Thank you to Dani and Love Bytes for having me on today. I am so excited to be here to talk about the new project I was involved in this summer. The Heartsville series is a group of five novellas which can be read in any order, since they are all standalones, but they all take place in the same “gayborhood” and most of the characters cross over into the other books.

When I was trying to think of a topic to write about for my post, I had a difficult time landing on exactly what I wanted to talk about. What would people be interested to know? Should I write the characters? The setting? Do people want to read why I made certain decisions when it came to plot? Conflict? Maybe a post about flower arrangements?

I adore the gayborhood. I’d live there if it existed. And I love my characters. Will and Milo make me feel a bit squishy inside and I think they balance each other out well. I had a great time forcing them together and making sure they fell in love. But for now, let me set my characters aside to tell you a little bit about the ladies behind the books in the Heartsville series.

The project is the brainchild of Piper Vaughn, who approached me back in June to ask if I’d be interested in joining the group. When the little box flashed in the corner of my screen and I saw the name on it, I might have died a little. I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by Piper and I was seriously intimidated to talk to her. And then she told me who else was on board. And I almost had a heart attack.

These ladies are rockstars.

Seriously.

I felt overwhelmed and completely unworthy, but I’m not stupid, so it took precisely 0.2 seconds for me to agree. We chatted online, alternating between our books and the upcoming conference in San Diego (which we were all more than a little nervous about).

Nico drove out to the airport to get me the day before GRL and I piled into the back next to Piper and Jayden. Nico drove, using her L.A. road skills to get us to our destination. J.H., who I’d had very little contact with online due to her strong aversion to Facebook, was in the front next to her. Things were awkward (on my part) for about three seconds, and then we started talking.

And I don’t think we shut up for four days.

You know how in a million and a half romance novels, the main characters meet and something magical just clicks and they know in that instant they were meant to be together? At the risk of sounding like a total sap (Yeah, I know… I’ve already crossed that line), that is exactly how I felt when I met Jayden, Nico, J.H., and Piper. Something clicked.

I laughed so much over those few days, that by the time I got on the plane, I felt like I’d done a hundred and thirty-seven straight hours of Jane Fonda’s abs workout. These four women are some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. I am so grateful that I was invited to be a part of this project, not only because it’s the most fun I’ve had writing in maybe forever, and not because I had the opportunity to work with a group of truly amazing writers, but because I walked away with four new friendships that mean the world to me.

So yeah, maybe it’s a bit cheesy (okay, insanely cheesy), but in this case, I think life imitated art. Insta-friends. It’s totally a thing.

 

Welcome to the gayborhood! In the cozy town of Heartsville, the streets are lined with trees, the shops are full of friendly faces, and happily ever after is just around the corner. Come get to know the boys next door—naughty, nice, and everything in between.

 

Bookmarked by Piper Vaughn
Released October 26th 2015

To save his bookstore from closing, Mark Werner realizes it’s going to take a miracle—like getting reclusive, best-selling author Shepherd Knight to agree to appear for a signing.

After their disastrous last encounter, Mark doesn’t hold up much hope Shepherd will agree. Shepherd’s never made a single public appearance. In fact, Mark wouldn’t even know what he looks like had he not accidentally discovered the sexy stranger he’d been flirting with for months, aka “Tall-Dark-and-Grumpy,” was also his fanboy obsession.

But desperate times call for desperate measures. If Mark can convince Shepherd, it’ll be a major coup in the book world and might just save Bookmarked from sinking. Too bad Shepherd won’t reply to his e-mails. Yet Mark didn’t earn the reputation of having a “sunshine-and-rainbow-fart” personality for nothing. He’ll do whatever it takes to get his man… and hopefully not make a fool of himself in the process.

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Unscripted by Nico Jaye 
Released October 27th 2015

Theater manager Teddy Carbone’s life has gone pretty much according to script… until now.

To his surprise, Teddy finds himself co-owner of the Oasis Theater with Carter Monroe, a corporate shark who’s looking at him like he’s chum in the water. Being in charge of the theater is one thing, but having to deal with Carter and his demands is another. With Carter’s proposed plan to sell the Oasis looming, Teddy must convince Carter the theater is worth saving. When Teddy introduces the bright, bold world of the stage to Carter’s cold, all-business lifestyle, though, he soon comes to recognize that the Oasis might not be the only thing he has a chance to save.

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Another Shot by J.H. Knight
Released October 28th 2015

The town of Heartsville means something different to everyone who lives there. For Aaron Forester, it’s a gay-friendly buffer between himself and the rest of the world. After being outed in high school and bullied to the point of violence, his family uprooted their lives and relocated to the small hamlet. He’s moved on from all that and now owns a popular café in the bustling shopping district. But after twenty years of happy living, Aaron’s past creeps up on him in the most unexpected way.

Brad Collins only has one regret and he’s carried it with him since he was a teenager. When he moves to Heartsville and gets set up on a blind date with the most adorable, engaging man he’s met in a long time, he couldn’t be happier. But Brad didn’t expect the guy to be the person he outed in high school—who he’s now falling in love with.

Aaron and Brad hit it off instantly—in and out of the bedroom. But after a long overdue apology and a small serving of resentment, is their fledgling relationship worth another shot?

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Clique by Jayden Brooks
Released October 29th 2015

Adam Locke’s youthful looks aren’t the blessing everyone seems to think. At twenty-eight, he’s a successful photographer with his own studio and respected by his peers—but that doesn’t seem to matter to the men who catch his eye. Instead, he’s brushed aside like an underage twink with a daddy fetish.

When a hot, bearded stranger stops him from accidentally walking into traffic, Adam looks up and finds the man of his dreams. Unfortunately, his first meeting with Brandon ends with him being dismissed as a kid. Again. Adam can’t help his annoyance. He also can’t help staring (and drooling) whenever he spots Brandon walking through the neighborhood with a different dog.

He watches from afar, wondering about Brandon’s story—until the day he’s dared to take another chance. It’s just the push Adam needs, and finally, he catches Brandon’s interest. Now if only he could figure out the key to getting taciturn Brandon to open up and let Adam in. But Adam knows sometimes all it takes is a little patience for the last piece to click into place.

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Bloom Box by Cate Ashwood
Released October 30th 2015

If there’s one thing William Sullivan knows less about than how to run a business, it’s flowers. When Will is left carrying responsibility for the flower shop he’d leased for his cheating ex-boyfriend, he is sure it will lead him into financial ruin.

Just when he’s about to abandon all hope, in walks Milo Hart—young, overflowing with energy, and perhaps best of all, a genius when it comes to flowers. Will hires him on the spot and they begin a working partnership that might be Will’s only saving grace. The more time they spend together, the more Will’s feelings for Milo evolve and Will must choose between keeping things strictly business, or taking a chance to let love bloom.

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Click below to enter the giveaway!

One winner will be chosen to receive five ebooks (one backlist title from each of Piper Vaughn, Nico Jaye, J.H. Knight, Jayden Brooks, and Cate Ashwood), plus a $25 gift certificate (Amazon, B&N, or All Romance eBooks—winner’s choice). This giveaway is open worldwide where permitted by law.

The giveaway will run until November 4th.

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