It’s February 1st, Winner Announcements, Acknowledgements and This Week’s Schedule!

It’s A Wrap!

Our first Down Under Author Showcase ended yesterday and what a marvelous event it was. We had the participation of 28 authors and 2 independent Down Under publishers and gifts from the Embassy of Australia and the Embassy of New Zealand here in DC. My thanks again to Bottom Drawer Publications, Wayward Ink Publications and all of the wonderful authors from Down Under! It’s been grand! Let’s do it again next year! And if you need a refresher, our Down Under Author Showcase Page will remain up until its updated at the next Showcase!

I discovered many new authors myself and am still happily buried in John Wiltshire’s series “More Heat Than The Sun”, and then will move on to more discoveries from authors this month. I hope everyone had a great time and made discoveries of their own, that extends not only to authors and books but facts they learned about Australia and New Zealand as well.

Some of my favorites?

Wombat poop looks like cubes. -picture 1

There are caves in New Zealand where glow worms light the ceilings like stars -#2

An ancient tree so old it has its own name and looks like an elf should be standing beside it.

Flightless parrots, mobs of camels and kelpies who cross the backs of sheep!

And so many places of incomparable beauty from the red dirt deserts of the Northern Territory to the beaches of the south, to the hills so green in New Zealand they remind you of emeralds and mountain lakes with water so clear it looks crystalline. And don’t get me started on all those cities and towns I now wish to visit as well! What were your favorite facts this month?

Over the next several days I will be announcing winners of the various contests. Today we will start with the winners of our Down Under Scavenger Hunt. Here they are!

Down Under Author Scavenger Hunt Winners!

The Winners of our Down Under Scavenger Hunt are, in the order that their entries were received:

First Place: Julie Small $75.00 Amazon gift card

2nd Place:Vitajex First Choice of any of the following gifts listed below

3rd Place:Jennifer Florence 2nd choice of any of the following

4th PlaceShirley Speakman 3rd Choice

5th Place Antonia Aquilante 4th Choice

6th Place:H.B. 5th Choice

7th Place: Hannah B 6th Choice

Prizes to Choose From: Choice of 1 box from Australia or New Zealand Gift Box (large), Choice of 1 of the Smaller AUS or NZ Gift Box* or

Under the Southern Cross Anthology from Dreamspinner Press – a total of 5 e books*

How to Speak Kangaroo or your choice of any 2 books from our Down Under Authors*

Note: I will be posting some pictures of the boxes later today!

Now as the dust settles from our first big event, just a note that May will be Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Authors Across the Pond Showcase…all month long! Just a little something to scribble on your calendars!

Now here is This Week’s Schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words…

Sunday, February 1:

Cover reveal – Jackie Nacht’s Venomous Mates ‘Strike of the Diamondback‘
In Our Book Spotlight: The Bucket List by RJ Scott
Down Under Winner Announcements and this Week’s Schedule

Monday, February 2:

More Winner Announcements!
Release Day for John Inman’s Payback! (contest)
Chris Scully ‘Nights Like These’ Virtual Tour (contest)
A MelanieM Review: Infected: Epitaph by Andrea Speed
A Sammy Review: Night Like These by Chris Scully

Tuesday, February 3:

More Winner Announcements
Excerpt Tour for Sin City 2 by Morticia Knight (contest)
A Sammy Review: The Mechanical Chrysanthemums by Felicitas Ivey
A BJ Review: Second Act by Kaje Harper
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Tame A Wild Human by Kari Gregg

Wednesday, February 4:

More Winner Announcements from Down Under Author Showcase
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Shy by John Inman Audio book
Excerpt Tour with D. P. Denman’s Bare Threads (contest)
A Sammy Review: Dex in Blue by Amy Lane
A Stella Review: Backwoods Asylum by Megan Derr

Thursday, February 5:

More Winner Announcements
Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock’s The Merchant of Death (contest)
In Our Book Spotlight: RJ Scott’s Alpha, Delta
A Stella Review: Rabbit Season by Megan Derr
A Sammy Review: Ethan In Gold by Amy Lane
A MelanieM Review: A Wedding to Die For by Xavier Mayne

Friday, February 6:

More Winner Announcements , last author contests end!
A Sammy Review: An Infatuation by Joe Cosentino
A MelanieM Review: Trowchester Blues by Alex Beecroft
A BJ Review: Payback by John Inman
A MelanieM Review: The Bucket List by RJ Scott

Saturday, February 7:

Final Down Under Author Showcase Announcements!
A MelanieM Review: No Boundaries (Phoenix, Inc. #1) by S.E. Jakes

Down Under Showcase Author – Anne Barwell

Meet Anne Barwell

Anne Barwell is the author of four series and 2 stand alone novels (listed below).

To get to know Anne Barwell a little better, she agreed to an interview. Look for her guest post below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with two cats who are convinced that the house is run to suit them; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date it appears as though the cats may be winning.

In 2008 she completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.

She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth.

Website: http://annebarwell.wordpress.com/
Blog: http://anne-barwell.livejournal.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/anne.barwell.1
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4862410.Anne_Barwell
Dreamspinner Author Page: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_426

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All published by Dreamspinner Press:

Hidden Places series:
• Cat’s Quill
• Magic’s Muse
Echoes series:
• Shadowboxing
• Winter Duet
Dragons of Astria series:
• A Knight to Remember
The Sleepless City series:
• Shades of Sepia
Standalones:
• Slow Dreaming
• On Wings of Song

Genre(s):
Hidden Places is contemporary fantasy
Echoes is historical (WWII)
Dragons of Astria is high fantasy
The Sleepless City is urban fantasy
Slow Dreaming is SF
On Wings of Song is historical (WWI)

Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, Anne Barwell) is an eBook copy chosen from Anne Barwell’s backlist. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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2. Down Under Scavenger Hunt – find Anne Barwell’s Hunt “Word“. Collect all the words from each author and submit the list in writing no later than midnight on February 1st. Make sure you include an email address where you can be reached. Prizes will be given to 5 people selected, from 1st place to 5th! Happy Hunting.

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Anne Barwell on The Kiwi Connection!

The Kiwi Connection

Thanks for hosting me today J

As a Kiwi writer, my books often have New Zealand references or characters although sometimes this isn’t possible, as it needs to work with the story I’m telling. So far, I only have one story set in New Zealand, but I’m planning to do something about that.

Slow Dreaming is set very close to home to me as it takes place in Petone where I grew up. Sean’s a songwriter who works in a café in Jackson Street, and one of his favourite places to go and think is the Petone foreshore. I’ve spent many hours on that same beach, and the café is based on one I visit regularly. It was fun writing something set locally, and I had a few comments from local readers who recognised the places I was writing about. It made the research so much easier too and I was able to use some Kiwi idioms.

In Winter Duet, book two of my WWII Echoes series, Kristopher, Michel and the team meet a downed RAF pilot, Leo. During WWII many NZ pilots flew with the RAF. Leo is from Wellington and his uncle has a farm in the Wairarapa, which is several km from here. I remember my dad talking about a big earthquake that took place during the war, which was centred in the Wairarapa. Leo references it in the book, and also mentions the sheep on his uncle’s farm. After all, a New Zealand reference needs sheep in there somewhere, right?

Shades of Sepia, the first book in The Sleepless City series I’m writing with Elizabeth Noble, introduces Ben Leyton. Ben’s a Kiwi on his OE (overseas experience) in Flint, Ohio, a city in the States. It’s the little things that take Ben by surprise as he adjusts to life in the U.S. Here, a flat white refers to coffee with milk; there he’s asked why he’s talking about house paint. He doesn’t like creamer, being used to milk in his tea and coffee. Creamer here is powdered stuff used in coffee machines. We’re an agricultural country, so dairy products are a biggie. Milk is available as full cream, homogenised, trim (low fat) and calci trim (added calcium), and it comes in various flavours such as chocolate, strawberry, lime etc. On a side note, I had a friend visit the U.S after I wrote Shades of Sepia. He was waiting at a dentist and was offered tea with creamer. His reaction was the same as Ben’s.

With the Sleepless City being a series, and contemporary, I’ve been able to explore a lot more of the differences between here and the U.S than in other stories, through Ben’s reactions and speech. Although we all speak English we have different names for different things eg garbage/rubbish, sidewalk/footpath. Ben’s use of slang often leads to questions too, especially when he refers to something as ‘sweet as’. There isn’t a word missing—the point of it is that there is no comparison. We also refer to something as ‘cold as’, ‘hot as’ etc.

In book three of the series, Family and Reflection, Ben’s friend, Ange, comes to visit. I had several betas (non-Kiwis) who asked me if her saying she was going to find a ‘park’ was a typo and whether it should be a parking spot. Neither of my Kiwi betas commented at all, as that’s what we say here, and how Ange, a Kiwi, would say it. It’s the little things that show our origins.

I’m looking forward to setting my new series Outliers in Wellington—once I’ve finished my current series. Ben and his vampire partner, Simon, will also be visiting Wellington, and interacting with some of those characters, in book three of the spin off series Opus: Tales of

the Sleepless City. After all, Ben’s had fun trying to adjust to a culture that isn’t his own so it’s only fair that his partner gets to do the same in reverse.

Time to Go Nuts with Jackie Nacht’s A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas! (book tour and contest)

Book Name: A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Jackie Nacht

Author Bio:

Short, sexy and sweet— where a little love goes a long way.

That’s the best way to describe Jackie Nacht’s stories. She was introduced to M/M Romance through her sister, Stephani, and read it for years. Then, she thought it was time to put her own stories on paper. Jackie began writing short and sweet stories that ended with a happily ever after.

Thinking back to her own book addiction, where there were many nights Jackie stayed up way too late so she could read just one more chapter— yeah, right— Jackie decided to write short romances for young adults as well as adults. Hopefully, they will give high school and college students, or working men and women something they can read during their lunch hour, in between classes or just when they want to briefly get away from the daily stresses of everyday life.

Where to find the author:

Website: http://www.jackienacht.com
Blog: htttp://www.jackienacht.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackie.nacht?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieNacht

Publisher: MLR Press
Cover Artist: Zathyn Priest

Sales Links: MLR Press LLC

A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas Blurb:

It’s time for the chipmunk brothers to take their bear and wolf home to meet the family for the holidays.

A vicious horde of chipmunks? Dallas and Gunner knew that meeting their mate’s family wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. How could it be when they had eighteen brothers and sisters? This bear and wolf are about to be put to the test, surviving this family holiday. Will they be able to escape just the four of them or will they be taking some of the siblings back to White Pine…involuntarily?
Categories: Holiday, Paranormal, Contemporary

Excerpt: Chapter One

Gunner gripped the armrest, stale air brushing over his face from the tiny fan above. He fucking hated to fly, he really did, but the destination was well worth it in the end. His mate, Phillip, sat next to him, smiling out the window as they flew toward Atlanta. Phillip and Nikko had grown up there and their mother had invited him and Dallas to spend the holidays with them. Gunner was all too excited to meet the family of his mate. Phillip talked about them often and Skyped with them frequently. Gunner had talked to a few of them, but he had a feeling that he was ill prepared for meeting eighteen of Phillip’s brothers and sisters.

The plane tilted, and Gunner blew out a breath, feeling his stomach churn, his eyes frantically searching for the tiny bag in the pouch in front of him but coming up empty. The seats had seen better days, and he focused on the tear in the corner of the seat in front of him until the plane leveled off, praying he didn’t throw up in his mate’s lap.

A hand touched Gunner’s sweaty one, and he glanced over at Phillip, who eyed him with concern. “Didn’t you take the Dramamine?”

Gunner swallowed thickly. “I took three.”

“Three!” Phillip shouted in alarm, turning toward him. “You’re supposed to take one, no more than two.”

“I thought…” I was going to crash and die. “Being a bigger guy, it wouldn’t work, and it hasn’t.”

“When did you take it?” Phillip placed his soft hands to his forehead. Silly chipmunk, Gunner wasn’t running a fever, just feeling the effects of motion sickness and fear take hold of him. He might be a bit clammy, but hot he was not.

“Right before we took off, and I’m a big guy. It goes by weight.” Gunner blew out a quivering breath.

Phillip was staring at him, shaking his head as if he’d lost his damn mind. “You’re a doctor…”

“Dentist,” Gunner interrupted.

“You know better. This is going to knock you on your ass,” Phillip hissed at him. Gunner wasn’t sure what Phillip was worried about. His mate should be reading the damn emergency brochure because they were starting to have turbulence.

Oh shit! We’re gonna die!

Nikko stared at them from across the aisle. “What the hell is your problem? It’s not that bad.”

Not that bad.

He was going launch himself out of the seat and choke his brother-in-law. That is if he could unglue his hands from the armrest. Like the pieces of plastic would save him if they plummeted to their death, but the grips were a damn security blanket for him right now, so screw it.

Dallas shook his head from next to Nikko. “He hates to fly.”

“Well, it’s all fun and games until we’re dragging his ass all over Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. You know how big that airport is. Did you hear how much motion sickness medicine he took?” Nikko tattled on him to Dallas.

“They have a train,” Phillip defended him.

Nikko gave his brother an incredulous stare. “Then you carry him to the train yourself. By the time you’re through, you’ll look like fucking road kill.”

Tour Dates: December 19th, 2014

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Gaylist Book Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Tara Lain, My Fiction Nook, Christy Loves To Read, MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Velvet Panic, The Hat Party, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Love Bytes, Queer Town Abbey, Fallen Angel Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Havan Fellows, Nephylim, Up All Night, Read All Day, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided for the entry form and for all additional contest details.

Rafflecopter Code:
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Join Rainbow Award Finalist Lane Hayes on Tour with The Right Word (contest)

Book Name: The Right Words
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Lane Hayes

Author Bio:

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and her third received an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow Lab ever in an almost empty nest.

Author Contact:

Website: http://lanehayes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LaneHayes3
Facebook: LaneHayesauthor
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook and Paperback

The Right Words Blurb:

Escaping an abusive relationship left Luke Preston anxious and spouting panic-induced poetry. Desperate for a fresh start, Luke accepts a job remodeling a tired old beach house for a professional soccer player and his model girlfriend. While his passion is literature, not sports, focusing on the renovations eases his anxiety. Until the job he signed up for turns out to be more complicated than advertised.

Sidelined with a serious injury, soccer star Michael Martinez decides his beach house is the perfect place to recuperate. Remodeling might be the diversion he needs to keep his mind off his busted knee. Falling for the pretty designer with some quirky habits wasn’t on the drawing board. Unfortunately, Luke didn’t build a big enough closet for Michael to hide in. Having a star-powered sports career used to be all Michael lived for, but he’ll have to reevaluate his plans and find the right words if he wants to build more than a beach house with Luke.

Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Humor, Romance

Excerpt from The Right Words by Lane Hayes

“One day at a time,” he repeated thoughtfully, making an obvious effort to steer the topic toward something more pleasant.

“Well, I don’t have anything better, so… I’ll go with that too.” Michael’s smile lit his entire face. It was a beautiful thing to witness. He was handsome always, but wow… what a smile.

“Was the picture of us good at least?”

This time he laughed out loud, a sweet, musical sound that made me chuckle along with him.

“Yeah, very hot.” He reached over and pulled me into his side effortlessly. “Look, I wasn’t trying to send mixed signals this week. I know I haven’t been around like I said I would. I… Jamie isn’t going to go away easily. This has been a weird blow to add to an already fucked-up situation, but… I like you and I do trust you.”

“You like me?”

He gave a small half chuckled and shrugged. “Un poco.” He translated when I gave him a blank stare. “A little.”

“I like you a little too.”

I couldn’t help my response at being near him. I curled into his side like a cat begging for attention. Michael wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek and my chin. I didn’t want a “friend” kiss, though. I wanted what he gave me Friday night. I wanted “that kiss.” I intercepted him when he leaned in to peck my temple and stuck my tongue out to trace the corner of his mouth. He groaned and accepted the invitation, diving and thrusting his tongue inside my mouth to stake his claim. His right hand traveled down my throat and came to a stop over my left nipple. He rubbed at the sensitive flesh through my tight T-shirt and squeezed hard when he heard my moan of approval.

I arched my back into his touch but kept my mouth fastened to his. I didn’t want to lose this connection. He bit at my chin and sent kisses down my neck as his hand dipped down to my belt and came to rest on my hardening cock. I whimpered and scooted on his lap to straddle his thighs.

“Is this okay? Am I hurting your knee?”

“It’s good, honey. Really good.” Both of his hands splayed flat on my back and circled to the front to pluck at the fabric of my T-shirt. “Take it off.”

I didn’t have to be told twice. I was burning up. I yanked it over my head and tossed it aside before I began working on the seemingly endless row of buttons on his dress shirt.

“Fuck. Help me get his off you. I need to feel your skin.”

I barely recognized my voice. I sounded breathless.

When Michael finally leaned forward to let the fabric slide from his shoulders, I met him halfway to feel his skin against mine. Heaven. He was simply beautiful, with finely toned washboard abs and gorgeous skin. It was smooth like mine but much darker. Olive against golden. I loved the contrast and I was anxious to explore. I let my hands roam, over his chest, down his stomach, and back again. My fingers itched to palm his cock through his worn jeans. Instead I fused my naked torso against his and ground my aching cock against his equally hard member. We both hissed, and the kiss became something more like sex.

Pages: 204 pages

Tour Dates: December 12^th – January 6^th

Tour Stops:

12-Dec

Parker Williams

Foxylutely Book Reviews

Sinfully Sexy

16-Dec

Hearts on Fire

Love Bytes

Kimi-Chan

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

19-Dec

Molly Lolly

Cate Ashwood

MM Good Book Reviews

23-Dec

BFD Book Blog

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

Amanda C. Stone

26-Dec

Prism Book Alliance

Regular Guys, Hot Romance

30-Dec

The Novel Approach

Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

Queer Town Abbey

2-Jan

Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings

6-Jan

Decadent Delights

My Fiction Nook

Multitasking Mommas

Velvet Panic

Joyfully Jay

Contest: Enter to win aRafflecopter Prize: $25 Gift Card. Use the link provided for the entry form and for all additional contest details. Must by 18 years of age or older to enter.
Rafflecopter Code:
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On Tour with Lissa Kasey & Sam Kadence – Two Sides of the Same Coin (book tour and contest)

One Person, Two Authors, Three Books!

