Today I am very excited to welcome eight Colorado authors who are particpating in the Out of the Rockies blog tour.  They are here to talk to us a bit about their writing and have brought a FABULOUS giveaway.  Please join me in welcoming the whole gang!

Hello, and welcome to Day 11 of the Out in the Rockies m/m Blog Tour! Eight Colorado authors of gay romance have teamed up to bring you two weeks worth of fun and prizes. Each comment you leave along the way enters you in a drawing for our grand prize, a $120 gift card to either Amazon or All Romance Ebooks (winner’s choice).


You are a Colorado-based writer: does some part of the state particularly influence your writing? Or do you set your stories somewhere else?

PD Singer: My Mountain series, five novels and associated shorts which will be coming out from Dreamspinner starting June 22, are set in the Colorado Rockies. The summer stories are set in a national forest, the winter stories at a posh ski resort.

Caitlin Ricci: I find that even if I don’t name the place as being somewhere in Colorado, a facet of my favorite locations in the state usually creeps into the story. Though, I have used Denver and Wyoming in stories, I keep neighborhoods, stores, and restaurants fictional as much as possible. I live on the plains so horses, cattle, and a big open sky filled with thunderstorms are fairly common around me and I draw from those elements of Colorado that I love. It’s a hugely diverse state with a lot of potential inspiration for stories in it and a lot of history to draw from.

Carter Quinn: I’m new to Colorado, so no. My novel was set in Lawrence, KS, where I lived when I wrote it. I did make Nate a member of the Colorado Avalanche in a short story (I’m Every Goalie).

Marie Sexton: My entire Coda series is set in Colorado, as is my upcoming series, Tucker Springs (written with Heidi Cullinan and LA Witt). http://tuckersprings.wordpress.com

George Seaton: Fell in love with the stretch of land from the I70 Silverthorne turnoff northwest, over Gore Pass and on to the Flattop region near Yampa, Phippsburg and Oak Creek. My collection of three shorts, “The Cow and Other Colorado Tales,” as well as my novel, Big Diehl-The Road Home, celebrate that part of the state. 

Michele Montgomery: Most of my stories actually mention Denver and do take place here, as well as other places.

Brannan Black: Some of my books are set here, the Wolfman and Wolfman Tales series are set in the Denver metro area.  Although I didn’t  say so, both Soul Bound and my new book Ravaged are set in Denver.  I’ve been scouting some locations in the mountains and western slope for a new Wolfman series.

Edward Kendrick: When I set a story in Colorado it’s generally in and around Denver. Anywhere from the downtown streets and the kids who survive on them to the mansions of the Polo Grounds and bars in the Highlands area of the city.


Do you fictionalize the area or use it openly?

PD Singer: The national forest is an amalgamation of several areas, but the nearby town of Meeker plays itself. Rendezvous Lake Lodge is based on a real lodge run by a friend of mine, who embodies many of Max’s characteristics. The resort of Wapiti Creek has aspects of Telluride and Crested Butte.

Caitlin Ricci: I will rarely use an area straight out and I think the only times that I have been specific are when I mention Denver by name. The rest of the time I try to be as general as possible and fictional when I want details. 

Carter Quinn: The Lawrence area was used openly.

Marie Sexton: I fictionalize everything. I’m too lazy to track down actual apartments and restaurants and grocery stores. If I need an Indian restaurant next door to the tattoo parlor, I’ll put one there. The one exception to the rule is the karate school in A to Z. That (along with the instructor and the vomiting students) was based on a school in Colorado Springs.

George Seaton: For the most part, I use it openly.

Michele Montgomery: I use it openly. Michael in “Dammit!” actually lives exactly where I do. I mention the street and even use our GLBTQ Center in the story, however, the name is just called: The Center. Colfax is used and in “Lies of Omission,” the character works on 17th Street. My current WIP happens in Denver at a fictional BDSM club. In XBar as it is based on a true story, I openly use the name of the bar, the street it’s on. Most of my stories do have Denver as it is in them.

Brannan Black: I hesitate to name a building or address, I respect people’s privacy.  Mostly I search for the right area then make up the building throwing in street names or something for that real feel.  I’ve spent hours finding just the right area so that even to locals it’s plausible that there could be something like, say, Mace’s den in that area.

Edward Kendrick: I definitely use it openly. Otherwise, why use it at all? Or more to the point why specify it’s been set in Denver, or any other city, and then fictionalize it?


Would it please you or horrify you if someone recognized your location, or thought they did?

PD Singer: I’d like that! It would mean either I was vivid in description, or they loved the area too.

Caitlin Ricci: I’d be fine with it. If they can figure out, for instance, what neighborhood I used to base Liam’s house in, all the more power to them. I try not to be exact, and all of the details aren’t there but there are plenty of places that match where Liam lives and if someone lives in Colorado and happens to be in one of these neighborhoods maybe they’ll get some enjoyment out of thinking that a Shifter could be living a few houses down from them. I know that I’ve always liked visiting a place that an author has mentioned by name, even if everything else is fictional there’s still a sense of connection there.

Carter Quinn: I’d be pleased if someone recognized the places in Lawrence I used.

Marie Sexton: Yes, I just might be horrified if that particular Sensei read my book and recognized his school!

George Seaton: I think I’d be pleased.

Michele Montgomery: I don’t hide it very hard, so I hope locals would recognize certain places.

Brannan Black: Doesn’t matter to me one way or another.  Unless they’re offended by it. 

Edward Kendrick: It would definitely please me. Again, why put in details about a specific setting if you don’t want the reader to know where they are and how the location is germane to the story?


Where can we find you on the web?

PD Singer: My site and blog are at http://pdsinger.com.

Caitlin Ricci: Find me at http://authorcaitlinricci.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html

Carter Quinn: My news and things are at http://carterquinnbooks.com/

Marie Sexton: Find news and musings at http://mariesexton.net/ and assorted naughtiness at http://cupoporn.net/.

George Seaton:   Check http://www.georgeseatonauthor.com/ for updates.

Michele Montgomery: Look for me at http://michelelmontgomery.com/mm-gay-fiction.html.

Brannan Black: I’ll keep you posted at http://www.epicromances.com/.

Edward Kendrick: I’m at http://edwardkendrick.blogspot.com/.



Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a $120 gift card to either Amazon or All Romance Ebooks.  One winner will be chosen over the entire blog tour so be sure to visit the other stops as well.