What are you all reading now – part I- and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

What are you all reading now?

I was over at J Scott Coatsworth’s Queer Sci Fi Facebook group (if you love fantasy, science fiction, the discussions held there will blow you away).  Any how, that day authors of  some gay graphic novels were there talking about their latest couples and releases.  I thought the pictures and storylines were hot, hot, hot.

Now I love anime’, cut my teeth on comic books and early graphic novels.  Found Yaoi, never looked further, which was a mistake.   So I took a quick “run” around the web and found some pretty neat LGBTQIA graphic comics out there. ALEX WOOLFSON and ADAM DEKRAKER: Queer Sci Fi ran interview/chat with the creators of The Young Protectors as part of their wonderful Graphic Novel Week.  That started August 25.  Check out the entire week’s contributions when you have the time.  But that made me wonder?

Do you all read graphic comics?  If so, which ones? Which authors? I’ve included a small poll to see how much we  read and follow graphic novels.  Please feel free to chime in with your comments as well.  Thanks.

Now on to this week’s schedule after the poll.

 

 

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 20:

  • KC Wells ‘First’ book blast and contest
  • What Are You All Reading and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, September 21:

  • Enter the Dystopian World of Bane by Amelia C. Gormley (Riptide Tour and contest)
  • Beany Sparks ‘Shades of Power’, book blast and giveaway
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break with Lisa & TJ Oliver’s ‘Uncaged’ (excerpt and contest)
  • A BJ Review: The Complications of T (The Actor’s Circle #1) by Bey Deckard
  • A Free Dreamer Review: The Demon You Know by Barbara Elsborg

Tuesday, September 22:

  • In the Spotlight: Draven St. James ‘Lost in the Fire’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Special Cheryl Headford Guest Post with Character Interview (giveaway and excerpt)
  • A Barb The Zany Old Lady Review: Fit To Be Tied by Mary Calmes
  • A Mika Review: Unbreak Broken by J.K. Hogan
  • A PaulB Review: Not A Line of Bull by Charlie Richards

Wednesday, September 23:

  • Whistlestop Book Blast for Alyssa Astra ‘Fiery’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • In the Book Spotlight: Chris McHart ‘Small Steps’ (excerpt and contest)
  • Its Hot, Its Sexy, Its the Manchester Ménage Collection with Nicole Colville ‘Discovering Dalton’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Barb The Zany Old Lady Review: Other Side of the Line by Marguerite Labbe
  • A PaulB review: Kissed by Nemesis by Andi Anderson
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Such a Dance by Kate McMurray

Thursday, September 24:

  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Fai Marie Dawson ‘Please Understand’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Time to Heat Things up with H.C. Brown ‘Stalked’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Stella Audiobook Review: Going Up by Amy Lane (Audiobook)
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Empty Nests (Nested Hearts #1) by Ada Maria Soto
  • A MelanieM Review: Tequila Mockingbird (Sinners #3) by Rhys Ford

Friday, September 25:

  • Its Release Day for RJ Scott’s Texas 7 (contest)
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Theresa Hissong’s It Takes Two Tour (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Jeri Review: Beautiful Thunder by Louise Lyons
  • A MelanieM Review: Sloe Ride (Sinners, #4) by Rhys Ford
  • A Stella Review: ACID by Wulf Francu Godluck

Saturday, September 26:

A MelanieM Review: Texas Wedding (Texas #7) by RJ Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A MelanieM YA Review: The Oracle’s Sprite (The Oracle #4) by Mell Eight

Rating:  3.75 stars out of 5

Cover - The Oracles FlameAt just eighteen years of age, Keir became the leader of the army fighting against the usurper king while Princes Edan and Egan led the navy. At his side, willing to help from time to time, was Sprite.

A friendly ghost, Sprite likes to keep Keir company and occasionally play tricks on Keir’s sister. When the Oracle demands Keir’s presence, he expects Sprite to travel with him.

He doesn’t expect the gale that knocks him overboard and into an adventure that might just kill him.

The Oracle’s Sprite adds in the Dragon of the Air to Mell Eight’s imaginative, and wonderful Oracle series.  As with each book, the present Oracle is rebuilding her pantheon of elemental dragons.  Most of the elemental Castes have lost their way, fallen to madness or self preservation, their Dragons gone missing or not found one to be “chosen” to be reborn. The Oracle needs that to change in order to restructure their guilds to better serve the kingdom of Altnoia and deliver it from the dark times ahead.  So the Oracle’s been arranging the Dragons return, manipulating matters , sometimes brutally at the cost to the various Dragons to be, at least that what they  see at the time.  So far, we seen the return of The Dragon of Flame, The Dragon of Ether, and the Dragon of Earth.  Now comes the Dragon of Air.

Our introduction to The Oracle’s Sprite is somewhat different than the rest.  A castle hold has been invaded by a false king’s men and their are killing its inhabitants.  A young boy wakes and manages to steal away with his baby sister. Its a brief introduction to the perilous times and places this book’s timeline exactly along side all the other books. What we don’t start with is the dragon.  Not at first.  That comes a little later and it comes in clues. What Mell Eight gives us is clues, lovely, descriptive clues that pile up everywhere as to who the Dragon of the Air is.  Yes, when he appears, the reader will go “oh, there you are”, but its appearance is welcoming instead of frustrating.

Sometimes  some of my most favorite elements in a Oracle story are the smallest ones.  In this story its the description of the pattern that appears on the Dragon of the Air’s back when he walks out of the Testing Chamber.

“..he emerged from the testing chamber, his hair had paled to pure white and the Dragon of Air was tattooed on his back.

