tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78680469676741800082024-02-02T01:10:05.161-08:00Men of Sportsby T.A. Chase and Devon RhodesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-31600199920088474382020-01-04T15:50:00.002-08:002020-01-04T15:50:23.130-08:00New Patreon pageHi guys!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year from me and TA! :)<br />
<br />
Thanks for sticking with us, whoever is still around! We wanted to check in and let you guys know that even though most of our Men of Sports (we're dropping the International bit) books are out of print, we have active plans to republish most of them in 2020!<br />
<br />
In related news, I've just started a Patreon page, and there is a Men of Sports and More tier level!! We're really excited about it! :) It will have input from TA, news about our series, excerpts and snippets from works in progress, behind the scenes stuff and brand new ficbits with your favorite characters! It's just $10/month and will also get you other benefits from my writing projects.<br />
<br />
Hope to see you there, and we will also post updates here as things progress. :)<br />
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<br />Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241398166886138241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-58635174254047781672015-01-30T01:02:00.001-08:002015-01-30T01:10:11.900-08:00Flashback Friday: Today is National Croissant Day, so...France!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnwk0ASN5ea3jLBhPhBqigfSkVsITXbqgkX-qsXBrqSj1mqqGR6yzi4VMmvjSk8dEitGMmFj6shMLlOZf4sNQ5O8-aT_GeQmF4S0dKP8vP8VTXLyXTOysbACuwQYzPXaKbAJqqiUBEvg/s1600/chasingtheking_image_4_vs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnwk0ASN5ea3jLBhPhBqigfSkVsITXbqgkX-qsXBrqSj1mqqGR6yzi4VMmvjSk8dEitGMmFj6shMLlOZf4sNQ5O8-aT_GeQmF4S0dKP8vP8VTXLyXTOysbACuwQYzPXaKbAJqqiUBEvg/s1600/chasingtheking_image_4_vs2.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mmm. I wonder if Pascal is having a <i>croissant avec son caf<span class="st">é</span></i>. Some days that are celebrated are just weird, but I can get after National Croissant Day! Or maybe the croissants will get after me by attaching themselves to my...<br />
<br />
Ahem, anyway, the thought of those nommy pastries makes me think of France, so let's take a look back at Chasing the King of the Mountains. Here is some of the nice promo artwork we got for that release, most of which I haven't seen in a while. :)<br />
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<br />
How about an exclusive excerpt? This exchange always makes me smile. :)<br />
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<br />
Laurent changed the subject. “So
what races do you have coming up then?”<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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“I’m riding in La Fleche Wallone in
Belgium in April and the Giro d’Italia in May as well. Possibly the Tour de
Suisse if my body is up to it, though it is closer to the Tour than I like.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
Laurent was glad to hear that his
friend was going to be in the Italian race in particular, which was one of the
biggest on the World Tour along with the Tour de France.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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“That’s great, Pascal. Once I get
my assistants at the network up to speed, I’ll make sure we have a crew at the
races to get some footage to work into my coverage later on. And I’m sure
you’ll be up to it. I’m not a trainer, but from outward appearances, you look
to be in the best shape I’ve ever seen you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
“Thanks. I have to be because I’m
probably going to be the oldest rider on the Tour. I have to be in better
condition than the young ones. It’ll take longer for my body to recover after
each stage.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
Laurent frowned, not liking the
faint edge of worry he thought he heard in the usually confident Pascal’s
voice. “You aren’t pushing yourself too hard, are you? I want you to reach your
goal, but your long-term health is the most important thing.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
As he spoke, he let his gaze drift
down over Pascal’s admittedly fit and hard body, currently clothed in
well-fitting, casual attire. Laurent superimposed a memory of his friend in his
typical tight racing attire, then firmly shoved that wayward mental path to the
side. He wasn’t blind—Pascal was an attractive man with a superb body—but he
was also a dear friend. Jan and Pascal both deserved better than Laurent ogling
him…even if it had only been for research purposes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
He gave a snort that caught Pascal’s
attention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
“What are you thinking? Oh, and
don’t worry. I’m not pushing myself too hard. I’m being very careful about how
much training I do. I have to be at the peak of physical condition when we get
to the mountain stages of the Tour.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
“I’m glad you have a plan.” He
hesitated then remembered his decision earlier in the conversation to be more
open with Pascal, especially since they would soon be spending a lot of time
together, taking their firm yet casual friendship to a more intimate level. “I laughed
because I rationalized checking you out by telling myself it was purely
professional interest.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
“You were checking me out?” Pascal
waggled his eyebrows at him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
“Don’t let it go to your head,”
Laurent warned, trying to be serious, but finding that his enjoyment of being
with his friend made that all but impossible. “No matter how incredible your
body is or how amazing you look in your biking gear, my interest in you is pure
as the driven snow.”</div>
<br />
