Category: Contemporary fiction

Release Day Blitz: Nate and the New Yorker by Kevin Klehr (excerpt and giveaway)

Title:  Nate and the New Yorker

Series: Nate and Cameron, Book 1

Author: Kevin Klehr

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: May 1, 2017

Heat Level: 1 – No Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 23300

Genre: Contemporary, cisgender, contemporary, cross-dressing, depression, gay, grief, long distance relationship, non-explicit, paranormal, reunited, romance, vacation

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Synopsis

Cameron has it all. He’s rich, lives in Manhattan, and even has a cross-dressing butler. But then he meets Nate, an Australian who’s bitter about love. Cameron is determined to turn this realist into a dreamer by sharing his world of classy restaurants, Broadway shows, and fabulous parties. And while Nate’s friends see the makings of a fantasy romance, it’s Nate who has to learn that in order to open his heart, he has to face a painful secret.

Excerpt

Nate and the New Yorker
Kevin Klehr © 2017
All Rights Reserved

Trailer: https://youtu.be/p3zjFttpjXc

Both Cameron and I had Hawaiian shirts to wear, while Rowena sported a tie-dyed sarong and an afro wig. And around us, interesting guests wore chic little skirts, James Dean–style jackets, hippie gear, and mod wear.

“You haven’t introduced me yet,” said a middle-aged woman to Cameron. Her rust-colored coat had a masculine cut. Yet she elegantly held a long-stemmed cigarette holder with something that smelled very much like a joint burning on the end.

“Sorry,” said my charming American. “This is my friend, Nathan. And this well-dressed lady is my aunt Beverley.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said.

She took my hand and kissed it. “I hope you don’t think me too forward; it’s just that you’ve got such fascinating features.”

“My aunt likes to flirt.”

“It runs in the family,” she replied. She gave me a measured wink. “Now, nephew, where have you been hiding this handsome Englishman?”

“I’m Australian.”

“It’s your accent. I never can tell the difference.”

“I need you!” yelled a girl in a flower necklace. She was the drummer of the band and was addressing our host.

“It’s time,” Cameron said.

“Time for what?” I asked.

He kissed me on the cheek and then headed for the microphone stand.

“You’re in for a treat,” whispered Aunt Beverley, her voice raspy from years of smoking.

“He sings?” I asked.

“He sings,” she replied.

A laid-back strum of the bass guitar started the song, followed by a drum beat. Then the vocal. And before I knew it, I was being serenaded in front of a room full of acquaintances. But, wow! What a unique experience.

“I’ve never seen him go out on a limb for someone like this before,” said his aunt.

I smiled politely, then closed my eyes. He was crooning. His honey voice made my soul rise out of my body and search for a dream. And in the hip nightclub that appeared in my mind, he wore a gray suit with a crimson tie, standing tall in front of the trumpet section who were waiting for their cue. And I was the only one in the club.

“Where are you?” asked Aunt Beverley in a low tone.

I wanted to say I was in love but stopped myself. I realized it was rude to have my eyes closed during Cam’s song. I opened them. He had me in his sights. I wanted to jump into the waves on his Hawaiian shirt and end up on a deserted island with just him and me.

“Would you like a toke of my cigarette, Nathan?”

“No, thank you. I think the fumes have already hit me.”

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Meet the Author

Kevin lives with his long-term partner, Warren, in their humble apartment (affectionately named Sabrina), in Australia’s own ‘Emerald City,’ Sydney.

From an early age, Kevin had a passion for writing, jotting down stories and plays until it came time to confront puberty. After dealing with pimple creams and facial hair, Kevin didn’t pick up a pen again until he was in his thirties. His handwritten manuscript was being committed to paper when his work commitments changed, giving him no time to write. Concerned, his partner, Warren, secretly passed the notebook to a friend who in turn came back and demanded Kevin finish his story. It wasn’t long before Kevin’s active imagination was let loose again.

His first novel spawned a secondary character named Guy, an insecure gay angel, but many readers argue that he is the star of the Actors and Angels book series. Guy’s popularity surprised the author.

So with his fictional guardian angel guiding him, Kevin hopes to bring more whimsical tales of love, life and friendship to his readers.

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Love Free Books? Who Doesn’t? Love Jay Northcote? Combine the Two! Check it Out Here!

Free promotion running this weekend

Hi folks
Hope you’re all well. I’m just letting you know that Like a Lover (Housemates #2) is free at Amazon this weekend: 28th – 30th of April. The offer is already live and ends Sunday.

Full details

Like a Lover (Housemates #2) is free to download at Amazon this weekend.

Although it is part of the Housemates series, this story can be read as a standalone.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014O4TCMY
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014O4TCMY
Universal Amazon link: http://mybook.to/likealover_jayn

Find the whole series here:

http://tinyurl.com/housemates-JayN

LikeaLover_EBOOKJosh has a plan: get through uni with a good degree and no debts. Focused on his goals, he’s working as an escort to pay his way. He enjoys the no-strings sex and doesn’t have the time or inclination for a relationship. Falling in love definitely isn’t part of the deal–especially not with a client.

When Rupert meets Josh in a bar, he’s smitten on sight. He’s never paid for sex before, but when Josh propositions him, he can’t resist. He should have known one night would never be enough. Luckily for him, he has an inheritance to support his addiction to Josh, because his job in IT wouldn’t cover the cost.

With each appointment the lines get increasingly blurred. Something is developing between them that feels more like a relationship than a business transaction, but they come from different worlds and to go from client-and-escort to lovers seems impossible. If they want a future together, Josh and Rupert have a lot to overcome.

***

Have a great weekend!
Thanks 🙂
Jay

A Jeri Review: Unsteady (On Solid Ground #3) by Melissa Collins

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

Although this book is officially the third in a series, it absolutely can be read as a stand alone.

Melissa Collins writes really good damaged men. Damaged in a way that makes you want to cheer for them and hug them and want their happily ever after.

Micah was an army brat, moving every few years and never really making connections with people. When his father finally retired and they settled in Texas, he found himself defending Jude against bullies in the high school locker room. Offering both friendship and a work out partner, they were inseparable.

Jude thought he was doing the right thing by telling Micah to get out of his life. Looking back, it was totally the wrong thing. But 10 years have passed and he still can’t forgive himself. So when Micah suddenly calls him out of the blue looking to visit, crash at his place, whatever- Jude can’t say no.

Micah and Jude have a long road of forgiveness to travel together.  But watching them reconnect, forgive and fall in love again is beautiful. Even though Micah had way more issues than Jude- it was Jude who broke my heart. Ten years later, still taking care of his father, living in the closet and working at the school of his bullied childhood. And even though Jude was doing what he loved at the school- I can’t imagine going back there day after day.

And just when I thought Micah was doing well- Jude takes him on a surprise day trip. And Micah freaked out. Ugh I was gutted. His agony was so evident. Especially since the trigger was something you wouldn’t even think of!

Two beautiful but damaged souls healing together and healing each other. This story will rip your heart out, but also make you swoon. It was beautifully written with great regard to the life a soldier with PTSD and permanent injuries would have.

Cover design: Sommer Stein at Perfect Pair Creative Covers.  Cover is hot and eye-catching.

Sales Links  AMAZON

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition
Published April 28th 2017 by M. Collins Author, LLC
ASINB071V5B5T1
SeriesOn Solid Ground #3

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Best New Artist by BA Tortuga

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

 

Kasey “Tuff” Tuffman just told Nashville to kiss his you know what. After winning Best New Artist at an award show, he knows it’s time to head back home to Texas. So after a very public meltdown, Tuff makes his way to Austin, where the Red Dirt music lives large.

