Links I Love: Starting a Bullet Journal, A Beautiful Man, Powerful Habits, and More

Posted on May 31, 2016 by SloanParker

TOO FUNNY

JUST BEAUTIFUL

NEAT HACKS

LIFE TIPS

HOW COOL

Photo License: CC0 Public Domain

Don’t-Miss Article: The Woman Who Cared for Hundreds of Abandoned Gay Men

Posted on May 25, 2016 by SloanParker

We must never forget what those early days of AIDS were like. How the world lost so many beautiful, wonderful people, and how so many of them died alone, afraid, and unloved because of fear and ignorance and hatred.

People like Ruth Coker Burks did what was heartbreakingly all too often needed.

Meet the Woman Who Cared for Hundreds of Abandoned Gay Men Dying of AIDS.

Quote I Love: When She Reads

Posted on May 23, 2016 by SloanParker

“See, she goes places when she reads. I know all about that. When I’m reading, wherever I am, I’m always somewhere else.” ― Rebecca Wells

M/M Reader Appreciation Day Giveaway on Saturday

Posted on May 20, 2016 by SloanParker

The next Reader Appreciation Day is this Saturday, May 21st. The event is hosted by SJ Frost, Jambrea Jo Jones, and me at the Sweet Spot Yahoo Group.

Stop by the Yahoo Group to enter the giveaway, read excerpts, and chat with authors of M/M romances. The giveaway runs from 8 am – 8 pm Eastern Time.

Here are the books available in the giveaway (some of the authors are offering winner’s choice from their backlist):

Here’s how to enter:

If you haven’t already, join the Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheSweetSpotMM/
On Saturday, May 21st watch the group page (or your email if you choose to receive emails from the group) for a message with instructions on how to enter. The subject of the post should read something like “RAD Giveaway: Reply for a chance to win”
Reply to that message anytime between 8 am and 8 pm Eastern Time indicating you’d like to enter the giveaway.

That’s it. You’ll be added to the drawing for a chance at a random prize.

Complete List of Prizes & Donating Authors

If a book or prize is listed more than once, the author has donated multiple copies and there will be more than one winner selected.

Evelise Archer – ebook copy of THE VAMPIRE’S COQUI
Allison Cassatta – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist
Áine P Massie – ebook copy of GLAMOUR BLADE
Tempeste O’Riley – ebook copy of DESIRES’ GUARDIAN
Tempeste O’Riley – ebook copy of WHISKERS OF A CHANCE
DP Denman – ebook copy of RHYTHM AND BLUE
L.M. Brown – ebook copy of ALWAYS FORGOTTEN
Sloan Parker – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist
Jambrea Jo Jones – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist
S.J. Frost – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist

Hope you can join us at The Sweet Spot Reader Appreciation Day.

Authors of M/M romances, if you’re interested in joining us for our next RAD, we’d love to have you. Send me an email and I’ll add you to our author contact list.

Recent Finds: Setting Inspiration

Posted on May 18, 2016 by SloanParker

Whenever I write a scene, I picture the setting in my mind, whether it’s a room or an outdoor wilderness locale or a bustling city street, with as much detail as possible. Then I describe one or two specific, concrete elements to give the reader a sense of the place, which is often more effective than describing every detail.

Usually I can imagine that setting clearly in my mind, especially if it’s a character’s home or another important place for them. Other times I like to use a real place that I’ve visited as inspiration. When that isn’t possible, I’ll use a stock photography site to gather images. I might describe the setting the way I see it in the photo, or that picture might spark my imagination to go in a completely different direction. If the photos I find seem like a great setting idea but don’t match my current project, I’ll save them for later use.

Here are some of my recent inspiration finds for settings: