Shira Anthony's Blog - Posts Tagged "gay-romance"

I just got the final artwork from Dreamspinner Press for my upcoming release, “The Trust,” and it rocks! Cover design is by Catt Ford at Dreamspinner. Release date is set for June 18th, and I’ll be running some giveaways and posting excerpts over the next 3 weeks or so. You can also enter the Goodreads giveaway to win a paperback copy of the book here: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho....

The Trust is an M/M suspense/romance, featuring a pair of sexy secret agents, Trace Michelson and Jake Anders. And yes, in case you were wondering after reading the blurb, it DOES have a happily-ever-after (that’s a requirement for any of my books!). You can link to an excerpt from the book here: http://shiraanthonydotcom.wordpress.c....

I hope you enjoy the excerpt. Here’s the blurb:

Eight years ago, Jake Anders was a college kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Then Trace Michelson recruited him into The Trust, a CIA-backed agency whose “executives” eliminate rogue biotechnology operations. Trace was everything Jake ever wanted in a man: powerful, brilliant, and gorgeous. But Jake never admitted his attraction to his mentor, and Trace always kept Jake at arm’s length.

Now Trace is dead and Jake is one of The Trust’s best operatives, highly skilled and loyal to the organization. But the secret agent has his own secret: six years ago, before he was assassinated, Trace designed a Sim chip containing his memories and experiences—and now that chip is part of Jake. It’s just data, designed to augment Jake’s knowledge, but when Sim becomes reality, Jake wonders if Trace is still alive or if Jake really is going crazy like everyone claims. He doesn’t know if he can trust himself, let alone anyone else.

To learn the truth about Trace and the chip, Jake embarks on a dangerous mission—except he’s not the only one looking for the information. Some of the answers are locked in his head, and unless he finds the key, he’ll be killed for the technology that’s become a part of him.

Now, more than ever, Jake wishes Trace were here to guide him. Too bad he’s dead… right?

I've just posted a second excerpt of my upcoming release, The Trust, which I co-authored with Venona Keyes. "The Trust" is a gay spy romance/suspense thriller with a sci fi twist (and yes, it does have a HEA, in case you were wondering).

This excerpt's a bit hotter than the first! http://shiraanthonydotcom.wordpress.c...

Don't forget to enter the Goodreads giveaway: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho... to win a paperback copy.

Enjoy! -Shira

Today, Monday June 18th, is release day for my latest Dreamspinner Press book, The Trust! You can enter here on Goodreads for a chance to win a paperback copy of the book - just go to the book page and scroll down.

I'm also running two more contests for ebook copies: comment on the Dreamspinner Press blog, http://dreamspinnerpress.com/blog/ and on my blog, http://shiraanthonydotcom.wordpress.com/ or website, http://shiraanthony.com, to win one of two ebook copies (yes, you can enter on both the DSP blog and my blog or website for two chances to win).

Join me throughout the day today on the Dreamspinner Press blog for excerpts and some background about the story! -Shira

The winners of the two ebook copies of “The Trust” are: msculp01 and Flicker! I’ll be emailing you both to let you know how to claim your books. The winner of the Goodreads giveaway paperback copy is Daniel H. I’ll also be in touch with you, Daniel!

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered the contests! And thanks for all the well-wishes and words of encouragement for release day. It was really a pleasure to hear from all of you. Oh, and of course, if you want to buy an ebook or paperback copy of the book, it’s now available at Dreamspinner Press, AllRomanceEbooks, and Amazon. “The Trust” is already ranked in the top 50 bestsellers on Amazon in three gay/lesbian categories, and on the ARe bestseller list! Thanks again, everyone! -Shira

I'm over at Helen Pattskyn's blog today talking about my new Dreamspinner Press release, The Trust. Please stop by and check out my interview and read more about the inspiration for this gay romance/suspense thriller. Also, check out Helen's wonderful blog and see what she's up to (I hear she's got a new book coming out this summer)! - Shira

All I Ever Learned About Romance I Learned from Reading Yaoi (Well, Almost!)

Stop by my blog today, June 22-24th to check out the Manga and Romance Blog Hop! Read about my introduction to gay romance through yaoi and leave a comment to win a free ebook copy of your choice of my Dreamspinner Press releases and check out the other participating blogs. There's also a grand prize link where you can sign up the BIG pot of goodies! http://www.shiraanthony.com

Have a great yaoi weekend! -Shira

Happy Friday everyone! Less than a month to go now to the release of "The Melody Thief," the second novel in the Blue Notes Series, on August 24, 2012. To celebrate the upcoming release, I've got two contests going for copies of the book.

First contest: Enter to win a free paperback copy of "The Melody Thief" (autographed, if you wish!) on Goodreads (just scroll down the page and you'll see "Win a Copy of this Book"). This one is only open to U.S. residents 18+. Contest ends on August 23rd.

Second contest: Enter to win a free ebook copy of "The Melody Thief" (format of your choice) from the Dreamspinner Press website. To enter, just comment on one of my blogs (www.shiraanthony.com or Goodreads). 18+ only (or the legal age for adults in your home country). Contest ends at midnight on August 23, 2012.

Also ongoing is a contest to win a paperback copy of my current release, "The Trust." Enter on Goodreads, as well. Same deal - scroll down and you'll see the section entitled "Win a Copy of this Book."

Want to read an excerpt of "The Melody Thief?" Just click here, then click "more" and scroll down for the "Excerpt" tab. You'll also find links to "Extras" for the book - in this case, a listing of the music from the book and where you can hear it (under construction). In the meantime, here's the blurb:

Cary Redding is a walking contradiction. On the surface he’s a renowned cellist, sought after by conductors the world over. Underneath, he’s a troubled man flirting with addictions to alcohol and anonymous sex. The reason for the discord? Cary knows he’s a liar, a cheat. He's the melody thief.

Cary manages his double life just fine until he gets mugged on a deserted Milan street. Things look grim until handsome lawyer Antonio Bianchi steps in and saves his life. When Antonio offers something foreign to Cary—romance—Cary doesn’t know what to do. But then things get even more complicated. For one thing, Antonio has a six-year-old son. For another, Cary has to confess about his alter ego and hope Antonio forgives him.

Just when Cary thinks he's figured it all out, past and present collide and he is forced to choose between the family he wanted as a boy and the one he has come to love as a man.

I'm so excited about having you meet the "thief," Cary Redding, and the man who saves his life in more ways than one, Antonio Bianchi. Oh, and a few other characters I think you'll enjoy getting to know. "The Melody Thief" is a "life worth living" story about becoming a man, a partner, and a father. Oh, and of course, it's a story about music, and its importance in our lives. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did writing it! -Shira

My guest today is E.M. Lynley, who has a new release from Dreamspinner Press in the Precious Gems Series. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Rarer than Rubies , so I was particularly thrilled when E.M. asked me to beta read the second, Italian Ice . I loved it even more than the first, and now that I've fallen hard for Reed and Trent, I'm going to make sure E.M. writes another book in the series!

Precious Gems is a mixture of adventure, mystery, and romance featuring an ex-FBI agent and a gay romance writer. Each story takes the reader to an exotic locale, all of which E.M. has either visited or lived in (not that I'm jealous or anything!). This latest installment is set in one of the most romantic places on the planet - Italy. But I'll let E.M. tell you all about that. And when you're done reading, comment for a chance to win your choice of Italian Ice or the first book in the series, Rarer Than Rubies in ebook format. One winner will be chosen on Saturday, August 4th.

Welcome, E.M.! -Shira

**********************************

Italian Ice by EM Lynley (Precious Gems Book 2)

A nice relaxing and romantic vacation in Italy. That's what gay-romance writer Trent Copeland expected when he and former FBI-agent Reed Acton set off from Los Angeles after living together for six months after the events of Rarer Than Rubies (Precious Gems Book 1). But Reed's past caught up with them from halfway around the world and threw their plans right out the window.

While this book is part mystery and part adventure, it's one hundred percent romance. And that was part of the challenge—and the fun—of writing about this newly established couple who are still getting to know each other. Both Reed and Trent have preconceived notions about the other one, and both are wrong. In the end they surprise each other—and themselves in just how far they'll go to protect their relationship.

With Trent and Reed I created a couple who at first seem to be polar opposites: Trent likes fancy restaurants, classic films and won't go anywhere without his creature comforts—including his favorite body wash. Reed is used to fighting for survival and he'd be able to kill or catch his own dinner if necessary, because before he met Trent, it used to be. Now they're figuring out how to live with each other. Throw them in the path of a deadly international smuggling ring and no amount of body wash can clean things up enough to forget a murdered FBI agent. Add in Reed's unfinished business with his old partner—in every sense of the word—and Trent and Reed have their work cut out for them just to stay alive, much less keep their romance alive.

