A Paul B Review: Sharing a Demon’s Bond (A Loving Nip #5) by Charlie Richards

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Sharing a Demon's Bond coverPeople have been found dead with a smile on their face. Rumors of a demon being in the area have the local vampire coven nervous. When Peter Connelly, human blood donor and protectorate of the coven goes missing, the search to find him begins.

Peter Connelly has lived in a vampire coven since he was six years old. He has spent the past 20 years in the company of different paranormal species. Surely, he knows all there is to know about other beings. When he meets a sexy man in a diner, he feels an instant attraction to him. He begins to wonder if this man might be a paranormal and he might be his mate. After all, he has seen all the signs when members of the vampire coven have found the beloved.

Balthazar is a demon. He has spent the past millennium serving his master bringing him souls. After such a length of service, a demon may find his amina, his soul. He must complete his bonding within a three day period before he must wait another thousand years for the chance to find his mate. Balthazar spots Peter in a local diner. He follows Peter in the restroom. Knowing that Peter is at least aware of vampires from his smell, Balthazar informs Peter that he is his amina. He convinces Peter to offer himself and whisks him away to his cabin in the woods.
Toni Bastille has been Peter’s lover for the past 7 years. Although they are quite close, Toni knows that Peter is not his beloved. So they keep their relationship open in order to allow each of them to find their mate. When Toni realizes that Peter has not returned from his errand, he begins to worry. With the possibility of a demon on the loose, he wants to find Peter as soon as possible.

After the vampire coven has found the hideout and the three men come to an understanding as to what will happen in the future, outside forces kidnap Peter. Balthazar, who knows he must complete the bonding ceremony soon or else lose his chance forever with Peter, seeks the aid of the vampire coven. Will they find Peter in time for Balthazar to find his soul?

This is the fifth book in the Loving Nip series by Charlie Richards. This series focuses on the various vampires that have been introduced into her Stone Ridge universe. I like the introduction of demons into the series. It could give Ms Richard’s an avenue of another series within her universe. I found myself pleased that Peter has finally found his mate yet ache for Toni as he has lost his companion for the last few years through no fault of his own. I hope that Toni will soon find his own beloved to soothe his broken heart.

Carmen Waters’ cover once again strikes the right tone for the book. It shows a shirtless Peter in the foreground with what looks like Balthazar’s demon in the doorway of the local vampire coven or his cottage in the woods.

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

Book details
Ebook: 87 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0437-6
Published: July 1, 2015 by Extasy Books
Edition: English

Series: A Loving Nip
• A Nip of Good Cheer (Loving Nip #1)
A Rose for Paul’s Protector (Loving Nip #2)
• An Unforgettable Bite (Loving Nip #3)
More than Patient (Loving Nip #4)
• Sharing a Demon’s Bond (Loving Nip #5)

A Stella Review: When Will I Be Loved (Crescent Bay Chronicles #2) by Julie Lynn Hayes

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Fairy tales can come true…

when will I be loved coverMiller Fenwick wants the kind of happy ending his best friend got, with the hunky werewolf of his dreams. Trouble is, there doesn’t seem to be a Prince Charming on the horizon, and casual encounters don’t cut it anymore. Now that Alexx and Raoul are engaged, Miller is becoming resigned to being the bridesmaid, never the bride. But a chance encounter with a sexy stranger at Charisma has his hopes soaring, and his heart is wide open to possibilities.

Holt Wynne is the head of Helios, the largest vampire organization in the country. He’s a very influential and wealthy man, with a deep-seated hatred of werewolves. His running into Miller at Charisma isn’t entirely accidental. He’d meant to wait, but his emotions got the better of him, and he couldn’t stay away. And now see what he’s done…

Wait until Miller finds out he’s sort of just gotten married to the sexy vampire who hates the people who are Miller’s best friends. Sparks are gonna fly—and not just in the bedroom. One thing for sure—life in Crescent Bay is never dull!

When Will I Be Loved is the second book in the Crescent Bay Chronicles series by Julie Lynn Hayes. I liked the first one so much, so as soon as I saw this one was out , I got my hands and eyes on it. Here we meet Miller, Alexx’s best friend (When Will I See You Again), tired of meaningless nightstands and of being alone. He’s looking for someone serious in his life but the perfect guy he’s spent one night with, has vanished the morning after. Miller works as a receptionist at the Crescent Bay Chronicles, the newspaper just bought by Holt Wynne, the head of Helios, the largest vampire clan in the country.
Holt saw his mate, or eternal love as vampires say, at the Lupercalia Ball, and soon started changing his life, moving to Crescent Bay and buying the newspaper Miller works at.

“I saw you and I knew,” Holt whispered in a husky voice.
“Knew what?”
“That you were mine,” Holt said simply.[…]
“What does that even mean?” He gave Holt a confused look.
His legs felt as if they were ready to give out on him, and he didn’t put up an argument when Holt gently seated him back on the sofa.
“It means, my love, that you and I… That we…” […]“I know you’re probably familiar with the concept of soul mates. With us, it is that, but more so. And it’s a rare occurrence. To find another person who is as much you as you are, even if he or she appears to be very different. It’s about two hearts becoming one, two souls finding one another and reuniting. We call it eternal love. And you are mine. I knew it the moment I saw you at the Ball. And I knew I had to come back for you.”

Their first meeting was hot and explosive, maybe the “I love you” after seeing each other only two times was a little too much but I love stories about destined mate so it was okay. Miller was good to Holt, too strict and not used to having some fun. I liked how Holt showed his weakness and he wasn’t ashamed of his feelings. He seriously suffered in the past and I was happy for him for finally have found his mate. He fell apart on Miller more than once, very human for a vampire.

I appreciated seeing more of Alexx and Raul, they had a huge role to play in this book, but don’t worry, it can be read as a standalone. The book is sickening sweet (and I loved every single sugary moment) but there are a few childish behaviors that forced me to give it not more than four stars.

I can admit I preferred the first one, it was more engaging to me and less predictable in some parts, even if it’s hard to compare the two stories, they are totally different. Nonetheless When Will I Be Loved was perfect for the Miller story, he deserved this kind of lover and HEA. Now I’m really curious to know if there will be a third book in this series.

Cover art by Trace Edward Zaber. The cover shows a specific scenes in the story. I like it a lot, especially in the use of colors.

Sales Links:  Amber Quill Press  |  All Romance (ARe)  |  Amazon  |  Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 363 pages
Published June 7th 2015 by Amber Quill Press
ISBN 9781681750378
Edition Language English

Crescent Bay Chronicles series
When Will I See You Again #1
When Will I Be Loved #2

SALE LINKS

ARE https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whenwillibeloved-1838226-340.html
AMAZON http://www.amazon.com/When-Will-See-You-Again-ebook/dp/B00IA6Q77Q
AMBER QUILL PRESS http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2200-When-Will-I-Be-Loved.aspx

A MelanieM Review: Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3) (Pulp Friction 2015 #9) by Lee Brazil

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Dead Button coverHaunted. Seduced. Betrayed.

When ghost enthusiast Dr. Sabine Brusilov plucks a weathered skull from the mud and debris at the bottom of the Mississippi River, he gets more than he bargained for. The skull comes with a moody, petulant, sexy ghost who is not shy about his attraction to Sabine. Along with proof that ghosts really do exist, Sabine finds a treasure beyond compare.

Love.

Love is everything to long dead Barton Montoire. He’s lived for it, faced dishonor for it…killed for it. Now that he’s found it again, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep Sabine at his side for eternity. Even if that means more blood on his hands.

With the darkness that circles Sabine growing stronger, and his lover’s actions becoming more erratic and unpredictable, Bart is challenged to protect his love from some unknown danger.

Ghosts and humans exist on two separate planes, and there’s only one way for them to be together.

But betrayal lurks in the shadows…

Of all of the 4 interconnected series of the Pulp Friction 2015 Altered States collection, this series and main couple are the most problematic for me.  And that my somewhat dubious affection is for characters that comes from Lee Brazil?  Even more of a surprise and the cause of much questioning on my part.  That is never more true than for Lee Brazil’s story in Round Three, Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3) (Pulp Friction 2015 #9).

After I finish reading each story, the first question that pops up is why don’t I like these characters more.  Or more accurately one character more? That would be Dr. Sabine Brusilov.  From the beginning he has come across as cold, unfeeling and harsh in his approach to his lover, the delectable ghost Barton Montoire.   Theirs is a long  relationship that has always seemed very one sided and prone to the potential for abuse.  Yes, definitely not a fan of Sabine’s.

It has come up along the way that other characters in the series see their relationship the way I do and the explanations have been that Sabine is shocked over the manner in which his and Barton’s relationship is viewed.  But have these scenes and clarifications made any adjustments in my feelings towards Sabine?  Not really.  For me, the one closest  to my heart with this couple is Barton.  His treatment at the hands  of Sabine both push Barton further into my affection while continuing to alienate Sabine more throughly from it.

But the more I think about it, I wonder if that isn’t part of Brazil’s plan all along.  That you must pull one of the characters down so far that he seems unredeemable.  Until he isn’t.  That his salvation becomes part of the “Holy Grail” of the story, something that must be achieved at all cost.  Because Sabine is certainly on his way to hell given his actions here.

Parts  of this story hurt so bad that I can still feel it.   Brazil’s writing leaves no emotion unturned or unchurned as I should say.  The pain is spread far and even across the characters.  The darkness is here and feels unstoppable as well as unknown.  Its brunt is borne by Barton, at least on the surface.  That Sabine is wrapped up in something out of his control is obvious but his actions?  How far back did the influence start?  This becomes more of a psychological mystery as well as a supernatural suspense story.  I love that.  Because as much as I dislike what Sabine is doing, Brazil makes me question the impetus for his actions and what the man must be feeling underneath it all.  Will I come to love Sabine as I do Barton?  The answer lies in stories 4 and 5 and I can’t wait to find out.

All the stories and series in the Pulp Friction 2015 collection are convoluted and full of shocking revelations.  Somehow, though, I get the feeling that Lee Brazil’s Jack of Spade might just supply the biggest surprise of them all.  Stay tuned!

Cover art by Laura Harner is dark and perfect for this story.  The covers for the series were originally too light but as the plot got nasty and murderous the covers have changed with the tone.  Love it and them.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 46 pages
Published June 15th 2015 by Lime Time Press
ASINB00ZS51B8M
edition languageEnglish
series 2015 Pulp Friction – Altered States Collection

☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠

About Pulp Friction 2015

Lee Brazil ~ Havan Fellows ~ Parker Williams ~ Laura Harner

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

Spend a year with the creatures that go bump in the night…fighting for their rights to exist and protecting the innocents of The Big Easy. A diverse group of friends trying to find their place in a world they never had to “fit” into before.

Although each series can stand alone, we believe reading the books in the order they are released will increase your enjoyment.
Round One:
Drawing Dead (Jack of Spades: 1) by Lee Brazil
Blind Stud (King of Hearts: 1) by Havan Fellows
The Devil’s Bedpost (Four of Clubs: 1) by Parker Williams
Diamonds and Dust (Ace of Diamonds: 1) by Laura Harner

Round Two:
Dead Blind (Jack of Spades: 2) by Lee Brazil
Stud Player (King of Hearts: 2) by Havan Fellow
Up the Ante (Four of Clubs: 2 ) by Parker Williams
Diamond Draw (Ace of Diamonds: 2) by Laura Harner

Round Three:

Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3) by Lee Brazil
Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3) by Havan Fellows

A MelanieM Review: Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3) (Pulp Friction 2015 #10) by Havan Fellows

Rating: 4 stars out of 5:

 

Blinds Man's Bluff coverIn a world where supernatural creatures openly exist, who can blame them for coalescing in one of the most fascinating and erotic places on earth? Welcome to New Orleans.

His modus operandi is to feed and leave…

Laurant never repeats a meal. Not that his hors d’oeuvres complain. The incubus enjoys meeting every one of their needs multiple times over, leaving them in a blissfully sated state of mind for days—sometimes weeks—afterward. So, even though Laurant’s power is diminishing, why hasn’t he sought nourishment these past months since that explosive true feeding in March? For once in his centuries-old life, he realizes he doesn’t want just a snack…he wants a mysterious feast.

He has powers and no idea how to use them…

Gun has done his best to stay away from the sexy as hell incubus despite all his taunts and teases. Avoiding the demon was simple at first…but Gun’s powers are awakening and they like the sex demon. A lot. Now it isn’t so black and white, especially when Laurant focuses all his stimulating attention on helping Gun find his origins. But the once vivacious incubus doesn’t appear his lecherous perky self anymore. Gun jealously thought he found sustenance with others, but perhaps not. Maybe Laurant needs him again…and maybe Gun is okay with that…

They just might be on the verge of overcoming all the obstacles in their way…that is until those special three little words are whispered with the strength and magick to tear them apart completely.

In the Pulp Friction universe, the third round of stories always brings the heartbreak and the action.  The characters always seem to end  up at the edge of a precipice and the only way out is down.  Oh, the angst and suspense!  In Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3), Havan Fellows stays true to the pulp fiction formula and heightens both the emotional tension between Laurant and Gun as well as the relationship “high stakes” that comes with trying to combine an incubus with a taste for men and a sexy man who is more than anyone can figure out, including himself.  Gun is that true unknown quantity.  He has no memory of how  or what he is.  But clearly from past events, he’s not human. But the answer to what he is remains illusive.  Until someone from his past arrives in town to supply the answers. Or do they?

Gun is a wonderful character, made all the more remarkable because we have come close to knowing who he is ( his pov as supplied by Havan Fellows is a large part of the narrative).  Still what type of supernatural being Gun is remains an unknown.  But the clues are starting to pile up and the assumptions being made aren’t pretty.  That’s a huge amount of power he is capable of wielding, turning him into a weapon that can tilt the outcome of battles.  But whose side is he on? And what battles are looming up ahead? Some  of the answers start to fall into place here.

But the drama that pulls at me is on a smaller, more personal level.  That’s the tentative relationship forming between Laurant, the incubus who has never had a “special someone”  before, and Gun, the man who doesn’t  know who he is. Plus there is the added question of whether he can trust the politics that pull at Laurant constantly over his feeding and choice of partner.

Oh, Laurant.  how can such a sex on two legs demon come across as so vulnerable?  The author manages to make Laurant accessible and emotionally open, even as his actions and words give off an opposite impression.  I love this incubus.  He’s both troubled and troublesome.  He’s the gregarious man at the party and the lonely man in his heart.  How do you not find him charming and worthy of his own HEA?

Here it almost breaks and for so many reasons.  The other couples are acting uncharacteristically mean towards each other, all the close friends support for this unusual circle of friends seems to be breaking down and there is a darkness feeding the instability and pain erupting all around them.  Typically, this story raises more questions than it answers…perfect for a Round Three story.  I expect that and now eagerly await story number four.  As hearts break so I hope they will be mended.  Soon.

I love this series and characters.  They are wonderful, sexy, and unique.   If you are new to the Pulp Friction inter-connected series and groups of characters, then please realize these are not standalone stories.  They must be read in the order they were written.   I have listed them below.  Check them off as you go.  They are all on my Must Be Read  lists for this year!  Grab them up and get started today.

Cover art by Laura Harner.  These covers are getting better and better as well as darker and darker.  It goes along with the emotional tone of the stories and events that are occurring.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 58 pages
Published June 30th 2015 by Appleton Avenue Publishing
ASINB010PIZQ7S
edition languageEnglish
seriesPulp Friction 2015 #10, King of Hearts #3

 

 

About Pulp Friction 2015

Lee Brazil ~ Havan Fellows ~ Parker Williams ~ Laura Harner

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

Spend a year with the creatures that go bump in the night…fighting for their rights to exist and protecting the innocents of The Big Easy. A diverse group of friends trying to find their place in a world they never had to “fit” into before.

Although each series can stand alone, we believe reading the books in the order they are released will increase your enjoyment.
Round One:
Drawing Dead (Jack of Spades: 1) by Lee Brazil
Blind Stud (King of Hearts: 1) by Havan Fellows
The Devil’s Bedpost (Four of Clubs: 1) by Parker Williams
Diamonds and Dust (Ace of Diamonds: 1) by Laura Harner

Round Two:
Dead Blind (Jack of Spades: 2) by Lee Brazil
Stud Player (King of Hearts: 2) by Havan Fellow
Up the Ante (Four of Clubs: 2 ) by Parker Williams
Diamond Draw (Ace of Diamonds: 2) by Laura Harner

Round Three:

Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3)  by Lee Brazil
Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3)  by Havan Fellows

Mid-Summer Surprises & This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

FullSizeRender

Mid – summer blooms, Rainy Days, and the Surprises They Bring

I don’t think I can ever remember a rainier spring and beginning to summer than we have had this year.  Not a day has gone by without a soaker shower or two and the ground is so saturated that it makes squishing sounds when you walk on it. Something Winston abhors.FullSizeRender

But the vegetation is thriving, the growth on trees, shrubs and plants of all sorts is lush and things have bloomed here that I haven’t seen bloom in some time.  Welcome back, double pink azalea, I thought you had died.  Well, hello there, deep red lily, I forgot about you over by the lobelia.  I love surprises like those.  What’s equally great?  Surprises in the books that have come my way and in the new authors that are popping up in the books my reviewers are reading.

Jon Keys.  Have you heard of him?  No?  Well, I’m reading his book Obsidian Sun and I’m captivated by his characters and amazing world building.  First the cover art that grabbed my attention (just a wow).  Did I ever tell you all that I love spiders? Hmmm….well I do.  Then an excerpt came my way that was heartrending and spell binding, all of which made me grab up a copy when I had the chance. Look for more about this book and Jon Keys later in the month.ObsidianSunFS

BJ’s favorite author of late?  That would be Jaye McKenna whose latest story in her Guardians of the Pattern, Ghost in the Mythe (Guardians of the Pattern #3.0), blew BJ away.  Look for that review this week.  Plus  there are all these series that seem to be coming to an end this year like Ariel Tachna’s Lang Downs series, Shira Anthony’s Mermen of Ea, along with Tere Michaels Faith, Love, & Devotion series (sigh), among them. Some of these final stories I have loved and other finales?  Not so much.   But I have my favorites among them and I can see series finale stories shaping up to be the subject of a blog post of my own.

Did you catch Paul’s Paranormal Portfolio blog column last week? I loved Paul’s column on mpreg, btw, and can’t wait to see what he follows that up with.  Do you have any suggestions for Paul for future columns?  Make sure you  send them on….he’ll love hearing from you.

Now I have a question for you all.  Sometimes we get the ARCs (a review copy) for novels that won’t be released for weeks, sometime months.  Do you all want to read these reviews early?  Or would you all rather wait until closer to release time to hear about them?  Barb, our Zany Old Lady read a story  she adored from L.A. Witt, What He Left Behind.  The Preorder is this week but it doesn’t get released until September.  And this is happening more often then not.  How do you all feel about that?  Want to wait  or get the reviews now?

Whew…that’s a lot of things to cover.  I’m done and now lets get to this week’s schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

 

Our Upcoming Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

When Will I See You Again coverA Casual Thing V2What He Left Behind coverGhost in the Mythe cover

Sunday, July 12, 2015:

  • Mid-Summer Surprises & This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, July 13, 2015

  • Sean Michael ‘Blended Family’ book blast and giveaway
  • Riptide’s Where There’s Fire by Cari Z Tour and Giveaway
  • A Stella Review: When Will I See You Again (Crescent Bay Chronicles #1) by Julie Lynn Hayes
  • A MelanieM Review:  Stud Player (King of Hearts, #2) by Havan Fellows

Tuesday, July 14, 2015:

  • In the Spotlight: Plaid Nights Anthology – excerpts and giveaway
  • A Sammy Review: Yours All Along by Roni Loren
  • A Mika Review: A Casual Thing by Annabelle Jacobs
  • A MelanieM Review: Dead Blind (Jack of Spades: 2) by Lee Brazil

Wednesday, July 15, 2015:

  • JR Grey’s Bound Series Blog Tour and Contest
  • The Baker Blog Tour and Contest
  • A Stella Review: When Will I Be Loved (Crescent Bay Chronicles #2) by Julie Lynn Hayes
  • A MelanieM Review: Flashbulb by Clare London
  • A BJ Review:  Cop Out by K.C. Burns

Thursday, July 16, 2015:

  • A BJ Review: Ghost in the Mythe (Guardians of the Pattern #3.0) by Jaye McKenna
  • A Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: What He Left Behind by L.A. Witt
  • A Paul B Review: Xavier by Catherine Lievens
  • A MelanieM Review:  Tigers on the Run (Tigers and Devils #3) by Sean Kennedy

Friday, July 17, 2015:

  • Back to Market Gardens with On the Clock by Aleksandr Voinov and L.A. Witt (giveaway)
  • In the Spotlight: Buchanan House by Author Charley Descoteaux
  • Its All About The Fantasy with Danny’s Dragon by Sidonia Guillone (guest blog and contest)
  • A Paul B Review: More Than Patient (A Loving Nip #4) by Charlie Richards

YA Saturday, July 18, 2015:

An Aurora YA Review: Book to Come

 

Flashbulb coverMore Than Patient coverXavier coverTigers on the Run cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Paul B Review: Fae For All (Cloverleah Pack #6) by Lisa Oliver

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Fae for All coverJax, Fafnir, and Aelfric are destined to form a triad. Two of the three try to deny their bond. But this is not the only problem. They must deal with outside forces who are trying to destroy not only their mating but also the entire Cloverleah pack.

Jax is a half fae, half wolf shifter. Shortly after his first shift almost 300 years ago, he was banished by his grandfather. Only one member of his Cloverleah pack knows of the entirety of his heritage. He has not heard news of his family for almost a century.

Aelfric and Fafnir are fae princes. They met while roaming the European countryside over 300 years ago. Because of their identical birthmarks, they know that the third person in their triad is a wolf shifter. They have been searching since they met for their missing mate. They have asked for the help of the omega of the Cloverleah pack to aid them in their search.

After members of another pack claim that they are the third for the fae, Jax insists that they are all fakes. Jax reveals that his is the true mate for Aelfric and Fafnir. The fae pair are upset that Jax has known for weeks that they are his mates. When challenged by the other pack for the right to the fae since the bond has not been completed, Jax defeats the other wolves. However, the fae pair becomes frightened when they see Jax’s true wolf form, a dire wolf. Jax is heartbroken as his mates seem to be just like his family and most other fae who look down on shifters.

As the three try to repair the damage done during their initial meeting, they must also fend off not only some leaders of the wolf council but also must deal with the elders of the fae world. After Aelfric registers their mating, the elders plan a huge celebration in finding the last surviving member of the leaders of the western regions of the fae world. Jax returns to his family estate where he receives a warning from his late grandfather. Will this new triad survive the upcoming celebration?

This is the sixth installment of Ms. Oliver’s Cloverleah Pack series. Reading the previous books will help understand some of the underlying plot lines and motivations of the characters.

It is rare that I give sequels a five star rating but feel that this book deserves one. I really loved the interactions between our three protagonists. Having been hurt by his fae family, you can understand Jax’s feelings when his mates are initially frightened of his wolf. I felt the enduring love that Fafnir and Aelfric have had after 300 years of being together, yet missing their third. The Cloverleah pack and the triad in particular must endure challenges not only from the wolf shifters but also from the fae rulers. Having to deal with the elders and the other rulers, Jax’s distaste for his fae connections is highly understandable.

I eagerly wait on the next in this entertaining series and highly recommend this book and series.

The cover art was designed by the author using Shutterstock and Dreamstime photos. It shows Jax and his wolf in front of what appears to be blue landscape.

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

Book Details
Ebook,
Published: May 2015 by Lisa Oliver
ISBN:
Edition: English
Series: Cloverleah Pack
The Reluctant Wolf (Cloverleah Pack #1)
The Runaway Cat (Cloverleah Pack #2)
(Cloverleah Pack #3)
(Cloverleah Pack #4)
(Cloverleah Pack #5)
Fae for All (Cloverleah Pack #6)

Love Vampires & M/M Romance? Check Out Alex’s Surprise & Saving Alex (Unexpected Series #1 & #2) by Chris McHart (excerpt & Giveaway)

Alex-Print-Cover1

Alex’s Surprise & Saving Alex (Unexpected Series #1 & #2) by Chris McHart
Series should be read in order
Release Date: Alex’s Surprise – June 26

Banner300x250

Publisher: Alex’s Surprise – M/M Romance Group on Goodreads. Saving Alex – Chris McHart
Cover Artist: Meg Bawden of Bawd Designs

Sales Links:  Amazon DE | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon US

Saving Alex Sales  Link:  Barnes and Noble |Alex’s Surprise Sales:  Barnes and Noble  | Amazon Print (both)

 Alex’s Surprise is a free story! You can download it on Goodreads, Amazon and ARe

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Alex's-Surprise---pdf-cover---jpeg2Alex’s Surprise: Alex wanted a night of hot passion with Gerome, but he gets more than he ever bargained for. His life will be changed forever in a world where he’ll be thrown in jail— or worse— for being pregnant.

Alex’s best friend, Sam, has been acting strange ever since he met Alex’s one-night stand, but now Alex needs help in order to hide, and Sam is his only hope.

Saving Alex: Not only is Alex pregnant, something punishable by jail time, but Gerome, the father of the baby, is a vampire Saving Alex2aaprince. When strangers invade Alex’s home and kidnap him, he doesn’t know who is responsible, if he’ll ever see the man he loves again, or even get to see the child growing inside him.

Considering himself the father of his lover’s child, Sam has a hard time standing around and letting others plan Alex’s rescue. But when the Prince and his trackers find an important clue, the race to save his beloved is on. Now all he can do is cross his fingers that the scheme they’ve devised will work.

When Prince Gerome receives ransom demands, the instructions are clear: mate a complete stranger or he’ll never see Alex or the child he carries again. Will he be able to convince his newly intended to help, or will those seeking to dethrone his family win this evil game of blackmail?

Caution: Contains a kidnapping, unwanted matings, a scheming king, way too many people that follow their own plans and a highly pregnant Alex (mpreg)

 

  • Goodreads Link
  • Pages or Words: Alex’s Surprise – 27,000 words, Saving Alex – 33,000 words
  • Categories: Alternate universe, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Mystery, Paranormal, MPREG

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

Alex zapped, annoyed, through the channels. He lounged on the couch, bored out of his mind. Sam, his best friend and roommate, had taken up the recliner, reading something. Maybe Alex should do that as well? Watching TV wasn’t going to keep him entertained, since nothing caught his interest, no movie, no documentary, nothing. He zapped on, but stopped at a news report showing a pregnant man. He sat up a bit straighter. What was up with that?

The man’s stomach was swollen, showing he was at least five or six months along. His hands were cuffed in front of his baby bump and tears were streaming down his face. The camera showed a courtroom full of people, slowly sweeping over the interested men and women watching the process.

Alex turned up the volume. What had the man done? And why was he pregnant? He’d heard it was possible, but he’d never encountered someone who’d actually experienced that.

The reporter’s voice came up. “Robert B. was tried for violation of the racial laws. Today’s sentencing was long awaited. No one had heard of pregnant men for years, and there had been uncertainty about the actual jurisdiction in such cases. B., who is, according to doctors, six months along, was sentenced to five years in jail. His child will be put in an orphanage until he is released. The fathering sire has no legal claim over the child. He will be able to visit his child, but he can’t get guardianship over him or her. The child and the carrier will be outcasts of society after that.

“B. broke down after hearing the judge’s decision. Even though it’s forbidden, he clearly hoped the old laws would be overturned. Instead, the judge confirmed that male breeding between the races is still forbidden and punishable. With that, back to the studio.”

The picture changed, now showing a woman in a suit, smiling at the camera. “Thanks to our reporter in Berlin for a summary of today’s events in court. Now to the weather…”

Alex turned down the volume, muting the forecast. He turned to Sam, who had apparently put down his book to watch the news as well. “Did you hear that? How can they judge someone because he got pregnant?”

“I have no idea? Maybe because it’s wrong? Are these children dangerous? I’ve never met one, or heard of one, for that matter, but I guess there’s a reason it’s forbidden. The whole pregnant man thing is so strange, no wonder it’s against the laws. Who knows what’ll come out of such breedings.”

Alex frowned. A new life was precious, not wrong. He couldn’t imagine a child being dangerous, even if it was mixed. Children born from interracial relationships were allowed, as long as one of the parents was female and the other male. Why this didn’t apply to children born from a same-sex relationship was beyond Alex. Even if it was unusual for a man to be pregnant, he shouldn’t be put in jail for something like that.

This was the first case in a long time, according to the reporter, but he’d not given a reason why the laws were upheld. “It’s still wrong to judge someone for getting pregnant.”

“I don’t know. Like I said, there must be a reason why it’s forbidden.” Sam picked up his book again, ending the conversation.

Alex took a moment to study his friend’s features as he buried himself in yet another sci-fi book. He was quite handsome with his blond, unruly hair and his strong jaw. The gaze of the piercing blue eyes that never seemed to miss anything flew over the page, pulling Sam into yet another outlandish adventure.

Maybe Sam was right. There had to be a reason it was against the law. Alex was kind of sorry for the man who now faced five years in prison, but then, the man knew what he risked with getting pregnant in the first place.

Alex settled back and focused on the TV again. Sam was not in the mood to discuss the matter anymore, his mind clearly on the story he was reading. As if they’d need sci-fi to experience something unusual. Ever since paranormals had come out of hiding back in the 1980s, going to certain clubs could be more adventurous than anything an author could come up with.

Maybe he should go out today? Blowing off some steam wouldn’t hurt. He’d not gotten laid in quite a while, and a night in one of the mixed clubs sounded too good to resist. It was better than staring at a rerun of a movie.

Alex switched off the TV and stood. “I’m going out, do you want to come with me?”

“What do you have in mind?” Sam looked up from his book. “Dancing? I thought of going to the Downtown.”

“Na, go without me. I’m not in the mood for that crowd.”

“You sure? It’s been months since you’ve been out.” Alex wasn’t surprised, Sam wasn’t one to go out much, and he despised big crowds. The Downtown is a huge mixed club, catering to all kinds of paranormals and humans. Not that paranormals were forbidden anywhere, but they, as well as humans, preferred to stick with their own kind. One of the exceptions was a club like the one Alex was going to visit. A night of dancing, and maybe getting laid, sounded better with every second.

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Chris McHart is from Germany and, while an accountant, writing is Chris’s real passion.
Chris likes to spend time with family and has way too many animals that demand constant attention. Chris also enjoys landscaping and cooking.
Whenever Chris has a free minute, it’s spent writing on a laptop, a cup of coffee in hand, deeply lost in the worlds Chris’s muses have created.
When coming up for some air, you’ll find Chris on a lot of social networks. Check out Chris’s website to see where you can find out more. Chris looks forward to hearing from you!

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008256641886
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-McHart/326380184192029?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chris_mchart
Blog: https://www.chrismchart.com

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Tour Dates & Stops: July 6, 2015
Parker Williams, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, BFD Book Blog, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Bayou Book Junkie, Velvet Panic, Bike Book Reviews, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, The Hat Party, MM Good Book Reviews, Jessie G. Books, Inked Rainbow Reads, Molly Lolly, Amanda C. Stone, Rainbow Gold Reviews

 

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Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: 3 print copies of Alex’s Surprise/Saving Alex.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words ~ Best Covers of June 2015

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 Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best Covers of June 2015

(with links to their reviews)

We love our book covers here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words and think you do too!  They draw us in, tell us a little about the story and main characters inside…if they are doing the job they are supposed too.   Some are whimsical, some are sexy, others mysterious, dark and just plain out glorious.  Here are some of our  favorites this month.  What were yours?

And if you missed the stories behind the covers, I’ve included the links to the reviews for your information and enjoyment!

Happy Reading and Have a Safe and Joyous 4th!

Best Cover of June 2015

CounselorAmongWolves[A]FSCheeky HIpsters and Jocks coverDrama Queen CoverFireworks and Wild Cards cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00067]Spell Bound coverSultry Sunset coverKnight of Ocean Avenue cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retrograde Final

The Secret Casebook of Simon Fleximal coverEnglish 1 the summer house jpgWhen to Hold Them cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series Finale:

Forging the future coverRunning with the Wind coverIntoWindStealing the Wind cover

 

 

 

 

 

YA Stories:

Out of Order cover

Out of  Order by Casey Lawrence, cover art by Aaron Andersen

Its Official! Marriage Equality is Here! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/timelapse-white-house-beaming-rainbow-photo-053113143.html?soc_src=copy

Whew!  What a day it was yesterday!  My Twitter and FB blew up with happiness and excitement as soon as SCOTUS came out with their historic ruling.  Even the White House got into the act with a new look!  The White House was lit rainbow colors on Friday, June 26, in celebration of the Supreme Court ruling that allows same-sex marriage across the US. The 14 states in which such marriages remained illegal, in the South and Midwest, must now lift their bans. The court’s 5-4 ruling (hell yeah!) is the culmination of decades of campaigning by gay-rights activists.   Yesterday, the hopes, dreams, and wishes came true for so many across the nation and we celebrated in our hearts, if not in the streets…dancing with joy!  And the media went crazy too!

rainbow hands

People changed with pictures to reflect this historic ruling and  fireworks and incredible memes were everywhere.  Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi made the happiest of vids for Vine, (really don’t miss out on that one), George Takei, and it just kept coming in heartstopping wave after wave…and yes, the tears flowed copiously.

This is truly a Gay Pride Month to end all Pride Months!  2015!  A toast and a cheer for Equality for All.  Now finally is can just be Marriage-not gay marriage or straight marriage…just marriage.  Hell to the Yes!

lgbt flag

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

LessonsForIdleTongues_600x900Toy With Me coverDespite the Odds coverGremlin's Last Run cover

Sunday, June 28

  • Its Official! Marriage Equality is Here! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, June 29:

  • The Pinch of the Game by Charley Descoteaux tour and contest
  • Cate Ashwood & L.J. LaBarthe ‘Brick by Brick’ book blast and giveaway
  • A Paul B Review: Despite the Odds by Chris T. Kat
  • A BJ Review: Gremlin’s Last Run (Guardians of the Pattern #2) by Jaye McKenna

Tuesday, June 30:

  • Devil’s Food at Dusk by MJ O’Shea and Anna Martin‏ Release Tour and Giveaway
  • A Mika Review: Toy with Me by Annabelle Jacobs
  • A MelanieM Review: Velocity by Sara York
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Helping Hand by Jay Northcote

Wednesday, July 1:

  • Lessons for Idle Tongues by Charlie Cochrane Tour and Giveaway
  • Get Your Kink on With K.C. Wells ‘Make Me Soar’ (Collars and Cuffs #6) Tour and Contest
  • In the Book Spotlight: Annabelle Jacobs ‘A Casual Thing’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A MelanieM Review: Lessons for Idle Tongues by Charlie Cochrane
  • A MelanieM Review:  Bulldust by d.j. brumb

Thursday, July 2:

  •  A Closer Look at Lissa Kasey ‘Model Citizen’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • ‘University of Southern Georgia: Davy & Tony’ by Heath Greenfield (contest)
  • Be Dazzled by E.M. Lynley’s 24-Karat Conspiracy (excerpt and contest)
  • Ashavan Donovan ‘Andrew’s Prayer’ book blast and giveaway
  • A MelanieM Review: Cherish the Land (Lang Downs #5) by Ariel Tachna
  • Best Books of June 2015

Friday, July 3:

  • Ada Maria Soto ‘Empty Nests’ Keep Me In Mind Tour and contest
  • A STRW Exclusive:  Eli Easton Interviews Her Audiobook Narrator (interview and contest)
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review; How To Howl at the Moon by Eli Easton (audio book)
  • A Mika Review:  Wild Pitch by Sloan Johnson
  • A MelanieM Review: The Pinch of the Game by Charley Descoteaux

Saturday, July 4th (Happy Independence Day to the USA):

  • Best Covers of June 2015

Bulldust coverSilverScarsCoverMedHelping Hand_FINALMakeMeSoarFS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Father’s Day! But Should It Be Happy Parent Day? This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Rainbow Families

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there that have made such a huge impact on their children’s lives.  That includes my father whose sterling qualities, indomitable will, intelligence and loving heart has always had a large part in my life and that of my daughter.  I’ll be heading over to the farm shortly to help celebrate with all the family – together, boisterous, and loving.

But June is Pride Month.  That combined with Caitlyn Jenner’s brave coming out, the ABC Family Channels series “Becoming Us“, “The Foster’s“, and more has me thinking about names, identities and the need for choice and change.  What happens to the Mother’s Day and  Father’s Day celebrations when one parent is transitioning?  Or is Genderqueer or Genderfluid?  Don’t those Greeting Card appellations become exclusionary instead of celebratory? I’m thinking that perhaps they do and unnecessarily so.

Why not combine the two and have a universal Parent’s Day?  Or “Thank My Guardian”  Day, ” Thanks for all the Love, Support, & Sacrifice-Love You” Day ? Yeah, yeah, I know, none of those have the zing and emotional tone that Mother’s and Father’s Day have.  But a change in attitude and outlook might supply the needed patina of familial love and memories over time that it lacks now.   And then there are the children to think about.gay familiy clip art

Why make it necessary for a child to explain that they have 2 dads on Mother’s Day or two mothers on Father’s Day when asked to “make cards for (insert name here)” in school, church, or whatever organization is asking the kids to do this as a craft?  A universal day of thanks, joy and family for those that raised you would make those explanations unnecessary, as they should be.  And it would include all those parents and caregivers that are part of the LGBTQIA community.

It’s time to enlarge our thinking along with our hearts.  The world has gotten bigger, let’s hope it grows more inclusive and loving as well.

                               Happy Parents Day!  It’s Going to Be A Good One, cross my heart!

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This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Noble Persuasion coverTideOfWar_600x900Falling coverPSI Hunter Cover

Sunday, June 21, 2015:

  • Let’s Snuggle Up To Cardeno C’s Strange Bedfellows (tour and contest)
  • Happy Father’s (?) Day. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, June 22:

  • Sword of the Gladiatrix by Faith L. Justice tour and contest
  • Silver Scars by Posy Roberts guest post and giveaway
  • Jeff Laver’s ‘Elder Petersen’s Mission Memories‘ book blast and contest
  • A Stella Review: Taming the Lion by Elizabeth Coldwell
  • A MelanieM Review: Retrograde by RJ Scott

Tuesday, June 23:

  • Riptide’s The Tide of War  by Lori A. Witt Tour and Giveaway
  • Ana J. Phoenix ‘Branded’ book blast and contest
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The Summer House by RJ Scott
  • A MelaneM Review: Forging the Future by Mary Calmes

Wednesday, June 24:

  • Summer Love YA Anthology from Duet (YA Imprint at Interlude Press)(contest)
  • New tour: LJ LaBarthe – Waiting For the Moon and You (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Mika Review: Cheeky Hipsters & Jocks (BFP:The Secrets Collection) by Posy Roberts
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Spell Bound by Jacob Z. Flores

Thursday, June 25:

  • Cover reveal ‘Prickly Business‘ by Piper Vaughn and Kenzie Cade
  • A Stella Review: Coffee Cake by Michaela Grey
  • A Mika Review: Falling by Suki Fleet
  • A BJ Review: Psi Hunter (Guardians of the Pattern #1) by Jaye McKenna

Friday, June 26:

  • In the Book Spotlight: VL Locey’s ‘Long Change’ – author interview and giveaway
  • Letters from a Cowboy by Sue Brown‏  blog Tour and contest
  • Helping Hand by Jay Northcote – Book Blast and Giveaway
  • A Mika Review:The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by K.J. Charles
  • A MelanieM Review: Bulldust by b.j. brumb

YA Saturday, June 27

  • An Aurora Review: Noble Persuasion by Sara Gaines

Cheeky HIpsters and Jocks coverFacing the Mirror coverDeepOfTheSound_600x900Helping Hand_FINAL