Final Day of Michael's 70K Bash - Michael Mandrake

Good afternoon! This has been a wonderful experience to have all these awesome authors stop by and do posts, promos, and giveaways to you the readers! Its been AMAZING and I'd like to thank each and everyone of them for being her to celebrate 70k with me!

Let me do a little promo of my own on the next book to come out after I Like Em Pretty in late December. It's already written so expect it to come out perhaps in early to mid 2013 from No Boundaries Press!

Under the Gun was a different avenue for me. I mean, yes two alpha males looking for love and partnership but the eroticism was a different turn for moi, the stuffiest of the 3 muses. Never would I have dreamt to have two men so into guns and making it part of their sex life but that's not the main story or the plot. What makes Under the Gun Hardy and Day stand out is how these PI's are conflicted in every case with subjects that relate so closely to their own personal hangups. They're faced with tough decisions every day that put their reputation as a new PI agency on the line. This couple battles as one to assist those in need and come to grips with issues in their own lives while having a little fun in the process. This is Hardy and Day, Under the Gun. 

Hardy and Day return in their first ever case as a couple and working team.

After Malik has successfully completed the tests to be a PI, Camdyn moves him into his home and office, changing everything to suit his new lover. Malik is still dealing with disapproving parents but this doesn’t stop him from enjoying his newly found relationship.

Their first case? A millionaire checking out a potential man for his daughter. He wants him followed, everything checked to the letter before he allows them to marry. What Hardy and Day find out is something close to each one of their hearts. A man, still looking for acceptance because he is actually gay.

Because of the sensitivity of this case, both Hardy and Day are faced with a difficult decision. Do their job as PI’s and out him to the father thus breaking the girl’s heart? Or helping the man understand his life course is not a choice but instead, how he was born and to accept it?

Unedited excerpt

With a smile on his face, Malik pressed the disconnect button. Just the sound of his lover’s voice made his cock strain against his zipper. He couldn’t wait to be in Camdyn’s arms again, caressing, kissing, licking, that beautiful tanned and tattooed body from head to toe. Malik was taken hook, line, and sinker by the private investigator and wouldn’t allow anything to stand in the way of their happiness.

In a rush, he grabbed the last of his things he’d left behind when moving out in haste. Too bad his parents wouldn’t come around about his orientation and choice to wear it proudly on his sleeve.

“Malik!” Louise Day yelled from the bottom of the staircase. Even though his mom and dad weren’t about to change their minds, he still loved them.

They brought me into this world after all!

“Comin’ ma.” Malik zipped his duffel and sprinted down just before he bumped into his mother. Her stern brown eyes caught his gaze.

“Malik, I hope you change you mind about coming to church with us next Sunday. We want you to talk with Pastor Johnson.

Upon hearing that, Malik grimaced and gripped his bag tighter. “No thanks, mom. I won’t be up in time. Cam and I…”

“No, no, don’t!” She held up her hands in front of his face and shook her head furiously. “I don’t want to hear about your−”

“Lover? He drew up his lips and rolled his eyes. “Look mom, I told ya’, there’s no changin’ me, okay? I was born gay and always will be. I’m in love. Why the hell can’t you be happy for me?”

“Don’t talk to your mother in that kind of tone, Malik,” she scoffed. “You’re sinning against God, willingly. You need to repent for your sins.”

Malik looked away from his mother and down at his shoes. “I do everyday mom and I also thank him for bringing me a man who loves me. My Lord and savior is Jesus Christ and he loves everyone, regardless of what sexual orientation they are.”

Louise shook her head. “Jesus doesn’t like homosexuals. In the bible it talks about Sodom and Gomorrah and men lying with men. He doesn’t appreciate that kind of behavior, Malik!”

As she continued to talk, Malik drifted away from this conversation and to the days that lie ahead. He needed to get his head into passing the exam to be a PI so the Hardy and Day PI company could officially open. Right now all he could do was help Camdyn with paperwork and that bored the hell out of him. He needed to get home and study.

After I have some fun with my man.

“Malik…Malik… are you listening to me?” Louise grabbed his arm and shook it.

He acknowledged her with a nod. “Yes ma’am, every word.” Malik kissed her cheek and walked in the other direction. “I’ll call you soon, m’kay? Tell dad I said hi.” Quickly, he closed the door and ran out the house to jump into Camdyn’s black Corvette.

Damn he needed to get away from his mother something fierce right now before he exploded. Never would he disrespect her but he could care less about her ideas about God and his supposed hatred of fags.

My God loves everybody!

Attempting to get the intense talk from his mother out of mind, he turned on the sound system. Right away, Camdyn’s country music disc blared from the speakers, making Malik wince. “Ugh, oh no, baby. Your choice in music won’t do right now!” When he arrived at a stop light, he pushed eject and reached over into the CD holder on the sun visor. He couldn’t see what he put his hands on but he hoped it was something to get his mind off Momma Day.

When the sounds of Lamb of God’s guitars blasted through the speakers, he smiled wide and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “That’s more like it.” He placed his sunglasses over his eyes and sped away the moment the light changed.

Malik had been a metal music fan since his early teens thanks to his best friend in freshman year of high school who turned him on with some classic AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Mom and dad had a problem with his choice of listening material but Malik never let it bother him and attended concerts with Bryan until they graduated.

Seemingly Eldon and Louise never liked too many of the choices Malik made but they’d have to get over it.

It’s just the way I am and they’ll have to accept it.

****Hope you enjoyed the bash. Today i'm giving away a copy of Under the Gun  and TM2 to 2 lucky commenters. We'll announce all winners on Sunday!

First part of Nano COMPLETE!

Woot! Now that Hardy and Day are in the books, I can relax. 

Shar has decided to hold off for a bit on the m/m twin vampire for now for fear it might be too much research.

We'll save it until 2013.

Wonderful that we already have 29667 done. Only 21333 to go!

Lets go Rawiya!

Nano UPDATE Day 10!

Good morning! So, how am I doing so far? Very well! I'm over the 20k mark at Under the Gun and ahead of schedule as far as finishing the book. 

Looks like it should be finished by Sunday, at the latest Monday. No, I'm not writing 25k in the next two days. *laughs* Shar decided to make Under teh Gun the book and do two shorts instead. 

Much to the chagrin of BL who wanted to get YDA two out, Shar concluded it would be better to do UTG by itself. 

I'ts coming along quite nicely with Camdyn and Malik enjoying their love and work partnership. Maybe even a little TOO much.

*waggles eyebrows*

When I'm done, Rawiya will write a short that should be about ten k and then I'll finish out the month with a shifter twin tale a dear reader asked me to do quite a while ago. 

It will be self pubbed as will Rawiya's story.

Keep watch on this space for more details!

Thursday Thoughts Fun With a Gun!

Good Morning! This is the gay male muse Michael Mandrake with a guest post. Instead of blogging about writing how about something different. Like my subject matter? As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve sort of broken away from the ideas that my fellow muses use in their stories. My characters are comfortable with their sexuality and instead, the “gay” in the tales is a mute point. I’m looking to create stories that are more of a mainstream variety. On my plate, I have a noir story, a suspenseful spy tale with a who killed who, and even an urban fantasy planned with a demon who focuses on one particular man and makes him live and relive a nightmare in order to get him in bed.

In my book Under the Gun, I’m pushing boundaries with an erotica romance about two men who have an interesting fetish. It’s only the sidebar, since the tale centers on the characters each searching for a partner, one for a lover and a business associate. Under the Gun is a start to the series Hardy and Day, a collection of adventures where Malik and Camdyn are private investigators, finding out different information on their clients whether its cheating spouses or potential employees with hidden secrets. While they investigate, they build a loving relationship, exploring all possibilities as well as play a wicked game with their favourite toy.

Being a new writer, I had to do some research about guns and I continue that for this story as well as Closely Guarded, my spy novel. The parts of it, what kinds a PI is allowed to carry as well as licenses. The first book doesn’t delve into the use of them but it does give you the insight into what Camdyn and Malik love to do. It was a true departure for me since the sex and or romance is never the most exciting part of the story. For this one though, I enjoyed tapping into my inner kink and pushing the boundaries for their first love scene.

How appropriate my publisher for this series is called, No Boundaries. Have a look at the cover blurb and excerpt. 

No Boundaries

Amazon

All Romance

Barnes and Noble

Camdyn Hardy is a former cop who has his own private investigator business. Due to a misunderstanding from a client, he gets into an argument with his lover Tay. Right after, they breakup Camdyn is left alone to think about his future as a PI and his love life.

                                   

Malik Day was recently discharged under the DADT policy and is looking to get his life on track The main reason he joined was because he dreamed of being a ranking officer. Now that it’s been taken away, he desires to start his life anew and find someone to share it with.

After two weeks the men meet at a shooting range and find out they have a lot in common. Once they engage in a one on one match, they proceed to a bar to have drinks and get to know one another better.  They both discover their affinity for guns as well as Camdyn’s need for a new partner at Camdyn & Associates. Malik is intrigued but afraid to ask him and decides to wait till they are closer. Camdyn is excited about this prospect as well but waits for Malik to say the word. Finally, in an erotic encounter, true feelings are revealed.

In subsequent books, the story continues where the twosome begin their work and love relationship. Together they’ll take on cases investigating cheating husbands or wives, companies with defector employees all the while trying to maintain their newfound commitment to one another as well as having a little fun in the process.

When he made it to the office, he signed the necessary papers and waited as the man finished his transaction. Lazily, he leaned on the counter and nonchalantly glanced at a hot looking man that stood less than twenty feet away. Malik grinned and moistened his lips in the gorgeous stranger’s direction.

Damn.

The attractive guy gave him more than an eye and winked. Obviously, he plays on my team. His lush brown-and-blond hair barely kissed his shoulders. Beautiful azure eyes the same color as the Pacific. Lips so slim and kissable, Malik knew he could enjoy them for hours. Wicked visions crossed his mind as he eyed the scruff on the man’s cheeks. He liked a little roughness when making love.

The snug, black shirt fit well, hugging his bulging muscles. Malik eyed the ink that peeked from under one sleeve and salivated. His skinny, black jeans clung to his taut buttocks; Malik’s own trousers felt a little tight in the crotch. “Mhmmm.” Malik tried to keep his stares from being obvious to the clerk. 

Would the hot man like to play with him a little? Malik sure hoped so.

It had been a long while since his last fuck. He’d spent the time searching for employment, going to job fairs, and not getting any call backs. Malik had remained so focused on getting a job; he’d ignored the signals of his groin needing a release from other than his own hand. Too long. He headed for the door and wished the handsome man would follow.

Maybe it’s time to stop looking for work and attempt to find a man.

Just when he stepped out, a voice stopped him. 

“Hey.”

Malik slowly turned around. It was indeed him, the hottie he’d been eyeing. It shocked Malik to see the guy was actually speaking to him. “Hello.” Malik was taken aback by the guy speaking to him, but he guessed he warranted a greeting when they exchanged more than a passing glance.

The man stepped closer to him and held out his hand. “Name’s Camdyn. And you are?”

“Malik.” He accepted the handshake and returned it firmly. “Nice to meet you.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Same here.” Malik noticed Camdyn continued to hold on to his palm. Of course he didn’t mind; it felt unexpectedly soft and warm. “Um, you been comin’ here a while?”

“Yeah, I um…” Malik stopped short and bit his lip. He tried not to sound too excited. This was the last place he’d expected to be picked up at. The shooting range? Malik would’ve never thought of this place to meet other gay men. 

“I been around, but I just got back in town.”

“Yeah? I’m guessin’ from the getup you served in the Army.”

“Uh huh… I um… yeah, let’s go outside.” Quickly, he pulled his hands away, even though he didn’t want to. Surely, he wanted to talk with Camdyn some more, but away from others coming in and out of the shop. He felt a little uncomfortable being picked up at some place so manly, but in a way, he liked it.