the view over aonia

Fancy a free read?

2011-12-13T14:10:00.001Z

The latest Changeling ezine is out and I have an Encounter in it: that's a free short read for those of you who don't know. Pop along to A Cheeky Changeling and download 'Something Special' to get to know Peter and Christopher from my book, 'All Washed Up' available from Changeling Press.

Faerie

2011-11-29T11:16:00.003Z

When Adam overreacts to his mother's matchmaking owing to stress, and insults an old friend, little does he know he's closer to the truth than he thinks. Calling Lane a fairy isn't the slight he thinks it is. Adam has very clear ideas concerning the type of man he's attracted to, and Lane isn't it.

Little does he know he's also goaded the other man into acting on feelings long suppressed. For both of them what they feel during sex and afterwards, brings more than a little magic into their lives. If they can survive their own mistaken beliefs and prejudices, and outside threats, they might just find something lasting together, and Adam might have to change his mind over the importance of physical attraction and what it means.

While Adam's shop burns around him, can he salvage more than the precious items for sale?

Footnote: As of a couple of weeks ago, I received my release letter from AMP. All titles previously released by them now revert to me. I will continue to support the other writers in the matter as much as possible until they are satisfied, but for me I consider the matter closed.

The Texture of Winter

2011-10-20T11:53:00.002+01:00

Winter has textures. Soft and sharp. Rough and smooth. For one woman, winter has always embodied a feminine persona. Now, seeking an embrace as ultimately forgiving as that of a mother's love, she wanders a bleak path leading to an end that is at once brutal as it is loving.

A work of experimental fiction from our short story line The Lab.

Click on the cover to go to the publisher's site to purchase.

Excerpt:

Strange that winter should be feminine.

The world had turned white, yet that was untrue; it held so many more hues than milk, or chalk. There was grey in the pallor. Some of the scenery looked dull. Elsewhere, it looked so bright that it sent a sharp pain stabbing into the eyes. Hints of blue, purple, and rose refracted the light. The sun tried to pierce a grey dawn, but the clouds sent its rays back in defiance.

She felt cold. Tears once cried became frosted gems. Reaching up with stiffening fingers, she brushed at the frozen moisture on her cheek and gasped in surprise to stare down at the diamond that came away in her hand. Nature had studded the landscape with similar crystals.

Bending, she scooped up some of the ice to place on her tongue; it melted in the heat of a moment. She swallowed more, holding so much in her mouth as to make her teeth ache. The sensation flooded out into her face. When the pain made her moan, she swallowed what remained, the cold so fierce it burned her throat. The ice trickled all the way down inside, amazing her. How strange to feel something having felt numb for so long.

She kicked off a shoe.

To step onto the ice felt like walking onto cold steel. The ache quickly penetrated her foot, sunk down into her flesh in search of bone. The muscles of her calf began to tremble.

Leaving another shoe behind, she started out barefoot.

(c) Sharon Bidwell

BLOG HOP

2011-10-13T19:04:00.002+01:00

Anyone following the weekly Alternative Read Blog Hop please pick up my answer on my WEBSITE.

Thanks.

A Heartfelt Plea

2011-10-06T11:16:00.000+01:00

Please don't buy any of my titles published by Aspen Mountain Press. Although it sounds like and even feels as if I'm shooting myself in the foot, the fact that I'm not receiving royalties from this publisher means I'm doing the opposite.

I'm not receiving royalties (which were already in arrears when they ceased). I'm not receiving calls. I'm not receiving emails or anything in the mail. The owner, Sandra Hicks, hasn't even appeared on the AMP authors' official loop for sometime -- has even banned authors from there possibly coincidentally after they have spoken out and ask pertinent questions. When she did stop by it was to make statements that did not address the serious issues her writers are asking her. Issues including why do out of contract works -- in some cases MONTHS out of contract -- continue to be sold despite repeated pleas from the authors for them to be removed. In the last email I received from Sandra Hicks I was promised two of my out of contract works would be down end of September quarter, and yet they remain up for sale. I can only speak for myself and comment on things I've seen and heard, but I have been assured by many of the writers at AMP that they have received similar promises in the past all to no avail. I have emailed Sandra Hicks to tell her I do not wish to be associated with a company dealing in illegal practices -- I have received no reply.

Fortunately, many of the subsidiary sellers have been paying attention and are starting to remove AMP books from their sites. The owner of AMP has failed to respond to them as well, and I'm assuming they also have to consider the long-term legal implications of breaking copyright. A heartfelt thank you goes out to them from all the authors involved.

Do not purchase my titles. You will be putting the proceeds into another woman's pocket, not mine. Should you stumble across any AMP titles by other writers I suggest you contact those authors or read their blogs to see if they feel the same.

When cases such as these occur there's often split reaction as to whether the authors should remain silent or not. My view on this is that it 'depends'. Certainly in the beginning one tries to reach an amicable solution with the publisher, but when a publisher goes AWOL what can one do? AMP is now listed at many warning sites and in all conscience that is a relief -- the 40+ writers mired in this mess would hate for any newbies to walk into this. So please, if you're considering submitting to Aspen Mountain Press, I must advise you to think twice…and then a third time and a forth. You'll save yourself a lot of heartache.

Trouble at Aspen Mountain Press

2011-10-02T16:15:00.000+01:00

I will not be issuing anything except factual personal statements, and my hope is not even to do that.
For those of you wondering what is happening at Aspen Mountain Press, please see this post at Writer Beware: http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/09/trouble-at-aspen-mountain-press.html

Notice of Illegal and non-royalty sales

2011-10-01T11:44:00.005+01:00

PLEASE NOTE: illegal sale and non-payment of royalty notices. Please do not purchase these titles from any outlet. Thank you.

Experience something different...

2011-08-09T12:22:00.001+01:00

Bag a Bundle!

2011-08-02T17:44:00.003+01:00

From the 1st of August until September 30th, grab a book bundle at AMP. Yours truly has two books featured in the m/m collection of Del Fantasma right at the very top of the page. Yayyy.

This is to celebrate AMP's sixth year of existence. So just click the book cover to get yourself along to AMP and pick up a bundle and save yourself a bundle, too with a 20% discount.

A selection of four m/m titles set in vampire Cody's Del Fantasma bar from a pair of bestselling AMP authors: Jade Buchanan and Sharon Maria Bidwell. Kick back with these erotic paranormal tales—Virgin Special, A Slow Fuzzy Screw, Black Wolf and Duck Fart—for a perfect cocktail of reading.

Toasted Almond (Del Fantasma)

2011-08-02T17:43:00.002+01:00

Dressed for far colder weather, Armand makes a strange spectacle in Del Fantasma. Krakow cannot believe Cody sends the man over to his corner, especially when he told the vampire he wanted to be alone. His disgruntlement soon changes when he realises there's something different about Armand. Has Cody done the impossible and found someone Krakow can finally share intimacy with?

Krakow has the answers to Armand’s lonely existence and a cure so Armand no longer has to feel cold.

Armand has problems feeling the cold. Little does he know he's about to get 'toasted' in ways he never imagined.

Hounding the Beat (Protect and Serve)

2011-08-02T17:40:00.001+01:00

Title: Protect and Serve: Hounding the Beat
Author: Sharon Maria Bidwell
ISBN: 978-1-60521-640-9
Word Count: 21K
Page Count: 68
Price: $4.49
Release Date: May 27, 2011
Editor: Vicki S. Burklund
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller
Genres and Themes: Erotic Romance; Novella; Futuristic, Paranormal; Bisexual and More; Ménage; Shapeshifters; Men and Women in Uniform

Since pounding the beat is no longer an option, how is Sam’s life suddenly more arresting?

Bobby loves his work, but he loves his fellow police officer Chantelle more. Unfortunately, they work in the same department, and they will need to make some life-altering decisions soon.

Some lives have already been altered. Take his friend, Sam: a drunken driver has left him with a damaged leg and permanent limp. Sam’s rethinking his career and his future for several reasons, one being that he’s very much in love with Bobby, and more than a little in love with Chantelle.

If explaining to Sam that they are happy to consider a ménage relationship doesn’t complicate things, how is Bobby to tell Sam that he and Chantelle can turn furry at will?

Anticipate being 'All Washed Up'

2011-03-29T09:15:00.002+01:00

Title: All Washed Up
Author: Sharon Maria Bidwell
ISBN: 978-1-60521-625-6
Word Count: 21K
Page Count: 69
Price: $4.49
Release Date: 4/29/2011
Editor: Vicki S. Burklund
Cover Artist: Karen Fox
Genres and Themes: Erotic Romance, Novella, Guilty Secrets, M/M

It seems Peter’s life is all washed up, but maybe the answer is to “bare” all, including his heart.

When Peter Blake takes a job working for Walker’s Wash-ups, little does he know that the easiest part of his day will be deciding which of his “uniforms” he hates the most. Needing the money to pay off a loan, Peter decides there are worse things in life than wearing a nude male grilling “Hot Sausage” apron, even if he can’t exactly remember what at the moment. His life shouldn’t be like this. Alas, he didn’t foresee redundancy. He didn’t foresee a time in his life when he’d have to take such a peculiar job, having to grin and “bare” it, where both pairs of “cheeks” burn equally with embarrassment, either!

Even more surprising, he didn’t expect the sanest person in his growing list of crazy clients would be another man with a bruised heart, who has a lot to answer for, including his future.

Radgepacket 5 on the way

2011-02-25T12:38:00.005Z

Our fifth volume of short stories is our punchiest yet!

You’ll find real industrial strength fiction in here as the best ‘unsigned and unhinged’ British talent regale you with stories of bad men and mad men...and a little touch of S & M!

In this snapshot of todays Britain you’ll find nineteen ‘shorts’ that will entertain and appall you in equal measure as well as a novella set on a council estate in the Midlands that will keep you thinking long after you’ve finished it.

So strap on your headguard, position your gumshield...and turn the page.

Released March 2011

Featuring my short story: Equal Opportunities

Byker Books

2011-01-21T15:43:00.001Z

I'm pleased to announce that a short story of mine, 'Equal Opportunities' has been accepted for publication in Radgepacket Volume 5, published by Byker Books.

So what is Radgepacket, and what type of fiction does it contain? A Radgepacket is someone prone to extreme outbursts of bad temper. Think Urban Noir with a twist, or as they say, 'Industrial Strength Fiction'. More news on this as and when, and I know this is more interesting to my readers who like my darker stories, but I couldn't be more delighted! I love writing this type of fiction.

Discover how fun it is to be 'Marooned' this week at Changeling Press

2010-11-01T11:00:00.003Z

When he's marooned on a strange planet, cosmonaut Vernon Attwater thinks his only problem is one of possibly ending up as reptile poo -- especially when the reptile chasing him looks like something out of an old science fiction movie. Little does he know that the alien who saves his life is about to complicate matters in ways he never imagined…ways that make him sigh, pant, groan and gasp with pleasure. Even so, surely he can control his own yearnings, especially when he's never previously felt such desires being that the alien may look androgynous but is decidedly male in every way that matters.

Cresszna seems to have other ideas and is rather persistent. It doesn't help that Vern knows he's sending out mixed messages. He keeps saying no even as his body is saying yes, and feels rather shocked by the overwhelming sense of loss when it seems Cresszna is prepared to accept his rejection.

There's no way home and Cresszna is the only intelligent humanoid life-form he's run into. Would life, and sex, with the alien truly be so bad, especially when Vern's experiencing sensations he didn't know he was capable of feeling. Trouble is, there appears to be a price to pay if he wants to be Cresszna's mate -- one that's even more amazing than the strange things he's so far encountered on the planet.

(Click the picture to purchase from Nov 3rd).

A Great Review

2010-08-28T15:43:00.000+01:00

I'm very pleased to say that Got Erotic Romance Reviews has give 'An Act of Generosity' it's first review, and it's a good one! 5 out of 5. Well, you can't ask for more than that.

An Act of Generosity releases!

2010-08-19T18:39:00.000+01:00

Yayyy, the wait is over!
Available from Changeling Press August 20th.

Owing to adult content, I've chosen to post the same excerpt here as is on the publisher's site. Please drop by my website for an alternative excerpt. Thank you, and Happy Reading!

Sharon x

An Act of Generosity
(c) Sharon Maria Bidwell

“There’s one more for you to see.”

“There is?” Rob looked at his business partner’s P.A. in surprise. He thought there were only five candidates for the job. He didn’t remember a sixth.

“Yes. If you recall, I told you someone came into the office yesterday, answering the ad personally.” Anna’s abrupt tone was somewhat justified. She sounded not only blunt but understandably tired. Owing to Rob’s procrastination to get his own assistant, her workload was almost double what it should be. Despite what he and Phillip paid her in overtime, it wasn’t enough to make up for the extra hours she’d put in recently.

She marched over to rifle through the papers she had meticulously tidied on his desk only that morning -- no doubt an attempt to make him appear an acceptable candidate as someone’s boss. These papers were already beginning to migrate in all directions of the compass. She pulled a resume from the pile and practically shoved it into his hand.

“Cutting it a bit fine,” Rob muttered, without thinking. He tried to focus on the page, but the little black words appeared to dance in front of his eyes. He didn’t like resumes anyway, and so he set the pages aside. He interviewed first and read the resumes afterwards. Anna would have weeded out the useless applications and already sent polite letters of refusal.

A look passed over her face, shoving that tired expression out of the way. Something in her gaze positively sparkled. “The young man said he knew he was cutting it fine, but that’s why he was popping his resume in by hand. He’d only recently seen the advert, and been in a position to apply. He dropped by in order not to miss the deadline.”

It took a moment for Rob’s brain to catch up. “He?”

Anna tilted her head to one side. “Sexist?” she asked.

“Of course not!”

Anna turned her head to look pointedly at Phillip, who sat at a desk on the other side of the room. Phillip was quietly listening in on the interviews, so he could give his opinion if, or when, Rob needed it. He’d likely give his opinion in any case as whom they hired was important when both men had so much invested in their success.

“It is equal opportunities these days,” Phil chimed in. “There are male secretaries.”

“Personal assistants,” Anna sniped. In her case, the difference counted. What Anna did was so much more than a secretary. What Rob needed was someone as capable as Anna was. Since Anna would largely be responsible for training the newbie, he wanted her impressions of the candidates too.

“Worth seeing?” he asked, tilting his head to one side questioningly, silently asking whether she was just teasing him.

“He’s sitting in reception so you’ve got no choice, and definitely worth interviewing. I’d waste your time, but not mine.”

Rob’s lips twitched at the rebuke even as he shook his head. “Fine. As he’s here, I have no option, so you can show him in.” He had no intention of hiring a guy, though. Anna pursed her lips as if she knew that.

“Give him a fair chance,” she said. “I’ll send him in soon. Give you a five-minute break.” She turned on her heel and went out.

Bless Anna. She’d not only organised all the interviewees, she’d given him breaks between and trundled them in and out with her usual efficiency. She’d even left him a list of questions it probably wouldn’t have crossed his mind to ask.

“You know the reason for that expression on her face?” Phillip asked. Rob stared across the room at him, frowning. “The pursed lips,” Phil elaborated. “It denotes long-lasting disapproval. You have to give this guy a fair go.”

“I do?”

Phillip sighed. “There’s nothing wrong with having a male assistant.”

“Would you?”

“Yes, if it was that and have someone as efficient as Anna is, or put up with second best. God forbid I ever have to replace her. Which,” Phil stressed, glaring across the room at him, “could very well happen if you don’t hurry up and get your own assistant. She won’t put up with the way things are forever. I’d pick the best person for the job, even if that meant I had a man working for me.”

“Yeah, but in your case people wouldn’t assume he was working under you. The first hint that I’m gay and he’ll probably sue me for sexual harassment.” Rob picked up the resume and searched down the page. “Hell, this guy is only twenty-one!”

“And you’re such an old man at twenty-nine.”

“Thirty,” Rob corrected.

“Not yet.”

“Soon enough.”

“Stop throwing the intervening months away, and stop trying to change the subject. You having a male assistant is no different than me having a female one.”

“It feels different.”

“It shouldn’t.”

No, it shouldn’t, but it did. Rob stared at the resume lying on his desk without seeing it.

“Give him a fair go,” Phillip insisted.

An Act of Generosity gets a cover

2010-08-13T10:57:00.001+01:00

Now to release August 2oth!

An Act of Generosity coming soon!

2010-08-11T10:07:00.001+01:00

When Rob was young he didn’t mind having a much older boy around — even if Michael wasn’t truly his brother he acted like one. Sadly, Michael died at just twenty, but not before someone led Michael to believe that he had a son. Even though the truth came out, the woman involved turns up in Robert’s life when least expected. Robert Dee just can’t help his generous nature even when someone tries to use that against him. He doesn’t respond to blackmail kindly, but he does the next best thing in memory of a good friend. Robert is generous in the circumstances and makes her a deal that he doesn’t expect her to keep. Even so, he tries his best and then moves on with his life.

Years later, Rob is shocked to have a young man apply for the job as his P.A. He’s not sure he should…hire a man, for Rob is gay and he believes it will send out the wrong message…or maybe the right one, for Lee Chambers isn’t at all what Rob expected. Rob’s instantly attracted and maybe a little bit blinded to the fact that Lee hasn’t been entirely honest on his resume. He also doesn’t know that Lee has tracked him down for other reasons than wanting a job. If only each knew the other was gay they’d get to the bedroom to enjoy each other’s company, but is sex enough and can it evolve into love when one of the two isn’t being entirely honest?

Rob doesn’t want to let Lee go and Lee would love to stay…but his duplicity is killing any chance they have of a relationship. Having a generous and kindly nature can be a curse…or a blessing — especially when it accidentally leads to possibly finding true love, but has an act of generosity returned to kick Rob where it hurts most?

Cover coming soon. An Act of Generosity releases at Changeling Press on August 8th!

Are you ready for a Princely Passion?

2010-07-16T11:14:00.001+01:00

Antal loves his life and is proud not only to be in charge of a regiment of guards but also to act as a personal protector and bodyguard to a good friend. Alas, he’s young to carry so much responsibility and has to accept that even the most dedicated person needs time off. He needs something new and different in his life but doesn’t know what...or whom...

Kilan is a Swithin prince -- the only one now that his brother is king -- but although he’s happier than he’s ever been he’s always been mischievous. He’d rather do what he likes than what others say is right. He hates the responsibility of duty and is always on the lookout for a little fun...and lately, Antal has certainly started to look like he might be fun!

They believe they have nothing in common aside from a physical attraction until they realise they both share the weight of responsibility. Maybe they deserve to spend some time in each other’s arms. What Kilan doesn’t realise is that Antal doesn’t know how to be anything but dominant...until it’s too late...and Antal has more experience in many things than the young prince.

When responsibility becomes too much to face alone, two men will discover the true meaning of sharing...particularly when one is naturally dominant and the other unknowingly submissive!

Are you ready for a princely passion?

Available now from Loose-Id!

3 is a magic number!

2010-06-10T11:49:00.003+01:00

I'm pleased to say April Martinez has once again produced the cover art for the third book in my series of Swithin Spins, A Swithin Spin 3: A Princely Passion. Anticipated release date is July. More details coming soon!

Amuse Muse Me Do

2010-04-06T10:26:00.000+01:00

Sometimes even the universe has to step aside...

When called into her editor's office, Gayle Winter imagines many scenarios, but not one of them involves an order to spice up her latest manuscript. Unknown to Gayle, the universe has decided a visit by her muse is just what's needed, and having set eyes on her, the muse is only too happy to oblige. Gayle's attractive, and it seems an easy assignment. All Gayle needs is to remember what it's like to have a sex life... something Roeman can certainly work on.

Little does the muse expect her to have such an immediate and disastrous effect on him. Not only does he fall headlong in lust (and love), Gayle does the unimaginable. The one to be inspired inspires the muse so that he finally "discovers" his true name. Doing so changes his importance in the universe.

