SHARE THE BOOK LOVE

I saw a post on Facebook yesterday called #ShareTheBookLove The point being that as February is the month of love, we should use it to share the books we love. Great idea, so I thought I’d do just that with this weeks update. But where to start? It’s impossible to draw up a short list, or even a long list, of all the books I love. There are so many that have special meanings and feelings attached. So here are just a few of my favourites and the reasons why I love them.

1. The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller.

If you love romance, you have to love this book. It’s my all time favourite love story. The perfect romance. As a novel it’s short, under 200 pages, but it manages to say and convey a wealth of raw emotions. I read it several times of the years and am always moved to tears.

BLURB: A man. A woman. The heat of an Iowa summer. And the brief encounter whose passion will last a lifetime. 'The Bridges of Madison County' is the story of Robert Kincaid, world-class photographer, and Francesca Johnson, an Iowa farm wife. Given to nomadic ways, Kincaid is a strange, almost mystical traveller, a man who feels displaced and out of harmony with his time. Francesca Johnson, once a young war bride from Italy, lives with the flickering memories of her girlhood dreams. Each of them is content, yet when Kincaid drives through the heat and dust of an Iowa summer and turns into her farm lane looking for directions, their illusions fall away, and they are joined in an experience of uncommon and stunning beauty, an experience that will haunt them forever.

This book means so much to me. The very first real date I went on with my husband was to see the movie version with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. And when we got married in 2006 we had the following passage from the book read at the ceremony.

“It seems to me now that I have been moving toward you and you toward me for a long time. Though neither of us were aware of the other before we met, there was a kind of mindless certainty humming along beneath our ignorance that ensured we would come together. Like two solitary birds flying the great prairies by celestial reckoning, all of these years and lifetimes we have been moving toward one another.”

Beautiful. I can’t recommend this highly enough.

 2. Devil’s Paw by Dale Chase

This is a recent read. I’ve been a friend and fan of Dale Chase for years. We used to bash out porn stories for the glossy gay mags of the 1990s and 2000s. Dale ‘s speciality is the gay western and nobody writes then better. Dusty, dirty and off the scale hot. Devil’s Paw is one of her best. Pure filth.

BLURB: Lloyd Lasky is a seasoned operative for the Whitlock Detective Agency in Denver that often infiltrates outlaw gangs in order to thwart stagecoach robberies. When he’s assigned to infiltrate the Bonner Gang based in Devil’s Paw, Arizona Territory, he’s unprepared for the personal ambush his heart suffers over gang member Frank Metty.

Taking up sex with Frank, Lloyd convinces himself that doing so is part of his job in solidifying his place in the gang and learning of their plans. But as time passes, Lloyd not only starts to care for the younger man, but jealousy also rears its ugly head when it becomes clear the gang leader, Merle Bonner, also has a sexual claim on Frank.

When the line between self-indulgence and detective work blurs to the point where Lloyd considers not only breaking agency rules but breaking the law, will he be able to ignore his ever-growing sexual desires and successfully complete his dangerous mission?


3. Dangerous Kiss by Jackie Collins

This is the book I’m reading right now. Well, re-reading to be exact. Dangerous Kiss is the fifth book in Jackie’s Santangelo series. I’m working my way through all the books again. If I’m honest, this is probably the weakest of the series, but that’s not to say it’s bad. An average Jackie Collins novel is 100% better than other writer’s best efforts. There’s so much to enjoy here: sex, murder, revenge, drug addiction, forced marriage, more revenge, illegitimate kids, models, movie stars and gangsters. This books packs it all in.

BLURB: In Chances, Lucky grew up in a top crime family; in Lucky, she was married three times; in Lady Boss, she took on Hollywood and bought Panther Studios; and in Vendetta, she fought off a lifelong enemy to keep the studio, and her husband. Now, in Dangerous Kiss, when a member of her family is brutally gunned down in a random holdup, her fury knows no bounds. While she is tracking the killer, her relationship with her husband, charismatic writer and director Lennie Golden, is put to the test. Then, suddenly, into her life comes a man from her past - a man with a dangerous kiss. Dangerous Kiss is a story of raw anger, love, lust, murder, and revenge, and at its white-hot center is Lucky Santangelo, a strong, exciting woman who dares to take chances - and always wins.

#ShareTheBookLove

Thom X

Belated Resolutions

Before I start, a quick reminder. The second stage of voting for  the Sinfully MM Book Reviews Readers Choice Awards closes tonight. It's so close at the minute. Please take a minute to vote for Thom Collins before midnight today (Friday 13th) and help me make it to the final ten.

http://sinfullymmbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/readers-choice-awards-2016-round-two.html


So we’re almost two weeks into 2017 already. Yikes. I’ve got a feeling this one might go just as quickly as last year.  Like most people I’ve made a few resolutions to start the year. I’m not interested in the usual stuff, those ones about depriving yourself. I’m not giving up chocolate and I’m certainly not going dry for January or any other month. I know I won’t stick to them so would be setting myself up to fail.

I don’t mind easing back during January. Christmas and New Year were pretty full on, but I’m not giving anything up.  I’ve made resolutions that will be easy and fun to stick to.

1.        See a live show at least once every month. This is my favourite. I did it a couple of years ago and had a fantastic time. I usually go to the theatre 5 or 6 times a year, but always to see the same kind of thing – big feel good musicals. Making the resolution forced me to consider other forms of entertainment and broaden my horizons, taking in comedy, opera and ballet. I’ll always make time for the West End shows but I’m looking forward to seeing what my smaller, local theatres have to offer this year.  First up I’ve bought tickets to a classical music concert at the end of the month. Can’t wait.

2.        Promotion. 2017 is the year I get to my act together. I tested the waters with guest blogging, Twitter and interviews for Closer by Morning but I have a long way to go. I can’t wait to get out there and try new things. With two releases scheduled for the first half of the year, it’s going to be busy.

3.        Regular blog updates. This has always been a struggle. With a day job that takes up four days a week, I like to keep my spare time for writing itself and the blog tends to get neglected. So regular posts are another must for 2017.

4.        Be more positive. A bit airy fairy this one but I can’t help feeling that in 2016 a lot of us focused on the negative factors in life. This year I want to celebrate the good stuff.


All in all I’m pretty positive about the coming year. I know what I want to achieve writing wise and I've got a couple of holidays planned so it won't be all work. There’s a lot to look forward to and I’m ready to embrace it.

Thom x

MINI UPDATE: Nomination for Best Debut Author

I’m thrilled to have been nominated in the Best Debut Author category in the Sinfully MM Book Reviews Readers Choice Awards. Please take a minute to vote for Thom Collins before 13^th January to help me make it into the final this weekend.  I have no illusions about winning but just to make it as a finalist will be a big deal in my first year as a MM author.
Every vote counts.

VOTE HERE

http://sinfullymmbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/readers-choice-awards-2016-round-two.html

http://sinfullymmbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/readers-choice-awards-2016-round-two.html

COMING SOON: GODS OF VENGEANCE

Happy New Year.

I hope it's been a good one so far. Now that all the festivities are out of the way, it's time to get back to work. 2017 is getting off to great start with the standalone release of Gods Of Vengeance, my story from Brothers in Arms.

United in passion. Driven by vengeance.

Owen Hazard, a young farmer is dead. Murdered while he tried to prevent a robbery on his land. His older brother, Captain Mark Hazard, returns home for the funeral. Owen’s best friend, Riley runs the local pub. He has information about the night Owen was killed – he knows who was responsible. The police are doing nothing. Vengeance is their only option.

United in their passion for each other and a thirst for revenge, Riley and Mark must take the law into their own hands if there’s to be any justice for Owen.

Release dates:

Pre Order: 7^th February 2017

Early Download: 21^st February 2017

General Release: 21^st March 2017


BUY LINKS:

Pride Publishing

End of year Round Up

As we’re coming to the end of 2016, it’s the perfect time for a recap of the year. It’s certainly had it’s ups and downs, on a world wide stage as well as professional one. I’m trying my best to be optimistic  and crossing everything in the hope that 2017 will be better, but as I write this, the news is filled with doom and gloom. Terrorists attacks around the world, discontent in politics, hate crimes on the rise. Even at lunch today, I had to leave the cafe after listening to a man at the next table brag that the police were looking for him after breaking another man’s jaw. So, with that still playing heavily on my mind, I’m going to look at the good things that came my way in 2016.

Closer by Morning. Without a doubt the career highlight of the year. My first full length romance novel. The response I received for the book totally blew me away. A few people didn’t get it, or were disturbed by the violence, but over all I couldn’t have hoped for more with my debut. Some of the criticism about violence did surprise me. I was very careful about how much I showed in the book and didn’t want to make it explicit, but it’s all subjective. Unlike romance, I don’t think violence should be sugar coated. I never want to glamorise or trivialise it. Most of the violent scenes are based on true stories. I learned a lot writing this book. About myself as much as anything. It was a real blast and I’m glad that most people who read it have enjoyed it.

BUY LINKS

AmazonUK AmazonUSA PridePublishing All Romance
Hot on the heals of Closer by Morning, we had Brothers in Arms, an outstanding anthology of military themed stories that I am so proud to have been part of.  This featured Gods of Vengeance, a revenge themed MM romance.  Brothers in Arms is available in ebook and paperback formats.

BUY LINKS

AmazonUK AmazonUSA Pride Publishing
All Romance


My first release of 2017 will be the standalone ebook release of Gods of Vengeance.

Pre Order Date: 7^th Feb 2017
Early download date: 21^st Feb 2017
General release date. 21^st March 2017


Then later in the year I have a novella due from Pride Publishing called Silent Voices.

Pre Order Date: 9^th May 2017
Early download date: 23^rd May 2017
General release date. 20^th June 2017

I’ll post more details on this title near the time but I can reveal it’s another adult romance with a dark undercurrent. I also have a new novel coming from Pride later in the year, the first book in a trilogy. I’ve only just completed the final draft of this so no release date is set, but as soon as I know you’ll hear it here.

My writing calander is now full for 2017. I’ve got the next two books in the trilogy underway and hope to complete a standalone novella before the end of the year too. I’m probably over stretching myself but aim big, that’s what I always say. I’ve got rough outlines in place for all three books so there’s no reason not to hit that target if I work hard.

It hasn’t all been work this year. I had a coupe of great holidays with my husband. We visited Norway in April and the views of the famous Fjords were absolutely stunning.

Then in September we took a fantastic cruise around the coast of Spain. Portugal and Gibralta.

Writing this blog has made me release that they have been more ups than downs in 2016 so I shouldn’t complain. Very merry Christmas to everyone reading and best wishes for 2017. It’s going to be a good one. I know it.

AUTUMN UPDATE

Many apologies for this long overdue update. I haven’t been around much at all for the last few months. Excuses I knew but it couldn’t be helped. First it was because of a holiday. A fabulous cruise visiting Barcelona, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Malaga and a load of other beautiful places. Secondly, I had a short spell in hospital. Nothing too serious but it did result in a little down time and being out of action. Anyway, enough of the excuses – I’m back.

Brothers in Arms a new military themed anthology from Pride Publishing is due out at the end of this month, but it’s available for early download now from the Pride site.  LINK. Only £4.  Featuring stories from Megan Slayer, Helena Maeve, Anna Lee, and Lucy Felthouse, it includes my revenge thriller Gods of Vengeance.

'Gods of Vengeance' by Thom CollinsUnited in passion. Driven by vengeance.
Owen Hazard, a young farmer is dead. Murdered while he tried to prevent a robbery on his land. His older brother, Captain Mark Hazard, returns home for the funeral. Owen’s best friend, Riley runs the local pub. He has information about the night Owen was killed—he knows who was responsible. The police are doing nothing. Vengeance is their only option. United in their passion for each other and a thirst for revenge, Riley and Mark must take the law into their own hands if there’s to be any justice for Owen.
Reader Advisory: This story contains scenes of violence.

BUY IT HERE

Gods of Vengeance will also be released as a standalone title next spring.

Now that I’m back I have lots of other writing to be getting on with. I’ve just completed a 20K word novella, which is another thriller, and am about to start editing the manuscript for my next full length novel – hopefully the first book in a series – if there’s a demand for it. I’m also developing a story that’s laid dormant for several years. I’ve always wanted to write a historical romance set in the 1960’s, just before homosexuality was made legal in the UK. I’ve attempted the story before but never felt I was ready to do it justice. But next year will mark the 50^th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 which finally legalised sex between two men. It feels right for me to look at this period again.

The nights are cutting in and the leaves are falling from the trees. Autumn is well and truly here and it’s my favourite time of year. I love closing the curtains on a dark evening, shutting out the world and settling in for a quiet evening at home. Unlike a lot of people I also love the dark mornings. In the summer I often struggle to sleep soundly when it’s daylight at 3.30 am but autumn and winter is perfect. I sleep soundly in the dark until my alarm goes off. It’s blissful.

It probably helps that Halloween is my birthday. I have a love of all things dark and macabre. Ghosts stories, horror movies, lanterns and costumes – I can’t get enough of it. I’m looking forward to watching some great horror films over the next few days. Just this week I watched The Conjuring 2. Wow, it was easily the best new horror film I’ve seen in years, a real modern classic. If you haven’t already seen it, check it out.

Happy Halloween – stay safe.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Just a quick update today to let you know about a new anthology coming soon from Pride Publishing. Brothers In Arms features five great new stories including my own tale Gods of Vengeance.

Book Description:

'One Night With You' by Megan Slayer
One night to find the man of his dreams in the least likely place…
Airman Tate Gibson thought going to a party at the local college with his friends would take his mind off of his troubles. He’ll head back to Korea in two days time—after the funeral of his baby sister. He’s always taken responsibility for her and he’s not ready to deal with her being gone. He wants a man to help him deal with his sadness and give him a reason to get through his deployment.
Raine crushed on his neighbor across the hallway, but once he spots the hunky airman his thoughts center on Tate. He wants to strip the handsome blue-eyed man down and lick him everywhere, but geeky guys like Raine never get the man. He’s stuck playing the perpetual wallflower.
Will one night tear them apart before things get hot or will it be enough to bring these two wounded souls together for a long-term engagement?
'Spoil of War' by Helena Maeve
One man’s prize is another’s nightmare.
When Briar’s partner Kai returns from the Federation’s latest skirmish with a handsome prisoner in tow, Briar is both envious and wary. It is common knowledge that the tribespeople of Ganymede are violent brutes who delight in murdering and enslaving their enemies, and Dallan can be no different.
As an officer with the Federation’s propaganda machine, Briar has produced plenty of material to substantiate the need to wage war in the asteroid belt. Kai, for his part, has slayed many enemies while on active duty and watched just as many of his friends perish in combat.
For a foe to save rather than end his life is unusual in the extreme. Sparing him the horrors of a prison camp seems like a fair exchange, even if the only alternative he can offer is thraldom.
'Would You Wait For Me?' by Anna Lee
Kip made a promise to Lucas that he’d come home to him after his tour overseas, but will Lucas be waiting for him like he promised?
Kip Foster is nearly finished with his tour overseas and is ready to leave the hot desert and constant threat of danger. He hopes to reunite with his lover, Lucas Danvers. When he calls to ask Lucas to meet him at their hotel however, Lucas breaks it off with him. Lucas no longer wants to be his dirty little secret. He says he’s waited long enough for Kip to make a choice and he hasn’t. Devastated, Kip realizes how much he loves Lucas and that if he’s to win him back he needs to do something big. He needs to not let hate and fear control his life. So he makes plans to start living life the way he wants to. Will Lucas still be waiting when he comes home though?
'An Interesting Find' by Lucy Felthouse
A relaxing summer holiday is turned upside down by an interesting find…
Nathan and Lee are on a relaxing summer holiday in the UK. They plan to do lots of walking and exploring in the beautiful English countryside. Naturally, typical British weather derails their plans on their first day, leaving them cooped up indoors with little to do but read.
When the weather clears, the men eagerly put on their hiking boots and head out for a walk. However, when they reach their destination—a pond a little distance from their holiday cottage—they make a shocking discovery. An odd-looking bundle of rags turns out to be an unconscious man. With no one else around, and no mobile phone signal to call for help, they manage to get the stranger back to their cottage to get him warm and dry, and figure out what to do next.
When their unexpected house guest regains consciousness, however, things just get more complicated. The stranger—a British soldier called Jonny—doesn’t want the authorities to be notified of his presence. As the three men try to come to some agreement, the sexual tension in the air becomes apparent, and suddenly the last thing on any of their minds is leaving the cottage…
'Gods of Vengeance' by Thom Collins
United in passion. Driven by vengeance.
Owen Hazard, a young farmer is dead. Murdered while he tried to prevent a robbery on his land. His older brother, Captain Mark Hazard, returns home for the funeral. Owen’s best friend, Riley runs the local pub. He has information about the night Owen was killed—he knows who was responsible. The police are doing nothing. Vengeance is their only option. United in their passion for each other and a thirst for revenge, Riley and Mark must take the law into their own hands if there’s to be any justice for Owen.
Reader Advisory: This story contains scenes of violence.


The book goes on general release from 8th November but you can preorder your copy from 27th September and get an early download from 11th October.

LINK:

https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/brothers-in-arms