In the Spotlight: Rick R. Reed’s IM – a Thriller Crime Drama (contest)

STRW In The Spotlight Header

IM by Rick R. Reed
Release Date: March 10, 2015

RRBanner300x250

A killer’s on the loose, now invite him  into your house.

A new thriller from  Rick R. Reed has arrived.  Read the excerpt and prepare for the killer who lurks within.

IM-400x600

 

STRW Author BookSynopsis

The Internet is the new meat market for gay men. Now a killer is turning the meat market into a meat wagon.

One by one, he’s killing them. Lurking in the digital underworld of Men4HookUpNow.com, he lures, seduces, and charms, reaching out through instant messages to the unwary. When the first body surfaces, openly gay Chicago Police Department detective Ed Comparetto is called in to investigate. At the scene, the young man who discovered the body tells him the story of how he found his friend. But did this witness play a bigger role in the murder than he’s letting on?

For Comparetto, this encounter is the beginning of a nightmare—because this witness did more than just show up at the scene of the crime; he set the scene.

Pages or Words: 280 pages

Categories: Thriller, Crime Drama, Mystery

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

Lake Shore Drive at night has its own excitement, especially when one is hurtling toward a rendezvous with an unknown destiny. On one side of my car, Lake Michigan bears silent witness to the streams of traffic heading north and south, headlights like glowing insect eyes piercing the night. The other side of the highway is crowded with high-rises, their glass, chrome, and concrete rising into the sky, hives of activity within, quiet sentinels without.

I have a cold bottle of Samuel Adams between my legs, a Marlboro burning in the ashtray. Normally, beer and cigarettes are not my vices. I care about my health, you see. But these are props, the same as the deeper-pitched voice I use, same as my word choices, which are much less sophisticated than someone with an MA in English from the University of Chicago. The beer and cigarettes are part of my costume. Tonight I wear faded, ragged Levi’s 501s, the crotch faded, the buttons moving in an inverted question mark, emphasizing the bulge in my crotch.

When did gay men turn into no-charge prostitutes? Has it always been this way?

Whatever. I’m also wearing a Bulls T-shirt, the sleeves cut off raggedly, the neck cut low.

I take a swig of the beer, letting its cold bitterness snake down my throat, and turn up the tape player. Ironic. Leonard Cohen is singing, “Ain’t No Cure for Love.”

I press down on the gas; ahead is my exit: Irving Park Road.

When I arrive, I see the apartment is a red brick six flat, identical to others all over the city. I ring the buzzer, and the guy doesn’t even bother to ask who it is. No difference. We never exchanged names anyway.

Trudging up the stairs, waiting for the shotgun-cocking sound of a lock being turned, a chain sliding back into place. Someone waits to admit me. Someone I don’t even know.

What a friendly world this is.

A door opens above.

What waits upstairs?

I round the bend and I see him. Nothing like his description, but who expected different? I am nothing like what I told him. No matter. As long as you’re male and reasonably young and acceptable, you’re in.

The guy has a good body, and his lips curl into a grin as I head toward him, dragging on my Marlboro. He’s wearing a pair of black bikini briefs. His moment of glory, this is what he’s worked for all those long hours at the gym. Finally someone to appreciate the shaved and defined pecs, the smooth washboard belly, the bulging biceps I just know he will somehow maneuver to flex for me.

But he’s much older than what I had expected. Midforties probably. His reddish-brown hair is thinning, and the blue eyes are framed by crow’s feet. A bottle of “eye-revitalizing” cream is in his medicine cabinet, I bet. The goatee, a desperate ploy to make himself look younger and hip, is embarrassingly ineffective. A cougar tattoo snakes down one of his arms.

“How you doin’?” I exhale a cloud of smoke and pass him as he opens the door wider to admit me.

“Great. Now that you’re here.”

The apartment is small, crowded with “contemporary” furniture: a black leather grouping in the living room, chrome and glass tables, spare jagged-looking twig and dried flower arrangements. On the walls, Herb Ritts posters of absurdly pumped-up young men in various settings: a garage, on the seashore.

The guy leads me into the bedroom. Platform bed, comforter thrown back, striped sheets. The nightstand holds the tools of his true trade: a plastic cup full of condoms he probably never uses, a couple of little brown bottles filled with butyl nitrite, a leather cock ring, a metal cock ring, and a large pump bottle of Wet. On the lower shelf, a stack of neatly folded but ragged white towels.

A dresser faces the bed, and atop it, a color TV and DVD combination. On the screen, a wildly muscled dark-haired guy tries to sit on one of those orange traffic cones. Amazingly, he’s beginning to succeed.

I grin.

The guy drops the black briefs and sits on the bed. Hoarsely, “Why don’t you get undressed, man?”

“Why don’t you do it for me?”

Instantly supplicant, he’s on his knees before me, working the buttons on my jeans. I’m sure his eyes are glistening. Already his breath is coming faster.

I push his hand away. “Hold on.” I lift the goateed face up to my own and look in his blue eyes, where nothing but desire and trust mingle. “I want you to lie down on the bed. Lie on your stomach.”

He gets up and does as he’s told. The half moons of his ass practically glow in the darkness. A thin whiter line disappears in his crack, where his thong was. The definition in his arms shows up perfectly as he raises them above his head to clutch the pillow.

His legs are parted, waiting.

“I just need to do something real quick. You stay right there.” I look back at him as I exit the room. “You’re a good boy, right? Do what you’re told?”

“Yes, sir.”

In the kitchen, I go quickly through the drawers until I find the one with the knives. For the first time, I get hard, and I think of the blood pumping, filling the spongy cavities.

The blood. Essence of life.

I strip down, leaving my clothes in a pile on the kitchen floor. I hope I don’t bring any cockroaches home.

I hold the butcher knife I chose to my side, concealing it with my arm, and head back to the bedroom.

He still lies there, waiting and trustful, thinking he’s about to be penetrated.

And he is.

RRBannerTemplate

Goodreads Link
Publisher: DSP Publications
Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Sales Links:

DSP Publications ebook:
Amazon Kindle

STRW Author Bio and Contacts
About Rick R. Reed

RRR author photo orange check

Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. While his stories often contain elements of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, his focus ultimately returns to the power of love. He is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas, and short stories. He is a three-time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Caregiver, Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). Raining Men and Caregiver have both won the Rainbow Award for gay fiction.  Lambda Literary Review has called him, “a writer that doesn’t disappoint.” Rick lives in Seattle with his husband and a very spoiled Boston terrier. He is forever”at work on another novel.”

