Etienne Stories

Contract signed for The Performers

2012-01-27T18:19:00.000-05:00

Love Turns the Page will have a Sequel sometime this year. I've just signed a contract for The Performers.

Cover art approved for Tribulation

2012-01-14T19:48:00.000-05:00

Trial, the first book of the Appearances Trilogy, will be out on February 10; and the cover art for Tribulation, the second book in the trilogy has been approved. I believe it is coming out in March.

Sexy Man Award

2012-01-06T12:06:00.003-05:00

Canadian actor David Paetkau has a certain je ne sais quoi about him that absolutely does it for me. This is unusual, because I don’t usual give blonds a second look, and he doesn’t have a particularly great body. He’s currently on television as a member of the ensemble cast of Flashpoint, which I believe is going into its fifth season.

And no, it’s not that big gun he’s always carrying. I’ll admit that big guns are mpressive, but up close and personal, I much prefer weapons of manageable proportions.

The camera operators, or perhaps it's the film editors, seem to love to show lingering ass-shots of him striding off to do battle with the bad guys, laden down with his gear.

There's a new author on the horizon

2012-01-03T20:36:00.001-05:00

This is to introduce you to Antonio, a new writer, whose other function in life is that of my partner of 16 years. He's just begun to write, and has a couple of short stories on the Nifty archive, as well as a free story on his blog.

http://www.antoniosworlds.blogspot.com/

Flamingos as reindeer

2011-12-18T17:09:00.001-05:00

Like many lifelong residents of Florida, I tend to view statues of Flamingos in the yard as sort of tacky.

However, on a recent visit to Jacksonville, I spotted this clever display in my old Avondale neighborhood.

The little sombrero on the head of the lead Flamingo is a neat touch.

Good review for The Burdens of Truth - 4.5 kisses

2011-11-04T16:09:00.000-04:00

Review:

The Burdens of Truth review was a difficult one for me to write. Should I just write about the things I liked, or should I also talk about the points that other readers may have issue with? If I just discussed the story and what I liked about it that would be simple. The characters were very entertaining, pulling me into their story from the beginning. The connection between the Ian and Randy is strong and I loved the flashbacks that allowed me to see how they came to be as a couple. The love they have for each other, as well as their sons, comes through clearly. The suspense that is woven through the story kept my attention and many times left me wondering about who the ‘bad guys’ could be. Although this is part of the Avondale series, the Florida locations almost became just another secondary character stopping by to make a quick appearance. For me this gave the series a breath of fresh air, keeping it from becoming predictable.

As for the points that readers may find issue with, one sticks out the most. Both Ian and Randy work for the government, at times in a secretive capacity, yet neither they nor their sons have a problem making that point known. As I found The Burdens of Truth to be a very entertaining story, this was something that I was able to overlook. At the same time, however, it was easy to see how this could become an issue for others.

The Burdens of Truth is an excellent addition to a very entertaining series and should not be missed. The characters and mystery surrounding them are sure to hold the readers attention. The author’s ability to keep this ongoing series appear fresh is sure to bring him new fans.

Reviewed By: Lydia

http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/the-burdens-of-truth-by-etienne/

River City Pride Festival - 16 October 2011

2011-10-17T15:16:00.001-04:00

Dreamspinner Press shared a space with Rainbow eBooks yesterday in Jacksonville

Contract Signed for The Tenor Tuner

2011-10-07T20:39:00.002-04:00

The Tenor Tuner, a story about a blind man, will be published in June or July of next year.
Stay tuned.

Kind words for The Burdens of Truth

2011-10-04T14:41:00.000-04:00

Etienne. “The Burdens of Truth: An Avondale Story, Dreamspinner Press, 2011.

A Case of Blackmail

Amos Lassen

Since I read Etienne’s first book I have become a diehard fan and what I love about him is that when I criticized him (which I have only done once) he agreed with me. I always find his characters interesting and his plots are dynamic and no matter what, I will read what he writes. In this one we look at blackmail.

Ian Sanderson is both a professor and a government analyst. When he comes home from work one day, he finds a photograph of him in a very incriminating position and soon more follow. However, he is not alone in this and his partner, Randy who is working on a top-secret project for the Pentagon, is in the same situation. It is obvious that there is something going on but we do not know who is responsible and the reasons. A bit later Randy receives a call demanding that he give information on his project and of course, he refuses. The men’s two sons are then kidnapped but they were able to escape but they ended up alone somewhere in the wilderness. Randy and Ian set off to find the blackmailers… (And that is all I will say about the plot).

We know that Ian has intelligence—he teaches at Georgetown but the pressure from the blackmailer is great and it certainly seems that whoever is responsible has found out a lot about Ian and Randy and has some connection to the secret project. At first the threats are ignored but telephone calls are threatening and then the kidnapping in Charleston of their sons forces them to act. And it is not enough that the boys are taken but they have been injected with something. Their escape puts them in a shed somewhere and they can only see another cabin nearby.

I will not spoil any more of the story but I will say it is a compelling tale and it is best to clear your calendar before you sit down to read. The book again proves that Etienne really knows how to tell a story.

http://reviewsbyamoslassen.com/?p=10202#comment-2919

Coming next year, The Appearances Trilogy

2011-08-22T23:31:00.000-04:00

Contracts have been signed for publication of the Appearances trilogy:
Trial (Vol 1) due in Feb/Mar 2012
Tribulation (Vol 2) due in Mar/Apr 2012
Triumph (Vol 3) due in Apr/May 2012

Four Cups of Coffee for Sleuth, LLC

2011-07-29T08:46:00.002-04:00

Coffee Time Romance has just reviewed Sleuth, LLC, and given it four cups out of five:

http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/birdsofafeatherbook4byetienne.html

The comings and goings of a private investigator does not leave much time for a personal life, but Quentin Quasar tries to keep an open mind, literally. His ability to read the thoughts of others is a tremendous help in his line of work, and he hopes to one day find someone who shares his gift.

He has always known his mother was a weak person, and yet Nate Braddock could never have guessed she would go so far as to have her own son kidnapped. The cult she and his stepfather are involved with has completely warped her mind, and it has put Nate in grave danger.

Casual encounters are really the only thing Quentin has ever had, but as busy as he is that may be a good thing. However, he still reaches out with his thoughts every time he comes to a small town, and for the first time ever he gets a response. Nate and Quentin find something in each other that they have sought for years, and their bond is immediate and intense. Quentin pulls out all the stops to make sure Nate is safe from his family, and if everything works out the way he hopes, he will be keeping Nate close for a very, very long time.

Quentin and Nate have what it takes to make a fantastic addition to the Avondale series. They are loving, considerate, and have a subtly sexy vibe that cannot be beat. The telepathic abilities they share keep things interesting, and it ramps up their adventures to a whole new level. Their story is just beginning, and I cannot wait to read more of Quentin and Nate, as well as the rest of the guys in this series.

Lototy

Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Praise for Sleuth

2011-07-13T17:55:00.000-04:00

Here's what Amos Lassen has to say about Sleuth, LLC

Telling the Difference

Amos Lassen

It is always good news when there is a new book by Etienne and I have become quite a fan. The beauty of his writing that comes together with a good storyline makes reading him a pleasure. I have since later that Etienne came to writing late and only recently began publishing which makes him all the more special to me.

Quentin Quasar has telepathic abilities and he discovers that these can be both harmful and helpful especially when he can see what his partner is thinking about when they are having sex and it is not about him. Of course not knowing any other telepaths can be very lonely so every night, Quentin would send thoughts out hoping to find someone like him and thereby make his life easier. He is lucky enough to find Nick Braddock but he soon learned that the man was in serious trouble. He has been kidnapped and the kidnappers plan to take care of him. Quentin is able to help him and Nate whose mother religiously indoctrinated him stands up for himself.

I love Etienne’s characters and even when they possess telepathic powers, they are very real. Good characters make for a good story and that is what you always get here.

http://reviewsbyamoslassen.com/?p=7095

Drag and Drop now a 'Top Pick' at Night Owl Reviews

2011-06-24T14:24:00.003-04:00

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Reviews/Tigger9-reviews-Drag-And-Drop-by-Etienne.aspx

Score: 4.50 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick

Review:

I really enjoy the characters in Drag and Drop. George and Mike are just really great. They are well developed and stay consistent. They are deeply in love and it shows in the way they act. George is on another case that is very important and pretty high profile. Mike, of course, shares some great insights that help George out. The plot line of this story follows right along with no inconsistencies. It fits into the series with no problems. It keeps you guessing and interested the entire time. I loved the emotion that is shown and demonstrated between George and Mike. The secondary characters in this story are also well developed and interesting. I can't wait to read more about George and Mike.

Photos of Rocky Waters Motel - featured in Bodies of Work

2011-06-18T21:30:00.002-04:00

This is a view of one end of the little porch/balcony at the rear of rooms 24, 25, and 26. The stream is really, really noisy, and the sounds lull you right to sleep.

Motel sign.

Overview of the main part of the motel from across the road. The cabins on the creek are behind, and to the left of the row of rooms.

George and Mike stay here on their first visit to Maggie Valley, NC, in Bodies of Work.
(The photos were taken in late May of 2011)

Good Review for Drag and Drop

2011-06-12T21:09:00.000-04:00

http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/drag-and-drop-by-etienne/

Review: (5 kisses)

George’s career with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is going stronger than ever. His actions bring him to the attention of his superiors, resulting in a promotion that makes him the youngest captain ever in the department. Through it all his partner and best friend, Mike, is there to lend his support.

Drag and Drop is the second story in Etienne’s Avondale series. From the start the author pulls you right back into the men’s world. The connection between George and Mike is just as strong, if not stronger, than before. Even without any overly sexual scenes the author is able to clearly show the passion that exists between these two men. Their romance is wonderfully mixed with the mystery that makes up George’s current case.

Once again George finds himself investigating a serial killer. This time the case evolves into something much more and will take the reader on a wild ride as it goes places George isn’t expecting. Some of the areas this case touches on, however, may be uncomfortable for some readers. The secondary characters that helped make up the first story are back again to lend the men a hand, and a few new characters are added to keep the story feeling fresh.

Drag and Drop is a very entertaining story that will keep the reader turning the page till the very end.

Gay Days Expo 2011 - Orlando

2011-06-03T19:00:00.002-04:00

This picture shows the Dreamspinner Press booth in the Expo hall.

The event was a lot of fun, as was personalizing all three George and Mike books for the guy who bought them at the booth.

Two new reviews of Bodies of Work on Amazon.com

2011-05-09T17:03:00.001-04:00

Thank you, one and all for these:

5.0 out of 5 stars FRIENDS TO LOVERS THRILLER, May 8, 2011

By Venus Junkie (Kansas City, Mo) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Bodies of Work (Paperback)

Bodies of Work

George Martin is trying to recover from a bad relationship with a live-in boyfriend. Mike Foster, George's best friend since childhood, moves in to help George recuperate and move on with his life. The problem is Mike is secretly in love with George. When Mike steps in front of a bullet meant for George, suddenly George recognizes he is truly in love with Mike.

Bodies of Work is a well-written plot illustrating how crime-solving affects the daily routine of George and Mike, as well as the investigative process employed to apprehend murder suspects. The setting is Jacksonville, Florida in an area with a large gay population. The characters are believable. George is the only openly gay, as well as, youngest lieutenant ever to be in the Jacksonville Sheriff's office. Mike owns a computer network service. George and Mike are very much alike in physical size, in addition to other traits. Both men have caring personalities, as well as, high intelligence levels which accounts for the individual success exhibited in their chosen professions.

Although George and Mike live together, they did not share a bedroom before Mike was shot. The only display of intimacy between them was an act they put on for the benefit of a stalker obsessed with George. Etienne has created an intriguing murder mystery that I enjoyed a great deal. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Bodies of Work, May 7, 2011

By Doc "Doc" - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Bodies of Work (Paperback)

The author has a crisp and snappy writing style. The book is alive and does not bog down as some books do. It held my interest from beginning to end, and I am pleased with how the story flows smoothly, transitioning into many moods and sub plots.

The author manages to link hard work, romance, mystery, and intrigue into a solid story line, staying historically accurate in the area around Jacksonville, Florida.

His main character, George, manages to juggle his love life, his police work, and track a killer, while showing true emotion in each scenario. The ending is spectacular. You won't want to put the book down.

This is a highly intelligent author who shows a clear desire to please the reader. I see many more successes coming from him in the near future. This book is highly recommended.

Notice of online story removal

2011-04-09T19:32:00.001-04:00

Effective today, 9 April 2011, all of my stories have been removed from the Nifty Archive at my request.

They will remain on the Tickie story site and on Crvboy.

News of forthcoming books!!!

2011-04-05T00:17:00.003-04:00

Contracts have been signed for publication of the following books:

The Burdens of Truth - this story has never before appeared anywhere. Coming in September.

Love Turns the Page (an Avondale story) - formerly known as The Page Turner, the title has been changed to avoid confusion with the well-known book and movie of the same name. Coming in October

All of the above will appear both in eBook format and in trade paperback format.

Curiosity Satisfied (an Avondale story) - a new story which in which readers will see a few familiar faces.
This is a novella, and will appear in eBook format only. Coming in December.

Two Excellent Reviews for Bodies of Work

2011-03-03T09:53:00.000-05:00

Found on Night Owl Erotica:

http://www.nightowlerotica.com/nor/Reviews/Tigger9-reviews-Bodies-Of-Work-by-Etienne-D-Artagnan.aspx

Excerpt:

I fell in love with the characters and their story. It had me hooked and I didn't want to put it down. The characters are so real. The story flows well and has its twists and turns that keep you guessing. I really enjoyed getting to know Mike and George and seeing them together, starting their relationship. They are not overt in public affection whatsoever and are just who they are with no drama or doubts.

Found on Amos Lassen's website:

http://amoslassen.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/bodies-of-work-becoming-closer/

Excerpt:

George and Mike are carefully crafted and I found it great fun to watch the relationship evolve. The book has wonderful descriptions and the writing is clear and at times quite beautiful. The bonus of this is you not only read a good book but you make two new friends and I love that.

Attention: Kindle users

2011-02-08T20:06:00.004-05:00

Bodies of Work is now available on Amazon in Kindle format.

Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Bodies-of-Work-ebook/dp/B004MPRAHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1297305422&sr=1-1

Information about electronic copies

2011-01-16T15:02:00.001-05:00

This is provided in answer to a request from a reader:

All books published by Dreamspinners Press are available in eBook format Many of them are available in both trade paperback format and eBook format.

They are also available on Amazon in kindle format for Amazon's proprietary reader.

If you click on the purchase links on this site, once you are taken to the Dreamspinner site, you can use the search function to find the title in both formats.

When you purchase an eBook from Dreamspinner, you can go to 'My Bookshelf' and download the file in one of several formats.

Book now available on Amazon.com/uk

2010-11-22T09:15:00.001-05:00

Here's a link to a listing for The Path to Forever on Amazon.com in the UK

Paperback:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=9781615816378

Kindle edition:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Path-to-Forever/dp/B004CLYMFM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290435324&sr=1-1

the following link may be useful in many countries:

http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781615816378/The-Path-to-Forever

Will Success Spoil Paula Dean?

2010-08-07T12:55:00.001-04:00

I love to watch Paula Dean cook, and listen to her talk. I particularly like her older programs - the ones that were filmed before some fool decided to dub in bits and pieces of music while she cooks and sometimes while she talks.

Even though I like to hear her talk, I sometimes cringe when she fractures the language. For example, she always used to add an extra 'a' and an extra syllable in paprika, and pronounce it - 'pap - a - ri - ka'.

Recently, however, I actually heard her pronounce it properly. She's also started to say things like, 'it will come to a boil quickly,' instead of 'it'll come to a boil quick'.

Paula seems to have gotten herself some sort of grammar coach.

Be careful, Paula - if you start to sound too polished, you'll lose some of that southern charm.

Now, if somebody would just persuade Jamie Dean to get rid of that bit of fungus under his lower lip. That sort of thing looks bad enough on a nineteen-year-old, but on a man his age it's downright silly.

Update: A reader in Savannah just informed me that much of Paula's 'southern' accent isn't real - that, locally she talks in quite a different manner. Interesting tidbit, that.

Update: On the other hand, while watching one of her earlier shows recently, I actually heard her say the following: She meant to say perforation, but it came out "pref-er-a-tion".

Comfort Food - The Camel Rider

2010-08-05T16:33:00.000-04:00

Sandwich shops in Jacksonville, Florida are mostly owned by people of middle-eastern descent. Families from Lebanon and other countries who have resided in the city for many generations, most of whom are Christian.

These sandwich shops feature, among other things, sandwiches collectively referred to as riders. The steak rider, the camel rider, etc etc. are served in a pocket of pita bread.

The Camel Rider consists of lettuce and slices of tomato, cold cuts, and cheese, along with a dab of mustard, served in a pita pocket. Excuse the poor quality of my photos:

Richard's Sandwich Shop - home of the best Camel Rider in town

2010-06-08T12:42:00.000-04:00

Richard's Sandwich Shop is situated one street over from Park Street, which places the building immediately behind the Pizza Italian and the Wine Shop. The building was originally built to be a convenience store, but Richard's has occupied the site for many years. When this picture was taken, the shop was closed.

The Pizza Italian at Five Points

2010-06-07T10:21:00.000-04:00

It doesn't look like much from the outside, does it? The dining area is narrow, with a row of booths along each wall and a row of tables down the middle. The walls are paneled, and hung with pictures of Greece, and the quality of the food has been consistently good since Gus purchased the restaurant in 1976.

The Derby House at Five Points

2010-06-05T11:52:00.000-04:00

The Derby House restaurant sits on a triangle of land where two of the five streets that give Five Points its name come together. The sign says 1944, and there has been a restaurant in the building since that time. In the fifties it was known as the Gold House, and was part of a small local chain of restaurants. Later, it was known as Gorgi's Derby House, but some years after Gorgi passed away, the name was changed to simply the Derby House. It doesn't look like much, but neighborhood hangouts seldom do.

The Loop at Fishweir Creek

2010-06-01T22:16:00.000-04:00

The Loop at Fishweir Creek occupies the ground floor of one end of a large complex.

When these photos were taken, it was 3:30 PM June 1st, and the outside temperature was in the low nineties, hence the lack of people.

During the lunch hour and the early evenings, the deck gets very crowded. Fishweir Creek is a tidal estuary and the tide was quite high. The St. Johns River can be seen in the far background.

Some Thoughts on Comfort Food

2010-02-25T19:35:00.000-05:00

When many people think of comfort food, they think warm and fuzzy thoughts about warm dishes - ‘mom’s mac and cheese’ - ‘grandma’s apple pie’ - etc.

Actually, comfort food is much more than that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfort_food

Readers of the George and Mike series, and other stories of mine, will be familiar with names such as Richard’s Sandwich Shop, and the Pizza Italian - both of which are in the Five Points Shopping area of Jacksonville, Florida.

I was in Jacksonville today, where I had a Camel Rider at Richard’s. It always amazes me to experience how something so simple (slices of cheese, cold cuts, lettuce, tomato and a dash of olive oil served in a sack of pita bread) can be so thoroughly satisfying. For me, a simple little Camel Rider sandwich meets every definition of comfort food.

Sorry, I didn’t run into George, Mike, or any of the gang, so I couldn’t say hello to them on behalf of their many fans - but it was one-thirty, and a bit past their normal lunch hours.

During the two and a half hour drive to Jacksonville, I called a family member back home and asked them to go on-line and look up the number for Pizza Italian - I absolutely refuse to pay for the ‘411' service on my cell phone, unless it’s an absolute emergency. One of these days, I’m gonna assign the restaurant a speed dial number on my cell phone. They looked up the number for me and asked me to bring three orders of Lasagna home with me.

After lunch I did the things I needed to do in the neighborhood, then I called and placed my to-go order. When I walked into the restaurant Gus, the owner/founder, spotted me and came out of the kitchen to say hello. Surprisingly, he remembers me as having been a customer going back to day one, as he puts it, when he started the restaurant in 1976. I left the restaurant with a huge box containing the several orders of Lasagna, a couple of Meat Ball Subs, and several bags of garlic bread. Comfort food? - absolutely. By the time I had driven thirty miles, wonderful smells were beginning to penetrate the passenger compartment of the car - it almost made me want to stop, open the trunk, and eat something.

I think that next trip, I’ll have a huge antipasto salad with Gus’s signature home-made bleu cheese dressing, and get my Camel Rider to go.

I don’t miss the traffic in a big city, but I sure do miss some of my favorite restaurants.