Category: Book Reviews

A Stella Review: Neon White E2 (A Tooth Claw and Horns Chronicle #2) by Wulf Francu Godgluck

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Neon White 2 coverRaven White is finding it very difficult to forget Chetlér – the demon has had a profound effect on him. But the daily grind goes on, bringing with it a new partner, an invitation to the Winter Ball, and an attempt on Raven’s life.
No one attending the Ball could have foreseen how it would end – in blood and death.

Warning: contain spoilers of the episode 1

I love this series so much. As I already said in the review of the Episode 1 it’s not my usually genre, so I really have no idea how I fell in love with it and the author too. I love the concept Wulf created. This time too I found myself captured from the story and I couldn’t put it down for a minute.

In the Episode 1 we left Raven and Chetlér first in some hot position (LOL), and just when I was thinking I could have some romance, Bla’Gar screwed it all and sent my poor Raven away. We finally can see the demon hidden inside of him and something else (I can’t say more, just think bigger, people!). We learn more about Bla’Glar’s past and it isn’t a beautiful one, in some parts was really hard to know what he went through.

Raven has a lot to deal with. First of all, a new partner, the sweet Pyro Jessy. I liked her at first reading. She seemed strong and loyal. She’s just one of some new characters we’ll meet in this new episode and for a short like this one is amazing.
Furthermore, Raven is still trying to understand what’s behind his parents death and in one of his rare visit at his old home, he will meet a not so friendly hellhounds.

As in all my favorite romances, tragedy will bring Raven and Bla’Gar together, but just for a little bit, some hot kisses and then… damn cliffhanger! Did I tell you how much I hate cliffhangers? Well in this series every episode ends with one, so if you can, take all the three episodes, you’ll avoid to scream at the tablet. I was so sure my stupid tablet had stolen at least one more chapter and when I realized it was really the end, I wanted to scream to the author… “Where is the next one? You can’t end this story in this way, Wulf!!!”

Highly recommended!

Cover Art by Wulf Francu Godgluck. The covers of the three episodes are pretty much the same with just some little details that fit that episode completely. You’ll understand and realize it if you’ll decide to read the series. Well done Wulf!

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

Book Details:

ebook
Published October 31st 2014 (first published October 29th 2014)
ISBN139781311047151
edition languageEnglish
seriesA Tooth Claw and Horns Chronicle #

Fly Back to the Past with K.E. Belledonne’s Right Here Waiting! (contest)


magnifying glass and focusRight Here Waiting
by K.E. Belledonne

BookCover_RightHereWaiting

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

About Right Here Waiting…

In 1942, Ben Williams had it all – a fulfilling job, adoring friends and the love of his life, Pete Montgomery.

But World War II looms over them. When Pete follows his conscience and joins the Army Air Force as a bomber pilot, Ben must find the strength to stay behind without the love of his life, the dedication to stay true and the courage he never knew he’d need to discover his own place in the war effort. Good friends help keep him afloat, until a chance meeting on the home front brings him an unexpected ally—one who will accompany him from the stages of New York City to the hell of the European warfront in search of his love.

Written in the style of a 1940s film, Right Here Waiting pays homage to classic wartime romances from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

And now a special excerpt from Right Here Waiting

“And now, coming to you from a secret location, pre-recorded earlier today, in cooperation with the Armed Forces Radio Network, we are proud to present one of our brave young men, United States Army Air Forces Captain Peter Montgomery, performing a special song from all our troops here to all of you folks back home.”

Ben gasped and rushed to the radio to turn up the volume. He closed his eyes and pictured Pete standing in front of the microphone in his freshly pressed uniform—khaki, the color of his eyes when he laughs—standing surefooted and strong. Crowds never made Pete nervous; singing for millions of people over the radio wouldn’t be a problem for him. When they’d sung duets during Ben’s shows at the Black Cat supper club, Pete was always so smooth and sure, never a tremor or nerves. And now, Ben could just picture him: Pete’s eyes would be closed; he’d have a slight smile; his hands would be either gently folded behind his back or holding the microphone stand.

The honey sound of Pete’s voice singing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”—a voice Ben hadn’t heard in two years—poured from the radio, simple and unaccompanied. He sank to his knees in front of the set and turned the volume even louder. He reached out with one finger to caress the wood, stained golden-red because Pete swore it was the same color as Ben’s hair in the summer. The set reverberated under his fingers. Ben put his entire hand on the set, feeling the vibrations of Pete’s voice through the wood in almost the same way as he’d felt Pete’s voice through his chest when Pete would sing him to sleep, Pete’s naked chest under Ben’s palm, their legs tangled and bodies satiated.

Ben didn’t feel the tears streaming down his face and ignored the pain in his knee as he knelt there—he only felt Pete. Pete’s happiness and joy in the world, Pete’s kindness and generosity, Pete’s caring and love—Ben was enveloped in thoughts of Pete. For this short song, a song of longing and dreams of home, which he knew Pete had picked as a secret code of their own, he and Pete were together, just as they’d be together again, someday soon.

After the song ended, Ben heard Pete whisper, “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” Ben whispered back. “Be safe, darling. Come home soon.”

Right Here Waiting will be released by Interlude Press on February 10, 2015.

VBT_TourBanner_RightHereWaiting

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

About author K. E. Belledonne

K. E. Belledonne is a writer, editor and translator based in the French Alps. A native New-Englander, Kat spends her spare time listening to Glenn Miller records, reading history books and cheering on her beloved Red Sox.

Ms. Belledonne describes her story as “like an old friend—the book you curl up with when you’re not feeling well. You know how it goes. You know how it will end, but it just makes you feel better reading it.”

Right Here Waiting is her first novel.

We asked K.E. one of our favorite author questions, here is her answer:

Q. People say write what you know. Do you think that is right or even important?

I think it’s both right and important. I think it’s impossible to write competently about something that you know absolutely nothing about. There’s always an element of your reality, or a fragment of yourself in anything you write. It doesn’t mean that every single character is an exact copy of yourself, or that you can’t write about something you’ve never experienced.

But I believe that what makes us love books, what keeps us coming back to books – we see ourselves reflected in them. We relate to these characters, we consciously or unconsciously find the commonalities we share with the characters we love. It’s what makes us care about them, root for them, and continue reading.

Now, this doesn’t mean that I am doomed to write nothing about people exactly like me (no matter how well small, round, knitting aficionados who like disco dancing and long walks on the beach might make for an interesting short story). One of the main characters of Right Here Waiting is a WWII bomber pilot who happens to be gay. I am neither of those things.

However, I am a human being, and I write about human beings. There are some grand over-arching commonalities we all face, regardless of age, time period, job, or sexual orientation. Love, separation, deprivation, not belonging, sorrow, loss, joy, hurting – these are things that almost every single person on the planet has experienced, in one way or another.

Pete is fathoms deep in love, and I know what that is like. I can write about that.

Pete misses the love of his life with a bone-deep ache. I know that feeling, too. I can write about that.

Pete’s life as a bomber pilot overseas is that of constant tension and danger – though, thankfully, my experience with it is not as extended as his, I do know about living in states of emergency and what the aftermath of an adrenaline rushes feels like.

Now, there are many other things that I’ve had to research. I’ve chatted with many people about their experiences, and I’ve had to imagine and envision some aspects of this story. But I’d like to think that in the end, readers remember the authenticity of the characters’ emotions.

Contact/Follow the Author at:

Her website http://www.kebelledonne.com, on Facebook at , on Goodreads at  and on Twitter at @kebelledonne.

VBT_TourBookCoverBanner_RightHereWaitingRight Here Waiting Sales Links:   Amazon       Interlude Press  eBook and Paperback

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

Contest: Must be 18 or older to enter.

THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:

K.E. Belledonne will be awarding a $25 Interlude Press GC to a randomly drawn winner and a digital copy of RIGHT HERE WAITING to 10 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

InterludePressLogo_TM_stack-WEBsm

A Stella Review: Renounced (Southwestern Shifters #10) by Bailey Bradford

Rating: 3 stars out of 5 (just cause the sex scenes are really hot)

Renounced Book CoverNothing is as simple as it seems, or as safe.

Dallas Smith just wanted a nap in the hammock but he ends up being abducted by a jaguar shifter named Tiago. They have a distinctly different take on several subjects, and Dallas is shocked to learn just what Tiago really is.

Tiago thinks the wolves in the rainforest are an invasive species that need to leave.

Meanwhile, there’s a threat to the rainforest that no one saw coming. Marcus Criswell has had more losses in the past year or so than he can deal with. He has to, though, because he’s the Alpha Anax of the North American packs. The only reason he’s in South America is because his guard was kidnapped, but now Keegan is safe.

There’s still the matter of the man who tried to abduct Keegan. He can’t go unpunished. Then another shifter goes missing. Dallas, gone from the hammock in a heartbeat.

And on top of that, Maarten is missing.

It just got hotter than hell in Brazil.

Renounced by Bailey Bradford is the 10th book in the Southwestern Shifters series and the 1st I read. I can suggest you start reading this series from book #1, cause you’ll need a lot of background so you can’t lose yourself in the reading, as I did.

Tiago is a jaguar shifters, he lives in the Brazil’s rainforest. He’s keeping an eye of all the wolves that have invaded it, screwing up the ecosystem with drugs, guns fights and crashed planes. He has just one problem: he’s attracted to one of them. He’s never been so attracted to anyone as to this wolf. Maybe he could just have some fun with him and be over this obsession.

Dallas is a wolf shifter, smart and funny, he likes sex (a lot), he isn’t a good fighter but he’s good to please others. He got a hit in the head that messed with his sense of smell, so he can’t go hunting (a drug dealer/kidnapper/murderer) with his pack and decides to rest on a hammock. Here he is “kidnapped” by Tiago.

Dallas is soon attracted to Tiago and when he tries to leave him, Dallas realizes the jaguar is his mate. They can speak telepathically, just how only mates can do. But jaguars don’t have destined mates, they are solitary creatures. Can this two shifters find a common ground to be together? Can Tiago help the wolves find the bad jaguar who’s kidnapping pack members?

So far it seems everything is great. But…

My biggest problem with Renounced is that Dallas and Tiago story isn’t the only one in the book and most of all, I don’t get the feeling it is the main one. Even in series, I’m used to read a story about two MCs with second characters as a support cast. In Renounced each character is a lead actor in his story. We have the lust story between Tiago and Dallas, the love story between Marcus and Nathan, the rescue mission of Maarten. It’s like reading different stories, all at the same time. Just when I was starting to know more about one of them, the writing switches to another story, making each one of them (especially Tiago and Dallas’ one) approximate and incomplete. Honestly I’m not sure I like this writing choice.

For example, since the rescue mission takes a good first part of the book, maybe the author should have found a way to put Tiago and Dallas in it too. He would give use a chance to know this two characters better.

On top of this, the POV shifts between each characters and it confuses me.

Last thing I didn’t like at all (and this is totally a personal taste) was the use of the word tits. I can totally blame the fact that I’m Italian and maybe in English it is a synonym of nipple but in my crazy mind only women have tits. So here I am, reading a really hot sex scene, YES! finally something I liked in this book, the sex is hot as hell and recurrent. Anyway here I am, at that very moment, then I read “tits” and bye bye steamy sex. I couldn’t stop giggle. I read a ton of mm books and I’m almost sure I have never found this word in any of them.

Still, I need to read more about this author, me and this book are not destined mate, but I’m sure I’ll find another one to like.

Cover Art by Posh Gosh I can only say it’s gorgeous, very well done.

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

Book Details:
Southwestern Shifters series #10
Published January 9th 2015 by Totally Bound
ebook, 147 pages
ISBN13 9781784303549

Southwestern Shifters Series:

  • Rescued (Southwestern Shifters, #1)
  • Relentless (Southwestern Shifters, #2)
  • Reckless (Southwestern Shifters, #3)
  • Rendered (Southwestern Shifters #4)
  • Resilience (Southwestern Shifters, #5)
  • Reverence (Southwestern Shifters #6)
  • Revolution (Southwestern Shifters, #7)
  • Revenge (Southwestern Shifters, #8)
  • Reluctance (Southwestern Shifters, #9)
  • Renounced (Southwestern Shifters #10)

 

Side Stories:

  • A Happy Fourth
  • Hearts and Tails

Focusing in On Books: April Kelley’s ‘Whispers of Home

 2AKBanner300x250

Whispers of Home by April Kelley

About April Kelley, including a few questions to get to know Author April Kelley better…

Q Do you have any particular music you listen to while you write?

At the moment, I listen to Sam Smith and the Beatles.

Q Do you prefer tea or coffee?

Coffee

Q Underwear: Sexy or comfortable?

Everything I wear is done so for comfort.

Born and raised 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 a farm full of animals or taking a long walk in the woods.

Where to find the author:

If you wish to contact her please email mailto:authoraprilkelley@gmail.com. You can also find her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/april.ott.12?fref=ts

Publisher: eXtasy Books
Author Name: April Kelley
Cover Artist: Carmen Waters

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books

Blurb:

All Jaron McAllister wanted to do was get out of the small town where he grew up. After being bullied all his life for being gay, that’s exactly what he does. He loses all contact with everyone in the town of Pickleville, including his emotionally distant mother and the only true friend he ever had.

When his best friend and mother of the child they share, get murdered he knows he must ask for help in the one place he thought he would never go back to. Coming back home isn’t easy and finding himself attracted to the town man-slut spells disaster. Travis Heath isn’t at all what his reputation suggests though.
Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

Excerpt:

Jaron had been to the grocery store three times this week. Going only once a week would be grand, but very unlikely to happen apparently. He seriously needed to start making lists every week.

“I want the little man cookies.” Bobby was practically bouncing in the cart, pointing at an elf.

“The fudge ones?”

Bobby nodded his head. Jaron grabbed them off the shelf and placed them in the cart.

“Good choice,” someone spoke from behind Jaron. The voice was deep and made him moan in appreciation. He turned to put a face to that wonderful voice.

It was as if Jaron’s thoughts had conjured him up and placed him right next to the Oreo cookies . Travis Heath got hotter since high school. And taller. When did men stop growing? Jaron was probably at the guys shoulder, but it was hard to tell from down the aisle. Travis Heath’s strawberry blonde hair was longer than it had been in high school and could be seen curling around the cowboy hat he wore.

The two women at the end of the aisle clammed up upon seeing him. Jaron didn’t blame them.

He wouldn’t want to be caught talking shit either.

“I haven’t seen you guys in town before.” His smile was kind but his brown eyes—oh God help him—held mischief, as if the guy was up to something.

Pages or Words: 44,597 words
Tour Dates: February 16, 2015

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Inked Rainbow Reads, Molly Lolly, Love Bytes, Wake Up Your Wild Side, BFD Book Blog, MM Good Book Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Fallen Angel Reviews, Decadent Delights, Cate Ashwood, The Hat Party, Michael Mandrake, Velvet Panic, Kristy’s Brain Food

 

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Whispers of Home’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

A Mika Review: Jackdaw by K.J. Charles

Rating: 5 star out of 5 stars

If you stop running, you fall.

 Jackdaw coverJonah Pastern is a magician, a liar, a windwalker, a professional thief…and for six months, he was the love of police constable Ben Spenser’s life. Until his betrayal left Ben jailed, ruined, alone, and looking for revenge.

 Ben is determined to make Jonah pay. But he can’t seem to forget what they once shared, and Jonah refuses to let him. Soon Ben is entangled in Jonah’s chaotic existence all over again, and they’re running together—from the police, the justiciary, and some dangerous people with a lethal grudge against them.

 Threatened on all sides by betrayals, secrets, and the laws of the land, can they find a way to live and love before the past catches up with them?

This story is set in the world of the Charm of Magpies series.

Warning: Contains a policeman who should know better, a thief who may never learn, Victorian morals, heated encounters, and a very annoyed Stephen Day.

She is on top of her game. K.J. Charles has managed to produce another 5 star read out of herself. I applaud her, because this series & the world-building are so entertaining. I went into this story with a little anxiousness because it wasn’t Day & Crane. I am so happy I didn’t let that stop me. One thing the Magpie Series wasn’t was hurt/comfort. This was hurt/comfort to the extreme and I freaking enjoyed it from beginning to end. I read this in one sitting, and found myself laughing while crying because of her characters. 

Jonah, oh you poor baby. I really enjoyed in him the previous book and his description of the events that landed him where he was today was brilliantly written. He was so sure in this book, arrogant kind of cocky. This book he was super vulnerable and I couldn’t help but to want to save him.

Then there was sweet by the law Ben. Oh goodness I was a sucker from his first word. That first scene reuniting Ben & Jonah had me in tears. Their emotions were super strong and you saw the hurt, and betrayal Ben was talking about, but we also got glimpse of the Love Jonah had for him. 

Of course we had to have Day & Crane, plus the Merrick’s made an appearance and they didn’t disappoint. Crane does it for me, he’s like 17th century Christian Grey with a little bit more sanity and sexiness. I really enjoyed this journey of redemption, forgiveness, love, and endearment between the two guys. I wish K.J. could spend her time writing about these core group of people, I would literally read everything she has produced on the.

Cover Art by Lou Harper.  This cover was beautifully done. As usual the covers to the series are so beautifully printed. I’ve always enjoyed them. Both guys were nicely represented.

Sales Links: Samhain Publishing    All Romance (ARe)       Amazon        Buy It here

Book Details:

ebook, 239 pages
Expected publication: February 17th 2015 by Samhain Publishing
ISBN 161922576X (ISBN13: 9781619225763)

A Sean Michael Guest Blog: I See (writing blind characters) and Love Matters (contest)

lovematters_800magnifying glass and focus

I See, a Look at writing a blind character by Sean Michael

Writing a blind character really makes you think. You can’t use any of the usual cues when you’re writing a section from their point of view. You have to paint the picture for your readers using sounds, tactile sensations, tastes and smells. Then there’s the fact that the character himself doesn’t understand things the same way seeing people do. How do you describe blue to someone who has never seen it?

Learning how to write Trey was paralleled in some ways by Lucien learning how to love him. Lucien couldn’t rely on visual cues to let Trey know what was coming. He would have to remember to talk to Trey, to tell him what was happening, what they would be doing. For instance, instead of picking up a dildo and showing it to Trey, he would have to tell Trey that’s what he was doing, and either describe the dildo, or let Trey ‘see’ it with his fingers, learn the shape of it, feel the texture, etc.

There’s an exchange in Love Matters that deals directly with this kind of thing:

“…Your sunglasses inside give you away more, I think.”

“Yeah. I used to not wear them, but it wigs people out.

Lucien touched the side of Trey’s face. “It doesn’t bother me.”

“Well, I hope not. You get to see my eyes a lot!”

Chuckling, he stroked his fingers along Trey’s skin. “Yeah. I think they’re beautiful. I’ve never seen a blue quite like yours.”

“I imagine blue is cold.”

“It is what they call a cool color.”

“Tell me what it looks like,” Trey demanded.

“Wow. That’s really hard.” He considered it, tried to figure out how to describe it without using sight as a reference. Blue was… It was blue. Then he figured it out. “It looks like how the ocean feels on your skin.”

“Like regular water, but it leaves a little roughness behind from the salt?”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.”

It’s kind of amazing how much we rely on all our senses for massive amounts of input and never even think about it. I really enjoyed the challenge writing Trey gave me.

Sean Michael
smut fixes everything

SeanMichael_LoveMatters_BlogTour_mobile_final

About Love Matters:

For ten years they’ve done things Trey’s way. Now Lucien wants more. He wants to be with his lover full-time. Is Trey ready? Will he ever be?

Ten years after they first met and fell in love, Lucien and Trey are still together—after a fashion. Terrified that he’s going to become entirely dependent on Lucien, Trey calls his lover to come spend four to five days with him whenever he finishes a novel. Lucien wants more, but up until now has been willing to bow to Trey’s wishes.

Finally broaching the idea of seeing each other more often, during Trey’s writing periods, Lucien suggests that they begin to date each other on Friday nights. Trey agrees to the experiment and begins to flourish as Lucien gets him out of the house more—to eat, to swim, to visit the beach.

But can Trey remain faithful to his work ethic, get the job done with his novels and enjoy the distractions and adventures Lucien plans for him? Or will Lucien’s desire to have more break them apart?

Like the sound of Love Matters? Buy it here.

About Sean Michael:

Often referred to as “Space Cowboy” and “Gangsta of Love” while still striving for the moniker of “Maurice,” Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organising his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and pursuing the kama sutra by channelling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to “Chicago”.

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He’ll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.

 

 

Excerpt from Love Matters:

Lucien watched, utterly fascinated by Trey. There was such an unconscious grace in the slender boy, in each of Trey’s movements.

He circled Trey’s belly, watching the muscles jerk and flex beneath his fingertips.

A pink flush climbed up Trey’s cheeks. “Good.”

“I…” Trey couldn’t argue with that. Trey would be lying after all, if he did.

The rests of the excerpt is NSFW-by clicking on the link you certify you are 18 years of age or older…

 SeanMichael_LoveMatters_600x315_final

Follow Sean’s blog tour to read more! The seven stops will all be running on from one another, so check out all seven to get a real insight into the book!

Check out Totally Bound’s competition for the chance to win a copy of Love Matters as well as three books from Sean Michael’s backlist.

 

http://www.totallybound.com/index.php?route=information/competition&competition_id=57&embed=1

Here’s A Valentine for You From Toni Griffin~ A Very Holland Valentine! (book tour and contest)

 books-hearts_00333343A Very Holland Valentine (Holland Brothers #6) by Toni Griffin
Release Date: February 14, 2015

AVHV-TG4x6

Author Toni Griffin Bio:

Toni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia’s capital cities. Born and raised in the state she’s a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated english with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers. 

Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.griffin.author
Website: http://www.tonigriffin.net/
E-mail: info(at)tonigriffin.net
https://twitter.com/MischiefCorner

Publisher: Mischief Corner Books
Cover Artist: Freddy MacKay

Sales Links:

TGRC

More About “A Very Holland Valentine”…

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and with it the completion of the renovations to their home. None could be happier about this then Zack who can’t wait to get away from Maryanne and all her fussing.

Plans are being finalised for all four couples for the happy day. However, sleezy tradies, an over protective mother-in-law and unexpected complications throw spanners in the works.
Categories: Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, wolf shifters

Pages or Words: 24,000 words

A Very Holland Valentine Excerpt:

Simon sat at his desk, looking over yet another financial report. The numbers were swimming on the screen, all blurring into one large incomprehensible blob. He pushed back from his desk and rubbed his eyes. They were watering from staring at his computer for so long.

He stood and walked to the window. The view wasn’t anything breathtaking, but Simon still loved it anyway. He was on the first floor and he could see the town he loved from his window.

His mind wasn’t on his work. Rarely had been since he’d found out he was going to be a father. Yes, he was already a dad. He loved Hayley with all his heart and treated her as if she were his own. But the utter joy he’d felt the morning they discovered Zack was carrying had stayed with him all this time, even seven weeks later.

Dr. Owens had examined Zack and let them know that he was due to deliver at the end of February. Only four weeks away and Simon couldn’t wait. He’d missed out on Hayley’s early years, and after watching his brothers with their children, Simon really couldn’t wait to hold his son or daughter. He was even looking forward to the midnight feedings and the dirty diapers.

He checked his watch. Seeing it was coming up for four in the afternoon, Simon decided to call it a day. He didn’t usually leave that early, but there was nothing in his tray that couldn’t wait for tomorrow, and frankly, he couldn’t concentrate.

Simon wanted to see his mate.

Zack was stunning all swollen with his child. Zack might not think so, but Simon did. The knowledge that he had filled his mate with his seed and they had created life together struck at the heart of Simon. He wanted to growl with pride every time he laid eyes on the love of his life. He didn’t think the rest of his family would appreciate it, though, so kept his triumphant growls to himself.

Simon packed away his paperwork and shut down his computer. He pocketed his phone and grabbed his car keys. On his way out, he stopped at his personal assistant’s desk.

“Mara, I’m taking the rest of the afternoon off.”

Mara looked up from the papers she was reading through. “Everything okay, boss?” She eyed him quizzically.

He couldn’t blame her, he didn’t often leave early. Although since Hayley and Zack had come into his life, he no longer stayed late well after everyone else had left like he used to.

“Everything’s fine. Just having some trouble concentrating and my eyes are starting to hurt.”

Simon smiled. He couldn’t exactly tell her that he wanted to get home to his pregnant mate and see how the man was doing. “Figured I’d call it a day and come back tomorrow refreshed and ready for a new day.”

“See you in the morning, then.”

“Bye.”

Simon felt better just walking out of work. The fact that he would soon get to see Zack was a major factor in his cheerfulness. He decided to stop at the local bakery on the way home and pick up one of the lemon meringue pies Zack loved. Both Hayley and Simon enjoyed them as well, but watching Zack eat a piece was nothing short of erotic. Simon would have to make sure there was some left over and feed it to his mate in bed tonight once Hayley was asleep.

He could picture the way Zack would dart his tongue out to lick the fork, making sure he gathered every last morsel of cake. The quiet moan that would work its way out of Zack’s lips as he savoured the sweet and tangy pie. The sight of his throat working as he swallowed. Fuck! Simon reached down to discreetly adjust his suddenly hard and aching prick as he walked down the street toward the bakery. He couldn’t wait to get home and get his mate alone in bed.

Living under his mum and dad’s roof again after so many years had been a major adjustment, especially because he now had Zack with him. He’d never really thought about the logistics of making love to his mate. The windows of the house were opened during the night to let the cool breeze through. They used fans as well, but they didn’t make much noise. There was no way in hell he wanted his folks to hear him having sex, so they had to keep things very sedate and quiet.

Simon missed pounding his mate into the mattress. They had tried that the night after they’d moved in and found the bed squeaked outrageously. Zack had turned the most adorable shade of red and put a stop to their actions almost immediately.

Not that Simon was complaining. He loved his mate any way he could get him. With Zack’s girth increasing steadily over the last month, things had slowed down even further. The last thing Simon wanted to do was hurt his mate or their cub in any way. Zack kept telling him that he wouldn’t hurt them, but Simon preferred to err on the side of caution.

Tonight would be an exercise in restraint for him, but he didn’t care. His mate deserved a treat. He knew his mother was more than likely driving his poor mate up the wall. Simon could remember what it was like when they were growing up and one of them was injured in any way. The woman turned into the world’s biggest mother hen. Now she had one of her sons-in-law living under her roof and pregnant with another of her grandcubs. Simon shuddered to think what she was like.


TGBadgeTour Dates: February 16, 2015

Parker Williams, My Fiction Nook, Molly Lolly, Kristy’s Brain Food, Bayou Book Junkie, Cate Ashwood, BFD Book Blog, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Blogger Girls, Divine Magazine, MM Good Book Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Angel Martinez, Wicked Wolves and Dreaming Dragons, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Fallen Angel Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, All I Want and More Books, Inked Rainbow Reads, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Bike Book Reviews, 

(Publishing on February 17) Multitasking Mommas

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $10 Amazon Gift Card and 2 copies of A Very Holland Valentine. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway