Lonely Hearts, A Novella Bundle by Posy Roberts Blog Tour (excerpt and giveaway)

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 Lonely Hearts

A Novella Bundle

Posy Roberts

M/M Romance

Release Date: 10.25.18

 lonely hearts ebook 4x6

BLURB

Stoic men, who believe they’re happy alone, find the world turned upside down when their perfect someone stumbles across their path. In four novellas, eight men encounter unique struggles on their way to their well-deserved happily ever after. 

Marc joins the Lonely Hearts chat room where men support men on their way to finding true love. He wants to believe that kind of love is possible for him, but his once-burned heart stops him from going all-in with anyone.

The chat group’s philosophy is, “Figure out how you keep screwing up your happily ever after. Once you know, you’re more likely to find the true thing.”

Skeptical as he is, Marc logs in and meets men in various degrees of getting there. At least he’s not alone. Luther truly loves his single life on the Bakken oil fields. William’s not sure he’ll ever measure up, let alone find someone he can be himself around. And Andrew still pines for a guy he hooked up with on a reenactment battlefield before he got blown up on a real one.

One by one they start dropping like flies. Flies drunk on love. And sooner than he expects, Marc’s luck starts changing thanks to these new friends.

Walk alongside these men as they find the men of their dreams and discover their happily ever afters.

101,000 Words | 396 pages | 8-9 hours to read

blue-collar | reluctant lovers | rural | bisexual | gay | meet-cute | fated lovers | love triangle | Halloween | white-collar | opposites attract | multicultural | coming out | second chance | first time | disability romance | meant to be | military | artist | world traveler | coming of age | long distance | pen pals | gay romance | contemporary | MM romance | lone wolf | alpha male

Stories included: Bent Arrow, Stroke of Luck, Momo, My Everything, and Love on a Battlefield.

Universal Amazon Link: http://getbook.at/LonelyHearts

Universal Buy Link: http://books2read.com/LoneHearts

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Lonely Hearts

EXCERPT

Marc logged into the chat room, unsure what he was getting into, but he’d been reassured by a friend (who was friends with the moderator) that this was a good group of guys. If nothing else, he’d get to know other queer men. If he was lucky, maybe they’d help him find a way to open up his heart to fall in love again. At least that’s how the group was described to him.

5 Members in Chat Room

Marc: Hey, I’m Marc. I’m new here, and the rules said I had to introduce myself. I’m bisexual but haven’t dated much since my ex-girlfriend cheated on me. Work has been my focus, but after three years, I’m lonely. It’s as plain as that. I’m just not sure how to trust someone again.

Hugo: Hi, Marc. I’m Hugo, the moderator. If I disappear all of a sudden, it’s because I’m waiting to chauffeur kids between gymnastics and yoga.

Marc: You have kids?

Hugo: They’re Kevin’s, my boyfriend’s kids. But who knows what the future holds. Anyway, I was in the same place as you not so long ago, with a cheating cheater who cheats. I had a string of shitty boyfriends, but cheating messed me up. Bad. I swore off men for a solid year, and it eventually paid off.

Marc: How did the time off help?

Hugo: I fixed my shit. Figured out what I kept doing wrong. Worked out my patterns.

Luther: Oh no, here he goes! Haha. Love you, H! Marc, H is all about fixing shit so you’re ready for love when it stumbles in your path.

Marc: Makes sense.

Luther: If you have a path filled with potential partners, I supposed it does. H is all about twuuuu wuv cuz he has it. All I can find out here on the oil fields is a hookup. Nothing else. Can’t be out.

Marc: That sucks.

Luther: It’s not all bad. I have a lot of sex and very few awkward conversations. Few conversations at all, to be honest.

William: So, Luth, do you save all the awkward conversations for when you come in here to chat? Stop scaring Marc off.

Luther: Ha. Ha. Okay, Mr. Serious, what have you done lately to make yourself available to the hot dudes who run around on the beaches half naked?

William: I bought a guy a drink at the club last weekend. Spent most of the night with him.

Luther: Before you went home alone?

William: Well, yes, but I had to work the next day.

Luther: LOL.

Andrew: Hi, Marc. Welcome. I’m pretty new here too. New to being fully out despite knowing I liked men for years. I’m still trying to figure out how all this works. Gay clubs are about all I’m capable of yet. If I go to a club, there’s no chance I’ll hit on a straight guy, at least. I’m a vet, and my PTSD and injuries make taking that risk of hitting on the wrong guy anxiety inducing. I distrust everyone, including my own brain and injured body.

Luther: And I’m the sole closet case here.

William: Not entirely. I’m not out at work. No one there has earned the right to know that about me yet. But my family knows.

Hugo: I’ve been out for ages, but I’m still not entirely open about my drag persona. That’s still need to know.

Marc: You do drag? What’s your drag name.

Hugo: Yep. Miss Cherri Pop! 😉

Marc: Where does everyone live? Or should I not ask that?

Luther: On the dusty oil fields of North Dakota, but there are tons of men to hook-up with here. No questions asked. No demands to kiss. Just how I like it!

William: Sunny California, though right now, I’d prefer rain.

Andrew: I’m in Texas, happy to be home after four years in the army.

Hugo: Minneapolis.

Marc: Me too! Minneapolis, that is. I gotta say, it’s nice chatting with some queer men. Everyone around me assumes I’m straight. And since I haven’t dated a man in ages, it’s like all my friends forgot I’m bi. But I’d really like to date a man again. I think if I date a woman, I’m bound to . . .  What’s the word? Put all my shit on her?

Hugo: Project?

Marc: Yeah. I’m gonna project my hurt on her cuz of my ex. So I’d really like to try something serious with a guy.

William: So, what are your greatest fears when thinking about falling in love?

Luther: Coming out. I know, I know. It won’t be as bad as I think it will be. But what if it is? I’ll lose everyone around me.

William: But you prefer being alone. Or so you’ve claimed, Luth.

Luther: Right. I push people away. Easier that way.

Marc: I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to trust again. And if I do, what if the guy I end up with assumes I’m cheating on him only because I’m bi?

Hugo: My Kevin is bisexual, and I never made those assumptions. We’re not all neanderthals who can’t appreciate subtlety.

Marc: True. There’s that lack of trust thing again.

William: I’m worried I’ll never measure up.

Luther: Says the man who probably has a dick the size of an eggplant.

William: . . .

William: I might. 😉

Luther: LOL. I knew it!

Hugo: If W & L weren’t thousands of miles away, I’d suggest you guys get a room and fuck to work out your sexual tension.

William: Not going to happen.

Luther: He’d probably want to marry me. 😉 I’m not settling down. I just want to fall in love. Big difference.

Andrew: I already know who I want to be in a relationship with. But I’m too boring for him.

William: You’re far from boring, Andrew.

Hugo: The only way you’ll know is if you take a chance. But get into a good headspace before that. Yes, I know, Luther, you’re sick of me saying that, but if I hadn’t fixed my shit before running into Kevin again seventeen years after our last kiss, I would’ve fucked it up that first night.

Marc: Thanks for this, guys. I’m glad I found you.

PosyRobertsLogo

Posy Roberts started reading romance when she was young, sneaking peeks at adult books long before she should’ve. Textbooks eventually replaced the novels, and for years she existed without reading for fun. When she finally picked up a romance two decades later, it was like slipping on a soft hoodie . . . that didn’t quite fit like it used to. She wanted something more.

She wanted to read about men falling in love with each other. She wanted to explore beyond the happily ever after and see characters navigate the unpredictability of life. So Posy sat down at her keyboard to write the books she wanted to read.

Her stories have been USA Today’s “Happily Ever After” Must-Reads and Rainbow Award finalists. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her family and friends and doing anything possible to get out of grocery shopping and cooking.

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All of Posy’s Links ~ https://linktr.ee/posyroberts

Posy’s Newsletter ~ http://bit.ly/PosyNews-LH

Social Media ~ @PosyRoberts

Website ~ http://posyroberts.com

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Review Tour for I’ve Been Careless With A Delicate Thing by Marina Vivancos (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK  – Available exclusive to Amazon and on Kindle Unlimited
 
Length: 27,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Natasha Snow
 
Blurb
 

Silas meets gorgeous, grumpy-looking Oscar at a bar. He’s never had sex with a guy, and what better place is there to find someone to pop that particular cherry?



He knows what he’s getting with the broad-shouldered, I-can-pummel-you-with-one-look Oscar: getting bent over a hard surface and satisfied until he’s blaspheming. Turns out, though, there’s a lot more to Oscar that meets the eyes. Needs that you’d never guess just by looking at him. Needs that Silas turns out to perfectly meet.


One night turns into two, turns into three, turns into a dozen. It’s just a little friends-with-benefits relationship with a dollop of kink on the side. No feelings involved, right?


Right. Because Silas is just so good at keeping his heart in check.


This is an erotic ~27,000 word novella. Expect plentiful sex scenes with a friends-with-benefits (yeah, right), soft Dom/sub relationship.
 
Excerpt
 

“You look like you’re having fun,” Silas said, peering at Oscar whilst the other two leaned towards each other, falling into conversation. Oscar raised his eyebrows a little, and the clear sarcasm in the move made Silas grin.


Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.


“Let me guess. You dragged Johnny here to get your dance on, didn’t you? ‘I need to shake my thang’, you wailed, and now here you are, crying on the inside because they’re playing a Madonna remix and this is your jam.” He perched his chin on the palm of his hand, looking at Oscar through his eyelashes.


“My thang,” Oscar repeated, not bothering with a question mark. His voice was deep and everything you would want to come out of a face that looked like it could be used as a cornerstone for a gothic church.


“Yeah, your thang. Your badonkadonk. Your caboose. Your derriere. Your full moon rising. Your juicy double.”


“Are you done?”


“Your all that junk inside your trunk.”


“What are you drinking, exactly?”


“Why? You wanna buy me another?”


“I was actually planning on telling the bartender to cut you off.”


Silas grinned at him for a moment before knocking back his drink. “Let’s dance,” he ordered.


“I don’t dance.”


“Sure you do, big guy.”

 

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words’ review here. We definitely recommend it.
Author Bio
 

When Marina was a child she couldn’t sleep. Night after dissolving night she just couldn’t sleep. Nothing much worked – until she started making up stories in her head. Suddenly, the transition into unconsciousness was a smooth dive into calm waters.


Marina is currently in a period of sleepless upheaval, and she hopes writing down the stories in her head will cast the same spell it did decades ago.


Marina hopes to write in a variety of romance sub-genres, from contemporary to supernatural to sci-fi. Her style, however, tends to focus on character-centred stories that explore different facets of the human experience, such as mental health. She also enjoys writing explicit, drawn-out sex scenes, so expect those to be a prominent feature of her stories.


Marina tends to keep to herself unless prompted, so don’t be shy in approaching her!

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Happy Tuesday, Book Lovers! For Today Only 99 Cents Each!

Happy Tuesday, Book Lovers!

Surprise! KJ Charles, Roan Parrish, Avon Gale, Piper Vaughn, Kelly Jensen, Anna Zabo, Ginn Hale, Michelle Osgood, Blind Eye Books, Interlude Press, and Open Ink Press have all dropped the prices on some of their most popular paranormal novels just in time for Halloween!

For today only, get each of these twelve books for less than $1:

Close Quarter by Anna Zabo
Best in Show by Kelly Jensen
All in Fear Anthology
Sight Unseen Anthology
Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale
Prickly Business by Piper Vaughn
Irregulars Anthology
The Better to Kiss You With (The Better to Kiss You With #1)
by Michelle Osgood
Huntsmen (The Better to Kiss You With #2) by Michelle Osgood
Moon Illusion (The Better to Kiss You With #3) by Michelle Osgood
Thrall by Avon Gale and Roan Parrish
Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by KJ Charles

New to you authors? New to you books? Get each of them now at only 99 cents! Less than $12 for all of them!

Scroll down for book covers and links…then take a peek at the latest promotional offerings from A Novel Take and join us as we promote some truly amazing upcoming releases!

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Look at ALL of A Novel Take PR’s Current Promotional Opportunities!
Grab any of these images to use online or in any posts: 

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Knowing Me, Knowing You (Loving You #4) by Renae Kaye

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Can friends turned occasional lovers move beyond past mistakes and wrong assumptions to build something that can last?

Quiet bookworm Shane has a big secret—one he’s kept for fifteen years. AFL superstar Ambrose Jakoby grew up next door to Shane. They were close friends, and Shane supported Ambrose through school.

One night, everything changed.

Before Ambrose left Perth as a scared eighteen-year-old to head to Melbourne and take up his new footy career, Ambrose and Shane slept together.

For the next nine years, they continued a secret friends-with-benefits situation whenever Ambrose was in town. Shane never knew exactly where he stood or how to define Ambrose’s sexuality—and Ambrose didn’t know either. Then last Christmas, everything changed again, and a disagreement strained their friendship. Shane vowed to get over his unrequited love.

But Ambrose is back, recovering from an injury and hoping to make amends. He claims he’s ready for a real relationship. But Shane has to decide whether Ambrose means it and whether his Hufflepuff soul can take the chance.

Knowing Me, Knowing You  by Renae Kaye is another enjoyable, sweet romance in her Loving You series.  This series, built around a group of friends and couples has had its share of unusual pairings.  For some it’s been in exploration of each man’s sexuality, a finding of their identity, an acceptance and self knowledge before they can acknowledge their love for the man that’s their HEA and full time partner in life.

And that has come with some controversy over labels and descriptions.

Thankfully, we seem to have vanquished the “gay for you” trope, at least from most books I’ve read lately for some realistic and honest look at sexuality.  Kaye does so here with Ambrose and demisexuality. The fact that he just couldn’t understand his own lack of sexual drive in general as a youth or that it was only oriented towards one or a couple of people seems realistic.  There was no one he could speak to, no one to as questions to.  The talks he later had, years later, with Shane felt believable and sort of sad, while being ground in a factual reality.

That Shane didn’t understand more of the LGBTQIA spectrum?  Maybe not so much.  I would have expected more knowledge and understanding from him, less density.  That was my frustration as a reader.  Shane is surrounded by friends who have  gone through a myriad of experiences, he regularly does to Pride Parades.  Isn’t he picking up the literature and education as well?

Of course, all of this is mixed in with years of boyhood friendship, kisses and hookups, then miscommunication or no communication, and just dealing with years apart.  All done through Renae Kaye’s layered well rounded characters going through believable situations in life.  Ambrose is hurt in what might be a career ending injury, and wants to reconnect with Shane.  Shane’s needs to see if he is ready to examine their relationship and his life in general.  It’s all messy, painful, loving, and real.

And yes, maybe it sometimes even needs to come with some labels if that’s  what someone needs. Or doesn’t.  Feeling pressured into sex feels pretty believable and understandable these days no matter the gender.  So I get that element too.  I think most readers will.  That it has taken Ambrose all this time to start to figure out why he feels the way he does is no mystery.  Some people take much longer.  That rings true as well.

I loved bringing the search for Ambrose’s family into this.  Such a heartwarming part of this story.  I just loved that.

Without heading into spoiler territory, I do feel some ambivalence about that ending.  Kaye keeps it real there too.  It’s the only way it can happen without a epilogue years into the future.  I’m hoping that we keep having a peek at this couple into the next stories and updates as to what their current status is.  Maybe even a new story down the line.  That would be wonderful.

Cover Artist: Maria Fannin.  Love that cover. Light hearted, bright and happy.  It draws the reader to it.  Love it.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 255 pages
Expected publication: October 30th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB07G76PMK5
Edition Language English
Series Loving You 

Loving Jay

Don’t Twunk with My Heart

The Straight Boyfriend

Knowing Me, Knowing You

A Chaos Moondrawn Release Day Review: A Deeper Blue (The Game #2) by S.E. Harmon

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5 

This is the second book in the series and should be read in order for maximum emotional impact. A year later, Blue is still basically in the closet. Happily ever afters are work.

So, I’m not going to lie: I was upset about Blue using a beard. Keeping this secret is destroying what they have. At the end of book one Blue had planned to come out and it was Kelly who stopped him. In this book, Blue has let the fear take over and Kelly is the one that wants to be part of a normal relationship where he can participate in Blue’s life like any of the other guys on the team and their wives/girlfriends. Blue was also supposedly the romantic one, yet it is Kelly that seems to be waiting for the big gesture while still not being all in. As a gay man, Kelly understands what Blue would face coming out publicly way better than Blue does. Fear of losing Blue when the discrimination starts, of Blue resenting him, makes him hold back a bit of himself. Even as annoyed as I was, this book sucked me right in.

Of course, Blue is good at pushing things away too–like thoughts of retirement and fear of injury. This time, I was glad to see more football. It was important to show more of Blue’s family as it lets the readers know that Kelly is not correct in blaming football for all of their problems. There were several moments when I wanted to strangle Blue, but I understood all too well why he is the person he is and wanted him to make better choices for his own happiness. Conner has been a good and supportive friend to Kelly, but it’s nice to see that Blue has friends who have his back also. There are some incredibly painful moments in this, but the author doesn’t wallow in them. Those big moments in life (wedding, birth, major illness, death, coming out) are when you find out who really cares for you, and it’s not always who you think, or even hope.

This worked really well as a duology and the epilogue was everything I wanted for these guys, where it was always going in between the bouts of mild angst. I enjoyed both of these books.

The cover art is by Kanaxa. I like the cover, and I supposed it is supposed to be Blue. Blue has new tattoos, as discussed in the book, but not as many as that, and of course, the tattoos are not the same as this model.

Sales Links:   Dreamspinner PressAmazon
Book Details:
ebook, 260 pages
Expected publication: October 30th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640808089
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series The Game #2

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Truth Will Out (Merrychurch Mysteries #1) by K.C. Wells

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Jonathon de Mountford’s visit to Merrychurch village to stay with his uncle Dominic gets off to a bad start when Dominic fails to appear at the railway station. But when Jonathon finds him dead in his study, apparently as the result of a fall, everything changes. For one thing, Jonathon is the next in line to inherit the manor house. For another, he’s not so sure it was an accident, and with the help of Mike Tattersall, the owner of the village pub, Jonathon sets out to prove his theory—if he can concentrate long enough without getting distracted by the handsome Mike.

They discover an increasingly long list of people who had reason to want Dominic dead. And when events take an unexpected turn, the amateur sleuths are left bewildered. It doesn’t help that the police inspector brought in to solve the case is the last person Mike wants to see, especially when they are told to keep their noses out of police business.

In Jonathon’s case, that’s like a red rag to a bull…

In the spirit of Dame Agatha Christie, KC Wells delivers a mystery worthy of the great British authors who preceded her. And no sex on page! Imagine that. I actually liked the fact that sex didn’t distract from the story. Yes, there’s a romance, but it’s secondary to the mystery.

There’s a large age gap between Jonathan, who doesn’t have good luck with romance, and Mike, who’s older and doesn’t have much opportunity to meet new men in Merrychurch. But they grow to like each other, and they work together to solve the mystery of Jonathan’s uncle’s death. Mike is a former cop so has the skills and Jonathan has the determination and persistence needed to eventually find the culprit.

Did I guess? Yes! The author gave us clues, but it’s not easy to figure out and it was likely my love of Poirot and Miss Marple that helped me guess correctly. Since this is mystery #1 in a new series, I expect we’ll see more of Jonathon and Mike in future. At least, I hope we do. Mystery buffs should enjoy this one, for sure.

Cover Artist: Kanaxa.  The cover is done in sepia tones with both MCs pictured—one superimposed over the shadowed image of the other. To be honest, though it may represent the MCs and setting, I don’t care for the color and it doesn’t stand out at all.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 1st edition, 204 pages
Expected publication: October 30th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640806290
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Merrychurch Mysteries #1

An Alisa Review: Fling (Nothing Serious #1) by Baylin Crow

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Our time together has an expiration date.

HAYDEN: I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love him.

The only guy I’ve ever wanted sees me as nothing more than the kid next door and his younger sister’s best friend. But when Dean comes home after college graduation, things are different. I’ve grown up, and the way his golden-brown gaze scorches a path over my body tells me he’s noticed. When he makes me an offer I should refuse, I’m caught between my feelings for him and logic screaming that this idea is doomed to end in heartbreak.

DEAN: I’m not interested in anything serious but I need to have him.

I plan on spending a few months at home relaxing before beginning my dream internship. What I don’t count on is my little sister’s best friend sending me for a loop. He should be off-limits, but the pull I feel toward him is too strong to ignore. When I come up with a solution to spend the summer together in secret, I’m sure I have it all figured out. I just need to work him out of my system.

It’s supposed to be free of complications…a fling. By the end of summer, it’s anything but simple.

I liked this story, though it took me a bit to even kind of like Dean.  Dean has never actually had a relationship and makes it clear up front to his partners that it will never go anywhere but when he comes home from college he is starting to see how no matter how clear he is it isn’t always as simple.  Hayden keeps to himself and has never had the urge to try and find a boyfriend, hoping once college starts his opportunities will expand but he can’t help but think about Dean, who he has admired from afar forever.

You could see them both struggle in different ways with their arrangement, Hayden knows he is going to be hurt in the end while Dean becomes more and more possessive and territorial.  It hurt to see them both in pain or confused about how to go forward.

I loved Hayden and thought he was adorable in all his innocence.  He was quite mature and has a great head on his shoulders.  Dean had to redeem himself for me and how he really found that what he always thought he wanted wasn’t the right thing he makes big changes with the main reason being that he can’t live within Hayden.  It was nice to see Dean finally take that next step to grow up and both of them find happiness.  I am hoping that the next book in the series focuses on one or two of their friends from this book.

The cover art by Baylin Crow is great and I love the visual of Hayden.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 264 pages

Published: October 15, 2018 by Baylin Crow

Edition Language: English

Series: Nothing Serious #1

A VVivacious Review: Life Underwater by Matthew J. Metzger

Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5 

Ashraf doesn’t realize how bad his aversion to large bodies of water actually is till the sound of the sea reminds him. As Ashraf realizes that he might never even be able to step onto a beach let alone the sea, he starts to wonder if his relationship can survive his hydrophobia when his partner Jamie, a marine biologist, might as well be a fish, considering the amount of time they spend in water. If he can’t share Jamie’s love of the sea and what they have dedicated their life to, can their relationship really survive?

I like Mathew J. Metzger books because his books are chock full of diverse characters and it’s amazing how much you learn about the world if you can just enter the mind of a character, the more different these characters are from one another the better because you get to cover that many more avenues of life.

This book is an established couple romance and introduced me to a lot of things in the life of these characters that I am new to, like I had no idea this concept even existed before I read this book. It felt like light had illuminated  a path that I hadn’t even known existed and it was great for broadening my own horizons and that’s what diverse characters bring, they bring new perspectives to life. They give you the opportunity to experience life as someone other than yourself.

Ashraf and Jamie are two such amazing characters in a relationship. I love established couple romances and that made this fantastic on a whole new level for me. The main plot point of this book which is Ashraf’s hydrophobia was something that is tackled much later in the story, so we had a nice segment of the book devoted to finding out who Ashraf and Jamie are and what life is for them. They have different ethnicities and different religious beliefs and both ascribe to different sexual orientations, it is even comically debated between the couple if they should be considered a straight or a gay couple. But, the book focuses on the fact that despite a whole gamut of differences these two work beautifully together. Together they are more than the sum of their parts. Getting to experience a couple so completely in love with each other was such a joyful experience, it was like getting to experience the feeling of falling in love. I really loved getting to know these two as a couple and as individuals.

Ashraf is the narrator of our story so we see everything from his perspective, so I definitely got to know Ashraf better than Jamie and he was an amazing character, he is a flawed character but deeply insightful. He shares the flaw that all humans do – the flaw where we don’t want anyone to judge us by our looks but judge everyone at first sight just the same. It is a weird flaw, just because you are discriminated against doesn’t mean you can’t discriminate against someone else and that is where the cycle starts and ends. It was an epiphany I had during reading this book, which was pretty jarring and seems to have straightened my view of the world.

Though this story has so much going on and it gives justice to everything it explores at heart, it remains the story of a couple falling in love and facing the challenges in their relationship. It was a story about overcoming your fears and I feel like it was beautifully done, a step at a time till you can manage to look your fear in the eye and breathe, taking strength from the ones who love you to surmount the courage to even begin facing down your fears.

I really loved this story. I really like the characters Matthew J. Metzger creates because they always end up teaching me something about the world at large. If you are looking for a sweet romance look no further than “Life Underwater”, these two are most definitely the cutest couple alive.

Cover Art by Natasha Snow. I am in awe of her covers. This seems like such a simple cover but every time I look at it, I am taken aback by how truly beautiful it is.

Sales Links:  NineStar Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published October 22nd 2018 by NineStar Press
ISBN139781949909029
Edition LanguageEnglish

99c Book Blast – Love Times Five by Lily G Blunt (excerpt and trailer)

99c BOOK BLAST

Title: Love Times Five

Author: Lily G. Blunt

Cover Art: Jay Aheer at Simply Defined Art

Release Date: January 19, 2018

Genre/s:  paranormal, gay romance, contemporary, polyamory

Length: 77, 000 words

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Blurb

There’s safety in numbers and plenty of love to go around.

When Colin searches for his missing colleague and buddy in the hills of northern England, his life is changed forever. Not only does he find Shaun living in a cabin with the mysterious and undeniably gorgeous Zach, but he also discovers the reason Shaun went AWOL in the first place. Colin wants to draw his friend away to safety, but Zach soon mesmerises him, and he’s happy to stay in his company, for now.

Passing hikers, Wes and Dane, need some assistance, and the three men are willing to oblige. Thus begins a friendship that develops into much more.

The five men each have their own secrets. Some are shared, others are kept hidden. It’s only a matter of time before they are exposed and the consequences could change everything for them all.

 

 

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

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Trailer Video

 

Read Excerpt #1 HERE

 

Excerpt #2 

Colin yelped and stumbled back. The penknife fell from his grip as he connected with the solid ground and landed on his arse.

“What the fuck?” Colin gaped at the wild beast in front of him, not five feet away, and apparently protecting Zach, who stroked the wolf’s back as if he were petting a huge dog.

Colin blinked, hoping to clear his vision. Had he knocked his head? Was he dreaming? Had he been drugged too?

The wolf sniffed the air and pawed the grass, its tongue now lolling to the side of its mouth. Teeth, sharp and white and scary, distracted Colin from the animal’s other features. The scent of damp fur and woodland soil filled his nostrils, and warm panting breath ghosted over his face.

The wolf was real enough. No vision. No dream.

“What the fuck?” Colin said, keeping his eyes fixed on the animal as it slunk away to the trees. His heart pounded and his mind was a whirl of confused thoughts. He tried to swallow around a thick lump in his parched throat. “What the fuck just happened?”

Zach said nothing but offered a hand to Colin, which after a few seconds pause, Colin grasped. Between the two of them, they easily hauled his bulky frame to standing. He scanned the grass for his knife, relief racing in his veins when he spotted it nestled among two nearby clumps of greenery.

Colin glanced away from the knife in the direction the wolf had headed. Could it really be Shaun? “I don’t understand.”

“Of course, you don’t.” Zach’s mouth curved into a warm, genuine smile. His eyes glimmered, and some of the tension lifted from Colin’s shoulders. “You must be Colin. Shaun’s sexy boss. He’s told me all about you.”

“What?” Colin’s pulse still pounded, and confusion turned his thoughts to sludge, but his heart fluttered at the hope those words kindled. What the hell was happening? What was this arsehole saying? Shaun had never tried anything on with Colin, not even when they’d been drunk. And had Shaun really… turned into a… what the actual fuck?

“You didn’t think he was interested in you?” Zach arched an eyebrow, and his eyes sparkled. Again.

Before Colin could commit himself to an answer or ask any questions about the precarious state of his sanity, there was movement to his side.

Shaun stood naked, his hands cupped over his groin, a little unsteady on his feet. “Chuck us your T-shirt, Zach,” he rasped, not making eye contact with Colin, his cheeks scarlet.

Without hesitation, Zach shed his top and threw it at Shaun, leaving his own fine torso on display. Smooth, defined, firm—perfect. No wonder Shaun had hooked up with him. Colin wouldn’t stand a chance with this guy in the picture, even if Shaun had liked him once upon a time.

Why was he even thinking about such things right now? He’d just seen Shaun turn into a wolf, and now he was back again as himself. And shortly before that, this ridiculously handsome man had been sucking on his neck and was now acting as if he knew things about Shaun that Colin didn’t even know. Was he losing his mind?

Colin dragged his gaze back to Shaun, his chest and nakedness now hidden from view by the oversized T-shirt. He staggered closer to Colin, his legs unsteady as if he were drunk. Shaun collapsed into Colin’s arms, maybe a deliberate move rather than an uncontrolled stumble. As much as Colin wanted to hug him to his chest, he needed answers. Anger bubbled to the surface and exploded. Colin gripped Shaun by his biceps and held him back at arm’s-length.

“What the fuck is going on? What did I just see?” It took all of Colin’s willpower not to shake the answer out of Shaun. “And what’s this fucking guy been doing to you?”

Shaun trembled beneath his touch, and his voice was hoarse and uneven, not its usual sweet timbre. “It’s okay, Col. I promise you, I’m okay now.” He placed his palm on Colin’s shoulder. “I know it’s a lot for you to take in all at once. I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to explain before.”

His words didn’t tell Colin anything. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me you were leaving and where you were going? I’d have listened… and helped you.” What the fuck could Colin have done to help if Shaun was a—?

Zach cleared his throat, distracting them both. He moved closer, running his long fingers down those taut abs of his until they came to rest on the waistband of his perfectly clinging jeans.

Shaun gazed at Zach, over his body, the renewed flush of arousal evident in his eyes. Colin’s heart sank but gave a hopeful flip when Shaun looked back at him with that same darkened expression. “Hey, how about we go inside? I can get dressed, and then explain what’s been going on with me.”

For a moment, Colin feared he might be overpowered or drugged or something like that once they got him inside the cabin, perhaps in the same way Shaun might have been. He eyed his knife lying on the ground, tempted to bend down and scoop it up for some protection.

Zach chuckled, and in a smooth yet swift motion slid past Colin. “I think you dropped this.” His mouth nestled close to Colin’s ear, his voice deep, his breath cool. A curl of interest coiled its way around Colin’s groin at the closeness of the man. Zach gripped Colin’s hand, turning his palm face-up, and placed the missing knife softly against his skin.

Colin couldn’t help but let out a gasp. He hadn’t witnessed the knife being retrieved from the ground. Whoever this man was, he was fast. He would probably dodge any knife or fist that Colin hurled his way. No way was Colin walking from this meadow without finding out who this man was. He pocketed the knife, despite his doubts about its usefulness now.

Zach glided away, entwined his fingers around Shaun’s hand, and pulled him towards the cabin. With an encouraging look over his shoulder, Shaun waved his free hand behind him. “Come on. We need to talk.”

Colin really had no choice, so he followed them. He needed to find out what had happened to Shaun and what the hell was going on between him and Zach.

 

 

About the Author

Lily G. Blunt enjoys writing contemporary gay romance and paranormal stories. She loves to explore the relationship between two or more men and the intensity of their physical and emotional attraction. Angst often features in her stories as she feels this demonstrates the depth of feelings between them. Lily is often inspired by the lyrics to songs and is forever writing imaginary scenes and plots in her head. Only a few of these ever make their way to the page.

Lily reviews for several blogs and has recently launched Gay Book Promotions, an online book promotion service for authors of LGBT+ romance and fiction. She loves to hear from readers and other authors.

 

Author Links

Amazon | Amazon UK Blog | Facebook

Goodreads | Twitter | Gay Book Promotions

 

 

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Cover Reveal for Typhoon Toby (Forces of Nature #2) by R.L. Merrill

Title: Typhoon Toby

Series: Forces of Nature: Book 2

Author: R.L. Merrill

Release Date: January 22, 2019

Category: Contemporary

Pages: 220

Cover Artist: Kanaxa

Buy Links:  Dreamspinner Press Ebook and Paperback

Blurb:

 

On the surface, Toby Griffiths appears to have it all—talent, money, a brilliant mind, and model good looks. With his best friend, Reese, he’s built an empire as a singer/songwriter.

 

But beneath that glittering exterior, Toby suffers the lasting effects of abuse. To keep his tempestuous past where it belongs, he insists on anonymity with lovers—no names, no personal information. But a vacation fling in Bali changes all that, and he can’t get his recent playmate out of his mind.

 

Therapist Spencer Hart left Bali with a bad case of pneumonia and a broken heart. Although he’s recovering, he’s shocked to find his secretive partner on TV, and he’s determined to see him again. Spencer arranges to attend one of Toby’s fundraising galas, and their reunion is tense.

 

Toby tries to stick to his rules… until a New Year’s kiss with Spencer washes away the last of his resistance. But Toby is a man with secrets, and when the storm comes ashore, it could devastate not just his professional life but his fledgling love affair and his longtime partnership with his best friend.

 

Will Spencer stand by his side and help him weather the storm as Toby faces his worst fears?

 

Author Bio:

 

Once upon a time… a teacher, tattoo collector, mom, and rock ’n’ roll kinda gal opened up a doc and started purging her demons. R.L. Merrill is still striving to find that perfect balance between real life and happily ever after, and she’ll keep writing love stories until she does. Both self-published and traditionally published with Dreamspinner Press, Ro writes romance in contemporary, paranormal, and horror settings inspired by love, hope, and rock ’n’ roll. She writes stories set in the places she loves most, such as Hollywood, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Northern California, Iowa and Spain. Ro also loves connecting with other authors online, at conventions, and chapter meetings for the Romance Writers of America, of which she’s been a member since 2014.

A sucker for underdogs, Ro has adopted a wide variety of pets including cats, dogs, rats, snakes, a chameleon, and some fish. Her love of horror is evident the moment you walk in her door and find yourself surrounded by decorative skulls and quirky artwork from around the world. You can find her lurking on social media where she loves connecting with readers, or else find her educating America’s youth, being a mom taxi to two busy kids, in the tattoo chair trying desperately to get that back piece finished, or head-banging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Connect with Ro:

Website: http://www.rlmerrillauthor.com

Twitter: @rlmerrillauthor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rowritesrocknromance

Stay Tuned for more Rock ’n’ Romance.