• Double Feature,  Gay or MM

    Tales of Lust and Longing @britaaddams #RLFblog #LGBT

    Born in a small town in upstate New York, Brita Addams has made
    her home in the sultry south for many years. In the Frog Capital of the World, Brita
    shares her home with her real-life hero–her husband, and a fat cat named Stormee.
    All their children are grown.
    Given her love of history, Brita writes both het and gay historical
    romance. Many of her historicals have appeared on category bestseller lists at various
    online retailers.
    Tarnished Gold, the first in her gay romance Tarnished series
    for Dreamspinner Press, was a winner in the 2013 Rainbow Awards, Historical Romance
    category. The book also received nominations for Best Historical and Best Book of
    2013 from the readers of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group.
    A bit of trivia–Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, and not Brit-a,
    like the famous water filter. Brita Addams is a mash-up of her real middle name
    and her husband’s middle name, with an additional d and s.

    About Tarnished Souls

    Tarnished Souls 
    Genre Historical Gay Romance
    Author Brita Addams
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Hollywood’s Golden Age is not all glitz and glamor. Mob boss
    Frankie Monetti controls the unions and the studios, which makes him and the syndicate
    very rich. But after five years, Frankie runs afoul of the law and those who put
    him in power.
    Primo hit man, and Frankie’s lifelong friend, Arvin “Gent”
    Vitali, goes west with orders to clean up the mess and then bring Frankie back to
    New York to answer for his double cross. But as the noose closes tighter around
    Frankie’s neck, Gent questions where his loyalty truly lies. Is business just business,
    or is freedom worth the risk?

    Buy this Book

    Dreamspinner http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4296

    About Tarnished Gold

    Tarnished Gold 
    Genre Historical gay romance
    Author Brita Addams
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    In 1915, starstruck Jack Abadie strikes out for the gilded streets
    of the most sinful town in the country—Hollywood. With him, he takes a secret that
    his country hometown would never understand.
    After years of hard work and a chance invitation to a gay gentlemen’s
    club, Jack is discovered. Soon, his talent, matinee idol good looks, and affable
    personality propel him to the height of stardom. But fame breeds distrust.
    Meeting Wyatt Maitland turns Jack’s life upside down. He wants
    to be worthy of his good fortune, but old demons haunt him. Only through Wyatt’s
    strength can Jack face that which keeps him from being the man he wants to be. Love
    without trust is empty.
    As the 1920s roar, scandals rock the movie industry. Public tolerance
    of Hollywood’s decadence has reached its limit. Under pressure to clean up its act,
    Jack’s studio issues an ultimatum. Either forsake the man he loves and remain a
    box office darling, or follow his heart and let his shining star fade to tarnished
    gold.

    Buy This Book

    Dreamspinner http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3667
    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Tarnished-Gold-Brita-Addams-ebook/dp/B00C0LY2JM/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423579599&sr=1-8&keywords=brita+addams
    ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-tarnishedgold-1148111-340.html

    Author Social Media

    Blog http://www.britaaddams.net/blog/c1zoe
    Newsletter https://www.facebook.com/BritaAddamsEroticRomance/app_100265896690345
  • Contemporary

    Gilding Lillian by DawnMarie Richards @DawnMarie55555 #RLFblog #Romance

    Today’s featured book is Gilding Lillian by DawnMarie
    Richards.

    About the Book

    Title Gilding Lillian
    Genre Contemporary Romance
    Author  DawnMarie
    Richards
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Griffin Bennett returns to his childhood home unprepared. Despite his long absence, he learns he has been named the sole heir to the fortunes of two venerated Bostonian families. Possibly even more disturbing is his reaction to his father’s widow, a stunning woman whose mere presence provokes vivid images of sex in wildflower meadows.
    Lillian Gustave Milton Bennett has always enjoyed men, even marrying a select few. But when circumstances conspire to keep her in the family home with her deceased husband’s estranged son, a mutual sexual attraction becomes an unwelcome complication. She resists, but it becomes clear the most efficient way to exorcise the man, and his odd effect, from her psyche is to sleep with him.
    Griffin is well aware Lillian wants nothing more than to work him out of her system, but in a few short weeks his feelings for her have grown from the primitive to the sublime. Realizing her next husband awaits, Griffin struggles to make her understand. But for Lillian, love is an excess, an unnecessary construct, and Griffin’s heartfelt declarations are not enough to make her stay.
    Content Notes: Spicy, Contemporary, Spanking

    Buy This Book

    About the Author

    DawnMarie Richards’ grandmother introduced her to the
    romance novel, providing an endless, ever-changing supply of dog-eared
    Harlequins from a stash kept in a paper grocery bag. As a romance author,
    DawnMarie writes what she most enjoys reading—passionate love stories spiked
    with sensual heat in all the right places. She delights in doing that very
    thing from her home in southern Arizona, which she shares with her husband and
    their crazy dog, Rand. Want more? Visit www.dawnmarierichards.com.

