Hi My Name is Sharita Lira and I Love Gay Romance

Greetings people. I’d like to talk about the phenomenon I suppose I’m part of. Maybe we should call it a movement. It has become more of a story in the last few years but in reality, it has always existed.

What am I saying? Females who write gay romance.

Now, first let me say, I’ve only been publishing pro for two years. I’ve been writing for years and sharing the stories with friends to read. Over time, I got better and they told me I needed to try selling some of these. So, I joined the ERWA over 9 years and started sending my stories over the list. I got some great comments and finally two years ago, I decided to submit.

However, when I wrote the tales to the list, they were hetero. I was okay at it but I figured, this wouldn’t be more than something I did in addition to my regular job and I’d never turn it into a career.

Let’s back track to 2009.

I discovered something I really enjoyed reading called slash fanfiction. For those of you not familiar, slash is same gender pairings, mostly m/m. I read these on Livejournal as well as a site for my favorite band Duran Duran called Lovely Planet of There. Now, I’ve always loved watching manlove in erm, adult movies, but I’d never really read them until I started reading slash. And it went beyond DD, it went to Depeche Mode, Placebo, some slash of TV shows, Lord of the Rings, etc. I was HOOKED and finally I said, oh I think I’d enjoy this a lot more. That was when, Sharita Lira, the m/m writer was born.

Much to the chagrin of some of my friends who read my m/f, I began writing more slash and almost completely abandoned hetero because I loved writing about men in love. It was just something so much more exciting, arousing, and taboo telling the tales of two men who find one another attractive and move to the bedroom. WHEW.

A little over two years ago, I finally subbed my twisted stories to several publishers and well, about 30 plus stories later, here I am! A lot of people ask, including those in my immediate family, what’s the reason? I stated some of them but the most important one is, I believe love sees no color or gender. In reality, if you truly have emotions for someone, regardless of how others feel, you will pursue them. The other reason? I love being the rebel and even though the manlove genre has exploded, it’s still considered a niche subgenre, placed under erotica. (Don’t get me started there)

So in closing, I write manlove, gay romance, gay erotica and I don’t hide from it. Yes, sometimes, and I do mean sparingly, I write m/f. If I’m feeling female, I’ll add a gal to my male pairing to make it saucy but at the moment, all my muses love the m/m and until that changes, which I don’t think it will, I’ll continue to be part of the movement.

  

For now, my latest with NNP is Candyman by BLMorticia

Blurb: Alain Roux is the new President of the world famous Diamond Candies chocolate factory on the South Side of Chicago. His father, Demi Roux lost his battle with cancer and has left it in his care despite Demi’s brother’s advice to leave it to him. Alain has no interest in the company but to fulfill his father’s last wish, he takes on the day to day of it anyway.Ty Washington is a born and raised Southsider who’s working there to put him through college. Recently, his father threw him out because he confessed he might be gay. When he and Alain talk, his heart soars and as badly as he tries to fight it, the two connect and eventually they decide to give their relationship a try.

In BL’s own humorous way, she’ll tell the tale of a man and his subordinate as they overcome the struggles to build a long lasting commitment.

NNP     ARe   Amazon

Excerpt from Candyman written by S.Lira aka BLMorticia Copyright 2012

I don’t like this!

Unfortunately, Ty couldn’t sleep, despite his knowledge of his upcoming early shift. The bills weighed heavily on his mind and, instead of getting the proper rest, he decided to log on to his favorite porn site, Brothas in Heat. A free site he’d found while searching for pictures to rub off to, and he hadn’t stopped looking since. Damn hormones. Regardless of what was going on, a man could always find time to masturbate.

Fucking slow connection! He mooched off someone in the building’s wifi – someone who didn’t have a secure network. Lord knows, he couldn’t afford his own.

On his laptop screen was a picture of a black man: his legs spread, feet up in the air; an older white man plowing his ass with his large uncut dick. Ty had his own in hand, jerking off wildly, while he salivated over the video clip. “Mhmm…” He licked his lips and gawked at the display, totally hating himself for being so aroused. Ty wished it was him getting it from that stud, despite the fact that the idea of penetration terrified him.

In moments the tremors took over; he covered his mouth with his free hand, trying his best to muffle his own screams. Long, white ropes of his own cum painted his chest. “Fuck!”

Beads of sweat popped on his forehead. His brown skin coated with perspiration, the heat swirled around him. Ty’s toes curled, he gritted his teeth and leaned back in the folding chair to ease himself down from the sexual high.

No question – men did it for him so much more than women. It was time to face the fact that he was indeed a gay man.

After catching his breath, he closed the notebook and got up, dragging himself to the bathroom to wash off the sticky substance and sweat from his flesh. The throb in his cock had been satisfied, but his right hand hurt from all the self-love. While running the water, waiting for it to warm, he glanced at himself in the mirror. “Why me?”

Why not you?

The man in the glass spoke back to him, scaring the living daylights out of him. Of course it was only his subconscious telling him how stupid he was for denying his true feelings. No one could change what they really felt deep inside; they could either accept it or ignore it. Ty couldn’t do the latter any longer. Females just don’t do it for me!

Despite the hot towel, he ran it along his stomach and inner thighs, cleaning the residue from his body. At first touch, he sighed deeply and closed his eyes, enjoying the burn. In three short strokes, he’d removed the remnants of his own juices from his skin. Ty turned the valves to shut the water off and turned out the light. Time to get some shut eye. Hopefully he would sleep, since he had to be up in three hours to make that early morning shift. Unable to keep his eyes open, he flopped on the bed, holding the pillow as if it were a lover. As usual, the coils of the sleeper couch pinched him on his stomach and legs. Surely that would leave marks. Who cares? No one’s lookin’ at my ass anyway.

Within moments, Ty drifted off into a deep slumber, not thinking about his unpaid bills or his fucked up confusion and now certainty about being a gay man.

Damn it all. I’m tired!

