Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Wild Trail
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 24-Jun
WEBSITE: https://amarthur.blogspot.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
Works in retail; lives on the east coast writes gay and lesbian fiction.
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2018003549
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2018003549
HEADING: Arthur, A. M.
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035 __ |a (OCoLC)oca11143370
040 __ |a ODa |b eng |e rda |c ODa
100 1_ |a Arthur, A. M.
372 __ |a Romance fiction |a Gay erotic stories |2 lcsh
374 __ |a Authors |2 lcsh
375 __ |a Females |2 lcdgt
377 __ |a eng
670 __ |a Arthur, A. M. Wild trail, 2017: |b title page (A.M. Arthur) about the author (writer of m/m romance stories)
PERSONAL
Born June 24.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Works in retail.
AVOCATIONS:Cooking.
WRITINGS
Also author of other novels, including titles such as Come What May, Getting It Right, Stand By You, and Maybe This Time. Author of a blog, “Small Towns, Big Love.”
SIDELIGHTS
A.M. Arthur is a writer and novelist whose romance novels focus on homosexual relationships between men. A writer on her blog “Small Towns, Big Love” stated that she has been interested in writing fiction since she was a child. However, she “credits an early fascination with male friendships and “bromance” with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories,” the writer further stated. In an interview posted on her blog, Arthur provides additional insight into her preference for writing gay romance fiction. “I’ve tried writing male/female romance, and it’s very difficult for me. In my real life, I don’t seek out romantic relationships for various reasons, so it’s hard for me to get into the mind of a romance-minded female character,” she stated. “I have no idea why it’s easier for me to write about two men falling in love—perhaps because there are no hetero-normative ideas of what romance should be like,” Arthur further remarked.
The Truth As He Knows It
Arthur is the author of the “Perspectives” Series of novels. The series consists of the titles The Truth As He Knows It, The World As He Sees It, The Heart As He Hears It, and Their Life As They Live It. In the first book of the series, The Truth As He Knows It, police officer Noel Carson is a closeted gay man who longs for a relationship but can’t risk having one in the small town where he lives. After nearly arresting Shane, a male stripper whose gig at a party went wrong, he decides to let the young man go.
Their meeting, however, stays in his mind. For his part, Shane is willing to make some room in his overbooked schedule for a sexual encounter with Noel. Though their relationship heats up quickly, Shane jeopardizes it by some illegal acts he undertakes to repay a heavy debt to his brother.
Cost of Repairs and Wild Trail
The “Cost of Repairs” Series includes titles such as Cost of Repairs, Weight of Silence, Color of Grace, Acts of Faith, and Foundations of Trust. Samuel Briggs, the protagonist of Cost of Repairs, is a former police officer who has moved to a small town in Pennsylvania. He hopes his new surroundings will help him start over and forget the heartbreaking death of his lover. During a visit to a local restaurant, Samuel meets Rey King, a multitalented cook. They form an instant attraction to each other, but their lives seem to leave room for nothing more than occasional no-commitment sex. Rey is especially committed to working three jobs to pay off a tremendous amount of debt. When Rey is injured and unable to work, he turns to Samuel for help and a place to stay. Their lives become more and more interconnected until both of their tragic pasts set up seemingly insurmountable obstacles. They’ll have to learn to rely on each other not only for help and encouragement, but for love as well. M. H. Harrison, writing on the website RT Book Reviews, commented, “Arthur does a lot right with this m/m romance that explores moving on and rediscovering love.”
Wild Trail is the first book of another series, the “Clean Slate Ranch” books. Protagonist Mack Garrett is a former SWAT officer from Los Angeles who has left behind the dangers and frustrations of being a big-city cop. Now, he lives a more sedate life on a dude ranch in northern California. The messy ending of his last relationship has left him disillusioned with the prospect of long-term romance. Mack’s mind may change, however, when he meets Wes Bentley, a hopeful actor whose career was sabotaged by a vengeful ex. As they work to determine if they’re willing to take another chance on love, their lives are disrupted by the actions of others.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, May 12, 2014, review of Maybe This Time, p. 44; August 11, 2014, review of Stand By You, p. 50; January 19, 2015, review of Getting It Right, p. 66; September 14, 2015, review of Taking a Chance; April 4, 2016, review of Come What May, p. 66; November 27, 2017, review of Wild Trail, p. 43.
ONLINE
Gay Book Reviews, http://www.gaybook.reviews/ (May 23, 2016), “A.M. Arthur Interview.”
Goodreads, http://www.goodreads.com/ (May 14, 2018), “Ask the Author: A.M. Arthur,” interview with A.M. Arthur.
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com (May 14, 2018), M.H. Morrison, review of Cost of Repairs; H.E. Blackwell, review of Wild Trail; M.H. Morrison, review of Getting It Right; M.H. Morrison, review of Acts of Faith; M.H. Morrison, review of Color of Grace.
Two Chicks Obsessed, http://www.twochicksobsessed.com/ (June 7, 2016), interview with A.M. Arthur.
No stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships and "bromance" with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com
View my complete profile
About the Author
A.M. Arthur was born and raised in the same kind of small town that she likes to write about, a stone's throw from both beach resorts and generational farmland. She's been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long, in a losing battle to make the fictional voices stop. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance hadn't been coined yet back then) and "The Young Riders" with her later discovery of and subsequent love affair with m/m romance stories.
An avid reader of het romance, her first foray into reading published m/m romance (slash fanfic doesn't count) is thanks to a Dear Author review of K.A. Mitchell's CHASING SMOKE. After devouring K.A.'s existing backlist, she dove headfirst into other authors. While she prefers contemporary, she'll occasionally sample an historical or SFF m/m romance.
A.M. wrote her first m/m stories in the guise of Kish fanfic (the Kyle/Fish romance from cancelled soap opera "One Life to Live." As her stories were met with more and more positive feedback, A.M. was inspired to try her hand at creating original m/m romance. And the rest is history.
When not exorcising the voices in her head, she toils away in a retail job that tests her patience and gives her lots of story fodder. She can also be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments.
Frequently Asked Questions
So your pen name has initials. Are you a guy or a gal?
--I am very much a gal.
What made you decide to write male/male romance?
--A little of this, a little of that. I've tried writing male/female romance, and it's very difficult for me. In my real life, I don't seek out romantic relationships for various reasons, so it's hard for me to get into the mind of a romance-minded female character. I have a difficult time relating enough to write them (although I love reading het romances). I have no idea why it's easier for me to write about two men falling in love—perhaps because there are no hetero-normative ideas of what romance should be like.
What sub-genres of m/m romance do you write?
--The majority of my titles are contemporary. I like delving into the problems associated with everyday life. I do have two titles (Prodigal, Frozen) that are paranormal romances, with soft horror elements. In my contemporaries, I write a mix of adult and New Adult characters. It's all about what the characters want, and where they are telling their story.
You write several different series. Are they intertwined novels, or can they be read as standalone titles?
--Most of my novels within each series can stand by themselves and still make sense. I didn't want to make readers dependent upon previous novels if they find themselves starting with, say, book three. To get the best experience, of course I encourage folks to read from book one, as storylines and characters often carry over. It adds richness of detail to each subsequent volume. Each series page notes specifically if the books should be read in order.
Do you plan on writing outside of the m/m romance genre?
--I have two other pen names, under which I publish het paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I like variety in my writing life (and no, I'm not telling you my other pen names).
Why can't I buy PRODIGAL or FROZEN anywhere?
My contract with Musa ended, and I chose not to renew (which was a smart move, as the publisher is closing). Sometime in 2016/17 I hope to re-edit and self-publish both novellas, as well as a third set in the same spooky universe.
Will there be more books in the Perspectives series?
Hopefully yes. Since the publisher, Samhain Publishing, is in the process of closing down, they obviously won't be releasing any new Perspectives titles. However, I do have several characters in that series that are poking at me for a story, so I hope to write more Perspective books in the future. At this time, I'm focusing on writing contracted novels with other publishers.
Is there a question you'd like me to answer? Shoot me an email! am_arthur(at)yahoo.com
tco-author interview
How do you pick which story to write next? Is it the character that is yelling at you the loudest, the quiet one over in the corner with the devilish grin, or is it the storyline itself that is dragging you into it’s path? Usually it’s whichever book is contractually due next. LOL. Trust me, if I could write the book that’s yelling at me the loudest, I’d be all over my first ménage (Off Beat #3), but I can’t. I have another book due first, grrr….
Which character was the most troublesome? Ezra. Freaking. Kelley. (Belonging series). After his first appearance in No Such Thing, he was all “Me! Me! Write me!” And when I could finally write his book (Maybe This Time), he sat down and shut up. He kept all his freaking secrets until it was time to reveal them. And now he won’t go away! He’s popped up in every book I’ve ever published with Carina Press, including Come What May.
Would you ever go back and rework your first book? I did! My first published m/m book was a paranormal novella called Prodigal. When Musa Publishing shut down, I got the rights back and I re-edited the book. It wasn’t a major thing, in retrospect, but during the original editing process, the house editor was adamant about including condoms in the sex scenes. Always. No matter what. And I gave in. So I was very happy to go back in and take the condoms out, because it makes sense to the story not to use them.
What genre could you least of all see yourself writing? Hard SF or Regency historicals. I like SF films, but I’m not much of a reader. And historicals…I have read some I’ve really liked, but it’s not my go-to genre, so I can’t imagine ever writing one.
Do you ever feel “shy” when writing specific scenes? Nope. What’s to feel shy about? Maybe I’d feel shy if I was writing a raunchy sex scene while seated in the last pew of church, but other than that….
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meet the author
A.M. Arthur was born and raised in the same kind of small town that she likes to write about, a stone’s throw from both beach resorts and generational farmland. She’s been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long, in a losing battle to make the fictional voices stop. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance hadn’t been coined yet back then) with her later discovery of and subsequent love affair with m/m romance stories. A.M. Arthur’s work is available from Samhain Publishing, Carina Press, Dreamspinner Press, and SMP Swerve.
When not exorcising the voices in her head, she toils away in a retail job that tests her patience and gives her lots of story fodder. She can also be found in her kitchen, pretending she’s an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments.
Home › Author Contributor › A.M. Arthur Interview
A.M. Arthur Interview
Author Contributor, Blog Tour, Giveaways, Interviews, Release Day Post May 23, 2016 6 COMMENTS Gigi
A.M. Arthur, All Saints series, Giveaway
AM Arthur
Gay Book Reviews welcomes A.M. Arthur, author of Come What May (All Saints #1) to the blog today.
Hi A.M., thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.
Hello! I’m an m/m romance author, who mostly writes contemporary but occasionally delves into paranormal. I live in Hicksville, USA with two rambunctious cats and a large collection of horror film DVDs.
My newest release, Come What May, is the first in a new NA romance series with Carina Press. Jonas Ashcroft is suspended from college after a fraternity prank goes wrong, and he’s stuck working in his aunt’s thrift store—his very first job ever. Tate Dawson runs an LGBT homeless shelter nearby, and when their paths cross, sparks fly. So do insults, misunderstandings, and smexy times.
Q. Was there a basis for you story?
A. A previous experience or something else? The entire story of Come What May came out of my own education on the crisis of LGBT youth homelessness. One of the most recent statistics I’ve seen is that while only 7% of the youth population identifies as LGBT+, these teens make up 40% of homeless teens. These disproportionate numbers are staggering, and there are far too few safe shelters for LGBT homeless teens. So when I was developing a new series for Carina Press, I knew that a homeless shelter for these teens would be a huge part of the story. Tate Dawson, one of the heroes of Come What May, is a co-director of All Saints House, a shelter that caters exclusively to LBGT+ homeless teenagers.
The sex was very very very steamy when appropriate and sweet and tender when the situation called for it.
Vallie's Review
Q. What skills do you think a writer needs?
A. One of the biggest learned skills, I think, is the ability to listen to criticism. You don’t always need to agree with a critique—and sometimes a crit can be completely off-base and wrong—but listening is important. Seeing other points of view. And being able to accept that maybe a critique is right, and that your book needs some work to make it the best it can be.
Q. What for you is the perfect book hero?
A. I think my perfect book hero is a guy who’s been through hell without losing his personal integrity, who will stand up for himself, but is still vulnerable enough to let the heroine/hero into his heart.
Q. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
A. Second-guessing if the book is going to be marketable/if readers will like it. I mean, yes, I want to sell books. I want to write books that readers will enjoy. But the second-guessing makes the writing process extra-stressful, so I kind of wish I could turn that part of my brain off.
I loved how Tate and Jonas supported each other, understood one another and Tate was there for Jonas as he worked through coming out;
CP's Review
Q. Tell us about your favorite childhood book.
A. I was obsessed with the Little House on the Prairie series. I seriously reread those books one after enough, over the course of months. I adored them, and my tattered copies bear the proof. As a little girl, I loved reading about another little girl who had these adventures, who lived on the frontier, and who lived a life so completely different from my own. I wanted to be Laura so badly.
Ask the Author: A.M. Arthur
“Ask me a question.” A.M. Arthur
ANSWERED QUESTIONS (24)
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You have written many books and created many characters that your readers have grown to love. Which couple or character did/do you enjoy writing about the most? Is there one character of yours that is you 'favorite'?
A.M. Arthur If I have to pick a favorite character, I always go back to Tristan Lavalle from the Perspectives books. As soon as I conjured him up in the first book, The Truth As He Knows It, I knew Tristan would be special, and he is. I adored giving him his HEA in the next book, and he's continuously popped back up in other Pennsylvania-based books, as well as two short stories.
