What happens when you enroll in a monster college and end up stuck in underwater classes? Butt stuff. Butt stuff happens.
The once elitist College of United Monsters (C.U.M.) has recently fallen on hard times. In order to stay afloat it has been forced to allow humans to register. Humans, in a monster school? Ridiculous! Also, monsters are real and that was probably a bigger shock to the world than one school of them allowing humans to enroll.
Cliff Waters is a ridiculous human. Mistakenly assigned to the Underwater Wing of the college, Cliff has more problems than the average student—sudden surges in popularity, sudden urges in the sexy monster student body, and being forced to hold his breath for hours at a time to attend class. Will Cliff be able to survive in the Underwater Wing of the toughest college around where everyone wants to taste a sweet piece of him?
Honestly, it serves him right for having a punny name…and attending monster college.
This was a fun read. Cliff is literally thrown in the deep end when he tries to get to his first class at C.U.M. At first he loves the attention but it wears thin fast.
I am one that generally enjoys tentacles in my stories and this one delivered which I wasn’t expecting as the description doesn’t say anything about it but it was a wonderful surprise. I loved Humboldt’s shyness and how he didn’t throw himself at Cliff like many other students did. It was great to see them find a way to be together despite there any differences including not being able to breathe underwater.
The cover art is wonderful and I loved the depiction of the story.
Devon Murphy has never believed that there were fairies at the bottom of the garden, but when he’s in an accident on his way to his grandmother’s house and comes face to face with the biggest, baddest wolf he’s ever seen, he’s forced to reconsider.
When his grandmother asks him to look into a string of suspicious accidents, he finds a much bigger mystery to unravel. From his childhood best friend to the too-attractive Deputy Wade Hunter, everyone in Rowan Harbor seems to have something to hide. Devon has to get to the bottom of it all before the accidents turn deadly.
Sam wrote her first fantasy epic with her best friend when she was ten. Like almost any epic fiction written by a ten year old, it was awful. She likes to think she’s improved since then, if only because she has better handwriting now.
If she’s not writing, she’s almost certainly either reading or lost down a wikipedia rabbit hole while pretending to research for a novel.
Adley is an unusual elf. He prefers skiing to parties, doesn’t like to sing, and cares so little for elf conventions that his brother despairs of him ever getting married. Which is fine, because Adley has no intention of marrying just anyone.
When he meets Keru at the annual Christmas Eve party, the two are drawn to each other. The party may be the most important event of the elvish social calendar, but neither Adley nor Keru minds leaving early to take a walk. They enjoy an idyllic and romantic first date under an aurora, rescuing a reindeer calf along the way, and a relationship seems promising.
But their second date takes a dire turn when a skiing trip brings them face to face with a polar bear. They’d like to keep seeing each other … if they can make it through their second date without being eaten!
Adley and Keru are two peas in a pod from what I can see with similar interests and disinterests. Unfortunately this story just didn’t really have any high or low points it was just sort of blah. Much of it was talking about the elf culture and very matter of fact with no feeling. For two who got along so well and even had two date one right after another they moved slowly and there wasn’t anything that connected me to the characters.
The cover art by Written Ink Designs is a sweet picture of Adley and Keru.
What would you do if you rode into a mountain tunnel in North Carolina and then rode out into a different world? Adam Stephens is about to find out…
Adam Stephens is a man with a mission. It has been three years since they chopped that malignant brain tumor out of his head, and he is off on a solo motorcycle camping trip through the Appalachian Mountains.
When he rides into the Pine Mountain Tunnel in North Carolina and rides out into another realm—a realm that comes complete with a big sexy grizzly bear shifter, mages, and an evil sorcerer—he isn’t sure he isn’t lying in the tunnel after crashing his bike. Can such a world exist? Or is he dreaming? If he is dreaming…it sure is realistic.
Along the way, there will be some major hurdles to surpass including no indoor plumbing…and no coffee. A man needs some basic luxuries, correct?
I’m as divided about writing this review as I was when I finished this story. Beyond The Tunnel (The Wizard Shifter #1)by Dan Mitton has left me with so many mixed thoughts and feelings about this novel. Generally, they are all mostly good. I completed the story knowing I would love to read more in the series and that the characters certainly left a big enough impression that I wanted to know what happened to them after the ending.
First off? I loved the premise of this story. A man still in recovery from brain surgery decides to take motorcycle trip he had always planned on before his next chemo session starts. Only the light he sees exiting a tunnel in North Carolina shines with a different glow, the highway has disappeared, and the forest turned almost primeval in it’s towering growth. Is it a delusion…a result of the surgery and tumor or is it real? That would have been an interesting road to travel but Mitton goes for the straightford route which still works here.
Adams has found his way into another world, complete with magic, shifters, and an evil sorcerer. Whew. Once here, so many things start to happen. There’s a huge case of instant love. And to give the author his due, Adam remarks that yes, it’s instant love with tons of sex. Unfortunately, this part of the story doesn’t help the book. I liked both characters of Adam and Rafe but never felt that they had the time to develop their relationship. That ‘instant love’ thing just doesn’t work here. Good thing both are likable.
However, there’s so much more happening here. Mostly about an evil sorcerer, who just happens to be from Adam’s time. I found the author’s ability to make the villages and their inhabitants come alive especially appealing and essential to this story. I cared about them and certain events are devastating.
Mitton sets himself a high agenda here with this story, with multiple tasks he obviously he wanted to accomplish with the narrative. So much so that he starts with certain threads and then drops them throughout the storyline. I’m not sure if that’s because he’s going to use them in stories down the line or what. But to have these tantalizing hints tossed out here and then nothing made of them? Sort of irritating. Adam glowed in the dark in places Rafe reported? Had snatches of lightning that appeared around him? Little story elements so curious and neat that just disappear never to be seen again. Argh. And yes, there are huge holes in the story here that never to get explained satisfactorily or at all. Almost all center around magic, Adam and the mysterious sorcerer.
However, there are scenes so beautifully descriptive you’ll believe you are there. Characters both down to earth and magical that you’ll connect with and root for. There’s so much in this story that even when you want to say “why did he pull that in”, you keep going because you have to know what happens to them all.
I won’t discuss the ending. Parts really didn’t make too much sense, especially with regards to the evil sorcerer. So I expect he’s coming back in the sequel. It all ends on an up and joyous note, one that will make you want to read the next story.
Cover art works for both the characters and the storyline, Great job.
Yes, this is the week the weather took over Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words! So cold my keyboard (ok, my fingers) just about froze! Six degrees here and they are calling for much colder weather to come! Nope, Maryland is officially known as The Temperate State. Nothing temperate about these temperatures! In fact the whole East Coast is frozen from Niagara Falls to Tallahassee, Florida. Snow is falling in Texas to Florida. Iguanas are dropping like hail near the Everglades. And the Meteorologists are having a field day, either defending or denying the use of some of the words I’ve used above. Especially bombogenesis! That one caused a howl!
Nice to see language and words with the power to make things pop on a daily basis! You can find the definitions of these terms and others like seiche and haboob here. Terrific article but I’m more interested in the way these words flew about the media. People got downright Twitterpated! There’s a polar bombogenesis coming! RUN!!!!!!! To the grocery store or the liquor store or wherever one runs. But run! Not sure where they thought we were going? Alaska? Because it’s downright warmer there then here. How about “bomb cyclone”? Heard that one too! What terms have you been hearing? How have you been coping with the cold, if at all? Maybe you are one of the luckier ones and live outside the “frozen zone”, what advice, other than “Let It Go” (runs and hides) would you have for us?
I’ve been taking the cold by staying inside with the dogs and reading (and binging Netflix I confess). The cold (a 2 degree morning today) is good for that. Luckily I’ve had some wonderful stories for company. Charlie Cochrane’s Lindenshaw Mysteries (a cozy if ever there was one) is on it’s third installment. Just terrific. Plus I have some old favorites I’m discussing below. What are you all reading during this “bomb cyclone”? Or winter hurricane? What tales are keeping you warm? More about that later….
Now, onto this week. There are some very special books we are reviewing this week, some with starts that go way back! This week I’m finishing up a trilogy that started in 2009. That would be Astrid Amara’s wonderful Bellskis series. One came out in holiday season 2009, then another during the holiday in 2011, and then…nothing. I was bereft! I loved this series and couple! Then the news that Loose id was closing and the final story arrived. Wedding Bellskis! Be still my heart. All three are reviewed this week. Astrid Amara’s trilogy combines murder, mystery, Hanukkah, a sometimes rocky romance, and a couple to remember. Check them out!
Next up? Another story with it’s start years ago. That would be Laura Baumbach’s Genetic Snare. How many of you science fiction lovers remember the first story? That would be Details of the Hunt (Details #1) by Laura Baumbach published back in 2006 (2007). Honestly I can’t remember which year I read but I think it was 2006. A long time! Anyway, then she announced there would be a sequel….which never came. Which because she was busy establishing MLR Press among other things. Now, years later, we are finally getting that story! There’s a time traveled pirate, a huge alien who talks like a film noir gangster, suspense, and alien tentacle sex..sort of. Yes, it works but you really need to read both books.
Finally there’s Amy Tasukada’s Yakusa Path series. The third book is out and I’m reviewing it this week. It was one of my Best of 2017 and it looks as though it will be on my 2018 list as well. Just amazing. So if you don’t mind gritty, brilliant, bloody fiction, check out One Thousand Cranes (Yakuza Path #3) by Amy Tasukada. Again you will need the entire series.
All that and so much more! There’s a few more holiday stories and audiobook reviews and everything in between. Plus giveaways, author interviews, and guest posts! Stay with us, stay warm, and stay safe….
More about the giveaway at the end of the post.
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, January 7:
Of Polar Vortexes. Bombogenesis and Thundersnow.
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
A MelanieM Review: Carol of the Bellskis (Bellskis, #1) by Astrid Amara
Monday, January 8:
Hannah Carmack on Seven-Sided Spy
Blog tour *Bleeding Like Me by Riley Parks
DSP Promo Ari McKay
A Stella Review: Like a Gentleman by Eliot Grayson
A MelanieM Review: Beyond The Tunnel by Dan Mitton
An Alisa Review: Tangled Up in You by Emily Carrington
A Lila Audiobook Review: Uncommonly Tidy Poltergeists by Angel Martinez and Michael Pauley (Narrator)
Tuesday, January 9:
Release Blitz – Lost In Time – A.L. Lester
DSP Promo Logan Meredith
DSP Promo Z. Allora on The Great Wall
A Jeri Release Day Review: Bleu Balls (Balls to the Wall #7) by Tara Lain
A Lila Release Day Review: Southernmost Murder by C.S. Poe
A MelanieM Review: Bring Me the Deadby Becky Black
A MelanieM Review: A MelanieM Review: One Thousand Cranes (Yakuza Path #3) by Amy Tasukada
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Freckles by Amy Lane and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)
Thursday, January 11:
DSP Promo Andrew Grey
Harmony Ink Promo Gene Gant
Riptide Tour & Giveaway: Relay by Layla Reyne
A MelanieM Review: Genetic Snare (Details #2) by Laura Baumbach
An Alisa Review: Christmas Kisses at the North Pole by Jessie Pinkham
A MelanieM Review: Miracle of the Bellskis (Bellskis, #2) by Astrid Amara
Friday, January 12:
Release Blitz & Review Tour for Rebecca Cohen’s Not All Chocolates & Cuckoo
Review Tour for Sam Burns’ Blackbird In The Reeds
Riptide Tour and Giveaway: Two Feet Under by Charlie Cochrane
A MelanieM Review: Two Feet Under (Lindenshaw Mysteries #3) by Charlie Cochrane
A MelanieM Review: Not All Chocolates & Cuckoo Clocks by Rebecca Cohen
A Stella Review: Composing a Family: A Mannies Incorporated Novel by Sean Michael
Saturday, January 13:
A MelanieM Review: Magical Rescue (Shifting through the Snow Book 8) by Laura Baumbach
A MelanieM Review:Wedding Bellskis (Holidays with the Bellskis, #3)by Astrid Amara
Best of 2017 Giveaway
Who has made an impact on you this year? Start thinking about it. This week starts our Best of 2017 Giveaways. We need your Best of in whatever Categories you would like to submit. Have a Best of Covers? Great! How about a Bests of Supernatural Romance? Perfect! Best Historical Romance? Love it! Getting the idea? So what’s your Best of 2017? I will be gathering mine for the next 2 weeks and will trot them out at the end of the month. Prizes will be offered up! Gift certificates, more than one, for participations and more.
Our Winners are: Purple Reader, H.B., and Ana! A $10 Gift Card will be yours. Happy New Years to all of you and a huge thank you to everyone that provided us with all those lists. I will be putting up a page with everyone’s 2017 Lists this week so be on the lookout for that too! New Giveaway up next week! Yep the Polar Vortex Giveaway!
Meet the Beteferoce brothers: five dragon shifters, each with a strong elemental power. And each with a fierce desire to find his soul mate…
Park ranger Luke Beteferoce likes the quiet of the forest—a place he can be alone. The dragon shifter keeps himself busy maintaining his territory in the park…that is, until he meets ex-soldier Greyson Paulson. Suddenly, Luke finds himself thinking of all sorts of scenarios that involve Greyson. And with the kind of tension he’s feeling, hot, sweaty, nonkinky sex is only the beginning.
While he’s perfectly fine being left alone, Greyson finds he enjoys the company of the bossy yet tender park ranger. Soon, trying to fight the heat between them is a losing battle: he’s ready to give in to the irresistible lust he feels for Luke. Greyson may not be ready to completely submit, but he still can’t stop himself from following every command Luke whispers his way.
Luke hasn’t felt this kind of connection and satisfaction with anyone ever before, leading him to discover Greyson’s marked as his mate. But with Greyson battling his own limitations and lack of experience, it’s going to take Luke more than hours-long hot sex to convince Greyson to stay and accept his destiny.
The third in the Dragon Soul series which charts the journeys of the dragon Beteferoce brothers as they find their soul mates we come to the third and youngest brother, Luke Beteforoce. A Park Ranger who isolates himself in the deep regions of the park he’s assigned to, he’s surprised to find someone in a cabin that should be empty for the winter, a person totally unprepared for the winter and bare conditions of the structure the man has rented. Greyson, wounded, depressed, is giving up until a massive Park Ranger appears and makes saving him his project.
I love this series. With each story, Michael is building a intriguing mythology and story. We see the brothers find their soulmate, and it appears that the brothers finding their mates might be signaling an approaching event. Hints are falling all over the place…but what sort? The dragons are magical, each in their own way and their bonding to their mates is sizzling hot and oh so sexy with a helping of kink (what kind depends on the brother).
There are five brothers and three are now bonded. The two with the most difficult paths ahead because of what we know of their pasts are still to come. It’s those stories I’m really waiting on and to see what happens when all five brothers are bonded.
If you’re a dragon lover, Sean Michael fan, and love a sexy romp, well here’s a series and book for you.
So Long 2017! Hello 2018! It’s Our Final 2017 Best of Lists.
suze294
My 5* reads from this year
The Executive Office series, Tal Bauer
Sins of the cities series, KJ Charles
Forever Haunt (Jimmy McSwain 5), Adam Carpenter
This Fire Inside, Jordan Nasser
What It Looks Like, Matthew J Metzger
Wolfsong, TJ Klune
Priddys Tale, Harper Fox
Bitter Legacy, Dal Maclean
Switched, NR Walker
The Definitive Albert J Sterne, Julie Bozza
Reaping Fate, AJ Rose
From Ana:
My Bests: Best Mystery: Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge and Risky Behavior by LA Witt & Cari Z Best Audiobook: Femme by Marshall Thornton Best Cover:Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan Best Contemporary (this is hard to choose, so many good ones): Becoming Kerry by Lynn Kelling, The Impossible Boy by Anna Martin, Off the Ice by Avon Gale and Piper Vaugh, Manic Pixie Dream Boy by KA Merikan and Disease by Hans M Hirshchi Best Dark Theme: Backdoor Politics by CL Mustafic
Amy:
Favorite On-Going Series in 2017
Hexworld by Jordan L. Hawk
Aberrant Magic by Lyn Gala
Offbeat Crimes by Angel Martinez
Bad Behavior by L.A. Witt and Cari Z
Rainbow Cove by Annabeth Albert
Scoring Chances by Avon Gale
and more from Didi:
I’m adding two more lists of mine here, for PNR and May/December (or Age-Gap as one MC’s not into his December yet 😉 ).
Best Paranormal Romance:
– Spectred Isle by KJ Charles
– Hexslayer by Jordan L. Hawk
– Undertow by Jordan L. Hawk
– The Well by Marie Sexton
– Fraud Twice Felt by JT Hall
Best May/December Romance:
– Off the Ice by Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn
– Spun! by JL Merrow
– Trust the Chaser by Annabelle Albert
– Risky Behavior by LA Witt & Cari Z (I cheated, it’s more age-gap than May/December, I think)
– Permanent Ink by Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn
Best of Lists from STRW
More from Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Reviewers:
From Lila:
Looking back on my shelves, The Best of 2017 (according to me) are:
Here are my lists, many and long as I warned everyone. What a year and I still mourn the books I hesitatingly left off. These are listed in absolutely no particular order excerpt that I was scrambling to look at my notes and books kept popping up here and there….
♥︎Best Contemporary Fiction with Romance
Ghost (Executioners #1) by J.M Dabney Joker (Executioners #2) by J.M Dabney Watermelon Kisses by Freddy Mackay There’s This Guy by Rhys Ford Shelter the Sea (The Roosevelt, #2) by Heidi Cullinan Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan Switched by NR Walker Late in the Day (The Vault #2) by Mary Calmes
Micah Johnson Goes West (Get Out #2) by Sean Kennedy House of Cards (Porthkennack #4)by Garrett Leigh Foxglove Copse (Porthkennack #5) by Alex Beecroft Fair Chance (All’s Fair #3) by Josh Lanyon Hawaiian Orchid (The Hawaiians 2) by Meg Amor Snowblind by Eli Easton Who We Are by Nicola Haken Fishy Riotby Lindsey Black Rhino Ash by Lindsey Black Bonfires by Amy Lane Catch and Release (The Release, #3) by B.A. Tortuga
The Stark Divide (Liminal Sky #1) by J. Scott Coatsworth Sūnder (Darksoul #1) by Lexi Ander The Jackal’s House (Lancaster’s Luck #2) by Anna Butler – steampunk
♥︎Best of Fantasy:
His Mossy Boy (Being(s) in Love#8) by R. Cooper Dim Sum Asylum by Rhys Ford The Heart of the Lost Star by Megan Derr Ravens (Inheritance #3) by Amelia Faulkner
♥︎Best Supernatural/Paranormal:
Bitten by Design (Regent’s Park Pack #2) by Annabelle Jacobs Skim Blood and Savage Verse (Offbeat Crimes #3) by Angel Martinez (actually all the books in this series)
♥︎Best Series:
Aisling Trilogy by Carole Cummings (high fantasy) The Hawaiians by Meg Amor (contemporary romance) Offbeat Crimes by Angel Martinez (humor, fantasy, supernatural) Nicky and Noah Mysteries by Joe Cosentino (high camp, high humor, mystery) Inheritance by Amelia Faulkner (fantasy, supernatural) The Kingdom Series (Vol 1 & 2) by RJ Scott (fantasy) Rainbow Cove by Annabeth Albert #gaymers by Annabeth Albert Being(s) in Loveby R. Cooper The Release series by BA Tortuga The Sin Binby Dahlia Donovan (contemporary) The Yakuza Pathseries by Amy Tasukada (contemporary fiction) violent, bloody, brilliant, not romance)
♥︎Great Series Ending:
Sanctuary Series by RJ Scott Texas Series by RJ Scott Mahu by Neil S. Plakcy All’s Fair by Josh Lanyon Werecatseries by Andrew J. Peters Holiday with the Bellskis by Astrid Amara End Street Detectives by RJ Scott (supernatural)
♥︎Holiday Series ~ special mention:Holidays with the Bellskis Series by Astrid Amara (final story just out)
Carol of the Bellskis (Bellskis, #1) by Astrid Amara
Miracle of the Bellskis (Bellskis, #2) by Astrid Amara Wedding Bellskis (Holidays with the Bellskis, #3) byAstrid Amara
♥︎Best Covers:
A Destiny of Dragons (Tales From Verania) by TJ Klune, Artist Paul Richmond Red Fish, Dead Fish (Fish Out of Water#2) by Amy Lane, Artist: Reese Dante
Sunset at Pencarrow (World of Love) by Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell, Artist: Reese Dante An Island in the Starsby Susan Laine, Artist: Anna Sikorska Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan, Cover art by Natsukoworks, Cover design by Kanaxa Designs. The Lure of Port Stephen by Sydney Blackburn, Artist Natasha Snow Manny Get Your Guy (The Mannies #2) by Amy Lane, Artist: Paul Richmond Comes a Horseman (Echoes Rising #3) by Anne Barwell, Artist: Reese Dante A New Way to Dance by Sean Michael, Artist: Anne Squires The Glamour Thieves by Don Allmon, Artist: Simone
Conned By Jana Denardo, Artist: Melody Pond Sūnder (Darksoul #1) by Lexi Ander, Artist:Kirby Crow The Blacksmith Prince by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus, Artist: Lady Tiferet Foxglove Copse (Porthkennack #5) by Alex Beecroft, Artist: G.D. Leigh
♥︎
Well those are my choices and I’m sure I’ve even left a quite of few out. How did all of your lists come out? Did you all find some new books to add to your TBR lists on everyone’s Best of Lists? Winner Announcements to come next week as they would get lost and we need to have something to look forward to!
Have a Safe and Happy New Year! See you all in 2018! Happy Reading from Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words to all of you!
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, December 31- Happy New Eve’s:
So Long 2017! Hello 2018! It’s Our Final 2017 Best of Lists.
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.
A Stella Advent Release Day Review: Eugene and the Box of Nailsby Jaime Samms
Monday, January 1:
Book Blitz: Blackwelder 2164 by Christopher D. J
BLITZ The Calling by MD Neu
RIPTIDE TOUR Reckless Behavior by LA Witt and Cari Z
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Operation Green Card by GB Gordon
A Kai Audiobook Review: Nachos & Hash by Brandon Witt and Dominic Carlos (Narrator)
A MelanieM Review: Hurricane by BA Tortuga
Tuesday, January 2:
Cover Reveal for Shae Connor’s Teaching Ben
DSP Promo K.A. Mitchell
RIPTIDE TOUR On Solid Ground by Quinn Anderson
Tour: A Different Light by Morningstar Ashley
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Prelude to Love by Anne Barwell
A MelanieM Review: Bound by Thorns (Dragon Soul #3) by Sean Michael
Wednesday, January 3:
Blog Tour *Won’t Feel A Thing by C.F. White
Release Blitz – Bonnie Dee – The Fortune Hunter
DSP Dreamspun Promo Anne Barwell
A VVivacious Review: OBSESSION by Theophilia St. Claire
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Outside the Lines by Anna Zabo
A MelanieM Review: Wait For Me by Kris Jacen
Thursday, January 4:
Release Blitz & Review Tour Request – Sam Burns – Blackbird In The Reeds
Sin and Saint by J.M. Dabney RDB, Tour
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Sin and Saint by J.M. Dabney
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Reckless Behavior by LA Witt and Cari Z
A Stella Review: The Best Gift by Shawn Lane
An Alisa Review Wolf’s Kiss by Siryn Sueng
Friday, January 5:
Dreamspinner Promo: Alix Bekins and Connie Bailey, authors of Song and Key
Release Blitz – Vows Box Set – Addison Albright
RELEASE BLITZ Felix and the Prince by Lucy Lennox
A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Smitty’s Sheriff by Cardeno C
A Stella Pre Release Review: When the Devil Wants In by Cate Ashwood and JH Knight
An Alisa Prerelease Review: Forever With You By Londra Laine
Antisocial bookworm Caspian hopes to reconnect with nature and find his inner child when he takes on the task of exploring the woods around Beaumont. Or at least he’ll find a new place to curl up with his eReader.
