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Detour – Excerpt 2

April 13, 2011

Another excerpt. I’d like to introduce you to Robert.

Detour by Talia Carmichael
Now available from Dreamspinner Press
Buy Link

Excerpt:

“Just friends. He’s straight,” Robert said as he waited for Miguel to answer the door.

It was his ritual to repeat the reminder before he spent time with Miguel. In the last five weeks and four days they had spent together, sometimes it worked, while other times he couldn’t wait to go home and jerk off, imagining it was Miguel touching him. It was pathetic, but he couldn’t seem to say no when Miguel asked him to do something. Since that first game, he and Alex had become regulars at the poker games. As Miguel had mentioned, the players changed based on each player’s schedule. From his count of people at the various games, there were about twenty or so of them who played. Alex had even offered his house to be added to the rotation once it was more livable. Robert couldn’t offer his place; it was too small. Although he, Alex, and sometimes Miguel went looking, he still couldn’t find a house he wanted.

In addition to those times, he and Miguel had been to many garage sales, picking up pieces for Miguel’s house. He had spent many weekends working on restoring the pieces with Miguel. Besides that, they had gone to the beach to surf, out to eat, to fairs, and lots of other outings. It was what he would imagine a romance would be: getting to know each other, spending time together, fun and camaraderie.

Too bad Miguel was straight and therefore off limits.

“Just frien—” Robert said as door opened.

He swallowed the rest of the words as he got a look at a glistening bare chest. Robert gulped. He licked his lips as water slid down sculpted muscle.

“Sorry. I’m not ready. I had to take a shower. I took longer sanding the wardrobe than I had planned.” Miguel’s voice was muffled.

Robert was grateful Miguel was toweling his hair, giving him time to compose himself. Miguel slung the towel over his neck.

“Come on in. I’ll be ready in a sec.” Miguel stepped back.

Robert entered, closing the door behind him, and walked deeper into the room. He stopped, whimpering, as Miguel turned and started to walk away. The shorts he wore hugged his ass perfectly. His thighs moved, flexing muscles. Robert bit the side of his hand. His gaze traveled up, taking in the strong back, broad shoulders, thick neck, and slightly curly, damp hair. Miguel stopped and looked back at him.

Robert dropped his hand and took a step back. Hunger blazed in Miguel’s gaze. But that was impossible.

“When are you going to make a move? I’m tired of waiting.” Miguel’s voice was low and deep.

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Robert’s addled brain was on overload.

Miguel sighed and faced him. Involuntarily, Robert’s eyes dropped, and then his mouth fell open in shock. Miguel was hard, and from the look of it, his cock was huge. Robert licked his lips, then jerked his eyes away. Miguel was amused.

“Like what you see?” Miguel purred.

“God, yes.” Robert flushed as he realized what he’d said, and he rushed to correct it. “Umm… no… look….” He screamed, frustrated, yanking at his hair.

“I can think of better things to do with your mouth than scream,” Miguel growled.

Robert dropped his hands and gawked. Miguel smiled and lowered his gaze. He licked his lips and looked back up at Robert.

“A lot more things.”

An oblivious Professor

April 13, 2011

After my incident with the detour and the cop who helped us out I knew I wanted someone who was totally different than my cop. I already had an idea of the type of series I wanted to create.

I mulled over Detour and wondered who I could pair the cop up with. Then I got an email that made me know who I wanted to pair the cop up with. The email as from an college professor’s who I enjoyed learning from in college. They taught English and I loved writing even then. This professor brought back memories of my college days. Thus Robert Berkus my college professor was born.

So now I had my cop and professor. Detour was on it’s way.

Detour Contest 1

April 13, 2011

Detour Contest 1:

Now for contest one. First person to answer the question below correctly gets an All Romance Ebook – $ 10 ebooks bucks! (must have an account there so I can send to you)

What inspired me to write Detour and what did I use to write the start of the story?

Detour Excerpt 1

April 13, 2011

I’ll be sharing a few different excerpts throughout the day.

To start off I want to introduce you to Miguel.

Detour by Talia Carmichael
Now available from Dreamspinner Press
Buy Link

Excerpt:

“Does your wife mind that you have these poker days?” Robert asked.

Miguel frowned, straightened, and looked at him. Robert’s attention was still on the house. When Robert looked at him, there was no guile in his eyes. Miguel stifled a chuckle. He couldn’t believe Robert hadn’t seen his interest. He could clear it up that he was very much into men, but Miguel observed Robert and decided to let him figure it out himself. He couldn’t wait to tell his brothers.

“No wife. It’s just me living here, and I don’t mind.” He winked at Robert.

Robert’s eyes widened, and he licked his lips. Miguel turned away to get the beer, stifling a chuckle. It probably wouldn’t take Robert long to figure out he was queer, but until then, it was going to be interesting. He shook his head. No wonder Robert hadn’t made any advances; he thought Miguel was straight. Miguel lifted the beer, putting it over his shoulder. A moan sounded behind him. He shifted the beer onto the other shoulder, flexing his muscles. Trying for innocence, he looked back at Robert.

“Grab the bags for me. The guys eat through food fast,” he said.

Robert came to him, and he didn’t shift away. Robert grabbed the bags, his body brushing up against Miguel’s. Robert stepped back quickly. Miguel took a breath, inhaling his maleness. Musky man and delicious-smelling cologne filled his senses. Yes, it would be sweet once Robert figured it out. His thoughts filled with all he would do to Robert when he did.

“Miguel, are you okay?” Robert’s voice came as from a distance.

Miguel shook himself out of thoughts that were not helping his already hard erection.

“I’m good.”

The leery look was back on Robert’s face. Miguel didn’t like seeing it at all.

“Hey, why don’t you invite your friend—Alex, I think you said—over to join the game?”

“Are you sure?” Robert asked.

“Yep! The more the merrier, and more money to win.” Miguel started walking to the door.

“Okay. I’ll call after we get inside and see if he’s not busy.” Robert sounded relieved.

Miguel smiled, since Robert couldn’t see him. He read people very well, and he knew he made Robert nervous. Heck, he was sure Robert was also horny. He shifted, trying to ease the pressure on his hard cock. He opened the unlocked door with his free hand and waited for Robert to go in, then chanced a quick pat of that firm ass. Robert jumped, startled, and looked back at him. He smiled innocently and strode inside.

A turn down a wrong road

April 13, 2011

I was out with some friends on my way to dinner with some other friends. We were running really late to meet up with everyone and someone insisted they knew a short cut to get to the restaurant. So we took the detour and well we got really lost. Driving around trying to find our way. We happened to pass a cop and stopped to ask him for directions. The cop was gorgeous and funny. He was gracious enough to give us directions and we were on our way. As we drove away I looked out the back window at the cop. The sun was behind him casting him in a glow which made him seem so steady and almost mythical. An idea started to form.

We went to dinner and got the ribbing about our being lost. As everyone chatted and caught up with each other I was still thinking about the cop. I asked the waitress for some napkins and pulled out a pen and started to write. That was the start of detour. Officer Miguel Rodriguez came to me that day because of a wrong turn and a cop who inspired me.

Detour – Blurb

April 13, 2011

Detour – Blurb
By: Talia Carmichael
Dreamspinner Press
Available Now
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Something in Common– Book 1
Format: E-Book
Buy here from Dreamspinner Press

Robert Berkus’s steady academic life seemed to be an open road until the day he took a detour… right into Officer Miguel Rodriguez’s path. When Miguel helps the sexy professor change a flat tire, Robert is absolutely oblivious to Miguel’s interest. That suits Miguel just fine, though. He’s used to being the aggressor although it sure would be nice to get this sweet and staid college professor to make the first move.

When Robert gets his act in gear, the results prove explosive. Miguel wants Robert in his bed and in his life permanently, and Robert enthusiastically agrees—but they’ve already learned that life makes detours. Sometimes it takes love a little courage to arrive at its chosen destination.

Detour – Release day celebration!

April 13, 2011

Hello, everyone!

I’m Talia Carmichael. I’m a romantic who believes that family, no matter if it is by blood or those you choose as family, is integral to who you are. I enjoy creating stories that encompass all that falling in love or lust entails, from the highs of that first blush of attraction to the lows of not knowing if you can make your coming together as a couple work, and then finally to the acceptance of the reality of making a life together. It’s all about the journey.

Today is my first release with Dreamspinner Press. My book is called Detour. I’ll be around at various intervals all day today celebrating the release of my novella, Detour.

Thanks for coming by and hanging out with me today. Planning on lots of fun and chatting.

Interview with SJD Peterson

April 4, 2011

Recently, fellow writer SJD Peterson did an interview after reading and reviewing Loving Edits. It was the first time anyone has interviewed me in-depth so I thought I’d share. Click on the link:

http://sjdpeterson.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-03-02T05%3A16%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=3

Taste Excerpt #2

April 4, 2011

“Lil, I’m afraid I can’t make it.”

“Why not?”

“I’m babysitting for a friend,” Grier explained. “I’m really sorry.”

“Is it that kid I saw you with the other night?”

“Yeah, Luca.”

“Bring him along.”

“Are you serious?”

“Is he well-behaved?”

“Very.”

“Then bring him. What the hell, I’m not child-phobic.”

“That’s good to know.”

“See you in about an hour?”

“Okay.”

Grier disconnected and stepped back into his room, where he’d left Luca happily watching The Penguins of Madagascar on the Nickelodeon channel. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a Pop-Tart in hand.

“Pick up your crumbs, okay, kiddo?”

“’Kay,” Luca nodded as he chewed loudly.

“And close your mouth while you’re chewing.”

Luca shut his mouth instantly and proceeded to chew his food like a cow masticating grass, moving his jaw slowly from side to side.”

“You don’t need to exaggerate, buddy. You’ll end up with TMJ problems.”

“Huh?”

Grier laughed and ruffled Luca’s dark fringe. “You need a haircut.”

Luca agreed with a nod. “Tito A said I look like a girl.”

“When did he say that?” Grier frowned. Since when did Ali have a say in anything involving Luca? A girl? What the fuck!

“I don’t remember…the other day.”

“At the Taste?”

“No, at home. He came to have dinner with Mommy and me.”

Grier froze. “Does he come around a lot?”

“Not tho much,” Luca said, slipping on the S word.

“How many times, Luca?” Grier raised his hand and spread his fingers. “This much?”

Luca folded down two of Grier’s fingers leaving three standing. “That much.”

What the hell? How come nobody told him about this new development? “Finish up your breakfast, buddy, we’ve got to get going.”

By the time the cab made its way to Bucktown, it was close to ten thirty in the morning. Lil was already waiting at the door, looking very summery in khakis and a Tommy Bahama shirt. He’d left his hair product-free, choosing to have it flop naturally, rather than dealing with a sticky mess that resulted from the high levels of humidity. The end result was more youthful, with the soft hair falling over his forehead. Grier couldn’t help admiring the blond who’d captured his interest so acutely. He would have greeted him with a kiss but held back due to Luca’s presence. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself,” Lil smiled broadly. “And who is this young man?”

“I’m Luca.” The boy stared at Lil with frank curiosity. “What’s your name?”

Lil was charmed. “My name is Lil.”

“Do I have to call him Tito Lil?” Luca turned toward Grier.

“That would be best,” Grier replied.

“Tito?” Lil inquired.

“It means ‘Uncle’ in Filipino.”

“But I’m not his uncle.”

“And neither am I, but we’re adults, and in his culture it would be disrespectful if he addressed us without a formal salutation.”

“I see.”

“Everyone buckle up and let’s get this show on the road,” Grier said, helping Luca into the cab and adjusting his seat belt. They headed toward the Loop, not very far distance-wise, but with the perennial gridlock, they inched their way across town. Finally, a few blocks away from Willis Tower, they asked the taxi driver to stop. Walking would be far more enjoyable than sitting in a stuffy cab. Lil paid and they exited onto the sidewalk.

“Wow,” Luca said, craning his neck when they finally arrived in front of Willis Tower. “I can’t see the top of the building.”

“It’s certainly impressive,” Lil seconded. “This should prove very interesting.”

“Why’s that?” Grier replied, noting the tiny bit of apprehension in Lil’s voice. “I thought you wanted to do this?”

“I’m not comfortable with heights,” Lil confessed. “They make me queasy, and I always have this urge to throw myself over the edge.”

“I’ll hold your hand, Tito Lil,” Luca said solemnly. “Don’t be afraid.”

“Thank you, Luca. I need all the help I can get.” Lil looked at Grier and mouthed. He’s so fucking cute!

Grier smiled. “He is.”

Taste Excerpt #1

April 4, 2011

The sun was beating down on Lil’s shoulders as they stood in line to get on the boat. It was another scorcher of a day, with high humidity levels, but there was a slight breeze which made it somewhat tolerable. He wasn’t used to this kind of weather, being from San Francisco, but he’d remembered the sunscreen and had applied the non-greasy SP 45 lotion liberally on his arms, the back of his neck, and his legs. Jody had loaned him one of Clark’s baseball caps to protect his face and head.

Grier had shown up in another wife beater, a black one this time, with the words Vinita Ice Cream scrawled in neon green. It had big circles in vivid primary colors simulating ice cream scoops splotched throughout.

“Your T-shirt is very attractive.”

“I designed it,” Grier said proudly. “You like it?”

“As I said yesterday, what’s not to like?”

“I meant the T-shirt.”

“I know,” Lil smiled. He couldn’t see Grier’s eyes behind the Oakleys, but the seductive tone of his voice was a pleasant indication that nothing had changed since yesterdays meet and greet. “I thought you moved furniture?”

“Among other things.”

“I like a man of many talents,” Lil flirted.

“That’s me. I’m a veritable jack-of-all-trades.”

The line started moving again, and when they got on the boat they were given a choice of sitting below, in the cabin, or up on top, exposed to the elements. “Do you have a preference?” Grier asked.

“Even though the sun is deadly and will surely age me overnight, I’d rather sit up on the deck.”

“Good choice.” Grier steadied Lil with a hand on his lower back, guiding him up the narrow iron steps onto the open deck. Their seats were toward the rear of the boat, and they conversed while they waited for the rest of the passengers to be seated.

“Tell me about Vinita Ice Cream,” Lil asked. “Does it belong to the group of people you were with last night?”

“Yes. The Garcias are friends, as well as neighbors, and my family helps them each year with the booth.”

“Who does the little boy belong to?”

“Luca is Jillian’s son. She’s Jake’s twin.”

“Jake?”

“My best friend.”

“Oh, right.”

“I’ve known that family since I was four years old.”

“How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I just turned twenty-five.”

“When’s your birthday?”

“June eighteenth.”

“A Gemini!”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s a treat. Geminis are wonderfully complex.”

“And here I thought I was just bipolar.”

Lil laughed out loud. “A little duality, perhaps?”

“Something like that,” Grier said, smiling. “What’s your sign?”

“Pisces.”

“I don’t know anything about astrology,” Grier admitted.

“They say that Pisces are the best lovers.”

“Is it truth or hype?”

“I’ve never had any complaints,” Lil stated frankly.

“I like men with experience,” Grier said.

“Do you?” Lil took off Grier’s sunglasses for a minute so he could look into the dark eyes that were appraising him frankly. “Then you’ve just won the jackpot. It’s one of the few advantages of being over thirty.”

“Are you thirty-one?”

Lil handed back the sunglasses but not before he traced Grier’s scruff with gentle fingers and brushed his lips against the luscious mouth in a soft kiss. The brunet leaned into his touch, and Lil was pleased to see the spark of desire in the obsidian eyes before he hid them again behind the smoked glass.

“I’m thirty-seven and holding,” Lil whispered.

“Impossible.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.”

“It’s the truth,” Grier insisted. “You don’t look your age.”

“I certainly hope not,” Lil said. “Nonetheless, time marches on, and plastic surgeons get more affordable each day.”

“You’re not a candidate yet.”

“You’re sweet,” Lil said, basking in the compliment.

“Tell me about Lyndon Lyle Lampert,” Grier asked. “Do you have a partner?”

“Heavens no.”

“Don’t you believe in love?”

“I do, but I haven’t met the right guy yet, and I won’t settle.”

“Does he have to walk on water?”

Lil laughed. “Not necessarily, but he’s got to make my heart flutter, my breath catch in my throat, my cock surge with interest, and not always in that order. Two out of the three ingredients are a requirement.”

“I suppose I could always glamour you.”

“True Blood fan?”

“Vampire Diaries,” Grier admitted. “My heart jumps around whenever the bad vamp shows up on the screen.”

“Damon is rather hot, isn’t he? Makes you want to bare your neck willingly.”

“And other parts as well.”

“Slutty boy,” Lil teased. “Do you have anyone special?”

“If I did I wouldn’t be here, would I?”

“Oh, you’re one of those good boys who believes in monogamy.”

“Don’t you?”

“I’ve never found anyone who’d make me even consider it.”

“That’s hard to understand.”

“We can’t all be Clark and Jody.”

“I wish I had a little bit of Clark in me.”

“Hon, you’re just as gorgeous, except he’s got the whole Viking God thing going, whereas you’re more Italian bad boy.”

“Shit,” Grier mumbled. “I’m nothing like Clark.”

“In what sense?”

“He’s out and proud.”

“And you’re not?” Lil was very surprised considering Grier had no problem kissing him in public.

“I take that back,” Grier clarified. “I’m out with everyone except my father.”

“And his approval means the most?”

“Yes.”

“What about your mother?”

“She passed away last year.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I miss her a lot.” Grier looked out toward the horizon, and Lil could feel the melancholy that swamped the young man as memories surfaced. “Her biggest regret in dying so young was leaving me unsettled.”

Lil put his arm around Grier and drew him close. “She was your friend.”

Grier nodded.

“Don’t think that Clark’s journey wasn’t difficult, Grier. His father is a homophobic megalomaniac. I can’t imagine your father being half as bad.”

“I read about Clark’s dad…he’s a little controlling.”

“A little is an understatement.”

“My dad is a good person, Lil. He loves me, and my brother, and has worked very hard to provide a future for us. Unfortunately, he doesn’t understand that my sexual orientation is nothing like his. Mom and I were trying to figure out how to convince Dad to let me finish my schooling, but then she got sick.”

“You’re not done with college yet?”

“Two years of general ed courses is all I’ve accomplished so far. When I asked to transfer to the Illinois Institute of Art, he had a fit.”

“Why?”

“Only queers go for design.”

“Give me a fucking break. Hasn’t he heard of Frank Lloyd Wright? He was one of the greatest architects who ever lived, and he was from the Midwest, for Pete’s sake, and from everything I’ve read about him, an absolute hound with women.”

“Lil, even if he’d heard of him, it wouldn’t make a difference. All he wants is someone to take over Dilorio Trucking, but even Ali won’t touch it.”

“Who’s Ali?”

“My brother, Alissio.”

“You boys certainly have unusual names.”

“Lil isn’t that commonplace either.”

“Touché.”

“Why do they call you Lil? I think I prefer Lyndon.”

“Oh, please, Lyndon makes me sound like an old fart. When I was younger, and utterly outrageous, my friends started calling me Lillian. It got shortened through the years.”

“Lillian,” Grier frowned slightly. “I don’t see it at all.”

“Enough talk about me, okay?” Lil said, embarrassed about bringing up ancient history. Grier was only eight years old when Lil was prowling The Castro and earning that nickname. He leaned into Grier and said, “Let’s postpone this conversation until after the tour, alright?” The boat had finally filled up and was slowly moving away from the dock.