S.A. Stovall on Writing,Influences, and her new release Vice Enforcer (Vice City #2) (guest interview)

Vice Enforcer (Vice City #2) by S.A. Stovall
DSP Publication

Cover art: Aaron Anderson

Buy Links:   DSP PublicationsAmazon  

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to  have S.A. Stovall here today answering questions about Vice Enforcer, the sequel to Vice City, both highly recommended novels here at our blog.  Welcome, S.A.

 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with  S.A. Stovall

Has your choice of childhood or teenage reading genres carried into your own choices for writing?

Definitely. When I was younger, I read all sorts of sci-fi and fantasy. I couldn’t get enough of them. I love anti-hero characters (moral ambiguity fascinates me) and all of that has somehow filtered into my writing.

Who do you think is your major influence as a writer?  Now and growing up?

When I was younger, I loved Robert A. Heinlein. I hope I can write great works of science fiction like him one day. I loved his worlds, and his characters. Today I love Stephen King—not because I treasure all his books (I actually dislike quite a few) but because he has so many books that people typically like at least one. I want to be a writer who writers so prolifically that most people say, “Yeah, I’ve heard of her and like this one book…”

Do you have a favorite among your own stories?  And why? 

Well, VICE CITY was my first published novel, so it’ll always have a special place in my heart. However, I think my favorite stories are always my science fiction ones. I don’t know what it is, but I love futuristic space settings. They’re amazing.

What traits do you find the most interesting in someone? Do you write them into your characters?

 I find hard work, the desire for truth, and logic all interesting traits in an individual. Most of my characters have at least one of these (maybe all three). Typically side characters meant to cause the main character grief have none of them—those are the characters I love to hate.

Have you ever put a story away, thinking it just didn’t work?  Then years/months/whatever later inspiration struck and you loved it?

 Oh, yes. I’m working on an epic fantasy novel right now. I love the book, but the middle got me stalled for a bit—sometimes with large casts of characters it’s hard to weave them all seamlessly together. I can’t wait to share it with the world now that I’ve crossed the hurdle, but it was in limbo for a long time.

Have you ever had an issue in RL and worked it through by writing it out in a story?  Maybe how you thought you’d feel in a situation?

Yeah, I did use a book to help me with a break up. Basically, the entire story has hints and tidbits to all the best parts of the relationship. The novel was a romanticized version of what a perfect relationship could be if it all worked out. It really helped me understand what went wrong, and now I’ll always have this book to remind me.

What’s the wildest scene you’ve imagined and did it make it into a story?

  The wildest scene I’ve ever imaged was a girl cutting her own heart out to replace it with the still-beating heart of an ancient god.

And yes, it did make it into the story!

With so much going on in the world today, do you write to explain?  To get away?  To move past?  To widen our knowledge?  Why do you write?

I write to tell good stories. I love to entertain. The second reason I write, is to highlight the awesomeness of humanity. I love heroes who overcome—or villains who realize life is so much better when celebrated. Sometimes, in science fiction, I write about interesting scientific concepts, but that comes after the good story and awesome heroes.

What’s next for you as a writer?

Tons. I have a WWI fantasy coming out, an MMA romance, and a science fiction story set on a corrupt space station. So many stories—I can’t wait until they’re all released! Trust me. I’ll have plenty for everyone in the future, and hopefully everyone enjoys!

Release of VICE ENFORCER (Vice City #2)

Blurb

Holding on to a life worth living can be hard when the nightmares of the past come knocking.

Eight months ago, Nicholas Pierce, ex-mob enforcer, faked his death and assumed a new identity to escape sadistic mob boss Jeremy Vice. With no contacts outside the underworld, Pierce finds work with a washed-up PI. It’s an easy enough gig—until investigating a human trafficking ring drags him back to his old stomping grounds.

Miles Devonport, Pierce’s partner, is top of his class at the police academy while single-handedly holding his family together. But when one lieutenant questions Pierce’s past and his involvement in the investigation, Miles must put his future on the line to keep Pierce’s secrets.

The situation becomes dire when it’s discovered the traffickers have connections to the Vice family. The lives of everyone Pierce cares about are in danger—not least of all his own, if Jeremy Vice learns he’s back from the dead. Pierce and Miles face a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels—one that will gladly destroy them to keep operating. As Pierce uses every dirty trick he learned from organized crime to protect the new life he’s building, he realizes that no matter how hard he tries, he might never escape his past.

But he’s not going down without a fight.

About the Author

S.A. Stovall grew up in California’s central valley with a single mother and little brother. Despite no one in her family having a degree higher than a GED, she put herself through college (earning a BA in History), and then continued on to law school where she obtained her Juris Doctorate.