Book Names: Hidden Gem, Unicorns and Rainbow Poop, On The Right Track (Audio Book)
Goodreads Link: On The Right Track Unicorns and Rainbow Poop Hidden Gem

Author Name: Lissa Kasey/Sam Kadence

A Short Conversation with Lissa Kasey…

Q – Do you remember your first story? What was it about?

Yes. It was a story called Ship Wrecked. It was about a bunch of kids who get stranded on an island with a house full of horrors (yeah i was in the sixth grade when I wrote it. I was always sort of twisted)

Q – What sequel are you most looking forward to writing in the upcoming twelve months?

The sequel to Hidden Gem. Title unknown as of yet, but it’s started and I love it.

Q- What is your most requested sequel?

Gabe’s story which I will write someday. Second to that was Bas’ story which just came out.

Q – Aki loves shoes. Do you have a fetish of your own?

Fetish as in sexualized no. But I love ball joint dolls and action figures. I have shelves of action figures.

Q- What is the most emotional scene you ever wrote?

The beginning of Reclamation when Sei is running from his memory of stabbing Gabe, which is second only to watching Bas come apart in front of Dane in Unicorns and Rainbow Poop.

Author Bio:

Sam Kadence has always dreamed about being someone else, somewhere else. With very little musical talent, Sam decided the only way to make those dreams come true was to try everything from cosplay at the local anime conventions to writing novels about pretending to run away to become a musician.  Sam has a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, sells textbooks for a living, enjoys taking photographs of Asian Ball Joint Dolls to tell more stories, and has eclectic taste in music from J-pop to rock and country. All of which finds its way into the books eventually.

Email: samkadence.author@gmail.com;

Lissa Kasey lives in St. Paul, MN, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing, and collects Asian Ball Joint Dolls who look like her characters. She has three cats who enjoy waking her up an hour before her alarm every morning and sitting on her lap to help her write. She can often be found at Anime Conventions masquerading as random characters when she’s not writing about boy romance.

Author Contact:

https://www.facebook.com/lissa.kasey; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008292783586&fref=ts; parisbvamp@yahoo.com; samkadence.author@gmail.com

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press & Harmony Ink Press
Cover Artist: Hidden Gem – Siobhan,
Sales Links:

1. Hidden Gem: Dreamspinner Press All Romance(ARe) amazon

2. Unicorns and Rainbow Poop: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) amazon

3. On The Right Track: Book: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) amazon

Audio: Dreamspinner Press Amazon On the Right Track (Audible Audio Edition): Sam Kadence, Michael Stellman: Books

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Blurb(s):

Categories: Alternate Universe, BDSM, Contemporary, Fantasy, Gay Fiction, New Adult, Paranormal (Please note: Not all books contain all elements.)

Excerpts:

HIDDEN GEM: First Glimpse by Lissa Kasey

Aki swept up a bottle of McNaughton’s favorite scotch and headed toward the broad Irishman. The man’s shoulders were arched forward, back tense, hair a sexy mess, and face covered with a couple days’ growth. Obviously the cop was on a difficult case. The detective hadn’t yet asked for him, just for his usual meal—almost bloody steak with a baked potato.

“You look like you could use a drink,” Aki told him as he slid into the chair beside him. He turned an empty glass over and poured three fingers of the golden liquid.

McNaughton sighed, his dark eyes roaming over Aki’s small body, platinum blond hair pulled up and styled with sparkling pins, see-thru knit top, and super-short skirt, then over his bare legs down to the gleaming heels. The shoes were a silver mesh of crystals that slid up just past his ankles. A gift from McNaughton. The cop sucked in a deep breath and slid his hand over the covered part of Aki’s thigh. He knew better than to touch bare flesh to bare flesh. Aki was a cognitive psi, could see entire lives of horrors with a single touch, and he was sure McNaughton’s past was filled with a lot of nasty memories.

“Wish you had time for me tonight. But I’ve got a feeling you’re booked up tight.” He glanced back at the room bustling with companions and potential customers. Aki was the only psi in the room, his pale-pupiled blue eyes telling the world that he was different.

“I’m sure Bart can fit you in.” Aki’s eyes scanned the room until he found his boss, who was engaged with negotiations with another client. “Looks like you need some trouble eased tonight.” He leaned in close enough his breath ran across McNaughton’s cheek.

McNaughton turned his head, lips nearly close enough to touch. “Would love a bit of time with your shine.”
“Words like honey, McNaughton.”

The cop flashed him one of his rare, heart-stopping smiles then nodded as Bart appeared beside them. “Table seven is ready, Aki. Number one.” Bart told him.

Aki grabbed Bart’s wrist with a gloved hand. “The cop needs some time tonight. You can make that happen, right?”

“Of course.” Bart nodded to them and took Aki’s vacated seat and Aki made his way to his next client of the evening. There were only two services Aki performed. A hand job and a blow job, one and two. This client wanted number one—which meant he was cheap since rarely did anyone ask for a hand job from him. But his prices were astronomical anyway.

“Hello,” Aki smiled at the man as he slid into the chair opposite him. The client was dressed nice, button down shirt, pressed pants, but he was bald and a little heavier around the waist. A politician probably. “If you’re ready we can head upstairs.”

The man barely spoke, but he leered, eyes tracing over Aki’s form more like he was cattle than a night of entertainment. Even in his worst moments McNaughton had never done that. It wasn’t appreciation, but something darker. Aki sighed internally and hoped this would be fast. He knew a thousand ways to get a man off in minutes. Something about him just set off Aki’s creep radar.

“I hear some wait months for the pleasure of your time,” the man said with slightly accented speech.
Not usually. The only ones who waited weeks were because their schedule and Aki’s conflicted or because they’d done something to upset him or Bart. Most clients got in within a few days if not the same day of requesting Aki’s time. And regulars were always given precedence over someone not yet vetted like this client.

“If I don’t please you I can see if Preston or Royce is available.”

“I was hoping for Candy originally.”

Was always good to be told he was second choice. Aki gritted his teeth. “Candy only serves a special kind of client. And he does have a wait list.” Mostly because he took clients who wanted a little more kink than any of the other male companions preferred. Aki was going to recommend this client be removed from the premises after the service was over.

“I guess you’ll have to do then. Won’t you?” He gave Aki a chilling smile.

Bastard. Aki got up from his seat and offered his gloved hand to the man who followed closely. They’d reached the stairs when the man grabbed him, yanked Aki against him and shoved his hand up Aki’s skirt, groping him and sending him into a spiral of nightmares.

A dark room. The metallic stink of blood. Screams. The sound of knives being sharpened. Metal bars clanking. Crying. Pain. The music of an ice cream truck. How odd. It was all ripped away a moment later, but Aki’s stomach was already heaving. The small plate of fruit and yogurt he’d had for dinner was not going to stay down.

Someone carried him unceremoniously to the private companion bathroom near the kitchen and set him in front of the toilet just as the mash of fruits and dairy came up. Aki heaved a couple of minutes, his brain swirling with the images that thankfully began to fade just as quickly as they’d come. With any luck he’d be able to brush his teeth, wash his face and go about his work day.

He glanced up to find Manny, the head of security standing at the door. McNaughton knelt beside Aki. Had held his hair back and even used his jacket to cover Aki’s bottom. The skirts really were too short.
“Bart is already having the guy removed. He should never have touched you like that. Sorry I didn’t get to you quicker,” Manny told Aki. “Grateful to you, Detective, for responding so quickly.”

McNaughton stroked Aki’s back, using the soft material of the sweater to run circles over his spine. “Want to talk about it?”

Aki sighed. “Same crap. Just weird. Darkness, crying, smelled blood. Heard knives.” He shook his head. “The guy could work at a butcher for all I know. The memories get so jumbled.” Often with his own horrific past.
“Thought I heard a kid. And bars rattling like in a jail. And the music from an ice cream truck.”

McNaughton nodded like it made perfect sense to him and helped Aki get up and make his way to the sink where there were spare toothbrushes and endless varieties of paste. The cop leaned over and kissed Aki’s hair.

“Gotta go. I’ll have Bart reschedule me sometime this week though. Love that you wore my shoes.” He was gone a moment later.

Aki cleaned up and made his way back to work. At least the night was almost over. He was sad that McNaughton hadn’t stayed. Would have liked to see that smile another time or two. At least the rest of the night flew by without incident, even if the detective didn’t return.

“Sleeping with me tonight?” Candy asked as he stripped out of their work clothes, leaving just a pair of bright pink underwear and crawled into bed. His purple hair was already brushed and eyes heavy with sleep.

“Please,” Aki whispered. He stripped off everything but his underwear too. After putting his shoes and pins away, he washed his face.

“Heard that guy touched you. What a jerk.”

“He wanted you to begin with.” Aki curled up beside his best friend.

Candy flicked off the light. “I would have brought him down a few pegs.”

Aki smiled, but he didn’t want to think of the horrible man at all. Those memories just needed to go away. He had enough of his own to battle with each day. He fell asleep hoping to wake up with less nasty memories each day.

The next afternoon Aki was up early and at Artie’s for breakfast—best 24/7 diner in the area—when McNaughton arrived. The man sat down at his table without asking and pushed a pair of slim, jeweled, yellow flat sandals into Aki’s hands. “What’s this for?” Aki asked.

He just shook his head. He threw a stack of cash on the table and motioned to the waitress. “Anything he wants is on me.” He then got up from the table and headed for the door.

“Well that was weird,” Aki said to LuAnn, the waitress.

She pointed at the Vid screen. “He had a rough night. Caught the guy who was killing kids.” The Vidscreen was turned to the news. Something about a man named the “Ice Cream Killer” had been captured. Apparently he used an ice cream truck to lure kids in, kidnapped them, raped them and killed them. Real monster.

A picture popped up of the guy. It was the client from the Gem. Maybe that’s why McNaughton was at the Gem. No matter what he hoped the detective visited him tonight. The new yellow shoes would need a new skirt to match…

UNICORNS AND RAINBOW POOP EXCERPT:

“So I was thinking since you and I both care about Tommy, we have something in common. See, Tommy is stressed, and I thought we could do something nice for him.”

Dane sat but glared at the man suspiciously. “What sort of nice thing?”

Bas motioned to the bags. “We’re going to make him cookies.”

Dane gulped. “I don’t like food.”

“You won’t be eating it. Tommy will. He canceled a class to come here. Did he tell you? He was taking a theater class at the community college back in Minnesota. Had to withdraw to be here. And with college, you know that means giving up any money paid. Not that money matters much to you guys. Though as young as you all are, I hope you’re well invested.”

Bas shrugged at him and began taking things out of the bags. Flour, eggs, sugar—both white and brown—food coloring, butter, vanilla, and lemons.

“I didn’t know,” Dane said quietly. He’d thought Tommy would be the least affected by his problems. Of course he’d been wrong about that too. Couldn’t he do anything right? “I don’t know anything about cooking.”

“That’s okay. I got this recipe online. It’s pretty easy. We’re making unicorn poop cookies.”

“What?”

“They are sugar cookies with food coloring in them to make them all rainbow-like. Unicorns are good luck and all that. Supposed to be the embodiment of goodness and purity.” Bas picked up his tablet, tapped the screen, and flipped it so Dane could see. The cookies really did look like a big pile of rainbow poop.

“Looks tasty,” Dane grumbled.

“We shall see, right? Think you can measure for me?” He pulled out a couple of cookie sheets and turned on one of the many ovens. “I got permission to use the kitchen here, but we can’t get too rowdy or they’ll kick me out.” He winked at Dane. “I’m pretty sure the orderlies outside are to make sure I’m not burning the place down.”

Dane got up and moved around the counter to stare at the list of ingredients. Bas plugged in a big mixer and took the mixing bowl out of it, bringing it to the counter for them to fill.

“This is really for Tommy?”

“Sure. We can send some to Ru and Adam too if you’d like. I heard they are only an hour or so away.”

“I don’t want Ru to know I’m here,” Dane said immediately. He didn’t need to mess up anyone else’s life.

“No worries. We need tell them nothing other than that they are from you.”

EXCERPT FOR ON THE RIGHT TRACK

RU’S phone pinged with a new message from Tommy.

Looks like another one, sorry.

The text was attached to a photo of the cover of a magazine featuring Ru kissing his ex-boyfriend Kris and then a smaller picture of Kris kissing another guy. Headline for that one was Vocal Growth Star Jilted! Six months and still front page news.

He sighed. Even leaving California hadn’t helped. Here he was in the cold autumn of Minnesota, alone, but still stalked by the conservative media who thought anyone under eighteen didn’t deserve to recognize their sexuality. Sure he was gay. He’d known for years. Had even made the mistake of telling his father when he was eleven. Why did that make him a bad guy?

As part of a boy band that had traveled the world a few times and won a hefty number of awards, he was required to maintain a wholesome image. At least that’s what his former recording studio had told him. And wholesome didn’t mean kissing another guy, even when he and Kris had been exclusive for almost two years. So, while it was okay for other celebrities to come out and show pride, anyone under the magical age of eighteen was ridiculed, cast out, and treated as a pariah of the community.

Do you need me to come stay with you? Tommy texted again. He was a former bandmate but still a good friend. Tommy hadn’t cared when Ru told him he was gay. He did offer to kick the crap out of Kris after the guy had set them up to be photographed together, outing Ru to the whole world, only to then cheat on him. Would Ru’s heart ever stop breaking at the memory?

Ru texted back He never really loved me, did he?

Tour Dates/Tour Stops:

2-Dec

Parker Williams

4-Dec

Molly Lolly

9-Dec

The Novel Approach

11-Dec

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

16-Dec

Amanda C. Stone

16-Dec

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

18-Dec

MM Good Book Reviews

23-Dec

Prism Book Alliance

25-Dec

Andrew Q. Gordon

25-Dec

BFD Book Blog

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: Print copies of Hidden Gem, Unicorns and rainbow Poop, and audio book codes for On the Right Track. (two of each)m Must be 18 years of age or older to win.

Rafflecopter Code:
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And now for December and the Week Ahead At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

It’s December!

Snowflakes, Snow Angels, and Icicles…Oh My!

The end of the year is coming and December is full of holidays, family, love, and ok…tons of stuff to do! Riptide’s Share the Love Charity Contest continues. Look for the link on the Share the Love cover and click to vote for your LGBTQ charity of choice!

There is so much going on that I had to slide our November Summary of Reviews and Best of Lists into the middle of the week! Its been that crazy!

Here is a sneak peak at some of those covers sure to be on our November and, well probably, Best of 2014 lists. In no particular order:

What were some of your favorite covers last month?

Winner Announcements:

Winner of Haley Walsh’s contest is Peaches

Winner of Keira Andrews “Semper Fi” contest is Jeffrey Owens

Congratulations! Happy Reading

Now for the Week Ahead:

Monday, December 1:

Excerpt Tour: A Spartan Love by Kayla Jameth (contest)
Tina Klemke’s Shifting Weight Book tour and Contest
Groom of Convenience by Vicktor Alexander Book Tour and Contest
Three the Hard Way by Sydney Croft – Share the Love Tour and Contest

Tuesday, December 2:

Book Blast: Murder in Torbaydos by Ian James Krender‏ (tour and contest)
Kayla Jameth ‘A Spartan Love‘ Book Tour and Contest
A MelanieM Review: Work in Progress by John Inman
A MelanieM Review: Craberry Pi by Lee Brazil

Wednesday, December 3:

The Chase and The Catch Blog Tour‏ by AF Henley
A Sammy Review: Nothing Ventured by Jay Northcote
A MelanieM Review: Fever Pitch (Love Lessons #2) by Heidi Cullinan
November Summary of Reviews and Best of Lists

Thursday, December 4:

Derrick Knight – Miracle on Mistletoe Lane Virtual Book Tour and contest
Out of CTRL by SA Welsh – Exclusive excerpt tour and contest
A Mika Review: Teaching Professor Grayson by Kade Boehme & Allison Cassatta
A PaulB Review: Desert Foxe by Haley Walsh

Friday, December 5:

Finding Matt by JD Ruskin Book Blast and contest
Love Lane Book Tours: Jack Frost by Meredith Russell(contest)
ZA Maxfield’s Hell On Wheels Book Tour and contest
A MelanieM Review: Darach’s Cariad by RJ Scott

Saturday, December 6:

A MelanieM Review: The Merman and the Barbarian Pirate by Kay Berresford

Barb, a Zany Old Lady Review: Wholehearted by Cate Ashwood – Audiobook narrated by John Orr

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

When police officer Declan Grant goes to investigate the report of someone sleeping at the end of the town dock, he’s shocked to find a bruised, bloody, and unconscious man. And he’s even more shocked by his reaction to the man— under all the blood is a handsome young man who grabs Declan’s heart and won’t let go. Though he’s not happy with the hostile reaction he gets from the man when he finally wakes in the hospital, he finds himself offering a home and friendship to Lucas Hale and the offer comes from a deep and warm place in his heart.

Against his better judgment, Lucas accepts the offer of this stranger, a man who he feels safe with, and, we later learn, finds very cute and hot. The two grow closer together over the time that Lucas is recuperating and slowly Lucas begins to trust Declan until he finally tells him the full story of the homophobic attack that occurred while working on a lobster boat. He makes Declan swear to keep it confidential, and Declan, even though he’s a police officer, agrees to do that. But Declan didn’t agree not to investigate on his own, and he manages to gather information on all the men involved in case Lucas changes his mind someday.

Over time, Declan and Lucas grow stronger together and eventually declare their love and hope for a future together. But when Mack finds the file Declan had hidden, and arranges for arrest warrants, Declan is the one who has to tell Lucas of his betrayal. And that’s exactly how Lucas sees it. Broken-hearted over the break in his trust, Lucas leaves, telling Declan that he never wants to see him again.

The next few months are hell for Declan, but bring a happy surprise to Mack and Oliver, MC’s in the first book in the series, “Brokenhearted” in the form of a new addition to their family. Eventually Declan and Lucas get to see each other again while preparing for the trial, and after a long and heartfelt talk they begin to work their way toward their HEA. A large part of the story revolves around the separation period as we see it’s a difficult journey for Declan, one for which he has to travel alone for a while, and begin to see what he most wants in this world and what he’s willing to do to get it.

I loved the story and the narration was superb. John Orr’s narrator voice was different from the inflections he gave to Declan and Lucas and they were different from Mack, Oliver and Hayden who all return for a cameo appearance. He also brought reality to each scene— from panting to, crying, laughing, and sighing— all were done to perfection. I would normally give this story 4 stars but his narration is so good it moves the rating up to 4.5 overall.

I recommend this book and this series to all lovers of M/M romance, especially to those who love angst and hurt/comfort stories. The audiobook is outstanding so I recommend this format for not only this book but the entire series. Since I’ve listened to the other two books in the series, I can honestly say that they all have outstanding narration by John Orr.

Cover Art depicting a fishing boat with a blood stain on the side is by Aaron Anderson. I found that the art was a perfect depiction of the boat on which Lucas was hurt and the blood symbolic of the injuries he suffered there.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner audio book iTunes Audible amazon

Book Details:

Cover Artist Aaron Anderson
Narrator John Orr
Length 6 hours and 18 minutes
Categories
AudiobooksCate AshwoodHope Cove Series by Cate Ashwood
Book Type Audiobook
Other Formats eBookPaperback

November is Here and the Week Ahead at Scattered Thoughts!

“O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being.
Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead
Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing.”
– Percy Bysshe Shelley

Yes, November has arrived along with the falling colored leaves and winds that briskly move them over the landscape to hide the few flowers that remain of summer and the ordered gardens where they reside. The last of the plants that migrate indoors and out have returned to their wintering places inside and all the pups have gotten their new sweaters to ward off the approaching cold.

I love this time of year, the month that Emily Dickinson always called “..the Norway of the year.” The cold sets in, birds swarm in flittering layers looking for warmth and food, and the days grow shorter until the sunlight feels fleeting indeed. It’s a wonderful time for reflection, reading, writing, and knitting. Of cosy rooms and closeness. Its Thanksgiving, family gatherings and sharing. Its quiet, and dark, and contemplative. So many things to so many people.

For the terriers, it’s the deer in the backyard munching on acorns and the remnants of the hostas. It’s the squirrels, and raccoons, and possums at the feeders, sharing along with the birds and odd field mouse. And always watching in the background, still and opportunistic, wait the fox, the hawk and the owl. Even as the pups voice their objections to our visitors, I love the interplay I can observe and the many places they all find within the confines of my gardens and trees.

Even now as the wind whips by and the threat of our first frost appears, I love that it’s November.

I hope you all had a wonderful October. There were so many great books released that your lists should be bulging by now. If you missed it, check out our October 2014 Summary of Reviews and Best Covers. Let me know what covers you loved that we missed and what books you have added to your pile of novels you’re swearing to get to now.

Here is this week’s schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words:

Monday, November 3:

A MelanieM Review: The Devil Lancer by Astrid Amara
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Starstruck by L.A. Witt

Tuesday, November 4:

Riptide tour: Cornelia Grey’s Circus of the Damned Tour
A MelanieM Review: Circus of the Damned by Cornelia Grey
A MelanieM Review: Sleigh Bells: Minnesota Christmas by Heidi Cullinan

Wednesday, November 5:

Book Tour: Jude Dunn’s One Thing Leads (contest)
Riptide Book Tour: L.A. Witt’s Starstruck
A MelanieM Review: Heat by Chris Quinton and RJ Scott

Thursday, November 6:

TB Tour: LM Brown’s Between Heaven and Hell
A MelanieM Review: The Best Corpse for the Job by Charlie Cochrane
A MelanieM Review: Cold Day in Hell by Lee Brazil (PF2014, story 5)

Friday, November 7:

RJ Scott Book tour: Darach, book 2 in the Fire Series
DESERT FOXE: A Skyler Foxe Mystery‏ Haley Walsh Book Tour (contest)
A MelanieM Review: Off Course by Bailey Bradford

YA Saturday, November 8:

An Aurora YA Review: Carnival-Decatur by Zoe Lynne

We are still looking for reviewers. If you are interested, please email me at melaniem54@msn.com.

October 2014 – Summary of Reviews and Best Covers of the Month

It’s once again time to look back over the month’s reviews and best covers of October 2014. So many great books and authors to choose from, so many covers to love. Check them all out, add to your Must Have, Must Read list and, as always, happy reading!

October 2014 Book Review Summary

*Key:
STRW S series
C contemporary
F-fantasy
SF-science fiction
PN-paranormal
SP-supernatural
H-historical
HR-horror
N-Nonfiction
YA-young adult

Rating Scale: 1 to 5, 5 stars is outstanding

5 Star Rating:

A Taste of Poison (Memory of Scorpions #3) by Aleksandr Voinov, STRWFS (MelanieM Review)
Last Marine Standing by RJ Scott, STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Red Dirt Heart 1 by N. R. Walker STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Red Dirt Heart 2 by N. R. Walker STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Red Dirt Heart 3 by N. R. Walker STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
The Broken Road Cafe by T. A. Webb, STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, STRWC (An Aurora YA Review)

4 to 4.75 Star Rating:

A Heart for Robbie by J. P. Barnaby (4.5) STRWC (PaulB Review)
A Taste of Copper by Elin Gregory, (4.75) STRWH (MelanieM Review)
Accidental Contact and Other Mahu Investigations ()Mahu #7.5) by Neil S. Plakcy, (4.5) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Anchored by Rachel Haimowitz, (4.5) STRWSFS (A Barb Review)
Ben Raphael’s All-Star Virgins by K.Z. Snow (4) STRWC (Sammy Review)
Brothers in Arms (The Broken Road Cafe #2) by T.A. Webb. (4.75) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Counterpunch (Belonging #2) by Aleksandr Voinov, (4) STRWSFS (A Barb Review)
Cutting Out by Meredith Shayne, (4.5) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Dead Things by Meredith Russell (4) STRWH (MelanieM Review)
Death Gets A Boyfriend by Sophie Bonaste (4) STRWF (PaulB Review)
Foundation of Trust (Cost of Repairs #5) by A. M. Arthur, (4) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Hidden Gem by Lissa Kasey (4.75) STRWSF (MelanieM Review)
Phoenix Heart (Stolen Elements #1) by A.L. Wilson, (4.5) STRWSNS, (PaulB Review)
Spaghetti Western by E.M. Lynley (4) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Stand By You by A. M. Arthur (4.25) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
The Trouble with Elves by Therese Woodson (audio book version) (4) STRWFH (A Barb Review)

3 to 3.75 Star Rating:

Acting Out (Calm and Chaos #1) by Sharon Maria Bidwell (3) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Burning Ashes by H. Lewis Foster (3.5) STRWC (MelanieM Review)
Confetti, Cake & Confessions by K. C. Wells STRWC (MelanieM Review)
DMZ by Andrea Speed, (3) STRWC (MelanieM Review)
His Sleeping Beau by Jess Buffett (3.5) STRWF (PaulB Review)
Merry Christmas, Josh by Andrea Speed (3.75) STRWSNHS (MelanieM Review)
Midsummer Baker by Megan Derr (3.5) STRWFS (MelanieM Review)
Midsummer Law by Megan Derr (3.5) STRWFS (MelanieM Review)

2 to 2.75 Star Rating:

Changing Tide by D. P. Denman (2) STRWC (MelanieM Review)
Fire and Light by Berengaria Brown (2.5) STRWC (MelanieM Review)
Grumble Monkey and the Department Store Elf by B. G. Thomas *audiobook* Barb Review (2.5) STRWFH

Best Covers of July 2014

A Heart for Robbie, cover art by Angsty G
A Taste of Copper by Elin Gregory, cover artist Meredith Russell
A Taste of Poison (Memory of Scorpions #3) by Aleksandr Voinov, cover artist Reese Dante
Accidental Contact and Other Mahu Investigations ()Mahu #7.5) by Neil S. Plakcy, Kris Jacen artist

Ben Raphael’s All-Star Virgins by K.Z. Snow, Cover artist Maria Fanning
Cutting Out by Meredith Shayne, Mumson Designs artist
DMZ by Andrea Speed, cover artist L. C.Chase
Hidden Gem, cover artist Shobana Appavu

Spaghetti Western by E.M. Lynley, cover artist L.C. Chase
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, unknown artist

Barb, a Zany Old Lady, Review: The Trouble With Elves by Therese Woodson ~ Audiobook narrated by Ryan Kennard Burke

The Trouble With Elves by Therese Woodson ~ Audiobook narrated by Ryan Kennard Burke

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Cal Martin manages the sporting goods store that happens to be directly across from the Christmas Village in the mall—the dreaded Christmas Village where Santa and his elves cause children to scream and cry and run around with very sticky candy-cane fingers. Cal should adapt “Grinch” as his nickname because he not only hates the whole scene, but he despises listening to the continuous loop of boring old Christmas music.

Cal was once a promising athlete, heading to college on a scholarship when he blew his knee out. Now he lives with his younger brother Brock who has a job in the food court so that they can commute and commiserate together. None of his employees are aware that he’s gay so when he spots a very sexy elf, one who would be able to grant all of Cal’s wishes, his employees, in particular nosy Mia, think he’s drooling over the cute female elf. As it happens, the elves are twins, and Mia knows them.

Unfortunately, due to a major misunderstanding, when Mia works her magic and gets Alex over to his store to meet him, it turns out that Alex is the female elf. Cal wants to be with Zander, her twin. Cal is astounded that their parents named one of them Alexandra and one Alexander. No wonder there was a misunderstanding! The problem is that Cal is so shy and awkward, he can’t find the words to straighten the situation out.

One misunderstanding leads to another until Cal finally realizes that he has to man up and just tell Zander outright that he’s interested in him, not his sister. Of course, it’s never simple, and it’s fun listening to this audiobook rendition of this very entertaining story. Ryan Kennard Burke does a great job with the youthful voices of Cal and Zander and even with singing the traditional Christmas songs which seem to be chapter headings. For a short story, it packs a lot of punch with humor, angst, and romance all sharing equal time.

I would recommend the audiobook to anyone who enjoys listening to their m/m romance and to those who want to enjoy a cute Christmas story with a sweet HEA.

Cover Art by Catt Ford is a very bright holiday green showing MC Zander’s guitar and elf hat. It’s nice and attractive and fits the short story well.

Note: A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming”.

Sales Links (audio) Dreamspinner Press Amazon The Trouble with Elves iTunes Audible

Book Details:

Audio book, Narrator Ryan Kennard Burke

Amazon
Length 1:54:00
ebook, 78 pages
Published December 1st 2013 by Dreamspinner Press (first published November 30th 2013)
ISBN 1627985948 (ISBN13: 9781627985949)
edition languageEnglish
seriesHeartwarming

It’s A Wrap!

Down Under Author Scavenger Hunt Winners!

Now here is This Week’s Schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words…

Sunday, February 1:

Monday, February 2:

Tuesday, February 3:

Wednesday, February 4:

Thursday, February 5:

Friday, February 6:

Saturday, February 7:

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Meet Anne Barwell

Anne Barwell is the author of four series and 2 stand alone novels (listed below).

To get to know Anne Barwell a little better, she agreed to an interview. Look for her guest post below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

Contests and Giveaways:

Anne Barwell on The Kiwi Connection!

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Book Name: The Right Words Goodreads Link Author Name: Lane Hayes

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook and Paperback

The Right Words Blurb:

Excerpt from The Right Words by Lane Hayes

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One Person, Two Authors, Three Books!

Excerpts:

Share this:

It’s December!

Snowflakes, Snow Angels, and Icicles…Oh My!

What were some of your favorite covers last month?

Winner Announcements:

Now for the Week Ahead:

Monday, December 1:

Tuesday, December 2:

Wednesday, December 3:

Thursday, December 4:

Friday, December 5:

Saturday, December 6:

Share this:

Share this:

Here is this week’s schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words:

Monday, November 3:

Tuesday, November 4:

Wednesday, November 5:

Thursday, November 6:

Friday, November 7:

YA Saturday, November 8:

Share this:

It’s once again time to look back over the month’s reviews and best covers of October 2014. So many great books and authors to choose from, so many covers to love. Check them all out, add to your Must Have, Must Read list and, as always, happy reading!

October 2014 Book Review Summary

5 Star Rating:

4 to 4.75 Star Rating:

3 to 3.75 Star Rating:

2 to 2.75 Star Rating:

Best Covers of July 2014

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The Trouble With Elves by Therese Woodson ~ Audiobook narrated by Ryan Kennard Burke

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Book Details:

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Book Name: The Right Words
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Lane Hayes

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook and Paperback