Release Blitz and Giveaway for Dream (Skins #1) by Garrett Leigh

 

Universal Buy Link: books2read.com/DreamGL
 
Length: 60,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: GDLeigh @Black Jazz Design
 
Cover Photo: Dan Burgess @Moonstock Photography
 
Blurb
 

I can’t sleep…


When unrequited love leaves Dylan Hart sleepless and nursing his wounds, instinct draws him to the one place he’s found mindless respite in the past—Lovato’s. It’s a place for every fantasy — for crazy-hot encounters — where a night of insane NSA sex brings relief to Dylan’s fragile feelings.


It should be a perfect escape, and for one magical night it seems that way, but then worlds collide, and reality bites when his hookup desperately needs a friend. Surely Dylan can’t trust his instincts when friendship has bruised his heart so badly before?


It’s burying me alive…


The deck is stacked against former ballet dancer Angelo Giordano ever finding real love. At least visiting Lovato’s offers respite from a life defined by illness; a glimmer of light in the dull grey of his so-called life without dance. But then he encounters Dylan — a glorious ray of the brightest sunshine — who makes his heart pound once more with purpose.


Angelo’s mind is blown by this man, but the disease that ended his career won’t let him bask in new love. He’s drowning, and Dylan can’t save him while insecurities swamp them both. The only way to make it means confronting their demons.


If Dylan can turn his back on the past, and Angelo can face his uncertain future, maybe they can chase their dreams together.




January 23 – Reviews By Virginia Lee, My Fiction Nook, Urban Smoothie Read, The Blogger Girls, Gay Media Reviews, Lelyana’s Book Blog, Hearts On Fire Reviews, Gay Book Reviews, Reading In Sarah’s Corner, OMG Reads
January 25 – We Three Queens, Book Lovers 4Ever, Joyfully Jay, Cupcakes & Bookshelves, Kimmer’s Erotic Book Banter, Sinfully, Mikku-chan
January 29 – Sanaa’s Book Blog, Wicked Faerie’s Tales & Reviews, My Book Filled Life, Book love
January 31 – Diverse Reader, Jim’s Reading Room, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
February 2 – Valerie Ullmer, The Geekery Book Review, Sarandipity Book Reviews, Making It Happen
February 5 – Open Mind For A Different View
February 9 – Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, Mirrigold, Unused Napkin, Wicked Reads

 

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Fox Love Press.


Garrett’s debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.


When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.


Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess



Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

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Blog Tour Seeing Red: Interlude by T.C. Orton (excerpt and giveaway)

 Interlude Tour Banner

SEEING RED: INTERLUDE

T.C. ORTON

GAY FANTASY

RELEASE DATE:  12.19.17

 

Seeing Red Interlude Cover 

COVER DESIGN: TC Orton

AMAZON US:  http://amzn.to/2mNqQgj

AMAZON UK:  http://amzn.to/2EVUgQy

 

BLURB

The prequel to the sequel. Seeing Red: Interlude bridges the gap between the final numbered chapter of Seeing Red: Scorched and the epilogue that follows it.

Christmas has arrived. Isaac and Kyle are under constant surveillance from the newly formed Princes’ Guard at Moss, Aiden and Troy’s request. Their nest has been pulled in different directions, leaving the two of them alone at a time usually spent with family. Kyle sees that Isaac is struggling with his separation from Moss and decides to introduce him to a new aspect of the ‘Paranorm’ world. Meanwhile, the consequences of Isaac’s actions a year prior begin to manifest in an unexpected form, which puts himself – and everyone around him – in harm’s way once more.

* This is the sequel to Seeing Red: Scorched and shouldn’t be read as a

Interlude Teaser 1 

EXCERPT

His large tattooed arms were crossing his massive chest, poking out of a black t-shirt tight enough to show every crease and line that made up his abs and pecs. His hair was a wavy mess of dark brown, flowing in the breeze of the open door. His red eyes were glistening, wide, and aimed right at me with what I hoped was affection emitting from them. However, out of everything; every feature, every core-shaking detail, what I’d missed the most was the intensity of his presence.

When Moss looked at me, nothing else existed.

“Don’t cry,” his words came out cold and direct, as always.

“I wasn’t going to cry!” I stomped my feet and raised a hand to wipe a tear away before it could fall.

“You’re doing it.” He stepped forward.

“Yeah, well, I have a hangover, I’m emotional.” I stepped forward.

“You’re always emotional.”

“You’re always an asshole.”

We met in the center of the room; our bodies nearly touching, our eyes luminous, our veins pulsing.

“You okay?” he asked as he towered over me with a blank expression.

“Things are looking up,” I replied with a smile.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Born January 6th 1993, T. C. resides in the United Kingdom, living with his partner Peter Jones and their dog, Drake.

