Category: M/M Supernatural Fiction

In the Spotlight: Jordan L. Hawk, her release “Hoarfrost” and the Whyborne & Griffin series (author interview and giveaway)

Hoarfrost cover

Hoarfrost (Whyborne & Griffin #6)
by Jordan L. Hawk

Sales Links:   All Romance (ARe)       Amazon      

STRW In The Spotlight Header

 

Our  Q and A with Jordan L. Hawk, on her  Whyborne & Griffin series and much more…

Do you see children in Whyborne & Griffin’s future?

Griffin would be a fabulous father from day one, and love every minute of it. Whyborne would have no idea what to do with a baby, but once it started talking he would probably be okay. Given the time period, I don’t see any children of their own as feasible, but that’s not to say they wouldn’t be amazing godfathers to any friends of theirs who happen to procreate at some point. *shifty eyes*

How do you figure out between the two whose story is it time to tell?

A lot of it has to do with where the characters are in their relationships with each other and themselves. Widdershins was very much Whyborne’s story to kick things off, and Threshold was critical in negotiating the parameters of Whyborne and Griffin’s relationship so that they could move forward. So it felt natural to have Stormhaven focus largely on Griffin’s issues, since we’d already tackled some of Whyborne’s, and then Necropolis is about Whyborne’s relationship with Christine. Of course during all of this Whyborne’s character arc has been ticking along, so Bloodline mirrors Widdershins in some ways, in that it’s about Whyborne deciding who he’s going to be.

In Hoarfrost we’re very much back to “this is Griffin’s story” just as Stormhaven was. He has deep issues with family, both in the reality of what his family is and what he dreams of it being, and it was definitely time to tackle those. I’d go on, but I don’t want to give too much away! 😀

How many books do you see in this series?

My criteria for a series is twofold: 1) there’s more story to tell (and I want to tell it) and 2) readers want to read it. At this point, I’ve ideas through book 9. Which does not mean 9 is the limit, only that’s what I have a solid plot for. After that, we’ll see!

Do you ever see yourself writing a modern/contemporary male male romance novel? If so, when would it be out?

Well, I already write contemporary paranormal with my SPECTR series and Hainted. As far as pure contemporary romance without paranormal elements, I don’t see myself ever writing it. My first love will always be for the fantastic, and it’s deeply engrained in everything I write.

Will Whyborne & Griffin ever cross paths with Henry & Vincent?

Alas, they live in two completely universes, so no. And I think Whyborne had his fill of ghost hunters when he and Griffin encountered KJ Charles’s Simon and Robert in “Remnant.” 😉

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Hoarfrost(Whyborne & Griffin: Book 6) 
Previous Book: Bloodline

Sorcerer Percival Endicott Whyborne and his husband Griffin Flaherty have enjoyed an unprecedented stretch of peace andHoarfrost cover quiet. Unfortunately, the calm is shattered by the arrival of a package from Griffin’s brother Jack, who has uncovered a strange artifact while digging for gold in Alaska. The discovery of a previously unknown civilization could revive the career of their friend Dr. Christine Putnam—or it might kill them all, if the hints of dark sorcery surrounding the find are true.

With Christine and her fiancé Iskander, Whyborne and Griffin must journey to the farthest reaches of the arctic to stop an ancient evil from claiming the life of Griffin’s brother. But in the rough mining camp of Hoarfrost, secrets fly as thickly as the snow, and Whyborne isn’t the only sorcerer drawn by the rumors of magic. Amidst a wilderness of ice and stone, Griffin must either face his greatest fear—or lose everyone he loves.

Find Mika’s STRW Review Here.

Book Details:

ebook, 274 pages
Published April 21st 2015 by Jordan L. Hawk
original title Hoarfrost
ISBN139781941230114
edition languageEnglish
url http://jordanlhawk.com/books/whyborne-griffin/
seriesWhyborne & Griffin #6
charactersGriffin Flaherty, Percival Endicott Whyborne

 

The Whyborne & Griffin series:
Widdershins (Book 1)
Threshold (Book 2)
Stormhaven (Book 3)
Necropolis (Book 4)
Bloodline (Book 5)
Hoarfrost (Book 6)

Eidolon (A Whyborne & Griffin short story)
Remnant (A Whyborne & Griffin/Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal short story) – written with KJ Charles
Carousel (A Whyborne & Griffin short story) – in the Another Place in Time anthology

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About Jordan L. Hawk…

Jordan L. Hawk grew up in the wilds of North Carolina, where she was raised on stories of haints and mountain magic by her bootlegging granny and single mother. After using a silver knife in the light of a full moon to summon her true love, she turned her talents to spinning tales. She weaves together couples who need to fall in love, then throws in some evil sorcerers and undead just to make sure they want it bad enough. In Jordan’s world, love might conquer all, but it just as easily could end up in the grave.Jordan L. Hawk image

Find/follow Jordan L. Hawk at:

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

 Enter to win an eBook of your choice from Jordan L. Hawk’s back library.  To enter to win, leave a comment with your email address below and use the link provided for more contest options.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Giveaway provided by the author.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s Ally Blue ~ Back With “Down”, Love with a Hint of Horror! (guest post and giveaway)

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Ally Blue is here today at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.  Any reader who loves romance with a hint of the supernatural or a touch of horror is familiar with this prolific author.  Ally Blue has written the popular Bay City Paranormal Investigations series, The Happy Onion, Willow Bend and so many more and now she brings us Down, her latest tale of romance and horror.

But let Ally Blue tell you herself….

Down_TourBanner

Hi everyone! I’m Ally Blue, and I’m touring the internet tubes this week in support of my new horror novel, Down. I really appreciate my hosts here at Scattered Thoughts and Rouge Words for having me here today, thank you!

If anyone here is familiar with my work, you’ll know me as an author of gay romance. For the past ten years, I’ve written romance pretty much exclusively. I’ve hit several different sub-genres, including paranormal, contemporary (both angsty and comedic), futuristic/dystopian, sci-fi, and suspense. But except for a couple of horror short stories, my books have always been romances at heart, no matter what else happens.

Down changes that in a big way. The two central characters are still gay men and they do fall into a romantic relationship which plays an important role in the story, but this book is definitely not a romance. The relationship between Mo and Armin is important to the book, but it’s not the focus. The horror plot is the focus of this book—the thing the BathyTech crew finds, the events that follow from that find, and what happens to Our Heroes and the people around them as a result. And some things happen that are not very nice at all. Yeah, Down is definitely Horror. With that big old capital “H”.

Writing horror as a romance author has been interesting. As a reader, I’ve been a fan of horror all my life. I’ve always wanted to write it. Like I said, I’ve done a couple of horror shorts—one of them, Flesh and Song, is available through Riptide Publishing in their Bump In the Night erotic horror anthology—but Down is my first full-length horror novel, something I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time. Horror is a completely different animal to romance. The focus is different. I mean, the characters still have to be the main focus, or the story will feel dead and uninteresting. Or at least that’s my opinion. But the way you handle the characters, their motivations and the consequences of their actions, is different. Obviously, in horror you can go a lot darker than you can with romance. Or maybe it’s just me, ha. I wanted to weave the romance into the horror plot and make the relationship a part of the horror. That was a big challenge for me, as a big fan of the Happily Ever After ending, but I think I succeeded. I think the romance part is very poignant, and the horror part is pretty damn horrific, and I think they work well together to create a frightening but touching story.

I’m very proud of this book, and I want everyone else to love it too. Thanks for letting me talk about it! Happy reading, y’all

About Down

Seven thousand meters below the ocean’s surface, the crew of the BathyTech 3 mineral mining facility has found something remarkable: a rock-like sphere of unknown material and origin.Down_200x300

For Mo Rees, the discovery calls to his inner explorer and adds color to his dull miner’s life. Even better than the promise of new knowledge is the unexpected connection he forges with Dr. Armin Savage-Hall, leader of the team brought down to study the thing.

