Category: Contemporary fiction

Book Blast: Dev Bentham’s ‘Driving Into The Sun’ Tour and contest

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Driving into the Sun_FinalSMBook Name: Driving into the Sun
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23123831-driving-into-the-sun
Author Name: Dev Bentham

Author Bio: Dev Bentham writes soulful m/m romance. Her characters are flawed and damaged adult men who may not even know what they are missing, but whose lives are transformed by true love.

Author Contact: email: devbentham@yahoo.com, website: http://www.devbentham.com

Title: Driving into the Sun by Dev Bentham
Publisher: Loose Id
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

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

Sales Links:  Loose id LLC

Driving into the Sun Blurb:

Bad choices. We all make them, some more than others. Dusty’s choices have left him unemployed, broke and practically homeless. Despite the major issues he has with his family, his only rational choice is to sell everything and move into his parents’ basement. At thirty. Looking for a ride west, he answers a phone ad. The voice at the other end of the line flows like dark, rich honey. Finally something to look forward to—listening to Joe’s voice all the way from Illinois to Idaho.
Rather than the hip crooner of Dusty’s fantasies, Joe turns out to look more like a panhandler. Is that because Joe dresses down, or are Dusty’s preconceptions about Native Americans clouding his vision? Joe is silent more often than not. He has a complicated past and still has amends to make. But he is ready to move on. Dusty feels trapped. Two damaged men, one small car driving two thousand miles into the sun—sometimes things need to break down before they can get fixed.

Driving into The Sun Excerpt:

When Joe finished with the hand, he put his fingers under Dusty’s chin and tipped his face toward the light. His touch was gentle, like a lover right before a first kiss. Dusty’s lips opened as he stared up into Joe’s dark brown eyes. Joe’s gaze flicked to Dusty’s mouth, then away. He wet some gauze and began dabbing at Dusty’s cheek. Dusty had forgotten about scrape on his face. Now it stung. So much for the moment before a kiss. He bit the inside of his lip to keep from pulling away.

“Don’t worry.” Joe’s voice was soft, amused. “This won’t scar your handsome face.”

Dusty rolled his eyes. Handsome was about the last thing he’d call himself tonight. Still, he found himself smiling at the
thought.

SunBadgeTour Dates: 9/23/14

Tour Stops: Carly’s Book Reviews, Parker Williams, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, My Fiction Nook, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, MM Good Book Reviews, Full Moon Dreaming, Love Bytes, Amanda C. Stone, Andrew Q. Gordon, Iyana Jenna, Smoocher’s Voice, Fallen Angel Reviews, Multitasking Mommas, Prism Book Alliance, Michael Mandrake, It’s Raining Men, Queer Town Abbey, Dawn’s Reading Nook, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Cathy Brockman Romances, Cate Ashwood

Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway for Rafflecopter Prize: E-book copy of ‘Driving Into the Sun’.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

On Tour with Jason Lloyd’s Salty Aftertaste!

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ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords welcomes Jason Lloyd here to talk about the anniversary edition of Salty Aftertaste, Jason’s first novel, published last year.  We have an excerpt and author’s foreword as well as a contest to enter.

Jason Lloyd calls his style of writing “creative non-fiction”, a manner of weaving autobiographical details into stories. Are they daydreams?  Perhaps flights of fancy, both sexy and humorous?  Take a closer look and decide for yourself…

Salty Aftertaste Blurb:

Salty Aftertaste CoverBoys, beaches and bad decisions…

In this nonfiction tale, Jason and his hilarious and crude motley cast of friends leave their mundane suburban jungles and flock to the mecca that is Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for vacation. They are in search of a little rest and relaxation; aka beach, bars and boys, lots of hot boys.

Jason is just looking for a little attention. He just wants to feel wanted, and a little summer passion would not hurt either. Jason is the self-proclaimed hopeless romantic of the group. Will he find his summer love or is romance really scarce?

Kevin is the complete opposite of Jason. He feels that romance is only alive in stories. Kevin’s love for a teenage drama goes too far, and his obsession turns into more than he expected. Did Kevin finally stumble upon some romance or does his fascination finally get the better of him?

Bobby is looking for a connection. Any kind of connection. He meets a new guy every night and shares his bed with him. What is really going on behind Bobby’s bedroom door? Will he ever be able to fill this insatiable void for closeness?

Benjamin sneaks out every night. He disappears into the night and reemerges the next morning as if nothing had happened. He is quiet about his extracurricular activities. Where does Benjamin go? What is he doing?

In this beach oasis, where there is an endless sea of sexy men with perfect bodies, will Jason and his friends actually find love or just one night stands? One thing is for certain, it is an epic vacation that none of them will forget.

Creepy Benji – A Look into Salty Aftertaste

Salty Aftertaste is my story about a vacation I took with my friends. Four gay guys and three straight girls live together in a small beach house for a week. It was like the gayer version of MTVs The Real World. When you have that many personalities under one roof, many memorable things will happen. The funny and dramatic moments from that vacation feel like they just happened yesterday.

This vacation was the first time we were all together for an extended period of time. I got to see everyone’s quirks and how everyone handled their liquor differently. One of my favorite scenes was the first night we were in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and we watched our friend go from quiet and laid back to creeper in 2.5 seconds.

A Salty Aftertaste Excerpt

Benjamin started to become increasingly drunk after we got to Aqua. I had not actually noticed until he put his arm around me.

“Jason you’re my favorite right now,” Benjamin said with hazy eyes and slurred speech as he clung to me. I could tell he was using my body to keep his body steady.

Benjamin started to dance with me, with random people, and with the shadows on the wall. He flailed his arms up and down and swayed from side to side trying to keep up with the rhythm of the song. He failed miserably.

“Um, exactly how much has Benji had to drink?” I asked Haley.

“I’m not exactly sure, a few beers at the house and I think he’s drinking vodka now, why?” Haley inquired back.

“Because he’s staring down that shirtless guy with the blonde afro other there. He looks ready to pounce,” I nodded in Benjamin’s direction. He was a few feet in front of us. Haley glanced over.

“Oh my God! What on earth is he doing?” she asked.

“I have no idea. Maybe it’s some sort of a British mating dance.”

Benjamin thrashed his arms around. He looked like a puppet, and his master was pulling on the strings. I walked up to him, and he turned and smiled at me. He looked dopey but happy.

“Sweetheart, what are you doing?” I asked.

“Jason! JJJJAAAASSSSOOOOOOOOON!” Benjamin responded. He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. “I want him! I WANT HIM!” Benjamin yelled as he pointed at the shirtless guy with the blonde afro.

“Okay, I believe you, but how bout you come back over to the group and admire him from afar?” I insisted and pulled on his arm so he would follow me.

I had expected him to put up a fuss, but Benjamin just smiled and said, “Okay!”

When I reached the group and turned back around Benjamin was gone again.

“Now where the fuck did he go?” I asked Haley.

“He’s over there.” Kevin pointed to the entrance.

We all turned to look. Benjamin was standing right in front of the door by the trash can. He stood in the doorway bobbing up and down. He was making it hard for people to pass him. With eyes partly open, he smiled and pointed at people that walked by. He gave a thumbs up to the guys he thought were cute.

“Yeah, that’s not creepy at all,” Haley said while staring at Benjamin and laughing.

“Creepy Benji! What the hell is he doing?” Kevin asked.

“Creepy Benji is right,” Bobby said as he took a sip of his margarita.

“He is on a mission to find a guy. All he needs now is a white van with a ‘Free Candy’ sign on the side of it,” I said.

“More like a ‘Free Blow Job’ sign,” Kevin stated.

Contest:  Want to win an ebook copy of Salty Aftertaste? Use Rafflecopter below to enter. Five winners will be randomly selected. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Use the link provided for the entry form and for additional contest details.

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I’d like to give a special shout out to my talented publicist, Joleen, from Parenthetical Author Services. She set up this cover reveal/anniversary blog tour. If you’re an author and need help promoting your work, email her at PAS Promotions.

Anniversary Edition tour hosts: 3 Chicks After Dark, Attention Is Arbitrary, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Boys On the Brink, Decadent Delights, Gay Media Reviews, GGR-Review.com, Hearts On Fire, Joyfully Jay, Love Bytes, MM Good Book Reviews, My Fiction Nook, The Novel Approach, On Top Down Under Book Reviews, Prism Book Alliance, The Purple Fantasy Den, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words, Sinfully Sexy, and Smoocher’s Voice

 Meet Jason Lloyd!

 

Author picJason Lloyd is the author of hilarious m/m romance featuring an array of interesting characters. Salty Aftertaste (Ginge Publishing, 2013) was his first creative non-fiction novel. It reached Smashwords Top Best Seller list in Gay & Lesbian Fiction and was the #5 best seller in the New Adult genre on All Romance eBooks (ARe).

His second book, Queer Dirty Laundry (Ginge Publishing, 2014), is a creative non-fiction novella and is based on his popular blog by the same name. In 2011, QueerDirtyLaundry.com was nominated for The Best of Gay Philadelphia under Best Gay Website/Blog. Jason’s blog was also in the top ten numerous times on Best Male Blogs.

Jason is currently working on an m/m romance and mystery/suspense fictional novelette series called Filthy Fibbers. Filthy Fibbers is centered on five friends and the scandalous secrets they keep. The book takes place in a small Pennsylvania town called New Hope.

Jason grew up in a small town in Bucks County, Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia. A majority of his writing takes place in Eastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia. He currently resides in a small town in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Social Contacts

Email | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads and Ask the Author | Website

Buy Links for Salty Aftertaste:

Amazon | ARe | B&N | Google Play | iBooks | Smashwords

On Tour with Erica Pike and Black Hurricane (contest)

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Erica Pike here today to talk about her latest release, Black Hurricane, hot rockers boys, and all things writing.  She’s brought along a contest to enter and an excerpt to read.  Check them all out,  now on to our interview. Welcome, Erica!

 

STRW: What is your character’s favorite profession?

Erica Pike: Honestly? I love writing characters who cook, and yet the only books I’ve written that contain a professional baker is the Castor Spring series (free, because they were a part of a writing event). However, I love throwing in characters, in my other books, who are amazing cooks even if it’s just a hobby. Musicians are also one of my favorites, because there’s just something about a guy who can make music, be it with his voice or fingers.

STRW: Do you have a favorite age in mind for your characters?

Erica Pike: I mostly write New Adult, which means 18-25ish. I like it because people have to learn so much during those years when they take their first steps into adulthood and everything that comes with it. It’s also the time period where a lot of gay men are finally free to be themselves by moving away from their childhood towns, so they experience life in a whole different way, make new friendships, enter the adult dating pool, and possibly find their first love.

STRW: Contemporary romance or erotica?  How do you see your stories?

Erica Pike: I write gay romances. If I have to choose between the two terms, it’s definitely romance. You can remove the sex scenes and there’s still a romance story. Erotic Romance would be a better way of describing them, since there’s explicit sex in almost all of them, but people tend to think “Erotica” when they see Erotic Romance so I just say “Romance.” The first books I wrote contained a lot of sex scenes, as if often with debut novels in the M/M genre, but I’ve mellowed over time and now there’s more focus on other things. It doesn’t mean that the books have become boring, it just means that the guys don’t jump into bed as quickly.

STRW: Rockers are always hot!  What makes your rockers different?

Erica Pike: Mine are hotter? But, seriously, Black Hurricane is about Jazz who isn’t a professional rocker to begin with. He loves to sing and play guitar, but he’s never been about the fame and never thought about a career in music. When the fame is thrust upon him, he resents it, but the resentment has more to do with the media connecting him to the rocker Dean McQueen, whom Jazz despises with passion.

STRW: Favorite rock band?  Now and growing up?

Erica Pike: My favorite rock band hasn’t changed since I was growing up. Well, I wasn’t much into rock until I was in my teens and I discovered Quarashi, an Icelandic rock-rap band. They broke up in 2004, but announced this year that they’re back together. That’s beyond awesome, because it means more cool music. Quarashi’s “Stick ‘em Up” helped get me in the mood for Black Hurricane’s back alley standoff scene.

STRW: Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what inspires you?

Erica Pike: I don’t. Not while I write, but I may listen to it in between writing. However, during the writing of Black Hurricane, I did listen to some rock music while I wrote, Nine Inch Nails’ Closer, for example. That’s the kind of music that inspires me – great beat and raw lyrics. None of the flowery stuff for me.

STRW: Favorite character of yours?  Or do you have one?

Erica Pike: I have one, and my other characters wouldn’t mind if they actually existed. It’s Eric Wesley. I never mean for him to steal the spotlight in every Boston Boys book, but he does it anyway. I love his brash nature, his way with words, and his spunky attitude.

STRW: Which comes first character or a plot?

Erica Pike: In case of the Boston Boys series, it was definitely the characters. I never meant for it to become a series when I wrote A Life Without You, but five weeks later I had Absolutely Eric in my hands. Since I’d written two, I figured I might as well give the rest of the guys a book. However, when I wrote the College Fun and Gays series, the plots came to me first.

Thank you so much for having me over. It’s been a pleasure.

Book Name: Black Hurricane
Author Name: Erica Pike
Publisher:  MLR Press LLC

Contest:  Rafflecopter Prize: A $50 Amazon Gift Certificate and signed paperbacks of A Life Without You, Hot Hands and The Walls Have Ears. One (international) winner for the lot.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Visit here for the entry form and additional contest details or at the link at the bottom of the post.

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Author Bio: Erica lives in Iceland with her adorable little twin boys. She often says that her real name sounds like Klingon to foreigners. Seriously, if “Eyjafjallajökull” looks like a random strings of characters, it’s nothing in comparison to Erica’s name.
She’s been writing for several years, or ever since reading became an obsession. Aside from a business degree, Erica has taken English courses at the University of Iceland and gulped down anything that might help her in her career as an author. She takes great interest in English, but will break every single grammar rule for the sake of The Voice.

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Black Hurricane 400 X 600Title: Black Hurricane by Erica Pike
Cover Artist: Scarlet Tie Designs
Publisher: MLR Press

Buy Links:    MLR Press            All Romance eBooks (ARe)          Amazon

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Black Hurricane Blurb:

Twenty-three year old Jasper Jones fell in love with Dean McQueen at fourteen, but after a disastrous relationship, Jazz would like nothing better than to see the rock star choke on his own vomit.

After a catastrophic reunion, Dean seems bent on destroying Jazz’s life. It all started when an impromptu bar performance ended up on YouTube and Jazz became an internet sensation overnight. The name “Jazdean” keeps popping up in headlines and the paparazzi stalk his every move. To make matters worse, Jazz is about to end up on the streets for the second time in his life.

In a desperate attempt to keep his home, Jazz signs a deal with Dean’s band, Black Hurricane, to perform at a couple of concerts. It feels like one of Dean’s feeble attempts to get Jazz back, but painted into a corner like he is, Jazz has no choice.

Excerpt:

“Jazz, take pictures!” Eric pokes me hard in the side with his bony elbow.

I wince and raise the camera, clicking a shot.

“Go to the front, like they’re doing.” He points at the photographers running to the front and clicking madly on their cameras.

Heaving a sigh, I drag my ass off the chair to walk forward. I rake my hand through my hair before I glance back at the monstrosity on the platform. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be in this position. Suddenly oil paint and new guitar strings don’t seem all that important. I just wanna get out, but Eric needs these pictures for the magazine and I’d rather die than let one of my friends down.

My heart thuds when I see Dean looking right back at me as I approach. His brow furrows as if he’s trying to place me. Typical. Of course he wouldn’t remember me. Why would he? My heart hammers a fast beat as my body breaks out in sweat. The inside of my throat thickens, stopping half of the oxygen from reaching my lungs. And still, I’m having the hardest time looking away.

Am I nervous under his green-eyed gaze? Or is it just the hate? It’s been years since I last saw him.

Not wanting to give the wrong impression of an adoring fan, I narrow my eyes and spew out all the venom I feel for this man into one, hateful glare, just before I raise the camera and snap my shots.

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Tour Dates/Stops

BlackHurricaneAugust 11: Because Two Men Are Better Than One
August 18: Full Moon Dreaming
August 25: MM Good Book Reviews, Hearts on Fire
September 1: Velvet Panic, Fallen Angel Reviews, Havan Fellows
September 8: Decadent Delights
September 15: Up All Night, Read All Day, Love Bytes
September 22: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Smoocher’s Voice
September 29: Prism Book Alliance
October 6: It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake
October 13: Cate Ashwood
October 20: The Novel Approach
October 27: The Hat Party, Dawn’s Reading Nook
November 3: Tara Lain
November 10: My Fiction Nook
November 17: Emotion in Motion, Kimi-Chan
November 24: Amanda C. Stone

 

Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

A MelanieM Review: A Forbidden Rumspringa (Gay Amish #1) by Keira Andrews

Rating:  5 stars out of 5

When two young Amish men find love, will they risk losing everything?

Forbidden Rumspringa coverIsaac Byler’s life changed when his family moved from their Amish home in Ohio to follow their new bishop to northern Minnesota.   Their previous bishop and settlement, while holding to the Amish ways, was never as strict as the Swartzentruber Amish life they are expected to lead in Zebulon.  All it took to shake up their community was a horrible accident that cost their small Ohio town the lives of several of their teenagers on a Rumspringa.  Now in Zebulon, that outlet and glimpse into the English world is forbidden as is all but the smallest contact with the outside world.  Every aspect of their lives is rigorously charted, inspected and regulated by their bishop and laws.  And Isaac is feeling smothered and guilty about the fact.

Isaac is also turning 18, an age where he is expected to join the church and marry, two things he has been avoiding at all costs.  The reasons behind his continued postponement are ones Isaac refuses to acknowledge.  But that’s about to change as well.  His parents have apprenticed Isaac to the community’s carpenter, David Lantz, a young man supporting his mother and sibling after his father died.  Isaac has been avoiding David too because being near the carpenter raises unseemly and forbidden feelings in him that he is supposed to save for his wife.

When David and Isaac start to work together, their attraction and feelings towards each other grows as does their guilt and confusion over their futures.  David too shares Isaac’s desires, and he harbors another secret as well.  But can their love withstand the pressures of their  families, community, and religion to conform and marry?  Or will they take the chance on a life together outside in the English world and face the possibility of never seeing home and family again?

What a fantastic book!  I had heard rumors about this novel circulating around certain LGBTQ internet groups for a little while but it still I was unprepared for the engrossing stunner of a story that is A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrews.   Andrews brings us into the heart of the Amish, in particular the  type of Amish known as the Swartzentruber, a super conservative, almost fundamentalist, religious sect within the Amish community that believes in zero contact with the outside world.  I mean a total rejection of anything that could be said to be modern, English, or prideful.  That includes rubber wheels for their buggies, shoes outside of church, and a rigid adherence to a strict “by the bishop” lifestyle where everyone is under constant surveillance and every part of their lives dictated by their bishop and religion.

Keira Andrews introduces us to this society and new settlement through the eyes of Isaac Byler, a 18 year boy, who is questioning their new lifestyle under their bishop and his future as it has been laid out for him by his parents and community. What little freedoms they had in their previous Amish community in Ohio have been left behind them when they fled their settlement because of an accident that killed several teenagers on a Rumspringa.   For those readers unfamiliar with the Amish lifestyle and religion, the Rumspringa is (in some Amish communities) “a period of adolescence in which boys and girls are given greater personal freedom and allowed to form romantic relationships, usually ending with the choice of baptism into the church or leaving the community.”  In other words, a time to get wild and get it out of their system before accepting communion and becoming a part of the church and community.  But due to that tragedy, an Ohio settlement shatters and a splinter group that includes the new bishop and several families leaves, heading to Minnesota in search of an isolated stricter life.

All this information as to their past history is imparted through Isaac’s memories and musings. How I loved and understood Isaac.  He is at a juncture in his life where he is expected to join the church, marry and start a farm of his own. None of which he wants to do.  Not only is Isaac (and his best friend) chafing under the new restrictions but Isaac’s beloved older brother has left for the outside world and been shunned for his actions.  Isaac is a bundle of questions,, guilt, and forbidden attractions towards men, especially the carpenter, David Lantz, to whom he is to be apprenticed.  Andrews pulls us completely into Isaac’s world, so intimately that we feel as though we are his constant companion, privy to all his thoughts and feelings.  We are so much a part of Isaac that we feel connected to him by his interactions with his family, his love for his brothers and sisters, the responsibility he feels towards his parents, everything that he treasures that is now starting to butt up against the clear realities of life in Zebulon.  Because nothing is thriving in Zebulon except the bishop.

Slowly as the narrative proceeds,  the author enlarges the reader’s view of Isaac and Zebulon to include the community’s farms, neighbors, and the group in general as Isaac interacts with various members of Zebulon. What a contrast between the healthy Amish community in Ohio they left and the starving, reduced one in Minnesota.  That no family can grow enough, make enough supplies or have enough resources to survive is adding to the  pressure for Isaac to stay and help support his family.  The portrait of this type of Amish community is startling.  I am sure that the pressures and strains represented here are the last ones to come to mind when you think of an Amish family but this story and its well drawn characters push the reader into forming other opinions or perspectives here.  Another gem of this story and author.

Especially well done is the familial bonds and community ties that hold Isaac and David in place.  You feel the emotions and love that tugs at them at the same time you totally understand the guilt and fear that threatens to overwhelm them.  David’s character is one that straddles both communities, that of the English or outside world and that of the Amish.  But deep within David remains that love and ingrained religious beliefs that continue to frame his life if not his thoughts. He is another great character, someone who is brave, troubled,and confused yet is still the impetus for the actions and events to come.

If those ties are all you have known, what amount of courage does it take to even think of leaving it and your families forever behind?  Huge questions posed by the author and characters on an intimate scale.  And every bit of emotional turmoil and pain is relayed from page to reader in believable scene after scene.  The descriptions, the dialog, and the settings are all so authentically elevated and yet on the same level as each other.  It all rings true.  Not one aspect appears more realistic or well researched than another.  The reader will throw their heart into this story and characters.  And that will make it hard to leave them all behind by the time this tale is over.  Luckily for us, Keira Andrews will pick up their story in a sequel to come.

A Forbidden Rumspringa is one of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words’ best stories of 2014.  As is that remarkable cover, so evocative of the novel and the Amish community found within.   I highly recommend this book to all readers, add it to your TBR list today.

Cover Design by Dar Albert.  Best cover of the month and of 2014. Love it.

Sales Links:    All Romance eBooks (ARe)     Amazon          A Forbidden Rumspringa

Book Details:

ebook, 231 pages
Published September 3rd 2014 by KA Books (first published August 31st 2014)
ISBN139780993859823
edition languageEnglish
seriesGay Amish #1
settingMinnesota (United States)

 

On Tour with Brooke Johnson & Natalya Parks and The Need To Touch (contest)

 

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 I am sitting with authors Brooke Johnson and Natalya Parks to find out more about themselves and The Need To Touch.  They’ve brought along a prize of  two signed paperback copies to give away.  To enter to win, visit this Rafflecopter link to enter and for more contest details.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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STRW:   The Need to Touch is the first book in the Stay True series.  Which came first the idea for the series or the first story?

Brooke and Natalya: The story, when we first started writing we hadn’t decided on the ending. But now that the story is finished we have an idea how the whole series will play out.

STRW:  Regional “voices” can be tricky.  Go too far and the character can fall into caricature ville. Not go far enough and the character is left without any local “flavor”.    How did you all avoid that syndrome?

Brooke and Natalya: Brooke was married to a country boy and Natalya grew up on a farm. We used this to create Ryder. Ben is a lot like Brookes friend from high school who was the original idea for the book.

STRW:    Ryder Harrison grows up on a small ranch in Montana.  Is that location and setting based on research or experience?

Brooke and Natalya:The location of Montana is from research. We chose it because it wasn’t too far from California but would still be a huge change and adjustment for Ryder. The ranch setting is from experience.

STRW:    Bentley Carter has a background of abuse.  That also is such a sensitive topic that writing that into a character needs to be handled believably.  Do you all feel that came across?

Brooke and Natalya:Yes, Brooke has an associate’s degree in adolescent psychology and is working on her bachelors. Natalya grew up in an abusive environment.

STRW:  Why write with a partner?  How did that come about?

Brooke and Natalya: We’re both gifted in different ways when it comes to writing. Where one of us is a little weaker the other one is stronger in that area. We have a lot of fun when we start brainstorming story ideas.

Brooke had a gay friend in high school who committed suicide at the age of sixteen. She wanted to write this story to inspire young adults that true love can prevail no matter how old you are. Brooke started an outline and asked Natalya for help and we went from there.

STRW: Do you find writing with a partner presents more challenges or less when trying for cohesion and fluidity in a story?

Brooke and Natalya: We actually feel in our situation it helps. Brooke writes faster which pushes Natalya to write more. Brooke tends to get attached to one character and has some difficulty brining out the other characters as much as the one she’s attached to. Natalya has an easier time seeing all the characters. Brooke is good at getting a basic story going where Natalya is good at adding details and making the story stronger. We have come to the conclusion that having two people write two different characters makes it easier to ensure the personalities of the characters are stronger and more realistic. Brooke does not enjoy editing. Natalya actually kind of enjoys it. We feel we make a very good team.

STRW:   Why go with teenagers to begin with?  Do you intend to “age” them through the series?

Brooke and Natalya:Actually they’re young adults. Ben is 20 at the beginning of the story and turns 21. Ryder is 19 and turns 20. Yes we do intend to age them throughout the series.

STRW:   Or will each story feature different characters?

Brooke and Natalya:The series will continue to be about Ben and Ryder. We will be bringing new characters into each book and characters will be leaving.

Book Name: The Need to Touch
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21455376-the-need-to-touch?ac=1
Author Name: Brooke Johnson & Natalya Parks
Authors Bio:
Brooke Johnson:

Brooke Johnson lives in Louisiana with her five girls, wonderful boyfriend, and many pets. When she is not working on finishing her current degree, she can be found fishing, coloring, or blowing bubbles with her kids. Just over a year ago, Brooke decided she wasn’t going to back down from her dreams, and started writing full time. With the encouragement of her family she is proud to be publishing her books for the world to read.

Brooke started reading later in life. Unlike many authors who have always had a special love for reading, Brooke didn’t pick up a book until she was in her late teens. She remembers wanting to find something to do with her mom, who has always been her best friend. One day her mom was talking about a romance novel that she just read. Not being interested in it all, Brooke gave in and read the book. She’s been her mom’s reading partner ever since. They can now sit and talk, laugh and even cry about all the books they have read over the years.

So, with great pride and honor, Brooke is happy to thank her mother for encouraging her to not only read, but to follow her heart, and write her own books. What started as simple poetry on scrap paper, at the age of seven, is now a dream come true. Brooke started writing but felt something was missing. When she started writing with Natalya Parks, everything seemed to fall into place, and now here they are. Launching books, and writing more. This may be the first you see of them, but Brooke is determined that this won’t be last. Brooke is excited for you to meet their characters, and fall in love with the men that they have spent many hours with over the last year, just for you!!

Natalya Parks:

Natalya parks lives is Louisiana with her beloved dog, Napoleon. Natalya enjoys spending as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren.
Natalya has had an ongoing passionate love affair with books since she was four years old. While her friends were getting in trouble for not reading she was getting in trouble for reading. She was late for dinner, forgot to do her chores, stayed up past her bedtime, forgot about homework and was late for the school bus on many occasions; because she couldn’t put the book down. Her most embarrassing moment caused by reading a book occurred when she was in seventh grade. The school bus pulled up to her stop and of course she couldn’t possibly stop reading. The story was just too good. So with her nose still in her book she slowly made her way down the aisle of the bus. She as she got to the top of the stairs she tripped over an instrument case that was jutting out just a bit into the aisle. Where she promptly fell head first down the stairs landing in a heap in the dirt, her feet resting on the bottom step. Natalya was wearing a dress that day.

She has wanted to be a writer since she was a teenager but never thought she could write anything good enough for someone else to want to read. Her dear friend Brooke convinced her otherwise and literally dragged her into the world of writing. Something she will be forever grateful. Now, not only does she get to love and enjoy works by other authors but also those that she has contributed to as well. Her mind still goes tilt, tilt when she thinks about the fact that she is a published author. Dreams really can come true.

Author Contact:
http://www.coolbeanspe.com
Amazon

Need-to-Touch-for-AmazonSMTitle:  The Need To Touch by Brooke Johnson & Natalya Parks
Publisher: Cool Beans Publishing and Editing, LLC
Cover Artist: Aj Corza

Sales Links:     Amazon   Barnes & Noble   Smashwords        All Romance (ARe)   Website

 

The Need to Touch Blurb:

You can only win someone’s heart once you’ve captured it.

Nineteen year old Ryder Harrison grew up near a small town in Montana, working on the family’s ranch and in love with his best friend, Landon Pennington. That was until his Grandfather decided he needed to go to college in California. Ryder promised his Mom before she died that he would finish his education. Staying true to his word, Ryder packs his clothes, and heads to California, confident that it would all be one big disaster. The only thing he hadn’t planned on was meeting Bentley Carter.

Twenty year old Bentley Carter has enough emotional issues to write his own ‘How to Cope’ manual. Surviving an abusive childhood, he made a personal promise to always stay true to himself, and never let emotions overrule his common sense. Content with his current life and friend with ‘benefits’, Ben is determined to not let his new roommate affect him.

Uncertain about their places in the world, and with each other, Ryder and Ben struggle to understand the person who is not what they thought they wanted, yet who they are unable to live without. Living in a sometimes cruel and unforgiving world they are determined to embrace the reality of falling in love and the challenges that follow.

The Need to Touch Excerpt:

Ben

Two days since meeting Ryder and I was considering changing majors.

It’s been thirty minutes since this lecture began, and I couldn’t remember one word the professor said. The cause of my distraction was chewing on his pen, two rows down from me. I groaned, and then tried to cover it with a cough. My face felt hot as the girl next to me glared in my direction. Why did he have to do that with his pen? It wasn’t until everyone closed their books that I realized I had stared ay Ryder through the entire lecture.

I continually found reasons to spend time with him. So I shoved my stuff in my bag and rushed out of the classroom. I was eager to run into him in the hallway, maybe then I’d get him to talk to me.

I rushed past a bundle of people gathered in the hallway. It wasn’t as though he was hard to find. Ryder was tall and solid muscle; I bet he looked even better naked. Ryder smiled as I fell into step next to him.

“So, what did you think?” I asked as we took the stairs to our dorm room.

“It was okay. I could swear someone was watching me the whole time.” Ryder said.

Tour Dates/Stops:
8/25: MM Good Book Reviews
8/26: Andrew Q. Gordon
8/27: Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings
8/28: Jade Crystal
8/29: Amanda C. Stone, EE Montgomery
9/1: Parker Williams
9/2: LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Iyana Jenna
9/3: The Hat Party
9/4: Love Bytes
9/5: Kimi-Chan
9/8: Cate Ashwood
9/9: Prism Book Alliance
9/10: Hearts on Fire
9/11: Fallen Angel Reviews
9/12: Foxylutely Book Reviews
9/15: Love of Bookends
9/16: Wake Up Your Wild Side
9/17: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
9/18: Hearts on Fire
9/19: My Fiction Nook

Rafflecopter Code:  Rafflecopter Prize: One of two signed paperbacks.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Please use the link below for the entry form and for all contest details.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On Tour with K.A. Merikan and her Guns ‘n’ Boys (contest)

Welcome, K.A. Merikan, to Scattered Thoughts And Rogue Words!  Kat Merikan is here to talk about her latest release Gun’s ‘n’ Boys, a dark novel of crime, lust, and suspense!

Contest:  K.A.Merikan is giving away an ebook copy of Guns ‘n’ Boys. To enter to win, leave a comment below along with your email address where you can be reached if chosen.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Contest runs until midnight 9/21.

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 magnifying+glass+crime+scene+police

 K. A. Merikan on Guns ‘n’ Boys…

If you’ve ever dreamt about an assassin who doesn’t just do the killing behind the scenes – Domenico Acerbi is right for you.gunsnboys_book1Part1_450

If you’re tired of the brutal antagonists always turning out to be undercover investigators – Domenico Acerbi is right for you.
If you’re tired of harsh men who completely lose their cool and melt into fluffy teddy bears the moment they find The One – Domenico Acerbi is right for you 😉

Yes, I know this sound like a vintage ad. Seriously though, while in real life I stay as far away from violent or assholish people as possible, they do excite me in books and other media. Anti-heroes may be baddies, but they are not straight-up villains. Sure, they frequently engage in criminal activities, they beat people up, produce illegal drugs, even kill, but at the same time they have redeeming qualities that make us root for them. One of them is that antiheroes do things that most people secretly wished for at some point in their life, for example punching an obnoxious person, or killing a person who escapes punishment that they deserve. But every good anti hero needs to draw a line somewhere.

That’s why the main character of Dexter only kills a certain kind of people, and the viewers can’t help but cross their fingers for him. Most movie assassins declare that they won’t touch women and children, but they have no qualms about torturing an innocent man. Audiences are inclined to be forgiving of violent behavior but only if they understand the character’s motivation, and I confess I am very guilty of that 😉 After all, who doesn’t like a bad boy in their fantasies once in a while?

Order at Amazon!

 

— Love is sour like a Sicilian lemon. —

The Family is always right.
The Family doesn’t forget.
The Family pays for blood in blood.

gunsnboys_book1Part1_450Domenico Acerbi grew up in the shade of Sicilian lemon trees ready to give his life for the Family. Ready to follow orders and exceed expectations. A proud man of honor.
When Seth, the younger son of the Don is kidnapped, it’s Domenico who is sent to get him back. The man he finds though, is not the boy he knew all those years ago. Lazy, annoying, spoiled, and as hot as a Sicilian summer.

Seth Villani wants nothing to do with the mafia. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a say when the Family pulls him right back into its fold after his mother’s death. Thrown into a den of serpents otherwise known as the Villani Family, Seth has to find a way to navigate in the maze of lies. But when Domenico Acerbi, the most vicious snake of them all, sinks his fangs into Seth, the venom changes into an aphrodisiac that courses through Seth’s veins.

Domenico knows his life is about to change when he gets the order to train Seth up to the role of future Don. Seth isn’t made for it. He isn’t even made. But a man Domenico knows he would never have to fear might just be someone he’s always needed.

If Seth is doomed to follow in his father’s footsteps, he might as well enjoy himself–with the most intoxicating man he’s ever met. Maybe he can even fool himself into believing that Domenico isn’t a handsome sociopath who kills for a living.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

Themes: Enemies to lovers, mafia, homophobia, assassin, organized crime

Genre: Dark, twisted erotic romance / crime thriller

Erotic content: Explicit gay sex, coercion

Length: ~110,000 words

WARNING: Adult content. If you are easily offended, this book is not for you.
‘Guns n’ Boys’ is a gritty story of extreme violence, offensive language, abuse, and morally ambiguous protagonists. Behind the morbid facade, there is a splash of inappropriate dark humor, and a love story that will crawl under your skin.

About the author:

K.A. Merikan is a joint project of Kat and Agnes Merikan, who jokingly claim to share one mind. They finish each other’s sentences and simultaneously come up with the same ideas. Kat and Agnes enjoy writing various kinds of stories, from light-hearted romance to thrillers. They love creating characters that are not easy to classify as good or evil, and firmly believe that even some villains deserve their happy endings. It is easiest to find them in galleries, restaurants and historical sites, always with a computer or notebook, because for Kat and Agnes, every day is a writing day. Future plans include lots of travel, and a villa on the coast of Italy or a flat in Paris where they could retire after yet another crazy venture, only to write more hot homoerotic stories.

As K.A. Merikan, Kat and Agnes have published a number of books, which cross genres while always staying homoerotic.

You  can contact/follow K. A. Merikan at: