Bren Christopher Writes Romance

Are you ready for the New Year’s Kiss Party?  Check out Kay Berrisford’s blog Dec 31st – Jan. 2nd for lots of chances to win gift certificates and bundles of romances. Read sizzling Kiss excerpts from over seventy hot romance novels – m/m, m/f, ménage – check it out starting Tuesday.

Fantastic sale at Loose Id Dec 26 and 27  –  all books, including new releases, are  25%  off.

Check out Lex Valentine’s Blog today, Dec. 20, to win a bundle of m/m holiday romances, including The Perfect Moment.
Lex is doing a massive giveaway all month, so if you haven’t been by her blog yet, go by to comment and win a new set of romances every day.
 

Congratulations to Paul for winning copies of both Patchouli for Christmas and The Perfect Moment (Patchouli for Christmas 2) by being the lucky commenter on my interview on Kay Berrisford’s blog.
There will be one more chance to win. Be sure to visit Lex Valentines’s blog, Sunlight Sucks, on Dec. 20 and comment for a chance to win The Perfect Moment. In fact, Lex has organized 30 days of book giveaways for the holidays, so you might want to pop over there now for your chance to comment and win great books.

Come visit me today to read an interview and enter for a chance to win a copy of The Perfect Moment. I’ll be on Kay Berrisford‘s blog all day, talking about The Perfect Moment and other books, so I hope you’ll drop by.

Be sure to join me this Monday, December 9th on  Kay Berrisford’s blog. We’ll be chatting about my new release, The Perfect Moment, and other books, as well as works in progress. And of course, there will be a chance to win a copy of The Perfect Moment.
I last visited Kay’s blog in January, with the release of Second Chance Sam. If you’re interested in that interview, it’s here.
I hope you will all stop by on Monday and chat for while. Kay is a terrific hostess and we always have a lot of fun.

The Perfect Moment releases from Loose Id this Tuesday, so I thought I’d let you all know there will be  a couple of chances to win a copy. I’ll be on  Kay Berrisford’s blog on Dec. 9 to chat about the book and give away a copy, and then on Dec. 20th Lex Valentine will be hosting several authors at her blog and we’ll all be doing giveaways, so be sure to stop by then.
Here is the blurb and an excerpt:

New York City event planner Michael Cove has been dating temperamental artist Jude Kendrick for two years. Convinced their relationship is going well, he’s not inclined to rock the boat. When Jude asks him to move in, Michael refuses.  In Michael’s experience, no relationship truly lasts.  He and Jude have something very good, just the way it is, and commitment could ruin it.  Michael is certain that Jude would soon tire of him and refuses to take that risk.
But Jude needs more.  Michael is the brightest part of his life, and the late nights and early mornings their schedules allow are not enough. Jude needs Michael to be there for him, and he wants to be there for Michael.  Living together, they’d have more time for each other.  Michael’s refusal to move in leaves Jude alone just as the holidays, with their terrible memories, darken the horizon.
When Jude’s old flame reappears, all bets are off. Faced with unexpected competition, Michael’s doubts come boiling to the surface. Now he must make a life-changing decision, and learn his own heart in the process.  Status quo is no longer an option.

Excerpt from The Perfect Moment:

Michael headed through the thinning crowd to the front of the gallery, noting with pleasure the Sold stickers being placed on several of the paintings by the gallery staff. The reception was winding down. He hoped Jude wouldn’t need to stay much longer.

“Michael,” Jude called. “Look who’s here.”

The first thing Michael noticed was the excitement lending a slight tremor to Jude’s no longer weary voice. The second was Jude’s hand resting on a muscular arm encased in royal-blue silk. As his gaze traveled upward from that disturbing sight, Michael took in a broad chest clearly defined by the tight dress shirt. Blond hair cut short along the sides and back and longer in the front allowed bangs to dip stylishly across startling blue eyes. Michael had to look up an inch or so to see those blue eyes—not something he was used to doing. Tight black jeans encased long, muscular legs.

Michael hated him on sight.

He plastered on his best professional smile as he approached, holding out his hand. “Michael Cove. Glad to meet you.”

Jude introduced him. “Michael, this is Pierre Laurent. You remember me telling you about Pierre.”

“Of course.” The original owner of the too-big Greenpeace T-shirt Jude wore around the house. Michael had always thought Jude looked sexy in it.

“Ah, the new boyfriend. I am so pleased to meet you.” Pierre had a firm, warm handshake. Just the right amount of pressure. Just the right amount of time before he released the grip. And that French accent…yeah, that damn T-shirt was going right in the trash now that he’d met its first owner.

“Not so new.” Michael gave a polite laugh through gritted teeth. “We’ve been together almost two years.” Wasn’t this guy supposed to be in Alaska or something? Why hadn’t Jude warned him?

“Bon dieu. Two years?” Pierre turned the full force of his thousand-watt smile on Jude. “I have been so out of touch with my friends. Mince alors, I am ashamed.”

He didn’t look ashamed. He looked intent and confident as he stared into Jude’s eyes. And why was Jude’s hand still on the man’s arm?

Pierre covered Jude’s hand with his. “It is so good to see my old friend again.”

Enough of that. Michael didn’t care how it looked. He thrust the glass of water at Jude, forcing him to take it, and then placed his hand on the small of Jude’s back. “Why didn’t you let me know he was coming, babe? We could have planned dinner or something.”

Jude finally caught on that perhaps—just perhaps—Michael found the unexpected visit a bit irksome. Of course, the little bastard only raised an eyebrow and grinned at him. But he did shift away from Pierre and closer to Michael.

“Please,” Pierre said. “It’s my fault. I didn’t tell him.” Now that both hands were free, he waved them around to emphasize his words. “I badly wanted to attend my friend’s first art show, but I didn’t know if I would be here in time. My plane only arrived from Rio de Janeiro this afternoon.”

Jude positively glowed at him. “Pierre has been in Brazil,” he explained to Michael without looking at him, “protesting the government’s deforestation policies.”

“And how did that go?” Michael asked politely.

“What can you do?” Pierre gave an exaggerated Gallic shrug. “Sometimes I think the world has gone mad.” He threw up his hands in disgust. “Fou!”

Michael just managed to keep from rolling his eyes. Jeez, it wasn’t like the guy was even really French. Jude had said his old college boyfriend came from Montreal.

“Oh no,” Jude told Pierre earnestly. “You mustn’t think like that. If everyone did, then nothing would ever change, would it? You are making a difference, my friend.”

Pierre smiled at Jude gratefully and started to reach for him—to hug him, Michael assumed, and gave Pierre a narrow look. Pierre stopped himself.

“Have you seen my grandmother yet?” Jude asked Pierre. “She’ll be so glad to see you again.”

“She is here?”

“I saw her headed toward the back hall.”

“I must say hello. Perhaps we can go for a drink when you are done?” He looked at Michael and quickly added, “All of us, of course.”

He went to find Jude’s grandmother, leaving them alone by the wall.

“Of course,” Michael mocked under his breath.

Jude grinned at him.

Michael scowled. “You have a type, don’t you?”

The grin disappeared and a puzzled frown took its place. “What are you talking about?”

“At least now I know what to look for when we go out. Keep you away from tall blue-eyed blonds.”

“You’re nothing alike.”

“Why? Because he’s got muscles?”

“Don’t be a dumbass.”

“Come on. Tell me you don’t see it.”

“Okay, so maybe there’s a superficial—very superficial—resemblance. It doesn’t mean anything. Maybe I like blonds.”

“So who’s the pale imitation?”

“What?”

“Who are you more attracted to? He’s way more buff than me.”

“Maybe I like ’em skinny.”

“You think I’m too skinny?”

“I didn’t say—Christ, I can’t win this, can I?”

Michael rested his hands on Jude’s hips, and then pulled him closer. He leaned forward and breathed into Jude’s ear, reveling at the shivered response. “You think you know what jealous boyfriend sex is all about?” He tightened his grip. “Just wait till I get you home, young man.”

He let go of Jude, then crossed his arms and lounged back against the wall.

Jude swallowed. “Maybe it’s time to go?”

“What about drinks with Pierre?”

“Pierre can wait.”

That was more like it.

The Perfect Moment can be read as a standalone, but Jude and Michael first meet in Patchouli for Christmas and then go off on a quick summer vacation in Patchouli on Retreat.

Just got my lovely cover by Anne Cain for The Perfect Moment, coming Dec. 3 from Loose Id.  I plan to stop by Kay Berrisford’s blog on Dec. 9 to chat about the book and give away a copy, so I hope to see everyone there.

New York City event planner Michael Cove has been dating temperamental artist Jude Kendrick for two years. Convinced their relationship is going well, he’s not inclined to rock the boat. When Jude asks him to move in, Michael refuses.  In Michael’s experience, no relationship truly lasts.  He and Jude have something very good, just the way it is, and commitment could ruin it.  Michael is certain that Jude would soon tire of him and refuses to take that risk.
But Jude needs more.  Michael is the brightest part of his life, and the late nights and early mornings their schedules allow are not enough. Jude needs Michael to be there for him, and he wants to be there for Michael.  Living together, they’d have more time for each other.  Michael’s refusal to move in leaves Jude alone just as the holidays, with their terrible memories, darken the horizon.
When Jude’s old flame reappears, all bets are off. Faced with unexpected competition, Michael’s doubts come boiling to the surface. Now he must make a life-changing decision, and learn his own heart in the process.  Status quo is no longer an option.

The Perfect Moment can be read as a standalone, but Jude and Michael first meet in Patchouli for Christmas and then go off on a quick summer vacation in Patchouli on Retreat.

I just got the print cover for Second Chance Sam. It should be available in print in about a week. Even though my ebooks are more popular than the print books, it’s always exciting to hold that physical copy.

Patchouli On Retreat is now free at Amazon. It has already moved up to number 3 in the free Gay Romance category. It’s also now available free at Barnes and Noble.

I’m heading out soon to meet up with some writer friends at the library for a day of getting busy with some word count. Maybe I can finally decide what to work on next. I have a whole herd of plot bunnies in various stages of completion, but whenever I finish a project, I always have a hard time settling on the next one.

Here is a little more about Second Chance Sam:
Tristan and Cory have been together forever and thought they always would be—until Sam comes into their lives.
In a fit of jealousy, Tristan commits an inexcusable act of anger. Unable to trust his own temper, he leaves Cory although it breaks both of their hearts. Even if Cory can forgive him, Tristan can never forgive himself.
Cory is determined to prove that Tristan has nothing to fear and that, together, they can find a way to put the past behind them—until an old guilt of his own arises to weaken his resolve.
Somehow in this morass of jealousy, remorse and grief, Sam must find a way to reunite the couple he inadvertently tore apart. But the ghosts of Tristan’s difficult childhood threaten to keep them separated despite Sam’s best efforts.
Now Sam must be more than a friend to the two if he is going to bring them back together. He’ll do whatever is necessary, and if his plan happens to lead to a bit of fun for all three of them… surely no one can blame him for enjoying it just a little.
But if Sam succeeds, will it mean the end of his own chance for happiness?
– Read an Excerpt from Second Chance Sam

Good Saturday Morning, y’all. It’s rainy here in Florida, but after the rain lets up, its going to turn chilly – that’s right, might even get into the 50’s!

I got Patchouli On Retreat posted on All Romance Ebooks so it is available there free now, as well as on Smashwords. It will soon be distributed to Barnes & Noble and other sites via Smashwords. I’m a little frustrated that Amazon forces you to put a price, and will only lower the price to zero if there is a price match to another site. So I put in the Smashwords and All Romance ebooks links on the “tell us about a lower price” link, but it hasn’t changed the price yet. Soon, I hope.

Patchouli On Retreat: When a neo-hippie artist drags a New York City party planner to a yoga retreat in the Catskills for a week of togetherness, it could be the end of their relationship. Or the start of something new.

It’s just a fun little story that I want people to enjoy. It can be read as a standalone, but falls between Patchouli for Christmas 1 and 2.
The release date for Patchouli for Christmas 2 is Dec. 3rd. Can’t wait to get the cover art. Anne Cain did the first Patchouli for Christmas cover, and it’s one of my favorites, so I’m looking forward to seeing the new cover.

I thought I would post an excerpt from Patchouli on Retreat. This is from the hike that Jude and Michael go on after they get to the retreat in the Catskills. As usual, Michael is having a hard time leaving work behind.

Excerpt:
Back in the real world, it was Monday. His accountant—aka his brother, Doug—was supposed to do the monthly review of Michael’s business today. Michael had left all the paperwork and receipts with him, figuring that would at least be one thing accomplished this week. But what if Doug had questions?

He pulled out his phone then noticed Ross watching him. Instead of calling, he did a quick check for texts and confirmed he had cell reception out here in the back of beyond. Then he put it back in his pocket and looked around again, doing his best to enjoy the scenery or at least to give that impression.

When Ross started talking to another member of the group, Michael looked over at Jude. Still busy with his photography. No one was paying any attention to Michael. Feeling equal parts ridiculous and irritated at himself for trying to hide the fact that he was making a phone call, he stood and then strolled casually off to the edge of the clearing. Okay, he so didn’t want Jude mad at him again—anyone could understand that. He couldn’t figure out why the hell he cared what Ross thought.

Anyway, he’d promised to change his voice mail, right? He did that first, just in case Jude asked him what he was doing on his phone. When he’d finished, he looked around again. Still alone, so he called Doug.

His brother answered right away. “Michael? Something wrong out there at the ass end of nowhere? Are you lost? Is a bear trying to eat you?”

“There aren’t any damn bears.” Were there?

“So the hippies converted you into their cult. If you’re calling because you want me to give them access to your accounts—”

“Quit being a dick.”

“What then?”

“I’m just checking in.”

A long moment of silence. Then, “Checking…in?”

“Yes, dammit. Checking in. Touching base. Getting the scoop, the 411. For God’s sake, have you even looked at last month’s transactions yet? The invoice for that awards event is—”

“Where’s Jude?” Doug interrupted.

“He’s taking pictures. We’re on a hike, but we’re on a break so I thought I’d—”

“Check in. Yeah. I got it.”

He recognized that tone of Doug’s. Proceeding with caution, he said, “So…um…did you have any questions?”

The silence this time seemed endless. He braced himself.

“Idiot!” Doug exploded.

Michael flinched before he remembered that even Doug’s arm wasn’t quite long enough to give Michael his usual smack on the back of the head.

“Get off the damn phone,” Doug snapped. “Go commune with nature or sing ‘Kumbaya’ with your boyfriend or whatever the fuck you queer hippies do. Don’t call me again unless a bear is chomping on your balls.”

“But—”

“How the hell Jude puts up with you, I don’t know.”

Then silence. The bastard had hung up.

Michael glared down at the offending phone. Then up at an even more ferociously glaring Jude.

“It’s Doug,” Michael said instantly. “That doesn’t count as business. That’s family.”

“Didn’t sound like family conversation.”

“He said there might be bears.”

“There are bears. Didn’t you listen to Ross this morning?”

He’d been too busy marveling over his cargo pockets. Michael looked around cautiously.

Jude rolled his eyes. “Come on. We’re ready to go.”

The group gathered at the bridge, then set off along the trail again.

“I changed my voice mail,” Michael said, hoping Jude would take the comment as a peace offering.

Jude grunted.

Michael tried again. “The bridge was pretty. Did you get some good pictures?”

Jude contemplated him for a moment, and then sighed. “Yeah, the light through the trees gave this dappled effect that reflected from the…”

Relieved, Michael did his best to nod in the appropriate places and ask questions that he hoped didn’t sound too stupid. And that was the thing Michael lo—liked about Jude. His temper flared, but it disappeared just as quickly. And he forgave Michael far more often than Michael deserved.

Patchouli on Retreat. When a neo-hippie artist drags a New York City party planner to a yoga retreat in the Catskills for a week of togetherness, it could be the end of their relationship. Or the start of something new.

This short story falls between Patchouli for Christmas 1 and 2, but can be read as a standalone, so I hope you all enjoy it!
Now available free on Smashwords. Will be posted soon at other retailers.

Finalists for the Rainbow awards were announced today and I’m happy to see that Second Chance Sam made the list, especially considering all the other wonderful books and authors on that list. If you’re looking for some new authors to read, check out the Finalists list – you can’t go wrong. http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/3898883.html