Closed Doors Means New Beginnings

Greetings readers. Let’s take a trip back in time shall we? Nov 17, 2010, to be exact. I received a contract from XOXO publishing for my short story, True Meaning of Love. Wow. I was so excited, elated, and relieved that a publisher took the chance, giving me, a new author, the chance to release a book. I had high expectations. No, not millions of copies sold or a best seller at Amazon. I only expected to make a dent in the publishing world, to get my name out there and improve as an author as time went along. And I did. I got my name out there with this book as well as A Second Chance and The Power of Muse, along with other shorts I did in their anthologies. However, authors rarely stay with one publisher throughout their writing career. They move on to other publishers or they try their hands at doing it on their own. This was no backlash against XOXO but instead, just a way to see if I could make several dents throughout the industry.

And I have with all 3 names. Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time writing under BL and Michael hasn’t really had the chance to publish with other companies. I plan on changing that now with some revisions as well as new stories I’m sending out to publishers. However, I also had the above mentioned stories in the back of my mind. I wanted to totally redo the stories, delve deeper into the characters and hopefully find a new home for them either with another publisher or publishing myself. Well, now I get that chance. Yesterday, I received a letter from the acquisitions editor that XOXO is closing its doors. Wow. In truth I’m not really shocked. I hadn’t really kept in touch with the owner and only talked with the editor a couple of times recently when I wanted these stories pulled but I suspected that things weren’t going as expected and the person in charge decided to fold.

Interestingly, I’ve seen this happen not only to XOXO but No Boundaries Press which closed its doors last year and to date hasn’t paid a lot of people their money owed, me included. At least with XOXO, she did, and for that I am grateful. And though I just said I’m not shocked, I am saddened that the company wasn’t able to go on. I wish no ill will on anybody, not even the criminal from No Boundaries but authors see this happen all the time and yeah, the backlist gets smaller. Hell, Michael’s lost four books in the last year! *smiles* But it’s an opportunity to re-work these stories and make them better. Michael and I will do the character arcs we didn’t do in 2010. We’ll plot these out and make better stories for A Second Chance and The Power of Muse. We’ll incorporate True Meaning in with the second book to make it a more complete story and we’ll move on. Me and this muse will be okay. Yeah Michael, we will. *pats the muse*

I’m excited about this new beginning for all three of these stories and look forward to diving back into the characters. Yeah, I lose 3 very awesome covers done by Amanda Struz but I thank her and XOXO for giving me a wonderful start back then and a new beginning for the near future. 

Flashback Fiction Friday - A Second Chance

Greetings readers

I'm here with another edition of Flashback Fiction Friday or Fab Fiction Friday

All of my books hold special places in my heart but this one is near the top of the list.

A Second Chance is a story of two cops who both lost their partners in love and work. Both are searching for happiness but how can they being part of the homophobic police force?

I look forward to expanding on this story at a later date. 

For now, enjoy the book in it's original form.

Blurb: Two cops who’ve lost their partners in the line of duty and life are both lonely but hesitant about beginning a relationship with someone new. Will one of them accept the others proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?


Amazon XOXO

While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn’t help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.

Damn…

“Um, hello…” I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. “I’m Farris Beason.”

He accepted. “Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you.” The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.

Don chuckled, “See Beason, if you would’ve been in the right frame of mind you could’ve joined Daniel today.”

While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.

“Pity,” Daniel said with a grin. “Maybe when you’ve recovered from your wild night?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I laughed, “Yeah, um…maybe…”

We’d broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?

Day 3 Michael's 70K Bash - Michael Mandrake

Good morning! Day 3 features me, the host, yours truly!

Shar and I were talking, you know internally... *ahem* We discuss things all the time. Our topic? How we love to write about cops! Yep, love the law enforcers, strong men and women with huge cahonnies to do what they do. 

No way would I want to go out there and take a job where my life is in constant danger. I mean, life can be taken away or changed at anytime but what these people do is beyond the call. 

Evidence that we love cops in our books? Think about it. My series, Under the Gun has private investigators, Closely Guarded, the main characters are vigilante cops, and the next book, my guy is a New Orleans cop. 

Yep, I love the men and women in blue for my books. My first cop story is this one on the left. A Second Chance where my characters Daniel and Farris both attempt to get over the significant loss in their lives. Unreal that this story came out in August of 2011. I should've had a book birthday for it but instead, I'm doing a sequel for them. 

Look for it in 2013. In the meantime, enjoy a little from the first and and commenters are entered to win this book and another from my backlist! Make sure you leave your email!

Buylink

BLURB:

Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other’s proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

That following morning I went to work fully rested and refreshed. After talking with Jayson’s picture, I felt better about approaching Daniel. I’d never had an issue with chatting up a potential mate but since I was starting over, I was really nervous about it.

After roll call, I caught up with Daniel who was talking to Shaugnessey at his desk. I couldn’t help but stare at the nice backside. It was tight in all the right places, leaving little to the imagination.

“Hey, what’s up, guys.” I pulled my hand back quickly because I was about to touch him.

“Nothin, Farris. So, did you go out again last night? You seemed kind of sluggish, even though this time, Chief didn’t notice.” Shaugnessy joked while Daniel gave me a smile.

“No, I was a good little boy and stayed at home. I cleaned up a little, watched the game, then went directly to sleep.”

Just as Shaugnessey was about to say something more, Daniel cleared his throat.

 “Hey um, Jim?”

“Yep?” Shaugnessey turned his attention away from me to the Captain in training.

“You got work to do, don’cha? Why don’t you head over there and get started, huh?” Daniel glared at Jim, already displaying his authority.

“Yeah, um, sure.”

Once he stepped away, I wanted to laugh but Daniel caught my eye again. “Uh, thanks?” I fingered the top of my head like I always did when I was tense.

Daniel raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know for what but you’re welcome.”

“You saved me from Shaugnessey’s teasing.” I folded my arms, putting all my weight on my left foot.   

“No, I told the man to get to work but, if you wanna continue thinking that, you can. Why don’t we step outside…partner.”

I drew up my lips, smiling wryly after he completed his statement. I guessed we’d be working together today which would be just what I wanted. When we made it to the sidewalk, we strolled through the parking lot in silence until he turned to me.

“So you ready to work with a real cop?”

“Excuse me?”

Daniel took a pack of Marlboro’s out of his pocket, hitting his hand with them before removing one cigarette. He lit it then took a puff. “I heard you’ve been on the streets with Jim for a while since your partner got killed. Sorry about that man.”

I nodded. “Uh, thanks. Jim’s a good man. He’s just an asshole sometimes.”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t have what it takes like you do. I heard about you from across town, Beason. Some of your antics are legendary.”

Again, I grinned, crossing my arms. “Oh yeah? What’s the last one you heard?”

Daniel took another drag. “Eh, you know, the usual. The robbery you stopped a few months ago in the Loop and…uh, I’m sorry man, you want one?” He pulled the cancer sticks back out his jacket.

“Oh, no…I…um…I quit a while back.”

“Pity. I need to do that too but being a police officer is too damn stressful not to have any bad habits. You got any of those, Beason?”

I shrugged, grinning a little. “Well, besides goin’ out and stayin’ until the wee hours…no.”

“You don’t drink either?” Daniel continued to smoke. It looked sexy too. I wish I was the Marlboro he was putting in between his lips.

“Oh yeah, I do…only socially though.”

“Oh okay, good. Anyway, Chief says you need someone more experienced to go out into the field with you so…here I am.”

Fantastic.

“That’s great, Cap…”

“Call me Daniel, please. I ain’t in command yet.”

You could’ve fooled me.

I chuckled, shaking my head. “I believe you are since you showed Jim who’s in charge back there.”

“Well, he needed to be put in check. He’s just jealous because you got a life and he doesn’t.”

“Yeah, well…how much of a life can you have with a wife and three kids?” We made our way over to the Impala.

“Heh, none,” he retorted as we were walking.

This would’ve been the perfect opportunity to ask him about the ring but I didn’t want to come off so forward. I’d make the time to ask him after we’d come from the streets.

I tried not to mix business with pleasure on most days and since we were heading out into the Wild West-like streets of Chicago, now wouldn’t have been a good time for us to talk about something so distracting.

WINNER of the Backlist Bloghop!

The winner of the Backlist Bloghop is

*drumroll*

Mary!

Congrats to Mary and thanks for all the comments!

Hey just a note, you can still get SOMETHING even if you're not Mary!

Today BL's Something Fresh Served Hot is free at NNP!

http://naughtynightspress.com/nnpstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=30

Its a funny short story and hell, what's better than a free book?

