Time To Reveal the Cover for Danny’s Dragons by Sedonia Guillone (excerpt and giveaway)

DannysDragon-banner2 Synopsis

A rugged, muscular cop.

A sexy computer genius.

Secret desires.

Brought together by a crime committed on a cold dark night.

From the moment they meet, their lives can never be the same again.

Wild and rugged Dave Pearce is haunted by the demons of his past. Heís done his best to make a life for himself after the devastation of his loverís suicide years earlier, but the trauma has left its mark on his soul.

Danny Wong is what Dave considers a ìnerdy Bruce Lee Handsome, refined, out of his league.

But that doesn’t matter.

Dave believes himself to be dangerous for any man who would love him. So he stays back in the shadows, letting the desire he harbors for the hot grad student remain unrequited.

DannysDragon-smallpreview

Danny has demons of his own. Duty-bound to his family’s goals for him, he remains shy and closeted, contenting himself with his secret fantasies about the sexy Irish cop who patrols the campus building where Danny does his graduate work.

Until one freezing winter night.

Leaving the building, fate steps in and their paths cross in a new, deeper way. Neither man can turn back. Danny and Dave must face the demons rearing their heads with full force, or lose their chance at an epic love.

Book trailer

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Donít miss the Tickle Me Pink sale on WIP (Wayward Ink Press) website at 25% off all list prices!

Excerpt

Footsteps in the hall jerked Danny from his fantasy. Danny’s heartbeat sped up. It was him. Pearce.

He leaned back, away from the computer screen at which heíd been staring for the last twenty minutes during his fantasy, and discreetly swiveled his desk chair, just enough to be able to watch the campus police officer pass his door on his nightly patrol of the building. Since the start of the school year last September, Danny had gotten to know the man’s work schedule, and as time passed, had made certain he was at his desk just for the moment’s glance he got of him each night. The only thing he knew about Pearce, besides the time he patrolled Stata Center, was his name.

Pearce reached the doorway and peered in as he passed. He did that every night, giving Danny a clear view of his large blue eyes set deep in his freckled face. He was a rugged man with a strong jaw. His cap thankfully didn’t cover all of his short-cropped reddish-blond hair, and his blue uniform jacket rested evenly on his broad shoulders. Danny couldnít even count at this point how many times he had imagined what the guyís chest looked like underneath his clothes.

When he saw Danny he smiled, as if he was truly glad to see him. “Working late again, eh?”

Danny felt heat flush his cheeks, feeling like Pearce could see into his head, see the hot fantasy he entertained nearly every night. He nodded, hunching down a bit. Heíd be mortified if Pearce saw the erection pushing out his pants. “Always.”

The police officer nodded. “Same here.” A heartbeat passed in which he appeared to want to say more. “Hope it’s going well.”

Danny shrugged, struggling to appear casual. If the other man lingered a moment longer, his voice was going to stick in his throat and embarrass him. His eye fell on the nametag. David Pearce. “Not so much.”

Pearce smiled again. “Don’t push it.”

Danny shook his head, his heart beginning to pound. “I won’t.”

The other man remained in the doorway, giving Danny the sense he was lingering. “Just be careful leaving so late. I see you here often at this time, and I keep wanting to tell you that.”

Danny heard a protective note in the other man’s voice which sent another tingle up his spine. One more moment and his voice would fail him completely. “Thank you.”

Pearce nodded. “It’s my job.” He paused. “Well, I guess I should let you get back to work. Take care now.”

This was the longest exchange they’d had yet, and a strange energy zinged through the room like a ball bouncing back and forth between them. Danny wondered if he was imagining it.

He returned the nod. “You too.” Feeling like a nervous adolescent, he swiveled his chair quickly around and stared at the screen again. He attempted to resume his typing but stopped because his hands were trembling. He sighed and slumped back in the chair.

Giveaway

Prize ñ $10 WIP Gift Card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Eyes On Books Promotions.

