Monday, September 25, 2017

Meredith's Monday Musings: Taking A Break (THIS WEEK!)




Hi Everyone,

So, based on the title of this blog post, you should all know that I won't be doing a Meredith's Monday Musings topic today. I'm just trying hard to catch up on edits, other author stuff, and real life.

Don't worry, I'll be back next week. Thank you for understanding.

Have a great day! :-)




Monday, September 18, 2017

Meredith's Monday Musings: Grammar





Hi Guys and Gals!

Happy Monday! We’re in the middle of September already. Can anyone else believe this? I seriously can’t! I feel like it was yesterday that I was saying I couldn’t believe that we were in the middle of July. Seriously, time has got to start to slow down just a little bit. 

Today’s Meredith’s Monday Musing post is all about: Grammar!

I’m not sure if any of you have noticed this or not, but I suck at grammar. If I were to be tested on my grammar knowledge, I think I’d have about a third grade level on my knowledge about it. It’s really sad. You’d think being an author that I would be good at grammar, but no. I like to think my lack of knowledge on where to put commas, what a preposition is, etc is job security for my editor and copy editor. ;-) So, at least two people are benefiting from my stupidity. 

The reason why I struggle with this subject is because of how many rules there is and the rules constantly change! For instance, one situation that effects my books: whether or not to capitalize the “d” in Daddy. I believe it should always be capitalized because when a heroine is in her little space, the hero’s name becomes Daddy. Therefore, it’s a pronoun and pronouns are supposed to be capitalized. However, I’ve been told that the “d” only gets capitalized when the little is speaking to her Daddy, not when she just refers to him in her thoughts. (I just made a grammar mistake in this sentence. ;-) Can you find it?) This rule doesn’t make sense to me. If someone thought about me in their thoughts, my name would still be capitalized. So, I don’t get why the “d” in Daddy wouldn’t stay capitalized either. 


The above is just one example of a grammar concept that I don’t understand. There are many more!! For instance, modifying words. I’ve had that explained to me a couple times now and I still don’t get it. Or why is Kitty spelled with a “k” but then cat is spelled with a “c”? Or what’s the deal with the words “a lot/alot and a part/apart? I never know which one to use when I write! Lets not forget about my least two favorite words: lay and lie. Don't even get me started on how confusing those two words are.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the people who make up grammar rules are cruel! I feel like once I have a grammar rule down, it changes. I just wish that the rules could be the same in each situation. Then maybe I’d be smarter at this subject. 



Oh well. At least I have an awesome editor and copy editor to fix my grammar mistakes in my books. As for my blog posts, well, y’all will just have to ignore my mistakes. Sorry! 

That’s all I have for now. 

Happy Monday! 

Friday, September 15, 2017

Logans talks to his father about how to talk to Christian about DD. Thianna Durston is visiting today with a snippet from her re-released series, All They Ever Needed!




Hi All!

Today, I have Thianna Durston over on my blog to discuss her newly re-released series, All They Ever Needed.



Hello! And welcome to the Release Tour for the rewritten and rereleased All They Ever Needed trilogy. If you haven’t read Logan & Christian’s tale, this is a perfect opportunity to do so.

So what happens when a man from a loving discipline household falls for a man who has never heard of domestic discipline? That’s what Logan has to figure out. When he finds out Christian has a spanking fetish that matches his own, it’s a definite first step.

Many DD Romance books on the market focus on spanking – and don’t get me wrong, spanking can be a major part of discipline. My books not only show the discipline and spanking elements, but they dive deeper into the emotional needs of both sides of a DD relationship. Why does one need to help his partner let go by enforcing discipline? Why does the other need the help discipline gives in releasing emotions? And how does DD help two people grow together in an incredible way?

The All They Ever Needed series goes into each of those questions as well as carries you along on a wonderful love story.

The first three books in the series are available as separate novels and as a boxed set.

Excerpt: (This snippet is from As Natural as Breathing. Logan talks to his father about how to talk to Christian about DD.)

“I’m home.”

“Have fun?”

“Hey, Dad.” Logan walked over and sat across from his father on one of the sofas in the living room. “Where’s Mom?”

“Resting. She’s been a bit high-strung since the incident with your uncle and needed a little grounding.”