Where to find the author:

Web: http://www.rickrreed.com
Blog: http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickrreedbooks
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rickrreed. 
E-mail: jimmyfels@gmail.com

Tour Dates & Stops: 

10-Mar

The Novel Approach, Nic Starr

11-Mar

Parker Williams, BFD Book Blog, Kimi-Chan, Inked Rainbow Reads, Divine Magazine, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Rebecca Cohen Writes, My Fiction Nook, Bayou Book Junkie, Three Chicks After Dark, MM Good Book Reviews, Fallen Angel Reviews, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Kristy’s Brain Food, Cate Ashwood

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Third Eye’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prizes to be provided by Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Mika Review: Released by A.J. Ridges

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Some laws are made to be broken…

Released coverOn the small, male-dominated planet of Noval gay sex is forbidden. Unfortunately for Krial, his size and strength make him a prime candidate for Noval’s breeding selection training. Krial is angry and resentful when he’s forced to spend three months on the backward, archaic planet. However, he never anticipates falling hard for his gruff and demanding trainer – Dax. 

Dax is a professional. He won’t break the law, but he’s not above blurring a few lines for the benefit of his trainee. 

Sometimes when the planets align the impossible becomes possible…

When the unthinkable happens and Krial is selected as the next breeder, he lashes out at the only one who can handle him – Dax. During the physical battle that follows, Krial expects to be put in his place by his massive and controlled trainer. Never in his wildest dreams does Krial imagine that Dax will touch him, kiss him or invite him back to his bed. 

Released is a complete, smutty, erotic m/m romance featuring two futuristic, gay, alpha-males who’ll leave you breathless. This story contains explicit m/m sexual situations, content and language and is intended for adult readers.

This was my first read by A.J. Ridges. I found myself liking it a lot in the beginning and then it slowly became okay. Reading this, I was confused by the blurb a little because of the whole male dominant planet thing. I didn’t see at all during the book, but what we had was okay. Krial was a likable character. I loved his monologues in the beginning to everything that was happening. Right off the bat we are introduced to Krial during “The Release” and it’s as invasive as it seems. I was laughing again at Krial he had funny moments, automatically we are introduced to the source of all of Krial’s fantasies Dax his Trainer, mentor and all around alpha male. I found that entire scene erotic and funny especially considering what was happening. For a novella I found it entertaining. I didn’t like how Krial was seen as an Alpha male from the beginning and then almost at the turn of the next page he was a submissive as a trained sub. It wasn’t that I disliked it, I just wish he could have stayed as dominant as he was in the beginning. I liked this book, looking forward to a full length novel from this author.

Cover Art by ? I liked the cover a lot. It was simple and picture perfect to what I thought Krial looked like.

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

Book Details:

eBook, 78 pages.
February 20th, 2015 by Smashwords

In the Book Spotlight: Blood of Salar (Masters and Mages #2) by Alexis Duran

STRW In The Spotlight Header

ADRC

Blood of Salar (Masters and Mages #2) by Alexis Duran
Release Date: March 3, 2015

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Author Alexis Duran Bio:
Alexis Duran was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. At the University of Oregon, her fascination with people and relationships led her to major in Sociology, but her main love has always been creative writing. She’s worked in museums, fashion, finance and film production. Her favorite job so far was cataloguing the collection in a haunted Victorian Mansion. She’s had several short stories published in the mystery, horror and literary genres and is the author of the Masters and Mages erotic fantasy series.

Her fiction has won several awards including the Rupert Hughes Award from the Maui Writers Conference. She lives with one dog and four and half cats. She is currently working on the next Masters and Mages novel and several other erotic novellas.

Where to find the author:
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/alexis.duran.18294
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlexisSDuran
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/alexisduran1177/
Other: My blog at http://alexisduranblog.com
Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8332457.Alexis_Duran

Publisher: Loose ID

Sales Links:  All Romance (ARe)   Amazon

STRW Author BookSynopsis

About Blood of Salar (Masters and Mages #2)

M’lan, headmaster of the order of Ka’alar and Jamil Jarka, king’s assassin, find their impossible love challenged to the utmost as a rebellion sweeps them apart, sending Jamil on a dangerous mission to assassinate the rebel leader, General Charvat. Unknown to anyone, Charvat is on his way to the temple to exploit the headmaster’s magical abilities.SmBloodOfSalar

When the rebel army arrives, M’lan is thrust into a struggle against political and sexual dominance as Charvat attempts to break his resistance. Violence and death mount, awakening within M’lan both the powers of destruction and the desire for revenge.

On the trail of his prey, Jamil begins to question his devotion to M’lan as his once innocent lover transforms into a mage and invades the assassin’s thoughts and dreams. The closer Jamil draws to M’lan, the more he puts his life and his very soul at risk. Jamil soon realizes that his lover might prove to be more deadly than the man he was sent to kill.

A final confrontation between assassin and monk might destroy them both, but Jamil is relentless in his determination to rescue M’lan, for he knows that only his love can master the mage.

Categories: Erotica, Fantasy, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt
M’lan knelt beside the assassin’s bronzed body. He placed his palm on Jamil’s chest and silently beseeched Salar to remove the deadly impulses instilled in Jamil ever since he began his training as an assassin. Jamil closed his eyes and seemed to relax, but as the warm energy of the god seeped through M’lan’s fingers, Jamil jerked suddenly to full alertness. Like a cobra striking he seized M’lan’s wrist and gave it a painful twist, eyes flashing. M’lan sat back, startled.

Jamil did not let him go. He let out a slow breath and lifted M’lan’s fingers to his mouth. He kissed the knuckles of a clenched fist. “The last thing I need is more spells to confuse this simple warrior’s mind.”

“A prayer is not a spell!” M’lan tried to pull free but couldn’t. He gritted his teeth, fighting back a rising anger. Jamil’s strength both entranced and infuriated him.

