| Phew – after much anticipation, Safe In His Arms is out. It’s live. It’s gone. That wasn’t so painful, was it? Ok. I admit it. I get beyond nervous when my book is about to release. But I’m happy to say that it’s out now, and the reviews are coming in. http://kimichanexperience.com/safe-arms-renae-kaye/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1093209169 My highlights from some of the reviews flying around? “Renae Kaye’s book starts off with a bang right from page one and never lets up.” “Again, I was delighted with Kaye’s writing. Though her books are both funny and touching, Safe in his Arms is also deeply emotional.” “I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it giving it 6 of 5 hearts.” “Kaye pushes boundaries with this book; it's darker and grittier than her previous work and deals with issues of past physical and sexual abuse.” “From the beginning, Lon and Casey have undeniable chemistry.” “The ending is a beautiful HEA. These men find such JOY in being together.” “Just when you think you know an author's style , they go sharp sideways. The constants with this author's books are that they remain fabulous, sweet, direct, honest, magical and earthy. Just great stuff!” “I just finished it! Was sooo good loved it. Congrats to you. Def gonna be a re read just like all your other books! Thanks for again giving me an awesome read.” Now, I’ve promised a Blog Party on the Dreamspinner website. It starts today (28th November) at 5pm EST (USA) and goes for 5 hours. There is going to be music, food, fun, drinks, excerpts, stories and lots of stuff about me. So come and join me. http://dreamspinnerpress.com/blog/ I’m crawling out of bed at 6am to join the party – so come and chat with me! (please?? LOL). 6am-11am AWST (Western Australia) 9am-2pm AEST (Daylight Savings time Eastern Australia) |
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Hi RG! And thank you for joining me on my blog today. For those who don’t know, RG is my new Release Day Buddy – our books are both out on the same day – which is FRIDAY! Yay! This Time It’s Personal (#3) follows on from When Past Comes To Present (#1), and Lasting Damage (#2). Blurb: Sequel to Lasting Damage Beckett Investigations: Book Three Feeling the strain of lost business thanks to the vicious articles by The Wheaton City Brigade, the city’s most inflammatory newspaper, private investigator Tyler Beckett accepts a cold case from Lt. Danny Baxter to fill the gap. He’s less than happy, however, when he learns the case may involve the same man who made him the target for The Brigade to begin with: Jamie Carroway. Then a new article uncovers an incriminating piece of Tyler’s past, and the level of information revealed proves someone close to him is sharing details no stranger could know. And the verbal attack is only the first. Realizing it isn’t just the paper’s lead journalist intent on destroying his life, Tyler is forced to hunt for suspects close to home who have motive to ruin everything. But with no leads and no sure course of action, he soon finds himself faced with the need to protect his business and his fiancé, Sean St. Claire, and the very real danger of losing them both in the unavoidable fallout. Pre-order from Dreamspinner, Amazon or ARe.
I had a quick look at your other books too. They all sound like they are detective/mystery novels. Is that your preferred genre? RG: Oh yes, and I guess that’s pretty obvious judging by what I write. There’s just something about connecting the dots and following broken trails that really appeals to me, and I guess mysteries and law enforcement just seem to go hand-in-hand where stories are concerned. And when you add a couple of hot guys in the mix – it’s about as perfect as it gets. That’s not to say I won’t write (or read) other genres, because I will and I do, but yes, mysteries really are my favourite. Regardless of the time period the stories take place. So in your novel Jumping at Shadows, your main characters are Eric and T.J. So are you a psychic too? Did you predict one of the greatest romances (Eric Arvin and TJ Klune) that happened under our own noses? RG: Lol - I would love to say yes to this, but the truth is I had no idea of what would happen between Eric and TJ while I was writing Jumping at Shadows. I’m going to have to just chalk that up to pure coincidence, much as I wish otherwise *grin* Tell us a little about you. Do you combine writing with a Real Life job? RG: There’s probably nothing exciting to say here, but for the basics: I prefer small towns over big cities, the mountains over the ocean, and rain over sunshine, odd as that is. I grew up listening to my dad typing on his old manual typewriter, and what started as simple curiosity about what he was doing grew into "oh, what happens next?" - which started my love of books and kick-started my imagination about things that *could* happen...which then led to writing. Incessant curiosity and apparent gypsy blood makes me always want to see what’s over the next hill, although easily becoming bored means I can’t keep a hobby to save my life. But at least I’ve got the traveling bug out of my system, and even spent a few years living in Europe in addition to traveling around the US. My day job keeps my busy during the week now, but writing is what I would rather be doing. I just need to figure out how to put the two of them together J So what is next on your writing/releasing schedule? When will your next novel be out? RG: In addition to This Time It’s Personal, I have a stand-alone novel coming out early next year called Miller’s Creek. It’s a bit of a break from the mystery/detective stories I love so much, although there is an element of putting the pieces together in the story. After that it’s back to the mystery genre, and kind of a toss-up between the final Tyler and Sean story and a stand-alone I’m putting the finishing touches on. I guess we’ll just have to see which of those comes first *grin* Lastly, where can we contact you? Email if probably the easiest. Just drop me a line at any time at [email protected]. You can also visit my blog at www.rggreenbooks.wordpress.com Thanks for joining me, and good luck with your release! Thank you for having me, and I’m wishing the same for you with your new release! You’ve been an awesome RDB, and I’m so glad we’ve also become friends! So until later…take care and all the best to you! I sit here writing this blog with a great big goddamn lump in my throat. I am so overwhelmed with pride and disbelief, I'm not sure whether I'm Arthur or Martha. One thing I know I'm not, is Renae. No, this couldn't be happening to little ole Renae. No one can deny that 2014 has been a big year for me. Not only did I release my first (ever!) novel, but I released my second and third, and my fourth is but days away. And let us not forget my short story inclusion in the A Taste Of Honey Anthology. It was always going to be a big year for me - but I never, ever, ever in my wildest dreams even hoped for the love for my books that has showered down on them. And for that, I am truly humbled. I can't even say it is a dream come true, because I never dared to dream that big. So this year, when I saw the Goodread's M/M Romance Group's awards open, I hoped, just a little bit, that one of my books would be nominated. I thought to myself, wouldn't it be nice if I could get nominated for just one of these categories? So, it is with pride and tears of joy in my eyes, that I announce my nominations for the 2014 M/M Romance Member's Choice Awards. This last one chokes me up.
I wish to thank every single person who nominated me, or who wanted to nominate me, or even thought about nominating me. I'm honoured beyond belief. And if you want to vote for me, I thank you as well. Voting will open on Friday, and only members of the M/M Romance Group are eligible to vote. Once the links are up, I'll let you know. When I started writing, I had an aim. That aim was to entertain. To make people laugh and fall in love with the characters. I'm grateful I've succeeded. I hope you've enjoyed the ride. Don't forget, Safe In His Arms is release on FRIDAY 28th November. For those in the US, this is Black Friday. So instead of fighting the crowds, how about having a nice leisurely shower with Lon and Casey? The book is available for pre-order from: Dreamspinner Amazon All Romance eBooks Always laugh, Renae Kaye Humbled Author Today, I am very pleased to welcome my good friend, Cardeno C., who is a fellow author and Cafe Risque blogger. Cardeno is one of the people I look up to with adoring eyes, hoping to emulate. CC: I’m flattered by that but as your friend, I feel I should warn you that the list of people ahead of me more suited for being emulated is long. Very long. Very, very long. For example, today, the doctor told me my Diet Coke habit was dangerous and I need to stop drinking it. This was after I “misplaced” my car yesterday for about half an hour and was so anxious afterward, I had to drive out of my way to find a McDonald’s and get three (yes three) large Diet Cokes. The good news is that helped yesterday. The bad news is, it set me up to fail at today’s doctor’s appointment. We’ll have to work on finding you someone more worthy of emulation. Hi Cardeno, and welcome. Just a few quick questions to let us get to know you a bit better. (I promise they’re not too painful). 1. What is the hardest thing about being a writer? CC: For me the hardest thing about being a writer has always been time. I don’t have enough of it. Between my other job and life, writing time is scarce. Add to that the work that goes along with writing books (which takes more actual time than the writing itself), and there aren’t enough hours in a day and night. 2. How do you deal with criticism over your work? CC: In a shiny, happy dream world everyone would read each of my books and decide they’re so amazing and wonderful and perfect in every way that they feel like buying me a lotto ticket to say thank you. I would then win all of those lottos. Also, I’d lose weight by eating Salt and Vinegar potato chips and donuts. And my doctor would encourage me to drink more Diet Coke. And McDonald’s would install one of their magic Diet Coke fountains in my house because their Diet Coke is the best Diet Coke. In the real world though, I’m happy that each of us is an individual with individual opinions and tastes and perceptions. One of the magical things about books is that no two people read the same one and actually, I’d even say no one person reads the same book every time because mood/age/life experience can change. As long as criticism is about my books and isn’t personal, I have no trouble chalking it to up the great salad bowl of life. Not everyone can like radishes, right? And if it is personal, well, I’ve been called worse to my face and in a louder voice. Such is life. 3. What is your greatest personal fear? CC: Moving heights. I can’t do roller coasters ever and if I’m on a skinny, curvy, mountain-top road I’m terrified the entire time. Still heights aren’t super either. I stay away from edges of tall things (e.g. buildings). 4. What is your newest release? CC: Blue Mountain, my new shifter novella released today (November 21st)! You can find links and a video trailer here: http://bit.ly/1vqCsWV and this is the blurb: Exiled by his pack as a teen, Omega wolf Simon Moorehead learns to bury his gentle nature in the interest of survival. When a hulking, rough-faced Alpha catches Simon on pack territory, he tries to escape what he’s sure will be imminent death. But instead of killing him, the Alpha takes Simon home. A man of action, Mitch Grant uproots his life to support his brother in leading the Blue Mountain pack. Mitch lives on the periphery, quietly protecting everyone, but always alone. A mate is a dream come true for Mitch, and he won’t let little things like Simon’s rejections, attacks, and insults get in their way. With patience, seduction, and genuine care, Mitch will ride out the storm while Simon slays his own ghosts and Mitch’s loneliness. 5. Why did this particular story need to be told? CC: I have all sorts of stories in my head and I jot down notes about them in my to-be-written list. This one called to me louder than the others, so I decided it was Blue Mountain’s turn. I prefer reading novels but end up reading more novellas due to time constraints and I assume I’m not alone so I try to write a mix of novels and novellas. I like reading both contemporary and paranormal, particularly shifters, so I try to do the same when I write. And although childhood friends to lovers is my favourite trope, I like a romantic hurt-comfort story. Blue Mountain is a hurt-comfort shifter novella – perfect for what I was in the mood to write. *smile* Thanks for joining me today. And I don’t need to say good luck, because I can tell this book is going to rock. I’m so excited. CC: Thank you, Renae! Links: Click here to buy from Amazon You can find Cardeno: Website: http://www.cardenoc.com/ We’ve all done it. We read about someone who gets their rocks off by doing **insert weird act here** And we turn our nose up and go, “Really?” There are some really strange fetishes out there – from the harmless to the oh-let-me-ring-your-psychiatrist. The internet is opening up so many new ways to enjoy getting your jollies – and all anonymously. And a lot of these “kinks” and “fetishes” and even “interests” are so out of left field for our pre-programmed mind that we never knew that we could be turned on by **insert weird (which turns out to be not-so-weird) act here** I admit to doing it myself – that I didn’t even realise that something was sexy until I read it in a book somewhere. We are so conditioned by movies and advertising to believe that sex only occurs between a man and a woman, in the missionary position, in a bed, under the sheets. Oh, yes – and this man and woman must be of the highest standard of beauty. For most sheltered teenagers, this is all they get to see. Then suddenly there are books and internet websites and magazines… all showing us that different types of people, find different types of sex enjoyable. I’ve read some strange books in my time – and really enjoyed them. Do you want a romance with a blue-skinned alien? You can find it. Do you want m/m/m/f? You can find it. Do you want coming-of-age? How about a May-December romance? One thing I enjoy writing (and probably because I enjoy reading it) is normal people. Yes, I laugh as I write the word “normal”, but I guess what I mean is everyday people, complete with their weird and not-so-weird interests. My guys are not necessarily hot, good looking, important, rich, polite or even able-bodied. They are the people you live next door to, or stand in line behind, or who is driving your taxi. Like when Dreamspinner Press put the call out for short story submissions regarding bears, something inside me pinged. For those who don’t know, bears are a subculture in themselves. They are men who are gay – but they are big guys. Not muscle-big, I mean I-don’t-do-tofu-diets big. They are hairy, they are into “manly” pursuits, they are proud. They don’t do fashion, or hairspray, or even gym classes. They love being rounded, and they love other men who are that way too. Are bears allowed to fall in love? Absolutely. So do they idolise the thin man and wish they knew how to colour their hair? Oh, no – you have the wrong idea. In a society where we talk about weight-loss constantly, bears enjoy being bears. Do you think that it can’t be sexy? It can. It can be sexy, it can be romantic, it can be right. You can buy the Anthology A Taste Of Honey from Dreamspinner here or from Amazon here. Then you can see what I'm talking about. Sexy, hairy men. Rawr. My new release, Safe in His Arms, features a big guy – a big muscle-bound guy. Muscles, not because he is trying to achieve some sort of beauty he believes comes from only the highest standards of fitness, but muscles because he has nothing else to do but work out at the gym. Yes, Lon has an empty life. He doesn’t care about his looks, apart from knowing he can intimidate people when he wants to. Yes, Lon is just an average, hairy, everyday guy. Casey, on the other hand, wishes to be normal. He suffered terrible abuse when he was younger, and is still struggling with the ripples of that. He hates that he needs medication and counselling to help him cope with everyday life. He feels vulnerable, scared and out-of-control. He needs an anchor – and the big guy in the showers may just be that person. I hope you enjoy Safe in His Arms. It will be released on the 28th of November and is available for pre-order here. In light of January 2015 events, where "Emmett Skipper" has been revealed as a fraudster by the name of Natalie Leith, I wish to make this addendum to this interview. I NO LONGER SUPPORT THE PROMOTION AND PUBLICATION OF THIS NOVEL. Mrs Natalie Leith has been found to be fraudulently creating multiple social media personas, then inventing circumstances that would garner her sympathy, attention, gifts, money, services and assistance. While it appears that Mrs Leith did in fact write this book, the way she conducted herself and the way this book came to publication is beyond belief. She is beneath scum for what she did. Let me assure you, that I in no way condemn a person hiding behind a pen-name. Neither do I object to a female author calling herself by a male name. If I read the story, it's because I'm interested in the novel. If I friend the author, I do so with no expectations of gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation or experience. But to completely lie about your life, to invent tragedies and illness, and to lead people on in a romantic setting, this is unacceptable. I therefore withdraw all support, and urge people to NOT BUY this publication. If you purchased this story from Amazon, I have been told you can return it for a refund. I implore that no one purchase this novel in the future, as we do not want Mrs Natalie Leith profiting any more on this book than she already has. If you have purchased it, or if you can obtain it for free - then by all means read it and enjoy the story inside. I'm to understand it is half decent. We don't have to agree with a person's lifestyle to enjoy the fruits of their labour. But let us not encourage further rotten fruit from this tree by not paying for it. To Natalie Leith, if she should read this: please get yourself some help. Pick up your handbag, get in your car, and take yourself to the nearest police station. Tell them you are handing yourself in, and confess. Then ask them for help. The first thing they should do is take away your internet connection. xx, Renae. Today on my blog we have a guest interview with my Kiwi neighbour, ES Skipper. Emmett recently hit the best seller lists with his book, London Calling (Flight of the Kiwi #1). For those who don’t know, New Zealand and Australia have a love-hate relationship, rather like USA and Canada. NZ are our “kiwi cousins”, and thus (as every Aussie knows) vastly inferior. *wink* But we allow them to be on “our side” during every war. Now if we could only win that bloody rugby cup from them… Blurb: Tamati Kumeroa is about to embark on his great adventure, his Gap Year, after finishing his arts degree. He’s talked about this with his best friend Steve for so long and now that it’s finally here, he can’t wait to get started. On his last night in New Zealand, the barman he’s lusted after for so long decides to make sure Tamati won’t easily forget him. Talk about bad timing…. His flight to London is certainly memorable, especially when a very rich Arab makes Tamati an offer that he’d be a fool to turn down. And when he accepts it, what he encounters is a very memorable time indeed, spent with a sexy man and a host of new friends. His trip is off to a very interesting start. One thing Tamati didn’t bargain on was losing his heart… Renae: Hi, Emmett. Thanks for joining me on my blog today. Emmett: Hey Renae! Thanks for having me. Renae: First up, do you follow the rugby? How do you feel each time Australia beats NZ? Emmett: Hmm, it doesn’t happen that often so not bothered. We like to give our neighbours a chance now and again. Just so they don’t feel left out. ;) Renae: Do you consider Aussies as your “cousins,” or are our cultures too different to be considered related? Emmett: All I will say is that we have your back, just like we know you will have ours. Our cultures are very different, and like you said, it’s a love-hate relationship. But we kinda sorta love you guys. Renae: Tell me, is London Calling your first book? Emmett: It’s my first full length novelette. I have a short story in an anthology called Bollocks. My story No Worries Mate is based in NZ. Renae: How did you start writing? Emmett: Fan Fiction actually. I read a few stories and thought I could do better than that. My brother told me to put my money where my mouth was and prove it. Renae: Would you consider Flight of the Kiwi series to be a gay romance? Gay literature? Gay erotica? All of the above? Emmett: Can I just say it’s a story. But you will laugh and cry and get hot with the book. Renae: Tell me a little bit more about Tamati. Is he Maori? Emmett: Tamati is an art graduate doing his Oversea Experience, a common thing for young kiwi’s to do. He also has a heart of gold. He always finds the good in people. Maybe not always the right choice but it will never deter him. Tamati is part Maori. There is actually no full blooded Maori left. Renae: Is this book a HEA? Emmett: The series has a HEA as for this story. It depends on how you look at it. I think that is up to the individual reader. Renae: So what’s next in the series? Emmett: ‘Fountain of Dreams.’ Tamati is onto his next adventure where he will be in his element as an art graduate. He will get to visit the places he has only read about. Of course along the way he will meet other people making new friends and who knows who else. Renae: Where can we buy London Calling? Emmett: London Calling is available on Amazon - click here You can contact Emmett on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e.s.skipper I’ve been tagged by my lovely neighbour Meredith Shayne (if you can call New Zealand next door to Perth). We are creating a blog hop, the idea being to talk about your character from your latest release or Work In Progress (WIP). Meredith’s latest release is called Cutting Out and is a wonderful shearing novel, much like my own. You can find her post here (http://meredithshayne.com/2014/10/27/meet-the-character-blog-hop/) for her character, Shane. (Click to buy from Amazon) Blurb: A twenty-year veteran of the shearing shed, Aussie Shane Cooper loves his job, and the home he’s made for himself in New Zealand. If he’s a little lonely, he’s got good mates to keep his spirits up. When a hot, cocky young shearer named Lachlan Moore catches his eye at a competition, he’s content to look but not touch, knowing the young man is out of his league. Lachie wouldn’t mind a piece of Shane, but the gorgeous gun shearer from Australia is soon forgotten when the Christchurch earthquake hits, and tragedy strikes Lachie’s family. Lachie deals with it the best he can, cutting himself off from all he knows. A year later and he’s back in the shearing shed, out of practice and lacking confidence. That Shane’s there to watch him flounder doesn’t help his nerves. As Lachlan struggles to re-acclimatise, Shane can’t resist giving him a hand to get back on his feet. As they move from friends to something more, Shane finds himself wanting to know everything he can about Lachie. But Lachie’s got secrets he desperately wants to keep, and when things come to a head, those secrets might just mean the end of them before they’ve truly begun. I can’t wait to read this story! My shearing story was released a number of weeks ago and is called The Shearing Gun. For those who don’t know, a shearing gun is a super fast shearer. They are top class and well sought. The Shearing Gun is the story of a firmly closeted shearer by the name of Hank who finds the closet door not shut so firmly when newbie doctor, Elliot is around. What is the name of your character? Hank Woods. His real name is Henry, but he dislikes that, so he calls himself Hank. When and where is the story set? The story is set in present day and its central location is a little town called Dumbleyung in the rural south-west of Western Australia. Dumbleyung is a very real town, and some of the scenes take place in the historic pub there, but the characters and other locations are fictional. What should we know about him? Hank is a shearing gun – one of the top shearers in the state. He was kicked out of home when he was twenty when his father found out he was gay. You see, Hank’s uncle is also gay. Twenty years previous, when the local lads found out about his Uncle Murray, they beat the man rather badly. Hank is scared that he will receive the same sort of attitude. He knows that no one will hire a queer shearer or buy stock from a gay man. So he keeps his orientation firmly to himself. What is the main conflict? What won’t he talk about? What messes up his life? Enter the new doctor in town – Doctor Elliot Stockton-Montgomery. Elliot is fresh from the city, a bit out of his depth with the country stuff and more than a little lonely. When Hank is injured during a football game, he ends up getting the doctor into the clinic on a Sunday. Elliot accidently lets a couple of lustful glances go, revealing himself to Hank. He comes to Hank’s place to apologise and there starts a great friendship. But will friendship be enough? What happens when they become more than friends? What is the personal goal of the character? Hank’s a pretty simple man. He wants a home, a job and to be working the land. He’s never considered a partner in all this – he never thought it was possible. But when he falls in love with Elliot, he is lost. Elliot will be leaving at the end of the year. He now finds his goals changing – he wants the man too. Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it? This book is called The Shearing Gun. Blurb: At twenty-five, Hank owns a small parcel of land in Australia’s rural southwest where he supplements his income from the property with seasonal shearing. Hank is a “shearing gun”—an ace shearer able to shear large numbers of sheep in a single day. His own father kicked him out when his sexuality was revealed, and since no one would ever hire a gay shearer, Hank has remained firmly closeted ever since. Elliot is the newbie doctor in town—city-born and somewhat shell-shocked from his transplant to the country. When a football injury brings Hank to Elliot’s attention, an inappropriate sexual glance and the stuttered apology afterward kickstarts their friendship. Romance and love soon blossom, but it’s hard for either of them to hope for anything permanent. As if the constant threat of being caught isn’t enough, Elliot’s contract runs out after only a year. When can we expect the book to be published or when was it published? The book was released in September 2014 and is available from: Dreamspinner Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks Now the fun bit, I get to tag two people: Beany Sparks is a newbie author and a fellow Perthite. Her newest story out is called Ryan's Wizard. Blurb: An alpha ends up with more than he bargained for when he finds his mate...his wizard mate. After years of no contact, Oliver “Olly” Grey was finally able to reunite with his cousin Aiden. He’s surprised to find that Aiden now has a mate—a male, shifter mate—named Lex. And it’s Lex’s pack mates that Olly is there to help save. What he hadn’t expected was Lex’s brother Ryan. Ryan Shepherd was happy to have found his brother Lex, and even happier to know that his brother was happily mated. But there is something about Aiden’s cousin Olly that Ryan doesn’t trust, especially when he also smells like the man currently holding his pack members captive. Yet that doesn’t stop Ryan from wanting to hold and comfort the man, and eventually he realizes why—Olly is his mate. Now the four of them need to plan a rescue mission, but what happens when they run into the two men that had held Lex captive and those same men come to the cabin in the middle of the night? Safe in His Arms Now available for pre-order from Dreamspinner: Click here. Release date: 28th November 2014 (Perfect for Black Friday reading. Don't be bored!) Blurb: In the late-night quiet of the caravan park shower room, Lon Taylor washes away the filth of the Western Australian mines. He’s not looking for anyone, but when Casey offers, Lon doesn’t turn him down. Welcoming the young man in his big, hairy arms, Lon provides a safety to Casey that he has never known, and Casey wants to stay forever. Still reeling from the breakup of his family years ago, Lon’s not sure he’s ready for the responsibility of the comfort and security Casey craves. But perhaps Lon can risk opening his heart again and hoping for a brighter future. Casey has some pretty big skeletons in his past to deal with. And Lon wonders what Casey will do when he finds out how badly Lon failed at protecting the ones he loved eight years ago. |
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