Love is Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and to celebrate that day, 43 authors have gotten together for a blog hop! There will be prizes, so stick around and look for the rafflecopter at the end of this post!

Some claim that Valentine's Day is an artificial holiday, and maybe it is, but the emotion behind it is real - it's a celebration of love. So why not accept it and go with it, right? Can you show the person you love too much how much you love him or her? Of course not!

I think this day is especially important for many members of the GLBT community, because for so long their love for one another has been marginalized and dismissed. We're here to tell you that love is love is love!

I write primarily m/m romances, so I know and love the genre, and enjoying delving into the hearts of men who love men. One of the prizes being offered in the giveaway is a copy of my novel, When Will I See You Again - a m/m paranormal romance/mystery. Let me tell you a little bit about it, and then show you all the authors, the prizes, and where to go.

When Will I See You Again takes place in a time when the presence of werewolves and vampires among the general populace is known and accepted, largely because of drugs that control any baser animal instincts. SL57 is the werewolf wonder drug, short for SomnioLupus, otherwise known as Wolf Trank. In the small seaside town of Crescent Bay, people come to the famous nightclub Charisma, mostly because of the charismatic man who is one of the best-known supes in the area: Raoul Marchand. Raoul is a regular party animal, one who lives but to have a good time, and who cares for no one and nothing. But he hasn’t always been this way...

 Blurb: Raoul Marchand is the crown prince of Charisma, the infamous night club in Crescent Bay, renowned for its supernatural clientele. He has the pick of any and all men, but he cares for none. He uses them and throws them away again, and has done so for some twenty years, in the aftermath of a tragedy that robbed him of what he loved most in the world.

Alexx Jameson is an idealistic young would-be reporter with the Crescent Bay Chronicle. Presented with an opportunity to write a story on the Marchands, he eagerly grasps the chance to be a real reporter. His friend, Chronicle receptionist Miller Fenwick, suggests they go to Charisma to do a little research. Alexx isn’t sure that’s such a great idea. After all, he’s still under age, being only twenty. No problem, Miller can fix that! Added bonus, there’s a full moon tonight.

When Alexx first encounters Raoul, it isn’t exactly in the way he dreamed of, and he’s sure he made a terrible first impression. But Fate throws them together under unforeseen circumstances, and the attraction between them can’t be denied. Can Raoul let go of the past long enough to find his future with Alexx, or is he doomed to repeat past mistakes?

Excerpt:

Alexx drew in his breath in dismay. This wasn’t going well. Even so, he could not stop staring at Raoul. His eyes met the other man’s. Raoul’s were very golden; he wasn’t aware such colors even existed in the spectrum of the human eye. But then again, he didn’t have any friends that were werewolves either. He wondered if this was a sign that perhaps this man was about to change, right here and now?

The thought was both exhilarating and frightening.

Alexx’s vision telescoped until he wasn’t aware of anything but this gorgeous man in front of him. Blood pounded in his ears and his mouth felt suddenly dry. Having lost all sense of the others in the room, he was surprised when he felt his chair yanked out from under him. Before he could fall, a hand grabbed the scruff of his neck, propelling him to his feet. He glanced at his companion; Miller was being subjected to the same surly treatment.

“You waste my time for this?” Raoul’s upper lip curled back in a snarl. Alexx found himself wildly attracted to him. “I have somewhere I need to be. Paolo, please show these gentlemen out.” Sarcastic much? He turned and reached for the door, but it opened before he touched it.

A shaggy blond with hazel eyes and a cheerful countenance stuck his head inside. “Hey Paolo—” He interrupted himself at the sight of the occupants of the room.

Alexx heard Miller’s sigh of relief, even as he too recognized the newcomer. He’d seen him around the Chronicle often enough, although he’d never really spoken to him. Foster Levine, son of the Chronicle’s owner—heir apparent and future newspaper magnate.

Alexx’s relief quickly changed to anxiety. What if Foster knew how old he really was? He couldn’t be sure one way or the other, but for the sake of argument, he had to assume he did. Would he out him to Raoul Marchand and his burly minion? Had they simply jumped from the frying pan to be scorched by the fire?

Prizes and Sponsors:

The prize is a basic Kindle ereader and 42 ebooks!

