Danger: Giveaways!

Book News:

Literary gay thriller A Dangerous Man is now available at All Romance Ebooks. You can find out more about its dark and dangerous London setting at the Amber Allure blog. There are also a couple of FREE giveaways of the book currently under way at:

1. The Sid Love Blog - where getting what you want isn't always the best thing ... 16 people have already entered this one, and I'd love to get to 20!

2. The Booklikes giveaway - which is proving surprisingly popular. 17 people have already requested a copy (3 are available). I wonder if I can reach 25? You never know ...

Over at my struggling fantasy series, I was delighted to see that - very briefly - The Executioner's Cane reached No 18 in the Amazon US free gay and lesbian fiction charts. Down a lot more today to a position of no ranking, sadly, but I fear that's the way it's going with those three books. Ah well.

In other news, I've decided to try to focus on a little more poetry again, after having written nothing for about a year or so. Here is a selection, only one of which is new:

Leaves

The crunch under my boot, 
remnants of a faraway summer
golden, brown and crimson
already disappearing
as I kick my way along
in this autumn chill.

Crackle and drag
of blistered sound
while I walk towards winter
is as addictive to my feet
as bubble wrap to my fingers: 
deliciously futile thrill. 


Returning

The silence has wrapped me
so long that I forgot
how to make words
dance in the sky

and all I’m left with
is the certain faith
that once I knew
how to fly. 


Scarlet Joy

The rose I find
written in red
beneath the lattice
knows its own glory

and radiates the strength
of this dying sun
into a different life, 
another story. 


TV Heaven

Sunday nights
are for murder, 
something cosy
with a hint of spice
to get your teeth into, 

not gory enough to put you off
your cocoa and cake
but with enough blood
and interesting corpses
to give a certain zest
to the cheese and biscuits.

It’s an essential bridge
from the deep deep peace of the weekend
to the frantic hurly-burly
of the working week

so sit down, switch on
and don’t speak. 


Life News:

A lovely surprise when I returned to work on Monday after a week away to find that my former colleagues in Student Services had bought me a gift of flowers and chocolates to say thank you for my nine years in their team. I was really touched! Many thanks indeed to all of you - the chocolates were lovely, and the flowers look beautiful and are lasting well. On to my new life in the Registry now, which certainly looks set to be an interesting experience - in the best possible sense, of course.

In the garden, we harvested our first home-grown apple, a James Grieve - and it was really tasty. English apples are indeed the best in the world, and I speak as an apple farmer's daughter, so I know it's true. As it's a very small baby tree, there are only 2 more apples left on it, but K and I are looking forward to finishing the harvest soon. It's quality, not quantity, after all ...

Not only that, but last year's hibiscus which didn't flower has now decided to grace us with its glorious presence. And the Harlow Carr roses are having a second autumnal flush. As it were.

Yesterday's cake was Coffee Cake, and I used up the last of the Smarties as the decoration - it's a rather tasty combination, I must admit.

K and I visited the lovely Hinton Ampner yesterday - where the dahlias look stunning - and picked up some more shade plants and autumn bedding (pansies and violas) as we were out. We also restocked on the essential compost as we were running frighteningly low, yikes. Not a good position to be in as garden lovers, believe me.

Today, I'm taking it easy as yesterday was a rather rough night (women's problems - no, don't ask ...) - so I hope to drift around all day with my smelling salts. Hey ho.

Have a great Sunday.

Anne Brooke

Gay Reads UK

The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy

Biblical Fiction UK

Danger: Men, Cakes and GLBTQ Christianity

Book News:

Gay thriller A Dangerous Man is republished today with a special First Week Discount at Amber Allure Press. Here's the blurb:

Michael Jones, a young gay artist and part-time hooker, will do anything to stage his first exhibition. When he falls in love with rich financier Jack Hutchinson, he seems set to achieve his goal. But as Michael becomes caught between the unforgiving territory of smoky-bar Hackney and the green-garden luxury of upper class London, the consequences of his uncompromising pursuit leave him having to fight for all he holds dear, and in the only way he knows how.

You can read a review at On Top Down Under Book Reviews (thank you, Karen!), which includes the following:

"I recommend this book to those who are interested in a well written book about fragile psychology, tenuous control, with real cause. It is an intense (LGBT) book where romance is not the all encompassing theme, rather an individual’s complexities are ... A Dangerous Man is not an easy read, but it is an incredibly powerful and haunting book."

Meanwhile, over at Amazon US (although the new version isn't yet published there), one reader says:

"The complexity of his [Michael's] character fascinated me. He is multi-layered, intense, a brilliant artist desperately trying to pursue his dream. Along the way he meets the love of his life and achieves his dream. Once that happens his life unravels and we the reader unravel along with him. At least, this reader did because by then I had bought into Michael's world and his soul. I hated his moments of self-sabotage but I had come to love him and was rooting for him. I really don't understand why Anne Brooke is not a better known author ... I have used this word before to describe her writing style: luminous."

Many thanks, Gloriamarie - much appreciated indeed.

Meanwhile, in other book news, gay-themed FREE fantasy The Gifting has been downloaded 515 times at Smashwords, so that's nice. This week it's also been showcased at the Awesome Trilogies website, but I'm not sure how much traffic I'm getting from that, to be honest. It's always very hard to say.

Lesbian romance A Woman Like The Sea gained a 5-star review at Amazon UK, from a reader who "discovered" me after reading one of my free novels, so that's lovely to know:

"Anne cleverly uses descriptive prose to help the reader visualise both the physical context of the story and to allow them into the deep, emotional heart of the characters."

And Christian novella The Prayer Seeker also gained a 5-star review at Amazon, with the reader commenting that the book is: "Worth taking the time to read and reflect on."

Many thanks indeed to all reviewers.

Life News:

Many congratulations to K and me as we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on 11 September this week, go us! We had a lovely trip out to The Savill Garden, and then the following day to Wakehurst Place, where I have to say I ate the best chocolate brownie I have ever had in my life. Total bliss.

Speaking of cake, this week's is Death by Chocolate Cake, which is scarily large and hugely rich and is surely cutting several years off our lifespans just by looking at it. Still, what a way to go, eh, and I can vouch for its sheer tastiness. Heck, there's nearly 1 lb of pure chocolate in the icing alone, goodness me.

Yesterday, we spent a day with Mother, and everyone survived the experience, phew. Though I did have to have a double gin when I got home, but hey that's usually the case. I made sure to make it a strong one.

This week I have also made a video in support of NALT Christians - which is a group of Christians keen to demonstrate that we're actually entirely welcoming of GLBTQ people and very enthusiastic supporters of equal marriage. I'm not the greatest film maker in the world, I freely admit, but the more GLBTQ-friendly Christians make a video, the more the general assumption that Christianity and homosexuality are enemies can be shown to be the utter baloney that it is. So if you are a Christian supporter of GLBTQ rights, may I encourage you also to put your support online for all to see. Thank you.

Anne Brooke
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandria Fantasy Trilogy
Biblical Fiction UK

Danger in sight and the work of the devil

Book News

I've now finished the final edits for upcoming gay thriller A Dangerous Man, due out from Amber Allure on 15 September, and just have the proofs to come this week.

Meanwhile, Christian novella The Prayer Seeker managed to get a 4-star review from a reader who still considered it to be the Work of The Devil (which makes me feel doubly proud indeed!). And it also gained a 1-star review from another reader who dislikes my homosexual agenda, so I'm even prouder than I was before (hurrah!) as I love my homosexual agenda and will flaunt it with huge pride wherever and however I can (see below for further explanation of same).

Just so you know and to avoid further confusion and horror on the part of the Christian traditional evangelical reader: the gift of being GLBTQ is just as great a blessing from God as the gift of being straight, so if you are about to read The Prayer Seeker, which features a bisexual man setting out to seek God, please do bear my Christian beliefs in mind. Thank you.

Continuing with the subject of gay-themed fiction, fantasy novel The Gifting was briefly at No 1 in the Amazon France Foreign Epic Fantasy charts, well double gosh and put out le bunting. I've never been No 1 in anything, apart from the person at work (in my old job, I hasten to add) most likely to turn out to be a serial killer and a member of the Townswomen's Guild - there's a happy combination indeed.

