Michele Notaro's Blog
April 12, 2018
~MY ANNOUNCEMENT + AN EXCERPT~
I posted this in my Facebook group (Notaro's Haven), but I figured I should post it here, in case anyone wants to know what's going on with my Finding My Forever series.
Okay, here goes nothing.
As you know, Declan was originally supposed to be with Matty. Some of you probably know that I have rewritten their story about 4 times and I just haven’t been happy with any of them, so I have thrown out many, many words lol. While I was writing their story, Matty kept pulling away and wanting to go with another character (who you haven’t met yet, but is a big part of Matty’s life). One thing I’ve learned since publishing books is that you always listen to your characters. If you try to force them to do anything, you’ll stress yourself out and the story will suffer for it.
This book was really giving me a hard time to the point that it was affecting my mental health. Every time I opened Declan’s book, I had bad anxiety and would typically have a panic attack (much like right now as I’m writing this). The point is that I had to do something drastic in order to get back to wanting to write Dec’s story, instead of feeling like I had to. I’ve written many versions of his journey and nothing really felt right until I decided to let Matty go and try out Trent. And finally, I was excited to write Declan again.
I know this may not be the story you were expecting, but I hope you’ll give Trent and Declan a chance because I truly feel like I finally found Declan’s missing pieces in Trent. And don’t worry, Matty will get his own happy ending down the line, and of course you’ll find out a lot of what happened between Dec and Matty throughout the book, though much of that is more of Matty’s story than Dec’s.
And lastly, I’m also doing dual POV in this book instead of single, because I want to lol.
Now, before you get out your pitchforks, please read the beginning of Chapter 1 of Trent and Dec’s book below so you can get a sneak peek of them together. Hopefully it will make you want to kill me a little less lol.
~Without further ado, here's an excerpt from Declan and Trent's book, A True Fit: Finding My Forever Book 4~
(Unedited and subject to change. Copyright © Michele Notaro 2018)
Trent~
“Hey, Trent,” a deep voice said from beside me.
I turned on my stool and rolled my eyes. “Oh, hell, no,” I said, then turned back around and took a sip of my margarita.
I heard the guy sigh and say, “So what? I’m not even allowed to say ‘hi’ to you?”
“Nope,” I said without looking at him.
He sighed again. “Seriously? He’s moved on. He got married for fuck’s sake.”
I eyed the guy as secretly as possible, then took another sip of my margarita. The guy was hot as fuck, there was no denying that. It just so happened that he was also the douchey ex of my friend, so I didn’t want anything to do with him. Even if those strong arms, light brown hair, and those gorgeous blue eyes that always sparkled mischievously were like a beacon calling to me. I couldn’t act on it. No. Freaking. Way.
“You know,” Declan the douche said, “it’s not like I was trying to pick you up. I just saw you sitting here, so I thought I’d say hi. You don’t have to be a douche about it.”
I choked on the sip I was trying to swallow as I laughed at that. When I got my coughing under control, I laughed out, “You think I’m the douche?”
He lifted a brow and leaned against the bar as he glanced at me. “You’re the one that’s acting like you’re better than me, so yeah, I do.”
“I am not acting like I’m better than you.” I turned to face him. “I’m acting like you’re the guy that broke my friend’s heart.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, but didn’t deny it. Actually, the longer I examined him, the more upset he looked. For some reason, seeing big bad Declan looking upset made me let down my defenses a little and I found myself asking, “Hey, you okay?”
He looked at me and shot me a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
I didn’t believe that for a second, but I didn’t know him well enough to call him out on it. I did however know just how to cheer someone up, so I drained my drink and took the beer out of his hand, placing it on the bar. Then I grabbed his hand, stood up and started pulling him with me as I said over my shoulder, “Come dance with me.”
“Really?” He looked doubtful, not that I could blame him after the way I’d treated him a minute ago.
“Yes, silly. Dance with me for a bit, then you can find someone to fuck, or whatever it is you’re doing here.” I stopped on the dance floor and faced him.
He lifted a brow again, but let me use his arm to twirl around. I started doing goofy dance moves and before I knew it, he was chuckling at me. Point, me.
The dance floor started filling up, and unfortunately, I could no longer spin away from him because there wasn’t enough room. I pouted for a second, then thought, fuck it, and threw my arms around Declan’s neck with a big smile on my face. He looked surprised at first, but then smiled softly at me and put his hands on my hips. Facing him this closely, I could smell his spicy cologne, and I indulged myself for just a moment by taking a deep breath. Once my lungs were filled, I snapped my eyes up to Declan’s and mentally cringed. He was smirking, just a little, so I was pretty damn sure he knew I’d just smelled him. Since I couldn’t deny it, I just shrugged a shoulder at him, which made him chuckle again. Two points, me.
Declan suddenly leaned forward, and for a second, I was afraid he was going to kiss me, but then he bent down farther and stuck his nose close to my neck so I could hear him take a deep breath before he whispered into my ear, “You smell good too.”
I smacked his shoulder and couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me. “Shut up,” I said, still laughing. He leaned back and smiled at me with amusement. Point, Dec. I had to give him that one. Smartass.
Okay, here goes nothing.
As you know, Declan was originally supposed to be with Matty. Some of you probably know that I have rewritten their story about 4 times and I just haven’t been happy with any of them, so I have thrown out many, many words lol. While I was writing their story, Matty kept pulling away and wanting to go with another character (who you haven’t met yet, but is a big part of Matty’s life). One thing I’ve learned since publishing books is that you always listen to your characters. If you try to force them to do anything, you’ll stress yourself out and the story will suffer for it.
This book was really giving me a hard time to the point that it was affecting my mental health. Every time I opened Declan’s book, I had bad anxiety and would typically have a panic attack (much like right now as I’m writing this). The point is that I had to do something drastic in order to get back to wanting to write Dec’s story, instead of feeling like I had to. I’ve written many versions of his journey and nothing really felt right until I decided to let Matty go and try out Trent. And finally, I was excited to write Declan again.
I know this may not be the story you were expecting, but I hope you’ll give Trent and Declan a chance because I truly feel like I finally found Declan’s missing pieces in Trent. And don’t worry, Matty will get his own happy ending down the line, and of course you’ll find out a lot of what happened between Dec and Matty throughout the book, though much of that is more of Matty’s story than Dec’s.
And lastly, I’m also doing dual POV in this book instead of single, because I want to lol.
Now, before you get out your pitchforks, please read the beginning of Chapter 1 of Trent and Dec’s book below so you can get a sneak peek of them together. Hopefully it will make you want to kill me a little less lol.
~Without further ado, here's an excerpt from Declan and Trent's book, A True Fit: Finding My Forever Book 4~
(Unedited and subject to change. Copyright © Michele Notaro 2018)
Trent~
“Hey, Trent,” a deep voice said from beside me.
I turned on my stool and rolled my eyes. “Oh, hell, no,” I said, then turned back around and took a sip of my margarita.
I heard the guy sigh and say, “So what? I’m not even allowed to say ‘hi’ to you?”
“Nope,” I said without looking at him.
He sighed again. “Seriously? He’s moved on. He got married for fuck’s sake.”
I eyed the guy as secretly as possible, then took another sip of my margarita. The guy was hot as fuck, there was no denying that. It just so happened that he was also the douchey ex of my friend, so I didn’t want anything to do with him. Even if those strong arms, light brown hair, and those gorgeous blue eyes that always sparkled mischievously were like a beacon calling to me. I couldn’t act on it. No. Freaking. Way.
“You know,” Declan the douche said, “it’s not like I was trying to pick you up. I just saw you sitting here, so I thought I’d say hi. You don’t have to be a douche about it.”
I choked on the sip I was trying to swallow as I laughed at that. When I got my coughing under control, I laughed out, “You think I’m the douche?”
He lifted a brow and leaned against the bar as he glanced at me. “You’re the one that’s acting like you’re better than me, so yeah, I do.”
“I am not acting like I’m better than you.” I turned to face him. “I’m acting like you’re the guy that broke my friend’s heart.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, but didn’t deny it. Actually, the longer I examined him, the more upset he looked. For some reason, seeing big bad Declan looking upset made me let down my defenses a little and I found myself asking, “Hey, you okay?”
