Shira Anthony's Blog - Posts Tagged "new-release"

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

Just a little over a week until The Trust is released from Dreamspinner Press! You can win an ebook copy (your choice of format) of the novel by leaving a message here on my blog (WordPress or Goodreads) anytime until midnight EST on 6/18! Be sure to leave an email so I can let you know if you're the winner. You can also enter to win a paperback copy on Goodreads (ends 6/19).

The Trust is a gay romance/suspense thriller with bit of a sci fi twist (think gay James Bond with some really cool gizmos!). Oh, and a HEA, of course! And if you're looking to read an excerpt from the book, I have two on my blog, www.shiraanthonydotcom.wordpress.com (the first is an action scene, and the second is a bit hotter). I can't wait! -Shira

Here's the summary:

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?

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

July has been a great month in so many ways! It started out with my submitting the third Blue Notes Series book to Dreamspinner Press and wonderful critical reviews of my latest DSP release, The Trust, which I co-authored with my old friend Venona Keyes. Jessewave called The Trust "science fiction at its best!" Not to mention the wonderful vacation with my husband of 20 years in the Caribbean where we both got open water certification in scuba diving.

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending time writing with my good friend and fellow DSP author, E.M. Lynley. We're working on an exciting joint project. Our week together ended with two new contracts from Dreamspinner - one for each of us! Oh, and yummy ginger martinis E.m. invented.

This week started with me receiving the final artwork for the cover of my upcoming release, The Melody Thief, the second in the Blue Notes series. Release date for Thief is August 24th, so check my website, http://www.shiraanthony.com, in the upcoming weeks for excerpts and contests.

Of course, I'm still working on several other projects, including the planned fourth book in the Blue Notes series, Prelude. It's always good to be busy, but it's great to sit back and just smile when the hard work pays off! -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

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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