In The Spotlight: Served Hot (Portland Heat #1) by Annabeth Albert (excerpt and contest)

STRW In The Spotlight Header

AABanner300x2502
Served Hot (Portland Heat #1)
by Annabeth Albert
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Goodreads Link

A Few Questions for Annabeth Albert

Question: What’s in your nightstand you don’t want anyone to see?
Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups.

Question: What’s your favorite meal?
Garlic Chicken Noodles at my favorite Thai place.

Hint:  Answers May Be Needed As Part of a Tour Contest!

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About Author Annabeth Albert

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency

Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert
Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbertauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert

Publisher: Kensington Publishing/Lyrical Press
Cover Artist: Kensington Art Department

Sales:  Amazon   Barnes and Noble

STRW Author BookSynopsis

About Served Hot…

In Portland, Oregon, the only thing hotter than the coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are the hard-working men who serve it up—hot, fresh, and ready to go—with no reservations…

Robby is a self-employed barista with a busy coffee cart, a warm smile, and a major crush on one of his customers. David is a handsome finance director who works nearby, eats lunch by himself, and expects nothing but “the usual”—small vanilla latte—from the cute guy in the cart. But when David shows up for his first Portland Pride festival, Robby works up the nerve to take their slow-brewing relationship to the next level. David, however, is newly out and single, still grieving the loss of his longtime lover, and unsure if he’s ready to date again. Yet with every fresh latte, sweet exchange—and near hook-up—David and Robby go from simmering to steaming to piping hot. The question is: Will someone get burned?

First in the new Portland Heat series!

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

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt
A little idea niggled at my brain—like an evil elf had tapped me on the shoulder. “You know, if you give me your card, I could call you if you leave your wallet behind again.”

There. His cheeks went dusky pink. I finally got a blush out of him, but hell if I could decipher what it meant. I could predict people’s taste in coffee, down to preferred syrup flavor, but I still sucked at decoding anything as complex as human emotions.Served Hot cover

“Ah. Um.” He did the nervous cough thing again.

“Never mind.” I wiped my hands on my apron. “I’d better get back.”

“Wait.” He opened the wallet, plucked out a white card with a blue logo, and offered it to me. His broad fingers brushed mine again as he handed it over. Another barely there touch, but I felt the charge all the way down my spine, like I’d chugged a triple shot.

My breath tripped with wishing he’d add a “call me anytime.” Brian would have. But David just stood there silently. Straighter than the Fremont Bridge and denser than a concrete pylon.

Pages or Words: 30,000 words

served hot teaser kiss

Tour Dates: March 3, 2015

Tour Stops: 

Parker Williams, 3 Chicks After Dark, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, BFD Book Blog, Charley Descoteaux, Inked Rainbow Reads, MM Good Book Reviews, Andrew Q. Gordon, Hearts on Fire, Love Bytes, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, Prism Book Alliance, Queer Town Abbey, Christy Loves 2 Read, Emotion in Motion, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Cate Ashwood, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Up All Night, Read All Day, Multitasking Mommas, Cathy Brockman Romances, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Fallen Angel Reviews, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Velvet Panic, My Fiction Nook, Foxylutely Book Reviews, The Hat Party

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $20 Amazon or Starbuck’s Gift Card of the Winner’s Choice. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prizes provided by Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

In the Spotlight: Hammer and Bone by Kirby Crow

STRW In The Spotlight Header

Hammer and Bone by Kirby Crow
Published by Riptide Publishing
Cover by: Kirby Crow
Roberto Quintero

Hammer and Bone cover

 If that amazing cover isn’t enough to draw you in, check out the synopsis below!  

STRW Author BookSynopsis

 

About Hammer and Bone

The purest evil lives in the hearts of men.

Carnival mystics. Zombie tribes. Bad magic in the Bayou. Mage-princes, alien cities, and soul-stealing priests. The grim monsters in the worlds of these dark, speculative tales are true horrors, but it’s the people you should fear the most.

People like Michel, a boy pining for his best friend, Ray. But a presence in the swamp calls Michel to avenge another lost love, and he must decide which summons to answer. Or Angelo, a prescient cop who denies his visions until they endanger the man he loves. Or Bellew, an overseer in a shantytown of criminals sheltering a revenant and feeding it from their ranks.

From ruined lands of steam and iron, to haunted Southern forests, to brutal city streets where hope and damnation flow from the same spring, only a few stubborn souls possess the heart to challenge evil on its own terms. Some wield magic, some turn to rage or even love, but the ones left standing will survive only if they find the courage to carve their own paths to freedom.