“Stop trying to weaken me.” Jamil said in a wretchedly calm voice. “You must stay here and do your duty, I must go away and do mine. Nothing has changed.”
M’lan inhaled slowly, breath catching. “Let me go.”
Pages or Words: 60,000 words

ADBannerTemplate

Tour Dates: March 10, 2015

 Parker Williams, Bayou Book Junkie, The Hat Party, Inked Rainbow Reads, Velvet Panic, My Fiction Nook, Molly Lolly, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Fallen Angel Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Cate Ashwood, MM Good Book Reviews, Multitasking Mommas, Divine Magazine, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake

 

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: A copy of Touch of Salar, Book 1 in the Masters and Mages series and a $10 Loose Id GC, must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided by Pride Promotions. All prizes and winner notifications will come from them.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AD600x600Banner

In The Spotlight: Thirty Things by Cate Ashwood (excerpt and contest)

STRW In The Spotlight Header

 Thirty Things by Cate Ashwood
Release Date: April 3, 2015

CARC

Cate Ashwood’s  latest release, Thirty Things, is out now!  What things would you want do to before you  hit 30?  Do you have a list in mind of things to do, places to go, songs to sing?  Then Cate Ashwood has just the story for you…in Thirty Things!

 

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About Cate Ashwood…

Cate Ashwood wrote her very first story in a hot-pink binder when she was in the second grade and found her passion for writing. Her first successful foray into romance writing came five years later when she wrote her best friend, who was experiencing a case of unrequited love, her own happily ever after.

Cate’s life has taken a number of different and adventurous roads. She now lives a stone’s throw from the ocean, just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband, her brand new little boy, and her two cats. Her life is filled with family and friends, travel, and, of course, books.

Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cate.ashwood
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cateashwood
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cateashwood/
Blog – http://www.cateashwood.com/cates-blog

SMCate-Ashwood-Thirty-Things-cover

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: A.J. Corza

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Finn and Nate have been best friends their whole lives. When a childhood accident left Finn broken, Nate stood by as all his other friends left. Now approaching Finn’s thirtieth birthday, there is one secret Finn still hasn’t revealed—he has been in love with Nate since they were eight years old. Hiding his feelings for twenty-one years, terrified of what might happen if Nate ever found out has been difficult, but losing his friend would be worse than living forever with a bad case of unrequited love.

There are some things that just have to be done before your thirtieth birthday. As a gift to Finn, Nate plans a road trip across America to check off a list of thirty things to experience before hitting that milestone. Starting in Crawfordsville, Indiana, they tour the country, trying new things and meeting interesting new people. Nate’s having the time of his life, but Finn is holding something back. As the days count down, navigating the back roads suddenly seems easier than figuring out where their relationship is heading.

One thing’s for certain. There will be no turning back.
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

I opened the box, and inside I found one of those road maps you can buy for ninety-nine cents at a gas station and a pile of envelopes tied together with butcher’s twine.

Nate reached across the arm of the couch and lifted the map, unfolding it so I could see. He had marked out a handful of destinations on the map that amounted to what was a grand circle tour of about half the states.

“We leave in three days,” he proclaimed, obviously proud of himself.

“We’re going on a road trip?”

“You bet. You’re always talking about how there are things you want to see and do, and we’ve never done any of them. So now we have a list of thirty things to do before you turn thirty. Each one of those envelopes has a different task inside. It’ll be fun. Besides, we haven’t gotten to hang out much lately, and I thought this would be good… just you and me road tripping across America.”

“So what you’re saying is you miss me.”

“What I’m saying is, you’re going to be thirty, so I figured we should have one last grand adventure before you’re too old and decrepit to actually enjoy the trip.”

“You’re an asshole,” I said, although by asshole I meant the best friend in the world a guy could have
.
He got my meaning.

“Love you too, Finn.” My heart jumped at those words, though I knew he didn’t mean them the way I wished he would. Still, I would take what I could get.

Pages or Words: 70,000 words

CABannerTemplate


Tour Dates: March 10, 2015

Tour Stops:

Parker Williams, MM Good Book Reviews, Divine Magazine, BFD Book Blog, My Fiction Nook, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, 3 Chicks After Dark, Andrew Q. Gordon, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Kimber Vale, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, The Hat Party, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake, Velvet Panic, Love Bytes, Carly’s Book Reviews

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Thirty Things’ by Cate Ashwood. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prizes provided by Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

CABanner300x250

A Closer Look at Chyna Doll by Mickie B. Ashling (excerpt and contest)

magnifying glass and book                               Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Takes

                       A Closer Look at….

 

ChynaDollLG

 

Chyna Doll by Mickie B. Ashling
Publisher Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist Anne Cain

Thank you to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for hosting my Chyna Doll blog tour visit. Although this is the fourth novel in the Horizons series, it can be read as a stand-alone. We’ve moved ahead several years and Grier’s son, Luca, who was seven when the series started, is now almost fifteen. I’ve brought an excerpt to share, as well as some goodies to give away, so stay tuned to see what you can win!

Blurb

Lil Lampert’s forty-fifth birthday turns the effervescent architect into a brooding mess, and his partner, Grier Dilorio, takes him to Italy to help him regain his zest for life. The timing is bad—almost-fifteen-year-old Luca has just started high school, and his mother and stepfather are also traveling. Luca is left in the care of Chicago Bear, Clark Stevens, and his partner, Dr. Jody Williams.

Growing up with two dads and two gay uncles has given Luca a unique perspective on gender roles, but not all the answers. He’s had a secret crush on his straight best friend, Chip, for years. Suddenly, Luca finds himself attracted to Chyna, Chip’s twin sister. Now he’s wondering if this means he’s bisexual.

Born with a sexual development disorder, Chyna should have been raised as a male, but due to an epic parenting fail, is being raised as female. Hiding the truth becomes more difficult when Chyna hits puberty, and crushing over Luca adds another element to Chyna’s struggle to fit in.

Is Luca’s moral compass strong enough to guide him successfully through this period of discovery or will he succumb to peer pressure and shatter Chyna’s dreams for happiness?

ChynaDollLG

Excerpt

LIL GROANED when he opened his eyes and shut them instantly. Lancing pain behind his right eyeball was an unwelcome reminder of last night’s overindulgence. He could practically see his arteries clogging up and exploding thanks to the appetizing array of decadent finger food he’d popped into his mouth at regular intervals without a second thought. He’d washed down the high-calorie goodies with one champagne flute after another, and he moaned in dismay when it dawned on him that he might have overdone it.

