In early April of 2007, shortly after my second book was released at Ellora’s Cave, I decided I wasn’t cut out to be a writer. I stopped writing for over a month, miserable and quickly sinking into a depression of epic proportions.
One day I received an email from Claire Siemaszkiewicz about a new epublishing company she was planning to launch. There was something about Claire that drew me in. For the first time in weeks I was able to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
I quickly agreed to write a short story for Total-E-Bound. To be honest, I wasn’t sure at that point I could even pull a short story off. I wrote Coach, book one in the Campus Cravings series, and Claire released it on Total-E-Bound’s opening day. It truly was the start of a new type of writing for me. To work with an owner/editor who seemed excited by my stories was like a breath of fresh air.
Firehouse Heat is my 50th book with Total-E-Bound, and I’m as happy working for Claire now as I was that first release back on July 2, 2007. I can’t explain what it is like to work for a publisher that truly seems to care about their authors and the stories they put out. A publishing house that doles out respect along with on-time payments and a cheerful attitude is not easy to find, and for me, Total-e-bound is one of the best.
Thank you, Claire. Without you, my life would not be what it is today. Here’s hoping for another 50!
While all the arguments in favor and against are well known, these two characters give the situation their own personal slant. Leo has been hurt by his (same age) partner destroying his self-confidence when he left him for a much younger man. Not only that, it turned out Leo's ex wasn't even faithful during their relationship. Sam has finally discovered a man he can really relate to and that is important enough for him to pursue Leo with everything he has.
I loved the way the two stubborn men approached their relationship step by step, which makes sense, but is so often forgotten "in the heat of the moment". There was plenty of "heat" too, though, so it was a great book all around. I'll repeat what I say when finishing each of these volumes: I hope this series will continue for a long time to come! ( )