***

Alain tossed and turned until the alarm went off at five-fifty, signaling time for a shower. “Shit!” He pulled the pillow over his head, not even bothering to shut the annoying thing off. “Oh God, who signed me up for this again?” Alain finally reached over and hit the top of it, making the noise stop. Still yawning, he removed the blindfold and rubbed his eyes. “Still fuckin’ dark outside. No one should hafta wake up when there’s no sun out!” Would he ever adjust to these early mornings? Who knew, but he’d have to do it soon.

Slowly, he slid his feet from under the cover, attempting to put them into the slippers that sat at the side of the bed. “Coffee, I need coffee!” Tossing the eye covering, he raked his locks with his hand. “Damn, hair a bit long much?”

The moment he did manage to get his toes into those warm shoes, the door opened and Lucas came strolling in with a big mug and a tray of what looked to be food.

Alain smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Now this might be a good reason to wake up early.” Damn, stop flirting! He knew it was wrong to be making suggestive comments to his deceased father’s lover, but he couldn’t help himself. The man was just too delicious to ignore.

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Cut that out! Sit up and eat this small breakfast that Marisol made for you and get ready to go. I told the staff we’d be there between seven and seven thirty.” Lucas made a production of checking his Rolex.

Still not wanting to move, Alain ate a piece of toast and sighed. “Ack! I hate getting up at this hour!”

“Well, too bad. You need to be at your best Alain, if you wanna beat your uncle.” Lucas sat on the end of the bed and stared at him some more, then he grinned. “God, you look more like Demi every day!”

Alain nodded. His smug grin replaced the grimace. He took a sip of the coffee, then slid closer to Lucas and peered into his grey eyes. “Do you wanna find out how much I’m just like Dad?” Alain couldn’t help but flirt with Lucas. The attorney was hot, hands down one of the hottest men he’d ever come in contact with. Plus, he knew it riled Lucas up.

“Hey, no; you stop that! I told you, never in a million years! Now eat your breakfast!”

Alain glanced at the ceiling and went back to eating. “Sorry Lucas, you’re just so handsome, ya know? I’ve gotta get me a man and quick! I’ve been way too lonely!”

Lucas cocked an eyebrow and drew up his lips. “Obviously!” He got up from the bed and looked at his timepiece once more. “Just hurry up and meet me downstairs. Don’t make me come back up here after you, ya hear?”

“Yes sir!” Alain saluted. He allowed his eyes to follow the hot counselor as he left his bedroom. “Dayum, baby. Dad? Why’d our lawyer have to be so hot? You cursed me!”

Sharita Lira -

In one word, crazy. Just crazy enough to have 3 different muses running around in her head, driving her to sheer exhaustion with new plot bunnies and complex characters.

This happily married mother of two beautiful children loves music, computers, reading, and still enjoys reading and writing fanfiction. She’s a proud member of the Erotica Readers & Writers Association, as well as an advocate for rights of LGBT citizens.  She’s also a contributor to the heavy metal ezine Fourteeng.net.

For more information, please visit http://www.thelitriad.com as well as her Facebook fanpage,The Literary Triad.

Can A Man Be Sensual?

Greetings folks! I’d be the less snarky and more sensual one, Rawiya, half of the BLRawiya writing team of the Triad that also includes, Michael Mandrake.

As you may or may not know, we’re all fans and writers of gay male romance. We love the tension, the stories of the struggle for two men to be accepted in a society that frowns upon homosexual relationships. It makes for great stories many readers enjoy and some of them really love it when there’s more sensuality between the men.

What does that mean?

 

First, define sensual: In the dictionary, it means a multitude of things. Arousing or exciting the senses is the one that caught my eye. When we think of sensual, we usually equate that with females, because we like more of the complete picture. We’re more than just visual. We like to feel, taste, and sense the emotions in our characters just as if we were there with them.

A lot of female readers who are picking up gay romances want the men in the stories to be sensual with one another and to show how aroused they are. No wham bam, sex. Give them the tender kisses, the touches, massages, the tugging at clothes, the nuzzling of necks, WHEW! I like it all and so do BL and Michael. We refuse to be writers that don’t show every little bit of emotion between the men in our books. A lot of them might do it too much which might be nauseating to some but I think the majority appreciate it.

Why do people think men can’t be sensual? I mean, in my hetero relationship, I’m happily married to a fairly sensual male. Some days, he just holds my hand, touches my face, gives me a back rub. Yes, usually it leads to more but isn’t that supposed to happen? Is every man supposed to be this hair grabbing, fuck you senseless with no emotion kind of individual? Hells no. If mine was, I can tell you, I’d show him the door. The key is balance. Can he grab you and manhandle you and still be tender at times, tells you he loves you, adores you, and still be all man?

Yes! Definitely!

Our ideas of how men are or should be remain skewed. The men’s perception of themselves is even worse, when they equate being soft and sensual to be femme. Maybe that’s why we, as females, love gay men and their stories because a lot of them realize they have a soft sensual side and accept it. Nothing wrong with that at all and straight men, if you have it, embrace it.

The women, like me, will love you for it.

So, in closing, be sensual, show your feelings. It doesn’t mean you’re any less of a man. It means you’re human. Stop thinking you can’t do that and not be all male. In my opinion, when you show your sensual side, it makes you more of a man to me.

Blurb: Matthew Davidson wants a MAN! The setting shifts away from the America’s to Britain where Matthew and his childhood friend, Devon Peartly attend a cooking school to obtain their cooking certificates. The young man wants a partner so badly, he decides he’ll try an online dating service in hopes of finding a black man that can take care of and satisfy him romantically.

He finds that man, Antwon Bantu on an online dating site and is instantly intrigued. Little does Matthew know that Antwon is involved in a “convenient” marriage and is seeking a younger partner so he can finally get on with his life. Instead of confessing the truth, he decides to hide it, fearing he’ll lose the chance with Matthew if he informs him. To complicate things, Antwon’s wife claims to be in love with him. Antwon must choose what’s more important; loving Matthew or saving his impeccable reputation as a top barrister in the London courts?

Which will he choose?

In this scene, Matthew is expecting a called from Antwon and can’t help but be nervous.

After school, Matthew did everything he could think of to keep himself busy until nine pm. He cleaned, did all his homework, cooked dinner, and talked Devon into leaving for the evening even though his good friend wanted to stay and hear the conversation. He couldn’t wait to hear that voice. Just thinking about the rich deep tone made his hardened muscle swell underneath his sweats. “Damn, what time is it?”

Nearly eight thirty; just a half an hour till he’d hear the voice of his potential new man. It didn’t matter if he wasn’t into Caucasians at the moment. Matthew assured himself he’d make Dlovr change his mind very quickly.

Matthew went into his room, trying to relax and get his wits about him. He lay on the bed he’d just made up, holding the phone in his overly busy hands. “Damnit, I’m so nervous.”

It had been awhile since he was this overjoyed about talking to someone new.

He just has to be the one.

All the signs pointed to him being the one he’d been searching for, with the only tiny detail being his preference for black or Latino. Nothin’ against men of the colored variety but I’m quite entertaining.

Gripping his cell tightly, he smiled to himself and stared at the screen. What would Dlover sound like? Matthew hoped he’d have a deep voice like Barry White, along with a slow hand. “Mhph.” A face like Denzel wouldn’t hurt! Although Matthew did say that looks didn’t matter that much, he had to wonder if Dlover was at least an average looking bloke. What if he’s butt ugly but real sweet? Just the thought made Matthew shudder. “We’ll cross that bridge when I see the picture.” He bit his lip and placed the handset face down in his lap. “C’mon nine o’clock.” This waiting period made Matthew even more uncomfortable. One by one, he began biting his nails on one hand while the other fidgeted with his curls. All kinds of what ifs ran through his brain. What if I’m not able to sway him? What if he’s pissed when he sees I’m not the man in the photo? What if he is butt ugly? Matthew shook his head and sighed. This had to be the longest half hour of his life. “Maybe I should call him, maybe…”

Jarred from his deep thoughts, Matthew nearly jumped out his skin when his phone blared the simple ring tone. His palms slightly moist, he wiped them on his trousers. Attempting to relax, he took a deep breath, and pressed the green button. “Hello?”

“Hi there, is this Choco?”

Matthew grinned and drew up his lips. A slight bit of guilt came over him. Choco eyes and hair but not skin. “Yes it is, is this Dlover?”

“It is indeed. How are you?” The smile came through the headset making Matthew’s smile grow wider. Not quite Barry White but still sexy. He licked his lips and propped his cell on his shoulder. “I’m good. My name is Matthew by the way. And yours?”

Silence then the voice came through once more. “Antwon. It’s good to talk to you, Matthew. I have to say I’ve been looking forward to this.”

“Yeah me too.” Making himself comfortable on the couch, he shifted and stretched his long legs out over the coffee table. “I have to be honest, I’ve been quite nervous about talking with you all day.”

“Same here. Maybe we could calm each other down. It’s not like we’re meeting one another in person… yet.”

The last part of that statement caused Matthew’s heart to skip a beat. Yeah they weren’t meeting but what would occur when they did?

Hopefully he’ll still like what he sees.

Amazon, Are, Smashwords NNP

Check out the rest of the series here on Amazon

RAWIYA is the more sensual erotica writer in the BLRawiya duo. She loves multiracial characters who overcome obstacles other than race. Sweet, sassy, and spicy would be the best way to describe her work. Happily married mother of two, loves music, computers, and travel. She blogs regularly at Wicked Sexy Writers. For more please visit the Rawiya's blog on Wordpress

Candyman - The Final Book in the SNOTM series

Good morning! It's very hard to believe that this series is done. The first book in the series released in Nov 2011 and now, here it is Jan 2013 and it's finished. But oh what a ride its been, meeting characters with very distinct traits, various lives, and um, fetishes. 

It's been a treat to create this series along with BL and Rawiya and now BL will finish it, just as she started it. Candyman is a humorous look at a young man who obtains control over his father's company when he passes. However, things get even more complicated when he falls in love with one of the workers. 

Of course, there are sequels planned for Latte, Sugar Daddy, and this one since they have secondary characters that needed their own books but the series is officially done. Look for Candyman to be released on January 8th!

Alain Roux is the new President of the world famous Diamond Candies chocolate factory on the South Side of Chicago. His father, Demi Roux lost his battle with cancer and has left it in his care despite Demi’s brother’s advice to leave it to him. Alain has no interest in the company but to fulfill his father’s last wish, he takes on the day to day of it anyway.

Ty Washington is a born and raised Southsider who’s working there to put him through college. Recently, his father threw him out because he confessed he might be gay. When he and Alain talk, his heart soars and as badly as he tries to fight it, the two connect and eventually they decide to give their relationship a try.


In BL’s own humorous way, she’ll tell the tale of a man and his subordinate as they overcome the struggles to build a long lasting commitment.

Coming to NNP, All Romance, Smashwords, and Amazon!

Don’t come back here until you get your head outta your ass! Get out and stay out!

Like a broken record, the words of Ty Washington’s father replayed in his mind. Nope, Dad wouldn’t accept his only son being gay. He’d told him after dinner and right away, Mr. Washington made him pack his bags. They’d always been close, especially after Mrs. Washington died of leukemia when Ty was twelve. Didn’t matter though. Mark Washington couldn’t see himself with a homosexual for a son and he let him know, in no uncertain terms, there was no way he’d allow him to live in his upper southeast side home with those “unclean” thoughts, let alone behaviors.

Although that happened almost two years ago, Ty still felt it like it was yesterday. He and his dad hadn’t spoken since then and nothing looked as if that would change. A lot of times, Ty thought about ending it all, but then he thought about his mom and how he had promised her he’d make something of himself someday. No way could he let her down.

On his way back to the sty he called home on the west block of seventy-ninth, Ty turned his headphones up louder and glanced out the window of the bus. He noticed people going in and out of the small stores, carrying bags as they ran to the bus stop or to their cars. It was Friday night, which meant payday for many – a chance to spend their hard-earned cash on new shoes or clothing – something Ty wished he could do. Unfortunately, except for Ramen noodles, eggs, and cereal, almost all his check went to paying for the apartment and keeping his jalopy of a car running. Right now it was sitting in his friend’s garage getting a tune up, hence Ty’s ride on the big blue limousine. He barely had enough left for anything outside the essentials. Still, Ty was thankful for what he did have. Better than being homeless.

In minutes, they came up on his street and he pulled the string for the bus to stop. “Excuse me,” he muttered to the curvy and attractive young lady sitting next to him that he cursed himself for not even noticing. Why the hell didn’t I see her?

Ty really wasn’t comfortable with the fact he liked men more than women and often thought he was a freak of nature. His few remaining friends let him know he needed to get out more and start dating girls more aggressively.

“I don’t have time,” he’d answer. It was true, since he worked up to thirty hours a week and went to college at UIC studying for a marketing degree. Between tuition and books, the only social life he had was the fiction he read and the time he spent on the phone with friends. Even that was limited because of his tight budget.

“Hmph.” Ty sprinted to his building and picked up the few pieces of mail in his mailbox – offers for credit cards, junk mail, and a couple of utility bills. “Shit, how am I gonna come up with the money for these?” He opened up the first invoice and shook his head. Whenever he got a bill, he thought about the ad he saw in one of the smaller newspapers for the all-male revue at the Hotspot nightclub. But when would there be time to study and work a second job? At night, Ty hit the books and did his homework. Of course, that was after he left Diamond Candies for the day. If I took on anything more, my grades might fall! He leaned against the door and breathed a sigh while he looked at the picture of his mom on the mantel.

Damn Momma, I wish you were here for me now!

Once he settled in and made a can of soup for supper, Ty sat on the couch and searched the company website to find out about college assistance. Due to his stupid pride he’d never thought about it, but since the bills weren’t stopping any time soon and he didn’t want to get kicked out, he thought this would be as good a time as any.

“Damn, my GPA might not be good enough. 3.5? Shit!” Ty was doing good in school, but he didn’t think he his grade point average would make that cut. He’d flunked a test earlier in the semester and he was still paying for that.

The one night I decided to go out.

Stupidly, he’d join his friends for a beer the night before the test, to try picking up girls and getting laid. Instead, he’d embarrassed himself with bad attempts at dancing, and he got so drunk he’d ended up in the bathroom puking his guts out.

Eww!

Just thinking about the morning after made him shudder. He grimaced, knowing he shouldn’t have let them talk him into it. Ty had missed class and hadn’t been able to make up the test. His marketing professor was one of those insufferable bastards that loved to make his students’ lives a living hell. Damn him.

Damn Diamond Candies for making the standards so fucking high. That kind of average meant all A’s and maybe one B, most likely a high one – not one teetering on the edge of a C. Shit.

Disgusted, he slammed the laptop down and tossed it next to him. Once it hit the couch, he cursed himself knowing that wasn’t the smartest of moves since the old Thinkpad was a hand-me-down. He rubbed his hands over his smooth head and turned on the TV, hoping that would take his mind off the bills and the seven a.m. shift at the factory he had to endure tomorrow. A Channel Two news brief flashed across the screen.

And today, beloved owner of Diamond Candies, Demi Roux, was memorialized. Many were in attendance…

“Yeah? It’s about time that old bastard kicked the bucket. Maybe the new boss will give me the well-deserved raise I’ve been looking for!” Ty snarled at the mourners leaving what looked to be a mansion.

Reportedly, Demi left his fortune to his son Alain. No word on who will step in as the president of the beloved corporation.

“Hopefully somebody who isn’t as much of a tightwad as him!”

It Ain't Easy Being the Wicked Gal - BLMorticia

Greetings folks. This is resident bad gal BLMorticia here with a writing post! WHAT? Wait hold the phone, you say. “You’re the one that’s supposed to do the smexy posts about…well, sex, getting all hot and bothered, with the pics, etc…”

YADADDADD YADDA!

Okay, yes that’s true but in this writing biz, even the wicked gal has writing thoughts. Over this short period of time that we’ve (Michael, Shar, Rawiya, and I) have been writing, we’ve got the styles of writing and even plotlines nailed down.

Rawiya is the loving, sensitive muse. Will do m/m, m/f, mmf. Does Interracial only, mostly contemporary and is more likely to so an emotional piece. More fluff. *snicker*

Michael loves to do gay characters in mainstream plotlines. Will tackle historical, contemporaries, mysteries but only gay men already comfortable with their sexuality. In other words, Michael won’t do any men on the fence or even bi characters. He does gay romance, long winded too.

Sharita, who is the head, has a personal project to come that will hit the heart and gut.

And me, I’m the comical, smart arse! I do it all, eventually some f/f, all with humor. More one-liners in my work than the other muses. I can also do a little fluff, hence the My Lieutenant books but I mostly enjoy angsty pieces and or books with comical scenes. No, not Three Stooges, just characters that make you laugh. Besides that, I love some things the others might not. Rawiya wants to touch on BDSM, Michael has done gunplay but I’d like to delve a little deeper. I’m intrigued by the darker and more sexual sides of my characters. The bad boys of metal who’ve got fetishes they can’t tell their homophobic friends, the military men who’ve got secrets and desires and are afraid to come out. Witches and shifters with serious issues, tattoos that tell stories or assist with certain powers. At the same time, I’ve got cowboys with disabilities and bad ass attitudes.

Ah yeah, I run the gamut which means the wicked gal does a little of everything but the key is snark and wickedness. *winks* Maybe my new tagline should be Get Down with the Sickness. LOL but I’m not sure what that implies. Let’s face it, I follow my characters but I like the down and dirty better than anything. My next book, My Lieutenant 2 might be the last fluffy book I’ll do. Even though I love Nathan and Bryant, I enjoy snark, smart assery, AND the dirty in the same books. I look forward to taking the time to build that persona.

As I said, it ain’t easy but I’ll try to uphold my wicked reputation!

Next book, no cover yet, Candyman from Naughty Nights Press the final book in the SNOTM series!

Alain Roux is the new President of the world famous Diamond Candies chocolate factory on the South Side of Chicago. His father, Demi Roux lost his battle with cancer and has left it in his care despite Demi’s brother’s advice to leave it to him. Alain has no interest in the company but to fulfill his father’s last wish, he takes on the day to day of it anyway.

Ty Washington is a born and raised Southsider who’s working there to put him through college. Recently, his father threw him out because he confessed he might be gay. When he and Alain talk, his heart soars and as badly as he tries to fight it, the two connect and eventually they decide to give their relationship a try.

In BL’s own humorous way, she’ll tell the tale of a man and his subordinate as they overcome the struggles to build a long lasting commitment.

Excerpt

Alain tossed and turned until the alarm went off at five-fifty, signaling time for a shower. “Shit!” He pulled the pillow over his head, not even bothering to shut the annoying thing off. “Oh God, who signed me up for this again?” Alain finally reached over and hit the top of it, making the noise stop. Still yawning, he removed the blindfold and rubbed his eyes. “Still fuckin’ dark outside. No one should hafta wake up when there’s no sun out!” Would he ever adjust to these early mornings? Who knew, but he’d have to do it soon.

Slowly, he slid his feet from under the cover, attempting to put them into the slippers that sat at the side of the bed. “Coffee, I need coffee!” Tossing the eye covering, he raked his locks with his hand. “Damn, hair a bit long much?”

The moment he did manage to get his toes into those warm shoes, the door opened and Lucas came strolling in with a big mug and a tray of what looked to be food.

Alain smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Now this might be a good reason to wake up early.” Damn, stop flirting! He knew it was wrong to be making suggestive comments to his deceased father’s lover, but he couldn’t help himself. The man was just too delicious to ignore.

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Cut that out! Sit up and eat this small breakfast that Marisol made for you and get ready to go. I told the staff we’d be there between seven and seven thirty.” Lucas made a production of checking his Rolex.

Still not wanting to move, Alain ate a piece of toast and sighed. “Ack! I hate getting up at this hour!”

“Well, too bad. You need to be at your best Alain, if you wanna beat your uncle.” Lucas sat on the end of the bed and stared at him some more, then he grinned. “God, you look more like Demi every day!”

Alain nodded. His smug grin replaced the grimace. He took a sip of the coffee, then slid closer to Lucas and peered into his grey eyes. “Do you wanna find out how much I’m just like Dad?” Alain couldn’t help but flirt with Lucas. The attorney was hot, hands down one of the hottest men he’d ever come in contact with. Plus, he knew it riled Lucas up.

“Hey, no; you stop that! I told you, never in a million years! Now eat your breakfast!”

Alain glanced at the ceiling and went back to eating. “Sorry Lucas, you’re just so handsome, ya know? I’ve gotta get me a man and quick! I’ve been way too lonely!”

Lucas cocked an eyebrow and drew up his lips. “Obviously!” He got up from the bed and looked at his timepiece once more. “Just hurry up and meet me downstairs. Don’t make me come back up here after you, ya hear?”

“Yes sir!” Alain saluted. He allowed his eyes to follow the hot counselor as he left his bedroom. “Dayum, baby. Dad? Why’d our lawyer have to be so hot? You cursed me!”

 After eating his breakfast, Alain got dressed and finally Lucas got him out the door and on the way to the Diamond Candies building. As soon as he arrived many of the employees stood, as if they were in the military, saluting and greeting him as he walked the floors.

“Morning!” When he went to the management floor; a crowd of workers stood along the narrow halls, stepping outside their offices to say hi to their new boss. Alain nodded and spoke to each one, tightly gripping his cup of coffee.

Behind him was Lucas, doing the same while holding a stack of files – one for each of the employees. Alain had asked for them so he’d know all by name and a little about each of the top workers.

He sipped from his tall mocha latte and removed his glasses from the bridge of his nose. Now I’m awake. He used to only wake up this early when Demi wanted to take him out golfing or if they were on holiday, otherwise he never even opened his eyes before ten. Alain would have to get used to these early starts.

Once they’d made their way to the large office at the end of the hall, Lucas opened the door and Alain stepped in. “Wow! A lot’s changed a lot since I was last here.”

“Demi didn’t tell you he redecorated? After he found out about his uh, illness, he had it totally rehabbed to something he thought you might like more. He wanted to make sure you’d be totally comfortable.”

Dear old Dad!

That last statement brought a small tear in his eye as he glanced at the large space that was now his working area. The picture windows gave a great view of the outside. White walls, mostly bare; one modern abstract painting hug above the mantel of the fireplace. On the other side, a file cabinet with a stereo system on top, and in the middle, the long desk made from fine wood with rounded corners on which sat only a vase full of white roses and a pen set with a nameplate that read Alain Roux, President.

“Ah Lucas, are those from you?”

He blushed, “Yes, I thought you’d like them on your first day. It’ll motivate you to see the title even though it isn’t official. Go on – go sit at the desk and try it on for size.”

Alain returned the smile and did as Lucas suggested. Taking a seat in the leather chair, he breathed a sigh of relief when his buttocks sank into the cushion. “Oh… this chair is fabulous.”

“Gives good massages too,” Lucas added and pulled up another chair from the corner of the room.

Alain cocked an eyebrow. “Does it give hand jobs? I might need that after a frustrating day at the office.”

“Alain, will you stop?” He laughed. “Is that all you think about?”

“Yep. You know that old song by Korn, A.D.I.D.A.S? Shit, that’s what makes the world go ’round, Lucas.”

