Thank you from Michael Mandrake and BL

Hi all, 


This as always has been fun.


Thanks all for the comments and views today. I hope you get a chance to check us out and find out more as we release more interesting stories for you to read.


I'll leave you with a piece from Michael Mandrake's story in Bound for Romance anthology, Binding Justice and then the places to find me and the muses.


Buylink


Book Trailer


Thanks again and goodnight

Here is a blurb and excerpt:

Blurb: Binding Justice, the only gay fiction romance story in the anthology is a tale of an older man seeking the assistance after losing his wife to cancer. Throughout his life, he has had the desire to be with another man but due to his strict upbringing as well as his time in the armed forces, Sire Jacobs has suppressed those feelings. At the insistence of his gay friend Gabe, he decides to attend a party to find someone of home he can bring this side out. Enter in Jarvis Densley, a twenty three year old gay male, shunned by his parents and looking for someone to mentor and love him. Apparently, both have similar interests but will Sire's darker desire be what keeps them apart?


Excerpt PG

Sire felt like an old man amongst so many young people. It had been years since he’d been in a place like this.

I’m only here in support of Gabriel.

He reminded himself of that several times. Sire was pretty sure no one coming through that door would catch his eye. By the looks of things he was spot on since the clientele looked to be exactly what he wasn’t looking for.

Did he even know what kind of man he wanted? A young, strong, and pretty one. Not a drag queen or flamer.  

It amazed him he was going over this in his mind as he downed the last of his scotch while still taking in the sights. He never thought he’d get the chance to experience another man.

Still gazing, he noticed Gabe pulling someone’s hand through a crowd. When Sire locked eyes with Gabe, his friend nodded with a smile as the young man with him was turned to the right. After a couple of seconds, Sire got a glimpse of the guy. He was dressed in leather, looking very appealing even from a distance.

Whoa

Sire sat up on his stool, angling his neck trying to get a good look as the twosome threaded through small throngs of people. Before he knew it, Gabe made his way over with a tall, lanky, gentleman with burgundy hair, brown eyes, chiseled features, and a wry smile. He looked a lot like one of the men on the flyer Gabe had earlier; almost the same outfit, his makeup perfect.

His look was just what Sire wanted.

Gabe grinned, “Sire, this is Jarvis Densley. I been talking with him a few minutes about his choice of clothing. He looks a lot like you asked about, right?”

Sire drew up his lips, stroking his beard.

Jarvis Densley, ugly name for a beautiful man.

Links

The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!

Michael Mandrake - http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com

Rawiya - http://rawiyaserotica.blogspot.com

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharitaLira

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3542690

Its Raining Men Blog - http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com

Excerpt 2 My Lieutenant BLMorticia

Hi again.


BL here with the last post of the night from the wicked gal.


Its an excerpt from My Lieutenant again, my Silver Star. Watch for me out there since I have more yummies coming later on this month.


Check out my other posts as well.


Have a great one!


Now available at Amazon,ARE and Bookstrand


See Excerpt One Here

Once we made it to the Hot Plate diner, Bryant and I sat across from one another in a small booth towards the back. On the way, we talked about me, my paintings and my taste in music. We’d figured out both of us liked a little of everything which was great.

Now with our menus over our faces, we were completely silent. Seemingly, Bryant didn’t want to talk much since we were about to eat. This couldn’t go on, even if he was only interested in breakfast. I had to at least attempt to make friendly conversation.

“So, this place,” I started after putting the menu down on the table. I drummed my fingers on the wood. “You come here a lot? The food looks delicious.”

The waitress came over, filling both our cups with coffee.

“Yep, I love it. It reminds me of an old time restaurant like back in the sixties or seventies.” Bryant picked up some cream, pouring it in his beverage. I noticed he’d taken about four within the span of two minutes.

I smiled, pointing at his cup. “You don’t like your java dark, huh?”

He put the mug to his lips. “Nope, I like a lotta cream,” he smirked, sipping the hot drink while his brown eyes were still fixated on me.

Well shit!

I grinned, raising an eyebrow.

Did he just flirt with me?

I cleared my throat, adjusting myself on the cushion. My trousers felt more than uncomfortable. We locked eyes again. “I see, well, I happen to like mine a bit darker.”

Bryant leaned forward, licking his lips. The sight made my dick twitch. I reached under the table, tugging at my pants.

“Like caramel,” he asked, giving me a wink.

I slurped a little, nodding my head in agreement. “Yes, light. Right in the middle.”

He was teasing me and I liked it.

What the fuck?

Didn’t he turn the Here channel off in favor of Law & Order? Time to find out the truth. “Um, Bryant…”

“Yes?” Bryant leaned in closer.

“I wanted to ask you…” I tried to collect my thoughts.

“Yes…” he nodded, taking another drink. “Yes, I do like what I see. Yes, I am attracted to you and I would’ve turned my head if it were anyone else but…knowing it was your place, I had to step in.” He continued to drink out his cup of Joe.

My eyes widened, not believing he was openly confessing that he liked me.  “I…” I stammered.

“Listen, Nathan. I’ve only been in the building about two weeks and ever since I saw you, I wanted to get to know you better. I’m a little shy. I didn’t wanna just come out and say it.”

“Okay, well, then… I guess that answers my questions…sort of.” I grinned again, still dumbfounded by what I’d heard. This hot man, who seemed to be so straight, said he wanted to get to know me.

Bryant broke our gaze a moment as he chuckled. “Look, I’m sorry for being so forward, it’s just…well…it’s been hard being so secretive the whole time, you know? Now that I’m getting the chance, I don’t wanna hold back.”

Interrupting our conversation, the waitress came back with our food, placing it on the table. I really wanted to hear what else he had to say, especially that sentence about being secretive. What the hell did that mean? I guess I’d find out after we’d had breakfast but at least I knew I was way off base about Bryant’s feelings. That made me very happy.

---

BL is currently a published writer with Rebel Ink and Naughty Nights Press. Her first two novellas, My Lieutenant and Something Fresh Served Hot will be due out in November. She writes bi weekly for Erotic Diaries with Rawiya and a column twice a month on Blak Rayne Books.

Finding the Right Voice - Post from Sharita L

Good evening!

Still here at Goddess Fish. I'd like to thank everyone for the comments so far.

2 of my muses have spoken today, and I'll let them close out the posts this evening but I wanted to talk about my experience of finding the right voice to match my story.

When a writer speaks of their voice, they’re not talking alto or soprano.*laughs* In my opinion, they’re speaking of the style in which they write. Every author has a different style so no 2 authors should be the same. Sure, we have similarities. One may be a lot more sensual as opposed to the other that might be a lot more erotic.

Now, imagine the author having to do this with his or herself. *raises eyebrow* The voices that speak to you in certain kinds of stories may clash between pennames. You find your sensual writer has now become you more erotic writer. Maybe your snarky one as made your more long winded and eloquent voice more of a bad ass. *shudder*

I confess, I’m a newbie so I still struggle with this. In certain stories, Michael might pick up BL’s style of smart ass and Rawiya might sound more like Michael. Is this okay? Erm, in some instances yes but not always. The key is making it work for a particular story or character.

In short, Michael Mandrake writes long winded, eloquent, stories about people in love. If humor comes into his tales, it’s more of a dry humor, yet, my latest story, A Second Chance, has a character that would typically be a BL type of man. Captain in Training, Daniel DeClerc. He, along with his new partner, Farris are both smart asses, but because the story is about 2 cops who are facing the challenge of loving after losing a partner in the line of duty, it works.

Can you imagine being gay on the homophobic police force? In order to avoid scrutiny, you must keep yourself closeted. Because they have to deal with this fact, both men settle into personalities where they have to keep themselves laughing to avoid crying.

The characters make a lot of snide remarks, especially Daniel since he’s the one in charge. *snicker* But it works because if he were more of the dry humor type that Michael would usually write then you wouldn’t really connect with Daniel or feel what he is feeling.

In the next story, The Power of Muse, Michael is his eloquent self once again. Since his MC is an author, he's very proper in his speech and so I wrote the story as if the writer was doing a speech. Perhaps something like an English teacher. 

Make sense? Hope so.

So in closing, if you’re a writer with penames or even an author with one or your own name, have you found your correct voice? This, I’m sure, takes time to master and I haven’t done so just yet, but I know as I get better, they might not clash as much. However as you can see, sometimes that works.