He looked at me and shot me a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
I didn’t believe that for a second, but I didn’t know him well enough to call him out on it. I did however know just how to cheer someone up, so I drained my drink and took the beer out of his hand, placing it on the bar. Then I grabbed his hand, stood up and started pulling him with me as I said over my shoulder, “Come dance with me.”
“Really?” He looked doubtful, not that I could blame him after the way I’d treated him a minute ago.
“Yes, silly. Dance with me for a bit, then you can find someone to fuck, or whatever it is you’re doing here.” I stopped on the dance floor and faced him.
He lifted a brow again, but let me use his arm to twirl around. I started doing goofy dance moves and before I knew it, he was chuckling at me. Point, me.
The dance floor started filling up, and unfortunately, I could no longer spin away from him because there wasn’t enough room. I pouted for a second, then thought, fuck it, and threw my arms around Declan’s neck with a big smile on my face. He looked surprised at first, but then smiled softly at me and put his hands on my hips. Facing him this closely, I could smell his spicy cologne, and I indulged myself for just a moment by taking a deep breath. Once my lungs were filled, I snapped my eyes up to Declan’s and mentally cringed. He was smirking, just a little, so I was pretty damn sure he knew I’d just smelled him. Since I couldn’t deny it, I just shrugged a shoulder at him, which made him chuckle again. Two points, me.
Declan suddenly leaned forward, and for a second, I was afraid he was going to kiss me, but then he bent down farther and stuck his nose close to my neck so I could hear him take a deep breath before he whispered into my ear, “You smell good too.”
I smacked his shoulder and couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me. “Shut up,” I said, still laughing. He leaned back and smiled at me with amusement. Point, Dec. I had to give him that one. Smartass.
March 14, 2017
Last Teaser for Left Behind
Teaser Tuesday
Left Behind
Finding My Forever Book 3
Here is Levi's last teaser!
“For god sake’s, yes, now stop talking.”
“Bossy.” I passed him the condom and lube, “Pretty sure the only way you’d be able to get me to shut up is if you really did gag me.”
He sat the stuff beside us and pushed my chest back so he could lay over me with a serious look on his face, “You better watch that mouth or I might just have to.”
“Is that some kind of challenge? ‘Cause I think I might be into it.”
Left Behind
Finding My Forever Book 3
Here is Levi's last teaser!
“For god sake’s, yes, now stop talking.”
“Bossy.” I passed him the condom and lube, “Pretty sure the only way you’d be able to get me to shut up is if you really did gag me.”
He sat the stuff beside us and pushed my chest back so he could lay over me with a serious look on his face, “You better watch that mouth or I might just have to.”
“Is that some kind of challenge? ‘Cause I think I might be into it.”
Extra Teaser for Left Behind
Here is a short, extra teaser for Levi's book, which will be coming out soon!!
He tried in vain to maintain his serious look, but failed and ended up laughing a little, “You know, somehow, I think your mouth has grown on me.”
“If you like it so much, maybe you should give it some attention.”
He tried in vain to maintain his serious look, but failed and ended up laughing a little, “You know, somehow, I think your mouth has grown on me.”
“If you like it so much, maybe you should give it some attention.”
Levi Teaser # 5
I forgot to post here last week. Sorry about that!!
Here's last week's teaser:
“Sounds good,” he said.
I glanced at him again, “You are being strangely agreeable right now.”
He snorted, “I agree with you all the time.”
“Yeah right! You fight with me just for the sake of arguing.”
“No I don’t,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Oh my god, you’re doing it right now.”
“And yet, you keep arguing back.”
I reached up and pinched his nipple, “Jackass.”
“Ow,” he complained through a laugh.
I looked away from him again, “Pretty sure I just won that argument.”
“Pretty sure you said that just to start it again.”
“Whatever,” I mumbled, but couldn’t stop smiling.
Here's last week's teaser:
“Sounds good,” he said.
I glanced at him again, “You are being strangely agreeable right now.”
He snorted, “I agree with you all the time.”
“Yeah right! You fight with me just for the sake of arguing.”