Knowing that grounding meant a spanking, Logan grabbed a cookie that was sitting on the coffee table. “Dad, how common is a discipline relationship?”

“I don’t think it’s that common,” Gregory admitted. “Most people would be shocked to know I spank your mother. The fact she enjoys it, looks forward to it, and sometimes asks for it would horrify them even further.” He chuckled. “You should have seen her face when I first suggested it.”

Well that was a conversation opening if Logan had ever seen it. “Dad? When do I mention it to Christian? I mean, in Seattle at the gay clubs, saying I like to spank can practically be an opening line. But I don’t want to scare him off. And yet I also want the kind of relationship you two have.” Logan stopped speaking as he realized he was babbling. “I know we’ve only been on one date, but I really like him.”

Gregory watched Logan for a moment before smiling. “You do, don’t you? Well, son, I’ll admit to being woefully ignorant of the homosexual side of things. You’ve told me that spanking as a fetish is common. For someone like Christian who’s from a straight-laced family, it might be a bit of a shock. You need one of two things to happen. First, you two need to be far enough in your relationship that it is a relationship to discuss it. Second, you could take him to a club where he could see some fetishes going on and see what turns him on.”

Logan nodded even as he frowned. “Far enough along. Well, considering I’m going back to school in a week, that won’t occur for a long time. The second would be the easiest and yet I’m kind of afraid to scare him to death.”

His father nodded, his brown eyes warm. “Yes, that could happen too. How did he react to Mac last night?”

“Oh god,” Logan moaned, lying down on the sofa. “I fucked up big time, Dad. Everything was so amazing and we left Shari’s and ran right into Mac. I was a bit panicked, to be honest, wanting to get Christian as far away from Mac and his newest top as I could, and when Trent made a comment on what a good fuck Christian would be, I said the stupidest thing possible.”

He closed his eyes in memory of it. “I told them he was straight and just a friend. Oh, Dad,” he groaned, opening his eyes and looking at his father. “Christian was quiet the whole drive home. It was like he couldn’t talk.”

“But he doesn’t want others to know of your relationship.”

“I know, but I think he took it as a rejection and it wasn’t. I was nervous to tell him of my relationship with Mac. I was scared that he would feel cornered and I opened my mouth and spit out the first thing that came to mind.” Groaning, Logan looked up at the ceiling. “At least at the end of the night, he kissed me back and agreed to go out tonight.” He barked a small laugh. “He heard a comment Mac made about a mutual friend of ours having a party tonight and asked if I wanted to go there. But there’s going to be a lot more than spanking going on at that party. So, I suggested we go to Ellensburg instead.”

“What will you do in Ellensburg on a Saturday night?”

“No idea.”

Heat Rating: High
Age range: 18+ only



Blurb:
As Natural as Breathing – Book One
For Christian Darringer, life isn't worth living. Just back from the Middle East—scarred and with permanent damage to one leg—he doesn't think anyone will want him for anything. He didn't plan on meeting someone he can’t stop thinking about. Pulled toward the startling younger man, he begins to question a lot of things—especially his sexuality. Not one to hide from a challenge, he plunges ahead only to find himself more than just attracted to Logan.

Logan Mannette has almost everything he ever wanted: loving parents, happiness, friends, and security. The only thing missing is the love of his life, a love just like his parents have. When he meets Christian at a party, everything changes. Instantly attracted, he does his best to help the sad man and quickly finds himself feeling more than he has ever felt before. Raised in a domestic discipline household, he holds that ideal as what he wants. His interest in spanking has become a fetish and when Christian admits he wants to be spanked, Logan believes he might have found the perfect man.

Just as everything begins for them, Christian's past intercedes and one of his brothers makes waves about him dating a man. When it lands Christian in the hospital, he is forced to reevaluate their budding romance. Being with Logan might feel as natural as breathing, but if it costs Christian everything he cares about, is this new relationship worth it?



Took My Breath Away – Book Two
While unhappy to be missing four weeks of Christian's company, Logan is thrilled to spend a month with his father's relatives in New York. A naturally gregarious individual, he’s used to winning people over and getting things right. Unfortunately the Mannettes are not what he expects and for the first time in his life, he doubts who he is.

