WELL, THIS IS EMBARRASSING. TWO POSTS WENT UP YESTERDAY. That was obviously a mistake. So I'm reposting this today because otherwise I'm going to be short a post. ARGHHHHH. Sorry about that!
Good morning! I have something different in the way of giveaways today. I think it's a very cool gift, but who knows?
Anyway. I've decided to gift 5 subscriptions to my Patreon at the Murder, My Sweet (that's the $5.00) tier for one full year.
What do you get to access at that tier? Well, it's changed over time (and will continue to change) but as of right now:
Access to one chapter a week of a story written specifically for Patreon - starting in February 2025 (project to be determined).
A minimum of one rough draft chapter a month of What Lies Beneath (Mystery at the Masquerade from Jack's POV)
Bonus materials such as story snippets, character interviews, artwork (not including Monday Man Art), deleted scenes, holiday codas/epilogues, character notes, etc.
Sea Change - Murder at Pirate's Cove (first book in The Secrets and Scrabble series retold from Jack's POV). The final version will be collected in an edited epub exclusive to Patreon members who subscribe at this tier following your 1st month anniversary
The edited and formatted digital editions of each Secrets and Scrabble cozy mystery published during your subscription period (I don't know that I'm writing any S&S next year, to TBH).
There are so, so many favorite couples - Adrien and Jake, Jason and Sam, Will and Tucker, Elliot and Taylor, Cosmo and John…Sean and Dan…I love them all, but, it is Swift and Max that hold a special place for me. The battered and bruised artist trying to keep his grip on the life he’s etched out by his fingernails and his law enforcement officer boyfriend…the pillar to hang onto aa well as the guy who can crush him at the same time. Come Unto These Yellow Sands - This story is about trust, and how these two learn to depend on each other, against the odds. It’s beautiful on so many levels, and your words paint such a wonderfully enriched world, right down to Swift’s avenging angel hanging in the foyer. A stand alone that really does.
ReplyDeleteI really love your books, but if I have to choose one, then I must say Don't Look Back really got to me this year.
ReplyDeleteOf course it's sad what Peter had to go through just to see what was in front his eyes the whole time, but there's something equally exciting about this clean sheet/second chance he and Mike got in the end.
Assuming I like all your protagonists, I think the Adrien English series is my favorite. I use it as a comparison of appreciation for all the subsequent mystery/romance stories that I read.
ReplyDeleteJake. Jake is a tormented character, I would have slapped him many times, but I especially loved how he evolved, how his character grew, he took risks, he lost something but he found the truth of himself and true love with Adrien.
I love Adrien, but I love Jake more, because he is a human and fallible character, a believable character, he is beautiful in his imperfection.
Indeed, it's a very good giveaway! And a nice way for some to decide if being a patreon is for them or not.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I love all your books. But the one I'm the closest to is probably Strange Fortune.
No I never went in India. But I spent the 17 first years of my life in various African countries and I really felt home in Togo. I was very sad when I had to leave but we were in the middle of a civil war and things were really dangerous. So I really understand Aleister's feelings -which are truely well described- in this book and I can relate so much to him...
There was so many to choose from (Jason and Sam in The Monuments Men Murders almost won out) but I think I have to go with Strange Fortune and it's the story in the Christmas Waltz: Holiday Codas 2 book that called to me at this time of the year. Watching protective Val worrying over a sick Aleister who is too busy enjoying his ancient scrawls and conjuring up treats to take proper care of himself is sweet. You convey so much in the short outing--chef's kiss! Happy Solstice (as Valentine and Aleister say).
ReplyDeleteThe Adrien English series is one of my favorites but I've read all of your books multiple times. This series is the one I wish you would continue and write more stories for. I enjoyed the struggle it took to get to a happy ending. Your books are always so well crafted and thought out and end way to soon! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFair Game - quite simply it was my first book of yours and Elliot and Tucker have had a place in my heart ever since (on a reread currently!) there are so many of your books and characters I adore but I am just endlessly fond of these two in particular! ❤️
ReplyDeleteSince we only get to focus on one of your books, I chose to gush over Strange Fortune, since it is my favourite standalone of yours.
ReplyDeleteHighlighting this book is a chance to spotlight your incredible skill at world-building—a talent that, while perhaps not as obvious in your contemporary novels, is just as prevalent throughout your entire body of work.
Even in your contemporary novels, you create environments that feel lived-in, where every detail—whether it’s a cozy seaside town or a bustling city—shapes the story and its characters. The difference is that Strange Fortune's supernatural elements give you the freedom to explore that talent, showing how adept you are at making the extraordinary feel real.
I love that book - your lovely descriptions makes rereading it very rewarding.
Happy Holidays :D
I think my favorite books are the Adrien English Mysteries, as well as Elliott & Tucker (The Sculpturer story line still gives me chills). I loved Green Glass Beads as well as Stranger on the Shore. The story though that really resonates with me is The Vintage Affair.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first story I ever read of yours. It happened to be a freebie that I took a chance on reading. It was also one of the first MM fiction books I read that actually had a PLOT, as well as male characters who actually BOTH read as male characters and not someone switching out Samantha for Sam at the last minute.
I remember when I read it, I didn't like the Jeff character at first. He seemed a bit self involved and convinced Austin to participate in a three-way because he (Jeff) didn't want to admit his feelings for Austin (a man). The scene redeemed him a bit and I'm glad that the character finally came around.
I loved the interaction on the side between Austin and his little brother Cormac. It just added a bit of depth to the main character that we wouldn't have gotten had he not had those side conversations. It's a lot like when you see Adrian talking with Lisa or Elliot with his dad. The characters see more real and relatable.
After reading this book, I was hooked. Not only were your stories wonderful, but it had me giving this genre a second chance. Thank you for that.
It’s really hard just to pick one book from them all. Adrien and Jake got me through some tough times. I love Christopher and JX and adore Ellery and Jack and not forgetting Watson. But this last year has been tough and The Mermaid Murders has helped me a lot. It was also one of the first audiobooks I ever bought. I can only listen to an audiobook if I have read the book first. But this year my insomnia has been bad. But listening to The Mermaid Murders before bed has helped a great deal, especially chapter 16 with Jason and Sam just getting ready for bed. It relaxes me enough to fall asleep. I think I could probably recite the whole chapter word for word by now. Also I want to apologise if I’m messing up your audible statistics but I want to send a big thank you for all your writing.
ReplyDeleteThere are many, I just re- read all of Fatal Shadows and Dangerous Ground, Limited Engagement was the first e-book I ever read and Lone Star was the first e-book that I bought that wasn’t for university; but the couple I’ve most wondered about is probably Julien and Flynn. I can’t find the copy I originally purchased so I just bought another on Smashwords so I could re-read. It ends so abruptly, just as everything has opened up for them. Nobody controlling Julien’s life anymore and Flynn has already thought out a plan. The pace is fast but I thought Flynnn’s thought processes on how he revised his opinion of Julien rings true. They still have so much to figure out (what article will Flynn turn in now with the murderer discovered and Julien central to the discovery? The dangers of being a gay couple at that time).
ReplyDeleteYou are one of two authors who I regularly buy and read and re-read. I also live in the Mojave Desert and on the occasions that I go to the Trader Joe’s in Palmdale instead of slugging it out with the traffic to Redlands I can’t help think “Any of these people could be Josh Lanyon!” But also, I hope not, that instead you’re writing another great romance. So thank you, and also honorable mention for Faro and Jaxom.