As one of the #CMCon18 featured bloggers, I get to grill, um… interview a few of the talented authors who will be hitting the beach for Coastal Magic 2018 in Daytona Beach this coming February. Since we are in the start of a new year, I thought we’d talk about beginnings, firsts, and origins.
The first CMC Featured Author joining me for Coffee and a Chat at the Beach isTere Michaels.
Tere’s specialties are snark, angst, and happily ever afters set in the big city. It might take some time to get there but no worries – she believes in love conquering all!
She has written fifteen books including her popular Faith, Love & Devotion series and the superhero saga, The Vigilante.
Nothing makes her happier than knowing she made a reader laugh or smile or cry – it’s the purpose of sharing her work with people. She loves hearing from fans and fellow writers and is always available for speaking engagements, visits, and workshops.
Tamye: What inspired you to become a writer? Did you always want to be a writer or did you come to it later in life?
Tere: I was four or five when I realized that someone’s work was writing stories – and I just thought, “That. That right there.” I’ve never wavered from that dream.
Tamye: What was the inspiration for your first book?
Tere: A weird pregnancy dream, which led to a character forming in my head, which led to me asking, “Who is the most complicated person he can fall in love with, after experiencing such a tragedy?” And Matt and Evan (Faith, Love & Devotion series) were born.
Tamye: How many times have you attended Coastal Magic? Tell us about your first time, and what you’re looking forward to this time.
Tere: Oh gosh, I’ve lost count! I love Coastal Magic! When anyone asks me which events to attend, they’re the first on my list. I am looking forward to meeting new fans, seeing old friends and just the casual “we are all here to love books” vibe.
Tamye: Do you craft?
Tere: Once upon a time I made jewelry and I love TRYING to craft but my results never look like the pictures. I don’t have that ease of creation like I do with words. So envious of those who do!
The Heir Apparent
A bit of a slow start, but well worth reading. Intriguing storyline, that allows for the main characters to grow, both emotionally and socially. The secondary characters are varied and interesting. The intrigue keeps you guessing, and lends life to the story.
Through death, betrayal, and corporate politics Henry and his scrumptious lover, Archie discover where their true priorities lie.
If you like M/M romance with a bit of intrigue, this is the book for you.
Disclosure: I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The heir apparent to a vast international company, Henry Walker has focused his entire life on pleasing his cold and distant father, a futile effort that’s left him no time for life, love, or making his own decisions. He has just one friend—one dirty little secret—Archie Banks. Raised on the Walker estate alongside Henry, Archie is now Henry’s driver, bodyguard… and occasional lover. Archie is loyal, but he’s about to graduate from college and has plans for his life that don’t include living every moment at the beck and call of Henry’s father. Not even for Henry.
With no warning, a shocking kidnapping leads to tragedy and chaos, thrusting Henry and Archie into a dramatic struggle that threatens them individually and as a couple. Can they find a way to heal the hurt of the past, save the company that is Henry’s birthright, and find a future together?
197 pages
Gay Fiction, Gay Romance
Tere is giving away an ebook of “The Heir Apparent”
to one lucky winner.
To enter, leave a comment (message bubble in the upper right hand corner of blog post).
You can ask a question, address something in the post, or tell us one of your firsts.
This giveaway will close Saturday night at midnight.
The winner will be picked by Mr. Random dot Org
All valid comments will be entered.
Winner will be announced Sunday.
Don’t miss your chance to meet over 50 fabulous urban fantasy, paranormal, and romance authors at Coastal Magic this February! This super casual book-lover weekend happens on Daytona Beach, and gives everyone the chance to hang out with fellow readers and amazing storytellers.
Welcome to “Crafty Authors Coffee Time with Tamye”.
Our special guests joining us today for coffee and crafts by the beach is not one but two “Featured Authors” for the upcoming Coastal Magic Convention, B.A. Tortuga and Julia Talbot.
B.A. and Julia are here to share their latest books with us and their part in the special craft project Kiernan started last week to raffle off at Coastal Magic for charity. So hang around to see what they’ve been up too.
First off, let me tell you a little about this dynmic duo.
B.A. Tortuga is texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head
Julia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia has been published by Torquere Press, Dreamspinner Press, Resplendence (as Minerva Howe), Changeling Press, and Samhain. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Julia also writes as Minerva Howe.
Join B.A. Tortuga and Julia Talbot at Coastal Magic
in Daytona Beach February 2 -5, 2017.
You still have a chance to join B.A., Julia, and more awesome authors as well as some of your fellow readers for beachside bookish fun! Single Day and Combo Registrations are now available, but are limited! Choose the day (or days) that work best for you! We’d love to see you by the beach!!
B.A. Tortuga and Julia Talbot
crafting for Coastal Magic
B.A. & Julia shows us their contributions in the shared project they and fellow Club Raven author, Kiernan Kelly created to be raffled off for charity at Coastal Magic this February.
In case you missed Kiernan‘s video. You can view it here
🎈 New Release 🎈
Calling His Bluff by B.A. Tortuga
A Club Raven Novel
Patrick’s loss is Remy’s gain.
After his twin dies in battle, it’s Patrick Daniels’ duty to marry his brother’s fiancée. Too bad he can’t make himself do it, and in his distress, he manifests a psychic talent that’s stronger than the tornadoes in his native East Texas. Then a mysterious man from a place called Club Raven steps in and sweeps Patrick off to the booming East Coast city of Baltimore.
Club Raven veteran Remy Blanchard sees Patrick and knows, even though Patrick is very ill, that this is the challenge he’s been waiting for. He nurses Patrick back to health, and begins to teach Patrick to control his talent. His methods might be unconventional, and Patrick might be new to the kinds of sexual games Remy knows best, but the two of them find something in each other that might be just as magical as the gentleman’s club where they meet.
Excerpt:
The sheets were drenched, the world a violent place filled with tremors and waves of agony. Patrick twisted, trying to drive himself up, away from the sea of bites that covered his skin. He groaned when skeletal hands reached up from the depths to pull him back down. No. He wouldn’t go back.
Bébé. Bébé, you are a fighter, aren’t you? So strong.” The voice was soft, melodic, welcome. It had a lilt to it that pleased him, soothed him.
“Sing to me?” That voice could draw him up.
“Oh, bébé. I haven’t been asked that in a long, long time.”
“Please.” He couldn’t see the face that went with the voice but he knew it. Hot golden brown eyes, a strong jaw, wicked mouth. Hair like a raven’s wing. It made promises of things that were simply phantasms, but the sounds… Oh. The voice began to sing, a simple French lullaby, but so sweet. His tortured brain held onto the song, the melody a salve.
The grasping, bony hands clawing at him withdrew, and a kinder, warmer pair of hands began stroking his skin with a cool, wet cloth.
“It will be better soon, bébé. Mark my words.”
“They’re trying to drown me. I won’t let them.” Not when he could stay here. “Don’t stop.”
“You are safe from drowning, mark my words.”
“Am I?” He laughed, but the sound was dry as dust.
“I swear to you, by all I hold holy.”
Patrick opened his eyes, relieved to see the face matched his memory, blurry as it was. “You’re Mister Remy.”
“Very good.”
“I don’t feel well. I feel awful and guilty somehow.” He felt as if he’d gone and done something wicked and evil.
“Guilt is not for men like us, bébé. Let it be gone and you will feel better.” Remy stroked the cool cloth over his burning skin again.
“Is it so easy?”
“No, but then again, it doesn’t need to be difficult, either.” The cloth disappeared, and Remy held a glass of water to his lips. “If you practice, it becomes easier.”
The cool water eased him, splashed deep in his belly. He breathed deep for the first time since he’d awakened. “Better.”
“It is.”
The cloths were changed, the cool rags making him gasp. He clenched and unclenched his hands, trying to adjust.
“I know, bébé. I went through just this before I left San Francisco. Unlike you, I did it to myself, no?”
“Why? Why would you?”
“I was feeling guilt. You see? Totally useless emotion.”
“Indeed. Guilt is…” He had so many reasons for it—Henry, Caroline, his father’s eternal disappointment.
“We’ll work on it together. After you heal.”
“Soon? How long can this linger?”
“Not long.” Remy smiled, one hand resting on Patrick’s chest. “Not as strong as you are.”