Only one question remains. Will Roeman have to leave Gayle forever to fully realise his potential and fulfill his destiny? Will either of them survive without the other if the universe refuses to step aside?

Available early April from Changeling Press.

A Knightly Review

2010-02-16T11:18:00.001Z

'A Good Knight' has received its first review and I'm pleased to say it's by Elisa Rolle who, despite English not being her first language, always takes the time to think out her reviews and knows exactly what she wishes to write and manages to convey it well.

I'm pleased to hear that so far I've never disappointed her as a reader and that she had no problems with my twisting of history on this occasion (always a fun thing to do). It was also nice of her to call Licinius sweet and mention his wit. I'm so glad that wasn't lost in the story. So if, like Licinius, you enjoy a dream of a knight in shining armour in Elisa's own words you can "enjoy a perfect medieval breeches rippers romp!"

You can read her review at her Live Journal where she also says "For being only a novella, A Good Knight is for sure well above the average."

The Calm Before the Storm

2010-02-09T14:52:00.000Z

No, it's not a comment on the ever-changing weather and any possible snowstorms but it's a short, hot, free snippet of a read available from moi in this this month's Cheeky Changeling from Changeling Press and you download it here at Cheeky Changeling in html, pdf, or rtf.

Warning: Content is only for those who are happy to read m/m romance, and are of the appropriate age to read adult content.

Spend one good night with 'A Good Knight'

2010-02-05T10:59:00.004Z

Title: A Good Knight
Author: Sharon Maria Bidwell
ISBN: 978-1-60521-390-3
Word Count: 16K
Page Count: 52
Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 5, 2010
Editor: Vicki S. Burklund
Cover Artist: Reneé George
Genres and Themes: History Rewritten; Humour; Gay

Licinius is an adamite-knave, an ancient but largely dishonourable profession. He doesn’t expect much from life and silently bemoans his existence, yet he does what he does to take care of his family. He certainly never expects to have his wish -- to spend one good night with one good knight -- fulfilled in the arresting form but strange and confusing personality of Crassius de Chartres. Overcome with lust (and love) at first sight, Licinius is willing and eager, especially when the knight insists, “Your pleasure is my pleasure.”

Licinius is about to experience an incredible knight, one that is going to leave him a quivering wreck come morning, caged in a way he never expected, and possibly vagrant. He must be mistaken because Crassius wouldn’t do anything to hurt him, would he? Will he finally understand the true meaning of the knight’s motto and share his idea of pleasure?

One good night with one good knight: is that really too much to ask?

Available now from Changeling Press.

2009-09-18T09:43:00.001+01:00

Are you seeking Redemption? Seek it the Swithin way...

Crimm was once part of a politic plot to overthrow the Swithin King. Now he’s the king’s captive. Worse, he’s made to work for a woman and as every Kita man knows, women exist to please men and bear children.

Tihea was Crimm’s woman. She pleasured him because that was what all Kita women trained to do. Now she’s experiencing a different way of life. She’s helping people. They are thanking her rather than merely giving her orders. Swithin women have freedom and the idea intrigues her.

She also finds the sight of Crimm in chains rather stimulating. The tables have turned and quite unexpectedly the first time she gives him an order, it sends a thrill through her that is almost erotic. Tihea is looking to seek her own pleasure, and with Crimm in chains and at her disposal, she may yet slip her bonds. The question is which one of them will enjoy this new kind of freedom.

Having always believed her sole purpose in life was to pleasure a man, Tihea now has the man who gave her orders chained and at her disposal. It’s time they learned that true pleasure is best shared.

Out today at Aspen Mountain Press (click below or on the book cover):

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/redemption/prod_261.html

Click here to read an excerpt, and you can also read an excerpt on the publisher's site.

NOTE: This is a m/f romance set in the Swithin world, and therefore part of a series but it can be read entirely as a separate book.

Fire

2009-08-28T14:04:00.001+01:00

I was away for a week and I’ve been quiet for this one but although my RSI got a nice rest while I was out and about, it wasn’t enough. On top of that, I had something I wanted to write that was bugging me to finish it, so in between some more resting I’ve been bashing the keyboard. Then I had a bit of confusion over edits but that’s apparently been sorted and I now have them, so you know what I’ll be doing this Bank Holiday Monday.

I’ve also been considering future options and what I want to do writing wise. I can’t say I’ve made any clear decisions but there are a few things I do know. I enjoy what I’m doing but the sexual content of some of the markets bother me a little. I don’t mean the sex scenes bother me because they don’t (I’m no prude), but I’m only happy to write them if the story calls for it. If it doesn’t fit the story then I refuse to put one in for the sake of it. Still, I like what I’m doing and I won’t be turning my back on that so all my readers can breathe a sigh of relief. I do want some het titles out there as well as gay books, but I don’t see myself writing more lesbian love stories. That’s not because of any personal feelings — as the point of my lesbian love story sums up: Love is Love — but I feel I struggle with the topic and don’t do it justice. It’s also to date the poorest selling market. I’m not writing for money (which is a good thing my family, friends, and bank manager are probably all crying out) but it’s always welcome. Some of the things I’ve been looking at and reading have made me realise I want to indulge myself in some really good story telling. I always try to do that, of course, but a story doesn’t always need sex to be absorbing.

Now I have edits, things can get moving once more. I’ll be doing some personal edits to sub more manuscripts, and in the meantime organising some of my older drafts for some non-romance projects. I also want to get back to subbing to small press. With that in mind I subbed a small flash piece to Pygmy Giant not long ago, which they accepted, remarking it was through-provoking and moving. I hope you find it as interesting. Pop along to read my piece entitled “Fire” in their August posts: http://thepygmygiant.wordpress.com/

No, you may not sell, lend, or give away my work...

2009-07-27T10:18:00.001+01:00

If you're a reader, please pop along to my website to read my blog as to why.

If you're an author, please pop along to add your voice.

GLBT Bookshelf is ready and waiting!

2009-07-17T09:36:00.000+01:00

GLBT BOOKSHELF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sara Lansing

Press Secretary

GLBT Bookshelf

Email: saralansing762(at)gmail(dot)com

GLBT writers and readers

launch revolutionary online community

Gay Indie Literature Industry Unites

Adelaide, South Australia – June 25, 2009 Bestselling gay author Mel Keegan has masterminded a web-based cohesive organization combining the skills of writers, publishers, editors, agents, reviewers and artists in the GLBT community to provide an unprecedented public access portal to independent- and small-publisher titles. GLBT Bookshelf is an online resource designed to counter the perceived discriminatory practices of major players in the book retail scene.

Frustrated by the infamous “AmazonFail” fiasco of early 2009, in which the online retail giant was suspected of attempting to deny GLBT literature the benefits of its promotional systems, Keegan conceived of an online community in which all such systems were circumvented -- replaced by “community promotion” with direct links to authors’ and publishers’ pages.

Keegan is highly motivated toward the success of this venture. “Nothing convinces you to act like being forced to the margins of an already marginalized community. In a way the AmazonFail business was a desperately-needed kick in the pants. Now we have a public contact venue and direct sales channel which is not dependant on the big boys, their promotional tools, their advertising -- not even their search engines.”

In creating GLBT Bookshelf, Keegan set out to answer the needs of most GLBT writers and artists: Create a place for their works to be cataloged, described and sampled, linked to their publishers and independent sales pages -- and promoted by joint funding amounting to peppercorn contributions from community members. In this way, all writers benefit from wide media exposure while no individual foots the advertising bill.

The site takes the form of a “wiki,” where users sign up (free) and a pilot page is created for them. They then use editing tools to flesh out their pages with text, graphics and video. They develop their own virtual website within the wiki, which is built on the EditMe engine, operated by EditMe.com.

Visitors find authors, titles and publishers via multiple, categorized contents lists, as well as the fully-featured Search function. The site features user forums, book reviews, author pages, and directories for publishers and cover artists. A free PDF user’s manual is available, and the public launch is underway.

After just one month GLBT Bookshelf boasts around 200 “authors and others” online. Writers are booking low-cost advertising in high-traffic page locations, months ahead. More than 1000 user-pages have been created, and 500+ books are currently cataloged. Projected growth rates suggest this is the tip of the iceberg.

Find GLBT Bookshelf at www.glbtbookshelf.com, and watch for developments in the months ahead. While it remains early days, Mel Keegan is highly optimistic. “We could be seeing a quiet revolution in GLBT book marketing, in which the community takes its fortunes into its own hands. Technology has freed us from the restrictive practices of the traditional industry -- the Bookshelf is the joint venture of a lifetime. We must evolve new ways of thinking to take full advantage of our opportunities.”

Mel Keegan lives with an eccentric family in South Australia and is the author of more than 25 books. “The Deceivers” won the Stonewall Fact and Fable Award in 2003, while “Death’s Head” was nominated for the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 1992. GLBT Bookshelf is the culmination of Keegan’s creative vision.

A new look at Cosmic and another Bookshelf

2009-07-09T08:35:00.000+01:00

Well, according to my little statistics bar I'm over 60% for my planned length for my next m/m contemporary work. Of course this is just the rough draft. For me, the real work begins when I do my own personal edit rounds before submission because that usually requires me to set the work aside between rounds. I know I take much longer than many of the romance writers out there but I like to polish my work as much as possible. Usually as work overlaps this works out okay, but life has got in the way lately. I am hoping that within a very few short weeks things will ease up -- it should do, unless something untoward happens so that's the plan anyway. The good news is that I've a feeling that the rough draft of the book will be finished very shortly. I've time today to knuckle down to it as soon as I've popped around and made a few announcements.

One of those announcements is that I finally joined and completed my pages at the GBLT Bookshelf. Do drop by. It's a community for...well everyone who writes, publishes, reads any GBLT titles. It's for artists too. For anyone who has flicked through my website, my page will look very similar but that's because I took most of the info from here. It's a good project though and a good place for me to be.

I also found a little time (don't ask me how -- well, by watching the TV with one eye, actually) to make a little promo video for Cosmic. I'm never sure if these are a good idea or not but some readers like them and they can be a rather fun to make. I also wanted to try out iMovie on the Macbook. Not sure it was easier than the last system I used to make a small 'vid' but it worked, which is the main thing. I'm seriously considering just paying someone else if I can manage to make myself let go of some artistic control. LOL. I love the music on this one. I think it sets the whole tone.

