Hello! Here I am, Lou Sylvre. I love being a monthly author on Love Bytes. Makes me feel like I’m part of something awesome. So thanks, Love Bytes!

Thanks all of you for your thoughtful answers to my questions last month. I appreciate the insights and points of view. I did draw a winner, Ami. Congrats Ami! I don’t feel like I’ve got too much of a ramble in me this month, but I do have a topic I’d love to hear your thoughts on—co-writing pairs.

Have you read many co-authored books? If so, do you have a favorite pair of authors? I’d love to know why if you’d care to share. No contest drawing this time, but I’ve decided to combine entries next month, so if you comment here, you’ll be entered in that drawing when the time comes. Fair enough?
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I actually am half of a co-writing pair, my other half being Anne Barwell. You may know Anne from her Sleepless City books, or perhaps her fantasy or historical series. She and I have a fantasy historical book we’ve been working on for way too long (The Harp and the Sea, a Scottish thing), which once again has taken a back seat to a current project. But this time it’s another project we’re writing together! It’s part of the World of Love Books to be published by Dreamspinner Press, and our country is New Zealand. This is convenient as Anne is herself a New Zealander. This is pure romance, we’re writing, entitled Sunset at Pencarrow. We’ve got to get it turned in to Dreamspinner by early August, so it’s underway.

Here’s a tiny, pre-edit excerpt from chapter one, a scene that takes place soon after the two men, strangers fogged in at Wellington Airport, have had a slight verbal altercation. Nate’s the New Zealand native, and Rusty is an American.

After Rusty paid, he scanned for an empty seat, and found there were two, at the same table—a table Dunn had apparently seen as well. He breathed deep. Calm, Rusty. It could be worse.

They arrived at the table at the same moment, and Rusty nodded at the chair nearest the other man. “Have a seat. Looks like we’re sharing.”

Dunn put his tray down but took a step closer to Rusty. “I’m Nate,” said, holding out his hand for a shake.

Rusty’s response came automatically, holding out his hand and looking into the man’s eyes. Notable, he thought. They were gray… or maybe green, but very light, and… What? Maybe… sultry? The guy wasn’t bad looking, to be honest. Not too tall, a working man, it seemed. A little rough around the edges, could use a haircut, and hadn’t shaved for a couple days. Damn, just the type to catch my eye. It seemed kind of amazing he hadn’t noticed the first moment he saw him. Although it was hard to notice anyone’s looks when they were broadcasting a bad attitude. Besides, even if Nate had been sweet as Mom’s Banh Bo Nuomg, he probably wouldn’t have paid his looks much attention.

Rusty shook Nate’s hand, and as they took their seats, reminded himself, Not in the market.

And then, here’s a tiny bit more form Nate’s point of view, a few minutes later.

[Nate] snuck a look back at Rusty, and licked his lips. The guy was hot. How had he not noticed it before? Short dark hair, with lovely caramel skin to go with it. Brown eyes which had crinkled at the side just before Rusty had turned a rather delicious shade of red. Nate’s split second of amusement had quickly given way to sympathy. Rusty’s blush had made him seem more vulnerable for a moment. Not to mention hot and cute. Hmm….

And here’s some kissing men, just because. 🙂

That’s all I have for now. I look forward to your comments! Thank you for reading, and I’ll see you back here same time next month.