Category: M/M Supernatural Fiction

A Holiday Story Collection Not to Be Missed! A Holiday to Remember Collection (Guest Post by F.B. Cassidy & Giveaway)

A Holiday to Remember banner

For the first time, Mischief Corner Books is releasing a month-long collection of holiday-themed tales:

Traditional Winter Holidays can be tough for a variety of reasons—family pressures, finding the right gift, homesick longing, and haunting memories to name a few. This collection showcases eleven queer short stories, from tender contemporaries to sweet paranormal to far-flung space tales, all designed to make you want to reach for your hot cocoa and your favorite snuggly spot. Come join us for A Holiday To Remember.

A Holiday to Remember - All Covers

Guest Post: Christmas Romance by F.B. Cassidy

There are many traditions we associate with winter holidays—specifically Christmas.  Opening one present on Christmas Eve.  Attending a religious ceremony.  Enjoying a turkey dinner with family.  Driving around the neighborhood to look at the festive lights.

Many of these traditions can even cross into the realm of romantic.  A great example is kissing under the mistletoe.  Or, having your significant other dress up as Santa Claus and then start kissing under the mistletoe.  The idea behind “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” had to derive from someone’s kink.

On a serious note, I see Christmas as a very romantic holiday for one specific reason. It was the day my husband proposed to me.  Our love story was a whirlwind.  We started dating in August, we were engaged on Christmas, and married the next August.  Everyone assumed our rushed courting was because of a pregnancy.  It wasn’t.  I simply knew from our very first kiss that he was the one I wanted to be with the rest of my life.

On Christmas morning, my then-boyfriend had me go out onto our back porch.  Before we started dating, we’d been hanging out as friends, and we spent a lot of time on his back porch.  It was there I told him I liked him—fancied him, was the wording I used—so it was there he told me he wanted me to be his wife.  It was a beautifully emotional day for me.  One I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

I wanted to convey that sense of romance that I feel when thinking about Christmas to readers.  My character, Mel, isn’t looking for love when the story starts.  But after seeing his best friend Aldo so happily married, he thinks it’s time to start contemplating his own future.  A simple observation can make a drastic turn in someone’s life. Carlos, on the other hand, knows what he wants, more specifically who he wants, and he charges in.  Two very different sides of the situation, but they’re able to meet in the middle.  

Mel and Carlos fit together, the way I think my husband and I fit together.  We see the flaws in each other, but love the strengths.  We accept our quirks, and encourage them.  We give support in all things.  I don’t doubt that Mel and Carlos will do all of these as they grow as a couple.  I can picture it all so clearly.

 

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Giveaway:

Rainbow Beanie - AHTR Prize

For this tour, Mischief Corner Books is giving away two $25 gift certificates to their eBook store, and two rainbow beanies. To enter, just use the rafflecopter here, or below:

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Story Blurbs & Info

Watermelon KissesWatermelon Kisses
by Freddy McKay
11/29/2017

Life hasn’t been easy for Amir since he fled Iran after a brutal imprisonment. The trauma experienced at the hands of the guards left a dark spot on his soul. The one constant in his life since relocating to Chicago has been his lover—now husband—Esmail, whose steadfast love and support has soothed his wounded heart.

​But this Shab-e Yalda, Amir wants to be the one giving his husband something special, because even after the darkest nights, the sun will rise again.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/watermelon-kisses.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07767LJM2
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/watermelon-kisses/id1307937583?mt=11
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/watermelon-kisses

Freddy grew up in the Midwest, playing sports and running around outside. And honestly, that much has not changed since Freddy was small and throwing worms at other kids, except worm throwing has been replaced with a healthy geocaching addiction. Freddy enjoys traveling and holds the view a person should continually to learn about new things and people whenever possible.

Freddy’s contemporary LGBTQ book, Incubation: Finding Peace 2, won 3rd Place – Best Gay Erotic Fiction in the 2012 Rainbow Awards. In 2013, Freddy’s story, Internment, tied for 3rd Place – Best Gay Fantasy in the Rainbow Awards. Freddy’s steampunk/SF story, Feel Me, was a Finalist and honorable mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards for SF. And in 2015, Freddy’s urban fantasy Snow on Spirit Bridge was also a Finalist and honorable mention.

For more information on Freddy’s work, please visit or email:

Website: Freddy’s Stereograph
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/FreddyMacKay
Email: freddy.m.mackay@gmail.com

(One of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best of 2017)

But to Love MoreBut To Love More
F.B. Cassidy
12/2/17

Mel finally gets to go home for Christmas. In his absence, his hometown has changed, and Carlos, his best friend’s little brother, is all grown up and interested in a relationship. But Carlos has his work cut out for him since Mel’s having trouble seeing past the little brother part and his big brother, Aldo’s determined to keep them apart.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/but-to-love-more.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07767LHRH
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/but-to-love-more/id1308019216?mt=11
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/but-to-love-more

Foster Bridget Cassidy is a rare, native Phoenician who enjoys hot desert air and likes to wear jackets in summer. She has wanted to be a fiction writer since becoming addicted to epic fantasy during high school. Since then, she’s studied the craft academically—at Arizona State University—and as a hobby—attending conventions and workshops around the country. A million ideas float in her head, but it seems like there’s never enough time to get them all down on paper.

Website: https://fosterbridgetcassidy.wordpress.com/

Corey's Christmas BundleCorey’s Christmas Bundle (Atherton Pack 5)
Toni Griffin
12/6/2017

Being pregnant is not all it’s cracked up to be, especially when you’re male and a shifter. Even though the world now knows about wolf shifters, their male’s ability to bare young is still a closely guarded secret. Since Corey’s pregnancy is now visible, he’s been stuck at home working on code and waiting for company to drop by. Problem is, though, the human government wants to know where Corey is.

As Christmas and Corey’s due date draw ever nearer, Ben devises a plan that will not only get Corey out of the house, but allows the wolves of Atherton Pack to give the community some Christmas cheer.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/coreys-christmas-bundle.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07767KDTR
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/coreys-christmas-bundle/id1308017697?mt=11
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/corey-s-christmas-bundle

Toni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia’s capital cities. Born and raised in the state she’s a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers.

Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves. Feel free to drop her a line at info@tonigriffin.net anytime.

For more information about Toni’s work, please visit:

Website: http://tonigriffin.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/toni.griffin.author

Safety Protocols for Human HolidaysSafety Protocols For Human Holidays
Angel Martinez
12/9/2017

As a security officer on an interspecies ship, Growlan Raskli’s experienced in heading off species-specific aberrant behaviors in order to keep the peace. But when her captain asks her to find out what’s bothering their sole human crew member, Raskli’s out of her depths. She hardly knows anything about humans and she’s not a psych doctor.

Something’s definitely upset Human Jen, something to do with human holidays. The more time Raskli spends studying humans and interacting with the intriguing Human Jen, the more personal the assignment becomes. Determined to lift the dark cloud from Human Jen, Raskli will do whatever it takes—within safe parameters, of course.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/saftey-protocols-for-human-holidays.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0776H1DZM/
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/safety-protocols-for-human-holidays
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/safety-protocols-for-human-holidays/id1308094310?mt=11

While Angel Martinez is the erotic fiction pen name of a writer of several genres, she writes both kinds of queer fiction – Science Fiction and Fantasy. Currently living part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware, (and full time inside the author’s head) Angel has one husband, one son, two cats, a changing variety of other furred and scaled companions, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate. For more information on Angel’s work, please visit:

Website: Erotic Fiction for the Hungry Mind
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Angel.Martinez.author
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1010469.Angel_Martinez
Email: angelmartinezauthor@gmail.com

Secrets & SilkSecrets & Silk
Nicole Dennis
12/13/2017

Quiet, strait-laced David Appleton thinks he’s going to have a problem at work. A new co-worker discovered his secret in the locker room. Unable to confront someone, David let him walk away. Now he worries everyone will know his deepest held secret. A secret hidden under his signature vest, tie, and trousers.

Since walking in on his co-worker, CJ O’Connell tries to get a moment to speak with the shy David, but nothing works. His last hope—the Secret Santa Gift Exchange party. Perhaps a special gift can peel away the secrets.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/secrets–silk.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07767S6XC
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/secrets-silk
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/secrets-silk/id1308018662?mt=11

A quiet one, Nicole Dennis curled up with the latest book of a favorite author. Since the beginning, there were these characters in her head, worlds wanting to be built on paper, and stories wanting to be told. She began writing during class and continues to this day. Now she can let others into her imagination and worlds that always celebrate the love between two or more people within LGBT, paranormal, and fantasy.

During the day, she works in a quiet office in Central Florida, where she also makes her home, and enjoys the down time to slip into her imagination. She is owned by a semi-demonic tortie calico, affectionately known as Fat Cat. For more information on Nicole, please visit:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NicoleDennis.Author
Blog: http://nicoledennisauthor.blogspot.com
Website: http://nicoledennisauthor.com
Email: nicoledennis.author@gmail.com
GoodreadsQ&A with Nicole Dennis: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/50397-q-a-with-nicole-dennis
Goodreads Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2791975.Nicole_Dennis

Winter HomeWinter Home
Kassandra Lea
12/16/17

It’s Christmastime and the snow is falling. Restoring an old Victorian manor has been keeping contractor Brett Hawkins busy. The project’s meant to be complete by Christmas, but there’s no way he can get it done in time, especially with the big day right around the corner.

Meanwhile, his beloved Manuel Aguilar is grappling with depression, and he’s consumed by guilt that it’s kept him from putting up the decorations. But his biggest concern is that he may be ruining the holiday for Brett. As Manny struggles, unable to recognize his own courage in every small gain, Brett has a surprise that may help break depression’s hold.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/winter-home.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07769VJ4T
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/winter-home
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/winter-home/id1308019153?mt=11

I have my mom to thank for so much. First of all, she fostered a love of reading. According to her I’ve been reading since I could hold a book and I got my first library card at age 3. Growing up I used to read 100 books a year, but of course, that doesn’t happen as often since there’s writing to do and a day job.

Secondly, I have to thank her for always pushing me to keep chasing my dream of being an author. Who else am I going to bounce ideas off of, and she helps me when I get stuck. Suppose you could say she’s my biggest fan.

When I’m not writing I enjoy time with my dog, tending my garden, baking sweet treats, walking through crunchy fall leaves and blankets of cold snow, playing video games, and reading! I’ve a fondness for horses and blankets (is it possible to own too many?)

