A Stella Review: All He Ever Needed by Cate Ashwood:

RATING 2,75 out of 5 stars

Some secrets are too heavy to hold on to forever.

For Ethan, pretending has become second nature. After all, he’s spent the last decade pretending to be straight, pretending to be happy, and pretending he isn’t desperately in love with his best friend. But in a single moment of raw honesty, all those lies come crashing down around him and he’s left wondering what to do next.

When Jase learns his best friend is going through a breakup, his first instinct is to come to Ethan’s rescue, and he knows just the thing to help. The cabin where they spent summers as kids is sitting vacant, and a week there is the perfect remedy to start healing a broken heart.

In the seclusion of the mountains, long-buried fears and emotions take their friendship into unexplored territory that will either bring them closer together… or tear everything apart.

I’m very sorry to write this review, Cate Ashwood is one of my favorite authors and I always loved her stories, often I find comfort in rereading some of them. So each time she has a new book out, I am over the moon. The problem is this time, All He Ever Needed was a big flop to me. Still I didn’t give it a lower rating because the writing was perfect and the idea, although simple, was interesting and delivered quite well. But it didn’t work for me.

First of all, I wasn’t able to like the main characters, I couldn’t connect with Jase and Ethan, couldn’t understand their thoughts and acts. Everything that happened between them felt so rushed it seemed unreal and unfair to Ethan’s ex girlfriend. I knew Ethan was in love with his best friend since forever but it was unbelievable how Jace started feeling attraction for him once he knew Ethan was gay. It was like a couple of chapters were deleted in the original edition and I missed something. One more thing that bothered me a lot was the sex, really too much, and I was bothered because one more time I was left speechless, too easy, too light, never a little doubt or confusion about what was happening.

I love the friends-to-lovers trope but only when it is believable, All He Ever Needed wasn’t at all.

The cover art by Cate Ashwood is awesome, she is really talented and the smiles of the models on it are so sweet.

SALE LINKS Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 178 pages

Published September 19th 2018

ASIN B07HJF52KH

Edition Language English

A Lila Review: His Pagan Love by Wayne Mansfield

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

One day fate decides to smile on Brennus.

He’s hunting in the woods when he is almost seen by a group of Roman soldiers returning to their encampment. He hides until they pass, then decides to bathe in the nearby stream. Naked, he finds a mossy rock on which to lie while the sun dries and warms him.

It isn’t long before his instincts tell him he isn’t alone. He discovers a soldier watching him and leaps to his feet, ready to fight. But fighting is the last thing Cyprian, the handsome Roman soldier, has on his mind.

Over time the men become lovers, finding happiness in a world gone mad. They agree to meet regularly and for a time, they do. Until one day Brennus is captured by the Romans.

Where is Cyprian? Didn’t he see his handsome soldier as he was being led into the encampment? Or will he ultimately be betrayed?

His Pagan Love is an ode to the Romans and their love of gods and conquest. The story is in part unbelievable for the era and the events Cyprian and Brennus overcame. Yes, it is a lovely tale of sacrifice and devotion, mixed with an unforgiven quality of life.

The assertions of tribes, Romans, and other primitive cultures were well integrated and gave the reader the flexibility to see beyond the need for a more extensive world-built. The silent ways in which they communicated not only between them but with the rest of their limited world were simple and interesting.

This is a short story that can be read at once between longer books. It has enough of a story to satisfy the reader’s curiosity without leaving them wanting for more. A little unremarkable but strong enough to leave us with a smile.

The cover by Written in Designs has some historical aspects but is more modern than accurate. It works but isn’t enticing enough to get readers to stop and look deeper into the book’s description.

Sale Links: JMS | Amazon | Nook

ebook, 75 pages
Published: September 29, 2018, by JMS Books
ISBN:9781634867337
Edition Language: English

A MelanieM Review: Grasmere Cottage Mystery Trilogy by Dahlia Donovan

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

A Romantic Cosy Mystery Trilogy by author Dahlia Donovan on a cosy mystery adventure in Grasmere Cottage. With love, wit, and a murder to solve, life for Valor and Bishan is about to get bloomin’ complicated in this sweet gay romance that covers three stories and will leave you wanting more.

The stories appear together under one cover in paperback format at Hot Tree Publishing, also separately in all eBook formats wherein lies the rub for me. See, I was lucky to read it as one story (still not sure how the author and publisher gave me the paperback version in e format). Cal them. Because read in one flowing story? The best thing ever!!

I didn’t realize they were actual separate stories until I went back to the author to beg her to write more Grasmere Cottage cosies. That’s when I found out these were three stories not one and this couple was, at least, temporarily on hold for more. But after reading these amazing tales you will see why I’m holding out for the trilogy to turn into a series. Why Valor and Bish have captured my imagination along with my heart.

Especially when the author hooks them up with one really ugly serial killer intent on destroying their hard won love and sanctuary in Grasmere Cottage. Oh what a marvelous couple Dahlia Donovan has created here. Unusual and perfect for each other, each with their own fascinating back histories and personalities that when mixed together become a complex, highly intelligent, loving, and absolutely unique crime fighting couple.

Talk about your layers! Valor Tarquin Scott, tossed out of the family (for being gay) highly bred society son, now running a niche bakery and living happily with Bish in what his family refers to as his grubby little cottage. Bishan Tambol, autistic, has been able to turn his love of music into a career with the London Symphony Orchestra. That together with their cat, and a love of the stories of the detective Poirot given them a contented and lovely life together. Plus the support of Bish’s huge family too.

Then the killer strikes in their garden and nothing is the same.

Donovan’s character of Bish, his struggles with his autism, especially once his routine’s are destroyed when the killer infiltrates their lives is incredibly realistic and often painful. You’ve come to care so quickly for this pair and Bish. And to see how shattered Bish becomes at points just hurts. And how amazing when he finds his strength and methods to cope to work the puzzles to help find the killer. And Valor too is just that splendid bundle of depth and determination that makes you to just cheer him on, him and Bish naturally. To push through all the vile threats of not just a murderer but that of Valor’s family also intent on derailing his life for their own purposes as well.

This book, oops, these books truly have everything to keep you glued to the pages. A plot that will keep you guessing right up until the end, so many twists and turns that the suspense is a white knuckle read all the way, so much heart and love because the relationship is just so endearing. And finally, because these are people/characters you may never have met before, loving each other, and succeeding to vanquish evil and live happily, we assume, ever after in Grasmere Cottage. Fighting the righteous gnome/frog wars!

Really, Dahlia Donovan! If for no other reason. I need more gnome/frog wars!

So pick these up. They will do great things for your heart. Stupendous characters who love each other in a cottage complete with cat and crazy neighbor. The plots are terrific, the writing marvelous, and all things combined…makes these the cosies of your heart. Don’t miss out. I highly recommend them one and all.

___________________________________________________

Book Covers: Claire Smith. I love the covers for the whole series. Fun, out of the box for an english cozie but this artist has always surprised me and continues to do so. I like it.Grasmere Cottage Mystery Trilogy by Dahlia Donovan Paperback Hot Tree Publishing

Dead in the Garden (Grasmere Mystery #1):

Dead body in the garden? Check.

Mystery to solve? Check.

Police focused on the wrong person? Not good.
All grown up and graduated, Valor Tarquin Scott, son to Earl and Countess Scott, owns The Ginger’s Bread, a biscuit shop, in Grasmere in the Lake District. The love of his life, Bishan Tamboli, has turned his music studies into a successful career playing with the London Symphony Orchestra. It’s a perfect life with their cat, spending evenings watching Poirot on the television.

The nightmare begins with one dead former schoolmate, leading police to believe Bishan is responsible.

Valor struggles to solve the cryptic puzzles left behind in a race to prove Bishan’s innocence.

He can’t help wondering how far the body count will rise before they manage to stop the killer.

Sales Links: Hot Tree Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 128 pages

Published October 6th 2018 by Hot Tree Publishing

ASIN B07FLVZR68

Edition Language English

Series Grasmere Cottage Mystery #1

Dead in the Pond (Grasmere Cottage Mystery #2)

Killer on the loose? Check.

Frogs in the garden? Check.

Playing a twisted game with a killer? Not good.

