What Happens When Friends Shift to Lovers? Check out Shifting Gears by Riley Hart (excerpt and giveaway)

ShiftingGearsTourBanner

Shifting Gears

A Crossroads Novel

Book 2

M/M Romance

Riley Hart

SHIFTING-GEARS-1600x2400

Cover Designer: X Potion Designs
Cover Photo:
Stock Photo

Release Date: February 10, 2016

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1W3baPC

Shifting Gears Full Cover

BLURB

Rod Nelson is used to being someone’s good time, and that’s fine with him. Spending his days at his adult toy store, Rods-N-Ends, he never knows who he’ll meet. The second Landon Harrison walks in, he has Rod’s full attention. It seems as if Landon wants him too, so why won’t the man jump in the sack with him already?

Landon never thought he’d return home to the town where memories lurk around every corner. He has to admit, Rod makes the adjustment a lot easier. He keeps Landon laughing. Despite the fierce attraction between them, he’s not willing to risk his newfound friendship to get laid.

Neither man wants something serious, but the more they’re together, the harder it is to keep their hands to themselves, until eventually they stop trying.

But flings between friends are never simple, and as they attempt to shift gears, diving into their first relationship, they’re slammed with setbacks. If they want to truly move forward, before they hit the open road together, they’re going to have to let go of a past that could make them crash and burn.

BUY LINKS

Amazon US:http://goo.gl/RiRaHk

Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/iWolwS

Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/ZAoAUO

Amazon AU: http://goo.gl/lZxgPd

ibooks: https://goo.gl/3F4c3v

Kobo: https://goo.gl/skmMhC

B&N: http://goo.gl/04dyN9

TEASERS

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EXCERPT

Landon pulled softly on his arm again, and Rod got the hint. He kneeled between Landon’s legs, with his knees on the floor. “You’re determined,” Landon told him.

Yes, yes he was. At least when it came to this. “Is that a bad thing?”

Landon smiled. “Hell no. You’ve had my dick hard since the first time I saw you. Easy Ride comes in the mail too, ya know?”

“Aww, so you came to see me?”

“Shut up so I can kiss you.” The look in Landon’s eyes turned dark, hungry, urgent, and he pulled Rod closer, covering Rod’s mouth with his own. His tongue went straight for Rod’s lips, demanding entrance, and Rod gave it easily. He tasted like a mixture of coffee and mint, like maybe he’d had a drink right after brushing his teeth.

Rod slid his hands up Landon’s thighs until he got to the bulge at the apex of them and rubbed his hand over it, feeling the large bump beneath his jeans.

Landon growled into his mouth, making it vibrate through him.

He leaned back, grabbed the bottom of Rod’s shirt and pulled it over his head. “I’m so damned hungry for you. This won’t be slow. It’ll be fast and hard.”

“Were you under the impression that I wanted it slow?”

Grinning, Landon reached around and swatted Rod’s ass. “Let’s go to the room.”

“Why move when we can do it right here?” He didn’t want to give Landon the chance to change his mind. Rod reached under the couch and grabbed a bottle of lube, before pulling a condom from his wallet and tossing both to the couch.

“You keep lube under your couch?”

“I live alone. I can jack off wherever I want. Are we going to talk or do this?” But really, he liked talking to Landon, and if what Landon said was true, he liked talking to Rod as well.

“Fuck now, words later.”

Hell yes. Definitely what he wanted to hear. Rod stood up to take off his jeans. As he worked the button, Landon traced a path across his stomach with his tongue. He nipped at the skin next to Rod’s belly button, just enough to sting before he sucked the skin into his mouth again.

“Oh fuck.” Rod’s bones melted; his knees went weak.

“Get out of those pants before I rip them off of you. Want your ass.”

Rod looked down at him and nodded, letting Landon know he was good to go. Finally, his goddamned fingers started to work and he got his pants unbuttoned and unzipped. Blood rushed through his ears. His cock ached as he pulled down his jeans.

Landon leaned in. “Jesus, you’re leaking like crazy. Look at that fucking wet spot. I want your taste on my tongue again.” And then he nuzzled his face between Rod’s legs, his mouth against the growing spot of pre-come in Rod’s underwear.

“Damn, I’m going to fucking kill you if you make me come too soon.” Even as he spoke, Rod had his hand in Landon’s hair, pushing his face closer to his aching cock.

Landon smacked his ass again, before pulling back. “Get them off.”

There was a slight tingle in Rod’s cheek from the smacks. “You’re naughty, aren’t you?” The thought just made his balls even more heavy and tight.

“For some reason, I doubt I have anything on your level of naughtiness.”

Rod shrugged. “It gives you something to strive for. You can practice on me if you want.”

“I’ll consider it, now get your ass out of your underwear and on my dick.”

Rod’s cock pulsed behind the tightening fabric. “Don’t have to tell me twice.”

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine, while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rileyhartwrites/?ref=hl

Website: http://www.rileyhartwrites.com/p/home.html?zx=48696725e5833865

Blog: http://www.rileyhartwrites.com/index.html

Twitter: @RileyHart5

 

GIVEAWAY

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Best Laid Plans and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best Laid Plansthermometer-clip-art-black-and-white-A_Black_and_White_Cartoon_Woman_Sick_In_Bed_with_a_Thermometer_In_Her_Mouth_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_110106-148563-641053

So, I had this post all planned out, I was going to write this fabulous blog on ideas I had on changing our look, a poll I wanted to create and insert, little creative screen shots of how they might look….and then the flu hit and it all went out the window.  This post barely made it.  I’m telling you, I know that sound wimpy, but its true.

All that will happen next week, I promise.  Change will come with the spring winds.

Until then let the thoughts percolate in your mind.  What changes would you like to see here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.  You just might see them included in the next big makeover with a prize to that person whose change we select to be included as part of our makeover.  Send them to me at melaniem54@msn.com with the header changes at STRW.

Until then, sniffles and tissues all.  And here is our schedule in the upcoming week.

 

Books, reading clipart 090

 

 

This Week’s Schedule At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, February 21:

  • Best Laid Plans and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, February 22:

  • Riptide Publishing Tour: The Unicorn by Delphine Dryden
  • In Our Spotlight: Shifting Gears by Riley Hart (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Lila Review: Country Soul by Remmy Duchene
  • A VVivacious Review: Einstein’s Peep Show by Josephine Myles
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Traitor’s Moon by Lynn Flewelling

Tuesday, February 23:

  • Charley Descoteaux ‘Torque’ Keep Me In Mind Tour and Giveaway
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Let It Ride by LC Chase
  • A Jeri Review: The Law of Attraction By Jay Northcote
  • A BJ Review: Bright Star by Talia Blackwood
  • A Stella Review: Second to None by Felice Stevens

Wednesday, February 24:

  • Can Love Overcome the Pain of the Past? When Adam Fell by Pat Henshaw Answers the Question (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A MelanieM Review: Wolf, by Rory Ni Coileain
  • The Fire King by Ellis Perry: A Dreamspinner Tour
  • A MelanieM Review:  When Adam Fell by Pat Henshaw
  • A MelanieM Review: The Fire King by Ellis Perry
  • A PaulB review: Quentin Hart Vampire Bounty Hunter by

Thursday, February 25:

  • Cover reveal for ‘6 Days to get Lucky’ by LE Franks on February 25
  • BA Tortuga ‘Refired’ Keep Me In Mind Tour and Giveaway
  • A Ali Review: A Frost of Cares by Amy Rae Durreson
  • A VVivacious Review: Hoofbeats by A.J. Marcus and Nicold Godfrey
  • A BJ Review: Prelude to Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts (Claimings 0.5) by Lyn Gala

Friday,February 26:

  • Go Nutty Over Love with Rise of the Alpha Squirrel by Kate Lowell (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Thianna Durston’s ‘Finding His Home’ book blast and giveaway
  • In the Spotlight: Rustic Memory by Nic Starr (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Paul B Review: Nuts About You (Nutty Romances #1) by Kate Lowell
  • A Lila Review: Convincing the Secretary by Ava March‏

Saturday, February 27:

  • ‘Love Unlocked: A Beaten Track Anthology’ (excerpts galore and giveaway)
  • A Sammy Review: Cronin’s Key III by NR Walker

 

 

 

A Sammy Review: Cronin’s Key III (Cronin’s Key #3) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4 out of 5

“For every birth of light comes the birth of darkness. It is an honor to call you our enemy.”

Cronin's Key IIIAlec, Cronin, and the entire gang come back for one last epic battle. They’ve dealt with mummies and terracotta armies, not to mention the stress of Alec’s change. He’s just starting to get the briefest understanding of his powers when the world throws another potentially earth-ending situation their way.

This time it’s a legend that’s spanned ages and cultures. What they’re up against now come with many names – lycans, Zoan – all doing little justice to just how wretched the actually creatures are. Once again, Alec must use his powers as the key and get a little help from his friend to save the world and maybe finally get a little bit of peace.

Humans confuse mythology and fact. What they choose to believe as myth and folklore quite often is the truth, but that truth is horrific and frequently unexplainable, so they choose to paint it as a fairytale.

