2018- My Year Ahead

2017 was an amazing year in some respects, and awful in others, both from a personal standpoint and a world view. I’m not one to dwell on what’s been before, because I believe it’s self-defeating. Instead, I focus on the future and live day to day, because, honestly, that’s all any of us can do.

To my amazing publisher, Boroughs, the readers of my books, the bloggers that helped me throughout the year, the organisers of the events I attended, my fellow authors who consoled and supported me, my family who kept me sane, and everyone in my life who touched it, however briefly – thank you. I treasure each and every one of you and I hope your 2018 is as good as mine is going to be. If I can do anything to help in that regard, all you must do is ask and I’ll be there.

#Project1 and some news

Living on Air release. I anticipate this being out late February, but I’ll confirm dates when I can. Chris Talbot, how’s that cover shot doing? ♥ Cary and Rhys are waiting….

I’m hoping to produce seven new books in the next eighteen months. I have contracts for them all already, so I guess I’d better keep moving and get those fingers tapping on a keyboard.

There could be some good news too about other things in the works, but I’ve been asked by my publisher to keep mum on it until something pans out. Sorry to be so sketchy but I’d hate to say too much. It involves book fairs…

I’m planning a visit to the Facebook office in London to present the LGBTQ petition once I’ve finalised everything and anyone that wants to come with me is more than welcome. We can make a day out of it, ending with coffee, drinks and talk about books and life in general.  https://www.change.org/p/susan-mac-nicol-equal-facebook-standards-applied-to-lgbtqi-community/

 

#Project2

I’m co-writing with Author M Tasia from Boroughs Group Publishing. She’s the author of the wonderful Boys of Brighton series.  Our story is set in Toronto, Canada and promises intrigue, shmexy times, humour and a constant war of words between two very head strong and stubborn men. I’m not sure yet when the planned release date for this will be. Head over to her page, give it a like and you’ll have double the chance of spotting the updates ?

https://www.facebook.com/mtasiabooks/

#Project3

Nicholas and I will have concluded the ‘final- final’ edits (lol, we all know this old story, there’s always bloody edits to be done) to the screenplay for Sight Unseen and we’ll start looking for competitions and festivals to submit it to. We’re hoping this will be in February 2018 too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#Project4-7

This is the big one. This will be the spin off series from Feat of Clay, book 4 in the Men of London series featuring Clay Mortimer, former SAS soldier, and Tate Williams, ex drug squad policeman. These four books in the new series will focus on something rather different from what I’ve written before (I’m not spilling the beans yet) and will focus on the investigative agency they both work in. You can expect murder, mayhem, blackmail, and some rather disturbing characters…not to mention some eye widening situations and unusual plot lines. This series will be a whole lot of fun and both men are about to be catapulted into a world they knew existed, but didn’t expect to meet so up close and personal.

 

#Project8

I’m planning on bringing Louis’s story to life at the end of 2018, in a Christmas seasonal special which will make a tenth (a shorter novella) Men of London book. You may remember Louis from Survival Game- the gambler who lost it all and managed to bring himself up from the gutter. We’ll learn more about him and his new love interest – no less than rock star Callum Webster whom we met in Hard Climate, Ryan’s man crush. There will have been some time elapsing between the books to allow Callum a little time to mature but I’m hoping it will work out between them.

All in all, it’s going to be a very busy time and I hope you journey with me, and enjoy the time we have together. All the best for the year ahead. The times, they are a-changing……

 

LGBTQ Community Plea to Facebook

QUICK UPDATE ON THIS

The petition is live and kicking and we are already over 800 signatures in 24 hours. Please join us if you feel the same way ?

Thank you

https://www.change.org/p/susan-mac-nicol-equal-facebook-standards-applied-to-lgbtqi-community/

Long post ahead. And be warned, you may see some images you don’t want to see:)

There’s been a growing trend with social media giant Facebook in the past years to filter out content that it believes is harmful to both its brand, the community, and its users. We have no problem with this. It makes sound business and ethical sense and with the ongoing government demands for industry leaders like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to step up their game and protect people, country and lives, we applaud any initiative to do just that.

What we have a problem with is the double standards we believe it applies to some of its policies and decisions. Nowhere is this more prevalent or evident to those of us than in the LGBTQ community.

We’re specifically talking about the book publishing world here, where authors, publishers and bloggers use Facebook as a social and promotional tool. We’re talking a world where men love men, men kiss men and men have sex with men. We’re also talking the use of erotic and sexy pictures used to promote or tease readers with relationship stories and love and romance tales of men falling in love.  About covers meant to entice the readers with their sexy bare-chested men and their racy look. However, no respectable publisher will publish a cover that’s pornographic. And we all have respectable publishers.

Here are the things we do as authors and readers to meet Facebook requirements, so we don’t offend people who might find our content unpalatable:

1. We set most posts to friends. They are the people who ‘theoretically’ want to be here and are interested in the content we post
2. We set up private and secret groups where people who ‘theoretically’ want to be part of what we offer can participate.
3. We run closed private events where ‘theoretically’ only people who wish to participate join in.
4. You’ll notice I’m using the word ‘theoretically’ in italics and I’ll explain this in a bit.

It’s all consensual. The fact that the Facebook strategy, as evidenced in Mark Zuckerberg’s statement that he wants people to be responsible for what they see on their timelines, is a massive step in the right direction.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-zuckerberg/building-global-community/10154544292806634

‘Third, even within a given culture, we have different opinions on what we want to see and what is objectionable. I may be okay with more politically charged speech but not want to see anything sexually suggestive, while you may be okay with nudity but not want to see offensive speech. Similarly, you may want to share a violent video in a protest without worrying that you’re going to bother friends who don’t want to see it. And just as it’s a bad experience to see objectionable content, it’s also a terrible experience to be told we can’t share something we feel is important. This suggests we need to evolve towards a system of personal control over our experience.’

Socialsamosa published this opinion-

https://www.socialsamosa.com/2017/02/facebook-community-standards/

This time around, Facebook has weighed their options, and come up with a decision to not be the judge, jury and executioner, rather letting the audience vote and choose as to what constitutes as objectionable content to them.

Let the people choose is a mantra we could all learn to live by. 

However, we cannot condone the fact that there are people within the groups, and whom are ‘theoretical friends’ who join or befriend people (catfishing) purely for causing trouble and trolling to make waves. It’s unfortunately a part of the social network lifestyle.

As authors, we have rigid standards we apply to a friend request. What we write about, i.e. LGBTQ stories, is targeted much like the LGBTQ individuals in the real world are. We do not wish to have people whom take exception to what we do and cause trouble simply because they can, because of their beliefs and their doctrines.

To this end, Facebook has both their anti-bullying and hate crime community standards. We believe our genre on Facebook could benefit from both policies being enforced. They aren’t. Instead, we have one person with a grudge or out of spite, reporting what we deem to be an innocent picture, where we believe we have met the Facebook Community guidelines based not only on what we have posted, but what other people in the heterosexual world are posting, yet we suffer and they appear to be allowed to get away with it.

Even posting in secret or private groups isn’t sacred. Either someone reports a picture based on the fact they are simply trolling to make trouble, or Facebook bots find a picture and take it down. We were under the impression private and secret groups were ‘safe spaces’. This is not said with any element of naivety. We understand that pornographic pictures can’t be posted in groups as well, that pictures still need to meet community standards. We completely agree with this. Again, our concern is this appears to be one set of rules for one and another for the LGBTQ community. This group posts naked women with bare butts, nipples, and women together in sensual and erotic poses, yet when we do the same with men, we are targeted and banned.

Until the rules are the same for everyone you’ll forgive us that we cannot take the Facebook Community Standards seriously, and until we are all judged on the same content, ditto.

All someone must do is report a post and the poster is immediately suspended, banned or their account is taken down. There is no presumption of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ no allowance for an argument as we all get the same canned stock response and are frustratingly not given any sensible answer as to why we are suddenly locked out.

As authors, we rely on our personal Facebook pages to interact with our readers. We have our pages to promote and sell our books, and our personal accounts to keep readers interacting with more personal posts and socialise with them. However, for goodness sake, Facebook cannot be that naïve to think every person on this application really has 1000 best friends or family. People use Facebook to network, to grow socially. Whether Facebook likes it or not, people using their application are not just keeping in touch with family and friends. However, they are happy to benefit from this revenue wise with sponsored posts, post boosts and advertisements from these very same people being banned.

There is a dearth of issues regarding the Facebook Community Standards, and you can see the posts below where their bots and their individual reviewers have failed to do their job.

Banning a Robin Redbreast card? http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/facebook-bans-robin-redbreast-christmas-card-for-sexual-content_uk_5a099debe4b0e37d2f38ea29

 

A pair of swans mating?  That’s verging on simply inane even by Facebook standards. And then there’s all the other fuss about the grey areas by other people. See links below.

https://www.lifewire.com/facebook-groups-4103720

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/x-rated-facebook-group-people-11381976

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/welcome-to-the-secret-celebrity-filled-world-of-closed-facebook-groups-1.2904053

https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2017/05/facebooks-community-standards-how-and-where-we-draw-the-line/

https://www.cheatsheet.com/technology/heres-how-facebook-decides-what-you-can-and-cant-post.html/?a=viewall

https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2017/11/six-times-facebook-violated-community-standards-removing-content/

https://medium.com/@az_sum/dear-facebook-why-dont-you-follow-your-own-community-standards-f381a17a8fa0

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-06/facebook-banning-algorithims-block-lesbians-from-using-dyke/8676284

http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/07/facebook-fails-to-remove-child-abuse-images-because-they-dont-violate-community-standards-6492678/

http://ncac.org/blog/on-violence-and-nudity-facebooks-opaque-community-standards

http://culturedigitally.org/2015/03/facebooks-improved-community-standards-still-cant-resolve-the-central-paradox/  by tarleton@microsoft.com

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/5/15/1662403/-Facebook-has-a-real-problem-with-community-standards

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/z43g9a/facebook-needs-to-fix-its-censorship-double-standards

https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/16/facebook-nudity-filter/

Facebook Community Standards

This is the full extent of the newly created (2015) Community Standards regarding NUDITY. It’s pretty brief –

Nudity

People sometimes share content containing nudity for reasons such as awareness campaigns or artistic projects. We restrict the display of nudity because some audiences within our global community may be sensitive to this type of content – particularly because of their cultural background or age. In order to treat people fairly and respond to reports quickly, it is essential that we have policies in place that our global teams can apply uniformly and easily when reviewing content. As a result, our policies can sometimes be more blunt than we would like and restrict content shared for legitimate purposes. We are always working to get better at evaluating this content and enforcing our standards. 

We remove photographs of people displaying genitals or focusing in on fully exposed buttocks. We also restrict some images of female breasts if they include the nipple, but we always allow photos of women actively engaged in breastfeeding or showing breasts with post-mastectomy scarring. We also allow photographs of paintings, sculptures and other art that depicts nude figures. Restrictions on the display of both nudity and sexual activity also apply to digitally created content unless the content is posted for educational, humorous or satirical purposes. Explicit images of sexual intercourse are prohibited. Descriptions of sexual acts that go into vivid detail may also be removed.’

I asked Facebook to remove this PUBLIC set photo and was told it did not violate their community standards. I understand this is apparently two people with their ears together but to anyone else looking, it is at first glance depicting a woman’s genitals, no matter what the actual content is. A thirteen year old would not look deeper than what this is supposed to represent.

 

This cover was banned and caused a lot of trouble for the author. Our question is WHY. Since when did men’s bare chests become persona non-gratia? We’ve all seen a lot worse. Once can only imagine it was some sort of personal vendetta against the author herself or cover model who is a well-known adult entertainment actor. An explanation would have been welcome.

And this one in a private group left me with a three day ban for contravening the standards on sexual acts. No doubt because of the boner – or was it? Perhaps it was simply the idea of two men together.

An author was banned for these ones

Whereas this one can remain

This one in a secret group earned me a week ban

And this one remains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one of the man earned a ban while the female one is still up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The below picture is still there, while slightly covered it leaves nothing really to the imagination and all a female picture needs is a little bit of covering.

Whereas these ones of men earned a 7 day banning in a private group

It’s not difficult to see there’s a trend against home erotic or male part nudity yet the lady pictures are allowed to remain. For every male picture we’ve had banned, I can find a similar, often worse one of a female. I’m not sure whether it’s the reviewer’s personal sensibilities that are being offended (which should not be the case, they need to be open minded and unbiased in this role) or the policies of Facebook not being sensible. Perhaps it’s a mixture of both.

We see plenty of nipples too in groups, see through like this one. Let’s be honest – just because they are covered in see through material doesn’t mean we don’t see the nipples, something Facebook has banned clearly in it’s policies.

Double standards abound. We reserve the right to defend the picture we post against our accusers, who may be simple haters of the genre we write in. It is BULLYING pure and simple and Facebook have a community standard for that too. Although as authors, I am not sure we are deemed to be private individuals in our right as opposed to being public? Does this make it right that people can target us as individuals but not assist us because we write books as a profession? This is a grey line indeed. We’d welcome discussion on this topic.

 Bullying and Harassment: How we respond to bullying and harassment.

We don’t tolerate bullying or harassment. We allow you to speak freely on matters and people of public interest, but remove content that appears to purposefully target private individuals with the intention of degrading or shaming them. This content includes, but is not limited to:

• Pages that identify and shame private individuals,
• images altered to degrade private individuals,
• photos or videos of physical bullying posted to shame the victim,
• sharing personal information to blackmail or harass people and
• repeatedly targeting other people with unwanted friend requests or messages.

We define private individuals as people who have neither gained news attention nor the interest of the public, by way of their actions or public profession.

What we would like Facebook to do is acknowledge our voice as a genre, one that is part of a $1.08 billion (2013) industry, and find a compromise between common sense and fulfilling these community guidelines. We’d like to have people making decisions about our posts that are rational, sympathetic and LGBTQ friendly.

We’re happy to accept decisions made rationally and honestly, it’s all we asking for.

Thank You.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fighting Back – A Civilised Revolution

I think we can agree that we in the LGBTQ writer community are sick and tired of Facebook and its crazy algorithms that APPEAR, mind I say APPEAR, to be to the detriment of the genre with some leaning towards the dreaded h***phobia word.

It’s time to fight back. We don’t know whether it will do anything; we don’t know whether we’ll be outlawed and ostracised from Facebook. I, for one, have the cojones to say I don’t care. If Facebook doesn’t let me do my thing, I’ll find some other way. Perhaps the way authors and pimpers share and get the word out about their books could do with a shake-up. Maybe we’ll realise another way to do this or find another place to do it. We can all migrate there like little creative starlings in flight and put down roots…

What we can’t do is continue to be banned for daring to show a naked man’s torso, a slight bit of groin without the dangly (or upright bits) and certainly not two guys kissing or manhandling each other with their clothes on. Or GASP!!! A man with a morning boner.

Yes, I know Facebook’s rules. Yes, I understand their community standards. But until they apply equally to everyone on Facebook without them picking on the likes of us, I say they are skewed and until the same rules apply to all, I for one cannot take them seriously. Even our own Author Pages are not sacrosanct, the one place where we are supposed to be able to ply our trade in peace and profitability. And secret and private groups? Pah. Don’t make me laugh. They are no more sacred than anywhere else.

I’ve seen dead babies, animals horrifically injured, naked women’s t*ts, people posting photos of their dead husband, children who have been abused, shocking images of torture and war, twerking asses of said naked woman with only a thong, mostly naked females showing all sorts of nasty lower extremis bits…and nothing happens. I posted one such video recently from their gif section -and so far, no one from Facebook has said anything. Their bots haven’t picked it up because obviously, it’s acceptable.

I have a strategy and as I don’t want anyone else to have to take any heat for this, I’m going to tell you about it here via my website and find a safe place to collate the data I need to present to Facebook as a clear case of discrimination. Unfortunately, even secret, ‘I’d have to kill you if you told anyone about it,’ groups aren’t safe anymore. Facebook has invaded them and nothing is sacred.

There is no safe space.

We’ve all talked about it, bemoaned it, grumbled to each other about it – and now I want us to DO something about it. Because talk is cheap and action at least means we have made our voice heard, expressed our opinion, even if it gets nowhere, or gets me permanently kicked off FB.

This is a civilised revolution. And I need your help.

If you have a picture that was banned, please email it to me at shanetemplar7@gmail.com. I want to keep this stuff separate so good old sexy Shane is going to be the fall guy.

I also want pictures you’ve seen that YOU think violate the Facebook rules – anything YOU find sexually or morally offensive or unsuitable. Give me some details about the picture if you have it.

I’ll gather these together, write some sort of protest, maybe even start a petition. I’ll also be getting in touch with some of the LGBT organisations and seeing if they have any muscle to support it. Anyone who wants to come on the mission with me is welcome. It might get lonely in Facebook jail ?

Of course, if no one sends me any pictures, I’ll assume that everything in fact is not as bad as I think it is and I’ll forge ahead on my lonesome. Apathy is sometimes the easiest way to let the bullies win. I truly don’t judge anyone for the decision they make, but personally? I need to feel better about it within myself.

Oh and if you don’t hear from me again – you know where I’ll be. Send cake, coffee and chocolate, and my Kindle and I’ll be just fine. Oh and my laptop. May as well get some writing done while I’m incarcerated.

 

Promo – Eight Second Cowboy by Piper Kay

As always, it’s a pleasure to welcome Piper to my website and I’m excited about the release of her latest book, Eight Second Cowboy’. I’ve known Piper for some time now and she never fails to please.

Read along, join the tour and participate in the giveaway. You might be pleasantly surprised if you’re a winner…

Rumors are going to fly

Title: Eight Second Cowboy

Series: Eight Second Cowboy #1

Release Date: November 3rd, 2013

Publisher: Encompass Ink

Genres: M/M Romance, Westerns, Contemporary

Pages: 105

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18731770-eight-second-cowboy

 

It’s Rodeo Roundup time in Houston. Undefeated bull riding champion, Matt Stevens, runs into longtime nemesis, Lance Loskey. Matt is intense, his focus and drive sustain him, but seeing Lance with his carefree attitude rages a plethora of feelings to the surface. This mellow cowboy is in position for more than just the championship after a freak accident paves Lance’s way. This is an opportunity for bull riding opponents to embrace their destiny. Will they succumb to fate, or will stubborn pride end the 8 second ride in tragedy?

http://getbook.at/EightSecondCowboy

Still sopping wet, I step out of the tub and our eyes meet. He doesn’t back up, he continues standing close to me. I don’t know what comes over me, but it’s like I’m possessed. I reach out and touch his waist, he grabs me and pulls my naked body towards him. What am I doing? He immediately wraps his arms around my waist and tightens his grip.

I slip my hand up under his long blonde hair as he draws me to him. Hungrily, our mouths widen and he plunges his tongue deep inside of me. The intensity behind our lips meeting causes our bodies to smash against one another. He’s warm and soft, the taste of honey from the whiskey lingering on his tongue is sweet with a slight hint of caramel. I don’t want to stop kissing him. I might not have ever done this before, but I can’t stop myself either. Our tongues slowly circle one another’s, then thrash in foreplay, as our heads twist and turn from side to side. I’m kissing him back just as much as he’s kissing me. He tugs on my bottom lip and sucks me into his mouth. He moans into my mouth, my cock continues to swell in anticipation. The sensual, yet hungry, noises he’s makes is getting me horny and I love the way it makes me feel. I want a release so damn bad, I need it.

Our kisses intensify and we both silently beg for satisfaction. I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone before. I greedily grab his hand and lead him to my aching muscle. He gives a little grin, our mouths never leaving each other, as he takes me in his palm, wrapping around me. He grips my cock, tight and firm. “Oh god!” I gasp. He begins stroking back and forth. His tongue delves into my mouth, swirling around mine and he sucks the tip into his pucker. “Mmm…” he growls.

Lance snatches my hand, guiding me to the button on his jeans. With one hand, I reach down between his legs and glide my open palm up the inside of his thigh, pressing hard and massaging, then I stroke over his dick. I stroke against his bulge, he’s blistering hard. With the other hand, I fumble and unfastened his button then lower his zipper. I pull apart the two sections of his jeans, releasing him. He reaches up, stripping his t-shirt over his head, and tossing it to the carpet. Our hands thirstily grope and rub against one another. I swirl my tongue in circles around his and lap at his lips. The slurping noises are driving me crazy.

Things are moving so fast, as he slides his jeans down a little, he winds my hand around his dick. I stroke up and down the length of his rod. He tightens his grip and starts jerking me faster. God he feels good, fuck it’s hot and I love how horny he’s making me.

$5 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6d41b92d134/?

Piper Kay is your average cup of tea with a splash of southern sass. She was born & raised in Houston, Texas-USA and her skills include pitching a fit and throwing a hissy. She also happens to be an author….with a bi-polar muse…who may or may not have sarcastic tendencies….and/or a potty mouth. Together, they share head space w/the men living in there… her boys with baditude. Piper is an Amazon #1 International Best Selling author of LGBT Erotica, and an Amazon International Bestselling author of LGBT Erotica romance, specifically in the M/M Erotica genre, and LGBT drama. She has been known to genre hop a time or two into YA/NA stories, also M/M. Piper brings her passion of storytelling straight to the pages, most times served with a super-sized sprinkle of sexy, a slice of sarcasm and a carafe of crazy.

http://www.piperkayauthor.com

Piper can be reached at

Amazon author page: http://amazon.com/author/piperkay

FB: https://www.facebook.com/piper.kay.1

About me: http://about.me/piper.kay

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PiperKayAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6613775.Piper_Kay

Authograph: https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/PiperKayAuthor

Google: https://google.com/+PiperKay

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChQcM-y0AvDtn6YO9PY7lxg

Instagram: http://instagram.com/piperkay.author

Hosted by Divine Promotions

https://divinepromotions.blog

SID LOVE – DETOUR BLOG TOUR

 

 TITLE: Detour

AUTHOR: Sid Love

PUBLISHER: Cool Dudes Publishing

LENGTH: 226 Pages

GENRE: M/M Romance Thriller

COVER ARTIST: Corneles Bronkhorst

BLURB: Austin Reyes works as a bartender to support his ailing mother in a small town called Eaton. But his life takes a horrible turn when his boss’ son, Caleb, arrives in town and forces himself upon Austin. There is no end to Caleb’s lustful intentions. Austin leaves Eaton and flees to Denver to start a new life when his mother commits suicide after succumbing to depression. There, he meets Dylan Carver.

Dylan is out and proud. He’s also a well-known actor in the porn industry. When haters damage his car, Austin, now homeless and destitute, is injured and Dylan helps him. In the immediate aftermath, Dylan develops more than a passing interest for Austin, and, though they part ways, chance meetings never stop.

Austin lets Dylan in on the secret about his past, but soon realizes that the man who looked so happy on the outside, has his own baggage. Unbeknownst to them, someone is plotting to get Austin killed.

Even while surrounded by danger, Austin and Dylan’s relationship takes a detour that was always meant to be. Will this detour be Dylan’s undoing? Will Austin finally come to terms with his mother’s suicide and follow his own truth? Or will their lives implode?

Trigger Warning: Content includes a rape scene.

My apartment building had seen better days. It was ancient and looked like it would fall apart any time. The color had worn out over the years and there were cracks here and there, but it was dearest to me anyway. It had been my home for as long as I could remember; well, it wasn’t exactly owned by us — we rented, to be specific — but I speak from the sense of belonging. The owner of the building — Mr. Marshall — had promised to repair it soon. It was a one-story building with four small apartments, two on each floor that faced each other. Our apartment was on the first floor, so, at three in the morning, I took the flight of stairs and walked up to my door soundlessly. I knew better than to wake up our neighbor. I slowly put the key into the lock and opened the door.

Hesitating for some time, I considered again whether to tell my mother about what had happened. I couldn’t hide anything from her, but the explanations would have to wait until morning. I was too tired and sad right now.

I closed the door silently behind me.

The house lights were dim but I could see the light in her bedroom. As always, she was waiting for me to return. She would be curled up in her bed, reading her favorite Nora Roberts novel. She did the same every night before going to sleep.

I headed for her room. Thankfully, I had stopped limping as the pain dissipated; she wouldn’t know anything was wrong right away.

The door was ajar.

I stepped into the room.

…And suddenly it was hard to breathe.

“Mom! Oh, dear God!”

Her lifeless body hung from the ceiling fan.

I rushed to support her feet. Although I knew the worst had happened, I hoped she was alive.

She didn’t move.

Her bare feet were cold.

Her skin, pale like never before.

I couldn’t understand why she would take such an extreme step. She was fine when I had left for work that evening.

My tears flowed freely this time.

That was when I noticed it. The letter on the nightstand.

Cool Dudes Publishing

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Sid Love grew up in one of busiest cities in the world, Mumbai, listening to the excerpts of Indian epics as told by his father every night. While it served as an inspiration back, he has always had an ambitious mind.

In 2007, when he had just turned sixteen, he decided that he would make his lifelong dream come true—to become a well-known, respected author someday.

Ask him and he would refuse to accept that he is obsessed with books. Or movies. Or TV shows. Addicted may even be the right word.

He is a die-hard fan of Jane Austen’s romance novels and loves to reread them time and again.

Find him on –

Blog: https://sidlovewrites.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sid.love.16

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsidlove/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FatefulMercy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AuthorSidLove/

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7793040.Sid_Love

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner gets a paperback copy of DETOUR!

 

Sight Unseen Release Day is here !!

Release Blitz, Sight Unseen by International Bestselling Author Susan Mac Nicol with L.A. producer and Hollywood Actor Nicholas Downs

Sometimes we don’t see love coming ♡

Based on an idea from L.A. producer and actor, Nicholas Downs, Susan and Nicholas have developed a story straight from the heart.

In a gripping tale of lovers fighting against the odds

comes a story of universal appeal about rejection and acceptance

and finally finding what is real and true.

BLURB

Tragedy brings together a reserved but brilliant sculptor and an outgoing gallery owner, friends whose love was sidetracked but was always meant to be deeper.

BLINDSIDED

SoCal natives, Nate and Cody have been friends since childhood. Both knew they were different—and the same. At seventeen, a stolen weekend in the Florida Keys drove their connection deeper and hotter than either could imagine. They were meant to be together. Then, for reasons only Nate knows, suddenly they weren’t.

They’re still friends. Best friends. But they’ve moved on and found other partners. The yearning remains, however, despite the long-ago secret that drove them apart, when tragedy strikes, both men find themselves in the dark. They must grope their way back to who and what they are…which they will find in each other’s arms. Sometimes, losing one’s sight can open one’s eyes—and heart.

BOOK LINKS

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2gONa4B

Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXPNOA5

iTunes http://bit.ly/SightUnseen2gJNrtj

Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/SightUnseen2gblQO9

Kobo http://bit.ly/SightUnseen2gYnYwq

Boroughs http://www.boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/sight-unseen

GOODREADS

Click I want to read and add to your TBR shelf

http://bit.ly/SightUnseenGoodreads

BOOK TRAILER

SIGNING NEWS

Author Susan Mac Nicol is going to the States.

Would you love to meet International Bestselling Author Susan Mac Nicol & L.A. producer and Hollywood Actor Nicholas Downs? Now’s your chance!!

It’s a dream come true for Sue and she’s honoured to be signing Sight Unseen with Boroughs Publishing Group and actor Nicholas Downs at this conference from 25-26th March.

If you’re interested in attending this signing, either as an author or a reader, here is the link.

https://caldreaminwriters.com/

The 2017 conference will be at : Embassy Suites in Brea, California.

Address: 900 E Birch St, Brea, CA 92821

There will also be a very special signing event at The Abbey, an iconic gay club in West Hollywood. Nicholas and Sue will be there to enjoy the evening, meet fans of both their genres in film and publishing and be available to sign books, chat and have some fun. If you’re in the area, please pop down and see them, they’d no doubt love to see you.

This is the room they’ll be signing in, isn’t it fabulous. It’s the Cabana Bar.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN & NICHOLAS

Twitter: @SightUnseenPR

Instagram: @sightunseenla

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Sight-Unseen-The-Project-1547502492221078/

Susan

www.susanmacnicol.net

Nicholas

www.nicholasdowns.com

Susan Mac Nicol Author Page
https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanmacnicol/

Nicholas Downs Fan Page
https://www.facebook.com/Nicholas-Downs-97159977384/

Hey 2017!! I’m over here.

So the New Year has arrived with a shy kiss and a gentle caress. It’s the start of something fresh, new beginnings that let us plan and decide how our future may look. I for one have a lot planned this year and I mean to make the most of it. Top of my list though (no, not a New Year’s Resolution, as I don’t believe in those, this is more my To Do list) is getting back into writing. You may not have known this, but the last year to eighteen months has been tough for me.  There’s been an insecure demon sitting on my shoulder who has led me down a dark path and made me doubt myself and my abilities to bring stories into the world.

And I still don’t know why. I simply lost my passion for my craft and that in itself triggered a huge backlash, a sense of failure which fed on my own insecurities. 2017 is my chance to get back that writing passion and try and immerse myself once again in words.

And boy, 2017 is looking like a great year for me.  So without further ado, let me tell you a bit about it.

Firstly, Sight Unseen comes out for release on January 26th. This book is the result of a partnership between me and my wonderful friend and collaborator, the amazing Nicholas Downs. In life, we are meant to meet people who come to mean something to us. I had no idea when I first interviewed Nicholas for Divine Magazine (at the bequest of the Divine CEO who thought Nicholas was hot and sexy and wanted to feature him) that it would form a lasting relationship that led to us to this point. I mean, you can see why he thought this, right? This is Nicholas. Sigh. The man looks so good in a suit. And a cowboy hat. And a plaid shirt…

Bottom line, we had respect for each others’ talents – me for writing and Nicholas for acting – and decided we’d create a medium to bring both of these to bear in that of a potential film creation.

Nicholas provided the story line in the screen play he’d already written, I developed it into a novel and together we’re writing the screen play to potentially bring it to the screen. It’s been an amazing journey for both of us, learning about each other’s industries and melding them together to where we are today. And not only are we doing this but -SQUEEE! I get to travel to LA in March next year to attend a conference with my publisher, Boroughs and do a series of book signings with Nicholas, even get to stay with him and his husband Nick for a couple of nights. I am so damned excited. And not only do I get to hob-nob with Nicholas and Nick, I get to meet my publisher for the first time.

Boroughs are quite simply, amazing. They have treated me with absolute respect, compassion on the bad days, and LOVE. Yes, it’s tough to say this about someone you’ve never met but the CEO, Michelle Klayman, has been a rock for me. Not only is she a fantastic editor, making my stories flow better and offering advice and support, but she’s also there when I need to vent or talk to someone. She’s like a big sister, only tougher. Smarter lol. Boroughs’ faith in me when I have floundered myself and had doubts has been heartening and welcome. I am so looking forward to giving Michelle the hug she deserves when I arrive to stay with her at her home with her husband Miguel. Bless him, he even asked her whether he was expected to make me Bubble and Squeak! I told her an emphatic No, I’m in his country now so anything other English food is what I want. Mexican sounds good…

I’ll be at the California Dreamin’ Conference and at various other locations in Los Angeles with Nicholas and Michelle but more to follow on the itinerary once we get it all confirmed. And another SQUEE! I’m hoping to catch up with the supremely talented voice over artist and actor Jason Frazier ( we owe each other a drink at Chateau Marmont, it’s a long story…) and *sigh* hoping to finally meet the most awesome and fabulous of writers Cody Kennedy. This particular coming together of souls has been a long time coming.

I’ll be back from the US at the end of the March then jetting off again to Cape Town, RSA to visit family at the beginning of May. The wonderful thing about this holiday is that my whole family is going over, my husband, my kids, and my daughter in law. It’s going to be wonderful seeing my mum and sister again and touching base with my brothers in law.

I’m signing at the fabulous event in Birmingham in July, the ShiMMer Author Event, which promise to be a great day out seeing old friends and readers. If you haven’t already made a plan to attend this, you should. It’s going to be awesome.

In August I’m at Brighton Pride with friends and in September, my best pal and author friend John Trevillian and I are off to Dublin for a creative few days, writing, gaining inspiration and drinking wine no doubt.

Oh and did I mention I’m also a trustee for the Being Me Campaign which I’m hoping will see a busy and fruitful year, as well as taking back my old position as Editorial Manager for Divine Magazine, because I really missed this. This particular role has bought with it many opportunities, not least of which was meeting Nicholas.

Heh. Luckily I have a very understanding boss at the day job who simply rolls his eyes and says ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever, Sue. You do what you need to do.’ I’m blessed to be where I am with such lovely people who really care about my ‘other life’ and encourage me. Eunisure, you rock !!

So busy, busy, busy…oops, sorry in all the excitement I forget to tell you about the writing plans. *Facepalms* In between all this I’m co-writing a screenplay, have to finish writing Living on Air, (my ‘circus’ book) and possibly carry on writing the ninth Men of London book as well, Survival Game which is Kyle and Eric’s story from Hard Climate. I have so many other books planned, and some truly exciting ideas and I need to get cracking if I want to bring them all to life. I need lots of coffee and mince pies and a healthy dose of ‘slap me silly when I lose focus’.

So that’s me for this year and no doubt there’ll be a lot more happening and I’ll let you know as it does.  To those people who helped and encouraged me over the past years and no doubt will continue to do so because that’s the kind of people they are-  Joanne Swinney, Val Degeorge, Kirsty Bicknell, JP Bilbao, Rita R, Janice Birnie, Petra Andrea, Karen Jones, Anders Rodskar, Isa Jones, Ann Alaskan and myriad of others (forgive me if I haven’t mentioned you specifically but you are legion lol)  who kept me sane and also indulged my girlish passion for Benedict Cumberbatch and Adam Lambert – thank you. You are all the spokes in my wheel without which, there would be no turning and moving forward.

To the bloggers who’ve ever allowed me space on their blogs to promote or share something, you are truly the other wheels of this industry that keep it turning. And to my fellow authors who give so much of themselves in many ways without expecting anything in return- you have my eternal gratitude and appreciation.

May 2017 be everything you want, need and deserve and if I can help you in any way to reach your own goals and dreams, all you have to do is shine this bat signal and I’ll be there.

SYNERGY IS BETTER THAN YOUR WAY OR MY WAY. IT’S OUR WAY.

Stephen Covey

 

Sight Unseen Cover Reveal -Release Day 26th January 2017

I’m really excited today because the project Hollywood actor Nicholas Downs and I have been working on is getting closer to completion. The book is written; the cover is revealed (isn’t it stunning) and in December we start working on the screen play together. I’m nervous. I’ve only ever done a short screen play and I think I need some more practice. Hopefully Nicholas can teach me a few things or two. It’s also my first book set in the US, in Los Angeles so that took some time to get right. Luckily as Nicholas lives there and my editor is a New Yorker living in SoCal, both of them were a tremendous help in getting the details and location right. Boroughs Publishing Group have been instrumental in bringing this book into the world and for that, both Nicholas and I offer our heartfelt thanks. Especially to Michelle Klayman (my editor and confidante) who helped us get to this point, and Chris Keeslar, who, as always, excelled himself at creating the cover.

Anyway here’s the front  cover, and if you scroll down, you’ll see the full wrap as well which is HOT!

I’ve also included the Goodreads link further down where you can add it to your TBR and the universal Amazon buy link. Other links will follow as soon as I have them because I know not everyone shops at Amazon.

BLINDSIDED

SoCal natives, Nate and Cody have been friends since childhood. Both knew they were different—and the same. At seventeen, a stolen weekend in the Florida Keys drove their connection deeper and hotter than either could imagine. They were meant to be together. Then, for reasons only Nate knows, suddenly they weren’t.

They’re still friends. Best friends. But they’ve moved on and found other partners. The yearning remains, however, despite the long-ago secret that drove them apart, and when tragedy strikes, both men find themselves in the dark. They must grope their way back to who and what they are…which they will find in each other’s arms. Sometimes, losing one’s sight can open one’s eyes—and heart.

Universal Pre Order Link 

Goodreads Link

There’s also going to be a Release Blitz tour run by the incredible blog Joandisalovebooks, so if you fancy signing up for this, the sign up link is below.

Sign Up for Release Blitz Tour January 26th-28th 2017

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Be warned – this is a slow burn book with less sex than any of my others, but I hope that doesn’t stop you reading it. After all, it’s the story that the most important, right?

 

 

Cover reveal – A Summer’s Day: Shakespearean Anthology with a Twist

I was thrilled to be able to take part in this project, which is both unusual and inspiring. I mean, the cover is simply beautiful, a typical Jay Aheer creation and the contents? Well, the contents are meant to be savoured while sipping a glass of great wine and sat out in a field on a blanket while the sun shines.

Some wonderful writers gave their names to this anthology and I for one will be reading it soon. The proceeds of this anthology benefit the It Gets Better Project™ so along with reading some great stories, you get to contribute to this wonderful enterprise.

 

 

Release Date: 12th of August

Cover Art: Jay Aheer Simply Defined Art

Genre: MM Mixed*

We have modern retelling of some plays, interpretations of others and one of the sonnets, and delightful referencing of anything Shakespeare.

There is gentle YA romance next to very hot 18+ stories and all kinds of relationships – first love, May/December, interracial, second chances, happy endings and even a tragic one.

We’re travelling from Ancient Rome through Renaissance England to modern day UK, Venice Beach and other places in USA, Vancouver and Havana.

There’s fun, drama, tears, angst, joy and, above all, lots of true love.

Note: All proceeds of this collection go to the It Gets Better Project™.

 

Blurbs

 

DEEPER THAN DID EVER PLUMMET SOUND

Rory Ni Coileain

Clarence Limont is a slowly fading star of the London stage; convinced his great performances are all behind him, he nevertheless agrees to play Prospero in an off-off-Broadway production of The Tempest helmed by an old friend.
Jaymes Stafford is the production’s starry-eyed Ariel, waking feelings Clarence had thought long dead and buried.
But the poisonous jealousy of other members of the cast may steal the stars from Jaymes’ eyes, and even put paid to Clarence’s illustrious career.

(“The Tempest”)

A FINE LINE BETWEEN
Louise Lyons

When Romeo runs into Julian on the beach, he’s the last person he wants to see as he’s grown up hating him due to his parents’ aversion to Julian’s dad.
Forced to rescue Julian from the sea, Romeo is surprised by his grudging attraction to the other young man.
When simple lust becomes something more, the pair ignore their parents’ anger, but family fights drive the lovers away from home – into a horrifying incident. Will it make the Montgomerys and the Caplins rethink their feud?
(“Romeo and Juliet”)

TWO GUYS FROM VANCOUVER
Dianne Hartsock

Valentine has been watching Preston date man after man with never more than a brotherly hug for him.
Finally, despairing that Preston will ever love him in return, Val moves away to college, where he meets the glorious Silver, a man with problems of his own, who just might be his answer.
Torn between his attraction to Preston and his growing desire for Silver, Val wonders if he’ll ever find love or will his life become as tragic as any of the Shakespearean plays he loves so well.
(“The Two Gentlemen of Verona”)

KISS ME, KADE
Nephy Heart

Kade is in trouble, negotiating a dangerous path between an authoritarian father and wayward sister.
Then Pete storms into his life and tries to take over.
It can only end in disaster.
(“Taming of The Shrew”)

WHEN I LOVE THEE NOT
Rian Durant

Desmond, the heir of a business owner is outed in the media after a hot night with his lover, Olvin, who also happens to be the company’s best negotiation expert.
This is only the first step in Ian’s plan to get back at Olvin for choosing Michel Caswell as a main assistant for the latest merger instead of him, a plan in which he’s moving everybody around like pawns on a chessboard, bending the rules.
Will Ian drive a wedge between Desmond and Olvin and get the position he wants or will he realize that there’s something more important that stops the world from turning into chaos?
(“Othello”)

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE BEACH
Kathy Griffith

Tony and Bartholomew have been friends for years, but his latest request is a little much.
Bart needs a loan to impress Porsche Keller, a personable billionaire, but the only cash available is from banker and raging homophobe Sherlock Palmer, who has a devious plan for them.
Will our heroes find love and get their happy ending?
(“The Merchant of Venice”)

THE DEVIL AND THE LION
Asta Idonea

Caius Martius and Tullus Aufidius have long been enemies.
Then Martius arrives on Aufidius’ doorstep, seeking a military alliance. Aufidius accepts; however, he wishes their partnership to extend from the battlefield to the bedchamber.
His lust for Martius is one of the reasons he spares his life, but his jealousy will soon have terrible consequences.
(“Coriolanus”)

IF MUSIC BE…
Charlie Cochrane

Rick Cowley finds himself taking up am-dram once more, thinking it’ll help him get over the death of his partner.
He’d never anticipated it would mean an encounter with an old flame and the sort of emotional complications the Bard would have reveled in.
Still, old Will had the right word for every situation, didn’t he?
(“Twelfth Night”)

A HERO’S LAST BATTLE
Phetra H Novak

Claudio is happy to be home after serving his country as a soldier for over fifteen years being stationed mostly abroad ready to settle down.
Hero is still living at home, together with his father, trying to do what is expected a young man his age is supposed to do, work and live every day like it is your last.
The two men meet at a family wedding, realizing they share a mutual dream of finding love and starting a family but evil lurks amongst them. Will these two lovers find a way to be together?
(“Much Ado About Nothing”)

NOTHING LIKE THE SUN
JL Merrow

Hollywood darling Jerome Winter always defined himself by his looks—until a fire destroyed them.
His oldest friend and still-loyal manager, Sam, has long carried a torch for him, but with his looks—and earning power—gone, what does Jerome have left to offer?
(Sonnet 130)

THE SUN OF TOMORROW
M LeAnne Phoenix

When actor Koray Shepherd rescues writer Winter Sirois from the brutal hands of his supervisor, Winter never would have believed the beautiful Turk would share his love of The Bard.
When Koray asks Winter out on a date, Winter takes center stage in his very own tragedy, determined to end his play for today with a happily ever after.
Screwing his courage to the sticking place, Winter sets his sights on the future and Koray… but when the horrors of yesterday resurface, will he crest the waves of fear and despair, or will he be heard no more?
(“Macbeth”)

MUCH ADO ABOUT LADY MACBETH
Rebecca Cohen

Competition for roles is always high when the King’s Men put on a play, but David seems to come up against Jacob time and time again, no matter what part he is auditioning for.
But now they both want to be Lady Macbeth and it’s more than simple rivalry that causes the sparks to fly.
(Shakespeare’s Magic)

 

Universal Amazon link

Smashwords

Divine Magazine Summer Blog Hop 2016

 

In celebration of Divine’s new author service, Divine Promotions,  I’m participating in their Summer Blog Hop.

I don’t cook much, so giving out my favourite Summer recipe is a no-no. Instead I’ll tell you a bit about my best memories of Summer.

I lived in South Africa for over thirty years. So, summer there was celebrated exactly how you’d think it would be – swimming, having what we called ‘braais’, and others call a BBQ, tanning on our towels, stretched out on grass or sun loungers, running around drying off in the dry heat of day and basking in the sunshine. It was cold beers by our pool, crisp gin and tonics at sundown, the insistent and annoying whine of mosquitos at dusk and during the warm nights, sweating under the loose covers and wishing there was a breeze to make things just that little bit cooler. It was the cold, refreshing shower you took when you went inside then had an afternoon nap because it was so hot. It was the late afternoon thunderstorm, like clockwork around 3 pm, when you sat on your ‘stoep’ or patio, and watched the clouds build into dark grey masses of angry. A thunderstorm in SA is a magnificent thing to see. They are fierce, unapologetic, magnificent in their majesty and you are left in awe of their power. Car alarms would sound down the block when the thunder hit, the house alarm would go off, the dogs would howl and it would be a cacophony of fierceness. Then as suddenly as it hit, it was over. The clouds dissipated, the sun shone again, the garden smelt of scents released by the rain and the wind and we all jumped back in the pool without a care in the world. Towels that were left out in the rain, and were sodden, are quickly dried by the dry heat of the African sun.

Picture courtesy of my husband when he visited a few years ago

The summers in SA are different to the ones I experience here in the UK. Summer here is softer, more genteel. More refined. The temperature is pleasantly warm, not hot and dry. Summer in England is the buzz of bees around country gardens. It’s the chirrup of birds in trees and the chattering of squirrels. It’s the soft pitter-patter of raindrops against leaded panes, the steady swish of the rain as it falls in sheets. It’s the rushing around bringing everything in before the rain hits, because the temperature drops and one can’t count now on the scorching African sun to dry everything out within minutes.

 

Where summer in Africa is a fierce warrior, full of extremes, summer in England is a genteel country gentleman, full of nuance. I love the differences, I’ve been fortunate to experience them both. I like them equally, not having a favourite. Both have their own charms and quirks. A little like me.

To take part in the giveaway, go to the blog hop page here and leave a comment (Share your best summer memory, or your favorite summer tips or activities)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hooray – Grand Prize Giveaway

18K Gold Filled Crystal Pearls Heart Party Dress Jewelry Set 

Divine Promotions – 10 Days Promo Tour

Divine Promotions – 3 Day Release Blitz

$75 credit from Dreamspinner Press

$30 credit from Dreamspinner Press

Click here to view all the participants taking part in the blog hop!