What A Week!

     While I’m humping away at this story for Goodreads, which has definitely taking on a life of its own, as I think I've mentioned previously. This week, however, has been stupendous for me. I was sent a contract for a story I wrote for Cleiss Press, then another one for a BDSM Vampire story for Ravenous Romance. I was thrilled. I was doing a happy, happy, joy, joy dance, feeling all inspired. Then…then I got a call from Kris Jacen, Executive Editor for Man Love Romance offering me a contract for a story that I never thought would be published, POW. 

     I was doing back-flips at that point, well in my head at any rate. This will be my very first standalone book! What really blew me away is that she actually took the time out of what I know to be a very hectic schedule to personally call me. Wow, is all I can say. To be published by such a power house as MLR is even more mind blowing to me. 

     For those of you who have read my work, you will know that I tend to be a little in-your-face, hard hitting and even a little gritty at times. Hey, it’s just who I am. This particular story is especially that. The inspiration came from a CNN news story about forced male rape. Needless to say my mind went in all kinds of directions with this one.  

For those of you who are not familiar with
Michael Stokes, check him out.
He makes men look so damned sexy.

     Marines: Who doesn't like a big hunky-the few-the proud- the Marine? So, of course I went there. This story deals with a group of Marines who were captured by a Taliban Warlord and his Grandson. There is physical violence. Graphic sexual situations, and yes that does include several rape scenes, but the real thrust of the story is about survival, love and healing. I want to make a point here, if you will allow: It is the love, the healing and the human spirit that makes this work. The rape scenes are harsh and even brutal at times, but that is not the focus here. For those who are turned on by rape scenes, then I think you are going to be disappointed, so look elsewhere. 

     We men are strange creatures, and gay men are, or can be, even more peculiar. I think that this book brings all that and a lot more to the surface. The facets of what a gay man goes through, how he feels, and it is this that I wanted to show within this work. The difference between love and lust, the many types of love and the realization and understanding of how those feelings are interwoven into friendships. (By the way, it does have a very happy ending.) 

     I cannot thank Ms. Jacen enough for giving me the opportunity to push the envelope here. 

     Okay, I’m back to doing back-flips! (Mentally of course!) 
     
     Till next week,    
     
     Max

     As always, please feel free to make a comment, good, bad or indifferent!

Another Busy Week

     This has been a very busy week for me. I’m chugging along with the Goodreads story, which is almost done. I did another thread hop on Goodreads that has a small snippet posted. Have another story in an anthology with Ravenous Romance coming out very soon. F. Leonora Solomon is a dream to work with. Thank you, pretty lady. 

Charlie and me!

     The highlight of my week was being able to hang out with Charlie Harding before his Shoot-Out show last night. He will be doing ‘Charlie Harding Presents’ for Wilde City Press. From what I gathered from him, he will be doing selections and putting them together in what I am assuming will be an anthology type thing. Can’t wait to see what he comes up with. 

     I still have several submissions out there hanging in the internet Ethernet-sphere. Trying to be patient, which is not something I’m very good at I’m afraid. 

     Don’t know if anyone read that little excerpt I posted last week, (which I initially forgot to put the link up for) since no one left any comments. Arrrgh. At any rate…I’ll wish everyone a great week! 

Max

As always, please leave a comment, good, bad or indifferent!

Goodreads Update

     Good morning all, I hope everyone doing well. 

     I wanted to give everyone a little update as to how this challenge for Goodreads, ‘Love Has No Boundaries’ is going. Well, in a word, stupendous. I am almost done and so far I’m very pleased. 

     Our main characters have led me on a wild and somewhat emotional ride. They completely trashed my first outline and have decided to do their own thing. Oh well, sometimes that happens. 

     Here is a small snippet – 

     Jerome came out of the bathroom and stretched. The muscles in his arms and shoulders bulged, his heavy pectorals stretched tight. Jay could feel the muscles constrict in his own stomach with want. With his back to the bed Jerome dropped the boxers giving Jason a full view of his ass. A light dusting of hair feathered in towards the center becoming a little heavier towards the valley of his tight butt. 
     
     Setting the alarm, turning off the light, Jerome said, “’Night.” 

     “’Night, Sir.” 

     Now, for those of you who are looking for something a little more…substantial, I give you…wait for it… 

      …another excerpt of a piece that I wrote some time ago. 

Warning: IF you do not like heavy BDSM and graphic sexual content between men, skip this, it isn’t for you. For those of you who are brave enough to enter into the dungeon of real, heavy-duty Leatherman, I welcome you. 

     As usual, please leave a comment, good, bad or indifferent. Have a good one everyone, 

Max

Burning Heads (PDF Version)
Burning Heads (Word Doc Version)