Jaclyn Quinn on Inspiration, Writing and her new release Hard To Let Go by (Blog Tour, excerpt and giveaway)

 Hard to Let Go Tour Banner

HARD TO LET GO

JACLYN QUINN

M/M ROMANCE

RELEASE DATE: 02.19.18

Hard to Let Go Cover 

 

Cover by Cate Ashwood Designs

Interior Design and Formatting by Flawless Touch Formatting

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Jaclyn Quinn here today talking about the inspiration behind writing her latest story Hard to Let Go.  Welcome, Jaclyn.

♦︎

I wrote Hard to Let Go so long ago, it’s hard to say if there was something that specifically inspired me. Music is a big influence for me, whether it be an entire song or just one line. I find myself wondering happened for those lyrics to be written. What was the story behind it?

I like stories where the MCs face their struggles, whatever they may be, and find love under all the layers. The hard part is trying to figure out where forgiveness is beneath all those layers. I wanted to write a story that dealt with difficult issues, but that also had a strong family feeling. There also needed to be humor, because that’s what real life is. There are moments during trying times where you find yourself laughing at something, whether it be a friend, a family member, or something unexpected. It’s the ups and downs of our emotions. So it was important for me to show the reason for Owen’s anger, but also show how he finally gets to a place where he can let that anger go. With Brody, I think he needed to forgive himself before he could truly love another person.

As for the family part of the story, I really just drew from my own life and experiences. My family is incredibly close. We have Sunday dinner as often as we can. Sometimes, our schedules don’t permit it, but we always pick right back up the next week. Our family dinner table is a lot like Owen’s. We’re loud, laugh a lot, and tease each other. We’ve also been known for an outdoor food fight or two. Ha ha

 

BLURB

Owen Richards lives a quiet life in his small hometown of Haven’s Cove. He has a rewarding life consisting of three very supportive—not to mention feisty—women, and a successful bakery that he owns and absolutely loves. Yet, Owen can’t seem to shake this emptiness inside or the intense feeling that something is missing. A sudden encounter with a man from his past, one he despises, turns his entire world upside down. When Owen finds himself attracted to that sexy man, he questions everything, including his sanity. After all, only an incredibly disturbed person would find that he can’t stop thinking about his high school bully.

Brody Walker never expected to return to Haven’s Cove. He’s made a life for himself in Boston where he can truly be the person he was always meant to be. But an unexpected call has Brody facing all the demons he’d left behind so long ago. Now, he’s faced with not only a difficult goodbye, but one long overdue apology to a man who is no longer that lanky kid from high school. The challenge is to convince the guy he’s changed—and also prove he’s worth taking a chance on.

When passions ignite, truths are exposed, changing beliefs these men have held on to for years. Faced with the knowledge that things aren’t always what they seem, will they choose to hold on to the incredible thing they’ve found…or is it easier to give in to the fear and let go?

Hard to Let Go Teaser 4

Hard to Let Go Teaser 3

 

EXCERPT

Brody nodded his head and let his aunt Nora lead him down the hall. Had this hallway always been so damn long? The walls were lined with pictures. There were Brody’s school pictures, holidays, and family photos of the three of them smiling.

It was a hall full of lies.

As he crossed the threshold into the room, it was like breaking through a thick wall. His chest hurt and every muscle in his body tensed. He didn’t know what he was expecting, but it wasn’t this. A hospital bed was against the soft blue wall to his right; an IV stand with a bag hanging from a hook at the top blocked his view of his mother’s face. The room had the same beige carpet he remembered, but his father’s desk was replaced with a big reclining chair. There was another chair in the room on the far side of the bed. A small table on wheels sat next to it and on it were tissues, a pair of glasses, and the last thing he expected to see—a framed picture of him from when he was little. Next to that was an oxygen tank with tubing connected to it. The tubing led up to where it hooked around her ears to hold the small prongs in place in her nose. There were no big machines, no sounds of incessant beeping.

Then it really hit him. She wasn’t there to get better; she was there to let go. Brody stepped softly into the room, afraid to disturb her, afraid to breathe too heavily and throw off the serenity of her room.

Brody’s heart was trying to beat its way out of his chest. He felt a light touch from his aunt on his back, as if she was telling him it was going to be okay—even though they both knew it wouldn’t be. He walked to the side of the bed cautiously, praying he didn’t upset her if she didn’t want him there. As he lowered himself into the chair, his breath caught, and he looked into his mom’s eyes for the first time in too long. Oh God, was that panic in her eyes? Pain? He didn’t want to cause her either in her final days.

