Call For Reviewers and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Help! Reviewers Wanted!

We’re heading towards the end of July and its become apparent that Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words needs to enlarge its family of reviewers. We have more books and offers of books to review than we can handle to our satisfaction. Soooooo….if you love to read and write, if you love to read and want/already write reviews of your own, how about joining our family of reviewers?

We are a low pressure, fun group of various ages, races, and genders who love to read, talk, think about books of LGBTQIA fiction and non-fiction. Contribute frequently or infrequently according to your personal schedule. We’re flexible. We supply the books, you supply the reviews (using our format and rating system). Sound like something you might want to be a part of? Contact me at melaniem54@msn.com and let’s talk.

Oh, and if you know of any LGBTQIA YA age readers who might want to read and review for us? Check out yesterday’s Call for YA Reviewers! I look forward to hearing from you.

Finally a big hi to everyone finishing up at Rainbow Con this weekend. I wish I could have been there! *Waves* As well as a shout out to J. Scott Coatsworth and the group at QueerSciFi.com! If you love LGBT scifi, fantasy or paranormal books and stories, this is a group you will love. What a time they all must have had at Rainbow Con, I’m so jealous!

~ Melanie , Chief Reviewer, Cook, Keeper of all Things Sesquipedalian, and editor! [note: that word will appear in a review next week. Find it and let me know where!]

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, July 19:

Call For Reviewers and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, July 20:

F/F Book Spotlight: Graveyard Sparrow by Kayla Bache (excerpt and giveaway)- Best cover contender
Get The Recipe for Love with Serena Yates “The Baker” tour and contest
In the Book Spotlight: Catherine L. Byrne’s “The Minder” (excerpt and giveaway)
Between the Lines by J. Scott Coatsworth release and excerpt
A MelanieM Review: The Baker by Serena Yates

Tuesday, July 21:

Cardeno C’s Strange Bedfellows Release Day Tour and Contest
In the Book Spotlight: “Resurrecting Elliot” by Cate Ashwood (excerpt and giveaway)
Have a Hankering for Cowboys? Check out JL Hamlin’s “The Dusty Hat Bar” (excerpt and giveaway)
A Stella Review: Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C
A MelanieM Review: Must Love Dogs by K. Lynn

Wednesday, July 22:

Check out Sue Brown’s The Layered Mask Tour and Contest
First Release: Uncommon Valor by Rachel Ravenheart (new author) (excerpt and giveaway)
In the Book Spotlight: Pat Henshaw ‘Redesigning Max’ book blast and contest
A Mika Review: Wild Pitch (Homeruns #1) by Sloan Johnson
A MelanieM Review: Blind Ride by BA Tortuga

Thursday, July 23:

“Release” by Ingela Bohm Guest Blog and Contest
Tin Man by Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau Release tour and contest
A Sammy Review: Tin Man by Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau
In the Book Spotlight: Charlotte Ash: ‘The Sidhe’ Tour and Contest
A Stella Review: Silver Scars by Posy Roberts
A MelanieM Review: Blue on Black by Carole Cummings

Friday, July 24:

Book Blast: Tempting Jordan by Andrea Dalling – excerpt and giveaway
Double Your Reading Fun with Iyana Jenna’s ‘Catfish Love Water’ and ‘His Enemy’s Son’ (excerpts/contest)
Soul Shares saga continues! Blowing Smoke by Rory Ni Coileain (excerpt and giveaway)
A MelanieM Review: Blowing Smoke (Soul Shares #5) by Rory Ni Coileain
A Mika Review: In the Middle of Somewhere (In the Middle of Somewhere #1) by Roan Parrish

YA Saturday, July 25:

An Aurora YA Review: Noble Falling (The Halvarian Ruin Books #1) by Sara Gaines

A Paul B Review: More Than Patient (A Loving Nip Book 4) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Garner met his beloved at a holiday party months ago. Even the taste of bagged blood is not enough for the vampire. What will convince his beloved that they are meant to be together?

Brock Sanchez has a problem. Several months ago, he was at a holiday party that was hosted by a friend. The plan was to bed the two sexy female vampires he had been chatting with most of the evening. Instead he became fascinated with a male vampire by the name of Garner. Their night of lovemaking was the hottest that he had ever had. Since then, no matter how often he tries to get himself laid, nothing can come close to Garner. The only relief he can find is through pleasuring himself and thinking of the sexy male vampire as he does it. He cannot be gay. After all, his mother expects grandbabies from him and his wife.