“No I don’t,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Oh my god, you’re doing it right now.”
“And yet, you keep arguing back.”
I reached up and pinched his nipple, “Jackass.”
“Ow,” he complained through a laugh.
I looked away from him again, “Pretty sure I just won that argument.”
“Pretty sure you said that just to start it again.”
“Whatever,” I mumbled, but couldn’t stop smiling.
March 3, 2017
Left Behind Blurb Reveal
Here's Levi's blurb :)
Left Behind
Finding My Forever Book 3
My god, if I have to watch one more happy couple get together, I’m going to lose it completely and probably rip out all of my awesomely pink hair. My older brother is now married and has a family, my best friend is in a committed relationship, and the man I’ve wanted to be with for the last two years just can’t give me what I want… what I know I deserve… I need to do something, go somewhere else and clear my head.
So, when I get invited to a photographer’s convention in Florida, I jump at the chance. Now I can get away from all the coupled happiness around me and surround myself with… all the photographers from back home.
Well, crap.
Why didn’t I realize that I already knew half the people here? How did I not know that Andrew—the head of the jerk brigade—would be here too? Ugh. Well, at least I can hang out at the beach, right?
***Left Behind is the third book in the Finding My Forever series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the series. It’s a contemporary romance between two men with explicit language and graphic sex intended for Adults Only.***
Left Behind
Finding My Forever Book 3
My god, if I have to watch one more happy couple get together, I’m going to lose it completely and probably rip out all of my awesomely pink hair. My older brother is now married and has a family, my best friend is in a committed relationship, and the man I’ve wanted to be with for the last two years just can’t give me what I want… what I know I deserve… I need to do something, go somewhere else and clear my head.
So, when I get invited to a photographer’s convention in Florida, I jump at the chance. Now I can get away from all the coupled happiness around me and surround myself with… all the photographers from back home.
Well, crap.
Why didn’t I realize that I already knew half the people here? How did I not know that Andrew—the head of the jerk brigade—would be here too? Ugh. Well, at least I can hang out at the beach, right?
***Left Behind is the third book in the Finding My Forever series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the series. It’s a contemporary romance between two men with explicit language and graphic sex intended for Adults Only.***
February 21, 2017
Levi Teaser #4
#TeaserTuesday
Here it is, the big reveal of Levi's love interest. LOL. I hope you like the teaser and I hope you will like Levi’s man too! <3
Left Behind
Finding My Forever Book 3
(Unedited and subject to change)
“Are you drooling on me?”
“Probably,” he said without moving.
I chuckled, “Gross.”
He finally lifted his head and looked at me with a smirk, then he leaned back down and ran his very wet—wetter than usual—tongue along my chest.
I laughed and squirmed, “Ew, stop.”
He laughed too and looked at me while moving his jaw back and forth. I raised a brow at him and when he opened his mouth I could see that it was filled with spit, so I started laughing again and breathed out, “Don’t do it.”
He laughed before dropping his head again and licking a wet trail across my chest, up my neck, ending at my ear. I tried in vain to get away from him as I giggled like an idiot. He kissed my laughing lips, then stuck his finger in his mouth, obviously wetting it.
I tried to look stern as I said, “Seriously, don’t do it,” but I failed because I was still laughing.
He grinned at me as he held me down with his body weight and stuck his very wet finger in my ear and he started cracking up as I yelped.
I smacked his hand away, but was laughing as I said, “You are such an ass. I can’t believe you just gave me a wet willy.”
He smirked at me before licking my cheek, then falling into my shoulder, laughing, “Mmm, you’re tasty.”
I kept laughing as I wrapped my arms back around him and hugged him. After a minute of cuddling together, when both of us had calmed down and weren’t laughing anymore, I whispered, “You know, Andrew, payback’s a bitch.”
(Copyright © Michele Notaro 2017)
Here it is, the big reveal of Levi's love interest. LOL. I hope you like the teaser and I hope you will like Levi’s man too! <3
Left Behind
Finding My Forever Book 3
(Unedited and subject to change)
“Are you drooling on me?”
“Probably,” he said without moving.
I chuckled, “Gross.”
He finally lifted his head and looked at me with a smirk, then he leaned back down and ran his very wet—wetter than usual—tongue along my chest.
I laughed and squirmed, “Ew, stop.”
He laughed too and looked at me while moving his jaw back and forth. I raised a brow at him and when he opened his mouth I could see that it was filled with spit, so I started laughing again and breathed out, “Don’t do it.”
He laughed before dropping his head again and licking a wet trail across my chest, up my neck, ending at my ear. I tried in vain to get away from him as I giggled like an idiot. He kissed my laughing lips, then stuck his finger in his mouth, obviously wetting it.
I tried to look stern as I said, “Seriously, don’t do it,” but I failed because I was still laughing.
He grinned at me as he held me down with his body weight and stuck his very wet finger in my ear and he started cracking up as I yelped.
I smacked his hand away, but was laughing as I said, “You are such an ass. I can’t believe you just gave me a wet willy.”
He smirked at me before licking my cheek, then falling into my shoulder, laughing, “Mmm, you’re tasty.”
I kept laughing as I wrapped my arms back around him and hugged him. After a minute of cuddling together, when both of us had calmed down and weren’t laughing anymore, I whispered, “You know, Andrew, payback’s a bitch.”
(Copyright © Michele Notaro 2017)
February 14, 2017
Levi Teaser #3
#TeaserTuesday
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!! <3 <3 <3
Here's a little romance for Valentine's Day, Levi style! Hope you have a great one! <3
Left Behind Teaser #3
(unedited and subject to change)
He ran his hand through my hair and tucked it behind my ear as he whispered, “You are stunning.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck with a smile and asked, “Is this your way of apologizing for being a dick earlier?”
He snorted, “Yes, it is.” He pulled me closer and rested his cheek against mine, his breath against my ear, “Do you forgive me?”
“I don’t know, what are you going to give me?”
He pulled back to look me in the eyes, “Everything.”
(Copyright © Michele Notaro 2017)
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!! <3 <3 <3
Here's a little romance for Valentine's Day, Levi style! Hope you have a great one! <3
Left Behind Teaser #3
(unedited and subject to change)
He ran his hand through my hair and tucked it behind my ear as he whispered, “You are stunning.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck with a smile and asked, “Is this your way of apologizing for being a dick earlier?”
He snorted, “Yes, it is.” He pulled me closer and rested his cheek against mine, his breath against my ear, “Do you forgive me?”
“I don’t know, what are you going to give me?”
He pulled back to look me in the eyes, “Everything.”
(Copyright © Michele Notaro 2017)
February 11, 2017
M/M Valentine's Giveaway
My short story Falling in Time is featured in the MM Romance Valentine’s Giveaway event Feb 10th to 15th. On the event page readers can download 34 new stories -- shorts, novelettes, and excerpts from established M/M authors and several new authors. We have a wonderfully diverse range of sub-genres on offer: Contemporary, BDSM, Erotica, Fantasy, Historical, Comedy, and Paranormal.
My short takes place in the Finding My Forever world, but features two new characters, though Levi decided to make an appearance and leave some clues about what's going on with him in his book :)
Take a look: http://isobelstarling.wixsite.com/boo...
My short takes place in the Finding My Forever world, but features two new characters, though Levi decided to make an appearance and leave some clues about what's going on with him in his book :)
Take a look: http://isobelstarling.wixsite.com/boo...
February 8, 2017
Levi Teaser #2
Left Behind
Finding My Forever Book 3
Teaser # 2:
(Unedited and subject to change)
I felt tears in my eyes, but I cupped his jaw and slowly moved my face closer to him so my lips were barely an inch away from his. I told him fiercely, “I am going to romance the shit out of you.” He trembled lightly, so I whispered, “You, my gorgeous, sexy man, won’t know what hit you.” Then I released his jaw, stood, and walked away, leaving my heart behind—with him.
(Copyright © Michele Notaro 2017)
Finding My Forever Book 3
Teaser # 2:
(Unedited and subject to change)
I felt tears in my eyes, but I cupped his jaw and slowly moved my face closer to him so my lips were barely an inch away from his. I told him fiercely, “I am going to romance the shit out of you.” He trembled lightly, so I whispered, “You, my gorgeous, sexy man, won’t know what hit you.” Then I released his jaw, stood, and walked away, leaving my heart behind—with him.