For Armin, the object is the find of a lifetime. It could prove his controversial theories and secure his scientific reputation. And Mo is a fascinating bonus.

Then crew members start behaving strangely. Worse, they start to change: their eyes glow purple, their teeth sharpen. Then the violence begins, the brutal deaths. As BathyTech descends deeper into chaos, the surviving crew works desperately to find the cause of the horrors around them. What they uncover could annihilate the human race. And they can’t stop it.

Buy It Here (and read an excerpt too) at Riptide Publishing.

About the Author

Ally Blue is acknowledged by the world at large (or at least by her heroes, who tend to suffer a lot) as the Popess of Gay Angst.

She has a great big suggestively-shaped hat and rides in a bullet-proof Plexiglas bubble in Christmas parades. Her harem of manwhores does double duty as bodyguards and inspirational entertainment. Her favorite band is Radiohead, her favorite color is lime green and her favorite way to waste a perfectly good Saturday is to watch all three extended version LOTR movies in a row.
Her ultimate dream is to one day ditch the evil day job and support the family on manlove alone. She is not a hippie or a brain surgeon, no matter what her kids’ friends say.

Connect with Ally:
Website: http://www.allyblue.com
Twitter: @PopessAllyBlue
Tumblr: https://www.therealallyblue.tumblr.com
Facebook fan page
Facebook profile page: https://www.facebook.com/AllyBlue.author
Group blog: http://www.fictionwithfriction.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/PopessAllyBlue

Giveaway

Down_150x300Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing a $15 Riptide store credit. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on April 25. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Don’t forget to add your email so we can contact you if you win!  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Prizes provided by Riptide Publishing.

A MelanieM Review: Heart of Clay by Lee Brazil

Rating: 4 stars out of 5:

Heart-of-Clay-400x600Decades earlier a tragic accident separated two men who were always meant to be together.  Now the ghost of the man that died makes one more effort to bring the men he loved together as they were always meant to be.

Clayton Merk, accomplished, yet arrogant, businessman, has a reputation for one-night stands and being steadfastly anti-relationship, life choices that stem from a traumatic loss in high school. When he decides to return home—to the root of all his problems—he brings a co-worker with him as a buffer against the past. Even though he’s ready to lay old ghosts to rest, he certainly didn’t expect a literal ghost to lend a hand.

Brad Jorgensen, Clay’s former best friend, has also clung to the past in an unhealthy way. When Brad’s brother died in that car accident, he lost not only his brother but any chance he had to get together with Clay, the boy he secretly loved. Now Brad holds Clay responsible for everything that has gone wrong with his life, not the least of which is his cousin’s death decades earlier. At one time they’d been closer than brothers, but blame and anger are powerful weapons of destruction, and they’ve left Brad in a wasteland of self-doubt, hatred, and loneliness.

For decades Clay and Brad have remained apart, separated by loss, anger, bitterness and guilt.  The ghost at the heart of the problem has had enough. Bobby isn’t pleased with his cousin or his ex. Their refusal to let go of the past has kept him on a plane where he doesn’t belong and isn’t at home. He’s expended all his energy trying to get through to Brad, without success, but Clay’s return finally gives him a foot in the door…or out the door.
If he could just get the two stubborn men together.

I have loved ghost stories since I was a child and when combined with romance, they prove downright irresistible.  In Heart of Clay, Lee Brazil takes this trope and gives it his own twist by taking these two men decades past the accident that caused Bobby’s death and the schism in their lives.  Heart of Clay by Lee Brazil opens with Clay, a successful businessman, returning home to the farm he grew up on with his grandparents.  So powerful and traumatic are the memories he has of his time growing up there (and the strong bonds he built with the Jorgensen brothers from the farm next door), that Clay has stayed away rather than deal with his memories and issues.  Clay even brings along his assistant as a buffer although the man has other ideas about the trip.  Brazil makes us understand Clay, the shallow life he’s been leading and the importance of the farm, and grandparents to his formative years and well being.  Clay is clearly someone stuck in a pattern that not even he likes but the past is holding him there and he doesn’t know how to move forward.

