Sunday, March 29, 2009

Everyone please welcome Brigit Aine!

Hi there. First and foremost thank you to Jaxx for having me here and allowing me the opportunity to meet all of you. My name is Brigit Aine and my first novella is out May 15th at Absolute XPress. I can be found at Brigit’s World and Where the Paranormal is just Normal. Stop by and see me prior to the release date. I am hoping to post a cover soon… I am in the process of working on book 3 in the Torrent Series, book 2 is already with the editor and will be out soon after book 1 I am hoping. I am also part of a wonderful anthology. You can see what that is about at either the blog or the webpage. There are links there for a wonderful YouTube video about it as well. Okay… on with the topic Music and Writing.
So how many of you listen to music on a regular basis? When you drive your car? When you are doing housework or cleaning your room? When you are home alone and don’t want the TV on? I like music. I have an iPod, a radio in my car, the music channels on my TV service. However, I have discovered that I seem to be a minority in today’s world. I don’t NEED music. I can drive my car from home to work, or anywhere for that matter and I don’t have to have the radio on. Sometimes I even forget it is there. When I got my iPod it was the “newest” one, my oldest son had the version and size before mine. After 6 months, we traded. He had run out of space on his, and I hadn’t even filled mine a quarter of the way. Seemed logical. I still haven’t filled the one that we traded for and I even have movies on it. I update my iTunes software and even buy things when they appeal to me but I don’t have withdrawls like the boys do when they can’t get on or I tell them no. Even my husband got into the craze.
I have even tried to write while listening to music. Now I know this is very common for authors, to have a playlist going in the background, but I find I am distracted by the noise. I can sometimes have a movie or TV show going, if I am not interested in it, but overall I like the silence. When I am writing it is as if I can hear the characters going in my head anyways, so for me the noise created by music or the TV is distracting to what is already going on. If I have to have something on though it is going to be either a musical soundtrack (i.e. Mary Poppins, Mama Mia, Hairspray, etc.), Country Music (yes you can hear the yee haws going) or something soft and New Age. I actually find the New Age to be inspirational if I get stuck when writing. Since I write paranormal I will go looking for new age with interesting titles regarding Faeries or wolves or Vampires and see what others hear when they think of those things.
For me writing is its own form of entertainment and I don’t want to cross my entertainment. When I go to the movies I very rarely hear the soundtrack when the movie is going because I am focused on the movie. Hubby is always listening to the music, that way I at least know when a good soundtrack is coming. I like music, I even listen to it for its own sake on occasion but like I said, I just don’t NEED it. I would say it is a generational thing, as my kids can’t live without their iPods, but I don’t think so. I think it is a brain thing. Everyone is different, and that isn’t to say we aren’t influencing children differently with the ability to take their music everywhere, but prior to the accessibility there were people who had to have music just as much, it was just harder for them to access it all the time.
Okay… I have spouted off my opinion. I am very interested in hearing yours. I want to know what you think about music and writing. Do you read and listen to music? Do you write to music? Do you have music with you all the time? Are you someone who prefers the quiet like me?
Thank you Jaxx for allowing me to be here today.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Right Side of the Tracks is live!

Faced with the consequences of one careless night, Russell Drake left his lover, James, to marry a woman he barely knew. It certainly wasn't what he planned, but one look at his son's tiny face convinced him that he'd do whatever was necessary to make his child happy… even if it cost him his own happiness.
But fate has something else in mind for him, and an unforeseen accident once again sets off a cascade of change. Three years later, Russell no longer has to settle and exist for his son's sake. He has the chance to rediscover the life he'd wanted with James.
Get yours at Dreamspinners Press!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Jaxx is guest blogging again!

Hey everyone!

Jaxx Steele is guest blogging at Delilah Stephans Live Journal on 3/20/09 about what to do when your romantic flow stops flowing.

Stop by and check it out!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Whip Cream reviews loved After the Storm!

The wonderful Tiger Lily at Whip Cream Reviews had this to say about After the Storm: "If you like a sensual story with two heroes, then pick up a copy of After the Storm. I give this story 4 ½ cherries. Awesome!"
Check out the review for yourself and vote for me this weekend.
Whip Cream Reviews
Jaxx

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Jaxx Steele guest blogging at Romance Blog Tour

Greetings everyone!
I will be guest blogging at Romance Blog Tour to give a unique perspective on romance. I write gay romance and my stories have touched several genres, erotica, bdsm, fantasy, paranormal and contemporary to name a few. Stop by to read my take on romance and feel free to comment on what you have read.

Jaxx

date: March 11th, 2009
place: Romance Blog Tour

Jaxx Steele at Love Romance Cafe

Stop by to ask Jaxx all of your burning questions and to read lots of blurbs and hot excerpts! Prizes will be given and fun will be had, all that's missing is you!

date: March 9, 2009
time: 12pm-2pm (EST)
place:
Love Romance Cafe

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Romance Junkies reviews Jaxx Steele!


AFTER THE STORM is a beautiful story penned by a ‘new to me’ author, Jaxx Steele. This is a warm-hearted story filled with sadness, as well as great determination and the will to have it all. Ethan’s no wilting wallflower. He sees Marcus and knows immediately that he wants him. He’s not prepared to accept 'no' or any other excuses. Ethan takes Marcus in hand and decides to show him that he will be there for him. Marcus, who's hurt, bruised and unwilling to try at life and love again, skirts around his attraction to Ethan, but when he is backed into a corner he has no choice but to accept love again.
I loved this book. It's filled with lots of emotionally charged scenes and at a pace that keeps the reader wanting more and praying that the end never to come. Jaxx Steele is definitely one to watch.
By Romance Junkies Reviewer: jhayboy


The gift that keeps on givingGoing home for the holidays is never easy and Lovell Johnston has always gone home for a weekend at the most, however this yuletide season he's spending a whole week with his mom and sister in his home town. Being different from the other kids growing up has not only left Lovell with unpleasant memories of his teenage years but it has also contributed to his introvert nature and his reluctance to get involved unless it is the real deal.
Running an online business further compounds the solitary lifestyle which he has become used to, so when a new store attendant in his hometown gives him the come hither signal, not only does he not recognize it , he can’t believe someone is actually interested in him - and he is not taking no for an answer.
A sweet seasonal read, where all the goodness of the things the holidays symbolize come out in the Johnston family. Lovell is not expecting miricles on his visit home. However meeting an attractive man who wants to do more than just hold his shopping basket, is not only a welcome pleasure-- but he has to temper his excitement, as sometimes some things are just too good to be true. Jaxx Steele's THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING is a feel good story that will certainly leave readers with a happy smile on their faces.
By Romance Junkies Reviewer: jhayboy


Papa knows Best
With every book Jaxx Steel comes up with, he gets better and better. After reading it
I had to take a day or two to really think about all the things happening in this book. Jaxx Steele has not only given us a story about the obvious, but he has taken two men at differently stage of their life, different levels of confidence and different expectations out of a relationship and put them together with dynamite results. PAPA KNOWS BEST is a book with surprising depth and enough heartfelt emotion to make it a winner.
Jaxx Steele has worked his magic and his writing style is clearly imprinted on this wonderful read. He has created a magical tale of two men whose needs and, albeit dragging their feet to get the ultimate outcome- they got there and it was a pleasure sharing in their journey.
By Romance Junkies Reviewer: jhayboy

Right side of the Tracks has a cover!


I love this cover!
Right Side of the Tracks
Faced with the consequences of one careless night, Russell Drake left his lover, James, to marry a woman he barely knew. It certainly wasn't what he planned, but one look at his son's tiny face convinced him that he'd do whatever was necessary to make his child happy… even if it cost him his own happiness.
But fate has something else in mind for him, and an unforeseen accident once again sets off a cascade of change. Three years later, Russell no longer has to settle and exist for his son's sake. He has the chance to rediscover the life he'd wanted with James.
Coming to Dreamspinners Press March 26, 2009