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Auld Lang Syne, and all that stuff…
Wow, so here we are again. It feels like I wrote the last New Year post just the other week. Seriously, 2015 has just flown by, and I have no doubts 2016 will do the same. But for me, 2015 has been kind and as we enter into the new year, I have two fabulous (if not busy) kids, my health, a home, and my dream job. I know this past year hasn’t been so kind to others, and I truly wish those people a happier new year.
2015 has been a busy year. I released four novels, one novella, and three short stories for a total of 360,000 words. I had six translated titles, and eight re-released books, which technically brings my total of “releases” to TWENTY-TWO!!
*slumps*
And 2016 is going to be set a similar pace. So far, I have planned a trilogy of novellas, ranging from 40,000 words to 50,000 words each, and a stand-alone novel which will probably exceed 80,000 words, and that’s just until June. I’m yet to put the second half of the year into focus. I also have at least five translations due in 2016 (French and Italian) and I’m hoping with all my might to finally get something done in audio this year.
I’m also hoping to get to GRL this year. Eeeeek!
Finally, I would like to sincerely wish all my readers a very happy New Year, and hope 2016 brings you good health and happiness. I have loved interacting on social media with you, and have loved all the comments, reviews, pm’s and emails from each of you.
See you all next year. <3
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À Jamais (Twelfth of Never) is out
Twelfth of Never is now out on Amazon as À Jamais.
Will Parkinson est avec Mark Gattison depuis cinq ans, et, d’après ses propres mots, il n’y a jamais un seul moment ennuyeux. Will a toujours été le sérieux, le seul responsable. Mark est l’homme-enfant irresponsable qui n’aime rien de plus que faire sourire les gens.
Mais Will souffre pour quelque chose que Mark ne lui donne pas.
Jusqu’à ce qu’il le fasse.
Rejoignez Will, Mark, Carter, Isaac et Brady, Hannah et sa famille (et quelques invités spéciaux pour Noël) et ayez un joyeux « à jamais ».Translations for the rest of the series can be found here and here.
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Red Dirt Christmas Book Trailer
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Retro Read: Elements of Retrofit
Click on Cover to buy at Amazon BUY LINK : Amazon : Pride Publishing : All Romance
Blurb:
Generation versus generation, traditional versus contemporary, these men are about to learn a lesson in architecture and love. Can they prove that the old and new can be the perfect design?
A successful New York architect, Thomas Elkin almost has it all. Coming out as gay and ending his marriage before his fortieth birthday, he needed to start living his life. Now, four years later, with his relationship with his son back on track, and after a few short-lived romances, this esteemed traditional draftsman thought he knew everything about architecture, about life.
Cooper Jones, twenty-two years old, is about to take the architect world by storm. Talented, professional, driven, and completely infuriating, Cooper is the definition of Generation Y.
Starting an internship working with Thomas, Cooper is about to knock Tom’s world off its axis. Tom can teach Cooper about the architecture industry, but Cooper is about to teach Tom what it means to live.
Excerpt
Looking out of my office window over the darkening New York City skyline, I could see my reflection in the wall of glass before me. Beyond the expensive suit and shoes, there was grey hair at my temples, my once-black hair was now salt and pepper, and there were creases at the corners of my eyes.
Forty-four years old. Forty-four. How did that happen?
It seemed like I’d missed half of my life. In many ways I had.
The light on the intercom flashed. “Mr Elkin?”
My receptionist was fifteen years older than me and had been my receptionist for ten years, since the day I’d started at the firm, and yet she never faltered in her professional etiquette.
“Yes, Jennifer?”
“Ryan is on line two. Would you prefer I take a message?”
“No, it’s fine,” I told her. “I’ll take it.” I pressed the speaker button. “Ryan?”
“Hey, Dad, yeah, it’s me.”
“Anything wrong?” I asked. It was unusual for him to call the office. “Still coming for dinner?”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s all good. Just about dinner,” he hedged, “I was just wondering if you’d mind if I brought someone?”
