Welcome everyone! Today, its TBG’s turn to host the Grand Adventures Blog Tour. Mia Kerick, Garrett Leigh and Sue Brown are here to answer a few questions about the awesome anthology. Plus, a great giveaway!
A Little About Grand Adventures
Stories Within
Foreword by S.A. McAuley
An Unexpected Thing by John Amory
The Twinkie Ignition by J.E. Birk
When Friendship Becomes More by Sophie Bonaste
Isle of Waiting by Sue Brown
The Jogger by KC Burn
Holding Court by Cardeno C.
For Dear Life by Mary Calmes
Under the Full Moon by Ellis Carrington
Stripped by Shae Connor (2nd Edition)
That Place Across the Hall by C.C. Dado
Mistaken MD by Phoenix Emrys
Cops and Comix by Rhys Ford
Last First Kiss by LE Franks
Tomorrow by John Goode
From Fantasy to Friends by CR Guiliano
Witness Protected by Dawn Kimberly Johnson
Water Under the Bridge by Mia Kerick
A Gentle Shove of Human Kindness by Amy Lane
Air (Roads #1.75 million) by Garrett Leigh
An Atheist and a Yoga Instructor Walk into a Bar by Rowan McAllister
Stalking 101 by Moria McCain
Simple Desires by Tempeste O’Riley
Object of Care by Zahra Owens
Kid Confusion by Madison Parker
Fall Train by Jaime Samms
The Exhibition by Andrea Speed
What You Will by Tinnean
Prologue by Brandon Witt
You can support TJ and Eric by purchasing your own copy of Grand Adventures at Dreamspinner Press and Amazon.
Mia Kerick
1. Tell us about your contribution to the anthology.
Not Broken, Just Bent was a popular YA Harmony Ink novel I wrote about the long and difficult road two teenage boys took to arrive at their happily ever after together. But, hey, it was a YA read—so the sexual content was limited. Readers never had an opportunity to see the full physical side of Timmy and Ben’s love. (And believe me, many readers let me know that they weren’t completely satisfied with this situation.) So…so, I fixed that little oversight by writing this short sequel to Timmy and Ben’s love story.
In Water Under the Bridge you will learn of the recent challenges in the couple’s relationship, and you will see the culmination of their love. It is beautiful and it is romantic and I think the readers will be satisfied…finally.
2. What is your favorite TJ and Eric memory?
Although I feel as if I have met TJ and Eric in person, as I’ve seen so much video footage of them and read so many words from and about them, the truth of the matter is, if I was to pass by them on the street they would not have an idea as to my identity. But still, I feel I know them, as many of us do, and I feel for them. And so I will admit, there is not one specific memory that holds reign over all of the others. It is much more a simple look that I see in their eyes when they gaze upon each other that moves me.
That gentle-knowing-flirting-laughing-wanting-hopeful-thankful expression in each man’s eyes when he looks upon his partner—the one for whom he has waited so long to find. That is my favorite memory of TJ and Eric.
3. Why did you choose to participate?
When I was growing up and I saw a person who was experiencing a more difficult challenge in life than I, my mother would always say to me, “But for the Grace of God, go I.” I took this wise statement—and the meaning behind it— into my heart. We will all have challenges in life. By chance or fate or luck or grace or—well, I really don’t know the reason for the events, both wonderful and challenging, that transpire in our lives—this challenging set of circumstances fell upon the shoulders of TJ and Eric. But it very well could have been my road to walk. Or my sister’s… or my child’s. We must all realize that difficulties occur in many of our lives—a seemingly unsurpassable challenge may pop up in my life tomorrow, or in your life, even—and we will need each other to get through it.
4. Do you have anything you want to say to TJ and Eric?
I think that I expressed my feelings in their fullness in the anthology where I had a chance to dedicate my story. However, I will reiterate, it is time for TJ and Eric to create a new normal. Their new normal—with their own unique brand of love and laughter, and their personal manner of responding to life’s challenges, which, in its entirety, is what we call building a life together.
About Mia Kerick
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigree cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.
Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.
Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.
Contact Mia via email. Come visit her website for updates on what is going on in Mia’s world, rants, music, parties, and pictures, and maybe even a little bit of inspiration!
Garrett Leigh
1. Tell Us about your contribution to the anthology.
My contribution to the anthology is a spur of the moment piece taken from my Roads series (Slide and Rare).
Joe is a secondary character, but one most readers seemed to love and crave more from. When John Goode and Dreamspinner sent up their call to arms it felt like fate.
Joe spends a whole summer caring for one of my MC’s, Ash, and this glimpse into his mind was fascinating to write. I’d always known his motivations for helping Ash, but this felt like I really got to show his heart.
2. What is your favorite TJ & Eric Memory (either in person or not)?
I don’t actually know TJ at all, but I’d been friends with Eric on FB a while before he got sick. I remember the videos of TJ proposing to him, and the photos of him with his beloved crack crew. And more than that, I remember his smile. You can’t fake a smile like that.
3. Why did you choose to participate in the anthology?
It was a compulsion. Like everyone else, I felt helpless for weeks and then John Goode threw us a bone.
You don’t have to know someone to help them. You just gotta help them.
4. Do you have anything you want to say to TJ & Eric?
Nope. I imagine they’ve heard it all. They know the score: Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go 🙂
About Garrett Leigh
Garrett Leigh is a British writer and indie cover artist with a special interest in using the arts as catharsis in mental illness. Currently writing and designing for Dreamspinner Press, Loose ID and Extasy Books, she has a passion for darkly troubled heroes, tattoos and tales of true love that triumphs against the odds…not necessarily in that order. Expect angst, passion and red hot attraction that won’t be denied.
Garrett lives in a small commuter town just north of London with her husband, two kids, a dog with half a brain, and a cat with a chip on her shoulder. She’s twenty-nine, and now she’s reached that milestone, she intends to stay there for the foreseeable future. Garrett has been writing just about her whole life, but it’s been about three years since she decided to take it seriously. According to Mr. Garrett, it was either give the men in her head a voice or have herself committed.
Angst. She can’t write a word without it. She’s tried, she really has, but her protagonists will always always be tortured, crippled, broken, and deeply flawed. Throw in a tale of enduring true love, some stubbly facial hair, and a bunch of tattoos, and you’ve got yourself a Garrett special.
When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible. That, and dreaming up new ways to torture her characters. Garrett believes in happy endings; she just likes to make her boys work for it.
Garrett also works as a freelance cover artist for various publishing houses and independent authors under the pseudonym G.D. Leigh.
Social media: Website, Twitter, Facebook or Cover art enquiries
Sue Brown
1. Tell Us about your contribution to the anthology.
My story is a snapshot in the Isle series, during the Isle of Waves period which will be out later in the year, Isle of Waiting doesn’t give too much away, but it’s a moment with the Owens’ brothers and between Paul and Olaf.
2. What is your favorite TJ & Eric Memory (either in person or not)?
I’ve only met TJ once, at GRL in 2012, and Eric at the same event, so I don’t really have much in the way of memories except TJ gives good hugs.
3. Why did you choose to participate in the anthology?
I took part in the anthology because John Goode is my friend and he asked me to, and because TJ and Eric are one of our own.
4. Do you have anything you want to say to TJ & Eric?
You are never far from my thoughts, guys. Sending you huge hugs from over the pond.
About Sue Brown
Sue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she can be found plotting at her laptop. In fact she hides so she can plot, and has gotten expert at ignoring the orders.
Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite television series. The series was boring; the kissing was not. She may be late to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.
Sue can be found at her website, her blog, Twitter, and her Facebook.
Grand Prize: (Sponsored by the tour bloggers)
Large Cover Art Print Signed by the Artist
&
Paperback copy of Grand Adventures
$30 Dreamspinner Press Gift Card
Click the above link to enter giveaway.
Rules:
* By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
* Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
* If you win, you must respond to the email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen.
* Winners may be announced on participating blogs following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner.
* In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
* Void where prohibited by law.
Be sure to stop by all the blogs on the tour for more inside information about the Grand Adventures anthology!
*A special thanks to Will at Pride Promotions for providing the Rafflecopter and graphics used during this tour.*
Title: Guarded
The Blogger Girls 