“Are you all right?” Grier asked sleepily.

Lil sat up and clutched at his head like it was about to fall off. “Please tell me I didn’t make a fool of myself,” he lamented, envisioning wild scenes in a swimming pool with a handful of nubile young studs.

Grier snorted. “I saved you from that fate.”

“Thank God,” Lil said, sinking back down on his pillow. “There’s no fool like an old fool.”

“Don’t start….”

“Can I get a blanket dispensation for anything stupid I did last night?” Lil asked. “I don’t remember much after that fifth round of champagne.”

“I’m starting to wonder if they slipped you a roofie.”

“What? Why would you say that?”

“You were insatiable,” Grier explained.

“Truly?”

“We fucked three ways from Sunday and then did it all over again. I can’t recall the last time I had so much fun.”

“Are you being sarcastic?” Lil asked defensively.

Grier got up on an elbow, scrubbed his thick morning growth, and smiled down at Lil indulgently. “You wore me out.”

Lil grinned. “I hope I was fabulous.”

“Don’t you remember any of it?”

Lil’s eyes widened. “Do you think I’m getting Alzheimer’s?”

“Now I’m sure you were drugged by those assholes up the hill.”

“Could be,” Lil said, “or I was just shitfaced.” He wiggled his butt around and moaned. “I’m sore, lovey. What unspeakable thing did you shove up my ass?”

Grier laughed. “Other than my dick?”

“It feels like half the town was down there paying me a visit.”

“You may have asked for a toy or two before we got down to business.”

“Oh? Did you fist me?”

“You seem to have that on your mind lately, but no, I didn’t.”

“It’s been a while—” Lil broke off.

“Is that a request?”

Lil smiled shyly. “You know I’d never turn that down.”

“It’s not something we’ve done on the spur of the moment.”

“It won’t take me long to get ready.”

“Why don’t we plan to revisit in a few days.” Lil nodded. “In the meantime, I’ll pave the way, so to speak.”

“How can anyone so amazingly abandoned in the sack be so uptight about everything else?”

“Good question,” Lil said. “Perhaps my sensible side keeps warring with my inner child on principle.”

“I’m the Gemini, not you.”

“And yet you’re far less mercurial.”

“I like it when your Mercury shows up.”

“He is rather fun, isn’t he?”

“A blast from the past,” Grier said, nuzzling Lil’s neck. “What say you junk cautious-Lil for the rest of the trip and let the boy back in?”

“Are we negotiating here?” “You were intrigued by the offer of an orgy last night. Was that the booze talking, or are you in the mood for some group sex?”

“Would you be shocked if I said yes?”

 

More About Mickie B. Ashling…

Mickie B. Ashling is the alter-ego of a multifaceted woman raised by a single mother who preferred reading over other forms of entertainment. She found a kindred spirit in her oldest child and encouraged her with a steady supply of dog-eared paperbacks. Romance was the preferred genre, and historical romances topped her favorites list.

By the time Mickie discovered her own talent for writing, real life had intruded, and the business of earning a living and raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing and the inevitable emptying nest, dreams were resurrected, and the storyteller was reborn.

She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called “gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking.” She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings.

Mickie loves to travel and has lived in the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East but currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.

Connect with Mickie

Email | Facebook | Website | Blog | Goodreads and Ask the Author

Purchase Links

Dreamspinner | Amazon | ARe

Video Trailer

Chyna Doll Tour Banner

Giveaway

Using Rafflecopter below, enter to win one of these prizes (contest open internationally): a $20 Dreamspinner gift certificate, one of five ecopies of Chyna Doll, any two ebooks from Mickie’s backlist, or a signed paperback of Chyna Doll. Must be 18 or older to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

March 2 – The Novel Approach

March 3 – Cup o’ Porn

March 4 – Hearts On Fire

March 5 – WoW…from The Scarf Princess

March 6 – MM Good Book Reviews

March 7 – Book Reviews & More by Kathy

March 9 – Prism Book Alliance

March 10 – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

March 11 – On Top Down Under Book Reviews

March 12 – Sinfully…Addicted to All Male Romance

Tour and materials organized by PAS Promotions

Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review – Tempest (Playing the Fool #3) by Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Tempest coverShakespeare buffs should love this series. As in the other two stories, quotes from “The Bard” abound and, in fact, the title of the story is an adaptation of The Tempest.

Henry Page, aka Sebastian Hanes, aka a hundred other aliases, is a Shakespeare buff. He and his twin sister Viola were raised by an alcoholic mother who was an actress and instilled a love of William Shakespeare in her children from a very early age. As this third story in the series opens, Henry is on the run and so is his boyfriend, FBI Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness Mac is being framed for murder and with nowhere else to go, they head for Altona, Indiana, where the series began. Altona, not the most well-known city in the world has a population consisting of Mac’s family, some goats, a few chickens, and maybe a handful of other people. Henry’s not happy about lying low at the McGuinness family farm (hence, his singing of Old MacDonald’s Farm on the way there), but they’ve got nowhere else to go, and he believes Viola will be safe there, a fact which makes him most cooperative.

Viola suffered a brain injury while trying to pull one of their mother’s boyfriends off of Henry as he was being raped when they were teens. In this book we learn something more about this man, JJ. <spoiler> The way the authors wove Mac’s and Henry’s stories together was both complex and compelling. Interesting to me as a reviewer and as someone who has read the past books, I felt like I was slowly unwrapping a gift and each layer brought a new surprise. In hindsight, it’s obvious that the authors plotted this series out before starting the first book, yet each story is a complete story in itself. Together, they make an incredibly interesting action adventure saga. As Henry jokes, the two of them together, aka “Mac and Cheese”, had enough going on in their lives to create a TV series about them, and now they seem to have enough material to make an epic motion picture.

Watching their relationship develop, and most especially, watching Henry come to the realization that he can indeed rely on Mac, that he loves him, and that he might have finally found a home with Mac, is incredibly fulfilling and I just literally couldn’t put the story down. If this had been a movie, I certainly would have watched between my fingers, like a little kid who can’t bear to see what’s going on, yet can’t leave the room either. The last chapters were a hair-raising adventure, super scary for more than just Mac and Henry, and highly riveting. A definite nail-biter, for sure.

The authors continue to relate to the world of William Shakespeare throughout the story, and I particularly enjoyed Mac’s realization that “everyone had their assigned part, and played it. All the world was a stage, after all, and it was just bursting at the seams with eager understudies.” He went on to speculate on the people who loved you and those you loved—those are the only people who mattered. It was clearly evident that he loved Henry, and when Henry finally admitted that he loved Mac, though it was mumbled, it was just perfect for them. And speaking of perfect, the ending of the story was exactly what will allow our guys to continue on in future stories if the authors want to take them further, but would be a fine place to end if they decide to do so.

I highly recommend this series. It got better with each book, and both characters are now on my list of favorite M/M characters and definitely on my most memorable couples list.
~~~
Cover Art by L.C. Chase depicts an open black umbrella on a red background, giving the same overall feel as the covers of the other books. In this case, use of an umbrella symbolizes both Henry’s fear of storms and the use of an umbrella to thwart one of the “bad guys” in the story. Nicely done.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 205 pages
Expected publication: March 9th 2015 by Riptide Publishing
ISBN139781626492233
edition languageEnglish
seriesPlaying the Fool #3

Playing the Fool Series in the order they were written and should be read:

A Stella Review: How to Howl at the Moon by Eli Easton

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

How to Howl at the moon coverSheriff Lance Beaufort is not going to let trouble into his town, no sir. Tucked away in the California mountains, Mad Creek has secrets to keep, like the fact that half the town consists of ‘quickened’—dogs who have the ability to become human. Descended on both sides from Border Collies, Lance is as alert a guardian as they come.

Tim Weston is looking for a safe haven. After learning that his boss patented all of Tim’s work on vegetable hybrids in his own name, Tim quit his old job. A client offers him use of her cabin in Mad Creek, and Tim sees a chance for a new start. But the shy gardener has a way of fumbling and sounding like a liar around strangers, particularly gorgeous alpha men like Sheriff Beaufort.

Lance’s hackles are definitely raised by the lanky young stranger. He’s concerned about marijuana growers moving into Mad Creek, and he’s not satisfied with the guy’s story.

Lance decides a bit of undercover work is called for. When Tim hits a beautiful black collie with his car and adopts the dog, its love at first sight for both Tim and Lance’s inner dog. Pretending to be a pet is about to get Sheriff Beaufort in very hot water.

I simply love this author, everything she writes is perfect. This book is no exception. How to howl at the moon is the first book in a new shifters series, but not the usual shifters I’m used to. It was definitely something new to me and so interesting I can’t wait for the next one. If you are familiar with Eli’s writing you already know you’re going to read something special, well written, fun and entertaining.

How to howl at the Moon is the story of Lance, the Sheriff of Mad Creek, a city full of secrets to hide from the world. He’s a quickened dog, a border collie that has never bounded with a human. Quickened dogs are dogs that don’t born with the ability to take the human form but the love of their human owners gave them the ability to shift. Lance is investigating in a drug growers setting up in the neighboring counties, which are causing lot of violence. So when at the diner he meets a stranger who smell of pot and with no money, he soon becomes suspicious about the newcomer. He will do everything he can to expose him, even using his dog form.

Tim is a young man who just moved to Mad Creek after leaving Santa Barbara in hurry. He owned a gardening service since he was twelve. The man who though was his business partner deceived him. He stole all Tim’s hard work, the copyright of all the wonderful and rare varieties of roses, and confined him as an employee. He’s in this new town living in a friend’s cabin for free for six months and hoping to use this time to set up a new business. After a bad childhood and the betrayal of his old boss, Tim is ready for a new beginning. One night while coming home from a trip to buy more gardening supplies he hit a black dog with his car. It’s love at first sight.

Tim leaned down to look into Lance’s eyes with warm concern and stroked his head. “I’ll be right back, buddy. Okay?”

Lance narrowed his eyes. Well, duh.

“He seems really… I dunno… intelligent for a dog,” Tim said with admiration.

“You think so?” Bill(the vet) said dryly. “I’d have thought it was unaccountably stupid to run out in front of a truck, and way out here of all places.”

Eli Easton is a great writer, she explained the quickened world really well and the relationship between MCs and second one are magnificent. I especially enjoyed Lila, Lance’s mom. She’s hilarious but most of all  truly a troublemaker. I loved the dialogue, I found myself laughing so much and was never bored. Tim was so cute when his nervousness around Lance brings him to some funny attacks of verbal diarrhea.

I’m waiting for the next one in this new amazing series, hoping the wary Roman will get his HEA. I can totally recommend How to Howl at the Moon to all of you, you wouldn’t regret it. Really well done!

Cover art by AngstyG. Considering border collie is my fave dog breed I couldn’t be not in love with this cover as soon as I saw it. I didn’t even read the blurb, once I knew it was a eli easton’s book ans saw the cover, I was so ready to read it. This artist never disappoint me.

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

Book Details:
Published February 28th 2015 by Pinkerton Road
ebook, 200 pages
ISBN B00T12QQOW
Edition language English

SALE LINKS

ARE https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-howtohowlatthemoon-1748258-145.html

AMAZON http://www.amazon.com/How-Howl-Moon-Eli-Easton-ebook/dp/B00T12QQOW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424726365&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+howl+moon+eli

Our Spotlight is On: Karen Stivali and Moment of Truth (book interview and contest)

MomentofTruth large cover (1) (1)

Moment of Truth (Moments in Time #2) by Karen Stivali
Release Date: March 4, 2015
Goodreads Link

About author Karen Stivali:

Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men. She’s also the multiple award-winning author of contemporary and erotic romances. She writes novels about love…like real life, only hotter.

Karen’s lifelong fascination with people has led her to careers ranging from hand-drawn animator, to party planner, to marriage and family counselor, but writing has always been her passion. Karen enjoys nothing more than following her characters on their journey toward love. Whether the couples are m/f or m/m, it’s guaranteed that Karen’s novels are filled with food, friendship, love, and smoking hot sex—all the best things in life.

When Karen isn’t writing (and often when she is), she can be found on Twitter attempting witty banter and detailing the antics of her fruit-loving cat, BadKitteh. She loves to hear from readers (and other writers), so don’t hesitate to contact/follow/like her at the links below.

An Author Q & A with questions from our reviewer Stella:

I think I understood in the Moments In Time series there are three books. Is there a chance to know more about the characters we met in the second book? Maybe with a their own series?