T. C. has had a passion for supernatural stories from a young age, often scribbling down his latest ideas instead of focusing on whatever task was at hand during the long school days. At the age of twelve, he penned his first romance story featuring himself and the boy he had feelings for set in a fantastical land full of werewolves and wizards. Ever since that day, T. C. has made it his mission to entwine his leading gay protagonists with epic paranormal adventures.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

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Join my Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tcortonbookclub/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tcorton

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A Stella Review: Motorcycle Man by Sarah Hadley Brook

RATING 3,5 out of 5 stars

Motorcycle shop owner Ben Makowski offers a three-day class for new riders. When he finds out one of his students doesn’t even like motorcycles, he’s irritated but drawn to the man at the same time. Though he can clearly see the new student is dealing with something difficult, Ben sets out to get to know what that might be and if he can help in any way.

Writer Angus Winter’s publisher has insisted he learn about motorcycles for an upcoming book, which is the last thing he wants to do. His fear of motorcycles stems from a tragedy in his past. But something about his sexy new teacher makes him want to open up to the man. Can Angus trust Ben with the burden he’s carried for so long?

Motorcycle Man is a lovely and emotional short about Angus and Ben, two persons so different from each other, it seems impossible something between them can happen. Angus is not Ben’s type, still the spark is there from the start, so strong probably the lust at first sight could become love.

Angus is a writer and he has been forced by his publisher to attend Ben’st class even if he wants nothing to do with motorcycles. Ben is drawn to the young redhaired cutie and he knows there is something underneath his unwillingness, anyway he is too attracted to Angus to let him go away.

This is a short story, just forty pages and there is really not much space for a lot of development or background about the characters, but the author told me what I needed to know to actually enjoy the story. I met the important persons in Ben’s life, I discovered why Angus is so scared of bikes, I felt his pain and I saw a potential HEA between the MCs.

I’m pretty satisfied with Motorcycle Man and I will continue to read the author next works.

The cover designed by Written Ink Designs is simple and clean, I like it.

SALE LINKS: AMAZON  |  JMS BOOKS

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 41 pages

Published January 13th 2018 by JMS Books LLC

ASIN B0785WKFT9

Edition Language English

A MelanieM Release Day Review: La Famiglia (The Men of Gilead # 2 ) by Deanna Wadsworth

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

A Men of Gilead Novel

Forrester Giordano comes from a huge, nosy Italian family, and with their homophobic jokes and slurs, he’s decided to stay in the closet. He finds respite in his bookstore in the quaint village of Gilead—where he has a huge crush on one of his customers, Kyle Benson.

Kyle is determined to live his dreams, and though life isn’t easy being deaf, one by one he’s making them come true. He’s scored a great job practicing law, bought a cute bungalow where he can finally have a big flower garden, and he has a dog he loves, Jasper. Now he just needs one thing to complete his happiness: a family of his own to make up for the one he never had.

Forrester and Kyle’s relationship starts off hot and heavy, and neither man can deny the depth of their connection. When Forrester’s little brother gets mixed up with their heroin-dealing cousin and his mother falls ill, Forrester has a decision to make—maybe the hardest of his life. For the first time, he’s found a man worth coming out for.

Unfortunately nothing ever goes according to plan with la famiglia.

I’m just in love with this series and the town by the river, Gilead.  After my first introduction,The Rhubarb Patch (Men of Gilead, #1, where we met author Scott Howe and organic farmer Phineas Robertson, I was enamored of place and men.  That holds true the second time around.  Such a quirky place this Gilead!  You never know what you will find there.  In this  case a huge population of Italians everywhere all coming from one foundation family…that would be the Giordano clan.  Home to one Forrester Giordano, also known as Frankie to his huge, extended, and incredibly boisterous Italian family.

Forrester is the odd family member. He left for college away from the family, only managing an escape for a short time until tragedy pulled him back.  Now he’s opened the bookstore of his dreams in Gilead, pouring all of himself into it, leaving little of nothing else, except what his family expects him to give to them.  The demands on him are huge, and the pressures have kept Forrester firmly in the closet.  With Wadsworth’s writing, you  absolutely feel for poor Forrester.  On one hand he loves his family, and fears losing them if he comes out.  One the other?  He so wants to be known for himself…Forrester and not the Frankie they call him.  He’s an easy character to connect with.

Then Kyle Benson comes into his bookstore and life.  Kyle and Jasper really, his Boston terrier.  Kyle is deaf and has a profound hurt hiding in his background.  It makes trusting people, even when he wants to,  close to impossible.  But something about Forrester makes Kyle want to try.

Two men, full of complications, past histories, and in one case, pain, find an immediate connection but then have to figure out if they can have more.  Because that’s the difficult and adult part.  Sex is easy (mostly) but a relationship and HEA?  Well, that’s the tricky part as Kyle and Forrester work to navigate not only Forrester’s family dynamics but Kyle’s history.

Deanna Wadsworth did an incredible job with so many elements here.  Of particular note is the portrayal of Kyle as a deaf person and how it feels growing up deaf in an audible world, complete with communicating and those in the deaf culture who believe that  Kyle’s use of a hearing aid is a betrayal.  It rings true and hits hard.  Also feeling authentic is the large Italian family and its dynamics that flow around Forrester at all times.  Warm, frustrating, loving…and believable.

This is an  amazing story in a series that just shines.  Take a trip to Gilead today, you can start here or backtrack to the first story and then head here where the first characters make an appearance as well.  Now I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Cover art by Anne Cain is gorgeous, just like the first.

Book Details:

ebook, 324 pages
Expected publication: January 23rd 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640800700
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Men of Gilead #2

Release Tour for: La Famiglia (A Men of Gilead Novel) by Deanna Wadsworth (excerpt)

Title: La Famiglia
Series: A Men of Gilead Novel
Author: Deanna Wadsworth
Genre: M/M Romance Novel (standalone)
Release Date: January 23, 2018

 


 

I’m really excited about all the positive feedback I’ve gotten so far about two of my favorite heroes I’ve written, Forrester and Kyle from LA FAMIGLIA, the second official Men of Gilead book. My holiday advent story WELCOME HOME, SOLDIER also takes place in my Ohio small town of Gilead, if you’d like to catch all of the books so far.

 


 

Forrester and Kyle have been in my head for a long time, and they have been through many unfinished versions and rewrites. When I finally realized that Kyle was deaf (all the clues had been there for me but I wasn’t seeing them) the story just fell together so very quickly. I brought along an excerpt to share of the way they flirt before their first date.

Enjoy!

Forrester Giordano comes from a huge, nosy Italian family, and with their homophobic jokes and slurs, he’s decided to stay in the closet. He finds respite in his bookstore in the quaint village of Gilead—where he has a huge crush on one of his customers, Kyle Benson.

Kyle is determined to live his dreams, and though life isn’t easy being deaf, one by one he’s making them come true. He’s scored a great job practicing law, bought a cute bungalow where he can finally have a big flower garden, and he has a dog he loves, Jasper. Now he just needs one thing to complete his happiness: a family of his own to make up for the one he never had.

Forrester and Kyle’s relationship starts off hot and heavy, and neither man can deny the depth of their connection. When Forrester’s little brother gets mixed up with their heroin-dealing cousin and his mother falls ill, Forrester has a decision to make—maybe the hardest of his life. For the first time, he’s found a man worth coming out for.

Unfortunately nothing ever goes according to plan with la famiglia.
“So, Forrester.” Kyle said his name in a way that never ceased to send shockwaves down his back and straight to his cock. “How does one go about trading in books around here?”

 

Forrester pressed his groin closer to the back of the checkout counter, not wanting his thin khakis to reveal what Kyle’s voice did to him. He knew it wasn’t an accent anymore, but the soft way Kyle spoke lured him in like a siren’s song.

 


 

Since no one else waited to check out, Forrester took a moment to soak in those gorgeous hazel eyes, then smiled impishly. “First you have to bring them in.”

 


 

“That would be helpful.” Kyle’s generous mouth cracked a grin.

 

 

He tried his damnedest not to picture those downright kissable lips wrapped around his cock while he ran his fingers through Kyle’s sun-streaked hair.

 

 

He’d always had a thing for blonds.

 

 

He plucked up one of the flyers from the counter. Somehow he managed to sound professional, educated even, when he handed it over. “Our policy is we only take gently used books.”

 

 

“Mine are in great shape.”

 

 

“I bet they are,” Forrester drawled.

 

 

“They’re like new,” he insisted. “No folded corners, never dropped one in a tub either.”

 

 

“Good to hear. I hate it when people ruin a good book.” Dammit, now I’m picturing Kyle in a bathtub!

 

 

“Me too.” Kyle folded the flyer and tucked it into his pocket.

 

 

“For every book you trade in, we give 15 percent off the purchase of a new book or 25 percent off a used one. And for every three books, you get a free used book or half off a new one.”

 

 

Kyle flashed those pearly whites, making his eyes crinkle and his dimples deepen so much Forrester longed to flick his tongue inside them. “Guess I got some free books coming.”

 

 

“I guess you do,” he quipped. “Do you want to buy these today or wait till you do the trade?”

 

 

Kyle withdrew his card. “Nah, I’ll buy them now. I’ve been dying to see what happens since you got me hooked on this series. And Scott already signed this one.”

 

 

Forrester offered him a sideways smile. “I’ll just give you 15 percent off on good faith.”

 

 

“Gosh, you don’t have to do that.”

 

 

Good Lord, the guy said gosh. Could he be more adorable?

 


When Forrester noticed Holly watching them, he resisted the urge to stick his tongue out at her. Instead, he shrugged off Kyle’s modesty and entered the discount into his computer. “No problem. Just make sure you bring me some good stuff, capisci?”

 


 

“Will do. Thanks a lot.”

 


 

Forrester swiped his card, then offered Kyle another inviting smile. The one Ma called his suck-up smile. “Can I get you anything else? Answer any more of your questions?”

 


 

Kyle kept smiling. “No. You’ve been pretty thorough, as usual.”

 

 

“You sure?” he prompted, unable to stop flirting so shamelessly. “You don’t need to know anything else? What’s on the bestseller list? Today’s weather? The meaning of life?”

 

 

“Forty-two.”

 

 

Official report: Forrester was in love with Kyle Benson.

 

 

Or at least in serious lust.

 

 

His grin widened so big he swore his face might crack. “A Hitchhiker fan. I should’ve known.” He tore off the receipt and slid it forward for Kyle to sign.

 

 

“Hells yeah.” Kyle laughed.

 

 

Forrester bagged the books. “Receipt with you or in the bag?”

 

 

“Bag’s fine.” He accepted his purchases, then cleared his throat and fiddled with the bag. “All right, um, thank you, Forrester. Always a pleasure.” He extended a hand and Forrester took it, electric jolts running through his blood at the feel of those lightly calloused fingers.

 

 

“No problem,” he managed, not letting go.

 

 

Kyle kept his gaze locked on Forrester, blinking and glancing from his eyes to his mouth. Warming, Forrester ran his thumb across the back of his hand. He couldn’t believe his forwardness, but Kyle had some kind of tractor beam sucking him in. Powerless against its pull, he stroked the soft skin once more with a nervous, light touch, pulses of heat and desire stirring inside him.

 

 

Forrester let go and cleared his throat. “Um, Kyle?”

 

 

“Yeah?”

 

 

The phone rang, shattering the moment.

 

 

Sighing, he snagged it on the third ring. “Thank you for calling A Novel Idea. This is Forrester, how may I help you?”

 

 

“Hey, it’s me.”

 

 

Only real friends or family could answer a phone with an “it’s me.” Lucas Beale was the former. Though totally weird, and he hated sports of all kinds, Lucas was Forrester’s “boy best friend”—Holly having the honor of being his “girl best friend.” He didn’t know what he would do without either of them.

 

 

“Hey, Lucas, what’s up?” He tried not to sound annoyed at the telephone cockblock.

 

 

Kyle waved goodbye. “I guess I’ll see ya later, Forrester.”

 

 

“Can’t wait.”

 

 

“Can’t wait for what?” Lucas asked in confusion.

 

 

He covered the receiver, hoping he didn’t sound lame to Kyle. “I mean… uh, I can’t wait to read that book together?” His entire body froze in one breath of anticipation.

 

 

Kyle cocked his head to the side, then smiled. “Absolutely.”

 

 

Still grinning, Kyle turned and walked away.

 

 

Ignoring Lucas as he started talking again, Forrester watched Kyle’s spectacular ass as he headed to the door. A woman was coming in and, like a perfect gentleman, Kyle held the door for her. Outside, Kyle slid on and strapped his helmet. Then he threw his leg over and straddled the chrome-and-black Sportster parked out front.

 

 

I got something he can straddle and ride…. Forrester’s skin flushed all the way to his toes. Was Kyle a top or a bottom? Being versatile, he really didn’t care. As long as there was manly skin touching his, lots of kissing, and he got to come, Forrester was a happy camper. But the prospect of finding out what Kyle liked made his entire body warm.

 

 

He watched Kyle put his bike into gear and walk it back out of the space. As it did every time Kyle left, a deep ache settled in his stomach.

 

 

God, I just need to marry him.

 


Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and a couple adorable cocker spaniels. She has been spinning tales and penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010. She has served multiple board positions at her local RWA chapter and is the current President 2017 for Rainbow Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. She loves music and dancing, and can often be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the interworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.

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Release Blitz Tour and Giveaway for Meg Harding’s Contour

 

Universal Buy Link: books2read.com/ContourMH



Length: 52,000 words approx


Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design


Blurb

Jamie “Roxy” Albright has one great love in his life and room for no other. He lives and breathes makeup. Men are nothing more than temporary distractions and romance… well, that isn’t worth his time. With a burgeoning career as a YouTube makeup artist opening doors to never before dreamed of opportunities, time isn’t something Jamie has and distractions aren’t something he can afford.

