Thursday, July 31, 2014

Thursday Update-7/31/14

Hello everyone and Happy Thursday! (And to all of my fellow Potterheads-Happy Harry and JK's Birthday!!!) It has been a trying week, but I am finally starting to get my life back on track. Here's what's going on this week:

First, and most importantly, I am writing again. It is still slow-going and the words aren't always there, but at least I can sit and try again. I'm hoping that in the next couple weeks, my muse will be back up to full strength. I wrote about 5K words this weekend, which isn't the best for me, but I am satisfied with considering everything.

So what have I been writing? Well, I actually started a brand-new story. I am thinking it will be a novella, but for the first time ever I have not done an outline for this one. I'm just letting the words come. Why? Well, the story is called When It All Falls Apart and is based on everything that I have been going on. Now it is not a biography, by any means. The characters are their own people and the details are pure fiction, but it was born out of the emotional turmoil I've been dealing with. It has not been the easiest thing to write and there have been a lot of tears (and there will be a lot more) but I think it's something I have to write. And I'm not sure I will be able to write anything else until it's finished. So we'll see.

Other than that, it has actually been a fairly quiet week. Death Gets a Boyfriend is still in production, but the blog tour is in place, thanks to Will at Pride Promotions and I'm just waiting for that to move forward. Still waiting on word from MWMGML and Finding Love in the Darkness.

Oh, oh, I almost forgot. Today, and only today, you can get The Sacrifices We Make for only 99 cents!! So head over to the DSP website here and get your copy before it is too late!

I think that's about it. I did want to spend a special thank you to the entire MM community for all of their support and kind words that everyone has given me over the last week. It means so much to me and I greatly appreciate it.

Okay, I guess that really is it. Have a great rest of the week!

~Sophie

Monday, July 28, 2014

The Saga of Steve and Joey-Part 30

Hello everyone and Happy Monday!! I am back with a new part of The Saga of Steve and Joey. Enjoy!

Part 30
Joey
I smile as Steve pulls the chair out for me before going around the table to sit down.
“You always were a smooth romantic.”
Steve smiles before picking up the menu. Tonight is the fifteenth anniversary of the day we met. I can’t believe in has been fifteen years since I first waked into this very restaurant, butterflies in my stomach over a blind date. I never thought all those years ago that I would be married to that very man with a child.
“Are you okay?”
I shake my head to try and clear my head of those memories and focus on the moment. “I’m fine.”
“He’ll be okay, you know.”
“Who?”
“Aiden. That is what you were thinking of, wasn’t it?”
I couldn’t help but smile at Steve’s insight. Under normal circumstances I would have been thinking of Aiden. He’s on his very first sleepover at Gordy’s house. I had been resisting his pleas for about a month, desperate to keep him at home. But the lure of a private night on our anniversary was too tempting to ignore. Plus, Aiden was starting to beg.
“Actually, I wasn’t.”
“Really,” Steve says, clearly shocked.
“No. I was thinking about this place. And about that night fifteen years ago.”
Steve smiles. “I wish I could remember more. I was so out of it, it’s all kind of a blur.”
“I’m surprised you came if you were that tired.”
“Well, I did think about bailing. But Lucas would have kicked my ass and it wasn’t worth it.”
I chuckle. “I guess I should be glad. I don’t know how I would have felt if I got stood up by a blind date.”
“What do you mean?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I was really hesitant for Lucas to set me up on a blind date. I had been on a bad streak, not being able to stop dating losers. I was starting to get really depressed about it too. I was just about ready to swear off dating when Lucas told me I had to meet you. But if you had bailed, I probably wouldn’t have given you another chance.”
Steve sucks in a breath. “Why didn’t I know about this?”
“Because I really didn’t think it mattered. I mean, I found you and you were, well are, perfect for me. Those losers I was dating don’t matter anymore. And they never did, so I just never brought it up.”
Steve chuckles. “I guess not. It’s actually kinda funny. I thought I knew about that night and now fifteen years later, I’m learning more.”
“I like that, though. It’s like there’s always more I can learn about you and about us.”
Steve reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “Babe, I don’t think you’ll ever have to worry about that. I mean, it’s been fifteen years and I am still learning new things. Besides, even if that magically stops and I manage to learn ever thought that has ever passed through your mind, then I will still be here. Because I’ve seen enough in fifteen years to know that you’re it for me.”
I smile as I look down at the table, blushing. “Since when did you become a smooth talker?”
“Hey, it’s our anniversary. I think I’m allowed.”
“You are. It’s just not something I hear that often.”
Steve sighs as he clutches my hand a little tighter. “I’m sorry. I know I haven’t been as forthcoming with that as I did when we were first going out. I don’t even know why. I love you even more now.”
“It’s simple, really,” I say, running my thumb along the back of his hand. “Life. We have Aiden now, who is quite good at making yucky faces whenever we kiss. You work full-time, we have a house and the list goes on. There just isn’t time in the day.”
“Of course there is! There is always enough time to say how much I love you.”
I meet his eyes and smile. “Steve, it’s okay. I don’t expect you to start saying ‘I love you’ every second of every day.”
“But I do.”
“I know. But that’s the whole point. I don’t need you to say it every minute. I already know.”
Steve looks down at our joined hands and smile. “I guess that’s why I married you, huh? Cause you know me so well.”
“Well, that and the sex.”
Steve laughs. “Well, there is that.”
“Now we should probably look at these menus.”
“Probably. The waiter keeps coming over to see if we’re ready. At some point he’s either going to interrupt us or give up entirely.”

I laugh before picking up the menu that still lies on the table. I give Steve a smile before I open the menu. We may have fallen into domestic bliss, but I know Steve loves me and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

I hope everyone enjoyed that! I will be back next week with Part 31 where we will reconnect with Aiden. See you all then.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Thursday Update-7/24/14

Hello and Happy Thursday to you all! As you know, today is my weekly writing update. However, there really isn't much to say. On Monday, something truly tragic happened in my personal life. And while I am not ready to talk about it publicly yet, I will say that it stole my muse. I normally do my writing on Wednesday and Thursday, but this whole thing has left me so tired and drained that any attempts at writing or editing failed miserably. So I really don't have much in the way of writing updates. However, things still happened this week that I would like to share with you. So here they are:

I have a new Facebook author page! It is right here. You can like the page and find out all sorts of things about my books. You could also friend me, but this is an alternative, in case, you don't want to be my friend. (Although, I don't know who wouldn't want to be my friend.) Or you could do both! (hint, hint, hint)

I also just finished speaking at the School Library Journal SummerTeen Virtual Conference. That was a lot of fun and I got to talk with some great people. So thanks to Harmony Ink and Nessa for giving me the chance to speak at the event.

I am also proud to announce that Death Gets a Boyfriend will be partaking in an epic blog tour run by Pride Promotions. More details on that later!

I think that's about it. I am still waiting on word on MWMGML and Finding Love in the Darkness. Maybe soon...

~Sophie

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

New Facebook Author Page

I have a brand-new Author Page on Facebook! It will be a brand-new page where you can learn all about my upcoming releases. Check it out here! And feel free to give it a like.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Sorry

Hello everyone! I am really sorry, but I was in the middle of writing my free read for the week when something big came up in my real life. So I will not be able to post this week. But feel free to check out the Character Tag Blog Tour instead to keep yourselves entertained. And I will have the next post of The Saga of Steve and Joey available next week. (Unless real life intervenes again...)

~Sophie

Character Tag Blog Tour

While I have no idea who started this, I have been asked to participate in this Character Tag Blog Tour by Brynn Stein at http://brynnstein2.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/. She has passed the Character-tag questions to me and I’ll pass it on to Brandon Witt at https://www.facebook.com/brandon.witt.author?ref_type=bookmark

Here are the questions.

1. What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

My main character is Death. And when I say Death, I mean, the physical embodiment of Death. Some people may prefer to call him the Grim Reaper. And since I am still alive and therefore have not yet met the Grim Reaper, my depiction of him is strictly fictional.

2. When and where is the story set?

The story is set in the present. The majority of the book is set in either New York City or in Death’s home. But I can’t tell you too much about that yet.

3. What should we know about him/her?

Death is a total nerd. Death is also very well-versed in human culture. As a result, he likes the Power Rangers and Spongebob Squarepants. He also has a Playstation so he can keep up with his video games. In addition, Death has a bit of a problem keeping his mouth shut and he likes to ramble on about things. But despite his flaws and eccentricities, he is very lovable. And that is something he learns in the story.

4. What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

In a word: Tommy. Humans aren’t supposed to see Death, but Tommy can. It turns Death’s world upside down. Not knowing what else to do Death goes to Tommy to try and figure out what’s going on. He doesn’t, but Death starts up a friendship with Tommy that soon becomes more.

5. What is the personal goal of the character?

To be happy. Death has been on his own since the beginning of time and he doesn’t really like any of the other immortals around him. When Tommy sees him, even though it scares the crap out of Death, he is given a chance to find happiness.

6. Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

The title is Death Gets a Boyfriend. The novella is in production now so I can’t release too much, but keep checking back here for the latest information

7. When can we expect the book to be published?

Death Gets a Boyfriend will be published in early fall by Dreamspinner Press.



Don’t forget to visit Brandon Witt next week at https://www.facebook.com/brandon.witt.author?ref_type=bookmark

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Project Fierce Blog Spots

Hello everyone! I am terribly sorry that this post is a little late, but real life has not given me any free time this weekend. Anyway, I wanted to let you all know about some of the blog tour stops going on for the Project Fierce Anthology. Because there are so many of us, I know there is a chance that I missed some, but here are the ones I know about.

All Authors at JP Barnaby
Dianne Hartsock at Cody Kennedy
Dianne Hartsock at Because Two Men Are Better Than One
Piper Vaughn at Because Two Men Are Better Than One
My article on Because Two Men Are Better Than One

So feel free to go read about this amazing anthology! Also I will be over at Brynn Stein's blog tomorrow to talk more about the anthology. So go here to check that out!

I hope everyone finds that helpful. And remember that if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me directly at any time.

~Sophie

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Thursday Update-7/17/14

Hello everyone! I hope everyone has had a great week. Mine has been very busy, but somehow I have also managed to have some personal time away from work and writing, which is slightly unusual. But I had a great time. And, somehow, I have still managed to be productive. This is what I have done this week:

The Project Fierce Anthology is OUT!!! You can go buy it now. All of the information is in the post below. So, if you haven't already, go pick up your copy TODAY!

Death Gets a Boyfriend is getting a little closer every week. This week I finished the blurb. I'm just waiting for the galley now. So exciting!!

My other big news for the week is that I have started a new novel entitled His World, His Game, My Love and, in case you were wondering, yes, it is the sequel to My World, My Game, My Love. I have the first chapter done and am working on the second. It will be a little while until it's done, but I'm happy with where the story is going so far.

Still waiting on word from MWMGML and Finding Love in the Darkness. The Janiman has been accepted, but since it was for a charity anthology my submission was already guaranteed. So I'm waiting for production to start on that.

I hope everyone has a great week! See everyone on Monday for the next part of The Saga of Steve and Joey and a special mystery post! Until then...

~Sophie

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

NOW AVAILABLE

NOW AVAILABLE



Nobody deserves to be without a home. In collaboration with several authors, Less Than Three Press offers up an anthology of stories about young people who find that home and family are not always where you expect to find them.

All proceeds from this charity anthology will be donated to Project Fierce Chicago.

Project Fierce Chicago's mission is to reduce LGBTQ youth homelessness in Chicago by providing affirming, no-cost transitional housing and comprehensive support services to homeless LGBTQ young adults. PFC also aims to encourage community-building and civic engagement through cooperative living and youth leadership development.

LT3's Project Fierce Chicago charity anthology includes 20 short stories from Aeris, Vicktor Alexander, Talya Andor, C.J. Anthony, Blaine D. Arden, Kayla Bain-VrbaSophie BonasteKenzie CadeJana Denardo,Alessandra EbuluDianne HartsockLeta HutchinsCaitlin RicciLor RoseB. Snow, Rin Sparrow, Andrea SpeedPiper Vaughn, Layla M. Wier, and Xara X. Xanakas.

Get Your Copy Today Here!

Monday, July 14, 2014

The Saga of Steve and Joey-Part 29

Hello everyone and Happy Monday! It is time for another part in The Saga of Steve and Joey. This part is a continuation of Part 28. If you didn't read it or want to refresh your memory, you can catch up on Part 28 (and every other part) right here. Enjoy!

Part 29
Steve
I pull the SUV in front of a brick house on the other side of town. It’s a nice looking house with a small, well-maintained lawn in the front. There are two levels to the house with a garage attached to the side.
“Are we here,” Aiden calls from the backseat.
I look over at Joey with a smile. He’s asked if we were there yet three times on the way here. Normally I would find it a little annoying, but Aiden’s practically vibrating with excitement. That makes it hard to be angry.
Joey just smiles back and turns around to look at Aiden.
“Yes, baby. We’re here. Just give me a minute and I’ll get you out of your car seat.”
“I can do it,” Aiden says fiercely.
I park the car as I hear Aiden unclicking the latches of his car seat. Joey gets out of his seat and opens the back door to help Aiden out. I walk around to them and together we walk up to the front door.
We’re not even halfway up the walk when the front door of the house opens. There is a little boy Aiden’s age standing behind the screen door jumping up and down. He is a cute child, with black hair that can’t seem to be tamed and a pair of black glasses on his face. Aiden breaks free of Joey’s grip and runs for the door. Aiden doesn’t even try to open the screen, just starts talking to his friend through the door.
But as Joey and I approach the door we can hear that not everyone is as happy as the two small boys.
“Gordon! What did I tell you about opening the door by yourself?”
The two boys look up at the middle-aged woman. She is dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. She has delicate features that I hear are very attractive on a woman. Not that I would know personally.
“Hi,” Joey says, walking up to join Aiden on the stoop.
The woman looks up at us and gives us a tired smile. “Hi. You must be Aiden’s parents. Come on in.”
Joey grips my hand a little tighter as I pull Aiden away from the screen so she can open the door for us. And I know why. Joey had spoken to Gordy’s mom on the phone last week to set this up. He was careful to make sure she knew Aiden had two fathers, but she didn’t seem to have a problem with it. I had been a little afraid that Aiden would lose his first friend because of that, but it didn’t seem to be an issue.
Once we are inside, Gordy grabs Aiden’s hand and together they go off. I’m not sure where but I think I hear something about Gordy showing Aiden his bedroom.
“Sorry about that,” Gordy’s mom says. “Gordy has been so excited for Aiden to come visit.”
“It’s okay. Aiden has been bouncing off the walls too,” I say. “I’m Steve by the way. And you already talked to Joey.
“Of course,” she says, shaking both of our hands. “I’m Amy. Come on in.”
We walk through the living room to the kitchen. It is a very nice house with matching furniture and brightly painted walls. But despite the décor, it’s easy to see a child lives there with all of the toys around the house.
Amy offers us a seat at the breakfast bar and something to drink. We accept and settle in to chat with her.
“I’m so glad you could bring Aiden up,” Amy says, setting two glasses of iced tea on the counter. “Gordy has not stopped talking about Aiden since they met.”
I chuckle. “Him too, huh? Because I don’t think Aiden has talked about anything else in the last week.”
Amy laughs for a minute before turning to us with all seriousness. “But you know, as annoying as it has been at times, I have to admit I’m happy he found someone. He never really connected to any of his peers before. He’s as happy as I’ve ever seen him with another child.”
“Aiden is the same way,” Joey says. “I was actually starting to get worried about him.”
“Well,” Amy says with a smile. “I’m glad they found each other.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. We stay and talk to Amy for a little while, sipping on our drinks. Eventually, the conversation starts to die and we all drift in the direction of Gordy’s room to check on the boys. The two are sitting on the floor playing Transformers, completely oblivious to us watching them.
“If you have plans, you can go,” Amy says. “Not that I’m kicking you out. You can stay if you want.”
“No,” I say. “Since Aiden is settled, we’ll go.”
The three of us exchange information and Joey and I leave, ready to return in a few hours.
“Well, that went well,” I say once we’re in the SUV.
“Yeah. I’m glad Aiden found a friend.”
“Me too, babe. Me too.”


And there’s Part 29! Check back next week for Part 30! Until then, have a great week everyone!!!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Thursday Update-7/10/14

Hello everyone and Happy Thursday! I hope everyone is having a great week. Mine has been pretty normal, but here's a breakdown of the writing I accomplished this week.

There are only 6 days until the Project Fierce Anthology releases!!! Everyone has their copy, right? No? Why not? Go buy now! It is an awesome book for an awesome cause and it is now available on AllRomance Ebooks. And if you forget in the two seconds it takes to open a new browser window and add it to your digital cart, there will be a blog tour to help you remember. I have been working on that a little this week, so make sure you check back here for all of the links as they become available.

Death Gets A Boyfriend is coming together. I have finished the final round of edits. All that's left now is the galley. I suppose I need to start planning a tour for that...

A good chunk of my week has been spent editing. What you ask? Well, I'm not going to tell you. All I will say is with a little luck I may have something to announce soon.

I think that's about it for now. I'm still waiting on word on Finding Love in the Darkness and progress to be made on The Janiman. But I will keep you all updated. Until next time...

~Sophie

Monday, July 7, 2014

The Saga of Steve and Joey-Part 28

Hello everyone and Happy Monday! I hope everyone is having a nice start to the week. But if not, I have a free read that will, hopefully, help. Enjoy!

Part 28
Joey
I wait in the car for Aiden to get out of school. I’m always itching for him to get out, wanting to rush over and pick him up. But Aiden made it quite clear on the first day of the first grade that getting picked up at the door was for Kindergarteners. I’m still not sure how I feel about my six-year old telling me he’s too old for me to meet him at the door, but Steve keeps telling me that I need to let him grow up and I guess this is part of that.
I smile as I see Aiden walk out of the school with a bunch of other kids, teachers at their side. I open my car door and walk to the front of the car so I can wave in his direction. Aiden sees me and starts bouncing over to the car in a way that only children can do. I smile as I slide back to the driver’s seat as Aiden gets in his booster seat in the back. That is another thing he likes to do by himself. I just watch in the rearview to make sure he buckles up correctly. He does.
“So how was school,” I ask as I start the car.
“Great! I made a new friend. His name is Gordy and he likes Transformers like me. We played together during recess.”
“That sounds nice.”
“He’s awesome. Can he come over and play sometime? And can I go over to his house? Gordy was telling me that sometimes his older brother has sleepovers where kids sleep at their friend’s houses. Did you know about that?”
“Yes, Aiden. I know about sleepovers.”
“So can I go on one?”
I spare a quick glance back at Aiden before turning my eyes back to the road. He looks so happy. “Well, Aiden that’s kind of a big step. Why don’t I talk to his parents and we’ll set up a few play dates and maybe later we can talk about a sleepover.”
“Okay,” Aiden says, satisfied enough with the answer. “Hey, Dad, do you know that Gordy likes to go swimming? I told him I took lessons last year and he said that he took the same one.”
I smile and nod before Aiden starts telling me even more about his friend. He talks the whole way home. I can’t help but be happy that Aiden has found a friend. I was starting to get worried when he never connected to anyone in Kindergarten. Steve told me Aiden was just a late bloomer when it came to other kids and, apparently, he was right. Again. I don’t know how one person can be right all of the time.
Aiden spends the rest of his day telling me how amazing Gordy is, and what Gordy likes to do and ‘did I know Gordy has a dog’. I am happy that Aiden made a new friend, but by the time, Steve gets home I’m so relieved I can send Aiden off with him so Steve can hear all about Gordy. I do feel a little guilty about that, but I can’t listen to it anymore. My head is starting to pound.
Steve and Aiden are only upstairs for about fifteen minutes. Not long enough. Thankfully, I hear Steve and Aiden go into the living room and turn the television on. But after only a few minutes, Steve comes into the kitchen where I’m cooking dinner.
“So I guess Aiden has a new friend,” Steve says as he walks into the kitchen.
“No,” I reply sarcastically. “What was your first clue?”
“So I guess you’ve heard.”
“Heard? I had to listen to him for the last three hours.”
Steve chuckles. “He is really excited. So what are we going to do about this?”
“Well, I have the phone number list of all of the parents. I can call Gordy’s mom and see if we can set up a play date. I just hope Gordy is as excited about Aiden as he is because otherwise Aiden will be very hurt.”
“Yeah, but I think he’ll be okay. Kids are resilient.”
“I guess.”
Steve walks over and wraps an arm around my waist. “You hate that he’s growing up, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I sigh, not even bothering to hide from Steve. “But how can I hate that he’s so happy?”
“Parenthood is tough.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Dad,” Aiden calls from the living room. “I forgot to tell you about Gordy’s dog.”
Steve smiles as he lets me go and starts to walk back into the living room. “You should really call those parents. Because I don’t think Aiden is going to wait much longer.”
I laugh. It’s true. Aiden isn’t much for patience. I would have to call Gordy’s parents tonight. I just hoped Aiden had found someone who cared as much about him as we did. I knew I was asking a lot from a six-year old, but my Aiden only deserved the best.

And that’s Part 28! Next week we will meet Gordy! See you then.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Thursday Update-7/3/14

Hello everyone! How is everyone doing? I hope you've all have a good week. Mine has been a busy week of editing. I have edited and edited and edited some more this week. And I don't want to do it anymore. (I will, of course, but I really want to get back to writing.) So, anyway, here's what I've done this week.

The Project Fierce Anthology is coming!!!! The book release on the 16th, which is only 13 days away. I just finished the galley proof, so it is good to go. Don't forget to order yours today at the Less Than Three Website. All of the proceeds benefit Project Fierce in Chicago so you have no excuses. Buy now!

Also coming is Death Gets A Boyfriend (which was formerly known as Tommy's Death and Death-Meet Love and Happiness.) The second round of edits are done and I got a copy of the final cover, which is amazing! I can't wait for you all to see it.

Yesterday, I submitted Finding Love in the Darkness for an anthology. Fingers crossed.

This weekend, I also finished The Janiman, the story I wrote for the second TJ/Eric anthology. It needs one more round of edits and then I can submit it.

I think that's it for now. The Saga of Steve and Joey is still ongoing, so check back on Monday for the latest part in that. Also, DSP is having a Christmas in July promotion where everyday a few select books are only $.99!! So be sure to check the DSP website everyday for some amazing deals.

Until next time...

~Sophie