In the Spotlight: Independence Daze by A.J. Llewellyn & D.J. Manly (excerpt and giveaway)

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Title: Independence Daze

Author: A.J. Llewellyn & D.J. Manly

Publisher: Torquere Press

Cover Artist: Les Byerley

Release Date: 6/29/16

Heat Level: 5

Pairing(Male/Male, Ménage): M/M, Menage

Length: 21K

Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Menage

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Synopsis

Paul and Hamish are at it and at each other, again in the third installment of A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly’s best-selling BDSM Voyages series.

Paul and Hamish may be married but that doesn’t mean their sex life has to be a snore fest. These guys always give each other exactly what they need when they can find time in their busy lives. In between feeding Hamish’s ravenous, pregnant sister, and negotiating relationships with deadbeat, rock star fathers, the lovers are always looking for ways to spice things up.

This time, overworked Paul is in for it when Hamish decides to take him on a special retreat that involves a yurt, a Peruvian shaman, and some noxious liquid that wipes out all limits to the imagination. Independence Day never saw anything like this coming!

Excerpt

I walked out of the plant at two in the morning. It was at this point that I permitted myself to feel it. I was dead tired and it was chilly. I regretted not bringing a jacket but then I hadn’t expected it to take so damn long, or for the night to turn cold. I had to keep reminding myself that for a coastal state, California was desert. Outside, I put up the top of the convertible and texted the office with a reminder to bill the plant and also make a report in the morning.

When I pulled up into our driveway, I turned off the engine and closed my eyes. I almost fell asleep there. I think I would have if not for who I knew was waiting for me inside. Although, I was pretty sure Hamish had conked out at this hour. With all the energy I had left, I walked up to the door and put the key in the lock. Thankfully, Hamish had left the alarm off.

I walked inside, locked the door and set the alarm. As I climbed the stairs I noticed a light on in the master bedroom. Hamish sometimes fell asleep reading so I tried to be quiet anyway as I crept in. I paused, my brow wrinkling as I heard a low buzzing sound coming from the bed. My eyes widened when I saw Hamish lying flat on his back with his slave collar on. He’d attached the collar’s chain to the bed post. Two other chains with nipple clamps lay on his chest. I guess he expected me to do the honors by installing those.

I smiled as I came around to the bottom of the bed. Both his legs were raised and spread wide in the air, resting on leather stirrups we’d attached overhead. A rather large vibrating butt plug protruded from his ass, and his cock was strapped nicely with a studded leather cuff.

“Your hands are free,” I said, my cock stiffening as I slowly ran my gaze over him.

He smiled. “I can fight if you try anything I don’t like.”

Hamish used to be a boxer. No one messed with him unless he wanted it. Right now, he wanted it…badly. “So you’ve been busy.”

“You told me to stay awake, remember?”

“All this for me,” I said, straddling his waist and grabbing both wrists. He was breathing hard as he looked up at me. I wasn’t so tired anymore. I reached over to get the padded cuffs we had tucked behind the bed. I brought up one and attached his wrist. Hamish made quite a show of struggling.

I attached the other cuff and leaned back. “My, my, all mine to play with.”

“I’ll scream,” he threatened with that gleam in his eyes. “A stranger coming into my house to have his way with me. If I make a lot of noise,” Hamish explained, “the police will come.”

“Not if they can’t hear you, they won’t,” I whispered.

Purchase

Torquere Press

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Meet the Author

A.J. Llewellyn

A.J. Llewellyn’s obsession with myth, magic, love, and romance might have led to serious stalking charges had it not been for the ability to write. Thanks to the existence of some very patient publishers, A.J.’s days are spent writing, reading and dreaming up new worlds. A.J. has definitely stopped Google-searching former boyfriends and given up all ambition to taste test every cupcake in the universe to produce over 200 published gay erotic romance novels.

A.J. wants you to read them all. A.J. can be found lurking on Facebook and Twitter—part-time class clown being another occupation. When not writing or reading, A.J.’s other passions include juggling, kite-boarding, and spending a fortune buying upgrade apps for Pearl’s Peril and Farm Heroes Saga.

D.J. Manly

I write not only for my own pleasure, but for the pleasure of my readers. I can’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t written and told stories. When I’m not writing, I’m dreaming about writing. Eroticism between consenting adults, in all its many forms is the icing on the cake of life but one does not live by sex alone. The story of how two people find love in spite of the odds is what really turns me on.

Social Media Links:

Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/A.J.-Llewellyn/e/B002DBJBC2

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/aj.llewellyn

http://www.facebook.com/dante.manly

Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/ajllewellyn

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/ajllewellyn

http://www.twitter.com/djnovels

Website:

http://www.ajllewellyn.com

http://www.djmanlyfiction.com

Giveaway

Rafflecopter Prize: One winner will be selected to win an eBook copy of Independence Daze.

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Collars ‘N’ Cuffs, A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology Book Tour and Giveaway

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Title: Collars ‘N’ Cuffs
Authors: Layla Dorine, Aimee Brissay, Lily Velden, Alina Popescu, Kassandra Lea, Carol Pedroso, Eddy LeFey, Asta Idonea
Genre: Gay Romance, BDSM
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing

Synopsis

How about a little bondage?

Does D/s get your motor running?

Do you enjoy a serving of pain to go with your pleasure?

Does your mouth water at the thought of clamps and cuffs and other naughty stuffs?

Then look no further!

The authors of Collars ‘N’ Cuffs have dripped wax on their keyboards, flogged their erotic bones, and whipped up their creative juices to bring you a collection of stories certain to enflame your imagination.

Excerpt – A Touch of Kink by Alina Popescu

Tudor sighed and shook his head. “Why the fuck are you always on his side? You’re supposed to be my friend, not support him all the time! You were the complete opposite with Vincent.”

“Vincent was a douche,” Radu said, his voice taking a dangerous edge. “He acted like an ass from the start and made your life miserable. He was the biggest selfish bitch I’ve ever met. Kahoni is not like that.”

“Oh, excuse me, Mr. Perfect Judge of Character!”

Radu grinned and nodded his thanks. “Why, I didn’t know you’d noticed. I am pretty good at it, you have to admit.”

Tudor wanted to contradict him but couldn’t. Radu really was a great judge of character. He was never wrong, even if his descriptions of other people were as offensive as they could be. He felt Radu’s arm around his shoulders, and a gentle squeeze made his heart sink even further.

“Trust me, buddy. He loves you. It’s clear in his fucking puppy eyes every time he looks at you. He’s not Vincent; I guarantee that.”

“Thanks, Radu.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” Radu said as he started to move away from Tudor. “All I am saying is your relationship won’t end because Kahoni is a dick. There are still plenty of ways you can screw this up.”

Collars N Cuffs Cover

Buy Links

Don’t miss the discounted buy prices valid until 48 hours after release!

WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/collars-n-cuffs-a-wayward-ink-publishing-anthology/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-collars039n039cuffsawaywardinkpublishinganthology-2057986-166.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Collars-Cuffs-Wayward-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B01G984JB2/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collars-Cuffs-Wayward-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B01G984JB2/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Collars-Cuffs-Wayward-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B01G984JB2/
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/Collars-Cuffs-Wayward-Publishing-Anthology-ebook/dp/B01G984JB2/

Book Trailer

Stories included

FORGED IN STEEL

Layla Dorine

The last thing Flint expected upon discovering a homeless young man rummaging through the dumpster behind his shop was a kindred spirit.

The last thing Trace expected to find in that dumpster was a home.

 

PLAYING IT SAFE

Aimee Brissay

To safe or not to safe?

That is the question.

 

ROOM TO PLAY

Lily Velden

Jack wanted to dabble in some light BDSM, looking for a little role play. A little role-reversal.

Rhys took to their games like a duck to water.

 

A TOUCH OF KINK

Alina Popescu

A moody and angry Tudor follows his friend, Radu, to the airport to pick up a client.

Despite Radu’s efforts, he’s still sulking over his boyfriend, Kahoni, not being able to fly over for his birthday.

But the airport only opens up the door to a stream of steamy surprises for Tudor. Will his mood improve?

Collars N Cuffs 3D Cover 

LET’S DANCE IN SIN

Kassandra Lea

Samuel wants to play with his favorite toy and Flynn is only too willing to oblige.

But first, he has a little treat for his delectable angel.

 

NEW LOVE, NEW SIGHT

Carol Pedroso

Exiled and lonely, Sorl longs for home.

Kidnapped, blind, and scared, Unjarf seeks help of any kind.

When they meet can love bring rescue, hope, and most importantly new sight?

 

SWITCH

Eddy LeFey

Robert is floundering, trying to get his life back together.

Daniel offers to help, to teach Robert what it means to truly let go of control, in order to be able to seize it again.

Life truly is a…. switch.

 

HELL BOUND

Asta Idonea

When Taharial, angel of purity, descends to Hell to reprimand him, lust demon Asmodeus cannot resist having a little fun with his unwanted guest.

However, when he chains Taharial to his bed, events take a turn he didn’t expect.

Giveaway

Prize – 1 x $10 WIP Gift Card
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A MelanieM Review: Finding Family by Connie Bailey

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Finding FamilyWhen you find your family, you’ll do anything to keep it.

When Charles Macquarrie inherits a fortune and an international clothing company, he also inherits three young cousins he desperately needs help raising. By a stroke of luck, he discovers and hires Jonathan Lamb, who spent his life in a children’s home due to chronic illness, to be his nanny.

If Jon thought a budding romance with his wealthy boss complicated his life, he has no idea of the hardships awaiting him when he’s charged with embezzlement and kidnapping. But even when threatened by accounting discrepancies and mob connections, Jon and Charles won’t let go of the family they’ve built together without a fight.

I loved the premise of this story immediately.  Orphan raised by nuns in an orphanage gets the call to become the nanny or manny if you prefer for a millionaire raising  his three young charges, his cousins.  Shades of Sound of Music and any nanny romance story you can think of.  Unfortunately this doesn’t quite measure up (as if anything could) but parts come close to making this a charming story.

Let’s start with the sections and characters I loved and thought  worked well.  Jonathan Lamb, the innocent from the nuns orphanage.  I really liked him.  Lively, interesting.  The author liked him too.  Enough to endow him with interesting traits that were  well researching and fleshed him out as a living, breathing person.  He may have been living life away in small town but it was a full one. Then when his character is meshed with that of three equally wonderful, sometimes snarly, but great kids, and the book was made for me.  I loved everything about that section.  The kids slowly accepting him.  Jon working his way into learning their personalities and their interests, great, great, great.   The wonderful basket weave of family dynamics Jon wove between himself and the children is full of warmth, love, and more than a little reality.  I could have used so much more of this.

And the comparison to them and Charles Macquarrie made his character that much more lacking in about everything.  He lacked, at least for me any sort of charm, or personality other than spoiled.  His friend Bunny came off far better in the warmth and charity department than he did, in fact I adored Bunny.  Switch out Bunny for Charles and the story would have been made…5 stars.

But no we plod along with Charles, and a money mismanagement scheme, and other things that just don’t help in the long run.

There is a instant love between Charles and Jon that is just not believable.  Would Jon really have an affair with his boss if it threatened the first job he’s ever had and would take him away from the children and apparently the only person who cared about them?  No, the author never makes a case for that flaw in Jon’s character.  Its just not believable nor is the connection.  To do that you need time to build it into the story and there’s not enough pages here to  do that.  If it had been made longer, then perhaps so, but not as it is.

So what we end up with is a potentially wonderful story.  I gave it 3 stars for Jon, Bunny and the kids.  They deserved it and a better leading man than Charles.

Cover by Paul Richmond works for the story and for branding the series. Not my favorite however.

Sales Links:   Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, Dreamspun Desires #11, 234 pages
Published June 1st 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
Original TitleFinding Family
ISBN 1634771524 (ISBN13: 9781634771528)
Edition LanguageEnglish
CharactersCharles Macquarrie, Jonathan Lamb settingPennsylvania (United States)
New York, New York

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Roped In by Marie Sexton and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Roped InGraham has been riding the rodeo circuit for years, and he and his partner, Jackson, have won the calf-roping championship and set high standards for competitors many times. But this year is different. This year, there’s a complication—a group of animal rights protestors are creating a commotion outside the arena, and more specifically, outside the barn where Graham and Jackson house their horses and Graham intends to stop them. But when he gets face to face with them, he’s halted in his tracks by his sudden attraction to one of the young men. Kaz is a college student, vegan, activist, and gay, and he’s stunned by his attraction to the cowboy who comes out to confront his group. He couldn’t be gay too, could he?

Unwilling to act on his desires for men, Graham keeps them hidden from all but Jackson and now, Kaz. Last year, during the regionals, his long-time love for Jackson led him to accept Jackson’s drunken advances one night, but at the last minute, he chickened out and ran. Now, though he’s still attracted to Jackson, his attraction to Kaz is stronger. And when he bumps into Kaz one night at a local bar, the two go home together after Kaz indicates he’d like to show Graham something. What he shows him is a night of pleasure as Graham submits to being tied with rope and allowing Kaz more than he’s ever allowed another man. But the next morning, after Kaz leaves, Jackson confronts him, and it’s the beginning of the end of their partnership when Graham learns what Jackson has to say about their past encounter and Jackson’s opinion of Graham’s attraction to Kaz.

This is an enjoyable story, and it’s fairly short, though it would have been nice if it was longer. I love both of these authors, and the two together were making those ropes smoke! If you like enemies-to-lovers stories, or you like a little mild bondage in your MM romance, you should enjoy this one. And unlike some novellas with a similar theme, there’s much more here than the romance and sex. The story does a good job of highlighting both sides in the protests about cruelty to rodeo animals and even touches on equine rescue efforts.

Considering the length of the story, I found the characters well-developed—both MCs and Jackson.  In fact, I was hoping there was a follow-up story about Jackson, but there doesn’t appear to be one as this isn’t listed as being the beginning of a series. However, if the authors or publishers are taking votes, count my vote in for a Jackson sequel. I’d love much more of this world, and I’d certainly love to see Jackson emerge from the closet and “rope in” his own man.

Cover art by L.C. Chase is perfect for the story.

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd edition, 155 pages
Published June 20th 2016 by Riptide Publishing (first published April 20th 2014)
Original TitleRoped In
ISBN 1626494614 (ISBN13: 9781626494619)
Edition LanguageEnglish

L.A. Witt Talks “Research vs Real World Experience” in ‘Roped In’ by Marie Sexton and L.A. Witt( Giveaway)

Roped In

Roped In by Marie Sexton and L.A. Witt
R
iptide Publishing
Cover by L.C. Chase

Read an Excerpt/Buy It Here

************

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words has the pleasure of having the authors of Roped In here today to talk about the issue of research and writing.  Welcome Marie Sexton and L.A. Witt.

***********

Research vs Real World Experience

Roped In is one of those books that required some research, but also tapped into some of my real world experience. No, I’m not talking about the BDSM side of things.

See, I was raised around horses. Some of my earliest memories are of horse shows. I actually have a horse show ribbon of my own from a couple of months before I turned three (my mom was leading the horse), and that isn’t the first horse show I remember. As a teenager, I rode competitively in Washington state, mostly on the Morgan horse circuit. Even though I haven’t competed in a while (really really really need to get back into that…), everything horse is pretty much in my blood.

So… you could say I have some experience with the hooved ones.  More often than not, if my characters are interacting with horses, it’s at least some personal experience talking. I would like to say that isn’t true about the scene in one of my hetero books where a character is trapped inside a trailer with a panicking horse, but no, that scene came from real life. Not really a good way to spend an afternoon, would not do again, 0/5 stars.

Anyway, when it came time to write Roped In, there was also some research needed. After all, I’ve never ridden in a rodeo in my life. I’ve never done roping or anything like it (y’all I can barely tie my shoes). I’ve watched it, and I have friends who do it, but firsthand experience? Not so much. So, I hunted down some of my rodeo-inclined friends, watched some videos online, read what I could get my hands on. (As did Marie, of course!)  For scenes like when Kaz and Graham are trying to rescue a scared and neglected horse, that mostly came from real-world experience.

And writing that book, just like writing After the Fall, only made the “OMG I WANT A HORSE” voice get that much louder in my head. Hopefully that voice will be getting its wish sometime next year. After all, I’ve always wanted an Andalusian horse, and I do live in Andalusia…

About Roped In

Graham and his roping partner, Jackson, have been friends since they were boys. They’ve ruled the rodeo scene for ten years running, but lately, Graham’s heart isn’t in the game. He’s tired of the bruises, the cowboy mentality, and the animal rights activists who picket every event. He’s also tired of being in love with Jackson, and nothing’s been the same between them since their disastrous drunken encounter the year before.

Then Graham has a run-in with one of the rodeo protesters, and everything changes. Kaz is young, idealistic, and sexy as hell. But he’s also a know-it-all, animal-loving vegan, bent on saving the world one cow at a time. They have next to nothing in common, but Graham can’t stop thinking about what might happen if they can stop butting heads long enough to give it a try. Unfortunately, no matter how attracted Graham is to other men, he always panics and runs when the clothes start to come off. But Kaz has an idea for getting Graham past his nerves and into bed.

All they need is a bit of rope.

(Note: This is a re-edited second edition of a previously published title.)

About Marie Sexton

Marie Sexton lives in Colorado. She’s a fan of just about anything that involves muscular young men piling on top of each other. In particular, she loves the Denver Broncos and enjoys going to the games with her husband. Her imaginary friends often tag along.

Marie has one daughter, two cats, and one dog, all of whom seem bent on destroying what remains of her sanity. She loves them anyway.

Connect with Marie:

About L. A. Witt

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut . . .

Connect with L.A.:

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Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Roped In, Marie and L.A. are giving away $20 in Riptide Publishing credit plus one ebook from each of their backlists. Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on June 25, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Pre-Release Tour for Picked Fresh by Posy Robert (excerpt and giveaway)

Title: Picked Fresh
Series: Naked Organics #2
Author: Posy Roberts 
Genre: M/M Romance
Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press
Hudson Oliva loves stability. He was a throwaway teen before finding Kaleidoscope Gardens, but has since thrived at the commune. When Jude Garrity moves in, life gets even better, but Hudson still craves more. He knows he has to be satisfied with their exclusive status being temporary and that Jude will eventually navigate his full sexual awakening with their other housemates.

Hudson has a journey of his own to make. It might only require going home to settle his grandmother’s estate, but he plans to use his time away to figure out how to temper his feelings for Jude and bury his jealousy once and for all. But when Jude joins him on his trip, Hudson falls even deeper in love, especially after Jude stands by his side when he finally confronts his mother for rejecting him.

However, it’s not all hearts and flowers while they travel. They’re over two thousand miles from home when Hudson learns a ruthless corporate farm threatens the commune they both love. In order to save their way of life, Hudson must ask his mother for help. And if he wants a chance at a stable future with Jude, he has to tell him the truth about his feelings, no matter if it ruins the harmony he’s tried so hard to preserve.

 


Jude shifted in his seat and stared at Hudson. Hudson couldn’t take his eyes off the road, but the desire to turn toward Jude and mirror him was overwhelming. “What was your first impression of me when I met you at the farmers market?”

“Should I be diplomatic or honest?”

“Honest.”

Hudson ran that day over in his mind. It was crystal clear, still, even though it had been more than nine months ago. Jude had meandered from stand to stand. He initially stood out from the crowd because of what he was wearing: a bright blue, almost turquoise wool coat over a black turtleneck and tight black jeans. In the blur of quilted plaid flannel and fleece hoodies in various shades of drab, olive, and Carhartt, Jude was all Hudson could see.

“I couldn’t keep my eyes off you. You were… stunning.” He shook his head. “I don’t know another word for it. I was talking to some customer about how we raised our chickens, and when I saw you, I stopped midsentence. I stared, felt like a dirty old man because you looked so young, and when I turned back to the woman to carry on our conversation, I had no idea what we’d been talking about. Literally none. It was like looking at you sucked the words out of my throat and the thoughts right out of my head.”

Jude chuckled. “Seriously? Was it the coat?”

“It made you stand out, but no, it wasn’t the coat. It was everything about you. Your broad shoulders and your hair and your eyes and your fucking lips.”

“You like my lips?” Jude pulled his rose-flavored lip stuff out of his front pocket and made a show of smearing it across the bottom one. Then he rubbed his lips together and licked them, all while staring at Hudson with soft bedroom eyes.

The bus vibrated, a jagged noise piercing Hudson’s ears as he drove too far to the right, edging his tires onto the rumble strip. “¡Coño!” He maneuvered back into the center of his lane.

Jude laughed. Hudson’s heart thundered against his rib cage.

“You’re evil,” Hudson said. “Evil, I tell you!”

“Maybe.” Jude bit at his bottom lip.

“Stop. Stop tempting me with your fucking gorgeous mouth. I can’t have you doing that shit while I’m driving.”

“Okay.” Jude smirked but kept his tongue and teeth from doing anything else. He put away those hazel sex-eyes too. “So, how did you see this trip going down?”

“Just like that?” Hudson was incredulous.

“What?”

“You can just turn it on and off like a switch?”

“With you, sure.”

“Well, I can’t.” Hudson gestured to his crotch, where his dick was obvious, thick, and quickly moving on its way to fully hard, even though Jude had stopped the licking and the biting.

“Want me to touch you?” Jude’s voice was breathy as he slid his warm palm up Hudson’s inner thigh. He thumbed over the head of Hudson’s cock, and Hudson got harder. Jude played with just the head, moving back and forth, his touch light and delicious.

“Want me to drive off the road?” Hudson managed not to sound choked off.

“No.” Jude pulled his hand away and smiled like the devil. “I want you to drive. And I want you to tell me about what you want to do on this trip besides the obvious. And for the record, turning it off doesn’t happen like a switch. Turning me on with one look, easy!”

“You’re dangerous.”

“Damn right I am.”

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Interested in reading how Hudson ended up living at Kaleidoscope Gardens? Read Naked Origins—Hudson for free. This is not a romance, but for those who want to dig a little deeper, this story covers much of Hudson’s history that is hinted at in Picked Fresh. Visit https://posyroberts.com/2016/02/02/free-read-naked-origins/ to read the summary and download it.
Title: Farm Fresh
Series: Naked Organics #1
Author: Posy Roberts 
Genre: M/M Romance
Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press 
Posy Roberts writes about the realistic struggles of men looking for love. Whether her characters are family men, drag queens, or lonely men searching for connections, they all find a home in her stories.

Posy is a Jill of all trades and master of the drill and paintbrush. She’s married to a partner who makes sure she doesn’t forget to eat or sleep during her writing frenzies. Her daughter, a budding author and cinematographer, helps her come up with character names. For fun, Posy enjoys crafting, hiking, and singing spontaneously about the mundane, just to make regular life more interesting.

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In the Spotlight: Love Can’t Conquer by Kim Fielding (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Love Can’t Conquer 

(Love Can’t series, Bk #1)

by Kim Fielding

Hi! This is Kim Fielding.

Inspiration is a lot like lightning—you never know when it might strike.

While some of my stories are inspired by more predictable things, such as travel, some come from unexpected quarters. For example, the idea for my novella Grown-Up came while I was shopping at Home Depot, and Rattlesnake was born when I saw a hitchhiker at a gas station in the Mojave Desert.

My newest novel is Love Can’t Conquer, and it came to me courtesy of my Noisy Neighbor.

I live in a neighborhood with big houses on small lots with backyard fences. We’re all scrunched up against each other, and although the wooden fences provide some visual privacy, they’re not soundproof. This wasn’t so bad when an older couple lived behind us, but they sold the house and moved away. The new owners have three little boys (one of whom, based on parental shouts, apparently has a penchant for peeing al fresco), a barky dog, and a really loud father. There’s a mother there too, but she’s blessedly quiet. The father makes up for it, though. When he’s outdoors, he doesn’t talk, he bellows. He has friends with kids over on Saturdays, then gets up at 6 a.m. on Sunday to (loudly) collect bottles and other debris from his backyard. And he blasts his music every weekend, all day long.

His musical tastes could be worse. Mostly 70s and 80s light rock. I occasionally listen to that myself. I’d just rather not listen to it all the damned time. I’ve considered counteracting it by blasting some of my own playlist back. Maybe he’d like to be treated to some Bosnian punk.

But I suppose I should be grateful, because one day last year he played Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe,” and that song plopped a plot bunny right into my lap. You can hear the song here, in case your neighbors are less obliging.

And then you can go read Love Can’t Conquer and see what the Noisy Neighbor did for me.

Has a song ever inspired you? Share in the comments!

 

Blurb: 

Bullied as a child in small-town Kansas, Jeremy Cox ultimately escaped to Portland, Oregon. Now in his forties, he’s an urban park ranger who does his best to rescue runaways and other street people. His ex-boyfriend, Donny—lost to drinking and drugs six years earlier—

appears on his doorstep and inadvertently drags Jeremy into danger. As if dealing with Donny’s issues doesn’t cause enough turmoil, Jeremy meets a fascinating but enigmatic man who carries more than his fair share of problems.

Qayin Hill has almost nothing but skeletons in his closet and demons in his head. A former addict who struggles with anxiety and depression, Qay doesn’t know which of his secrets to reveal to Jeremy—or how to react when Jeremy wants to save him from himself.

Despite the pasts that continue to haunt them, Jeremy and Qay find passion, friendship, and a tentative hope for the future. Now they need to decide whether love is truly a powerful thing or if, despite the old adage, love can’t conquer all.

Available for purchase at

             

 

Excerpt

JEREMY COX first heard the news about Keith Moore at the Sav-Rite.

Mama had sent Jeremy to fetch some milk and cigarettes, and he took his time along the way, scuffing his tennis shoes over the dusty asphalt and listening to the cicadas shrill. He had his T-shirt balled in his hand, the heat baked him like a biscuit, and the sun turned his hair a shade paler as it birthed another freckle or two on his bare shoulders.

When he was halfway to the store, a car inched up behind him. He stepped onto the dry grass of the shoulder, but the car kept pace until he looked up.

“Hey, Germy!” called a familiar voice from the driver’s seat of the beat-up Buick. It was Troy Baker with his usual crew, and Jeremy anticipated the taunts that followed: “Germy Cox, ugly as rocks. Cox-sucker. Pansyass. Faggot!” The last one was accompanied by a tossed can that bounced off Jeremy’s shoulder and dribbled its final drops of warm beer onto his arm. Finally Troy sped away, trailing mocking shouts and leaving Jeremy with lungs full of exhaust.

Jeremy had hoped the torture would end when Troy and his friends graduated in May. But they’d all stuck around Bailey Springs, Kansas—Troy working at the gas station and the rest staying on their family farms—and they hadn’t yet lost interest in tormenting Jeremy. He realized that the only way out would be graduation and escaping town. Three more years. Just three more years. It sounded like forever.

Inside the Sav-Rite, he didn’t pay much attention to the little cluster of adults at the checkout. He walked back to the coolers, where he snagged a carton of milk and a glass bottle of Coke, which he’d drink on the way home. But when he went to ask for Mama’s Virginia Slims, he overheard the store manager.

“…as if the Moores need any more heartache in their life,” Mr. Stoltz was saying.

Mrs. Peasley nodded. “The Lord knows those poor folks have been through so much already.” Her purchases lay on the counter in front of her, not yet rung up. Looked as if she was getting ready to make coffee cake for the Wednesday card game at her house. Jeremy’s grandmother went every week and always came home complaining that Mildred Peasley couldn’t bake worth a darn.

“Are you sure he meant to kill himself?” asked Betty Ostermeyer, reaching for the bag of flour. She’d graduated from Bailey Springs High just a couple of years before. Her husband had run off and left her while she was still pregnant with their little girl, so now Betty kept the toddler home with her mother during the day while she rang up groceries at the Sav-Rite. “Maybe he just wanted to go for a swim. It’s been hot.”

Mrs. Peasley clucked her tongue. “Not even the Moore boy would be foolish enough to jump from the Memorial Bridge just for a swim. It’s too high, too dangerous.”

 

About The Author

Kim Fielding is the bestselling, award-winning author of numerous m/m romance novels, novellas, and short stories. Like Kim herself, her work is eclectic, spanning genres such as contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and historical. Her stories are set in alternate worlds, in 15th century Bosnia, in modern-day Oregon. Her heroes are hipster architect werewolves, housekeepers, maimed giants, and conflicted graduate students. They’re usually flawed, they often encounter terrible obstacles, but they always find love.

After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.

You can follow Kim at

         

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Blood & Milk by N.R. Walker Pre OrderTour and Giveaway

Title: Blood & Milk
Author: N.R. Walker
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: June 23, 2016
Heath Crowley is an Australian man, born with two different coloured eyes and the gift—or curse—of having premonition dreams. He also has nothing left to live for. Twelve months after having his life upended, his dreams tell him where he needs to be. So with nothing―and no one―to keep him in Sydney, he simply boards a plane for Tanzania. Not caring if he lives or dies, Heath walks into a tribe of Maasai and asks to stay. Granted permission, he leaves behind the name and heartbreak of Heath and starts over with the new Maasai name of Alé.


From the day of his birth, Damu has always been an outcast. The son of the chief and brother to the great warrior leader, Damu is reminded constantly that he’s not good enough to be considered a man in the eyes of his people. Ordered to take responsibility for Alé, Damu shares with him the ways of the Maasai, just as Alé shares with Damu the world outside the acacia thorn fence. But it’s more than just a cultural exchange. It’s about trust and acceptance, finding themselves, and a true sense of purpose.

Under the African sky on the plains of the Serengeti, Heath finds more than just a reason to live. He finds a man like no other, and a reason to love.



PROLOGUE

It was twelve months on. A full year had passed, yet my world had stopped completely. The men who stole my life were charged and would serve time for their crime. No one called it a hate crime, but that’s what it was. If I was expecting some sort of finality to come with the court findings, I didn’t get it. 
I was still hollow. I was still numb to the world, and I was still alone. 
I was also awarded damages, civilian victim and medical.
A nice healthy sum that meant I could pay off my debts after not working for twelve months, and more. Though no amount of money would make this right. No amount of money would bring him back.
My mother came along for the final hearing, though I could only guess why. I had barely spoken two words to her in the last year. Maybe she came so she could vie for the sympathy card with her friends. Or maybe she thought she could have one last twist of the knife…
“Now it’s all over,” she said, nodding her head like her words were wise and final. “You can put all this homosexual nonsense behind you.”
I looked at my mother and smiled. I fucking smiled. I raged inside with a fury to burn the world, and maybe she saw something in my eyes―maybe it was a ferocity she’d never seen before, maybe it was madness―and my words were whisper quiet.
“You are a despicable, bitter human being, and you are a disgrace to mothers everywhere. So, when you go to your church group, instead of praying for my soul, you should be praying for yours. You have only hate and judgement in your heart, and you are doomed to an eternity in hell.” I leaned in close and sneered at her. “And I hope you fucking burn.” I stood up and stared down at her. She was pale and shocked, and I did not care. “If you think my words are cold and cruel,” I added, “I want you to know I learned them from you.”
I walked away, for the final time. I knew I’d never see her again, and I had made my peace with that. 
I didn’t care for the money. I didn’t care for anything. I longed for sleep, because in my dreams, I saw him. And that night, almost one year to the day since he was gone, in our too-big bed, in our too-quiet flat, in my too-alone life, I dreamed of Jarrod.
He sat on our bed and grinned. I longed to hear his voice, just once. It’d been a year and I craved the sound of his voice, his touch. But when I reached out for him, even in my dream, as in my waking nightmares, he was gone. I sat up in our bed, reaching out for nothing but air. He was gone, really gone. 
But in this dream, on the bed were he’d sat, was a plane ticket. Mr Heath Crowley, it said. One way ticket to Tanzania.

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.

 

She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

 

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

 

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

 

She’s been writing ever since…  

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A MelanieM Review: 7&7 – Anthology of Virtue and Vice by Andrea Speed , Carole Cummings, Rick R. Reed, John Inman, Serena Yates, Clare London, J. Tullos Hennig

Rating: 4.25 out of 5

7 & 7 AnthologyHumankind possesses a dual nature, the ability to rise to the brightest heights—or sink to the darkest and most perverse depths.

What inspires some to reach the pinnacles of virtue while others cannot resist the temptations of vice? Is it something innate, or a result of destiny and circumstance?

Delve into the minds and spirits of saints and sinners alike with a collection of stories that explore the call toward good or evil—and the consequences of answering it. For while rewards certainly await the righteous, there are also pleasures to be found in the darkness. Venture off the expected path with some of the most innovative voices in LGBT speculative fiction as they present their unique takes on the classic vices and virtues.

Many authors including: Andrea Speed, Brandon Witt, Sean Michael, J Tullos Hennig, Carol Cummings, Rick R. Reed, John Inman, Rhys Ford, Clare London, Pearl Love, Jamie Fessenden, J. S. Cook, Amy Rae Durresson, Serena Yates

I found this to be an absolutely wonderful  anthology…however not if you are looking for stories of romance exactly.  This anthology is released from DSP Publications which means its stories are less romance based and more driven towards content elsewhere, which in some cases here is horror.  That’s fine, if those are not to your taste, skip over them and proceed to the next.  This is a wonderful smorgasbord of authors and a wonderful way to taste their various narrative talents.

Which ones were some of my absolute favorites?

Heirs to Grace and Infinity by C. Cummings – 5 stars (31 pages)

Urban fantasy in which a fugitive sorcerer matches wits with the bureau’s top agent to save children.  Its imaginative, wonderful in its world building and keeps you on your seat.  It was just terrific in every way from the characters to the plot. C. Cummings is one of my favorite authors. This is why.

Hope by Rick Reed – 5 stars out of 5 (47 pages)

Looking for hope in crises around a mother’s death and one’s personal life.  This was such a deeply moving story of loss and hope.  One man moves home to his mother’s house after she’s died, to deal with the aftermath of her loss.  His grief, those of her friends who loved and took care of her…and the house that’s now his and the new location.  Its powerful, moving and so beautifully done.

The Darkness of the Sun by Amy Rae Durreson – 4.5 stars out of 5 (41 pages)

A grieving Priest finds his faith.  Another story that is based in loss and takes a different tack altogether.  The author has a wonderful feel  for the trail and the life of this simple priest who has lost his way.

Prudence for Fools by Sean Michael – 4.5 stars out of 5 (41 pages)

A disgraced seer is thrown out of court and returns to the tribe of his husband but is haunted by his visions.  I loved this  story by Sean Michael.  This seer and his husband, a couple of long years, are wonderful and their relationship is one I connected to immediately.  Michael pulls us into this world and the situation quickly.  Another story that could have filled twice its pages.  I found it gripping, the couple moving in their deeply loving relationship and the tribe is one I wanted to learn more about.

Red Light Special by Rhys Ford – 4.5 stars out of 5 (38 pages)

An Elf, a Knight and a Succubus plus Detroit and one of my favorite authors who writes with snark, a vividness thats startling and a pizazz that flies off the page.  Really.  This is a story that needs no review.  Just read it.  It works.  It hilarious and sexy.

Horseboy by J. Tullos Henry – 4.5 stars out of 5

A Horseboy of the Lebanon, a Templar Knight, and intimate desert secrets.  A bit of history, a bit of the supernatural.  A short story I found that works on every level, it kept me connected and involved in the action and the time period.  Great job.

There are many in the 4 star to 3 star range. Those I enjoyed as well.  And won’t cover here.  There were only a few that I was disappointed in.  That’s a great number is an anthology this size.

The Gate by J. S. Cook – 2.75 stars out of 5 (21 pages)

A gay man sees a seedier, dark side of the wartime effort.  Set in the 40’s during the wartime, I felt this went nowhere.  Little setup, little ending.  I know the author was going for noir but it went south instead.

The Rendering by J. Inman – 1 star

Fat gay guy goes on a date set up by a computer dating service and ends up….

Well, I saw the ending coming from the very beginning.  Why?  For starters, I knew the historical ingredients of the product being sold and the links being made in the story.  The clues were obvious as to where it was going to go.  Some have called this fat shaming…others strictly horror.  I thought it just beyond obvious and boring.  That it came from one of my favorite authors made me want to cry.  That’s the horror.

Those are the highs and the lows.  The highs and all the terrific stories in the middle far outweigh the lows.  I highly recommend this anthology.  Its a feast all around.  Pick it up and start sampling.

Cover is simple and it works.

Sales Links:  DSP Publications

Book Details:

ebook, 360 pages
Published May 10th 2016 by DSP Publications (first published March 10th 2016)
ISBN 1634773608 (ISBN13: 9781634773607)
Edition LanguageEnglish

An Ali Audiobook Review: How To Be A Normal Person by T.J. Klune and Narrator Derrick McClain

 Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

How to be A Normal Person AudioGustavo Tiberius is not normal. He knows this. Everyone in his small town of Abby, Oregon, knows this. He reads encyclopedias every night before bed. He has a pet ferret called Harry S. Truman. He owns a video rental store that no one goes to. His closest friends are a lady named Lottie with drag queen hair and a trio of elderly Vespa riders known as the We Three Queens.

Gus is not normal. And he’s fine with that. All he wants is to be left alone.

Until Casey, an asexual stoner hipster and the newest employee at Lottie’s Lattes, enters his life. For some reason, Casey thinks Gus is the greatest thing ever. And maybe Gus is starting to think the same thing about Casey, even if Casey is obsessive about Instagramming his food.

But Gus isn’t normal and Casey deserves someone who can be. Suddenly wanting to be that someone, Gus steps out of his comfort zone and plans to become the most normal person ever.

After all, what could possibly go wrong?

I really enjoyed this book.  This author has a distinct writing style and I realize it doesn’t work for everyone but I personally adore it.  I’ve read books of his that have made me laugh out loud and ones that have made me cry.  This book was the best of both worlds.  There’s the trademark humor Klune brings to his stories but there were also a lot of scenes that were serious and filled with emotions.
I thought both Gus and Casey were great characters.  Neither are the traditional type of characters we usually see in romance novels and that is a good thing in my opinion.  Gus is quirky and Casey is asexual.  As the story develops they learn about each other’s unique characteristics and they fall in love.  The romance is a slow burn and the progression of the relationship felt realistic.  There are some great side characters in this and the scenes they are in added some of the funniest parts to the story.  Gus’ memories of his deceased father add some of the more emotional scenes and his dad is just as much a side character as the living characters are.
I did this on audio and I thought the narrator was really good. I’ve done a lot of this author’s books on audio and I think his storytelling style works well in this format.
This book is a definite recommend from me.  It has a bit of everything.  There is some humor and some serious emotions, there are great characters and it is low on the angst and steam levels.
Cover by Reese Dante.  I love this cover.  I think it fits the story perfectly.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:
Audible Audio, Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins
Published April 15th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published October 16th 2015)
Original TitleHow To Be A Normal Person
ASINB01E9E5JOE
Edition LanguageEnglishsettingOregon (United States)