Stop by before Friday, leave a comment, and you could win a paperback copy of the gay geek anthology NERDVANA (with my story, Exposed) from STARbooks Press!

Here’s the link!
http://www.friskbiskit.com/2009/11/author-spotlight-bryl-r-tyne.html

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

From the Nerdvana anthology edited by Fred Towers available (s00n) at STARbooks Press – Exposed by Bryl R. Tyne

Exposed by Bryl R. Tyne

Excerpt:

Clay explained the game’s environment as he hovered near the monitor. Mr. Minsho’s gaze traveled from Clay’s shoes to the top of his head. “This is impressive work, McCarthy,” he said, clicking another trigger point. His eyebrows twitched more than a few times, Clay noticed. “You never cease to amaze me with your realism.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Mr. Minsho swiveled around, lacing his fingers together atop his desk. “You are coming to the dinner tonight, right?”

Clay’s eyes widened and he cleared his throat. “I’ve quite a bit of work–”

“Nonsense! See you at eight sharp.”

Shit! Hoping to circumvent further obligation, Clay shuffled toward the office door, but Minsho’s final comment sealed his fate. “Don’t be late, McCarthy.”

Nobody understood. Never had, never will, and he wasn’t about to explain. Clay wanted to crawl into a hole, hide out the rest of the night, the remainder of the week if he could. What’s this sudden interest, ‘Help Socialize Clay Week’? He found it unnerving to say the least. My life is mine to live, my secrets, mine to keep. Opening up to others meant sharing both. The mere thought of trusting again sent minute pieces of jagged glass scraping down his spine.

***

“Well, are you coming or not?” Becca asked as she wheeled her chair under the desk and picked up her bag. Clay hoped to avoid the inevitable by pretending ignorance. However, Minsho would never buy that excuse, especially after their earlier conversation. Besides, if it meant finding favor…he hated caving in–being soft. “I’m not biking three miles to Raymond’s. I don’t think so. Have a nice–!”

Becca demanded attention as she whipped his chair around. “You’re riding with me. So, quit being ridiculous.” She yanked him to his feet.

“Let me shut down first for Christ’s sake.” Clay secured his station, hoisted his backpack, and reluctantly followed her. She seriously needs to get laid…I’m getting sick of this shit. Becca’s twenty years old and single. Briefly, Clay wondered; then struggled to erase the revolting mental images. As she turned on to the street, Clay stared at his clunky twelve-speed chained near the door, calculating how many months he’d have to save for an upgrade.

***

This many bodies crammed into 4000 square foot must certainly be against fire code. Clay fascinated on the ceiling’s beam structure as he shoved his way through the crowd, not willing to fall behind. How does she do it? He fumed. Restaurant patrons eloquently parted for Becca, yet they seemed hell bent on blocking his passage. As she disappeared into the sea of people, panic swept through him. His fear of crowds kicked in…Enochlophobia, the shrink told me. Yeah, whatever, I just need to stop, recompose…breathe. Inhaling slowly and adjusting his cap, he wiped the perspiration dotting his temples.

What the hell? He jerked his head toward the owner of the hand that rested on the small of his back. He met hazel eyes…devilish grin. Exactly the reason Clay hated public places. His tongue wet his bottom lip, as menace transformed into opportunity. The man’s smiling face inches from his, Clay toyed with the sudden urge to kiss those full lips.

“Excuse me, are you lost?” the man asked. Even touching a total stranger, the man stood confident. Clay shifted to his right, and the comforting palm retreated.

“J-Just lost track of my friend for a minute,” Clay managed to blurt out, tearing his gaze away and scanning the crowd.

The stranger smiled and held out his hand. “Dave Hansen,” he said.

Clay pushed his glasses up before accepting the handshake. “Clay McCarthy.”

“I’m lost myself,” Dave said, “looking for a table of folks from Minsho Software.”

“Oh, so…” Clay’s eyes moved to Dave’s hand, the one still holding his. Pulling it away, he wiped the sweat from his brow. “You must be the new guy. What’s your specialty?” Not a threat, Clay assured himself as his eyes roamed the man’s expanse…Another poser…noting the scuffed biker boots and faded jeans of his too-casual attire…Definitely not one of us.

“Oh, so you’re with Minsho’s?” Dave asked, with his smile widening into what Clay garnered something between sly and sinister. “I’m an animator. One of the best…So, I’m told.”

“Artificial intelligence,” Clay said, resolving it’d be a cold day in hell before he’d give Dave any recognition.

“Nice…I’ll enjoy working with you.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)

Joining us this week:

Jane Bled, Yaoi/M-M Erotica/Vampire/Paranormal/Horror (PG 13)
Danie Ford, YA Urban Fantasy (PG 13)
Heather S Ingemar, Dark Fantasy (PG13)
Babette James, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Cynthia Justlin, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Julia Knight, Fantasy Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical paranormal romance (PG 13)
R.F Long, Fantasy (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, Fantasy (PG 13)
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
Megan S, Paranormal (PG 13)
Rosalind Stone, Women’s Fiction (PG 13)
Jo Lynne Valerie, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, YA (R)
Jax Cassidy, Contemporary (R)
Cate Hart, YA Paranormal (R)
Inez Kelley, Romantic Comedy (R)
Aislinn Kerry, Fantasy (R)
Jeanne St. James, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)
Jeanette Murray, Romantic Comedy (R)
Christa Paige, Paranormal (R)
Michelle Picard, Fantasy Romance (R)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (R)
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
Zora Stout, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Erotic Sci Fi (NC 17)
Emily Ryan-Davis, Romance (NC 17)
Ella Drake, Historical Paranormal Romance (NC 17)
Angeleque Ford, Erotic Dark Urban Fantasy (NC17)
J.W. Hankins, Dark Fiction (NC 17)
Annie Nicholas, Paranormal Romance (NC 17)
Kim Knox, Erotic SF Romance (NC17)
Michelle Polaris, Erotic Futuristic Romance (NC 17)

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

Here’s a sampling of my characters from Exposed, my contribution to STARbooks’ NERDVANA Anthology. Happy reading!

I Wanna be a Nerd (c) 2009 Bryl R. Tyne

Clay straddled Dave’s legs and leaned over until only the tips of his toes touched the floor. “Take it.”

“I can’t see. It’s dark.”

Straining, Clay let out a grunt as Dave’s fingers brushed over the end slightly then backed away. “Jesus Christ, Dave. Quick dicking around. Not like it isn’t long enough.”

Dave had hold of it once then dropped it. Another swipe and Clay could feel they were so close, but after what seemed like forever, he pushed to a stand, removed his cap and, with the back of his hand, swiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Where’d you go?”

“Give me a sec, will you?” Clay paced to release the tension, cracked his knuckles then his neck. Nothing worked. He’d never handled frustration well. Realizing circumstances were beyond his control, he resumed position. “Find my hand and do not let go this time, ” he said, stretching so far his feet left the floor as he met Dave’s fingers. “Now, just follow my lead…that’s it…Great! Now put it in–No!”

“I lost it.”

Clay banged his head on the lamp as he jerked up his head in anger. “Jesus, Dave. Grab my hand damnit!” Patience vanished, he threw himself over, his words growing insistent. “Now…Do you feel that?”

“Yes.”

He breathed relief as he felt Dave grab the end. “Don’t let go yet. Follow my hand. That’s it. Closer…Almost there…” He released Dave’s hand as his fingers found their mark. “Now! Put it in.”

“Fuck.”

Clay shoved to his feet, whipped off his cap, and chucked it at the floor as Dave slid from under Mr. Minsho’s oak desk and sat upright. Legs crossed, he dropped his elbows to his knees and buried his head in his hands. If they didn’t get Minsho’s new computer online before closing, he’d be even more upset. Punishment for the fist-fight that’d disrupted the office yesterday, he’d told them as he left for dinner.

Clay stopped pacing as Dave looked up from his hands. “Don’t tell me.”

Dave shrugged. “I dropped it again.”

“Fuck.”

My contribution to the NERDVANA Anthology coming out this FALL from STARbooks Press…

Geeks Rule! Don’t they?

What is it about them we love? The mystery? The quietness? Their brains? Their Converse Sneakers^TM? No. It’s got to be those B.C. glasses, yeah, that’s it!

My story, EXPOSED, in the NERDVANA Anthology is coming Fall 2009 from STARbooks Press!

Blurb: Twenty-year-old, computer genius, Clay finessed his way up the ladder at Minsho’s Adult Software Development Company. Plugging away as Artificial Intelligence Specialist and two rungs from Lead Engineer, Clay’s intimidated by Minsho’s new hire, twenty-two-year old, Animation Engineer, Dave.

Dave’s flirtatious nature leaves Clay longing for more than just words and subtle touches though. Warring a mountain of debt, compliments an ex-lover, and focused on earning a promotion, Clay finds battling his feelings for Dave hardest of all. Dave discovers Clay’s ulterior motive saved on his desktop – a hot man-on-man bedroom game, featuring none other than him and Clay. Is Clay using their sex life to cash in on the underground market? Will Clay expose his feelings and his reasons before it’s too late to save their new relationship?

Unedited Teaser:

“Well, are you coming or not?” Becca asked as she wheeled her chair under the desk and picked up her bag. Clay hoped to avoid the inevitable by pretending ignorance. However, Minsho would never buy that excuse, especially after their earlier conversation. Besides, if it meant finding favor…he hated caving in—being soft. “I’m not biking 3 miles to Raymond’s. I don’t think so. Have a nice—!”

Becca demanded attention as she whipped his chair around. “You’re riding with me. So, quit being ridiculous.” She yanked him to his feet.

“Let me shut down first for Christ’s sake.” Clay secured his station, hoisted his backpack, and reluctantly followed her. She seriously needs to get laid…I’m getting sick of this shit. Becca’s twenty years old and single. Briefly, Clay wondered; then struggled to erase the revolting mental images. As she turned on to the street, Clay stared at his clunky twelve-speed chained near the door, calculating how many months he’d have to save for an upgrade.

***

This many bodies crammed into 4000 square foot must certainly be against fire code. Clay fascinated on the ceiling’s beam structure as he shoved his way through the crowd, not willing to fall behind. How does she do it? He fumed. Restaurant patrons eloquently parted for Becca, yet they seemed hell bent on blocking his passage. As she disappeared into the sea of people, panic swept through him. His fear of crowds kicked in…Enochlophobia, the shrink told me. Yeah, whatever, I just need to stop, recompose…breathe. Inhaling slowly and adjusting his cap, he wiped the perspiration dotting his temples.

What the hell? He jerked his head toward the owner of the hand that rested on the small of his back. He met hazel eyes…devilish grin. Exactly the reason Clay hated public places. His tongue wet his bottom lip, as menace transformed into opportunity. The man’s smiling face inches from his, Clay toyed with the sudden urge to kiss those full lips.

“Excuse me, are you lost?” the man asked. Even touching a total stranger, the man stood confident. Clay shifted to his right, and the comforting palm retreated.

“J-Just lost track of my friend for a minute,” Clay managed to blurt out, tearing his gaze away and scanning the crowd.

The stranger smiled and held out his hand. “Dave Hansen,” he said.

Clay pushed his glasses up before accepting the handshake. “Clay McCarthy.”

“I’m lost myself,” Dave said, “looking for a table of folks from Minsho Software.”

“Oh, so…” Clay’s eyes moved to Dave’s hand, the one still holding his. Pulling it away, he wiped the sweat from his brow. “You must be the new guy. What’s your specialty?” Not a threat, Clay assured himself as his eyes roamed the man’s expanse…Another poser…noting the scuffed biker boots and faded jeans of his too-casual attire…Definitely not one of us.

“Oh, so you’re with Minsho’s?” Dave asked, with his smile widening into what Clay garnered something between sly and sinister. “I’m an animator. One of the best…So, I’m told.”

“Artificial intelligence,” Clay said, resolving it’d be a cold day in hell before he’d give Dave any recognition…

Keep an eye on the “What’s New” page on my Site or join my yahoo group for the latest updates on all my stories!

Pan-Rainbow Seas~Dive into something new…
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pan-rainbow_seas

Yeah! I’m cookin’ with oil fire now! Opened my email to find another contract! Starbooks Press accepted my short story, Exposed, for their Nerdvana Anthology! Hell Yeah!