Tuesday 25 April 2017

Equality (Dublin Virtues #2) Available for Early Download


Equality Matters

Okay, I’m going to be honest, and make myself somewhat vulnerable in the process, this book, Equality, is very close to my heart.

Obviously, you’ll find some part of me in every book I’ve written and every story I’m yet to write. But Equality is different. The connection I feel to this book goes deeper.

I was present while the back story in Equality, the Irish marriage equality referendum, took place. I sat here, in the same chair I’m sitting in now, shouting at the radio when those who supported a no-vote got their five minutes of airtime.

And I cursed the fact that I had to work the day the count took place and the result would be announced. In the end the official announcement wasn’t made until after I was home again, but that didn’t stop me from having Twitter and several news websites open on my work computer all day.

Why was I so invested in the result,you ask?

It’s a good question.

I had nothing to win or lose that day. The outcome of that referendum wasn’t going to make a real change in my life one way or another. Except that the yes-majority we ended up with meant that my world had gotten a bit more equal than it had been only twenty-four hours earlier. Except that yet another barrier between people had been torn away.
In the book Lorcan, reluctantly, makes a speech in front of a potentially hostile audience, part of which I’ll share here.

****

“I realize this isn’t a comfortable subject for most of you. Trust me, it isn’t easy for me, either. It never was.” Lorcan paused, as if he wasn’t sure how to go on, and for a moment Eric was convinced he was about to step away from the microphone and sit down again. Eric imagined he could hear Lorcan’s deep sigh before he continued. “You’re being asked to vote in favor of something you’ve always been told is wrong. Most of you are certain people like me are an abomination in the eyes of God.”

Eric saw several people nod in agreement.

“But don’t you feel that thinking along those lines amounts to accusing God of making countless mistakes? God, we’ve been told, is almighty. God is infallible. If that is true, then why are gay children being born every day? Because believe me when I say that none of us woke up one morning and decided to be gay out of spite, or out of some deep-rooted desire to be different. Far from it. When I first realized I was attracted to men, I hated myself. I didn’t want to be the odd one out. All I desired was to be the same as everybody else—to fit in. And I don’t. I can’t begin to explain how much it hurts when you’re being treated as different, less than others, just because you were born a certain way.”

Lorcan paused again and Eric braced himself, convinced someone in the audience would start heckling any moment, but silence reigned supreme. Eric didn’t think it would have been his approach, but maybe honest and vulnerable was the way to win over the crowd.

“We’re not asking for special treatment. All we want is to be treated the same way as you. This vote isn’t about whether or not you understand or approve of homosexuality. It has nothing to do with raising and adopting children. All a Yes vote would ensure is that we will be a little bit less separate from the rest of society. We just want to be equal. Nothing is going to change for you. Your marriages will still be as good or as bad as they are right now—your weddings still as lavish or as simple as you want them to be. Voting Yes won’t cost you anything and will give so very much.”

****

Many, if not all, of the arguments Lorcan uses in his speech have been spoken by me on more than one occasion during the run-up to the referendum and since.

Because all those arguments unfortunately still need to be heard. There are still far more countries without marriage equality than countries in which it has been established. In Chechnya gay men are being rounded up and transported to what can only be described as concentration camps. There’s the current situation in America where Republicans appear to be falling all over themselves to reverse equality laws, while they have a complete majority and a president who… Okay, I won’t go there right now. Just as I’ll refrain from diving head first into a diatribe against the constantly erupting shit-storms on social media, much as they break my heart and enrage me.

This book is close to my heart because I can’t believe in anything but ‘Equality’. I don’t want to be faced with a constant struggle of ‘them’ versus ‘us’. I want to live in a world where all of us only need one label: human. A world in which every person can be their own, individual, and unique self. A world in which ‘Equality’ encompasses all, without exception.

And that’s why both Equality and this post are far more personal than I’m strictly comfortable with.


About the book



Love is love. But what if the fight for equality gets in the way of building a relationship?

Lorcan Barrett has never considered himself relationship material. After his parents made it perfectly clear they’d never welcome a partner of his into their home, he learned to love his own company and now can’t imagine sharing his life with another. After a single passionate kiss with Eric Kavanagh—the night before he travels to Canada for three months—Lorcan’s no longer sure he wants to be on his own. The problem is, he has no idea what sharing his life with someone else might entail.

Eric Kavanagh grew up in a loving and supportive family and had always assumed he’d end up in a committed relationship. Sure that he’s found the one, Eric doesn’t worry about the fact that Lorcan has no experience when it comes to love and relationships. They are good together, so what could possibly go wrong?

When both men get involved in the marriage equality referendum in Ireland, it appears to bring them even closer together, until Lorcan’s insecurities get the upper hand and he shuts Eric out. Will the fight for a Yes vote cost them their relationship, or will they be able to find a balance between the love they share and the need for equality?

Publisher: Pride Publishing
Cover Artist: Emmy Ellis
Early Download Release: April 25, 2017
General Release: May 23, 2017
Buy Link: Pride Publishing
Pre-order Links: Amazon US| Amazon UK








Monday 24 April 2017

Monday Flash Fics - Reunion


Reunion

Oh. My. God. It’s a miracle. He’s here. I can see him … touch him.

Josh resisted the urge to pinch himself and just luxuriated in the moment. He’d dreamed about this. He’d prayed. He’d begged; made bargains with a deity he couldn’t put a name to, in the hope that the impossible might happen. And now it had.

Josh sought Preston’s lips and revelled in the long missed but not forgotten taste. How had he managed without this, without Preston? How would he go on from here?

He ground against Preston and his heart sang as soon as he felt his hard length against his own. He longed to remove the fabric between them, but he wasn’t willing to risk disturbing whatever force had brought them here … together. The heat coursing through his being, the sensual strokes of Preston’s tongue against his own, the intimacy, the illusion of belonging; rational thought didn’t stand a chance against the heady combination.

I’m so close.

It was difficult not to shout the words, but the moment was too fragile to disturb with loud noises, so he held on them, entangled them with the love that had never died and stored them away—for future reference.

Preston moved along with him, seeking his own friction and climax. Josh remembered those frowns so very well. He’d always forced himself to keep his eyes open when making love with Preston. The way he bit his lips, the soft moans and curses fleeing from his mouth on faint sighs. Josh used to live for the moments he could make Preston forget himself and his surroundings, and wanted nothing more than to be able to do so again.

Preston’s movements became erratic as he pressed closer. Josh’s own need was almost unbearable, but he held on with a strength he hadn’t known he possessed. This might never happen again. It had to be perfect.

He recognized the moment Preston’s orgasm hit him, drinking in the sight as his body tensed and subsequently became boneless. Then he was there too, but this was an orgasm unlike anything he’d experienced before. It was as if he was being turned inside out, as if all that he was—had been, could have been—every emotion he’d ever felt, the essence of his being, were all pouring out of him.

Preston’s lashes fluttered.

Josh stared down at his soul mate, willing him to open his eyes and see him.

The deep brown irises were as beautiful they’d ever been.

“That was the most wonderful dream.” Preston stretched, then pushed himself up. “If only it could have been…” He frowned at his damp crotch as soon as he stood, touching it before studying his surroundings. The hope that had momentarily lit up his face vanished to be replaced by grief.

Josh knew he was fading; the tears falling from his eyes as immaterial as he was.

So close and yet a lifetime away.

****

492 words


It has been a while, but it’s good to be back. More stories based on the same image can as always be found in the Monday Flash Fics group on Facebook. 

Sunday 23 April 2017

A Happy World Book Day Giveaway



I’m a huge fan and supporter of World Book Day. I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember. For the last ten years I have been lucky enough to work in a library, and I also write books. If you take that to mean that my life more or less revolves around books, you wouldn’t be far from the truth.

In the past I have officially signed up for World Book Day events, and I thoroughly enjoyed giving away copies of first ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak and subsequently ‘The Blind Assassin’ by Margaret Atwood.

This year I didn’t sign up, but allowing the day to pass without doing something book related just doesn’t feel right, so I’ve decided to run a flash giveaway.

This Tuesday Equality, the second book in the Dublin Virtues Trilogy, will become available for early download on the Pride Publishing website, but I’m giving away one e-copy today. In order to enter, just leave a comment below telling me why you love books and/or why equality is important to you. I will be picking a winner at midnight (Irish time) tonight.

What’s the book about, you ask?



Love is love. But what if the fight for equality gets in the way of building a relationship?

Lorcan Barrett has never considered himself relationship material. After his parents made it perfectly clear they’d never welcome a partner of his into their home, he learned to love his own company and now can’t imagine sharing his life with another. After a single passionate kiss with Eric Kavanagh—the night before he travels to Canada for three months—Lorcan’s no longer sure he wants to be on his own. The problem is, he has no idea what sharing his life with someone else might entail.

Eric Kavanagh grew up in a loving and supportive family and had always assumed he’d end up in a committed relationship. Sure that he’s found the one, Eric doesn’t worry about the fact that Lorcan has no experience when it comes to love and relationships. They are good together, so what could possibly go wrong?

When both men get involved in the marriage equality referendum in Ireland, it appears to bring them even closer together, until Lorcan’s insecurities get the upper hand and he shuts Eric out. Will the fight for a Yes vote cost them their relationship, or will they be able to find a balance between the love they share and the need for equality?

****

So if you’d like to get your hands on this story twenty-four hours before anybody else can, start commenting below now. And don’t forget to leave a contact email address and your preferred format (E-pub or PDF).

Good luck!


Wednesday 12 April 2017

Equality (Dublin Virtues #2) – Available for Pre-Order



It seems like only days have passed since Patience released but nevertheless it is time to announce that book two in the Dublin Virtues trilogy is now up for pre-order.

Before I get into links and release dates, let me tell you what the story is about.

Blurb

Love is love. But what if the fight for equality gets in the way of building a relationship?

Lorcan Barrett has never considered himself relationship material. After his parents made it perfectly clear they’d never welcome a partner of his into their home, he learned to love his own company and now can’t imagine sharing his life with another. After a single passionate kiss with Eric Kavanagh—the night before he travels to Canada for three months—Lorcan’s no longer sure he wants to be on his own. The problem is, he has no idea what sharing his life with someone else might entail.

Eric Kavanagh grew up in a loving and supportive family and had always assumed he’d end up in a committed relationship. Sure that he’s found the one, Eric doesn’t worry about the fact that Lorcan has no experience when it comes to love and relationships. They are good together, so what could possibly go wrong?

When both men get involved in the marriage equality referendum in Ireland, it appears to bring them even closer together, until Lorcan’s insecurities get the upper hand and he shuts Eric out. Will the fight for a Yes vote cost them their relationship, or will they be able to find a balance between the love they share and the need for equality?



And, if you’d like to know more, you can find an excerpt of chapter one here: Pride Publishing.

The release dates for Equality are as follows:
April 25th: Early Download Release on the Pride Publishing website
May 23th: General Release

Pre-order links:  Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK