A MelanieM Release Day Review: Blind Love (Sword and Silk Trilogy #2) by Sedonia Guillone

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

blind-love-by-sedonia-guillone After a harrowing seventeen-year separation, Hirata Morimasa leaves his home and secure future to search for his childhood friend, Sho. Blinded by illness when they were children, Sho was sent away, apprenticed to a blind masseur (an anma) to learn his trade, and then disappeared.

Desperate to find the other half of his heart and soul, Hirata willingly sacrifices the prestige and security of his father’s dojo to find him. When an anma who looks exactly like Sho crosses his path in front of a gambling parlor one day, the man flatly denies he is Sho. Hirata knows better and is determined to get the truth… and to get back the friend he’d lost. However, even though Hirata knows in his bones this man is his soul mate, Sho has changed in ways Hirata could not have prepared for in his wildest imaginings, changes that could continue to keep them apart… forever.

The second story in Sedonia Guillone’s Sword and Silk trilogy, Blind Love is a gorgeous blend of Japanese history, culture and a romance that’s perhaps more eastern than western in its outlook on love. I found that remarkably true in keeping to its characters, its era, and the situation the men found themselves it.

Its a heartbreaking story in many regards. Two young boys who love each other, separated first by birth into different levels of stature. One is the son of servants, the other the son of a samurai who runs a dojo. Then comes a devastating illness that blinds Sho and is destined to separate them further when Sho is sent away and disappears. Told from Hirata’s pov, the author writes boyhood scenes of happiness that we can easily connect with them, and then of the utmost terror when the separation comes. From all that has passed before, we know that Sho has become an essential part of Hirata and now that’s been torn away. Trust me, the tears will flow.

What follows gives you some insight into that era and into the heart of Hirata as he grows up. Its hard to believe this story is only 95 pages long.

Its what happens when the men meet again that I think readers (some/most) will have issues with. If any have read or watched any Japanese books or movies, then this part will not surprise you. Its very much in keeping with the tone of the romances or writings of that culture. I’m trying hard not to include spoilers here. It also seemed very, well if not reasonable, then understandable when you hear Sho’s pov of the story and that scene towards the end of the novel. I thought the scene worked. Plus it introduced us to a character, Aoki-san, who is a link to not only the couple in the first story, Flying Fish, but who will be half of the final couple in the last tale in this trilogy. So its suitable that he plays such an inflammatory yet gentle role here. Yes, its possible to be both. He is one to excite the senses in a soft way. Trust me. Read the story.

There is so much here. Not just history of the Shogunate era but all the aggregate loss, compassion, guilt and anger that has built up between Hirata and Sho. Blind Love is also how two men who have never forgotten each other learn to triumph over their past and move on. Again, all in 95 pages. Quite remarkable.

There is one more tale to come. Blossom of the Samurai (Sword and Silk #3), the story of Aoki, the beautiful actor and Toho Morimasa. Who is Toho? Well, now that’s another pleasure to be found inside Blind Love. This is a wonderful series. I highly recommend both books so far. I’m sure I will love the third just as much. I can’t wait to find out.

Cover art by Reese Dante. I wish that the characters had a little more historical feel to them but I like the sepia tone to the coloration.

Sales Links

Book Details:

A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.

ebook, 2nd Edition, 95 pages
Expected publication: November 9th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press (first published March 28th 2013)
ISBN 1634775430 (ISBN13: 9781634775434)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series: Sword and Silk Trilogy – add to your Goodreads shelf here:

Flying Fish (Sword and Silk Trilogy, #1)
Blind Love (Sword and Silk Trilogy, #2)
Blossom of the Samurai (Sword and Silk Trilogy #3) – coming soon

A Stella Release Day Review: Murmuration by TJ Klune

RATING 2,75 out of 5 stars

murmuration In the small mountain town of Amorea, it’s stretching toward autumn of 1954. The memories of a world at war are fading in the face of a prosperous future. Doors are left unlocked at night, and neighbors are always there to give each other a helping hand.

The people here know certain things as fact:

Amorea is the best little town there is.

The only good Commie is a dead Commie.

The Women’s Club of Amorea runs the town with an immaculately gloved fist.

And bookstore owner Mike Frazier loves that boy down at the diner, Sean Mellgard. Why they haven’t gotten their acts together is anybody’s guess. It may be the world’s longest courtship, but no one can deny the way they look at each other.

Slow and steady wins the race, or so they say.

But something’s wrong with Mike. He hears voices in his house late at night. There are shadows crawling along the walls, and great clouds of birds overhead that only he can see.

Something’s happening in Amorea. And Mike will do whatever he can to keep the man he loves.

My review on Murmuration by TJ Klune will be brief. You want the truth? I don’t have a lot to say. I could have given it 5 stars because in a way it deserves the highest rating but I can’t and I’ll try to explain why without spoiling it. Basically I’m not sure what to make of the plot. I found the relationship between Mike and Sean sweet and cute. I liked the story. I found it mysterious, it intrigued me since I read the blurb and it kept my interest through a long part of it. I had no idea what was going to happen, where the author was going to take the MCs, but I wasn’t worried because I knew I would have an HEA.

I liked the writing, it’s easy and great and brought me to Amorea and its sceneries and habitants. It brought me on a balcony, it brought me on a sterile room. I appreciate the author’s talent, his invention, he loves words and he knows how to use them to create unique and awesome sentences. I have to give it to TJ. The book is amazingly written and well done, really really well done. Unexpected as everything TJ writes. I’m blown away but still not in a good way.

That said I can’t give it 3 stars. The problem is I’m so disappointed and angry. This story was hard to take to me and I can’t overcome the bitter taste if left on my heart. I could have so loved Murmuration but TJ ruined everything. He destroyed what I loved, who I loved, all the people I met in Amorea, in the last part of the book. And to me is unecceptable. And the ending? That was supposed to be a HEA? It wasn’t.

The cover art by Reese Dante is amazing, one of the best covers I saw this year.

Sales Links

BOOK DETAILS

ebook, 324 pages

Publication date October 28th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN 1634774558 (ISBN13: 9781634774550)

Edition Language English

Here’s Reading You ~ An Author’s POV! (Part III) This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Here’s Reading You ~ An Author’s POV! (Part III)

Last week Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words finished up our reader’s thoughts on eBooks, how they use them, where they find them and the authors that write them. This week, its the authors turn. From hardback and paperback or even the graphic novel to the eBook, what does writing and publishing eBooks mean to an author? Has it helped them find an audience? Made it easier to publish a novel? Made it harder to find time to write because they are so busy promoting themselves and their stories? And is the eBook industry changing?

I know…what a lot of questions to dump onto an author already burdened with so much to do these days. But I thought it might help us understand eBooks from their perspective and maybe let us appreciate those stories that we read just a little more when we consider the author’s point of view. Maybe you as readers have questions you want to ask our authors?

That’s why we are dividing our authors blog section into two parts, one this week and into the next. If you have questions, please comment below and all week long. If we use your questions? See the contest at the end of this blog for your answer!

The authors participating this week are Parker Williams (Of Love and Corn Dogs), Wulf Francu Godgluck (Tooth, Claw, and Horn Chronicles), and Jay Northcote. Thank you all for participating and taking time away from your busy schedules to answer my questions.

