Lammy-tacular!

Happy Thursday, gang!

I have some very big, exciting news!

My newest release, Pianissimo, has been nominated for a Lammy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is a Lammy, you ask?

A Lammy is a Lambda Literary Award. Lambda Literary is the paramount foundation for all genres of LGBT writing.


For more information, please visit  http://www.lambdaliterary.org


So, in light on the nomination, I want to celebrate all things Pianissimo!

Here is the trailer for Pianissimo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1hWP81TVrg


Here's a little teaser for you:

The hot water splashed all over the sink as Corinne rinsed off another plate. She placed it on the rack and went to the next one. More soap. She scrubbed the melted cheese off of it. As she scrubbed, Corinne thought she heard something. She paused, only hearing the running water from the faucet.
“Darb.”
There it was again. A voice. A strange voice. She couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman speaking. It
was almost like a scratchy whisper. It was very weird. It was like nothing she had ever heard before, and yet she couldn’t be sure she actually heard anything.
Maybe she hadn’t. Maybe it was just her imagination playing games with her. This isolation and solitude was definitely taking a toll on her. It was probably nothing more than that.
She brought her eyes back down to the plate in her hand, and she restarted scrubbing that old, nasty,
melted cheese off of it.


Want more of a sample? Check out this FREE four chapter sample book! http://books.noisetrade.com/laurenshiro/pianissimo-by-lauren-shiro-four


Last, and certainly not least, here is the link to get your copy in e-book or print!
http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro/dp/0692310819/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1418175573&sr=8-1


Happy reading!

Feminism in my books

I just read an article about some of the forward leaps that have been made in the name of feminism this year. That caused me to look at myself and my work.

For as long as I can remember (yes, even as a kid. No joke), I have been adamant that females are equal to be males, and should be treated as such. So, I live feminism. I also write feminism.

You'll note that the majority of my main characters are women. And they are strong women. They are career women, wives, daughters, sisters, lovers, fighters, individuals. My characters come from all walks of life. They run the gamut of personalities. They are not defined by their looks or their jobs. They are simply who they are as human beings.

For as much as I want to raise LGBT awareness, I also want to support the feminist movement. I want to remind all readers that we are so much more than our race, orientation, and gender. What we look like, what our physical bodies are, do/does not define us. We need to raise our voices. We need to remind the world that our size and gender do not mean that we are lesser in any way. We are so much greater than our bodies.

So, women and men alike, I implore you to read my books. Come discover these characters who defy race, gender, and orientation. They remind us that we are all simply human beings.

More WeWriWa Comin' Atchya!

Happy weekend, y'all! It's time for...WeWriWa!!!

Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.
This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

Today, I'm doing another snippet fro The Vet Student, book 8 in the Loving Her series.
Determined to escape the small town and her religious, stifling parents,Katie works hard to get into veterinary school...in Philadelphia. Katie refused to let anything – or anyone – destroy her dream. Not even her own parents. She suffered many losses along the way, but she gained so much more. Tumultuous and tender, Katie’s story closes the Loving Her series... for now.

In this snippet, Katie is working her part-time job at a pizza parlor, and she has just seen Linda for the first time.

As Katie whizzed by, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a smirk slide across the tall girl’s face. The smirk. There was something about lesbians who smirked in such a way. It was a tell-tale sign. Katie couldn’t stop the giant grin that came across her face. She had been noticed…by a very sexy lesbian. She hoped the stunning brunette would be interested, and it seemed like maybe she was.

Happy reading!  :)

Introducing Introductions

Happy Thursday, readers!

Have you recovered from stuffing yourself at Thanksgiving last week? LOL.

Today, I want to introduce you to a couple of things.

First off, I would like to introduce you to First Christmas.

First Christmas is a short story that is a continuation of Pianissimo. It's Darryl and Corinne's first Christmas together in the new house. But it's also about a Christmas between Agnes, Margaret, and Margaret's family.

You see how each couple celebrates. You see how each couple connects. You see how the stories from each couple intertwine.

It's a short read, and it's a good way to continue the stories in Pianissimo. Or, if you haven't read it yet, it can also serve as a good introduction to Pianissimo! ;)



Speaking of introductions, I want to introduce you to another introduction for Pianissimo!

If you click here, you will find a FREE 4 chapter preview of Pianissimo!

I know what it's like to buy a book, not knowing the author's voice or being unsure if you'd like the read. This is the perfect way for you to get to know me and my books. This FREE preview allows you to sample the book. Once you've read it and are hooked, you're able to purchase your full copy and enjoy the story in its entirety.


So there you have it, folks! A couple of introductions to help you decide if you're going to put Pianissimo on your holiday wish list. ;)


I hope you enjoy them both!

Happy reading!

Final WeWriWa Snippet from The Cop

It's time for another WeWriWa! Today, we are doing 8 sentences from The Cop.


Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.
This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

Today's WeWriWa comes from The Cop, Donna's story in the Loving Her series.

Donna White is one tough cop. Behind the badge, though, is a very sweet, sad, sensitive soul. Truly a woman alone, Donna is simply trying to navigate her way through life. Who is Donna? She is dedicated, determined, distinctive and deep. Donna’s rich and touching story is second in the Loving Her series.



Background on this snippet: Donna has just met Brynn. They are working together to find a known dangerous drug dealer. They have just raided his house and found him hiding.

“Freeze!” both women shouted. He dropped to the floor immediately. Donna and Brynn reached down, each grabbed an arm and pulled him up.

“Is this him?” Brynn asked.


Donna looked at his face. Instantly she knew. “Yes.”




Hope you liked it! Happy reading!!!