So what's going on with Wilde's (aka The Distance Between Us)?

On Tuesday, the newest Wilde's story, No Distance Left to Run, will be released. I've had a few questions recently about how this book fits with the others in the series, what's going on with the series, etc., so I wanted to take this opportunity to answer them.

The Wilde's series, which is generally called The Distance Between Us series because it all started with the book by that title that was supposed to be a standalone but then... wasn't. A.J.'s Angel came along after that, and Kieran made a little cameo. And then he got his own story in The Closer You Get. And then recurring side character Dale got his own story in Meet Me in the Middle.  So as you can see, it kind of took on a life of its own.

      

  

Basically, the series has evolved into something not unlike Tucker Springs. They're all set in the same world (specifically in Seattle, with the night club Wilde's featuring heavily), and sometimes characters cross over into each other's stories, but aren't necessarily related outside of the night club. Wilde's actually made its first appearance in the standalone book, The Best Man, and I guess I was kind of attached to the place, so I keep going back to it. (What can I say? They have awesome Kamikazes...)

Which brings us to No Distance Left to Run, the first co-written Wilde's story, having been written with the other half of my brain, Aleksandr Voinov.

This book does have some cameos by previous characters. Liam is still the shift manager. Kieran is still tending bar. But Chris and Julien? They're new characters entirely. No Distance Left to Run is a standalone (though it will have a sequel), it just takes place in the Wilde's universe.

Will there be more? It's hard to say. Like I said, I keep gravitating back to Wilde's, and now that my co-author extraordinaire has joined me there, it's a safe bet that we'll revisit the place together.

Hopefully I didn't just make it even more confusing. LOL  I hope Wilde's fans will enjoy this newest installment and the new set of characters... and stay tuned for news about the sequel!

No Distance Left to Run is available May 13th from Samhain Publishing.

2012 EPIC Award Finalists!

The 2012 EPIC Award Finalists have been announced, and I'm thrilled to report that two of my books are on the list!A.J.'s Angel is a finalist in Contemporary Romance.
Reconstructing Meredith is a finalist in Erotica.
Now I'll just bite my nails for the next six months until the winners are announced - LOL!

REVIEW: A.J.'s Angel

Dear Author has reviewed A.J.'s Angel, and given it a "B" grade rating:

This story seemed to be you asking, “Can I do a believable reconciliation story of a serial cheater and this cheated-on boyfriend?” and, with the four year gap and the obvious and well-demonstrated maturation of both characters, I’d have to say, yes, you pulled it off.

The entire review is here.

A.J.'s...Easter egg?

So A.J.'s Angel has been out for a few days now, and a few people have e-mailed me regarding a character who shows up briefly in the first half of the book: A Wilde's bartender named Kieran.

Question: Is that the same Wilde's bartender who rocked Ethan and Rhett's world in The Distance Between Us?
Answer: Yes, indeed it is.

Question: Speaking of Kieran, is he ever going to get his own story?

Answer: Why yes, he is. Many readers have expressed an interest in seeing our beloved self-described manwhore fall in love. Is it possible? Could there be someone for the love-phobic Kieran?

Perhaps there is...

The Closer You Get
Coming November 2011
From Samhain Publishing

Details to come.

NOW AVAILABLE: A. J.'s Angel

A.J.'s Angel is now available!!

Samhain
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
AllRomance eBooks

More links to come as they're available.
Tattoos fade with time. Emotions never lose their edge.

Luke Emerson is the last person Sebastian Wakefield expects to see strolling into his tattoo shop. But Luke’s not back after four years to take up where they left off. Not even to apologize for the cheating that broke them up.

Luke wants a custom tattoo, a memorial for someone known only as “A.J.”. Much as Seb would love to tell Luke to take this ink and shove it, he’s a professional. Plus, he’s reluctant to admit, he wouldn’t mind getting his hands on Luke again. Even if it’s just business.

Once Luke’s in the tattoo chair, though, Seb finds himself struggling with all the anger and resentment he thought he’d left behind—and those aren’t the only feelings reignited. Their relationship may have been turbulent, but it was also passionate. Four years clearly hasn’t been long enough for the embers of that fire to go cold.

A few subtle hints from Luke is all it takes to make Seb consider indulging in some of that physical passion. It shouldn’t be that tough to keep his emotions from getting tangled up in sweaty sheets.

After all, it’s not like he’s in love with Luke anymore. Right?

Product Warnings -- Contains two exes who shouldn’t want each other like this, steamy ex-sex they shouldn’t be having, and a whole lot of ink.

Speaking of A.J.'s Angel...

Two lovely reviews posted today for A.J.'s Angel.

First, from Buda over at Jessewave, gave it 4.25 out of 5 stars, and said:

"A hot and steamy second-chance romance with a winning protagonist."

Review is here.

Then Cassie over at Joyfully Reviewed said:

"L.A. Witt is fast becoming one of my auto-buy authors, and A.J.’s Angel does not disappoint. Contemporary fans, pick this one up!"

The whole review is here.

And remember, you can still win a copy from Stumbling Over Chaos! Drop by and comment, win it before you can buy it on May 31!

