One Last Kiss Goodbye by N.J. Nielsen

Literary Nymphs Interview

Title: One Last Kiss Goodbye

Author:  N.J. Nielsen

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Release Date: June 16 2012

What inspired the story?

 To be honest this story was inspired by a picture I see on face book. The guys face just had the voices in my head going quiet until only his story could be heard. Jacen Ives was born and he told me the greatest love he ever had was for Kayne Henderson and so like the nice *cough-cough* person I am. I wrote their love story.

BLURB:

Jacen has always hidden his feeling's from the boy he knew he was meant to love. Leaving to get away from the family Kayne is making for himself didn't help because his heart could never forget. Mistakes at eighteen set Kayne's future in place. So with one last kiss goodbye he lied, and let his heart walk away – his best friend’s brother. Time heals all wounds, yet sometimes it just confuses the matter, especially when Kayne has two young children to raise.

Six years later, Kayne needs to find out just who is trying to destroy Jacen's life-- The man responsible for beating Jacen up; or Kayne's ex- who’s hated Jacen since they were teens, because he holds Kayne’s heart?

EXCERPT:

Two Weeks Ago

"Hello, you have reached Jace's phone. I'm busy, and you know the drill." Jacen listened to his answering machine pick up as he scanned the papers in his hands. The message hadn't been a lie; he really was busy. He had a room plan to write up and put into action. Who knew that after five years of university learning all things business, he would decide to own and run a day-care centre? He had never been a partier, and George had taken up most of his spare time since they had met at the bar on

Bronson Street

near the Uni.

"Jace, pick up the goddamn phone. You know I hate talking to these things." His brother's voice sounded panicky. After a lingering moment, Jace reached over and lifted the handset, then eased back into the couch and waited for the lasted drama to unfold.

"I'm here, Micah," Jacen answered. His eyes fell on one of the two framed photographs sitting on his coffee table. They were situated so he could gaze at his family whenever he talked on the phone. One was of his father and Nancy, the other, the one on which he presently had his concentration on, was of Micah and his partner Sammy.

"Thank God! Are you busy? Can you come home? Sammy is driving me nuts with all the organising and stuff. Come home and put me out of my misery. Come home and take some of the pressure off me."

"Slow down. What's happening? You sound like you're about to burst, or you're going to pee yourself." He could just imagine his brother rolling his eyes on the other end of the phone.

"The wedding! Dad and Nancy are finally tying the knot in six weeks, or had their big day slipped your mind completely? Sammy is organising the seating and meals, so the reason I am really supposed to be calling is… We are wondering if you're still coming to the wedding, and are you bringing… George?"

Sighing deeply, he tapped his head back against the lounge and stared at the cobweb forming in the corner of the window frame. Jacen knew how much his brother hated his partner, and as far as George was concerned the feeling was entirely mutual. There wasn't a day that went past where George didn't demean Jacen and say "now you're acting just like that damn brother of yours." In the beginning, their relationship had been a good one. George was the distraction he needed to forget his past, but as time wore on, things got steadily worse; especially after George worked out he was still in love with Kayne and had forever held the information over Jacen's head. Jacen never thought he deserved better. This was his punishment for loving a man he could never have and not the one he was with.

After all these years, Jacen was too afraid to admit he never did quite manage to get over the first guy he had fallen in love with, not that keeping his secret got him anywhere. Kayne and Teagan had married and even had a baby boy nine months after he had left Queensland. And not long after Micah's twenty-first birthday, they had their second child, a little blue-eyed cutie named Sophie, according to Micah.

When their marriage had been announced, the news had kicked him in the teeth and shredded his heart. The funny thing was, the night the marriage bomb had been dropped on him Jacen had gone out to drown his sorrows and met George. At the time, meeting George seemed like fate; now the whole damn relationship just seemed like hard work.

"Yes, George and I will be there. I think we're leaving the Friday before and coming back on Sunday."

"Can't you stay longer? We haven't seen each other since forever," Micah complained.

"George needs to be back to start work on Monday."

"Then let George go home alone. Dad is getting married, for Christ's sake! This is a time for families to pull together. I know damn well you haven't started on the whole day-care thing yet. I wish you would come home and consider running one here. It would be nice to actually see your face for a change and not just get to talk to you over the phone. It seems like he's pulling you away from us, your family. I miss you!" The last two words came out sounding like a plea.

 Sighing, Jacen removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. This was one conversation he and Micah had had on a number of occasions over the past four years.

"Okay, I'll think about it. I'll talk to George and get back to you."

"Hey, little brother, do me a favour and check between your legs because I think someone stole your balls."

"Dumbarse!"

"Wanker!"

"I'll call you back soon, I promise; just let me figure some shit out first."

"I'll be waiting. Call my cell. I need to go and help Kayne out for a bit."

"Will do." Jacen ended the call knowing full well Micah expected him to call back today. He had learned long ago not to mention Kayne when talking to his brother. If they never talked about Kayne then Micah wouldn't realise just how much Jacen still loved his best friend.

Jacen's hand instinctively slipped down to caress himself through the fabric of his pants. He closed his eyes and an image of Kayne came to mind. Was this really classed as cheating if you hadn't slept with your current partner in two months? Lately he just couldn't bring himself to be physical with George.

He broke out in a sweat as his body reacted to his thumb working the wet head. "Kayne," Jacen murmured as his orgasm steadily built. He thrust up one last time into his hand. "Kayne!" Slowly, Kayne's smiling face faded from his mind and his guilt kicked in, and he stripped off his t-shirt to clean himself up.

Now was the time to make a change.

Neatly packing away the papers into a folder and shutting down his laptop, Jacen grabbed a beer out of the fridge and sat on the couch. He propped his foot up on the coffee table and rested his head against the back of the couch. His gaze drifted towards the ceiling as he stared out at nothing, relishing the feeling as the last of his orgasm relaxed him. What the hell am I still doing here in a city I don't even like? Micah's right, I need to get out of here and live my life. I need to start over.

Putting down his untouched beer, he snatched up the phone.

"Hello, I need to move right away. Can you be here tomorrow? I'm in a bit of a hurry." Rattling off his information, he finally felt like he could breathe. He still held the phone in his hand when it started ringing again.

 "Hello."

"Where the hell have you been? Have you totally forgotten we were going to Kravens for drinks tonight? I've been sitting here like a fool waiting for you to turn up. It would serve you right if I went home and fucked somebody else."

When George finally stopped for a breath, Jacen spoke. "George, feel free to go home and fuck anyone you like. It's never stopped you before. As for me, I am going home. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some packing to do." Jacen hung up the phone while George was still screaming on the other end of the line.

Where can we find your website?

http://normanielsen.blogspot.com.au/

http://normajnielsen.com/

When Souls Collide by N.J. Nielsen

Literary Nymphs Interview

Title: When Souls Collide

Author: N.J. Nielsen

Publisher: MLRPress

Genre: MM Contemporary Cowboy

Release Date: June 15 2012

What inspired the story?

 This is a story I was inspired to write through talking to me friend and fellow author Embry Carlysle who lives in Texas. When the callout for Father’s Day went out I thought he is my chance to try my hand at a cowboy story… though to be honest it is more a love story. Lancaster’s Way is a fictional town where my story is set where Noah Johnson owns the Triple H and where Riley Stuart bursts into his life. This first story has given me ideas to write more set in this same fictional town.

BLURB:

Tossed off the Golden Spur with nothing but the clothes he was wearing and his newborn son. Riley Stuart contemplates his life. He gave up everything he knew to come halfway around the world to find things don’t always work out like you planned. On her deathbed his wife outs him to her family – her very bigoted family.

Noah Johnson finds a naked man and infant in his barn. What are they doing there, and where did they come from? In the course of helping Riley get back on his feet somewhere along the way he felt their souls collide.

EXCERPT:

This couldn’t be happening, not now. Andrew was screaming filth and hatred beside him while Kai was crying in the backseat. His life wasn’t meant to be this way. Riley had come halfway around the world to be with a girl whom he didn’t even love, just because she needed his help. His family had thought he was nuts when he told them he was going to marry his friend Karen and raise a child who wasn’t his, but sadly, in one heartbeat, a stupid tree had taken it all away from him.

Karen’s family, who had looked down on him from the very start and had never shown an ounce of love to Karen’s son, was now kicking them both to the curb. It was Andrew who had been given the honor of taking him and “the brat,” as the Goldings referred to Kai, off the family property. Karen’s brother was supposed to be his best friend. Promises of help were tossed aside the moment Karen had set him free to find his heart. She had, in her pain, unwittingly outed him to her whole family — her very bigoted and extremely racist family; they were nothing like the wonderful family he had left behind in Australia. He had been here for a grand total of six months, two weeks and three days, and now he was tossed aside like yesterday’s rubbish.

The day after his new wife passed away, Riley and Kai left their lives and their home on the Golden Spur with the strict instructions never to show either of their faces there again, or the law would be called.

“I don’t understand.” Tears prickled behind his eyes as Andrew leaned across him and opened up the door. “I thought you were going to help us? Kai is your nephew for crying out loud.”

“And I thought you were straight – not some perverted, sick freak,” Andrew spat back. “Just get the fuck out of my car.”

“But it’s raining; Kai will get sick,” Riley said helplessly. Andrew had been his one friend since moving to this damn country. Friendships didn’t mean shit if you couldn’t count on the person when needed. He could see now that he had been played for a fool, though sadly he thought Karen had loved him in her own way; she just wasn’t ready to be a momma. He should have stayed in Australia like his family had wanted, but if he had, then what would have happened to Kai?

Deep down Riley knew they would still have given the infant away like he was a total stranger and then gone on with their lives without giving the baby a second thought. They had hated the fact that Kai wasn’t white; his daddy must have been of Asian descent as Kai’s eyes were almond shaped, and his skin was a beautiful mocha color. Even though he wasn’t Kai’s biological father, he loved him as if he were. He hated how Andrew’s yelling was distressing his son so much.

“Do I look like I give a fuck? Just get the fuck out of my car, and take that screaming kid with you. If I never have to look at either of you again, it will be too soon. That kid is not a Golding! He never has been; he has your name and is now your responsibility. The only good thing my fucked-up sister ever did was have you adopt her bastard.”

Knowing there was no use in arguing any longer, Riley took off his coat and tossed it into the backseat with Kai. Getting out of the car he unbuckled the car seat and covered it with his coat. It wouldn’t keep the infant dry, but it was better than nothing. The door had barely closed when Andrew pulled away in a squeal of tires and headed back the way they had come. At least walking in the rain washed away his tears.

Fear filled him as he realized just how destitute they really were. The Goldings hadn’t even let him take any of the baby’s things, so they had no bottles, no formula, no diapers; all he had was the fifty-seven dollars and a bit of loose change that were in his wallet. He was dreading having to ring home and ask his family for help. There would be so many saying “I told you so” that he just couldn’t handle right now. Tomorrow would be the day he would get his brain actually to function enough to try and sort out the mess he now found himself in. Tonight he just needed to find shelter. Riley needed to get himself and the baby out of the rain before they both caught pneumonia. It was freezing, so getting sick was a real possibility.

Hours had passed, and his feet were aching. He couldn’t stop shivering as he finally came across another road. Riley hoped it led to another property; in the six months he had lived with the Goldings, he had never once left their ranch. He had worked right alongside Karen’s family. Truth be told, he had worked harder than they did all because he thought he needed to prove himself, to show the Goldings he was capable of doing everything they did, and still they’d treated him like shit. Free labor was all he would ever be to them. Riley had hated having to ask the family for anything, because whenever he did, he was made to feel as though he was asking for the most expensive thing in the world. The only good thing about it was that he was forced to give up smoking. His lungs thanked him for it.

Dawn was almost breaking by the time Riley neared an actual homestead. With relief he sent up a prayer of thanks to the big man in the sky. Lights were on in the main house, so he stuck to the shadows as he made his way to the barn. He just needed time to dry off and dry Kai’s things before he could move on. He didn’t want any drama or hassle with whomever lived here; he hoped he got out before they even realized they had been here at all.

Climbing into the hay loft, he spread his wet coat on the floor and gently took Kai’s small body out of the car seat and laid him on the coat. Removing his son’s clothing, he wrung them out and set them out to dry. Stripping off his own clothes, he did the same then curled his body around Kai, because he knew he needed to keep the child warm. They were going to get through this. They just had to.

Where can we find your website?

http://normajnielsen.com/

http://normanielsen.blogspot.com.au/

Rules Are Meant to be Broken by N.J. Nielsen

Literary Nymphs Interview

Title: The Lines of Marsden:

Rules Are Meant To Be Broken

Author: N.J. Nielsen

Publisher: MLR Press

Genre: M/M Paranormal

Release Date: May 2012

What inspired the story?

My daughter inspired this story, when she was ill she was very pale and resembled a vampire. What inspired the MM part of it was two young men who were quite often in the cancer ward waiting room when we were there. Em wanted then to get their “happily ever after”.

I had a lot of time on my hands sitting in one waiting room or another so when Emily asked me to write her a story: The Lines of Marsden was born (which was the original title for book 1). It soon became apparent when someone told me the story was too long so I ended up breaking each book into three separate and smaller books. So then the series became: The Lines of Marsden and book one was retitled to Rules Are Meant To Be Broken.

Blurb:

The Lines of Marsden were born into existence for a reason: to right the wrongs that had once taken place. Destiny fated that they must destroy the Eldren before evil wins.

Michael Marsden wants to die – for real this time. He wasn’t meant to lead the half-life that he does. He chooses to let it go and let death take what it had already claimed.

But Christian Risely isn’t about to let that happen.  He is drawn to Michael and is willing to do anything to ensure that he lives, even if that means keeping him alive against his will.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

So much to live for.

Michael’s gaze slowly drifted around the crowded and smoky nightclub, watching the unsuspecting people go about their lives, not knowing things like him existed, walked among them. Here these people were, laughing and enjoying the lives they all took for granted.

Anger — or something very much like it — settled low in his stomach. He was pissed off; these people all had something that he had lost forever. Feelings like these scared him, knowing he was no longer one of them. Thanks to some fucked up twist of fate, he couldn’t go back to the life he had always known. Everything was so confusing — he didn’t even know if he was even fully human anymore. What had he done in his life that was so wrong he ended up with this destiny? He was a pacifist for crying out loud. Running away and letting Gypsy deal with the hard stuff had always been his way of coping.

A cigarette dangled loosely from his pale fingertips as the music pounded through his body in place of the heartbeat he no longer felt. This alone made him angrier still, because it showed just how fucked up his life had become. Why the hell had this happened to him? Especially when he had so much to live for. He had Gypsy! And he missed her so much. The thought made him smile sadly — he bet not many brothers would say such nice things about their sisters. But Gypsy was special — she was his twin. Gypsy knew him better then he knew himself. Their grandad had told him often enough, “Michael never walk away from your sister. No matter what happens to you both in life, remember she is your strength. Her job is to protect you in what is to come.” It was bullshit memories such as this which made everything so damn hard. Why had his grandad told him lies? It only made him hurt a hundred times more.

Michael swiped at his angry tears and pushed away from the table. Not wanting to be around these people any longer, knowing they took for granted everything he wanted back, Michael walked outside and headed down the darkened street. He was finding it harder and harder not to give into his cravings. Even now it gnawed at his insides, demanding he take notice. He needed to work out if he was going to give into what his body wanted, or fight it, and more than likely die.

Where can we find your website?

http://normanielsen.blogspot.com.au/

http://normajnielsen.com/

INTERESTING PEOPLE INTERVIEW

Meet: Kris Jacen, Executive Editor/Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints, Passion in Print Press and Featherweight Press

What are your 2 favorite careers?

 For a hero or me? For a hero – really depends on the book (love cowboys and I've seemed to develop a reputation for editing rock stars). For myself – I've been working in graphic arts/layout/production for over 14 years now and I'm still loving it. I also work as a trainer/educator and that has its good points too.

What is the hardest thing you ever had to do?

 Say goodbye to my husband when he deployed to basically a war zone with the Army, not once but twice in under three years.

Favorite music, song or band

 For music/band: I'm a parrothead (have seen Jimmy Buffet numerous times, last time in Waikiki), still kind of stuck in the 80s sometimes (love Duran Duran), have a few favorite Broadway musicals (RENT, Wicked to name two) and these days I'm loving Josh Turner (Time is Love). For song: my husband sings Brown-eyed Girl to me and we always dance to Wonderful Tonight.

Are you usually late, early or right on time?

 I'm either five minutes early or five late. I multi-task a lot and can lose track of time.

Are you happy with your life for the most part right now?

 For the most part, I'm pretty happy with my life. My husband is retiring from the military this year so some changes are afoot and if I could edit full-time I'd love that.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

 I really would love to go to England/Scotland/Ireland and I'd love to visit Australia (save me a room Geoff).

What do you think would be the hardest thing for you to give up on?

 Not sure on this one…something that I do? Reading – I've been reading so long I can't remember ever not reading. It would be hard to give up on my daughters or my husband.

RED KNIGHT RISING by ALEX IRONROD

LITERARY NYMPHS INTERVIEW

TITLE:  RED KNIGHT RISING

AUTHOR:  ALEX IRONROD

PUBLISHER:  MLR PRESS

GENRE:  HISTORICAL BDSM ADVENTURE

RELEASE DATE:  MAY 2012

MY WEB SITE:  www.alexironrod.com

WHAT INSPIRED THE STORY?

    I have always been a history buff and became interested in gay life in the Middle Ages. How did men get to meet other men with similar sexual kinks in those days? There was no Internet or ‘Personal’ column to help. How could they develop a romantic relationship in what seems to have been such a controlled "straight society"? The powerful Catholic church condemned the sins of sodomy. At times, men were executed, burned alive, if convicted of such sins. The same must have applied to women too -- but alas, their stories are almost unknown. But queer love must have existed.

    RED KNIGHT RISING is my 8th published gay BDSM book, but only the second to go back into the past. It all started when I picked up a copy of "The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England" during a visit to London a couple of years ago. There was virtually nothing on gay lifestyles. So I researched further and found some rather intriguing facts.

    We've all seen King Richard the Lionheart in the “Robin Hood” movies or in “The Lion in Winter”. Yes, of course, he was the warrior king, the great battle hero, but he was also gay or at best bisexual, and he was a sadist with the famously violent Plantagenet family temper.

    The Crusades in the Middle Ages were a cross between Advanced Combat Training for knights and a kind of version of the Peace Corps. “Save the Holy Land for Christians from the Muslim invaders by whatever means possible.” The wars threw young men together into long-term, often violent, relationships to survive. Surely some of them must've been queer.

    Out of these possibilities, I slowly developed a tale of two young English knights, one [Harry] about 18 and new to knighthood and man-sex. The other [Bruce] was slightly older and much more experienced in war and fucking. They are drawn together, almost by chance, and fall in love -- or is it merely lust?

    Richard the Lionheart crosses their path, taking the more experienced man as his sometime bed-mate for BDSM games in exchange for a job as cavalry commander in his crusader army, and for a title and monies, which Bruce desperately needs. Bruce tries to shield young Harry from Richard’s sex games, as they develop their own romantic relationship as Dom and sub. They and their troops follow Richard on the slow journey from England through France, fighting across much of the known world and on the Mediterranean Sea until they reach the Holy Land.

    But Richard is as determined as he is devious -- and how can young Harry resist his King's commands or Bruce save both of them from The Lionheart’s sex games to preserve their own relationship? RED KNIGHT RISING is an epic adventure, from royal tournaments to desert warfare, with conflicts as contemporary as today and romantic passions that have to guarded as well as fulfilled.

EXCERPT FROM “RED KNIGHT RISING”

    It was Christmas night in the year of Our Lord 1189 and being celebrated with laughter and cheer in London's Palace of Westminster. Harry, the White Knight, had every reason to celebrate as he followed the page along the draughty corridors of the palace. That morning he had been initiated into knighthood, dubbed by King Henry himself. Now he was on his way to be finally initiated into man-sex by his Red Knight, Bruce of Berwick. His heart was thumping so loudly in his chest that he was sure the page could hear it, and he began to feel a heat spreading up from his crotch towards to his bursting head. His cock was trying to rise in his tight hose and he batted it down in his anxiety. His palms and forehead were sweating in the cool passageways. The young guide finally stopped, bowed, and indicated the nearest door.

"Sir, my Master awaits you."

Harry's spurs clinked as he pushed the wood open. It wasn't a large chamber and the big bed dominated it. Tapestries hung on the walls and the warm air smelled of pine from the blazing fire and taper candles. He rubbed his sweaty hands on his surcoat as the door closed and looked around him. Bruce was standing in the shadows cast by the fire. He was totally naked and fully erect. He smiled lazily.

"Welcome, my lord, I promised you a special ending to your day of new honors and experiences. Come over here."

Harry moved towards him as if in a trance, then clutched the other man tightly, as if he might vanish in the night. Bruce laughed, pulling him within those mighty arms and opening his mouth to him. The new knight sucked Bruce's lips and lapped at his tongue, his hands exploring the muscled torso. The Red Knight's engorged prick banged into Harry's covered genitals, where his own cock immediately responded.

"Let's get you out of your knightly attire, so that I can really look at you as I want to see you. Let me help you out of your uniform of purity into your own pure nakedness."

Harry was all thumbs, quivering with excitement. Together they removed the traces of the worldly day he had just experienced. Soon he was as naked and newborn as the other, and the warmth of Bruce's body and the heat of the fire gave a glow to his limbs and enflamed his cock. He drank in his Red Knight's craggy beauty and lingeringly traced the scars on his face and arms, before moving on.

Harry's kisses spread from his mentor's mouth, around his eyes, his nose, his face, then down to those large brown nipples in their mat of tawny hair. Bruce reached down and massaged Harry's dick until it stood straight out like his. Taking it in one hand, he led the newly minted lord to the bed, and pushed him face down onto the fur covering.

"You still want this, Harry; you still want me to take you?"

"Yes, yes, oh yes, more than before, if that's possible."

"You know it will hurt this first time? My dick is large and my need is great too. But I'm going to stretch your hole, first with my fingers covered in this grease and then with this leather plug.

We will pleasure one another while your chute learns to expand. So prepare yourself, my own Henry."

Harry's legs hung over the side of the big bed and he jerked as he felt a well-greased big finger slide into that velvet hole. He moaned as he felt the hand of his Red Knight move inside him and was silenced by a hard slap on his arse. Then a second finger was added and gently spread his walls. This made him remember the pleasure of that previous time on the warm rock in the autumn sunshine and he relaxed with a sigh.

Bruce's other hand was ruffling through Harry's newly shorn hair, caressing his face and pushing three fingers into the new knight's mouth for him to suck on while his other hand widened the arse-hole. After ten minutes or so of stimulating his whole body, Bruce slid out those fingers, stood back, spreading some more grease on that delicate hole before he gently started to insert the leathercock. At first Harry resisted, his muscles trying to close down the entrance, but the Red Knight's voice and hands skillfully soothed his body and mind. The young man's virgin torso began to sweat as it accepted more of the foreign intruder and his muscles allowed the log entry, testing their new-found strength against the leather until it sank fully home.

Satisfied with his pupil's progress, Bruce turned him onto his back and lowered his own sweating and naked body beside him on the bed. Their two cocks stood out, tall and proud; the master began to play with his student's penis and encouraged him to handle the other thick shaft. Once again Harry took hold of the mighty muscle, marveling at its velvety texture, pulsing and thrusting in his fingers. The feeling was intoxicating and the younger man began to wriggle with pleasure, crushing his arse-hole and the leather spike that filled it against the furs, groaning and tossing his head in delight.

His Red Knight took his jaw in his other big hand, holding him still for a long deep kiss. Harry welcomed the tongue in his mouth hole, while the leathercock stretched his other hole. He sucked on Bruce's tongue and began to exchange saliva with him as they continued their increasingly fiery embrace. Pricks broke free and banged happily against one another. They were two male animals, rutting together and grunting with pride and desire. The pains he'd initially felt from the leather plug had dissolved into shudders of pleasure as his body continued to accept the log inside him.

"Now, my new young lord, your time has come. Roll over once more and let me thrust these bolsters beneath your chest. Get your face down and seize an edge of the furs in your teeth for your Master is ready to mount you. Raise up your well-greased hole for me - now."

Breathless and yet panting, Harry did as his Master commanded,

while Bruce reached under him to pull on his small nipples. As he gasped in surprise, the leather log inside him began to slip out. Suddenly he was empty and wanting – wanting a real man's prick inside him, a real poleax to penetrate his weakened defenses.

His Master knelt behind him, the perfect knight with the perfect weapon to impose his needs on him. He felt the hard knob of Bruce's muscle pushing at his entrance.