Down Under Showcase Author of the Day: Pelaam

Meet Pelaam!

Pelaam is a prolific author with over 30 titles, including a new holiday release from MLR Press “The Magic of Christmas.”

To get to know New Zealand author Pelaam a little better, she agreed to an interview. Look for the interview below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

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Living in clean, green New Zealand, Pelaam is a best-selling, multi-published author of gay romance and erotic books. When not busy writing she can be found indulging in her other passions of cookery and wine appreciation.

Pelaam’s book “Breath of the Feathered Serpent” is a finalist for the 2014 Rainbow Awards in Gay futuristic/sci-fi and has been given an Honourable Mention. “Bedazzled” and “Firebird” were a combined finalist for the Rainbow Awards in Gay futuristic/sci-fi 2013.

Can be reached through Lazy Beagle Entertainment
Goodreads Author Page (list of books)

Among Pelaam’s many stories and titles are the following:

Breath of the Feathered Serpent
Haunted by the Past
Captive
On Dragon’s Wings
Addiction (Dark Hollows Press)
Familiar or Not (MLR)
The Magic of Christmas (MLR)
Horse of Bells
Dragon’s Lair

Genre(s):

Sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal

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Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, Pelaam) is an eBook copy of “The Magic of Christmas”. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

The Magic of Christmas: Blurb:

On a friends’ getaway in a winter wonderland, Jared and Casey discover real Christmas magic.

Jared joins his four best friends on an early Christmas holiday in a beautiful winter wonderland. He’s been in love with the talented and extroverted Casey for years, but lacked the courage to say anything.

Casey loves Jared, but despite his gregarious exterior, inside lurks someone shy and insecure and so he’s never spoken up.

Both men are about to experience real Christmas magic.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2. Down Under Scavenger Hunt – find the Hunt word/phrase highlighted in green. Collect all the words/phrases from each author and submit the list in writing no later than midnight on February 1st. Make sure you include an email address where you can be reached. Prizes will be given to 5 people selected, from 1st place to 5th! Happy Hunting.

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Q Where do you draw inspiration from?

I can get inspired from a single image, a word or phrase, or a scenario. I like fantasy, myth, and legend and draw a lot of inspiration from there when searching for something to stimulate my Muse.

Q. Favorite genres to write in and why?

Sci-fi/paranormal/fantasy. These have always been my greatest loves. They give my imagination the greatest level of freedom when writing.

Q. Title or characters or plot? Which comes first?

I generally have an idea for a plot, then come the characters, and usually the title is last of all. However, there is one where the title came as part of the plot. That’s “Breath of the Feathered Serpent.”

Q. Do you have a specific writing style?

I’m very much a “pantser”. I can’t write starting at the beginning and working my way through to the end and I don’t storyboard. I write the scenes as they come into my mind. That sometimes means I have the end written before the beginning, and subplots can be completed before I have the main plot worked out. But it works for me and I go with the flow.

Q How do you think books written from authors in Australia or New Zealand differ in style, language, and culture?

We have our own way of looking at things, and our own way of saying things. I quite often find I have to rewrite something I know would be understood by a New Zealand or Australian reader, but I’m told wouldn’t be understood by an American reader.

Q. If you were a tour guide, what would you like a visitor to see and what impression would you want them to take away with them when they leave?

I’d like them to see the magnificent scenery, some of the beautiful beaches, and the vibrant cities. I’d like them to leave with the knowledge that there’s something for everyone when they visit New Zealand.
Q What are your current projects?

I worked my way through NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) again this year and reached my 50k target. Now I need to fill in some of the scenes and polish the draft before seeing if “Furture Imperfect” will also be published. My last NaNo effort was “Breath of the Feathered Serpent” which not only got published, but was a finalist in the 2014 Rainbow Awards for sci-fi/futuristic.
Q. Favorite quote (doesn’t matter the source)?

“We have a responsibility to stand watch over one another, we are watchers, all of us, watchers, guarding against the darkness. You’ve taught me that we’re all needed, even those who sometimes think we’re worthless, plain, and dull.”

(Dean Koontz, “Watchers”)

Down Under Author: Beany Sparks

Meet Beany Sparks!

Beany Sparks is the author of recent releases in her Paws and Magic series, Aiden’s Shepherd and Ryan’s Wizard.

To get to know Beany a little better, the author agreed to an interview. Look for the interview below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

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Beany Sparks lives in Western Australia. She first started reading romance novels in 2008, but it wasn’t until January 2010 when her Kindle got delivered (which she had brought herself on Christmas Day 2009) that the world of erotic romance opened its doors to her, and she hasn’t looked back.

Since English was never her strong subject at school she never expected to write a story, let alone try to get it published. With suggestions and support from friends, her muse—“affectionately” known as PITA—was finally able to break free, and in January 2014 her first story was written. Since she can’t put PITA back in his box—she’s tried!—Beany has decided to give in and team up with him.

Together they’ve made plans to write both MF and MM stories. Why? Because love isn’t gender specific, love is love.

Website: http://www.beanysparks.com
Blog: http://www.beanysparks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beany.sparks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeanySparks
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8416226.Beany_Sparks

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Available at eXastyBooks:
Aiden’s Shepherd (Paws and Magic #1): Blurb and Book Details:

A man who never knew magic and shifters existed gets a crash course when he saves an injured dog.
Aiden Grey is packed and ready to move and start a new phase of his life away from the family that kicked him out when he was eighteen. The night before he leaves he sees something fall out of the back of a van. Upon closer inspection, he is shocked to find that it’s not the bag he suspected, it’s a dog!

He decides to take the dog with him, and the two set off the next morning to Aiden’s new home. Everything is going well for Aiden and the German Shepherd he named Lex. That is, until said German Shepherd shifts into a man who claims Aiden is his mate.

Lex can’t believe he’s finally found his mate. But as happy as he is to have him, he still worries about his brother and pack, and where they have ended up.

With the revelation that shifters exist, secrets about Aiden’s past come to light. Secrets he didn’t even know existed. Suddenly, Aiden has to deal with not only the reality of shifters, but also ghosts and magic. But with Lex by his side he can handle anything—even his surprise guest. (less)
ebook, 111 pages
Published October 1st 2014 by eXtasy Books
ISBN139781487400705
edition languageEnglish
http://www.extasybooks.com/Aiden-‘-s-Shepherd/
seriesPaws and Magic #1

Ryan’s Wizard(Paws and Magic #2): Blurb and Book Details:

After years of no contact, Oliver “Olly” Grey was finally able to reunite with his cousin Aiden. He’s surprised to find that Aiden now has a mate—a male, shifter mate—named Lex. And it’s Lex’s pack mates that Olly is there to help save. What he hadn’t expected was Lex’s brother Ryan.

Ryan Shepherd was happy to have found his brother Lex, and even happier to know that his brother was happily mated. But there is something about Aiden’s cousin Olly that Ryan doesn’t trust, especially when he also smells like the man currently holding his pack members captive. Yet that doesn’t stop Ryan from wanting to hold and comfort the man, and eventually he realizes why—Olly is his mate.

Now the four of them need to plan a rescue mission, but what happens when they run into the two men that had held Lex captive and those same men come to the cabin in the middle of the night?

ebook, 119 pages
Published November 1st 2014 by extasy Books
ISBN139781487401061
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.extasybooks.com/Ryan-‘-s-Wizard/
seriesPaws and Magic #2

Christmas, snow and…a merman? Coming in December 2014 from eXasy Books.

Return of the Cats (het romance)

Genre(s):
Erotic Romance
Gay Romance
Paranormal
Shifters

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Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, Beany Sparks) is an eBook copy the reader’s choice of Aiden’s Shepherd or Ryan’s Wizard. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

2. Down Under Scavenger Hunt – find the Hunt “word or phrase” in bold green . Collect all the words from each author and submit the list in writing no later than midnight on February 1st. Make sure you include an email address where you can be reached. Prizes will be given to 5 people selected, from 1st place to 5th! Happy Hunting.

• When did you start writing?

I only started in January 2014.

• Were you a reader as a child?

Definitely! Every parent-teacher conference my mum went to, she would complain to my English teacher that I read too much. They kept telling her that it wasn’t a bad thing.

• What books as a child has the most impact on you?

I love Harry Potter and the Night World series (by L.J. Smith)

• Did that impression carry over into adulthood when you started writing?

I think so because they were about magic and shifters and that’s what I love to read and write.

• Where do you draw inspiration from?

I let my mind wander a lot, occasionally a good idea pops up.

• Favorite genres to write in and why?

Paranormal because it allows me to do whatever I want.

• Title or characters or plot? Which comes first?

Characters. I’m lucky if I get the plot at all! Usually I don’t know what’s going to happen until I’m writing it.

• Favorite book/story you have read as an adult

Too many to choose from!

• What’s the hardest part of writing your books?

My muse PITA who changes the story on me or just shuts up for ages so that I get no writing done.

• If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your first book?

No. It was a good learning curve.

• If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor or has the biggest influence on you?

I would say Bailey (Bradford) or Talia (Carmichael). They encouraged me from day one and without them, I wouldn’t have gotten the courage to give writing a go. At least not any time soon.

• My first impression of AUS/NZ was from stories and novels like Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds or Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice as well as from movies like The Man from Snowy River, The Dish, Rabbit Proof Fence, Strictly Ballroom, and yes, Crocodile Dundee!

There are so many out there.

• What are your current projects?

I’m writing Book 2 in the Merman Tales series and Book 3 in the Paws and Magic series.

• What’s next up for you?

Merman Tales Book 2 is coming out 1st February.

Down Under Author Showcase – N.J. Nielsen

Meet N.J. Nielsen

N J. Nielsen is the author of many series and novels (listed below).

To get to know N.J. Nielsen a little better, she agreed to an interview. Look for her guest post below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt question and clue found somewhere within.

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NJ needs to write like she needs to breathe. It’s an addiction that she never intends to find a cure for. When you don’t find NJ arguing with Vlad, her muse or writing about the wonderful men in her stories, you’ll find her reading work by other authors she greatly admires. NJ lives in the SE of Qld, Australia with her family who all encourage her writing career even if she does occasionally call them by her character’s names. NJ thinks that anyone taking the time to read her stuff is totally awesome.

Contact/Follow N.J. Nielsen at:

Website: http://normanielsen.blogspot.com/
Blog: http://normanielsen.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NJ-Nielsen/793520884042153
Twitter: NJNielsen1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/njnielsen
Linkin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/n-j-nielsen/34/1a9/9ba
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/108478475874292907770/posts

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Author’s Books, Series, and Stories:Available at MLRPress

EXPERIMENTALS
2013—Blessed With A Curse (fey/demon/human)
2015—Running Into Zero Tolerance (fey/demon/human)
(This Book is waiting to hear about contract)

LANCASTER’S WAY
2011—When Souls Collide (cowboy set in USA/Father’s Day)
2014—A Different Way Of Seeing (cowboy set in USA)

SONS OF EVENMORE
2013—The Crimson Grimoire (paranormal)
2014—Blood To Blood (paranormal)

THE LINES OF MARSDEN
2011—Rules Are Meant To Be Broken (paranormal)
2014—Living In Shadows (paranormal)
2015—You Make Me Die In Pieces (paranormal)
(This book is waiting to hear about contract)

TOOWOOMBA BOYS
2010—Angels On Top (contemporary)
2011—Hunting For Clay (contemporary)
2014—Dancing With Demons (contemporary)

SINGLES
2012—Christmastime At Papa Lee’s (contemporary/holiday)
2013—Bush Bashin’ (contemporary/Australia Day)
2015—Storming Love: Flash Flood—Adrian & Lockie (contemporary) Coming in April

Available at Totally Bound Publishing
THE CONNELLY CHRONICLES
2014—Family Connections (contemporary)

Available at Fireborn Publishing
MOON RUNNERS
2014—Heart-mate, Mine! (paranormal)

THE DIAMOND ROSE
Gateway To Kalethia (paranormal)
(This book is subbed and waiting to hear about contract)
Available at GOODREADS
FREE READS
2010—Shadows on the Heart (paranormal)
2013—By The Way (contemporary)
2014—Trying Not To Love You (contemporary)

Genre(s):
I added the info above

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Gay And Lesbian

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Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you,N.J. Nielsen) is an eBook copy of any of her stories from her backlist. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2. Down Under Scavenger Hunt – find Question or “Word”. Collect all the words/clues from each author and submit the list in writing no later than midnight on February 1st. Make sure you include an email address where you can be reached. Prizes will be given to 5 people selected, from 1st place to 5th! Happy Hunting.

N.J. Nielsen’s Scavenger Hunt Question: Q: What is the name of my muse who keeps track of everything inside of my head?Find the answer somewhere on this post!

******************************************Now on to our Interview with N.J. Nielsen….

Q• When did you start writing?

I started writing when I was 12 years old so a very long time ago. Though my first attempt at getting published was back in 2010 when I wrote my free story for GoodReads—don’t read in the closet. My contribution was Shadows On The Heart. Then not long after Angels on Top, and then The Lines of Marsden 1: Rules are Meant to be Broken

Q• Were you a reader as a child?

Yes—my favourite book was called Beautiful Girl by Elisabeth Ogilvie. In fact I still have it.

Q• What books as a child has the most impact on you?

Paul Zindel’s: The Pigman.

Q• Did that impression carry over into adulthood when you started writing?

It always made me want to try my hand at writing YA—I totally suck at it and it frustrates me to no end.

Q• Where do you draw inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from song lyrics… people I see in the street… family—they are always a good source for borrowing antics from.

Q• Favorite genres to write in and why?

Paranormal—because I can make stuff up… I know everyone has a thought as to what a species should be like, but I like throwing people for a loop or having a species so out of character…plus less reference checking and research.

Q• Title or characters or plot?

Which comes first? Title—I’m not a plotter and I hate writing blurbs & synopsis.

Q• Do you have a favorite character that you have written?

Doyle Kerwin from The Lines of Marsden… I don’t know why I like him so much—all I know is that I changed my whole story to make him on of the main characters in books 2-6 in that series.

Q• Favorite quote (doesn’t matter the source).

I can only please one person a day… Today is not your day & tomorrow isn’t looking good either.

Q• Favorite book/story you have read as an adult.

David Eddings his two series that revolve around the character Sparhawk (1) The Elenium, (2) The Tamuli.

Q• Do you have a certain regimen that you follow as a writer?

None I sit down and write whatever falls out of my head that day—sometimes I even surprise myself.

Q• What inspired you to write your first book?

Bored out of my brains and an overprotective mother who hated me going far from home (my dad had just died). My first planned published works TLOM my daughter was in hospital more than not (she has ITP) we were again bored and she got me to write her a vampire story. So Michael Marsden was born… in case you’re wondering Gypsy Marsden is totally based on my daughter.

Q• Do you have a specific writing style?

I usually work on three or more books at the same time so I don’t get bored and just write whichever one I feel like on any particular day.

Q• What’s the hardest part of writing your books?

Writing the synopsis for subbing – I suck at them.

Q• If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your first book?

Good God yes, I would so make Doyle the main guy right from the get go… I just didn’t realise how good he was until I started writing book two.

Q• If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor or has the biggest influence on you?

Carol Lynne—I asked her to read the first version of TLOM and she did and was great in talking publishers with me… she might not know it, but it’s true… If I could aspire to write like someone other than Carol it would be David Eddings.

Q• What book are you reading now?

At the moment I’m reading the entire works of Lynn Hagen.

Q• How do you think books written from authors in Australia or New Zealand differ in style, language, and culture?

To be honest I think we are more laid back as a people and our writing reflects that… sometimes I have to explain to my editors why I need to keep a certain phrase or word (especially if it’s slang).

Q• My first impression of AUS/NZ was from stories and novels like Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds or Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice as well as from movies like The Man from Snowy River, The Dish, Rabbit Proof Fence, Strictly Ballroom, and yes, Crocodile Dundee! There are so many out there. What is your favorite AUS/NZ stories and favorite Australian/New Zealand movies?

A Town Like Alice. I remember watching that over and over when it came out. And another favourite is Pricilla Queen of The Desert.

Q• If you were a tour guide, what would you like a visitor to see and what impression would you want them to take away with them when they leave?

I personally would tell them to go to Port Arthur I’ve only been once but loved it. Actually Tassie (Tasmania) as a whole was a pretty awesome place to tour. So many beautiful sights and interesting places like The Penguin Markets… Gunns Plains Caves…The Nut.

Q• What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

Melbourne… I don’t know why I like it… it could be the shopping.

Q• What are your current projects?

I’m finishing off the 3rd book in TLOM: You Make Me Die In Pieces.

Q• What’s next up for you?

The Connelly Chronicles 2: Beautiful Goodbyes… also Sons of Evenmore 3: Fear The Scarlet Moon… Moon Runners 2: I Won’t Let You Go… Lancatser’s Way 3: Pre-Loved.

Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Vixen’s Valor by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4 stars out of 5:

Sexy, and shall we say slutty, Vixen, one of Santa’s trusted Rein Dear squad has been jealous of his team leader, Rudy, for years. Though Rudy is his friend, Vixen’s now even more envious of Rudy since Rudy captivated the heart of Prince Jack Frost (The Heart of Frost). Always wanting to be the center of attention, Vixen uses his body to entice as many members of the Toy Soldier Army into his bed as possible.

His dreams of one day becoming a prince are unrealistic, but he can’t help himself, and even when presented with an opportunity to date Lieutenant Vale Frost, cousin to the prince, he treats the date casually. Until he starts to notice that he’s interested in more than Vale’s body, and Vale is interested in more of him than a quick and easy tumble in the snow.

Then, just as their relationship begins to mean more to each of them, Vixen betrays Vale’s trust and winning it back nearly costs him his life. Will he succeed? What will happen with his friendship with Rudy? And what awaits Vixen and Vale in the future? You’ll have to pick this up to find out.

This is such a fun series! Charlie Cochet has put together a sweet holiday saga laced with visions of sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, Santa’s elves, and the highly esteemed Rein Dear squad. Her subtle sense of North Pole humor is woven throughout each of the books in the series, and this one is no exception. Don’t hesitate to pick it up.

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Cover Art by Paul Richmond depicts a sexy Vixen trying to entice a more straight-laced and official-looking Lieutenant Vale Frost into playing some Rein Dear games. Great cover for this story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) amazon buy it here

Book Details:

ebook, 81 pages
Published December 3rd 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632165183
edition languageEnglish

Series: North Pole City Tales:

Mending Noel (North Pole City Tales #1)
The Heart of Frost (North Pole City Tales #2)
Vixen’s Valor (North Pole City Tales #3)

Happy New Year! Down Under Author Showcase Begins Today!

Happy New Year, everyone! Today kicks off Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Down Under Author Showcase, an entire month of authors, their books and stories from Australia and New Zealand. Each day brings a new featured author, an interview or guest blog, information on the writers and their books, as well as a personal giveaway from each person.

In addition, we have more fabulous contests to go along all month long. There is a Down Under Scavenger Hunt where you visit each author’s page each day to search out a Hunt word or phrase in bold green, gather them up all month long and then submit them to me on January 31st! We will be awarding seven prizes to Down Under Scavenger Hunt participants. These include a $75 Amazon gift card, four gift packages of items from Australia and New Zealand (two from each country courtesy of the Embassy of Australia and the Embassy of New Zealand here in DC), the Under the Southern Cross Anthology from Dreamspinner Press-6 individual novellas in all, the book How To Speak Kangaroo, and more.

Then Bottom Drawer Publications will provide a $20 gift voucher to spend in our shop and a copy of each of the e-books from our participating authors:

Mythica – L. J. LaBarthe
Cutting Out – Meredith Shayne
Second Chances Anthology – contains 2 stories contributed by Lisa Harris (Heart of Glass) and Bette Browne (Dirty Martini)

Vacationeers to NZ and AUS! This contest is for you! We would love to have the people who have vacationed/visited our Down Under countries to share their memories and photos, their favorite places to visit or eat or whatever they wish to share. A special prize will be saved for one winner picked from all the participants who guest blog with us all month long. Just send in your memories or places to share, short or long or anything in between anytime between now and January 31st. Send them to melaniem54@msn.com and watch for your post to appear throughout the month.

Over 37 prizes to be awarded this month! Don’t miss out on a day of Down Under Author Showcase.

Today’s Down Under Author is Christian Baines. I loved his book The Beast Without!

Also we will be posting interesting facts, places to visit and more “stuff to know” about each country every day! If visiting Australia and New Zealand weren’t already on your bucket list, then these amazing authors, and their books and stories will have you pining for airlines tickets!

Australia Fun Fact of the Day:

How Big is Australia?
Australia is the word’s smallest continent and the world’s sixth largest country. Australia covers an area of 7,686,900 square kilometres. That’s slightly smaller than the United States mainland which is 7,827,848 square kilometres (does not include Hawaii and Alaska).

New Zealand Fun Fact of the Day:

A kiwi is not a fruit – it is New Zealand’s native flightless bird and a slang term for a New Zealander. Kiwis call the fruit “kiwifruit” – they are also known as Chinese Gooseberries.

Acknowledgements

My thanks goes out to the Embassies of Australia and New Zealand for their contributions of the gift packages. My thanks also to Bottom Drawer Publications and Dreamspinner Press for their contest and donations. And my appreciation of all the participating authors who gave of their time and books to this event! Happy New Year All!

A MelanieM Review: One Holiday Ever After Anthology by Tere Michaels , Elle Brownlee , Elizah J. Davis

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

The holidays are times of reflection, celebration, and coming home to those you love and who love you back. It’s a time to reconnect with who you are and who you hope to be. And sometimes, if you are lucky, this is also a season of miracles, of love found and a home discovered. From New York City, to the winter isolation of the Maine woods, to the quaint, small town charm of Idaho, the men in these stories have different holiday desires. They’re looking for familiarity or fresh starts, but they have one thing in common—their happily ever afters might be waiting in the last places they think to look.

This season I have three top anthologies, all holiday collections. One Holiday Ever After is among them, primarily because of the excellence in stories and heart from Tere Michaels, Elle Brownlee and Elizah J. Davis. Before One Holiday Ever After, I was really familiar with only Tere Michaels, but after the wonderful stories from Elle Brownlee and Elizah J. Davis, I have searching out to find more stories by these authors. Did I have favorites among the three stories? Certainly but only by the smallest of margins. Here is the story synopsis and my shortened reviews:

Holiday Roommates by Tere Michaels

As an out of work actor Nate Brandywine needs an emergency roommate for the month of December. During a humiliating gig as a Christmas elf at a NYC department store, he meets Sean Callahan, his producer and a man struggling under the weight of a past-due loan. Sean’s desperate for a place to stay in the city for a few weeks. A month of sharing a workplace and an apartment with someone you can’t stop flirting with? Maybe the holidays won’t be so terrible after all.

I love Tere Michaels and this short story just highlights why. The characters of Nate and Sean are so believable and vulnerable that the reader will take them into their heart. The secondary characters are as wonderful as the primary ones and the story’s plot is a realistic one that will pull you in immediately. A great way to start a must have anthology.

Holiday Sanctuary by Elle Brownlee

Chris Declan is trekking through the wintry wonderland of rural Maine, searching for inspiration and himself, when he’s lost in a hug snow storm. The surprise blizzard that finds him seeking refuge in Paul Bak’s secluded cabin. Paul Bak’s secluded cabin is a prime spot to research and watch birds, a perfect place for an isolated Ornithology researcher. As the snow cuts them off from all around them, making the best of being snowed in together soon becomes a comfortable friendship with fireside chats, a quaint holiday celebration, and more. But despite their growing closeness, there’s one thing they avoid—what will happen when the snow clears and the holidays end.

Elle Brownlee had me at the name of Paul’s cat, Myn. It’s short for…well, I will let Paul explain it:

“It’s for Moamyn.” Paul steered the conversation away from, well, wherever else it might have gone. But he couldn’t stop wondering after that last comment. “A long time ago in a land far away, the aforenamed and possibly apocryphal Arabian who wrote a definitive treatise on falconry.”

Be still my heart. An ornithologist’s love story, complete with references to the subtle glory of the grasshopper sparrow. I adored everything about this story, from the slow exploration of Paul’s comfy cabin, full of hidden objects full of clues to Paul’s character and passion for his profession to the wry humor and intellect that is Chris. It’s slow, wonderful, and makes an impact on the reader that they won’t be fully aware of until the end.

Holiday Homecoming by Elizah J. Davis

Gavin Anderson never thought making it as a writer in LA would be easy, but when his latest project falls through, he gives up on Hollywood and heads to Bonabri, Idaho in hopes that the peace and quiet of his childhood home will help him figure out his next move. Instead he finds Eric Nichols, his parents’ cute and charming housesitter who is there to experience the small town Christmas festivities. Gavin’s plans for quiet reflection are no match for Eric’s holiday cheer, and he soon finds himself swept up in the spirit of the season. Gavin thought his life had hit a dead end, but in coming home he finds what might be a new beginning.

Here is a story full of the 3 H’s – hope, holiday, and heartwarming. I finished this story and just kept on smiling as I remembered scenes and dialog from Elizah J. Davis’ Holiday Homecoming. Adorableness, thy name is Eric Nichols, a man in search of love and home who finds it unexpectedly when he housesits for his best friend’s neighbors in the quaint small town of Bonabri, Idaho. The town of Bonabri may not actually exist outside these pages but how I wish it did! It comes to life in all its Chrismassy, nosy glory and I loved it. I feel the same way about the disillusioned Gavin returning home after failing in Los Angeles and his slow “return” to the human being he always was underneath. Much like the other two stories, I wish the author had made this a full length book. Not because this feels incomplete in any way, it doesn’t. But because I hated to say goodbye to the characters and town once they had hold of me. It’s a fantastic story and a great way to finish out this must have holiday anthology.

I would read this One Holiday Ever After at any time of the year. Still in the holiday season and spirit? Perfection. Missing the holidays because it is (fill in the blank season)? This anthology will pull you in and make you remember why you love the holidays so. It’s one of the top story collections of the year and one you won’t want to miss. I am so glad I didn’t and you will be too. A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best of 2014 books!

Cover Artist: Angsty G. Love the cover, it works perfectly for the collection and spirit of the stories found within.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press ebook & Paperback All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy it Here

Book Details:

book, 280 pages
Published December 19th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1632165783 (ISBN13: 9781632165787)
edition languageEnglish
urlhttps://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5849

A Mika Review: Him for The Holidays by Jaxx Steele

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Don meets Trevor when he goes home for the holidays. Could a long distance romance be his holiday wish come true?  Donald Bradley is home for the holidays. While running an errand for his mother, he meets Trevor Oxford, who is everything Don could ask for in a man. However, Don does not intend to have any type of relationship with him. Trevor lives and works in the small town and Don lives two hundred miles away in the city. Trevor is confident and aggressive in his pursuit of Don, who is confused by Trevor’s attentiveness. Don wants to run away from Trevor and run to him at the same time. Could a long distance romance be just what Don needs to start the New Year? Will Don accept what Trevor has to offer, giving him what he really wants this holiday season?

This was a first for me by the author. It was cute while not all the way smart. By smart I mean taking unnecessary precautions during sexual intercourse. I’m a big safe sex person during my reads unless they’re discussed between the two characters. Obviously here wasn’t. I don’t know if I liked Donald or not, I feel like I didn’t get enough of back history for him to make any kind of judgment about his personality. I knew next to nothing of Trevor as well. Apart of me feels like I started reading this in the middle, there wasn’t a beginning for any buildup to happen between the two guys. It went from one meeting, to instant gratification. Some people might appreciate that, but I just wasn’t feeling it.

I wanted to know more of Trevor, he was this guy who came back to town to help run his uncle’s store, and he was also an R.N. Like I said previously I didn’t connect with either character. I wouldn’t recommend this based as it felt incomplete. It ended… that’s it. No grand gestures, no empty promises. I don’t even know if Donald knows Trevor last name.

Cover Art by Posh Gosh. Since we never discussed the guys ages, I’m guessing these two could be seen as Donald & Trevor. They both seem kind of older than the two in the book, though and it really doesn’t invite me in.

Sales Links: Totally Bound Others to come: All Romance (ARe) amazon buy it here

Book Details:

eBook, 42 pages.
December 2014 by Totally Bound
ISBN:
Edition Language: English

A Mika Review: Green the Whole Year ‘Round by Rowan McAllister

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Couples counselor Ted Freeman is still reeling six months after his partner left him. He desperately hopes a week of peace and quiet at a quaint mountain cabin will be just what he needs to regain his personal and professional confidence.  Neil Kelly is a computer programmer who just got promoted to full time and is celebrating over Christmas by going on his first real grown-up vacation at the Cabins in the Pines Inn. When he runs into Ted, his longtime crush, Neil can’t believe his luck, and he vows to do whatever it takes to make Ted see him as something other than the dork next door.  Neil wasn’t part of Ted’s plan for the holidays, but he might turn out to be exactly what Ted needs.

Half a star extra for Neil’s accurate portrayal on the cover! I thought this was a cute holiday read. I really enjoyed Neil, he was super adorable and a sweetheart. I liked how he was always choose to be high spirited even when he felt down. I didn’t like Ted in the beginning, his character seemed stand offish, and very pompous. I definitely think he needed a wake up call earlier than what he got. I like that he came around and decided to live a little. Neil was amazingly optimistic, and I think that’s why Ted was able to open up some. Recommended for readers that enjoy cute little holiday novellas, and amazingly gingered twinks!

The cover artist Christy Caughie created this cover, and it was accurate for where the guys were. Neil was spot on with that garishly orange cold. I definitely liked him; he was super adorable in the book

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook All Romance (ARe) amazon buy it here

Book Details:

SBN-13 978-1-63216-592-3
Pages 77
Cover Artist Christy Caughie
Categories :Novellas Contemporary Holiday Rowan McAllister
Book Type eBook
File Formats Available
mobiepubpdfzip/html

MelanieM’s Best Books of 2014

Winnowing down my list of Best Books is always a near impossible project. To me it always feels like trying to leave a book shop during a particularly wonderful sale. My arms are full to overflowing with books, with ones toppling off the pile here and there as I totter over to the sales counter. My impulse is to go back and get more because all are books I loved and need to have near me. Sigh. And this year makes it particularly hard. So many great books came out this year, terrific short stories,, fabulous endings to series I love…..so this is as close as I got…check it all out below:

Best Series:

Elemental Connections – Pulp Friction 2014 Group-authors Laura Harner, Havan Fellows, T.A. Webb, and Lee Brazil
Endangered Fae Series by Angel Martinez
Mahu series by Neil S. Plakcy
Princes of the Blood series by Megan Derr
Red Dirt Heart series by N. R. Walker
The Granby Knitting Series by Amy Lane:
Blackbird Knitting in a Bunny’s Lair by Amy Lane

Best Holiday/Whatever Time of the Year Anthologies:

Chestnuts Roasting Anthology by Mischief Corner Books (Angel Martinez, Silvia Violet, Freddy McKay, Toni Griffin)
Comfort and Joy Anthology by Josh Lanyon, L.B. Gregg, Harper Fox, Joanna Chambers

Best Contemporary Fiction:

Best Science Fiction:

Best Fantasy:

Best Supernatural/Paranormal:

A Mika Review: Hummingbird House by Kenzie Cade

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

To honor his grandmother’s final request, Trenton Appleton drops everything to visit the family’s ancestral home: Hummingbird House, where he experienced his first kiss and first heartbreak with Callum Eason.   Eight years ago, confused by his attraction to Trent, Callum reacted badly. But with help he never expected, Callum found himself and learned to accept who he was.  Now Trent is back at Hummingbird House, and Callum has his opportunity to salvage their friendship, at least. But Trent is less receptive than he was all those years ago. Still, Callum is determined to show Trent he has changed and keep his promise to Trent’s grandmother. When past mistakes repeat themselves, Callum must break the cycle before his last chance with Trent passes him by.

This short work was a lovely, sweet read, and I was able to finish it in an afternoon. I really enjoyed it. It was romantic, charming, and heartwarming. I didn’t want it to end. Indeed, I wish it was a full length novel. Trent was amazingly strong once he set his mind to it. I really enjoyed Callum as well; he was determined to fight for what he wanted.

Both gents have a big past of each other’s lives. They have made their mark, and it was only a matter of time before they were reintroduced back in each other’s lives. Trent was dealing with his emotions and grief from the death of grandmother. I wish we could have seen actual moments in time with her; she was really warm and loving for him. Trent’s own mother was no where to be found, and while she decided she didn’t want to be a parent; his grandmother did with open arms. We start the book by her writing letters because she has the feeling that her time is ending. I loved what she had to say, and all her sneaky ways of getting letters to Trent at different times.

Upon her death, she made sure he went back to the United Kingdom to the family’s Hummingbird House Estate which has always been in the family. It was hard for Trent returning to a place where his first heartbreak ended, but he would have done anything to please that woman. The family theme is heavenly in this book. Callum’s family welcomed Trent back with open arms and warm hearts. I found myself cheesing through certain moments in the book. I love how Callum decided that he wasn’t going to just walk away because Trent told him. Callum was very patient, and I thought he was cute for interacting with the grandmother and no one knew new about it.

I would definitely recommend this sweet read to people who want to see your one true loves returned to each other. I wish we could have gotten this in full length, who knows maybe one day down the road Kenzie might produce a full length sequel. 

Cover Art by Catt Ford. I actually liked this cover a lot. I loved the snowy background, because it was Christmastime in the novel. I think both of these guys descriptions are spot on with Trent & Callum.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook All Romance (ARe) amazon buy it here
Book Details:

eBook, 51 pages.
December 1st, 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781632167439
Part of Dreamspinner Press Celebrate – 2014 Advent Calendar

Edition Language: English

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MelanieM’s Best Books of 2014

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