“Brody? Honey, is it really you?” Her voice was so soft, but there was no mistaking the words as a tear slid down her cheek, and her eyes had a sudden light.

Just like that, Brody released the breath he’d been holding and let the tears fall down his face. “Yeah, Mom. It’s me. I’m here.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.

I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!

When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

GOODREADS

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

MichelleSlagan---VibrantPromotionsLogo---FiveStarDesigns---150ppi

Release Blitz – Promise Me We’ll Be Okay by Nell Iris (excerpt and giveaway)

 

 
 
Length: 27,000 words approx.
 
Publisher: JMS Books
 
Blurb
 

What do you do when your past comes knocking?

Six hundred and ninety-five days. That’s how long it’s been since Jude’s fiancé broke off their engagement. With the help of his brother and his all-encompassing love for music, Jude glued the broken pieces of his heart back together, but when his ex shows up on his doorstep late one evening, Jude fears it will fall apart again.

Two years ago, Vincent made a terrible mistake. He left the love of his life for stupid, ill-advised reasons. It took a traumatic event to bring what was truly important in his life into focus. Older and wiser, he’s now ready to do whatever it takes to win Jude back.

Their chemistry is as explosive as ever, but will they be able to work through the real issues? Can trust once broken be rebuilt?


Excerpt
 

I was still wide awake when someone knocked on my door half an hour later, and I knew who it was before I even got out of bed. Who else could it be at four in the morning but Vee?

I didn’t bother to turn on the lights or get dressed, and I opened the door in my boxers. My heart lurched at the sight of him. He still hadn’t shaved and he had black rings under his eyes. His usual confidence was nowhere to be seen. Usually, his presence took over the entire room, but today he looked as if he was trying to make himself smaller.

Without a word, I stepped aside and let him in. I grabbed his hand and led him to the den. “We’ll talk in the morning. You can sleep on the couch,” I said. “I’ll get some sheets.” I got some fresh linen from the closet and grabbed an extra blanket — he was always cold when he slept — and made up the sofa for him. He didn’t move from the spot where I’d let go of his hand, and he didn’t take his eyes off me.

“You gonna sleep in your clothes?” I asked.

He shook his head and peeled off his lavender V-neck sweater — probably cashmere — and flipped open the jeans’ button while I fluffed his pillows and spread out the cozy blanket. When he pulled down his pants, I had to avert my eyes. To stop myself from staring, I jogged to the kitchen and brought back a bottle of water for him.

He was tense when I returned as if he’d thought I’d gone to bed without saying goodnight. I didn’t like seeing him uncertain. He was a guy who was assured of himself. Never doubted himself or his intelligence. But he was never arrogant. No, he hid a kind and generous man behind his cocky smile. It was one of the things that had attracted me to him in the first place; all the different layers of his personality. The sides of him he only ever showed me.

“Go to bed,” I murmured and lifted the blanket in invitation. After a brief hesitation, he lay down and curled up on the couch. I tucked him in — pulling the blanket all the way up to his chin — and made sure it covered his naked toes, too.

I resisted leaning down and kissing him on the cheek. I managed to keep myself from ruffling his hair or touching the unfamiliar stubble to see if it was as silky as I imagined. And I didn’t beg him to take off his T-shirt so I could run my fingers through his treasure trail. I simply gave him a smile and said, “Sleep well Lovee.”

As soon as the old endearment slipped out I wished I could take it back. He, on the other hand, lit up, and for the first time since he’d knocked on my door yesterday, something looking a lot like hope shone from his eyes.

I whirled around and ran out. Dove under my covers, and buried my face in my pillow, not moving until my lungs screamed for oxygen.

Gasping for air, I tried to find a comfortable sleeping position. My questions had disappeared and been replaced with the image of him on my couch, all pleading eyes, and heartbreaking vulnerability.

I turned to the other side and fluffed my pillow, but it was too hot from my breathing into it, so I flipped it over. I rolled over on my back and flung my arm over my eyes. Then I tried to lie on my stomach with my arm tucked under the pillow, but it quickly went numb. It got too hot under the cover, so I threw it off and then it got too cold. I shivered and pulled it back up, but kept a leg outside.

After twisting in my bed for what felt like an eternity, I gave up. I sighed, stood, and padded back into the den. Vee looked up at me when I entered, as awake as I was. Tilting my head in the direction of my bedroom I said, “Bring your blanket.”

He scrambled off the couch and followed me. Tucked under my covers at a safe distance from him, I could finally fall asleep. The last thing I remembered before closing my eyes, was his sooty lashes fanned out on pale cheeks, and the snuffling sounds he made as he slept.

Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies’ room), loves music (and singing along but, let’s face it, she’s no Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (“Make it so”). She loves words, poetry, wine, and Sudoku, and absolutely adores elephants!

Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender, or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.

Nell is a forty-something bisexual Swedish woman, married to the love of her life, and a proud mama of a grown daughter. She left the Scandinavian cold and darkness for warmer and sunnier Malaysia a few years ago, and now spends her days writing, surfing the Internet, enjoying the heat, and eating good food. One day she decided to chase her lifelong dream of being a writer, sat down in front of her laptop, and wrote a story about two men falling in love.

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angst, and wants to write diverse and different characters



Email contact@nelliris.com
Web www.nelliris.com
Twitter @nellirisauthor
Facebook page www.facebook.com/nellirisauthor
Facebook profile www.facebook.com/nell.iris.12
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/nelliris
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nell_iris/
QueeRomance Ink https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/nell-iris/

 

Giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

 

The Time is Right for Gay Superheroes. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

The Time is Right for Gay Superheroes

Does Black Panther’s Success

Open the Door for a Queer Superhero?

Black Panther
Hollywood is celebrating the remarkable breakthrough box office performance of Marvel’s Black Panther, the first entry in the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe to feature a black leading character, and indeed, a mostly-black cast. Part of the shock and awe felt within the industry when it comes to Black Panther comes from the history of black superheroes in films: There just aren’t very many, …
Read more

Clearly, others were thinking along the same lines.  My friend and author J. Scott Coatsworth posted this story at his terrific site QueerSciFi (David Reddish – Full Story at LGBTQ Nation)   

From your recommendations, finds and links,  yes, there are gay superheroes out there in many forms and formats, yet few have made it through to the mainstream media yet as did Black Panther this year.  The Pride, the picture at the top of the page is from The Pride comic by Joe Glass.  It’s a small press comic series based in based in Treorchy, Wales.  Started in 2011, the first 8 page story formed about a superhero team consisting of FabMan, Angel, Bear, Frost, Sapphire, Twink, White Trash, Wolf and Cub.  I’ll let you guess who is who. Published sporadically through the years, it’s returning this year with Issue five of The Pride Adventures.  Look for more information here.

Just as Black Panther , and the call  #WakandaForever has become an affirmation of self, the beginning of a movement.  Of joy, of recognition, of belief, of strength.  If one movie…one comic has had, and continues to have the power to do all that for people of color.  What would gay comic heroes be able to do for the LGBT nation?

Clearly, we need our gay superheroes just as badly as Black Panther and Wakanda is needed and is now being treasured and loved  everywhere. Netflix series Jessica Jones comes to mind, but that’s hardly mainstream, although I love it so.  Where will it come from and when?  I have no idea but with Black Panther I hope I’m seeing a sea change, one that’s already brought us Wonder Woman and now will bring us a  LGBT superhero where we can see a representation like no other before…#LGBTsuperhero #PrideForever.

LGBT Superhero Giveaway

Further Recommendations from our Readers and Winner Announcement:

HB:

don’t think I’ve read many stories with actual superheroes (the ones with super powers and a suit) would be:
Love for the Cold-Blooded Or: The Part-Time Evil Minion’s Guide to Accidentally Dating a Superhero by Alex Gabriel.

Purple Reader:

Thanks for the links and other recs, especially the reference to graphics. I remembered a few more, including one graphic. Most are on those links, but these are the ones I’ve read and enjoyed:
– EARTH 2, VOL 1 by James Robinson, et al – graphic, simple plot, but a visual thrill w gay Green Lantern.
– LOVESICK GODS by Amanda Meuwissen – new one, framed around greek mythology.
– THE DIVISION by C.C. Bridges – part-time superheroes (one closeted, other has a crush) team up against alien invasion.
– EDDIE & SHADOW series by Skylar Jaye – heck, why not a son of superheroes being sub to a Dom supervillain.
– and it’s been mentioned, but I liked it too – LOVE FOR THE COLD-BLOODED, OR THE PART-TIME EVIL MINION’S GUIDE TO ACCIDENTALLY DATING A SUPERHERO by Alex Gabriel – yep, that’s the title, nuf said.

Jessica:

Superheroes are some of my favorite reading. Definitely Skylar Jaye’s Eddie and its sequel Shadow. Cari Z’s Panopolis series, Where’s There’s Smoke, Where There’s Fire, and Where There’s a Will are wonderful reading. Alexis Hall has a superb short in the Winter Rain anthology, Behind the Masks. Dreamspinner had a really nice anthology, Men of Steel, that has since gone out of print sadly. In YA, Hero by Perry Moore is on my keeper shelf. Also, Superior by Jessica Lack is a novella that delighted me. Refraction by Hayden Scott is another YA that I really enjoyed.

Thank you all for some great links and recs.  You all rock as always.  This is a topic close to my heart as if you all haven’t guessed already.  A huge geek I always had stacks of comic books at home (guess who’s mother tossed them..something I’ve never recovered from), seeing the resurgence of Black Panther and its impact has brought me to tears more than once.  The thought of what a gay superhero  could do for the LGBT youth and well, all the LGBT community?  Leaves me speechless….

Happy March.  Our winners are Purple Reader and Carolyn.  Please contact Stella at scatteredthoughtsandrogueword@gmail.com and she will help to get your gift certs to you.  Congratulations.  New giveaway coming up soon!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, March 4:

  • Cover Reveal for Lost Souls Found by Kris T. Bethke (giveaway)
  • BG Thomas on One NIght Stands, Writing and his new release  Orange (guest post)
  • The Time is Right for Gay Superheroes. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, March 5

  • DSP Promo Laura Lascarso
  • Hard To Let Go by Jaclyn Quinn Blog Tour
  • Release Blitz – Promise Me We’ll Be Okay by Nell Iris
  • A Jeri Review: The Time of My Life by Nora Phoenix
  • A MelanieM Review: A Matter of Justice (Hong Kong Nights Book 3) by J.C. Long
  • A Stella Review:  If Ever I Cease to Love You by Shawn Bailey
  • An Alisa Audiobook Review: Chief’s Mess (Anchor Point #3) by L.A. Witt and (Narrated by Nick J. Russo)

Tuesday, March 6:

  • COVER REVEAL BLITZ Invitation to The Blues (Small Change #2) by Roan
  • BLOG TOUR Unraveled by K.M. Neuhold
  • Livingston (Trenton Security #1) by J.M. Dabney Release Day Blog Tour
  • VLOG TOUR The Time of My Life by Nora Phoenix
  • A Caryn Release Day Review: When Everything is Blue by Laura Lascarso
  • A Free Dreamer Review:Finding Sanctuary (The Hampton Road Club #6) by Morticia Knight
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Cowboy in the Crosshairs (Turquoise, New Mexico #1) by B.A. Tortuga

Wednesday, March 7:

  • BLOG TOUR – Skater Boy by A.E. Wasp
  • RELEASE BLITZ Off-Campus Setup by Maria Vickers
  • Review Tour  for Winter Cowboy (Whisper Ridge, Wyoming #1) by R.J. Scott
  • Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway: The Pick Up by Allison Temple
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:Winter Cowboy (Whisper Ridge, Wyoming #1) by R.J. Scott
  • A MelanieM Review: The Calling by MD Neu
  • An Alisa Review: Switching Places By Morticia Knight

Thursday, March 8:

  • DSP Dreamspun Promo BA Tortuga
  • Harmony Promo Russell J. Sanders on Titanic Summer
  • INDIGO BLITZ Leaning Into the Fall (Audio) by Lane Hayes
  • A MelanieM Audiobook Review:  Runner by Parker Williams
  • A MelanieM Review: Hard to Let Go (Haven’s Cove #1) by Jaclyn Quinn
  • An Ali Review: Closer by F.E. Feeley Jr.

Friday, March 9:

  • INDIGO TOUR Waking Oisin by Grace Kilian Delaney
  • Release Blitz: Art by Adonis by Kris Sawyer
  • Review Tour for Annabelle Jacobs’ Bitten By The Alpha
  • A Caryn Review: Room for Recovery (Hearts and Health #4) by D.J. Jamison
  • A MelanieM Review : Bitten By The Alpha (Regent’s Park Pack #4) by Annabelle Jacobs
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: Heart of Glass (Lawyers in Love #3) by Ari McKay

Saturday, March 10:

  • A MelanieM Review Art by Adonis by KRIS SAWYER

BG Thomas on Writing, One-Night Stands and his latest novel ‘Orange’ (guest post)

Orange by B.G. Thomas

Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Cover Photograph by Suntown Photography;

Cover Design by Paul Richmond

Available for Purchase at Dreamspinner Press

 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host BG Thomas on tour for his new novel Orange. Welcome, Ben!

 

✒︎

 

I was asked once here at Scattered Thoughts about how much of myself goes into my characters. Well how is this for an answer?

Have you ever been the “victim” of a one-night stand? What I mean by “victim” is not abuse or a ruffee or being forced to do something you didn’t want to do and felt horrible after or anything like that. What I mean is when you meet someone and for some reason you find yourself right in bed the first night. Maybe he was just so darned hot you couldn’t say no. Maybe it was a magickal night, exciting and romantic, even though you’d just met him. Your heart soared thinking, “if this is only the first night, what is tomorrow and the next day and the next going to be like?”

Only to find out that you are a one-night stand. That he has no intention of giving you a next day and a next and a next. You’re lucky if he doesn’t leave (or make you leave) five minutes after he’s…well…finished (to say it delicately).

Happened to me! Several times. Especially when I was a young and naïve gay man, just first exploring my life as a gay man, discovering, finding the world of being gay. I remember this guy named Jack who went home with me, on the first night. I didn’t want to. I wanted to wait. He said, “Let me guess. You went out tonight promising yourself you would be a good boy.” I nodded. He said, “Well I went out tonight promising myself that I would be a bad boy.” What a line! I took him home.

He was so hot! OMG! And not only a good kisser, but a good everything. Did I say good? He was incredible.

And he left almost instantly after he was…done. He didn’t even want to make sure that I was…well…done. He did though. “So just f*ck him and leave him,” I said, and I got the song and dance about how he had to get up early in the morning and blah blah blah. When I asked for his number he said his phone had been turned off but if I gave him my number…. You get the picture.

Over thirty years later, I still think about that guy. How it could have been different. What life might have been like if he’d given me a chance. Not that I am unhappy. I am extremely happy with my love life. But as humans, we wonder sometimes. As a writer I can’t help but wonder.

And as a writer, I can sort of do something about it. I can create for myself a similar scenario (after all, I had more than one “Jack” in my day) and write a story. But since I write romance, I can give it that happy ending we all love. Where “Jack”—in this case Frank—does give his one-night stand a second chance. And as it turns out and third. And a forth, and a fifth and….

I had to explore what would make a man want only one-night stands. Not want more. Not want love. I had to explore what would make him change his mind. And most importantly, do it in a way that you—the constant reader—would not hate his guts. Not give him a chance to change and find out that love really is that answer.

I think I did that in my story, “Orange.”

And I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove it to you.

And of course, the other guy is going to get his happy ending. In more ways than one! *GRIN*

Here is the cover blurb:

Frank Sinclair believes only in the visceral, the real, what he can touch and taste. After all, his mother left him when he was five years old, so how can love exist? His next sexual conquest is what makes his world go around, not romance and happily ever after. The hot guy he sees working along the highway in an orange jumpsuit fuels his bad-boy fantasies. Coincidentally, the guy shows up at the gas station across the street from his apartment building, and you can bet he’s going to take his shot.

Roy Ingalls is his bad boy parolee in orange, and he’s ready and oh-so-willing to be Frank’s next conquest. But Roy isn’t quite the bad boy he seems—deep down he’s sweet, naïve… and the most intoxicating man Frank has ever met.

The sex is the best of their lives, but can a man who mistrusts love and another who isn’t ready to admit he’s actually gay ever move beyond friends with benefits?

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

About the Author

B.G. Thomas lives in Kansas City with his husband of more than a decade and their fabulous dogs Sarah Jane and Oliver. He is blessed to have a lovely daughter as well as many extraordinary friends. He has a great passion for life.

B.G. loves romance, comedies, fantasy, science fiction, and even horror—as far as he is concerned, as long as the stories are character driven and entertaining, it doesn’t matter the genre. He has gone to literature conventions his entire adult life where he’s been lucky enough to meet many of his favorite writers. He has made up stories since he was a child; it is where he finds his joy.

In the nineties, he wrote for gay adult magazines but stopped because the editors wanted all sex without plot. “The sex is never as important as the characters,” he says. “Who cares what they are doing if we don’t care about them?” Excited about the growing male/male romance market, he began writing again. He submitted a novella and was thrilled when it was accepted in four days. Since then the romantic tales have poured out of him. “It’s like I’m somehow making up for a lifetime’s worth of story-telling!”

In 2015 he made and entry every day in his blog “365 Days of Silver,” where he found something every day to be grateful for. You can find it right here: https://365daysofsilver.wordpress.com/

“Leap, and the net will appear” is his personal philosophy and his message. “It is never too late,” he testifies. “Pursue your dreams. They will come true!”

Website/blog: https://bthomaswriter.wordpress.com/about-2/

A MelanieM Review: Where Death Meets the Devil by LJ Hayward

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Jack Reardon, former SAS soldier and current Australian Meta-State asset, has seen some messy battles. But “messy” takes on a whole new meaning when he finds himself tied to a chair in a torture shack, his cover blown wide open, all thanks to notorious killer-for-hire Ethan Blade.

Blade is everything Jack doesn’t believe in: remorseless, detached, lawless. Yet, Jack’s only chance to survive is to strike a bargain with the devil and join forces with Blade. As they trek across a hostile desert, Jack learns that Blade is much more than a dead-eyed killer—and harder to resist than he should be.

A year later, Jack is home and finally getting his life on track. Then Ethan Blade reappears and throws it all into chaos once more. It’s impossible to trust the assassin, especially when his presence casts doubts on Jack’s loyalty to his country, but Jack cannot ignore what Blade’s return means: the mess that brought them together is far from over, and Ethan might just bring back the piece of Jack’s soul he thought he’d lost forever.

What words do I use?  Highly entertaining! Incredibly suspenseful and thrilling!  Full of unforeseeable twists and turns with characters to die for! Where Death Meets the Devil by LJ Hayward is all that and more I can’t remember reading anything by this author before but in one story Hayward became a must read author.  In a story so smooth, so compelling that I stayed up until the wee hours, caught up in the gripping tale of Jack Reardon and Ethan Blade.  And then that ending!  Swoon!

The format Hayward chooses to help tell this tale definitely pulls you further into the intrigue and drama.  The story switches effortlessly back and forth  between the first time Jack encounters Ethan Blade in the torture shack to the present. You are caught up  reading, then you are flipping at just the right time in the narrative to emphasize the power of the moment. Brilliant.  You get to see the differing mindsets, the history between the men, the change perhaps in dynamics…I don’t think I’ve ever seen this format work so well or contribute  so much to the overall energy of the narrative.  It’s perfect.

So too are the characters.  I can’t say too much except that you will believe in these men, their flaws as well as their strengths.  They have true chemistry and given their tough conditions and situations, you will believe in that and them over and over again.  I’ll say no more.

Where Death Meets the Devil by LJ Hayward has a camel named Sophia, more plots twists than can fill a pool in an oasis,  and a ending I absolutely adored.  It also sent me running to the publisher begging for information about any news about sequels.  Yes, my readers, apparently there’s one in the works. Be still my heart.    So now I’m off to read this story again.  Yes, I loved it that much. You will too.  Put Where Death Meets the Devil on your TBR list and the author LJ Hayward on your must read list as well. You won’t be sorry.  I highly recommend them both.

Cover art: L.C. Chase.  I like the cover.  It works for the story.  Very jazzy.

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 395 pages
Published February 26th 2018 by Riptide Publishing
Original TitleWhere Death Meets the Devil
ISBN 1626497168 (ISBN13: 9781626497160)
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review : Pretty in Pink (Housemates #6) by Jay Northcote

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

I totally enjoy this Housemates series—each book has had the underlying theme of college-age guys living together under one roof—but each book is totally unique.  In this case, the characters are new to the house so it can easily be read as a standalone. 

Johnny is effeminate—or at least he prefers to dress that way.  His long blond hair and the eyeliner he wears around his beautiful gray eyes are the first things Ryan notices when he spots him at the birthday party for one of his mates.  But Ryan is straight, or at least he had been, but maybe not so much, considering he finds Johnny so attractive.  And he especially loves Johnny’s rear view. 

After a quick encounter back at Johnny’s place, Ryan can’t wait to leave.  Embarrassed by his desire for this man, he’s left in a quandary—a quandary that gets worse when he runs into Johnny again on the street one day.  Yes, he looks away, and yes, he’s ashamed of himself.  But no fear, Jay Northcote brings them back together when Johnny moves into the house with Jez and Mac—the house next door to Ryan’s.  Admitting he’s enjoyed their time together and apologizing for his past snobby behavior, Ryan agrees to being friends with benefits—especially now that they are neighbors. 

But of course, it’s never that easy in a romance novel, and before either man knows it, their encounters are getting more frequent and they are growing closer.  Yet neither one verbalizes their changed feelings, so when Ryan misinterprets a message he sees on Johnny’s phone late one night, their relationship is off.   

None of the stories in this series brings earthshattering emotional drama, and yet each does have its emotional tug of war, angst, misunderstandings, and most of all happy and sexy reunions.  This one was similar, plus it had two of my favorite tropes—the guy who really isn’t straight and the guy who wears pretty underwear—manties.  Love them!  And Jay Northcote did an excellent job in bringing the characters to life.  Plus, for those of us who’ve read the series, we get the bonus of a revisit with the other guys in the house so we can see how far their new relationships have come. 

I very definitely recommend this one to all who like a nice MM romance with a bit of the culture of uni life in Great Britain thrown in. 

~~~

Cover art by Garrett Leigh is a photo of the nude upper body of a young man as he’s lying back in bed with his head thrown back.  Mostly black-and-white with pink tones surrounding the title, it’s okay, but I don’t think it fits the MC in this story and certainly doesn’t indicate any hint of pink, lacy underwear. 

Sales Links:     Universal Buy Link

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1 edition, 211 pages
Published February 21st 2018 by Jaybird Press
Original TitlePretty in Pink
ASINB079TS27XS
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesHousemates #6

An Alisa Release Day Review: Touch by Remmy Duchene

Rating:  3 stars out of 5

One can’t walk the path of darkness and expect to escape unscathed.

At eighteen, Foster Erickson stepped out of the closet into a world of homelessness, prostitution, and drugs. Years later, he’s pulled it together and is ready to rebuild.

Determined not to let the demons win, Foster starts university with a plan to keep others from making the same mistakes he did. The last thing he expects is Sylvester Roberts.

After years of working with his father, Sylvester decides to step out on his own. University at his age is strange, but for him, failure isn’t an option. After flunking a few tests, Sylvester’s professor assigns him a tutor—Foster Erickson. The moment they meet, Sylvester knows Foster isn’t like other guys.

As the darkness hovers and Sylvester begins falling, he will have to decide if helping Foster fight his demons will be worth it in the end.

This was a story that showed that when you really care and love someone that it will all work out in the end.  Foster hasn’t had many good experiences since he was kicked out of his home at eighteen and is averse to being touched.  Sylvester is finally doing what he wants and he can be very patient in that regard.

While I enjoyed this story and felt for the characters I didn’t feel any real connection to them, this story was more along the lines of being told what happened not shown.  I couldn’t help but think that Foster was able to get over his fear quite quickly, he has been in therapy for this for years and suddenly he finds a guy he wants to sleep with and he can now work it all out, it didn’t connect for me. There were also many time jumps that we were told about what happened or that I felt didn’t line up with the timing for the fall semester at school.

I like the cover art by Kanaxa and the visual of Foster.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 137 pages

Published: March 2, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-267-4

Review Tour and Giveaway– Pretty In Pink (Housemates #6) by Jay Northcote

 

 
Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design
 
Length: 58,000 words approx
 
Housemates Series
 
Book #1 – Helping Hand
Book #2 – Like A Lover 
 
Blurb
 

Ryan isn’t looking for a relationship with a guy–and Johnny isn’t looking for a relationship at all.

Ryan’s always been attracted to tall, leggy blondes–normally of the female variety. When Johnny catches his eye at a party, Ryan’s interest is piqued even though he’s never been with a guy before. The attraction is mutual, and the amazing night that follows opens Ryan’s eyes to his bisexuality.

Experience has taught Johnny that love hurts. Staying single is safer, and there’s no need for complicated relationships when hooking up is easy. When he moves in next door to Ryan, they’re both interested in picking up where they left off, and it seems like an ideal arrangement: convenient, mutually satisfying, and with no strings attached.

Despite their best intentions to keep things casual, they develop an emotional connection alongside the physical one. Both begin to want more from the relationship but are afraid to admit it. If they’re going to work things out, they need to start being honest–first with themselves, and then with each other.

Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.


Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short storyójust to see if he couldóand found it rather addictive. He hasnít stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

www.jaynorthcote.com
Twitter
Facebook profile
Facebook Author Page
Newsletter
Jayís books

 

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

An Alisa Review: Switching Places (Kiss of Leather #8) by Morticia Knight

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Tai wishes Master Lucas wasn’t such an adamant Top, but he’s also crushing on the sweetly submissive Elliot. Could he have it both ways?

 

Tai has hit a wall in life. From all outward appearances, he’s the guy who has everything—looks, personality and money. But the modeling gigs are drying up and he still hasn’t found that specialsomeone to call his own. The part-time work at Kiss of Leather is quickly becoming full-time to prevent the drain on his dream-business savings.

Elliot fell for the stunning Tai from almost the moment he met him. If he wasn’t so self-conscious about the weight he’s recently put on, maybe he could work up the nerve to make a move. However, not only is he a virgin who’s never done a scene before working in a BDSM club, but he’s also sure that Tai has a thing for Master Lucas. There’s no way he could ever compete with the handsome silver fox.

When Master Lucas confesses to Tai that he doesn’t only see him as a hookup and offers him a contract, there are a ton of considerations. They both realize that serious compromises would have to be made for them to have a relationship. But what if they found a third, a sub who could bottom for Tai and also do TPE with Master Lucas? Once the idea takes hold, Tai knows just the perfect boy for them both. Even better? He’s right there at Kiss of Leather, and Tai can’t wait for Elliot to turn them all into a throuple.

I have loved the Kiss of Leather series and this was another great story in it.  We start with Tobey and Hunter’s house warming party before seeing more into Tai, Lucas and Elliot’s lives.  Tai and Lucas have been dancing around their feelings for a long time but when faced with trying to make an exclusive relationship work they know there are some big barriers to overcome.  Elliot is so sweet and just wants to help and serve all those around him but knows he needs to find someone for himself and stop admiring from the sidelines.

I have loved Tai in the previous books and was excited to see him finally get his story.  Lucas’s acceptance of Tai’s behavior and attitude is one of the things that shows that love will come even when you don’t expect it.  I hated seeing Elliot get hurt when he was trying to find something for himself but I loved that it gave Tai and Lucas the chance to pamper him and grow their relationship.

I liked this story as I have the series but this one was much more insulated than the last few and we didn’t really see much other than these three working everything out together.  Much of the story was told from Elliot’s or Lucas’s viewpoint and I felt much more connected to Elliot and invested in his happiness than Tai or Lucas.  It seems they found a good common ground for them all to have an equal relationship but didn’t feel that there was much shown to see them really navigating their relationship once it started.

The like cover art by Erin Dameron-Hill and the visuals of the characters and that it follows the pattern for the series.

Sales Links: Pride Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 152 pages

Published: February 27, 2018 by Pride Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-78651-648-0

Edition Language: English

Series: Kiss of Leather #8

A Stella Review: Found (Hamilton’s Heroes #1) by Annabella Michaels

RATING 4,5 out of 5 stars

As a former USAF pararescueman, Jeremy O’Brien is used to following orders, no questions asked. So, when Micah, his boss at Hamilton Security, asks him to take on a special case, he readily accepts. Micah’s instructions are simple, find the man in the picture and bring him back to Chicago.

Seven years ago, Zane Wilkinson left the hospital against doctor’s orders, only to suffer a final, devastating blow that left him with no choice but to leave the only place he’d called home. Feeling heartbroken and empty, Zane moved from town to town just trying to survive, while never letting anyone get too close.

In a chance encounter, Jeremy finds himself crossing paths with a man who fits Zane’s description. His instincts tell him that he’s on to something, but Micah warns him that he needs to be absolutely sure. Jeremy sets a plan in motion that will allow him to get closer to the man he believes to be Zane. However, the closer he gets, the more he likes the man and begins to question why he was sent to find him.

Will Jeremy be able to follow through with his orders without becoming too attached? Or will he realize that in his search for Zane, he’s found so much more than he bargained for?

Found by Annabella Michaels is exactly the type of story I love to read. Althought I’m always curious about new to me authors, I was a little afraid when I started this novel, since the last new to me authors I read lately delivered very poor books. From the beginning I understood Found was going to be a winner. I was pleasurable surprised by the writing, engaging and well done, it sucked me into the story and it made the reading easy. I literally couldn’t put the story down for a minute.

The main reason why I loved it so much lays in the characters, I adored them till the end, they were what I look for in my romances. Zane with hiis hurting past, scared in the heart and in the face, with his guard always on. Nonethless when Zane and Jeremy met, something happens.  I liked how Zane and Jeremy knew their feelings and overcame the misunderstanding (let’s call it like this, I don’t want to share too many details) like the adult and smart persons they are. The feeling they shared were clear and pure, I felt their hearts, I saw how good they were, not just together, but in their jobs and with their friends and coworkers. I was soon caught in the novel and it actually didn’t happen from some time, but I stayed up till morning to finish it.

I have to say the plot was what I was expecting and this is the only reason why this is not a five stars review. I saw the surprise element coming a mile away, still that part was so emotional I obviously shed a couple of tears.

Found is the first book in the Hamilton’s Heroes series, I can’t wait for more. And since this was the first novel I read from Annabella Michaels, I had a look at her previous works and discovered this new release is connected to (at least) one book in her other series Souls of Chicago, I have to read it now!

The cover art by Jay Aheer is not a favorite of mine, I like the artist style but this one don’t work for me, I don’t know why.

SALE LINKS:  Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 1 edition, 192 pages

Published February 23rd 2018

ASIN B079V2XCYC

Edition Language English

Series Hamilton’s Heroes #1