Following the Law - Inspiration

Here are some inspiration pictures while writing Following the Law:


Beau Courtenay:

Sheriff Robin Burke:

Southern Charm 5 - Following the Law

Looking for the man who tried to poison Samuel Ashford is high on his priority list for Sheriff Robin Burke, who hopes his quiet seaside town returns to normal. With a bit of free time, he hopes to work out his non-existent love life.

Returning from London after a six-month trip, Beau Courtenay finds his troubled half-brother invades his home and privacy. Knowing he left his half-brother in a special facility, Beau wonders what chaos his brother created. An offer to renovate the entire Southern Charm systems and security is sent to him and he finds the B&B is going through an entire upgrade. Putting his brother’s issues on the back-burner, he goes to the Charm to work. Hearing others discuss the poisoning case of his new client, Samuel Ashford, Beau listens with half an ear. During his investigation of the systems, he discovers a case of hacking from the outside to destroy the online books and clients' private information. He suggests calling in the sheriff's unit, but didn't expect the Sheriff to take on the case himself and giving him personal attention.

What happens when the Sheriff connects the potential suspect of Samuel’s case to the handsome IT guy with the delicious British accent and tight ass? Will Beau be able to chose protecting his brother or following the law?

A Magical Kiss

My first attempt at publishing on my own. I started with a short story - once part of an anthology created by Sara York.

New Cover:

Original Charity Anthology cover:

A Magical Kiss

Burning First Kiss Charity Anthology for the Trevor Project

WC: 11,700

Heat: Zero

Genre: Contemporary, Gay Days, Walt Disney World, College, Coming of Age, High School, New Adult

Purchase Link:
All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-amagicalkiss-1837987-145.html

Going to Orlando's Gay Days is a dream for high school graduate, Elijah Carter, who recently came out to his family. Before going to college, he wants to explore what it means to be a proud young gay man.

Taking in Gay Days with his group of friends, recent graduate Derrick Hamilton couldn't ask for a better summer. He finds a swimming competitor he always checks out during the meets. To his surprise, Eli is gay.

With the freedom of being what they are within a loving tribe set within Disney's Magic Kingdom, two young men celebrate life and embrace the magic.

Inspiration:

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.