A MelanieM Review:To Be Continued (#lovehim #3.5) by S.M. James

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Welcome to Webcon. Where the biggest and brightest internet celebrities come face to face with their fans.

Brought up in the ‘live for likes’ culture, Digi Lynch has amassed an impressive following. His channel is taking off, and Webcon always delivers a boost in numbers, thanks to his rivalry with ex-vlogging partner, Gram Saito.

Gram is popular, confident, and rising to the kind of fame worthy of a second gen internet sensation. And he’s up to his old tricks.

Digi can’t turn a corner for fear of being pranked and his reaction blasted online. And after one of Gram’s most high scale pranks yet, Digi decides it’s time to get even.

The animosity between Digi and Gram heats up as old feelings resurface, and Digi is forced to decide whether a life in the limelight is worth it …

Before they both go too far.

A YA contemporary novella, To Be Continued is the prequel to Not Gonna Lie and will show you where it all began for Gram and Digi.

To Be Continued (#lovehim #3.5) by S.M. James is the last of the available stories in this author’s must read YA series, a fact that’s making me sigh already. That it’s ending here, on the “first half” of Digi and Gram’s story? Worse because this is not one of those happy stories. It’s full of pain, the punch in the gut ways only family and those we care for but have blinders on can deal blows. It’s being young and trying to figure things out. It’s real, sometimes mean and in every way authentic as S.M James gets under these characters skins and emotions like no other.

You have two boys now teenagers who used to be friends only a year ago, their animosity fueled in part by their mother’s who are competitive in their online blogs and make sure it carries over to their sons, who have blogs and followers of their own. A twisty world, a heartbreaking way to grow up online and Digi has had enough.

The strength and pain of his feelings come through so powerfully that we are carried swiftly along through several days of events to an abrupt end. It will make sense and make us want to grab for the story still out of reach until May. We need to know what happened to everyone next. But as James tells us in the title this is To Be Continued….

If you ask me to pick a couple as a favorite, I probably would have swayed towards Brooks and Damien….but there’s something about Digi and Gram. Well of of them. They get to you. In their struggles to find themselves. Their sexuality and their path to love. Each and everyone has a deep place in my heart. This story is just one more reason why.

But don’t start here. I listed all the books below. They are short and incredible. Read them in the order they are written and then wait with them to see what happens with Digi and Gram. Is it time yet? Are we there?

Cover art: Story Styling Cover Design. That’s perfect in a way. Brands the series and has the tone down.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 114 pages
Published April 4th 2019 by May Books
ASIN B07P3SMSSR
Series #lovehim #3.5

Series #lovehim

That Feeling When (Archie and Landon)

No Big Deal (Angus and Tyler) 1.5

To Be Honest 2 (Angus and Tyler)

For The Win (2.5) Brooks and Darien

In Case You Missed It 3 (Brooks and Darien)

In Real Life

To Be Continued(3,5) Digi and Gram

Not Gonna Lie: LGBTQ Enemies to Lovers Romance (4) coming in May 2019 4 (Digi and Gram)

In Real Life(4.5) Archie and Landon coming soon, hopefully.

An Alisa Review : Escaping Camp Roosevelt by Bryan T. Clark

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

“He’s a bad boy—cocky and damaged. So, why can’t I stop thinking about him?”

Broken Dreams

Sociable and unselfish, eighteen-year-old Tucker Graves loves two things—his darling little sister and the thrill of playing baseball. He never dreamed that he’d be homeless, but after a series of misfortunes, his life is nothing like he could have possibly imagined. Shocked and shattered, Tucker, his mother, and his baby sister now must brave the dangers of a dilapidated homeless encampment called Camp Roosevelt.

A Wounded Heart

Homeless since the age of fourteen, Dancer has mastered the tricks of living on the streets as a sex worker. The quiet, reclusive, and calculating ways of this twenty-year-old, green-eyed Adonis help him to survive. He hides his emotional scars from the world by interacting only with his clients, whose occasional bizarre requests he reluctantly fulfills. Dancer’s past has taught him to trust no one.

A Second Chance

When Tucker and Dancer come face to face on a stormy night, having been thrown together under the same roof, Tucker brings out a feeling in Dancer that he didn’t know still existed in him—desire. Neither man can deny the attraction he feels for the other. But some scars run deep, causing both Tucker and Dancer to question whether falling in love is even possible, especially when survival is on the line.

This story really gives a look into homelessness and how they live. I was able to see the characters frustration and hopelessness when it came to their situation and not knowing how to break out of the cycle they have been in. It was nice to see Tucker give Dancer a reason to break out of it and them give each other hope.

Tucker has been staying with his mom and sister to protect Mattie from his mom’s addiction. Though it seemed horrible at the moment I was very glad that his mom ended up being arrested and it looks like she was doing better in the rehab she is in, though I wasn’t seeing any remorse for how she acted but would hope that would come in time and with the distance apart. Though Tucker loves Mattie I was glad that she is able to be with their mom since it takes a large burden off his shoulders.

Dancer has had to make tough choices over the last six years and you can see how it has ate at him. I was glad that him finally letting down his walls was a big help in breaking free but unfortunately it was mostly due to his mother making an appearance in his life again.

I unfortunately didn’t connect much with these characters and I don’t think was way anything about the situation they were in. These two just so quickly switched there moods or flipped how they were feeling, I just felt much of it was disingenuous. I was glad they get out of their situation but it was mostly due to the luck of Dancer’s mom finding him and her having the money to change things. I’m not sure what they would have done if that didn’t happen.

The cover art by Karrie Jax is nice, giving a visual of the two man characters.

Sales Link: Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 252 pages

Published: May 1, 2019 by Cornbread Publishing

Edition Language: English

Review Tour and Giveaway for Bryan T. Clark’s Escaping Camp Roosevelt

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Length: 87,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Karrie Jax

Blurb

“He’s a bad boy—cocky and damaged. So, why can’t I stop thinking about him?”

Broken Dreams
Sociable and unselfish, eighteen-year-old Tucker Graves loves two things—his darling little sister and the thrill of playing baseball. He never dreamed that he’d be homeless, but after a series of misfortunes, his life is nothing like he could have possibly imagined. Shocked and shattered, Tucker, his mother, and his baby sister now must brave the dangers of a dilapidated homeless encampment called Camp Roosevelt.

A Wounded Heart
Homeless since the age of fourteen, Dancer has mastered the tricks of living on the streets as a sex worker. The quiet, reclusive, and calculating ways of this twenty-year-old, green-eyed Adonis help him to survive. He hides his emotional scars from the world by interacting only with his clients, whose occasional bizarre requests he reluctantly fulfills. Dancer’s past has taught him to trust no one.

A Second Chance
When Tucker and Dancer come face to face on a stormy night, having been thrown together under the same roof, Tucker brings out a feeling in Dancer that he didn’t know still existed in him—desire. Neither man can deny the attraction he feels for the other. But some scars run deep, causing both Tucker and Dancer to question whether falling in love is even possible, especially when survival is on the line.

Bryan T. Clark is a multi-published, Rainbow Award-winning author and LAMBDA finalist.

*** One hundred percent of the royalties from the first year of this novel’s publication is being donated to the Larkin Street Youth Services/Castro Youth Housing Initiative. The CYHI provides transitional housing in the city of San Francisco, California, for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. Fear of being raped, abused, or murdered should not be a part of anyone’s youth.

Bryan T. Clark is a Lambda Literary finalist and Rainbow Award winning author of gay romance, and contemporary books. He is also a funny, loving, family-oriented, and proud member of the LGBT community. Behind his computer, working on his next novel, Bryan writes romance with an emphasis on moral dilemma. His multicultural characters and riveting plots embody real life, filled with challenges, personal growth, and, of course, what we all desire—love.

In his work, he is known to push the boundaries with brilliantly crafted stories of friendship, love, complicated relationships, and challenges all woven into a hard-earned happily-ever-after.

When Bryan is not writing, he enjoys reading a great book, traveling, lying by a body of water soaking up the sun, and watching a good movie while snuggled up with his husband on the couch with their loyal companion Nettie, the Sheepadoodle.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bryan has made his home and life in the Central Valley of California.

Author’s website: www.btclark.com
Twitter: @BryanTClarkx2
Facebook: BryanTclarkauthor@facebook.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthor/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7875459.Bryan_T_Clark.com

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Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words review here. We definitely recommend it!

A Lucy Review: Made for You (Love and Family #2) by Anyta Sunday

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Ben wants to find a new home.
Twenty-four-year-old Ben McCormick is the primary caregiver for his brother Milo after their parents’ death. A year into the job, he’s totally got the hang of it. Mostly. Sort of. Not at all?
Defeated and thoroughly chastised for his lack in parenting skills at teacher-parent night, Ben slumps away with the resolve to finally get his life sorted: be a better role model, and sell their parents’ house for a fresh start.
But first, he needs to spruce up his house to hit the market. He’s no DIY king, but Milo’s hot-as-hell woodwork teacher is…

Jack wants an old home to fix.
Thirty-nine-year-old Jack Pecker is waiting for the home of his dreams to come on the market in the summer. What better way to wait the interim months than working on a small renovation gig?
Only trouble is, the gig is for the McCormick brothers. And working in close quarters to red-haired Ben McCormick won’t be easy. Not with the attraction that simmers between them. Attraction Ben makes no effort to hide.
But Jack’s professional. Dating a parent is highly discouraged at Kresley Intermediate, and he’d never cross the lines…

Ben and Jack. Two guys searching for a home –
– a home that might just be where their hearts lead them.

It is no secret that Anyta Sunday is a favorite author of mine and it is characters like Ben, Milo and Jack that reinforce that for me. Ben is big brother to Milo, age 11, and they lost their parents a year ago. Ben is doing his best to make a stable home for Milo, even as he is grief-stricken himself. Ben is 24, works at a museum with a fairly unsympathetic boss, is addicted to orange Fanta and has some interesting, to put it kindly, parenting techniques. He also has some very lovely worded t-shirts.

The one issue between Milo and Ben is their parent’s house. They are living in the guest cottage, too small and cramped, because Ben’s heart can’t handle the hurt of being in his parent’s house without his parents there. You really feel for both of them because they may be grieving in different ways but they are both so wounded. Ben is trying so hard to be a good parent and he beats himself up when he misses things. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I should’ve seen it, Jack saw it, while I blindly ignored the signs, too caught up in myself. In what I wanted.” Yet, he’s so good. I could go on and on about the loveliness of these characters.

Jack, the handyman who is going to renovate the parent’s home for resale, is also a teacher at Milo’s school. Despite being attracted to Ben, the fourteen year age difference is nothing compared to the unwritten rule about not dating caregivers of the students. Add in that he’s been waiting eight years for his dream villa to be for sale and the owner of said villa is uncle to the principal of the school. There can be nothing between them. Nothing.

Watching these guys try to do what’s best for each other, try to be a family with officially being a family and yet still sharing fun and love was such a great ride. I so appreciated that Milo acts like an eleven-year-old. He talks like one, is bratty like one and responds to love like one. There were so many moments I wanted to hug them all. The fact that it is Milo who brings things to a head worked perfectly for me. “He whispers, “For someone who claims to love us, you’re really stupid.” He’s so young and so smart. “I have four words for you, Mr. Woodpecker.” I brace myself for them but they plough guilt through me. “Shortcuts never end well.”

The fear of driving Ben has after losing his parents to a car accident was real. The grief they both feel about it was real. Jack’s story of his family, unfortunately all too real.

We get to revisit Sam and Luke from Taboo For You here and I was reminded just how much I love Luke. Loved him in that book, love him here. Awkward situation when Jack was living with Sam and Luke, definitely. But they are the greatest friends. “But with every sunrise comes a fresh start.” So true, Luke, so true.

Some favorite moments: “Farts wouldn’t smell so bad if we moved to the main house. The extra space would thin them out.” What Milo saw on the computer. “If life gives you lemons…” What Jack thought Milo and Ben were looking at through binoculars. Jack explaining to Milo why Ben is the best. Most of all, the brother love that just shines through the whole story. They aren’t perfect, no, but they love each other and are trying. “I take you as my brother for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health until death do us part. He rolls his head up and looks at me for a long beat. “I do.” Love.

The not so favorite? Mrs. Devon. “Is she about to tell me I’m doing a bad job raising Milo? Tell me anything else. I can’t hear that. I’m afraid I’m doing a bad job too.” So that the last parent conference was with her was very fitting. I am assuming the next book is about another not-favorite character, Felix. Is he closeted? Experimenting?

This was a great follow up to Taboo For You and I loved it.

Cover art, showing Jack and Ben snuggling is sweet and fitting.

Sales Links: https://www.anytasunday.com/projects/made-for-you/

https://amzn.to/2XIAB0a

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 258 pages
Published May 1st 2019 by Anyta Sunday
ASINB07QQ4TZLW
Edition Language English
Series Love and Family #2

A Lila Review: A Cordial Agreement by Ryan Loveless

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Can a wealthy but frustrated CEO and a guilt-ridden stripper find what they need in a consensual, nonsexual whipping boy arrangement?

Billionaire mogul Grant Jessup, fifty-three, buries his sexual tastes and the reasons behind them—the stresses of his business empire and family. In contrast, Jim Sieber understands the regret that makes him seek pain and penance. As an asexual averse to erotic touch, Jim sets strict boundaries. But as the relationship evolves, Grant struggles to respect them, and both men realize for their association to continue and perhaps grow into real feelings, they’ll have to explore new ways to satisfy each other.

A Cordial Agreement is an interesting take into BDSM agreements. In most books, the sexual component drives the story, but in this case, the author takes the time to explore Mr. Sieber’s asexuality. and how it fits with Mr. Jessup’s need for control.

The main characters are compelling and I enjoyed their interactions. They were witty and smart. The book is well-written and a bit formal but it goes with their transactional relationship. It’s hard to see the moments they fought the intrinsical intimacy in a BDSM relationship.

Some parts moved too fast or lack foreshadowing. The way everyone was connected had me wondering if I had missed something important. Overall, it has a great premise it simply needed more details.

The cover by L.C. Chase shows important elements of the story, and transmits a sense of propriety that it’s part of the story.

Sale Links: Dreamspinner| Amazon | Nook

Book Details:
ebook, 118 pages
ISBN: 9781644052235
Published: May 17, 2019, by Dreamspinner Press
Edition Language: English

Andrew Grey on his Top 5 classic cop movies and his new release Fire and Obsidian (author guest blog and excerpt)

Fire and Obsidian (Carlisle Deputies #4) by Andrew Grey

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: May 7 2019

Cover Artist: Kanaxa

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Sales Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Dreamspinner Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Andrew Grey here today on tour for Fire and Obsidian, fourthi in his Carlisle Deputies series. Welcome, Andrew.

✒︎

I have always loved cop movies and shows. So I thought I would give you my top 5 classic cop movies These were the ones I remember fondly from my younger days.

1) Beverly Hills Cop – Funny with action and drama. It was a favorite when I was in college

2) Lethal Weapon – I used to watch this movie all the time with my friends.

3) Turner and Hooch – Who doesn’t love and cop and dog movie and Ton Hanks.

4) Beverly Hills Cop II I usually stay away from sequels, but this one I liked.

5) Dragnet -One of the campiest cop movies ever made. It was so bad it was funny good

Blurb/Synopsis:

Can a couple be more opposite than a thief and a cop? Or do they have more in common than they think?

Mattias stole to survive. He was damn good at it. But there’s no such thing as a victimless crime, and when he saw how his theft hurt people, he resolved to change. Now he works as a consultant, and while helping to investigate a rash of burglaries, he crosses paths with James.

Police Officer James Levinson doesn’t trust thieves, and that includes Mattias. James’s father stole to support himself, and James knows firsthand how that can destroy lives—it inspired him to go into law enforcement. Mattias is no different, from what he can tell… at first.

As they work together, Mattias and James realize there’s something deeper between them than just the physical attraction neither can deny. Given time, they might even grow to trust each other—unless the case they’re working on dredges up pasts both would rather forget.

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance/Law Enforcement

Excerpts

“All right. Everyone stand up, please,” Mattias said calmly. “Someone identify an object that you want me to take.”

One of the officers held up a watch. It was plain and nothing that would ever have interested him during his career, but for demonstration purposes, it would do.

“Perfect. Put that back on, and I’ll demonstrate. I’d like you all to stay standing as I attempt to take the watch.” Mattias cleared his throat and pretended to think about how he was going to proceed. He wandered up and down each aisle, working his way over to the officer in question, who stood near the back, in the far aisle, with another officer in front and in back of him.

Mattias kept his expression neutral, as though he were concentrating, his gaze rarely wavering from his quarry. As he got closer, he nodded to the officer, whose gaze locked on to him. Mattias could almost feel his quarry’s heart rate increase the closer he got. This man knew something was going to happen, and he was prepared for it. Mattias turned the corner, anticipation building in the room, so thick that he could taste it. Every eye was on either him or his quarry, which was fine. Mattias was calm and cool, no worries. As he got closer, his quarry’s arm jittered slightly. Mattias watched it for a second and then lifted his head, meeting the gaze of the men and women around him. Passing by his quarry, Mattias smiled and continued back up to the front of the room.

“I still have the watch,” the officer said, holding up his wrist, and the others in the room clapped.

“I guess you aren’t as good as you thought.”

Mattias waited until the ruckus and self-congratulations died down and they all turned back to him. He cleared his throat. “And you are?” It was best to confront this type of adversary head-on.

“Detective James Levinson. I’m working with the sheriff’s department as a consultant on the robberies in the area.” His steely gaze held Mattias’s, and he didn’t look away. It was a test of wills, and Mattias enjoyed it, especially from the stunning man who made his body temperature rise and his heart beat a little faster just from the intensity in his eyes. This was a man who didn’t back down from a fight and who held tightly to his convictions. Mattias’s lips curled upward. He got the feeling that this was also a man who never admitted he was wrong. Good. Mattias liked that.

Mattias was going to love making him eat his words.

“Let’s see. Being a good thief is about doing what isn’t expected.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a wallet, and opened it. “Pierre Ravelle.” He smiled and held up the wallet. “I believe this is yours.” The others in the room snickered as Pierre approached and accepted his wallet back. “No hard feelings,” Mattias said as he handed it over.

Pierre blushed slightly and returned to his seat. “Come on, guys,” Pierre said, to try to stop their razzing.

“Pierre isn’t alone.” Mattias began emptying the inner pockets of his jacket of their contents, including one more wallet, a pair of handcuffs, and a flashlight, as well as half a dozen other things. “Check to see what you’re missing and come up to retrieve it in a moment,” Mattias said, then slowly reached into an inner pocket, close to his body. He used his fingertips to pull out the service revolver and gently lay it on the table.

The room went silent, with each officer checking his belt.

“Detective Levinson, I believe this belongs to you.”

About the Author

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

For Other Works by Andrew Grey

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)

An Ali G Release Day Review: Love Conventions by Morgan James

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

A happy ending worthy of a TV fantasy… in real life?

Ashland Wells is an actor of sci-fi cult fame but with little direction for the future, when handsome grad student Remy Beaumont lands in his lap at a fan convention. Remy is everything Ash ever wanted and wished he could be—including out and proud. For twelve hours they’re the best of friends. But the convention ends, and saying goodbye to Remy might be the biggest mistake Ash has ever made.

A few months later, they’re reunited on a new production—Ash as an actor, Remy a writer—and though Ash doesn’t plan to let him go twice, being with Remy means going public about being gay. He’s not sure that’s a risk he—or his career—can handle, no matter how great the temptation.

If only they could write themselves the romantic happily ever after they both need.

This was a good story. Ash and Remy hit it off from the get go and when they meet by chance again they actually get the chance to know each other. When they see each other again a few months later it seems like fate.

I enjoyed this story and felt like I was right there watch these two navigate their relationship but just felt their communication often felt stilted or non-existent. That and the constant switching of words (i.e. series vs seasons), even in the same conversations left me re-reading more often than I would have liked to make sure I knew what was going on. The ending was a bit sudden but it looks like they were able to work it all out.

The cover art by Alexandria Corza is alright and gives a visual of Ash, though I saw him as more gruff than that.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 248 pages

Published: May 7, 2019 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-728-0

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: A New Leash on Life by Deirdre O’Dare

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Beaten by the IT recession, Justin has come back to his hometown where he’s inherited a small house from his mother. Surely Barry, his old crush and sometime nemesis, is long gone. Jobs are scarce, so impulsively Justin seeks to buy into a pet grooming business. But when he has to visit the local bank for a loan, who sits behind the big desk but Barry?

Justin’s appearance jolts Barry out of his miserable rut of a life. What if they were to pick up where a brief boyhood attraction abruptly ended? Then his mother’s sudden stroke throws his whole life into a tumbled ruin.

Juggling business and pleasure can be a complex, risky endeavor. Will Justin resist Barry’s charms and flee again, or will fate give them a new leash on life?

Another story that just did not work for me and I don’t think it’s a good omen when I feel like I have to force myself to finish a book around 50 pages. Justin is going back to his hometown in a last ditch effort to survive since losing his job. Barry has been living his life per his mother’s wishes for so long that seeing his boyhood crush seems to throw him out of his mundane life.

These two seem to have the lingering lust from their teens but other than that they don’t do anything to actually be in a relationship. They both ran as teens in fear of being gay but the way Barry just assumes and kinda forces himself to be in Justin’s lifealong with his attitude didn’t endear himself to me. His attitude about finding out he was adopted didn’t help me like him anymore. Justin just seems to let himself be led by Barry in some ways and though he kinda stands up for himself at one point it doesn’t last long.

The cover art by Written Ink Designs has a nice visual of Justin and his dog.

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 16,988 words

Published: March 23, 2019 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634867610

Edition Language: English

Morgan James on Characters and his new release Love Conventions (guest blog)

Love Conventions by Morgan James

Dreamspinner Press
Published May 7th 2019
Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Morgan James today on tour for the new release Love Conventions. Welcome, Morgan!

✒︎

As I pondered what to write for this blog post, I did some searching. Not soul searching, but topic searching. As I considered the many suggestions, one topic leapt out at me for this book like it might not have for another—How much of yourself goes into a character?

Like many aspects of my writing process and questions about it, the shortest and simplest answer for this will always be “It depends.” For example, the slutty, party-happy competitive hockey player Dante Baltiera from my work Winging It doesn’t have much of me at all. Though his love interest, Gabe, certainly inherited my need for privacy and a low profile.

But when it comes to Love Conventions, the short answer has to be “Quite a lot actually.”

I find it somewhat challenging to craft a character that doesn’t want to lean towards introspection and catastrophizing and away from partying and risk-taking. Well, some of the time.

Sometimes the creative process is slow and aggravating and a struggle every step of the way. And sometimes it’s easy and happens almost without conscious thought.

Ash was like that. Ash was the sort of character who came to me fully formed—well, except for the red hair, or the beard, or the being Scottish, those details were all surprises mid-work that required back editing for continuity. Ash was always a shy giant who wanted a quiet life but somehow stumbled into fame.