Hop sponsors:

A.J. Marcus, Aidee Ladnier, Alexa Milne, Amanda Young, Annabeth Albert, Anne Barwell, April Kelley, Brandon Shire, Bronwyn Heeley, C. J. Anthony, Catherine Lievens, Cecil Wilde, Charlie Cochrane, Christopher Koehler, David Connor, DP Denman, Draven St. James, Elin Gregory, Elizabeth Noble, Ethan Stone, Eva Lefoy, H.B. Pattskyn, Hayley B James, J.M. Dabney, Jennifer Wright, Jessie G, Julie Lynn Hayes, Karen Stivali, Kazy Reed, Kendall McKenna, L M Somerton, Lily G Blunt, Lisabet Sarai, Lynley Wayne, M.A. Church, Megan Linden, Morticia Knight, N.J. Nielsen, Neil Plakcy, Sibley Jackson, Stephen del Mar, Sue Brown, Tali Spencer, Tara Lain, Thianna Durston, TM Smith, Tracey Michael


 

Ebook Prizes:

Aidee Ladnier	The Break-in
Amanda Young	Winner chooses from author's available titles
Bronwyn Heeley	Winner chooses from author's available titles
C. J. Anthony	Heaven
Charlie Cochrane	Something from my back list - winner's choice.
David Connor	Tidings of Comfort and Joey Down Under
DP Denman	Winner chooses from author's available titles
Elin Gregory	Alike As Two Bees
Ethan Stone	Winner chooses from author's available titles
Eva Lefoy	Love is a Mess anthology
H.B. Pattskyn	Hanging by the Moment
J.M. Dabney	When All Else Fails
Jessie G	The Protector
Julie Lynn Hayes	When Will I See You Again
Lisabet Sarai	Necessary Madness
Lynley Wayne	Winner chooses from author's available titles
M.A. Church	The Harvest series (book #1 and book #2)
Morticia knight	All Fired Up (Sin City Uniforms 1)
N.J. Nielsen	Winner chooses from author's available titles
Sibley Jackson	Private Performance
Sue Brown	The Next Call
Tali Spencer	Dangerous Beauty
Tara Lain	Canning the Center
Thianna Durston	The Blake/Dusty Chronicles: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Alexa Milne	Rainbow Connection (due out 13th Feb) or Sporting Chance.
Anne Barwell	Winner chooses from author's available titles
April Kelley	Whispers of Home
Brandon Shire	The Love of Wicked Men - Episode One
Catherine Lievens	Jamie
Cecil Wilde	Defying Convention
Christopher Koehler	Poz
Draven St. James	Scent of a Wolf
Elizabeth Noble	Winner chooses from author's available titles
Hayley B James	Undercover Addiction
Jennifer Wright	All 3 Finding Home Series books - Pavarus, Morvea, & Airos
Karen Stivali	Moment of Impact
Kendall McKenna	1) Strength of the Pack 2)Waves Break My Fall
L M Somerton	Rasputin's Kiss
Lily G Blunt	Paint the Sky
Megan Linden	Running Off the Edge
Stephen del Mar	Dark Love
TM Smith	Opposites
Tracey Michael	Pretty Please

Hop sites:

A.J. Marcus

Aidee Ladnier

Alexa Milne

Amanda Young

Annabeth Albert

Anne Barwell

April Kelley

Brandon Shire

Bronwyn Heeley

C. J. Anthony

Catherine Lievens

Cecil Wilde

Charlie Cochrane

Christopher Koehler

David Connor

DP Denman

Draven St. James

Elin Gregory

Elizabeth Noble

Ethan Stone

Eva Lefoy

H.B. Pattskyn

Hayley B James

J.M. Dabney

Jennifer Wright

Jessie G

Julie Lynn Hayes

Karen Stivali

Kazy Reed

Kendall McKenna

L M Somerton

Lily G Blunt

Lisabet Sarai

Lynley Wayne

M.A. Church

Megan Linden

Morticia knight

N.J. Nielsen

Neil Plakcy

Sibley Jackson

Stephen del Mar

Sue Brown

Tali Spencer

Tara Lain

Thianna Durston

TM Smith

Tracey Michael

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Hop Against Homophobia Continues - Last Day

 

Today's the last day of the Hop Against Homophobia, but of course, the struggle continues. There always seems to be something or someone that society is against, isn't there? As if people can't be happy unless they're unhappy about something or someone. It's like they need a focus for their hate, to draw attention from their own inadequacies. Gay marriage threatens heterosexual marriage? Give me a break! Gay marriage has no effect on heterosexual marriages, any more than the reverse is true. Do you think gay people would blame straights for the failure of their marriages? Of course not, the notion is absurd. Why, you might as well blame other straight people. The truth is that marriage is what two people make of it. Success is not guaranteed - you have to work at it. That's all gay people want - the chance to work at their marriages and relationships. The same rights everyone should enjoy. What makes straight people special? Not a damn thing.

I have no doubt that one day gay marriage will be as accepted as straight, and people won't thinking anything of it, and generations to come will wonder what all the fuss is about, even as today's generation doesn't understand why there was ever a fuss about interracial marriage. Each generation is more understanding than the one before. But that does nothing for those gay people who would like to be married now, to live their own brand of happily ever after. Why should they have to wait for the tolerance of society? There's no earthly reason why they should.

If you haven't made the rounds yet, you can still do so by going here.  

I have recently been reading about an old murder case, one which was considered the Crime of the Century

in its time, followed by the Trial of the Century. Two young men from wealthy families, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, kidnapped and murdered Bobby Franks, not for the money but to commit the perfect crime. The only reason they weren't hung is because their parents, being very wealthy and influential in 1924 Chicago, hired the best attorney money could buy - Clarence Darrow. He pled their case before a judge, no jury, and got them life plus ninety-nine years.

I have become rather obsessed with this case of late, having recently read Compulsion, by Meyer Levin (which I'll review later). It's the fictionalized account of this crime, and is a fascinating psychological study. I especially was fascinated by Judd Steiner/Nathan Leopold. There are many complex reasons for why these young men did what they did, which I'll expound on in my review, including their Nietzschean beliefs. But the one I want to speculate on here concerns their relationship to one another - Leopold and Loeb.

They were lovers, yes. They were homosexual. Perhaps they were a combustive combination. Perhaps if they hadn't gotten together, this crime would never have been committed. I don't believe Nathan would have done it, not on his own. Although at first, he was perceived to be the ringleader in their relationship, the instigator, it was later realized that was not the case. Although Nathan appeared to be the stronger of the two, it was Loeb who called the shots.

But I have to wonder something. They went to great pains to conceal their relationship because of societal

pressures and censure. Just imagine if they had been free to be open and frank about who they were. Is it possible they could have channeled their energies into something more productive?


If you force people to subvert their natural instincts, aren't you doing more harm than good? Something to think about.






I think the important thing here is that people should be free to love. No one has the right to pass judgment on that, and no one should. Don't be afraid of love, embrace it.

Don't forget about my contest.  Three people will receive their choice from my back list, and one will get a $10 Amazon GC. You just have to follow my blog, leave an email address and answer this question - who is my most recent obsession?

Go forth and love, and be happy!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie 

Hop Against Homophobia Blog Hop

TGIF and welcome to the Hop Against Homophobia Blog Hop.

Prejudice of any wrong is just wrong, and is usually based on fear and ignorance. Many people fear what they do not understand, or what they perceive to be a threat - either to themselves, or to their way of life. Many peoples have been targeted with such ignorance over the years - for their race, for their religion, and for their sexuality.

It's time to stop the madness.

Spread the word. Prejudice will not be tolerated any more. Usually, those who are ignorant enough to believe in these things do so because they think they have someone else's backing. Let them know that they are wrong. Explain why they are wrong. Because people are people, and love is love. And no one should be allowed to tell you who to love.

There have been great strides since last year at this time, more states taking a stand and legalizing same sex marriage, because it is the right thing to do. But there is still a ways to go. DOMA needs to be stricken from the books. Then it won't matter if every state allows same sex marriage - they'll be legal in all, regardless. And maybe then the states that say no will realize there's no point, and they may as well do what's right.

Last year, I told you about my experience with homophobia. I'm going to repeat that story here. Homophobia can affect anyone, and it does.

When I grew up, there was a lot of prejudice against black people. Even though segregation was over, it was still there. People don't change overnight and they don't change easily. I grew up in white neighborhoods, and didn't see a black person in my school until I was in the fifth grade. Why? I don't know, that's just how it was. What I remember from then is my father telling my mother that her sister, my aunt, could not bring her current boyfriend to our house. Why? Because he was black.

Prejudices are just stupid and they're wrong. And yet they exist because too  many people are content to say nothing and do nothing, either from ignorance or from fear. Or because they think it doesn't concern them.

But it does. It concerns everyone. Intolerance of someone is an intolerable situation, and one we can rectify.

But you have to want to do it, and you have to be willing to open your mind, and heart - and use your brain.

Homophobia is far too rampant in this country. The far right will tell you homosexuality is a choice, but it isn't. It's how you're born. It's hardwired into you, like eye color, hair color, etc. The bottom line is that you love who you love.

So what are they afraid of? I've noticed that it's more often the men that bear the brunt of the displeasure, although not exclusively. Men seem to have a higher "tolerance" for women who love women. In fact, it often fuels some of their fantasies. But let it be two men and watch the denials start to roll. What are you afraid of? That perhaps you too could love a man? Is that such a bad thing?

The problem has only gotten worse in recent years because these ill-conceived attitudes are being handed down to the children, at a time when more and more young people have found the courage to speak out, to question and accept and deal with their own sexuality. And they are being bullied for it by narrow-minded young bigots who parrot their parents' unadulterated messages of hate. Too many of our children have died, taken their own lives because of the bullying.

It has to stop!

Being homophobic is every bit as wrong as being prejudiced against people of color, or people of a different faith, or  people of a different race. You can dislike someone for who they are as an individual, but don't hate because of something like sexual orientation.

There are some people, such as the wrong Reverend Fred Phelps, who preach messages of hatred and carry them to extremes. There are members of Congress who also spew messages of hate. They think they are conveying the word of God - I'd love to be a fly on the wall when they arrive at the Day of Judgement and realize just how wrong they've been. When did they decide that God hated people? What right do they have to spread their lies and prejudices under His name? Somehow, I don't think He'd be amused.

And then there are people like my brother. I worked for him for over thirteen years. I did payroll, bookkeeping, billing, scheduling - everything but income taxes, and I even helped with those. I made it possible for him to spend little time in the office. When he got married (for the third time, I might add) and he and his new bride were on their two week honeymoon, traveling around the eastern seaboard and Canada, I didn't even tell him I got very sick, I still went into the office and took care of business so I wouldn't disturb him. I knew he was born-again Christian, but I didn't let it bother me. We had gay clients, and he acted like he liked them. But the signs were there, which I chose not to see, I guess. Like when I told him on the phone I'd gone to see Brokeback Mountain and he started to lecture. It all came to a head when my first published book, To the Max, was released. Silly me, I was so proud of holding my book in my hands. I took it to the office and showed it to him, held it out to him. I didn't want or expect him to read it, but just to wonder at what I had done, to admire it, and to have nice things to say. He wouldn't even touch it. Like it was the lowest form of human excrement. It wasn't long after that he "laid me off" because of having less work. While it's true we lost our biggest client, that was his fault, not mine, for something he didn't do.

Update: I started working for a temp agency last June, but the work is sporadic and not stable. However,

I've been at my current job, with National Elevator Inspection Services, for five weeks now and it looks like I could be there for a while. So things are looking up. I still have not spoken to my brother since he fired me, which is almost three years ago now.

Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. The Power of Love is a wonderful thing, stronger than those who hate.

Contest

I will give to three winners a copy of anything from my backlist. And one winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC. What do  you have to do? It's simple - follow my blog, and tell me the name of my first published book. See?  Easy. And don't forget to include your email address, otherwise your entry won't be valid. If I can't reach you, I can't very well give you a prize, can I?






To learn more about the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, go here
To follow the rest of the Hop, go here..



The hop will continue until the 27th.  I have some guests lined up during this time, so I hope you come back

and see what they have to do. I will be posting on this topic again.

Now, get out there and take a stand!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie