Hey all!
Check out Rainbow Review's 2009 Author Extravaganza if you're interested in getting some free books in August! There will be a competition every day, and the month features a wide range of authors writing LGBT stories (including me on August 25). More info is on their site:
http://rainbow-reviews.com/?page_id=1542

Free books! Wee!

 Kris has a review of Hell Cop 2 over at Reviews by Jessewave. Read the full review here:

http://reviewsbyjessewave.blogspot.com/2009/06/hell-cop-2.html

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, Kris!

Hooray! Hell Cop 2, the sequel to Hell Cop, is now for sale at Loose Id! This anthology contains three novellas.

Title: Hell Cop 2
Authors: Astrid Amara, Nicole Kimberling, and Ginn Hale
Price: $7.99
Buy now link: http://www.loose-id.com/detail.aspx?ID=966

Read the blurbs below!

Trust Me, by Astrid Amara
Brian Day's no longer the naïve country boy Jay Yervant fell in love with. A hardened hell cop with dangerous powers, Brian's osmotic abilities are growing out of control. When two men are found dead, killed by an osmotic, Jay wants to clear Brian's name. But Brian's erratic powers threaten even Jay's survival, and he's left wondering if his lover is as innocent as he claims.

Dark Waters, by Nicole Kimberling
After a year of seeing Detective Argent, Michael Gold is uncertain about the future of their relationship. Can a liberal university professor and a Hell Cop find a happily ever after? When Michael invites Argent on an anthropological study, he thinks they're performing an experiment in domesticity. But when a dead body appears, Michael and Argent end up playing detective instead of playing house.

Such Heights, by Ginn Hale
Photojournalist James Sparks fled to the exotic Storm Palace to escape his relationship troubles. But soon he's witness to a murder, and the man he least wants to deal with -- his lover, Detective Ben Moran -- is on the case.

Excerpts are available on the Loose Id website. 

Hope you enjoy!

Hello all!
Well, it's another gorgeous day in the Pacific Northwest! And if you live in the area please join Nicole Kimberling and I for an evening at Village Books in Bellingham, Washington on June 26. More details on the bookstore website. Mark your calendars!

I have no idea what I'm going to read from it. Maybe I should read one of the sex scenes. Just to see what happens.

Ha! Check out the new Hell Cop 2 cover! Baby's got burning back!

And while I'm posting things on the internet tubes, I thought I'd also post the blurb for the new anthology written by myself, Nicole Kimberling, and Ginn Hale. Read and... weep? Cheer? It's your call!

( Read the blurb for Hell Cop 2! )
More details will be posted shortly on my website.

Now I'm going to go off and secretly count the days until that new Sherlock Holmes movies comes out....

Hell Cop 2 is done. DONE!

So get your demon-loving / demon-beating pants on and be ready to rumble Parmas City-style June 23 from Loose Id! I'll share some blurbs and excerpts in the next few weeks. And maybe the subway system map I made for the city (no. NO. NERD!)

Stay tuned....

Initial reviews for The Valde: Water are in, and it’s been interesting – a real mix of  “heck yeah!” and “…what?” which, despite the fact that it isn’t 100% glowing, is actually quite helpful for me. This book was a challenge, coming up with a completely new mythology as it were, and so I am grateful for the reviews, both good and bad, to help me understand what is working and what isn’t as I craft the rest of the series.

 

Being still somewhat new to the world of publishing and romance, I must say that I find the fact that a lot of official reviews sites give nothing BUT rave reviews a little surprising. Not that I don’t grin and stand a little taller when I get positive feedback… but when everyone gets the same review, it has a tendency to make me feel like… hey… maybe they didn’t mean it when they said they loved it!

Which is one reason why I really enjoy reviews on individuals’ blogs so much. Because I trust they’re going to give me the “real scoop,” for better or for worse.

So, to all those out there who not only voraciously read yum-yum gay sci-fi/fantasy, but take the time to share your thoughts with others… THANK YOU! :)

Anyway, here’s the round up of The Valde: Water reviews so far!

Literary Nymphs – Thank you Scandalous Minx!

Emmyjag –Thanks for reading and honestly reviewing!

Rain on the Roof – Hey, where are the accompanying nekked man pictures, Sarah? :) Thanks!

Elisa Rolle’s Review – Thanks so much… your description is far more eloquent than the book itself! :)

Well-Read – Thank you Jenre! I appreciate honest feedback.

Madame Butterfly – MB (Leah) … heh… “commando” rating cracks me up…

More info on The Valde: Water is at Loose Id

The fine ladies over at the Desert Island Keepers site have me trapped with a menacing robot who is forcing me to reveal things I don't feel comfortable revealing! Evil, evil robots!

Come join me, Nicole Kimberling, and Ginn Hale this week as we guest blog on DIK! We'll be sharing excerpts, prizes, and the unrevealing interview responses only a mechanoid can generate.

http://dikladiesrule.blogspot.com/2009/04/interview-with-astrid-amara.html

And thanks for the invitation, Sarah!

Oh, look how the dude in my icon is pining!

He is so sad, floating in that water with that red right hand! He is waiting!

What is he waiting for?

He is waiting for YOU to buy the book he is suffering tetanus on!

That's right, it's midnight(ish) on April 21, which means The Valde: Water is for sale today! 

For a mere $4.99 you too may know the great mysteries of the deep blue ocean. Okay, that's a lie. For a mere $4.99 you too may read my latest urban fantasy romance! (much more like it).

An excerpt is now available on Loose Id's website. And if you read the book, come back here and tell me what you think. Drowning boy and I want to know!

All the best,

Astrid.

I've got the cover art for my new novel, Water, which will be released by Loose Id sometime next month. See the banner below.  Despite its appearance, I promise you, my novel does not contain Mermen. That's a commitment I've made as an author:

I, Astrid Amara, promise you, the reader:

No Mermen;
No Nazis;
And no Nazi Mermen.

To prove it, I've gone ahead and uploaded an excerpt! You can view it on my website. Give it a read and let me know what you think!

So what's it about, if it isn't about fascist aqua sapiens? Well.....

On Joel Passaro's birthday, he watched his lover Charlie drown while saving Joel's life. Since then, no other man has been able to match the erotic chemistry the two of them once shared.

But a year later Joel is shocked to discover Charlie alive and well, looking as mysterious and attractive as ever.

However Charlie is different. He has new, arcane superpowers. He doesn't seem to remember Joel at all.

And he murders people with his bare hands.

Suddenly Joel finds himself on the run from both his lover, and a frightening group of dangerous individuals who can wield the elements at will, and who are determined to kill him to keep their secret safe.

But the smoldering looks Charlie gives Joel remind him of their former, heated passion, and even with Charlie's new homicidal tendencies, they discover that their bodies remember what their minds may have forgotten....

 Okay,  I have something to confess.

I have an attention span problem. Ergo….

I get bored easily.

What does that mean in the context of my novels?

It means I try never to write the same thing twice. Every story has to be different, either in tone, setting, or style, because otherwise I may start crying tears of boredom.

Depending on your point of view, that is either a good or bad thing. Good because you’ll get variety. Bad because you may have loved the way I wrote contemporary romance, but will hate the way I write angsty futuristic cyborg war. 

I guess some authors create pen names for different styles. I’m too lazy to reinvent myself that much.

So what am I saying? A warning. Expect something different every time. It’s why I went from an epic high-fantasy with swords to a futuristic prison of brooding interrogators to a glossy planet with sexy doctors to burning cops to a modern romance set in a quiet suburban neighborhood.

The only consistency I can promise you is that there will be two men falling in love, and there will be a happy ending. Every other variable is up for grabs.

That said, I have a new novel coming in April from Loose Id, called Water. This is not going to be anything like Holiday Outing.

It’s more like… supernatural chase scenes with lots of sex involved. :)

I'm really excited about the series it is part of, and will share more shortly. A blurb is currently up at my website.

So I hope you are like me, and enjoy variety in your romance!
 

 Yay! The Archer's Heart is a Lambda Literary finalist! 

And congratulations also to Nicole Kimberling, whose amazing book Turnskin also made the shortlist!

And another congratulations to Josh Lanyon whose romance Mexican Heat is a finalist as well.

I'm off to celebrate with a yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Do you read?

Are you sick of vampires yet?

Are you really, really, sick of vampires yet?

In your efforts to avoid vampires, did you get suckered into reading werewolves?

Do you find it somewhat unappealing to imagine having sex with a dog?

Do you sit back and think to yourself, “why is werewolf sexy? It’s a guy whose skin splits open and grows hair?”

Do you wonder if werewolves get older and their back hair becomes such a problem that when you spoon them, you are actually 8 inches from them?

Do you see this when you think of werewolves? 

Now are you sick of werewolves too?

Do you wish oh wish oh wish someone would invent their own kind of superhero with a dark past? Something original?

Me too. 

That’s where the Valde come in. My new superheroes.

The first book will come out next month.

Details coming soon.

Blind Eye Books wants YOU for an amazon.com reviewer!

In exchange for posting your honest review of The Archer's Heart on amazon.com, Blind Eye Books will provide five free review copies to five lucky lucky ladies or gentlemen.

Email the editor at Blind Eye Books to receive your copy.... editor @ blindeyebooks.com (no spaces of course)

And for those of you who live outside the U.S., I will cover the cost of shipping for the first 3 international requests!

Cool, huh?

So read something long and sexy, write an honest review, and good luck!

- Astrid.

Yes, I find myself procrastinating on this bleepin' next novel I'm working on, AGAIN.

But I have a good excuse! I want to share the lovely comments on my book Holiday Outing!

The first review was by the awesome Sarah at her blog Rain on the Roof. Thanks!

The second is by Elisa on her addictive blog . Thank you for reading and sharing your comments.

And this just in, a five star review from Frost's Fancy over at Rainbow Reviews. Much appreciated!

And for those who get excited about such things, it's new websites all around for 2009. My publisher, Loose Id, just got a web face lift, complete with flames.

In another effort to avoid writing the middle part of my new novel, I jazzed up my website instead. You can check out the new site (complete with horse with glowing, evil eyes) at: www.astridamara.com

Happy New Year everyone! And happy reading.

Can you guess which one?

1. Sponges triple in growth after death!
2. Cats like the taste of rubber!
3. Astrid Amara will be teaming up with authors Ginn Hale (ginnhale ) and Nicole Kimberling ( kimnik ) to write a sequel to Hell Cop!
4. Testicles have a magnetic charge and can be used as a compass!
5. If you mix oranges with underwear you get a fascinating piece of art!

Okay two of these may be true, depending on your definition of "art."

First person to guess the correct answer wins! Hurray!

Bellingham, WA – In a startling turn of events, President Elect Barack Obama nominates Astrid Amara as the next U.S. Secretary for Gay Porn. Amara, who has a new novel out today, is known for her scorching sex scenes, unique stories, and strict policy of no Nazis or were-bunnies.

Amara brings to her post her latest offering, Holiday Outing, a poignant look at Jewish family arguments. It includes dreidels, anal sex, latkes, misunderstandings, oral sex, family reunions, self-exploration, self-gratification, and snow.

“My new novel's platform of humor, annoying relatives, and hardcore gay sex will propel this nation into the future!” responds Amara in a rare, sober interview.

Holiday Outing is now officially for sale, $4.99, at www.Loose-id.com

More info at her website: www.astridamara.com

On Lisabea's blog Nose in a Book, she is hosting her Man Love Monday with a fascinating discussion on m/m authors' favorite books, both given and received. I even got to post my favorites, which are both naughty and nice, perfect for the holidays!

http://lisabea.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-manlovemonday-post-that-ate.html

Happy Holidays!

In honor of Chanukah, ten great authors have gathered to provide treats to a lucky winner in the Glowing Lights of Chanukah contest! I will be offering up one of my novels for free. Others are giving things such as gift certificates. The only catch is that you have to visit the authors' blogs that are listed in my last post and write down the names of their heroes/heroines and submit them to borntowrite@writeme.com.

And to celebrate the season, I've written a contemporary humor mystery called Holiday Outing. It will be for sale next week (Tuesday, December 23) here: http://www.loose-id.com/detail.aspx?ID=844

I've included the first chapter  below, starring (**hint hint**) Jonah Levinson and Dr. Ethan Rosenberg.

Okay! Read! Like? Enter the contest! And get prezzies for yourself or your pr0n-loving loved one!