I write paranormal novels under a second name, Joely Skye. At this point in my career, I'm not entirely sure branding my stories with two pen names, to distinguish between m/f and m/m romances, was the best choice. But when I began, and my two stories (Haven and Monster) were so entirely different, it seemed like a good idea.
My Joely Skye stories are gay romance and tend to be darker. They're also paranormal, at least to date. My three novellas starring heroes Josh and Kir are coming out in paperback next week, August 21. And I had to share my beautiful cover by the amazing Vanessa.
Here's the blurb:
Josh Mackay is hired to bring in Kiran Brunner, a Minder with the psychic ability to manipulate and kill. But Kir has been abused by the agency that wants him back and he’ll do anything to escape.
Josh Mackay’s job is to lure Kiran Brunner to a safe house. That part’s easy. The boy—Minder or no—is beautiful and surprisingly naive. Hunted by those who want to harm him, Kir doesn’t recognize Josh’s trap until it is almost too late.
Kir gets his hooks in Josh and when his job is done, Josh cannot walk away. Not only because of what Kir is, but because of why the agency wants Kir back. Josh wants above all to protect Kir. But Josh doesn’t know if that’s the right thing to do, or if he’s unknowingly succumbed to the Minder’s control.
Kir knows better than to fall hard for a new enemy, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting, needing and loving Josh. However, Kir may not be able to save Josh, and himself, from those who wish them harm. The time will come when Kir is forced to use his powers against the agency to bring Josh back to safety, whether Josh trusts him or not.
Links for those interested:
Excerpt
Joely Skye webpage and blog
Joely Skye at Samhain
3 comments:
Awesome cover, Jorrie. :)
I also go back and forth with the branding thing. Does that mean one should have a different pseudonym and "brand" for each genre? In general I don't think so; however if you're writing m/m along with tradition m/f romances, it's not everyone's taste so you don't want to surprise a see-your-name-and-buy-it reader.
From what I've gathered in the SF crowd, big authors who have and haven't used different names, is that it's preferred to use different names for the very different styles. Readers don't always check what the book is about before buying it if it's an author they love and have frequently bought genre they hated because the author used the same name.
So probably keeping the m/m and m/f seperate might be a good idea, no reason you shouldn't let your reader know you write under both monikers since that would save an awful lot on promo, but keep the books seperated by the name you write with.
Thanks, Carolan!
My first Jorrie Spencer was a relatively sweet contemporary romance. I don't think there was much crossover. But now my Spencer books have gone paranormal and darker, more like my Joely Skye books, so there isn't quite such a difference. But, for now, I'll continue to brand. Since I started with two names!
I hope people won't find it too confusing.
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