The third and final book in the series is a bit bitter sweet. It’s been an awesome journey to follow Cronin, Alec, and all their friends through so many adventures. This book delivers just as the previous did. It has a nice combination of alternate history that makes you think and a nice dash of heat to spice everything up.

What was lacking a bit in this book were some of the fighting scenes. They felt less tangible and tense. To a certain degree, it makes sense that the author wouldn’t draw them out, but the last fight scene in particular felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, I also had issues visualizing it.

Still, the book was a lot of fun. It also was somewhat sad, which I didn’t expect. I’ve grown to have little notches of love for each of the characters. They have such personality. That in itself speaks volumes because there are a whole lot of characters in this, but a reader can get a grasp for pretty much all of them. Not everyone makes it out of this book, and that’s quite simply sad, but also understandable and fitting.

While I understand N.R. Walker is done with this particular series, I wouldn’t mind if she gives us some more of stuff from other covens and couples. Might be fun! I’d love to see more of Kennard.

The cover by Sara York fits well with the others and does a nice job of capturing the topic of this book.

Sales Links:  ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

175 pages
Published September 18th 2015 by BlueHeart Press (first published September 1st 2015)
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesCronin’s Key #3

A Stella Review: PATCHWORK PARADISE by Indra Vaughn

RATING  5  out of 5 stars

Patchwork ParadiseOliver and Samuel’s relationship is fairy-tale perfect. They share a gorgeous house in Antwerp, go out with their friends every weekend, and count down the days to their dream wedding. But their happy ending is shattered one late night, and just like that, Ollie is left bereft and alone.

The months that follow are long and dark, but slowly Ollie emerges from his grief. He even braves the waters of online dating, though deep down he doesn’t believe he can find that connection again. He doesn’t think to look for love right in front of him: his bisexual friend Thomas, the gentle giant with a kind heart and sad eyes who’s wanted him all along.

When Thomas suddenly discovers he has a son who needs him, he’s ill prepared. Ollie opens up his house—Sam’s house—and lets them in. Ollie doesn’t know what scares him more: the responsibility of caring for a baby, or the way Thomas is steadily winning his heart. It will take all the courage he has to discover whether or not fairy tales can happen for real.

Indra Vaughn continues to amaze me. After the Christmas story, The Winter Spirit , I was curious about this new one. I’ll be honest and say I chose to read Patchwork Paradise because from the blurb it reminded me of one of my all time favorite M/M books, Second Chance by TA Webb. In fact they have some elements in common, so it was really no surprise I love this one so much too. From the blurb I understood it had all the things I need to have in a story.

This book is an emotional story, so heartbroken because the author let me meet and briefly fall in love with Sam, and then she took him away from Ollie and me.

I began following Ollie in the great  hurt that losing the person that shared his life for the last ten years gave him. He needed to relearn the daily habits alone and start living again,  dealing with the attachment to the house he shared with his Sam and the fear of losing it by  the persons he considered his family and are now acting like strangers.

He broke my heart but knowing there was going to be so much more to come, made me fully enjoy even the very bad times. At the end Patchwork Paradise is a second chance at love story and Ollie will heal with the support of amazing friends and an unexpected new love.

The words flew easily, it was a pleasure to read. I loved that the story  was focused not just on the MCs, it made easy to know the secondary ones pretty well too, even the not so likable ones. Moreover to me the timing was perfect, I think the author did great at balance everything at the right time, it’s a story with no pauses, it kept me hooked from the start, still there was no rushing, the events were all very considerate of Ollie’s life and his grieving.

I really couldn’t find a reason to give Patchwork Paradise less than five stars. I liked all the characters, especially Ollie. I laughed and cried a lot with him. His was a beautiful journey among love, friendships, loss, hurt and love again.

Indra Vaughn wrote another success. Sweet, emotional, developed in time and characters, well written and simply complete in every detail. It’s one of that stories I don’t need to wonder what is going to happen at the end. It truly satisfied me and I’m sure my MCs are living their HEA beautifully.

The COVER ART by Lou Harper won me over in the lower half with the toys and the crib but there is something in the models, I don’t know, maybe the sweaters or their faces. With a story like this, the cover should have been so much better.

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing | ARe | Amazon (other are coming)

Book Details:

ebook, 275 pages
Expected publication: March 28th 2016 by Riptide Publishing
Original TitlePatchwork Paradise
ISBN 1626493804 (ISBN13: 9781626493803)
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Lila Review: Fantasy for a Gentleman (A Planet Called Wish #2) by Caitlin Ricci

Rate: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Fantasy for a GentlemanCorbin Leroux has been a high-priced companion for the last twenty year. We first meet him in To the Highest Bidder when he introduces his younger brother to Monroe, his boss. We get to know more about them in the opening scene as Corbin gets ready to receive a regular customer. Everything seems routine until Emmanuel is the one to show for the appointment instead.