Yes. The third book, Moment Of Clarity, will release in early May and it’s the conclusion of the Collin/Tanner trilogy but I am in the process of writing a few spin-off novels featuring the other characters from the Moments In Time series in lead roles. I’m hoping Jason, Quinn and Bryan will all wind up with their own books.

Why did you decide to switch to writing mm romance?

I don’t really think of it as having switched to writing mm romance. In almost all of my mf romances there were LGBT secondary characters who played significant roles. And they’re often quite scene-stealing characters. I’ve always thought it was just a matter of time until one of the LGBT characters in my head was a main character instead of a secondary character. As soon as Collin started yammering in my brain I knew it was time—he needed to tell his own story. I plan to continue writing mf and mm books and having straight and LGBT characters in both, just like real life! All I’m focused on when I’m writing is telling the story of whoever is falling in love. I’m fascinated by the act of falling in love. That’s why I write romance. It’s not about m/f or m/m, it’s about love.

Do you remember the first mm book you read?

The first book I read with a gay couple in it was actually a YA book I read when I was around 12 or 13. It was Trying Hard To Hear You, and it was a tragic story, but it really stuck with me because I thought it was so unfair and yet realistic. It made me very sad. I don’t know what the first true m/m romance I read was. There were several other books where there were m/m pairings as part of a larger cast of characters. I’ve been beta reading for Tiffany Reisz for years and she’s had several m/m couples in her books. The first full-length strictly m/m romance I read may have been Damon Suede’s HOT HEAD (which I loved).

Have you ever thought about co-writing? With whom?

I’ve not only thought about it, I’ve done it. My long time critique partner Karen Booth and I cowrote a mf romance novel years ago. We recently got the rights back and will be re-issuing it this spring with a brand new epilogue (and a beautiful cover). It’s about a British musician who comes to the US for a 3-month gig, but when he gets to the states the gig falls through. He can’t go home because he’s done an apartment swap for the 3 months and he winds up unexpectedly falling in love. This is one of the books I mentioned above because Tim, the hero, has had a gay best friend since childhood. Gavin, his best friend, is definitely a scene stealing secondary character. He’s known Tim forever and is one of those friends who’s good at cutting through the bullshit and pointing out when you’re being an ass. Gavin has his own storyline as well as he and his husband are in the process of adopting a baby. This books was originally written back in 2011 so that’s why when people ask me why I’m suddenly writing m/m couples it makes me smile. It’s not sudden. They’ve been in my stories all along.

What is the moment of the day you prefer writing or you are more inspired to write?

I’m a night owl. I don’t think clearly until later in the day and I’m at my best in the middle of the night. I probably get more creative writing done from 1am to 4am than any other time of day. I use daytime more for things like email, promo and socializing. There’s a lot more to writing than just writing and it all takes time.

I’d like to know why you chose to write about a religious theme.

That’s not an easy question to answer. I grew up in a half Catholic, half Jewish household. Both of my parents came from very strict traditional upbringings, so their marriage was….not what either family had expected. Growing up learning the beliefs and traditions of both religions but being raised as neither gave me a unique perspective. It also allowed me to see the good and bad of both religions very clearly. Of course I married someone Protestant just to add to the mix. I’ve seen religion do great and horrible things to people—in my own family, among my friends—and I’m particularly familiar with the guilt that can come along with it. Not all of my books have religious themes or characters—most don’t—but for this series it fit the characters. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner in my stories. I always write about sex and religion and sex make for interesting bed partners. In the case of Moment Of Impact, Collin would be a different person if he hadn’t been raised in a strict Catholic household. He’d have different views and different problems. I think a large part of the reason he needed his story told was because of the struggles he was facing which were directly related to his upbringing and his family’s beliefs. It’s part of who he is.

Where to find the author:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenstivali
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenstivali
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/karenstivali/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5170527.Karen_Stivali
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/KarenStivali
Blog: http://karenstivali.com

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anna SikorskaMomentofTruth large cover (1) (1)

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press   Amazon  AmazonUK  AmazonCA
Barnes & Noble    All Romance E-books

About Moment of Truth…

Collin expected to spend another summer fixing cars and working at the college pizzeria. Instead, he’s living in a beach house on Fire Island, waiting tables at a hip seaside restaurant and, for the first time since he and Tanner got together, they can publicly be known as boyfriends. Being “out” takes some getting used to, but with the help of new and old friends, Collin is happier than he ever imagined. And more in love. But newfound freedom brings unexpected challenges, and when friends get flirty, old insecurities arise. Moments of doubt and jealousy threaten their happiness, and Collin and Tanner must confront the truth or risk losing it all.

Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, M/M Romance, New Adult, Romance

Excerpt:

His smile twitched as he started up the next staircase. The last one. The one that led to our room and nowhere else. My hearth hammered hard and fast, and not from stair climbing. I needed to touch Tanner, soon, or every part of my body from my brain to my balls was going to simultaneously combust.

Tanner pushed our door open with exaggerated care and stepped inside. Jesus, is he trying to make me crazy?
All I want is to….

My back slammed against the wall, and before I could complete my thought, Tanner’s mouth was on mine. The kiss was savage, tongue hot and heavy against mine, cock hot and heavy against mine. Even through our shorts, I could feel how ready he was. My head swam.

Desperate for more, I grabbed on to him, rolling us toward the door and kicking it shut. Tanner let out a grunt as I pressed him against the hard wood. Could anyone hear us? I didn’t care. I just needed this. Tanner. Now.

As soon as I shoved his T-shirt up his ribs, he yanked it off and tossed it aside. Warm smooth skin greeted my fingertips, filling my nose with his scent. God, I missed this. My mouth returned to his, tongues dueling as my hands fumbled with his fly. I couldn’t stop rubbing against him enough to get the zipper down. Tanner grabbed my ass, crushing his cock alongside mine, humping against me with enough intensity I had to force myself not to come.

I didn’t want that. Not yet. Not standing against the door when that crazy big bed was only feet away. As if he read my mind, Tanner shoved me backward, taking advantage of the moment our bodies parted to strip off his shorts. I tugged off my shirt, and before I could launch it across the room, Tanner had my shorts undone and down. Kicking them away put me off-balance, and Tanner steadied me with one hand clutching the back of my neck and the other wrapped around my cock.

Whimpers echoed through the room. My whimpers. His thumb slicked over my swollen head, round and round in circles that left me dizzy and panting.

“Let’s try out the bed.” Tanner’s voice was low and thick. I’d have said yes to anything he asked with that voice.

I couldn’t actually say a word, so I nodded and pulled us down onto the mattress. Holy Jesus. Soft cool sheets, warm hard body, wet velvety tongue. Heaven. Fire Island was heaven.

Pages or Words: 150 pages

MOTBanner300x250

 

Contest:  Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $20 gift card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Rafflecopter link and prize provided by Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Dates & Stops:

4-Mar

My Fiction Nook

The Hat Party

Boys on the Brink Reviews

Inked Rainbow Reads

5-Mar

Lee Brazil

The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat

Cate Ashwood

Amanda C. Stone

6-Mar

It’s Raining Men

Michael Mandrake

MM Good Book Reviews

Joyfully Jay

9-Mar

Kimi-Chan

Carly’s Book Reviews

Velvet Panic

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

10-Mar

Prism Book Alliance

Molly Lolly

BFD Book Blog

Love Bytes

Bayou Book Junkie

Henry And Mac Are Back in Action in Tempest (Playing the Fool #3) by Lisa Henry & J. A. Rock (Excerpt and Contest)

Tempest cover

 

STRW In The Spotlight Header

Lisa Henry and J. A. Rock’s series Playing the Fool is a Must Read, highly recommended series of stories here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.   Happily, we now have another book to add to this series.  It’s Tempest (Playing the Fool #3) !  The authors are here today with a special excerpt and a contest for all to enter.  Check it all out below and don’t forget to leave your email address in the body of your comment when entering the contest!  Let’s get started!

Welcome, Lisa Henry and J. A. Rock!

Tempest_TourBanner

Hi! We’re Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock, the authors of TEMPEST. We’re touring the web taking about our influences, our processes, anything we can think about actually, and even giving you guys a sneak peak or two! And what would a blog tour be without a contest? Check out the details at the bottom of the post to see what you can win!

Today we’re sharing an excerpt from TEMPEST.  Here, Henry and Mac are on their way back to the city to get to the bottom of who’s framing Mac. Henry is as distracted, and distracting as always. Contains a bonus Skittles reference.

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

***

The next morning, Mac looked Henry up and down as he approached the truck. Refrained from shaking his head as Henry settled into the passenger seat. “I thought you’d be wearing a disguise.”

“Seriously?” Henry smoothed down his tie. “I am wearing a disguise. Look at me. I could be selling magazine subscriptions. Or Jesus. Or subscriptions to magazines that are exclusively about Jesus. White Jesus. Or maybe I’m on my way to a job interview at an accounting firm.” He flashed Mac a smile. “Yeah, I’ll bet that’s what I’m doing.”

Mac frowned at the pants. There was something both weirdly familiar and aesthetically disturbing about the houndstooth pattern.

“Are those my dad’s pants?”

“Circa 1974. Your dad wore ’em tight. This is his tie too.” “You’re really wearing a tie?”

“You like boys in ties.” Henry ran his fingers down the silk, in a gesture that would have been a hell of a lot sexier if Mac didn’t remember buying that tie for his dad one Father’s Day. “Look at you. Even in jeans something about you just screams cop.”

“I’m not a cop.”

“I know. But ‘something about you just screams authority figure who can deprive me of my freedom’ just doesn’t roll off the tongue in the same way, does it?”

“I guess not.” He stared at his parents’ house a little longer, then turned the ignition. The truck rumbled into life. “You ready for this?”

Henry pulled a packet of Skittles out of his pocket. “I’m always ready for a road trip.”

Of course he was.

They headed for Indianapolis.

Mac let Henry fiddle with the radio and spill candy and talk bullshit at a million miles an hour, because that was Henry. It was how he dealt with stress. If he talked fast enough, if he teased, if he didn’t stop, then he didn’t have to deal. Even a week ago Mac would have been irritated by that. Would have wanted to slap him around the back of the head for being so damn irritating. Like Energizer Bunny irritating. But not today.

Henry glanced out the window at the darkening sky. “Looks like rain.”

“Storm’s not supposed to hit until this evening.”

“Great. Let me get out my umbrella and tap shoes.” Henry changed the radio station again. Then suddenly slapped the radio knob, turning it off. “Can we stop for donuts, Mac?”

“Says the guy who just put away two omelets for breakfast.”

“Which is my protein requirement for the day. Now I need my sugar and frosting requirement for the day. Oh, and my milkshake requirement. Strawberry.” He jiggled his leg. “Definitely strawberry.”

“If we see somewhere, we’ll stop.”

Henry’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you serious? I don’t need to argue about this?”

“Nope.”

Henry slumped back down in his seat. “Well, now I know you think we’re gonna die.”

Mac glanced sideways at him. “Maybe I’m just tired of arguing with you.”

“Or maybe you want me to finish these Skittles and put something else in my mouth. Want me to taste your rainbow ?” “Not while I’m driving, I don’t.” Flirty Henry was incorrigible. He was also deflecting again. One day, Mac decided, he would surprise the fuck out of both of them and say yes to whatever crazy suggestion fell out of those candy-stained lips.

“You’re so boring, Mac.”

“Shut up, Cheese.”

STRW Author BookSynopsis

About TEMPEST:

Something wicked this way comes.

FBI Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness and con man Henry Page are on the run again. This time they’re headed back to where it all began: Altona, Indiana. Population: some goats. Henry’s not happy about lying low at the McGuinness family farm, but they’ve got nowhere else to go.

While Mac fights to clear his name and Henry struggles with whose side he’s really on, a ghost from the past threatens to destroy everything. And those aren’t the only storms on the radar. Cut off from both sides of the law, Mac and Henry must rely on their tenuous partnership to survive.

If Henry can convince himself to let Mac see the man behind the disguises, they’ll stand a chance of beating the forces that conspire against them. The course of true love never did run smooth, but for the two of them, it might be their only hope.
You can check out TEMPEST at Riptide.

Books in the Playing the Fool Series are -linked to Barb’s 5-star reviews:

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

The Giveaway: Thanks for following our tour! To celebrate our release, we’re giving away an awesome prize – an ebook copy of a novel of your choice from either of our back catalogs. We’re also giving away a $20 Riptide gift voucher, and some comfy items picked especially for you by Henry: a pillow shaped like a donut, and a pair of donut-themed socks.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post with a way for us to contact you, be it your email, your twitter, or a link to your facebook or goodreads account. Please put your email in the body of the comment, not just in email section of the comment form, because we won’t be able to see it otherwise! On March 20, 2015, we’ll draw a winner from all eligible comments! Be sure to follow the whole tour, because the more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win the prize!

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Prizes provided by Riptide Publishing and the authors.

Tempest_TourBanner

 

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

 

About the Authors

Lisa Henry

Lisa likes to tell stories, mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters.

Lisa lives in tropical North Queensland, Australia. She doesn’t know why, because she hates the heat, but she suspects she’s too lazy to move. She spends half her time slaving away as a government minion, and the other half plotting her escape.

She attended university at sixteen, not because she was a child prodigy or anything, but because of a mix-up between international school systems early in life. She studied History and English, neither of them very thoroughly.

She shares her house a log-suffering partner, too many cats, a dog, a green tree frog that swims in the toilet, and as many possums as can break in every night. This is not how she imagined life as a grown-up.

Connect with Lisa:

Blog:  http://www.lisahenryonline.blogspot.com/”
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaHenryOnline
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LisaHenry

J.A. Rock

J.A. Rock has worked as a dog groomer, knife seller, haunted house zombie, standardized patient, cashier, census taker, state fair quilt hanger, and, for one less-than-magical evening, a server—and would much rather be writing about those jobs than doing them. A lover of m/m BDSM romance, J.A. lives mostly in West Virginia, and always with a beloved dog, Professor Anne.

Website:  http://www.jarockauthor.com/
Blog:  http://jarockauthor.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jarockauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ja.rock.39

Up Close & Personal with Author Trina Lane and Turkish Delights (contest)

Turkish Delight cover

Trina Lane is here today with her book, Turkish Delights!  Not only does she have a contest for all to enter but a NSFW, totally hot excerpt to read (cue the fans).  Check it all out below starting with Trina Lane’s guest blog Mirror Mirror on the Wall.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall by Trina Lane

Who is the hottest of them all? One of the great things about all the different publishers, genres, and authors available today in the erotic romance world is that there is generally a favorite type of character for every person. So I’m going to use today’s blog post to do a little reader feedback research. I pose a question to all of you reading this today. What type of character really rings your bells and why? Are you the type of person who goes for the stoically quiet and intense alpha? Do you gravitate toward the geeky scientist? Are you a lover of men who are literally out of this world? Or are you just looking for an everyday man?

Of those general stereotypes what characteristics are you looking for? Are looks all that matter? Do your heroes require unlimited riches to makes your ultimate fantasies come true? How can we as authors write better characters? Do you like a lot of backstory or is it better to get right down to business? Do you find characters who know how to handle themselves in and out of the bedroom sexy, or do you enjoy reading about someone is simply trying to figure things out day by day?

When it comes to writing the perfect pair. Do opposites really attract? What about two strong men that can’t seem to resist the attraction pulling them together, but on paper make the worst possible sense? Does there always need to be some kind of give and take in a relationship, even if BDSM is your preferred genre, or is there a real place for my way or the highway?

Finally I ask you to weigh in on the angst/conflict vs true romance debate. I realize that sometimes we all want a little sweetness in our lives, but I’ve read reviews of some author’s hard work where a critic lambasts the book because there is no conflict. They call it unrealistic and insulting to readers because it is so unbelievable. But here’s a side question related to that. Don’t we sometimes read romantic fiction to escape reality? I know I do. As you can see this post is really more about you as readers than about my thoughts. So as a reward for participating I’m going to giveaway two copies of Turkish Delights. Please include in your posts some means of me contacting you otherwise you’ll lose out!

Thanks for Playing,
Trina

 

TrinaLane_TurkishDelights_BlogTour_600x315_final

Blurb for Turkish Delights:

This is the newest addition to Totally Bound’s, Totally Five Star imprint.

Three very different men from three different countries look to build a love greater than any Wonder of the World.

Project manager Garrett Sloan builds majestic hotels for the rich and famous around the world, but when it comes to love, all his relationships seem to crumble. His latest project lands him in Istanbul, where the desire he’s held for a certain French architect heats up under the Middle Eastern sun, and his resolve never to mix business with pleasure melts beneath the added hot stare and skilled hands of a Turkish mason.

The three men discover they want to build a relationship to stand the test of time—much like Kyle LaFleure’s buildings and Emir Şahin’s stonework. As the bonds between Garrett and his partners grow stronger and more complex, they work to lay the perfect foundation on which to build a lasting relationship. Can the three men construct a relationship that will endure? Or will their love reach its zenith when their shared task of finishing the ultimate Ottoman luxury hotel reaches its completion?  Reader advisory: This book contains a scene of double penetration.

Like the sound of Turkish Delights? Buy it here.

Excerpt from Turkish Delights (NSFW) Link only for those 18 years of age or older. Click to proceed.

 TrinaLane_TurkishDelights_BlogTour_WebBanner_final

About Trina Lane:

If you look up the word conundrum in the dictionary, there should be a photo of Trina Lane. Her personality is so multifaceted that her friends have spent countless hours scratching their heads in wonder. A scientist with a passion for history, music and photography she loves to travel and experience new places but is terminally shy around people she doesn’t know.

Trina has been devouring romance novels since her tender teenage years, although only began writing in 2007. When her debut novel was met with resounding success, she said “Hey I can do that again”. The rest as they say is history.

Her choices in reading and writing material are as diverse as her iTunes library, which contains music from Mozart to Metallica. Her one concession is all stories must have a happily ever after ending-did we mention she’s incurably romantic?

She lives in Missouri with her loving and indulgent husband, and orange tabby cat—affectionately referred to as ‘Houdini’ for his stealthy escape attempts.

Contest

Enter Totally Bound’s competition for the chance to win a copy of Turkish Delights and three books from Trina Lane’s backlist!

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Contest link and prizes provided by Totally Bound Books.

Direct link: https://www.totallybound.com/turkish-delights-giveaway/?af=53be8f313b20b

image001