Bishan Tamboli struggles to recover from his false arrest. He worries the police still aren’t as convinced about his innocence. With his longtime boyfriend, Valor, at his side, he intends to solve the puzzles and catch the murderer amongst their former schoolmates.

He’s fought hard for his independence as an autistic and refuses to throw it all away because of a nameless monster. With friends and family in the killer’s crosshairs, Bishan fears the mystery will bring the end of everything and everyone he loves.

Sales Links: Hot Tree Publishing | Amazon

Book Details: Kindle Edition, 120 pages
Expected publication: October 13th 2018 by Hot Tree Publishing
ASINB07FM3FL2V
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Grasmere Cottage Mystery #2

Dead in the Shop (Grasmere Cottage Mystery #3) :

Deadly fire? Check.

Fear-induced heart attack imminent? Check.

Time running out on them? Not good.

Valor Scott wants nothing more than to enjoy life in his little cottage with his boyfriend. The shadows of a serial killer continue to haunt him, though. He only wants the living nightmare to end. He battles one catastrophic event after the other, intent on bringing his loved ones through to the other side safely.

As their killer finally comes out into the open, Valor finds himself face-to-face with an obsessed murderer intent on destroying everyone in their path.

Sales Links: Hot Tree Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:Kindle

Edition, 121 pages
Expected publication: October 20th 2018 by Hot Tree Publishing
ASINB07FW12FR8
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesGrasmere Cottage Mystery #3

A Lila Release Day Review: Long Black Cadillac by BA Tortuga

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Chase Holland spends his days painting Portland scenes to hang in local businesses, When cop-turned-vampire-hunter Vance is sent to eliminate a bloodsucker from the Louisiana swamps, he figures it’s just another day at the office.

But he has no idea what he’s getting into.

Clay is no ordinary vampire, and the spark he lights in battle-scarred Vance is anything but average. Clay should be the enemy, but Vance is powerless to fight something that feels so right… and so damn good. In Clay’s expert hands, Vance might realize he’s misjudged vampires and that donating a little blood can be sexy as hell.

Clay might even ride to the rescue and save his new love when Vance’s mission goes south and Vance becomes the hunted instead of the hunter. Along with his human familiar, a crazy Cajun named Remy, and the enigmatic older vampire Gryphon, Clay must get to Vance before it’s too late. Then they can find the man who betrayed Vance and take their revenge.

But faced with lies and motives darker than they ever imagined, they’ll have to wade through blood and fight their way to a happily ever after….

Long Black Cadillac is…

I normally start my reviews stating what the story is, but in this case, I’m still not sure I know. It has a plot, somewhere. Nice characters? Perhaps. Sex? More than necessary. Within all the components, the author’s voice was lost. It became another element buried between the blood, sex, and gore.

It does have a lot of promise, but unfortunately, it was lost. This is the second edition, and I believe a missed opportunity. I wanted a reason behind the attraction, the partnerships, the adventure, and everything else. And in the end, all we get is a faint connection between a master and his creations.

If you are a B.A. Tortuga fan you will enjoy her style but this should not be the first read into this amazing western author.

The new cover by Alexandria Corza goes well with the story and adds to the cheeky feel of the story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon | Nook

Book Details:

ebook, 210 pages
Published: October 12, 2018, by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B07HPD933G
Edition Language: English

Andrew Grey on Favorite Games and his new release Heart Untouched (Hearts Entwined #3) by Andrew Grey

Heart Untouched
(Hearts Entwined #3)
by Andrew Grey
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art: L.C. Chase

Sales Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

DreamSpinner Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Andrew Grey here today on tour with his latest novel in the Hearts Entwined Series, Heart Untouched. Welcome,Andrew.

Andrew’s Top 5 Games

I thought instead of an ordinary guest post, that I’d do a top 5 list. Over the years I have played a number of games and I thought I’d give you a list of my favorites.

1) Trivial Pursuit – I used to play this all the time and in college beat most of my friends until they decided to memorize the cards.

2) Pictionary – My family used to play at the holidays. It was active and fun. I can’t draw for crap.

3) Pokemon Go – I have played this game for the last two years or so and it has given me hours of fun and gotten me out of the house.

4) Rollercoaster Tycoon – Oh, this was fun. It’s a computer game where you build and design amusement parks.