Like two halves of the same whole, Clay’s arrival home after all this time sets off sparks everywhere, including next door, where Brad is still farming his family’s land.  Brad’s life is just as dry of life as Clay’s, albeit in another drastic manner.  If Clay’s life is a constant revolving door of anonymous men and no commitment, Brad’s has been one of alcohol abuse, anger and guilt.  The author is able to make Brad’s pain visceral as well as his deep love for the man he blames for his brother’s death.

Little by little, their combined past, happy and traumatic, is revealed to the reader. We get to “see” it from several perspectives, the idyllic life all three boys lead, their strong bond, and, for one, the feelings he kept hidden from the other two.  And then, of course, we have Bobby, our frustrated ghost.  Bobby’s just as stuck as the other two, all three lives shattered by one awful decision.

Bobby is just as real a character as the other two men, however ghostly he might be. His frustration and pain balanced by his continuing love for Clay and his brother, Brad.  He’s a great character and I only wish I had a little bit more of his life before it was ended.

It’s easy to understand how one moment, one bad decision can obliterate three lives, especially the one that caused Bobby’s death.  Equally, the reader will recognize someone wanting to fix the blame somewhere, anywhere than accept the situation as it really occurred.  Brazil offers lots of small truths in this story and that makes Heart of Clay feel familiar and layered.

If I had a quibble with this story, it would be that I wish sections had been enlarged with more memories, more of each man’s life in the interim.  There is a wealth of back history here, and the parts that we see are so intriguing that it makes us want to know more.  And Bobby’s hauntings?  More scenes of those as well.  Bobby’s cuts quite the supernatural presence here.

I so enjoyed Heart of Clay and think you will too.  Love romance with a mixture of the otherworldly?  Love the idea of ghosts and a little supernatural matchmaking?   Pick up Heart of Clay by Lee Brazil, I absolutely recommend it.

Cover art by Laura Harner.  It’s a nice cover but I could have used a little more of the supernatural element whether it was in the color or design.

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

Book Details:

ebook
Published April 1st 2015 by Smashwords Edition
ISBN139781310511295

A Mika Review: Hoarfrost (Whyborne & Griffin #6) by Jordan L. Hawk

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 :

Hoarfrost coverSorcerer Percival Endicott Whyborne and his husband Griffin Flaherty have enjoyed an unprecedented stretch of peace and quiet. Unfortunately, the calm is shattered by the arrival of a package from Griffin’s brother Jack, who has uncovered a strange artifact while digging for gold in Alaska. The discovery of a previously unknown civilization could revive the career of their friend Dr. Christine Putnam—or it might kill them all, if the hints of dark sorcery surrounding the find are true. 

With Christine and her fiancé Iskander, Whyborne and Griffin must journey to the farthest reaches of the arctic to stop an ancient evil from claiming the life of Griffin’s brother. But in the rough mining camp of Hoarfrost, secrets fly as thickly as the snow, and Whyborne isn’t the only sorcerer drawn by the rumors of magic. Amidst a wilderness of ice and stone, Griffin must either face his greatest fear—or lose everyone he loves.

Seriously JLH! My feelings were screaming at me in this edition. Griffin, baby, I love you. He was hurting this entire book, and I wanted him to be just fine and dandy, but his HUSBAND Whyborne never let him down! I can’t even discuss the plot without giving it away. Let’s just say Griffin was right all along stemming from Chicago! I loved seeing Heliabel and Persephone again.

As usual this story continues on from the events in Bloodline, as Griffin & Whyborne plus Saul are still living together. Griffin is in a rut basically, something tragic happens, and he doesn’t know how to feel about it. Oh Ival, I loved that he stepped up to the plate. This is definitely a different Whyborne from 3 years ago. His confidence when it comes to Griffin has exceeded that of the past and his banter with Christine has multiplied. They set off to Alaska for the next archaeological dig! Christine and Iskander also are there with them. I love that Iskander is getting closer to Griffin, there’s a scene in the book where they both are reaffirming their beliefs about their significant others and it’s beautiful. They would do anything for Christine and Whyborne and vice versus. I love that everyone got an incorrect reading of him. He didn’t back down from anybody. We meet some interesting characters. Ummm, Jack… the verdict is still out on him. Reverend Sarrow I liked a lot and the rest were non-factors.

I really enjoyed this adventure, location and history language. I really appreciated the history on the civilization, and all the facts that just draws the readers in like we’re there with them. I love that JLH researches not only the setting, but the language people would have used in the time period as well. She continues to write about these amazing characters and I’ll continue to read it. I absolutely loved this one yet again.

Cover Art by: JLH, I am in love with this cover. It’s one of my favorite in this series. Whyborne is so beautifully done in this cover and I loved the coat.

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

Book Details:

ebook
Expected publication: April 21st 2015 by Jordan L. Hawk
original titleHoarfrost
ISBN139781941230114
edition languageEnglish
url http://jordanlhawk.com/books/whyborne-griffin/
seriesWhyborne & Griffin #6
charactersGriffin Flaherty, Percival Endicott Whyborne

Series Whyborne & Griffin, books included in the order they were written and should be read:

  • Widdershins (Whyborne & Griffin, #1)
  • Eidolon (Whyborne & Griffin, #1.5)
  • Threshold (Whyborne & Griffin, #2
  • Stormhaven (Whyborne & Griffin, #3)
  • Another Place In Time by Aleksandr Voinov
  • Remnant: A Caldwell & Feximal/Whyborne & Griffin Mystery (The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal; Whyborne & Griffin, #3.5) by K.J. Charles
  • Necropolis (Whyborne & Griffin, #4)
  • Bloodline (Whyborne & Griffin, #5)
  • Harmony (Whyborne & Griffin #5.5)
  • Hoarfrost (Whyborne & Griffin, #6

The Weather Is Lovely, The Gardens Are Calling and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Gardening_Tools_Clip_Art

After a wonderful lunch with some of my DC Metro M/M group friends yesterday at The Daily Grill in Bethesda (and getting my first sunburn of the season on my arms), it’s time to concentrate on the yard today before the rains head back in tomorrow. So it’s short and sweet today.

 

Our schedule this week is as follows:

Hawaiian Trunks coverBloodandGhostsFSEven the Innocent coverjust a bit twisted cover

Sunday, April 19:

  • Weekly Schedule

Monday, April 20:

  • When The Band Came To Town by H. Lewis-Foster Tour and Giveaway
  • Book Spotlight: R.E. Nelson Guest Blogs on Vietnam and Palace Dog (contest)
  • Death by Deceit by A.E/ Via Book tour and giveaway
  • A Stella Review: Even The Innocent by D.W. Marchwell
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Food for Thought by Amy Lane

Tuesday, April 21:

  • Back to the Past with Charlie Cochrane’s Lessons for Suspicious Minds Tour and contest
  • In Memory of Us by Ana J. Phoenix. Book Blast and giveaway
  • Blood and Ghosts Tour from Shira Anthony – Guest Blog on Time Travel and giveaway
  • A Mika Review: Hoarfrost by Jordan L. Hawk
  • A BJ Review: Burn the Sky by Jaye McKenna

Wednesday, April 22:

  • 2 Author 2 Book Spotlight with Lee Brazil and Havan Fellows (tour and contest)
  • A Mika Review: Breaking the Habit by J. P. Bowie
  • A MelanieM Review: Heart of Clay by Lee Brazil
  • A Stella Review: A Boy Called Cin by Cecil Wilde

Thursday, April 23:

  • Kate Fierro ‘Love Starved‘ Tour and Giveaway
  • Riptide: Down by Ally Blue Tour and Contest
  • A MelanieM review: Hawaiian Trunks by Caraway Carter
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Max And the Prince by RJ Scott
  • A MelanieM Review: Chance At Trust by Havan Fellows

Friday, April 24:

  • RJ Scott Tour:Guarding Morgan Release in French, Italian and in an Audio book.
  • Vanessa L. Sims: Mercenary Series Tour and  giveaway
  • In the Spotlight:Jordan Hawk’s Hoarfrost Guest Blog and Giveaway
  • A Mika Review:  Scarred Souls by T. T. Kove
  • A BJ Review: Just a Bit Twisted (Straight Guys #1) by Alessandra Hazard

Saturday, April 25:

  • Craving Stains by Alina Popescu Excerpt Tour and Giveaway
  • An Aurora YA Review: And The Children Shall Lead (Children of the Knight #4) by Michael J. Bowler

 

Max and the PrinceHeart-of-Clay-400x600AJP_in memory of us_coverinChanceatTrust400x600

 

 

 

 

 

A MelanieM Review: Diamonds & Dust: Ace of Diamonds One by Laura Harner

(PF 2015: Altered States Book 4)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Diamonds & Dust coverAfter the traumatic events that left Jamal ‘Jet’ Gorman’s  the de facto Alpha of his pack, the time has come for Jet to take up the responsibilities and problems of a job he never wanted or thought would be his. There are rumblings of others who would fight him to the death for the position, and others maneuvering behind the scenes to make sure that Jet’s time as Alpha is a short one.  Jet isn’t certain that’s not a fitting way to exit this world…even if it puts the werewolves he’s sworn to protect in the hands of a ruthless killer. A trip to the bayou with the ancient and enigmatic new vampire in town changes everything—in ways Jet would never have predicted. Now his new mission is safeguarding his late partner’s secret.

Nicolino Sanzio da Urbino—Nico to his friends, if he had any—has been undead for centuries, and given the betrayals in his own past, it shouldn’t surprise him the depths some will go to in order to seize a power to which they have no claim. After leaving his position with the Vampire Council behind, Nico’s new job with the Odd Squad provides more flexibility and challenges. It also comes with a lot more latitude when meting out justice, so when he discovers a plot to rid the local pack of their second Alpha in as many months, Nico decides it’s time to go hunting. That is until he meets Jet and everything gets…personal.

With hearts as hard as diamonds, neither man is seeking the odd connection that seems to flow between them—but the winds of change blowing through the Crescent City seem to have everyone on edge—and not all challenges are as simple as they seem. With more and more monsters coming out of the closet, only time will tell if these two survive long enough to play the hand they’ve been dealt—before they become dust in the wind.

I know, I know, I say this with each story, but Diamonds & Dust by Laura Harner may be my favorite. At least until the 2nd books in the next round pop up.  I love Jet and the events that have already occurred at the beginning of this story shocked me!  No way did I see that coming.  And it left me a little heartbroken over Jet’s loss.

Then I met Nico.   Heartbreak gone.

In fact I couldn’t even remember that much about Russ (Russ, right?) because Nico’s first, second, and third impressions are strong, charismatic, and absolutely addicting.  He is everything that Jet (and the reader) needs. And the same holds true for Nico.  Jet is that one being he has been waiting for.  They are each other’s yin to the yang, the magnets that cling instead of repel.   Their push me/pull you meeting and beginnings of a relationship hooked me in throughly. And when that is framed by a storyline full of vicious assaults, deep plotting by everyone around, evil doers on the loose, and tons of hot sex, well, you have the setup for a memorable and yes, haunting series.

Harner’s writing style is concise, her prose tight and expressive, and the storyline is propelled along at break neck speed.  You will want to slow it down to savor certain lines or situations but the cast and plot won’t let you tarry.  It hurls you along until you reach the….argh….cliffhanger.   Yes,  yet another ending that leaves you hanging.  But that’s what serialized stories do best.  Leave you hanging and wanting more.

This Pulp Friction series, PF 2015 Altered States, is “guaraunteeeed” (try saying it in the late Justin Wilson’s voice) to make you a little crazy.  No one is safe, lots of people are going to die (and just maybe come back), with plots that are as hard to tie down as a will o the wisp!  And I love every word and exclamation point of it.  These stories are as addicting and satisfying as a New Orleans beignet!

But don’t take my word for it.  This is the  end of the first round of stories.  Get in on the beginning.  It really doesn’t matter which series you start with.  Diamonds & Dust: Ace of Diamonds One by Laura Harner is a terrific place to start.  Or go back even further to the Altered States series written by Laura Harner and T. A. Webb, that sets out the universe for the characters and events that happen here.  Do that for a wildly scary and fantastic ride into the supernatural and beyond.  One of my highly recommended reads!

Cover art by Laura Harner.  Loving this group of covers, including this one.

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

Book Details:

ebook
Published April 1st 2015 by Smashwords Edition (first published March 31st 2015)
ISBN13 9781941841082

About Pulp Friction 2015
Lee Brazil ~ Havan Fellows ~ Parker Williams ~ Laura Harner

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

Spend a year with the creatures that go bump in the night…fighting for their rights to exist and protecting the innocents of The Big Easy. A diverse group of friends trying to find their place in a world they never had to “fit” into before.
Although each series can stand alone, we believe reading the books in the order they are released will increase your enjoyment.
Round One:
Drawing Dead (Jack of Spades: 1) by Lee Brazil
Blind Stud (King of Hearts: 1) by Havan Fellows
The Devil’s Bedpost (Four of Clubs: 1) by Parker Williams
Diamonds and Dust (Ace of Diamonds: 1) by Laura Harner

Round Two:

Dead Blind (Jack of Spades: 2) by Lee Brazil

Shift Back To the Supernatural with Tina Blenke’s Shifting Cargo (excerpt and giveaway)

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Shifting Cargo (Shifting Paradigm world) by  Tina Blenke
Goodreads Link

Release Date: April 1, 2015
Sales Links: eXtasy Books  Amazon

TBRC

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Ramey’s world is shattered when his brother dies suddenly. He tries to go through the motions, day by agonizing day, doing the best that he can at his job, but it’s not enough. Months of depression escalates into alcohol use and drug abuse to numb the pain. For the past year, he’s been dreading meeting with his lawyer and accepting his brother’s death. The pain becomes too much to bear and Ramey is caught with cocaine at work and fired immediately. When he hits rock bottom, he realizes that he’s disrespecting his brother’s memory and checks himself into rehab with the help of an unlikely friend.

Londyn’s life is perfect living as a wolf Shifter in the Pack Lands. He’s been working in the family business and happy living in his cabin in the woods. Londyn has high expectations for the perfect mate to make his life complete.

Can Ramey accept his destiny as a Shifter’s mate? And is his love for the wolf Shifter worth leaving behind the demons and the only world he’s ever known?

Publisher: eXtasy Books
Cover Artist: Latrisha Waters
Pages or Words: 20,765

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

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

“It pleases me that you want to see my wolf so bad. Have a seat on that fallen log by the fire and watch the master at work.” Ramey took a seat as instructed and watched Londyn prepare for his shift. Londyn removed his clothing piece by maddening piece. It was a slow strip tease set to the music of the forest and Ramey swore all the blood left his body and pooled into his cock. Londyn’s body was absolutely lickable. He had definition in his lean muscles, his chest was smooth and hairless with pale pink nipples that Ramey couldn’t help but drool over. His back and legs had corded muscles and fine blond hair covered his legs and groin. Except for a few old scars, the man didn’t have a mark on him. No blemishes, birthmarks or tattoos and given his age it was odd that he didn’t have at least one. Ramey had never been with a man who didn’t have any ink. And the ass on his boyfriend. He had won the lottery ten times over. He had to sit on his hands to keep from reaching out and when he turned around, he caught Ramey ogling his mate.

“Hey, eyes are up here, sir.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just that—”

“Nah, just messing with you. I like your eyes on me.” Londyn’s own blues were dark with heat proving that Londyn was just as turned on as Ramey was by the show. It wasn’t just Londyn’s eyes giving away his arousal either.

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About the author:

Tina is a retired Air Force brat and has lived in several states as well as a handful of countries. She has always had a soft spot for literature and is a voracious reader. When she isn’t writing, she can be found cuddled up with a good book. Though Tina adores a thrilling novel with sappy lovesick heroes, she is terrified of things that go bump in the night. This makes for quite a complicated relationship with zombies, something that she just can’t get enough of.

Find the author at the following:

Facebook 
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinablenke
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/tinablenke
Ello: tinablenke
eXtasy link: http://www.extasybooks.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=981
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257278.Tina_Blenke
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/TinaBlenke
Wordpress: http://tinablenke.wordpress.com/
Website: http://tinablenke.wix.com/author

 

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Inked Rainbow Reads

A Sammy Review: Cronin’s Key (Cronin’s Key #1) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5:

Cronin's key coverWeird and Alec MacAidan tend to go together. From bending bullets to people suddenly turning to ash, his experience on the police force and in life haven’t necessarily been the most normal, but it’s about to get a whole lot weirder when a vampire named Cronin shows up at the station and disappears with Alec in front of a whole bunch of cops.

Alec’s full of questions, but the answers always seem to lead to more. There’s a whole other world out there Alec had no idea about, and Cronin and his coven are all part of that. Alec’s been told most of his life that he’s special, but he just never had this in mind – being fated to a vampire is one thing, but what they discover about just how special he is… well that’s a whole different ball game.

He wanted to be everything to Cronin. And he would be. Everything he needed, everything he wanted, Alec was it.

 As Cronin was to him.

N.R. Walker has always been the author I go to when I need a break from reality. her books tend to provide me with easy escapes and easy reads, and Cronin’s Key is no different. When I had time to read, I flew through the pages and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

This book, which I hope is the first in at least a three book series, provides a great introduction to both Alec and Cronin. They both have distinct personalities that Walker does a great job of highlighting. Furthermore, the way that the connection between them builds, despite there being an instant love factor due to fate, is really great, especially the bits of humor that are laced into it. I had so much fun reading their banter and it kept me smiling.

The side characters were really great too. I enjoyed getting to know them as well as how they laced into the story of Alec and Cronin. They didn’t take away from it, but they added greatly to the depth. It presented a whole new dynamic that I certainly appreciated.

But my favorite part, hands down, is the alternate history and therefore the world that Walker created. Instead of just throwing vampires into society as we know it, she took events such as the Black Plague and reimagined them. I was so giddy over this and so enamored by the past that she built. I really hope that this continues in coming books, as it was such a strong element to the book that it’s something I will remember this book for.

My only complaint would be that I wasn’t immediately drawn in at the beginning, and unfortunately some of the lines were a bit cheesy, especially toward the end in battle scenes. It was just that the villain sounded like they were from a badly scripted series, but besides that, it read very well. In general, this was a fun start to a new series that I will look forward to reading more of.

The cover art by Sara York does a nice job of accenting the story, though I am not necessarily the most pleased with it aesthetically. It fits the story, but looks-wise, it’s not that great.

 

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

Book Details:

ebook, 265 pages
Published March 13th 2015 by Self-Published (first published March 12th 2015)
original titleCronin’s Key
edition languageEnglish
seriesCronin’s Key #1