Leashed 4: Tangled Leashes is drafted

I have finished the first full draft of Leashed 4: Tangled Leashes. Can I just say WOOT!


You see, this book is a long time coming. Leashed 3: The Lion's Share came out in April of '08. That's more than three years ago now. Far too long to pause in between books, let me tell you. Ok, looking back, there was a 2 year wait between book 2 and book 3, but that just didn't seem as bad/long as this time.

That's probably because I had major problems with this one. The story just would not come. I had full-fledged characters to work with, a number of possible scenarios, tons of problems I could introduce, but no matter how I put the pieces together, they wouldn't stick. It was so bad that I actually took a year hiatus while writing the manuscript. Yep, I started this one in October 2010, I think. Abandoned it in January of this year because it wasn't working and I was killing myself trying to force it. So it sat with Meg and the boys murmuring in the back of my head while I finished a few other projects. But I got back on track. Took me longer to finish than I'd expected, but I think I put a pretty good "end" on it last night. Now, of course, comes polishing, rereading and editing, but at least now I have a draft to work with. Now I have something I feel comfortable signing a contract for.

What's it about? Same characters. Takes place about four months after Lion's Share with Meg dealing with all that's happened. Funny to think -- and she does think this -- that so much has happened in what amounts to six months of her life. But it turns out she's special. Michael's special. Rudy's special. Logan's special. Hmm, yes. Logan. He's still around and still after Meg, although she can't figure out why he'd bother.

So, for those Leashed fans among us, I'm so very sorry for the delay but the next installment is coming. I have no release date to share with you but you know I'll announce it when I do.

Edit the past

So, I’m rereading Two For One Deal, the first book in my Leashed series. This is part of my prep to try and finally finish Leashed 4 (still not official title). I’m liking it. TFOD, especially, is one of my favorites of my stories. I enjoy the first meeting between Meg, Michael and Rudy.

But I kind of wish I could go back and edit the past.

There are little bits of the story that I wish I could change. Little details I wish I could remove or add. It would help me so much as I’m writing the sequels. I know more about their magic and their world now and some of the stuff that I put in that first book is limiting where I can go. I’d love to have a more solid description of magic and change the way Meg wielded some of her power. But, I read series books often and I really don’t like when an author changes history, so I’m stuck with what I’ve written. I’ll tell you, though, I’ve got a new appreciation for those authors I’ve been upset with in the past.

It’s no biggie, though. I’ll manage. I hope. This darn book has taken me years. I gave it up last year because it wasn’t going anywhere and I’m still having trouble with it. My main issue, of course, being that I’ve got an established threesome but I think everyone knows I need to work the damn lion into the mix. Not easy because I know a lot of readers aren’t going to appreciate the intrusion. But I think I might have latched onto the idea that’ll save me.

Wish me luck!

Drawn Cover Art

Over the past few years, I have been blessed with some incredible cover art. To the left is an example, the cover for my newest release A Rose is a Rose. I happen to think that it's a delicious thing to look at and, judging from some reader responses, I'm not alone in this.

Let me also admit that I happen to adore drawn cover art. In my opinion, photographs just don't always make it. Now, I'm not saying that I haven't seen some stunning photo-manipulated covers, because I have. I even have a few. But when given the chance, I'll almost always go for something drawn if I can. To me, for better or for worse, the drawn covers give more of a fictional feel to the story. But then, growing up, my favorite books to read were fantasy stories so I grew up selecting books with gorgeous artwork of fantasy people and places on the covers.

Of course, my books tend to lend themselves to the drawn format. If people get a comic -- meaning comics, not funny papers -- or graphic novel feel from my stories, so much the better. Because that's along the lines of how I think. I think in pictures so I tend to write to describe them and more often than not those pictures aren't the most "realistic". Now, that's hard to explain. It makes sense for the fantasy and paranormal books I've written, but it may not make much sense when thinking about my Heaven Sent series or A Rose is a Rose. Both of those examples are contemporary stories so their characters are realistic in the modern day sense. But I maintain that even when writing contemporary, I'm writing fantasy. I'm writing about things where wouldn't it be cool if it exists. So, even there, the drawn format is much more appropriate for me.

I have been blessed especially by two very talented artists in particular.

PL Nunn of Bishonenworks is one. She's responsible for A Rose is a Rose and my Heaven Sent series as well as a few others. I am extremely proud that the first Heaven Sent cover was her first with Loose Id. When we were discussing cover art, management and I agreed it should have a yaoi feeling, which meant a drawn cover. They took a chance on a suggestion of mine to ask PL if she'd do it. I'd been a fan of her work already and knew that if she did the covers, they'd be unique and stylish and immediately radiate the tone of the series. I was right and she hasn't let me down with any cover she's graced me with.

Anne Cain is the other. Not only is Anne an absolute sweetheart in person, she's an amazingly talented artist. When I saw my first cover from her -- Leashed 2: More than a Bargain -- I was stunned. To this day, I think that cover most perfectly captures the feel of my threesome paranormal series. Then Anne had some fun on her own and drew an image of two of my main dark elves. If you visit my website, it can be seen as one of the headers in the rotating banner. When I saw that, again I was stunned. I fell in love with my own characters again. So, when the print version of the elves came up, I of course asked if Anne could supply the cover. I'm so delighted that wish was granted because the covers for Dark Elves I and II in print are among my favorite book covers ever. Anywhere.

Different authors have different opinions on cover art and that's how it should be. Different stories have different flavors and not all can or should lend themselves to the same format. It's the variation that makes choosing a book exciting and fun. But, for me, more often than not, I'll write for and tend to pick up the covers that sprang from the fingers and imagination of a talented artist.

EXCERPT: Indigo Knights: Squire

Released September 7, 2010 from Loose Id
Pairing: m/m
Available in ebook from Loose Id

BLURB
Rabin Squire is on top of the world. At long last, everything is going his way. He’s about to go into the studio with none other than Brent Rose to put together a new album for his band, the Indigo Knights. Okay, so there’re currently only two members of the band, but with Brent’s help, that’ll soon change. Things are looking up.
Then there’s Izzy, Brent’s cousin. Rabin’s never been interested in a guy before but he can sure tell when one is gorgeous, and Izzy is that. He’s also funny, and sweet and…sexy as hell.
Since he’s not gay, Rabin never expected to have a fling with Izzy. But Izzy says their having sex doesn’t make him gay. Rabin’s not so sure about that but if Izzy’s good with it, what harm can come of it? Izzy agrees; no one else needs to know.
Then an even bigger opportunity means that Rabin has to move away. So if the thing with Izzy was no big deal, why does it hurt when it comes to an end?

************************
© 2010 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved
He followed Izzy up the porch and into the darkened house but felt oddly reluctant to head to his room. He’d been having a good time with Izzy.
“Want a snack?” Izzy stood, just a silhouette in the entrance to the kitchen, backlit by the moonlight from the bay window.
Given an excuse, Rabin decided it was just that. “Nah. I think I’m just going to head on up to bed.” Bed. The word had a charge to it that made him look away. Even if he was feeling attraction — and that’s probably what it was, strangely enough — he wasn’t going to do anything about it. It was a weird night. One that should end before anything happened. “’Night.”
“’Night.”
Izzy didn’t move as Rabin headed up the stairs. It was a relief to walk into the darkness of the hallway. Rabin walked into his room, closed the door, and didn’t bother with a light. There was enough moonlight coming through the open window to see just fine. Besides, the chancy dark went with the feeling that he was missing something. It wasn’t even sex. It was… He shook his head, unable to come up with anything. Maybe he should head down to Brent’s studio and play for a while. Brent had told him he was welcome, and the guitar often helped him to make sense of his thoughts — or at least calm them. Yeah, do that.
But first, he needed to change. The leather pants and boots were stylish but not all that comfortable. His shirt was off, and he was sitting on the edge of the bed to remove his shoes and socks when the knock sounded at the door. He froze.
“Rabin?”
Don’t answer. Stupid. Izzy knew he was there. “Yeah?”
Without waiting permission, Izzy opened the door, a ghostly blue figure draped in the shadows that were his loose hair and dark jeans. His shoes were gone. He stared at Rabin, expression blank, unreadable.
“What’s up?”
Izzy approached, and Rabin had to force himself to remain seated, torn between equally strong desires to stand up and flee, or stand up and reach for the smaller man.
Izzy stopped at his knees and tried a smile. Long, thick fringe mostly hid his eyes. “Thank you for tonight.”
Rabin summoned a smile back for him. Nothing out of the ordinary here, nope. “You’re welcome.”
Izzy searched his face — for what, Rabin tried not to know. “Rabin, I…”
Rabin frowned, forcing his gaze from Izzy’s. “Look, Iz, we should call it a night.” He’d stay in his room; he’d go to sleep and not go downstairs. He’d do that as soon as Izzy left.
“You’re right.” A palm cupped Rabin’s jaw. “You’re right.”
Startled by the touch, Rabin tilted his face back up. Izzy was right there, swooping down like a falcon catching a meal. Lips. Soft lips. Eager lips. Pressed against his own. At first, Rabin’s eyes stayed open in shock, but the blurred sight of Izzy’s long eyelashes caressing the soft ridges of his cheeks was too much to focus on when sensation ruled. He opened instinctively, his tongue seeking more. With a soft, happy moan, Izzy invited him in, tongue caressing tongue to coax Rabin to explore. So sweet. Rabin forgot he was kissing a guy and just concentrated on the mouth that easily melded with his. When Izzy straddled his lap, it was only natural to take hold of slim hips to pull that warm, solid body close. He fit so well, his slight weight perfect. Rabin slid one hand around back, teasing up the shirt hem to caress soft skin, encouraging gorgeous little moans he could barely hear. Fingers tightened in his hair, that little bit of pain egging him on to tilt his head and open wider. His blood heated with a fine tremor of pleasure.
Slowly, as the kiss calmed, proper brainwave function reasserted itself. Rabin opened his eyes and tilted his head back, but not far enough to lose the little nips and licks Izzy gave his lips. Rabin’s cock was rock hard and uncomfortable in the leather pants, and Izzy’s body pressed warm and willing against him didn’t help matters any. “Wait.”
Izzy didn’t stop, his fingers warm against either side of Rabin’s neck. His hips rocked forward.
Rabin dug his fingers into Izzy’s waist and turned his head. “Wait.”
“No no no.” Izzy’s breath caressed his lips, fingers tight on his skull behind his ears. “Don’t think. Please…just…” They were kissing again. God, it was fantastic. How could Izzy taste so good?
Wait. “Izzy, no. This is –”
“This is fine.” Tender kisses along his jaw. “It’s okay.”
“No. I’m not –”
“It’s fine. I promise. Just this — no promises, no expectations, I swear.” Finally dark eyes focused on his from inches away, pleading. Izzy was trembling — not a lot, but when he was pressed this close, Rabin could feel it. “I need to be close to…someone tonight. And I think you do too.”
***********************
Click here to keep up to date on Indigo Knights: Squire

Sneak peek at Indigo Knights: Squire

No cover yet and still working on edits (although I think they might be done now), but Indigo Knights: Squire, the first book of my Indigo Knights series, is due out the beginning of next month. For those who might not know, the Indigo Knights is a sequel series to my Heaven Sent series.

This isn't a long excerpt, just a quick peek at when Rabin meets Izzy. And, yes, Brent would be Heaven Sent's Brent Rose.

Keep up to date with IK1: Squire news on my website

*********************

©2010 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved

When Rabin finally found the gate with the number Brent had given him, he was fairly bouncing with excitement. This place was fucking unreal. He leaned out his window to press a button on a pad mounted in front of the gate.

“Hey, Rabin.” Brent’s voice was crystal clear.

“How’d you know it’s me?”

“Cameras everywhere.” Brent laughed as the gate in front of Rabin began to slide open. “Come on up. Front door’s open.”

Daylight was slowly fading to twilight as Rabin parked his truck beside a dusty black Corvette and a recently washed white Mazda under the shade of a spreading tree. Rabin knew fuck all what kind of tree it was, but it sure was pretty, matching many of the other trees that surrounded the house and the embankment that led down from the house to the water. The house itself was two levels and looked like a huge cabin, complete with all the rustic finishes. Gorgeous.

After hefting his guitar case and the largest of his three suitcases from the truck, he headed toward the front door and found it open as promised. “Hello?” He stopped at the threshold. Loud pop music and a truly heavenly scent of some sort of cooking poultry lead him to his right and what he thought might be the kitchen.

Kitchen it was, all done up in dark colors to match the rural feel of the exterior of the house. The appliances were state of the art, lining the wall to the left of the opening that led into the room as well as the wall in front of Rabin. A huge island dominated the center of the room, complete with copper pots hanging above it. A four-seater table was built into a huge bay window overlooking the lake to Rabin’s right.

There was a young man who was very obviously not either Brent or Hell busy at the sink, his back to Rabin. He was on the short side, closer to Hell’s diminutive height than he was to either Brent’s or Rabin’s size. His hair was shining black, pulled into a tail that hung in gentle waves halfway down his back. He was singing and jiggling to the music, shaking slim shoulders, a trim waist, and a pert little ass. Reaching the chorus of the song, he belted out in a very nice if slightly off-key tenor. Tugging a towel from where it hung at the waistband of his jeans, he turned around, eyes closed as he sang into an imaginary microphone. Rabin grinned, enjoying the show. The kid was incredibly pretty. A softly rounded jaw and high cheekbones gave his face a gorgeous shape, and a long, thick fringe of that black hair hid his forehead, brows, and part of his eyes. Seen from the front, his snug, lime green T-shirt proclaimed Straight? So is spaghetti until you heat it up. Once the chorus was done, his dusky pink lips curled up in a smile and his eyes opened. Amazing eyes. Big and almond shaped, with irises as dark as chocolate bonbons and lashes any woman would die for.

Finally seeing Rabin, the young man stopped, eyes and mouth open wide in surprise. “Oh. Hi.”

Rabin felt like applauding but didn’t, since he still held his bags. “Hi.”

The kid’s mouth closed and his throat worked over a swallow while an embarrassed flush colored softly rounded cheeks. “You must be Rabin.” Tucking the towel back into his waistband, the young man hastily circled around the island toward him. One hand extended to go with a wide, welcoming smile. “I’m Izzy.”

Leashed 3 now in print

The third book in my Leashed series is now available in print from Amazon.

I love this series. I do. Of all my heroines, I think I most identify with Meg. She's the heroine I'd be if I could choose a fantasy world to inhabit. I mean, why wouldn't I pick Meg? She gets two sexy men of her own in Two for One Deal then acquired another one in The Lion's Share. Who's to say she won't get more men? *author whistles innocently*

I've been asked when the next book is coming out. I can only answer "soon?" Why the question mark? Because I'd already started Leashed 4 earlier this year but I had to stop. The story just wasn't right and I was in a bad head place to fix it. So I abandoned it for other stories.

Of those other stories -- which included the first installment of the Indigo Knights series (sequel to Heaven Sent) which comes out early September -- I've got at least two more to finish before I can get back to Leashed 4. But the good news is, I think I know what was wrong. Will take a bit more thought but I think I got it. I hope I got it. Because I can't abandon Meg and the boys.

Even I want to know what happens next!

http://www.jetmykles.com

What works for you

Men can be sexy. The shape of their bodies, the strength of their muscles, the little boy smiles and the devil grins. Whether he’s a hairy hardbody or a sleek pretty boy, he can be sexy. Women can be sexy. Curves and soft, secret places, long fluttery lashes and inviting lips. Long hard cocks and sweet, wet pussies. Breasts. Asses. Gorgeous combination.

I see it all. I see sexy in men who are too thin or women who’re maybe a tad — or a lot — overweight. Sure, there are people who aren’t sexy at first, but they could come to be. It goes the other way too. There could be someone who’s just drop-dead gorgeous until s/he opens up and spews some verbal nonsense.

What am I saying? I don’t know, it’s late and I’ve been up all day. I guess what I’m addressing is that I like to write different types of romance. I love writing m/m but I like writing m/f too. I like the multiple pairings as well. I’m not so sure that everyone has to love just one person.

Today I started musing on what might it be like if there was a married couple where she just stops liking sex. Maybe there’s a medical reason and it hurts or just doesn’t feel good anymore. But she still loves him and he still loves her. He resigns himself to not having sex anymore. But what if she invites a man to their house? What if she suggests he has sex with this guy, and she watches. Maybe she likes to watch. Maybe that could work for the three of them. No doubt some others would see that as wrong but how can it be when they’re all getting what they need?

The above is just an example of the type of thing that occurs to me. Take a situation that doesn’t seem like it’d work romantically speaking and make it work. Why not? If it seems like it should on the face of it, why can’t it? Why can’t all members of a rock band be gay? Why can’t a guy just suddenly discover that he’s fallen in love with a man even thought he likes women? F/f ideas occur to me to, y’know, I just haven’t fleshed out any of those stories yet. But don’t count me out. In fantasy worlds, it’s even better/easier. I can even make up an entire race where sex is prevalent and necessary, regardless of the gender of your partner(s).

I guess my mind fights the gender boundaries. I like writing about pretty men. I’ve liked writing about men who dress like women. I like writing about pretty boys who should seem effeminate but aren’t really. I like writing about girls who don’t do the typical girl things. I’m very much in love with the idea of falling in love with someone and not having to worry about what’s generally accepted.

But, y’know what, the couple who’ve been together for ages are also pretty sexy to me. That’s love, to have stuck with someone for so long. My parents have been together almost 45 years and I think that’s awesome. They’re still cute together too. Still hold hands, still seek each other out for a hello or goodbye kiss, still hold each other. It’s a beautiful thing.

I want people to find the love that works for them and a person they can be with. After all, when it comes down to it, if the romance works for the two (or three or more) people involved, who else can say it’s wrong?

Ready to Start the Year

I'm ready to start my year now.

"But, Jet," I hear you say, "it's halfway through May."

Yes, yes, I know. What can I say, it's been a trying year so far. With the exception of one week when I went to EPICon -- and had a great time, I'm happy to say -- the year has been a string of delays, annoyances and illness. The flu especially put me down. That wasted the entire month of March.

But things are looking up! At least I choose to believe so. The current WIP is over 20K strong and my guess is that it's about a 40K book. I even have an idea about the next one. And I might even know how to fix the story I had to abandon back in January.

So wish me luck! I need it. After five years of doing this writing bit, I feel weird not having turned in a manuscript for so long *twitch*

Off to EPICon on a Train

Well, soon I'm off to EPICon. I think the trip will be fun. I've signed up for the Riverboat Cruise so that, at least, has to be something, right? But, really, it's New Orleans. How can that not be awesome?

But, you know what? I'm almost looking forward to the trip there more. Why, you ask? Because I'm doing something different. I'm taking the train. Those of you on the east coast or in Europe may not think this is a big deal, but I'm a southern California girl born and bred. I've never ridden on a long distance train. I've certainly never taken a two day trip and had a sleeper! But that's exactly what I have this time. I'm taking the Amtrak Sunset Limited from LA to New Orleans. I believe it's a 48 hr trip.

The scariest part about it, though, is that there's no wireless on the train. I shall be without the intertubes for two days. O_O To be honest, that almost canceled the idea for me right there. But the SO, my parents, my friends and coworkers all scolded me for that and convinced me to go. I'll still have the laptop, after all. Just won't be connected. I don't have an iPhone as of yet, y'see. Although I really should.

So, anyway, wish me luck and plot bunnies. I can't imagine that the solitude -- no family going with me -- won't inspire me some. That is, if I don't catch up on sleep!

Series

The trouble with blogging is that you often belong to multiple blogs and end up having to post to a bunch of them around the same time. That's where I find myself today. I've posted to two blogs in the past week -- my own site and Fiction with Friction -- about writing series so that's what seems to be on my mine.

I'm currently working on the fourth book about Meg, Michael and Rudy in my Leashed series. Technically, it's the fifth book in the series, but one of them was about Meg's sister Noelle, not about Meg.

Leashed is one of my three mains series. In the past year, something momentous occurred in the other two. I finished them. Now, that's not to say that I won't ever write in those worlds again or won't write in those worlds. In the case of the Dark Elves, there's a whole fantasy world that I've invested a lot of time in so I probably will go back some day. In the case of Heaven Sent, I already have plans to include the guys as secondary characters in another series I plan, the Indigo Knights. But as far as the main arc of those two series goes, it's over. I've told what needed to be told and all the primary players -- and some of the secondary -- have found their HEA.

So what's next? That's the rub. I'm not sure. Other than the Knights, there's the world of Sursein Judgment to return to. Colt must have his story, after all. I've been asked to write a sequel to Just for You to find out what happens to Victor. But I really want to come up with something new. Another something I can turn into a series of books that works. That's what I like and that's what my readers seem to like as well. A series of stories that are their own thing but are part of a bigger whole. That's like life, isn't it?

Caught Between - Jet Mykles

I'm caught between manuscripts.

I just turned my latest story and it was the last one I had a contract for. In the last year, I haven't really submitted much new. I've mainly been catching up on a list of commitments that had gotten a little lengthy. Well, now those commitments are fulfilled. On one hand, I feel great. I got stuff accomplished and I'm rather pleased with the results. On the other hand...

Gah!

It's not that I don't have ideas. I do. I've got Scrivener* open with four different new projects, plus at least two others that I can think of saved to my hard drive. Although I've "finished" two of my ongoing series (Dark Elves and Heaven Sent), I've still got lots of balls up in the air for my Leashed series and I've yet to begin my Indigo Knights series. I've even got brand new ideas that have little or nothing to do with the above that are waiting to get written. Ideas isn't my issue.

Follow through. That's the issue.

It's a weird time between manuscripts. I feel adrift. There are so many possibilities. And, because I'm contract-less, there's nothing I have to get right on immediately. Kind of scary. There are so many possibilities. Where do I go next?

Stay tuned. I won't keep idle long.

*For those with Mac's who don't have Scrivener, I HIGHLY suggest you check it out. Best writing tool I've ever had, hands down.

http://www.jetmykles.com

EXCERPT - Just For You

Released October 13 from Loose Id

Available now from Loose Id

This story was one of those organic ones. I won’t say it was super-easy, because it wasn’t, but it was born out of a scene that popped into my head one day. The scene, in fact, that is depicted below.

It’s one of my “gay for you” stories, I’ll confess. What can I say? I like the dynamic.

BLURB:

Justin falls for Kevin the instant they pass each other on a sidewalk. Only, Kevin’s not gay. The higher ups at Kevin’s company are gay, however, and Kevin’s accidental meeting with Justin gives him an idea how to get around his controlling female supervisor. If he can gain access to the top men at an exclusive gay club, he might be able to finally share his ideas.

Justin instantly agrees to be his date, despite the obvious heartbreak that’s headed his way for going out with a straight man. At the club, Kevin gets a chance to meet the company owner, Victor Chen, and the man seems interested… both in his ideas and his date.

Kevin can’t deny his attraction to Justin, but he’s not gay. Right? He should step aside and let Justin have a chance to date Victor, who’s gorgeous, rich, and shares Justin’s interest in fashion. Despite his internal struggles, he really wants to explore their growing bond. Justin is certainly game, but a part of him knows they can’t have a future together…can they?

*************************

©2009 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved

“…and then I…” Justin stopped dead in his tracks in the middle of the sidewalk, forcing two chatting women to split up to go around him. Ignoring their mild glares as they passed, he stared blindly over the plastic lid of his coffee cup, wondering if he'd just seen what he thought he'd seen.

Ahead, Frank kept walking a few steps before realizing he was alone. He spun, the spikes of his highlighted hair refusing to move in the mild breeze that kept the sunny street somewhat cool. “Hey?”

Justin heard him but couldn't be bothered to acknowledge the words. He snapped around, eagerly searching for… Oh yes! The hind view of the vision of loveliness that had just passed by him. Slightly rumpled charcoal slacks loosely framed a fine little derriere, and an equally rumpled ice gray button-down dress shirt draped slim shoulders. Waved hair the color of good French Roast almost brushed said shoulders.

“Justin, what are you…?”

Barely hearing his friend, Justin raced back down the sidewalk, nearly spilling his coffee in his rush to catch up to a wet dream come to life. He almost ran over a guy on Rollerblades and just avoided getting wrapped up in a microdog's leash, but he finally made it to the vision's side. He reached out to wrap a hand around an arm. Nice, he thought, feeling the biceps. Slim but firm.

Said vision halted and twisted his graceful neck over and up to face Justin.

Oh. My. God! Innocently seductive brown eyes kind of focused on Justin from beneath sinfully full black lashes. Confused eyes blinked up at him, positively enchanting. Elegant and sleek, just like the rest of him. Latino somewhere in his lineage, judging by facial features and gold skin tone. There was a childlike purity in that face even though he had to be in his midtwenties, at least. Justin wanted to devour the generous lips that parted in surprise.

