A Tender Rough by Fae Sutherland



When Mason Palmer's car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, aka Dixon, Alabama, the only person who can help him get to his destination is mechanic Beau Gaines. However, as the days pass and the two forge a bond neither expected, Mason begins to learn that sometimes it isn't the destination that matters. It's the places you discover and the people who change your life on the way there.



On sale NOW at Ellora’s Cave!

And that means it's time for my NaNo vlogging to begin. I didn't post my vlogs on this journal last year, but I'll be doing so this year. probably one a week until NaNo starts and then once a day with word count updates, story snippets, musing and ranting through the month of November. Here's the first one for this year, I'm still figuring out the setting on my new camera, so forgive the fact that my chin is cut off through most of this lol.

This week has been crazy, but amidst the crazy I've been getting an insane amount of work done.

I'm busting my butt to get the edits for one contracted novel out by the end of the week, which will be just in time for me to receive edits for *another* contracted book. Today I got 56 pages edited and will most likely finish up the edits tomorrow.

I've also been getting a lot of work done on new books. Two in particular, one just started on Sunday evening and already at 7k or so, the other started a bit ago that's currently at 26k. Yesterday I wrote 8k, today just under 3k.

I also wrote a dreaded synopsis today and that enabled me to finally send off two submissions to EC's 2009 Caveman anthologies. Fingers crossed, we'll know by the end of the year.

So it's been awfully productive in my neck of the woods, lots of stories being prepped for release, lots of stories being prepped for submission and lots of stories being written on. Creativity lives at my house, in case you ever want to find it. :-D

Because it sounded like fun and I'm bored.

Post the first lines from your last 12 stories and look for patterns

1. “You have time for another fuck, you know. The plane isn’t going anywhere.” (Entanglements [WIP])

2. The band of horsemen crested the hill and stopped. (BATC)

3. Sometimes even a bounty hunter needed a night off, especially one on the hunt for a wayward gypsy prince. (Airotic)

4. Christopher downshifted around the curve, slowing down even more as the skies let out a fresh torrent of rain. (CL [WIP])

5. “You cannot do this to me again, dammit! Stop the truck.” (629 MTL)

6. Nathan Daniels stirred his straw, tumbling the ice cubes around in the otherwise empty glass. (ETTR)

7. “Do you think they’ll hear us this time?” (FS)

8. “Fuck you, Tam. I ain’t listenin’ to goddamn “choppin” anymore!” (S,L)

9. Beau Gaines hummed along with Phil Vasser on the radio, tapping his foot in time to the music as he worked under Mrs. Miller’s old Cadillac. (ATR)

10. The sound of the door slamming was like a gunshot in the dark. (JM)

11. “You’re kidding me. Tell me you’re kidding.” (TD [WIP])

12. Britney might be an imploding trainwreck, but she sure did put out music that was perfect for half-naked boys to dance to. (MEB)

Patterns...well, I clearly love to start with dialogue. 5 of those begin with a character speaking. I also don't seem interested in beginning the story with the characters names right off. Only two full names are mentioned, along with one first name and one last name. I find this an interesting switch from my fanfic writing, wherein I rarely, if ever, begin with dialogue and always use names, at least first names, right off. These stories are all either contracted books, already released books or books aimed for submission to publishers. So clearly my professional writing differs from my fandom writing. That's kind of interesting, I'd never noticed it before.

I haven't posted in a while, sorry dear readers! So here's a bit of a catch up post for me.

First off, there's several places you can find me on the web this month. All month I have a feature article on Lady Jaided, Ellora's Cave's ezine, so head over to http://www.ladyjaided.com to check it out!

I'm also over on the Publisher's Weekly blog where the lovely Barbara Vey snagged a picture of my writing space and one of my more embarrassing comments in her blog article about where writer's write. Check it out at: http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288/post/120031812.html and beware the action figures having sex!

In other news, I've received my cover art for both Joshua's Muse and A Tender Rough, and have to share because they're so beautiful! I don't have a release date yet, but I'm hoping before the end of the year they'll be out. Take a look!





Also, keep your eyes peeled at your local bookstores and such for the October issue of Romantic Times, where you can see Exceptions To The Rule in a shiny, glossy full back cover ad!

That's about it for now, folks, I've got to run and dive back into the pile of edits I have calling my name! See you soon!

I must have been in a Firefly/Serenity mood yesterday, because when I stumbled upon a gift certificate I'd forgotten I had to Samhain's My Bookstore and More, I went and bought two books. Fireflies, by Ally Blue and, um...one about a captain in the title. *checks* My Fair Captain by JL Langley. The captain one is even somewhat spacey I think. So yeah, I musta been feeling in a "Can't stop the signal" mood.

