I’m at Loose Ends today blogging about a couple of my favourite words.  Stop by and share yours!

Time for another retro blog, this one about why I dislike Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is the time of year where stores become infected with red, pink and white hearts… filled with chocolate, attached to stuffed animals, slapped on just about anything that might be considered a romantic gift…

I don’t believe in Valentine’s Day.

I know, I know — a romance author who doesn’t believe in the most romantic day of the year?!?

Well, it’s true and there’s a number of reasons for it.  First, I’m cheap.  I despise the fact that prices for flowers, etc. get inflated at this time of year as the Valentine’s industry hoses those poor suckers trying to do a nice thing.  Which brings me to my next issue.  If I need a greeting card mandated ‘holiday’ to remind you to be nice to me?  I’d have kicked you to the curb before we had a chance to celebrate a second Valentine’s Day.

As my husband and friends would be the first to admit… I’m not particularly sentimental.  I don’t like flowers.  The whole hearts and cupids stuff is way too cutesy.  I don’t like poetry.  I don’t like chick flicks.  I don’t enjoy expressing emotion.

I think they were all very surprised to find I DO like reading and writing romance.  I’m kinda surprised myself!

While I appreciate romance (particularly the fictional kind), the gooey trappings of Valentine’s Day aren’t for me.  And don’t even get me started on Sweethearts Day.  At least for Valentine‘s, there’s a patron saint of lovers to hang the celebration on, rather than plain old crass commercialism.  (Don’t get me wrong, I love other crass commercialistic holidays… mmm… Halloween… but Sweethearts Day is trying too hard.)

Then, we move on to Steak & Blowjob Day, which is the boys version of Valentine‘s, occurring in March.  I have no doubt it arose in protest and illustrates the dirty underbelly of Valentine’s.  If blowjobs aren’t fun for all parties (and c’mon, how can they not be?) then there shouldn’t be this “I’ll give you flowers & chocolates on Valentine’s in exchange for sexual favours!” mentality.   For me, I’m only interested in sexual barter during role play.

So if your partner likes flowers, by all means, buy some.  But don’t wait for Valentine‘s Day or an anniversary.  And blowjobs?  Well, I won’t decree that they should happen more than once a year, but give it a shot, eh?

Woo-hoo!  I finally have a title for my sequel to Spice ‘n’ Solace.  I probably shouldn’t be so ridiculously happy to have a title, but I am.  It’s not even out until summer (from Carina Press), but I’ve only got copy edits left to do.  This might feel like a looooong wait until release day!  I don’t have an official blurb ready, but this is the story of R’kos, the alien negotiator from Spice ‘n’ Solace and a thief who crosses his path.

I’ve been offline for a couple of days due to a back problem, and spending any length of time at the computer is painful, but I did want to add my voice.  I’m saddened and horrified that a chapter of the Romance Writers of America, specifically the RWI chapter in Oklahoma is no longer allowing GLBT entries in their contest, due to the members being “uncomfortable” with GLBT entries.  Now, there have already been many, many blog posts already on the subject which articulate eloquently and reasonably (and more so than I believe I could) the problem with this pronouncement.   I encourage you to read these blogs and make yourselves heard.

Fiction with Friction

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Heidi Cullinan

Kari Gregg

I’m at Contact Infinite Futures today talking about the upcoming Battleship movie.  Not sure how I feel about a game tie in, but the trailer was rather cool.  Come visit if you can!

I finally have cover art for First Time, Forever!  As soon as I saw it, all I could say was how cute it was.  My friends kept saying, how can your cover be cute?  Seriously though, isn’t it adorable?  This one’s out March 19 from Carina Press and is already available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Blurb:

Derrick and Trevor used to have an incredibly passionate relationship, full of spontaneity and sizzle. Now that their son is off to college, they want to put their days of routine, vanilla sex behind them and bring back some of that spark.

Realizing that they’re empty-nesters, Trevor begins to notice their age difference. He suddenly feels old and unsure of himself, and isn’t confident Derrick still desires him. When Trevor decides to keep his health issues and gray hairs down there to himself, Derrick is hurt by his partner’s secretive behavior and thinks Trevor must be having an affair.

Nothing could be further from the truth, but Trevor doesn’t know how to communicate his fears to his partner. He desperately wants to reconnect with Derrick and rev up their sex life, but will it be enough to reclaim their marital bliss?

I’m at Flirty Author Bitches today discussing… well… porn and plots.  Specifically the fact that I like plot and that there can be too much plot, even for me!  Come on by, if you’ve got the chance!

The Coffee and Porn blog is celebrating their one-year anniversary this week with tons of free reads.  Me, and tons of great authors, have contributed short stories to add to the celebration.  There are also a lot of prizes to be given away.  The celebration started yesterday, and my story is supposed to be up today, assuming there aren’t any changes in schedule.  I must admit, I’ve never written a short story since high school (really, novels are ever so much easier to write) so I’m not entirely certain how it all turned out, especially since I didn’t have the benefit of any editors!  But check it out.  Even if my story’s a dud, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed with the other offerings.

My friend & awesome author, Katie Reus, is holding a great contest to celebrate her upcoming release of Alpha Instinct.  Prizes include books, Amazon gift cards and a grand prize of Kindle reader!  There are different prizes each week, so check out her blog — there’s LOTS of ways to enter! Check out details at her blog and contest  page.

I don’t know if these have all been posted over the last week, or whether I’ve just noticed them, but I have gotten a TON of great reviews.  It’s like Christmas all over again!  Most of them are for Cop Out, but there was a new one for Blood Relations, too.  Which was also nice because I just submitted the manuscript for the third MIA book (finally!) so here’s hoping Loose Id likes it

Interview first… I’ve been interviewed over at House Millar, so please stop by and check it out… all you’ve ever wanted to know about me and probably a hell of a lot more

Cop Out

5 Fairies at JPB Reviews: “I highly recommend this book if you like stories about finding love in the most unexpected places.”

4.5 Stars at Between the Covers: “This story had the potentially to be mediocre, but was handled in such a way that even the cliche moments feel right in what is a heart-wrenching, feel-good love story.”

4 Ladybugs at Musings of a Bookworm: “As a love story I would say it is first class and if you have not read any gay fiction before this is a good place to start because it is and emotionally charged story that will have you smiling, crying and doing a snoopy dance at the end, what more could you want!”

4.5 Nymphs at Literary Nymphs: ““Gay for you” books can be tough to write but this author did a good job, starting Kurt and Davy off as friends and allowing their relationship to build, slowing changing it to something deeper and stronger. It’s truly a case of love born out of tragedy and instead of appearing tacky, Ms. Burn handled it with creativity and taste.”

4.5 Delightful Divas at Dark Divas Reviews: “With tight writing, an interesting plot and solid characterizations, Cop Out was a noteworthy novel and I could foresee sequels. In fact this book was so good that if Ms. Burn wrote another in this universe, I would certainly buy it. Recommended.”

5 Stars from Redheads Review it Better: “Extremely well written book that has me wanting to buy up the rest of K.C. Burn’s books!”

4 Stars from House Millar: “I found the characters to be believable and the story line to be emotionally powerful as well. The writing is excellent – not a word I use a lot for writing styles – and am very glad that I took a chance on a new author (new to me at least).”

MIA Case Files: Blood Relations

3.5 Delightful Divas at Dark Divas Reviews: “As a fan of any type of vampire novels, Blood Relations was a treat.”