Sunday, July 01, 2012

Celebrating Independence Blog Hop

It's the start of the all-singing all-dancing Independence Blog Hop today, which continues to 4 July, so don't miss out. There are loads of free giveaways to be won!

Independence Day is a great celebration for our cousins across the water, and also fun for me on a more personal level too as it's the birthday of one of my oldest friends (happy birthday, Jane M!). Independence means a lot of different things to a lot of people, but I can remember my own first taste of it very clearly indeed. It sounds strange, I know, but when I passed my driving test when I was 17, I felt hugely grown-up indeed, and very excited about being able to get into a car and drive to see my friends rather than wait for a bus. That to me was real independence!
Do you remember your first experience of independence? Leave a comment and THREE lucky winners are in with a chance of winning one ebook each from my backlist - good luck!

In the meantime, here's the blurb and an excerpt from my latest book in the gay menage Delaneys series, The Delaneys at Home:


Liam is ready for a whole new life with the dangerous Delaney twins, and dives into it with great enthusiasm. But when the men reveal they know he's not been entirely honest with them about his previous art career, the scene is set for a rather different experience of punishment. Can Liam rise to the occasion this time around? More than that, Liam's gallery boss appears to be in cahoots with the Delaneys about the talents Liam's convinced he simply doesn't have. Will he find the twins' commitment to his profession rather more than even he can handle?


Excerpt:


No sooner had the Delaneys expressed a desire than the act was done. I'd certainly found out how true that was in bed, to my immense satisfaction, and now I was in the middle of finding out how similar they were when it came to domestic arrangements, too.
Only forty-eight hours after they'd made their proposition about living with them, I was outside their front door, my suitcase in one hand and an enormous bouquet of flowers in the other. Behind me, Pedro, the chauffeur I'd already met, was hovering, as if afraid I might do something unexpected. As he'd thought I was attacking him the first time I'd visited the twins, he probably had good reason.
I wondered if “something unexpected” might include bursting into the “confidence” song from The Sound of Music, but thought this might be too much even for me, let alone Pedro. However, to be honest, it's what my arrival here felt like. I only needed a habit and a high soprano and I'd be Maria in the flesh. Thank the Lord the Delaneys didn't have any children.
Before I could ring the bell, the door opened. I'd expected Johnny, but I got Mark.
“You're late,” he said with a growl before pulling me inside and slamming me back into the wall. My suitcase landed with a thud on their tiled floor and the flowers skittered away.
“I needed to fix my hair,” I managed to say before he kissed me.
Though probably devoured would be the better word. His tongue went straight into my mouth, claiming me without any doubt for his own, and I held on and sucked for all I was worth. Always play to your strengths is what I say. The next moment, I felt warm breath in my ear as Johnny made his presence known, licking and nibbling my earlobe. God, I loved being with them, and gave myself up to their attentions as I gripped Mark with one arm and hugged Johnny with the other.
I had no idea what Pedro might be doing, but frankly, as they say, I didn't give a damn.
When the twins finally let me go, I felt as if I'd really arrived. Mark reached out and pushed the front door shut. I think Pedro had already left, but the gesture made me feel safe. Well, almost safe. With the Delaneys, there was always an essential little frisson of danger, which I was well into enjoying by now.
“Good,” Mark said, one hand pinning me to the wall. Not that I was intending to go anywhere. I was having too good a time right here. “It's just the three of us at last. And I've got plans. Liam, go upstairs, turn right and then take the second door on the left. It's my bedroom. Strip yourself and get on the bed. Johnny and I will join you as soon as we're ready.”
“Yes, sir,” I said, unable to stop the smile threatening to make my jaw break. Domestic bliss looked pretty exciting so far ...


Hope you enjoy the rest of the Independence Hop, and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win one of the THREE ebook prizes!

Anne Brooke
The Independence Blog Hop
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

89 comments:

Yvette said...

I think my first great independence was when I graduated high school and joined the military at 17!
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com

Anne Brooke said...

That's amazing - good for you, Yvette! :))

Anne
xxx

Lisa said...

Not sure what my first experience with independence was, but being sble to drive was definitely one of them. Enjoyed the excerpt. Hope you enjoy your independence celebration.

Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, Lisa! It's amazing how powerful the whole "have wheels will travel" concept is!

Anne
xxx

wwe11 said...

my first experience with independence was when I was on my own at 16.
erma2167@sbcglobal.net

Anne Brooke said...

I bet that was exciting, wwe11! :))

Anne
xxx

Kassandra said...

The first time I was able to get a car on my own was pretty eye opening but liberating at the same time ;)

sionedkla@gmail.com

Anne Brooke said...

Totally understand that, Kassandra! :))

Anne
xxx

Mary D said...

My first independence came far earlier then most people. When I was 15 and my husband was 17 we had our daughter who is now 34 years old. It was a scary time for us, but in the end we are stronger for it. Thanks for the giveaway!!

gatormaryd(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lisa said...

My favorite experience with independence was when I moved into my first apartment at 19. I felt like I was all grown-up...lol.

Thanks for the giveaway, Anne!

Lisa H.
lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com

Anne Brooke said...

Good for you, Mary!! You did everything at once - my mother would be very jealous as she always wishes she'd started a whole lot earlier! :))

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Ooh, and lucky you, Lisa! I didn't do that till I was 23 - we're slow in the country, you know! :))

Anne
xxx

Anonymous said...

For me, it was going to college. It was so nice to be able to choose the classes I wanted, and be in a new environment.

(And oohh...more Delaneys! Yay!)

vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

Anne Brooke said...

Ooh yes, college - that was really grown-up too! Thanks for the comment! :))

Anne
xxx

Dannyfiredragon said...

I had to wait till I turned 18 to get my drivers license here in Germany, but yeah that was big step toward independence

dannyfiredragon@aol.com

Anne Brooke said...

Hi, Danny! Yes, it does make a big difference :)) Hadn't realised Germany was slightly later than the UK in first driving laws. :))

Anne
xxx

laurie said...

my first real taste of independence was when i was in high school. i was an assistant in my church's Sunday kindergarten class and one Sunday the teacher couldn't make it and i was in charge of the entire class.

Anne Brooke said...

Heck, that's really scary, Laurie!!! I think I'd have run screaming from the room - so well done you for staying! :))

Anne
xxx

Unknown said...

I hope I win :)

My first independence was me stranded outside the bus station in Roseberg, Oregon at 2 a.m. hundreds of miles away from home. I was so pissed off, but it was probably when I realized I had to handle stuff on my own. I grew up a little that night. Then two nights later I was drinking shots in a hotel room before I was handed the Kid for the first time and kinda became a mom. Crazy.

HarperKingsley0.0 (at) gmail (dot) come

Anne Brooke said...

That beats us all, Harper - amazing!!! :) :)

Anne
xxx

Carin said...

I think the first "real" independence I experienced was moving out of my parents house (the first time) at 18, I moved in with my best friend and we at mac and cheese and diet coke so we could go to the clubs 3 nights a week. It was a good time until I was forced to move home after a car accident and needed time to recover.

Brandi Slater said...

My first independence was when I was 14. My dad was at work and so I was home watching my little sister who was 12 and I saw a slight layer of smoke moving through the house below the ceilings and I followed it to the living room. I looked and the paint on the wall was bubbling because a wire inside of the wall caught on fire and I calmly called my dad, shut off all the power to the house, called the fire department, got my little sister and all of our various pets out of the house and sat in the yard waiting for my godparents to get there and the fire department. I was so proud of myself for being so calm about it.
flava_sava_chick@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Thanks!

evabrittcc@gmail.com

Mary said...

My Driver's License when I was 16!

MFierydrgn@aol.com

Mary said...

getting my driver's license at 16
MFierydrgn@aol.com

Chris R said...

My first bit of independence was when I was 21 and got married to my husband 25 years ago. Best decision of my life. I am thrilled to say we continue to discover our life path together.

Unknown said...

Wow! there's so many! But my most memorable was spending the summer with my aunt and cousins in Lincoln, NE. We had a cookout and swam, then we watched the fireworks by the lake that night. It was a fun week with a bright ending!

morris.crissy@gmail.com

Kaylyn D said...

Mine was when I traveled to Washington D.C. by myself at 16. It was the 1st time I flew and my flight was canceled and my cell dead. I had to rebook my flight without calling my mom for advice. I felt so grown up. lol
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

AJ said...

First off, I love the Delaneys series!

I'd have to say when I moved out on my own is when I felt my first taste of independence. My father shelter us from a lot of things and being out on my own I felt free.

angietate2002@yahoo.com

AJ

Susan W. said...