Not a whole lot!

Thanks again!

Backlist Bloghop!

BLURB:

Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other’s proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

PG EXCERPT:

While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn’t help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.

Damn…

“Um, hello…” I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. “I’m Farris Beason.”

He accepted. “Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you.” The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.

Don chuckled, “See Beason, if you would’ve been in the right frame of mind you could’ve joined Daniel today.”

While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.

“Pity,” Daniel said with a grin. “Maybe when you’ve recovered from your wild night?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I laughed, “Yeah, um…maybe…”

We’d broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?

Link

http://www.xoxopublishing.com/Products/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=a+second+chance&product_id=75

*Comment today and win copy of this book as well as True Meaning of Love from XOXO publishing. 

Please visit all the other bloggers for the hop!

Review A Second Chance

Greetings folks!


Haven't been around much lately. Day job is killing me plus I'm editing and writing too. Ugh!


Anyway here is a lovely review for A Second Chance, my cop novellette from XOXO


http://romancing-the-book.com/2012/05/second-chance-by-michael.html


BLURB:

Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other’s proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

XOXO Buylink

Amazon

A nice review for A Second Chance

A lovely review from Night Owl for A Second Chance

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Reviews/Lilyraines-reviews-A-Second-Chance-by-Michael-Mandrake.aspx

Another great review for A Second Chance

I'm pleased with this review for my 2nd novella, A Second Chance.

This is my highest rated book. A sequel is in the works but for now, have a look at the review from

Man Oh Man

XOXO Amazon

BLURB:

Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other’s proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

PG EXCERPT:

While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn’t help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.

Damn…

“Um, hello…” I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. “I’m Farris Beason.”

He accepted. “Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you.” The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.

Don chuckled, “See Beason, if you would’ve been in the right frame of mind you could’ve joined Daniel today.”

While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.

“Pity,” Daniel said with a grin. “Maybe when you’ve recovered from your wild night?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I laughed, “Yeah, um…maybe…”

We’d broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?

TODAY!!!!

Michael is at Sex Marks again with some promo for a Second Chance

Also posted late yesterday, at Tina B's.

So excited, My Lieutenant sales seem to be going well. Received a Silver Star on ARe

*Squee*

Michael and I are working on edits. Weren't we supposed to be doing Nano?

o.0

Six Sentence Sunday - A Second Chance

Greetings fans.

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday at my blog.

Here are my six from my latest book, A Second Chance.

“Hey…Daniel?”

“Yep?”

“You said you’d tell me more about the ring.” 

“Oh , yeah, no, I’m not married or engaged, I wear it for sentimental reasons. I’m in the same boat as you, Farris. I lost the man I loved in the line of duty.” 

Damn, we’re one in the same?

Buylink

Look at other six authors here

Thanks for stopping in!

Saturday Snark - A Second Chance

This fab idea from great gay romance writer, Marie Sexton. 

Saturday Snark.

Here is the line from A Second Chance between the Chief and Farris

“Farris, aren’t you tired of hanging out at thirty-six?”

Smiling wryly, I chuckled, “No sir. I’m still a young man. Since I’m not dead yet, I might as well try makin’ all the parties I can before I’m not able to anymore.” 

Please go back and check out the rest of the snark authors!

Six Sentence Sunday - A Second Chance

Here's the six from my new release, A Second Chance.

I grinned, batting my eyelids, “Would I be wrong to say that I kind of noticed?”

Daniel chuckled, “No.” 

I pulled him close, pressing my lips against his, enjoying the tastes of Marlboro and Starbucks latte. 

Immediately, I felt my groin fill up and my cock ached to be inside him but I didn’t want to rush it.

“Mhmm…” 

We embraced again, enjoying each other’s kisses, grabbing onto each other’s clothes while our tongues tangled, leaving both of us sighing into each other’s mouths. 

For more on this new release click here.

For more of the SSS authors, click here

Saturday Sips - A Second Chance

Good morning, welcome to another Saturday Sip.

This time, I wish to give you a taste of my latest WIP that will be going to my core publisher, XOXO publishing. I actually revised this story, and am now finishing it up as a novella to hopefully be out soon.

A Second Chance is a tale of two cops, both in the closet who've lost their respective partners in life and on the force. Both are hesitant to move forward but once they realize they are one in the same, sparks fly.

Here is a small excerpt.

*****

“BEASON, WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM!” Donahue’s scream of my surname scared the living daylights out of me.

“Sorry sir, you were sayin’?” I knew I was in for it. Don had been in the military.

“Beason, what’s the reason you can’t pay attention?”

Got cock on the brain…

“Sir, forgive me. I think I might’ve left somethin’ on my stove.” I lied, knowing I hadn’t cooked or even touched the thing all week.

Don rolled his eyes. “Humph, well that might be somethin’ you’d want to check on, eh?”

He bought it?

“Erm yeah, if you don’t mind I can call my neighbor…”

Don moved his feet once more, while gripping onto the wood in front of him. “No, I got a better idea. Why don’t you go home after roll call and check yourself. I wouldn’t want your place to burn down. I don’t think you’re fit to work today.”

Fuck…

Ooh’s and aah’s filled the room along with more snickers.

“Yes, sir,” I said sliding down further into my seat.

“Now, any more of you have things you want to check on? We have a lot of rookies that would love to switch places with you vets and go out into the field instead of walking the beat or filing papers.”

At the conclusion of his statement, not a single word was heard.

“Alrighty then, let’s move on shall we? As I was saying, Beason, I really would’ve liked you to be here with the new guy but since you’re going home, I’ll allow him to go out with Shaugnessey today.”

I nodded, sighing, feeling like a complete ass. I couldn’t argue with him though, I was exhausted. The last thing I needed to do was go catching criminals when I wasn’t completely prepared.

“Fantastic Beason thanks for listening. Captain Daniel DeClerc, welcome to hell district. We’re honored to have you here.”

When he finished, a tall, slender man got up from the seat directly in front of him. I was in such a daze when I came in earlier, I didn’t notice him.

“Hiya.” The tone sounded like he came from the west coast. By the looks of him, I might have been on the money. Tanned, buff in all the right places, and the hair, a little too long for the force but I liked it.

“Everyone, please come up and introduce yourselves to Captain DeClerc. He’s in the training program with only six months to go. So far, he’s gone through it with flying colors, but in order to pass, he had to come through our side of town.”

Donahue put his hand on DeClerc’s shoulder, giving him a smile.

Was this his replacement?

“Alright people, everything you need to know is up here. Be careful out there, go get em’. Say hello to Daniel on your way out.”

As everyone got up from their seats, I watched the young man closely. I really liked what I saw. He was really attractive and since I preferred my men to have this kind of appearance, I already had plans of how I’d talk to him.

While he continued to shake hands, I couldn’t help but notice the ring on his finger.

Shit…does that mean…

Damn, is he already taken? Even if he was, that would only be a small hill to climb. The question was by whom. I was still gawking and…

“Beason? Everything alright, son?” Donahue walked in front of me just as I pondered how I’d speak to Daniel.

“Uh, yeah, sir, everything’s good, really. I’m uh…just tired, that’s all.”

“Yeah? Well stop stayin’ out all hours of the night…you need to settle down and um…do whatever it is that you…uh…you know…”

I glared at him, wishing he would’ve pulled me in the office instead of talking to me right here. Our conversation was still in earshot of other people.

“Farris, aren’t you tired of hanging out at thirty-six?”

I chuckled, “No sir. I’m still a young man. Since I’m not dead yet, I might as well try makin’ all the parties I can before I’m not able to anymore.”

He laughed, “Yeah, okay. This is a warning, Farris. If I catch you in this state again, I’m suspending you without pay next time. Consider this a favor cause I like ya’, like a friend, ya’ know…”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, I know.”

Don and I had a great chief to officer relationship. We got closer when I lost my last partner and lover in the line of duty. In front of the force, he kept a stern demeanor, not showing me any favoritism, but when we were alone talking, he became like a father figure to me.

While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral.

Damn…

“Um, hello…” I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. “I’m Farris Beason.”

He accepted. “Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you.”

Don chuckled, “See Beason, if you would’ve been in the right frame of mind you could’ve joined Daniel today.”

While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. He was even more attractive up close. The only distraction was the defect on his married finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.

*****

Hope you enjoyed the tale. Its' close to completion so look for me to make an announcement really soon.

Thanks for reading and don't forget about the contest for the 7 books. A comment on any of the blogs till Friday is entered. See you on Monday for the Update and Manlove Monday crosspost.

BLMorticia's My Lieutenant Sip