Sean Michael on Playgrounds, Childhood, and The Teddy Bear Club (author guest blog)

The Teddy Bear Club (The Teddy Bear Club #1) by Sean Michael
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Bree Archer

Sales Links

Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo  

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Sean Michael back with us today to talk about playgrounds, childhood, and his latest release The Teddy Bear Club. Welcome, Sean!

✒︎

Thank you to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for having me here today.

In The Teddy Bear Club, the guys take the kids to the park where they play on the swings and go down the slide. I have to say, though, that parks today look very different from the parks that I went to when I was a kid. Some of my favorite park items have disappeared altogether.

Remember the merry-go-round? And eight foot diameter circle with metal arms that you spun as fast as you could and then held on for dear life as the centrical force tried to pull you off. If you were lucky, you could stand in the middle and hold on while someone else made it go. I remember falling off this thing. I remember getting my foot caught between the ground and the base of the merry-go-round as I pushed it. And I can remember crouching on the edge of the merry-go-round, hanging onto the outside edge of the handles, my head flung back as we spun and  spun. Not the safest thing in the world, but totally a blast.

Do I miss the crazy-assed merry-go-rounds of my youth? Yeah, I do. I’m glad I got to spin on it.

Sean Michael

Smut fixes everything

Blurb:

Two lonely men. One perfect family.

Aiden Lake adopted his institutionalized sister’s two daughters, and he’s a good dad. He works nights on websites and gets in his adult time twice a week at the Roasty Bean, where he meets with other single gay parents.

Devon Smithson wants to be a good dad now that his sixteen-year-old sister asked him to babysit her newborn… three months ago. But he’s overwhelmed with the colicky baby. An invitation to the daddy-and-kid gatherings at the café is a godsend. The pot is sweetened when his friendship with Aiden develops into more—maybe even something that can last.

But the mother who kicked Dev out for being gay wants to get her claws into the baby, and she doesn’t care if she tears Dev, Aiden, and everything they’re building apart in the process.

About the Author

Best-selling author Sean Michael is a maple leaf–loving Canadian who spends hours hiding out in used book stores. With far more ideas than time, Sean keeps several documents open at all times. From romance to fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi, Sean is limited only by the need for sleep—and the periodic Beaver Tail.

Sean fantasizes about one day retiring on a secluded island populated entirely by horseshoe crabs after inventing a brain-to-computer dictation system. Until then, Sean will continue to write the old-fashioned way.

Sean Michael on the web:

BOOK TOUR and Giveaway for Crimson Storm  (The Crimson Nights Saga #3) by V.L Moon & J.T Cheyanne (excerpt)

 

 

 

Title: Crimson Storm  (Book Three in The Crimson Nights Saga)

Authors: V.L. Moon and J.T. Cheyanne

Cover Art by:   http://www.soxsationalcoverart.com/

Genre/s: Gay, Romance, Paranormal

Length: 155K/658 Kindle pages

ISBN:  978-0-9899725-6-7

Add on Goodreads

 

Blurb       

As their allies grow and their circle of friends discovers true love, their enemies advance.

Shadows watch, waiting in the distance as an age old power threatens to reveal the secrets of a past steeped in sorrow.

War is upon them and with its advance comes a force of unity bound by love and sealed by blood.

Together, Malachi and Laziel fight to protect those they hold close.

When Rome trembles and the bowels of Hell spew forth its spawn, the wolves and the rogue Nephilim join forces with Malachi Denali and his vampires to fight against evil and tip the scales in favor of the just.

Fractions divide, lives lay in ruin. Is the call of the wild their only hope of survival?

Or will Rome finally fall under the weight of an angel’s untold grief?

Read on to assuage your thirst as the Crimson Nights Saga continues.

EXCERPT SEVEN

He reached out to take his father’s hand and was immediately drawn into the familiar

warmth of his parents’ embrace. He’d missed it. Missed them. Everything was happening so

fast. Their lives and the world they lived in hurtled toward war. For the briefest of time, Tobias allowed himself the pleasure of his family and what the reality of being with them meant to him. If only Roman was there to experience it.

“Son.” His father’s grip tightened around his fingers, pulling Tobias closer. The power of

the Summus swam around him in a torrent, engulfing him. He drank in the gift. Energy filled

him with life and power. Linked as they were, the outside world ceased to exist. Images of their homelands flickered through his mind to marry with the thoughts plaguing his parents.

Tobias stilled as the beautiful image of his cousin Sage danced through his mind. Her pain

speared his heart. A ravaged growl ripped from his lips. Sage was more like a sister than a

cousin to him. Their families were bound tighter than most. Tobias’s father and Sage’s father were brothers and their mothers were sisters.

“She’s missing. The last link I managed to receive was of her somewhere in Ontario.

She’s putting all of her energy into blocking out her whereabouts, but I was able to collect

enough to know she’s terrified and badly hurt. It’s why I’ve kept the news to myself and

away from the rest of the pack. If what I suspect is true, then she’s shielding to keep herself

safe from Khurn. I can’t risk going after her myself. Not with the Nephilim being here and

the Fae somewhere out there. There’s too much hanging in the balance.”

The pain in Jorn’s words spoke volumes. Sage was more than pack; she was blood kin and

a powerful omega. Hadn’t they suffered enough after losing Khad? Were they going to lose

Sage, too? Tobias refused to let it happen. Not again.

 

Buy Links:

Available on KU

Amazon UK   |   Amazon.com

 

Book 1

 

Book 2

 

The Crimson Nights Saga Book and Review Tour Schedule

Check out the reviews, guest posts, interviews, and exclusive excerpts from Crimson Storm

July 31st

Gay Book Promotions

Hearts On Fire Reviews 

August 1st

Lily G Blunt

Tangents and Tissues

August 2nd

Stories That Make You Smile

August 4th

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

August 5th/6th

Diverse Reader

The Way She Reads 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

My Fiction Nook

Millsy Loves Books

Hoards Jumble

August 7th

Immortal Crimson Reviews

Slashsessed 

August 12th/13th

Alpha Book Club 

Lily’s Reviews 

Bayou Book Junkie

Drops of Ink  

Love Bytes Reviews 

 

 

Meet the Authors

Multi-genre romance and fiction writing duo V.L Moon and J.T Cheyanne span a continental divide to bring together their love, support, and admiration for the LGBT communities they belong to. With their ever growing families’ support, they make the most of what little time they have to write the love, angst, and turmoil that hopefully reflects the struggle that is, modern day life.

 

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook   |   Website    |   VL Moon Twitter   |  JT Cheyenne Twitter

 

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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Spectred Isle (Green Men #1) by K.J. Charles

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

After the war (WWI) archeologist Saul Lazenby returned home in disgrace when his affair with another man led to charges of treason when some of the innocent remarks he made to his lover were pieced together to cause a disaster for Saul’s fellow soldiers.  After serving his time, he’s lucky anyone is willing to hire him.  His parents have disowned him and he’s found a job with a nice, but clueless and bumbling major who is convinced he can find the location where the body of Geoffrey de Mandeville has been buried. 

Legend says that deMandeville lived as an outlaw, was excommunicated, and was buried alive by the Knights Templar, and his ghost now watches over London and Camlet Moat, where his house was located, in the heart of the city. There is a well in Camelet Moat to which all kinds of legends are attached, including of course, buried treasure, or possibly deMandeville himself. 

All of the arcane activity that has recently increased in the area seems to point to a tear in the veil with deMandeville somehow involved.  The Green Men, principally Randolph Glyde are the only arcanists still remaining who have any chance at all of defeating those from beyond. Glyde is the last of twenty-three generations of arcanists, the most powerful of the families, and may be the only hope of saving mankind.

When both Saul and Randolph keep showing up at the same time in the same place, it’s pretty obvious that one of them is involved in some way with the bizarre, unexplainable things that have been happening recently—things like a tree suddenly combusting before their eyes.  But it’s not until they end up trapped on a spiritual plane together, and Randolph needs to use his arcane abilities to get them out of the trap, that the two realize there’s more than magic between them. 

I can’t begin to do justice to this highly complex and imaginative otherworldly mystery created by the inimitable KJ Charles in early 20th century England.  Her stories are such a fine mix of reality and imagination, they always astound me, and most definitely, always entertain me.  This is the beginning of a new series and it packs a powerful punch! 

Saul is the kind of guy you want to take home and wrap up in arms of love.  Emotionally damaged by circumstances beyond his control, living in poverty, and barely able to earn enough to keep food on the table, his once highly promising career in archeology is lost. He’s now reduced to being front man for a bumbling major on a quest to prove his crazy ideas are based in reality. 

Randolph is from an old, proud family, rich in the heritage of arcane abilities, and responsibility was literally driven into him from childhood.  He takes everything seriously, including his promise to keep Saul safe.  When his cousin Theresa comes back from the dead to impart her knowledge to Saul in Camlet Moat, and Saul agrees to become the Walker of the Moat, the future of the two men is sealed in fate.  That Saul readily accepts everything about Randolph and his abilities, and that they are developing strong feelings of love for one another is a bonus.

If you enjoy tales of the spirit realm, witchcraft, or other inexplicable mysterious happenings, you will likely enjoy this tale. Add in a romance between two men who can’t believe their good fortune to find a possible life partner during a time in history when it seemed virtually impossible, and you’ve got a great story to look forward to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cover by Lexiconic Design features a lone man in 1920’s attire, smoking a cigar while leaning against a temple or church wall. It’s probably Randolph and fits the story, but the subdued tones aren’t very attention-getting.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 271 pages
Expected publication: August 3rd 2017 by KJC Books
ISBN139780995799073
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesGreen Men #1

A MelanieM Review: Knight Errant (Legends of Osaire Book 2) by T.A. Creech

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Sequel to Witch King

When an Archmage needs a guard to see him through the enchanted Alahanai Forest, dwarf Einith Redstone jumps on the opportunity. The amount of coin offered for the contract is enormous, and he wants to help a fellow dwarf find his Heartstone. And then Einith is stunned when the enticing elf Tae’liamath joins them as their guide.

Their journey through Alahanai is more dangerous than expected, physically and personally. Between the search for a missing knight out of legend and a bond unexpectedly formed, Einith and Tae find themselves growing close, and their emotions are sent reeling. With a Heartstone at stake, magickal encounters, and falling for each other, Einith and Tae have much to overcome before their journey ends.

Knight Errant (Legends of Osaire Book 2) by T.A. Creech reads like a much longer story.  In  that I mean, the author, T.A. Creech has managed to make 107 pages feel like double that in a marvelous way.  Creech (a new author for me) managed some lovely universe building, great characters that made me committed to the tale and their relationships (I laughed, cringed, and white-knuckled in all the right places).  Not only that but did it in a way that I felt I didn’t lose much by coming in at the second story.

Yes, once again I dropped into a series at book two. Honestly I had no idea because when you are looking at the title there was no indication there was a previous story or even a series. However, I enjoyed this so much that I intend to go back and pick that one up asap.  Unfortunately I already know how it ends (those characters appear here), and my favorite ones from this story, the dwarf and the elf will probably be nowhere at all.  Sigh.  How I came to love them both!

Yes, I think this will turn out to be one of those series that needs to be read in sequence as when the characters from the first story popped up here I really had no idea who they were or their importance in this universe (huge).  What I enjoyed was the author’s myth building, ability to create an atmosphere (in one case dark, full of black magic) and make me feel it creep from the page as well as play with the characters emotions.

The romance between dwarf Einith and elf Tae is slow, and a wonderful thing to behold.  I loved Einith and his recognition that his Heartstone might be at hand was a joy to read. I really could have used a second book with these two and I hope this is not the last of them that we see in this series.  There’s another couple here too that you will need just as much of.  The four of them are just plain addictive narratively speaking. More, T.A. Creech, I definitely need more!

So back to book one I go.  If you are as unfamiliar with this series as I was, you will want to go there to.  There head here for a wonderful fantasy adventure.

Cover art is dramatic and perfect for the story.

Sales Links:  JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 107 pages
Published July 8th 2017 by JMS Books LLC
ASIN B073MFBBDS

An Ali Audiobook Review: Unbreak My Heart (Unbreak My Heart #1) by K-lee Klein and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Brett Taylor’s world collapsed three years ago when he lost the love of his life. Almost as bad as the grief is the advice he’s starting to get from everyone and their brother, telling him it’s time to move on. They’re flat-out wrong. He left his career as a musician and escaped to his ranch because he needs the peace and quiet, and he’s doing just fine. He doesn’t want anyone invading his memory-filled, booze-fueled solitude. 

JT Campbell’s world has been defined by his parents’ money, status, and his own empty relationships, until he’s desperately sick of it. A quest to find something meaningful leads him to Brett’s failing ranch. It’s supposed to be a brief stay. JT never wanted to be anyone’s savior or compete with the ghosts of lovers past. Still, he can’t help wanting this gruff and grieving man. 

JT’s mind knows it’s a bad idea, but his heart keeps pushing him to find out what lies beneath Brett’s rough and broken exterior. Brett’s not going to make it easy. JT can only be patient, keep his sense of humor, and hope for the day he may be allowed far enough into Brett’s world to unbreak his heart.
This was a touching, slow burn romance.  JT has his work cut out for him with Brett.  Brett is struggling so hard with Walt’s death that he hasn’t allowed himself to heal or to move on in any way.  Once he realizes he cares for JT he’s racked with guilt.
The two men become friends first and Brett is hesitant with even that.  As the story goes on Brett begins to open up with JT.  It’s a hard road though because Brett can’t let go of the past and he’s even more afraid to risk his heart again.  J.T. is more in control of his feelings but he too sways a bit when things get difficult between them. Both of them make their share of mistakes along the way.
There are some really lovely moments in this story.  There some sad ones where you see glimpse of Brett’s past with Walt that will tear your heart out.  There are also some really romantic ones between Brett and J.T. when they finally get together.
There aren’t a lot of characters in this.  Besides the main two, it’s mostly a ranch hand/mentor/friend of Brett’s and Brett’s mother, both of whom I adored.  Both of these characters really added to the plot and they were as well done as the MC’s.
This audiobook was narrated by Nick J. Russo and I thought he did a very good job.  He did a nice job on Brett’s voice by giving it an authentic Southern cadence (rather than the stereotypical ones often done).  All of the characters had unique voices and they were are equally well done.  I think hearing this story added a level of emotion that made it even better.
Overall I found this really enjoyable.  This was a touching story that had some of my favorite components; hurt/comfort, a bit of angst and a lot of romance and tender moments.  It was well narrated and that added another layer of emotion to it.  I had never read this author before and I’m eager now to read more of her works.
Cover art by Reese Dante is gorgeous, capturing the people beautifully.
Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press |  Amazon | Audible | iTunes
Audiobook Details:
Audiobook, 2nd Edition, 11 pages
Published June 28th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published August 25th 2013)
ASINB073BPHYLN
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesUnbreak My Heart #1

Review Tour: The Necromancer’s Dilemma by S J Himes and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

TND Tour banner

Title: The Necromancer’s Dilemma
Author: SJ Himes
Narrated By: Joel Leslie
Length: 7 hours 47 minutes
Series: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #2
Release Date: July 21st 2017
Genre: MM Paranormal Romance, Fantasy

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Even love can die without trust.

Angel’s brother, Isaac, has returned home, and the pair begins to make slow and awkward attempts back to each other. Learning how to be a brother to a grown man instead of a parental figure has Angel adjusting his behaviors and habits, and Isaac still remains a mystery. Was it merely entering adulthood that turned Isaac away from an overprotective Angel, or does Isaac carry a secret that will keep them from finally being a real family?

Daniel Macavoy, Angel’s new apprentice, is torn between his bond with Angel and the grasping machinations of his father. Dealing with a traumatized apprentice with dangerous holes in his magical education, saving Daniel may be harder than Angel first thought – especially since the biggest problem is not revenge, but guilt.

The one shining beacon in his life is Simeon, Elder vampire of Boston’s only Bloodclan. Four hundred years old and sexy as sin, Simeon is warrior and sage, patient and cunning. The strength Angel draws from Simeon’s devotion and the newborn mate-bond between them is steadfast and true – and the fount of death magic that animates the undead lord places Angel in the midst of a power struggle for control over himself, his lover, and his family.

Through it all, Angel is beleaguered by the unwanted attention of a troll-hybrid, the adventures of a dragon in the city, and a serial killer has decided to hunt the back alleys and midnight streets of Boston.

Contains male/male sexual content. Violence, gore, sex, vampires. A cute dragon and some snark. Okay, lots of snark.

Purchase: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK | iTunes

Find The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series on

Here is a Soundcloud clip from the audiobook

 https://soundcloud.com/jojofro-1/necro-sample-5

Goodreads

EXCERPT

“You’re doing it again,” Angel accused with a glare and teasing pout, crossing his arms, his now empty coffee cup crushed in one of his hands.

“And that would be?” Simeon asked with a grin, turning to face Angel, leaning down to sniff at his neck and short brown hair. The blond highlights were growing out, and Simeon wanted to run his hands through the strands.

“Staring at me with that lovey-dovey expression on your face,” Angel grumbled, and Simeon chuckled. He may complain, but Simeon could smell just how happy Simeon’s loving regard made the necromancer.

“As I love you, and as the planes of your face are intriguing as that of an old Italian master’s painting, gazing upon your visage with adoration is just something you’ll need to grow accustomed to,” Simeon whispered, kissing under Angel’s ear. Angel sighed, his scent happy and warm with the spice of his arousal. Simeon licked the warm skin he found there, the taste of salt and the thrum of blood pulsing just under the surface making his body hum in returned desire. Though the scent of death magic his mate gave off just by existing was enough to calm his desire to bite. Angel would welcome his bite, he was sure of it, but their bond wasn’t strong enough yet to grant Simeon immunity from magic poisoning.

“Only the two of you would get frisky at a crime scene,” a rough whiskey-laced voice complained behind them. Simeon sighed with reluctance and pulled away from his mate, turning to nod a greeting to the gruff detective.

“Hey, O’Malley,” Angel smirked, moving the bottom hem of his sweater over his groin. Angel was aroused, and Simeon growled quietly, satisfied at the reaction he got from his mate.

1 Necromancer's Dance Audio Cover
Book One

Title: The Necromancer’s Dance
Author: S J Himes
Series: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
Length: 8 Hours 8 minutes
Release Date: 21st March 2017
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, MM Romance

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In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset by enemies, both old and new.

Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again drawn back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues as to who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead? Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill…and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

Purchase: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK I iTunes

Listen to an audio teaser from The Necromancer’s Dance at Soundcloud.

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About the Author

I’m a self-employed writer who stresses out about the silliest things, like whether or not I got my dog the best kind of snack and the fact my kindle battery tends to die when I’m at the best part in a book. I write mainly gay romance, erotica, and urban fantasy, with occasional forays into contemporary and paranormal. I love a book heavy on plot and character evolution, and throw in some magic, and that’s perfection. My current series are: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer, Bred For Love (as Revella Hawthorne), and The Wolfkin Saga. My last two novels in the Beacon Hill Sorcerer won 3rd Place in the Gay Fantasy category for the 2016 Rainbow Awards.

I live in New Orleans, where the personalities are big and loud and so are the bugs! New Orleans is rich in cultural history, and the flavor and music of the City is impossible to hide. Before that, I lived all over the United States: Tampa, Western Massachusetts, Indianapolis, and on and on…. I’m a nomad, and I’ve yet to find a place that calls to me strongly enough to become home. My faithful travel companions are my dog Micah, the numerous voices in my head who insist they all get put on paper, and the wind at my back.

Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Facebook Fan Group | Twitter | Amazon
About the Narrator

web version joel arm

Joel Leslie is a UK transplant, growing up with American parents in a British commonwealth. A classically trained actor with an MFA in theatre from USC, he is often cast for his unique ability to deliver native, authentic combinations of American and British sounds. His great range and ability to bring characters to life with honesty, wit and versatility delights producers and listeners alike.

He is proud to have a strong following with m/m listeners and an ongoing relationship with some of the finest writers in the genre. He loves that every day he gets to share these beautiful, inspirational and empowering GLBT characters with the world. When not in the booth he spends his time chasing after two loquacious wiener dogs.

Find a list of Joel’s books on Audible

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Susan Mac Nicol “Revival” Tour and Giveaway (excerpt and giveaway)

Revival Tour

Title: Worth Keeping
Author: Susan Mac Nicol
Release Date: December 23rd 2013
Published by: Boroughs Publishing
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance

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Abused horrifically as a boy, Nick Mathers has come to terms with his existence as a man. Mostly. Other days life seems a little much. Especially when Nick knows he’ll always be alone.

On those days his thoughts turn black. He walks the Norfolk coast and considers the frigid embrace of the waves. And then, one stormy night, he finds someone who’s tasted just that. The beautiful stranger on the beach is near death, and Nick rushes him home to slowly nurse back to health. As he does, he finds a love unlike any other.

Owen Butler’s body is as warm as the sea was cold, his heart as big as an ocean. And Owen is a man who swears to repay the favor. Nick can yet be saved from himself, and he will see that he is indeed a man … worth keeping.

Worth Keeping on Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Boroughs | B&N | Smashwords | iBooks

Karen Jones

EXCERPT

“Jesus, Nick, for God’s sake, man, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.” The panicked voice of Owen Butler stirred Nick into wakefulness. He sat up in panic, his chest heaving, his throat raw and sore. He reached out an arm, grabbing Owen’s shoulder tightly. Owen winced and brushed hair from Nick’s sweat-drenched face. Nick stared at him blindly. Socks jumped up and down in agitation on the bed, his paws waving frantically as he chittered in panic.

“Nick, you were screaming. You had a nightmare. It’s all right.” Owen’s soothing voice cut through Nick’s fear and he started to breathe deeper, more evenly.

Owen encouraged him. “That’s right, take deep breaths. You’re awake. You’re fine.”

Nick’s tears rolled down his cheeks as he sobbed quietly. Owen leaned forward, wiping them off with tender fingers. “God, you’re a bloody mess, aren’t you? And I thought I was a basket case. Come here.”

Nick was pulled into a pair of warm arms and a hard chest that promised comfort and safety. It had been a long time since he’d been touched this way. When he was in the town with his regular fuck buddy, Daniel, it was pure sex. At Nick’s insistence, there was no kissing, no real tenderness, just lust and animalism that ended in both of them getting their relief and then Nick going home. He’d never stayed over, as that would have been too intimate. But this stranger holding him close, softly stroking his hair and his back, lulling him back to sleep. This was intimate and it felt good, just for a while. He closed his eyes, enjoying Owen’s closeness and scent.

GIVEAWAY: Win a SIGNED copy of Saving Alexander by Susan Mac Nicol

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About the Author

Susan bio pic

Susan Mac Nicol is a self-confessed bookaholic, an avid watcher of videos of sexy pole dancing men, geek, nerd and in love with her Smartphone. This little treasure is called ‘the boyfriend’ by her long-suffering husband, who says if it vibrated, there’d be no need for him. Susan hasn’t had the heart to tell him there’s an app for that…

In an ideal world, Susan Mac Nicol would be Queen of England and banish all the bad people to the Never Never Lands of Wherever -Who Cares. As that’s never going to happen, she contents herself with writing her HEA stories and pretending, that just for a little while, good things happen to good people.

Sue is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association in the UK. She’s also Editorial Manager at http://www.divinemagazine.biz, an online LGBTQ e-zine, and she’s a Charity Board trustee at http://wwwbeingmecampaign.com in London.

She’s passionate about research for her books and has stayed in a circus, taken lessons from a blind person on how it feels to be non-sighted, and travelled to a lighthouse with maintenance crew to see first-hand what it’s like inside. She’s also writing a screen play with a Hollywood actor named Nicholas Downs, with a view to taking her latest release, Sight Unseen, to the big screen.

All in all, she’s happy with her lot and loves that you love to read her books.

You do, right?

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

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A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Valentine’s Day Resolution by Ava Hayden

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Huxley carries invisible scars from a near-fatal car accident. He sleepwalks through a job at his father’s company, marking time until he can quit and pursue his own dreams.

Everything changes the moment he makes eye contact with a stranger while riding to work. It’s as if he’s been shaken out of his stupor, and Huxley vows to find the man.

Thanks to a thieving ex-lover, Paul’s florist shop is on the brink of closing down. He needs to milk Valentine’s Day for all it’s worth—and the irony that a day dedicated to love might help undo the damage of a failed relationship is not lost on him.

When Huxley finds Paul at his shop, both men feel an instant attraction. Before long, they’re falling hard, but Huxley holds back. If Paul knew all the baggage he’s carrying, he might run.

Paul’s gut tells him Huxley is hiding something. Huxley looks like a keeper, but Paul can’t go through another disastrous romance.

When Valentine’s Day arrives, will they have anything to celebrate?

The Valentine’s Day Resolution by Ava Hayden was such a delight to read.  Not only did I fall in love with the characters but the way in which the author brought Huxley slowly back to life, small step by step in every part of his life made this story a real joy to read.  You can understand Huxley, a man bound by his past and his fears.  Several changes slowly start to pull Huxley out of his boxed in life and into something marvelous.    And these are small steps,  but ones to be cherished (not that he realizes the steps that he’s taking at the time).  But while Huxley’s still unaware that he’s moving forward, the reader and the people around him are and we/they are cheering him on.

Paul, the florist, is another gem of a character in a book full of them. Paul is trying to save his shop, yet when Huxley appears at the counter, something about the man makes Paul  want to trust again.  So the author gives us two men with fear ruling their lives in different ways.  How it is resolves and loves triumphs, quietly, movingly, is why I was sighing so happily as I finished the story.   So happy that I wanted to read it again.  So will you.  Consider this happily recommended!

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza. The artist does a lovely job of bringing both characters to life.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 140 pages
Expected publication: August 2nd 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781635337013

A Lila Audiobook Review: Plaid Versus Paisley (Fabric Hearts #2) by KC Burn and Narrator: David Ross

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Two years after his life fell apart, Will Dawson moved to Florida to start over. His job in the tech department of Idyll Fling, a gay porn studio, is ideal for him. When his boss forces him to take on a new hire, the last person he expects is Dallas Greene—the man who cost him his job and his boyfriend back in Connecticut. He doesn’t know what’s on Dallas’s agenda, but he won’t be blindsided by a wolf masquerading as a runway model. Not again.

Dallas might have thrown himself on his brother’s mercy, but his skills are needed at Idyll Fling. Working with Will is a bonus, since Dallas has never forgotten the man. A good working relationship is only the beginning of what Dallas wants with Will.

But Dallas doesn’t realize how deep Will’s distrust runs, and Will doesn’t know that the man he’s torn between loving and hating is the boss’s brother. When all truths are revealed, how can a relationship built on lies still stand?

Plaid Versus Paisley is a pseudo enemies-to-lovers story. More about strong attraction and miscommunications than anything else, but the path to redemption is one they walked inadvertently. Omissions are also part of the obstacles in Will’s and Dallas’s path.

One thing this book highlight is the MCs’ intellects. I really like the way they interact and complement each other. They are geeky and at the same time, they have an adventurous side. They also take care of each other even when they have some misgivings about each other.

The start of the book is strong and we learned a lot about Dallas, his family and indirectly about Will. It’s easy to feel his exhaustion and the love of his brother. We also learned from Will amidst his desire to keep Dallas at arm’s-length.

Some of the details were a bit irrelevant and the middle part, as with many stories, dragged a bit. There’s some repetition and the ending felt rushed–still a lovely resolution, though. Plus, there were some questions about Dallas’s parents and that were never answered.

Overall, this is a good addition to the series. We get to see more about characters from previous books, and we get a small set up from the next book in the series.

David Ross did a nice job keeping the narration of this installment consistent with the first book. I enjoyed the characters’ voices and they added to the story.

The cover by L.C. Chase follows the original art work. This time mixing Dallas’s and Will’s fabrics. The audiobook cover is an adaptation of the e-book version.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: David Ross
Length: 7 hours and 57 minutes

Published: June 30, 2017 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B073FZ58JZ
Edition Language: English

 

Series:  Fabric Hearts
Book #1: Tartan Candy
Book #2: Plaid Versus Parsley

A Caryn Review: All Wheel Drive (Bluewater Bay #18) by Z.A. Maxfield

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Well, that was 3 hours of my life wasted.  I wanted to DNF early on, but that is the drawback to getting a book for review — you gotta review it even when it’s just that bad…

This book was set in the Bluewater Bay series, and I admit I’ve only read one other in this universe — Burnt Toast B&B — and that one I actually enjoyed. The books are all pretty much stand alone, although the various characters do show up in other books.  And at first I thought that’s what I was missing, and why I struggled with this book:  I just didn’t have enough background.

But as I went on, I realized, no, this book was just that random and disorganized.

The main characters here are Healey, who grew up in Bluewater Bay although he’s been at school and away from home for years, and Diego, who moved in as part of the Wolf’s Landing production crew (the unifying theme of this series).  Healey came back to town broken both physically and mentally from a recent car accident that for extremely vague reasons he is not allowed to talk about.  His family has long since moved out of his boyhood house, but he feels like he just has to be there.  So he shows up, beaten, wet, and bedraggled, on the doorstep, and begs the new owner, Diego, to let him stay in the garage apartment.  And pays him a couple thousand dollars for the privilege and gives him a false name.  The apartment is full of Diego’s dead mother’s art, apparently because Diego wanted it as far away from him as possible — because Diego is in a wheelchair, he cannot get to the apartment.  Despite this inauspicious beginning, there is instant, undeniable chemistry between the two men, which is convenient because otherwise these two have absolutely nothing in common and there would be no story.  The next day Healey moves out, so I guess he got over his extreme need to be back in that home pretty quickly.  But he goes back, fesses up to who he is, admits that there really was no reason for the subterfuge and bribe, and helps to move Diego’s mother’s things to the garage where he can reach them.

Diego, in the meantime, has never really come to terms with being disabled, and now he’s also being hounded by his stepfather to collect and write about his mother’s art and life.  But something about the instant attraction he has to Healey makes him want to start accepting his disability, and to dig deeper into his mother’s past — because Healey makes a fairly random comment about one of her photographs that gives Diego an epiphany about his mother.  Which, as a side plot, completely fails because there is a big mystery brought up about her which is ultimately just dropped.  Healey summed up his side of things like this: “for me, attraction is instantaneous.  I lock eyes with a dude, and it’s either on or it’s not.”  Seems to be the basis of this romance, and that’s not enough for me.

What other things bothered me?  How about head bopping, changing from Diego’s to Healey’s point of view with each chapter, and their dialogue was so generic and stupid that I didn’t know which one of them was even talking.  The way both men would go from friendly to pissed off to sad to passionate from one sentence to the next, without any sort of explanation that made any sense.  The way the mystery of the car accident was dragged out way too long so I had almost no idea why Healey was so full of angst until the big reveal, which was pretty anti-climactic.  The way both of these guys were completely inconsistent in what they wanted, and how they acted — I mean, yes, characters should grow and change and let the story lead them to new things in life, but I didn’t buy any of it in this book.  Completely random.  The editing errors, like when Healey was afraid to tell Healey about the accident, when Healey came between Diego’s thighs and all of his cum ended up on his own stomach, or the multiple times when words were just left out.  I was really wondering if I got a rough draft instead of the final book, but as far as I know, this was the final book.  Then there were weird descriptions and analogies scattered throughout:

“Diego rattled his pinkie finger like the Titanic hit an iceberg and it was up to him to inform all the ships at sea.  He always did that. It was his tell”

“longing rose in his belly like the smoke of an abandoned cooking fire”

“post-SCI sex turned out to be almost like every other kind of sex he’d had.  It was embarrassing and funny and silly and gruesome.”  Gruesome?  first time I’ve heard that adjective used for sex in a romance novel…

“his hair slithered over Diego’s shoulders like he was some hipster saint, come to perform a miracle”

I almost gave this book only one star, but I was pleased that at least the author did some research about spinal cord injuries and adaptive equipment (that led to awkward conversations about self-catheterization to urinate that really should have been left out), and Healey showed amazing understanding and forgiveness for his mentally ill ex-boyfriend when it would have been easier for her to demonize bipolar disorder as a lot of people in society do.  So there was that.  But overall, don’t waste your time…

Cover art by L.C. Chase didn’t do much for me, and I don’t think adds anything to the story.

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 329 pages
Published July 8th 2017 by Riptide Publishing
Original TitleAll Wheel Drive
ASINB073TLS5TR
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesBluewater Bay #18