If You Love Adventure and Romance in Your Fiction, Join the Blog Tour for Finding Alexander by Pandora Pine (excerpt and giveaway)

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Finding Alexander

Pandora Pine

Gay Romance/ Action-Adventure

Release Date: 06.11.19

Finding Alexander Cover

Blurb

Indiana Jones meets Clark Kent in this modern-day treasure hunt.

Archaeologist Cairo Vanderbilt was born to be a treasure hunter, whether he liked it or not. When his famous father dies in search of the tomb of Alexander the Great, Cairo picks up the trail to find the world’s most famous lost treasure. Having failed once before, he’s determined to find Alexander’s remains and fulfill his family’s legacy.

History blogger Dillinger DeCosta has only written about the past from the safety of his South Boston office. After hearing Cairo speak about the coming expedition on the evening news, he wants to join the hunt for Alexander and finally be on the front lines of history-in-the-making. By offering to come along, Dillinger is taking a huge risk, but he’s banking on an even bigger reward.

Hot on Alexander’s trail, Cairo and Dillinger discover sparks between them that ignite unexpectedly. One of the men has a secret that may threaten not only the success of the expedition, but their new relationship as well. If they can’t find a way past the challenge that lies between them, they might just lose the greatest treasure of all.

Each other.

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Finding Alexander Graphic 1

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Excerpt

When we’d gotten back to the hotel, I’d stomped up to my room like a spoiled child. This is where I’d been for the last two hours. Alone and trying to figure a way out of this mess.

A knock at the connecting door between my room and Dillinger’s startled me out of my pity-party for one. Sighing, I headed to the door, pulling it open. What I saw was a bit of a surprise.

“You missed dinner.”Dillinger breezed past me and into my room, setting the dinner tray he was holding on my table.

I watched in awe as he started pulling lids off the plates. There was no way in hell I deserved this kind of treatment. He’d even brought me dessert.

“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I grabbed a bit of everything.”Dillinger’s intense green stare was boring into me.

To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure how to react. No one had ever done anything like this for me, not even Memphis when I was sick and miserable.

“You could have at least said thank you.”Dillinger strode back toward the doors connecting our rooms.

Shit…“No, wait.”I took off after him, grabbing his left elbow with more force than I intended. I yanked so hard that Dillinger crashed against my chest. My left arm reached out to steady him, pulling him closer to me in the process. He was warm and solid. It could have been my raging hormones, but holding him felt good, like I was home.

I knew my wistful thoughts were on the money when my body responded to his instantly. My cock was hardening and unless I missed my guess, so was Dillinger’s. This was wrong on so many levels. There was so much I needed to say to the man I was holding in my arms, but the only thought running through my head, on a loop, was. “Kiss him!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sick of the slogging rat-race of her 9-5 job, Pandora Pine put pen to paper (literally!) to make her ambition of becoming a romance novelist a reality. She cut her teeth in the dog-eat-dog world of fan fiction, still dreaming of the day when she would be a published author.

In her spare time, Pandora fancies herself an amateur nature photographer. She enjoys mucking around in swamps, hiking through the woods and crawling around on her hands and knees in her backyard seeking out the perfect shot. Pandora is a fan of roadside seafood shacks and always thinks Mexican food is a good idea at the time.

Some of Pandora’s favorite things are chocolate, writing longhand with purple pens, and handsome men falling in love with each other.

FB Author: https://www.facebook.com/PandoraPine/

Amazon Author: http://bit.ly/PandoraPine

IG: https://instagram.com/authorpandorapine/

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Paul Richmond and his LGBT Artists of Pride Month. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Paul Richmond and his LGBT Artists of Pride Month.

 

Pride Month continues and this week I wanted to highlight something that Paul Richmond, an amazing artist some of you may recognize only through his covers for Dreamspinner Press or other of it’s houses, is doing this month.  Over at his facebook page Paul Richmond Studio every day this month, Paul has taken a different LGBT artist, past or present. Highlighted their works, talked about why this artist has meant so much to him, or perhaps the struggles this artist has had to go through.  The journey through different eras, artistic lives and styles has been a revelation!

Some of these artists I have known about (I was a art major in college a stone age ago).  But the majority?  An astonishing collection of LGBT beauty, pain, and rawness that art can deliver in so many forms.