    Author Social Media

    Website dawnmarierichards.com
  • Science Fiction

    Got Any Steampunk Horns? #cosplay #gaming @OutlantaCon #RLFblog

    OutlantaCon May 8-10, 2015 Atlanta GA 
    OutlantaCon is an Atlanta-based event for the Queer Geek audience!
    You’ll find all the usual convention fare here–discussion panels, gaming, costuming,
    special events, etc. The difference is that it all has a queer ‘bent’ to it. Here
    you can enjoy all the convention trappings in an atmosphere where you’re free to
    be yourself! We also offer some pretty unique twists as well, like our own versions
    of Match Game (a staple since 2007), Project Cosplay (2010), Nea’s Drag Race (2011),
    and the wildly popular Sock Puppet Theatre Presents…
    Come to OutlantaCon May 8-10, 2015 at the Marriott Century Center
    in Atlanta.
    Venusian Airship Pirate
    Trading Company 
    One of the fun things about OutlantaCon is traipsing through
    the Dealer’s Room and seeing all the cool goodies. This year, there is a wide range
    of products available, everything from horns to steampunk to anime to games… Check
    it out. Below is a taste of what’s to come.

    Venusian Airship Pirate Trading Company

    We take the finest available weaponry from each time and location
    that our travels take us to, that are available. We then modify it to fit our peculiar
    steampunk technology. We enjoy spreading happiness one gun at a time. To this date
    we have never duplicated an item, making each one a individual work of art. Hence
    our motto, “Distinctive Weaponry for the Discriminating Buyer.”
    Website http://www.venusianairshippiratetrading.com/

    MisakiYuki Craft

    Arts and Crafts supply store and costume shop in Gainesville,
    GA. Owned by Kirstyn Lindsey and Keri Johnson. Art Freak and Costume Designers,
    Craft Freaks

    The Art of Benstigation

    Ben Butler: I am a Texas raised, Atlanta based artist/graphic
    designer. I am one of many and am looking to entertain with light shock and crazy
    thoughts.

    Seafaring Steampunk

    A lot of my pieces are simply just found items that I’ve put
    to a better use – steampunkery! I dismantle clocks and watches, and buy other parts
    from flea markets and thrift stores and the like. Because of this, very few of my
    pieces can be reproduced. So hurry up and get your one-of-a-kind stuff!

    Empire Valley Series

    A book series by author Ellie Collins.
    After the government is forced to accept the existence of supernatural
    creatures, they are rounded up, imprisoned and shipped off to an island to live
    out the rest of their days, forbidden to leave or to ever have contact with humanity
    again. As seemingly random acts of violence break out across the island, the seeds
    of rebellion begin to take root.
    Sophia Desai, a Shapeshifter, is an officer on the island, processing
    new arrivals and pushing papers. When she begins the investigation of a strange
    murder, she begins to see the true dark side of their home, and of the people who
    put them there.
    Website http://www.empirevalleyseries.com/book.html

    Huntress Light Designs

    Designs of the fantastical and spiritual.
    The artist known as HuntressLight is also called “Kemi”
    on forum sites. She makes her living as an Administrative Professional, but art
    and tinkering are in her DNA. She keeps her soul fulfilled with crafting costume
    props and creating digital artwork. She’s also a writer but that’s a whole ‘nother
    story. Prosthetic Horns, original jewelry, belts and bracers, collars and cuffs,
    puches and purses, plus much more.
    Website http://huntresslightdesigns.com/home
    Portfolio http://huntresslightdesigns.com/portfolio
    Titan Games and Comics 

    Titan Games and Comics

    Titan Games and Comics is the Atlanta area’s premier collectibles
    chain selling comics, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, collectable figures, RPG’s
    and board games. Two great locations and friendly, helpful staff make your experience
    an enjoyable one.
    Newsletter http://www.titangamesandcomics.com/?page_id=731
    Duluth location
    Smyrna location

    Games Well Played

    Well Played is in the business of connecting people through the
    fun of games. We help you find new favorites and teach you to play in the comfort
    of your home.
    Well Played Games will provide demo games all weekend at OutlantaCon
    of new and classic games for you as well as have them available to buy if you love
    them.
    Website http://www.gameswellplayed.com/doku.php/home
    Last year’s gaming table 
    OutlantaCon’s game room is open 24 hours a day. In it are a huge
    selection of board and card games for you fun needs including tabletop, RPG, and
    board games.

