of a
better way to describe what Blake’s eyes had just done to him. The words needed
to describe how that made Kade feel wouldn't be fit for polite company. Not
that Kade was really in polite company.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“I
wouldn't know. Didn't want to kiss him.” Blake reached out and stroked his hand
down Kade’s right arm, from his shoulder to his wrist. He left it there for a
few moments, holding tight, and then he pulled Kade’s wrist toward him. Kade’s
hand landed on Blake’s hip, his thumb teasing Blake’s tight, strong stomach
muscles. When Blake let go, Kade didn't move his hand away.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“Why
didn't you want to?” Kade couldn't stop staring into those bright blue eyes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Blake
shrugged and wrapped the hand that had been around Kade’s wrist around Kade’s
neck. “He’s not my type. And I was hoping I would meet someone else here
tonight. I thought it was a long shot, but I didn't want to take the risk and
ruin my chances.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Despite
his recent drink, Kade’s throat felt dry. He didn't even care if that was a
lie. Blake’s strong fingers rubbed Kade’s neck just below his hairline.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“Who
were you hoping to meet?” Kade asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Blake
tugged him in close so their bodies were pressing together. Kade’s hand slipped
around to Blake’s back, holding on tight as Blake put his lips to the side of
Kade’s neck.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“You,”
Blake whispered. They were so close to the loudspeakers that the word should
have been lost, but Kade heard that loaded syllable and felt it translate like
heat through his body, like he had just stepped into a hot bath.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“Are
you here with somebody?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Kade
shook his head. He felt Blake spread his legs. There was barely any distance
left between them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“Then
would you mind if I did this?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Kade
turned his head to find Blake’s lips less than an inch away from his own. He
smiled and tried for one of those winks he was so not used to giving, and then
let Blake close the distance between them.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Buy
Links<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="http://www.loose-id.com/the-bucket-list.html" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%;" target="_blank">Loose-ID</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MG4LA20" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bucket-List-Douglas-Black-ebook/dp/B00MG4LA20/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407313872&sr=8-1&keywords=the+bucket+list+douglas+black" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Author
Biography</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK1"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Douglas Black was born and raised
in bonnie Scotland. An archaeologist by trade, Douglas started writing MM
erotica - as a means of avoiding starvation at university - before returning to
the genre in 2012. <o:p></o:p></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Welcome
to your fantasy.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Author
Links<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://douglasblackerotica.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Douglas-Black/e/B00A93HUHO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1406885803&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Douglas-Black/1632968396841732?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook Author Page</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Twitter: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%;">@DBlackErotica</span></div>
</div>
Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-70094320947903351622014-08-09T13:30:00.001-07:002014-08-17T05:14:03.004-07:00Discounted Paperbacks for GayRomLit 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlxbNs37WsYxw7qTtgvVAOfMkTUhBWa5gBjQCPmYVtQJ6WerOuYuIbaiBNPZs15MMbv_FX9giS6V2gHj1ZzJNnMTqer94MMs-JybU9q4AFpUtO_PFdTTSYpzVd2VffGryWzgWiVtJ9HF6/s1600/Paperbacks+for+GRL+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlxbNs37WsYxw7qTtgvVAOfMkTUhBWa5gBjQCPmYVtQJ6WerOuYuIbaiBNPZs15MMbv_FX9giS6V2gHj1ZzJNnMTqer94MMs-JybU9q4AFpUtO_PFdTTSYpzVd2VffGryWzgWiVtJ9HF6/s1600/Paperbacks+for+GRL+2014.jpg" height="150" width="400" /></a></div>
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I probably won't sell books at GayRomLit this year due to complicated law and tax matters, but I've created this order form in case you'd like to buy some paperbacks beforehand. I would then deliver them to you at the event. The paperbacks cost between $11.70 and $13.45 from online retailers, so here's your chance to get them cheaper. Payments will have to be made through PayPal before the event starts. If I'll bring books to the convention to sell, they will cost 20-25% extra, plus sales tax, because of on-site sales commission.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you can see on the form, I'm making a new anthology version for the College Fun and Gays series and I'm calling it <i>Six Pack</i>. It'll be all six stories in one binding. This version isn't out yet, but it will be before the event starts. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, if you'd like to order your paperbacks, here's the order form:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="780" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NsQcpjQFwKWPl36-NuMGIEMTVNqNTjIbXCqiagYUJv0/viewform?embedded=true" width="530">Loading...</iframe><br />
<br />
If you're having problem seeing this, here's a link to the order form: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NsQcpjQFwKWPl36-NuMGIEMTVNqNTjIbXCqiagYUJv0/viewform?usp=send_form">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NsQcpjQFwKWPl36-NuMGIEMTVNqNTjIbXCqiagYUJv0/viewform?usp=send_form</a>Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474876370737693502.post-15036604018673010972014-07-27T14:38:00.001-07:002014-07-27T14:39:52.341-07:00Black Hurricane: Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2uZ695IT3FVVU6fsvrbwQz1LCpK5UgORBleKZFB5jtHf5NGNoHhl16uXYReXioke6KMR_eoqByPhENFsrxZJD7APzI9qmKY-lD-DFFfRyRAvIPdzSLVfkqxDpH7W1_P-3PQ2AldagZt0/s1600/2014GRL_BlogTour.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2uZ695IT3FVVU6fsvrbwQz1LCpK5UgORBleKZFB5jtHf5NGNoHhl16uXYReXioke6KMR_eoqByPhENFsrxZJD7APzI9qmKY-lD-DFFfRyRAvIPdzSLVfkqxDpH7W1_P-3PQ2AldagZt0/s1600/2014GRL_BlogTour.png" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hi guys :) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm currently on a trip around Iceland and just made it to the hotel. Of course, the first thing I did was log onto the internet >.< </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh268wz3TWupGv-x9ODmbgTdUXwFPPQt9yOFUXW1hfpruuVrbrK3ZfJ0y1sAy5O2-woAZnFv23UDGiGYKcPzenKYlB2nO7v-xO3jGTIHdt14V951cWh4rjeS4ZpvkQBA6ezfPMwyhQArKOD/s1600/22546532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh268wz3TWupGv-x9ODmbgTdUXwFPPQt9yOFUXW1hfpruuVrbrK3ZfJ0y1sAy5O2-woAZnFv23UDGiGYKcPzenKYlB2nO7v-xO3jGTIHdt14V951cWh4rjeS4ZpvkQBA6ezfPMwyhQArKOD/s1600/22546532.jpg" /></a></div>
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The first stop on my GRL blog tour is today and the beautiful Lisa is hosting me on <a href="http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/2014/07/27/its-a-grl-countdown-and-giveaway-with-featured-author-erica-pike/" target="_blank">The Novel Approach</a>. Leave a comment over there (not here, though it's always nice to hear from you guys) for a chance to win a copy of Black Hurricane. You have until midnight on July 31st to throw your name into the hat.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidqd2PMjsYydAY3urczgrbnM21fCgu8TECH10IZfaciu9mYuKStk7xJaBJAvGDiPxVK3QFnCmyMdMRpNCbAY9H0bjLTz52BlpV7C2T1nSK8XweISo_xYlFO0naVgpNBGBjDboGIv1QuxD/s1600/Black+Hurricane+Official.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidqd2PMjsYydAY3urczgrbnM21fCgu8TECH10IZfaciu9mYuKStk7xJaBJAvGDiPxVK3QFnCmyMdMRpNCbAY9H0bjLTz52BlpV7C2T1nSK8XweISo_xYlFO0naVgpNBGBjDboGIv1QuxD/s1600/Black+Hurricane+Official.jpg" height="200" width="126" /></a></div>
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Erica Pikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01410036734790965799noreply@blogger.com0