Slip into pink...

2009-06-18T08:50:00.002+01:00

Vincent is a vampire of world renown, even if most people believe his story is a fable, but with age comes boredom. Seeking out new silk to line his coffin for his annual ball, he comes across a bolt of pink fabric. Curiosity leads him to seek out who ordered the cloth and in so doing, Vincent makes a mistake that is about to change his existence.

Martin is a newly turned vampire and a lonely gay man. When he returns to find a famous vampire in his humble abode, he’s glad of the company even though he’s also afraid. Moreover, he’s excited for this vampire is extremely good looking.

When trapped by the sun together for an entire day leads to an explosion of unexpected intimacy, Vincent is left wondering what has come over him and has to decide if such choices carry the same type of angst or consequences for one who has lived for so many decades, even centuries. Martin is left wondering if he’ll get what he hoped for — one night of passion — or if Vincent’s interested enough to see where their relationship might lead.

Setting doubts aside, Vincent and Martin have the opportunity to turn their back on their very different but equally lonely existences. As soon as Martin get rid of his ridiculous pink-lined coffin, Vincent and Martin can then look forward to many nights between sheets of pink satin.

When a simple mistake leads to a day of explosive passion, what’s a vampire to do, but look forward to a future of gay nights between sheets of pink satin?

Release date 19th June 2009. Check out the publisher's site right now for an excerpt and the author's site from the 19th.

Time for a Changeling

2009-04-22T09:48:00.000+01:00

I am very pleased to announce that what I would probably call a Novelette (approximately 16,000 words) story of mine has been accepted by Changeling Press. I've considered writing for them for sometime and already know many of the authors there.They only publish shorter works and are perhaps most easily recognisable for their 'poser' type covers. Some people love them, some don't. Personally, I think they are what they are and can be good for a giggle, which is a detrimental remark on my part. Life shouldn't be taken too seriously. There is too much in this life that is serious so be carefree where you can be.

Anyway, back to my story. It's called "Nights in Pink Satin" and is a m/m amusing tale of a famous vampire, a bolt of pink satin, and mistaken identity. I've no idea when it's due as yet. I'm currently undergoing the ritual hazing. I can say my assigned editor already knows my work. Eeek. Saying that, as she is already aware of my style maybe it will make for good groundwork. I'll keep you posted.

Night to Dawn

2009-03-10T09:56:00.002Z

I'm really pleased to announce that a reprint of my short story "Effigy in Garnet" is now available in "Night to Dawn" issue 15, a semi-annual publication, edited by Barbara Custer.

How to explain my story? Is it romantic? Yes. Is it horror? Yes. It's been described as "a keeper" and one that an editor couldn't refuse. Seeing as two editors felt that way, I think that's a good enough recommendation. As you can tell I'm especially proud of this story, though for those of you who know me best for my romance novels this is definitely a different style of story-telling but one I enjoy immensely.

You can purchase Night to Dawn as a printed editor or a download by paypal at www.bloodredshadows.com There's a link to the magazine details right at the top of the page, then you can page down from there and pay with paypal, if you should feel so inclined.

A Queen's Move now available!

2009-01-27T11:14:00.002Z

When love is all that's left, there's nothing to fear...

Tressa, the once Azulite princess, is now the Swithin Queen, although she doesn’t always manage to act as a lady should. Her marriage is one of duty, though not without love. Even so, Markis, her husband, is happy for her to try a softer, more feminine touch, if it means that Tressa finally finds true love.

Meira is half Swithin and even though she’s a great healer, some still look upon her heritage with suspicion. Still, she’s stronger than that; what others think of her has never mattered...so why is it suddenly important to her that Tressa looks at her with love? Why does she want to protect Tressa even if it means possibly failing to do the right thing?

Both women are very different, and yet they share many of the same qualities. Both also share many of the same fears. Both are formidable and maybe a nation won’t be able to stand up to the two women. However, the true question remains of whether Tressa and Meira will be able to cope with their dominant natures between the sheets.

When Tressa has to face that to change the world sometimes means sacrificing your very life, she realises she has nothing left to fear, least of all true love, even if that love is with another woman.

* * *

Now usually I'd post you an excerpt but to purchase or read an excerpt toddle along to www.loose-id.com. What I wanted to do was something a little different. For once, I very much wanted to share the dedication with you:

I wasn’t sure what to put in this dedication. I thought of dedicating it to a couple of friends of mine who have suffragettes in their family history and, therefore, those women who sacrificed so much, who suffered such hardship in the fight for equality. Then I thought that wasn’t enough and I should dedicate it to women everywhere, but if I do that, I have to include the men who’ve stood by them, believed in them. If I do that, I can’t stop there. I have to include everyone who has ever spoken out for equality and freedom for others no matter what their sex or sexuality. So, I have to dedicate this book to everyone, to the type of people I’d be happy to call friends. Thank you for reading.

Now available in print!

2009-01-26T11:09:00.000Z

I’m pleased to announce the “I Do” anthology is now available in print. Last week the ratings at Amazon were:
#1 in Books > Fiction > Gay & Lesbian > Anthologies > Gay
#6 in Books > Romance > Gay & Lesbian > Gay
#9 in Books > Fiction > Gay & Lesbian > Fiction General > Gay

You can find it in the following places and it’s getting good reviews and recognition for being a good literary work. I’m currently reading it and they put together a fabulous collection of stories here to go with mine. LOL. Joking aside, this collection has great quality writing and it’s amazing to be part of it. You can purchase the print copy at:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble

And please don’t buy this one second hand. The proceeds are for a good cause but only if you buy it from a recognised book distributor. Also remember it is illegal to share ebooks but if you purchase this one in ebook form then please please please this especially applies to this book. The writers receive no payment for this book — all proceeds go to Lamba Legal so make sure they get the royalties they deserve. If you see anyone illegally sharing books, tell them to cease and desist.

A Queen's Move has a cover!

2009-01-21T11:47:00.003Z

I’m so pleased to reveal the cover for the first of my Swithin Spins, due out soon. Not only do I think it classy, it’s for my first f/f story, so I was especially anxious that it should receive a good cover.

Is it foolish to admit that one can cry at one’s own writing? If so, count me as foolish. There is one chapter in this book, that no matter how many times I read it during edits, I came over all weepy. I also thought long and hard about the dedication.

I hope readers will enjoy the book and for those of you who want to read the continuing story of Tressa, and discover how she finally finds her own chance at happiness, this one is also for you. I think the spins will reveal more than anything how I had a longer history in mind for these books, and that the Swithin ‘way’ allows for freedom and equality, the right to live one’s life that suits the individual and not the majority.

Happy reading to all and best wishes in all your very individual relationships. I’ll be back to squeal when it’s actually released.

Sharon x

2009-01-05T12:56:00.001Z

I Do - Anthology
In support of marriage equality
Multiple Authors Edited by Kris Jacen
ISBN 978-1-934531-71-6 (ebook); 978-1-934531-70-9 (paperback)
Release Date: January 2009
Cover Artist: Alex Beecroft

Available At: All Romance Ebooks (ebook), mobipocket (ebook), Barnes & Noble (paperback)

20 stories of love and commitment

Published By: MLR Press, LLC
ISBN 9781934531716
Word Count: 84166

http://www.mlrpress.com/ShowBook.php?book=IDO21001

Do you support the right of any human being to marry the person they love? The right to say ‘I Do’ to a life of commitment and sharing with the that one special person? We do.

We hope that marriage will soon be a dream that everyone can share. That’s why the following authors of LGBT fiction have donated stories to this anthology, in aid of Lambda Legal Fund’s fight for marriage equality:

Tracey Pennington, Alex Beecroft, Charlie Cochrane, Clare London, Storm Grant, Lisabet Sarai, Sharon Maria Bidwell, Jeanne Barrack, Marquesate, Z.A Maxfield, P.A Brown, Allison Wonderland, Erastes, Zoe Nichols and Cassidy Ryan, Emma Collingwood, Mallory Path, Jerry L. Wheeler, Moondancer Drake, Fiona Glass, Lee Rowan.

All profits from the sale of this anthology will be donated to the Lambda Legal Defense to fight Prop 8 in support of marriage equality for all.

Purchase by clicking here.

NOTE: Please feel welcome to circulate this info to show your support for equality.

Also note the print editions will be available by or before the end of January (anticipated date is the 21st).

Sharon Maria Bidwell: Swansong
Neil’s voice whispered through the darkness, but like the soft breeze that had finally wound its way through the house, the sound of the man’s voice no longer contained the quality of a whisper spoken in a funeral home, but that of a lover’s sigh.

Richard believes what little love he had in his life has withered but before she died his darling Gloria unlocked her silent throat. Now the time has come for Richard to sing his own song, to face the future, to make the right choice.

It's...Cosmic!

2008-11-25T09:47:00.003Z

While on a mission, the last thing the crew of the Sovereignty expects is to gain an addition crewmember, but when an unknown assailant attacks, Axel has no choice but beam the stranger on board the spacecraft. Already in a sexual relationship with “Snake” who is a rare species of alien, Axel certainly isn’t looking for another person to complicate his already challenging existence. The trouble is he cannot deny his growing attraction for the newcomer, who happens to be a very striking and intelligent woman. She’s so intelligent she’s already worked out that Snake is an alien and that the two men are in a somewhat turbulent relationship. Still, Axel isn’t the only one who likes Sela. Snake likes her too, and Sela doesn’t seem to mind the idea that Axel and Snake are lovers, especially after she sees them together...

Of course, in the meantime they’ve got to fight a corrupt government and deal with a zealot of a leader, but if the three can put their differences and natural inclination to distrust aside, they might just find peace...with each other.

One man, one woman, and one alien; two male and one female, all fighting a corrupt Government as well as their personal inclinations to distrust, to want, to need, to feel desire. Sometimes giving in is not the same thing as giving up. Sometimes it’s cosmic!

Available now at www.loose-id.com

The One That Got Away available now!

2008-10-31T12:44:00.006Z

Every Fisherman has a story...

Billy Wilson grew up in a small community where being gay meant that you liked to skip through the fields on a sunny day. His desire to travel and his struggle to come to terms with his sexuality were the reasons he moved away, vowing never to return to the cabin by Wilson’s Lake unless it was over his father’s dead body.

Now he has to scatter his father’s ashes on the lake where his father liked to fish. Like father like son. Billy is a storyteller by trade, and his father used to tell him some whopping stories, including the one about the fish that got away. Billy’s in for a few surprises; most of all he’s going to discover the truth behind the story.

*****

A fish, a pigeon, and a swan. Unusual creatures with unusual tales of love lost and discovered await you in this new m/m romance anthology. Read about the biggest fish story ever and the man who had to come to grips with the stories his father told in The One That Got Away by Sharon Maria Bidwell. Follow a racing pigeon as he tries to get back to his lover in Fiona Glass’s, Steal the Sky, and finally return to the struggling relationship between Rudy and Sandy as they come to terms with Sandy’s heritage and rank in Emily Veinglory’s heartpounding tale The Swan Prince.

Available now at Aspen Mountain Press

NB: The first copies of this book went out with some errors, which happened at the editing stage and was not the fault of the authors. In my case, a paragraph that should have been moved was repeated. My sincere apologies to anyone who received a copy of this version, although it shouldn't have detracted too much from the overall story.

Virgin Special out now!

2008-09-26T10:19:00.003+01:00

When the temptation to end his misery proves too much to deny, unbeknownst to James his very existence is about to change. He thinks he's alone with his memories when he walks too close to the sea but someone's watching him; someone who holds his fate in his hands, and in his matchmaking skills.

Seth doesn't want to visit Del Fantasma. He certainly doesn't want to see Cody Warren, but Hannah certainly does, and whatever Hannah wants, Hannah gets. Seth's dedicated what remains of his existence to trying to make her happy, but they are now two and were once three, and there's nothing Seth can do to ease her pain…or his.

Cody may have the answer to their grief, but while Hannah is optimistic, Seth's moods are interfering with her plan. Then there's the complication that the human who might well save them is a virgin, in every sense of the word.

When sorrow finally gives way to despair, Cody finds the right kind of innocence to ease Seth and Hannah's grief, if only James will let himself believe he has the right to a new kind of love.

Available now from Aspen Mountain Press

It's....Cosmic!

2008-07-17T08:26:00.003+01:00

I'm very pleased to announced that Loose-Id have accepted my m/m/f science-fiction novel "Cosmic". This actually started life as a short story many years ago. I never explored it's full potential until recently, when writing for LI helped me see ways the story could develop. I always knew the potential was there but I just didn't know where to take it.

Thanks to a few 'whispers in my ear' I will have a few people to thank in the dedication to this one. They didn't help me write it but they did squeal over certain aspects and make a couple of suggestions that helped me wrestle the story into place. It's not going on the schedule right away but I'll let you know more as soon as I do!

Daylight Robbery

2008-07-01T07:36:00.003+01:00

You can read the other blogs on ebooks at my main site but this topic is important enough to receive more than one mention:

“So, authors are earning 35% royalties on electronic books and 8% on print. But you sell millions of books. You must be rolling in it.”

Actually no. Private Eye magazine is a good source for statistics and there are other sources out there if you choose not to believe me, but many ebooks never sell more than 200 copies. Many print books never sell more than 500 copies. There are exceptions but unless the author hits it big and is one of those you regularly see in the top ten slot in your local book shop then they are not millionaires.

There are several factors regarding sales, including the genre, the publishing house, the distribution available. I’m pleased to say I sell well but I’m aware that I sell more than some and less than others. I can picture many shaking their heads in disbelief, wondering why writers write if there’s no huge financial reward. If you can’t at least earn a living at this, what’s the point? That’s very difficult to explain if you’re not creatively motivated. As I’ve said before, some people “need” to write. There are some writers out there earning a living on ebooks but they will tell you that they live carefully and they have many titles out with many publishers. There’s also the possibility of gradually making a household name for yourself or writing the one masterpiece that the world falls in love with. Writers survive on sheer determination and hope.

So, what can you do with an ebook? You can read it. Seriously, that’s all you can do. The copyright will tell you that you’re not even allowed to print it, but writers are aware many people do if they don’t like reading from the screen, so a paper copy run off on your printer isn’t exactly the same thing as having it printed up by a printing service, which is a definite no. I’m not going to debate the rights and wrongs of ‘Personal Use’ policies as they’ve affected the music industry for years, but commonsense should prevail.

You CANNOT resell. If you do so you are breaking the law and liable to prosecution.

“Well, if you can resell a print book, why can’t you resell an ebook?”

Actually, the reselling of print books is a grey area, although it’s been allowed for years. The basic idea is that if you resell a print book you lose your copy. Even though the writer receives no income from the resale, most turn a blind eye because I think at heart we know that print books are made from trees. If the reader no longer wants the book, what’s to be done with it? I think we all feel negatively to the destruction of print books, even with the advent of recycling. It’s seen as a waste. I’ve still seen some copyrights state that a book may not be resold, lent, read out in public etc., but if you resell an ebook it’s especially damaging, as the chances are the seller is going to keep their copy. They are illegally reproducing the book. To put this in it’s simplest terms, if the book were in print and the reader wanted to sell it but also retain a copy, they would have to reproduce the pages or scan the story therein to pass it on. This is against copyright law in every form of publication and it is ILLEGAL!

Likewise, you cannot give an ebook out for free. It doesn’t matter if you’re selling it or giving it away. You may NOT reproduce it and therefore you’re breaking the law. Anyone doing this even in all innocence cease and desist! Publishers and authors regularly trawl for these sites and they will have you removed from the internet and even prosecuted.

You should not give to a friend. Again, on the principle that the reader is likely intending to keep their own copy and produce another to hand over. Likewise, you should not lend. In print, lending is often seen as a grey area many ignore on the understanding that when you lend books you risk losing them, and for the author there’s a chance they may find a new devoted reader. However, I repeat that you may not “reproduce” the existing ebook and therefore lending is impossible. Copies in any format are illegal. Saying that, should a reader make a back-up solely to protect their library and for personal use, then most quietly agree this is fine, but you cannot reproduce this backed up copy either.

So that it’s clear, this is the copyright license in my last Loose-Id book:

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

“Well, if the author’s not making a lot of money more fool them. The publisher is. I don’t care about piracy.”

Wrong again. If publishers were making so much money there’d be many more publishing houses. There wouldn’t be so many cases of publishers going bankrupt. The percentages discussed are standard publishing contracts in the industry. The author can scream that they want 60% of their cover price but any publisher offering extremely high royalties is dubious at best. It costs to produce books in any format. If a publisher tries to offer above average royalties in the hope to draw writers in then the chances are they won’t be around for long. Reading is at an all time low. Books today have to compete with busy schedules, TV, computer games and the Internet. Books and those who produce them in any format need all the support they can get, rather than being robbed blind.

“Yes, but it’s easy money. It’s not like there’s much work involved.”

I dare you to say that to a writer’s face. I dare you to say it to an editor. No, seriously. I’m sure to cover this some other time, but I’ll give you our schedules for a typical day, especially if it’s one where there’s a deadline involved, and then tell me that you’re feeling calm and relaxed by the time you can crawl into bed. Writing is work! Publishing is work! It can be fun and it can be rewarding, but it’s still work and just as I’m sure you wouldn’t like your wallet picked from your pocket, if you commit ebook piracy even in innocence then it is as if you picked the writer’s pocket.

Joyfully Reviewed

2008-05-27T09:52:00.001+01:00

I've had a rather strange weekend, not least of all because of these wonderful reviews!

"Uly's Comet" and "The Comet's Tail" were both reviewed by Joyfully Reviewed, to glorious acclaim.

Uly's Comet is an amazingly intricate and fascinating fantasy book. It involves intrigue, love, hate, passion ... involving fascinatingly flawed characters to keep you entertained and turning the pages. ... Uly's Comet clearly demonstrates Ms Bidwell's talent to build an intricate world and society for her characters to inhabit and evolve in.

All in all, The Comet's Tail is a fun and sexy romp ... a wonderful fantasy tale that will leave you feeling hot under the collar and looking for the next book about these men!

My thanks go to Sabella for not only reviewing the book but thinking carefully about what she wanted to say. Although after reviews like those I can't say it made this weekend feel any more real.

A great review to come home to!

2008-05-13T13:07:00.001+01:00

I’m trying to catch up with everything after a week away, including blogging, but I seem to have left my get up and go somewhere at the beach. Plus the sun is still shining and enticing me to laziness. Still, I’m glad to report that I came home to a great review for The Comet Cometh at ParaNormal Romance :

This book is full of conflicts; conflicts between persons, their world, their power, and their own feelings. There is excitement in the action with the battles and the warring of persons against each other. There is also wonderful love scenes that will set the reader afire. While this is the third book of a trilogy, it can be read as a standalone. There are also lines which can easily be explored with their own story. Perhaps Ms. Bidwell has a treat for us yet again?

Catch the Trilogy

2008-05-02T11:09:00.002+01:00

A fine review for The Comet Cometh

2008-04-25T13:06:00.001+01:00

I don't usually blog twice in one day but I just got a great review from Alternative Read

"WOW Again. Sharon is a master storyteller."

Cool. :o)

The Comet Cometh...on April Fools Day?

2008-04-01T11:02:00.002+01:00

Only I can have a book released on April Fools Day. Ah well, it's taking my mind off my sore throat.
Happy Reading!

The Comet Cometh

This time the Comet’s unleashed…

Markis Shaver is now the Swithin King. He has the love of his life, Uly, as well as his best friend and personal guard at his side, Ryanac. It’s the perfect sandwich but for some reason he’s feeling the squeeze. Ryanac and Uly have yet to fully give in to their lust … as well as trust each other entirely. Until they do, they will never be complete.

There’s also someone out there who wants to put an end to their union and they’re at least prepared to kill Uly to do it. He has to make Uly a prisoner in the palace for his safety but that’s no life for someone who once used to roam the streets.

Then there’s Tressa, his wife who isn’t acting at all queenly. She’s trying to overcome her restrictive upbringing but even she had thought three men would be enough to satisfy her. Apparently not, for she’s looking for something softer, more feminine. Not that he minds -- it’s even a relief -- but his life is currently complicated enough. Maybe a few toys will please her for now.

He has to keep Tressa happy, keep Uly safe, stand helplessly by waiting while Ryanac and Uly try to form a lasting relationship and in the meantime he needs to locate their enemies. All this while ruling a kingdom and still learning the power of the comet. Even now, he’s still unaware just how much power the comet holds but someone out there is trying to take those he loves away from him and soon everyone is going to find out just how destructive a comet can be, particularly when it’s angry, especially when it’s in love.

This time the power isn’t out to threaten a nation. It will focus on one man. That man will be sorry. The comet is waiting. It wants to be free in the worse way. It’s on its way. It’s coming…

Available now from Loose-Id

The Comet's Tail awarded an Alternative Seal of Approval!

2008-02-04T09:50:00.001Z

Well, my surprise arrived and I can't believe I'm announcing it as a small part of me wants to crawl under a rock in embarrassment. Have I mentioned my shy tendencies? Okay, I know you don't believe me, but it's true! Still, I am suitably pleased and hereby thank Sassy for taking the time to arrange this (all without my knowledge though I did gather she was up to something -- she was asking far too many questions).

Anyway, Alternative Read (website, reviews and group) have given me my own featured author day for today, Monday 4th Feb. Not only have they reviewed all my Comet books to date, including the related short story I wrote, they have given The Comet's Tail their 'Seal of Approval'.

Oh... and they've given me an author page... so if anyone wants to catch a glimpse of me (she mumbles) you'd better toddle along.

dot co dot uk

2008-01-18T10:46:00.001Z

Can it be? Is it possible? Heeeeeee god, I must be a writer! I finally succumbed. Yes, folks, I am now officially a dot co dot uk!

I know I've been especially quiet and this is partly why and seeing as I didn't have a clue what I was doing, only know a bit of the most basic code, and have spent so much time sitting down this week, not to mention putting too much in the swear box (joking, non-existent -- don't have one!), I'm quite pleased with myself.

Actually, I intended to do this around April of last year, but as many of you know life threw me a curve and it wasn't as if I'd made even a personal promise to myself. I hate to break a promise but sorting this out was left to time, fate, and even the muse. So toddle along to www.sharonbidwell.co.uk and if you can find it in your heart some sweet messages would be nice.
Shaz x

The Comet is on its way...again! LOL

2007-12-14T10:31:00.000Z

I'm very pleased to announce that I subbed Comet 3 to my publisher just a couple of weeks ago, and despite not expecting to hear about this until at least January they've said a resounding yes. I'm contracted to do the usual polish and set to house-style etc., but they've not picked out any story changes. There are a couple of small points I've decided to change but, hey, that's what edits are for. The planned date is roughly scheduled for April 2008. I um... won't tell you more 'just' yet, or the title, which will either make you laugh or groan, but it's with a great deal of pleasure and a touch of sadness that I'll be finishing the trilogy. There may be a spin-off or two, but I'm undecided about that as yet.

Speaking of which, I've reached the 25,000 word mark in my f/f (which, if it sees completion is set in the Swithin universe). Despite that being a very decent length considering the time I've spent working on it, I feel as though I've had several teeth pulled with this one even though some thing's driving me to finish it. I guess I don't like failure and I don't like being told I can't do something. Lol. I have no idea right now if this will become a novel or remain novella length but I'm sticking to the adage that the story will be as long as it takes to tell it. I don't want to cheat readers but neither do I want to drag it out for the sake of verbiage. I'll keep you posted as they say, but right now I want to skip off happily knowing that Comet 3 has a home... and I can't wait to see the cover they come up with!

Some little announcements

2007-11-24T11:23:00.000Z

As this is usually just in information blog, I've not posted the details here but I had a family emergency a week ago and the fright of my life. It's been that Thanksgiving time in America, and I now know more than ever that I have a lot to be grateful for.

It's Saturday November 24th and means that Literary Nymphs is hosting a chat! Come join Sharon Maria Bidwell (errr.... that's me), Jet Mykles, Stephanie Vaughan, Anne Cain, Joely Skye, Luisa Prieto and Matthew Haldeman-Time with the possibility of Michael Barnette, Katrina Strauss, Jules Jones and Ally Blue dropping in. It starts at 9:00 am EST until the other lot stop. You know me. I'm on GMT time and means I'll pop in asap until dinner calls me. :o)

Where? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LiteraryNymphsChat/

I'm also very pleased to say that Angel Heart has received two great reviews. Actually, I'm not sure if I've mentioned the Joyfully Reviewed comment before. I don't think I have. Sometimes I find them before our review co-ordinator, but the book cravings review is definitely new.

Joyfully Reviewed says that 'I liked the honesty between Jay and Dean, as well as the realism of the story.' You can read the full review by clicking here.

Book Cravings reviews has this to say: It's a wonderfully crafted and well described passionate story filled with sizzling hot love scenes that readily showed the affection these two men had for each other. And call it a tightly constructed novella. You can read the full review by clicking here.

Catch 'The Comet's Tail' out now!

2007-10-09T10:26:00.000+01:00

It's out! It's out! It's finally here!

The Comet's Tail...

Behind every great comet there's a tale...

Markis Shaver, the Swithin Prince, has everything he ever thought he could want. He has Uly Samir -- his true love -- and he has found happiness again in the arms of Ryanac, his personal guard and best friend. He also has a woman any man would be proud to have as his wife to stand at his side as queen. They are on the way to the Swithin city, his homeland where he will rule as King. He's also beginning to control the comet. It no longer has its wicked way with him. He should be happy.

Uly has the love of a wonderful man. Markis loves him. He has much to look forward to and more than he ever dreamed of obtaining. He should be in high spirits.

Ryanac has manipulated Markis into embracing love and as he always believed, it has freed the man he loves from abject misery. It has also rekindled their relationship. He should be contented.

Tressa has a good man for a husband, three men to see to her highly sexed needs and she has escaped the backward views of her nation. She should be elated.

The four of them have a tedious two-week journey to undertake. What else should they fill these boring nights with but passion? They should be ecstatic ... if a little exhausted.

So, what is going wrong with their new intimate 'quartet?'

Markis has also stolen a book and he wants to try a little 'experiment' he has found in its pages. He needs Ryanac's help but it will let Markis deep into Ryanac's psyche and neither of them are sure this is a good thing. Even worse, Ryanac has always been the tail of the comet but he might not be the only one following.

Behind a great man, there is another, and another ... and a woman. Life should be great but even the best of relationships don't always run smoothly. Alas, personal struggles are not the only enemy...

For some really hot excerpts head over to my website but there a great excerpt on my loose-id page too!

Want to see something gorgeous?

2007-09-28T14:01:00.001+01:00

The Comet's Tail (Swithin Chronicles 2) is due out October 9th (though don't hold me to that) so I guess it's about time I unwrapped this delightful... um... package.

Enjoy!

Shaz x

Fancy A Slow Fuzzy Screw?

2007-09-21T16:55:00.001+01:00

Okay, I'm sorry! I know you're fed up with all the announcements. What can I do? I didn't plan it this way! If you're tired, imagine how I feel. I've also had line edits for Comet 2 this week. LOL. Oh... and I've just had a flash of the cover but I'm keeping it under wraps for a few days. You don't need too many things all at once, although I have a contest to announce this weekend and then I may collapse into a puddle on the floor...

My m/m paranormal has released! So here's a reminder and an excerpt:

Shayne's disillusioned with relationships so he's not looking for anything serious when he visits Del Fantasma bar, just something out of the ordinary. He certainly finds it, in the 'shape' of a man called Leon.
***

Leon lifted and carried Shayne to the bed before he could cry out in either surprise or horror. The man moved with catlike stealth when he wanted to and Shayne no sooner stepped out of the last of his clothes than muscle surrounded him. He expected Leon to fling him onto the bed but, instead, the big man laid him down with surprising gentleness. He lay back, silent, waiting for whatever other strange things would unfold this night.

"You are beautiful," Leon said, though he made the statement sound more quizzical than complimentary.

Those large fingers fiddled with Shayne's dark curls, petting, patting, as though Shayne were some kept creature. "Your scent is sweet even when your fear eases."

"I didn't think fear would have a sweet scent."

"It doesn't. Not exactly. It's sour, but to a predator what it means is sweet."

"And what does it mean?" Shayne became aware of his pulse jumping in his neck. The fear eased back but the anxiety never left him completely, as though it couldn't.

"It means that you are victim to my desires."

Shayne knew Leon was about to dip his head and kiss that jumping pulse even before the man leaned in towards him. Leon did more than he expected though. He took the flesh there in his teeth, and licked the skin. Shayne cried out, his spine bowing, his hands rising instinctively to push Leon away and encountered...solid muscle. He pushed and nothing happened except that tongue licked again. Leon feasted, and Shayne, aware that this man could rip out his throat, writhed under him as the feeling edged into pain. The pain never quite became unbearable. The pain became something other, something he didn't know how to endure yet he wasn't entirely sure he wanted the sensation to stop. He wanted something to change because Shayne knew now, even if Leon hadn't decided, that he would get his wish. Whatever the morning brought with it, tonight Shayne was going to get laid. If the man kept biting him like this though, he would bruise.

Again, his conflicting emotions assaulted him. On the one hand, he loved this, but he'd loved things such as this before and look where they led him?always to the wrong type of pain.

When Leon drew back, the man uttered one word, "Delicious."

Available now from Aspen Mountain Press
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com

Sharon Maria Bidwell
aonia - where the muses live
http://uk.geocities.com/theviewoveraonia
http://www.myspace.com/aonia
http://www.loose-id.net/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=237
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com

Ready for a kiss?

2007-09-19T11:38:00.000+01:00

This is one of those strange weeks where I have a lot to report. I'm pleased to announce that my short story 'Effigy in Garnet' is in the latest issue of Aoife's Kiss, available from Sam's Dot Publishing (you can also check out their myspace page).

Effigy in Garnet is... Well, this is what the editor had to say when he took it:

Well, my goodness. A literary vampire tale that does not have the word "vampire" in it. It's a love story, of course, not a vampire story. Still, how could I possibly refuse this one...?
Tyree Campbell
Managing Editor
Sam's Dot Publishing
ps. This is a really good story.

He tasted like rubies. No. Rubies were more commonly pink, insipid. This taste was darker, richer. It would be more accurate to say that he tasted like garnets: deep red, with orange flashes of light in the depths. Even with her eyes tightly shut, these flashes were brilliant, blinding!

Angel review(s)

2007-09-17T10:05:00.000+01:00

Woo. Get home and find this for Snow Angel:

The dynamic relationship between Dean and Jay is constantly changing and Ms. Bidwell had me laughing, crying and yelling through them all! There are some very (and I do mean very) hot and steamy scenes and if not careful, you could be scorched! -- Rainbow Reviews

A quick flashback to older reviews, I seem to have hit the mark with this one:

Sharon Maria Bidwell has penned an exceptional tale in Snow Angel, one that resonated with me long after I finished it. At times the emotions were so intense, so painful, that it was hard for me to read, but then I would turn the page and find something incredible to keep me going. -- Joyfully Reviewed

This is a relationship that seems based on desperation. They cling to each other and enjoy the passion they share but there is so much pain in both of them that the reader hurts with them. -- The Romance Studio

As much as I originally riled against the two main characters ... I also came to admire them for their brutal honesty and willingness to take a chance. This story is an emotional roller coaster, and more for the reader than the characters themselves. I'm still not sure whether I like this story more than I dislike it. However, I do know that it inspires me to debate with others who've also read it, and will remember SNOW ANGEL long after I've forgotten most other stories. And that is a mark of true originality. -- (RRT)

Ms Bidwell has done a wonderful job in developing her charming characters as well as executing a strong plot. Readers will find the story well defined and easy to follow, making this a sexy and captivating read. -- Literary Nymphs Reviews

In a word? Unique. Undoubtedly a word you have heard before, but let me tell you this word fits Snow Angel to a T. Going in, I didn't know what to expect, but I can say this: I wasn't expecting what I got. These characters are very strongly developed, Dean being the most dominant - both in development and in personality. He really stands out. At times, I guarantee you will hate this character, but in turns be fascinated, intrigued and inclined towards him. -- JERR

I'm equally pleased to say that my first review for Angel Heart, the novella sequel, is as good:

Passion, love and the trials of life share in the emotional journey Ms. Bidwell pens for her men. Angel Heart is a sweet romance with sizzling love scenes that readers are sure to enjoy. -- Literary Nymphs Reviews

Angel Heart releases!

2007-08-28T10:30:00.001+01:00

Hmm... I have some unexpected news and I know one or two of you have been waiting for this!

Talk about getting your wires crossed. I was originally told that Angel Heart would be released October 1st and as no one had told me otherwise I had no idea the date had changed. I wake up this morning to discover Angel Heart was released at midnight! I've not even chosen my excerpts yet as been busy with edits. Er... you can guess what I'm going to rush off to do today. LOL.

Far from angelic thoughts...

Last year, Dean Chapman fell in love… with another man. He’s fallen for a childhood friend, Jay Reid, and as Jay is a kind, loving soul, Dean knows that he holds an angel’s heart in the palm of his hand.

Since they’ve moved in together, most of their friends and family have been supportive but the one person who knows just how to wind him up, drop him down and step all over him is the one woman who should be on their side, but Jay’s sister, April, is waiting for him to fail… big time. Dean’s determined to prove her wrong but only time can do that and he’s not the most patient of men. Even worse, sometimes he fears that despite his resolve, he’ll lose the only person who has ever made his heart race. Jay should have someone who can love him completely, and give him everything both emotionally and physically that he needs. If Dean wants to keep him, he has to give himself up to a gay relationship completely and that includes his heart and some rather intimate parts of his body.

Jay has total faith in his lover and patience… plenty of patience. Dean needs time and Jay knows April isn’t helping and she’s about to piss him off… one last time. It’s his parents’ ruby wedding anniversary and they are about to spend the night in a lovely country hotel. Both men are in for a few surprises, not least of all the four-poster bed Jay’s parents have arranged for them. First, there’s the church blessing to get through, people to meet, the peace to keep, dinner to eat, and an unexpected declaration of love, and that’s all without throwing the strawberry lube Jay adores into the mix.

There’s a reason Dean calls his lover ‘Angel’ but Jay’s thoughts are far from angelic. He must stop his sister interfering, and ask if Dean’s remembered to pack the strawberry lube for the weekend.

Angel Heart -- the novella sequel to Snow Angel -- available now from Loose-Id!

A Slow Fuzzy Screw

2007-07-10T14:04:00.000+01:00

Yes, you really did read that right. I've just signed the contract with Aspen Mountain Press for my m/m paranormal story 'A Slow Fuzzy Screw' set in their Del Fantasma series, due out later this year. Want me to explain? Er... better yet, here's the blurb.
:o) Shaz

A Slow Fuzzy Screw

What’s your favourite cocktail? Try the flavour…

Shayne’s heard great things about the bar, Del Fantasma. Experience has taught him to be careful when it comes to relationships, even relationships that last for only a few hours. Still, he’s a young gay man and if there’s one thing he wants tonight, at the very least he’d like to get laid. The trouble is, he has poor taste in men. Cody Warren, owner and bartender of Del Fantasma might just find him another flavour.

Leon’s disillusioned with life and haunted by his past. To complicate matters further, he’s a shape-shifter. He wants companionship, even needs it, for he fears if he doesn’t have someone in his life he might just wake up one day with no reason for life to continue. He wants someone he can feel comfortable with long-term, rather than the organised sexual encounters designed to repopulate his species, but, so far, he’s not met anyone emotionally strong enough to stick around for long.

Shayne’s looking for something out of the ordinary and he can’t say he hasn’t found it. Leon’s looking for another type of relationship but Shayne’s not quite what he expected. This time, surely Cody Warren’s matchmaking skills must be off-kilter.

When Shayne asks for a Slow Screw in order to capture the bartender’s attention, he’s not aware there’s more than one blend of the cocktail. The question is whether he’ll enjoy such a new and interesting flavour.

'Space, Man' gets 5 out of 5!

2007-06-18T08:37:00.000+01:00

Sharon Maria Bidwell's deft touches with m/m intimacy appears again, as with subtle humour and continued tugging of the heart-strings she draws out Alex's romantic nature and Mani's true heart. ... paints a glorious illustration of two hearts truly entwined.

You can read the whole review here.

'Space, Man' is "Simply Delightful"!

2007-05-31T13:03:00.000+01:00

I got my first review for 'Space, Man' and I couldn't ask for a better one.

Delightful! Simply delightful! This Fling is very well written, with a degree of character development that is suited to the length. ... Both are endearing, and it is the characters that make the storyline. Alex’s fight with himself was truly entertaining and Mani’s (the man in white) own innocence was cleverly portrayed. There is some sex between the characters, which is at times rather unusual, as only sex between human and incorporeal can be. The sex is not the centre of the storyline though, the romance between the pair is – and a charming romance it is, too. That’s not to say the sex is not great, it is. Wonderfully described and fairly varied. Space, Man is an excellent, smooth flowing, out-of-the-ordinary quick read. -- Elizabeth Marie (JERR)

This is just an extract of the review posted in JERR's newsletter (#100) and I couldn't be more pleased. I wanted this to be a fun read. Should I be too professional by now to do the Snoopy dance? *g*

Ascent Aspirations

2007-05-18T08:24:00.000+01:00

I'm pleased to announce that Ascent Aspirations magazine have published my short essay on the subject of ... well, I'll try to explain exactly what my essay 'Amatorius' is about in a minute.

I don't know how to describe Ascent. Well, it's an online magazine and it has quite a good coverage but they publish an eclectic mix, though that suits me just fine. I don't know what possessed me to send them this particular little work, except that I had written it a very long time ago, and never knew what to do with it. Then I saw Ascent, and thought it suited. Much to my surprise they even took it and it's out... now!

I'm not sure how to describe the work, either. I can only call it an essay on love and, yes, sex, but then isn't that a part of a certain kind of love for most of us? I took my inspiration from the title I gave it. Isn't it funny how you can come across a word -- in this case a Latin one -- and it can act as your muse. So, if you've a couple of spare minutes, trot along to Ascent Magazine (you'll find me right at the top, just under the picture) if you want to read a piece called Amatorius that starts...

It didn't seem fair, inherently. I wanted to be the one. I wanted to penetrate. I wanted to hear the plea, and the cry, the hoarse whisper of passion. I wanted to be the cause of it.

'Space, Man' released!

2007-04-24T10:02:00.000+01:00

It's April 24th, and I just checked. Yep, 'Space, Man' is out online, available right now!

This is my first 'fling' piece with Loose-id and I was so pleased they were only too happy to take it. Edits were kind. Apart from adding a couple of paragraphs, this one came out just as I wrote it.

I'm especially excited over this one as it's a much lighter work and I'm hoping it will make people smile. I'm hoping readers will get as much fun out of reading it as I did writing it.

Thanks to everyone who has pestered me about this. All I can say is, it's finally here!

http://www.loose-id.net/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=237

Got the finals for 'Space, Man'

2007-04-16T13:24:00.000+01:00

For those of you who don't know, I mean my final files. That's my book in each version published. I got them early, even though it's not due out yet, and I can't, strictly speaking, do anything with them, except look at them fondly. LOL. It is on track for it's expected release date though. Oooohhh... only a week to go! *does poor imitation of snoopy dance as not a very good dancer*

You can probably tell I like this one. It's a fun piece, and I don't usually manage to write something that I found so enjoyable as just plain 'fun'. That's not to say there isn't enough angst for the reader to get to grips with, but I think this one will make most people smile, if not laugh in places. It's going to be a very long week in some ways...!

'Space, Man', coming soon from Loose-Id!

2007-03-20T10:20:00.000Z

Whoever said space was cold, never found love among the stars…

Some people never learn. This is the tune playing once again in Alex Beaumont’s head when he sees a vision in white attracting odd glances in the quiet little seaside resort of Padstow. He came to get away from it all, to bury himself in work, to forget that every man he ever falls for eventually needs to get away… from him.

Love is not what Alex ever imagined it to be. They say space is infinite but the distance between what Alex wants and what he has experienced romantically seems to be growing… until now. Like a shooting star, he’s about to fall… long and hard, but the question is this time whether he’ll crash and burn or find the love he’s always dreamed of when looking at the night sky.

Alex’s heart has been broken one too many times. When a piece of ass is no longer good enough… where does a broken heart look for the love of his life? He looks to the stars…

Five Angels!

2007-02-27T10:26:00.000Z

Snow Angel gets five angels at Fallen Angel Reviews!!!

I especially want to thank the reviewer for this intuitive comment: Jay may appear to not have a strong personality, but in reality he is emotionally stronger than Dean.

Five Angels

Recommended!

2007-02-19T09:46:00.000Z

OMG! I'm a recommended read! *kicks heels into the air!*

Joyfully Recommended

I'm giving away a... Snowball?

2007-01-25T12:52:00.000Z

I’m having a great day and Snow Angel has been so well received that I want to celebrate so I’m giving away a Snowball! Well, not really. It’s a small, round globe light that runs on LR44 batteries (which I understand are available both in the UK and the US). It takes three, which provide approx 30 hours of light and I believe there is a set in the globe, and three in the box, giving you 60 hours of use before you’ll need to buy replacement batteries. Someone gave one to me and I thought it somewhat cute so I purchased one to give away. It changes to three bright colours and is small enough to sit in the palm of your hand.

To win, just drop me a line (you can contact me via my website) telling me why you love or hate snow, and I will choose a winner before the end of the month. All I want to do is quote the winner in my next newsletter/blog and hey, if the entries are that good, maybe I’ll send a runner-up prize. If you hate Snow, let’s hope this is the only Snowball you see, and if you don’t - hey, if you don’t see any, I hope this makes you smile and warms a few winter nights with some pretty light.

Snow Angel released Dec 24th

2006-12-30T11:33:00.001Z

All my Christmas presents came early wrapped under a great book cover!

Dean likes April. April's brother Jay loves Dean. When Dean finds out how Jay feels, it raises difficult questions of his sexuality. If he doesn't get his act together quick, he's going to lose two friends and one true love.

***

Wishing to fill the silence, Jay remarked that he’d rather watch motor-racing and received a surprised look from Dean in response. “What? You think you’re the only one that likes cars?”

“No, I just…” Dean shrugged. “I guess I didn’t think…” Slight rouge infused his face.

“If you say a gay man can’t like sports and especially something as butch as motor-racing, I don’t care how big you are, I’m going to slap you.” He watched Dean open his mouth and close it again, apparently having second thoughts about arguing. “I thought you’d love motor-racing,” Jay told him.

“If you say a car is just a car, I’m the one that will do the slapping. I don’t care for it that much. I always considered it a waste of petrol.”

Jay gaped, sat there aware his mouth was open, but he couldn’t close it. Finally, he managed to laugh, then grin, and then he flicked popcorn at the other man. “Don’t tell me. You see it as petrol that you could put to better use. Like in one of those cars you get to tinker with.”

Dean flicked some popcorn back. One piece hit Jay on the nose and then skipped away, rolling somewhere under the coffee table. “I do not tinker,” he growled. Jay liked the sound of it.

“No?”

“No.” Those so blue eyes narrowed so that all Jay could see was a blue line in each. Oddly, it made him think of catching a glimpse of the ocean on a distant horizon. “I know exactly what fits where,” Dean concluded. He made a grab for Jay’s ankle.

Not expecting it, Jay jumped. The popcorn bowl, balanced on the sofa between them, shifted. He went to make a grab for it and only succeeded in hitting the edge of the bowl. It rose into the air, flipping as it did so. In something surprisingly akin to slow motion, Jay watched it somersault, the contents flying out in a crispy shower. It covered the floor, him, and the sofa.

Turning, Jay slipped to the floor on his knees. Even as he heard and felt the crunch of popcorn under his knees, pieces of it slipped into his clothing. Laughing, Dean joined him in scooping up what they could find back into the bowl.

“I guess we won’t be eating this.”

Jay looked at the bowl in Dean’s hand. Even though he’d hoovered two days ago, bits of dark fluff stood out against the pale roundels of puffed corn. He shook his head in agreement. “No. I don’t think so.”

“I guess we’ll have to eat the chocolates.”

Unbelievably, he hadn’t scoffed the lot. The squashed ones were gone, but the second box remained virtually intact. Only one was missing. As Dean lifted the lid of the box, Jay went from searching for popcorn in the dark recesses of the sofa, to searching the inside of his shirt. On his knees, he shook his shirt away from his body and three pieces fell out to roll across the carpet to come to a halt near Dean’s feet.

Both men watched, following the popcorn’s course and then glanced up into one another’s eyes at the same time. Dean’s lips lifted at one corner.

Want warming up? Check out my Vid!

2006-12-22T16:16:00.000Z

Snow Angel Come out of the cold... into the warm... Dean has always liked April, but her brother, Jay, has been looking at him the same way. It's news to Dean, or is it... Much to his horror, it becomes apparent that if he doesn't make a decision about his future soon, he's going to be left out in the cold.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1592619545

Ten good reasons to read Rose Light

2006-12-13T15:33:00.000Z

It demonstrates how you can find love in the most unlikely places.

It gives you a feel of ‘old’ London.

It gives men a good reason to buy the woman they love roses.

It shows you how to prepare pork for dinner.

It shows you how to deal with unexpected guests.

You can enjoy a picnic without all the hassle of preparing it.

It shows you what to do with your feet besides walking.

It teaches you how to enjoy the great outdoors.

It tells you how to seduce Prince Charming.

It shows you Prince Charming isn’t always the man you were expecting.

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/rose-light/prod_22.html

Rose Light

2006-09-08T11:07:00.001+01:00

A Rose ready to bloom…

One day, a young woman, Rose Light, attends her mother’s grave in order to place a single flower upon the headstone -- a lily for a Lily. This seemingly depressing deed is, in fact, a moment of sweetness in Rose’s gloomy existence. Could it be that her mother’s spirit looks over her, for this simple act is going to lead to a most fortuitous event.

Rose cooks and cleans for the rest of the family in the poor home in which they reside. When she isn’t running errands, she has her hands full taking care of her aging father. Life looks dismal and, unlike her sisters, Rose has no prospects of marrying to better her position. Not until she meets John Bennett…

When they met, she chastised him, was down right rude to him, so why has he tracked her down to the poverty-stricken area of Cheapside? Why does he look at her with that gleam in his eye and why does he look pleased, when taking his leave, at the sight of her unshod feet?

It hardly matters. Her stepmother has her eye on John for one of her other daughters, and they have more worldly experience. How can Rose possibly compete? Of course, maybe they aren’t even in the running. If so, what is it about Rose that has attracted John? Why does this man think he has found just the right woman and believe all she needs is the right stimulation to make her bloom?

Take one wicked stepmother and two older, conniving sisters, and you may think you’ve heard this tale before. You haven’t -- not this way. Let Rose Light tell you her story…

Swithin Chronicles 1: Uly's Comet

2006-08-30T17:05:00.001+01:00

Unleash the Comet… Feel the power…

Markis Shaver, the Swithin Prince, controls the power of the Comet, which may be the only thing that will act as a deterrent in a war between two vast monarchies – a war that could devastate the natural world and must therefore be avoided at any cost, even if that means killing the many to save the few. As if things weren’t bad enough, he may also have to rescue a princess and face a marriage of convenience and it doesn’t help that Markis is still in training and struggles to control the power when he calls it forth. At times, he also struggles to control his temper, which is quick to react where his feelings are concerned. The lessons, alas, do not seem to be working and he is running out of time.

His personal guard and best friend, Ryanac, disagrees with the old teachings and has always insisted that Markis should embrace love, both emotionally and physically, to control the Comet … but then again, he could be wrong.

When Markis leaves the palace one night to indulge in the luxury of a little solitude, he captures a young man and would-be thief. Out of boredom he decides to play a little game with the thief but little does he know that in time Uly will teach him a whole new lesson in desire … and love. But if he gives into love physically before he has full control, what will it mean for the world?

If Uly, a street thief, can teach a prince to let go of control, maybe love really can conquer all. Markis is afraid of the ride but maybe he should just unleash the comet and feel the power…

Introduction

2006-08-29T09:49:00.001+01:00

Sharon was born one New Year’s Eve within the London area. During her life she has practically tap-danced her way around an office and dealt with many areas of administration. She has also cooked, cleaned, done her share of decorating - literally hands-on and with design in mind - as well as turned her hand at gardening and garden planning. She has drawn, painted, stitched and created something through most forms of handicraft at one time or another. Her friends are waiting to discover something she isn’t good at.

Her first short story submitted was accepted by the second publication she offered it to. This was entitled “Silver Apples of the Moon” and was published by Roadworks Magazine. The editor quoted it as accepted due to having “both a Sci-fi and horror element, strong on characterisation, and quite literary, in terms of style.” Editor, Trevor Denyer, said that it was a story that “had me gripped from start to finish” and as a result pronounced her as “a writer who is going places.” Since then her work - poems, short stories, articles, and longer works - have appeared steadily in print and online publications.

Subsequently, she was approached to write all reports and publicity material for The Really Wild Nursery and Arthritis Care “Breaking Down the Barriers” garden project, which took place at the Malvern Spring Show. Although, primarily, Sharon likes to link her work most closely to fantasy like most good storytelling, her work often crosses genres, and she was only too happy to undertake another aspect of writing with a professional approach and gain further experience. This resulted in articles becoming part of her repertoire.