Today I am very excited to welcome Piper Vaughn and M.J. O’Shea her to Joyfully Jay. They are stopping by to chat about their new release, One Small Thing, and also to give away a copy of the book to one lucky commenter here at the blog. So please join me in welcoming Piper and M.J.!
Saving Delaware, the Little State with no M/M Romance!
There is one sad little state in our Unionโฆand that state is Delaware. Right now there are two lonely little books set in the state of Delaware, and we are proud to soon join that number!
When we first started plotting One Small Thing, our forthcoming release from Dreamspinner Press, we had an idea but no setting. This story could have definitely taken place in a few different states, but while we were in the middle of outlining, we remembered the thread over in the M/M Romance group on Goodreads asking for an author to please, please, please, save the saddened romance-free state of Delaware. See, back when we first started working on this story in the middle of last year, poor little Delaware was completely unrepresented in the M/M romance genre. As in zero books. None. There was an โAround the Country in 50 Booksโ challenge in the M/M group, but from what the girl running the challenge had found, there was not a single M/M romance set in the state. Obviously, we couldnโt in good conscience let such a travesty go uncorrected, and so Delaware became the setting for our story.
Once we committed to saving Delaware, it became a matter of research. I (Piper) had never been to Delaware and M.J. had only driven through the state once when she was younger. I tend to be kind of anal retentive when it comes to these things, so I spent a good amount of time looking at pictures of Delaware, Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach, and even the college our character Erik would have attended as a young adult. I looked into parks and neighborhoods, the most popular types of houses, the real gay clubs in the city of Wilmington, the stores and cosmetology schools. A lot of the stuff I researched never actually made it into the story, but regardless it was important to me to know these things and have an idea of what the area looked like so I could describe it to the best of my abilities in the story itself. At one point I was even tempted to take a weekend trip there so I could see it all in person, but my husband nixed that idea. Let me say, though, if money were no object, I would have. Iโm a little obsessive like that. ๐
After the research we had to decide how Delaware as a setting played a role in the story itself. As youโll see when you read One Small Thing, our two MCs have very different viewpoints on the state. For one, itโs his home, everything familiar, the place heโs never left or wanted to leave. For the other, itโs the place heโs always longed to escape. He wants glamour, fashion, fun; a place where he can be out and proud and fabulous without people staring at him like heโs a freak. Heโs living in Delaware but having California dreams. In the end he has to decide what really means moreโfamily or that once untouchable fantasyโand whether itโs the place itself that makes a home or the people who help you fill it.
(Note: In the time between the writing of One Small Thing and its eventual acceptance, our friend, Zach Sweets, wrote a short story set in Delaware for the M/M Romance Groupโs โHot Summer Daysโ anthology. As far as we know, that story, Luscious Love, and OST are two of only three M/M romances set in Delaware (the most recent of which only came out last month). Make sure to be on the lookout for our little nod to Zachโs story in One Small Thing. :D)
~*~
One Small Thing will be available from Dreamspinner Press in both ebook and paperback formats on Friday, May 4th.
Blurb:
โDaddyโ is not a title Rue Murray wanted, but he never thought heโd have sex with a woman either. Now heโs the unwitting father of a newborn named Alice. Between bartending and cosmetology school, Rue doesnโt have time for babies, but he canโt give her up. What Rue needs is a babysitter, and heโs running out of options. Heโs on the verge of quitting school to watch Alice himself when he remembers his reclusive new neighbor, Erik.
Erik Van Nuys is a sci-fi novelist with anxiety issues to spare. He doesnโt like people in general, and he likes babies even less. Still, with his royalties dwindling, he could use the extra cash. Reluctantly, he takes on the role of mannyโand even more reluctantly, he finds himself falling for Alice and her flamboyant father.
Rue and Erik are as different as two people can be, and Alice is the unlikeliest of babies, but Rue has never been happier than when Alice and Erik are by his side. At least, not until he receives an offer that puts all his dreams within reach and heโs forced to choose: the future heโs always wanted, or the family he thought he never did.
~*~
Piper Vaughn and M.J. OโShea have been writing jointly since January 2011. Their first joint title, Moonlight Becomes You (released August 2011), was Piperโs publishing debut, while M.J. already had several published titles under her belt. Both authors have solo titles available in addition to their co-written projects. You can visit them at their joint blog, Babes in Boyland, or their websites, http://pipervaughn.com and http://www.mjoshearomance.com.
And now Piper and M.J. are giving away a copy of One Small Thing to one lucky reader. ย Leave a comment here on this post to enter. The contest closes on Friday, May 4 at 11:59 pm EST. ย Usual fine print applies…
- By entering the contest, youโre confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay andย leave your email addressย if it is not in your profile.
>I have to commend authors for all of the research you put into writing your books. Sounds like it can be very time consuming but it's definitely important to a story. The readers certainly benefit from it. So, thank you for your dedication. ๐
You two have been busy little bees this year. So many good books for us to choose from. ๐ Thanks for the giveaway. Look forward to reading One Small Thing. ๐
lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com
>I love the idea of researching for the different locations in the book. I generally get irritated when the author/ director hasn't researched enough to get the mannerisms and the behavior of the people down to pat. Drives me out of my mind!
Please do enter me into the giveaway! lizbennet16(at)gmail(dot)com
>Oh this looks really good. I like that theme, "…heโs forced to choose: the future heโs always wanted, or the family he thought he never did."
And YAY for Delaware! I like their state motto: "Liberty and Independence." Did that motto play any role in the inspiration for the story?
>I've had this wishlisted since it was first wishlist-able, so please count me in! ๐ tracykitn @ yahoo.com
I would have something intelligent to say, but I just finished up with a crazy-hectic morning (forgot to turn on my alarm & had 15 min to get kids up/dressed/fed & to the bus stop. We made it. Barely.) and then had to go to the commissary on payday. Sheer, unadulterated Hell. Luckily I had my Reader with me & had plenty of time in line to read… ๐
Can't wait to read this one!
>I always remember various gags in Wayne's World and The Simpsons where they can't think of anything to say about Delaware when it's mentioned. So, it's good to see you doing your part to counteract that. Please count me in the giveaway!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
>Also, I went to DE on a visit with great-aunts and a great-uncle as a teenager. We did Winterthur (& a couple of other duPont family estates) & some general sightseeing. It was lovely & I really enjoyed it.
>I just love anything written by you two, anything that includes someone that has poor social skills, and especially love any books with kids!!! On my list! Thanks for the post about Delaware, I have never been but it seems interesting!
OceanAkers(at)aol(dot)com
>I just love both of your writing styles and can't wait to read this one, add me in
ohmygigi71@gmail.com
>Thanks!
No, the motto didn't play a role, but I guess it actually is kind of fitting for Rue's character. That was entirely coincidental, though. LOL.
>I would like to visit for sure, especially to check out Rehoboth. One day I'm going to have to do a trip to hit up all of the states in that area.
>LOL. Oh, I don't even remember that from Wayne's World. Might be time for a re-watch. ๐ Party on, Wayne.
>Thanks for stopping by, everyone! ๐
>Add me in on the comp please ladies. Delaware is actually one of the states i have been to in the states – though i do believe it was driving through! The book is on my wish list so look forward to reading about what i missed!
Suze
Littlesuze@hotmail.com
>I seriously can't wait for this book. I've had a crush on Rue since I read the first blurb…even though I'm totally not his type.
morris.crissy@gmail.com
>I really can't wait for this book to come out. I would love to enter the contest for a chance to win it. Thanks Sara (svblix@gmail.com)
>I want to enter the contest. Thank You Cheryl (cherylhaddan@gmail.com)
>I love MJ and Piper's books. I really want this book and the wait is killing me. (donaldvascosr@gmail.com)
>Can I enter the contest? I really want this book and I love both of the authors. Kim (kimballajos@ymail.com)
>Original way of choosing a setting ๐
I've been looking forward to this one ๐
blaine@blainedarden.com
>I have been wanting this book since the first hint of it, so please count me in. My memory of Delaware is my fist trip through a tunnel under water, scary! But I had an incredible soft shelled crab sandwich on an island in the middle of the tunnel/bridge between Delaware and Maryland.
>I have been to Rehoboth Beach, DE many times (we vacation there every year). It is an interesting place b/c it is a very gay friendly town. Rainbow flags everywhere, lots of gay bars. It is one of the few places I have been that you can see so many gay couples being openly together. It is a really great place. Side effect for me is that of course every time I see two guys together I end up shipping them together! But it is a really cool town. I was actually there this weekend and I stood right where that picture was taken!
>Awesome give a way!
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
>Rehoboth was actually one of the deciding factors on us choosing DE as the setting. We knew when we heard about it we wanted to send our boys there. They take a little weekend trip to Rehoboth during the story. ๐ I hope to check it out myself some day!
>I loved The Luckiest, so I'm on board for anything Piper and MJ write, and this sounds great. Please count me in for the giveaway.
whereisgeri(at)gmail(dot)com
>This sounds like a great book! I remember visiting a friend who was in college in Delaware years ago.
Thanks for the great contest!
susanmik AT gmail DOT com
>This sounds soo good. Please sign me up. Love me some Piper & MJ!!!
~~Courtney S
aunt_cori(at)yahoo.com
>Count me in ๐
I'm from PA, so Delaware is like the neighbor you pass by all the time but never really pay a mind to. It's normally the state you have to go through to get somewhere else. Poor Delaware. Nice that it's getting some love.
>Wow, I had no idea there was… virtually no M/M books set in Delaware until just recently. That is indeed a little sad. lol… Heh, Glad piper an mj have lifted that curse and hopefully soon more and more books will be set in that state.
This book sounds great! loved the blurb (& post. ;D)
Please count me in on the contest. ๐
Judi
arella3173_loveless(at)yahoo.com
>Yay, another book set in Delaware! I didn't know how I was going to fulfill the "50 State Challenge" this time. Now I can! Plus, I'm an absolute sucker for books with babies!
Please count me in for the draw!
qbeeqt[at]yahoo[dot]com
>This story sounds so sweet! I live that last line of the blurb. I had to read it several times and even still, it makes me smile. Count me in, please ๐
kit_singer@hotmail.com
>I am also looking forward to this release. I have never been to Delaware, but I can at least visit it through your story.
Linda C
lincat56@hotmail.com
>I have enjoyed the Moonlight series and look forward to your new release! thanks for the giveaway!
>One Small Thing seems sweet. Count me in.
midiamuniz@yahoo.com
>Oh yay, I'm not too late ๐ Please add me to the contest.
Erica
eripike at gmail dot com
>I really want to enter this contest. Louise (mybabbies3@hotmail.com)
>I know very little about Delaware and nice to get to know more about it. Please include me in this contest. I really enjoy the writing of these two authors.
Jess1
strive4bst at yahoo dot com
>Please count me in as well.
eeper
wildeeper=at=gmail=dot=com
>Please include me in the draw as well. Thanks
diannakayATgmailDOTcom
>I am really excited to read this.
acosmistmachineATgmailDOTcom
>Hello Ladies,
Piper and M.J. I really enjoyed your Guest Post, "Saving Delaware, the Little State with no M/M Romance!" I live in PA but my Husband & I spend alot of time in Rehoboth Beach, DE because his parents lived there. His Father passed away over 10 years ago, but we just couldn't get her to move back to PA, she Loved DE. She since passed away 2 years ago, God Bless Her & we haven't been back since. We also used to go to Dover, DE twice a year for te NASCAR Races, which was FANTASTIC!!!!, but due to some medical reason, we now have to settle for watching the Races on TV, definately the same as being there though. We always enjoyed DE, I think it's a nice little State. We loved eating at the Legendary Grotto Pizza & going to the boardwalk at nights.
If I'm not to late, I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway for a copy of "One Small Thing". Thank You!
Thank you Jay for hosting Piper and M.J. on your Blog, you continue to bring Us Fantastic Authors all the time. ๐
Take Care Ladies & Have a Great Weekend,
PaParanormalFan (Reneeโ S.)
paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com