Hello, and thank you to Love Bytes for having me back to talk about what’s coming next. The anthology I wanted to talk about today is a re-release of the first two books in my Off Stage series: Off Stage: Right and Off Stage: In the Wings.

Why are we re-releasing these two stories in this handy-dandy one-volume e-package? Well, because this spring, the third and final book, Off Stage: Beyond the Footlights will be released.

With that in mind, I thought a little taste of the third book might be nice. Well, or awkward, in this case. nothing like getting caught with your pants down:

At first when Tanner woke, he thought he was alone in the bed. Then he realized his feet were weighted down, and a quick glimpse showed him the dog had sprawled out at the foot of the bed and pinned him from the knees down.

“Brat,” he muttered, shoving at the big animal until he huffed and scrabbled on his belly, up the bed to lay his head on Tanner’s chest.

“So he’s up, I take it,” Tanner said to the dog, scratching between his ears.

The dog yawned, showing off pointed teeth and an impressively bad case of doggy breath.

“Je-zuz!” Tanner shoved at the long muzzle playfully and the dog licked his fingers. As they tussled gently, the dog worked in a few of his distinctive vocal machinations that sounded exactly like he was telling Tanner the mysteries of universe, only Tanner was too imbecilic to understand.

“Whatever.” Tanner rubbed his hands vigorously over the wiry gray hair of the dog’s head and neck. “So where is he? I don’t hear anything breaking.” In fact he didn’t hear anything at all.
But the dog wasn’t freaking out, so Kilmer must have fed him and let him out to pee. He wasn’t in bed, so obviously….

“Did you eat him?”

The dog licked Tanner’s chin.

Tanner grimaced and turned his head. The pillow next to his was still indented, but the sheets were cool. He glanced out the window, then at the mantel. The bell was gone. Tanner frowned.
“Huh.” He sat up. “So—”

The front door banged open and a voice called. Tanner didn’t recognize it, nor did he hear what was said. Scrambling, he fumbled with his jeans as the dog jumped off the bed and ran, in full-ass-wag joy, for the front of the house, grinding out what was as near to a bark as he ever got.

So the dog knew whomever was walking into Kilmer’s house like he owned it. Tanner shoved a foot into his jeans, realized they were half inside out, and was hopping like an idiot to get them straightened out and up over his junk when a hulking form appeared in the doorway.

“Who the hell are you?” The voice was deep and melodic and very angry. “Where’s Kilmer?”

Tanner glanced up. “V-Vance Ashcroft.”

“Where is Kilmer?” Vance’s face was a stormy configuration of pursed lips, narrowed eyes, and lowered brow. Tanner had always thought the star was gorgeous. Having him hover and glower like this didn’t change that opinion one bit.

“I—just woke up.” Tanner steadied himself and did his best to pull his jeans the rest of the way on in a dignified manner.

“Vance?” A lighter, easier-to-hear voice piped from the hallway behind Vance. “Not in the—oh!” The newcomer peered over Vance’s shoulder, bright red hair haloing freckled features.

Of course. Lenny Stevens. “I—” Tanner fought for a second with his own hair, to get it smoothed away from his face, and tucked a few unruly strands behind an ear. “Hi.” He held out a hand. “Tanner Jones.”

“Where. The fuck. Is Kilmer?”

And on that note…

I hope having both the first books available in one package helps anyone who wants to get caught up do so. I’ve had such a journey writing about these characters and I will be sad to see them go but I am pleased to give them this chance to be heard again.

About Jaime:

Jaime has been writing for various publishers since the fall of 2008, although she’s been writing for herself far longer. Often asked why men—what’s so fascinating about writing stories about men falling in love—she’s never come up with a clear answer. Just that these are the stories that she loves to read, so it seemed to make sense if she was going to write, they would also be the stories she wrote.
These days, you can find plenty of free reading on her website. She also writes for Various Publishers.
Spare time, when it can be found rolled into a ball at the back of the dryer or cavorting with the dust bunnies in the corners, is spent crocheting, drawing, gardening (weather permitting, of course, since she is Canadian!), or watching movies. She has a day job, as well, which she loves, and two kids, but thankfully, also a wonderful husband who shoulders more than his fair share of household and child-care responsibilities.
She graduated some time ago from college with a fine arts diploma, and a major in textile arts, which basically qualifies her to draw pictures and create things with string and fabric. One always needs an official slip of paper to fall back on after all . . .
Website: http://jaime-samms.com
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