And, joy of joys, fantasy novel The Executioner's Cane gained its first reader review, for which I am very grateful indeed:

"An interesting novel that makes us rethink many of our prejudices and ideas. Reading recommended for its depth and seriousness." (in translation)

The Executioner's Cane also turned up at No 20 in the Omnilit Books Free Fiction chart, so many thanks to those readers downloading the book.

Life News:

Much to my delight, I have found out this week exactly what that mysterious beast, the Homosexual Agenda, actually is (see also above!), which I am frequently accused of having. The placard in the picture sounds marvellous to me and I am happy to offer this agenda to all indeed.

I have at the same time been delighted to discover a new website dedicated to those of us who are Christian and believe (because of, not in spite of, our Christianity) in equal rights for all. It's called Not All Like That - as most of the media seem to believe Christians hate homosexuality and we're frankly fed up with that image - so please do visit and find out what it's all about. You can also find a very helpful Facebook page about it as well.

Which leads me to this totally delightful image, which again says it all. Perfect!

This week, I've had fun at the dentist with a filling (groan), so thank goodness that's over. At least this dentist seems rather more competent than my original one, hurrah - she takes pain away, rather than creating it, so that has to be a step forward. I also squeezed in a visit to the doctor to try to cure my deaf right ear (what's that you say? Sorry, must have missed it ...) and now have some sodium bicarbonate drops which is supposed to solve the problem. I hope this will do the trick.

In the garden, we've been planting out autumn bedding, including violas, pansies and some late chrysanthemums, which has cheered everything up for sure. And we've also visited the Wisley Flower Show, and the Crocus Nursery open day event, where I picked up a few more heucheras to put in our shady areas, and a couple of packets of narcissi for the spring. Oh, and much to our delight, we spotted a Speckled Wood butterfly in the garden today, so that was lovely.

I'm in my Lemon Phase (like Picasso's Blue Period, but sunnier) at the moment as this week's cake is Lemon Sponge, and very tasty it is too. How I do love a recipe where you can just shove everything in, mix and bake. Simplicity is all.

Finally, I've said a sad farewell to my wonderful boss, D, who left the University this week for a new and very exciting job elsewhere. I've worked for him for over 9 years, so I do feel very sad indeed, but we gave him a very good send-off on Thursday afternoon and evening and he seemed to enjoy it all, which was great. And K showed his usual Star Husband Quality by being utterly sympathetic and lovely when I came home (having been really strong and totally together all week!) on Thursday night and wept on his shoulder over ... um ... how much I'll miss another man. Hey ho. Good luck to D in his new career, and a big Gold Star to K.

Happy Sunday to all!

Anne Brooke
Gay Reads UK
Free Fiction
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Biblical Fiction UK

Prayer and Chances

Book News:

Christian novella The Prayer Seeker gained some 5-star reviews this week, which was most welcome. First off, at Amazon UK, where it was "absorbing and moving"; then at Amazon US where it was "an unexpected delight"; and, last but by no means least, at Goodreads (thank you, Karen!):

"The Prayer Seeker had me glued to the Kindle from the first page and I read it in one sitting. A lovely gentle Christian read for those who believe in a loving all encompassing God."

Gay-themed epic fantasy, The Gifting, has continued to be popular at Amazon US, with another 1000+ downloads in August (similar to July's downloads). It also passed its 1000 downloads marker at Free Ebooks, so that was a nice boost.

Over at Untreed Reads, there's a 40% discount on all my books until Monday 2 September, and in addition if you buy bisexual literary thriller Thorn in the Flesh, you can get another book for free. Happy shopping!

I've also finally finished the first draft of gay fantasy The Taming of The Hawk (hurrah! It's certainly taken me long enough ...) but there's a fair amount of editing to do, but I'm going to have a break before I get started on it, I think.

And I'm happy to say that gay erotic BDSM romance Taking a Chance will be published at Wilde City Press on 25 September. No final cover art as yet, but I love the mock-up I've seen. Am looking forward to doing the edits with my new editor there over the next couple of weeks.

