Tis the Merry Month of May. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Tis the Merry Month of May

Yes, May is upon us and I couldn’t be happier!  That means our official last day of frost has passed and its safe to plant our annuals.  For us nerds, we can look forward to May 4th….Star Wars Day.  Yes, May the Fourth be with you!  And Cinco de Mayo will follow on its heels.

Bluebirds have been back, nest building in earnest.  The pollen count is rising…sorry but the trees are going mad in the spring. Nature is bursting forth again with growth. And the days are getting longer, something that always lifts my spirits.

So too the fact that I can take my Kindle outside to read while the dogs investigate the yard to see what’s new and exciting or old and inviting.  You never know with them.

Odd little interesting items you might be interested in, especially if you like comic books like me.  The first saturday in May?  Its Free Comic Book Day.  Here’s the history and info.  Call your local store to see if its participating.

Calling all nerds, geeks, and comic book aficionados. Today is Free Comic Book Day.

Who says you can’t get something for nothing? On this very special day, comic book stores all over the country hand our specially printed copies of free comic books. Some comic book stores take it a step further, setting up shelves of free comic books, with no strings attached. Take one or take several, and you don’t owe the store anything. Of course, the comic book stores are trying to hook you into the fun world of comic books, so you come back and buy new editions over and over again. Occasionally, stores will also hand out other freebies, memorabilia, posters, etc.

 Free Comic Book Day, taking place on the first Saturday of May, is an annual promotional effort by the North American Comic Book industry to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores. At last count, over 2,000 retailers in 30 countries participate in this fun filled day.

Head on out to your local comic book store, and get hooked on the world of comics.

Friday, May 5th is a very busy day.  It’s also Oyster Day (great since I’m so close to the Chesapeake Bay).  I’ll take advantage of this! Maybe have half a dozen raw oysters and read a free comic.  Sounds like a plan to me.  Did you know that there are LGBT comics out there?  Remember that post?

Anyhow it’s looking to be a busy week!  Let the May celebrations begin!

From our readers who left comments  for our What’s Old is New Again Giveaway,  I’d like to post them here.

♦︎From Ami:

Thank you for the generous giveaway … I think in regards to issues coming left and right from Romancelandia these days, I would love to read more about INTERRACIAL COUPLE trope. I don’t feel like I read it a lot. Other than that, I still see the same old tropes playing around, enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers …

[ I agree, Ami.  Your comment is timely, One of the books I read last week Why I Trust You by Colette Davison featured an interracial couple as does one by Alex Beecroft in one of my favorite series Contraband Hearts (Porthkennack #10) by Alex Beecroft.  I’m reviewing that on Saturday.  What is fascinating about that one is that it is an M/M historical romance that absolutely feels authentic. Authors! More please!]

♦︎From H.B.:

I read pretty much the same tropes I’ve always have keeping to shifter stories, mpreg and friends to lovers. Mpreg and shifter stories kind of go hand in hand but I notice in the past year there have been more and more stories that focus on mpreg stories that involve alpha /omega couples that don’t having shifting abilities. I see resurfacing of marriage of convenience/relationship of convenience stories too.

[True, H.B., I see more and more of those as well.  One of the things I see popping up on cable/tv…everywhere are the prince stories and the commoner stories.  Gosh. Wonder where that idea came from.  And how long before it makes its way into the M/M stories. shall we take a poll?]

♦︎From Purple Reader:

Thanks for the generous gift. And thanks so much for taking time to highlight the issues brought up in “What’s New In LGBT Romance Fiction”. As you can tell, they mean a lot to me, and I think it’s good to visit these issues so that we keep in mind how our community is impacted by such RW issues, but also how we can create positive change. And that’s something SPRING does for me, too – bringing warmth and hope as well as renewal.

[You’re welcome, P.R. and yes, those issues mean a lot to us here too.  The LGBTQIA Book World is a small universe of authors, publishers, editors, covers artists, and promotional groups and more. All of those  have a larger impact that extends outward to current readers and, I feel, future readers that will find their books and, perhaps, recognize themselves within and see a larger universe that awaits them.  I hope so.  Thanks for all your wonderful comments!]

🎼Music of the Moment: Appalachian spring by Aaron Copland

Because I can hear the bubbling spring all along its journey and yes, everything about this piece makes me think of Spring and possibilities!

My thanks to everyone who left such wonderful comments. The winner of  What’s Old is New Again Giveaway is H.B.!.  H.B., please contact Stella at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com and she will hook you up with your gift certificate! Congratulations.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sumday. April 29:

  • Release Blitz – Corked by Brigham Vaughn
  • Tank by Nora Phoenix & K.M. Neuhold Release Blitz
  • Tis the Merry Month of May. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, April 30:

  • BLOG TOUR And The Beagle Makes Three by Geoffrey Knight
  • Exclusive Excerpt Tour MEDLEY (Changing Lanes #2) by Layla Reyne
  • Release Blitz – Sharon Maria Bidwell – Flowers For The Gardener
  • Release Blitz – A Love To Remember by Sarah Hadley Brook
  • A Lucy Review: And The Beagle Makes Three by Geoffrey Knight
  • A MelanieM Review:  Masc (Femme #2) by Marshall Thornton
  • An Alisa Review: Corked by Brigham Vaughn
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Smoldering Flame (Rekindled Flame #3) by Andrew Grey and Michael Pauley (Narrator)

Tuesday, May 1:

  • The California Dashwoods by Lisa Henry – Release Day Blitz
  • Release Blitz – Diego’s Secret by Bryan T Clark
  • Book Blitz for Astray by Elvira Bell
  • A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: The Wanderer (Chronicles of the Riftlands #1) by Rowan McAllister
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review:  Stand By Your Manny (The Mannies #3) by Amy Lane
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review:  Forged in Fire (Asheville Arcana #2) by Ari McKay

Wednesday, May 2:

  • BLOG TOUR Hard To Get by Jaclyn Quinn
  • DSP Promo Sean Michael
  • Series Blitz – – Strain Series by Amelia Gormley
  • Release Blitz for  Forged in Fire (Asheville Arcana #2) by Ari McKay
  • A Caryn Review: Orderly Affair (Hearts & Health #6) by DJ Jamison
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Stand By Your Manny (The Mannies #3) by Amy Lane
  • An Alisa Review:  Rended Hearts by Riza Curtis
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Tied up by the Boss (Office Kink #2 ) by Hunter Frost

Thursday, May 3:

  • DSP Promo Elliot Joyce on In The Desert
  • Book Release Tour for Contraband Hearts by Alex Beecroft
  • Release Blitz for Machine Metal Magic by Hanna Dare
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Creature (Bureau #3) by Kim Fielding
  • A Lila Review: Fighting for You (Lifesworn #2) by Megan Derr
  • A MelanieM Review: Hard To Get by Jaclyn Quinn
  • A VVivacious Review:  The Captain and the Cavalry Trooper (The Captivating Captains #1) by Eleanor Harkstead & Catherine Curzon

Friday, May 4:

  • Erin McLellan on Life of Bliss
  • TOUR Creature by Kim Fielding
  • Release Blitz –  – Whisper by  Garrett Leigh
  • Review Tour – The Perfect Whore by Josephine Myles
  • An Ali Review: The Perfect Whore – Josephine Myles
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: In the Desert (States of Love) by Elliot Joyce
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Life of Bliss (Love Life #2) by Erin McLellan
  • A MelanieM Audiobook Review: The Hockey Player’s Heart (Hockey Hearts) by Jeff Adams and Will Knauss with Finn Sterling (Narrator)

Saturday, May 5:

  • Release Blitz Tour –  Hawk In The Rowan  by Sam Burns
  • A MelanieM Recent Release Review: Contraband Hearts (Porthkennack #10) by Alex Beecroft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Release Blitz – Corked by Brigham Vaughn (excerpt and giveaway

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title:  Corked

Author: Brigham Vaughn

Publisher: Self Published (Two Peninsulas Press)

Cover Artist: Brigham Vaughn

Genre/s: Gay Romance, m/m, contemporary

Length: 42,042 (novella)     

This is a standalone story.

Buy Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Blurb

Sean Powell is having a terrible day. When he walks into Bistro Argent, ready to unwind over a glass of wine with the sommelier, he’s stunned to discover his friend has been replaced by a hot young guy with big ideas. Lucas Spencer is determined to liven up the staid and stodgy wine list, but his brash approach alienates the wine distributor during their first meeting.

There’s no avoiding each other though and the more they butt heads, the hotter the tension between them gets. As they work together and their relationship progresses, they have to figure out how to blend their professional frustration and personal attraction without risking their careers.

Lucas is eleven years younger than Sean, and despite their sizzling chemistry and compatibility, Sean can’t quite believe the feelings are mutual. A wine tasting trip to Traverse City, Michigan threatens their fledgling relationship. Sean’s insecurities rise to the surface as Lucas’s fears of losing Sean lead to jealousy.

Does the relationship have legs or will they find out it’s corked?

Buy Links

Amazon US Author Page

Amazon UK Author Page

Goodreads  

Excerpt

“I disagree. I think customers want to be educated. As a sommelier, it’s my job to shape palates not cater to them,” Lucas said. “You’re not giving them enough credit. They want to learn. They just lack the opportunities.”

Sean snorted derisively. “And you give the general public way too much credit.”

Lucas rolled his eyes. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy, or that we should make these changes all at once, but I think there’s a real opportunity here. And look, I think if I add a good description, a tasting note of sorts on the menu, people would be drawn in. Hell, I’m willing to crack open some bottles and offer people samples before their meal. I’ve seen it done successfully in other restaurants. We can market it as a house wine and offer it by the glass.”

Sean sneered at him. “Look, kid, I get you think you know it all, but I’ve been in this business longer than you and I know the way this works.”

“Kid?” Lucas sputtered.

The argument devolved from there. Sean grew progressively less open-minded and Lucas grew more frustrated. When Sean began pacing the room Lucas soon stood too, then tension that had been on a low simmer spilling over into a furious boil.

“Just listen for a goddamn minute,” Lucas snarled. He spun and faced Sean and realized they were nearly nose to nose. The tension crackled between them, heating the air. Already worked up over their argument, frustrated by the constant bickering, and wanting Sean so bad he physically ached for it, Lucas finally snapped. He shoved Sean back against the wall, pinning him against it and ravaging his mouth. Sean gripped his shirt and Lucas half-expected him to shove him away, but instead, he surrendered with a needy groan that went straight to Lucas’s cock.

“Why the fuck do I want you so much?” Lucas growled, trailing his lips down Sean’s neck.

“You think I know?” Sean asked with a gasp, gripping Lucas’s shoulders so tight that it seemed like he might leave bruises. “I don’t even like you. I don’t want to want you.”

His words were offset by the way he tilted his head to let Lucas bite and nip at his neck. The needy way he rubbed his hardening cock against Lucas’s thigh was a dead giveaway too.

“Just shut the fuck up,” Lucas muttered, yanking Sean’s head forward for a kiss. It was so much better when they were kissing rather than talking—or arguing in their case.

About the Author

Brigham Vaughn is starting the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga.  She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.

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Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one  of three copies of ebooks from Brigham’s backlist.

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Release Blitz Tank (Ballsy #2) by Nora Phoenix & K.M. Neuhold (excerpt)

 Tank RDB Banner

TANK

BALLSY BOOK 2

K.M. NEUHOLD & NORA PHOENIX

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 04.28.18

Tank cover 

 

COVER DESIGN: K.M. NEUHOLD

 

BLURB

Tank

Shallow pretty boy, conceited fuckboy, immature assclown. Take your pick, they all apply to Brewer. The world is his ass buffet and we’re all on the menu. I’ve never hated anyone like I hate Brewer. But when Rebel pairs us to do a scene together, I have to admit I’m looking forward to taking all my irritation out on his…well, you get the picture. But when one scene turns into a whole fake relationship, I’m not sure we’re going to make it out of this without some bloodshed.

Brewer

Tank has got to be the most boring, stuck up ass I have ever met. That man does not know how to have fun, not even when he’s doing a scene. And if there’s one reason to smile, it’s working with me, right? All the more reason to keep my real self from him because he’d laugh me out of the room. But when we have to pretend we actually like each other, something unexpected happens. The more time we spend together, the more I see a different side of him…and dare to show a different side of me. What the hell is happening?

Tank is the second book in the Ballsy Boys Production series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but it more fun reading in order. Expect plenty of laughs and a lot of sparks.

Tank Teaser 2

Tank Teaser 1

EXCERPT

Tank surprises me again when that big hand comes down on my lower back and gently follows the slope of my ass, first my right ass cheek, then my left. “You know, fuckboy, as much as I detest that cocky attitude of yours, I can’t deny I really dig your ass.”

My breath about halts in my lungs. Holy fuck, is Tank actually complimenting me? The world must be ending.

“You wanna know what I like? You feel like a man. You’re rough, and you’ve got all these muscles that tell me you work out or shit, and you’re strong, and I really, really like that.”

He trails my crack with two fingers, and I shiver involuntarily. He steps in closer, bends his head towards me so his mouth is close to my ears, yet his voice is loud enough to be picked up by the mic. “You wanna know why I like that?”

That’s a rhetorical question, right? ‘Cause for some reason taciturn Tank is talking all of a sudden, and his words are hypnotizing. So are his fingers that travel lower and lower, before finally finding my hole.

“I love it because I don’t need to be careful with you, do I?”

Suddenly his two fingers push inside, and I can’t hold back a little moan. The sneaky asshole has found an inconspicuous way of testing to see if I prepped. The fact that he can slide in like this tells him everything he needs, and I know he should be able to feel the lube that’s still inside.

“Oh, no, I don’t have to treat you like you’re delicate china, ‘cause you can take my cock, can’t you?”

It’s not until he grabs my by my hair and pulls my head back that I realize what he’s up to. Fucking hell. He’s watched my videos, just like I watched his. And he’s got my number down pat.

Dirty talk, check.

Hair pulling, check.

Rough fuck, how much do you wanna bet that’s what about to happen?

Nora Logo Gold

When she was a little tot, Nora’s mom got a library subscription for her. That, as they say, was that, and a lifelong love for books was born. Nora never stopped reading and doesn’t exaggerate when she says she devours books, rather than plain reads them. She started writing stories as soon as she could hold a pen, and wrote her first full book as a teen (on a typewriter!). It took her waaaay too long to follow her dream to become a romance author.

Nora writes M/M romance, because hello, sexy boys, and likes her men flawed, strong, and a tad broken. She appreciates a little kink, but insists on a happy ever after.

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I’m an author of m/m and new adult romance. I have a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well.

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Release Blitz Tour and Giveaway – Masc (Femme #2) by Marshall Thornton

 

 
 
Length: 56,000 words approx.
 
Series
 
Femme (Book #1) – Universal Buy Link
 
Blurb
 

Lionel and Dog are back in this follow-up to the Lambda finalist, Femme. Almost six months have passed and, after taking an online quiz, Lionel believes their relationship is doomed because they have nothing in common. To save their relationship, the pair joins a gay bowling league and discovers that Lionel is an excellent, if somewhat eccentric bowler.


Meanwhile, Dog gets profiled in a work newsletter. He’s excited that he’s out at work but doesn’t immediately see that by fawning over Dog’s masculine nature he was also putting down all femme guys. Lionel takes it personally which leads to a crisis in their relationship. Attempting to make it up to Lionel, Dog attempts to make a grand gesture which backfires spectacularly.


Will the two manage to put things right? And will a night in jail, a morning of drag bingo, an afternoon of day drinking, and a month of moping make things better or worse?


Author Bio


Marshall Thornton is known for the Lambda Award-winning Boystown Mysteries. His comedic novels include The Ghost Slept Over, My Favorite Uncle and the Lambda Finalist for Gay Romance, Femme. Marshall holds an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA and has had plays produced in both Chicago and Los Angeles and stories published in The James White Review and Frontier Magazine.


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Book Blast for Kiss Your Scars (Loose Ends #3) by Avril Ashton (excerpt and giveaway)

 Kiss your Scars Book Blast Banner

KISS YOUR SCARS

LOOSE ENDS SERIES, BOOK 3

AVRIL ASHTON

RELEASE DATE: 02.20.18

Kiss Your Scars Cover

 

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

BLURB

Being the king of Atlanta’s underworld used to have its perks, but lately all undercover agent Renzo Vega has seen is the downside. Someone is auctioning off women in his city, and he’s damn sure not about to let that offense stand. Just as he’s set to make a move, Renzo’s club is ambushed and he’s shot. Unsure of who to trust, he turns to the one man he definitely knows wants him dead.

Yanked from his bed, blindfolded and spirited away in the middle of the night, Lowell Scott is shocked to find the darkly gorgeous Renzo bleeding and in need of his help. The very last thing he wants is to come to the aid of the man responsible for his cousin’s death, but the knife at his throat doesn’t give Low much options.

Close proximity doesn’t temper the hatred Low harbors for Renzo, it only brings up new problhen they’re exposed, those secrets will bring far-reaching consequences that could sever not just their shaky bond, but Low’s family ties as well.

This is book three in the Loose Ends series, but can be read as a standalone.

Warning: Contains references to subjects that may be triggering. Please read with caution.

Kiss Your Scars Teaser 1

Kiss Your Scars Teaser 2

EXCERPT

Everything about him was magnetic and dangerous, and he moved like a rogue wave on an abandoned beach, wiping away your foundation before you had a chance to prepare for the hit.

Right now his gaze devoured Low, making it hard for him not to squirm.

“There is something between us.” Renzo put his hands in his pockets. Low tried not to notice the way that action tugged his pants waist lower and rucked up his shirt. “You and I both know that.”

“No.” Low held up a hand when Renzo took a step forward, but that didn’t stop him from coming closer. “I have a boyfriend.” So yeah, he’d upgraded Chance. “I don’t want you.”

“Yes.” Renzo got in Low’s space, trapping Low between him and the locked door. “You have a boyfriend but here you are, sneaking off to see me. Why are you at my club? Are you here looking for love? Looking for a fuck?”

Low’s eyes widened and Renzo touched him, a slide of his knuckles down his cheek. That touch. He’d thought about. He’d fantasized about it. He’d grieved for the loss of it.

“Doesn’t matter which. I’m good for either one.”

Low jerked his head up and slid closer. He couldn’t help it, couldn’t fight the coil in his belly that pulled tighter with every word Renzo spoke, bringing them together until their bodies made contact, front to front.

Step away. He should step back. But Renzo kept him right there with his heat and the smell of him. Low leaned forward slowly, seeking more of it.

The heat.

The scent.

His lips brushed Renzo’s neck.

Renzo groaned. Low’s entire body clenched.

Have mercy. “Leave me the fuck alone,” Low whispered. But there was no force beyond that plea. Just empty words mocking him, because the truth was he wanted Renzo closer.

Renzo grabbed him by the arm and pushed him up against the mirror overlooking the main area of the club. They could see out, but no one could see them as they stood, Renzo at Low’s back, humping him, sliding his hardness all over Low’s ass. Slowly.

Fucking painfully slow.

“Watch him,” Renzo murmured at his ear. “Watch your boyfriend. Does he know he’s your second choice, Low?”

He shuddered, panting, but he still held his head high, squirming as he tried to get away from Renzo’s hold. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Renzo laughed. “You know.” His tongue slid over the shell of Low’s ear.

Low’s breath hitched as he locked his knees to keep from falling. Renzo melted him. He destroyed Low and he remained in that grip, loving their destruction.

“Where does Chance think you are, Low? Men’s room? Outside getting some air? When you leave here, will you tell him where you were, I wonder?” Renzo nipped at his earlobe and Low gave him everything. Every shudder, every gasp. “You gonna tell him you were rubbing your ass all over my cock, Low?”

“No.” He moaned. God. Fuck. Low gave up his moans, too. “Please.”

“You gonna tell him you can’t stay away from me? That you only brought him here to make me jealous?”

“I don’t want you.” His voice was an embarrassingly thin thread of sound that wavered under the weight of Renzo’s touch, like a ribbon wrapped around a tree branch, fighting against a heavy wind.

“Doesn’t matter how much you tell yourself you hate me,” Renzo whispered. “You still close your eyes when Chance touches you and pretend it’s me.”

The stark truth in those words buried him. “No.”

Renzo ignored his weak protest. “Does he know what you like, huh?” He touched Low, one hand at his chest, lips at his ear. “Has he fucked you lately?”

“Renzo.”

“Yes.” Renzo moaned, too, the sound hitting Low in the balls. “The way you say my fucking name.” He pressed closer, rocking against Low. He clasped Low’s throat, tilting his head against his shoulder. “Good?” he asked, voice turned husky. “He fucks you good, Low? The way you want, the way you need?”

“I don’t…” Low choked, but he was moving with Renzo, on him, sliding up and down, riding the hard ridge of Renzo. Unable to stop. Just for a second. He’d forget himself just for however long it took for this hunger to work its way through him.

“Does he eat you out? Lick it up?” The hand around Low’s throat tightened. “Does he tell you you’re the best?”

Low sobbed for him, trembling, fingers clinging to the hand Renzo had splayed over his lower belly. Done, he was fucking done.

“You’re the best I’ve ever had, Low, and I haven’t even fucked you yet. Let me get that.” He touched lower, cupping Low’s erection through his jeans and squeezing. “Let me tear it up while you call me Daddy. Let’s stay here, like this, you riding me till we both come.”

“No!” Low wrenched himself away, stumbling as he glared at Renzo as arousal crawled along his spine. “You killed my cousin.”

Renzo shrugged. “Did I?”

Avril Ashton Logo

A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA. with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother

Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.

A lover of cake, the ID Channel and the UFC, Avril writes Erotic and GLBT Romance.

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A MelanieM Review: Why I Trust You by Colette Davison

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Martin is the larger than life funny guy, the one who’s quick to soothe other’s pain, whilst hiding his own. He wants nothing more than to find ‘the one’, but his love life consists of a string of break-ups. He’s close to giving up on love, until he meets Ryan online, the artist whose work speaks to his soul. There are just two problems: Ryan already has a boyfriend and he lives in California, which is one hell of a long way from England.

Working with Martin to develop a game is supposed to be purely business; a way for Ryan to earn the money to leave his abusive boyfriend. Except, he finds himself falling for the enigmatic Englishman. Wondering what kind of spark there might be if they were in the same country is one thing, escaping his boyfriend is another.

Wounded by their past relationships, Martin and Ryan have to learn to trust each other in order to have a chance at building a future together.

I am a real fan of this series by Colette Davison so I’m always excited to see a new one released. Why I Trust You is centered around Martin, friend of Noah and Fin from Why I Need You (a favorite story of mine).   Martin is well off, having managed his money carefully and invested wisely in new projects that pay off handsomely.  However, all his romantic interests can see him as is their money ticket to an easy life.  And this inability to find someone to see himself for himself  has made him lonely and wary.

I liked Martin but I did wonder about his love life. Here, there are agencies and people who vet/screen out some of the potential gold diggers he seems to have dated.  Hell, even Match.com might have done a better job.  So a sort a narrative red flag was raised for me there.  Don’t they have that in the UK?

Anyhow, over in the US ,  Ryan is being severely abused by his boyfriend of 8 years.  Little by little, through mental and emotional manipulations by Zane, Ryan has removed himself from his friends and all his support system, turned over his bank accounts and credit cards,  and is now completely isolated and feeling ashamed.  He’s also being beaten.  Please note if this is one of your triggers.  From Ryan’s perspective, he has that victim’s mentality that comes from being controlled for such a long period of time and the feeling that he let it happen. He knows he needs to escape but where to and how. It’s  gut wrenching to read, especially when you think of all the people out there in the same situation.

All this feels so realistic due to Davison’s fine writing and ability to make us emphasize with her characters.  We believe in them and care greatly what happens to them.

An ad to create and illustrate characters for a new mobile action game is the ticket to meeting Martin and Ryan’s path out of his relationship.  I will leave the details of the  journey to the story.

I really enjoyed this novel and the relationship that built up between the characters.  I think the author “did” all the right things here with Ryan and Martin.  Martin realizing that Ryan needed someone other than him to talk to about the effects of years of domestic violence will leave on a person and suggestion he see a psychologist.  I wish it hadn’t dropped there but at least that suggestion was made.  Martin giving Ryan his space.  All the time spent in London…just lovely.  Some of the best parts of the book actually.

I think my reason for not connecting more with this story or giving it higher ratings is the manner in which the whole domestic violence issue was dealt with.  I’m surprised that there was fully applied BWS or battered woman syndrome which pertains equally to men or women and includes PTSD.  If you  are going to make this a major element in your stories, then I feel you should include a  realistic followup.  That often includes long term PTSD which makes sense for those used to being beaten on a daily basis which Ryan was for years.  The effects of that upon body and mind does not dissipate within months.

That doesn’t happen here  other than a mention or two.  It sort of goes away.  Like his abuser.  Especially one in control of a bank account, credit card, and access to your essential data. Again, that does not add up either.  Look up the statistics.  And I hate loose ends.  So unless the author is planning a sequel to Martin and Ryan’s story, this felt like a huge narrative hole that bumped along all the way to the end.

So while I liked Martin and Ryan and enjoyed their romance, some of the elements included needed a little more expansion and resolution for me to place it up with the other two stories which I totally adored.

Cover art is nice but again not a fan.  Both Martin and Ryan wanted to see each other on equal standing together finally. .  It would have been nice to see that reflected on the cover.Instead you have Martin over top Ryan.

Buy Links – Available on KU

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads  

 

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 363 pages
Published April 23rd 2018 by Smudged Ink Press
ASINB07C1SL22R
Edition Language English

Series:

Why I Left You 

Why I Need You

Why I Trust You

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: High Test by Elizabeth Noble and Colin Darcy (Narrator)

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

At times elementary, this story is loaded with trope—though in a way that’s to be expected with these Dreamspun Desires stories. Some of the writing was too unpolished and not what I expected. It’s possible though, that some of my impression of the simplistic prose is from the narrator, who told the story in a somewhat singsong voice, although thankfully, he used a different voice for each MC. The non-dialogue portions of the book sounded as if a high school kid were standing in front of the class trying to read in a way sure to please the teacher.

I liked the overall plot concept and I especially love May-December romances, though this one was a bit much—one MC was twice as old as the other. Neal Kirchner, wealthy and well-known architect meets Hayden Owens at the Owens Coffee Company shop one morning when he stops by to try a cup of their brew. He strikes up a conversation with the cute barista and from then on, coffee becomes a part of his morning, and sometimes evening, routine—especially when Hayden is working the closing shift.

He and Hayden go out together, though Hayden never lets him see his apartment and soon becomes convinced that Neal thinks his family owns the Owens coffee shops. Hayden is finishing graduate school, majoring in auto design and engineering, and he and Neal find they have a lot in common due to their technical interests. Though he tries several times to tell Neal that he’s not wealthy and is in fact a poor, struggling student, something, or someone, always interferes just when he’s ready to spill the beans.

Naturally, this causes an issue when the truth comes out, but it’s not what Hayden thinks it’s going to be and it was entertaining and interesting, even though it was a tried-and-true romance trope. I did want to smack Hayden upside the head a few times and I wanted to fast forward my audiobook each time he fell into his self-inflicted angst, but on the whole, I liked the story and the characters, and I think much of my negatives simply came from the narrator’s performance.

If you are interested in May-December romance and like the old romance tropes many of us grew up with, this one should fill the slot.

Cover art by Bree Archer depicts an older dark-skinned man in a business suit against the backdrop of a coffee shop—the perfect depiction of Neal Kirchner, the older architect who falls for the young barista.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Audible Audio. Length 5:12
Published March 22nd 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB07BFHXHHQ
Edition Language English

A Stella Review: Alaska (Sawyer’s Ferry #1) by Cate Ashwood

RATING 5 out of 5 stars

Nobody says no to a Prescott.

Not even one of their own.

Holden:
Living up to expectations had never been easy, but when I went after something, I got it. Success. Money. Victory. I was standing on the doorstep to having it all. There was only one thing standing in my way.

Gage:
Power and prosperity are overrated. Especially when they come at a price. When enough became enough, I walked away. Nothing had ever tempted me to look back, until one day the past showed up in my backyard.

I’m not so sure I can walk away a second time.

Finally a book that truly satisfied me and left my heart full. I’m so happy Cate Ashwood wrote Alaska, she did an amazing work and missed nothing. A perfectly written book, with well defined characters, a good plot, clear and real chemistry and love between the MCs, hot sex scenes, a dreamy ending. And so much more. What else could I request?

Gage and Holden conquered my heart from the beginning, I was caught into their minds and was so curious to know how they were going to get their HEA, I couldn’t put my Kindle down. Maybe for the first time I’m glad the blurb told me pretty much nothing, that’s why I’m not going to reveal nothing in this review. Just know it will be almost impossible to be disappointed by the story, it’s funny, sweet and sexy, an easy read, with just a tiny bit of drama. I loved Alaska, every words and every characters. I can’t wait for the next book and the next couple to love.

With this first installment in the new Sawyer’s Ferry series, the author gave me everything I want to find in a story. It was a huge success and I can’t stop myself from recommending it to all of you. I think I’m going to reread it right this second.

The cover art by the same author is lovely, I can see Gage in the model even if his face is eyes are cut off.

SALE LINKS:  Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 1 edition, 183 pages

Published April 22nd 2018 by Cate Ashwood

ASIN B07CKMRZ1J

Edition Language English

K.C. Burn on her Favorite Firefighter stories and her new release ‘Set Ablaze’ (author guest blog and giveaway)

Set Ablaze by K.C. Burn
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Jennifer Vance

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have KC Burn here today sharing her top 5 firefighter romances and talking about her new release Set Ablaze.  Welcome, KC.

♦︎

 

Hello! I’m KC Burn and I’m thrilled to be at Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words today to celebrate the release of my newest book, Set Ablaze.

There aren’t many hero types I won’t read about. And I’m pretty equal opportunity about the ones I do love (although blind heroes and nerd/geek heroes are probably my absolute favourites). But firefighters are pretty damned… well… hot! I’m not sure how I’d feel about having a firefighter significant other in real life, what with all the danger and shift work, but to read about ‘em? Yes, please!

Set Ablaze features a firefighter hero – Hayden Hurst, and because of that, I thought I’d share a list of my top 5 firefighter romances. I bet one of the books on my list is on EVERYONE’S list! And I know there are a lot more good ones out there than what I’ve listed.

In no particular order…

  • Hot Head by Damon Suede
  • A Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate by R. Cooper
  • Love Happens Anyway by RJ Scott
  • By The Numbers by Chris Owen & Tory Temple
  • Fire Balls by Tara Lain

Let’s hear about your favourite firefighters! I could use some reading recommendations!

Blurb:

California firefighter Hayden Hurst is starting to realize there’s more to life than fighting fires and drinking with his buddies. He has room in his home and his life for someone special, but no one has stood out among his hookups. And while he’s out at work, admitting he’s gay is very different from showing up at social functions with a man. He’s afraid that’ll be too much for his less-than-accepting “friends.”

Broadway dancer Jez Bouchet hasn’t been mistaken for straight since he was gay-bashed at seventeen. After getting a lucrative job offer in Hollywood, he uproots his life in New York and drives to Los Angeles. His brother, who is Hayden’s best friend, arranges for him to crash at Hayden’s place.