Instagram model and shirtless wonder Tyler Jackson is quickly falling for elusive Jamie. How it went from a seemingly innocent message to feelings, he’ll never know. Their chemistry is instant and fiery hot, and Tyler’s never been that good at self control. The challenges are endless, though. There’s Jamie’s walls to break through and a country worth of space between them. And just when things are starting to look up, life throws a wrench in the works.

Meg Harding is a graduate of UCF, and recently completed a masters program for Publishing in the UK. For as long as she can remember, writing has always been her passion, but she had an inability to ever actually finish anything. She’s immensely happy that her inability has fled and looks forward to where her mind will take her next. She’s a sucker for happy endings, the beach, and superheroes. In her dream life she owns a wildlife conservation and is surrounded by puppies. She’s a film buff, voracious reader, and a massive geek.



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A Stella Pre-Release Review: When the Devil Wants In by Cate Ashwood and JH Knight

RATING 3,75 out of 5 stars

John Turner has been living a lie most of his life. Growing up in the rural Georgia town of Magnolia Ridge, he’s only ever let one person truly know him: his best friend, Chloe. To the rest of the world, they’re the perfect couple, but just between them, she’s helping John hide in plain sight.

Matt Kinsley, a cop from San Francisco, moves to town looking for a slower pace and to reconnect with his Southern roots. Starting over in Magnolia Ridge means taking a step into the closet, but Matt finds that with John for company, he doesn’t mind so much.

As the two start to explore a possible relationship, a horrific murder rips the town apart but brings John and Matt together in ways neither could’ve imagined. Matt must decide where his loyalties lie while John resists the urge to run again. Together, they have to discover who the real devil is before another life is destroyed.

I was over the moon when I saw two of my favorite authors were going to coauthor a book together and I was more than happy when I finally had the story on my Kindle. I love both authors writing style and mixed they delivered a lovely novel. I truly enjoyed  reading about Matt and John’s love. I liked how their relationship developed and the attraction between them was clear from the first time, as it was clear something more important was going to happen, no matter that the future could be against them.

I liked the plot, I found myself into the story from the start.  I liked the characters, not just the main ones, interesting and well defined. Matt and John were well portrayed, they were realistic persons, with their huge baggage and flaws. The writing was very well done, perfect in every detail, even the sex scenes were hot and steamy. And I have to say I enjoyed the mystery part too, although I’m not a huge fan of mysteries in general.

When The Devil Wants In could have been a huge success because as I said, I loved a lot of things, but some little particulars left me dubious and brought me to the point that I couldn’t give the novel the full four stars. First of all, although I like the mystery part because it was good and I wasn’t able to guess the murderer at all, I really think it was unnecessary to go where the authors decided to go (I can’t say more, I would reveal too much), to me it was unexpected and evil. Nonetheless I can understand this could be just me and my love for the characters. Still, in my opinion the pages needed to solve the mystery should have been better used to develop more the relationship between the MCs and better understand them together. In fact I have to say I enjoyed the first half part of the book more than the second, simply because the focus wasn’t anymore on the romance but moved to an hurtful event that took too much away from Matt and John.

At the end, I enjoyed When The Devils Wants In a lot and I will strongly welcome other works from these authors.

The cover art by Cate Ashwood has a meaning, the flowers are on it for a reason, and that’s why I like it.

SALE LINKS Dreamspinner Press

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, First, 264 pages

Expected publication: January 30th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

ASIN B078X5Q28C

Edition Language English

A MelanieM Review: Open Net (Cayuga Cougars #2) by V.L. Locey

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

August Miles has the world on a string professionally.

Augie, as his friends and teammates call the unassuming young goaltender, is on the fast track to the pros. The starting goalie for the Cayuga Cougars, he has a year or two in Cayuga to hone his skills and all his career dreams will have come true. Pity his personal life isn’t riding the same high. He’s the only one among his group of friends without that special someone to call his own.

Until he meets Salvatore Castenada at a lakeside party. The attraction is white-hot and more than a little wonderfully overwhelming for the romantically inexperienced goalie. August quickly discovers that Sal is everything he’s dreamed of in a man: mature, settled, sinfully handsome, and filled with gentle humor. Sal is also HIV positive.

Will Sal’s revelation about his status end this budding relationship before it can even begin? Or will the two men be able to handle the challenges life—and a championship run for the Cougars—throws at them?

The second in the Cayuga Cougars series, Open Net is a marvelous joining of hockey and romance by V.L. Locey.  This author is amazing at this love/hockey combo because of her in depth knowledge and love for the game which flows through her narrative like a hockey puck on ice.  Here the hockey player who falls in love is a goalie, that special quirky teammate on ice that every team has.  He’s  past oddball, having  some indefinable character element that all great and even not so great goalies must have.  And Locey captures that in the persona of Augie, aka August Miles.   How I love Augie.  I see him so clearly even now, adopted late in life elderly  parents, raised out in the middle of nowhere in Manitoba, hockey is his life.  It’s his only thing until he meets Salvatore  “Sal”Castenada and realizes Sal is everything.

Except Sal is also HIV positive.  It’s a defining moment in both men’s lives.  Sal is older, hurt by one moment in life when he was a trusting innocent and is now paying the price.  He has been also hurt when he’s tried to date and start a  romance again only to find out that his HIV status is a barrier few will cross.

Locey accurately details life with HIV as well what it means to date someone who’s HIV positive.  She does so while maintaining a heartwarming, loving relationship between Augie and Sal.  And she deals realistically with the reactions of those of the people around them as well, both for and against.

And while Augie and Sal are working on their relationship, Augie is also working within his team to become the best goalie he can be. I love the action in the ring, the playing time!  Its fast, fierce and as much of the story as the romance!  Combine both and you have one outstanding novel and a great series!

Love romance?  Hockey players in love?  Grab up this story and the others too.  You can’t go wrong with the Cayuga Cougars and their partners…on and off the ice.  I highly recommend them.

Cover art by Riverie Design and Formatting: love it.  Great job.

Sales Links: – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

book, 200 pages
Published August 16th 2017 by V.L. Locey
Original TitleOpen Net — Cayuga Cougars #2
ISBN139781386038474
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesCayuga Cougars #2

Release Day Blitz for To Seek and To Find by Tamryn Eradani (excerpt and giveaway)

Title:  To Seek and to Find

Series: Enchanting Encounters, Book One

Author: Tamryn Eradani

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: January 22, 2018

Heat Level: 5 – Erotica

Pairing: Male/Female, Male/Male

Length: 56900

Genre: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, BDSM, multiple partners, fetish club, college lecturer

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Synopsis

“Project: Notice Me” is a win-win for Kyle. He’ll do a series of demonstrations at the club and have a good time with people he knows and the fledgling Doms who are new to the scene and looking for encouragement from an experienced Sub. And maybe along the way, he’ll attract the attention of the new Dom at the club, the one with terrible taste in fashion, but who has the most intense focus Kyle has ever seen. He wants the entirety of the man’s attention on him. The clothes are optional.

Excerpt

To Seek and to Find
Tamryn Eradani © 2018
All Rights Reserved

Chapter One
“So,” Kyle says. He slinks into Jenny’s office, glad he wore his stretchy jeans when he pulls a chair out from the table and turns it around so he can straddle it. Even with the give in his jeans, they still pull tight across his quads.

Jenny doesn’t glance up from her computer.

“Remember that time I introduced you and Charlotte?” Kyle asks, undeterred by her obvious disinterest in him. He and Jenny have been best friends for what seems like forever, and they both work from their apartments—Jenny does photography, Kyle does graphic design—and if she didn’t want to be bothered, then she would’ve closed her office door.

As it is, she’d left it wide open, and Kyle is happy to take advantage.

At the mention of Charlotte’s name, Jenny looks up, a smile on her face. They’ve been together for five years, but her expression always softens whenever Charlotte’s mentioned as though they’ve only been dating for a few weeks. Kyle thinks it’s sickeningly cute. He hopes one day someone will look like that when his name is brought up.

Jenny registers the rest of what Kyle’s said and her smile is replaced with something more guarded, suspicious. “Last time you opened with that, we almost wound up in jail.”

“Exaggeration,” Kyle says.

“The time before that you made me go bungee jumping with you.”

“That was awesome.” There’s nothing like the rush of adrenaline as he plummeted toward the earth. Then, right when he thought his harness was going to fail and he would splat, it caught him with a jerk of reassurance. Kyle had loved it. Jenny…not so much.

“I’m afraid of heights.”

“Which meant you were incredibly brave on top of being a good friend.” Kyle needs to get to the point. He’s on a break from his work because all shades of red now look the same to him, but he has a project to finish before the day is over. “This is a favor that’ll benefit us both.”

Jenny continues to look skeptical.

“I want you tie me up,” he says.

Kyle and Jenny have been roommates, have worked together, and have scened together throughout their long and storied friendship. They’ve never slept together, because Kyle’s bisexual, and while Jenny enjoys men on an aesthetic basis, she prefers sex with women.

They frequent the same club, Enchanting Encounters. Jenny does rope demos and occasionally ties up a close friend, but she isn’t as involved with the casual scene as Kyle. She’s been pulling away since she met Charlotte, going mostly to keep Kyle company or catch up with their friends there.

Kyle, on the other hand, is still searching for someone who wants him for more than a couple of sessions a month. He wants a Dom who wants him back and so far, he hasn’t had any luck. He’s hoping his luck is about to change.

Jenny abandons even the pretense of working. “Is this about the new guy?”

He grins. “Who else?”

Kyle spends a lot of time at Enchanting Encounters. Working from home means he’s able to set his own schedule, which allows him to sleep in after a night of play or take an early afternoon if that’s what works better with his partner’s schedule.

Sometimes, he’ll go to the club to have a drink or chat with his friends, but more often he’s there with the intent to pick-up or because he’s part of a demo.

Last week, things got interesting, because there was a new guy.

The BDSM world is a small one, and Kyle has known most of the people at Enchanting Encounters for years now. Someone will bring a friend sometimes or someone will move into the area or move away, but it doesn’t happen often, which means it’s always exciting when there’s a new face.

Unfortunately, it also means there’s a lot of competition for the man’s attention, and Kyle needs a battle plan.

The first time Kyle saw New Guy it was a normal Friday night and he had a drink in hand as he did a sweep of the bar to see if anyone caught his eye. He hadn’t come in with a particular scene in mind. Some nights, that made it easier to find a partner while other nights it made it more difficult.

That Friday had been a difficult night. Since he wasn’t sure what he wanted, no one popped out at him. If he wanted a good spanking, then Renee was his go-to, but he wasn’t feeling it. Same with a bit of bondage and a pegging, which is what Alexa would give him. Dylan was strutting around in his full leather gear, but Kyle wasn’t in the mood to have to work and Dylan always makes him work.

The only person who drew his interest was TJ, Kyle’s favorite bartender, and while TJ flirts with anyone who seems receptive, he doesn’t have sex with club members. It’s a shame, but Kyle can respect his choice.

Kyle was considering a second drink when his eyes landed on someone at the far end of the bar. New Guy was, well, new, which immediately made him interesting. What kept his attention was the expression on the guy’s face as he talked with Lou.

The guy was completely captivated even though Kyle knows from personal experience that Lou isn’t the most interesting person to talk to. Lou’s gorgeous, especially when he has red welts against his almost inhumanly pale skin, but he’s not the most thrilling conversationalist.

Still, New Guy leaned in like nothing in the world could pull him away.

Part of the reason Kyle scenes is he loves having the full attention of another person on him. If New Guy can be that intense during a conversation, then Kyle wants to find out what he’s like in a scene.

He didn’t look away from Lou once, didn’t give Kyle a chance to catch his eye, and Kyle eventually had to move on. He didn’t go home with anyone Friday night. A couple of people approached him, but he turned them down. New Guy was the only person on his mind, and it wouldn’t be fair to anyone he scened with.

Anyway, Kyle didn’t have a chance to talk to New Guy on Friday night, but he’s determined to change that. The guy is attractive and he has the kind of focus Kyle craves.

“You’re not the only one asking about him,” Jenny says.

Kyle shrugs. “He’ll want me once he sees me.”

“Modest. So, what’s your big plan, do a bunch of demos until he wanders over to see one?”

That’s exactly his plan.

Jenny groans. “Are you serious?”

“It’s a good plan! I’m hot, I’m an incredible sub. And while I’m waiting for him to notice me, I’ll be doing scenes I like. Plus, Wanda’s been after me to do some more demos. I’m good for business.” Kyle doesn’t bother holding back his smirk.

Jenny reaches across her table to shove his face away. “You’re terrible.”

“But you’re going to help me.”

Jenny sighs. “Because you got me and Charlotte together? That won’t work as leverage forever.”

“You’re going to help me because you just got a new order of rope in, and you know I look gorgeous in lavender.”

“Ugh. Fine. I’ll do a demo with you. But you’ll let me tie you up for a photoshoot. Unpaid.”

Kyle doesn’t bother to hold back his grin as he says, “Deal.”

“I’ll hang you upside down,” Jenny threatens.

It’s an idle threat. She likes to suspend him, but usually not upside down.

“You’re the best,” Kyle tells her. He stands up, smacks a kiss to her cheek, and leaves to finish the rest of his project. He needs to be on top of his work this week or he won’t have the time to hang around the club and put Project: Notice Me into effect.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Meet the Author

Tamryn studied English and Creative Writing in school but has been writing since she could first hold a pencil. Recently, she’s turned her focus towards writing erotica. She enjoys writing stories where sex comes first, then feelings, because doing things out of order can be fun.

Tamryn has spent the past few months writing the Daniel and Ryan series with a lovely view of mountains out her window, and she’s now searching for a new mountain range to serve as her backdrop as she begins her next project.

 

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Of Frost and Winter Readings. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Of Frost and Winter Readings

On days like the ones we’ve had recently, when the winds blow cold and snow puts a pristine layer of white over everything within sight, one  of the first things that pops into my mind is the poem of Robert Frost~ Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.  It’s one of those poems that, from the moment I first read it, has continued to resonate with me.  Especially that last stanza…

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
I’m probably not alone in that. Those words have a way of circling around in my head, along with the imagery they produce.
There’s something about a winter atmosphere, an artic location for a story that can render a tale so memorable if for no other reason that for our own body memories an author is able to call upon when describing scenes and  writing chilling passages that evoke shivers and make us remember to curl up deeper into our blankets, seeking the warmth against the cold of a winter night.  Several authors whose stories made an arctic landscape vivid and coldly beautiful jump to mind including Megan Derr (Frostwick, The Prince of the Moon, Chaos (The Lost Gods #5, and many more), RJ Scott (The Christmas Throwaway, A Reason to Stay, and more as her agents, safe houses and blizzards are a great combination),Jamie Fessenden (A Viking for Yule), Freddy MacKay (Snow on Spirit Bridge, Chestnuts Roasting Anthology), Amy Lane ( Turkey in the Snow, Winter Ball, The Winter Courtship Rituals of Fur-Bearing Critter – the whole series actually, and more ), Marie Sexton (Winter Oranges), Heidi Cullinan (Minnesota Christmas series). And that’s just a few that snapped right into my head.
What winter tales made you crawl closer to the fire?  Which stories brought the howl of the cold arctic winds swirling about your home and body even though you live in the warmer climes?  You know how Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words loves our lists! So here’s your Winter List Challenge!  What’s your Most Memorable Winter Stories?  From now until the end of the month, get in your recommendations!  We will pick a winner or two to receive a gift card of $10.  Make sure you include your name and email address where you can be reached.  So bring on the Brrrrrs and the Winter Recommendations!  Contest ends January 28 at mid.
Now for this week’s reviews and  tours!  Happy Reading and stay warm!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, January 21:

  • Of Frost and Winter Readings.
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, January 22:

  • DSP Dreamspun Promo Kris T. Bethke
  • BLITZ To Seek and To Find by Tamryn Eradani
  • TOUR The Calling by MD Neu
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Barricade by Lindsey Black
  • A MelanieM Review: Open Net (Cayuga Cougars #2) by V.L. Locey
  • A Stella Review: When the Devil Wants In by Cate Ashwood and JH Knight

Tuesday, January 23:

  • Release Blitz – Why I Need You by Colette Davison
  • Release Blitz Tour – Meg Harding’s  Contour
  • Release Tour for:La Famiglia (A Men of Gilead Novel) by Deanna Wadsworth
  • A Melanie Release Day Review: La Famiglia (The Men of Gilead # 2 ) by Deanna Wadsworth
  • A Stella Review:  Motorcycle Man by Sarah Hadley Brook
  • An Alisa Audiobook Review: Dragon’s Hoard by M.A. Church and Narrator: Dorian Bane

Wednesday, January 24:

  • Blog Tour Seeing Red: Interlude by T.C. Orton
  • DSP Promo Deanna Wadsworth on La Famiglia (A Men of Gilead Novel)
  • Release Blitz – Garrett Leigh – Dream (Skins #1)
  • A Caryn Review: The Law of Love by Fyn Alexander
  • A MelanieM Review: The Case of the Man Eater (Kanaan & Tilney #2) by Jenna Rose and Katey Hawthorne
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Way with You (Memories with The Breakfast Club) by Lane Hayes

Thursday, January 25:

  • DSP Promo Sean Michael
  • Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway: Two Man Station by Lisa Henry
  • Tour: Sound of Silence by Mia Kerick and Raine O’Tierney.
  • A MelanieM Review: Why I Need You by Colette Davison
  • An Alisa Review: Waking the Prince by Shawn Lane
  • A MelanieM Review: Knightsgift by J. Hepburn

Friday, January 26:

  • Release Blitz for LOVE TIMES FIVE by Lily G
  • Sounds of Silence Tour –
  • Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway: Twice in a Lifetime by Jodie Griffin
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Home is Where You Are ( States of Love ) by Emjay Haze
  • A Lila Review:  An Actor’s Guide to Romance by Catherine Curzon and Eleanor Harkstead
  • A MelanieM Review: And God Belched by Rob Rosen

Saturday, January 27:

  • A MelanieM Review: Velvet Claw by L.J. Hamlin