Finally in this section, there's a new interview with me over at Smashwords, so do pop by and have a read to see what I'm up to - all visitors welcome, of course.

Life News:

This week, I attended my last staff meeting as a member of Student Support before I move across to the Registry next week. I'll miss Student Support as I've worked there for over 9 years now, but it will certainly be interesting to see the University from a different perspective. I was very touched at the meeting too as they actually gave me a round of applause which was lovely. Thank you, all! Though whether that meant they were sorry to see me go or overjoyed to get rid of me has yet to be ascertained ... Mind you, K said that when they started clapping, I should have told them to just throw money instead - ah, think of the fortune I might have made!

On Friday I have to say I played a stonkingly good game of golf - and actually won, which is very rare! I even got a par on the last hole, which was astonishing. Honestly, I have no idea why I was playing so well - and it definitely won't last till the next time - but I felt I could have spat at the ball and it would have gone in the hole. I shall bask in the glory while I can, hey ho ...

Yesterday's cake was Limoncello Cupcakes, which are very nice indeed and surprisingly light - but surely with the amount of cream and alcohol in them they are probably taking at least 5 years off our lives. Still, what a way to go, eh. I shall be making them again in the not too distant future, that much is certain.

And yesterday afternoon, K and I popped into Guildford to see a Peter Shaffer double bill at the theatre. We didn't think much of the first offering - A Private Ear - as there wasn't much to it and it was something of a one-trick pony. But the second offering - A Public Eye - was just brilliant and well worth the money. Witty and wise and zany, it was Shaffer at his best.

Happy Sunday!

Anne Brooke
Gay Reads UK
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Biblical Fiction UK

Gifting news and a 999 call

Book News

Epic gay-themed fantasy The Gifting has finally become a free book at Amazon (hurrah!) and has been reaping the benefits. This week, it's briefly been No 1 in the Amazon Germany Gay & Lesbian charts, No 5 in the Amazon US Sword & Sorcery charts, and No 10 in the Amazon UK Gay & Lesbian charts, well gosh.

It's also gained a 5-star review at Goodreads:

"Wow. Such a good read. Starts out slow, but by the end it's epic":

Goodness, thank you. "Start out slow, but end up epic" is the story of my life, I hope ... Well, I've always been a (very) late developer but I get there in the end. If the wind's in the right direction.

Much excitement, meanwhile, over at Free Ebooks, where The Gifting has now had 999 downloads. I hope some lovely person out there might get me to the grand total of 1000, which will be wonderful - thank you! I will be eternally grateful.

Not to be outdone, Hallsfoot's Battle, the second book in the Gathandrian Trilogy, was at No 48 in the Amazon US Sword & Sorcery chart, so that was quite a boost too. Thank you to all you downloaders out there - it's very much appreciated.

I'm also happy to say that erotic romance How To Eat Fruit gained a 5-star review at Amazon US:

"a truly intimate and wistful experience that remains long after you've finished reading it."

Many thanks for those words, Fred.

Over at Untreed Reads, if you buy a copy of bisexual literary thriller Thorn in The Flesh, you get another of my books absolutely free! So do pop across and grab yourself a bargain or two - happy shopping.

I've also updated the Latest News section of my website, so you can see what's coming up in the near future, including a gay thriller, gay BDSM romance, and a romantic comedy. Never say I don't keep busy, eh.






Life News:

I've had a cold for most of the beginning of this week, but have managed to fight it off using a combination of Lemsip and Echinacea pills, thank goodness. At least I've not had the usual sleepless nights and vomiting combo that traditionally has dogged my heels, so good news there for sure.

And the end of this week has finally brought the official announcement at work that at the beginning of September I'm to move divisions and be PA to the new Deputy Registrar at the university, so I'm thrilled about that. It'll give me a whole new view of what goes on, so should be fascinating. Mind you, I'll miss working in Student Support - where I've been for 9 years, so the longest I've been anywhere really. Actually, I've been "unofficially" working for the new Deputy Registrar for a few weeks now as my Student Support boss prepares to go to new pastures on 6 September, but it's going to be so lovely to stop telling everyone who asks me that I can't tell them anything yet, but thank you for asking! Now I can tell them something, which will be nice.

Yesterday's cake was Victoria Sponge, which has turned out well. I'll definitely be making that one again - though whatever I do it will never ever be as good as those my Grandma and Great Aunt used to make which were heaven on earth.

And I'm very happy indeed with my African Violet which is going great guns, even though it's in the shadiest place in the house. Every time I move it to somewhere sunny that it's supposed to like, it gets upset and I have to move it back. It's obviously got a mind of its own.

Today at church we had the misfortune to sing not one, but two Kendrick numbers - which are always guaranteed to put us in a bad spiritual mood, groan. I have therefore decided to start Tidy Church - where all messy modern scansion will be banned, hey ho. And there will always - always! - be a decent rhyme scheme.

So, I leave you with two lovely cartoons, which - for me - say it all:

Happy Sunday!

Anne Brooke

The Gathandrian Free Fantasy Trilogy

Gay Reads UK

Biblical Fiction UK

The Executioner's Cane and a Midsomer moment

Book News:

The Executioner's Cane, the final part of the gay-themed Gathandrian fantasy trilogy, is now published. It's available at Amazon and also as a free book at Smashwords and Omnilit Books. Here's the blurb:

Simon Hartstongue, accompanied by the mind-cane and the snow-raven, must travel back to the land he came from to offer support to the people he once tried to kill. From Gathandria, Annyeke Hallsfoot endeavours to help him but her attentions are focused on rebuilding the city after the wars.

Alone and faced with the anger of his people and hindered by the fragility of Ralph Tregannon's leadership, Simon has to find a way to bring healing to a dying country and to renew his relationship with Ralph. But the odds and time itself are stacked against him. 

I've also been having some fun looking at picture lookalikes of the characters in the whole trilogy, now it's over and done with. This is my view of Simon the scribe (though of course he would wear more clothes!):

Here is his on-off lover Ralph Tregannon:

And here is my view of the Mind Executioner (evil but strangely attractive):

Hey ho. The whole trilogy has been such a hugely difficult and disappointing time that it's a relief to move on, though of course I do feel sad as I don't think I'll ever write anything that poetic or spiritual again. Which probably explains why a large percentage of readers don't like it much, saying it's too slow. Oh well. A heartfelt thank you to the little band of people who've at least enjoyed some of it - it's very much appreciated.

Interestingly, The Gifting (Gathandria 1) and Hallsfoot's Battle (Gathandria 2) have recently gained some European approval, being respectively at No 73 and No 7 in the Amazon France Foreign Fantasy charts, well gosh. And The Executioner's Cane itself was, equally strangely, at No 3 in the Amazon Brazil Foreign Gay charts, which was nice. Though, possibly, they don't have much of a choice over there - I'm not sure.

Meanwhile, gay erotica The Beginning of Knowledge gained a 4-star review at World of Diversity Reviews:

"A dark erotic short that isn't my usual type of read … So I started reading this with trepidation and, much to my surprise, I loved it … This is a really well written story about discovery of oneself written in a very sexy way." 

Finally, over at Untreed Reads, we're celebrating the wedding this weekend of our renowned Editor-in-Chief Jay and his partner Luis - so many congratulations to both. As part of the party, you'll find all my Untreed Reads books at a 40% discount until Sunday - happy shopping!

Life News:

This week on the A3, I drove past a police escort who was trying to guide a flock of lost ducks off the road and into safety. Never say we in Surrey are uncaring about our feathered friends, eh. I did think the ducks were actually being very sensible and walking in a line at the side of the road, so may not have needed the help, but never reject the support of a man in uniform is what my grandmother always said. And she was right. Apparently, all the ducks are now in a local farmer's shed, unscathed by the trauma, and the police canteen is perfecting its orange sauce. No, really, those last few words were a joke, honest! But the rest is perfectly true.

And, unbelievable though it may sound, we had a gunman on the village green on Thursday afternoon - which explains the sudden influx of police cars all over the place and the presence of a police helicopter all afternoon and into the night. No harm done though - apparently he just wanted to show everyone his air rifle, hey ho. He was arrested and charged Thursday night, and the rifle duly destroyed. Honestly, Elstead is becoming the new Midsomer. Funny how it used to be a really peaceful place until K and I moved in ...

Anyway, should any stray gunmen be lurking in the shed, I have a plan to distract them with cake. Today's effort is Coffee & Walnut, and very tasty it is too.

Tomorrow, K and I are at Glyndebourne to see Hippolyte et Aricie - which explains the earlier blog. To keep you going, here's an important life rule - trust me, it works like a dream:

Have a great weekend.

Anne Brooke

The Gathandrian Trilogy

Gay Reads UK

Free Fiction UK

Biblical Fiction UK

Behold: The Destroyer of Churches

Book News:

Goodness me, but the controversy over Christian novella The Prayer Seeker continues apace. This week, I've received a one-star review over at Amazon US from a reviewer who seems to think I am single-handedly responsible for destroying the church. Golly gosh, I feel even prouder than I did at last week's accusation. I am so definitely going to have "The Destroyer of Churches" added to my gravestone as one of my attributes. I might even get a t-shirt with it on.

According to said reviewer, I also appear to have a secret "hook and worm" gay agenda. Gosh indeedy, they sound like jolly good fun! Please could I have one in green? It'll go with my t-shirt ...

Turning to my gay literary agenda, I'm happy to say that gay thriller A Dangerous Man has a lovely new cover and will be republished by Amber Allure on 15 September.

Over at Riptide Publishing, their Red Hot Rentboys anthology is on sale and includes my own Where You Hurt The Most. It's a 60% discount, so don't delay - buy today! As an incentive, Where You Hurt The Most gained a 4-star review at Goodreads:

"The magic that happens between the two men is special and fills you with hope."

Meanwhile, lesbian short story The Girl in The Painting was briefly at No 8 in the Amazon UK lesbian short story charts - hurrah! - and literary romance How To Eat Fruit gained a 4-star review at Goodreads. Most people seem to hate that one so it was a nice surprise this week. Thank you, Karen, who said:

"Anne Brooke always writes a very interesting short that makes you think."

And, not to be outdone, my haiku collection, Sunday Haiku, gained a 5-star review at Amazon UK:

What is delightful about this collection is the enduring quality; when I reread the haiku I am still moved and captivated by certain feelings that they arouse.

Finally, I received my second fan letter of 2013 - so a BIG thank you to Emily who wrote and said how much she loved gay thrillers Maloney's Law and The Bones of Summer. Hearing from readers who enjoy one's books is always very special indeed.


Life News:

Great excitement and rejoicing this week to hear about the Ginger Pride March which took place in Edinburgh yesterday. I should have been there! At last, I've found my tribe ... Because it would just be so dang wonderful to be with a group of people who don't ever question the fact that - yes - Factor 50 suncream is necessary, even in winter and - yes - even for 5 minutes' exposure. Just saying, you non-redheads out there, hey ho ...

And, in honour of redheads (who are of course the best), I have put some lovely redhead photos up at a new blog, Perfect Redheads. Happy browsing!

I particularly loved this wonderful and oh so true cartoon.












Yesterday, K and I enjoyed a wonderful falconry display at RHS Wisley - and I really and desperately now want to have a peregrine falcon as a pet. They're just so speedy and exciting! But I do accept that we might not have much soft furnishings left, ho hum.

Also yesterday, I tried my hand at Honey Cake, which came out quite well, though lighter than I imagined it would be. And I did get a bit mixed up with the US cake measurements - not to mention the mystery of whether ounces are the same as fluid ounces or not. I still don't know ...

However, the less said about the disastrous garlic bread I made for Friday night dinner, the better ... Um, I forgot to take it out of the oven - which means we now have rock-hard garlic bread which could - without much preparation - be used as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. Ah, the best laid plans, eh.

Finally, in the garden, things are still coming along nicely. My orchid now has its full 12 flowers in bloom and the lilies and dahlias are looking good.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Anne Brooke
Gay Reads UK
Biblical Fiction UK
The Gathandria Fantasy Trilogy for FREE
Redheads Galore

Beware: The Diabolical Distorter of Truth

Book News:

Christian novella The Prayer Seeker has continued to cause a bit of a stir, I must say. It was No 18 in the Amazon CA inspirational fiction charts, briefly, which was nice. And then I felt immensely proud when an Amazon US reviewer labelled it as "beautifully written but terrible theology", going on to describe the pesky book as something which "distorts truth in a most compelling fashion."

Ah, my dears, my job here is done. My theology has always been terrible, naturally, and my position on Heaven's Naughty Step has been assured for some time, so all this isn't news to me. Apparently the terrible theology stems from my main character's experience as a bisexual man who wants to seek forgiveness from a friend he wronged in the past, and my portrayal of the Evangelical Church as being a tad on the rigid side of rigid. Well, hush my mouth, but I used to be an Evangelical so I have personal experience of said attitudes in the past - and apparently, via some of my reviews including this one, in the present also. Ah well, nothing changes. I am more than proud to be an official Truth Distorter. Always play to your strengths is what I say ...

Still, at least the beleaguered reviewer hasn't cottoned on yet, bless her, to my other life as a writer of gay erotic fiction - Lord alone knows what paroxysms of horror that might produce. In that world, I'm pleased to say A Stranger's Touch received a lovely 5 star review at Hearts On Fire who said:

"A Stranger's Touch was a deeply affecting, elegantly written, ethereal wisp of a story. It haunted me." 

Meanwhile gay thriller A Dangerous Man is to be republished by Amber Allure on 15 September (hurrah!), and The Bones of Summer (including my hero's religious homophobic father, no less) came in at No 8 in the Amber Allure June bestsellers list, double hurrah.

I also have brand-new cover art for fantasy novel The Executioner's Cane which I will publish as a free book in September or October this year. I do love that cover. I have to say it has a gay romance in it, and a lot about religion, so maybe I should make my Naughty Step a lot more comfortable, as I'm obviously going to be there for a while, hey ho ...








Life News:

A session of reflexology this week was total bliss, and I definitely must book more appointments at some stage. Another delight was looking out of my window one morning a couple of days ago and watching a deer and her two fawns crossing the field just beyond the back fence. Pure bliss - well as long as they don't get in the garden and eat our flowers, it is ...

Speaking of the garden, here are some recent pics, including a Striped Beauty canna and a potted hydrangea:

Yesterday, we had a grand afternoon as the Cranleigh Show, and I baked a Chocca Mocha Caramel Cake which has proved very tasty indeed, though definitely a tad rich.

Have a great Sunday.

Anne Brooke
Free Fiction for All
Gay Reads UK
Biblical Fiction UK
The Gathandria Fantasy Trilogy

Prayer and the pesky church

Life News:

So, this is the week we find out that Church of England money helped pay for online lender Wonga. Hmmm, good to know that the C of E is more than happy to lead people into greater debt, but not happy about marrying two people who want to make a commitment to each other but happen to be of the same gender. Just saying. Hey ho.

As a result, though I did go to church today, I didn't donate anything at all to the collection for the first time I can remember. I did think seriously about taking money out of the collection plate when it came round instead, if only to help prevent the exploitation of vulnerable people, but thought that would perhaps be a tad too much for the small girl handing round the plate to cope with. Pesky church, eh. Then again, the Church of England does after all have a c£5.2 billion investment portfolio, so perhaps we should all be taking money out of the plate on a more regular basis. Again, just saying ...

On a happier note, the buddleia in the garden is now out in all its glory, and the garden is filled with butterflies of all descriptions. Bliss. And this week's cakes are Maple Syrup and Pecan Cupcakes and very tasty they are too.

Book News:

Much to my astonishment, Christian novella The Prayer Seeker has been downloaded for free more than one thousand times at Amazon UK and Amazon US - so free books are obviously the way forward, at least if I want to be read.

Not only that but I've had a couple of 5-star reviews at Amazon which called the book "a damned good read" and also said: "One word sums up the writing style and that is luminous ... if you are a seeker of something more in life, this novella will resonate with your spirit."

Many thanks to both reviewers for that.

Meanwhile, epic fantasy Hallsfoot's Battle rose briefly to No 71 in the Amazon US fantasy charts, and gay thriller A Dangerous Man gained a 4-star review on Goodreads which included the following:


"If I go by the "traditional" ratings it would be a one star, because, no, I didn't like it. But the problem was it was brilliant. Very well written, with characters that grabbed hold of me and made me feel."

Gosh, thank you, Shaz! That's the kind of problem I do like to feel I've achieved in a book, that's for sure ...

Finally, all my Amber Allure gay fiction currently has a 25% discount, so don't miss out! Have a great Sunday.

Anne Brooke
Free Fiction UK
Gay Reads UK
Biblical Fiction UK
The Gathandrian Trilogy

Gay Christianity and a champagne celebration

Life News:

Wonderful news about the Equal Marriage bill being passed by the House of Lords and signed into law by the Queen this week - such good news indeed! Well done to the Lords and of course the Queen. The right decision made by all, hurrah.

I've managed to make the most of the continuing heatwave across the country this week, though I am heavily dependent on my trusty portable fan. Phew, it's hot. Here are some garden pics to show just how hot it is. These are: scented pink lilies, a black hollyhock, day lilies, an allium, crocosmia Lucifer, dahlias, poppies and the orchid in bloom.

This week I've also played golf with M. and actually won for the first time in absolutely ages, well gosh. I got a par too, which was the icing on the cake, golly hurrah. I've also had a lovely haircut (thank you, Steff, as ever) which has made my neck a lot cooler, and yesterday K and I went to see the livestream cinema showing of Macbeth with Ken Branagh. Macbeth is of course my favourite ever play - so human, so evil, so much lost opportunity - and everyone is raving about this particular version. I'm a great Ken fan, I have to say, but I don't think his Macbeth is his best ever performance. I preferred his Hamlet, and actually I thought Patrick Stewart made a much better, more measured Macbeth a couple of years back. I am the only one saying this however, from my glance at the reviews. I did think the witches in this version were fun though, Alex Kingston nailed Lady Macbeth, and it was the best Macduff I've ever seen - so much so that it made me cry. A great moment.

Oh, and there's cake. When is there not? This week it's Dotty Chocolate Chip Cake, and it's very tasty indeed. Hurrah.












Book News:

This week is the week I receive a 1-star review for Christian novella The Prayer Seeker - not because the reviewer thinks it's rubbish, but because they believe it "cannot be Christian fiction as the main character is homosexual, and you can't be a Christian if you're gay". Or words to that effect. Ye gods and little fishes - did someone transport me back to the 18th century, or am I just living in a time warp?? Those comments certainly brought me up short - made me feel quite ill in fact - and it certainly goes to show how far we in this world must still travel before homosexuality is seen as utterly normal in every way, even a Christian way. Hey ho indeed.

In spite of all that, I'm happy to say that The Prayer Seeker is No 20 in the Amazon UK free Christian Fiction charts, was at No 68 in the Amazon US charts, and also received a more measured 5 star review at Smashwords. Many thanks for that.

I also have an exciting new cover for romantic comedy Pink Champagne and Apple Juice, which is due out from Musa Publishing in September. Can't wait for that one.

Meanwhile, fantasy novel The Gifting made it up to No 15 in the Omnilit Books Free Fiction charts, and gay romance Where You Hurt The Most gained a 4-star review at Goodreads. The reviewer called it "an endearing and poignant little love story" - so many thanks for that.

Finally, I'm utterly thrilled that gay erotica story The Beginning of Knowledge gained a 4-star review at The Armchair Reader who said, amongst other comments:

"The writing here is superb. I felt as if I knew Alan intimately only a few pages into his first person narrative because for all that he's blind to what is going on he's starkly transparent. So I commend Anne for writing a story that is indeed knowledgeable, that is informative but at the same time seductively sexy. I think you should read this one just to see what you take from it."

Many thanks also - that's made my day.

Anne Brooke
Gay Reads UK
Biblical Fiction UK
Free Fiction