A tingle made his muscles twitch and he pulled away from the wicked thoughts the dark hand on his chest drew forth.
“Did I hurt?” Remy asked, concern clear.
“No. No.” No, that was a comfort, down deeper than skin.
“Ah, good.” Remy began to hum again, that voice smoothing over every rough nerve.
The peace made him blink, made his eyelids heavy. All he did now was sleep and dream, but he was so tired. Remy was there watching over him.
“Be at ease, bébé.”
You help.” The words popped out, and he tried not to worry about saying them.
“Good. I want to, hmm?”
“Thank you.” He blinked again and again, but couldn’t focus, so he finally let his lashes fall since they were so heavy.
“Easy. Easy, bébé. Breathe.”
“Stay with me.” He shouldn’t ask, but he did. He needed Remy with him.
You can also get it from the Evil Plot Bunny website which offers a variety of book formats.
Andrew is out to debunk Max as a medium, not make love to him…
Max Bellame is working his way through 1870s Baltimore as a medium, even if he knows nothing about spirits. He uses the power of his mind to move objects, convincing his clients he’s the real thing. He’s making a living, but sooner or later he always has to move on. Something always happens. Usually a disaster.
Andrew Meechum works for Club Raven, a gentleman’s club that doubles as a paranormal research facility. He sets out to debunk Max, only to be fascinated by the man. Can Andrew convince Max to take a chance on love, and to find his true calling as a medium, or will their personal demons force them apart?
Excerpt:
The low gaslight in the creaky old parlor cast the perfect glow on the round table, lending atmosphere to the cheap crimson cloth Max had draped over it. A candle or two would complete the look, but he wouldn’t light them until immediately before the family assembled in the room.
He surveyed the seating. Seven chairs.
Max blinked, then frowned. He’d been told five family members and himself. Where had the extra chair come from and why?
He ducked back across the hall into the men’s parlor, where he’d asked the family to allow him to be alone to prepare for the séance. Max took a deep breath, rubbing his fingertips over his watch chain, which hung across his waistcoat. Changing the plan was against the rules. The Marsten family should know that. He’d been incredibly clear. After another inhalation, he knelt beside the large carpet bag holding all his tricks and pulled out a piece of white cheesecloth and a small glass orb. Those would serve as his floating spirit. The glass orb would be far more mysterious than the rubber balls some of his contemporaries used. He needed these and a picture of the deceased.
Many men had tried to debunk the Mesmerizing Maximillian and failed. That was because, while he might not be able to talk to the dead, Max didn’t have to resort to wires and dressed up actors for his tricks. He rubbed his fingers against his thumb, feeling his calluses slide together. Then he stopped, glaring at his hand. No tells. No nervous habits. Get this over with, get the other half of his payment, and move on.
Closing his eyes, he rubbed his hands on his pants, then nodded sharply. Time to set up. Max grabbed some tallow candles scented with a tiny bit of sage, the orb and cloth, and a few other tricks from his bag.
Thank God the parlor was still empty. The family waited in the dining room for his signal, sipping port or brandy in an effort to steel their nerves, no doubt. Contacting a dead relation always gave people pause, and for good reason. Inviting such things into your home, finding out information you didn’t want to know, was always a risk. Even with a charlatan like him, there was a chance of summoning something real. When that happened, if it did, his only backup plan was to run.
He thought of what had happened in Philadelphia and shuddered.
Max couldn’t think of that now. Candles, drunkards’ matches, the orb hidden behind the biggest chair. He placed a few atmospheric touches about, then lowered the gas lamps in the chamber.
Time to go get the family. He needed to lead them in, sort them out so they sat where he needed them to.
He strode to the dining room and knocked on the door, which swung open easily. Clearly the portal was meant to allow servants easy access with trays. This had been a proud house once, beautiful. Now it was run down and sad.
“I’m ready, Mr. Marsten,” Max murmured in a low, respectful tone.
“Thank you.” The gentleman of the house rose, his moustache twitching with distaste. Clearly he was indulging his wife with this séance; the lady in question still wore deep mourning rather than the gray and lavender sported by the other family members, so even though the death had been some time ago, she was unwilling to let go.
