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

December,Time to Say Goodbye, Time to Remember the Best of 2017. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

It’s December.

Time to Say Goodbye, Time to Remember the Best of 2017

At the end of the year, it’s time to look back and reflect on everything and everyone that made an impact on us this year.  Instead of remembering what was lacking in 2017, better to remember on those things and people that made life better for us…all of us in 2017 and make note here.

I’m not talking just books this year but people too.  This year saw the passing of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words reviewer Paul Berg, someone who’s lively presence here in his reviews and in my emails telling me about his backgammon tournaments I still miss. This  year we also lost author Eric Arvin after a long illness, thankfully his amazing stories ensures his incredible mind, heart, and imagination will always be with us.  Those two people were just the main two that I was thinking of when writing about those that have made such a lasting impact on me this year.

And not just people.  Many of the older LGBT publishing houses closed or have announced they are closing.  That includes Loose ID on Friday after 13 years in operation.  They join Samhain Publishing, Torquere Press, Musa Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Wilde City Press, ARe (All Romance eBooks), and others that temporarily escapes me.  All gone or on the way out.    That represents a hosts of authors, editors, cover artists….so many people working to bring LGBTQIA stories to us where before our choices were slim to almost zero.  I don’t think I need to tell you that the competition is the primary reason.  I know they will tell you the same.

I think of all the first time authors who were cared for by these presses, helped to craft their stories and then given a place for us to find them long before Amazon ever cared about our niche fiction and its readers.  How they will all be missed but what an amazing impact they left behind. For that alone, they should be remembered.

Who has made an impact on you this year?  Start thinking about it.  Next 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!

Now, this week more Advent Release Day Reviews and holiday stories, along with our regular release day reviews, tours and giveaways.  Something for everyone!  Happy Reading.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

 

Sunday, December 3:

  • Time to Say Goodbye, Time to Remember the Best of 2017
  • Romeo Preminger on Thiago
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Release Day Review: The Peppermint Schnapps Predicament by Clare London
  • A Lila Release Day Review: Thiago by Romeo Preminger
  • A Stella Release Day Review: Laugh Cry Repeat by John Inman

Monday, December 4:

  • Dyeing to be Loved by Aimee Nicole Walker Audio Tour
  • Review Tour – Joanna Chambers’  Merry & Bright
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Regret Me Not by Amy Lane
  • A Stella Release Day Review: Hope Is the Thing with Feathers by Brandon Witt
  • An Ali Review:  Merry & Bright by Joanna Chambers

Tuesday, December 5:

  • Dreamspinner Press Promo Tara Lain on Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #6)
  • INTERLUDE TOUR If the Fates Allow Holiday Anthology
  • Spotlight on Only With You by JD Chambers
  • Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway: Junkyard Heart by Garrett Leigh
  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: Salvaging Claus Day by J. Alan Veerkamp
  • A MelanieM Review: The Botanist (The Sin Bin #3) by Dahlia Donovan
  • A Stella Review: If the Fates Allow Holiday Anthology
  • An Alisa Review: My Choice, My Chance by Taylor Rylan

Wednesday, December 6:

  • DSP Publications Promo David C. Dawson
  • Release Blitz for Love Happens Anyway  by RJ Scott
  • Release Blitz for Raven by HJ Perry
  • A Jeri Release Day Review: ​Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #6) by Tara Lain
  • A Stella Advent Release Day Review: The Mature Man’s Guide to Surviving Change by Chris Scully
  • An Alisa Review: Corey’s Christmas Bundle (Atherton Pack 5) by Toni Griffin

Thursday, December 7:

  • DSP Dreamspun Promo Julia Talbot
  • Spotlight on Andrew Grey
  • Release Blitz for Jesus Kid by Kayleigh Sky
  • Release Blitz for On Your Knees, Prospect by KA Merikan
  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: An Open Window by Rick R. Reed
  • A MelanieM Review: Hurricane (Stormy Weather #3)  by B.A. Tortuga
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Embrace the Fire (Through Hell and Back #3) by Felice Stevens and Kale Williams (Narrator)