As for which couple I enjoyed the most...that one is a tie between Bear & Richard (Perspectives) and Serge & Dex (Breaking Free). Both pairs were secondary characters who were introduced to readers as happy couples, and they wove their way into their respective series. Eventually, readers loved them both so much they started asking when I'd write their back stories, and I loved writing both of them so much.
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I loved your Breaking free series. Thank you for this amazing story. At first, I thought there will be only three books in this series, but I was surprised with short story and fourth book,which I also loved. Will there be more books in the series? Brogan`s and Jaysan`s stories? P.S. As far as I understood your omegaverse was male-only, no-female world. Where did "Goddess" come from? Why not a god? Just curious.
A.M. Arthur There will definitely be more books in this series, as well as a probably beta-focused spin-off, so I can write stories for Isa's sons and Karter's brothers. I definitely want to give Brogan and Jaysan happy endings. They both deserve it.
And I'm honestly not sure where goddess came from. In a world where, in the very distant past, females probably once did exist, it makes sense that they'd worship a being of a different sex. :)
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Will there be paperback copies for Sound of Us and Their Life as They Live It?
A.M. Arthur Yes! Getting those set up, as well as new paperbacks for the Cost of Repairs series, is definitely on my To Do List. :)
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Hi Ms. Arthur. I don't have a question? but I just wanted to write and say how much I enjoy your books. I read a lot of romances; erotic and dark erotic but your M/M romances put them to shame. lol....Oh if I could find a man who is as romantic and hot as those you write about. Anyway......great job and l'm looking forward to more books from you. Karen
A.M. Arthur Thank you so much for reading and for letting me know you enjoy my books!
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Are you going to write a other book in the perspectives series? because I like the series. I love the world as I see it my heart went to Tristan thank for your time Gill
A.M. Arthur I honestly don't know. While there are still a few characters who deserve stories, Perspectives isn't my priority right now. And even if I did, I'd have to dip into self-publishing, because at the moment I do not trust the series' current publisher. If not full-length novels, then maybe a few shorter works sometime in the future. I wish I had a better answer than that for you.
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Will your Off Beat series be released in paperback at any time? I love your books!
A.M. Arthur Thank you for reading! :) Swerve is a digital-only imprint at St. Martin's so there are no plans to release it in paperback.
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Is the Ale in "Come What May" the same one in "No Such Thing"? Just curious because that is a pretty unique name. There is no Jamie in CWM though. Although the name of the coffee shop and the bakery are different, they are also pretty close in name, too. Love your books! Especially loved Come What May!! Thanks for writing such awesome books! Jennifer
A.M. Arthur Hi Jennifer! Yes, it's the same Ale from "No Such Thing" (Belonging #1). The new coffee shop, Half-Dozen, is the shop that Ezra and Ale opened together in between "Maybe This Time" and "Stand By You" (Belonging #2 & 3). Timeline-wise the shop has been open for about three years at the start of "Come What May." Jaime didn't show up in CWM, but he has a small appearance in the sequel, "Say It Right."
Thanks for reading!
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I've read all three books in the Perspectives Series and I loved them! Will there be anymore? I'm not ready for that series to be over yet!
A.M. Arthur Thank you for reading! I definitely want there to be more Perspectives books. I have ideas for several of the supporting characters. With my publisher closing, right now I'm focusing on other projects. Hopefully in the future I can get back to Perspectives and tell a few more tales.
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Hello, I just posted my review of "The World as He Sees It", an amazing book ! It is so beautifully told. Thank you so much. I hope you like my review. I loved the Restoration series, also. Have a fabulous day ! Denise (I do not have a question?, but just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your writing) :) ==================
A.M. Arthur Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! :)
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What is the reading order for all your published works to date? I started reading the Perspective series and LOVED it, then I found the Restoration series which is set earlier, chronologically speaking... I'd rather read them all in order if I can, so can you advise a suggested reading order?
A.M. Arthur Hi Elle,
The good news is Perspectives and Restoration are from different publishers and are set in different "universes." Perspectives is a spin-off of my "Cost of Repairs" series with Samhain, but you don't really have to have read CoR in order to read Perspectives. Restoration is a spin-off of a trilogy of books called Belonging from Carina Press.
Samhain books reading order:
"Cost of Repairs" series
Cost of Repairs
Color of Grace
Weight of Silence
Acts of Faith
Foundation of Trust
"Perspectives" series
The Truth As He Knows It
The World As He Sees It
From Carina Press, reading order:
"Belonging" series
No Such Thing
Maybe This Time
Stand By You
"Restoration" series
Getting It Right
Finding Our Way
Taking A Chance
I hope that helps.
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I really love Cole & Jeremy so I was wondering if there will be a third book in the Discovering Me series? Please say yes ^_^
A.M. Arthur Yes. :)
I have a soft spot for Cole and Jeremy, as well, and their love story isn't quite over. I don't have an ETA for their next book, but there will be one.
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Hello, just finished "Finding Their Way" (loved it!). Will Dylan get his own book? And Lenny? :)
A.M. Arthur Hi Debbie, and thanks for reading! :) I don't have any plans in the immediate future to write for Dylan or Lenny. However, I do hope to at least write something for Lenny down the road. I always say "never say never" when it comes to characters. You never know who will pop in and say My Turn! :)
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Hi! Do you happen to know if "Getting It Right" will ever be released in audiobook format? :-)
A.M. Arthur Hi Marco! Sorry for the delay, I swore I answered this, but GR must have had a hiccup. :) My publisher, Carina Press, owns the rights to translate Getting It Right into audio, so it's up to them. So far I haven't heard anything but I know that m/m romance is getting more and more popular in audio, so keep your fingers crossed!
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So, when's the book with Tristan coming out? >_< I was going through my library and I just remembered how badly I wanted to read that book that doesn't exist yet...
A.M. Arthur Hi Ki--
The World As He Sees it releases October 20th. :)
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Will any of the books in the Belonging and/or Restoration series be released in paperback?
A.M. Arthur It's very unlikely. Carina Press (my publisher for those series) is digital first, and they've only recently done a few limited print runs for their bestselling authors. While my books do pretty well for the m/m genre, we still have a ways to go before m/m is anywhere as popular as het romance.
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Hello. I just finished the Cost of Repairs series and A+ for you there!! Loved them all. However, I couldn't help feeling there was a book in Cameron's future. So, I came onto Goodreads and checked all your current books and none feature him. Do you have plans to write a book about him? He just seems like he has a story to tell...
A.M. Arthur Hi Book Faerie! Thank you for reading! I'm so glad you enjoyed the Cost of Repairs series.
Cameron is an interesting guy, and he probably does have a story to tell. At the moment, he isn't letting me in on it. There's a chance I'll tell his story at some point in the future (even my editor asked about him so you aren't the only one interested), but right now I have several other stories/characters fighting for my attention. Since I hate giving a flat yes/no to a potential new book, I guess the answer is we'll see. :)
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Is Weight of Silence available in paperback anywhere? I noticed all the other books in the series are available in paperback but I can only find this one in ebook format.
A.M. Arthur Hi Book faerie,
Unfortunately, Weight of Silence will not be available in paperback. The book fell short of Samhain's minimum word count for print format. It's disappointing, but I didn't want to pad the book with useless scenes/filler just to hit that mark.
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I am loving the third book in your Belonging series. Just beautiful. Heartfull. I was wondering if Topher will be part of the Restoration series?
A.M. Arthur Topher's character was never intended to last beyond his interactions with Romy in Stand By You, so he won't appear in Restoration. However, the new series I'm working on for Carina Press will still be set in the Belonging/Restoration version of Wilmington that I've created, and it will feature younger characters again, like Belonging. So there's a chance he may pop up again.
Never say never. :)
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Just posted my review of The Truth as He Knows It, and looking way, way forward to the next installment!! Timeline for Tristan's story, please??
A.M. Arthur Thank you for leaving a review! And yes, Tristan's story, The World As He Sees It, will release in October. :)
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Thank you so much for your LGBT oriented books / writings I'll follow you from now on, keep up the good work. :) Greetings from Mexico. Any new releases I should be looking forward to? :)
A.M. Arthur Greetings from the US! Thank you for reading my work, and I'm glad you enjoy it. I do have several releases this year. One book, The Truth As He Knows It, released this past week. March 16 is the first book in a new trilogy with Carina Press, and it's called Getting It Right. The other two books in the trilogy release in July and September. And The World As He Sees It releases in October. Happy reading!
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4/25/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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Print Marked Items
Wild Trail
Publishers Weekly.
264.48 (Nov. 27, 2017): p43+.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Wild Trail
A.M. Arthur. Carina, $8.99 mass market
(384p) ISBN 978-1-335-89592-9
Arthur (Uniquely Us) kicks off her Clean Slate Ranch series with a frustratingly meandering contemporary.
Gruff, taciturn Mack Garrett left Los Angeles and his career as a SWAT officer for a. calmer life on a dude
ranch in northern California. After a miserable ending to his last relationship, he thinks he's content with
one-night stands. He sees that notion for the fiction it is when Wes Bentley arrives for a vacation with his
sister and several friends. Wes was run out of Los Angeles by a nightmare ex who ended his dreams of
being an actor. These two damaged yet appealing souls might be able to heal each other if they're willing to
take the risk of further heartbreak--and if Arthur gives them a chance. The plot moves ever so slowly,
hinting at mysteries that are not fully developed and leaving readers to wonder why the author headed down
several dead-end alleys. The focus oscillates between the deepening love between two hot men and the
suspense of dastardly deeds committed by unnamed people. Either plot would be fine, but combining the
two in this plodding fashion makes for a drawn-out, unbearably slow story. The epilogue, though satisfying,
also is far more verbose than is necessary. "The whole thing seemed convoluted and strange, like something
out of a romantic suspense movie plot," Arthur writes near the end, aptly summarizing her work's flaws.
(Jan.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Wild Trail." Publishers Weekly, 27 Nov. 2017, p. 43+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A517575667/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=a79530cb.
Accessed 25 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A517575667
4/25/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1524712759535 2/5
Come What May
Publishers Weekly.
263.14 (Apr. 4, 2016): p66.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Come What May
A.M. Arthur. Carina, $4.99 e-book (199p)
ISBN 978-1-4592-9354-0
The popular trope of a poor but well-adjusted guy meeting a rich but screwed-up guy plays out here with a
certain amount of charm and heat, but not much in the way of imagination. Jonas Ashcroft, the only scion
of a wealthy Illinois congressman, is a fish out of water working in his poor relations' thrift store in
Wilmington, Del. Sent there by his stern father after a fraternity hazing went awry, Jonas is both bored and
boring. He takes pains to appear straight, but when he meets Tate Dawson, who runs a nearby LGBTQ
homeless shelter, rainbow sparks fly. Soon, in a remarkably speedy turnover, Jonas is all over Tate and
gearing up to out himself to his father, since Tate refuses to be part of a hidden relationship. There's the
predicable tussle as Jonas weighs the merits of a closeted but privileged life versus sexual realization and
certain disinheritance. The likable characters hold together a familiar rechauffe. (May)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Come What May." Publishers Weekly, 4 Apr. 2016, p. 66. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A448902712/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=0bd8630c.
Accessed 25 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A448902712
4/25/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1524712759535 3/5
Getting It Right
Publishers Weekly.
262.3 (Jan. 19, 2015): p66.
COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Getting It Right
A.M. Arthur. Carina, $4.99 e-book (199p) ISBN 978-1-4268-9957-7
Arthur's fourth Belonging contemporary (after Stand by You) struggles to keep the reader interested in a
minimally dramatic romance. Therapist James Taggert's work with molested children amplifies his feelings
about his sisters' abuser getting out on parole. Meanwhile, police detective Nate Wolf's hidden
homosexuality rises to the surface as he hunts a serial killer who's targeting the rent boys of Wilmington,
Del. A half-remembered drunken kiss between Nate and James brings up deep mutual feelings that had
been suppressed since their college days. A long hospital stay for Nate, and James's ongoing alcohol issues,
form barriers to the relationship but fail to be interesting in their own right. Their friends and family never
seem to worry about the potential problems of best friends suddenly falling in love, and police drama with a
little jealousy doesn't provide much in the way of emotional intensity and intimacy. (Mar.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Getting It Right." Publishers Weekly, 19 Jan. 2015, p. 66. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A398524565/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=c896e442.
Accessed 25 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A398524565
4/25/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1524712759535 4/5
Stand by You
Publishers Weekly.
261.32 (Aug. 11, 2014): p50.
COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Stand by You
A.M. Arthur. Carina, $3.99 e-book (189p) ISBN 978-1-4268-9919-5
Romy Meyers and Brendan Walker are an unlikely duo. Their friendship was forged in the worst moment of
Romy's life and consists mostly of silence and text messages. After Romy escapes a brutal relationship, he
depends wholeheartedly on support from Brendan and their close-knit group of friends. But even that may
not be enough when the past insists on intruding into present times. Arthur sets his smooth, gently paced
romance in the familiar, harrowing world of gay men struggling with identity and desperate for acceptance.
Romy is ashamed of his past, and Brendan fears losing the love of his family. The harsh topics of PTSD,
rape, and recovery are balanced by surprising moments of tenderness and vulnerability. In depicting the
hurts of living and the healing comfort of love, Arthur hits all the right notes. The satisfying conclusion
resolves both threads of the story in an appealing and realistic way. (Oct.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Stand by You." Publishers Weekly, 11 Aug. 2014, p. 50. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A378556884/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=e291f141.
Accessed 25 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A378556884
4/25/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1524712759535 5/5
Maybe This Time
Publishers Weekly.
261.19 (May 12, 2014): p44+.
COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Maybe This Time
A.M. Arthur. Carina, $3.99 e-book (230p) ISBN 978-1-4268-9871-6
At a gay bar in Wilmington, Del., where bathroom hookups are the norm, Donner, "the trailer park trash son
of a drunk," meets Ezra, the rejected, drifting son of rich parents. Donner enjoys dumpster diving and
feeding the homeless, while Ezra is terrified of losing control, addicted to and shamed by his countless easy
conquests. The only obvious thing they have in common is two years of walling others out after earlier
relationships left them broken. With fluid prose, Arthur (No Such Thing) washes the grit off these two
rough characters as they gradually show each other their pain, zest, and hope. Their connection is made
through a believable blend of happenstance and discovery, couched in a plot that never gets too complicated
or strains for novelty. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Maybe This Time." Publishers Weekly, 12 May 2014, p. 44+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A368847688/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=191db4d7.
Accessed 25 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A368847688
WILD TRAIL
Author(s): A.M. Arthur
The start of A.M. Arthur’s Clean Slate Ranch series finds a grumpy bear of a man trying to resist a pretty city boy actor who is just in town for a little bit of fun. Wild Trail has so much potential, but doesn’t fully deliver. There are so many threads that unfortunately end up knotted and convoluted. The leads are likable and the sex scenes work, but the story begins meandering two-thirds of the way through. That being said, the series certainly has potential and with the initial worldbuilding out of the way, readers have reason to give this one a try, particularly if they can’t resist a cowboy with a dark past and the pretty boys who bring them back to the light.
Mack Garrett is a former SWAT officer who gave up his career after a tragedy that still haunts him. He now helps his grandfather run a ranch in Northern California. Wes Bentley is an actor who is on the naughty list in Hollywood thanks to some nasty rumors flying about his former co-star and current ex-boyfriend. He finds himself at Mack’s ranch for his sister’s engagement party. The two are instantly attracted to one another, but Mack is determined to maintain his distance as an employee of his grandfather. When things go awry on what should have been a standard campout, Mack and Wes have to work together to make it down the mountain — and somehow resist the temptation to act on their attraction. (CARINA PRESS, dl $3.99)
Reviewed by:
H.E. Blackwell
GETTING IT RIGHT
Author(s): A.M. Arthur
Heroes who have a lot of emotional baggage to overcome and aren’t afraid to put their feelings on their sleeves make Arthur’s first book in her new Restoration series a page-turner. A dizzyingly large cast, a quick conversion from straight to gay and a tacked-on mystery make the book unfocused. Still, Arthur knows how to deliver an overall satisfying read.
Psychiatrist James Taggert knows that he can rely on his best friend, Detective Nathan Wolf, no matter that the good doctor is gay and the detective straight. Their friendship becomes something different when Nathan kisses Jay after rescuing him from a night of blackout drinking. Soon the two are exploring their mutual attraction, until Nathan lays out his feelings and Jay rejects him. Before Jay can apologize, Nathan is nearly killed. The pair must not only come to terms with their deep and unexpected feelings, but also their own traumas. Then, the killer comes back for Nathan and both men quickly understand what’s really important. (CARINAPRESS.COM, dl $4.99)
Reviewed by:
M.H. Morrison
RT Rating:
Genre:
Sensuality:
Hot
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BOOK REVIEWS
All Genres
Top Picks!
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
Historical Fiction
Romantic Suspense
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Paranormal
Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Inspirational
Mainstream
Science Fiction
Series
Erotica
RT Review Source
RT RATINGS GUIDE
5 GOLD: Phenomenal. In a class by itself.
4 1/2: TOP PICK. Fantastic. A keeper.
4: Compelling. A page-turner.
3: Enjoyable. A pleasant read.
2: Problematic. May struggle to finish.
1: Severely Flawed. Pass on this one.
ACTS OF FAITH
Author(s): A.M. Arthur
Returning to the couple from the first book works well in Arthur’s newest Cost of Repairs novel. The deepening of the love and commitment, with a heaping dose of hot sex, is as satisfying as watching them fall in love in the first place.
Rey King and Samuel Briggs’ new life together is going well, but Rey is haunted still by losing custody of his daughter Faith to her grandparents. Just before Christmas, Faith’s grandmother dies and her grandfather is unable to care for her. Rey and Sam are going to become parents fast. At the same time, Rey’s catering business is expanding. The two men struggle with what it means for them as couple while they balance the needs of a child, their work and their own insecurities. In the end, what brought them together is what will keep them together, if they can just remember that. (SAMHAIN, Dec., 272 pp., $15.00)
Reviewed by:
M.H. Morrison
RT Rating:
Genre:
Erotica, M/M
Published:
January 7 2014
Publisher:
Samhain Publishing
BUY NOW!
Amazon:
Buy Now
Barnes & Noble: Buy Now
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and purchase an item from the vendor, we receive a percentage of the profit (even if you don't buy the item we've linked to). Thank you for supporting RT Book Reviews!
BOOK REVIEWS
All Genres
Top Picks!
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
Historical Fiction
Romantic Suspense
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Paranormal
Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Inspirational
Mainstream
Science Fiction
Series
Erotica
RT Review Source
RT RATINGS GUIDE
5 GOLD: Phenomenal. In a class by itself.
4 1/2: TOP PICK. Fantastic. A keeper.
4: Compelling. A page-turner.
3: Enjoyable. A pleasant read.
2: Problematic. May struggle to finish.
1: Severely Flawed. Pass on this one.
COLOR OF GRACE
Author(s): A.M. Arthur
Knowing something of the town and tangled relationships from the first book in the Cost of Repairs series is helpful, but not essential, to enjoy this next installment. Once again, realistic characters with painful but relatable problems make the story engrossing — with two men who will break readers’ hearts and then have them cheering.
When recovering alcoholic Barrett McCall is left homeless, his boss offers him her basement apartment. This upsets her nephew, Schuyler “Sky” Rhodes, who grew up there. Memories get the best of Sky each year on the anniversary of his cousin’s drowning death, pushing him to drown in drink. But this year, Barrett steps in to help. Despite the amount of baggage each man carries, they can’t deny their sexual attraction. As they work on forming a relationship and dealing with their pasts, the truth of the drowning could turn deadly for Sky. (SAMHAIN, Jan., 216 pp., $14.00)
Reviewed by:
M.H. Morrison
RT Rating:
Genre:
Contemporary Romance, General Contemporary Romance
Sensuality:
Hot
Publisher:
Samhain Publishing
BUY NOW!
Amazon:
Buy Now
Barnes & Noble: Buy Now
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and purchase an item from the vendor, we receive a percentage of the profit (even if you don't buy the item we've linked to). Thank you for supporting RT Book Reviews!
BOOK REVIEWS
All Genres
Top Picks!
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
Historical Fiction
Romantic Suspense
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Paranormal
Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Inspirational
Mainstream
Science Fiction
Series
Erotica
RT Review Source
RT RATINGS GUIDE
5 GOLD: Phenomenal. In a class by itself.
4 1/2: TOP PICK. Fantastic. A keeper.
4: Compelling. A page-turner.
3: Enjoyable. A pleasant read.
2: Problematic. May struggle to finish.
1: Severely Flawed. Pass on this one.
COST OF REPAIRS
Author(s): A.M. Arthur
Arthur does a lot right with this m/m romance that explores moving on and rediscovering love, with sexual chemistry that burns up the pages. As the story gets going, though, the kitchen-sink approach to plot and motivation, along with less than sparkling language, cause the storytelling to stumble. For the many engaging parts of the book, readers will find Arthur’s novel a pleasant read.
Police officer Samuel Briggs has moved to small-town Pennsylvania for a fresh start and to put the tragic death of his lover behind him. Then he walks into a local restaurant and Rey King, the talented cook, catches his attention. From the beginning, their night of no-strings-attached sex feels like something more. Rey likes the big cop, but his plate is full, working three jobs to pay off a mountain of bills. Things get more complicated when Rey is seriously injured and can’t work. He has to turn to Samuel for a place to stay. As their current lives become more entwined, their painful pasts threaten to pull them apart, until they learn to face each challenge together, becoming more sure of the love they share. (SAMHAIN, May, 272 pp., $15.00)
Reviewed by:
M.H. Morrison
Taking a Chance
A.M. Arthur. Carina, $4.99 e-book (158p) ISBN 978-1-4592-9017-4
Home repair TV fans, rejoice: the third Restoration contemporary hits the kitchen with an angsty, red-hot dance of doubt. Elliot Quinn is an unemployed office worker crawling out of the slough of drugs and a suicide attempt. Augustus Rhinehart stars in a home improvement show that temporarily takes over the house where Elliot is living. Elliot knows he's a hot mess and owns it. His fiancé cheated on him and then (unrelatedly) died. The combination sent Elliot over the edge, and his self-esteem, in particular, hasn't recovered. Augustus has trouble owning any of his truths, the biggest one being that he was the one Elliot's fiancé was cheating with. He falls hard for Elliot anyway, and it's a tribute to Arthur's deft touch that this implausible premise does largely hold together as the two work to heal each other before the facts blow up in their faces. There's plenty of stage time for the ensemble cast carried over from Getting It Right and Finding Their Way, but this warm and funny story can stand on its own. (Sept.)
DETAILS
Reviewed on: 09/14/2015