The Super Couple Rockers of Black Hurricane

Today is the day you can play Hangman at The Romance Reviews's Fall Into Love 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:

What super couple name has the media given the two main characters of Black Hurricane?

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:

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.

“We’ll meet up with Dean later,” she explains as she shifts the car in gear. “Need to ditch the paparazzi first. Buckle up.”

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.

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 Glitter Guys Magazine. 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.

“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.

“Nope, he has something else planned,” she says and grins at me.

“Eyes on the road, please!”

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?”

“JazzQueen and Jazdean?” I scoff. “Makes us sound like girls.”

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?”

“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.

“Not according to the media.”

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.

An old rust bucket of a pickup with tinted windows and peeling red paint sidles up next to us.

“He’s in there?” 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.

“Yeah.” She gives me a small finger wave. “See you at the party tonight?”

“Party?”

“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.”

“Right…” I take another look at the beat-up truck.

“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.”

“Right,” I repeat a little softer. My heart finally catches up with us at her words.

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?

Black Hurricane is available from most online retailers, including: MLR Press, All Romance eBooks, Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Kobo. 

Autism Blog Hop

Edited: Congrats to Penumbra for winning a copy of Black Hurricane :)

Welcome to my day of the Autism Blog Hop. This hop was organized by my friend, RJ Scott and I was honored when she asked me to take part. Once I've shared my bit, I'll announce the prize I'm offering today (ends on April 20th at 11.59 PM).

RJ gave me a quote to share:

People with autism who have an extraordinary talent are referred to as 'autistic savants'

I don't have many autistic people in my life. We have a 14 year old boy in the family who is autistic, but he lives in north of Iceland so I don't get to see him very often. I do know that whenever I see him, he looks like any other kid, so you can't tell just by looking at him. This boy won't talk to strangers, but as soon as he knows you're "family" he's okay. He is wonderful to my sons who are half his age and he loves playing with them. 

The other person close to me who has autism is an online friend of mine - a fellow writer who's also mastered the art of photo manipulation and original art. He takes perfectionism to a whole new level and he truly is savant when it comes to creating art (though he'll deny this). Like my nephew, you can't tell he's autistic when you look at him. You can't even tell when you speak to him or message back and forth. He's like any other person and if he hadn't told me I wouldn't have guessed he was autistic. This post is dedicated to him (you know who you are).

Please visit RJ's blog to continue the hop (after you've finished entering my contest, of course). 

So, my bit about autism has been shared and here's my contest: From the comments, I'll randomly choose one winner who gets an eBook of their choice from my backlist. The contest ends on April 20th at 11.59 PM. Winner will be announced on April 21st. What you have to do is:

1) tell me which of these books you'd choose if you won and 

2) include a way for me to reach you (email or facebook link or something). 

Boston Boys (novels):

A Life Without You

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.

When Adam believes he has reached his ultimate happiness, the bedroom walls come crashing down with a visit from Jesse's girlfriend.

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.

Absolutely Eric

Eric Wesley is short and snazzy, hot and happy. Or that's what he thought. After three years of living on the wild side hes tired of being a playboy and wants to find love.

Eric, however, has never been in love before and doesn't see that the guy who's been gazing at him all summer might be Mr. Right. Alexander Centauri isn't only style-less and clumsy, but also terribly awkward. After a miserable date, Eric plants Alex on another guys lap and goes after Mr. Wrong who looks so right.

When Eric realizes his mistake, it might be too late.

Black Hurricane

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.

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. 

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.

College Fun and Gays (short stories):

Grade-A-Sex Deal

When College professor Daniel Corrigan was brutally kicked out of his home after revealing his true sexuality to his wife, he had to make a whole new life for himself. For the first time in two years Daniels main heartache isn't the none-existent relationship with his two kids, but the fact that the grade-A-sex deal with his student Troy Anderson is about to expire. After a whole semester of office fun, Troy has managed to squeeze his way into the core of Daniels soul. Daniel, however, is positive hes nothing more to Troy but a teacher who can modify a grade.

The Walls Have Ears

Short and scrawny college student Harley Santos has a strange relationship with the guy on the other side of his bedroom wall. For weeks, the two have been masturbating to each other’s voices, but they have never met in person. In fact, he doesn't know a single thing about his wall-mate except that he looks and sounds incredibly hot.

When Harley’s roommate, Ryan, is asked on a date by one of his neighbors, Harley is devastated that his wall-mate mistook not-hot Harley for super-hot Ryan. Helping Harley through his heartache is Tasha Novokov, the other neighbor, who is tall, dark, and impossibly handsome.

