Release Blitz for Blackbird In The Reeds by Sam Burns (giveaway)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Length: 50,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Madeline Farlow @ Clause & Effect
Blurb


Devon Murphy has never believed that there were fairies at the bottom of the garden, but when he’s in an accident on his way to his grandmother’s house and comes face to face with the biggest, baddest wolf he’s ever seen, he’s forced to reconsider.


When his grandmother asks him to look into a string of suspicious accidents, he finds a much bigger mystery to unravel. From his childhood best friend to the too-attractive Deputy Wade Hunter, everyone in Rowan Harbor seems to have something to hide. Devon has to get to the bottom of it all before the accidents turn deadly.

Author Bio
 

Sam wrote her first fantasy epic with her best friend when she was ten. Like almost any epic fiction written by a ten year old, it was awful. She likes to think she’s improved since then, if only because she has better handwriting now.


If she’s not writing, she’s almost certainly either reading or lost down a wikipedia rabbit hole while pretending to research for a novel.



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So Long 2017! Hello 2018! It’s Our Final 2017 Best of Lists. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

So Long 2017! Hello 2018! It’s Our Final 2017 Best of Lists.

Well, today as we usher out 2017 (and I can’t say I’m entirely sorry to see it go), I will say it’s been a wonderful year in terms of stories, at least for me, and as far as I can tell, for some of you too.  So buckle up, my buttercups, grab something to make lists with, whether it be old fashioned paper and pen or your smartphone or pad, and prepare yourself for some marvelous Best of Lists from readers, reviewers, and myself!

♦︎

There have been series that ended this year (and I’m including trilogies here) that were just outstanding, new discoveries made of authors both established and newly published, great stories that cut to the heart of why we read, and series that either started or continued that made us laugh, cry, blew our minds with the author’s creativity and wild imaginations!  Oh the joy of it all!

♦︎

Plus the happiness that we here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words have been able to share it all with you and have heard from you in return.  It’s been a very rich year indeed.

Best of

From Our Readers

Lennis:

My Bests:
Best Contemporary is tough. I liked How To Bang A Billionaire by Alexis Hall, Illegal Contact by Santino Hassell, and Rule Breaker by Lily Morton.
Best Fantasy for me would be The Heart of The Lost Star by Megan Derr, Lord Mouse by Mason Thomas, A Destiny of Dragons by T.J. Klune. I wasn’t sure if I should add Broken by Jex Lane to this, or have it be Best Paranormal? Let’s go with that.
Best Science Fiction would be Moro’s Price by M. Crane Hana and Dali by E.M. Hamill.
Best Cover. Natasha Snow has had an awesome year! Controlled Burn and Adrift are some favorites. The Foxling Soldati cover by L.C. Chase and One Last Try cover by Lou Harper are also eye catching.

suze294

My 5* reads from this year
The Executive Office series, Tal Bauer
Sins of the cities series, KJ Charles
Forever Haunt (Jimmy McSwain 5), Adam Carpenter
This Fire Inside, Jordan Nasser
What It Looks Like, Matthew J Metzger
Wolfsong, TJ Klune
Priddys Tale, Harper Fox
Bitter Legacy, Dal Maclean
Switched, NR Walker
The Definitive Albert J Sterne, Julie Bozza
Reaping Fate, AJ Rose

From Ana:

My Bests:
Best Mystery: Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge and Risky Behavior by LA Witt & Cari Z
Best Audiobook: Femme by Marshall Thornton
Best Cover:Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan
Best Contemporary (this is hard to choose, so many good ones): Becoming Kerry by Lynn Kelling, The Impossible Boy by Anna Martin, Off the Ice by Avon Gale and Piper Vaugh, Manic Pixie Dream Boy by KA Merikan and Disease by Hans M Hirshchi
Best Dark Theme: Backdoor Politics by CL Mustafic

Amy:

Favorite On-Going Series in 2017

Hexworld by Jordan L. Hawk
Aberrant Magic by Lyn Gala
Offbeat Crimes by Angel Martinez
Bad Behavior by L.A. Witt and Cari Z
Rainbow Cove by Annabeth Albert
Scoring Chances by Avon Gale

and more from Didi:

I’m adding two more lists of mine here, for PNR and May/December (or Age-Gap as one MC’s not into his December yet 😉 ).

Best Paranormal Romance:
– Spectred Isle by KJ Charles
– Hexslayer by Jordan L. Hawk
– Undertow by Jordan L. Hawk
– The Well by Marie Sexton
– Fraud Twice Felt by JT Hall

Best May/December Romance:
– Off the Ice by Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn
– Spun! by JL Merrow
– Trust the Chaser by Annabelle Albert
– Risky Behavior by LA Witt & Cari Z (I cheated, it’s more age-gap than May/December, I think)
– Permanent Ink by Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn

Best of Lists from STRW

 More from Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Reviewers:

 From Lila:

Looking back on my shelves, The Best of 2017 (according to me) are:

January – Chosen Pride by Mary Calmes
February – Red Dirt Heart by N.R. Walker
March – Borrowing Trouble by Kade Boehme
April – Tell Me the Truth by Lisa Oliver
May –  The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich
June – The Palisade by Rosalind Abel
July – That Alien Feeling by Alessandra Hazard
August – The Heart of the Lost Star by Megan Deer
September – Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C.
October – Locked in Silence by Sloane Kennedy
November – The Hideaway by Rosalind Abel
December – An Omega for Christmas by L.C. Davis
And some extra mentions:

·         Best Read for STRWBonfires by Amy Lane

MelanieM Best of 2017

Here are my lists, many and long as I warned everyone.  What a year and I still mourn the books I hesitatingly left off.  These are listed in absolutely no particular order excerpt that I was scrambling to look at my notes and books kept popping up here and there….

♥︎Best Contemporary Fiction with Romance

Ghost (Executioners #1) by J.M Dabney
Joker (Executioners #2) by J.M Dabney
Watermelon Kisses by Freddy Mackay
There’s This Guy by Rhys Ford
Shelter the Sea (The Roosevelt, #2) by Heidi Cullinan
Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan
Switched by NR Walker
Late in the Day (The Vault #2) by Mary Calmes
Micah Johnson Goes West (Get Out #2)
by Sean Kennedy
House of Cards (Porthkennack #4) by Garrett Leigh
Foxglove Copse (Porthkennack #5) by Alex Beecroft
Fair Chance (All’s Fair #3) by Josh Lanyon
Hawaiian Orchid (The Hawaiians 2) by Meg Amor
Snowblind by Eli Easton
Who We Are by Nicola Haken
Fishy Riot by Lindsey Black
Rhino Ash by Lindsey Black

Bonfires by Amy Lane
Catch and Release (The Release, #3) by B.A. Tortuga

♥︎Best Contemporary Fiction (not a romance)

Blood Stained Tea (The Yakuza Path #1) by Amy Tasukada

♥︎Best Science Fiction

The Stark Divide (Liminal Sky #1) by J. Scott Coatsworth
Sūnder (Darksoul #1) by Lexi Ander
The Jackal’s House (Lancaster’s Luck #2) by Anna Butler – steampunk

 ♥︎Best of Fantasy:

His Mossy Boy (Being(s) in Love#8) by R. Cooper
Dim Sum Asylum by Rhys Ford
The Heart of the Lost Star by Megan Derr
Ravens (Inheritance #3) by Amelia Faulkner

♥︎Best Supernatural/Paranormal:

Bitten by Design (Regent’s Park Pack #2) by Annabelle Jacobs
Skim Blood and Savage Verse (Offbeat Crimes #3) by Angel Martinez (actually all the books in this series)

♥︎Best Series:

Aisling Trilogy by Carole Cummings (high fantasy)
The Hawaiians by Meg Amor (contemporary romance)
Offbeat Crimes by Angel Martinez (humor, fantasy, supernatural)
Nicky and Noah Mysteries by Joe Cosentino  (high camp, high humor, mystery)
Inheritance by Amelia Faulkner (fantasy, supernatural)
The Kingdom Series (Vol 1 & 2) by RJ Scott (fantasy)
Rainbow Cove by Annabeth Albert
#gaymers by Annabeth Albert
Being(s) in Love by R. Cooper
The Release series by BA Tortuga
The Sin Bin by Dahlia Donovan (contemporary)
The Yakuza Path series by Amy Tasukada (contemporary fiction) violent, bloody, brilliant, not romance)

 ♥︎Great Series Ending:

Sanctuary Series by RJ Scott
Texas Series by RJ Scott
Mahu by Neil S. Plakcy
All’s Fair by Josh Lanyon
Werecat series by Andrew J. Peters
Holiday with the Bellskis by Astrid Amara
End Street Detectives by RJ Scott (supernatural)

 

♥︎Holiday Series ~ special mention:Holidays with the Bellskis Series by Astrid Amara (final story just out)
Carol of the Bellskis (Bellskis, #1) by Astrid Amara
Miracle of the Bellskis (Bellskis, #2) by Astrid Amara
Wedding Bellskis (Holidays with the Bellskis, #3) by Astrid Amara

♥︎Best Covers:​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Destiny of Dragons (Tales From Verania) by TJ Klune, Artist Paul Richmond
Red Fish, Dead Fish (Fish Out of Water#2) by Amy Lane, Artist: Reese Dante
Sunset at Pencarrow (World of Love)
by Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell, Artist: Reese Dante
An Island in the Stars by Susan Laine, Artist:  Anna Sikorska
Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan, Cover art by Natsukoworks, Cover design by Kanaxa Designs.
The Lure of Port Stephen by Sydney Blackburn, Artist Natasha Snow
Manny Get Your Guy (The Mannies #2) by Amy Lane, Artist: Paul Richmond
Comes a Horseman (Echoes Rising #3) by Anne Barwell, Artist: Reese Dante
A New Way to Dance by Sean Michael, Artist: Anne Squires
The Glamour Thieves by Don Allmon, Artist: Simone
Conned
By Jana Denardo, Artist: Melody Pond
Sūnder (Darksoul #1) by Lexi Ander, Artist:Kirby Crow
The Blacksmith Prince by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus, Artist:  Lady Tiferet
Foxglove Copse (Porthkennack #5) by Alex Beecroft, Artist: G.D. Leigh

 

 

 

 

 

♥︎

Well those are my choices and I’m sure I’ve even left a quite of few out.  How did all of your lists come out?  Did you all find some new books to add to your TBR lists on everyone’s Best of Lists?  Winner Announcements to come next week as they would get lost and we need to have something to look forward to!

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!  See you all in 2018!  Happy Reading from Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words to all of you!

 

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 31- Happy New Eve’s:

  • So Long 2017! Hello 2018! It’s Our Final 2017 Best of Lists.
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.
  • A Stella Advent Release Day Review: Eugene and the Box of Nails by Jaime Samms

Monday, January 1:

  • Book Blitz: Blackwelder 2164 by Christopher D. J
  • BLITZ The Calling by MD Neu
  • RIPTIDE TOUR Reckless Behavior by LA Witt and Cari Z
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Operation Green Card by GB Gordon
  • A Kai Audiobook Review: Nachos & Hash by Brandon Witt and Dominic Carlos (Narrator)
  • A MelanieM Review: Hurricane by BA Tortuga

Tuesday, January 2:

  • Cover Reveal for Shae Connor’s Teaching Ben
  • DSP Promo K.A. Mitchell
  • RIPTIDE TOUR On Solid Ground by Quinn Anderson
  • Tour: A Different Light by Morningstar Ashley
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Prelude to Love by Anne Barwell
  • A MelanieM Review: Bound by Thorns (Dragon Soul #3) by Sean Michael

Wednesday, January 3:

  • Blog Tour *Won’t Feel A Thing by C.F. White
  • Release Blitz – Bonnie Dee – The Fortune Hunter
  • DSP Dreamspun Promo Anne Barwell
  • A VVivacious Review: OBSESSION by Theophilia St. Claire​
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Outside the Lines by Anna Zabo
  • A MelanieM Review: Wait For Me by Kris Jacen

Thursday, January 4:

  • Release Blitz & Review Tour Request – Sam Burns – Blackbird In The Reeds
  • Sin and Saint by J.M. Dabney RDB, Tour
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Sin and Saint by J.M. Dabney
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Reckless Behavior by LA Witt and Cari Z
  • A Stella Review: The Best Gift by Shawn Lane
  • An Alisa Review Wolf’s Kiss by Siryn Sueng

Friday, January 5:

  • Dreamspinner Promo: Alix Bekins and Connie Bailey, authors of Song and Key
  • Release Blitz – Vows Box Set – Addison Albright
  • RELEASE BLITZ Felix and the Prince by Lucy Lennox
  • A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Smitty’s Sheriff by Cardeno C
  • A Stella Pre Release Review: When the Devil Wants In by Cate Ashwood and JH Knight
  • An Alisa Prerelease Review: Forever With You By Londra Laine

Saturday, January 6:

  • A MelanieM Review: Ghoulish by Kat Bellamy

 

 

 

 

Almost There! The Best is Yet to Come 2017 Best of Lists Continue. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Almost There! The Best is Yet to Come

2017 Best of Lists Continue…

This week I’m devoting our blog to lists from our readers and what wonderful lists they came up with.  One author on many of there lists is one that will be on mine too.  But in what manner?  Because Annabeth Albert is one author I’m wrestling with right now for mine own lists because I love so many of her stories.  What do I choose from?  Her #gaymers series (Status Update, Beta Test)? Her Out of Uniform series (On Point) or even her newest one Rainbow Cove (Tender with a Twist)?  Rhys Ford for her gritty urban fantasy and contemporary? Heidi Cullinan? On and on, there are authors with multiple stories that made a huge impact on me this year…how to narrow the list down or do I?

Please feel free to chime in here.  Because my lists start tending to look like scrolls rolling across the floor…

And then there are the authors new to me and their  series, writers like J.M. Dabney, Dahlia Donovan, and Lindsey Black.

Yes, my list will be long.  Be prepared on the 31st!  Until then enjoy these wonderful lists from some of our readers and you still have until the end of the week to get yours in as well and be entered for our Best of 2017 Giveaways. See the details below.  Until next week..

Be Safe, Be Merry, and Happy Reading from all of us to all of you!

Happy Holidays to one and all from everyone here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words!

 

♡From H.B.

Thanks for sharing your list with us. I never was very good at picking out books I thought were the best over all books I’ve read well here goes:

Best of series 2017:
At Last, The Beloved by Stella Starling
The F-Word by E. Davies
Regent’s Park Pack by Annabelle Jacobs (technically book 1 was released in 2016 but book 2 and 3 was released this year)
Luna Brothers by Ashe Moon

2017 Best Novels:
Archangel’s Assassin by Barbara Elsborg
Haunted by Casey Ashwood
Thick & Thin (THIRDS 8) by Charlie Cochet
Darkest Hour Before Dawn (THIRDS 9) by Charlie Cochet
Gummy Bears & Grenades (THIRDS 9.5) by Charlie Cochet
Dim Sum Asylum by Rhys Ford
Siren’s Call by J.C. Owens
The Foxling Soldati (Soldati Hearts 2) by Charlie Cochet
Bone to Pick by T.A. Moore
Daimonion (The Apocalypse 1) by J.P. Jackson
To Touch You (Mates 4) by Cardeno C.
A Worthy Man (The Men of Halfway House 5) by Jaime Reese
FU: Fixer Uppers by Devon McCormack
Love Connection (#gaymers 3.5) by Annabeth Albert
True Colors (True Love 2) by Anyta Sunday
Half by Eli Lang
Married for a Month by Cate Ashwood
Ge-Mi (Part One) by Mell Eight
Man Walks into a Bar: A Trio of Short Stories by Lissa Ford

Best listened to audiobook in 2017:
Don’t Twunk With My Heart (Loving You 2) by Renae Kaye
Whyborne and Griffin series book 1-8 by Jordan l. Hawk
Lightning Struck Heart by T.J. Klune
Stranger on the Shore by Josh Lanyon
#gaymers series by Annabeth Albert

♡From Ami:

It is ALWAYS difficult for me to choose things for “Best” List. Mainly because I read a lot (more than 400 titles, MM and MF) so I hate sorting them out in order. But I’ll try. And I prefer to use the word “Favorite” rather than Best, since I know my taste is different than others

Favorite New-To-Me Author 2017
Roe Horvat (Debut Author)
Sam Burns (Debut Author)

Favorite Novel Read in 2017
Back to You by Chris Scully
Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbride
Love is Heartless by Kim Fielding
On Point by Annabeth Albert
Bad Behavior by L.A. Witt & Cari Z.
Accepting the Fall by Meg Harding
The Love Song of Sawyer Bell by Avon Gale (F/F Romance)
Tender with a Twist by Annabeth Albert
Sightlines by Santino Hassell

Favorite Novella / Short Story Read in 2017
The Layover by Roe Horvat
Handmade Holidays by Nathan Burgoine

♡From Jen27:

Here are some of mine from 2017.

