February | 2015 | Elin Gregory

Archive for February, 2015

New Release – Trowchester Blues by Alex Beecroft.

Posted in Uncategorized on February 9, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Title: Trowchester Blues
Author: Alex Beecroft
Publisher: Riptide
Available: 9th February, 2015
Pages: 273
Category: Contemporary crime and romance

Blurb:

Michael May is losing it. Long ago, he joined the Metropolitan Police to escape his father’s tyranny and protect people like himself. Now his father is dead, and he’s been fired for punching a suspect. Afraid of his own rage, he returns to Trowchester—and to his childhood home, with all its old fears and memories. When he meets a charming, bohemian bookshop owner who seems to like him, he clings tight.

Fintan Hulme is an honest man now. Five years ago, he retired from his work as a high class London fence and opened a bookshop. Then an old client brings him a stolen book too precious to turn away, and suddenly he’s dealing with arson and kidnapping, to say nothing of all the lies he has to tell his friends. Falling in love with an ex-cop with anger management issues is the last thing he should be doing.

Finn thinks Michael is incredibly sexy. Michael knows Finn is the only thing that still makes him smile. But in a relationship where cops and robbers are natural enemies, that might not be enough to save them.

New books from Alex Beecroft are always a huge treat, especially when you can get them early by ordering the whole collection.

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A Whole Lotta Love – A Valentine’s Day Blog Hop

Posted in contest, History, tagged blog hop, contest on February 9, 2015| 17 Comments »

Many many thanks to D P Denman for organising this blog hop to celebrate love in all its forms and fashions. Below you will find links to all the terrific authors who are taking part and also a link to a major Rafflecopter giveaway – enter it and you can win not only a Kindle but a whole load of ebooks to put on it.

Now I could just cut to the chase and provide the links to save the readers who are just here for the giveaways from having to scroll but nope! If you want to win a Kindle you can use that scroll bar, and for the people who stick around and read my post I’ve got a smaller private giveaway just for the fun of it.

First of all, a picture.

Not very impressive, is it? Until you consider that this is the oldest known depiction of two humans making love [or the oldest known piece of pornography if you have the kind of mind that insists on looking at everything that way]. This pebble has been painstakingly chipped to show the entwined limbs of lovers. It is thought to be over 13,000 years old, dating from the Ice Age, and was found in a cave in a desert area of Judea. Click the picture to go to the BBC website for more information on the carving and what it may represent.

What it represents to me is that the meeting of hearts, minds and sometimes of bodies, too, has been a major preoccupation for human beings since there WERE human beings. Lovers of all types, shapes, sizes and sexes have pledged to each other, sometimes fleetingly, for the heck of it, just for an hour, and sometimes with deep and abiding commitment.

This image dates to 500BC and shows part of a ceremony of union described by Herodotus at about that time, by Lucian in 50AD and, astonishingly, by Gerald of Wales writing of Ireland in the 12th century AD. Here is Lucian’s account of the ceremony in the words of a participant:

We consider appropriate to [these relationships] what you do in regard to marriage – wooing for a long time and doing everything similar so that we might not fail to obtain the friend, or be rejected. And when a friend has been preferred to all others, there are contracts for this and the most solemn oath, both to live together and to die, if necessary, for each other, which we do. From the point at which we have both cut our fingers and let the blood run into a chalice, dipped the tips of our swords in it, and both drunk it together, there is nothing that could dissolve what is between us.

Gerald’s account is, naturally, scathing because he was a devout churchman and anything involving the letting and consuming of blood was considered to be a pagan mockery of communion. But even in Catholic France during the 16th century it was possible for lovers to make a life together through the legal act of affrèrement – ‘brothering’. Originally designed so that two brothers or other close relations could share a house and property equally, it was also applied to men who were not related to each other but who wished to become legal and equal partners. The new “brothers” pledged to live together sharing ‘un pain, un vin, et une bourse’ — one bread, one wine, and one purse. There are many historians who pooh-pooh any suggestion that some of the people who signed contracts might have been lovers but honestly! If there was a way to make your lover your heir, to live with him as a partner, both in business as well of the heart, wouldn’t you take it?

Buccaneers certainly did, changing the name of affrèrement to matelotage and settling areas of the Caribbean and Spanish Main in colonies of same sex couples with locally recognised and approved rights of inheritance and fidelity. Until death do us part was as important to them as to the men of Scythia or the people today who choose to marry.

There have been good times, bad times, times of acceptance and times of persecution but I believe things are getting better and I hope that they continue to do so.

Okay you’ve been very patient so here’s the link to the Rafflecopter and for those of you who’d like to enter the private giveaway please comment below with the name of the century in which affrèrement was practised in France for a chance to win an ebook from my backlist, and a unique sheep related product!!

Happy Valentines and don’t forget to follow the links below.

Kendall McKenna	Anne Barwell	Elin Gregory
Jennifer Wright	Morticia Knight	Ethan Stone
N.J. Nielsen	Tara Lain	Tali Spencer
Stephen del Mar	Cecil Wilde	H.B. Pattskyn
C. J. Anthony	Catherine Lievens	Karen Stivali
Lisabet Sarai	TM Smith	Lily G Blunt
Christopher Koehler	Tracey Michael	Sibley Jackson
Alexa Milne	L M Somerton	Megan Linden
Draven St. James	Charlie Cochrane	Eva Lefoy
Thianna Durston	Aidee Ladnier	M.A. Church
Brandon Shire	Sue Brown	Jessie G
David Connor	Hayley B James	J.M. Dabney
Julie Lynn Hayes	April Kelley	Elizabeth Noble
Amanda Young	DP Denman	Bronwyn Heeley
Annabeth Albert	Neil Plakcy	Shiloh Saddler
A.J. Marcus	Kazy Reed

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Saturday Recommendations

Posted in Saturday Recs, tagged sat recs on February 7, 2015| Leave a Comment »

It’s been a slow week for reading due to a heaping helping of the winter blues. Do you get those? On top of my normal mind set it means a huge withdrawal from social media and reading my comfort reads where I know I’m safe. But it seems wrong to miss out on promoting other people’s excellent work so I’ve delved back though my “OMG that was brilliant folder” to find one of the books where I tossed a coin and something else got the mention for that week.

It was quite easy to choose when I gave it some thought because there’s a sequel coming up soon and I think people might appreciate reading the first book in preparation.

I’m talking about Santuario by G B Gordon.

This fabulous book has received somewhat mixed reviews but I think that’s because it’s often viewed as a M/M romance when it’s actually far more than that. I’d categorise it was a science fiction mystery with a gay romance component, and as such it was exactly my kind of book.

The premise is that long after the Human Diaspora a ship load of immigrants crash landed on a planet that had already been colonised. The previous inhabitants, all of Scandinavian origin, did not welcome the Hispanic arrivals but kept them segregated in an island colony where they live in poverty and are subject to the over rule of criminal overlords. There is a government and a police force that does it’s best to tackle crime but it’s only petty criminals that they dare catch and punish.

After 200 years of oppression, a new Skanian government decides that the rules about segregation should be relaxed and the borders opened, but only under strictly controlled circumstances. At the height of negotiations a body is discovered and Bengt, a Skanian policeman is sent to lead the investigation. His attraction to his new partner, Alex Rukow, is immediate, but Alex who knows far too much about conditions on the island to dare show his feelings keeps him at arms length.

The story is an absolutely excellent mystery with a lot of meaty and satisfying world building. The romance element is important but takes a lesser role, and I think that may be why some readers have felt a little let down. But as a sci fi mystery it’s supreme and I can’t recommend it enough. The sequel, The Other Side of Winter, where Alex joins Bengt in the chilly but luxurious north, will be available from Riptide in March.

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New Release – The Next Call by Sue Brown

Posted in Uncategorized on February 4, 2015| Leave a Comment »

The Next Call

~SUE BROWN~

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

COVER ARTIST: Christy Caughie

RELEASE DATE: 4^th February 2015

LENGTH: 169 Pages

BLURB: Mark Grayson volunteers for an LGBT helpline, the same one that helped him through his teenage years. One day he takes a call from “Ricky,” a suicidal man being forced into a marriage he doesn’t want. For weeks Mark talks to Ricky and provides support, but he’s frustrated by the lack of information Ricky provides and the decisions he’s making. In the meantime, Mark starts a relationship with another volunteer. Then tragedy strikes and Mark takes time away from the helpline, but when he comes back, Ricky is waiting. Mark realizes Ricky is stronger than before and their relationship changes, but Mark isn’t sure what their future holds if their relationship is destined to be at the end of the phone.

BUY LINKS:

Excerpt:

May 2009
“NOT TODAY, please not today. I haven’t got time.” It wasn’t true. Mark Grayson had all the time in the world today as he had a day off from his IT job, but some days he just didn’t want to take on the world’s problems. Today he’d promised himself a drive in the countryside and a pint at a pub.
There was no reason for the man to attract Mark’s attention. It wasn’t unusual to see people staring over the valley, and the view was spectacular—rolling, verdant hills in the foreground bisected by a long, rambling river. The road went over the river and then followed its path on the other side before it reached the next village.
Mark lived on the outskirts of Greater London, but he worked forty miles from home and preferred traveling by the country roads rather than sitting in endless traffic jams on the M25. He used the bridge on his way to work and bypassed tourists nearly every day, sometimes almost knocking over oblivious ones as they stepped back to take photos.
As Mark drove past, the man was standing stock-still, but he wasn’t looking at the view. He had his hood pulled up, so Mark couldn’t see his face, but the man had leaned forward and peered down at the forty-foot drop to the river and jagged rocks below, and that alone made the hairs stand up on the back of Mark’s neck. The temptation just to drive by was strong, to avoid making it his problem, but Mark was never one to pass on the other side. He sighed and parked his car close to the barrier, considerate enough to allow other cars to pass by. He walked back to where the man stood, not wanting to startle him and force him into a hasty decision.
The man didn’t glance up, didn’t acknowledge Mark’s existence until they were five feet apart. “Go away.” His voice was raw and strained. He wasn’t ordering—he was begging.
Mark stayed where he was, but he didn’t retreat. The instinct that had made him stop the car was screaming at him even louder this close to the man. He recognized the slump of the guy’s shoulders, the set resolve in his voice. He sounded so young. Twenty? Twenty-one? Too young to be standing there.
“I don’t think I can do that,” Mark said softly.
“It’s not your business.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. It’s very much my business.”
“Just drive on and forget you ever saw me.” The man drew in a shaky breath. “In a few minutes, it won’t matter anyway.”
“How long have you been standing there?” Mark asked.
“An hour.”
“That’s a long time to be making a decision.”
“I made it a long time ago.”
Mark shook his head. “I hate to disagree with you, friend, but if you’d really made it, you would have jumped by now.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.”
The man turned to look at Mark for the first time, but the hood and large sunglasses obscured his face. “I’m going to do it. It’s the only choice I have.”
Mark didn’t bother to argue or tell him he always had options. When you were that far down the road, you really didn’t care. “What is your name?”
“Richard. My name is Richard.”
He still cared enough to have an identity. That was a good sign. Some of the people he dealt with had lost everything, including their souls.
“Richard, I’m not going to stop you jumping.”
“You’re not?”
Mark shook his head. “I’ll stay so I can call the emergency services. It’s not fair that some poor soul has to find what’s left of you.”
“Do you think they’ll find me? Won’t I be washed out to sea?”
“Not this far up.” Mark smiled a little. “Let me take care of you.”

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Because two of her book tours (for The Next Call and Stolen Dreams) are going to run simultaneously, we have decided we would have a common giveaway for both the tours! It makes for an awesome giveaway as you’ll see 😀

There will be FIVE winners chosen from this contest:

First Winner will get a $20 Amazon Gift Card.
Second Winner will get a paperback copy of Stolen Dreams. (The contest is open for everyone and not limited to a specific region!)
First Runner up will get e-copies of The Next Call and Stolen Dreams
Two Second Runners up will win an e-copy of either The Next Call or Stolen Dreams.

Contest Begins: 26^th January, 2015

Contest Ends: 28^th February, 2015

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

AUTHOR BIO: Sue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she can be found plotting at her laptop. In fact she hides so she can plot and has gotten expert at ignoring the orders.

Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite television series. The series was boring; the kissing was not. She may be late to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.suebrownstories.com/
Blog: http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/suebrownstories
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suebrownstories

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New Release – Escaping From Him by Liam Livings

Posted in New Release, Uncategorized, tagged brit author, new release on February 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Title: Escaping From Him

Author:Liam Livings

Publisher: Manifold Press

Word Count: 51k

Available: NOW

Blurb:

Darryl’s on the run – from controlling boyfriend Chris, an air-conditioner called Dave (deceased), an intolerable, claustrophobic situation and a person he just can’t be any more. The trouble is, he doesn’t have a plan – or any money – and all he knows is he needs to get away from everything. That’s where a lucky lift to Glasgow comes in, which turns out to be just the beginning of a whole new life …

Who was your favourite character to write in Escaping From Him?

I enjoyed writing all the characters, that’s like asking to pick a favourite child or pet! Oh well, if I must, I must…

Darryl was good fun to write as he finally got the courage and gumption to escape from his life with Chris. I enjoyed writing about how he literally rebuilds himself when he gets to Scotland, a new group of friends, a new job, a new place to stay, and a boyfriend too. Writing about how he integrates himself into the new world of the clubs and pubs in Scotland was fun, how he gradually gets more confidence as he’s away from Chris for longer.

Lena was enjoyable to write too, I liked how she’s so matter of fact, and doesn’t pull any punches when she gives people her opinions. She’s also a very confident and driver person. In my mind she was a cross between Robyn and P!nk, a sort of no nonsense go getter in bondage gear with a savage creative streak, and a wonderful sense of fun. I enjoyed writing her friendship and love and support for Darryl, how she really cares for him and his happiness. I suppose that’s all anyone wants from a friend really.

*hiding behind his hands* I feel bad, but Chris was actually quite fun to write. There was something quite fun about writing how vile opinions and things he had said to Darryl, I quite enjoyed. I think it’s because it’s so not me in any way at all. He epitomises the sort of person who doesn’t *get* creativity at all. Why would you take pictures for a living and own cheap car when you could work doing something much higher paid and afford the latest Mini Cooper or BMW? He’s the sort of person who’d pick up a painting and question its price, while happily spending almost that much money on a meal to celebrate his latest sales target. Before everyone comes down on me like a tonne of bricks, I’m not anti estate agents or sales targets or people working for money because that’s what makes them happy, what I’m anti is people who think that’s the *only* way to be. People who can’t understand how someone else won’t be happy by buying the latest new electronic gadget, and would prefer to paint a picture or go for a walk in the forest instead.

EXTRACT – Darryl and Lena talk about Chris and how Sweden has one of the highest rates of suicide in Europe

Lena slapped my shoulder. “All these Swedish people throwing their lives away, but at least they make a decision to actually throw it away. Some people live their life, by half living it, and they are not happy. So which is the worst, ending it, or carry on live it and not live it right”

I smiled at her slightly broken English, but I got her point. Her carefully enunciated words put my West Country burr to shame.

“Darryl, I love you. You know this. But every time it is the same thing. Chris this, Chris that. And every time I ask you why you do stay with this man? And you tell me you love him. But me, I do not think you d.”

Buy Links:

Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ All Romance Ebooks

Author Bio

Liam Livings lives where east London ends and becomes Essex. He shares his house with his boyfriend and cat. He enjoys baking, cooking, classic cars and socialising with friends. He escapes from real life with a guilty pleasure book, cries at a sad, funny and camp film – and he’s been known to watch an awful lot of Gilmore Girls in the name of writing ‘research’.

He has written since he a teenager, started writing with the hope of publication in 2011. His writing focuses on friendships, British humour, romance with plenty of sparkle.

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