Jonah Littlejohn once loved KT more than anything in the world. When KT loses it on national TV, Jonah knows he has to reach out and offer his home studio as a place to heal and make music. A bad relationship has left Jonah broken and wary of romance, but he wants to help his old lover out.

Seeing Jonah again proves to Tuff that he’s made the right decision. Now all he has to do is convince Jonah that they’re the most perfect duet there’s ever been.

Because of BA Tortuga and  Best New Artist, I now know about Red Dirt music, its place in Texas country music and and the artists so often thought of when that term comes up. I want to listen to all their music.  I know about a place called Amaya’s in Austin that makes the best enchiladas. I know I need to go and eat there.  I know about Tuff and JoJo, Littlejohn recording studio and their family of friends and well, family.  I know I love them all too.  Finally, I know know that B.A. Tortuga needs to write another book with these people in them not in the least because of Doodle and Nana, because I need everyone back home in Texas, where they belong, happy deep in my heart.

That’s a lot of knowing.

But then again, Best New Artist is a lot of book.  There’s no question that B.A. Tortuga is a  Texas gal,  this book oozes love for this state out of every narrative pore possible.  Locations, names, food, music…the story is steeped in all things that this author loves and wants to share with her readers.  It’s doled out in bits through her characters, two and four footed, an element I treasure.  In Best New Artist, we have Kasey “Tuff” Tuffman who left home and the man he loved behind 10 years ago chasing a dream of fame and fortune only to find what he wanted wasn’t what he found.  Cue a very loud, unrehearsed and bridge-burning meltdown on television after being awarded Best New Artist.  Watching said meltdown?  The man he still loves and left behind.

The story is told from Tuff’s and JoJo’s (Jonah’s) perspectives which is necessary in order to catch up on some of the 10 year gap between the time they split up and the time they reunite.  Who was responsible each time for the breakup and the decision to reunite might surprise you.  Jonah Littlejohn isn’t just the man  waiting on Tuff to return, thank goodness.  He’s become a hugely successful musician in his own right with a sought after recording studio and group of in house musicians.  But he also has his own story to tell, a darker element here but very well done.    There is no immediate romance but a slow burn  as they get to know each other once more, figuring out trust issues and the question of being outwardly gay in a country music world.  BA Tortuga has layers upon layers for these characters to work through, just as it should be after 10 years apart.  Taking that journey with this couple, as painful as it is at times?  So rewarding and heartwarming, even more so as they come back together.

Its also not just Tuff and JoJo working out their relationship, all the people around them are involved and affected by the changes they are going through and realistically, we get believable behaviors from all of them as well.  I adored them all, and don’t even get me started on Doodle!  As I have a Doodle, I recognized him immediately, he runs the pack here.

Best New Artist by BA Tortuga is a terrific contemporary romance.  It sings with the lyrics of a deep love that not even a 10 year separation can vanquish, and dances to a Red Dirt tune that only this amazing author can write.  Its heartwarming and wonderful.  Pick it up today.

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza.  I love the cover.  Its bright and eye-catching and works for the story.

Available for Purchase at

Book Details:

ebook, 204 pages
Expected publication: April 28th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1635336589 (ISBN13: 9781635336580)
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Personal Challenges (Personal #4) by K.C. Wells

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This book is the culmination of the series which started with Making It Personal, the story of Will and Blake that served as the foundation for the characters and situations in the rest of the series. In book two we met Rick and Angelo, and in book three the focus was on Ed and Colin. I enjoyed most of the books, giving four stars to the early ones and five stars to book three. However, at least two years have gone by since I read that last book, and I have to be honest—the specifics of the characters and couples didn’t stick with me over the course of that time—understandable since I’ve read at least 500 more books since then.

That leads to my word of caution—this is not a standalone, and not only should you read the first three books before this one, but if it’s been awhile since you did, it would be in your best interest to reread, or at least review, the previous books before starting this one. I did not do that and my enjoyment of the early part of the book was compromised by my lack of recall. Of course, once I started to really get into the story, I did remember the situations in which the couples met and my enjoyment of this story increased exponentially.

Each couple in this series faces a personal challenge, or crisis, during this finale. For Will and Blake, it’s a medical problem with their newborn son, for Angelo and Rick, it’s simply a lot of interference from Angelo’s mother as she “helps” plan their wedding—for two years now—and it’s time to finalize everything. For Ed and Colin, it’s a voice from the past—Colin’s ex who contacts Colin to say goodbye as he’s dying and that leads to deep secrets being revealed and multiple heartstrings being pulled.

The story was interesting and I found myself looking forward to the next step in the process for each of the couples. At times humorous, most often serious, the author took the time to explore each couple’s issues in depth, and toward the end of the story it became highly emotional. And as luck would have it, I was in a waiting room surrounded by other people when I got to the last chapters. I had to furtively sneak a tissue out of my purse to wipe my eyes as I quietly sobbed through both the heartache and the heartwarming events as each couple came to closure in this story.

On a lighter note, aside from the main storyline, the author seems to have planted the seeds for a new couple to appear in a future book—Franco the ex-priest and Anthony, the wedding planner. I enjoyed their dynamic and would indeed like to see them get their own story.

So overall, yes, I recommend this to lovers of MM romance, and if you’ve enjoyed any of these couples’ stories in the past, by all means, pick this up.

~~~

Cover art by Meredith Russell depicts two men, both with bowed heads, one man with his arms around the other—a good symbol for the couples in the story without trying to depict any one individual couple. The sepia tones are fairly subdued and not necessarily attention-getting but the somber color scheme goes along with the seriousness of the issues the couples face.

Sales Link

Book Details:

ebook, 250 pages
Published April 7th 2017 by Island Tales Press
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesPersonal #4

An Ali Review: See My Words (Spectrum Nights #2) by Melanie Hansen

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Successful underwear model Scott Ashworth is lucky—his attack at the hands of an unknown assailant will leave no visible scars. His professional goals are still within reach, and best of all, his stepbrother Rylan Mahoney is back in his life, their teenage infatuation at last getting the chance to deepen into something more.

Thrown together by the circumstances of Scott’s injury, Rylan’s long-dormant feelings for him are quickly rekindled, though he’s haunted by the memory of Scott’s disappearance on the night of his eighteenth birthday and the six missing years that followed. Rylan pushes Scott for the truth, a firm believer in the maxim that secrets lose their power once they’re shared—but resurrecting old demons almost always comes with a price.

Before Scott knows it, his life is spiraling out of control, his toxic insecurities welling up to threaten the fragile relationship he’s building with Rylan. Learning to let go of the past and believe in himself will be Scott’s greatest challenge, or else he risks losing Rylan forever this time.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series but unfortunately did not like this second book as much.  This installment picks up immediately after the previous book ended.  The story then chronicles Scott and Rylan on their journey from friends to lovers.
The overall plot was fine but I just found their relationship dynamic exhausting.  There was so much unnecessary drama.  Scott in particular was really hard for me to like.  I had sympathy for him in the first book but found I had lost it by about mid-point in this story. Some of his behaviors were defense mechanisms but a lot were just because he was a jerk.  I also didn’t care for any of the people he had surrounded himself with.  His boss, his coworkers, his ex-boyfriend, etc were all just horrible and I was done with the lot of them by the time we got to the end.  Rylan, who I really liked in the last book, also got on my nerves.  He was kind and understanding of Scott’s issues but almost to the point of being a door mat.  I imagine people who have been through the things Scott had would have a lot of the issues he had, but it didn’t make it any easier to tolerate.  The entire thing, the plot, the MC’s, the relationship dynamic, just annoyed me to death.
For me the best part was the last 15% or so.  Finally Scott steps up and starts working on getting himself together and he forces Rylan to step back and let him.  I felt like the author did a good job on redeeming Scott by the end of the book.
I think a lot of people will enjoy this book and many won’t have the issues I did with it.  The writing itself was well done.  This book should not be read as a standalone as it is the second half of the story that was started in the book Pieces of Me.
Cover:  I like the cover art on this.  It is eye catching and I like how the covers of this book and the previous one match.
Sales Links
Book Details:
ebook, 278 pages
Published April 24th 2017 by Ninestar Press
ISBN139781945952951
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSpectrum Nights #2

 

Release Day Tour: Unsteady by Melissa Collins (giveaway on FB)

 

Happy Release Day!

Unsteady by Melissa Collins
A stand alone, M/M romance
IS NOW LIVE!
Free to read with Kindle Unlimited

Grab your copy here –> AMAZON

Cover design: Sommer Stein at Perfect Pair Creative Covers

Photography: Wander Aguiar at WANDER AGUIAR :: PHOTOGRAPHY

Models: Jacob Cooley and Ryan Dick

BLURB:

Micah Hudson and Jude MacMillian were both lonely teenagers. One the new kid
and one the target of relentless bullying, they quickly became friends. But
when friendship grew into more, the relationship was too much for either to
handle. As their tenuous bond was tested, everything tumbled down, leaving
them lonely once again.

A decade later, Micah is on the brink of losing his will to live. Beyond
exhausted from lying to everyone, including himself, Micah thinks of the one
person who knows his deepest secret. Desperate and alone, Micah makes the
only decision he feels he has: he must leave. But his need for closure
depends on one thing.

Can Jude make room in his Unsteady life for Micah once again?

Join me on Facebook where you will find a $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!
Melissa Collins Author Page

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream.
Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.

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A Jeri Release Day Review: Tied to You (Wild Side #2) by Riley Hart

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

I really loved this book. It isn’t some great piece of literature. It didn’t even vary much from other gay romance books. But what it did have was heart. A realness to it. It was genuine to me. And that made all the difference.

Miles is, for lack of a better term, the asshole of the group. He, Ollie and Chance have been best friends since they were in diapers. With Ollie’s boyfriend, Matt, they are a group of four that come hell or high water meet every Friday night. Just because they meet to hang out there every Friday night doesn’t mean that they have to go home alone.

Quinn takes Miles home on Friday night. And while it was supposed to be a one night thing, they spend the whole weekend together. Neither really wants a relationship- they just want to have a little fun. But of course they can’t stop thinking about each other.

Miles and Quinn both have some issues. BIG issues. But together they have some crazy chemistry that cannot be denied. Like, you had better have a fan handy when you are reading this book! Both could have very easily put up those stereotypical walls to keep others out. And they both do, sort of. But the walls seems to crumble easily with them. Neither has to fight the other to let them in.

One of my favorite things about this book was the playfulness between Miles and Quinn. They make each other laugh and smile. And the best part- is the playfulness before, during and after the super sexy times in the book. Someone told me once that if you can’t laugh with your partner while having sex- you’re with the wrong person. That has stuck with me for a long time and it was so evident with their relationship.

I also adored the relationship that Miles had, not only with his friends, but his parents. I loved seeing his friends give him a hard time about having a boyfriend, but also not holding back when he was being stupid. Because that is what real friends do!

Honestly, the only thing that left me wanting in the story was how Quinn flipped his attitude around. He is quite vocal about what an angry kid he was. And how that really prevented him from being adopted. And as an adult he is the guy who always looks for the bright side. A little delving into that would have been great.

This is book 2 in the Wild Side series and while I somehow missed book 1, I am going back to read it and I cannot wait for book 3.

COVER DESIGN: X-Potion Designs,COVER PHOTO: John Karrer,ARTWORK: Sarah Jo Chreene.  Sensual and eye-catching.

Sales Links

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

AMAZON CA

AMAZON AU

Book Details:

ebook, 239 pages
Published April 25th 2017 by Riley Hart
ISBN139781386488583
SeriesWild Side #2