Marguerite Labbe's Blog, page 11

Yesterday I went to the DC OutWrite Book fair down on U Street with Jo from the Goodread group.  I don’t know why I didn’t bring my camera yesterday that was short sighted of me since Dreamspinner Press had a table there.  I had the pleasure of seeing Andrew Grey and his husband again as well as meeting John Simpson and his husband, Michael Murphy, Greg Hogben and Elizabeth North, the owner extrodinaire of Dreamspinner Press!  Plus I picked up books, I am such a sucker for books and July was so busy with work that I’ve had little time to read or write or edit.
All of the authors had recent releases out.  John Simpson & Robert Cummings had Murder on a Queen, Greg Hoben had The British Devil, Michael Murphy had Little Squirrels Can Climb Tall Trees, and Andre Grey had Unconditional Lovewhich is another story in his Seven Days series.  I love that concept.


I’ll admit I was a bit disappointed it was so hot because Ben's Chili Bowl was right across the street and in all the years that I’ve lived in the DC area I haven’t had a chance to go.  I had been looking forward to it, but my appetite disappears when I’m hot. 


Jo and I met many other local authors and as soon as I can locate all the promo material I collected I’ll post about my experiences with them.  It’s a nice mix of fiction and non-fiction.  They also had readings next door.  Despite the lack of air conditioning I would definitely go again next year.

Good morning everyone.  It's my birthday today and I feel like celebrating so I'm doing a giveaway.  Leave your email address, the title of one of my books that you'd like to have, and why that particular book interests you and you'll be entered to win a free copy of that book.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Margie






P.S.

I think that beautiful man above has a story to tell, don't you?

 Summer is not my favorite season, that would be fall, but ooohhh, I do love the start of summer when it’s not too hot and humid yet. I love going to my mom’s house, where all the neighbors gather in the driveway under the cypress tree with dueling grills and a stream of little edibles coming out. If I could find a way to move back onto that court I would. On one corner is my mother-in-law, in the center is my parents and there are two other families who have been there since the neighborhood was built. The flower girls at my wedding lived across the street and are now in college and their senior year of high school.

We spent Memorial Day weekend in that court with all the neighbors and half my family. It was cool enough that we sat outside for hours just talking and catching up, and hot enough that by the end of those hours we were craving to get a little bit of pool time.

I’d hurt my back again several weeks ago, to the point where I couldn’t walk again and I was so frustrated because I’ve been trying to exercise, even if it was just walking. And I had just gotten to the point where I was pain free again and was walking when it flared up again. So I kept telling myself, as soon as the pool opens you’re going in.

Memorial Day weekend came and the pool opened and I’m ashamed to say that I was afraid to go. I was afraid that I would get in the water and I wouldn’t be able to get back out again. It’s so scary when body parts suddenly don’t work the way you want them to work. I didn’t want to go and find myself trapped there.

So after sitting out for hours on that hot afternoon, I was more than ready to give it a try and my husband was going with me, so if I did end up worse afterward he could help me out to the car and get me home. I got to the pool with my husband, son, sister and brother-in-law and the water was so blessedly cool. Not too cold like it is sometimes when it’s been just filled, just perfectly cool.

I made my way to the lap lane and for 45 minutes, I walked back and forth, did a few laps, and some flutter kicks. Then sat and soaked and talked to my sister and taught my son how to float and when I started getting cold I headed for the steps. And again I was afraid. What would happen when I climbed out of the water and the gravity hit? Would I hurt again Would I have to hobble over to my towel, my hip all hitched up, shoulders askew?

It was sore, but for the first time in over two weeks I was standing straight. I was able to walk without my back seizing, without spasms, without the muscles on my right side turning to what felt like solid rock. I’ve been back to the pool several nights since then, doing more laps, increasing my movements. So yay for summer and the pool being open. I look forward to having wrinkly pruned hands and feet for many days this summer.

What are your favorite summery things to do?

I am going to be wrapping up the rough draft of my cursed statue story, Make Me Whole, this week.  I have a chapter and an epilogue to write.  Then I’ll take a week or so to flesh out this sci-fi idea I got last week.  I’ll work on the notes and the characters a bit so it can percolate in the back of my head.  Once I get the second draft of the statue story done, Galen and Nick are off to beta readers.  I hope to have them submitted by the beginning of August at the latest.
Since I’m so close, I thought I’d share a little snippet in celebration and motivation.  Please excuse Nick’s language.  He’s a little upset right now and soaking wet to boot after a tussle that landed him in a fountain.  Being hounded by a statue that’s come to life hasn’t improved his mood much either. 
* * * * *
“Fuck you, too.  Love isn’t enough; it wasn’t enough six months ago and it sure as hell isn’t now.  All those fucking centuries should’ve proven that to you.  How many damn tries have you had and you still can’t get it right?  We can’t get it right.  Just fuck all of it.”

Hop Against Homophobia

Today is International Day Against Homophobia and I would like to think that because it's 2012 that we as human beings should be above discrimination. Yet, as much as I would like to think that, as much as I can be an optimist, I see signs of discrimination every day. I see it directed toward my husband and son because we're an interracial family. I see it directed toward my cousin who is gay. I see it directed toward members of my community who are suffering from mental illnesses. And all of it hurts. It hurts the individual, it hurts the community, it hurts everyone. And it needs to stop.


Adorkable Totes - Kristair

And what really saddens me sometimes is that people just can't see it. They can't see the damage they cause with careless remarks. They can't see how close-minded their world view is.


A friend of mine recently tried to commit suicide because of all of this isolation and misplaced hatred. He felt so alone. I wish he hadn't moved so far away. I wish he had called me that night so I could've told him that he wasn't alone. I love him. I miss him. I hope he finds a partner worthy of his generous heart. I'm so thankful that he wasn't successful and that he found a friend close by that he could reach out to. I just don't want to see it happen again.


Adorkable Totes - Triquetra

I'm joining in with a whole group of other m/m authors and organizations to celebrate this day. We're all giving away prizes. So click on the link above and visit them and see what they have to offer too. As for myself, I'm giving away three prizes to three winners. Two of them are books, ebook or signed print, winner's choice from my backlist. And the third is something special that my cousin made for this day. A painted tote bag with Kristair from my vampire trilogy on one side and the triquetra symbol on the other. Please leave a comment with your email address and what prize you would like and I'll enter you in the drawing. I'll draw and post a winner on the 21st.

It’s so exciting to say this, but I have an upcoming release in the works. I signed a new contract last week with Dreamspinner Press for my ghost story. Ghosts in the Wind will be part of their Halloween line up. Here’s the unofficial blurb:

Andrei Cuza and Dean Marshall just celebrated the ten year anniversary of their commitment ceremony only to have their happiness shattered. On his way home from closing a business deal, Dean stops on the side of the parkway to help a young mother with her flat tire when her ex catches up with her. Blake Olsen murders her and Dean and takes off with his two kids.

Andrei has been haunted by ghosts all of his life and bears the guilt for his younger sister Ileana being stuck in limbo. When Dean returns to him as a ghost the double-punch of losing him and now having to watch him founder if he doesn’t move on is almost more than Andrei can bear. Ghosts are stuck at the moment they died, unable to adapt to the changes in their living loved ones.

Dean has made a promise though and until he helps Andrei track down the missing kids, he isn’t going anywhere. There are dangers in limbo that Andrei doesn’t know about, hounds that devour souls who succumb to their anger and they’re hunting Dean. And dangers to Andrei as well, who pays a price so he can have Dean’s touch one more time. Time is slowly running out as Dean and Andrei try to figure out how to say goodbye while they track down a killer who’d be more than happy to kill again.

Keep checking in and as I go through the editing process I’ll share more snippets and tidbits about Andrei and Dean.

Whoohooo, this month is Dreamspinner Press’s five year anniversary and I’m proud to have been there from year one.  To celebrate Dreamspinner is having a month long extravaganza with prizes and discounts.  Starting tomorrow, May 1-5, they will offer a 40% discount off all books (including in-stock paperbacks) by authors who signed with us during our first year of business. 
There are lots of wonderful authors to chose from: Rhianne Aile, Eric Arvin, Connie Bailey, Alix Bekins, Nicki Bennett, Giselle Ellis, Catt Ford, Shay Kincaid, Marguerite Labbe, Clare London, Dar Mavison, Anais Morten, Chrissy Munder, Zahra Owens, D.G. Parker, Abigail Roux, John Simpson, Fae Sutherland, Ariel Tachna, Madeleine Urban.
Watch the website, Facebook and Twitter regularly because there will be special flash sales/surprises on top of the announced ones.  Plus there will be newsletter blasts, you can find those at: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/newsletter/.
There are going to be several big giveaways as well.  Join Dreamspinner on the Literary Nymphs Yahoo Group on May 5th to get a chance to win a Kindle Fire.  One lucky customer on Dreamspinner’s website during the month of May will win an iPad! Each purchase from midnight EST May 1 to midnight EST May 31 constitutes an entry.  Finally, there will be a Meet the Author with Jeremy Pack on Dreamspinner’s Facebook page May 19th.  One participant will be entered to win all the eBooks on their wish luck.
I hope you enjoy all of these goodies.  I already know that my TBR list is going to get much bigger.

I hate having to cut scenes because it takes me so long to write them in the first part. Sometimes it's necessary, though and I've learned to be ruthless when I have to. It doesn't mean I don't hold onto them though. There have been a few occasions when I've been able to use them later on.

Back when I submitted the final book to my Triquetra Trilogy, Our Sacred Balance,there was an epilogue included. At the time I was unsure about the epilogue. I liked the way that it brought the whole series full circle, but I wasn't sure that it was necessary because the final chapter clearly showed that Jacob and Kristair had their HEA. I submitted it anyway and asked my editor for her opinion and we concluded that the sweet tone didn't fit a series that had been chock full of blood, violence and sorrow.

I thought that those who were a fan ofthe series, might like to have a little peek at this cut scene. I miss these two. I hope you enjoy.

* * * * *

Epilogue

"You shouldn't be here," Jacob hissed, slipping into the equipment room at HeinzField, his blue eyes snapping.

"Yet, here you are, agreeing to meet me," I replied, my gaze raking over him in his gold pants and black jersey. My bloodstirred at the way the fabric clung to muscled thighs. "I had to see you in your uniform before your first professional game. Don't worry, Jacob; I am very good at sneaking around."

"You know if we get caught, I'm in big trouble."

I sensed his nerves and excitement as I drew him into my arms. He may look very desirable in his uniform, but the padding made embracing awkward. "We won't get caught, mo chroí." I leaned closer, touching my forehead to his, soothing away his tension and letting him feel my pride to see him on this day after all of his hard work and dreaming.

A few minutes later, I smiled and brushed my thumb along his jaw. "Better?"

"You know it." Jacob grinned back at me, his nervous flutters replaced with the same kind of tense excitement I always experienced before a battle. He slid his hand around the nape of my neck and gave me a heated kiss. "Now get out of here and don't distract me."

"How would I do that?" I asked, assuming an innocent air. "By sending you erotic images when you're trying to concentrate? I don't know who would do something like that."

"Bite me."

The heat flashed higher, echoed in Jacob. "Very tempting, I'll take you up on that tonight." Before I got sidetracked any further I left. Jacob did have to concentrate on the upcoming game; it would start before too much longer.

The stands were slowly filling up with tailgaters and diehard fans eager for the start of the regular football season. I took my time heading back to my seat, savoring the aura of the stadium. I had never actually had the chance to experience opening day before. I could only watch taped games after the fact. It was not even close to being the same. There was a glorious energy here, an air of hope and rebirth.

I rarely spent the money I'd gathered over the centuries on splurging, but in this case, season tickets on the fifty-yard line were a necessity. I paused at the railing, watching the pregame entertainment; though I paid little attention to singers I didn't know as my thoughts wandered. Jacob had worked toward this day for years, driven to prove himself and the really wondrous thing was that drive had disappeared. Now Jacob played for the love of the game.

I'd wanted to shelter him, preserve his innocence and he'd shown me that he could hold his own beside me and found his balance in the meantime.  He had changed since we'd met. I suppose we'd both had. Our bond had only gotten stronger in the last two months, we completed each other in way I had never believed was possible.

"Deep thoughts," Jacob said in my mind. "Procrastinating going back to your seat?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

Jacob snickered, amusement coloring his mind. "I don't know why you're so uncomfortable around my Ma. Maybe it's because you know she looks at you and sees the man who tattooed and pierced me."

I straightened, my eyes narrowing as Jacob's amusement deepened. "I had nothing to do with your piercings. You had them before we met."

"She doesn't know that," Jacob teased. "And then I ran off with you and had a kid before marriage."

"Don't you have plays to go over?"
Jacob laughed again. "I know you, love. Now stop worrying about a woman who's only five foot three. You make me happy, that's all she cares about." Then the force of Jacob's mind faded as his attention was diverted and I turned back toward the stands.

Our whole family was there waiting. Tony glanced over at me as I approached and he touched my mind in greeting. Kayla sat next to Steve and was leaning over, her attention fixed on Rissa perched on Mrs. Corvin's lap. I sensed Rissa's laughter as Kayla tickled her foot and smiled. It had been far harder for Kayla to adjust to Rissa's presence than Jacob or I.

With our bond, we couldn't bury our anger over everything we'd been through. We had to deal with the pain, the sense of betrayal and being such a part of each other had helped. The bond with Rissa had grown daily as well. It was difficult to maintain a defensive wall when faced with her cheery, chirping greetings or her tears when one of us was upset.

I had met Jacob's mother before, when he'd been drafted, that had been strange enough. However, Jacob had insisted on letting her know a few pertinent details about what I had been and the odd people we knew. I couldn't deny him. I knew he'd wanted a normal life and the truth was, our lives would never be what most would call normal. Not with the people and the things that we knew. Though as Jacob pointed out, this life was our normal and he was happy with that.

It was still enough to make me wonder what she thought of when she looked at me. I can't say that I'd be happy if Kayla fell in love with a former vampire. Not that she'd ever give me a say in who she dated.

I made my way past other spectators, greeted Tony and Steve, and then took my seat between Kayla and Mrs. Corvin, giving them a nod. "You were gone for a long time, Kris." Kayla's eyes danced and her expressive mouth quirked in a smile. "How's Jacob doing?"

"Excited,but he'll be fine." There was no point in denying I had gone to see him, she knew me far too well. "I see that you've gotten into the spirit of things, little one." I nodded at the foam hand she'd acquired while I was gone. "Have you changed your opinion on football?"

"How could I not, you were a bad enough influence, add in Steve and Jake's enthusiasm and a girl didn't stand a chance." Kayla leaned around me and caught Rissa's attention away from the toy Mrs. Corvin held in her hand by tickling her foot again. "You're not going to stand a chance."

Rissa giggled and squirmed her foot away, offering me a beaming smile when she saw that I'd returned. Gravely, I extended my pinkie to her and she latched onto it with another laugh. "You ready to watch your dad play, bright one?"

An image of Jacob appeared in her mind, his face seeming much bigger from her point-of-view, his blue eyes twinkling with that special look he had forher. And with that image came a wave of love. Those two were such suckers for each other.

"It is uncanny how she responds to you when you're so serious all the time, Kristair," Mrs. Corvin said. She had Jacob's eyes and the same laughter in them that he often had. "Do you ever smile?"

"It'sbeen known to happen." I reached for Rissa. "Do you wish me to take her?"

"That's okay, we're getting to know one another." Mrs. Corvin smiled down at Rissa and pulled her thumb free from her mouth. "Aren't we Rissa?" That penetrating gaze came back to me. "Jacob never did say why the two of you didn't wait before starting a family though."

"Madam, you know your son when he gets his mind set on something."

"Oh no you didn't, that's so wrong, Kristair." Steve chuckled and slipped his arm around Kayla's shoulders.

However,Jacob's mother was nodding. "That is true."

"Kristair, stop trying to throw me under the bus."

"Yet you see how quickly she agrees. She knows you well." I replied to my lover, but I relented. It wasn't a teasing matter. "In truth, Madam, she had no one, she would've been lost if we hadn't taken her in. She had nowhere else to go."

"Speaking from experience, I can say that Kris has never been able to turn his back on someone when they needed help," Kayla said, grinning as I shifted uncomfortably. "Not if he considered them family."

"Relax, Kristair, she's gonna love you." With that Jacob laid a hard mental kiss on my lips and I sensed the sudden upsurge of excitement as the announcer introduced the visiting team. My eyes scanned the field and I leaned forward waiting for that first glimpse of my lover as he came out onto the field with the rest of his team amongst fanfare.

My heart thundered with his, pride and triumph, as I spotted his familiar figure. Number 30. Jacob Corvin.

A grin broke out over my face as another loving thought touched me. "Yeah, yeah, yeah… don't forget, you're mine too."

I wanted to mention some friend'sreleases that either came out at the end of February and in March.  I like an eclectic mix of books.  I enjoy short, epically long and everythingin between.  So there's going to be lotsof mentions of all kinds of books in this blog when I hit a reading mood.  So without further ado, here are someinteresting picks to take a look at. Author: Hailey EdwardsTitle: EverminePublisher: SamhainGenre: M/F Fantasy/Paranormal RomanceBuy Link:  http://store.samhainpublishing.com/evermine-p-6654.html Length: Novel
Blurb: He can be a slave to his past…orallow her love to free him.
Daughtersof Askara, Book 2
There'ssuch a thing as too much change. Emma's sister is mated. Revolution is brewingin her home realm. The last straw: her would-be mate is back from the dead andback under her skin—yet when it comes to the last five years, he's not talking.
Desperatefor a chance to start her own life, she answers the queen's call to ensureequality for all of Askara's newly freed slaves. It's the perfect opportunityto escape a heartbreak in the making named Harper.
Harperloses a piece of his fractured soul when Emma walks away. His lies were meantto protect her from torturous years that drove him to the point of madness.Instead, when he comes to her a year later to help avert a crisis in afreed-slave community, the wedge those lies drove between them is firmly inplace.
Astheir new lives collide with old wounds, they race to stop a threat that couldnot only destroy the queen, but send Harper back to the hell he escaped. Emmamust decide if the man she still loves deserves equal rights to her heart.
* * * * * Author: Voirey LingerTitle: And She Liked ItPublisher: Ellora's CaveGenre: M/F EroticaBuy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9930-and-she-liked-it.aspx Length: Short Story
Blurb:  A six-foot-plus mountain of sexiness istrying to seduce Janie and doing a damn good job of it. Just one problem…herhusband is watching the whole thing.
To her surprise,Edward has no problem with his wife being seduced. In fact, he's encouragingit. They share a deep love, but the mindless lust that drove them as a newcouple has been missing for a while. And Paul is just the man to bring heatback into their marriage. Edward knows if Janie is brave enough to allow Paulto join them, she just might like it.
* * * * * Author: Annie NicholasTitle: Omegas in Love (Book 4 Vangaurds)Publisher: Lyrical PressGenre: M/F Paranormal Romance/ShiftersBuy Link:  http://tinyurl.com/7b5pxce Length: Novella
Blurb:  Some things are best to forget.But what if the past won't be forgotten?
Bornin China of a pure shifter bloodline, Katrina was raised with only onepurpose--to breed. Abused by her alpha, she runs away to America as soon as shecan. With a new pack and her true mate, she thinks the nightmare is behind her,but when she is abducted on the streets of Chinatown, Katrina must face her pastand fight for her freedom. 
Ittook Tyler a year to earn Katrina's love, another to build her confidence andpride, and only a moment to lose her. Broken-hearted, Tyler won't give up hissearch for Katrina. 
Buthe never trained as a warrior like the other shifters. What chance does a realestate agent have in the fight for his mate? 
* * * * *
Author: Kim KnoxTitle: Bitter HarvestPublisher: Carina PressGenre: M/M Sci-FiBuy Link: http://tinyurl.com/7ob3qy2 Length: Novella
Blurb: It's 2050, and humans are an endangered species. Lieutenant RobertSutton has survived the collapse of civilization by luck, his wits, and achance mutation that makes him immune to the nano-virus that has wiped outmillions. Now, his compound of survivors is surrounded by the infected, who aredriven by the need to spread the contagion through sex. It is only a matter oftime before they attack. So when Sutton is assigned to interrogate a prisonerwho claims to have overcome the infection, he immediately suspects a trap...
Nicholas Rider may have survived thevirus, but he's a changed man, ruled by his desires. But his need for Sutton isdifferent. Rider craves an end to his overwhelming needs, and Sutton could bethe man to do it.
Secure in his beliefthat he's invulnerable, Sutton can't understand or resist his intenseattraction to his prisoner. Will Rider be his downfall-or his savior?

I lost my father-in-law on Monday.  My husband was with him when he had a heart attack.  I have known him since I was fourteen.  I have had the honor and privilege of calling him Dad for the last thirteen years.  He was a gentle and kind man who always had a smile on face and who accepted people for who they were.  He will be sorely missed.