And that is me in Ash—shy, quiet, happy to let others steal the spotlight, and yet wanting to pursue a creative career that practically demands one hog it. But it’s not just some of my more introverted traits that Ash took. He also took my love of reading and all things sci-fi and geeky.

From the first page of the first draft, Ash wasn’t just part of the sci-fi world because he’d acted in it, but also because he’d loved it. Ash’s Doctor Who obsession was one of the first character-building details he offered up, and the role it plays in his life has always been a focal point for his character. The fact that his love for the show connected him to family, that it helped him define himself in social spaces, and that it made him feel a kinship with con-goers are all essential to who he is—and as I write it out here, the parallels to my own life grow more and more clear.

Of course, as I ponder this question about my writing, I wouldn’t want to leave Remy (the love interest) out of the equation. Remy is less like me—he is a risk-taker, he’s a “jump in first with both feet and then wonder about the consequences later” sort—but Remy also shares my love of all things geek, and unlike Ash, his personal experiences with fandom culture more closely resemble my own.

But of course, if Remy was also too much like me, then he wouldn’t be a good match for Ash. So, it’s probably all for the best that my answer to the question “How much of me is in each character?” will always be “It depends.”

Blurb

A happy ending worthy of a TV fantasy… in real life?

If only they could write themselves the romantic happily ever after they both need.

Dreamspun Desires #81, 196 pages

About the Author

Morgan James is a clueless (older) millennial, who’s still trying to figure out what she’ll be when she grows up but is enjoying the journey to get there. Now, with a couple of degrees, a few stints in Europe, and more than one false start to a career, she eagerly waits to see what’s next. Morgan started writing fiction before she could spell and wrote her first (unpublished) novel in middle school. She hasn’t stopped writing since. Geek, artist, and fangirl, Morgan tends to pass free hours with imaginary worlds and people on pages and screens—it’s an addiction. As is her love of coffee and tea. She lives in Canada with her massive collection of unread books and acts the personal servant of too many four-legged creatures.

https://twitter.com/MorganJames71

Looking for New Contemporary Romances? Check Out the Release Blitz for The #lovehim Series Box Set by S. M. James (excerpt and giveaway)

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: The #lovehim Series Box Set

Author: S. M. James

Publisher: May Books

Cover Artist: Story Styling Cover Designs

Release Date: May 4, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Friends to lovers, mild hurt/comfort

Themes: Coming out, friendship, family, chronic illness, internalised homophobia

Heat Rating: 1-2 flames

Length: 290 000 words/ 1,000 pages

Box Set of three books and three short stories

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Six stories. Three couples. One perfect kind of love.

Blurb

Read the first three books in the #lovehim series and their short stories.

That Feeling When

A summer camp romance where a bi actor and a closeted ballet dancer are blackmailed into keeping their relationship a secret.

No Big Deal

In the meet cute to To Be Honest, Angus finally gets a roommate … and a big, fat crush.

To Be Honest

Angus and his adorkable roommate Tyler, embark on a cross country road trip to confront Angus’s catfisher.

For The Win

The meet cute for In Case You Missed It, Brooks agrees to one non-date with Darien because they’ll never see each other again … right?

In Case You Missed It

Love is supposed to be simple, but Brook’s secret will put their relationship to the test.

PLUS A BONUS NOVELLA NOT YET RELEASED

In Real Life

The sequel to That Feeling When, where Archie and Landon visit Australia and try to make their relationship work amidst judgmental family and pushy exes.

Excerpt (From No Big Deal)

I groan and give him a playful shove, not able to resist touching him, but it just makes the urge to do it again worse. “I think I’ll manage.”

I’ll manage because I don’t even watch the end. I watch Tyler from the corner of my eye. The way his chest expands with each breath, the way he scratches his nose, or rubs his arm. I catch everything.

I really need to get out of here, to put some distance between us, but I can’t. I don’t want to, which is the really messed up part.

The movie ends with that same song that’s played through the whole thing and instead of choosing another, or returning to his own side of the room, Tyler rolls onto his side, legs hanging off the bed, and tucks a pillow up under his arm.

“Okay, if you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?”

I shift around so I’m facing him and try to be subtle about putting distance between us again. I lean back on my hands, my knees filling the void between us. “Tokyo.”

“Huh. I didn’t picture you for a big city guy.”

I shrug and nod at him. “Same question.”

“The Central Library in Vancouver. Reason one.” He holds up his thumb. “I get to visit another country without having to fly, reason two.” He holds up his forefinger. “I could spend my life there and never read all the books they have. Plus it looks like the Colosseum. Which I’ll never see. Because I hate planes.”

“You’re afraid of flying?” It’s my turn to try and hold back a laugh.

“I happen to have a healthy appreciation for how much it would hurt to plummet to my death.”

“Okay so what do you like?”

He considers the question for a moment. “Quesadillas, marine life, old school computer games … and you.” He shrugs like what he said was no big deal. Just a random list.

I try not to hide how awkwardly I swallow. “I guess you’re pretty cool too.”

He lets my lame reciprocation go. “So football … do you actually love it? Or is it one of those things where you tried it, you were good, and Mom and Dad were so proud you couldn’t give it up for fear of disappointing them?”

“Wow. That was oddly specific. Umm … no. It’s one of the ‘I’m an only child and my mom’s dead so Dad is proud of anything I do’ things.”

“Oh.” Tyler’s eyebrows jump up and it’s weird to see him caught by surprise. “I shouldn’t have pried.”

“Don’t worry about it. I was young, I barely remember her.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. Trust me, if I do, I won’t be much fun for the rest of the day. I mean … it’s hard to miss something you never had. And, well, it makes me feel a bit guilty.”

Tyler’s looking at me with so much sympathy it’s kind of hard to look away from. He reaches out and gives the spot just above my knee a squeeze. I feel it all the way up my leg.

“Okay, how many guys have you hooked up with?” He’s trying to take my mind off it and I’m so grateful.

“Umm … two. The first was the summer before I came out. It was kind of a confirmation, I guess. Sloppy and rushed. The second …” I rub at my mouth to try and hide the smile. “The second was last Christmas break. Dad and I went to a Christmas party with some of his work friends. I didn’t know the guy, and I know I’ll never see him again, and I think that’s what made it so hot.” I nod at him again. “Same question.”

“How many guys have I hooked up with? I can honestly say zero.” He catches my eye with a grin. “Sorry, Angus.”

He gets a laugh from me. “If you ever want to try it, you know where to find me.” I don’t know what makes me say the words but I immediately regret it. Maybe repressing my sexuality for so long isn’t the best idea.

“Noted.”

“Obviously I meant girls, you idiot.”

“In that case.” He frowns as he thinks. “Also zero.”

“No way.”

“I know. I struggle to believe it myself.”

“Do you ever get lonely?” I’m not sure where the question comes from.

Tyler’s serious when he answers. “Only all of the time. Mom and Dad are super busy, and I don’t really have any friends.”

“Except me.”

He lets loose his smile, all teeth and squinty eyes. “Except you.”

“It’s very possible you’re my only actual guy friend too. At least, the only one who doesn’t see me as the gay kid.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just have so be so careful around people. Honestly, it gets pretty exhausting, but it’s safer. Like, I can’t joke around with my teammates in case they think I’m coming on to them or something. I mean, I’m not an idiot, I wouldn’t set myself up to fail by falling for a straight guy.”

“Yet you just offered to hook up with me.”

My stomach clenches and he starts to laugh but I’m kind of uneasy about it. I’d meant it as a joke—obviously—but to him … it had been too easy to say.

About the Author

S. M. James writes books for teens about squishy sweet characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Unapologetically dishing out HEAs for LGBTQ characters.

Author Links

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