Check out the Last Splash of Summer with Beach Rental Anthology (excerpt and giveaway)

Title: Beach Rental, M/M Anthology

Author: M.T. Aspen, Asta Idonea, Dale Cameron Lowry, Lynn Townsend, Jamie Lowe, & Rob Rosen

Publisher: Torquere Press

Release Date: September 24, 2016

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 32,000 Words

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Erotic-Romance

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Synopsis

In Drinks Over Sunset by M.T. Aspen, Vagabond Witt’s flight from his past is unexpectedly stalled by a gorgeous expat. But if Dean holds on too tightly, he’ll only inflict more pain on the man he loves. In Lick by Asta Idonea, Jay is unimpressed when his parents drag him on a seaside holiday to Bournemouth. However, the English summer heats up when he meets sexy ice cream seller Aland. In Pacific Rimming by Dale Cameron Lowry, Turning forty makes Mike feel old, so his husband, Ken, helps him recapture his youth in a ménage a trois with a gorgeous younger man. Can what started as a one-night stand transform into a threesome that lasts?

In Sea Salt & Chocolate by Lynn Townsend, Marriage is hard work, everyone knows that. Will a summer vacation lead to reigniting sparks between Eric and Temple, or will it tear their family apart? In Weekend Encounter by Jamie Lowe, Jackson may not be looking for romance during a weekend getaway with his friends, but that doesn’t mean romance isn’t looking for him. When Jackson encounters Logan, his plan to third wheel with his buddies is derailed in the best way possible. In Yin and Yang by Rob Rosen, An unexpected early morning encounter between a surfer and California newbie leads to much more than either ever expected along a deserted stretch of pristine beach. Love, it seems, is in the misty sea air!

Excerpt

Sea Salt & Chocolate

by Lynn Townsend

“The carpet’s stainproof,” Eric said, quiet under his breath as Temple stood over the spot while Miriam sobbed on the sofa. “We can just rag it up, not a big deal.”

“This is why we can’t have nice things,” Temple retorted, very quietly. The sentiment was entirely sincere, for that moment in time, but not something he really wanted Miriam to glom on to and drag out as ammunition later in life.

“Ya always did have an uptight streak a mile wide,” Eric said. He had already fetched a washcloth and was blotting up the stain. Astonishingly enough, the white carpet was reporting back clean.

Miriam took advantage of her parents cleaning the carpet to flee the scene. By the time Eric had finished blotting up chocolate milk and carefully drying the spot, she was back from a complete exploration of the house—excluding, of course, her brother’s room, he had locked it against her, and even then, Temple could hear her banging on the door and demanding to be let in, along with A.J.’s crackling baritone denials—and declared “I’m bored.”

“We’ve been here for—” Temple checked his watch “—twenty minutes. You have at least another forty minutes before you’re allowed to be bored.”

“There’s nothin’ to do, Dad,” she complained.

“What would you be doing if you were at home?”

“Watchin’ YouTube.”

“Get me your phone and I’ll hook you up to the wireless,” Eric said. A.J. had registered a number of complaints about Miriam getting a phone so young, since he’d had to wait ’til he was twelve before they’d added his line, whereas Miriam got her phone only a few months back. Temple had gotten tired of Miriam constantly stealing his phone and playing Minecraft on it. It had been much easier, not to mention peaceful, to just let everyone in the house have a device.

Temple sighed, gazing down at his husband, who remained on the floor while he dealt with a six-year-old’s crisis. Eric had gone back to school, pursuing a degree in architecture, but he’d also taken on most of the household duties, including the emotional nurturing of their children, and at the same time, Temple had discovered himself shoved to the side. Their children went to Eric for comfort first, and Temple only when Eric wasn’t available. Oddly, Temple found he missed it. Missed little arms thrown around his neck, missed the trembly smiles after getting a Band-Aid.

And whose fault is that? He asked himself. You were eager enough to give it up, when Eric offered. Your family’s not broken yet, you can still fix it before it gets too far off track. And Eric’s right. I can’t remember the last time we had a lot of time together, without any responsibilities.

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Torquere Press

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Publisher of GLBT fiction books http://www.torquerepress.com to offer the finest in erotic LGBT romance available.

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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Kinky Sprinkles by L.A. Witt

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

kinkysprinkles_600x900-1 Joel has finally walked away from his abusive ex and is ready to meet new people. But that isn’t easy for a guy who’s shy, self-conscious, and struggling with his body image.

Andre has wanted Joel since the first time he laid eyes on him, and finally Joel is single. But Andre is a Dom and a sadist, and Joel is unapologetically vanilla. There’s no happy medium—either Andre reins in the kinky side that took him years to accept, or Joel grits his teeth and subjects himself to kinks that aren’t his thing. No matter who bends, someone’s going to be unhappy.

They agree to walk away, but they keep circling back to each other. Though their kinks might not line up, the chemistry between them sizzles and the emotional connection keeps getting deeper. But none of that will get them anywhere if they can’t find some kind of middle ground in the bedroom.

I enjoyed this story, though it was rather short. Or at least it seemed that way, since I devoured it in less than a day. But that is also the crux of what I didn’t like and why I gave this under four stars. It was too short. I didn’t feel that Joel, the formerly abused sub who has vowed never to participate in a club scene again, and Andre, the sexy Dom who has the hots for Joel, had enough time to fully develop a relationship.

They have explosively hot sex (It is, after all, LA Witt!) and each time they hook up, they have regrets and part ways, planning to separate for good. On the third such “accidental” falling into bed in lust together night, Joel admits he doesn’t mind a few kinky sprinkles in his vanilla sex and brings out his cuffs and his blindfold. Self-proclaimed sadist Andre is okay with that. Apparently, it’s just enough kink for him to enjoy the sex more than previously. But again, both men are left with trying to find a solution. Both are interested in a relationship together and yet neither wants to compromise or give up all they have achieved in self-awareness. It’s at the end of this night that Joel proposes a compromise that should provide Andre with his sadism and also keep Joel safe from participation. I won’t say what that is here, but it did surprise me. All right, being honest, it shocked me. And to be super honest, I didn’t like it. But it did provide something that each of the MCs agreed on, and the story ended on that note.

So I can’t give it a full four stars because it felt as if the relationship development was short-changed in the story, and it also felt as if we’re left hanging, wondering how this will all work out. On the other hand, for what we see of these guys, I did like them, individually and as a couple, so I’m hoping we’re going to find out what happens in the future after there’s been time for the kink and the vanilla to mix it up a bit. Lovers of this author’s work should like this one. And if you’re new to this author, by all means pick this up if you like a little kink to top off your vanilla sex scenes.

Cover art by G.D. Leigh is perfect for the story.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 152 pages
Published September 26th 2016 by Riptide Publishing
Original TitleKinky Sprinkles
ISBN139781626494978
Edition LanguageEnglish

One Pulse Anthology and a Interview with Jon Keys, author of A Single Night

One Pulse (A Dreamspinner Press Anthology)

Release Date September 17
Purchase Links

by Connie Bailey, Ellis Carrington , Edmond Manning, Chrissy Munder , Cailtin Ricci,Andrea Speed , M.T. Aspen, Jayce Ellis , more…

Stories drive life. Sometimes life is good; sometimes life is bad. But it’s the nature of our community that in the aftermath of an act of hatred, we respond with love. Because darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Cruelty cannot stand against compassion. Negativity will never overcome hope.

To show our support for those affected by the Orlando shooting, our authors, editors, artists, and staff have volunteered their talents to create this anthology. All proceeds will be donated to LGBT organizations in central Florida. Join us as we celebrate the triumph of love over every obstacle.

Jon Keys—A Single Night
Alicia Nordwell—About Best Friends & Boyfriends
Mickie B. Ashling—Adíos
M.T. Aspen —Asking for Trouble
M.A. Church—Chasing Tyme
Caitlin Ricci—Coming Out
George Seaton—Cucurrucucú
Jayce Ellis—Dance
Bree Cariad—Everyday Miracles
Chrissy Munder—Everything I Need
Ellis Carrington—For the First Time
Felicitas Ivey—Get Me to the Church Town Hall on Time
John Amory—Happy Pride
Grace R. Duncan—Hope
John Goode—Let Them Eat Cake
J. C. Long—Magical Boys Just Wanna Have Fun
Elizabeth Noble—Magicicada
Renee Stevens—More Than a Pact
Troy Storm—One Big Happy… Bunch
Connie Bailey—One Heart at a Time
Dev Bentham—Perfection
Andrea Speed—Pride
Laura Lascarso—Pull
Lila Leigh Hunter—Raffled Kiss
Emery C. Walters—Ranch Dressing
C.C. Dado—Read My Lips
Sera Kane—The Stag’s Bane
KC Burn—The Tithe
Vicktor Alexander—The Wooing of the Marqués de Sierra de Outes
Edmond Manning—They Danced

~~~

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is proud to help host Dreamspinner Press’s release week for its One Pulse Anthology, a collection of stories written in the aftermath of the horror of the shootings in Orlando. Here today, is Jon Keys, author of the wonderful Obsidian series and the story, A Single Night. Welcome, Jon, to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

~~~

A Single Night by Jon Keys from the One Pulse Anthology

Interview

Where do you normally draw your inspiration for a book from? A memory, a myth, a place or journey, or something far more personal?Good question! For me it can be from almost anything: a random comment; a location I’ve never been to before, or a familiar one I revisit. I’ve written a few stories based on fairy tales. Many of the contemporary novels begin as a “what if” story. For example, a novel I’m writing now is built from the question of what would happen if a college professor fell for his mechanic. From there I’ve added twists and turns to take it beyond the obvious.

Are you a planner or a pantzer when writing a story? And why?Both. I start out planning the important elements of the novel. Lately I’ve been mapping stories out to get their flow. But once I begin writing, all kinds of twists and turns happen that I hadn’t foreseen. When they do I usually let them run their course.

Contemporary, supernatural, fantasy, or science fiction narratives or something else? Does any genre draw you more than another when writing it or reading it and why does it do so?Well the reading side is easier, so lets start there. Science fiction and fantasy are big time favorites. I enjoy the peek at another world or another time. All of those situations appeal to me as a reader. So far as other genre that are in the mix; some murder mysteries will fall in from time to time. I enjoy solving the puzzles and figuring out the who done it. Contemporary is also in the combination. Nothing scratches an itch sometimes quite like a good love story. But even then I want to know about their life, where they live and other background. I guess that element comes through on both my reading and writing. I want them to have a feeling of place.Writing follows some of the same lines of thought, but the emphasis has been different. Most of my writing has focused around contemporary, or at least the first handful of stories was firmly rooted in the here and now. They also had a strong rural/cowboy flavor to them. But over the last several stories the focus is on fantasy. Whether it was the retelling of a classic fairy tale or the worlds of high fantasy, I’ve found writing these created worlds very satisfying. I love creating worlds and the animals and people who populate them. But in my next novel set to be released early in 2017 I’m back firmly in the contemporary world, telling cowboy stories again. I seem to have somewhat of a split writing personality!

If you had a character you’ve written you would write differently now at this time in your writing career, who would it be and why?The characters I’d probably want most to redo would be some of the antagonists, particularly Peter’s ex from Home Grown. He’d be much more multilayered now, more ominous. Yeah, he would be the character I could change more than most others.

Can an author have favorites among their characters and do you have them?Sure! I think authors can definitely have favorites. Some characters come out with so much personality and personal growth that you can’t help but cheer them on and want them to win. Terja from Obsidian Sun was one of those. He grew and changed so much through the course of the books.
If you were to be stranded on a small demi-planet, island, or god forbid LaGuardia in a snowstorm, what books would you take to read or authors on your comfort list?Oh jeez, I always go back to these later and can think of a dozen more. My test of a good read is how many times I’ve reread them. Some authors who have made it on my reread list: Anne McCaffrey’s Pern, Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar world, Allen Dean Foster, and for humor I love Robert Aspirin; the MYTH series, Phule’s Company and the Dragon Series. Yeah, that would be the short list, at least for now.
How early in your life did you begin writing?.I’m not one of the child prodigies I’m afraid. I never considered writing until a few years ago and I thought, “I can do that” and gave it a try. Now? Well it’s become quite an addiction for me.

Were you an early reader or were you read to and what childhood books had an impact on you as a child that you remember to this day and why?I read a lot of books, but don’t remember too many of the early ones. Actually the oldest book that I remember was Mother Goose. I had people read that book to me until I could ‘read’ the book out loud. Oddly enough the novel I remember from elementary school was Farmer Boy and yes, I was an adult before I realized it was part of the Little House on the Prairie series. But I could identify with Alfonzo. Later I found more science fiction and fantasy books. Of course I had the classic collection of all the comic books I could afford. I’d never heard of a graphic novel in those days.

If you were writing your life as a romance novel, what would the title be?Oh wow, hard question. I agonize over titles. I really like for them to work on a number of levels. Maybe “Here we go again.”

Blurb:

The aftermath of tragedy calls for more than just physical healing, but Devon and Logan may find it with family—and with each other.

Author Bio

Jon Keys’ earliest memories revolve around books; with the first ones he can recall reading himself being “The Warlord of Mars” and anything with Tarzan. (The local library wasn’t particularly up to date.) But as puberty set in he started sneaking his mother’s romance magazines and added the world of romance and erotica to his mix of science fiction, fantasy, Native American, westerns and comic books.

A voracious reader for almost half a century, Jon has only recently begun creating his own flights of fiction for the entertainment of others. Born in the Southwest and now living in the Midwest, Jon has worked as a ranch hand, teacher, computer tech, roughneck, designer, retail clerk, welder, artist, and, yes, pool boy; with interests ranging from kayaking and hunting to painting and cooking, he draws from a wide range of life experiences to create written works that draw the reader in and wrap them in a good story.

Buy links:

eBook: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/one-pulse-7577-b

Social Media:

email: Jon.Keys@ymail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jon.keys.773
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jon4Keys
Website: http://jonkeys.com

Excerpt:

Logan couldn’t help but notice Devon’s limp was more pronounced than normal. The wear and tear on his husband was visible tonight when Devon grabbed the back of the sofa. His fingers dug into the thick padding as he sighed.

“Sit down, please. I’ll call Michelle and Doug and reschedule. They’ll understand,” Logan said.

“I’m fine. Watch.” Devon winked at Logan, then vaulted over the back of the heavy piece of furniture to land with a bounce on the dense cushions.

A slight rattle and a stifled groan of pain made Logan cringe. “Would you behave, Devon! You’ll mess something up.”

Devon wrapped his meaty arms around Logan and worked to pull him on top. But Logan grabbed his face and planted a kiss on his forehead.

“Knock it off. It’s your sister who’s on her way,” Logan said.

But Devon ignored the protest, pulled Logan close, and pressed their lips together. The tingle in the pit of Logan’s stomach was the same he’d gotten the night they met. In the years since, it had only gotten stronger. Logan took a deep breath and filled his senses with Devon’s masculine scent, letting himself melt against the muscular chest and feel safe. His thoughts became fuzzy and his crotch tight as their closeness sent delicious jolts through Logan. He realized this wasn’t going like it should when they had guests arriving. Logan pushed away, wet his lips, and grinned.

“I have to cook supper before they get here. Go change into something comfortable. And hang up your dress clothes, because I’m the one who has to iron your crap.”

When Devon made an attempt to stand and his breath hissed through his teeth. Logan stepped over to help, but Devon waved him away. “When I can’t get my fat ass off the sofa, I’ll let you know.”

Logan rolled his eyes but stepped back. The effort took several tries before Devon stood. He shot Logan a wink and a smile. “See, told you I didn’t need help.”

Logan’s lips formed a tight line, and he started toward the kitchen. “You’re a stubborn jackass. Now go change.” He pulled out ingredients for dinner and within a few minutes had food strewn across the counters. He had the ingredients for the first course ready when Devon reappeared, still wearing his clothes from work.

“What do you want me to do?” Devon asked.

Logan glanced over and sighed. “Just once you could listen. Sit. Rest. They’ll want to play games until late.”

“I’ll help. I can make a pasta dish.”

Logan studied him for a minute before lifting an eyebrow. “Yeah, pasta would be good. What did you have in mind?”

Devon smirked as he made his way to the refrigerator while Logan worked on getting the entrée ready. He was preparing steaks and fresh vegetables from their garden for grilling. Logan spread them over two trays, seasoned them, and then coated everything with good olive oil they’d discovered on their trip to Italy. It was one of the little indulgences they allowed themselves. Devon was still working his way through the contents of the fridge when Logan stepped out onto their patio to get the grill ready.

While it heated, he looked around the yard and enjoyed the spring flowers he and Devon cared for with meticulous attention. They’d remodeled the deck last year and put in a Jacuzzi. He’d paid for it as part of Devon’s fortieth birthday gift. But he’d also hoped it would help keep the scar tissue on Devon’s leg a little more flexible. Whether it did or didn’t, they enjoyed having the little oasis to escape into each evening. Devon’s job as a victims’ advocate became stressful at times, and Logan wanted him to have a place to unwind.

Logan turned his attention to the barbecue, decided everything was fine, and slipped into the house. He glanced over at Devon and froze. A second later, he started laughing.

Devon turned to him and lifted an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”

“Nope. Not at all. I was just wondering if you’d left anything in the fridge.”

“You questioning my ability to make pasta salad?”

Logan held up both hands in surrender. “No, no. Nothing like that.”

Devon turned to his cutting board and diced peppers with the chef knife Logan bought him last Christmas. The mix of ingredients was unique, but Devon seemed satisfied with his hoard, so Logan didn’t care. No one’s crying, no one’s bleeding, then it isn’t a big deal. They worked together in the kitchen with practiced ease. Logan decided to make shot glass desserts for a treat. Devon was putting his salad in the fridge as Logan sprinkled pecans into the last dessert glass.

Devon was up to something; he was smirking too much over making pasta salad. Logan waited a minute before checking to see what was happening. He wasn’t surprised to discover the source of Devon’s amusement about the dish he’d made.

He frowned at the penis-shaped pasta filling the bowl. “Really? Another porn pasta creation? And for your sister?”

By this time Devon was cackling. “She’ll think it’s great, and Doug will turn a nice shade of red. It’ll all be good.”

Logan sighed and glanced at his watch. “Fine, keep your cock pasta. Your sister will be here soon. We need to shower.” He looked at Devon and lifted one brow. “And taking off your tie doesn’t mean you got relaxed.” Logan stood with an expression he hoped looked appropriately stern.

“If you ask me if I need help, I swear I’ll beat you with a wet noodle.”

Logan chuckled and waved him away. “Go shower. I’ll set the table. If you behave, I’ll come wash your back.”

“If you put out later, maybe I’ll let you,” Devon said with a laugh.

Authors on Narrators~Last Thoughts on Audiobooks and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Authors on Narrators~Last Thoughts on Audiobooks

With RJ Scott, J. Scott Coatsworth, and Joe Cosentino

As we wind down our series on audiobooks, I wanted to talk to the authors who write the stories that get narrated. Find out what they are looking for in a narrator, what they think of their stories being read out loud? Is it too strange? Does it seem surreal? Or just right? This is what I found, thank you, authors RJ Scott, J. Scott Coatsworth, and Joe Cosentino for helping us out this week…

The Authors Perspective

♦︎From Author RJ Scott, author of The Heart of Texas audiobook narrated by Sean Crisden and a consistent favorite among our reviewers:

Way back, when I was with Silver, a narrator did The Christmas Throwaway for me. I loved his voice, Sean Crisden, and to date he has done all of my audio books (apart from one short that was with DSP).

I don’t listen to my audiobooks, I have proofers that do that for me to check them. I am also not a listener to audio books.

I think I know why. They go too slow for me, so the one time I have listened to an audio book I listened to it on double speed (LOL). My thoughts about story buzz all over the place, and I get impatient to get to the story. This is the same when I read – I speed read.

I know that audio is a growing market, and i have had requests for my books to go into audio – hence trying the water with the Sanctuary books. This has led to me putting The Heart Of Texas out on audio which has been hugely successful. This is good as there is a huge investment financially in getting the books out there.

♦︎From Author J. Scott Coatsworth, who’s audiobook The Autumn Lands was a real hit with our reviewer Paul B:

What do you look for in a audiobook narrator?

Several things. First, I want someone with a good, clear voice – someone that my readers (or listeners) will enjoy, and whose voice won’t jerk them out of the story. But I am also looking for someone professional – someone who has some experience, who knows the ins and outs of doing audio, and who will work with me on a professional basis. I also ask if they are willing to share royalties instead of requiring an upfront payment, which can be a big boon for authors who don’t have a lot of ready cash.

Do you listen to your audiobooks?

I only have two so far – The Autumn Lands, which appeared on Campfire, and my story A New Year, which appears in the Candle in the Dark anthology from Inkstained Succubus (Inky Suky). I’ve listened to The Autumn Lands – it’s strange listening to your own work.

What made you want to see your books in a audiobook format?

It’s another outlet for readers to find me. I was at the DSP Retreat earlier this year, and they talked about the big growth in audio and translation sales, as sales revenues for print and eBooks at Amazon have declined for many publishers. Audio seems to be the place to be.

Do you listen to audiobooks in general?

LOL… not yet. As I mentioned, I have listened to a few on Vance Bastian’s great Campfire podcast. In fact, Vance is the one who did the audio for The Autumn Lands, which appeared on the podcast first. Mostly it’s just a matter of time. I need to find more time for books.

****

♦︎From Joe Cosentino,who has a November audiobook release of a previous book: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland narrated by Joel Leslie our narrator guest of last week and published by Dreamspinner Press.http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com

What do you look for in an audiobook narrator?

Since my books are generally on the theatrical side (like me), I look for an audiobook narrator who is an actor capable of expressing numerous emotions and playing various roles effectively. Since humor is such an important part of books, I seek a performer with a great sense of humor and comic timing evident in their narration. Finally, I seek a narrator who can transport me to amazing places, pluck at my romance heartstrings, and keep me riveted as the plot twists and turns unfold. Michael Gilboe did a great job narrating my Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery, published by Lethe Press. His wry sense of humor, spot on comic timing, and ability to inhabit twenty-two characters make that audiobook great fun to hear. It also didn’t hurt that Michael, like Nicky Abbondanza in the series, is a college theatre professor. Though straight himself, Michael was quite comfortable with the gay content in the novel. Coming from the Midwest, Michael also has crystal clear diction, which is so important in an audiobook. Michael was able to build beautifully the tension to the shocking ending, where we find out whodunit and why. When the readers of Divine Magazine chose Drama Queen as their Favorite LGBT Mystery Novel, Humorous Novel, and Contemporary Novel of 2015, I shared the kudos with Michael. I’m hoping he’ll do Drama Muscle, the second Nicky and Noah mystery, which just won a Rainbow Award Honorable Mention. Joel Leslie is currently recording an audiobook version of my The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland published by Dreamspinner Press, releasing in November. Also an actor, Joel has a strong connection to his emotions, crisp diction, and the ability to believably play many characters. Having lived in both England and the US, Joel is also able to narrate with an American or British accent, perfect for my gay take on my favorite fairytales.

Do you listen to your audiobooks?

Do I ever! Ask Michael Gilboe, if he’s still speaking to me-hah. I listened to every word of Drama Queen and emailed Michael a number of requested corrections. He was nice enough to make every one. I have to admit, though I wrote the book, when I heard the audiobook I laughed out loud hysterically, and I was shocked by the ending. I am very much looking forward to hearing The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland when it is completed.

What made you want to see your books in an audiobook format?

Everyone tells me my books should be made into TV series. It totally agree. Until that time comes, audiobooks, like radio dramas in times past, are the next best thing. If an audiobook is narrated well, the listeners should see the characters and their stories in front of them.

Do you listen to audiobooks in general?

I’d better. My spouse is Audible Approved audiobook narrator, Fred Wolinsky, who has quite a following, including me. We decided he wouldn’t do my books to keep our marriage safe. Hah. Actually, I am working with another narrator, Charissa Howe, on my straight (with gay supporting characters) mystery series, the Jana Lane mysteries. Charissa is recording Paper Doll, the first Jana Lane mystery now. She’s amazing actress who embodies Jana (an ex-child star making her movie comeback and solving murder mysteries along the way) and all the quirky characters beautifully. I better go now, I have some correction requests for Charissa. Happy audiobook listening!

Thank you, RJ, Scott, and Joe, for all that wonderful insight. Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words and our listeners/readers look forward to more of your stories, in every format!

A Listener’s Perspective

And finally I asked those that listen, from two different angles. One for whom english is a second language, our Stella and Barb, our Zany Old Lady.

From Stella:

My thoughts on what I like in a audiobook narrator… To me the voice needs to be perfectly clear and let me understand each word. I saw a lot of talks around by not English readers like me, often scared of trying audios because the narrator could be too English or too American, or simply too quick in the narration. I don’t have a lot of audios but before picking the few I have, i went to audible and listen to a LOT of samples. And let me tell you, few narrators do a really great job for what I look in an audio.

From Barb, our Zany Old Lady:

A great narrator is a voice actor—a person who can bring a story to life just by using their voice.

A great narrator plays the roles of each of the characters in the story, giving each a personality and a voice of his/her own.

A great narrator knows the story inside and out before recording, and if unsure of a word’s pronunciation, finds out before speaking it.

A great narrator understands the difference between reading a story, telling a story, and living a story.

A great narrator convinces me that the most important task I need to do today is to stay immersed in this particular story. He (or she) transports me to a place from which I really don’t want to return.

audiobook-concept-headphones-books-white-background-39281337

And in the end, isn’t that what great stories are supposed to do? Transport us out of our daily lives into other worlds, contemporary, supernatural, fantastical…whatever we may be looking for! A great narrator tells an author’s story in a manner that make’s us feel it, live it, cry and laugh and yes, maybe even fan ourselves because of that author’s words flowing out to our ears through a particularly memorable voice. Its a gift. And when combined with the that of a equally talented author, the result is one that beckons, sparkles and makes the audiobook a deep and moving experience. What a joy!

My thanks to Joel Leslie, our narrator last week and guest. His terrific giveaway of 10 audiobooks is still running. Please leave a comment today or on the blog last week to be entered. Contest ends on the 30th of September at midnight. Don’t forget to leave an email address where you can be reached if chosen. We are choosing 10 winners! So get those entries in. Here is the link to the Joel Leslie Interview/Contest: http://wp.me/p220KL-8fa

My thanks to RJ Scott, J. Scott Coatsworth, and Joe Cosentino. Their bios and media information can be found at the end of today’s blog. Coming up in October? Another new topic, a spooky Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words reading contest, and much more. Stay with us! And now for this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 25:

Authors on Narrators~Last Thoughts on Audiobooks with RJ Scott, J. Scott Coatsworth and Joe Cosentino
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, September 26:

Cover Reveal – Snow & Secrets (Stanford Creek #3) by RJ Scott
In the Release Day Spotlight: God of Jazz: Fugue, Concord by Varian Krylov (author interview and giveaway)
Riptide Tour – Kinky Sprinkles by LA Witt
A Free Dreamer Review: Pendulum by L.C. Davis
A Lila Release Day Review: Where We Left Off by Roan Parrish

Tuesday, September 27:

Blog Tour: Dominique & Other Stories by Brenda Murphy (excerpt and giveaway)
Blog Tour & Giveaway: Sean McKissack’s To Be a Different Someone
A Free Dreamer Review: Stygian by Santino Hassell
A Caryn Review: Out of My Mind by AJ Truman
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Places in Time by Cardeno C
A MelanieM Review: Dragon’s Dilemma by Mell Eight

Wednesday, September 28:

Dreamspinner Press’ One Pulse Anthology Release Tour and a Interview with Jon Keys, author of A Single Night
Book Blitz: DC Juris’s short story, Star’s Embrace (excerpt and giveaway)
An Alisa Release Day Review: From the Get Go by Sean Michael
A Lila Release Day Review: Making Waves (Wrench Wars #4) by Marie Sexton
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Kinky Sprinkles by L.A. Witt

Thursday, September 29:

In the Spotlight: Jamie Deacon ‘Caught Inside (excerpt and giveaway)
Release Blitz & Review Tour – Morning My Angel by Sue Brown- (excerpt and giveaway)
Beach Rental Anthology Tour and Giveaway
An Alisa Review: Night Train To Naples (Night Train #1) by Carolina Valdez
An Alisa Audiobook Review: The Cattle Baron’s Bogus Boyfriend by Nicki Bennett and Narrator Rusty Topsfield

Friday, September 30:

Cover Reveal Blitz for “Spell Cat” by Tara Lain
A Paul B Release Day Review: A Nice Normal Family by John Terry Moore
A Free Dreamer Review:Faire Secrets (The Faire Folk #4) by Madeleine Ribbon
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Babe in the Woodshop by Ashlyn Kane, Claudia Mayrant, & CJ Burke

Saturday, October 1:

A MelanieM Release Day Review: A Matchless Man by Ariel Tachna
A Paul B Review: Flight Anthology by Queer Sci Fi
A MelanieM Review: The MCB Quarterly, Vol 5

~About the Authors~

j-scott-coatsworth

J. Scott Coatsworth

Scott has been writing since elementary school, when he and won a University of Arizona writing contest in 4th grade for his first sci fi story (with illustrations!). He finished his first novel in his mid twenties, but after seeing it rejected by ten publishers, he gave up on writing for a while.

Over the ensuing years, he came back to it periodically, but it never stuck. Then one day, he was complaining to Mark, his husband, early last year about how he had been derailed yet again by the death of a family member, and Mark said to him “the only one stopping you from writing is you.”

Since then, Scott has gone back to writing in a big way, finishing more than a dozen short stories – some new, some that he had started years before – and seeing his first sale. He’s embarking on a new trilogy, and also runs the Queer Sci Fi (http://www.queerscifi.com) site, a support group for writers of gay sci fi, fantasy, and supernatural fiction.

Website: http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jscoatsworth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392709.J_Scott_Coatsworth

cozzi cove bouncing back

Joe Cosentino

Amazon Bestselling author Joe Cosentino wrote Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back (NineStar Press), Drama Queen and Drama MuscleNicky and Noah mysteries (Lethe Press), An Infatuation, A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays, The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press), Paper Doll (Whiskey Creek Press) and Porcelain Doll (Wild Rose Press) Jana Lane mysteries, and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. His one-act plays, Infatuation and Neighbor, were performed in New York City. He wrote The Perils of Paulineeducational film (Prentice Hall Publishers). Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming novels are Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward (Nine Star Press), Drama Cruise Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), and Satin Doll and China Doll Jana Lane mysteries (Wild Rose Press). Joe was voted 2^nd Place for Best MM Author of the Year in Divine Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2015!

Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino

RJ Scott

RJ Scott is the bestselling gay romance author of over ninety MM romance books. She writes emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.

RJ also writes MF romance under the name Rozenn Scott.

The last time she had a weekís break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldnít defeat.

mailto:rj@rjscott.co.uk

www.rjscott.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/author.rjscott?ref=ts&amp;fref=ts

www.goodreads.com/author/show/3432558.R_J_Scott

twitter.com/Rjscott_author

www.librarything.com/author/scottrj

Its Release Day for Flight: Queer Sci Fi’s Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest Anthology (QSF Flash Fiction #2) by J. Scott Coatsworth , Angel Martinez , Mila May, Jerome W. Stueart, Nina Packebush, Clare London

flight-full-cover

Flight, a Queer Sci Fi Anthology
Publisher: Mischief Corner Books
Among the Many Authors Are: J. Scott Coatsworth , Angel Martinez , Jerome W. Stueart, Nina Packebush, Clare London…

Cover & Illustrations Artist: Mila May
Release Date: General release 9/21/16

Price: $4.99 eBook, $12.99 print b/w, TBD print color

Blurb

A 300-word story should be easy, right? Many of our entrants say it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever written.

Queer Sci Fi’s Annual Flash Fiction Contest challenges authors to write a complete LGBTQ speculative fiction micro-story on a specific theme. “Flight” leaves much for the authors to interpret—winged creatures, flight and space vehicles, or fleeing from dire circumstances.

Some astonishing stories were submitted—from horrific, bloodcurdling pieces to sweet, contemplative ones—and all LGBTQ speculative fiction. The stories in this anthology include AI’s and angels, winged lions and wayward aliens. Smart, snappy slice of life pieces written for entertainment or for social commentary. Join us for brief and often surprising trips into 110 speculative fiction authors’ minds.

Length: 33.6 K
Format: ebook, print
*Book contains 5 illustrations inside.

Pairing: LGBTIQA

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Excerpt

Smoke, by Zev de Valera

He rubbed his temples and squinted at the soft light of his surroundings through the fans of his thick eyelashes. The last drink had been a mistake.

Was that a shaker he’d felt, or the onset of a hangover?

He clutched a silken pillow and waited.

Suddenly, he felt his home tremble; a few pieces of glass

and ceramic ware teetered and then fell to their demise.

Shit. This is the real thing.

With an effort, he hauled himself from his bed.

How many years had it been since the last one?

Sixty? Seventy?

The shaking ceased, and he looked around his small dwelling.
A model unit when he’d purchased it. Now filled with the result of years of collecting: a gramophone, a first generation television set, a water clock. And much more. All of it all had sentimental value—as did the photos of the various men that sat atop or alongside the items in his collection. Some of these men had loved him. All of them had once owned him. Now he owned their memories. That was the bargain. teaser2

Another shake. Followed by several unnerving tilts. He willed his cherished possessions to remain in place and willed himself into sobriety and a more becoming appearance as he prepared himself for work.

What to wear?

He selected a red brocade tunic and pants. A classic look always worked best for the initial consultation.

A resounding thud.

He peered up into the small shaftway at the center of the ceiling.

A pop.

Then a small circle of light at the end of the shaft.

He sighed, folded his arms, and transformed into a cloud of red smoke.

Up and away to meet his new master.

Judge’s Choice — J. Scott Coatsworth

Buy Links Etc:

Publisher (info only, no buy link yet): Pride Publishing: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/the-pill-bugs-of-time

Apple: Coming soon

Barnes & Noble: Coming soon

Smashwords: Coming soon

Goodreads

Goodreads Series Page

About Queer Sci Fi Flash Fiction

In the first year of the Queer Sci Fi Flash Fiction contest, we received about 15 entries for the theme “Endings”. In the second year, it was 115 for “Discovery”.

This year, we had more than 170 entries from people around the world, and from all parts of the LGBTIQA rainbow. “Flight” represents 110 of those people and their stories.

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The Narrator and Audiobooks – Our Interview with Narrator Joel Leslie (Audiobooks Part II/Giveaway) & This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

The Narrator and Audiobooks – Our Interview with Narrator Joel Leslie (Audiobooks Part II)

Last Sunday, I started our conversation about the fast-rising audiobook industry with my blog Are You Listening Now? The Popularity of Audiobooks. This Sunday, that conversation continues with The Narrator and Audiobooks – Our Interview with Narrator Joel Leslie (Audiobooks Part II).

As I have said before, and as reviewers/listeners we have noted many times in our reviews, a good or great narrator makes or breaks an audiobook. It doesn’t matter that you have read it before. Listening to a book makes it fresh once more. It gives a reader a new and different perspective. Often times I hear things I missed in the story, or catch things from a narrator’s inflection that highlights a previously hidden element. I love that about this format.

Also the opposite is true. A narrator you don’t connect with, or one with a flat delivery, or monotone voice…well, that can sink a terrific story faster than a lead anchor. So what’s the key? How to get some insight into those people behind the voices we love to listen to?

Well I was so lucky to hook up with the very talented Joel Leslie who agreed to answer some questions for me. A favorite narrator for both Barb, our Zany Old Lady and Ali, I was delighted to have this chance to talk audiobooks, voices and favorite genres. Here is my interview with Theatrical Director, Designer, and Audiobook Narrator Joel Froomkin , known to most of the LGBTQIA listeners of audiobooks as Narrator Joel Leslie. For you authors out there thinking of putting your story out on audio? Hmmm, I think you might find this as enlightening as our readers.

book-covers

Welcome, Joel, to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. We love our audiobooks here, including several you have narrated including Dinner at Fiorello’s by Rick R. Reed and Ali’s Audiobook Review of Desert Heat and Native Tongue by Lucy Felthouse. I have so many questions for you but these were the first ones that came to mind.

My Interview with Joel Leslie

How did you get started with narrating audiobooks?

Long answer… lol…

It was a long and winding road actually – but I’m so grateful to have landed here. My undergrad was in performance at USC and then I did my MFA there in design and directing. My entire professional career up until the past few years has been concentrated on directing… I did a lot of assisting as well, working on shows with Dame Maggie Smith and lots of other amazing folks. About ten years ago my partner and I started a theatre company in Indiana. It was a labor of love, but despite our efforts the community wasn’t able to financially support the scale of professional productions we aimed to do. I have also been a college professor, teaching dialects at NYU and I was the Director of Drama at a university here in Indiana for a while.

While we were doing shows, in between productions I would sometimes present one-man radio dramas… I would abridge classics like Christmas Carol, Treasure Island, Jekyll and Hyde and do them for a few nights. The audiences loved them. As we were looking to be able to move the theatre company to another area, one of my long time friends who is a fantastic female narrator suggested I give it a try. So I began auditioning and the first contract I landed has actually been most successful series (the SkylerGo Foxe Mysteries by Haley Walsh).

It is a perfect blend of skills really – because 99% of the time with audiobooks you are directing yourself… so my performer background is obviously helpful, but also being able to listen to yourself with a critical ear and shape the performance I think is a terribly useful tool. And now it’s a full time job. I’m booked through February at the moment! Eep.

Do you listen to audiobooks yourself and was that an element in your career or just a plus?

I came to audiobooks largely because I was a huge fan of them. I have always loved the theatricality of an actor playing multiple roles in front of an audience… the ability to be a chameleon. And I fell in love with audiobooks because of that. My favorites were Jim Dale, Davina Porter and Roy Dotrice… they don’t just read a story – they perform it for you. I listen to an audiobook every night… I think that one of the trickiest things is actually working of authors who AREN’T listeners to audiobooks, because they don’t really have a familiarity with the art form and what the audience wants.

What is the hardest part of narrating a story?

Gosh – great question. I narrate under two names… Joel Froomkin for most of my material and Joel Leslie for my m/m material (simply so that I have a consistent brand for my m/m listeners). But Joel Froomkin does a lot of historical and fantasy stuff – and I hate doing battle scenes. It’s difficulty to not try to over act them, or speed up to make it seem exciting… and those are traps. I just think they are hard. Maybe cuz I’m not into sports lol! Other than that, I have a tough time when there are a lot of alpha american men in conversation with each other in a scene. Flamboyant characters can have quirks and personality that make them easily identifiable… and when you are doing a British book it’s so much easier because class and level of education is so distinctive with their speech and also dialects change in England every 21 miles… so you have great variety for how you make characters sound to pull them out for the listener. But if I have a bunch of super-butch American alpha males in a room having a conversation in a book I usually have a panic attack.

It’s also very challenging to do a series where the author gives you multiple POV chapters. Usually you would make your main character your own voice… because it’s going to be the most authentic and resonate as the most truthful with the reader… but when you have a bunch of characters speaking in first person… you can’t do that. And it can be a real challenge. I’ve had two like that recently (“Absolution (The Protectors #1)” by Sloane Kennedy (which is the first in an amazing series) and “Guns Blazing” by Eva Lenoir and Andrea Smith) that I sweated bullets over.

And the easiest?

People are so shocked to hear this…but the sex scenes. Because usually there isn’t that much dialogue and it’s all descriptive. So you can just settle back and read… it’s kind of like putting your car on cruise control. And after doing this for almost two years now, there really isn’t much I can read that will make me blush!

I can remember listening to books being read to me as a child. How they were read had a huge impact on me. Using different voices, no matter how silly it might have seen to the adult (bears, rabbits…you know…childrens books). The same carries over here. In some stories, you play many characters where there are different pov. Or do you only narrate stories with a singular pov?

It depends on the narrator… but I am very much a narrator who creates characters. It’s funny that you mention animals, because when I first get a book I send the author a bunch of questions and one of them is “if your character was an animal what would they be”… Finding the voice for someone is much easier if you know the author thinks they are a ferret vs. a hamster or a Persian cat. But I think the m/m listeners that really respond to my work usually do so because they enjoy how much individuality I try to give my characters. Also, because I grew up in the UK with American parents, I’m kind of a dialect ambidextrous lol. I jump between authentic British and American accents and I do as much British work for British authors as I do for American authors. Listeners who have tried multiple books of mine are often confused about what my real voice sounds like.

I would imagine, being a narrator lets you go into any genre you want…am I correct in that? Or do you have a particular favorite

Well I love that I get to do so much m/m work. I find it really important and empowering to be able to put those kind of stories out into the world. I know the main audience is female for m/m romance, but I also think about the young adults who are struggling to feel ok with themselves and they might discover one of these stories by the brilliant authors I get to work for and find some hope. And the thing about audio is it’s so private… you really are one-on-one with the listener. So it means a lot to be able to give voice to m/m romance. I also love doing fantasy stuff because it means you can use every dialect in the universe and play with crazy voices. You don’t get to do everything you want – I think you can get pigeonholed as a narrator. But I’m luckily not in that place yet, and my audiobook career has a lot of room to grow.

What’s your favorite types of stories to read or listen to?

I am such a sucker for cozy mysteries. I don’t know why. I LOVE MC Beaton and the Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin books. I think that’s why I love doing Haley Walsh’s Skyler Foxe so much…because it really is a gay spin on that type of mystery. I think TJ Klune is one of the most amazing authors out there in any genre. I don’t think I could ever get tired of listening to Jim Dale doing Harry Potter or Roy Dotrice doing Game of Thrones… they are just extraordinary examples of old-school storytelling. I’m also so lucky to have an ongoing relationship with authors like N.R Walker, Kim Fielding, Andrea Smith, Kiernan Kelly, TM Smith and Grace R Duncan – they always seem to have something wonderful for me to play with.

What current projects are you working on that you want to share with our readers?

Absolution, the first in the protectors series by Sloane Kennedy just came out, as did Fame and Fortune by TM Smith. Upcoming things I’m really excited about are the sequel to Black Balled called Hard Edit by Andrea Smith and Eva Lenoir, the second book in the Red Dirt Heart series by NR Walker and The Naked Prince and Other Fairy Tales by Joe Cosentino.

If you were an bard of old….how would you start your story of your life and what would it be called?

“Once upon a time there was a kid who could never keep his big mouth shut… It took two decades for him to realize there was a career for that.”

Thank you, Joel, that was a wonderful interview. I’m sure there are many more questions rumbling about inside my head. I hope you will stop back by Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for another conversation about narration and audiobooks and any future projects you want to share with us.

To listen to Joel, here are three different excerpts:

Desert Foxe by Haley Walsh: https://soundcloud.com/jojofro-1/desert-foxe-by-haley-walsh
Treasure by Kim Fielding: https://soundcloud.com/jojofro-1/treasure-by-kim-fielding
Absolution by Sloane Kennedy: https://soundcloud.com/jojofro-1/absolution-by-sloane-kennedy

~

If you want to reach out to Joel, we have listed his contacts below. We also have a giveaway today for our readers brought to you by Joel who is giving away 10 copies, yes 10 winners… the winners could choose the first book in any of my series they wanted to try (Skyler Foxe, The Protectors, Jimmy McSwain Mysteries, All Cocks, or Black Balled)!

About Joel Froomkin

Joel is a UK transplant, growing up with an American parents in a British commonwealth. He is often cast for his unique ability to deliver native, authentic combinations of both American and British sounds. His wit and comedic timing also appeal to producers. He has developed a strong body of work for young audience, historical, fantasy, new-adult, romance and m/m fiction.

His author’s have praised him as “a narrator among narrators, a man whose ability to create different characters rests on the power of his voice and his impeccable delivery”, and a “true delight…” “legendary, and his professionalism, good humor, and charm make him a dream to work with”, “Anyone else would only be second best”.

Joel records under two names, for mainstream and children’s fiction as Joel Froomkin, and for m/m and adult material under Joel Leslie and has consistent access to home studio for all production needs.

You can contact Joel Froomkin at:

www.joelfroomkin.com/audiobook-narration is my website…
Even better is my Facebook page “Joel Leslie Narration”
Or they can follow me on twitter at joellesliefro @joelfroomkin

Giveaway

We are giving away 10 copies (1 copy a winner so 10 winners overall) , all thanks to Joel Froomkin! The 10 people chosen will get to chose from the first book in any of Joel’s series they wanted to try (Skyler Foxe, The Protectors, Jimmy McSwain Mysteries, All Cocks, or Black Balled).

To be entered, tell us who’s your favorite narrator or narrators are. Tell us what you like best about a narrator and maybe name some of your favorite audiobooks. New to audiobooks? OK, name the ones you’d love to be able to listen to if you had a way to listen to audiobooks. And after you do that, make sure you leave a contact name and email address where you can be reached if chosen. Contest is open until midnight, September 30th. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

(Special Note: If you are a Amazon Prime user, Audible is now free with your account.)

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 18:

The Narrator and Audiobooks – Our Interview with Narrator Joel Froomkin (also known as Joel Leslie)(Audiobooks Part II)
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
A Paul B Audiobook Review: The Autumn Lands by J Scott Coatsworth

Monday, September 19:

Riptide Tour and Giveaway ~ Bitterwood by Rowan Speedwell
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Dad’s Nerdy New Boyfriend by JM Snyder
An Alisa Release Day Review: Power Bottom by Rowan McAllister
A Lila Release Day Review: Safe House (Buchanan House #4) by Charley Descoteaux
A Paul Review: Orion’s Circle (Sirius Wolves # 1) byVictoria Sue

Tuesday, September 20:

Release Blitz & Tour – Sweet Summer Sweat by Clare London
An Alisa Review: Broke by Amanda Young
A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Pill Bugs of Time (Offbeat Crimes #2) by Angel Martinez
An Ali Review: Looking for Group by Alexis Hall
A Stella Review: Three More Wishes by Sean Michael

Wednesday, September 21:

Its Release Day for Flight: Queer Sci Fi’s Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest Anthology (QSF Flash Fiction #2) by J. Scott Coatsworth , Angel Martinez , et al.
Series Recap Tour – Guns n’ Boys by KA Merikan
A Stella Review: Resistance (Village Love #1) by Lillian Francis
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Taming the Wyld by Lucie Archer
A Ali Review: David, Renewed by Diana Copland

Thursday, September 22:

Riptide Tour and Giveaway: Gambling on Love by Jane Davitt
A Stella Review: Gambling on Love by by Jane Davitt
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Run for it All by Carolyn Levine Topol
An Alisa Audiobook Review: The Queen & the Homo Jock King (At First Sight #2) by T.J. Klune and Michael Lesley (Narrator)

Friday, September 23:

Keep Me In Mind tour: Deanna Wadsworth ‘Too Good To Be True‘ (Excerpt and Giveaway)
In the Spotlight: Immortal Watch by Olivia Helling (blitz, excerpt and giveaway)
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Breakaway (Scoring Chances #1) by Avon Gale and Scott R. Smith (Narrator)
An Ali Releases Day Review: Raven’s Rest by Stephen Osborne
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Model Citizen (Haven Investigations #1) by Lissa Kasey and Mike Pohlable (Narrator)

Saturday, September 24:

A MelanieM Review: Wriggle & Sparkle by Megan Derr

A MelanieM Review: Age Is Just A Number: A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Age is Just a Number Anthology There’s something to be said for life experience, a little gray at the temple…

And then there is the appeal of youth.

When it comes to what the heart wants, Age Is Just A Number.

I love anthologies. Its a wonderful way to find new authors, pick up and read a quick story or two in a trope you enjoy. They can be a smorgasbord of finds, and I always find it fascinating on how the editors lay out the stories contained inside. I don’t always agree with their lineup. For me, I think you should lead with one of the strongest stories in the group. Pull the reader into your overall topic with the strength of that particular author’s writing and depth of story, no matter the length.

For me that didn’t happen here and that weak beginning proved somewhat disconnecting for the rest of the collection.

There are some fine stories here, and the editors and Wayward Ink Publishing ended the anthology with a strong finish with one of the best of Age is Just A Number. Everything in between is a bit of a mixed bag. Some so so, some good, some terrific.

I think May/December romances can be an interesting trope to explore. How do the people involved overcome the age differences involved? Because a span of age means a big difference in cultural references, generation speak, outlook, ideologies and more. For an author to get two frames of references across while making those individuals real, their relationship believable and one we want to see happen (instead of one we find squeamish) can be a tough obstacle, let alone in a short story. That some authors succeeded here is wonderful.

TWENTY LIGHT YEARS BETWEEN US by Eric Gober – 2 stars out of 5

An alien encounter…
An unfortunate misstep…
A lightning fast journey through space…
The laws of physics are about to wreak havoc on Walt and Michael’s May-December love.

I found this to be the least effective story of the collection. More a group of researched items from the 60’s tied together by a thin plot line then a real tale. All I noticed was brand names rather than any real feeling or cohesive story of any depth. This would not have been my choice for lead in story.

ALL ROADS LEAD WITHIN – 3.5 stars out of 5

Layla Dorine

When James spotted Rogue, a young man for whom wandering is like breathing, half-dozing on the hood of his car, he never expected that warning him about the dangers of sleeping out in the open would lead to a weekly visitor at his door.

I rather liked this dusty tale of love and wandering. It had a real feel for location and people. James and Rogue came alive on the trail, visit after visit. This story kept me going in the anthology.

NORTH PASTURE – 3 stars out of 5

Lily Velden

Upon the death of his grandfather, up and coming Fantasy author, Thomas, returns home.
A place he left four years earlier to get over his unrequited love for Sam Fletcher, his older, straight, and very much married neighbor.
Thomas soon discovers, however, that things are much changed with Sam…

I wanted to like this more and I think I would have as a longer story. It has so many great elements that need enlarging. Thomas and Sam, Sam’s misconceptions and son. But it ends too quickly and left me feeling frustrated over what I thought the story could have been. Unfair? Maybe, but there it is.

AMERICAN MASTER BAKER – 4 stars out of 5

Dale Cameron Lowry

Baking is a way of life for Joey, a young pastry chef vying for first place in the popular reality show American Master Bakers.
But the judges have been showing favoritism to Terence, an aggravatingly attractive older man with more experience under his belt.
When the competition gets hot, so do the two men. Can a relationship that started in hatred end in love?

Loved this story. The cooking competition, the different pastries, the intensity and the heat of the kitchen? Wonderful. And oh, yes, the sex.

ALPHA AND OMEGA: THE CLAIMING – 4 stars out of 5

Eddy LeFey

A young Omega shifter meets a much older Alpha.
Will Elliot let Issac help him be who he is too afraid to be?

A neat take on the Omega/Alpha combination. Elliot was a lovely new addition to the Omega shifter take and his predicament was unusual enough and his rescue drama and romantic that it made this story. I wanted more of both of them. Great job.

STAND AND DELIVER – 3 stars out of 5

Asta Idonea

Necessity has forced former soldier Captain Keen to assume the occupation of gentleman highwayman. His fortunes take a turn, however, the night he stops the Marquis de Beaumont’s coach and gets more than he bargained for when he utters the words “Stand and deliver!”

Idonea’s has part of a great m/m historic novel here. The trouble is that I found it only to be the first half. I got just enough of the Marquis and Keen to pique my interest in both but not enough to believe in a future for them. I really needed to see beyond that voyage. 3 stars for great details.

LOST AND FOUND – 4 stars out of 5

Louise Lyons

The loss of his best friend leads Phil to find love.

German Shepherd puppies and love. Actually loss, and new found found again. That’s the theme here and it works. Simple and sweet. Well done.

TRAIL TO LOVE – 2.75 stars out of 5

Kassandra Lea

There’s only one thing Kit Conley likes more than horses and that’s Roman Meadery.
But will the elite rider ever notice him?

I’m a horse person so why didn’t I connect? I think it was the characters. They just didn’t seem real. Nor did the dialog. Nice horses though.

CRUISING WITH LOVE – 3.75 stars out of 5

Carol Pedroso

Gus is under the thumb of a controlling father. Can meeting his mate give him a reason to make a break for freedom?
Nelson is twice Gus’ age, and very protective of what is his.
What will happen when Gus’ father tries to split them up? And what surprises does Nelson have up his sleeve?

Another nice tale of mixed shifters in love. Gus and Nelson meet on a voyage and discover they are fated mates. Pedroso convinces us that these two so very different species are, in fact, fated mates and need to be together. Gus’ dad is a nasty brute and it all works out in the end. I would have liked it more if the species made more sense to me. As it was they were so opposite, that this naturalist’s mind just couldn’t really go there. Prey/food. Sorry.

NEAR MISS – 5 stars out of 5

Aimee Brissay

A few seconds, that’s all it takes to make a difference between life and death.
Between killing someone and stopping on time.
But is it enough to turn yourself around when you’ve hit bottom?
Or to make you recognize something good when you have it?

Without a doubt the finest story of the collection. I’m was happy to see that it ended the Anthology here. A train operator is traumatized by a woman trying to commit suicide in front of his train. The resulting PTSD almost derails his life until someone and something shows him the way back up. Its a remarkable story. This man’s pain feels immediate and real, his flashbacks horrific, and his life spiraling downward authentic and sad. That we can rejoice in his recovery and love is just as amazing. This story is worth the anthology alone.

As I said, anthologies are often a mixed bag but they are a wonderful way to get acquainted with new authors or find stories you might not get anywhere else. Short stories your bag? Are some of these authors new to you or favorites of yours? In either case, Age Is Just A Number: A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology might just be the collection of stories for you. Fantasy, contemporary, supernatural…it has something for everyone. Pick it up and find the story and author for you.

Cover is not a favorite of mine. Just too hodgepodge with no hint of anything other than contemporary.

Sales Links

Wayward Ink Publishing | ARe | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon DE

Anthology Details:

ebook, 240 pages
Published September 1st 2016 by Wayward Ink Publishing
ISBN139780994645647
Edition LanguageEnglish

Coffee Sip and Book Break with Age Is Just a Number, a Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology (an May/December Romance Collection Across Genres – giveaway)

Age Is Just a Number MIni Tour Banner

Title: Age is Just a Number
Authors: Eric Gober, Layla Dorine, Lily Velden, Dale Cameron Lowry, Eddy LeFey, Asta Idonea, Louise Lyons, Kassandra Lea, Carol Pedroso, Aimee Brissay
Genre: Gay, Romance, May/December Romance, LGBT
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing

Synopsis

There’s something to be said for life experience, a little gray at the temple…

And then there is the appeal of youth.

When it comes to what the heart wants, Age Is Just A Number.

Buy Links

Don’t miss the limited time discounted prices on publishers’ and all major retailer sites!

WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/age-is-just-a-number-a-wayward-ink-publishing-anthology/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ageisjustanumberawaywardinkpublishinganthology-2090671-166.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Age-Just-Number-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B01KMSZ7X4/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Age-Just-Number-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B01KMSZ7X4/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Age-Just-Number-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B01KMSZ7X4/
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/Age-Just-Number-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B01KMSZ7X4/

AIJAN Anthology Cover

Stories Included

TWENTY LIGHT YEARS BETWEEN US

Eric Gober

An alien encounter…
An unfortunate misstep…
A lightning fast journey through space…
The laws of physics are about to wreak havoc on Walt and Michael’s May-December love.

ALL ROADS LEAD WITHIN

Layla Dorine

NORTH PASTURE

Lily Velden

AMERICAN MASTER BAKER

Dale Cameron Lowry

ALPHA AND OMEGA: THE CLAIMING

Eddy LeFey

A young Omega shifter meets a much older Alpha.
Will Elliot let Issac help him be who he is too afraid to be?

STAND AND DELIVER

Asta Idonea

LOST AND FOUND

Louise Lyons

The loss of his best friend leads Phil to find love.

TRAIL TO LOVE

Kassandra Lea

There’s only one thing Kit Conley likes more than horses and that’s Roman Meadery.
But will the elite rider ever notice him?

CRUISING WITH LOVE

Carol Pedroso

NEAR MISS

Aimee Brissay

Exclusive Excerpt from Eric Gober’s Twenty Lightyears Between Us:

“It’s gotta be a hoax of some sort. We’re probably on Candid Camera right now, about

to make big fools of ourselves.” I picked up the 8-track player. “Let’s just go back to our

picnic spot.”

“No way; we’re investigating this.” Gary stepped inside and retreated down a corridor

with Michael.

Against my better judgment, I entered the vessel.

I followed Michael and Gary into what looked like a living area. I had to admit the

room’s decor was unearthly. There was no blue shag carpeting or fake wood paneling. No

beanbag chairs or chained swag lamps either. Everything was spotless and appeared exotic

and very expensive. The lighting—a strange tint I couldn’t quite pinpoint in the spectrum—

had no source that I could see. The furnishings were ultra-modern. All were crafted using

odd angles, asymmetric shapes, and peculiar materials I’d never seen before. The room’s

sophisticated palette defied description. There was no harvest gold, avocado green, or

walnut brown anywhere. In fact, I’d have wagered the colors inside here couldn’t have been

duplicated by Michelangelo or Sherwin-Williams.

Two fiercely handsome men lounged on plush objects. I wouldn’t call the objects chairs

because they had no legs and didn’t touch the ground, but rather seemed to float. I didn’t

see anything suspending them. The man with lighter, golden skin stood when he saw us. He

wore an iridescent jumpsuit made of otherworldly fibers, and he had to be six and a half feet

tall.

Book Trailer

Giveaway

Prize: $10 WIP Gift Card

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Falling Into Autumn and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Falling Into Autumn

“The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf
shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes

Ah, September. That month of in-betweenness. Neither summer nor fall. Still hot but sometimes cold. Its the month that never quite figures out where it wants to be. It fluctuates between seasons, like someone dithering on making a decision between clothes they are trying to decide on for an evening out. The sweet yet raucous sounds of late summer are still in full swing…cicadas are still a loud chorus at my house. Yet also can be heard the sounds of snow geese and Canada geese, flocks in flight, sounding off, in preparation for migration. So too have I seen my first sight and sounds of kettle of hawks, soaring high above…all signs of autumn approaching.

Literature is full of love notes to autumn. And not just literature, poetry, songs…from Neil Diamond’s September Morn to Henry David Thoreau’s “Happy we who can bask in this warm September sun…”, odes to this wildly uneven and serendipitous month are everywhere. Its jumbled ways making people perhaps feel a little crazy and alive, as if they don’t know what to expect from each day to the next.

So I’ll leave you with some crazy facts about September:

Shakespeare did not mention September in any of his plays.
Groucho Marx said “My favorite poem is the one that starts ‘Thirty days hath September’ because it actually tells you something”.
Band-Aids were invented in the month of September.
The last day of September in any year always falls on a different day of the week from the last day of any other month.
The poem “Mary had a Little Lamb” was published September 1st, 1830.
September 5th, is National Cheese Pizza Day.
September 9th is National Teddy Bear Day.
September 16th is National Play-Doh Day.
September 19th is “Talk Like A Pirate Day” around the world… an International event.

So argh me hearties! That’s more than enough for any crazy month, including September, which has Labor Day, one of our best known holidays here in the States.

We also have a new reviewer starting up with us this month. Welcome, Caryn. Her first review will be posted this week! All in all, a very busy week.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, August 28:

Falling Into Autumn
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, August 29:

In the Spotlight: Amy Stilgenbauer ‘Sideshow’ (excerpt and giveaway)
An Alisa Release Day Review: A Fallen Heart by Cate Ashwood
A Caryn Review: The Hearts of Yesteryear by Vivian Dean
An Alisa Review: Hunger by Amanda Young
A MelanieM Review: Magnified by Mell Eight

Tuesday, August 30

Riptide Publishing’s Tour and Giveaway: Looking for Group by Alexis Hall
A MelanieM Review: Review Tour – Blaine D. Arden – Full Circle
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Priddy’s Tale by Harper Fox
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Tasting Notes by Cate Ashwood

Wednesday, August 31

Release Blitz & Review Tour – Matthew J. Metzger’s What It Looks Like
A MelanieM Review: What It Looks Like by Matthew J. Metzger
A Jeri Release Day Review: Lord of a Thousand Steps by Tara Lain
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Wide Open Spaces by Renee Stevens
A Lila Release Day Review: Wrenches, Regrets, & Reality Checks by LA Witt

Thursday, September 1

Mini Blog Tour Invite – Age Is Just a Number, A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology
Coffee Sip and Book Break with Devon & Levi VS Real Life Wyomans from Wide Open Spaces by Renee Stevens (excerpt and giveaway)
A Paul B Review: For a Dragon’s Enthusiasm by Charlie Richards
An Alisa Release Day Review: Bear Among the Books by TJ Masters
A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Senator’s Secret by KC Wells
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Ben by Toni Griffin

Friday, September 2

Blog Tour for Lord of a Thousand Steps by Tara Lain
In the Spotlight: Wide Open Spaces by Renee Stevens (excerpt and giveaway)
Release Blitz for Kyle by RJ Scott
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Red Thread by Bryan Ellis
A MelanieM Review: Age is Just a Number Anthology

Saturday, September 3

A Barb Release Day Review: Empty Net by Avon Gale
A Paul B Review: Bear in Mind by Susan E Scott
An Alisa Review: Grand Opening by Morticia Knight