When in Bloom - Inspiration

Some inspiration pictures I used while writing When in Bloom:

Doctor Elliott Sheffield:

Jude Sebastian:

Adorable furbabies are included in the story:

Jude's beloved Medical Alert Dog - Dawson:

Finicky stray feline who adopted Elliott as his hooman guardian and named - Sigmund Freud or Sigi:

Southern Charm 4: When in Bloom

Fighting Type 1 diabetes since childhood, Jude Sebastian runs to prove he could live normal until the epileptic seizures changes his life. His illnesses rule his day-to-day activities. Even with Dawson, his Medical Alert golden Labrador, at his side, Jude finds daily life difficult. He owns the floral shop, Flowers in the Breeze, designing everything from simple bouquets to elaborate themes for weddings and celebrations.

At the Shore Breeze Clinic for appointments, Jude helps a man suffering a PTSD episode. This is Doctor Elliott Sheffield, a retired Army Ranger doctor with AMEDD, who arrives in the small town for a second chance. He needs regain control of his life away from the memories of what he saw in the Middle Eastern deserts.

Wanting a normal relationship, Jude tries to deny his disability, but something is happening. He can’t regulate his sugars and his seizures worsen. When he returns to the clinic, Dawson alerts him. He makes it to the end of the hallway before he succumbs.

Will the personal issues and challenges of both men get in the way of a chance at love?

Storming Love: Blizzard - Gavin & Morgan

MLR Press and fabulous editor, Kris Jacen, created a new series based on natural disasters and the men caught in the middle. Each Storming Love series has six books.

I was lucky enough to join in on Blizzard.

Title: Gavin & Morgan

Series: Storming Love - Blizzard

Order: Book 5

WC: 21,000

Heat: Moderate

Genre: Contemporary, Blizzard

Purchase Links:

MLR Press: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=SLS2_ND5

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TXELCB0/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=mp0def-20

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-gavinmorgan-1751948-149.html

Drained from forecasting both hurricanes and twisters, Gavin Larson, a meteorologist, accepts a request to become the head forecaster for a Philadelphia television station. He goes for a trial time during winter. A calm, quiet winter where he can recharge. Until he discovers a series of potential events ready to clash.

Taking over his family's position, Morgan Rylee Whittaker III feels the pressure to follow their lofty attitude, he can't stay hidden in the executive suites. He jumps into the chaos. Bumping into the meteorologist, Morgan feels a thump of arousal, but listens when Gavin locates a dangerous blizzard heading up the coast.

Together, they protect and prepare Philadelphia from the incoming nor'easter. They dance around the steady beat of attraction brewing between them as the storm rages.

Southern Charm Short: A Belated Valentine's Surprise

Southern Charm
A short story with Samuel Ashford and Dakota Mitchell
Takes place after the Southern Charm grand re-opening

Since the grand re-opening of the restored and upgraded Southern Charm B&B in Shore Breeze, Florida, Samuel Ashford found himself working harder than ever when he was in his family’s corporation. Sent to simply check out an aging B&B and decide to save or restore it, Samuel fell in love with the small town set on a spit of land in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola. He also fell deeply in love with the head chef, Dakota Mitchell, of the B&B’s popular restaurant, Southern Delights.

Pushing hard to make sure the Valentine’s Day weekend meant the Charm’s rooms were booked solid, Samuel was grateful it was over. He faxed the positive memo and early numbers from Chandler about the successful weekend to his family. With the last business finished, he shut everything down and went to find his lover.

The kitchen was darkened with Dorian and another helper doing the last of the cleaning.

“Hey, Dor, where’s Dakota?” Samuel asked.

“Home,” Dorian said. “He’s waiting for you.”

“Oh. Thought he would wait. Night!”

Leaving the Charm through the back door, he strolled across the expansive patio. He breathed in the night air, still holding a crisp chill in the breeze from the latest cold front. He had been afraid the cooler weather would cause people to cancel, but compared to places in the North, they flocked to the Panhandle. He figured clear weather in the chilly 60s was more pleasant than shoveling several feet of snow.

He followed the quiet path from the Charm, through the natural landscape their friend, Reece, created to surround the Owner’s Cabin restored and expanded. Samuel designed the new layout with an architect and their contractor, Sully. It was home. His home with Dakota.

Stopping at the base of the stairs, Samuel lifted his gaze to study the raised home. It was a smaller version of the Charm, but a little modernized with a vast expanse of windows and more open floorplan. He never felt more at home than this place. It was nothing compared to the sterilized feel of his old hotel suite.

Climbing the stairs, Samuel paused to stare at the large red satin bow attached to the door. As he drew closer, he saw a white envelope and pulled it free. Bemused, he opened and tugged out the note.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day

A surprise you will find at the end of the red ribbon.

Follow it and the clues.

Gather the roses.

Seek and you will find your true love.

Curious as all hell, Samuel plucked the long-stem rose from the bow, opened the door and stepped inside. He discovered the wide red ribbon stretched across the floor. Kicking off his shoes and letting his jacket slide off, he followed the ribbon as it led to the expansive opened kitchen.

The ribbon wandered up the island and another bow sat next to a small plate with two chocolate covered strawberries, a glass of champagne, and a single red rose. Another card propped next to the gifts.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day

Ooh. Look. A chocolate delight. A bubbly drink.

The aroma of a red red rose.

Seek to find the next gift.

Chuckling at the horrible attempt of poetic words, Samuel moaned with pleasure as he bit into the massive red berry. He adored when Dakota created his own chocolate. To have it covering fresh strawberries was one of Samuel’s favorites. He ate both within seconds, licked his fingers clean, and washed everything with the glass of champagne. He picked up the rose, smelled the rich blossom, and continued on the ribbon path.

It led outside next where he found another bow, a rose, and a message.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day

The smell of the ocean.

A brisk breeze touching your face.

The grit of sand on your feet.

Upon this beach, I discovered my love.

Seek to find the next gift.

Samuel wondered if Dakota could get any cornier. He couldn’t believe how much time Dakota spent on this and if he had any help. Turning, he followed the ribbon’s next destination. It was back into the living room and by the flat screen TV. It was attached to a smaller bow situated by the collection set of movies along with the rose and a note.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day

Cuddling on the sofa.

Laughter filling the room.

Snuggling with you.

Best way to spend my days.

Seek to find the next gift.

Chuckling at the memories of the hours they spent watching the movies, with Dakota and others giving him and Chandler a proper gay’s man education in film. Mostly it was all about farts and sex jokes with a few things going boom.

Rising as he sniffed the three roses, Samuel followed the ribbon’s next destination and saw it climb the stairs to their master suite. With a hand on the smooth bannister, he climbed the stairs and saw a large bow awaiting on the top.

Turning to enter the suite, he found Dakota standing in tailored pants, a crisp white shirt, barefoot, amongst hundreds of petals scattered around him on the hardwood floor.

“Dakota, this is… I can’t believe what you did. How long did this take?” Samuel asked as he stepped forward.

Dakota lifted a hand to make Samuel stop. “Did you enjoy the little journey?”

“Yes. It was beautiful.”

Clearing his throat, Dakota stared at Samuel. “Since the first moment we banged the ever living hell outta one another in the hallway, to finding you on the beach, to watching your sleepy expression and determination to follow me at the crack of dawn, and discovering your love of my beloved Charm and quaint little town, I’ve… never been the same man. You changed me for the better, Samuel Ashford. You not only restored my beloved Charm, but my battered heart.”

Samuel listened to Dakota. Tears welled in his eyes.

Dakota dropped to one knee amongst the petals and held out his cupped hands. A blue velvet box nestled between them.

“Samuel Ashford, I love you from the deepest part of my heart and soul. Will you grant me the honor of becoming my husband?” Dakota opened the box to reveal a pair of platinum bands with delicate rainbow chips of jewels in the center.

“Dakota… Oh… Dakota…” Samuel couldn’t get the words on his lips.

“Is that a yes?” Dakota asked, his voice shaky.

“Yes. Hell, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!” Samuel threw himself against Dakota’s frame. He let the roses drop as he wrapped his arms around Dakota’s shoulders and covered his face with kisses. Planting his mouth on Dakota’s lips, he felt them rock back until Dakota got control and kissed him back.

Twisting them around, Dakota let Samuel lie back on the rose petals. He slid one band on Samuel’s finger and let Samuel place the matching band on his hand. He lifted Samuel’s hand and kissed the band and Samuel’s knuckles.

“I love you. Happy belated Valentine’s Day, my love,” Dakota whispered as he swooped in for another kiss.

Samuel knew this was by far his favorite Valentine’s Day. Even if it occurred five days later.

Christmas Story Tour: Dakota's Gift

*dusts off the old blog*

Hi everyone! Thanks for joining me for this fabulous Christmas Stories Tour created by the fabulous RJ Scott. Here's a short story from my Southern Charm series with Totally Bound!

Dakota's Gift: A Southern Charm Christmas

Dakota Mitchell & Samuel Ashford

Leaning against the counter in the quiet, darkened kitchen, Dakota Mitchell studied the small binder he created for the Christmas feast. It would be the first time in a while when the Southern Charm, a restored antebellum B&B, would be comfortably full of families and guests wanting something different for the holidays. Since the Charm reopened in early November under his partner's careful watch, most of the rooms remained booked solid for weeks. His restaurant, Southern Delights, saw a surge of customers since the extravagant grand reopening.

With the holidays upon them, his lover, Samuel Ashford, went all out with the decorations, highlighting the beauty of the building with festive lights, garland, and a grand procession of luminary bags along the main paths. Dakota teased him about getting a fake snow machine to blow around the grounds. Samuel gave him a perfect 'stink eye' and trounced off with another box of decorations.

After months of work restoring and renovating the Charm and the grounds, Dakota couldn't believe the results of his friends' work. The contractor and landscaper were long-time friends and put everything into bringing the Charm back to its glory days. All they needed to finish was the old owner's cabin. The original structure deemed beyond repair, they made the difficult decision to tear it down and start anew.

As the Charm and the restaurant filled with guests, Dakota left the rest of the planning and design to his partner, Samuel. More than six months ago, he didn't think he would be here, ready to enjoy the first Christmas in a committed, loving relationship. Let alone with the determined northerner who swept into a small town and changed everything.

Tapping his pen against the pages as his mind drifted away, Dakota lifted his head when he heard footsteps behind him. The woodsy cologne of his lover had hit his senses before Samuel wrapped his arms around his waist. Dakota pressed a hand against the slender hands clasped above his belly button. He felt Samuel lean against his back, nuzzling him with his cheek.

"Is everything ready for tomorrow?" Samuel asked.

"We did about as much as we could. You missed Malcolm and Dorian. I sent them home to enjoy Christmas Eve."

"Then it's time for your surprise."

"My surprise?"

Samuel moved around to the side and held up a red silk scarf. "I need to cover your eyes with this."

"Ooh. When did we get into the kinky stuff?"

Samuel slugged his shoulder with a playful punch. He lifted on his toes and wrapped the warmed silk around Dakota's face. He tied it with a secure knot.

Blinded by the cloth, Dakota felt Samuel check the mask.

"Can you see?"

"Nope. Nothing but red."

"Good. Do I need to bring a binder with us?"

"It can stay."

"Perfect. I'll guide you."

After a gentle push from Samuel, Dakota walked with his lover, guided somewhere through the old building. "Are all of the guests settled in and comfortable?"

"Yes. Elise and Marilyn are keeping an eye on everyone. Some enjoy the fire in the living room with books, games, hot chocolate, and an ample supply of your cookies. Others are watching holiday movies."

"Anyone watching out for Santa?"

"A couple of kids are watching the NORAD tracker for his progress."

