Down Under Showcase Author – A.B. Gayle

Meet A.B. Gayle!

A.B. Gayle is the author of Caught and Leather & Lace and others listed below.

To get to know A.B. Gayle a little better, the author agreed to an interview. Look for the interview below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍

Unlike many authors, I haven’t been writing stories all my life. Instead I’ve been living life.

My travels have taken me from the fjords of Norway to the southern tip of New Zealand. In between, I’ve worked (and am still working) in so many different towns I’ve lost count. I’ve shoveled shit in cow yards, mustered sheep, been polite to customers, and traded insults with politicians.

Bored with traditional romances, I discovered M/M romance, where the story is about life and all its complexities, not just the ring, the wedding, and the babies. It’s also about people who until now were if not ignored then downright victimised. Writing about gay men finding love and happiness hopefully will help make that concept the norm and celebrated by everyone.

You can contact/follow A.B. Gayle at:

Website: http://www.abgayle.com
Blog: http://www.abgayle.com/my-blog—reviews–interviews
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgayle.writer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/abgaylewriter
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/abgaylewriter/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3394874.A_B_Gayle
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115721863331777496940/posts

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

M/M Romance published by Dreamspinner Press:

“Caught”
“Red+Blue”(Opposites Attract #1) and the Italian translation “Rosso e Grigio”
“Leather+Lace”(Opposites Attract #2)

“Isolation” by Totally Bound (m/f)

Genre(s):
MM romance
Contemporary Romance
“Leather+Lace” is about BDSM but I wouldn’t describe it as BDSM
“Isolation” is futuristic scifi – m/f

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

Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, A.B. Gayle) is an eBook copy the reader’s choice of anything from my backlist mentioned above. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

2. Down Under Scavenger Hunt – find the Hunt “word or phrase” in bold green . 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.

Hint: Add a point if you know which well known singer is the drag persona of Steve from Leather+Lace!

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

Q. When did you start writing?

Back in 2009 when I attended an Australian Romance Reader’s conference and discovered writers were just ordinary people like myself. I figured if they could write down the videos playing in their head, so could I. My first book was a traditional sci-fi romance (m/f)

Q. Were you a reader as a child?

Yes. Obsessively so. I remember an aunt giving me “The Incredible Journey” when I was 7 and not believing I had finished it when I gave it back an hour later. She quizzed me on it. I read in class under the desk. In bed under the sheets by the light of a torch. I hate to admit that I had a distinct aversion to “good” books and read my elder sisters’ adult level books when they weren’t looking. And I read every mystery/spy thriller that I could find.

Q. What books as a child has the most impact on you?

“Lord of the Rings”. I skipped some of the long boring sections about lore. The Australian release date was always a few months after the rest of the world, so I was desperate for my friend (who had been sent them by her family in the UK) to finish each one so I could read it. Then Georgette Heyer as I grew older.

Q. Did that impression carry over into adulthood when you started writing?

Probably, from Tolkien I learned not to include too much backstory! And Heyer has the best secondary characters, plus sparkling dialogue. But I didn’t really think about the craft of writing until I went to the ARRA conference. This was also around the time the eBook revolution began, so I discovered writers whose books had never made it to Australia (or only to libraries with savvy librarians) Regency romances by people like Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, sci-fi by people like Linnea Sinclair. I followed her blogs and did a few writing courses with her. She’s great. I learnt a lot about pacing, conflict and characterisation. I’m still learning though. I envy all these writers who have been writing forever and the words just seem to flow.

Q. Where do you draw inspiration from?

Everywhere. People. Situations. As said in my bio, I’ve been lucky to travel and I am a watcher. I see something or someone and say to myself: Why did they do or say that? (Why was my first word) and that leads to the rest.

Q. Favorite genres to write in and why?

MM obviously. I like contemporary as there are so many issues I like to explore in my writing. I try to have a theme for each book. A reason for writing it. And include settings or professions or ideas that are different from the norm. Actuarians, canoeing, BDSM gone wrong, the global financial crisis.

Q. Title or characters or plot? Which comes first?

Plot usually. Character names are often last and who they are tends to change as they progress through the plot. I know this is arse about. Most writers start with fully formed characters. I often have to go back and change something early on because I realize I didn’t really know the character well enough. Probably this is why I am not a prolific writer.

Q. Do you have a favorite character that you have written?

Like a good mother, I can safely say that I love them all equally. Even the ones in my head in the half plotted books that may one day get finished.

Q. Favorite quote (doesn’t matter the source)?

It’s actually from a novella that’s gone out of contract. I should extend it and resubmit it elsewhere for publication

“It’s the groups that can’t accept diversity that hate and fear us the most. They should celebrate diversity, not just accept it.” ― A.B. Gayle, Mardi Gras

Q. Favorite book/story you have read as an adult?

I’m a fickle child. I’ve just found a new favourite author, John Wiltshire, and I think his latest book “This Other Country” is fabulous. Judging it both as a reader and as a writer.

Q. Do you have a certain regimen that you follow as a writer?

No, I should. Perhaps that’s why I haven’t published anything new for ages! With my current workload, when I don’t know where I’ll be from one week to the next, I’m loath to start, because I need to know I will have an uninterrupted few weeks before I start.

Q. What inspired you to write your first book?

My kids spending all their time behind closed doors in their bedrooms, playing computer games. Outsiders saw them as isolated, but they were actually interacting with people all over the globe. I used that premise in my sci-fi aptly entitled “Isolation”.