As a child, Stovall’s favorite novel was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. The adventure on a deserted island opened her mind to ideas and realities she had never given thought before—and it was the moment Stovall realized that story telling (specifically fiction) became her passion. Anything that told a story, be it a movie, book, video game or comic, she had to experience. Now, as a professor and author, Stovall wants to add her voice to the myriad of stories in the world, and she hopes you enjoy.

You can contact her at the following addresses.

Social Media

Twitter: @GameOverStation

Website: https://sastovallauthor.com/

Awards

Vice City Rainbow Award Winner

Reviews

“To say the characterization was good would be like saying I love reading. It’s a gross understatement… Overall, I loved every inch of it.”

– Divine Magazine

“The noir setting absolutely gripped me with stark details. As a lover of crime fiction, I highly recommend this book in what will hopefully be a very long and satisfying series.”

– The Novel Approach Reviews

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Vice Enforcer (Vice City #2) by S.A. Stovall

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Holding on to a life worth living can be hard when the nightmares of the past come knocking.
Eight months ago, Nicholas Pierce, ex-mob enforcer, faked his death and assumed a new identity to escape sadistic mob boss Jeremy Vice. With no contacts outside the underworld, Pierce finds work with a washed-up PI. It’s an easy enough gig—until investigating a human trafficking ring drags him back to his old stomping grounds.Miles Devonport, Pierce’s partner, is top of his class at the police academy while single-handedly holding his family together. But when one lieutenant questions Pierce’s past and his involvement in the investigation, Miles must put his future on the line to keep Pierce’s secrets.The situation becomes dire when it’s discovered the traffickers have connections to the Vice family. The lives of everyone Pierce cares about are in danger—not least of all his own, if Jeremy Vice learns he’s back from the dead. Pierce and Miles face a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels—one that will gladly destroy them to keep operating. As Pierce uses every dirty trick he learned from organized crime to protect the new life he’s building, he realizes that no matter how hard he tries, he might never escape his past.But he’s not going down without a fight.If you love noir, if you’re in love with hard men with even harder outlooks with little hope for a future, let alone love.  You know the ones I mean,  they’ve survived somehow the worst that life has thrown out them, they expect to see more.  They’ve been made so incredibly tough by their pasts, that the walls they have erected, inside and out might as well be titanium.  Except for the cracks they allow for certain people and in certain circumstances.  Take that man, put him in stories that fit him beautifully because they are dark and gritty.  The criminals are rank,  the corruption is deep and often elusive .  But hope can come from the most surprising places.  So can love.I fell in love with Pierce back in Vice City (Vice City, #1), a stunning introduction to the man and his lover,Miles Devonport.  Now in the equally intense, incredible sequel, Vice Enforcer (Vice City #2) ,  S.A. Stovall picks up shortly after the first one leaves off.  Supposedly mob enforcer Nicholas Pierce has  “died” and PI in training Percy Adams (much to Pierce’s dismay at the name) is alive and well and living with Miles in a rundown house in suburbia, along with visits from Miles’  brother and sister.  And it’s going exactly as well as you might expect.

Especially Pierce’s attempts to garden and talk to seedlings while dealing with Mile’s sullen siblings who clearly think that “Percy” is pulling their brother under.

Then everything goes further to hell while on a dubious PI training run with the older investigator who is running the program.  Stovall thrusts the reader and her characters immediately into a powerful action packed, fast paced scene because Shelby, the lead PI hasn’t been exactly straight with his trainees. And because Pierce isn’t who he seems to be (a naive PI in training),  knows the setup for what it is and figures out what’s coming, well…Pierce is both ready to flee and shoot depending upon the situation.

By now the reader’s skin is tingling, the hair’s slightly raised because the writing is so damn good that our apprehension levels are off the charts along with Pierce’s.  It stays that way through revelations about human trafficking, the reemergence of the Vice family and the mob, the threats to the new identity Pierce and Miles have established for him as well as keeping him safely dead in the eyes of the Vice family.  This is an intense, gritty story.  If it has its humorous moments, and it does, they too, border on the dry, wry, and the dark.  Consider the perspective and it makes sense.

Even the romance falls under the same lines.  No hearts and flowers here.  No, its more like that radish that refuses to die in Pierce’s garden.  It lives no matter what.  They have each other’s back…no matter what.  The sex is rough, the need for each other is there although Pierce might not always acknowledge it.  And while Miles would like a change in the sexual dynamics, something that Pierce’s past won’t allow, its a topic that  comes up.

There is so much here.  Wyatt, Mile’s supervisor  who is definitely in the closet. Shelby, the PI with the past.  The Vice family. Mile’s and his family.  Oh, yes and the Timo family that lives next door.  Everything gets pulled together in one magnificent tapestry that twists and turns, stuns and pulls at your heart.  And when it ends, you want not only another story but to reread the books one and two all over again.