Even if it means carving through flesh.

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About the Author

Kirby Crow is an American writer born and raised in the Deep South. She is a winner of the EPIC Award and the Rainbow Award, and is the author of the bestselling “Scarlet and the White Wolf” series of fantasy novels. Kirby and her husband and their son share an old, lopsided house in the Blue Ridge with a cat. Always a cat.

Her published novels are:

Prisoner of the Raven (historical romance)
Scarlet and the White Wolf: The Pedlar and the Bandit King (New Adult fantasy, m/m, Torquere Press)
Scarlet and the White Wolf: Mariner’s Luck (New Adult fantasy, m/m, Torquere Press)
Scarlet and the White Wolf: The Land of Night (New Adult fantasy, m/m, Torquere Press)
Angels of the Deep
 (paranormal/horror)

Circuit Theory (novella, scifi, Riptide)
Coming Soon:


Malachite (speculative m/m, New Adult, 2015)
Poison Apples (collection, dark fantasy, m/m, 2015)
Scarlet and the White Wolf 4 
(New Adult fantasy, m/m, 2015)

For upcoming news of her future novels, visit her website at http://KirbyCrow.com

Book Details:

ebook, 250 pages
Published March 2nd 2015 by Riptide Publishing (first published February 28th 2015)
ISBN139781626492042
edition languageEnglish
Sales Link:  Riptide Publishing

In the Book Spotlight: Oliver (Whitedell Pride #6) by Catherine Lievens

Oliver (Whitedell Pride #6) by Catherine Lievens
Release Date: March 1, 2015
Goodreads Link

OBanner300x250

 

Author Catherine Lievens

Catherine lives in Italy, country of good food and hot men. She used to write fantasy as a child, but it was reading her first gay erotic romance novel that made her realize that that was what she really wanted to write.

After graduating from college in English language and translation, she divides her day between writing, reading, taking care of her son and reading some more.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.lievens.9
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorCLievens
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/catherine200405/
Other: https://authorcatherinelievens.wordpress.com/

Publisher: Latrisha Waters
Cover Artist: eXtasy Books

Sales Links: eXtasy Books

STRW Author BookSynopsis

 

About Oliver…

What matters is not what you are, but who you are.

oliver72Oliver is human, or at least he was until the Glass Research Company kidnapped him and experimented on him. Now he has a bear sharing his mind, but he’s not able to shift, and he’s confused. Is he a shifter, or a human? What’s worse, he’s getting sicker every day, and no one seems to know how to help him. He can’t even bond with his mate because he doesn’t want Sebastian to hurt if something happens to him.

Sebastian wants his mate to be cured, and the only way to do that is to go to New York and kidnap one of the company’s scientist. With the help of his pride brothers, he manages to do just that, but having Oliver cured doesn’t mean all their problems are over.

Oliver will have to deal with learning how to shift and trying to convince Sebastian that he’s fine and that he can be claimed, but once he manages to do that, other problems arise. Will the two lovers finally have the time to just be together, or will the pressure push them apart?

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

 

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

Shit. Shit, shit, shit! Oliver didn’t know what had happened or how to solve this. Well, he knew what had happened. He had shifted for the very first time, but did he really have to do it while naked in bed with Sebastian? Even more so, did it really have to be like, seconds after they had just made love and claimed each other?

If Sebastian hadn’t been so quick to move away, Oliver would have shifted while…ugh, he didn’t even want to think about it!

“Uh, love? Careful with those claws, okay?”

Oliver realized that he had been digging into the mattress so he awkwardly tried to get his claws out of the fabric, but it seemed that every move he made, he managed to just rip it apart a little more. He was scared to move, but he could hear the bed creaking. It wasn’t exactly made to host a fully grown bear plus his mate, even if Sebastian was in human form.

Pages or Words: 37,854 words

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest:  Enter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Use the Rafflecopter code provided by Pride Promotions below to enter and for all additional contest details.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

OBannerTemplate

Tour Dates: March 2, 2015

Tour Stops:

Parker Williams, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Molly Lolly, Inked Rainbow Reads, Wicked Wolves and Dreaming Dragons, Bayou Book Junkie, For the Love of Bookends, Bike Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, 

Kimi-Chan, Fallen Angel Reviews, Cate Ashwood, My Fiction Nook, BFD Book Blog, My Fiction Nook, Velvet Panic

 

Heading Into March and This Week’s Schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

We are heading into March and this week holds many wonderful things for all of you.  The Pulp Friction Gang is back and talking about this year’s series which is located in New Orleans and set within Laura Harner and T.A. Webb’s Altered States universe of supernatural beings and events.  If you are thinking vampires, werewolves and ghosts you would be right. I will be reviewing the Altered States books all week to lead up to the first in the Pulp Friction series story !  Stay turned for more developments!