 After a confrontation, a subsequent visit, and a bargain, Corbin convinces Emmanuel to call off the hit and to become his protector. The relationship is convenient for them, but they knew it was simply a financial transaction, even when an initial lust runs through them. Corbin knew Emmanuel could change his mind at any minute and kill him

We get several events in which Corbin needs Emmanuel’s protection and with every visit they get, they learned more about each other. With time, they developed deeper feelings for each other but continued to struggle with their professions and the distance it puts between them. Emmanuel, especially, is confused by his feeling for Corbin and tries to break their budding relationship.

 They have several ups and downs, but by the time the story ends, Corbin and Emmanuel had learned to deal with the other’s profession and are doing their best to share their love without leaving behind who they are.

 Fantasy for a Gentleman is a lovely story with an unusual resolution to the normal rentboy/hitman troupe. I typically prefer stories with dual POVs, but Corbin’s narration let the reader, not only in his thoughts but also on Emmanuel’s.

 I like that both characters were over forty and had a real reason for doing their jobs. For them, there was no shame on what they did for a living. They saw it as a service for a greater purpose.  And most of the story develops around this and their understanding of each other.

 The banter and the deep conversations between the MCs are brilliant. We get to see a different side of them when they are together, but alone. Those moments are what makes their relationship unique. They have to work hard to stay together, and they accepted the challenge even when it was hurting them.

 The world build continues in this installment, but we don’t get any more information about the different races and their differences other than their skins. We get to see Monroe as he waits for Thierry since this book happens between the ending of book#1 and the epilogue. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go beyond that, so we don’t get to see more of the original couple. I hope there’s a third book because I want to know more about a character introduced in this story.

 Another great cover designed by the author, Caitlin Ricci. It captures Emmanuel’s silver features with a purple background that represents Corbin’s skin tone.

 Sale Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon | ARe

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Published: February 19, 2016, by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781634768702
Edition Language: English

 Series: A Planet Called Wish
Book #1: To the Highest Bidder
Book #2: Fantasy for a Gentleman

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:How the Cookie Crumbles (Bluewater Bay #12) by Jaime Samms

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

How the Cookie CrumblesFrederic Jackson pulls up roots and moves to Bluewater Bay after losing first place on a reality TV cooking show.  Frederic is a baker, taught by his gran, but with a natural talent for creating perfect pastries.  He was on track to win the show, but the show’s producer, Blaire Caruthers, the man who Frederic fell head-over-heels for, fixed the win in favor of the hot little twink who stole Blaire from Frederic before the two could even get started.  The potential for scandal was squashed with money from Blaire’s father, who owns the production company. Frederic used part of the money to buy the bakery, with its barely working equipment, and part to settle medical bills for his alcoholic father.

A few months later, Blaire shows up in Bluewater Bay ostensibly to work on marketing and promotion of merchandise for the Wolf’s Landing TV show.  But in reality, he wants to win Frederic back, and he deeply regrets his stupidity with Jerry, the twink who won the competition.  What he doesn’t know is that winning the show would have gotten Frederic all the equipment he needed to operate the bakery.  He really didn’t want the cash because he knew his father would tap him for part of it and that proved to be true.  Now Blaire has the nerve to make overtures to him again? No way!

But fate has something else in store for the men and as they realize how much they’ve each changed, and new people and circumstances combine to keep throwing them together. There might be a way for them to find happiness after all.

I really enjoyed this story.  I like the way the author built on the existing Bluewater Bay series concept but took it much further to develop a completely separate story which works fine as a standalone.

The characters were three-dimensional and flawed but just perfect together.  Frederic’s workaholism, in combination with the emotional tug of war with his father, brought him to a personal health crisis that was both unique and believable.  Blaire’s need to separate from his own father, both emotionally and as an employee, was very evident but proved to be a difficult struggle.  His growth and maturity and his desire to find the freedom in creativity that he had craved for years finally overcame his fear of failure and of disappointing his father. The strength he found to make that break and the compassion and love he bestowed on Frederic were just the perfect mix to make this old heart swoon for Blaire and rejoice when he and Frederic finally found their way back to each other.

I very definitely recommend this story to all lovers of MM romance, especially to those who love an enemies to lovers, a hurt-comfort, or a lovers reunited theme.

~~~~~

Cover Art by L.C. Chase depicts a handsome man in a suit staring back at a young man sitting alone on a pier. This is the perfect representation of Blaire and Frederic.

Sales Links:   Riptide Publishing | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 345 pages
Published February 13th 2016 by Riptide Publishing
Original TitleHow the Cookie Crumbles
ISBN 162649388X (ISBN13: 9781626493889)
Edition LanguageEnglish
URLhttp://riptidepublishing.com/titles/how-the-cookie-crumbles

Series: Bluewater BayBWBlogo_Web

Books in this Universe include with links to our reviews:

Starstruck (Bluewater Bay #1) by L.A. Witt
There’s Something About Ari (Bluewater Bay #2) by L.B. Gregg
Hell on Wheels (Bluewater Bay #3) by Z.A. Maxfield
Lone Wolf (Bluewater Bay #4) by Aleksandr Voinov
The Burnt Toast B&B (Bluewater Bay #5) by Heidi Belleau & Rachel Haimowitz
Lights, Camera, Cupid (A Bluewater Bay Valentine’s Day Anthology; Bluewater Bay #6)
Wedding Favors (Bluewater Bay, #7) by Anne Tenino
The Deep of the Sound (Bluewater Bay, #8) by Amy Lane
When to Hold Them (Bluewater Bay, #9) by G.B. Gordon
Rain Shadow (Bluewater Bay, #10) by L.A. Witt
Stuck Landing (Bluewater Bay, #11) by Lauren Gallagher
How the Cookie Crumbles (Bluewater Bay, #12) by Jaime Samms
Selfie (Bluewater Bay, #13) by Amy Lane

 

Its Back to Bluewater Bay with How the Cookie Crumbles (Bluewater Bay #12) by Jaime Samms Riptide Tour and Contest

How the Cookie Crumbles

How the Cookie Crumbles (Bluewater Bay #12) by Jaime Samms
Riptide Publishing
Cover Artist L.C. Chase

Release Date February 13, 2016
Goodreads Link

Buy it/Read an Excerpt here

About How the Cookie Crumbles

After losing a rigged cooking show competition—and a potential lover—to another baker, Frederic Jackson packs up his considerable baggage and moves to Bluewater Bay. He uses the network’s hush money to buy a new bakery where he hopes the small town’s revitalized economy will let him start anew.

Blaire Caruthers never wanted to work for his father at Caruthers Industries. He should have known that fixing the company’s show results was a mistake, and that choosing another man over kind, generous Frederic was an even bigger one. But the damage is done. To escape the fallout, he’s gone to Bluewater Bay to oversee the company’s interest in Wolf’s Landing merchandise.

Stuck in a small, nowhere town doing a job he hates, Blaire wants nothing more than to prove to Frederic he’s changed. However, Frederic struggles to trust the man who betrayed him once already. As Blaire loses ground with his father, and Frederic starts falling back into self-destructive habits, they both have to find the balance and control that’s been missing from their lives.

This title is  part of Riptide Publishing’s Bluewater Bay series, a listing of which can be found here. BWBlogo_Web

About Jaime Samms

Jaime has been writing for various publishers since the fall of 2008, although she’s been writing for herself far longer. Often asked, “Why men? What’s so fascinating about writing stories about men falling in love?”, she’s never come up with a clear answer.  Just that these are the stories that she loves to read, so it seemed to make sense if she was going to write, they would also be the stories she wrote.

These days, you can find plenty of free reading on her website. She also writes for Freya’s Bower, Jupiter Gardens, and Total E-Bound, Dreamspinner Press, MLR Press, and Riptide Publishing.

Spare time, when it can be found rolled into a ball at the back of the dryer or cavorting with the dust bunnies in the corners, she’s probably spending crocheting, drawing, gardening (weather permitting, of course, since she is Canadian!), or watching movies. She has a day job, as well, which she loves, and two kids, but thankfully, also a wonderful husband who shoulders more than his fair share of household and child-care responsibilities.

She graduated some time ago from college with a fine arts diploma, and a major in textile arts, which basically qualifies her to draw pictures and create things with string and fabric. One always needs an official slip of paper to fall back on after all. . .

Connect with Jamie:

Giveaway

Leave a comment for a chance to win $20 in Riptide credit. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on February 20, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. Entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

BWB_SeriesCover

Can Love Heal? Find Out with ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Jo Tannah‏ (excerpt and giveaway)

The Way You Look Tonight Banner
Title: The Way You Look Tonight
Author: Jo Tannah
Genre:  Gay Romance, Contemporary, May-December Romance
Series: Standards Series, Book Two
Length: Novella
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Jo Tannah here today to share her inspiration and thoughts behind her latest story, The Way You Look Tonight.  Welcome, Jo.

First of all, thank you so much, Melanie, for having me here today and for joining my first ever blog tour. You sent me specific questions about The Way You Look Tonight. I will try to answer them as best I could so do forgive me if I ramble on a bit.

The Inspiration

The Way You Look Tonight was inspired by the lyrics of a Standard song of the same title. In fact, both books in the series and the ones in the near future, will hold the titles to these songs.

The first, What A Difference A Day Makes, tells of how one man’s life changed in twenty four hours after meeting the love of his life. The story came to me while I was driving one day and was listening to Gloria Estefan’s CD titled (you got it) The Standards. The song is the third track on that album and I just loved the way she sang it. Something clicked inside me and the men came to life. I was in the middle of the highway and was distracted throughout the three hour drive. What a drive that was. You can find it in Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/What-Difference-Day-Makes-Standards-ebook/dp/B00U6DZKS8

The Jump Start

In this second instalment, The Way You Look Tonight,  Jamie looks at his lover, Miles, and sees the real man behind the coat, the frowns, the stern countenance. Their story came to me during a time when I wanted to relax and put on a Fred Astaire/ Ginger Rogers movie. There is a scene where Fred begins singing and Ginger’s face is covered in face cream and I laughed at how silly the scene played out. Then Miles’ face came to mind, and then a karaoke microphone.

I began thinking about how this song gets sung regularly wherever there is a Karaoke around. It doesn’t matter how bad one sings it, or who does, it gets sung, period. It is a Standard after all and where I come from, karaoke is practically a national pastime.

Jamie’s character is based on several people, his situation based on a real one:  a scandal that broke out here in the country more than a decade ago. It ruined many lives, including some friends and family. It was and continues to be a depressing affair, one that is unfortunately still unresolved. Truth is, even the tragedy that strikes Jamie, how he gets the news, his reaction, they’re all based on real life events.

Laughing at Fred and Ginger made me think of two men who looked past the facades and their story began. In fact, if one were to pay close attention, scattered everywhere in books one and two, the reader would be able to spot reworded lyrics of the Standard song which set the pace to the stories. It would be fun to hear from readers when they do find those hidden words and lyrics.

The Whys

This is difficult to answer. Why do I write? Writing is like reading and I have been a bookworm since as far back as a seven year old. I wrote a blog post for Divine Magazine which is also a part of this tour. There, I wrote as much as I could reveal the whys of writing and how it is such a big part of my life. If you’re curious, hop on there as I pasting the post here would take up most of this blog page and more.

Synopsis

As a member of a wealthy and influential family, Jaime “Jamie” Abello had his life mapped out. Being shipped off to LA with an insurance scam linked to his name was not part of his plan.

It had seemed so simple: pass the Philippines Medical Board Exam;practice in the family-owned and -controlled hospital; join the Board by age forty; and find a partner with whom he could settle down and be himself.

Instead, his father supplies him with a surfeit of money and dangerous secrets and sends him to a strange country.

The Pediatric Residency Program Jamie applies for brings him face to face with untouchable Program Director, Miles Kwon, whom Jamie soon finds to be a man of integrity and vision.

When tragedy strikes, Jamie finds himself falling deeper into depression. Unexpectedly, it’s Miles who helps him work through his pain.

Will Jamie ever experience a life with a loving partner, or will his father’s secrets cause him to lose everything he’s gained?
The Way You Look Tonight Cover

Buy Links

Don’t miss the Valentine’s Day Sale (February 11-22) 50% off on WIP’s website and 40% off on ARe!

WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/the-way-you-look-tonight-by-jo-tannah/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BDTO4U8/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BDTO4U8/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01BDTO4U8/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B01BDTO4U8/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thewayyoulooktonight-1974943-149.html

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Giveaway

Prizes: $4.99 WIP Gift Card and ebook copy of What A Difference A Day Makes by Jo Tannah.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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About the author

JO TANNAH is a wife, mother, and blogger by day, writer by night. It can be difficult to say the least but it is a challenge that keeps her on her toes.

She grew up listening to folktales her father and nannies spun to either entertain the children or send home a message. These narratives stayed with Jo until she finally decided to write them down in a journal way back when she kept one. Years later, going through junk led to finding a long forgotten box and nestled within it was the journal. Reading over the stories of romance, science fiction, and horror that she had taken time to put to paper all those years before brought to light the realization that they were tales she’d never come across in her readings.

The tales Jo write are fictional but all of them are based on what she grew up with and still dreams about. That they have an M/M twist is simply for her pleasure. And she hopes, yours as well.

Jo Tannah can be found at:

Website: http://www.jotannah.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jotannahauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jotannah

A Lila Review: Love and the Exorcism by Melanie Hansen

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Love and the ExorcismTom Hannity is not boring, despite what his ex-boyfriend says. He loves his circle of family and friends and finds peace in the beauty of flower arranging. Still stinging from his recent breakup, Tom attends an Anti-Valentine’s Day “Ex-orcism,” hoping for some fun and forgetfulness.

Mario Tellez is tired of party boys, and he’s had his eye on Tom for a while. When they run into each other at the Ex-orcism, sparks fly, until an accidentally overheard conversation drives Tom to do something he normally doesn’t do.

What should have been a hot and fun night turns into Tom and Mario seeing each other at their absolute worst, although surprisingly, it brings out the best in them, too. Navigating around the toxic people in their lives isn’t easy, and after a small series of bumps in the road, they finally come around full circle… to Valentine’s Day and laying old demons to rest.

We meet Tom and his sister as soon as the story starts. It gives us the opportunity to learn about Tom’s past relationship, his job, and his family history. As well as his social life and some of his insecurities.

 The exorcism part sounds childish, but we get to understand why it came about as it happens. Tom and Mario met during an odd confrontation during the party, but in the end, it worked for them. They are the kind of couple that would have a story to tell their grandkids when they ask how they met.

 We get to see the worst of them just minutes after they talked for the first time, but their flirty demeanor creates a connection between them. Their one night stand is sensual until life happens, starting the chain of events that would eventually bring them together.

 Their relationship develops off-page, and we move to a point in which they’re finding their footing as a couple. Like every short story, it moves quickly over time, until they start having some problems in their relationship. But as with any good romance, we get a delightful reconciliation and a fulfilling happily ever after.

 Love and the Exorcism is a lovely Valentine’s short story. Perfect for a quick fix of romance between longer books. It’s sweet, easy, and it has a simple, but believable story line.

 The main characters are cute and quirky together. They are happy and realistic. Most importantly, they have insecurities any young gay men could possess. Their background stories were not happy ones, but they learned to overcome them and became productive men. There’s no trauma dragging them down and making them miserable.

 This book is all about their love story and how Mario and Tom get to know each other and move forward after their first problem as a couple.

 My only complaint would be about what caused the problem on Mario’s side. I think the characterization of those involved was stereotypical and felt out of place in such a sweet story. It takes the reader completely out of the “feels zone.” Other than that, I believe the author delivered a nice romance.

A beautiful cover by Bree Archer. It goes well with the Valentine’s Day story and Tom’s job and character.

 Sale Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon | ARe

Book Details:

 ebook, 47 pages
Published: February 11, 2016, by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781634770439
Edition Language: English

Into the Fantasy World of Romance with Bailey Bradford’s ‘Dragon Dreams & Fairy Wings’ book blast and giveaway

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  • Dragon Dreams & Fairy Wings (Fire & Flutter #1) by Bailey Bradford
    Release Date: February 18 at Rainbow Ninja Press, February 25 elsewhere

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Rainbow Ninja Press
Cover Artist: Beany Sparks

Blurb

What happens when a fairy loses his wings– and his memory?

Griff was born a Love fairy, but he never quite fit in. He didn’t want to be part of a harem, at least…he didn’t think he wanted that. What with his wings gone and his memory damaged, he can’t be certain of what he felt in the past. All he does know is, he wants his wings back. Without them, he’s grounded.

Blaze is a dragon shifter who tends to stick his foot in his mouth…and some other parts in other places…when he really shouldn’t. His brother is the king, and his sister-in-law Bonny is scary. Blaze’s last screw-up got him grounded, unable to shift into his dragon form. His punishment seems harsh to him, but there’s no escaping it.

Then the Love fairies come to the castle to work on forming an alliance. Blaze has about had it with guarding the horny beings, and he’s disappointed that they don’t stay small and cute. He almost commits a major faux-pas when he swats at something buzzing him, and it turns out to be a fairy on a dragonfly.

And from that snarky meeting, something wonderful, and dangerous, will come.

 

Pages or Words: 58,600 words
Categories: Erotica, Fantasy, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Romance, Shifters (Dragon)

Excerpt

Blaze was disappointed as all Hades. The fairies weren’t little all the time. They were tiny when they came in, but quickly morphed to regular sized beings, if not taller than most of the dragons when the dragons were in the two-legged form.

And holy dragon balls, Blaze did not know why anyone would want a harem! Okay, well, there was the sex, and lots of it, probably, but so far there’d been more bickering and outright fighting than anything sexy! He’d had to break up six altercations, and the fairies had only been in their accommodations for an hour!

This was going to be a long, suck-ass assignment.

The fairies sure were beautiful, though. Granted, he hadn’t seen each and every one of them. He’d seen the king, and some of the harem members. Every one of them was gorgeous, delicate-featured, lithe, and limber—that last one might not be true, but he was going to go with it, because… hot! Bendy fairies… Blaze adjusted his cock before it could pop up and embarrass him. He wondered if maybe, because they were Love fairies, they had special powers of attraction and such. He’d been fighting down boners ever since he’d been brought out to meet the Love fairy king, Artaxis.

Not that Artaxis even gave him a cursory glimpse. Blaze didn’t blame him. Artaxis was beautiful, like all the fairies Blaze had seen so far, and Blaze was… Well, there was nothing delicate about a dragon’s features, that was for sure. And lithe might apply to some of the other dragons in differing warrens, but not in any Blaze knew of.

With Blaze’s shocking orange hair and bronze skin… and freckles, another thing that was a burden to bear. How many times when he’d been a child had he been teased about having shit splatters on his face? Was it any wonder at all that he hated his human form? At least his scales made the freckles unnoticeable for the most part when he was a dragon. And Blaze was forever scarred from being told his freckles were caused by watching other creatures using the dragon dumping grounds. That was also the cause for styes in the eyes, according to old dragons’ tales.

Blaze had never in his life had a sty, and he’d maybe, sorta accidentally, seen an orc once in the dumping grounds. If anything was going to give someone a sty, that should have done it.

Blaze smacked himself on the forehead. Why did his mind spin around to such stupid thoughts?

Well, it’d curbed his arousal. He hoped the fairies weren’t going to hang around long. He didn’t need the struggle with his dick, and he sure didn’t need the blow to his ego—so far, none of the fairies had acknowledged him or even looked at him unless he was breaking up a fight involving them. Even then, he didn’t think he registered as more than a big, lumbering weirdo.

He watched a dozen fairies walk toward the baths. They were so pale and pretty, and that long hair was amazing. Then he realized something wonderful. They were naked!

It was wonderful because there were so many gorgeous naked fairies. Yet it was horrible, too, because he was never going to have blood anywhere else but in his cock again unless he got some sort of control over his libido. When the fairies’ hair swung just right, he saw glimpses of nicely rounded buttocks.

Blaze groaned and closed his eyes. He couldn’t look. He’d end up taking his shaft out right there and jacking himself to completion, and he didn’t have to think about it to know that wouldn’t go over well with Fyre or Bonny.

He had to leave the hall next to the harem rooms, where he’d been standing, waiting for the next fight to break out. Blaze couldn’t wait for more naked fairies to come out. He’d lose it and yeah, end up being grounded for a century.

It was easy to slip away, outside, into the heat of the sunlight. Blaze bit his lip until it hurt bad enough to kill his arousal. He was really going to have to get it together—if he could just figure out what it was.

A strange sound reached his ears. It was a fluttering, buzzing sound. He turned his head and frowned when he saw a gold-gilded dragonfly buzzing toward the entrance of the secondary palace where the fairies were staying.

Contrary to popular belief, dragons didn’t look at dragonflies as cute little relatives. They looked at them as bugs.

Blaze raised a hand to swat it away when it was within reach.

Buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BK0GKWU

http://www.rainbowninjapress.com/Dragon-Dreams-Fairy-Wings

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28951311-dragon-dreams-and-fairy-wings

Early release 18th Feb

General release 25th Feb

Meet the author:

These things always give me fits. Basically, I am an author of erotic romance. Besides being an author, I am a mother, a grandmother, a wife, and a combination of many other things that make my life joyous day in and day out. Unless someone swipes my coffee. Then it gets pretty ugly quickly.

Where to find the author:

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Tour Dates & Stops: February 18, 2016

Parker Williams, Divine Magazine, V’s Reads, Bonkers About Books, Bayou Book Junkie, The Hat Party, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Full Moon Dreaming, Decadent Delights, Unquietly Me, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Velvet Panic, BFD Book Blog, Happily Ever Chapter, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Open Skye Book Reviews, Molly Lolly, Nephy Hart, Dawn’s Reading Nook, MM Good Book Reviews, The Jena Wade, Inked Rainbow Reads, Kirsty Loves Books

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Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: PDF copy of ‘Dragon Dreams & Fairy Wings’ by Bailey Bradford.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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