Anyhow, I haven't read the captain one yet, but I did read Fireflies. Note that I've never read Ally Blue before, and I bought this book one hundred percent solely because of the cover. Anne Cain did the artwork and good sweet god it is so beautiful. LOOK . See what I mean? It's absolutely the most beautiful cover I have ever seen. The story didn't sound half bad either, so I was sold.

As it turns out, the story *wasn't* half-bad. It was pretty good actually. I thought Braeden was a bit too femme, but Joey was just as femme which made the sex scenes just a little squicky for me. I like at least one of the guys to be masculine enough to be believable as a top. Joey really wasn't. So it was a bit like watching twink porn, which isn't really my bag, but not bad. Just not my thing.

What *did* throw me right out of "Not bad, I'm pretty okay with spending 4.50 for a novella length book" and into "Oh ew" was....tentacle porn. Except with plants, but still...tentacle porn. I really *really* would have liked a little bit of warning that there was going to be sex with plant-life in this book. Samhain warns "inappropriate use of plants", but their warnings are always so, kind of, cutesy that I certainly was unaware Braeden was going to be taking vines and such up his ass. So yeah, tentacle porn = not cool to spring on people. I get that it's high on the yaoi-lover kink list, but it's never been on mine and a little warning would have been nice.

On the good plant side, though...I was really, oddly fond of the wee honeysuckle vine. I actually got a little misty hoping big bad evil guy didn't hurt the heroic little honeysuckle vine when it came whipping to the rescue. :( I never found out if it survived ok. Kinda bummed about that.

In all, it wasn't a bad book, certainly. And up until the tentacle porn out of nowhere, I was quite enjoying myself. So, yeah, I suppose if you like tentacle sex, go grab this book, and if you don't, just skip some pages when you get to the part with plant bondage. You'll know it when you get to it.

I'm probably going to read the captain one tomorrow. I bought that one solely because the guy on the cover has chest hair (YAY!) and I was somewhat amused by the idea of guys being expected to remain virgins until marriage. We shall see if it's still amusing after I start reading.

*sigh* fire alarm going off in our building for the dozenth time in the past couple months. I hate children, I tell you what. *scowls*

Marguerite and I have some fun at the Hussies blog discussing inspiration and our poor directional skills lol! Come say hi and share your own inspiration!

http://thehussiesblog.blogspot.com/


See you there!

I can finally officially announce that I just signed two more contracts with Ellora's Cave for my 2006 and 2007 NaNo novels. Joshua's Muse and A Tender Rough will be coming your way soon from EC!

Joshua's Muse especially is an enormous thrill for me. It was almost lost to me forever courtesy of a very shady epub that has since, thank the gods, gone out of business. I couldn't be more thrilled that it has now found a stable, wonderful home with EC, who will treat my boys right without a doubt!

Want some blurbs? Course you do! And make sure to pop by our website http://chasethedream.net for more info and excerpts coming soon!

Joshua's Muse by Fae Sutherland -- coming soon to Ellora's Cave Publishing

Columbia University freshman Alex Manetas is entirely out of his element, thrust from his safe circle of tightly knit family and friends into a world where he feels out of place and alone, until he meets the beautiful young artist, Joshua Hadaway, who develops a swift and overwhelming obsession for Alex.

Still learning to deal with his own sexuality, Alex is confused but intrigued by the bold young man who calls Alex his muse and finds himself falling under Joshua's spell and into his arms. Alex wants true love without the sacrifice. Joshua wants his muse and everything else Alex has to offer. Can they find their balance and a lasting happiness?

A Tender Rough by Fae Sutherland -- coming soon to Ellora's Cave Publishing

When Mason Palmer's car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, aka Dixon, Alabama, the only person who can help him get to his destination is mechanic Beau Gaines. However, as the days pass and the two forge a tentative bond, Mason begins to realize that perhaps it isn't the destination that matters so much as it is the places you end up and the people you meet on the way there.

So there's a new publisher about and I, as I always do, went to peek because I'm nosy like that. And, as I always do, when the subs page had no mention of whether they accept M/M, I asked. In response from them I get "We're not looking for erotica."

I'm sorry? I don't believe I asked about erotica. I believe I asked about m/m. The two are not the same thing. I'm not sure whether to be confused or offended or just annoyed. Another author tried to clarify "So you'd take m/m if it was sweet or sensual?" and they again said "Erotica is a hot genre but not something we're interested." Dude. M/M =/= Erotica.

I'm going to assume they misunderstood the question, because otherwise it's pretty much gay = porn on their part and that can't be right, can it?

The response to Exceptions To The Rule has been overwhelming! To all the kind readers who took the time to drop Margie and I an email or a note in our guestbook and those who didn't but still bought the book, thank you so much for supporting us! Marguerite and I appreciate it more than you know! And for those of you asking when you can expect our next EC release, well lol, that's up to EC and our editor. Hopefully you'll be seeing many more EC books from us (joint and solo) very soon!

Thanks again, you've all made our first release better than we hoped for with your kind comments and supportive emails.

Exceptions To The Rule by Fae Sutherland and Marguerite Labbe Available NOW from Ellora’s Cave




Two men with nothing in common, a strip club on a Tuesday night and a meeting that will forever change the rules.

Nathan Daniels and Jamie Nolan are from two different worlds, but under the façades and packaging they are more alike than they think. Suits and ties meet leather and tattoos as a bartender and a financial analyst find out that falling in love is everything the storybooks say, even when it’s the x-rated version.


Read an excerpt HERE!! Warning, this excerpt is rated R and *not* work-safe :) Click on the cover to get your copy today!

Marguerite and I have a novella releasing with Ellora's Cave on Friday, and though we haven't got cover art to share yet (*UPDATE* Cover art is now under the cut to save friends lists! Click, it's so lickable and yummy!!), we thought we could share a yummy excerpt to whet your appetites! So take a peek behind the cut for a little of Nathan and Jamie's sexy naughtiness!

( Exceptions To the Rule )

Want to get the rest of the story? Head over to Ellora's Cave on Friday and order a copy. Then come on back and let us know what you thought!

DARK MASTER is officially released today. At last! You can buy your copy from online retailers (Amazon, Barnes and Noble) or at your favorite brick and mortar store today!

SURRENDERING COMPLETELY ALWAYS LEADS TO...

Completely broke, Regan Roslund is stuck selling bondage gear to a kinky clientele in order to pay her bills. She has no interest in her salacious merchandise until she feels a leather choker tight against her neck--and gets a glimpse of the muscular, model-gorgeous man who holds her captive. Suddenly, temptation ignites...

THE MOST INTENSE PLEASURE...

Newly crowned king of the undead, Shadow Sorenson knows he can protect himself by taking a wife. He hopes Regan, with her new-found curiosity, will be unable to resist obeying even his most deviant demand. But Shadow would prefer she surrender willingly. For thirty nights, he'll show Regan what it's like to lose control as he explores every inch of her naked flesh, leaving her hungry for release--and moaning in anticipation of an ecstasy she never knew existed...

Warning! This is a REALLY HOT book (Sexually Explicit)

"A thoroughly entertaining tale by a talented new voice." Kate Douglas

Read a HOT excerpt at: www.tawnytaylor.com/darkmaster.html

http://www.ellorascave.com/coming_soon.asp?Page=2

*dances and twirls and flails*

Woohoo! Marguerite and I just received our contracts from Tease Publishing so we can finally announce that our book, Bee Among The Clover has sold! We're so excited, Bee has been on such a roller coaster to get to this point. BIG thank you to all the Diva girls who were so encouraging last month in regards to Bee, super especially lovely Stella Price who rec'd us to her editor!

Woohoo, our baby finally has a home! *happy dances*

Here's the blurby thingie (whee technical terms!):

A slave and an indentured thrall learn what it means to trust and love in 5th century Britain.

Roman, a captured slave to Wulfgar, is less than pleased with the thane’s acquiring of a new pet, the prideful Aron. Bound to Wulfgar in payment of his father’s debt, Aron has never been with a man and has no wish to be now…though his choice in the matter is lost the moment he becomes Wulfgar’s thrall.

Captured from Roman-held Londinium four years prior, Roman has learned in his time as Wulfgar’s bedslave that life can still be sweet, even for a slave. He is intrigued, threatened and ultimately terrified of Aron and the things the beautiful young man makes him feel.

Together the two of them form a bond greater than any hold another could claim on them and determine whatever the cost, they will find a way to be happy…together.

Romance Divas, one of the best romance writers forums out there, every year hosts a Free Ebook challenge for Valentine's Day. This year Marguerite and I decided we *had* to participate and our story, a 16k novella titled 629 Miles To Love is now up and live on our website.

Here's the blurb-ish thingie (lol yay for technical terms!):
He's got a full tank of gas, an unwilling passenger, and 6 years of regrets. 629 miles to convince the man he left behind that they belong together. He's going to need every one.

To read it go here: http://chasethedream.net/free.html and click the link to read it in your browser or you can also right-click, "save as..." on that page and download it as a PDF to read at your own leisure. Either way we hope everyone enjoys it and if you get a chance to read it, drop us a line, we'd love to know what you think!

Enjoy!

Snowbound, Lovebound? by Fae Sutherland & Marguerite Labbe-- On sale NOW at Dreamspinner Press

When animosity is stripped away, all that's left is desire. Traveling together in snowy New England, Bryan Tam and Jimmy Murphy are at each other's throats long before they lose control of their car. Attraction and tempers collide and the storm raging outside is nothing compared to the one going on in the backseat.



Snowbound, Lovebound? is a part of Dreamspinner Press's Mr. Right Now anthology and is on sale now! Click on the cover above to buy it in both print and e-book forms.

We would very much appreciate any pimping of this you guys want to do! In your own journals (cause everybody has different flists) in comms, on forums, help us spread the word!

Or, erm, her writing at least.

Most notably her most recent novel, published by Loose ID, title Blue Ruin 1: Some Kind OF Stranger. Long title, we'll just call it Blue Ruin because I am lazy and hate typing long thingies.

First off, let me just say that I don't know Katrina. I've never spoken to her, I don't write for any of the pubs she does, so this is not pimping a fellow author because it's the nice thing to do. No way. This is "OMG I saw a pimp of this book on Jana Hanson's blog (she was the editor btw and a fine job she did) and went to read the excerpt and then proceeded to beg my roommate to loan me her credit card so I could buy a copy." And so I did.

I've tested the waters of ebooks before, being an ebook author myself, but honestly had yet to find any author or book that really made me sit up and take notice. The kind that made me say to my friends, fellow book whores, "You guys *have* to read this!". Thanks to Katrina and Blue Ruin, that's all changed.

Blue Ruin is the story of Derek, smexy part-asian hottie with an angsty secret, and Blue, hot little homeless piece who falls right into Derek's well-endowed lap and is more than happy to stay there. Blue is called Blue because he has, well, blue hair. Not the most clever of nicknames and a bit much considering he also works at a club called Blue Ruin, but the boy is absolutely adorable and mischievous and wickedly sensual, so I totally forgive the slight lack of imagination.

Now, if you're looking for actual gay smut, look elsewhere. This is pure yaoi boylovin' goodness. The bishies are pretty as peaches, soft and fruity smelling and tears are not ashamed to be shed. Bondage and spanking and pert reddened bottoms abound, teary-eyed uke and loveable asshole seme. Blue is one of my favorite kind of uke's, though, the smart-mouthed, tempermental, top from the bottom kind. No woe-is-me angstiness for Blue, he's tough and street smart and clever enough to wrap Derek right around his skinny little finger while not even totally conscious their first night together. That takes skill, yo.

I'll be honest, the plot, what there was of it, was just "okay". But the characters were awesome. 3 dimensional and real and funny as hell. I laughed out loud a good dozen times just from Blue's lines alone. And Derek's reactions to Blue were just as amusing. It's a fun, fun FUN story, sexy and very much character-driven. Luckily for me, that's my favorite kind of story. I'll happily trade an intricately detailed plot for some hardcore, awesome characters any day.

If you like yaoi, bishie's and hot D/s-infused sexiness? Definitely get your hands on Katrina Strauss's Blue Ruin 1: Some Kind Of Stranger Purchase it here: http://www.loose-id.com/detail.aspx?ID=635

I hear tell there's to be a follow up, not surprising since it is, after all, titled Blue Ruin *1*. I don't know if it will be Derek and Blue again. I hope so. If not, I hope it's at the very least another set of sexy uke and sexy seme. I was pretty bummed to see she hadn't written anything else m/m, because I was hoping to buy a couple more titles to enjoy from her backlist, but I just don't read het. So I shall eagerly await Blue Ruin 2 and make do in the meantime with rereading Blue and Derek.

Well done, Ms. Strauss. I loved it.

About time I did one.

Just letting everyone know, Marguerite and I have a story releasing in the Dreamspinner Press anthology Mr. Right Now. Our story is titled Snowbound, Lovebound? and has the honor of being the first in the antho lineup. It's available in both print and ebook format and releases January 28th!

So head over to http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com next Monday and pick yourself up a copy!

We also have a release date for our Ellora's Cave novella, entitled Exceptions To The Rule. That is scheduled for a May 2nd release, so keep an eye out for that, we'll be posting a contest or two and some excerpts as the release date gets closer.

Also, please do check out our website, http://chasethedream.net , and read up on what we have in progress and drop us a line or sign up for our newsletter.

That's about it right now, I hafta get back to watching the Patriots stomp their way to a perfect season and the path goes right over San Diego today!