Cia

Happy Birthday, hun! Many, many

Happy Birthday, hun!

GA is not a dating site, but there are people who've 'met' here and who've then gone on to have great 'real life' relationships too. I've been privileged to know a few of those couples, and it's wonderful when it works out. I was so thrilled for you and Paya when you made it work, and I could see how happy you made each other. Congratulations, guys!!

“Benny?” He jerked out of the light doze—all he could manage in the busy hospital. “Hey.” Benny cleared his throat. “You’re awake.” “What happened?” Yuri asked. Benny’s heart sank. “We were attacked.” Was Yuri’s memory screwed up again? At least he was talking. “Can I come over there?” The beds were narrow, but Benny wasn’t going to turn down a chance to hold his mate. “I don’t think you should get up on your own, and the doctors want to check you out. Why don’t we call a nurse, first?” “I

Bonded by Rosalie Tarr My rating: 4 of 5 stars 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because I did snicker quite a bit in the story. Delivery can only make up for the plot so far, though, and I felt that Bonded took the gay for you a bit far with 2 'straight' characters. I have to admit to having issues with fact that the insta-love element didn't just apply to the character's newly met relationship but to the sexual desire element as well. There's a line there when it comes to attraction going from opposite to same gender that doesn't always need to be crossed. It's like telling a gay man he just needs to meet the right woman, and he'd be straight. Now, maybe in paranormal fiction that would work... but how loud would folks cry out against it, if it were true? I didn't really expect all that in the story, so it really colored my reading experience. I did like the author paired both the romance with an underlying story. Without giving away anything, I enjoyed the arcs of the story... until the end. Like another reviewer said, it just felt too neat, too pat. Things are never perfect--especially when you deal with real people and real events. I'd have loved to see a better realistic ending. Overall, I like the story. But... that's it; I just like it. I find that vampire fiction isn't as common anymore, so I was super excited to pick this up to read, but then fizzled. It just didn't quite live up to what I was looking for as far as the overall storyline. View all my reviews

I have been fortunate to work with quite a few excellent editors over the last two years. They've taught me so much, I can't even begin to thank them enough for their insights into writing and how to polish a story. I often try not to work with new authors, though, because the amount of critique I share can be daunting to someone beginning in the craft. Your story isn't poorly written, so I hope I didn't give you that impression. There is simply a lot of refined writing techniques you could apply, when you're given the information. Until I was told about this stuff (and I've made each and every one of those I pointed out) I had no idea the issues were there or how to fix them. Oh, and if you wish to share my critique with your editors/group, feel free.

Ooh, I love vampire fiction! I can't wait to read it. I just subbed my story in to them too. Did the MM Romance group's editors already go over this? You can make changes if they haven't, but if they have here are a few things to remember, for future work. Use the find feature in Word on words like 'that' and then read each sentence aloud with and without the that. Many times we put them in when they are actually unnecessary. Example: Ben grinned with him while running his hands over every bit of Adam’s hard body that he could reach. (Here your that is unnecessary) I am working to correct this in my writing, too, but avoid telling us your character 'feels or felt' this or that. Giving us the sensation makes it far more immediate. Example: He felt Adam’s fangs lightly scrape his neck, and he cried out at the sensation that shivered down his spine at the contact. (Here you have issues but I'd do: Adam lightly scraped his fangs across Ben's neck. A shiver ran down his spine, and he cried out.) Example: He moaned again as he felt Adam’s hands find his hard cock and start to stroke it with strong, slow strokes. (I'd do: Adam found his hard cock and started to stroke it with both hands, using strong, slow strokes. He moaned.) Avoid independent body movements: Example: He felt Adam’s fangs lightly scrape his neck (Adam's fangs can't do anything one their own--see suggestion above) Adam's hands find (Adam's hands can't find anything on their own--see suggestion above) Example: His head fell back and his body arched (One, heads don't fall back and bodies don't arch on their own. Two, he's lying on a bed already so this visual seems off. I'd do: Ben collapsed against the pillows and arched his back) Head hopping: I'm not sure what POV you are using, third obviously, but are you limiting to just one viewpoint per character per chapter/section making these head hops or purposely switching viewpoints in the same section using omniscient viewpoints for your two main characters? If you intend for this to be limited Ben's POV in third person, which is how it started so what I assume, then you have a few head hops: Example: Adam opened the bedroom door and stopped in shock on the threshold (Ben can't know exactly why Adam stops. You could show it from Ben's POV to make it obvious, though. I'd do: Adam opened the bedroom door and froze. He stared with his mouth wide open.) Example: Just tasting his mate’s blood, and hearing him cry out in completion, had been enough to make him come just as hard as Ben had. (There's no way for Ben to know this. You'd need to have Adam tell Ben he came from tasting him and hearing his pleasure to share it with the reader) Small things: You have Adam pushing the door to the bedroom open, but if it was shut how did he hear Ben all the way outside, with the front door shut too? I'd refine the visual to have him push the door all the way open, indicating it wasn't shut. Either that, or refine the scene so that the reader knows that Ben knows Adam could hear him through the doors/distance because he's a vampire. You did say comments and feedback are welcome. Sorry, I know that's a lot of info. Feel free to me PM about these comments and/or your story posting. You are more than welcome to post the story here. I posted mine as an eBook last year, but I think I'll post as both the story and eBook on GA this time. Congrats on finishing your story, and I hope you enjoy the event! It's a lot of fun all summer.

Oh maybe... you never know what I'm going to come up with, lol!

Oh, the mating thing is very, very strange... and I'm so glad someone picked up on that! LOL. Definitely more drama to come and lots about both Yuri and the Tiger.

The Tiger roared in challenge. He was big, bigger than Benny. It didn’t matter. He crouched with his truck at his back. Under his arms and in close was Benny’s best bet. It put him in danger, but it would also put the Tiger’s chest and neck in reach. He’d have to risk getting his back sliced up. He focused his gaze on the neck, knowing he could take the other Tiger. He couldn’t think any other way and hope to win. “No!” Yuri streaked past and slammed into the Tiger just before he hit Benny. T

May already! For many we're on the cusp of a new season and for some of us it's still pouring down rain, grr. I thought this month I'd feature a story with a lot of duality in it. Then, I decided to do something a little different and do a series. Now, I know a novel series would be far too much reading, but Thorn Wilde's Jacob and Marcus Tales just fit the bill, with all the 8 stories in the series under 8k in length. *Story #5 in the series is a set of 2 short prequels* I hope you enjoy this series featured for May's CSR Book Club! Jacob and Marcus Tales series by Thorn Wilde Description: Marcus is the maladjusted, borderline sadistic and really quite brilliant editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, and Jacob wants him. The only problem is that Jacob is just about as maladjusted and out of touch as the object of his desire. Contains gratuitous swearing and a bit of a masochist kink. Stories: Soft Hard Weak Strong Firsts *prequel* Then Things Happened Sex, Booze & Consequences What Meg Said A reader said of Soft: Hilariously explosive dynamic between our two maladjusted heroes. ~ Miles Long A reader said of What Meg Said: Totally loved Jacob and Markus and the ever spinning tidal waves they ride! Some more please?! ~ Smoothy The CSR Discussion day will take place on Monday, May 26th! Thorn has agreed to do a chat time at 11 PM, GST +1 (3 PM, PST and 12 PM, EST) **Reader Warning** There is a lot of explicit language in this series. Do not read if it bothers you.

Happy Birthday, Comsie!

How Yuri will react to everything is the question--especially this Tiger, Benny, the venom, etc... More coming soon! Thanks for reading, avidreadr.

So much adrenaline, so much drama! I'm glad you liked it, secretsides!

Oh yes, yes, so much to learn about this strange, threatening Tiger. The true question is definitely how Yuri will react. Hugs, Thanks for the review, Cannd!

Thanks, Belann! I wanted to really have a dramatic moment, because we've been building to it... but that didn't mean it was an instant cure, of course. So much going on now!

Yep, thankfully you got some of that this week.

sorry for the late reply, Mann! I hope you liked getting a bit more info this week!

Yuri tucked his hands under the sheet, clenching them together. He wanted to rub his wrists, but he had to keep them safe. He didn’t want the nurse to take off the restraints, but when the doctor said to, she did anyway. How could he do it? Yuri couldn’t be a real mate to Benny—hurting him proved that. No matter what they said to him about brain chemistry, venom, and seizures. “No. No, I don’t wanna to talk about it.” Yuri rolled over to face the wall. He stared at the small sink, avoiding th

Wow, the month is gone already! While the time is flying way too fast for me, it just means that today's the CSR Discussion day for Your Alpha, My Mate by Wolfwriter. If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, don't read down because the comments will likely be spoilers. To kick off today's feature, I have an interview with Wolfwriter. She's also agreed to come back and chat on the blog 'live' from 5 to 7 PM, CST, to talk to readers and answer questions. If you can't make it during that time, please feel free to leave your comments when you can! Let's start with a bit about you. So, what do you do in ‘life’? I am currently unemployed due to a back injury but take care of a husband with Asperger’s and an anxiety disorder. Single people tend to write more… so, you single? Nope, married for 3 years next month Do you eat your fruits and vegetables? Yes, I love fruits and veggies, especially strawberries Finally, and you must be honest… What are you wearing? t-shirt and lounge pants On to other things, now that we know that, lol! What brought you to GA? Followed Rob Colton and Cia from Literotica What’s your favorite aspect of the site? Have really gotten to love the chat room because I have been able to meet so many new people and make some good friendships When did you begin writing? Did some writing in high school but got serious about it June of last year when I started Your Alpha, My Mate. Tell us what gave you the idea for Your Alpha, My Mate. Have always been into werewolves, hate to say it but really got into them when I watched Twilight. Do you have a favorite character in the story? Jamie is my favorite character because he went through so much. Where are you at writing the follow up story? Can we get a sneak peek? Or do you have another writing project in the works? Bear Down is a spinoff of Your Alpha and the sequel Lonesome Theta. Currently writing Lonesome Theta for Camp NaNo WriMo. I guess you can have a sneak peek at the sequel Don't forget to come back between 5-7 CST, if you can, to chat with Wolfwriter!

Hmm... not quite. I do have a bit of a drawl most of the time though. I do not have much patients for BS though, you're quite right. LOL Just ask my kids when the words, 'Excuse me!' pop outta my mouth.

*cough* Who says I don't already have them? I have to keep everyone in line somehow!

Well, I wrote this post a few weeks ago for the blog while Renee is off running away from home. This isn't because of any one author but simply because so often authors have a hard time finding the information or feel like their question might be stupid. Trust me, if it's a question about Stories... I've probably heard it. Tech issues might stump me temporarily, but I have help for those. I've had my fair share of wanting to scream when I explored posting on other sites, and they weren't nearly as extensive as GA's system. I understand sometimes people need help. Getting things wrong is far more common than not. Sometimes authors have a hard time understanding exactly what I want them to fix. I just wanted authors to know that they are not alone in getting PMs if they make mistakes, and that I'm not picking on them if I ask them correct 3-4 submissions in a row instead of another staff member contacting them. I don't 'target' some authors more than others in that way, but I've had some think I was just hounding them. Just like with our tech blogs or site information posts, we want to shine as much light on our working process as possible. Of course... when IP Board upgrades and GA Stories is upgraded too, we'll have more changes. When that happens be ready for another blog!

One time Yuri got into a bottle of liquor. The dizzy not-quite-real sensation and heavy limbs bombarding him felt very similar to the clear stuff they pumped into him. The table they made him lie down on bent in funny ways, tilting his head down. It was up high though, so he could see Benny’s face and hold his hand. He liked that part. The rest of it all felt weird. He wanted to close his eyes and rest, but…. “Stay awake, Yuri.” Benny squeezed his hands. “We’re almost there.” The buzzing noi