5) Dungeons and Dragons – A group of us played for a while in college. I think we ate and drank more than we actually played. But it was great fun.

More about Heart Untouched

An accident crushed Duncan’s Olympic dreams and landed him in a chair, but he knows it’s time to get his life back on track—and he has a plan in mind. Working with his friend Todd, an Olympic skeleton racer, on a promotional campaign will not only help Duncan regain some direction, but it’ll give Todd the financial boost he desperately needs. The sport Todd loves is draining his resources—so much so that he’s thinking of giving up racing just to make ends meet.

As the two men work together, their friendship blossoms into much more, and suddenly the future is looking brighter than it has in a long time. But just when love, happiness, and success seem within their grasp, the USOC steps in with plans to stop their campaign. That’ll mean an end not just to Duncan’s business, but to Todd’s dreams… and Duncan isn’t about to let that happen to the man who means everything to him.

Excerpt

“You will,” Todd told him after turning back to him. “What you have to do is give yourself some time. Everything got turned upside down by the accident, and you need to give yourself a chance to figure some shit out.” Another car was brought into the bay, this one being pushed by a couple of the guys. Todd sighed, and as soon as they stopped, he popped the hood and got to work. “What other things do you want to do besides fly down tubes of ice and snow at breakneck speed?”

Duncan tried to come up with an answer, but failed.

“What were your plans for that college degree of yours?”

Todd bent farther into the engine, his butt and legs visible. Granted, it was a handsome butt, with Todd’s work pants pulled tight over it. Duncan knew he shouldn’t be looking at his friend’s backside. Who he found attractive—or not, for that matter—was irrelevant. No one was going to look at him twice in the chair. Still, his gaze kept returning to the view in front of him, and heat spread to his groin. Not that anything there perked up or took notice. Things hadn’t been working down south lately… and that was another source of anxiety and, quite frankly, shame.

The doctors told him that things could improve for him as his injuries continued to heal. He had gotten some feeling back in his legs. When he touched them, it felt like they were miles away, but he could feel something. That had come back over time, so maybe his dick would too. That wasn’t as important to anyone but him. But if he could get a stiffy once again, he could feel a little more like himself… at least in some way.

“What is it?” Todd asked, and Duncan suddenly realized he’d sunk into himself and his emotions and fears had gotten the better of him again. To his horror, Todd grabbed a tissue from the box at the back of the bench. “Whatever is bothering you… it’s okay. This may look like a garage, but it’s also a safe place for everyone.” Todd handed him the tissue and squeezed his shoulder once again, his hand lingering for longer than was necessary.

“That seems strange,” Duncan commented. “Garages are usually temples of testosterone and bluster. At least that’s my experience.”

“We have our testosterone gods here. If you saw Trevor, you’d understand.” Todd grinned. “The first time I met him, I thought someone had given life to my fantasy man. The guy is hot as hell. But he only has eyes for James. Not that I was ever that interested… I guess.” Sometimes Todd could get a conversation off track faster than a world-class luge run.

About the Author

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

For Other Works by Andrew Grey

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)

Release Blitz – Take It All – Steamy Encounters Collection by Quin Perin (excerpt and giveaway)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Take It All – Steamy Encounters Collection

Author: Quin Perin

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: X Potion Designs

Genre/s: Gay Erotica

Length: 15 000 words/65-70 pages – three short stories

Release Date: October 11, 2018

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Add on Goodreads

Blurb

From the bestselling authors’ of Meik&Sebastian – Obsessed come three steamy encounters of twisted, forbidden lust…

What do lust-driven men do when they think no one is watching? Find out now. Be a fly on the wall in a seedy motel room, a gym shower and the heart of suburbia, where three torrid pairings nurture the beasts inside of them.

Featuring:

Carter&Dave – The one with Daddy

Gordon&Jett – The one with the Politician

Josh&Graham – The one with the Jock

They can hardly handle it, can you?

Excerpt

Blue eyes narrowed, and when Graham was about to push him again, Josh’s hands darted out, fingers wrapping around his wrists. When he shoved, Graham stumbled back, landing against the hard wall of the shower. “Lemme go.” He huffed, twisting under Josh’s grasp.

“Only if you stop being an ass,” Josh shot back. His fingers flexed, tightening as he took a step closer. Eyes fixed on Graham.

“Pot meet fucking kettle,” Graham ground out dryly.

“God, you’re so frustrating.”

Mere inches apart now, Josh’s breath warm as blue and grey eyes connected. Tense silence crackled, electrifying the air between them. Josh’s eyes dropped to trembling lips. Graham took a breath but before he could tell Josh to not even think about it, Josh did it. He slammed forward, clashing their lips together. Graham’s wrists were still grasped in Josh’s strong fingers; hips forced back against the wall by the jock’s.

Graham bucked forward, trying to throw Josh off of him. He jerked his head back from the kiss. “Don’t.” He hated how breathy his voice sounded. Hated the way his cock started to stiffen. Hated how much he wanted Josh.

Soft lips brushed over his throat, warm breath tickling across his Adam’s apple. The kiss was far better than the last—and the first—time they’d kissed. Though he supposed they both had more experience now than when they were sixteen. “You want this.” Josh’s voice vibrated against his heated skin.

“N-No.” God, he did want it.

Josh chuckled low, husky. “Liar,” he murmured, dropping Graham’s wrists. He pulled back, a smug smirk spreading across his cheeks, exposing those too perfect dimples that made Josh want to punch him.

Graham didn’t move. Water soaked the back of his shirt, weighing down his pants. Blood rushed through his ears, heart pounding like a bird’s wings against his ribs, desperate to escape. The air between them was too thick to inhale, too loaded with testosterone that Graham held his breath, gaze skipping lower. A faint flush spread over the center of Josh’s chest, and a bulge, large and obvious, rose beneath his damp towel. “You are the biggest fucking asshole.”

Words barely managed to form before Graham launched towards Josh and reunited their lips in a smoldering kiss. Colliding desperately and with burning fervor, Graham’s hands scrambled to yank the towel down so he could grab both of the jock’s tight ass cheeks. Josh’s palm slapped against the wall next to Graham’s head, deepening the kiss. Reckless and oh, so fucking stupid.

About the Authors

This is Quin&Perin. We are a team of Sultry Gay Romance writers who focus on detailed, toe-curling, and realistic smut scenes with a fair share of dirty talking (Oh, boy). Unlike other authors in the genre, we write without the goal of publishing anything. Publishing is just the cherry on top of a cream-covered bubble butt.

Social Media Links

Giveaway

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RELEASE BLITZ SCHEDULE

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Release Blitz and Giveaway – Adder and Willow (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #6) by Sam Burns

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 45,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Melanie Farlow @ Clause & Effect

The Rowan Harbor Cycle Series

Book #1 – Blackbird in the Reeds – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #2 – Wolf and the Holly – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #3 – Fox and Birch – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #4 – Hawk In The Rowan – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #5 – Stag and the Ashe – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

Fletcher Lane has a problem. His boyfriend’s parents are coming for a visit, and they want to meet up. He’s ready to commit, so what happens if his prospective in-laws don’t like him? And how is he supposed to keep Rowan Harbor’s unique nature a secret when he might be the worst liar ever born?

To make matters worse, when he finds and helps two strangers stuck on the road, it leads him to a new threat: the man who’s been terrorizing the town has set events into motion that endanger more than just Rowan Harbor. Can Fletcher and his friends stop him before there’s nothing but a smoking crater where the Oregon coastline used to be?

Sam wrote her first fantasy epic with her best friend when she was ten. Like almost any epic fiction written by a ten year old, it was awful. She likes to think she’s improved since then, if only because she has better handwriting now.

If she’s not writing, she’s almost certainly either reading or lost down a Wikipedia rabbit hole while pretending to research for a novel.

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Reading, LIstening, and Reviewing LGBTQIA Books!

Day: October 11, 2018

A Stella Review: All He Ever Needed by Cate Ashwood:

A Lila Review: His Pagan Love by Wayne Mansfield

A MelanieM Review: Grasmere Cottage Mystery Trilogy by Dahlia Donovan

A Lila Release Day Review: Long Black Cadillac by BA Tortuga

Andrew Grey on Favorite Games and his new release Heart Untouched (Hearts Entwined #3) by Andrew Grey