"You know Marilyn was a good find of yours to help Elise in the day-to-day managing of the guests."

"I'm pleased she took a chance with us. Watch your step down," Samuel said and counted the steps as he guided Dakota.

"Why are we going outside?"

"You'll find out."

Dakota pulled to a stop and breathed in the cool air, catching the hint of the ocean and sand along with Samuel's cologne. "What is the sky like on this Christmas Eve?"

"A beautiful deep blue velvet with thousands of sparkling stars. A few wispy clouds. It's perfect for Santa's trek."

"Santa already gave me his gift," Dakota said.

"How did you get an early present?"

Dakota chuckled when Samuel poke him in his ribs, knowing he was ticklish. He wiggled away from Samuel's attack, chuckles turned into laughter. "You!" He paused for breath. "He brought me your love."

"Aww… Sniff…"

"Jerk. Get this blindfold off me."

"Not yet," Samuel said as he placed his hands on Dakota's hips and marched him toward some unknown destination.

Dakota pled, begged, and cajoled Samuel to remove the covering. Samuel resisted all of his efforts. Even when he offered extra decadent dark chocolate mousse, the blindfold remained in place.

They stopped and Samuel wrapped one arm around his waist.

"Surprise, my love, and Merry Christmas," Samuel whispered in his ear as he yanked off the blindfold.

Blinking, Dakota stared at the elegant sight ahead of him. It was a cabin. The owner's cabin was finished.

"How? When…"

"Sully handed over the keys two weeks ago and we've kept it a secret. Everyone helped put it together," Samuel said as he took Dakota by the hand and led him up the stairs to the wraparound porch.

Dakota stopped to trace his fingers along the etched glass panels in the doors. "Our initials are entwined. Did Wyatt create this?"

"I asked him for something like the Charm, but personalized for us."

"It's beautiful. The decorations are fabulous, just like the Charm."

"I love the twinkle of white lights with a bit of the blue. Nothing outrageous," Samuel said as he touched a thick evergreen garland entwined with lights and a simple red ribbon he hung around the door and front windows. He placed his hand on the handle and opened the door. "Welcome to our home, Dakota."

"Our home for our first Christmas together."

"First of many," Samuel said as they entered together.

The open concept had been a brilliant idea between Samuel and the architect when they realized they needed to build from scratch. A massive natural stone fireplace rose along one side, crackling with a warm fire, and bookshelves surrounded it to fill the rest of the wall. Samuel placed a long sofa with loungers nearby and mounted a flat panel TV with all the electronics nearby for hours to cuddle together. The fresh Balsam pine tree filled the room with the scents of the holiday.

Beyond the main room, Dakota found the eating area next to an expansive kitchen. He glanced back at Samuel.

"Even with a kitchen in the Charm, I thought you would rather spend time and experiment here. Especially as the Charm fills with guests and Mal takes over more duties concerning the B&B side of dining. A chef should always have a personalized kitchen," Samuel said as he followed him.

"You filled it with everything I would need, didn't you?"

Samuel shrugged. "I went shopping with Mal and an inventory."

Dakota strolled back, cupped Samuel's face between his hands, and lifted the shorter man into a deep loving kiss. He felt Samuel clutch his shoulders as the kiss continued.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," Dakota whispered against Samuel's lips. "No matter whatever else is wrapped and hiding under the tree. I'll cherish this gift forever."

"I know you wanted a home, a kitchen, and an end to your wanderings. You started to find it when you stopped at the Charm and built Delights. I only helped to complete your dream."

"How did you know…"

"I have my ways," Samuel said and stepped back. He took Dakota by his hands and led him to the rest of the first floor to the guest room and bath, another bathroom, and a furnished office for two. He took him up the winding staircase to the expansive master suite taking up the entire second floor.

"Oh wow," Dakota said as he stared.

The bed was placed on a low platform and massive. Only a headboard completed the structure, but it wasn't a regular headboard. Dakota noticed the 3-D design of the painted shapes. He checked it from a different angle.

"It's the shoreline around the Charm and Shore Breeze on our wall. I saw it done on one of the DIY shows and asked Sully if he could recreate it. He did. Isn't it cool?" Samuel traced the edge of one of the boards.

"It's so damn cool. Are the nightstands made from driftwood?"

"Sully made the bases, but the tops came from Driftwood Gifts. I found the dressers at Secondhand."

Walking across the room, Samuel slid the sliding louvered doors to reveal dual walk-in closets, organized and filled with their clothes. He opened another hidden door to show the large master bathroom with a walk-in shower with all the gadgets, a Jacuzzi tub, and a dual sink.

"I don't think I'm going to want to leave our safe haven up here."

"Safe Haven. A good name for our cabin."

"A name?"

"We need one. I'll ask Wyatt to create a sign for the front."

Agreeing with Samuel, Dakota returned to the main bedroom and studied another fresh Christmas tree. Leaning closer, he found an ornament. "Where did you get these?"

"Elise and I went hunting for the old ornaments. I found a couple of boxes with your name on them. Is it okay if I used them up here? I figure we could create a new tradition of a personal tree. We'll add special ornaments."

Reaching around Dakota, Samuel removed one from a branch and placed it on Dakota's palm. "I chose this one."

Created out of driftwood, shells, and coral, a little plaque read: 1^st Christmas – Dakota and Samuel.

Dakota looked at his lover, his partner, and smiled. "It's perfect."

"Merry Christmas, my love."

"Merry Christmas," Dakota said, hanging the ornament back and enclosed Samuel in an embrace.

As promised, neither one left the safe haven for the rest of their first Christmas Eve together.

For more fabulous stories, click here to follow the links!

I hope everyone has a wonderful 

Happy Holiday season!

Walk Me Trilogy - Walk Me Down the Middle

New story from MLR Press.

Cowboys. Country-Rock musicians. Young Love. Reunion. This one has it all...

WC: 19,000

Heat: Mild

Genre: Contemporary, Cowboy, Y/A, Gay, Music, Country Rock

MLR Press

Purchase Links:

MLR Press: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=ND_WMDTM

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QAS3WHY/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=mp0def-20

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-walkmedownthemiddle-1689370-340.html

Growing up in small town Montana, two cowboys defy the odds and find music and love.

Sage Wallstatt loves music, horses, and his family. He dreams of playing the guitar with a country-rock band. Meeting his best friend at age seven, they became inseparable. Sage's feelings change when he never looks at girls, only Kaden. One magical night alters their paths. Two years later, Sage scrambles to pull his life together, decides to follow his dreams or stay on the ranch. Should he defy all to walk hand-in-hand with his chosen partner?

Kaden Carmody grows up with the best and the worst until he meets his best friend, Sage on a school playground. He finds solace with Sage and their cave hideout. One night changes everything until reality yanks them apart. Breaking free, Kaden returns to figure out the truth of his feelings for Sage, defy his father, and understand the gay man hiding inside.

Scare This: Unexpected Spirit

Thanks to another call from MLR Press for the Scare This Series for Halloween, I have another story for sale. A little spooky. A reluctant medium. A new beginning.

October 31, 2014

WC: 12,000

Heat: Zero

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Ghosts, Medium

Purchase Links:

MLR Press: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=NDUNXSPT

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-unexpectedspirit-1660777-340.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P5D7F5U/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=mp0def-20

Can ex-lovers find their way back to one another while Samhain allows a desperate person to do about anything to connect?

A reluctant medium turned writer, Dmitri Terron, hates Samhain and the spirits invading his life. He follows the Druid path, creating wards and barriers to keep out the ghosts. Even with these barriers in place, an unexpected spirit enters his home. It's his ex-boyfriend, Zackary Kendrick, scared and relieved to find Dmitri. 

Needing to learn what happen, Dmitri pushes past his personal barriers to help. Zack's physical body rests in a coma. A piece of Zack's soul needs to reunite with his body or all is lost.