At first glance, I realize these might seem incongruous, but I assure you, there’s a story there.

So many of you know that my Dad died this past June. He was sick for a long time and I really thought that I’d mourned him through his illness (Parkinson’s took him before it took him, so I felt like he’d been gone for a much longer time than he’d been). A month before my dad, my Aunt Camille died (she was my grandmother’s sister, and the last of her brothers and sisters—the end of an era for sure). And then, just about a month ago, my uncle (his mom and my grandmother were sisters) got the flu. Except…it wasn’t. It was stage 4 lung cancer. And in less than two weeks, he was gone.

My uncle was a cool guy. His friends called him a gambler and a rambler, and I think if you’re going to have a good life, a fun life, his was the one to have. He was a gambler. A bar owner. A coach. And a teacher. In my town, the strip of bars was famous. In high school, I’d chalk my license and sneak in. My uncle was rarely there, but the one time he was, he hugged me and then said, “If the police raid us, hide in the bathroom or have one of the bouncers throw you over the back wall.”

At that wake and funeral, I saw all those bouncers. From 25 years ago. And I’ve never in my life seen a church so filled. Students he’d taught 30 years earlier were there —that’s how much of an impact he made. He coached people who told us that he was the only guy who ever gave them a chance and put them in the game. He was the guy who, up till two weeks before his death was still going to the student’s houses who’d been suspended to teach them. As a (former) teacher myself, I know that any teacher who can do that, who can walk into some of the worst areas in his city and have people open doors to him is a special person.

But my family’s shrinking and it’s horrifying. I keep seeing cousins I grew up with at wakes. And we keep saying, “this is not where I want to see you,” and it’s like, we’re all so busy. It’s very different from the way we grew up, where our parents used to make sure they got together (which meant we saw our cousins all the time.)  And then I think I finally took the past month or so to mourn my dad properly.  I’m a little better (well, some days better than others but hey…)

Now, since you sat through all that, you get the Sopranos and historical romance portion of the post.

So we’re sitting at the wake and Zoo’s like, “There’s Big P*ssy.” And really, that’s not something you randomly hear at wakes. But there he was, in real life and with a group of friends from my hometown. I didn’t realize he owned a bar called the Crazy Horse in my town.

And my uncle’s ex-wife comes up to me and Zoo and she’s like, “Someone said, “Big P*ssy’s here—I never watched the Sopranos, so I thought they were talking about a woman.”

Yeah, you always need that kind of levity at a wake.

And finally, I’m at the restaurant, post-funeral. And the cookies are served. Finally. And then my cousin’s like, “My MIL wants to meet you—she found out you’re an author.”

And I’m thinking, “this shit never goes well” but I go with her to meet the MIL anyway. And I say hi and the first thing she says to me? “Do you write historicals? I like historicals.”

(For the record, Zoo says he heard this across the restaurant and choked. Mainly because my mother always tells people she doesn’t read my books because she only reads historicals. Of course, she used to tell people that I wrote “Navy SEAL Chick Lit” at one point too.)

So I’m just like, “No, not historicals. Mainly military romance.”

“I like Elizabeth George too.”

Me: “Yes, I like her work too.” (And thinking, why the fuck am I here, because I left the cookies at my table. The good bakery cookies)

Her: So are your books in stores?

Me: Yes.

Her: I’d like to read one. Can you give my DIL a book for me?

Me: Sure, I have author copies. (Sure, because I’ll just give all my author copies away)

Her: I only want one though. Let’s start with one.

Me: (Where are the cookies?!)

Woman’s daughter / friend / someone who will probably read this at some point *waves*: My friend writes books all the time but she never finishes. Can she contact you about how to finish a book?

Me: Sure. (Mentally begging Zoo to save me and bring me cookies.)

So that’s where I’ve been –  going to funerals, eating cookies and basically being semi-paralyzed at everything that’s been happening. Haven’t been able to write (until tonight. Literally, tonight). And yeah, I’ll update you soon about If I Ever (gonna be pushed back a month or two but you’ll have it by latest, December and everything else seems to still be thankfully on track. And No Boundaries comes out November 4th, not the 18th, so hey…)

Oh, and HOLD THE LINE (aka novella in the Danger Zone antho is up for pre-order on Amazon (and yes, it will be available other places!)

Remember a while back when I was writing the novella for the military m/m boxed set and then I couldn’t do it because of scheduling? Well, turns out another writing buddy of mine had asked a while back if I had a military story for an antho she was in. It’s mainly m/f stories and when I asked them if they’d mind an m/m addition, they were very cool with it. So even though I think it comes out around the same time as the original antho, I actually got the extra month and a half I needed to write it. And all the money from the antho goes to a military charity — and when I put the novella out myself post-antho, same deal. Again, more on that later because holy hell, I’ve written a missive here.

I owe people things…books, emails, etc. I’ll get there. Just go easy on me…

NOT FADE AWAY (Hell or High Water 3,5) is available now!  You can grab it at the following links:  (and link will become live as I find them 🙂

Riptide  /  Amazon /  B&N  /   ARe  /     Kobo

***  

NOT FADE AWAY was always in my contract as a short, which is typically 5K.  But I knew I wanted to see this cover in print and so Prophet and I had a chat and we told a bit more of the story and now, you’ve got a 10K story that you can buy in chapbook form for 3.99!

Truth or dare.

Ever since superspy Cillian moved into Prophet’s building, their game of Steal the Couch has been funny to Prophet, but a thorn in Tom’s side. Then Prophet gets bored one night during an ice storm and insists on playing another simple game with Tom: Truth or Dare. In exchange for one of Prophet’s truths, Tom steals the couch one last time.

But Prophet’s truths are never easy—Tom should know that by now—and this one raises questions neither of them quite know how to answer. In response, Tom finds himself laying claim to Prophet in the most basic way he knows how. And also finds that he doesn’t mind it in the least when Prophet returns the favor.

(This novelette is set between book 3 and book 4 in the Hell or High Water series.)

NOT FADE AWAY (Hell or High Water 3.5) is up for pre-order at Riptide!!! It’s an 8/18 release (although you’ll get it two days early with a Riptide pre-order 🙂

Truth or dare. 

Ever since superspy Cillian moved into Prophet’s building, their game of Steal the Couch has been funny to Prophet, but a thorn in Tom’s side. Then Prophet gets bored one night during an ice storm and insists on playing another simple game with Tom: Truth or Dare. In exchange for one of Prophet’s truths, Tom steals the couch one last time.

But Prophet’s truths are never easy—Tom should know that by now—and this one raises questions neither of them quite know how to answer. In response, Tom finds himself laying claim to Prophet in the most basic way he knows how. And also finds that he doesn’t mind it in the least when Prophet returns the favor.
***
(This novelette is set between book 3 and book 4 in the Hell or High Water series.)

Want to see the cover ASAP? Go to my Ask SE Jakes group on Goodreads!

Running Wild (Havoc Book 1) is LIVE!!!!  Ebook links are below, but the print copies are also up for order too!

Riptide / Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook /ARe

RUNNING WILD (Havoc # 1)  

Embrace the danger.

Sean Rush is an adrenaline junkie. That’s why he was in the Army, why he steals and races classic muscle cars . . . and why he can’t stay away from bad boy Ryker, a Havoc Motorcycle Club lieutenant. Fortunately, Ryker can’t seem to stay away from Sean—he’s spent the last eight months breaking into Sean’s apartment and stealing into his bed, leaving Sean physically satisfied but increasingly restless.

Sean has always avoided relationships. He likes to come and go without being controlled. And Ryker is possibly the most controlling man he’s ever known. Still, he finds that he wants more from Ryker than their silent nighttime encounters.

Then one of Sean’s thefts goes bad, and Ryker’s protective instincts kick into overdrive. He takes Sean to the Havoc compound, determined to keep him safe. But Sean’s past threatens the safety of Havoc—and everything Ryker holds dear. Worse, Ryker’s hiding secrets of his own. Soon it’s obvious that the adrenaline rush can’t keep them together anymore. But maybe love can.

Today also starts the Running Wild tour!  I’ve put all the stops below 🙂

Join New York Times bestselling Author Stephanie Tyler, writing as SE Jakes for the Running Wild tour!

Stops for this tour:

June 30, 2014 – Up All Night, Read All Day- Spotlight Stop
June 30, 2014 – The Jeep Diva
June 30, 2014 – Smexy Books – Spotlight Stop
July 1, 2014 – Smoocher’s Voice
July 1, 2014 – LeAnn’s Book Reviews – Spotlight Stop
July 1, 2014 – Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
July 2, 2014 – Delighted Reader
July 2, 2014 – Fish With Sticks – Spotlight Stops
July 3, 2014 – The Blogger Girls – Spotlight Stop
July 3, 2014 – Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance – Spotlight Stops
July 4, 2014 – Under the Covers Book Blog – Spotlight Stop
July 4, 2014 – The Novel Approach
July 6, 2014 – Romance Junkies
July 6, 2014 – Slitsread – Spotlight Stop
July 7, 2014 – Boys in our Books
July 8, 2014 – Attention is Arbitrary
July 8, 2014 – KT Book Reviews – Spotlight Stop
July 9, 2014 – Prism Book Alliance
July 9, 2014 – MM Good Book Reviews – Spotlight Stop
July 9, 2014 – 3 Chicks After Dark – Spotlight Stop
July 10, 2014 – TTC Books and More – Spotlight Stop
July 10, 2014 – Creative Deeds – Spotlight Stop
July 10, 2014 – Dawn’s Reading Nook – Spotlight Stop
July 11, 2014 – All I Want and More Books – Spotlight Stop
July 11, 2014 – Tracy’s Place – Spotlight Stop
July 11, 2014 – That’s What I’m Talking About – Spotlight Stop
July 14, 2014 – Fresh Fiction
July 14, 2014 – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words – Spotlight Stop
July 14, 2014 – Love Bytes Reviews – Spotlight Stop
July 15, 2014 – Cup O’ Porn – Spotlight Stop
July 15, 2014 – Guilty Indulgence – Spotlight Stop
July 16, 2014 – Joyfully Jay
July 16, 2014 – Book Reviews & More by Kathy – Spotlight Stop
July 17, 2014 – Crystal’s Many Reviews – Spotlight Stop
July 17, 2014 – Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess – Spotlight Stop
July 18, 2014 – Busy Mom’s Book Reviews – Spotlight Stop
July 18, 2014 – La Crimson Femme -Spotlight Stop

Riptide has the first three chapters of Running Wild up right now 🙂  

There’s still time to preorder it from Riptide if you want to get the book two days early (aka after midnight tonight!), and then it will be available everywhere else (Amazon / B&N / ARe / Kobo) on Monday!

Embrace the danger.

Sean Rush is an adrenaline junkie. That’s why he was in the Army, why he steals and races classic muscle cars . . . and why he can’t stay away from bad boy Ryker, a Havoc Motorcycle Club lieutenant. Fortunately, Ryker can’t seem to stay away from Sean—he’s spent the last eight months breaking into Sean’s apartment and stealing into his bed, leaving Sean physically satisfied but increasingly restless.

Sean has always avoided relationships. He likes to come and go without being controlled. And Ryker is possibly the most controlling man he’s ever known. Still, he finds that he wants more from Ryker than their silent nighttime encounters.

Then one of Sean’s thefts goes bad, and Ryker’s protective instincts kick into overdrive. He takes Sean to the Havoc compound, determined to keep him safe. But Sean’s past threatens the safety of Havoc—and everything Ryker holds dear. Worse, Ryker’s hiding secrets of his own. Soon it’s obvious that the adrenaline rush can’t keep them together anymore. But maybe love can.

In the meantime, I’m working on blogs for the Running Wild Tour – I’ll post more about that this weekend, but the details are over at Riptide 🙂

Continuing this from my previous post:

Thanks to the fabulous Lizzie Lane, I’ve got the most awesome character audiobiographies! I’ll post a few each day, but if you go here, you can see them all in one place 🙂

Cillian’s audiobio

Mal’s (unofficial) audiobio:

Thanks to the fabulous Lizzie Lane, I’ve got the most awesome character audiobiographies! I’ll post a few each day, but if you go here, you can see them all in one place 🙂

For Daylight Again:

Prophet’s (unofficial) bio

Tommy’s (unoffical) bio

Okay, lots of reveals today!  First, thanks to the fabulous Frauke at CrocoDesigns for the new site!  (she’s also responsible for Free Falling’s cover 🙂  I adore the site – and let me tell you, I basically told her what I wanted and she just nailed it on the first try.  I love the panels on the home page and I’ll be able to add for new books and new series, so it’s perfect.

We’re still tweaking some things, so if you see anything that looks weird or needs fixing, just yell.  I don’t think you can comment on individual pages any longer, but you can always comment on the most recent blog post, even if it’s off topic of the blog post.

Also, I got the cover for NO BOUNDARIES:  Phoenix, Inc. Book 1.  Phoenix is a Men of Honor spin-off, with stories focusing around Styx, Law and Paolo’s PI Agency.  It seemed the perfect way to bring back some of our old favorites while still introducing new characters.  And the Men of Honor series is definitely still ongoing.

So, meet Cole:  

When your past closes in, running isn’t always an option

The jobs Marcus Lowry works for at Phoenix, Inc. Investigations are quick and easy, and they don’t give him the nightmares his days as a CIA operative did. That is, until he gets involved in a case that grabs him by the throat and won’t let go.

Cole Jacobs left behind his old life on the streets to make a name for himself rebuilding high-end and vintage cars and bikes. But when a stalker threatens to kill him—and to hurt anyone who stands in his way—his past closes in on him, and he’s not sure where to turn.

The last thing Marcus wants to do is take on a charity case, and to say that he and Cole don’t see eye to eye at first is putting things mildly. But when the first attempt on Cole’s life nearly kills them both, Marcus realizes that Cole is in real danger, and Cole is forced to reveal everything. Almost everything. Because Cole’s deepest secrets could destroy them both.

You’ll meet Cole and Marcus on November 18th.  I don’t have any pre-order info, but I’ll yell when I do.

Otherwise, I’m working on Not Fade Away (Proph/Tommy 3.5) and line edits for Running Wild.  I’m loving revisiting the book and can’t wait till you guys get it into your hands!  Also, if you’re looking for a print version of Dirty Deeds, you can get one on June 15th!

…as SE Jakes, Stephanie Tyler, Sydney Croft….and sometimes, all of me!  Hope to see many of you in New Orleans 🙂

**

Wednesday, May 14th

– 1:15 − 2:15 – Panel: LGBTQ: Beyond the Pronouns: Why LGBTQ Romance May Be Your New Favorite Genre

Join some of the genre’s favorite authors to explore the many types of romance that fall under the LGBTQ umbrella—from sexuality (m/m, lesbian, ménage) to gender (trans, queer, questioning) to tropes (Gay For You, coming out, historical concerns)—and how they’re popping up in the most unexpected places.

Moderator: Sarah Frantz (Riptide Publishing, Senior Editor)
Panelist(s): Suzanne Brockmann / Heidi Belleau/ SE Jakes/ K.A. Mitchell/ Marie Sexton
Location: 4th Floor
Room: Regent

– 2:30-3:30 PM- Panel: Double Trouble: Writing With a Partner

We all have the image of the lonely writer, typing away on their computer in some dark, isolated room. But what if you prefer to share the experience? There are unique rewards and challenges for writers who collaborate. How do you team up without wanting to choke your partner? How do you share two ideas and mold them into one? How do you surrender some of yourself? And more importantly, is it worth it? We think so, and we’ll teach you the tricks of writing with a partner because we’ve all done it. Some of us are even married to our partners. But even if you’re not interested in writing with someone, it is essential that all writers learn to collaborate. All of us have to deal with readers, editors, proofreaders, etc. And even beyond that, successful collaboration skills are a major key to success in life. Join us and learn our secrets!

Panelist(s): Ilona Andrews (aka Ilona and Gordon Andrews) Susan & Clay Griffith/ Larissa Ione/ Alexandra Ivy /Stephanie Tyler/ Laura Wright
Location: 4th Floor
Room: Balcony K

Friday, May 16th

– 11:15 − 12:15 – Panel:  Digital DIY: The Pros & Cons of Digital Self-Publishing

Today anyone can self-publish digital books. But who can best utilize this mode of publishing? What are the benefits and pitfalls? What are the contractual issues to consider when e-publishing works that have been previously published? These questions and others will be addressed in this comprehensive, unbiased Q&A.

Moderator: Sylvia Day (aka S.J. Day)
Panelist(s): Mark Coker (Smashwords, Founder) Lindsey Faber (Samhain, Publisher) Kristen Proby / Karin Tabke (aka Karin Harlow) / Stephanie Tyler (aka SE Jakes)
Location: 2nd Floor
Room: Studio 7 – (Preservation Hall)

– 1:55 − 2:25PM Riptide Publishing Publisher’s Spotlight

Moderator: Sarah Frantz (Riptide Publishing, Senior Editor)
Panelist(s): Rachel Haimowitz (Riptide Publishing, Publisher) Keturah Jenkins (Riptide Publishing, Marketing Manager)
Location: 4th Floor
Room: Balcony I

From Heroes and Heartbreakers: SE Jakes is Stephanie Tyler

(from the press release:)  

Today Riptide Publishing, home to LBGTQ fiction, announces that their author SE Jakes is also bestselling author Stephanie Tyler (the Defiance series). (Click here for the rest of the article.)

And then USA Today interviewed…all of me today.

So, I write as SE Jakes, Stephanie Tyler and I co-write (with Larissa Ione) as Sydney Croft.  And I’ll be at RT as…all of them. It’s been a wild and fun ride and I’m thrilled to find out that I’ve got a lot of readers who’ve actually been reading all the names without realizing it. Very cool!

What does this mean for SE? Well, it’s really just business as usual around here. The Tyler Vipers MC books and the SE Jakes Havoc MC books will be sharing an overreaching universe, but there’s no crossover storylines in the books (which means you won’t be missing any of the Havoc story if you only read the SEJ books and vice-versa). But if you’re interested in what Tyler (m/f) or Croft (erotic m/f with a running m/m subplot)  has to offer, you can check out StephanieTyler.com and SydneyCroft.com.

And Sydney Croft will also be writing a m/m/m novella for Riptide’s Charity Antho this year, which comes out in November.

So, I’ve been busy. Good busy, though. And so grateful to Riptide for putting together my whole reveal!  I’ll link to other interviews as they get published!  But writing as SE Jakes has simply been awesome for me – I can’t thank you guys enough for all your support, and I’m thrilled to be bringing you more books this year than ever!

Don’t forget that you can check out the prologue of Havoc at Sinfully Sexy, and that you can still hang out with the Daylight Again tour and be eligible to win a $100 GC to Riptide!  And I’m Riptide’s Featured Author for May, so I’m on sale too!