Q. Do you have a specific writing style?

Providing too much information? I have it on good authority that all my characters sound like fifty year old English professors. 😦 So I need to actively edit the books when I finish to better reflect their characters. Maybe I should write a series of books, starring a fifty year old English professor who lives in Australia now (because I always get into trouble from beta readers for including Aussie slang). Maybe I could just make him South Australian. They talk weird down there!

Q. What’s the hardest part of writing your books?

Starting and Finishing them!

Q. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your first book?

Yes! Heaps. I should have shown more scenes that I only told and ensure there was more quality time between the two main characters. Hardly anyone has bought and read it, which is probably a good thing.

Q. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor or has the biggest influence on you?

Linnea Sinclair and Josh Lanyon without a doubt. I paid the latter to critique Red+Blue (and Mardi Gras) and the critique ended up being a quasi writing course. As I said before, Linnea’s courses also helped me in the very early stages. I think we can always improve and I need different guidance now.

Q. What book are you reading now?

I’m re-reading the “More Heat from the Sun” series by John Wiltshire. I’m a speed reader so I galloped through them. Now I’m going back and appreciating the way he has threaded the emotional arc through the whole series. Phrases, incidents happen in the early books that don’t really bear fruit until later.

Q. How do you think books written from authors in Australia or New Zealand differ in style, language, and culture?

I think we are more aware of factors like isolation. The universe doesn’t revolve around us and I think our characters reflect that. We are perhaps more self-deprecating than we should be and we also offer more humour than many readers expect. Most Aussies have a good sense of the ridiculous and we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

Q. My first impression of AUS/NZ was from stories and novels like Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds or Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice as well as from movies like The Man from Snowy River, The Dish, Rabbit Proof Fence, Strictly Ballroom, and yes, Crocodile Dundee! There are so many out there. What is your favorite AUS/NZ stories and favorite Australian/New Zealand movies?

I think we have some of the best MM writers. N.R. Walker, Lisa Henry, Isabelle Rowan, John Wiltshire (although he’s really a ring-in), Barry Lowe etc etc. I was never a Thorn Birds fan, but the other movies I love. Also check out Priscilla Queen of the Desert (gay classic), Muriel’s Wedding, The Sapphires, Mad Max, Babe, Paperback Hero and Red Dog is possibly my favourite. We have some brilliant directors down here and the actors…. Hugh Jackman, Chris Hemsworth….. hmmmm

Q. If you were a tour guide, what would you like a visitor to see and what impression would you want them to take away with them when they leave?

Everywhere. My job is currently taking me all over the place. Remote rural communities. Beachside holiday destinations. But for things that are special, the beaches first and foremost.

I’ve travelled extensively overseas, and I have yet to see a coastline that is the equal. Not just the things like Bondi Beach, but Noosa Headland, even the tiny town of Robe in South Australia (pictured below). The Ocean Road in Victoria (mentioned in “Leather+Lace”) is spectacular, Sydney Harbour is beautiful, The Barrier Reef is a must see. As is Uluhru. But I love the little towns that I often end up working in. But you have to stay there for a while to appreciate them. Dry, dusty open spaces have a different type of beauty. Robe

Q. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country?

This is the view from a ten minute from my front door. The Georges River in southern Sydney
And what makes it so special to you? The park is a lovely remnant of natural bush and I can walk through it and pretend I’m miles away from the city.

Q. What are your current projects?

“Give+Take” the sequel to “Red+Blue”. “Bound” the sequel to “Caught” to make a novel length book, “Caught+Bound”. Extending my out-of-print “Mardi Gras” and renaming it “Pride+Prejudices” A novel of town and country called “Home+Away” and a thriller “Truth+Lies” All have been plotted to varying degrees, it’s just a question of allowing the muse out.

Q What’s next up for you?

Until my work situation changes, I’m concentrating on my in-depth author interviews. http://www.abgayle.com/interviews.html

I think you’ve probably heard enough from me. Thanks so much for giving us a chance to be seen and heard. Travel to the UK and Europe takes so long and is so expensive that most readers will never venture this far. Please let us know if you are coming. We have a very active group of authors and readers spread right across the country, who are always looking for an excuse to get together, even if it’s only for a cup of coffee and a chat. If we do get overseas and you see one of us at a convention or conference, please come up and say hello. We don’t bite even if our spiders and snakes do. Look out for me at the 2015 UK LGBT meet in Bristol in September.

Down Under Showcase Day 14: Author A. B. Gayle

Welcome, A. B. Gayle!

It’s Day 14 of STRW Down Under Author Showcase. Today’s featured writer is A.B. Gayle from southern New Zealand. Welcome, A.B.! We have a wonderful interview with A.B. Gayle, complete with some pictures of her favorite places, discover this author through her books and bio! Don’t forget to enter Gayle’s giveaway contest and search out the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word of the day!

Now on to our Facts of the Day for New Zealand and Australia! It only seems right that we add in some mythology and legend in our New Zealand and Australian facts of the day:

New Zealand Fact of the Day:

The Legend of New Zealand: Legend has it that New Zealand was fished from the sea by the daring demigod Maui. Now Maui was no ordinary man. Maui is the gifted, clever demigod of Polynesian mythology responsible for fishing up the North Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

After a miraculous birth and upbringing Maui won the affection of his supernatural parents, taught useful arts to mankind, snared the sun and tamed fire. But one of his most famous feats was fishing up the North Island.

Despising him, Maui’s four brothers conspired to leave him behind when they went out fishing. Overhearing their plans, Maui secretly made a fishhook from a magical ancestral jawbone. Then one night he crept into his brothers’ canoe and hid under the floorboards.

It wasn’t until the brothers were far out of sight of land and had filled the bottom of their canoe with fish that Maui revealed himself. Then he took out his magic fishhook and threw it over the side of the canoe, chanting powerful incantations as he did so.

The hook went deeper and deeper into the sea until Maui felt the hook had touched something. He tugged gently and far below the hook caught fast. It was a huge fish! Together with his brothers, Maui brought the fish to the surface.

Maui cautioned his brothers to wait until he had appeased Tangaroa the god of the sea before they cut into the fish. They grew tired of waiting and began to carve out pieces for themselves. These are now the many valleys, mountains, lakes and rocky coastlines of the North Island.

To this day the North Island is known to Maori as Te Ika a Maui or Maui’s fish. Take a look at a map of New Zealand to see the fish’s head in the south and its tail in the north. The South Island is also known as Te Waka a Maui or Maui’s canoe, and Stewart Island or Rakiura is known as Te Punga a Maui or Mau’s anchor stone. For more information about New Zealand, visit here!

[Interesting side note: This legend is extremely similar, for obvious reasons, to the legend of Hawaii and Samoa]

Australia Fact of the Day:

Dreamtime. The Aborigines believe that the world began during a mythical period called Dreamtime, or The Dreaming. During this time, ancestral beings that slept beneath the ground emerged from the earth. They created the landscape, made people, established the laws by which people lived, and taught them how to survive. After the ancestral beings’ work was done, they returned underground.

The Aborigines actively recall the events of Dreamtime. By participating in certain rituals, individuals can reenact the journeys of their ancestors.

Nourlangie Rock in the Northern Territory of Australia

On Tour with H. Lewis Foster’s ‘A Valet’s Duty’ (Book Tour and Contest)

Book Name: A Valet’s Duty (New Edition)
Author Name: H. Lewis-Foster

Author Bio:

H. Lewis-Foster lives in the North of England, and has always worked with books in one form or another. As a keen reader of gay fiction, she decided to try writing herself, and is now the proud author of several short stories and her debut novel ‘Burning Ashes’.

H. likes to create characters who are talented, funny and quite often gorgeous, but who all have their faults and vulnerable sides, and she hopes that you’ll enjoy reading their stories as much as she loves writing them

Author Contact: Twitter
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Cover Artist: Trace Edward Zaber

Sales Links: amazon Amber Quill Press Barnes & Noble

Blurb:

At the turn of the twentieth century, Henry Simpkins is a valet at Taverslow, the Earl of Wayshaw’s Somerset home. When the Earl’s younger brother, Rafe, arrives from his villa in Italy, Henry is given the task of caring for his mischievous dogs, Pepe and Paolo. As part of his duties, he also goes to Rafe’s room each night to tidy away his clothes.

One night, Rafe tentatively asks Henry to go beyond his valet duties to relieve Rafe’s sexual tensions. Henry enjoys their increasingly intimate encounters, but he’s soon disturbed to find he feels more for Rafe than mere physical attraction.

Now, Henry faces a difficult decision. Can he remain in the same house as Rafe if his affections are not returned?

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

Excerpt:

The next few nights passed in a similar way, with Henry nodding and smiling, and sometimes laughing, when Rafe talked of his life in Umbria. Falling to sleep each night in his narrow bed, Henry found himself dreaming of orange trees and vineyards. Sometimes he even dreamt of Rafe wandering among them in the Mediterranean sun, but on the fourth night when Henry went to Rafe’s room, something had changed.

Rafe seemed on edge as he opened the door, and he sat on the sofa in silence as Henry carried out his tasks.

Henry started to leave, when Rafe spoke at last, an unfamiliar tension in his voice. “Simpkins, could I ask you something?”

“Of course, sir.”

Rafe gazed intently at his fingernails, giving Henry no clue as to what he might ask. His eyes remained lowered as he made his enquiry.

“Simpkins, are you—are you the same kind of man as Oscar Wilde?
Pages or Words: 29 pages

Tour Dates: January 13, 2015

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Prism Book Alliance, BFD Book Blog

Bayou Book Junkie, Molly Lolly, Amanda C. Stone, Tara Lain, Andrew Q. Gordon, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Love Bytes, My Fiction Nook, Christy Loves 2 Read, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Good Book Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Velvet Panic, Havan Fellows, Elin Gregory, The Hat Party, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Fallen Angel Reviews, Nephylim, Dawn’s Reading Nook

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘A Valet’s Duty’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided to enter the contest and all additional details.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Down Under Author: Beany Sparks

Meet Beany Sparks!

Beany Sparks is the author of recent releases in her Paws and Magic series, Aiden’s Shepherd and Ryan’s Wizard.

To get to know Beany a little better, the author agreed to an interview. Look for the interview below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍

Beany Sparks lives in Western Australia. She first started reading romance novels in 2008, but it wasn’t until January 2010 when her Kindle got delivered (which she had brought herself on Christmas Day 2009) that the world of erotic romance opened its doors to her, and she hasn’t looked back.

Since English was never her strong subject at school she never expected to write a story, let alone try to get it published. With suggestions and support from friends, her muse—“affectionately” known as PITA—was finally able to break free, and in January 2014 her first story was written. Since she can’t put PITA back in his box—she’s tried!—Beany has decided to give in and team up with him.

Together they’ve made plans to write both MF and MM stories. Why? Because love isn’t gender specific, love is love.

Website: http://www.beanysparks.com
Blog: http://www.beanysparks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beany.sparks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeanySparks
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8416226.Beany_Sparks

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

Available at eXastyBooks:
Aiden’s Shepherd (Paws and Magic #1): Blurb and Book Details:

A man who never knew magic and shifters existed gets a crash course when he saves an injured dog.
Aiden Grey is packed and ready to move and start a new phase of his life away from the family that kicked him out when he was eighteen. The night before he leaves he sees something fall out of the back of a van. Upon closer inspection, he is shocked to find that it’s not the bag he suspected, it’s a dog!

He decides to take the dog with him, and the two set off the next morning to Aiden’s new home. Everything is going well for Aiden and the German Shepherd he named Lex. That is, until said German Shepherd shifts into a man who claims Aiden is his mate.

Lex can’t believe he’s finally found his mate. But as happy as he is to have him, he still worries about his brother and pack, and where they have ended up.

With the revelation that shifters exist, secrets about Aiden’s past come to light. Secrets he didn’t even know existed. Suddenly, Aiden has to deal with not only the reality of shifters, but also ghosts and magic. But with Lex by his side he can handle anything—even his surprise guest. (less)
ebook, 111 pages
Published October 1st 2014 by eXtasy Books
ISBN139781487400705
edition languageEnglish
http://www.extasybooks.com/Aiden-‘-s-Shepherd/
seriesPaws and Magic #1

Ryan’s Wizard(Paws and Magic #2): Blurb and Book Details:

After years of no contact, Oliver “Olly” Grey was finally able to reunite with his cousin Aiden. He’s surprised to find that Aiden now has a mate—a male, shifter mate—named Lex. And it’s Lex’s pack mates that Olly is there to help save. What he hadn’t expected was Lex’s brother Ryan.

Ryan Shepherd was happy to have found his brother Lex, and even happier to know that his brother was happily mated. But there is something about Aiden’s cousin Olly that Ryan doesn’t trust, especially when he also smells like the man currently holding his pack members captive. Yet that doesn’t stop Ryan from wanting to hold and comfort the man, and eventually he realizes why—Olly is his mate.

Now the four of them need to plan a rescue mission, but what happens when they run into the two men that had held Lex captive and those same men come to the cabin in the middle of the night?

ebook, 119 pages
Published November 1st 2014 by extasy Books
ISBN139781487401061
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.extasybooks.com/Ryan-‘-s-Wizard/
seriesPaws and Magic #2

Christmas, snow and…a merman? Coming in December 2014 from eXasy Books.

Return of the Cats (het romance)

Genre(s):
Erotic Romance
Gay Romance
Paranormal
Shifters

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

Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, Beany Sparks) is an eBook copy the reader’s choice of Aiden’s Shepherd or Ryan’s Wizard. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

• When did you start writing?

I only started in January 2014.

• Were you a reader as a child?

Definitely! Every parent-teacher conference my mum went to, she would complain to my English teacher that I read too much. They kept telling her that it wasn’t a bad thing.

• What books as a child has the most impact on you?

I love Harry Potter and the Night World series (by L.J. Smith)

• Did that impression carry over into adulthood when you started writing?

I think so because they were about magic and shifters and that’s what I love to read and write.

• Where do you draw inspiration from?

I let my mind wander a lot, occasionally a good idea pops up.

• Favorite genres to write in and why?

Paranormal because it allows me to do whatever I want.

• Title or characters or plot? Which comes first?

Characters. I’m lucky if I get the plot at all! Usually I don’t know what’s going to happen until I’m writing it.

• Favorite book/story you have read as an adult

Too many to choose from!

• What’s the hardest part of writing your books?

My muse PITA who changes the story on me or just shuts up for ages so that I get no writing done.

• If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your first book?

No. It was a good learning curve.

• If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor or has the biggest influence on you?

I would say Bailey (Bradford) or Talia (Carmichael). They encouraged me from day one and without them, I wouldn’t have gotten the courage to give writing a go. At least not any time soon.

• My first impression of AUS/NZ was from stories and novels like Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds or Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice as well as from movies like The Man from Snowy River, The Dish, Rabbit Proof Fence, Strictly Ballroom, and yes, Crocodile Dundee!

There are so many out there.

• What are your current projects?

I’m writing Book 2 in the Merman Tales series and Book 3 in the Paws and Magic series.

• What’s next up for you?

Merman Tales Book 2 is coming out 1st February.

Down Under Day 13: Welcome, Beany Sparks, NZ/AUS Facts of the Day and Contest Details!

Its Down Under Day 13 and our featured writer today is Australian Author Beany Sparks! Beany Sparks Author page follows this one. Check out all of Beany’s books, her interview and thoughts on writing! Don’t miss out on her giveaway contest and search out her Scavenger Hunt word somewhere on her page.

Because Beany Sparks is from Western Australia, I thought it would be fun to have our Australia Fun Facts focus on Western Australia and Perth!

Australia Fact of the Day:

Perth is the most isolated capitol city in the world. The closest city, Adelaide, is 1,387 miles away.

The largest rock in the world is Western Australia’s Mount Augustus. Measuring 5 miles long and 2 miles wide.

Early astronaughts dubbed Perth as ‘The City of Lights’ since it’s bright lights stood out on our planet earth.

The largest city park in the world is King’s Park (1,003 acres) in Perth.

The oldest living things on earth, our friendly organisms, stromatolites, also call Western Australia home.

New Zealand Fact of the Day:

World’s Largest and Heaviest Insect Calls New Zealand Home!

The Giant Weta is a large grasshopper type insect found only in New Zealand. There are eleven species of Giant weta, all of which are examples of island gigantism. Check out the many YouTube videos on the man who recently found the largest Weta to day.

In The Book Spotlight: Tristan’s Lover by Nicholine Tiernan (Book Tour and Contest)

Tristan’s Lover by Nicoline Tiernan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Tristan has all the time in the world to be in love. He’s going to live eternally—that’s what vampires do. And now that he’s found his soul mate in Eric he plans on living happily forever after. But not all stories can have a fairytale ending, especially when Eric’s father, the lycan king, has declared war against all vampires. Will their love survive?

Warnings: MM, shifter sex, BDSM elements

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Eric rushed to the doors. They were dented severely, but still remained closed. “Tough doors.” Bombshell scratched his head. Eric kicked at the doors in frustration. They squeaked open and fell off their hinges with a resounding crash. “Not tough, just pretending.” said Bombshell.

Eric ran through the opening only to have his gas mask knocked off his face. He hit the floor hard. He hadn’t expected resistance on the other side. He shook his head to clear the stars that danced in front of his eyes. The owner of the weapon that sent Eric reeling stood over him, a mace raised to deal the final blow. Eric caught the sudden movement before the guard did as Bombshell landed a flying tackle around the guard’s waist.

Eric was up and stumbling toward the center of the room where he hoped to find Tristan. Through the haze of the smoke and a muddled head, he could see a figure bent over as though genuflecting and chained to the ground. “Tristan?” He received no answer. He staggered to the figure and dropped to his knees before him. Tristan’s clothes were torn and bloody. His body was limp and lifeless. “Tristan,” Eric said touching the hair matted with blood. He prayed that he wasn’t too late. He gently lifted Tristan’s face with his hands desperately searching for any signs of life.

Tristan opened his eyes and looked up into Eric’s face. “Hey, you look like hell.”

“You’ve never looked better.” He pulled Tristan into a hug. “Let’s get you out of here.” Eric tugged on the chains holding Tristan. He knew he could break them in his lycan form, but he didn’t have the strength to change.

Gun shots rang out behind Eric. He turned to see who was doing the shooting when he was lifted bodily from the floor and sent flying across the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Nicoline has written 8 New Adult and ménage Hot Lunches for Lost Goddess Publishing, and she’s currently working on a series of MM novellas. The paranormal has always fascinated Nic and she’s looking forward to exploring fantasy worlds and the desires within. Nic can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nicolinetiernanauthor and reached through email.

Contact Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoline.tiernan
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicolinetiernanauthor
Publisher Link: https://www. lostgoddesspublishing.com

Sales links for:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PYLYT48
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-tristan039slover-1685576-340.html
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tristans-lover-nicoline-tiernan/1120823793?ean=2940149870356

Contest: Nicoline will be awarding $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Harvest Series continues! On Tour with M.A. Church and The Harvest: Journey’s End (book tour and contest)

Book Name: The Harvest: Journey’s End
Book Two of ‘The Harvest’ series. Best read in order.
Author Name: M.A. Church

Author Bio:

M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!

When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, watching her beloved Steelers, or sitting glued to HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.

She was a finalist in the Rainbow awards for 2013.

Where to find the author:

Publisher: Self-published
Cover Artist: Lou Harper

Sales Links: ARe Amazon GR

The Harvest: Journey’s End Blurb:

To survive is to adapt…

Dale Michaels knows all about change. As he settles into his new life with the Tah’Narian starship captain Keyno Shou, Dale has adapted to life with an alien, space travel, and having his body mutated so he can carry a young. He’s closed the chapter on his old life.

Living on Tah’Nar, Dale has a loving mate and good friends. He’s helped cement peace with the Onfre. Sure, being double-dosed during his harvest led to some serious drama, but that’s over. Dale’s happy.
\
But life is never that simple.

Even though Dale loves Keyno, he still struggles with the way the Tah’Narians harvest young males as mates. Dale finds himself hijacked by his own body, courtesy of his extra dose of Tah’Narian DNA. Then there’s the devastating secret his mate, Keyno, has hid all this time. And if all that isn’t enough, outside forces threaten to rip Dale’s hard-won peace apart as well.

Join Dale for a non-stop adventure and a love that crosses several worlds and transcends space.

The Harvest: Journey’s End Exclusive Excerpt:

Book #2 in The Harvest series

Excerpt:

(The excerpt is from estrus (or heat) for Dale.)

Within seconds, his barb locked us together, making me cry out from the pressure of it engaging inside me. Keyno dropped down on top of me, propped up on his elbows, holding me close while I struggled to breathe. Lovingly, he wiped the sweaty hair away from my face while he murmured softly to me.

Finally, my brain engaged, and I remembered how to speak. Questions ran around in my head as my chest heaved.

“What was—fucking hell, what was…?” I was sweaty, dizzy, hoarse from screaming, and more than a little freaked out by what had just happened. “I don’t know what that was, but it was unlike anything I have ever felt, and scary as shit.”

“It’s normal, love. It has to do with your new womb, and the fact that you’re producing eggs now. Those eggs want to be fertilized; it’s a biological imperative. Your hormones are rising, driving your body to have sex, and when you do, your body rewards you. The orgasms you have during this time are different, because the pathway to your womb is contracting, drawing my seed up. Think massive g-spot and anal orgasm.”

Categories: Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Science Fiction

Pages or Words: 90,000 words
Tour Dates/Stops:

5-Jan

Cate Ashwood

Emotion in Motion

Christy Loves 2 Read

6-Jan

3 Chicks After Dark

The Novel Approach

7-Jan

Kristy’s Brain Food

Carly’s Book Reviews

8-Jan

Hearts on Fire

Bayou Book Junkie

9-Jan

MM Good Book Reviews

Prism Book Alliance

12-Jan

Kimi-Chan

Full Moon Dreaming

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

Multitasking Mommas

13-Jan

Love Bytes

BFD Book Blog

14-Jan

Parker Williams

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

15-Jan

Amanda C. Stone

16-Jan

Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings

My Fiction Nook

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: Copy of e-book. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided for the contest entry form and additional details.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

On Tour with Layla Wolfe’s ‘A Dangerous Reality’ (book tour and contest)

Book Name: A Dangerous Reality
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Layla Wolfe

Author Bio:

Bestselling author Layla Wolfe is satisfied with a leather jacket, one bad-ass pink camo compound bow, and a vicarious outlaw lifestyle. Layla Wolfe is the pen name of multi-published erotic romance author Karen Mercury.

Where to find Layla:

Website: http://www.laylawolfe.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/layla.wolfe
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LaylaWolfeAutho
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8072579.Layla_Wolfe

Publisher: Quicksilver Books
Cover Artist: Jan Bowles/Red Poppy

Sales: All Romance (ARe) Paperback Amazon

Blurb for A Dangerous Reality:

Keep your lovers close—and your enemies in bed.

TURK

My club sent me to track him down. And when my mission was over, I never wanted another one again. When I found him, I kicked the shit out of Havelock Singer. I issued the mightiest beatdown of all time. Problem is, we’re evenly matched. We’re equals in every way, and when we finished whaling on each other, exhausted, we fell into each other’s arms.

I’ve never regretted it for an instant. It’s been the ride of my life. But loving another man in the MC world is a risky business. As if our business isn’t already brutal and ruthless enough, Lock’s homophobic sergeant-at-arms Stumpy gets an eyeful of our lovemaking and blackmails us into doing some of his dirty work, or be exposed for what we are—a couple of deviants.

This run into the Indian reservation is sleazy and beneath us, but now I’m cornered, and I’ll do anything to keep my sweet master Lock from being lynched by his club.

LOCK

When that kingpin Carmine Rojas got a load of my beautiful stallion Turk Blackburn, he’d stop at nothing to have him—and Rojas gets what he wants. It’s my fault we’re in this situation. I should’ve kicked Turk’s ass and sent him packing back to The Bare Bones. I wasn’t even close to being ready to come out, but now they’re forcing my hand.

I can hear my destiny calling me. Either I’ll slink back to my club like a hetero bounty hunter with no morals—and no respect from anyone in my own backyard—or I’ll step up to the plate and be the lion of the day.

Either way, my lover and I are screwed. Our clubs are going to hound us underground or into another country before we escape this mess—if we don’t die trying.

“Living off the grid and being an outlaw brings a dangerous reality.” –Ron Perlman

Publisher’s warning: This book is not for the faint of heart. It contains scenes of gay sex, consensual BDSM, illegal doings, dubious consent, and man-on-man violence.

Categories: BDSM, Bisexual, Contemporary, Crime Fiction, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Mystery, Romance, Thriller

Excerpt:

Pages or Words: 80,000 words
 Tour Dates: January 12, 2015

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Fallen Angel Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Molly Lolly, Amanda C. Stone

MM Good Book Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Bayou Book Junkie, Velvet Panic, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Jade Crystal, Iyana Jenna, Love Bytes, Queer Town Abbey, Andrew Q. Gordon

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: An e-copy of A Dangerous Reality and a $10 Gift Card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided for the contest and all additional details.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Down Under Showcase Author: John Terry Moore

Meet John Terry Moore!

John Terry Moore is the author of Black Dog from Dreamspinner Press and others listed below.

To get to know John Terry Moore a little better, the author wrote an essay on writing. Look for the guest essay below (make note that the spellings found here and in all guest posts use NZ/AUS spellings and not that of the USA). John Terry Moore has a wonderful quiz for you to answer, prizes to hand out, and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍

John Terry Moore lives with his partner Russell in Geelong, Victoria’s largest regional centre, one hour from Melbourne, Australia.

He completed his education at Hobart Matriculation College, and held a number of senior positions in the automotive industry over a thirty five year period.

He has been a civil marriage celebrant and funeral celebrant since 1995, (now retired) and together with his partner were successful flower growers, raising stud sheep and breeding Kelpies, Australia’s working dogs.

Born into a farming family, his empathy and understanding of country people has allowed him to focus on rural issues in his writing.

Geographical and social isolation through the worry and stress of poor seasons, fluctuating prices, and in particular, sexual orientation in men has fuelled depression across regional and rural Australia in epidemic proportions.

Driven by his experiences as a funeral celebrant, he understands full well the ultimate penalty paid by men of all age groups when they feel marginalised by homophobic attitudes and actions in rural and regional communities in particular.

Over the years, he has become an increasingly strident and persistent voice with politicians, community groups and the general public, encouraging, supporting and driving the push for gay marriage and equal rights for same sex parents and their children.

“Black Dog” reminds us that gay kids should never be allowed to feel that they aren’t as good as straight kids.

That only when everyone is treated exactly the same under law will society begin to heal itself.

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

“Black Dog” (Gay Romance) published by Dreamspinner Press, launched 03/09/2014.

Blurb: Australia is a nation in transition. Marriage equality looms but homophobia still rules. Depression and suicide are commonplace as Dean Prentice and his lover, Danny, grow up together in country Victoria. When Dean moves to a nearby regional center to study veterinary science, he finds acceptance and love when reunited with Danny. Profound tragedy visits Dean’s life and he grieves, moving on through a series of lovers both male and female and struggling to focus on his studies and his dream of becoming a veterinarian. He graduates and specializes in equine work.

With long hours and unrelenting pressure, he misses the support of a full time partner. The only constant in his life is his loyal Kelpie, Bruce. Then he meets Neil Andrews and falls in love. Neil is a stunning widower in his forties with children and grandchildren, and Dean realizes he wants kids of his own.

But Neil is still deep in the closet and while their relationship is passionate, it’s going nowhere permanent. They separate, and Dean contemplates marrying a woman for company and friendship. For the second time in Dean’s young life, depression reveals its ugly presence; this time there are medical professionals at hand and he might have a chance for love at last.
ISBN-13 978-1-62798-962-6
Pages 220
Cover Artist Maria Fanning

“Rhythm” (Gay Romance) on www.awesomedude.com (free site)

Other Titles: not released.
“The Medal”
“Tarnung”

Catch Me When I Fall is fantasy romance

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

Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway: An eBook download of “Black Dog” each for the first three participants who supply five correct answers

What is the meaning of the following phrases:

1.“Flat out like lizards drinking”: Thirsty? Sleeping on the job? or Busy?
2.“Spit the dummy” Vomit? React negatively? Acting stupid?
3.“Run up a dry gully”: Nothing, no support, no sympathy? Morning exercise? A valley in drought?
4.“Chooks came home to roost”: Kids returned home? Everything happened because it was deserved? or Lovers returned to where they met?
5.“Stacking on a turn” means: Arranging a good party? Feeling quite ill. or Showing displeasure.

. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners chosen MUST have all 3 answers correct when asked for verification!

2. Down Under Scavenger Hunt – find the Hunt “word or phrase” in bold green .

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.

Guest Blog from John Terry Moore

WRITING, A REFLECTION?

Of course there is much of every author in almost everything they write.
Their life experiences are the things that have shaped them, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always unique.

I’m often aware that when I read something I’ve written, months or even years later, I hear my own voice. With all my faults, hang-ups, good and bad qualities.

It’s usually a healing experience, the person I’ve become is an amalgam of many influences, not the least of which are genetics (over which we have little control), parental guidance and example, and in particular, the social mores of the time; the social environment, if you like.

All of which contributed in no small way to the material in my first published novel, “Black Dog.”

*****
I was fortunate to grow up on a farm in Tasmania, Australia’s smallest and most southernmost state. An island with a population (in 2014) of only 500,000.

Much smaller when I grew up there.

But my experiences allowed me to focus on the basics of rural life and I’ve been drawn back time and time again to my rural beginnings.

In Australia there are significant lifestyle difference between the cities and the bush, the loneliness of rural areas is in contrast to the busy cities.

I spent 35 years in the automotive industry in some very senior positions and that gave me a feel for the corporate world in all its excitement and ugliness.

I lived in Melbourne for around 15 years, met my first partner and separated after 12 plus years then 16 months later I met Russell.

31 years later we’re still together and thriving as a little family.

But we left Melbourne and bought a small farm of 5 acres, sold it 10 years later and bought a 50 acre property. I commuted to Melbourne daily.

In 1995 I was made a Civil Celebrant which is a federal government appointment and unlike anything else in the world. Celebrants were created as an alternative to church ceremonies, and have been highly successful. Australia has become a secular society faster than most western countries; 75% of all weddings are now performed by celebrants, funerals now similar.

I’ve performed hundreds of weddings, funerals and baby namings before retiring earlier this year. So I had three jobs, auto industry, celebrant and farmer.

Russell worked as a chef ran our home and worked as a farmer as well.

In “Black Dog” we make an appearance as David Canning the Celebrant and his partner Peter.
“Black Dog” to me has become something of an anthem.

So much joy, laughter, tragedy and tears.

A reflection.

I remember sitting down as a celebrant with the family of a boy that had taken his own life. And with horror I realized it could well have been my life as a young man.

And so we tackle the issue of depression because men’s mental health remains a problem, as is homophobia one of the contributing factors.

But the lesson, and why we want it read by as many people who are so affected, is that there is hope. Because “Black Dog” spells it out; love solves all!

WHY ARE WE SO DIFFERENT TO OUR MATES IN THE UNITED STATES?

Good question, probably much to do with history.

I can only speak for Australia as I see it.

Somewhere we had more Englishness programmed into us.

You guys had the War of Independence; we still have Queen Elizabeth as head of state.

Australia was first settled by the British in the same time frame as the United States became an independent nation.

So we’ve had more of a constant British presence in our lives.

There is also a pronounced working man’s streak, an unpretentiousness that isn’t really replicated anywhere in the world.

It came from the very beginning of Australia.

The British jails were full, and sentencing so-called criminals to transportation relieved pressure on the UK penal system and created a low cost work force in the new colony.

Then after the Potato Famine in Ireland, vast numbers of paddies came to Australia as immigrants, particularly between 1840 and 1914.

The combination of the convict and Irish bloodlines has created a race of people that have a healthy hatred of authority, who loath wankers, gong bangers and people who are up themselves. Politicians are given one chance, if they don’t deliver; they’re pissed off like ice on a barbeque.

The saving grace in this country has been European and Asian immigration, similar to the USA. The Europeans brought some sophistication to a cultural desert.

We had Chinese here in the very early days in the Gold Rush; they are great workers and family people. By 2050 half of Australia’s population will be able to trace their ancestry back to Asia.

And it can’t come soon enough.

We need people to get off their fat arses and work. Instead of worrying where their next hit is coming from.

I can trace my mother’s family back through India.

200 years ago my ancestor was born near Kolkata and he became a very famous ‘Anglo-Indian Australian’!