My first real independence was when I bought my first car with money I earned working as summer help at a state mental hospital. The job itself was a form of independence. The children I took care of depended on me to do my job.

suz2(at)cox(dot)net

Anne Brooke said...

That's quite an experience, Carin!

Hugs galore

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

You definitely deserve a medal for all that, Brandi - probably several! You must be hugely calm in a crisis - unlike me!

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Gosh, that is young, MFiery - good for you!

And my pleasure, Eva :)

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Congratulations, Chris R!! Here's to the next 25 for you!! :) :)

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Sounds brilliant, Crissy!! :)

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

That's definitely very grown-up, Kaylyn! I'd go into a panic about it now and I'm 48! :) :)

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, AJ - Liam sends love! :)

And definitely - the first place on our own is a very big step!

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Ooh, another car experience, Susan! And that job sounds amazing too :)

Anne
xxx

desitheblonde said...

wwo can i read that one
and the independce is camping on thur and then go to fire work display around the area

desitheblonde said...

we are going camping and going to the display of the fire work around the area

Anne Brooke said...

Hope you have a great time, Desi! :))

Marissa L. said...

I can't really recall my first experience of true independence. I was diagnosed with depression as a child and would go out and buy pills and teas to try and handle it at home. I felt really independent but when my parents found out they were mad that I had not informed them. They tried to help after that but I think they identified depression with something being wrong with me.
Anyway, Happy Independence Day and thanks for the giveaway!

m.lanz28(at)ymail(dot)com

Cornelia said...

My first taste of independence when I moved out at nineteen.
cvsimpkins@msn.com

Cornelia said...

Moved out on own when nineteen.cvsimpkins@msn.com

Anne Brooke said...

That's certainly a special time, Cornelia! :))

Juliana said...

I think when I lived in the dorm my first year of college was the first time I had true independence!
Thanks for participating in the hop!
OceanAkers @ aol.com

Anne Brooke said...

College independence is definitely great, Juliana - thanks for the comment! :)

Anne Brooke said...

Such a difficult story, Marissa - must have been a nightmare to go through all that. We can certainly only do what we see to be best at the time - big hugs to you!

Anne
xxx

nancy said...

My "real" independence began at age 44. Newly divorced and no children at home I decided to move where I wanted and then bought a car I picked out. It was a heady time.

Michelle said...

hmmm...First show of independence happened at the age of 5 according to my Mom...I hiked across a field in front of our house to climb the oak tree on the other side...Needless to say Mom was not happy :) ... chellebee66 at gmail dot com

Foretta said...

I left home when I was just turning 18 to become a nanny. I loved it! Thanks for sharing

forettarose@yahoo.com

Anne Brooke said...

That's a whole new life - good for you, Nancy! :))

Anne Brooke said...

Aha! An early developer there - hope you're still climbing those trees, Michelle!!

:))

Anne Brooke said...

Sounds like fun, Foretta! Hope you kept them all in order :))

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th!

Jennifer
jennpurr1970@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th!

Jennifer
jennpurr1970@yahoo.com

Anne Brooke said...

Happy Independence Day to you too, Jennifer! :))

Tabatha Hansen said...

My first independence would be when I bought my first house and realized I could actually paint the walls!

Thank you for participating in the blog hop!

Tabatha Hansen
mmparanormalromance@gmail.com
mmparanormalromance.wordpress.com

Tabatha Hansen said...

My first independence would be when I bought my first house and realized I could actually paint the walls!

Thank you for participating in the blog hop!

Tabatha Hansen
mmparanormalromance@gmail.com
mmparanormalromance.wordpress.com

StacieD said...

Going to college was my very first experience with true independence. I loved it!

geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

ParanormalRomanceFan said...

Hello Anne,

Thank you for participating in the Celebrating Independence Day Blog Hop.

Do I remember my first experience of independence? I would have to say that would be when I was 18 years old & moved into my first apartment on my own. There was no Mom & Dad there when I got home from work, no dinner ready, I had to clean my own apartment, do my own wash....& the Big Eye Opener happened 1 Month Later....when the Electric Bill, Telephone Bill, Cable Bill, Rent, Apartment & Car Insurance, as well as Gas for my Car ALL had to be paid & I had to learn to budget to be able to make all this happen. So MANY nights were Ramin' Noodle Soup Dinner Nights. LOL But I did it on my own & that was true Independence. It really makes you appreciate everything you have when you work for it.

I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway for a chance of winning one ebook from your backlist. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing the Blurb & Excerpt from you latest Gay Menage Series, The Delaneys, "The Delaneys at Home". It was a Great Excerpt & sounds like an Excellent Read that left me wanting to read More!!

Take Care Anne, Have a Safe & Happy 4th of July…& Stay Naughty ;)
PaParanormalFan Renee’ S.
paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com

paranormalromancefan@yahoo.com
http://paparanormalfan.wordpress.com

wulf said...

I think probably when I was hired to work in my junior high school library and I got paid :)

Happy 4th!

penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

Landry Breaux said...

Happy Independence Day! My first experience was when I moved in the college dorm 11 days after graduating from high school. I came from a very sheltered home & my roommate was a pycho bitch. It was a huge adjustment but I survived. The excerpt from you book is great!

Anne Brooke said...

That's definitely real independence, Tabatha! DIY is the ultimate empowerment! :))

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

College is always fun, Stacie! :))

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Glad you enjoyed the extract, Renee!! :)) And ah yes - the bills!!! Yikes - that's the scary side of independence! :))

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Ah, that first pay cheque, Wulf - definitely worth it!! :))

Anne Brooke said...

Many thanks, Landry! Weirdly, in my first year at college, I had to share a room with the Psychobitch from Hell too - maybe it was the same one!!! Every sympathy ...

Anne
xxx

M-C. Houle said...

I'd say my first experience with independance was staying truly alone at home for ten days when I was 16. My parents and sister were in vacation in East Canada, and I had to go to work by myself with my bike or in the bus, having to eat and be all responsible and grown up. It was both frightening and exciting at the same time.

contact@mchoule.com

lily sawyer said...

please enter me in your contest

yinyang1062 at yahoo dot com
thanks

Anne Brooke said...

That's a thrilling experience, MC - good for you! :))

Anne Brooke said...

Consider it done, Lily! Happy 4th July to you! :))

Emily said...

Going away to college was. But the biggest taste of independence was when I moved into my own apartment. Thanks for participating Anne!


tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

andieleah said...

My first independence was when I got my first apartment by myself...
andieleah78@gmail.com

Anne Brooke said...

So true, Emily - on both counts! Thanks for taking part :))

Anne Brooke said...

So agree with that, Andie! :))

ceagles said...

Hi. That's something I never thought of. I thinking babysitting til after midnight and having my own key to get into my house afterwards made me feel ALL THAT ;)

Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo.com

Anne Brooke said...

Definitely Chris!! That's hugely grown-up! :))

ceagles said...

HUH ??? I left a comment but I have no idea where it went. ;(

Anyways babysitting and get home after midnight and having my own key to let myself into my house. Have a great 4th.

Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo.com

Anne Brooke said...

I got it, Chris - maybe I'm in a temporal void!!! Which is too weird even for me :)) Hugs galore!

Anne
xxx

Erica Pike said...

No, I don't remember my first experience. I do know that my mom's still waiting for me to go through the difficult teens...and I'm 34 now :P She was a difficult teen, mind you.

I went straight from my parents' house to my future husband's house and last year we divorced. That really tested my independence and I learned I could do things all by myself I never dreamed I could.

Thanks for the chance to win. I'm also taking part in this blog hop :)

Erica Pike
eripike at gmail dot com

Terri said...

ty for the post and i would have to say when i got my first car lol it was great

terrilee.byles@yahoo.com

Evelyn said...

We loved watching the fireworks tonight! They were GREAT!!!

evelynmoly@yahoo.com

Anne Brooke said...

Hi, Erica - sorry to hear about last year, but so glad you're doing all those exciting things now - sounds very positive!!

Hugs galore

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Cars rock, Terri - I still love mine! :))

Anne Brooke said...

Excellent, Evelyn - glad you had a wonderful day! :))

Anne Brooke said...

And the winners are:

mfierydrgn
Marissa L
Adila Mammadova (who posted on a later blog but I have counted her in)

Well done, all! I'll be emailing you shortly! And many thanks to everyone for taking part!

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Marissa - your email isn't correct - I hope you're out there somewhere and can claim your prize! If I don't hear by Sat 7 July, I'll have to give the freebie to someone else ...

Hope you're out there!

Anne
xxx

Anne Brooke said...

I think I've got the right email now, Marissa! :))