This is a wowzer of a series. Vice Enforcer (Vice City #2) by S.A. Stovall is everything I could want in a sequel or even a standalone.  I highly recommend it and Vice City.  Both are must reads!

Cover art: Aaron Anderson.  What a great cover.  Perfect for this story and series.

Sales Links:  DSP Publications | Amazon
Book Details:
Kindle Edition, 1 edition, 259 pages
Published April 3rd 2018 by DSP Publications
Original TitleVice Enforcer
ASINB078JQJNF8
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesVice City #2

An Alisa Release Day Review: Kiss Me Forever by M.J. O’Shea

Rating:  5 stars out of 5

Forever is too long to be alone.

Professor Avery Cook has spent his career researching the mysterious side of New Orleans. Superstitions, legends, and lore—Avery has an academic explanation for all of them….

Until one night when he walks into a bar and his life changes.

In a sea of impossibly beautiful people, Tyson stands out, and he sweeps Avery off his feet with his old-world charm and romanticism. But there’s a darkness in Tyson too, and Avery discovers Tyson is part of a world he thought existed only in books and stories—the paranormal tales he studies at the university.

Tyson’s been lonely for a long time, and he’s falling in love with Avery. But his past is a long one, and it’s full of enemies and danger. The best way to keep Avery safe is to push him away….

I loved this story.  It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book by MJ O’Shea and I’m glad I didn’t miss this one.  It gave a different view on the paranormal world and I really enjoyed reading about it.

Tyson is lonely for a long time it’s only been him and Mrs. Peggs and when he decides to go out and visit a friend’s bar he meets Avery.  Avery is a quiet bookworm and often feels awkward in social situations but something about Tyson pulls at him and starts to put him at ease.

Avery is adorable, I could feel how lost he seemed at times but determined he would be to figure out what he was missing.  Tyson is a martyr through and through, he will do what he feels is best to protect those around him even if it hurts him and them.  I loved seeing these two grow together but also how they learned to trust in each other.  I loved watching them overcome the obstacles in their way to be together forever.

The cover art by Aaron Anderson is great and I love the picture of Tyson.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages

Published: April 3, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-442-5

Edition Language: English

Series: Dreamspun Desires

A MelanieM PreRelease Review: Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

 

For the last five years, Veier has been chained to a king’s throne in his bear form. When a neighboring kingdom overthrows the crown, Veier’s imprisonment ends, but true freedom is not so easily earned. With blood on his hands, he needs someone with patience, strength, and trust to help him become the person he was before and prove to the invaders that he isn’t the monstrous king’s loyal pet.

Elrid, the invading king’s brother and a powerful mage, is everything Veier despises. He’s also the only thing between Veier and execution, because he thinks he can help Veier change from an aggressive bear shifter into a reasonable man. While the pair have a rough start, with long talks and mutual leaps of faith, they begin to care for each other.

However, the closer Veier gets to his freedom, the closer he is to losing Elrid. He must find balance in his heart and his life if he wishes to truly claim the freedom he’s been given—and the man he loves.

I just loved everything about Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall.  Here is a fantasy novel where the author managed to combine  some very dark and realistic elements like PTSD, the horror of torture , the  effects of long term prisoner captivity under the worse conditions, with that prisoner’s recovery and love.    That the prisoner is an Ursinae or bear shifter, the one to save and help him recover a mage and brother to a king, and that some of the methods used include magic?  In the hands of author Alex Whitehall, that seems normal.  Whitehall seamlessly blends modern methods for dealing with PTSD and the magical to come up with a unique combination of spells and universe for this story that entranced me.

The Ursinae had their own magic as do the Kingdoms themselves.  I could cheerfully dwell in this land for many books, hoping to learn more not just about Veier’s shifter history but all the neighboring Kingdoms across the lands.  If they are half as fascinating as the ones that Whitehall created for the ones we got to know here, I’m all in for as many stories as the author wants to tell.

These characters were amazing!  They were so well rounded and pulled so many emotions from me in their journey to  helping Veier recover from his heinous imprisonment and the scars he now carries inside and out.  As it should be, his recovery is painful, slow, full of anger and fear.  And the reader is on this agonizing path with Veier every step of the way. So is Elrid, the mage who sees the tragedy in Veier’s fate if he can’t be helped and the man fighting to regain who he was.  I was so absorbed in Veier’s tale I totally forgot what time it was and read into the early hours.

There are other equally important storylines flowing here.  Unrest in a kingdom slow to accept new rulers, people hesitant or afraid of the shifter among them, a man eager to go home again and afraid of what he would find…all these narrative threads are carried through, their importance to the overall plot arc handled beautifully, never impeding or overtaking the main plotlines but adding interest to them,  like spice does to a great meal.

But the heart and center here is Veier and Elrid and what a story that is.  It’s heartwarming, sometimes heartstopping, and always rewarding.   This is one for my “happy shelf”, when I need a book to pull out to put a smile on my face and a lightness in my heart.    How I loved this couple.  I think you will too.  I highly recommend Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall.

Cover art:  Shayne Leighton.  I like the cover, has some very nice elements on it, including the character of Veier.

Sales Links: Riptide Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

book, 183 pages
Expected publication: April 9th 2018 by Riptide Publishing
Original TitleMagic Runs Deep
ISBN 1626497478 (ISBN13: 9781626497474)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Fresh Starts and Into April We Go. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Fresh Starts and into April We Go

Here it is April 1st and I’m full of plans and hopeful for fresh starts as I sip on my coffee as gaze out into the disaster that’s my backyard.  That’s right you heard me, a mess of a backyard. So why so hopeful?  Because now instead of dwelling on that huge old white pine that crashed during that last Nor’easter, taking down fences, crushing gardens and things, I’m looking at planning new ones, planting new storm resistant trees, and having a ball.  I’ve got a clean slate to start over.  Do things differently, better hopefully.  Maybe try new plants that are more in accordance with my changing climate and planting schedule.  Who knows?  It will be fun figuring things out and seeing what my blank slate brings….

Same with reading.  Of my last ten books, most of the the authors have been new to me.  I have liked that.  Not all have sowed roots in my library garden of books.  Some I will gladly return to because I thoroughly enjoyed their stories, others showed promise even though I thought their books more outline than finished product.  I like finding authors with a fresh approach to writing and stories.  I like finding new authors period.  Several of them I will be reviewing this week.  So many of our reviewers are wonderful about bringing new authors to my attention.  I love it when that happens.  There can never be too many books or too many new authors to my mind.

That’s why I’m so happy to announce we are adding a new reviewer here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.  Please be on the look out for review from Lucy. Here’s an introduction:

Lucy

HI! My name is Lucy and I’ve been an avid reader since I was a kid.  I was the one taking a book everywhere and then missing what I was supposed to be doing.  Still that way, I think.  My iPad is always in my purse and my commute to work as a teacher resource specialist is filled with audiobooks.  I read a variety of works but MM remains my favorite.  I am a big fan of super sweet and gooey and I love novellas and short stories.   I am sort of wimpy when it comes to heavy angst  – reading is my escape.  I live in the Midwest, where we have two seasons – hockey and baseball!

Welcome, Lucy!

**************

And with everything that went on during the last few months that opened up much needed dialog about racism, books featuring POC and change within the publishing community, I would like to think we are moving forward here as well.  A fresh outlook, a fresh perspective on publishing, covers, and even widening our own outlook on books we read, myself included.

 

Several of our readers chimed in with suggestions which I’m including here. I have linked all the story suggestions for you. Plenty of time to get your own suggestions in:

From Steve Wroten:

Thanks, so true about how spring has sprung.
Nice way to bring in spring. Sorry for this long comment, and I don’t know if this is what you had in mind for “What’s New,” but it spurred these thots:
After the previous two weeks of high winds, I took a week off and didn’t respond to last week’s post yet, but wanted to. And this week’s topic is a nice segue. I had previously given my thots in your Mar 11 post; and just wanted to say I appreciate your keeping that, while some other bloggers deleted my similar posts. I think it’s improving that we can talk about these issues. As another example, I think I see increased representation of people of color, and I thought I’d suggest some recent books I found to be good stories:
A Love Like Blood, by Victor Yates (powerful YA that won Lambda debut novel)
Nobody’s Son, by Shae Connor (two strong black leading men)
Asylum, by Robert Winter (just finished ARC, about illegal immigrant from El Salvador finding love)
Cut Hand series, by Mark Wildyr (nice Native American perspective)
Southernmost Murder, by C.S. Poe (I’m becoming a fan of Poe – Asian FBI agent helps soon-to-be boyfriend with a cozy mystery)

From jen:

I think there are more books with diverse characters – sexuality, ethnicity, culture etc. And I hope that trend continues, both because these types of stories are needed and because I like them. 🙂 Some of my recs from recent reads are:
Wildflowers by Suki Fleet (the love interest is mute & middle-eastern)
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue (audiobook) by Mackenzi Lee (historical adventure/love story with a theme about race, class & a person’s “worth”; plus awesome narration)
Throwing Stones (Glasgow Lads on Ice #1) by Avery Cockburn (One of the MCs is demi-sexual, the other one has ADHD and there is curling)
The Long Past & Other Stories by Ginn Hale (Cool steampunk AU with an ex-slave MC & the love interest is an amputee plus there is magic)
I second the rec for Southernmost Murder by C.S. Poe.

Soooooo……

What new things have you all noticed, if anything?  New issues that the authors have incorporated?  New ways in which they’ve kept it real (if contemporary) and fresh (no matter the genre).  So this is the start of ….

What’s New In LGBT Romance Fiction Giveaway?

Give us your thoughts.  Maybe tell us ways in which you think it can be improved or that it has improved over the last few years.  What stories have made you think?  Stopped you with elements so current and relevant that it resonated with you?  Leave your comments with you email address.  Giveaway will continue until April 14th.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

 

Meanwhile, happy April, happy Eostre or Easter, whatever you may celebrate.  Spring is here and with it new beginnings.  Let’s celebrate that. I’m a true gardener and forever hopeful and yet pragmatic.  Garden catalogs and new stories await me.  What’s waiting for you?  Have a wonderful week.  Here’s what’s ahead for you here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

 

Sunday, April 1:

  • A Free Read Alert from Jay Northcote ~ International Transgender Day of Visibility and Starting from Scratch
  • Fresh Starts and Into April We Go. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, April 2:

  • Harmony Promo Julie Aitcheson on First Girl
  • BLITZ Bank Run by Alli Reshi
  • Release Blitz – Garrett Leigh – Soul To Keep (RH #2)
  • A Caryn Review: The Moth and Moon by Glenn Quigley
  • A Lila Review: Promise Me We’ll Be Okay by Nell Iris
  • A MelanieM PreRelease Review: Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall

Tuesday, April 3:

  • BLITZ On a Summer Night by Gabriel D. Vidrine
  • BLOG TOUR Nobody’s Prince Charming by Aimee Nicole Walker
  • Eyes Wide Open by V.M. Sanford Blog Tour
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: Kiss Me Forever by M.J. O’Shea
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review:  Sweet Nothings (Amuse Bouche #1) by T. Neilson

Wednesday, April 4:

  • Release Blitz: Midnight Twist by Rian Durant
  • TOUR Tested in Fire (Art Medium #2) by EJ Russell
  • A Caryn Review: Tested in Fire (Art Medium #2) by EJ Russell
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Vice Enforcer (Vice City #2) by S.A. Stovall
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:  The Ballerino and the Biker (The Hedonist #1) by Rebecca James

Thursday, April 5:

  • BLOG TOUR Syncopation by Anna Zabo
  • DSP Dreamspun Promo T. Neilson on Sweet Nothings
  • RELEASE BLITZ for Omega Shadow (Book 3 of the Pine Creek Lake Den series) by Quinn Michaels
  • A Stella Review :Wheels and Heels (Stories from the Hen and Hog #1) by Jaime Samms
  • An Alisa Review: Kept in the Dark by H.L Day
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Heart Unheard (Hearts Entwined #2) by Andrew Grey and Greg Tremblay ((Narrator)

Friday, April 6:

  • DSP Publications Promo S.A. Stovall on Vice Enforcer
  • Inked in Vegas by K.M. Neuhold Release Blitz and Giveaway
  • Release Blitz and Giveaway for Captain Merric by Rebecca Cohen
  • A Jeri Release Day Review: Roses in the Devil’s Garden (Fallen Rose #1) by Charlie Cochet
  • A Stella Review: The Little Library by Kim Fielding
  • A Lila Release Day Review: Roses in the Devil’s Garden (Fallen Rose #1) by Charlie Cochet

Saturday, April 7:

  • Austin by Felice Stevens Release Day Blitz
  • Campus Life by TC Orton Blog Tour
  • A MelanieM Review: Murder Takes the High Road by Josh Lanyon

 

 

 

 

 

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Leaning Into the Look (Leaning Into #6) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

I’ve found my favorite, by far, in this series and I want to go back—right now—and read it all over again!

Miles? Ah, Miles, how I love you so. A gregarious, flamboyant, redhead whose favorite color is pink and who likes to wear lacy underwear, he’s the king of mall shopping and he’s Eric’s personal assistant. And now? He’s the man who captures Grant’s heart.

Grant Kostas is a real estate mogul. Put in charge of the San Francisco branch of his controlling father’s empire, he’s about to land a huge contract for his leasing firm but his father comes sweeping in to make sure he does it right. And, to make sure he at least dates a Greek man if he can’t find a woman to make him happy. Mama comes along to cook for him, decorate, and reorganize his apartment. And he can’t wait for them to leave! Grant is actually a really nice guy who has social anxiety and who formerly had bulimia and when he first came out and escaped from his family he was a highly sought underwear model. He’s also a people pleaser, at least where his family and friends are concerned, so he finds himself offering to share his apartment with the gregarious Miles after he’s had no luck helping Miles find a place in the Castro that suits him.

Each man is very into the other, though neither wants to admit it, and they form a pact that they will never let their relationship go as far as falling in love. It’s to be sex and friendship only. Of course, that doesn’t work out and they do indeed fall in love. It’s so much fun along the way that, as I said before, I’d go back and read their story again. There are definitely some very hot sex scenes but there are also so many poignantly sweet moments, and moments where they are just enjoying San Francisco and all it has to offer a young gay man looking for adventure.

There are, of course, complications that mainly come in the form of interference from Grant’s father, including a “fake” boyfriend who happens to be an artist (Greek) working on Grant’s latest project. Grant doesn’t even like the man, yet he lets his father think they are dating. Imagine the complexity of what happens when Papa and Mama show up and both the real and the fake boyfriend are present. It’s time for Grant to grow up and take back his own life, and in the process, face facts with Miles. Miles needs to know he deserves to be loved wholeheartedly—manties and all. Thankfully, our guys get their HEA after a hard-won battle.

If you love this series, by all means pick this up. It can be read as a standalone, however, there are recurring secondary characters so it may be confusing to just start here at book six. In any event, IMHO, this is the best of the series so it definitely needs to be read and enjoyed by as many MM romance lovers as possible. Very highly recommended!

~~~

Cover art by Reese Dante follows the same theme as others in the series: featuring a lean, young man’s torso, in this case with business dress shirt open down the front, set against a background scene of San Francisco Bay. It’s easy to link it to the rest of the series, and it’s certainly eye-catching.

Sales Link:

AMAZON US: https://amzn.to/2DSuOKZ

AMAZON UK: https://amzn.to/2G32N9x

 

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1 edition, 267 pages
Published March 21st 2018 by Lane Hayes
Original TitleLeaning Into the Look
ASINB07BMHZV3C
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesLeaning Into #6

A MelanieM Review: Dragon Magic by Megan Derr

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Four strangers. A shared moment long forgotten. A bond forged in desperation.

On the first day of the Festival of Counting, the beginning of the royal census that takes place every ten years, the royal city is filled to overflowing. Everyone is happy, excited, and proud to be counted amongst those who live in the glorious kingdom of Orhanis.

Then a demon strikes, killing thousands in mere seconds and leveling the city. As the royal castle burns, only four men remain to drive the demon away—and in their desperation, accidentally bind themselves together in a legendary Oath, unable to part ways until they find and kill the demon once and for all.

Mahzan, the King’s Jester, an orphan who clawed his way to the top and hides a fearsome magic… Sule, the notorious North Captain, who sacrificed everything to live as a strong, capable, highly respected man… Cemal, a priest who traveled the continent bent on revenge and now lives lost… and Binhadi, the mercurial shadow mage with a dark history and bloody ties to the throne…

Four men used to standing apart, standing alone, who must learn to stand together if they hope to save themselves and all of Orhanis.

When it comes to fantasy, Megan Derr is  one of my go to authors.  I love her marvelous ability to transport me out of the mundane and into realms where dragons soar,  wounded mage’s seek reparation and love, and unique bands of warriors go forth on sagas that have continued to live on in my heart and mind long past those words…The End in book after book.

In Dragon Magic Megan Derr brings together another unusual band of mages.  This time, they will form not only a working relationship but a romantic one between the four of them.  Not something of a norm in her stories. Or in the stories I normally read because I haven’t found many authors that make a  polyamorous relationship work within a storyline to my tastes.  Here, among four strong mages, who fight the bonds between them from the beginning, watching the emotional ties form, along with the lust and love feels natural.  It helps that they can “feel” each others thoughts and emotions, so the instinctual walls  others erect start breaking down or are broken between the four of them from the start, laying their “secrets” out before the others.

Derr switches the story back and forth between the emotional vulnerability and revelations that is happening between the four as they become a true “family” and the perilous state they find themselves in while searching out the demons and those responsible for the destruction of the Capitol.  I expected to “like” one of the characters more than the rest, maybe Mahzan or Sule, but each mages here is a little broken each in their own way.  Each strong as well.  Turned out I loved them equally.  Semal and Binahdi  no less than Mahzan and Sule.  What great characters all.

The only thing that kept this from a 5 stars story was the odd little out of timeline break at the end.  I understand why the author did it but it still felt jarring.  And honestly asked more questions than it answered.  I didn’t need it.  And in my opinion the story didn’t either.  But that’s just me.

Either way, if you are a lover of high fantasy, Megan Derr or both,  Dragon Magic is a book you won’t want to miss.  And yes, once again she has created some wonderful demons for our mages to fight against.  Can’t miss out on those either!  Put this and this wonderful band of mages on your TBR list today!  I highly recommend it!

Cover art:Phillip Lloyd Simpson.  It’s colorful.  Don’t know that it’s my favorite of Megan Derr’s covers.

Sales Links:  Less Than Three Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Expected publication: March 28th 2018 by Less Than Three Press
ISBN139781684312016
Edition LanguageEnglish

An Alisa Review: Promises Part 4 by A.E. Via

Rating:  5 stars out of 5

Men found him attractive, interesting even. He was like a fascinating experiment gone wrong that men liked to investigate. He’d get a date – or two, if he was lucky – but it wasn’t long before Brian’s darkness showed, and the men were running from him.

Brian King was honorably discharged from the United States Navy five years ago. He’d left with the highest honors a man can receive in his country, but he’d paid the ultimate price to earn them. He was considered one of the best; an Intelligence Officer in a Joint Special Operations Delta team that’d been a twelve-man wrecking crew. They’d thought they were invincible… until they weren’t. Brian was the only member that survived the ambush. He survived ten months of pain, of torture, only to emerge on the other side a warrior. A POW survivor. He’d returned home with all his limbs, his right mind, and with his only brother Ford, at his side. But, one thing had been lost, maybe for good… his voice.

Now, being a bounty hunter is Brian’s only means to satisfy his need to calculate, track, and capture. His only outlet to the stress caused by his silence. He was good at what he did. But, all work and no play for a forty-four year old man was taking its toll. Brian wasn’t a faulty experiment. He missed companionship, he missed communicating. So, when he met Sway Hamilton – in the most unconventional means – he’d been surprised at his special way of understanding Brian’s every look… and touch.

Sway grew up in the rough part of ATL, trailing behind his twin brother Stanton and his best friend, Dana. He and his brother had a bond only twins could understand. So when Stanton’s life was taken during their sophomore year in college, Sway didn’t think he’d ever recover. He finally finished school, got his masters in nursing, worked hard, and focused on taking care of his mother. However, Sway knew there was more to life than heartache, and caring for others. There had to be. But he didn’t know what any of those things were until he met a dark hunter that blew his mind… and the intense man had never uttered a single word.

Brian and Sway can feel the powerful connection between them. It was there from the start—but both of them have battled with loss and anguish for so long, neither understand that love can ease all of it. Do they have the courage to battle through it together? Sway has to learn to trust in love, and Brian has to believe that Sway will always understand him even if he never speaks again.

Sway held him tight around his neck, “I don’t need you to talk Brian. I can hear you just fine,” Sway whispered softly, kissing his throat.

I have been waiting for this book since I read Part 3 and was so excited to see when this one was coming out and it was even more than I was hoping for.  Brian has been suffering silently while watching his brother and bosses find love while he keeps having men run from him.  Brian knows how to track and intimidate and is one of the best Duke has.  Sway has dedicated his life to taking care of others and still hurting from his brother’s death years ago.

Both of these men have scars, some visible and some not.  Brian has to learn to trust and not doubt everything, he also needs the support of someone not his brother or co-worker.  Sway needs someone to take care of him while supporting him and accepting his family into the mix too,

I loved Brian, while he is big and intimidating he is terribly sweet with the right person.  I could just feel his pain and loneliness but you could also see his doubt and how he tried to hold himself back when he thought he would be hurt.  You could see that he had given up on ever speaking again but continues his therapy and quite unexpectedly make big progress.   Sway has kept his feelings and heart locked up for a long time but I could see how Brian quickly got under his skin.  These two are so perfect for each other and I loved watching them navigate through their relationship.  I loved that Duke is hiring some new guys which means that this series will get to continue. Yay!

The cover art by Jay Aheer is just as great as the last and continues to follow the style of the series.

Sales Links: Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 392 pages

Published: March 9, 2018 by Via Star Wings Books
Edition Language: English

Series: Bounty Hunters #4

March Winds Blowing In a Fresh Start. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

March Winds Blowing In a Fresh Start

We end this tumultuous month as we started it…with the high winds blowing bringing with it all sorts of changes.  To my mind, and with Spring in mind, I’m hoping these will be positive ones, showing new growth and a new start for tomorrow.  Isn’t that what Spring is all about?

True, some of the new starts can get a little shaky.  Those March winds are fierce.  First tries don’t always end up like we want.  Small seedlings droop in unexpected snows, and kites get caught up in trees.   But then the sun comes up, the temperatures rise, and yes the winds  finally die down….and boom, back on track again.  The ability to absorb and move forward, the strength to be resilient…well, we see it time and again.

So this week let’s finish out March and get a brand new start in April!  Let’s look at romance, new loves, maybe even renewed love no matter the age.  Spring is a time for growth in our romance novels.  What new things have you all noticed, if anything?  New issues that the authors have incorporated?  New ways in which they’ve kept it real (if contemporary) and fresh (no matter the genre).  So this is the start of ….

What’s New In LGBT Romance Fiction Giveaway?

Give us your thoughts.  Maybe tell us ways in which you think it can be improved or that it has improved over the last few years.  What stories have made you think?  Stopped you with elements so current and relevant that it resonated with you?  Leave your comments with you email address.  Giveaway will continue until April 14th.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Now for this week’s reviews and tours!  Let our week take flight!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, March 25:

  • March Winds Blowing In a Fresh Start.
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

Monday, March 26:

  • Retro Review Tour – Ann Gallagher’s  The Left Hand Of Calvus
  • DSP Dreamspun Promo Parker Foye
  • Review Tour – Lynn Michaels – Out Of The Ocean
  • A MelanieM Review : The Left Hand of Calvus (Warriors of Rome #1) by Ann Gallagher
  • A VVivacious Review: You’re My Everything by Lily G Blunt
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review:  Bone to Pick by T.A. Moore and Michael Fell (Narrator)

Tuesday, March 27:

  • Blog Tour – The Rescuer by Eric Huffbind
  • Book Blast – Love Worth Fighting For by Dara Nelson
  • EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT TOUR Moon Illusion by Michelle Osgood
  • In Our Spotlight:KIM FIELDING on The Little Library
  • A MelanieM Review: Flamecaller by Caitlin Ricci
  • A Caryn Release Day Review: The Architect and the Castle of Glass by Jade Mere
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The Little Library by Kim Fielding

Wednesday, March 28:

  • Blog Tour Bones of Belief by Jess Thomas
  • RELEASE DAY BLITZ INVITATION TO THE BLUES (Small Change #2) by Roan Parrish
  • A Stella Review : One Under by JL Merrow
  •  VVivacious Review: You’re My Everything by Lily G Blunt
  • A MelanieM Audio Review : I Heart Boston Terriers by Rick R. Reed and Tom Askin (Narrator)
  • A MelanieM Review: Squared Away by Annabeth Albert

Thursday, March 29:

  • Release Day Blitz Hug It Out by Davidson King
  • Leaning Into the Look by Lane Hayes Blog Tour
  • Release Day Blitz: Hug It Out by Davidson King
  • A Lila Review: Bad Seed by Gareth Vaughn
  • A Stella Review: The Little Library by Kim Fielding
  • A MelanieM Review The Rescuer by Eric Huffbind

Friday, March 30:

  • Release Blitz Riza Curtis – Rended Hearts
  • PROMO Men of London series by Susan MacNicol
  • Release Blitz – You’re My Everything by Lily G. Blunt
  • A Caryn Release Day Review: Summer Ride by Susan Laine
  • A MelanieM Review:Dragon Magic by Megan Derr
  • An Alisa Review Promises Part 4 by A.E. Via

Saturday, March 31:

  • An Alisa Review Promises Part 4 by A.E. Via
  • A MelanieM Review: Murder Takes the High Road by Josh Lanyon

 

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: How to Bang a Billionaire (Arden St. Ives #1) by Alexis Hall and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Fun! Fun! Fun! I thoroughly enjoyed this story from the beginning. Between the author’s sense of humor and Joel Leslie’s delivery of the one-liners and humorous remarks, I was floating along on a sea of happiness and finding it difficult to stop listening when pesky things like real life kept me from continuing. 

I also wondered why the ratings for this story weren’t higher, and that’s when I found out many people were comparing this to <i>Fifty Shades of Gray</i> or citing that the author seemed to be simulating that story.  Thankfully, I not only never read it, I therefore never jumped on the bandwagon to praise it or to castigate it.  It was of no interest to me, and I’m thankful about that now because it didn’t influence my opinion on this story one little iota. 

As I’ve learned from other audiobooks, when Joel narrates, my enjoyment is not so much about the story, it’s about the performance.  And what a performance!  With a capital P.  I felt as if I was watching a movie or TV show.  And as I said, I couldn’t put this down. 

Arden was a sweetheart, a very self-effacing soon-to-be Oxford graduate, and only helping out a friend when he made the call on behalf of the alumni fundraiser and connected with Caspian Hart.  They engaged in a bit of Arden-like banter, and wonder of wonder, at the actual event, Caspian himself sought out Arden!   

Without giving away the plot, I can say that this was not the heavy BDSM that I anticipated from the blurb.  In fact, there was some light bondage, but I wouldn’t personally classify it as a BDSM story.  It’s a love story, pure and simple—but with all the complications one would expect from an emotionally aloof billionaire and an inexperienced young man with self-esteem issues. 

My heart broke for Arden, and though he was responsible for Arden’s heartache and self-flagellation, Caspian was a wounded soul in his own way, so my heart broke for him as well. 

I loved the voices Joel Leslie gave them—they felt spot-on—perfect in every way. 

Needless to say, I very highly recommend this story to lovers of MM romance—a very definite  must-buy in audio format. 

Cover art:  Rich and dark in tone.  Love it.

Sales Links:  Amazon

Audiobook Details:

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 11 hours
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Audible.com Release Date: January 16, 2018
Whispersync for Voice: Ready
Language: English
ASIN: B078WZLVX4