Category: Book Reviews

Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Light from the Dark by Mercy Celeste

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Light from the Dark coverI really like Mercy’s Celeste’s work so it’s not unusual for me to expect a good story from her, but this one is the best I’ve ever read! My first thoughts upon completion: awesome, complex, convoluted plot, extremely damaged yet loveable MCs, an intriguing mystery, amazing sex, and a story that will remain with me for quite a while.

The blurb doesn’t do justice to the full scope of this story, but in a nutshell—former US Marshal Micah Beasley, tired of living with the guilt and negative thoughts of the disaster his last job took, decides to accept a job offer as bodyguard for what he assumes is a spoiled rich kid who can’t (or won’t) leave his house. Thinking it will be a cakewalk, when asked what salary he’d like, he asks for a million dollars. Imagine his shock when he gets it!

Christopher (Kit) Auberon is all that’s left of the very wealthy and powerful Auberon family. Unable to speak, scarred from spending two years in prison for the attempted murder of his uncle, white-haired from that same imprisonment, he’s also a brilliant computer gamer. Loner doesn’t begin to describe his isolated existence, however.

Unfortunately, recent break-ins at his supposedly secure estate, coupled by escalating memories of a time when he was kidnapped as a child after seeing his parents killed, are sending Kit into a place in his mind from which he may never return.

The scope of the story is so huge that I need to break it down a bit to do justice to a review. Starting with the MCs—first, Micah Beasley, blond, muscular, with a scar that slices his face on one side, former US Marine, former US Marshal, not out to his family, burdened by guilt connected to his last case when his work partner, Heath, was killed along with the child they were protecting. Heath was also his lover, and Micah feels that if they hadn’t taken fifteen minutes for a quickie before picking up the little girl, she wouldn’t have been killed, Heath wouldn’t have died, and Micah might have some semblance of a career left. Instead, his affair with his married co-worker comes out in the investigation, and Micah is relieved of duty, retired quietly, and sent on his way. Stewing over all of this for over six months, he’s shocked when his name is suggested for the bodyguard position but realizes it might be just what he needs to join the living again.

Kit Auberon was only eight years old when he was kidnapped from the scene where both his parents were murdered and their home burned to the ground. When he later wanders into a convenience store, covered in blood, he’s unable to speak and has no memory of what happened or where he’s been. And if that isn’t bad enough, we learn that he has psychotic episodes in which he shuts down completely after exhibiting violent behavior. During one of these when he was only a young teen, he attacked his uncle with scissors and nearly killed him. His uncle refused to back off and Kit was sent to a horrible mental institution for two years during which he was physically and mentally abused. When he was finally released to the custody of his grandfather’s chosen guardians, his hair had turned completely white, he had scars all over his body, and he faced a long road back to recovery. The experiences this young man went through in the past and goes through in the present in this story, are heartbreaking and tragic. This reviewer came to love him, his strength of character, his will to continue to fight his demons, his brilliance in putting his intellect to work by creating computer games and tweaking artificial voice controls in order for him to communicate with those around him. He alternates between sign language and the computerized voice, and I found myself wishing I could be there to help him in some way.

Over the course of the first week that Micah is with Kit, Micah discovers that Kit is highly intelligent, sweet and innocent in regards to relationships, definitely a virgin, impotent, and someone with whom Micah could easily fall in love. In fact, he’s one of the only people Kit trusts in his inner circle, outside of the few household staff who have been with him most of his life, and Kit begins to have feelings for Micah as well. Kit’s nickname for Micah is Beastly, not because of the scar which slashes across his face, but because of his lion-hearted strength and his rough blond good looks and hairy body. The two develop a rapport that runs much deeper than either expected, and it’s Micah who is finally able to help Kit fight his darkness and find his way back to stability when their safe environment goes to hell in a handbasket.

The mystery surrounding the childhood kidnapping is eventually revealed in all its complex twists and turns, as is the time Kit spent in the psychiatric facility, and the details of Micah’s own past with the complex situation which led to his dismissal from the department. I swear I was going to get out my spreadsheet and plot a few graphs to help me get through the cast of characters and their relationships to each other, to Kit, and to the mystery itself. At the heart of the last few chapters of the story is the deep and abiding love that Micah has developed for “Chris”, and the mutual understanding and reliance upon each other as they battle their demons and ghosts, both past and present.

I can’t begin to express how very much I enjoyed this story. It’s much more than a simple M/M romance. It’s a journey of two men’s struggles to come out of the depths of despair and fight for stability and happiness in a situation which seems virtually hopeless. I highly recommend this one to lovers of M/M romance, mystery and intrigue, and those who want to have an opportunity to stretch their imaginations to new lengths. Don’t miss this one!

~~~
Cover Art by Reece Notley is a photo of a gruff-looking man in a suit as he holds the jacket closed, showing tension in every line of his body. This is a good representation of MC Micah Beasley and the tension under which he has been living.

Sales Links:       Amazon      Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 246 pages
Published March 6th 2015 by MJC PRess (first published March 5th 2015)
original titleLight from the Dark
edition languageEnglish
url https://mercyceleste.wordpress.com/

In The Spotlight: Driven By Fire by Draven St. James (excerpt and contest)

STRW In The Spotlight Header

Driven by Fire (Firehouse Six #4) by Draven St. James
Cover Artist: Dar Albert

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Goodreads LinkSMDSJ_Driven by Fire

Firefighters are hot!  Draven St. James’ firefighters from Firehouse 6 are back in Drive By Fire.  Check out the blurb and excerpt below and don’t forget to enter the contest at the end of the post!  Happy reading.

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Publisher: Loose ID
Cover Artist: Dar Albert
Sales Link:  Loose id  Amazon  All Romance (ARe)

About Driven By Fire:

Taber Delane is lucky to be alive, but his career as a firefighter ended
the day a beam snapped, resulting in a crushing spinal injury. Most of his
friends are willing to give him space, everyone except paramedic,
Deacon Hall.

Deacon hasn’t met a challenge he couldn’t tackle and he knows Taber
needs someone in his corner who isn’t afraid to stand up to the big bad
fireman. The longer he’s around Taber, the more the sexy vulnerability
of the man comes through. Deacon finds he doesn’t just want to be
Taber’s live-in caregiver, he wants a chance at the passionate man
beneath the stubborn shell.

A shell that is cracking, no matter how Taber tries to hold it together.
Deacon being in his home starts to open him up—and open his eyes to
the man Deacon hides from the rest of the world. Without seeing it
coming, Taber soon craves more. A lot more.

Now if only Deacon can get Taber to see that it isn’t so bad having him
there to assist. Even if and maybe especially when Taber is naked,
dripping wet, and angry as hell.

Pages or Words: 43,556 words

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

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STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

from Driven By Fire...

“You’re not giving me a sponge bath,” Taber snapped and glowered at Deacon as he wheeled himself into the locker bay. The sweat ran down his temples, his shirt soaked through with it. He took in his motionless legs and grimaced before shooting Deacon another irritated look.

Deacon sat with his feet on one of the peeling dark blue benches, his back reclined against a bank of gray lockers along the far wall in the physical therapy building. A book was balanced on his knees, and black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. His shaggy auburn hair fell to curl around his ears in disarray.

Deacon peered at him with pale green eyes. “There go my dreams of rubbing you down and tweeting the pics.”

 

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Draven St. James is a born and raised Oregonian. She has traveled extensively in search of mischief and mayhem to fill her books. Her ventures have been quite successful in inspiring a wealth of stories. Of course at the end of the day, coffee within reach, laptop at the ready is where she finds her peace.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draven.stjames
Facebook Author Page: https://dravenstjames.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DravenStJames
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dravenstjames/

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Tour Stops and Dates:

Parker Williams, Bayou Book Junkie, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, My Fiction Nook, BFD Book Blog, Amanda C. Stone, Divine Magazine, Molly Lolly, Inked Rainbow Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Kimi-Chan, Carly’s Book Reviews, Kristy’s Brain Food, Decadent Delights, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Bike Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, 3 Chicks After Dark, Rainbow Gold Reviews

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Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: A book from Draven’s backlist. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prize provided by Pride Promotions.

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A Sammy Review: Song of the Lonesome Cowboy (The Society of Masters ) by Lynn Kelling

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

If William could find love and escape oppressors, find his own kind of happiness, maybe there was hope for all of us—myself included. I wanted to write a song about that—the struggle to own your dreams, to chase them and hold on no matter who tried to kick you down. Sometimes it was like love and happiness was a big bucking bull, trying to knock you off, to bolt free or throw you into the dirt, and all you could do was hold on and pray.

Song of the Lonesome Cowboy coverThey say that fame comes with a price. For many people that price means their privacy, the constant, watchful eyes of people just waiting for you to mess up so they can catch it on camera. That’s one payment for fame, but for Tucker, that’s barely a paper cut compared to the way his debts have been paid.

He sold himself to get where he is now, famous and just finishing a tour with his best friend. For six years he’s had a shadow following him, haunting him inside and out. The end of the tour and a champagne delivery bring that shadow into view, looming even greater.

Jess Grayville, a member of the band, seems to be the only one to see through the facade Tucker’s carefully constructed and always thought he held in place so well. But Jess isn’t just going to let him drift along anymore, but in order to move on, Tucker will need to face unimaginable demons, starting with himself.

Everyone had secrets. People wanted to fit you into a neat little box, but life wasn’t like that. We were all more complicated than we appeared to be on the outside. It was a good thing, something to be thankful for. All of those unexpected details were what gave people and circumstances their beauty.

First, I want to put it out there that I’m a fairly heartless person when it comes to books. Yeah, I feel what they write, but I don’t really become captivated easily. When people say dark, I often expect it to be a difficult topic with a lot of angst and pain thrown on top of it. This book I would consider to be truly dark – not just an imitation of the theme.

The author doesn’t simply skim by horrible memories of rape and abuse, Ms. Kelling takes them head on and in graphic detail. The thing is, as horrible as it is, she doesn’t do it just to have these scenes thrown in. They serve a purpose, a point… they are necessary to understanding Tucker and his pain. I truly felt my heartstrings being pulled on during this book, and the sadness ran quite deep. To put it simply, this book is not for the faint of heart. At times, it’s literally like reading someone’s living nightmare.

So why do it? Well, because books like this give me faith in humanity. They show people in their darkest, most vulnerable moments, and then it gives them hope. Is this hope always easy? No. It’s difficult and oftentimes tragic, the road is rocky, but the fact is that there is a road, and these are stories worth telling.

The author did a fantastic job of capturing the thought process of someone with an abusive past. There was conflicted thoughts and Tucker really went through a process with himself, one that continued even after the last page. There was no easy fix, and I appreciated the reality in that.

Now to the relationship, which really was not, in my eyes, the primary focus of this story, but it was a really lovely part. I really enjoyed seeing them come together. I would’ve loved to find out more about Jess though, as I felt his story was half told. But still, I appreciated their love and how they grew together.

The story was hard to get through but it was still a good book. Unfortunately, the cover by Siolnatine is a complete no go for me. I appreciate the symbolism of things such as the chains and the dark background, but beyond that, it’s really not an attractive cover for a good book.

Sales Links:  All Romance (ARe)        Amazon           Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 270 pages
Published February 10th 2015 by Fantastic Fiction Publishing
original titleSong of the Lonesome Cowboy
ASINB00S8HLP9C
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://forbidden-fiction.com/library/story/LK1-1.000185
seriesThe Society of Masters

In the Spotlight: The Sum of Everything (Pickleville #2) by April Kelley (interview and contest)

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The Sum of Everything (Pickleville #2) by April Kelley
Release Date: March 15, 2015

the sum of everything

April Kelley is back with another story in her Pickleville series, The Sum of Everything.  Want to know more?  Check out the interview, excerpt and more we have for you below:

Publisher: eXtasy Books
Cover Artist: Carmen Waters

STRW Author BookSynopsis

They say opposites attract but can they make love last?

Greg Mitchell’s entire childhood was filled with violence and abuse. That was until he came to work on the Heath Farm. His life was forever changed for the better, including meeting Brian Stockwell. From the first moment Greg met Brian he’s been in love. But a threat his father made four years ago has always held him back from pursuing any real relationship with Brian.

That was until he learns his father is on his deathbed and of no further harm to himself or Brian.

Greg finds out his family ties are stronger than he thought and they hold Greg back from really getting to know Brian the way he truly wants to. Both men discover that they have more differences than they originally thought.

Pages or Words: 41,533

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

Every time Greg Mitchell looked at Brian Stockwell, he hurt. It was like a physical ache in his chest where his heart should be. Greg caught a glimpse of the man he had been obsessed with for the past four years and that ache started up. Brian didn’t even know Greg existed and even thinking about that made Greg feel like he was in high school all over again.

Greg was coming out of the barn, just getting ready to get cleaned up for an evening class he had to commute too. This was his last semester of college and he thanked God every day for that fact. He couldn’t wait to get done. The commute from the farm to school was a bitch, especially this past winter when the snow was up to the windows of his truck and his dick practically fell off every time he went from the bunkhouse to one of the barns. Greg was just glad that it was summer for his last class ever. He didn’t have to worry about the roads being covered in ice and the cold seeping into his bones.

The sun didn’t go down until about the same time Greg got home from class, so he didn’t even have to worry about driving at night in a large city. Although, living in Pickleville his whole life meant every city was large. Living in a small town also meant driving anywhere after ten o’clock at night was an unusual occurrence for anyone who lived here. For a farmhand like Greg that was especially true. Greg had been so focused on finishing school for so long that he just didn’t have time for any extracurricular activities.

Greg sighed as he watched Brian step out of the main house. Brian had shorts on, khaki’s and a dark blue t-shirt. Even from as far away as Greg was, he could see Brian’s cute little nose wriggle his glasses further up his nose. His dark hair had that messy, spiky look that seemed to be at odds with Brian’s nerdy personality type.

Greg rolled his eyes at himself. He couldn’t blame his lack of a social life entirely on his college classes. If Brian ever did give him the time of day Greg still wouldn’t pursue any type of relationship. And he longed to have Brian under him, naked.

Greg sighed again. Roger Mitchell’s parting words four years ago were not an empty threat. Greg’s father was more than capable of following through on hurting anyone Greg even came close to dating. Roger would know too. Greg had seen him on campus more than once throughout the years he had been attending the University.

Yeah, it sounded crazy. It was crazy but it was Greg’s truth. Greg would live in it.

AKRC

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books (coming soon page)     eXtasy Book Page upon release

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About the author:

Living in Southwest Michigan, April lives with her husband and two kids. She has been an avid reader for several years. Writing her first story at the age of ten, the characters in her head still won’t stop telling their stories. If April isn’t reading or writing she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk in the woods.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoraprilkelley?ref=hl
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authoraprilkelley?ref=hl
Twitter: @authoraprilkell
Pinterest: April Kelley
Goodreads Link

 

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Decadent Delights, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, BFD Book Blog, Love Bytes, Inked Rainbow Reads, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, My Fiction Nook, Hearts on Fire, MM Good Book Reviews, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Amanda C. Stone, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Molly Lolly

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘The Sum of Everything’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prizes provided by Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
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In Our Book Spotlight: Getting Close to the Omega (Cloverleah Pack #5) by Lisa Oliver

STRW In The Spotlight Header

Getting Close to the Omega (Cloverleah Pack #5) by Lisa Oliver

 Release Date: December 2014

Goodreads Link

OmegaRC

We have Lisa Oliver here today with her latest story in the  Cloverleah Pack series, Getting Close to the Omega.  We have an interview with the author, as well as an excerpt and contest for you all  to enter.  Check it out below!

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams. Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.

When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers. You can friend her on Facebook here, or email her directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com.

Where to find the author:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wisecrone333
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest/lisaoliver79
Lisa’s Blog – http://www.supernaturalsmut.com

Publisher: Oliver Group Publications
Cover Artist: Lisa Oliver

Sales Links: Amazon  AllRomance (ARe)  Createspace (Print Version)  Smashwords

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Book Five – Cloverleah Pack Series
Can be read as a standalone.

Dean Weir has finally found happiness in his position as Omega wolf of the Cloverleah pack. He has his friends, his work and his art and he has never looked for anything else. Badly abused by his ex-home pack and Alpha, Dean keeps his head down and stays out of trouble. That is, until his mate joins the pack.

Matthew Charmichael is over a hundred years old and has been a lone wolf for longer than he can remember. Joining the Cloverleah pack after he heard they were having trouble with another wolf shifter, Matthew is overjoyed to find his mate is the cute little Omega of the small pack. But Dean’s past, and the constant attacks on the pack from the mysterious Kylan, could mean that Matthew and Dean won’t get their HEA after all. Can Dean overcome his past, and embrace the powers that a claimed Omega is purported to have, or will his ex-pack kill him before he and Matthew have a chance.

Warning: This is a love story between two male wolf shifters. It includes graphic depictions of sex between men as well as some violence and coarse language. Historical abuse themes are referred to, but not described.
Categories: Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

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“You matter to me,” Matthew said. “One day you will share your personal horrors with me, purely and simply because eventually we won’t have any secrets from each other. You will trust that I am strong enough to handle it, and that I will comfort you when you need me to. Those things come with time.” Matthew lifted his arms, encouraging Dean’s hands to come back up to his shoulders. As though he couldn’t get enough, Dean went back to tracing Matthew’s collar bone.

Matthew swallowed a moan and forced himself to keep speaking. “But right now, in this moment, I need you to know, that to me, any scars you have are a testament to your strength and ability to survive. And you have no idea how thankful I am that you did survive and that you feel comfortable enough with me to sit here and touch me like this.”

“You make me calm, like I have found my center,” Dean explained. “I don’t know why, but when I’m around you I don’t have any fear, of anything.” He looked up and Matthew was blasted by the pure need in Dean’s eyes. “Could you, would you mind maybe kissing me again, please?”

“As often as you like,” Matthew promised as he leaned over and carefully brushed his lips over Dean’s mouth.

Pages or Words: 80,000 words

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest:  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Rafflecopter links and prizes provided by Pride Promotions.  Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Getting Close to the Omega’.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Date & Stops:OmegaRC

23-Mar

Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

24-Mar

3 Chicks After Dark

MM Good Book Reviews

25-Mar

Velvet Panic

Bayou Book Junkie

26-Mar

Carly’s Book Reviews

BFD Book Blog

27-Mar

Love Bytes

30-Mar

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

31-Mar

Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

1-Apr

Cate Ashwood

Prism Book Alliance

2-Apr

Rainbow Gold Reviews

Bike Book Reviews

3-Apr

Molly Lolly

Inked Rainbow Reads

Because Two Men Are Better Than One

In Our Book Spotlight: Thianna D’s As Natural As Breathing (contest)

STRW In The Spotlight Header

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As Natural As Breathing (All They Ever Needed #1) by Thianna D
Release Date: August 7, 2013
Goodreads Link

We have an author new to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words here today with her new release, As Natural As Breathing, the first in Thianna D’s new series, All They Ever Needed.

Welcome, Thianna D!

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Author Name: Thianna D (Thianna Durston)

Author Bio:
Thianna loves to write strong stories with even stronger heroes. While all of her books have an erotic overtone, it is the story that is the most important to her. “The story should be able to stand on its own. The erotic elements are an add-on.”

She enjoys writing about couples with kink, paranormal couples, and straight out strangeness. But more on that later… mm.thiannad.com.

Where to find the author:
Website: mm.thiannad.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/ThiannaDurstonAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_weremouse

Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing/Blushing Books
Cover Artist:

Sales Links:  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  ARe:    
Blushing Books

STRW Author BookSynopsis

About As Natural As Breathing…

For Christian Darringer, life isn’t worth living. Just back from the Middle East; scarred and with permanent damage to one leg, he does not think anyone will want him for anything. Meeting a gorgeous man he finds himself thinking about constantly is not in his plans. Pulled toward the startling younger man with striking blue eyes, he begins to question a lot of things – especially his sexuality. Not one to hide from a challenge, he plunges ahead only to find himself more than just attracted toAs Natural as Breathing Logan who is full of life and joy, he finds himself head over heels in love.

Logan Mannette has almost everything he ever wanted: loving parents, happiness, friends and security. The only thing missing is finding the love of his life, a love that is just like his parents’.

When he meets Christian at a party, everything changes. Instantly attracted, he does his best to help this sad man and quickly finds himself feeling more than he has ever felt before. Raised in a domestic discipline household, he holds that ideal as what he wants but his interest in spanking became a fetish and when Christian admits that he wants to be spanked, Logan believes he might have found the perfect man.

Just as everything begins for them, Christian’s past intercedes and one of his brothers makes waves about him dating a man. If it weren’t for Logan’s support, he might fold; but with the love of one amazing man, Christian finds that living his life rather than just existing is as natural as breathing.

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

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

Dinner was easy, the easiest first date Christian had ever been on. Logan laughed, talked, teased, but it felt like he was with a friend rather than with a date…but then again, that was what he asked for. After two large platters of sushi disappeared between the two of them, they paid and left. “Okay, we can drive or we can walk. The theater is only ten blocks.” Then Logan’s eyes dropped to his leg. “Damn, I forgot about your leg. Maybe we should drive.”

Shaking his head, Christian placed a hand on his arm. “Naw. I walk by the river all the time. I think I’d like to walk.”

Logan watched him, as if trying to make up his mind if Christian meant it or not. When he figured he did, he beamed. “Great. There is this cool piece of art you have got to see.”

Pages or Words: 213 pages

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Contest:  Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: 2 eBook copies of As Natural As Breathing, and a $10.00 gift card to an eBook seller of the winners choice. (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ARe, Blushing Books.) Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided by Pride Promotions. All prizes and winner announcements to come from Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
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Tour Dates & Stops:TDBadge

2-Mar

The Hat Party

Michael Mandrake

3-Mar

Parker Williams

Kimi-Chan

4-Mar

Divine Magazine

5-Mar

Lee Brazil

6-Mar

Amanda C. Stone

9-Mar

Hearts on Fire

10-Mar

LeAnn’s Book Reviews

Butterfly-O-Meter

11-Mar

Inked Rainbow Reads

Prism Book Alliance

12-Mar

Carly’s Book Reviews

13-Mar

Bike Book Reviews

16-Mar

Love Bytes

17-Mar

Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

18-Mar

BFD Book Blog

19-Mar

Bayou Book Junkie

20-Mar

Molly Lolly

23-Mar

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

24-Mar

3 Chicks After Dark

25-Mar

Havan Fellows

26-Mar

MM Good Book Reviews

27-Mar

Foxylutely Book Reviews

The Blogger Girls

Cate Ashwood

Cowboy Up! It’s Wild Western Week Today with Bailey Bradford (guest post and contest)

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Cowboy Up During Wild Western Week

With Bailey Bradford’s “Belt Buckles and Cowboy Boots”

Cowboys have been my heroes ever since I was a little girl. First, it was because my dad loved cowboy movies and books—Louis L’Amour was his favorite author, and The Duke his favorite cowboy actor. Like a lot of little girls, I idolized my Dad and thought he could do no wrong, and so I watched what he watched and read the books he did, albeit sometimes I had to sneak around to do it.

As I grew to be a teenager, I fell in love with cowboys all on my own. To me, as portrayed in books and movies, they were the epitome of strength and masculinity. That whole strong, silent type was very appealing. I’d look at the boys my age and compare them to my heroes. There just weren’t any modern-day cowboys around where I grew up, unless they were fictional, so I spent a lot of time re-reading the westerns I’d practically memorized.

The good guys won. Justice was served. Life was just right when the cowboys were involved.
And the cowboys were always handsome. Clint Eastwood, when he was younger, Robert Redford—oh my, Sundance Kid? Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy? I’ve named off favorite movie cowboys before. I had many that I crushed on.

It was their roles in westerns that made me love these guys. And when the movies were over, the books read, I kept their stories going in my imagination, and created new adventures. Yes, I admit I was the love interest What was the fun in fantasizing that someone else got the handsome cowboy?

That fascination with cowboys never went away. When I started writing, the first book I finished and submitted for publication was a modern-day cowboy one. Of course I broadened my perception of what a cowboy is, and now like to add the realism of them not being perfect. I like my cowboys to be flawed, and not always handsome.

But they have to have that good heart, that abiding moral compass even if they screw up. In the end, they’ll do what’s right because that’s how they’re made. They can be bruised and battered by life and the people they’ve loved, but they’re still intrinsically good.

Every time I write about cowboys, there are some of those memories from my childhood in each one of the guys. Good memories, and lots of love.

Added to that are the adult, Not Safe For Work parts of the stories, too. Once I grew up—I hesitate to say ‘matured’, heh—sexuality became a part of the stories in my head and the books I read. I embraced sex whole-heartedly, and the idea of two cowboys or more, falling in love—that commitment and loyalty that would endure through anything, along with the tender and rough sex lovers shared? That was every romantic fantasy I couldn’t let go of. I could see it, in my imagination, and wanted to capture it and tell that story.

So I try, every time I write about cowboys, to convey that love—the never-ending, good always wins, follow you to the ends of the Earth kind of love.

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Blurb for Belt Buckles and Cowboy Boots:

Lessons learned from past betrayals can protect Colby Vincent’s heart or cost him a chance at happiness he never thought to have.

Colby thought he’d never let anyone close again after being betrayed by everyone he loved, but one closeted, stubborn oilfield worker with a penchant for dressing like a cowboy seems determined to out himself and win Colby’s heart. It’s as if Hunter Talamentez walked right out of Colby’s fantasies and into the convenience store where Colby works.

But Hunter is closeted, and he’s never considered changing that. He’s got his homophobic cousin with him, a family that he knows won’t support him if they know the truth about who he is and a job where being out could get him hurt. He resigned himself to spending his life alone until he gets to know Colby. Then he embarks on a journey with Colby that will change their lives if only they both find the strength to take a few chances.

Nothing comes easily, and learning to give from the heart when that heart has been shattered twice before might be more than Colby is capable of. He isn’t sure about having more than a fling with Hunter, yet he can’t seem to stay away from the man, either. What was meant to be one night together turns into more, and Colby loses his ability to keep Hunter at the safe distance he’d wanted.

Excerpt from Belt Buckles and Cowboy Boots:

Colby Vincent whistled as he stocked the shelf at the Valero store where he worked. He liked the late shift, working from midnight until six in the morning. He’d always been a night owl through and through, which had made school difficult more often than not. Maybe if he’d slept better, he’d have had the grades to get into college, but thinking along those lines didn’t do him any good now.

It was generally slow in regards to having customers, which was fine with him. Plastering on a smile and acting cheery was getting harder to do every day. Some people had a problem with him, and it was getting old. He supposed it came with being the only out gay man in town. Even so, he didn’t deserve to experience some of the things he did.

At least at his second job as a cook at Rio’s Mexican Café he didn’t have to worry about greeting customers. Plus, Rio and his nephew Berto were cool. Rio always gave Colby the old copies of American Cowboy and True Cowboy when the newer ones came in the mail. Maybe he should have been tired of cowboys, considering he lived in a town that had a bunch of them.

But they tended to be old, and not to be the sexy or unbigoted kind. The ones in the magazines were unknowns and he could fantasize about them if he wanted to without feeling disgusted for doing so. He’d be damned if he’d ever get off while thinking about any of the hateful people who’d crossed his path, cowboys or not. Colby did have his pride, after all.

He put the small packages of Oreo cookies in their place after having removed the outdated ones. Colby’s stomach rumbled. He pressed a fist to his belly until the dull ache backed off. When it was time for him to take a break, he’d see what his options were.

A few minutes later, a buzzer sounded and the door opened. Colby glanced over his shoulder, making sure it wasn’t some psycho wielding a weapon. Working at a convenience store, he always worried about becoming a victim of violent crime.

His co-worker, Christy, was working the counter—well, playing on her phone—and didn’t even give the customer a first glance, much less a second one. Colby stood up, having been hunched over to get the Oreos on the shelf just right. He turned and eyed the man who was now walking toward the fountain drinks.

Like the sound of Belt Buckles and Cowboy Boots? Buy it here.

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About Bailey Bradford:

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn’t happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey’s brain demanding to be let out.

Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey’s office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey’s presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

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A MelanieM Review: Kian’s Hunter (The Fire Trilogy #1) by R.J. Scott

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Kian's Hunter coverKian has crossed over from his world to ours to seek revenge. His plan is to kill the monster who murdered his Uncle. The same monster who used magic to escape to our world and is hiding here and growing in strength.

Regan Campbell is a hunter of Demons. The first son, of a first son, he is the one who protects this world from the monsters that no one else knows are here.

When Kian reaches this world, he knows Regan is the perfect man to fight alongside him, but Regan trusts no one.

It isn’t until they are facing death and a terrible evil that will be let loose, that Regan finally realises he can trust another…his fated partner, Kian.

Kian’s Hunter by RJ Scott is a wonderfully imaginative tale that sets the stage for the remaining stories in this trilogy.  Through our introduction to the main characters, Scott sketches out her trilogy plot and worlds where her stories begin. Kian ap Rhys, a green fire mage come to Earth from a magical parallel world looking to revenge his uncle’s death.  Kian’s uncle had his fire stolen from him by the Danio, an exiled race of magical beings now causing chaos and pain on Earth and Kian has traveled through a portal to find those beings responsible and kill them.  On the flip side of the coin, or parallel world as RJ Scott has it, resides Regan Campbell, human being and hunter.  Regan is the latest in a long line of hunters tracking down and killing said “demons and unnatural beings”.  Regan’s own knowledge of those he’s hunting is sketchy and patchwork.  He mostly concentrates his energies on the hunt and the kill.

When RJ Scott brings these two men together, not only do we get a wonderfully engaging couple on the daunting path to love and a fated bond but the back story for both men and the overall trilogy plot starts to pull together.  Here we find out about the devoted trio of childhood friends torn apart by traumatic event and the basis of the fire magic.  We also get the elementary knowledge as to what the 3 different fire colors mean as far as the type of magic it allows each person to wield.  I love the idea of magic born of fire.  The pictures that create in a reader’s mind is marvelous and as magical as the fire itself.  For Kian…his fire is green and his magic flows from nature.  What that means is explored here in a fundamental way that will be enlarged on down the road in the following stories.

But back to the men.  I found their characters engaging, snarky, and fun.  I loved their banter and the action that brings them together finally as a pair.   I wanted more and more of them both by the end of the story.

What did I find missing?  That would be more of the back history that is coming in Darach’s Cariad and Eoin’s Destiny.  For those that get frustrated with stories that feel as though they are missing elements as this sometimes does, I recommend reading all three stories, one right after the other.  Taken together you have the whole and its wonderful.  Kian’s Hunter is but the first puzzle piece, waiting for the rest to complete it.   As such, it does the job its supposed to and pulls the reader into the mysteries and romance of a trio of mages and the great evil that awaits them all.

I highly recommend this story and its companion tales.  For those of you who love romance and fantasy, here is a trilogy for you!

Cover artist Meredith Russell. I’m not a fan of this cover.  It looks as though its for a contemporary romance instead of a fantasy.   Poor job in every element for this cover.

Sales Links:  Love Lane Books  All Romance (ARe)   Amazon   Buy It Here

Book Details:

Note: this book was originally a short story written in 2010. This version is inspired by that short story and is a complete re-write.

ebook, 2nd Edition, 102 pages
Published March 19th 2014 by Love Lane Books (first published December 1st 2010)
ISBN139781311226518
edition languageEnglish
url http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/kian.html
seriesThe Fire Trilogy #1

Books in the Fire Trilogy:

Kian’s Hunter (The Fire Trilogy #1)
Darach’s Cariad (The Fire Trilogy #2)
Eoin’s Destiny (The Fire Trilogy #3)