The dragon was formless. His back might have still looked blank if it weren’t for the slightest blurring of the skin, as if an invisible wind was forever etched there.  The Oracle could see a pair of eyes hidden there, as well as a pair of clear wings attached at to a massive body.  She knew where to look  to find the Dragon…”

The Dragon that the boy would turn into as The Dragon of the Air.  I have always loved the idea of tattoos that come alive.  Here the tattoo and the boy are one in the same, two forms, one being.  But its the boy that we will meet first.

Keir and Sprite are the only fully formed characters in the story, there are other minor interesting characters but they don’t get enough time within the plot to make them as multidimensional as they should be.  Still, within the short scenes they appear in, this character is powerful and certainly scary.  I just think the story lost depth by not including more of this character role and reasoning (if any).

While Keir and Sprite are in a sexual relationship (parts that have a funny aspect to it), there is little to no sex n the story, to the point that you could label this a YA story.  Its high adventure, young love, dragons, pirates and a fight for a kingdom.  Come on, who doesn’t love that?  For me, that never gets old.

I did find it ended a little too abruptly, in fact, that has been my main complaint with every book of the series.  All the endings just seem a little rushed.  But Mell Eight’s creativity, her world building and, darn it all, her fabulous imagination that conjured up these Dragons, the Oracle and that Mountain.  Well,  that’s amazing, and now I can’t wait for the next dragon to appear.  That would be The Dragon of Water.  Roll it out, Mell Eight!  You have me on air!

Cover art by London Burden.  The Dragon of the Air is a  tough dragon to portray but  since most of the harrowing scenes take place at sea, this is a fitting image.

Sales Links:  Less Than Three  |   All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Pre order now Amazon links to follow later Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook
Expected publication: September 30th 2015 by Less Than Three Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Author Discovery: BJ on Author Lia Black

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BJ on Author Lia Black

With the plethora of competent m/m authors around these days, we fans have a daunting variety to choose from. I’ve sampled and enjoyed a book or two from hundreds of authors, but there’s only a handful whose books I just can’t seem to get enough of. Their books call my name the second they’re released. Lia Black is one of those authors.

She’s published five m/m novels to date, and I’ve devoured every single one with relish. All were five star reads with one exception that I rated 4.25, not because of the writing… oh, wait a minute, maybe it was the writing. Because what else was it but her brilliant writing that got me so thoroughly invested in (or should I say in love with?) the two main characters that I just couldn’t stand it when they were separated for a portion of the book? The frustration of that separation made me want to scream. And that right there is a key to why she’s one of my favorite authors.

Lia Black’s storylines suck me in; her characters fascinate me; and her writing always works its way deep down into the recesses of my neglected, dusty, middle-of-nowhere heart and plucks at my emotions. Hard.

Lia’s writing is a bit hard to pigeonhole. Her goodread’s author page states that her work is fantasy, sci-fi, LGBT romance. But that doesn’t quite tell the whole story. You see, Ms. Black does tend to live up to her name. There are dark parts in each and every story I’ve read by this author. Sometimes very dark indeed. So, if you want light and fluffy with a cherry on top, you should probably look elsewhere. But if you’re okay with a story that can make you gasp, that can smash your heart into the gutter and step on it, then ever so tenderly and exquisitely rip it to shreds before putting it back together—read on. You won’t be disappointed.

This author’s characters are sometimes broken yet not angsty, glamorous yet sad, weird yet beautiful, extreme and even gross yet still awesome and cool in their own right. Some of them even have long hair (well, what can I say, long-haired men are a thing for me so I had to mention that!)

And her writing makes me feel… a lot. Sometimes that means quivering in disgust and wanting to roll into a ball like a pill bug and hide but being too entranced to put the book down and do it. Sometimes it means aww moments when my heart wants to melt in my chest cuz I’ve just fallen in love with a character she breathed such life into that I have a clear picture of them in my head, not of a generic sexy man that could fit for a character in any number of stories I’ve read, but someone I feel like I could pick out in a crowd… one I could pick up my paint brush and paint a portrait of except I usually don’t, because I wouldn’t do him justice since I paint dogs and not people.

Lia Black’s stories leave emotional paper cuts on my heart. They’re by turns exhausting, frustrating, horrifying, amazing, fascinating, and touching. But always riveting, and always, in the end, healing. Deliciously dark stories that somehow light me up inside.

I think this excerpt from my review of Fidelity sums it up well: “Not for the faint-hearted, one particular scene at the beginning took my breath away with its grisly, shocking cruelty. But amidst the bloody battle scenes, there is humor, small joys, and sweet tenderness. Amidst the dismantling, I was put back together. The ride to get there was gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and painful to read. I absolutely loved it.”

So if you’re looking for something different, something to expand your boundaries or to touch on places that maybe you haven’t explored, something to make you feel and not always in a fluffy, sweet way—look no further. Read Lia Black. And if you need help picking which of her books to start with, check out the links to my full reviews below.

Oh, I have one other thing to say about her writing, and I really hope she’s reading this. I desperately need to read more.

About The Author

Lia Black tends to do everything the hard way; beginning with being born backwards into the world and now Lia Black Iconraising a teenage daughter by herself in conservative Upstate NY. Her career choices are no less extreme, including occupations of fine artist, computer geek, firefighter, and mortician’s assistant— just to name a few.

A fellow Author describes Black’s mind as “a glorious kaleidoscope of f*ckeduppery”; she loves the challenge of writing about people who probably have no business being together on the same planet, and who occasionally deal with questionable sanity/morality. It’s fun to glue broken things together and try to make something interesting and new.
–She especially loves broken boys who have lots of fascinating pieces.

Her characters often suffer through the worlds she creates for them, which leaves them a little cranky and sometimes less lovable than others in a romance genre. Yet Black swears that someday, “there will be comedy.”

Follow Lia Black at:  Goodreads | Website | Twitter |

BJ’s Reviews of Lia Black’s Novels

Spiretown coverFidelity coverA King's Ransome coverWhere The Willows Won't Grow cover

Goodreads Link                          BJ Review Link

A King’s Ransom                              BJ’s Review

Spiretown                                           BJ’s Review

Fidelity                                               Link to BJ’s Review

Where Willows Won’t Grow          Link to BJ’s Review here

Author and Book Spotlight: Jordan L. Hawk and her latest release, Dangerous Spirits (Spirits #2) (author interview and giveaway)

Dangerous Sprits cover

Dangerous Spirits (Spirits #2)
by Jordan L. Hawk

Cover art by Jordan L. Hawk

Sales Links:  All Romance (ARe) | Amazon  |  Amazon UK | Smashwords | Nook  |  iTunes

I’m happy to welcome Jordan L. Hawk here to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words to talk a little about her latest release, Dangerous Spirits, her writing process and the paranormal world. Welcome, Jordan!

. Good morning! I hope you all had a great weekend. This is just a quick note to let you know my latest novel, Dangerous Spirits, hits the virtual shelves today.

I can’t wait to share it with you. I think it contains one of the creepiest scenes I’ve ever written, although that might just be because I based it on a childhood fear. But don’t worry, between the scares there’s still plenty of romance and drama with Henry and Vincent! Can these two opposites forge a relationship that works for the long term, or will the heat that flared between them at Reyhome Castle burn out?

And yes, before you ask, Jo and Lizzie are both along for the ride once again. 😉

Dangerous Spirits Coming Sept 15

My Interview with Jordan L. Hawk

  • I love the name Dangerous Spirits. Where do you get your inspiration for your titles and even your characters?

Thanks! I try to keep the titles in a series linked somehow if I can. So all the SPECTR books are called “___er of ____” all the Whyborne & Griffin titles are a single word that usually (but not always) refers to the location where the action is taking place, and all the Spirits books will have the word “Spirits” in the title.

As for characters, I usually have a vague idea who one of the MCs might be, then ask myself who would be his opposite on the surface. So with Spirits, I wanted one of the characters to be a medium who was a bit decadent, into fashion and art and the like, witty and confident. So I figured his apparent opposite would be more into the physical world and science, rather on the stuffy side, and more insecure. Voila, Vincent and Henry.

  • Are your stories long in coming together or can they sometimes just spring to life in a burst of creativity that you fill in with details later?

It’s a bit easier in an established world, but some stories just come together more easily than others. The SPECTR books pretty much go from outline to finished first draft without a lot of rewriting and frustration. Whyborne & Griffin usually means a lot of rewriting and digging deeper to get at the aspects of the story. Spirits seems to be somewhere in between. Although I did end up throwing out the entire original outline I had for Dangerous Spirits about 10,000 words into the book. It was one of those things that looked great in planning stage but didn’t work at all when it was time to put it on the page.

  • What first prompted you to write?

I don’t remember ever not wanting to write, honestly.

  • Favorite paranormal character?

I’m not sure I have an answer to that. I love too many!

  • If you could create a world to live in, what would be a favorite element?

If I could create a world to live in, it wouldn’t look anything like the ones I put my poor characters in. Those are just a bunch of deathtraps.

I dunno, I really like seeing how far and fantastically modern technology has progressed in my lifetime. So I’d probably build myself some kind of sci fi utopia.

  • If you could have one magical power as part of your personal makeup, what would it be?

Probably some kind of telekinesis so I could get things down off the high shelves. 😉

  • What’s next for Jordan L. Hawk?

I’m currently working on Whyborne & Griffin 7, due out in December. I’m also in the planning stages for a follow up novel to “The Thirteenth Hex” (in the Charmed & Dangerous anthology).

Thanks for having me on the blog!

Please come back and see us anytime, and bring us many more stories!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

 

The Spirits Series – Historical Paranormal

The Spirits series takes place in the latter part of the 19th century, and features the adventures of a man of science, Henry Strauss, and spiritualist medium, Vincent Night. The series came about because I always wanted to write a haunted house story, and what better period to set it in than the Victorian era, when the interest in seances and spirits permeated all levels of society?Dangerous Sprits cover

Blurb

Book 2 in the Spirits Series
Previous Book: Restless Spirits

After the events of Reyhome Castle, Henry Strauss expected the Psychical Society to embrace his application of science to the study of hauntings. Instead, the society humiliates and blacklists him. His confidence shaken, he can’t bring himself to admit the truth to his lover, the handsome medium Vincent Night.

Vincent’s new life in Baltimore with Henry is disrupted when a friend from the past asks for help with a haunting. In the remote town of Devil’s Walk, old ties and new lies threaten to tear the lovers apart, if a fiery spirit bent on vengeance doesn’t put an end to them first.

About the Author

Jordan L. Hawk pic

Jordan L. Hawk grew up in the wilds of North Carolina, where she was raised on stories of haints and mountain magic by her bootlegging granny and single mother. After using a silver knife in the light of a full moon to summon her true love, she turned her talents to spinning tales. She weaves together couples who need to fall in love, then throws in some evil sorcerers and undead just to make sure they want it bad enough. In Jordan’s world, love might conquer all, but it just as easily could end up in the grave.

Contact/follow Jordan L. Hawk at:  Goodreads | Twitter  |  Website  | Facebook

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Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter prize of one of Jordan L. Hawk  novels. The winner will get to choose a eBook, from Jordan L. Hawk’s backlist, winner’s choice (excluding Dangerous Spirits).  You must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Open worldwide.

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The Heat of Sexual Kink Has No Boundaries in the Exchange of Power Anthology

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Exchange of Power Anthology
Author Names:

Bailey Bradford, Gacy Grant, Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae,
Cassandra McMurphy, S.E. O’Connor, Charles Payseur, CB Potts,
Torrance Sené, Dawn M. Sooy, T. Strange, Angelique Voisen

Release Date: September 16, 2015

Goodreads Link:
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: BSClay

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Buy the book:   Torquere Press

Blurb

exchange: the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another; power: the ability or right to control people or things

In matters of the heart, what happens when there’s an exchange of power, even for just one night?

Both veteran and new authors make up the eleven stories about the power shift between Doms/subs, vampires/werewolves, teacher/apprentice, Alpha/beta, Necromancer/zombie, superhero/arch nemesis, and incubus/medium.

Pages or Words: 63,000 words
Categories: BDSM, Contemporary, Fantasy, Lesbian Romance, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance

Excerpt

From How the Mighty Have Fallen by Bailey Bradford

Hadrian sat up straight and stuck his nose in the air. “And, just for your information, I have not been–“

“Liar, liar, leather chaps on fire,” Larry sang. “Shut up already, you vestal virgin, and go get fucked and whipped. At least one of us should be having fun tonight. Since I can’t find anyone who wants to do only one of those things with me, I’m giving up. Plus, Thomas’ ex is busy trying to fuck everything that crosses his path. I’m guessing he thinks he has something to prove.”

Hadrian bristled a little when Larry called Master Thomas just by his given name instead of using the honorific, but he got it. Master Thomas wasn’t Larry’s master, nor was he Hadrian’s. However, Hadrian always thought of him as Master Thomas, perhaps because he did harbor a secret desire to serve the man. Although, maybe it wasn’t such a secret, since Larry had picked up on it.

“I guess he does have something to prove,” Hadrian murmured since Larry seemed to be waiting for some kind of agreement from him.

“But is it to himself, or to Thomas, hm?” Larry asked. “You gotta wonder what went down between those two, though… I heard stuff about Kelly. The guy’s an asshole and a half.”

Hadrian arched a brow at Larry. “And what, exactly, is a half an asshole?”

“A fuckin’ mess who likes to screw with people’s heads, that’s what,” Larry drawled. “Now grow a pair and go make that dom feel better.”

Hadrian wanted to smack Larry, but the smug smartass would just enjoy it if he did.

Larry narrowed his eyes at Hadrian. “Or, you know, I suppose I could go see if he wants to do a scene together.”

Hadrian was irritated despite his desire to remain unaffected by Larry’s attempt — damn it, a successful one! — to goad him into action.

Because suddenly, Hadrian’s body was determined to circumvent any argument his brain might have made. He was standing up and flipping Larry off before Larry could do more than cackle.

“You’re an ass,” Hadrian muttered.

Larry gave him two thumbs up. “You love me.”

Hadrian didn’t dignify that statement with a response. Besides, Larry was right and he knew it.

“Go get ’em, stud,” Larry urged, not nearly as quietly as Hadrian wished he had. Of course he was loud enough that Master Thomas glanced their way.

Authors Information

Where to find the authors:
Blog: http://glbtromance.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorquerePressLLC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/torquere
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/torquerepress
Website: http://www.torquerebooks.com

RC


Tour Dates & Stops: September 15, 2015
Parker Williams, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Havan Fellows, Jessie G. Books, BFD Book Blog, SA McAuley, Inked Rainbow Reads, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Happily Ever Chapter, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake, The Hat Party, Charley Descoteaux, Divine Magazine, Three Books Over the Rainbow, MM Good Book Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Molly Lolly

 

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Exchange of Power’ from Torquere Press.  Must be 18 years of age or older.  Link and prize provided by the publisher and Pride Promotions.
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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best Books and Covers of August 2015

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best Books and Covers of August 2015

Looking back at our August 2015, never have I seen so many wonderful books as we read and reviewed this month.  Normally I would include those books with a 4.5 or higher rating, but we had so many excellent 5 star novels this month that I had to stop somewhere and left those off this time.

Did you miss out on any of our reviews listed below?  Give them and the books another look now.  These stories are too amazing to be missed.  And don’t forget the covers that we loved just below that.  Does it match your own lists this month?  Write us and let us know!

Best Books of August 2015 – ★★★★★

Get Your Shine On by Nick Wilgus (A Stella Review on 8/5)
Redemption by Eden Winters (A MelanieM Review on 8/7)
Evolution by Lissa Kasey (An Aurora YA Review on 8/8)
Definitely, Maybe, Yours by Lissa Reed (A Mika Review on 8/11)
Diamond Edge by Laura Harner (A MelanieM Review on 8/12)
The Harder They Fall by Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau (A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review on 8/13)
The Lightning-Struck Heart by T.J. Klune (A Stella Review on 8/14)
The Pillar the Kim Fielding (A BJ Review on 8/14)
Lucky Linus by Gene Grant (A Mika Review on 8/ 15)
The Homecoming by J. Scott Coatsworth on 8/21 (A Paul B Review)

Audiobooks:audiobook clipart bw

Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan, narrated by Iggy Toma (A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review on 8/17)

End of a Series:

A Piece of Cake by Mary Calmes (Jory and Sam) (A MelanieM Review) on 8/14

 

Favorite Covers of August 2015

Ink & Shadows coverDefinitely Maybe Yours coverLucky Linus coverThe Homecoming - cover2

 

 

 

 

 

Shadows and Ink by Rhys Ford, cover art by Anne Cain
Definitely, Maybe. Yours by Lissa Reed, cover art by Buckeyegrrl Design -made Mika want to read the story,
The Lightning-Struck Heart by T.J. Klune, cover art by Paul Richmond, powerful and unique
The Pillar by Kim Fielding, cover artist is Shobana Appavu.  Stunning and rich as the story
Lucky Linus by Gene Grant, cover art by Paul Richmond, photograph is again the reason Mika wanted this book
The Homecoming by J. Scott Coatsworth, cover art by London Burden, Paul thinks its one of the most gorgeous covers he’s seen all year.

Special Mentions to Kate McMurray’s The Rainbow League Series, cover art by Aaron Anderson.  Wonderful.

The Pillar coverThe Lightning Struck Heart cover

The Long Slide Home cover

Thrown A Curve cover

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best of the Summer of 2015 Reads – Part I

 STRW Best Books of Summer 2015

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best Books of Summer 2015- Part I

The approaching end of summer and the list of stories I was compiling of the books we loved to read this summer of 2015 made me think of several things.  First it brought back all those memories of those past summer best sellers. Perhaps you might even remember them. Those stories that we (of a certain generation) gobbled up with a ferocity now saved for certain cable and internet shows.  We read them, discussed them and then read them again.  All against the backdrop of the laid back and at the time endless atmosphere of summer – vacations, to die for romances, and a autumnal seriousness that we pushed as far away as we could manage.

Now I look at the New York Times Best Seller List and notice that seasons don’t make the impact they once did.  And I think, perhaps its due to a revision in peoples reading habits.  We read on the go now. I do it too.  My Kindle’s has made that much easier (I’m on my second one at that).  But I can also read on my iPhone or computer.  Doesn’t matter.  I still do have my hardcopies, shelves of them.  ( I will never give those up.  That’s along the lines of dying with your boots on or bookmark behind your ear…or something.)  And I will continue to haunt bookstores because I love them and that’s an addiction of mine.  Don’t judge.  But ebooks have changed my reading habits, made it easier for me (enlarged fonts sigh) in so many ways as I suspect they have for others.

I especially love that I can carry hundreds of books in a itty bitty device in my purse and reading whatever whenever.  *blinks innocently* That’s amazing, wonderful and just darn light…as in weight.  No, I don’t miss those heavy tote bags of books to the  beach let me tell you.

So I asked this of my reviewers:

Is there such a thing as a summer book anymore?  It used to be the big book everyone lugged to the beach to read, like Stephen King’s It ,Alex Haley’s Roots or Frank Herbert’s Dune.   Or maybe just a ton of  books you had been wanting to read and now had a chance to over “the vacation”.  Does the summer book exist anymore?

Here are some of their answers.

From Barb the Zany Old Lady:

“I don’t think of books as “summer reads” anymore because, when I pick up my e-reader and get into a good story, I go on vacation in my mind.  In other words, I don’t physically have to go away somewhere to enjoy a good book.  Just picking the right story and having the ease of an e-reader allows me to escape to my own version of “Fantasyland.”

From Mika:

“For me, I think the summer fad of books has definitely faded. Since e-books are so easy to bring around, I never see myself waiting to read a certain book, or carrying any books around. I think it also might be a generation thing as well. I haven’t stepped foot in a library since I was in elementary school, and I know some of my older friends still check out library books. The only books I purchased from stores are cookbooks, and sometimes I order them online.”

 From Melanie:

For me?  I have to agree with them.  I look for favored books to release all year long, not just at certain times, like the summer or Christmas.  My reading habits have changed and not just because of the blog.  There are other considerations as well. So for me, my summer reading blockbusters are wonderful memories of all genres.  Now I just don’t have to shake the sand out of the tote bag or off the books after I get home!

 How do you feel about it? Email us and let us  know. Your replies will appear in Part II of our Best of 2015!

Now on to some of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words  favorite Summer of 2015 Books!

 Carry the OceanDefinitely Maybe Yours coverRed Dirt Heart 4 coverOut of the Blue

 

 

From Mika

who says “surprisingly 4 new authors to me as well as a favorite and someone who I’m liking only their contemporary novels.”

Definitely Maybe Yours, by  Lissa Reed
Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
Dangerous Spirits by  Jordan L. Hawk
Out of the Blue by R.J. Jones
Red Dirt Heart 4,  by N.R. Walker
Trust the Focus, by Megan Erickson
Carry the Ocean by Heidi Cullinan

AgainstTheGrainFSLGIn the Middle of Somewhere coverThe Boss

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00037]

From Jeri:

Repaired Melissa Collins
Boss (Boss #1) by Ashley John
Against the Grain (THIRDS #5) by Charlie Cochet
In the Middle of Somewhere (In the Middle of Somewhere #1)by Roan Parrish

From Barb the Zany Old Lady:

 (more from us coming in Part II)
Tigers on the Run coverLead Me Not coverDeepOfTheSound_600x900Brute cover

Of Rescues and Throwaways of All Types and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

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This Week WRC (Local Channel NBC 4) is having a Clear The Shelters drive, working with shelters in many of the District, northern Virginia, and metropolitan Maryland shelters to move animals out of their facilities and into homes, whether it be permanent or foster.  This animal adoption event is nation wide, happening August 15 (yes, I know, that was yesterday, the starting date).  Its a tremendous idea so needed when we have an overpopulation of unwanted animals in high kill shelters nationwide or punted aside to starve on our streets.

 

I linked the Clear the Shelter drive above.  Update:  16,000 animals  reported from all participating stations adopted as of 11:30pm EDT last night! Woot!

So now a segue.  Throwaways and Rescues, Human and Animal In Books and Movies.

Books and movies have always had the power to move us into motion or emotion.  They mark our hearts, imprint themselves upon our minds and souls, so much so that images, sentences, and even names can emerge from our memories  with enough emotional impact to make us weep, laugh or just quietly smile. Paraphrasing here,  W. C. Fields said not to share the stage with animal or child because they would steal the scenes, so true.  Stage or book, I found that that when those stories center around animals and children that its effect upon us can be magnified 100 fold.  Add to that a romance between gay men who thought having families, (i.e, kids and pets) would never be in their future? And the combination becomes irresistible.

Whether it is Bambi, the Mad Hatter, Ol’ Yeller, Thomasina,  or that horse of Amy Lane’s, their power to overwhelm us with love, laughter, or anguish never diminishes.  My own hearthounds and other pets, along with those that found their homes and families yesterday through the Clear The Shelters drive, kept me thinking about  those many wonderful furred and feathered characters in the stories that have kept all of us entertained and magically connected.

So share with us all, what books, or movies for that matter, do you love to read and reread that have children or pets in them?  Rescues or adoptions?  What books do you rec?

Ones that jump right to mind are:

More recs from Stella:

Which books/movies are on your list?  Do you wait for Lassie to tell you Timmy’s in the well?  Or was that pup that was brought home a shifter?  We want to know that too? One such story is one I’m reviewing this week by John Inman, a Belladonna Arms novel,  Coming Back.  Another?  Eden Winter’s Redemption.

 

dog-reading blue book

 

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, August 16:

  • Of Rescues and Throwaways of All Types and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, August 17:

  • Chris McHart ‘Alex’s Surprise/Saving Alex’ Keep Me In Mind tour and giveaway
  • A BJ Review: Speechless by Kim Fielding
  • A BJ Review:  The Gig (Speechless #2) by Kim Fieldling
  • Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review – Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan ~ Audiobook
  • A Stella Review:  Vintage Pride by Elizabeth Coldwell

Tuesday, August 18:

  • Coffee Sip and Book Spotlight: Amelia Bishop ‘Uncharted Hearts’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Ari McKay ‘Herc’s Mercs: Once A Hero’ book blast and contest
  • NR Walker’s Vampires are Back with Cronin’s Key III (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Mika Review: Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts by Charlie Cochet
  • A MelanieM Review: Potato Surprise by Angel Martinez
  • A Stella Review: ACE by Jack Byrne

Wednesday, August 19:

  • Charley Descoteaux: Buchanan House Release Day Book Blast (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Paul B Review: Pint Sized Protector by Charlie Richards
  • A Stella Audiobook Review: Heart of the Race by Mary Calmes, Greg Tremblay (Narrator) (Audiobook)
  • A MelanieM Review: Coming Back by John Inman
  • A Sammy Review:  The World In His Eyes by A. J. Thomas

Thursday, August 20:

  • Cover Reveal: Blue by DP Denman (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Riptide’s When To Hold Them by G. B. Gordon Tour and Contest
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Retro Review:  When To Hold Them by G. B. Gordon
  • A MelanieM Review: You Are The Reason by Renae Kaye
  • A Paul B Review: Alpha Coder by Kathryn Sparrow

Friday, August 21:

  • A BJ Review: The Downs by Km Fielding
  • A Paul B Review: The Homecoming by J Scott Chatsworth
  • A Mika Review: Outcast Cowboys by Sarah Masters
  • A MelanieM Review: The Terms of Release by BA Tortuga

YA Saturday, August 22:

  •  An Aurora YA Surprise: “Wet Hot American Summer” Review

 

 

A Stella Review: The Lightning-Struck Heart by T.J. Klune

Rating: 5 stars out of 5    ★★★★★

The Lightning Struck Heart coverOnce upon a time, in an alleyway in the slums of the City of Lockes, a young and somewhat lonely boy named Sam Haversford turns a group of teenage douchebags into stone completely by accident.

Of course, this catches the attention of a higher power, and Sam’s pulled from the only world he knows to become an apprentice to the King’s Wizard, Morgan of Shadows.

When Sam is fourteen, he enters the Dark Woods and returns with Gary, the hornless gay unicorn, and a half-giant named Tiggy, earning the moniker Sam of Wilds.

At fifteen, Sam learns what love truly is when a new knight arrives at the castle. Sir Ryan Foxheart, the dreamiest dream to have ever been dreamed.

Naturally, it all goes to hell through the years when Ryan dates the reprehensible Prince Justin, Sam can’t control his magic, a sexually aggressive dragon kidnaps the prince, and the King sends them on an epic quest to save Ryan’s boyfriend, all while Sam falls more in love with someone he can never have.

Or so he thinks.

“I don’t have time for all the relations and courting and wooing bullshit,” I said. “I’m a wizard. I havequests.”

“Uh, you’re an apprentice,” Gary said. “And you’re sent on errands.”

“You know how you wanted to dye a strip of your mane purple?” I said.

“Yes. Because I’d be beautiful.”

“Well, too fucking bad,” I said savagely. “I’m not going to do it. You’re just going to have keep it white. Forever.”

“You promised!”

“That was before you were a jerk!”

“Oh my gods,” Gary said. “Lartin. Get over here and untie me. I want to kick Sam in the fucking face.”

“No! He’s going to untie me so I can hex the shit out of you. Lartin. Get your ass over here and untie me.”

Um,” Lartin said. “I don’t know if you guys understand the point of being captured. Like… I captured you? Right? And so—”

I’m really terrified right now. A review for The Lightning-struck Heart? Almost impossible to write, as a matter of fact scratch the almost, just impossible. What am I going to say about this amazing book? It was perfect, hilarious, unbelievable, I laughed so much. It was simply fantastic, I peed myself every sentence I read. There aren’t funny moments, it’s a continuous of crazy characters, crazy scenes, crazy facts that follow each other at every moment. At the end I wasn’t sure if I was more in love with Gary, the hornless unicorn, or Sam, the prudish wizard (apprentice, sorry Gary!) or TJ for creating something like that. I just knew I wanted more and more of these guys and this world. So hurry up, TJ!

The Lightning-Struck Heart has some specific qualities that made this book precious and unique. The humour is the most evident. I can honestly say I have never read something like that so far, always so much over the top, you have to read it to understand, there are really no words I could write to describe it. I just can tell you to buy it. Then, the dialogue. Just wow! Simply engaging and together with the well developed and eclectic characters cast, made impossible to put my tablet down for a minute. Luckly the book is a long one so I could get my full fix, I was so satisfied at the end. Moreover there’s the all “feeling section” to consider. Really, the emotions and the feelings that  pervade the story were overwhelming, in a good way of course. Love, friendship, loyalty, and not least lust. They sprang out from every word.

“It’s you,” I said, not able to look away. “It’s how I feel when I’m with you. How I think I’ve always felt. You’re my lightning-struck heart. It doesn’t matter about the cornerstone. It doesn’t matter about who I am or who you are. Not to me. I think it would have always been this way for me. Even if we had never escaped the slums. Ever since the beginning. Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve struck my heart, and now I have to let you go because you’re not mine to keep. I need someone that I can be strong for. But I need someone who can also be strong for me.”

I want to add that this book was just the confirmation of the great talent TJ has, a terrific gift he absolutely needs to continue to share with us. Of course it’s totally different from the BOATK series or the Tell Me It’s Real one (BTW are you ready for The Queen & The Homo Jock King?), but the genius is there, just amplified at the nth degree. Freaking perfect! I just wish I could give the story more stars, five are not enough.

Cover art by Paul Richmond. It’s not what I’m used to see with this artist work and I honestly wouldn’t have recognised it as his but I like this cover, it’s fitting and powerful.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

  • Published July 20th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
  • Kindle Edition, 533 pages
  • ASIN B011PVYANK
  • Edition Language English

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Author Discovery: Stella on Wulf Francu Godgluck

authdiscorange copy

Wulf Francu Godgluck

Wulf Francu Godgluck pic

I am an enthusiastic member of the M/M Romance group on Goodreads. If you are too, you know their moderators work really hard every year to host an event that includes a collection of free M/M short stories, novellas and novels written by authors/members of it. Being in love with the group and the M/M world, I try to read most of these stories each time. Last year one I picked was Of Gods and Monsters: Menoetius by a new to me author called Wulf Francu Godgluck (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23110843-of-gods-and-monsters?ac=1) and it pretty much was love at first reading.

I admit he writes what I usually don’t read; in general I need my books to be sickening sweet and pure romance and it’s totally not Wulf’s style. Still I loved his stories (and I like adding a big FOR NOW cause I’m pretty sure I’m going to kill him about his WIP works LOL). Okay the language is really not so clean, in some parts a little much too hard, a little much too dirty, I can understand it’s not for everyone but I’m all for it.

Of Gods and Monsters: Menoetius is the story of Colt and Beo. Apart from the plot that pushes a lot of buttons (BDSM, alpha man, sweet sub), what caught me from the start was the writing and the fact that it was able to make me emotional, not easy because of the asshole MC. But the thing that wins me over was the idea that love can make us better. Seeing Colt change himself into a better man was really beautiful. I’m pretty sure this story could be perfect for anyone who wants to dive into Wulf’s crazy world for the first time. And it’s free. Be ready for the next installment in the Of Gods And Monsters series, Hades, coming in July 2015. I’m not sure if it’s going to be a M/M/M or a love triangle story but I can’t wait!

Then if you are looking for something really different, you absolutely need to try the A Tooth Claw and Horns Chronicle series. It’s made of short episodes and I can tell you each one will leave you hungry for more and angry at Wulf, but the pain is so worth it. This series is dark, mysterious and well balanced, there is a solid plot and well defined characters (surprisingly, see the few pages each episode has). Most of all it’s original. I can anticipate the next episode will be so much more in every way, taboos and cliffhanger are assured. Stay tuned for late summer.

As I hope you understood reading my thoughts, Wulf Francu Godgluck has a crazy world in his mind, he spaces from contemporary to paranormal, from BDSM to vampires. Last one he worked on was a sci fi story called ACID for the new M/M romance group’s event. I read some sneak peaks (here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2232381-dear-author-free-dreamer—claimed-by-wulf-francu-godgluck?page=1) and I’m really curious. It is unique and darker but so unbelievably interesting.

Last thing. If you are going to check out these books be aware that the cover artist is the same Wulf and I find them different from the usual ones I see everywhere and perfect for his writing style. I can’t recommend this author enough.

About author Wulf Francu Godgluck

They come to me in the night, creeping into my head. Their voices are all different, their stories all dissimilar, but they keep saying the same thing…

“Show us, tell us to the world. Bring us into yours, and make us known.”

Then I sit and they take over. They tell their tales of love, loss and sinister misfortune, not all of them get a happy ending, but they are pleased when their part is written.


I sometimes find myself lost in my own mind; a world very similar to our own yet so different. Things don’t go bump in the night—they squeal, and crawl under your skin, making you grind your teeth, and your stomach turn over and put your nerves on edge. Then there’s the drama. Oh, the drama!

I write because I must! There is so much inside of me that needs to get out. So many stories to tell, characters that want to be heard, and hearts lost and won. Words and art are my way of bringing my world to others. I enjoy telling tales of the human condition but working in elements of the supernatural. Werewolves, Vampires, Zombies, Witches and the unexplainable all set against the human world or worlds of their own.

I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, grew up in a working class family and enjoy writing, cooking and spending my husband’s money! Yeah I’m a cocky little brat too 🙂 (and proud of it, spankings included.)

Where to find him

Goodreads Author Page
Facebook Author Page
Website

Books and links to Stella’s Reviews:

A SNIPPET FROM Of Gods and Monsters: Hades

COMING ON JULY 2015

It was the day Kemono returned from a five week mission in Russia that his father tested him. Twenty years of age when he stood before the snake. Kemono’s only friend, Mamoru, stood beside him, their gaze trained on the wall.
His father ordered him to kill Mamoru.

Blood had still dripped from his trembling hands while his father smiled, bitter pride in his eyes. “There’s the monster I spawned.” Kemono just stood, jaw ticking, locked tight, and balled his fists. Mamoru’s blood sticky and still warm as it pussed from between his fingers. His friend lying next to him, choking as gore pooled from his throat where Kemono had sliced it.

Kemono stood there feeling nothing. Nothing for his friend of fifteen years, a man and boy he had been intimate with on far too many nights, a friend he knew was in love with him. Nothing when Mamoru’s body was dragged out of the room to be disposed of. Nothing for the mother and sister left without a son and a brother to provide for them. Nothing, knowing they would starve. Nothing. He had felt it for so long now.

Only when he walked out of the washitsu, stepped down the hall to wash his hands and come back out, did he feel something.

Anger. Pain. Worry. Fury.

He flared his nostrils, squinting his eyes. Tremors ringing up his body, his muscles pulsing, going taut at the same time.

His frame vibrated violently in rage.

His Shuiro’s soft sobs was a hand against his throat choking him, slowly ripping him apart inside. The boy rested against one of the pillars, his back damp as the material stuck to his bony skin. Kemono had looked at the sky briefly, noting the sun’s position, confirming the time of day, late afternoon as sunlight played, making the blue sky sing with purple, pinks and shades of gold. It was usually around this time his Shuiro came from training with his sensei, a kind man, but he was known for pushing his students hard.

But it was the slump to his Shuiro’s shoulders that was unpleasing to Kemono’s sight.

His heart had clenched, pain shooting in his chest when his Shuiro collapsed against the pillar, sliding against it to the floor. The boy’s chest heaving, lips parted and eyes closed.

Kemono hated to see the boy and not be able to see those dancing eyes.

He stomped towards him, furious that his steps didn’t invoke the reaction he wanted.

His Shuiro should have been up, alert with his gaze down to the floor, pressing himself against the pillar to appear smaller than he was, to somehow make his presence disappear. Rex always did that when he and Kemono’s paths crossed in the temple. It was that form of submissioned respect he cherished in the boy. The shyness and innocent the boy possessed that had speared and claimed Kemono’s heart.

He knelt before his Shuiro, his hands numb, not knowing what to do with them.

“Kemono-san,” his Shuiro had whimpered. It was the second word he had spoken to Kemono, and the first time the boy had said his name. His venomous name, coming from innocent lips. Not just Kemono, but Kemono-san. It did things inside, ruptures and tears and rips and—

Warm clammy hands had touched his cheeks. He snapped his gaze to his Shuiro’s, and the boy smiled, a smile that didn’t melt the ice around Kemono’s dead heart, but seared it into vapors of steam. His heart pounded hard against his ribs. Loud in his ears. It hurt inside. Raw. Bleeding. It had hurt so very much.

His fingers had shook as he inspected the cut on his boy’s bottom lip, gently brushing his thumb over the bloodied bruise. Small arms were wrapped around his neck, a wet cheek pressed against his hairy chest in the gap of his yukata while weak words spilled from his Shuiro’s lips.

“I missed you.”

Kemono just breathed, sucked in the smell of his Shuiro while his heart was bleeding, screaming, crying. The embrace was too much, the words a brutal scar to his heart.

Soft lips pressing against his.

And Kemono trembled.

He quaked.

His big hands on the boy’s small shoulder holding him painfully tight, and he knew it was wrong, volitional and blasphemous, destroying innocence like this, but it was the first human touch he had ever been given.

Kemono had opened for him, allowed his Shuiro to taste him. And Kemono had tasted back. He kissed him so hard that he tasted his Shuiro’s life. He savored that purity, the freedom to cry, to laugh, to stumble and fall, to be weak…to be human.

He carved that into his very soul, his very heart and, in that kiss, he willed a silent promise: Someday I will take care of you, my innocent Shuiro.

The slam of a cane against wood floors had made Kemono roar into those soft lips, sending his sutoroberī to scurry away from him.

His father had found them.