As some of you know, I’ve been privileged enough to have awesome cover artist and photographer Les Byerley do the covers for Ai Press.
He’s also done most of my covers at Ellora’s Cave. He’s incredible. I love his regular photos also. As you can see, he has such an eye for the beauty of the human form.
There are many beautiful pictures like these up on his site.
As always, I wish happy birthday to Jet Li 
with whom I’m psyched to share the same birthday, lol. However, I’ve never had a book come out on my birthday, and I’m so excited about this one because some of you already know how much I adore my White Tigers series!
Book six in the White Tigers Series available at Total-E-Bound!
All Nat wants to do is tie the knot with Ryu, the hot lover who’s captured him, body, heart and soul. But a mistake in his past binds him, possibly for good, and he must risk everything to free himself or lose Ryu forever.
Four months ago on assignment to protect Ryu from a psychopathic gangster, ex-boxing champion-turned-cop Nat Phoenix fell in love with his sexy charge. Four months later, Nat’s feelings have only deepened and all he wants to do is exchange vows with Ryu, the White Tiger who has completely captured his heart, body and soul.
But before Nat has a chance to pop the question, tragedy forces him back to Bangkok where he must stand trial, accused of serious misconduct on the very case that brought him and Ryu together. Could he be facing prison and what could be a permanent separation from Ryu? He won’t let Ryu come to his aid which would mean giving up his boxing career and fading chances at glory. And Ryu would give those all up in a heartbeat to help Nat, but for another emergency that keeps him in Tokyo. Forced to stay behind, Ryu must confront the demons that threaten his and Nat’s bond and fight for the love he’s waited for his whole life…
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of M/M. Includes anal and oral sex between men. It is the sequel to Men of Phuket: Tongue-Thai’d.
Excerpt:
The second Nat woke up, he knew something was wrong. A familiar, heavy feeling pressed on his chest, the way it had nearly twenty years ago the day his twin brother had gotten sick and died.
Nat’s skin prickled. Ryu. Nat turned his head and braced himself. But his lover lay peacefully, eyes still closed, long lashes like dark brushes on his delicately rounded cheekbones. Nat scanned Ryu’s body, from the nicely-shaped fingers curled by his sleeping face on the pillow, over his wiry physique of colourful tattoos. Cherry blossoms bloomed over Ryu’s shoulder, the branch ending in artful curls on biceps and triceps.
The down-filled comforter had slipped down to Ryu’s slim hips and Nat scanned every part he could see. Portions of the white tigers leaping over Ryu’s skin showed on his ribcage. Over his lat muscle was a portion of a samurai’s kimono. Nat knew the drawing of the two kissing samurai well by know, having had the opportunity to see Ryu’s naked back every day for the past four months.
Ryu took a deep breath in his sleep and turned slightly. He seemed fine, yet the heavy feeling remained.
Was it about Ryu? Nat closed his eyes briefly. No. His intuition, finely honed from years of police work, did not sense a problem there. Yet, there was something. That question. The question he wanted to ask Ryu for the last few weeks. He’d already bought the ring on the sly, in the bit of time he actually wasn’t in Ryu’s presence. All the other guys here in the White Tiger knew about it and were doing a damn good job of keeping it a secret from Ryu. It was just a matter of when to ask. Of that, he was uncertain.
Kiku, the owner of this place, and Ryu’s best friend in the world as well as his protector and mentor, had said that when the time was right, Nat would know in his heart.
The time wasn’t right yet.
But that wasn’t the source of the bad feeling.
Bracing up on his elbow, Nat watched Ryu sleep. That at least was something he knew about. Watching Ryu doing anything was pleasurable. In sleep, Ryu looked nothing short of an angel.
Ryu blinked. He let out a long exhale and looked up.
Damn. Staring at Ryu had woken him up. Nat chided himself silently. He should have known Ryu would be sensitive, even in his sleep.
“Are you all right?” Ryu immediately levered up onto his elbow. He scrubbed his free hand over his face. His eyes, though concerned, still looked sleepy, and his hair stood up in bed-head spikes which framed his classically beautiful face. Too sexy for words.
Nat watched him another second. If he lied, Ryu would know immediately and hound him for the truth. He shrugged and heaved a sigh. “Happy to see you.”
A smile stretched Ryu’s pouty lips. He fell back against his pillow, his gaze still on Nat. “If I didn’t have a practice spar today,” he said, “I’d show you my gratitude for those kind words.”
Nat smiled back at him. “If you didn’t have a practice spar, I’d let you.” It was a policy of theirs not to have sex the same day Ryu had a fight, practice or otherwise, for as Ryu put it, he had to conserve his qi. Nat’s cock tightened and rose under the covers. He did his best to ignore it. Later, once Ryu had completed his fight, there’d be time for that.
Ryu’s smile faded. “Something’s wrong, though. I feel it. What are you troubled about, Nat?” He turned on his side and rose up again on his elbow.
He should have known Ryu would guess. “I don’t know. I just woke up with this…feeling.”
Ryu’s almond-shaped eyes widened. “You’re not…having doubts, about us, are you?”
“God no.” Nat didn’t hesitate on that, not only because it wasn’t the problem but because he hated for Ryu to be scared a second about them. He’d given Ryu enough grief their first meeting when Kiku had sent Ryu to Thailand for protection from a psychotic yakuza boss, and then again, when that mission had finished and he and Ryu knew there was something between them, he’d said nothing and let Ryu return, hurt and frustrated to Tokyo. When Nat had taken the leap two weeks later and followed Ryu here, taking an emergency leave of absence from the Thai Royal Police in order to be with him, he’d sworn never to let Ryu have another moment’s grief. Though with this nagging sense of foreboding, he wasn’t sure that would be possible. “Listen, Ryu, you never have to worry about that again.” Nat still remembered watching Ryu’s cab pull away from the kerb on the way to the airport. Ryu’s face through the window had been so hurt. So disappointed.
Relief flickered over the other man’s softly rounded features. “Can you talk about what it is?”
“I would. If I knew.”
Ryu sat up now, dislodging the covers and Nat got an eyeful of his morning hard-on which bulged through the skin-hugging white boxer briefs he’d worn to sleep. No nakedness to tempt them. He leant over and pressed a soft, quick kiss to Nat’s lips. “Whatever it is, you know I’ll help you, right?”
“Of course I know.”
Ryu nodded. “Better get going, I guess.” He pushed away the covers and rose from the bed.
Now that I’ve come out from under the mountain of edits of the last few weeks (yay!) I can continue with preparing Fallon’s Jewel for release. Back to Fallon and Kenji. Yum!
I’m so excited about this one. And of course, Les Byerley did another GORGEOUS cover! I hope to release Fallon’s Jewel in early May, providing nothing pops up to delay revisions and production. I’ll keep you posted, of course. Thanks for visiting!
A nice way to start the morning – I received a sweet review from Sensual Reads Reviews for Between Two Captains. I won’t put the whole thing here but the basic review part said some really encouraging things:
Sedonia Guillone is truly brilliant at crafting erotic romance that captures the imagination. The characters are engaging and sensual, while the story itself is filled with intensity and dramatic tension. The erotic romance genre keeps getting stronger and with an author like Ms. Guillone it is not surprising. Passion and heat plus a well developed relationship are all the mark of a true must read novel and this one definitely delivers. I can not wait to read more from this talented author.
Now, that said, I want to extend a warm congratulations to my friend and colleague Madelynne Ellis whose m/m historical novella Pure Folly is a Passionate Plume Finalist! Yay! I read the story myself, and I can say it definitely deserved this honor. Way to go, Madelynne!
As for me, I’ve been buried under edits for three different mansucripts, Acts of Passion (Ellora’s Cave), Fantasy Thief (Red Sage) and Men of Phuket: Thai’ing the Knot. Now, the good news is that Thai’ing the Knot is dut to release on April 26th! Woo hoo. That’s a great birthday present for me.
So that’s why I haven’t been posting so much. So busy working on these books. I’ll write again soon.
Publisher: Ai Press
Genre: Contemporary Western; BDSM;
Length: Novel
ISBN: 1451596324
Release Date: April 8, 2010
It’s going to take a lot more than sweet talk to tame this Kate…
Kate has given up on men. They’re all unreliable gold-diggers or worse. Besides, who needs men when she has her work? Unfortunately Daddy has other plans. He wants to see her happy, and he knows just the man for the job.
Enter Peter Manning, the incredibly sexy horse-whisperer, whose healing skills work on more than just horses. He’s got all the right tools for taming this wild filly – rope, blindfolds, his bare hands.
Kate’s acid tongue and prickly manner are no match for Peter’s strength and determination. And pretty soon, their battle of wills leads them into each others’ arms… and beds.
Publisher’s note: This book was previously released at Loose Id.
Buy from 1Romance Ebooks
Excerpt:
Kate looked down just as a pair of heavy work boots came to a halt in front of the swinging doors of the dressing room. Her gaze traveled upwards, meeting his. He was staring at her over the doors. Terror and anger at feeling so naked and vulnerable pulsed through her. She especially hated the way her nipples tightened against her brassiere. She hated the way she wanted him to come into the little booth with her.
She stared back, astonished as the anger drained from the darkening green hue of his eyes. His breath caught in his throat as his gaze roamed over her negligee-clad body. If his eyes had been hands, he would have been running his fingertips over her skin, reaching for every intimate spot.
“My God,” he whispered. A million heartbeats seemed to pass as he gazed at her and she stared back, half entranced, half-terrified.
She pressed her back against the wall. “What are you going to do to me?” Her legs trembled and she struggled to keep her balance, unable to tell whether he was going to tan her hide or come in there and …
The sound of her voice seemed to jar him out of his hypnosis. He grabbed hold of the doors and swung them open, his brawny physique filling the doorway. His unshaven jaw flexed with tension. His dark blond hair was tousled. “That was a pretty good bit of engineering there, Kate. “Her anger at feeling vulnerable took over, and she glared at him; damned if she would let him see her fear. Or her desire. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He waved his hand toward her scantily clothed body. “This lacy get-up. You figured by the time I came to confront you, you’d turn on the sexy act to control me, right? Flash the goods and I won’t take you to task for the paint job on my truck?” Kate jammed her fists on her hips, forgetting that her pink nipples were visible through the black lace of both bra and negligee. “I did not engineer anything. I was simply trying on something I wanted to buy. I have no interest in controlling you or anyone. I want to be left alone. I figured you would be halfway home by now.” Peter stared at her a moment before a look of understanding lit his chiseled features. He crossed his arms and leaned casually against the wall. Even in his relaxed stance, there was barely room to move. “I see.” He leaned in closer, his breath a warm caress on her face. The tight quarters did nothing to lower the simmering in her loins that continued in spite of her tension. “You were fixing to get rid of me, weren’t you? Testing me to see if I’d prove you right?” Kate blinked, trying to push away the weakening effect he was having on her. She was probably in a heap of trouble with him, yet instead of worrying about that, she was getting aroused. She had never met anyone who made her feel that way. Until now. “Of course I was. What did you think? Neither you nor my father will listen to me.” Peter looked down and sighed. When he looked back up, he trapped her gaze with his. His face was so close, Kate could see the gold flecks in his irises.
“Well, this does change things a bit, Kate. If you’re really that dead set against doing this.” He rubbed his chin with thumb and forefinger, a pensive look in his eyes. “Hmm.” He stopped and looked at her. “Are you going to tell him? Or am I?” Kate sagged against the wall, narrowing her eyes at him. “Damn you.” Suddenly she found herself caged close between his chest and the wall, his palms pressed to the wall on either side of her head. “No, Kate. You know what? Damn you . Your father cares about you, so much so that he’s had to call on a horse whisperer because he’s run out of options. As for me, I’ve got an eleven-year-old nephew who’s developmentally disabled because his father abandoned him when he was five. I’ve got a ranch to run and a horse that’s recovering from a trailer accident. And now I’ve got to get my truck to the body shop so it doesn’t continue to look like the wall of a subway station. You think I’m on holiday here?” He bent his face to hers, so close that their noses almost touched. The insight into his personal life worsened her guilt. She wished suddenly she could go back and handle the situation differently. She wished he would kiss her instead of reaming her a new asshole. She wondered if he felt that way too, pressed up close to her when she was wearing nothing but a bit of lace and silk.
