Our First Christmas

To provide a little counter-balance to the angst of that last one, how about a snippet from Padrig talking about his first Christmas with Nick?

(Click to read more!)

The Holiday After

This is a short outtake from Sins of Another.  Padrig was generally a very private character, it took rather a lot to drag most of his story out of him.  And even then he preferred to gloss over some of the details.  Nick is rather less reticent (probably owing to his years of living in NYC).  This is Nick's story about "the holiday after."  

(Click to read more!)

Holiday visit with Brita Addams

I stopped to talk with Brita Addams today for her holiday-themed blog tour.  There I raise a (warm!) glass to those who like their holiday on the quieter side.  If you're more a fan of tea by the fireside (or TV fireplace screensaver-side like me) stop on over.  If you're more the hustle-bustle and jingle sort... you go ahead, we're cozy right here :)

http://britaaddams.wix.com/britaaddams#!jessica-davies/c11jn

AIDS Week wrap-up

I didn't have a lot of time last Sunday (AIDS Day) for a big "speech," so you're going to get it now :)

It was also being rather apathetic last week.  Seasonal?  Semester end?  I'm not sure, but I was having a tough time mustering energy for just about anything.  I'd been asked to go an "Interfaith Celebration of Hope" here on behalf of my organization.  That was lovely (I'm not a big church person).

The next day, I ended up going to another similar service that's help on my campus, and has been for the last 26 years.  Now, I'm not claiming it made the difference, but i also sat for a bit with a latte prior to that.  It might have also been the Tony Kushner reading.  But I left that program feeling a whole let less apathetic.  I've been feeling more focused all week, that's definitely good.

One thing I didn't have a chance to do in the midst of all this (and wrapping up the semester!) was to stop for a test.  Ok, here's a big admission - I've never had the oral swab before.  So yesterday, during testing hours, I stopped down at the center between classes and meetings.  I figured that for all I talk about (and strongly believe in) testing as a major tool of prevention, it was about time I walked the walk too.

It is absolutely as quick and painless as they say.  There is no blood or needles (I so don't do needles!)  It didn't cost me a penny (or anything else).  I felt entirely respected and empowered.  And it sure made me feel good to get a good result, even though I've had less than no reason to think otherwise.

So this is going to be my pledge: I pledge to get tested every year during World AIDS Week, whether I think there's any reason for me to or not.  I hope you will do the same.  It doesn't have to be AIDS Week or HIV Testing Week (which occurs in June) or Pride month or any other specific time.  Just pick a time of year that works for you, and stick to it (as best you can, of course).  Maybe encourage others to go too, a friend or partner for support or a whole group.  You'll be glad you did!

World AIDS Day 2013

Remember, folks, awareness needs to be perennial, not just annual.  Play safe, test regularly.

Half the World Away Tour Final Stop - JP Barnaby

And here we are, at the final stop on the Half the World Away blog tour.  I'm wrapping it up with a stop at JP Barnaby's.  Come on by!

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/5212155-guest-post-jessica-skye-davies

Thanks to everyone who's followed the tour and, hopefully, enjoyed Half the World Away.  I'm sure I'll be talking more about Dade and Elliot at some time or another.  You can find them here:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4282&cPath=399

Half the World Away Tour Stop 10 - Kim Fielding

Here we are at the penultimate stop on the Half the World Away Tour.  Come visit Kim Fielding's blog where today I'm discussing the meaning of "distance" in relationships.

http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com/2013/10/please-welcome-jessica-skye-davies.html

Half the World Away Tour Stop 9 - Tempeste O'Riley

I went to Tempe's blog and I broke ALL the rules!  Visit me over at her blog to find out more ;-)

http://tempesteoriley.com/guest-author-wednesdays-jessica-skye-davies/

Half the World Away review

Here's a quite nice review of Half the World Away from Eli at MM Good Book Reviews:

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/half-the-world-away-by-jessica-skye-davies/

Half the World Away Tour Stop 8 - Layla Wier

And today's tour stop is over in Layla's territory!  This time it's Dade Faber I've brought along for a cozy chat.  He's really a sweetie once he opens up and starts revealing his passions.

http://laylawier.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/guest-post-jessica-skye-davies/

Half the World Away Tour Stop 7 - Garrett Leigh

I woke up today and found myself over at Garrett Leigh's.  It's brilliant here, come join us as we talk writing!

http://garrettleigh.com/2013/11/02/meet-jessica-skye-davies/

Half the World Away Tour Stop 6 - Lex Chase

Post release tour stop 1: it's Lex Chase and she's got the Half the World Away soundtrack.  No trick, all treat!

http://nomadchronicle.com/blog/2013/10/31/guest-post-jessica-skye-davies-takes-readers-half-world-away/

Half the World Away Release Day!

Happy Release Day!  (And Devil's Night... oh, that makes perfect sense!)  Here's an early Halloween treat to celebrate the release of my third publication: if you just follow this link, you can read Chapter 1 of Half the World Away.  No trick, I promise, just a treat :)

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4282&cPath=399

On behalf of Kevin and Tyler:

And Padrig and Nick:

Welcome to the Jessica-Skye-Davies family, Dade and Elliot!

Half the World Away Tour Stop 5 - Helen Pattskyn

Off again, off again!  This time it's to visit Helen Pattskyn.  See you there!

http://www.helenpattskyn.com/2013/10/welcome-jessica-skye-davies.html

Half the World Away Tour Stop 4 - Jana Denardo

Look where I was today - at Jana Denardo's place!  And I've brought Elliot Harris from Half the World Away for a chinwag.  He's adorable with his ocker-talk :)

http://jana-denardo.livejournal.com/120201.html

Be gentle!

Half the World Away Tour Stop 3 - Brynn Stein

Next stop: Brynn Stein.  Come on over and say hi, and don't miss the snippet from my latest WIP.  Thanks to Brynn for being a lovely host!

http://brynnstein2.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/monday-meet-jessica-skye-davies/

"Sins of Another" latest review

While I'm here, have you seen the latest review for "Sins"? It's right here:
http://sean-norris.com/?p=2221

Half the World Away Tour Stop 2 - Anne Barwell

Come visit me over at Anne Barwell's place (she was also gracious enough to host a spot on the Sins of Another tour a few months ago). Last stop for HtWA we had the Aussie bush tour, this time Dade is showing Elliot around London.

http://anne-barwell.livejournal.com/54189.html

Half the World Away Tour - Charley Descoteaux

The Half the World Away Blog Tour begins today at Charley Descoteaux's blog.  There you'll find a photo tour of some of the lovely things Dade encountered in Australia (with Elliot's help, perhaps!)  And there might even be some more to see... later :)

http://cdescoteauxwrites.com/2013/10/16/

Guest Spot: Garrett Leigh

Well, looky who I've got here!  If it isn't Garrett Leigh, a fellow member of the 29-for-life club!  Garrett was good enough to answer a few of my questions and to tell us about a few of her books.  Check it out!

J: Do you have a specific writing style?

G: Angsty. Dark. Gritty. It can be a little rough round the edges too, just like me. I have a potty mouth and a dirty mind. Make of that what you will.

How did you come up with the title?

My editor asked me that very question just the other day, and my answer was this…

The word 'Slide' holds different connotations for both characters. For Pete, it symbolises the frustration he often feels with himself for letting Ash's situation become so desperate. From his slightly skewed perspective, the warning signs of Ash's breakdown were there for months, if not years, before he hit rock bottom. In his mind, letting things slide…slip by, without acting on them, without doing anything to help Ash…man, right or wrong, I don't think Pete will ever get over that.

Ash's take on it is simple. Without Pete, and the deep bond they share, he honestly believes he'd slide away into nothing. For him, the word represents the sometimes tenuous hold he has on the world.

How much of the book is realistic?

Too much and not enough. Every story I write is based on something…someone, be it myself, someone I know, or someone I've read about. When writing contemporary, you can't just make shit up, and adjust reality to suit your perspective. As a reader, I know I need to feel a realistic connection to a character to give a rat's ass about their fate, and I guess that's the same for everyone.

But in the same vein, because I'm drawn to such dark stories, it breaks my heart that we live in a world where such terrible things happen to a young man as special as Ash.

What books have most influenced your life most?

Junk, by Melvin Burgess. Addiction is an issue close to my heart, and one I know I will visit again. Junk has it all–romance, misery, love, life and death. I read it when I was just fourteen, and I've never forgotten it. As I write this, I can see it, dusty and dog eared, on the overladen shelf above my printer.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Twitter. I was an avid user before I signed with Dreamspinner, but the community of authors, readers and fans on there is incredible. The perfect way to keep my old pals close, while making lots of new ones. Though, to be honest, I tend to spend most of my time talking about cake.

Who designed the covers?

Me. I work as a cover artist for various publishers and authors, and I try really hard to do all my own covers, the only exception being Only Love, the war vet novel I have out with DSP next year. With that particular book, I'd been writing it, in one form or another, for about three years and when I came to drafting a cover, I just couldn't do it. Perhaps I was too close to the story, who knows? But, I'm very lucky in that I have a hugely talented friend, P.B. Blake, who's been my sounding board for as long as I've been writing, and I know the cover she designs will be above and beyond anything I could've done myself.

With the Roads series, I produced four covers–Slide, Marked, Rare and Freed. Two came easily, the other two were a nightmare. Not gonna divulge the specifics!

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Aside from that pesky point about three quarters in where I always hit a wall, with Slide, I think it was allowing Pete and Ash to drift so far apart. In my heart, I knew it was necessary in order for them to heal, but it hurt. Those two are so deeply ingrained in one another, tearing them apart just felt wrong.

What are your current projects?

Currently, I'm working on the second instalment of my Blue Boy series at Loose Id, and putting the final pre-submission touches to Gypsy Heart, the full length novel born of my self-published short, Gypsy Rain.

I'm also hard at work promoting Slide and Marked, and Bullet, the novella I have releasing in November. No one told me marketing was so full on! Not that I'm complaining. Seeing Slide in print was one of the proudest moments of my life, and I'll never forget it.

Slide (Roads #1)

Don’t look back. Don’t you ever look back… 

Shy tattoo artist Ash has a troubled past. Years of neglect, drug abuse, and life on the streets have taken their toll, and sometimes it seems the deep, unspoken bond with his lover is the only balm for wounds he doesn’t quite understand.

Chicago paramedic Pete is warmth, love, and strength—things Ash never knew he could have, and never even knew he wanted until Pete showed him. But fate is a cruel, cruel mistress, and when nightmares collide with the present, their tentatively built world comes crashing down.

Traumatic events in Pete’s work life distance him from home, and he doesn’t realize until it’s too late that Ash has slipped away. Betrayal, secrets, and lies unfold, and when a devastating coincidence takes hold, Pete must fight with all he has to save the love of his life.

Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4259&cPath=55_944

Marked (Roads #1.5)

Missing Moment from Slide

It's been six months since Ash shuffled into Pete's life and turned his world upside down, and six months since they sat in an all-night diner plotting Ash's theoretical solution for Pete's faded, botched tattoo. Pete has just about given up hope of Ash ever fulfilling his promise when one day the end of a long shift finds Ash waiting for him.

Tonight is the night.

Ash is ready, and it seems the time has come for him to leave his mark on Pete in more ways than he ever imagined.

Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4305&cPath=55_944

Follow Garrett

Social media:
Website: http://garrettleigh.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighbooks
Cover art enquiries: blackjazzdesign@gmail.com

Coming Soon! Pre-order Today!

Half the World Away is now available for pre-order (releases October 30, 2013).  Watch for some fun stuff coming up on the Half the World Away blog tour, including photo tours of Australian wildlife and London tourist spots, meet the characters, soundtracks, and more!  Click the cover to pre-order today.

Photographer Dade Faber keeps hoping for assignments on a big city beat, but time and again he’s sent into the wild. This time, he’s half the world away from London shooting the Australian bush. When Dade is nearly attacked by a crocodile, it leads to a shouting match with Elliot Harris, who owns Dade’s hotel. Elliot is both hot and persuasive, and when he offers to play tour guide, Dade accepts. After a week spent mostly together in the bush, Dade begins to fall for Elliott. The attraction is mutual, and when circumstances lead both men to London, they find they have much in common. But can their romance bridge the 10,000 miles between London and the Australian bush?

Guest Spot: Layla Weir

Layla Weir is here today with part one of her two-part series on spinning (the yarn kind, not the aerobic kind!)  She's here as part of her Homespun blog tour (which includes a homespun giveaway!).  Homespun comes out in just a few days and sounds like something I'd want to curl up with on a chilly fall day with a cup of hot spiced cider.

Say, that reminds me of a joke - one German says to the other, "Du spinnst!"  The other says, "Nein, ich weben."  

Okay, Layla, i've warmed them up for you!

Click here to read more:

To Russia with Love

I have noticed lately how many of pageviews are coming from Russia.  Given the climate for Russia's GLBT community of late (which probably isn't much better than it's been in a long time, but we're hearing about it more now), I have no way of knowing if these visits are from Russian queerdom looking for a supportive word... or from leaders/supporters of these virtual pogroms.  Either way, this is just a note to say, Olympics or no, this blog and it's owner is for full and protected rights for GLBT Russians.  And regarding the Olympics, the IOC and the IAAF are cowards for not strongly addressing this issue and standing firm for unity and equality.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/08/obama-fry-russia-olympics-gay-laws

Guest Spot: Jaime Samms

I've got Jaime Samm's here today talking about a popular topic these days: Dominant/submissive relationships (yeah... ya know... like 50 Shades of Something-something.  But actually not at all, cause Jaime's book is a lot more interesting!)

Click here to read more:

Aliments: Sustenance and Libations - On Fall Food Favorites

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, though it is not officially autumn yet it is at least decently close enough to talk fall food.  As temperatures get cooler and days get shorter, there are certain foods I start craving like a squirrel gathering acorns.  

Some fall favorites:  

Click here to read more:

Review of: Tommy's Tale by Alan Cumming - 5 Stars

Available here: http://www.amazon.com/Tommys-Tale-Alan-Cumming/dp/0060394447/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377986849&sr=8-2&keywords=tommy%27s+tale

Let me get this out of the way: I freakin’ adore Alan Cumming.  He’s adorable and talented (Julie Taymor’s Titus, anyone?) and adorable and cheeky.  Oh yes, cheeky!  (Oopsie-daisy Homophobe?) I think it was on CBS Sunday Morning last year that he said something to the effect of, “I’m naughty, but there’s substance behind my naughtiness.”  Well, for a queer man blessed with that surname, how can there not be?

Ok, about the book.

Review of: The Cool Part of His Pillow by Rodney Ross - 4.5 Stars

Available here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2942

Read on for more:

Guest Spot: Pinkie Rae Parker

We're back to Guest Spots this week with Pinkie Parker who's here to talk us through a feeling writers know know well: Fear of Rejection.  That fear can manifest itself in a lot of different places: sharing with others, submitting a manuscript, waiting for those first reviews, playing the dating game....  Anyway, let's hear from Pinkie, who's story "Joie de Vivre" is featured in the Dreamspinner Press anthology, Closet Capers.

Coping with the Fear of Rejection

Read on for more

Pride month recap

I love Pride month.  It's utterly exhausting, but it's the best kind of exhaustion.  This month in particular has been such a whirlwind.  From wrapping up the blog tour for Sins of Another and doing book promos, helping a friend with apartment hunting, Pride week in Pittsburgh, still missing my fuzzy little guy after a year, today's DOMA/Prop 8 rulings, and all this other "life" stuff...

So i'll keep it short and just do a quick run-down for now.

Read on for more:

"Sins of Another" giveaway

Thank you to all the entrants of the Sins of Another Blog Tour contest.  Winners will be contacted shortly!

"Sins of Another" Blog Tour Wrap-up

It has now been one month since Sins of Another "hit the shelves" as it were.  I've had a great time visiting with fellow literary bloggers.  I want to offer my deepest gratitude to J.R. Loveless, Elizabeth Noble, Kim Fielding, Andy Gordon, Sarah Madison, Anne Barwell, and Lex Chase for hosting me at their blogs.

If you've been following the blog tour (and several Sins related posts here) you'll have seen clues to the Sins of Another giveaway contest.  Now's the time to gather up the clues and submit your answers (via email so nobody else peeks!)

I've made it easy - all you have to do is follow the blog tour contest "map" here - http://jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com/search/label/contests

And since this is the final tour stop, one last clue to add:

Padrig’s mate Freddie is an “accountant or actuary kind of thing” for this venerable London institution, nicknamed The Old Lady.

Now, once you've collected all the clues, email your answers to jessicaskyedavies@gmail.com.  Those with the most correct answers will be the winners and will be contacted/announced within seven days of this posting.  

Let's do this again when the next book comes out (hint, hint!) shall we?

Blog Tour Stop #7 - Lex Chase

The final "away" stop in the Sins of Another blog tour is with the lovely Lex Chase.  She did a wonderful interview of me, we talked about Sins and Possession as well as personal life, music, and defining romance.

Catch one of the final clues in the giveaway contest as well.

http://nomadchronicle.com/blog/sins-of-another-asks-the-hard-questions/

Blog Tour Stop #6 - Anne Barwell

The penultimate stop in my Sins of Another Blog Tour is with Anne Barwell.  I'm visiting her to talk about what being a writer means to me.  Also, another clue in the giveaway!

http://annebarwell.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/welcome-jessica-skye-davies/

Guest Spot: Sarah Madison

Today I'm talking to Sarah Madison about writing.  But first, let me give her big props for not just her writing, but also her veterinarian work.  Some of my fur-babies have meant more to me than anything and it's something quite important to have good people out there who can help them when we can't.  My heartfelt thanks, Sarah!

Read on for more:

Sins of Another review

Another really nice review for Sins of Another is in.  Visit Hearts on Fire to read more:

http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=20251

Blog Tour Stop #5 - Sarah Madison

Hello again, dearies.  Sarah Madison's got an interview with me over on her blog today, so come along and visit!

http://www.sarahmadisonfiction.com/2013/05/jessica-skye-davies-talks-about-sins-of-another/#

You'll also want to stop back this Saturday (May 11) when Sarah is visiting us here for an interview and to talk a bit about Boys of Summer. 

For my birthday

Today is my 30th birthday (aka 2nd Annual 29th) and since it happens to be a gorgeous spring day as well, I'm going to give another free answer in my Sins of Another giveaway contest.

Sins of Another contest!

Between now and May 29, 2013 I’ll be including clues in my blog tour stops and my own blog entries to references made within Sins of Another. 

Here’s how it works: You get the clue from the blog posts and keep track of the answers on your own.  After the last clue has been posted (May 29, 2013), email me at jessicaskyedavies@gmail.com

Make sure you follow the blog tour over the next couple months as I’ll be giving away swag bags, a goodie hamper, and a copy of Sins of Another.

This week’s clue: 

Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.  This iconic actor was well known for his cool demeanor and is often shown wearing a trench coat and fedora.  Padrig’s counselor, Jarrod, wears a vintage fedora that reminds Padrig of the actor.  Name the actor.

Answer: 

Humphrey Bogart

Blog Tour Stop #4 - Andy Gordon

Come on over and visit me today on Andy Gordon's blog.  I've brought Krist and Trevor along for a chat!  Also, remember to catch the latest clue in the giveaway :)

http://andrewqgordon.com/2013/05/04/author-profile-jessica-skye-davies/

Contest info: http://jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com/2013/04/sins-of-another-giveaway-contest.html

Thanks for hosting us, Andy!

Blog Tour Stop #3 - Kim Fielding

It's stop three on my blog tour today!  Visit Kim Fielding's blog and check out the next stop on the Sins of Another Blog Tour, including the "soundtrack" to Sins of Another.  Also remember to pick up the giveaway clue while you're there. 

http://kfieldingwrites.blogspot.com/2013/04/please-welcome-jessica-skye-davies.html

Giveaway information: http://jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com/2013/04/sins-of-another-giveaway-contest.html

Thanks again, Kim!

"Sins of Another" release day!

Here we go!  Today Sins of Another is officially released, and it's already got a good review from MM Good Book Reviews.

To celebrate, I'm going to give a free answer in the Sins of Another Blog Tour giveaway contest.  For information about the contest, go here.

Sins of Another contest!

Between now and May 29, 2013 I’ll be including clues in my blog tour stops and my own blog entries to references made within Sins of Another. 

Here’s how it works: You get the clue from the blog posts and keep track of the answers on your own.  After the last clue has been posted (May 29, 2013), email me at jessicaskyedavies@gmail.com

Make sure you follow the blog tour over the next couple months as I’ll be giving away swag bags, a goodie hamper, and a copy of Sins of Another.

This week’s clue: 

While in hospital, Padrig receives a "holy card," a small card a bit bigger than a business card, usually with an image of a saint or religious event depicted on the front with information and/or a prayer on the back.  The one Padrig receives is of this "Little Flower" who is listed as the patron saint of, "AIDS sufferers; Australia; aviators; bodily ills; florists; France; illness; loss of parents; missionaries; Russia; tuberculosis."  Who is this saint?

Answer: 

St. Therese of Lisieux

Blog Tour Stop #2 - Elizabeth Noble

Today I'm over at Elizabeth Noble's blog talking about defining romance for established couples.  Come on over and don't forget to pick up the next clue for the giveaway!

http://www.elizabeth-noble.com/3/post/2013/04/loose-pyjama-bottoms-and-thin-t-shirts-vs-tight-trousers-and-shiny-shirts.html

Giveaway info: http://jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com/2013/04/sins-of-another-giveaway-contest.html

Thanks again, Elizabeth!

Excerpt from Sins of Another

With just a week to go until the release of Sins of Another, it's time for a sneak-peek!  You can find an excerpt at Dreamspinner Press by clicking that link, where you can also pre-order your copy, either paperback or eBook.

You can also read here.  And since this is a home stop in the SoA tour, there's also a clue in the giveaway contest at the end :)

Excerpt from the Foreword and Chapter 1: 

Read on for more:

Guest Spot: Andy Gordon

Hey, look who it is with us today - Andy Gordon!  He's here to talk about the concept of reality in romantic fiction.  Andy is the author of two titles out with Dreamspinner Press, The Last Grand Master and (Un)Masked, and he's presently working on a third, Purpose.  The floor is yours, Andy!

Reality, what a concept.

Read on for more:

Blog Tour Stop #1 - J.R. Loveless

Come on over to J.R. Loveless's blog and check out the first stop on my Sins of Another Blog Tour!  Don't forget to catch the giveaway clue while you're there.

http://jrloveless.blogspot.com/2013/04/author-spotlight-jessica-davies-sins-of.html?zx=c766b56a59669c6d

Giveaway information: http://jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com/2013/04/sins-of-another-giveaway-contest.html

Big thanks to J.R. for hosting me!

Sins of Another giveaway contest!

Announcing!

Between now and May 29, 2013 I’ll be including clues in my blog tour stops and my own blog entries to references made within Sins of Another. 

Here’s how it works: You get the clue from the blog posts and keep track of the answers on your own.  After the last clue has been posted (May 29, 2013), email me at jessicaskyedavies@gmail.com

Winners will be chosen from those who get the most answers right.

Make sure you follow the blog tour over the next couple months as I’ll be giving away swag bags, a goodie hamper, and a copy of Sins of Another.

Sins of Another pre-order

Sins of Another is now available for pre-order in paperback and eBook formats!

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3787&cPath=399

One morning Padrig Kennedy comes home to find his partner, Nick Glenfielding, in bed with another man. Shocked, hurt, and vulnerable, Padrig flees and meets a stranger who seems to offer comfort—but he force-feeds Padrig a steady diet of drugs and prostitution instead. When he finally surfaces from his hell, it’s to another system shock: he’s now HIV positive.

Nick descends into darkness as well. Devastated by losing Padrig, he finds no consolation in the legal career he doesn’t love and tries to find solace in alcohol, spending his days in an ever-deepening haze.

Padrig and Nick find each other again, but their relationship can never be the same. If they’re to stand any chance of a future together, they must do the improbable: make sense of the past and learn to cope with new burdens they’ll bear for life. 

Review of: Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy - 4.5 Stars

You know what one of the coolest things in the world is?  Finding books by fellow writers’ from your publisher in your local library.  I previously reviewed Felicia Watson’s Where the Allegheny Meets the Monongahela, which I also later found at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s main branch.  So when I found Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy – now in its second edition at Dreamspinner and also available in audiobook - I snapped that up.

Available here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3198&cPath=55_113

Read on for more:

Guest Spot: Grace Duncan

The week after St. Patrick's hopefully brings recovery from the Irish Flu (yes, i fell victim!)  To help that recovery along, we've got Grace Duncan here today.  And she's sharing some of her pretty, pretty boys.  That makes everything a LOT better!  And by a LOT i mean somewhat NSFW ;-)

Read on for more:

Guest Spot: Lex Chase

Today I've got Lex Chase visiting.  She's here to chat with us about Pawn Takes Rook, part one of her Checkmate superheroes series.  Check it out!

Read on for more:

Aliments: Sustenance and Libations - On potatoes

Of course there’s only one thing this month’s series could possibly be about.  And it isn’t green beer.

Read on for more:

Guesting on: Cate Ashwood

Come on over to Cate Ashwood's blog and check out my interview!  Thanks so much to the lovely Cate for hosting me.

Review of: The British Devil by Greg Hogben – 5 Stars

This month’s review is The British Devil by Greg Hogben, published from Dreamspinner Press in July 2012.  Available here:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3123

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Guest Spot: Kim Fielding

Today, please welcome Kim Fielding, here to discuss endings, Pancake Parts (what a great term!), and her new release, Venetian Masks - available in paperback and e-formats.

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Aliments: Sustenance and Libations - Empanadas

This month’s installment of “Aliments” is going to be super simple.  Firmly into the middle of February, we’re probably all a little tired of winter, and heavy eating that takes a lot of prep and doesn’t do our New Year diets any favors.  Either that or those New Year diets have you ready to cave and run for the junk food.

A couple weeks ago I found myself craving empanadas.  Couldn’t be much easier, cheaper, or tastier.  They’re a filling snack or can be a good light meal option.  This recipe is more similar to the Caribbean style of empanadas (Dominican, Cuban, Jamaican) than the South American (Argentine) style, which tend to leave lots more stuff in them.  

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Guest Spot: Matthew Lang

Today we're kicking off yet another new series here - guest spots!  Our esteemed first guest blogger is Matthew Lang, author of recently released The Way You Are.  Matthew is sharing some writing tips with us and you're going to want to check out his plot generator!  Without further ado, I'll turn it over to Matthew:

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Review of: Moving On by H.J. Holt – 4 Stars

And now to kick off another series on my blog, book and film reviews!  To start off, I’m reviewing Moving On by H.J. Holt, published from Dreamspinner Press in July 2012.  Available here:  

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_646

Moving On is the story of a young man, Luke, who’s been dealt some tough hands in life.  His home life back in the American Midwest was significantly less than ideal and involved not just the fostering system, but his own mother’s attempt to use him as a scapegoat for her drug running operation.  Even his boyfriend only adds to Luke’s troubles and self-esteem issues.  So Luke decided to beat town and immigrate to the UK where we meet him working at a burger joint in Bristol. 

When Luke meets Paul at a club, they hit it off straight away.  Paul is a teacher who has family money and is doing quite well for himself.  Paul has a few years on Luke, but that’s not much of an issue for them.  Paul’s social status (including the attitudes of some of his mates) and the fact that Paul is still grieving the loss of his partner several years ago, however, might complicate a growing but uncertain relationship.

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Inauguration Day

By now most of the world is probably aware that President Obama’s second term in office officially began this Monday (well, it was Sunday, but we have the big show of it on Monday), which was also Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  I’m pretty well convinced that inaugurations should always be held on public holidays to give more people (especially children) the opportunity to watch one of our country’s most important ceremonies.  Who has watched an inauguration and not, for even just a passing moment, imagined themselves up there taking (or administering) an oath of office, singing a song of patriotism, or reading a poem of hope and unity?  

It’s a great thing for young people to have that sort of inspiration. 

I can’t help myself, sometimes I still get all proud of this old place.  The trips I’ve taken to DC in the last couple years have been inspiring, despite all the political gridlock, hokum, and euchring, when I’m there, I still feel a sense of hope at what can be accomplished.  Miss Smith Goes to Washington, if you will. 

And there was so much for young, and somewhat less young, people to be inspired by Monday. 

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Aliments: Sustenance and Libations series - On Gin

With my renewed approach to bloggeratin' - i cheerfully offer the first in my food/drink series "Sustenance & Libation."  To start things off properly, today's topic: gin.

As evident in the quote at the top of the page ("In the absence of anyone to be rude to, i'm going to the pub for an unspecified number of gin and tonics."  Captain Stephen Peacock, Are You Being Served?), i am a gin drinker.  Generally, i find people either love it or hate it.  There's not much in between.  I also find that gin drinkers are some of the most loyal to their brands.  I'm certainly not above the occasional Bombay or Beefeater, but i'm first and foremost a Tanqueray lady.

Gin, as most alcoholic beverages, has a long history.  It's stock really rose circa 1700 when it got quite popular in England (the country it is still most associated with).  Of course, not everybody was thrilled about that back then and gin got labeled with a low-class-inebriate's reputation.  Gin fell out of favor rather quickly after that, but it was back again by the Victorian era, and like most things popular during the Victorian era, it had come back with a major style upgrade.

Alas, the whole Prohibition thing knocked gin back down a peg or two, particularly that "bathtub" bit.  But once again, gin recovered well enough.

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rolling into 2013

I'm going to start signing up guest bloggers and be making some guest spots of my own pretty soon.  Hoping to get my blog developed and on a regular track.  I'm thinking i might schedule things on a monthly basis, such as monthly guest spots, monthly recipes (food and/or drink), monthly reviews (book and/or film), and other such features. 

Watch for further developments soon!