First, I need to apologize to my dedicated readers who have been so patiently awaiting Kingsley & I #3 - KINGSLEY & I RELOADED. The manuscript ended up visiting several publishers before finding a home with Pony Press. It has just exited editing, and only awaits proofing before release.

What intervened between Kingsley & I #2 and #3 wasn't due to lack of inspiration or absence of the muses. It was a surprise side journey under the pen name of Raymond Gaynor with William Maltese, to write TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo-Wildside 2010).  TOTAL MELTDOWN introduces two of my long favored characters, Adelphous Tripler and Shawn Clarke. Political Analysts to the President of the United States of America and committed lovers, Tripler and Clarke must reluctantly separate to carry out a series of incredibly challenging tasks for the discredited President, tasks that takes them around the globe, with murder and mayhem following every step of the way. Quite a different situation from the Kingsley & I series where Kingsley is decidedly gay and "I" is "hesitantly bisexual," trying to make peace being Kingsley's exclusive manlove. Tripler and Clarke are committed to each other from the beginning. Is there a heroine? Decidedly yes. Amelie Stewart, longtime lesbian and political friend of Adelphius Tripler. The story ends HEA (happily ever after). Well, sort of. You see, there is a sequel brewing called THE EDGE OF MADNESS which takes up 25 years later, with the unrelenting hunting of a young adult, oblivious to his own past, who has a suspected connection to Stewart and Tripler. Who is this young mystery man and what is his relationship to Amelie and Adelphous? Now you know what I've been up to the last year. THE EDGE OF MADNESS is about half complete and promises to be even more compelling a read than it's parent, TOTAL MELTDOWN. Did I say parent?

So now you know what's been sidelining me. Even so, my labor of love, KINGSLEY & I RELOADED, is now finished and should be released soon. If you thought you knew everything about Kingsley & I, think again. KINGSLEY & I RELOADED explores the sometimes tenuous, other times tenacious relationship between Kingsley and his lover, I, and, in the process, reveals more about their individual and collective character. Will they, can they remain together...?

Sincerely,
Gary Martine

Aloha Elisa - Just wanted to tell you how much you mean to me on your birthday.  The world is a  better place for your having been born. 

Your Friend,
Gary Martine XXX

At last the long awaited debut of "Kingsley & I Together," the second in the "Kingsley & I" series by MLR Press! 

Title	Kingsley & I Together
Author	Gary Martine
ISBN#	978-1-60820-022-1 (print) 978-1-60820-023-8 (ebook)
Release Date	April 2009
Cover Artist	Deana C. Jamroz
Paperback:	200 pages

http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=173215
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-kingsleyitogether-16298-145.html

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/L-A-Heat/P-A-Brown/e/9781608200221/?itm=56
http://www.amazon.com/Kingsley-I-Together-Gary-Martine/dp/1608200221/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241009857&sr=1-6

OK, this is going to sound a bit strange, but just as I was starting to think about giving away a second, free, signed copy of K&I, I received a request for just that from a reader in Belgium, and it struck me that there's no better contestant pool than that of emails from readers. So, to CJ, I send congratulations - you've won a free, signed copy of K&I. 

So, let's get this next "contest" rolling:  Send me a personally written email (sorry, not computer generated ones; one email per person) and tell me what you liked best about K&I.  On Septermber first, I'll select and send one free, signed copy of K&I for every ten or so emailers. Send your email to garymartine01@gmail.com.  Please don't send any attachments as my browser will probably mistake it for spam and trash it.

Now, about K&I #2. It's all written and as of this weekend will now be in the capable hands of my new editor, Kristin.  The title is, therefore, still pending, but it shouldn't be long before it's finalized. MLR Press is working on the cover - I'd like to extend a personal invitation to K&I fans who fancy themselves photographers or artists to consider sending MLR Press any photo's or illustrations you might have that, in your opinion, characterize this couple, their unique relationship or situation.  MLR Press has a call for cover photography going on right now (http://www.mlrpress.com). Don't send anything, however, unless you have the express written permission of any and all persons appearing on the work. Having said that, I'd love to see your photograph or illustration on the cover of this sequel!

Looking forward to your emails!
Sincerely,
Gary

Welcome Kingsley & I Fans!

First, I want to congratulate the winner of the free book and tell everyone how much I enjoyed all the ideas and suggestions I received regarding what you hope the sequel will be like.  I'm pleased to say that based on everyone's comments, no one who wrote to me will be disappointed in the sequel.  To several fans:  Yes, the sequel is, as yet, still untitled, but it's also still scheduled for November 2008 release.  Watch this livejournal for more information on the sequel as we get closer to release.

That done, I'd like to take a moment to share something about K&I that is particularly close to my heart:  As Elisa Rolle mentioned in her wonderful review, K&I is mainly about first love, irrespective of one's gender or role.  There is, however, a unique dimension to first love that is explored in depth in K&I, namely some of the unique physical and mental aspects of being the receptive partner.  For many male readers, this issue is commonly envisioned as what it would be like to be female "on the other end" so to speak.  The physical part of this question is, of course, intriguing for almost any male, but it is what goes on in the mind of a receptive partner, male or female, that I think is most interesting.  And, in my opinion, is that makes K&I an unusual first love erotic romance.  In K&I, I tried to fearlessly explore this issue in depth as "I" slowly moves from first to committed love.  Based on reader comments, the effort worked and worked quite well. 

There is, however, another aspect of  love that is explored in K&I:  the physical and mental processes that a "hesitant bisexual," inexperienced in but open to different gender and role options, might experience.  I accept that it is highly unlikely that any two person's sexual thoughts and fantasies are the same, and I often hear a lot about how different men and women are.  I have also observed how strongly we tend to hold onto our own gender and role perceptions, as if in letting go we would unquestionably sink below the waves of the water we so frantically tread day to day.  What I don't hear as much about is how similar we all are in regard to our fundamental sexual curiosity and attending forbidden fantasies.  Again, based on reader comments, this other aspect of K&I came through loud and clear.  I'm glad.  I think individual insights in this area are what help us understand and value the richness of what we often flippantly call "love."  HEA (happy ever after), in my opinion, comes in an almost infinite variety of forms, all equally valuable and valid, each adding another rich dimension to that complex thing we call "love."  This is what I meant by the title of today's journal entry, "The Best Life Has to Offer," and I personally try every day to welcome and embrace it wholeheartedly!

Sincerely,
Gary Martin

It's time for me to thank dedicated readers for the continued support for what has, by popular demand, become the first in an at least two-book series!  Thank you from Kingley and I!

In a prior journal entry, I had the pleasure of announcing that ManLoveRomance Press (http://www.mlrpress.com/books.php)

Ever since its May 2008 release, I've been bombarded by emails asking what will happen to Kingsley and I, now that they've been introduced to the world.  In short, is a sequel planned? 

I'm pleased to say that the sequel is written and in the competent hands of Maura Anderson, my editor at MLR Press, and on the docket for a projected November 2008 release.  Excellent timing should you be considering writing in either of the principal character's as write-in presidential candidates in the upcoming elections.  I think we could use a president with a new point-of-view, don't you?  The real question, of course, is which would make the better president, a subject I happen to have a strong personal opinion about:  Either, in my opinion, would do well as long as he has the other by his side.  At least they're honest, feeling, and passionate.  And it certainly would make for interesting reading for the next four years.  All kidding aside, the sequel is NOT about either of them running for politics.  It is, however, all about the future of their complex but intensely passionate love relationship. 

The book title is still in evolution, but the manuscript, for those dedicated readers who keep diligently asking me, is entitled "Kingsley and I - The Question."  And, yes, in it readers will have the opportunity to get to know both Kingsley and I much more intimately (e.g. "What do they do for a living?") as well as meet several friends. 

The sequel picks up, in journal fashion, where Kingsley and I leaves off, and continues in first person present tense, a touch I think that gives these books a particularly vivid sense of presence and mystery, much like life.  And, yes, I intentionally wrote both Kingsley and I and the sequel this way, and from what readers are telling me, it's working. 

One reader noticed in an MLR Press website author interview at

(http://www.mlrpress.com/AllInterviews.php?file=interview/Gary_Martine-Interview.html

that Kingsley and I was based on personal experience, and wondered how any m/m erotic romance could include so much sex.  The answer is, I don't know, but it did and therefore does.  Maybe the central characters are just blessed.  When one is in it, there's no time to compare with others, there's just enough time to live it.  The sequel shouldn't disappoint in this regard.  After all, what is, simply is. 

I invite you to rate and review "Kingsley and I" on any of the many sites where it is being offered, and to email me personally with your comments and ideas.  I love hearing from readers.  It keeps Kingsley and I alive.

Sincerely,
Gary Martine