I'm EM Lynley, author of gay erotic romances. One of my favorite aspects of writing romance is taking two characters who may not like each other on page one—or worse, absolutely hate each other—and get them into some semblance of a happy ending, making sure they get into bed along the way. Why let feelings get in the way of some potentially amazing sex, right? That's the motto of every erotic romance writer. But there is a definitely feeling of satisfaction to getting their hearts to follow their cocks, so to speak.

For that reason, sustaining an interesting storyline past their relationship has been something I thought was pretty difficult. I put a lot into messing with these characters, and once they got together, what's left to tell?

Plenty, it turns out.

As a reader, I do love series. Of course it all depends on the characters and whether I want to share another adventure—and several more hours of my life—with them. I particularly like series where we learn more about characters as the series progresses.

So, I decided to give a series a try. It happened for two reasons. Last year I wrote EMERALD: Rewriting History, about Tobin Wyler, a museum curator who sees his former boyfriend—and suspected jewel thief—at the reception for Tobin's brand new exhibition. He assumes Pierce Worthington is there to steal the main attraction, a huge emerald called the Green Sorrow. It was great fun to twist Tobin and Pierce's reunion around the theft of the gem. I also found myself fascinated with the art world, and the amount of fraud and shenanigans that go in, much of it by the museum establishment itself.

There was so much more to explore between Tobin and Pierce. They have lots and lots of incredible sex, but can a thief and museum curator build a lasting relationship? That all depends on what Pierce steals, and why. And on how far Tobin can bend the rules. If you like Leverage and White Collar, you'll know what I'm talking about.

The sequel to EMERALD, called ULTRAMARINE was born shortly after I finished the first book. This time Pierce and Tobin follow the trail of a suspected forged painting from London to Oxfordshire, and it doesn't lead where they expect. In fact, it puts one of them in very real danger, and it's going to strain their relationship even more to find the original and return it to the museum. How far will Tobin go to save Pierce?

The research for ULTRAMARINE was such fun, and it led me to want to take these characters on yet another adventure….which I'm currently writing. SIENA will take Pierce and Tobin to Italy, and against the backdrop of the Palio horse race, we'll follow Pierce as he discovers a secret about his own parents. But you'll have to wait for that. In the meantime, check out EMERALD and ULTRAMARINE!

Both are available from Torquere Press. Ultramarine releases July 30.

I've got plenty of free reads on my website, too. Stop by and entertain yourself.

EM Lynley writes gay erotic romance. Visit her online at http://www.emlynley.com

Tags: series | ultramarine | M/M romance | jewel thief | glbt romance | gay romance | gay erotic romance | emerald | EM Lynley | sequels

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From EM Lynley

To celebrate Pride and to support a great cause, It Gets Better, I'm going to donate my royalties from all copies of two of my titles sold during June! The project helps support GLBT teens and especially works hard to prevent suicide and address bullying issues.

At the end of the month, I'd like to share a list of everyone who buys one of the titles and the amount I've donated.

1. The Sweetest Christmas -- short, sweet and hot enough to melt chocolate... and it's only 99cents. (Since I can access sales stats for this title, I can see exactly how many copies are sold during June. But I'd appreciate if you let me know you purchased so I can add your name to my list. Email me at em AT emlynley.com)

It's Christmas and Jake brings Erik home to meet his family, but he's got some surprises in store for his nervous boyfriend. Take one hot, naked blindfolded guy, add a deviously creative boyfriend and mix in a bowl of truffles and an empty house on Christmas Eve, and you’ll get the sweetest Christmas you’ve ever seen (or tasted!). Will Jake’s family figure out what he and Erik got up to when everyone else gets back from Midnight Mass?

Buy at All Romance eBooks

Buy at Amazon

Read an excerpt

2. Emerald: Rewriting History 1

Tobin Wyler is about to open the most significant exhibit in his career as a curator, and everything is going perfectly until he spots his former boyfriend chatting with his most important contributor at the black-tie reception. It goes from bad to worse because not only did Pierce Worthington once break Tobin's heart, but he's suspected of being the elusive art thief known as Jaguar, and Tobin knows his target is the highlight of the exhibit: an enormous emerald known as the Green Sorrow.

Pierce is torn about seeing Tobin again. He is expected to obtain the emerald, but he knows it may damage Tobin's reputation. What Pierce doesn't expect is how quickly old feelings about Tobin rise to the surface. Hoping to ease Tobin's fears and spend time with him, Pierce offers to let Tobin keep a constant eye on him for the thirty six hours leading up to the exhibit. Thrown together again out of necessity laced with attraction, Tobin must figure out how to protect the emerald, his reputation, and his heart.

EMERALD is available from the usual places: publisher (Torquere), Amazon, ARe, Fictionwise, so I won't have accurate numbers for what is sold in June. Royalties are highest direct from Torquere so if possible,  please purchase from them.  If you buy this title, please email me to let me know where you got it, so I can calculate the amount of royalty to donate. (Email me at em AT emlynley.com)

Excerpt and buy links

******

See my Ravenous Romance Titles

Visit me online: http://www.emlynley.com

Tags: It Gets Better | EM Lynley | support charity | donate | GLBT Pride | LGBT Pride | GLBT | LGBT | Gay Pride

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From EM Lynley

To celebrate Pride and to support a great cause, It Gets Better, I'm going to donate my royalties from all copies of two of my titles sold during June! The project helps support GLBT teens and especially works hard to prevent suicide and address bullying issues.

At the end of the month, I'd like to share a list of everyone who buys one of the titles and the amount I've donated.

1. The Sweetest Christmas -- short, sweet and hot enough to melt chocolate... and it's only 99cents. (Since I can access sales stats for this title, I can see exactly how many copies are sold during June. But I'd appreciate if you let me know you purchased so I can add your name to my list. Email me at em AT emlynley.com)

It's Christmas and Jake brings Erik home to meet his family, but he's got some surprises in store for his nervous boyfriend. Take one hot, naked blindfolded guy, add a deviously creative boyfriend and mix in a bowl of truffles and an empty house on Christmas Eve, and you’ll get the sweetest Christmas you’ve ever seen (or tasted!). Will Jake’s family figure out what he and Erik got up to when everyone else gets back from Midnight Mass?

Buy at All Romance eBooks

Buy at Amazon

Read an excerpt

2. Emerald: Rewriting History 1

Tobin Wyler is about to open the most significant exhibit in his career as a curator, and everything is going perfectly until he spots his former boyfriend chatting with his most important contributor at the black-tie reception. It goes from bad to worse because not only did Pierce Worthington once break Tobin's heart, but he's suspected of being the elusive art thief known as Jaguar, and Tobin knows his target is the highlight of the exhibit: an enormous emerald known as the Green Sorrow.

Pierce is torn about seeing Tobin again. He is expected to obtain the emerald, but he knows it may damage Tobin's reputation. What Pierce doesn't expect is how quickly old feelings about Tobin rise to the surface. Hoping to ease Tobin's fears and spend time with him, Pierce offers to let Tobin keep a constant eye on him for the thirty six hours leading up to the exhibit. Thrown together again out of necessity laced with attraction, Tobin must figure out how to protect the emerald, his reputation, and his heart.

EMERALD is available from the usual places: publisher (Torquere), Amazon, ARe, Fictionwise, so I won't have accurate numbers for what is sold in June. Royalties are highest direct from Torquere so if possible,  please purchase from them.  If you buy this title, please email me to let me know where you got it, so I can calculate the amount of royalty to donate. (Email me at em AT emlynley.com)

Excerpt and buy links

******

See my Ravenous Romance Titles

Visit me online: http://www.emlynley.com

Tags: It Gets Better | EM Lynley | support charity | donate | GLBT Pride | LGBT Pride | GLBT | LGBT | Gay Pride

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Read GLBT Fairy Tale Week posts: at my blog or at LiveJournal



Bedknobs & Beanstalks: An Anthology of M/M Fairy Tales

Edited by EM Lynley
ContributorsKilt Kilpatrick, Clancy Nacht, JL Merrow, Mina Kelly, Jason Rubis, SJ Frost, Jason Rubis, Lenore Black, Mercy Loomis and Jay DiMeo

Available from Ravenous Romance, Fictionwise, ARe, Kindle or paperback from Amazon




Rumpled Silk Sheets: Lesbian Fairy Tales from Ravenous Romance

Edited by EM Lynley
Contributors include: Shanna Germain, Sunny Moraine, Vivica Lace, Kilt Kilpatrick, Michael Jones, GG Royale, Kenzie Mathews and Jean Roberta

Available from Ravenous Romance, Fictionwise, ARe, and Kindle

Tags: f/f | m/m | rumpled silk sheets | bedknobs and beanstalks | glbt fairy tales | fairy tales | EM Lynley

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We've got a great contest! Some of the Ravenous authors have teamed up with Night Owl Romance for a web hunt that will last through the entire month of June and offers great prizes. For details, visit here: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/hunt/ravenous1.asp 

Join us at Night Owl Romance on the following dates to meet Ravenous Romance authors and win free stuff.

Date:  Monday, June 22 (All of their chats are on Mondays)

Time: 8 EST, 7 CST, 5 PST

Location: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/chat/chat.aspx

Authors Included:

EM Lynley, Inara Lavey, Elle Amery, Jamaica Layne, Savannah Chase, Angela Cameron

2^nd Chat

 Date:  Monday, August 10

Time: 8 EST, 7 CST, 5 PST

Location: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/chat/chat.aspx

Authors Included: Rachel Kenley, Sephera Giron, Lisa Lane, Isabel Roman

Tags: EM Lynley | inara lavey | Savannah Chase | Sephera Giron | Lisa Lane | Elle Amery | Jamaica Layne | Blood & Sex | Rachel Kenley | Angela Cameron | ravenous romance

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I recently read a great blog post about heroes, done by fellow writer Sage Whistler. She found nine types of heroes. I'm excerpting it here for an informal poll.

Which ones are your favorites or least favorites? Which do you most/least like to read about? [I have a more formal poll over at my LiveJournal blog.]

Divine Nine Types of Heroes

1. Mr. Wonderful
2. Mr. Badass
3. Mr. Confused
4. Mr. Shy
5. Mr. Caveman
6. Mr. Pincushion
7. Mr. Evol
8. Mr. TSTL
9. Mr. E

Mr. Wonderful
I will start with Mr. Wonderful. You may see him most often in the romance genre. He is perfect. He is handsome, available, muscled, educated, well-spoken. *insert sigh here* Oddly enough I find this guy the least bit interesting. Where are his flaws? Someone find a pimple on his ass or something. You know how his story will go. He’ll meet the girl, put on his charm, snag her, bag her, and nine months later she’s preggo. The End. Good riddance.

Occupational hazard: Lawyer, doctor, dentist, veterinarian, CEO

Mr. Badass
*insert evil grin here* I like him. *pats head* Mr. Badass is probably still handsome, intelligent, available, OR he might be banging his next door neighbor, the girl at Rite Mart, AND the ticket ripper at the local theater. He’s going to get into trouble. He’s going to curse. He’s going to growl and complain and roll his eyes and maybe hurt your feelings.. AnyHOO at the end of the day Mr.Badass does the right thing.

Occupational Hazard: Tattoo Artist, Construction Worker, Bartender, Repair Shop Owner, Professional Jewelry Thief

Mr. Confused
He doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going. He doesn’t know if he wants to be married or remain a bachelor. He can’t even remember where he left his briefcase this morning.  You will most likely have your heart wrenched for Mr. Confused. He goes through a lot of trials and tribulations before he ends up with Mr. (or Ms.)  Right.

Occupational Hazard: Office assistant, Clerk, College Kid, Photographer

Mr. Shy
“He blushed. His cheeks flushed. He ducked his head. His hand trembled. He dropped his keys and then kicked them under the car. He was nervous. His stomach flip-flopped.” What are these, you ask? Well, these are all reading cues that let you know you are dealing with Mr. Shy. He’s a very popular hero to use in gay fiction.  He’ll get the guy (or girl) by accident because the guy will be pursuing him.

Occupational Hazard: Artist, Computer Techie, College Student, Engineer

Mr. Caveman
Meet Crug. He’s one step away from bopping you on the head and dragging you off to his cave. You love to hate this guy, and though you’re sure the hero(ine) should shoot him in the leg, you still *swoon* over him. Mr. Caveman is a combination of Mr. Wonderful (smart, handsome, successful, muscular) but he has all the characteristics of Mr. Badass. (Dominant, smug, bossy) He just gets away with it because he’s handsome.

Occupational Hazard: Caveman, Soldier, Firefighter, CEO, Inherited Wealth (Secretive business)

Mr. Pincushion
Hey, can I have twenty bucks? Yeah, this guy will give you his last two cents. He’s the caretaker who inadvertently became everyone’s walking mat. He thinks everyone is his friend. He’s a handsome, likeable guy, OR he might just be average looking but intelligent or wealthy.  Mr. Pin will eventually find his happily ever after. It could be with Mr. Right or Mr. Loving, OR a Dom named Jackal who beats the snot out of all the people taking advantage of him.

Occupational Hazard: Accountant, Doctor, Teacher, Musician, Inherited Wealth, Manager, Store Owner, Scientist

Mr. Evol
He’s not a hero! Course not. He’s not like Mr. Badass at all. He’ll steal lollipops from babies and push little old ladies to the back of the line. He’s handsome  He’s also VERY rare as a protagonist. Who’ll ever love this black-hearted scoundrel? Well, apparently, there is such a thing as redemption. There is always a loophole that wins Mr. Evol into the hearts of others.  On the rare occasion Mr. Evol goes from good to bad. Either way this character is evolutionary and bound for a happy ending—or, some time in prison. *shrugs*

Occupational Hazard: Thief, Drug-Lord, Kingpin, Assassin, Pirate, Mercenary

Mr. TSTL (too stupid to live)
Burn this after reading. That’s what Mr. TSTL makes you want to do to your book. If he were a hero he’d be the one who showed up to rescue the woman in the burning building after she’d thrown a mattress out the window and rescued herself. Mr.TSTL pisses the heroine or hero off with his sheer stupidity and thoughtlessness. To be fair he isn’t a bad guy, just not the brightest light bulb in the bunch. By some freak of nature he gets a HFN or a HEA. You’ll probably care less though.

Occupational Hazard: In the interest of being diplomatic I won’t fill in an occupation here.

Mr. E
Mr. E is a ‘mystery’ you get it?  He’s not the typical hero. He might be overweight, handicapped, or a freaking shapeshifter. Mr. E is here to shake things up. He’ll never do what you expect of him. He’s a wicked combination of almost all the Misters I’ve mentioned so far. If Mr. E was a superhero he’d probably be the antihero turned hero, turned antihero again.  He’s the one the town calls a murderer when in reality his best friend died in a car accident.  Mr. E might be a killer on the gossip mills but later you find out he’s a retired veterinarian that still takes in animals. If Mr. E finds Mr. or Mrs. Right it isn’t because he went out looking. His other half will have to come to him.

Occupational Hazard: It’s a Mr. E. (You SO knew I was gonna say that.)

Now, for the poll! Which are your favorites or least favorites? I'd love to see some comments with your favorite books with these hero types.

[See Sage's post for the full analysis]

--EM Lynley

website: http://www.emlynley.com
blog: http://emlynley.livejournal.com

Tags: EM Lynley | heroes | poll | romance | reader poll | romance heroes

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I recently got a lovely email from a reader telling me how much she loved my book, SEX, LIES & WEDDING BELLS. She mentioned details about the storyline and the characters and how following their relationship had been so enjoyable.

It gave me such a great feeling that I felt an immediate boost in not only my mood but my enthusiasm to get back to work on one of my current writing projects. I have gotten similar comments about my writing before, including a number of readers who said they stayed up all night reading because they couldn't put the book down, even if they'd be tired at work. One reader told me she left work early one day to get home and finish the book! I cannot even put into words how flattered I felt that readers were re-organizing their schedules around reading my work!

These uplifting comments made me wonder about how often other authors receive direct feedback from readers, and how they feel about the experience. I also wanted to discover if readers knew just how much we love getting those emails or letters! [read more]

Tags: EM Lynley | fan mail | reader opinion | sex lies & wedding bells | motivation | writing

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Hello!

I'm very excited to be here at Ravenous and even more excited to find our lovely Ravenous readers have put Sex, Lies & Wedding Bells in the number one spot for sales this week on the Panamour page as well as overall. A huge thank you to everyone who's bought a copy.

I'd love to get feedback, so please leave a comment here, or a review on the book's own page.

If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask.

You can also visit my website or friend me on LiveJournal.

Tags: first post | SEX LIES AND WEDDING BELLS | EM Lynley

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