*******<br />
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Have a great weekend, everyone, and eat a croissant today if you can! :)<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DSOV0Z4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DSOV0Z4&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=QQFZK4DIORVG27LE">Amazon</a> <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-chasingthekingofthemountains-1228249-149.html">ARe </a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-the-king-of-the-mountains-t-a-chase/1115919674?ean=9781781843642">B&N</a> <a href="https://www.totallybound.com/chasing-the-king-of-the-mountains">Totally Bound</a> <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/chasing-the-king-of-the-mountains-1">Kobo</a> </span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-90223556360987989502015-01-29T13:26:00.002-08:002015-01-30T00:23:37.012-08:00New Reader Newsletter and $25 Gift Card Giveaway from Devon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU9n8G3S3GpJkGHsSP7sSCJU6cfVGWA3In4mjjDDkMZ-BfKwf0rDawyH8GuZUVphz_L9ypZnYChr9hUiT_j3YvCJCrJo5_vNrBJaLZKcMMfNhscE0goZmyzP_WH-GYzVmafHiI7IUfKs/s1600/iStock_000006351376XSmall%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU9n8G3S3GpJkGHsSP7sSCJU6cfVGWA3In4mjjDDkMZ-BfKwf0rDawyH8GuZUVphz_L9ypZnYChr9hUiT_j3YvCJCrJo5_vNrBJaLZKcMMfNhscE0goZmyzP_WH-GYzVmafHiI7IUfKs/s1600/iStock_000006351376XSmall%5B1%5D.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
You still have time to sign up for my new reader newsletter before I send out the very first one! :)<br />
<br />
I'm
FINALLY doing something I've planned for a long time--starting a reader
newsletter. It seems like it's increasingly hard to know who is seeing
my updates and news on social media, so I thought a monthly email would
be more of a sure thing for my readers. :)<br />
<br />
If you would
like me to add you to my subscription list, either leave your email
address in a comment below or send it to me at devonrhodes at hotmail
dot com, and I'll be sending the first newsletter out very soon! <3 Included in the first edition will be directions on how to enter for a $25 gift card from either Amazon or ARe! Only subscribers will have the keyword, so sign up now so you don't miss it! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-19841845387364917292015-01-15T22:42:00.001-08:002015-01-15T22:45:25.099-08:00Our 2014 in Review: Highlights, Pictures and PlansMan, it's been a long time since we posted here! At first that was because we were working so hard on book after book. Then came conventions, life, etc.. :) So here's a quick look back at our year while we get going on 2015!<br />
<br />
In January we were surprised to have our picture in the RWA magazine!! :) Woo hoo!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
February brought the Winter Olympics, which we were constantly tuned in to. :) Gotta love winter sports and athletes! Speaking
of which, we also finished and had a book come out: our
Canada, curler/hockey player, International Men of Sports book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IUNB5X0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IUNB5X0&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=F2TXQE4GXV7JISUD">Burning Up the Ice</a>. And every time they showed a commercial with a Zamboni machine... Well--just read the book. ;)<br />
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<br />
In March, in time for Carnival down in Rio, we released <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JH0IIWQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JH0IIWQ&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=YFLNH5MNENOS6COC">Serving Love in Carnival</a>, our Brazil book about a carnival dancer and a pro beach
volleyball player. From their very sexy initial <strike>hookup</strike>...um, meeting to coming full circle to the next year's Carnival, we really enjoyed writing in such a fun and unique setting.<br />
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<br />
Of course, May is RT month and this year it was in New Orleans! We
went down a bit early and did some sightseeing before the
conference. We spent nine nights together, and it went by sooo quickly! We were inspired and had some great brainstorming sessions, so you'll see more than one new series from us in the next year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>We stayed at Oak Alley Plantation the first night.</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAblFxdEqPhkchVUsQjuxHFA0s96VXHHAS9KMZb-3c-PD11tSaRuBNTyWi_aCjB_Rok4nilk3hgbRBWrCN6JhVMuIgsMBc1lWdLoQ0eMFQdJXpu1r8GWNzwq8oVEElHILNZUgVsrH7YJI/s1600/IMG_20140512_121959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAblFxdEqPhkchVUsQjuxHFA0s96VXHHAS9KMZb-3c-PD11tSaRuBNTyWi_aCjB_Rok4nilk3hgbRBWrCN6JhVMuIgsMBc1lWdLoQ0eMFQdJXpu1r8GWNzwq8oVEElHILNZUgVsrH7YJI/s1600/IMG_20140512_121959.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touring Nottoway with our ghostly guide.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8EwQfSQEgdYqglPyBawB5LzXlXUjQKj99_t6NHyh6WzzpIbG7YAm8-KeBDQP7tk2gmt1SkSCr-1hUTpBSf_5qJTC2y3T5rRIJ1R1M1JgisBcf2iom5YqVXI1bDPCO3ovUkntV2ag1S8/s1600/10334282_893373530678235_8145690883917541968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8EwQfSQEgdYqglPyBawB5LzXlXUjQKj99_t6NHyh6WzzpIbG7YAm8-KeBDQP7tk2gmt1SkSCr-1hUTpBSf_5qJTC2y3T5rRIJ1R1M1JgisBcf2iom5YqVXI1bDPCO3ovUkntV2ag1S8/s1600/10334282_893373530678235_8145690883917541968_n.jpg" height="221" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First night on Bourbon Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXXNGgxv9LOQwoeenMey7bfkP-zxVycMPD2t7DZh0j3i2KgU5mNRvoxlo6aaZGNdwTk0Lkvm84gKCPe2kz0a31g6BSQ1yELRA7juBG69HPWcCb93JVeNiWIqMPfifuDQvcTwCdpBJy5o/s1600/10311977_892825480733040_76003992317874831_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXXNGgxv9LOQwoeenMey7bfkP-zxVycMPD2t7DZh0j3i2KgU5mNRvoxlo6aaZGNdwTk0Lkvm84gKCPe2kz0a31g6BSQ1yELRA7juBG69HPWcCb93JVeNiWIqMPfifuDQvcTwCdpBJy5o/s1600/10311977_892825480733040_76003992317874831_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiaras for the Mardi Gras party!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9w4XbKlNiW12aD2hNYw1Q_TIQiL8ErEm_-TATgXhhmemKuA5cwSDjDA48OCVAEqPJQoj4HfcMR5GflNP4ikcPmEclYZPXBChQlRn2oigyj4PfesjwwnFF70w9qkLQ108U7mTGqJrE2U/s1600/10411386_10202742585864460_4038805218274575776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9w4XbKlNiW12aD2hNYw1Q_TIQiL8ErEm_-TATgXhhmemKuA5cwSDjDA48OCVAEqPJQoj4HfcMR5GflNP4ikcPmEclYZPXBChQlRn2oigyj4PfesjwwnFF70w9qkLQ108U7mTGqJrE2U/s1600/10411386_10202742585864460_4038805218274575776_n.jpg" height="162" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our panel on Writing Effective LGBTQ Characters with the awesome Amy Lane.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwKGF7u76VZPKQpq7LsovKEjhM4TPMgraXCLxybQ5d737tyDLyYIHMNegC8iVWWa7o8L2quVQchQMjC0RLkFfjnwKYxSfCv4hkDIM8pnGjcsCnz8L6d_2NqjaMtynBnBg2LYr999E7Cc/s1600/10394096_892855854063336_1228554418105574992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwKGF7u76VZPKQpq7LsovKEjhM4TPMgraXCLxybQ5d737tyDLyYIHMNegC8iVWWa7o8L2quVQchQMjC0RLkFfjnwKYxSfCv4hkDIM8pnGjcsCnz8L6d_2NqjaMtynBnBg2LYr999E7Cc/s1600/10394096_892855854063336_1228554418105574992_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love my time with my Tata!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In June, TA and I had a release in time for the Formula One race in Monaco, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KYWJY4M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00KYWJY4M&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=TAPZLFXUYQVVJJGZ">A Grand Prix Romance</a>. Paolo first appeared in At First Touch, but by the time we were done writing that one, we knew we'd need to tell his story. The glamor of Monte Carlo was a lot of fun to research and we don't blame Paolo for planning his annual holiday there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIOizlh4asl0jJ8wcHQ2AXCc5ICETRVGnVar8tqji1SiMEx_wVkJknXtJHa03_NwBVutZiyh5nJFslFI_IY26uUlV8njFwUBjcjEAGxrCaa0u4w2fOjMGISLVSwkHIgv4so5wChe7AOs/s1600/10462671_909296042419317_4092106221951091419_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai4aUVZJ7-Crq4-bN7HDQp7C_V1LbjSlL6d48NmDjNErr9ceW0K9XdAUWjUPUHt8sKl-ZSsu4vzkMh7TCRDLKRnjGIr7Zw_U0ztPxQTp9P5nl0ISqN94wDcWaGspA7py8EBNUd8t0MZ8/s1600/agrandprixromance_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai4aUVZJ7-Crq4-bN7HDQp7C_V1LbjSlL6d48NmDjNErr9ceW0K9XdAUWjUPUHt8sKl-ZSsu4vzkMh7TCRDLKRnjGIr7Zw_U0ztPxQTp9P5nl0ISqN94wDcWaGspA7py8EBNUd8t0MZ8/s1600/agrandprixromance_800.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
We've really enjoyed putting
out the GRL Unconventional anthologies with our friends, and this year we took a slightly
different approach, setting our stories in an alternate reality Chicago
where mobs rule the city.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MJ5YKF0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MJ5YKF0&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=DETZCTZFVDNZFP7Z">An Unconventional Chicago</a> is the anthology, and our individual stories that bookend it also available as singles: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PH5I6WC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00PH5I6WC&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=HVPSYZR47F5BTNOY">No Bravery</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RHQJX26/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00RHQJX26&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=KPRJJTZQCFAKGLN2">Bonfire Heart</a>. TA and I plan to write a book about Tomas, one of the characters mentioned in our two stories, sometime in 2015.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRBBBuCepoRnkbPAAhdkm-WvImtHdYKW2X2ORDKvpdJBMqI3pY6o0tyLEGakt375v0_4QznNtbwsEsFiReZVTxCxjnXIAR2H4-hlrTLHXeu_GZQCEBKYzC5sLf_rXAt0wqqKhwOxFj7Q/s1600/10505598_917501571598764_4826110732533813484_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRBBBuCepoRnkbPAAhdkm-WvImtHdYKW2X2ORDKvpdJBMqI3pY6o0tyLEGakt375v0_4QznNtbwsEsFiReZVTxCxjnXIAR2H4-hlrTLHXeu_GZQCEBKYzC5sLf_rXAt0wqqKhwOxFj7Q/s1600/10505598_917501571598764_4826110732533813484_n.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
October is always GRL month! We met at the very first one over four years ago. :) I really can't imagine there will come a time when we don't go back. Next year will be our fifth, and it's finally on the Left Coast! San Diego...yay! Driving distance for me! :) TA is going to fly to my place and ride down with me. Road trip!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3NZGIq6AKDZvpOX9r7L-fKiVkXeroBxF1cHJSDvvJ_8qyEtEhIQfguTtZNlkoYPEoXJRmkfbhA7Hoqs1aFbDSjwtkME1nZp4HoIpFUWNl_b7Q4lB7oeSX5syx9JQZ6c2JdsUo0ysEwA/s1600/10698610_848373635219806_3645536520840778015_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3NZGIq6AKDZvpOX9r7L-fKiVkXeroBxF1cHJSDvvJ_8qyEtEhIQfguTtZNlkoYPEoXJRmkfbhA7Hoqs1aFbDSjwtkME1nZp4HoIpFUWNl_b7Q4lB7oeSX5syx9JQZ6c2JdsUo0ysEwA/s1600/10698610_848373635219806_3645536520840778015_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As always, Madison got some great shots. Love this one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtj43wTWZ4NqrNnz88naqvZ2tUHOw8yCKRFc3GRt7HSkofPKXqBliOewnCLernQu_xaMkYQgZ34d2SXVlqipfy4OCfq3DLSQWoh2Jr5mJ7QjJaffvvZ3ohFVobFR4o0oCREed9-gb-4XM/s1600/IMG_20141017_023733.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always so great to spend time with the tribe,
especially TA and Jared.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcf2HtnD8Qv6H7tjoTh-no_ZoBBAZpIvozg0nYNLxsiF0LRkrb7EgbDHxmvDbuCNbbb7gxb3DbfaSxA6fxDVfnU1lvfT3jTbIPanvzoWvPD1wH5iW6It_TlUtY0TxZsactsKwqgUexfvg/s1600/10653884_990932960922291_8512612495410382367_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcf2HtnD8Qv6H7tjoTh-no_ZoBBAZpIvozg0nYNLxsiF0LRkrb7EgbDHxmvDbuCNbbb7gxb3DbfaSxA6fxDVfnU1lvfT3jTbIPanvzoWvPD1wH5iW6It_TlUtY0TxZsactsKwqgUexfvg/s1600/10653884_990932960922291_8512612495410382367_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juke Joint was jumping!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaALYiTECtvgJA5lTgUTnFbIfaMsIDYa3UMy7vAwWZvc857OJhLnUcOHvZr_sx8-93S-Kp9BoaptAYSgkKDWpWGr0KFsGTES3YvvGgSziPL0J14rHI9VRqy0myXEEQPcEY74vHpUY8dGg/s1600/10175965_993090274039893_961411087684241131_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaALYiTECtvgJA5lTgUTnFbIfaMsIDYa3UMy7vAwWZvc857OJhLnUcOHvZr_sx8-93S-Kp9BoaptAYSgkKDWpWGr0KFsGTES3YvvGgSziPL0J14rHI9VRqy0myXEEQPcEY74vHpUY8dGg/s1600/10175965_993090274039893_961411087684241131_n.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casino Royale night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNhiFwqshyphenhyphenUoaDUefwNALxt3b_JxUOTBw5M6SntHBWLykIAPh8oP0kqxCPHR9V2VUfmap70ed_HkmM4KrNTySh6vun8L24uRZ3_VCCkFycjuzLzPW37wcTUI9MwAjbNS3kjt8IFWJJbU/s1600/10408018_991552164193704_476790239831374047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNhiFwqshyphenhyphenUoaDUefwNALxt3b_JxUOTBw5M6SntHBWLykIAPh8oP0kqxCPHR9V2VUfmap70ed_HkmM4KrNTySh6vun8L24uRZ3_VCCkFycjuzLzPW37wcTUI9MwAjbNS3kjt8IFWJJbU/s1600/10408018_991552164193704_476790239831374047_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a table at the booksigning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5jJ9-f6b-KUXJop8BRJkbjF-SYTwj9wrgjfd6TPqpe6D_mxXIARjsWj_lD7znIocJPgP9E0d9NTw84BfApK5Z6nXG_HennQrxrW7KbDBUO2lubC5IVivW60SWUFr0bhZk1_GHNU4kOw/s1600/10603679_967309226619227_8000484707380201128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5jJ9-f6b-KUXJop8BRJkbjF-SYTwj9wrgjfd6TPqpe6D_mxXIARjsWj_lD7znIocJPgP9E0d9NTw84BfApK5Z6nXG_HennQrxrW7KbDBUO2lubC5IVivW60SWUFr0bhZk1_GHNU4kOw/s1600/10603679_967309226619227_8000484707380201128_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally Time Travel was a great excuse to show off Tata's tats!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P3MMU4UuQu29M18643Fq5whkZ3BpB1X0PobjVcyb_Q2pVe7QPfIeEPSfzooUjrk1HRShiztkY4038lcO2qYngduM00i2KlNI4TEfd5I28PFOBi8qMaNaUlT9wINkiKmp7L5EW5xOfR8/s1600/10334289_990932964255624_2162664847107275349_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P3MMU4UuQu29M18643Fq5whkZ3BpB1X0PobjVcyb_Q2pVe7QPfIeEPSfzooUjrk1HRShiztkY4038lcO2qYngduM00i2KlNI4TEfd5I28PFOBi8qMaNaUlT9wINkiKmp7L5EW5xOfR8/s1600/10334289_990932964255624_2162664847107275349_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So hard to say goodbye. :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We also had a release that week, our tennis story, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OD4YKH8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00OD4YKH8&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=G4FSA3NIFO75RI7U">An Ace in the Tiebreak</a>. We technically set it in Switzerland, though they traveled the world with the pro tennis tour. It was thrilling to be able to see the person we dedicated it to in person and hand her a copy. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRCK6bjwt8OA2qeCTE-ClX5jsRnQlLxjwLPtw-8cwwD-Luy4v9yOOcJOMHGyc1kR9JuEtEMuJM4DKSJLddkljRqL6IEh5jOsvty6EB51TbmlKPD0D0uv_xe6Aq7sSE2z5UIui96VwVWI/s1600/anaceinthetiebreak_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRCK6bjwt8OA2qeCTE-ClX5jsRnQlLxjwLPtw-8cwwD-Luy4v9yOOcJOMHGyc1kR9JuEtEMuJM4DKSJLddkljRqL6IEh5jOsvty6EB51TbmlKPD0D0uv_xe6Aq7sSE2z5UIui96VwVWI/s1600/anaceinthetiebreak_800.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
We took a bit of a break after Ace to work on some solo projects and stay fresh, and that paid off because we had a great brainstorming session at GRL and figured out exactly what we want to do with the rest of the series. Then on New Year's Day, we chatted online and worked out a writing schedule for the year. We have lots of great stuff coming up! :)<br />
<br />
This month we'll be starting work on book nine in this series, what we're calling "Neel's book." You'll remember Neel from our very first book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CMTK9ZI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CMTK9ZI&linkCode=as2&tag=devorhod-20&linkId=G62HNVOP46P3ITKW">A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood</a>. He's moved away from India and signed with a cricket team in England and that's where we'll pick up his story. :)<br />
<br />
Hope your 2015 is off to a great start! <3
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First off,
thank you so much to everyone for your participation! Always great to see what
you think, and it's helped us sort through our options for upcoming books. :)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here they
are below, with some exclusive excerpts of scenes they're in.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
wasn't a clear, runaway favorite, but three characters tied for first place:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. <b>Paolo Lancaster</b>, the media darling
goalkeeper you met in <a href="https://www.totallybound.com/at-first-touch" target="_blank"><b><i>At First Touch</i></b></a>. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“King’s
right, Paddy. You gotta watch what you say. Kids out there look up to you and when
they hear you say shit like that, they think it’s okay for them to say it.”
Paolo rested his hand on Padraig’s shoulder. “Then those kids treat other kids
like that. It’s a vicious cycle, man, and we have to figure out how to break
it.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blinking,
Ewansiha wondered where this Paolo had come from and who had switched them.
Whatever Paolo’s opinions had been before this, the man had never expressed
them, and he was Padraig’s best friend, so he should’ve been the one to say
something earlier. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“But
why would they think that?” Padraig looked puzzled. “And anyway, why shouldn’t
I speak up when I think something’s wrong?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Because
the way you do it encourages anger and hatred against people who aren’t any
different from you.” Paolo took a deep breath then said, “If I told you I was
gay, would it change how I play football? Would it change how you think of me,
and what you thought you knew about me?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shocked
silence reigned while Padraig’s eyes widened. Ewansiha saw him pale. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Are
you?” Padraig whispered, and only Paolo and Ewansiha heard his question.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paolo
licked his lips, then shot Ewansiha a quick glance before he smiled slightly.
“Nah, but see? My question got you thinking, didn’t it, Paddy? That’s all I’m
asking at the moment. Just think before you speak.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">********</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. <b>Xav Müller</b>, the homeless teenager Lukas
takes in in <a href="https://www.totallybound.com/at-first-touch" target="_blank"><b><i>At First Touch</i></b></a>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Xav
gave him a stubborn look and looked back down at the form. He finished the
sections they’d been told to complete and glanced up at Lukas before standing
and walking by himself over to the window. After a brief wait, he handed the
clipboard back to the woman then returned to Lukas’ side.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
shifted every few moments, and Lukas supposed that if they’d been sitting, his
knee would have been bouncing. With his slight frame clad in somewhat baggy
jeans and a hoodie, his face clean-scrubbed, he looked appallingly young to be
on his own. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well,
he’s not on his own anymore, Lukas thought fiercely. He wondered what his own
parents would think about him mentoring the young throw-away. He would hope
that they’d be supportive—maybe he should call his mom to let her know? She
didn’t completely understand Lukas’ orientation, but she still loved him. She’d
likely go straight into mothering mode. He got the feeling that many of her difficulties
with his being gay stemmed from knowing she would never be a grandma, since
Lukas was an only child.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once
it looked like Xav would be staying long term, he’d broach the subject of a
visit from her and Dad.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lukas
realised there were a lot of things piling up under the ‘if he stays’ category.
“Hey, Xav, can I ask you something before they call you back?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Xav
went still and slowly nodded. “Sure. What is it?” His apprehension was evident.
Lukas hoped that someday soon he’d gain more confidence.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Are
you going to stay with me? For good? When we talked about it the other day, you
asked if that’s what I wanted you to do, which I do, but you never told me if
that’s what you want.” Lukas watched Xav’s profile closely. “I don’t want to
pressure you. I’m just tired of wondering every time I go somewhere whether
you’ll be there when I get home,” he confessed honestly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Xav
met his gaze then, his eyes wide with surprise. “I…” He appeared to gather his
thoughts. “Yeah. I’ll stay.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“You
want to?” Lukas stressed. “Because I want you to, but you have to want it too.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Xav
nodded, then, seeming to realise that Lukas needed to hear the words, said in a
clear voice, “I want to stay with you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Good.”
Lukas gave Xav a quick hug.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Xavier
M,” was called out by a woman in white at the door by the check-in area.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
released Xav who took a couple of steps forward then turned back to look at
Lukas. Fear surfaced briefly in his eyes. Lukas wasn’t entirely sure whether
they’d let him come in with him or not, but he wouldn’t let Xav cross the room
alone if he needed support. He strode quickly to catch up with Xav, whose
relief was plain to see. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">********</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. <b>Leon</b>, the taciturn rugby player from <a href="https://www.totallybound.com/blindsided" target="_blank"><b><i>Blindsided</i></b></a>
who takes to the sea during the offseason.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“No.
I’m just stopping by to ask you if you’d do me a favour,” Leon announced.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shock
again hit Liam. Leon had always struck him as a man who was happy within his
solitary existence. There had seemed to be a wall between him and the other
blokes on the team. Maybe it had to do with what Liam suspected—that Leon was
gay and had learnt a hard lesson about not opening his heart to people who
could destroy it with their hatred. Or maybe it really was just as simple as
Leon liking to be by himself.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Sure,
mate. Anything.” He meant it too. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’m
taking off. See, I own a boat and after the season ends, I take off to sail. I
wanted you to go and check on my place while I’m gone. Just make sure things
are okay.” Leon managed to pull a key out of his pocket without dislodging the
kittens. “You don’t have to worry about bills or anything like that. I stop the
mail service, and my bills are paid automatically.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
caught the key Leon flicked his way. Holding it in his hand, he studied Leon
for a second. “Why me? I’m new to the team, and I’m sure Teo or Gibson would do
this.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“You’re
closer.” Leon paused for a second, then continued, “I trust you, Liam. I know I
don’t talk much or do much with the others, but I have my reasons. I don’t
share my life with people easily, yet I think you could be someone who
understands why.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
Leon was gay, and since he’d heard what Liam had said to Gibson, he’d come to
his own conclusions about Liam. Well, Liam wasn’t the kind of guy to out anyone
to anybody, so he wasn’t going to betray Leon’s trust. Not when it was becoming
more and more obvious that Leon had secrets he wasn’t willing to share. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nodding,
Liam smiled. “I get it, mate, and I can do it for you. I’ll make sure your
place is fine while you’re gone. Will you do something for me?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Sure,
if I can.” Leon didn’t seem upset that Liam was asking something of him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“You
have a sat phone?” he checked.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Of
course.” Leon nodded.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
would like you to call, email or text me once a day. No matter what time. It doesn’t
matter. I just want to know you’re okay while you’re sailing.” Liam leant
forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “I don’t know if you have someone
else in your life who keeps track of you, and I don’t need to know, Leon. I
like you, and I will worry while you’re gone.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Leon
stood, the cats tumbling from his lap with loud protesting meows. He held out
his hand to Liam. After standing, Liam took Leon’s hand and they shook. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">********</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The rest of
the choices weren't far behind in the poll and they all tied as well!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. <b>Neel Malhotra</b>, Ajay's cricket teammate
and best friend from <a href="https://www.totallybound.com/a-sticky-wicket-in-bollywood" target="_blank"><b><i>A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood</i></b></a>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
can’t believe Rajan Malik was at your house, man. I guess your class reunion
with him went well the other night.” Neel shot a quick glance at him </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Speaking
of the other night? What the hell? Were you on something?” He twisted in his
seat to look at Neel.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Neel
grimaced. “What are you talking about? I wasn’t on anything.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“It
seemed like it. You were acting weird like you didn’t want me to leave you or
anything like that.” Ajay lifted his shoulder. “I thought it was because you
didn’t want me to go see Raj.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“What?
No. I don’t care if you see him or not, though I do think you need to be
careful. He’s not coming out of the closet for anyone, and all the rumours are
pairing him up with his co-star. There’s just a lot of heartache coming from
that guy.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ajay
frowned, not sure what Neel was talking about. “What has that got to do with
how you were acting?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Neel
took a breath. “Nothing. Anyway, you know how girls freak me out, right? So
there was some girl who was coming on to me at the club, and I didn’t know how
to deal with her. I thought you’d be able to help me get rid of her.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“You
know the best way to get rid of unwanted female attention, Neel?” Ajay grinned.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“What?”
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Telling
the world you’re gay pretty much ensures that no female will chase you ever
again.” Ajay pointed to himself. “At least that’s how it worked for me.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Neel
paled, just like Ajay had thought he would. Ajay knew the very idea of coming
out in public made Neel nauseous. But Ajay couldn’t help goading the other man.