Here is a bit from The Power of Muse and Inspiration from XOXO publishing. Coming very soon.

Booktrailer

Blurb: No such thing as vampires!

William Chatterley is an up and coming author looking for a partner after many dead end dates. Finally, he believes he’s found a suitable mate in Andrew and they see one another.

The vampire Jude is weak from being without love in his life. When he sees the author, he desires him right away but his companion is a stumbling block.

How will he get passed it and when he does, will the mortal want to be his partner? What will he choose? Will Jude convince him to become his eternal lover?

PG Excerpt

“Yes, yes, come to me my child!” Jude lay his head against a dead tree. He sensed two virile young men he might like to enjoy for a double entree. Since he couldn’t have love why not fill up his belly with young blood for nourishment. He waved his long fingers and opened his eyes, gazing around the open field till he caught sight of the two he’d seen in his mind’s eye.

As always the faces were skewed when he looked deep within to see his prey but now that they’d come into view, he noticed one he didn’t want to destroy.

“Wha…I…” At a loss of words was Jude, gawking at the handsome man running away from another. “My, I’ve never seen in all my years a more gorgeous sight.” That moment the old immortal felt his muscles strengthen and his face tightening. A new feeling of love and inspiration came over him.

A mortal, so lovely and beautiful, the desire to live started to return.

Michael Mandrake --- Strides Despite Opposition

Greetings friends!


Hi to Goddess fish. Happy to see everyone today.


I'm the gay male muse of Sharita Lira, the longwinded one, more complicated. She calls me that. *grins*


Anyway, its great to be here with BL and share some fantastic blogposts about writing, our books but I'm usually the muse that occasionally will step out on social issues.


I feel strongly about a lot of things that have to do with the rights of the GLBT community and the struggles to gain the same treatment as straight indviduals do. Has society made strides on that yet?


Is everything getting better?

Somewhat but there are still issues to be worked out as gays and lesbians strive to be accepted in this crazy society we live in, but people are starting to recognize, around the globe, how important it is for the GLBT nation to have the same rights as heterosexuals.

Just look at what happened recently. New York became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage! Impressive, considering the state has that hard reputation right? They join, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and DC as the only 6 to recognize same sex marriage. Why should that be?

Now, in other states, like mine in Illinois, civil unions are accepted and hopefully this is just a step to the Land of Lincoln doing as the other six have done and support everyones right to marry.

And this past summer, Parliament voted to legalize same sex marriage in the UK! That's awesome. What a joy for them. When will the US do the same? Hopefully not too far behind. 

The acceptance of openly gay and lesbian troops into the military. Long time coming right? DADT or Don’t Ask Don’t tell is out. While I’m in no way, shape, or form a fan of military service, it still isn’t right for the government to hold back individuals from serving. Why should one’s orientation stop them from doing the job they love? Why should it matter if they love someone of their own gender to serve their country? Something is definitely wrong with this picture.

Lastly, more awareness. The Trevor Project, NOH8, the It Gets Better campaign, among others are definitely a sign that there is an outcry for tolerance. Unfortunately, tragedy has had to strike, in the case of the Trevor Project, to happen in order for something to be done but a lot of times that is what has occurred in cases with any cause that finally gets national attention.

Every year in June, in places around the country and other parts of the world, the gay pride parades abound with people who are and in support of the gay community walking hand in hand. Colorful floats, people from all races and creeds, joining together to alert the world that GLBT nation deserves to be recognized. It’s such a great event. I attended the one here in Chicago this year and it was a blast.

(picture taken from GSA Network)

 Even with all these positives, there is still much to do. Unfortunately, gay bashing still exists. It may not be the main headline but that doesn't mean it hasn’t gone away. Youths are still bullied and some so traumatized it drives them to suicide. Thankfully, there are organizations like http://www.gsanetwork.org/what-we-do and http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/home/index.html to be a source of assistance for the community. There needs to be more like this around the country, especially for our young people to have a place when they have nowhere to turn.

There are still places in the world where homosexuality is illegal. Uganda is very close to making it punishable by death. Unreal.

In Georgia, sodomy is illegal. Something I didn’t know until recently. This can be translated to say that the state of Georgia frowns upon gay relationships. What’s wrong with this picture when in other states it’s okay to have more than one wife. Legally.

Moving on.

Acceptance and tolerance still have a long ways to go but with everyone taking the time to realize that what someone else does with their life shouldn’t be your choice, things would get better. I mean, think. Would you want someone else dictating to you who you should love? Think about it.

Let's continue to celebrate the positives but realize this isn't the end. There is still much to do and it is up to us as individuals to stand up for our rights!

Links

The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!
Michael Mandrake - http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com

Rawiya - http://rawiyaserotica.blogspot.com

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharitaLira
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3542690

Its Raining Men Blog - http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com

 Buylink – http://www.amazon.com/A-Second-Chance-ebook/dp/B005J86MU0/ref=pd_rhf_gw_tpp_tab0_p_t_1

Blurb: Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other’s proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

EXCERPT PG:

While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn’t help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.

Damn…

“Um, hello…” I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. “I’m Farris Beason.”

He accepted. “Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you.” The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.

Don chuckled, “See Beason, if you would’ve been in the right frame of mind you could’ve joined Daniel today.”

While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.

“Pity,” Daniel said with a grin. “Maybe when you’ve recovered from your wild night?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I laughed, “Yeah, um…maybe…”

We’d broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?

Excerpt One My Lieutenant M/M BLMorticia

Hey all BL here again. Here is the first excerpt from my new Novella My Lieutenant. Just received Silver Star on ARe on its first day. Squee

Now available at Amazon, ARE and Bookstrand

Official Blurb: Nathan Ellerby's apartment has been ransacked by his ex who didn't like the fact Nathan dumped him. Trouncing through the debris uttering a string of obscenities, Nathan's shocked to see Lieutenant Bryant Duncan at his door claiming he's already caught the offender. Sensing an instant connection, when Nathan finds out Bryant's divorced and he's straddling the fence between being gay or bisexual, Nathan finds himself in a quandary.

 Although the Lieutenant does everything in his power to prove to Nathan he's worthy, Nathan is afraid to lower his defenses which leaves both men wondering if Nathan will allow love into his life even through his doubts.

(Unedited Excerpt)

A very tall, dark, and handsome bald headed man was standing there with a pearly white smile.

“Hey, listen, I caught the guys that went through your things.” He smiled and nodded.

“Seriously?” I opened up the door slowly only to lock eyes with the most, gorgeous man I’d ever laid eyes on.

Fuck!

He  moistened his lips. “Hey, I’m new to the building. My name’s Bryant Duncan.” He put out his hand.

A black Irishman?

I accepted it. His hands were warm but kind of rough just the way I like them. That moment, his skin on top of mine sent heat to my groin. I took a whiff of his cologne. “Nice to meet you, Mr…”

“Call me Bryant, please,” he interrupted me. “Like I was sayin’, I saw the bastards going through your place. When they saw me, they tried to get away but, I called the cops once I got the building security to come up and help detain them.”

Holy shit, my hero…

“You didn’t have to.” I was completely impressed that he cared enough to put his life on the line.

We stood silent a minute.

“Ahem.” The cop came up behind me. “Okay sir, I need you to come down to the station and give a statement. If you could meet me downstairs.” Thiesmann adjusted his belt. “Mr. Duncan, nice work and um, Mr…”

“Ellerby, Nathan Ellerby.” I offered my hand.

The cop took my hand lightly. “Mr. Ellerby, don’t be too long okay?”

He walked back through the door and struggled to crawl under the tape. When I saw that I wanted to laugh but I had more important matters in front of me.

I gazed at him.

“I’m sorry, and you said your name was…” Bryant raised an eyebrow.

“Oh shit, erm.” I cleared my throat, noticing our hands were still locked together. “Nathan, Nathan Ellerby.”

We gripped each other’s palm tightly. “Good to meet you, Nathan.” He released my hand and my gaze then reached into his back pocket of his loose, fitting jeans.

I couldn’t help but follow his arms. They were so big, muscular. I could imagine them cradling me during the night.

“Here we go. My number just in case you need me for anything,” he grinned.

I took the piece of paper, still gawking at those lovely brown eyes. I tried to keep myself from drooling. “Man, I don’t know how to thank you.”

Bryant waved his hand, smiling. “No problem, man. I live right down the hall. I just happened to be on my way out to run some errands.”

“Yeah?” I leaned against the door frame. Suddenly, the robbery seemed less important.

“Yeah, those fools were doing it in the middle of the afternoon.”

“Interesting.” I licked my lips, looking away for a moment. I wanted to continue talking to Bryant, but Thiesmann was waiting on me. “Listen, umm, again, I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done. It was very brave of you.”

Bryant smiled, “Like I said, no biggie.” He put his hands together and rubbed them briskly.

This time my eyes didn’t follow. I tried to think of something else to say to keep his attention. “I, um…I need to figure out a way to repay you for this. Maybe, I could take you out to dinner or something?”

Bryant grinned, nodding. “Yeah, maybe we can have a bite to eat. If you need my statements or anything, make sure you use that card and give me a call,” he said before disappearing back down the hallway.

 “Thanks so much, Bryant. I’ll be calling you to setup that dinner.”

“Cool.” He backed away. “See ya, Nathan.”

“Bye,” I said, watching his cute backside make its way down to apartment 17D. “Shii…” I mouthed to myself after I closed my door, grinning like a Cheshire cat. The man was my hero, in the span of five minutes I was in love.

Thank goodness for petty crime!

BL is currently a published writer with Rebel Ink and Naughty Nights Press. Her first two novellas, My Lieutenant and Something Fresh Served Hot will be due out in November. She writes bi weekly for Erotic Diaries with Rawiya and a column twice a month on Blak Rayne Books.

Good Morning Goddess Fish! Intro Triad Author Sharita Lira

Ah, it's great to be back at Goddess Fish again. Weren't I and the muses just here last week? *shakes head* Such is the life of an author who tries to make it in the world of writing. Millions of authors exist and you hope that maybe, just maybe you stand out among the rest.

I'm sure a load of people think I write under 3 penames for marketing. WTF? No! *holds up hands* 

No way have I done this to get more attention. The three penames came one by one because of the different personalities that each one has. Whether its my snarky muse, BL or my gay male muse who is long winded, Michael, or the sweeter sensual Rawiya, they all have a certain type of story and voice they like to use in their tales. I don't even do it to separate genres. *sighs* Only because there are 3 distinct muses that all want their say so in very different ways.

Do I keep up? Honestly I try. *laughs* But it's still hard to do this and really it will continue to be as the plot bunnies come up in my brain.

What I'd like to achieve is to be able to write a fabulous story, one people will enjoy, maybe find humorous, emotional, and sexy. I like romance, tension, heartfelt tales that pull at your strings and teach you soemthing along the way. As my fellow author Xakara says, I write about people. Gay, straight, lesbian, eventually, doesn't matter. I love stories about people getting over struggles to find the ultimate partner. All 3 muses take a different road to get there, but that's usually the end result.

Now, all that being said, today I'm happy to feature 2 of the 3 muses since they both have releases. BL, my wicked snarky muse with My Lieutenant and gay male muse Michael Mandrake with The Power of Muse and Inspiration. 

I'll let them tell you more. 

Thanks for being here with me and the muses. *raises eyebrow* I hope you'll enjoy the posts throughout the day. 

Here's where you can find us. 

The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!

The Literary Triad on FB - https://www.facebook.com/TheLiteraryTriad
Michael Mandrake - http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com

BlMorticia/Rawiya – http://blrawiyaerotica.blogspot.com

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharitaLira
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3542690

Its Raining Men Blog - http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com

GLBT Bookshelf - http://bookworld.editme.com/The-Triad-Miachael-Mandrake-Rawiya-BLMorticia

Thanks for stopping by

Hi fans!


This has been fabulous! Being here, sharing excerpts and posts for this Halloween celebration.


Hope you enjoyed all our work.


Michael has ended with what's next for us, meaning him and me. I thought I'd do differently and bring in good gal, Rawiya with the closure for tonight.




Thanks BL. *sits on couch* 


Hiya! It's great to close out our day on the Goddess Fish and Whipped Cream parties. We keep Sharita busy always, with new stories, plots, twists, all to keep the 39 year old mom running around like crazy.


For me, I'm very excited to have my first full length come out in 2012, Time to Make the Donuts. It's an M/M and part of the Something New on the Menu Series from Naughty Nights Press that I'm doing with BLMorticia. 


Also, I'm doing 2 other stories for the series, Sugar Daddy, based on my short from the STARbooks antho, Whos Your Daddy as well as Smooth Like Latte.


All my stories are interracial m/m stories which I love. BM/WM in love is the ultimate turn on for me and I can't wait for you to see what I've come up with.


Also, my first MMF! WOOT! Also contracted through NNP, Living in the Now! I'm so excited about this one. A story about a man who craves to be in a threesome and his boyfriend allows it. Its also interracial. My female is one sultry black vixen. Yumm... She's also voluptuous so it makes it even more fun.


There are more stories that are in the hopper, like my series Masquerade, that still needs a home and I'm confident we, Sharita and I, will do our best to bring you more entertaining stories.


Thanks for stopping in today and listening to BL and I. Its been real. 

BLRawiya, the muses of author Sharita Lira are two new faces in the world of erotica. Rawiya being the more sensually sweet while BL is the snarky wicked one, they both offer stories from two radically different points of view giving readers a fresh look at sex and romance from all orientations and genders.

BLMorticia’s first published story, Cocksucker’s Complaint was published in the Bad Girls Sweet Kiss Anthology from Xcite. Her first book, My Lieutenant will be released November 3^rd from Rebel Ink Press. That same month, Something Fresh Served Hot, book one of the Something New on the Menu series, co authored by Rawiya, will be released from Naughty Nights Press. BL writes twice a month with Cassandre Dayne for Wicked Women and is a biweekly contributor to fellow author Blak Rayne’s Blog. BL writes stories with humor and more tension than the others while keeping the sex hot and steamy.

Rawiya has several shorts published on free sites as well as ebooks/print. The latest of which is Sugar Daddy in the Who’s your Daddy anthology from STARbooks.  Rawiya considers herself the real world erotica author, penning most of her work in contemporary settings that everyone can relate to.

For more info visit the blog the Two Faces of Erotica

What inspires the wicked gal?

Greetings peeps!

Welcome to another saucy post by me, the wicked gal BLMorticia.

Well I am busy! Whew! Very busy working on my novel series as well as making preparations for the next two novels and a sequel to my Lieutenant. I feel awesome that my story, You Don’t Ask, We Don’t Tell is the one getting the most attention. Usually, this would be time for Michael and “the head” to get busy on one of the many projects he’s got going but nope, we’re aiming to get done with this fabulous series that's become a 3 or 4 book monster and to think it all started with a submission call for men in uniform. 0.o

Now, I won’t tell you which one. Not like it matters anyway because it’s already passed but at times for all three of us muses, it might only take a scene or a picture, a song, etc to inspire a whole story and possibly a story series. What was it for me this time?

For You Don’t Ask, We Don't Tell which is my gay contemporary erotica romance, it was what I’d been reading about the impending repeal of DADT.

 For those of you unfamiliar, DADT was Don’t Ask Don’t Tell which, in short, was a ban of gays and lesbians serving openly in the US armed forces. Actually, Michael did a post on it at IRM. Thankfully its gone!

Sure, there have been plenty of stories about gays in the military and their struggles after they’ve left the service, but what about during their tenure? Then I got to thinking, since I do snark better than the other muses, why not make this a gay comedy? 

(Pictured model/actor Marco Dapper, Cody)

Now, don’t think for a second there’s no tension because there is. Plenty of heartwarming moments as well as serious ones where my main character Cody will be tested and pushed to the limit but, in typical BL fashion, my cast will have some fun making plenty of humorous statements along the way. To think all it took was a subcall and the information about a serious issue for me to turn it into a whole series. I’m quite proud of it too. It's due out Feb 3 of 2012! If you’d like to know a little more, please visit my blog or even the post I did on Menspirations explaining the concept and showing you my sexy cast.

Lastly, what also inspires is of course the music. Most of the time when writing, all of us turn on some tunes to get us going. Because the mood of Cody throughout is mostly tense and angsty, I chose some metal music to put in my ears. Some classic Metallica, Megadeth, a little Anthrax, and some Pantera to get me in the mood to write these scenes. Some of the songs have brought out the best, or in this case the worst, in my MC since all he’s been thinking of is getting away from his tension filled life in North Carolina to try becoming a man in the army.

As always, the Triad is keeping the head, “Sharita,” pretty busy. We've got a ton of plot bunnies that have come from the music, porn, and required reading she continues to feed her brain with. What has inspired you to create? Let me know your thoughts and as always, thanks for listening to all my Ramblings!

Coming Feb 3, 2012 BLMorticia with her snarky series about a man looking to shed his "gayness" The Army's the place to get right, right? Think again! (Mock cover left)

Blurb: 

A gay curious young man who has fell over the fence more than a couple of times is seeking the armed forces to become more of a straight man under the duress of his family. He leaves behind his on and off again lover, Dari Kirk.

At the local recruiters office, he meets Corporal Justin Belvidere who can tell that he’s hiding something. Running away from something he needs. He knows just what training facility to send him to. The one part of the army that everyone knows to be one of the finest and most upstanding platoons in the armed forces but they have hidden secrets.

Captain Morris Dunst runs Army company 9669. A proud group of men known for their tenacity, wit, and strength. He’s produced some of the best soldiers in his ten year tenure, teaching them how to be real men.

That take it all like men.

Cody is unaware he’s stepped into the platoon that makes the gay man realize his true potential as a well adjusted uncloseted male in the homophobic society. Morrie makes sure of that along with his right hand man and boyfriend, Lieutenant Darios Bright.

Cody will walk out of company 9669 with a new outlook and respect for his newfound manhood. The men in the platoon will see to it.

All information in the book about army life is factual while the company itself is all fiction as well as the characters. Its intent is to be humorous while showing the growing pains of a young man as he learns how to accept his homosexuality and the relationship with his lover without fear.

Book One

Basic Training

Book one begins with the introduction of Cody McCayne and his childhood friend Dari Kirk who have been having sex on the down low for a while until they are found out. This scares Cody and he decides to cease their relationship.

Due to the constant taunts and chiding of his father and peerss, he decides that joining the army is the answer for him to “get right” in his words. He thinks this will dispel his gay persona and make him a real man.

However, during his ten week tenure he’ll meet the characters at Fort Jackson of company 9669, the only all gay and lesbian platoon who operate as straight soldiers by day but play and teach at night. This section is run by Captain Morris Dunst and his lover, first Lieutenant Darios Bright.

Unedited Excerpt: When he straightened the wheel, he got out the truck, sprinting to the place he hoped held his ticket out of here. He opened the doors, letting a couple of army men out before he went in.

“Wow,” he mouthed, glancing about the place as if he were a tourist. Large hallways, cream colored walls with decorative crown molding. The floors were made of linoleum. Everything was so clean. The glare blinded Cody.

His eyes fixed of the small line of men huddled together to hand their papers to a soldier sitting behind the desk. Cody tightly gripped the application in his hands.

Do I really want to do this? How will I handle being yelled at by someone basically the whole time I’m there?

Suddenly, young McCayne began to question his decision. He tapped his feet, fumbling with his free fingers as he eyed the men talking with the representative.

Why am I doing this?

Yes, why the fuck was he? Joining the army just so he could gain acceptance? Make his asshole dad proud of him? Would this be worth it?

“Iknowiwantthisiknowihaveto…damnit!” He grit his teeth.

What if he didn’t like army life? What if the captain was an asshole he wouldn’t be able to tolerate?

What am I saying? They’re all assholes. None worse than my dear old dad.

The men in front of him inched closer to the recruiter’s desk.

Cody could feel his palms sweating along with his brow.

What the fuck? I need to man up. That’s my whole reason for doing this right?

He straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat.

Only one more ahead of me. I can do this!

The young man shrugged his shoulders and gulped hard. He stuffed one hand in his pocket and eyes darted from left to right.

Oh my fuckin’ God, I’m gonna…

“Next!” The man in front of him moved away and suddenly it was Cody’s turn. “Yes…um…Sir?”

The guy behind the desk gave him a wry smile. “Yeah, you ready to come serve your country, boy?” He had a slight southern accent and piercing blue eyes.

Damn, the man is hot.