By EM Lynley (Guest Blogger)
Trying
something completely different can be frightening—but it can be
fun, too, depending on how you look at it. Going to restaurant for
new cuisine you’ve never had, or sky-diving or traveling to a new
place. Once we get over any initial concerns, we usually find it’s
fun and worth the risk, however small.
For
writers, trying something outside of our regular genres can be just
as frightening as making a leap out of a plane at 10,000 feet. And if
we’re lucky, it’s fun and we don’t end up with a ripcord that’s
not working.
I
tried a few new things over the years, writing in genres that I don’t
feel very comfortable in, even if I enjoy reading them. I wrote a
paranormal novella, a sci-fi novella and a fantasy/paranormal. One
thing I realized was that when I didn’t put any constraints or
expectations on myself, the projects were all fun and offered me a
chance to try something completely different. I told myself that no
matter how the story came out, it wouldn’t be a failure, because it
was all just for fun.
That
attitude made all the difference. When I write
action/mystery/suspense, my readers have certain expectations,
especially in the series books. I feel a constant pressure to give
them a story they’ll love. With these little personal projects, I
just wanted a story I would love.
And
that’s how A Lesser Evil came to be. I had an idea for a
character who sells his soul to a demon to get his sight back,
because his other alternative is suicide. For this man, a painter who
was blinded, life can’t get any worse. But once he regains his
sight, he learns there is something else he wants and he might have
to give something up to obtain it. I also got to play with the
concepts of good and evil, right and wrong and failing to meet a
lover’s expectations. Some of the concepts are in my other work,
but not the focus of the story, as with this story of Rowan McBride,
a demon and his guardian angel, all of whose lives and destinies
become intertwined, until their very lives depend upon each other.
I
loved the freedom of paranormal fantasy, of making up a world as I go
along, but infusing the characters with some familiar characteristics
along with their supernatural ones.
Best
of all, once it was finished, Total-E-Bound decided they liked my
little experiment enough to publish it. I hope you’ll check it out
and if you love stories about angels, demons, tormented artists,
redefining good and evil and some hot demon sex, this one is right up
your alley.
Available
from Total-E-Bound (http://bit.ly/teb-le),
Amazon (http://bit.ly/amz-le),
All Romance (http://bit.ly/are-le),
and other book distributors
Please
leave a comment with something new you’ve tried recently, and how
did that go?
Here’s
more about A Lesser Evil and an excerpt:
When painter Rowan McCall makes a deal with a demon, his guardian angel's arrival may do more harm than good.
Rowan McCall is about to start a new phase in his painting career with a one-man show at a prestigious San Francisco art gallery. His moment of triumph is snatched away and Rowan’s life changes forever. Left alone and suicidal, Rowan is determined to do anything to get his life back on track. He strikes a deal with an angel who’s all too willing to help him. Then Rowan discovers Tur’el is anything but an angel—he’s a demon. But he’s just desperate enough to go ahead with the bargain.
Rowan McCall is about to start a new phase in his painting career with a one-man show at a prestigious San Francisco art gallery. His moment of triumph is snatched away and Rowan’s life changes forever. Left alone and suicidal, Rowan is determined to do anything to get his life back on track. He strikes a deal with an angel who’s all too willing to help him. Then Rowan discovers Tur’el is anything but an angel—he’s a demon. But he’s just desperate enough to go ahead with the bargain.
Zethan,Rowan’s
guardian angel, arrives too late. In order to save Rowan’s soul,
Zethan makes a deal of his own with Tur’el. With his sight restored
and possessed by Tur’el, Rowan searches for Zethan on Earth.
Rowan
is obsessed with capturing Zethan’s angelic beauty on canvas. When
he meets a mortal who embodies the same beauty, Tur’el and Rowan
are overjoyed. But finding Zethan again may prove deadly for all of
them.
Excerpt
Antonio
sprawled in the chair, one leg thrown over the arm, leaning back,
giving Rowan an excellent view of his impressive proportions. Antonio
wasn’t fully aroused, just hard enough to give Rowan an idea of the
magnitude of the possibilities. And the sight kept Rowan hard enough
to inspire more than his artistic side. Later, he told himself
and Laz.
Rowan
laid down the first broad strokes of the painting, getting a feel for
the new canvas and adjusting the pigments as needed for the special
air and humidity here in Venice. He studied Antonio and Antonio
studied him back, making for a new experience. Rowan had little
experience with live models.
After
an hour they took a break for Antonio to stretch his limbs and for
Rowan to ease the strain in his neck. He remembered how Marshall used
to massage him after long painting sessions and longed for the touch
of Antonio’s strong, warm fingers. Too much to ask for just yet.
Soon.
When
Antonio resumed his position he grew restless almost immediately.
“Rowan, this feels unnatural. Uneven, you know?”
“No.
What do you mean?”
“Well,
you watch me, you study me with your gaze, so intense as if your
fingers are touching every inch of my skin.”
“Is
that how it feels when I look at you?” Rowan stood up straight and
focused his attention on Antonio. “You don’t like this? We can
stop for today. Or…” Rowan bit his lip. He forced the words out.
“We can stop the project.” No, no, NO! Laz screamed in
Rowan’s head.
“That
wasn’t what I had in mind.” Antonio’s voice took on a
mischievous tone. “I have a better idea.”
“Oh?”
“Perhaps
you can disrobe as well. Then I have something to entertain me…”
Antonio’s voice lilted with promise.
Rowan
stepped away from the canvas a few feet as he considered this. It was
a dangerous proposition. He already wanted Antonio more than he could
bear and them both being naked would be playing with fire. “Of
course.” Laz spoke for Rowan and moved to pull Rowan’s shirt off.
He was forced to give in, lest he look like a fool unable to control
his own body in front of Antonio. “Let me keep my pants and some
dignity.”
“No.
No pants.” Antonio’s laughter trilled all the way to Rowan’s
core. The heat building there told him this was a huge mistake, but
he was powerless. He whipped his belt out of the
loops—unnecessarily—and slid his pants and boxers down, letting
his aching cock swing free.
“How
beautiful you are under all those clothes, Rowan. More than I had
hoped or expected.”
A
Lesser Evil is available from Total-E-Bound
(http://bit.ly/teb-le),
Amazon (http://bit.ly/amz-le),
All Romance (http://bit.ly/are-le),
and other book distributors
EM
Lynley, a Rainbow Award winner and EPPIE finalist, has worked in high
finance, high tech, and in the wine industry, though she'd rather be
writing hot, romantic man-on-man action. She spent 10 years as an
economist and financial analyst, including a year as a White House
Staff Economist, but only because all the intern positions were
filled. Tired of boring herself and others with dry business reports
and articles, her creative muse is back and naughtier than ever. She
has lived and worked in London, Tokyo and Washington, D.C., but the
San Francisco Bay Area is home for now.
She
is the author of Sex, Lies & Wedding Bells, the Precious Gems
series from Dreamspinner Press, and the Rewriting History series
starring a sexy jewel thief, among others.
Visit
her online: (http://www.emlynley.com),
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/emlynley)
and Twitter: (http://twitter.com/emlynley)
3 comments:
Welcome to Beyond Romance, EM!
That is a very hot scene. You really capture the intimacy of between an artist and his model.
Also, I know what you mean about attitude. When I started writing RAJASTHANI MOON, my perspective was, "I'm going to write whatever I feel like without worrying about it." I haven't has so much fun in years, and I think it shows in the final product.
Great post and great excerpt. I'm really intrigued now as to who Laz is in Rowan's head. :)
As for something new that I've tried, well, I'm actually still kind of trying it, lol. I've always been a little timid of the BDSM scene and writing, but I decided to jump outside of my comfort zone a write about it. Granted, it's only light BDSM, but it's still new to me. I, unfortunately, had to put the story off the the side for a bit while I finished another series, but I plan on finishing it hopefully next year.
~Jen
Great post and a very interesting premise for a story - selling one's soul for the return of sight!!
Sounds like a great book - will put that one on my list!
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