A man Max hadn’t met rose from the table with the daughter and two spinster aunts. Tall, broad through the shoulders, he had the carriage of a soldier, not a bit of slouch about him. He held his hat in his hand, and his hair, cut too short for fashion, shone bright gold under the gas lamps. His handsome face creased in a smile, lines crinkling up beside his blue eyes and his mouth.
“I hope you don’t mind that Miss Marsten invited me to attend,” the fellow said. “Andrew Meechum, at your service.”
“Maximilian.” He nodded curtly, noting that Mr. Meechum didn’t specify which Miss Marsten had asked him along. Both spinster aunts and the daughter went by that designation, so the ruse was a clever one, since all three ladies wiggled and fluttered when Meechum said the name. “I wish I had been informed ahead, but no matter if you come with an open mind.” Max gave a strained smile.
“I do.” Meechum spread his hands, apparently trying to look harmless. He managed about as well as a fox in the henhouse. “I am entirely at your disposal.”
“Mmm.” Max turned on his heel and left the room, the ladies preceding the gents as they all trooped over to the parlor. He stopped to light matches, touching them to the candlewicks. One of the spinsters, he could remember neither name, lowered the gas lamps even more, and the atmosphere changed immediately.
You can also get it from the Evil Plot Bunny website which offers a variety of book formats.
Come join us at the Coastal Magic Convention, February 2nd – 5th, in Daytona Beach. It’s going to be an absolute blast. #CMCon2017
Don’t miss your chance to meet over 50 fabulous urban fantasy, paranormal, and romance authors at Coastal Magic! This super casual book-lover weekend happens on Daytona Beach and gives everyone the chance to hang out with fellow readers and amazing storytellers.
LIMITED REGISTRATION is still available! If you haven’t been to Coastal Magic yet, you’re missing out on a lot of fun. Be sure to keep up with all things Coastal Magic, by following it via your own personal social media drug of choice:
Thanks for sharing with us B.A. and Julia. I look forward to seeing you both in Daytona.
Thanks to everyone who joined us today. I always want to know what you think.
What do you do with the swag you get from conventions and book signings? Have you ever used them in a craft? We’re going to be playing “Swag Bingo” or something of that nature at the convention next weekend. Sounds like fun. I’ll be sure to tell you about everything after I return.
Please feel free to leave a comment and a picture of anything you’ve made with some of your author swag.
Welcome to “Crafty Authors Coffee Time with Tamye”.
Our special guest joining us today for coffee and crafts by the beach is another “Featured Author” for the upcoming Coastal Magic Convention, Kiernan Kelly. I’m so excited she accepted my invitation to join us today.
Kiernan’s a very gifted author and crafter and has come up with a very special craft project to share with us later.
For now, let me tell you a little about this creative lady.
Kiernan Kelly lives in Florida among the alligators and palmetto bugs with her husband and a Shar Pei-Labrador puppy who thinks she’s a person (the dog, not Kiernan. Kiernan knows she’s a person. At least, she is after she’s had her daily dose of caffeine).
Kiernan spends most of her time writing gay erotic romance while chained to a computer in the dark recesses of her office, which her children have dubbed, “The Gay Cave.”
Her stories of gay romance envelop diverse themes, varying from paranormal to fantasy, and science fiction to contemporary romance, with thirteen novels currently in print and ebook, and over sixty shorter works available in both mediums. She has published with a variety of houses, including Torquere Press, Dreamspinner Press, MLR Press, Loose-Id, Starbooks Press, Cleis Press, and Circlet. Her horror short story release, “Cletus,” appears in the Coscom Publishing’s book “Bits of the Dead.”
You can also find Kiernan on the brand spanking new Evil Plot Bunnywebsite. Today is it’s debut so be sure to go by and check it out.
Join Kiernan at the Coastal Magic Convention
in Daytona Beach February 2 -5, 2017.
Last chance to get your ticket for the full weekend is January 20th.
Kiernan Kelly crafting for Coastal Magic
Kiernan shows us her contribution in the three-person project she and fellow Club Raven authors, BA Tortuga and Julia Talbot are creating to be raffled off for charity at Coastal Magic this February.
BA Tortuga and Julia Talbot will be joining me later this week with their contributions. I can’t wait to see what they do.
Tony Brazzio, co-owner of Club Raven, Baltimore’s premiere men’s club in 1875, has a pocketful of cash and a chip on his shoulder. He’s out to prove to his co-owners — and himself — that he’s not a fluke, that anyone can be successful give the opportunity, no matter how poor his beginnings.
Bull O’Brian and Dandy Gilroy are two hoodlums from the rough streets of New York’s Five Points. They’re pickpockets by trade, and both possess psychic talents that make them two of the best. When Tony offers to bring them to Baltimore and give them the chance at a life of riches in polite society, they jump at the chance, if only to steal the members of Club Raven blind.
The best of plans rarely work the way they’re intended, and things swiftly go from bad to worse for Dandy and Bull. There’s murder afoot and a detective on their trail, and not even copious amounts of hot, sweaty sex can ease their fear or guilt.
As for Tony, he’s faced with admitting his experiment is a failure, something he’s loathe to do. It’ll take a great deal of persuasion, a little luck, and a lot of lube to make sure his plans for Dandy and Bull become more than just wishful thinking.
Excerpt:
Tony sat on a stool in Club Raven’s huge kitchen. A plate piled high with fragrant spaghetti Bolognese sat in front of him, accompanied by another dish holding an array of meatballs, sausage, and braciole. He held a tiny saucer full of grated cheese, and drizzled some over the top of the spaghetti with a delicate silver spoon.“Mama, it smells delicious.”
A very round woman hovered nearby. She wore a black silk faile mourning dress, and a long white apron. Her only jewelry was a simple gold wedding ring, a broach fashioned from human hair that was pinned to her ample bosom, and a pair of black rosary beads she kept in her apron pocket. Her gray-streaked black hair was neatly braided and pinned into a coronet encircling her head. She flicked her fingers impatiently toward his plate. “Si, si. Mangiare.”
Tony chuckled. “Si, si. I’m eating, Mama. You’re going to make me fat.” He twirled his fork in the pasta and lifted it to his mouth. His eyes closed in near ecstasy at his first taste. Nobody cooked like his mama. It was why he brought her to Club Raven as his private chef. She had a nice little apartment behind the kitchen. This way he could see to her needs, and didn’t have to worry about her living in Five Points, but she could still feel useful.
“Perché hai portatoquei due ragazzi irlandesi qui?” She made the forked sign of protection with her fingers. “Sono problemi.”
“I know the two Irish boys are trouble.” He smiled at her, then speared a piece of sausage on his fork. “I need to make them respectable. Rispettabile, you understand?”
“Stai andando a mettere se stessi in difficoltà, Antonio.”
“I won’t get myself in trouble, Mama. I told you—I’m one of the owners in this place.” He shook his head. Mama just couldn’t believe that her son, poor little Anthony Brazzio from Five Points, could co-own a magnificent building like Club Raven. It was as if Mama spent her days with one eye always looking for the trouble she was sure was coming. “I admit, though, I’m wondering if maybe I made a mistake bringing them here. They’re up to something, I can feel it.”
You can also get it from the Evil Plot Bunny website which offers a variety of book formats.
Come join us at the Coastal Magic Convention, this February in Daytona Beach. It’s going to be an absolute blast. #CMCon2017
Don’t miss your chance to meet over 50 fabulous urban fantasy, paranormal, and romance authors at Coastal Magic next February! This super casual book-lover weekend happens on Daytona Beach and gives everyone the chance to hang out with fellow readers and amazing storytellers.
REGISTRATION is open until January 20th! If you haven’t been to Coastal Magic yet, you’re missing out on a lot of fun. Be sure to keep up with all things Coastal Magic, by following it via your own personal social media drug of choice:
Thanks to everyone who joined us today. I always want to know what you think.
What do you do with the swag you get from conventions and book signings? Have you ever used them in a craft? Please feel free to leave a comment and a picture of anything you’ve made with some of your author swag.
.
Synopsis
Copyright: 
Julia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia has been published by Torquere Press, Dreamspinner Press, Resplendence (as Minerva Howe), Changeling Press, and Samhain. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Julia also writes as 
Books, Coffee, and Crafts News 