I didn't want the trip to be too rough, so I set the story in one of the most amazing places in the world: a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Sicily. In a rare chance for some free time they even spend the night at the crater of the most active volcano in Europe: Stromboli.

But in the end, it's Trent and Reed's feelings for each other that drive their actions and after a few weeks in Italy, neither will ever doubt the other's commitment. Now that's what I call a happily ever after.

Read an excerpt

Buy from Dreamspinner, Amazon or ARe.

 

EM Lynley writes for Dreamspinner, Silver and Torquere and edits for several other publishers. She has worked in finance, the wine industry, and high tech, though she'd rather be writing hot, sexy man-on-man action. She spent 10 years as an economist and financial analyst, including a year as a White House Staff Economist, but only because all the intern positions were filled. Tired of boring herself and others with dry business reports and articles, her creative muse is back and naughtier than ever. She has lived and worked in London, Tokyo and Washington, D.C., but the San Francisco Bay Area is home for now.
Email: em@emlynley.com
Website: http://www.emlynley.com

In just a little over two weeks, Dreamspinner Press will release The Melody Thief , the second novel in the Blue Notes Series. (Yes, that’s me with the ear to ear grin!) Each Blue Notes Series novel is a standalone story that explores different aspects of relationships. For those of you who have read the original Blue Notes, you’ll know that book was about letting go of the past and opening yourself up to the possibilities of love. In Blue Notes , Jason Greene comes to terms with his attraction to other men, and realizes that success doesn’t necessarily ensure happiness.

The Melody Thief focuses on the importance of family and commitments, and what it means to be loved and to love someone in return. Cary Redding, a renowned classical cellist, is the melody thief—a man whose painful childhood has left him with nothing but his music. He lives his life without letting himself feel and dulls his pain with anonymous sex and alcohol.

Cary doesn’t mean to fall in love. He doesn’t want to. But when lawyer Antonio Bianchi saves Cary from muggers on a deserted Milan street, Cary finds himself falling hard. Then there’s a “little” complication— Antonio has a five year old son. Cary isn’t ready for a relationship, and he sure as hell isn’t ready for an instant family. But sometimes what you think you aren’t ready for is just what you need. I hope you’ll enjoy Cary’s journey of the heart as he learns to love and let himself be loved.

Want to read an excerpt? Click here and scroll down to click on the "excerpt" tab.

Want to win a copy of The Melody Thief? Comment to be entered into a drawing for your choice of ebook formats. You can also enter to win a paperback copy of the novel at Goodreads.com. Both giveaways end on August 23, 2012. Check back as the release date gets closer for more giveaways (including some cool Blue Notes t-shirts with the gorgeous Dreamspinner Press covers from Anne Cain and Catt Ford!). -Shira

I'm getting the release party for The Melody Thief started a little early with a contest to win a Blue Notes t-shirt. All you have to do to be entered in the drawing is comment on my blog by midnight on Saturday (August 11th) and tell me what your favorite kind of music is. T-shirts are size men's XL, white cotton, with the gorgeous Anne Cain cover from the first Blue Notes book. You only have until Saturday at midnight to enter for the t-shirt drawing, so don't forget to leave a comment!

All entries will also automatically be entered into the drawing to win an ebook copy (format of your choice) of The Melody Thief in the giveaway contest that ends on 8/23. And don't forget to enter to win a copy (autographed, if you wish) of the paperback version on Goodreads.

For those of you who haven't already read the blurb for The Melody Thief, here it is:

Cary Redding is a walking contradiction. On the surface he’s a renowned cellist, sought after by conductors the world over. Underneath, he’s a troubled man flirting with addictions to alcohol and anonymous sex. The reason for the discord? Cary knows he’s a liar, a cheat. He's the melody thief.

Cary manages his double life just fine until he gets mugged on a deserted Milan street. Things look grim until handsome lawyer Antonio Bianchi steps in and saves his life. When Antonio offers something foreign to Cary—romance—Cary doesn’t know what to do. But then things get even more complicated. For one thing, Antonio has a six-year-old son. For another, Cary has to confess about his alter ego and hope Antonio forgives him.

Just when Cary thinks he's figured it all out, past and present collide and he is forced to choose between the family he wanted as a boy and the one he has come to love as a man.

Want to read an excerpt? Click here and scroll down to click on the "excerpt" tab.

Good luck! -Shira