Archive for writing
Wednesday Work In Progress…
Today I thought I’d share with you an excerpt from A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood, the collaboration between Devon Rhodes and yours truly. My character is Ajay Singh, and he’s one of India’s top cricket players. He’s a pretty good guy, but he has a bit of a temper, and it’s been known to cause him trouble from time to time. Here you go….
A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood. (copyright c. 2013 Devon Rhodes & T.A. Chase)
Excerpt:
Ajay backed away from Neel, who had jumped to his feet and was uncharacteristically crowding in Ajay’s face. Neel had never reacted this way to Ajay talking to anyone before
“I didn’t think it was that important for you to know I talked to Raj. We’re just meeting for chai, Neel. It’s not like we’re going on a date or anything.” Ajay took a few steps back, trying to put space between them.
“Of course, you couldn’t date him. Rajan isn’t about to come out of the closet for a lover, not now when he’s at the top of the Bollywood world,” Neel commented.
“What’s your problem, Neel? I’ve never seen you act this way. If I’d known you’d do this, I wouldn’t have told you the truth about where I’m going. And what do you mean out of the closet? I never said that Rajan was gay.” Ajay shook his head. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the stadium for practise.”
He shoved his way through the crowd, not really paying attention to who he ran into or if anyone was snapping a picture of him being rude to the dancers. All he wanted was to get out of the club and away from Neel at that moment.
Once he was outside, he flagged down a cab, then climbed in. He told the driver to take him to Cafe Pringa. As the vehicle pulled from the kerb, he spotted Neel bursting out of the club. Ajay grimaced at Neel’s crazy actions. There was something going on with his friend, but Ajay didn’t have time to figure it out.
All he wanted to focus on was being able to see Raj in person for the first time since that unfortunate argument. Ajay rested his head against the cool glass of the window, and admitted to himself that he probably could’ve seen Raj a long time ago, if he’d returned any of the messages Raj had left on his phone. His stubborn pride and fiery temper made it impossible for him to say he was sorry.
With age came maturity and a certain amount of wisdom, and Ajay was finally ready to face the mistakes he’d made in the past. Maybe when he did that, he’d be able to move on and find something good in his future, though he doubted that whatever was waiting for him would be better than the perfect relationship he’d let slip away when he was young and foolish.
The cab stopped in front of Cafe Pringa, and Ajay sat, staring at the late night crowd. Did he have the courage to step out of the vehicle and go face the man he’d never forgotten? Could he find the strength to ask for forgiveness?
Raj had to have some kind of fondness for Ajay, if Ajay could use Raj’s actions of calling him back and agreeing to meet him as evidence.
“Are you getting out, sir?”
The driver’s question jolted Ajay, and he nodded. After paying the man, he shoved open the door, then climbed out. His phone beeped and he looked down to see a text.
‘are you here yet? Found a table outside in the corner.’
Ajay could lie and say he’d gotten caught in traffic, or something had come up and he wouldn’t be able to make it. He stared at the words as they shook slightly from the trembling of his hand. No. He wouldn’t do that. It was time to face his past, and hopefully regain a friend who had meant far more than anyone else ever had.
They Walk Among Us is available now…
I posted some places yesterday, but in case you didn’t hear, They Walk Among Us is now available at Amber Allure. Click here to go check it out. 🙂 Or you can browse my website to see what else is coming out soon.
Anyway this weekend was a great writing weekend. I did two real-time writing sessions with Devon Rhodes (which meant I stayed up really late since she’s like three hours behind me…lol) but we achieve two 10k+ days in a row, and our book is now over 34k. Which is awesome because it means we’re actually going to be bumping the word count up to 50k+, and our book will be out in print. Since it’s the first in a series of six books, that means all of them will be in print as well. Woot!
I really can’t wait for you to meet my cricket player…and Devon’s Bollywood actor. I think they’re wonderful together. 🙂
Also, I got a good amount written on Home Sweet Home as well, and it’s moving along at a good pace. Hoping this week will get me even more words.
Well, it snowed last night and the world outside is snowy/icy. Might be a good day to stay inside and write, but I do have some errands to run. So I’m going to write for a little while, then head out into the cold world (lol) to get what I need.
Have a marvelous Monday, everyone.
New Cover-Leaving Home
Isn’t this so yummy? I love this cover. 🙂 And it’s going to look awesome with the other books on my shelf when I get the print version.
I just finished final line edits on Leaving Home, so it’ll be up for pre-order at some point. I’ll make sure to let you all know when it’s up.
I’m working on Home Sweet Home and A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood this weekend. Hoping to get a lot finished. 😀 At least on HSH. I have a partner who has to do her part on ASWiB…lol So together, we’ll get a lot done, I’m sure.
Well, it’s snowing here, giving me the perfect excuse not to go anywhere and just focus on advancing my stories. I hope you all are safe and warm wherever you are. Also, have an awesome weekend.
Wednesday Work in Progress….
Here’s another little peek at Home Sweet Home. Next week, you might get a peek at A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood (if Devon agrees I can post a little bit of it..lol)
Excerpt: copyright c. 2013 T.A. Chase
Yancey didn’t rush, even though he wanted to. He hadn’t seen Juan in three months when Juan came to celebrate Yancey’s graduation from vet school. He strolled into the arena, then leant against the wall as he watched Juan ride the big bay gelding in a tight circle.
He held his breath as Juan pointed the horse towards a double oxer about four feet three inches high. It wasn’t the biggest jump set up in the arena, but it was one of the widest. It would force the horse to not only launch himself and his rider high in the air, and stretch out as far as he could over the jump without touching it with his hooves.
Juan made a kissing sound, and gave the gelding a little tap on the hip with his crop as they approached the jump. With a grunting heave, the horse threw himself off his feet, reaching out his head, and curling his hooves under him. Yancey bit his lip, saying a silent prayer that there had been enough power in the leap for them to clear the oxer.
One rail rattled in its cups as one leg rubbed over it, and Yancey winced at the thought of it falling. It had been a good jump, with almost perfect form from the horse. Juan didn’t move a muscle, sticking to the gelding’s back like a burr. After landing with a thud, they continued on down the line over another jump built to look like a brick wall.
Yancey waited until Juan was heading towards him before he moved. Juan’s head came up, and Yancey saw the big smile crossing Juan’s face. He walked over to the centre of the arena where Juan was pulling his mount to a halt.
Juan nearly fell out of the saddle in his haste to get to Yancey, who caught him in a tight embrace.
“Holy shit, man. What the hell are you doing here?” Juan pushed him away, gripping his shoulders tight.
“I got in early this morning. I’ll explain the whole thing tonight at dinner if you’re not doing anything.” Yancey glanced over at the horse. “Are you done with him or do you need to ride some more? I can wait as long as it takes. I’ll be here awhile.”
“No, I’m done. He cleared the last two jumps, so we ended on a high note. Forman needs to build his confidence up, and this is a good way.”
After taking his arm, Juan led him and Forman out of the arena towards the training barn. Yancey helped Juan to remove the gelding’s tack, and while he put it away, Juan groomed Forman.
Yancey clipped a lead rope to the horse’s halter when Juan finished brushing him. He let Juan take Forman to a paddock where he allowed the gelding to go free. Forman took off, kicking and bucking as he raced across the ground to join the other horses at the end of the paddock.
He laughed as Juan raced over to him, and he wrapped his arms around Juan’s waist. Yancey picked Juan up before whirling him in a circle. Juan cradled Yancey’s face in his hands, then pressed his lips to Yancey’s.
Yancey kissed Juan back, licking his tongue along the seam of Juan’s lips, and he asked for entrance. After tilting his head, Juan opened to him. Yancey swept in, tasting Juan; remembering all the flavours he’d discovered throughout the years of kissing Juan.
Cover for The Whore of New Slum
Here’s the cover for my steampunk story, The Whore of New Slum, which comes out Feb. 17th from Amber Allure. 🙂 I love this cover. I just wish it was long enough to go into print. Maybe I’ll have to write another story about Wendall and Abdur, so they can be put together and released in print. I’ll have to see how everyone likes them.
I finished the edits on They Walk Among Us, which will be out on Jan. 27th, and I’ll be doing my first set of edits on Leaving Home today. Then I’ll continue working on Home Sweet Home, and hope I make some more progress on it.
I hope you all have a great Friday…and a marvelous weekend.
Wednesday Work in Progress…
This week’s Wednesday Work in Progress is…..Home Sweet Home. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Excerpt: (copyright c. 2013 T.A. Chase)-This is the last part that I wrote last night.
Finally, Yancey looked out into the waiting room and heaved a sigh of relief. There wasn’t anyone sitting there, and as far as he knew, there weren’t any patients in any of the rooms either.
“Thank God, we can close. Dr Behan called to say he was on his way back. I guess today was emergency day for him, and he had one after another. I have to say, he’s going to be so glad you’re here because now you can go on those calls. He’s getting too old to do the heavy stuff or working with the large animals.”
He turned to see Julie sitting at the reception desk, elbows propped up. Her eyes were tired, but happy. Yancey propped his hip against the edge of the counter.
“I knew that when I bought the practise. I had planned on taking the next week to settle in, but since Dr Jones is sick, I don’t have a problem working now.”
“Where did you come from, Dr MacCafferty?” Julie’s expression held interest, and Yancey knew he had to nip that in the bud.
“I came from Wyoming.” He wasn’t sure how to fit his being gay into the conversation.
Julie frowned. “Why come all the way back east? Weren’t there any practises you could buy into out there?”
Yancey nodded. “There were, and one close to where my brother and his partner’s ranch is, but I came out east because there’s someone riding at one of the stables that I care deeply about. I decided it was time to come and see if we can be together.”
“Really? What’s her name? I might have met her.”
“Not her. Juan Romanos. We’ve known each other for years since he was sixteen and I was eighteen.” Yancey smiled, remembering the first time he stared into Juan’s brown eyes.
Julie shook her head. “Should’ve known you’d be gay. I’ve met Juan, and he’s good-looking as well. You make a nice couple.”
Ducking his head, Yancey blushed. God, how old was he? Someone telling him he was good-looking shouldn’t embarrass him.
“Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Is there a place I can stay until Behan has left?”
“Actually, Yancey, you can move into the house. There are a couple of guest rooms you can choose from, then you’ll be mostly settled by the time I leave for Arizona.”
He turned to see Dr Abe Behan walk into the clinic waiting room. The older man grinned as he approached Yancey, holding his hand out to shake. Yancey shook it, then gestured to Julie.
“Good to know. I didn’t bring a lot of stuff with me. My brother is shipping the rest of it, so it won’t be here until right around when you leave any way. I finally got a chance to meet Julie.”
“Dr MacCafferty helped clear out the waiting room, Abe. Dr Jones couldn’t come in, says she’s sicker than a dog. So when he walked in, I put him to work right away. He’s going to be a good fit.” Julie stood, then stretched.
“Please call me Yancey. I don’t want there to be formal here. We’re all working to keep the animals happy and healthy,” Yancey told Julie.
She nodded. “All right, Yancey. Now I’m heading home. I’ll see you gentlemen in the morning.”
Abe motioned for Yancey to follow him to where the office was in the back of the clinic. “We’re in charge of looking after the over night patients. Since I live next door, I’ve always done that. There’s no point having someone drive here when I can just walk over.”
“Good idea. I don’t mind checking on them tonight. Need to start getting into the swing of things as soon as possible.” Yancey took the seat Abe pointed at.
“To be honest, I know you weren’t planning on actually working at the clinic for another week or so, but it’s been busier than all get out around here the past couple of days, and with Shelia being sick, I’m coming and going here.” Sighing, Abe dropped into his chair. “We can take our time, and I’ll show you around the clinic. Then sometime next week, I’ll take you around to the area farms and stables I do business with, and introduce you to the managers or owners.”
“I do know Edward Monterrose, the owner of Highlands Farm. One of my friends back in Wyoming, Les Hardin, is a good friend of Edward’s.”
“Ah, that’s right. You know Les and Edward. They’re good men. I used to treat Les’ horses when he owned his stables here.” Abe scrubbed his hand over his balding head.
Monday again…
Check out what I saw from my kitchen in my backyard….not really. And not that any of you really thought there’d be penguins in my backyard. Though that would have been totally awesome…lol. It did snow last night though, and I’m not very happy about it. I’m hoping the roads are good, so I can go up and visit my mom today. Didn’t get up there yesterday because I had a headache.
Okay…to update you on my writing. Home Sweet Home is going well. Not as far along as I’d like, but still I’m sure I can get it done by the end of the month. 🙂 The Occasional Prostitute (my contribution to the 2013 GRL antho) is coming along as well.
Also, Devon Rhodes and I have started our book. We’re writing a series of six stories about men and international sports. So the sports aren’t going to be your usual basketball, baseball, or anything like that. A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood is the first in the series, and it’s about cricket and is set in India. Hopefully when it comes out, you’ll all love it. 🙂
Plus Ninja Cupcakes is out for general release at Total e-Bound, and Home of his Own is up for VIP download. If anyone is interested in them, or for some reason, doesn’t have them yet. Wishing for a Home has hit the coming soon page at TeB and No Going Home is available in print starting today.
Oh…and my marvelous editor at MLR Press, Kris Jacen, has an interview at Top2Bottom Review. Please take a minute to stop by and read it. She talks about how busy an editor’s life really is. In my opinion, editors have the tough job out there. At times, I think writing is hard, but really I’m just putting down on ‘paper’ the daydreams in my head. Kris has to make sure those daydreams make sense. 🙂
Almost forgot the link. Click here.
Well, I have a lot of work to do…and not enough hours in the day to do it. I hope you all have an awesome Monday.
Good News….
Okay…I finished Reserved for Him last night, and subbed it today. Yay! Another story crossed off my list. Also, I finished and subbed Threadbare Gypsy Souls. Threadbare will be out April 7th. Along with two other stories for sure, and maybe one more. 🙂 So April there will be an abundance of T.A. Chase stories coming out.
One will be a re-release with nothing new added, just a different cover, so you can skip it if you want…lol.
I’ll be starting the project I’m working on with Devon Rhodes, and also Home Sweet Home will be started today. Woot!
Sorry I was late posting this. I’ve been staying at my mother’s this week to help her during her recovery from knee surgery. She’s been doing really good, so I’m going home tonight. Unfortunately, I have a funeral to go to tomorrow. 🙁 But she has a bunch of friends just chomping at the bit to come and help her…lol. So I don’t have to worry about her being by herself.
I hope you all have a great day.
Wednesday Work in Progress…
All right. So I’m only about 4-5k away from finishing Reserved for Him. I’m sure it’ll be done today and submitted. Yay! Then I’ll be starting Home Sweet Home, and India. Oh, and my GRL story. 🙂 But hey, at least I can cross one more story off my list.
Today, I thought I’d share an excerpt from Reserved for Him. This is the only peek at it you get…lol…since it’ll be done today.
I hope you all have a great day, and enjoy the glimpse of Ion and Adrien.
Excerpt: Reserved for Him (copyright c. 2013 T.A. Chase)
He rubbed his sweaty palms on his pants, then checked his reflection in the mirror by the door one last time. Ion opened the door with a smile, but his jaw almost hit the floor when he saw Adrien standing in front of him.
Seeing the man in suits all day at the office had told Ion Adrien had a sense of style and loved tailored clothing. Obviously Adrien stepped it up a notch when it came to going out on a date. The dark blue silky dress shirt he wore clung to him like a second skin. Adrien’s black slacks emphasised his muscled thighs, and Ion couldn’t wait to see what it did to Adrien’s backside. The man oozed sex and charisma from every pore.
“I’m going to have to fight everyone off you with a stick,” Ion mumbled.
After Adrien strolled in, he swept Ion into his arms and kissed him. Ion forgot every worry and nervous thought he might have had as soon as Adrien’s lips touched his. He buried his fingers in Adrien’s hair, holding tight while Adrien overwhelmed him.
The only thought in Ion’s brain was how soon could he get Adrien into his bed, and was he hungry enough for food to leave his apartment. It wasn’t until his lungs burnt from lack of oxygen that he decided to take a step back.
Adrien didn’t let him break their embrace. He rested his forehead against Ion’s, and they slowed their breathing together.
“I want you, Ion. More than I’ve ever wanted another man before, and that’s saying something.”
A small jolt of jealousy hit Ion, but he knew it was stupid to feel that way. Adrien was a mature male with money and power. Of course, he was going to have a lot of lovers before Ion. A tiny voice in Ion’s head said that he wouldn’t be having any other lovers after Ion if Ion had any say in it.
“I want you as well, Adrien,” Ion admitted, not seeing the harm in confessing the obvious.
Adrien took a step back, leaving his hands at Ion’s hips. “But I want us to have dinner together, and get to know each other better before we jump into bed. I think we’re looking for the same thing here, and it isn’t a quick roll in the hay.”
Ion shook his head. “It might seem odd, because I’m not that old, but I’m tired of the club scene and hook-ups. Maybe it’s because I have big plans for myself, and it doesn’t seem like a lot of the guys I run into are interested in that.”
“Maybe you just needed an older man to see the possibilities with you.” Adrien dove in for a quick peck, then he gestured towards the door. “We should be going. Our reservations are for eight o’clock and we don’t want to be late.”
Ion grabbed his jacket, and all the rest of his things.
Tuesday….a little better
Okay…so I finished Leaving Home yesterday. Got that into my editor, and we’ll be starting edits on it very soon. As soon as it comes up for pre-order/VIP sales, I’ll let everyone know. 🙂
I also did the last set of edits on Where the Devil Dances and Dreaming of Dragons, and got them to their respective editors as well. I started working on Reserved for Him, a short story for a TeB anthology. I’m hoping to get it done in the next couple of days. I’ll be starting Home Sweet Home (Yancey/Juan) and a project I’m working on with Devon Rhodes tentatively titled India (just until we get the okay to use the title we want…lol) Oh, and my short story for the newest GRL anthology needs to be done soon as well.
As you can see I have a lot on my plate, but I’m hoping to get some of them done quicker than others. The two short stories should be easy to whip out, if I don’t go crazy first from the pressure…lol
I hope you all have a great Tuesday.