So our differences aren’t so great in racial mix but our sense of humor is.

I can only point to the wonderful working class people who had a dry, earthy sense of humor as part of their birthright.
Laughing at the lords and ladies who swanned around full of themselves whilst below stairs had a good laugh at the silly pricks.

Down Under Day 14: John Terry Moore, AUS/NZ Facts, and Contest Info

Down Under Showcase Day 14 – Welcome, John Terry Moore!

Our second full week of our Authors Showcase starts off with Australian writer John Terry Moore, author of Black Dog published at Dreamspinner Press. John is giving away 3 copies of Black Dog with his own mini quiz! Check it out on his Down Under Author page linked above and following after this one.

As John Terry Moore has worn many “occupational hats”, including breeding Kelpies, I have tailored our Australia Fact of the Day to him:

Australia Fact of the Day:

Kelpies (how is John Terry Moore connected to Kelpies?):

Favored dogs of farms and stations all over Australia, the working Kelpies vary in size, ranging from about 19 inches to as much as 25 inches and from 28-60 lbs. The dog’s working ability is related to appearance, so stockmen looking for capable working dogs disregard the dog’s appearance.

A Working Kelpie can be a cheap and efficient worker that can save farmers and graziers the cost of several hands when mustering livestock. The good working Kelpies are herding dogs that will prevent stock from moving away from the stockman. This natural instinct is crucial when mustering stock in isolated gorge country, where a good dog will silently move ahead of the stockman and block up the stock (usually cattle) until the rider appears. The preferred dogs for cattle work are Kelpies, often of a special line, or a Kelpie cross. They will drive a mob of livestock long distances in extremes of climates and conditions. Kelpies have natural instincts for managing livestock. They will work sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, and other domestic livestock. The Kelpie’s signature move is to jump on the backs of sheep and walk across the tops of the sheep to reach the other side and break up the jam. A good working Kelpie is a versatile dog—they can work all day on the farm, ranch, or station, and trial on the weekends. Kelpies compete and are exhibited in livestock working trials, ranging from yards or arenas to large open fields working sheep, goats, cattle, or ducks

Famous Kelpie: Red Dog, the hitchhiking Kelpie of Pilbarra:

Red Dog was a fully paid member of the Transport Workers Union, an official member of the Dampier Salt Sports and Social Club, and had his own bank account.

Red Dog was, of course, a dog, a red kelpie born in the mining town of Paraburdoo in 1971, and a much-loved member of the Pilbara community.

Known simply as Red Dog, the red kelpie was known for stopping cars on the road by walking right in the path of an oncoming vehicle until it stopped and then he would hop in and travel to wherever the car driver was going.

He took bus rides as well and, once, when a new driver pushed him off her bus, the passengers all disembarked in protest.

Red Dog’s travels bought him as far south as the Western Australia capital of Perth but mostly among the mining communities of the Pilbara and the coastal towns of Dampier, Port Hedland and Broome.

He was quite well known as the Pilbara Wanderer. Dog pictured is a red kelpie but not Red Dog.

New Zealand Fact of the Day:

Flightless Birds of New Zealand!

With over 40 species of flightless birds worldwide, New Zealand is home for a majority of the species, including some that are found nowhere else in the world.

Among New Zealand’s flightless birds are the kiwi, takahe, kakapo and several species of penguins. It is thought that these New Zealand birds never developed the ability to fly because they had no land-based predators to escape from – until the arrival of human beings. Isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years, these flightless birds adapted to their environment in a way that would most benefit them.
One species calling New Zealand it’s home of origin is the kakapo (Strigops habroptila) is a flightless, nocturnal parrot. Its speckled yellow-green plumage acts as a camouflage for the ground-dwelling herbivorous kakapo. It is the world’s only flightless parrot, as well as being the heaviest parrot in the world, and very possibly the longest-living bird on the island with an average life expectancy of 95 years. It is also the only parrot to have a lek courtship and breeding system, where males gather in an arena and compete with one another to attract available females. The female chooses her mate, presumably based on his performance, they mate and go their separate ways, with the female raising the young.
Once thought to be extinct, and rediscovered in 1948, the takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is another of New Zealand‘s flightless birds. Primarily deep purple-blue in color, the adult bird has a red frontal shield and reddish-pink bill, with pink legs. These monogamous birds are very territorial, laying their eggs in nests under bushes. Conservationists have relocated small groups of the birds to some offshore islands – Kapiti, Maud, Mana and Tiritiri Matangi – considered to be predator-free, where birding enthusiasts can view them in the wild.

Once thought to be extinct from over-hunting and the introduction of predators, a few pairs were discovered in the Murchison Mountains of South Island, New Zealand in 1948. The population is around 220 birds, and is now carefully protected.

Now don’t forget to enter John’s contest for 3 copies of big dog while meeting another wonderful
Down Under author. Locate the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word of the day.

Enjoy your week, check in with us all month long and happy reading!

Meet A.B. Gayle!

Share this:

New Zealand Fact of the Day:

Australia Fact of the Day:

Share this:

Share this:

Meet Beany Sparks!

Contests and Giveaways:

Share this:

Australia Fact of the Day:

New Zealand Fact of the Day:

Share this:

Tristan’s Lover by Nicoline Tiernan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Meet John Terry Moore!

Contests and Giveaways:

Guest Blog from John Terry Moore

Share this:

Down Under Showcase Day 14 – Welcome, John Terry Moore!

Australia Fact of the Day:

New Zealand Fact of the Day:

Share this:

Tristan’s Lover by Nicoline Tiernan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~