Some Announcements - and a contest.

First, Stumbling Over Chaos is giving away a copy of my soon-to-be-released novella, A.J.'s Angel. If you want to win, click here and leave a comment. The book will be available from Samhain Publishing on May 31.
And while we're all thinking about yummy cover art, I have received the final cover for Out of Focus, and OMG, it is made of gorgeous. I can't show it yet, but keep an eye on this blog, because the minute I can post it, I will.

Finally, two new books have been added to the Coming Soon list:

Ex Equals, a M/M novella, has been signed to Amber Allure, and I should have release info soon.

The Given & The Taken, a M/M/M vampire/werewolf novel, has been signed to Samhain Publishing, and is due out in January 2012. This will be book 1 of a series, The Ties That Bind, so stay tuned for information on subsequent titles.

And since we're almost to June, here's what's coming out next month:

• The Distance Between Us (paperback), June 7th from Samhain Publishing
  
• Damaged Goods, June 14th from Loose Id, LLC
• Static, June 26th from Amber Allure

That's all for now - stick around, because the next few months are going to be busy!

A riddle for you...

Guess what the following series have in common:

• Cover Me & Trust Me
• Light Switch & Reconstructing Meredith
• Getting off the Ground & Infinity Pools

Anyone? ;)

Guess correctly, and win an ebook of your choice.

The answer is now posted here.

ALSO - If I reach 350 followers on Twitter by May 31 when A.J.'s Angel is released, I'll give away 3 ebooks and a paperback to 4 lucky followers! Spread the word if you want to win a book!

Finally - Just a quick note for those who've been waiting, With the Band is now available on Amazon, AllRomance and Fictionwise.

Six Sentence Sunday

Another contribution to the Six Sentence Sunday shenanigans...

Just like last week, I'm contributing two snippets, one from each of my pseudonyms. For those not familiar with me, I write hetero erotic romance as Lauren Gallagher and M/M erotic romance as L. A. Witt.

From Lauren Gallagher, it's a blast from the past with a few lines from my 2009 debut novel and 2011 EPIC Award Finalist, Between Brothers:

There was a long pause. Get a little bit shameless, you say? My heart pounded. Did I dare? Then I looked him in the eye and the words were out before I could think twice. "So what if I said I wanted you?"

And from L. A. Witt, a little sneaky peeky at A.J.'s Angel, a contemporary novella due out from Samhain on May 31 (and already available at a discount for pre-order!):

“So, what brings you into my shop?”
He grinned, making sure to flash his straight, gleaming teeth, every last one of which I wanted to knock out of his head. “I’m interested in getting a tattoo.”
Oh? “Open for Business” above your ass? Or “Village Bicycle” on your dick?

Want to play along? It’s fun and easy!
1. pick a project – a current WIP, contracted work or even something readers can buy if you’re published
2. pick six sentences
3. post ‘em on Sunday

Brief Update

Apologies for the lack of entries lately! I've been up to my ears in finishing a few projects, not to mention starting a few, and my parents are in town right now. I expect to have some pictures up from our island adventures, probably tomorrow, but for now, I'm calling it a night.

In the next few months, expect a lot of updates relating to book releases.

This is what's coming down the pipe between now and the end of June:

• With the Band, March 22
  
• Getting off the Ground, April 3
• Nine-tenths of the Law (paperback), April 5
• Infinity Pools, May 1
• Denied (short story), May 15
• A.J.'s Angel, May 31
• The Distance Between Us (paperback), June 7
• Damaged Goods, June 14
• Static, June 26
• Changing Plans (paperback), June 25 (tent.)

Needless to say, it's going to be crazy over the next few months! Anyway, bear with me for the next week or so, and I'll be back to regular postings. Lots of exciting stuff coming up, so stick around...

Cover Art: A.J.'s Angel

Just got some lovely cover art for A.J.'s Angel, which is due out May 31 from Samhain Publishing:
Here's the blurb:

Tattoos fade with time. Emotions never lose their edge.

Luke Emerson is the last person Sebastian Wakefield expects to see strolling into his tattoo shop. But Luke’s not back after four years to take up where they left off. Not even to apologize for the cheating that broke them up.

Luke wants a custom tattoo, a memorial for someone known only as “A.J.”. Much as Seb would love to tell Luke to take this ink and shove it, he’s a professional. Plus, he’s reluctant to admit, he wouldn’t mind getting his hands on Luke again. Even if it’s just business.

Once Luke’s in the tattoo chair, though, Seb finds himself struggling with all the anger and resentment he thought he’d left behind—and those aren’t the only feelings reignited. Their relationship may have been turbulent, but it was also passionate. Four years clearly hasn’t been long enough for the embers of that fire to go cold.

A few subtle hints from Luke is all it takes to make Seb consider indulging in some of that physical passion. It shouldn’t be that tough to keep his emotions from getting tangled up in sweaty sheets.

After all, it’s not like he’s in love with Luke anymore. Right?

Product Warnings: Contains two exes who shouldn’t want each other like this, steamy ex-sex they shouldn’t be having, and a whole lot of ink.