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About the author

Award-winning, multi-published author of erotic romance, SEDONIA GUILLONE spends her days writing deliciously naughty romancesówhen sheís not cuddling with the man she loves or watching kung fu and samurai films and eating chocolate.

Sedonia welcomes comments from readers.

Sedonia Guillone can be found at:

Website: www.sedoniaguillone.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sedonia.guillone?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SedoniaGuillone
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sedoniag/

A MelanieM Review: Tigers on the Run (Tigers and Devils #3) by Sean Kennedy

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ★★★★★

Young Australian Micah Johnson is the first AFL player to be out at the beginning of his career. Retired professional football player Declan Tyler mentors Micah, but he finds it difficult, as Micah is prone to making poor life choices that land him in trouble. Nothing Dec can’t handle. He’s been there, done that, more times than he’d like to admit. Being Simon Murray’s partner all these years has Dec quite experienced in long-suffering and mishaps.

As usual, Simon thinks everything is going along just fine until his assistant, Coby, tells him a secret involving an old nemesis. Simon and Dec’s problems mash together, and to solve them, they must undertake a thousand-kilometer round trip in which issues will have to be sorted out, apologies are finally given, and a runaway kid is retrieved and returned to his worried parents.

Tigers on the Run by Sean Kennedy is the book I have been waiting for since I first read Tigers and Devils back in 2012. Ever have a book just suck you in? One that kept you superglued to the story and the characters? That was Tigers and Devils. There I fell passionately, madly in love with Simon, and Dec, plus their close friends Fran and Roger, Nyssa, even, dare I say it Jasper Brunswick (ok, more like a case of disgust with Jasper). Sean Kennedy created a cast of funny, fallible, and plain out irresistible characters who moved through a story that was full of angst, humor, and the pain and rewards that come with taking risks to become the person you want to be and to be with the person who is your HEA.

Sean Kennedy followed that up with Tigerland (Tigers and Devils #2), a book I really liked (4 stars) but that was missing some indefinable spark, an element found in the original story. Yes, the characters resolved some issues between them, Fran and Roger’s personal quest to have children was gripping and real, and all showed growth as people and/or as a couple. It’s a wonderful book but still…..

Now comes Tigers on the Run (Tigers and Devils #3) , a book I’ve already read twice! And I can happily say, the magic is back! I laughed, and cried, and laughed some more. I marveled over the crispness and intelligence of the dialog, nodded in recognition at certain events and the emotional fallout that enveloped everyone, and in general, had the time of my life. I intend to read it again…soon.

Kennedy has used the structure of an Australian football game as the format for his narrative. We open on Coin Toss, which takes us back years BD, or Before Declan as Simon calls it. It functions as a small sketch of Simon’s start towards a larger family of friends and his relationship with Dec. First chapter? That’s First Quarter and it finds our snarky, irresistible narrator, Simon, now in his “gay golden years” as he calls it, also known as his thirties! Simon and Dec are babysitting Roger and Fran’s twins and its prompting a ton of introspection in both, but mainly in Simon. Dec wants kids. Simon? He’s just not sure. That’s just one of the issues that plays out here in layers, parent/child relationships at all levels, including if one of those children is a teenager and not the most lovable one at that.

This is also a story of letting go, of putting old issues to rest and finding a way to move forward, even if part of you stubbornly wants to resist the change that’s coming. How human is that? Needing to hold onto old grudges, finding a way to forgive? Kennedy acknowledges these truths, makes it a vital, believable element of this story as well. So many layers and all so beautifully woven into Tigers on the Run. I love Sean Kennedy’s writing. It’s fluid, it feels so natural and easy, two things hard to accomplish, and it pulls your heart and mind into the story from the beginning.

That’s important too. The reader’s heart and mind. I found myself appreciating how gorgeous some of the sentences and structure of Kennedy’s writing even as I was laughing until I was bent over as Simon, or Roger or even Fran was embarked on some shenanigans. I could actually have just quoted sentence after sentence but as good as those lines are separated from the narrative, they get stronger and smarter in context. What a joy lies in discovering them as you go.

Old standing betrayals are reexamined, surprising new relationships are formed, and their “family” circle enlarges once more. And while that’s happening all the characters are growing emotionally, and intellectually. Kennedy understands people and relationship dynamics, whether its between lovers or friends or even colleagues. Most importantly, Kennedy knows how to write those relationships and changing dynamics in a way that brings these people to life. We believe in them, we feel for them. My connection to Simon, Dec, Colby, Roger and Fran (I adore these two), even Jasper is both deep and solid. By the end of the story (yes, a terrific ending too), I never wanted to let go. I’m hoping that the last paragraph is indicative of the fact that more is to come. Fingers crossed, bribes being prepared.

I just went back to look for a quote to end this one and now I’m laughing again, caught up once more in the story. Got to go, I have a story to reread. Need a new book or three to love? Pick up Tigers and Devils series from Sean Kennedy. Start at the beginning of Simon and Dec’s relationship and then work your way through their lives, mishaps and love until you reach Tigers on the Run. Its one of my Best of 2015. After you have read it, you will understand why.

Cover art by Catt Ford. It’s a cute cover but only partially reflective of the outstanding story within.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 256 pages
Published July 13th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB011061AKG
edition languageEnglish
seriesTigers and Devils #3
characters: Simon Murray, Declan Tyler

Tigers and Devils Series stories in the order they were written and should be read:

Tigers and Devils (Tigers and Devils #1) 5 stars
The First Supper (Tigers and Devils #1.1) – 14 pages click on link to read.
Tigerland (Tigers and Devils, #2)
Tigers on the Run (Tigers and Devils #3) – Goodreads Link

A Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: What He Left Behind by L.A. Witt

Rating: 5 stars out of 5:

Can you ever have a second first time?

Over lunch one day with his best friend, Michael, Josh finds out that the reason Michael is still not dating, five years after he broke up with his abusive ex, is because he’s scared to death to even touch someone, never mind possibly have sex again. Josh is shocked by the confession. Though he knew Steve had been both physically and emotionally abusive to Michael, he just didn’t realize that so many of the things he takes for granted with his husband, Ian, are denied to Michael by fear of intimacy.

Josh and Michael have been friends ever since their early teens, and it was Michael with whom Josh first had sex when he came out in his senior year of high school. In fact, they were lovers off and on all through college while remaining best friends. And it was Michael who helped get Josh and Ian back together when they broke up early in their relationship. The trio has been friends ever since, and it killed Josh and Ian to see how very abusive Steve was to Michael, but they were there to love and support him when he was finally able to break away.

Over the past few years, Josh and Michael have seen each other at lunchtime, and the trio gets together every Sunday night to talk and drink wine in Josh and Ian’s hot tub. And it’s because of this close friendship that Ian suggests that Josh help Michael get over his fear of intimacy by having sex with him. After all, they’ve done it before and were each other’s firsts, so why not help him get back to where he can be intimate with a man again. Shocked by Ian’s idea, Josh nonetheless follows through and, though it takes time to break down many of Michael’s barriers, it eventually works. Then one Sunday night in the hot tub, Michael tells Josh that he’s ready to do it with someone else, and the two decide to approach Ian.

Ian’s involvement with Michael then leads to all three having sex and eventually Josh and Ian realize that they need to take time for themselves or they will lose what they have together. But when Michael starts to date again, a whole new world of hurt opens up for Josh, and he doesn’t know whether his marriage to Ian will survive the turmoil created by his obviously engaged heart.

Content advisory: Get your personal fans out before you read this story! The sex is sizzling hot, the characters endearing, the relationships—all of them, from the pairs of Josh and Ian and Josh with Michael and Michael with Ian to all three together—are amazingly well-developed and realistic. As a reader, I could feel the deep bond of friendship and love that existed between Josh and Michael, as well as the oneness of the Josh-Ian marriage relationship. In fact, although I can’t tolerate cheating, I didn’t feel that there was any hint of that in this story. There was emotional support for each other every step of the way. Everything that happened made sense as the men slowly bonded, and all of the relationship dynamics developed.

This was the best example of ménage I’ve read in a long time. In fact, it may be the best ever because it made so much sense for the three to be together that it was like watching all the pieces of a puzzle click into place. I can’t recommend this one highly enough. If you like M/M/M, this is a must buy.
~~~~

Cover Art by Angela Waters depicts three men representing the MCs—One is wearing glasses and a suit (Ian), one is wearing jeans and is shirtless (Josh) and one is depicted off in the distance (Michael). This is a clear representation of the story with the one character being somewhat distant from the married couple at the start of the book.

Preorder it July 19th at Samhain Publishing, read it on August 18!

All Sales Links Coming In September

Book Details:

ebook
Expected publication: September 2015 by Samhain Publishing
(first published August 18th 2015)
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.gallagherwitt.com

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)

Winter In July? Check Out Snowman by Isabelle Rowan (tour and giveaway)

Snowman by Isabelle Rowan
Published by Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

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

We all find ways to run away. Some do it in seclusion, others in the arms of lovers. Since the death of his long-time partner, Caleb Maguire lives a quiet life in Australiaʼs Victorian high country with only his dog and horses for company. Each day is the same. There are no surprises—good or bad—until a major snowstorm hits his mountain and Caleb is called out to rescue a stranded tourist. The late night snow brings with it a lost soul who forces Caleb to reassess his solitary life. Paul Turner is a barista in the trendy Melbourne suburb of Carlton. He lives life totally in the moment, but a life of no commitments is about to change for this city boy. Three days is all it takes for Paul to fall hard for Caleb, and Paul returns to the city with a promise heʼll be back after turning his life around… but only when all the roads are clear.

A slinky cat for a witch may be a cliché, but add a whole bunch of tribal tattoos and an intolerance to garlic (seriously) and you have Isabelle Rowan.

Having moved to Australia from England (Gateshead) as a small child Isabelle now lives in a seaside suburb of Melbourne where she teaches film making and English. She is a movie addict who spends far too much money on traveling… but then again, life is to be lived.

Amazon Author page (http://www.amazon.com/Isabelle-Rowan/e/B002NA9G9Q/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0)

That sums things up!

If you want more information please check out my:

Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/aussie_izzy @aussie_Izzy),
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/isabelle.rowan),
Blog (http://www.isabellerowan.com/blog)
Website (http://www.isabellerowan.com/)

Or drop me an email! (isabelle.rowan@gmail.com)

Enter to win a signed paperback copy of Snowman, an electronic copy Snowman, and Snowman plus your choice of a back title. Must be 18 years of age or older. Link and prizes provided by the author.

Raffle copter code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Praise for ISABELLE ROWAN

“Through Rowan’s vivid descriptions you can feel the pull of the rocks, the vibrations that flutter through the soul that forever changes [the main characters].” —Scattered Hearts and Rogue Words

on “The Red Heart” Left absolutely breathless!! …This book was written with such an incredible depth of understanding, empathy and feeling from the author that is just draws the reader right in. If you haven’t read this book yet then you have definitely missed a true literary gem.” .

“I have always loved Isabelle Rowan’s writing since I read A Note in the Margin that was so original and deeply impactful I couldn’t believe she was a first-time published author.” —Jessewave ,

“The Red Heart is truly one of the best stories I have read in a long time.” Other titles by this author: —Sinfully…, on “A Note in the Margin” —Top 2 Bottom Reviews, on “The Red Heart”

A MelanieM Review: Flashbulb (Flight HA1710 #3) by Clare London

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Blythe Harris was taking his first flight to the USA and hopefully a whole new client base for his bespoke upholstery business. An adventure for him, he was both nervous and excited to attract the attention of a handsome steward. Things might have gone further – if Flight HA1710 hadn’t failed.

Marc Stafford is a self-confessed player, and he used his charm to seduce his cute passenger. But in the aftermath of the crash, he’s struggling to recover his confidence. The TV declares him a hero for saving passengers, but at night his nightmares trigger painful flashbulb memories of the crash.

In an Irish hospital, Bly realises that although his broken leg will recover, his career may not. And in Chicago, Marc can’t face returning to work. Neither of them can shake off the memory of their brief, sexy encounter. Both of them need to be with someone who understands exactly what they’ve been through. And on a middle ground they can make all their own.

Flashbulb is the third story in the series Flight HA 1710, a collection that revolves around an airline disaster. Each story reflects the aftermath of the airline crash through the survivors and the way in which this horrific event changed them forever. Flashbulb is a wonderful story (outside of that awkward title). Clare London’s characters are vastly different in life experience and outlook when we first encounter them on the plane. Marc Stafford, a flight attendant, is about to get in trouble yet again with his flight supervisor. An unrepentant flirt, he is a party boy who finds his temporary companions on the flights he works. That and his attitude have made him a target for the strict supervisor on board. At the beginning, Marc comes across as superficial, slutty, but good at his job.

His target on this flight? Blythe Harris off on his first journey to the US for an opportunity to expand his upholstery business. Its Blythe’s first everything. First flight, first time to the US, and first time getting hit on by the very sexy Marc. There’s a spark that flies between them during the early moments of the flight and then the airplane crashes. In the aftermath, Marc and Blythe finds themselves very different men from the ones that boarded that aircraft. Marc, named a hero for his actions in saving those that he could, is haunted by the victims he lost and the fear of getting on another plane. Blythe? He awakes to find himself broken. A broken leg, and injured hands that may just cost him his business, flooded with uncertainty and fear. Its in the aftermath that both characters come fully to life in their vulnerability and pain.

Clare London does a superb job in making these men believable and courageous. First the flight brings them together, then it flings them apart to recover in distant locations but they discover that only together may they fully heal and find a future. These are believable characters dealing in realistic ways with one of the most horrific things that can happen to a person. London brings us into their lives, makes us feel their anger, pain, and uncertainty every step of their path towards healing and a deep relationship. By the end, I was cheering them on as they struggled with miscommunication and self sacrifice that almost costs them each other and a future. And all the way through it, London delivers the drama, the developing relationship and its hurdles with a deft touch and moving narrative.

I love this series and Flashbulb by Clare London is one of my favorites. Its one emotional ride, an endearing romance that any reader and lover of M/M contemporary romance stories is sure to enjoy. Pick it up and settle in for Marc and Blythe’s journey towards healing and love.

Cover art by Meredith Russell. Great cover. It works perfectly for the character and the series.

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

Book Details:

ebook
Published June 26th 2015 by Jocular Press
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.clarelondon.com/books/novellas/flashbulb
seriesFlight HA1710 #3

Flight HA1710 series

6 authors, 6 primary works

When Flight HA1710 crashes killing seven people the after effects are too many to think on. But how does the crash change people’s lives? From the pilot to the guy who missed the plane we chart the stories of those whose lives were impacted by the crash.

Retrograde (Flight HA1710 #1) by R.J. Scott
Velocity (Flight HA1710 #2) by Sara York
Flashbulb (Flight HA1710 #3) by Clare London
Fallout (Flight HA1710 #4) by Meredith Russell
Aviophobia (Flight HA1710, #5) by Serena Yates
Fracture (Flight HA1710 #6) by Amber Kell

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

A BJ Review: Cop Out (Toronto Tales #1) by K.C. Burn

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

When Detective Kurt O’Donnell’s partner is killed in the line of duty, he discovers that his rather quiet partner was keeping lots of secrets, including that he was married… to another man. Kurt struggles to come to terms with the realization that his partner didn’t trust him enough to tell him the truth, but he decides to do the right thing. When the his partner’s widower, Davy, has no one to turn to except a pregnant sister who has problems of her own, Kurt steps in to help the mourning man get back on his feet. Before long, Davy becomes a friend, one he’s beginning to find himself increasingly attracted to.

To be with Davy, Kurt must face the prospect of coming out, but his job and his relationship with his Catholic family are on the line. Can he risk destroying his life for the uncertain possibility of a relationship with a newly widowed man? As Kurt begins to reevaluate his sexuality, something happens that confuses him even further and sends him into a downward spiral.

I found this to be a well-written and very realistic feeling story. I always enjoy this author’s stories. Just wanted to make that clear up front! Because I really enjoyed everything about this story except that I hated one of the main characters. Davy.

Davy’s deceased lover, Ben was a totally closeted and controlling asshat from what little we get to know about him. Since he died at the start and Davy himself didn’t share too much about him, we only get small small bits and nothing of what made him what he was. Taking that into account, while I didn’t like Davy much even at the beginning, I was trying to understand him and make the effort to like him. That ended, abruptly and finally. And Davy did ZERO to win me back over to his camp before the close of the story. So back to that in a minute.

On the other hand, I adored Kurt. He was just so very sweet to Davy, helping him from the start when he was alone and needy and totally checked out. Even though Kurt himself is just recovering from his own injuries. He’s so patient and kind and generous. After they are friends for a while, Kurt starts to have stronger feelings but is confused as he’s never had them before. When he faces them is able to accept them when he sees Davy kiss another guy, he reacts and then tries to talk to Davy about feelings he doesn’t really fully understand BUT rather than talk it out, Davy’s reaction just flat out made me see red. I absolutely wanted to kick the man in the nuts, throw him under a bus, etc. Only one other book has given me have such a strong hate reaction towards a character. Davy’s actions were wrong on so many levels. But I can’t really list them without describing the scene, which would be a spoiler. That said, if you want to read my full rant in all its furious glory with spoilers, see my review on Goodreads.) But here I will just say that Davy never redeem himself to my mind. Not even freaking close.

Davy’s relationship with Ben turned him pretty much into a hermit due to Ben’s attempts to conceal that the was gay. Davy could have left Ben, he wasn’t a prisoner, yet he didn’t. He stayed with him and he obviously loved him. He was totally broken up with grief when Ben died. It seems as if it was a very unhealthy relationship, but I don’t feel it excuses Davy’s actions. I just don’t.

Davy assumed that Kurt was just another Ben. Assumed things about Kurt. Didn’t bother to let Kurt talk or to talk to Kurt. Didn’t even have the courtesy to treat him like a friend, let alone someone he had feelings for. I hate when characters make assumptions instead of talking, but then to ignore him and hurt him for so long when one simple communication might have meant so much.

Months later when something else happens, Davy finally deigns to come when he’s called and gives lame excuses for his prior behavior. It’s not okay for Davy to have taken his suppressed or repressed feelings about Ben out on Kurt, who had been nothing but a good friend. Yeah, I hate Davy.

Kurt so deserved someone better. No idea what he saw in Davy anyway as he came across to me as kind of a snarky smartass once Kurt helped him get over his depression

I considered briefly that maybe if Davy had been a POV character that I might have gotten a better insight into his motivations and had a different feeling towards him, but based on his lame explanations & assumptions, I tend to think not.

I still give it 4 stars, because I so totally loved Kurt and his family and his story, and I do enjoy this author’s writing style.

I found the cover by artist Reese Dante appealing and representative of the story.

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

Book Details:

ebook, First Edition, 173 pages
Also available in audiobook and paperback
Published November 2011 by Dreamspinner Press
edition languageEnglish
seriesToronto Tales #1

Its Hot and Beyond Sexy! Its Legally Bound by J.R. Gray (excerpt tour)

The last thing Daniel, a hard-working public defender, expected to see the morning after a one night stand was his hook up staring back at him from the wrong side of the law. Assigned to work his case, Daniel vows to keep things professional with Rafael but has a hard time controlling his craving for dominance, the control and the connection they shared. Rafael, a paid dominant in the Chicago underworld, has been dealing with a cop problem for far too long. Used to sex with no emotion, he’s entranced with Daniel’s submission, his innocence, and…could there be something more?

Can Daniel clear Rafael’s name, keeping him out of jail and in his life, with the odds, a cop, and the mounting evidence against them?

Excerpt

Daniel scanned them, looking for anything interesting to lift the dreary Monday, and his eyes went wide when they landed on the face of the man whose bed he had been in last night. “Oh shit,” he said too loudly, drawing the attention of the bailiff. He waved her off, muttering, “Nothing.”

“What?” Jesse hissed.

“I fucked one of our cases last night,” Daniel admitted, knowing he would get it out of him one way or another. There was no point fighting his partner’s excellent extraction skills.

“Which one?” Jesse asked, looking over his shoulder, way too amused.

He tried to nod subtly to one of the prisoners.

“You have to give me more than that.” Jesse stood up and blatantly turned around to study the men sitting in the rows behind them.

Stiffening in his seat, Daniel tried to keep his back to the man he had seen every naked inch of, as well as had his tongue buried inside of, till the early hours of the morning.

“Dark hair, six feet plus, green eyes.” He tried to speak out of the corner of his mouth so no one could read his lips.

“The one with the sleeve tattoo and the huge arms?” Jesse asked.

“Yeah,” he answered in a low, sheepish voice.

“I knew it was that one. You so have a type.” Jesse flipped back around to take his seat once more. He instantly went for the files, lifting up folders and setting the large stack right in front of him.

“What are you doing?” Daniel kept looking over his shoulder to see if the guy showed any signs of recognition.

“What’s his name?” He didn’t look up from the stack of files as he spoke. “Rafael,” he whispered as his face flushed just saying his name. “What are you doing?”

“Figuring out what your lay did,” Jesse said, positively glowing by now.

“I really hate you,” he responded, pulling at his tie and trying to loosen it.

“You’ll thank me later.” Jesse hummed, plucking out the file and flipping it open. “Oh, hot damn, you picked a good one.”

Daniel snatched the file out of his partner’s hands, his eyes going wide. Life just got a little more interesting.

All through the arraignment hearing, he found it hard to keep his mind off the previous night spent at Rafael’s apartment. They’d had an instant connection. He groaned to himself as it became increasingly hard to focus.

“Do you think he did it?”

“Who knows, but how many innocent men do we represent?”

Daniel’s stomach knotted. He didn’t want the allegations to be true. “Good point.”

With the legal trouble behind them, Daniel Caplin and Rafael Argon are ready to settle into a low key d/s relationship, but life is unrelenting, when blackmail shatters their illusion of happily ever after. Pictures from one of the Rafael’s public scenes instill fear into his new Submissive, Daniel, acting as a wedge driving the new couple apart.

The building peril in George’s community weighs heavy on his shoulders as he struggles to find the culprit while hiding his feelings for his new house guest. Jesse is torn between ending his marriage, picking up a rebound he should have left fifteen years in the past, and the dangling carrot of a possible relationship with a man. He is forced to fight for what he wants most, a leap he may be too chicken to take.

In the sequel to Legally Bound George battles to take down an unknown enemy, while watching helpless, as those he cares for most are broken beyond repair. Can Rafael and Daniel rebuild their trust after it’s broken with lies?

Excerpt

The back elevator dinged as he approached, and the doors slid back to reveal Jesse’s face. He had circles under his eyes and worry lines in his forehead. Two fingers held a garment bag over one shoulder and a duffle over his other.

“Is it still okay if I stay?” He put a smile on his lips that George knew was fake.

“But of course. Let me help you.” George approached him and tried to take the bag, but Jesse didn’t move to hand it over.

“I’ve got it.”

“Don’t be absurd. I would have a slave do it, but he’s rather tied up at the moment.”

The statement earned a chuckle out of Jesse, and he gave up the bag. Even hurt Jesse had a light in his blue eyes and his heart on his sleeve, a trait that made him wholly unique compared to the masks most wore to impress George.

“I can stay on the sofa or something if the slaves use the guest rooms.”

George laughed and turned his back to stalk down the hall. When he didn’t hear Jesse following, he cast a glance over his shoulder.

“Slaves in bed … how naive you really are, handsome.”

Jesse started after him, brow creased. “Where do they sleep then?” He caught up and followed George to the other side of the penthouse.

He realized Jesse was serious, and he laughed throatily again. “I have cages for them.”

“I love you and Daniel, but your lifestyle is fucked.”

Their world is crumbling on the King’s shoulders.

Elliot is gone.

George has failed, and his demons are threatening to swallow him whole. Jesse’s life is slipping through his fingers. He feels like he’s losing George, whom he has just gotten back. The search for Elliot is taking its toll on the pair of them, and the strain shows the cracks in their trust.

Zac is doing everything he can, but he’s been plagued with flashbacks of a life he can’t remember. Even his iron constitution must break sometime, and the search for Elliot can’t wait. Each minute could be the difference between life and death.

Can they get it together to save themselves or Elliot?

Excerpt

It was dark when he stepped out into the back entrance of the penthouse. His footsteps echoed through the halls as he walked. George should be in bed as he was generally an early riser, but Jesse half expected him to be consoling his pain with a slave.

He paused in front of the play room, swallowing hard. What if his actions had been the final straw in George moving on? What if…

It was too painful to finish the thought. He set his hand on the handle, telling himself he could face what he found inside. He turned it silently and pushed the heavy door forward. It was dark inside, only the lights of the city illuminating the toys spread over the massive wall. The door was soundproof, but now that it was open, all he heard was the light snore of a slave. He closed the door quickly and then pressed a hand into his aching chest. He stalked forward, seeing the flicker of a fire on the wall as he approached the living room.

He stepped around the corner to find George looking pensive staring into the fire, drink in hand. He paused, waiting for an invitation. One never came. George acted as though he didn’t see him. Jesse opened his mouth, but he didn’t know what to say. There wasn’t an apology that could even cover the pain he’d put George through.

He fell to his knees. “Forgive me,” he whispered.

George didn’t respond. Jesse fell forward pressing his forehead into the cool hardwood floor. Warm hands closed around his arms, dragging him to his feet, and he was enveloped in George’s arms. His eyes started to mist, and he couldn’t catch a full breath. It was all too much to bear. He’d left his heart when he left George, and there were no words for what it felt like to be back here. He buried his face in George’s neck and wrapped his arms around him. George kissed every spot he could reach on Jesse in their position.

It was so much more than dominant and submissive like this. Jesse’s heart ached. The pain radiated through his bones. He’d been holding off losing it for so long he hadn’t even realize how bad the pain had gotten, how numb he’d been.

Author Bio

When not staying up all night writing, J.R Gray can be found basking in the warm glow of the Miami sun, or at the gym where it’s half assumed Gray is a permanent resident. A dominant, pilot, and sword fighting enthusiast, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. Gray frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns, to jot down nonsense. The bane of Gray’s existence are commas, and even though it’s been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder.

If Gray wasn’t writing…well, that’s not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave or possibly a mental institution where the tales would end up on the walls in crayon and finger paint.

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