A Sammy Review: The Hush-Hush Crush by Liberty Lace

Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5

Scott and Sawyer Tate may be identical twins, but they’re otherwise pretty different. Sawyer likes to work out and is a firefight, while Scott would prefer a cold beer and to relax after work. But no matter how different they are, Scott can’t help his feelings for Sawyer, so when he calls him in need of a place to stay, Scott’s world is rocked. He moved to get away from his brother, but there’s no where you can move when you’re stuck inside the same four walls.

So this is my first story by Liberty Lace, and I was really hoping for some sparks of magic, but in the end, it was more of a brief flicker. I adore the tabooness of brocest, especially when an author plays on that, but this one didn’t feel like she played on it enough. It was neither here nor there, and the tension was talked about, but in terms of actually being there, it lacked.

There was a nice amount of steam, but besides that, this short didn’t really work for me. I wanted to love it, especially since brocest is hard to find, so I’m especially bummed that it just wasn’t right for my tastes.

In addition to the lack of a good story, build up of tension, and a magical spark, there were some editing issues. There was an overlap in British English and US English, as well as some random commas where they didn’t belong. Add that to the totally random ending of the story that left me rolling my eyes, and I just can’t give this a good rating. But, the author has potential. So, that’s why I gave it a bit more than I may have normally.

The cover art by Wilde City Press is pretty generic. I suppose it fits with them being twins, but other than that, it could be for any story.

Sales Links: Wilde City Press | Amazon |

Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd
Published by Wilde City Press (first published August 14th 2015)
original titleWhen A Twin Peeks
ISBN139781925313413
edition languageEnglish

A Stella Review: Greater Love Hath No Man by Tinnean

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 ★★★★

James Trevalyan came from a long line of men who served the British Crown with their gift of a voice with compelling power, and kept that tradition going while he loved and lived with Jeremy Waters. When Jeremy died in his arms, James resolved to live without love. His family keeps him connected to life — Jamie, his son from his brief marriage to an American, and Pamela, his beloved little sister, caught in a loveless marriage to a cold, cruel man.

Then Tanner comes into his life, a clever and handsome agent who joins him in an ongoing undercover mission. How long will it take James to realize he and Tanner are meant for each other? And can Tanner survive the assignment that’s thrown him in with mobsters who want him dead simply because he knows too much?

Tinnean is one of my favorite authors even though I had read only one book written by her when I first began my obsession with m/m books, called The Light In Your Eyes. Theo aka Sweetcheeks is been in my heart all these years. She created a story and characters simply unforgettable.

In Greater Love Hath No Man I was really glad to find her beautiful writing style again. I enjoyed this book greatly. It was well written but it was no surprise and the characters were all were likeable and well defined, each of them with some background to let us know them better.

It wasn’t what I was expecting. I was ready for something like a “second chance at love” story, because reading the blurb it was clear James was going to lose his lover Jeremy and then meet Tanner during one of his works. I was thinking the most part of the book was going to focus on this second relationship but it wasn’t like that at all. In a way it was better, because Tinnean gave me a story that I define “complete”: I read the love story between James and Jeremy (and it wasn’t a snippet, but a long one) and I began to love both of them. Then she took Jeremy away and left (me and) James with a broken heart to mend. I followed James in his darker years when he was trying to glue the pieces of his life together again. I saw him struggling with his family and needing to be a beautiful father for his smart and sweet son. I saw him work 24/7. It was painful to see him alone in his pain but I was able to really know him. Then I met Tanner and read about the friendship he started with James. And finally James had his deserved HEA. It’s a story that takes place over a long period of time.

Although it is sad in some parts, everything is faced as a matter of fact, with no much fussing or drama, evolving the book to a light read. That’s one more reason why I love Tinnean’s work. These kind of books can make me emotional and happy and teary and satisfied all together.

There is only thing that bothered me and it’s about the love story between Tanner and James. Even if their friendship was well developed, the switch to lovers wasn’t elaborated cause we get really few pages about them together, reducing their story to almost a secondary one and rushed through the ending. I’d have simply preferred a little more.

I was happy to read Greater Love Hath No Man, to me it was a huge reconfirmation of Tinnean’s talent after so many years from my first love with her works.

Cover art by Written Ink Designs. I couldn’t not love this cover cause they put the beautiful Fountain of Trevi on it, so it was a winner at first sight.

Sales Links: JMS Books | All Romance (ARe) | Smashword| Amazon | Buy It Here

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 281 pages
Published July 12th 2015 by JMS Books, LLC
ASIN B00Z97YASM
Edition Language English

A MelanieM Review: Whiskey and Wry (Sinners #2) by Rhys Ford

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

He was dead. And it was murder most foul. If erasing a man’s existence could even be called murder.

When Damien Mitchell wakes, he finds himself without a life or a name. The Montana asylum’s doctors tell him he’s delusional and his memories are all lies: he’s really Stephen Thompson, and he’d gone over the edge, obsessing about a rock star who died in a fiery crash. His chance to escape back to his own life comes when his prison burns, but a gunman is waiting for him, determined that neither Stephen Thompson nor Damien Mitchell will escape.

With the assassin on his tail, Damien flees to the City by the Bay, but keeping a low profile is the only way he’ll survive as he searches San Francisco for his best friend, Miki St. John. Falling back on what kept him fed before he made it big, Damien sings for his supper outside Finnegan’s, an Irish pub on the pier, and he soon falls in with the owner, Sionn Murphy. Damien doesn’t need a complication like Sionn, and to make matters worse, the gunman—who doesn’t mind going through Sionn or anyone else if that’s what it takes kill Damien—shows up to finish what he started.

Rhys Ford’s Sinner’s Gin pulled me in. It made me love the characters, setting and plot. But with Whiskey and Wry everything just got better. In Whiskey and Wry , the author dug deeper, added layers guaranteed to shock with nasty twists and turns, introduced Sionn Murphy, a character that will connect the remaining members of Sinner’s Gin and the clan Morgan in multiple ways. And Ford brings back to life Damien Mitchell, Miki’s “brother” and band member everyone thinks is dead.

That shocker and twist does many things to the series. It gives Miki back the other half of his “story” and presents the band with enough members to start thinking about going forward again if they are emotionally ready to. All these factors definitely enrich the plot as well as deepen all the characterizations.

And on top of that, Ford has the mysteries (yes, plural) that Damien, Miki, and the Morgan clan, including Sionn Murphy (a Finnegan on Brigid’s side) have to solve and solve quickly as the bodies and body parts start to mount up once more.

I love the way Rhys Ford writes. At times it flows like quicksilver. It flashes, and darts, moving so fluidly and quickly that your mind must race along with it, especially when it comes to the villeins and their plotting against Damien.

Sionn and Damien are the primary couple but, no one or relationship stands alone in this series. With their wounds they can’t. So Miki and Kane, Donal (father) and Brigid (mother), and all the various siblings make their very necessary appearances as buttresses to the soul and heart. The support they provide in the storyline along with the amazing sense of synergy gives Whiskey and Wry, and all the stories of the Sinners series that outrageous spark, angst, deep love, and dangerous appeal that will draw a reader back again and again.

I loved this story. The danger, the suspense, the sex and warmth. Everything about it except that it had to end. Now I’m on to the next in the series. I can’t wait for more of the Morgan clan the men they come to love.

Cover artist Reece Notley again does a great job with the characters while branding the series. Love it.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 254 pages
Published August 19th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press
original titleWhiskey and Wry
ASINB00EN9487K
edition languageEnglish
seriesSinners #2

Sinners Series:

What Happens When Demons Fall in Love? Check Out Base Instincts by Larissa Ione (tour and giveaway)

Base Instincts by Larissa Ione
Publisher Riptide Publishing
Cover Artist Jay Aheer

Buy it here at Riptide Publishing

Hi, everyone! I’m so excited to be on the Base Instincts blog tour. Raze and Slake’s story was a labor of love for me, and while theirs isn’t the first m/m story I’ve written, it’s a first for the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series. If you’re curious about how it all started, be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win the first two books set in the Demonica/LOD universe, and for more information, head on over to http://www.LarissaIone.com!

Blurb

As a Seminus demon, Raze’s life literally depends on having sex with females. The problem is that he doesn’t desire females, and it’s physically impossible for him to be with males. Thankfully, he and his best friend, Fayle, have an arrangement that keeps him alive . . . if lonely. He finds some solace in his work as a medic at Thirst, a vampire club known for its rough clientele. But his carefully structured world turns upside down when he meets a mysterious male who makes him want what he can never have.

Slake is an assassin used to getting what he wants, and what he wants is Raze. But he also wants to earn back the soul he sold when he was a much different demon. All he has to do is capture a runaway succubus named Fayle and hand her over to her family. What he doesn’t count on is being caught himself by a web of lies—and his attraction to Raze.

Raze and Slake must navigate a dangerous world to be together. But as Fayle’s jealousy of their relationship turns deadly, they find themselves embroiled in a battle not only for their love, but their lives and souls.

HYPERLINK “”

Base Instincts is part of the Demonica Universe

The demon is a prince of the air and can transform himself into several shapes, delude our senses for a time; but his power is determined, he may terrify us but not hurt.
– Robert Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy

Humans go to hospitals. Animals go to veterinarians. But where do injured, ill, and decapitated demons go? It isn’t as if every supernatural being possesses the ability to grow a new limb to replace one that’s been hacked off by a demon slayer scumbag. Fear not, fellow vamps, werewolves, and demons, for help has arrived. Three brothers, incubus demons by birth, human in appearance (mostly), have pulled together to make the most of the healing skills common to their species. Welcome to Underworld General Hospital, where sexy demons are doctors, HMOs are non-existent, and the blood bank sometimes doubles as the cafeteria. And you don’t even want to know what goes on in the supply closets…

See more at: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/universe/demonica#sthash.l1XlBNy0.dpuf
For a full listing of the titles in the Demonica universe, please visit http://larissaione.com/blog/books/#demonica –

About the Author

About Larissa Ione

Larissa Ione is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. An Air Force veteran and former EMT, she traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion for writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge . . . just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her US Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Giveaway

Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for a tote bag with swag and signed copies of Pleasure Unbound and Desire Unchained, the first two books in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series! Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on September 19. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Don’t forget your email so we can contact you if you win! Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Good luck everyone!

Prizes are a tote bag with swag and signed copies of Pleasure Unbound and Desire Unchained, the first two books in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series!

April Kelley on “Writing What I Know” and her latest ‘Unrelenting Feelings’ release (guest post,excerpt & giveaway)

Title: Unrelenting Feelings

Series: Pickleville Series

Author: April Kelley

Publisher: ExtasyBooks

Cover Artist: Carmen Waters

Length: 30,062 words

Release Date: September 15, 2015

Writing What I Know by April Kelley

Like Caden in Unrelenting Feelings, I grew up with two siblings. Two sisters and I was in the middle. I was raised by a single parent so we were at home alone a lot and my oldest sister was always in change. In a lot of ways my relationship with my siblings growing up was a lot like Caden’s is with his.My oldest sister is bossy and can be fiercely protective when she thinks someone she loves is getting hurt. Just like Brad she often times didn’t think about the consequences of her actions when she got angry, he just started punching. I remember her fighting with a girl on a bus because the girl was teasing my younger sister. When she became an adult she had a lot of stereotypes to debunk. Seems like people put her in a box more than they did others. And just like Brad she’s the most kind-hearted person I know.

My younger sister is just like Caden in that she’s not afraid to make a decision, even spontaneously. She was always braver than the rest of us. Sometimes that bravery got her in trouble. More times than not it worked out for her. And just like Caden she doesn’t apologize for her choices, unless they effect other people. The rarely have effected other people though.

I guess that makes me like Luis. Yeah, I am. I can be a basket case sometimes and I know what it feels like to suffer from depression. I also like adventures and need that solitary time. I suppose writing is that hike around the lake Luis took in his book, Getting Back to Good (Pickleville #5).

They say to write what you know. Well, that can be different for everyone. I’m sure if you ask my two sisters they’ll tell you they don’t see themselves the same way that I see them. Their truth is just a little bit different, I’m sure. I like the way I see us though.

Blurb:

Robyn Heath has made a pretty
good life for himself away from Pickleville. He loves his job as a paramedic,
has a best friend who he adores who also happens to be his partner at work, and
he even gets laid every once in a while. Life couldn’t be better. Until the man
who broke his heart comes back into town.

Caden Flynn has been gone for a long time. Five years
fighting for his country has taken its toll and changed him in some fundamental
ways. One thing he wants more than anything is to right the wrongs he’s caused
Robyn. Robyn proves to have a very stubborn heart.

Caden stopped breathing the instant he saw Robyn again. His Robby was so fucking pretty, just like he
always had been. He had filled out slightly and his hair was styled differently, longer on top and shorter all the way around. Caden wanted to run his fingers through all those loose curls on top.

“I fucked up so hard, man,” he whispered to Brad, who still stood beside him. He watched as Jaron took Robyn’s elbow. They exchanged some words and then Jaron let Robyn go. Robyn went inside and it took everything in Caden not to follow, to make Robyn listen to him as he explained himself, even though there wasn’t a damn
thing he could say without sounding like an asshole.

“Yeah, you did,”Brad said.

“He hates me, now.”

“He used to love you,” Brad pointed out.

“Well, he acts like he doesn’t even care now.”

“He cares. He’s trying not to though.” Brad looked at him, holding his gaze. “He slept in your room every time I would let him. I heard him cry on your pillow, Caden. When you stopped calling him, he would beg me to make you call him. Even after
he moved with Neil and Owen, he still begged to talk to you. He would even call me specifically to ask after you until a couple years ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before now?”

“My point is that you never asked about him. Not once.”

“You’re saying I didn’t care as much as he did.”

“I don’t know if you did or not. The undeniable fact is that man loved you with everything he had.”

“You’re saying I can’t fix it?”

“I don’t know if you should even try. My gut tells me you should let him go,” Brad said.

“I give up. I’m not talking to you anymore. You sound like Yoda and it’s driving me crazy. I need
advice on Robyn not on how to use the force.” Caden started to fold his
arms, but then winced at the pain it caused. He remembered the crushing force
of the truck as it rolled over him, pinning his arm down. The worst part was
turning his head to find Yarborough’s lifeless eyes next to him, the lower half
of his body was gone. The vehicle had shifted, moved off its side and when it
did Caden’s arm was freed. Not before crushing the bones and leaving a scar
that ran from his bicep to just before his wrist.

Caden felt a hand on his back and turned to see Luis. “Thank god. I need advice and Brad is being
cryptic.”

Luis shrugged. “You probably just need to pay
attention to what he said.” Luis pounded him on the back. “Have fun.
This is supposed to be a party. Now, where is Owen?“

Extasy
Books

Amazon

All
Romance eBooks

Living
in Southwest Michigan, April resides with her husband and two kids. She has been an avid reader for several
years. Writing her first story at the
age of ten, the characters in her head still won’t stop telling their
stories. If April isn’t reading or
writing she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk
in the woods.

|| Blog || Website || Twitter ||

Winner’s
Prize: E-copy of “Unrelenting Feelings”.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

September 15:

Bike
Book Reviews

September 16:

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

The Purple Rose Tea House

September 17:

Diverse
Reader

Wicked
Faeries Tales & Reviews

September 18:

September 21:

A Paul B Review: Love Comes Unheard (Senses #5) by Andrew Grey

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Garrett Bowman is deaf but that is the least of his problems. Having lost his mother recently to cancer and a brother who cannot bother to learn to communicate with him, Garrett is on his way to see his sister in Chicago when he runs out of gas in front of a farm in Northern Michigan. When the owner of the farm comes to speak to him, Garrett is astounded that the man knows sign language. When Connor, the owner of the farm, tells Garrett that is helper has not shown up for the day, he offers Garrett the chance to make some money to fill his tank. Grateful, Garrett accepts. Connor then takes Garrett home for the night for a decent meal and good nights sleep.

Wilson Haskins has been working for Connor and his partner Dan for a couple of years. While he works for the family, the pair and their three children consider him one of the family. When Connor brings home a stranger for the night, Wilson is taken by his good looks. He feels that the ten-year age difference between the two men would prevent anything from happening between them. Besides, Wilson’s last relationship ended in disaster with him leaving his native land on England as a result.

While both men are hesitant to start a relationship, they do enjoy each other’s company. As the relationship grows, relationships with both of their families come back to present problems for them. Garrett’s sister would like for him to stay with her and her partner thinking that Chicago might be a better place for a gay deaf man to live. Meanwhile, Wilson’s brother phones him out of the blue asking him for help with a situation he has gotten himself into in England. When said brother shows up in the States looking for Wilson, will it cause trouble for Wilson and the family he know considers his own?

The relationship between Garrett and Wilson was done well. The hesitancy that both of the men showed is rooted in terrible breakups in their previous relationships. Garrett’s ex could not care enough to learn to communicate with him. Wilson’s ex tried to set him up for something that the ex actually was responsible for. But Wilson suffered the consequences for the ex’s actions anyway. It is through their interactions with each other and their boss’s children that endear themselves to each other.

This is the fifth book in Andrew Grey’s Senses series. In each book, at least one of the major characters usually has a form of disability. Mr. Grey has shown in each book that this so called disability is but one aspect of the person. In these books, love really does conquer all. I have come to enjoy these books and always look forward to the next one.

The cover art by L.C. Chase shows Wilson and Garret above in a pastoral setting. Wilson is in a grey suit while Garrett is in a blue flannel shirt. These are good representations of what I thought the two would look like. It’s a nicely done cover.

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

Book Details

Ebook, 200 pages
Published: September 14, 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
Edition: English
ISBN: 978-1-63476-589-3

Series: Senses

Love Comes Silently (Senses #1)
Love Comes in Darkness (Senses #2)
Love Comes Home (Senses #3)
Love Comes Around (Senses #4)
Love Comes Unheard (Senses #5)

A Mika Review: Dangerous Spirits (Spirits #2) by Jordan L. Hawk

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Book 2 in the Spirits Series
Previous Book: Restless Spirits

After the events of Reyhome Castle, Henry Strauss expected the Psychical Society to embrace his application of science to the study of hauntings. Instead, the society humiliates and blacklists him. His confidence shaken, he can’t bring himself to admit the truth to his lover, the handsome medium Vincent Night.

Vincent’s new life in Baltimore with Henry is disrupted when a friend from the past asks for help with a haunting. In the remote town of Devil’s Walk, old ties and new lies threaten to tear the lovers apart, if a fiery spirit bent on vengeance doesn’t put an end to them first.

Classic Jordan L. Hawk, amazing characters, plot and ending. She has shown us different races, ethnicities, and genders in this series. I love how they all come together; it’s definitely why she is one of my favorites. This is a really good continuation from book one. We start off 6 months after the tragic incidents at Reyhome Castle. Henry and Vincent have managed to combine their businesses and have a store in Baltimore. They are going strong with their work and Jo & Lizzie aren’t far behind. Henry and Vincent each think they are doing well, but doubts come out throughout the story.

Poor Henry and his good guy ways, he’s ashamed when they don’t get a grant. Instead of being forthcoming, he decides to take a little white lie that somehow blossoms into something huge. Their relationship is a sore point for Vincent. Internally he is dealing with acceptance and abandonment issues. Henry is internally thinking he’s not good enough. Argh!!!! I just wanted them to talk to each other. Goodness gracious even in the 1800’s men were stubborn. We are introduced to some new characters, who right off back I don’t think they are sincere in their reasons.

The group heads to Pennsylvania to deal with the burning lady. I loved this ghost story. As usual her plots are wonderful, exciting, and pulls you in like we are riding along with the group. Another amazing story from one of my favorite authors. I’ll continue to read anything by this author.

Cover Art by Jordan L. Hawk, Another great cover. I love this portrait of Henry; I’m crossing my fingers that the next one will show Vincent or a group with Jo and Lizzie. I love these covers, really beautifully done.

Sales Links: All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here
Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 157 pages

Expected publication: September 15th 2015 by Widdershins Press LLC

ASINB01255T684

edition languageEnglish

seriesSpirits #2

Books in the Series:

Restless Spirits (Spirits, #1)

Dangerous Spirits (Spirits #2)

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Author Discovery: BJ on Author Lia Black

BJ on Author Lia Black

With the plethora of competent m/m authors around these days, we fans have a daunting variety to choose from. I’ve sampled and enjoyed a book or two from hundreds of authors, but there’s only a handful whose books I just can’t seem to get enough of. Their books call my name the second they’re released. Lia Black is one of those authors.

She’s published five m/m novels to date, and I’ve devoured every single one with relish. All were five star reads with one exception that I rated 4.25, not because of the writing… oh, wait a minute, maybe it was the writing. Because what else was it but her brilliant writing that got me so thoroughly invested in (or should I say in love with?) the two main characters that I just couldn’t stand it when they were separated for a portion of the book? The frustration of that separation made me want to scream. And that right there is a key to why she’s one of my favorite authors.

Lia Black’s storylines suck me in; her characters fascinate me; and her writing always works its way deep down into the recesses of my neglected, dusty, middle-of-nowhere heart and plucks at my emotions. Hard.

Lia’s writing is a bit hard to pigeonhole. Her goodread’s author page states that her work is fantasy, sci-fi, LGBT romance. But that doesn’t quite tell the whole story. You see, Ms. Black does tend to live up to her name. There are dark parts in each and every story I’ve read by this author. Sometimes very dark indeed. So, if you want light and fluffy with a cherry on top, you should probably look elsewhere. But if you’re okay with a story that can make you gasp, that can smash your heart into the gutter and step on it, then ever so tenderly and exquisitely rip it to shreds before putting it back together—read on. You won’t be disappointed.

This author’s characters are sometimes broken yet not angsty, glamorous yet sad, weird yet beautiful, extreme and even gross yet still awesome and cool in their own right. Some of them even have long hair (well, what can I say, long-haired men are a thing for me so I had to mention that!)

And her writing makes me feel… a lot. Sometimes that means quivering in disgust and wanting to roll into a ball like a pill bug and hide but being too entranced to put the book down and do it. Sometimes it means aww moments when my heart wants to melt in my chest cuz I’ve just fallen in love with a character she breathed such life into that I have a clear picture of them in my head, not of a generic sexy man that could fit for a character in any number of stories I’ve read, but someone I feel like I could pick out in a crowd… one I could pick up my paint brush and paint a portrait of except I usually don’t, because I wouldn’t do him justice since I paint dogs and not people.

Lia Black’s stories leave emotional paper cuts on my heart. They’re by turns exhausting, frustrating, horrifying, amazing, fascinating, and touching. But always riveting, and always, in the end, healing. Deliciously dark stories that somehow light me up inside.

I think this excerpt from my review of Fidelity sums it up well: “Not for the faint-hearted, one particular scene at the beginning took my breath away with its grisly, shocking cruelty. But amidst the bloody battle scenes, there is humor, small joys, and sweet tenderness. Amidst the dismantling, I was put back together. The ride to get there was gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and painful to read. I absolutely loved it.”

So if you’re looking for something different, something to expand your boundaries or to touch on places that maybe you haven’t explored, something to make you feel and not always in a fluffy, sweet way—look no further. Read Lia Black. And if you need help picking which of her books to start with, check out the links to my full reviews below.

Oh, I have one other thing to say about her writing, and I really hope she’s reading this. I desperately need to read more.

About The Author

Lia Black tends to do everything the hard way; beginning with being born backwards into the world and now raising a teenage daughter by herself in conservative Upstate NY. Her career choices are no less extreme, including occupations of fine artist, computer geek, firefighter, and mortician’s assistant— just to name a few.

A fellow Author describes Black’s mind as “a glorious kaleidoscope of f*ckeduppery”; she loves the challenge of writing about people who probably have no business being together on the same planet, and who occasionally deal with questionable sanity/morality. It’s fun to glue broken things together and try to make something interesting and new.
–She especially loves broken boys who have lots of fascinating pieces.

Her characters often suffer through the worlds she creates for them, which leaves them a little cranky and sometimes less lovable than others in a romance genre. Yet Black swears that someday, “there will be comedy.”

Follow Lia Black at: Goodreads | Website | Twitter |

BJ’s Reviews of Lia Black’s Novels

Goodreads Link BJ Review Link

A King’s Ransom BJ’s Review

Spiretown BJ’s Review

Fidelity Link to BJ’s Review

Where Willows Won’t Grow Link to BJ’s Review here

Author and Book Spotlight: Jordan L. Hawk and her latest release, Dangerous Spirits (Spirits #2) (author interview and giveaway)

Dangerous Spirits (Spirits #2)
by Jordan L. Hawk

Cover art by Jordan L. Hawk

I’m happy to welcome Jordan L. Hawk here to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words to talk a little about her latest release, Dangerous Spirits, her writing process and the paranormal world. Welcome, Jordan!

. Good morning! I hope you all had a great weekend. This is just a quick note to let you know my latest novel, Dangerous Spirits, hits the virtual shelves today.

I can’t wait to share it with you. I think it contains one of the creepiest scenes I’ve ever written, although that might just be because I based it on a childhood fear. But don’t worry, between the scares there’s still plenty of romance and drama with Henry and Vincent! Can these two opposites forge a relationship that works for the long term, or will the heat that flared between them at Reyhome Castle burn out?

And yes, before you ask, Jo and Lizzie are both along for the ride once again. 😉

My Interview with Jordan L. Hawk

I love the name Dangerous Spirits. Where do you get your inspiration for your titles and even your characters?

Thanks! I try to keep the titles in a series linked somehow if I can. So all the SPECTR books are called “___er of ____” all the Whyborne & Griffin titles are a single word that usually (but not always) refers to the location where the action is taking place, and all the Spirits books will have the word “Spirits” in the title.

As for characters, I usually have a vague idea who one of the MCs might be, then ask myself who would be his opposite on the surface. So with Spirits, I wanted one of the characters to be a medium who was a bit decadent, into fashion and art and the like, witty and confident. So I figured his apparent opposite would be more into the physical world and science, rather on the stuffy side, and more insecure. Voila, Vincent and Henry.

Are your stories long in coming together or can they sometimes just spring to life in a burst of creativity that you fill in with details later?

It’s a bit easier in an established world, but some stories just come together more easily than others. The SPECTR books pretty much go from outline to finished first draft without a lot of rewriting and frustration. Whyborne & Griffin usually means a lot of rewriting and digging deeper to get at the aspects of the story. Spirits seems to be somewhere in between. Although I did end up throwing out the entire original outline I had for Dangerous Spirits about 10,000 words into the book. It was one of those things that looked great in planning stage but didn’t work at all when it was time to put it on the page.

What first prompted you to write?

I don’t remember ever not wanting to write, honestly.

Favorite paranormal character?

I’m not sure I have an answer to that. I love too many!

If you could create a world to live in, what would be a favorite element?

If I could create a world to live in, it wouldn’t look anything like the ones I put my poor characters in. Those are just a bunch of deathtraps.

I dunno, I really like seeing how far and fantastically modern technology has progressed in my lifetime. So I’d probably build myself some kind of sci fi utopia.

If you could have one magical power as part of your personal makeup, what would it be?

Probably some kind of telekinesis so I could get things down off the high shelves. 😉

What’s next for Jordan L. Hawk?

I’m currently working on Whyborne & Griffin 7, due out in December. I’m also in the planning stages for a follow up novel to “The Thirteenth Hex” (in the Charmed & Dangerous anthology).

Thanks for having me on the blog!

Please come back and see us anytime, and bring us many more stories!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

The Spirits Series – Historical Paranormal

The Spirits series takes place in the latter part of the 19th century, and features the adventures of a man of science, Henry Strauss, and spiritualist medium, Vincent Night. The series came about because I always wanted to write a haunted house story, and what better period to set it in than the Victorian era, when the interest in seances and spirits permeated all levels of society?

Blurb

Book 2 in the Spirits Series
Previous Book: Restless Spirits

About the Author

Jordan L. Hawk grew up in the wilds of North Carolina, where she was raised on stories of haints and mountain magic by her bootlegging granny and single mother. After using a silver knife in the light of a full moon to summon her true love, she turned her talents to spinning tales. She weaves together couples who need to fall in love, then throws in some evil sorcerers and undead just to make sure they want it bad enough. In Jordan’s world, love might conquer all, but it just as easily could end up in the grave.

Contact/follow Jordan L. Hawk at: Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Facebook

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter prize of one of Jordan L. Hawk novels. The winner will get to choose a eBook, from Jordan L. Hawk’s backlist, winner’s choice (excluding Dangerous Spirits). You must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Open worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

The Heat of Sexual Kink Has No Boundaries in the Exchange of Power Anthology

Exchange of Power Anthology
Author Names:

Bailey Bradford, Gacy Grant, Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae,
Cassandra McMurphy, S.E. O’Connor, Charles Payseur, CB Potts,
Torrance Sené, Dawn M. Sooy, T. Strange, Angelique Voisen

Release Date: September 16, 2015

Goodreads Link:
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: BSClay

Buy the book: Torquere Press

Blurb

exchange: the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another; power: the ability or right to control people or things

In matters of the heart, what happens when there’s an exchange of power, even for just one night?

Both veteran and new authors make up the eleven stories about the power shift between Doms/subs, vampires/werewolves, teacher/apprentice, Alpha/beta, Necromancer/zombie, superhero/arch nemesis, and incubus/medium.

Pages or Words: 63,000 words
Categories: BDSM, Contemporary, Fantasy, Lesbian Romance, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance

Excerpt

From How the Mighty Have Fallen by Bailey Bradford

Hadrian sat up straight and stuck his nose in the air. “And, just for your information, I have not been–“

“Liar, liar, leather chaps on fire,” Larry sang. “Shut up already, you vestal virgin, and go get fucked and whipped. At least one of us should be having fun tonight. Since I can’t find anyone who wants to do only one of those things with me, I’m giving up. Plus, Thomas’ ex is busy trying to fuck everything that crosses his path. I’m guessing he thinks he has something to prove.”

Hadrian bristled a little when Larry called Master Thomas just by his given name instead of using the honorific, but he got it. Master Thomas wasn’t Larry’s master, nor was he Hadrian’s. However, Hadrian always thought of him as Master Thomas, perhaps because he did harbor a secret desire to serve the man. Although, maybe it wasn’t such a secret, since Larry had picked up on it.

“I guess he does have something to prove,” Hadrian murmured since Larry seemed to be waiting for some kind of agreement from him.

“But is it to himself, or to Thomas, hm?” Larry asked. “You gotta wonder what went down between those two, though… I heard stuff about Kelly. The guy’s an asshole and a half.”

Hadrian arched a brow at Larry. “And what, exactly, is a half an asshole?”

“A fuckin’ mess who likes to screw with people’s heads, that’s what,” Larry drawled. “Now grow a pair and go make that dom feel better.”

Hadrian wanted to smack Larry, but the smug smartass would just enjoy it if he did.

Larry narrowed his eyes at Hadrian. “Or, you know, I suppose I could go see if he wants to do a scene together.”

Hadrian was irritated despite his desire to remain unaffected by Larry’s attempt — damn it, a successful one! — to goad him into action.

Because suddenly, Hadrian’s body was determined to circumvent any argument his brain might have made. He was standing up and flipping Larry off before Larry could do more than cackle.

“You’re an ass,” Hadrian muttered.

Larry gave him two thumbs up. “You love me.”

Hadrian didn’t dignify that statement with a response. Besides, Larry was right and he knew it.

“Go get ’em, stud,” Larry urged, not nearly as quietly as Hadrian wished he had. Of course he was loud enough that Master Thomas glanced their way.

Authors Information

Where to find the authors:
Blog: http://glbtromance.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorquerePressLLC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/torquere
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/torquerepress
Website: http://www.torquerebooks.com

 Tour Dates & Stops: September 15, 2015
Parker Williams, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Havan Fellows, Jessie G. Books, BFD Book Blog, SA McAuley, Inked Rainbow Reads, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Happily Ever Chapter, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake, The Hat Party, Charley Descoteaux, Divine Magazine, Three Books Over the Rainbow, MM Good Book Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Molly Lolly

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Exchange of Power’ from Torquere Press. Must be 18 years of age or older. Link and prize provided by the publisher and Pride Promotions.
Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Base Instincts by Larissa Ione Publisher Riptide Publishing Cover Artist Jay Aheer

Buy it here at Riptide Publishing

Blurb

Base Instincts is part of the Demonica Universe

About the Author

Giveaway

Share this:

Title: Unrelenting Feelings

Series: Pickleville Series

Author: April Kelley

Writing What I Know by April Kelley

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

BJ on Author Lia Black

About The Author

BJ’s Reviews of Lia Black’s Novels

Goodreads Link BJ Review Link

Share this:

Dangerous Spirits (Spirits #2) by Jordan L. Hawk

Cover art by Jordan L. Hawk

My Interview with Jordan L. Hawk

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

The Spirits Series – Historical Paranormal

Blurb

About the Author

Giveaway

Share this:

Exchange of Power Anthology Author Names:

Release Date: September 16, 2015

Goodreads Link: Publisher: Torquere Press Cover Artist: BSClay

Buy the book: Torquere Press

Blurb

Excerpt

Authors Information

Giveaway

Share this:

Base Instincts by Larissa Ione
Publisher Riptide Publishing
Cover Artist Jay Aheer

Dangerous Spirits (Spirits #2)
by Jordan L. Hawk

Exchange of Power Anthology
Author Names:

Goodreads Link:
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: BSClay