Here is our schedule this week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Splat coverOpening Day coverSong of the NavigatorStones in the Road cover

Monday, March 2:

  • Extended book blast ‘Oliver‘ by Catherine Lievens (Lion and Bear shifters….oh my!) (contest)
  • A Paul B Review:  Ansleigh’s Grotto by JT Cheyanne
  • A MelanieM Review: Splat by Anna Ankh
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Lights! Camera! Cupid! A Bluewater Bay Valentine’s Day Anthology

Tuesday, March 3:

  • In the Spotlight:  Annabeth Albert ‘Served Hot’ (contest)
  • A Stella Review: A Stone in the Road by Nick Wilgus
  • A BJ Review: Song of the Navigator by Astrid Amara
  • A MelanieM Review: Stolen Dreams by Sue Brown

Wednesday, March 4:

  • Opening Day by Alexis Woods‏ Book Tour and Author Interview
  • It Over by Hurri Cosmo Tour and contest
  • Catherine L. Byrne’s Some Other Freedom Tour and Contest
  • The Pulp Friction Gang is Here, And Its All About Pulp Friction 2015!
  • A MelanieM Review: Deep Blues Goodbye (Altered States, #1) by Laura Harner and T.A. Webb

Thursday, March 5:

  • On Tour With BA Tortuga’s Ever The Same exclusive excerpt tour and contest
  • Lissa Kasey’s Inheritance Book Tour and Contest
  • A Sammy Review: True Brit by Con Riley
  • A Paul B Review: Layne, River & Damion by Vicktor Alexander (Storming Love: Blizzard #4)
  • A MelanieM Review: Deadly Shades of Gold (Altered States, #2) by Laura Harner and TA Webb

Friday, March 6:

  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Rules to Live By – A BDSM Anthology
  • A MelanieM Review: Road Trip by A.F. Henley
  • MelanieM Review: Free Falling Crimson (Altered States, #3) by Laura Harner and T.A. Webb
  • A Stella Review: Shaken Up by Nicole Forcine

Saturday, March 7:

  • A Stella Review: Lucky Seven by E.L. Esch

someotherfreedom72 (2)Lucky Seven book coverShaken Up coverLights! Camera! Cupid! cover

 

 

 

In Our Book Spotlight: Best Chance (More Than Friends #6) by Aria Grace

STRW In The Spotlight Header

BCBanner300x250

Best Chance (More Than Friends # 6) by Aria Grace
Release Date: February 28, 2015
Goodreads Link

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Author Aria Grace Bio:

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Aria enjoys the year round sunshine and laid back environment of the west coast. She lives with her husband and two children on a quiet hill that gives her lots of time to read and write. Her first series was a semi-traditional look at sexy gigs found online. She has now ventured into the exciting M/M world of gay erotica. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to drop her a note or visit her at http://www.ariagracebooks.com.

Where to find the author:

Facebook
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: @ariagracebooks
Pinterest

 

BCBannerTemplate

Publisher: Surrendered Press
Cover Artist: Kris Kendall

Sales Links:  Amazon

STRW Author BookSynopsis

BC_400

About Best Chance…

Vinnie is happy as a bartender at Ray’s and not looking for anything serious to complicate his life. He has great friends and a simple life. When Chance comes into his bar, he brings more than just memories of the summer they spent together in high school. The widower has a fifteen month old son that could change everything for Vinnie, if he’s willing to take the chance.

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

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

 

“It’s not exactly the penthouse, but it’s home.” I reach back for Chance’s wrist and tug him in behind me.

“I didn’t come here for the amenities,” he says, resting his hand on my hip and squeezing.

“No?” I turn so his arm is wrapped around my waist. “What did you come for?”

My face is inches from his. His warm breath washes over me as I stare into those desperate eyes.

“This.” Chance’s eyes drop to my mouth as his head tilts and he leans into me. As soon as his full lips close over mine, I want to sing. I instinctively open my mouth to accept his tongue as it lightly brushes over mine. We aren’t tentative kids anymore. We’ve both had time to perfect our techniques over the years so by the time I drag Chance into my room, I’ve touched every space in his mouth that I can reach.

Our hands aren’t left idle as we tug on clothes and pull down zippers until we’re both naked and panting on my bed.

“God, I’ve missed you, Vin,” Chance says against my chest as he drops kisses on my skin.

Pages or Words: 30,000 words

Tour Dates: February 28, 2015

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Bayou Book Junkie, Cate Ashwood, 3 Chicks After Dark, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, MM Good Book Reviews, Lee Brazil, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Hearts on Fire, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Andrew Q. Gordon, My Fiction Nook, BFD Book Blog, Up All Night, Read All Day, Gaylist Book Reviews, Carly’s Book Reviews, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Divine Magazine, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Foxylutely Book Reviews, The Hat Party, Because Two Men Are Better Than One 

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: signed paperback of Best Chance and $25 gift card to Amazon or iTunes. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visiting with Silvia Violet on her latest Novel, Burning Up (Fitting In #3) (contest included)

magnifying glass and focus

Burning Up (Fitting In #3) by Silvia Violet
Release Date: February 18, 2015
Goodreads Link

BUMRC

Silvia Violet Bio:

Silvia Violet writes erotic romance in a variety of genres including paranormal, contemporary, sci fi, and historical. She can be found haunting coffee shops looking for the darkest, strongest cup of coffee she can find. Once equipped with the needed fuel, she can happily sit for hours pounding away at her laptop. Silvia typically leaves home disguised as a suburban stay-at-home-mom, and other coffee shop patrons tend to ask her hilarious questions like “Do you write children’s books?” She loves watching the looks on their faces when they learn what she’s actually up to. When not writing, Silvia enjoys baking sinfully delicious treats, exploring new styles of cooking, and reading to her incorrigible offspring.

Where to find the author:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Silvia_Violet
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/silviaviolet

Burning Up 600x900

Burning Up:

Bryce has been a firefighter for ten years, but when a horrific house fire leaves him reeling, he moves to a new city, hoping to shove those memories behind him. As he adjusts to his new station, Bryce keeps to himself until Matt and Toby, two hot young men in his unit, throw temptation in his path. Bryce knows better than to mess around with men he works with, especially two newbies who are in the closet. But after a difficult day, Matt and Toby offer him compassion and friendship, which slips so easily into sex Bryce finds the combination irresistible.

Matt and Toby want to expand their relationship to include a third, and they’ve set their sights on their sexy bear of a lieutenant. Their first night together is a scorcher, and, more than that, it feels right, to all of them. But since Bryce refuses to hide who he is, and dating men on his shift is against the rules, all three men are going to have to make some tough choices if they want to stay together.

Categories: BDSM, Contemporary, Menage/Poly, M/M Romance, Firefighters, Romance

Sales Links: Amazon All Romance (ARe) Smashwords

 Burning Up Excerpt:

“They’re watching you again,” Mason spoke in a low voice as he whizzed past Bryce, carrying drinks to the opposite end of the bar.

“You’re imagining things again.” Ever since Mason swore that Toby and Matt, who’d become regulars at the bar after Bryce started working there, were gay and interested in Bryce, he’d been teasing Bryce about their interest.

Bryce told himself not to look, but he couldn’t help glancing toward the corner booth where they always preferred to sit before going back to wiping down the bar. Did they sit there because it gave them a good view of the bar? Bryce scowled. No way in hell were his hands shaking. No way in hell was he letting himself get his hopes up. Even if they were gay, even if they were interested in him, starting something with two guys from work would be the pinnacle of idiocy. Hell, getting involved with more than one guy was insane from the start. Just because Mason and his boyfriends had made a threesome work didn’t make it realistic for Bryce. There was an exception to every rule.

“You’re wrong,” Bryce said as he passed Mason on his way to take a customer’s order.

Mason snorted in reply.

Bryce was glad to see the bar was filling up. He did not need to spend the next hour telling himself not to look at Toby and Matt. He did plenty of that at the firehouse. Toby’s smile could heat up and entire room and Bryce never wanted to look away from it, unless it was to contemplate running his hands through Matt’s wavy brown hair while staring into his dark eyes.

But if Mason was right and they were gay, maybe they really were lovers. If so, he had no business approaching them, whether they were watching him or not. Just because they liked to look didn’t mean they wanted to play. They didn’t need him fucking up whatever they had going.

Plus, they worked together. They were a team, with people’s lives on the line.

The line at the bar grew long, and Bryce got busy taking orders, making drinks, and ringing people up at the register. When things finally slowed down, he needed a bathroom break. As he headed to the back, he noticed Matt and Toby playing pool with a couple of guys he recognized as regulars. Toby waved and he waved back, hating the way his pulse accelerated. What the hell was wrong with him?

He pushed open the door of the restroom but failed to check his instinct to glance back over his shoulder. Toby’s eyes were glued to his ass. There was no doubt about it this time. He whirled back around before their gazes had a chance to meet.

So Toby wasn’t straight. Bryce had to admit that now. He was gay or at least bi, but he was just appreciating the scenery. That didn’t mean anything. Bryce appreciated guys’ asses all the time.

When Bryce left the bathroom, Toby and Matt were leaning in close, talking, arguing actually based on the angry expressions on their faces. Bryce hurried back to work, glad he didn’t have to decide whether to speak to them or not. Several minutes later, Toby appeared at the bar. Mason, the little bastard, wasn’t busy, but he made no move to take Toby’s order.

“What can I get you?” Bryce asked.

“Just cashing out our tab.” Our? Maybe Toby was just buying that night.

“Sure.” Bryce looked Toby’s name up in the register, ran his card, and handed him the receipt to sign.

“Thanks,” Toby said, flashing a smile that made his eyes twinkle. How was it that he made that single word sound flirtatious? Bryce was supposed to be the one who flirted, the one in control of a situation, but despite Toby being so much younger, Bryce ended up flustered every time they spoke.

Pages or Words: 45,000 Words

Tour Dates/Stops:BUMBadge

23-Feb

Inked Rainbow Reads

Kimi-Chan

Christy Loves 2 Read

Amanda C. Stone

24-Feb

Hearts on Fire

Velvet Panic

Nephylim

Rainbow Gold Reviews

25-Feb

Iyana Jenna

Prism Book Alliance

Cathy Brockman Romances

The Novel Approach

26-Feb

Molly Lolly

Parker Williams

Cate Ashwood

27-Feb

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

BFD Book Blog

Love Bytes

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

Emotion in Motion

As The Pages Turn

MM Good Book Reviews 

 

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $25 Gift card to Amazon or AllRomance. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Our Book Spotlight: Palace Dog by R. E. Nelson

Palace Dog by R. E. Nelson
Goodreads Link: February 27, 2015
Final--Palace Dog

R. E. Nelsen is here today, a author new to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.  They’re here to talk about Palace Dog, a new  novel to be released February 27th by Dreamspinner Press.  Check out Nelson’s bio, and the synopsis and excerpt we have for you all today, along with a contest to enter.  And look out for an upcoming review…

Author R. E. Nelson Bio:

R.E. Nelson was born in Texas and raised in Southern California. He has been writing for as long as he can remember. One of his earliest recollections related to writing is winning an essay contest in sixth grade–something patriotic about the American flag. When he travels, his preference is staying in select areas for an extended period of time and learning about that place. He has lived in both Vietnam (twice, actually) and Saudi Arabia, and also spent time in Egypt, South Korea, Shanghai (his only China visit thus far), and Dubai. Now he is happy to call San Francisco home.

And now for something a little different. At each stop, a new question for R. E. Nelson, a broken interview as it were.  Our question?  Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words:– What was the last Halloween costume you wore?  Nelson’s answer? An Arab thobe –  Note: The Thobe is a traditional garment worn throughout the Middle East.

Where to find the author:    Twitter: @RENelson13

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press eBook & Paperback

STRW Author BookSynopsis

About Palace Dog…

In April 1975, as the government in Saigon is falling, Michael Andrews prepares to make his way back to Vietnam to find the love he was forced to leave. 

But Michael’s journey begins four years earlier. He joins the Air Force to keep out of the Army and out of Vietnam, but his first assignment is teaching English in Saigon to members of the Vietnamese military in an Army program called Palace Dog. 

As an artist, and a man, before his time in Vietnam, Michael found life lonely and unsatisfying. In the midst of war, Michael searches for direction and meaning. He ultimately finds love and hope with Thao, a young Vietnamese art student, only to have their already uncertain future wrenched from them when he is pulled out of the country. 

For Michael, his return in 1975 is inevitable and without question, though the outcome he hopes for is anything but assured.

Categories: Gay Fiction, Historical, M/M Romance

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

The cyclo had bumped across the bridge, following the curve in the road, then moved quickly down the final straight stretch, past houses and shops, past rows of trees and walls and occasional open spaces, past vendors who lined the street’s edge selling gasoline in glass bottles. Motorcycles, Lambretta mini-buses packed with people, cream-and-blue Renault taxis, pedestrians with baskets and boxes—all crowded the street. Noises, smells, and smoke came from everywhere, and as the driver increased his speed, I smiled, gripping the metal frame tighter and pushing slightly with my feet as the moist wind rushed around me.

Speeding through the streets of Saigon, wearing the green Air Force-issued jungle fatigues, my life of a year ago seemed unreal.
Pages or Words: 206 pages




STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest:  Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Palace Dog’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Prize  notifications by Pride Promotions. PDBannerTemplate

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

PDBanner300x250

Tour Dates: February 27, 2015

Tour Stops:

Parker Williams, Inked Rainbow Reads, MM Good Book Reviews, Divine Magazine, Bayou Book Junkie, Molly Lolly, Cate Ashwood, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Charley Descoteaux, My Fiction Nook, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Elin Gregory, The Hat Party, Wicked Wolves and Dreaming Dragons, EE Montgomery, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Lee Brazil, Rebecca Cohen Writes, Rainbow Gold Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, BFD Book Blog, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Andrew Q. Gordon, Velvet Panic, Fallen Angel Reviews, Kimi-Chan, Full Moon Dreaming

 

On Tour with Ansleigh’s Grotto by JT Cheyanne (contest)

ag-640

Synopsis

Dylan Matthews lives in a world of fantasy. As a video game designer, there are no limits on how far or wide his imagination could stretch. He loves his work and excels at bringing the visions in his head to a game console. The luck of his Irish heritage seems to touch him when his prototype Zombie ApoXalypse is bought days after he inherits a mansion in the heart of the Appalachian mountains. Life is indeed magical.

Ansleigh has waited centuries for one man, only to find him and then lose him due to his own inability to trust in their burgeoning love. The magick of Mother Earth flows within him and through him allowing him to nourish the Grotto where he makes his home. Yet, he yearns for the male that nurtures his soul. When the whims of Fate bring his Cosantoir back into his life, does he have the courage to accept his heritage?

AG Cover

 

 

As the fantasies in his head become reality and the monsters of nightmares crawl through the forest, can Dylan forgive broken promises to protect the Croi? There is no pause button when the Fae and human worlds collide. Will Dylan have what it takes to master the maze and win Ansleighís freedom?

Excerpt

Moonlight streamed through the leaf canopy. Silence met his ears. No animal noises skittered through the underbrush, even the leaves seemed frozen as if in anticipation. Was someone out there? He spun on his heel slowly. Something about this place tugged at him. There was something he was missing, but what?

“Hello?” He called, feeling foolish. When no answer came back, he rolled his eyes, shrugged at his own silliness and turned back in the direction of the house.

“Are you looking for someone in particular?” The low melodious voice stopped him in his tracks. Discreetly, Dylan pinched himself and the sharp sting confirmed he was definitely awake and someone had just spoken to him in the middle of the forest. Slowly, he twisted back around. The eyes from the earlier fleeting memory captured him. The ache in his chest intensified as they stared at each other.

His memory had been dead on about the eyes. They were so blue they seemed to glow in the moonlight. Laugh lines bracketed them and slim eyebrows arched perfectly above them. Cheekbones any male model would appreciate gave way to lean cheeks. His face was longish with a squared, firm jaw. Full lips curved into a half smile. Reddish brown dark hair fell past his shoulders and brushed the top of his ass.

The bare chest gave Dylan pause; beautifully sculpted muscle and lots of bare tan skin. Broad shoulders topped smooth and well defined pecs, a perfect six pack and the most magnificent oblique vee he’d seen in a long time. Bare feet peeked from beneath loose fitting cotton pants. Dylan’s body stirred. The man’s head tilted to the side just a fraction, but enough to pull Dylan’s gaze back up. He’d guess six-four or six-five. The man had asked a question. Dylan’s brain slowly kicked into gear.

“Uh, no. Just taking a walk. I thought someone…” was watching me. He didn’t finish the sentence aloud. “Are you lost? The National Park is in the other direction.” The intense gaze didn’t falter, but Dylan swore a pained look crossed the other man’s face.

“How have you been, Dylan? It’s been a long time.” While the voice seemed to sink inside of his skin and soothe, the use of his name set off all kinds of alarms.

“I’ve been…how do you know my name? Have we met before?” Dylan took a step back. Of course they’d met. He remembered the guy’s eyes, the hair. “Do you work up at the house?”

He’d been there for two days; albeit, stuck in his room most all of that time. Maybe he’d passed the room where Dylan was working. “You seem familiar.”

Buy Links

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SPHC5OE/

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00SPHC5OE/

Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00SPHC5OE/

Barned & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ansleighs-grotto-jt-cheyanne/1121152861?ean=2940046551877

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ansleighs-grotto/id963959627?mt=11

Giveaway

4 ecopies of Ansleigh’s Grotto by JT Cheyanne.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Contest and link provided by Eyes On Books tour.  Prizes will be awarded by them.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author

100#1 Best Selling Author of Grand Slam, J.T. Cheyanne is a genre crosser who writes romance and paranormal in the m/m and m/f genres. J.T. Cheyanne resides in the beautiful state of Alabama. J.T. lives with her two sons and daughter. An avid reader since fourth grade, she has only just started writing her own stories. She also has several works published with her co-author, V.L. Moon.

Social Links

Release Day Quickie! Mnevermind 3: Life is Awesome by Jordan Castillo Price

It’s  Release Day for Jordan Castillo Price!

Life is Awesome-1

 

 

The highly anticipated third and final book in the Mnevermind Trilogy is now available! Mnevermind 3: Life is Awesome by Jordan Castillo Price.

About the Author:

Author and artist Jordan Castillo Price is the owner of JCP Books LLC. Her paranormal thrillers are colored by her time in the midwest, from inner city Chicago, to small town Wisconsin, to liberal Madison.

Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who’s plagued by ghostly visitations. Also check out her new series, Mnevermind, where memories are made…one client at a time.

With her education in fine arts and practical experience as a graphic designer, Jordan set out to create high quality ebooks with lavish cover art, quality editing and gripping content. The result is JCP Books, offering stories you’ll want to read again and again.  You can find her at Goodreads Author Page or her website.

About the Book!

This mind-bending trilogy follows Daniel Schroeder, an expert in the cutting edge field of recreational memory called mnemography. His independent shop on the south side of Madison was the hottest memory palace in town, until one day something went horribly wrong….

Sales Links:  Amazon  ITunes  Kobo Life is Awesome-1

Series Information (3 books) here at Goodreads.

 

LIFE IS AWESOME …

I headed for the kitchenette—it was crucial that I got to the coffee maker before the rest of the staff. I’m not sure why, but my aunt made terrible coffee. Two ingredients: water and ground coffee, and still, hers tasted like mud. I was busy ruminating over the notion that Big Dan thought I would actually sell out to Recollections when I turned to grab the carafe, and nearly had a heart attack. Elijah was splayed up against the kitchenette window, pressed up against the dingy pane so hard, his palms, fingertips and nose were all flattened against the glass.

When I think about Elijah, his spectrum disorder isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. But then I see him…and he does something.

A normal person would’ve knocked on the door, or maybe called my cell.

Normal. Or, more accurately, neurotypical. I supposed that was the technical term I wanted.

The more I tried not to notice how weird he was, the more it hit me over the head. Then I felt guilty for the way my heart sank when I saw Elijah pressed there like a bug on a slide. Talk about being an ingrate. Who cared about his lack of even the most basic social skills? This was the guy I was trusting to help me clean up my mess—the only one who seemed to have any grasp at all on the scope of the persistent mnem and the potential for fixing it. I forced myself to look at him and act natural…not that I knew if the way I acted even registered with him. “Hi,” I called out.

“Hello.” The muffled word fogged the glass.

“Go ’round back.” I gestured with broad arm sweeps and pointing. “I’ll let you in.”

I met him at the back door. A blast of frigid Wisconsin air hit me when I let him inside. “Be careful what you touch. If it was any colder out, you’d stick.”

“No. Thermal conductivity would be an issue with metal. Not glass.”

So much for lightening the mood with a little humor. The awkwardness was thick enough to cut with a fork. Still, it seemed important to treat him like any other guy I might be dating. “Can I kiss you?”

“You don’t need to ask.” Part of me enjoyed the way he leaned in for the kiss this time, instead of waiting for me to come to him. Part of me noticed he tasted like window.

In the Book Spotlight: The Librarian by Lee Brazil (tour, excerpt and contest)

 magnifying glass and bookThe Librarian by Lee Brazil
Re-release February 24, 2015

LBRC

Author Lee Brazil Bio:

Somewhere in a small town in up-state New York are a librarian and a second grade teacher to whom I owe my life. That might be a touch dramatic, but it’s nevertheless one hundred percent true.

Because they taught me the joy of reading, of escaping into worlds crafted of words.
Have you ever been nine years old and sure of nothing so much as that you don’t belong? Looked at the world from behind glasses, and wondered why you don’t fit?

Someone hands you a book, and then you turn the page and see… There you are, running from Injun Joe in a dark graveyard; there you are fencing with Athos; there you are…beneath the deep blue sea- marveling at exotic creatures with Captain Nemo.

I found myself between the pages of books, and that is why I write now. It’s why I taught English and literature for so many years, and it’s why my house contains more pounds of books than furniture.

If I’d had my way, I’d have been a fencer…or a starship captain, or a lawyer, or a detective solving crimes. But instead, I am a writer, and I’ve come to realize that’s the best thing in the world to be, because as a writer, I can be all those things and more.

If I hadn’t learned to value the stories between the pages, who knows what would have happened? Certainly not college…teaching…or writing.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.brazil
Twitter: @leebrazil
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/leebrazil/

Publisher: Lime Time Press
Cover Artist: Laura Harner

Sales Links: Amazon  Smashwords  All Romance
Direct From Author Via Payhip : https://payhip.com/b/tz3n

More about The Librarian…TheLibrarian-800x1200

A rash vow of celibacy puts Valentine Michaels in the path of seduction.

Val is at a crossroads in his life. A college dropout, he’s gone as far as he can in his career as a cosmetologist, owning his own style salon. He no longer finds satisfaction in it, though he’s put years into proving to his bigoted parents that a college degree and the veneer of straightness aren’t the only roads to success. They’d turned their backs on him, and he proved he didn’t need them to make it.

His love life is no better than his working life. His relationships always start with a bang and fizzle into boredom, or worse, anger.

Adrian Grey has his own agenda for helping Val: he’s been in love with Val since they were freshmen. The intervening years of listening to Val’s gossip about his lovers and relationships have taught Adrian just what it was he did wrong all those years ago, and he thinks this time around he now knows exactly how to get—and keep—his man.
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance

Excerpt:

Impatiently, Val flipped his powder-blue locks over his shoulder, tapping the little whisk broom against the counter where his supplies were arranged neatly. “Derek, you left me standing around at Paul’s for an hour, a place I totally hate by the way, without even a phone call to say you weren’t coming, and then I walk past you playing ball in the park with your friends on the way back here. I’m not overreacting!”

He ran a swift eye over his supplies. Scissors, combs, spray bottle with water, gel, mousse. Everything in order. While he prepared his workstation, he listened with half an ear to the deep voice on the other end of the phone, trying to explain or rationalize or whatever, but he wasn’t into hearing what Derek had to say. The guy was an immature jerk who put his own wants ahead of everything, even if it meant leaving Val standing in a group of young college kids he barely knew, in a bar he usually avoided like the plague. He’d gone to the party in the first place for Derek. Being stood up while doing something so selfless pissed him off. Just once in a relationship, Val wanted to find a guy who put him first, who loved him more than sports, friends, and all the other temptations the wicked world offered. “Just forget it, Derek. You don’t get it. It’s not just last night; it’s the whole last few months.”

More rumbling and babbling in his ear. He ran a dust cloth over the client’s chair and then adjusted its height. Prepping his station at the salon was second nature and required little of his attention. Kind of like listening to Derek. Why the fuck do I listen to this shit? Derek had all the emotional understanding of a two-ton truck. Cute as hell, but clueless about what would melt Val’s heart. In fact, Derek might accurately be called dense altogether. A little consideration, a romantic gesture or two, would go a long way. Hell, an apology instead of an excuse would probably have gotten him a second chance even this morning. Eh. Who are you kidding? Derek is a symptom, not the illness itself. “Fuck off, Derek. It’s over. Do me a favor and lose my number, okay?”

Flipping the phone shut, he shoved it into the pocket of his smock and busied himself cleaning up his workspace. A quick spray of glass cleaner to the mirror, a swipe or two with a rag, and he was done. Done with Derek, done with men, done with romance and love and sex, and fuck it all. He could be celibate. Masturbation didn’t count as sex, did it? He’d need something if he wasn’t getting any.

Pages or Words: 22,000 Words


Tour Dates: February 24, 2015

LBBadgeTour Stops:

Parker Williams, Havan Fellows, Divine Magazine, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, My Fiction Nook, Bayou Book Junkie, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Kimi-Chan, Inked Rainbow Reads, Bike Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, The Hat Party, Cate Ashwood, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake, Andrew Q. Gordon, Velvet Panic, Iyana Jenna, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Fallen Angel Reviews, Dawn’s Reading Nook

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $5.00 ARe gift card or copy of the book. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway