» Talia Carmichael

Thanks for an great Detour Release Party

April 13, 2011

Thanks so much for spending time with me for my release party for Detour. I’ve been sipping on wine and having cheesecake as I chatted with you all. *raising a glass of wine in a toast*  Thanks for celebrating my release with me I had a blast and hope you all did too.

I am so excited that I got to introduce you to Robert Berkus and Miguel Rodriguez. There will be much more to come in the Something in Common series. Be sure and check my site for details.

Go on and buy Detour here at Dreamspinner Press.

Here are some places you can find me:

Talia Carmichael site – http://taliacarmichael.com
Blog – http://taliacarmichael.com/blog
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/people/Talia-Carmichael/10000156072246

Don’t forget to enter the Detour Contest 2. I will be around for a while to respond to any comments on this and other posts below. Thanks for a great day.

A way to the heart

April 13, 2011

In Detour, Miguel makes Robert some food – both chicken and dessert empanadas. As the saying goes food is the way to the heart…. or is that stomach. I think heart sounds better so I am going with “food is the way to the heart”. I think food evokes many emotions in people.

In my case my fav comfort food is hot cereal -oatmeal, cream of wheat or any of those it doesn’t matter it is about the feeling of comfort it brings to me.

If I am happy I like something with caramel or marshmallows.

When I am extremely happy or in a giddy mood I like to enjoy a slice of cheesecake. (as I am having today)

What are some of the food or foods you like and what are the emotions they bring out in you?

Sparks – Sneak Peek Excerpt

April 13, 2011

A few days ago Sparks – Book 2 in the Something in Common series, was contracted by Dreamspinner Press. Sparks is about Bernard “Bernie” Jenkins and Tomas Rodriguez. Below is an unedited sneak peek of the book.

Sparks by Talia Carmichael
Coming soon from Dreamspinner Press.

Unedited Excerpt:

“What makes you think I can’t dance?” Bernie’s tone was more curious than anything else.

Tomas wasn’t about to admit that, with Bernie being so clumsy, he didn’t expect much from him on the dance floor.

“Just a guess.” He shrugged.

“Assumption based on my less than gracefulness.” Bernie sounded amused.

Tomas didn’t answer. He led Bernie to a corner of the dance floor. It had enough space that he could teach Bernie to dance without making Bernie feeling self-conscious. Tomas turned to him. Over Bernie’s shoulder, he noticed the men at the table had all moved closer to where they were. He frowned.

Robert and Alex were next to each other. Alex made a twirling motion of his fingers. Miguel, Alejandro, Malik, and Hector leaned next to each other, smirks on their faces. The rest of the poker crew were spread out around them, all staring. Bernie went to turn. Tomas caught his hands, holding Bernie facing him. He didn’t want Bernie to get nervous. With the yahoos watching them, he would.

“So show me what you can do,” Tomas challenged.

Bernie stiffened, his pale green eyes narrowing behind his black frames. His lips curled into a sly smile. Uneasiness gripped Tomas. Bernie started to move. Tomas’s mouth dropped open. The gracefulness of Bernie’s movements made it seem as if he didn’t have any bones in his body. Bernie rolled his hips. It beckoned sex. Bernie partially lowered his lids over those captivating pale green eyes. In a slow glide, he moved into Tomas’s body. The height of his lanky frame was a match of Tomas’s own six-three, brawny body. A slender finger lifted Tomas’s chin, closing his mouth. Bernie leaned into the side of his face. His slightly curly, dark brown hair brushed the side of Tomas’s face. Tomas stifled a shiver.

“Aren’t you going to dance?” Bernie’s soft voice sounded much more seductive than Tomas remembered.

Tomas gulped. Bernie’s hands slid around his waist and down his hips. He gripped him and moved against his body. Shaking out of his stupor, Tomas shifted and moved with him. Bernie’s soft sigh tickled the side of Tomas’s face. His cock went rock hard. Pulling back slightly, Tomas moaned as Bernie’s hands tightened on his hips, pulling him back against him. Giving in to his silent demand, Tomas moved against him. He felt the movement of Bernie’s cock. It was a delicious friction between them as they danced. The herbal scent of Bernie’s shampoo and soap surrounded them.

With a gulp, Tomas put his hands on Bernie’s shoulders. Through the cotton of his tee-shirt against his fingertips, Tomas could feel the muscles in Bernie’s shoulders. It was startling to realize that Bernie had muscles. He was so gangly, and wore baggy clothes, so Tomas hadn’t even realized it. Bernie rolled his hips in a motion that made Tomas’s cock jerk and his balls go tight.

Jerking away, Tomas said in a hoarse tone, “Enough of the lesson, kid.”

“Not a kid. And thanks for the lesson.” Bernie smirked.

He walked away, a sway in his hips. His ass looked fuller in his baggy pants. Tomas licked his lips.

Coming soon from Dreamspinner Press.

Detour – Contest 2

April 13, 2011

Detour – Contest 2:

Now for contest two. To enter the contest answer both of the following questions:

1.) What do you have in common with someone you care about (it can be a significant other, lover or friend)?

2.) At the end of Detour, Robert tells Miguel what brought them together as a couple. What brought them together? 

 The contest will go until 11:59 pm Eastern time on Thursday, so you have sometime to enter.

Note: Please enter an email address when you post your comment below. Once I announce the winner your email is how I confirm I am sending the prize to the person who commented below for the contest.

One winner will be selected at random from all the correct comments and will receive an All Romance Ebook – $ 25 ebooks bucks! (must have an account at All Romance Ebook so I can send the prize to you)

I will post winner and instructions to claim the prize on my blog here on Friday.

Good Luck!

Detour – Excerpt 3

April 13, 2011

When Robert realizes that Miguel is very interested. (wicked grin)

Detour by Talia Carmichael
Now available from Dreamspinner Press
Buy Link

Excerpt:

Miguel withdrew, then turned and walked away. Robert pressed against the door, locking his knees so he didn’t fall. Miguel stopped at the base of the stairs and looked at Robert over his shoulder.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“You’re gay?” Robert breathed.

“Finally, you’ve got a clue. When you can walk, I’ll be in the bedroom waiting for you.” Miguel flashed Robert a devastating smile that lit up the handsome planes of his face.

He turned and went up the stairs. Robert watched his firm ass go. He’s gay, and he wants me.

What are you waiting for, idiot? Go after him, his inner voice, which sounded like Alex, said in his head.

Fumbling, he pulled up his boxers and pants. Holding them, he ran to the stairs. At the top, he went right to where he knew Miguel’s room was. The door was open. He paused, taking a breath before going inside. His breath whooshed out as he took in the sight before him. Miguel was naked. All that butterscotch skin was looking very lickable. Miguel was sprawled across his big, king-sized bed, his fingers curled around his cock, stroking himself. Enthralled, Robert walked over to the bed.

“Strip,” Miguel said.

Robert let go of his pants, starting to pull them off.

“Slower.” Miguel’s demand stopped him.

He frowned. Miguel smiled, a wicked twist of lips.

“Strip. Slowly. I want to see you. I’ve been waiting for this.”

A common thread

April 13, 2011

Detour is the start of a series called ‘Something in Common‘. The reasons I choose that name are numerous but the main one – common threads. I wanted to explore couples who might seem to have nothing in common and showcase that they do. Finding that other person that is for you is an adventure with twists and turns. When you first meet a person you might say “he/she is so not my type” or “we have nothing in common” yet as you get to know that person you can find that your differences are what makes your relationship work. That just that one common thing makes what you have together work.

Embracing that “Something in Common” is exhilarating and can lead to a lifetime of love. This is what the Something in Common series is all about.

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.