Hey guys, today we have John Amory, one of the authors from the Dreamspinner Press Charity Anthology One Pulse, visiting with an incredible guest post, so check out the post and then I want you to check out the blogs that the other One Pulse authors will be visiting during the next two weeks. <3 ~Pixie~
One Pulse
by
Jon Keys, Alicia Nordwell, Mickie B. Ashling, M.T. Aspen, M.A. Church, Caitlin Ricci, George Seaton, Jayce Ellis, Bree Cariad, Chrissy Munder, Ellis Carrington, Felicitas Ivey, John Amory, Grace R. Duncan, John Goode, J. C. Long, Elizabeth Noble, Renee Stevens, Troy Storm, Connie Bailey, Dev Bentham, Andrea Speed, Laura Lascarso, Lila Leigh Hunter, Emery C. Walters, C.C. Dado, Sera Kane, KC Burn, Vicktor Alexander, Edmond Manning
Stories drive life. Sometimes life is good; sometimes life is bad. But it’s the nature of our community that in the aftermath of an act of hatred, we respond with love. Because darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Cruelty cannot stand against compassion. Negativity will never overcome hope.
To show our support for those affected by the Orlando shooting, our authors, editors, artists, and staff have volunteered their talents to create this anthology. All proceeds will be donated to LGBT organizations in central Florida. Join us as we celebrate the triumph of love over every obstacle.
Hi guys, we have Torquere Press and several of their authors stopping by today with their newest anthology release Mythologically Torqued Vol II, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Lisa’s review so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Mythologically Torqued, Volume II
by
Adrik Kemp, Alex Cohen, B.A. Tortuga, Corrine A. Silver, Darren Endymion, Drea Silvertooth, John Amory, Lazuli Jones, Logan Zachary, Lynn Townsend, Madeline Moore, Moxie Marcus, Natasja Hellenthal, Rhidian Brenig Jones, R.R. Jones, Veronica Sloane, and Yolande Kleinn
Mythology, whether classic or modern, has always taken readers on a magical ride. Mythologically Torqured, volume 2, takes those tales from days of old, or more recent history, and places a unique spin on the beloved lore.
The gods of Olympus make appearances, as do deities from Japanese, Native American, and other belief systems. With rampant sexual desires, these gods manage to slake their thirst for passions of the flesh in a rather untraditional manner… if the oral traditions passed down from generation-to-generation were at all accurate.
These eighteen stories are penned by both seasoned scribes and new authors; the anthology provides readers with the perfect opportunity to explore offerings from their favorite storytellers as well as find a new favorite or two. And, a unique perspective on the stories we enjoyed—or were forced down our throats at the hands of a sadistic English teacher or two—in our youth.
Containing M/M and F/F as well as Trans stories from authors Adrik Kemp, Alex Cohen, B.A. Tortuga, Corrine A. Silver, Darren Endymion, Drea Silvertooth, John Amory, Lazuli Jones, Logan Zachary, Lynn Townsend, Madeline Moore, Moxie Marcus, Natasja Hellenthal, Rhidian Brenig Jones, R.R. Jones, Veronica Sloane, and Yolande Kleinn, Mythologically Torqued, volume 2 is sure to have something for every penchant.
Title: Best Laid Plans Series: Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!” Author: John Amory Genre: Contemporary Length: Short (21 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 1st, 2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts Blurb: George is an anxious, neurotic mess. The only thing that calms him is his partner of ten years, Scott. So despite how nervous it makes George to travel alone, he decides to go to Europe, where Scott has been working for two months, to visit for Christmas. George plans a day on his own in London before traveling to Paris, where Scott is staying.
But on George’s day of sightseeing and shopping, everything goes wrong, from a misunderstanding with the hotel concierge to getting lost in Harrods. All George wants is to be with his partner for Christmas, but he’s not sure he’ll survive long enough for that to happen.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”
Review: It’s Christmas for an American in London and then Paris! George is the type of person who has little anxieties of many different situations – in this story its flying, germs and crowds. However, George’s experiences ring to true when it comes to travelling in an unfamiliar place. I suppose there’s also the grumpiness that Christmas tends to bring out in people. But George is on a mission – he’s visiting his partner, Scott, who is currently working in Paris. Scott is a sweetie, even if we only meet him over the phone at first, his appearance made me feel relieved.
This is a really, cute story. It may be a quick read but it’s hard not to relate to George’s emotions through his trip. Simple and enjoyable.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hey guys, a bunch of us bloggers have got together to show our support for T.J. Klune and Eric Arvin by joining up for the Grand Adventures blog tour. This blog tour is to bring to attention the wonderful authors who donated a story and Dreamspinners Press who are donating 100% of the income from the sale to Eric & T.J. and there’s even a great giveaway for you to enjoy! I know the people in this genre are just incredible! So check out what the authors have to say, visit Dreamspinners Press and have a look at the great Grand Adventures goodies and click our Rafflecopter link to win some of those great goodies 🙂 ~Pixie~ p.s. I’d like to give a shout out to Brandilyn from Prism Book Alliance for pulling us bloggers together and organizing our roles in this tour 😉
Description:
On September 1, 2011, TJ Klune wrote, “…it’s not about the ending, it’s about the journey…” in a review of Eric Arvin’s Woke Up in a Strange Place. With those words, two men began a journey of love and invited us to ride along. TJ and Eric have shared so much with us: their wonderful books, their smiles, their humor, their lives, and their inspiring devotion to each other. In December of 2013, their journey took a detour when Eric was taken to the emergency room. He survived the surgery to remove a cavernous hemangioma from his brain stem, but the challenges TJ and Eric face are far from over.
The authors in this anthology donated their talent as a way to support Eric’s continued recovery, to help bring strength to TJ, and to show both of them just how much love surrounds them. Grand Adventures is a diverse range of stories about the journey of love. We’re going on some grand adventures for a great cause. Thank you for joining us.
One hundred percent of the income from this volume goes directly to TJ and Eric.
Foreword by S.A. McAuley
An Unexpected Thing by John Amory (Sequel to Protection)
The Twinkie Ignition by J.E. Birk
When Friendship Becomes More by Sophie Bonaste
Isle of Waiting by Sue Brown (A Missing Moment from Isle of Waves)
The Jogger by KC Burn
Holding Court by Cardeno C.
For Dear Life by Mary Calmes
Under the Full Moon by Ellis Carrington
Stripped by Shae Connor (2nd Edition)
That Place Across the Hall by C.C. Dado
Mistaken MD by Phoenix Emrys
Cops and Comix by Rhys Ford
Last First Kiss by LE Franks
Tomorrow by John Goode
From Fantasy to Friends by CR Guiliano (A Companion to For You)
Hello everyone! My name is John Amory, and my contribution to the Grand Adventures anthology is titled “An Unexpected Thing.” This short is actually a sequel to a story that Dreamspinner published last June in its Daily Dose compilation called “Protection.” The new story picks up about two years after Jamie and Ben met; both are back from London and traveling the West Coast. Jamie is en route to a shooting competition with Ben in tow, but when their plane is diverted, they are forced to find their own way through the Cascades to Seattle. They, of course, find something else along the way.
I have never met TJ or Eric, but I was struck by their struggle like everyone else. We are all a family of authors and readers in this genre, and it felt like someone in our family had suddenly fallen ill. I wanted to help, especially since TJ’s book Into This River I Drown had such an effect on me. When “Protection” was accepted for publication last year, it was the first book I chose from Dreamspinner’s catalog to read, so that I could get a feel for their audience, their authors, the style of stories they publish, etc. I was blown away by River, which is, in so many ways, a really atypical (but still brilliant) M/M romance. There was so much else going on: grief, redemption, faith, closure, all of these things played into the book’s themes, and they’re all things I think TJ handled beautifully. So I began “An Unexpected Thing” as a sequel to “Protection” that contained a guest appearance by two of TJ’s characters from Roseland, which seemed only appropriate given its ties to River. I eventually re-edited the story to not include TJ’s characters (since, if all the authors did that, it would be taxing on TJ to edit and approve each story), but the essence that those characters brought to the story is still there, as well as some other Easter eggs for fans of TJ’s book. “An Unexpected Thing” is about finding love in places you never thought you would, with people you never thought you would. That’s something I got from Into This River I Drown and from TJ and Eric’s personal story, and I think it’s something universal: keep your eyes and heart open, because The One might be someone you’d never notice otherwise.
Thanks for reading and for supporting Grand Adventures! You can find me on Twitter (@JohnAmory) or on GoodReads. Feel free to drop a line! Happy reading!
About John Amory:
John Amory is and always will be a hopeless romantic, which he blames on watching too many episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 growing up. He began writing stories and poems as a child, continuing through high school. He put writing on the backburner for a number of years, during which time he finished both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English, and is thrilled to be creating again now that he knows what “free time” means.
In another life, John is a newly minted college professor, as well as an actor/director/choreographer/playwright whose work has been performed in New York City and elsewhere. He is also obsessed with television and keeps two blogs on the subject: one for general reviews and comments (faketvcritic.blogspot.com), and one devoted solely to So You Think You Can Dance (cuttingsytycd.blogspot.com).
Feel free to drop a message here or on Twitter to say hi!
1. Tell us about your contribution to the anthology.
My short story is called When Friendship Becomes More.
Here’s the official blurb, because it explains the story better than I could:
Despite their differences, Jamie and Roy are not only college roommates, but best friends. What Jamie doesn’t know is that Roy has had a crush on him for years. When Jamie realizes Roy’s feelings during a camping trip with friends, the attraction will either prove mutual, or it will tear their friendship apart.
I’m really proud of this short story. It has moments that will make you laugh and cry. I hope everyone out there loves it as much as I do.
2. What is your favorite TJ and Eric memory?
Well, I haven’t been lucky enough to meet TJ or Eric in person. But I remember reading the news of TJ’s proposal in October of last year. I was instantly touched by the obvious love between the two men. It may not have been a showy proposal like that Home Depot one that went viral a few months ago, but it was one of the most love-filled proposals I’ve ever seen. And isn’t that what’s really important?
3. Why did you choose to participate in the anthology?
When I heard about the anthology it was a no-brainer. I knew I had to help TJ and Eric in any way I could. And since writing is one of my favorite things to do anyway, it was a win-win.
4. Do you have anything to say to TJ and Eric?
I just wanted to say that you two are both some of the strongest people I’ve ever known. I wish you only the best as you go forward. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!!!!!
About Sophie Bonaste:
Sophie Bonaste is a novelist who never set out to be a novelist. As a child, she wanted to be a Broadway actress and spent her childhood in numerous productions. But when adulthood set in and reality took over, Sophie chose to up the theater for a steady paycheck and instead turned to writing as a creative outlet. She stumbled into the M/M genre through fanfiction and never looked back. Sophie is quite happy with her change in artistic expression and doesn’t plan to stop writing for a long time.
A self-proclaimed nerd, Sophie is an avid fan of all things Star Wars and Harry Potter. (Sophie is a member of the Slytherin house, for those who were wondering.) Sophie also spends many hours watching and re-watching nerdy television shows. When she is not obsessing over the latest and greatest in nerdy entertainment, Sophie can be found screaming at her television during American football games. (Go Pack Go!) Sophie currently lives in Pennsylvania, about twenty minutes from her childhood town of The Middle of Nowhere.
If you don’t want to talk, but you want to read more about my works, please use these links.
Harmony Ink – Sophie Bonaste
Dreamspinner Press – Sophie Bonaste
GIVEAWAY!
20″ x 26″ (image size: 16″ x 24″) signed & matted print of the Grand Adventures cover Grand Adventures Paperback $30 Dreamspinner Press Giftcard
Starts: 12:01 AM EDT on 29 Mar 2014 End: 11:59pm EDT on 8 April 2014
Blurb: Jeremy Walsh is a high school senior who’s got big plans for his future — namely, to perform at Carnegie Hall. But before he can get there, he needs to secure the solo in his renowned high school choir’s Christmas concert and get into college. Everything seems to be on track until a cute new student, Zach Brooks, shows up, and ruins all of Jeremy’s plans by snatching the solo out from under him. With his college auditions looming and the Christmas concert fast approaching, Jeremy has more on his plate than he can handle. Can the magic of the Christmas season bring Jeremy and Zach together?
Review: Ah, a Young Adult title from Prizm Press and one I enjoyed a lot I must say. In a slightly short space, as this story rounds up just forty-two pages, the author manages to give us a nice Christmas themed little drama. Yes, of course, there is some drama, the characters are teenagers in their senior year at high school, and there is a little bit of fighting over a solo there. But I’m rushing ahead; let me introduce you to these lovely characters first.
Jeremy; he has a dream and it starts with winning his solo for his High School’s Christmas concert, it follows by winning the audition for his college of preference, wooing everybody in his way, and ends with him performing at Carnegie Hall. If only Zach didn’t existed.
Zach; new kid in school, joins the coir to earn some new friends but ends up with people hating him. Yes, he’s talented and has a voice to blow your mind, but he ends up getting the solo and stealing the beginning of Jeremy’s dreams.
Amber, Jeremy’s best friend, a member of the choir, and also tried for the solo. She has a mouth that has no boundaries and a mind to tell things as they are, so you can imagine her role here.
Hunty, also known as Mr. Hunt; he’s the choirs director and a big influence for young students, especially gay students.
So what happens when you’ve been eyeing your target for three years and a newbie snatches it up right out of your hand? What happens when said newbie is a lonely kid in a new place and very fun to hang out with? What happens when despite you wanting to hate said newbie you just can’t and end up being good friends? Serious questions all of them, but the biggest of them all is: What happens when he gives you your first kiss and then vanishes on you?
Teenage drama at its prime, yet somehow I loved every single line. I thought it would be angsty and overbearing, thankfully I was wrong because in this short story you have a good growth of characters that are fairly depicted and manage to transport you a bit back in the times you were their age too. There also is a subtle romance brewing here that runs a bit on the background and even as things end in a happy note and with Christmassy feelings of generosity and wonders, you’re left to wonder how things will pan out for this duo in the future.
I enjoyed this read. It was a bit different from the others I’ve read that are holiday-themed and I must say it was quite invigorating. And it also made me hit YouTube and listen to some nice songs. Just the same I wish to read more of this couple in the future, so there dear author, make it happen.
Blurb: Steven is used to working from home and setting his own schedule, so fulfilling his civic duty by participating in jury duty is getting on his last nerve. But on the morning the trial is set to begin, Steven catches the eye of an adorable bailiff named Mike. A chance meeting at lunch gets the two men talking, and they realize they have more in common than they thought. Their half hour of bonding is interrupted, however, by an unspeakable act. Mike will prove to his fellow officers that being gay doesn’t make him any less of a man, and Steven will learn that there are far worse things to endure than jury duty.
Review: Wow, this was a fast and furious read. Jury duty is something I’m not familiar with, but hell if I haven’t seen too many movies/TV-series with them featuring there.
I liked this story; Steven is called to jury duty and he’s so grumpy that he got the “honor” I couldn’t stop chuckling there for a while. Not only does he have to wake up and present himself at the courthouse at 9 a.m. but also he has to like it? Nah, not Steven!
But while he expects to be losing his time there for a week or so life has other plans for him. First comes Mike to rock his day and render him speechless. As his mind is consumes with fantasies about Mike, a most unexpected shocking thing happens that has Steven reeling.
I found this read a bit too short. It was only 13 pages, but the way the events followed backed with the nice writing I completely inhaled this story, reaching the end and looking at the bold letters for a while. It was good, it was very good, but it left me wanting more as there was no real romantic part except for a light flirt and the exchange of phone numbers. I made me wish for a bit more romance there.
However, it was a nice short and I’d recommend it to people who like the “don’t-make-plans-for-life’ll-throw-em-away” idea.
