When my friend suggested I participate in this blog hop many months ago I had no idea the impact it would have on me at the time. It seemed like something fun that could have a positive effect, something that I could have a part in. Now I realize that this effort has much greater ramifications than I first thought, and for many different reasons. Because of that, this post is not what it was originally intended to be, and for that this author offers her humble apologies to her friends, and to her readers.

Bigotry entry -- Wikipedia

When we hear the words bigots and bigotry, I believe many of my fellow Americans think of the Civil Rights era and the rampant racism towards blacks in this country during that time. But bigots are intolerant of any groups that are different than them. It’s not just ethnicity that faces bigotry and discrimination.

Discrimination can be subtle and devious too. It can sneak into conversations and facial expressions as well as the tone of voice and body language. When we think of discrimination, we often think of the blatant examples we’ve all seen, heard or experienced. However, there is another more insidious form of discrimination, and oftentimes people don’t realize they are doing it.

Some of the staunchest “Equal Rights” supporters I know have been guilty of this subtly. How many times have we heard someone say, “Have you met my gay friend Bob?” Or what about, “This is Susan, and her wife Mary. They’re gay.”  I would never introduced a straight couple, “This is Jill and her husband Jack. They’re straight.” Another one that I’ve overheard that makes me cringe and grind my teeth is, “I love gay (guys, girls)!”  Or, why do so many straight people feel the need to prove that they’re “gay-friendly” by pointing out how supportive they are?

It’s disconcerting that so many of my friends are categorized first by their sexuality and then second as a person, especially when I wouldn’t want anyone to do the same to me. In trying to show support for gay rights or by being super “gay-friendly” often times the exact opposite occurs and we are, in fact, quite guilty of some subtle discrimination, even if it is unwittingly.

Ultimately, I feel everyone wants to be accepted and welcomed because of who they are as a person, not what demographic they may or may not fit into. Focusing on the things that make us different doesn’t bring us together, it only forces us further apart.

Thanks for stopping by. If you wish to be entered in a drawing for a free copy of my novella, Wings of Fire, please comment below with your email address. Drawing will be held after May 20th, 2012, notification will be posted here and novella will be sent via email at that time.

Click on the image below to get back to the main blog hop page.

This exciting, new M/M graphic novel series is a collaboration between the talented DDV and me. S7NS will update with each Tuesday, the ongoing story of seven fallen angels who have been cast out of heaven for their rebellion.

The seven – Lucifer, Beelzebub, Belphegor, Mammon, Amon, Asmodeus, and Leviathan – must feed from the cardinal sins to survive and stay sane. Meanwhile they are still searching for their mates, the only ones who can complete their souls.

Each week will find a new upload in this ongoing series, beginning with the first chapter of Greed’s Grace on May 22nd and finally ending with Asmodeus’ Angel.

Check it out here: http://S7NS.jimdo.com

Today on the Cock & Bull Blog Tour spot I’m featuring Em Woods!

Em’s new release, Only Sam, is out on January 16th in the His Hero anthology from Total-E-Bound Publishing. She’s dropped by with a smexy Q&A and is even giving away TWO free copies of His Hero! Leave a comment below and at the end of the tour she’ll be picking two winners.

And now here’s Em!

Talking Smex with Em Woods…for the Cock & Bull Blog Tour

1. Do you act out your sex scenes (whether with your head or literally with someone else) and how does that help you in writing them?  And be honest! lol

I try to see the scene in my head and let it play out. Half the time I’m typing away with my eyes closed just to keep the details lingering. *eyes my lovely readers* But if anyone’s volunteering… *wink*

2. What is the oddest thing you’ve found while researching for a sex scene?

You know, there just isn’t anything that surprises me anymore. But I can remember my naivety fleeing into the night, screaming ‘eewww’ when I came across water play. I know there are people who dig that…but…well, good for them. LOL.

3. What’s the most difficult aspect of crafting a sexy scene?

Variation. Just like a person’s sex life can get stale…so can a writer’s fictional one. I try to keep it different for each couple. It is easy to fall into a routine of mechanics but an author has to remember to keep their lovelies spicy too!

4. What expression do you think has been overused in sex scenes and what are you doing about it?

“Oh God” …. and I try like crazy to not use it!!  *ahem* But it doesn’t always work out that way. LOL

5. Do you have any particular rituals in preparation for writing a sex scene? If not, what would you consider a good idea?

Surprisingly, I don’t. But the best advice I could give is to do what works for you. If you need to smooch on your honey or if you need to load smexy music, go for it. I need to just dive on into writing it. The more I think on it, the more I over think it and ruin it.

*grins big* Thanks to Kit for having me over!! I’m so excited about this Cock & Bull Blog Tour…and about Only Sam releasing in the HIS HERO Anthology (along with Kit!!) on Monday, January 16^th at Total-E-Bound.

Since you all have been so good…how about we do it up right? Down yonder (after the smexy excerpt you’ll want to read) post a comment and I’ll draw two winners at the close of the tour to receive free copies of the HIS HERO Anthology.

BLURB:  ONLY SAM by Em Woods

When a restaurant goes up in flames, will a spark of love rise from the ashes for a chef and his hero?

When chef Dylan Brookes finds his restaurant engulfed in flames, all he can do is watch his dreams turn to ashes. Shock, hurt and disbelief leave Dylan vulnerable to both the man who wants to love him…and the one who wants to kill him.

Firefighter Sam Carter has been frequenting the same small restaurant for a year, trying to work up the nerve to ask the chef out on a date. When Dylan’s Omni burns to the ground from foul play, Sam steps in to help.

Now the question is…will his efforts be too late?

EXCERPT:

Dylan smiled and winked at Sam before turning his attention back to Jenny. “I need to figure out what it will cost to buy out Mike. Jen, he wants to turn Omni into a fucking Italian restaurant.”

“What? Damn him! He cannot do that.”

What amazed Dylan most was that Sam mirrored almost word for word Jenny’s protest. Sam had jumped off the bed and was now pacing in front of him, running his hands through his hair and mumbling under his breath.

“I know.” Dylan snagged Sam’s hand on one of his trips past. He shot him a questioning look, but continued to focus on Jenny. “That’s why I need to find out what it will take to buy him out.”

“Let me make some calls, and I’ll get back to you.” She sounded winded, but that was Jenny. Always on the go. “Answer your damn phone when I call this time.”

“I’ll try. I might be”—Dylan paused long enough to draw Sam’s attention—“busy.”

“Eeww.” Jenny laughed. “I did not need to know that. TMI, brother.”

“Talk to you later.” Dylan ended the call, her giggles bringing a smile to his face.

Sam walked to stand in front of Dylan—his cock proud, thick and weeping, inches from Dylan’s lips. “Are we going to get ‘busy’, then?”

I’m so excited about the upcoming release of His Hero! And I’m really thrilled about being a part of this pretty cool blog tour with my fellow authors. So many new experiences for me in addition to having my first book published. Hope you’ll tag along for the tour. Our schedule is:

• Jan 2: TA Chase
• Jan 3: Julia Knight
• Jan 4: LA Witt
• Jan 5th: Freddy MacKay
• Jan 6th: Marie Sexton
• Jan 7th: JP Bowie
• Jan 8th: Megan Slayer
• Jan 9th: Amber Kell
• Jan 10th: JP Barnaby
• Jan 11th: Sue Holston
• Jan 12th: Simone Anderson
• Jan 13th: Kit Sands
• Jan 14th: EM Woods
• Jan 15th: Devon Rhodes
• Jan 16th: Sara York

Grand Prize: $150 Amazon gift card

2nd: $100 Amazon gift card

3rd: $50 Amazon gift card

There will be smaller prizes along the way. We’ll also be hosting a chat here on January 4th, noon to 5:00 EST. The more comments you leave along the way, the better your chance of winning!

I hope you’ll join us!

~K

How apropos that the cover art for His Hero, the men in uniform anthology from TEB, showed up in my email today! So exciting. The anthology will be available from Total-E-Bound on January 16 and I’m so thrilled to be in it with some other really fantastic authors!

I am looking forward to the editing process for Wings of Fire. I hope to learn a lot from the experience.

Working diligently on Trifecta-Book One, though I admit it is not coming along as fast as I wish. Hopefully I’ll have more details to post about my boys, Coby & Sampson, soon.

~K