Mickie B. Ashling's News and Views

A little horn tooting for Cutting Cords. Two great reviews were posted recently.

Five nymphs from literary nymphs here: http://literarynymphsreviewsonly.blogspot.com/2009/11/cutting-cords.html

And today I just read this one from Rainbow Reviews.

http://www.rainbow-reviews.com/?p=3340

Link to the Dreamspinner Press home page is on my sidebar.


I'd like to remind those of you who haven't visited our Christmas page at the glbt bookshelf that DSP is offering a 15% discount if you purchase any of the books on this page. Make the Yuletide....gay... A wonderful Christmas present for anyone who loves good fiction from some of the newest authors at Dreamspinner Press. Link is here:

http://bookworld.editme.com/newdspholiday

Alec Sumner is fleeing yet another broken heart. By moving to London, he hopes to find peace and a fresh start. While shopping with a friend on a busy London street, he sees his chance, embodied in a mysterious young man with soulful blue eyes and a bad leg. Eli Burke is broken in his own way, haunted by memories of his lover’s murder and physically scarred from the same fatal assault. He, too, plans to run away—to Africa and a new life working with children. But when he meets Alec, his choice isn't so easy. He and Alec see the real possibility of new love and a brighter future, but they'll both have to face their fears of past pain and find a way to heal.

Another book rec for my flist. I read this recently and was captivated by the characters of this book. The author has woven a tale which will tug at your heartstrings without being maudlin or sappy. She has several great secondary characters and it's set in London which is one of my fave cities in the world. I really enjoyed Dawn's writing style. I know it's received rave reviews from those who do it on a regular basis. The book is available at Dreamspinner Press. Link is on my sidebar.

When high school teacher Tom Smith meets Kevin Bannerman at a gay club, he violates his own rule: one-night stands only. But when the weekend is over, he walks away, reminding himself that he lives a deeply closeted life for painful, compelling reasons. He keeps his secrets, his heart, and the cause of his crippled arm to himself, but almost immediately he bitterly regrets leaving Kevin. Months later, while Tom serves as reluctant assistant director for his school’s production of Rent, he fears that the show’s same-sex love angle will somehow out him. Protests against the play begin, one of the student actors is harassed, and during a parents’ meeting, Tom encounters Kevin again. This time Tom can’t fight the attraction between them, and he and Kevin begin a tentative relationship. Within Rent’s message of acceptance and support, and as local churches oppose the play, Tom struggles to find the strength to admit one man into his heart.

Admit One was a joy to read from the very first page. Ms. Sinclair's ability to draw the reader into the heart of a small Texas town, and more importantly, the mindset of the people living there, was easily apparent after just a few sentences. She is a gifted story teller and she paints pictures with her words. This was a most satisfying read from start to finish. Her characters are ordinary people who struggle with the same feelings we all share. The need to love and be loved, validated, and accepted for who we are is the running theme of this story, told in an eloquent and detail oriented prose. Her sex scenes are some of the best I've ever read. If you are in the mood to sink your teeth into a long (350 pages) and very enjoyable read, Admit One should be at the top of your To Be Read list. Admit One is published by Dreamspinner Press. Link to the site is on my side bar.

Cutting Cords, my contemporary m/m novel, is now for sale. It's available in both paperback and ebook format. The link below will take you right to the buy now page.


http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=167&products_id=1641

The winners of the 2 free ebooks are rosy5000 and eclipse031

Please contact me with your email address so that I can forward the pdf file on Monday after the book releases. Thanks to all for participating.

Mickie

Here's the final excerpt of Cutting Cords. I'll announce the 2 winners tomorrow. Thanks to all who have commented so far.

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Jerry McKenzie is a reclusive and antisocial artist, quite content to ride his horses and work in his studio, keeping to himself. It's not any kind of life for a child, and when Jerry finds out he’s been named his orphaned nephew’s guardian, he panics. He doesn't know what to do with a child and isn't sure he can give William the affection and the love the boy so desperately needs. Then Jerry meets David Loewenberger, the new teacher William becomes immediately attached to, and he starts to see how they could make a family together: a family to replace the one William lost, a family David had given up on ever finding... a family Jerry never knew he wanted.

Another book I recently finished which I'd like to recommend. D.W.Marchwell's first novel is a wonderful read. Watching the two men trying to make a family for a young boy who's literally fallen into their laps is worth the price of the book. I cried and laughed along with them. This novel has it all; suspense, diva moments, hot sex and lots and lots of love. You can find it in new releases at Dreamspinner Press. Link is on my sidebar.

Here is another snippet from Chapter 2. Those of you who have commented so far are now in the drawing for the 2 free ebooks which will be announced on Saturday morning.

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When Sloan Driscoll and Cole Fujiwara become reluctant roommates, neither man is willing to share too much. Sloan is instantly attracted to Cole but knows it's a hopeless cause; Cole has a steady girlfriend. But one night they share a joint, and Cole opens a window neither anticipated. A relationship may be impossible—both men are living with heart-breaking secrets. While Sloan is smart, sassy, and a brilliant graphic artist, he’s also a pothead with severe body image problems. Cole, a former major league pitcher, has his own personal crisis: he's going blind. Sloan and Cole are suffering on so many levels, they might not realize that the ultimate salvation could be within each other’s arms.

My latest novel, Cutting Cords, will be released on Monday, November 16 in both ebook and paperback format. I'll be posting short excerpts for the next few days to give you a little taste of the book. On Friday night I'll draw 2 names from those of you who have commented. The prize is a complimentary ebook from me. Thanks so much for stopping by. Here's the first excerpt.

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Since I finished my edits for Cutting Cords and Bonds of Love, I've had the time to indulge in my biggest guilty pleasure, READING. Dreamspinner Press has so many amazing writers and some of the newer ones have put together a Christmas table where you can purchase any of the ebooks and paperbacks and get a 15% discount at checkout. The link to our holiday table is here:

http://bookworld.editme.com/newdspholiday


I'd like to mention a novella I just finished reading by Janey Chapel. TLC 101 is a gem, and you must buy it! The author's sense of humor is outstanding and the sex scenes are hot, hot, hot! I'm begging for a sequel already which goes to show how much I enjoyed it. I hope you'll check it out.

Presenting the book vid for Cutting Cords made especially for me by qafmaniac. Don't forget to stop by next week, November 11, when I start posting excerpts. I will have a random drawing for a free ebook and a signed paperback for anyone who comments.


http://www.4shared.com/file/146472534/8d378c2f/Cutting_Cords2.html


Another bit of good news to share. The sequel to Impacted, Bonds of Love, is now under contract with DSP and will be released in April 2010. This is a full length novel and will be available in paperback as well as ebook.

Make the Yuletide...Gay



It's never to early for Christmas shopping! Check out the GLBT bookshelf bazaar and shop at the DSP table of new authors. Click on the link below and it will take you right to the page. DSP will be offering a 15% discount code when you get to the checkout point.

http://bookworld.editme.com/newdspholiday

Support your GLBT writers and fill your Christmas stocking at the same time.The Bazaar home page is here:

http://bookworld.editme.com/GLBT-Bookshelf-Christmas-2009

Cutting Cords now up in the Coming Soon section at Dreamspinner Press. The novel will release on November 16. See link below.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/upcoming_products.php

As with my previous novels, I will be posting excerpts a few days before the release and will have a raffle for a free ebook as well as a signed paperback for anyone who comments. Posting will begin on Wednesday, November 11. Be sure to stop by.

Impacted just got a great review from Coffee Time Romance. Click on Link.


http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/impacted.html

Impacted! has just made the top ten list at All Romance ebooks. It's been number one in the BDSM category for over a week but today it's been moved to the top ten. Thank you to all my readers for making this happen. I'm thrilled!

Congratulations to Jan Irving on the release of her new novel, Mask. Blurb and buy links are below. For anyone who has read The Janitor or any of Jan's stories, this is one more novel to add to your collection. Mask intrigues from the beginning and takes you on a wild ride with a surprise at every turn. I'm sure that you will not be disappointed when you enter into Obsidian's world. Check out the excerpt on the buy page and you'll be hooked.



Hiding behind the safe mask of Obsidian, his online persona, Kain Mitchell woos Nick Anders, an untouched artist. Nick tells himself that Obsidian is merely his erotic muse, but when Kain drags him down into his dark world, echoing the myth of Hades and Persephone, Nick discovers he wants to see him, touch him, and move beyond the limitations of masks. Because as seductive as Obsidian is, Nick senses Kain’s real isolation.

Implicated for the murders of young men matching Nick’s description, Kain lives under a shadow, and troubled by the mystery, Nick pushes to get closer. Driven to prove Kain’s innocence, Nick pursues the killer with Kain’s reluctant help—and strives to become the human submissive and tender lover needed by the lonely and otherworldly warrior.

BDSM and Paranormal elements.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/newreleases.htm

Impacted! is now for sale at Dreasmspinner Press. The link below will take you straight to the new release page.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/newreleases.htm

Dreamspinner is having a special promotion for the month of August. For every $10.00 you spend you receive one entry in the drawing for a free Apple iTouch. Add the free Stanza ebook Reader and you can have your own portable library. All anthologies are 25% off for the entire month.

The winner of my drawing for the free signed copy of Impacted! is atomic_dawn Please PM me with your name and address so that I can send you the book.

Thanks all for participating. I hope you enjoy Impacted!

As I mentioned yesterday, there is one more excerpt posted today on the elisa_rolle journal. Click on the link below if you'd like to read it. My publisher has also put up a pre-order button for anyone who wants to place an order for the book before the Monday release. Click on the Dreamspinner Link on my side bar and go to the Coming Soon section to see it. Elisa also has a link on her posted excerpt. For those of you who've read Chapter 1 over the last few days, this scene is down the road when they finally meet up again. I hope you enjoy it.

Here's the link to Excerpt Days by Elisa-Rolle.

http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/748868.html

Here's the final excerpt post for Impacted! There will be a different excerpt posted tomorrow on elisa_rolle Excerpt Day post if anyone would like to read more. What you have here is still part of Chapter 1. I will announce the winner of the drawing on Monday morning. Remember that the winner will be chosen from all who have commented in the last 3 days.

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Here's another snippet from Chapter 1 of Impacted! If you haven't commented already, don't forget that there will be a book drawing on Monday evening for a free signed copy. Names will be chosen from the people who've left comments. This portion is rated R. Enjoy!

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