Garner Vorzman has a problem. He has met his one and only beloved some months ago at a holiday party. Since he had met his beloved, blood directly from donors that live at the coven no longer appeals to him. He survives on bagged blood. However, even that is beginning to leave a sour taste in his month. He must convince his beloved that he belongs at his side. But first he must convince Brock that maybe he is not as straight as he thinks he is. He decides to use Brock’s reluctance against him. He decides to have Brock allow him to drink his blood on a regular basis or he will tell everybody what the two of them after the holiday party. If Brock still decides he does not want a relationship, he will leave him alone.

While I enjoyed the story for the most part, I tend to disagree with Garner’s solution to Brock’s reluctance. This is his beloved that he is trying to woo. What better way to start a lifetime commitment than to essentially blackmail your lover into doing what you need. Other characters in the author’s books have found creative ways to entice a reluctant mate/beloved in the past. Luckily, with the help of Brock’s friends explaining the need of a beloved to a vampire that Garner’s plan does not backfire. There had to have been a way to convince Brock to see with without the threat of outing, especially for beings who value their secrecy. So I deduct a half a star on that basis.

The cover art by Carmen Waters depicts a well build young man standing shirtless in either a study or library of a house. This is what I would picture Brock would look like and is well done. Ms Waters does the covers for different series for Ms Richards and has developed a unique style for each one.

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

Book details
Ebook,: 89 pages
Edition: English
Published: June 15, 2015 by Extasy Books
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0416-1
Series: A Loving Nip
A Nip of Good Cheer (A Loving Nip #1)
A Rose for Paul’s Protector (A Loving Nip #2)
An Unforgettable Bite (A Loving Nip #3)
More than Patient (A Loving Nip #4)

A BJ Review: Ghost in the Mythe (Guardians of the Pattern #3) by Jaye McKenna

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 ★★★★★

As a child, Miko Asada was the only survivor of a jump drive accident on a space transport, and the event altered him forever. Beautiful and unable to speak Miko is a bit of an enigma even to those who know him best. Cameron, the man who rescued him from a life of being shared him as a sexual slave, doesn’t even understand or quite believe him when he speaks (voice synth) of dragons and the Mythe. Alone and misunderstood, Miko is losing his desire to remain a part of the human world… until he meets someone who understands and knows all about the dragons and touches the mythe.

Tarrin Rhivana was an Ajhani Guardian, one charged to protect his clan and its artifacts, but was exiled when he used the mythe to kill a thief and save his closest friend, Vaya. Even his mother, a Dragon Speaker, cannot save him from his fate after breaking one of the clan’s strictest laws. When Tarrin attempts to leave his world aboard a ship belonging to the Sky People, he doesn’t realize that in order to get through jump space, he needs to be drugged. But a beautiful ghost comes to his rescue and Tarrin wakes to find himself on Aurora at the Institute for Psionic Research. And there he learns that the beautiful ghost who saved him is very real.

Tarrin learns that one of the Sky People has bonded to one of the ancient artifacts the Guardians are sworn to protect. Now it’s Tarrin’s duty to return to his clan and convince them of the danger the Sky People represent… even if that means he might be killed for violating his exile before he can deliver the warning.

This is book three (okay, four if you count the short Facing the Mirror) of the series and it’s my personal favorite so far. I’d give this book TEN stars if I could, but since I only have five to give, I wish I could make them all shiny and bright and drape them with tinsel.

First, I’ll touch on the characters because they are the heart of this story. You know how in a series, if you have a favorite character, then you wait with baited breath each novel to learn more about that character and then finally… finally there comes a point where it’s their time to shine and grow and find love. This was that book (well, for Miko… still waiting on my other fav, Draven). We met both of these guys in book 0.5. I was patient, and it does not disappoint. I cannot tell you how much I adored the resolution of Miko’s inner struggles (well, his main one I guess, as he does continue on to have important work in the series).

Miko is a bit of an enigma in the first stories, but that’s because they are from other’s POV and no one truly understand Miko. Which meant the we, the readers, were intrigued but didn’t totally either. In this book, we finally get to be inside Miko’s head. And omgosh was it ever worth the wait. Miko is stunning and every bit as broken as he’s been painted through the eyes of the other characters but he’s also strong and such a pivotal characters to the whole series. Love Miko.

As I was reading all the other books, I’m thinking, who in heck is ever going be able to get through to Miko? I needn’t have feared. Enter Tarrin. The man is a saint… okay, he’s not really. He has his flaws, but he’s just perfect for Miko. I loved them together, love the slow burn of their romance, and their tender, sweet sex scenes. And what brought them together initially? Finally someone could understand and relate to him rather than thinking he was a mysterious, broken, powerful psion who was also a nut job. Which he so is not. The way the author handled Miko and Tarrin’s love story was perfect, and given Miko’s background there was just no other way I could have seen it going. They were beautiful together.

Parts of this book had me in tears, because Miko’s journey toward the end, which I will not give away in spoilers on as you must read it for yourself… its that perfect. It’s about accepting all the parts of ourselves, and I absolutely freaking loved that. So yeah, it had me in tears, I admit it. And I am not a crier.

The plot of this series as a whole is fascinating and so complex. I, personally, think that this series is really best read in order as each builds on the other with a central plot woven throughout. None of them end in cliffhangers. Although we are sometimes left with a little tease after the main conflict is resolved, as in this book. And I eat that shit up.

I feel like I know all of these guys and in nearly each story I meet someone new and fascinating and find myself hoping that we will hear more about him. (In this story, that would be both Tarrin and Vaya… oh, I do love me a lost boys). But I am absolutely chomping at the bit for Draven and have to wait until book six. Huge groan.

Miko first appears in book 0.5 right at the beginning of the series and his journey so far is beautiful. I am so glad it’s not totally over; he does continue to appear in the series as he has a big role.

And the cover by Cinchbug… okay… this is me standing up and cheering because I love that image of Miko so much. Beautiful, alluring but innocent and you can even sort of see the sadness there. Love the colors and the fractals representing the mythe behind him. It’s damn close to perfect.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 331 pages
Published June 6th 2015 by Mythe Weaver Press (first published June 2015)
edition languageEnglish
seriesGuardians of the Pattern

Guardians of the Pattern series
4 authors, 4 primary works

Guardians of the Pattern is a science fiction series in which the line between science and magic blurs. In the galaxy-spanning Federation, psions are still fighting for basic human rights. Some worlds adopt a live-and-let-live policy, but on others, psions are hunted down and murdered because the public fears their psychic talents. When ancient weapons of mass destruction are unearthed on a planet populated by primitive nomads who still believe in magic, psions may be the Federation’s only hope for survival.

Can the people of these two very different cultures come together to prevent disaster? Or will the Federation’s hunger for power trigger a psionic chain-reaction that has the potential to threaten all of humanity?

Guardians of the Pattern Series:

Facing the Mirror (Guardians of the Pattern 0.5)
Psi Hunter (Guardians of the Pattern, #1)
Gremlin’s Last Run (Guardians of the Pattern #2.0)
Ghost in the Mythe (Guardians of the Pattern, #3.0)

Guardians of the Pattern Series in the order they were written and should be read.

A Paul B Review: Xavier (Gillham Pack #1) by Catherine Lievens

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Xavier’s life has gone to hell. He has broken up with his boyfriend. A stalker after his ex has attacked him. Now people change into animals. It’s enough to make one pass out.

Xavier has ended his relationship with Andrew, who is dating someone new. However, a stalker who has taken an obsession with Andy does not know this and attacks Xavier. When friends of Andrew find a job for Xavier in the nearby town of GIllham, Xavier’s world is about to turn upside down. Xavier finds out that not only are Andrew’s friends shape shifters but also the men that he will be working for in Gillham.

Andy is a member of the Gillham pack of wolf shifters. When his alpha and best friend Kameron asks Andy to watch over a man sent by the local cat pride for his protection, Andy reluctantly agrees. When he meets Xavier, he recognizes the man as his mate. Making moves to confirm his suspicions, Andy scares Xavier worse than the stalker that is after his ex Andrew. Making matters worse for Andy is that Xavier wants to talk to his ex for some sort of explanation.

Once mates are explained to Xavier, he goes into a depression since he figures the only reason Andy would want an overweight accountant is because Fate had put them together. Andy assures him that despite the mat e pull that he could walk away if he wanted to do so.

Andy agrees to give Xavier time to settle into the world of the paranormal and mates.

As things begin to settle down for Andy and Xavier, outside forces start to put a strain on their building relationship. Some members of Andy’s family are not happy about him taking a human male as a mate. Also, news about some former pack members who were sold by the former alpha to scientists is brought to the pack’s attention. When Andy returns from the rescue mission, his and Xavier’s lives will be changed.

This is the first book in a new series by Catherine Lievens. The author has incorporated characters from her Whitedell pride series to help kick off this new series. While it would be helpful to have read the Whitedell series to understand some of the overall plotting between the two series, it is not essential. She has set up the scene for future books especially that of Kameron, the wolf pack alpha and Zach. I believe that Zach’s refusal to mate with Kam has something to do with the scientists or associates of the former alpha. I look forward to seeing how this series progresses, especially with Zach.

The cover art by Latrisha Waters shows a build man who I assume is Andy and his wolf. It is a good cover except that the man doesn’t quite match the description of Andy. It is noted that Andy is tattooed and pierced and those could be seen from his work clothes. The man on the cover has neither that I can see. It is a small quibble on my part.

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

Book details
Ebook, 121 pages
Edition: English
Published: June 15, 2015 by Extasy Books
ISBN: 978- 1-4874-0301-0
Series: Gillham Pack
Xavier (Gillham Pack #1)

A Stella Review: When Will I Be Loved (Crescent Bay Chronicles #2) by Julie Lynn Hayes

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Fairy tales can come true…

Miller Fenwick wants the kind of happy ending his best friend got, with the hunky werewolf of his dreams. Trouble is, there doesn’t seem to be a Prince Charming on the horizon, and casual encounters don’t cut it anymore. Now that Alexx and Raoul are engaged, Miller is becoming resigned to being the bridesmaid, never the bride. But a chance encounter with a sexy stranger at Charisma has his hopes soaring, and his heart is wide open to possibilities.

Holt Wynne is the head of Helios, the largest vampire organization in the country. He’s a very influential and wealthy man, with a deep-seated hatred of werewolves. His running into Miller at Charisma isn’t entirely accidental. He’d meant to wait, but his emotions got the better of him, and he couldn’t stay away. And now see what he’s done…

Wait until Miller finds out he’s sort of just gotten married to the sexy vampire who hates the people who are Miller’s best friends. Sparks are gonna fly—and not just in the bedroom. One thing for sure—life in Crescent Bay is never dull!

When Will I Be Loved is the second book in the Crescent Bay Chronicles series by Julie Lynn Hayes. I liked the first one so much, so as soon as I saw this one was out , I got my hands and eyes on it. Here we meet Miller, Alexx’s best friend (When Will I See You Again), tired of meaningless nightstands and of being alone. He’s looking for someone serious in his life but the perfect guy he’s spent one night with, has vanished the morning after. Miller works as a receptionist at the Crescent Bay Chronicles, the newspaper just bought by Holt Wynne, the head of Helios, the largest vampire clan in the country.
Holt saw his mate, or eternal love as vampires say, at the Lupercalia Ball, and soon started changing his life, moving to Crescent Bay and buying the newspaper Miller works at.

“I saw you and I knew,” Holt whispered in a husky voice.
“Knew what?”
“That you were mine,” Holt said simply.[…]
“What does that even mean?” He gave Holt a confused look.
His legs felt as if they were ready to give out on him, and he didn’t put up an argument when Holt gently seated him back on the sofa.
“It means, my love, that you and I… That we…” […]“I know you’re probably familiar with the concept of soul mates. With us, it is that, but more so. And it’s a rare occurrence. To find another person who is as much you as you are, even if he or she appears to be very different. It’s about two hearts becoming one, two souls finding one another and reuniting. We call it eternal love. And you are mine. I knew it the moment I saw you at the Ball. And I knew I had to come back for you.”

Their first meeting was hot and explosive, maybe the “I love you” after seeing each other only two times was a little too much but I love stories about destined mate so it was okay. Miller was good to Holt, too strict and not used to having some fun. I liked how Holt showed his weakness and he wasn’t ashamed of his feelings. He seriously suffered in the past and I was happy for him for finally have found his mate. He fell apart on Miller more than once, very human for a vampire.

I appreciated seeing more of Alexx and Raul, they had a huge role to play in this book, but don’t worry, it can be read as a standalone. The book is sickening sweet (and I loved every single sugary moment) but there are a few childish behaviors that forced me to give it not more than four stars.

I can admit I preferred the first one, it was more engaging to me and less predictable in some parts, even if it’s hard to compare the two stories, they are totally different. Nonetheless When Will I Be Loved was perfect for the Miller story, he deserved this kind of lover and HEA. Now I’m really curious to know if there will be a third book in this series.

Cover art by Trace Edward Zaber. The cover shows a specific scenes in the story. I like it a lot, especially in the use of colors.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 363 pages
Published June 7th 2015 by Amber Quill Press
ISBN 9781681750378
Edition Language English

Crescent Bay Chronicles series
When Will I See You Again #1
When Will I Be Loved #2

SALE LINKS

ARE https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whenwillibeloved-1838226-340.html
AMAZON http://www.amazon.com/When-Will-See-You-Again-ebook/dp/B00IA6Q77Q
AMBER QUILL PRESS http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2200-When-Will-I-Be-Loved.aspx

Cover Reveal Time for Lovers Entwined by Lillian Francis (cover reveal, exclusive excerpt and giveaway)

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Lillian Francis reveals the beautiful cover art of her upcoming book titled LOVERS ENTWINED.

It releases on August 03, 2015.

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BLURB

Ewan Matthews is one of Boston’s leading genealogy experts. When a would-be bridegroom comes looking for confirmation that there are no skeletons in his ancestral closet, Ewan considers turning the job down. Trey Capell is a jerk of the highest order and yet Ewan experiences an infuriating attraction that’s easy to justify. Trey’s exactly his type—a carbon copy of the man Ewan’s been looking for his entire life.

Harder to explain is the sense of recognition that leaves Ewan speechless the moment Trey steps into his office. Or the stomach-churning sensation at the thought of casting the job aside.

Trey gets more appealing by the day, leaving Ewan struggling with forbidden desire for his client. Desire not helped by strange voyeuristic dreams that have started to haunt his sleep. Dreams that appear to be an echo of the past.

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PRESENTING

Cover Art by Meredith Russell

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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

They had reached the outer door and the old freestanding wooden coat rack that Ewan had picked up in a second-hand shop several months ago. It added an air of old-world charm and respectability to the premises, and fitted in perfectly with the rest of the old dark wood Ewan had surrounded himself with.Two coats hung side by side from the curling hooks. Ignoring his own black woollen coat, Ewan lifted the tan trench coat from the rack. He held it up and open, his hands waiting expectantly. There was the tiniest of pauses, the smallest frown, and then Trey turned and slipped his hands into the sleeves, allowing Ewan to slide the material up his arms, coming to rest at his shoulders.Most of the snow had melted away in the warmth of the office, leaving behind flecks of dirt on the quality material. Ewan picked off the worst of the muck and then brushed the flat of his hand over shoulders, settling the fabric so it moulded to muscles and tendons. He flattened the collar, letting his fingers drift under the hair that rested there to the very short hairs at the nape of Trey’s neck.

He had moved around to the front and was doing the same to the lapels when he finally caught himself.

What the hell am I doing?

What had possessed him to do such a thing?

Trey was watching him with an air of bemusement.

Stepping back abruptly, Ewan allowed his hands to fall to his sides.

“All part of the service.” He hoped he had covered his own surprise at the turn of events and that he hadn’t actually been caressing his client’s neck for an inappropriate amount of time. However long inappropriate could be considered to be!

“A very personal service,” Trey said, but there was no emergence of the leer that normally angered Ewan. He almost wished there had been.

A MelanieM Review: Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3) (Pulp Friction 2015 #9) by Lee Brazil

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Haunted. Seduced. Betrayed.

When ghost enthusiast Dr. Sabine Brusilov plucks a weathered skull from the mud and debris at the bottom of the Mississippi River, he gets more than he bargained for. The skull comes with a moody, petulant, sexy ghost who is not shy about his attraction to Sabine. Along with proof that ghosts really do exist, Sabine finds a treasure beyond compare.

Love.

Love is everything to long dead Barton Montoire. He’s lived for it, faced dishonor for it…killed for it. Now that he’s found it again, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep Sabine at his side for eternity. Even if that means more blood on his hands.

With the darkness that circles Sabine growing stronger, and his lover’s actions becoming more erratic and unpredictable, Bart is challenged to protect his love from some unknown danger.

Ghosts and humans exist on two separate planes, and there’s only one way for them to be together.

But betrayal lurks in the shadows…

Of all of the 4 interconnected series of the Pulp Friction 2015 Altered States collection, this series and main couple are the most problematic for me. And that my somewhat dubious affection is for characters that comes from Lee Brazil? Even more of a surprise and the cause of much questioning on my part. That is never more true than for Lee Brazil’s story in Round Three, Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3) (Pulp Friction 2015 #9).

After I finish reading each story, the first question that pops up is why don’t I like these characters more. Or more accurately one character more? That would be Dr. Sabine Brusilov. From the beginning he has come across as cold, unfeeling and harsh in his approach to his lover, the delectable ghost Barton Montoire. Theirs is a long relationship that has always seemed very one sided and prone to the potential for abuse. Yes, definitely not a fan of Sabine’s.

It has come up along the way that other characters in the series see their relationship the way I do and the explanations have been that Sabine is shocked over the manner in which his and Barton’s relationship is viewed. But have these scenes and clarifications made any adjustments in my feelings towards Sabine? Not really. For me, the one closest to my heart with this couple is Barton. His treatment at the hands of Sabine both push Barton further into my affection while continuing to alienate Sabine more throughly from it.

But the more I think about it, I wonder if that isn’t part of Brazil’s plan all along. That you must pull one of the characters down so far that he seems unredeemable. Until he isn’t. That his salvation becomes part of the “Holy Grail” of the story, something that must be achieved at all cost. Because Sabine is certainly on his way to hell given his actions here.

Parts of this story hurt so bad that I can still feel it. Brazil’s writing leaves no emotion unturned or unchurned as I should say. The pain is spread far and even across the characters. The darkness is here and feels unstoppable as well as unknown. Its brunt is borne by Barton, at least on the surface. That Sabine is wrapped up in something out of his control is obvious but his actions? How far back did the influence start? This becomes more of a psychological mystery as well as a supernatural suspense story. I love that. Because as much as I dislike what Sabine is doing, Brazil makes me question the impetus for his actions and what the man must be feeling underneath it all. Will I come to love Sabine as I do Barton? The answer lies in stories 4 and 5 and I can’t wait to find out.

All the stories and series in the Pulp Friction 2015 collection are convoluted and full of shocking revelations. Somehow, though, I get the feeling that Lee Brazil’s Jack of Spade might just supply the biggest surprise of them all. Stay tuned!

Cover art by Laura Harner is dark and perfect for this story. The covers for the series were originally too light but as the plot got nasty and murderous the covers have changed with the tone. Love it and them.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 46 pages
Published June 15th 2015 by Lime Time Press
ASINB00ZS51B8M
edition languageEnglish
series 2015 Pulp Friction – Altered States Collection

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About Pulp Friction 2015

Lee Brazil ~ Havan Fellows ~ Parker Williams ~ Laura Harner

The Pulp Friction 2015 Altered States Collection.
Four authors.
Four Series.
Twenty books.
One supernatural finale.

Spend a year with the creatures that go bump in the night…fighting for their rights to exist and protecting the innocents of The Big Easy. A diverse group of friends trying to find their place in a world they never had to “fit” into before.

Although each series can stand alone, we believe reading the books in the order they are released will increase your enjoyment.
Round One:
Drawing Dead (Jack of Spades: 1) by Lee Brazil
Blind Stud (King of Hearts: 1) by Havan Fellows
The Devil’s Bedpost (Four of Clubs: 1) by Parker Williams
Diamonds and Dust (Ace of Diamonds: 1) by Laura Harner

Round Two:
Dead Blind (Jack of Spades: 2) by Lee Brazil
Stud Player (King of Hearts: 2) by Havan Fellow
Up the Ante (Four of Clubs: 2 ) by Parker Williams
Diamond Draw (Ace of Diamonds: 2) by Laura Harner

Round Three:

Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3) by Lee Brazil
Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3) by Havan Fellows

Love Men In Kilts? Check out the Plaid Nights Anthology from Torquere Press! (excerpt and giveaway)

Book Name: Plaid Nights Anthology
Release Date: July 15, 2015

Author Names: Rob Rosen, Megan McFerren, Julia Talbot, Elizabeth Coldwell, Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae, Angelique Voisen, Missouri Dalton, Logan Zachary, Lila Mathews, Anna Mansel, and McKay

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: BSClay

Sales Links: Torquere Books

In Plaid Nights, men in kilts are as varied as they are hot. Whether they’re caber tossers, rugby players, Highland warriors, country dancers, or time-traveling vampires, they’re up for surprises and sexy good times.

Rob Rosen starts us off with humor in “Tossing It.” Contemporary men discover love in unexpected places in “Whiskey and Want” by Megan McFerren, “Some Like It Scot” by Julia Talbot, “Perfect Working Order” by Elizabeth Coldwell, and “Off-Kilter” by Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae. We get a taste of the paranormal in “Sir WW” by Angelique Voisen, “Feumaidh Mi Ruith (I Have to Run)” by Missouri Dalton, and “Kilt in the Closet” by Logan Zachary. And we’re treated to forbidden love in historicals “Hunting for a Highlander” by Lila Mathews, “A Time to Heal” by Anna Mansel, and “As Fair Art Thou, My Bonny Lad” by McKay.

In these stories, some tartan-clad men wear their kilts in the “traditional manner,” while others are less daring. But all find love, and of course, a happy ending—especially at night, when the plaid comes off.

Pages or Words: 65,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, Historical, M/M Romance, Paranormal (Please note: As an anthology, not all categories may relate to all stories.)

Excerpt: From “Tossing It” by Rob Rosen:
He took a spoonful of stew into his mouth, green eyes sparkling in the daylight. He was cute in a lanky, pale, freckled sort of way. He sighed contentedly as he set the spoon back down. “Just like mom used to make.”

“Back in the old country?”

He laughed. “Back in New Jersey. Though Newark is sort of old.”

We continued eating together, side by side. His leg brushed mine. It stayed brushed. I didn’t move mine away; he didn’t move his either. This was an odd turn of events. Was he gay? Not a clue. Still, most guys would’ve moved their legs away. Maybe he was simply oblivious. Straight guys sometimes had a habit of that. You just never knew. Then again, you could test the theory if you were so inclined. Me, I was always so inclined.

I pointed to a throng of kilted behemoths off to the side. “What’s with the skirted mountain men?”

He chuckled. “Caber tossers.”

“That some sort of Scottish slang for rednecks?”

He turned my way, eyes locking with mine. It was like staring into a field of emeralds. Guess I’d been too busy staring at his crotch before to notice. Shame on me. “Caber tossers. They toss logs. Poles. Big ones.” Well, he’d certainly know about big poles, I figured. “They’re up to twenty feet tall and almost two hundred pounds.”

“And they toss them? Why?”

“For sport.”

I ate a couple more bites of my fish. It was perfectly cooked, greasy and flaky. My stomach settled down. “Sport? Like tiddlywinks for giants?”

He nodded as he continued eating his stew. His eyes rarely left mine. I was all too glad to return the favor. I stared at his freckles, connecting the dots, constellations hidden in the patterns. “Something like that.”

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Tour Dates & Stops: July 14, 2015
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A MelanieM Review: Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3) (Pulp Friction 2015 #10) by Havan Fellows

Rating: 4 stars out of 5:

In a world where supernatural creatures openly exist, who can blame them for coalescing in one of the most fascinating and erotic places on earth? Welcome to New Orleans.

His modus operandi is to feed and leave…

Laurant never repeats a meal. Not that his hors d’oeuvres complain. The incubus enjoys meeting every one of their needs multiple times over, leaving them in a blissfully sated state of mind for days—sometimes weeks—afterward. So, even though Laurant’s power is diminishing, why hasn’t he sought nourishment these past months since that explosive true feeding in March? For once in his centuries-old life, he realizes he doesn’t want just a snack…he wants a mysterious feast.

He has powers and no idea how to use them…

Gun has done his best to stay away from the sexy as hell incubus despite all his taunts and teases. Avoiding the demon was simple at first…but Gun’s powers are awakening and they like the sex demon. A lot. Now it isn’t so black and white, especially when Laurant focuses all his stimulating attention on helping Gun find his origins. But the once vivacious incubus doesn’t appear his lecherous perky self anymore. Gun jealously thought he found sustenance with others, but perhaps not. Maybe Laurant needs him again…and maybe Gun is okay with that…

They just might be on the verge of overcoming all the obstacles in their way…that is until those special three little words are whispered with the strength and magick to tear them apart completely.

In the Pulp Friction universe, the third round of stories always brings the heartbreak and the action. The characters always seem to end up at the edge of a precipice and the only way out is down. Oh, the angst and suspense! In Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3), Havan Fellows stays true to the pulp fiction formula and heightens both the emotional tension between Laurant and Gun as well as the relationship “high stakes” that comes with trying to combine an incubus with a taste for men and a sexy man who is more than anyone can figure out, including himself. Gun is that true unknown quantity. He has no memory of how or what he is. But clearly from past events, he’s not human. But the answer to what he is remains illusive. Until someone from his past arrives in town to supply the answers. Or do they?

Gun is a wonderful character, made all the more remarkable because we have come close to knowing who he is ( his pov as supplied by Havan Fellows is a large part of the narrative). Still what type of supernatural being Gun is remains an unknown. But the clues are starting to pile up and the assumptions being made aren’t pretty. That’s a huge amount of power he is capable of wielding, turning him into a weapon that can tilt the outcome of battles. But whose side is he on? And what battles are looming up ahead? Some of the answers start to fall into place here.

But the drama that pulls at me is on a smaller, more personal level. That’s the tentative relationship forming between Laurant, the incubus who has never had a “special someone” before, and Gun, the man who doesn’t know who he is. Plus there is the added question of whether he can trust the politics that pull at Laurant constantly over his feeding and choice of partner.

Oh, Laurant. how can such a sex on two legs demon come across as so vulnerable? The author manages to make Laurant accessible and emotionally open, even as his actions and words give off an opposite impression. I love this incubus. He’s both troubled and troublesome. He’s the gregarious man at the party and the lonely man in his heart. How do you not find him charming and worthy of his own HEA?

Here it almost breaks and for so many reasons. The other couples are acting uncharacteristically mean towards each other, all the close friends support for this unusual circle of friends seems to be breaking down and there is a darkness feeding the instability and pain erupting all around them. Typically, this story raises more questions than it answers…perfect for a Round Three story. I expect that and now eagerly await story number four. As hearts break so I hope they will be mended. Soon.

I love this series and characters. They are wonderful, sexy, and unique. If you are new to the Pulp Friction inter-connected series and groups of characters, then please realize these are not standalone stories. They must be read in the order they were written. I have listed them below. Check them off as you go. They are all on my Must Be Read lists for this year! Grab them up and get started today.

Cover art by Laura Harner. These covers are getting better and better as well as darker and darker. It goes along with the emotional tone of the stories and events that are occurring.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 58 pages
Published June 30th 2015 by Appleton Avenue Publishing
ASINB010PIZQ7S
edition languageEnglish
seriesPulp Friction 2015 #10, King of Hearts #3

About Pulp Friction 2015

Lee Brazil ~ Havan Fellows ~ Parker Williams ~ Laura Harner

The Pulp Friction 2015 Altered States Collection.
Four authors.
Four Series.
Twenty books.
One supernatural finale.

Round Three:

Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3) by Lee Brazil
Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3) by Havan Fellows

A Stella Review: When Will I See You Again (Crescent Bay Chronicles #1) by Julie Lynn Hayes

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Raoul Marchand is the crown prince of Charisma, the infamous night club in Crescent Bay, renowned for its supernatural clientele. He has the pick of any and all men, but he cares for none. He uses them and throws them away again, and has done so for some twenty years, in the aftermath of a tragedy that robbed him of what he loved most in the world.

Alexx Jameson is an idealistic would-be reporter with the Crescent Bay Chronicle. Presented with an opportunity to write a story on the Marchands, he eagerly grasps the chance to be a real reporter. His friend, Chronicle receptionist Miller Fenwick, suggests they go to Charisma to do a little research. Alexx isn’t sure that’s such a great idea. After all, he’s still under age, being only twenty. No problem, Miller can fix that! Added bonus, there’s a full moon tonight.

When Alexx first encounters Raoul, it isn’t exactly in the way he dreamed of, and he’s sure he made a terrible first impression. But Fate throws them together under unforeseen circumstances, and the attraction between them can’t be denied.

Can Raoul let go of the past long enough to find his future with Alexx, or is he doomed to repeat past mistakes?

When Will I See You Again by Julie Lynn Hayes is one of what I call “feel good” books, the kind of book, when I finish reading, I feel so satisfied. This book has everything I like to read, lovely characters, hot steamy sex, good plot and great HEA, plus a welcome (to me) amount of sugar. It hit one of my softer spot, the sweetness. That’s exactly why I enjoy Julie Lynn Hayes’s work so far so much. She can write stories that stay in my mind and my heart for so long. The one between the innocent, mouthy Alexx and rough Raul is unforgettable and the attraction is strong and compelling. There’s a little supernatural aspect that bring our heroes together that make this book almost a second chance at love story and it just add a special touch to their love.

I read this book a couple of times and every time I like it more, every time it was hard to put down. I can say it’s my favorite by the author.

It’s not just a simple paranormal story between a wolf shifter and a human. Of course it’s romantic, sexy and real in the unrealistic world it is set in, real in the romantic love between MCs and the power of friendships. Moreover there’s a mystery to solve that will affect their lives greatly.

So if you enjoy a book with a well developed plot as well as a good romantic story with some paranormal throw in it, When Will I See You Again is exactly what you are looking for. It’s well written and there is a sequel I begged for, called When Will I Be Loved, beautiful too.

Cover art by Trace Edward Zaber. I love this cover, the solitude I can feel coming from the lonely wolf will be rewarded at the end.

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

Book Details:
Published February 6th 2013 by Amber Quill Press, LLC
Kindle Edition, 292 pages
ASIN B00IA6Q77Q
Edition Language English

Crescent Bay Chronicles series
When Will I See You Again #1
When Will I Be Loved #2

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Guardians of the Pattern series 4 authors, 4 primary works

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

Book details Ebook, 121 pages Edition: English Published: June 15, 2015 by Extasy Books ISBN: 978- 1-4874-0301-0 Series: Gillham Pack Xavier (Gillham Pack #1)

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

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Book Name: Plaid Nights Anthology Release Date: July 15, 2015

Author Names: Rob Rosen, Megan McFerren, Julia Talbot, Elizabeth Coldwell, Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae, Angelique Voisen, Missouri Dalton, Logan Zachary, Lila Mathews, Anna Mansel, and McKay

Goodreads Link Publisher: Torquere Press Cover Artist: BSClay

Sales Links: Torquere Books

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

About Pulp Friction 2015

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Guardians of the Pattern series
4 authors, 4 primary works

Book details
Ebook, 121 pages
Edition: English
Published: June 15, 2015 by Extasy Books
ISBN: 978- 1-4874-0301-0
Series: Gillham Pack
Xavier (Gillham Pack #1)

Book Name: Plaid Nights Anthology
Release Date: July 15, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: BSClay