Monday round up of news

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBk62CNsw8f6TaVkJD1yq84-I45HQ7h3hFx_FHUIEUJjt9yHwUt8dRgHB442OnzvNx1bfwAj92w6EyAVEwNskF9swth5ZLBkdmw_L2_RLsN6Qtv4iW69Y4oh3uM8yaHWec94CS5V0YLk/s1600/thecarpenterandtheactor_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBk62CNsw8f6TaVkJD1yq84-I45HQ7h3hFx_FHUIEUJjt9yHwUt8dRgHB442OnzvNx1bfwAj92w6EyAVEwNskF9swth5ZLBkdmw_L2_RLsN6Qtv4iW69Y4oh3uM8yaHWec94CS5V0YLk/s400/thecarpenterandtheactor_flat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Out today</span></b><br /><br /><a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/waywardwolf.html"><b>The Case of the Wicked Wolf</b></a> (general release to all third party sites)<br /><br /><a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-carpenter-and-actor.html" target="_blank"><b>The Carpenter and the Actor (Ellery 3)</b></a> - available to buy and download from the Total E-Bound site<br /><br /><a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/back-home.html" target="_blank"><b>Back Home</b></a> (pre-order)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Recent articles</b></span><br /><br /><a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/VampireContract.html"><b>The Vampire Contract (Supernatural Bounty Hunters book 1)</b></a> receieves some awesome reviews<br /><br /><a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/i-still-say-most-difficult-thing-for.html"><b>I still say the most difficult thing for any writer is letting anyone read what we write...</b></a> a post about a few of the things I have learnt over the past three years...<br /><br /><a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-impact-of-words-to-child-by-carol.html"><b>The Impact of Words to a Child - by Carol Lynne</b></a> - guest essay<br /><br /><a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/if-dad-could-see-me-now.html"><b>If Dad could see me now...</b></a> - how music makes me feel about my dad<br /><br /><a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/chase-sun.html"><b>Chase The Sun</b></a> - details of the WIP - Sapphire Cay Book 3<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Silver Publishing</b></span><br /><br />This matter remains in the hands of my lawyers and auditors. One hell of a lot of delaying tactics from them. Sighs... Will it never end... ROFL<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Autism Awareness Month</b></span><br /><br />Don't forget there is still time to enter the autism awareness week competition <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/autismbloghop.html">HERE</a>. Sponsored by TEB and eXtasy.

Monday round up of news

Out today The Case of the Wicked Wolf  (general release to all third party sites) The Carpenter and the Actor (Ellery 3) - available to buy...

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The Vampire Contract (Supernatural Bounty Hunters book 1)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep3f2lbkzCNr8LHfxkkbXorl26lhxCvmjHHvXb8uGJr08rkfAGYjpKDz1QnPX_we5U4eNsX3orouPWFK-atEo4SXP9iW3SYvAud5BSIjuvJV4X2H7opbyFWx1QpIkftIAVqbIToYM1DY/s1600/THEVAMPIRECONTRACT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep3f2lbkzCNr8LHfxkkbXorl26lhxCvmjHHvXb8uGJr08rkfAGYjpKDz1QnPX_we5U4eNsX3orouPWFK-atEo4SXP9iW3SYvAud5BSIjuvJV4X2H7opbyFWx1QpIkftIAVqbIToYM1DY/s640/THEVAMPIRECONTRACT.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Supernatural Bounty Hunters Series<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><br /><br />Book 1 - <b>The Vampire Contract</b><br />Book 2 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/guiltywerewolf.html">The Guilty Werewolf</a><br />Book 3 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-warlocks-secret.html">The Warlock's Secret</a><br />Book 4 - The Demon's Blood (Coming Soon)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Book</b></span><br /><br /><b>A vampire guilty of murder on the run from justice to prove his innocence. A werewolf sent to retrieve him with one thought – that only the guilty run.</b><br /><br />Vampire Micah Jamieson is found guilty of killing his human husband. He runs from the execution he is facing to get home. He just has to pray he’ll reach home before supernatural law enforcement, in the shape of a Glitnir Court Retriever close in on him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqevLYPNf13RunLT1oeQz2LJ9NYYVDxOdqFWP74N3V4Rj9PafpzHqAv886yJq5P3NJOZbB7zxEpLsGAB22KQSVL0bTv-wyjNQZleRy8RPY_KhhJN1qMc3MHSP_5mSsGspSjsUgr5TKlE/s1600/Mrs-Condit-Recommends1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqevLYPNf13RunLT1oeQz2LJ9NYYVDxOdqFWP74N3V4Rj9PafpzHqAv886yJq5P3NJOZbB7zxEpLsGAB22KQSVL0bTv-wyjNQZleRy8RPY_KhhJN1qMc3MHSP_5mSsGspSjsUgr5TKlE/s1600/Mrs-Condit-Recommends1.jpg" /></a><br />Wolf shifter and Retriever, Connor Strand easily captures Micah and he’s fully prepared to take the runaway in. But his wolf has other ideas.<br /><br />Something about Micah challenges Connor and his long held beliefs. What if Micah is actually innocent? Will Connor put to one side his own prejudices, and then risk both his life and career to keep Micah safe?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Buy Links</span></b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.extasybooks.com/the-vampire-contract-2/" target="_blank">eXtasy</a>  |  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD8ZTI6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BD8ZTI6&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-20" target="_blank">Amazon (US)</a>  |  <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BD8ZTI6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00BD8ZTI6&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-21" target="_blank">Amazon (UK)</a>  |  <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thevampirecontract-1115516-140.html" target="_blank">All Romance</a>  |  <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-vampire-contract-rj-scott/1114844237?ean=2940044376588" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a>  |  <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Books/the-vampire-contract" target="_blank">Kobo</a><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Reviews</span></b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKMIX-etj4cGg5mei8T3fk8KkbWkioWfenA6SSSlEmOS09wCVESeY-cmTC40301jmclWqaSZ2hyphenhyphenMJnYesU7CsDah4nJiioi1KDdmn1m2a_SdrpFz7v38dFg4mQcXpIP4afmU8tnS1Dqg/s1600/five_star_read_icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKMIX-etj4cGg5mei8T3fk8KkbWkioWfenA6SSSlEmOS09wCVESeY-cmTC40301jmclWqaSZ2hyphenhyphenMJnYesU7CsDah4nJiioi1KDdmn1m2a_SdrpFz7v38dFg4mQcXpIP4afmU8tnS1Dqg/s200/five_star_read_icon.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><a href="http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/2013/04/26/the-vampire-contract/" target="_blank">Jessewave Reviews - 5/5</a> - RJ Scott’s The Vampire Contract takes us on a fast-paced adventure where most things are more than meets the eye.  </b>Connor Strand has unquestioningly served the Glitner Council for years, doggedly rounding up its criminals for swift and merciless justice in order to protect his own family from the Council’s deadly grip. Contracted to serve out a sentence as a retriever for crimes his family supposedly committed, Connor takes great pride in his captures and the take down of Micah will be business as usual for him, or so he thinks ... Micah has been falsely accused of killing his human husband and is on the run to find the only person who can possibly have the ability to clear his name and keep him safe, his elusive twin brother. The two men meet, hunter and prey, and the impossible happens when Connor realizes his inner wolf has indeed found his mate in no one other than Micah. Now the chase is on–but both men have suddenly become the hunted.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><b><a href="http://www.darkdivasreviews.com/?p=9478">Dark Divas Reviews</a> - 4.5/5: Ms. Scott delivers a beautifully set story that lays the foundation for more episodes to come.</b> Micah and Connor are both very proud and stoic creatures, both rooted in tradition; a tradition that normally does not condone inter-species relations. The dynamics between Micah and Connor was heart-felt and loving; even if at first they did not see eye to eye.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8781&Itemid=36">Two Lips Reviews</a> - 5/5: The Vampire Contract, the first book in the Supernatural Bounty Hunters series by R.J. Scott, is a book I really did not want to end. </b>The connection between Connor and Micah is really well written; I felt the wolves connection and the man’s conflict.  I love male on male werewolf stories and this one was one I didn’t want to end.<br /><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/the-vampire-contract-by-rj-scott/" target="_blank">MM Goodbook Reviews - 4/5 - Oh. I loved this book, and what a nice start it was for a series.</a> </b><b>RJ Scott created a beautiful background for this adventure through species. Werewolves, Vampires, Fae (although the latter didn’t made an appearance in this first book), a world trapped in old traditions and royal clans along with pure-blooded arrogance. It all painted scenery that promises action and war impending, strong love fated to struggle through fights that are not easy won, and love lost leaving back pain and hurt. </b>The Vampire Contract focuses on Micah and Connor. Micah is a Vampire accused for the murder of his own husband by the Glintir Court, the one responsible for applying justice and law on all the paranormal species. When Micah runs away Glintir Court Retriever Connor Strand, a Werewolf, is tasked to bring him back. Connor is one of the best, however he is in for a surprise when it appears that this little Vampire is not that easy a job and to top it all his wolf gets in the way when he recognizes Micah as his mate.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=10478" target="_blank">Mrs Condit Reads Books - 5/5 and a recommended read</a> - I loved the world RJ created; it reminded me of the fantasy books I read years ago, a world steeped in traditions, royalty and separatism. </b>I also have to say I love the idea that within a werewolf the wolf and human parts can think and act separately, evidenced by the fact that Connor’s wolf side recognised his mate long before Connor realises the truth of it. I also found the book quite humorous, I loved the snarkiness of the conversations between Micah and Connor peppered throughout the book, half the time I couldn’t stop laughing.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=18329" target="_blank">Hearts on Fire Reviews - 4/5 </a>- I’m not a big fan of shifter books but Ms Scott penned or typed a winner in this great beginning to a new series. </b> It seems like the story takes place in the present so there wasn’t a lot of world building that needed doing. I loved both Micah and Connor who were rich characters and not your typical werewolf or vampire. The constant snarky arguing between the two had me laughing out loud. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/new-reviews/the-vampire-contract-by-r-j-scott">Joyfully Reviewed</a> - Intrigue and treachery within a fascinating love story is the premise for <i>The Vampire Contract</i>.</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> </span>The Vampire Contract features a promising start with characters that come alive, whether charming or taciturn, a crooked government and much more.  What happens next is anyone’s guess.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Excerpt</b></span><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Chapter One </b><br /><br />“I know you’re out there!”<br /><br />Connor tensed at the loud words. His quarry knew he was here? How the hell could a blundering, uncoordinated, frankly very short vampire know Connor was tracking him? <br /><br />“What do you want, wolf?” <br /><br />Exhaustion dripped from each syllable and Connor focused in on the body language of a defeated man. Was Micah Jamieson giving up and giving in? <br /><br />Connor hesitated. This could well be a trick. No way was he going to let himself be swayed from what he had to do. His claws extended in his splayed hands and he rolled his neck with the itch of change that pressed on the front of his mind. <br /><br />“Come out and talk to me,” Micah said. He turned in a circle as he peered into the undergrowth, the bushes that surrounded him, and high into the tall oak trees. <br /><br />Connor watched with amusement. The vampire may be clever enough to figure out a wolf was tracking him, but he didn’t know where he was. Then Micah, murderer, criminal, listed for execution, turned and faced exactly where Connor was hidden. <br /><br />“Retriever or not, I could do with the company and we need to settle this so you can go home.” <br /><br />The vampire’s voice was sad and held a quality of loneliness that Connor thought only he had the capacity to feel. He shrugged away the sudden and inappropriate twinge of empathy. <br /><br />“Here, here, wolfy, come on out and play with the scary vampire.” Micah ended on a chuckle and crossed his arms over his chest. <br /><br />Dark haired and dressed from head to toe in black, he was merging with the smudge of gloom in the approaching evening, but Connor could still scent him from where he was—a combination of fresh forest air and something else that he couldn’t put his finger on. Micah didn’t smell like a normal vampire, if anything Connor found his scent weirdly comforting. <br /><br />Shorter than the average vamp, nice scent or not, he was an easy take down. That was exactly how Niceros had sold this particular hunt to Connor. Easy. His boss always used words like easy and quick, but at the end of the day, Connor was hunting a paranormal called Micah who had ripped his own husband’s throat out and carved words in the fragile human skin. Short or not this vamp was dangerous and possibly psychotic. <br /><br />Forcing his claws to retract as he straightened was an effort. Connor’s lupine half clung to his thoughts and demanded attention. Not now, he thought as he stepped into the clearing to reveal himself. The scent in the air was charged with moonflowers and there was magic stringing its way through the topmost branches of sprawling trees. Micah Jamieson’s scent was intermingled in it all. <br /><br />Assessing Micah and the threat he posed was like breathing. Vampires were sneaky, scrappy fighters, fond of using a combination of teeth, knives, and formidable muscle strength. Added to which vampires were renowned as selfish, spoilt superior beings who disregarded society and its norms. No wonder this husband of Micah’s only lasted three weeks of marriage to the vamp. <br /><br />“Strand,” he said firmly. “Senior Retriever.” The words were familiar and rolled off his tongue with ease. Step one of retrieval: state your name and rank and ensure the convicted were fully aware of who you were. As soon as they left his mouth, he waited for reaction. This was the point that those facing Court-assigned punishment reacted one of two ways: begging or running. Connor could deal with either. <br /><br />“Senior?” The vamp huffed a laugh. “I was that much of a flight risk they sent a top grade hunter?” <br /><br />“Just come quietly.” <br /><br />Micah scanned Connor and let out a short laugh. “You’re not even armed.” <br /><br />Connor took another step nearer, his arms loose at his sides and his hands ready. No wolf shifter Retriever was ever armed, they didn’t need to be. <br /><br />“I’ve come to take you back.” He moved closer and could see Micah’s face more clearly. He was a lot smaller than other vamps Connor had taken down, and he looked resigned. He shrugged and held out his hands in front of him, palms up. <br /><br />“You can try,” he finally said. <br /><br />There was no bravado in his voice, merely plainspoken words with an edge of that same exhaustion Connor had heard before. Was the vamp really considering he could take on a senior wolf shifter? Connor had never actually seen bravado before in his prey. He’d seen begging and crying and witnessed a whole lot of running, but never this quiet acceptance. <br /><br />They stood in a tense faceoff about three feet apart. Connor was in range of both vampire fangs and sharp, skin-slicing knives if Micah had any. He couldn’t see knives but rule one was never to underestimate any supernatural. <br /><br />“Come quietly,” Connor said. “It will look good for you at Glitnir.” <br /><br />Micah shook his head at the mention of the supernatural Court. “You mean they’ll cut my sentence from execution in a week to that of beheading in a month?” <br /><br />“You will have more time to say goodbye to loved ones,” Connor said calmly. <br /><br />“Glitnir thinks I killed a loved one.” Temper sliced into Micah’s words. “Why would they even think of giving me more time to say goodbye?” <br /><br />Connor could see the sense in Micah’s words. Knowing what Glitnir would do to the vampire when Connor took him back was not his concern. For what he’d done he was lucky he was given time to settle his affairs. The quickest trial in the history of Glitnir and a punishment of death by beheading had been handed down in minutes. The evidence was there. The husband's human body drained of blood, the throat torn right through to the spine, and the vampire words, centuries old, cut into flesh. All of it led to Micah. <br /><br />“If I was you,” Micah snapped. “I would shift and run back home.” <br /><br />“Retrievers never return empty-handed.” Connor widened his stance and allowed his wolf side free rein. <br /><br />Micah unfolded his arms and allowed them to hang loose with his fingers clenched into fists. “Sorry, dog, this time one will have to. I don’t have time for games.” <br /><br />The single word dog was the ultimate insult to a race as old and proud as werewolves and the vampire knew this. Rage sparked in Connor, but he had to balance it if he didn’t want this to go to shit. Micah opened his mouth to say something else, but Connor acted on pure instinct and moved like lightning. <br /><br />Connor leaped before Micah could move, and in that single second where he must have known Connor would be on him, there was acceptance etched into every line of Micah. Connor’s attack was instant and he kicked with his strongly muscled legs dead center in Micah’s chest. Micah fell off balance, slamming back against the tree. Connor followed Micah onto the ground and crouched over him, hands scrabbling to catch hold of Micah’s throat. Micah pushed back and his strength was enough to force Connor back and away. The plants and bushes around them caught on their clothes as Micah threw himself at Connor with a knife in one hand as his fangs descended. When they connected, Micah’s breath left him in a swift huff. <br /><br />“Come home,” Connor snapped as Micah pinned him. The gleam of a blade was inches from his face and as much as he pushed up, Micah met with equal force. He flipped the other man with a knee to his balls and despite the yell of pain, Micah didn’t retreat. He lay under Connor with absolute determination in his expression. <br /><br />For a second, no more, they were held in a match of force and Connor knew in an instant that this was not going to be a graceful fight but a scrappy uncoordinated battle for the upper hand. His wolf side took over and he found extra strength even as Micah pushed that little bit harder upwards and the knife moved dangerously closer to Connor’s face. <br /><br />“No!” Micah said, and with a mighty heave, he had Connor sprawled on his back with his breath lost to the impact. <br /><br />Connor used the momentum of his fall to roll on his side and then flip up standing. He charged at Micah without hesitation. Claws extended, he grabbed Micah’s knife hand and then used his other hand to dig through material and into skin below. <br /><br />His long claws pierced the clothing and Micah screamed in pain before rolling them again so Connor was under him. He felt like the heaviest weight and now Connor had a hand trapped between them with claws still extended into Micah’s skin. He dug deeper, this wouldn’t kill the vampire, but it would surely incapacitate him for a while. Micah cursed and pushed up and away, and Connor felt his claws wrench free of the bloodied mess. <br /><br />Stumbling back, Micah didn’t check the wound that was a ripped hole through jacket, shirt, and skin. There was real fear in his eyes as he fell to his knees. Connor howled in excitement at the ecstasy of ripping through his prey and he could almost taste the thrill of the win. <br /><br />Micah scrambled away, with a hand clutched to his side and then used the trunk of a tree to stand. He took a step away from the bark and near doubled in pain. <br /><br />“Don’t make me hurt you,” he begged as he straightened. <br /><br />Connor growled in frustration at the nonsense Micah was spouting. He took the two steps up and away to jump at Micah. The vampire reacted instantly. He spun on his heel and suddenly the two were a mess of nails, claws, and teeth. The snarling, spitting fight had them pitted evenly against each other despite Micah’s injury. <br /><br />Micah would get the upper hand only for Connor to switch and force Micah to the ground. He needed to pull the cuffs from his belt at that single point he had the upper hand, but sensing the loss of focus, Micah scrambled and fought his way free. His pale skin was marked with mud, leaves, and blood and the spread of dark on his shirt was dangerously large. Even a vampire would take a few days to heal from that. <br /><br />“You chose to run,” Connor spat the specific words he needed to say on retrieval. “The Glitnir Court wants your return to carry out punishment for the crime of murder of Ethan Harris.” <br /><br />He didn’t finish as, with a yell, Micah rushed him and near head-butted him in the stomach. The two men fell and rolled over and over down a small incline. Connor’s head smacked a stone and he felt the pain reverberate through him. Then the moonlight glinted on the sharp fangs that descended in Micah’s mouth and there was blood on his lips, Connor’s blood. They had both tasted blood tonight. <br /><br />“No,” Micah spat at him in fury. “I didn’t kill him—” <br /><br />Connor was shaken and beaten away from finishing what he had to say. His pain increased and Micah was pushing and stabbing with the knife. Connor felt the snap in his left arm as it broke against a fallen tree. Adrenaline spiked and he pushed through grating pain to force Micah off him and in a smooth move, had the cuffs in hand and was inches away from getting one wrist of the hissing, spitting, snarling night man cuffed. <br /><br />“No!” Micah shouted. Terror widened his eyes and he was shouting and pleading and none of it made any sense. “Don’t make me hurt you.” <br /><br />Connor carried on with the rights he needed to say. “An appointed councilor will review—” <br /><br />“I can’t go.” <br /><br />The first cuff snapped around Micah’s wrist and Connor suddenly had the upper hand. Micah threw himself back and pulled Connor with him in a mess of twisted limbs while he was talking, chanting, saying something. Connor shook his head and scraped claws along every available inch of skin he could find. <br /><br />This wasn’t a clean fight, this was desperation, fear, and a crawling despair in Micah. The scent of terror was ripe in Connor’s nose. He could work with fright and panic in an escaped prisoner, it made them careless and vulnerable to attack. With a final lunge he aimed for Micah’s other wrist. <br /><br />A scream of anguish from Micah and an invisible force lifted Connor from him and threw him across the clearing where he contacted with a tree. <br /><br />“I didn’t mean to, I didn’t mean to!” Micah shouted. <br /><br />Connor was losing the will to stay awake. Heaviness pulled him apart inside and his mind went blank.<br /><br />

The Vampire Contract (Supernatural Bounty Hunters book 1)

Supernatural Bounty Hunters Series   Book 1 -  The Vampire Contract Book 2 -  The Guilty Werewolf Book 3 - The Warlock's Secret Book 4 -...

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I still say the most difficult thing for any writer is letting anyone read what we write...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR6HVYNcbxb0S6WjnJ0nN55YFrHek55QQ2lDxU8RDrpN13Ud6wiLy-zXzfdglg8wgw-1crsE2Wl40E1lDhsUWnJv6t_2vR-y6WRfCDptpApP0sIJjxI74ZR5wrQ-bvEDRfF48EruQjVo/s1600/299125_497959303593483_1317640718_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR6HVYNcbxb0S6WjnJ0nN55YFrHek55QQ2lDxU8RDrpN13Ud6wiLy-zXzfdglg8wgw-1crsE2Wl40E1lDhsUWnJv6t_2vR-y6WRfCDptpApP0sIJjxI74ZR5wrQ-bvEDRfF48EruQjVo/s400/299125_497959303593483_1317640718_n.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>A Facebook friend of mine asked me a question in a survey they were doing. What sites do I go to for writer advice. I don't. My advice comes from Facebook friends and readers. They also asked to sum up advice we could give in under ten words (difficult!)...<br /><br />Then it got me thinking. What would be the things I would tell current authors and soon-to-be authors if they were at all interested.<br /><br />This last three years of being published has been one hell of a roller coaster and an ENORMOUS learning experience, particularly the last six months.<br /><br />So with the benefit of a few books under my belt, and as a result of my journey from naivete to enlightenment (ROFL), I give you RJ's top tips...<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">1. Spread yourself around</span><br /><br />Do not put all your eggs in one basket. There are many wonderful publishers out there. I write for Total E-Bound and for eXtasy. The experiences I have at both are making me better at what I do. Also do not assume that once you are with one publisher that no other publisher will want you. Have faith in yourself. Working with different publishers helps you learn and you widen your friends circle of other likeminded authors.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><a name="more"></a><span style="font-size: large;">2. Have faith</span><br /><br />Stay positive and keep banging away.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">3. Know your market and your limitations</span><br /><br />Know your market yes, but at the same time know your limitations. For example, there is a current trend for BDSM etc. This is great for those like Kim Dare, SJD Peterson and so on.They have a good handle on it all. But I couldn't write it. I know I would write something people would just end up laughing at!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nDPzhKpgb6v7VBhL6zCVH1q4LGsKbabwm-z_plkyO5HB6L15WT_TOeWnlkwpKNlsFaxVXy2W-4s-DIkzrLbbpcTYVkKHHTuRews5f-zhVBZdgrZFenQxCBm9OTzp04c9evdloBKMpl8/s1600/lolcat-boring-story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nDPzhKpgb6v7VBhL6zCVH1q4LGsKbabwm-z_plkyO5HB6L15WT_TOeWnlkwpKNlsFaxVXy2W-4s-DIkzrLbbpcTYVkKHHTuRews5f-zhVBZdgrZFenQxCBm9OTzp04c9evdloBKMpl8/s1600/lolcat-boring-story.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">4. Never stop writing.</span><br /><br />Have a book you have subbed? Don't wait to write another book! Never stop writing. If the book you are writing isn't working put it to one side and start a new book, or write a short story.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">5. Don't respond to bad reviews</span><br /><br />The only time I did this, back when I was new and everything was shiny, the reviewer had a field day with me. I tucked my tail between my legs and hid. I still say the most difficult thing for any writer is letting anyone read what we write... rofl. Take the bad reviews on the chin and try to focus on the good reviews. Of course, one day I will take my own advice!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">And once you are published...</span><br /><br /><ul><li>Talk to your readers every day.</li><li>Thank your readers every day.</li><li>Have fun, with jokes and Lolcats! every day (others Lol's are available!)</li><li>Post photos of sexy men ever day (sighs)</li></ul><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, if you're published, feel bloody lucky EVERY SINGLE DAY... </span><br /><br />I do...<br /><br />

I still say the most difficult thing for any writer is letting anyone read what we write...

A Facebook friend of mine asked me a question in a survey they were doing. What sites do I go to for writer advice. I don't. My advice c...

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The Case of the Wicked Wolf

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0goOOJo4s2jYKM_2HfdlKUE2qRDiUp0OO05N2Yy_CxDvsfjezcMEH2PgZs_6SqbjiIEzBcFV5LWCud6teeDSEy7eJ3YX3U9dtJDLHwjApsyysmtrhZw9yH5r5R1p6aVsst7dwa_Djw/s1600/TheCaseoftheWickedWolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0goOOJo4s2jYKM_2HfdlKUE2qRDiUp0OO05N2Yy_CxDvsfjezcMEH2PgZs_6SqbjiIEzBcFV5LWCud6teeDSEy7eJ3YX3U9dtJDLHwjApsyysmtrhZw9yH5r5R1p6aVsst7dwa_Djw/s200/TheCaseoftheWickedWolf.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>A wonderful new review from <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/mrs-condit-reads-books.html" target="_blank">Mrs Condit Reads Books</a>... Thanks X<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><a href="http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=11737" target="_blank">The Case of the Wicked Wolf</a> - 4.5/5</b><br /><b><br /></b>'This book is a bit different from the first. That book, the point of view was mostly Sam’s. This time we’re getting multiple points of view. It took me a minute to figure out, but the story made perfect sense and I was grateful to get to understand Hartman better.'<br /><br />Read the full review <a href="http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=11737" target="_blank">here</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

The Case of the Wicked Wolf

A wonderful new review from Mrs Condit Reads Books ... Thanks X The Case of the Wicked Wolf - 4.5/5 'This book is a bit different from ...

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The Impact of Words to a Child - by Carol Lynne

Thank you to Carol Lynne. I am hosting her post for National Autism Awareness Month until her own blog is up and running.<br /><div><br /></div><div>This years theme was prejudice and the following is an amazingly heartfelt essay on how words can impact us.</div><div><br /></div><div>oOo</div><div><br /></div><div>At the age of forty-seven, I can tell you it isn’t easy to raise two pre-teen girls on your own. However, I do my best to instill in both of my daughters what it means to be a good person. This may sound like a simple task, but when you see the way other children and adults behave, it becomes obvious that some didn’t get the same upbringing.<br /><br />The point of this post is that our actions have consequences, good and bad. <br /><br /><div>Both of my children were raised going to my ex-husband’s Catholic church. Yes, I had to agree with this before we could marry in the church. Anyway, the girls have attended church every Sunday since their birth. When they started school, they were sent to Catholic school. Although I don’t agree with the Catholic religion, I believed they would be given a good education, learn right from wrong, respect vs disrespect, you know, the lessons that all parents hope their children learn.<br /><br /><br /><a name="more"></a>I can honestly say, the school’s education has been superb. However, the education my oldest daughter received from one of the parents has my baby questioning everything, including her faith. A year ago, I allowed Delaney to spend the night with a friend. Normal stuff, right? Unfortunately, not this time. When the mother of Delaney’s friend drove her home the next day, she began to question Delaney, or, in my opinion, interrogate her. The mother knew what I did for a living and began to ask Delaney what she thought about my books and how she felt about homosexuals. It was Delaney’s first brush with true bigotry, and according to her, she just sat there, stunned. She told me that she realized it was an adult asking her these questions and she didn’t know how to respond because it made her very, very uncomfortable. Before Delaney got out of the car, the mother told her that she could not be a good Catholic if she believed in homosexuality or abortion (something I’ve never discussed with my girls, btw).<br /><br />I could tell when Delaney came home that something was bothering her, but it took her several days to tell me. I felt so bad for her and so incredibly angry with the mother that I wasn’t sure what to do. Delaney’s uncle is a gay man living with his long-time partner and the girls have always called both men uncle. I also have a cousin who is more like a brother who is gay. My cousin has been the most caring and supportive man, other than their father, in my girls’ lives. To tell a child that their love for these men makes them an unfit Catholic was cruel and wrong.<br /><br />That was a year ago, and Delaney is no longer friends with the little girl. I thought it was behind us until about a month ago. Delaney is preparing for her confirmation. She came to me and confided that she no longer wanted to be confirmed in the Catholic faith. When I questioned her decision, she mentioned the conversation the year earlier. She told me that she felt that confirming her faith was the same as agreeing with all aspects of it and she didn’t think she could do that. Bless. I told her that although the church had rules and guidelines they follow, she couldn’t hold the church responsible for what one person said to her. <br /><br />Now, I’m in a bit of a pickle. While I have my own feeling about the matter, I know that I need to keep my opinions out of it. I have two people to consider in this issue, Delaney and her father. Not only has my ex spent thousands of dollars sending her to Catholic school, but also he would honestly be heartbroken if he knew she had doubts about her faith. There’s no doubt in my mind that he would blame me, and while I can take anything he has to dish, Delaney would be caught in the middle. So, what to tell a child who is under threat of losing their faith because of one nasty bigot. Hmmm, good question. Too bad motherhood doesn’t come with a how-to book.<br /><br />I told her that her relationship with God was her own, and that parishioners, like the mother of her ex-friend, needed people like Delaney in the church. I tried to explain that people and religions need to learn and adapt to the world around them, and only through knowledge and acceptance will that be possible. Then I told her if her faith continued to conflict with the actions of those around her, she could choose another path for herself. <br /><br />I keep going back and forth on the issue. On one hand, I want to stand up for my baby and allow her to do what she feels she needs to do. On the other hand, I realize that for the rest of her life she will be faced with bigotry in one form or another. You can’t just opt-out of the human race. I think it’s better to teach our children that prejudice is out there but it is only when we allow it into our hearts that it can truly harm us. As she grows older, Delaney will be forced to deal with individuals who hold different beliefs. The important thing is setting her own personal boundaries while also respecting a difference of opinion. <br /><br />I’ve never considered myself an exceptional parent. I work too much, I probably don’t clean enough and I’d rather eat out than cook. One thing I’ve always been proud of is the honest love and respect my girls show to the people around them. I like to think that despite my faults, I’ve at least had a hand in opening their hearts and minds to the world around them. My number one rule has always been, when all else fails, give lots of hugs and kisses and hope they figure it out themselves.</div></div>

The Impact of Words to a Child - by Carol Lynne

Thank you to Carol Lynne. I am hosting her post for National Autism Awareness Month until her own blog is up and running. This years theme w...

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The Teacher and the Soldier

<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxzdXeJupN8I4W3j1SzADm3qqPlUt5s38DwBd4eafrMe90s_T7-08-tD_O6jCfHUfBzJr2ZxXXoGM8ZQDGtlKZ49NUmbOopyDWQC9fCcUqu4OlH7IiGAfO-sRb8X7KNTd9rx78zBfs4g/s1600/theteacherandthesoldier_exlarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxzdXeJupN8I4W3j1SzADm3qqPlUt5s38DwBd4eafrMe90s_T7-08-tD_O6jCfHUfBzJr2ZxXXoGM8ZQDGtlKZ49NUmbOopyDWQC9fCcUqu4OlH7IiGAfO-sRb8X7KNTd9rx78zBfs4g/s640/theteacherandthesoldier_exlarge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ellery Mountain Series</b></span><br /><br />Book 1 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-fireman-and-cop.html">The Fireman and the Cop</a><br />Book 2 - <b>The Teacher and the Soldier</b><br />Book 3 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-carpenter-and-actor.html">The Carpenter and the Actor</a><br />Book 4 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-doctor-and-bad-boy.html">The Doctor and the Bad Boy</a><br />Book 5 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/ParamedicWriter.html">The Paramedic and the Writer</a><br />Book 6 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-barman-seal.html">The Barman and the SEAL</a><br />Book 7 - The Agent and the Model (Coming Soon) <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Book</b></span><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPY9vd5bUqaW9zBx9AqgwRXFhw0rXW53B5SaBYmhfnP9RtZi3_ZaojFIRNpXrdUHDuSwywx0OnkSVMjCegQ0jvlhnZzpeuhG93G50UE9fpYJHqDtBvpBrgyn0OJFnpHrTquVBZE3PIEUs/s1600/64246_434678613281893_1653726542_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPY9vd5bUqaW9zBx9AqgwRXFhw0rXW53B5SaBYmhfnP9RtZi3_ZaojFIRNpXrdUHDuSwywx0OnkSVMjCegQ0jvlhnZzpeuhG93G50UE9fpYJHqDtBvpBrgyn0OJFnpHrTquVBZE3PIEUs/s1600/64246_434678613281893_1653726542_n.jpg" /></a>Ex-soldier, Daniel Skylar, falls hard and heavy for school teacher Luke Fitzgerald. How can he make him stay in Ellery?<br /><br />Luke Fitzgerald left Ellery Mountain for college and vowed never to come back.<br /><div><br /></div><div>When his father is murdered he has no choice but to return. Luke only goes home to sell off his share of the Ellery Mountain Cabins, but everything changes when he meets the son of the other owner. </div><div><br /></div><div>Daniel Skylar is an ex-soldier who lives every day to the limit and sees a future in Luke.<br /><br />It doesn’t matter what Daniel says, or how much he needs Luke; Luke isn’t staying once everything is sold off. Surely Daniel can understand that?<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buy Links - eBook</b></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2074" target="_blank">Total E-Bound</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CH143BM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CH143BM&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-20" target="_blank">Amazon (US)</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CH143BM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00CH143BM&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-21" target="_blank">Amazon (UK)</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theteacherandthesoldier-1169414-145.html" target="_blank">All Romance</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-teacher-and-the-soldier-rj-scott/1115267912?ean=9781781842836" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Books/the-teacher-and-the-soldier" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <span style="color: #666666;">Sony</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reviews</b></span><br /><br /><b><a href="http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/the-teacher-and-the-soldier-by-r-j-scott/" target="_blank">MM Good Book Reviews</a> 4/5 </b>- This story is really well written and it does tug at your heartstrings for what Luke had to face alone and also the effect it is still having on him. Daniel and Luke are an excellent pairing and are very hot together. They have a strong connection that goes further than a physical attraction and they make a great couple. The storyline is very good and I liked how Luke seemed to overcome his obstacles to accept the love he is offered and I liked how Daniel didn’t pressure Luke to recount his past. We see Max and Finn (from The Fireman and the Cop) again and Kieran and Liam and I can honestly say that I am looking forward to both their stories (The Carpenter and the Actor, and The Doctor and the Bad Boy) ... I will recommend this to those who love facing the past stories, fighting for love, hot sex, great characters, a good storyline and a happy ending.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_MCCpSVYiqanJzIgAOQyrqkPtvYUoMglryErspnMMO4Vli0QvrikjqeiiOhJhunfK3YQmpEj5aeEFUMFfhKIqj-SsHF7x-TaFLZUs-1lXX2AICsT5ETuta0FE4FU_Owffdw7c447UqM/s1600/theteacherandthesoldier_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_MCCpSVYiqanJzIgAOQyrqkPtvYUoMglryErspnMMO4Vli0QvrikjqeiiOhJhunfK3YQmpEj5aeEFUMFfhKIqj-SsHF7x-TaFLZUs-1lXX2AICsT5ETuta0FE4FU_Owffdw7c447UqM/s400/theteacherandthesoldier_flat.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><b><a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=19214" target="_blank">Hearts On Fire Reviews</a> 4/5</b> - The books in this series focus on the quaint little town of Ellery where life is fairly idyllic and the lives of the four gay friends that grew up there. The characters are wonderful and well developed, there is plenty of the much loved angst and a slow build up to love. The stories have HEA endings with just enough twist to hold my interest. The Ellery Mountain series is definitely a worthwhile read.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rainbowbookreviews.com/book-reviews/the-teacher-and-the-soldier-ellery-mountain-2-by-rj-scott-at-total-e-bound" target="_blank"><b>Rainbow Book Reviews </b></a>- I liked this story although I wanted to knock Daniel and Luke's heads together more than once for their stubbornness. Fortunately they redeemed themselves in the end. The characters are strong, even some of the secondary ones like Luke's ex and best friend. As outrageous as he was, he gave Luke the support and the shove that he needed to get his life going. I also loved Daniel's friends who are introduced in the first book in the series. It's definitely a good follow-up story and I look forward to reading more about them. I recommend this story to fans of the 'Ellery Mountain' series and for new readers as well; although it can be read alone, reading the books in sequential order will give you a fuller, more meaningful experience. Thanks, RJ, for revisiting the mountain and introducing us to more fascinating characters.<br /><br /><a href="http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=9819" target="_blank"><b>The Romance Reviews 4/5</b></a> - I'm a sucker for troubled romance heroes and this novella has two. Daniel is further along in his recovery than Luke but they're both wrestling demons and still taking responsibility for their issues. I like their honest conversations with each other, especially with Daniel's willingness to be so emotionally vulnerable to Luke. Their romance is intense both sexually and emotionally, and I really liked watching their courtship.<br /><br /><a href="http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=12447" target="_blank"><b>Mrs Condit Reads Books 4/5 </b></a>- a simple love story that left me happy in the end. Luke deserved to find love and Daniel was the perfect one to give it.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJT-PVCwEISB9sgovHyWc90hLH-l_saQa6eKhspqLiJPFm8sOh8b62Otj37rl693gdE3N0vl1u5fUt8vdo-4ULOdd4cXZujs7yzdfPJvfnZiyvuvCqTSyWBg5YhZwPn-zRWyZ0VE8JGU/s1600/theteacherandthesoldier_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJT-PVCwEISB9sgovHyWc90hLH-l_saQa6eKhspqLiJPFm8sOh8b62Otj37rl693gdE3N0vl1u5fUt8vdo-4ULOdd4cXZujs7yzdfPJvfnZiyvuvCqTSyWBg5YhZwPn-zRWyZ0VE8JGU/s1600/theteacherandthesoldier_banner.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Excerpt </b></span><br /><br />Only the darkening sky told Luke Fitzgerald what time it was. His cell was in the car with a dead battery and he never wore a watch. The evening was drawing in, and with it the familiar coolness of a fall night in the mountains, and if he wasn’t careful he would get caught in the regular evening rain he remembered from his childhood. Coming here, to Ellery, to the place he’d called home for the first eighteen years of his life, was something he had never thought he would do. Not all the time his dad had been alive anyway.<br /><br />Leaning against the fence, he stared down at the town nestled in the V of the valley caused by Ellery Mountain and Mercury Peak. Where he had been able to see things clearly a few short minutes before, now everything was blurring in the deep grey-blue smudge of evening light. Luke tracked the car’s progress by its headlights as it left the town and made its way up into the mountain. There had been a few cars passing by today, but Luke was far enough away from the road that no one had stopped to ask him what the hell he was doing rooted to the same spot for hours.<br /><br />Shifting his stance, Luke pulled away from the fence and stretched tall. His back ached, his head hurt and he felt like shit. Driving straight through for eight hours was possibly the worst decision he had made since he’d decided to come back to Ellery. His chiropractor was going to have a cow when he assessed the damage Luke was doing to the already heavy tension he carried through his back muscles and up into his neck.<br /><br />The headlights shot momentarily through spaces in the fir trees on each bend. He identified it on the last bend as a cop car, the white standing out against the dark of the trees. When it pulled onto the shoulder next to his car, Luke wasn’t surprised. Cops were far more attuned to spotting cars parked off the main road. The lights of the car meant he didn’t get a good look at the cop until he was less than four paces away. The cop stood loose-hipped and with his hand resting on the weapon in his holster. Peering through the gloom to the cop’s face, Luke knew that fate was fucking with him. Not only had an Ellery cop found his hiding place, but that Ellery cop was Corporal Finn Ryan.<br /><br />Finn Ryan in the flesh. The man who was so closely involved in the death of Luke’s dad. Christ. Way to slap what Luke had hoped to avoid right up in his face.<br /><br />"Is there a problem, sir?" Finn asked firmly.<br /><br />Luke pushed his clenched fists into his pockets and stilled the rising anxiety in him.<br /><br />"No problem, officer," he said. "Just visiting town and spending a little time clearing my head after a long drive."<br /><br />Finn took another step closer and a look of recognition passed over his face. Luke remembered Finn as tall, dark and rangy as hell, although his memories were of a boy of fifteen, not one of…what would it be now? Twenty-four? He’d been five years younger than Luke if he remembered correctly. Luke really didn’t want to remember anything about Ellery.<br /><br />"Luke?" Finn looked momentarily taken aback before regaining his posture.<br /><br />"Hi, Finn."<br /><br />They’d not been friends in school, just people who knew each other by sight. Luke was at college whilst Finn was still a freshman. Of course Finn, being a resident, would have heard all the rumours about him and his dad. Hell, he probably knew everything that had happened. Familiar resentment built inside Luke. He was bigger than that, bigger than his dad’s abuse, or his mom’s abandonment, bigger than this town. He would not let this place drag him down again however hard they tried.<br /><br />"You missed the funeral," Finn offered. There was no accusation in his voice. He was simply making a statement and one that hung in the air with no possible answer Luke could give. Or at least not one that didn’t involve reiterating the contents of two years of counselling sessions and eight years of living his life.<br /><br />"Busy," was all Luke eventually offered in response. Finn didn’t call him on the excuse.<br /><br />"You’ve been up here a while, Luke. Widow Jenn called it in. Said a stranger had been standing here for hours and he was just staring down at town."<br /><br />Luke shrugged. He couldn’t deny the hours had passed as he’d gazed down at the town and the tiny distant shapes of gravestones in the far churchyard of St Jeremiahs. He had deliberately stayed up here until darkness had begun to creep over the mountain. Call it self-preservation but there was no way he was driving into Ellery in the daylight. He changed the subject.<br /><br />"Widow Jenn is still alive?" he said. Finn took the change of subject in his stride and nodded.<br /><br />"Ninety-eight and thriving on ten a day with a glass of whisky," he said.<br /><br />"She still has those binoculars?" Luke snorted a laugh. Widow Jenn was one of the more colourful characters in the town and when he was younger she’d had her fingers in so many pies—evidently that hadn’t changed.<br /><br /><br /></div></div>

The Teacher and the Soldier

Ellery Mountain Series Book 1 - The Fireman and the Cop Book 2 - The Teacher and the Soldier Book 3 - The Carpenter and the Actor Book 4 - T...

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If Dad could see me now...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sPHEY0mEgPSNeUCUWhiz5448rfBh9WxkSxWV1RTiQFkkeiqZw_os152vdhaF-IjS8LIlLGkh-o_Wbvk0F1L2eDv2mND3C5q3eokjAh5XQvEQpJy8SM1zoae9tM_0OgmplkPpHblK6tU/s1600/5367561105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sPHEY0mEgPSNeUCUWhiz5448rfBh9WxkSxWV1RTiQFkkeiqZw_os152vdhaF-IjS8LIlLGkh-o_Wbvk0F1L2eDv2mND3C5q3eokjAh5XQvEQpJy8SM1zoae9tM_0OgmplkPpHblK6tU/s320/5367561105.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My dad died in 1986. July 19th. His loss was sudden. He went to bed one night and we’d lost him by morning. I was 18, my sister 13, my mum younger than I am now. He is never far from my thoughts. He was the big reader in the family and I grew up with books always to hand. Every other week he would take me and my sister to the library in town. We would get through the door and I would turn left to the children’s area, he would turn right.<br /><br />Now this was an old fashioned library with floor to near ceiling grand book cases in a modern concrete building. In the grown up’s side, ‘my dad’s side’, there was hundreds, thousands, of books that I would look at jealously. Science Fiction was my dad’s favourite. He loved Star Trek, Blakes Seven, Doctor Who, and he took me to see Star Wars in 1977 (for me apparently, we could see right through that!) <br /><br />I was happy over in the child’s section (non-wood, bright plastic!), I only had a child’s ticket but that was okay, I devoured Enid Blyton at a very young age, Willard Price, moved onto Narnia and by the time I was twelve I had more or less moved my way through every single book available in that fairly small area. <br /><br />Then Dad said I could use one of his adult tickets. :O <br /><br />OMG, I was a kid in a sweetshop. I could choose anything I wanted from the mysteries of the dark wood cabinets. I knew exactly what I wanted to read and where I wanted to start. <br /><br /><a name="more"></a>I picked up the first Tolkein book in the Ring trilogy and I fell in love. I probably didn’t understand half the intricacies of the story, but I do know I found the one thing I loved, Heroic Bromance ™. I fell in love with Sam’s love for Frodo, I fell in love with the fact both would sacrifice themselves for the journey and Sam for Frodo. I fell in love with Strider. I read all three books and I cried at the end of book 3. I was probably 13, just starting Senior School (UK version of High School). I have never re-read these books and I never will. They are a shining moment in my own journey to where I am today. <br /><br />Those of you that read these rambling posts I sometimes make, know I love music and that music inspires my writing. A new song is out that has me thinking so much about Dad and what he may think of what I do.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I’m not sure what he felt about GLBTQ—we never had that discussion. In the 80s “AIDs” was where GLBTQ appeared firmly stuck, and I know opinion was polarised. I have no idea what Dad thought then and I don’t know what he would think of me writing MM now. <br /><br />However, I like to think he would look at my writing the same way my mum does (my mum who reads my books). I love to think that he would see I am writing what I love and would be proud of me. <br /><br />The Script have a new song out – If You Could See Me Now. This is the song that is making me think of Dad. I am playing it over and over at the moment. I tend to do stuff like that when I am writing… <br /><br />There is another song though. The Living Years, by Mike and the Mechanics. I can’t actually listen to that song without crying.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SGlkwKA-t_4" width="560"></iframe></div>

If Dad could see me now...

My dad died in 1986. July 19th. His loss was sudden. He went to bed one night and we’d lost him by morning. I was 18, my sister 13, my mum y...

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Valentine 2525

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE0ytPWParPWGmideuB64z-VMn2iPA_Qqmk0S7iz2pJq_sJNWSWldRQcWHJklTS5DRVUE0m2WPDe3eWV5_6oe2fmqCvZzAjl8kSdSDAX428ciztazVHeL4hNuiq8lMNJD76kCyaKudg/s1600/generate_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE0ytPWParPWGmideuB64z-VMn2iPA_Qqmk0S7iz2pJq_sJNWSWldRQcWHJklTS5DRVUE0m2WPDe3eWV5_6oe2fmqCvZzAjl8kSdSDAX428ciztazVHeL4hNuiq8lMNJD76kCyaKudg/s1600/generate_image.jpg" /></a></div>A lovely new review for <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/valentine2525.html" target="_blank">Valentine 2525</a> from Rainbow Book Reviews... Thanks guys.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Valentine 2525 </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">'This is a great short story about human nature, and the triumph of love. It's sweet, and made me smile, and had quite a bit of angst in it as well...'</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Read the full review <a href="http://www.rainbowbookreviews.com/book-reviews/valentine-2525-by-rj-scott-at-love-lane-books" target="_blank">here</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*****</div>

Valentine 2525

A lovely new review for Valentine 2525 from Rainbow Book Reviews... Thanks guys. ***** Valentine 2525  'This is a great short story abo...

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Under the Sun

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFPC-OPRH0ad910I30i1rrmRznElJ1ZP9JqiF6FF_GuuS7bcgu6RR8ZHmGNJy4j1339_XluAY2I0MNsZ8-3G8A2IzoytEL8Oxw6JU3U0FEpwARIjW4Bb7aB7kZEtxJKDRyrJdUODEpQ/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFPC-OPRH0ad910I30i1rrmRznElJ1ZP9JqiF6FF_GuuS7bcgu6RR8ZHmGNJy4j1339_XluAY2I0MNsZ8-3G8A2IzoytEL8Oxw6JU3U0FEpwARIjW4Bb7aB7kZEtxJKDRyrJdUODEpQ/s200/cover.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>A lovely new review from Mrs Condit Reads Books...<br /><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>******</b></div><b>Under the Sun - 5/5</b><br /><b><br /></b> 'I love how the story just flowed along seamlessly, it’s written by two authors, RJ Scott and Meredith Russell, but you’d never know as it reads like only one author penned the words.'<br /><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;">Read the full review <a href="http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=11600" target="_blank">here</a></div>

Under the Sun

A lovely new review from Mrs Condit Reads Books... ****** Under the Sun - 5/5 'I love how the story just flowed along seamlessly, it’s...

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Chase The Sun

WIP, written with Meredith Russell<br /><br />Scott's story... more to follow...<br /><br />Meanwhile read the first two chapters of Book 1, and Book 2, using the following links...<br /><br />Book 1 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/follow-sun-with-meredith-russell-wip.html">Follow The Sun</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5AihBGyTLSw8A7bj0tQRoDOahsPoFn-AVxzewmYR8qCJMjc0MHXNfslPmbAp2qo5Ru-YqYl4ZypAoojPGXFG8Q8aJcc2DN8gmf5s7cIH3_qSe3JSKcQaqCHRo6ZXbru82uLKKMEYTk4/s1600/Capture2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5AihBGyTLSw8A7bj0tQRoDOahsPoFn-AVxzewmYR8qCJMjc0MHXNfslPmbAp2qo5Ru-YqYl4ZypAoojPGXFG8Q8aJcc2DN8gmf5s7cIH3_qSe3JSKcQaqCHRo6ZXbru82uLKKMEYTk4/s640/Capture2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Book 2 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/under-sun-with-meredith-russell.html">Under The Sun</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhKsf9zzvXf7ZsEVT3m7JWE7CQClsBfk_dM0LIZD4HvhL8GdKdWRJdFWUXgK89ltykoAROv-XWmY80D1khEyszki35WapguXGYolCd-gUrvucjJbuLtFsccNtr01FJmveNyGD_Kr2Eo4/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhKsf9zzvXf7ZsEVT3m7JWE7CQClsBfk_dM0LIZD4HvhL8GdKdWRJdFWUXgK89ltykoAROv-XWmY80D1khEyszki35WapguXGYolCd-gUrvucjJbuLtFsccNtr01FJmveNyGD_Kr2Eo4/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>

Chase The Sun

WIP, written with Meredith Russell Scott's story... more to follow... Meanwhile read the first two chapters of Book 1, and Book 2, using...

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Silver, day 90

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7acjykphT5GD9czH2YaBlWnZZr5kZPGyMWSarYj84L4kM4Y6YgZXidkqA2r8Uq9T3TEScOOpSBX48QmeD3BWtkH-Ut4uLVf_duI0hC6U79nL8-SE2GnZyPHjanMpIhkOmC-0s2DCY1o/s1600/regret.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7acjykphT5GD9czH2YaBlWnZZr5kZPGyMWSarYj84L4kM4Y6YgZXidkqA2r8Uq9T3TEScOOpSBX48QmeD3BWtkH-Ut4uLVf_duI0hC6U79nL8-SE2GnZyPHjanMpIhkOmC-0s2DCY1o/s400/regret.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>Has a sad...<br /><br />The 90 days are up and I have only had 30% ish of Q4...<br /><br />...so I haven't been paid up to date within the 90 days...<br /><br />BUT my books are still on the Silver site... :(<br /><br /><b>Pokes Silver with a pointy stick....</b>

Silver, day 90

Has a sad... The 90 days are up and I have only had 30% ish of Q4... ...so I haven't been paid up to date within the 90 days... BUT my b...

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News Round up at 17 April

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuLkVaIAwYeZnbJ56QpdWFsXvWOrMaErj7b_18vtOWzFQ5nNixL9jN0MwqjHv3A_pW9vdCOYURyiSmnSICXsFzuySFk3RwUdEnvxwcCXid8DqNU4OlDOaWqs719jE-tOCMgm-8_Nom1g/s1600/backhome_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuLkVaIAwYeZnbJ56QpdWFsXvWOrMaErj7b_18vtOWzFQ5nNixL9jN0MwqjHv3A_pW9vdCOYURyiSmnSICXsFzuySFk3RwUdEnvxwcCXid8DqNU4OlDOaWqs719jE-tOCMgm-8_Nom1g/s320/backhome_800.jpg" width="200" /></a>First off, I am only 1,689 visits away from 300,000 hits to my website... This is amazing and I love you all!<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">WIP & New books</span></b><br /><br /><b>Chase The Sun</b> (Sapphire Cay 3) written with Meredith Russell and <b>The Case Of The Dragon's Dilemma</b> (End Street 3) written with Amber Kell are both hurrying along nicely. Book 2 in both series have been very popular and I am having an awful lot of fun working with these two!<br /><br /><b>All The Kings Men</b> is all rewritten now and off with my wonderful editor Erika, who will no doubt find a zillion errors... rofl...<br /><br /><b>One Night </b>has been edited and I am adding a final chapter to give the boys a HEA. When it is released (next week I think) I will make the extra chapter available for free from here. But if you have a receipt for an original One Night purchase then I will happily replace with the new one. The fully edited version will be available to anyone from the usual places when it's done.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZLsj2wnDdUGhHvq_hcAQb_TbOcgBrRyiL4uQz2TuImlFw3JkpA654feRyM5TOXYsOcWczmAW7Eh2IGcN61NLX6DV5Wn4Et16qrhusxZIRfPg-TXhgCzqnAUWSPQse91w1gjTZWXU_ZQ/s1600/Texas+Heat+400x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZLsj2wnDdUGhHvq_hcAQb_TbOcgBrRyiL4uQz2TuImlFw3JkpA654feRyM5TOXYsOcWczmAW7Eh2IGcN61NLX6DV5Wn4Et16qrhusxZIRfPg-TXhgCzqnAUWSPQse91w1gjTZWXU_ZQ/s320/Texas+Heat+400x600.jpg" width="213" /></a><b>Back Home</b> is edited and back with TEB, as is Ellery 3, <b>The Carpenter and the Actor</b>... In fact Ellery 3 went up this week as available for pre-order.<br /><br />Next on my list is Ellery 5, The Paramedic and the Writer... I am starting tomorrow...<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Amber Kell, Stephani Hecht & me</b></span><br /><br />The three of us, myself, Amber and Stephani have an awesome new trilogy coming to an e-reader near you in September. This is to celebrate our appearing together at GRL on a panel. Three authors, three books, three unique and interlinked stories... watch this space for more news.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Silver</b></span><br /><br />All my rights return to me 18 April, and the whole mess is with my lawyer. I'm going to take a step back and let them deal with Silver. Watch out for books like Texas 2, Texas 3, Deefur Dog, and One Night being returned to me and put out with new covers by Meredith Russell.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Autism Awareness Month</b></span><br /><br />Don't forget there is still time to enter the autism awareness week competition <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/autismbloghop.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Sponsored by TEB and eXtasy.

News Round up at 17 April

First off, I am only 1,689 visits away from 300,000 hits to my website... This is amazing and I love you all! WIP & New books Chase The ...

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The Great Gay Rom Lit Losing Weight Initiative

Sighs. So. Being a writer is hazardous to health. You get to sit around all day eating biscuits and drinking tea and before you know it you are SCREWED...<br /><br />I have 26 weeks to go until GRL and I would love to lose 56 pounds... Without giving too much away about my horrendous starting weight, that is not going to make me skinny... it's going to make me look like I actually care about myself instead of just sitting in my writing cave with said biscuits.<br /><br />So. It starts today, 16 April 2013 and ends 15 October 2013 and I need to lose just over 2lb a week... I am upping the exercise, hiding the biscuits, and hoping for the best...<br /><br />I am also using this cool app on my phone called MyFitnessPal... which tracks calories, carbs, fat, exercise and all kinds of clever things...<br /><br />Wish me luck.. x<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/4200/2929/42002929.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; width: 420px;"><small><br /></small></div><div style="text-align: center; width: 420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/">Calorie Counter</a></small></div>

The Great Gay Rom Lit Losing Weight Initiative

Sighs. So. Being a writer is hazardous to health. You get to sit around all day eating biscuits and drinking tea and before you know it you ...

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Print Book News

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfveRjh4NanNShqzT95NyDybrSgUMoBGL3mjdCnP1WLsz1N6ZhppaXFmUe9aVfcsNgTMdaL94l62yp7DS0e2SHCTAc4AioG3M6v2Y7uu4-i-BIxz_dvqhxhVw-6YLkV4Qoew94F09eSU/s1600/moments_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfveRjh4NanNShqzT95NyDybrSgUMoBGL3mjdCnP1WLsz1N6ZhppaXFmUe9aVfcsNgTMdaL94l62yp7DS0e2SHCTAc4AioG3M6v2Y7uu4-i-BIxz_dvqhxhVw-6YLkV4Qoew94F09eSU/s400/moments_flat.jpg" width="400" /></a>I have just heard from Total E-Bound that the following books will be available soon in paperback...<br /><br /><br />June 2013 – Moments<br /><br />July 2013 - End Street Detective Agency Vol 1: The Case of the Cupid Curse/ The Case of the Wicked Wolf - Written with Amber Kell.<br /><br /><b>*dances*</b><br /> <br /><div><br /></div><div>I will also have Texas 2 and Texas 3, Gallows Tree, One Night and Deefur Dog all available for print in the same timeframe...</div>

Print Book News

I have just heard from Total E-Bound that the following books will be available soon in paperback... June 2013 – Moments July 2013 - End Str...

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Statistics and lies... Amazon's Author Central

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LUGOjtdLXsDhv3z_-FzJsPOZE79iHNLerPr4dJ_zL05lNrFcXFAN0Lbn1Fl8vKhzd7lVo0jEgbcX8J1a_XXG2JXi4Rg1Ed2OQthvJyqpVyh7RovcqHndQ1QFjGSNEO2NX3cDcfxK1lQ/s1600/print+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LUGOjtdLXsDhv3z_-FzJsPOZE79iHNLerPr4dJ_zL05lNrFcXFAN0Lbn1Fl8vKhzd7lVo0jEgbcX8J1a_XXG2JXi4Rg1Ed2OQthvJyqpVyh7RovcqHndQ1QFjGSNEO2NX3cDcfxK1lQ/s320/print+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>“There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.”<br />― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/47030.Benjamin_Disraeli">Benjamin Disraeli</a><br /><br />Amazon has this very interesting thing called Author Central. It is where all my books sit on Amazon (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/RJ-Scott/e/B00480VVB0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1">http://www.amazon.com/RJ-Scott/e/B00480VVB0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1</a>).<br /><br />They have this new gadget in Beta at the moment which gives you an idea of what is happening to you as an author and where you sit in rankings.<br /><br />You may not know that my degree is Statistics and so I can look at the chart with my statistician hat on and come out with all kinds of crap to explain what the chart is doing. But I don't really need to. It kind of speaks for itself.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx7kif79_sishTPyGsqA8BvapGM9ZWh3HGCnVGflqPPD1ShOCxo3SF9IixjC_GFrqmy3NpGU_RWH6PnT1s_WvFQJzcRIjS4oL_LvVopt7j5QwfkaLfaSNiqg3Z2pRN01wH_CCfcf1fOk/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx7kif79_sishTPyGsqA8BvapGM9ZWh3HGCnVGflqPPD1ShOCxo3SF9IixjC_GFrqmy3NpGU_RWH6PnT1s_WvFQJzcRIjS4oL_LvVopt7j5QwfkaLfaSNiqg3Z2pRN01wH_CCfcf1fOk/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />See that huge drop? November.<br /><br />That will be when Silver removed all my Sanctuary books and my day on day stats were ruined. :( It didn't last long but it is so noticeable.<br /><br />Just before the drop - maybe a month before all I had that was new was Oracle and Oracle 2, which were never big sellers, that accounts for the small slide there as well.<br /><br />See the peak in December?<br /><br />That would be Christmas. New York Christmas and The Christmas Throwaway went well at Christmas and I even made it in to the top 100 contemporary authors for a week or so. Was exciting.<br /><br />Now I am suffering a bit with Silver sales. Nothing else has changed. My new books do well, but the spreads are larger between peaks and troughs. I would LOVE to see the data that Silver is seeing on Amazon and see what has happened to books like Texas 2, Texas 3, Gallows Tree, Deefur Dog... as I personally think they have tanked.<br /><br />As my books with TEB and eXtasy hit Amazon I hope to see a continuation of the upswing that is beginning to happen. Without new books hitting Amazon on a monthly basis a drop in ranking is inevitable.<br /><br />Like I said... interesting.<br /><br />If you are an author, have you looked at your page?

Statistics and lies... Amazon's Author Central

“There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.” ― Benjamin Disraeli Amazon has this very interesting thing called Author...

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Moments

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9Gd1YSA8HMrLVQdAW20zHGOMTZWJTPJ78hdFQoLASkmt96HvIb9xIxTCQOfmtZzeZ8JJ62SLGe4X2umaZhCs5eTgpSC6KYXBF3MflJwREbAulPYkarI12UUdCKDGQCxbJLOEB3NPJWI/s1600/moments_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9Gd1YSA8HMrLVQdAW20zHGOMTZWJTPJ78hdFQoLASkmt96HvIb9xIxTCQOfmtZzeZ8JJ62SLGe4X2umaZhCs5eTgpSC6KYXBF3MflJwREbAulPYkarI12UUdCKDGQCxbJLOEB3NPJWI/s640/moments_800.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">The Book</b></div><br /><i><b>This is a re-edited book originally published with Silver Publishing. There are no new major scenes, although POV amendments have been made to the story.</b></i> <br /><br />Jacob Riley is one of Hollywood’s bad boys. Child star turned television and B movie actor, he has a reputation for wildness and difficulty honed by years of close encounters with drugs and alcohol. When his latest brush with the law results in him facing a prison term that could ruin his career, he is offered a choice: either participate in a new kind of rehab program or go to prison…again.<br /><br />Mac’s is an adult education center located in a part of Los Angeles known for gang violence. They are not a drug rehab program, but Ethan Myers has agreed to oversee Jacob’s community service probation in exchange for a donation from Jacob’s wealthy father.<br /><br />Ethan is less than impressed with the spoiled and immature actor, but the center – his labor of love – is struggling financially. He figures that he can put up with just about anything for four months in order to keep his program alive.<br /><br />The two men don’t exactly start on a positive note. Jacob is angry enough to want to sabotage the program, and Ethan sees the young man as more of a hindrance than a help. Over time, however, a truce develops, and soon Jacob finds himself more involved with the center – and with Ethan – than he has ever been with anything in his self-centered life. But is this change in him permanent? Is the <i>enfant terrible</i> actually growing up? Or is he just marking time until his four months are up and he can return to his old life in Hollywood?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buy Links - eBook</b></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2057" target="_blank">Total E-Bound</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C9F7XZY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00C9F7XZY&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-20" target="_blank">Amazon (US)</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C9F7XZY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00C9F7XZY&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-21" target="_blank">Amazon (UK)</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moments-1153894-145.html" target="_blank">All Romance</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moments-rj-scott/1028218882?ean=9781781846117" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Books/moments-5" target="_blank">Kobo</a> </div><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Buy Links - Print Book</span></b><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2174" target="_blank">Total E-Bound</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1781846111/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1781846111&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-20" target="_blank">Amazon (US)</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1781846111/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1781846111&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-21" target="_blank">Amazon (UK)</a></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b> </div><div><br /><br /></div><a name="more"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reviews</b></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Hearts On Fire Reviews 5/5</b> - Ethan Meyers is mourning the death of his partner while running Mac’s, an inner city half way house. Mac’s reaches out to inner city people teaching them math and language skills and Ethan is on a mission to save it. Jacob Riley is a recovering druggie and alcoholic actor sentenced to four months of community service at Mac’s. He enters the place ranting and cussing up a storm blaming everyone but himself for being there. Trials and personal awakenings change both Ethan’s and Jacob’s lives but can an older man fit into a TV star’s world and would he even want to? <a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=18813" target="_blank">Read More>></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfveRjh4NanNShqzT95NyDybrSgUMoBGL3mjdCnP1WLsz1N6ZhppaXFmUe9aVfcsNgTMdaL94l62yp7DS0e2SHCTAc4AioG3M6v2Y7uu4-i-BIxz_dvqhxhVw-6YLkV4Qoew94F09eSU/s1600/moments_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfveRjh4NanNShqzT95NyDybrSgUMoBGL3mjdCnP1WLsz1N6ZhppaXFmUe9aVfcsNgTMdaL94l62yp7DS0e2SHCTAc4AioG3M6v2Y7uu4-i-BIxz_dvqhxhVw-6YLkV4Qoew94F09eSU/s320/moments_flat.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Bookwenches rated Moments at 4.5/5 - </b>Overall, I was impressed with this story. It entertained me, touched me, and satisfied my romantic sweet tooth. And oh yes, a word of warning for the emotional lightweights out there, like me: a couple of tissues might be required. I freely admit to shedding a tear or two over this story; in fact, I count this as a sign of a pretty decent romance. I will definitely be seeking out more of Ms. Scott’s work in the future. <a href="http://www.bookwenches.com/october10reviews.htm#653240441" target="_blank">Read More>></a><br /><br /><b>Dark Diva's Reviews</b><b> - rated 4 Delightful Divas</b> - Moments by RJ Scott is a multi-layered novel of redemption with an engaging cast of characters. Jacob’s recovery is realistic and sometimes painful to read as he realizes he is ultimately responsible for the path his life has taken. Ethan and Jacob take the time to slowly and carefully cultivate their budding relationship, and the passion between them is explosive. <a href="http://www.darkdivasreviews.com/?p=3282">Read More>></a><br /><div><br /></div><b>Bittersweet Reviews rated Moments 5</b> - ...I also love the fact R J Scott avoided the temptation of making Jacob an A list movie star and his presence at the Oscars hardly raised a blip on the showbiz radar. When I read the Oscars featured in the book, I already had visions of the redeemed actor getting out of rehab and winning an Oscar but thankfully that wasn’t the case. Once the problems are resolved, there is a suitably romantic ending that will have even the most hardhearted sighing in pleasure. <a href="http://www.bittersweetreviews.com/2011/03/moments-by-r-j-scott/">Read More>></a><br /><div><br /></div><b>The Readers Roundtable rated 4 Golden Crowns </b>- Moments is another astounding love story by RJ Scott. Ms. Scott has a knack for putting together what seem to be polar opposites but showing they really aren’t. ... Moments is about all those “moments” you find yourself never realizing you wanted until you experienced them. RJ Scott created a special couple in Ethan and Jacob. Another good read by a wonderful author. <a href="http://thereadersroundtable.com/erotic/?p=14" target="_blank">More>></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Excerpt</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Shit, Sam. March? That’s four frigging months."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jacob Riley, all six-three of pissed-off male, slammed the door to the small conference room behind him and stamped to the window to stare moodily at the bright sunshine-filled day outside. He twisted both hands tight into his hair in frustration, wondering how the fuck this day had just all gone to hell. His lawyers—his fucking well-paid lawyers—had said they’d get him off, not land him with some lame-ass probation community service crap. Jeez, like he was gonna be taught anything by cleaning streets or dealing with people’s trash. Shit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The TV in the corner was showing some trashy entertainment show, where a very smug presenter was reporting the latest news. Jacob tried to tune it out but it was nigh on impossible—it must have been the tenth time the show had been played in rotation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The news of the arrest of actor Jacob Riley boosted the audience figures for the half season’s finale of End Game to their highest point for eight months. He’s been offered a lifeline in a county programme of rehab and his spokesperson said he’s concentrating on work and on himself. Well, folks, here’s hoping this is one recovering addict who actually makes it out alive.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"It’s on hiatus," Samantha replied carefully from just inside the door. "I’ve just got off the phone with HBO and they’ll delay your return to ‘Game until you’re free to come back. Remember, with Christmas on the way, we have some room to manoeuvre."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jacob spun on his heel. His quiet, calm assistant stood holding a clipboard, a cellphone balanced on top of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Fuck," he summarised. HBO would be stupid to lose him, he was convinced of it. ‘Game was his show. Jacob’s character was pivotal, the star of the whole goddamned show.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"You’re lucky you play Zach," Sam snapped. "And that Zach is a drug-taking manic depressive. Otherwise I swear they would have canned you today, no hesitation."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Was she trying to make him feel better? "Sam, do I look like I give a shit?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"You need—"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"No! I don’t need anything or anyone. They push me off the show and they’ll see their ratings drop overnight. No one loses Jacob Riley and sees their show survive."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sam stared at him in bewilderment.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Resentment bubbled up inside him. He was fully aware he was coming across as petulant and childish. But how could Sam or anyone understand what was going through his head? Sam, with her to-do lists and her anal outlook on life, sure as hell couldn’t. Who the hell did she think she was? HBO wouldn’t tell his assistant anything of any importance.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"We have four months to get you into a programme and complete your work through the community service," she continued. Her patient tone, measuring every word, talking to him as if he were a small child—he hated every syllable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"No," Jacob snapped, balling his temper and his dismissal of her into that one word.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She stepped away from him to stand against the door. "Jacob—"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"No. I’m not cleaning streets, I’m not searching for rubbish or any of the usual crap they put celebrities through to humiliate us!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Jacob, it’s not meant to be a humiliation. But it is a punishment," Sam said, raising her free hand in an attempt to placate him. Her cellphone slid off the clipboard and tumbled to the floor.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jacob listened, but what she’d said only served to increase his temper. He could feel the itch of addiction under his skin, and it terrified him. Although he would never admit it, he was out of control and it was eating at the edges of him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In over a year, he hadn’t wanted a hit as badly as he did at this moment. Frustration and anger burst out of him with uncontrolled force. He reared up and crowded her against the door, his hand circling her wrist and gripping tightly. "Don’t get all sanctimonious on me, Sam, it’s not your style," he snarled.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Jacob, you’re hurting me," Sam whimpered, visibly pushing as close to the wood as she could. Her words didn’t register, and his grip tightened. "Jacob. Please…" she said, tears in her eyes, pain and real fear in her voice. Something in the simple please reached through his anger. He threw Samantha’s hand back towards her body, but he didn’t move away.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"I’m sorry, but don’t push me, okay?" he said tiredly. Half closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. It was the first time in their relationship he could see fear in Sam’s eyes, and it scared the hell out of him. Was she actually afraid of him? What do I say? How the hell do I…?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Your father," Sam said. "Your father is waiting for you in the next room."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jacob flipped from menacing back to petulant instantly.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Great, another thing to make my day." Jacob stepped back, watching as Samantha rubbed her wrist and blinked back tears.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Jacob, he wants to help. He knows of this place you can go for the next—"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"He’s the one who got me into this mess, Sam! He freaking turned me in!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"He’s waiting."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQopxh5JLz2fkXc0Gto3nlH1GdWOxaiafsjWCc7HGVw-ITmYB3pSuYwklrD0_-YcdBCFNk41mDNMdL21tYf9q38edjZpdJOW4yjrULkUCI0NJG-eALzAl2eXI6gtXBQnI_ivJuleTgOzw/s1600/moments_postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQopxh5JLz2fkXc0Gto3nlH1GdWOxaiafsjWCc7HGVw-ITmYB3pSuYwklrD0_-YcdBCFNk41mDNMdL21tYf9q38edjZpdJOW4yjrULkUCI0NJG-eALzAl2eXI6gtXBQnI_ivJuleTgOzw/s640/moments_postcard.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Moments

The Book This is a re-edited book originally published with Silver Publishing. There are no new major scenes, although POV amendments have ...

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Under The Sun - with Meredith Russell

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBbDA68NsOkuiE4hAKn8D88go7o7CJ5eB_nRJFZ78TzeangStaMFmMOVtpP04NX1p8fH1f_SAYflL7rf_dDBk2FOsKeODfEyWmewpxG-VftXI1393ltwFwpzCsWCV9mpDbiUjlua1r74/s1600/UTS-600x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBbDA68NsOkuiE4hAKn8D88go7o7CJ5eB_nRJFZ78TzeangStaMFmMOVtpP04NX1p8fH1f_SAYflL7rf_dDBk2FOsKeODfEyWmewpxG-VftXI1393ltwFwpzCsWCV9mpDbiUjlua1r74/s640/UTS-600x900.jpg" width="425" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Sapphire Cay series</b><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span> <i>Written with Meredith Russell</i></div><div><br />Book 1 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/follow-sun-with-meredith-russell-wip.html">Follow The Sun</a><br />Book 2 - Under The Sun<br />Book 3 - <a href="http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/chase-sun-sapphire-cay-3.html">Chase The Sun</a></div><div></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Book</b></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPY9vd5bUqaW9zBx9AqgwRXFhw0rXW53B5SaBYmhfnP9RtZi3_ZaojFIRNpXrdUHDuSwywx0OnkSVMjCegQ0jvlhnZzpeuhG93G50UE9fpYJHqDtBvpBrgyn0OJFnpHrTquVBZE3PIEUs/s1600/64246_434678613281893_1653726542_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPY9vd5bUqaW9zBx9AqgwRXFhw0rXW53B5SaBYmhfnP9RtZi3_ZaojFIRNpXrdUHDuSwywx0OnkSVMjCegQ0jvlhnZzpeuhG93G50UE9fpYJHqDtBvpBrgyn0OJFnpHrTquVBZE3PIEUs/s1600/64246_434678613281893_1653726542_n.jpg" /></a><b><br /></b><b>Opposites Attract on a sun drenched Cay </b><br /><br />Edward McAllister, wedding planner extraordinaire arrives at Sapphire Cay for a wedding. He has four days to go until the big day and his plans are smashed when he spots the stage he was setting is destroyed.<br /><br />Doesn't matter that the guy pulling down the old gazebo and digging trenches is hot - he is messing with Edward's OCD and Edward isn't afraid to let the other man know exactly how he feels.<br /><br />Jamie Durand is an ex marine and son of the former owners of Sapphire Cay. He is on the island to get his head around his new life after leaving the forces due to injury. <br /><br />When Edward arrives in his space he is bemused at the instant dislike the uptight man is showing towards him.<br /><br />Not an auspicious start. But just you wait when Edward relaxes and Jamie opens up. Then you will see fireworks.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Buy Links - eBook</span></b><br /><b></b><br /><a href="https://www.lovelanebooks.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=31" target="_blank">Love Lane Books</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C28QEKI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00C28QEKI&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-20" target="_blank">Amazon (US)</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C28QEKI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00C28QEKI&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-21" target="_blank">Amazon (UK)</a> | <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-underthesun-1148928-145.html" target="_blank">All Romance</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-the-sun-rj-scott/1114971307?ean=2940044407237" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Books/under-the-sun-5" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/rj-scott/under-the-sun/_/R-400000000000000992659" target="_blank">Sony</a> | <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/300122" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Buy Links - Print Book</span></b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1483955230/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1483955230&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-20" target="_blank">Amazon (US)</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1483955230/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1483955230&linkCode=as2&tag=rjsc-21" target="_blank">Amazon (UK)</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Reviews</span></b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhKsf9zzvXf7ZsEVT3m7JWE7CQClsBfk_dM0LIZD4HvhL8GdKdWRJdFWUXgK89ltykoAROv-XWmY80D1khEyszki35WapguXGYolCd-gUrvucjJbuLtFsccNtr01FJmveNyGD_Kr2Eo4/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhKsf9zzvXf7ZsEVT3m7JWE7CQClsBfk_dM0LIZD4HvhL8GdKdWRJdFWUXgK89ltykoAROv-XWmY80D1khEyszki35WapguXGYolCd-gUrvucjJbuLtFsccNtr01FJmveNyGD_Kr2Eo4/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/568688776" target="_blank"><b>MM Good Book Reviews -  4/5 </b></a>- "The sexual connection between them was very hot, sparks fly and the shower scene *wow, fans face* is not to be missed. This story is well written and pulls two characters together that normally you would think would clash, but it’s what’s beneath the surface that draws them to each other ... I have to recommend this to those who love opposites attract, hot marines, sexy wedding planners, finding love, romantic settings and a great ending."<br /><br /><a href="http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=19199" target="_blank"><b>Hearts On Fire Reviews - 4/5</b></a> - I loved this opposites attract story. The story read seamlessly and quickly for having two authors. The background for the island was already established in Follow The Sun so I was pulled right into the real story. Jamie and Edward were both terrific and very well thought out characters. Each were fairly intense but with a soft, gentle hidden side that endeared them to me even more.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUon0pYPTxhgl3AvzwiL_AaqBHjknsa2hw8OWy3GC8mdx7jx-umT5LnubOEiB0qLc0GY2QJPOkONaFvp-rioOT0wITi1w5851LMFKW5j_2bXUhjpNRu45SaR5DujjXfmCQZVBzVT5SDmQ/s1600/atruegemaward20-300x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUon0pYPTxhgl3AvzwiL_AaqBHjknsa2hw8OWy3GC8mdx7jx-umT5LnubOEiB0qLc0GY2QJPOkONaFvp-rioOT0wITi1w5851LMFKW5j_2bXUhjpNRu45SaR5DujjXfmCQZVBzVT5SDmQ/s200/atruegemaward20-300x300.png" width="200" /></a><a href="http://sexyforreview.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/under-sun-stories-from-sapphire-cay-2.html?zx=5a5a3d941555e9e" target="_blank"><b>Sexy for Review 5/5 handcuffs</b></a> - I adored the portrayal of both Edward and Jamie. Scott and Russell allowed them to grow individually so that they could eventually learn to grow together as a committed couple. Under the Sun demonstrated that life is not always cookie cutter in how we think it should be. Sometimes chance is actually scripted and you have to take the leap of faith in order to find true happiness. Scott and Russell masterfully wrote that leap in the joining of Edward and Jamie.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://networkedblogs.com/PdMQO" target="_blank">Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 4.5/5</a></b> - This was an easy story to love, the characters were entertaining to say the least, the setting is one we all dream of, and they relationship was steamy, sexy, and very satisfying. Under The Sun is a great addition to this series and I can’t wait to see what happens next at Sapphire Cay! <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Excerpt - Chapters 1 & 2</b></span><br /><br /><b>Chapter 1</b><br /><br />“How long’s it been since you’ve visited the Cay?” <br /><br />Jamie Durand lifted his head as the thirty-minute silence was finally broken, and he turned his attention to the tall, tanned man steering the Lady Liberty. Not even a lick of paint disguised the old and tired boat that had belonged to his parents, the previous owners of Sapphire Cay. He pressed his lips together thoughtfully. How long had it been? It felt like a lifetime. His parents had sold just over fifteen months ago and he had been deployed to Afghanistan four months before the sale. <br /><br />“Four years, more maybe,” he said. Lowering his eyes, he returned to watching the ocean. The fresh October breeze whipped around him as the boat broke through the water’s surface. Foam betrayed their path from Marsh Harbor and he looked back through his shades as they traveled parallel to the coast, circling the point as they headed for Sapphire Cay.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br />“Name’s Scott by the way,” the man said and grinned over his shoulder. He had no clear accent but that didn’t really surprise Jamie. Another waif or stray adopted by the Cay, he figured. His parents had had a habit of taking in strangers, offering them a place to stay, and giving them employment. <br /><br />Scott seemed friendly enough—dark hair, a deep tan, muscular, sexy, but totally not what Jamie needed. Scott met Jamie’s eyes through his shades and flashed a confident smile—not his type at all. In a figure-hugging white A-shirt and low-hanging cargo shorts, Scott struck him as a player, a man who probably spent more time in front of a mirror than being an attentive, giving lover. Lover? Was that really where his mind was at? More likely, he just needed a release from the low ache in his chest and the memories that had him waking in a cold sweat and dry heaving in the toilet bowl. Closing his eyes, he savored the refreshing feel of the salty mist. He was judging a guy he didn’t even know and it irritated him he could do it so quickly. That wasn’t like him. <br /><br />“So,” he said. Conversation might help ease his mind. The man had been nothing but polite since they met on the quayside. “What do you do out here?” <br /><br />Sapphire Cay had up to twenty staff at any one time he recalled—some permanent, some seasonal, and some on their own schedules. He had never come across the new owner, Dylan Gray, though he had heard good things. His parents loved the man and had been happy and relieved when he had decided to take on the island. They seemed to think Dylan was the perfect fit for what they had created during their thirty years out there. <br /><br />“Captain of this fine vessel, excursions and tours, and general help-where-help’s-needed kind of guy,” Scott said and flashed his teeth in a wide smile. <br /><br />So Scott was someone who got stuck in and took to any role, not just the overconfident asshole Jamie had thought. He really needed to work on his people skills. Never the social butterfly, he felt even more inept than usual. <br /><br />“Have you been here long? I don’t remember you. Sorry if we’ve met,” he said above the sound of the boat’s engine. <br /><br />“No. We haven’t met,” Scott assured him. “I came out here for the first time two years back with Dylan. We met in Thailand while traveling. He was heading out this way for a few months so I joined him. Luckily, your folks had work for me.” <br /><br />“And now?” Jamie asked. Dylan owned the island. There was no more moving on to the next place every month or two. “He’s been running this place for a full year. He must miss it, the traveling.” <br /><br />“I guess a little. But he’s settled and doing a damn good job.” Scott raised his voice as the boat lurched forward, riding through a wave as it loudly hit the front of the boat. <br /><br />“And you?” <br /><br />Scott shrugged. “Let’s just say Dylan’s flexible, as is my contract. There’s a job for as long as I want it.” He pointed, directing Jamie’s attention beyond the front of the boat. “There she is,” he said. “She’s something, right? I can see how Dylan fell in love with her so easily.” <br /><br />Jamie carefully got to his feet and stepped over his bag to stand beside Scott. He never thought seeing Sapphire Cay would make him feel the way it did. Familiarity and memories flooded through him and almost knocked him off his feet. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea. The Cay had been his home, a place of warmth and security. Schooled on the mainland, he always looked forward to rejoining his parents when the semester ended. His mom would always have the chef whip up a batch of his peanut butter caramel cookies. They would be sitting on the kitchen table when he and his sister had gotten home. What waited for him on the island now? <br /><br />“Is Dominiq still there?” The chef had worked on the island since before he remembered. He was as constant as the tide and just as soothing. With an accent that dripped comfort and home, Dominiq was the epitome of relaxed, chilled, and taking it easy. Jamie was sure if he Googled any of those, he’d find an image of Dominiq smiling back at him. The man was a true Bahamian—dark skin, dark hair, the deepest brown eyes, and an easy smile. He never did figure out exactly how old the man was. For all the years Jamie had known him Dominiq had looked exactly the same, and only in his last few visits had Jamie noticed the whispers of gray creeping through his tight, black curls. <br /><br />“Yeah,” Scott said, bringing Jamie back to the present. “He’s been baking all morning.” Scott shrugged. “He’s suddenly got this freaky cookie fetish going on. There were trays of the things cooling all over the kitchen.” <br /><br />Jamie couldn’t help but smile. Things might not be so different after all. <br /><br />“Must be strange coming back now that your parents have left. They’re in Miami, right?” <br /><br />“They are,” he said as he took his seat. <br /><br />His parents, now in their sixties, had talked about moving back to the mainland for years to be closer to family, especially their grandchildren. Jamie and his sister had their own lives, and though the island would always hold a special place in both their hearts, it just wasn’t what they wanted to do. They weren’t their parents. <br /><br />Sue was a doctor with a husband and two kids. She was happy and settled. Jamie had joined the Marine Corps at twenty-two, straight from college. His squad had become his family for the next three years and he was proud to have served his President and his country. He knew his parents had asked Dylan to write in a proviso, entertaining the possibility of him returning to the island and doing some work out there. It must have seemed a strange request and yet, when Dylan agreed, Jamie kind of took to the idea of having somewhere to return to once his active tour ended. He just hadn’t planned on it being so soon. <br /><br />Instinctively, he rubbed at his chest and felt the raised line beneath his T-shirt. Seven months and the ghost of pain still clawed at his insides. Why wasn’t it getting any easier? He stared at the growing outline of Sapphire Cay. Maybe on the island it finally would. He was here to get healthy, rediscover the man he used to be, and hopefully find a little peace. God love his mother, but he couldn’t take a moment more of her fussing around him and everyone he knew treating him with kid gloves. He wasn’t going to break. He wasn’t that guy. Yes, something terrible had happened, but he hadn’t been under any illusions when he enlisted. Bad stuff had happened to plenty of other people, and in some ways, he had been one of the lucky ones. Okay, so shrapnel from an IED ripping through his chest and shredding his right lung wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, but he’d survived. <br /><br />Light flashing in Jamie’s eyes made him look up, and he was met by a curious expression from Scott. Damn, his mind had wandered again. He couldn’t wait to get to the hotel and help with the repairs and renovations. He needed a distraction from his own mind. <br /><br />Scott didn’t voice the question that curled his lips into a thoughtful curve, but instead simply stated, “We won’t be long now.” <br /><br />Nodding, Jamie returned to watching the ocean and the ripple of movement on the starboard side of the boat. A school of fish swam just beneath the surface, their scales shimmering in the sunlight and creating a kaleidoscope of color and shapes as they fed. He smiled to himself as he relaxed and watched the fish. It was good to be home in Sapphire Cay. <br /><br /><br /><br />The familiar feel of sand beneath the soles of his sneakers and the view of the hotel set back among the trees pushed from Jamie’s mind any of the doubts he had about returning to the island. Spending time here, under the sun, would do him good. It was a chance to add some much-needed color to his skin and give him the opportunity to think. There were jobs for him in Miami if he wanted to stay local, engineering roles at the bottom of the ladder that would give him a chance to build on his degree and create a career away from the military. Spending time on Sapphire Cay gave him the opportunity to think if Miami was what he wanted or whether it was time to move away. <br /><br />“Dylan’s put you in one of the staff cabins,” Scott said as he dropped down from the small pier to join Jamie on the beach. <br /><br />Jamie nodded and held out his hand to take his large bag from Scott. <br /><br />Scott lifted the pack off his shoulder and passed it over to Jamie with a smile. “You’re in the cabin at the end. Hutia.” <br /><br />The name of the cabin made Jamie smile. He remembered the year his parents refurbished the staff accommodations and spent several evenings selecting names for each of the updated buildings. Animal and plant species indigenous to the Bahamas had been agreed on. The Bahamian hutia was like a large rodent. Cute, Jamie figured, if you liked that kind of thing. <br /><br />“You need me to show you?” <br /><br />Shaking his head, Jamie said, “I can find it.” He looked up at the hotel. It hardly seemed real, and as clichéd as it sounded, it really did feel like only yesterday that he was last standing here looking up at the building. Everything looked the same, and he inhaled, imagining the smell of his mom fixing breakfast. <br /><br />“Housekeeping was in this morning, but if you find you need anything Agnes will be around until after lunch.” <br /><br />Agnes. He didn’t remember an Agnes. “Thanks,” he said, squinting against light reflecting off the white-painted building. “Are you hanging around?” <br /><br />Scott shook his head. “I have to head back to Marsh Harbor for supplies. We have a wedding in six days, so lots to do.” With a short wave, Scott hopped back up onto the pier. “Later,” he said and flashed a bright smile before heading back to the boat. <br /><br />With a sigh, Jamie stared up the beach. No point putting off introducing himself. Lifting his bag higher on his shoulder, he made his way up toward the hotel. The path was as he remembered, if not a little overgrown. The foliage was lush and green and overhung the edge of the roped-off route. Ridged wooden boards were half buried in sand and formed shallow steps for his trek upward. <br /><br />As he reached the top of the short walk, he stopped and looked over the place he’d once called home. It now belonged to this Dylan and his partner. He just hoped they were taking good care of his parents’ beloved past. <br /><br />“Jamie?” The creak of the entrance door hinge drew Jamie’s attention, and he was greeted by a man wearing an open white shirt and board shorts. “Jamie Durand?” <br /><br />Jamie nodded and waited as the man made his way down the wooden steps to join him. <br /><br />“Lucas,” the man said and held out his hand. “Dylan’s—” Lucas stopped and pressed his mouth in a line as he seemed to consider what to call himself. <br /><br />“Boyfriend,” Jamie said and shook Lucas’s hand. He knew the couple were gay and together but kind of appreciated Lucas’s attempt to not be utterly out. It was a trait he’d adopted as a Marine. Don’t be obvious. <br /><br />Lucas smiled. “Fiancé.” <br /><br />“Oh,” Jamie said. “Congratulations.” Lucas’s eyes were a beautiful shade of hazel and amber and they seemed to shine in the sunlight. <br /><br />“Thank you,” Lucas said and ran a hand back through his blond hair. He looked embarrassed as he turned away and glanced up at the hotel. “Dylan will be back in a half hour or so. He had some work to do down at the honeymoon cabin.” Lucas turned back to Jamie and smiled. “He’s actually been looking forward to you getting here. I’m kind of useless with a hammer so it’s just him and Scott most of the time.” <br /><br />“Is there much that needs doing?” <br /><br />Lucas gave a slow nod. “Bits and pieces. The usual before we open for guests.” <br /><br />Jamie remembered as a teenager following his father around the island from cabin to cabin, checking roofs and gutters and clearing fallen debris. One year, maybe eight years ago now, a tree had blown down and come crashing through the window of the hotel’s dining room. <br /><br />“We lay money aside for this and I’m sure among the three of you this place will be back to perfect in no time.” <br /><br />“Scott said you had a wedding. Six days, is it?” <br /><br />“Yeah.” Lucas rolled his eyes upward as he seemed to try to recall information about the booking. “The guests arrive on the twentieth, wedding on the twenty-first, two-week break, honeymoon, whatever, and they’re gone by the fifth.” He grinned. “And then we have about three weeks before the next party arrives.” <br /><br />“Another wedding?” Sapphire Cay accommodated for any occasion. Weddings, birthdays, straightforward vacations, there was even this one time some movie studio hired the island for a month. Extras in Speedos was definitely one of the times Jamie made an exception to his usual discretion. Shame none of the crew did. Though he hadn’t realized it, his eyes had drifted down to settle on Lucas’s exposed tanned chest. Only when Lucas pulled his shirt closed and fastened the few buttons down the front of his stomach did Jamie quickly avert his eyes. <br /><br />Lucas stepped past Jamie. “Yes. We have three before Christmas.” He quickly looked Jamie up and down. “Do you have any other bags?” <br /><br />Shaking his head, Jamie tightened his hold on the strap of his bag. “Just this.” <br /><br />“Okay,” Lucas said. “But if you need anything, just ask.” <br /><br />There was something in Lucas’s eyes and Jamie didn’t want it to be what he had seen in so many people’s eyes already. Pity. He didn’t want anybody’s sympathy or their sorrys. It was what it was and he needed to move on. He needed people to let him. <br /><br />“Thanks,” Jamie said. <br /><br />“Sure. I’ll take you to your cabin. See you settled in.” <br /><br />“You don’t have to,” Jamie said quickly. He was fine. He didn’t need settling in. <br /><br />Lucas smiled and started down the path leading around the hotel. “What kind of host would I be if I let you just wander off by yourself?” He held out his arms, indicating for Jamie to follow him. “And before you think it, I’m not trying to patronize you. I’m sure you know this place a hell of a lot better than me. I’d just like to make sure you have everything you need.” He met Jamie’s eyes and the something Jamie had seen was still there. To Jamie’s relief it wasn’t pity or sympathy or anything like that, it was more like anxiety. Lucas, it seemed, was nervous about Jamie being there. <br /><br />“Okay,” Jamie agreed. He figured Lucas just wanted everything to go smoothly during his stay at Sapphire Cay. Jamie was, after all, the son of the previous owners and probably someone Lucas and Dylan wanted to impress. “Lead the way.” <br /><br />The short walk to the staff cabins was filled with idle chatter. Lucas seemed an okay guy. He was friendly and open and seemed to have a charm about him that had Jamie wondering what his fiancé, Dylan, must be like. The way he had heard it, it was Dylan who was the more carefree and laidback of the two, and if this was Lucas—happy, talkative, and easygoing—Dylan must be damn near horizontal most of the time. <br /><br />“Here we go,” Lucas said as he stopped outside the rodent-named cabin. The door was already unlocked, and Lucas entered the cabin first. “You have spare bedding and clean towels. Agnes will call in once a week to neaten things up. But if you need anything before that, she’s around every morning and then again in the evenings.” Lucas picked the room key up off the dresser. “I don’t think much has changed. You’re pretty much self-contained. But there’s still the shared laundry area and we ask you don’t use the main pool and things while we have guests. Otherwise, treat the island like your home. Well, like you used to, I guess, as it was your home.” Lucas seemed to decide he was rambling and stopped. “I’ll let you get unpacked.” He handed Jamie the key and went to leave. Halting in the doorway, he turned back and looked at Jamie. “Come up to the hotel when you’re done. Dominiq is making lunch.” And with that, Lucas was gone. <br /><br />Jamie let out a heavy sigh and looked around the open-plan living area. At the front of the cabin was the small kitchen consisting of an oven, refrigerator, sink, and two cupboards. There was a small couch, TV, and coffee table in the middle of the room, and then behind him a double bed, dresser, closet, and open door leading into the bathroom. Taking the few steps toward the bed, he dropped his bag to the floor and sat down on the end of the bed. Being here again after all this time felt strange, and the reason for his return unsettled him. He reached inside his T-shirt and pulled out the silver chain he wore around his neck. Sadly, he held the chain in front of him and stared at the tags threaded on the end. Light through the cabin window bounced off the metal tags as they swayed from side to side and Jamie caught them in his free hand. Squeezing his palm shut around the solid metal, he closed his eyes and reminded himself he was one of the lucky ones. He was home. <br /><br /><br /><b>Chapter 2 </b><br /><br /><br />“The order said pink. Not lilac.” <br /><br />Edward stopped by Marylou-Beth’s desk and couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was it possible that yet again the suppliers had sent over the wrong thing? Jeez. This wasn’t the first, fifth, or even tenth time and his patience just about ran out when he took in the frown on his assistant’s face. Gesturing for the phone, he waited until she said she was passing the phone over. Edward took the handset and counted back from five. <br /><br />“I ask for twelve pink long-stemmed roses,” he started. “You are not the biggest, best, or even closest supplier to me and when I order pink I expect pink. I don’t run my business on near colors, and I don’t want or need lilac. I expect a box of twelve pink roses to be delivered to my office by eleven am or I will take my business elsewhere. Consider this your last chance.” He disconnected the call even as the supplier was blustering on about inclement weather and deliveries and transport and all the things that Edward shouldn’t have to worry about. <br /><br />“What if they don’t send them?” Marylou-Beth said. She was chewing on a hangnail, which Edward found unsettling. Marylou-Beth didn’t do that kind of thing. The action indicated something else was going on and he dreaded to think what other drama she was attempting to shield him from. Running a mental list through his head, he searched for potential problems. He had the Osborne wedding on Sapphire Cay and a civil ceremony at City Hall, but other than those there was no major crises that could cause his normally unflappable assistant to bite her perfectly manicured nails. <br /><br />“What’s wrong, babe?” he asked carefully. <br /><br />“They sent the wrong color,” Marylou-Beth wailed and then promptly burst into tears. Hell. He hated dealing with any woman crying, regardless of his huge affection for his assistant of two years. A transplant from her native Georgia after a failed romance, she was good at her job and kept him from being too anal about details. She had a good handle on his OCD tendencies and never ever thought it was okay to go through and amend anything in his diary. He clutched said diary harder. It never really left his side, was photocopied daily, and there was an electronic backup in three separate places. Nope. She never touched it, which was the perfect relationship between boss and assistant in his mind. He wasn’t entirely sure what to do with the tears so he hovered uncertainly. Perhaps he should try and talk her down? <br /><br />“It’s fine, they’re sending over the correct color—” <br /><br />“What if they don’t?” <br /><br />Edward clutched his diary even closer. What the hell was going on? The only time he’d ever seen her this irrationally tearful was at the end of the last season of America’s Top Model when the US lost out to Britain. Of course Edward had been quietly proud but didn’t have time to gloat as the waterworks kind of drowned out the end. <br /><br />They’d watched it with sushi and authentic sake and she had just broken up with Tom; she’d sobbed this way for a good half hour. Which only meant… Shit. <br /><br />“Did you break up with Tom again?” Edward asked carefully. They broke up at least every other month with some drama or another. And they said gay men were dramatic. <br /><br />“He said—he—said—I was too tall—” She hiccupped the last. Edward’s heart sank. So yes, she was a shade under six foot and Tom was only five nine, but they’d seemed so perfect for each other. He knew Tom, couldn’t believe the man had actually said that the woman he called the love of his life was too tall. <br /><br />“I’m sorry,” Edward said. That was the right thing to say and he wondered how long the drama would last. He was leaving for the Cay in two days and the office was hers. The last thing he needed was for prospective clients high on the need to get married to be greeted by a decidedly unattractive snotty nose and blotchy face. Then guilt swamped him. Hell, they’d been picking wedding themes yesterday and now Tom had broken Marylou-Beth’s heart. Channeling his inner sensitivity, he scooted around her side of the desk and pulled her into a hug. Of course, that meant he was going to have deposits of shiny silver eye shadow on his black Forzieri button-down, but he could deal with it. He had a spare in the office closet. Patting the top of her head with his free hand, he resolved to get Tom on the phone immediately to sort this out. <br /><br />“Go out for a walk, sweetie,” he said. “Get coffee, take ten, hell, take the rest of the day.” <br /><br />She pulled back and looked up at him; her violet eyes were watery and her lip trembled. <br /><br />“I thought he loved me,” she said. <br /><br />“Of course he does. But don’t you know, sweetie, all men are idiots.” <br /><br />“Except you. You’re so sensitive and kind and sweet and you understand me.” <br /><br />Edward sighed inwardly but smiled outwardly. He was far from what she labeled sweet or kind. Sensitive yes, but he was of the belief that all men had the necessary skills to be sensitive—they just didn’t use them. She buried her face against his shirt and sniffed dramatically. <br /><br />“And you always smell so nice.” Her voice had taken on a wistful tone, which was Edward’s cue to back off. <br /><br />“Thank you. Now go on, take a walk. A few minutes in the sunshine and you’ll feel much better.” <br /><br />She scooped up her purse and headed to the door. “I’ll never be all right again,” she said dramatically, then left. <br /><br />Edward immediately grabbed the handset and dialed Tom, who answered almost instantly. <br /><br />“Edward, is Marylou-Beth okay?” <br /><br />“What did you say to her?” Edward wasn’t messing around with this; he had maybe ten minutes to sort this out. <br /><br />“She had these heels on… all I said was that I liked them but that she made me feel a bit short.” Edward couldn’t believe how bewildered Tom sounded. Did he have no idea of how his fiancée felt about her height? <br /><br />“Okay. Here is how you play this. Red roses—no chocolates since she’s on a diet. Buy a tub of blueberry frozen yogurt instead, add a sparkler, and for goodness sake, spray some cologne before you come up. You have an hour.” <br /><br />“Got it. Roses. Yogurt. But cologne? Edward, I’m straight; you know I don’t like that kind of thing—” <br /><br />“Do it or lose Marylou-Beth forever,” Edward said. Then he ended the call and shut himself in his office. <br /><br />Changing his shirt was the first order of the day and he spent a good ten minutes making sure his shirt was tucked just so, his silk tie knotted perfectly, and his hair still frozen in its volumized style. Adjusting his black-framed Prada glasses, he peered at his reflection. They finished off the geek-chic look perfectly and he looked damn good, if he said so himself. As the owner and chief contact at Blush Pink Weddings, Edward McAllister had a public face and he loved it. The best designer clothes, hours at a salon for his thick, wavy dark hair, manicures, facials, everything he did made him the gay guy that potential brides loved and that potential grooms trusted with said brides. Blush Pink had grown year over year and he earned enough now to have Marylou-Beth as a permanent assistant and to run this office out of Coral Gables in one of the better areas of Miami. <br /><br />The phone rang again and a cursory glance revealed Marylou-Beth wasn’t at her desk. He answered on the third ring. <br /><br />“Blush Pink, Edward speaking, how can we help you?” <br /><br />“Edward. How’s my wedding planner?” <br /><br />“Fine,” Edward said. “What’s the problem?” He just knew something was wrong from the fact Dylan had phoned and not Lucas. <br /><br />“Small problem with next week.” Dylan Gray’s voice was low and calm. Hell, he could afford to be calm, it wasn’t him that would be fixing last-minute adjustments in the wedding at Sapphire Cay. Edward liked Dylan a lot, but he wished it were Lucas he was talking to. Dylan had the grand ideas but it was Lucas who had the real business head. Dylan and Lucas were his biggest customers. Dylan even claimed Edward as ‘my wedding planner’. It seemed that in the last few years, with the previous owners and now Dylan, he was spending more and more time on the Cay with weddings. <br /><br />“What’s up?” <br /><br />“We have to do some structural work on the gazebo. Problem is that the electrical cable…” <br /><br />Edward listened to the details and opened his diary to the page dedicated to the Osborne wedding. So. Probably no electricity to the gazebo. Which meant adjusting a few small details. Thoughtfully, he tapped a pen on the book as Dylan was explaining that they hoped to have it fixed but he couldn’t promise anything. <br /><br />Checking his calendar Edward mapped out the six days remaining to the wedding. He could work something that would be just as good. <br /><br />“Edward? Are you still there?” <br /><br />“It’s fine,” Edward said. “I can work around this. I’ll take a look when I get there.” <br /><br />“Scott is booked to be at Marsh Harbor for you.” <br /><br />Edward raised his eyebrows. Edward used to love seeing Dylan waiting at the harbor, but since Dylan had hooked up with Lucas—sorry, fallen in love with Lucas—and was now off the menu, Scott would do as eye candy. Scott may not be the man of Edward’s dreams but he was built like sin and was easy on the eyes. Shame he was a player. Shame he wasn’t Edward’s type. Of course, you could always look at the menu even if you don’t plan to eat from it. He chuckled at his thoughts. Scott would leap a mile if he had any idea of the things Edward imagined when he watched the man steer them from Marsh Harbor to Sapphire Cay. <br /><br />“I’ll see you in two days, and meanwhile I’ll email a plan B for what I want. Or at least I’ll get Lucas to do it.” Dylan added the last with a laugh and it made Edward smile. Dylan and Lucas were so good for each other and clearly in love. Seeing them together called to Edward’s romantic heart. <br /><br />“See you in two days.” <br /><br />Edward closed his diary and leaned back in his chair. The bride had wanted thousands of twinkling fairy lights around the gazebo, which was now unlikely to happen. Okay, so what else could he do? Images came to him of the gazebo with the sea as the backdrop, and he remembered the storm lanterns from previous weddings. The glow of candles in the half dark would be stunning and not nearly as intrusive as the brighter glow of the strings of lights and if he had the candles reflecting through colored glass… <br /><br />Settled on what he needed to say to his picky bride, he dialed her number. He was in the zone doing what he loved best. <br /><br /><br /><br />* * * * * <br /><br /><br /><br />Scott helped him off of the boat. It wasn’t that he couldn’t manage but he wasn’t going to argue with the help of a strong man. Brushing off the stray sand that decorated the ass of his suit pants, he cast a critical gaze around the landing area. This was the first point that the couple and their parties would see and it had to be perfect. Satisfied at the look of the old yet sturdy jetty and the wide-open expanse of perfect beach, he began the short trek up to the main hotel. The utter beauty that stood in front of him never failed to take his breath away. Low and wide, the hotel was wood and brick and solid in amongst trees. <br /><br />Bypassing reception, he knew he had to see the gazebo and work out where everything was. He had photos but if there really was a problem with wiring that spread any farther then he needed to see it now and not later. He had a vague impression of what would work. The gazebo itself was a study in metal and wood and had weathered many a storm, and it would look stunning when he finished with it. He was in creation mode, the I-can-deal-with-anything frame of mind. <br /><br />And then he rounded the corner and was faced with chaos. <br /><br />Half the gazebo was missing. Literally gone. There was a hole in the middle where the wooden deck had been. A trench ran from the gazebo to the side of the hotel. It was utterly decimated. <br /><br />“Four days,” he blurted out. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye, a man walking backward, slightly doubled over and dragging an iron pillar that used to be part of the gazebo. Edward pushed away the instant appreciation of a fine, tight ass, powerful thighs covered in holey jeans, and the flex of muscles in strong arms. This wasn’t some ten o’clock Coke break for him to ogle the laborers. This man was destroying his canvas. Edward couldn’t form a sentence as panic knifed through him. He couldn’t have the chaos in front of him now. He didn’t have time. <br /><br />“I’m sorry?” the man with the iron said. He turned to face Edward and Edward catalogued sweaty skin and a very young but serious face. <br /><br />“Four days,” Edward repeated. “What the bloody hell did you do?” <br /><br />The man reached out a dirty, muddied hand with a smile on his face. “You must be the Brit. Dylan and Lucas warned me you’d be arriving this morning. I’m Jamie,” he said. Edward looked at the extended hand and couldn’t help the horror inside him from slashing angrily on his expression. What was Jamie doing here in the gazebo? Where was the gazebo? <br /><br />“What have you done?” He gestured at the mess and was almost incoherent with shock. The last time he’d been faced with this was a garden party at his aunt’s house when he had nothing more than paperclips to hold up banners. He’d been ten at the time and he was still traumatized by the stress of it. Four days to make something beautiful of this construction site? He could cover up… no… there was nothing… he couldn’t hide this… no flower was big enough, no candlelight soft enough to cover the scar. <br /><br />“You need to breathe,” the other man was saying. He was patting Edward on the shoulder, those muddy worker’s hands all over his Armani shirt, and Edward backed away. Disorder was in his head where he needed order. <br /><br />“I am bloody breathing,” he snapped. “Who did this here? Why is this happening in this wedding? Dylan never said…” <br /><br />Jamie, the worker with the hands, was frowning and casting looks toward the hotel. <br /><br />“I’ll get Dylan—” <br /><br />“Did they authorize this? Did anyone actually authorize what you are doing? Who the bloody hell do you think you are destroying the centerpiece of the whole wedding?” <br /><br />“I work here,” Jamie said. Like that was the whole defense for what he had done? <br /><br />Edward snapped at the deliberately obscure reply. “Not for much longer you’re not if you cause this much destruction.” <br /><br />Twisting hands in his hair, he stared helplessly at the mess for a few more seconds, and then giving Jamie-the-worker not a second glance, he stalked away to find Dylan. <br /><br />It was only as he passed a wall mirror inside the door that he saw what he’d done. He’d literally pulled his hair to the point there was no style left in it at all. Jesus. He was already fighting sand and water and now he had to add dealing with stress to his haircare regime. <br /><br />Breathe. Deep breath in. Out. In. Out. There had to be an alternative. Another way to make this wedding beautiful. <br /><br />“Edward?” Lucas was suddenly there. He must have arrived while Edward was near hyperventilating. He was concerned and had that patented Lucas-look-of-worry on his face. Worker-man was hovering behind him and he also looked alarmed. “Jamie says you aren’t well?” <br /><br />“I’m fine,” he snapped. “Well I was until the kid here decided to play at building and ripped down the centerpiece of the entire wedding.” <br /><br />“Not a kid,” Jamie said quickly. <br /><br />“Do you realize this wedding is huge? Did you know the Osbornes went to five different planners before hiring me and this island? This could ruin my reputation. Why did no one tell me?” <br /><br />“Calm down, Edward,” Lucas encouraged. “We were working on the electricity but there was subsidence and the whole thing started to shift. It was dangerous.” Lucas said all this with his hands held out, palms upward in a placating stance. “It only happened last night. Jamie, Dylan, and I have been up all night dealing with clearing what’s left. I’m sorry.” Lucas hesitated and Edward could see the exhaustion bracketing his friend’s face. “I don’t know what we are going to do,” Lucas added. <br /><br />Seeing Lucas worrying pushed Edward out of panic mode and into his normal take-charge default. Okay. First things first. Construction. He’d need dark-and-handsome-yet-hot-and-sweaty for that one. <br /><br />“You,” Edward said and pointed at Jamie. “Can it be rebuilt in three days?” <br /><br />Jamie looked startled and then an expression crossed his face that Edward couldn’t understand. A flash of fear or reluctance? It disappeared too quickly for Edward to get a real lock on it. <br /><br />“I can do it,” Jamie said. He crossed his arms over his chest and the movement revealed the impression of dog tags under his sleeveless T-shirt. God. Dog tags as a design accessory was so nineties. Edward shook the random thought from his head. Focus. <br /><br />“You have two days to get me to a yes or no position. The Osborne party arrives in three days and I must have ideas of an alternative if the gazebo is a no-go.” As Edward summarized his position Lucas was regarding him with a very odd expression on his face. The man had never really seen Edward in full-flight damage limitation before. Marylou-Beth said it was a sight to behold and scared the shit out of everyone in its path. Jamie disappeared out the back door without saying anything and Edward caught sight of that gorgeous ass again. Pity it belonged to the guy who was ruining his business. <br /><br />Great. <br /><br />There came his drama gene again.

Under The Sun - with Meredith Russell

The Sapphire Cay series Written with Meredith Russell Book 1 - Follow The Sun Book 2 - Under The Sun Book 3 - Chase The Sun The Book Opposi...

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