Category: M/M Paranormal Fiction

Kate Steele is Back! Join Her As She Talks Writing and her New Release ‘Amended Soul (Mated Heart and Soul #2)’ (author guest blog, excerpt and giveaway)

Amended Soul

Amended Soul (Mated Heart and Soul #2) by Kate Steele

Published by Loose id LLC
Cover Artist Valerie Tibbs

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is so lucky to have Kate Steele here to talk about her return to writing and her new novel, Amended Soul.  Welcome, Kate, we are so happy to see a new story from you again.

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Hello Everyone! My name is Kate Steele and I’m going to talk to you about writing. Boring, right? Maybe? Still, when I was offered the opportunity to write a short blog piece for Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words I told myself it would be a good thing to do. Trouble is, I’m sitting here trying to think of something interesting and different to say. It’s not the easiest thing I’ve ever done, but with that in mind, let’s begin with something completely open and honest.

I do my best writing in the bathroom. Seriously. I’ve had more ideas and character conversations come to mind in the bathroom than any other place. And no, smarty-pants, not while I’m sitting on the john. Mostly when I’m in the shower. You have no idea how many times I’ve ended up lost in thought, soap in one hand, washcloth in the other, while entire scenes are playing in my head.

What I need is for someone to invent a waterproof tablet with keyboard or some such that I can stick to the shower wall with some of those plastic suction cups. I might end up radically pruney, but I’d have a darn good story going by the time I got through my shower.

Okay, then. Did that loosen everyone up? I hope so because frankly I would like to talk a bit about my experiences while writing my latest book, Amended Soul. I’m going to be quite honest here and tell you this was one of the most difficult books for me to write and not for reasons you might expect. I started and finished this book in 2011 or thereabouts and it was accepted for publication with the usual condition that whatever changes and edits were deemed necessary would be done. As always, I was totally okay with that until my editor and I knocked heads. By this time I had been writing pretty much everyday nonstop for the past six or seven years. I was close to burnout level and the conflict flipped the switch. I walked away leaving Amended Soul behind me.

Four years later and after many times thinking that I felt like writing again, I finally took the bull by the horns and did it. I unearthed Amended Soul, reread it and did major rewrites keeping in mind some of the suggested changes made by my editor. When it was done I was actually much happier with the new version, though some of those editor-suggested changes still bugged me. With the book once again done, I submitted the new version for publication. It was accepted and I was assigned an editor. A different editor, one who felt those unwanted changes I had made were unnecessary, and who suggested they should be removed.

You’d think I would have been happy, right? Wrong. To be told the changes I had unwillingly made and compromised my vision for, were no longer desired was, to put it mildly, a slap in the face. I had invested hours agonizing over and rewriting large sections of the book. And for what? Nothing. No reason at all. I was so shocked and disheartened that I came very close to scrapping the whole project and retreating once again into non-writing limbo.

Thing is, I really wanted to do this book and maybe those years I was away from writing made me see how precious it was to me, this being able to tell a story, and so I persevered and Amended Soul saw its release in March of 2016. It took five years and basically Amended Soul went through three incarnations. The final result was different than I expected it to be. Better in some ways, but not, in my opinion, others, but that’s okay and I’ll tell you why. I learned a very important lesson.

Do not compromise your vision.

Editing is a wonderful thing and essential for a well turned out story. I have the utmost respect for editors, but in the long run the story you write is yours. If suggestions are made that you feel improve things, be honest and flexible enough to go with it. Your readers and ultimately I believe you, the writer, will be glad you did. But you also have to know when to stand fast and stick to your guns. It’s your story and to retain the joy you had in writing it, you have to be true to yourself.

Now that I’ve learned that lesson I’m ready to go on, and in fact have several new works in progress. Coming back to writing has made me happier than I can say, and I’m now keeping pen and paper in the bathroom to write down those ideas and character conversations that so easily come to mind when I’m soaking wet. However, it’s not easy to write on damp paper so please, if anyone ever hears of a waterproof laptop, contact me immediately!     

Amended Soul Blurb

Amended SoulJamie Hardin has had his fair share of ups and downs. He’s been widowed once and divorced once with extreme prejudice. Due to the machinations of his ex-wife, Jamie’s son Rio ran away at sixteen. Now, two years later, Jamie has the chance to reconnect with Rio. To do so, he moves himself and his five-year-old adopted son to a new town, in a new state to start over. The welcome he receives from Rio is everything Jamie had wanted, what he wasn’t prepared for was Jed Matranga. From the moment they meet, a simple handshake is all it takes to light a fire Jamie has no idea how to handle.

Jed Matranga, single werewolf, has just met his mate. In addition to being gentle, caring and clever, Jamie’s emotionally wounded. He’s also not gay. For Jed it will be the challenge of a lifetime to prove to Jamie that trusting his own judgment is the right thing to do, and where relationships are concerned, it’s feelings and not gender that matters.

Amended Soul Excerpt, Warning/Contains Explict Content

Crossing an open stretch of grass, Jamie headed toward a large oak tree he’d spotted earlier in the day. Chill settled against his toes, a product of dew-wet leather, though his skin remained dry. All around him was the sounds of crickets, frogs, and the occasional cry of some night bird in the distance. The fields bordering Mick and Rio’s property had been planted with corn, and Jamie was fascinated by the look of it. During the day, it resembled a living, seven-feet-tall green-and-brown fence—stalks of corn marching around the perimeter in precise, evenly spaced order. Now, enshrouded in darkness, those stalks resembled a rough, shadowy wall.

Reaching the tree, Jamie stopped and leaned against its sturdy trunk, drinking in the night’s ambiance. A slight breeze caused some of the drying corn leaves to dance and make suggestive rattles. The sound prompted thoughts of movies he’d seen in which cornfields had hosted everything from demon-worshipping children to aliens. A sudden shiver slid down Jamie’s spine, and apprehension stole the peace he had found.

Straightening his stance, he prepared to head back to the house. Before taking a single step, Jamie heard the sound of something making its way through the corn. “No way,” he whispered and froze.

A large canine shape stepped from between the concealing stalks, and at that moment, a bank of clouds obscured the sky.

Fear gripped Jamie. In the dark, he strained to see. A dog. It was a dog. Wasn’t it? Jangling nerves screamed at Jamie to run. He held his ground. To run was to be chased. Still, instinct tore at him. Run from danger. Run away. Run!

Jamie trembled with effort. Be still, intellect whispered. Silence reigned. Even the crickets had ceased to sing. Jamie’s breaths rang harsh. Enfolded in darkness, he waited, until the clouds unveiled the moon.

The silvery light revealed a wolf, large and wild. Its unwavering gaze rested on Jamie. In spite of his fear, Jamie was struck by a sense of wonder. The wolf was beautiful. In the moonlight, it became magical, unearthly, unreal. When the wolf moved, reality reasserted itself. Jamie drew a harsh breath. This was no vision.

The distance between them closed. Pausing, the wolf stared. Its muzzle lifted, its nose twitching. Forever passed in seconds until a wavering distortion in the space between them broke the spell of stillness. Blinking to clear his vision, Jamie stared into a darkening veil of nothingness. The wolf was engulfed. What emerged was a man. A naked man.

Jed.

“Jamie? I don’t believe it. What are you doing out here?”

Relief made Jamie light-headed. He sagged back against the welcome support of the oak tree. “Walk,” he said, finding his voice. “Couldn’t sleep. I was taking a walk.”

Jed approached and halted mere inches away. One of his hands landed on the trunk above Jamie’s shoulder, and the other cupped Jamie’s face. Shivers raced over Jamie’s skin as a surge of desire punched him swift and hard. Jed’s eyes glowed, lit from within by something free and untamed. In their gleam, Jamie could see the wolf, its presence mixed with that of the man. Rather than shrink from such an alien sight, he stared, fascinated.

“You all right? I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I’m fine. My feet wouldn’t move, but my heart tried to make a break for it.”

Jed chuckled. His hand traveled from Jamie’s cheek, over his jaw, and down his throat before coming to rest flat over Jamie’s heart. “It is pounding pretty hard. Jamie, I…”

“What?”

“Earlier today. I pushed.” Jed withdrew his hand from Jamie’s chest. “Probably a little too much.”

The warmth where he had touched Jamie began to dissipate. Losing it felt wrong, like something Jamie would regret. “No.” Jamie grabbed Jed’s hand, guiding it back, holding it in place.

“No?”

Staring at Jed, Jamie struggled to sort his jumbled thoughts and emotions. “I feel something for you.” His admission brought the truth powerfully home. This attraction, no matter how strange and confusing he found it to be, was something he didn’t want to deny. “Damn. This is so…difficult. The truth is, I’ve never been drawn to another man. I’m not exactly sure what the hell I’m doing or even if I should be doing it.”

“I see. Then let me ask you a question. Do you think being attracted to me is wrong?”

“Wrong?” Jamie shook his head. “No. Just different.”

“Maybe it just seems difficult because of your uncertainty. Many people feel that way when facing the unfamiliar.”

Jamie said nothing but took a moment to consider. “To be honest, I’d have to agree.”

“I’m not trying to push you into anything.” Jed’s hand twisted in Jamie’s grasp, his fingers twining with Jamie’s. “But it’s been my experience, once I face the unfamiliar thing—whatever it is—the fear or uncertainty I harbored before doing so, was far worse than warranted.”

“Same here.”

“So, if you don’t think I’ve been too pushy, where do we go from here?”

Jamie’s gaze dropped to Jed’s lips. The upper one was slim and sharply defined, the bottom one, fuller, tempting. “A kiss?”

“I’d like that.”

Jamie watched the corners of Jed’s lips curve upward in a smile. Jamie closed his eyes. He touched his lips to Jed’s. The kiss, though tentative, incited a swirl of pleasurable sensation in the pit of Jamie’s stomach. Their lips slanted, meshed, parted. Their breaths mingled. Exhilaration heightened Jamie’s arousal. He wanted more. A deeper intimacy. With the second kiss, his tongue sought and found Jed’s. The kiss morphed from hesitant to demanding.

Excitement set Jamie’s heart to racing while heat and pressure built in his groin. His cock firmed. Any doubts he had were muted by desire. One hand still clung to Jed’s. His free hand settled against the skin of Jed’s waist. The naked flesh under his fingertips made Jamie hesitate but want pushed him to continue. He slid his hand behind and down, then clutched the upper curve of Jed’s ass. Pulling him close, Jamie ground himself against Jed. Jamie’s cock was fully erect, his need urgent. When Jed pulled back, Jamie voiced a wordless protest.

“Wait,” Jed said. “Your jeans are rough. Can I…” Jed’s free hand went to waistband of Jamie’s jeans.

Tilting his head down, Jamie fastened his gaze on Jed’s cock. It was engorged, thick and ready. As when he’d first touched Jed’s naked skin, Jamie hesitated, waiting for his own reaction. Instead of being repelled by the sight, he was struck by a pulse of pleasurable sensation rippling through him. His own cock felt every bit as hard as Jed’s appeared to be and gave no indication of flagging. Returning his gaze to Jed, he nodded. Gender be damned. Jamie wanted.

“I need both hands,” Jed said. His voice was husky, his breaths short, audible.

He wants this as much as I do. The thought made Jamie’s heart beat faster.

Buy The Book:

About the Author

About Kate:

Kate’s love of books started from the moment she read those fateful words: run, Spot, run! It took her awhile to discover she didn’t just have to read and imagine, but that she could also write stories and so here she is writing romance and loving it. Like chocolate – her ultimate favorite food, with pizza running a close second – writing became addictive. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary or science fiction about werewolves, other worldly creatures or the average Joe, she can’t get enough.

As for the everyday details, Kate lives in a turn of the century house located in the midst of Indiana farm country, and is kept company by family, along with demanding dogs, contrary cats and a pair of occasionally sweet, and definitely noisy, lovebirds. When not writing, she reads, is an enthusiastic grower of iris, and a fanatic fan of Japanese manga and anime.

Author, Book Info and Buy Links:

Giveaway

Kate Steele is celebrating both her return to writing and the release of Amended Soul by providing us with a Giveaway of a$10 gift certificate from ARe.   Enter to win by leaving a comment for Kate here and using the Rafflecopter giveaway.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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A Paul B Review: Sealed With Honor (Signed, Sealed, Delivered #1) by Caitlin Ricci and A.J. Marcus

Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

Sealed with HonorWhat should be a happy time for Cam is actually one of dread.  A fennec fox shifter from Morocco, his mating has been arranged to another shifter from the state of Washington.  According to the rules and traditions of mating, Cam must give up everything from his old life to begin his new life with his mate.  The one thing he will miss the most is his childhood and best friend Leo.  Cam hopes that his new mate will at least give him the right to contact Leo occasionally to keep up with him, but he does not hold out much hope.

On the night before his mating, Jenner is out with his best friend Taruk.  While partying, they are interrupted by a young male with what appears to be more spunk than brains.  They resume their evening after the young man’s bodyguard escorts him from the bar.  Jenner meets the man the next day and finds out that he is his intended mate.  Things get strange when the young man asks why Taruk is touching Jenner, contrary to mating customs.  Jenner chalks it up to jealousy.  This would become the first of several misunderstandings that the two encounter on the first day of their mating.  Cam wonders if his mate’s cluelessness is a bad sign that his mating will be one without love.

This is a good first book in Caitlin Ricci and A.J. Marcus’s new Signed, Sealed, Delivered shifter series.  The main focus of this book is the contrasting cultures the different shifter clans have developed, whether from the continent they come from or the species of each shifter.

Cam has spent his entire life protected from anything that might harm him so his father could get a high dowry for him.  Jenner has lived a carefree existence, doing wild things with his friends.  I felt sorry for Cam and Leo as they feel that this is probably the end of their lifelong friendship.  The misunderstandings of mating between Cam and Jenner seem like it comes from a screwball comedy.  You just wait for the lightbulb to come on for one of them so that they can resolve their differences.  I could see Lucy and Ricky in the scene where Cam hands Jenner the printout that he must read in order for their friends to interact normally with them.    The story has me hooked for the next book in the series

The cover art by Latrisha Waters shows Cam in both his human form and his fennec fox form.  It is nicely done cover for the book.

Sales Links:  eXtasy Books | Amazon

Book Details

ebook, 80 pages
Published March 14th 2016 by eXtasy Books
ISBN139781487406509
Edition LanguageEnglish
URL
SeriesSigned, Sealed, Delivered

Sealed with Honor (Signed, Sealed, Delivered #1)

Short and Sweet This Sunday. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Short and Sweet This Sunday.  Its Spring, Its Eostre, Its Easter.

Happy Both To You All!

 

Its been a family sort of weekend here and with the sun shining and a gathering falling among us, there’s been little time to ponder thoughts of Eostre or Easter or other things I usually go on about on this date.

Instead its been filled with trying that Bon Appetite’s dill pickle brined fried chicken recipe to take with me (its divine), making  appetizers, joining with a neighbor as we purloined/rescued old azaleas bound for the trash heap, and then heading out for a long day of celebrating family and friends.

No time for thoughts of celebrating spring,  but perhaps just doing it.  Wine was drunk, fruit was involved, there was song, (iTunes or Amazon Music), a very mild, sexless of course bacchanalia of sorts.  We all said how happy we were that Spring was here and that the weather  was making us feel so much livelier, in tune with ourselves and the world around us.

Ok, so perhaps, the blog wrote itself.

But its still short, the weather, lovely inviting Spring weather makes it sweet. So now here is the upcoming week schedule.

☂☂☂☂☂☂☂☂☂

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, March 27:

  • Short and Sweet This Sunday. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, March 28:

  • Waking Jamal by Amberly Smith –  Release Day Guest Author Blog
  • Patchwork Paradise blog tour with Indra Vaughn
  • A F.D. Review: The Prince’s Consort by Antonia Aquilante
  • A Jeri Review: Close to You by Skylar M Cates (release day review)
  • A Stella Review:  A Patchwork Paradise by Indra Vaughn

Tuesday, March 29:

  • LM Somerton ‘Elemental Love’ book blast and giveaway
  • In the Book Spotlight: VL Locey ‘Full Strength’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A F.D. Review: The Last Thing He Needs by J.H. Knight
  • A Paul B Review: Sealed with Honor by Caitlin Ricci and A J Marcus

Wednesday, March 30:

  • Tour: Will & Patrick Meet the Mob (Wake Up Married #5)by Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths
  • A Mika Review: Will & Patrick Meet the Mob by Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths
  • A Stella Review: Happy by Chris Scully
  • A MelanieM Review: Fish and Ghosts by Rhys Ford