“I've just fallen in love with you,” Justin declared, cradling his coffee cup to his chest as he kept hold on the vision's arm. “What is your name, and please tell me you're gay?”

“Justin!” Frank caught up with him, grabbing the wrist of the hand that had a grip on the vision's arm. Frank tugged, but Justin wouldn't let go. “Justin, please, you're annoying the nice man.”

Justin blinked at the dumbstruck object of his attention as the breeze puffed a lock of shiny dark hair across the man's brow. “Nice man, please tell me your name so I know who to dream about tonight.”

“Justin!” Frank scolded, prying at his fingers.

Reluctantly, since the vision didn't seem to be responding in kind, Justin let Frank remove his hand. But he kept eye contact.

“Please excuse him,” Frank said, yanking Justin away. “He's not right in the head.”

“How can I be in the face of such beauty?” Justin protested, stumbling backward as Frank tugged.

Said beauty blinked slowly, his gorgeous pink lips still parted in shock.

“I work down the street at Juster's. It's a men's boutique.” Justin wanted to cry. “Come find me, Prince Charming. Please!”

The vision blinked again, closed his mouth, and turned away.

Justin sobbed dramatically, watching a fine ass in shapeless slacks retreat. “There goes the love of my life.”

Frank snorted, forcibly turning Justin toward the intersection so he wouldn't have to drag him anymore. “You're a complete nutcase.”

Justin sighed and sipped his coffee. “I know. But you gotta go with your instincts, right?”

“Your instincts are going to get you killed one of these days.”

Justin waved his hand and avoided a group of chatting businessmen. “I've gotten beat up over it before. That's nothing new.” He hummed dreamily as they stopped to wait for the light. “But he was pretty, wasn't he?”

“He was that,” Frank admitted, pressing the Walk button.

Justin glanced back, but the vision was long gone. “Not gay, though, huh?”

“Not in the least.”

“Damn.”

* * * * *

Kevin returned to his cubicle, still bemused by what had just happened. He'd left to blow off a little steam with an afternoon walk. He certainly hadn't expected to be hit on. By a guy, no less!

Raoul got up from his chair in the next cubicle just as Kevin sat down. Immediately Kevin was reminded of the reason he'd left. Some of his amusement died.

“She's gone,” Raoul told him, keeping his voice low. The three people in the neighboring cubicles were all on their side and could be trusted, but beyond that was sketchy.

“Gee.” Kevin checked his watch. “Three o'clock. Must be nice.”

Stacie pushed her chair close. “She's going to”—she made quote signs in the air with her fingers—“'work from home.'“

All three of them snorted at that.

Kevin shook his head. “The woman never listens.” Staring blankly at his monitor, he balled his fists. “I know we could get that second installation if she'd just present the idea to either Greg or Victor.”

“Fat chance. She's way too scared of how it went last time.”

Kevin waved a hand in the air. “We've fixed those problems. We've gone way beyond that. Besides, if we just talked to the customer…”

“Please,” Stacie scoffed, “remember what happened the last time she talked to a customer?”

Snarling soundlessly, Kevin slumped back his chair.

Raoul leaned on the low cubicle wall and shrugged. “What can we do?”

Kevin grimaced. “Unless we can get to Greg—”

“Which we can't.”

“—or Victor—”

“Yeah, right.”

“—nothing.”

Stacie patted his shoulder before wheeling back to her keyboard.

Raoul gave him a sharp look and glanced at the drawers of Kevin's desk. He raised his brows, then shrugged, before disappearing around the corner into his own little space.

Kevin knew what the look was for.

He stared at the second drawer of his metallic desk. Inside was the possible answer to their problems, but only if he had the balls to go through with it. No one else does. It was an invitation that a friend had given him to an exclusive party at a popular local club. Kevin was not into the clubbing scene, but it was a sure bet that at least two of the three men Kevin needed to talk to would be there. The club was high-class and rumored to be the place. For homosexuals. Which both Greg Hanson and Victor Chen were.

Kevin Fuller, however, was not.

Kevin blinked, the coincidence crashing into him. He wanted to go to a gay club. He'd just been hit on by an obviously gay guy. Kismet?

**********************

Click here to visit my website’s main page for Just For You

The End of an Era

The Dark Elves series wrap up is available now.

Back in March of 2005, Dark Elves I: Taken was published. It's been a wild ride since then, both for the elves and for me. My stories have taken turns I didn't anticipate and I've taken some detours to other series along the way. If you'd asked me back then what I'd be writing most, I'd have said stories like the Dark Elves, in other words, high fantasy. I've been a fantasy reader since I was very young. But I'm glad I got into other types of writing. I think it's kept my stories fresh.

For those who read this sixth installment, I hope you like where there characters have taken me. I think it's a rather appropriate ending.

And, for those who ask, I don't know if or when I'll be returning to the world of the elves but I think I might. It would be a shame not to. I've spent lots of time there now.

All My Series

I've got a forum post going over in Coffee Time Romance's Reader's Retreat for all of this month. It's been kind of interesting because I've been talking about my three main series of books: the Dark Elves, Leashed and Heaven Sent. Kind of interesting, even if not a heck of a lot of people have posted so far. It's brought me back to revisiting each book in order. I've posted all of the Dark Elves and Leashed already and this week I'm posting Heaven Sent. The last might have to spill into next week. Sometime toward the end of the month, I'll do a contest :)

So, if you're interested, drop by and visit me. Learn a bit about my three little universes. It's been fun so far, looking back.

EXCERPT - Heaven Sent: Revelations

Due out July 28, 2009 by Loose Id

Pairing: m/m/f

Available now in ebook at Loose Id

I hadn't originally intended to write this book, but Gretchen just needed a HEA. And she needed two men *evil chuckle* Meet Owen and Archer in the excerpt below.

BLURB:

For years, Gretchen’s main objective has been taking care of the boys of Heaven Sent. When her boys decide to take a year-long hiatus, she decides to do the same.

Before she can begin her summer off, Gretchen has one last public commitment. There, she meets tall, mysterious, and wickedly handsome Archer Thanos. Archer’s company has a video game based on Heaven Sent and he’s has been trying to get in touch with her to discuss it. Their first meeting quickly turns into a discussion of another type … in a nearby hotel room, sending Gretchen headlong into a whirlwind summer affair she hadn’t anticipated.

Only, someone isn’t exactly thrilled about Gretchen and Archer’s romance. Gretchen’s adorable new assistant, Owen, has been pining for his boss since he started working for her but he hasn’t had the courage to assert himself and tell her he wants her. The result, Gretchen is completely blind to his feelings for her. To make matters worse, after meeting Archer, Owen knows he has no chance against the handsome devil. His own attraction to the older man is instant and overwhelming, the bisexual urges he hasn’t divulged to Gretchen fully awakening.

Owen thinks he’s not enough for Gretchen. Gretchen thinks Owen is far too young for her. Archer thinks they’re both ridiculous. He knows the three of them are just right for each other, if they can survive the miscommunications and trials ahead.

*****************************

©2009 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved

“Palm Springs?”

Owen stared at his monitor. “Yeah.”

Jane sighed and perched on the far edge of his desk. “And she just met him this last week?”

“Yeah.”

“Damn. What a life.”

“Yeah.”

“Oh God, would you stop mooning already?”

Scowling, he checked that the office door was closed. “Be a little louder, why don’t you?”

She reached up to smooth a hand over her short, straight black hair. “Oh, no one’s going to hear. Just about everyone’s gone home.”

He turned back to his monitor and tried to ignore her.

He’d known it wouldn’t work. She sat up further on his desk, leaning toward him. “Owen, you know you don’t have a chance with her, right?”

At times like this, he deeply regretted confiding in Jane. But they’d become good friends in the past few months, and he’d needed someone to talk to. Someone who understood. All his other friends were back in Atlanta, and they were too far removed from the business to get it. The only other person was his cousin Ellen. She was way too close to Gretchen for him to tell her anything.

When he didn’t answer her, Jane shook his shoulder.

“Hey.” He scowled up at her.

Her blue eyes narrowed. “She spends most of her time with rockstars, Owen. Gorgeous ones. She eats up handsome, successful men for lunch. She’s got guys like this Archer taking her away on expensive weekends. What could you possibly offer her other than your boyish charm?”

He gave her a mocking sweet smile. “Gee, thanks.”

She smoothed a hand over his hair. “I’m just trying to help you, honey. Mooning over the boss lady is just going to keep you distracted when a girl you can have and should be with comes along.”

He snatched his head away. Women were always petting him, he was used to it, but that didn’t stop it from being annoying when he was peeved. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s talk about this Saturday.” She clapped her hands like a giddy schoolgirl. “I’ll have to go out shopping for a new dress. You want to come with?”

“Oh yeah, that’s just what I want to do.”

She grimaced. “You know, darling, I have to say that you’re the strangest gay man I’ve ever met.”

That demanded that he give her the look. “I think you’d have to call me bisexual. I like girls too, remember.”

“Yeah. I guess it’s not so outlandish since you work for Heaven Sent after all. Well, once removed.”

Was she trying to depress him more? “Don’t you have a job to do?”

She batted her heavily mascaraed eyes at him, undeterred. “Bored with my company already?”

“Just the topic of conversation.”

“Fine.” She jumped off his desk and patted the folders she’d left in his inbox. “Make sure she sees those. There’s a new director whose work she should look at.”

“Will do.”

“See you later. We’ll make shopping plans.” Giggling at his scowl, she opened the door and left.

Once the door had clicked shut after her, he gave up the pretense of working. Staring morosely at his desk blotter, he began his favorite task since Monday: trying to figure out a way to make Gretchen not go away with this Archer creep for the weekend. So far, no dice. He wasn’t going to do anything drastic, and no one from Heaven Sent had jumped in to demand her attention. The closest was when Chris Faith called for her, but he’d ended up calling her cell and getting his answer. Meantime, he’d had to hear about all her preparations for the trip. He’d even made calls to reserve a private table at a very chic restaurant for her and Archer.

Depressed, he tried to make himself see things a different way. This was a new thing. She hadn’t dated in a long time. She’d barely talked about Archer as more than a sex toy. Maybe that’s all it was. Sex. Still not something Owen wanted to dwell on, but if it was just sex, that meant it would likely blow over soon. He’d heard about her so-called relationships in the past. Nothing that lasted very long. Her career always got in the way. Maybe all Owen had to do was tough it out for a month or so; then she’d get sick of this guy and move on. Yeah, that was a better slant on it.

But it didn’t change the fact that she was going away to get fucked, repeatedly, by this Archer guy.

What did this bozo look like anyway? Owen turned toward his computer and brought up a Web browser. He’d just typed the man’s name in the image browser when a knock sounded. He had enough time to switch windows so that his e-mail was in front before he turned to greet the newcomer.

Whoa. The guy who walked in was movie-star gorgeous. The epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. His golden brown skin set off jet-black hair and matching brows that matched a classy, trimmed Vandyke beard. He wore a casual burgundy shirt unbuttoned just enough to show a hint of chest hair and black slacks over endless legs.

Owen wasn’t sure his own legs would support him if he stood, so he just turned toward the vision. “Hello. May I help you?”

“This is Gretchen Hobbes’s office?”

“Yes. I’m Owen, Ms. Hobbes’s assistant.”

The man stopped in front of his desk and held out his hand. “Owen. Nice to meet you. My name is Archer Thanos.”

Owen’s hand was folded in a warm grip before the name was spoken. He was unable to hide his jump of surprise. “A-archer Thanos?”

“That’s me.”

“I, uh, Gretchen’s told me about you. She said you…” He dropped his gaze to the package in the man’s hand, only to realize that his own hand was still held. He blinked, confused and entranced by the sight of his light tan in contrast to the deep gold-brown of this man’s skin. Yum. He tugged his fingers away so he could reach for the package. The angle made sure that he could check out the man’s other package, a slight bulge in the loose slacks. Yum. “She said you’d be dropping something off.”

Archer held the thick envelope up, just out of Owen’s reach. “Yes. This. It’s a prospectus for a video game.” That smile was just killer. Teeth blinding white in all that darkness. “You play?”

“Huh?”

“Do you game?”

“I’ve, uh, some, but I’m not… Well, that is. Not much.”

The gorgeous man twisted to the side so he could hitch his ass up on the edge of Owen’s desk. He leaned companionably toward Owen as he set the envelope down on the desk blotter. “If you’re interested, I’d be happy to send you some samples.” Hands now free, he dipped two fingers into his chest pocket to extract a slim metal business-card case. A gold ring flashed on his finger as he flipped the case open and extracted a card.

Not until the card was hovering before him, held by two longer fingers, did Owen realize he’d just been watching the man move. Instinctively, he reached for the card. “Oh, I… There’s no reason to give me games. I mean, I wouldn’t be making a decision about this.” Jeez, Owen, get a grip! He’d handled plenty of other people with far more class than this. Why did this man have him rattled? Because this guy’s been inside Gretchen. Strangely, with said man sitting before him, the thought turned him on far more than it pissed him off.

“Oh no, my pleasure. No strings attached. Gretchen made that one perfectly clear this past weekend.”

Owen swallowed, dropping his gaze as he took exaggerated care in setting the man’s card down on top of the folder that was already there. “And you’ll be seeing her this weekend as well.” He heard the words before he could take them back.

“She told you about that, did she?”

“She tells me everything.”

When there was too much silence, he braved a glance up. Another speculative look pointed at him. He seemed to be getting a heck of a lot of those lately. This one, however, made his guts quiver into jelly. “As well she should.”

Owen stared into deep brown eyes, getting lost in the silent heat. He didn’t know what to say, and the man didn’t seem in a hurry to leave or break the silence. Finally, Owen cracked. “Actually, Mr. Thanos…”

“Please. Call me Archer.”

Owen nodded as he turned toward his monitor. “Archer. Gretchen wasn’t sure where you’d be going this weekend. Could you give me a location, just in case?”

The man amiably supplied not only the name of the resort, he pulled out his iPhone and forwarded the reservation information to Owen right on the spot. “Will you need anything else?”

Owen shook his head, trying to make his fingers stop trembling. “No. I think that’s more than enough. Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome.”

He needed to be polite. Garnering his courage, Owen turned back and spread his hand over the folder on the desk. “I’ll make sure she gets that.”

“Thank you. Please call if you need any more information. And I mean it about the games. Take a look at our Web site. Any games you want, they’re yours for the asking.” He leaned forward on the desk, fingers steepled to support his weight. “You call me personally.”

Owen stared at his fingers, far too frightened of what might happen if he got lost in that smoldering gaze again. He might just have to throw himself at the man. “Thank you.”

“Well, then. I’ll see you later. Owen.”

Owen nodded and smiled, managing to raise his gaze to the man’s collarbone. It was high enough for him to see the smirk. No shit, you’re acting like a simpering schmuck. But it was the best he could manage.

Once Archer left, Owen just sat there, staring at the door, relearning how to breathe. The man was…ungh. No wonder Gretchen was so taken. Owen was afraid he was going to have to make use of the private bathroom in Gretchen’s office unless he could get control of the hard-on in his pants. He sat back and kept breathing until he brought his heart and groin under control enough to reach over to his keyboard to bring up the image search that he’d started before the man himself had come through the door.

“There’s no way,” he whispered, gazing at a smiling photograph of the man. “There’s no way you’ve got a chance in hell against this guy.”

*********************

Click here for my website’s main page on Heaven Sent: Revelations

End of an era

OK, not exactly an era. It’s only been four years. But I've managed to put a “the end” on the Dark Elves VI: Awakening manuscript. This is the last book in the planned arc that I began with my first published book, Dark Elves I: Taken.

I have to laugh. That last sentence above makes it sound like I had it planned from the start. I didn’t. If I had, believe me a few things would have happened differently in books 1 and 2. Maybe not the central stories, but definitely some background details. But that’s water under the bridge. I didn’t really have much of an idea where I was going with the whole series until book 3. Nuggets of ideas, sure, but nothing solid. Due to certain events that happen in book 3 – and if you’ve read it, I’m sure you know what I’m referring to – I kind of had to bring things full circle. I believe books 4-6 do that. Through the series, I’ve taken my elves from dark secrecy into more of the light. Not completely day, mind you, but they’re a bit more… exposed shall we say.

Twas a long ride to get here and I certainly got side tracked along the way. But that’s okay. My writing needed to mature some to be able to pull of books five and six at least. My elves got to mature along with me and benefited, I think, by my tangents into urban paranormal (Leashed series) and rockstar yaoi goodness (Heaven Sent). I think I might end up being rather proud of book six, once I get far enough away to forget the hell the characters put me through.

Let’s see, what’s next… I’m going to try to finish a contemporary m/m for a Loose Id submission call. Then I promised to do a sequel for a story at another pub. Then I’ve signed a contract to do the m/m sequel to One For The Team. After that, I either need to do Leashed 4 or the first book of the Indigo Knights since I’m getting lots of requests for the latter.

Meantime, Heaven Sent: Revelations is due out on July 28th!

Moving right along…

Elves, anyone?

I'm currently at work on the sixth installment of my Dark Elves series.

For those who don't know, this is the last book I plan to write about the elves. Now, that's not to say that I deny the possibility of returning to their world again. Far from it. I've spent a lot of time in that world now and it'd be a shame to waste it. But, I've taken the elves through over two centuries of time now and I've just about "finished" the story I set you to tell.

Ha. That makes it sound like I had it all planned out from the beginning. I cannot make that claim. Oh, I had ideas, but I can't say I had it all planned. When I wrote book 3, I left some clues toward a future that could be cool. I had some ideas in mind. But, my characters being my characters (read: belligerent, headstrong and too smart for their own good), they threw me some curve balls. Books 4, 5 and, now, 6 have some bits from what I'd planned but they've turned out to be much more. Which is way cool.

It's strange to me to be working on the end of the series that started off this writing stint for me. But, four years later for me and two centuries for them, the elves have taken me on quite a ride and, because of that, they are and always will be near to my heart.

So, be on the lookout for Dark Elves IV: Awakening later this year sometime. I hope you like it.

New worlds

I have created a new world. Sursein Judgment is probably the first in what will be another series. I've already got an idea for a sequel and my critique partners seem bound and determined that I will write at least that book, if not more.

In this world, the gods are active. They function through their avatars, who are hyped up clerics with specialized powers based on the god. One of my heros, Shasertai, is such an avatar and his god is Surseine, the god of truth and justice. As such, Shas is a perfect judge because he can hear the truth. In this, he's special among Surseine's judges, but all judges are able to sense and ferret out the truth when they are in a judgment trance. But when in trance, the sursei--as they are called--are blind, just like their god, to all but the matter at hand. In this book, I only go into Surseine's mythology but I've got an idea of what the avatars of some of the other gods might be like.

But the really fun part about this world, in my humble opinion, is that it's what I keep calling "steampunkish". It's got trains and guns, you see, and gas lights and generally anything that you'd consider to be in a Victorian setting. This is my first foray into anything close to steampunk and I can't say that I'm an expert on the subject, but I do love the genre. There's something much more romantic about steam powered engines around magic and mystery than the same magic around modern day technology. I guess there's less certainty about it, something more "wow" about these things functioning. Plus I got to add in a little bit of an Wild West type of feel and that's fun too.

So, I hope you like my offering. I'd really like to revisit this world and its like again.

EXCERPT - Sursein Judgment by Jet Mykles

This one is coming very soon from Loose Id

No cover or blurb yet but here's a sneaky peak at the text.

I call this one a steampunk-ish yaoi story.

BLURB:

The innocent have nothing to fear from Surseine...

Rynn made a mistake in taking the drug hextasy with his fiancé. It was supposed to be the ultimate sexual high, except that you have to sleep with the one you desire most. If you don't, your body won't be satisfied and you'll die. Rynn lived, Lynnette didn't, and now her parents want someone to pay.
But either luck or Surseine, the god of justice Himself, takes pity on Rynn by putting his trial in front of one of His judges. Sursei are graced by the god they represent with the power to see truth and Sursei Shasertai finds Rynn innocent of murder.

But the drug is still out there and Shasertai and the people who travel with him are determined to root out the drug lord responsible for its existence. Shas invites Rynn to join them. He goes willingly, fascinated by the judge who gave him a second chance at life.

Shas is drawn to the naive farm boy at every point in their journey but he's promised Rynn not to force him into anything.

It is his soothing innocence that draws Shas to him, but the delectable judge makes Rynn feel things that aren't so innocent.

***********************

Partially edited excerpt, ©2009 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved

The man's eyes narrowed, and then he shook his head and backed down. "You're a cheat, Shas."

The judge tossed his head with a laugh. Instantly, the tension in the room dissipated. "Again, I assure you, that is quite impossible."

The bodyguard led the other man toward an open doorway at the far end of the room, and finally the judge turned to face Rynn and the sheriff.

Purple eyes. That one detail jumped out at Rynn as the judge stepped toward them. It wasn't the eerie total color with no whites or pupils that he'd seen earlier in court. The judge's eyes were now quite normal-looking except for the vivid amethyst that Rynn had never seen on anyone else. They were like perfectly round gemstones set in red-veined white marble. The strange color, though, seemed to go with the judge's light complexion. Did all sursei have purple eyes, or was this one special?

Pistol holstered, Sheriff Trent snatched off his hat and exchanged greetings and a handshake with the judge. Trent had met with him earlier about Rynn, but he was clearly not very comfortable in the judge's presence. Then the judge turned to extend his hand to Rynn. A thick gold ring glittered on his middle finger, matching two thinner bands on his thumb and little finger. A full head shorter than Rynn, he had to tilt his head up to get a good look at Rynn's face. "We've not been formally introduced. I'm Shasertai Kogin."

"Rynnis Lort."

"Yes, you are." The judge folded his free hand over their entwined hands. "Forgive me. I know, technically speaking, I've seen you, but my experiences while in Surseine's trance are nothing compared to when out of it. I see many things clearly, but others" -- he shook his head as his gaze raked down, then back up, Rynn's chest -- "I miss entirely."

Rynn almost felt that gaze, and it made him want to scratch again. "It's an honor to meet you, sursei."

The judge returned to studying his face and didn't let go of his hand. Then a small smile curled up the corners of his full-lipped mouth. "Truth preserve me, you are a fine-looking man, aren't you?"

Appearing beside him, the woman slapped the judge's arm. "Shas!"

Rynn's eyes went wide when the judge raised the hand not linked with Rynn's to draw his fingers down the beard on the taller man's jaw. "Such rugged, handsome features."

"Shas!"

Surprisingly strong fingers gripped the tip of Rynn's chin, nudging his face sideways to reveal his profile. "Sheriff, is there a secret about the farms out here that I should know about?"

The woman grabbed Shasertai's wrist and tugged his hand away. "Stop that."

He gave her a wide-eyed look, full of false innocence. "You don't think so?" He faced Rynn again and winked. "She thinks you're good-looking too."

She threw her hands in the air, rustling her skirts. "Honestly."

********************

Click here for my website's main webpage on Sursein Judgment.

Four Years

March 22nd will be the fourth anniversary of the release of Dark Elves I: Taken. Four years ago last summer, I finally bit the bullet, finished a story and sent it in to a publisher. Four years ago it was accepted by Loose Id. Man, it's been a wild ride since.

It's not all that I thought it would be. My fear back then were the usual: would anyone like it, would anyone hate it, would I be able to write another one. It turned out that a lot of people like it and still like it and I was able to come up with new stories. Not just new stories, I came up with two other new series while still developing the elves' world. I introduced myself to a kind of romance that I hadn't considered writing before (m/m) but I find that I'm rather enjoying. I finally cashed in on some of the many fantasies that I had back when I was a teenager dreaming about my favorite rock star. I got to finally write about elves, my favorite fantasy race. I got to write my take on witches and shifters. Fun stuff.

Now I have different fears. As is the case with so many things in life, it's a 'careful what you wish for' scenario. I wanted to write for a living and now I have that chance. I'm not supporting myself and my family fully, but I'm halfway there. Now, of course, I actually have to write. I've got to keep it up. I not only feel the need to think up brand new characters, I'm still playing with the old ones. Heaven Sent ended up being nine books in the original arc, and I'm adding another now plus planning a sequel series. The elves' sixth book is my next project. It's the end of the arc that I have planned, but I don't rule out the possibility of revisiting the world. The Leashed series has just reached a plateau but I've got more planned for Meg, Michael and Rudy. But I can't just lose myself in these alternate worlds. I've still got to live in this world. I still get distracted. I get tired. The family wants me to check in with them now and again. Besides, if I don't check into the real world once and awhile, I'll lose touch with it completely and my stories do draw on the real stuff from time to time.

So, I'm finding my balance. Wish me luck.

**************************

Free stories by Jet Mykles