He might have understood why Neel and Raj hid their true selves behind the
lies, but it didn’t mean he agreed with them.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“You
know I can’t do that yet, Ajay. It would kill my parents.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ajay
shrugged. “Whatever excuse gets you through the day, my friend." </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">********</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4<b>. Jan DeVries</b>, Laurent's ex-fiance from
<a href="https://www.totallybound.com/chasing-the-king-of-the-mountains" target="_blank"><b><i>Chasing the King of the Mountains</i></b></a>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
that she bid him good evening and closed the door firmly. Still amused, Laurent
inserted his key into the lock, only to have the door wrenched open by Jan.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For
a moment he looked as startled as Laurent was, then a more heated expression
came over his face. He smirked as he tugged Laurent by the wrist into their
apartment then moved in close. “Hello there. About time you got home.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Laurent
bent to one side to set his bag and briefcase on the tiled foyer floor then
gave Jan the welcoming kiss he appeared to be expecting. But when he parted his
lips to take it deeper, Jan pulled back. “I thought your trip had been
prolonged or something. Usually you’re like clockwork getting home after your flight
gets in.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Leaving
his bags for now, Laurent led the way into the living area. “It was on time,
thankfully, but I had set a meeting with the network. I wanted to speak with
them as soon as possible about an idea I had for a special report.” He was still
humming with the success of his plan being put into motion. “So, do you
remember last year when—”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jan
rolled his eyes and cut him off with a see-sawing hand gesture. “You know I
don’t follow all that political stuff.” He ran the hand through his spiky hair
then down his chest, and as Laurent’s eyes followed the movement, he noticed
how his fiancé was dressed. The steel-grey shirt clung to his torso, and the
jeans were tight to the point that Laurent wondered how he would be able to sit
in them. Still, with the way Jan kept himself in shape, it was a good look on
him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
like the shirt, is that new?” He took a step back as he looked Jan up and down
with a smile. “This is a nice welcome home.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jan
froze for a moment before he smiled back, and Laurent’s instincts finally
kicked in. Jan wasn’t dressed for a cosy night in with him—he was dressed for
going out. Rather than give Jan an opening to lie to him—Laurent had caught him
out more than once and the subsequent confrontations were never pretty—he just
pecked Jan on the cheek. “Go have fun, Jan.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His
eyes widened in surprise then narrowed suspiciously. “Are you trying to get rid
of me?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Laurent
felt his eyebrows rise at that. “No. But you were on your way out, yes?” He
shrugged. “You’re a grown man, as am I. I’m not worried that you made plans for
tonight.” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">…looking
like that, after I’ve been gone for days… </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quit
being a jealous fool, Desrochers. You have been gone for days, and you are all
the time. Who can blame the guy for having other friends?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jan
still looked, ironically, a bit put out by Laurent’s understanding
accommodation. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
can come along if you’d like. Just let me get changed,” he offered. Laurent
really didn’t want to go to a club after travelling all day, but relationships
were a two-way street.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His
expression softening, Jan grasped his arm and gave it a squeeze. “You’re
darling to offer, but it isn’t the sort of place you prefer. I’ll just meet my
friends and see you later tonight. Hmm?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That
was code for ‘don’t wait up’.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">********</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4<b>. Sergio</b>, the sexy, matchmaking trainer
from <a href="https://www.totallybound.com/at-first-touch" target="_blank"><b><i>At First Touch</i></b></a>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“God,
I hope he doesn’t kill anyone…” Sergio was pale as a ghost in the wake of the
conflict. “Or himself,” he added in a whisper.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“This
was all my fault.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They
all looked at Paolo. “What?” Lukas asked incredulously. “How can you say any of
this was your fault?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Paolo…”
Sergio started to soothe.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
should’ve deleted that picture, not made it your contact photo. What the fuck
was I thinking?” Paolo looked miserable.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lukas
warred for a moment in his head then, in spite of himself, came out with,
“Okay, I hate to even ask, but… What the hell was in the picture?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paolo
widened his eyes and jerked his head at Xav then shook it.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Oh,
come on. I’m sixteen, not six. You don’t have to show it to me, but I want to
know what made him freak out so bad.” Xav turned around on the couch to kneel
on the cushion and rest his arms on the back while his eyes pleaded with Paolo.
Lukas marvelled at the resilience of the young man. “It’ll cheer me up,” he
persisted.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sergio
laughed and the mood in the room lightened considerably. “Well, let’s just say
I had a close-up taken with a very nice dancer who was sporting our team
colours on an interesting part of his body. And no, I wasn’t doing anything but
smiling for the camera. Well… Something was kind of touching my cheek, but it
was hard to get it in the frame with my face otherwise. And maybe I had my
tongue… Anyway, I sent it to Paolo that night. And he evidently kept it.” This
was said with a stern look at Paolo. “Did I or did I not tell you you’d better
get that off your phone? With the amount of time you spend with Padraig—”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Why
didn’t you send it to me?” Lukas blurted out without thinking, though he
wondered what the hell it said about him that he felt left out for not getting
the cock shot.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sergio
raised an eyebrow at him in amusement. “It was from before you joined the team,
hon.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
changed my mind, can I see it?” came from the couch.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“No,”
all three men said at once.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">********</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hope you
enjoyed these looks at our secondary characters, especially if you haven’t read
these books yet. Rest assured that each of these guys will eventually get their
own book--even Xav, though we'll let him grow up a bit first. :) First up will
be Paolo, whose story we were working on right now for book seven in the
series, A Grand Prix Romance. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks again for your feedback! We'll have another poll up soon. :)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-20316423109448654542014-02-03T21:10:00.003-08:002014-02-03T21:10:36.274-08:00Reader Poll! We'd love your feedback!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtflGXXX6l_xhDl9X-OqFTI_JYvsd97xeWzmB4xXKz_TcSs_ztADXH22YVlu78AWempJU_ePCAGerwgGi9zvGuuOfYM4ypCHtq8ApQRPhRIUUu4sdX4MbLfKYj0Uk5B6KfgH2HnvPAgVc/s1600/atfirsttouch_Quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtflGXXX6l_xhDl9X-OqFTI_JYvsd97xeWzmB4xXKz_TcSs_ztADXH22YVlu78AWempJU_ePCAGerwgGi9zvGuuOfYM4ypCHtq8ApQRPhRIUUu4sdX4MbLfKYj0Uk5B6KfgH2HnvPAgVc/s1600/atfirsttouch_Quote.jpg" height="289" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For all you Men of Sports fans, we've put up a poll over on the left sidebar asking for your favorite secondary characters. We'd love it if you could vote for your choices! If you have an answer other than the ones we've put up or you'd like to explain further, please leave a comment for us! :) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks in advance! xoxo</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-34808002062123714112014-02-03T17:12:00.002-08:002014-02-03T17:28:27.479-08:00Cover stroking for Brazil: Serving Love at CarnivalYes, we've already premiered it on social media, but here again is our pretty cover for Serving Love At Carnival.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR0M26-uDElgN3W_vXcqfb9zGrF6THPQ3mqb8pdn8aaWpaKruR1Ryns8bU6OktoyyPBkQ82epGJiQyTfadeq90X7T4QBzVgWMLdSIwSryulR-f1xfTcO3-eYCT63ZMGFdD3s-SLbofUU/s1600/servingloveatcarnival_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR0M26-uDElgN3W_vXcqfb9zGrF6THPQ3mqb8pdn8aaWpaKruR1Ryns8bU6OktoyyPBkQ82epGJiQyTfadeq90X7T4QBzVgWMLdSIwSryulR-f1xfTcO3-eYCT63ZMGFdD3s-SLbofUU/s1600/servingloveatcarnival_800.jpg" height="640" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pet, pet...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It caps off the first six nicely. TA has been saying that she's going to put the first six together and frame them. Hmm, let's see what that would look like...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysJuBMzD8eHB7FsaR42R8oRAl5SsYm_7Kf8TGsR9hqUaeM-IOixL82enUJpg5Uop_-dOmv0lr4ByUnsBYfM4sTAcWZKTd3FSJBZk2sh18UsWtRfxagqrMjYO3U2hbfA0uk1HzvR40P3M/s1600/astickywicketinbollywood_800.jpg" height="200" width="125" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5SAnW26eaNdDSbWioG1-rYw8Usi33zN6xUiXa56t3y1fLUx1ZVZ0glRsI-dw8jIYY_cTZMzbMUSNJuy1-0f2HevvoMVXfh7NTIY7kS1OdVKfwt3Wte_mPxBUzhrk8DwqN5I01xS1OLU/s1600/chasingthekingofthemountains_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5SAnW26eaNdDSbWioG1-rYw8Usi33zN6xUiXa56t3y1fLUx1ZVZ0glRsI-dw8jIYY_cTZMzbMUSNJuy1-0f2HevvoMVXfh7NTIY7kS1OdVKfwt3Wte_mPxBUzhrk8DwqN5I01xS1OLU/s1600/chasingthekingofthemountains_800.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl39EhWT7HqJhBp3VhGJalF26WjGCuGJjhj1qGZP7MCK6m_nraHCaeUD-aeCZMINgEDnWASno7bQL20KonZ5Nh2z044js-qmbdySnY5fesk8GaN_WLdksIoi98F8ZMnLWM_j79JJE-30/s1600/atfirsttouch_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl39EhWT7HqJhBp3VhGJalF26WjGCuGJjhj1qGZP7MCK6m_nraHCaeUD-aeCZMINgEDnWASno7bQL20KonZ5Nh2z044js-qmbdySnY5fesk8GaN_WLdksIoi98F8ZMnLWM_j79JJE-30/s1600/atfirsttouch_800.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScenQwO9fdkIbzRAcMTIBuKvv2nTy3nhsqK4oQaloPO8Fr4T1Etm4pBfy-MmddUrt2M6ecKdYaIIJSQLMVUd-XvpW5SxSaPtbSHupOnMLb8iUluBhYIUsd_xXBUtiBtONwUxIpRqgMdw/s1600/blindsided_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScenQwO9fdkIbzRAcMTIBuKvv2nTy3nhsqK4oQaloPO8Fr4T1Etm4pBfy-MmddUrt2M6ecKdYaIIJSQLMVUd-XvpW5SxSaPtbSHupOnMLb8iUluBhYIUsd_xXBUtiBtONwUxIpRqgMdw/s1600/blindsided_800.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OeSl_NOPQ1zflTyRqXDrt265_o24Ghb85Rc4eCIGxdt3ifBr_RJ0evAh8yyJ6cBVm2GKS4xCa5PUwlni70NYSutbkoc3QPRtH3IX4WVslK4O76yFlfEXGaGgB_21JC2yS-QM1ANMDGM/s1600/burninguptheice_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OeSl_NOPQ1zflTyRqXDrt265_o24Ghb85Rc4eCIGxdt3ifBr_RJ0evAh8yyJ6cBVm2GKS4xCa5PUwlni70NYSutbkoc3QPRtH3IX4WVslK4O76yFlfEXGaGgB_21JC2yS-QM1ANMDGM/s1600/burninguptheice_800.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45_eh1yfLFOgNDfqfYaabjaJ29Mv2iGO4g4IADnRYaENOyEiEutuntRp7PplUjguAlZCuMZQUCpWJk9F1M6ob0zb2GsmFTjZZxlAScK84AcAT6dafHnzuMUmFlgmmPKUwQ3gV3-YPUGQ/s1600/servingloveatcarnival_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45_eh1yfLFOgNDfqfYaabjaJ29Mv2iGO4g4IADnRYaENOyEiEutuntRp7PplUjguAlZCuMZQUCpWJk9F1M6ob0zb2GsmFTjZZxlAScK84AcAT6dafHnzuMUmFlgmmPKUwQ3gV3-YPUGQ/s1600/servingloveatcarnival_800.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw5Db-nP4bYGlB8_FMDJRLLCaBdnuAxyn5x26JCJmQ3ZSFRDv1CbJnu85CUcqMR2tqe9tPgtEumnlA9xjxCDbr_DJKWOriXdu1mCNwv2ZCJJD1NXRyV4lKEDGSfHGpw7ZsO55s1rskCw/s1600/servingloveatcarnival_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
That does look nice, doesn't it? :) To recap, we've been to India, France, Germany, Australia, Canada and Brazil so far. Next stop: Monaco!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-16276860989157017692014-01-27T11:47:00.001-08:002014-01-27T11:47:51.124-08:00Title Change....Serving Love at CarnivalHey everyone,<br />
<br />
T.A. here.<br />
<br />
I thought I'd let you all know that Devon and I ended up changing the title to the Rio/volleyball book. It's now Serving Love at Carnival. :) We're just finishing up first round edits and waiting on the cover. As soon as we get it and it's approved, we'll be sharing it with you here.<br />
<br />
Hope you're all having a great day.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
T.A.T.A.Chasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05406355224426259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-61673661246897682222014-01-23T11:51:00.001-08:002014-01-23T11:51:52.502-08:00Hey everyone....T.A. here. I thought maybe I'd do a little post since Devon's done all the work in setting this place up for us. :)<br />
<br />
It's been a crazy ride...writing the first six books of our International Men of Sports series. But we got them done and in. Now on to the next six...lol <br />
<br />
Devon and I met in New Orleans at the very first GRL and our friendship grew from there. Then in Albuquerque (really? That's how it's spelled? So weird...lol), we planned out the first six sports books and discovered we share in a hive mind.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNjlbKzXZex5TcnLs8ngEASCiqFyUzNG4Rbr5yfD9IB2yWZ7bv1hIR0Mftm7ycgUhFjexwPriMPGuW0wJYZlIEBNkfYwU-ZGDKeuWaWcg_io-zJlgLldG3OJe5vDnF3oePMmMRK3kZ7lR/s1600/217112_654224837926440_791573401_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNjlbKzXZex5TcnLs8ngEASCiqFyUzNG4Rbr5yfD9IB2yWZ7bv1hIR0Mftm7ycgUhFjexwPriMPGuW0wJYZlIEBNkfYwU-ZGDKeuWaWcg_io-zJlgLldG3OJe5vDnF3oePMmMRK3kZ7lR/s1600/217112_654224837926440_791573401_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I think we're going to share some of our chats with you all from time to time. And you can see what I'm talking about when I say Devon and I are linked psychically. I live in the Midwest and she lives in the Northwest, but we still are able to talk every day. :) While we chat, we'll post the exact same thought at the same time. Or we'll be watching the same show and be thinking the same thing.<br />
<br />
It can be a little weird at times, but it's fun when we're writing because we're usually on the same wavelength for our characters.<br />
<br />
We have a lot of new books in store for you all. So I hope you'll keep stopping by and checking in on this crazy adventure Devon and I are on. :)<br />
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----Love, T.A.T.A.Chasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05406355224426259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-59929084927624729472014-01-22T15:33:00.001-08:002014-01-24T13:26:25.896-08:00Blurb Reveal for Brazil, and the photos that inspired our characters<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rio during Carnival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We always try to find photos to work from for our settings and characters. I think that's even more important when you're co-writing, since the image of a main character is in the other author's mind, not yours.<br />
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Here are the inspirations for our MCs, and a couple of the secondary characters too!<br />
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For Diego Melo, our professional beach volleyball player, we looked to JP Calderon, who played volleyball and is openly gay. <br />
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And for Pablo Silva, our Carnival dancer and physical therapist, we chose another Brazilian Pablo--Pablo Morais.<br />
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Diego's volleyball partner, Carlos Barbosa, we took from pro basketball player, Robin Lopez.<br />
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And when I saw a picture of Miles McMillan, I immediately knew he was Pablo's long-time best friend and roommate, Argentinian Thiago Vazquez.<br />
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Serving Love at Carnival is in to our editor, and we're still waiting on a cover, but that's no reason to make you guys wait for the blurb! Here it is (just a warning, it is unedited and might change slightly):<br />
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<i><span lang="EN-GB">Anything goes during Carnival, and
two men are about to discover just how hot the nights can get in Rio.</span></i></div>
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long-time member of a samba school, Pablo knows that Carnival in his hometown
of Rio de Janeiro is always hot, and the tall, sexy man he hooks up with during
the festivities is even hotter. He usually doesn’t go back for repeats, but
something about Diego has him working harder than he ever has to try to meet up
again. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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travels all over the world on the pro beach volleyball tour, but has found that
the sexiest man he’s ever met lives right there in Rio. After a few false
starts, they finally seem to hit a groove, but as time goes on, ghosts from
Pablo’s past begin to affect their present. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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tough being the partner of a professional athlete, competing with travel, fans,
and training for their limited time. Pablo’s always been let down by people who
found it easy to leave him behind. Is he prepared to accept what Diego can
offer?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
******** </div>
<br />
As soon as we have our cover we'll post it here! Meanwhile, we're planning a fun giveaway to christen our blog and celebrate the release of our Australia book, Blindsided. More details tomorrow! Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss anything!<br />
<br />
xoxo Devon<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868046967674180008.post-18011173873643069512014-01-22T00:07:00.001-08:002014-01-24T13:25:55.461-08:00Kicking things off!I decided to celebrate finishing our sixth book by...setting up a blog. I know, I aim high! But given that we've completed six novels together now and have many, many more planned, I thought it was time to create a shared space for us. :)<br />
<br />
Here is a little post I made on FB yesterday that tells a bit about how this collaboration started:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2d3GvshZuiBFwxwtLfe1S82l69_I_CC1BrxVs8JTU29EWIloOZ94S9TF0xB_8e0gm1fH1hbzUGk1Hgusgk4OgSxma5yqmUl9xcyn9JYeJOL0zIr6SarJfU2YaUParJW1jARdHv7xH7M/s1600/IMG_20121016_175945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2d3GvshZuiBFwxwtLfe1S82l69_I_CC1BrxVs8JTU29EWIloOZ94S9TF0xB_8e0gm1fH1hbzUGk1Hgusgk4OgSxma5yqmUl9xcyn9JYeJOL0zIr6SarJfU2YaUParJW1jARdHv7xH7M/s1600/IMG_20121016_175945.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">I wanted to give a shout out and major kudos to my co-author <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001595721283&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001595721283">T.a. Chase</a>. We just submitted our sixth International Men of Sports book last night after a 20k-in-two-days push. </span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">
We first came up with the series idea at GayRomLit 2012 in Albuquerque,
laying in bed one night brainstorming. That turned into a handful of
notes on hotel stationery and Starbucks napkins...and now we have six
novels done, the original six that we plotted out that GRL. </span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> There's
something very cool about having those done, but that's far from the
last of them. We have a dozen more in the works, but those first six are
kind of special to us. </span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">I wanted to share what a great co-author TA is and how much I appreciate her creativity, work ethic and endless patience. </span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">
I'd also like to thank the fans of the series who we love to hear from
and really keep us excited about these books. It's been so much fun
researching countries you don't always see in MM romance, as well as
sports that need more love. </span></span></h5>
</blockquote>
I'll be back tomorrow with an exclusive sneak peek at our Brazil book: <i>Serving Love at Carnival</i>, including the blurb reveal and the pictures we used to visualize our characters. :)<br />
<br />
xoxo Devon<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2