Thursday, March 31:

  • Nicky James ‘Something From Nothing’ Tour and Giveaway
  • In Our Book Spotlight: Sinful Pleasure by Emmanual Lang (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A  Paul B Review: The Leprechaun’s Gamble by A J Marcus
  • A F.D. Review: Devil at the Crossroads by Cornelia Grey
  • A F.D. Review: Circus of the Damned by Cornelia Grey

Friday, April 1:

  • AC Katt ‘The Sarran Senator’ (M/M/F menage) tour and giveaway
  • Beneath The Surface by M.A. Church tour and giveaway
  • Fragments of a Unicorn’s Soul by J.R. Loveless
  • Release Day for Happy by Chris Scully – guest blog
  • A MelanieM Review: Forgive and Forget By Charlie Cochet (release day)
  • A Stella Review: Neon White E4 by Wulf Francu Godgluck

Saturday, April 2:

  • Its Release Day for House Hunt by Author: Jackie Keswick – guest blog
  • A Lila Review: House Hunt by Jackie Keswick

 

 

 

 

A Lila Review: The Assassin’s Pet by Nana G

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

The Assassin's PetCamille Adnet is a new vampire trying to survive on his own. We first met him, alone and hungry, as he tries to will himself to kill. As a nobleman, he lived a life of comfort and not even when hunting for sport, he was unable to kill his prey. Things had not changed now that he’s a vampire.

As he traveled, he stops by an isolated cabin and gets the opportunity to get a kill. When he’s on the side of a sleeping woman, Damien let his presence be known, stopping Camille. From that moment on, the vampire is drawn to the Sulis assassin.

His luck didn’t get any better, as Camille follows bandits trying to scavenger his meals. He has lost a lot of weight, his eyes turned red, and his skin has a blue hue due to the lack of nourishment. Camille is becoming desperate and contemplating ideas on how to survive. Is then that he recognizes Damien’s scent and decides to offer his services, his loyalty, and his submission in exchange for regular meals and protection.

Becoming Damien’s pet isn’t what they expected. The bond between them cemented into a lovely relationship that brings Damien’s protectiveness and Camille’s loyalty to the forefront. Together, they start a journey that would bring them closer, sealing their faith and future into one.

The Assassin’s Pet is Nana G’s first novel. A delightful mixture of fantasy, paranormal, and erotic elements. The story is very well-written, and the characters will bring a smile to your face, even when they are killing to survive. The author has a way with words, wrapping the reader into the events and the developing relationship.

The beginning and the end felt a little rush, but the central aspects of the tale were interesting and enticing. We get to explore the MCs’ world with them, as we learned more about Damien’s job and way of living. And how Camille’s innocence and life struggles shaped their future. Damien more than an assassin is an angel of death and Camille his reason to live.

Their journey and the fantasy elements are up-to-par. We get to see vampires, mages, assassins, necromancers, priests, and other traditional tropes, but all with a particular twist, unique to the author. I’d love to see more stories set in this world, perhaps more from Camille and Damien, or new couples that existed in the same realm.

The story is label as a gay erotic fantasy with light BDSM, but in reality, these elements are minimal. Yes, the sex is explicit, the MCs are in a Master/Slave relationship, and there’s some spanking involved (not for punishment), but their journey is about so much more. It is a romance story with a philosophical view of life and death. Topped with a strong HFN and the possibility of new adventures to come. Definitely, a fantasy story worth reading.

The cover is very dark, but it shows a good depiction of Camille wearing Damien’s gift. Perhaps, hiding in the shadows.

Sale Links:  Amazon | Smashwords

Book Details:

ebook, 189 pages
Published: January 3, 2016, Self-Published
ISBN: 9781310868450

Edition Language: English

Love a Little Bit of Mystery with Your Shifters? Check out Tawny (Melusine’s Cats #2) by Chris Quinton (excerpt and giveaway)

Tawny 600x900

Tawny (Melusine’s Cats #2) by Chris Quinton
 Release Date: March 1, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Kouros Books
Cover Artist: Meredith Russell

Blurb

Melusine, a deity of rivers and seas, long ago lost the Battle of the Betrayal and is imprisoned in a nexus centred on the source of the Lynn River. She can only travel in the flowing water of her river, and cannot set foot on her banks. Her cats are not so bound. Neither pets nor familiars, they move freely between the realities, her agents among the humans who live along the Lynn.

When Melusine’s enemies come to the valley in search of revenge, she needs to rebuild the war band she has lost over the centuries. Her cats are the keys to this. Each one is a guardian, and formidable in its greater avatar. A guardian, along with two chosen warriors, form a triad. All three must come into the triad willingly, and as willingly give their oaths of loyalty to her. But Melusine is both prisoner and prison-keeper, and now must gather triads to guard that other dungeon at all costs.

Hal Rayner enjoys his job at Greenlynn’s Black Dog pub. He gets on well with the locals, and has been adopted by the usually standoffish pub cat. Then the dreams start, a red-headed stranger turns up, and before he knows it, Hal is caught up in other-worldly danger and weirdness. The cat, Tawny, is right in the middle of it, and Hal can’t understand how a common or garden mog can become something out of a prehistoric nightmare.

Gryffyth, the son of Nodens Silverhand, has been released from long imprisonment, and despite the unhealed wound given to him by Melusine in that distant battle, the years haven’t blunted his hunger for revenge. He is still loyal to Gronw, and when Morgan sends for him, he willingly gives his aid. Gryff is determined to find and free his imprisoned liege lord. Then he meets Hal and Tawny, and suddenly the rules have changed.

 

Pages or Words: 62,000 words
Can be read as a standalone

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, Give, Paranormal

 

Excerpt

Four men stood grouped around a fifth, and the contrast between them struck Hal as odd. The quartet looked to be city-types in their mid and late twenties, were well-dressed in Barbour jackets, smart jeans and leather shoes. The fifth man was a fair bit older, in his late forties maybe, dark-haired, and with a rugged, unshaven appearance that matched his serviceable but well-worn clothes and boots. His air of authority was palpable, and made the four seem like posturing schoolboys. A large black and tan dog that might be a cross between a German Shepherd and a shaggy bear lounged at his feet. The scene seemed off to Hal, and tension began to gather in his belly.

“Who is he, Betts?” he asked over his shoulder. “I haven’t seen him around here before.”

She joined him at the window. “No idea, sweetie. He’s a stranger to me. Is he ticking them off?”

“No, I’m pretty sure not.” Hal frowned. “It’s more like he’s telling them something. I’m going to see if I can hear what’s going on.” A few empties on some of the picnic tables gave him a valid reason to be outside, so he picked up a tray and walked casually into the beer garden. He collected the glasses and bottles from one table and edged nearer to the group.

“—and wait behind the hedges,” the dark man was saying. “Go now, they’ll be here soon.”

“Okay, and we can do what we like, right?” one of the four said with an eagerness that set Hal’s hackles up.

“You can,” the man drawled, and two hurried away, laughing and jostling each other.

“You said you’d make sure there won’t be any repercussions,” another said, “no matter what.”

“I did. But only if you are victorious. Fail and I won’t be able to protect you.”

“We won’t—” A rumbling growl from the dog cut over the words and Hal glanced down to see he was the focus of the animal’s gaze.

Hal didn’t hesitate. He approached their table, ostensibly relaxed, his expression easygoing and friendly.

“Sorry to interrupt, folks. Let me clear away your empties.” He reached in front of the dark man and began to gather up the bottles and glasses. “Can I bring you refills?”

“Fuck off, yokel!” a burly blond snarled and shoved him. Hal swayed easily with the push, and the man caught Blondie’s wrist and held him back.

“That’s enough, Harry. Thank you, no,” he continued, his smile for Hal genial and unthreatening. “We’re about to leave.”

“Have a good day,” he responded, stacked the last glasses on the tray and left. Before he reached the door of the inn, the three of them were on their way out onto the footpath, the dog at their heels.

“Thank God for that,” Betty said as he entered. “Did you hear anything?”

“I think they’re planning to ambush someone, and I don’t think it’s supposed to be a joke. If they’re already slagging off Jesse, perhaps—”

“Oh, damn! What do I do?” But she was already reaching for the mobile phone in her pocket. “I’m calling the cops. I’d sooner have Bob Henshaw tear me off a strip for wasting police time than leave our lads to get a beating from those little shites.”

“Good idea. I’m going back out there to see what they’re up to.”

“Take care.”

Hal gave her a swift smile and hurried out to the garden. He didn’t get far. Tawny stood in his path, back arched, fur on end and ears flattened.

No. The word punched into his brain with enough force to rock him back on his heels. Stay here. This is not yet a fight for you.

Not for a second did Hal doubt where that message came from. He gaped at the cat, but before he could rally himself, Betty rushed out of the doorway and grabbed his arm.

“Bob and Ayesha are on their way—he says stay out of it and leave it up to them.”

“As if.” He snorted and started for the door.

No! Another mental blast struck him, and Hal flinched. At the same time, raised voices came from down the path. Jeers and laughter reached him, then shouts of consternation, and Betty gasped in alarm.

“Oh, heck! I heard Will just then.”

Hal swore under his breath. Jesse and Will ran together most days, and showed up at the Black Dog on a regular basis. If the strangers were here to duff Jesse up, he and Will would need all the help they could get. This time, Hal didn’t get that silent rebuke, and when he looked down, Tawny had disappeared.

 
Buy the book: ARe | Amazon | Smashwords

 

Meet the author:

Chris started creating stories not long after she mastered joined-up writing, somewhat to the bemusement of her parents and her English teachers. But she received plenty of encouragement. Her dad gave her an already old Everest typewriter when she was ten, and it was probably the best gift she’d ever received – until the inventions of the home-computer and the worldwide web.

Chris’s reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, writing mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes the occasional male/female novel in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, or listens to audio books while quilting or knitting. Over the years she has been a stable lad [briefly] in a local racing stable and stud, a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, a civilian clerk at her local police station and a 15th century re-enactor.

She lives in a small and ancient city not far from Stonehenge in the south-west of the United Kingdom, and shares her usually chaotic home with her extended family, three dogs, a Frilled Dragon [lizard], sundry goldfish and tropicals.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Divine Magazine, The Hat Party, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words,

BFD Book Blog, Bayou Book Junkie, The Jena Wade, Kirsty Loves Books, Louise Lyons,

Happily Ever Chapter, A.M. Leibowitz, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Velvet Panic

Charley Descoteaux, MM Good Book Reviews, Havan Fellows, Molly Lolly, Nephy Hart,

Outrageous Heroes, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

Giveaway

Enter to Win.  Must be  18 years of age or older to enter.

 

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Old Labels, Tagging and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Old Labels, Tagging and The Need to Move Forward

 

Something one of our reviewers said  to me this week got me thinking about labels and tagging.  She said that there was a controversy stirring about a current release and the GFY label and bisexuality, blurring/confusion between them.  She wanted to give me a head’s up.  Now I had no idea (still don’t) because I wasn’t paying any attention but it brought to mind things that have been swimming around the brain for some time now…that there are some labels that need to be put to rest.

In the book review world there are certain three letter  or  three character abbreviations we use all the time to quick label  a book.  Among some of the most widely used are M/M, D/s, HEA, HFN, and of course, GFY.   Its the later that I’m going to be blogging about on Saturday.  I think we’ve grown past that label, and now its rolled into hurtful territory.   Why not use the term pansexual (among others) where proper?  And bisexual where the character clearly loves and desires both sexes?

Not getting into it today but look for a much longer and thoughtful post on Saturday.  Join in on the discussion and let me know how you feel about tagging and labels.  I’m really curious.  Haven’t be gone past these old perceptions?  Isn’t it time we laid them to rest?  We’ve enlarged the LGBT to include LGBTQIA, lets bring the book review world along with it.

Now we’ve got a stacked  week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words, lets get to it.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, March 13:

  • Old Labels, Tagging and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, March 14:

  • Chris T. Kat ‘Mending the Rift’ virtual tour and giveaway
  • ‘At Your Service’ by Ariel Tachna – Author Guest Blog/Release Day
  • Book Spotlight: Bound (Guards of Folsom, Book Five) by Author: SJD Peterson
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Bound (Guards of Folsom, Book Five) by Author: SJD Peterson
  • A MelanieM Review: At Your Service by Ariel Tachna
  • A Stella review: Mending the Rift by Chris T Kat

Tuesday, March 15:

  • Between Ghosts by Garrett Leigh – Riptide Publishing Contest
  • Its Release Day for the Riverdance Anthology (excerpts and giveaway)
  • In Our Contemporary Spotlight: Trial by Fire by BA Tortuga DSP tour and guest blog
  • A MelanieM Review: Trial by Fire by BA Tortuga
  • A Lila Review: Ghosts (The Power of Zero, #2) by Jackie Keswick

Wednesday, March 16:

  • Coffee Sip and Book Break with Lioness in Blue by Shira Glassman
  • A Ali Review: Eagle’s Nest by AJ Marcus
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Lay It down by Mary Calmes
  • A Jeri Review: Him (Him #1) by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
  • A Lila Review: Balls Up by Kate Aaron

Thursday, March   17:

  • Dianne Hartsock’s ‘Stuck on Rewind’ virtual tour and giveaway
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Being True by Jacob Z. Flores
  • A F.D. Review: Lima Oscar Victor Echo and The Truth About Everything by Suki Fleet
  • A Jeri Review: Us By Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
  • A Lila Review: Beyond the Sea by Keira Andrews

Friday, March 18:

  • Katey Hawthorne’s Blood and Clockwork Tour and Giveaway
  • Love Comes to Light Author: Andrew Grey’s Guest Blog
  • A Stella Review: Spencer Cohen by NR Walker
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Two Pet Dicks by John Inman
  • A Paul B Review: Love Comes to Light by Andrew Grey

Saturday, March 19:

  • Melanie M Thoughts On Labeling – Isn’t It Time to Put Away GFY?

Our Spotlight: The Necromancers Dance by SJ Himes ( excerpt and giveaway)

The Necromancer's Dance E-Book Cover

The Necromancer’s Dance (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1) by SJ Himes
 Release Date: February 25, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: SJ Himes
Cover Artist: Kellie Dennis of Book Cover By Design
Cover Photo by Dan Skinner

Blurb:

In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again drawn back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.

Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.

Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead?

Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.

 

Pages or Words: 212 pages

Categories: Dark Themes, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Excerpt:

He must have passed out, too damn tired from a long day at work, interrupted sleep, and a semi-major working that consumed a huge portion of his reserves. It took power to use power, and even though Angel fueled the spell with ambient magic, he still had to control and shape the working. It was a bitch, doing magic cold like that, and he would have been better off if he hadn’t gone into it stressed out and tired. Not to mention he couldn’t remember the last time he ate anything more substantial than tea and a muffin. Isaac moving out meant Angel forgot to eat more often than not.

Angel woke wrapped up in his favorite blanket, his bed warm and welcoming. Something was tickling his face, and he worked a hand free from under the blanket to swipe at his cheek. Feeling cool skin and soft lips, Angel opened his eyes.

He was in Simeon’s arms, laying half on his clothed chest, their faces so close together the vampire’s deep green eyes were all he could see.

Angel’s hand was caught up in Simeon’s, their fingers intertwining. Angel’s eyes drifted shut as Simeon closed the tiny distance between them, his soft and cool lips ghosting over Angel’s. He pulled in a deep breath of Simeon-flavored air, the vampire’s scent filling his mouth and nose.

The scent of fresh blood was in there too—Simeon must have fed before taking Angel home, the potent tang of hot metal impossible to miss. The sensation of Simeon’s lips barely touching Angel’s did unrepeatable things to his nervous system, setting him on fire with a cool flame.

His body jerked, just a little, freezing and alternately relaxing as Simeon’s lips settled over his in a full kiss, with a hint of tongue and the nip of sharp teeth.

Buy the book: Amazon

 

Meet the Author:

I’m a thirty something 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.

Where to find the author:

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Divine Magazine, Man2ManTastic, Decadent Delights, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words,

Bayou Book Junkie, Kirsty Loves Books, The Dark Arts, Mikky’s World of Books, Inked Rainbow Reads,

The Hat Party, Happily Ever Chapter, A.M. Leibowitz, MM Good Book Reviews, Unquietly Me,

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Full Moon Dreaming, Butterfly-O-Meter, Molly Lolly, Velvet Panic,

Book Lovers 4Ever, The Jena Wade, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews,

Outrageous Heroes

 

Giveaway

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

 

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