This surprised me. Since his mother and I had separated, it’d taken a while for things to get back to normal between us.
“Yes, of course, that’s fine,” I told him. “Someone special?”
“Oh no, nothing like that,” he said with a laugh. I could hear muffled voices in the background. “Just ran into an old buddy from school. He just got into town, he’s by himself and I told him he could have dinner with us.”
“Okay, that’s fine,” I said. Ryan was very social, and growing up, he had forever had a crew of friends who lived at our place as much as their own. I’d quite often get home late to a den of high-school kids pretending to be asleep. I looked at my watch. “See you soon.”
I disconnected the call and pressed Jennifer’s line. “Can you please order dinner for three to be delivered to my home address?”
“Certainly,” she replied. “Thai? Italian? Japanese?”
“You choose.”
“Very well.”
There was a soft click in my ear and I went back to staring at the evening skyline for another half an hour, before packing my laptop into my satchel and walking out of the door. Jennifer gave me a polite smile. “Japanese, delivered to your door at seven-thirty.”
I smiled warmly at her. “Thank you, Jennifer.”
“Have a good weekend, Mr Elkin,” she said, knowing I’d be working all weekend. I worked most weekends. “I’ve taken the liberty to have lunch ordered for you tomorrow. Security will bring it up.”
“Don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She smiled proudly. “Have a good evening, Mr Elkin. Give Ryan my best.”
“I will.”
I took the elevator from the top floor of executive offices down to the executive marble lobby, walked a block to the executive marble lobby of my apartment building, took the elevator to the executive suite on the top floor.
Expensive. Polished. Predictable.
Those three words just about summed me up.
I’d been preoccupied lately, unsettled and lacking something. I’d quite often catch myself staring out of the window for some lengths of time, not able to recall a single thought. Maybe I needed a vacation. Maybe I’d take one after this next big contract was done.
I loved my job as an architect. Loved it. I loved the lines in structure, the quiet confidence in well-built, historical buildings, and I loved the superiority and functionality of modern design.
I loved my apartment, had some good friends and I even had an amicable relationship with my ex-wife, all things considered. My relationship with my son was better, good even. We’d had a rough patch when his mother and I first separated five years ago, but now at twenty-two years of age, he could see all sides of the situation and had made peace with it. With me.
I’d changed into jeans and a button-down shirt and poured my first glass of wine when there was a knock at the door. I checked my watch, and knowing the doorman would have sent Ryan straight up, I called out, “It’s unlocked.”
“Hey, Dad,” Ryan yelled from the door. I could hear him mumble something else and I remembered he was bringing company. My top-floor apartment was a large, open floor bachelor pad and the kitchen ran along the inside wall, out of line of sight from the front door.
“In the kitchen,” I replied. “You boys want a drink?”
Ryan walked in, followed by a face I didn’t recognise at first. “Dad, do you remember Cooper Jones?” Ryan asked, by way of introduction. “We went to high school together.”
The name yes, but he didn’t look a thing like I remembered. Gone was the gangly, awkward teenager, replaced by a fit-looking young man. He had messy short brown hair, a wide smile and mischief in his hazel eyes.
“Yes, I remember,” I said, extending my hand for him to shake. “You just grew up.”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “That’s what happens, Dad, when you don’t see someone for five years.”
Cooper shook my hand firmly. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Can I get you boys a drink?” I asked again. “Dinner will be here in about half an hour.”
I had my wine, they opted for a beer, and Ryan told me how Cooper’s family had moved to Chicago and how he’d lost touch with him through college, but Cooper had come to New York City for the summer. He’d literally checked into his room and gone in search for something to eat when he ran into Ryan on the street who then pulled out his phone and called me to see if he could tag along for dinner.
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens. My review and disappointment.
**SPOILERS**SPOILERS**SPOILERS**SPOILERS**
This post will contain spoilers. If you do not want spoilers, do not read. You’ve been warned, mmkay? The thoughts in this post are mine alone. I’m not expecting people to agree with me, and I considered not posting it but after seeing The Force Awakens I’m so peeved, I needed to rant somewhere.
