In the Spotlight: Every Inferno by Johanna Parkhurst (interview and contest)

Every Inferno by Johanna Parkhurst
Goodreads Link

Release Date: July 24, 2014

We are lucky to have Johanna Parkhurst here today to talk about her newest YA novel, Every Inferno. After the interview, be sure to check out the book via blurb and gripping excerpt. Don’t forget to enter the contest at the end as well.

Our Q & A with Johanna Parkhurst…

• What was your inspiration behind the title and story?

Every Inferno started out with a dream I had—a boy was climbing out a window, and there was a fire behind him. The story eventually became much more than a boy escaping from a fire. The window didn’t make the final draft, but lots of other ideas did…including JJ exploring his sexual identity and working through his issues with alcohol.

The title is very much connected to JJ’s investigation into who killed his parents. You’ll have to read the book to find out more about it.

• When did you start reading romance, including YA romance?

I’ve always loved reading romance, whether it’s in the adult or the YA category. I enjoy reading stories about the different ways humans connect to one another, and the romance genre explores those connections so beautifully.

• What drew you to writing in the romance genre?

I don’t think of Every Inferno as a romance, to be honest. I think of it as a coming-of-age story that just happens to have an important relationship built into it. Most of my stories end up revolving around some sort of key relationship—probably because I believe the relationships we have with others are such a big part of what makes us who we are.

• What particular things do you consider romantic? Gestures that would make you swoon?

You know what I find funny? Whenever I write a YA story with a romantic element, I end up comparing what I thought was romantic when I was a teenager to what I think is romantic now. I was so easy to impress as a teenager! Taking me out to a dinner at the local diner and picking out my favorite desert would have had me swooning. In some ways, I miss the magic of those days. Love was so new and different that every small thing seemed magical.

. Where do you go for character names? Professions?

All over the place! The story behind JJ’s name is bizarre. I started him calling the character JJ when I first started writing the book. I wanted him to be called by his initials because I wanted him to have distance from the father he lost, who he’s also named after. But for the longest time, I didn’t actually know what JJ stood for! I couldn’t decide. Eventually I settled on Jacob, which fit with the story and JJ’s character for a variety of reasons. But the poor boy was without a name for quite a while.

• Have you ever had research inspire a story?

I knew JJ would struggle with alcoholism when I first started writing this story, but the research I did into teenage alcoholism had a huge affect on JJ’s storyline and how I wrote that struggle into the plot. The story definitely changed the more I researched.

• What are your biggest influences as a writer?

So many! In the YA genre I’m influenced by Sherman Alexie, Brian Katcher, S.E. Hinton, and many others. Some of my favorite romance writers are T.J. Klune, Marie Sexton, Amy Lane, Nora Roberts, and Johanna Lindsey. I started reading Johanna Lindsey when I was just a teenager, and I always thought it was a good sign that we shared a name.

. What’s next for Johanna Parkhurst?

I just finished drafting the sequel to my first book Here’s to You, Zeb Pike. That’s been an exciting adventure, as it’s taken me years to finish that draft!

Depressed. Defiant. Possible alcoholic. These are just a few of the terms used to describe fifteen-year-old Jacob Jasper Jones. Lately, though, JJ has a new one to add to the list: detective. He’s been having strange dreams about the fire that killed his parents ten years ago, and he thinks he finally has the clue to catching the arsonist who destroyed his family.   A murder investigation isn’t the only thing the dreams trigger for JJ. They also lead to secret meetings with his estranged sister, an unlikely connection with a doctor who lost his daughter in the fire, and a confusing friendship with McKinley, a classmate of JJ’s who seems determined to help him solve the mystery.   All JJ wants is to shake the problems that have followed him since that fire, and he’s convinced he must catch the arsonist to do it. But as JJ struggles to find the culprit, he sees there’s more than one mystery in his life he needs to solve.
Pages or Words: 180 pages

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante

A smell that wasn’t there before filled the bathroom.

JJ drew in a deep breath, trying to match the scent to anything that might already exist in his short memory. It was a difficult scent to describe: like pine trees, but not the real ones in his backyard. More like the smell of the stuff his father used to clean the kitchen floor.

He tried to push off the sudden sense of apprehension that filled him; who cared if someone else had also come into the restroom? This was his town, the tiny world he had spent his entire five years in, and there was a good chance he knew whoever else had just joined him.

Even if he didn’t know anyone who went around smelling like pine trees.

JJ took a few breaths and flushed the toilet, eager to get back to the movie and his parents.

As he shoved the door of the stall open, though, the scent grew stronger. The person who had brought the scent in with him—a man—was facing the wall across the room. He was wearing a backpack and hugging his arms to his chest.

“I did it… I did it,” the man whispered. “I finally did it.”

JJ moved to the sinks, more eager than ever to return to the comforting gaze of his mother. But the noise of his sneakers against the tile alerted the man to JJ’s presence, and now the stranger was turning around to face him.

It was the oddest sensation to only be able to see certain details of a person: blue jeans, a red long-sleeve shirt. And then a detail so clear it almost seemed to be the only thing JJ could see: the outline of a long and winding paintbrush, tattooed on the man’s hand, snaking down from just below his thumb to where it disappeared beneath the cuff of his shirt.

But nothing else. No other details were there. The man was faceless. The color of hair was… what was it? It was as if it had never been there.

Then JJ could see nothing, and all he could hear was the man shouting. Something about how JJ shouldn’t be there, and he couldn’t know, and it wasn’t time yet….

The pain began then. Horrible, burning, pain, and JJ knew he was screaming, but he couldn’t hear himself over the roaring in his ears. He needed to find the door, the door, where was the door—
Jacob Jasper Jones woke up sweating, twisted into a trap of sheets and blankets. He frantically cast his eyes around the walls of his bedroom, looking for anything that would remind him he was not in that restroom again. There was the Modest Mouse poster, his bookshelf, the old dresser that had once belonged to his aunt—yes, he was safe.

Safe from what? Or who?

JJ quietly wrestled with the covers, thankful that he wasn’t a screamer and didn’t seem to have woken Aunt Maggie up. If it was up to JJ, Maggie would never know that JJ was having dreams about that day again.

They’d started about a month ago. Before then JJ had never dreamed anything specific about the fire. The nightmares were always vague and mushy, filled with flames and noise and not much else.

Not like this dream. This dream was clear and specific and so real it was as though JJ was reenacting every detail from that day. Right up until the end, when the faceless man turned and everything went black.

It was so vivid that JJ was starting to think it might be more than just a dream. That it might be a memory.

Sales Links:

Harmony Ink Press:
Dreamspinner Press:
Amazon:
Barnes and Noble:

About Johanna Parkhurst:

Johanna Parkhurst grew up on a small dairy farm in northern Vermont before relocating to the rocky mountains of Colorado. She spends her days helping teenagers learn to read and write and her evenings writing things she hopes they’ll like to read. She strives to share stories of young adults who are as determined, passionate, and complex as the ones she shares classrooms with.  Johanna holds degrees from Albertus Magnus College and Teachers College, Columbia University. She loves traveling, hiking, skiing, watching football, and spending time with her incredibly supportive husband.

Where to find the author:

Website: http://www.johannaparkhurst.com
Twitter: @johannawriteson
Tumblr: http://johannawriteson.tumblr.com/

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Every Inferno’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Dates & Stops:

9-Apr

Multitasking Mommas

16-Apr

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

BFD Book Blog

23-Apr

Inked Rainbow Reads

30-Apr

Hearts on Fire

7-May

Prism Book Alliance

On Tour with Sue Brown and In-Decision (excerpt and giveaway)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: In-Decision

Series: Left at the Crossroads #2

Author: Sue Brown

Length: 43,000 words/139 Pages

Release Date: April 15, 2015

Blurb: Little Mowbury is a sleepy
English village deep in the Cotswolds. The kind of village where you’re only a
local if your lineage can be traced back to the dinosaurs. Where you can find
everything in the single village shop from morning newspapers to dry-cleaning,
and getting your shoes mended. And, of course, where everybody knows everybody
else’s business. It’s easy to find… you can’t miss it… just ask anyone and
they’ll tell you… “It’s left at the crossroads.”

Eighteen months ago Jason Havers lost the love of
his life and it’s time to move on. Applying for the position of chef in a
sleepy country pub, a million miles away from his previous life, may well be
the fresh start he needs. His new employers immediately take him under their
wing and before long he finds himself with a passel of new friends and a job he
loves. What he doesn’t expect is Tom, a gorgeous midwife, who stirs up feelings
he’s not ready to deal with.

But when someone from his previous life turns up in
Little Mowbury, will Jason be able to keep them from revealing the secret he’s
been keeping from those he’s come to love?

EXCERPT

Jason Havers drove down the narrow village street
looking for the Thatcher’s Arms. The farmer’s directions to Little Mowbury had
been clear enough, even if he had mumbled into his beard; turn left at the
crossroads and keep driving.

“But when the hell am I meant to stop?” Jason
muttered. He’d reached Little Mowbury and he still hadn’t found the bloody pub.
He’d left plenty of time to find the place, not wanting to be late for the job
interview, but there had been congestion on the motorway. The stupid satnav had
given up with a mile and a half to go, leaving him cursing at the useless piece
of technology and driving through unmarked country lanes for twenty minutes
until he found a human who could give him directions. Now he had ten minutes to
find the pub before he could kiss the interview goodbye. “It’s on the left,” he
muttered. “On the left.”

Something out of the corner of his right eye
caught his attention and he slammed on the brakes, missing the man who’d
stepped out in front of him by a hair’s breath. The bloke actually had the gall
to glare at him and give him the finger before he disappeared into one of the
cottages.

His heart
pounding, Jason sat back in the driver’s seat and stared after the arsehole. He
shook his head in disbelief and said sarcastically, “Welcome to Little Mowbury,
Jason.”

A loud honk behind him made Jason jump and he
cursed as he stalled the engine before he finally managed to get the car
started again. Waving his apology to the car behind, he pulled away and there
it was, fifty yards down the road opposite the village green. A typical English
village pub with a thatched roof, wooden tables outside and large hanging
baskets everywhere.

Jason left
the car at the edge of the green and jogged towards the pub. Then he stopped
and squinted at the ridge of the roof, grinning as he spied the thatched duck
perched on the top. He had three minutes before eleven o’clock. Not good but at
least he wasn’t late. He paused in the doorway of the Thatcher’s Arms, his eyes
adjusting to the dark interior after the brightness of the late morning
sunshine.

“Come in, son. You’re making the place look
untidy.”

Still blind from the sun, Jason moved towards the
voice, which he discovered as he drew closer, belonged to an elderly lady who
stood behind the bar.

“What can I get you?” she asked, looking at him
expectantly. Her huge, dangling earrings rattled as she talked. Jason tried not
to focus on them, but better to look at the earrings than her impressive chest
which was really distracting, even for him.

“Uh… I’m Jason.”

She looked at him with a blank expression.

“Jason Havers. I’m here to interview for the
chef’s position. We spoke on the phone?”

Her expression had moved on from blank to puzzled
and Jason’s mind raced as he wondered whether he’d got the wrong day or time,
or even the wrong fucking pub.

Then she
beamed at him as she leaned on the bar. “Sorry, luv, I completely forgot. It’s
been manic here this morning. We’ve only just cleared the breakfast crowd and
we’ve got to get ready for lunch. Colin, he’s my hubby, isn’t feeling too
chipper this morning and Rich, the other chef, has had to go to the dentist.
I’m Maggie Mason.” She shook Jason’s hand. He resisted the desire to wince and
flex his fingers as she let it go. For an elderly woman she had a bloody firm
grip.

Jason
looked around him. The bar was half-full but he could see the tables hadn’t
been bussed and there were dirty glasses at one end of the bar. “Can I help? I
can give you a hand with the lunch. That is, if you want me to, I mean….”

Maggie nodded and handed him an apron. “If you
want a baptism by fire, you’re on. I’ll interview you as we go. Do you mind
clearing the tables?”

“No
problem.”

“Leave the
dirty plates at that end of the bar and I’ll take ‘em through to the kitchen.”

Although Jason was a chef by trade, he’d done
most of the jobs required in restaurants and pubs. He started at one end of the
bar and worked down, removing the remains of the breakfasts and cleaning the
tables. As Jason worked he was conscious of the other customers staring and
whispering about him. Maggie grinned at him as he delivered the dirty plates.

“Are the locals giving you a hard time?”

Jason smirked. “They just want to know about the
new boy in town.” He tilted his head at the two old gents sat in the snug.
“Especially them.”