    Social Media for the Convention

    Location 2015 Marriott Century Center Atlanta http://www.outlantacon.org/#!location/cp0k
  • Science Fiction

    Queen Behind the Curtain @OutlantaCon #RLFblog #Scifi #LGBT

    OutlantaCon May 8-10, 2015 

    A post by Edward deGruy, OutlantaCon’s PR Chair for 2015.

    Ignore that queen behind the curtain.
    Ready for a panel  
    What day is it? Is the convention coming
    or going? Hard to tell anymore. Still so much to be done to get this OutlantaCon
    thing going.
    So why do we do it?
    Easy. Because once you have put on
    your own convention you never want to do anything else. Real life just becomes the down time to another convention.
    We know the thrills of people crowding
    in a room to get their geek on. We know the cheers when the big guest comes on stage.
    The smiles of kids and kids at heart meeting their TV/movie hero. The nods as people
    find out the reasons behind their favourite stories and novels. Finding that perfect
    gift or compliment to a costume in the dealers room or art show. Aspiring writers
    getting that final push they needed to finish that story they have been working
    on for years.
    We know the pains of making sure the
    contracts for the space are right. Learning all the social media programs and apps
    to make sure everyone knows about your convention and the pain of hearing after
    the weekend “You had who? Your convention is about what? I have never heard
    of you and I am a huge fan of .” The infinite problems that happen the weekend of. You know
    “Ummmm….that room for that panel is 70 feet from the other panel room. That
    is TOO far to walk.”
    The Match Game in process
    There is a process to it. One most
    never think about. The bulk of people just assume hotels come to you. “Please
    come use our space. For free. No. Better yet we will pay YOU to have your con here.”
    Ummmm…not so much. Hotel contacts with stuff like room rates and blocks. Food and
    beverage minimums. Tech orders for projectors, pipe and drape and dongles for computers.
    Yes. We said dongle. We had to learn what that is.
    So you get everything right with the
    hotel. Yay!!!! How the hell do we get people to want to come now? Anybody know anything
    about PR? Oh you? What? Wait….you want to get paid to do our PR? You think we have
    money? No one has even bought a ticket yet. Well how about we do it ourselves? What
    is Twitter anyway?
    Wait. Who is our guest going to be?
    What? We have to pay them? Half now? No one has bought a ticket yet! Frell. Ok.
    I will write the check. ::grumble::
    Hotel. Check.
    PR. Check.
    Guest. Check.
    Cool. People are excited and buying
    tickets. But no rooms. How are we supposed to make our room commitment? Nervous
    now. I might throw up.
    Luckily Lauren and her crew is handling
    our con suite so our convention goers can save some money and eat a bit for free.
    Whew. What do you mean she is having a baby then and cannot do it anymore? What!!??
    Ok. That real life thing has struck again.
    We will figure it out. No worries.
    Say What…?!
    Well at least the t-shirts are on the
    way and that will be awesome. What is this email? They will not arrive now till
    AFTER THE CONVENTION!!!!  Definitely throwing
    up now.
    Programming. Anybody got any ideas for panels? Should we
    have them on the hour? Hour and a half? Our main guest will only do one panel?
    Between 10am and 2pm. Right. Ok. No problem. Oh cool we have 5 guests that want
    in on the “One-Eyed Trouser Trouts and Pink Tacos: Euphemisms Gone
    Wild.” You can only use two? So who are we going to make mad then?
    Ok. The weekend is here. Be calm. Stay
    cool.
    Our game room area is under emergency
    renovation and now we only have a closet to game in?  Excuse us…
    No. No. We’re fine. Not a problem.
    Maybe we will go with all card games to save space.
    We will just go sit down in the lobby
    for a minute while the main guest Q and A lets out.
    “Wow! That was great. I never
    knew that about that show. That is so cool. I wonder if they are doing any other
    cons soon so I can ask them some questions once I re-watch it.”
    “Did you get any of the hot dogs
    in the consuite? They are so good. Let’s go get a drink in the bar and talk about
    the latest episode.”
    “I just played that new game my
    friend told me about. I have to go to the dealer’s room and get a copy. So fun!”
    Even registration is fun 
    “I am getting a nap before the
    parties tonight. I am SO glad I got a room. And it really was cheaper than the regular
    rate here. It is going to be a monster night tonight!!”
    “OMG. There is a panel tonight
    called One-Eyed Trouser Trouts and Pink Tacos: Euphemisms Gone Wild. I have to go
    to that. Can you imagine?”
    “I wish I had planned to come
    for more than one day. I am so coming back next year!!”
     Oh right. That is why we do this.
    This is good.
    Wait. Why is that person trying to
    fit that costume through that small space and scratching up the walls?
    Sigh. Be right back.

    OutlantaCon is an Atlanta-based event for the Queer Geek audience!
    You’ll find all the usual convention fare here–discussion panels, gaming, costuming,
    special events, etc. The difference is that it all has a queer ‘bent’ to it. Here
    you can enjoy all the convention trappings in an atmosphere where you’re free to
    be yourself! We also offer some pretty unique twists as well, like our own versions
    of Match Game (a staple since 2007), Project Cosplay (2010), Nea’s Drag Race (2011), and the wildly popular Sock Puppet Theatre Presents…
    May 8-10, 2015 at the Marriott Century Center in Atlanta.

    Social Media for Convention

  • Science Fiction

    Scifi for the #Gay #Geek @OutlantaCon #RLFblog #scifi

    Outlantacon
    OutlantaCon is an Atlanta-based event for the Queer Geek audience! You’ll find all the usual convention fare here–discussion panels, gaming, costuming, special events, etc. The difference is that it all has a queer ‘bent’ to it. Here you can enjoy all the convention trappings in an atmosphere where you’re free to be yourself! We also offer some pretty unique twists as well, like our own versions of Match Game (a staple since 2007), Project Cosplay (2010), Nea’s Drag Race (2011), and the wildly popular Sock Puppet Theatre Presents…
    Dates for 2015 are May 8-10 in Atlanta, Georgia. Links are at the end of this post.
    Here is a list of guests.

    Kage Alan

    Native Detroiter Kage Alan is the comedic (aka snarky, smart
    ass, sarcastic…the list goes on) author of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to
    My Sexual Orientation, Andy Stevenson Vs. the Lord of the Loins, Gaylias: Operation
    Thunderspell, Spacehunters: Master Elite and the Maternal Order of Loganites Beyond
    Uranus featured in the Butt Pirates In Space anthology, Twink Ninja Tiger, Flaxen
    Buns of Fury featured in the Butt Ninjas From Hell anthology, and It’s A Wonderful
    Lube in the Butt Babes In Boyland anthology.
    He lives under the regularly well-manicured thumb of his half
    Asian husband, in fear of his husband’s evil Hong Kong Grandmonster, and under the
    constant threat of fellow author Patricia Logan’s fan club of Loganites.
    He continues to blog regularly at KageAlan.com, flog his impetuous
    staff, write his next book when not buying Blu-Rays each Tuesday on New Release
    Day, traveling overseas and buying Blu-Rays there, eating sushi, fibbing to his
    husband about what Blu-Rays he may or may not admit to picking up that week, making
    fun of people who read Patricia Logan, playing Laser Tag and attending Sci-Fi conventions.
    He also collects rare soundtracks.

    Shae Connor

    Shae Connor lives in Atlanta, where she’s a lackadaisical government
    worker for a living and writes sweet-hot romance under the cover of night. She’s
    been making things up for as long as she can remember, but it took her a long time
    to figure out that maybe she should try writing them down. She’s conned several
    companies into publishing her work and adds a new notch on her bedpost each time
    another story is unleashed onto an unsuspecting universe.
    Shae has been an Outlantacon guest for several years and is perhaps
    best known as one of the authors for the Butt Pirates in Space and Butt Ninjas from
    Hell anthologies. For 2015, the butts authors plan to have not one, but two new
    titles available. Fannishly speaking, Shae cut her teeth in X-Files fandom, is a
    staunch Browncoat and a proud Hufflepuff, and believes firmly that Han shot first.
    Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains
    why she never shuts up. You can find her hanging out on Twitter most any time @shaeconnor,
    but for the more direct route, you can email her at shaeconnorwrites@gmail.com or
    visit her website at shaeconnorwrites.com.

    Kiernan Kelly

    One of OutlantaCon’s first guests and huge supporter Kiernan
    Kelly’s stories of gay romance envelop diverse themes, varying from paranormal,
    to fantasy, and science fiction to contemporary romance, with thirteen novels currently
    in print and ebook, and over eighty shorter works available in both mediums. She
    has published with a variety of houses, including Torquere Press, Starbooks Press,
    MLR Press, Cleis Press, Renaissance Press, Circlet, Dreamspinner Press, and Loose-Id,
    as well as self-publishing a few short stories. Her horror short story release,
    “Cletus,” appears in the Coscom Publishing’s book “Bits of the Dead.”
    Kiernan also writes Young Adult gay romance under her Dakota
    Chase pen name.

    Java

    Outlantacon welcomes, for his SIXTH time, star of the Hit YouTube
    fan series “Doctor Who: The Forgotten Doctor” Java! Best known for his
    long running stent at Dr. Frank N Furter with Atlanta’s own Rocky Horror Picture
    Show, Lips Down On Dixie. Java is Featured at the Plaza Theater on Ponce De Leon,
    Fridays at Midnight for an amazing 11 of the 14 years running. LDOD (Lips Down On
    Dixie) is the longest running theatrical event in Atlanta. He has also been the
    headlining Frank N Furter for 12 of the 14 performances of the show for Dragon Con.
    Some of which included working with RHPS film actors Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors-RHPS)
    and Patricia Quinn (Magenta-RHPS).
    Along with performing with the acclaimed shadow cast, he is also
    an Actor and Filmmaker. Appearing in such films as “The Blind Side,” “Ben
    10: Alien Swarm,” and on television with “Drop Dead Diva” and as
    a reoccurring zombie on “The Walking Dead.” Java is also an established
    Visual effects and beauty Makeup Artist, working with Netherworld Haunted House,
    voted #1 in the nation several years consecutively, and on feature the film “ACE:
    The Zombie,” and will be starring in the upcoming ensemble found footage horror
    films “The Lost Footage” from Crimson Films, “Atlanta Vampire Movie”
    by Idle Hands Entertainment, and appearing in the Zombie film “Test Group”
    with The Other Side of GA Productions .
    Java has since gone on to launch his own production company,
    Jymeni Productions, LLC and is also one of the Exec. Producers / Co Writers / Co
    Directors and Makeup supervisor for the UNCANNY X-MEN fanseries, along with Producer
    and creator of the Youtube Webseries, “Doctor Who: The Forgotten Doctor”
    (Also starring as the Doctor himself!).
    This year also debuts Javas newest story as a guest author on
    the anthology erotica series, “Butt Raiders on the Range” the follow up
    to last years “Butt Ninjas from Hell.” Find and keep up with him on facebook
    and IMDb!
    OutlantaCon Guests 1

    Ally Blue

    Ally Blue is acknowledged by the world at large (or at least
    by her heroes, who tend to suffer a lot) as the Popess of Gay Angst. She has a great
    big suggestively-shaped hat and rides in a bullet-proof Plexiglas bubble in Christmas
    parades. Her harem of man-whores does double duty as bodyguards and inspirational
    entertainment. Her favorite band is Radiohead, her favorite color is lime green
    and her favorite way to waste a perfectly good Saturday is to watch all three extended
    version Lord Of The Rings movies in a row. Her ultimate dream is to one day ditch
    the evil day job and support the family on manlove alone. She is not a hippie or
    a brain surgeon, no matter what her kids’ friends say.

    James Crawford

    James Crawford writes the Young Adult book series Leech. As a
    boy growing up he realized there were too few LGBT heroes for kids to look up to
    and even fewer that weren’t over sexed stereotypes. He didn’t see anything that
    represented him. He decided to start writing Caleo to give young adults a homosexual
    hero who was not defined by his sexual orientation.

    Vicktor “Vic” Alexander

    Vicktor “Vic” Alexander wrote his first story at the
    age of ten and hasn’t stopped writing since. He loves reading about anything and
    everything and is a proud member of the little known U.N. group (Undercover Nerds)
    because while he lives, eats, breathes, and sleeps sports, he also breathes history
    and science fiction and grew up a Trekkie. But don’t ask him about Dungeons &
    Dragons, because he has no idea how to play that game. When it comes to writing
    he loves everything from paranormal to contemporary to fantasy to historical and
    is known not only for being the Epilogue King but also for writing stories that
    cross lines and boundaries that he doesn’t know are there. Vic is a proud father
    of two daughters one of whom watches over him from Heaven with his deceased partner
    Christopher. Vic is a proud trans* and gay man, and when he is not writing, he is
    hanging out with his friends, or being distracted by videos of John Barrowman, Scott
    Hoying, and Shemar Moore. Vicktor has published numerous bestselling novels and
    has a WIP list that makes him exhausted just thinking about. He knows that he will
    be still be writing about hot men falling in love with each other, long after he
    is living in an assisted living facility, flirting with the hot, male nurses.

    Sarah Avraham

    Attorney Sarah Avraham resides in Atlanta where she operates
    her law practice that primarily serves alternative lifestyles. Education is her
    passion and she believes that education will ultimately pave the way to equality
    for the LGBTQIA community. Attorney Avraham’s love lies in presenting about the
    law. Her presentations cover many as aspects of family, criminal, estate planning,
    healthcare, employment, business, and even landlord/tenant law topics. More specifically,
    Attorney Avraham’s favorite legal topics to cover are how to protect same-sex partnerships
    and multipartnered households through legal documents where no other legal remedy
    is available.

    Keith Bailey

    Keith Bailey is an award winning photographer, makeup artist
    and film maker. He has formed a company for film production (The Otherside of Georgia,
    Inc.) with Albert Roberts and Ginger Paige, that has several projects going in the
    Atlanta area. Keith wrote, co-produced and directed the zombie film “Test Group”
    that will have a theatrical release this September. He is writing and casting a
    new TV Series “Immortalz Atlanta”.
    Andrew Greenberg
    Andrew Greenberg, best known for designing computer games and
    roleplaying games, is lead developer on the upcoming Fading Suns: Noble Armada mobile
    and tablet game. Andrew co-created the “Fading Suns” roleplaying and computer
    games and was the original developer of White Wolf’s “Vampire: The Masquerade.”
    He has credits on more than 50 White Wolf products and more than 20 HDI books. He
    has also worked on products with other roleplaying game companies, including “Star
    Trek Next Generation” and “Deep Space Nine.” His computer game credits
    include Dracula Unleashed, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Emperor of the Fading Suns,
    Warhammer 40K: Final Liberation, Merchant Prince II, Mall Tycoon, Dungeon Crawlers,
    Dungeon Lords, The Virtual World of Kaneva, Railroad Tycoon Mobile and the Global
    Agenda MMO. A fellow with the Mythic Imagination Institute, Andrew is also president
    of the Georgia Game Developers Association and organizer of the Southeast Interactive
    Entertainment and Games Expo (SIEGE).

    Moxie Magnus

    Moxie Magnus, the eight foot tall queen of outer space, serves
    as chief cosmetologist on the USS Enterprise under Captain James T. Kirk. But that’s
    just her day job! When she’s not quaffing the Starfleet elite of the 23rd century
    she’s entertaining the folks of the 21st century with her comedic styling and mad
    ukulele skills. Not only does she travel and perform her show throughout the US,
    she has a video podcast and most recently, a web comic “Tales from Salonbay”.

    Eden Winters

    Eden Winters has published a dozen novels to date, many of which
    have been recognized by the annual Rainbow Awards, and one also gaining finalist
    status in the 2012 Lambda Literary Awards. She calls the southern US home, and many
    of her stories take place in the rural South. She divides her time between a day
    job, friends, grandkids, PFLAG, writing, trying different varieties of vegan cuisine,
    and exploring her world. Her musical tastes run from Ambient to Zydeco, she owns
    a TV she never watches, and she’s a firm believer that life is better with pets.
    She also loves cruising down the road on the back of a Harley Davidson.

    Ellie Collins

    Actor, cosplayer, author
    Ellie Collins was born and raised in Huntsville, AL. She was
    always artistic and creative, but in her high school days she discovered a deep
    love for the theater and costuming. Since then she’s created over one hundred costumes
    for herself and other actors and cosplayers. She’s won numerous awards, and has
    even been featured in magazines for her costuming work. Also, she has gone on to
    do seamstress work for film and television.
    On top of her costuming work for screen, she has worked both
    in front of and behind the camera. Whether it be assistant directing, wardrobe,
    or even acting, she finds herself happy in all parts of film making. She was featured
    on the first season of The CW’s “The Originals” as a recurring DayWalker
    vampire. It was a season she credits with reigniting her passion for all things
    creative.
    Ellie has also gone on to pen an urban fantasy fiction series
    titled “Empire Valley”. It was an idea she had mulled around for many
    years, then the drive to write finally came with 2011’s National Novel Writing Month
    (NaNoWriMo), where she wrote 50,000 words in the month of November. Since then,
    each year she participates and encourages others to participate in NaNoWriMo and
    follow their writing dreams.
    The first book; “Empire Valley – The Arrival”, will
    also be released alongside an audio dramatization and live action trailer. For more
    information on Empire Valley, or Ellie, check out the following sites:

    David Yost

    David Yost is an American actor most notably known for his role
    as Billy, the Blue Ranger on the international television series The Mighty Morphin’
    Power Rangers. Yost completed over 200 episodes of the series and starred in the
    feature film Power Rangers: the Movie. The feature film was produced by some of
    Hollywood’s leading producers like Jon Landau (Titantic and Avatar) and Suzanne
    Todd (the Austin Powers franchise and Alice in Wonderland).
    Yost was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa but moved around considerably
    while growing up as child. He has been able to call Death Valley, CA, Denver, CO
    and Billings, MT home. He graduated high school from Amador Valley High located
    in Pleasanton, CA. Yost attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa graduating
    with a degree in Communications and Dramatic Arts. Like many actors, Yost moved
    to Hollywood with the dream of making it big and within three months of being in
    the city, he landed the role of Billy, the computer literate superhero, on Power
    Rangers.
    Since leaving the series, Yost has turned his attention to behind-the-scenes
    work in the Entertainment Industry. He has worked on and produced many reality television
    shows most notably The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for Bravo and Temptation
    Island for FOX. He recently completed the second season of NTSF:SD:SUV:: – a comedy
    spoof of shows like CSI or NCIS and just finished production on NEWSREADERS – a
    comedic take on the people who bring us the news. As well as being a producer, Yost
    has held the title of Director of Production at the Sci Fi Lab, a television development
    entity for the SyFy Channel and Manager of Licensing for Pioneer/Geneon Entertainment
    in which he sold completed television series to international distributors, domestically
    closing deals with MTV and Showtime.
    Yost is involved with several charitable organizations. He starred
    in the play Fallen Guardian Angels at the Complex in Los Angeles which benefited
    AIDS Project L.A. (APLA). The play was about six different individuals dealing with
    HIV/AIDS in various situations. The proceeds from the play went to benefit Children’s
    Hospital AIDS Center and the entire production raised over $25,000. Yost is credited
    with raising $5,000 for the hospital and the reviews for his performance from LA
    Weekly Theatre were highly favorable.
    Yost continues to raise money and advocate for APLA as well as
    Project Angel Food and The Trevor Project.

    Don Teems

    Don Teems has appeared in over 50 TV and movie projects that
    include The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,
    The Following, Flight, Identity Thief, Dumb and Dumber 2, Anchorman 2,
    Resurrection, and Trouble with the Curve.

    He am most known for being several featured walkers in seasons
    2, 3, and 4 of AMC’s The Walking Dead. He am also a local DJ here in Atlanta. He
    has a fan page dedicated to his time on the walking dead that has over 11,000 followers
    at http://facebook.com/DonTWDZombieTeems

    Brent D Seth

    Originally from a very small town in Illinois, Brent D. Seth
    began writing at an early age, but lacked the confidence to submit any of his work
    to publishers. He wrote in the closet, and kept it there for many years, along with
    his self-identity. Only with the support and encouragement of his husband of ten
    years, did Mr. Seth finally take the leap—all of them. His first novel, a science
    fiction comedy Short Fuse is now available through Leo Publishing.

    Lee Martindale

    Lee Martindale’s short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies
    and magazines, including the Snows of Darkover anthology, Turn The Other Chick,
    Witch Way To The Mall, and Fangs For The Mammaries, three volumes of the Sword and
    Sorceress series, Warrior Wisewoman 2, Catopolis, and Low Port. She has also edited
    two anthologies of her own, Such A Pretty Face and The Ladies of Trade Town. Her
    latest works are Bard’s Road: The Collected Fiction of Lee Martindale, and a story
    slated to appear in Chicks & Balances, the sixth “Chicks in Chainmail”
    anthology coming from Baen in 2015.
    When not slinging fiction, Lee is a veteran human rights activist,
    a Named Bard, a Lifetime Active Member of SFWA (where she serves on the Board of
    Directors), a fencing member of the SFWA Musketeers, a member of the SCA, and a
    popular guest at science fiction conventions all over the country. She and her husband
    live in Plano, TX, where she keeps friends and fans in the loop at http://www.HarpHaven.net.

    Darren Nowell

    Darren Nowell is cohost of the Legion of Substitute Podcasters
    which discusses the Legion of Super-Heroes as well as having guest appearanced on
    Earth Station One, Comic Book Queers and Comic Geek Speak podcasts. Also an avid
    tabletop and video gamer his current obsession is Disney Infinity and Pandemic.
    You can find him in the gaming room or hosting The Match Game.

    Neon

    An E-List bearlebrity living in Atlanta, Neon has always been
    the “light of the party” per se. A southern boy at heart, his outgoing
    personality and mischievous demeanor will make you smile. Neon loves to entertain
    whether it be on the mic as an emcee or on the DJ decks spinning dance music that
    will get your blood pumping! As an international go go bear, Neon has danced around
    the globe bringing his electric style and incredible dance moves to the stage. He
    designs and creates most of is own costuming that blends his inner geek into his
    signature styles.

    Kayelle Allen

    Kayelle Allen is a best-selling, multi-published, award-winning author. Her unstoppable heroes and
    heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and
    warriors who purr.
    OutlantaCon Guests 2

    Outlantacon is held May 8-10, 2015 in Atlanta, GA.

    Social Media for the Convention

  • Character Interviews,  Contemporary

    Rick from Miami Steam @LSB_lsbooks #RLFblog #romance

    Miami Steam 

    The character interview allows a hero or heroine to tell readers
    about himself or herself. Today’s interview is with Rick Gonzalez from Miami Steam.

    Interview with Rick Gonzalez

    Tell us about yourself,
    please.
    I’m a homicide detective with the Miami-Dade police department.
    I’m Cuban, raised in Little Havana, Miami, by my mom. I owe everything to her. She
    and my dad left Cuba in a balsa, a homemade raft. My father got washed overboard
    in a storm; by some miracle my pregnant mom made it to a beach in Key West. A police
    officer found her. She named me for him – Richard. I guess that’s why I later became
    a cop.
    Authors call what you
    want but cannot have “the conflict” — what is yours?
    Well, I hate reporters. I was working undercover narcotics, and
    I loved that job The looks on the perps’ faces when I slapped the ankle bracelets
    on them – no one ever suspected I was a cop – was worth all the risk. Then, some
    frigging reporter put my picture in the newspaper, identifying me as a cop. That
    was the end of my undercover career. Then I meet Rebecca, a reporter for the Miami
    Star, and the chief orders me, of all people, to work with her on a story about
    this serial killer in Miami. The minute I saw her, it was instant attraction, but
    she’s a reporter – my sworn enemy!
    What inner doubt causes
    you the most difficulty?
    How can I trust Rebecca Challenger? She’s out to make a name
    for herself as a journalist and using me to do that. Okay, I can deal with that,
    but when we take things between us to the next level, I just don’t know. Are her
    feelings as real for me as her ambition? Or is she just screwing me to get more
    information for her story?
    In the story world your
    author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.
    That this psychopath murderer is going to kill the woman I truly
    love! I finally find her only to possibly lose her? I can’t let that happen, no
    way!
    Tell us about your significant
    other, that person who makes living worthwhile.
    Rebecca’s my soulmate, no other word for it. Besides being gorgeous,
    she’s super smart, interesting, and caring. She genuinely wants to make the world
    a better place – that’s why she became a journalist and why I became a cop. I guess
    that’s what we have in common – we see the world beyond our own little niche, which
    is a very comfortable cocoon to be in!
    If someone from your past
    showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?
    That’s an easy one – the ex! She couldn’t take being married
    to a cop – the crazy hours, the long shifts, the worry that every time your husband
    goes to work, you don’t know if he’ll come back. I admit it’s not easy, maybe that’s
    why so many cops are divorced. But I think she really took out her own failures
    on me. After her store on Calle Ocho selling Cuban souvenirs went under, so did
    our marriage.
    Why are you happy (or
    not happy) with the way your story ended?
    I found the woman of my dreams and arrested the Night Knifer,
    which is the kind of career-making case every homicide detective dreams about. It
    made national headlines and a producer is interested in making a movie about it.
    What more could I want?

    About the Author

    Chantal Verlaine has been writing stories since she was six years
    old and firmly believes that every good story deserves a romance. A global nomad,
    she most recently is a Miami transplant to Los Angeles, which has many more good
    hair days than South Florida but she still misses Miami’s tropical nights, bathtub-warm
    ocean and Cuban rocket-fuel coffee.
    What genre(s) would you
    like to write that you haven’t tried yet?
    I’m currently working on a mystery with a woman detective as
    the lead character, and plenty of romantic sparks!
    What would your readers
    be surprised to learn about you?
    I’m a true global nomad! I was born in New Zealand and lived
    in seven countries by the time I was thirteen. I lived in three more countries as
    an adult.
    Why should readers who
    haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?
    Miami Steam is a quick, smexy read for those who like fast-paced,
    action-oriented fiction. It’s got mystery, thrills and suspense, which all pivots
    on romance, of course! Perfect for reading on the beach, on a flight, or to curl
    up with on an afternoon.
    Is there anything you’d
    like to say to your readers?
    I know I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but read, read
    and read more! I’ve been a voracious reader since I was a child and the worlds contained
    in books continue to amaze and fascinate me. I can’t figure out why people don’t
    read more!

    About the Book

    Title Miami Steam
    Genre Erotic, contemporary, suspense
    Author Chantal Verlaine
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Miami Star reporter Rebecca Challenger desperately needs a big
    story on the serial killer terrorizing the city in order to get a promotion to features
    writer. Her main source, lead homicide detective Rick Gonzalez, despises reporters.
    As the pair spar over the story, they’re both jolted by a white-hot current of mutual
    attraction. They overcome their mistrust to start a promising love affair, but overheard
    gossip causes Rebecca to shy away. Baffled and hurt by Rebecca’s sudden rejection,
    Rick vows to forget her. That is, until the serial killer, enraged by Rebecca’s
    story about him, kidnaps her, and Rick must rescue the woman of his dreams. Can
    true love endure in the face of misunderstandings and a psychopath’s wiles?

    Buy This Book

    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Miami-Steam-ebook/dp/B00CT5RWZA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381000414&sr=1-1&keywords=chantal+verlaine
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miami-steam-chantal-verlaine/1029825657?ean=9781595785589

    Author Social Media