Little Stalker

College student Coby is being stalked by a young guy and has no idea why until someone suggests that the stalker may have a crush on him. The idea both excites and terrifies Coby, who is so deep in the closet he can barely manage to think the word “gay” without freaking out.

Welcome, Brother

When arts student Kyler Morris applies for membership to The Nova Britannia Brotherhood, he's immediately floored by their intimidating leader, Hunter Kingsley. Fellow arts student Hunter, however, isn't the bad-ass he's made out to be and takes Kyler under his wing.

While Kyler struggles to keep his crush under control and his sexuality hidden from the Brothers, Hunter battles daemons of his own in the form of two Brothers who aren't playing by the rules. 

Cold Hands

“Hot-Hands” and Casper have been dating for a month, but their relationship is about as smooth as shattered glass. It doesn't help that Hot-Hands is racked with guilt over his high school bullying of Casper, or that Casper darts away whenever his boyfriend gets a little too frisky.

Desperate to hang onto Casper, Hot-Hands tries to earn back the trust he destroyed years ago, so they can face their disastrous past and have a chance at a happy future.

Cold Hands is the sequel to Hot Hands and contains big spoilers if read first. Hot Hands can be downloaded for free.

(Free)

Black Hurricane: Confirmed Release Date!

That's right. Prepare to be swept away in a black hurricane of Jazz and Dean on Friday August 23rd. I just received my author copies of Black Hurricane. A lot of you already know who sexy Jazz is, but might be wondering who the hell this Dean person is. He's Black Hurricane's lead singer and he's also someone from Jazz's past. Oh, and he's on the book cover.

I will share an excerpt soon! For now, here's the blurb:

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.

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. 

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.

What to expect? Angst, resentment, sexual tension, rock music, snickers, and support from friends.

Welcome, Brother: “Witty romantic short with bite”

Imagine how happy I was when I finally managed to get online at the summer house and saw a new review. Welcome, Brother received 5 stars from Rainbow Book Reviews! The review is a pleasure to read, so well composed. Here's a snippet:

"Carefully woven into the romantic college–orientated short, are a mystery to be solved, a charismatic supporting character, and a devious plot that casts a degree of realism to this elegantly phrased tale. Seen through Kyler’s eyes and his very real fears, the story begins in a slightly whimsical manner, so the sharp turn into darkness surprised me in all the right ways; much praise for the author’s ability to pack the very real punch into a story of this length. The romance between the two men was a bit unusual, and while both Hunter and Kyler were nicely fleshed out, for me the real strength of the story were the events surrounding the mystery."

Link

Welcome, Brother: Want it?

I'm joining two announcements under one post.

Welcome, Brother receive its first blog review from Hearts on Fire Reviews - a site that has reviewed all of the College Fun and Gays books - and it received a smashing 4.25 hearts!

Here's an excerpt of their review:

"The book may have a lighter feel at times, due to Kyler, but it also deals with some very heavy issues and some terrible happenings.  Aaron?  I wanted to cry.  Liu?  I wanted to cry more.  

The story may have bittersweet aspects but it isn’t a sad one.  Yes, there’s homophobia and violence on the parts of some, but there’s also hope and love, both romantic and friend types.  Much more important, yes."

I'd also like to say that I met one of their reviewers at GayRomLit last year. I'd spoken to her in emails and talked about how it feels weird to me to say that I have "fans" (because I'm just me), so I always say "people who like to read my books" instead. 

Well, this reviewer presented me with homemade pin that says: People Who Like to Read Erica Pike Girl in the cutest pink letters. I don't think she knows just how much that flattered me. I think I was too stunned to say anything but "Wow, thank you". I hope I get to meet her in Atlanta this year (seek me out if you'll be there, please!).

Okay, second piece of info: Emily had a birthday this month (congrats!) and it just happened to be my birthday month as well. To celebrate, I'm giving away a copy of Welcome, Brother on her blog. Just stop by and leave a comment and your email address (on her site, not here, though you're always welcome to comment here ^.^)

Bottle Extreme?

The people who have read my Boston Boys books will understand why I not only find this video sexy as hell, but also so, soooo cool ^.^ 

Thanks Z. Allora for pointing it out to me.

Welcome, Brother: Excerpt

Excerpt from Welcome, Brother:

It’s a Friday night and the first Brotherhood private party – no outsiders allowed – will be held on the ground floor. I’m nervous as hell, not knowing what to expect. Will they make us do something?

The house is already pumping with a beat from downstairs and I can hear muffled voices and laughter coming from the hallway. I’m ready to go in tight black jeans and green t-shirt, but I’m still delaying my trip to join the others. Instead, I flip through some random book on my bed. It probably won’t be long before Liu comes knocking on the door.

As if on cue, the door is opened, but instead of Liu, Hunter steps in. He casts me a casual smile and closes the door.

“You’re not going?” he asks as he walks to his side of the room and pulls the white t-shirt over his head. Those lovely muscles I’ve been salivating over for the past week stretch and bunch under the beautifully tanned skin. 

“Uh, yeah. I was going in a minute,” I say and avert my eyes when he looks at me. 

Hunter crumbles up the t-shirt and tosses it in a basket, eyes on me as he walks to his dresser. 

“Were you waiting for me?”

Yes.

“No,” I say, with a dangerous stirring in my pants. I casually cover it with the book. “Or maybe. I don’t really know anyone except for you and Liu.”

Hunter stops with a black button-up shirt in his hands. 

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I should’ve introduced you to everyone by now. I’ll fix that tonight.”

Instead of an answer, I just give him a quivering smile. 

Five minutes later, we’re being swallowed by the sea of guys at the foot of the stairs. I recognize a couple of the initiates standing huddled by a wall while others are mingling or being introduced by their masters. Some Brothers seem very hands-on, touching while talking, though it doesn’t seem to be sexual. It still looks weird to me, as I’m not used to being a part of a group of guys and would’ve thought touching was a taboo. At least, the guys back in high school didn’t seem okay with too much touching. A punch in the shoulder, a little bit of roughhousing, and those athlete pats on the butt maybe, but I never saw them hugging, resting a hand on each other’s chests or even holding hands. Here, no one seems to care or even notice. 

A light touch to the small of my back sends swirling heat to my stomach. Hunter smiles at me and steers me through the crowd, introducing me to so many guys that I forget most of their names. They seem pretty cool. Just regular guys who joke around and laugh. Some of them make me fidget under assessing looks, but others just take one glance, offer me beer and try to involve me in whatever they’re doing. Hunter takes his time, not leaving me alone for a moment, and that’s when I realize that this party is probably some sort of vassal-master thing to make the initiates feel welcome. It’s a tad disappointing as Hunter’s spending time with me because he has to, not because he wants to.

“Kyler, Hunter,” Liu calls from the doorway to the lounge. “We’re playing a game.”

Hunter grabs my hand and pulls me through the throng of boys. His skin is dry and soft and makes me so nervous I can hardly feel the touch. When we’re in the lounge, a bunch of guys sit on the couches, chairs, and some on the floor. A space is cleared for Hunter on a three-seater that’s already seating five guys, and I sit squished in a stuffed chair next to a grinning Liu. 

“What are we playing?” asks Hunter from opposite me.

“I Never,” says a round boy I think is named Danny or Dale. “Everybody know it?” he asks, looking at me and the other two vassals in the group. I’m the only one who shakes his head.

“I say something like ‘I never got a speeding ticket’”-a bunch of guys snicker and take a sip of their beers-“and those who have got speeding tickets take a swig of beer while the others don’t. Then the next person comes up with something. It’s a neat game to get to know you newbies.”

“Okay,” I say, nursing my still untouched can of beer between my hands. 

“I never went camping,” the guy next to Danny (or Dale) says. I don’t bring the can to my lips, because I’ve never gone camping. Hunter and a whole lot of other guys take a sip. Liu doesn’t.

“I never masturbated,” says the next guy, which causes a round of laughter as everyone takes a swig – me, with a flushed face, included.

“I never kissed a guy,” says the next one.

I freeze up, but glance around when some guys take a drink while some don’t. It surprises the hell out of me that they’d admit it, just like that. Hunter, I notice, doesn’t take a drink and neither do I since I’ve never been kissed. Damn, he’s straight. Well, I didn’t really think he wasn’t. Or maybe he’s never been kissed either.

“I never kissed a girl,” says the next guy, and again there’s a mix of some drinking and some not. Hunter, eyeing me, takes a sip. I look down at my can and trace my finger along the rim. Damn…

“I never saw RoboCop,” says the guy next to Hunter. Most of the guys take a drink while I don’t. I was never into futuristic robot movies.

“I never wore high heels,” says Hunter, earning himself some laughter – mostly from guys who take a drink. 

“Does it count when you’re a toddler?” one of the vassals asks. When Hunter nods, I take a drink. Hey, I was two and mom managed to snap a picture as evidence.

We continue and I learn that Hunter played basketball, ate Captain Crunch, and went skinny dipping while he never went to Sunday school, had a pet, or stole money. Liu was guilty of the last offence.

For the past four I Never’s, I’d been dreading my turn. I never wanted a boyfriend, would be a nice way to see if Hunter’s one of those who likes guys but has only kissed girls. Or maybe likes both girls and boys. I seem to be clinging to some fruitless fantasy. Who’s to say he’d even want me if he was gay?

“I never… went… um, fishing,” I sputter lamely. I don’t even know where it came from. Hunter smiles at me as he takes a drink while Liu and I don’t. Looks like Liu’s family is about as big on the outdoors as mom and I are.

“I never played with dolls,” says Liu and takes a sip.

I grudgingly take a drink along with a few others. Like I said, I’ve really only had female friends. 

Liu and I are well beyond tipsy when the game is over. Hunter seems to hold alcohol better, because he took more drinks than I did. Liu drags us off to the kitchen to get cold beers.

“You never kissed anyone?” asks Hunter from behind me as we walk.

“Does mom count?” I ask, glad he can’t see the blush on my face.

Hunter chuckles. “Just figured that someone like you would’ve been popular with girls.”

“I was,” I say while we push through the doorway. “As a friend.”

I always got to play the dad, or the baby, or the groom as a kid. Then I got to listen to boyfriend troubles and gush about guys with my friends as a teen. I knew there were girls who had crushes on me, but I made myself unavailable by hanging out with my friends all the time. Friends who knew about me, but never told anyone. By the ninth grade, though, most kids probably suspected.

“Boys, then?” he continues as we stop. Liu opens the fridge to dig out some cold beers while I stand with my back to the counter, facing Hunter but not really looking at him.

Release Day! Welcome, Brother, by Erica Pike: Sweet & Sexy Fraternity Story

I was off by four days! I thought this title wasn't supposed to release until the 27th, but it was released today ^.^ Without further ado, I present Welcome, Brother:

When arts student Kyler Morris applies for membership to The Nova Britannia Brotherhood, he's immediately floored by their intimidating leader, Hunter Kingsley. Fellow arts student Hunter, however, isn't the bad-ass he's made out to be and takes Kyler under his wing. 

While Kyler struggles to keep his crush under control and his sexuality hidden from the Brothers, Hunter battles daemons of his own in the form of two Brothers who aren't playing by the rules.

Available at No Boundaries Press, All Romance eBooks and Amazon. Will be available at other outlets soon :)

Excerpt can be found here.

The Polls are In!

Thanks to everyone who voted on my polls. Someone pointed out to me that should work on the manuscript that doesn't let me sleep at night, but the problem is that ALL the manuscripts are doing exactly that. It was overwhelming, so I was unable to do anything at all. That's why I decided to do a poll and it's been a very nice kick int he butt. 

Combined with the poll numbers from my Goodreads Group (feel free to join!), here's how things stand:

Black Hurricane: 18 votes (44%)

When the World Ended: 11 votes (27%)

And Then He Turned: 6 votes (15%)

Ghost in the Wind: 5 votes (12%)

Boston Boys Halloween: 1 votes (2%)

Your book wasn't the top one? Fret not! I've been working on Black Hurricane for the past three days and it's nearing completion! I'll start on the next project very soon ^.^

That said, I'm very happy to see such an interest in the post-apoc story. 

Blitz & Glitz: College Fun and Gays

It's my very first Book Blitz. I had no idea what that meant until recently. It's basically a day where my books are being promoted by a number of sites ^.^ No Boundaries Press organized and paid for this whole thing for their authors - so, thank you NBP!

Here's where my books are being blitz'ed (with blurbs and excerpts):

Book Reviews and More by Kathy (also did a review of The Walls Have Ears and Little Stalker)

You Gotta Read Reviews

Books Amour

Books N Kisses

Melissa Stevens

Love to Read for Fun

Decadent Decisions (post not up yet)

Harlie's Books

Most of these aren't M/M hangouts (Kathy's is, but I don't think the others are), so let's hope we can drag in some new curious readers to our genre, yes? ^.^ 

A Chance to Get a College Fun and Gays Book

Hi guys :)

I know I just did a giveaway, but this one's a different sort. My publisher, No Boundaries Press, is having a giveaway. You need to have a facebook account to enter. Here's the very simple thing you have to do:

"Get entered to win an NBP book of choice: Simply reply to THIS post and tell us who invited you. That's all...simple. We'll pick a winner on Wednesday January 16, 2013."

NBP published my College Fun and Gays works: Hot Hands, Grade-A-Sex Deal, The Walls Have Ears and Little Stalker.

A Life Without You: Fave Books of 2012

I'm proud to announce that Pants Off Reviews has chosen A Life Without You among their Fave Books of 2012! Not only that, but Jesse, from the book, also won in the Fave Butt Virgin - Overall Virgin category ^.^ I'm sure he'd be honored if he could scoop his jaw off the ground and stop blushing.

The owner of Pants Off Reviews is having a giveaway - a choice from the list of Fave books for the winner, so if you want a chance at winning A Life Without You (or any of the other books), click this link and go for it ^.^

Another way to try to win A Life Without You or Hot Hands is to take part in the New Year's Blog Hop I'm doing.

A Life Without You:

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.

When Adam believes he has reached his ultimate happiness, the bedroom walls come crashing down with a visit from Jesse's girlfriend.

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.

Fantasy vs. Sci-Fi vs. Post-Apocalyptic

Those who know me know that I love Post-Apocalyptic stories. I also like the odd Sci-Fi, but it's the Post-Apoc I'm in love with. Post-Apoc stories, however, can be very hard to find. Publishers/retailers usually don't separate them from Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

First off, Sci-Fi and Fantasy just don't belong together as a genre. They very rarely bleed into each other. If there's a magical element in Sci-Fi, it's usually because of aliens, genetic enhancement, radioactive infection and whatnot. Sci-Fi almost always takes place in the future whereas Fantasy (kingdoms, elves, dwarves, dragson etc.) almost always take place in the "past" (or it's built upon Medieval times with very little modern or futuristic technology at hand). I assume the two were put together in one genre for being "otherworldly". Although this may have been the original reason when Sci-Fi and Fantasy were relatively new in literature, there are thousands upon thousands of each available today, so it's high time to separate the two. Lord of the Rings and Star Trek is NOT the same genre. 

A good example of a Sci-Fi is A Solid Core of Alpha by Amy Lane that happens in space, with holograms, space station and space travel. There are no aliens, but aliens aren't a must in Sci-Fi. A good example of Fantasy is Scorpion by Aleksandr Voinov that happens in a world that has never been our Earth, and yet it doesn't happen in space. There aren't any magical elements, which shows that Fantasy doesn't have to be about magic, but it has different sets of rules and kingdoms. A more traditional Fantasy with an elven kingdom among other things is Counterpoint by Rachel Haimowitz.

What I understand a little better is why Sci-Fi and Post-Apoc are thrown together. Both usually take place in the future. However, there's usually a difference. While the two may bleed into each other, mixing a ruined earth with space travel, Sci-Fi usually happens in space while Post-Apoc almost always focuses on Earth after a catastrophe. There may be scientific elements in Post-Apoc, but if it's a story about people on Earth struggling to live in an environment with very changed set of social rules, it's Post-Apoc (also often known as Dystopia). At least these are my definitions.  

Post-Apoc and Dystopia are very often the one and same. However, they can be different. Post-Apoc can take place thousands of years after most of humanity died and there's a new and better world. That's not a Dystopia. Dystopia is when the social rules or living conditions are negative (Dystopia is the opposite of Utopia). 

A good example of a Post-Apoc is 18% Grey by Anne Tenino where the USA has been split in half after a war, one half being accepting of GLBT; the other not (there are more differences, basically the more accepting one is more technologically advanced while the other half is deteriorating). The story has technological advancements, but it's not Sci-Fi per say, since it's just further development of our technology and not something as big as time travel or warp speed. Another is Marked Yours (Sentries series) by Elizabeth Noble, where the Earth got ruined with volcanic eruptions that killed and destroyed. The USA is split into new parts, one of which has a tradition of master/slave relationships. This is a very thought-out world Noble has crated, but instead of being technologically advanced, it's reverted back to old times with horses and such. It has paranormal elements, but that's Paranormal, not Sci-Fi, so it's a Post-Apocalyptic Dystopia/Paranormal.

Since I'm on the topic, Alternate Universe is not the same as Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Post-Apoc, or Dystopia. Alternate Universe is when something happened in our time, on our planet, that has changed something so dramatically so that our world today is different. It's also known as parallel universe. Characters are living in a world today after the Soviet Union won the Cold War back in the 1990's, or the Chinese took over the world in the 1800's and the world language is Chinese and everyone lives differently, or Kennedy was never assassinated. World hunger was resolved a hundred years ago - the world would be different today if it was. 

A good example of an Alternate Universe is The Starving Years by Jordan Castillo Price, where world hunger ended in 1960. 

Then what about Fantasy vs. Paranormal vs. Urban Fantasy? Generally, Fantasy takes place in a made-up kingdom, with kings, knights, dragons, elves, and whatever other things a fantasy kingdom needs. Paranormal takes place in our world, usually in our time. Those are vampires, werewolves, fey, angels, etc. Urban Fantasy vs. Paranormal is more difficult to differentiate, and I kind of think people are splitting hairs with this one (kind of like separating Dystopia and Post-Apoc), but a definition I heard while I was still reading YA Paranormal was that Urban Fantasy was basically Paranormal, only it happened in cities. I don't know if that's the correct definition, but it's what I heard. 

A classic example of a Paranormal is Rules are Meant to be Broken by N.J. Nielsen, a book about vampires. A good example of Urban Fantasy would be Ink by Isabelle Rowan, about a demon in the city of Melbourne, Australia. (Both of these take place in Australia, actually, but there's no big city backdrop in Rules are Meant to be Broken).

It really bothers me to have to go through Fantasy titles when I'm looking for Sci-Fi. It also bothers me to have to go through Sci-Fi titles to find Post-Apocalyptic. Come on, retailers and publishers, make it easier for us to find the books we want. 

I was lucky to stumble upon a list on Goodreads called Gay Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopic. I'm currently working my way through the titles there, but if there's a new Post-Apoc book out? I'll have to wait for it to hit that list, because I won't be able to find it on the retailer sites under a Post-Apoc listing. 

Want Little Stalker?

Hi guys :)

Little Stalker is up for grabs at Stumbling Over Chaos. You have until December 20th to throw your name in the hat for a chance to win. 

The December hop begins tomorrow. I still haven't decided on the prizes, but they'll be good.

Little Stalker: 4 Stars on Hearts on Fire Reviews

Wow, I didn't expect to get a review so fast. I sent out a few requests this morning and one's already up! Hearts on Fire Reviews gave Little Stalker 4 stars along with their excellent review. It's always exciting to see how the first reactions are. 

Release Day! Little Stalker by Erica Pike

Closet-case and college student Coby is being stalked by a cute guy...

Little Stalker (College Fun and Gays #4)

by Erica Pike

No Boundaries Press 

Blurb:

College student Coby is being stalked by a young guy and has no idea why, until someone suggests that the stalker may have a crush on him. The idea both excites and terrifies Coby, who is so deep in the closet he can barely manage to think the word “gay” without freaking out.

Excerpt:

He flinches from my touch and backs into the wall, but I follow and thread my fingers through that kitten-soft hair, pushing it aside to see the fading bruise.

Who would do that to him?

As Grayson looks down with flushed skin, his cheek brushes the inside of my palm. He jerks to a stop and holds his breath, just as I hold mine.

Without thinking about it, I lay my palm further against his skin, taking in the warm, soft feel of it. It’s like touching a girl...but still different. His skin is smooth, but there’s a thin line along his jaw that feels rougher, like a hint of stubble.

“Have you ever kissed a guy?” I ask in a low voice, shocking both him and myself with my words. But instead of trying to reel them back, I gaze down at his lowered face. Ray’s words this morning flash through my mind. ‘Just because you’d fuck him it wouldn't mean anything.’ I've been half horny all morning...

He sucks in his lower lip and licks the upper one with the tip of his tongue. It makes my whole groin twitch. The heat in my crotch is almost painful and the rest of my body feels numb.

“Yeah,” he whispers, still looking down.

“What’s it like?” I ask, my voice low and a little thicker than usual. “Is it different from kissing a girl?” It feels like there’s a vibrating rock in the pit of my stomach and its sending shocks to my rapidly beating heart. My fingers on his face tremble, and I’m breaking out in a sweat.

His gaze rises to meet mine, wide and pretty – eyes much too large for his small face. He licks his lips again, cocking his head to the side.

“ I've never kissed a girl,” he says in a low voice, chest heaving rapidly, red lips half parted.

God...

Before I can even think to stop myself, I’m lowering my head, my trembling lips touching his very, very lightly. It’s not enough to determine if it’s different, but it feels soft and wet, and oh, he smells so good. His hair is a little damp after the rain, but his own natural smell... I touch my lips to his again, a little firmer this time, lingering, savoring the wet, ticklish feel that sends all sorts of sparks through my body. My head feels so light it’s like I’m not even in my own body anymore. Yeah, it definitely feels different from kissing a girl; it feels unreal.

We kiss more, each touch experimental, hesitant. My fingers barely touch his face and he trembles less than an inch from my arm.

When I pull back, I gaze in Grayson’s dazed eyes. They mirror my own hazy brain. The warmth from his body is like a magnet, trying to pull mine closer, and I gently position my hands on his hips. I lick my lips and step closer.

He meets me halfway when I bend down to kiss him again, sliding his arms up my torso to rest on my pectorals. He moans once, his mouth opens for my tongue, and my knees go weak with all the fireworks shooting from limb to limb. God, he feels so good. His tongue is thin, nimble, and so hot against mine it burns. He grabs my shoulder when it feels like he’s about to fall, and his other hand clasps the shirt on my back for support. I grab him, holding on tightly as I kiss him with tongue twisting, teeth clashing intensity, grazing his lips with my teeth and sucking on them. I hear myself moan into his mouth and him echoing with added whimpers and sighs. He feels so good.

I break away to rest my forehead against his, just to catch my breath a little.

Available at No Boundaries Press, All Romance eBooks, Amazon, B&N (and others soon).

Little Stalker on Goodreads.

Fun Author Chat at LRC Today

I'll be at Love Romance Café today with other No Boundaries Press authors. The purpose is to promote our books, discuss future projects, answer questions, GIVEAWAYS, and just chat and have fun :) I've already answered the first round of questions. There's news of Welcome Brother there among other things.

The Next Big Thing (NSFW)

Welcome Brother (by Dan Skinner)

Bet you keep seeing that blog title all over, huh? Well, it's my turn ;)

Jessica Freely, whom I had the great pleasure to meet at GayRomLit this year, asked me recently if I'd like to be a part of this big thing. So what is the big thing anyway? It probably started with one person, who chose four people to answer the same questions, who each chose four people to answer the questions, etc. So it's probably a huge pyramid by now. I'm supposed to link to her blog and to the blogs of the four people I contacted. Well, the four people I contacted were either too busy or didn't want to take part, so I'm only linking back to Jessica.

What is the working title of your book?

Welcome Brother (College Fun and Gays #5)

Where did the idea come from for the book?

A photograph by Dan Skinner, titled Welcome Brother (he gave me permission to use that title). However, the story has drastically changed since then and isn't so much about kinky sex anymore (in fact, there's not much sex in it). It's about being in love with the brotherhood's leader and some issues of being gay in a brotherhood.

What genre does your book fall under?

M/M Contemporary Romance. More specifically, college romance.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

I can't think of any. This story is too short to ever be made into a film.

What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?

When college student Kyler applies for a membership to the Nova Britannia Brotherhood, all he can see is their very intimidating leader.

Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?

It will be published by No Boundaries Press, hopefully at the beginning of next year.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

A couple of weeks. I edit as I go, so it takes a bit longer. I then sent it to critique partners... and put it away for months and months before I took a look at it again. I'd been convinced it wasn't a good story, but reading it again I've realized that it is a good story, even though it just might offend a few people. 

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre.

Hard to say. The other stories in the College Fun and Gays series? They all take place in college (the same college, actually -  those paying attention will see the occasional character from another story), but they're not really related in any other way, so they can be read in whatever order people want. 

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

Like I said, a photograph by Dan Skinner initiated the idea, but the story changed a lot since then. I actually own this photo (bought it from him and it's at the top of this post), but realize now that I can't use it for this story. Maybe I'll write a pure erotica to go with this photo, but it won't be in this series. Actually, I do have an idea for the plot...

What else about your book might interest the reader?

Kyler, the main character, is insecure about his speech. He has the "gay accent" - and this is why I think people might get offended - which isn't really a "gay" accent, just a speech pattern that some guys (gay and straight) have. As a new brother, Kyler doesn't want his sexuality discovered right away, because people don't often give him a proper chance if they know he's gay before they get to meet him. He's spent years coaching himself to keep the "gay" out of his speech, but slips up in front of the brotherhood leader. 

This part of the story was actually inspired by Zathyn Priest, who wrote a blog post about his "gay accent", a speech pattern he has, but doesn't want to have. I wrote a long author's note at the end of the story to explain this and why I put it in the story.

Black Friday Hop: SWAG

Oh no! Now that I have actual SWAG of my own, I'm going to be giving some away with every contest!

It's Black Friday in America, which is supposedly a day when everyone goes nuts to buy Christmas presents at lowered prizes. Until last year, I hadn't even heard of this day. Then I read a blog post by someone on how to organize your Black Friday (preferably starting a week before) to get the most out of it and to beat the crowds. As I'm very interested in marketing and marketing behavior, I sat glued to my screen, amazed at how this person had everything down to a point. She and her three friends did this together, each going to X shops to buy Y things for whichever of the four wanted stuff from that store (it was all carefully marked down on paper - with images and all). So with all four of them spread over, showing up veeery early, they managed to cover a lot of ground before noon. This sounds like a lot of fun. If there's anything I love more than shopping, it's shopping in the USA. But this also sounds exhausting. I assume you have to watch your shopping cart (if there's even room for one) or people will just take things from it.

Anyway, I don't have the link to this particular blog, but I found this instead: 10 Rules of Black Friday Shopping.

So, what am I doing today aside from giving stuff away? Hoping to find crazy deals on ebooks ^.^

So, here's the deal. This hop is ONLY for today, November 23rd. I'm giving away a choice of one of my College Fun and Gays books (winner's pick - Little Stalker included, as I expect it'll be released today) along with SWAG to one winner. The SWAG pack is international (since I'm shipping from Iceland anyway). You are, of course, allowed to decline the SWAG pack if it'll only end up in your trash bin once it arrives 'cause you only wanted the ebook ;P

What you need to do to enter the contest is to leave a comment with your email address, so I can reach you. The winner will be randomly picked, posted, and contacted the day after the hop. 

But there's more!! There are grand prizes :D 

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $75 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

The first and third prizes are USA only - but I'm sure it's okay if you have a friend in the USA to whom you can have it sent. Remember, the more Black Friday blogs you comment on, the more chances you have of winning (that's over 200 chances!). 

Please, if you're only commenting to increase your chances of winning the grand prizes - which is something you're totally entitled to do - please ask me not to include you in my personal giveaway so that the people who are actually interested in my books/SWAG will have more chance of winning. Thanks :)

If you ARE interested in my books/blog, here are a few ways you can follow me (this is not necessary to take part in the giveaway!): Google Friends Connect to your right, Newsletter, Facebook, Twitter (not terribly active on Twitter though, but I'm very active on Facebook). If you want to sample my writing, here's a free-read: Half-Baked Promises.

Anyway, happy hopping!

Over 70 M/M Books Donated

Hi guys :)

Yesterday, my cousin Þóra and I went to the LGBT center in Iceland and delivered the 63 books we brought back from GRL 2012. 63 books!! With the books that have been sent directly from authors and the ones on the way, there will be over 70 new m/m books at the library before Christmas.

What am I talking about here? Earlier this year I did a donation call to my fellow m/m writers to ask if some would be willing to donate a print book for the LGBT-exclusive library at the center. It's a fairly large library considering that it only contains LGBT titles. They have non-fics, magazines, yaoi, DVD's, articles....and a very old fiction section. They haven't had money for years to buy new fiction and the most recent title I was able to find was from 2003. None of the amazing contemporary books by my fellow authors were available and it was saddening. So I did the call and got around 20 responses. I offered to take the books back with me from the conference to give to the center. At the conference, however, more than those who signed up gave books. Some gave their whole collection (one gave 10 books!), Riptide generously gave a whole bunch and I gave bunch of books I won/bought. The majority, however, was from individual donations and I am SO thankful for the generosity. This will be a great Christmas for the library and the people who read the books from there. 

Sadly, Arni - the director - was sick and was unable to receive the books. There was an annual meeting later in the evening, so I stacked the boxes in Arni's office and the board of the LGBT organization officially received them instead. We got a big round of applause for all the books and they thank you from the bottom of their hearts. Since this was in the evening, my cousin was unable to attend and therefor I had no photographer. So, no pictures from the delivery. I did take a picture of the 63 books we lugged with us back to Iceland (header picture), so you can see the pretty pile. 

Again, a big thanks to everyone - and the ones who asked me for the center's address to send books. Here are the people/publishers who donated books (I sincerely hope I didn't forget anyone):

Ally Blue

Anel Viz

Anne Tenino

AR Moeler

Bella Leone

Cherie Noel

Christopher Koehler

Clancy Nacht and Thursday Euclid

DC Juris

Edmond Manning

Em Linley

Erica Pike

Geoffrey Knight

Jessica Freely

JP Bowie

KC Burn

Kiernan Kelly

Kim Fielding

Marguerite Labbe

Mercy Celeste

MLR Press

NJ Nielsen

Prism Books
Ranae Rose

Resplendence

Riptide

Sara York

Simone Anderson

Taylor V. Donovan

TC Blue

Torquere

Total E-Bound

Z. Allora