The attraction between Hayden and Jez is unexpected but fiery, and they succumb before they’re even sure they like each other. But Jez hates Hayden’s homophobic friends, and Hayden knows Jez is too flamboyant for him to fly under the radar. Then there’s the complication of Jez’s brother.

Despite those hurdles, they fling themselves into a relationship. But Jez has secrets: a tiny spoiled dog and a determined stalker. If he doesn’t come clean, he might torch their burgeoning relationship before it has a chance to bloom.

Set Ablaze is available at Dreamspinner Press and Amazon.

About the Author

KC Burn has been writing for as long as she can remember and is a sucker for happy endings (of all kinds).  After moving from Toronto to Florida for her husband to take a dream job, she discovered a love of gay romance and fulfilled a dream of her own — getting published.  After a few years of editing web content by day, and neglecting her supportive, understanding hubby and needy cat at night to write stories about men loving men, she was uprooted yet again and now resides in California. Writing is always fun and rewarding, but writing about her guys is the most fun she’s had in a long time, and she hopes you’ll enjoy them as much as she does. 

Visit KC at her website, on Twitter, on Facebook, or find out about new releases by signing up for her newsletter.

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Release Blitz for Why I Trust You by Colette Davison (excerpt and giveaway)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Why I Trust You

Author: Colette Davison

Publisher:  Smudged Ink Press

Genre/s: Gay contemporary romance

Length: 76,000 words/363 pages

Release Date: April 23, 2018

It’s a standalone story but part of a loosely linked series (Why I Left You and Why I Need You)

Blurb

Martin is the larger than life funny guy, the one who’s quick to soothe other’s pain, whilst hiding his own. He wants nothing more than to find ‘the one’, but his love life consists of a string of break-ups. He’s close to giving up on love, until he meets Ryan online, the artist whose work speaks to his soul. There are just two problems: Ryan already has a boyfriend and he lives in California, which is one hell of a long way from England.

Working with Martin to develop a game is supposed to be purely business; a way for Ryan to earn the money to leave his abusive boyfriend. Except, he finds himself falling for the enigmatic Englishman. Wondering what kind of spark there might be if they were in the same country is one thing, escaping his boyfriend is another.

Wounded by their past relationships, Martin and Ryan have to learn to trust each other in order to have a chance at building a future together.

Buy Links – Available on KU

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads  

Excerpt 1

“So, I’ve been meaning to ask, do you surf?”

Ryan blinked at Martin’s question, which had seemingly come out of the blue just as they were wrapping up their latest call.

He adjusted his position; the laundry room floor wasn’t exactly comfortable. “Uh, no, I can’t surf.”

Martin chuckled softly down the phone. “Isn’t that what all you guys do in California? You surf, have bleached-blond hair and golden skin, and say, ‘Totally rad, dude’ a lot.”

Ryan couldn’t stop himself laughing, which actually felt really good, though he did smother the sound with his hand. Not that anyone in the apartment block was likely to be awake at three in the morning, let alone wanting to do laundry.

“You don’t?” Martin’s voice was full of fake shock.

Ryan laughed even harder. He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed a hand against his ribs, taking deep breaths to try to calm himself. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed like that.

“No,” he gasped.

“Really? Because I keep expecting you to say, ‘Cowabunga, dude.’ So, I guess pizza isn’t your favourite food, either?”

“Umm… I think you’re confusing the ‘surfer dude’ stereotype with the Ninja Turtles.” Ryan wiped his eyes. He leaned back against the washing machine he was sat in front of, careful to keep his bruised lower back from making contact with the unforgiving metal. “If that’s what you think I’m like, does that mean you wear a three-piece suit, carry an umbrella and drink tea constantly?”

“Oh, yeah,” Martin said. “That’s an absolutely spot-on description of everyone in Britain. Even the women wear tweed suits all the time.”

Ryan tried to hold the fresh burst of laughter inside him, but his ribs hurt too much to manage it. “And you’re all soccer mad.”

“Football,” Martin corrected. “And we all dunk biscuits in our tea.”

“What? Yuck. Seriously?”

“Yes,” Martin said in a very serious tone. “Trust me, you haven’t lived until you’ve dunked a chocolate digestive in your tea.”

Ryan grimaced. He wasn’t sure what a chocolate digestive was, but the thought of dunking a biscuit in a hot drink turned his stomach. Surely, it would just make a horrible mess? When he was a kid, his mom had given him milk and cookies, which he’d happily dunked, but cookies were way more solid than biscuits.

“I’ll take your word for it,” he said, not eager to ever try it out.

“You don’t have to. I’ll make you tea and biscuits if you come visit.”

About the Author  

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Social Media Links

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Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. 

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