She swallowed past a lump in her throat. “I think you’re wasting your time. And of course I’ll pay for the damages.” “Damn right you’re going to pay for the damages,”he shot back. “But it’s not that easy, Kate. Your father begged me to work with you as much as he begged you to let me work with you.”He paused and heaved a deep sigh. When he looked at her again, his lids were heavier over his eyes, which had darkened and grown dusky. He shook his head. “Damn shame that I have to teach you a lesson now. I’d much rather be kissing you.”Kate caught her breath, not only from surprise but also from the reality that he felt what sizzled between them. The small space had grown feverishly warm from their bodies, and Peter pressed his more snugly against hers. Her breasts crushed against his rock-hard chest, and she weakened further, sagging against the wall, fighting the urge to part her legs and let her lips fall open for a kiss.
A soft groan escaped Peter’s throat and he squeezed his eyes shut. From the look of it, he was fighting for control. He dipped his head forward, his lips close to her ear. “I’m going to teach you not to destroy another person’s property, Miss Rossi. After all, I didn’t do anything to you to deserve that. This is for your own good.” Kate’s arousal dissipated and her lip trembled. “So … so … how are you going to –” “I’m going to put you over my knee.” Her heart lurched. He couldn’t be serious! “The hell you are,”she spat, her remorse over his truck forgotten in her shock and fear-induced anger.
He stepped further into the room, filling the small space. His hard, muscular body pressed against hers. His masculine scent, primal and musky, filled her nostrils, weakening her. Before she knew what was happening, iron-strong hands gripped her and dragged her out of the dressing room.
“Let … go … of me, you bastard!” Kate twisted and struggled as the clothing racks and shelves passed her view. He was heading to the front of the store, to the counter where her stool sat behind the register.
Flailing her arms, her nails flexed, she clawed at his face, raking a trail down his cheek.
“Ow! Damn you, Kate!” “Let me go! Let … me … go!” “Not until you get what’s coming to you.” “I’ll sue you!” She writhed in vain. Peter’s arms held her in a viselike grip.
“You’re the one who damaged my truck.” “My father will, then.””Your father’ll thank me.” “Someone will see us from outside! You’ll be in trouble then!”He dropped onto the seat, bringing Kate with him. If they can see through a shade, maybe.”In spite of her thrashing, she was no match for him, and he maneuvered her until she was across his knees, the flimsy negligee hanging around her head.
One arm held her firmly in place. Then whap! A hand came down firmly on her left butt cheek, delivering a stinging slap.
“Ow!” Kate cried out and struggled, but Peter just held her more firmly.
He delivered a second slap.
The blood rushed to Kate’s face. A pulsing sprang to life in the cleft between her thighs. Damn it! It’s not supposed to feel good! She struggled less fiercely. Her hands hung like a rag doll’s. Her breasts were crushed against Peter’s muscular thighs. Suddenly the entire energy between them shifted, and she couldn’t remember whether he was punishing her or pleasuring her.
The third slap brought a pleasant sting that shimmied through her, into her pussy and thighs. Kate felt her resistance slipping. Her head lolled against his leg.
He slapped her a fourth time, bringing a rush of sexual wetness through her slit. She moaned softly.
She waited for a fifth slap. She glanced up, seeing Peter’s hand frozen in mid-air. The sound of his ragged breathing filled the air around them. He released her, causing her to roll off his lap to a heap on the floor.
The negligee had come untied in their struggle and lay open. Kate braced her hands on the floor, staring up at Peter. Her nipples were erect in her black lacy bra. She, too, breathed raggedly, watching him for what he would do next.
Back to Top
Reviews
Sedonia Gullone has written an extremely captivating tale in TAMING KATE. I couldn’t help but empathize with both of the characters. They’d both been through horrible events that had shaped them into the people that they are. Kate had buried her feelings deep inside herself and protected herself by lashing out at other people. Peter had found strength to get through his feelings by relying on his faith in Buddhism. I thoroughly enjoyed all the verbal sparing and stunts Kate pulled in an effort to run Peter off. They both have extremely strong personalities, but while Kate’s was more “in your face,” Peter’s was calmer and depended on what was needed at the time. Kate had deep emotional scars that she’d never allowed herself to deal with. TAMING KATE is a combination of ‘The Horse Whisperer’ and ‘Taming of the Shrew.’ I loved being able to lose myself for a while in this very charming story. I got so involved in the characters lives I just couldn’t put it down. This is definitely a book I’ll read many times.
4.5 Blue Ribbon, Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies
~~~~~~~~~~
Sedonia Guillone’s TAMING KATE is a new take on a classic love story. This is no remake; the story is crisp and enchanting with unforgettable characters that will touch your heart. Kate and Peter each come with their own baggage and through the love they find, are able to deal with the past. The author has a wicked sense of humor that will have you laughing out loud. This should not be missed.
4 Angels, Tewanda, Fallen Angel Reviews
~~~~~~~~~~
TAMING KATE is a story of two people dealing with the harshness of the life that they have lived. Both have painful pasts that still consume them to varying extents. Peter is the perfect caring alpha male. He is bound to his family, the land, and the horses that he heals. He is the man so many of us look for and never find. Kate has been hurt so much that she has become hard hearted, arrogant and rude. There are times you will want to shake her and tell her to grow up. Beneath the hard exterior though is the heart of a loving and gentle soul. The sexual tension that builds in the book will have you longing for relief. It builds steadily from the first meeting until it explodes. These two are like molten lava when they finally come together. However, as great as the sex is, this story is about redemption, faith, and the willingness to care.
4/5 Stars, Oleta M Baylock, JERR
~~~~~~~~~~
TAMING KATE was a book that was impossible to put down. The feelings between Kate and Peter are so explosive. This book will show you that love can overcome a hurtful past.
Sherry, Coffee Time Romance
~~~~~~~~~~
Author Sedonia Guillone writes an arousing tale of love and passion with TAMING KATE… Ms. Guillone shows how a kind word and a soft touch can go a long way on the road to love.
Sinclair Reid, Romance Reviews Today
~~~~~~~~~~
TAMING KATE is a story of love but it’s also a story of a man’s commitment. Kate is more than just a job to Peter and he sees past the stubborn Kate and brings out the woman that is searching for true love. You won’t be able to put this book down.
Louise Riveiro-Mitchell, The Romance Studio
~~~~~~~~~~
TAMING KATE is an emotionally charged tale that combines heat, sensuality, intimacy and love in one spicy package. This modern day twist of “The Taming of The Shrew” will taunt, tease, and please all of your senses.
Lena Matthews, Author
Edit this entry.
Cover artist Lyn Taylor has done it again! I love this cover so much and can’t wait for the release in a couple of months. I don’t have an exact release date yet but of course you all will be the first to know.
I’m about to go through edits for this book. They’re waiting for me in my computer but I’ve been moving house so I will get to them during the week if all goes well.
Aki’s Love Song
Publisher: Ai Press
Genre: Manlove, Contemporary, GLBT
Release date: March 2010
Buy e-book from 1Romanceeobooks
Will be available at Amazon Kindle shortly
Since high school, Tamotsu has watched his best friend Aki grow from a rebellious but musically talented teenager to one of the most popular music artists in Japan. Though he’s been secretly in love with Aki for years, enduring the endless string of admirers Aki takes for lovers, Tamotsu suffers silently because he knows deep down that he is really the one person in the world Aki turns to for true friendship and solace.
But when Aki unveils an unknown and haunting love song he’s composed in secret during a concert, Tamotsu feaers that Aki has finally found someone he can have a lasting relationship with. Only such a deep, abiding passion could inspire a song that beautiful.
Is Aki really saying good bye to him in the only way he can, through his music? Or is Aki telling Tamotsu something else?
Excerpt:
COPYRIGHT Sedonia Guillone/2010
As usual, Aki was magnificent. Sweat gleamed on his flawless torso, most of which was exposed by the flimsy costume of black leather straps criss-crossing his lean muscles. Aki ass and thighs looked poured into his tight leather pants, the black of which only emphasized the perfect roundness of each ass cheek. His Fender Jaguar moved with his undulating body as if the two were fused together. Each movement caused Aki’s ass to strain in the most mouth-watering way.
Aki’s silver-tipped black hair stood out in exaggerated spikes, like the mane of a lion emerging from the dark side and the heavy black eyeliner circling each large, chocolate brown eye gave Aki the appearance of a wild, seductive demon coming to enslave those who desired him.
Tamotsu stared at him from his customary spot in the sidelines. Though his role as manager of Spider’s Web was to make sure everything went smoothly, once Aki got on stage, his slim lanky musculature emphasized by the dramatic lighting stole Tamotsu’s attention.
The way Aki had already stolen his heart.
True to the name of Aki’s group, every one of the fifty-thousand screaming fans in the stadium was ensnared in Aki’s web, trapped by his intoxicating mixture of flawless physical beauty and existentially jarring music. To listen to Aki’s voice of creamy velvet, to watch his graceful body wind and bend under the lights, and to see the blend of vulnerability and angst in his eyes was to become his prisoner. Aki was a drug one couldn’t live without.
Especially Tamotsu.
Aki was playing one of his greatest songs, “Wildfire,” and had just reached the bridge. The fans’ screams increased in volume, rising with the cascade of sounds Aki released from his guitar. Aki’s own passions drove him to his knees, head thrown back, spikes of hair waving with the thrashing of his head. Eyes closed, Aki’s rippling torso undulated with the riffs he played. Aki’s demonic yet innocent nature poured from beneath his plucking fingers.
Tamotsu’s heart sped up. Aki absorbed him, made the entire world vanish except for Aki. Truthfully, it had always been that way, from the first time Tamotsu met him in the Music Club freshman year in high school. Even then, with normal hair and no eyeliner, slim form hidden in the navy blazer and striped tie of their school uniform, Aki was, in Tamotsu’s eyes, an artist whose gentle nature had been completely overlooked by his family. They’d seen only the kernel of his musical talent and had driven him in the classics, forcing him to practice the piano hours a day. By the time Aki was fourteen, he rebelled, pulling Tamotsu into his world by asking him to play drums for the underground band he was forming.
In spite of his own painful stage fright, Tamotsu immediately accepted and had the time of his life for four glorious years playing clubs late into the nights on weekends. He’d wanted that life to go on forever, until he and Aki were old men, getting onto the stage with their walkers. The only painful part had been suffering silently in his love for Aki who of course, had scores of girls—and guys—following him around like love-starved puppies. Aki had a steady supply of companionship and sex, whenever he wanted it. Tamotsu bore Aki’s busy sex life as the price of his flourishing friendship with Aki. After all, he was the one Aki came to for solace, who Aki hung out with when he wanted to completely relax and feel safe. Even when Tamotsu had been forced to leave the band and take over his ailing father’s tatami mat dealership, Aki came to him. The connection between them hadn’t ever been lost and Tamotsu couldn’t bear to think of life without Aki.
So when Tamotsu’s father died and Tamotsu eventually sold the business, Aki had asked him to manage Spider’s Web. Of course, Tamotsu had jumped on the chance even though it didn’t mean his passion for his friend would be requited. Tamotsu never wanted to violate his special place in Aki’s life, so he’d kept his mouth shut for more than twenty years. Even though it meant not being in Aki’s bed.
Now they were both thirty-six and things were the same.
Except for the recent dulling in Aki’s eyes. Some of Aki’s fire had burned down and Tamotsu didn’t understand why. Aki didn’t talk about it and Tamotsu didn’t push beyond the occasional offer to talk.
“Wildfire” ended on a wailing screech of Aki’s deft fingers over the steel strings. The last note of the song reverberated through the stadium, drifting away as if fading into a mist. It ebbed into silence, leaving only the screaming voices of the fans. Aki remained where he was, head thrown back, eyes closed, hands frozen on the guitar. Were he anyone else, the pose would have come off as melodramatic, but Tamotsu understood his longtime friend. Aki poured his whole heart and soul into every note he composed as well as every movement he made. Everything was significant to Aki, even the way his knees touched the floor, as if he wanted to take root there and never have to leave. The stage was where Aki felt alive, in control, seen and appreciated, desperately trying to make up for the horrifying invisibility he’d suffered in his family.
You’re never invisible to me, Aki-chan, Tamotsu thought, watching Aki open his eyes and slowly rise to his feet amidst the din of cheers from his fans. If Aki could just feel, just once, how much Tamotsu loved him, perhaps he’d understand.
Tamotsu sighed and continued to stare. Aki was moving to the microphone, one hand raised in acknowledgement of the appreciation showering the airwaves. He gestured to his fellow band members, causing the cheers to escalate with each man he indicated. Aki was humble that way, always appreciating how the other musicians completed their sound and image. Without each and every one of them, Spider’s Web wasn’t. And Aki knew it.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!” he said into the microphone.
Cheers and yells met Aki’s words. Aki waited several moments, hand up, for the tumult to calm a bit before continuing. “Friends,” he began again, “Tonight, I’m playing a new song, one you’ve never heard before. I wrote it from the deepest place in my heart.” His hands went to his guitar, one on the neck, the other in placements over the strings.
Tamotsu frowned. A new song? As far as he knew, the band’s repertoire on this tour held only songs from their previous albums, the most recent of which had been released nearly eight months earlier. Aki had never mentioned playing a new song during this concert.
Designed by me and finalized by Les Byerley, here it is! I love it!
To begin with, this is my new “cover coming soon” template for Ai Press, designed by one of the most awesome cover artists, Les Byerley. I LOVE it! Les has also designed the cover for Fallon’s Jewel but I’m waiting to unveil it until the logo – which I designed myself and couldn’t believe that I did it – is ready to be inserted onto the page. I hope you’ll check back for that cover because I can tell you now, it’s HAWT!
That said, I hope to have both Fallon’s Jewel and Aki’s Love Song ready for release in April. I’m in the middle of edits now for Acts of Passion (Ellora’s Cave) and will soon be heading into edits on Fantasy Thief (Red Sage) as well as moving house. In any case, Fallon’s Jewel is with my editor now and so is in process.
Of course, I’ll be annoucing each step as it happens. I’m so excited!
I’m getting ready to release the first story from Ai Press. I formatted it today and am only waiting on the cover and logo which should be ready this weekend.
I HOPE to release the story sometime next week. I’ll definitely announce when it’s for sale.
What story is it? Aki’s Love Song (m/m; yaoirotica; contemporary) Length: short story
Here’s a blurb and teaser:
Since high school, Tamotsu has watched his best friend Aki grow from a rebellious but musically talented teenager to one of the most popular music artists in Japan. Though he’s been secretly in love with Aki for years, enduring the endless string of admirers Aki takes for lovers, Tamotsu suffers silently because he knows deep down that he is really the one person in the world Aki turns to for true friendship and solace.
But when Aki unveils an unknown and haunting love song he’s composed in secret during a concert, Tamotsu feaers that Aki has finally found someone he can have a lasting relationship with. Only such a deep, abiding passion could inspire a song that beautiful.
Is Aki really saying good bye to him in the only way he can, through his music? Or is Aki telling Tamotsu something else?
Excerpt:
As usual, Aki was magnificent. Sweat gleamed on his flawless torso, most of which was exposed by the flimsy costume of black leather straps criss-crossing his lean muscles. Aki ass and thighs looked poured into his tight leather pants, the black of which only emphasized the perfect roundness of each ass cheek. His Fender Jaguar moved with his undulating body as if the two were fused together. Each movement caused Aki’s ass to strain in the most mouth-watering way.
Aki’s silver-tipped black hair stood out in exaggerated spikes, like the mane of a lion emerging from the dark side and the heavy black eyeliner circling each large, chocolate brown eye gave Aki the appearance of a wild, seductive demon coming to enslave those who desired him.
Tamotsu stared at him from his customary spot in the sidelines. Though his role as manager of Spider’s Web was to make sure everything went smoothly, once Aki got on stage, his slim lanky musculature emphasized by the dramatic lighting stole Tamotsu’s attention.
The way Aki had already stolen his heart.
True to the name of Aki’s group, every one of the fifty-thousand screaming fans in the stadium was ensnared in Aki’s web, trapped by his intoxicating mixture of flawless physical beauty and existentially jarring music. To listen to Aki’s voice of creamy velvet, to watch his graceful body wind and bend under the lights, and to see the blend of vulnerability and angst in his eyes was to become his prisoner. Aki was a drug one couldn’t live without.
Especially Tamotsu.
Aki was playing one of his greatest songs, “Wildfire,” and had just reached the bridge. The fans’ screams increased in volume, rising with the cascade of sounds Aki released from his guitar. Aki’s own passions drove him to his knees, head thrown back, spikes of hair waving with the thrashing of his head. Eyes closed, Aki’s rippling torso undulated with the riffs he played. Aki’s demonic yet innocent nature poured from beneath his plucking fingers.
Tamotsu’s heart sped up. Aki absorbed him, made the entire world vanish except for Aki. Truthfully, it had always been that way, from the first time Tamotsu met him in the Music Club freshman year in high school. Even then, with normal hair and no eyeliner, slim form hidden in the navy blazer and striped tie of their school uniform, Aki was, in Tamotsu’s eyes, an artist whose gentle nature had been completely overlooked by his family. They’d seen only the kernel of his musical talent and had driven him in the classics, forcing him to practice the piano hours a day. By the time Aki was fourteen, he rebelled, pulling Tamotsu into his world by asking him to play drums for the underground band he was forming.
In spite of his own painful stage fright, Tamotsu immediately accepted and had the time of his life for four glorious years playing clubs late into the nights on weekends. He’d wanted that life to go on forever, until he and Aki were old men, getting onto the stage with their walkers. The only painful part had been suffering silently in his love for Aki who of course, had scores of girls—and guys—following him around like love-starved puppies. Aki had a steady supply of companionship and sex, whenever he wanted it. Tamotsu bore Aki’s busy sex life as the price of his flourishing friendship with Aki. After all, he was the one Aki came to for solace, who Aki hung out with when he wanted to completely relax and feel safe. Even when Tamotsu had been forced to leave the band and take over his ailing father’s tatami mat dealership, Aki came to him. The connection between them hadn’t ever been lost and Tamotsu couldn’t bear to think of life without Aki.
So when Tamotsu’s father died and Tamotsu eventually sold the business, Aki had asked him to manage Spider’s Web. Of course, Tamotsu had jumped on the chance even though it didn’t mean his passion for his friend would be requited. Tamotsu never wanted to violate his special place in Aki’s life, so he’d kept his mouth shut for more than twenty years. Even though it meant not being in Aki’s bed.
Now they were both thirty-six and things were the same.
Except for the recent dulling in Aki’s eyes. Some of Aki’s fire had burned down and Tamotsu didn’t understand why. Aki didn’t talk about it and Tamotsu didn’t push beyond the occasional offer to talk.
“Wildfire” ended on a wailing screech of Aki’s deft fingers over the steel strings. The last note of the song reverberated through the stadium, drifting away as if fading into a mist. It ebbed into silence, leaving only the screaming voices of the fans. Aki remained where he was, head thrown back, eyes closed, hands frozen on the guitar. Were he anyone else, the pose would have come off as melodramatic, but Tamotsu understood his longtime friend. Aki poured his whole heart and soul into every note he composed as well as every movement he made. Everything was significant to Aki, even the way his knees touched the floor, as if he wanted to take root there and never have to leave. The stage was where Aki felt alive, in control, seen and appreciated, desperately trying to make up for the horrifying invisibility he’d suffered in his family.
You’re never invisible to me, Aki-chan, Tamotsu thought, watching Aki open his eyes and slowly rise to his feet amidst the din of cheers from his fans. If Aki could just feel, just once, how much Tamotsu loved him, perhaps he’d understand.
Tamotsu sighed and continued to stare. Aki was moving to the microphone, one hand raised in acknowledgement of the appreciation showering the airwaves. He gestured to his fellow band members, causing the cheers to escalate with each man he indicated. Aki was humble that way, always appreciating how the other musicians completed their sound and image. Without each and every one of them, Spider’s Web wasn’t. And Aki knew it.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!” he said into the microphone.
Cheers and yells met Aki’s words. Aki waited several moments, hand up, for the tumult to calm a bit before continuing. “Friends,” he began again, “Tonight, I’m playing a new song, one you’ve never heard before. I wrote it from the deepest place in my heart.” His hands went to his guitar, one on the neck, the other in placements over the strings.
Tamotsu frowned. A new song? As far as he knew, the band’s repertoire on this tour held only songs from their previous albums, the most recent of which had been released nearly eight months earlier. Aki had never mentioned playing a new song during this concert.