Friday, August 24, 2012

CHASER is Released!

UPDATE! WE HAVE A WINNER!
I'm pleased to announce that Moria McCain is the winner of the signed copy of Chaser. Moria, I will be in touch via e-mail about getting your prize to you. Didn't win? Hope you'll consider buying your own copy at one of the links below.

Chaser is now officially available on the publisher website, at Amazon, at AllRomance ebooks, and everywhere good books are sold. I'm stoked because this love story, about a thin gay man who is attracted to men who have "a little meat on their bones" is one of my most unusual--and, I hope, fulfilling--love stories.

The novel is available in both paperback and ebook editions. Read on to see how you can win a FREE, signed copy delivered to your door by me--wearing only combat boots and a jockstrap. Well, maybe that last part was a bit of hyperbole. I will send the winner's copy out first-class mail, though. Details on how to enter are below.

SYNOPSIS
Caden DeSarro is what they call a chubby chaser. He likes his guys with a few extra pounds on them. So when he meets Kevin Dodge in a bar bathroom, he can’t help but stare, even if he does make an ass of himself. As far as Caden is concerned, Kevin is physically perfect: a stocky bearded blond with a dick that’s just right. (They met in the bathroom—of course he looked!) But Caden gets tongue-tied and misses his chance.

When Caden runs into Kevin one night on the el train, he figures it’s fate offering him a second shot. Caden manages to get invited back to Kevin's place for a one-night stand that turns into the kind of relationship he’s dreamed about.

But the course of true love never did run smooth, and Kevin and Caden’s romance is no exception. When Caden returns from a few weeks away on business, Kevin surprises him with a new and “improved” body—one that fits his shallow friend Bobby’s ideal, not Caden’s. Caden doesn’t know what to do, and his hesitation is just the opportunity Bobby was looking for. This isn’t the same Kevin he fell in love with… is it?

EXCERPT
Caden returned to scanning the mostly male crowd (there were a few “Graces” here and there, out with their “Wills”) and watching Gaga, trying to determine the secret of her mysterious allure. The woman probably looked like a real plain Jane when she woke up in the morning, but her obvious slavish devotion to wigs and haute couture bordering on costumes (as Caden had learned as a seasoned viewer of Project Runway), elevated her to something irresistible to look at, at once ethereal and gritty.

Bobby whispered in his ear. “See anything you like? Any prospects on the horizon?”

Bobby did have his eye on one guy, down on the lower level at one of the high-topped tables, talking with a couple of friends. He stood out because he was not built like most of the guys here, who were, to a man, either too skinny or too pumped up to register on his attraction meter.

This guy seemed comfortable in his own skin, and Caden liked the way he threw back his head and laughed when one of his buddies said something funny. Unlike most of the other guys in Sidetrack that night, he did not show any signs that he was conscious of his appearance. Caden liked that he wore comfortable clothes, a cotton sweater of faded blue-gray and a simple pair of carpenter pants, most likely Carhartt. He peered over the rail and saw the guy’s feet were encased in work boots. Ah. A blue collar man. A working guy. Just my type. Caden also liked his tousled blond hair, which revealed fetching layers of color that went from almost brown, to wheat, to pale blond, to nearly platinum, yet revealed no indication, Caden thought, of the attentions of a hairdresser. And what put him on the “edge of glory” was the crowning touch: a thick beard, not manicured into tortured geometric lines.

And he was blessedly overweight. Not fat. But a bit of gut protruded, and his thighs, in denim, looked like tree trunks. When he turned around, he revealed an ass of ample proportions, the kind Caden could just imagine as two perfect, creamy white spheres made for grasping and pulling apart.

“Is it hot in here?” Caden shouted in Bobby’s ear. He took a gulp of beer and fanned his hand in front of his face.

Bobby came back with, “No. But from the way you’re gazing dreamily into the crowd, I am betting you’ve spied some man candy that’s making your temperature rise, if not something else.” Playfully, Bobby grabbed Caden’s crotch, testing. Caden slapped his hand away. Bobby was his best friend and had been for years, perhaps due to the fact that neither of them had ever crossed the line that would allow one to enjoy the other on sexual terms. “Come on, you can tell Daddy. Which one is it?” Bobby gazed out at the crowd. “The black guy that looks a bit like Ty Diggs? Or maybe that shaved head at the bar, with the ass that looks like you could rest a tray on it?”

“Nah.” Caden looked at the object of his attraction once more, suddenly wishing Bobby’s Abercrombie stud would return, only to free him up to at least make eyes at the blond. “There’s no one. Just checking things out.” Caden thought of his therapist, Camille, and wondered what she would have to say about Caden’s inability to admit who he was really lusting after.

Again, why would it matter what Bobby thought?

Win a free, signed copy (sorry, prizewinners must live in the US) by leaving your name, comment, and e-mail below. Winners will be announced on Thursday, August 30. Good luck! And if you don't want to wait to see if you're a winner, purchase details are below.

BUY from Dreamspinner Press (the first 20 paperback sales will receive an autographed copy)
In ebook
In paperback

Amazon Kindle version

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28 comments:

  1. Enter my name please and thank you, I would love to have a paperback copy delivered by snail mail. Not that you would not look dashing wearing combat boots, but I don't think my heart could survive such a glorious vision
    Ro
    dante66@sbcglobal.net

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  2. No jock and combat boots? {pouts} But seriously folks, the book sounds great--congrats!

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. I'm looking forward to reading this. I'd look forward to a jock and combat boots too--give me and the neighbors a thrill. ;-)

    dephalqu@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Well, if you're in Seattle, Kim, I could be persuaded...

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  4. Congrats on the new release. It's great to see a bigger guy with some meat on his bones being the object of desire, that along with his Carhartts and working boots. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it to see what happen with Caden and Kevin and an obviously jealous Bobby.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  5. I've been looking forward to this one. I just finished Caregiver (which should have come with a "have a tissue hand" warning! I don't sniffle over books, really I don't).

    ~Helen
    thylacine.yawn@gmail.com

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  6. First, congrats!

    Second, I live in Iceland, but there's a US address the book could be shipped to if I win. Is that okay? I'd just be sorry not to see you in jockstrap :/ Maybe at GRL instead? :P

    Erica
    eripike at gmail dot com

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  7. So I came home Friday and downloaded Chaser to my Kindle first thing, my work clothes still on. (They usually fall off before the door closes.) With the download complete, the clothes fell off, the PJs came on, and I piled up on the couch under an afghan. (The fluffy knitted thing, not the manly hirsute thing.) There on the couch, Kindle in hand, I shall remain until this read is complete, with the exception of this note, of course. Thank you, Rick, for writing this for us.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jim. I think that's one of the nicest reader comments I've ever gotten.

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  8. Sounds like a delicious story and I look forward to reading it. But, being the optimist that I am, I will not buy it. And when I do win it, I do expect to see you knocking on my door in a jock strap and combat boots. LOL!
    You friend and fan,
    Ken Murphy
    kenmurphy851@att.net

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  9. Just got it on Kindle. Would love to have a signed copy for my collection. Thanks.
    Michael Hansen
    mhansen2008@gmail.com

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  10. Thank you so much for writing this. I would not describe myself as a 'chaser', but I do like men to have some more of that 'meat on their bones', and don't care for the toned look that is so common. So nice to see a story reflecting this.

    Jim

    jreeser@uno.edu

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  11. I love this idea! Count me in for the contest but I do want you bringing me the book personally. ;-p

    moriamccain at gamil dot com

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  12. This is on my must have list. I look forward in reading it.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  13. Sounds interesting. Stocky guys don't get much focus in gay fiction, so it's nice to see a book that has something different to say.

    slayer@junct.com

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  14. Happy release day, Rick! Can't wait to read it, it's about time someone realized loveable folks come in all shapes & sizes! A lid for every pot, right?
    seritzko AT verizon DOT net

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  15. I love books that break the stereotypes. That's one of the things I try and do in my own writing. Hope this book does great.
    andy@amburns.com

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  16. Love the blurb. I can't wait to read it. Count me in please.

    sasharose1128 at gmail dot com

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  17. I love the excerpt! Great to see someone giving love to the lovingly sized hunks out there. :c)

    Tempe
    tempeste.oriley@gmail.com

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  18. I just added this to my wish list...thanks for the chance to win.
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

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  19. Awesome, Rick, and congratulations on yet another interesting release. I've read many of your novels (all in ebook) and you're one of my favs. I think what draws me to your writing is the realism that you show to your readers; whether dthrough romance, murder, terror or horror!...No need to include me in the drawing; let others have a chance - I just wanted to acknowledge I enjoyed your posting and appreciate your participation....

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  20. I love that you went against the typical stereotype here. This sounds like a wonderful story! I'd love a signed copy. I'm a bit disappointed you won't be delivering them in the aforementioned jock and army boots... LOL! But you have given me really good ideas (eyeing husband).

    St1ac2ey3@gmail.com

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  21. I love all your books and always look forward to the new releases. It's nice to see a "normal" guy finally getting some love. I do love guys who aren't afraid to be themselves. And, love comes in all shapes and sizes right? Thanks for all the great books!!

    Amanda

    loiuse021@yahoo.com

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  23. Great excerpt.. can't wait to read it!
    modularmates(at)comcast(dot)net

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