Tis the Merry Month of May. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Tis the Merry Month of May

Yes, May is upon us and I couldn’t be happier!  That means our official last day of frost has passed and its safe to plant our annuals.  For us nerds, we can look forward to May 4th….Star Wars Day.  Yes, May the Fourth be with you!  And Cinco de Mayo will follow on its heels.

Bluebirds have been back, nest building in earnest.  The pollen count is rising…sorry but the trees are going mad in the spring. Nature is bursting forth again with growth. And the days are getting longer, something that always lifts my spirits.

So too the fact that I can take my Kindle outside to read while the dogs investigate the yard to see what’s new and exciting or old and inviting.  You never know with them.

Odd little interesting items you might be interested in, especially if you like comic books like me.  The first saturday in May?  Its Free Comic Book Day.  Here’s the history and info.  Call your local store to see if its participating.

Calling all nerds, geeks, and comic book aficionados. Today is Free Comic Book Day.

Who says you can’t get something for nothing? On this very special day, comic book stores all over the country hand our specially printed copies of free comic books. Some comic book stores take it a step further, setting up shelves of free comic books, with no strings attached. Take one or take several, and you don’t owe the store anything. Of course, the comic book stores are trying to hook you into the fun world of comic books, so you come back and buy new editions over and over again. Occasionally, stores will also hand out other freebies, memorabilia, posters, etc.

 Free Comic Book Day, taking place on the first Saturday of May, is an annual promotional effort by the North American Comic Book industry to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores. At last count, over 2,000 retailers in 30 countries participate in this fun filled day.

Head on out to your local comic book store, and get hooked on the world of comics.

Friday, May 5th is a very busy day.  It’s also Oyster Day (great since I’m so close to the Chesapeake Bay).  I’ll take advantage of this! Maybe have half a dozen raw oysters and read a free comic.  Sounds like a plan to me.  Did you know that there are LGBT comics out there?  Remember that post?

Anyhow it’s looking to be a busy week!  Let the May celebrations begin!

From our readers who left comments  for our What’s Old is New Again Giveaway,  I’d like to post them here.

♦︎From Ami:

Thank you for the generous giveaway … I think in regards to issues coming left and right from Romancelandia these days, I would love to read more about INTERRACIAL COUPLE trope. I don’t feel like I read it a lot. Other than that, I still see the same old tropes playing around, enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers …

[ I agree, Ami.  Your comment is timely, One of the books I read last week Why I Trust You by Colette Davison featured an interracial couple as does one by Alex Beecroft in one of my favorite series Contraband Hearts (Porthkennack #10) by Alex Beecroft.  I’m reviewing that on Saturday.  What is fascinating about that one is that it is an M/M historical romance that absolutely feels authentic. Authors! More please!]

♦︎From H.B.:

I read pretty much the same tropes I’ve always have keeping to shifter stories, mpreg and friends to lovers. Mpreg and shifter stories kind of go hand in hand but I notice in the past year there have been more and more stories that focus on mpreg stories that involve alpha /omega couples that don’t having shifting abilities. I see resurfacing of marriage of convenience/relationship of convenience stories too.

[True, H.B., I see more and more of those as well.  One of the things I see popping up on cable/tv…everywhere are the prince stories and the commoner stories.  Gosh. Wonder where that idea came from.  And how long before it makes its way into the M/M stories. shall we take a poll?]

♦︎From Purple Reader:

Thanks for the generous gift. And thanks so much for taking time to highlight the issues brought up in “What’s New In LGBT Romance Fiction”. As you can tell, they mean a lot to me, and I think it’s good to visit these issues so that we keep in mind how our community is impacted by such RW issues, but also how we can create positive change. And that’s something SPRING does for me, too – bringing warmth and hope as well as renewal.

[You’re welcome, P.R. and yes, those issues mean a lot to us here too.  The LGBTQIA Book World is a small universe of authors, publishers, editors, covers artists, and promotional groups and more. All of those  have a larger impact that extends outward to current readers and, I feel, future readers that will find their books and, perhaps, recognize themselves within and see a larger universe that awaits them.  I hope so.  Thanks for all your wonderful comments!]

🎼Music of the Moment: Appalachian spring by Aaron Copland

Because I can hear the bubbling spring all along its journey and yes, everything about this piece makes me think of Spring and possibilities!

My thanks to everyone who left such wonderful comments. The winner of  What’s Old is New Again Giveaway is H.B.!.  H.B., please contact Stella at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com and she will hook you up with your gift certificate! Congratulations.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sumday. April 29:

  • Release Blitz – Corked by Brigham Vaughn
  • Tank by Nora Phoenix & K.M. Neuhold Release Blitz
  • Tis the Merry Month of May. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, April 30:

  • BLOG TOUR And The Beagle Makes Three by Geoffrey Knight
  • Exclusive Excerpt Tour MEDLEY (Changing Lanes #2) by Layla Reyne
  • Release Blitz – Sharon Maria Bidwell – Flowers For The Gardener
  • Release Blitz – A Love To Remember by Sarah Hadley Brook
  • A Lucy Review: And The Beagle Makes Three by Geoffrey Knight
  • A MelanieM Review:  Masc (Femme #2) by Marshall Thornton
  • An Alisa Review: Corked by Brigham Vaughn
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Smoldering Flame (Rekindled Flame #3) by Andrew Grey and Michael Pauley (Narrator)

Tuesday, May 1:

  • The California Dashwoods by Lisa Henry – Release Day Blitz
  • Release Blitz – Diego’s Secret by Bryan T Clark
  • Book Blitz for Astray by Elvira Bell
  • A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: The Wanderer (Chronicles of the Riftlands #1) by Rowan McAllister
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review:  Stand By Your Manny (The Mannies #3) by Amy Lane
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review:  Forged in Fire (Asheville Arcana #2) by Ari McKay

Wednesday, May 2:

  • BLOG TOUR Hard To Get by Jaclyn Quinn
  • DSP Promo Sean Michael
  • Series Blitz – – Strain Series by Amelia Gormley
  • Release Blitz for  Forged in Fire (Asheville Arcana #2) by Ari McKay
  • A Caryn Review: Orderly Affair (Hearts & Health #6) by DJ Jamison
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Stand By Your Manny (The Mannies #3) by Amy Lane
  • An Alisa Review:  Rended Hearts by Riza Curtis
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Tied up by the Boss (Office Kink #2 ) by Hunter Frost

Thursday, May 3:

  • DSP Promo Elliot Joyce on In The Desert
  • Book Release Tour for Contraband Hearts by Alex Beecroft
  • Release Blitz for Machine Metal Magic by Hanna Dare
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Creature (Bureau #3) by Kim Fielding
  • A Lila Review: Fighting for You (Lifesworn #2) by Megan Derr
  • A MelanieM Review: Hard To Get by Jaclyn Quinn
  • A VVivacious Review:  The Captain and the Cavalry Trooper (The Captivating Captains #1) by Eleanor Harkstead & Catherine Curzon

Friday, May 4:

  • Erin McLellan on Life of Bliss
  • TOUR Creature by Kim Fielding
  • Release Blitz –  – Whisper by  Garrett Leigh
  • Review Tour – The Perfect Whore by Josephine Myles
  • An Ali Review: The Perfect Whore – Josephine Myles
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: In the Desert (States of Love) by Elliot Joyce
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Life of Bliss (Love Life #2) by Erin McLellan
  • A MelanieM Audiobook Review: The Hockey Player’s Heart (Hockey Hearts) by Jeff Adams and Will Knauss with Finn Sterling (Narrator)

Saturday, May 5:

  • Release Blitz Tour –  Hawk In The Rowan  by Sam Burns
  • A MelanieM Recent Release Review: Contraband Hearts (Porthkennack #10) by Alex Beecroft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A MelanieM Review: Kelpie Blue (Out of Underhill #1) by Mell Eight

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Mama always said, don’t go near the lake. Rin already knew the forest was filled with dark things, but aside from Mama no one had warned him about the lake. One day, Rin wanders off to the lake, where a beautiful blue horse asks him to go for a swim, and Rin learns too late it may not be a swim he survives.

I have to admit it took me a little while to connect with a character who referred to his lover as his “snack” and thought about eating him or his bone marrow.  I was dubious until about halfway through that this would have a HEA and that the old adage about creatures staying true to their nature might prove out here.  You never know….

But Kelpie Blue (Out of Underhill #1) by Mell Eight kept taking one interesting turn after another, and eventually I even enjoyed the peculiar mindset of a Kelpie (thoughts of eating humans included).

I loved the way  Mell Eight weaves the Fae and human worlds together here, connecting them through a matter of fact woman running a stables at the edge of a special forest and lake, and her son Rin.  That lake and forest are just any plain forests but the entranceway and habitat of the fae as Rin soon finds out.

Side by side with the fae story element is an ongoing one that shows Mama, who raises and races horses, having major troubles with another horse breeder.  I thought this was a terrific idea.  Just when the whole Rin/Blue aspect of the storyline gets a little overwhelming with their  diary dialog  (they write back and forth in Rin’s diary) and relationship then we cut away to Mama’s gritty real life issues and the fight to save the farm and their livelihood.

Two thirds into the story, the drama has increased, the suspense and mystery has been raised, and I was just as interested in Mama’s story as I was in Rin’s.  Plus there is this whole other guy called Jim who runs Overhill Stables….

Anyhow, by the time the book ends (it ends way too soon), you still have some questions.  Ok, a lot of questions.  Blue is still a young Kelpie and Rin is, well, a young Rin.  Both have a lot of growing to do.  I expect Fae politics to start intruding one more into their lives so I can’t wait for the next book to appear.

By the way?  Kudos to Mell Eight for keeping Blue as completely non-human and Kelpie as possible.  It takes time to relate to him precisely because the author did her job so well.  I can’t wait to see what happens as he grows, trepidations notwithstanding.  Snack indeed.

Cover art: Michelle Seaver.  Beautiful cover and works so well for the story.

Sales Links:  Less Than Three Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook
Published March 21st 2018 by Less Than Three Press
Original TitleKelpie Blue
ISBN139781684311989
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesOut of Underhill #1

Ari McKay on Mates and the new release Forged in Fire (Asheville Arcana #2) by Ari McKay (author guest blog)

Forged in Fire (Asheville Arcana #2) by Ari McKay
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art: Aaron Anderson

Sales Links:     Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Ari of Ari McKay here today, back talking about the second story in the Asheville Arcana series, Forged in Fire.  Welcome, Ari.

♦︎

Hello everyone! I’m Ari, of Ari McKay, and I’m really excited that Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is hosting us for the very first blog post for the upcoming release of Forged in Fire, book two of the Asheville Arcana series from Dreamspinner Press!

If you read Out of the Ashes, book one in the series, you’re already familiar with one of our boys, Whimsy Hickes. Whimsy is a mage specializing in transformation magic, and he has been “friends with benefits” for a few years with Arden Gilmarin and Julian Schaden. But Arden found his mate, Eli Hammond, in Out of the Ashes, and Julian… well, Julian isn’t exactly the romantic sort. For the first time in a while Whimsy finds himself without the comfort and support of a lover, but he’s not really interested in hook ups. Seeing what Arden and Eli found together, he wants to find someone to love.

Enter Harlan Edgewood. Harlan is a “true” werewolf, rather than being a shapeshifter like Eli and the others. Eli was born a human, and he has bitten by a possessed wolf shifter, which turn him into a cursed creature who painfully transforms every full moon, rather than at will like the others. He’s a man who survives on the border of two worlds, the human and the shifter, without really belonging fully to either.

Harlan meets Whimsy, and Harlan feels himself drawn to the mage, his lupine half taking notice of Whimsy in a way that is both overwhelming and frightening. But it’s not until Julian angers Harlan enough to goad him into an unexpected transformation that Harlan learns the truth — his wolf wants Whimsy as its mate.

Being human, Whimsy doesn’t feel the same pull Harlan does, but he is sympathetic to what Harlan is going through. Plus, he does find Harlan attractive, and he wants to use his magic to make Harlan’s transformations easier. But while the two of them are trying to get to know one another, the danger surrounding Asheville grows stronger. The possessed shifters who attacked the Eli’s pack are back, and this time they’ve managed to possess several bear shifters. At the same time, Whimsy and the others begin to suspect that something is Not Quite Right about the Asheville Paranormal Council, most of whom seem pretty unconcerned that demons are popping up with increasing frequency.

Things quickly and frighteningly spiral out of control when Harlan is hit with a compulsion spell that puts him in mortal peril. Now Whimsy must go up against the most powerful mage in the area, in a life or death battle where not only the fate of the city hangs in the balance, but the soul of the man he’s come to love.

Whew! Lots of action and plenty of UST in this one! We hope you’ll give Forged in Fire a chance — you don’t have to have read Out of the Ashes first, though there are a few in-jokes that are funnier if you have. But if you were hoping and waiting for Whimsy to find his man, this is the story for you! ❤

BLURB:

 

The magic touch.

 

Ever since Harlan Edgewood was bitten by a possessed werewolf, his monthly shifts have been agonizing. When he meets Whimsy Hickes—a mage who specializes in transformation—the attraction is mutual. But Harlan believes his curse is too great a burden to inflict on any romantic partner.

 

Fortunately, Whimsy thinks he can help.

 

When Harlan is provoked into an unexpected change, Whimsy uses his magic to help ease Harlan’s pain, but with an unexpected consequence. While he’s shifted, Harlan’s wolf claims Whimsy as his mate.

 

As they draw closer, suspicious events in the Asheville magical community escalate. Shifters are disappearing, others are murdered, and Harlan’s curse makes him an obvious target. It will take all of Whimsy’s magic to force back the rising evil—and if he fails, Harlan will lose not only his life, but his very soul.

About the Authors

Ari McKay is the professional pseudonym for Arionrhod and McKay, who have been writing together for over a decade. Their collaborations encompass a wide variety of romance genres, including contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, gothic, and action/adventure. Their work includes the Blood Bathory series of paranormal novels, the Herc’s Mercs series, as well as two historical Westerns: Heart of Stone and Finding Forgiveness. When not writing, they can often be found scheming over costume designs or binge watching TV shows together.

Arionrhod is a systems engineer by day who is eagerly looking forward to (hopefully) becoming a full time writer in the not-too-distant future. Now that she is an empty-nester, she has turned her attentions to finding the perfect piece of land to build a fortress in preparation for the zombie apocalypse, and baking (and eating) far too many cakes.

McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she’s relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.

AUTHOR CONTACTS:

Website: http://arimckay.wordpress.com

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ari-Mckay/266185570179748

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ari.mckay.7

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriMcKay1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6153630.Ari_McKay

An Alisa Review: The Officer and the Vampire Chef (A Loving Nip #16) by Charlie Richards

Rating:  3.25 stars out of 5

Just a little Love Bite: When a vampire chef meets his soul mate, he must discover if the way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach.

Patrick Brown knows he’s a little odd for a vampire, enjoying cooking and dancing. It works for him, though, since he’s his vampire coven’s chef, and he loves spending hours doing both as he shimmies around his kitchen. On a routine food run he stops a robbery at his local grocer’s. To Patrick’s surprise, the blood of one of the officers calls to him like nothing ever has. He realizes the human policeman is his beloved, his soul mate. While Patrick easily scents the human’s arousal, betraying his interest, Officer Allen Robinson barely gives him the time of day. Undeterred, Patrick begins a quest to learn everything about the human, and with the help of friends, he sees him again…and again. Can Patrick figure out a way to woo his closeted cop, or will fears and prejudice destroy their chance at a future?

This was a sweet short story.  Patrick enjoys his life but desires to have to have a soul mate like many around him have found.  Allen has kept his sexuality a secret forever and his strong attraction to Patrick sends him running even farther in the closet.

Patrick tries to woo Allen but it didn’t seem to do much.  Allen knows he’s running but can’t help himself and when he sees Patrick out with some friends.  I could feel Patrick’s desire for Allen and what seemed acceptance of his fate when Allen didn’t come back after his first visit.  I was able to see Allen’s fear of coming out but didn’t really connect with him.  As expected in a short story it seemed to be tied up in a bow much faster than I would have liked but I still enjoyed this story.

The cover art by Angela Waters is nice and I love the visual of Patrick in his kitchen.

Sales Links: eXtasy Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 94 pages

Published: March 2, 2018 by eXtasy Books

ISBN13: 9781487418878

Edition Language: English

Series: A Loving Nip #16

A Jeri Review: Theoden: A New Haven Series Prequel by Nicholas Bella

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This is the prequel to a series that I haven’t read. It has just never been on my radar. But this looked interesting and being that it was a prequel, I was basically starting at the beginning. Vampires, dragons and werewolves oh my!

Lots of prequels (I have found) are not very long. Not so with this book. It was loooooonng. It follows the life of Theoden- starting as a young boy up until he is quite old. Being quite old as a vampire is relative though.
The first half of the book really sucked me in. (Sucked me in, vampires. Get it?) The world that is built was really interesting. The lives of the vampires, dragons who aren’t necessarily in animal form and werewolves that are used as toys.
And while the first half was interesting and I enjoyed it- there was this thing that bothered me a bit. As the youngest vampire, Theoden has to submit sexually to his brothers whenever he wants. He hates one of his brothers, but all three are rather rough with him. But he has to just submit. Seemed kind of rape-y to me. It could really turn people off.
Anyway…. after the first half being rather detailed and covering a rather short amount of time, the second half jumps centuries at a time. There is a story going on, but really it is mostly filled with sex. The whole book is filled with sex. Hate filled sex, loving sex, rape-y sex, voyeuristic sex. I think if you cut 90% of the sex scenes, this book wouldn’t even be 100 pages long.
And I get it- the author warns you that it is filled with sex. But I felt like there was a decent story there that was just overshadowed by…sex.
This was a tough one for me, but ultimately I can only give it 3 stars
Cover art: Jay Aheer.  The cover art works for the character and draws your attention. Striking.

Sales Link: 

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Book Details:
The New Haven Series Prequel
Dark Paranormal Erotica/GLBT/BDSM
Kindle Edition, 346 pages
Published March 21st 2018 by Dark Desires Publishing, LLC
Price: $4.99 Ebook/$ Paperback $13.50

99c Book Blast – Omega Sacrifice (Pine Creek Lake #2) by Quinn Michaels (excerpt)

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Omega Sacrifice (Pine Creek Lake #2)

Author: Quinn Michaels

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Quinn Michaels

Genre/s:  M/M Mpreg Romance, Mystery & Adventure

Length: 110 print pages

Blurb

Will he sacrifice his true mate for revenge?

An alpha of the Pine Creek Lake pack killed Devon’s father. But when Devon discovers his true mate amongst his enemies, will a forbidden love force Devon to choose between his pack and his heart?

Seeing the love of his life choose another, Zeke faces a bleak future as an omega with no hope of a mate. But when he stumbles into the arms of a strange and handsome alpha, is this a second chance for a happy ending? Or will he be cast aside…again?

Star-crossed mates must make the ultimate sacrifice to save each other.

Omega Sacrifice is a fast-paced, satisfying mpreg omega werewolf romance that will leave you hot and bothered with a happily ever after to melt your heart.

Short. Sweet. Steamy. No Cliffhanger.

If you love Mpreg Omega werewolf romance with knotting, true mates, and hawtness, start reading Omega Sacrifice, Book 2 of the Pine Creek Lake pack series, today!

Buy Links – Available on KU and Special 99c Offer

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads 

Excerpt

Devon froze. In his wolf sight, the omega male was a monochrome figure in gray, brown, and tan. He had a round face and light hair, escaping in scraggly curls that were tied at the nape of his neck in an elastic band. If Devon had been human, his mind might have drifted to poetry. The soft roundness of his figure was hinted at tantalizingly beneath a thin rain jacket and sodden yoga pants. His lips were full, his nose upturned endearingly at the tip.

The omega smelled like the sweetness of fresh kill, and Devon wanted to lick him. To taste him.

Stupid with desire, Devon whimpered.

This was bad. A deep, instinctual part of him recognized that the omega in front of him was his true mate.

The omega froze in place. “Who’s there?” He wiped the sleeve of his jacket over his face and blinked. Squinting into the darkness. “Hello? Who’s there?”

Devon held his breath. This omega was his true mate, and instinct demanded that Devon make his claim. But he had a job to do. If he revealed himself, he would put his entire pack in danger.

The omega sniffed the air. Between the rain and his weaker human senses, he should not have been able to smell Devon. But he tensed, and Devon recognized both fear and curiosity as the omega turned toward him. “You’re an alpha. I don’t know you.” The growing panic was evident in his tone. He would shout for help soon. Devon was surprised he hadn’t shouted yet. Maybe there was some way to salvage this. Devon shifted, and then hands raised, he stood.

Cold rain streamed down his body. Though Devon knew he lacked the essential viciousness that made an alpha truly strong, none of that was reflected in his body. A surge of pride washed over him as the omega’s lips parted, and his eyes grew wide, and Devon smelled his desire.

“I’m Devon.”

“Ezekiel. Zeke. Your, um…” Zeke ran his tongue between his lips, and imagining that tongue in those lips on him made Devon’s cock swell.

Devon kicked himself. He should have stayed hidden. He should have killed Zeke before the omega had seen him. But Zeke was his true mate, and even if he hadn’t been, Devon didn’t have it in him to kill an innocent omega in cold blood. He wasn’t his father. He wasn’t his grandfather. Which meant Devon would have to take Zeke with him, at least until all of this was over.

Zeke was his true mate, and there was no way he was going to let the omega come to harm.

But first, he had to make Zeke comfortable enough to trust him.

“I have some clothes in this backpack,” Devon said, shrugging his shoulders. “Do you mind if—?”

“Yeah! You should do that!” Zeke swallowed. “Not that I mind looking at you. I mean, you’re really hot and—” He shook his head, and judging by the tint of embarrassment in his scent, Devon guessed that Zeke had flushed as well.

It was perfect. And terrifying.

About the author 

Pennsylvania native, Quinn Michaels is a fan of fantasy, werewolves and M/M mpreg romance! She strives to write  action-packed adventures of romance, self-discovery and second chances, all served up with a hefty helping of sweet, sexy Omegas and hot, determined Alphas who will do anything to cherish, love, and protect their mates. She also enjoys the sexytimes!

Sign up for Quinn’s mailing list and get updates at http://quinnmichaelsauthor.com

Social Media Links

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

BOOK BLAST SCHEDULE

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Book Blast – Omega Required by Dessa Lux (excerpt)

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Omega Required

Author: Dessa Lux

Publisher: Self Published

Cover Artist: Morgan Wilcox

Genre/s: M/M Paranormal/Werewolf Romance (no mpreg onscreen)

Length: 136,000 words/430 pages

Release Date: April 4, 2018

Blurb

An alpha werewolf chasing his dream meets an omega fighting for his life in a strictly temporary marriage of convenience…

Alpha werewolf Beau Jeffries has been going it alone ever since he was cast out of his pack as a teenager for trying to help a human and endangering the pack’s secrets during the tumultuous years when the wider world was learning the truth about werewolves. He hasn’t lost his drive to help others, and he’s about to begin a prestigious medical residency–only to learn that, as the first werewolf the program has knowingly accepted, he’ll have to follow special rules, including the one that requires him to be married when he begins his residency.

Omega werewolf Roland Lea is just trying to survive. After escaping the last and worst in a string of abusive relationships that left him scarred and unable to conceive, he’s found safety in a refuge for homeless omegas. But despite the help he’s getting at the refuge, he just keeps getting sicker instead of better, further and further from being able to make it on his own. When he’s offered the opportunity to sign up with a mate-matching agency, he figures he has nothing to lose. No alpha is ever going to want an omega like him.

When Beau sees Roland’s profile, he knows at once what’s making the omega sick, and he’s determined to help. If he can persuade Roland to marry him, he can save Roland’s life while Roland helps him get through his residency. But will their hasty partnership be enough to bring them both through what’s ahead–and can temporary necessity lead to a forever love?

Excerpt

He did sleep a little, or at least his thoughts drifted into quiet blankness for a while. He came back to himself when the car’s front doors closed, leaving only him and Beau inside. Roland opened his eyes to find Beau’s face closer than he expected.

Close enough to kiss.

His breath caught, and he felt that dangerous little thrill of anticipation, when he should have known better, should have been far past wanting anything like that ever again.

Beau just smiled. “Ready for our wedding day?”

Roland looked toward the window, and beyond it, the uninformative front of the refuge. “They didn’t… plan something, did they? It’s not gonna be, like…”

A tumble of images played through his head, mostly human weddings he’d seen on TV and in movies, elaborate and protracted events that always involved someone being terribly humiliated or disappointed or otherwise reduced to tears.

“I think they know you well enough to know you won’t want anything huge and exhausting,” Beau said quietly. “I suspect there’s going to be cake, though. You think you might be able to eat a little cake?”

Roland bit his lip, and his stomach squirmed uneasily. “Do you have any more of those ginger candies?”

Beau smiled and brought one out of his pocket, unwrapping it before holding the candy to Roland’s lips. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth for it, and the first sharp bite of the ginger made his mouth water alarmingly and his eyes sting. Beau stayed steady at his side, keeping one arm around him all the time, and after another moment Roland said, “I guess we have to get out of the car eventually.”

“Not really where I’d pictured us living for the next few years,” Beau agreed, but he didn’t make any move to get Roland out of the car until Roland picked his head up and twisted toward the door.

When they got inside there was cake, and Susan and Ms. Dawson and Dr. Hanek who ran the refuge and was, as it turned out, both a registered officiant for weddings and a notary public. He had Beau and Roland sign the pre-nup first, getting it notarized and witnessed across several copies.

Which meant Roland had to write his name when he couldn’t read it.

“It’s okay, take your time,” Beau murmured, and laid his finger down on the page. “Right along there. Right above my finger. When you’re ready.”

Roland took a few breaths, trying to make his fingers fit comfortably around the pen, to remember the motions of signing his name. He couldn’t remember when he’d ever done it that meant anything, but it couldn’t be that hard. He’d learned cursive in school. He knew how to write his own name, and that was all it was, really. His own name, in cursive, saying that he agreed to be married to Beau with all these conditions.

He squinted at it when he was done; it looked a little crooked and wobbly, but that seemed to be his name. Roland Lea. He’d done it.

And then he had to do it three more times.

“I’ll put one of these on file here,” Dr. Hanek explained, “and send one to the state Omega Rights Initiative. They hold a lot of these types of documents, just to be on the safe side.”

“Of course,” Beau said easily. “And Roland will have his own copy to keep as well.”

One was duly put into an envelope for him, and Roland held it, along with his birth certificate, while they did the rest of the wedding formalities. It was all so calm and matter of fact, just sitting on a loveseat beside Beau in one of the refuge sitting rooms, with Susan and Ms. Dawson and Dr. Hanek gathered around on other chairs. Roland barely realized the questions he was answering were his wedding vows, even when he automatically responded, “I do.”

But then there was a tiny round of applause, and Roland turned to meet Beau’s eyes.

Beau raised his eyebrows, asking some silent question, and Roland nodded a little, and then—oh, oh—Beau dipped his head and touched his lips to Roland’s, soft and chaste. A kiss. Their first kiss.

They were married.

There was another paper to sign for that, but Beau let Roland sign along his finger again, and his hand didn’t shake any worse than the first four times.

“Excellent. We’ll put the appropriate date on this and send it in tomorrow to be filed, but you are now officially married. Congratulations, both of you.”

“Thanks,” Roland murmured, and then looked up at Beau, who squeezed him a little closer.

“We’ll eat some cake first,” Beau said. “Then we’ll figure out everything else.”

 

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About the Author

Dessa Lux is a librarian living in the Midwest, running on Diet Coke and Adderall. She’s a geek who loves reading and writing romance, including the fanfic kind, and you can tell her apart from the others of her kind because she does not own a cat.

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A MelanieM Review: Like the Night (Blood Bathory #1) by Ari McKay

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Evan St. John, a young fashion photographer running from the pain caused by the death of his younger sister, is thrilled when he is offered a job with House of Nadasdy, a leading fashion house in Paris. What he doesn’t know is that Elizabeth Nadasdy, the elegant and powerful owner, is a centuries-old vampire with a penchant for collecting beautiful people. To Evan’s horror, he is turned into one of her “children.” Unable to bear what he has become, Evan flees to New York and to his best friend, police officer Will Trask. For years, Evan has nursed an unrequited love for Will, but he also knows Will is the one person who might be able to help him. As Evan and Will try to deal with Evan’s condition, they are drawn into the world of the theriomorphs: shape-shifters who are guardians of life and the sworn enemies of vampires. Caught in an ancient war between two powerful supernatural forces, Evan and Will find they must choose sides — because if they are to have any chance of a future together, they must destroy Elizabeth Nadasdy before she destroys them.

Like the Night by Ari McKay is the first in the new Blood Bathory series the authors are creating.  And what a series it looks to be.  Starting out with the historic Elizabeth Bathory herself as the sublimely evil ancient vampire at the core of all misery here, McKay builds the universe out to include an ongoing war with Gaia herself and her soldiers, the theriomorphs against the vampires who would rule.  Caught in the middle are Evan St. John, a vampire turned against his will, and Will, a human police officer and Evan’s best friend who is about to find out that the world is much stranger than he ever believed.

The author gives us multiple points of view which works here to let us know how many people actually have their own agendas in this battle for conquest.  Hint, it’s not just the main characters.  So many manipulations going on here, so many secondary threads that will, of course, become major ones later on.

The romance between Evan and Will is one that needs major communication to move forward as well as some false (and hilarious) assumptions to be swept aside.  I liked the heat between them and they worked great as a couple.  One caveat is that Evan comes across as too much of the “weak pretty boy” here for someone who is a vampire.  He has one scene where he shows his vampire strength and the  rest of the time I feel that’s wasted making the theriomorphs look badass to his detriment.  Why not both?  Not using a vampire’s assets throws away a valuable weapon imo here.

Back to the theriomorphs and Gaia.  I absolutely love this element.  I hope its explored even more closely in the upcoming stories as the battle continues.

There are many great secondary characters, on both sides mind you.  I can’t wait to see what the next installment will bring.

If you love the supernatural, romance, vampires and shapeshifters, you can’t go wrong with Like the Night (Blood Bathory #1) by Ari McKay.  I highly recommend it for the great world building, wonderful characters, and a plot that grabs a hold of you right until the end.

Cover art: Lou Harper.  I like the cover but it’s not terribly representative of the characters, Evan is blond.

Sales Links: Universal Buy Link

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 2 edition, 352 pages
Published April 9th 2018 by Independent (first published July 2nd 2013)
Original TitleBlood Bathory: Like the Night
ASINB07BFMZ8L9
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesBlood Bathory #1

Blog Tour for Theoden: A New Haven Series Prequel by Nicholas Bella (character guest post,excerpt and giveaway)

 Theoden Tour Banner

THEODEN

A New Haven Series Prequel

NICHOLAS BELLA

GAY HORROR

RELEASE DATE: 03.21.18

 Theoden Cover 

COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: WANDER AGUIAR

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Theoden-customdesign-JayAheer2017-3Dbook2

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words gives a special welcome to Theoden, who decided to tell us a little bit about his story.

 A Word from Theoden…..

 

Since this is my book, I decided I’d be the one to make this guest post. For years, I’d been getting fan mail from the readers asking for my story. Now, normally, I don’t pander to humans, as they are beneath me. Being a vampire makes humans my prey, but I couldn’t help be a little bit flattered. Of course, humans would want to learn more about their vampire lord. Vampires, dragons, and werewolves, we fascinate them. Our powers leave them in awe and they give themselves to us on a regular basis because they know their place.

Anyway, I digress, after seeing the demand for my story, my history, I sat down with Nicholas and we decided to start from the beginning. My earliest memories being my childhood in the Church. The tale continued, detailing all of the significant events of my life that shaped my personality. The lessons I learned, I teach to my own sons, no matter how harsh. I do so, because I want them to be a great as I am, as they are an extension of me, as I am an extension of my Sire.

This book means a great deal to me, so I want your undivided attention when you read it. Put the kids to bed, make sure your mates are well satisfied and sleeping soundly, because once you open the book, you will not want to put it down. -Théoden.

 

BLURB

My name is Theoden, this is the story of my life. Apparently, there has been a huge demand for me to tell it. Normally, I do what I want, unless the command comes from my Sire, Ara. But, revealing the tale about how I became the powerful vampire Prince of the City is something I think I will enjoy telling. You’ll see my first mission for the church, my first kill, the life-changing moment when I lost my virginity, and how I chose my first son, all of the things that mean something to me, that made me the vampire I am. So, sit back, and give me all of your attention, as I want your eyes on me. Now, let’s begin.

Prepare to be entertained to new heights as Theoden delivers you a unique tale of his life from childhood to the vampire Master you know him to be.

Warning: This is a prequel to the highly erotic, extremely dark and twisted New Haven Series and the spin-off, Odin Chronicles. I can’t stress enough how strong the sexual, violent, and adult content is in this book. It will steam up your glasses, and melt your contact lenses. The temperature in the room will rise to unbearable degrees. Pearls will be clutched and you may utter the words: “Oh my God” several times while reading. You have been warned. For mature readers only.

theoden-bookmark3

EXCERPT

Once I was outside in the garden, I could no longer hold back, and I vomited blood onto a rose bush. But once it was out of my stomach, I felt better. For me, sex would never overflow, but blood could. Another lesson learned. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and, before I could take to the skies, three vampires appeared before me.

“Where do you herald from?” one of them asked me. He gripped a silver dagger in his hand a little more tightly as he waited for my reply.

I looked at each one them, gauging them and their positions to my own. I didn’t fear them because I knew just how powerful I was and I was confident in my training. This was the other part of my mission, one that Ara was certain I would encounter.

“From the Kingdom of Ara, my Father,”I declared proudly. Ara wanted me to do so, and in doing so, leave my mark.

“Is this a declaration of war?”the same vampire asked.

I shrugged. “I think not. I had an old debt to settle.”I gestured toward the rectory, and then to my clothes that were covered in the blood of my victims.

“You dare kill on our territory!”another vampire said.

“Breaching another vampire King’s territory without permission is punishable by death,”the first vampire said, then he advanced on me. He was fast, as fast as Nolan, and I had to react quickly before he could plunge the blade of his dagger into my chest. Thanks to my training with Tylendel, I knew the silver could not kill me, but it could weaken me, and that, I could not allow.

I grabbed his wrist just as the tip of the dagger pierced my flesh, burning my skin. I didn’t hesitate to take advantage of our close proximity. I sank my fangs deeply in his shoulder and injected as much venom as I could.

He cried out, and I pulled back. He released his grip on his dagger and staggered back. The other two vampires looked at him and glared in shock as his skin began to turn pale. Sweat poured from his pores as his veins began to protrude through his flesh, looking bright red against the nearly translucent skin.

I didn’t know the effect a dragon’s venom could have on a vampire and still didn’t know, as I was only half dragon. But its effect was deadly and looked to be extremely painful as the vampire had been rendered powerless against my bite until he died. I looked at the other two vampires and aimed my hand at the one who had not spoken a word, then conjured up my flames, releasing them in his direction.

The other vampire dashed out of the way, his sword drawn, but he stayed his position as he watched me burn his companion into a cinder. The vampire howled as he spun around in an attempt to extinguish the flames, but he couldn’t. I controlled them and only relinquished that control once he fell to the ground, motionless.  The last remaining vampire was thinking about fleeing or fighting, which was the only reason he was still there. In the end, he decided to flee, and I chased after him.

I was shocked that I had caught up to him because I could sense his aura and knew he was at least a century older than I was. I tackled him to the ground and he rolled over, scooting away from me.

Nicolas Bella Logo

About me? Hmmm, I’m just a person with a wild imagination and a love for words who was sitting around the house one day and said, “Why hasn’t anyone written a book like this before?”. As with every storyteller, I wanted to share mine with the world. I like my erotica dark, gritty, sexy… and even a little raunchy. I’m not afraid to go there and I hope you aren’t afraid to go there with me. When I’m not writing, I love watching movies and TV shows, clubbing, biking, and hanging out with family and friends. I love life.

I’d love to hear from you, feel free to send me a shout out!

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REVIEW TOUR – Like the Night (Blood Bathory #1) by Ari McKay (excerpt and giveaway)

 

 
Cover Design: Lou Harper
 
Length: 123,737 words
 
Blurb
 

Evan St. John, a young fashion photographer running from the pain caused by the death of his younger sister, is thrilled when he is offered a job with House of Nadasdy, a leading fashion house in Paris. What he doesn’t know is that Elizabeth Nadasdy, the elegant and powerful owner, is a centuries-old vampire with a penchant for collecting beautiful people. To Evan’s horror, he is turned into one of her “children.”


Unable to bear what he has become, Evan flees to New York and to his best friend, police officer Will Trask. For years, Evan has nursed an unrequited love for Will, but he also knows Will is the one person who might be able to help him. As Evan and Will try to deal with Evan’s condition, they are drawn into the world of the theriomorphs: shape-shifters who are guardians of life and the sworn enemies of vampires. Caught in an ancient war between two powerful supernatural forces, Evan and Will find they must choose sides – because if they are to have any chance of a future together, they must destroy Elizabeth Nadasdy before she destroys them.

 

April 9 – MM Midnight Cafe
April 10 – Love Bytes
April 12 – Alpha Book Club
April 17 – The Novel Approach
April 19 – Diverse Reader

Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words review here.

Excerpt
 

Will had always been protective of those he cared about, and Evan was no exception, especially since Evan’s attractive face, slender build and “out and proud” attitude had occasionally made him a target on campus. It had been that way since their freshman year, and it was no different now. It was ridiculous, perhaps, and no doubt part of that White Knight thing Evan had always teased him about, but Will couldn’t help it; it was just the way he was.


“You might as well ‘fess up now, because I’m going to get the story out of you one way or another. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you if I can do anything about it. We stick together, right?” Will’s tone grew serious. “I mean it, Evan. You know you can count on me. You’re my best friend.” It was still true, even though they hadn’t been face-to-face in years. No one had ever taken Evan’s place in his life; no one ever could.


“Even if I tell you I’ve been working for a vampire?” Evan asked softly. “I don’t mean that figuratively, either. I mean literally. She’s a monster. She’s killed her own models. She turns people into monsters like her.”


For a long moment, Will couldn’t do anything but stare at his friend, wondering if this was a joke and he was somehow missing the punch line. Evan’s blue eyes were haunted but guileless; the man was a lousy liar, at least when it came to Will, and there was too much pain in Evan’s gaze for it to be some elaborate trick. Whatever was really going on, Evan, at least, believed what he was saying, and that was the most horrifying part of it. Whatever had happened to Evan in the last few months had damaged him in a way that Will was afraid he wasn’t going to be able to fix.


It was painful to face the fact that his best friend had apparently suffered some sort of mental breakdown, and Will cursed himself for not having tried harder to get in contact when Evan’s communications had grown infrequent. Obviously Evan had been going through something terrible, and Will knew that he had to do whatever he could to get Evan the help he needed. Which meant making sure that Evan remained here for now, until Will could figure out how to get him to a doctor.


“Let me make sure I understand what you’re saying,” he replied, keeping his voice quiet and reassuring. “Elizabeth Nadasdy, the famous fashion designer, is a vampire who kills people. That makes sense, I suppose. Or at least it explains why the models all look as though they weigh five pounds.” His attempt at humor sounded hollow, but it was the best he could do at the moment. “And she’s after you?”


Evan leaned back away from Will. “You don’t believe me. You think I’m crazy.”


Will hated to see that look on Evan’s face, the question of sanity aside. “Evan, it’s not that I don’t want to believe you, all right? But you know how it sounds, don’t you?” He knew his tone was pleading. “Vampires don’t exist. I can tell you believe it, though, and that makes it hard, because I know you’d never lie to me. But how can I believe it? How can you believe it?” He reached out and touched Evan’s arm in mute appeal. “How?”


Evan met Will’s gaze, his expression steady and calm, no trace of madness lurking in his gaze. “I don’t just believe it. I know it. I know it because I’m one, too.”

Ari McKay is the professional pseudonym for Arionrhod and McKay, who have been writing together for over a decade. Their collaborations encompass a wide variety of romance genres, including contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, gothic, and action/adventure. Their work includes the Blood Bathory series of paranormal novels, the Herc’s Mercs series, as well as two historical Westerns: Heart of Stone and Finding Forgiveness. When not writing, they can often be found scheming over costume designs or binge watching TV shows together.


Arionrhod is a systems engineer by day who is eagerly looking forward to (hopefully) becoming a full time writer in the not-too-distant future. Now that she is an empty-nester, she has turned her attentions to finding the perfect piece of land to build a fortress in preparation for the zombie apocalypse, and baking (and eating) far too many cakes.


McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she’s relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.


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