Paul and his husband are in San Francisco this weekend for Pride at the Harvey Milk Photo Center where Paul’s work is part of the Stonewall 50 Years celebration going on.  The artists Paul has highlighted this month have crossed eras, genders, borders and countries. Their art and passion flows out from watercolor , from oils, from photography, from every medium you can think of.  Sometimes the juxtaposition of time and styles is startling.  A painting simple, modern, and powerfully elegant yet painted in the early 1900’s.  A photograph so haunting and dark it feels ancient and yet taken so recently.  So many discoveries here at Paul’s Paul Richmond Studio FB page this month.

Here is just a small roll call of the artists Pau is featuring:

Kevin Peterson, Caravaggio, Drew Riley, Jay Elizondo, Kim Leutwyler, Robert Sherer, Grant Wood (who painted the well known American Gothic), Ryan J. Stephens, Lisa McLymont, Briden Cole Schueren, Andrew Salgado, Zanele Muholi, Michael Breyette, Lotte Laserstein,and more.

To see them all and their works each day, head on other to Paul Richmond Studio FB page.  Along with their stories, Paul offers up his own remarkable journey from small town boy dreaming of Dolly Parton to successful artist.

Because we are talking about artists, let’s do a Artists Recommendations List.  It can feature Artists that are Photographers or Painters!  Let’s see what you all come up with!  How about potters?

 

Now about our Novel Recommendations!  Last week was Drag Queen Week!

We added quite a few more stories to last week’s list of Drag Queen book recommendations.  Thank you to our readers and my reviewers to filled in with so many great stories.  Here is the updated list:

 

Drag Queen M/M Recommendations

The Belladonna Arms (5 books)by John Inman

Queens of the Apocalypse by Rob Rosen

Mary, Queen of Scotch by Rob Rosen

The Queen & the Homo Jock King (At First Sight #2) by T.J. Klune

Bad Dogs and Drag Queens (Rose and Thorne #1) by Julie Lynn Hayes

Kev Series by Liam Livings (from Suze)

Freak (The F-Word 2) by E. Davies (all recs from HB)
A Dirty Drag Collection (Dirty Drag 1, 2, 3) by Kyle Adams
What The Lady Wants by D.C. Juris
Sylver and Steele series by Mimi Riser
Le Jazz Hot by Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid
Appearing Nightly (Icon Men 2) by Cat Grant
Max & Skyler Series by Acer Adamson
Dressed to Thrill by Kimberly Gardner
Rayne’s Wild Ride by Jambrea Jo Jones
Leather+Lace (Opposites Attract 2) by A.B. Gayle

Embraced in Gold by T.A. Chase (also know by these titles Embrace My Reflection/ Bring Him Gold)
Lucky Starflowers (Steel City 5) by Kate Pavelle
Hearts and Flour by Tara Lain
Finally Fallen (The Dark Angels 3) by Z. Allora
A King’s Ransom by Aislinn Kerry
My Girl (Captivated Lovers 3) by Stormy Glenn
Chyna Doll (Horizons 4) by Mickie B. Ashling

Lola Dances by Victor J. Banis — no longer on MLR, but can get a paperback from Amazon and BnN

Who We Are by Nicola Haken
Let’s Hear It for the Boy by T.A. Webb  (all from our reviewer Chaos Moondrawn)

Did I still leave any of your recommendations out?  Please help me fill in that list.  Send me the books and stories I’ve left out and lets see those drag queens represented!

Special Note:  Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is looking for Reviewers!  We are looking for reviewers for our blog.  If you love to read or listen to LGBT stories and share your thoughts about them with others, consider reviewing with Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.  Please send all inquiries to scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.  We are very flexible about how many reviews each reviewer takes on.   That’s entirely up to each reviewer’s own schedule.

And now onto our week ahead.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, June 23:

  • Paul Richmond and his LGBT Artists of Pride Month.
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
  • BOOK BLITZ – VARIOUS AUTHORS – HOT SUMMER NIGHTS
  • A MelanieM Review:Love in Every Season by Charlie Cochrane

Monday, June 24:

  • BLOG TOUR Shatterproof Bond series by Isobel Starling
  • BLOG TOUR Finding Alexander by Pandora Pine
  • An Alisa Review: Malachite (Brotherhood of Ormarr #4) by Michele Notaro & Sammi Cee
  • A MelanieM Review A Dance Too Far (Too Far #1) by H.L. Day
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady: Audio Review Diplomatic Relations (The Sci-Regency #4) by J.L. Langley and KC Kelly (Narrator)

Tuesday, June 25

  • Tour:”The Demon of Hagermarsh” by Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus
  • BLOG TOUR Another Dance by L. A. Ashton
  • A Melanie Review A Step too Far (Too Far #2) by H.L. Day
  • An Alisa Audio Review : Prophesy (The King & Alpha #1) by  A.E. Via
  • A Lila Review The Demon of Hagermarsh (Virasana Empire: Sir Yaden #1) by Beryll Brackhaus and Osiris Brackhaus

Wednesday, June 26:

  • Blog tour Surviving the Shadows by Miranda Turner
  • I Wished for You by Collette Davison Audio BLITZ
  • An Alisa Review: Surviving the Shadows (The Bearer of Truth #2) by Miranda Turner
  • A Lucy Prerelease Review : Love & Tea Bags (Pink Rock Series #1) by C.F. White
  • A Barb Audio Review : Will & Patrick Wake Up Married Series (Episodes 1-3) by Leta Blake & Alice Griffiths /John Solo (Narrator)

Thursday, June 27:

  • Tour: Breaking Ground by Megan Lowe
  • BOOK BLITZ – VARIOUS AUTHORS – HOT SUMMER NIGHTS
  • A VVivacious Review Change of Heart” by KM Neuhold
  • A Melanie Review Another Dance by LA Ashton
  • A Lucy Review: Who We Used to Be (Do-Over #1) by Dara J. Nelson

Friday, June 28:

  • Release Blitz Signal – Ari McKay – Recipe For Romance
  • DSP PROMO Heidi Cullinan
  • BLOG TOUR Waited So Long by JM Dabney
  • A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Ledgers and Rent Boys (Ore 5 #2) by Meraki P. Lyhne
  • A MelanieM Review:The Doctor’s Date (Copper Point Medical #2) by Heidi Cullinan

Saturday, June 29:

  • COVER REVEAL Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice
  • Release Blitz  – Love’s Glory by Janice Jarrell
  • Release Blitz Lily – Bernard’s Diary by S. L. Danielson
  • A MelanieM Review – Love’s Glory (Revolutionary Heart #3) by Janice Jarrell

BOOK BLITZ – VARIOUS AUTHORS – HOT SUMMER NIGHTS ANTHOLOGY📚📚

 

Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited 

Seven sizzling LGBT romances to fan the summer heat

Grab a cold drink and dive into these steamy stories covering a wide range of MM romance subgenres and tropes – from friends to lovers, second chances, and sexy ménages, to May-December pairings, werewolves, and even dragons.
There’s bound to be a story to catch your eye and make your hot, summer nights even hotter. You’ll also be helping us raise money for The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention charity for LGBTQ+ youth.

Hurry up and get your copy of Hot Summer Nights right now to enjoy seven stories guaranteed to get your heart racing.

Butterfly Wishes by Teodora Kostova

In school, Nico and King are best friends, and each other’s first love. But their lives take a different path and they lose touch.
Now, King is a famous musician and Nico is trying to make a name for himself as a journalist. When King’s life starts falling apart, fate brings them together on a private island, and reignites old feelings.
Can they make it work this time? Or are their worlds too far apart?

Alpaca My Bags by JL Merrow

Silver fox Scott Riley is holidaying on the Isle of Wight with his newborn granddaughter and her parents following the breakup of his relationship. A bit of fun in the sun with rugged alpaca farmer, Ryan, could be just what the doctor ordered. But when both men realise this holiday fling could be the start of something more, they’ll need to work hard to counter Scott’s family’s misgivings—not to mention their own.

Alpha Mine by Aimee Brissay

Away from home and its escalating conflicts, the last thing Andrei needs is to fall for the newest member of the pack. But he can’t help lusting after Sorin.
As the alpha, he can’t afford to be distracted, but neither he nor Sorin seem able to resist the burning attraction between them. Will this connection prove to be too much of a risk?

Everybody in the Place by Suki Fleet

Alfie Adams comes at life sideways.
After unexpectedly losing his job in television, and having the script he’s worked so hard on unceremoniously dropped, Alfie turns up at his oldest friend, Jam’s, birthday party drunk, pretty sure his world has ended, and that he’s about to hit rock bottom with a bone-cracking thud.
But it’s funny how Jam’s little brother, Benji, seems to know exactly what Alfie needs. For the past twelve months Alfie has thrown himself into his job and tried hard not to think about beautiful punk-loving Benji—tried not to see how the sweet kid he used to look out for, and who used to trail so adoringly after him, has grown up into a big lad with an even bigger heart. As Alfie sobers up, he begins to see things with a new perspective, and Benji has his full attention.
If only Alfie can admit what it is he wants.

Good Boys Don’t by K.A.Merikan

Nate doesn’t fit in with his friends from church. He isn’t all that religious. He likes music his parents wouldn’t approve of. He’s gay. He’s determined to stay under the radar, but a chance meeting with a handsome biker who flirts Nate out of his modesty might throw those plans out of the window.

Heart of the Dragon by Alina Popescu

When a power-hungry king threatens to drown the world in blood, a bastard prince and a prisoner suspected of hiding mythical beasts find themselves in an unlikely alliance. Driven together by loneliness and undeniable attraction, they struggle to trust their choices and each other. Should they fail, neither will survive.

Not so Predictable by Jessie G

Oliver Tryst yearns for excitement, fun, and a reprieve from the endless winter blanketing Upstate New York. But when a cruise with his best pals turns into a solo trip to paradise, Oliver finds himself mustering with the winter fling he wished hadn’t gotten away. With his cautious heart thawing in the Caribbean sun, Oliver will have to decide if he can leave stability behind for a chance to turn his holiday hookup into a happily ever after.

 
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A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Pride & Protection (Southern Boys #2) by KC Wells

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Del Walters, an out and proud bear, moves from San Francisco to a small town in Tennessee to open a business with his brother. Rainbow Racers attracts the wrong kind of attention pretty quick. There aren’t a lot of out and proud gay men in this town, where the homophobes are loud and proud. It’s no surprise vandalism strikes the shop before it even opens. Called in to investigate, police officer Taylor Cox takes one look at the bear and his imagination takes over. Deep in the closet, he dreams of the day when he might be able to approach Del on a personal level. Too afraid to let his ideal bear know how attracted he is, Taylor locks himself up tighter.

The small coffee shop in town attracts them both as well, giving more opportunity for conversation and Taylor slowly thaws. But it’s not until each is on a much-needed trip to Atlanta’s gay bars that their spark erupts, and Del has a chance to let Taylor know he won’t rush him, and he won’t out him, but he definitely wants him.

Most of the story is the slow buildup of romance between the two men, and then Taylor’s introduction to what it’s like to be with a man sexually—one who cares about him. Opportunities arise in his personal life for him to come out slowly but surely, and the guys finally get their chance to be together as partners. The story takes place over the course of two months so some may label this insta-love; however, there was no “jump into bed with each other too soon” moment, and I like the way the author handled their early attraction, with Del respectful of Taylor’s fears. He certainly seemed to be the kind of man—or silver bear as Taylor called him—who would be worth waiting for.

I’m not a huge fan of the homophobic cop stereotype. I know it exists but I just don’t like reading about it so that impacted my appreciation of the story, but overall, I enjoyed this romance and I especially enjoyed the time spent with Del, the big, fuzzy bear. A sweet man with a ton of commonsense, self-confidence, and smarts—Del is an easy character to love. Taylor, on the other hand, was timid and closeted at first, and I didn’t like him, but his personality grew on me as he gained in confidence and started letting his true self come forward and his fears take a backseat. So, in summary, yes, I highly recommend this May-December MM romance.

The cover by Meredith Russell features a photo by Kristofer Weston—he’s the perfect bear—the man on whom KC Wells based Del Walters. Also featured on the cover is a young man in a cop uniform who matches the description of Taylor Cox, the other MC. It’s wonderful to see a cover photo actually match the characters inside.

Sales Links:  Smashwords | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 259 pages
Published June 18th 2019
ASINB07TDFR2ZB
Edition Language English
Series Southern Boys #2

Release Blitz and Giveaway for Beyond The Curtain (Social Sinners #4) by TL Travis

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal LinkExclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited.
 
Length: 60,000 words approx.



Social Sinners Series


Book 1 is the only book in the series that can be read as a stand-alone.
Book 1 – Behind the lights (MM) – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book 2 – In The Shadows (MM) – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book 3 – A Heart Divided (MMM) – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book 4 – Beyond The Curtain (MM)
Book 5 – After The Final Curtain (MM/MMM)


Blurb


For Social Sinners’ drummer, Ethan “Diamond” Taylor, everything that went wrong seemed to roll off him and life was about having fun and getting off. What others never saw was what simmered beneath the surface.


Holding on by a string, things have reached their breaking point, taking a turn for the worse, and he’s forced to make some tough decisions. Is living in the limelight all that it’s cracked up to be? Or is it time to cut the cord and move on?


Is it in the cards for him to have the whole marriage, white picket fence, a desk job and…kids?


Diamond’s story is one of strength, love, loss and hope.

 

Author Bio


TL Travis is the author of The Sebastian Chronicles along with numerous other erotic novelettes (and many more in the works), The Elders Trilogy – an erotic paranormal (Vampire) romance novel series and many non-fiction articles.


In her spare time she likes to fish, enjoy all the Pacific Northwest has to offer, spin spicy erotic webs for readers to enjoy, and rescue any 4 legged lost souls she comes across. Since her children are grown and have flown the coop, she’s taken to spoiling her two deaf white boxers even more so than they were before.


To view TL Travis literary and photography works please visit her website atwww.tltravis.com
TL Travis can also be followed on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tltravisauthor
Or via twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tltravis1

 

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A MelanieM Review: Killer Reunion (Donald Strachey Mystery #16) by Richard Stevenson

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

It’s a family reunion in the era of American tribal politics, and what could go wrong? Plenty, including murder, when the Callahan clan convenes at a New England country inn and one of the most politically outspoken relatives is the victim of a bizarre poisoning.

Timothy Callahan and his long-time spouse, Albany PI Don Strachey, contend not just with dampened spirits but with injustice when a misguided local cop zeroes in on an innocent Callahan. PI Strachey has to unearth a complicated family’s hidden history, nail the real killer, and expose an act of long-contained violent rage in this disturbing tale of the way we live now.

Richard Stevenson is now on his sixteenth novel in his Donald Strachey Mystery series and he has this character, his husband, and the series that revolves about them down to a fine or make that slightly gritty, occasionally comical, and always delectable piece of art!

I’ve been a huge fan of this author and series from the beginning and in multiple formats.  From the first novel, Death Trick, to the four movies made for here! tv from four of the series stories (which were incredible btw), I watched the character of Donald Strachey grow with the times, his personality mature, find love with Timothy Callahan, marry and settle with said Timothy into a happy established couple.  What an absolute joy it’s been!  All while solving some stuplying and some downright horrific mystery cases.

In Killer Reunion (Donald Strachey Mystery #16), author  Richard Stevenson has given Timothy and cousin Beth the daunting task of assembling the Callahan clan for a family reunion.in a picturesque, read old, inn in the country.  Half the family is rabid Trumpites with their MAGA hats, the other half rabid liberals with their Bernie pins.  One rule of the gathering?  No politics!  There’s also a funeral, broken promises, an ex con, and more twists and turns then you can imagine when a dead body (a relative shows up and Donald is enlisted to help solve the mystery.

Killer Reunion is a good old fashioned page turner in the very best way,  The police thought they knew who done it, Donald knew better but  had to find the real murderer. And in between?  Some honest to God chortling, huge surprises, great twists and plot turns, and more of the layered, marvelous characters I have come to love and expect from this series and author.  The non-judgemental quality that shines from Donald is one of the nicest elements in the series and something I have always enjoyed about this character.  Here it has never been on display more.

If you are a fan of mysteries , grab this one up and start reading immediately.  You will love it.  No real romance.  For that return to the previous stories and see how Donald and Timothy met and fell in love.  Killer Reunion is all mystery and a great one at that.  Enjoy!  I highly recommend it.

Cover art:  Very fitting for the story and location.

Sales Links:  MLR Press Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published April 25th 2019 by MLR Books
Series Donald Strachey #16

Check out the Goodreads link to the entire series:

Donald Strachey (16 books)
by Richard Stevenson

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review :Single (Single Dads #1) by R.J. Scott

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Finally, an RJ Scott novel that gave me feels similar to those I got when I first read Heart of Texas. I can’t pinpoint exactly why, but this refreshing story of a young man who moved forward with surrogacy after his life partner left and is now the proud—and exhausted—father of seven-week-old Mia gave me all the feels. Sleep deprived, his nerves shot, when he answers a pounding on his front door in the middle of the night, little does he know his life is going to take an upswing. And no, it’s not the guy who pounds on the door who sets his heart on fire—it’s the sweet doctor who is the man’s roommate and bestie who eventually convinces the frazzled single dad that there’s more to life than the little bundle of joy he’s fiercely protecting.

The main and secondary characters in this story are a delight. Ash, the single dad, and Sean, the ER doc neighbor, took a very slow route to romance. In fact, they didn’t even kiss until the 50% mark. This book is more about family and relationships—both of family and of friends—and less about a quick jump in the sack. And I loved every minute. The secondary characters, including Ash’s twin sister and Sean’s two roomies and besties—Eric, a firefighter, and Leo, a cop—along with their dog, Cap, and a host of online single dads Ash meets through a forum, added so much depth and dimension to the story that I didn’t want to put the book down.

Now, I’m totally looking forward to the next installment in this series where big, strong firefighter Eric, will be matched with sweet, shy Brady, Ash’s online friend. I have a feeling I know what Brady’s back story is and I can’t wait to read to find out if I’m right or wrong. In any event, if it’s half as good as this one, I know I’m going to love it. I highly recommend this book, the start of what promises to be a terrific series. 

The photo cover designed by RJ Scott features a young man, holding an infant and looking off into the distance. It’s very attractive and beautifully depicts Ash’s early weeks with Mia.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Book Details:

ebook
Published June 12th 2019 by Love Lane Books Ltd
ISBN139781785641701
Edition LanguageEnglish
URLhttp://rjscott.co.uk/books/single
SeriesSingle Dads #1

Love a Slow Burn Romance? Check out the Book Blast for Impossible Things (Star Shadow #2) by Beth Bolden (excerpt and giveaway)

Book Title: Impossible Things (Star Shadow series #2)

Author: Beth Bolden

Publisher: Beth Bolden Books

Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood Designs

Genre/s: Contemporary MM Romance. Friends to lovers. Slow burn. Rock star romance.

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length: 80,000 words

Release Date: June 10

Add on Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US |  Amazon UK 

 

It’s never the end . . . it’s only the beginning.

Blurb

For the last ten years, Benji and Diego have not only been members of Star Shadow, one of the biggest boy bands in the world, but best friends. During the years of fame and fortune they’ve also held a front row seat to the callous cruelty of the music industry. As much as they’ve both wanted more from their relationship, it never felt worth it to trade what they have for something hot, heady and completely impossible.

But is it really?

After welcoming back their long lost member and making it through their reunion tour with a new lease on fame, life suddenly seems too short to continue settling for safety.

Benji and Diego could have everything they’ve ever wanted, but can they figure out how to choose each other? Despite every impossible thing the world intends to throw at them?

It’s never the end . . . it’s only the beginning.

 

Excerpt

“Are you okay?”

Benji glanced up and of course it was Diego. Of course it would be him who’d know that something was wrong.

He cleared his throat, his tongue suddenly thick in his mouth. The panic hadn’t faded entirely yet, and he felt too close to the edge still, but Diego reached out and cupped his shoulder with his hand. The fear retreated a little more.

If he couldn’t be honest with Diego, could he be honest with anyone?

“I was just thinking of the last bow, the one we took when we didn’t know it was the last one,” Benji admitted.

After a moment of hesitation—which Benji understood entirely, their friendship sometimes seemed like a walk through a minefield—Diego pulled him into a hug. His hands hovered over Diego’s shoulders before giving in and gripping him tightly.

They stood there together for a long moment, holding on to each other. Benji let his head fall down to Diego’s shoulder, but otherwise they didn’t move.

“It was hard, because we didn’t know it was over, but it was over,” Diego finally said, the sound of the stagehands beginning to take down the stage around them punctuating his words. “But it turns out that it’s not really over after all.”

Benji didn’t want to say that some mornings he woke up and for a split second he still thought it was over. That he sometimes had to remind himself that he wasn’t on his own again, that he wasn’t struggling with a career that didn’t fit quite right, that he didn’t miss his boys so much he ached, that he hadn’t ultimately crashed and burned.

“It’s hard to forget, sometimes,” he said, even though he hadn’t really meant to say anything at all.

Diego pulled back, and even in the dim of backstage, Benji could see the empathy in his eyes. “You know, you’re more than your achievements,” Diego pointed out softly.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t been told that before, but something about the earnest belief in Diego’s voice made him want to believe this time. The problem was knowing, with crystal clear clarity, what he was capable of. And never being able to settle for less than that, without that ugly voice yelling in his ear that he’d failed again.

“I know.” Benji’s smile was wry. “Theoretically.” Reluctantly, he let go of Diego. Too long holding him, too long of them holding each other, and he was going to want even more than he already did.

Diego laughed. “Yeah, that’s the whole problem. Theoretically. You’re rich and famous. You don’t need to work so hard all the damn time. You’ve made it, Benji.”

All theoretically true.

If only that voice would shut the fuck up sometimes.

“Yeah,” Benji said, rolling his eyes. “I know.” He paused. He and Diego had been practically inseparable this tour, but it was ending tonight, and they had two weeks in LA before the recording sessions on the new album started. Even though they’d spent so much time together already, the idea of a two-week break from Diego hurt. It had never hurt before. Somehow, Benji knew, they’d crossed that point of no return. Friendship alone would never be enough again. Had it been the kiss? He could barely remember it, it had been so short and brief. Nothing like he’d always imagined. He’d wanted a do-over for the last six months, but maybe they needed more privacy for that.

“Hey,” he started again hesitantly, “we should get together when we get back to LA.”

Diego was leading the way back to the green room and didn’t look at Benji. “I’m not sure. I’ll probably be busy with Ana.”

Benji knew how much he loved his daughter, and how much he’d missed her on this tour, even though his ex, Vicky, had brought her to as many tour stops as she could. So he didn’t know what to say to that. Even though it was probably true, it was hard not to see it as a brush-off. Diego was good with people; he wouldn’t give a brush-off that felt like one. He’d make it sound legit, all to spare Benji’s feelings.

The question was why was he brushing him off, right after hugging and reassuring him? Benji didn’t know, and didn’t know how to bring it up, because they were walking into the green room, and Max was spraying the walls with a bottle of sparkling apple juice and Leo and Caleb were dancing to the Black Eyed Peas, their favorite post-show soundtrack.

 

About the Author

A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. She still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to start a chapter of Keeping Durham Weird.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published eleven novels and four short stories, with Impossible Things, the next book of the Star Shadow series, releasing in June 2019.

 

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Review Tour and Giveaway for Single (Single Dads #1) by R.J. Scott

 

 
Length: 54,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: RJ Scott
 
Blurb



Reeling from the painful rejection of a man he thought he loved, Asher is left holding the baby.


Ash wants a family, and is determined to continue with a surrogacy he’d begun with his ex. Bringing baby Mia home, he vows that he will be the best father he can be. Nothing in this world matters more to him than caring for his daughter, not even accidentally falling in lust with the doctor next door. Challenged by his growing attraction to Sean, and confronted by painful memories of his family, Ash has to learn that love is all that matters.


When ER doctor Sean moves in with his friends next door to sexy single father Ash, he falls so quickly it takes his breath away. The sex they have is hot, but Ash is adamant
his heart is too full with love for his daughter to let anyone else in. Why is Sean the only one who sees how scared Ash is, and how can he prove to his new lover that he desperately wants the three of them to become a family?

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.


RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing 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.


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


She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the links below:

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Release Blitz for A Foreign Country (Mr & Mr Detective Story #2) by Alex Jane

 

 
Length: 68,000 words approx.
 
A Mr & Mr Detective Story Series
 
Book #1 – Gazes Into You – Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link
 
Blurb
 

Private Detective John Right’s life is pretty good.


He loathes paperwork and could do without wasting his weekends catching out cheating spouses, but business is booming and he’s sharing his life with Jason, a man he’s still crazy about after three years.


The only downside is his lover’s baffling choice of friends and the fact that John is convinced Jason is keeping secrets from his dark past.


When a late-night phone call leads them to a kidnap victim with amnesia, and a dangerous man from Jason’s previous life suddenly resurfaces, they have much more than just secrets to deal with.


And after their mysterious house guest starts to show more than a passing interest in the detective couple, John is left struggling when his relationship, as well as his detecting skills, are put to the test.


Are they strong enough to resist the temptation of an enigmatic stranger?


Maybe. If they don’t get killed in the meantime.

After spending far too long creating stories in her head, Alex finally plucked up the courage to write them down and realized it was quite fun seeing them on the page after all.


Free from aspirations of literary greatness, Alex simply hopes to entertain by spinning a good yarn of love and life, wrapped up with a happy ending. Although, if her characters have to go through Hell to get there, she’s a-okay with that.


With only a dysfunctional taste in music and a one-eyed dog to otherwise fill her days, Alex writes and walks on the South Coast of England—even when her heart and spellcheck are in New York.


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