Category: Book Reviews

A Stella Review: Fire of the Heart (Hearts of Parkerburg #3) by Havan Fellows and Lee Brazil

Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

Beacon Hill, Boston in snow.
Beacon Hill, Boston in snow.

Craig Gilchrist is the oldest of five siblings, the captain of the Parkerburg Fire Department, and all around buddy his friends run to when they have a problem. Unfortunately, he’s keeping a secret not only from the whole town, but his family as well. Living in the shadows works for him until one fateful night when a hot stranger walks across a smoky barroom, forcing Craig to make a move that could rock the foundation of his existence…and fill the void in his heart he doesn’t realize he has.

Melrose escaped the end of a bad relationship to start over in Parkerburg. With the support of his cousin and a job waiting tables at a great restaurant, he thinks his life is finally going pretty smoothly. That’s when his path crosses that of Craig Gilchrist, local fire captain. The big, beefy firefighter is definitely not his type. So why does he suddenly star in all of Melrose’s fantasies?

With Melrose at his side, Craig finally has the motivation to step out of the shadows and let Parkerburg see the real him…until trouble arises and the truth comes to light that perhaps he doesn’t know the real Melrose.

Lies and fears play havoc with their newly acquired relationship. Luckily, once ignited, the hearts of Parkerburg don’t burn out so easily.

The Hearts of Parkerburg stories can be read as standalones, each with a HEA…but trust me, you’ll want to read about all the sweet happenings in this quaint little town.

I agree with the authors’ note, Fire of the Heart could be easily read as a standalone. Still I don’t feel to freely recommend to start with it, if you can, read the  Hearts of Parkerburg series in order. You won’t wonder (as I did) about the other couples’ stories, IMO you will get a major completeness. And probably this is one of the reasons why I didn’t give it more that 3 stars.

I had some trouble getting into the story at the start because through all of it, there were too many characters to keep track of and I get confused. The relationship between Melrose and Craig was easy to read and light in spite of some important themes (abuses by an ex boyfriend, being in the closet, coming out) that could have been developed more and give the book a depth it missed very much. This authors’ choice made the plot too simplistic to be realistic and deeply appreciated by me.

I said that to explain my rating, but honestly, if you can ignore the criticisms I made, what you will get is an easy and well done reading. I would have preferred some drama, some angst, just a little spice to take the story on another level , a higher one. Nonetheless I quite enjoyed Fire of the Heart, most of all it was sweet and with a well showed feeling of love, in any form you can think of, from friends, family, co workers and nosey acquaintances.

The Cover Art by Author Services works well just because I like the color and with all those hearts is very romantic.

Sales Links: ARe  |  SMASHWORDS   | AMAZON  

BOOK DETAILS

ebook, 175 pages

Published February 2nd 2016 by Appleton Publishing Avenue

ISBN13 9781941841426

Edition Language English

Hearts of Parkerburg series

Christmas in His Heart #1 – Dermot & Xander’s story
Heart on the Run #2 – Chaz & Sprocket’s story
Fire of the Heart #3 – Craig & Melrose’s story

Wade Kelly Is Here, Chatting, Talking About ‘Bankers’ Hours! Don’t Miss Out (author guest post and giveaway)

Banker's Hours

Bankers’ Hours by Wade Kelly
Dreamspinner Press
Cover art by Anne Cain

Buy It at Dreamspinner Press eBook & Paperback

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Wade Kelly here today to share some thoughts about her latest novel, Bankers’ Hours and to answer a few of our questions.  Welcome, Wade!

********

Hello good people! This is Wade Kelly. I’ve dropped by Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words to talk a little about my new novel, Bankers’ Hours. It released today! I’m so excited. I hope you’ve stopped at the previous 5 guest posts in this blog tour, or you have missed out on my characters talking about themselves. I had an interview with Grant, Tristan, and Claire. I’ve also talked about my cover design, and how I come up with characters.

Instead of interviewing characters, I thought I’d talk to the good people at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words and answer some of their questions. So let’s get started.

STRW: Where do you normally draw your inspiration for a book from?  A memory, a myth, a place or journey, or something far more personal?

Wade: It depends on the book. Most of the stories flow from the character I come up with and they seem to pop into my head from many different places. Sometimes I meet someone who I think would be a great character, sometimes I write a person I know into a story and sometimes they pop into my head out of nowhere. These do come from places I visit, memories, or where I live.

STRW: Are you a planner or a pantzer when writing a story? And why?

Wade: I was a total pantzer in the past, but I am moving toward being a planner out of necessity. I’m currently writing books in a series and they really need to be plotted.

STRW: Contemporary, supernatural, fantasy, or science fiction narratives or something else?  Does any genre draw you more than another when writing it or reading it and why does it do so?

Wade: I started writing sci-fi. I am planning a couple paranormal novels. But I guess I’d have to say I’m drawn to contemporary because it is the world I live in I want to write hope into. I really try to take situations they people have and make them beautiful even with the pain.

STRW: If you had a character you’ve written you would write differently now at this time in your writing career, who would it be and why?

Wade: I can’t say I would. I like my characters the way they are. However, in the first book in my JOCK Series, I wrote a chapter from the POV of the antagonist, Mike. If I had it to do over, I would have chosen to write it from Russell’s POV. Readers were enjoyed Russell, but were not as keen to hear things from Mike’s POV. (Some, anyway.) Other than that one chapter, I like things as I’ve written them. But I will say, there is a book I published in 2010 that is out of print. That book, I plan to rewrite the entire thing because I really think my writing has improved since then.

STRW: Can a author have favorites among their characters and do you have them?

Wade: I suppose they can. I do. Although I enjoy all of my characters, I am super fond of Darian, Alonzo, Flynn, and Nick. All of my characters are pieces of myself and I feel a close, personal attachment to them.

STRW: If you were to be stranded on a small demi-planet, island, or god forbid LaGuardia in a snow storm, what books would you take to read or authors on your comfort list?

Wade: American Love Songs by Ashlyn Kane is my go-to comfort read. LOVE that book. Or Sinner’s Gin by Rhys Ford. I’d say I’d listen to the audiobooks I have, but if it’s an island then my battery would run out! For more of my “favorite books,” join me on my blog tour stop March 29th at Gay Book Reviews.

STRW: How early in your life did you begin writing?

Wade: In 1993-94, I was writing poetry. Not great poetry, but things inspired by friends. I started several stories, but had never finished one—like with a beginning, middle, & end—until 2006. So, ten years ago I wrote 267,000 words in 8 months and sat back thinking, “Holy Crap! I wrote a book.” It was more like a trilogy and has yet to be published. Maybe one day.

STRW: Were you an early reader or were you read to and what childhood books had an impact on you as a child that you remember to this day and why?

STRW: I hated reading. I never wanted to read the books they made me read in school. It wasn’t until high school when we were allowed to pick any book in the library to write a book report on that I discovered I liked reading. It was called The Black Caldron by Lloyd Alexander. It was the second book in a series and after I read it I went back and read the rest. Until that book, I never knew there was such a thing called fantasy.

And just a couple years ago, I had a reader tell me the same thing in reference to my first JOCK book. My Roommate’s A Jock? Well, Crap! was the first book this person read that gave him a desire to read more. He discovered he liked reading and I told him the story about me and the book that was my “first.” Reading IS fun, but sometimes it takes that one book to do it for you.

STRW: If you were writing your life as a romance novel, what would the title be?

Wade: Blood, Sweat, & Tears.

LOL, I don’t know. Life has been a struggle. There is always someone who disagrees with what I write or tells me I’ll never make it. In my real life that is. I get less flack from readers than I do in RL, although both are tough to take at times. Still, my characters keep talking and as long as they do, I will write.

I guess that’s all for now. I will leave you with a short excerpt and the rules for the giveaway. Thank you for stopping by!

About Bankers’ Hours

Even though bankers’ hours leave long weekends for romance, cosmic intervention is Grant’s only option when money doesn’t buy happiness and he’s got virginity in spades.

Grant Adams is a twenty-six-year-old bank teller who’s unlucky at love, yet hopelessly hopeful. After years of horrific first dates, he’s convinced he’s saving himself for true love. Surely he has bad taste in men because it couldn’t possibly be his persnickety nature that’s sent them packing.

Tristan Carr has been in a holding pattern since his daughter was born fifteen years ago, which suits his workaholic lifestyle just fine. This ex–naval officer turned auto mechanic never wanted anyone interfering with being a weekend dad. For Tristan to rearrange his carefully orchestrated life, a guy will need to be special. Or in the case of the newest employee at his bank, the guy will need to be adorable, shy, and open to the prospect of forever when it shows up at his window.

Excerpt

We had agreed to meet at his house this time. After I plugged the address into my GPS, I realized how familiar it sounded. Sure enough, I passed this street every day on my way to work. We only lived about five minutes apart. His auto shop was on the corner, but I hadn’t read the sign until now.

“How unobservant am I?” I asked myself as I parked. I checked my hair in the visor mirror and then got out and locked the door.

It was a small farmhouse, but much larger than the one I rented. Half the flowers in the beds were brown. A tailpipe jutted out from one bed to obstruct mowing, so the grass growing around it was five inches taller than the rest of the lawn. “That would drive me nuts if I lived here,” I mumbled, ringing the doorbell.

Tristan opened the door and smiled through the screen. “Hey. Come on in,” he offered, opening the screen door for me.

It was an older, two-story farmhouse with creaky wooden floors and decor from the seventies. I cringed at the duck wallpaper border in the kitchen and the psychedelic orange-and-brown throw rug in the living room. “Um, there’s an engine on your dining room table,” I pointed out, literally pointing at it.

“Ah, yeah,” he said, glancing at the engine and then back to me as if thinking of a reason but finding none. “I’ve lived alone for a long time. Claire and I normally eat at the breakfast bar.” He motioned to the area over by the kitchen, but the “bar” was stacked with magazines.

“There’s no room there either.”

Tristan walked over and started moving them to the side, but there wasn’t space. He gave up. “Yeah, I was looking for a specific one. They were my dad’s. I found them in the attic when I was clearing out some old boxes. I got to looking through them and just haven’t put them away yet.”

Tristan’s house was the exact opposite of mine. His things were in disarray all over the place. Stacks of books, CDs, DVDs, a few coffee cups, and…. “There’s a muffler under the coffee table,” I said, observing yet another oddity for one’s living room.

“I know this looks bad,” Tristan said, stepping in front of me and pressing his hands together as if to pray or beg for forgiveness.

“I guess you aren’t worried about grease stains. That carpet looks like it’s been soiled for decades.”

“Like I said, I’ve lived alone for a long time. The muffler’s been under there for two years. I’m married to my work, and I tend to carry car parts home all the time.”

“I noticed you live behind the shop. That must be convenient.” Tristan was wearing another beer shirt. This one was gray and said something about imperial stout.

“It is handy. This was my parents’ house. After my dad died, my mom gave it to me since I was already in charge of the family business. My sister lives in Baltimore, and my mom lives with my brother in Leesburg, Virginia. I see Claire every other weekend. You’re the first person outside my family and the guys I work with to step inside this house.”

“What about dates?” I asked.

“I don’t date, Grant. My life’s been on hold ever since my daughter was born. Look, let’s go eat. It’s getting late fast, and we can talk more on the way and over dinner.” He gestured to the door, and I nodded.

We walked around the house and to his truck, got in, and started on our way.

I thought about what he’d said in the house, and it was similar to something he’d mentioned before. “You said something yesterday about skipping over pleasantries and going straight for sex.” I heard him heave a sigh as I framed my question. “What did you mean? Are you one of those guys who hooks up in gay bars and strip clubs?” The idea bothered me. He could have AIDS or another STD. Having no guy almost seemed better than dating a sex pig. I didn’t want to catch a disease. I wanted sex, but after thinking about his earlier comment I had realized sex meant something to me. If it hadn’t, I could have done exactly what he’d done. I truly was saving myself for my soul mate, Mr. Right.

“Yes and no.” He paused a long time after his ambiguous answer. I’d been argumentative enough, so I waited this time. He finally continued. “I have done those types of things. In my twenties, I hooked up much more often with guys I met in bars. I got out of the service when I was still young, and I think repressing how I felt all that time got the best of me, because for several years after that I couldn’t get enough. I had a different guy practically every weekend.”

I couldn’t really look at him as he said those things, so I watched the passing trees out my window. It made me ill to think of him with so many men. I couldn’t understand that lifestyle, even if I was aware it happened all the time. It wasn’t me. I had never wanted meaningless sex just to satisfy a need to fuck. But he did. I was in a truck, going to dinner, with a man who had needed to fuck so badly that he’d hooked up with guys he didn’t know just to satisfy his lust… every weekend.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

“Why did you stop?” I asked quietly, still watching the passing trees and road signs.

“A guy I knew died.”

I sucked in a quick breath. “That’s horrible.” I glanced over at Tristan. He wasn’t looking at me. “Was it AIDS?”

“Everyone jumps to that conclusion since he was gay, but no, not AIDS. He was jumped in an alley by a group of guys, raped and beaten, and left for dead. He died in a hospital three days later of hemorrhaging in his brain.”

My stomach almost emptied itself on the truck seat. I held my mouth and willed away the quaking in my gut. I wanted to cry, I wanted to vomit, but somehow I was shocked into stillness. My brain couldn’t even comprehend that kind of crime. I’d never seen one, even on television. I tended to stay away from news because it was all depressing. This was a class A example. I hated that people in the world I lived in did things like this to others. I had been picked on throughout my life, even before I came out, but it was normal harassment of a scrawny kid who didn’t know how to fight back. I’d never been hurt physically, and even the jibes and name-calling hadn’t affected me all that much. I’d been a normal kid growing up, before and after I’d come out. Things like this man’s death never happened in my sphere of experience.

Tristan parked the truck. He must have noticed how quiet I’d become and realized why. He reached across the console. “Come here.”

I turned into him as best I could with the console pressing into my ribs and cried softly into his shirt. I felt like an idiot, but the tears wouldn’t stop.

He rubbed my back. “I cried too, Grant. His death was why I stopped. He had put himself into too many precarious situations with guys he didn’t know. Someone saw the men leaving the alley, but no one was arrested. I’ve been with two guys since then. One I met at a car show, and we had sex a couple times. Another I met at the airport. Neither of them filled any kind of need other than sexual gratification. We fucked, and we were done. I haven’t been with anyone in two years.”

I pulled out of his arms so I could look into his face. “Why?”

He shrugged. “Maybe because I wanted my thirties to be different. I went to my daughter’s thirteenth birthday party and watched her with her friends. No guy I’d ever been with was worth the time necessary to bring him into my life. I saw how I’d kept everything separate. My daughter’s mother didn’t know I was gay. My daughter would have to be told eventually. I watched the guests and thought about what it would be like to sit at a party like that with a guy I cared about.” He gazed deeply into my eyes as he spoke. “I’m done being a stupid kid, Grant. I want to build a life with someone—someone like you. I want to go to birthday parties with a man who’ll appreciate how incredible my daughter is, not just the size of my dick. Does that make sense?”

I felt my heart melting again. “That’s the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

He chuckled. “Then you don’t get out much.” He ran his fingers through my hair and caressed my cheek. “Oh, Grant. You’re such a beautiful person. I’ve just dumped a lot of information on you, and your reaction is to tell me how romantic I am?” He chuckled harder. “I knew taking a chance on you was the right decision.”

“But you hardly know me.” I had to point that out, because most people who tried to get to know me found out they didn’t like me.

“I will. Let’s go eat.” I thought he’d pull away to open the door, but he only stared into my eyes. Then his gaze dropped to my lips. He looked up as if to make sure it was okay and then leaned in and kissed me softly. One kiss, but it was enough to calm my nerves.

Make sure to join me at the other stops on the tour to read more excerpts and hear about my characters, my writing, and me. Thank you.

This is the official tour list of stops:

February 24 –   Prism Book Alliance

March 18 –   MM Good Book Reviews

March 22 –   \l “comment-286365” Long and Short Reviews 

March 23 – My Fiction Nook

March 24 – Oh My Shelves

March 25 – Divine Magazine

March 25 – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

March 28 – Love Bytes

March 29 – Gay Book Reviews

March 30 – The Novel Approach

For LINKS to all the stops, hop over to  MY BLOG.

The BUY LINK for Bankers’ Hours is  HERE.

*Note: Names Can Never Hurt Me is now out in audiobook!  HERE.

And the prizes:

I have several giveaways. Leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win an Amazon gift certificate. I am going to take ALL the names, from all the comments, from all the blog stops, and put them in a drawing. I have 10 stops including this one. The more comments you make then higher your chances of winning. I will have 3 winners of a $10 Amazon gift certificate to be announced when the tour ends! Additionally, for those who comment on ALL 10 STOPS, I will enter each of them into a grand prize drawing good for:

An eBook from my backlist of your choice, OR the next book I publish this year. (*Excluding Bankers’ Hours)

A $10 Amazon gift certificate,

A Wade Kelly Spoon in the colors of your choice,

One autographed paperback copy of the novel of their choice, OR the next book I publish this year. (*Excluding Bankers’ Hours)

A special Promo Code for you to download a copy of the audiobook: Misplaced Affection

Note: I am willing to mail things to other countries so don’t let that stop you! Please, post on ALL the posts. I had fun with this last time.

My social media:

Web:  HYPERLINK “http://www.writerwadekelly.com” http://www.writerwadekelly.com

Facebook:  HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/wadekellywriter” https://www.facebook.com/wadekellywriter

Face book Fan group, The Wade Brigade :   “https://www.facebook.com/groups/247976895406172/” https://www.facebook.com/groups/247976895406172/

Blog: writerwadekelly.blogspot.com

Twitter:   “https://twitter.com/WriterWadeKelly” https://twitter.com/WriterWadeKelly

Instagram:   “https://www.instagram.com/writerwadekelly/” https://www.instagram.com/writerwadekelly/

Goodreads:  “http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5141623.Wade_Kelly” http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5141623.Wade_Kelly

HYPERLINK “http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=bankers+hours&x=0&y=0” http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=bankers+hours&x=0&y=0

BIO:

Wade Kelly lives and writes in conservative, small-town America on the east coast where it’s not easy to live free and open in one’s beliefs. Wade writes passionately about controversial issues and strives to make a difference by making people think. Wade does not have a background in writing or philosophy, but still draws from personal experience to ponder contentious subjects on paper. There is a lot of pain in the world and people need hope. When not writing, she is thinking about writing, and more than likely scribbling ideas on sticky notes in the car while playing “taxi driver” for her children. She likes snakes, can’t spell, and has a tendency to make people cry.

Afternoon Coffee Sip and Book Break: Annabelle Jacobs’ Chasing Shadows (excerpt and giveaway)

ChasingShadows_AJacobs

Chasing Shadows by Annabelle Jacobs

Release Date: March 24, 2016

Blurb:

Jamie Matthews goes to Cornwall to find his missing brother. The police are convinced Michael drowned, but Jamie knows better. No way would Michael swim to his death, especially on a beach with a wicked rip tide. Finding a stranger in his brother’s cottage only deepens his misgivings.

Felix Bergstrom is recently discharged from the British Army. Unable to put the past behind him, he takes an unhealthy interest in old acquaintance and millionaire businessman Karl Weston, hoping to catch him up to no good. Michael’s disappearance adds fuel to Felix’s suspicions. Weston’s clifftop home overlooks the beach where Michael supposedly walked into the sea, but Weston has an alibi for that day.

When Jamie and Felix meet, the physical attraction is instant. Mistrust keeps them from acting on it until finally all their secrets are laid bare. But time isn’t on their side. Before they’re able to work out whether they have a future, danger catches up with them and threatens to put an end to everything.

 

Pages or Words: 60,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance, Thriller

Excerpt:

Jamie’s gaze swept down over Felix’s bare chest and lingered on the tattoo on his right pec before snapping up again. Felix had got it five years ago: four soldiers in silhouette. It was one of his favourites. “Um.” Jamie swallowed and started again. “Sorry it’s so early. I’ve been awake ages and didn’t realise the time until I got over here.”

Jamie’s cheeks flushed pink as his gaze dropped again, as though he couldn’t help himself. Warmth flared in Felix’s belly. It had been a while since he’d been so openly admired. He grinned and raised an eyebrow.

Instead of getting embarrassed as Felix expected, Jamie stood up straighter and shrugged. “If you answer the door like that, then what do you expect.”

 

Buy the book:

 

 

 

Meet the author:

 

Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with her three rowdy children, and two cats.

An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajacobsfiction

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Annabelle-Jacobs-Fiction/458768424158896

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJacobs_fiction

website: www.annabellejacobs.com

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29232212-chasing-shadows

Publisher: Annabelle Jacobs

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh


Tour Dates & Stops: March 24, 2016

Parker Williams, Divine Magazine, Jessie G. Books, Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, Oh My Shelves, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Mikky’s World of Books, Unquietly Me, Kirsty Loves Books,

A.M. Leibowitz, Happily Ever Chapter, MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words. Alpha Book Club, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Book Escape, Full Moon Dreaming,

The Hat Party, Wednesday Briefs, Book Lovers 4Ever, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews,

Outrageous Heroes, Inked Rainbow Reads, Velvet Panic, Foxylutely Book Reviews

 

Giveaway

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

A Lila Review: The Assassin’s Pet by Nana G

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

The Assassin's PetCamille Adnet is a new vampire trying to survive on his own. We first met him, alone and hungry, as he tries to will himself to kill. As a nobleman, he lived a life of comfort and not even when hunting for sport, he was unable to kill his prey. Things had not changed now that he’s a vampire.

As he traveled, he stops by an isolated cabin and gets the opportunity to get a kill. When he’s on the side of a sleeping woman, Damien let his presence be known, stopping Camille. From that moment on, the vampire is drawn to the Sulis assassin.

His luck didn’t get any better, as Camille follows bandits trying to scavenger his meals. He has lost a lot of weight, his eyes turned red, and his skin has a blue hue due to the lack of nourishment. Camille is becoming desperate and contemplating ideas on how to survive. Is then that he recognizes Damien’s scent and decides to offer his services, his loyalty, and his submission in exchange for regular meals and protection.

Becoming Damien’s pet isn’t what they expected. The bond between them cemented into a lovely relationship that brings Damien’s protectiveness and Camille’s loyalty to the forefront. Together, they start a journey that would bring them closer, sealing their faith and future into one.

The Assassin’s Pet is Nana G’s first novel. A delightful mixture of fantasy, paranormal, and erotic elements. The story is very well-written, and the characters will bring a smile to your face, even when they are killing to survive. The author has a way with words, wrapping the reader into the events and the developing relationship.

The beginning and the end felt a little rush, but the central aspects of the tale were interesting and enticing. We get to explore the MCs’ world with them, as we learned more about Damien’s job and way of living. And how Camille’s innocence and life struggles shaped their future. Damien more than an assassin is an angel of death and Camille his reason to live.

Their journey and the fantasy elements are up-to-par. We get to see vampires, mages, assassins, necromancers, priests, and other traditional tropes, but all with a particular twist, unique to the author. I’d love to see more stories set in this world, perhaps more from Camille and Damien, or new couples that existed in the same realm.

The story is label as a gay erotic fantasy with light BDSM, but in reality, these elements are minimal. Yes, the sex is explicit, the MCs are in a Master/Slave relationship, and there’s some spanking involved (not for punishment), but their journey is about so much more. It is a romance story with a philosophical view of life and death. Topped with a strong HFN and the possibility of new adventures to come. Definitely, a fantasy story worth reading.

The cover is very dark, but it shows a good depiction of Camille wearing Damien’s gift. Perhaps, hiding in the shadows.

Sale Links:  Amazon | Smashwords

Book Details:

ebook, 189 pages
Published: January 3, 2016, Self-Published
ISBN: 9781310868450

Edition Language: English

A BJ Review: F.I.S.T.S. Handbook For Individual Survival in Hostile Environments by Bey Deckard

Rating:  5 stars out of 5        ★★★★★

Sarge (F.I.S.T.S #1) – 5 stars

FISTSSergeant Wilkes has had a long and prestigious military career. When he’s injured on the front, Murphy brings him in. Murphy is the opposite of Sarge… big, tattooed, and delightfully submissive. Can a couple space marines stationed on an alien planet where an endless war rages on find something special in each other?

Gritty, violent, somewhat gory short novella. Its kinky, smoking hot and romantic almost in spite of itself. This story made me bawl like a baby, and I loved it!

Sarge is an older, hardened officer Dom; Murphy a younger 6ft 8in quiet, muscular, tattooed, sweet enlisted sub. Murphy also has the ability to see psychic/emotional colors (auras?). The two come together when Sarge is injured   fighting on the front line, and Murphy uses his special talent to help him. Right there on the battlefield, wounded and in pain, Sarge propositions Murphy:

“You’re a good boy, Murph,” he says softly to me. “You get me home, get me patched up, and you’ll see what good boys get.” 

At first it’s just an interesting diversion for Sarge, but that changes as he comes to realize what he’s found in Murphy.

Murphy is intelligent, but he doesn’t talk much. And damn it, he doesn’t need to because the nuance of communication between him and Sarge is exquisite. When it comes to D/s, one thing that fascinates me is when the physically larger guy is the submissive/bottom. And my goodness isn’t Murphy an enticing one.  But it’s more the two together that really gets me about this story. They’re perfect together. Such devotion. I was seriously holding my breath and biting my nails at the end.

Speaking of the ending, it felt a bit abrupt at first. But the more I thought on it, the more I realized that wasn’t the case–the ending is perfect. I would love to explain that specifically, but don’t want to spoil it. Just read this little gem. I highly recommend it and cannot wait for the next in this series to come out.

Murphy (F.I.S.T.S. #2) – 4.75 stars

Sometimes when it seems like it’s too late, the right person comes along and opens your eyes…

Murphy is the continuing story of the D/s relationship between two Space Marines who found each other in the midst of hopelessness and misfortune.

Sarge and his newly minted squad travel across the galaxy on a top-secret mission that could help win the war. However, to Murphy something about the mission stinks, and it’s not just the planet they’ve landed on.

After the events of book one ends with a semi-cliffie where we aren’t sure if one of the MC survives, I was very happy when this book came out! It shows us the guys have both survived and gotten off that godforsaken planet. Yes! Not only that, they’ve been promoted and are heroes of a sort.

I enjoyed getting Sarge’s point of view here–enjoyed watching the veteran soldier trying to keep his growing feelings for Murphy in check (and sometimes failing); enjoyed the chance to view Murphy from someone else’s perspective; and enjoyed that even though it’s Murphy who can see the colors of other people’s emotions, Sarge is so keyed in to Murphy that it’s nearly the same for him even without a special sense. I just love how neither of these guys really have to vocalize much because they are just so perfectly in tune to each other.

Must admit that getting to read from his own POV how the crusty old career solider goes all gooey and vulnerable over his big moose of a soldier boy was a delightful treat. And this about sums it up in Sarge’s own words:

“My career has always come first. Always. What the hell are you supposed to do when something else becomes more important?”

This short story serves up kinky, raunchy sex, hurt/comfort, sweet love, a bigger bottom/sub and a smaller top/Dom, and a dangerous mission gone wrong that offers up a good helping of plot and action.

The Missing Reel

A short scene from Sarge (F.I.S.T.S #1) which the author left out in order to keep the nature of their relationship somewhat ambiguous.

It takes place a week after the explosion that took Sarge’s eye and shows their first encounter after Sarge’s comment about seeing what “good boys get.” Perfect little scene that I’m glad the author decided to give us the opportunity to read the first time these guys interacted in this dynamic and felt it gave an insight that set the tone for the rest of the relationship. Since this is a deleted scene from the first story, I’m not going to rate it separately.

The cover on this anthology is pretty plain, meant to emulate a must used/stained field manual.

Sales Link:  Amazon


Book Details:  

143 pages

Published July 7th, 2015 by Bey Deckard

Kindle Edition
Published June 8th 2015 (first published June 1st 2015)
ASINB00ZA9T6WE
Edition LanguageEnglish

When Fresh New Beginings Lead to Something ‘Irrefutable’ by Jennifer Rose (excerpt and giveaway)

Irrefutable Tour Banner

Irrefutable

The Eternity Series

Book 2

Jennifer Rose

M/M Romance

Irrefutable Cover

Cover Design: Karrie Jax

Cover Photo: StockPhoto

Release Date: 03.15.16

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1ptWw9Q

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/25af9jR

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1SZJtsw

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1R5WvSX

Irrefutable Cover Full

BLURB:

Fresh start, new beginning, a clean slate…

Brice Taggerty, better known simply as Tag, wasn’t worried about coming out after all these years. Actually, he delighted in the idea of feeling free enough to face who he always knew he was. He didn’t need acceptance, nor was he around to be admired or win any popularity contests. In fact, all he wanted was an average humdrum, mundane life. After making a successful career out of flying around the world photographing the world’s most beautiful models in exotic locations, he was excited to throw away his passport and plant his feet firmly on solid ground…and find that someone special.

Fletcher Davis, a former search and rescue helicopter pilot, was ready to start his life again. After fifteen years of dealing with danger on a daily basis and his past at long last behind him, he secured a new job flying for a commercial airline and just may have found the perfect place to call home. What he didn’t count on was a hot enticing neighbor or his past to catch up with him. All Fletcher wanted was a sense of normalcy, routine…and someone special to share it with.

When finally they meet, will sparks fly, fireworks go off, will it be love at first sight, or will their histories keep them apart?

Fletcher’s got his sights set on a certain blond haired neighbor…and Tag You’re It!

This is book 2 in The Eternity Series and can be read as a standalone.

Irrefutable TEas 2

 

EXCERPT

Standing in the middle of the hallway, an awkwardness that hadn’t been there before came over me. There wasn’t normally a timid bone in my body, yet here I stood feeling every bit the epitome of uncertainty. Fletcher shamelessly closed the distance between us, placing his hands on either side of my neck, his thumbs stroking the rough line of my jaw, while his eyes mapping out my face. My heart was beating so hard, I could feel the blood rushing through my veins.

“I want to kiss you,” he whispered against my lips, his hot breath on my face.

“Kiss me,” I whispered back, as his eyes shut and his lips fused to mine.

My hands immediately went in search of a hold, slipping into Fletcher’s back pockets and pulling him closer, as the kiss intensified. Fletcher pressed his chest to mine, stepping me back, hugging me tight as he forced me against the door. We were so close to the same height that every intimate part of our bodies converged, the heat bleeding through the layers of clothing.

Fletcher reached back, pulling my hands free from his pockets, laying my palms against his chest and breaking the kiss. My chest lifted with each irregular breath, as did his. Fletcher slowly shook his head smiling, biting into his bottom lip as he took a step back.

“Let’s take a minute and think about this,” he licked across his lips and smiled again. “I like you, I do.”

“But?” I asked, waiting for a smooth brush off.

“I don’t think we should rush into anything,” he scrunched his nose.

I grudgingly nodded, because I knew he was right, but it didn’t mean that it didn’t sting a bit. Rejection was rejection no matter how you put it.

“Got ya.”

“I mean,” Fletcher said, slipping out of my jacket. “I’ve made so many mistakes in the past, not that this is a mistake…I mean…it’s just…I refuse to make mistakes.”

“Relax, Fletcher, before you have a kitten,” I told him, as he handed me the jacket. “I wasn’t expecting jack-shit from you. You want to just be friends, I’m okay with that.”

“I’m just saying that jumping into the sack isn’t my thing,”

“Someone thinks highly of himself,” I chuckled, searching my pockets for my keys and unlocking the door. “Just so you know, you didn’t have a chance of getting into my pants tonight, flyboy.”

 

ABOUT THE AUHTOR

Jennifer Rose lives the glamorous life in Canada working as a part-time office clerk/manager. A mother of three grown boys, she decided to give up cleaning, cooking and day to day household chores in favor of sitting with a favorite beverage, be it coffee or wine and her trusty laptop, after a friend and author convinced her that she had what it took to write romance novels, so she took a creative writing course and finally started writing.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jennifer-Rose/231674010318730

Jennifer Rose Street Team Page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1450195771938815/?fref=ts

Website: www.jenniferroseauthor.wix.com/jennifer-rose

Amazon Page: http://amzn.to/1GtEQAp

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8571193.Jennifer_Rose

Tsu: www.tsu.co/JenniferRose62

Naughty Little Bookshelf

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1544596515804351/?fref=ts

Instagram:  @jenniferrose62

Twitter:  @JenniferRose62

Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/jroseauthor/

 

Love a Little Bit of Mystery with Your Shifters? Check out Tawny (Melusine’s Cats #2) by Chris Quinton (excerpt and giveaway)

Tawny 600x900

Tawny (Melusine’s Cats #2) by Chris Quinton
 Release Date: March 1, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Kouros Books
Cover Artist: Meredith Russell

Blurb

Melusine, a deity of rivers and seas, long ago lost the Battle of the Betrayal and is imprisoned in a nexus centred on the source of the Lynn River. She can only travel in the flowing water of her river, and cannot set foot on her banks. Her cats are not so bound. Neither pets nor familiars, they move freely between the realities, her agents among the humans who live along the Lynn.

When Melusine’s enemies come to the valley in search of revenge, she needs to rebuild the war band she has lost over the centuries. Her cats are the keys to this. Each one is a guardian, and formidable in its greater avatar. A guardian, along with two chosen warriors, form a triad. All three must come into the triad willingly, and as willingly give their oaths of loyalty to her. But Melusine is both prisoner and prison-keeper, and now must gather triads to guard that other dungeon at all costs.

Hal Rayner enjoys his job at Greenlynn’s Black Dog pub. He gets on well with the locals, and has been adopted by the usually standoffish pub cat. Then the dreams start, a red-headed stranger turns up, and before he knows it, Hal is caught up in other-worldly danger and weirdness. The cat, Tawny, is right in the middle of it, and Hal can’t understand how a common or garden mog can become something out of a prehistoric nightmare.

Gryffyth, the son of Nodens Silverhand, has been released from long imprisonment, and despite the unhealed wound given to him by Melusine in that distant battle, the years haven’t blunted his hunger for revenge. He is still loyal to Gronw, and when Morgan sends for him, he willingly gives his aid. Gryff is determined to find and free his imprisoned liege lord. Then he meets Hal and Tawny, and suddenly the rules have changed.

 

Pages or Words: 62,000 words
Can be read as a standalone

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, Give, Paranormal

 

Excerpt

Four men stood grouped around a fifth, and the contrast between them struck Hal as odd. The quartet looked to be city-types in their mid and late twenties, were well-dressed in Barbour jackets, smart jeans and leather shoes. The fifth man was a fair bit older, in his late forties maybe, dark-haired, and with a rugged, unshaven appearance that matched his serviceable but well-worn clothes and boots. His air of authority was palpable, and made the four seem like posturing schoolboys. A large black and tan dog that might be a cross between a German Shepherd and a shaggy bear lounged at his feet. The scene seemed off to Hal, and tension began to gather in his belly.

“Who is he, Betts?” he asked over his shoulder. “I haven’t seen him around here before.”

She joined him at the window. “No idea, sweetie. He’s a stranger to me. Is he ticking them off?”

“No, I’m pretty sure not.” Hal frowned. “It’s more like he’s telling them something. I’m going to see if I can hear what’s going on.” A few empties on some of the picnic tables gave him a valid reason to be outside, so he picked up a tray and walked casually into the beer garden. He collected the glasses and bottles from one table and edged nearer to the group.

“—and wait behind the hedges,” the dark man was saying. “Go now, they’ll be here soon.”

“Okay, and we can do what we like, right?” one of the four said with an eagerness that set Hal’s hackles up.

“You can,” the man drawled, and two hurried away, laughing and jostling each other.

“You said you’d make sure there won’t be any repercussions,” another said, “no matter what.”

“I did. But only if you are victorious. Fail and I won’t be able to protect you.”

“We won’t—” A rumbling growl from the dog cut over the words and Hal glanced down to see he was the focus of the animal’s gaze.

Hal didn’t hesitate. He approached their table, ostensibly relaxed, his expression easygoing and friendly.

“Sorry to interrupt, folks. Let me clear away your empties.” He reached in front of the dark man and began to gather up the bottles and glasses. “Can I bring you refills?”

“Fuck off, yokel!” a burly blond snarled and shoved him. Hal swayed easily with the push, and the man caught Blondie’s wrist and held him back.

“That’s enough, Harry. Thank you, no,” he continued, his smile for Hal genial and unthreatening. “We’re about to leave.”

“Have a good day,” he responded, stacked the last glasses on the tray and left. Before he reached the door of the inn, the three of them were on their way out onto the footpath, the dog at their heels.

“Thank God for that,” Betty said as he entered. “Did you hear anything?”

“I think they’re planning to ambush someone, and I don’t think it’s supposed to be a joke. If they’re already slagging off Jesse, perhaps—”

“Oh, damn! What do I do?” But she was already reaching for the mobile phone in her pocket. “I’m calling the cops. I’d sooner have Bob Henshaw tear me off a strip for wasting police time than leave our lads to get a beating from those little shites.”

“Good idea. I’m going back out there to see what they’re up to.”

“Take care.”

Hal gave her a swift smile and hurried out to the garden. He didn’t get far. Tawny stood in his path, back arched, fur on end and ears flattened.

No. The word punched into his brain with enough force to rock him back on his heels. Stay here. This is not yet a fight for you.

Not for a second did Hal doubt where that message came from. He gaped at the cat, but before he could rally himself, Betty rushed out of the doorway and grabbed his arm.

“Bob and Ayesha are on their way—he says stay out of it and leave it up to them.”

“As if.” He snorted and started for the door.

No! Another mental blast struck him, and Hal flinched. At the same time, raised voices came from down the path. Jeers and laughter reached him, then shouts of consternation, and Betty gasped in alarm.

“Oh, heck! I heard Will just then.”

Hal swore under his breath. Jesse and Will ran together most days, and showed up at the Black Dog on a regular basis. If the strangers were here to duff Jesse up, he and Will would need all the help they could get. This time, Hal didn’t get that silent rebuke, and when he looked down, Tawny had disappeared.

 
Buy the book: ARe | Amazon | Smashwords

 

Meet the author:

Chris started creating stories not long after she mastered joined-up writing, somewhat to the bemusement of her parents and her English teachers. But she received plenty of encouragement. Her dad gave her an already old Everest typewriter when she was ten, and it was probably the best gift she’d ever received – until the inventions of the home-computer and the worldwide web.

Chris’s reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, writing mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes the occasional male/female novel in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, or listens to audio books while quilting or knitting. Over the years she has been a stable lad [briefly] in a local racing stable and stud, a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, a civilian clerk at her local police station and a 15th century re-enactor.

She lives in a small and ancient city not far from Stonehenge in the south-west of the United Kingdom, and shares her usually chaotic home with her extended family, three dogs, a Frilled Dragon [lizard], sundry goldfish and tropicals.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Divine Magazine, The Hat Party, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words,

BFD Book Blog, Bayou Book Junkie, The Jena Wade, Kirsty Loves Books, Louise Lyons,

Happily Ever Chapter, A.M. Leibowitz, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Velvet Panic

Charley Descoteaux, MM Good Book Reviews, Havan Fellows, Molly Lolly, Nephy Hart,

Outrageous Heroes, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

Giveaway

Enter to Win.  Must be  18 years of age or older to enter.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

A Free Dreamer Review: The Empty Hourglass (Deal with a Devil) by Cornelia Grey

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The Empty HourglassThomas Escott has always wanted to be a toymaker, yet just as he achieves his dream, an accident claims his right hand. He’s certain his life is over—until he hears about groundbreaking prosthetics being made by a reclusive inventor.

Jethro Hastings is perfectly content to live alone up in the mountains working on a secret masterpiece: a humanoid automaton that will change the scientific community forever. He’s behind schedule, and the date of the unveiling is fast approaching, so when Thomas shows up on his doorstep offering help in exchange for a mechanical hand, Jethro agrees. Time, after all, is running out on another deal he’s made: one with the devil.

The devil gives Jethro’s inventions life, but he can just as quickly take life away—Jethro’s, to be exact. As the sand in the devil’s hourglass falls, marking the time until the end of the deal, inventions go haywire, people get hurt, and Thomas realizes he needs Jethro just as much as his prosthetic. Now he must find a way to save Jethro’s soul, but negotiating with a devil is just as difficult as it sounds.

Review: First of all, while this is part of a series, “The Empty Hourglass” is a stand alone. Every book set in the “Deal with a Devil” universe can be read independently. They only have one minor character in common.

I was really looking forward to this book. I absolutely loved the first short story of this universe, “Devil at the Crossroads”, and “The Circus of the Damned” was pretty good too. And when there was a promise of a freaky, steampunky prosthetic, I was ecstatic. Apparently I have a real thing for that. Anyway, my expectations were very high and unfortunately the book couldn’t quite live up to them.

I liked that Thomas was a bit of an underdog. I would’ve liked to read more about his background, though. It’s not every day you meet somebody who grew up on the streets and then turned into a toy maker of all things in your M/M books. That could have made for a really interesting story, but unfortunately the author didn’t really use that potential.

Jethro is your typical eccentric inventor: Kind of grumpy and a bit of a weird loner, but with a good heart and a tragic past to boot. His characterization was a little shallow, leaving him with little depth and a lot of stereotypes.

One of the reasons why I loved the other two books in this universe is the sex. Cornelia Grey can write incredibly sensual, delightfully different sex scenes. Unfortunately, this time she chose to leave the sex non-explicit, which is a real shame. I usually don’t mind fade-to-black scenes, but I was really looking forward to how and if the author would incorporate the prosthetic. That unfortunately didn’t happen here and I was a little disappointed, to be honest.

I loved that Cornelia Grey actually decided to have a real ghost show up. I’ve never seen a similar take on ghosts and mysticism. That was really well done. But again, a little more detail would have been really nice.

The world building was unfortunately rather lacking. There’s talk about a big war that happened a few years back. Thomas was even recruited as an engineer and the experience seems to have left some deep impressions. There are also a lot of veterans who were injured during said war. However, we never do find out any details about the war. Who fought against whom? And why? For how long? And so on. I really expected more details since it played such an important role in the story.

The ending felt a little forced, as if the author realized she had to write a happy end of some sort and hastily came up with a magical solution for it all.

Overall, this was the weakest book of the series so far. It lacked in details and didn’t even have any of Grey’s usually sizzling hot sex scenes. It seems like the series gets weaker with every new book the author writes. A shame, because “Devil at the Crossroads” was simply amazing. But now I finally want a book solely about Farfarello, the devil everybody’s making deals with.

Cover: I don’t particularly like the cover by Jay Asher. It doesn’t really fit with the other two books, which have absolutely gorgeous covers. There’s just too much brown for my liking and the picture looks kind of blurry.

Sales Links:   Riptide Publishing | ARe | Amazon  other links to  come

Book details:

ebook, 264 pages
Expected publication: April 9th 2016 by Riptide Publishing
Original TitleThe Empty Hourglass
ISBN139781626493933
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesDeal with a Devil