~ Authors On Ebooks~

Parker Williams

✍From Parker Williams, author of Haven’s Creed, Of Love and Corn Dogs (Of Love and… Book 1),Protector of the Alpha (Shifting Needs #1) and more:

As an author, what has your experience been publishing ebooks? Especially self published ebooks? Did you start off that way? Was a traditional publishing house not the answer? Or if it was, why?

No, I started out being published by Harmony Ink (the YA arm of Dreamspinner Press.) A friend encouraged me to try it, and even helped me get the book ready to submit. Hitting that ‘send’ button was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, because I grew up thinking that writing wasn’t for me (thank you, Dad!)

How has the ebook industry changed since you started publishing? How do you view these changes?

I’m not sure how much the industry has changed since I started in it. Self-publishing has been a terror for me, because I’m not sure what the heck I’m doing. I pay a company to format my books, because the rules for each site are wide and varied.

Have you as an author benefited, are indifferent, or has it made your job more difficult to get your books out there?

I’ve had to be more creative to get my book noticed. My saving grace was running Pride Promotions, because I had a list of bloggers who I already worked with who were willing to help me. So to them, I am exceptionally grateful.

What things would you change if you were starting over?

If I were to start over, I would be less hesitant about some things that I thought would turn people off. Haven’s Creed, for example. I was so certain no one would buy it, and even more certain that I would get pilloried for publishing it. As is the came with most books, it has some who loathed it, but surprisingly a lot of people seemed to enjoy it. It gave me the courage to explore some other things I might not have done otherwise.

What has been your biggest challenge? And biggest victory as an author – other than publishing that is? Is it see your genre expand?

My biggest challenge is not knowing what I’m doing with self-publishing. I wish I could understand it, or find an easier way to format, because I feel silly having to ask for help. My biggest victory? The very first letter I ever got that told me my writing made a difference to someone. Knowing that even just one person thought my story was worthwhile.

And I would *LOVE* to see the genre expand. I think too many people see M/M or F/F literature, and automatically shuffle it off to the side without even giving it a chance. There are some stellar storytellers out there that they’re missing out on.

Where do you see ebooks and yourself in the future?

I hope to be writing until the day I die. When I go, I want to have my collection of books buried with me, so I have something to read while I wait for eternity to pass.

Wulf Francu Godgluck

✍From Wulf Francu Godgluck, author of the Neon White, and the Tooth, Claw, and Horn Chronicles and more:

As an author, what has your experience been publishing ebooks? Especially self published ebooks? Did you start off that way? Was a traditional publishing house not the answer? Or if it was, why?

I have self-published all my books and don’t think I would change that anytime soon, you have more freedom as a self-published author but you also have to carry the cost and the risk thereof: Publishers already have an established readership, whereas if you are an author just starting out and self-publish your first book, you need to build that readership first, you also run the risk of plagiarism and piracy, where unfortunately you don’t have a legal team to back you up. But again you would earn more royalties on each individual copy sold, you determine the price of your book but you also run the risk of loss if you do not sell enough copies to compensate for the cost of getting your book published.

I guess it all depends on where and with what you are more comfortable. The only reason I self-published in the first place is publishers tend not to like my books because of the tone of my writing, as it tends to be a bit on the dark side.

How has the ebook industry changed since you started publishing? How do you view these changes?

In my honest opinion a lot, and not for the better, new books pop up every day now and the problem is the writing of these books is becoming poorer and poorer. Because the problem we are facing today is the lack and misunderstand of literacy, I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the number of authors and readers that still does not get the concept of showing and not telling, the difference of just simply reading what is actually written and then to thinking about what was said in that sentence as to what is actually conveyed, then there’s lack of using beta readers, and yet these books still sell? And more often than not it’s self-published books. So the bigger question we need to ask ourselves is; can readers really differentiate between a well-written book and a poor one, in all honesty, it seems that the poorly written books these days are the ones selling. Why? Because readers deem this poor quality of literature acceptable.

Why readers? Because it’s a vicious endless cycle – poorly written books are read by readers- reader becomes authors- produces poorly written book because of reading poorly written books.

Have you as an author benefited, are indifferent, or has it made your job more difficult to get your books out there?

Assuming this question is based on the previous answers, yes it has made my job more difficult: anyone can tell a story, not everyone can write a novel. It took me five years to even feel ready to show my first novel to readers, and that’s not from reading a lot, that came from writing, learning how to write, learning the difference between showing and not telling a story, learning how to convey the right words in the right way to paint the picture I want to portray inside the reader’s mind and the emotions I want to invoke inside the reader’s heart. It came from endless rewrites- first drafts, second drafts, and third drafts. From taking a step back and thinking about what I am writing, and from working very closely with my beta readers and editors and mentors who have been in the industry for years. And lastly evaluating myself and my writing as to how much I, as an author, has grown from the first piece I wrote to the current piece I have published.

Now, I, and many other authors have to compete with books, that are almost in a sense mass produced and that are deemed acceptable pieces of literature. That does make an author feel a bit dejected, that does make us question ourselves and whether or not the time, effort and blood placed into a manuscript is even worth it. Reader so easily voice, that we don’t write fast enough or that a particular author is only capable of publishing a novel once a year: And there is a very good reason for that, good things take time, we want to make sure we don’t push out something that’s going to be flat, one dimensional and unemotional.

And we are in the losing side here, because I see it so often when a really good book gets bashed down and really bad one gets praised. There are so many authors out there both new and experience that does not get the praise their work deserve.

It’s like a very good friend of mine said, “good writing should be like a movie for blind people.”

But we are also pressured against reader’s demand: Am I going to risk losing readers, and take the time to produce a novel to the best of my abilities, however long that may be- or am I going to give into the demand of the industry and produce something flat, quick and easy, with no flavor or substance?

What things would you change if you were starting over?

Not a lot, I would for one spend more time establishing a readership and interacting with more readers before I released my first book, but again it comes back to time. Writing a novel takes up a lot of time, establishing a readership and maintaining that readership via social media is a whole job in itself, so where do you draw the line, where do you find the balance? Authors are still people, they still have families, jobs and responsibilities outside of the writing world. Even as a full-time author I find this very difficult to balance. So now as the industry has changed; it crucial for any new author to establish a readership before they have their first book out in the publics’ hands.

What has been your biggest challenge? And biggest victory as an author – other than publishing that is? Is it see your genre expand?

Biggest challenge: Making sure my next book exceeds the one before it, Good, great, I’ve written a good book I can be proud of, now comes the next novel. Reader’s expectations. This always guts me during the writing process. The fear that this new book might not live up to the hype of its predecessor. And it’s both real and healthy, it encourages me to strive for better, to work harder, not to have the plot run away with me and high-jack the story to a point where it can’t be saved, and lastly writer’s block and writer’s burn out.

Biggest victory as an author: I’m discovering who I am, learning more about myself and what I am capable of, how talented I am and recognizing myself worth, but still be able to stay humble throughout this process because trust me, it can go to your head.

Where do you see ebooks and yourself in the future?

To grow more as a writer, to one day hopefully become a full-time writer in the horror genre and be successful in it.

As for ebooks in the future, one can only hope that we find some way to better protect our work against piracy and plagiarism, as with the advance of technology, there are its disadvantages; illegal distribution of books and selfishly stealing others work is a threat to both writers and the industry. With ebooks being so easily distributed as they are in the numerous ways they can be scattered throughout the big web. It’s hard to keep track of where they end up and how to protect

them.

Jay Northcote

✍From Jay Northcote, author of Nothing Serious and the Housemates series and many more:

My first experiences in publishing were with Dreamspinner Press almost three years ago. They published in paperback and eBook format, but the vast majority of my sales were eBooks.

I made the switch to self-publishing about a year into my career as an author. With it being so easy to self-publish eBooks in particular (although it’s also easy to publish paperbacks through Createspace) I didn’t see that there was much benefit for me to stay with a publisher once I had a readership.

Even in the relatively short time that I’ve been publishing, the industry has changed a lot. The market for our genre is growing, but is also getting exponentially more crowded. It’s hard for authors to get noticed. Kindle Unlimited and the huge number of indie authors have driven prices down—which has a knock on, negative impact on author earnings. However, the rise in popularity of eBooks has allowed me to have a career as an author that I would otherwise never have had. I don’t believe that I would ever have considered writing as a full-time job if it hadn’t been for the boom in the e-book market and the subsequent growth of small presses and Indies. I count myself extremely lucky to have found my readership and to be able to do this as my job. I’m grateful to all my readers for making this possible.

It’s hard to predict the future in such a volatile and rapidly changing market. Ebooks are here to stay, and I think subscription services like KU are too. Personally, I would like to see more consistency in eBook pricing across the industry. The 99c novels that dominate the charts are making it harder for authors to earn a living. But I’m hopeful that as long as I work hard and stay focused, I will be able to keep writing full-time for the foreseeable future.

As you all can see, their experiences run the spectrum, from self publishing to working with established publishers to using both methods of getting their stories to their audience. All see the ebook as a format that’s here to stay. But how will the market change? And how will the authors and publishers have to adapt to the changing market? That remains to be seen.

More authors next week. Do you have questions for these or any authors? Send them in. I will forward them on and use them in our blog next week or the week after.

Giveaway: From the readers leaving comments I will be choosing 3 more winners to receive $10 gift certificates from Dreamspinner Press. Contest ends at midnight, November 3rd. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

And now for this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 23:

Here’s Reading You ~ An Author’s POV! (Part III)
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
A Paul Review: The Beginning (Sirius Wolves #6) by Victoria Sue

Monday, October 24:

Release Blitz & Review Tour – Con Riley’s Must Like Spinach
Riptide Blog Tour: Change of Address by Jordan S. Brock
Alisa Audiobook Review: Corey: The Atherton Pack 3 by Toni Griffin
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: Changing World by Cari Z
A Paul Review: Germ by April Kelly

Tuesday, October 25:

Reclaiming Hope by Shell Taylor Tour with Guest Post
Riptide Blog Tour and Giveaway: Interborough by Santino Hassell
A Stella Review: Different Names for the Same Thing by Francis Gideon
A Caryn Review: Interborough by Santino Hassell
An Alisa Review: His Scar by Erin E. Keller

Wednesday, October 26:

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: The Closet Boy by Sean Michael
Blog Tour and Giveaway: Full Circle by Victoria Sue
Contact, Gothika Volume 5 Tour with Guest Post and Giveaway
An Alisa Review: Night Train to Orleans By Carolina Valdez
A Paul B Review: Full Circle by Victoria Sue

Thursday, October 27:

Cover Reveal – Alpha Barman by Sue Brown
In the Spotlight:On Fire by Alicia Nordwell (Guest Post)
An Alisa Review: Open Omega and His Bitter Bear By Susan Laine
A Free Dreamer Review: 18% Gray by Anne Tenino
A Release Review: Touchdown (Game Day Book 1) by T.S. McKinney

Friday, October 28:

In the Spotlight: Make Someone Happy by Hank Fielding (Guest Post)
A Stella Release Day Review: Murmuration by TJ Klune
An Alisa Review: Of Paws and Pet Rocks by J.D. Walker
A Lila Review: A Sip Of Rio by Teodora Kostova
A MelanieM Review: Too Many Cases by Julia Rancourt

Saturday, October 29:

A MelanieM Review: Shield of the Dragon by Megan Derr

About the Authors:

Parker Williams can be found at his Goodreads blog

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.)

You can find Wulf at his website

Jay Northcote

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

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

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

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

Contact Jay at:

Website http://jaynorthcote.com/
Twitter jay_northcote

In the Release Spotlight: The Viscount And The Artist – Alyson Pearce (excerpt and book details)

The Viscount And The Artist – Alyson Pearce

Length: 299 pages

Buy Links: Amazon US Amazon UK AllRomance Smashwords KOBO

Blurb

Andrew Cardwell is a man driven by duty to his country and to his family. After the death of his uncle, he’s determined to provide security and stability for his family as the new Viscount Cardwell—even if that means marrying and producing an heir. Surprising himself, Andrew decides to sponsor a young artist named Jeremy for the season, to help him find a patron. What he doesn’t anticipate is how well Jeremy fits in his bed…and his life.

Jeremy Leighton knows what it’s like to be a disappointment. The only son of a vicar, he’s refused to follow the path his father set for him, choosing his passion for art, instead. He accepts Andrew’s proposal, hoping to prove to his father—and himself—that he can succeed as an artist. After spending time with Andrew in and out of bed, Jeremy struggles not to fall for the damaged viscount, knowing the season will likely end in Andrew’s engagement.

Between a meddling cousin, a widow on the hunt for a new husband, and their own doubts about the relationship, how can Andrew and Jeremy shed the expectations of others to find true happiness?

Excerpt

Sitting in the carriage outside Boodle’s, Jeremy fiddled with his coat buttons. A cold sweat had started along the back of his neck. Talking about finding a patron was one matter. Actively looking for one was completely different. He looked over at Andrew. The man was the embodiment of fashionable: his jet black tailcoat was expertly tailored, the waistcoat beneath adding a touch of colour and pattern. Even his cravat was tied in a perfect Osbaldeston. Next to him, Jeremy looked like a simple country boy, wearing clothing his father had bought him when he entered Oxford. His stomach rolled, and he regretted eating such a large dinner.

“You’re going to be fine,” Andrew said.

Jeremy fastened his buttons for a third time.

“Just relax. Hands at your sides. Deep breaths. Follow my lead and stay by my side.”

Nodding, Jeremy let his hands drop. He waited until Andrew opened the carriage door before climbing out. The sight in front of him was formal and imposing, and Jeremy wanted nothing more than to climb back into the carriage. The ground floor exterior was a white stone, while the upper levels were brick. The showpiece of the building, though, was the large, domed window in the centre, trimmed by white, scalloped stone.

“Come on.”

Andrew clapped Jeremy on the shoulder and steered them toward the door. It felt rather like he was being marched to the gallows. As they passed through the columned entrance, Jeremy balled his fists at his sides.

“You have to relax, Jeremy,” Andrew murmured. “No one is going to come and escort you out. You are here as my guest, and therefore you belong here. Unclench your fists. Drop your shoulders. Remember, every man you meet here is a potential patron. Treat them as such. Be respectful, but be yourself.”

Jeremy nodded, forcing his shoulders down. “All right. Where to first, Cardwell?”

“Let’s start by finding friends.”

After a giving Jeremy a quick tour of the ground floor, Andrew led him up the steps, toward the salon. A number of men had already started to gather at the card tables, and Jeremy stayed as close to Andrew as he possibly could. A large man with a bulbous nose and beady eyes broke away from the rest and started toward the both of them, favouring his left leg.

“Thomas Stanhope,” Andrew whispered. “A member of the Commons and not someone you want to work with.”

“Cardwell!” The man’s voice was thin and raspy, and his gaze darted between Andrew and Jeremy. “Back just in time for the Season, I see. Is your uncle with you?”

Andrew’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Uncle Richard passed a few weeks ago. You sent a letter expressing your condolences.”

Stanhope’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “Did I? I…You must forgive me. My mind is not what it once was.”

“Of course.” The words came out clipped. “Stanhope, allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Jeremy Leighton.”

A flicker of emotion crossed Stanhope’s face, though Jeremy couldn’t place it. Whatever it was made him uncomfortable.

“Leighton…” The man frowned, as though he were trying to piece together a puzzle.

“It’s a pleasure,” Jeremy said, shaking the man’s hand.

“The pleasure is mine.” Stanhope didn’t release his grip. “Tell me, how did you become acquainted with our Cardwell, here?”

The man’s palm was sweaty and Jeremy longed to pull away, but when he tried, Stanhope simply tightened his grip. “My father was friends with Lord Richard Cardwell. I’ve been acquainted with his family since birth.”

The confusion twisted into something like satisfaction, and Stanhope smirked, a gleam in his eye.

“I see. And how—”

“Cardwell!”

Jeremy looked over Stanhope’s shoulder to see a man taller than Andrew walking over. When he looked back at Stanhope, the man’s expression had soured.

“Excuse me. I look forward to seeing you again, Mr. Leighton.”

Stanhope walked away, his expression clouded. Andrew breathed a sigh of relief and the tension visibly eased.

“Perfect timing, Percy,” Andrew said. “I thought I would have to cut Jeremy’s hand off to get him away.”

“You looked like a caged animal.” The man embraced Andrew and then pulled away. “I wondered if you would be here for the Season. We placed bets on whether or not you would turn up. Thaddeus put you down as sitting out.”

Jeremy blinked. How could he be so crass?

“It’s as though he doesn’t know me at all,” Andrew shot back. He turned to Jeremy. “Lord Percival Beaumont, this is Mr. Jeremy Leighton. Percy and I attended Harrow and Oxford together.”

As Beaumont shook his hand, Jeremy could practically feel the man scrutinizing his appearance. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord,” he said, not quite meeting Beaumont’s gaze.

Beaumont gave him the same easy-going smile he gave Andrew. “Pleasure’s all mine. Please, call me Percy. Andrew, Thaddeus and Oliver are at May’s Buildings. I thought you might want to head over.”

Andrew looked to Jeremy. “What do you think? Would you rather visit the Eccentrics than stay here?”

Given the stuffy crowd and their interactions with Stanhope, Jeremy was more than eager to leave. “Yes. Could we go, please?”

“Lead the way, then, Percy.”

The trio headed back down the stairs and out the door. Rather than hailing a carriage, they set off on foot. The sun had almost completely set, and a slight chill had entered the air, but it wasn’t anything Jeremy’s coat couldn’t protect against. As they walked, Jeremy found himself trailing behind Andrew, with Percy at his side.

“So you went to school with Andrew, then?” Jeremy asked. It was easy to relax around Percy, who treated him with the same warmth he treated Andrew. Stanhope, with his odd behaviour, had had the opposite effect on him.

Percy nodded. “Our families run in the same circles, so of course I knew Andrew, but I didn’t become friends with him until university.” He lowered his voice. “We, ah, share similar interests.”

The meaning was clear. Already, Jeremy was starting to pick up on the cues and the codes. “Of course,” he said.

Part of him wanted to ask whether or not they had been together, but a much larger part didn’t care to know.

“I do believe I’ve stunned you. Forgive me, I’ve said too much.”

“Not at all. I simply…”

“I see.” Percy nodded slowly. He glanced ahead at Andrew before turning back to Jeremy. “I wouldn’t worry, if I were you. What happened between us was years ago, and I found we’re much better suited as friends. Relax.”

“I would have a greater chance at relaxing if everyone stopped encouraging me to do so,” Jeremy retorted.

“My apologies. I meant only that I would like to get to know you better, as a friend of Andrew’s.”

“Gossiping about me, are you?” Andrew’s voice came from up ahead.

“You only wish,” Percy replied. He looped his arm through Jeremy’s. “Tell me about your relationship with Andrew.”

“My father was close friends with Andrew’s uncle, Richard.”

Percy flashed him a smile. “That tells me nothing about you and Andrew.”

“There’s not much to say.” Jeremy licked his lips. “I’m an artist looking for a patron. Andrew saw my work and commissioned me to paint his portrait, and in return he offered to let me come with him to London.”

“And does he give you anything else in return?”

Anger flared in Jeremy’s veins and he let out a harsh breath. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“I mean nothing by it,” Percy said gently. “As I said, I only wish to get to know you better. I know Andrew, and I only want the best for him. For you both. I know how difficult it can be to get close to him.”

“What do you know of his difficulties?”

“As one of his oldest friends, I believe a better question would be what do I not know of his difficulties?” The man regarded him with an air of suspicion before relaxing. “Come to my townhouse tomorrow afternoon. We can discuss the matter further there.”

“And what do I tell Andrew?”

“That he isn’t invited.” Percy laughed, his entire face lighting up. “He’ll hardly like it, but he will recover. Sometimes it is nice to remind him that he cannot control everything and everyone.”

Review Tour Stops

October 5 – MM Good Book Reviews
October 7 – Zipper Rippers
October 10 – BooksLaidBareBoys
October 12 – From Top To Bottom Reviews
October 14 – Dog-Eared Daydreams, Love Bites & Silk Ties
October 19 – Nerdy Dirty & Flirty
October 21 – Engaging Secrets, Making It Happen, Diverse Reader, Bayou Book Junkie, Full Moon Dreaming, MM Book Escape
October 22 – Bella’s Blog, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, My Fiction Nook

Author Bio

Alyson Pearce is an American transplant currently living in London, where she works full time in publishing and as an author of M/M romances. She fell in love with romances after discovering her grandmother’s library and hasn’t looked back. As a member of the LGBT community, she believes that everyone deserves their chance at a happily ever after. In her spare time, Alyson enjoys cooking, reading, and shouting at contestants on Chopped. The Viscount and the Artist is her first novel.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlysonPearceAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pearce_alyson

Website: http://www.alysonpearce.com/

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A MelanieM Review: The Viscount and the Artist (The Eccentrics #1) by Alyson Pearce

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

the-viscount-and-the-artist Andrew Cardwell is a man driven by duty to his country and to his family. After the death of his uncle, he’s determined to provide security and stability for his family as the new Viscount Cardwell—even if that means marrying and producing an heir. Surprising himself, Andrew decides to sponsor a young artist named Jeremy for the season, to help him find a patron. What he doesn’t anticipate is how well Jeremy fits in his bed…and his life.

Between a meddling cousin, a widow on the hunt for a new husband, and their own doubts about the relationship, how can Andrew and Jeremy shed the expectations of others to find true happiness?

After finishing The Viscount and the Artist (The Eccentrics #1) by Alyson Pearce I found I had mixed reactions to the story I had just concluded. My first overall impression is that this was an enjoyable read. The characters had just enough layers to them to make them interesting, the plot long and with enough obstacles thrown about to keep a reader wondering about Jeremy and Andrew’s future (such as it could be in those times) and the secondary cast supportive and fun.

Yes, I enjoyed this story. I like historical romances. I like them more when you get a feel for the times and cultural milestones in a story than one that pays lip service to the fact the the author says its a historical novel. So where on the line does The Viscount and the Artist fit in? Somewhere in the middle I’d say. The dialog and conversations seem almost a little too modern in places while the author’s got Andrew recovering from the Battle of Barossa in 1811, the Peninsula, which is right. The story bounces from spot on historical accuracy where the author’s research shows to areas in the plot, even at the beginning, where a Rector’s son doesn’t go fleeing from the advance’s of a Sodomite but agrees to move in (with his father’s unknowing approval) with him asap, that just astonish. I wish I could say Pearce made a case for that with her writing but in my opinion, the connection between the two men arrives later.

Much is made of Andrew’s inability to move forward from his PTSD and the loss of another lover. I think its handled well but it goes on so long that the effect is to leave both the reader and Jeremy dangling at loose ends at the middle of the story for far too long a time. For a while my attention started to wander and then the Widow arrived. That brought back the idea that Andrew was the last of his line and what was going to happen to his family estate and so on. That was a hugely important question back then when women were dependent upon relatives for their well being as well as their families futures. Bringing in his cousins made that real and believable. Nice touch.

More was to come, a villain, more angst, and a comeuppance or two. You expect those in historical novels. They work here.

The HFN seemed as good as the times would allow. It was a nice touch. I enjoyed the idea of their future together even if I don’t think I found it very plausible given the times. Although I’m not sure what other explanation the author could have arrived at. So I’ll settle for the one she did leave us with. It was enjoyable, I was happy along with the men. It worked out well.

I think this was a first story for this author. If so, I look forward to seeing what else she’s going to have to author for us.

Cover art is lovely and works for this story.

Buy Links: Amazon US Amazon UK AllRomance Smashwords KOBO

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 299 pages
Published August 26th 2016 by Alyson Pearce
Original TitleThe Viscount and the Artist
ASINB01JTLWRKQ
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Eccentrics #1

A VVivacious Review: My Bare Naked Heart by David Avery

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

The year is 1957 and John Branson has entered a whole new world as he gets admitted to Inverness College in Vermont. His first year at Inverness is a roller-coaster ride that brings with it friendship, first love, sexual exploration, betrayal, heart break and lots more. In a time when being homosexual was illegal, he struggles with his feelings towards men. Despite his apprehension he ends up making life-long friendships and ushering in an era of his life where all his hidden desires are for once and for all confronted.

This book is written in an autobiographical style and chronicles the first year in college of our MC, John Branson. What I liked about this autobiographical style was that when John talked about a particular person, he gave his entire perspective on that person that he had formed over the course of his life instead of being limited to the present, so it was like you had a little glimpse into the future and a more solid grasp of the person’s character. What kind of freaked me out was that sometimes in his glimpses of the future he sounded like an old man and I realized that John, if alive today would have been my grandfather’s age and that kind of freaked me out a little and also in a roundabout way put into perspective the time period we were dealing with.

This book is a literal cock-fest, John has six friends, Anthony, Howell (aka Howl), Ted (aka Sasquatch), Daniel (aka Wonder Bread), Freddy and Eddie (aka Shorty), and all of them are introduced with descriptions of their cocks. I have never in my life read such detailed descriptions of cocks and I actually studied Anatomy, so yeah that helped get me into John’s frame of mind of a horny teenager fascinated by cocks.

It takes time for the book to get interesting but once it managed to capture my imagination, I really liked it. This book at its heart is about John’s experience with his sexuality, his journey as he comes to terms with himself and kind of assimilates what he feels with how everybody else feels about it.

This book has a richness of characters. There is Anthony and his unfailing loyalty and his monster cock. There is Daniel who is a little uptight but he really comes through when John needs him to and Shorty who was this amazing person. I really liked him. I had the same revelation about him as John does and I kind of hate the fact that we know exactly how his future turns out to be. Then there was Dusty, Dusty was so amazing but in a way I kind of regretted the fact that we never got to see him in the same light as John views his friends, because John puts Dusty on a pedestal, his descriptions of him appear tinted.

My only issue with this book is a (spoiler, so read ahead at your own peril or just skip this paragraph) the infidelity. The fact that it happens on two separate occasions doesn’t help matters. What my major issue with it was not that it would happen, but that I personally didn’t get how he could think about Dusty as he did and still manage to hurt him twice. I mean once I can attribute to his ineptitude in relationships but the second time just felt wrong. Also I couldn’t reconcile John’s personality with this little titbit.

I liked how this story evolves and I loved the ending, even though I am half crazed trying to figure out what all, that last sentence could have possibly meant.

Cover Art. I really liked the cover especially the likeness of Inverness College.

Sales Links

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 326 pages
Published October 14th 2016 by Walt Whitman Press
ASINB01L2Q0S1G
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Hexmaker (Hexworld #2 ) by Jordan L. Hawk

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

hexmaker Malachi is a fox shifter who finds himself in a world of trouble when the robbery he’s committing turns into a murder. He’s not the murderer, just the thief who happens to get caught when he stops to check on the bleeding man he finds in the library. Unfortunately, he found the real thief in the act—a red-headed thief who gets away, leaving red-headed Malachi to take the heat for the crime.

Just down the street, leaving his parent’s mansion on “Millionaire Row,” is Owen Yates, the forensic hexmaker we met in Hexbreaker. Owen spots the police vehicle outside the nearby mansion and goes to investigate. By the end of the story, readers will realize this is the best thing that ever happened to him, as he not only finds the pieces of the valuable object the thief was after—an object with ancient Greek hex symbols on it, he also finds the man who is his familiar—Malachi.

As Malachi and Owen start out slowly, while all around them, outside forces are trying to decide Mal’s fate and the real murderer is now trying to murder Mal, the story gets interesting and complex. Owen is in his last week with the MWP, Metropolitan Witch Police, because he’s getting married Thanksgiving weekend, a marriage he neither desires, nor appreciates. He’s marrying to appease his wealthy family who want to shore up their place in society with funds from the wealthy heiress he’s betrothed to.

However, as the week progresses, leaving the MWP and getting married sound more like a death sentence as he and Mal, now bonded as a witch and familiar, dread facing the future and the loss of the chance of a happy outcome they both desire and deserve.

I really enjoy this story. This author has such a vivid imagination and appreciation of the history of the 19^th to 20^th turn of the century period. Weaving historical facts and fantasy into a complex story, while bringing alive another “fated-partners” love story, one with a few D/s elements this time, is pure creative genius. As the saying goes, the joy is in the journey, and in this case, Owen’s and Mal’s journey to love and to finding their true places in life brings nothing but joy to readers. I highly recommend this to all lovers of MM romance.

Cover art by the author is perfect for the story and characters. Its eye catching and draws you in.

Sales Links

Amazon | Amazon UK | Kobo | ARe | Smashwords | iBooks | Nook

Book Details:

ebook, 270 pages
Published October 14th 2016 by Smashwords Edition
ISBN139781941230213
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesHexworld #2

A Caryn Release Day Review: The First Act by Vanessa Mulberry

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

the-first-act-by-vanessa-mulberry Set in Elizabethan England, this is the story of how William, a young innocent country boy, schemes to win the love of the actor Richard Brasyer. Richard is older, worldly, somewhat jaded, and they come into contact when Richard’s troupe is performing in Oxford while the plague rages in London. William is enraptured, intensely attracted to Richard, and convinces himself he is in love. Through a combination of whining and appealing to his vanity, William bulldozes his cousin (who happens to be co-owner of the troupe) into letting him join as an apprentice, and travels to London where he hopes to end up in Richard’s bed.

Twenty-four hours after arriving in London, that’s exactly where William is. After Richard’s previous apprentice is conveniently dismissed. Now William just has to seduce the older man, who vacillates between being irritated with how naïve William is, and lusting after his body. Their relationship is summed up in this quote:

“William had been in Richard’s employ for several hours now, and already he was growing frustrated with the slow progress of their relationship”

I mean, there’s insta-love, and there’s this. And of course, the attraction is purely physical on both sides, and the next two days find William throwing himself at Richard and being repulsed for various reasons, or deciding he’s fed up with the whole thing and will go back to Oxford, but can’t because he’s just so in love, but really, Richard is not as good as William thought he was, but he still really wants to have sex with Richard, except when he doesn’t. Oh my God, make up your frickin’ mind! Richard of course does the same thing, alternating between admiring William and feeling that resisting him is futile, or wanting him to go home to Oxford because he’s an irritating prat, or feeling that he is not worthy of William’s devotion and must shelter his innocence from the big bad world, or some other repetitive hot and cold waffling.

And then there’s the spy aspect. Which basically just amounts to a little sneaking around. Finding whatever information they need usually takes about 30 minutes. The mastermind uber-spy, Bennett, is a silver fox who is an old lover of Richard’s, who still exerts a fascination that Richard can’t seem to walk away from, though there is some reason why he should. I never figured out what that reason was, other than lying to Richard, or having him followed for no particular reason. But what the hell, he’s sexy, and is able to give it to Richard like no other man ever has, so Richard says yes, then no, then yes, then walks out, then can’t make it past the bedroom door and goes back in, remembers he used to love Bennett, remembers that he actually loathes him now, remains conflicted but can see in Bennett’s eyes that he’s telling the truth this time, but actually he’s lying again…. Just get it over with already!!

I got the feeling that the author really wanted to write about some big cryptic conspiracy that would draw the MCs together via intrigue and danger, but what she actually did was pose some random vague mission about getting some list that was life or death to Bennett and the other spy masters for no particular reason. It was pretty boring. And the MCs are so inconsistent, so wishy-washy, and I felt absolutely no chemistry and frankly, didn’t care if they got together or not. And the purple prose was a little too much, like these examples as William and Richard travel to Cambridge to track down the mysterious list:

“Take me tonight, I don’t want to face danger without knowing what it felt like to have a man inside me”

“[My cock] will be hard all night and all day tomorrow, and it will distract me. Do you want me to die with this throbbing between my legs?”

I had to laugh, remembering how my husband used to describe trashy romances as “creamy thigh and throbbing member” books. Yep, this is one of those, just with two throbbing members. And admittedly I don’t know a lot about Elizabethan England, but I don’t think all these gay men were so open, and I just can’t see two Shakespeare era actors rimming each other.

Cover Artist: AngstyG. Great job, brings in an historical atmosphere.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 206 pages
Expected publication: October 17th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634777824 (ISBN13: 9781634777827)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II). This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II)

Last week, we started our look at eBooks. How has the eBook changed reading, writing, and perhaps even publishing for you? Perhaps some people may share a view from the beginning, when eBooks started to flourish and others when the eBooks were already an established format as they are today. Where do we think this format might go next? I have no idea. Do you?

We’ve asked how do our readers find their stories and authors? What do you think about eBooks? How do authors feel about writing and then publishing their beloved books as ebooks? And we will be asking publishers the same questions too. How has the eBook changed publishing? And where do they see it going from here?

One reader, batchelorboy55 brought up an interesting point I’ve missed so far. Advantages of the eBook and eReaders. Normally, we talk of the amount of books we can now take with us. Some people enjoy the anonymity of it all…no covers to display, its all safely tucked away electronically. Other talk about the types of books we can now buy because the authors have a reader audience that can find them…us! But how about those other advantages? Batchelorboy55 said “I now use my ereader with a large font, and when particularly fatigued can swap across to a digital audio, or text to speech audio setting.” Yes, that’s an important point. One I should have brought up before.Whatever the reason you may be having eyesight issues, being able to have a larger font and make the books easier to read? Its beyond marvelous. Same goes for the backlit readers. It eases the eyestrain. How about being able to look up a word without having to leave to get your Websters? All that should be factored in as well. These are all terrific reasons to use a eBook and eReader. What other advantages do you think I’ve missed?

So here is some of the last of our readers comments. Is yours among them? Be sure to read all the way to the end where we start to move into our authors posts for next week (and I’ve announced the winners) ….

From Theo:

I mainly purchase books from new authors at publisher site, so authors who go independent without publishers are seldom on my radar, except when they are recommended by multiple people/authors (Jordan L Hawk was recommended by Rhys Ford and KJ Charles, River Jaymes and Leta Blake was recommended by multiple friends). However, once I like books by certain authors, I follow them on social media or subscribe to newsletters to make sure I don’t miss their new works.

From Ami:

Independent Authors: Before, I got to know independent authors from Goodreads reviews. But these days, I don’t go to GR anymore for updates. Instead, I tend to go scrounge the ‘recommendation’ section from Amazon based on books I love. I found them to be useful. I also subscribed to few author’s newsletters, diligently keep track of upcoming sections from favorite publishers and ARe, as well as checking out Netgalleys.

batchelorboy55:

One comment that often gets missed is ‘readability’.
As a librarian (45+ years) we always struggled with how technology could help readers with eyesight issues, blind, aged etc.
The ebook seems to have made that much more accessible than the clunky magnifiers collecting dust in the back corner of the library, as no-one knew how to work them, nor did many come seeking it.
Just as cumbersome were the sets of cassette tapes (some 20 tapes or more), with braille stick-ons indicating playing order.
I now use my ereader with a large font, and when particularly fatigued can swap across to a digital audio, or text to speech audio setting.
I have to admit though that Dragon Speaking still daunts me when it comes to shopping online for titles. Thankfully I’m not quite there yet, and I can guarantee that I’ll have a sizeable TBR collection to wade through first.

Jbst:

Mostly, I find them through review blog sites, known authors’ blogs whose books that I’ve enjoyed, Goodreads and Amazon reviews, Also, it may be through an ebook that I won in a contest or if the story or author was nominated and/or won awards. Sometimes, it’s just because I liked the cover, blurb, genre.

Forgot to mention about that sometimes a freebie book or MM group’s free stories have resulted in finding a new author which I’ve became a fan. Although, I’ve become much more picky about the freebies now.

mztikicat:

I get many referrals/recommendations from friends, group threads and updates at Goodreads. Also follow several m/m blogs, receive emails from Dreamspinner Press, ARe and a few other publishers. And I utilize Bookbub and Amazon, not just for the daily deals, but also for updates regarding new books being released by authors I follow.

And finally, ushering us into our blog next Sunday with the author’s point of view, someone who represents both the reader and author’s perspective:

Anna Larson:

As a reader: I don’t pick a book based on author or on publisher. If I like the Blurb and the reviews are decent, I’ll buy it. I get “recommendations” from BookBub, Amazon, Goodreads etc. I don’t check for publisher status at all so I don’t go looking for only from publisher x books. The blurb and a good cover is what will attract me to buy a book from anyone.

As an Author: My first short story was published in e-book format only from a small independent group as the publisher. My first longer book was both print and e-book, the second was e-book only for over a year. And my third is print and e-book from the start. All done independently.

Contest Winners!

I want to thank everyone for their wonderful comments. Here are our winners for the $10 gift certificate (Dreamspinner, or Amazon, or Riptide…your choice) in no particular order. Notice that there are 5 not 3 winners. I have added two more because of all the wonderful comments. I will be in contact with you about your choice of gift card.

Fehu
Tex Reader
batchelorboy55
mztikicat
Monica

New contest starts next week with our Authors Perspective on eBooks so be here with us for that too!

Now for this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 16:

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II).
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
A PaulB Review: The Promise (Sirius Wolves, #4) by Victoria Sue

Monday, October 17:

Riptide’s Tour and Giveaway: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
Cover Reveal for Quarry by Elizabeth Noble
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
A Jeri Release Day Review: Guyliner by J. Leigh Bailey
A Caryn Release Day Review: The First Act by Vanessa Mulberry
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Kind of Honesty by Lane Hayes

Tuesday, October 18:

Love those Spooky Boys? Check out Katey Hawthorne’s WITCHY BOYS (excerpt and giveaway)
Release Day Tour : Sirius Wolves are back in Full Circle by Victoria Sue (excerpt)
Love Wins in ‘Touchdown (Game Day Book 1)‘ by T.S. McKinney Tour (excerpt and giveaway)
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Witchy Boys by Katey Hawthorne
A Stella Review: Of Love and Corn Dogs by Parker Williams
An Ali Audiobook Review: Groomzilla by Tere Michaels and Nick J. Russo Narrator
A VVivacious Review: Gryffon Hall by Alexis Duran

Wednesday, October 19:

In the Spotlight: Riptide’s Bluewater Blues by G.B. Gordon (giveaway)
Release Tour: Tempting Tristan: Tristan Brewer (Harborside Nights #3)by Melissa Foster (giveaway)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Bluewater Blues by GB Gordon
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Timing by Mary Calmes
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Hexmaker (Hexworld #2 ) by Jordan L. Hawk
An Alisa Release Day Review: A-Viking by Kiernan Kelly

Thursday, October 20:

In the Series Spotlight:Mockingbird Place Series Tour by Kris Cook
An Alisa Review: The Cowboy in Unit E by Kris Cook
An Alisa Review: The Doctor in Unit H by Kris Cook
A Jeri Release Day Review: Turn the World Upside Down by Nyrae Dawn
A PaulB Review: The Dilemma by Victoria Sue

Friday, October 21:

Riptide Tour and Giveaway: Friendly Fire by Cari Z
Release Blitz & Review Tour – Con Riley’s Must Like Spinach
Blog Tour and Giveaway:AF Henley’s Wolf in League
A Caryn Review: One Pulse Anthology
A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Disciple (The Wheel Mysteries #4) by Susan Laine
A VVivacious Review: My Bare Naked Heart” by David Avery

Saturday, October 22:

Review Tour – Alyson Pearce – The Viscount And The Artist
A MelanieM Review: The Viscount and The Artist by Alyson Pearce
A MelanieM Review: Dragon Detective by Mell Eight

Here’s Reading You! Readers on eBooks! This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Here’s Reading You! Part I

Readers on eBooks!

Today we are starting to look at ebooks from a number of perspectives ~ that of the reader, the author, and the publisher! Remember when the eBook was a startling new format? And the eReader? Oh my! Some people railed against them both! Calling them the demise of the book world, saying print would be forgotten, the bookstores demolished…fish falling from the skies, dimensions colliding…well, uh hem…you get my drift. Did that happen?

Nope.

Were there some adjustments to be made? Certainly. But other factors were at large too. Big box stores were giving way to internet sales, niche bookstores were on the rise and ebooks? Establishing themselves as a format. No longer an experiment…sales were rising! eBook publishers were being founded to meet demands of the readers in all niches. eReaders from different sources were coming on the market to meet the demand. ! I still have my first generation Kindle. Guess what? Works just fine. ‘Course its long been replaced by a new one with fancy lighting that’s easier on my eyes. Or maybe you are reading on a notebook now…so many options. All this is my way of saying the ebook is here to stay. Its just another format now, along side the printed form, and the audiobook. Its no longer the “new” guy in town. And predictably the sales demonstrate that as well. Its audiobooks that demonstrate the greatest growth in numbers.

So I was curious. For our readers, authors and publishers. What’s the take on ebooks these days? Where are we finding them? How do we feel about them from many angles and where do you think we are going from here?

Last week, I started to ask our readers for some answers to the questions, where do you find your ebooks? Where do you go to find that next story or next new author? It used (and maybe still is) to be the NY Times Best Seller List for the hardback and softcover, but for the eBook the answer is a variety of places I was happy to see:

From Suze 294:

I get my read recommendations from a number of review blogs I subscribe to, including Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words! I have gradually whittled them down to about 6-8 whose reviews seem to match my reading wants.
I also subscribe to a few favoured authors newletters and/or follow on wordpress to get both their new releases and those they have enjoyed.
I also get the newsletters/updates from ARe, Pride Publishing, Dreamspinner, Riptide (think there is more too) to pick up new releases and deals!!!
On GR I check the feed from friends to see what they are reading but I dont get so many new reads there. The New Releases/Deals and Steals threads are handy too though it does rely on us posting what we see elsewhere.

From Tex Reader:

Thanks for the offer and the inquiry. I mainly have 3 sources, and I mainly search for gay-themed books across a number of favorite genres. Most recently I’ve usually used GR – I’m a member of several glbtq groups and follow their posts, as well as have several fav authors, and I find books on various “best of …” lists. Initially, I mainly looked at library and Amazon “best” lists and various award nomination lists, like Lambda, Rainbow, etc. Finally, I’m a member of a gay men’s book group in Chicago, and our discussions can lead me to some authors of interest.

From Monica:

I tend to find my authors from a variety of sources. I get recommendations on Amazon based upon books I’ve already bought. I have discovered a few that way. I also participate in Goodreads M/M Group’s Don’t Buy My Love program and discover a lot of new authors/books. Also just general recommendations on Goodreads. I’ve recently subscribed to Scribd and have discovered a couple of new authors there. I still have my old standby of favorite authors but every now and then I like to break away and discover something new.

From Ana:

I find them mostly on goodreads, by friend’s recommendations, or in post on goodread’s groups when other reader mention them. I also find some in reviews from reviewing blogs i like. If the book sounds interesting I’ll go to goodreads to check it out and if i liked it i buy it. Also by suggestions from authors i follow on twitter, facebook or their blogs. I’ve found some great authors that way. I read either from publisher or independent authors, i don’t really have a preference there, if the book sounds good, i’ll read it.

From Natalie:

I get lots from friending authors and bloggers on FB. I check Amazon lists but probably most from GR friends, and their friends, in reviews and comments. I follow all my authors on GR and most on Amazon. I usually know about new books faster from GR and FB than from notifications from Amazon. I buy direct from publishers or/and ARe as often as I can.

From Fehu:

I use Scribd, it a subscription service for ebooks mostly, if there is a book I want to try but am uncertain if I’d like it I’ll use my credit there to get the book. Some of their books are unlimited and thats also a good way to get a new author/book to get noticed, since one only has 3 credits per month. When looking for things to chose for the credits on Scribd, I use the monthly lists of new releases at Goodreads or themed lists if I am looking for some particular genre/theme.
Especially for new independent authors its important that the book are shelfes correctly, since a lot of people use the Goodreads lists for reading challenges. A nice cover and a good summary are also a must. Drawn covers get more attention at least its that way for me, a leftover from my manga reading days. Reviews are nice especially if its been around a few month.
I buy my books where its convenient for me, like ARe and Amazon but also Kobo. Sometimes the publishers website but its inconvenient to have a lot of accounts. KU is also a good way to get noticed, again it should be shelfed, the author might think about joining the GR M/m KU group, add the book to the upcoming list there and shelf it on the bookshelf of the group.

That’s just a small sampling of the replies so far. But the trend is clear. When searching out for that next book or author, there is no one source. As a reader, we are looking everywhere. That includes myself. I love that! To me, it means we are open to new possibilities, new authors, new stories! That the new author has a better chance of finding a audience for their voice, their story, because readers are searching through a multitude of venues for their next book. And yes, if that author wants it, perhaps they have a better chance of finding a publisher. The internet and its various communities has become our book and author hunting ground and we are putting it to good use.

We also follow those authors we like through a number of sources as well be it Goodreads or their own blogs or their publishers. Let us not forget we follow them on Twitter, Pinterest, FB, Snapchat and various other media too. I wonder if writers these days wish they could just write and not worry about the rest. We will hear from them later on.

There is one week left to get your comments in before our reader winners are chosen. Next week we will finish up with our readers perspective and be on to how our authors view ebooks and writing.

Contest Reminder:

Readers, tell me how you find your independent authors. Buy randomly? Pick them out from Goodreads? Already follow them? Or maybe you don’t? Maybe you only buy books from a publisher or a author linked to a publisher. I want to know that too. 3 winners who leave comments will get a $10 gift certificate (Dreamspinner, or Amazon, or Riptide…your choice). This contest will end quickly as I need the answers to use in in my blog, so think about them. Contest ends Oct 15th, midnight. Make sure you leave your email address where you can be reached. More winners maybe chosen if the comments are extra wonderful. Thanks.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 9:

Here’s Reading You! Readers on eBooks!
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 10:

Spotlight Tour and Giveaway – Pansies by Alexis Hall
Changing on the Fly- M/M Hockey Charity Anthology Tour
A MelanieM Review: Changing On the Fly Anthology
A Stella Review: Defenseless by AJ Rose
A Melanie Review: Reading the Signs by Keira Andrews
A VVivacious Review: The Alpha’s Revenge by Shane Keleher
A Paul Review: Eternal Circle (Sirius Wolves #3) by Victoria Sue

Tuesday, October 11:

Book Release Recap: A Cowboy’s Home by RJ Scott (giveaway)
New Book Blitz & Giveaway –Crazy Joe (Tales From The 77th Precinct) by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly
Release Blitz – Breaking Hell’s Rules – Lyssa Dering (excerpt and giveaway)
An Ali Releases Day Review: Breaking Hell’s Rules by Lyssa Dering
A Melanie Release Day Review: Ben and Shiloh (The Belladonna Arms #4) by John Inman
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Enjoy the Dance (Dancing #2) by Heidi Cullinan

Wednesday, October 12:

Riptide Tour & Giveaway – Wolf’s Clothing by EJ Russell
In the Spotlight:A Rancher’s Son Recap Tour by RJ Scott (excerpt and giveaway)
An Alisa Release Day Review: Chase this Light by Francis Gideon:
A Lila Review: Prince of Land and Fire by Emily Carrington
A Jeri Review: THIRDS Beyond the Books: Volume 2 by Charlie Cochet
A Caryn Review: Morning My Angel by Sue Brown

Thursday, October 13:

Jessie G’s His Premier Blog Tour and Giveaway
A Caryn Review: Pictures of You (’90s Coming of Age #1) by Leta Blake
A Paul Review: To Catch His Mate by JD Walker
An Alisa Review: Amen To Love by Carolina Valdez
A Stella Review: A Selfless Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Friday, October 14:

Blueprint by RJ Jones Blog Tour
Release Day and Review Blitz for Suncatcher – Smilodon Pride Book 2 by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus
Overly Dramatic -Series Recap Tour & Giveaway- Treading The Boards Series – Rebecca Cohen
Release Blitz Tour – Annabelle Jacobs – All Hallows’ Eve
Storming Love: Tsunami Tales are Here with Nic Starr’s Sebastian & Owen (exclusive excerpt)
A MelanieM Review: All Hallows’ Eve by Annabelle Jacobs
An Alisa Release Day Review : Sunchaser by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus

Saturday, October 15:

In the Spotlight: The Captain’s Promise by T.J. Land (excerpt)
A MelanieM/Barb the Zany Old Lady Joint Review: The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Suddenly Yours by Jacob Flores

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Sales Links

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Here’s Reading You ~ An Author’s POV! (Part III)

~ Authors On Ebooks~

Parker Williams

✍From Wulf Francu Godgluck, author of the Neon White, and the Tooth, Claw, and Horn Chronicles and more:

Jay Northcote

✍From Jay Northcote, author of Nothing Serious and the Housemates series and many more:

And now for this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 23:

Monday, October 24:

Tuesday, October 25:

Wednesday, October 26:

Thursday, October 27:

Friday, October 28:

Saturday, October 29:

About the Authors:

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The Viscount And The Artist – Alyson Pearce

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Amazon | Amazon UK | Kobo | ARe | Smashwords | iBooks | Nook

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Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II)

Contest Winners!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 16:

Monday, October 17:

Tuesday, October 18:

Wednesday, October 19:

Thursday, October 20:

Friday, October 21:

Saturday, October 22:

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Here’s Reading You! Part I

Readers on eBooks!

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 9:

Monday, October 10:

Tuesday, October 11:

Wednesday, October 12:

Thursday, October 13:

Friday, October 14:

Saturday, October 15:

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