And yes, some days I still wish I was Batman. For more information about Kassandra and her work, please visit:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cheddarsgal
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7369580.Kassandra_Lea
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leakassie/

Christmas Eve Craigslist KillerChristmas Eve Craigslist Killer
Jill Wexler
12/18/17

The public library’s computer geek, aka Travis, is content skirting the edges of social interaction. He’s fully committed to being a boring, twenty-something IT guy who likes his office more than people, a guy someone like Connor would never fall for. Connor, who works on the library floor as a page, is outgoing, social, and charming and everything else that stands for “fun.”

An interaction between the two at the library on Christmas Eve has Travis accidentally mentioning that he failed to find this year’s hottest toy for his nephew. Immediately, Connor goes on a quick hunt online, and finds one. The only problem is that the Craigslist seller is hours away and Travis is sure spending hours in a car with quirky, handsome Connor can only end badly.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/the-christmas-eve-craigslist-killer.html
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Eve-Cragislist-Killer-Remember-ebook/dp/B077CRWTT1
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-christmas-eve-craigslist-killer
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1312656296

Jill started writing back in the day of notebook paper and erasable pens (blue ink is best), when her mom’s typewriter was out of ribbon.  Then she graduated to a word processing program in MS-DOS, then WordPerfect.  Her computer sadly caught the Blue Screen of Death and all was lost.  She stopped writing for an extremely long time, because “life.”

She lives in the upper Bible Belt, rolls her eyes a lot and drinks enough wine to consider it a sacrifice to the gods that her kids won’t need too much therapy down the road.

A while back, Jill picked up writing again with a woman’s site and the writing fever spiked.  But she’s actually new to publishing, so there may or may not have been more wine involved recently (only one glass was harmed in the making of this story and it was a mason jar so…bygones).

Articles: http://suburbanmisfitmom.com/writer/jill-wexler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jill.Wexler73
Email: Jillwexler73@gmail.com

New BeginningsNew Beginnings
Jayne Lockwood
12/20/17

Nick is not looking forward to his second Christmas without Sammi, his gorgeous ex-fiancee. She left him on New Year’s Eve, a week after their engagement, and he still doesn’t know why.

A chance meeting whilst out Christmas shopping reveals that Sammi is now Sam, a transgender man. As the reasons behind their break-up become clearer, Nick cannot make sense of his new feelings. He is shocked by the deep attraction he still has to Sam, and what that says about himself.

It will take Nick’s straight-talking family, and Sam’s guiding hand, to help him discover that gender is no barrier to love.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/new-beginnings.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077GK88WH
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/new-beginnings-117
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1313603446

Jayne Lockwood has been writing for most of her life, starting with really bad poetry as a teenager, usually railing against nuclear war (it was the 1970’s.) There followed a couple of novels, long since consigned to flames (probably just as well, TBH,) and the hazy idea that maybe one day, she would get something published. Her first successful writing assignment was for the college newspaper of the County College of Morris, in Randolph, New Jersey, where she studied Journalism.

Since then, Jayne has been involved in projects closer to home, working closely with other authors to continue to develop their writing. Two pieces of her prose can be found in Chalk Road, a collaborative anthology from local writers, sponsored by Wycombe District Council, and she has invariably been involved in a writing group, as well as running a local book group.

She has also had five Black Lace titles published by Virgin Books, under the pseudonym, Savannah Smythe, and has collaborated with glamour celebrity, Abi Titmuss, to produce 10 Fantasies, Abi’s collection of short stories.

Jayne has also published three M/M erotica stories, Lexington Black, Docklands Diamond and My Boyfriend Is A Dog, under S A Smythe. In addition to that, she writes book reviews for WROTE Podcast, a forum for LGBTQ readers and writers. She helped set up the podcast in 2015 with fellow writers, S A Collins (sacollins.com) and Vance Bastian (vancebastian.com) and is proud to say the podcast is going from strength to strength.

The Cloud Seeker is Jayne’s first mainstream novel, and draws upon her background as a Chilterns woman and her affection for the US, where she lived for two years.

Soon after, she rediscovered the very first manuscript she started back in 1996. After many hours of updating, it was finally published on Amazon. Closer Than Blood is a tale of hit men, blackmail and forbidden passion, set in Manhattan. Both novels are currently available as ebook and paperback, from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and many on-line book retailers.

She always has at least one novel in the background, and at the present time she is working on her first science fiction novel, working title Euphoria, based on the nuclear bunker near where she lives.

For more information about Jayne and her work, please visit:

Website: https://hollowhillspublishing.blogspot.com/

A Piece of OurselvesA Piece Of Ourselves
Tray Ellis
12/23/2017

Balancing holidays between two families can make cheerful celebrations into chores. Carson Benedetti’s mom has overscheduled the Christmas holidays and she’s more than insistent that boyfriend Tynan Harris come into the family fold. There’s so much to do Tynan can’t find time to bring Carson over to his own family and he feels like they are being left in the dust.

​After dating for nine months, and with their relationship becoming more serious, Tynan’s patience is sorely tested by the multitude of Benedetti family traditions keeping them busy. Tynan needs to figure out how to find some breathing room, split their time more fairly, and make Christmas more than just tradition by rote.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/a-piece-of-ourselves.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077L6Z9SZ/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-piece-of-ourselves/id1315340653
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077L6Z9SZ/
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-piece-of-ourselves

Tray Ellis grew up across from an empty field, where she spun a lot of imaginary adventures, helping to prepare her for a lifetime of writing. When she isn’t writing, she stays active by hiking, cooking, stacking the odd cord of wood in the shed, baking, and being too busy to keep her home in any semblance of order. Currently she tries to find a balance between the logical way she thinks and the flights of fancy she often daydreams about. Mostly, the daydreams are winning. For more information about Tray, please visit:

Website: https://trayellis.dreamwidth.org
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6564767.Tray_Ellis

I Only Want to Be With YouI Only Want to Be With You
Scott Coatsworth
12/27/2017

Derrek is dealing with the recent, unexpected death of his mother. He’s been alone for five year since his husband Will died, and he’s ready to find someone new and to start living again. Ryan lost his partner, David, in an auto accident, and is dating Alex, who doesn’t treat him right.

Derrek can’t figure out why Ryan won’t see what’s right in front of his face. Why does Ryan come to him to talk about all his hopes, dreams, and fears, then go home to Alex?

If Derrek can figure that out, they might just have a shot.

Buy Links:

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/i-only-want-to-be-with-you.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077NG49G1
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/i-only-want-to-be-with-you

Scott is the admin for the Queer Sci Fi site. He has been writing since elementary school, when he and won a University of Arizona writing contest in 4th grade for his first sci fi story (with illustrations!). He finished his first novel in his mid twenties, but after seeing it rejected by ten publishers, he gave up on writing for a while.

Over the ensuing years, he came back to it periodically, but it never stuck. Then one day, he was complaining to Mark, his husband, early last year about how he had been derailed yet again by the death of a family member, and Mark said to him “the only one stopping you from writing is you.”

Since then, Scott has gone back to writing in a big way, finishing more than a dozen short stories – some new, some that he had started years before – and seeing his first sale. He’s embarking on a new trilogy, and also runs a support group for writers of gay sci fi, fantasy, and supernatural fiction.

Website: http://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jscoatsworth

A New Year on Vega IIIA New Year On Vega III
Siri Paulson
12/30/2017

On the colony planet Vega III, everyone knows Beck—outgoing, fabulous, and genderqueer—and nobody notices Anil, the quiet plant biologist. But when Anil finds Beck hiding in his greenhouse, lonely and missing Earth, it’s Anil who is able to comfort Beck by letting them talk about what they miss most—the feeling that comes with celebrating the holidays with loved ones, especially New Year’s Eve.

​The two of them are drawn to one another, but both of them are hiding secrets about their sexuality. With trust between them already on shaky ground, Anil’s elaborate plans to cheer Beck may well backfire.

https://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/a-new-year-on-vega-iii.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077RZ6YZQ
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-new-year-on-vega-iii

I write all over the fantasy and science fiction spectrum, including (so far) secondary-world fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk, Gothic, historical paranormal, spaceships, and various unholy mashups of these.

I grew up in Alberta, Canada, but now live in an old house in Toronto. My other current passion is contra dance, a social/folk dance done to live Celtic and roots music. My favourite places in the world are the Canadian Rocky Mountains and a little valley in Norway. In my other life, I edit non-fiction for the government. For more information, please visit or email:

Website: https://siripaulson.wordpress.com/
Email: s_l_paulson@yahoo.ca

L.M Somerton on Writing, her Travels and her Warlock Series ( LM Somerton guest post and excerpt)

Warlocks series

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have L.M. Somerton here today on their Warlocks tour. Welcome, L.M…

Hi, I’m L M Somerton, and it’s such a pleasure to be with you today!

I’m a firmly committed book addict and over the years have enjoyed many genres. I read English, American and Commonwealth Arts at university, which was just an excuse to devour hundreds of works from authors I may never otherwise have come across. With vague, rose-tinted ideas of writing as a career I have spent more than two decades in marketing and corporate communications roles. The upside of the rat race has been the opportunity to travel extensively and make friends around the world.

There’s evidence of my travels in many of my books, which are based in diverse locations, though I have a particular love of the remoter parts of England. It’s hard to beat Cumbria, Cornwall or the wilds of the Yorkshire moors for romantic settings. More recently I’ve drawn on my travel experiences to base stories further afield and the US is a firm favourite.

I try to paint a picture with my words. I want my readers to be drawn to my characters and absorbed by my plotlines, albeit with plenty of kinky hot stuff thrown in. I write thrilling romance rather than romantic thrillers. There’s nothing more fascinating to me than power exchange between men, which is why all my books to date have BDSM content to varying degrees.

I write early in the mornings and late at night, fitting my boys and their stories around a busy job, family and demanding cat (who thinks humans exist only to serve him). When I’m not writing I still love to travel and find inspiration for new storylines along the way.

About the Warlocks Series…

 

L.M. Somerton‘s Warlocks series is a dangerous mix of love, magic, mayhem, and the four elements – and a great MM paranormal tale:

Elemental warlocks are a rare breed. There are only four known to exist across North America and they don’t tend to advertise their talents. But when you have the power to control earth, air, fire and water there’s bound to be some drama, especially when one of the four is young and untrained.

The elements don’t always combine well and warlocks are no different. When their lives collide, it isn’t just sparks that fly. Add love to the mix and a dangerous cocktail of magic and mayhem is primed to ignite.

Book One: Elemental Love – Blurb

Elemental Love

An untrained warlock is a dangerous man to love.

On his twenty-first birthday, Evrain Brookes discovers he is an elemental warlock. The spell suppressing his talent lifts and he has to get used to a whole new existence. The protection that kept him safe during his childhood is gone, his skills are wild and uncontrolled and there are those that seek to use him for their own gain.

Evrain’s grandmother is a witch, his godfather another warlock. Between them they do their best to keep Evrain on the right path. He learns that in order to gain control of his formidable powers, he will need to ‘channel’ through a life partner, a process that happens only with consent and through love. But how will he ever find a man prepared to put up with a Dominant warlock for a boyfriend?

Dominic Castine has no idea that Evrain’s grandmother sees him as a prospective partner for Evrain. He tends her garden and she teaches him about herbs—a trade-off they both enjoy. He is drawn to Evrain’s charismatic presence but doesn’t understand why he wants to drop to his knees and submit to him.

When Agatha is murdered, Evrain and Dominic are thrown together as she manipulates them from beyond the grave. Dominic becomes the pawn in a terrifying game between warlocks whose powers he barely comprehends.

In the end, lives will depend on his courage, his willingness to grant Evrain control and the power of love.

Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Barnes & Noble | QueeRomance Ink

Book Two: Elemental Hope – Blurb

Elemental Hope

A warlock’s blood gives him life. It can also bring his death.

It’s no wonder Evrain Brookes, newly fledged warlock, is feeling the strain. A coven of power-hungry witches is after his blood. Literally. A psychotic warlock wants him dead. His godfather’s training regime is about as much fun as chewing on nettles and an overweight, scarily perceptive cat has moved into his house.

His boyfriend Dominic yearns for a normal life, or at least a safer one. He accepts his role both as Evrain’s submissive partner and as the conduit through which he channels his gift—but he’s afraid for his lover, and the lengths Evrain’s enemies might go to in order to fulfill their lust for power.

When Evrain falls victim to a plot between the Octis Coven and malevolent warlock Symeon Malus, it’s up to Dominic to rescue him. With the help of the two other North American warlocks, Shadow the cat and an old enemy, Dominic takes steps to get his lover back. There’s a high price to pay and no guarantee that the risks he must take will work out but Evrain is worth going through hell for, even if it costs Dominic his life.

Pride Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | QueeRomance Ink

Elemental Hope meme

Excerpt – Elemental Love

“What’s with the weather today?” Evrain exclaimed, as his grandmother and godfathers turned toward him from their seats around the fire. “I swear I left Portland in the most glorious sunshine but I seem to have dragged a storm along with me.”

Coryn and Gregory exchanged glances. Agatha rose from her chair and came toward him, holding out her arms.

“Give your old grandma a hug, birthday boy.”

Evrain bent to accept Agatha’s embrace. He kissed the top of her head. She smelled of nutmeg and ginger, the scent familiar and comforting.

“Happy birthday, Evrain.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

Coryn and Gregory queued to take their turns for hugs.

“Did you enjoy the drive over?” Coryn asked, his eyes twinkling.

“I did. Thank you both, so much. It was a great gift and a brilliant surprise. I could get used to driving around in that.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s just for the day. A special treat.”

Evrain shrugged. “I’ll take it.” He cast his gaze at each of the people he loved. They returned his scrutiny with an intensity that made him feel a little uncomfortable. “What? Do I have a smudge on my nose or something?” He walked over to the fire and peered into the mirror hanging over the mantel. As far as he could tell there were no weird marks or splotches.

“How are you feeling? Any unexplained headaches or nausea recently?” Gregory asked.

“No. My joints are a bit sore but I’m putting that down to a lack of exercise over the last few days. I was going to hike along the river this afternoon and shake off some of the lethargy.

I haven’t been sleeping well—I think I’m still getting adjusted to the time zone.” Evrain’s sense of discomfort grew. It wasn’t like Gregory to ask after his health. “Why the sudden interest in whether or not I have the sniffles? Is there a weird hereditary disease in the family that I don’t know about?”

“Why don’t you take a seat by the fire? There’s something we need to talk to you about.”

“Is this some kind of intervention?” Now he was really worried. “I’ve heard about those.

I promise I’m not a drunk, I don’t take drugs and I’m not addicted to gambling.” He gave a nervous laugh.

Gregory stood. He placed his hand on Evrain’s shoulder and squeezed. “It’s nothing to worry about. In fact, it should make things a whole lot clearer for you. I think it’s time.

Agatha?”

“Indeed. The hour doesn’t matter. I geared everything to the date.” She hummed a

strange tune under her breath.

“And a very significant date it is.” Gregory guided him to a chair, ignoring Agatha’s weird behavior.

Evrain sat, sinking into the overstuffed cushion. He’d need a cleaver to cut the atmosphere, not just a knife. Or maybe a scythe, that seemed appropriate. Agatha’s gothic mantel clock began to chime. Evrain’s senses sharpened. He could pick out every detail, every thread of the woven hearth rug. A mixture of intense aromas—spices, burning wood, candle wax, even Gregory’s aftershave—assaulted his nose. He wanted to cover his ears there was so much sound—spitting and crackling from the fire, leaves and branches thrashing outside in the wind, breathing, heartbeats. Evrain gasped. It was too much. He gripped the arms of his chair and felt every imperfection in the wood. His head swam.

“What’s… What’s happening?” He squeezed the words from between gritted teeth.

In the hearth, the fire exploded, sending huge flames shooting up the chimney. The storm outside intensified, pounding at the cabin with weapons of hail and wind. Evrain took short, sharp breaths. He sensed movement behind him and swiveled around to see the pot plants on the windowsill sprouting shoots and new leaves at incredible speed, the foliage spilling over countertops and onto the floor. This could not be happening. The pressure in his head built to an intolerable level. He was aware of Gregory’s touch, clasping his hand.

“Let it go, Evrain. Don’t be afraid.” Gregory’s voice, calm and soothing, penetrated his panic.

Evrain willed his body to relax. Multicolored lights exploded before his eyes, then everything went mercifully dark.

* * * *

“Evrain, you’re a warlock.”

“What the hell happened, Grandma? Am I ill? My head feels like a grenade exploded.

Inside it.” Evrain massaged his temples and groaned. “Wait. What did you just say?”

“I said, my dear boy, that you are a warlock. Now drink this, it will make you feel better.

You were out cold for a few minutes there.” She thrust a mug into his trembling hands.

“What is it?” He sniffed the drink with some suspicion.

“Butterbur, chamomile and ginger root tea sweetened with a little honey. My own remedy and better than any chemical you could poison your body with.”

“Does it cure insanity, because I could have sworn that you just told me I’m a warlock?”

“It doesn’t, and you are. Don’t be a child. Drink it.”

“Don’t be a— Gregory! Please tell me I’m hearing things.” He looked to his godfather who stood in front of the fire making strange movements with his fingers.

“Just hold on a minute, Evrain. I need to damp down your conflagration a little.”

“What? Wait… You’re… Oh my God. I’m in an alternate reality, aren’t I?” He addressed his question to Coryn, sitting in the chair next to him. Coryn seemed a bit pale despite the heat. His smile was full of sympathy and understanding.

“It’s true, Evrain. You are a warlock and so is Gregory. Your grandma put a suppression spell on your powers shortly after you were born, to protect you. You heard her humming? Well, she was lifting the spell. You have come into your powers. You’re very strong, Evrain. The change was too much for you and you blacked out for a few minutes.”

Author Bio

L M Somerton

Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She’s fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Author Website: www.lmsomerton.com

Author Facebook (Personal): www.facebook.com/lmsomerton

Author Facebook (Author Page): www.facebook.com/lmsomertonwrites

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/LMSomerton

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6623749.L_M_Somerton

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/l-m-somerton/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/L.M.-Somerton/e/B00AV9XRW8/

Blog Tour – His Taken Omega (Mountain Shifters #11) by L.C. Davis

BLOG TOUR

 

Title: His Taken Omega (Mountain Shifters #11)

Author: L.C. Davis

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Wolf Conan

Release Date: December 3, 2017

Length: 70 000 words/260 pages

Genre/s: M/M shifter Mpreg romance

His Taken Omega is a standalone story within the Mountain Shifter universe.

 

 Blurb

Nicholas wants nothing to do with omegas, and Avery has already signed a contract binding him to another Alpha. Fate has other plans for them both.

As the omega spokesman for the infamous Futurus Initiative, Avery Callahan is a controversial figure who’s used to being envied, occasionally despised and always the center of attention. His kidnapping at the hands of the twisted omega at the helm of the radical anti-Futurus group known as Epsilon shook his perfect world to the core, and Avery’s abnormally conventional parents no longer know what to do with him. In a last-ditch effort to save their son’s reputation—and his engagement to a prestigious politician—the Callahans send him to the small, idyllic pack of Southbend for some much-needed rest and recovery.

When Avery arrives in Southbend, he finds the Meyer household anything but welcoming and he immediately clashes with the rakishly reluctant head of the household. Nicholas might be a brilliant lawyer with good looks and charm in abundance, but he makes no secret of the fact that Avery is persona non-grata in his pack. How is Avery supposed to heal his own wounds when an Alpha who looks at every omega with disdain makes him question everything, including his participation in the breeding program he’s devoted his life to promoting?

~

Nicholas has it all on the surface—rising-star status as an attorney with his own practice, a sizable inheritance and the option of going home with any omega he chooses at the end of the night—but beneath the mask of his status, he hides a secret that makes him feel unworthy of the title of Alpha. Past abuse has left him with a deep-seated revulsion towards omegas, the very class of shifter he’s supposed to crave. He uses work and meaningless flings with other Alphas and betas to distract himself from the family life he

doesn’t believe he deserves, but in the wake of his estranged father’s death, Nicholas is called home to take on a role he never wanted.

Forced to give up his high-profile career and take the reins of his family’s pack, Nicholas finds himself wholly unprepared to fill the shoes of the man he hated. Because fate isn’t cruel enough, the Spirits choose this moment to send him his destined mate—a charming yet infuriatingly stubborn omega he can never love or even claim. At least, that’s what he thinks until he realizes that the very traits that repel him from other omegas draw him to Avery in a way he finds as bewildering as it is intoxicating.

Excerpt 2

“Well,” Nicholas said, coming to a stop in the middle of the town square. “This is the great metropolis of Southbend. What do you think?”

“I think it’s lovely,” Avery said, hesitating. “And very, very rural.”

“It is certainly that.” Nicholas grinned. “Should we head back? You must be tired after your trip.”

“I am,” Avery admitted, falling into step beside him. “Guess I am here to relax.”

“That’s what I heard.”

“What else have you heard?”

Nicholas wasn’t sure how to respond. Avery gave him a knowing look.

“You can be honest. You won’t hurt my feelings.”

“It’s nothing bad, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I guess that depends on whether you consider the public face of the Futurus Initiative having a nervous breakdown in the middle of a fundraiser to be a bad thing.”

“Everyone knows what you went through. You’re a hero. If they’d judge you for that, they’re not worth the time.”

“It’s been three months,” Avery murmured.

“Three months is barely enough time to enjoy summer break, let alone get over being kidnapped.”

“Maybe you can tell my parents that. They’re convinced I’m irreparably broken.”

“You don’t look broken to me.” Nicholas pretended to look the omega over for damage. “Maybe a small dent right here,” he said, poking the dimple on Avery’s cheek that deepened when he smiled.

“Either way, it looks like I’m stuck here until I can convince my parents of that.”

“That makes two of us. For what it’s worth, it’ll be nice to have the company.”

Another lie, but at least this one was for a worthy cause. It wasn’t Avery’s fault that an Alpha with an irrational aversion to omegas—or at least intimacy with one—had imprinted on him.

Avery was there to recover, not to find a mate when he already had one. The more Nicholas reminded himself of that, the better. His aversion had kept him single into his early thirties, so surely he could manage to control the hormones and irrational impulses for the few weeks Avery would be staying with them. Once he went back, both of their problems would be solved. Avery could go back to his life as the Futurus golden boy, and Nicholas could sleep a little easier knowing that he wasn’t going to imprint on the next omega who walked into his office looking for help.

In the meantime, he just had to fight the urge to commit the greatest sin of his profession: telling the truth.

 

Buy Links ~ Available on KU

Amazon  US

Amazon UK

Amazon US  Series Link

Amazon UK  Series Link

 

Goodreads

Goodreads Series Link

 

About the Author

 L.C. Davis is an MM romance author with a passion for LGBT representation.

His series include The Mountain Shifters, Queer Magick and Kingdom of Night.

Blog/Website

 

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BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

 

December 6

Lily G Blunt  

Megan’s Media Melange  

December 7

Stories That Make You Smile INTERVIEW

MM Midnight Cafe    REVIEW

December 8

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews 

MM Good Book Reviews  REVIEW 

December 9

Love Unchained Book Reviews  

Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author    REVIEW

Land of the Book Fairies  REVIEW  

December 10

Diverse Reader   REVIEW

Bayou Book Junkie  REVIEW  

Noteworthy Book Reviews    REVIEW

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words  

The Blogger Girls    INTERVIEW

Tangents and Tissues   REVIEW

December 13

Queer Sci Fi  

 

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An Alisa Review: Once Bitten (A Darker Hollow #2) by Shannon West and T.S. McKinney

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

When Mason comes back to Dark Hollows, he doesn’t quite get the homecoming he’d hoped for.

 

Mason, who has become something not quite wolf and not quite vampire, has new powers of his own that he’s still trying to figure out, not to mention a complicated relationship with his new mates. He knows his brother Jax will be shocked to find out he’s still alive, and he’d expected some resistance to his new mates, Finn and Valerian, but not the open hostility he meets when they arrive.

 

The Dark Hollow alphas, Marco and Cade, are not at all pleased to have another alpha like Finn in their territory. And as for the beautiful vampire, Valerian, only Mason’s sudden display of his startling new powers forces an uneasy and tentative truce among them. Meanwhile Mason is still struggling to forgive Finn and Valerian for what they did to him in the past, and his mates are growing impatient for him to make a decision about their lives together.

 

The sudden reappearance of an ancient, evil vampire named Cassius makes the entire pack hyper-vigilant and uneasy. When Mason and Finn discover the creature is Valerian’s sire, they fear Cassius’s influence over him.

 

Betrayal, infighting, and even some romance. The next rousing adventure in Dark Hollows is here.

 

I enjoyed this story.  Mason is working towards forgiving Finn and Valerian and the way they are treated when they arrive at Mason’s home and the events thru the story brings them together more.  However, I am unsure how far after the last story this one takes place.

 

These men all need to learn to open up to each other and trust them with their secrets.  I could see their feelings for each other even if they have trouble voicing those feelings.  Most of this story is seeing confrontations between Mason, his mates and his previous pack and I’m not sure how much of it helped the story; it just made many of the alpha’s seem like jerks that they couldn’t even recognize Mason let alone welcome someone different.  I was left wanting more, I look forward to seeing how they will adapt and grow their relationship.

 

The cover art by E Keith is great and follows the style of the first book.

 

Sales Links: Painted Hearts Publishing | Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 188 pages

Published: September 4, 2017 by Painted Hearts Publishing

Edition Language: English

Series: A Darker Hollow #2

Release Blitz for On Your Knees, Prospect (Kings of Hell MC #3) by KA Merikan (excerpt and giveaway)

 

 
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 130,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Natasha Snow
 
Kings of Hell MC Series
 
Book #1 – Laurent & The Beast – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #2 – My Dark Knight – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #4 – Gray’s Shadow (Coming 2018)
 
Blurb
 

— There is freedom in blacking boots for the right man. —


Jake. Kings of Hell MC Prospect. Obedient. Desperate for approval.

Vars. Dominant. Stern. Undead.


Jake is itching to become a patched member of the Kings of Hell MC.

For two years he’s toiled as the only prospect. So when a new guy swans in and thinks he’ll get a patch in no time just because he’s got friends in high places, Jake is there to stand in his way.

Only that the guy is older, more experienced, drives a Harley, and has the kind of boots Jake craves to lick.

But he won’t.

Because he only fucks patches.


Vars is ready to find a new home in the Kings of Hell MC after a messy relationship led him straight to hell. In comparison, the pretty, blue-eyed prospect could be just the pleasant rebound he needs.

The boy is a brat, but that could be amended with a firm hand and a gag.

If only Jake was ready to admit to his submissive needs, Vars would gladly take him under his wing.

That is, until he finds out something inhuman resides inside of Jake.

Vars didn’t cheat death only to call out to it again.


But stuck together in one room, keeping each other’s secrets, they might just have to become allies, no matter how unwilling. Because if there is something Vars can’t resist, it’s a boy with pleading eyes.


“You are mine now, boy. This room is soundproof. No one will hear you scream.”
“Yes, sir. My body is yours.”


WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, offensive language, and morally ambiguous characters. 

 
Excerpt

Jake wouldn’t be subjected to this indignity. He hit right back at Vars, even if the man was solid as a rock. “I’m no slave! I do what I’m asked, and yes, if that means sucking dick, so be it. It’s called dedication. I bet you’ve never heard of it!”

Something flashed in Vars’s eyes, and he descended on Jake, twisting back his arms and pushing him forward as if Jake barely weighed anything. With a yelp, Jake clenched his eyes shut, unable to breathe as he braced himself for impact with the floor, but his body met hard steel instead.

Dampness started soaking into his clothes, and his chin slid over Knight’s newly-cleaned car. It smelled of detergent, sharp and unpleasant, but the large body pressing him down overpowered all his senses.

He struggled against the firm hold but knew he could put more strength into it. His mind drifted off to the leather flogger and cuffs that have occupied it from the moment Jake had made the mistake of touching Vars’s toy bag.

The cool touch of the car’s hood was a relief to his burning cheek. It was increasingly difficult to remind himself every day that Vars was a prospect like him when the man carried himself with so much authority.

“You sure of that?” Vars whispered, leaning over Jake until his lips were inches away from Jake’s ear. The movement pressed his hips tighter to Jake’s ass, and even though there was no trace of arousal in those leather pants, sensing the heat of Vars’s groin had Jake’s flesh feel like molten fire. Were Vars’s pubes salt-and-pepper as well, or had that been his imagination?

“Of what?” Jake’s voice came out trembling so heavily he didn’t recognize it at first. What was he doing? He couldn’t possibly give into this weird thing Vars was pulling him into. Vars had no right to him. No patch. And yet everything about the energy Vars exuded spoke to Jake on a level he didn’t understand.

So he stayed put and stopped the pretense of struggle.

Vars breathed fire down the back of Jake’s neck, and while his body still pressed down hard, and his powerful hands still kept Jake’s arms in a twist, something about the hold changed. Vars hesitated with his answer, his hips swaying gently against Jake’s buttocks as he inhaled and exhaled so close to Jake’s ear it was almost like shouting.

“That you want to serve. That polishing all those shoes on your knees gets your dick hard.”

Yes? No? Maybe? No. Yes.

So he might actually enjoy doing things for the members. Big deal. It was a lucky thing, since he’d been stuck as a prospect for years.

Jake couldn’t understand why he was so nervous. Why his body reacted so violently to this inquisition. Vars’s bulk pressing against him wasn’t helping with focus, but it was the hold on his arms that was making Jake’s senses spiral out of control. He’d gotten a glimmer of that when wrestling with Gray before, but there was something different about Vars holding him down. He just didn’t know what.

“I just want to please,” Jake whispered so quietly he wasn’t sure he’d be heard.

 

Author Bio

K.A. Merikan are a team of writers who try not to suck at adulting, with some success. Always eager to explore the murky waters of the weird and wonderful, K.A. Merikan don’t follow fixed formulas and want each of their books to be a surprise for those who choose to hop on for the ride.


K.A. Merikan have a few sweeter M/M romances as well, but they specialize in the dark, dirty, and dangerous side of M/M, full of bikers, bad boys, mafiosi, and scorching hot romance.



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An Alisa Review: Corey’s Christmas Bundle (Atherton Pack 5) by Toni Griffin

Rating:  5 stars out of 5
Being pregnant is not all it’s cracked up to be, especially when you’re male and a shifter. Even though the world now knows about wolf shifters, their male’s ability to bare young is still a closely guarded secret. Since Corey’s pregnancy is now visible, he’s been stuck at home working on code and waiting for company to drop by. Problem is, though, the human government wants to know where Corey is.
As Christmas and Corey’s due date draw ever nearer, Ben devises a plan that will not only get Corey out of the house, but allows the wolves of Atherton Pack to give the community some Christmas cheer.
This was a great look at the men from Atherton.  Corey’s pregnancy came as a surprise to their friends but he loves the feeling and knowing that he is carrying his and Ethan’s child.  I really wish I would have been able to see him as Santa but my imagination did a pretty good job.
All these men will do anything for their friends even if it means being in an embarrassing situation.  I loved seeing them all again and can’t wait to see more and the rest of their friends finding their mates and happiness.
The cover art by Freddy MacKay is wonderful and I love it.
Book Details:
ebook, ~20,000 words
Published: December 6, 2017 by Mischief Corner Books
Edition Language: English
Series: The Atherton Pack #5