“Not the business world Alain. Here it’s all about the cash and the power.”

“You couldn’t be more right my dear Lucas!”

Alain’s smile turned immediately upside down. That wretched voice! Jakob had come to pay him a visit on his first day.

Check out the rest of the series here

BLMorticia is currently a published writer with Naughty Nights Press and Rebel Ink Press. She entertains her readers with hot and smexy sex, humor, and lots of swear words. She attempts to incorporate metal music or the military in most of her works. Nothin’ sexier than metalheads or military servicemen and women! She also writes a biweekly column on Blak Rayne Books and blogs on the First Thursday of the month at NNP Blog. For more info, please visit, Erotica With Snark

What Should Be the Focus of IR Romance?

Greetings fans.

Today, I wanted to speak about a topic I love which is interracial romance. I write them all, M/F, M/M, and ménage but I’ll focus on m/m mostly.

A while back, I did two articles about interracial m/m romances. One appeared on IRM and another one on Sizzling Hot Books. The response on the IRM was greater with many writers chiming in talking about being intimidated to write a multi cultural romance because they’d get the characters wrong.

*blinks*

In the case of m/m and m/f and really any writing for that matter, I don’t believe you can necessarily get it wrong unless you’re doing a non-fiction or historical book where your facts should be correct.

Now by no means am I saying that you should just jump into it blindly. You can do a little research about the characters if you as the writer are of a different race than them but really, can you get it “wrong?”

When I think of people mentioning getting something wrong in this instance, I immediately think of the racial stereotypes. You know them because of the way the media portrays characters on sitcoms or even dramas. This media could also include books that might make their characters a certain way. However, in my estimation, this shouldn’t be the focus of any story, romance or not. It should be the characters and how their story develops throughout.

Since I wrote the blog posts I have found many more m/m IR romances and enjoyed quite a few. I fully intend to read more m/f in the future but for now, I’ll let you know what I’ve figured out while reading a few m/m stories.

In truth, most writers I’ve read didn’t bring any stereotypes into their tales at all unless it was part of the plot. What a welcome surprise too since the couple of books I’d read at first did exactly the opposite. I gathered that they did their stories and made the characters relatable to anyone who read them instead of focusing on the racial differences. This allowed me to enjoy the stories even further and not wince when I came across the style of dress or the way the character talked. All the characters in the books were presented as intelligent and weren’t drawn up from what the writer might have seen on TV or even on the street. Thank goodness! Nothing would be worse for me to read a story that made me cringe.

So in regards to m/m, m/f, or ménage interracial romance the focus should be on the love between them and not the differences in their nationalities. As far as the Triad is concerned, we do exactly that. BL of course has My Lieutenant where the black character is a retired officer in the Navy and talks less slang than his white counterpart. Michael’s first m/m IR romance is contracted through No Boundaries Press called Under the Gun. His character, Malik Day has been discharged under DADT but there is no mention of the differences between him or his potential lover, Camdyn Hardy.

Me? Well my first novella in the Something New on the Menu series, Time to Make the Donuts, my supporting character Andre was a smooth talker but doesn’t fit into the stereotypical black man. It’s true it might be easier for me to write from the “black” perspective since I am black but what of other ethnicities? I have a story on the docket with an Asian man as my main character. In this instance, I do intend to find stories about Asian or rather, Korean men just to learn something about the culture not any stereotypes. This won’t be easy but necessary so I can write the tale effectively and true we should do the same just so we give our readers reality but you can’t really get it wrong.

You’re writing about two living, breathing human beings and that, all of us can relate to.

Something New on the Menu Series

Sugar Daddy Book Four

Blurb: Matthew Davidson wants a MAN! The setting shifts away from the America’s to Britain where Matthew and his childhood friend, Devon Peartly attend a cooking school to obtain their cooking certificates. The young man wants a partner so badly, he decides he’ll try an online dating service in hopes of finding a black man that can take care of and satisfy him romantically.

He finds that man, Antwon Bantu on an online dating site and is instantly intrigued. Little does Matthew know that Antwon is involved in a “convenient” marriage and is seeking a younger partner so he can finally get on with his life. Instead of confessing the truth, he decides to hide it, fearing he’ll lose the chance with Matthew if he informs him. To complicate things, Antwon’s wife claims to be in love with him. Antwon must choose what’s more important; loving Matthew or saving his impeccable reputation as a top barrister in the London courts?

Which will he choose?

Amazon, Are, Smashwords

In this scene, we meet Matthew and his friend Devon

The morning sun came too damn soon for culinary student, Matthew Davidson. He’d been spending most of his evenings studying for exams, stressing himself out, and wondering what the future held for him. He couldn’t decide on the career path he wanted to take. Just something in the food and culinary business.

With a heavy book bag on his back and two more books in his hand, he drudged through the halls of Westminster Kingsway, fighting off the impending yawns coming over him. In reality, he wished he’d stayed in bed. Midterms were coming up fast, too quickly in fact, and he hadn’t been getting a lot of good rest. Not only that, he hadn’t been enjoying himself either, considering he was alone.

Boring and lonely!

Life had been rather uneventful as of late. No one at the school remotely interested him. Matthew didn’t want just anyone. He sought someone a little different than anything the place had to offer. Unless he wanted to date a teacher, which he felt wasn’t a great idea.

A definite conflict of interest I’d rather not have!

Already tired, he threw his knapsack on the floor and leaned against the wall. Taking a look at his phone screen, he blew raspberries as he discovered class was less than a half hour from beginning. “Damn, I should’ve faked a fever.” Even though that seemed like a great excuse, he knew once his grades started to drop, his mum and dad would ask him to come back to live at home. Not something he wanted to do. He loved the freedom away from the parental units.

Besides, he loved being roommates with his good friend. The young man who’d stuck by him through thick and thin and always showed him more support than not. Devon Peartley.

They’d been best pals for years; attending middle school together when Devon moved from Liverpool only a few years ago. The two were basically inseparable and they’d grown closer when they discovered they both were gay.

The young men convinced their folks they’d take care of one another while in college. All of them weren’t very happy that both their sons were benders but loved them nonetheless and thus, financed living arrangements for them once they graduated and went to Westminster, on the condition they’d keep up their grades.

In actuality, the fathers couldn’t bear to think of their sons coming home with other males as their dates. No question their dads didn’t take the news as well as the mums.

Matthew rolled his neck and gripped it tightly attempting to work out the kinks.

“Where are you, slut?” While straightening his crisp collar on his purple Polo Sport shirt, he searched for Devon to meet him across from their first class. Unlike Matthew, Devon was seeing someone regularly. He’d had a rendezvous with his man last night and Devon had informed Matthew he’d go straight to school from the man’s house and meet him there. Devon was dating an instructor.

Matthew grinned when he noticed him coming down the hall, dressed to the nines in a long sleeved white oxford and starched blue jeans. He raised an eyebrow, nodding his head in Devon’s direction.

“Got out of bed in time to iron, I see,” Matthew chided and gave him a wry smile.

“Yeah, hiya…” Devon waved halfheartedly and grinned, brushing a lose hair from Matthew’s shoulder.

“How was the date?”

 “Fantastic! The man is an excellent cook – in and out of bed. Did my parents call?”

Matthew grabbed a chocolate bar from the side of his bag. “For once,” he took a big bite of his favorite breakfast, “they didn’t, but I had an excuse all prepared just in case.”

 “Oh yeah, what was that?” Peartley slid to the floor, pulling on Matthew’s pants leg to come down with him.

Matthew rolled his eyes; Devon knew how much he hated to sit on the floor. Instead, he propped himself against the wall and squatted while he finished his makeshift meal. “I would’ve told them you were being tutored,” he laughed, “which, for the most part, would’ve been true.”

“Yeah, I definitely was. He showed me a lot of new tricks. I loved every minute of it.” Apparently thinking of his date, he stared straight ahead while licking his lips.

“Uh huh, well at least one of us is enjoying life.”

“Hey, I told you to lower your bar a little bit. You might not be able to find a man that wants to take care of you and be a good lover.”

“Yes I will. Obviously, I’m searching in the wrong places.” Matthew pouted and lightly slapped Devon’s arm. “He’s out there somewhere, Devon. He’s gotta be.”

“You’re dreamin’, babe. Lower your standards a little or look forward to a life of loneliness.” He looked at his phone. “Shit, time for Professor Vincent’s class.” He jumped up and dusted himself off.

Matthew sighed, “Lemme ask you. Has class ever been hard to concentrate on knowing that you’re banging the teacher?”

“Yep, but he’s a professional and you know me; I gotta great poker face.”

Matthew grinned at his response and shook his head. They took the slow stroll towards the classroom.

“And no one has ever noticed you getting out his car or making any gestures.”

“Nope, not at all.” Devon opened the door for his good friend.

Matthew went in as he nodded. He really didn’t think Devon was that cool about the relationship with their English instructor. “I seriously don’t believe that, Devon. I mean,” he sat at the desk in front of his roommate and turned to face him, “it’s the reason I’ve never done it. I’d be nervous about someone picking that up. Plus, I like to make kisses and wild gestures to my man.”

“Well that’s you, hun. I’m handling it.” Devon stopped talking a moment to blow a kiss at his boyfriend who acknowledged it with a wink.

Matthew chuckled and drew up his slim lips. “Oh yeah, you’re handlin’ it alright.”

Devon playfully shoved his shoulder and clicked his teeth.

Matthew giggled to himself. He knew Devon was downplaying the affection he’d been showing the professor.

When their teacher came around handing out papers, he quickly collected himself, cleared his throat, and glanced at the document on his desk.

Fuck. Did I study enough for this?

RAWIYA is the more sensual erotica writer in the BLRawiya duo. Rawiya's first sole author book, “Time to Make the Donuts” is now available in multiple digital formats through online vendors and her first MMF Living In The Now was released in April from Naughty Nights Press.
Rawiya loves multiracial characters who overcome obstacles other than race. Sweet, sassy, and spicy would be the best way to describe her work. Happily married mother of two, loves music, computers, and travel. She blogs regularly at Wicked Sexy Writers. For more please visit the Rawiya’s blog on Wordpress.

Spotlight On...Time To Make The Donuts, Rawiya style plus a contest!

Welcome to Naughty Nights Press

SPOT LIGHT ON…

Today I will be shining my extra large spotlight on the 
creative, comedic and downright sexy stylings of
 Rawiya

Keep an eye out for the end of each post in case there is a contest being held. These will be held on and by the authors themselves. So feel free to ask them questions and follow them to see what else they get up to.

For this special event, Rawiya is hosting a contest on her page,  

it is one you certainly don't want to miss! 

There will be a copy of the second book in the series, Time to Make the Donuts, sway and a $10 gift card. What more could you ask for *wink* 

Just click here and you will be wizzed through cyberspace to land on her website.

SOMETHING NEW ON THE MENU  series

Rawiya thrilled us with her humorous take on what to do with your competitor in Book 2 –  

TIME TO MAKE THE DONUTS.

Andre, a customer, comes in and pays Christopher a visit. The two lock eyes and immediately connect on a personal level. The intensity of this deep, instant connection convinces Christopher to pursue a potential interest – to find out just what might happen between them – when Andre passes him his card and phone numbers. He wonders what the young man does for a living however, he’s so smitten by him, Chris doesn’t give it much further thought.

Little does the shop owner know, Andre actually works for his biggest competitor as a secret shopper and has been told to use any method necessary to find out the secrets of the shop. Andre is ordered to convince Christopher to sell his shop and become part of the national chain.

When Christopher finds out, he has a surprise for Andre and deals with him in a rather humorous way. Will he trust Andre once he finds out this fact? Will he give up his shop under the pressure the well-known franchise? Will this newly found romance beat the odds and move past this bump in the road to happiness for both Andre and Christopher?

Now we have the latest installment in the 

Something New On The Menu series, 

Book 3 – 
SMOOTH LIKE LATTE 
by Rawiya.

Naughty Nights Press is proud to announce that 

Smooth Like Latte,

an interracial gay male romance,

 available to purchase from 
All RomanceE-books, Amazon and Smashwords 

SMOOTH LIKE LATTE by Rawiya.

Synopsis:

Brendan Walsh is an uptight business executive of works sun up to sun down in the heart of the Loop in downtown Chicago. Due to his relentless drive to succeed, he doesn’t really allow himself time for fun. His idea of this is sitting at home alone, watching the company profits. Since he stays busy, he doesn’t allow any time to get to know anyone. To make matters worse, Brendan’s homophobic, overbearing father has threatened to write him out the will if he doesn’t do everything he’s asked.

In the building, he meets a man by the name of Davori Jenkins, a happy go lucky guy who serves him a cup of latte just the way he likes it. The attraction between them is real from the start. In a surprise move, Brendan leaves his number along with the tip to spark conversation. From there, they build a friendship over drinks and lunch thus drawing them closer.

However, Brendan still hasn’t come out to his father and fears if he does he’ll lose his financial security under the Walsh umbrella. Will he take the risk so he can have a future with the hunky barista?

Warning: This is an m/m interracial romance. Real romance. Some sappiness is ahead with two very good looking men who are searching for that happy ever after ending.

Excerpt:

“Brendan, you must uphold the family name. Nothing is more important than the Walsh name! Nothing!”

The words of Brendan Walsh’s father, Alexander, rang true, like a menacing alarm in his head every single day. Why did he have to be the son Alexander depended upon most? Could it be because the other Walsh brother was completely useless?

In his father’s eyes, Brendan’s older sibling Brian was a disappointment, all because he didn’t want any part of the Walsh family business. Instead of living off his trust fund and becoming the successive CEO to the Walsh Financial Corporation, he’d opted to follow his dream and become a rock musician. That made Alexander extremely unhappy and because of this, the elder Walsh made changes to his will which took away his portion of the family fortune. Brian didn’t care, though; he said no amount of money could bring him true happiness.

Brendan, on the other hand, did like money and security, but the constant meetings, the traveling, and all the responsibilities of being the boss had started to wear thin. He attended college and went straight to graduate school afterward. Then he became top partner at Walsh. It was a lot of responsibility, but Brendan had been well groomed by his dad, who was adamant about not wanting his younger son to become a “useless fuckup.”

“Ugh…” Brendan restlessly turned over. Opening one eye, he glanced at the clock. Six a.m. Time to get up and head in to the office to make more money for the Walsh Empire. Not wanting to move, he groaned, running his fingers through his short, wavy, brown locks. He’d just gotten his hair cut, and it still felt funny. He’d allowed it to grow past his shoulders, but that had only prompted Alexander’s comment that he should “stop looking like a fag.”

“Damn.” If Alexander only knew. Maybe that was just what the old man needed. To see his son for exactly what he was – a man in the closet who desperately wanted to come out.

Yeah, that’ll be the day.

Pulling up the shades, he squinted his eyes into the daylight; the few stragglers out on the street were probably either coming home from or on their way to work. Or were they returning from Valentine’s Day parties in the city? A part of Brendan wished he were doing just that, especially since he’d spent this particular V Day in his Lake Shore Drive condo, reading and comparing sales figures from the year before. That wasn’t his job: it was someone else’s, but he’d opted to do it himself because that employee had someone to go home to and he didn’t. Truthfully, numbers remained his first love, and he’d never known any other.

While he tried to read over the latest figures the night prior, his father called to get him out of his high-rise condo. “Brendan, I’m at the country club with a bunch of friends. You should come by.”

The last thing Brendan wanted was to be around his father on the most romantic day of the year. “No thanks Dad, I’m real busy.”

“Oh c’mon, son,” Alex slurred his words and cut him off. “There’s some pretty ladies here and lots of Scotch. You could walk outta here with the next Misses Walsh. Besides, you need to give me a grandchild.”

Completely annoyed, Brendan rolled his eyes and sighed. “No thanks, Dad.” He promptly hung up the phone.

Oh, he’ll get me for that later.

Too bad I can’t be that bold all the time.

“Pfft.” Dejected, he shook his head and stretched his arms while he strolled slowly to the bathroom. Flicking on the lights, he winced. The coffee-colored marble floor was cold on his bare feet. He rubbed his eyes, thinking how nice it would be to crawl back under the covers and blow off work, but he knew Alexander would bitch if he didn’t show up.

A hot shower was what he needed to warm him up and get him into his daily routine. Turning the small silver knobs, he took off his boxers and stepped in, allowing the hot water to cascade down his body. He ducked his head under the hot spray and exhaled, feeling the warm drops hit his scalp. Several ran down his face, both soothing him and waking him up, as he wanted. In minutes, the sound of whiny saxophones and soft piano melodies filled the bathroom. Like an alarm, he’d set smooth jazz music to play while he showered because he loved hearing it when he woke up.

Brendan wished there was someone to share these morning moments with him. “Maybe someday, I’ll get up the nerve.” He rubbed his newly cut hair and leaned against the marble wall. “When Brendan, fucking when?”

Living In The Now by Rawiya

Available at All Romance Ebooks, Amazon and Smashwords

A story about three people searching for love in the most unconventional way. Bryan Finley and his partner Damien Earley would like a third in their relationship. While Damien is on a business trip, Bryan meets Mara Devine, a sultry sexy vixen who's insatiable and wants the same. Damien has other thoughts in mind but Mara does everything in her power to turn the tables in her favor.

The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!

BLMorticia - http://blmorticia.wordpress.com

Rawiya - http://rawiyaerotica.wordpress.com

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TheLiteraryTriad

Signup for Newsletter