Does Age Make A Difference? Find out with ‘Dom of Ages’ by KC Wells & Parker Williams (excerpt/giveaway)

DomofAgesFS

Dom of Ages (Collars & Cuffs #7) by K.C. Wells & Parker Williams
Release Date: December 21, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond
Photo Credits: Joey Flyfoto, Model: Dirk Caber

 

Blurb

Eli may only be thirty, but he has had enough of pretend submissives. He wants a sub who truly knows how to submit. So when he spies Jarod in a BDSM club, everything about the man screams submission. It doesn’t matter that Jarod has to be about twenty years older than Eli. What does age matter, anyway? Not one to miss an opportunity, Eli moves fast and takes Jarod home with him, without thinking things through. All he can see is what he’s always wanted – a sub who wants to serve.

Jarod spent twenty-eight years with his Master, until Fate took Phillip from him. Four years on, and Jarod is still lost, so when a young Dom takes charge, Jarod rolls with it and finds himself serving again. But he keeps waiting for the shoe to drop. Because there’s going to come a point when Eli realizes he’s a laughing stock in the club. Who would want to be seen with a fifty-year-old sub? And when the moment of humiliation does arrive, Jarod flees. He’d be better off with Phillip.

Despite several missteps, what happens forces Eli to understand that Jarod needs him as much as he needs Jarod. But he knows in order to find happiness, they need friends who will understand. A friend keeps telling him Collars & Cuffs is what they need. Eli finally goes to visit, refusing to risk Jarod being hurt again, and finds everything he’s heard about the club is true. When he takes Jarod, he watches as his sub is met with open arms. As they settle in to their new life, Eli begins to see things differently. And he dares to think he can have it all. Until the phone call that shows him he didn’t realize what he could lose.

 

Pages or Words: 92,000 words
Categories: BDSM, Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance, May-December Romance

Excerpt:

Jarod

I eyed the other subs enviously as they preened for the Doms, each hoping to spend an hour in a private room with one of them. I felt like a kid again, always the last one picked for sports. The looks I got ranged from amused to withering. I couldn’t believe I’d subjected myself to this. What was worse, I’d actually expected a different outcome.

I sighed deeply. Who was I fooling? I wasn’t twenty anymore. Hell, I wasn’t even twice that. The Doms wanted someone younger, someone trainable, or, failing that, someone who could give them a hot fuck. I had talents in that department from the many years I had served Master Phillip, but since he died, I’d been a submissive who had no one to serve.

“And what are you supposed to be?” a voice near my ear snapped.

“My name is Jarod, Sir,” I answered quietly, my heart thumping so loudly I was certain he could hear it.

There was a low growl. “I didn’t ask your name. I asked what you think you’re doing here.”

Heaven help me, I told him the truth. “Searching for someone to serve, Sir.”

His braying laugh mocked me. When he saw I was serious, he sobered. “No one is going to take you. No master is going to have you.” Then in a softer voice he added, “Go home. You don’t belong here.”

He was right, of course. It was time I admitted that to myself. This was a world that wasn’t like the one I’d been part of. When Master Phillip and I went to the clubs, there was an understanding. People were respectful, even if they weren’t interested in whatever was going on. This club was awful. It was full of young men strutting around like peacocks, each trying to show off more plumage than the next.

It was time to stop kidding myself. There was no reason for me to stay any longer. I’d be on my way, and then everyone would probably have a good laugh at my expense. At least in that, I would have made someone happy. I was about to stand when I felt a hand on my shoulder and smelled the leather.

“What is it you want?”

His breath smelled of mint. It wafted over my face and made my stomach clench with nerves. “To serve, Sir.”

Silence. I waited for it, the inevitable comeback, the jeer, the insult….

“That’s a very good answer, boy. Very good indeed. Stand and turn.”

I rose to my feet and faced the man whose voice gave me butterflies. When I saw him, my heart dropped and crushed them all to dust. The man was handsome, I would never say otherwise, but he was a child. I wanted a Master to serve, not to be a toy for a youngster who would grow bored with me the next time a pretty pony boy pranced by.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Jarod, Sir,” I replied, cursing my cracking voice.

He held out his hand and took mine. His grip was firm and warm, and a jolt of electricity ran through me at his touch.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Eli.”

His name was like a caress. There was a gentleness to his voice that had me feeling as though everything might be okay after all. I tried to be surreptitious about it as I looked him over, and he laughed.

“You don’t need to hide anything from me. If you want to look at me, go ahead.”

I raised my head and marveled at how his green eyes shone in the bright lights. His short, spiky hair was dark, but with the colored lights flashing, it was hard to tell what color it was. I had the insane urge to run my fingers through it. He was about my height, and the way those black leather pants clung to his muscular thighs, I really wanted to see his legs. He was slender, but with good definition: it wasn’t a six-pack, but I wouldn’t have minded running my hands over it.

“Aren’t you a bit old for this, Jarod?” His voice was deep, and my skin pebbled at his tone. With a shock I realized he wasn’t mocking me; he was genuinely curious.

Once more I felt compelled to speak the truth. “No, Sir. I-I don’t believe I am.”

His fingers traced along my neck, running gently across my throat. I swallowed hard. It was so different from the treatment I’d received from everyone else here.

“Would you like to play?”

And with those words my heart dropped. “No. I’d rather not.” I was shocked to hear the words come from my mouth. Never before had I told a Sir no, but it seemed to be a night for honesty. Of all the times to be honest, though…. I remained still, awaiting his imminent departure.

“Good. I’m glad. I’m not here to play either.” He was quiet for a moment. “I want you to come home with me. Would that be okay?”

My breath caught. What the hell? He was so different from everyone else in this club. My heartbeat sped up. “Yes, please.” My damn voice squeaked again.

I felt the smooth leather against my throat. “This doesn’t come off until I say so. Is this agreed?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

I cursed myself for forgetting. “Yes, Sir.”

Buy the book:

Dreamspinner Press eBook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7217

Dreamspinner Press Paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7218

E-BOOKS 1 – 6 are on sale at Dreamspinner for $1.00 each! http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=907

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Meet the authors:

K.C. Wells:

Born and raised in the north-west of England, K.C. Wells always loved writing. Words were important. Full stop. However, when childhood gave way to adulthood, the writing ceased, as life got in the way.

K.C. discovered erotic fiction in 2009, where the purchase of a ménage storyline led to the startling discovery that reading about men in love was damn hot. In 2012, arriving at a really low point in life led to the desperate need to do something creative. An even bigger discovery waited in the wings—writing about men in love was even hotter….

K.C. now writes full time and is loving every minute of her new career.

The laptop still has no idea of what hit it… it only knows that it wants a rest, please. And it now has to get used to the idea that where K.C goes, it goes.

Parker Williams:

Parker Williams began to write as a teen, but never showed his work to anyone. As he grew older, he drifted away from writing, but his love of the written word moved him to reading. A chance encounter with an author changed the course of his life as she encouraged him to never give up on a dream. With the help of some amazing friends, he rediscovered the joy of writing, thanks to a community of writers who have become his family.

Parker firmly believes in love, but is also of the opinion that anything worth having requires work and sacrifice (plus a little hurt and angst, too). The course of love is never a smooth one, and Happily Ever After always has a price tag.

Where to find the authors:

KC:

Parker:


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Inked Rainbow Reads, Bayou Book Junkie, Decadent Delights, 3 Chicks After Dark, Gay Book Reviews, Unquietly Me, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Alpha Book Club, The Hat Party, Divine Magazine, BFD Book Blog, Happily Ever Chapter, Love Bytes, Lee Brazil, Jessie G. Books, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, TTC Books and More, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Book Lovers 4Ever, My Fiction Nook, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Charley Descoteaux, Carly’s Book Reviews, Molly Lolly, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, KathyMac Reviews, Three Books Over the Rainbow, Bonkers About Books, Emotion in Motion, A.M. Leibowitz, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Velvet Panic, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: One of three $10 ARe gift cards, plus K.C. and Will are going to be stopping at each blog and picking a winner from the comments to receive a copy of ‘An Unlocked Heart’ (or one of the other first six books in the series).  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the authors and Pride Promotions.

 

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Love Men In Uniform No Matter the Genre? Check out Men In Uniform Anthology! (excerpts/contest)

MIU_Alt_Banner

Title: Men in Uniform
Authors: Eric Gober, CJ Baty, Alina Popescu, Kassandra Lea,
Asta Idonea, Eddy LeFey, Lily Velden, Jim Dunaway, Carol Pedroso, Jo Tannah
Genre:  Gay Romance, Military, Contemporary, Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publshing

Synopsis

Like your boys in blue keeping the… peace?

Hot firemen dealing with… heat?

Naval Officers getting in way too… deep?

Perhaps you have a ‘thing’ for marines…

Or do you prefer your Men In Uniform to belong in the future?

Another galaxy?

Another time?

Wherever your love of a uniform leads you, MEN IN UNIFORM has something for you.

Blue Knight By Carol Pedroso – Excerpt

Franc stood under the hot water of the shower and tried to wash off the touch of the other men. His lips were split, his ass was throbbing, his throat felt like it was lined with sandpaper, and he had various other cuts and bruises.

Five minutes remaining, came the computer’s voice. Franc cursed the fifteen-minute-shower rule; he wanted to stay there all night. Rinsing himself once more, he turned off the water and grabbed his towel.

As he exited the cubicle to head for his locker, he froze. Just entering the shower room and heading for the lockers was the Peta ambassador. How was he supposed to get past him? His instinct told him it wouldn’t be good if the ambassador saw him. But his attention was captured by what the alien wore. He had only ever seen the ambassador in his robes of office—except in the hallway after the water incident. But then he had been too distracted to notice. Now the male wore human workout clothes: shorts, T-shirt, and training shoes. The fit of the clothes showed off a muscular but lean build, and lots of blue skin. His red hair was braided and hung down his back, touching the top of his fine, firm ass.

Franc must have stared too long or made some sort of noise. The ambassador turned and their gazes locked for a few seconds before Franc dropped his to the floor.

His cheeks heated as he realized he was still wrapped in his towel and nothing else. His mind raced as he tried to think of a way to get his clothes and get out with the minimum of conversation.

A Spark in the Shadows by Kassandra Lea

Warden drove the motorcycle up on the sidewalk, parking it close to a brick building that looked indistinguishable from all the others. He killed the engine, letting the silence sweep in. Tonight the streets were truly deserted. Warden placed his helmet on the seat, then passed his hand over a sigil, uttering a single word. The charm was another gift from the necromancer; nobody would even see the bike now, as the charm had masked it. Knowing he hadn’t been followed, Warden glanced back nonetheless. If his fellow boys in blue knew where he was and why, he’d be thrown out on his ass so fast. He had worked too hard to break the cycle….

And yet here he was skulking around in the dark.

“Suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he grumbled. The pack, his so-called family, were vagabonds, low-rung thieves, and two-bit criminals. Professions he swore to get away from, a way he refused to live his life. The day he graduated the academy, with flying colors of course, he became a disgrace, no longer the esteemed pack leader’s son. A traitor, especially since he wouldn’t play dirty for their sake.

Oh, but if they could only see him now. The unquenchable thirst of love drew Warden to the God-forsaken place.

Rusted hinges protested as he forced an old steel door open. There was no telling the identity of the business that used to call the space home, a mess left behind. Broken bits of furniture; long dead leaves, never mind the absence of a tree outside; and other pieces of trash, some the likes of which Warden tried not to think about, littered the floor. He wasn’t sure if the lowliness people could sink to disgusted him or made him sad. Either way, he loathed the stench and barely cared that all these things served their purpose; to keep the unwanted away.

Men In Uniform Cover

Buy Links

Don’t miss WIP’s Christmas Sale – 30% off all titles till December 24th!

WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/men-in-uniform-a-wayward-ink-publishing-anthology/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-meninuniformawaywardinkpublishinganthology-1939285-166.html
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Men-Uniform-Wayward-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B018VB6HJW/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Men-Uniform-Wayward-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B018VB6HJW/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Men-Uniform-Wayward-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B018VB6HJW/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/Men-Uniform-Wayward-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B018VB6HJW/

Book Trailer

 

Stories Included

IssueNo.1

Issue No. 1

ERIC GOBER

Come to a land…

Where epic battles rage…

Among monsters, superheroes, and a very sexy cop.

Love and war are funny business in Hollywood, U.S.A.

PinkertonManThe Pinkerton Man

CJ BATY

A blackmailer forced Stiles to leave his perfect life behind.

Along the way, he found a new friend, a job as a Pinkerton Agent, and murder.

Can Stiles find the murderer before he kills again?

ProtectTheExMission: Protect the Ex

ALINA POPESCU

Sean never thought his military career would ever have him babysitting his ex who Sean hasn’t seen in six months.

When best friend Tom finds out his younger brother Aiden is targeted, Sean drops everything to protect the man he still loves.

Can two former lovers survive a weekend alone in the woods, or will the threat from within be more devastating than the one from outside?

SparkInTheShadowsA Spark in the Shadows

KASSANDRA LEA

Love beckons Officer Warden Brooks to the shadows of a desolate place.

But his lover Tate Eldridge is so much more than a criminal, he’s a beautiful mystery.

 

HHHHHis Heart Held Hostage

ASTA IDONEA

When his father loses the battle against Hrafnaheim, Prince Darius finds himself a political prisoner.

Taken in chains to a dark and unfamiliar land, he begins to lose hope.

But then Captain Morten Gunnarsson of the Palace Guards is assigned to watch over him.

Now it is not just Darius’ body being held hostage, but also his heart.

EmperorsSlaveThe Emperor’s Slave

EDDY LEFEY

When the Draaduuri arrived on Earth many humans died.

Captain Timothy Kellerman’s family was among them

Now, a truce has been struck. He is the prize.

Crown Prince Yuuhaan has instantly bonded with his slave.

Can the prince keep his baser instincts in check long enough for Timothy to transform?

To become the next great hope of the Draaduuri and the human race?

YesYesYesYes! Yes! Yes!

LILY VELDEN

Go to Portsmouth, said my friends. It’s quieter. You’ll be able to write without distraction.

They obviously hadn’t met my mysterious and elusive neighbour, Finn.…

After all, what would a Friday night be without hearing Moaner, Gusher, or Squeaker screaming out their joy at being shagged senseless by the obviously talented Finn?

Come to think of it, what would a Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night be without it either?

Thank God for Mondays!

FirefighterMarineThe Firefighter and the Marine

JIM DUNAWAY

Apartment building fires are always tragic, even if everyone makes it out alive. But what happens when a person can’t make it out on their own?

Brave firefighters must risk their lives in order to rescue trapped people.

Lieutenant Kenny Whitfield is one such firefighter. Brave and somewhat reckless. 

Lance Corporal Steve Martinson is one such person in need.

When Kenny and Steve meet face to face in the hospital, well…

BlueKnightBlue Knight

CAROL PEDROSO

Franc has resigned himself to yet another year of pain and humiliation in order to complete his on ship training.

Then along comes Zyph, with his sexy blue skin and probing questions…

Will he be Franc’s Blue Knight?

RoyalGuardianThe Royal Guardian

JO TANNAH

Warrior and Dragon Seek to Destroy Those Who Had Dared Harm Their Prince.

 

Giveaway

Prize: $10 WIP Gift Card

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Cover reveal for ‘Unquiet’ by Melanie Hansen (excerpt and contest)

Unquiet

Unquiet (Resilient Love #3) by Melanie Hansen
Release Date: January 22, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

 

Blurb

Loren Smith has been in love with Eliot Devlin almost his entire life. During their turbulent childhood and teen years, Loren didn’t always understand Eliot, and sometimes he could be a challenge, but Eliot was the only one to ever truly ease Loren’s deep loneliness and accept him. When Eliot’s increasingly erratic and self-destructive behavior culminates in a suicide attempt at seventeen, Loren is devastated.

Upon meeting again by chance nine years later, Loren is enjoying a successful career as a police officer while Eliot’s life has been a constant struggle for stability. In and out of mental hospitals, with a rap sheet a mile long, he continues to be buffeted by the twin storms of mania and depression. Loren’s love and protectiveness for Eliot are deeply ingrained in him, however, and their feelings for each other are quickly rekindled.

Loren has issues of his own he’s dealing with, and trying to understand and cope with Eliot’s bipolar disorder isn’t easy. They believe they’re meant to be, and Eliot brings a fulfillment to Loren’s life that no one else will ever match. But as they both come to realize, love by itself can’t cure all.

 

Pages or Words: 102,000 words
Unquiet can be read as a standalone
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt

“Are you happy, El?” Loren finally asked. “I’ve seen so many different incarnations of your moods, but I honestly don’t know if I’d recognize happiness in you.” His voice held a faint note of apology for asking, and Eliot glanced at him, surprised but pleased by Loren’s candor.

“I don’t know if I’d recognize happiness either, Loren,” he admitted, rubbing his thumb over the back of Loren’s hand when he threw Eliot a stricken look. “Hey, hey,” Eliot said reassuringly. “I don’t mean that the way it sounds.”

Eliot blew out a breath, thinking about how to explain this. Loren waited, but his lips were pressed together in a tight line, and Eliot squeezed his fingers.

“Usually when I wake up in the morning, I’m afraid,” he said, and Loren opened his mouth to speak but then didn’t say anything. Eliot glanced at him again, then continued, “I feel the craziness, the madness lurking, just waiting for me. It feels like it’s attached to me, that when I get out of bed, I’m dragging it with me. It’s always there, ready to pounce and swallow me up.”

“Oh, El,” Loren whispered.

Eliot stroked his hand. “And this morning when I woke up, I wasn’t afraid. I think that’s what it feels like to be happy. It’s enough for me.”

Loren didn’t say anything, but a lone tear slid down his cheek. Eliot reached up and wiped it away with his thumb, stroking Loren’s jaw tenderly.

“What’s the matter, honey?”

Just then the sign for a scenic lookout appeared, and Loren took the exit, parking the truck. He stared through the windshield, blinking fast, more tears welling up.

“The thought of you for all those years, waking up afraid,” he whispered brokenly. “And I wasn’t there, Eliot. I wasn’t there.” Eliot could see Loren’s throat working as he fought not to cry, and with a soft exclamation, Eliot opened his arms, gathering him close. He stroked Loren’s hair, feeling the hot wetness of tears against his neck.

“But you were there, Loren. Shhh,” he soothed.

When Loren calmed a little, Eliot pulled back and took Loren’s face in his hands, forcing him to meet his eyes.

“I’ve been in a lot of therapy over the years, and they always ask me the same thing, what my best memories are, what memories do I have of feeling happy or safe. I’m supposed to bring them to mind when I’m stressed or scared or angry. It’s part of cognitive therapy, learning to readjust your thinking, to focus on good things and not negative things.”

Eliot caressed Loren’s face. “And Loren, there’s a lot I don’t remember, but what I do, every single one of those types of memories is about you. Being kids, riding our bikes, playing with toys, laughing at stupid jokes. Then later the way you held me in the dark after a nightmare or sat with me when I was so sad and hurting that I wanted to die. The way you—the way you loved me, loved my batshit crazy and fucked-up mess.

“You’ve always been with me, Loren, through my memories. Always.”

Loren completely lost it then, and Eliot let him cry it out, murmuring to him, rocking him, reveling in being the one to comfort, to soothe, of being able to shore up the man he loved when he needed it.

Finally the storm passed and Loren pulled away, sitting up and scrubbing his hands over his face.

“I’m glad, El,” he rasped, clearing his throat several times before starting the truck and pulling back onto the interstate. “I’m glad I’m your best memories.”

 

Buy the book:

Dreamspinner Press ebook  and  paperback

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Meet the Author:

Melanie Hansen has spent time in Texas and Florida prisons…for work. She’s been in a room with a 17-year-old mass murderer who was also one of the most soft-spoken and polite teenagers she’s ever met. After a 13-year career as a court reporter, she can tell many stories both hilarious and heartbreaking.

She grew up with an Air Force dad, and ended up marrying a Navy man. After living and working all over the country, she hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.

Melanie left the stressful world of the courtroom behind and now enjoys a rewarding career transcribing for a deaf student. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Books A to Z, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Hat Party, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, Happily Ever Chapter, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Havan Fellows, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Love Bytes, BFD Book Blog, Louise Lyons, Nephy Hart, Iyana Jenna, MM Good Book Reviews, Jessie G. Books, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Alpha Book Club, Mikky’s World of Books, Book Lovers 4Ever

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $20 Amazon gift card.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

 

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A Mika Advent Story Review: Not the Best Day by Brynn Stein

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars 

Sleigh Ride Advent StoryHenry hates Christmas shopping. Hates it with a passion. But here he is, downtown shopping two days before Christmas. It would almost be bearable except for the jerk in the trapper hat and plaid scarf who keeps turning up like a bad penny, apparently with no other goal in life than to make Henry’s already crappy day even crappier. Henry doesn’t know what’s up with the guy, but Henry wishes he’d just go away. That doesn’t seem to be in the cards, however. In a day full of surprises, the biggest is yet to come.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package “Sleigh Ride”.

 This suffered from lack of development. The couple doesn’t even make an appearance together until the last 4% maybe. Until then it’s a story about one guy’s hectic Christmas shopping, and another guy seeming aloof during the holidays. They explained everything, but it seemed out of place in this story. Neither characters were interesting enough & they seemed very thrown together. No chemistry even when they are together. Sadly this missed the mark for me.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 32 pages
Published November 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB018RRVQPK
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Sleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

Winter Solstice and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

stonehenge-winter-solstice-2012-35

Winter Solstice

This  year Winter Solstice falls on December 22nd, our shortest day of the year.  What is Winter Solstice?  At its most scientific, it can be defined per Wikipedia as ” Winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Winter solstice occurs for the Northern Hemisphere in December and for the Southern Hemisphere in June.”

I found a wonderful article in The Daily Telegraph, ‘What exactly is the winter solstice? By Cameron Macphail, complete with pictures of the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge that defined the day as “sunstill” according to ancient tradition. Read it to find out why.  Its a great article.  Don’t miss out on it.  But honestly, when searching out meanings for the Winter Solstice, you will be flooded with hits. Why?

Because its meaning and celebrations through the centuries makes it so much more than that simple sentence makes it out to be.

For many civilizations and cultures,  the shortest day also meant the longest night of the year. For some a time when spirits visited, the separations between worlds narrows, when the bonfires are lighted to keep the spirits away, and all draw close around the fires. As Cameron Macphail points out, animals were slaughtered so they didn’t have to be fed in the winter, feasts were held, pagan celebrations in hope for a short winter, and fruitful spring.

Because Yule is also a celebration of the return of the sun, for that is what happens once the longest night is over.  The sun’s rebirth starts the next day when starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs a bit higher and stays a bit longer in the sky every day.

From Yule by Akasha:

Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were “wassailed” with toasts of spiced cider.  Children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun.  The boughs were symbolic of immortality (evergreens were sacred to the Celts because they did not “die” thereby representing the eternal aspect of the Gods. The wheat stalks portrayed the harvest, and the flour was accomplishment of triumph, light, and life. Holly and ivy not only decorated the outside, but also the inside of homes, in hopes Nature Spirits would come and join the celebration. A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to visit the residents. Mistletoe was also hung as decoration.  It represented the seed of the Divine, and at Midwinter, the Druids would travel deep into the forest to harvest it.

The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the Solstice festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder’s land, or given as a gift… it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze by a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice.

Think…how many of these traditions are followed in some manner today.

 

No matter your Winter Solstice or Yuletide traditions, whether it be decorating with holly and the ivy or burning the yule log, may your long Winter Solstice night be filled with love, laughter, good books and cheer!

snowflake

Now for This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 20:

  • Winter Solstice and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
  • A Mika Advent Story Review: Not the Best Day by Brynn Stein

Monday, December 21:

  • Cover reveal ‘Unquiet’ by Melanie Hansen (excerpt and contest)
  • Anthology Spotlight: Men In Uniform (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Wild & Sexy with ‘Dom of Ages’ by KC Wells & Parker Williams (excerpt/giveaway)
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Dom of the Ages by Will Parker and KC Wells
  • An Ali Advent Story Review: Loving and Loathing Las Vegas by Lex Chase

Tuesday, December 22 (Winter Solstice) :

  • Morticia Knight ‘Safe Limits’ book blast and giveaway
  • When It’s Right (Mile High Romance #1) by Aria Grace tour and  contest
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Sleeping Til Sunrise by Mary Calmes
  • A Paul Advent Story Review: Worth the Wait by Caitlin Ricci and Cari Z
  • A BJ Review: A Policy of Lies by Astrid Amara
  • A Stella Review: Reindeer Games by Kenzie Cade

Wednesday, December 23:

  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Tina Blenke ‘Life Worth Living’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A MelanieM Review: Down and Dirty by Rhys Ford
  • A BJ Review:  Turbulence (Turbulence #1) by Lyn Gala
  • A Paul B Advent Story Review: Son of Santa by Kate Sands
  • A Stella Review: Out of the Blues by Mercy Celeste

Thursday, December 24:

  • Sidewinders are Back with Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux (Riptide Tour)
  • A MelanieM Review: Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux
  • A BJ Review: Cinder by Marie Sexton
  • A Paul B Advent Story Review: Teddy Bear Christmas by CC Bridges
  • A Free Dreamer Review: The Hot Floor by Josephine Myles

Friday, December 25 (Merry Christmas!)

  • Caraway Carter ‘The First Time’ book blast and contest
  • Nicolas by Dianne Hartsock virtual tour and giveaway
  • A MelanieM Advent Story Review: Four Alternative Christmas Present by Tam MacNeil
  • A BJ Review: Turbulence by Lyn Gala
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Flesh Market (Bodies and Souls #1) by Kate Lowell
  • A Sammy Review: Rock Rod Studios Series by Emory Vargas

Saturday, December 26:

  • A MelanieM Advent Story Review: An Assassin’s Holiday by Dirk Greyson
  • An Aurora YA Review: Reasons to Love a Nerd Like Me by Becky Jerams

 

 

 

 

 

A BJ Review: A Policy of Lies by Astrid Amara

 

 

A Mika Advent Story Review: Old Acquaintance by Avon Gale

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars 

Sleigh Ride Advent StoryAndrew Starling thought when he sold his medical database software to a national corporation, it would finally give him and his wife the financial security needed to build their dream home in the exclusive, wealthy community of Ponte Vedra, Florida. But Andrew’s wife leaves him for another man before the ink dries on the contract, leaving Andrew to enjoy the fruits of his labors—and their sprawling, oceanfront home—all alone. Despite being convinced he has nothing much to celebrate, Andrew goes to the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club’s annual New Year’s Eve party… and meets Elias Rivas, the young, good-looking server who’s always had his eye on Andrew. It might be the new beginning Andrew didn’t even know he needed.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package “Sleigh Ride”.

Short and sexy story between two guys. I’ll admit the beginning was a little rocky to me. Andrew seemed boring, and a bit dreadful. He didn’t seem angry about his divorce at all. He seemed more perplexed by it. I thought that was funny, I can almost picture him face screwed up in frustration trying to figure out why. I liked Elias character, it was very sure of himself and I’m glad to see that for this age-gap story. I liked them together, they were hot. Seems like it’s a good HFN. I’d love to see more of them in the future.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 37 pages
Published November 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB018RSH5M2
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

A Stella Advent Story Review: Best Laid Trap (Sleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar) by Rob Rosen

Rating 4,5 out of 5 stars

Sleigh Ride Advent StoryRoy has a crush on Steve, so when a work-related ski weekend is offered, Roy jumps at the chance to finally lay a trap for his hunky coworker. An abandoned cabin nearby is perfect for his scheme, and Roy stocks it with champagne, rubbers, and lube. But fate intervenes, and it’s not Steve, but Ranger Josh, who ends up trapped in the cabin with Roy during an avalanche. Roy’s plan might be ruined, but there’s still a chance for a very happy New Year indeed.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package “Sleigh Ride”.

Surprisingly this super short story, just twenty five pages, was one of my favorite among the ones I read in the DSP Advent Calendar and I liked all of them.

I found Best Laid Trap to be very funny, I laugh a lot at Roy’s smart mind. His misadventures with a really well planned trap to catch a coworker he’s in lust with, will lead him to be trapped by a snow storm in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and rescued by an adorable and sexy ranger. Their meeting develops in some hot moments and a sweet ending.

I liked the smart writing, if this is the author’s writing style, I have to check more about Rob Rosen works.

The COVER ART by Paul Richmond is so cute and his style is unique and lovely. He’s one of my favorite artist so of course this one is a winner to me.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 25 pages
Published November 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB018RSHAO0
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

Its Back to A Moments in Time with Moment of Silence by Karen Sitivali (A Moments in Time novel)

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Moment Of Silence (Moments in Time #4) by Karen Stivali
This book is a ‘Moments in Time Novel’.
It takes place in the same world, but can be read separately.
Release Date: December 18, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska

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Blurb

Growing up, Jason Stern led a charmed life complete with devoted sisters, a father who was one of Brooklyn’s most respected rabbis, and a mother who made the world’s best babka. He headed to NYU ready for anything—except falling for the wrong guy, coming out, and getting disowned by his once-loving family. In spite of that, Jason managed to graduate with honors. He’s got friends who treat him like family, and he’s proudly running the largest LGBTQ teen shelter in Manhattan. Life is good, but he’s still falling for the wrong men.

When charming, sexy Quinn Fitzpatrick begins work at the shelter, Jason falls hard and fast. Quinn is tall, blond, funny—damn near perfect. Only if Quinn’s gay, even he doesn’t seem to know it. If he does, he’s not telling anyone. And he’s about one ceremony away from becoming a Catholic priest.

Long hours of work turn to long nights of talking and laughter, and Jason dares to hope this time he’s falling for the right guy. But Quinn’s got a past to deal with and major decisions to make about his future. When Quinn leaves for a silent retreat, Jason knows the silence may change everything.

Pages or Words: 76,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance

Excerpt

Pierogi were just what the evening required. We got two orders, potato with fried onions, and cheese doused in butter. To round things out, we added a gigantic link of kielbasa and finished it all off with blueberry blintzes. By the time we were done eating, I was so full I could barely move.

“This was awesome.” Quinn licked a purple streak of blueberry off his fork before setting it down and pushing his plate away.

I was too mesmerized by the sight of his tongue to speak right away.

The waitress stopped at our booth. “All set?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

She placed the paper check between us, and Quinn reached for it, but I grabbed it first. “I’ve got this one. Make up for the popcorn you gave away.”

“You don’t have to do that.” He pulled out his wallet and put a twenty on the table.

“You can’t let anyone do anything for you, can you?”

Quinn’s eyes bugged, then softened. “Yeah, I guess I do have a problem with that sometimes.”

“Sometimes?”

“Okay, most of the time.”

“You know what they say. The first step is admitting you have a problem. And the second is letting me pay for dinner.” I stuck the check and enough money for the meal and tip under the glass sugar shaker, then grabbed Quinn’s twenty, folded it in half, leaned over, and tucked it into his shirt pocket.

My fingers were in the pocket before I fully realized what I was doing. Then the whole universe condensed into the drag of my fingers on that two-inch-square area of his chest. His rock-solid chest that tightened the instant I made contact. My own chest froze, devoid of air. I’d forgotten how to breathe. All I could do was think about the fact that I had my hand on this man who’d consumed my waking and sleeping hours for weeks. And I had to let go. Literally.

I pulled my hand away, trying to turn the rush of breath that returned to my lungs into something resembling a laugh. “Ready to get out of here?”

Quinn nodded.

Shit. He’s silent again. Did he notice that moment of fantasy lust I just played out? What the fuck is wrong with me? Way to make him uncomfortable. Fuck—My monologue of self-criticism was interrupted by his hand on my shoulder.

His hand was probably a normal temperature, but given the heat it generated in my body, he might as well have been the Human Torch . Great. I’m not only in love with a straight priest, he’s also a superhero.

Quinn chuckled, and for a second I worried I’d said my crazy thoughts out loud. My face flushed to match the heat that coursed through the rest of me. “What?”

He handed me my keys. “You left these on the table.”

“Oh.” I took them, heat flaring through me in another rush when his fingers brushed mine as he placed the keyring in my hand. “Thanks. Geez. That would have sucked if I’d left those here.”

“Yeah.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I nearly tripped over the step as we left the restaurant. It was a text from Campbell. I laughed. “Apparently my roommate’s having an orange juice crisis, as in we’re out of orange juice. I need to stop at the bodega on the way home. I feel like we’re married sometimes. In a weird, sexless way.” Stop talking. Now.

“It’s good you get along so well.”

I gestured to the store on the next corner. “You need anything?”

“Nah. I’m too full to even think about eating or drinking anything.”

“The power of the pierogi.”

He grinned. “See you tomorrow?”

“Get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll work on those shelves. Unless you think we need to run the math one more time.”

“Just triple-checking your skills.” The teasing sound in his voice made me want to stay on that corner and talk to him all night. Anything to keep hold of the pleasant hum that was vibrating through my body. But then he turned away, heading toward his place, hand in the air in a backward wave of sorts. “Good night.”

It was indeed. “Night.”

 

Buy the book:  Dreamspinnner eBook and Paperback

99 cent sale MIT

Dreamspinner has released an ebook compilation of the first 3 books in the Moments In Time series and it is on sale for 99 cents ONLY for the month of December and ONLY at Amazon and Dreamspinner Press.
Here are the links.  Amazon and Dreamspinner Press .
About the Author:

Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men. She’s also the multiple award-winning author of contemporary and erotic romances. She writes novels about love…like real life, only hotter.

Karen’s lifelong fascination with people has led her to careers ranging from hand-drawn animator, to party planner, to marriage and family counselor, but writing has always been her passion. Karen enjoys nothing more than following her characters on their journey toward love. Whether the couples are m/f or m/m, it’s guaranteed that Karen’s novels are filled with food, friendship, love, and smoking hot sex—all the best things in life.

When Karen isn’t writing (and often when she is), she can be found on Twitter attempting witty banter and detailing the antics of her fruit-loving cat, BadKitteh. She loves to hear from readers (and other writers), so don’t hesitate to contact/follow/like her at: [insert contact info here]

Where to find the author:

 


BannerTemplateTour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, BFD Book Blog, Bayou Book Junkie, Unquietly Me, KathyMac Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Jessie G. Books, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Elin Gregory, Inked Rainbow Reads, Divine Magazine, MM Good Book Reviews, Happily Ever Chapter, Just Love Romance, Three Books Over the Rainbow, Book Lovers 4Ever, Butterfly-O-Meter, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Charley Descoteaux, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, A.M. Leibowitz, My Fiction Nook, V’s Reads

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: eBook copy of ‘Moment of Impact’ (Book one in the Moments in Time series).  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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Christmas Woe To Odes of Joy? Find out with Champagne Kisses by Lynda Aicher (tour and contest)

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Champagne Kisses by Lynda Aicher
Published by Riptide Publishing
Cover Art by L.C. Chase

Buy It Here at Riptide Publishing

Hi! I’m Lynda Aicher, and I’m currently touring the internet talking about my latest release Champagne Kisses. Thanks to the wonderful blog hosts for having me and to you for joining the fun. Don’t forget to check out the full list of tour stops and leave comments along the way for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

About Champagne Kisses

The Christmas Eve wedding Evan Cleary pulled together in four weeks is crashing down around him and taking his fledgling event planning business with it. With an empty altar and over a hundred guests arriving soon, he turns to the resistant, gorgeous brother of the runaway groom for help.

When Richard Patterson’s flamboyant brother storms out hours before he’s scheduled to marry his equally dramatic partner, Richard is left dealing with the fallout. The last thing he wants is more drama, yet he can’t deny his attraction to the effeminate event planner trying to salvage the wedding.

Evan thinks his crush on Richard is a lost cause, but one steaming kiss later, he learns different. What starts as a night of hot sex turns into a connection neither expected. But Evan knows their relationship is hopeless unless the ultra-conservative Richard can embrace every part of him—both in private and in public.

About Lynda Aicher

I love to read. It’s a simple fact about me that has been true since I discovered the worlds of Judy Blume at the age of ten. This love of reading transferred to young romance (the early version of Young Adult when the stories weren’t plagued by vampires, werewolves, and death) which hooked me on the romance genre and the fulfillment that comes with a happy-ever-after ending.

Twenty-five years later, I’m still an avid reader of all types of romance. The diversity of writing in the market ensures that there is always something new to read. I’m still a sucker for the happy-ever-after because there are more than enough not-so-happy endings in the real world that I don’t need to read about them. I read a book for enjoyment and I want to feel good when the story ends.

I have the luxury of being a full-time writer, that is, a full-time writer around my duties as mom, wife, cleaner, cook, chauffeur, master scheduler, banker, cheerleader, volunteer, and tutor. Writing has to be a priority, or it would never happen.

I live in the Pacific Northwest which provides many months of rain-filled incentive to stay indoors and write. However, I’m a Midwesterner at heart. A perfect day has the snow falling outside, a fire warming the room, a football game on the television, a roast cooking in the oven, my family hanging out around me and a good book to read.

I’m thrilled to be nominated for a 2015 Romance Writers of America RITA® award (that’s the Oscars of the romance world) for my Male/Male book Bonds of Denial. This is the first time any M/M books have been nominated and I’m humbled to be a part of such a great event.

Connect with Lynda:

Website:  “http://lyndaaicher.com/Home_Page.html”
Facebook:   “https://www.facebook.com/lyndaaicherauthor?_rdr=p”
Twitter:   “https://twitter.com/lyndaaicher”

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Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Champagne Kisses, Lynda Aicher is giving away a $50 gift card to Amazon! Your first comment at each stop on this tour enters you in the drawing. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on December 19, 2015. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. Entries. Follow the tour for more opportunities to enter the giveaway, and don’t forget to leave your email or method of contact so Riptide can reach you if you win!

A Paul B Review: Kenai (Watchers #1) by Caitlin Ricci and A.J. Marcus

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Kenai coverKenai is a young watcher.  He has known since he was young that he was meant to settle disputes between shifters.  He has also been told that being a watcher is a lonely life.  The watcher separates himself from his family and there is no prospect of love, much less a mate.  This as they say is how it has always been.   His life is one of prophetic dreams and settling disputes.  To keep himself from being distracted from his duties, Kenai lives in the forest of Washington in a single room cabin by himself.  This also allows him to shift into his cougar form.  The one dream that recurs to him is of a bear shifter fishing salmon from a nearby stream.

Derek is a bear shifter in the wilds of Washington.  While walking through the woods one day, a cougar bounces around him as he walks.  Annoyed at the playful shifter, he asks the man what he is doing.  Kenai states that he just wants company.  Derek tolerates the cougar for a bit until Kenai’s bouncing leads Derek to growl at him.  Kenai apologizes and heads home.  Derek follows him and asks if Kenai would like to go on a salmon run with him the next day.

At the salmon run, things progress between Derek and Kenai.  Both agree that whatever goes on between them is just for fun and nothing more could come of it.  However, when another bear shifter attacks Kenai, things change.  Kenai defends himself, pushing the bear shifter over a cliff.  Frightened what the other bear shifters might do, he runs to the city seeking refuge in a bottle of vodka.  Derek tracks him down but Kenai must perform his watcher duties.  Will the legends of the lonely watcher prove to be true?

This is the first book in the new Watchers series by Caitlin Ricci and A J Marcus.  The first part of the book serves both as an introduction to Kenai but also to this world of watchers that the authors have created.  It is a different twist on the supervision of paranormals as these watchers seem to be born into the role.  While this is a decent shifter book, I felt something was missing in the connection of the main characters.  I did however like how Kenai used the situation that he is called on to mediate to help him come to a conclusion about his relationship with Derek.  Overall, it is a good start to the series but I hope that more details are fleshed out  in coming books.

The cover art by Carmen Waters has Kenai in his cougar form with a shirtless man behind the cougar set in a forest.  It fits the book well.

Sales Links:   eXtasy Books |  Amazon

Book Details

ebook, 46 pages
Published December 8th 2015 by eXtasy Books
ISBN139781487406011
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesWatchers #1