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New Release – Dawn to Dusk by Alina Popescu

Posted in contest, New Release, tagged , on August 11, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Dawn to Dusk Tour Banner

Title: Dawn to Dusk
Series: Lover’s Journey, Book One
Author: Alina Popescu
Genre: Gay Romance, Contemporary
Length: Novel (over 50000 words)

Synopsis

That first encounter with Robert in rural Romania at eleven. A summer spent together in the same setting a year later. Their first text exchange in high school. The first sexual experience. The first heartbreak—the second and third and fourth chance. The point of total breakdown and the despair of failing. More love than anyone could have warned him about.

No matter how much time passes, no matter how different their paths, every meeting brings Edi and Robert closer together. Those stolen moments shine brighter than any. Yet loving Robert is not easy, not when Edi wants to be true to himself and is met with dishonesty. Or when Robert keeps parading new conquests and ignores Edi more often than not.

Edi has always loved Robert, but he must decide if his journey leads to or away from his childhood friend. Is it true love or is Edi just unable to let go?

Dawn to Dusk Cover

Buy Links

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I8FG8P4
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01I8FG8P4
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01I8FG8P4
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01I8FG8P4
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dawntodusk-2048734-149.html
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/649340

Giveaway

Prizes: 1 x $10 WIP Gift Card, 1 x $5 WIP Gift Card, 1 x ecopy of Br0th3rly (Famous on the Inernet, Book One).

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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dawn-to-dusk-3D-render

About the authorAlina Popescu

Writer, traveler, and coffee addict, Alina Popescu has been in love with books all her life. She started writing when she was ten and she has always been drawn to sci-fi, fantasy, and the supernatural realm. Born and raised in Romania, she finds her inspiration in books of all genres, in movies, and the occasional manga comic book. She is a proud geek who needs her fast Internet and gadgets more than she needs air.

Social Links

Site & Blog: http://alina-popescu.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authoralinapopescu
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alina_popescu
Instagram: http://instagram.com/alinapopescuwriter
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/alina-popescu
Google+:  https://www.google.com/+AlinaPopescu
Amazon:  http://amazon.com/author/alinapopescu

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Hop For Visibility, Awareness and Equality

Posted in Causes, contest on May 17, 2016| 22 Comments »

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So the year rolls around and here we are observing another blog hop to remind ourselves to be mindful, careful and to call out Homophobia and Transphobia whenever we see it. So far, so good. It’s nice to get a concrete reminder of this but we’d do well to remember that the problems we hop about once a year are things faced every day, all year round, for many of the people to whom we count ourselves allies.

As the weeks pass by and the roll call of people young and old who have fallen victim to these phobias mounts, it’s important to remember that they aren’t just names on a screen but people with hopes and dreams, with loved ones, with ambitions for the future. For some of them, tragically, that future has been cut short, for others they have faced acts that are so subtle as to be almost unnoticeable to folk who aren’t in their position but act like the slow drip of acid, eating away at their well being. This is less newsworthy than a murder, than an assault, than the awfulness of suicide, but it’s an everywhere, everyday tarnish on the gloss of civilisation. Victimisation, large and obvious or small and insidious, must stop.

We must see it for what it is, we must be aware of its effects and we must support the push for equality.

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This year’s theme for the IDAHOT organisation is Mental Health and Well-Being. Please support it if you can.

Click here to be taken to the list of participants in the blog hop or use the links below.

Blog Hop for Visibility, Awareness and Equality.

1.  B. A. Brock (BI TR GAY LES)   23.  Amelia Bishop (MULTI)   45.  Remmy Duchene (MM)  
2.  Jamie Fessenden   24.  Moonbeams over Atlanta – Eloreen Moon (MM, REV, MULTI)   46.  Sharita Lira writing as BLMorticia M/M  
3.  Rory Ni Coileain   25.  Helena Stone (M/M )   47.  Barbara Winkes (LES)  
4.  Erica Pike (M/M)   26.  AM Leibowitz (M/M, F/F, BI, TR, NB, REV)   48.  Bronwyn Heeley (m/m)  
5.  Andrew Jericho (GAY)   27.  L.D. Blakeley (M/M, BI)   49.  L. J. LaBarthe  
6.  Tempeste O\’Riley (M/M (Bi) (NB)   28.  Lila Leigh Hunter [M/M, BI]   50.  VJ Summers (m/m, m/m/f)  
7.  The Macaronis [various]   29.  Sharon Bidwell   51.  Nikka Michaels (M/M)  
8.  Elin Gregory [mm]   30.  Nicole Dennis (M/M, ACE, M/M/F)   52.  Caraway Carter (LGBT)  
9.  Alexa MIlne   31.  Lexi Ander   53.  L M Somerton (M/M)  
10.  Nic Starr (M/M)   32.  Barbara G.Tarn (M/M, ACE)   54.  Taylor Law (GAY)  
11.  Evelise Archer (MM)   33.  Kaje Harper M/M, TR, BI   55.  Anastasia Vitsky (F/F, TR, BI)  
12.  Sue Brown   34.  JMS Books LLC   56.  Draven St. James (M/M)  
13.  Elizabeth Varlet (M/M, BI, NB)   35.  JM Snyder   57.  A.V. Sanders (GAY, ACE, NB)  
14.  Raven J. Spencer   36.  Dean Pace-Frech   58.  Lynley Wayne  
15.  Sharing Links and Wisdom (REV)   37.  Kimber Vale   59.  DP Denman (GAY)  
16.  Lisa Horan (REV/Multi)   38.  Jacintha Topaz (BI, F/F, M/M, TR)   60.  M.A. Church M/M  
17.  Archer Kay Leah (M/M, F/F, TR, NB, BI, ACE)   39.  Prism Book Alliance® (MULTI)   61.  Andrew J. Peters GAY  
18.  Alexis Duran (M/M)   40.  Eva Lefoy (M/M, F/F, F/M/F, BI, MULTI)   62.  Dianne Hartsock MM  
19.  Jules Dixon   41.  Lou Sylvre (M/M)   63.  M. LeAnne Phoenix M/M F/F  
20.  R.M. Olivia   42.  Anne Barwell   64.  Cherie Noel (M/M)  
21.  Heloise West (M/M)   43.  Viki Lyn (M/M)   65.  Chris McHart (M/M, Trans*)  
22.  Angel Martinez (M/M GAY BI TR)   44.  Sean Michael  

(Linkup closed)
Create your own linkup for free

As usual there must be a prize so I’ll make my usual donation to the Albert Kennedy Trust on behalf of the Hop and one commentor, chosen at random, may pick a book from my backlist. Good luck.

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Today in the Comfy Chair – Hans Hirschi

Posted in contest, Excerpt, Guests on April 13, 2016| Leave a Comment »

RDT_Banner

comfy chairMy guest today is Hans Hirschi who has very kindly agreed to answer a few questions about his latest release Jonathan’s Promise. Don’t forget to scroll down for the rest of the blog tour schedule, excerpts and a link to a very generous Rafflecopter giveaway! But first the interview.

Welcome Hans.

The first time I interviewed you was in 2013 just before the release of your first published novel. Has your writing process changed much since then?

First, thank you Elin, for hosting me again. The most accurate answer would probably be a cautious yes. When I wrote Family Ties, quickly followed by Jonathan’s Hope, all in the space of five weeks, I had no idea what I was doing, what the whole writing process in the literary space was like. I had only written non-fiction prior to that date. So from a “crafts” process, I’ve learned a lot, from my editors, my publisher.

My writing process, in terms of the artistic aspects is still largely the same. Yes, I may plot a little bit more from a conscious point of view, e.g. knowing from the get go how Jonathan’s Promise would end. However, I still begin with an image in my mind and let the characters run with it, and I’m still the first reader seeing the story unfold in front of my eyes, with all that entails in terms of laughter, sorrow and the odd surprise I wasn’t prepared for.

How do you sustain the same tone for a character from book to book, especially when taking time off between to write other stories?

I hadn’t even considered this, honestly. First of all, I don’t write series, so Jonathan’s Promise was never even on the radar. When the boys came back, and I finally gave in and began to write, I was challenged with a timing question: when do I return? Do I return to a time after Jonathan’s father’s funeral (the end of the story), or do I return to the end of the book, after the epilogue, which is sixty years later. In the end, I did the latter, and the Jonathan’s Promise picks up around the time of the epilogue, so Jonathan is an old man, no longer an eighteen year old. So, to finally answer your question, it wasn’t a big thing, old men don’t really speak like their young selves, but to make sure I used the same terms of endearment within the couple’s conversations etc. I made sure to re-read Jonathan’s Hope. Turns out, my subconscious has a much better memory than my conscious mind does.

Now you are established in the genre do you have any advice for new writers? Is there any thing you wish that someone had told you?

There are a lot of things I wish I had known back then. I write gay fiction with a genre I’d call LGBT fiction, where the vast majority of people write gay romance. I usually feel like something the cat’s dragged in. However, even as someone who doesn’t write romance novels, I’ve been very warmly accepted by my peers, and I’m really grateful for that reception. I would’ve loved to have known about all those conventions back in 2013. I didn’t learn “that” lesson until a year later, and I missed out, because I’ve come to understand that much of a writer’s success in the industry lies in old-fashioned mouth-to-mouth propaganda, recommendations. And the readers who we meet at cons, the ones we form relationships with and with whom we communicate on social media in between the cons, they have huge networks and influence many people around them. I lost a good year there. Then again, I didn’t know what animal I was, and I had no real clue about what was out there, even though I had read a lot of books. I just didn’t connect the dots. Talking to colleagues has helped. So that would be my tip: talk to colleagues in the industry. It’s been my experience that authors are extremely helpful creatures! 🙂

What are you working on now? Can you tell us a bit about it?

I don’t have a WIP right now. I just sent a manuscript to one of my editors, a collection of LGBT shorts, very literary. We’ll see how I use those stories. The next project are my cons. After every book release, there’s lots of marketing work, and Jonathan’s Promise will be followed by Jonathan’s Legacy in the fall, the final piece in this unexpected trilogy. Once my publisher sends me back the edits, my work starts again, going through those and cleaning it up for publication. I have no writing plans right now, which is “odd”, but I tick differently than most others. I need to clean my head from an ongoing project before I can focus on something else. Once an image pops up, I’ll know if it holds up for a novel…

Can we have an excerpt please?

Sure. This scene shows us a glimpse of Jonathan’s “morning routine”. It doesn’t give away too much of the plot. After all, I want you to read it! 😉

“Jonathan woke up early the next morning. Outside, the night had not yet given up its daily rule, clinging on for all it had, growing stronger with the approaching winter solstice. Jonathan looked at his watch. Six a.m.? If only I could sleep a little longer. He got up and went through to the large en suite bathroom to relieve himself. He had to smile inwardly as he thought about how his body was falling apart for every year he got older. Even peeing was becoming a bit of a challenge, and he had to get up more than once during the night, feeling as if he’d drunk a couple of pints of beer. It’s just not fair.

But it was what it was, and there was nothing he could do. At least he didn’t have prostate troubles the way Dan had. Thankful for small mercies, eh? He looked up at the ceiling, shaking the last drops from his dick before flushing the toilet and washing his hands. He put on a robe and walked slowly downstairs to the kitchen. Coffee! I need coffee.”

Excerpt From: Hans M Hirschi. “Jonathan’s Promise.” iBooks.


AboutTheBook

jonathans promise
TITLE: Jonathan’s Promise 


SERIES:
Jonathan
Trilogy: Book Two

AUTHOR:
Hans M. Hirschi

PUBLISHER:
Beaten
Track Publishing

COVER
ARTIST: Natasha Snow

LENGTH:
214 Pages

RELEASE
DATE: March 31, 2016

BLURB:
Jonathan made Dan a promise – a promise that will affect the remainder of his
life. But what does he have left to live for?

When their grandson
Parker and his fiancé Cody move in with him, the three of them embark on a
journey to shed light on Dan’s roots.

A heart-warming sequel
to Jonathan’s Hope, Jonathan’s Promise deals with aging and the ultimate
consequences of wedding vows. Are we entitled to a second shot at happiness?
When is ‘for worse’ too much to handle?

In
this trilogy:

Jonathan’s Hope (Book
1)
Jonathan’s Promise
(Book 2)

Jonathan’s Legacy (Book 3) 


Excerpt

  



“Jon?”

“Yes, Hon, what is it?”

“I’m tired.”

“I know. Just rest. You
need your strength for tomorrow.”

“I’m not sure I want to…”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just not sure it’s
worth it, Jon…” Dan started to cough. Jonathan rose from his chair at his
husband’s bedside to offer him some water, gently lifting and holding Dan’s
head while he took down the cool, soothing liquid.

When the coughing
eased, Dan patted Jonathan’s hand. He waited until Jonathan was seated before
he spoke further. “Thanks. I’m old, hon. And I’m tired. I’ve lived a long and
rich life, and you know what the doctor said. There’s only a very small chance
the surgery will help. The tumor’s already metastasized, and even with chemo
I’ll die sooner rather than later. Maybe it’s better to just get it over with.”

Jonathan began to cry,
tumbling forward in his despair. His head came to a rest on his husband’s
chest. They’d been a couple for so many years―six decades. How would he go on without
Dan’s strength? How could he survive without the man who’d saved his life?

“Hon, don’t worry about
me. I need you now, probably more than ever. I need to know you’ll stay strong
for the kids. They need you.”

Dan’s words began to
slur and his eyes closed. Even talking took so much effort. When he was sure
Dan was asleep, Jonathan left their bedroom and went downstairs, out to the back
patio, where he left the crisp, fresh fall air to dry the tears on his face. He
was tired, too. Dan’s cancer had come back. They’d thought he’d beaten it, but
the last screening showed the dark shadows in his bones and his lungs. After
three years of clear results, it had come completely out of the blue, and the doctor
said that it had also spread to other areas of the body.



That was just a few days
ago, and Dan had accepted the news with equanimity. He had made peace with
himself and the world around him when the cancer had first been diagnosed in his
prostate. Back then, there was still a sparkle in Dan’s eyes, a determination
to fight this, a will to survive. But at ninety years of age, Dan was tired,
and Jonathan knew―or rather he felt―that his husband was done. And he
understood, but that did not diminish the pain, the despair. Yes, he’d be
strong for the kids, the grandkids, but who’d look after him? Who’d make sure
he survived?   

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER ON YOUTUBE!!

BuyLinks







AuthorBio

AuthorPic

I’m an author. I write books. I write about things that are important to me: family, parenting, children, our environment, our world. Contemporary, fresh fiction with happy endings. It’s what I like to read myself. I write because I don’t have a choice. There are so many stories in my head, constantly forming, constantly trying to get out. Feel free to have a look on the other pages to learn more, listen to me narrate from those stories, and – if you like what you see or hear – follow the links to buy the books. I’d greatly appreciate that, as this is how I try to make my living.

I’m an author. But I’m also a forty something male who clings to the illusion of still being twenty-seven, despite my body’s daily reminders to the contrary. I’m married to the most amazing man, and together we have a beautiful son, Sascha. I consider myself a citizen of the world, having lived on two continents and traveled extensively through another three. I have friends all over the world. When I’m not writing, I like to do public speaking or training (where I have my professional background) to actually earn some real bill-paying money. Not sure this author thing is ever going to get me there…



RafflecopterGiveaway

Winner’s
Prize: $50 Amazon GC

Runner Up Prize: 5 e-copies of Jonathan’s
Promise (Book 2) / Jonathan’s Hope (Book 1) – Winner’s Choice


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Blog Tour – Stuck on Rewind – Dianne Hartsock

Posted in contest, Excerpt, New Release on March 21, 2016| 2 Comments »

Congratulations to my dear friend Dianne Hartsock on her latest release – Stuck on Rewind. Below you will find details of the book, a terrific excerpt and a contest so keep on reading!

Author Name: Dianne Hartsock

 

Book Name: Stuck on Rewind

 

Release Date: March 15, 2016

 

Pages or Words: 10,308 words

 

Categories: Contemporary, Erotic, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

 

Publisher: Pride Publishing

 

Cover artist: Emmy Ellis

 

Stuck On Rewind

 

Blurb:

 

Ashton has been in love with his best friend for years, watching him grow from a pretty high school boy to the gorgeous erotic dancer at the club where they both work. The problem is that Lance enjoys the attention of a variety of men while Ashton wants him for his very own.

After a day spent denying his attraction for Lance, standing by while their friend Trey openly flirts with him, Ashton decides it’s time to make his move or risk losing his man forever. Once Lance knows how he feels, he’ll realize they

should be together. Or is it already too late?

 

Excerpt:

“Fuck!” Ashton shouted in a mixture of anger and ecstasy as Lance swallowed again, then let Ashton’s softening cock slip from between his perfect lips. Ashton leaned on his elbows, his chest heaving while he caught his breath. With a last kiss on his thigh, Lance climbed off the bed, sleek-limbed and graceful, and walked to the dresser with a sassy sway of his hips.

Ashton stared after him and groaned, not sure if he wanted to pull his friend’s ass back into his arms or punch him in the face. It would be incredible to wake up with Lance every morning and make love to him. But he sternly reminded himself that they were only friends and Lance needed to stop climbing into his bed at night uninvited.

“You do remember you have a bed of your own?” he asked, more sharply than he’d intended.

Lance gave him a smirk over his shoulder, making a show of licking the last of Ashton’s spunk off his swollen lips. “You told me to wake you at seven.”

“I didn’t mean… Oh hell.” Ashton fell back on the pillows and threw an arm over his eyes. He swore in exasperation when the mattress dipped and Lance’s familiar scent surrounded him. “Damn it—”

Soft fingers touched his mouth. “Don’t be mad, baby. I didn’t mean anything.”

Ashton peered at him through the dark curls that had flopped into his eyes. The guy looked positively forlorn, and Ashton sat up, giving him a one-armed hug. “I’m not mad. But you don’t need to keep doing that, either. You’re my friend!” He kissed Lance’s cheek, the velvet skin warm with a blush. “You make a terrific roommate, and I like the company.”

“And I like you.” Lance walked his fingers up Ashton’s leg.

Ashton laughed and shooed the hand away, but couldn’t help staring at the enticing evidence of his friend’s arousal between his legs.

“Can I take care of that for you?”

“Not at all.” Lance stood up, waving off Ashton’s offer. “I’ll deal with it in the shower. You have to save your attentions for Mister Man.”

“Who are you talking about…? Wait!” Ashton rolled off the bed and trotted after Lance as he crossed the apartment.

Lance giggled, slipping behind the bathroom door but holding it cracked open an inch. He smiled at Ashton with his pouty, kissable lips. “You know, the boss. Mister Kent.”

“I’m not saving myself for—”

Ashton blinked at the closed door. Why in the world would Lance think he was interested in his boss? Sure, the man was handsome as sin, but he was also an egomaniac and tyrant. Why only yesterday, he’d…

Hot blood scorched Ashton’s neck and face, his arm tingling where Morgan Kent had gripped it, towering over him. The man had bent to his ear, swamping Ashton’s senses with subtle cologne and a hint of sweat as he’d whispered, “If you can’t type a simple letter without mistakes, I’ll find a secretary who can.” He’d tightened his hand almost painfully on Ashton’s arm. “Or maybe I should just bend you over this desk and smack your ass for each mistake?”

Ashton’s dick jumped at the memory. He told it sternly to behave. “We’re not falling for that bastard. We’ll stick with the sweet boys at the club and call it good.”

 

Buy the book:

Pride Publishing |  Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Meet the author:

Dianne grew up in one of the older homes in the middle of Los Angeles, a place of hardwood floors and secret closets and back staircases. A house where ghosts lurk in the basement and the faces in the paintings watch you walk up the front stairs. Rooms where you keep the closet doors closed tight at night. It’s where her love of the mysterious and wonderful came from.

Dianne now lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play. She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee warming her hands, which kindles her imagination.

Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

 

Where to find the author:

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook Author Page | Pinterest

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Rafflecopter Prize: $10 ARe gift card

Click here to enter

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Tour Dates & Stops:

15-Mar: BFD Book Blog, Man2ManTastic, 3 Chicks After Dark, Full Moon Dreaming

16-Mar:A.M. Leibowitz, Velvet Panic, Louise Lyons, Mikky’s World of Books, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

17-Mar: Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Nephy Hart,

Oh My Shelves

18-Mar: Alpha Book Club, Havan Fellows, The Dark Arts, Making It Happen, Bayou Book Junkie

19-Mar: Outrageous Heroes, Inked Rainbow Reads, Love Bytes

21-Mar: Elin Gregory, MM Good Book Reviews, Happily Ever Chapter, MM Book Escape

 

 

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Guest Post – Torque by Charley Descoteaux

Posted in contest, Excerpt, Guests, New Release on March 15, 2016| 3 Comments »

My guest today is Charley Descoteaux, one of my favourite people , whose work is always fresh and unusual and features a host of diverse and compelling characters. Welcome Charley!

Guest post below the book details and below that there’s a cracking long excerpt and a contest. Good luck.



Author Name: Charley Descoteaux

Book Name: Torque

Release Date: February 23, 2016

Pages or Words: 47,337 words

Categories:
Contemporary Romance,
Ménage/Poly,
*Trans,
Bisexual,
Asexual,
LGBTQ+ Fiction

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Cover Artist: Kanaxa

 

Blurb:

Sometimes letting things get complicated is the best way to figure it all out.

Mick Randall is on the run, from the biker culture he grew up in and his impossible vision of love. Alaska should be far enough to escape his old life—until he rolls into a wrecking yard and gets lost in a pair of pale, bottle-green eyes.

Scotty Bell has spent years learning to channel his fiery temper into the heat of a welding torch. His sexual heat has always been slower to ignite, but one look at Mick rouses confusion alongside desire. In all his life, he’s only been attracted to one other person—his best friend, Mercy Taylor.

Mick lands a temporary job at the yard, and finds an uneasy crash pad at Scotty’s place…where the ragged ends of his emotions get tangled up in Scotty and Mercy’s relationship.

But when Mick hears a Harley engine from his past bearing down on him, his first instinct is to go back to the half-life he’d been living. Lest his secrets destroy the only two people who’ve ever made him feel whole.

Warning: Contains references to abuse, subversive ideas about sexual identity and gender expression, and a free-range bisexual on a mission.

Guest Post

Thanks for having me, Elin! I’m thrilled to visit your lovely corner of the web and talk a little about my new release, Torque.

Torque is a ménage but it’s a little different than most of the poly Romances I’ve read. I’ve read MMM, MMF, and FMF, but the books I’ve found have featured three (or more!) cisgender players. Torque is MMF with a bisexual man (Mick), a man on the ace spectrum (Scotty), and a trans woman (Mercy).

I didn’t set out to write this exact story. Torque started out as Mick’s story. I liked the idea of a mechanic and a welder getting down and dirty together but had no idea Mercy would drive her truck into a scene and become such an important character. In fact, pretty much everything that happens in her first scene surprised me. I love it when that happens!

However. My first impulse was to force the story back in the direction I originally thought it would go—Mick and Scotty finding their Happily Ever After with each other. Except once I got to know those two I realized how difficult that would be. Neither of them had ever been in a real relationship and neither are big talkers. If I’d left them to their own devices they might still be circling each other trying to figure things out. Or worse, they easily could have butted heads enough to set Mick back on the road. As much as I wanted it to be true, Mick and Scotty didn’t make a believable couple on their own.

Once I got that far I considered giving Mercy some POV time, letting her have her say on the page. Mercy is such a charismatic character she could have easily taken over the story (and Scotty had already come close to doing that). I love Mercy, but had to consider whether putting readers inside her head would make Torque a little too different for many LGBTQ+ Romance readers. I love pushing boundaries with my fiction but there’s no value in that if nobody is interested in reading the stories once they’re written. My incredible editor helped me find a middle ground—at least I think so! I’m anxious to find out what readers think, so if you take a chance on this unconventional ménage I hope you’ll let me know!

Excerpt:

Copyright © 2016 Charley Descoteaux
All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication

Mick slept on the couch for two weeks before Scott let him get dinner. Mick brought a pizza, hot wings and a six-pack. When he offered Scott a beer, Mick thought for a second he was about to get decked.

“No thanks, I don’t drink. But you go ahead.”

Mick put five bottles in the fridge and popped the top on the sixth. The long pull of rich beer felt like cool water after he’d been walking for weeks in the desert.

“Never?”

“Nope. I got enough of that before I was even born, I don’t need any more.”

It only took half a beer for Mick to get past the uncomfortable feeling he should’ve asked Scott to tell him more, or that he should’ve switched to Mountain Dew. Scott rented an On Demand movie, something forgettable with vampires, and they sat in their places on the couch and divided their attention between the movie and the pizza for the next two hours. Tom camped out in his usual spot between their thighs, graciously accepting all the chicken and pepperoni tributes offered to him.

After the movie was over they watched another one on HBO, but didn’t pay much attention to it. Mick had a nice buzz going and was happy to sit back and listen to Scott talk about his project—the VW Microbus he was converting into a flatbed. A warm, fuzzy feeling Mick almost didn’t recognize as happiness set up camp in his gut, and life was good.

He thought, more than once or twice, that Scott leaned toward him in a way that was a little more than friendly, but it had to be the beer.

Too bad.

Mick jerked in surprise when he realized he’d started to lean toward Scott. He had no right to be “more than friendly” to Scott. None at all.

Scott reached out to grasp his shoulder. “You okay, Mick?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Are you ready for bed?” Scott kneaded his shoulder, sending a current through his body.

“The movie isn’t over.”

“It’s not very good. If you don’t want to finish it, that’s okay with me.” Scott smiled and sat back against the couch, releasing Mick’s shoulder.

He couldn’t help himself, he leaned forward. Only a little bit. He didn’t want to lose Scott’s touch. In that moment, he couldn’t think of anything more important than Scott touching him, not even self-preservation.

Mick Randall wasn’t a stranger to self-medicating with alcohol but before he found Bell’s he hadn’t had a lot of money to spare, and lately he hadn’t had the time. Together, those circumstances had turned him into a lightweight. That had to be the explanation for why he saw a come-on in every glance and heard innuendo where surely Scott didn’t mean any. He’d have to be a lightweight to want so badly to respond to Scott’s touch with an embrace.

Maybe I should quit drinking.

Mick wasn’t capable of walking in a straight line by the time he hit the can, but it didn’t matter. Four beers was plenty and he’d take the other two out of Scott’s fridge the next day and remember not to bring more. If he wanted a drink, he wouldn’t have to drive far. When he left the bathroom his thoughts centered on that warm, happy feeling, and what he could get up to the next day. Before he knew what was happening, Scott had him backed against the wall, both hands spread across his chest.

All that fuzzy warm happiness disappeared, replaced by a tiny shiver of panic mixed with a side of relief. The relief tangled with a mix of “fucking finally” and “what the fuck” that made Mick dizzy. Or maybe that’s just the beer.

“Scott. Maybe I should sleep somewhere else tonight.”

“Yeah. Like in my bed with me.”

“I was thinking like my car, or a motel.”

Scott frowned and pushed him back against the wall harder, caressing his chest and shoulders as he did. The contrast of the unyielding wall against his shoulder blades and the man in front of him spun Mick’s head around once. “You don’t feel anything like Mercy. I knew you wouldn’t.”

“Don’t you think Mercy would—”

“She wouldn’t care. I’m not the only one she fools around with.” Scott leaned against him, chest to chest, close enough to kiss.

“Let me go.” Mick took hold of Scott’s shoulders and tried to push him back, but Scott was stronger than he looked.

“No. I don’t want to.”

“What am I supposed to do now?” Mick couldn’t see a clear path to the door. Panic reared up in the back of his mind—he had no game plan for this, no idea what his part should be.

“You can let me blow you. Or you can blow me. I don’t care who goes first. You want me, don’t you?”

Mick tried to speak but couldn’t. He couldn’t get a decent breath either, not with Scott’s hands on him. He nodded and tried to pull himself together.

“Haven’t you ever hooked up before?”

“Yeah.” Liar.

“Well, so have I. I’m not a little kid. You don’t have to—”

“I know you’re not.” Mick squeezed Scott’s shoulders, anxious to learn how his skin felt over those hard muscles, how those muscles looked when he moved. “I know.”

“So why—”

“I’ve hooked up before.”

“So why not with me?”

“Because it’s different with you. I mean, it would be— I can’t…”

“You think I’m an idiot? Too dumb to know what to—”

“No! No. That has nothing to do—” Mick saw something in Scott’s eyes that made the rest of that sentence turn to dust in his throat. He swallowed hard and was about to—no idea what he was about to do, but he couldn’t stand there forever—when he saw something else that stopped him. “You’re shaking.”

“Yeah.” Scott’s voice had a hard edge so when he surged forward, his erection pressing against Mick’s thigh, it was unexpected.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m trying to keep from punching you in the face.”

“Why do you want to punch me in the face?”

“Because you’re pushing me away. I thought you liked me.”

“I do like you. But—”

“Don’t say it’s not right. I’m dumb but I’m not—”

“I didn’t say you were dumb. You’re not dumb.” Mick could barely speak past his desire, so his last few words came out as breathless as he felt. He’d started panting and the sound filled the short hallway. “Please don’t punch me in the face.”

Scott frowned, but fear and pain was mixed up with the anger and desire showing in his light bottle-green eyes. Mick felt it all right along with him.

“Maybe I should go.”

When Scott didn’t respond Mick slid against the wall, sideways. In just a few steps, Mick wasn’t supporting all of Scott’s weight anymore, didn’t feel his tense muscles or his heat. Mick gingerly pushed off from the wall and walked backward, toward the living room.

“You don’t have to.”

“I think I do.” Mick sat on the sofa to pull on his boots and Scott dropped onto the cushion beside him. Mick straightened, one boot on and one off, and Scott grabbed him and kissed him.

Buy the book:

 

Samhain: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5726/torque

Amazon US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016XTORUK

All Romance eBooks:  https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-torque-1937773-149.html

 

Meet the author:

 

Charley Descoteaux misspent a large chunk of her youth on the back of a Harley, meeting people and having adventures that sometimes pop up in her fiction. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area during a drought, and found her true home in the soggy Pacific Northwest. Charley has survived earthquakes, tornadoes and floods, but couldn’t make it through one day without stories.

 

 

Where to find the author:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charley.descoteaux.3

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CharleyDescoteauxAuthor/?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharleyDescote

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/charleydescote/

Blog: http://cdescoteauxwrites.com/

 

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27304313-torque

Contest

Rafflecopter Prize: $20 Amazon gift card


Tour Dates & Stops:

23-Feb

Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Book Lovers 4Ever, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Posy Roberts

 

1-Mar

The Novel Approach, Velvet Panic, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Hearts on Fire

 

8-Mar

Louise Lyons, Foxylutely Book Reviews, My Fiction Nook, the Twins: Talon ps & Princess so, Inked Rainbow Reads

 

15-Mar

Full Moon Dreaming, Elin Gregory, Alpha Book Club, Bayou Book Junkie

 

22-Mar

Butterfly-O-Meter, Kirsty Loves Books, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Unquietly Me

 

29-Mar

Jessie G. Books, QUEERcentric Books, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Love Bytes

 

5-Apr

Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Divine Magazine, Prism Book Alliance, Molly Lolly

 

12-Apr

Nephy Hart, Happily Ever Chapter, MM Good Book Reviews

 

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New Release – The Guy with the Suitcase by Chris Ethan

Posted in contest, New Release on February 23, 2016| Leave a Comment »

The Guy With The Suitcase Banner

Title: The Guy With The Suitcase

Series: Once Upon a Guy, Book One

Author: Chris Ethan

Genre: Gay Romance, Contemporary, New Adult

Length: Novel

Synopsis

Pierce is homeless.

Young and strong-willed Pierce has been living in the streets of New York City for six months, since his

parents kicked him out of their perfect, Christian, suburban house. Pierce is gay. And he is suffering the

consequences for being true to himself.

Rafe is homeless.

He is also sick. Impressionable, but far from innocent, Rafe ran away from home almost a year ago. His

sickness is slowly killing him. But Rafe is not a hopeless case. He has learned to get by. Nights of paid

passion turn to sheltering warmth from the imminent New York winter.

And then there’s a suitcase. Pierce’s suitcase, which holds secrets from everyone including its

owner.

When their worlds collide, their lives intertwine and when the world seems bent on bringing the two

souls to their knees, fate has other plans for them.

Caution: Contains adult language, New York City streets, tough life choices, sexual tension, stubborn

brutes and swoon-worthy romance.

The Guy With The Suitcase Cover

Buy Links

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018RE9K7E/

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018RE9K7E/

Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B018RE9K7E/

Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B018RE9K7E/

Giveaway

Prize Bundle: The Guy With The Suitcase Mug, Chris Ethan pen, and $5 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter

giveaway

https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

About the Author

Chris Ethan is a book whore. He enjoys selling his feelings for money and other pleasures and is

blatantly unashamed to do so for as long as he breathes. Chris Ethan is also a persona for Rhys

Christopher Ethan, author of fantasy and sci-fi. He uses Chris Ethan to share stories of adult queer

romance with those who need it. Before you delve into his books however, be warned. He likes putting

his characters through shitstorms and hates anything conventional. But then there’s that darned happy-

ever-after. Also, he likes swearing. Deal with it!

Social links:

Website: http://www.rcethan.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Rhys_Ethan

Facebook: http://facebook.com/rcethan1

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Blog Tour – Callum’s Fate

Posted in contest, Excerpt, Guests on February 21, 2016| 2 Comments »

Callum's Fate Tour Banner

Title: Callum’s Fate
Author: Dianne Hartsock
Genre: Fantasy, Gay Romance, Erotic Romance
Length: Novella
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing

Synopsis

In 1780, Scotland, following a harsh year of drought, Callum Mackenzie is forced from his father’s farm in the hopes of finding work.

But as fate would have it, Callum is lured onto the moors by the will-o-the-wisp. Lost in the dark, he falls into enchantment, encountering faeries and nymphs, until he stumbles into the arms of a licentious Barrow-Wight who lays claim to his soul.

Hearing his silent pleas, Donal sends Liam the gruagach (faery) to rescue Callum and bring him to his farm, a place of refuge from the Fae.

Callum is happy working on Donal’s farm, slowly falling in love with the beautiful, silver-haired gruagach.

Yet there’s something wrong in the nearby forest….

Despite Donal’s warnings, Callum is lured into the forest and becomes tangled in its magic, easy prey for the Barrow-Wight.

Will Liam be able to strike a deal with the Barrow-Wight to save Callum’s life, or has Callum found his last resting place instead?

Callum's Fate Dianne Hartsock Cover

Buy Links links

Don’t miss the Valentine’s Day Sale (February 11-17) 50% off on WIP’s website and 40% off on ARe!

WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/callums-fate-by-dianne-hartsock/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Callums-Fate-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01B383YP0/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Callums-Fate-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01B383YP0/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Callums-Fate-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01B383YP0/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/Callums-Fate-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01B383YP0/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-callum039sfate-1973471-143.html

Excerpt

He went on when the other man kept silent. “I know your magic guards us, keeps us safe from the dangers of the moors. But why, my friend, when you get so little from us in return? Surely there are other places more deserving of your attention, those who can give you a rich home, full of luxuries?”
Liam flashed him a look Donal couldn’t decipher, a mixture of laughter and something else. “You didn’t think I’d forget the wee lad who saved me from the brollachan all those years ago?”
Donal laughed softly at the memory. “If a certain lovely brownie hadn’t been caught in the rafters with the faery queen’s son…. She sent those evil creatures to eat you alive.”
The gruagach shuddered. “Worse. They would have possessed me and done great harm to the world through me.”
“Instead, those bogies chased you down the well. The way you screeched, I thought they’d trapped my new kitten down there.”
“And you drove the most feared creatures that walk the night off with a club. I suppose proving that righteous anger conquers evil.”
“I think the saying is ‘love conquers all things’. I wasn’t about to let them hurt my kitty.”
“You did seem surprised when you pulled me from the well instead.”
Donal’s expression softened. “You were so beautiful.”
Liam brushed the light hair from Donal’s eyes. “And you stole my breath, young as you were then.”
“I was fifteen, Liam. Old enough to know my heart.” Donal leaned forward and kissed the gruagach’s sweet mouth. He sighed, remembering the joyful days and nights that had followed, learning the pleasures of another man’s body. The gruagach had been gentle, sensual. He had become lost in bliss and elation.
“I loved you,” he confessed. “I hadn’t wanted to hurt you.”

Giveaway

Prizes: $5 ARe Gift Card & $2.99 WIP Gift Card

Callum's Fate 3D Cover

Video Trailer

About the author

DIANNE HARTSOCK is the author of m/m erotic romance, both contemporary and fantasy, the psychological thriller, and anything else that comes to mind. Oh, and a floral designer. If she can’t be writing, at least she has the chance to create through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Currently, Dianne lives in the Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play.

Social links

Website: https://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannehartsock
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannehartsock/

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New Release – Lucky In Loveland by K-Lee Klein

Posted in contest, Excerpt, Guests, New Release on February 14, 2016| 5 Comments »

I have a guest today – my good friend K-Lee Klein – who is here to tell us a little about her brand new release, especially for Valentine’s Day. Hi K-Lee

❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

Thank you, Elin, for having me here today. I appreciate being able to showcase my first self-published release. Lucky in Loveland comes out on February 13 and it’s the first in a new series called Welcome to Loveland.

Why is Valentine’s Day important to you?

My birthday is two days before Valentine’s Day so it’s never been a big thing to me since even when I was little the two were lumped together. I think when you have first boyfriends and such, it becomes more of a big deal, then again when you’re first married. I’ve been married for 28 years so it’s really no more than just another day, though I do still buy my husband & grown kids little cards and chocolate.

As a writer, it is important to me because it’s the perfect excuse to write some fluffy, sappy romance. As much as I love writing angst and breaking my characters, I adore getting their fluff on, too. Lucky in Loveland falls into that vein, but with non-fluff potential. Lol.

Do you have a favourite character in Lucky in Loveland?

That’s a tough one because I wrote it from both POVs. Lucky is hard to not love because he’s like this large lovable, clumsy Golden Retriever, especially when it comes to Jack. But Jack is awesome too—very chill and easily amused by Lucky, but also flattered by his silly attentions. Together they are very sweet.

What are you working on next?

I’m working on a story for MLR’s Storming Love collection. The theme this time is Heatwave so I’m writing a rock star and lawyer on a tour bus. Ha. That’s all I can say. Otherwise, I have so many WIPs on the go, especially with Amber Quill closing its doors on March 31, and I also need to find homes for all those books.

What I’m hoping to start soon is the novel edition of my two short stories Lazy Sundays and Lazy Valentines. I’m going to put them together in one book with the rest of Devon and Scott’s story. And I have a series called Forever in Blue Jeans about high school friends who meet up before their 10-year reunion to catch up on what’s happening in their lives. It’s waiting patiently—or not so much—in my head with my muse knocking on my skull to get it done.

Unfortunately, I have too much on the go and too much in my brain all at once. I could really use a duplicate of myself to share the load.

To thank everyone for stopping by, I’m giving away one ebook copy of Lucky in Loveland. Leave your name, email address, and a comment Valentine’s Day, and I’ll pick a winner on February 18.

Happy Valentine’s Day. 

❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

Lucky in Loveland (Welcome to Loveland, book 1)
Available February 13, 2016

Blurb

Loveland, Colorado is a special place all year around, a community of creativity and art, with scenic views and majestic mountains. But the town really shines once a year, on Valentine’s Day.

Lucky Roberts has lived in Loveland his whole life. He has good friends, strong family support, and is all about keeping his community fun and alive. The only thing Lucky has been “unlucky” with is love. But rather than avoiding February fourteenth in his hometown, he throws himself into helping others deliver their messages of love.

Enter Jack Canon. Jack moved to Loveland for a fresh start, in both his personal and professional lives. After a tough year, he’s finally hoping to just blend in, maybe carve a little niche for himself that his parents would have been proud of. What he didn’t expect was a pseudo-lumberjack with a killer body and shy smile to turn his world upside down – and he sure didn’t expect to like it so much.

When Lucky meets Jack, he feels like a thirteen year-old with his first crush. He’s clumsy, stammering, and the first greeting out of his mouth is a less than articulate, “Wow!” Words like adorable and manbun suddenly become part of his vocabulary as he discovers a deep, hidden need to romance the hell out of Jack.

And what better way to do that than during the most romantic season in the City of Love?

Available February 13

Please see my website for more information

❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

Buy Links:

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-luckyinloveland-1984095-149.html

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/615124

❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

Excerpt

…Lucky filed that bit of information away. It was practically sacrilege to live in Colorado without knowing how to skate, and the festival was mandatory for anyone in Loveland. Even if you got off the bus yesterday, you’d have already heard about the festival. Or so Lucky thought.

He spoke to the kids, though. “You know how the whole town comes out to dance and sing and just have a good time? Well, it’s the same for the community sports and the big game. People like to get together with their families and neighbors to support all the players. And because both teams always have all different types of people, different levels of players, everyone cheers for everyone, right? And that means the whole community wins.”

He was quite proud of his little presentation, even though it only lasted another ragged ten minutes or so. The kids had obviously had enough sitting still and being on their best behavior. Lucky totally understood that. He’d been one of those squirming, hyperactive kids growing-up, and the part he’d been looking forward to most was up next.

With a conspiratorial glance at Jack, Lucky retrieved the bags he’d left by the desk. He had to choke-off his own childish squeal as he handed-out the miniature foam hockey sticks and pucks, much to the enthusiastic delight of the kids. He wasn’t sure Mr. Jack was entirely struck on the idea, but by the time he considered checking with him, Lucky was already sprawled on the floor with his oversized hands stuffed into foam goalie gloves. This is my show ‘n tell. His legs spread wide as pucks were shot, kicked, and even thrown at him, Lucky let them rack up their goals, confident the pucks were soft enough to do him no damage. He protected his package with great skill.

By the time Jack called a time-out, Lucky was breathless from laughing and the kids were worked into a total frenzy. He hoped he hadn’t caused Jack too much trouble. He even tried to feel sorry for Jack—he really did—but he was too happy to care, Maybe, just maybe, he could make it up to him later. Did kindergarten kids still have naptime? Lucky thought he could use one too.

Lucky watched transfixed as Jack settled the kids into a coloring exercise with barely any fuss or attitude. He remembered coloring had always been one of his favorite parts of school. That, and recess, of course. Jack obviously had impressive rugrat managaement skills.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, as he was shrugging back into his coat. “I should have checked with you first about the hands-on demo. I thought it would be fun.”

Jack didn’t appear bothered, even gave Lucky a wry smirk. “Could have been way worse. I’m glad you didn’t ply them with sugar like Fire Chief Kent. They buzzed around like they were on Ecstasy for the rest of the day.”

“Doesn’t E make you mellow, not hyper?”

“Shows you how much I know about recreational drugs, I guess.” He spoke quietly out of the corner of one side of his mouth in some sexy New Yorker way, and if Lucky hadn’t been smitten before, he would have been zapped from then on. “Anyway, thanks for coming in. I think you’ve turned out to be their favorite guest for community month. Maybe I’ll see you around town.”

“Yeah, about that.” Lucky couldn’t help succumbing to his nervous habit, rubbing the back of his neck and dipping his head. “I do feel bad about getting them all hopped-up on fun. Can I buy you a cup of coffee or something?”

Jack snickered, as he snuck a peek around the corner of the cloakroom. “I really should get back to the kids. Not sure the moms and dads would like me sneaking out.”

“What? No. I didn’t mean it like—” Jack’s smirk stopped Lucky dead in his tracks. “That was mean, but you got me. Well played, sir.”

“I like you when you’re flustered.”

With a snort, Lucky rubbed the back of his head. “You’ve never seen me flustered.”

“Um, really? …and I quote…wow.”

Lucky blushed. “Is that a yes, then?” he asked while his heart hammered in his ears.

“How about dinner on me, since you were such a hit today? You know, Bettie’s, that diner down the street, say six o’clock?”

Had he ever got an easier date in his life? Or non-date or whatever. “You’ve got yourself a deal. We can talk about who’s paying when we’re finished. You might not want to fork out money for my company, after all.”

The amused expression on Jack’s face would have been pure comedy if Lucky hadn’t suddenly felt so mortified at his own words. He bit his bottom lip until a metallic taste flooded his mouth, a flush settling in for the winter from his neck to the tips of his ears while Jack snickered into his hand.

“I didn’t realize it was that kind of dinner.”

“What? No…shit…I mean, dammit.” Lucky felt like such an idiot. He kind of liked Jack for that. “You got me again.”

“You’re too easy.”

“I’m not touching that with a ten-foot pole. Six o’clock. I’ll be there. Say goodbye to the little monsters for me.” He’d swaggered his way about two doors down the hall when he called out to Jack again. “Oh, hey!

Jack turned from where he’d been shutting his door. “Yes, Mr. Lucky?”

“My mom’s an artist, too. I think you’d like her.”

“What?”

“Acrylic paint on your fingers. Hers are the same. Later, dude.”

❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

Bio

K-lee Klein has lived in one part of Western Canada or another for her entire life. She’s a doting mother of three now-grown kids, and has had characters and plots running around her head for as long as she can remember. In an attempt to avoid major writer’s block, she keeps the image of muse on her leg so he can’t run off too far, unfortunately it doesn’t work all the time. K-lee’s days consist of planning her next tattoo design for her growing collection, having a lot of baths since her muse loves the water, and fighting off an abundance of fabulous gay men, large and small who continually bounce off the walls of her skull, competing for their turns to tell their stories.

Among her favourite sub-genres to read and write are rock stars, cowboys, shifters, friends-to-lovers, and opposites-attract relationships. But to be honest, she’s open to almost anything if it involves messing around in the heads of her characters. She’s also big on series—because she has a hard time letting her characters go—and is usually working on a handful of stories in various stages of completion all at the same time.

❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

Places to find K-lee.

Website – kleeklein.com
Blog – http://chaosinthemoonlight.blogspot.ca
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Klee_Klein
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kleemoon
Facebook author/reader group https://www.facebook.com/groups/812548795471921/

❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

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New release – Bitter Springs by Laura Stone

Posted in contest, Excerpt, New Release on December 9, 2015| 6 Comments »

Author Name: Laura Stone

Book Name: Bitter Springs

Release Date: December 3, 2015

Pages or Words: 302 pages

Categories: Fiction, Gay Fiction, Historical, M/M Romance, Romance, Western/Cowboy

book title

Publisher: Interlude Press

Cover Artist: Collen M. Good

Blurb:

In 1870s Texas, Renaldo Valle Santos, the youngest son of a large and traditional family, has been sent to train with Henry “Hank” Burnett, a freed slave and talented mesteñero—or horse- catcher—so he may continue the family horse trade. Bitter Springs is a sweeping epic that takes themes from traditional Mexican literature and Old Westerns to tell the story of a man coming into his own and realizing his destiny lies in the wild open spaces with the man who loves him, far from expectations of society.

 

 

Excerpt:

The day before the wedding, a visitor arrived at Vista Verde an entire week early. Renaldo, ready to wash up and eat dinner after a long, hard day—his side ached from roping cattle as a part of Paloma’s training, his hands were full of bits of raw hemp from the stock lassos, and one of the calves had kicked him high on the thigh—walked back from the barn using his hat to slap at the dust on his chest and thighs. He noticed a tall, striking young black man standing at the door to their home speaking with their father. They didn’t see many black men this far from civilization—with the Civil War ending so recently, many were staying close to where they’d been forced to live, were heading far out west where there were more opportunities to make a new life or were going north seeking less hostile society. Who he could be?

He was about as tall as Renaldo, maybe an inch or two more, broad-shouldered and whip-thin, dressed in well-worn, simple clothes. He had a close-cropped beard, but instead of hiding the shape of his jaw, it accented its sharpness. His light eyes, almost luminescent even at this distance and glowing like amber, were ringed with thick lashes, nearly to the point of being girlish, but there was nothing feminine about the man. With his lean but strong-looking chest, muscular arms and curved backside, he managed to carry himself with a confident air while standing idly; his body was still, but in a way that made Renaldo think of a raptor sitting on an abutment, watching and waiting.

“Oh, here he is,” Estebán said, motioning for Renaldo to join them, saying, “Señor Burnett, allow me to introduce to you my son, Renaldo.”

This? This was the legendary mesteñero, Henry Burnett? He couldn’t be much older than Renaldo, who realized his jaw had dropped. He closed his mouth quickly and moved toward them as if drawn like metal shavings to a magnet.

Burnett, however, looked amused, as the edge of his mouth quirked up. “Pleased to meet you,” he said, his voice deep and husky.

Renaldo couldn’t look away, shocked that his expectations couldn’t have been more wrong. This was a vibrant young man. But… this was the man he would be alone with on the prairie for months? His stomach twisted at that thought, and at how unexpected it all was, causing his heart to race and face flush. Yes, it was unexpected. That Burnett had come so much sooner than they’d expected had to be why Renaldo couldn’t find his voice and felt so upended.

“Mijo,” his father said sharply.

Renaldo shook himself slightly, and then nodded, saying, “Señor Burnett, it’s very good to meet you, finally. Please forgive my shock, as I don’t believe we expected you so soon.”

Burnett laughed, a rolling, melodious sound, and replied, “Well, then just imagine my shock when I come here all the way from Nacogdoches expecting one Valle man, only to find him gone and you in his place.” He smiled. “Your padre seems to think you’re a better match, so that works for me.”

That smile, bright teeth framed by full lips, eyes crinkled at the corners, helped lessen some of Renaldo’s shock and, if he was being honest, some of the worry that he carried about spending a lot of time with a hard, taciturn man Renaldo knew he would be unable to please. At the realization that this was who he would be with on the plains, just the two of them with no one else for weeks on end, Renaldo became excited, finally looking forward to this task. A young man with an infectious grin wouldn’t be such a chore to be stuck with after all.

Buy the book:

Interlude Press Web Store: store.interludepress.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Ybi7Ab

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bitter-springs-laura-stone/1122753096?ean=2940152391107

Apple iBooks Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/bitter-springs/id1046777460?mt=11

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/582322

 

Meet the author:

Laura Stone is a born and bred Texan, but don’t hold that against her. She’s a former comedian, actress and Master Gardener, and currently keeps busy as a media blogger, ghostwriter and novelist when not busy raising her three children. They’re not fully raised, but then, neither is she.

She lives in Texas as proof that it’s not completely populated by hard-line right-wingers. And because that’s where the good tamales are. Her first novel, The Bones of You, was published by Interlude Press in 2014 and was named a finalist for two Foreword Reviews IndieFab Book of the Year Award. Laura Stone at Laura-Stone.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/9LauraStone

Where to find the author:

Facebook: facebook.com/9LauraStone

Twitter: @stoneyboboney

Tour Dates & Stops:

Rafflecopter Prize: Grand Prize: $25 Interlude Press Gift Card, First Prize: One of five e-copies of ‘Bitter Springs’ – either click the copter to enter or visit one of the following links for more opportunities.

 

3-Dec: MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Velvet Panic, It’s Raining Men, Hearts on Fire

4-Dec: Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Gay Book Reviews, Divine Magazine

7-Dec: Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Unquietly Me, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Bayou Book Junkie

8-Dec: Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, My Fiction Nook

9-Dec: Elin Gregory, TTC Books and More

10-Dec: Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Michael Mandrake, Love Bytes

11-Dec: Inked Rainbow Reads, Jessie G. Books

14-Dec: Dawn’s Reading Nook, QUEERcentric Books, Happily Ever Chapter

15-Dec: Cheekypee Reads and Reviews, Emotion in Motion

16-Dec: BFD Book Blog, Prism Book Alliance

 

 

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New Releases – In the Company of Men by Lynn Lorenz

Posted in contest, Excerpt, Guests on November 10, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Author Name: Lynn Lorenz

Book Names: The Mercenary’s Tale, Jackson’s Pride, Baymore’s Heir, His Duke’s Gift

Series: In The Company of Men

Publisher: Hartwood Publishing

Cover Artist: Georgia Woods

Books: One through Five

Pages or Words: Varies by book

Categories: Historical, M/M Romance

Release Date: September 2015 – December 2015

Blurbs :

The Mercenary’s Tale – Drake is a mercenary for hire. He values little other than his sword and his skill. Fighting his attraction to the young men he trains, he refuses to take any on. When Ansel walks into his life, Drake breaks all his rules.
But life for mercenaries is hard, brutal and deadly.
Can Drake take a chance on finding the love he’s denied himself for so long?
Can he have a second chance?

Jackson’s Pride – Jackson has been called to attend his father, Lord Baymore. The man has never claimed Jackson as his son and Jackson believes this might be his father’s intent. He’s left the Duke of Marden’s employ to discover his destiny—to remain a nameless bastard or to claim his father’s name.
When Jackson stumbles across a man, stripped, beaten, and left in a field to die a slow death, Jackson rescues the man. After all, he’s guilty of the same thing—wanting a man.
Will Holcombe gambled and lost. His meeting with a young, willing man went horribly wrong, and now he must pay for it with his life.
Until a man walks up to him in a frozen field and cuts him down.
Jackson is like no one Will has ever met before—a man strong enough to stand with him, perhaps forever.
But Jackson’s on a mission. Will his pride blind him to what his life could be if he chose Will and not his father?
Or will his pride lead him to a fate worse than death?

Baymore’s Heir – Duke Jackson of Baymore finally has all he’s ever wanted—his name, a title, and the man he loves by his side. Lord Will Holcombe couldn’t be happier. He’s Jackson’s lover, best friend, and manages all of Jackson’s affairs. For two years, their life together, although deadly if anyone knew of their forbidden love, has been perfect.
Until Jackson the day when decides the one thing he needs is an heir.
And the one person to find him a wife is Will.

Silent Lodge – Drake and Logan are worried about their friend and captain of the guard, Peter. After the death in childbirth of Peter’s wife, he’s a changed man. Unfocused, lonely, and devastated, Peter needs a new challenge, instead of going through the motions of living.

Logan sends Peter on a mission – to discover Duke Weathersby’s plans for invasion. Logan’s father has a small hunting lodge near the border of their lands, and it has a caretaker. Peter sets off alone, to make camp at the lodge and do some scouting.

But what he finds at the lodge just may be his future. Arvel is a fascinating young man. Red haired, deaf and mute from a fever as a child, he’s been living in the lodge and caring for it for years. It’s a safe haven for him. But he’s not alone. He has a protector, Gareth.

When Gareth, Arvel and Peter are together, sparks fly. Arvel belongs to Gareth, but he wants Peter too. Can Peter join their small family? And if he does, will he always be the third to their couple?

His Duke’s Gift – In this Yuletide story, Duke Logan is preparing the keep for the holiday. Twelve nights of feasting and gift giving to those in his favor. Gifts must be made or bought. Once mercenary Drake struggles to think of just the right gift for his love and liege, and for their sons.

Something isn’t right. A stranger has arrived at the keep and Logan refuses to let Drake into his bedroom at night. Angry and frustrated, Drake fears Logan has lost his love for the mercenary.

When the Twelfth night arrives, and Drake has received no gift, he begins to think he might need to take his son and leave what has become his home.

 

Excerpt:

Ansel lowered himself with effort to the ground and leaned back on his saddle. From across the fire I could tell he still ached. I rummaged in my saddlebag and found the vial of oil I used to keep my leathers supple. It would work for Ansel’s back.

“That’s enough moaning from you. Take off your shirt and stretch out; I’m giving you a rubdown before you become so stiff you can’t move.” It came out more like an order, and Ansel obeyed.

He unlaced his leather vest, removed it, and then with careful motions, pulled his shirt over his head. Smooth chest met my gaze, lean muscles and wide shoulders. Dark hair trailed down his stomach to disappear beneath the strings of his breeches.

“Lay on your belly.” It was not the wisest thing I’d ever done, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. In truth, I wanted to touch him.

He stretched out on his cloak, his smooth broad back to me, arms over his head. There were no scars on his back or on his chest. Hidden scars, indeed.

He turned his head and looked up at me as I stood over him, his eye reflecting the firelight. I kneeled and straddled his hips. As I settled my weight on him, he gave a small grunt.

“Not too heavy for you?” I poured some of the oil from the vial and worked it over my hands.

“No.” He watched as I spread the oil between my fingers.

At the first touch of my hands on his skin, he shuddered. I smiled as his eye caught mine, then he closed it, giving me a ghost of a smile.

My hands roved over his back, lightly at first, then I increased the pressure as I pressed into his muscles, working them like a woman kneads bread dough. His smooth skin glistened in the firelight as my oiled hands glided across. Despite my best intentions, I grew hard as I touched him. Damn me, but I’d longed to do this. For his part, his breathing deepened and I could feel his chest expanding with each inhale. Was he as hard as I was? If so, it must have been uncomfortable to have his cock pressed into the hard ground.

I slid back, moving lower to sit at the tops of his thighs, his round buttocks firm in front of me. I rocked forward and back as I rubbed, pressing my hardness against him, watching for his reaction.

Part of me wanted to go further and part of me wanted him to tell me to stop. He never made a sound or moved.

“Roll over.” I stood, still straddling him.

Ansel pushed himself over, and I gazed down at the bulge in his breeches, long and hard. My eyes traveled to his face. No sign of shame, just that calm, steady gaze of his telling me to continue. He lay there, propped on his elbows, and looked up at my own hard bulge, then he slid flat to the ground.

I went down on my knees and sat across his hips, trapping his rod beneath me, a hard lump against my stones. Pouring more oil into my hands, I began to rub his shoulders, working my way to the sharp planes of his chest. His eyes were shut, and his mouth held that vague smile. I ran my thumbs across his small, dark nipples, resisting urges I didn’t want to give in to.

He hissed in a deep breath and held it as my thumbs played with those sharp points. Circling them first one way, then another, I showed him no mercy. For myself, I could feel my own nipples harden and ache under my shirt. At last, I stopped my torture, and he sighed, letting his breath out in a slow exhale. Damn, I wanted to take one of those sharp points in my mouth and make him moan for me.

Moving lower, I worked my hands over his taut stomach muscles and the tender, purple bruises I’d given him. He winced only once.

I rocked forward on his rod and he moaned. By all the gods, it sounded so good to my ears that I did it again. And again. My sac tightened as my rod swelled.

I lowered my body closer, rocked my hardness against his, and felt his responding push back. Supporting my body with my hands on his chest, all pretense of rubbing sore muscles was gone. I set a steady rhythm and pressed harder.

Ansel’s hands reached up and took my hips, pulling them tighter, his hips answering. He eyes were very dark, wide open, and locked with mine. Sliding over his chest, my hands ran down his arms, locked fingers with his, and pulled them from my hips and over his head. I stretched my clothed body against his bare chest and pumped.

His breath came ragged and his moans louder. My face was mere inches from his. This was it. If I lowered my mouth to his, I’d be kissing a man. Then I thought, we were two layers of cloth from fucking, what was a kiss? Merely damnation.

As if he’d read my mind, his lips parted and he closed his eyes. Unable to resist, I covered his mouth with mine and slammed my rod against him. I thrust faster now, even as my tongue entered his mouth to dance with his tongue, exchanging our tastes. He was as sweet tasting as any woman I’d kissed.

When he groaned into my mouth, I could feel it in my chest. I rocked faster and pressed harder. His legs widened, to give me more room, and I pumped harder. Sucking his tongue into my mouth, I held it captive. A groan ripped his lips from mine as he arched his back, his entire body tensed, and his hands clenched mine. I felt the jerking of his cock beneath me as he spilled and almost joined him.

With a shudder, he opened his eyes and looked into mine.

“Damn.” I smiled.

“Damn.” He smiled and licked his lips. I watched his tongue make a pass over the top and then the bottom, and then disappear inside. I wanted to take it in my mouth again.

Instead, freeing his hands, I rolled off him and sat against my saddle.

He propped himself up on one elbow, dipped his fingers beneath his breeches and pulled them out. They shone in the light, his cream covering them. Gods, I wondered what it would taste like.

“I should clean up.” He stood, went to his bag, rummaged in it, and came up with a bit of cloth. Wiping himself, he dropped the rag on the ground and came back to the fire.

I watched him as he stood in front of me.

“You’re still needing.” He kneeled, locked eyes with me, and pushed my knees apart. My rod strained against my breeches, so any denial would be seen for the lie it was.

When he reached for my strings, I should have said something, such as “Stop” or “Don’t touch me,” but we’d gone too far for false words.

His fingers made short work of the strings and he sat back. Without my shifting, my rod would remain firmly in place. There could be no more pretenses; if I wanted him, I had to move. I took a breath, shifted, pushed my breeches open, pulled the string of my trews, and freed my cock.

It stood tall, thick and long, dark with blood, as I took it in my already slick hand and greeted it like an old friend, with a slow, long stroke. Ansel’s gaze never left my hand as he moved closer.

“Let me.” He reached for my rod, and our fingers touched as he covered my hand with his. Together we glided over my quivering shaft, his fingers picking up traces of oil. Prickles of pleasure danced through my body, settling in my sac.

I slipped my hand from under his, sat back, and watched as his hand pleasured me. I’d held back before he’d released, but now it would be much harder with his hand wrapped around the bared shaft of my cock.

And what pleasure he gave me, like none I’d had before. He knew just how I needed to be touched, just how to stroke long, then fast and short, then long and squeeze the tip. I had to grit my teeth to keep from moaning as each stroke brought me closer to the cliffs of release. I wanted more. I wanted to possess him, own him, and make him mine in every way.

“Lick me.” My voice was quiet, deep, commanding.

Without a word, he lowered his head. I watched as his tongue made a long, slow pass over the blood-swollen tip, pulling a moan from me. He licked under the rim of my rod’s head and I moaned again.

Who possessed whom?

Buy the book:

 

Mercenary’s Tale

http://www.amazon.com/Mercenarys-Tale-Company-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B012F6H6VM

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mercenarys-Tale-Company-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B012F6H6VM

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-themercenary039stale-1867272-340.html

 

Baymore’s Heir

http://www.amazon.com/Baymores-Heir-Company-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B015LGA598

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Baymores-Heir-Company-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B015LGA598

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-baymore039sheir-1897864-340.html

 

Jackson’s Pride

http://www.amazon.com/Jacksons-Pride-Company-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B0143O2B7S

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jacksons-Pride-Company-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B0143O2B7S

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-jackson039spride-1881912-161.html

Meet the author:

Lynn Lorenz is an award-winning and best-selling author of over 30 gay romances. She lives in Texas, where she’s a fan of all things Texan, like Longhorns, big hair, and cowboys in tight jeans. She’s never met a comma she didn’t like, and enjoys editing and brainstorming with other writers. Lynn spends most of her time writing about hot sex with even hotter heroes, plot twists, werewolves, and medieval swashbucklers. She’s currently at work on her latest book, making herself giggle and blush, and avoiding all the housework.

Where to find the author:

Website: http://www.lynnlorenz.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynn.lorenz.58

Twitter: @lynnlorenz

 

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1496392.Lynn_Lorenz


Tour Dates & Stops:

10-Nov: Elin Gregory, BFD Book Blog

12-Nov: Up All Night, Read All Day, Tara Lain

17-Nov: Divine Magazine, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

19-Nov: Molly Lolly

24-Nov: Velvet Panic, Havan Fellows

26-Nov: Lee Brazil, Jessie G. Books

1-Dec: Love Bytes, The Novel Approach

3-Dec: Bayou Book Junkie, MM Good Book Reviews

 

Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of any book from any of Lynn’s series

 

 

 

 

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