(Copyright © Michele Notaro 2017)
February 1, 2017
Levi Teaser 1
#TeaserTuesday
Here’s the first teaser for Levi’s book: Left Behind – Finding My Forever Book 3
Levi’s love interest was in Book 2, though I won’t tell you how much or how little. But, I might be persuaded to give you clues next week. So, I think you will know who it is before I release Book 3 ;)
(Unedited and subject to change)
“Please. Stop. Talking,” he ground out angrily.
“Why? You afraid if you have an actual conversation with me that you might actually like me?” I asked.
He stopped walking and faced me, “Just shut the hell up!”
“Make me,” I challenged with narrowed eyes.
“Maybe I will,” he yelled. I could practically see the anger burning red-hot on his skin and climbing up his neck.
“Oh yeah? How the fuck do you think you’re gonna do that?!” I shouted back.
He growled angrily and before I had time to react, he had ahold of my shoulders and his mouth was crashing into mine with so much force that I stumbled backwards, but he steadied me with his strong hands, not allowing me to fall. When I gasped in surprise, he forced his tongue into my mouth and I hungrily met it with my own. I fisted his shirt in my hands between us and moaned. Low and loud.
That sound seemed to snap him out of it because he broke the kiss, jerking his head back, and stared at me with a shock ridden look on his stupid, handsome face. He seemed just as surprised by the kiss as I felt. He just stared at me for a moment, his hands still gripping my shoulders.
Of course I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, “Well, that’s one way to go about it.”
He growled—or maybe groaned—and released me, then turned on his heel and walked away.
I shouted after him, “Next time, maybe lead with that!”
He flipped me the bird over his head as he walked out the door.
I ran a hand over my face before turning to head back up to my room, but was stopped by the sound of Miranda’s voice, “That was really hot.”
I rolled my eyes at her and spat out, “Yeah, whatever.” Then I walked right past her before she could start questioning me and—god, no—asking me about my feelings—again. I shuddered at the thought as I climbed into the elevator.
(Copyright © Michele Notaro 2017)
Here’s the first teaser for Levi’s book: Left Behind – Finding My Forever Book 3
Levi’s love interest was in Book 2, though I won’t tell you how much or how little. But, I might be persuaded to give you clues next week. So, I think you will know who it is before I release Book 3 ;)
(Unedited and subject to change)
“Please. Stop. Talking,” he ground out angrily.
“Why? You afraid if you have an actual conversation with me that you might actually like me?” I asked.
He stopped walking and faced me, “Just shut the hell up!”
“Make me,” I challenged with narrowed eyes.
“Maybe I will,” he yelled. I could practically see the anger burning red-hot on his skin and climbing up his neck.
“Oh yeah? How the fuck do you think you’re gonna do that?!” I shouted back.
He growled angrily and before I had time to react, he had ahold of my shoulders and his mouth was crashing into mine with so much force that I stumbled backwards, but he steadied me with his strong hands, not allowing me to fall. When I gasped in surprise, he forced his tongue into my mouth and I hungrily met it with my own. I fisted his shirt in my hands between us and moaned. Low and loud.
That sound seemed to snap him out of it because he broke the kiss, jerking his head back, and stared at me with a shock ridden look on his stupid, handsome face. He seemed just as surprised by the kiss as I felt. He just stared at me for a moment, his hands still gripping my shoulders.
Of course I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, “Well, that’s one way to go about it.”
He growled—or maybe groaned—and released me, then turned on his heel and walked away.
I shouted after him, “Next time, maybe lead with that!”
He flipped me the bird over his head as he walked out the door.
I ran a hand over my face before turning to head back up to my room, but was stopped by the sound of Miranda’s voice, “That was really hot.”
I rolled my eyes at her and spat out, “Yeah, whatever.” Then I walked right past her before she could start questioning me and—god, no—asking me about my feelings—again. I shuddered at the thought as I climbed into the elevator.
(Copyright © Michele Notaro 2017)
