tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751929358366379462024-03-13T18:43:51.830-07:00Readin' and Writin'This blog will focus on my writings and reviews of both my works and those of others.Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-48487377579233954862015-07-01T11:47:00.001-07:002015-07-01T11:57:18.973-07:00Hell Struggle Review
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<i>Hell Struggle</i>, the second in a series by King Samuel Benson, is a YA Urban Fantasy novel set a few years in the future. A New Government is in place and Alex King finds himself having to decide whether to join the New Government's Special Force. He refuses and walks out of a meeting, accompanied by his good friend, Mercy Damalie, thus setting up the arc of the book. The story is intriguing, fast paced with a few unexpected twists along the way, as well as a bit of romance in the midst of all the action. </div>
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Benson's writing keeps the reader engaged in the story. The plot moves along at a quick pace, neither over- or underwhelming the reader. His descriptions are minimalist enough to allow the reader to visualize the scene while also allowing the reader to add enough of the reader's own imagination to remain engaged in the story.<br />
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Alex King is the hero in this story. He refuses to be recruited into a Special Force run by a New Government he doesn't believe in. He is questioning, yet determined to see his own way. Along the way he loses the trust of his dear friend Mercy, and realizes what he must do to win it back, perhaps at great sacrifice to himself. Benson allows for Alex to question and doubt himself during the course of the story, reminding the reader heroes are also human. </div>
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<i>Hell Struggle</i> is an enjoyable read; and even though it's part of a series, it can stand alone as there are just enough references to what happened in the first book to keep the reader's interest, and perhaps piquing interest in the prior one should the reader come into the series at this point.</div>
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Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-9289471100410402022014-09-13T17:58:00.000-07:002014-09-13T17:58:54.273-07:00Newest Review of "Out of the Past"I'm very grateful for this 4* review by Samuel Lora for Examiner.com of "Out of the Past" just in time for it's 2nd anniversary!<br />
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<a href="http://www.examiner.com/review/review-out-of-the-past-by-jeffrey-ballam" target="_blank">To read the review, click here.</a>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-90703477430853045332014-02-01T10:22:00.000-08:002014-02-01T10:22:12.370-08:00Gifts Not Yet Given
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Certain writers know how to tug on the heart strings. Kergan Edwards-Stout is one of them. Having read his award winning debut novel,<span> </span><em>Songs for the New Depression</em>, and cried a time or three, I expected nothing less with his follow up book,<em><span> </span>Gifts Not Yet Given</em>, a collection of holiday-themed short stories. I was not disappointed. </div>
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Gifts are most often tangible, yet, the ones that make the most lasting impression usually are not and we receive them when we least expect, and often from complete strangers or from people we know but might not necessarily associate with as he points out in several of the stories; the high-powered businesswoman unhappy with her life whose gift comes from a lowly office worker, the elderly woman distraught at losing her family gets a message from a homeless woman, and the terminally ill man who receives a gift from an old girlfriend. </div>
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In<span> </span><em>Gifts Not Yet Given</em>, Edwards-Stout's characters represent a cross-section of society; young, old, men, women, gay, straight, and transgender. His characters are real, fully developed and carry the reader along on the character's own journey while preparing the reader to receive their own gifts.<span> </span></div>
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As Paul, the young man in the story<span> </span><em>The Cape,</em><span> </span>releases the sorrow and guilt he carried for so many years of losing friends and family, I came to realize I was Paul in so many ways. I had lost a partner and many friends over the years and carried with it some of the survivors' guilt common to many of us. It set me on the path to find true closure. And I found it.<span> </span></div>
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When writing can affect the reader in such a way as I was, it is indeed the gift of good writing. Thank you, Kergan, for your gift.</div>
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Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-11575175869914519272014-01-12T11:20:00.001-08:002014-01-12T11:20:47.690-08:00WIP- Dragonclaw<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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With Winter Recess officially over, I must confess to not getting as much writing done as I'd hoped. I did manage to enter some notes into my computer, and here offer a little preview. Whether this makes it into the final project, or a sequel..., time will only tell. Enjoy!<i> </i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Graydon took one step into the
clearing, laying his sword at his feet as he did so. “You are in no danger,” he
said calmly.</i></div>
<i>
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<i>“I don’t know that,” she replied. </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i>“You are on your way to rescue
someone close to your heart. You were attacked a few days ago and all your food
was taken. You don’t know this area.”</i></div>
<i>
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<i>“How do you know this? How can I
trust you?”</i></div>
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<i>“The Ring of Truth-here put it on.”
He removed the ring, and extended his hand to her offering her the ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reached for it, tentatively. Taking the
ring, she fingered it, deciding whether to trust it. </i></div>
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<i>“Magic is trickery,” she yelled and
threw the ring at Gray’s feet. </i></div>
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<i>“You shouldn’t have done that!”
Thor had stepped into the clearing, his sword drawn. “If he said you were safe,
you were safe. Now you have angered me!”</i></div>
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<i>“I need help from no one.” And she began
backing her way out of the clearing, sword still at the ready. </i></div>
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<i>“Fine, but be careful of the
Shimmer. I trust you know when it will appear next,” Thor said, tauntingly.</i></div>
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<i>She froze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Shimmer?” she said, fear in her voice. “You
know?”</i></div>
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<i>“Never precisely, but Graydon,”
–Thor pointed in his direction- “has been studying the stars. And he’s been
noticing patterns.”</i></div>
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<i>“I still don’t know if I can trust
you,” she said.</i></div>
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<i>“This is getting us nowhere,” said
Graydon, walking over and taking Thor’s hand in his own. “We will help you on
your way to rescue your friend.”</i></div>
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<i>“My betrothed.”</i></div>
<i>
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<i>“Your betrothed?”</i></div>
<i>
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<i>“Yes, she was kidnapped before we
were to be wed.”</i></div>
Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-17622626674774895382013-11-09T18:02:00.000-08:002013-11-09T18:02:00.010-08:00A Sinfully Sexy Review of Out of the Past! A sinfully sexy review of <i>Out of the Past</i> is now on Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews! Along with an interview with me! Please check it out!! And I'm giving away something!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.de/2013/11/out-of-past-by-jeffrey-ballam-review.html?zx=2787f7b2ac0bb1c3" target="_blank">For the review, interview and giveaway, please click on this link!</a><br />
<br />Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-52277095209552910682013-09-18T18:56:00.001-07:002013-09-18T18:56:47.930-07:00Tentative New Work In ProgressWriting has been difficult for me lately. I just haven't felt motivated. Maybe it's because I have too much going on in my head; personally, professionally and literally.<br />
<br />
By 'literally' I mean several writing projects are brewing in my head at once, giving me a feeling of Multiple Character Syndrome, and no clear direction on which of the three main ones I should work on. Yes, I hear voices, but it's my characters and and projects all screaming at me. At least I think it's them.<br />
<br />
I recently attended a local support group for LGBTQ Writers. I was hesitant, okay, downright anxious and nervous at first. But, excited. I had emailed the group leader asking what, if anything, we should bring.<br />
<br />
"A current piece you're working on," he replied. "Something to share with the group."<br />
<br />
OMG! I have to read? I was thinking snacks. Well, after all it is a writers' group, so bringing a piece for critique made sense. So, I sat, listening to my inner voice, for whichever one of the "triplets" screamed the loudest. One voice eventually drowned out the others. Damn, it would be that one.<br />
<br />
"But," he had continued, "there is absolutely no pressure to read. We are a very constructive and supportive group."<br />
<br />
So, he says. I shall see.<br />
<br />
I printed the opening chapter of a piece I'm working on, a combination social commentary/fantasy-space travel/LGBT romance. Quite ambitious for my second piece, right? I decided on a section and timed out ten minutes of it, as that was the limit so everyone would have time to read.<br />
<br />
I arrived at the meeting, signed up to read second. I figured I'd be
in the moment, and if I wanted to read, I would; if I felt overwhelmed, I
would simply pass. And by going second, I'd get it over with.<br />
<br />
I went ahead and read. All of the eight other members had something very positive to say, were very supportive, offered some very constructive suggestions and had genuine questions as to where I saw the project heading. I even expressed my doubts about the project and they reassured me they liked it as it was! I was deeply touched by their help. (I also made a mental note, that I seemed to receive the least number of notes. Maybe that's also a good sign!) <br />
<br />
So, here I share a small portion of that reading, from the piece I will be concentrating on, tentatively called<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dragonclaw</b></div>
<br />
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<i> “Faggots make me sick,” snarled the first one, “Let’s take
care of this one.” </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Please
just let me go.” </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Please
just let me go” mimicked the first one. “See, he’s a pitiful excuse for a man.
Not willing to defend himself,” he shoved Lance into the fence.</i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Defend
yourself, gay boy.” He punched Lance in the face. Lance spun around, fell to
the ground and the three took turns kicking and stomping on him.</i></div>
<i>
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<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Three
on one isn’t a fair fight,” came a deep voice from behind them. </i></div>
<i>
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<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The attackers froze in mid-kick. Lance had
fallen to ground, pulled himself into a fetal position and was covering his
head and neck with his arms.</i></div>
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<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
three turned and saw a tall thin young man walking calmly toward them. He was
dressed in clothes from a different time; a dirty peasant shirt, black vest
embroidered with strange symbols, brown leggings tucked into knee high boots. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His clothes, hair and face were dirty, and it
appeared he hadn’t shaved in about a week.</i></div>
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<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Look,
this homeless scum bag is coming to defend a faggot,” said one of the three.</i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Maybe
he’s a faggot, too. You a faggot, bum?”</i></div>
<i>
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<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Stranger stopped, squaring his stance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Leave
him alone.”</i></div>
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<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
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<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> He
smirked,“Think you’re brave, picking on a single man.” Lance, sensing his
freedom, struggled to his feet, and tried to get away, but stumbled and fell,
crying out in pain. He tried to reach for his cell phone, but the pain in his
side was too great. Defeated, he sat there crying in both physical and
emotional pain.</i></div>
<i>
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<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re
just out for some fun. He’s a queer; he needs to be taken care of.”</i></div>
<i>
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<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> "</span>Yeah,
we hate faggots and people who defend them.” And with that, the brown haired one
threw a punch at the Stranger’s face. With lightning like speed, the Stranger
caught the fist and twisted it away and down from his face, snapping it back,
breaking the wrist as he did so. The attacker groaned in pain, falling to his
knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i>The blond one grabbed the Stranger
from behind pinning his arms against his sides. “I’ll hold him, you get him!”
he called to the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Stranger, stomping
on the instep of his attacker, took hold of the guy’s hands and pulling them
away from his own body, turned under them while pulling the attacker down into
his knee and catching him in the face, dropped him to the pavement.</i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i>The third attacker, furious at
seeing his friends taken down like this, reached behind his back and pulled
something out of a back pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a small
click, the glint of a knife blade glinted in the light. He sneered, “Now,
you’re gonna get it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i>“Oh, you want weapons,” the
Stranger mocked, he reached over his right shoulder into a pocket in the vest
he wore, and drew out a small sword. </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i>At the sight of the sword, the
attackers fled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Stranger, sheathing
his sword back into the hidden pocket in his vest, hurried to Lance, and bent
over him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lance cringed, pulling himself
tighter, crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-25887624440298533622013-09-02T10:24:00.002-07:002013-09-02T10:24:45.237-07:00Another Review for "Out of the Past"I'm very grateful to Tams of TamsTwoCents for the latest review of my novel, <i>Out of the Past.</i><br />
<br />
"....a roller coaster ride of emotions from start to finish..."<br />
<br />
"...enough intrigue and suspense to keep you turning the pages." <br />
<br />
"You don't want to miss the opportunity to get to know Paul and Javier...." <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RX8FDOQD28BIN/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B009JY57FG&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=" target="_blank">To read the whole review, click here:</a>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-17048189239004808332013-02-02T15:50:00.002-08:002013-02-02T15:50:38.681-08:00One More Review!I am very grateful to Carey Parrish for his 5* review of <i>"Out of the Past."</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R2WOSUB10G55SP/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B009JY57FG&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=" target="_blank">Click here for the entire review.</a> </i> Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-59118238142459163072013-01-09T15:43:00.000-08:002013-01-09T15:43:24.998-08:00Another Review!I am very grateful to Jodi Hansen of Chapters and Chats for this great review of my novel "Out of the Past!" <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3K0A2P7HNORA/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B009JY57FG&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=" target="_blank">To read the actual review, click here!</a><br />
<br />
Thank you, Jodi!Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-42136400858252973832012-12-31T08:45:00.000-08:002012-12-31T08:45:11.199-08:00Blog HopI was tagged in a blog hop by my friend, Drake Braxton, author of <i> </i>the critically acclaimed <i>Missing </i>which was just nominated for best gay romance for the 25th Annual Lambda Lit Awards. Congratulations, Drake!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://drakebraxton.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">To view his page, click here.</a><br />
<br />
The purpose of the hop is to promote upcoming works, and as I have nothing close to being finished, I decided to promote my latest one, so on to the questions:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>What is the title of your latest book?</li>
<ul>
<li>It is called <i>Out of the Past.</i></li>
</ul>
<li>Where did the idea come from for the book?</li>
<ul>
<li>One night I had a dream that I felt would be a great story. It had all the components; great characters, a shady little villain, nice romance and sex. </li>
</ul>
<li>What genre does your book full under?</li>
<ul>
<li>It is a m/m romance, with a bit of mystery/action. </li>
</ul>
<li>What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?</li>
<ul>
<li>For Paul, the schoolteacher, I always had T.R. Knight of <i>Grey's Anatomy</i>, in mind as I wrote. For Javier, the love interest, I would like to see Eddie Cibrian in the role. </li>
</ul>
<li>What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?</li>
<ul>
<li>Paul Vanderwall is not looking for love, but after a stint on jury duty, facing a hunky Latin lawyer for the duration of the trial, he is forced to confront issues out of his past in order to move forward into the future. </li>
</ul>
<li>Who published your book or was it self-published?</li>
<ul>
<li>It was published by Seventh Window Publications. </li>
</ul>
<li>How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?</li>
<ul>
<li>It took me about 5 months to complete. </li>
</ul>
<li>What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?</li>
<ul>
<li>It is very similar to <i>Missing</i>, by Drake Braxton, in that they are both m/m romance with a little mystery and suspense, some action and sex. </li>
</ul>
<li>Who or what inspired you to write this book?</li>
<ul>
<li>It was a dream I had which I think was the Universe telling me that I should be writing as I have several other ideas floating around in my head taking up space. </li>
</ul>
<li>What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?</li>
<ul>
<li>Cher is woven in and out of the plot, cat lovers will also find something in the book for them, and maybe a hint of something supernatural. </li>
</ul>
</ol>
I tired very hard to find some others to tag, but only one person was able to participate. Please look for Jeremy G T Reuschling's blog next week. <br />
<br />
For Jeremy's website <a href="http://www.jgtr.net/" target="_blank">click here.</a>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-25999363186346456362012-11-17T13:04:00.000-08:002012-11-17T13:05:53.388-08:00Conversation with Kergan Edwards-StoutI met up with friend and fellow author, Kergan Edwards-Stout, for a conversation about Love, Loss, and Art. I'd like to share our chat. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a-VhesYhYzsqXc7A_a1QAw7VHIkk_hrSnmRqIMnRBUtCcNdfUgC4x10R3fNhhzjmIkOgWvnRi28s6mWDuE5ozAtEogkJFp55iSbvbaAWVVeiMlKzxfrIMBaADzRBpVDmgecSVmvimD4/s1600/Songs+for+the+new+depression.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a-VhesYhYzsqXc7A_a1QAw7VHIkk_hrSnmRqIMnRBUtCcNdfUgC4x10R3fNhhzjmIkOgWvnRi28s6mWDuE5ozAtEogkJFp55iSbvbaAWVVeiMlKzxfrIMBaADzRBpVDmgecSVmvimD4/s200/Songs+for+the+new+depression.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kergan-edwardsstout/love-loss-and-art-a-conversation-between-two-gay-novelists_b_2133963.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices" target="_blank">Please click here to read our conversation:</a><br />
<br />
Kergan's award winning book, <i>Songs for the New Depression,</i> is available from Amazon.com and other fine retailers. Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-59394587057269279962012-10-16T20:38:00.000-07:002012-10-16T20:38:10.034-07:00Out of the Past is ReviewedI am very grateful for this review of <i>Out of the Past</i> by the Imprimatur News and Reviews!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://theimprimaturnewsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/10/out-of-past-by-jeffrey-ballam.html" target="_blank">http://theimprimaturnewsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/10/out-of-past-by-jeffrey-ballam.html</a>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-21206093719000420052012-10-14T18:47:00.000-07:002012-10-14T18:47:16.383-07:00Six Sentence Sunday, 10/14/12Here are six sentences from my debut novel, <i>Out of the Past, </i>available now in ebook form from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, AllRomanceEBooks.com and SeventhWindow.com<br />
<br />
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<i>I walked in with trepidation and found myself in a small
foyer. I wasn’t sure if I really believed his claim of also not being ready to
sleep with me either. A man this hot could get anyone he wanted, and whenever
he wanted to. He was hot tonight. He was wearing a dark turquoise guayabera
with black 501s and huaraches. He had a silver chain around his neck. </i></div>
Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-71937048322508648802012-10-07T18:33:00.001-07:002012-10-07T18:33:41.715-07:00Six Sentence Sunday, 10/7/12Here are six sentences from my novel, "Out of the Past," available now from Seventh Window Publications.<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>He led me into the bedroom, which was lit only by the soft
glow of cedar and pine scented candles. He embraced me again, and tenderly
kissed my face, my forehead, my eyes, my cheeks my mouth, while caressing my
back. My heart pounded, my breathing became shallow, and my knees weakened. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Stepping back, he slowly began to unbutton my shirt<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Kenneth%20Harrison" datetime="2012-09-17T17:04">,</ins></span>
all the while kissing me. He slipped his hand into my shirt and ran his hand
over my chest. I shuddered with pleasure when his hand found my nipple ring. </span></i>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-81216376306301749882012-10-06T06:17:00.000-07:002012-10-06T06:17:16.876-07:00A New InterviewBrandon Shire, author of acclaimed novels;<i> The Value of Rain</i> (2011), <i>Listening to Dust (2012)</i>, and most recently, <i>Afflicted</i> (2012), sat down with me to discuss my novel, <i>Out of the Past</i>, available now. I am very grateful for this opportunity to talk with him.<br />
<br />
For the interview, please click on the link below:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://brandonshire.com/interview-with-new-author-jeff-ballam/" target="_blank">http://brandonshire.com/interview-with-new-author-jeff-ballam/</a>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-37683834774883208602012-10-04T16:51:00.000-07:002012-10-04T16:51:40.204-07:00Interview with MePlease check out this interview with me by Ken Harrison of Seventh Window Publications, who saw something in my novel, Out of the Past, and wanted to publish it. I am very grateful for his faith in both me and my story, and for this interview. Thank you, Ken. <br />
<br />
Please click on the link below:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/meet-jeffrey-ballam/" target="_blank">http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/meet-jeffrey-ballam/</a>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-75968571304232850482012-09-30T07:33:00.000-07:002012-09-30T07:48:00.389-07:00Six Sentence Sunday, 9/30/12Here are six more sentences from my upcoming novel, "<i>Out of the Past,"</i> scheduled for release on October 1, 2012, from Seventh Window Publications.<i> </i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I drove to his place, which turned out to be a townhouse,
found a parking spot, and walked up to the door. As I went to ring the bell I
hesitated. The butterflies were now flapping their wings violently against the
sides of my stomach. Yet, even with the butterflies there was still something
unknown urging me onward. Gina and Reggie were right; I didn’t have anything to lose at
this point. The doorbell rang; it seemed
some invisible hand had pressed my own hand forward to ring it.</i></div>
Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-22844407412891960842012-09-23T09:57:00.001-07:002012-09-23T09:57:25.818-07:00Six Sentence Sunday 9/23/12<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Here are another six
sentences (slightly modified) from my upcoming novel, "Out of the Past" coming in October 2012 from Seventh Window Publications.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i>The bell was about to ring and Gina and I
needed to get supplies for our afternoon lessons. She and I had spent hours talking about my potential coffee date, which now was
real. Gina had pushed me into meeting
Mr.-Hot-Attorney, and now he had a name, Javier Villalobo. And now I was getting anxious; was he going to
call? Did I not impress him? Now that we actually had met what had I done wrong
to scare him off? </i></div>
Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-29114431867575764582012-09-16T17:41:00.000-07:002012-09-16T17:41:47.070-07:00To Pseudonym or To Pseudonot?<i>This is a cross post from my other blog, Jeff's Journey, under the title </i>Visibility<i>. I posted it here as well to address the Readin' and Writin' aspect of pen names.</i><br />
<br />
I recently had a conversation with a fellow writer and good friend regarding
the use of pseudonyms. In the past, female writers would write under male names
since writing was a male dominated field and this was the only way for women to
get their writing to the public. Some male writers would use female pen names
when writing traditional romance novels; after all, men aren’t supposed to be
romantic. As recently as 1997, a female writer was encouraged to use a pen name
as it was believed her book would not appeal to its target audience; 10-14 year
old boys, because it was written by a woman. She refused but consented to use
her initials and Joanne Kathleen went on to write one of the most successful
series in literary history, <i>Harry Potter</i>.<br />
<br />
Because of past attitudes, we older gay men had become accustomed to
compartmentalizing our lives, which many of the younger gay generation have not
experienced to the extent we have. We had one identity at home, another at
work, and a third (or fourth) within the gay community. We struggled to keep
them all separate for fear someone would discover our secret. In today's world,
while it is a bit safer to come out, some prejudices still abound as do our own
memories and fears. A colleague confided in me that a <i>well-respected,
educated </i>parent pulled her son from his class out of fear the teacher's homosexuality
would be contagious and infect her child; or worse, he would molest the boy!
This took place in September 2011!<br />
<br />
Many writers who write across genres use pen names so as not to confuse their
readers. Anne Rice is one such writer. Ms. Rice has written a large number of
books with vampires and witches as her protagonists as well as two other
wonderful historical pieces, all under her own name<i>.</i> Many artists try
their hand at different media as a way to grow creatively and writers are no
exception. Ms. Rice decided to try her hand at something a little 'different'
and wrote erotica under the name Anne Rampling and, in my opinion, some hard
core sado-masachistic pornography under the name A. N. Roquelaure. She later
came out as the author of all those works.<br />
<br />
Charles Dodgson was a brilliant mathematician and wrote several mathematical
treatises. He was also an accomplished wordsmith and loved playing with words
and language. He wrote several classic pieces under the nom de plume, Lewis
Carroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would the readers of his
mathematical works have chosen to read his literary works? I seriously doubt
any readers of his books would have chosen one of his mathematical tomes for a
light read, not that his literature is light by any stretch of the imagination.<br />
<br />
As the gay community struggles for equality, visibility does become
important. Some people undecided on marriage equality were ultimately persuaded
in favor of the issue by meeting same-sex couples who then shared their stories
of mistreatment. Over history, visibility of LGBTQ people has indeed changed
minds. Yet, we never know and cannot comprehend the pain, the sorrow, or even
the joys of our brothers and sisters and therefore, we may never understand why
some choose to come out and others don't.<br />
<br />
A gay author may choose to use a pen name, or not, depending on a few
factors. How out is the author to him- or herself? To his or her friends or
family? Is the writer trying to reach a variety of audiences? Would the
audience buy the book knowing the author was LGBTQ? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m not even going to touch the ‘gay
authors can’t write straight characters’ line. Of course we can, many of us
have been masquerading as straight for years. With proper research and preparation,
I believe any writer can write characters of any race, gender, age or
orientation.<br />
<br />
The Pride Parades of today continue to serve the purpose of visibility. The
first ones were held in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on
the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Today, Pride Events
are held throughout the year on every continent except Antarctica, and have
become major events complete with committees and regional coordinating
organizations.<br />
<br />
Visibility can take on many forms. There are those who like to be in the
front lines, and those directing from behind, and there are even those of us
who have been in the front and still want to continue our visibility, but now
on a more quiet platform. I’ve been on the front lines. I’ve marched in
parades, I’ve been part of political groups. I’m ready for a change.<br />
<br />
I am one of those men who compartmentalized his life early on. I was not out
at work, until I was out to myself. I came out to my family in stages, so I
kept some secrets from many people. Now, I am out to almost everyone, except my
students and their parents, though I believe some of them suspect, and may even
know. Some of the compartments I used to live in are; man, gay, Caucasian,
teacher, writer, homeowner, pet parent, divorced. I move in and out of the
compartments as needed. I have spent the last thirty years putting myself
together, with the last two being some of the most difficult and rewarding.<br />
<br />
As I embark on this new path of author, I’m choosing to use my name for all my
works. I’m choosing to use it because I am tired of compartments. I am the only
male teacher in my grade level. I am the only white male teacher in my school.
I am the only openly gay staff member at my school. I am the only openly gay
homeowner in my community. I am the only teacher homeowner in my community. I
am tired of being the <u>(fill in the blank)</u>. I don’t want to be known as a
gay writer, nor do I want to be known as a writer who happens to be gay.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18EKFnKLl33FoRUem7yYOCV_FQNjU9L_1i9nI-oK9gAevsgiv5tD4jVxOwBZxjiX-BJxjSDj-TUFItEdEKxy4R5EaJzrQ0CFc7VADV4PQr-xznIXEulkih3fT443IAojH6zhz9E9I98o/s1600/Jeff001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18EKFnKLl33FoRUem7yYOCV_FQNjU9L_1i9nI-oK9gAevsgiv5tD4jVxOwBZxjiX-BJxjSDj-TUFItEdEKxy4R5EaJzrQ0CFc7VADV4PQr-xznIXEulkih3fT443IAojH6zhz9E9I98o/s320/Jeff001.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of GJ Spiller Photography.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
I want to be me. <br />
<br />
I just happen to be a gay divorced Caucasian homeowning male teacher pet parent who writes.Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-13252386920081928712012-09-16T03:31:00.001-07:002012-09-16T03:31:24.411-07:00Six Sentence Sunday, 9/16/12<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Here
are another six sentences, from my upcoming novel, "Out of the Past," due out next month from Seventh Window Publications. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>In
my earlier packing I
had avoided one of the two closets in my bedroom, whether deliberately
or subconsciously, I don't know. I now approached that closet
with sadness, but a sadness laced with purpose. I had to do this to move
forward. I moved aside some boxes on the top shelf and retrieved a small
box from
the back of the closet. Trembling, I opened it. Tears began raining down
my face.</i></span>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-48663282980998259462012-09-09T05:43:00.000-07:002012-09-09T05:43:12.150-07:00Six Sentence Sunday, 9/9/12Here are six sentences from my soon to be released novel, <i>Out of the Past</i>, coming from Seventh Window Publications.<br />
<br />
<i>“Where do you think you will go?” she inquired.</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“I’ve no idea; he
said he would get back to me.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Paul, I am so happy for you.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Gina, we’re only going for dinner; we’re not getting married, or moving in
together.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“I know, but it’s a first step,” she said, cradling my hand in hers.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>It was a very scary first step, but also one I wanted; no, I needed to take.</i></div>
Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-41560912061480329942012-08-30T16:47:00.002-07:002012-08-30T16:47:52.018-07:00Interview with Ken Harrison, of Seventh Window Pubs.My friend and fellow author, Kergan Edwards-Stout, interviews my publisher, Ken Harrison of Seventh Window Publications. Ken mentions my upcoming novel, <i>When Love Calls Your Name. </i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kergan-edwardsstout/qa-gay-fiction-publisher-_b_1837334.html" target="_blank">To read the interview, please click here:</a><br />
<br />
Kergan Edwards-Stout is the author of the award winning novel, <i>Songs for the New Depression,</i> available through Amazon.com and other fine retailers.Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-49336234777295104722012-08-26T12:45:00.000-07:002012-08-26T12:45:38.435-07:00Six Sentence Sunday, 08/26/2012In preparation for the release this fall of my novel, "When Love Calls Your Name" from Seventh Window Publications, I am running these six sentences. I originally posted them on my other blog, Jeff's Journey on March 18, 2012.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Chaos theory states that something as inconsequential as a
butterfly flapping its wing in South America could ultimately cause large-scale
events, possibly even a hurricane in China.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I had heard of the so-called <b>Butterfly Effect</b>; Ray Bradbury
described it in <b>A Sound of Thunder</b>, and
Ashton Kutcher even starred in a movie entitled <b>The Butterfly Effect</b> yet I never expected to experience it myself. </i></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>My “butterfly” arrived in the form of an envelope from
the Superior Court telling me I had been assigned
to the courthouse in San Fernando, about 25 minutes from my home in Lake Balboa, a
small community in the San Fernando Valley, north of downtown Los Angeles. However
much I disliked jury duty, I was resigned to my fate, and had postponed the inevitable
until winter recess from school and now I had to serve. I called in to register like a good boy, and then
waited until the day I had to call in to see if I needed to report. Damn, I did have to go in on Monday.</i></span>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-38334744479343591292012-08-26T12:30:00.001-07:002012-08-26T12:30:44.460-07:00Review: "Missing" by Drake BraxtonI review the debut novel, <i>Missing,</i> by Drake Braxton:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKf04DjMgnwbRiOQoU238vQQaKNPZzUFwjh-XluHyEggFMr3iHLJvS9u_gU-KswGkJaY56Qfl-6UuOZY-JUnntBqj91fC76bfcytlJfXi18GQtPpNgQnwo0O2PVy2d0eAwRVxUyuMSYM/s1600/missing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKf04DjMgnwbRiOQoU238vQQaKNPZzUFwjh-XluHyEggFMr3iHLJvS9u_gU-KswGkJaY56Qfl-6UuOZY-JUnntBqj91fC76bfcytlJfXi18GQtPpNgQnwo0O2PVy2d0eAwRVxUyuMSYM/s200/missing.gif" width="133" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A foreign-born gay man goes missing in the United States.
Not quite the most interesting premise for a story but, when the man is the
legally married husband of a male US citizen, it becomes a bit more complicated
what with same-sex marriage recognized only in a handful of states. Move the setting
to rural Alabama, hardly a bastion of tolerance, either for gays or for the
foreign born, and you have the premise of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Missing,</i>
the debut novel of new m/m romance author, Drake Braxton. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blain Harrington attends his high school reunion with his
gorgeous Brazilian-born husband who suddenly goes missing during the reunion. Being
the hopeless romantic I am, I was first attracted to the book as it was being
marketed as an m/m romance. And yet, Braxton bends the rules by bringing many
suspenseful moments into the story thereby creating a romantic thriller or
perhaps a thrilling romance. There are plenty of plot twists to keep the reader
involved in the plot and many a moment for the romantic to shed a tear with
just the right amount of sex to titillate. For me, it was quite the page turner
on all accounts; the suspense, the romance, the sex, the trifecta! I am anxiously
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Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875192935836637946.post-45201742960525109662012-08-19T12:48:00.000-07:002012-08-19T12:48:02.433-07:00Six Sentence Sunday 8/19/12Here are six sentences from some future project....<br />
<br />
<i>"I still don't know if I can trust you," she countered.</i><br />
<i>"Nor do I know if I should trust you," replied Rolf.</i><br />
<i>"But I do," Graydon said, walking over and taking Rolf's hand. "We will help you rescue your friend."</i><br />
<i>"My betrothed. She was kidnapped before we were to be wed."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Jeff Ballamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06270705233790693187noreply@blogger.com0