Defining Success

How do you define success? That is such a loaded question with so many different answers depending on which profession you apply it to. I'm an author (among other things) so let's look at it from that perspective.

So, how do you know you're a successful author? Is it when you sell your first book? When you get that first real royalty check? When you realize you have legions of fans? When you land a contract with a major publisher? When you make enough to quit your day job and support yourself on your royalties alone? When you win tons of awards?

To be honest, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to the question of how you measure success. I'm sure it's different for everyone. To my friends and family, I'm a success because I have five books published. It doesn't matter that I make practically nothing right now, I did something many wouldn't have the guts to do. To others, I'm a success because I'm signed with an indie publisher. For a while, that's how I measured my success: whether or not I landed a contract. When it happened, I was ecstatic and I LOVE my pub family, but I didn't feel like a success.

Next I thought I would consider myself a successful author when I won awards. Well, a few weeks ago, I did. Technically, a few months ago I did. Breaking the Nexus is now a two time award winner (Silver in the 2015 eLit awards for Sci-fi/Fantasy and Gold in the 2015 Readers' Favorite awards for Urban Fantasy) and Hidden Battles also won an award (Silver in the 2015 Readers' Favorite awards). I felt successful for a few moments, but it didn't last. Don't get me wrong, I can't tell you how humbled I am to have won and the confidence boost has been amazing, but it didn't magically make me feel successful.

Something has changed recently, however. Something that makes me start to realize that elusive feeling isn't so far off. It isn't a sudden skyrocket in sales (though damn, that would have been amazing lol) nor is it winning some other award. It hasn't been landing a contract or any of those other ways I thought I'd define success.

No, I began feeling successful when I realized I needed to stop worrying about being successful. You're probably confused by that, and I don't blame you. I was so focused on labeling myself that I was losing sight of the reason I started writing forever ago: I love telling a story. When I first started with self-publishing, my goal was to sell 100 books. I accomplished that pretty quickly, but I ultimately burned myself out trying to do too much. When I returned to writing, it was hard. When you're away from it for so long, you feel lost. Then life happened again and I had to take another break (tragedies, health issues, and serious stress all hit around the same time). Along came another hiatus.

This second hiatus was a blessing in disguise, however. It made me sit down and analyze why I was so terrified to start up where I'd left off on my book. Turns out, it was because I could remember having direction with my plot but couldn't remember what it was so I got discouraged. I pride myself to never really having a defined plot and when I reminded myself of that, I realized I was being silly. My style involves a stream of consciousness word dump on someone who just asks me occasional questions like "What happens next?" Who cares if I don't remember what I had planned forever ago? If it was good, it'll come back to me. Sitting here scared to put words on a page was going to get me nowhere.

So for me, that makes me successful. I'm doing something that used to terrify me: reading my own work (don't ask, I truly hated it). I'm forcing myself to sit down and write even when it scares me. I'm slowly conquering that nagging insecurity and anxiety that tells me I'm never going to make it with this. If I get only one sentence accomplished, that's one sentence more than I had.

Selling thousands of books in a month would be amazing, but it won't make me personally feel successful. Being comfortable with myself and loving writing for the sake of telling a story, that's how I find my success.

Love Comes Unheard by Andrew Grey

Title: The Gift

Author: Andrew Grey

Series: Senses Series

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Sept 18 2015

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

Garrett Bowman is shocked that fate has brought him to a family who can sign. He's spent much of his life on the outside looking in, even within his biological family, and to be accepted and employed is more than he could have hoped for. With Connor, who’s included him in his family, Garrett has found a true friend, but with the distant Brit Wilson Haskins, Garrett may have found something more. In no time, Garrett gets under Wilson’s skin and finds his way into Wilson’s heart, and over shared turbulent family histories, Wilson and Garrett form a strong bond.

Wilson’s especially impressed with the way Garrett’s so helpful to Janey, Connor and Dan’s daughter, who is also deaf. When Wilson’s past shows up in the form of his brother Reggie, bringing unscrupulous people to whom Reggie owes money, life begins to unravel. These thugs don’t care how they get their money, what they have to do, or who they might hurt. Without the strength of love and the bonds of family and friends, Garrett and Wilson could pay the ultimate price.

Book Links

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Excerpt 

The front door opened, and Wilson stepped out. Janey came out as well, and she waved when she saw him, breaking into a huge smile. Garrett slowly walked up to the door, wondering what kind of fairy tale he had just fallen into. Connor motioned him forward, lifted Janey into his arms, and carried her back inside with a huge hug.

“Please come in,” Wilson signed.

Garrett wasn’t so sure. What the hell would the likes of him do in a place like this? He carried his suitcase close to his body and reminded himself not to touch anything or get dirt anywhere. The internal admonitions had started, and he hadn’t even stepped inside.

Wow, he thought once he did. The place was huge, and it was so clean it sparkled. The floors glistened, and chandeliers gleamed overhead.

A boy in a motorized chair rolled up to him. “I’m Jerry,” he signed as best he could with his curled fingers. Garrett smiled.

“I’m Garrett,” he signed back and shook the boy’s offered hand. He was small and obviously couldn’t walk, but the smile Garrett received was luminous. It seemed Jerry was at that age where he wanted to start acting like a man.

Jerry began to talk, but Garrett couldn’t understand what he was saying. His lips didn’t form the words in a way that he could read them. He glanced at Wilson, who signed what Jerry had said.

“Yes. I’d… like… to… see… your… drawings,” he said slowly. Jerry turned and rolled away. Garrett wondered if he should follow or what.

Wilson lightly touched his shoulder. “Let me show you your room. I explained to Jerry that he needs to be patient.” Wilson smiled, and Garrett nodded, following Wilson up the stairs and down a hall lined with pictures of the kids with grinning faces looking out of picture frame after picture frame. Wilson opened a door, and Garrett stepped inside. The room was small but very nice, and it smelled clean. The late-afternoon sun shone in the windows.

“The bathroom is through that door,” Wilson signed and then pointed. “My room is right across the hall if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

“Dinner will be ready in half an hour,” Wilson signed, and Garrett nodded. He’d have time to take a shower. It had been too long since he’d felt clean.

Garrett stared at Wilson, taking in his crisp pants and flawless light blue shirt with a hint of skin at the collar. The man was gorgeous, in Garrett’s opinion, with his aquiline nose and water blue eyes. He hadn’t even realized he’d been looking that long until Wilson began to move out of the room. Garrett turned away and felt heat rise in his cheeks. He’d been staring, and he had no right to. “Thank… you,” Garrett said just before Wilson disappeared from view.

Author Information

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing)  He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

tsū

Twitter

Website

 For Other Works by Andrew

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)

The ones listed below is for this Series Only

Senses Series

Love Comes Silently Book 1

Love Comes in Darkness Book 2

Love Comes Home Book 3

Love Comes Around Book 4

Love Comes Unheard Book 5

WHAT I LIKED:

Andrew Grey is, without a doubt, one of my favorite authors, regardless of genre. His books were some of the first to introduce me to the beautiful M/M genre, but his characters are the ones that stick with me. Why? Because he writes such genuine, real characters. They have struggles, often possessing disabilities that few authors even want to approach. Better still, he makes sure he does his research and talks to people with these disabilities. I love his Senses series and this latest addition is no exception.

In this book, we get to meet Garrett, a man born deaf. We also get to revisit the family introduced in Love Comes Around, something that really excited me because I was left at the end of that book hoping for more. This story is beautifully written, showcases what it's like to be deaf without making it cliche or something to be dreaded, and overall had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see what happens next. This is a sweet read, but make no mistake, the love scenes are just as scorching as I've come to expect from Andrew. That being said, he keeps a tasteful balance so it doesn't feel like you're reading mindless porn.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

I really had no complaints other than I wished the book didn't have to end.


OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!

Whether you're an avid reader of the M/M genre or just starting out, I can't recommend Andrew Grey's books enough. His characters come to life in a way I don't see often. The emotions are palpable and I always find myself eagerly anticipating his next book.

Review of Sloe Ride by Rhys Ford

It seems like forever ago that I discovered Rhys Ford, but it really has only been within the past year. I kept seeing her book, Sinner's Gin, showing up on my suggested reads and at first, I kept passing it up. At the time, I wasn't that big into the M/M genre (still not entirely sure why it was showing up lol), but the cover wore me down. From the first few pages of that book, I was hooked. I ended up binge reading on the rest of the books and then anxiously checked to see when the fourth book, Sloe Ride, would be released. Sadly, it hadn't had a release date at that time. Cue my stalking her website and Facebook page for any sign as to when it would be released.

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of Sloe Ride, which makes the fact that I didn't post this on release day a bit shameful. In my defense, that was my wedding anniversary and the start to an insane week. Then again, I should've posted it sooner. Alas, hindsight is 20/20 and all that. Anyway, let's rectify things and get to this amazing book, shall we? First, a bit about the book:

Sloe Ride by Rhys Ford

About the Book:

Genre: M/M Romance

Series: Sinners Series (Book 4)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Length: 260 pages

Price: $5.38 for Kindle (as of 9/13/15)

Blurb:

It isn’t easy being a Morgan. Especially when dead bodies start piling up and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it. 

Quinn Morgan never quite fit into the family mold. He dreamed of a life with books instead of badges and knowledge instead of law—and a life with Rafe Andrade, his older brothers’ bad boy friend and the man who broke his very young heart. 

Rafe Andrade returned home to lick his wounds following his ejection from the band he helped form. A recovering drug addict, Rafe spends his time wallowing in guilt, until he finds himself faced with his original addiction, Quinn Morgan—the reason he fled the city in the first place. 

When Rafe hears the Sinners are looking for a bassist, it’s a chance to redeem himself, but as a crazed murderer draws closer to Quinn, Rafe’s willing to sacrifice everything—including himself—to keep his quixotic Morgan safe and sound.

WHAT I LIKED:

I love how real the characters of Rhys Ford's books are. You don't have perfect heroes; they always have their flaws, whether they're seen or unseen. This book is no different. Rafe was once a successful bassist who let drugs take over his life and ruin his career. When things went up in flames (literally), he was left a pariah of the music world. He has overcome his addiction, but can't escape his past. Quinn is also an outcast of sorts. In a family full of cops, he's a professor. He has struggled with never quite fitting in with his siblings as well as having an undeniable attraction to a certain bassist. There are also some mentions of issues with depression, something that is always refreshing since it's still a bit of a taboo topic.

I loved that Rafe wasn't immediately welcomed into the newly forming band (read the other books to get the other members' stories), but it wasn't something that was dragged out. Their concerns were founded, but they still gave Rafe a chance. I really loved getting to see more of the previous characters, especially my favorite: Miki. He has shown a ton of growth over the past few books, slowly easing into accepting the boisterous Morgan family as well as the new bandmates. It's not easy for him, but he's trying.

I don't want to go into too much detail. There's some action to this book that keeps things interesting and everything is well paced. While this technically could be standalone, I HIGHLY recommend you read the other Sinners books first. You'll get so much more out of this book having read those.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

This is a very minor complaint. I wish a bit more time had been given to some of the struggles Quinn had with his depression and issues. A lot focused on Rafe and their growing relationship, but I really would've loved to see just a tad more on Quinn. Like I said though, that's a VERY minor complaint and just a personal preference of mine.


OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!

This was a solid contribution to the series and kept me hooked until the very end. We also get to see the band's new name and let me tell you, it couldn't be more perfect. Definitely a book (and series) you shouldn't miss!

Welcome to Sunday

I can't think of a good title for this post, so we'll go with Welcome to Sunday. I'm a horrible blogger. It's weird. I want to post. I try to post. But I procrastinate. I tell myself I'll do it later. Later turns into tomorrow which turns into next week; before I know it, I haven't done a content post in months. To be honest, that's also how my writing goes.

There has been a crazy amount of change in my personal life recently, not the least of which is changing jobs. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to no longer be in an environment that had turned toxic for me. I'm working much better hours as well, so my goal is to attempt to use the extra hours I have in the morning to help keep things updated. We'll see how that goes.

On the writing front, I'm back to working on  Taking the Realm, and I'm determined to finish the damn book. Some of you have been waiting for the conclusion to Sha and Connor's trilogy for literally years and I'm determined it will happen very soon. I'm also working on a plethora of projects so while I originally had planned to work on the next Mythrian Realm books right after this one, I'm honestly not sure what will be the next book completed. My publisher has changed things so she won't give a release date until we've given her a mostly polished manuscript, so there won't be any more missing my release dates. The downside is, I have to hold myself more accountable to finish things. If I ever want this to be my full-time career, however, I need to do that anyway, so this may be best for me.

As for the next few weeks, be on the lookout for some reviews and actual content posts from me. A number of fantabulous authors have generously given me their books and I promised reviews so that is most definitely happening. I do love you all and appreciate your support through my absences and  crazy life more than words can ever express.

Finding a song for everything

I'd like to start off by saying that I sincerely apologize for the fact that I fail miserably at keeping this updated. I'd love to be able to promise that I'll post regularly, but let's face it, I've NEVER been good at journaling or anything like that. At one time, I was damn good at posting on here and I have no idea how I ever did that. How about I promise to TRY? We'll see how that goes.

I adore music. For someone with sensory processing issues, music is a godsend. It allows me to block out the incessant ringing in my ears as well as to simply exist in my own world. I've got music for every mood, whether I'm conscious of it or not. Beyond that, however, I'm starting to learn that I can find a song for pretty much everything I'm feeling. You see, recently I had a ton of upheaval in my life. New job, new responsibilities in new job, new medical diagnosis (moderate anemia), first real vacation in years. It's enough to make anyone crazy, right? Through it all, I had a little soundtrack I would listen to to get me through various times.

I won't go into specifics about what initially drove me to need a soundtrack of sorts. Suffice it to say, there was a hell of a lot of frustration and I found several songs that perfectly expressed my frustrations. Hell, I even found the perfect song when I'm feeling road rage lol. Some of my book couples are also making their songs known and it's an awesome feeling to be listening to a song and have those voices pop into my brain and say "Hey! This is us!! Remember this and listen to it when you're stuck!!"

That brings me to another point. Writing. I haven't written much in months. I had such high goals for this year and I haven't hit most of them. Long story short, I was apparently anemic which was a huge reason I was always exhausted and never wanted to do anything more than sleep. I was also extremely stressed out and unhappy with something and for a long time, saw no way out. Then the light at the end of the tunnel appeared and things are moving again!

I can't promise to have all of the books I thought I'd have done magically released this year. My publisher is no longer assigning dates until she has our manuscript mostly done, so I can't even tell you when something will be released. I will tell you I'm going to venture back into self-publishing and that there are going to be some amazing surprises coming from me.

Thank you so much everyone for your support. I know it's incredibly annoying to be looking forward to a book and then suddenly have to wait for it, especially when the previous books left you hanging. You have no idea how much it means to still have my fans stand behind me, even when they've had to wait months or years for me to finally finish things. My life is chaos at times and I get scared after being away from writing for so long. It makes it hard to get back into it, but I promise to try really hard. You all stand by me, I need to stand by you guys :) Love you!

Finding Master Right by Sparrow Beckett

Book blurb:

Dominant, crop-wielding men are all Kate dreams about, but how far is she willing to go? 

Kate wants a man who will take charge—she just needs to find the right guy. Fortunately, her friend is throwing a kinky Halloween party with a guest list loaded with sexy, available men. That’s where she meets Banner.

Dark and intense, Banner’s not just a Dominant, he’s a Master looking for a slave. Kate isn’t interested in something that extreme, but when he offers to help her find the perfect Dom, while training her to be a flawless submissive, she’s glad to have a matchmaker and protector.

Banner knows they’re not compatible, yet something about Kate is impossible to resist. Once he finds her the right Dom, will he be able let her go?

Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Master-Right-Masters-Unleashed-ebook/dp/B00NGZOH1E

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-master-right-sparrow-beckett/1120921387?ean=9780698198524\

Google books: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9780698198524&c=books

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/finding-master-right-2



Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/finding-master-right/id917826078?mt=11

Praise:

“Snappy dialogue and great pacing make for a breathless, glorious ride in Sparrow Beckett’s Finding Master Right! Provocative, sassy and dangerous—a sensually lethal combination!”—New York Times bestselling author Eden Bradley

“Finding Master Right is an engaging, page-turning read. I was rooting for Banner and Kate’s happily ever after.”—Sierra Cartwright, international bestselling author

“The writing duo Sparrow Beckett has a winner in their opening entry in the Masters Unleashed series. It’s a pleasure to watch as Kate and Banner grow together and adapt to each other’s needs. A family tragedy tests their mettle and the strength of their connection.”—RT Book Reviews (4 Stars)

Bio:

Two writers in two countries transform into the super writing duo, Sparrow Beckett, each night after wrangling their housefuls of children and pets. They trade the cape and colorful tights for tattoos and cups of coffee then set out to create a world where readers fall in love with heroes and the women who willingly go to their knees for them. Masters Unleashed is the product of two kinky minds who don’t take themselves too seriously and the portrayal of realistic, romantic, sometimes heartbreaking BDSM relationships.

Links:

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/bW_GFRRbB-E

Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MzBiMzIyZGExNzMwZDdhODE2OTBlYWM2YzAxNGE1OjI=/?

Website: http://www.sparrowbeckett.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SparrowBeckett

Murder and Mayhem by Rhys Ford

Murder and Mayhem

Dead women tell no tales.

Former cat burglar Rook Stevens stole many a priceless thing in the past, but he’s never been accused of taking a life—until now. It was one thing to find a former associate inside Potter’s Field, his pop culture memorabilia shop, but quite another to stumble across her dead body.

Detective Dante Montoya thought he’d never see Rook Stevens again—not after his former partner’d falsified evidence to entrap the jewelry thief and Stevens walked off scot-free. So when he tackled a fleeing murder suspect, Dante was shocked to discover the blood-covered man was none other than the thief he’d fought to put in prison and who still made his blood sing.

Rook is determined to shake loose the murder charge against him, even if it means putting distance between him and the rugged Cuban-Mexican detective who brought him down. If one dead con artist wasn’t bad enough, others soon follow, and as the bodies pile up around Rook’s feet, he’s forced to reach out to the last man he’d expect to believe in his innocence—and the only man who’s ever gotten under Rook’s skin.

Murder and Mayhem Excerpt

The large case he’d set up as a wall between the front and the back of the store was broken as well, but from what he could see, the movie props he’d placed there were intact, although he couldn’t say the same for the enormous papier-mâché griffin he’d found at a Harryhausen tribute auction. Peppered with bullet holes, its body and head were marred with crumbling white holes, a scatter pattern large enough to make Rook’s stomach turn.

“Shit, they were trying to kill me.” He leaned back, trying to do a visual count on how many bullets pierced through the window and into the shop while he’d been plastered to the floor to avoid being shot.

“Go in but do not touch.” Rook echoed what his grandfather’s lawyers told him, trying to absorb the destruction. “I can’t even move without touching something. And how the hell am I going to document the damage? What isn’t damaged? Fricking lawyers.”

“Are these the same lawyers that told you to return to the scene of the crime and screw up any residuals that might be here?” Montoya’s deep voice rumbled out of the darkened doorway leading from the storefront to the elevator up to Rook’s apartment. “If they wanted you to be thrown into jail, they could have just left you there instead of this catch-and-release program we’ve got going.”

Montoya looked… good. Again. Too good. Too ruffled, too scruffy hot, with broad shoulders and his burned burned-honey eyes fringed with thick, long lashes. A hint of a dimple threatened to spread when his mouth quirked to the side, and Rook had to swallow around a lump in his throat when Montoya shoved his hands into his jeans pockets, sliding his black leather jacket back with his elbows to expose his gun harness.

Even from a few feet away, the man was a tall, dangerous complication in Rook’s life. One he wanted as badly as he didn’t want him around. Rook wasn’t sure what was worse—being accused of murder or being tailed by a man he’d gladly bend over for but who wanted him in handcuffs instead.

“What are you doing here, Stevens?” Montoya’s rumble tickled Rook’s belly, licking hot flames down his crotch and over his ass. “You shouldn’t even be here. What were you thinking?”

Rook had just the smartass answer to throw back at the detective. A burning slap of a sting mingled with a bit of a flirtation hot enough to make the man blush. It would have been an epic moment. One to balance out the unbearable want Montoya seemed to rake up inside of him and caustic enough to push the man’s buttons while pushing him away.

Read an excerpt and Purchase Murder and Mayhem here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6468

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/Murder-Mayhem-Rhys-Ford-ebook/dp/B00YB8PG8S

WHAT I LIKED:

Rhys Ford is one of my go-to authors for MM romance. I LOVE her style and she really creates some rich characters. Murder and Mayhem is no exception. Though it's a tad darker than some of her other books, it fits with the story.

I really loved the history between the characters and the way Rook and Montoya push each others' buttons. The attraction between them is palpable and the sex is HOT. It doesn't overwhelm the story, another reason I love Rhys' books. By the end, I was so invested in these two characters that I was dying for book 2 and definitely plan to pester her to write faster ;)


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

Having to wait for book 2 ;) Just kidding, I know it'll be fantastic so I'm patient. Mostly.


OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!

This book has it all: action, romance, murder and mayhem. I highly recommend this and every other book by Rhys!!

About Rhys Ford

Rhys Ford was born and raised in Hawai’i then wandered off to see the world. After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very nice place but seriously needs more rain.

Rhys admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.

My Blog: www.rhysford.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhys.ford.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhys_Ford

And at the Starbucks down the street. No really, they’re 24/7. And a drive-thru. It’s like heaven.

My books can be purchased, folded and first chapters read at Dreamspinner Press. http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com