New Release and Contest! - Other Side of the Line - And a Sale!

Caleb Hudson and Hal Zimmer became best friends the day they stood up against the schoolyard bully together. Life’s complicated enough with their friendship crossing racial lines in 1960s Charleston, South Carolina, but as time passes, they realize it’s more than their friendship that sets them apart from other kids. At first, Caleb denies his feelings for Hal could be more than companionship. He supports his friend when Hal admits he’s gay, but Caleb isn’t ready to face his own truth.

Hal becomes a staunch antiwar protester, and the divide between them widens after Caleb is drafted. But when Caleb returns from Vietnam, the time for denial is over. His homecoming sets off a series of events that force Caleb and Hal to confront their desires and what lines they’re willing to cross to get what they truly want out of life.

"Other Side of the Line" is out at Dreamspinner Press today! Leave a comment about what you liked about the story, or a favorite character, or a memorable moment that made you laugh, cry, or get mad and be entered in a contest to win a beautiful sweetgrass basket from the Charleston Market! The contest will run for the next 30 days. You can leave the comment here on the blog, or on my Facebook or Twitter. All comments count as an entry.

And from the 18th-20 "All Bets are Off" (including French & Italian translations), "Ghosts in the Wind" and "Make Me Whole" are only $0.99 at Dreamspinner. Enjoy!

Excerpt and Contest for "Other Side of the Line" 4 Days Until Release Day!

Hello everybody. Four Days and Counting Down! I can’t believe it before “Other Side of the Line” will be released from Dreamspinner Press. 

Caleb and Hal meet when they are eight years old and throughout their lives they faced many rough moments that they weathered through the strength of their friendship. But what happens when distance threatens that closeness? Hal’s dad has been transferred back to New York and Hal and Caleb are forced to say goodbye just as they’re discovering more about themselves and how they feel about each other. I hope you enjoy.

Excerpt from "Other Side of the Line" Countdown to Release - 14 Days!

Charleston, SC—November 6, 1963

Caleb’s teacher paced across the front of the classroom, leaning on his cane, his white hair gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. “Now can anyone name a hero from the War of Northern Aggression?” He paused and focused on Hal in the front row. Hal had just started in their class on Monday, coming all the way down from New York. “That would be the Civil War for those of us who might not understand… given their unfortunate origins.”

“Oooohh!” Hal’s hand shot up. He talked funny, fast and with a strange high accent. He liked to try to answer all the questions, and sometimes he stared at Caleb too much, but he never seemed mean about it, only curious. At least his eyes didn’t slide away as if Caleb’s skin was covered in rancid oil, and that made for a welcome change.

Coming September 18th! "Other Side of the Line" - Cover Reveal

Cover Art by Catt Ford

Caleb Hudson and Hal Zimmer became best friends the day they stood up against the schoolyard bully together. Life’s complicated enough with their friendship crossing racial lines in 1960s Charleston, South Carolina, but as time passes, they realize it’s more than their friendship that sets them apart from other kids. At first, Caleb denies his feelings for Hal could be more than companionship. He supports his friend when Hal admits he’s gay, but Caleb isn’t ready to face his own truth.

Hal becomes a staunch antiwar protester, and the divide between them widens after Caleb is drafted. But when Caleb returns from Vietnam, the time for denial is over. His homecoming sets off a series of events that force Caleb and Hal to confront their desires and what lines they’re willing to cross to get what they truly want out of life.

I guess I spoke too soon the other day, the cover is already here for Caleb and Hal's story. I'm so excited about this one. C.M. Torrens helped me to come up with the concept for it and Catt Ford did such an amazing job bringing it to life. Her attention to detail blew me away. If I ever get a chance to meet her, I'm going to hug the heck out of her. :D All of the elements capture the heart of the story. I couldn't be happier!

Happy 2015!

Happy New Year’s everybody. I just wanted to give an update about what I’ve been doing. I’m finishing up the second draft of “Other Side of the Line.” I have my beta notes back and I’m really excited about how the edits are going. I hope to submit it very soon. I’ll keep you updated. After that I’m working on an erotic, sci-fi horror novella for a boxed set that’s due in August. I don’t have a title yet, but I’ve started roughing out the story. One of the new things I’m thinking of implementing this year is having a wip page that I’ll update once a month with words counts so you can see all the crazy things I have going on in my head.

Other Side of the Line

So I'm one month away from submitting my interracial romance set in the 60s and 70s. It's been quite a ride with Caleb and Hal. I truly love these two. It feels like I have a ton left to do, so each day I'll post a snippet, or a picture, or both, maybe some progress to keep everybody in the loop. I didn't get much done today. I'm working on a Christmas scene, but work has been quite insane. I've clocked in a lot of overtime since I came back from vacation. But I expect that it'll die off by the end of the week. In the meantime, here's a snippet from the opening scene where Caleb and Hal are eight.