Christian has regained some of his old self-esteem and is taking on new challenges. Besides growing in the relationship he has with Logan, he takes the time his boyfriend is away to learn more about domestic discipline. He learns a little online but it is Gregory, Logan's father, where he gains most of his information. Including the fact that his natural strength puts him in a position he doesn’t expect.

Logan hits rock bottom and Christian runs to the rescue. He saves Logan from New York, but puts their relationship in a new sort of peril. When the dust settles, who will be left on top?



Breathe Each Other In – Book Three
Christian takes to heart everything he learns from Logan's father. As he and Logan go forward in their DD relationship, he finds that he’s willing to not just take on the mantle of head of house, but to embrace it. With Logan graduating from college, Christian takes the next logical step and asks his boyfriend to move in.

Even with the stress of student teaching and trying to figure out what to do after graduation, Logan leaps at the chance to live with the man he loves. The pressure of graduation begins to get to him and the only thing keeping him grounded is the amazing man at his side.

Those closest to them make huge changes in their own lives and when an unexpected job offer lands in Logan's lap, they have to make a life-altering decision. No matter which way they go, they need to give something up. Play it safe and stay home or accept the job and move away from their families? When it comes to decision time, there is one thing they are not willing to part with. That one thing makes all the difference in the world.

All They Ever Needed Boxed Set: This boxed set contains the first three books (As Natural as Breathing, Took My Breath Away, & Breathe Each Other In) in the All They Ever Needed M/M Domestic Discipline Romance series.

Buy Links:
As Natural as Breathing: A Thia Thing || Amazon || B&N || iTunes || Smashwords || Paperback
Took My Breath Away: A Thia Thing || Amazon || B&N || iTunes || Smashwords || Paperback
Breathe Each Other In: A Thia Thing || Amazon || B&N || iTunes || Smashwords || Paperback
All They Ever Needed Boxed Set: A Thia Thing || Amazon || B&N || iTunes || Smashwords

About the Author:
Thianna Durston is a writer by day and supernova by night. Or at least that’s what the faeries tell her. And who is she to deny those pesky *cough* lovely little creatures?

She lives in the Pacific Northwest, though her heart belongs elsewhere. In the meantime, until she can return to the place she calls home, she happily lives in a city that still thinks it’s a small town. Thankfully, it has given her muse lots of amusing places to start a story.

Find her Online:

 

Monday, September 11, 2017

Meredith's Monday Musings: September-11th





Hi Everyone!

Happy Monday! How’s everyone’s week going so far? Hopefully, well. Mine is going okay so far. 

Today’s Meredith’s Monday Musing is all about: September-11th. 

Does everyone here remember September-11th? I don’t. I was pretty young at the time and I don’t remember it. I do however remember learning about it in school. I always hated learning about it. Yes, I know that is horrible to say, but let me explain.

Growing up, when I was taught about wars, I wasn’t happy to learn about the people who died in battles, but I knew that those men and women knew the risks when they signed up (or were drafted into the army.) Also, the men and women in wars knew what they were fighting, whether it be the South in the Civil War, the Nazis in World War 2, etc. There was always a common enemy that American soldiers could stand up to. 



With the attack of September-11th, the people who were hurt and died that day, they weren’t in battle. These poor innocent people were just at work, doing their jobs. They’d done nothing wrong. They didn’t sign up to join the army, they didn’t know what they were getting into when they went to work that day. Yet, they were attacked. 

The reason for September-11th is horrible. A group of extremists got together and decided they were going to attack America and for what? America has its flaws, we all know that. But, I don’t see a logical reason at all for what occurred on September-11th-2001 to have ever happened. That’s why I always hated learning about this event at school. 

I can rationalize why America participated in other wars and people were killed or hurt. With September-11th, I can’t do that. There is no sane way to rationalize the events that occurred that fateful day. That’s why I hated learning about it. Those people who died, shouldn’t have. Having to watch footage of people running away from the collapsing towers, it was heartbreaking.


With all of the above said, even though I really disliked learning about this day in school, I understand why we were taught it. The people who died that day have the right to be remembered. Also, by teaching every American about that awful day, it hopefully will allow it to never happen again. One of the only ways to stop violence is to educate people, so we don’t allow the same mistakes to happen for a second time. 

That’s all I have for today. I hope that everyone has a happy Monday!