Archive for the ‘m/m’ Category

Hump Day Eye Candy, November 23 (NSFW)

Nov 23, 2011 Filed under: bears, eye candy, m/m

 

Bears on the Beach! (more…)

Guest Blogger: Amber Kell

Nov 21, 2011 Filed under: free story, guest blogger, m/m

Today I’m welcoming Amber Kell to my blog. She is celebrating her birthday all month with prizes and a free read broken into 30 parts. Part 21 is here. If you need to catch up, go HERE for more info about all that’s going on with Amber this month.

Thanks for being here Amber and Happy Birthday!

Accidental Alpha #21

Shaking his head Stanley headed for Fenris’ bedroom. Only a minute later his mate followed practically on his heels.

“See you tomorrow,” Fenris called gleefully as he slammed the door behind them.

Stanley watched with amusement as the dark-haired man stripped out of his clothes almost quicker than the eye then threw himself onto the bed. His muscular form bouncing lightly as he landed.

“Come ravish me!” Fenris demanded.

Stanley threw back his head and laughed. Still smiling he approached the bed and sat down on the side. Fenris scooted over to give him a spot to sit.

Fenris raised a brow. “It’s kind of hard to ravish with you fully dressed. I don’t think you’re getting into the spirit of the ravishment. Do you need instructions, pictures, maybe finger puppets?”

Stanley pretended to give it some thought.  “You have finger puppets?”

“Oh shut up and get naked!” Fenris said, rolling his eyes.

Leaning over, Stanley placed a hard kiss on Fenris’ mouth. He stood up and slowly slid apart the buttons of his shirt making sure his mate saw each piece of skin exposed.

“Tease.” Fenris’ husky tone and his hot gaze belied his complaint.

“Well if you don’t like the teasing…”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it. Did you see Mr. Happy?” he pointed down at this erection. “Just tease faster.”

Stanley shook his head. “I don’t think I can have sex with a man who calls his dick Mr. Happy.”

“I’ll name it Stanley-ass-seeker if you just get yourself over here and stop torturing me.”

It was difficult to remove your shoes and laugh hysterically at the same time. Stanley learned that the hard way as he tumbled to the floor.

“Oh that’s it.” Fenris jumped up off the bed. Growling he leaned down to reach his giggling mate. With a snarl he ripped off Stanley’s shoes. A loud tearing sound filled the room as Fenris’ claws shredded Stanley’s clothes and tossed the pieces aside. “Much better.” Fenris said, admiring his work.

He reached a hand down to help the Stanley up. With a yank, Stanley pulled Fenris down to the floor. Quickly, before Fenris could object, he rolled until Fenris’ hard body lay beneath him.

“I think you’ve forgotten that I’m the alpha, my mate.” Stanley let a low growl roll up his chest.

Fenris tilted his head, exposing his neck submissively. Licking a line up Fenris neck before biting hard at the base, between shoulder and neck. “I’ll be the one fucking you.”

“Yes, mate.” Fenris swallowed hard and the smell of lust practically burned the air with hits heat.

“Now for the important question of the night.”

Fenris’ eyes widened with surprise. “What question?”

“Where’s the lube?”

Fenris pointed at the table near the bed. “That’s why the bed location was so good,” he pouted.

“I could also bend your over your desk,” he nodded to the sturdy piece of furniture in the corner.

“Y-you could do that,” Fenris agreed, nodding.

Stanley wrapped a hand around Fenris’ hard shaft. “Or I could grab the lube, fuck you hard and not let you come until tomorrow.”

A soft sound, quiet whimper came from Fenris’ throat.

Stanley scooted off of Fenris and stood yanking his mate to his feet. “Or we could go with your idea,” he finished. “What do you think?”

Fenris’ pupils widened with lust. “Whatever you want mate?”

A smile spread across Stanley’s face. Leaning forward he whispered into his mate’s ear. “I love hearing those words from you. I might have to try all three.”

Fenris whimpered.

Fantastic news about Sex on the Hoof!

Nov 18, 2011 Filed under: D/s, m/m, paranormal, shapeshifter, vampire, web event

Sex on the Hoof was nominated for Romance Reviews Best Books in the GLBT Paranormal – Shifter category. You can vote here from now until November 30th. Lots of other great authors are up for these awards too so check out all the categories.

Sex on the Hoof by Silvia Violet

Deer shifter Jason Fleetfoot has turned his life around. After years of taking chances, he’s got a job as a crime lab technician, and he’s determined to forgo the risky behavior of his past.

Then he meets Drew Danvers, the only undead detective in the city. Jason hates vampires, or does he? Drew defies all the stereotypes of his kind and something about him has taken hold of Jason and won’t let go.

Will Jason take a chance on a man others would label a risk to his health if not his very life?

 

Hump Day Eye Candy, November 16

Nov 16, 2011 Filed under: eye candy, m/m, paranormal, shapeshifter

My inspiration for Jonah, the horse shifter in my current WIP.

One Kiss Available for Pre-Order

Nov 15, 2011 Filed under: book release, contemporary, holiday, m/m, Sale, sweet treats

My Christmas story, One Kiss is available for pre-order! And if you pre-order it or any other Coming Soon title now through November 20, you earn triple reward points at Silver Publishing.

One Kiss by Silvia Violet

 

FREE story: Crimes in the Lab (starring Drew and Jason)

Nov 10, 2011 Filed under: D/s, erotica, free story, m/m, paranormal, shapeshifter, vampire

I’ve got a freebie for you today starring Drew and Jason from Sex on the Hoof. In my latest Protect and Serve story, Paws on Me, I allude to an incident in the crime lab that’s caused Drew to be banned from visiting Jason there. This is that incident.

If you’d like to download this for free in .pdf, .epub., or .rtf, go here and scroll down until you see Sex on the Hoof: Crimes in the Lab and click the appropriate link.

Enjoy!

Sex on the Hoof: Crimes in the Lab by Silvia Violet

“Yeah. I… I’m sure he’s OK.” My heart pounds. If I were in deer form, the fur on my back would be raised. Why the hell hasn’t Drew called?

“I’ll tell him to call you as soon as he checks in.”

Shit. Now the Lieutenant’s going to think I’m a nag. “You don’t have to…”

Morrison sighs. I can tell he’s worried too. “It’s fine. He should’ve checked in by now.”

“Yeah. OK. Thanks.” I end the call, shaking with a combination of anger and fear. No one has heard from Drew for nearly twenty-four hours. Where the fuck is he? Why won’t he answer his phone? It’s been dark for almost an hour now.

I try to concentrate on the tests I’m supposed to run, but I’m useless. I seriously need to grow some antlers and quit worrying about him. But all I can think is my bloodsucker better damn well be OK. And if he is, I’m going to tear him apart.

I smell him before I see him. The crime lab door slides open, and he stalks in looking pissed as hell. He’s not the only one. “Where the fuck were you?” I snap.

He’s breathing hard. He looks like hell. “Caught by the sun. Had to hole up.”

“And you didn’t call because…”

“Dead battery.” He stalks toward me. My deer senses tell me to run. I’m prey, and he’s going to eat me.

His eyes are dark, lust filled. He’s not pissed so much as starving. I’m in trouble. “Drew. I’m working. We’ll have to take care of this later.”

He shakes his head. “Need you.”

Oh shit. I back up, but realize he’s got me trapped. Maybe if I piss him off he’ll leave. “You can’t just come in here like this. You disappeared for a whole day without contacting anyone. I was worried as shit. You’re going to catch it from Morrison, too.”

He doesn’t react. He’s beyond words. I’m going to have to get physical. But as I cock my arm back to punch him, he grabs it and twists it behind my back. His other hand cups the back of my head, slamming me into him. His lips crush mine in a brutal kiss.

I struggle for about a second, and then he does this thing with his tongue where he flicks it across the roof of my mouth. It makes me crazy, and he knows it. He pushes me back against the wall, shoving a cart out of the way. Glassware rattles and breaks. Fuck! We’re in trouble.

He grinds his hips against mine. Our cocks press against each other. He’s already got me so hard I’m ready to beg. I use my free hand to pull his shirt from his pants. I need bare skin.

He lets go of my hand and starts undoing the fastening of my jeans. He’s going to fuck me right here in the lab. Anyone might walk in. A shiver of anticipation runs through me. He might get us fired. I try to remember why that would be bad. Then he licks my neck, taking deep breaths and groaning, and I give up.

I’m so easy. One touch from him and he owns me.

He pulls out my cock and pumps it as he licks my pulse point. What is he waiting for? I want his fangs in me right fucking now.

“Might take too much,” he says as if he hears my thoughts.

“Bite me.” I slide my hands down to his ass, pulling him tight against me.

He sinks his fangs deep. I hiss, a combination of pain and ecstasy beyond anything I’ve felt before taking a vampire lover. I buck my hips, pushing my cock into the circle of his hand. He sucks at my neck.

The pleasure is so intense, I’m close to coming, and he’s only been touching me for a matter of seconds. “Drew. So good. So fucking good,” I babble, not sure what I’m saying.

He works my cock faster. I want to touch him too, but my brain doesn’t work. I can’t make my hands move from where I’m gripping his back, digging into his skin, scratching him.

I start to feel dizzy. The room darkens. Fuck. “Drew. Enough. Enough!”

He licks the wound to make it clot fast and pushes away from me. His eyes are dark, wide. I can smell his hunger. My body quivers. My instincts tell me to run. Danger. Danger.

With a roar, he sweeps everything off the closest table. Glassware crashes to the floor, a bottle of solution pours out, safety glasses and latex gloves fly across the room. I should call for help. He’s out of control. He could hurt me, damage samples, ruin the lab.

My hand circles my cock. Fuck being good. I want the hard, rough ride he’s going to give me. I want to be bad. I want danger.

He turns to me and snarls. For a moment I regret not running. He’s never truly hurt me, but I’ve only seen him this out of control once.

He grabs my by the back of the neck and shoves me down over the table. “Don’t move.”

I grip the edge of the table and obey.

He jerks my pants down. Then he bends down and swipes his tongue across one of my ass cheeks. He pulls my cheeks apart. His teeth scrape my ass. Fuck, is he going to bite me again? But then he tongues my asshole and I don’t care what the fuck he does to me. He works me until I’m good and wet. I grind myself against the edge of the table, not caring that the cold, hard surface hurts. I need any friction I can get on my cock.

Drew pushes my legs apart and laps at my balls. Then he takes a long, slow breath as his lips skim my inner thigh. I can feel my pulse pounding right under his lips. If he bites me there, blood will pour into his mouth. He might kill me. But I don’t have a prayer of escaping.

He pulls away, and I glance over my shoulder. I watch him lick his hand and stoke his cock. He grins at me. “Hold on tight.”

Oh, fuck.

His cock presses for entry. He forces himself forward. The lack of real lube means he has to push hard. I sink my teeth into my lip to keep from crying out. My ass burns, but I want more. I want him to shove in deep. I want every inch of his cock. “Jason.” He groans. “So tight. So good.”

“Yeah.” I gasp, barely able to force air into my lungs.

Drew’s fingers bite into my hips as he drives forward. I gasp, unable to breathe. Then his balls slap my ass.

He holds still for a few seconds, but I’m so damn ready for him to move that when he does I scream as his cock drags over my prostate. “Fuck, yeah.”

He thrusts back in, harder this time. Then we both lose control, He rams into me, and I push back against him meeting every stoke. “Mine. You’re mine.”

“Yeah.” I am his, even if he is a fucking barbarian and a vampire.

He whimpers as he pulls out slowly, teasing me. “Want to taste you again. Want more.”

“Can’t. Dizzy. No more. Just fuck.”

“Yeah. Gonna fuck you so hard. Gonna. Oh shit.” He tenses and drives in hard as his orgasm slams through him. He calls my name as he pumps his come into my ass.

His hand works my cock. One stroke. Two. My balls tighten. Heat bursts at the base of my spine, and I come, pumping jerkily into his hand.

When we can breathe again, he lifts himself off me. I stand and survey the damage. The lab looked like a cyclone hit it. I glance toward the door, listening with my deer senses. No one is close by.

“Here.” Drew tosses me my pants. “No one will bother us. I told Morrison I needed a few minutes. Said I owed you an apology.”

I pull my pants on and frown at the pieces of glass on the floor. “I don’t think this is what he expected.”

Drew looks around at the mess as if seeing it for the first time and shakes his head. “Probably not.”

I grin, despite the dire state of things. We’ll get reprimanded, but it’s worth it. If that’s how Drew apologizes I hope he screws up way more often.

 

Guest Blogger: Xavier Axelson

Nov 8, 2011 Filed under: book recommendation, guest blogger, m/m, writing

Today I welcome back the alluring Xavier Axelson so grab some coffee or tea and a piece of pie and enjoy….

Phoning IT in

By Xavier Axelson

 

I came across a concept recently I thought I would share.  While discussing a popular television show and the work that goes into the production of the show my friend said, “You can tell the actress is phoning it in.”

Qu’est-ce que c’est “phoning it in?”

Upon further discussion, it was explained as someone who is doing just enough to get by, or performing on autopilot.  The zest is gone but you are so good at doing what you do you can offer 5% and get away with it.

Hmm, I immediately began to wonder how this can relate to writers and kept mulling the concept of “calling it in” over and over in my head until I was reminded of a writers group I led during the past summer.

I remember one writer who wrote beautiful corset ripping romances.  Great sweeping things reminiscent of Gone with the Wind, if not a bit dramatic, definitely well written for someone of tender college age.  My advice to this writer week after week was to be more “generous” with the story and character.  If you are going to write a grand, epic romance then be generous with details and slow the pace down.  It isn’t a race.  Not every story has to be Gone with the Wind and over 1000 pages but I felt this writer’s style was lush and beautiful enough but was not matching the pace of the story they were hoping to tell.  I realized it is easy as a writer to “phone in” details.  I found certain elements of the romance to be typical of the genre and so tired I ached to relieve the words of their decade’s long slavery.  Perhaps I am being difficult and asking more of myself as a writer than necessary.  Are readers willing to go along with a story because the genre dictates what will and always happens next?  Wrong side of the tracks hero pulls high society maiden from her society column and deflowers amid the wilds of her wealthy fathers estate?  It’s been done and will be done again and again, and why not?  The idea of phoning it in comes in to play when a write just rehashes the story with little deviation from a story told repeatedly from the beginning of romance.  Readers can also be guilty of phoning it in from time to time.  I’m guilty of this, believe me, I am far from reproach.  I am an easy sell when it comes to books, but that’s another blog.  Isn’t easy to just find a series of books or a particular writer and just keep going back for more?  Do you really have to think about it?  You know what is being served, all you have to do is show up, wipe your feet, sit down, and eat what’s being served.  You know what the next course/chapter will be.  You’re phoning it in.

I also marvel when on a Saturday night I drive by a chain restaurant serving mediocre food to find it packed.  Line down the block, crowd control, no parking, and everyone feverishly awaiting their round of the same old same old.  I look next store at the new Peruvian place maybe offering something more interesting and NOTHING.  The place is empty.  It’s a marvel.  Are we afraid of disappointment?  Is there a bit of laziness lurking within each of our over stimulated souls?  After work, do we really want to have to worry about hitting up the new place when the spinach and artichoke dip at said chain is decent and the beer is cold?

I excite at new and different things and experiences.  I ache to be the one to try a new restaurant and am one of those freaks who write down new books off my Amazon wishlist and carry it with me to the one or two bookstores left in existence.

It was recently I found myself phoning it in.  Not as a writer, but as a reader.  I realized I read about 26 books in a particular series with little space in-between each book to read something new.  I decided one night I needed to stir things up, reached for a book in the polar opposite genre, and blasted thru said book in two days.  Boy, I needed that.  I understand the need to be satisfied, to not risk disappointment.  Is there anything worse than reading a bad book or crappy movie?  I get more disappointed in movies than books.  I struggle to think of any on book I truly hated.  Then again, I am an easy sell.

Blah blah blah, what’s he talking about anyway?  Did he just call me lazy?  Absolutely not!  This is more a plea to myself to remember to kick in a little Neil Gaiman in-between my 1940’s British fiction and maybe a little Jane Austen in-between my Bram Stoker and Bunnicula.  There’s nothing wrong with getting comfortable and seeking comfort from the familiar but as a writer I know I would die if everyday became the same and every one of my stories an expected collection of words with zero taste and no calories.  I think of my novellas as a feast and you are my guest.  So EAT.  Eat it all and then ask for more.  Generosity is a creative gift I hope to share.

Speaking of eating, and when am I not?  Check out my latest novella, The Birches from Seventh Window Publications.  An erotic culinary tale one reviewer says, “The story supersedes everything else and I think that is because it is so real.” 

Feel free to come by website and say hello!  There’s always trouble brewing there.

A taste of The Birches by Xavier Axelson

Blurb:

Perfection isn’t everything, although it’s everything Leo wants. His desire to become the perfect chef may keep him at the top of his class, but it drives his friends and family crazy while keeping love and passion on the back burner. That is until he meets Dock, owner and chef of the new and popular restaurant, The Birches. Although Dock isn’t a trained chef, Leo finds the food he cooks delectable and the man behind the food irresistible. The lessons taught at the hands of an untrained cook may be just what this uptight chef needs to let go.

Excerpt:

He pulled into the parking lot of The Birches and sat on his bike a minute. He felt nervous, like he was about to meet a celebrity and the self-doubt that plagued him made him queasy.

“You gonna sit outside or come in?”

Leo jumped at the sound of the man’s voice. He pulled his helmet off and looked around, but didn’t see anyone.

“Over here.”

Leo looked just past his left shoulder and saw a man emerging from the nearby woods that surrounded the little restaurant.

“Oh, hey,” Leo called out, his voice cracking.

“You looking for something to eat?” the man asked, coming closer.

Leo was shocked to find himself riveted to the spot, staring at the man who came towards him.

The man offered Leo a rough, calloused hand. “I’m Dock,”

“Hey,” Leo managed weakly.

“I was out back, picking blackberries, they grow wild around here.  I thought they’d make a great dessert. Don’t know what kind of dessert, but how can you go wrong when you have stuff like this?” He said as he offered up a large, wooden bucket half-full of dark, purple black berries.

There were purple smears across Dock’s white tank top that seemed barely able to contain Dock’s impressive chest. There were several brown freckles on Dock’s shoulders, next to where the strap of tank top clung to his body.

“Lucky berries,” Leo said under his breath.

“What?”

Sweat ran down Leo’s back, he felt so nervous. For a brief moment, he thought of hopping on his bike and taking off.  Instead he said, “Um, nothing, sorry, I just wanted to come by and–”

“You want to come inside and have an iced tea or something?” Dock asked, “It’s hot as hell out here and I know I need to cool off.” He swiped a hand across his face and left a smudge of blackberry juice across his cheek.

Leo’s heart was pounding, what was it about this place, this man?

Buy The Birches at Seventh Window or Amazon

You can find Xavier Axelson at his website, on Facebook, on Twitter and at his Examiner column.

Sexy Excerpt from Paws on Me

Nov 2, 2011 Filed under: bears, book release, erotica, m/m, men in uniform, paranormal, shapeshifter

Protect and Serve: Paws on Me by Silvia Violet

Blurb:
Lieutenant Seth Morrison loves being a cop, but with budget cuts and crime both on the rise, he’s stopped making time for anything but his job.

On the outside, Brandon Lord is an easy-going, flirtatious club owner. On the inside he’s a man trying to overcome a difficult past.

When a murder investigation brings the two men together, passion roars to life. They’re both willing to break the rules to be together. Because as mismatched as they might seem, each man is exactly what the other needs.

Excerpt:
“How’s your leg?” I mean to distract myself but as soon as I ask, I wish I hadn’t. I remember the feel of his thigh under my hand, hard muscles, soft flesh, coarse hair. So many textures to think about. Such a deep abiding need to lick and bite. Fuck. I can’t let him stay here.

“Better. By tomorrow I probably won’t feel much.”

“Good. I need to talk to you about the case. Maybe we should move to the living room.”

He looks so disappointed I almost change my mind, but I can’t let the longing in his eyes distract me. He sits up and swings his legs off the bed. The bandage catches on the sheet and rips loose, tearing away part of the scab and plenty of hair. “Shit!” he yells. Blood wells up and trickles down his leg.

Later, I can’t decide why I ran across the room. It wasn’t like he was going to bleed to death. Did my subconscious push me to make a move that would get us in bed together? Surely I understood where touching him again would lead. We reached for the bandage at the same time. My hand lay on his as we used pressure to stop the bleeding.

“That was dumb. I should have been more careful. I…” His words trail off. I look up. Our faces are inches apart. My heart pounds. I know how supremely stupid I would be to kiss him, but I can’t help it. His lips beg me to take a taste. I close the distance between us and swipe my tongue across his lips, savoring his woodsy flavor. “I need this,” I mumble against his lips.

“God, yes. So bad.” He opens his mouth, and we devour each other. I forget who I am, where I am. I forget that his leg is bleeding, and I’m supposed to be holding the bandage on. I sink to my knees between his legs and cup his face with my other hand, pulling him down so I can explore every inch of his mouth. I slide my tongue along his, growing more desperate for him every second. My hand tightens on his thigh, and he flinches, forcing me back to reality. I let go of him and sit back, breath coming in pants. “Fuck, this is so wrong.”

Brandon shakes his head and cups me under the chin, forcing me to look at him. “I don’t know if I’ve ever done anything this right.”

The intensity in his eyes scares me. I start to pull away. What am I doing? Wrecking everything I’ve worked for? I can’t fuck a man who’s involved in my case.

Brandon squeezes my arms, immobilizing me. “Stop thinking. Stop analyzing everything with that fucking cop’s brain. Just feel.”

I’m not used to being with anyone stronger than me. But I like the way he’s holding me, refusing to let me go. Having a man like him — young, hot, cool, seductive — wanting me goes to my head. He makes me forget all the rules, makes me let down barriers I’ve held in place my whole life. I can’t stop.

I kiss him again. My mouth is brutal in its assault. He could easily take control, but he opens to me, letting me have him my way. He tastes rich and smoky like a campfire, like fall. I suddenly want to do more than kiss and fuck him. I want to take him to my favorite restaurant, introduce him to the best coffee in the city, take him boating on the river. I want a fucking relationship.

The thought nearly frightens me into backing away, but he tastes and feels too damn good. I run my hands over his chest, enjoying the feel of his fur. I release his mouth and nibble his throat, his collarbone, his shoulder. I sink my teeth into one of his muscular pecs. He growls and pushes his hands into my hair, pressing my face against his chest. “More.”

I bite him again, harder this time, sucking at his flesh, wanting to mark him. He digs his fingers into my scalp, groaning and rubbing his body against mine. I circle his wrists with my hands as I lick at the bruise I made. He lets me pin his hands to the mattress and keep them there. I slide lower and rub my face against the thick hair covering the center of his chest, loving the feel of it brushing my face and catching in my beard. I take a deep breath of his musk.

Then I drop to my knees. “Don’t move.” I release his hands.

Buy it here.

Apple Pie and Paws on Me

Oct 30, 2011 Filed under: bears, book release, erotica, m/m, paranormal, recipes, shapeshifter, sweet treats

Like apple pie? So do my men in Paws on Me. They like it A LOT. They like to eat it in non-traditional ways 😉

When I make an apple pie, I use my favorite crust recipe:

Silvia’s Pie Crust

For a 2 crust pie

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 pinch baking powder
8T cold butter cut into small pieces
2T shortening
8-9T ice water with a few drops of lemon juice added

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in butter and shortening. Do not overmix. Add water and mix with a fork. Turn out on a cutting board or other hard surface. Split in half and form into two flattened disks. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.

Filling

I use the filling from this recipe. And bake 15 minutes at 425F and then 30-45 minutes at 350F.

To find out how to use an apple pie to spice up your life, go read Paws on Me.

 

Dinner with a Hero: Xavier Axelson

Oct 28, 2011 Filed under: book release, excerpts, guest blogger, m/m, recipes, sweet treats

Today we welcome my scintillating friend, Xavier Axelson. Xavier has a deep dark passion for food and he’s got yummy things to share with us.

I’ve been asked recently if I would ever consider writing a cookbook.  This may be because every one of my books features food.  Either being eaten, cooked, talked about, or used as an aphrodisiac, food features prominently in all my fiction.  I didn’t even realize the trend until someone brought it to my attention.

You can imagine my pleasure at being asked to come up with a menu for Silvia Violet’s blog.  The hardest part was deciding which of my characters I would cook for.  Being that The Birches is about to be released and is ALL about food I’m going to prepare dinner for Dock.  He is a self-taught cook and owner of The Birches and is the type of guy who would rather forget the rules when it comes to culinary and sexual pursuits.  I’m feeding him a hearty but simple and yummy repast.  I think he would appreciate the simple goodness behind these recipes, and would probably roll the dessert crust without his shirt on.  Lucky us.

I would start by serving a Bibb Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing.

Followed by a Perfect Broiled Steak

Served with Baked French Fries

And Garlic Green Beans

For dessert I would serve homemade Deep-Dish Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust

Swallow That!

If you’re still hungry and I know you are, here is an excerpt from my new release, The Birches available now from Seventh Window Publications.

Excerpt from The Birches

He pulled into the parking lot of The Birches and sat on his bike a minute. He felt nervous, like he was about to meet a celebrity and the self-doubt that plagued him made him queasy.

“You gonna sit outside or come in?”

Leo jumped at the sound of the man’s voice. He pulled his helmet off and looked around, but didn’t see anyone.

“Over here.”

Leo looked just past his left shoulder and saw a man emerging from the nearby woods that surrounded the little restaurant.

“Oh, hey,” Leo called out, his voice cracking.

“You looking for something to eat?” the man asked, coming closer.

Leo was shocked to find himself riveted to the spot, staring at the man who came towards him.

The man offered Leo a rough, calloused hand. “I’m Dock,”

“Hey,” Leo managed weakly.

“I was out back, picking blackberries, they grow wild around here.  I thought they’d make a great dessert. Don’t know what kind of dessert, but how can you go wrong when you have stuff like this?” He said as he offered up a large, wooden bucket half-full of dark, purple black berries.

There were purple smears across Dock’s white tank top that seemed barely able to contain Dock’s impressive chest. There were several brown freckles on Dock’s shoulders, next to where the strap of tank top clung to his body.

“Lucky berries,” Leo said under his breath.

“What?”

Sweat ran down Leo’s back, he felt so nervous. For a brief moment, he thought of hopping on his bike and taking off.  Instead he said, “Um, nothing, sorry, I just wanted to come by and–”

“You want to come inside and have an iced tea or something?” Dock asked, “It’s hot as hell out here and I know I need to cool off.” He swiped a hand across his face and left a smudge of blackberry juice across his cheek.

Leo’s heart was pounding, what was it about this place, this man?

Buy The Birches at Seventh Window or Amazon

You can find Xavier Axelson at his website, on Facebook, on Twitter and at his Examiner column.