Blind Faith
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Blindside – Mark’s Story: Blind Faith 3
I’ve been a bit of a blog fail, sorry. Real life has kind of buried me of late.
I have a beautiful cover for Blindside!!! Made by the oh-so talented Sara York.
I’m hoping it will be released in the next few days. It is still with my editor at the moment, but as soon as I have it back, I’ll be uploading it to Amazon.
Mark is a great character. He was fun to write. His mother is hilarious and possibly one of my favourite supporting characters I’ve written.
Mark’s mother, Susan
Mark’s relationship with Will is a little complicated. They’re best friends, and Mark learnt with Carter, that staying platonic with friends keeps the friendship in tact. He never thought of Will as anything more than a friend because he valued his friendship too much.
Will Parkinson
But things for Will are about to change. He becomes unsettled and unhappy, and Mark remembers Carter being the same way before he moved to Boston. Scared of losing Will to the same fate, Mark takes it upon himself to find Will a reason to stay.
A boyfriend.
What Mark doesn’t realize, is that the wheels he sets in motion will change things forever.
Mark gets knocked off his feet, blindsided, and everything he thought about love and life, is about to come crashing down.
Mark’s song is Out on The Town by FUN. The lyrics, posted below, sum him up perfectly.
Lyrics to ‘Out on the town’ …
I set all my regrets on fire
Cause I know I’ll never take the time
To unpack my missteps and call all of my friends,
I figure they would take your side.
I make the bed, just not that well.
Your name comes up a lot when I talk to my mom,
Oh I think she can tell…I was out on the town so I came to your window last night.
I tried not to throw stones, but I wanted to come inside.
Now I’m causing a scene thinking you need a reason to smile.
Oh, no. What have I done?
There’s no one to keep me warm.So maybe I should put out the fire,
I’ll call them back and borrow a box knife
So I could learn to live with all the stupid shit I’ve been doing since ’99
And I know I could be more clever,
And I know I could be more strong.
But I’m waiting for the day to come back and say,
Hey, maybe I should change my mind.
I drink a lot, I’m not sure if that’s new.
But these days when I wake up from a night I forgot,
I just wish that it never came trueI was out on the town so I came to your window last night.
I tried not to throw stones, but I wanted to come inside.
Now I’m causing a scene thinking you need a reason to smile.
Oh, no. What have I done?
There’s no one to keep me warm.
I could be more clever,
And I know I could be more strong,
And I know I could be more clever,
And I know I could be more cleverI knew there’d come a day,
When all was said and done,
And everything I want is everything but gone
All my big mistakes are bouncing off your wall.
The bottles never break, the sun will never come
So come on let me in.
I will be the sun.
I will wake you up.
I’ll move slow.
Just open up your heart, open up your heart, open up your heart.
I was out on the town so I came to your window last night.
I tried not to throw stones, but I wanted to come inside.
Now I’m causing a scene thinking you need a reason to smile.
Oh, no. What have I done?
There’s no one to keep me warm.I’ll post some more news on the release of Blindside when I know more. As for now, I’m starting to write Starting Point (Point of No Return 3) and I can’t wait to give these boys the proper HEA they deserve.
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Can you see discrimination?
April 2nd is World Austism Awareness DayFact on Austism: People with autism may demonstrate above average levels of concentration, reliability and accuracy.~~~~~~So I’m taking part in RJ Scott’s April Blog Hop, aimed at discrimination and prejudice. When thinking about what form of discrimination I could write about, it seemed only fair that with my two recent releases, Blind Faith and Through These Eyes, that I approached the discrimination that blind people in our communities face on a daily basis.As a member of any community in the developed world, whether able sighted or not, we are entitled to basic human rights. So what are the rights of blind people? It is tempting to reply, no different from those of the sighted. We want a happy childhood; a good education; a satisfying job; a fulfilling family life; enjoyable leisure and social activities, and the chance to take a full part in public life. We want respect; esteem; affection; but above all recognition that we are citizens with full civil and human rights.More often than not, it’s not the perception of the blind person that they can’t do or perform certain tasks, but the opinions of able sighted people who think blind people aren’t capable.Many things able sighted people take for granted, are not a sure thing for those who are vision impaired. Things such as:Paid employment – probably the most trying. Some statistics I’ve read doing research for this blog post suggest anywhere between 80% – 95% of employers wouldn’t hire a blind person. Blind people have appropriate qualifications because they go to universities and colleges like anyone else, so why would a potential employer think their abilities to be any different? Is the fear of the unknown? Do they believe there will be extra needs? Extra cost?The answer to these questions is generally no.There are no other requirements or leniencies for blind people as there are for able sighted people, with one exception, which leads me to my next point.Technology – I think it’s safe to assume there are some jobs, for safety reasons for all involved, that blind people couldn’t/shouldn’t/wouldn’t do. Like being a driving instructor, or a pilot, or a brain surgeon. But most other jobs, are perfectly suitable. Office administrator, teacher, accountants, lawyers, social workers, counselors, academics… the list is long.The most critical component in making these professions vision-impaired-friendly, is technology.The aid of different technologies has progressed the ease and proficiency in which blind people can do almost anything. Such as screen readers, text-to-voice, audio text, computer integrated reading software and Braille note takers.So do employers have to provide such technologies for employees? Yes, they do. Not all are too expensive and many governments have funding to encourage such employments under the various Discrimination Acts.But there are still employers who won’t make the concession. Though in many instances, if the employer has less than a certain amount of staff and deemed a “small-business owner”, s/he is exempt from this legal obligation. This makes it difficult for blind people living in smaller towns.Renting an apartment – Many blind people have reported discrimination in this regard, particularly if they have a guide dog. There was one instance where a ‘control caller’ phoned some 100 real estate agents and asked about availability of apartments. Then the same agents were phoned again, citing the applicant had a guide-dog, and the differences were alarming.Two landlords said guide dogs weren’t allowed at all. Three said only little dogs were allowed. (Ever seen a Chihuahua seeing eye dog?) Six said there was an extra fee for tenants with a guide dog. Two said guide dogs were allowed, but only in ground-floor units.
Using public transport – This is a big one, and one encountered frequently. Thankfully, times and perceptions are changing. In the 1960’s blind people – even professional, self-sufficient adults – weren’t allowed to travel unaccompanied, insinuating they were child-like and not mentally capable.But still, there are issues and regarding safety and accessibility that still exist today. Whether using a cane, or a guide dog, blind people encounter issues pertaining to ignorance and discrimination on a daily basis.In my two books, Blind Faith and Through These Eyes, the public transport issue is something Isaac encounters. He works at a school for the blind, so his employment is strictly catered to his needs and there are very limited discrimination issues there.Throughout the course of the two books, Carter realizes just how much discrimination Isaac, as a blind man, encounters. Issues with taking a guide dog in public, into restaurants, onto public transport, even shopping. When Isaac needs a new laptop, the sales assistant first ignores Isaac, and then speaks to him slowly and loudly, like he was mentally inept or deaf.As ridiculous as this sounds, this is something the blind community encounters often. If you see or encounter a blind person, on the street or in a shopping center who looks a little lost or unsure, introduce yourself politely and ask if you can help. They are, above everything else, just a person.If, god forbid, you see a blind person who is encountering a form of discrimination, again introduce yourself politely and ask if you can help. Because it’s our right as human beings to speak up for those who are being discriminated against.So, enough with the serious, and on to the fun stuff.I’m giving away a copy of BLIND FAITH and THROUGH THESE EYES. Yep, two books!!First, we have Blind Faith…
BlurbStarting a new job in a new town, veterinarian Carter Reece, makes a house call to a very special client.Arrogant, moody and totally gorgeous, Isaac Brannigan has been blind since he was eight. After the death of his guide dog and best friend, Rosie, his partnership with his new guide dog, Brady, isn’t going well.Carter tries to help both man and canine through this initiation phase, but just who is leading whom?Then Through These Eyes
BlurbSix months after we last met Carter Reece and Isaac Brannigan, they’re still very much in love. Moving in together, moving forward, life for these two is great until some life changing events occur. Isaac has a frightening setback and Carter’s world starts to unravel. Things become even more complicated and start to change for both men when Isaac’s new colleague enters the picture.As Isaac struggles for what he really wants, it might just cost him what he needs the most.~~~~~~Now, something on a little more personal note from me…I’ve received a fair amount of harsh criticism for Isaac. Apparently many readers think he’s too obnoxious, too bratty, too rude and too cold. Apparently Carter deserves someone who’s nicer and deserves someone who’s capable of love, because apparently Isaac is not. I believe the term “most despised character ever written” has been used a few times.I don’t mind criticism (if it’s constructive and fair) and to be honest, if someone says they hate the character then that’s more of a compliment than an insult because the reader felt something. Making a reader feel something, in any form of emotional response, is the aim of every writer – it means I’ve done my job.But to outweigh that, I’ve also had two reviews and an email, from people who have lived with, loved, married someone who lost their sight, and said the descriptions of Isaac’s anger, resentment and frustrations, and his defensive walls, were spot on. Absolutely 100% correct.It’s reviews from people who have lived through what Isaac and Carter were living through, and applauded the not-so-pleasant reality that I created, that makes me love Isaac that little bit more.
For your chance to win a copy of Blind Faith and Through These Eyes, please leave a comment stating if you had to lose one of your senses, which would you choose, and why? I’ll be choosing a winner at the end of April (yep, the contest will be up for all of April).The link back to RJ’s site, and so you can continue the blog hop, is RJ’s April Blog Hop! -
Through These Eyes and Other News
I have news!!First of all, I have Through These Eyes cover art!!
By the amazing Sara York! Isn’t it just beautiful?And to celebrate the soon-to-be-released sequel to Blind Faith, I thought I’d post an excerpt straight from how the story starts.CHAPTER 1“Carter, for God’s sake, would you hurry up?”
I smiled into the bathroom mirror as I pulled on one of his shirts. “Keep your pants on.”
“If you don’t hurry the fuck up, I’ll be keeping them on,” Isaac called back to me from down the hall. “Permanently.”
I snorted. “Well, if I had my own clothes here…” I trailed off, waiting for him to bite back, knowing this conversation – one we’d had many times – annoyed him.
“I’ll go start the car,” I heard him mumble, and I laughed. Then the front door closed.
Shit.
“Isaac!” I stumbled out of the bathroom door, hopping on one foot, trying to put on my shoe, trying to stop him from getting in behind the steering wheel and starting my car. I almost fell down the hall, with my shoe half on and my jeans undone, to find Isaac still standing inside at the front door.
Looking gorgeous in his pricey jeans, expensive shirt and tight-fitted, designer sunglasses, the self-righteous bastard smiled. “Thought that might get your attention.”
Standing up straight, wedging my foot into my shoe and doing up the fly on my jeans, I looked at my boyfriend. My blind boyfriend. Then I looked at the golden Labradorat his feet, his guide dog. “Well, Brady,” I said to the dog. “It seems Isaac thinks he’s funny.”
Isaac grinned, smugly. “Are you finally ready?” he asked, again. He held out my wallet and keys. “You know my sister doesn’t have a baby every day, Carter. I’d like to get to the hospital some time before my niece starts middle school.”
Instead of taking my wallet and keys, I took his face in my hands and kissed him. “Shut up and get in the car.”
By the time we had Brady harnessed into the backseat and were on our way to Carney Hospital, he was still complaining. “Seriously, Carter. How long should it take?”
“I was at work,” I said, again. “I had to get changed! I could hardly turn up in my work clothes.” Spending my days as a vet, tending to an array of animals, didn’t make for clean work clothes. I changed gears and weaved through some traffic, looking from the cars in front of me to Isaac. “You know, if I had my own clothes at your place, it wouldn’t take so long. I wouldn’t have to go through your wardrobe to find clothes that fit me.”
Isaac sighed dramatically. “Haven’t we had this conversation?”
Yes. Yes, we had. But he didn’t want me to move in with him. At all. It had stung when he’d first told me he didn’t want me to live with him. I’d brought it up, considering we’d been together for a year, thinking it was the next step for us, thinking it was what he’d want. But he didn’t. He liked his independence, he’d said. He liked things just the way they were. He didn’t want us to be in each other’s pockets, he’d said. It hurt to know he didn’t want me to move in, but since then, the subject had now become a bit of a joke between us.
Usually, I’d make a joke of it and he’d sigh or change the subject. Or tickle me. Or throw something at me.“Yes, we have had this conversation before.”
“And how long are we going to continue to have it?”
“Until you agree for me to move in.”
“So a long while, then?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Apparently.” I reached over the console and took his hand. “What time did you get the call about Hannah?”
“Carlos phoned me at work this morning to say she’d gone into labor, but not to hurry, because they thought it’d be hours,” he said. “But then he called me again after lunch to tell me it was all over.”
I looked at the clock on the dash, and like he could see what I’d just done, he added, “That was over an hour ago.”
I knew he was anxious. His sister meant the world to him, and the new addition to the Brannigan clan was the best news they’d had in a long time. I lifted our joined hands and kissed his knuckles.
“I did leave work four hours early. I got to your place as fast as I could.”
He sighed again, and squeezed my hand. “It’s okay. The bus took forever anyway.”
“Why won’t you let me drive you to work?”
“Because you don’t need to be driving out of your way for me, when you live five minutes from your work,” he said. “And I’m a big boy. I can catch the bus to work if I want to.”
I looked at the man in the passenger seat beside me, at his dark brown hair, his chiseled jaw and trademark Armani sunglasses. The beautiful, stubborn, completely infuriating man. “It’s hardly out of my way. It’d take me twenty minutes tops,” I started, but he cut me off.
“Carter,” he said sternly, in that I-can’t-believe-I-have-to-say-this-out-loud tone he gets when he thinks he’s stating the obvious. “Brady and I are just fine on the bus, thank you.”
I held in a sigh and bit back the exasperated comment that threatened to snap at him. You’d think after being together for over twelve months I’d be used to it by now. But no, I wasn’t really. I wasn’t often offended by his snide comments anymore, but the frustration still weighed in.
Dropping any conversation pertaining to how independent he was, I asked, “So did Carlos tell you what they called the baby?”
“No,” he shook his head and smiled softly. “Just that mother and daughter were doing well.”
When I pulled the car over and to a stop, Isaac turned his face toward to me. “Why did we stop? We haven’t been driving for long enough to be at the hospital. Carter, what the hell are you doing? We’re late enough!”
I waited for his little tirade to be over. “I’m aware of that, Isaac,” I said slowly. “I stopped at a florist so we could bring Hannah some flowers. Is that okay?”
Isaac sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I just saw it and decided it was a good idea.”
He sighed. “Just don’t take long.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I rolled my eyes dramatically, though that silent trait was lost on him. Two minutes later, I opened the passenger door of the Jeep and handed Isaac the ridiculously overpriced teddy bear and bouquet of pink flowers with matching balloon. He pulled his face back in surprise, so I kissed his cheek. “Now you can’t say I’ve never given you flowers.”
I got back in behind the wheel and Isaac was smelling the flowers. After I’d pulled the Jeep out into traffic and we were nearly at the hospital, he said, “You haven’t, you know.”
“I haven’t what?”
“Given me flowers.”
I looked from him to the traffic in front of us, back to him, trying to decide if he was serious… I mean, no, I’d never brought him flowers, but I was trying to decide if he cared. “Would you like me to? Bring you flowers?”
“Not if I have to ask you for them.”
“Then I shall bring you flowers.” I chuckled, and shook my head. “When you don’t expect it.”
“Well now you’ve mentioned it, I’ll be expecting it.”
I sighed out a laugh. “Will I ever win an argument?”
Isaac smiled. “Not if I’m the one you’re arguing with.”
I laughed as I drove my Jeep into the parking lot of the hospital. Pulling into a spot, I turned the ignition off. “Well, come on. Let’s go meet the newest Brannigan.”
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In other news, Total e-Bound has said they’d love to have my other books!!!!
Yes!! So that means Taxes and TARDIS, Three’s Company and Point of No Return will have a new home soon!!
AND
Breaking Point (Point of No Return 2) and Starting Point (Point of No Return 3) as well!!!!
I will be adding about another 10K to PoNR 1, so the new release will be a little longer, but essentially not different.
I’ve been waiting for months for this very good news, so I’m very excited to share it with you all!!
I can’t wait to move forward and start my writing career over with a new (to me), exciting publisher such as TEB.
Thanks for all staying with me, and I hope to have some more news on release dates soon.
Oh, and speaking of which, Through These Eyes (Blind Faith 2) should be up in a few days!!THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!
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Three’s Company
The amazingly talented Reese Dante has done it again!!
Three’s Company has been gifted with an absolutely gorgeous cover.
It really is perfect for these three boys. That’s definitely Adam in the middle. LOL
Though it’s still 7 weeks away, countdown to release day has begun. October 28th will be here before we know it!
In other news, Blind Faith has a release date of January 26th. I’m 15K into the sequel. I can’t wait for everyone to meet these boys.
I also have some exciting news about some free-reads, but more on that when I know more. It might be a lovely little Christmas present to all my wonderful readers. 🙂 -
Blind Faith Teaser…
Here’s a little snippet of Blind Faith. I wrote this while I was at work, and it’s rough and completely un-edited.
Without further adieu, I’d like you to meet Carter Reece and Isaac Brannigan.****I was still mad when I got to work the next day. His behaviour dumfounded me. We’d had the best afternoon, and the more time I spent with Isaac, the more I realized I liked him. Not just liked… I admired him.But his moods turned on a dime, and he had a sting in his temper.I had no doubt it was a defence mechanism of some sort, and I could understand that. But I had no idea what had changed, what I said, what I did, what triggered his tirade at me.I hardly slept a wink because I replayed the conversation over and over in my head, and by morning I was tired and cranky, and quite frankly, pissed off at him.I gave up on sleep and took Missy for an early morning walk with hopes of clearing my head, and I didn’t technically have to work being a Sunday, but figured I may as well get my head around the Animal Hospital now that Dr. Fields was gone. By mid-morning, I’d done near a whole day’s work and was feeling pretty good. Tired, but good.Until Rani put her head around my office door and interrupted me. “Dr. Reece?”“Yes, Rani?”
“Phone call, line two,” she said quietly, obviously not sure if I was officially on duty. “It’s Isaac Brannigan. I told him you weren’t the vet on call today, but he insisted.”Insisted. I bet he did.I gave Rani a smile. “Thanks. I’ll take it.”She left and I stared at the blinking button on the phone. I really had no idea what this phone call would entail, whether he was calling to make a complaint against me, tell me he’d like referrals to another not-gay vet, or apologize.With Isaac, I’d gather any of those three options were likely. I sighed when I realized it could very well be all three.I picked up the handset and pressed the flashing button. “Hello, Carter Reece speaking.”There was a fraction of silence. “Um, Carter, it’s Isaac. Isaac Brannigan.”His voice sounded sheepish, even a little sorry. I still played it professional until I knew which way the conversation would go. “Isaac, what can I do for you?”“I didn’t think you were working today,” he said. “I’ve been calling your cell phone, but it just goes to voice mail.”I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “Oh, it was switched to silent,” I said absently. There were three missed calls from him. One last night, two this morning. Then something dawned on me. “Is Brady okay?”Isaac cleared his throat. “Oh, he’s fine,” he replied softly. “That’s not why I wanted to speak to you.”I took a deep breath and asked the loaded question. “Why did you want to speak to me, Isaac?”He cleared his throat again and I thought I could hear him fidget, or shift in his seat. “I wanted to apologize.”I still couldn’t believe what he’d said. “Apologize?”“Yes,” he lamented. “I was rude to you, and I’m sorry.”“Isaac, it’s fine,” I told him, though I’m sure my tone said otherwise.“No, it’s not.”“Isaac,” I started, but he cut me off.“Could you come over?” he asked quickly. “I know it’s a lot to ask, all things considered, but I’ll make lunch. It’s the least I can do.”I rubbed my temples. “Um…”“Around one-ish?”“You don’t hear the word no very often, do you?”“Uh,” he stopped. “Not very often, no.”I smiled. “Fine. I should be done around one-thirty. See you then.” I was still smiling when I hung up on him. I could have been there at his specified one o’clock but figured I’d make him wait.
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Blind Faith
Just an update:
I’ve started my new original fiction, Blind Faith. Currently 4k into it and it’s moving along nicely.
I’m really looking forward to writing this, and giving these boys life with words. I think these two boys just might be something special. 🙂
And let’s not forget this guy…
This is Brady. He’s the third character in this story, and the very reason why my two boys meet and fall in love. 🙂****
In other news, life’s been hectic and not altogether too pleasant but moving forward, at least.
I’ve still not heard if Three’s Company has been accepted for publication *keeps fingers crossed* but I have submitted my Love is Always Write event entry for Goodreads. Yet to be confirmed, though I believe Sin will be available on July 20th.
I also traveled to Sydney recently, to meet up with some wonderful girls who I’d come to know through fanfiction. And they gave me this…
A TARDIS key ring, exactly the same as the one Brent gives Logan in Taxes and TARDIS. Such a small gift with a BIG meaning. I was floored. Needless to say, it’s now attached to my keys. 😉
Kaz, Min and Deb, I thank you, sincerely. *mwah*
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