Brita Addams’ GayRomLit Retreat Recollections

By Brita Addams

Brita Addams and Bryl Tyne

New Orleans wasn't a surprise because I've lived in the area for more years than I've lived anywhere else. The French Quarter has always been a place I've avoided for various reasons, mostly because I'm not a party person and there is a 24-hour party going on down there. I was excited that my first writer's convention was going to be so close to home, kind of a test drive if you will.

My friend and fellow writer Bryl Tyne picked me up at my house, spent a few hours with my husband, my daughter, and myself before we took off in his hot red car for the Big Easy. My husband did indeed tell Bryl to take care of me, a job my love has done quite well for thirty-one years. He doesn't entrust me to just anyone, but knew Bryl wouldn't betray that trust, and he didn't.


The anticipation of meeting authors and readers boggled my mind as we drove to the hotel amidst the throngs that crowd the Quarter on any given day. Bryl drove the city like a native, his photographic memory never missing a turn. I kept telling him "You can't get lost in the Quarter," but it was posturing, as I've done just that regularly. It's the "No right on red," and "No left turns" that get me every time.

Upon registering the first person I saw was J.P. Bowie, whose Early American work I simply love. He was friendly, talked about how the humidity was already getting to him and how he hoped we had a great retreat. He was as nice as I'd hoped he'd be and greeted me again and again throughout the weekend.

I met Michelle from Top To Bottom reviews, who said she loved my Riptide upcoming release, Surprises, and would snatch my other stuff up as soon as it got to them. Oh, Michelle, my love, you are the best!

I spoke to so many people, got to know some a bit better than others, but was in awe of everyone. I love Heidi Cullinan so much, I couldn't even summon the nerve to speak to her. Author awe, big time. I told Rowan Speedwell how much I loved Kindred Hearts, as I'd told her recently in an email. She is a gracious sweetheart and I won't forget her soon.

Damon Suede – what can I say about him that hasn't been said a gagillion times before. He is funny, one of the happiest people I've ever met, smart beyond smart, savvy, and a genuinely kind man. I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with him, but everyone wanted a piece of him, so I was happy to have gotten a picture and some kind words.

with Damon Suede

Cat Grant and Rachel Haimowitz, my fellow Riptide authors, it was nice meeting you both and spending time talking to each of you.
L.C. Chase, a soft-spoken, uber-talented woman, it was a joy to share the far end of a dinner table with you. Also Taylor V. Donovan and Cherie Noel, OMG, what awesome women you are. Unforgettable!

I was most touched by the readers who came up to me, said they'd read my work and praised it. I chuckled at how shy some of them were to ask for swag, when the table was laden with it. Anyone who'd like some, PLEASE email me at britaaddams@gmail.com and I'll unload, er send you some pronto. Thank you, dear readers, for buying my books. I love hearing from you.

New Orleans, as a city, is ever-evolving, but never changing. Impromptu Second Lines, be it for a funeral or a wedding, are subject to round any corner at any time. There were three in our days there, each for its own, singular reason, none of which are meaningless. Nothing happens in NOLA without a reason.

And to Bryl R. Tyne, a man I consider my friend above all else, thank you for your company, your insights, and your friendship. You accepted my honey's request, "Take care of my baby," and did it with charm and purpose. I'd traverse any peril with you and know that I was in responsible hands. You don't even know how important your company was in midst of so many strangers. Hugs and love to you.

The retreat itself, from all I could see, was flawless. Not too many events so as to keep you constantly on the run, but everything was interesting and fun. Ethan, Lynn, J.P., Amanda and Carol – bravo. You went out of your way to make this a great inaugural event and it worked. Can't wait for next year.

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Riptide Grand Opening Giveaway

Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win any backlist book of choice by Brita Addams!

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Riptide is having a Grand Opening tour, of which this blog post is a part. At the end of the tour stop, Riptide also awards one lucky commenter a big Riptide swag bag, US resident only. If an international winner is chosen, they will substitute for a gift certificate to All Romance E-Books.

The best part is, that each comment in the blog tour earns you one entry in the grand prize drawing for an iPad. Other prizes are a Nook and a Kindle.

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Links:
Website Riptide Publishing | blog tour list | website Brita Addams | Brita Addams on Goodreads
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Review: Love Immortal by Brita Addams

Brita Addams
Love Immortal (Mysterious Moonlight, #1)
Silver Publishing, 2010
Goodreads | Author's website | Twitter | Facebook | Buy link

Backblurb:
Born in 1620, Laurent Kinsdale, an orphan at ten and a vampire at twenty five, goes against all his sire has taught him, when, on an impulse, he turns his lover, Graham Symonds. Graham does not take the turning well, his anger towards the man he's loved for four years knows no bounds. After he commits unconscionable acts directed at destroying Laurent, he disappears for a century and a half.
In 1820, Laurent meets Sebastian FitzHugh. The two men have common sexual interests, each other, despite the fact that Sebastian doesn't know about Laurent's vampirism. Their lives are disrupted by the re-emergence of Graham, who insinuates himself in the middle of their idyll and forces Laurent to make a gut-wrenching decision that could tear his and Sebastian's world apart. Does he care for Sebastian enough to let him go or will he repeat the mistakes of his past?

Genre & Keywords:
M/M, Historical Romance, Vampire, BDSM, Violence, Suspense

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Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2.5 out of 3 flames
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Why I read it:
I received a review copy from the author

Love Immortal is a historical gay vampire romance. The story takes place in the 19th century and although I'm not a particularly good judge of that (being Dutch and not a native English speaker) the dialogue has an authentic, ancient feel to it. The scene where our heroes, Laurent and Sebastian, meet takes place at one of those social, high-society get-togethers typical of that period in history. But other than this occasional setting and the use of some archaic phrases, the story could've taken place in any other period of history. So, if you're not really a historical romance fan this shouldn't be an obstacle with this book.

You do have to like paranormal romances though, because the vampire aspect plays a bigger role. Laurent is a vampire for two decades when he meets Sebastian, a human. Their attraction is immediate and palpable and they leave together for a hot night of sex, which was supposed to stay just that - one night - to avoid Laurent's secret to get exposed. But the passion continues. And so do their meetings. The vampire aspect is not being romanticized in this story, being a vampire is not desirable at all in Laurent's eyes. And he'll do anything to prevent that others will have to face the same destiny, even when they beg him to turn them. He has lost a lover recently due to his unwillingness to turn him. His reluctance has everything to do with a previous mistake with an old lover, Graham, who turned rogue and is out to get his idea of revenge.

Graham adds some suspense to the story but also a lot of cruelty and violence. And his actions bring a difficult decision upon Laurent, regarding Sebastian. All the action in this book was quite fascinating and thrilling but rather grim. It’s definitely not a cutesy and sweet love story. Which is not only Graham’s fault, although he does have a big influence on Laurent’s view on life and love. Laurent has a dark streak in himself as well, which is especially noticeable in his sexual preferences. He does get off on inflicting pain on his lovers. And although the sex scenes between him and Sebastian were really steamy, they also made me flinch on occasion. And I honestly wasn’t completely sure of Sebastian’s feelings about it all, including the painful BDSM scenes. This probably had something to do with the ‘vampire spell’ he was under once Laurent had bitten him:

Laurent licked him and murmured deep in his throat. "You will have no recollection of this, Sebastian, but you will feel compelled to be in my presence." Sebastian's body trembled, cold fear gripped him. He tugged against Laurent's strong hold. It was futile.

I wasn’t sure which of Sebastian’s feelings and behavior were genuine and which were caused by the bite. Only when the events take a turn, changing his faith, I started to believe his emotions were his own.

When I finished this book I felt as if I had read a lot between the lines instead of getting it all spelled out in details. There were a few jumps in time and sometimes information wasn’t provided where I’d expected some. This does have a certain appeal, because it gives room to the reader’s own imagination. On the other hand, it kept me wondering about the heroes’ relationship and the depth of their feelings for each other. I wondered if it hadn’t been merely the circumstances that made them a couple, rather than their emotional bond. Therefore, for me, the action arc is more memorable than the characters themselves.
Be that as it may, Love Immortal is an exciting, entertaining and hot read, which is well-written and satisfying enough to make me curious for the next book in this series!