I want to preface this by saying I’m a huge Star Wars fan. I haven’t read any of the books, but I can not put a number to the times I’ve seen the six movies – I know them word for word. I also understand the writers of the original trilogy wrote the initial script for this new movie, and I understand George Lucas was consulted. I love JJ Abrams work, and to be fair, I liked what he did with the script he had to work with. And I do believe The Force Awakens is true to the world of Star Wars.
But… I am so incredibly disappointed.
I had been looking forward to this movie for so long. Maybe my expectations were too high, because I expected something different than a rewrite of the original trilogy, with some parallels to the second trilogy that followed, thrown in for good measure.
The world waited, holding our collective breaths, for a REWRITE? I have to admit, when the film ended, I sat there stunned. And not in a good way. Cinematically, it was pretty to watch, the action sequences were great, the strong lead character was female… It should have won on so many levels. But for me at least, it fell incredibly short.
It was a rewrite. I couldn’t believe it.
The similarities/copies are obvious:
Luke, Leia and Han are now Finn, Rey and Poe.
Kylo Ren (Han’s son) is the new Anakin/Darth Vader wannabe, with his political Nazi-like army, that want to take over the galaxy. He even does the Force-chokehold like Darth did.
Kylo Ren must pass a test to prove to his Master he is worthy by killing his father – a scene almost identical to Luke and Darth’s immortalised “I am your father” scene, complete with a fall into oblivion.
There’s a new cute droid (who tbh, reminded me of Wall-E) and cameos from C3PO and R2D2. Remember in A New Hope when a secret message in the form of a hologram was hidden in R2D2? Yeah well, even that’s an identical repeat.
There’s even a new Emperor/Grand Master/Whatever who is Kylo Ren’s Master, training him to be the next Darth Vader. (I have my suspicions as to who this Master will turn out to be.) I understand how the Sith/Dark Side works and I didn’t expect that to change – but the similarities to Darth Vader and the Emperor were too obvious in this film. At least Darth Maul was in canon, yet different.
Innocent planets die, just like (and I do mean JUST like) Alderaan did. They even blow up another Death Star, reminiscent with the X-wing pilot Luke scenes from Return of the Jedi – I mean seriously, they’re almost identical. Even the scenes where the Millennium Falcon flies into the other ship. It’s all been rewritten into this new movie.
Han Solo dies (yeah, don’t even get me started on that) in a self-sacrificial way, a scene that in my opinion was similar to the deaths of Obi-Wan and Vader’s combined, in a scene that is almost identical to Darth Vader’s death. [I am hoping he makes a reappearance in the next films, for Chewie’s sake if not mine. LOL]
Kylo Ren and Rey will no doubt turn out to be twins (parents are Han and Leia, not unlike Anakin and Padme who had twins Luke and Leia) who need to battle it out in the end to see which side, light or dark, wins. I’m going to guess that Rey and Finn will probably have twins at some point so the saga never fucking ends. Good Lord. I mean Ren and Rey, Luke and Leia… at what point does it become a parody?
These are just a few of the similarities – the scenery, locations etc. I mean Jakku was literally identical to Tatooine where they originally found Luke… I mean Rey… Ugh, I’m so confused – they just bleed into each other now even I can’t keep them straight. Oh, and there was a bar scene as well, complete with band playing funky music as per the original trilogy, and a fat slug and pretty girl at its side, just like the infamous Jabba and Leia in a bikini scene. Blah.
See what I mean? It’s all the same. It didn’t just use the Star Wars universe. It stole the plot of the original trilogy.
I’ve seen reviews where people are thrilled at the parallels, citing it’s a “mashup” of the original, or “a symmetrical arc” which is a prettier way to call it what it is. And that’s a blatant, lazy, insulting rewrite.
They basically had unlimited resources and funding. They could have taken this story anywhere – there were literally a galaxy of possibilities – yet they chose to rehash an existing plot and try to glorify a masterpiece. For what? A new generation of Star Wars fans?
What about the fans who have loved it for thirty years? Did we not deserve some creativity? Some plausible plot maybe that took the Resistance to new and greater (or simply different) things? But, in my opinion at least, to simply give us what we already had, is insulting.
Now bear with me for a moment. I want you to imagine this… I magically obtain the rights to Harry Potter. (*snort* we can dream, right?) And I unveil my plans to add more books/movies to the franchise with an unlimited budget. It’s going to be huge! There’s so much anticipation and secrecy and OMG it’s going to be so awesome. The eighth book will surpass all expectations!!!!
And you wait and wait and you finally get your hands on the book and your heart is in your mouth as you start to read… only to realise I haven’t continued the story at all. I’ve just added three new main characters, and simply rewritten the first few books (but I’ve added some familiar characters for a few cameos to appease the old fans – so that makes it okay, right?) and there’s a new Voldemort to defeat and the new characters have to find a Philosopher’s Stone and a Chamber of Secrets and a Prisoner from Azkaban, exactly the same way Harry and friends did. AND the MC turns out to be a girl orphaned because her mother died protecting her, she has black hair and glasses and doesn’t yet know she’s a wizard but she gets chosen for the house of Gryffindor…
Jesus Christ.
That’s what the new Star Wars movie was. In a nutshell.
*sigh*
I know I’m in the minority here. Most people I know LOVED it. Will I watch the next movies? Of course. It’s Star Wars. Of course I will watch it. But I will watch it with my expectations firmly in check. After all, I’m sure the scenes were Luke trains Rey
on the swamp planet of Dagobah until she is summoned by the new Darth Vaderwill be awesome. -
Review for Cronin’s Key III
Woohoo! I have a lovely review for Cronin’s Key III from Crystal’s Many Reviewers.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first two. This book is heartbreaking yet satisfying. The use of historical sites, myths, and supernatural lore mixed in with action, intrigue and romance really had me wrapped up in the entire read. What draws me to Walker’s writing is her ability to perfectly balance humor, tender moments and action in a mesmerizing and engrossing story, Read the rest hereBuylinks: Amazon | Smashwords | ARe | B&N | iBooks | Goodreads
History isn’t always what it seems…
Twelve months after his change, Alec MacAidan is still getting used to his many vampire talents. While most vampires would give anything to have more than one supernatural power, Alec craves nothing more than peace and time alone with Cronin. But when Alec meets entities from outside this realm, he’s left powerless in their presence.
Zoan are half-lycan, half-dragon creatures that have slipped through time and reality, seemingly undetected by man and vampire. Or have they? They bear an uncanny resemblance to gargoyles, leaving Alec’s view on all things weird to get a whole lot weirder.
This new quest leads Alec, Cronin, and their band of friends to Paris, Rome, and Moscow, where they learn that gargoyles aren’t simply statues on walls. In the underground pits beneath churches all over the world, Alec discovers the Key’s true destiny. Facing the Zoan might take every talent he has. And he may need help from the dead to get them all out alive.
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Red Dirt Christmas is a bestseller
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Reviews for Red Dirt Christmas
Gay Book Reviews has a whole page for my Red Dirt Heart series, and they reviewed Red Dirt Christmas! ONE DAY TO GO!! There are several reviews but Dahlia picked Red Dirt Christmas as a recommended read.These guys make me so happy that sometimes I think my heart is going to burst. I missed everyone so much, I loved visiting them again. The humor, steam and the holiday feelings were delightful. This story was just so perfect that I literally got teary eyed when I finished reading it. I can’t recommend it enough! Read the rest here
Love Bytes gives Red Dirt Christmas 5 starsThis is just a little story, but even then we get the usual Charlie and Travis drama. A wombat bite, a broken nose, a case of heat stroke, a little sex, and some serious happiness. It’s like a short visit with some old friends, it made me happy, it made me laugh, and it made me miss them even more! I may have to read these again this year. Damn, wish the series was available in audio. Read the rest here
PRE-ORDER BUYLINKS: Amazon | AllRomance eBooks | Smashwords
Red Dirt Christmas is almost here. It’s Travis’s first Christmas at Sutton Station and Charlie wants to make it special.
Travis had been here at Sutton Station for just over a year. We were technically engaged, not that we’d told anyone. He was happy just knowin’ I’d said yes, and I had some head-clearin’ stuff to work through. Knowing I was good enough for Trav was one thing, but knowing if I was good enough to be a husband and father was somethin’ else entirely.
Life at Sutton Station had never been better. Business was strong, Trudy and Bacon’s little baby, Gracie, was a few weeks old now and as cute as a button, Ma’s health was good, and my relationship with Laura and Sam was in a pretty good place. And Travis? Well, life with him was still all kinds of perfect.
But, to Travis’s dismay, Christmas at the Station was just another day. Another day of getting up before the sun, feeding animals, fixin’ what needed fixin’, and checking water troughs all while tryin’ to keep out of the blistering heat.
And this year weren’t much different. Only that it was Travis’s first Sutton Station Christmas. The fact we didn’t go all out with decorations and celebrations baffled him, and if I was bein’ truthful, it disappointed him too.
Which was why I had to make it a special kind of Christmas…
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Red Dirt Christmas is on Tour
Buylinks: Amazon | AllRomance eBooks | Smashwords
My boys from Sutton Station are on tour. I’ll add the links as I get them.
Because Two Men Are Better Than One
Nic Starr (link to follow)
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Woohoo! Red Dirt Christmas is live today
Red Dirt Christmas is live!!
BUYLINKS: Amazon | AllRomance eBooks | Smashwords
BLURB:
Travis had been here at Sutton Station for just over a year. We were technically engaged, not that we’d told anyone. He was happy just knowin’ I’d said yes, and I had some head-clearin’ stuff to work through. Knowing I was good enough for Trav was one thing, but knowing if I was good enough to be a husband and father was somethin’ else entirely.
Life at Sutton Station had never been better. Business was strong, Trudy and Bacon’s little baby, Gracie, was a few weeks old now and as cute as a button, Ma’s health was good, and my relationship with Laura and Sam was in a pretty good place. And Travis? Well, life with him was still all kinds of perfect.
But, to Travis’s dismay, Christmas at the Station was just another day. Another day of getting up before the sun, feeding animals, fixin’ what needed fixin’, and checking water troughs all while tryin’ to keep out of the blistering heat.
And this year weren’t much different. Only that it was Travis’s first Sutton Station Christmas. The fact we didn’t go all out with decorations and celebrations baffled him, and if I was bein’ truthful, it disappointed him too.
Which was why I had to make it a special kind of Christmas…
<3
There are also some author notes at the beginning of the story, which I will post here for a heads up.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
This book uses Australian English spelling and grammar. There will be words like brumbies (wild horses) Macca’s (McDonald’s) and a serious lack of g’s on most ing words. There are also run-on hyphenated sentences. It’s just how Charlie speaks.
TIMELINE ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
Anyone familiar with the Red Dirt Heart series, will know it spans the seasons. In RDH1 when Travis arrives, it’s summer, RDH2 is autumn/winter, RDH3 is spring and RDH4, being Trav’s pov, is back to summer and spans another year. Christmas in Australia is in summer, so according to the actual timeline of the series, Travis’ first Christmas falls between RDH3 and RDH4, though it is not mentioned.
So, like a small snippet of something that didn’t technically happen, this Christmas story is of Travis’ first Christmas at Sutton Station, therefore falls between books 3 and 4. They’re not married, there’s no Milly.
A small reminder of where the storyline was up to… Travis has asked Charlie to marry him, but they’ve not told anyone yet. Trudy and Bacon have just had their first baby, Gracie, and Nugget still steals every scene he’s in.
Enjoy.
<3
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