Category: LGBTQ Book Reviews

In the Spotlight: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock (giveaway)

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Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
Riptide Publishing
Cover by: Kanaxa

Read an Excerpt/Buy it Here

Hi! I’m J.A. Rock, and I’m touring the internet to talk about Slave Hunt, Book 5 in The Subs Club series. Thanks so much to the blogs that are hosting me on this tour, and be sure to leave a comment with your contact info for your chance to win a $15 Riptide Publishing voucher.

About Slave Hunt

Thirty people. Two hours. Only the strong will survive.

When Riddle decides to put on a slave hunt, the Subs Club is on board. Tops hunting bottoms in the woods with paintball guns? Yes. Captives strung up on whipping posts, at the mercy of their captors? Hell yes. But on the morning of the hunt, nothing’s going according to plan. Miles and Drix are at odds over Miles’s reluctance to move in together. Dave is determined to show up D, who thinks Dave won’t last two minutes in the woods. Gould finds himself torn between obeying his master’s orders and living out a longtime fantasy. And Kamen inadvertently becomes a double agent when he aligns himself with two different parties.


By the end of the hunt, alliances will be forged and broken, loyalties will be tested, relationships will be strengthened…and someone will barrel roll. Narrated by ten different characters, Slave Hunt tells the story of two hours in the woods that will change everyone forever. Or at least, remind them that love is the greatest victory of all.

Slave Hunt is available from Riptide Publishing: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/slave-hunt

About The Subs Club Universe

After the death of their friend Hal at the hands of an irresponsible dom, submissive friends Dave, Kamen, Miles, and Gould band together to form the Subs Club—an organization seeking to expose dangerous local doms. The club slowly evolves as romances blossom, loyalties are tested, and tensions mount in a community already struggling for unity in the wake of Hal’s death.

From domestic discipline to knife play to fashion paraphilia, and from family drama to new jobs to first loves, the members of the Subs Club explore life’s kinks inside and outside of the bedroom as they attempt to let go of the past and move forward.

Check out the universe at Riptide Publishing: http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/universe/subs-club

About J.A. Rock

J.A. Rock has worked as a dog groomer, knife seller, haunted house zombie, standardized patient, cashier, census taker, state fair quilt hanger, and, for one less-than-magical evening, a server—and would much rather be writing about those jobs than doing them. A lover of m/m BDSM romance, J.A. lives mostly in West Virginia, and always with a beloved dog, Professor Anne.

Website: www.jarockauthor.com
Blog: http://jarockauthor.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jarockauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ja.rock.39

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Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Slave Hunt, one lucky winner will receive $15 in Riptide Publishing credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on October 22, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

A Paul B Review: The Promise (Sirius Wolves #4) by Victoria Sue

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

the-promise-by-victoria-sueMarcus Flint enjoys his job as the US government’s Lupine Liaison Officer.  He has been working closely with Blaze, the Supreme Alpha werewolf and his mates to deal with the Winter Circle terrorist organization that is trying to keep weres and humans apart.  He admires some the characteristics of his werewolf friends like their lifetime mating and the fact that they are very tactile.  Being a double amputee from the last war, Marcus believes that he will never have that, as his former lover Justin rejected him after he came home from overseas.

Kellan believes he is lupus non gratis around his pack. He was forced to help the psychopath Michael with his schemes because his mate was being threatened.  Most of the wolves of the Jefferson pack cannot forgive him.  Only those of Orion’s Circle seem to understand the pressure he was under to protect his mate.  When it is revealed that his mate is Marcus, the human, most wolves do not believe that it is possible.

Ricoh meanwhile is having problems with his mates.  Hunter, the Jefferson pack alpha, continues to ignore him.  Nate is still missing after fleeing when his life is spared for killing Darric.  And as he begins to be around Marcus, he is developing feeling for that man too.  He does not understand how this could be as he already has his mates, or so he thought.  When Nate shows up with an anti-werewolf minister looking thin and tired, the group knows that something is terribly wrong.  As the group plans a rescue, Hunter goes and tries to talk to Nate, making him shut down further.  The group must now recalculate their plans to save Nate while somehow not alienate the human population any further than the anti-were agitators have already done.

This fourth book in the Sirius Wolves series continues the integration of humans and werewolves that started in the previous books.  Orion’s Circle (Aden, Blaze, Conner, and Darric) take more of supporting roles as Marcus, Ricoh, Nate, and Kellan drive this story.  We also begin to see that not all wolves are behind the ruling council.  Nate is obviously been tortured to the point where he is suffering a bit of Stockholm syndrome.  Marcus thinks no one can care for him because of his physical appearance.  Ricoh believes that both of his mates of basically rejected him while Kellan has been rejected by his own pack for the most part.  The ending of the book takes a unique twist in the furthering of the goals of Orion’s Circle.  As usual, I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

The cover by E Connors is fairly standard for the series.  A well built shirtless man in jeans is set in front of a starry night sky.  However, I’m not sure which character he is suppose to be though.

Sales Links

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Book Details

EBook, 139 pages

Edition Language:  English

Published:  January 14, 2016 by Dark Hollows Press

ISBN:  978-1-944054-31-1

Series:  Sirius Wolves

Orion’s Circle (Sirius Wolves #1)

Broken Circle (Sirius Wolves #2)

A MelanieM/Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker

Rating: 5+ stars out of 5

the-weight-of-it-all-by-nr-walkerAfter being dumped by his long-term boyfriend for being overweight, Henry Beckett decides to make some drastic changes. In a vain attempt at getting his boyfriend back, Henry does the most absurdly frightening thing he can think of.

He joins a gym.

Reed Henske is a personal trainer who isn’t sure he’ll ever be ready to date again. He’s sick of guys who are only interested in the perfect body image, never seeing him for who he really is.

As Reed tortures Henry with things like diet and exercise, Henry enamours Reed with recipes and laughter. As the friendship lines start to blur, Henry is convinced there’s no way Thor-like Reed could ever be interested in a guy like him.

Reed just has to convince Henry that life isn’t about reaching your ideal bodyweight. It’s about finding your perfect counterweight.

The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker proved to be a bit of a wonderful issue here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.  Two of us had each read it and fallen in love.  What to do about the review? The only solution was a combined review. Here’s our thoughts on The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker:

Barb, the Zany Old Lady:

This was a truly enjoyable story on so many levels. First and foremost, Henry is probably the most likable guy I’ve met in a long time. Reed is equally personable, though more subtle in the way he grabbed my attention.

Very humorous, as this tale unfolds, it’s evident that it’s about more than simply guy meets guy. The story explores societal norms about bodyweight and the fact that one’s self-perception of body image goes a long way toward both emotional and physical health and long-term success. I respect this author’s treatment of the topic and appreciate the encouragement toward a way of life that includes both healthy eating and exercise as a way to reach balance. So many authors subconsciously, or purposely, encourage dieting and slimming down as a way to attract a man’s attention. That wasn’t the case here, and I applaud the author’s efforts in keeping the focus on the inner self rather than the outer shell. Wrap all this up in a story that contained two very endearing characters, and it’s one I would highly recommend.

From MelanieM:

I think this is really the best book N.R. Walker has written.  The character of Henry especially was so surprising.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like him in any novel before.  Its not just his intelligence, or his self depreciating manner, but his slow acknowledgement of his life choices, good and bad, his adjustments towards a healthier life style.  Its just such an amazing exploration of one person’s journey from one state to the next and all the while, Henry remains Henry at the core.  Walker has created a character with such a basaltic center to his personality that as other things change, we know that the foundation that is  Henry will not. Reed is also someone who has been crafted along the same memorable lines, although perhaps in an altogether  different mold (or so we are lead to believe at the start).  Together Henry, Reed, Anika and her boyfriend Sean, and all that incredible dialog that had me laughing, giggling, and sometimes sniffling more than a little…well, this will be in my top 10 books of the year.

As with all N.R. Walker stories, the pace has a natural flow to it, never hurried, never slow, it just carries you along with the characters as Henry fights his inclinations to take the easy path, and then as the choices he makes gets more natural for him and then part of his schedule.  I can’t being to share the joys you will find inside this story, inside these characters.  Its a journey I never wanted to see end. and its an exploration you need to take for yourself.

Its one both Barb and I highly recommend.

Cover art is simple and perfect.

Sales Links

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Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 244 pages
Published September 12th 2016 by BlueHeart Press
Original TitleThe Weight of It All
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Edition LanguageEnglish

In the Spotlight: The Captain’s Promise by T.J. Land (excerpt)

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The Captain’s Promise (Adrift #4) by T.J. Land
NineStar Press

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Release Date: October 17, 2016

Purchase Links

NineStar Press |  Amazon  |  All Romance Ebooks 

COUPON CODE: Get 20% off preorder on NineStar Press website with coupon code “preorder”

* (Good until release day)

Book Blurb

Now that the crew of The Prayer have settled down on an uninhabited alien world, their captain intends for them to forge a new life for themselves. But Khurshed’s plans are interrupted when the ship receives a distress call from a nearby planet. While most of his lovers are excited by the prospect of making contact with their new neighbors, First Officer Antoine argues that responding might endanger the crew. As it turns out, his fears are well placed…

Excerpt

T.J. Land © 2016

All Rights Reserved

Dirty, panting, and sweating like a pig, Rick stood back and surveyed his greatest achievement. Ten rows of newly sown green beans, ten rows of spinach, and ten rows of zucchini; the first crops he’d planted outside the rigorously controlled and monitored confines of The Prayer’s oxygen garden in four years. The first Earth crops that had ever been planted on this planet. In this galaxy, even.

“Bitchin’,” he said to himself.

“Don’t curse in front of the baby vegetables,” said Thomas, slinking up behind him and draping his lanky arms over Rick’s shoulders. “You don’t want ’em growing up as warped and perverted as you, do you?”

“Fuck off, Meléndez,” Rick drawled, tilting his head up to accept a kiss.

“How come our first crops are fucking greens? I haven’t had a donut in close on five years. Why can’t you plant some…bread seeds?”

“Wheat, you ignorant loser. We don’t have any grain.”

When they’d first set out from Earth, they’d been equipped with everything they needed for the duration of the one-and-a-half-year journey to Pluto, including a cargo hold full of supplies for the dwarf planet’s fledgling colony. They’d had nutrient shakes, chewable protein bars, enough canned food to feed one hundred people for four years, the reliable bounty of Rick’s vegetable garden, and flour. When they were set adrift by the enemy, they’d comforted themselves with the knowledge that they’d die of boredom and cabin fever long before they starved. Even so, Rick recalled vividly the bleak looks on everyone’s faces three years ago when Echo had informed them that the last of the flour was finished.

“Besides, donuts? That shit’s bad for you. Echo’s fruity desserts aren’t doing it for you anymore?”

Thomas made his meh face. “He’s been using that weird melon-shaped thing we found a lot lately. I can’t get used to the aftertaste. It always feels like someone coated the back of my tongue in cement.”

“Don’t let Echo hear you say that. He’ll be whatever his equivalent of upset is. And he might poison your dinner.”

Their new vegetable garden had been planted in the lee of the rocky hill next to which The Prayer currently squatted, her landing gear obscured by the long grass. Being situated in the planet’s temperate zone, they wouldn’t have to worry about the periodic decades-long draughts that assailed the southern regions. Because Antoine’s current fascination was the local marine life, they were within walking distance of the beach. There was another ancient abandoned town a few miles east, though Rick wasn’t all that eager to go exploring again just yet. Not after what had almost happened to Zachery and the captain.

Khurshed, Rick reminded himself. That’s what he asked you to call him.

Thomas was resting his chin on Rick’s head, a habit he’d picked up since Rick had started shaving his scalp. The explosion that had taken his eye had also burned off a good chunk of his hair, and Zachery had said it was as good a time as any to try a new haircut. Rick had agreed. Then, stupidly, he’d given Zachery free reign to experiment on him. The result was so arrestingly hideous that he’d had no choice but to go bald. Thankfully, it turned out that all three of his boyfriends thought his new look was sexy as hell. Rick wasn’t so sure, but he couldn’t deny that having his bare scalp stroked and fondled made it feel as though someone had pumped kerosene into his dick.

“Comfortable up there, asshole?” he inquired of Thomas.

“Sorry,” he said, not sounding the least bit sorry. “It’s the price you pay for being my shortest boyfriend.”

“Okay, I’m gonna bite your nipples off for that,” said Rick, peeling off his gloves and turning around so he could get at them.

When Rick had first met Thomas, he hadn’t thought much of him. He’d come off as a bland everyday nice guy, maybe a bit of a worrywart, with unassuming good looks. Nothing special. As they’d gotten to know one another better over the course of the four years they’d been lost in space, they’d become amicable acquaintances, though not quite friends. Rick had liked him while never being one hundred percent comfortable in his presence, his feelings towards the ship’s security officer muddled by what he now recognized as a huge, unacknowledged crush. Then the captain had come along and dragged them all into bed with him, and after that, everything had worked out.

Rick wasn’t the type to rate his boyfriends; he felt as drunkenly, giddily in love with the captain and Zachery as he was with Thomas. That said, they were all vastly different people, and they each had their own place in Rick’s life. Thomas was the one Rick went to when all he wanted was someone to make him smile. When he’d emerged from the medical pod, Thomas had been the first to be allowed to see his empty eye socket, and in the weeks that followed, Rick had turned to him whenever he started thinking dark thoughts. No matter what else was going on, Thomas always made him feel good.

“Oh yeah,” Thomas said, his breath hitching as Rick settled a hand over his dick.

Rick smirked. One of the reasons Thomas always made him feel good was that making Thomas feel good was so, so damn easy.

“You’re such a whore,” he told him, rubbing the spot behind his left ear like he was a cat. As Thomas sagged against him, mumbling incoherently, Rick kissed him hard, grinding their dicks together while he moved his hand from Thomas’s ear to massage the back of his neck. As soon as Rick had learned where Thomas’s soft spots were, he’d realized that he could do pretty much anything with him.

“You like that?” he asked. Not because he had any doubt that Thomas did. It was just nice to see Thomas try and fail to make his tongue work, because sweet gentleman Thomas never ignored a question.

“Y-yeah,” he husked. “’S nice.”

Rick smirked. I have so got your number, pretty boy.

“How about we go inside?” Rick said. “Wouldn’t want to traumatize the baby beans, would we?”

Pairing: MM, MMM

Orientation: Asexual, Bi, Gay

Identity: Cis, Trans

Length: Novelette

Words: 18300

Pages: 42

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Author Bio

T.J. Land is a South African writer of erotic romance and sometimes other things. Her main inspirations right now are her plants, Emily Carroll’s art, and her seething hatred for the final season of Downton Abbey. She hopes you’re hanging in there.

Check out NineStar Press’ events calendar for information on additional blog stops for The Captain’s Promise and other upcoming releases!

An Alisa Release Day Review : Sunchaser (Smilodon Pride #2) by Beryll Brackhaus and Osiris Brackhaus

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

sunchaserRoan has pretended to be a human for long enough. He needs to get out of town and roam the land, as any proper werecat should.

 

The last thing he wants is his conscience insisting he should save an abused werewolf from a traveling circus first. The very last thing he expects is the local sheriff’s daughter having the exact same idea – and beating him to the punch.

 

Their rescue goes spectacularly wrong, and suddenly Roan, Betsy and their crippled wolf find themselves fleeing across the US for the Mexican border, chased by the police and vengeful circus fey alike.

 

Sunchaser is a non-romance, road-movie-ish urban fantasy adventure novel about a werecat drifter, a wide-eyed human girl and a defective werewolf learning that sometimes, family really is the ones you didn’t pick.

 

Roan has spent his life roaming all around, never staying in one place longer than necessary.  He still keeps up with his family, but never allows himself to care for anyone else.  When he decides to save the abused werewolf he forces himself to have a hard look at how he has been living his life.

 

This story is told from Roan’s point of view and we get to know Betsy and Martin through his eyes.  To put it plainly Roan is quite selfish at the beginning to the story and does his best to put aside any introspection.  He learns that people are not always what they seem when he is injured while rescuing the werewolf and Betsy takes care of him.  As they spend more time together they grow closer as friends and we can see Betsy growing up a bit now that she has gotten from underneath her father’s thumb.  I loved all three of these characters and felt horrible for Martin in what had happened to him, but at least we were able to see him getting better.  I just wish we were able to learn some more about him, but maybe that will come in later books.  I look forward to reading more books in this series and learning more about this family.

 

Cover art is great and portrays the story setting and characters nicely.

 

Sales Link: Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 194 pages

Published: October 14, 2016

Edition Language: English

Series: Smilodon Pride #2

A MelanieM Review: All Hallows’ Eve by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

all-hallows-eve-by-annabelle-jacobsWill a centuries-old broken heart ruin the promise of new love?

Dominic Ashworth is descended from a long line of witches, although the family practice of witchcraft died out generations ago. Forever connected to a dark history, the house he grew up in remained in the Ashworth family for generations until his estranged father sold it.

On a mission to check out the new owners, Dominic runs into Caleb Jones and gives the gorgeous man his phone number—but getting a date should be the last thing on Dominic’s agenda.

Caleb and his best friend, Zach Briceworth, are oblivious to the heartache and magic tied to the foundations of their new home. When strange things start to happen, the truth emerges and surprises them both, especially as everything revolves around Caleb’s new love interest.

After a shaky start, Caleb and Dominic settle into an easy relationship, falling faster than either of them expected. But with Halloween approaching, the possibility of danger increases. The past is not always as it seems, and the ripples of a tragic event threaten to put an end to everything between them.

Arriving just in time to satisfy our needs for some supernatural reads comes this terrific tale of thwarted love and hauntings of the heart from Annabelle Jacobs.  All Hallow’s Eve is a tale of two love stories, each separated by centuries but connected by family ties and one house.  The Ashworth witches and their family house has been tied together by a dark history…until one estranged family member sells it to unknowing new owners.

Its such a delicious plot.  A family of witches, ancient lands…and a new owner.  What could possibly happen?  In this case its, Dominic and his sister who own a local bookstore (plus a aunt) who are still keepers of the Ashworth history and as well as being witches themselves.  Too late to keep their father from selling their house, they need to get to know the new owner for any number of reasons.  That Caleb is gorgeous and gay?  A complication that Dominic hadn’t counted on.

Jacobs has to weave not only present  day characters and their stories into that time frame and mysterious goings on but also put into play the centuries old heartbreak and mystery at the core of this story.  An entire storyline, complete with characters, dialog, and history had to be created as well.  Realistically enough that we felt for them equally as we do for those in present times.  Its quite the accomplishment that we come to do so, especially so at the end of the story.

I thought the author  did a wonderful job of building the suspense and dread just through the house itself.  From the anticipatory walk down the stairs in the basement to the behavior of the cat, sometimes just the creepiness of the atmosphere was enough to make your skin crawl.    You were really waiting for the ghost to pop out and say boo.

While I wish more could have been made of the fact that the father’s role was short of disastrous in this, from selling the house to not supporting his kids, only to quickly return? Hmmm….I wished for more there.

However, the rest of the story absolutely satisfied.  I loved the rush to figure out how the past was going to return and  endanger those in the present and who was going to be affected the most.  It was chilling when it had to be, poignant when called for, and romantically heartwarming for all at the end. And at All Hallows’ Eve.  Amazing and quite wonderful.

I definitely recommend this story.  Its a terrific read at this time of year or anytime actually.  Grab it up and have a spooktacular time!

Cover art by Natasha Snow is terrific and works for the story.

Sales Links

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Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 248 pages
Published October 5th 2016 by Annabelle Jacobs
ASINB01M1CXXUN
Edition LanguageEnglish

Storming Love: Tsunami Tales are Here with NIc Starr’s Sebastian & Owen (exclusive excerpt and giveaway)

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Sebastian & Owen (Storming Love: Tsunami #3) by Nic Starr
MLR Press

Cover Artist: Kris Jacen

Release Date: 7th October 2016

Sebastian & Owen is book #3 in the Storming Love: Tsunami series from MLR Press. Three authors each contributed a story about a couple facing the same tsunami event.

Blurb

Owen’s eagerness to win Sebastian back turns to desperation as a tsunami threatens to tear them apart.

The last twelve months have been hard on Owen Hewitt and even tougher on his relationship. For six years, Sebastian Carmichael has been the love of his life, but that love is put to the test as Owen sinks into injury-induced depression.

Living with chronic pain and unable to do the things he used to do makes him feel like a failure, and causes him to believe he’s holding the younger Sebastian back.

When Sebastian takes some time out and leaves to stay at their holiday house, it could spell the end of the relationship. But as a tsunami bears down on the Tasmanian coast, it could spell the end of everything.

This book can be read standalone.

Exclusive Excerpt

It was only a couple of days into the new year and they were fighting already.  Sebastian’s expression was thunderous —his eyes were narrowed and his jaw was clenched so tightly that Owen could see the muscle in his cheek ticking.

“I’m sorry —”

“Don’t.” Sebastian held up his hand.

Seeing Sebastian holding him back, putting that distance between them, tore at Owen’s heart. He felt the emotion prickle behind his eyes and blinked back the tears.

“I can’t take any more of this, Owen.” Sebastian thumped his chest, his voice breaking as he continued. “You know I love you. I love you with all my heart. For Christ’s sake, I’ve loved you since I was twenty-two. There is no one else for me —you’re it.” Sebastian ran a hand through his dark hair and shook his head before meeting Owen’s gaze head on. “What is it going to take for you to believe that you’re enough, that you’re all I’ve ever wanted? The last year… Well, before that, I never would have pictured us here, doing this, arguing all the time, or tiptoeing around each other.”

“I know and I’m —”

“Don’t say it.” Sebastian’s eyes flashed. “If you say you’re sorry one more time…”

Owen bit back the automatic apology that teetered on the tip of his tongue. “You don’t deserve the last twelve months. I know I’ve been hell to live with —short-tempered and angry. It’s not fair on you and you don’t deserve it. Plus I haven’t been able to do the things we usually do. It’s no wonder you’re pissed off with me.”

Sebastian’s eyebrows rose. “Pissed off? Are you kidding? I couldn’t give a shit about you not being able to do things with me.” He huffed in obvious frustration. “I mean, I miss being able to share the time doing the stuff we used to. Kayaking isn’t the same with Matt or one of the other guys, but that isn’t why I’m pissed. I understand you can’t do what you used to be able to do, but it’s physical, Owen. You aren’t choosing not to be with me when I want to go out and do something active. You have a physical limitation. A busted shoulder. I understand that.”

“But you shouldn’t have to.” Owen hated that Sebastian had to change his life to fit in with him.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re the one who’s concerned, not me. I worry about you, obviously. Do I wish you didn’t have the shoulder injury? Hell, yes. Do I wish you weren’t in pain and could sleep undisturbed through the night? You bet I do. And do I want you to enjoy an afternoon spent kayaking? Too right. But I want all those things because I know how much you love the feel of being out on the water. I want you to be able to run and swim and paddle, but not for me —for you. If we can never do any of those things together again, I’ll be okay, because there’s so much else we do do with each other. My happiness and desire to be with you isn’t linked to outdoor pursuits, it’s linked to being with you whatever we are doing —our morning chats over coffee, walks out on the island, watching those stupid comedies you love so much. Hell, even doing the housework.”

Owen stood speechless, unsure what to say as Sebastian sighed and turned away. He watched as Sebastian strode to the window and stared out at the city beyond. Owen gathered his thoughts, trying to work out what to say so he didn’t open his big mouth and say something he’d regret. He seemed to have a habit of putting his foot in it lately and he didn’t want to make the already tense situation worse. Before he could speak, Sebastian spun around and faced him again.

“Look, Owen. As much as it pains me to say this, I think we need some time apart. We’ve both said what we wanted to say.” — have we? — “Some distance will give you some time to digest what I’ve said, and I really hope you think it over. I mean every word. I love you, Owen, bunged up shoulder or not. It hurts me that you don’t trust enough in my love to believe that. That’s what causes me the most pain —that you doubt us. I thought we were past that, that we were strong, that we were more than…” His voice trailed off and the look of anger had been replaced with sadness.

Owen swallowed past the lump in his throat, arms itching to pull Sebastian into his arms, but Owen remembered the raised hand from earlier in their conversation and didn’t want to risk Sebastian pulling away. He didn’t think his heart could stand the rejection. Instead, his hand dropped to his wrist and he toyed with the leather wrapped securely there. “I —”

Sebastian didn’t let him finish. He offered a small smile. “It’s okay, Owen, really. I think if I stay we’ll just ending up fighting more. So I’m going to Bruny.” Sebastian put a finger to Owen’s lips. “Now before you say anything, it’s not for long. I’m not leaving you. I’m just giving you some space. I’ll stay there for a couple of days, maybe a week. I’ll work from the house out there. While I’m gone, maybe you can work out what you really want, perhaps see the surgeon and talk about getting the surgery you need.”

Owen finally reached out his arms —there was no way he wanted to let Sebastian go but Sebastian put his hands up again. “Owen, let me leave.”

Owen fought the urge to ignore the gesture and the words, to pull Sebastian to him anyway, but eventually nodded. As much as his throat ached and his heart felt heavy, he knew Sebastian was right and he did have to get his shit together. But that didn’t make it hurt any less when Sebastian only relaxed once he had Owen’s agreement.

He smiled gently, stepped forward and wrapped Owen in a tight hug. “Thank you,” he whispered against Owen’s cheek.

Given Owen’s recent worries about their age difference, why did it feel like Sebastian was the grown up in the relationship?

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Buy Links

MLR Press 

Add it to your Goodreads shelf here.

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About Nic Starr

Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!

When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family-an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters-and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.

You can find Nic on Facebook, Twitter and her blog. She’d love it if you stopped by to say hi.

Giveaway

I’ve created a Rafflecopter giveaway to celebrate the release of Sebastian & Owen. Here is the information in case you want to include it on your blog.

The prize is a $10 Amazon Gift card. The Rafflecopter will start shortly and close on 18th October.

Here is the link.

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A MelanieM Release Day Review: Blueprint (Out of the Blue #4) by R.J. Jones

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

blueprintIf only building the foundation for a lasting relationship was as easy as drafting the blueprint.

Jet Black doesn’t date. Even if he wanted a man beyond sex, his ever-watchful identical twin scares potential suitors away. Jet lives with his brother, but since Gray fell in love with Kris, Jet feels like a third wheel. Despite their bond, Jet knows he needs to move out and experience life for himself, whether Gray likes it or not.

After his father dies in a boating accident, Ethan Nichols is devastated. As the last survivor of his family, he feels the need to put down roots. He leaves Australia and returns home to San Francisco and his old architectural firm. But there’s more to building a new life than simply moving house.

Jet and Ethan’s first encounter is brash and anonymous, but when Ethan moves across the hall, their lives become irrevocably linked. Jet is quirky and fun loving, while Ethan is rock steady and dependable. There’s no denying the passionate spark between them.

But Ethan is looking for a more solid foundation than Jet is ready to offer. Until Jet learns to spread his wings and trust Ethan with his darkest secrets, building a life together will be impossible.

I read Blueprint (Out of the Blue #4) by R.J. Jones as a standalone novel and loved it but upon reading the notes I can only imagine what my rating might have been had I read it as a part of the series as the author had intended.  As it was, the characters of Jet, Gray, Kris and Ethan drew me in and connected me deeply to their lives and past history.  The twins brutal past history  is more than adequately explained here, In fact, its crushing enough in some details, that I can’t imagine what prior books must go into.

But oh how these twins climb into your heart.  Here its Jet finding love with Ethan, but where there’s one, the other is right behind as is his partner.  Its a package deal, one we are so grateful for.

Jones brings all these people vividly to life, foibles, heartache, past histories.  Its there.  From the moment I moved into the story, I was sunk deep into the storyline.  It moved along swiftly, almost too much so.  I wanted it to slow down at parts so I could savor the relationships forming between all four men, the surprises that popped up, the rollercoaster ride of emotions that comes with dating someone like Jet.  Its quite the story and romance.

And yes, it  ended too soon.  I wanted more.  I hope I will get it  in the form of another story.  In the meantime.  I will be returning to all the previous novels in the series that I missed.  I highly recommend this story.  You can read it like me, as a standalone or as part of a series.  Your choice.  But read it,  its a wonderful story.

Cover works for the story and character.

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Book Details:

**This can be read as a standalone, however it is best enjoyed reading the series in order as side characters play a major role.**ebook, 221 pages

Expected publication: October 14th 2016 by Vivid Blue Press
Edition LanguageEnglish
URL https://rjjonesauthor.com/my-books/blueprint/
Series Out of the Blue – Goodreads links here: