Read Around the Rainbow - Do you write about where you live?

 I'm a member of Read around the Rainbow, a rag tag collection of authors who are part of or who write about all letters of the LGBTQ+ rainbow. Each month we'll be posing a question or subject up for discussion. This month the question posed is 'Do you set your books in the place you live (or have lived) in?'

My answer is, as always, suitably vague. Sometimes, but only in the broadest terms, or not at all. Helpful, yes? No, not at all. I don't blame you if your response is "Whatever do you mean?"

Let's try and clarify. 

I live in the UK. South East to be more precise. And some of my books are set in and around that area. 

Waiting for a Spark is set the closest to home, in fact the Polish shop that Jerome visits when he runs out of milk is 5 minutes walk away. I used it myself, when I ran out of milk, and more recently when I couldn't get a bottle of Advocaat in the supermarket (I can't put the Christmas Tree up without a snowball). They do a gorgeous poppy seed cheesecake. 

Also set in the vicinity, although a few more miles out, is New Lease of Life. And yet the books couldn't be more different in tone as to the type of people that populate the pages. If Pip ran out of milk, he'd go without until he could order in a food delivery, and Colby, well he's far less likely to run out of milk and would stop off at Waitrose on his way home. Colby might have been a council estate lad but he's got money now, and Pip, well, he's the entitled elite, public schools, Royal Ascot, and Henley Regatta. He probably never had to wonder how the milk got in the fridge, it was just magically there. And then his accident happened and he just didn't care about milk (or food at all, really) to worry if it wasn't there. One city (and the outskirts), such a variety of people. 

In my Village Love series I made up my own village, based on all the villages in the South Downs that I've visited or driven through over the years. Look on a map, you won't find Slopy Bottom on any of them, but if you drive that corner of England you'll pass through any number that could be Slopy Bottom. The sights, the sounds, even the smells. 

Check out the posts from the other members of the RatR crew. 

Nell Iris: Read Around the Rainbow: Setting Books Where You Live

Ofelia Grand: Read Around the Rainbow | Do You Set Your Stories in the Place You Live?

Fiona Glass: Read Around the Rainbow: Setting Books Where You Live

Amy Spector: Read Around the Rainbow • Setting Books in Your Hometown #RAtR

Holly Day: Read Around the Rainbow | Do you set your books in the place you live?

KL Noone: Read Around the Rainbow: setting stories where you live?

Addison Albright: READ AROUND THE RAINBOW ~ WebRing ~ Have I set books where I've lived? ~ #RAtR

Valentine's Giveaway

Could running out of milk have
Jerome running headlong into love?

I'm taking part in a Valentine Giveaway. 

Join me and 19 other authors as we give away free short stories. That's 20 free short stories for about five minutes of your time. The downside, you'll be asked to sin up to our newsletters. I can't speak for the rest of the authors there but I'm as lax with my newsletter as I am with my blog, so you'll be lucky to hear from me once a month. Normally new releases and sales.

Enough already, what book can I get?
I'll be giving away 'Waiting for a Spark', which includes the ficlet 'When the Boat Comes In'

I know this is supposed to be Fiction friday...

but I forgot to prep the post.

Instead have a quick round up of what's happening in my quiet corner of the publishing world.

The first newsletter went out, only a week late and with only one formatting issue that I've had reported back to me (which I had caught when it was too late, and didn't see the point of reissuing). I'd hoped giving away a free book would generate some reviews for said sadly neglected short but it was not to be. Still, it's good to have Waiting for a Spark back on the virtual bookshelves.

Talking of returning to the shelves, I managed to get Theory Unproven re-released just days before my self-imposed deadline. I also flirted with sending out ARC copies. I've had a few reviews from that but I'm not sure how much impact that has had on sales.

This month I intend to re-release Lesson Learned, my very first book from back in 2012. In fact it was originally released 5 years ago yesterday. I'll be sharing the cover in a week or so. This one has had a bit of a rewrite and has taken more work to get it back on the shelves. Thanks to Clare London, Alex Jane, and Katherine Halle for helping with this. I WILL have this on sale by the end of the month.

I've signed all my books up to Payhip. But I've yet to have any sales there. I think there is a post here but I'll save it for another time.

Anyway, that's just a quick catch-up on what's happening with me. Oh, and my hair is purple.
I'll leave you with a banner for Theory Unproven, because who can resist looking at those boys...and Eric and Tyaan aren't bad to look at either.

Universal Amazon link: myBook.to/TheoryUnproven_LF

Sorry for the delay

Real Life got in the way, and that means I'm still working on the newsletter. So if you want to sign up for the first issue (and get a free copy Waiting for a Spark, now with the bonus ficlet When the Boat Come In) there is still time. I anticipate it being ready to go by Friday.

Subscribe to my newsletter

Waiting for a Spark - Buy links

Waiting for a Spark is now available to purchase.

Universal Amazon link getBook.at/WaitingforaSpark

And it's uploaded to Smashwords so will be appearing at all the usual places via them at some point over the next few days.

But don't forget, if you sign up for my newsletter by 5th January I'll give you a copy absolutely free.

Could running out of milk have Jerome running headlong into love?

Jerome's life is pretty mundane. Every day he catches the bus to work, listens to his best friend rant on about the latest crisis in his life, and tries to stop his attention from wandering to the gorgeous guy in the back seat.

Friday morning is no different. Except that Jerome is lost in all kinds of lustful dreams because Gorgeous is definitely making eye contact. But when his best friend involves the entire bus in a rant about jobs lost to Eastern Europeans, Jerome finds himself too distracted to challenge it. And that moment of inattention might ruin Jerome's chance to finally discover if reality can match his fantasies because Gorgeous has gone. And without as much as a backwards glance. 

Two days later, Jerome’s run out of milk and all the local shops are shut except for the Polskie Delikatesy. Stepping through the door brings Jerome face to face with the object of his hopeless affection—and an awkward confrontation about the nature of prejudice. If he can come to terms with his own misconceptions about others, and accept the offered chance to set the record straight, maybe he'll be going home with more than just a pint of milk. 

Waiting for a Spark - a new blurb and grab it for free

Waiting for a Spark now has a new blurb to go with the new cover.

Blurb

Jerome's life is pretty mundane. Every day he catches the bus to work, listens to his best friend rant on about the latest crisis in his life, and tries to stop his attention from wandering to the gorgeous guy in the back seat.

Friday morning is no different. Except that Jerome is lost in all kinds of lustful dreams because Gorgeous is definitely making eye contact. But when his best friend involves the entire bus in a rant about jobs lost to Eastern Europeans, Jerome finds himself too distracted to challenge it. And that moment of inattention might ruin Jerome's chance to finally discover if reality can match his fantasies because Gorgeous has gone. And without as much as a backwards glance.

 

Two days later, Jerome’s run out of milk and all the local shops are shut except for the Polskie Delikatesy. Stepping through the door brings Jerome face to face with the object of his hopeless affection—and an awkward confrontation about the nature of prejudice. If he can come to terms with his own misconceptions about others, and accept the offered chance to set the record straight, maybe he'll be going home with more than just a pint of milk. 

Don't forget that if you sign up for my newsletter by 5th January I'll be giving this book to each subscriber absolutely free.

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Finally I have a newsletter

I've finally got myself a newsletter. I intend to try to send an email out every month or so, but don't worry, I'll restrict it to times when I have information to impart. It will be the easiest way to find out about my new releases, cover reveals, and sales. I may even throw in snippets from my latest WIP, plans for future stories, ficlets from our favourite characters, maybe even the occasional freebie.

In fact if you sign up before Twelfth Night, the first issue of the newsletter will contain a free copy of my soon to be re-released short story 'Waiting for a Spark'.

Come on, what have you got to lose.

Subscribe to my newsletter

Cover Reveal

I'm pleased to announce that Waiting for a Spark will soon be re-released with a brand new cover, a 99p price point, and hopefully a more enticing blurb.

For now let's see that new cover...

Hope you like it. I made it myself. *preens*

The best laid plans

The best laid plans have a tendency to go awry when life throws you a curve ball. Consequently I think it's best I talk in plans for the rest of the year rather than this week or month. It's not like I've ever been any good at sticking to my plans anyway.


I've had the rights back to Lesson Learned for a while now. A conversation with Meredith Russell at the UK Meet has kickstarted the design process for a new cover. Plans are underway to get that back out in circulation before Christmas.

Waiting for a Spark has recently reached the end of its contract with JMS. I'll be sorting out a new cover for that in the coming months.

The second book in the Village Love story is well underway. I've had the first draft back from two of my betas. Another of the things I need to get on with.

That curve ball has stopped me in my writing tracks. I've not written new words in more than 6 weeks, but never fear they are all still in there, I just need to find the oomph to get them out.

Waiting for a Spark

As of a week or so ago Waiting for a Spark is currently out of print.

I intend to re-release under Finally Love Press at some point in the near future. It needs little in the way of work, just a new cover and then some formatting. Maybe a new blurb.

I'm on the look out for something sweet with a London vibe, quite similar to the original cover (which I had quite a heavy hand in designing). Preferably something premade since they are generally cheaper. If anyone finds anything they think is appropriate leave me a link here or give me a poke on GR, FB, or Twitter.

I'm off to scourer my fave cover artists' premade sites.

In the meantime if you really must read WfsS now then it's still available in the Lashings of Sauce anthology.

$1 dollar book

From JMS Books. 

"To celebrate Pride month, we’re holding a HUGE sale all week long!

From June 12 through June 19, save 35% off ALL e-books purchased through our website!

And, to honor those we lost Sunday at the Pulse night club shooting, half of all publisher royalties earned during the sale will be donated to Equality Florida in support of the victims and their families.

So stop by JMS Books today and start shopping."

So for this week only Waiting for a Spark will be just $1.

What a bargain. 

Another Sale

On their site, JMS Books will be running a huge sale starting on Black Friday and running through Cyber Monday. That means the sale will run from Friday, November 27, through Monday, November 30. 

All e-books will be 35% off, including sale titles and pre-orders.

That means you could pick up Waiting for a Spark at 35% off.

Or you could try something by one of these authors:

Liam Livings
Clare London
JL Merrow

JMS Books is celebrating

JMS Books is 5 this month and to celebrate all e-books across the board are 30% off. There is much more going on so go and check out the website.

That means you can pick up Waiting for a Spark for $2.09.

Also check out the books by Clare London, Liam Livings, and J L Merrow.

Damn, I knew there was something I was meant to blog about today...

JMS Books are having a One Day Flash sale at ARe. Today only all JMS Books are 25%.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to pick up a copy of my short story, Waiting for a Spark.

Want to try before you buy? Here's an excerpt:

Across the bus, Gorgeous smiled encouragingly and his tongue flicked out to wet his lower lip. Could he read Jerome’s mind? Or was the fact he wanted to push the guy to his knees and urge those moist lips to his cock written all over his face?

Nav’s voice was loud in the space left by the school kids’ chatter. “Yeah, they gave the job to a fuckin’ Pole. It’s a fuckin’ outrage, innit?”

There was a spare seat next to Gorgeous now. What would he do if Jerome just walked over there and sat down? Just started talking as if they weren’t complete strangers.

“It’s fuckin’ not on. Jer? Is it?”

“Yeah,” Jerome nodded, only vaguely aware of his friend’s rant. Did he have the bollocks to go up to a total stranger on the bus and ask for his number?

The smile slipped from Gorgeous’ face. He frowned and reached for the abandoned paper in his lap.

“You should write an article about it for the paper,” Nav urged, on a roll now.

“Maybe,” Jerome agreed. Had he done something wrong? Taken too much time thinking about it or just misread the situation completely.

“How they’ve come over here stealing our jobs and our women. Taking benefits intended for British people. Yeah,” Nav nudged Jerome with an elbow, drawing his attention with the sharp jab of bone into his ribs. “Fuckin’ immigrants.”

“What?” Jerome snapped, suddenly aware of the nature of his friend’s tirade.

“It’d make a great piece to get you noticed by the editors.”

Yeah, if the paper was owned by the BNP. His sarcastic retort remained on the tip of his tongue, though. There were several people on the bus muttering their accord at Nav’s little speech; none seemed particularly bothered that this impassioned crap was coming from the mouth of a skinny Asian lad. Even Nav, the first generation of his family to be born and bred in England, didn’t seem aware of the irony. The elderly woman nodding along in agreement had probably said the same thing about Nav’s own parents when they first arrived on British soil from India.

Others watched their small group with cautious eyes, narrowed in concern or suspicion. A pleasant, fantasy-fuelled bus ride had suddenly become a powder keg waiting for a spark.

Sales

Totally Bound are having a 20% off sale across all ebooks.

Take advantage of the offer if you want to buy When Love Flue In for a last minute Christmas read. Or if you just want to extend those warm & fuzzy holiday feelings.

Also JMS Books are still running their sale until 2nd January 2015. 
Pick up Waiting for a Spark at 35% off.

Site wide sale

From today through to Sunday 2nd November JMS Books have a site wide sale. All ebooks will be 35% off. Take this opportunity to grab stories by some of my favourite authors: J L Merrow, Clare London, Liam Livings. Or the UK Meet anthologies.

Of course while you're there you could pick up my short story Waiting for a Spark.


Talking of Waiting for a Spark, I found a great review here at MM Good Book Reviews. I know certain author's would find a 3.5 heart rating an insult but it's all about the content of the review for me. Several points made me smile especially the first line of the review.

This review could be summed up with the following three words. Sigh, Smile, Happy! 

 That is how I want my readers to feel when they finish one of my stories.

Another line made me preen, because--and my crit partners will back me up here--I struggle to write a short story and keep it short.

This is a short story that illustrates with textbook accuracy exactly how a short story should be written.

The rest of the review goes on to point out exactly what I'd done right. Preen? I was giddy with delight.

How I have never stumbled on this review before (it was written just after the book's release in Sept 2013) I don't know, but I'm pleased to have found it now.

Free Read

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Last day to get 40% off

Last day to get 40% off Waiting for a Spark.

From JMS Books website:

This weekend, we're having a HUGE sale on our site! All e-books, all lengths, all formats, in all genres, are 40% off now through April 20th! If you don't celebrate Easter, no big deal. Save 40% off on our Spring Weekend Sale instead! (See what I did there?) Either way, shop our websites this weekend and save BIG on all our awesome e-book releases!

There are no calories in books. 

Happy Easter!

Money, money, money...off

This week JMS Books are the featured publisher at Romance Lives Forever Blog. To celebrate this fact they are offering a special promotional code to use this week only.

Save 40% off your order with the code RLFblog
One use per customer and expires on 15th September 2013.

Pick up your copy of Waiting for a Spark.

Go on, what are you waiting for?

Giveaway

Fancy winning a copy of Waiting for a Spark?

Head on over to Stumblingoverchaos to add your name to the mix. Contest closes on 13th September.

Good Luck.