Series:Whyborne & Griffin by Jordan L. Hawk (has been since it started)

New-to-me-Author:Kasia Bacon
Holiday story: Color of You by C.S. Poe (I was lucky enough to win an ARC.)
Audiobook: The Alpha King by Victoria Sue
Short Story: Dear Mona Lisa by Claire Davis & Al Stewart
I have way to many novels that I loved, but some of the authors who had multiple five star reads for me this year are: Jordan L. Hawk, Rhys Ford, Tal Bauer, Victoria Sue, Kasia Bacon, Keira Andrews, NR Walker, KJ Charles, Cat Sebastian, CS Poe, Eli Easton, Layla Reyne, Charlie Cochet, Annabeth Albert, Garrett Leigh, Santino Hassell, TJ Klune, Harper Fox

♡And Purple Reader:

hanks fro all the good recs. Certainly a lot to look into. I didn’t know if this was limited to 2017 releases, but as far as fantasy goes: I read and loved the first 4 in Andrew Q. Gordon’s Champion of the Gods series this year, and the latest (4th – Child of Night & Day) was this year.

Best of 2017 Giveaway

Who has made an impact on you this year?  Start thinking about it.  This week starts our Best of 2017 Giveaways.  We need your Best of in whatever Categories you would like to submit.  Have a Best of Covers?  Great!  How about a Bests of Supernatural Romance? Perfect! Best Historical Romance? Love it!  Getting the idea?  So what’s your Best of 2017?  I will be gathering mine for the next 2 weeks and will trot them out at the end of the month.  Prizes will be offered up! Gift certificates, more than one, for participations and more.

Ends this Saturday, December 30th.  So get those lists in and let’s starting comparing!  Happy compiling! Must be 18 years old to enter.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

 

 

Sunday, December 24:

  • An Alisa Advent Release Day Review: Candy Canes and Cappuccinos by Elizabeth Coldwell
  • An Alisa Review: The Icicles by R.W. Clinger
  • Almost There! The Best is Yet to Come 2017 Best of Lists Continue.
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, December 25 – Merry Christmas Everyone!

  • Book BLITZ Get Up by Reece Pine
  • BLITZ Run in the Blood by A.E. Ross
  • Jared’s Fulfillment by Riley Hart Blog Tour
  • A Caryn Release Day Review: Color of You by CS Poe
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:Don’t Plan to Stay by Kaje Harper
  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: Homemade from the Heart by Bru Baker
  • A Stella Review: Like a Gentleman, by Eliot Grayson

Tuesday, December 26:

  • DSP Promo Scotty Cade on Someone To Kiss
  • Tour Blitz for Sin and Saint by J.M. Dabney
  • A Free Dreamer Review :In Blood and Pain by Aldrea Alien
  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: The Billionaire’s Boxing Day Bargain by Ava Hayden
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Sin & Saint (Executioners #4) by J.M. Dabney
  • An Ali Review: Will & Patrick’s Endless Honeymoon (Wake Up Married #7) by Leta Blake

Wednesday, December 27:

  • On tour:Blood’s Song by Tempeste O’Riley
  • DSP Promo KC Burn
  • A Caryn Release Day Review: Being with Him by Mickie Ashling
  • An Alisa Review: I Only Want to Be With You by J Scott Coatsworth
  • A Caryn Advent Release Day Review: A Holiday Crush by CJane Elliott
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: Someone to Kiss by Scotty Cade

Thursday, December 28:

  • Harmony Ink Promo RG Thomas
  • SEAN MICHAEL on Composing a Family
  • A LIla Review:  Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Katie Porter
  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review:  Ghostwriter of Christmas Past by TA Moore
  • A MelanieM Review:A Viking For Yule by Jamie Fessenden
  • An Ali Review : On Your Knees, Prospect by KA Merikan
  • An Alisa Review: Life on Pause by Erin McLellan

Friday, December 29:

  • Cover Reveal for La Famiglia (A Men of Gilead Novel) by Deanna Wadsworth
  • Release Blitz – Beyond The Tunnel – Dan Mitton
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:  Eight Nights In December by Keira Andrews
  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: New Game, Start by C.S. Poe
  • A MelanieM Review: 415 Ink: Rebel by Rhys Ford
  • An Alisa Review: Raven (Elsewhere #2) by H.J. Perry

Saturday, December 30:

  • A Lila Advent Release Day Review: The Werewolf before Christmas by Charles Payseur
  • A MelanieM Review: A Cop for Christmas by Jamie Fessenden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More of STRW Best of 2017! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

More of STRW Best of 2017!

This week we have more lists from our reviewers and some from our readers.   We have best books and best covers from Stella and Barb the Zany Old Lady.  Check out their recommendations.  See where they fall on your lists, if they made your lists or if you have read them at all and perhaps need to put them on your TBR lists!
That last always happens to me.
Then I started to include more lists from our readers as well.  The Best of Giveaway is still going on.  Look for it at the bottom of this post before our schedule of the week!  And now for Stella’s Best Books for 2017:

Stella’s BEST BOOKS of 2017

Be My Best Man by Con Riley
Permanent Ink by Piper Vaughn and Avon Gale
Spun! by JL Merrow
Haven’s War by Parker Williams
Back to You by Chris Scully
Gone by the Board by August Li
The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember
Wake Up Call by JL Merrow
Renaissance by Lillian francis
Beneath The Stars by Lynn Charles
Second Chances by TA Webb
Ringo and The Sunshine Police by Nick Wilgus
Love Rising by Piper Vaughn
Lunch with the DoNothings at the Tammy Dinette by Killian B Brewer

BEST COVERS

The World in His Eyes by AJ Thomas
How to Save a Life by Eli Easton
The Half Wolf by Jay Northcote
The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

From Barb the Zany Old Lady

My top 10 for 2017, in any order (I can’t decide which is the best of all):
Slow Heat by Leta Blake
Tender With a Twist by Annabeth Albert
Outside the Lines by Anna Zabo
Shelter the Sea by Heidi Cullinan
Controlled Burn by Erin McLellan
On Point  by Annabeth Albert
Tender Mercies by Eli Easton
Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge
Trust with a Chaser by Annabeth Albert
Risky Behavior by L.A. Witt and Cari Z.

And from one of our Readers!

From Didi:

Sorting out the best list is what I never did – or at least announced – before. I’m not that organized, lol. Since I consider this year is one of the good reading year for me though, I have a few best-of-2017 list based on my reading. Here are a couple in a random order..

Best Suspense Romance
– Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge
– Risky Behavior by LA Witt & Cari Z
– Trustworthy by Astrid Amara
– Single Malt by Layla Reyne
– Enemies of the State by Tal Bauer

Best Covers
– Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge
– The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish
– Off the Ice by Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn
– Ghostwriter of Christmas Past by TA Moore
– The Castaway Prince by Isabelle Adler

Best of 2017 Giveaway

Who has made an impact on you this year?  Start thinking about it.  This week starts our Best of 2017 Giveaways.  We need your Best of in whatever Categories you would like to submit.  Have a Best of Covers?  Great!  How about a Bests of Supernatural Romance? Perfect! Best Historical Romance? Love it!  Getting the idea?  So what’s your Best of 2017?  I will be gathering mine for the next 2 weeks and will trot them out at the end of the month.  Prizes will be offered up! Gift certificates, more than one, for participations and more.

Ends on Saturday, December 30th.  So get those lists in and let’s starting comparing!  Happy compiling! Must be 18 years old to enter.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 17;

  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: Welcome Home Soldier by Deanna Wadsworth
  • An Alisa Release Day Review:Table for One by Connie Bailey
  • More of STRW Best of 2017! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, December 18:

  • Release Blitz – Nell Iris’ Unexpected Christmas
  • Review Tour – Ruby Moone’s The Mistletoe Kiss
  • Riptide Publishing’s Tour and Giveaway: Outside the Lines by Anna Zabo
  • A Caryn Review:  The Mistletoe Kiss by Ruby Moone
  • A Lila Advent Release Day Review: Trading Tridents by C. M. Taylor
  • A Stella Review:  Yours For The Holiday by DJ Jamison
  • An Alisa Review: The Christmas Eve Craigslist Killer by Jill Wexler

Tuesday. December 19:

  • Blog Promotion Tour – Why I Left You by Colette Davison
  • DSP Promo BA Tortuga on Slip
  • Riptide Publishing Bluewater Bay Tour and Giveaway: New Hand by LA Witt.
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: New Hand (Bluewater Bay #23) by L.A. Witt
  • A Jeri Review: New Hand by LA Witt
  • A Kai Advent Release Day Review: All Creatures Great and Small by Kasper Quill
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Beloved Son (Aisling Trilogy#3) by Carole Cummings
  • A MelanieM Review: Why I Left You by Colette Davison

Wednesday, December 20:

  • Book Blitz – Jamie Fessenden – A Viking For Yule
  • Book Tour – Short Order by Pat Henshaw
  • DSP Promo SJD Peterson on Roger
  • A Kai Review:  Only with You (Only Colorado #1) by J.D. Chambers
  • A Lila Advent Release Day Review: Wreck the Halls (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers) by Jessica Payseur
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The King’s Courage (North Pole City Tales #6) by Charlie Cochet
  • A Lila Release Day Review: Roger by SJD Peterson

Thursday, December 21:

  •  Jenn Burke on Fantasy and her story The Gryphon’s King’s Consort
  • A Holiday to Remember Tour (J. Scott Coatsworth)
  • DSP Promo Sean Michael
  • A MelanieM Review: Old Christmas Magic by Kassandra Lea
  • A Kai Advent Release Day Review: The Last Gift by Chrissy Munder
  • A MelanieM  Review: Old Christmas Magic by  Kassandra Lea
  • A VVivacious Review: Tournament of Champions by Tamryn Eradani
  • An Alisa Review: I Brake for Christmas by Michael P. Thomas

Friday, December 22:

  • BOOK TOUR – In Blood and Pain by Aldrea Alien
  • Cover Reveal – Lost In Time – A.L. Lester
  • DSP Dreamspun Promo B.G. Thomas
  • A Caryn Advent Release Day Review: The Holly Groweth Green by Amy Rae Durreson
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Slip (Recovery #2) by BA Tortuga
  • A MelanieM Review: Make The Yuletide Gay – Various Authors

Saturday, December 23:

  • DSP Promo B.G. Thomas
  • AN Alisa Advent Release Day Review: A Gift of Family by Tami Veldura
  • A MelanieM Review:  King (Executioners #3) by J.M. Dabney

Best of 2017’s Coming In! This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best of 2017’s Coming In!

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Reviewers are chiming in this week.  Ali and Alisa both came up with their Best of 2017 lists for our readers!  Everything from Best Books to Best Covers!  See if some of yours are among their choices.  We want yours too so check out our giveaway just above this week’s schedule.  It’s open all month.
Now for the first of many (we hope) of 2017 Best of Lists this month!

Best in Books in 2017

From Ali:

These were my favorite reads of the year:
  • Arrows Through Archer by Nash Summers
  • Everyday History by Alice Archer (although this was written last year so I don’t know if it counts)
  • Dear Mona Lisa by Claire Davis and Al Stewart
  • Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge
  • Loose Cannon by Sidney Bell
  • Controlled Burn by Erin McLellan
  • Circle by Garrett Leigh
  • We Three Kings by AF Henley
My favorite covers of the year:
The Poison Within by Kasia Bacon
Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews
Coach’s Challenge by Avon Gale
The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish
Blood Stained Tea by Amy Tasukada
Half by Eli Lang
 

From Alisa:

Here are my top books for 2017.
 

2017 Top Novels
Who We Truly Are by Victoria Sue
The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish
Christmas Eve Craigslist Killer by Jill Wexler
A Husband for Santa Claus by Missy Welsh
Vampire Claus by Robert Winter
Finding Home by Garrett Leigh
Nerdy Deeds by Tragen Moss
Without a Compass by Helen Juliet
Promises Part 3 by AE Via
Rogue Magic by Kit Brisby

Best Audiobooks of 2017
Until You by TJ Klune, narrator Reese Dante
The Deep of the Cound by Amy Lane, narrator Nick Russo
Kieran by Toni Griffin, narrator Nick Flint
Just Drive by LA Witt, narrator Nick Russo
Wake Me Up Inside by Cardeno C, narrator Charlie David

Best Series of 2017
Mates Collection by Cardeno C
A Nerd in the Hand by Tragen Moss
The Hollydale Omegas by Susi Hawke
Men of Meadowfall by Anna Wineheart
Ironwrought by Anna Wineheart
Common Powers by Lynn Lorenz
Three Wishes by Sean Michael
Roguefalls by April Kelly
The Omega Auction Chronicles by Kian Rhodes
Devils Pride MC by Jessie G

 
Best covers of 2017:
Best in Show by Kelly Jensen, cover artist Alexandria Corza
The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish, cover artist Natasha Snow
Who We Truly Are by Victoria Sue, cover artist Paul Richmond
Black Market Blood by Francis Gideon, cover artist AngstyG
Vampire Claus by Robert Winter, cover artist Dar Albert
 

Best of 2017 Giveaway

Who has made an impact on you this year?  Start thinking about it.  This week starts our Best of 2017 Giveaways.  We need your Best of in whatever Categories you would like to submit.  Have a Best of Covers?  Great!  How about a Bests of Supernatural Romance? Perfect! Best Historical Romance? Love it!  Getting the idea?  So what’s your Best of 2017?  I will be gathering mine for the next 2 weeks and will trot them out at the end of the month.  Prizes will be offered up! Gift certificates, more than one, for participations and more.

Ends on Saturday, December 30th.  So get those lists in and let’s starting comparing!  Happy compiling! Must be 18 years old to enter.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 10:

  • Best of 2017’s Coming In! This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
  • Blog Tour – His Taken Omega by L.C. Davis
  • Leaning Into a Wish by Lane Hayes Blog Tour
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Release Day Review: The Puzzle Box (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers) by C.C. Bridges

Monday, December 11:

  • Blog tour *Masked Heart by Chris McHart
  • Blog tour for The Perfect Gift, by Joe Cosentino
  • Review Tour – Not Just For Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs
  • A MelanieM Review: Not Just for Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs
  • A Jeri Release Day Review: An Unlocked Mind (Secrets#2) by K.C. Wells & Parker Williams
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:Leaning Into A Wish (Leaning Into Stories #3.5)
    by Lane Hayes

Tuesday, December 12:

  • DSP Promo S.A. Stovall
  • Promotion Tour – Memory of Me by Jess Thomas
  • Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway: Operation Green Card by GB Gordon
  • A MelanieM Review: The Unexpected Santa (The Sin Bin #5) by Dahlia Donovan
  • A Stella Review:  Desperately Seeking Santa by Eli Easton
  • An Alisa Advent Release Day Review: Poison Marked (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers)
    by T.J. Nichol
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Dyeing to be Loved (Curl Up and Dye Mysteries #1) by Aimee Nicole Walker and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Wednesday, December 13:

  • Blog Tour – Journey to Gaytopia by Joel Craig
  • Review Tour – RJ Scott’s Love Happens Anyway
  • In the Spotlight: Warlock Series By LM Somerton
  • A MelanieM Review:  Love Happens Anyway by RJ Scott
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Secrets and Silk by Nicole Dennis
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Short Order (Foothills Pride #8) by Pat Henshaw
  • A Caryn Advent Release Day Review: The Probability of Mistletoe (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers)
    by E.J. Russell

Thursday, December 14:

  • Tour for An Unlocked Mind by K.C. Well and Parker Williams
  • Book Tour – Ghoulish by Kat Bellamy
  • Review Tour – Secret Santa by Jay Northcote
  • An Alisa Review: The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish
  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: A Timely Gift by Kris T. Bethke
  • A Melanie Release Day Review: (PreRelease Review) Kairos by Mary Calmes
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Secret Santa by Jay Northcote

Friday, December 15:

  • Release Blitz – Short Order by Pat Henshaw
  • Review Tour for George Loveland’s On The Third Kiss
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Gryphon King’s Consort by Jenn Burke
  • A Stella Review: ​Cruising by Cate Ashwood
  • An Alisa Review: On The Third Kiss by George Loveland
  • A Caryn Advent Release Day Review: Christmas Grace (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers)
    by C.L. Miles

Saturday, December 16:

  • An Ali Advent Release Day Review: An Unexpected Sanctuary (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers)
    by Cassie Decker
  • A Barb Advent Release Day Review:  In Case Of Emergency by Keira Andrews

 

 

 

 

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

 

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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  

 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

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

Julia Fangs and her latest release ‘Catnip (Dead and Breakfast #1)’ (guest post)

Fangs and Catnip (Dead and Breakfast #1) by Julia Talbot
Dreamspinner Press

A Dreamspun Beyond Title
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Available for Purchase at Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Julia Talbot here today on her tour for Fants and Catnip.  Welcome, Julia!

✒︎

 I’m here to give you a little info about Fangs and Catnip, my very first Dreamspun Beyond from Dreamspinner Press.

Carter is the new manager at the Dead and Breakfast Inn, and he falls for vampire silent partner Fallon, who is sure they don’t need a were-cougar as a manager…

The folks here were kind enough to give me some questions to answer, so here they go!

If you could imagine the best possible place for you to write, where would that be and why?

Oh, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado at the Hot Springs Lodge. I would write, then get a massage, then go to the hot springs pool. Fallon, the vampire character in Fangs and Catnip is a writer, and he’s in a B&B in Colorado near where my spot is.

 

With so much going on in the world today, do you write to explain?  To get away?  To move past?  To wide our knowledge?  Why do you write?

I write because there has to be good, and fiction makes me happy. Paranormal makes me smile. Sex makes me hot. It’s escapism for sure. Romance is love, and with love I can believe the world will right itself.

 

What’s next for you as a writer?

I’m working on another paranormal for the Dreamspun Beyond line for Dreamspinner. None of them are shifters! Gasp.

What traits do you find the most interesting in someone? Do you write them into your characters?

Humor. I love someone who can laugh with me, or laugh at themselves. Wicked smart people fascinate me. Half of my best friends over the years have been Mensa members. I love crafty and arty people. Making things makes me bounce, and I love folks who want to do it. I try hard to write them into my books in some way, like the humor in Fangs and Catnip.

 

Have you ever put a story away, thinking it just didn’t work?  Then years/months/whatever later inspiration struck and you loved it?  Is there a title we would recognize if that happened?

OMG all the time. I’m he queen of starting projects I never finish, or that I pick up later because it’s too good or too long to waste. My next story to come out with Changeling Press (hopefully this month) is one of those stories that languished for a year, but I picked it up and dusted it off.

Thanks so much for having me, y’all!

XXOO

Julia Talbot

Blurb

A Dead and Breakfast Novel

A romance worth fighting for—tooth and claw.

Solitary vampire Fallon Underwood gets all the social interaction he needs being the silent partner at the Dead and Breakfast B and B high in the Colorado mountains. Change is hard for Fallon, so when his business partner, Tanner, suggests hiring a new manager for the inn, he’s adamant that they don’t need help, especially not in the form of bouncy werecat Carter Hughes.

Carter is a happy-go-lucky kitty, and he loves the hospitality industry, so the D and B ought to be a great place for him. He falls for Fallon as soon as he picks up one of Fallon’s novels, and begins to woo the vamp with gifts. When Fallon finally succumbs to Carter’s feline charms, the results are unexpected, to say the least. Their mating will have irreversible consequences—for their bodies and their hearts.

About the Author

Stories that leave a mark. Julia Talbot loves romance across all the genders and genres, and loves to write about people working to see past the skin they’re in to love what lies beneath. Julia Talbot lives in the great mountain and high desert Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia has been published by Dreamspinner and Changeling Press among many others. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. She also writes BDSM and erotic romance as Minerva Howe. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at http://www.juliatalbot.com “The mountains are calling, and I must go”

Contact Julia through the following:

www.juliatalbot.com

https://twitter.com/juliatalbot

https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotauthor

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

Release Blitz for Raven (Elsewhere #2) by HJ Perry (excerpt)

RELEASE BLITZ

 

Title: RAVEN (#2 Elsewhere series)

Author: HJ Perry 

Publisher: LoveLight Press

Release Date: December 6, 2017

Genre/s: Gay Fantasy/Paranormal Shifter Romance

Length: approx. 40k words.

Sales Links:  myBook.to/RavenHJPerry

Raven is a hot and steamy gay fantasy with a guaranteed Happy Ever After and no cheating.

It is book two in the new Elsewhere series featuring powerful men who are not of this world.

Blurb

There’s more to life than books.

Antisocial bookworm Caspian hopes to reconnect with nature and find his inner child when he takes on the task of exploring the woods around Beaumont. Or at least he’ll find a new place to curl up with his eReader.

There are birds.

After rescuing an injured bird who miraculously heals within minutes, at night Caspian has vivid and erotic dreams, which he doesn’t want to wake up from.

And there’s the Prince of Ravens.

Birds haunt him in the daytime, and a particular man haunts his dreams. The connection is far greater than Caspian can imagine…

Mate, and it’s for life.

From another world, the Raven Prince can take bird or human form, but he takes only one lover. As a human of our land, it’s difficult for Caspian to grasp that soulmates bond for life.

 

 

Excerpt

The bedsheets in Caspian’s dream were made of black silk. They covered a mattress so soft, he sank into it as if it were an oversized pillow. He blinked open his eyes and stretched out. Thousands of flickering flames from candles danced in unison, lighting up the room.

A familiar smell hung in the air, almost like rain. He recognized this same scent from something in the forest—what exactly, though, he couldn’t say.

Caspian sat up, supporting himself on his elbows.

The sheets slid across his bare thighs as he shifted his position. He realized then that he was naked.

Even though it felt so real, Caspian knew it was a dream.

He remembered going to bed in the stiflingly hot guest room, underneath a central overhead light and surrounded by huge old wooden furniture. Not a candle in sight. Wearing his cotton pajamas, he’d made the bed up with white sheets. It was so hot that he’d only put on one cotton sheet to go over him. He doubted he’d find black silk or satin anywhere in Dr. Kilpatrick’s house.

Caspian had undoubtedly fallen asleep while reading a book, as was his normal way of dozing off. The eReader, still lying on the bed beside him, had switched to sleep mode when he didn’t ‘turn’ the page.

Sensing eyes on him, Caspian glanced around, his eyes adjusting to the warm flickering light. “Hello?” he called out before actually seeing the man who stood in the shadows at the edge of the room.

Dressed from head to toe in smart black clothes, the stranger had slicked-back black hair, too. The man stood in front of a dark background, which was probably why Caspian didn’t notice him right away.

He saw him now.

Except, he realized that the stranger wasn’t standing, and also wasn’t in the room. Not exactly. In the doorway, he leaned at an angle, a shoulder against the door frame propping him up. There wasn’t a door, as far as Caspian could see, just an opening to something beyond, which lay in darkness.

The tall man cut a striking figure. He was older than Caspian by a few years—likely in his late twenties. His handsome face was classically good looking with strong chiseled features.

“Hello,” he said, taking a step forward into the light. His black hair shone a sleek, iridescent blue. It struck Caspian as familiar, but he couldn’t place from where.

Unafraid, fully aware it was a dream, Caspian kept the sheets modestly over his lap. He wasn’t ashamed of his body or his looks, but even when asleep, he wasn’t an exhibitionist. Well, he only occasionally had those fantasies.

The stranger took another step forward, his gait a confident swagger. His fingers worked at the black buttons of his shirt as he drew nearer. Enticing black chest hair appearing at the top of the shirt, which fell open.

Caspian gulped. “Who are you?”

Without answering, the stranger didn’t stop moving.

Reaching the foot of the bed, he paused to kick off his shoes and shook his open shirt free of his slender frame.

Mouth watering, Caspian took in the sight of muscular arms and a torso covered in fine, velvety black hairs. He longed to run his fingers over the hairy chest but didn’t move.

The sure-of-himself stranger ran a pointing finger from his navel suggestively down the length of the thick black treasure trail until he reached the top of his pants. He made short work of unfastening the belt and removing it from the loops before dropping it out of sight.

When the belt snapped free of the loops, the pants dropped a little, clinging to his hips and emphasizing the bulge of his crotch. The bulge seemed to be all that held them up.

When he dropped the belt, the dreamy stranger used a free hand to cup his prominent package, dragging fingers up either side to emphasize its size and shape, and to draw attention to his erection. He didn’t need to, though. It had Caspian’s attention.

With unfathomable skill and dexterity, the man ran his fingers around the silhouette of his cock under the black fabric and undid his fly at the same time. He moved his hips in a small circular motion, and the pants glided down, over his thighs.

It took quite some balls for a guy to perform a private striptease in this way.

Enjoying every moment of the show, Caspian licked his lips, subconsciously attempting to summon moisture back into his dry mouth. All thoughts focused on the now-naked man at the foot of the bed.

On the bed.

Naked and crawling on hands and knees, up the bed.

Over him.

Overconfident, brazen, and not stopping to check that the man in the bed was happy with this development, although he was.

Caspian drew in a breath but didn’t back up. He stayed still as the presumptuous stranger crossed the bed, over his legs—still covered by the sheet—and straddled his lap, with a very hard cock prominent between them, and Caspian’s equally aroused member pushing against the silk sheet and body above it.

The stranger smirked as they grew close.

Face to face, the sharp, aristocratic point of the stranger’s nose brushed against Caspian’s.

Caspian’s heart hammered in his chest. He hoped he wasn’t blushing. The touch, as slight as it was, felt electric. The air sparked with sudden, impossible chemistry.

“Hello,” the stranger said again before stealing a kiss.

Closing his eyes, Caspian gasped into the stranger’s mouth. After a brief moment of hesitation, he kissed the stranger back. Arousal surged low in his stomach and bound him to the moment.

Nothing else had ever been so important, so captivating.

They sank onto the bed together. The stranger pressed down, with only a slither of black silk to separate their naked bodies. Sheer smooth silk protecting him from a stranger.

 

RELEASE BLITZ SCHEDULE

 

December 6

Reviews by Crystal    

Millsy Loves Books    

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words  

Lily G Blunt

December 7

Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author   REVIEW

Blazing Zane Book Blog   REVIEW

Xtreme Delusions  

Gay Book Reviews

December 8

Noteworthy Book Reviews  REVIEW

MM Midnight Cafe   

Smokin’ Hot Reads Book Blog   REVIEW

MM Good Book Reviews   REVIEW

MJ’s Book Blog and Reviews 

Louise Lyons 

Tangents and Tissues  

 

About the Author

HJ Perry is a 49 years old mother of three school aged children. They live by the English seaside and from her hometown she can see France. Helen loves reading. If it were possible, she’d do nothing else. She reads science fiction, fantasy, young adult, all types of LGBT fiction, and, of course, gay romance. Aside from reading she likes walking and watching films, most often science fiction or thrillers.

HJP has written many books about men falling in love in England where, for the most part, LGBT people are treated with the same respect as anyone else. Having worked in the construction industry for years in real life, she has written many fictional characters working in similar macho, male dominated environments.

Despite reading American books and watching American shows, writing American characters has been a huge challenge for her. With a lot of help, Rescued from Paradise is her first novel featuring Americans and set in the US.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website
Facebook Author Page