Category: LGBTQ Book Reviews

Release Blitz for A Matter of Courage (Hong Kong Nights #2) by J.C. Long (excerpt and giveaway)

Title:  A Matter of Courage

Series: Hong Kong Nights, Book Two

Author: J.C. Long

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: September 4, 2017

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 81400

Genre: Contemporary, mafia, criminals, friends to lovers, alcohol use, slow burn

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Synopsis

Winston Chang has spent much of his young life admiring the Dragons who have kept his area safe and fought off the gangs that would bring violence to their area. Now that he’s an adult, he wants nothing more than to join the Dragons and live up to those standards.

The opportunity presents itself when his passion and knowledge of cars is just what the Dragons need. One of their own has been killed and his death seems linked to his involvement with the illegal racing scene known as the Dark Streets. Winston is needed to infiltrate the scene and find out who is responsible and why.

Steel has always been Winston’s best friend, and Winston has always been there to get him out of trouble. Just as the stress in Winston’s life reaches its peak, the relationship between Winston and Steel begins to change in ways neither of them expected.

Will Winston and Steel be able to find the courage to face not only the unknown killer stalking the Dark Streets racers but also their growing feelings?

Excerpt

A Matter of Courage
J.C. Long © 2017
All Rights Reserved

Chapter One

Winston Chang awoke with a splitting headache, a mouth that tasted like rubbing alcohol, and the feeling that he was on a boat out at sea during a storm. His stomach flip-flopped just from opening his eyes, and he let out a pitiful groan. He closed his eyes again and gritted his teeth to fight back the nausea that washed over him at the smell of his own breath.

What the fuck did I do last night?

He waited until the bout of nausea passed and slowly opened his eyes once more. He was happy to find he could open them without making himself puke; it was progress. He stared up at the ceiling, confused. It wasn’t the ceiling of his room. His ceiling didn’t have those weird little texture-bumps all over it.

The next thing Winston noticed was the sound of someone else snoring. He turned his head to the side, wincing at the stab of pain the movement caused. His best friend, who liked to be called Steel, was lying facedown on the bed next to him, head turned facing his direction. Steel was still lost in sleep, snoring every so often.

Winston couldn’t face him long; Steel’s breath also reeked of cheap booze and poor decisions.

Staring back up at the ceiling, he tried to remember something, anything, from the night before. He and Steel had gone to a bar, that much he remembered—like he remembered it being Steel’s idea, because it was always Steel’s idea. The place was a dive, dimly lit, stinking of smoke and booze and sweat. At some point in the night, they’d been approached by a group of people who asked them to join their group. Winston had been hesitant, wanting to get in early, though he couldn’t recall why he’d kept insisting they leave. Steel had convinced him to stay, as always. Winston never could tell Steel no.

He vaguely recalled stumbling back to Steel’s apartment, which was near the club, unable to drive home, barely able to walk up the single flight of stairs to Steel’s apartment. At one point, he had thrown up, though he couldn’t remember when, and everything after that was a complete blur.

Grunting, he sat up, and immediately buried his head in his hands to fight the swelling nausea that threatened to empty the contents of his stomach. Once he had it under control, he turned toward Steel. The way the sheet fell, Winston couldn’t tell if Steel was dressed.

He looked down quickly, lifting the sheet off his own form. He was naked and sporting quite the morning wood despite his hangover. It was funny the things the body did.

Why the fuck am I naked?

He glanced at the clock. It was nearly nine in the morning. He searched around him, finding no sign of his cell phone or clothes. He turned, shaking Steel’s shoulder roughly. “Dude, where’re my clothes? Dude!” He shook harder, and Steel finally stirred long enough to roll onto his back, muttering something unintelligible.

Seeing Steel lying like that made Winston’s pulse quicken. He raked his eyes over his friend’s sleeping body, admiring the musculature. Steel wasn’t a gym bunny, but his body was lean from a rougher-than-average childhood, whipcord muscles standing out with his arms stretched over his head. The room was chilly—Steel always slept with his air conditioner on—and his nipples were stiff buds. The sheet pulled down just enough for Winston to see that he was wearing his typical boxers.

Everything about Steel drew him in. He’d known Steel since he was ten years old—almost eleven years, now. For pretty much the entirety of that friendship, Winston had been in love with him. Something he’d been unable to shake. Most of the time, he didn’t think he wanted to—and then other times, Steel drove him crazy, and not just in a sexual way.

Winston couldn’t help his eyes traveling down to the dragon tattoo on Steel’s calf—his leg was sticking out of the sheet—and his admiration was interrupted by a jolt of envy. Winston longed to have one of those tattoos himself, the mark of the Dragons, the gang—for lack of a better word—that ran the Eastern District. The underworld of Hong Kong, both the island city itself and the New Territories on the Mainland, was run by gangs, competing against one another and struggling to gain power.

The Dragons, though, they were different. They didn’t rule through fear, drugs, or terror, but by protecting and serving the community. Wei, the leader of the Dragons, didn’t allow drugs to be sold in the Eastern District, and he didn’t demand protection money from the people; he protected them because it was a duty he’d taken upon himself.

It was a duty Winston wanted to take up, too.

He reached out to touch Steel’s chest and stopped himself, instead slapping Steel’s stomach—though it might not have been safer to go near his friend’s lower body.

Steel jerked awake, swatting at Winston, who knew his friend well enough to move quickly out of reach. “What the hell, man?”

“Where are my clothes?”

Steel flopped back on the bed, closing his eyes tightly. Winston sympathized with what he must have been feeling at that moment, and he was thankful his nausea was mostly gone, leaving him with just the headache.

“Dude, my clothes?”

Steel inhaled and exhaled slowly several times before answering. “You don’t remember? You puked all over them last night, so they’re in the wash.”

So that was when he threw up. That question was answered. “Okay, so how did I manage to get them off?”

Steel chuckled despite how much pain his head must be in. “You didn’t. You just tugged at the shirt like a baby, and I finally got you undressed. Dick stiffed right up when I took off those little boy briefs, too. How long has it been since you got some action, Winston?”

The sound of his phone ringing jarred Winston, and he peered around for it, finding it on the bedside table next to him. He grabbed it and saw that it was Conroy Wong, Wei’s right-hand man in the Dragons.

“Hey, Conroy.” He hoped he didn’t sound too hungover. Conroy didn’t disapprove of drinking—the opposite, actually; he drank like a tank and never in his life seemed to have a hangover—but if he knew Winston had one, he would take great pleasure in torturing him in as many ways as he possibly could. “What’s up?”

“Yo, where the fuck are you, man?”

Dread coiled in Winston’s stomach; he didn’t like it when Conroy sounded angry at him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. Just wanted to make sure your punk ass was up. A few of my boys told me you and Steel were out drinking ’til dawn. How ya feelin’?”

“I’m fine,” Winston lied. “Absolutely no problem.”

“Good, then you won’t mind hoppin’ in your car and driving to the airport,” said Conroy cheerfully. Winston guessed if he could see him at that moment, he’d have that smug little smile on his face that drove Winston crazy. “The boss is busy right now, and Noah will be arriving this afternoon. Wei refuses to let him just ride public transportation like a normal person, especially since—”

“Since the subway will take him through Twisted Viper territory,” Winston finished. He understood Wei’s concern; their recent run-ins with the Twisted Vipers had been far less than friendly, and temperatures were getting even colder, fast. Considering Noah was at the heart of that unfriendly encounter, Wei’s concern was completely justified.

“What time is he getting in?”

“Just after noon.”

“Damn it. That means I need to get going now.”

“Get on it.” Conroy hung up with that.

“What did Conroy want?” Steel asked. He was now sitting up in bed, looking relatively healthier. Winston felt a bit of resentment at his quick recovery.

“Asked me to ride out to the airport to get Noah. Wei’s busy.”

“Oh, is Noah coming back from America today?”

“I guess so.” Winston started out of the bed but stopped. “What the fuck am I going to wear?”

Purchase

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

Meet the Author

J.C. Long is an American expat living in Japan, though he’s also lived stints in Seoul, South Korea—no, he’s not an army brat; he’s an English teacher. He is also quite passionate about Welsh corgis and is convinced that anyone who does not like them is evil incarnate. His dramatic streak comes from his life-long involvement in theater. After living in several countries aside from the United States J. C. is convinced that love is love, no matter where you are, and is determined to write stories that demonstrate exactly that. J. C. Long’s favorite things in the world are pictures of corgis, writing and Korean food (not in that order…okay, in that order). J. C. spends his time not writing thinking about writing, coming up with new characters, attending Big Bang concerts and wishing he was writing. The best way to get him to write faster is to motivate him with corgi pictures. Yes, that is a veiled hint.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

 

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Review Tour – Ann Gallagher’s Having Her Back (giveaway)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 64,000 words approx
 
Blurb
 

Trevor Larson is a Navy brat. He’s used to moving every few years, and thanks to social media, he can stay in touch with the friends he leaves behind. But shortly after he leaves Okinawa, his best friend, Brad Gray, cuts off contact and disappears.

Four years and two bases later, Brad resurfaces—and announces his family is coming to Trevor’s base in Spain. But a lot’s changed in four years, and Trevor is stunned to find out Brad is now Shannon. Their reunion isn’t quite what either of them had hoped for, but they quickly find their footing, both relieved to have each other back.

Except nothing is ever all sunshine and roses. The military is a small world, and there’s no keeping Shannon’s transition a secret. Parents warn their kids away from her. She can’t attend school on-base for fear of harassment or worse. And although her parents try to hide it, being ostracized by their only social circle while they’re thousands of miles from home is taking a toll on them too.

More and more, Shannon leans on Trevor. But she’s also drawn to him, and he’s drawn right back to her, feeling things he’s never felt for anyone before.

Trevor’s scared, though. Not of dating a trans girl. Not of damaging his chaplain father’s career or reputation. After finally getting his friend back, does he dare take things further and risk losing her a second time?

August 28 – Cupcakes & Bookshelves, Au Boudoir Ecarlate
September 1 – Dog-Eared Daydreams
September 4 – Wicked Faerie’s Tales & Reviews, Sarandipity Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Bonkers About Books
September 6 – Making It Happen, A Page To Turn Reviews


Author Bio

Ann Gallagher is the slightly more civilized alter ego of L.A. Witt, Lauren Gallagher, and Lori A. Witt. So she tells herself, anyway. When she isn’t wreaking havoc on Spain with her husband and trusty two-headed Brahma bull, she writes romances just like her wilder counterparts, but without all the heat. She is also far too mature to get involved in the petty battle between L.A. and Lauren, but she’s seriously going to get even with Lori for a certain incident that shall not be discussed publicly.



Website: http://www.gallagherwitt.com
E-mail: gallagherwitt@gmail.com
Twitter: @GallagherWitt
Blog: http://gallagherwitt.blogspot.com

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Be Sure to Catch Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review Here….This is a Story We Highly Recommend!

An Alisa Series Review: Only You Series (3 books) by JS Finley

Straight Up (#1) – 4 out of 5 stars

 

Sometimes you need the truth Straight Up

 

Jake:

Brent is HOT but hot doesn’t matter when you can’t have what you want.

 

After the Marines, they went their separate ways, but he can’t forget…never forget and never leave a man behind, but that’s what he did when he ran from Brent.

 

Maybe it wasn’t the best reaction, but he couldn’t face the truth. Now he has a second chance and he doesn’t want to blow it, instead, he wants to blow Brent.

 

Brent:

Maybe there’s something between he and Jake, but Brent can’t ask, and Jake won’t tell because in the Marines being gay is bad for business.

 

Time heals all wounds, and that’s what Brent is gambling on when they meet in the hills of Tennessee. Brent is hoping for friendship…but if there is more, he’ll take it.

 

When Brent meets his straight friend again in Tennessee will they remain friends or will they become more?

 

This was a nice story and I really enjoyed it.  Jake pushed Brent away just before they both got out of the marines because he was scared of his feelings and still doesn’t know how to voice what he wants.  Brent is hoping that he can at least get his best friend back as things have been lonely since their team split up.  They get quite lucky when a snow storm slows down the arrival of their friends.

 

We get to see both characters’ points of view in this story which goes a long way towards helping to understand what they are thinking and feeling.  Jake tries may times to let Brent know he is sorry and how he feels but never quite comes up with the right words, so he never sends the emails.  They are both lucky when one of their team reaches out to all of them to get up to date and then try and see each other.

 

Brent is so scared of being pushed away by his friend he has kept his feelings inside for so long he is even more scared to let them be known when Jake gives him an opening.  I felt for him right from the get go when the book began and how isolated he felt even from those around him.  I also felt Jake’s confusion and determination to make thing right between them when they finally meet up after their time apart.

 

The cover art by Sara York is nice romance cover and is eye catching.

 

Sales Links: Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 195 pages

Published: March 1, 2017

Edition Language: English

 

Falling In (#2) – 4 out of 5 stars

 

When you hit a free-fall, you embrace it

 

Thomas:

Working hard comes naturally, but he’s never had to work so hard to get someone to notice him. Clay isn’t interested, or is he?

 

The trip on his boat is a test, but will it end in his favor? Temptation has Thomas hot, but will Clay leave Florida before he can act? He must take a chance or he’ll never forgive himself.

 

Clay:

There’s something about Thomas that makes him hot under the collar. It’s not just the Florida heat, it’s the hot man at his side that has him sweating. Clay wants to take a test drive, but how does he raise the subject. Getting involved could end their friendship, and that’s the last thing he wants.

 

Just one kiss will change everything. Will he be brave when the opportunity comes up, or will he ignore the draw and leave Florida without ever taking a chance?

 

This was another nice story in this series.  I love learning more about all the members of this Marine team.  Clay’s stress level is through the roof at work right now and he definitely looking forward to his vacation on Daytona with the guys but his alone time with Thomas is even better.  Thomas takes a chance and they are just getting their relationship off the ground when Thomas has to go back to Virginia.

 

We see both Thomas and Clay’s thoughts and how scared they are that trying anything could ruin their friendship.  Thomas has worked hard to get his business going really enjoys getting to show Clay what he has done and see him enjoy it.  I could continue to see Clay’s worry about work and how he tried hard to keep it away from everyone.  I felt as if Thomas and Clay just clicked almost too well right away and everything worked out quickly even with the little bit of tension from Clay’s work in the background, most of the story was them just building their new life together but from the beginning they didn’t have to work much out between them.

 

The cover art by Sara York is nice and follows the pattern for the series.

 

Sales Links: Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 197 pages

Published: June 15, 2017

Edition Language: English

 

Getting Through (#3) – 4 stars out of 5

 

What if it’s too difficult to get through the rough patches?

 

Lane:

Being a nurse is Lane’s life, that is until Mike pushes him up against that damn door and kisses him like nobody’s business.

 

Now he’s left wondering how he can live without Mike at his side. But beneath the sweet, calm exterior Mike portrays to the world is something dark and dangerous. Will Lane be able to deal with the monster within, or will it consume both of them.

 

Mike:

He can’t unsee the damage that bomb wrought or bring back his friend, but he can find solace in Lane’s arms…or he thinks he can.

 

One night together is too much, and his memories overwhelm him, opening him up to the trauma he witnessed. Memories are hard to conquer because they don’t have to fight back, they just twist their way deep into the mind, making life too hard to tolerate.

 

Can Lane save him, or will he push them both too far when the past threatens to overwhelm them.

 

This was the most emotional story of this series for sure and it picks right up where Falling In ended.  Lane is happy for his friends but really feels lonely when he goes back home to reality.  Mike has been the rock that all their friends go to when they need to talk or vent but he hasn’t let anyone know how he is really doing.

 

Lane’s experience and understanding goes a big way to help Mike as he hasn’t dealt with his memories and PTSD.  We say Mike’s helplessness in not knowing how to work through his issues to live a life with someone else in it.  I loved watching Lane give him a reason to stay and to actually see someone about working through everything he is feeling.

 

I love the support all of the men in this series give each other.  They all jumped on a plan to come and help Lane and Mike when they needed it and were way more understanding than many would be.  These guys has been through so much together and are finding that keeping the close relationships all around are a big help.  I was very glad to see that all three couples were moving closer to each other, I think it would be great to see all of them again sometime.

 

The cover art by Sara York while nice continues to follow the pattern of the series

 

Sales Links: Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 190 pages

Published: August 12, 2017

Edition Language: English

 

Only You Series (3 books) by J.S. Finley

A MelanieM Recent Release Review: Justified (Magnified #2) by Mell Eight

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

The world of vampires and werewolves is in upheaval. The magical community is under attack by a great evil power trying to destroy them all and their strongest fighter is oblivious with his nose glued in a spell book. Yani has given up hope in getting Aaron back on track. He knows he instead has to focus on his own future and the lives of those he loves, even if it means losing Aaron, the love of his life, forever.

Yani’s life isn’t the only one in flux. As the battle heats up and lines are drawn, the rest of his friends must fight for their own survival in a world with no answers to the terrible magic attacking them.

The Magnified novels, starting from the first story, is an amazingly complex and immensely mysterious series that’s getting increasingly horrifying by the book.  It’s also  quite wonderful, full of unexpected elements I’ve not seen in other tales.  Mell Eight is combining mysticism with vampires, Nazis, Kabbalism, dragons, faeries, werewolves, horror, M/M romance and it all works.

The first story, Magnified, sets up the introduction and the couples and should not be missed. It’s a gripping story. Without it, Justified floats without its foundation material.  This is not a standalone novel.  With Magnified as the backhistory for the couples and the situation they find themselves in, the reader can settle into the drama that is unfolding here in Justified.

That group of friends (and couples within) has just fought a major battle and barely escaped.  We now see the effects that it’s had on certain members, and there aren’t healthy ones.  Aaron has withdrawn into his books looking for knowledge and Yani is despairing over the loss of their closeness and perhaps their relationship.  The cost of that most recent battle is high indeed.

Mell Eight weaves her many plotlines (the overall series thread and the sub storylines) with great care, popping and pulling various elements in and out of the current scenes.  Could be Yani’s Jewish family and his ties to the vampire world and the Kabbalah or maybe we are heading into werewolf territory or even pandas, you never know.  It will be in pursuit of an evil so horrific that you are happy that Mell Eight has left some of the descriptions of that villain’s deeds less than vivid.  And terrifying to know that this series is continuing because it means only one thing has happened.

Justified (and the Magnified series) is full of fascinating, multi-layered characters, which include several here outside of the main group that I grew to love and hope to see again.  This small group of fighters seem like underdogs battling overwhelming odds with only one that stands a chance against true evil.   It started out as a gripping story and is growing into a powerful one of determination and bravery.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series.  The only reason it doesn’t have a higher rating is that you absolutely need the first book as a foundation for this one.  Together?  They have the makings of a 5 star series!

Cover art by Aisha Akeju.  I like this cover with the simple object that has its part to play within the story.

Sales Links:  Less Than Three Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 147 pages
Published August 9th 2017 by Less Than Three Press
ISBN139781684310500
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Magnified

Magnified (Magnified, #1)

Justified (Magnified #2)

In Our New Release Spotlight! Check Out ‘The Veranda (Lavender Shores #3)’ by Rosalind Abel (author guest blog and exclusive excerpt)

The Veranda (Lavender Shores #3) by Rosalind Abel
Publication date: August 29, 2017

Cover Artist: AngstyG

Available To Purchase Through

 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is so happy to have Rosalind Abel back today to talk about the latest new book in the Lavender Shores series, The Veranda! Welcome, Rosalind!

♦︎

I’m so excited  to be here at Scattered Thoughts! Thank you for stopping by for an exclusive excerpt from The Veranda.

The Veranda is the third book of the Lavender Shores series. Each of the novels can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. I’m going to let the excerpt and blurb speak themselves, but I will promise you romance, steamy sex, laughter, all the feels, and a happily ever after. Whether you read The Palisade and The Garden (the first two books in the series) or not, you’ll be able to thoroughly enjoy this visit to Lavender Shores.

The Veranda is available from Amazon and is also free on Kindle Unlimited. Donovan and Spencer have quite the journey to love to share with you. One that’s been a long time coming for them.

For our second stop on the blog tour, we’re diving into sexual tension. Let me set the scene really quick. Spencer and Donovan have had feelings for each other for a decade. Feelings they’ve never admitted to anyone, even each other because Spencer was married to Donovan’s half-sister. Now, because of a divorce, they’re no longer brother-in-laws.  Still complicated right?  Well, here’s another complication. They were both recently at a sex-party masquerade, and hooked up, but neither of them thinks the other realized who they slept with.  In this scene, the entire family is at Spencer’s son’s birthday party.  Everyone—ex-wife, ex-brother-in-law, the kids… We enter with Spencer trying to get all the birthday presents arranged in his car.  (You can check out the sex party chapter for free on Amazon.)

Exclusive Excerpt from The Veranda

Leaving Cody and Erica to clean up the beach with a few of her family members, I took the first load of presents back to the car. The amount of presents my children got on their birthdays and Christmas made me uncomfortable at times. But I felt a little more at ease with the quantity now as they would be split up between two different houses. My kids were going through enough; I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of spoiling them with presents. Even so, it seemed to take a higher level of math skills than I was capable of to figure out how to arrange the packages in the back of my SUV. Maybe I hadn’t played Tetris enough as a child. I thought I had it secured just perfectly as I reached over to close the door when several of them came tumbling down. Hoping I hadn’t broken any of Ethan’s new electronics, I bent down to start again.

“Looks like you need some help.”

I glanced up to see Donovan standing beside me, his arms filled with unwrapped gifts. “You mean there are more presents?”

“Yeah, but this is the last of them. Ethan really maxed out this year.”

“Sure did. I think people felt sorry for him. Hopefully that’ll still be the case on Emma’s birthday so it’s even.”

Donovan started transferring gifts from his arms to the trunk. “You hold them still, and I’ll pile them in, and then you can slam the doors closed really quick.”

“So, I’ll have them all tumble out when I get home?”

He chuckled. “Just have the kids standing by. It’ll be like it’s raining toys.”

“Good idea.” I did as he suggested. Even with the two of us, a few gifts managed to sneak their way back out. Within a few minutes, though, all presents were piled behind the back doors and waiting to escape as soon as I opened them again. “Thanks.” I looked at him as I straightened and paused at the expression on his face.

Donovan peered around the side of the car, then turned back to me once more. I’d never seen him look so nervous, and I knew what was coming. Could feel it. I had enough time to stop it, find some distraction.

I didn’t.

“Maybe I should keep my mouth shut, like I’ve been doing, but it’s eating me alive, and I think I know the answer.” He licked his lip. “That was me the other night. At the… uhm….”

In that split second, a thousand options zoomed in my brain. “I know.”

Well shit. That was the most terrifying thing I’d ever said.

“You do?” Donovan looked like he felt the same way. “I mean, I thought you did. It’s seemed like that since, but… how?”

More terror. And this time, I chose the lying option. “When, uhm, at the… end. When that other guy wanted to….” Shit. “When you told him to back off, I recognized your voice.”

He gave a little shake of his head, and his eyes narrowed. “I did? I don’t remember speaking.”

Shit again. Maybe he hadn’t; I wasn’t sure. I was a lawyer, for fuck’s sake; I should be better at this.

He saved me from further explanation. “That doesn’t matter.” He stepped closer. “So, you knew, or figured it out, I guess. But you knew….” His voice changed, the nervousness still obvious, but there was something else too. Heat, lust, something….

I nodded, partly tempted to tell the full truth. Especially with him so near. I could reach out and pull him to me. Taste him in a different way, in a way I’d tried unsuccessfully to avoid fantasizing about for years. I couldn’t figure out what to say or what to do. Blood pounded in my ears and through my groin. Somewhere in the back of my brain, I could feel Erica and the kids nearby. Close. Too close. I nodded again.

Apparently, Donovan could feel them too. He checked around the vehicle one more time before looking back at me. “I have so many questions. Things I want to ask. Why were you at that party? Do you… have you always…?” He shook his head again. “Never mind, that’s unimportant. I just…. Are we okay? Are you okay?”

I couldn’t take it anymore. The past decade folded in on itself. Maybe it was the warm July night, the lull of the ocean, maybe just the desire to comfort Donovan. Probably it was simpler than that. It was his beautiful brown eyes, the allure of the scruff over his chiseled jaw, the heat from his body, from his desire that I couldn’t pretend to ignore anymore. I didn’t even try to answer his question; I just reached up, gripped him behind his neck, and pulled him to me, smashing his lips in a kiss.

Donovan stiffened, his body going rigid. He gave no other response than that, and for a moment, I thought I’d gone too far. That he was going to push me away, yell at me, accuse me of things, which I probably deserved. But then he kissed me back. And there was nothing tentative, nervous, or unsure about it. He stepped into me, pressing my back against the SUV, and his body into mine. And if his lips weren’t making his desire clear enough, the hardness of him against my thigh, and the hunger of his fingers as he pulled me to him left no room for doubt. He broke the kiss, and I thought he was pulling away, but he sucked in a quick breath and captured my lips again.

Everything was white noise, a billion sensations tumbling together, none of them discernible. The sweet taste of icing in his mouth, the smell of his skin, the sound of the ocean, the heat of his breath on my cheek, the sensation of him pushing against me. One short thrust, then another. Despite my best efforts—and unanswered prayers—I’d fantasized about this for years. Though it had never been like this. Not against a car, not out in plain view of the world. Even in my fantasies, I’d never been so daring. But his kiss? That was exactly what I had longed for. It left no doubt about his desire. And the fire that surged through me put every other heated moment I’d ever had to shame.

Laughter cut through the static filling my senses. At first at a distance, then closer. I broke the kiss and pushed him away. “Shit. They’re here.”

Donovan’s eyes went wide, but his gaze held mine for a brief heartbeat, and what I saw mirrored my feelings. Even if his words didn’t match. “Sorry. I wasn’t trying—”

“I started it.” I glanced between us, both of us sporting obvious erections. I yanked out my shirt and pulled it down. “Shit.”

Another glance, and he stepped away. He wheeled around and hurried toward his car, untucking his shirt as he moved. As voices drew closer, he hit a button and opened the trunk of his car. He reached it and leaned in, just as Erica, Cody, and the kids’ footsteps sounded over the gravel parking lot.

 

There you go… I can promise you, things about to get even more complication and much, much hotter. Pick up the book on Amazon and visit the town of Lavender Shores.

Thank you so, so much!

~Rosalind

About The Veranda

Donovan Carlisle helps countless people in Lavender Shores with his skills as a therapist. It seems, however, that his ability to enable others to live their happiest life only works outside of himself. Donovan truly loves his life, but isn’t able to find a relationship that satisfies his heart’s craving. Maybe the problem is that the only man he wants is off-limits.
Spencer Epstein came to Lavender Shores to find himself. Instead, he married one of the local town beauties. He’d thought his prayers had finally been answered. Then, he met his pregnant fiancée’s brother. It turned out those answered prayers were just cruel twists of fate.
A decade later, after a divorce and crumbling of all Spencer thought was set in stone, he sees his brother-in-law at a masquerade sex party. He takes full advantage of the anonymity and acts on the desires he’s held at bay all those years. The problem is, those silent and frenzied moments didn’t satiate anything. The fire and heat between the two men only grows as secrets are uncovered and they must determine if the cost of their passion is too high. 

About Rosalind

Rosalind Abel grew up tending chickens alongside her sweet and faithful Chow, Lord Elgin. While her fantasy of writing novels was born during her teen years, she never would have dreamed she’d one day publish steamy romances about gorgeous men. However, sometimes life turns out better than planned.

In between crafting scorching sex scenes and helping her men find their soul mates, Rosalind enjoys cooking, collecting toys, and making the best damn scrapbooks in the world (this claim hasn’t been proven, but she’s willing to put good money on it).

She adores MM Romance, the power it has to sweep the reader away into worlds filled with passion, steam, and love. Rosalind also enjoys her collection of plot bunnies and welcomes new fuzzy ones into her home all the time, so feel free to send any adorable ones her way.

Rosalind Abel Information page:

(Rosalind Abel Author)

Tour Schedule

September 1—The Novel Approach
September 2—Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

September 4—Sinfully
September 7—Love Bytes

A Lila Audiobook Review: Well-Tailored: A Thorne and Dash Companion Story by Silvia Violet and Greg Boudreaux (Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

 

Marc longs for a grand romance, but he doubts he’ll ever be that lucky. Then he meets Darius, an arrogant tailor who pushes all his buttons. When Darius offers him a job, Marc hesitates—he needs a direction for the future, not another man who doesn’t believe in relationships.

 

Darius lives by a few unbreakable rules: never sleep with employees, fashion should be simple, and romance is for fools. Marc, with his shimmery sweater collection, makes him want to break every single one.

 

They quickly give in to desire, but Darius wants to protect himself and Marc refuses to repeat past mistakes. It’s only when they let go of assumptions, that love has a chance to take hold.

 

Well-Tailored is a nice addition to the Thorne and Dash trilogy. Marc and Darius played an important role in Thorne’s and Riley’s love story, and now, they return the favor. In this story, we get to see some of the scenes from the previous book from Darius’s and Marc’s perspectives. Both stories run parallel, and as the author mentioned, this book can stand alone, but for maximum enjoyment, it’s better to read them in order.

 

The MCs’s relationship takes time to develop but their connection it’s easy to see from the very beginning. The author gives us a more in depth view into the events unfolding since their first meeting to the HEA. Most of this we saw from Riley’s POV in Personal Alignment but we get to savor Darius’s and Marc’s faults and dreams this time around.

 

The combination of Darius’s dominant side and Marc’s eagerness add spice to this story. They worked together well, not only in bed but professionally. They both see the potential in each other and with small details, they take care of the other. They were not looking for a relationship but couldn’t get enough of each other. It’s lovely to see them getting comfortable in their skins and building a space in each other’s’ lives.

 

The story is well-written and we get to see all the previous characters, plus some new addition.

 

Greg Boudreaux continues to voice this series seamlessly. The characterizations stay constant, allowing the listener to get back into their world without delay. Their voices are as relevant and their personalities.

 

The cover by LC Chase goes perfectly with the story and the characters’ descriptions. Also, it matches the Thorne and Dash series covers, but it keeps its individuality.

 

Sales Links:  Amazon | iTunes | Audible

 

Audiobook Details:

 

Narrator: Greg Boudreaux
Length: 6 hours 50 minutes
Published: July 27, 2017 (Audio Edition) by Silvia Violet Books
ASIN: B0747ZWGH4
Edition Language: English

 

Series: Thorne & Dash
Book #1: Professional Distance
Book #2: Personal Entanglement
Book #3: Personal Alignment
Companion: Well-Tailored

 

An Alisa Review: Without A Compass by Helen Juliet

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

Riley Anderson isn’t an outdoorsy guy. He’s a desk jockey, office by day and couch by night. So when his family insists on a camping trip for his father’s 50th birthday he’s hardly thrilled. Things only get worse when Kai shows up, too.

 

Kai Brandt’s more than eager to go camping with his best buddy, but his buddy’s little brother Riley is all grown up now, and hotter than hell. Kai’s willing to help him pitch more than just a tent… Which is weird, because Kai never swung that way before.

 

Events conspire to out Riley’s secret AND leave him stranded in Kai’s care for longer than they’d planned for. Trapped together in the wilderness, they’re going to have to face a few hard truths if they’re going to make it back to the world.

 

But even if they manage it, the experience will leave them forever changed.

 

This was a lovely story with some great characters.  Riley is determined to give this camping trip his best effort and enjoy himself despite his past experiences.  Kai is excited to get some time outdoors with his best friend, Brendon, and Brenden’s family.

 

Riley and Kai have known each other for years but at the same time didn’t really know each other with Brendon as a buffer.  Since Riley is the first to arrive after himself and he hasn’t seen him in years, Kai makes it his mission to see that Riley enjoys himself.  I loved that Kai was more than willing to let anyone know about his feelings and not hide Riley away.

 

I couldn’t help but feel for Riley, he has always felt like an outside with his family and even though he moved to the city he continues to be an outsider with those around him.  My heart broke as we see him not feel worthy of having a real relationship with anyone as no one has ever wanted to try with him.  Kai enjoys being part of a couple but has yet to find anyone who he can really see spending his life with.  As he opens himself up to the possibility of being with Riley he also begins to learn more about himself.

 

The cover art by Natasha Snow is beautiful and absolutely perfect for this story.

 

Sales Link: Amazon  

 

Book Details:

ebook, 80,000 words

Published: August 24, 2017 by Helen Juliet

ISBN13: 9781999706722

Edition Language: English

A Caryn Review: Stone by Stone by Stevie Woods

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I really love historicals.  But I do think they are challenging to authors, because so much research is required to do them right.  This book, unfortunately, is an example of what happens when you don’t do your research, and don’t truly immerse yourself into the period.

Andrew Cheyne is an assistant to King Henry VIII’s commissioner, traveling to all the Roman Catholic abbeys, monasteries, and other holdings in England to take inventory of their assets, wealth, and workings before they were forcibly turned over to the newly created Church of England.  Andrew is a man who had sex with men; not a man who wanted or even considered a romantic or long term relationship with another man.  While at Tavistock Abbey, he met Brother Mark who was an apprentice mason – and was powerfully physically attracted to him.  It took less than 48 hours for him to seduce Mark, but instead of just relieving a physical urge, he found himself intrigued, to the point that even after he left a day later, he couldn’t quit thinking about Mark.

Despite being soft spoken and gentle, Mark is not as innocent as he initially seemed.  He grew up with privilege, which he took advantage of, gambling and having sex with “men, so many men” until his mother forced him to go on a pilgrimage to Rome.  During that pilgrimage he repented, came to understand that God was his only hope for forgiveness and salvation, and when he returned to England he gave up the family farm and his possessions and entered the monastery.  Where he continued to pray to be relieved of his unnatural lusts.  Andrew was the first man to tempt him since he became a monk, and he gave in to that temptation easily and completely.

All of this occurred in the first 20% of the book.  The two men fell into insta-lust that immediately turned into insta-love, and caused them to completely reverse their previous feelings on relationships.  There is little to no description of how homosexual men behaved or were regarded in sixteenth century England, and I found Andrew and Mark’s relationship to be much more fitting to a contemporary time.  There was only token angst about sin, or illegality, and at a minimum I would have expected that from Mark who supposedly had a real religious conversion earlier in his life.  There were some blatant anachronisms (for instance, when Mark wanted to “converse with Andrew in preference to stuffing his face”), but mostly what bothered me was the way these men spoke and acted like 20th century guys who just happened to meet in a monastery.  There were too many convenient occurrences before and after they met (I knew from the moment she was introduced that Emily would die) and they kept pulling me right out of the book.  Working through the last 80% of the book was a chore, and I got really tired of Andrew whining, and thinking of having sex with Mark.

In the end, I went up from 2 to 2.5 stars because I felt that there was some character growth in the years they were apart, with Mark becoming less of a doormat, and Andrew becoming more appreciative of who Mark was.  But since the entire basis of their relationship seemed to be physical, or Andrew’s admiration of Mark’s artistry, I never really got involved with their romance and was just happy when the book ended.

Cover art by Melody Pond matches the period.

Sales Links:  MLR Press LLC

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 181 pages
Published July 7th 2017 by MLR Press (first published August 22nd 2011)
ASINB073PZV8VP