Category: m/m holiday stories

A Very Special Charity Spotlight: A Intimate Look at Winter Oranges by Marie Sexton (guest post and giveaway)

Winter Oranges cover

Winter Oranges by Marie Sexton
Published by Riptide Publishing
Cover Artist:  L.C. Chase

This title is part of the Love for the Holidays: A Charity Bundle Benefiting
the GLBT National Help Center collection. 
You can purchase it and learn more about the charity bundle here.

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is so happy to have  Marie Sexton here today to talk about the inspiration behind her Christmas novel, Winter Oranges.  Marie is sharing some of her photos from her Pinterest board and thoughts behind her characters.  Winter Oranges is one of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Highly Recommended Novels.

Hello, everybody! This is Marie Sexton, and I’m thrilled to be here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words today talking about my Christmas novel, Winter Oranges. I thought I’d share some photos that helped inspire the novel.

First things first: I started with the house. I originally planned to set the book in rural West Virginia, so I started out researching older homes. Later, I decided to move the story to Idaho, and I ended up making the house a “revival” built in the 1980s, which meant there was no “servant’s room” on the ground floor. I rearranged the entire dining room/kitchen setup, and added a Winter Oranges House Planspantry/mudroom. The other problem was, I kept picturing the garage on the left side of the property (the left when facing the house, that is). I tried over and over to flip that image in my mind, but it didn’t work. And why would the garage be on the family room side of the property rather than the mudroom side? It didn’t make sense. So I flipped the entire bottom floor. But for the most part, this is Jason’s house. (I’m sure he paid more than $1548 for it, though!)

The next step was the snow globe. Yes, I could have just made it up, but I wanted a photo. It needed to look old-fashioned and have a cottage. So I settled on this one:Winter Oranges_Snow Globe

Now, for the characters.

Winter Oranges_Tom HughesIn my brain, Ben looks like Tom Hughes, minus the bad boy attitude.

Ben’s clothes were based largely on this picture:Winter Oranges_civil war men

And Jason… well, I wasn’t entirely sure what Jason looked like. I was pretty sure he was blond, and I knew he was in his late 20s. That was good enough, until I got to a line where somebody says to him, “You look familiar.” Jason hates his semi-celebrity status, so rather than telling her who he really is, he says, “Some people say I look like [some other celebrity].” The problem was, who did he look like? I spent a stupid amount of time googling actors, but I finally decided on William Moseley.Winter Oranges_William Mosely

That’s it for my primary sources of inspiration, but for more pictures, check out my  Winter Oranges Pinterest Board. Have an image you’d like to add? Leave your Pinterest user name in the comments, and I’ll send you an invitation to add to the board.

And be sure to check out Winter Oranges! 20% of the proceeds go to the GLBT National Help Center.

About the Book

Jason Walker is a child star turned teen heartthrob turned reluctant B-movie regular who’s sick of his failing career. So he gives up Hollywood for northern Idaho, far away from the press, the drama of LA, and the best friend he’s secretly been in love with for years.

There’s only one problem with his new life: a strange young man only he can see is haunting his guesthouse. Except Benjamin Ward isn’t a ghost. He’s a man caught out of time, trapped since the Civil War in a magical prison where he can only watch the lives of those around him. He’s also sweet, funny, and cute as hell, with an affinity for cheesy ’80s TV shows. And he’s thrilled to finally have someone to talk to.

But Jason quickly discovers that spending all his time with a man nobody else can see or hear isn’t without its problems—especially when the tabloids find him again and make him front-page news. The local sheriff thinks he’s on drugs, and his best friend thinks he’s crazy. But Jason knows he hasn’t lost his mind. Too bad he can’t say the same thing about his heart.

Winter Oranges is one of Riptide’s 2015 charity titles.

Twenty percent of the proceeds from this title will be donated to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Help Center.

Founded in 1996, the GLBT National Help Center is a non-profit organization that provides vital peer-support, community connections and resource information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Utilizing a diverse group of GLBT volunteers, they operate two national hotlines, the GLBT National Hotline and the GLBT National Youth Talkline, as well as private, volunteer one-to-one online chat, that help both youth and adults with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems and a lot more.

To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website:  “http://www.glbthotline.org/“

HYPERLINK “http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/winter-oranges“http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/winter-oranges

About the Author

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:

WinterOranges_TourBanner

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Winter Oranges, Marie Sexton is giving away two titles from her backlist and a $50 Amazon gift card! Your first comment at each stop on this tour enters you in the drawing. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on December 5, 2015. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. Entries. Follow the tour for more opportunities to enter the giveaway! Don’t forget to leave your email or method of contact so Riptide can reach you if you win!  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Happy Reading and Good luck!

Take A Journey! ‘Travels Through The Scarlet Equinox’ Is Waiting for You To Explore! (author interview,blurbs and contest)

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One of my favorite authors is here to talk about her story and involvement in the collection, ‘Travels Through The Scarlet Equinox’. Welcome, Angel Martinez!  I love the idea for this anthology and the lineup of authors and stories is just such a delight.  I see that you have brought my favorite demon Shax back, along with the Brimstone crew.

Is this the first new story for them? Or have there been other space escapades along the way?

It’s the first new story in their ongoing timeline since Shax’s War came out last April. For anyone new to the series, Shax, the Demon Prince of Thieves, and the Brimstone crew had their first adventure in Hell for the Company, followed by Fear of Frogs, then Shax’s War, in chronological order. Those first three stories all happen within a few months of each other in Shax’s timeline. We jumped back quite a few years then because Shax wanted his origin story written, which happens in the prequel, Potato Surprise, just released last summer.

So this is the first new story after the first triad. Beside a Black Tarn takes place a few months after the end of Shax’s War. While each story is a full story on its own, it’s probably best to read them in order so the introduction of new characters will make the most sense.

Why Shax and the Brimstone crew?  What draws you back to them?

Shax and his crew started out as just a lark, a humorous SF piece to balance out some of the heavy bits I was writing at the time. But he’s such a fun, bad little demon – vain, arrogant, and vulnerable all at once – that I can’t help coming back to him and asking, what’s he gotten himself into this time?

While the humor part still applies, Shax and his crew have insisted on becoming real people with quirks and hopes and fears all their own. Shax’s schemes are fun, but I think I have just as much fun with how the crew interacts with him and each other.

What was the inspiration behind the idea of a Scarlet Equinox Anthology?

Mischief Corner Books does themed anthologies every year with an eye to keeping the theme broad enough for authors’ varied styles and preferred genres. Cowboys. Science Fiction. Etc. The original thought was for a Halloween anthology, but that limited some authors, so the theme was expanded to the Autumnal Equinox and autumn.

For some of the authors, like me, fall is a favorite time of year for the weather, the holidays, the changes it brings, while for others, like our Aussie writer, Toni Griffin, fall is a wonderful, foreign concept that was fun to explore.

Can we look forward to a Winter Equinox anthology lineup too?

Last year saw the release of a Christmas/Winter anthology, Chestnuts Roasting, so it may be a bit before mischief Corner comes back around for a Winter Equinox anthology.

Thanks, Angel.  I can’t wait to start reading!

AboutTheBook

TravelsFSTITLE: Travels Through The Scarlet Equinox

AUTHOR: Toni Griffin, J. Scott Coatsworth, Angel Martinez, Freddy MacKay

COVER ARTIST: Freddy MacKay

LENGTH: 475 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2015

BLURB: The Autumnal equinox—when the trees dress in their formal scarlet and gold and the crisp air whispers of chance and change, when bright days turn into sudden storms and the veil between reality and imagination thins. Join the Mischief Corner authors as they share stories evoking this often unpredictable time of year.

A Bear’s Bear by Toni Griffin

Matthew Warner’s been a Chicago Bears fan as far back as he can remember. What other team was a young bear shifter from the Smokey Mountains supposed to root for? When his college friend gets tickets to the next home game, Matthew jumps at the chance for a holiday. It’s his favorite time of year and Nic promises him pumpkin carving and a visit to the world’s largest corn maze, what more could he want?

What Matthew doesn’t expect is finding out the defensive tackle for the Bears is his mate. Between fainting at the realization, meeting family, and dealing with the media fallout of his mate’s coming out Matthew is in for a hell of a rocky Halloween.

The Autumn Lands by J. Scott Coatsworth

Jerrith is running. Kissed by an elf, he can’t remain in his hometown of Althos anymore. Not that he wanted to stay.

Caspian still hasn’t figured out why he kissed Jerrith, but he’s running too. Since he was exiled from the Autumn Lands, his past has been hazy, and his future uncertain. But when a stray memory brings things into focus, the two decide to run toward something together. What they uncover will change how they see the world, and themselves, forever.

Beside a Black Tarn by Angel Martinez

When Shax stumbles across rumors of an experimental house that responds to the occupant’s brain functions, creating scenarios to please and delight, naturally he wants to steal it.  But with the return of a troubled and hunted Julian Parallax and an overabundance of Poe references, even Shax’s scheming may not be enough to get the Brimstone crew out alive this time.

Eternity in the Tides by Freddy MacKay

Autumn has always been Zak’s favorite season for hiking and camping. Not to mention breathing in all that crisp fall air and sitting around toasty bonfires. That all changed year and a half ago when a rich prick high on prescription pills sideswiped Zak while he was out biking.

Now his days are filled with pain and limited mobility. No more camping. No more trails. Zak’s life as he knew it is gone forever.

Back at his beloved stomping grounds, Zak is ready to say hello and goodbye one last time. But when a cry from the frigid Lake Superior waters throws him into the role of a rescuer, more than just his life hangs in the balance. Little did Zak know how much one person giving a damn mattered to him.

Excerpt

 

A Bear’s Bear by Toni Griffin

 

“Take a seat,” Christian said as he closed the door behind them. The Alpha was acting strangely, especially when he checked the hall just before the door closed. Christian walked over to where Matthew was sitting. Instead of taking a seat behind the desk as Matthew would have expected, Christian hiked a leg and leaned against the edge of the desk just to the side of him.

“Thank you for taking a minute to speak with me.”

“Anything you need, Alpha.” Matthew nodded. His hands were already sweating. Matthew rubbed them back and forth on his pants, hoping to dry them.

“There’s no reason to be nervous,” Christian assured him, chuckling lightly. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Matthew nodded as he sighed in relief.

“I know we don’t know each other very well,” Christian started and Matthew nodded again. “However, you’ve known my younger brother for years.”

“I have. He’s a good guy.”

“He is. Can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but I love him nonetheless.” Christian chuckled.

Matthew was too nervous to do anything more than smile.

“Anyway, I happened to overhear a conversation you had earlier on the phone.”

Matthew swallowed and fisted the denim of his jeans in his hands. Would Christian stop him from going on vacation? Was there a sleuth in Chicago? Did he need to notify them of his travel plans?

“Yes?” he asked quietly.

“You’re planning to travel to Chicago, is that correct?”

Matthew nodded slowly.

“Excellent.”

Matthew furrowed his brows. Why on earth would Christian think his travel plans were excellent? “I don’t understand.”

“I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind doing me a favor.”

“A favor? Me?”

Christian nodded. “I’m trying to go through the sleuth, one by one, and get to know everyone as the Alpha. But Bobby trusts you. And I was hoping I could too.”

Trust me? To do what? Matthew went back to rubbing his hands on his pants. If he could comfortably put them in his pockets sitting down, he would have, but he couldn’t. When Matthew didn’t say anything, Christian smiled kindly at him and continued. “I have an item that I plan on purchasing that I don’t feel comfortable with the postal system handling. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind picking it up while you’re in Chicago and bringing it back for me.”

Matthew’s mind raced. What exactly was his new Alpha into? Surely it wouldn’t be anything illegal; drugs and guns were just a couple of the things that popped into his mind. Matthew shook his head. There was no way Christian would put a member of his sleuth in danger like that, but he couldn’t help but ask.

“I won’t get into trouble for doing this, will I?”

“No.” Christian laughed. “Although if Vinnie finds out, he might have a few words to say to you.

“Vincent?” Why would Christian’s mate want to talk to him if he did this?

“The item in question is from Tiffany’s,” Christian said, raising his brow. Matthew’s eyes widened as everything suddenly made sense. Oh wow!

“Yes,” he blurted. “Yes, sure, okay, I would be honored. Anything you need.”

Christian chuckled, placed a hand on his shoulder, and squeezed.

“Thank you. You can understand why I don’t want an item such as this being posted or even couriered to me.”

“I can. I’m touched that you trust me to collect it and deliver it into your hands.”

“You’re of my sleuth. I would trust you with my life.”

Matthew’s eyes teared up at the absolute sincerity he felt from his Alpha. No one before had ever had so much faith in him.

“Thank you. I won’t let you down.”

 

The Autumn Lands by J. Scott Coatsworth

Jerrith Ladner ran down Dyer’s Alley in Althos, winded but not daring to stop. He swung left down Chaplain’s Lane where the lanterns cast a crazy patchwork of light across cobbles, uneven enough to give even the Night Guard pause. His lungs hurt, but he didn’t slow down and didn’t dare glance back.

The occasional passerby stared at him as he flashed past, but he ignored them. Several times he stumbled and fell, and blood dripped down his bare leg from a skinned knee. The outskirts of town were silent, with almost everyone already indoors for the night.

His recent past was a blur, with snatches of it flitting by in his head like birds, flapping and confusing him with their unsteady rhythm:

The kiss.

The unexpected shock of it.

The glimpse of the Autumn Lands through the Nevris man’s golden eyes.

At last, exhausted, Jerrith ducked behind a low wall that ran along the fields just outside of town and looked back.

It was quiet. There was nothing but blackness crisscrossed by lamplight at even intervals.

Almost sobbing, he sat down with his back to the wall and curled up into himself, scarcely noticing the pain that traced the lines of his rib cage or even the bright line of red on his leg.

Ever so slowly, his heavy breathing eased and his jumbled mind began to sort things out.

He had been walking to the Smithy in the early morning when the Nevris caravan had passed him by, six wagons of merchandise from the Autumn Lands covered with heavy tarps, crossing through town on its way to the stables on the far side of the village. A stranger had drawn his attention—an outrider for the caravan.

Tall and slender where Jerrith was stocky and muscled, he was a young man, more or less Jerrith’s own age. His blond hair had been pulled back behind his pointed ears, the mark of the Nevris. He moved with a quiet and restrained grace.

His eyes were wide and golden, and they’d met his as Jerrith crossed the town square on the way to ‘prentice to the blacksmith. The man’s gaze had filled Jerrith with something hot and impulsive, a sense of anticipation. Something that he had no name for.

Then he’d been gone.

Jerrith had spent the long, dizzying hours of work in the Smithy, hammering out heated metal into a new plowshare for Farmer Angus, the hot breath of the bellows tempered only by the cool springtime air from outside. Trying to forget those eyes.

The heat of the oven only served to fuel the heat he felt inside, until he thought he might explode.

Sent home at last well after nightfall, he’d heard a whispered voice from the dark alleyway between the Alchemist’s shop and the Rutting Crow. Jerrith had looked around to see if anyone was watching, then slipped into the alley, his heart beating faster and the bulge in his pants stiffening.

The man had kissed him hard and rough, and he’d returned the kiss passionately as the Nevris man pulled him close.

 

Beside a Black Tarn by Angel Martinez

“Do you have your route planned?” Shax asked Leopold as he tucked the field glasses into his jacket.

“Up the long drainpipe. On the side without windows. The master suite first.”

“That’s my boy. Remember, only what’s out in the open tonight. No looking for safes, trapdoors, or hidden rooms.”

An irritated peep followed his advice, accompanied by what Shax was beginning to recognize as a hedgehog glare. “I have it, Captain. You gave simple instructions. I am not Heckle.”

“Now, now. None of that.” Shax ran a hand through his hair to complete his artful mussing. “Heckle’s not stupid. Just… easily distracted.”

“And impetuous. And clumsy and so twitchy. Curious fingers.”

“He did apologize and has orders not to enter your burrow again. Please let it go.” Shax unfastened the first three buttons of his shirt. “Here we go, then. I’ll do the best I can to give you time, but when you hear me leaving or when I call for you, it’s time to go.”

With a last pat to Shax’s leg, Leopold dropped to all fours and scurried off through the vegetation. This would be classic accomplice distraction technique, nothing fancy. Start with the basics. He tapped in the code for the Brimstone‘s pilot pod where Ness was monitoring. “We’re going in, cupcake. Radio silence, please. I’ll yell if we need you.”

“Please be careful, my love.” Ness’s soft voice caressed his nerves.

“Easy job. Nothing to worry about.”

“You do know you’ve said that before.”

“Hush. No more. I’ll see you soon.”

He started for the front door, keeping in plain sight, dragging his right foot a bit in case anyone was watching. Tonight, Leopold was the second-story man while Shax was just the diversion.

He waited until Leopold had made it around the side of the house before he lifted the handle on the gargoyle knocker and hammered on the door. “Hello! Is anyone home? Please, please help! There’s been a terrible accident!”

A thin, terrified wail seeped through the heavy door. Shax tilted his head to listen. No, this was getting too ridiculous. A clank of chains accompanied heavy footfalls toward the door. Something on the other side let out an eerie moan. Then the door swung open on creaking hinges to reveal a dim, cobweb-festooned chandelier in a much-neglected front hall.

Oh, for all the sulfurous pits’ sakes. Shax decided to play along and performed the requisite action by calling “Hello?” at the dark and sinister interior.

He jerked back when a face suddenly popped up before him. Pale, cadaverous, sunken eyes wide, the apparition regarded him openmouthed for a single instant.

“Bells and whiskers!” the apparition whispered in obvious horror. “What in all elements are you doing out there? You’re supposed to be in here. Oh my goodness.”

A skeletal hand closed around Shax’s wrist and he blinked in confusion as he was dragged inside. “Pardon?”

“It’s really rather rude of you. If you’re going to answer the summons, you should at least do it properly.”

“I’m… sorry?”

 

Eternity in the Tides by Freddy MacKay

Crimson,  hot  pink,  burnt  orange,  and  a  dark  purple  lit  the  sky  and splashed  over  the  calm  waters  of  Lake  Superior.  Dusk  had  fallen  in  all  its beauty,  gracing  Zak  with  the  perfect  moment  at  his  favorite  stomping grounds.  If  he  had  to  go,  and  well…  yeah,  he  couldn’t  ask  for  anything better than this.  Tonight  was  the  night. Had to be.

Water  lapped  at  the  boat,  rocking  it  gently.  A  breeze  wafted  over  Zak. He  shivered,  then  hugged  himself  as  he  looked  over  the  lake,  back  at Madeline  Island.  Like  each  night  over  the  past  few  days,  a  pang  of  longing hit  him.  Zak  had  said  his  goodbyes,  accepted  the  fate  handed  to  him,  knew better  than  to  hold  on  to  dreams  he  could  never  have.  He  should  have  been able  to take  the  next  step.

But  he  couldn’t.

Each  night  he  rowed  back  to  his  rental  cabin,  Quiet  Bequest,  in  defeat. What  the  hell  he  held  on  for,  Zak  didn’t  have  a  clue.  His  heart  thumped heavily,  his  palms  slipped  over  the  oars,  and  the  hair  on  his  arms  stood  up —goose  bumps  everywhere—as  if something big were  about  to happen.

Well,  yeah,  something  huge  if  Zak  could  get  his  head  on  straight.  Well, maybe  not  straight—his  plan  was  utter  ridiculousness  to  the  outside observer. Made  sense  to him, though. But  then it  would.

Anticipation  rode  Zak  hard.  He  knew  what  he  had  to  do.  Planned  it. Came  determined.  This  trip,  the  two-week  cabin  retreat  he  could  never afford,  the  rowboat—my  accident—had  been  in  the  works  for  months.  And now… now  Zak cowered in his  waterlogged rowboat.

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AuthorBio

About Toni Griffin

Toni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia’s capital cities. Born and raised in the state she’s a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers.

Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.

For a complete list of books, go to: http://tonigriffin.net/Current_Books.html

:: Website :: Facebook Page ::

 

About J. Scott Coatsworth

Scott is the admin for the Queer Sci Fi site. He has been writing since ele- mentary school, when he and won a University of Arizona writing contest in 4th grade for his first sci fi story (with illustrations!). He finished his first novel in his mid twenties, but after seeing it rejected by ten publishers, he gave up on writing for a while.

Over the ensuing years, he came back to it periodically, but it never stuck. Then one day, he was complaining to Mark, his husband, about how he had been derailed yet again by the death of a family member, and Mark said to him “the only one stopping you from writing is you.”

Since then, Scott has gone back to writing in a big way, finishing more than a dozen short stories—some new, some that he had started years be- fore—and seeing his first sale. He’s embarking on a new trilogy, and also runs QSF, a support group for writers of gay sci fi, fantasy, and supernatu- ral fiction.

:: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook Page ::

 

About Freddy MacKay

Freddy grew up in the Midwest, playing sports and running around outside. And honestly, that much has not changed since Freddy was small and throwing worms at other kids, expect worm throwing has been replaced with a healthy geocaching addiction. Freddy enjoys traveling and holds the view a person should continually to learn about new things and people whenever possible.

Freddy’s contemporary LGBTQ book, Incubation: Finding Peace 2, won 3rd Place – Best Gay Erotic Fiction in the 2012 Rainbow Awards. In 2013, Freddy’s story, Internment, tied for 3rd Place – Best Gay Fantasy in the Rainbow Awards. Freddy’s steampunk/SF story, Feel Me, was a finalist and honorable mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards for SF. You can email Freddy at: freddy.m.mackay@gmail.com

:: Website :: Twitter ::

About Angel Martinez

While Angel Martinez is the erotic fiction pen name of a writer of several genres, she writes both kinds of gay romance – Science Fiction and Fantasy. Currently living part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware, (and full time inside the author’s head) Angel has one husband, one son, two cats, a changing variety of other furred and scaled companions, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate.

:: Website :: Facebook Page :: Goodreads :: Email ::

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TourSchedule

November 18  – The Purple Rose Tea House
November 19  – Drops of Ink
November 20  – The Land of Make Believe
November 23  – Cia’s Stories
  Prism Book Alliance
November 24  – Carly’s Book Reviews
November 25  – Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents
  Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings
November 27  – Loving Without Limits
November 30  – Divine Magazine
December 1  – Scattered Thoughts And Rogue Words
December 2  – Hearts on Fire Reviews
December 3  – Foxylutely Books
December 4  – Wicked Faeries Tales and Reviews
December 7  – Sue Brown
December 8  – Eyes on Books
December 9  – Jessie G Books
December 10  – Bayou Book Junkie
December 11  – BFD Book Blog
  Gay Media Reviews
December 12  – Love Bytes Reviews

 

Jump Into the Season of Holiday Romance with Annabelle Jacobs’ ‘Magic & Mistletoe’ (excerpt and giveaway)

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Magic & Mistletoe by Annabelle Jacobs
 Release Date: November 30, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Annabelle Jacobs
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

 

Blurb

Christmas is Harry’s favourite time of the year, but it looks like he’ll be spending it alone. When it comes to the men he fancies, his luck is non-existent. Harry’s nerves always get the better of him—especially when he tries to talk to Andrew, the hot guy downstairs.

Everything changes when Harry meets a mysterious girl in the woods who professes to be a witch. He dismisses her claims, but when odd things start happening to him, he has to reconsider.

Andrew was attracted to Harry from the start, but their awkward encounters put him off. All goes well until Harry opens his mouth—and ruins it with his stupidity and silly comments. When Harry suddenly becomes more relaxed and they have a proper conversation, Andrew realises his first impression was wrong. As the days count down to December 25, they get swept up in the Christmas spirit and their relationship moves faster than either expected.

A little winter magic might have been the push they needed, but Harry worries that when it wears off, he’ll no longer be the man Andrew wants.

 

Pages or Words: 40,000 words
 Categories: Contemporary, Humor, M/M Romance

Excerpt

Harry didn’t need to look behind him to have his suspicions confirmed. The smug expression on Jason’s face said it all. “I hate you,” he whispered.

Jason kicked his shin. “Sit up, smile, and look happy to see him.”

Two minutes later, Andrew was pulling up a chair and setting his drink on the table.

Harry looked at the red takeaway cup topped with a mountain of whipped cream, and grinned. Instead of blurting out the first thing that came to mind—“Are you really gonna drink that?”—because God only knew what would happen this time to make him stop, Harry paused and took a sip of his coffee.

Andrew darted a glance between Harry and Jason, beginning to look uncomfortable, as though he thought he’d interrupted them.

Harry took a deep breath, then gestured at Andrew’s cup. “Is that one of the Christmas specials?” That wasn’t so hard, was it?

He relaxed a little as Andrew smiled at him and settled back in his chair.

“Yeah, it’s the gingerbread latte. I don’t normally indulge, but it’s bloody freezing out there today, and I fancied something delicious and bad for me.” His gaze caught Harry’s and lingered.

A flare of warmth filled Harry’s chest. This was flirting, right? It wasn’t his imagination.

Then Jason opened his big mouth and ruined the moment, saying, “Yeah, I think Kyle has that effect on a lot of people.”

Harry choked on his mouthful of coffee, just managing to swallow it instead of spraying it over the table. He glared daggers at Jason, who feigned innocence.

Andrew glanced over at the counter, then back at Jason, and laughed, his eyes crinkling at the edges. Harry bit his lip in frustration. Why couldn’t he get Andrew to laugh like that?

“Yeah,” Andrew said, “He’s not bad to look at.” Then his gaze slid back to Harry and his smile softened. “Not my type, though.”

Buy the book    Amazon UK |  Amazon US

 

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Meet the Author

Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with her three rowdy children, and two cats.

An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

Where to find the author:


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Mikky’s World of Books, Louise Lyons, Book Lovers 4Ever, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Inked Rainbow Reads, Jessie G. Books, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Multitasking Mommas, Divine Magazine, MM Good Book Reviews, Ogitchida Book Blog, Charley Descoteaux, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Carly’s Book Reviews, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, V’s Reads, Bike Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Bonkers About Books, Open Skye Book Reviews, Happily Ever Chapter, Bayou Book Junkie, The Hat Party, Havan Fellows, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, EE Montgomery

 

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: Backlist book from Annabelle Jacobs + $10 Amazon gift card.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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Get a Little Heat with Your Holiday Cheer with Home for the Holidays Anthology! (Excerpts and giveaway)

AnthologyRDBBanner

Home for the Holidays

M/M Romance Anthology

SJ Himes

Jenna Kendrick

Heather C. Leigh

Liv Rancourt

Felice Stevens

51uXUV78-hL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_

Cover Design: LateNite Designs

Cover Photo: StockPhoto

Release Date: 11.29.15

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1lOHE4h

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1OvvQ0e

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1lOHPN5

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1OkPsWI

 

BLURB

Home can be a person as well as a place. Everyone deserves a home for the holidays, as the stories in this collection affirm.

Proceeds from Home for the Holidays are being donated to the Ali Forney Center in New York City to help homeless LGBTQ youth.

*The Eighth Night by Jenna Kendrick

BLURB

Going home for the holiday only to find his parents have made other plans, Kai Meyers is thrilled to reunite with an old friend. Disowned by his religious family, Ari Fisher is use to being treated like a boy toy rather than a boyfriend, and now he only has eight days to reveal his secrets to Kai.

TEASER

 Jenna2Final

EXCERPT

Kai pulled up to the valet and peeled his stiff fingers from the wheel. White-knuckling it through downtown Boston traffic did not foster the inner peace necessary to handle spending the holidays with his family. He’d spent the majority of the drive kicking himself for not taking the train from Albany, but then he wouldn’t have been able to put in a couple hours at the office before heading out.

He popped the trunk of his blue Fusion and pulled his duffel bag and laptop backpack from the passenger seat. By the time he walked to the back of the car, a bellhop had already pulled his small suitcase out of the trunk and was on his way into the building with it, leaving Kai no choice but to follow. Entering the private resident lobby, he was cleared by security and escorted to the elevators. He remembered how uncomfortable he’d been with all this pomp and ceremony when he was fifteen and his family had moved into the building. The fanciful idea of living in a hotel belonged in children’s books, not real life. He still felt awkward as an adult, as if he were acting out a scene in a movie.

He exited the elevator on the 30th floor and immediately spotted the bags in the hall outside his parents’ apartment. No. They wouldn’t…

“Malachai, you’re finally here.” His mother stepped into the hall, pulling on her gloves. “I just left you a note on the kitchen counter.” She looked down at the bags as if checking to see they were all accounted for, but Kai saw the lack of eye contact for the avoidance tactic it was.

“Going somewhere? I thought we were having a family Chanukah this year.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Kendrick writes male/male new adult and contemporary romance, her favorite genre to read. She lives in Upstate New York, where she spends the better part of the year trying to stay warm and dry. When she’s not writing, she reads, watches The Princess Bride and The Avengers far too often, spends time with her husband and friends, and drinks more coffee and tea than she’d care to admit. She shares her home office with her dog, Tally, and her cats, Loki and Tamiris.

Jenna spent most of her class time in high school writing bad poetry and short stories in which her teachers were the villains. She began writing in earnest in college, putting it aside for a few years to work as a teacher and product manager for several online services. In addition to writing fiction, Jenna also writes nonfiction technical books under another name.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/jennakendrickauthor

Twitter — https://twitter.com/jennakendauth

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/jennakendrickauthor/

Tumblr — http://jennakendrickauthor.tumblr.com

*24-Hour Hold by Heather C. Leigh

BLURB

Detectives Damon Porter and Anderson Malloy are now partners at Denver’s Major Case Unit. The problem is, they used to be boyfriends, and now they’re feeling anything but friendly towards each other.

TEASER

HeatherCLEigh 2

EXCERPT

“Shut the fuck up!” Captain Terrell roars. The room falls silent. “The holidays are around the corner and I want our citizens feeling safe enough to go out and enjoy themselves and safe in their own homes and businesses. That means closing these cases.

“Now,” Terrell walks over to the side of the room, motioning for someone to join him. From the back row, I can only see the top of a dark head of tousled hair as it weaves through the crowded room toward the front. “This detective has seven years of police experience, five of them with the Major Crimes Division in Miami. He’s originally from Denver and is going to be with us here at Robbery and Larceny temporarily to help us out as he’s being transferred to Homicide after these cases are solved, so you assholes better play nice.” Captain glares at us before nodding to the man and stepping aside.

I squint at the podium, tilting to peek around Gorski’s big fat head. Before I can get a good look at the new detective, he speaks. Seven years later, I still recognize that voice. The voice of the first man I ever loved.

“Good morning. I’m Detective Anderson Malloy, but everyone calls me Ace. I’d like to thank Captain Terrell and the rest of you for your hospitality while I’m here in Larceny. I’m a pretty easy going guy and I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.”

My mind races, scrambling for a way to sneak out of the room without being noticed. Fuck! Seven fucking years and it feels as if it was just yesterday that Anderson Malloy pressed me down on his bunk at the academy, his hot mouth traveling across my chest.

“I also want to say—”

Malloy’s gaze lands on me, causing him to stumble over his words. My mouth goes dry and blazing heat floods my face.

Anderson blinks, dazed, and rushes through the rest of his little speech. “I want to say… ummmm, I hope we can work together and clear up some of your case load. Thanks.”

“Alright assholes,” Captain says. “I’ll be reassigning cases so stay close to get your new files.”

Anderson tries to get to me, waving his fingers in my direction, but every detective in the room wants to introduce themselves, standing in his way with outstretched hands. Taking advantage of the distraction, I grab my mug of faux-coffee and dart out of the room before anyone can stop me.

Hurriedly, I weave my way through the desks in the bullpen, ducking back into the kitchenette like a coward. My heart is racing in my chest. I can feel sweat gathering under the collar of my very expensive designer shirt. Shit, I’m acting like a nervous virgin on prom night. Big fucking deal if Anderson is here. I dumped him, not the other way around. If anyone should feel uncomfortable, it should be Malloy.

Then why am I the one hiding?

“Porter, if you’re not going to have coffee, think you can move your not-so-sexy ass out of the way?”

My back bristles at the sound of Dave Richardson’s snarky jab at my sexuality. Hiding my anger, as usual, I step aside so he can fill his well-worn Denver Broncos mug with coffee-substitute.

Hope you choke on it, asshole.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather C. Leigh is the author of the Amazon bestselling Famous series. She likes to write about the ‘dark’ side of fame. The part that the public doesn’t get to see, how difficult it is to live in a fishbowl and how that affects relationships.

Heather was born and raised in New England and currently lives outside Atlanta, GA with her husband, 2 kids, and French Bulldog, Shelby.

She loves the Red Sox, the Patriots, and anything chocolate (but not white chocolate, everyone knows it’s not real chocolate so it doesn’t count) and has left explicit instructions in her will to have her ashes snuck into Fenway Park and sneakily sprinkled all over while her family enjoys beer, hot dogs, and a wicked good time.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Website: https://www.heatherleighauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherCLeighAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomHeather_Leigh

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherLeigh_8

Instagram: http://instagram.com/heatherleighauthor/

 

 

*Learning to Love by Felice Stevens

BLURB

Returning home for the holiday, caterer Gideon Marks tried hard to push away his high school crush. But Rabbi Jonah Fine wouldn’t let him run again, or keep the secret Gideon’s tried so desperately to hide.

TEASER

Learning to Love_FS

EXCERPT

“What do you want?” I blurted out. Yes I was rude, but he deserved it for waking me up.

He stood and met my glare with a troubled expression in those deep blue eyes. “To talk to you and find out why you’re so mad at me.”

“Didn’t you ever hear of the invention known as the telephone?” I couldn’t help it. After all these years, having Jonah in such close proximity to my body was affecting me in ways I didn’t want and couldn’t let happen. “I’m making coffee.” I turned my back on him and went into the kitchen.

“I’m not stupid. You’d either ignore my calls or hang up on me.”

He was there right behind me, his breath touching the back of my neck. I finished pouring the water into the well, congratulating myself that though my hands shook, I didn’t spill any. I set it to brew and sidestepped to the counter that doubled as my table, away from the heat of Jonah’s large body. He had a good four inches on me and although I never felt small, standing in front of Jonah I could easily imagine sinking into his broad chest, his arms wrapped around me.

Fuck.

“So you’re here now. Talk to me, but make it quick.”

Jonah seemed surprised. “Why, what’s the hurry?” He followed me and sat at one of the bar stools. “Besides.” He grinned and pointed to the bag on the edge of the counter I’d somehow missed seeing. “I brought cinnamon raisin bagels and that chocolate chip cream cheese you always liked so much.”

Stunned by Jonah’s recall, I stared at him. “How…what?” I couldn’t wrap my head around Jonah remembering such a minute detail about me.

His warm smile beamed. “I have an excellent memory for things. Like how you like hazelnut flavored coffee and your fries extra crispy. That you hate Sicilian pizza. How you like 80’s music and Britney Spears.”

“Well, yeah, duh. What gay man doesn’t?” I shrugged.

Smile lines radiated from the corner of his eyes. “I made a point of not losing track of you, Gideon. And I’ve been proud of your successes.”

The warm glow from Jonah’s response faded. “Why? Because you thought I couldn’t do it and you expected to see me fail?” Even though his actions belied my words, I couldn’t stop ranting. “Surprised you didn’t I? Dumb Gideon made something out of himself.” I fled to the opposite side of the apartment and stood by the windows, which overlooked the street below.

“Wrong.”

Once again Jonah stood behind me, but this time he took me by the shoulder and spun me around so we were face to face. I gazed up at him, shocked by the desire I saw in his eyes. I licked my lips and watched his stare drop to my mouth.

“Jonah?” I couldn’t get another word out.

He took my face between his hands and brushed his lips against mine, gentle as a feather, yet my body burned. His lips rested on the corner of my mouth, our cheeks touching. The entire world could have disappeared; nothing else mattered but the feel of Jonah’s hands on me.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.” The curve of his smile imprinted itself on my skin.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. While life is tough, she believes there is a happy ending for everyone. She started reading traditional historical romances as a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until she picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that her interest in romance novels was renewed.

But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.

Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Twitter:https://twitter.com/FeliceStevens1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/felicestevens/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8432880.Felice_Stevens

Instagram: https://instagram.com/FeliceStevens

Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/felicestevensauthor?ref=hl

 

*Saving Silas by SJ Himes

Paramedic Gael Dominic wasn’t expecting much from the holidays. Blood, death, and loneliness were constants. So when tragedy puts a wounded Silas in his path, Gael takes a chance on his alleyway angel and love.

TEASER

SJHime

EXCERPT

Beep….beep….beep….

Someone needs to turn off that notification alert…Silas thought, annoyed. He tried to turn his head and bury it under his pillow, but he couldn’t seem to muster the strength. He moaned, irritated, and tried to lift a hand to wipe at his face. There was something making his nose itch. A tug on his arm made him stop, and he gasped as pain radiated out from his shoulder and down his chest.

“Don’t move,” came a voice from nearby. Deep and rumbly. Smooth. Like coffee. Silas smiled, and settled back into his bed, wanting to hear more of that voice. The pain went away, and he floated in a gray place, light coming and going as he listened to the world around him. “That’s it, angel. Don’t try to move, just relax.”

The annoying beeping faded, and Silas focused on the sounds of someone moving next to him, and the warmth of a hand taking hold of his. Larger, callused, strong. Silas smiled, despite the itching around his upper lip and nose. He closed his fingers around the hand that held his, and rubbed his thumb over hot, smooth skin. He hated to be touched by strangers, but this man, this hand, was something else.

“Nurse, I think he’s waking up.” That voice again. “Hey, angel. Can you open your eyes? The doctor is coming, and some people need to talk to you. Can you wake up for me?”

“Keep…” Silas whispered, throat dry. He swallowed, and tried again with better success. “Keep talking to me.”

A chuckle, flowing like warm water over his body. Silas shivered, and held the hand tighter. It had been so long since he felt the affectionate touch of another. That kiss which started his nightmare didn’t count, it was nothing compared to how it felt to hold this man’s hand. “I can do that. Let me see those eyes, kiddo. Wake up for me.”

“Not a kid.” Silas pried one eye open a fraction, wanting to see the owner of the sexiest voice in the world. His eyes watered at the brightness, and he blinked, managing to open them both. Everything was blurry, and it was hard to think past the gray haze swirling around in his brain. He squinted, and his gaze narrowed to the figure standing next to him.

“Wow….” Silas breathed out, in awe. “You are so pretty.”

The man above him froze, bronzed skin going dusky rose from a blush that swept his high cheekbones. Dark eyes, dark hair shorn short, and tattoos peeking out over the top of a dark blue uniform shirt collar, the man above him could’ve been a one of those half-naked veteran models that was flooding Facebook. Just wearing too many clothes. He was gorgeous. And he looked very tired.

He should be scared. This man, this hot, sexy man, was exactly the type of guy he should be afraid of, he should be wary of…though his father was older, and not as broad across the chest and shoulders. This man oozed strength, without the malice his father wore like a mantle. This man gave him a soft, awed smile, a smile that made Silas’ skin shiver in reaction, his belly quiver.

“Umm, thanks. You’re not bad looking yourself, kid. Can you tell me your name?”

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’m a thirty something bisexual cisgendered woman with way too big an imagination, but that comes in handy when I’m writing. I have been writing since I was a child, when I took a four page assignment on what I was going to do on summer vacation and turned it into a 100 page fantasy epic all written by hand…in crayons. No joke.

I work a day job, but I can’t share for who, since the Old Man isn’t as liberated as the people who read my books. I’m married, I have furbabies, and I live with loved ones. I adore a certain show about a British consulting detective and his grumpy army doctor, and that spawned an addiction to Johnlock fanfiction, which then evolved into me writing it. Gawd, that’s embarrassing. Put this down in the TMI section of my Bio, okay? I enjoy martial arts, movies where things blow up, and I wish I lived in a Marvel movie.

I live in the beautiful and lonely Berkshire County in Massachusetts, and I see way more wildlife than I care to on a daily basis (bears!). My perfect day is reading surrounded by friends and family who don’t think it’s odd I want to hang out but not talk, and my favorite scent of all time is a cool fall evening with leaves burning….less a scent, and more of an experience.
My writing is focused on gay and lesbian people, who are more than interesting side characters that hang out with the heterosexual MCs. My wish for the future is that when people ask me what I do for a living, I can say, “I write gay romance,” and NOT get weird looks. Also write under pen name Revella Hawthorne.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Amazon/SJ Himes: http://amzn.to/210nIeU

Amazon/Revella Hawthorne: http://amzn.to/210nW5P

Blog as SJ Himes: http://www.wherethewolvesrun.blogspot.com/

Twitter : @WriterSJHimes

Facebook/SJ Himes: https://www.facebook.com/SJHimes/

Facebook/Revella Hawthorne: https://www.facebook.com/Revella-Hawthorne-742177039236198/

 

*Christmas in LaLa Land by Liv Rancourt

For a Danaan sidhe like Aron, touching a human has consequences, while Damian’s hiding some serious scars behind his smile. A holiday trip to LA forces them to choose between acting on their attraction or giving up on love because of the past.

TEASER

Liv Rav

EXCERPT

An evening spent siphoning off another soul’s fear of mortality is a fabulous way to mess up a good night’s sleep. Around nine in the morning, I sank into my favorite kitchen chair, nursing a fresh-brewed cup of coffee and wondering if a fan would work to blow away the stink of burned java from last night’s pot. Wednesday was delivery day, my regularly scheduled opportunity to flirt.

The small Formica table was older than me, and though the tube-metal chair wasn’t comfortable, the spot by the window gave me a view of the alley that ran behind our house. Our San Francisco neighborhood was made up of Victorian painted ladies, now occupied by the kind of people who drove Saabs, Volvos, and the occasional Prius. Late commuters slowly navigated the steep incline, while fog smudged the alley’s edges, narrowing their route.

My mug was half-empty when the boxy, green, AmazonFresh delivery truck pulled up behind the house. I held my breath. What if he’d taken the day off?

The truck’s engine stopped with a heavy cough.

My heartbeat hitched, skittered, and I washed down a tangle of nerves with some coffee. The Man of the Hour swung out of the driver’s seat, all dark, dark skin, glossy white smile, and a sweet fade with mini-dreads on top. Damian Jones.

The whole package made me shiver.

A moment later he knocked, and I popped up to open the back door.

“Gurl, you look like something the cat upchucked and left for dead,” Damian said.

The gleam in his dark eyes lit a match somewhere down south of my border. Awkward, because I’d dressed in little bootie shorts and had to sit down fast to avoid giving him an anatomy lesson. “Thanks, darling.”

Sitting didn’t disappoint me. I mean, it’s not like I was hoping he’d notice my ass. At all.

Lying.

He carried in two large, green plastic tubs loaded with enough stuff to make his biceps bulge. Setting them down by our antique refrigerator, he gave the kitchen a quick scan. “You know where she put the empties?”

“Maybe down in the basement?” A nice person would get up and look. A nice person who didn’t have a hard-on busting through his bootie shorts.

“All right, honey. I got another armload out in the truck, and then I’ll go get ’em.”

He called me honey!

Damian left, and the burned coffee stink overwhelmed me. He handled everything with such cool while I sat like fruit on a log.

I huffed, straightened, and planted my hands on my hips. Not this time. This time I’d take the initiative. Jumping out of the chair, I figured the steep cellar stairs would bring my dick crashing back to reality.

The empty Amazon containers were there, and on the way back to the kitchen, my initiative rolled over into inspiration. Or insanity.

In my excitement, I almost ran right into Damian. He came through the back door, carrying a couple soft-sided carriers by the straps.

“Hey,” I said, spitting out the word before common sense could crush my enthusiasm.

His tongue flirted with me, bright pink against his dark lips. “Wassup?”

“Ahh … do you have time for coffee?” Because why live forever if you hate being alive?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I write romance: m/f, m/m, and v/h, where the h is for human and the v is for vampire … or sometimes demon … I lean more towards funny than angst. When I’m not writing I take care of tiny premature babies or teenagers, depending on whether I’m at home or at work. My husband is a soul of patience, my dog’s cuteness is legendary, and we share the homestead with three ferrets. Who steal things. Because they’re brats.

For sneak peeks and previews and other assorted freebies, go HERE to sign up for my mailing list.

Come find me. We’ll have fun!

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Blog: www.liv-rancourt.blogspot.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/liv.rancourt

Twitter www.twitter.com/LivRancourt

MM anthology

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A Stella Review: THE WINTER SPIRIT by Indra Vaughn (a two review novel)

Rating 5 stars out of 5  ★★★★★

Nathaniel O’Donnelly likes his life quiet, his guests happy, and his ghosts well-behaved.

The Winter Spirit coverAlthough a boyfriend wouldn’t go amiss. Someone to share his beautiful B&B with, even if it is in the middle of nowhere and he’s long past the wrong side of thirty. Problem is, Nathaniel’s living with a ghost who thinks he’s cupid, and whose arrows fly a little too straight.

Gabriel Wickfield had the unfortunate luck of dying before his time, and now he’s stuck trying to make romance happen to earn his right to move along. Not that he’s bored in the meantime–Nathaniel is just too easy to tease. And also a little bit scrumptious…

With the curse reaching its expiration date, Gabriel needs to make this final match this Christmas. Without it, nothing but darkness awaits.


Love can conquer all, but can it beat death?

I already read some Christmas stories this year and so far The Winter Spirit is my favorite. It was unexpectedly beautiful and emotional. I simply loved it! It is the perfect Christmas novel for these cold days, light and cuddly.

Nathaniel owns a bed & breakfast left him by his uncle twelve years ago. He is living his quiet, happy and a bit lonely life in the middle of nowhere with a resident ghost called Gabe, dead one century ago, who appears in all the mirrors in his perfect three piece suit. A matchmaking ghost who likes to close Nathaniel and his friend/coworker Elise in the pantry and switch on “Love is in the Air” on the stereo. But it’s on time, he has hundred years to make someone, Nathaniel now, fall in love. And the curse is ending this Christmas. What if he falls in love with Nathaniel?

I don’t have words to say how much this book warmed my heart, it was magical and sweet. I loved the characters, each one except Owen, I laughed and I admit I cried a little at the ending part. The story went exactly where it was supposed to go, where I wanted it to go, it didn’t disappoint me a bit. It’s what I love to read, so perfect, well written and engaging I had to read it in a one standing because I couldn’t put it down. The novella’s idea was not just great, most of all was beautifully developed in a slow burn, friends to lovers story that left me satisfied through all of it.

This was my first book by Indra Vaughn and I need to check out her previous works soon. The Winter Spirit was a well done surprise! Highly recommended.

Cover art is as perfect as the story.

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

Book Details:

Published November 16th 2015 by Indra Ink
Kindle Edition, 93 pages
ASIN B0184I7U2U
Edition Language English

A Stella Review: What Happens at Christmas by Jay Northcote

Rating 4 stars out of 5

What Happens At Christmas coverWhen two friends pose as boyfriends, could what happens at Christmas turn into something more?

Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.

Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.

In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas… right?

What Happens at Christmas is a fabulous friends to lovers story by Jay Northcote. I know the blurb could almost seem too simple and maybe a cliché with the fake boyfriends theme, I admit I was a little worried but don’t let it fool you, the author did great.

Justin has just broken up with his coworker/boyfriend Andy and the office Christmas party is approaching, he doesn’t want to go alone and see the cheating Andy with his new flame. Luckly he has Sean to act as his boyfriend just for a night. Sean is Justin’s best friend since they were seven years old. Now after spending some time traveling, he’s back. Sean is exactly Justin’s type, dark, tall and handsome. They’ve both had a crush on each other since forever but the timing for them to be together always seemed to be wrong. They just need a little push to act on it. Could it be the fake boyfriends thing?  But when the pretending ends what is going to happen?

First of all I want to say that I liked the writing a lot, it was easy to read, engaging and most of all it made the story real. The plot is simple but Jay didn’t base all the story on the fake boyfriends part, because that ended at halfway. The author overcame what could have easily developed into the old cliché  with more than fifty pages focused on the birth of a possible relationship between Justin and Sean. She came up with a so good story, slow in the understanding of the evidence of something real between them, but it wasn’t a slow burn sex, in fact the chemistry and the deep feelings were really strong. I liked the characters a lot and I was happy with their HEA.

Shortly I think the author did a great Christmas story, no drama, no tears, no angst, just good feelings. Adorable. Most of all it was so believable. I enjoyed it a lot and it is already on my “to re-read” shelf. Highly recommended!

The cover art by Garrett Leigh is well done and the snowflakes in the background recall the title and the Christmas setting, I like it.

Sales Link:   Amazon only  | Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 113 pages
Published November 19th 2015 by Jaybird Press
original titleWhat Happens At Christmas
ASINB017W1NZ88
edition languageEnglish

Can Love Find Its Way Back? Find Out with Stranded by HelenKay Dimon -part of Love for the Holidays Charity Bundle (giveaway)

stranded_250

Stranded by HelenKay Dimon
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Artist: L. C. Chase

Release Date: November 23
This title is part of the Love for the Holidays: A Charity Bundle
Benefiting the GLBT National Help Center collection – See more here.

It can be purchase here at Riptide Publishing

About the Book

Cabe got out of the gun-for-hire business the hard way—by nearly dying. Except then his former boss calls in one last favor for one final job. The mission should be simple: get a message to a retired operative in Alaska. But it puts Cabe face-to-face with the one man he doesn’t want to see and can never forget. Not after all the secrets and lies. Not after Brax almost killed him.

Brax Hughes lived hard and retired young to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Well, that was the plan, but before he can hang up his sniper rifle, he has one last mission: win back Kyle Cabe. Brax wants another chance, wants to come clean, but after months of lying to Cabe, he knows he could face a bullet—or worse—when they meet again. And they will meet. Brax made sure of that.

With a storm moving in and someone lurking outside the cabin, time is running out. Brax needs to talk fast and keep his weapons ready. And his best weapon is the truth.

Stranded is one of Riptide’s 2015 charity titles.

Twenty percent of the proceeds from this title will be donated to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Help Center.

Founded in 1996, the GLBT National Help Center is a non-profit organization that provides vital peer-support, community connections and resource information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Utilizing a diverse group of GLBT volunteers, they operate two national hotlines, the GLBT National Hotline and the GLBT National Youth Talkline, as well as private, volunteer one-to-one online chat, that help both youth and adults with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems and a lot more.

To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website: http://www.glbthotline.org/

“http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/stranded”

About the Author

HelenKay Dimon is a former divorce attorney turned full-time romance author.  She has sold over thirty novels and novellas to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Kensington, Harlequin, Penguin, Carina Press and Riptide Publishing. Her nationally bestselling and award-winning books have been showcased in numerous venues and her books have twice been named “Red-Hot Reads” and excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine.

Website: “http://www.helenkaydimon.com/”

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Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Stranded, HelenKay is giving away a $25 Amazon or B&N gift certificate (winners choice)! Your first comment at each stop on  “http://riptidepublishing.com/events/tours/stranded-blog-tour-helenkay-dimon“this tour enters you in the drawing. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on November 28, 2015. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. Entries. Follow the tour for more opportunities to enter the giveaway! Don’t forget to leave your email or method of contact so Riptide can reach you if you win!  Must be 18 years or older to enter.