Friday, December 8:

  • Amy Lane on Writing, Books, and her release Regret Me Not
  • Solstice Prince by SJ Himes Blog Tour
  • Review Tour : Deep Edge (Harrisburg Railers #3) by RJ Scott & VL Locey
  • A MelanieM Review:Deep Edge (Harrisburg Railers #3) by RJ Scott & VL Locey
  • A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: Red Popcorn Strings and Gumball Rings by Nell Iris
  • An Alisa Review: Once Bitten (A Darker Hollow #2) by Shannon West and T.S. McKinney
  • A Lila Audiobook Review: Fool of Main Beach (Love in Laguna #5) by Tara Lain and K.C. Kelly (Narrator)

Saturday, December 9:

  • An Alisa Advent Release Day Review: Pining for Perfect by Ki Brightly
  • Blog Tour Snow Falling by Davidson King
  • Release Blitz for Ruby Moone’s The Mistletoe Kiss 

 

 

Publisher Loose Id is Closing

Publisher Loose Id is Closing

An announcement came out yesterday on Facebook from Loose Id that after 13 years, they are closing up.  It seems that like Samhain Publishing, Wilde City Press, and others before it, the cost of competition and doing business is just too high.  Such a shame to lose such another class act in our world of LGBT stories.  They will be missed.

If you have any books or want any books from authors there, make sure you get them before the May deadline.  And you might want to stop by their Facebook page and drop them a note if you feel so inclined.

This is Loose ID’s notice:

All things, it’s said, must come to an end. For Loose Id, that time has come. Rather than risk the reputation and goodwill that we have worked very hard to build, on May 7, 2018, we’ll be closing our doors for good. We want to thank all of our authors, artists, editors, employees, customers and friends for your help making this company a success.

This is not a decision made in haste, panic or financial distress. The market has changed over the past few years, and a four-person company can no longer compete effectively with the Amazon mega-store. As of this message, we are closed for submissions.

We want to assure you, our customers and friends, that authors and staff are being paid, purchases will be honored, and we will remain in constant communication throughout the closing process. We will do our best to monitor social media during this busy time, but if you have questions, email through our satisfaction@loose-id.com email will be the best channel. We will be compiling questions from that account to repost for everyone’s convenience.

Thirteen years, more than three thousand titles and four hundred authors, and uncountable smiles–it’s been a hell of a ride. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for sharing this journey.

 

An Alisa Release Day Review: Fangs and Catnip (Dead and Breakfast #1) by Julia Talbot

Rating:  4 stars out of 5
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.
This was a pretty cute story about a cross species mating and I really liked it.  Carter is just starting his first job since finished college, he can’t help but be drawn to Fallon.  Fallon has spent so much time alone he has trouble understanding why he feels like he needs to be around Carter so much.
Carter is so bouncy and I think it is adorable.  Fallon likes to make everyone think he is the typical broody vampire but there are a few he has allowed close enough to let them see the real him.
This story is told from both of the characters’ point of view and it make it easier to understand their thoughts and feelings.  It seemed odd that neither of them really knew anything about mating and how to deal with the problems it caused.  I could feel how heartbroken Carter felt when Fallon pushed him away even though he thought he was doing what was best.  These characters seemed ruled by their other half’s baser instincts than many I usually read about, but it worked well.  The only thing I had trouble keeping up with was the timeline, it all seemed to happen really fast but it would be talked about as having taken time.
Cover art by Aaron Anderson is great and I love the picture.
Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon |
Book Details:
ebook, 220 pages
Published: December 1, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-977-2
Edition Language: English
Series: A Dead and Breakfast Novel, Dreamsun Beyond

November Draws to a Close and The Things We Are Grateful For. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

November Draws to a Close and The Things We Are Grateful For

 

We have had many wonderful comments from our readers this month on books, series, and authors they are grateful for and love.  I too have mentioned authors and books that I have discovered and have continued to love over the course of this year and the past ones.  New authors to me have made me instant fans with their incredible characters and stories that grabbed at my heart and mind.  They included J.M. Dabney (all 3 series), Dahlia Donovan (who’s series I’m just starting to review), and of course Lindsay Black of the Saturday Barbie series.  Her Author Discovery is up later this morning.

Plus there are all the wonderful authors I continue to grab up on just the whiff of a new release and their name:  Rhys Ford, B.A. Tortuga, Megan Derr, Amy Lane, Carol Cummings, Mary Calmes, Charlie Cochrane, Alex Beecroft, Heidi Cullinan, RJ Scott, Alexis Hall just to name a tiny few in no particular order….

Plus several of my favorite series came to a close this year in fantastic form….I’ll talk more about them in December for our end of the year lists but I have to mention Tere Michael’s Faith, Love, & Devotion series as well as Kaje Harper’s Building Forever which finished off her trilogy.  So many incredible authors, so much talent and heart to be grateful for.  Look for our December Year End Lists for more of both!

Plus I’m going to make a special notation here.  I’m reviewing a very special book this week: Watermelon Kisses by Freddy Mackay.  It left my heart bruised, me in tears most of the time, and finally curled up around my Kindle, holding it tight, full of love and hope for the special men and their brave love the story told about.  Nothing prepares you for the power of this story, certainly not the title or the synopsis.  Run, immediately and grab this one up!  Yes, I’m definitely grateful for Watermelon Kisses and Freddy Mackay.

So let’s finish up our What We Are Thankful For Month with some last thoughts and comments from our readers:

From Lennis:

I’m always grateful when an author continues a favorite series, so this year has been great. A few new to me authors also broke through and then I had to play catch-up!
James Buchanan, The Family Eternal, 5th in the Deputy Joe series
Alexis Hall, How To Bang A Billionaire
Santino Hassell, Illegal Contact
Jex Lane, Broken 3rd in the Beautiful Monsters series
Lily Morton, Rule Breaker
Riley Hart, Depth Of Field
Megan Derr, The Tale Of The Lost Star, 3rd in the Tales Of The High Court series
TJ Klune, A Destiny of Dragons, 2nd in the Tales From Verania series

From Waxapplelover:

I have found some great authors and new genres to try this year. I may have not liked them all, but there were a few that were so amazing that I was glad I got over whatever fear I had. Also, I am grateful for the chance to re-read old favorites and find out that I still love them, that things haven’t changed with time and having read more books.

Off the top of my head, I’m so glad I tried Strays by Garrett Leigh.

Didi: 

I have a bit of obsession with UK-setting books ;-), so I’m thankful for the Porthkennack universe and the various authors and genre of the book. It’s been wonderful following each and every stories.

Ami:

I am also grateful for book covers that not always featuring naked torso men *lol*. Yes, for that I am grateful and thankful for the cover artists like Natasha Snow. She is amazing.

And finishing up with Purple Reader:

Indeed, Happy Thanksgiving to all. I’ll have to check out Black, and to go along with the idea of a debut, I’ve got one I was thankful to have read:
– A Love Like Blood, by Victor Yates.
It was one of the best debuts I have read, and the Lammy it got in 2016 for best debut was well deserved. It was brave, diverse, unique and artistic in a story that challenged and ultimately moved me.

And thank you, H.B., a special Happy Holidays to you too.

We here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words are especially grateful for all our readers and hope you all had and have a wonderful holidays.  We chose the following readers to be given $10 gift certificates:  Lennis, Ami, Ana, Waxapplelover, and Didi.  A new giveaway starts next week!  Meanwhile thank you all again!

If the winners will contact Stella at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com with the email address they use, we will sort out your gift certificate immediately.

 

Now this week we also start in with our reviews of the Dreamspinner Advent stories.  What are they you say?  Read all about it below.  In fact be prepared to start our holiday story bombardment….contemporary, scifi, paranormal….holiday stories come in all genres and we will be reviewing them!

2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers Series (31 books)

There are 31 primary works and 31 total works in the 2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers Series and we are reviewing them all.  One a day, every day until the end of the month…be on the lookout for them until the title Advent Release Day Review and the reviewer:

Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most….

The holidays are a time when bigger often means better, and meals are huge, decorations are over-the-top, and elaborate gifts and grand gestures are one way to show affection. But beneath all the pomp and ceremony, after the grandiose presents have been unwrapped, the stocking stuffers are still waiting to add that final sparkle to the perfect celebration. Even the tiniest trinkets can be gems when they’re chosen with love, and like a good love story, they are held close to the heart and treasured for years to come. The festivities don’t have to end after the feasts and gift exchanges. Dig a little deeper for romantic stocking stuffers both naughty and nice.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, November 26:

  • November Draws to a Close and The Things We Are Grateful For.
  • This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
  • Author  Discovery:  Lindsey Black
  • Release Blitz – Secret Santa – Jay Northcote

Monday, November 27:

  • Dreamspinner Promo Ken Harrison
  • TOUR Curses, Foiled Again by Sera Trevor
  • On the Cadge -Relaunched Lessons series blog tour with Charlie Cochrane
  • A Caryn Review: Citywide by Santino Hassell
  • An Alisa Review: But To Love More by Foster Bridget Cassidy
  • A Lila Release Day Review: Romance Redefined by SJD Peterson

Tuesday, November 28:

  • RIPTIDE TOUR & Giveaway: The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parish
  • Release Blitz for Not Just For Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs
  • Dreamspinner Promo Kris T. Bethke on Hearts and Hazelnuts 
  • A Jeri Review: A Sniper’s Devotion (Cuffs, Collars and Love #5) by Christa Tomlinson
  • A MelanieM Review: Junkyard Heart (A Porthkennack novel) by Garrett Leigh
  • A Stella Review: Hard Fight by Laura N. Andrews
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: Angel 1089 (Heaven Corp. #1) by C.C. Bridges

Wednesday, November 29:

  • Review Tour –Texas Gift (Texas #8) by R.J. Scott
  • Review Tour:  Jackie Keswick’s Undercover Star 
  • A MelanieM Review: Texas Gift (Texas #8) by R.J. Scott
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Hearts and Hazelnuts (States of Love) by Kris T. Bethke
  • An Alisa Review: Guardian of Magic by Dominique Frost
  • A MelanieM Review: Watermelon Kisses by Freddy Mackay (Mischief holiday story)

Thursday, November 30:

  • Dreamspinner Promo CC Bridges
  • RIPTIDE TOUR & Giveaway: Infamous by Jenny Holiday
  • SERIES BLAST – Hunter Dane and Camden Snow Series by Adira August
  • A MelanieM Review: The Caretaker (The Sin Bin #2) by Dahlia Donovan
  • A Stella Review: Officer Charming and the Prince Who Wooed Him by Sarah Hadley Brook
  • An Alisa Review: Resurrected (Alpha’s Warlock #2) by Kris Sawyer

Friday, December 1:

  • Release Blitz: Sloan Johnson’s Inseparable
  • Release Blitz for Deep Edge (Railers #3) by RJ Scott & VL Locey
  • Release Blitz Audiobook Tour: To Love and To Cherish by Addison Albright
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Release Day Review: Dear Ruth by Kim Fielding❄️
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: High Test by Elizabeth Noble
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: Fangs and Catnip (Dead and Breakfast #1) by Julia Talbot

Saturday, December 2:

  • Release Blitz – Keira Andrews’ In Case Of Emergency
  • An Alisa Advent Release Day Review: O Hell, All Ye Shoppers by Louisa Masters❄️

 

 

 

 

 

A Jeri Release Day Review: Tried & True (THIRDS #10) by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Book 10, Tried and True wraps up the THIRDS series. While I am sad, because I LOVE THESE BOOKS, Charlie Cochet is continuing on with a spin off series based on TIN. So it isn’t goodbye, just see you soon.

If that paragraph doesn’t make any sense to you, go read these books. Seriously. “I don’t like paranormal” “I don’t read shifters”. As a friend and I call it- it’s the Rule of THIRDS. You have to throw out all preconceived notions because this series is so worth it.

Ok, on to book 10…..

It’s the big event we’ve all been waiting for. Dex and Sloan get married! We have waited a long time for this. Our guys have been through a lot. And they are going to go through more. They are moving on from Destructive Delta at THIRDS and becoming TIN agents. But there are still a lot of secrets, a ot of unknowns. And it all comes to a head in this story.

Everyone we have met is involved in this story.  And yet it doesn’t seem overstuffed with characters. We have gotten to know them all and they are all represented well.

But before the wedding they have to go through a kidnapping, and attempted kidnapping, several assassination attempts and yes, another kidnapping. But in the end, all of the loose ends are tied up. We know everything.  Finding out who (and why) Dex’s parents were killed all of those years ago leading up to all of the events in the past 10 books is satisfying. The big reveal could have been so many people. Someone we knew really well, someone brought in just for this. But, as always, no spoilers from me.

This book (and series, really) made me laugh out loud, cry, gasp, cringe and swoon.  Charlie Cochet told the story of an unbelievable world in a completely believable way. I never felt like I was reading “paranormal”. I just felt like I was reading a really awesome story with lots of sex, romance, action and intrigue.

Farwell Destructive Delta. I will miss you. But I look forward to TIN. Have some Gummy Bears on me.

Cover art by L.C. Chase is terrific and in keeping with the characters.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 254 pages
Expected publication: November 24th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640801165
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series THIRDS #10
CharactersSloane Brodie, Dexter “Dex” Justice Daley
settingNew York City, New York (United States)

Sharing What We Are Thankful For In Books Month – Part 3. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sharing What We Are Thankful For In Books Month – Part 3

Here we are closing in on Thanksgiving (for those of us who live in the U.S. or for U.S. expats everywhere).  As we rush to gather up our makings for our Thanksgiving dinners, head out to join our loved ones, or however you intend to enjoy the holiday, our month long look at things we are thankful for, things we love in books may it be authors, narrators, books, or series is coming to a close as well.

I have several more thoughts from two of our readers as well as some from myself.  In April of this  year, Dreamspinner Press published a debut novel from author Lindsey Black titled Fishy Riot, the first in her Saturday Barbies series.  I found it funny, suspenseful, and downright amazing. I love it when that happens with a new author.  Then just last week, the author released the second story in the series herself Rhino Ash.  And you always wonder if the sequel will live up to the first…and it did.  So I contacted the author, needing to know more about her (Australian), the series, and what makes her write (something I’m very grateful for).  Look for that author discovery coming soon.  Here’s a taste of her bio because I’m grateful for new authors like Lindsey Black:

LINDSEY BLACK lives in Darwin, Australia, where the weather report permanently reads ‘humidity at 100%, only going to get worse’ for ten months of the year and ‘monsoon at 4:00 p.m. for exactly fifteen minutes’ for the remaining two. Between teaching and studying full-time, she escapes this oppressive environment to bushwalk for weeks on end wherever the mobile phone reception has zero bars for as long as possible and the weather report reads something along the lines of ‘blizzard likely.’ …

Free Dreamer also reviewed a new book last week, again another debut novel from Gaia Sol. Echoes of the Gods by Gaia Sol.  She gave it 5 stars.  Did you read that one?  If you love fantasy and mythology as much as F.D. does, there another novel to put on your TBR list.  Ah, how our lists and recommendations lengthen at this time of the year….

So much to be grateful for including our wonderful readers….and we even have another month to go before the year is over.  Here are some of the thoughts of our readers….

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

From

Melanie, Stella, and all the reviewers at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

H.B.:
Thanks for the recs. I’ll have to check them out. I posted my recs last week but going back to check the comment I see it did not take. Here’s a few I would rec:
The Alpha and His Ace by Ana J. Phoenix
Strike Up the Band by Sam Burns
How To Be A Normal Person by TJ Klune
Flaunt by E. Davies
Lessons on Destroying the World by Gene Gant
Starting from Scratch by Jay Northcote
Purple Reader:

Thanks for the post and honored you posted my recs. I tend to be lengthy, but there were just so many I was thankful for. As for new authors, I’ll keep this to one:
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. About a gay couple\family in mid-1800s in midst of Civil & Indian Wars. It’s more historical western than m/m romance, and has gotten major literary recognition – Man Booker Prize nom, and won its sister award, Costa Book of the Yr.

What have you discovered or have found this year in books that you are

Thankful for Giveaway

What have you discovered or have found this year in books that you are grateful for?  Write in and let us know.  Short, long, recommendations, however, you would like to tell us.  Let’s hear from all of you.  Leave us your comment of what you are grateful for in books (author, series, books, narrator, cover artist, whatever it may be, along with your email address where you can be reached if chosen. Multiple gift certificates will be handed out the last week of November!  Must be 18 year of age or older to enter.

Apparently I’m thrilled about Australian writers period because N.R. Walker sent me her latest and I’m reviewing it this week

We still have plenty of time left in this month.  So keep those wonderful comments and lists coming.   Now onto this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, November 19:

  • Sharing What We Are Thankful For In Books Month – Part 3.
  • This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
  • Blog Tour – Vampire Clause by Robert Winter

Monday, November 20:

  • Cover Reveal Short Order by Pat Henshaw
  • Dreamspinner Dreamspun Desires Promo Felicitas Ivey
  • BLITZ For The Love of Samuel by RP Andrews
  • Review Tour – Chris Ethan’s Jingle Spell
  • A Jeri Review: Off the Ice by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn
  • An Ali Review: Psycho Romeo (Ward Security #1) by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Tuesday, November 21:

  • A Rumored Affair Tour RABT Book Tours
  • Dreamspinner Dreamspun Desires Promo Kim Fielding
  • Release Blitz Tour for  DJ Jamison’s  Yours For The Holiday
  • A MelanieM Review:The Wanderer (The Sin Bin #1) by Dahlia Donovan
  • A VVivacious Review: A Sniper’s Devotion (Cuffs, Collars and Love #5) by Christa Tomlinson
  • An Ali Audiobook Review: ’Tis the Season​ by Alex Jane and Michael Fell (Narrator)

Wednesday, November 22:

  • Audio Review Tour: Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake
  • Dreamspinner Press Promo for BA Tortuga’s Hurricane
  • Release Blitz for Eli Easton’s Desperately Seeking Santa
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Smoky Mountain Dreams by Leta Blake and John Solo (Narrator)
  • A Julia Review: Ardulum: Second Don by J.S. Fields
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: Hurricane by BA Tortuga

Thursday, November 23 – Happy Thanksgiving

  • Dreamspinner Press Promo: Heart Unheard (Hearts Entwined #2) by Andrew Grey
  • Release Blitz – Joanna Chambers – Merry & Bright
  • RIPTIDE TOUR and Giveaway: All of the Above by Quinn Anderson
  • A Caryn Review: Safety Protocols for Human Holidays by Angel Martinez
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Olympia Knife by Alysia Constantine
  • A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Out! (The Shamwell Tales #3) by J.L. Merrow and Mark Steadman (Narrator)

 Friday, November 24:

  • Dreamspinner Promo Sean Michael
  • Release Blitz Tour – Jackie Keswick’s Undercover Star
  • RIPTIDE TOUR & Giveaway: Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Katie Porter
  • A Jeri Release Day Review: Tried & True (THIRDS #10) by Charlie Cochet
  • An ALi Review: Watch Point by Cecilia Tan
  • A MelanieM Pre Release Review: On Davis Row by N.R. Walker
  • An Alisa Review: My Forever, My Always (Men of Crooked Bend #1) by Taylor Rylan

Saturday, November 25:

Release Blitz – Make The Yuletide Gay – Various Authors