There are birds.
After rescuing an injured bird who miraculously heals within minutes, at night Caspian has vivid and erotic dreams, which he doesn’t want to wake up from.
And there’s the Prince of Ravens.
Birds haunt him by day, and a particular man haunts his nights. The connection is far greater than Caspian can imagine…
Mate, and it’s for life.
From another world, the Raven Prince can take bird or human form, but he takes only one lover.
As a human of our land, it’s difficult for Caspian to understand soulmates, or to imagine forever, much less that their new love will survive it.
Can Caspian let go of the life he expected to find love with the man of his dreams?
This was a very nice story. Caspian is looking forward to a break until he makes a decision of what he wants to do now that he is done with school. Bran confuses Caspian and he isn’t sure what anything between them mean.
This story had a lot of talking in circles, but it was expected with how Hunter talked to Pip in the first book. I could feel Caspian’s confusion when he couldn’t understand what was going on. Even seeing the story through the Caspian’s eyes I could see Bran’s pain when Caspian didn’t understand his traditions. I liked seeing Pip and Alex from the first story and look forward to the next in the series.
Cover art by Satyr Designs gives great visuals of the characters and follows the pattern for the series.
What would you do if you rode into a mountain tunnel in North Carolina and then rode out into a different world? Adam Stephens is about to find out…
Adam Stephens is a man with a mission. It has been three years since they chopped that malignant brain tumor out of his head, and he is off on a solo motorcycle camping trip through the Appalachian Mountains.
When he rides into the Pine Mountain Tunnel in North Carolina and rides out into another realm—a realm that comes complete with a big sexy grizzly bear shifter, mages, and an evil sorcerer—he isn’t sure he isn’t lying in the tunnel after crashing his bike. Can such a world exist? Or is he dreaming? If he is dreaming…it sure is realistic.
Along the way, there will be some major hurdles to surpass including no indoor plumbing…and no coffee. A man needs some basic luxuries, correct?
Excerpt
“Fine, if it’ll get you off my damned back, I’ll take the cell phone. And you already know I’m taking my Kindle so I can read in those serene mountain campgrounds that I picked out along the way.” Adam roared, as he stomped down the hallway to get the phone from his bedroom.
“Oh, you mean those campgrounds in the bear infested forests, which you picked out without even seeing them?” George yelled down the hallway sarcastically. He had made it clear to Adam—repeatedly—that camping in a tent in the mountains, alone, was the dumbest idea he had ever heard of. “Oh, and don’t forget, you’re riding right by where they filmed Deliverance. Someone might just tell you that you have a pretty mouth.”
“I could get so lucky,” Adam said quietly as he walked back into the kitchen. “And as to the campgrounds, I’ve already got my sites picked out and pre-paid, so it will be an easy trip. Relax, I’ve already got my bike packed. I’ve double checked everything, and if there’s anything I forgot, it isn’t like there isn’t a Walmart store every twenty miles along the way. I can stop and buy extra supplies. I’m not going to be riding through the wilderness.
“For your part, Georgie…don’t forget to come over and feed my cat. Otherwise, poor Cooper will be dead before I get back. And this time don’t forget the cat box! When I went away for those few days last year, you didn’t scoop and it was practically liquefied when I got back. That was disgusting dude, disgusting.”
Twenty minutes later—George having been mollified—Adam climbed on his motorcycle to begin his epic journey from South Florida to the Quebec line in New Hampshire. He had his tent, his sleeping bag, and enough food for a few days. Now if didn’t rain, the trip would be fantastic.
Not quite three days into his trip, and Adam was riding through the mountains of North Carolina already, which was quite a feat on a motorcycle—if he did say so himself, especially on these back roads. In a car, he might have done the trip in one day, but on his bike, it was far more strenuous on his body. Better to ride safely than quickly, and besides the views were fantastic. The Blue Ridge Parkway was proving to be as beautiful as he’d heard, and at least, so far, he hadn’t seen any bears.
Camping the first night in Florida had almost been a washout, after riding through thunderstorms nearly the entire length of the state and having to set his tent up in the middle of a downpour. Then last night in that creepy deserted campground in Northern Georgia, with all its bear warning signs, was so cold. How it was possible to be in the thirties when it had been ninety when he left his house in Cape Coral was beyond his comprehension. He could only wonder what the coming night’s campsite would bring. He hoped they would at least have hot showers at this one. His shower that morning in Georgia, with only ice-cold water and a thirty-eight-fucking-degree breeze blowing in through a louvered stall wall, had almost killed him. His balls had retracted so far that he didn’t think they’d crawled back out of his body since. At least it had warmed up fast and was now somewhere pleasantly in the seventies with bright sunshine.
Sighting an exit sign ahead, Adam pulled off the Parkway and stopped at the combination rest area and information center. He needed to pee, and it would probably be smart to grab a physical Blue Ridge Parkway map. His map app on his smartphone kept trying to direct him off the Parkway to a much faster Interstate Highway option.
After using the rest room, Adam walked into the information center, picked up one of the free maps from the display by the door, and approached the cute bearded guy behind the counter. “Does this map show all the tunnels and campgrounds? I’m heading for Linville Falls tonight, and I’d like to keep track of where I am during the day.”
“It does, but man, I’m glad it’s you, not me. That’s a long way to go on this type of road in one day on a motorcycle. Good luck with that.”
Adam smiled and thanked him. Walking back outside, he took one last look around, decided he probably didn’t need to walk up the trail to the scenic overlook, and instead walked back to his bike. He put his helmet back on, climbed on the bike and headed back to the highway.
He had no idea that he wouldn’t be making the campground that day.
God, I love these. Adam’s spirit was flying as he roared into yet another of the stone tunnels along the route. This one, the Pine Mountain Tunnel, was supposedly the longest on the Parkway and it was even better than the previous ones. As he rode into the pitch-black darkness, his light glinted off the reflective lane markers along the center line. Just imagine how much stone is over my head right now…I wish this would go on for miles.
Adam pushed his acceleration up and zoomed through the darkness toward the light that he could now see at the other end. Within seconds he flew out…into a torrential rainstorm. What the fuck, it was just sunny!
Adam’s bike slammed into a huge mud puddle, splashing water up and all over him, effectively drenching him before the heavy rain even had time to get him wet. He slammed on his brakes and tried to come to a rapid stop. Instead, his large, heavy motorcycle slid sideways in the loose mud and the next thing he knew he was going down. His bike hit the ground on its right side and then stalled, leaving Adam lying on the ground with it. He groaned. Damn, that’s going to hurt later.
Author Bio
Daniel Mitton is not a statistic. When the doctors broke the news to him that he would be dead by the end of 2013 from brain cancer, he scoffed at them. He has proven them incorrect, and continues to prove them more incorrect every day.
He is now pursuing his lifelong dream of telling other people his stories in writing. His overactive imagination used to get him in trouble. It will be interesting to see what happens this time.
My Name Was Karl is his first self-published work, but he already has two other books in a queue somewhere at a publisher.
Daniel was born and raised in northern New Hampshire, but now lives in sunny Southwest Florida with his husband of nearly twenty-eight years. He totally doesn’t get why some people complain it is too hot in Florida!
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host R.G.Thomas here today on his tour for A Tangle of Secrets. Welcome, R.G.
✒︎
A Father and Son Journey
In my young adult fantasy gay romance series The Town of Superstition, the main character Thaddeus Cane has a very close relationship with his father, Nathan. Thaddeus never knew his mother as she died shortly after he was born. His father keeps a photograph of her on the dresser in his bedroom, and each time they move — we meet Thaddeus and Nathan as they’re unpacking for a thirty-second time — he places it in the same spot.
While far from perfect, I wanted the relationship between Thaddeus and his father to be strong and loving. Thaddeus was about to go through a lot of changes, both physically and emotionally, and secrets would be revealed to challenge both him and Nathan. I wanted their relationship to be strong to begin with, and so I didn’t want to go into the details of how Thaddeus came out to his father. Instead, I wanted the fact that Thaddeus was gay to be a non-issue. He hasn’t come out to his father, but Nathan has told him he would not have a problem should he realize he is gay. While the series deals with Thaddeus learning about himself, I wanted the fact that he was gay to be beside the point.
When Thaddeus meets Teofil, the garden gnome who lives next door, he feels an immediate attraction. He’s known for a while that he was gay, but he’s never had a boyfriend or even been kissed before. And when Nathan discovers they are together, it is not the fact that Teofil is a boy that makes him upset, but a number of other things that are revealed within the story.
My father died of a series of strokes back in 2010. My mother is still living and going strong at the age of 87. She has accepted my husband with open arms and supports us in all ways possible. While my relationship with either my mother or father is nothing like that between Thaddeus and Nathan, I did base a lot of the feelings of security and support Thaddeus feels on my experiences growing up. My parents have always supported me and I will always be appreciative of that.
Thaddeus’s journey of self-discovery continues in the latest book of my Town of Superstition series: A Tangle of Secrets: The Town of Superstition Book Four. In this book, Thaddeus attends Superstition High School, and begins developing a bit of an edge. He gets in trouble at school and at home, arguing with Teofil as well as other people who care about him. These are tough times for Thaddeus as he tries to find a balance between his life as a fledgling wizard and a teenager in high school. It’s been a long road for him during the summer, and his journey is not over yet.
A Tangle of Secrets: The Town of Superstition Book Four blurb
Following the conclusion of his greatest adventure, Thaddeus Cane’s life is changing once again. He is finally reunited with his mother—and dealing with her dangerous new powers—and about to start the year at yet another new school. While he contends with making new friends and facing the school bully, Thaddeus’s boyfriend, garden gnome Teofil, spends his time locked in Leopold’s study, reading through the late wizard’s journals for any clues that might lead them to Lucian—Thaddeus’s murderous uncle—or finally give the Rhododendron family some answers about the fate of Teofil’s brother.
As his troubles at home and school mount, Thaddeus’s mood grows dark and he retreats from all those who have supported him in the past. Just when he thinks things can’t get any worse, the Bearagon returns to threaten not only Thaddeus and those he loves, but his new school acquaintances as well. This confrontation brings to light the last secrets from Thaddeus’s past, more than one shocking revelation—and more than one enemy.
Excerpt from A Tangle of Secrets: The Town of Superstition Book Four
He followed his father out the side door and got into their beat-up Toyota Camry. Thaddeus’s legs bounced impatiently as the engine sputtered and died with each turn of the key. He looked at the clock and closed his eyes, mentally willing the car to start.
Just get out of your father’s loser car and walk to school. What will everyone say when they see you in this heap of junk? The snide inner voice was back, and he tried to ignore it.
“Isn’t there a spell you can use?” Thaddeus asked.
“If there is, I haven’t found it yet,” his father replied. “Celeste needs a tune-up, but I haven’t had the money for it.”
“It’s really late, Dad,” Thaddeus said, trying to keep the impatience and aggravation out of his voice.
“Just give her a little time to warm up. She isn’t used to these early mornings.”
“Celeste is ready for the junkyard,” Thaddeus grumbled.
“Hey now, this car has been good to us for almost as long as you’ve been alive.”
“Yeah, I know.” Thaddeus winced as he shot another look at the clock.
After a few more turns of the key, the engine finally caught.
“There, see?” his father said with a smile. “She’s fine. Here we go.”
The closer his father got to Superstition High, the stronger Thaddeus’s embarrassment grew. Did he really want the kids at his new school to see him get out of this beater car driven by his unemployed father? It was only his second day, and it would give Dixon ammunition to use against him in the halls and at lunch. So much for keeping out of Dixon’s way.
“You can drop me off at the corner,” Thaddeus said. “It might be faster because a lot of cars pull right up in front of the school, and there’s kind of a traffic jam.”
“Looks pretty clear to me,” his father said. “Almost there.”
The squeal of the brakes as his father eased up to curb sounded like the wail of a banshee in Thaddeus’s ears. He shoved the door open before the car had come to a complete stop and jumped out. Kids standing on the steps leading up to the main doors of the school had stopped and turned to look in his direction. Some were grinning or laughing while others started talking excitedly at the sight of him. Thaddeus’s face burned with embarrassment as he ran to put as much distance between himself and that damn car as possible.
His father honked a farewell, and Thaddeus waved without looking around. Before he stepped inside the main doors, Thaddeus glanced back and grimaced when he saw that one of the brake lights on his father’s car was out. With a sigh Thaddeus turned toward the school, adjusted his backpack on his shoulders, and went inside.
About the Author
About the Author
R. G. Thomas has been reading books from an early age. As a young gay man, however, he found very few characters with whom he could truly identify. Now that he’s an adult—or at least older than he used to be—he likes to write stories that revolve around gay characters. The Town of Superstition is his YA fantasy gay romance series which includes wizards, witches, and other magical creatures.
When he’s not writing, R. G. Thomas loves to read, go to movies, watch some TV, and putter around in the small suburban patch of ground he calls a yard. He visits his mother once a week, not just for the free cookies, and enjoys spending time with close friends drinking wine and making up ridiculous things that sometimes show up in his books. Although he hates the process of travel, he does enjoy experiencing new places. His dream trip is to one day visit the country of Greece, and he is currently saving his nickels and dimes to make that a reality.
Twenty years ago he met a man who understood and encouraged his strange, creative mind, who made him laugh more often and more freely than anyone else. They were officially married in November of 2015 and today they still laugh often as they live in a suburb just north of Detroit with their two cats who act as both muse and distraction to him while he writes.