Maggie scowled at them but it was more
affectionate than fierce and the old guys raised their pint glasses in response.
“They’re the worst of the lot. Never tell them your business. It’ll be all
round the village before you’ve had a chance to breathe.

“You’re the one who flaps her mouth, Maggie May.”
An elderly man with an amazing amount of snow-white hair wrapped his arms
around Maggie and tugged him against her.

She huffed
but didn’t try to move away from him. “Jason, this is my husband, Colin. Ignore
everything he says. I’m the one in charge.”

Colin shook Jason’s hand. “Pleased to meet you,
Jason. We just let Maggie think she’s in charge—for a quiet life.”

“I
understand,” Jason assured him then winked at Maggie, who burst out laughing.

“I like him. I think we’ll keep him.”

“You
haven’t tried my cooking yet,” Jason pointed out.

Maggie
looked at her watch. “You’d better get in the kitchen. Rich did the preparation
before he left.”

Colin frowned at his wife. “I thought he was here
for an interview?”

“We
decided to make it a practical interview. He offered to help clear up.”

“Okay,
son. The kitchen is all yours. I’ll show you round.” As Jason followed Colin he
noticed the man shuffled one of his feet. Colin saw his gaze and shrugged. “I
had a stroke the end of last year. I’m fine now but I still struggle walking
any distance.”

“Is that
why you’re looking for another chef?”

“Rich has
been great. He’s picked up most of the shifts, but he’s found a girl in
Southampton and he wants to spend more time with her. We agreed to split his
shifts.”

Jason frowned. “So the job isn’t full-time?” He
couldn’t afford to work part-time. Not now he was on his own.

“It is, but split over breakfast, lunch and
dinner. You’ll have more than enough to do.” Colin opened the door to the
kitchen.

“Wow.” Jason blinked as he looked at the
stainless steel kitchen. He was hard put not to drool as he gazed around. “This
looks new.”

“Almost,”
Colin said. “We replaced it just before my stroke.”

“First
orders, boys.” Maggie handed them to Jason, ignoring Colin’s outstretched hand.
“Three mixed grills and hold the bacon on one of them.”

“Okay then.”

Colin limped to the fridge. “I’ll give you a hand
if you want.”

Jason was about to protest he was fine on his
own, but realised this was part of his interview. “Sounds good to me.”

They worked efficiently together with Colin
holding back as Jason got the hang of the kitchen. Colin nodded in approval as
he plated the order then Jason delivered the food to a family sitting in one
corner of the bar.

He smiled
at them all. “Who wants the no bacon?”

A teenage girl with soft curls and large eyes
smiled shyly at him. “That’s mine.”

The man with her looked at his plate. “This looks
amazing.” His stomach rumbled audibly and he blushed as his wife scolded him.

Jason
grinned at them. “That’s what I like to hear. You’re my very first customers.
Enjoy.”

As he walked past Maggie she handed him more
orders. “It’s Thursday, so it’s liver and bacon day. Don’t forget the extra
gravy for Deano Wells.”

Jason ruffled through the orders. “How will I
know which one is his?”

“He’s
usually the only one who orders liver and bacon,” Colin said drily.

Maggie
shrugged. “We look after our customers.”

“Maggie
has her favourites and they get whatever they want,” Colin said as they
retreated to the kitchen. “I just shut up and do as I’m told.”

“Bollocks,” Maggie yelled behind them.

“I’ll make sure to do the same thing.” Jason
deliberately raised his voice and smirked at Colin when Maggie responded with a
loud snort.

“You’ll do just fine here,” Colin said.

Jason
really hoped so because he hadn’t got nearly enough of this kitchen. “Tell me
that at the end of the lunch session.”

Jason worked hard for a couple of hours until the
rush died off. He was clearing up the last of the dishes when Maggie came in
and handed him an envelope.

“What’s this?” He opened it to see a few ten
pound notes.

“Your pay for today. You came for an interview,
not to manage the kitchen. The job is yours if you want it.”

He cheered inside, but there were practical
details to sort out. “I’ll need to find somewhere to stay. I couldn’t do this
journey every day.”

Maggie pursed her lips before she said, “There’s
a room upstairs if you want it. We used to run a B&B but after Colin’s
stroke it became too much. There’s a room and a private bathroom.”

Jason hesitated for only a second. Although
Maggie didn’t know it, this was the answer to his prayers. He had the chance to
get away and make a fresh start. Away from David, and away from all the friends
who looked at him as though he was broken. Those that had even bothered to
stay.

“When do you want me to start?” He beamed at her
and she grinned back.

“You can start Monday, but Saturday is Cricket
Day for the village. Why don’t you stay Friday night and meet everyone before
you start work?”

Jason opened his mouth to say it was too soon
then closed it again. “Sure. I’ll drive over tomorrow evening, Mrs. Mason.”

Maggie held out her hand. “Welcome to the family,
son. Call me Maggie.”

He dried his hand and shook it. “Thanks, Maggie.
This means a lot to me.”

“You’re
welcome. Now finish cleaning those dishes.”

BUY LINKS

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/-Decision-Left-Crossroads-Book-ebook/dp/B00VD1VV58/

Amazon UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-Decision-Left-Crossroads-Book-ebook/dp/B00VD1VV58/

All Romance eBooks Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-indecision-1769227-145.html

TOUR SCHEDULE

April 15: Diverse
Reader || Multitasking
Mommas || UK Gay Romance

April 16: Scattered Thoughts and
Rogue Words || Cia’s
stories

April 17: Heartson Fire Reviews || The Purple Rose Tea
House

April 20: The
Novel Approach

April 21: Prism
Book Alliance

April 22: RJ
Scott || Because
Two Men Are Better Than One

April 23: Divine
Magazine

April 24: Elisa – My Reviews
and Ramblings

April 27: Anne Barwell
|| Love Bytes Reviews

April 28: MM Good Book Reviews

April 29: Bayou Book Junkie

April 30: BFD Book Blog
|| Rainbow
Gold Reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Brown is owned by
her dog and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she be found
haunting coffee shops to feed her coffee addiction. She spends hours people-watching
instead of typing. She feeds the plot bunnies, not the word count.

Sue discovered M/M
erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite
television series. The series was boring; the kissing was not. She may be late
to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was
brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction

GIVEAWAY

Win a copy of Lisa Worrall’s
‘Un-expected’ and 3 runners up will get to pick any one of Sue Brown’s books!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s Cover Reveal Time for Thianna Durston’s A Good Family Man! (excerpt and giveaway)

A Good Family Man (Corbin’s Bend #8) by Thianna Durston
Goodreads Link

Cover Reveal Time!

Release Date: August 6, 2015

Publisher: Blushing Books
Cover Artist: Anthony Walsh
Series: Corbin’s Bend – Season Three, Book 8
(This is the first M/M book of the series)

Jack Carmichael’s natural instinct is to take care of people. In his job as a U.S. Marshal, he has done that for 25 years. Unfortunately, being married to his job has left his love life in tatters. Now classified unfit for duty, he retires and comes home to Colorado to figure things out. Dominant and used to taking control like his brother Brent, he has never been interested in spanking. Until a cute Nurse Practitioner catches his attention.

Josh Martin feels lucky. He’s not only accepted into Corbin’s Bend, but he’ll be working at the brand new Corbin’s Bend Medical Clinic as its only Nurse Practitioner. At thirty-two, he figures this is his last-ditch attempt at finding a dominant partner who isn’t abusive. He finds more than his share of dominant men in Corbin’s Bend, not the least of which are the Carmichael brothers. Brent’s dominance is both comforting and unnerving, Jack’s turns him on.
Josh is unlike any submissive male Jack has encountered and when the younger man asks him out, he decides to give it a go. One day of fun turns into two, three…until Jack, with more failed relationships than he can count in his past and unsure he can be the head of house Josh needs, leaves, burying himself once again in work. Forced to see the error of his decision, he puts aside the worries that have plagued him for months and returns to Corbin’s Bend. To become the good family man he wants to be, he has to earn back Josh’s trust and truly take on a role he’s never considered before: head of a loving discipline household.

Pages or Words: 150 pages

Categories: BDSM, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Leaping from his current spot, he landed on one of the pads down below, reveling in feeling alive for the first time in months. After chalking up his hands, he turned toward the man next to him who was stretching out his arms and gazing up at a particularly evil looking angle. “When do you have to go home?”

Looking over at him, for a moment Josh looked unsure of himself and finally he smiled, a cute dimple showing in his left cheek. “When I’m done. I didn’t actually forget anything. I just wanted to see you and, well, see if there was anything there.”

Grinning, Jack nodded as he looked at his watch. “Well, then. What do you think about dinner and possibly dancing later on at Tracks?”

Josh’s eyes practically popped out of his head. “I love Tracks! There’s a great bistro nearby. What do you say we meet there in…” He looked at his wristwatch. “Two hours? Then hit the club after?” The grin on his face would have been impossible to resist even if Jack had wanted to.

Sales Links:

About Thianna Durston:
Thianna likes to say she’s eclectic, fun, and just a bit naughty. She can also add, subtract, multiply, and divide in her head, but if people ask her to do it at parties, she isn’t impressed. While she would love to say there wasn’t a genre she had read that she didn’t enjoy, it would be a lie. For some reason, she keeps skipping to the ends of mystery books to find out who done it.

The creator and acquisition editor for the Corbin’s Bend Romance series, she wants to know: Who else wants to be safe, secure, and spanked in Colorado?

Under the name Thianna Durston, she writes M/M romance. Under Thianna D., she writes M/F romance.

Where to find the author:
Thianna’s Website – http://mm.thiannad.com/
Thianna’s Blog – http://blog.thiannad.com/
Facebook Author Page – https://www.facebook.com/ThiannaDurstonAuthor
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ThiannaDurston
Google+ – https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ThiannaDurston

 Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, BFD Book Blog, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Decadent Delights, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Bike Book Reviews, Divine Magazine, Carly’s Book Reviews, Love Bytes, The Hat Party, Inked Rainbow Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, MM Good Book Reviews, Havan Fellows, Velvet Panic, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Multitasking Mommas, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Fallen Angel Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Amanda C. Stone, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Iyana Jenna, Chris McHart, Andrew Q. Gordon

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $5.00 gift card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Prize and link provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A MelanieM Review: Theory Unproven by Lillian Francis

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

Working with elephants in their natural habitat has always been Eric Phillips dream. Getting what he’s always desired introduces him to Tyaan Bouwer, the bush pilot that flies in his supplies, and Eric discovers the allure of South Africa goes beyond the wildlife and the scenery.

But in an area where bushveld prejudices and hatred bleed across the borders, realising their love will be a hard fought battle. Keeping hold of it might just kill them.

* * * * *

An unexpected job offer finds zoologist Eric Phillips transported from the elephant house at a zoo just outside London to the wildlife reserves in the South African bushveld. Being able to work with his own herd of elephants, and analysing their behaviour, more than makes up for the remote nature of the research station. The one bright spot on the horizon, quite literally if the sun hits it at the right angle, is the silver freight plane that brings his supplies and half an hour in the company of Tyaan, the gorgeous but taciturn pilot.

With wide open spaces and clear skies, Tyaan Bouwer is never be happier than when he’s flying over the bushveld, the landscape beneath him a changing vista of colour and texture. It’s that view and the freedom to be able to climb in his plane and fly that’s kept him in the small town where he was born and raised. South Africa might be a rainbow nation but in the northern regions where neighbouring countries are far from liberal minded, prejudices and hatred bleed across the borders. Tyaan’s not in the closet, not really. Get him to the city and with his strong, silent routine he can pull a guy without even trying. He’s fine with that as long as they don’t press him into trying to see them again. It’s not like he wants a relationship. And just maybe when he gets home he’s hovering in the doorway of that closet, but he’s never met anyone worth taking the risk for.

The day he’s sent to Limpopo to collect Eric that all changes. He tries to bury the feelings of want that Eric conjures in him, but he can’t resist the bonds of friendship that forms between them.

As a zoologist Eric likes to think that he’s adept at anticipating how a creature will react in any given situation, and they don’t come any more beautiful and skittish than Tyaan. Despite Tyaan’s jittery behaviour Eric has a theory they could be good together but when things go catastrophically wrong it appears their relationship will remain a theory unproven.

Theory Unproven by Lillian Francis was a book I enjoyed on multiple levels. It was the first novel I had read by this author and now I have a author with a new library to explore. Love when that happens. Secondly, as a park naturalist, this book with its location set in a elephant research sanctuary in Africa really resonated with me. With a zoologist, Eric Phillips, as one half of the main couple, I loved the realistic way his life and work with the elephants was portrayed. Dirty, all consuming, and soul satisfying…the readers understands through the many passages what it must be like to have that deep connection with another species. Whether Eric is combing through scat (that’s poop) or setting a series of problems for the elephants to work through, it all comes across beautifully and authentically. It also serves to make the reserve, and the elephants come alive, so much so that they become necessary to the main characters and the plot, and not just act as props for the storyline. And the elephants! They rank high among my favorite characters here. I have to admit this element of the story is the most successful for me.

For such a vast landscape in setting and plot, there is really only a small cast of characters involved here. Outside of Eric and Tyaan, we have a flying doctor, Jessie, Benedict Brooke’s (assistant to Mr. Cowdry, Mr. Cowdry CEO of The Foundation), all of which feel fleshed out and believable. Jessie is a cornerstone here. A strong woman, she is never the less the “beard” for Tyaan in town where his “gayness” is not only frowned on but poses a direct threat.Benedict and Mr. Cowdry’s personalities are developed through a series of telephone/Skype conversations that does a great job of making these men and their dysfunctional relationship intriguing and real. All good characters, all people the reader will want to spend time with.

What is problematic here? The native peoples themselves. Only marginally represented first by Akibo, a manager and Eric’s first contact at The Foundation, then by the cook/housekeeper Sethunya (a veritable wisp of a character) and the worker Masumba, you never really get a feel for the people, their tribes or their background. Their appearances are brief, and lacking in context. Their characters are pencil sketches at best, and,especially in Masumba’s case, that lack of background and solidity hurts both the story and resolution at the end.

Tyaan is a character that will draw conflicted feelings among the readers. I thought his was a character grounded in the reality of the changing times in South Africa where you can be legally out yet being gay can also get you hung or worse in neighboring countries and in the conservative bush lands where the local mentality is as rigid and inflexible as the past societies has made it. Fear and past history has made him limit his relationships to one night stands in the anonymous city landscape and it has kept him in the closet at home where he works and lives. Got it, you understand him even if you don’t like his actions, it makes him human.

But its that “realness” that will make Eric’s naivete less believable. Surely, Eric will have done more than a cursory research job when looking at the area and his outwardly gay status. Assuming he would have no problems being an “out gay” white man in the wilds of a reserve on a nation that just accepted being homosexual as legal, would be like thinking you could act in a small rural, conservative town in (fill in the blank area) like you would in New York City. Uh, no. And while I have known quite a few “been in the woods too long” researchers, few of them would display that set of blinders that looms so large on Eric.

But most of those thoughts came after I had finished the story and had time to think about it. While I was reading it, I was hooked on the elephants, Eric and Tyaan’s attraction for each other and strained journey towards a relationship. This is a long book yet most of the time I spent reading it flew by. And I could easily book a flight back to this universe. I would love to know more about Mr. Cowdry and Benedict’s convoluted relationship and surely there are more bumps on the relationship road for Tyaan and Eric. A return trip would be more than welcome.

I vacillated on the rating here. I wanted to go higher for the location, setting, elephants and research. And lower for the context and native characters. So I settled for a 4 star rating which I’m not entirely happy with…because this story is so lush, so vibrant in feeling and scope that I am still so very much in love with Theory Unproven weeks later.

I recommend this story for all who love romance, foreign lands and a landscape of adventure where the search for love can be rough, affectionate, and hard won. Pick it up today and decide for yourself.

Cover art by Meredith Russell. I feel the same way about the cover that I do about the story. Love/dislike the cover. The models work/don’t work for the characters within. See? Just not sure. Love the background though.

Sales Links: Love Lane Books uk All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 327 pages
Published February 20th 2015 by Love Lane Books

Limited (first published January 30th 2015)

In Our Spotlight: Lilah Suzanne’s Spice (author interview/contest)

Spice by Lilah Suzanne
Release Date: April 2, 2015
Goodreads Link

About Author Lilah Suzanne

Lilah Suzanne has been writing actively since the sixth grade, when a literary magazine published her essay about an uncle who lost his life to AIDS. A freelance writer, she also authored a children’s book and has a devoted following in the online fan community.

Where to find the author:
Website: http://www.lilahsuzanne.com
Facebook: Lilah Suzanne
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/lilahsuzanne
Twitter: @lilahsuzanne
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lilahsuzanne/

Publisher: Interlude Press
Cover Artist: Cover Art by Gladys Garcia;
Book Design by BuckeyeGrrl Designs

Sales Links: Interlude Press Web Store Amazon

Spice Synopsis:

As writer of the popular “Ask Eros” advice column, Simon Beck has an answer to every relationship question his readers can throw at him. When it comes to his own life, the answers are a little more elusive—until computer troubles introduce him to the newest and cutest member of his company’s IT support team. Simon may be charmed by Benji’s sweet and unassuming manner, but will he find the answer to the one relationship question he has never been able to solve: how to know when he’s met Mr. Right?
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Rom-Com

Excerpt:

“How about you? Did you always want to be a writer?”

“Yeah. I think I did.” He finally gives up on work completely and closes the laptop. “I mean. I guess what I write about is kind of pointless, but I wanted to be a poet once upon a time, so I guess it could be even more pointless,” he jokes.

Benji’s eyebrows knot. “It’s not. Why would it be pointless?”

Simon gives a humorless laugh. “I mean, I write a sex column for women. Not exactly moving prose or hard-hitting journalism.”

Benji scoots over little on the desk, sitting with his legs so close to where Simon is sitting low in his chair that he can smell Benji’s crisp laundry detergent and citrusy soap. He suddenly has to fight the urge to move a fraction to the left, press his nose to the inside seam of Benji’s jeans and breathe him in.

“You listen to people. You remind them that they’re valuable and worthy of love and respect. How is that not important?” Simon is struck speechless, chest tight and breath caught. Then Benji claps him on the shoulder and hops off the desk. “Come on. Let’s go have lunch.”

Pages or Words: 228 Pages

Contest: Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: Grand Prize: $25 Interlude Press Gift Card; Multi-Format eBook Copies of Spice to Five Winners.

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 Tour Dates & Stops:

2-Apr

The Novel Approach

The Hat Party

Because Two Men Are Better Than One

3-Apr

Multitasking Mommas

Bayou Book Junkie

MM Good Book Reviews

6-Apr

Hearts on Fire

The Blogger Girls

Love Bytes

7-Apr

Michael Mandrake

Inked Rainbow Reads

8-Apr

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

Bike Book Reviews

9-Apr

It’s Raining Men

Parker Williams

10-Apr

Kimi-Chan

My Fiction Nook

13-Apr

Velvet Panic

BFD Book Blog

14-Apr

Cate Ashwood

Cathy Brockman Romances

Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

Amanda C. Stone

15-Apr

Molly Lolly

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

In the Spotlight: Two Man Advantage by V.L. Locey (excerpt and contest)

Book Name: Two Man Advantage by V.L. Locey
Goodreads Link
Release Date: April 15, 2015

Victor Kalinski, all-star forward for the Boston Barracudas, is one of the biggest jerks in professional hockey. Before long his aggressive attitude gets him shipped off to play in the minor leagues.

Furious, he takes to the ice with equal amounts of skill and scathing sarcasm, which doesn’t win him any friends—except for good-natured alternate captain Daniel Arou. He won’t take any of Vic’s crap, and he won’t take no for an answer.

But Vic’s troublemaking is pulling his career one way while Dan’s talent is pushing his in the other. However much they scorch the sheets, they might soon be separated by more than Vic’s fear of being hurt.

Inside Scoop: This book contains scorching gay sex and a heaping helping of no-holds-barred snark between hot hockey heroes who don’t pull their punches.
Pages or Words: Novella

Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, Erotica, M/M Romance, Hockey Romance

Have you ever just watched someone sleep and been petrified and appreciative simultaneously? I know how totally stalker that sounds, but it wasn’t like “I’m a glittery vampire who sits here and watches some underage chick sleeping” weird. Okay, maybe it was a little bit of that kind of weird. I mean, I was lying beside Dan, admiring the hills and valleys of his back as the sun caressed his tanned flesh. His skin was smooth but clammy. The blankets were tangled around his legs. He slept just like he went through life—with energy. His thrashing was what had awoken me, as it had a few times during our road trip. Instead of snapping at him then stealing the covers back, I took this time to visually adore his body. Yeah, I was that fond of it. And him. Rest assured, that terrified me no end.

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Cover Artist: Allyse Karam

Sales Links: Ellora’s Cave

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, belly laughs, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted goofy domestic fowl, and two steers: one named after a famous N.H.L. goalie while the other carries the moniker of a 60s pop legend.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and GoodReads.

Where to find the author:
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/VL-Locey/124405447678452
Twitter- https://twitter.com/vllocey
Pinterest-http://www.pinterest.com/vllocey/
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5807700.V_L_Locey
My blog- http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/
tsú – https://www.tsu.co/vllocey

Tour Dates & Stops: April 15, 2015

Parker Williams, Hearts on Fire, MM Good Book Reviews, Chris McHart, Molly Lolly, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, BFD Book Blog, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Cathy Brockman Romances, Cate Ashwood, 3 Chicks After Dark, Inked Rainbow Reads, Bayou Book Junkie, Velvet Panic, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Michael Mandrake, It’s Raining Men

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Two Man Advantage’ by V.L. Locey. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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A MelanieM Review: Baked Fresh (Portland Heat #2) by Annabeth Albert

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Vic Degrassi is a baker on the rise, and it’s all thanks to his rare ability to make—and keep—his New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s losing weight, giving up smoking, or graduating from culinary school, Vic goes after what he wants—and gets it. This year? He wants Robin Dawson, the sweet-hearted hottie who volunteers with him at the local homeless shelter. When he learns that Robin is suddenly single after being unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to offer a shoulder to cry on—or at least a fresh-baked pastry to bite into. But it’s been a long time since Vic’s gone on a date, and he’s nervous about risking his friendship with Robin. So when their flirtation turns into a steamy night together, Vic and Robin have to figure out if they’re friends with benefits or lovers in the making, and if Robin is ready for something more than just a rebound. There’s only one way to find out: turn up the heat…

Annabeth Albert is an author I was unfamiliar with before now. Baked Fresh is my first introduction and its a good one. The blurb offers up a number of elements guaranteed to pull me in such as cooking, baking, and romance. But what is not apparent from the synopsis is that Baked Fresh contains one more element that I find irresistable….realistic characters who physically conform more to the norm than to the “Greek god” form of perfection.

Please don’t get me wrong…I do love my romances that contain love between two rugged/stunning/drop dead gorgeous/over the top specimens of the male gender. *fans* But its all about variety for me as well. I want the guys who are a little worn around the edges, maybe a little bald or plump, maybe a little older or tarnished in attitude or outlook. Or even those men who have worked hard to tone up or better themselves….for themselves. And its those men that Albert is writing about…heartwarmingly and realistically. They grabbed at my heartstrings and I hope you will give them a chance. Let’s take a closer look.

Vic DeGrassi is one of those quiet, surprising men that you might actually meet on the streets, Portland or otherwise. A family history of heart disease and dying young made Vic take a hard look at his own health and extra (lots of extra) weight that he was carrying. His answer to his predicament is a stomach band, a brave and often unpleasant operation. Albert lets us into the fact that this is not the glamourous cure all you might think it is. There’s the ugly scar, the minuscule list of food items that Vic can eat without making himself ill….it’s not an easy lifestyle to maintain, even after the operation. But Vic looks at the risks and changes his lifestyle and we believe in him all the way. The operation is over when the book begins and Vic has already well on his way to remaking himself. He shaved his head, works out but the image in his mind is still the large, ungainly guy he remembers reflected back at him all those years, from his family included. The man you come to love through his thoughts, conversation and actions is a little more “old world” in manners, and outlook. Vic’s charming, protective, and a wonderful man. And he’s perfect for Robin.

Robin Dawson is also that quiet young man working away, trying to make a difference in his community and world. He’s a little beaten down, lacking in self confidence. His background is more problematic than Vic’s and it will explain his work at the local shelter, again made very authentic for the reader. Robin’s pain is never far from the service and we meet him on a downward spiral after being dumped. I took him to heart as well.

Their relationship is slow to grow, which is great. We are there as Vic and Robin build something substantial, brick by hopeful brick. They get to know each other, there are some surprises and quite a lot of very sexy love scenes. These two, especially Vic, are inventive and fierce when they finally come together. It’s hot, its sexy and it’s a lot of fun to read.

Is the book perfect? No, just as its characters, it has some flaws and imperfections. Not enough background in some cases, too much exposition in others. And also a tad short…..I did want more of Vic and Robin and their future together. You will too.

I haven’t read the first story and you really don’t need to in order to involve yourself with Vic and Robin. But I so enjoyed this story that I will be searching out the first and then waiting for the third story to arrive. I believe Annabeth Albert has me hooked with her honest characters, heartwarming romance and believable plots. So consider Baked Fresh by Annabeth Albert a new wonderful surprise and a lovely recommended read.

Cover art by ?, I thought the cover quiet and simple. Not over the top which is actually kind of perfect for the men within, neither of which are those models on the cover. That’s the only shame.

Sales Links: All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 159 pages
Expected publication: April 13th 2015 by Kensington
ISBN 1601833938 (ISBN13: 9781601833938)
seriesPortland Heat #2

Book in the Portland Heat series:

Served Hot (Portland Heat, #1)
Baked Fresh (Portland Heat, #2)
Delivered Fast (Portland Heat, #3)

A Mika Review: You In My Arms (The Sunset Club #1) by A.C. Katt

Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5 star

Jason’s priorities are non-negotiable: take care of his sister; keep a roof over their heads; go back to school eventually. Can one club owner make it easier to uphold his priorities and maybe add him to the list?   Jason Monroe had to leave school to be the guardian of his sister Kitty when his dad and step-mom die in a car crash. He’s working two jobs to keep them afloat, but their boat is leaking much like the roof of their old house. Jason doesn’t have time for love that is until Zach Montgomery, the owner of the Sunset Club, the premier gay club on the Jersey Shore comes calling.

I love kids, and tragedy together. You In My Arms by A.C.. Katt has both. I honestly liked the characters. Of course we had a crude guy who didn’t do relationships, because hey, that’s what appeals to people. I knew right off the back his tune was going to change once he met the right person. I think it has the potential to be a 4 star book if the author went in with a red pen and crossed out most of the communication between the two. On my goodness, these people TALKED too damn much. It was so scatter-brained between everyone. I mean, come on, one minute one topic then the next it’s tears and run on sentences. I actually didn’t see the chemistry building up between the two so fast. One minute they were in the bar talking, the next Zach bogarts his way into Jason’s life.

I actually liked how devoted Jason was to taking care of his sister. But some things in the story? I don’t know if I believed in them well enough because its as though Jason had blinders on. Zach definitely moved fast when it came to Jason, I mean super fast. All in all, it was okay. I enjoyed the premise more than the execution.

Cover Art by: WinterHeart design. I think the design team got it backwards. Zach is supposed to be the older burnet guy, where as on the cover he looks the youngest. Jason was the 22 yr old blond and he looks middle aged to me. I think it could have been better.

Sales Links: MLR Books All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 166 pages
Published March 19th 2015 by ManLove Romance Press
ASINB00UZIXQ58
edition languageEnglish
seriesThe Sunset Club #1

Need A Recipe for Love? It’s Annabeth Albert’s Baked Fresh! (excerpt and giveaway)

Baked Fresh by Annabeth Albert
A Portland Heat Story

Release Date: April 13, 2015

From its famous coffee to the mouthwatering fare at its cafés, restaurants, and bakeries, Portland, Oregon, has a lot to whet the appetite, including the hard-working men who serve it all up—hot, fresh, and ready to go—with no reservations…  Vic Degrassi is a baker on the rise, and it’s all thanks to his rare ability to make—and keep—his New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s losing weight, giving up smoking, or graduating from culinary school, Vic goes after what he wants—and gets it. This year? He wants Robin Dawson, the sweet-hearted hottie who volunteers with him at the local homeless shelter. When he learns that Robin is suddenly single after being unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to offer a shoulder to cry on—or at least a fresh-baked pastry to bite into. But it’s been a long time since Vic’s gone on a date, and he’s nervous about risking his friendship with Robin. So when their flirtation turns into a steamy night together, Vic and Robin have to figure out if they’re friends with benefits or lovers in the making, and if Robin is ready for something more than just a rebound. There’s only one way to find out: turn up the heat…

Pages or Words: 45,000 words

Categories: Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

“So, what’s your plan this year?” Cliff asked as we unloaded pallets of food for Victory Mission. The stinging December wind whipped through the loading dock, howling against the concrete walls. I had to strain to hear Cliff’s booming voice. “Sky diving? Marathon? How you gonna top last year, Vic?”

“Dunno.” I hefted a box of tomato sauce cans. That’s what everyone wanted to know—how I was going to top last year’s resolution to lose a hundred pounds. Truth was, I was pretty good at resolutions. Four years ago, I’d resolved to go to culinary school. Three years ago, I gave up smoking. And last year I lost 111 pounds. But this year I had a smaller, simpler goal in mind.

“Thought I might try dating.”

“Dating? As in a boyfriend?” Cliff snorted, a dry sound that echoed off the metal loading bay doors. “I’d go with a marathon.”
My stomach churned as I grabbed another box of rolls. I had my own doubts. I was hardly a prize catch. I hadn’t dated anyone in the four years I’d been working for Cliff. Never had a boyfriend beyond the rare three-peat hookup. ’Course, Cliff didn’t know about my hookups, but I hadn’t even had one of those in eight long months. Up until a few months ago, I hadn’t realized what I was missing. Ever since then, this weird, restless longing had plagued me. New Year’s was the perfect excuse to do something about it. Get out there.

“You guys done out here? Whole stack of boxes waiting inside. We don’t have all day.” Robin bustled out onto the dock, bringing a shit-ton of bad mood with him. A far cry from the sunny, talkative guy who made me think crazy thoughts, like that maybe dating wasn’t a terrible idea. He was gone before either Cliff or I could reply.

“What’s up with him?” I asked Cliff once I heard the pantry door shut inside.

“Melissa said Paul broke up with him.” Cliff always found the gossip. The food bank volunteers were like bored high schoolers, passing rumors around their shifts like joints at a party.

“Finally.” I didn’t realize I’d said the word aloud until Cliff laughed.

“Aha! On second thought, I highly approve of your resolution. I’m gonna have to get a bet going with Trish about whether or not you can land your man. Talk about aiming high though, kid.”

“Didn’t say anything about dating Robin,” I mumbled into a sack of rice. The last time Robin was single, I had spent months thinking about him. Wondering if he was out of my league. Knowing he was out of my league but trying to work up the courage to ask him out anyway. Coming to volunteer more often just to be around him. Then Paul swooped in like a star pitcher and sent me back to the minor leagues, where I belonged.

I readjusted my grip on the sack so I wouldn’t accidentally tear the darn thing in two. No, I wasn’t stupid enough to make a resolution to date Robin. I just wanted to get out there. Give myself a chance to maybe meet a nice guy who wouldn’t care about my food issues and my loose skin and my bald-by-choice look.

But now that Cliff had planted the dating-Robin idea in my brain, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Which irked the hell out of me. I’d worked hard to deep-six my crush on him. Finding out he was single was a stupid reason to unearth it. Robin was the nice guy of my fantasies. And fucking gorgeous. He was sex walking around in KEENs and hipster T-shirts. He was everything I wanted and everything I wasn’t ever going to have.

*****
Once Vic resolves to be Robin’s rebound guy, can he convince Robin that they’re meant to be? Find out in BAKED FRESH!

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Kensington
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Sales Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Kobo

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency

Where to find the author:

Website: http://www.annabethalbert.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert
Tumblr: https://www.annabethalbert.tumblr.com
Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/annabethsangels/

Tour Dates & Stops: April 14, 2015

Parker Williams, MM Good Book Reviews, Divine Magazine, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, BFD Book Blog, Tara Lain, Hearts on Fire, Bayou Book Junkie, My Fiction Nook, Inked Rainbow Reads, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Love Bytes, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Bike Book Reviews, Molly Lolly, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews,Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Cathy Brockman Romances, Cate Ashwood, Three Chicks After Dark, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Because Two Men Are Better, Than One, Charley Descoteaux, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Elin Gregory, Andrew Q. Gordon

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $10 gift card + a book from Annabeth’s backlist. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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In Our Book Spotlight: Down On the Other Street by Jennifer Cie (excerpt and Giveaway)

Jennifer Cie is back in the Spotlight with the second book of Down On the Other Street collection of stories!

Check it all out below, including our exclusive excerpt, and don’t’ forget to enter the contest!

Down On The Other Street Book Two by Jennifer Cie

Goodreads Link

Release Date: April 13, 2015

About Down On The Other Street – Volume Two:

Scars dripping over broken skin and whispers silenced, there can be no point of return. Wrapped in the ripples of warm waters, staring down at unkempt mountains, Stefanie can feel the thrum of the old world’s song. The first conversation, stained into ceramic cups and shadows in the night, gave birth to the last confession. Before metal bars clanged shut or chanting grew quiet, there was the woman with the violet smile. Somewhere in the gaggle of exposed bodies, worn cassettes and children’s fairy tales, he is waiting for the red coat. Woven together through trials of sexuality, political dissonance, and self-discovery, this heady collection of six short stories examines who we become after finding love

Pages or Words: 152 pages, 29,122 words

Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, Fiction, New Adult, Romance

Down On The Other Street: Vol 2 Exclusive –From “Ceramic Cups”

The air of confidence that had brought us there from dinner at CK’s diner, the seats of your rattling Oldsmobile, and new indents in your sofa’s cushions had decompressed. You were suffocating under sheets of “I-never-do-this” and “God-you-must-think-I’m-a-slut.” The way you choked on waves of silence as I traced my finger across your collarbone was adorable. I would have given anything to be you—so beautiful, attempting to find poise in uncertainty at twenty-three, and still hungry for the ailment lingering underneath your sheets.

At the inevitable end of your unnecessary confessions of “not-being-the-type,” I didn’t confide that I understood on a personal level. I teased you, mercilessly. I pressed against you with the type of intensity that had made you melt minutes before.

Watching your eyes roll back, straddling the lines of pain and immutable pleasure, I asked if you were sure of your type.

Trailing kisses back down your body, I gave some lengthy whispers of sinners tasting better than saints. Running the thumb of my free hand across your lips, while gripping your hipbone with the other, I reveled in every gasp of your misery.

I think I should have told you then, about the difference. In that moment, rather than ignoring the heart whimpering on your shoulder, trying to overpower your body’s aching, I should have explained the difference between being in love and screwing someone into a wordless stupor.

Publisher: Jennifer Cie
Cover Artist: Najla Qamber

Sales Links: iTunes – Amazon – Amazon Kindle (0.99) – Nook – Createspace and Kobo

About Author Jennifer Cie

Jennifer Cie is a Tennessee native who loves taking aimless road trips and diving into social issues through her writing. A fan of poorly playing tennis, using snail mail, and longing for the return of Brach’s Red Twist, when she is not indulging her guilty pleasure of taste testing whiskey and low grade tequila—for science, you can find her rambling about poor life decisions, book formatting, and everything in between on her blog: http://www.journeytopaperback.com

Where to find the author:

Twitter: @JenniferCie1
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jennifercie/
Blog: http://www.journeytopaperback.com
Goodreads Author Page

 Contest: Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prizes provided by Pride Promotions.

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Down on the Other Street, Volume Two’

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Tour Dates & Stops:

13-Apr

My Fiction Nook

14-Apr

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

The Novel Approach

15-Apr

MM Good Book Reviews

16-Apr

Nephylim

Love Bytes

17-Apr

Prism Book Alliance

20-Apr

Bayou Book Junkie

21-Apr

Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

22-Apr

BFD Book Blog

23-Apr

Inked Rainbow Reads

24-Apr

Molly Lolly

27-Apr

Rainbow Gold Reviews

Every Inferno by Johanna Parkhurst Goodreads Link

Release Date: July 24, 2014

Our Q & A with Johanna Parkhurst…

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A Good Family Man (Corbin’s Bend #8) by Thianna Durston Goodreads Link

Cover Reveal Time!

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Spice by Lilah Suzanne Release Date: April 2, 2015 Goodreads Link

About Author Lilah Suzanne

Excerpt:

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Book Name: Two Man Advantage by V.L. Locey Goodreads Link Release Date: April 15, 2015

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Baked Fresh by Annabeth Albert A Portland Heat Story

Release Date: April 13, 2015

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Jennifer Cie is back in the Spotlight with the second book of Down On the Other Street collection of stories!

Down On The Other Street Book Two by Jennifer Cie

Release Date: April 13, 2015

About Down On The Other Street – Volume Two:

Down On The Other Street: Vol 2 Exclusive –From “Ceramic Cups”

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