A Jeri Review: F.A.S.T. Balls (Balls to the Wall #5) by Tara Lain

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This book is part of a series but can easily be read as a stand alone. The characters overlap but you really don’t miss much if you miss a book.

This installment focuses on Jerry- a firefighter who constantly puts himself down as not smart enough. Not smart enough for his friends or the guys he dates or whatever. That kind of gets old.

Mick is a fellow firefighter and a giant homophobe. You know what that usually means- gay guy in the closet. And while I wasn’t really into Jerry falling for this jerk- Mick’s back story redeemed his behavior. Mostly. Mick’s father is the head of a cult like religious group that hates gay people. So even though he was raised that way and has the posturing of someone who thinks all gay people are going to hell, he is fighting the internal struggle of being gay himself.

Mick ended up being way more endearing than Jerry who was pretty boring. But even then, I was hoping for a lot more action from the religious cult. The threat was always there but nothing really happened.

Jerry and Mick together were ok, but I really felt like Jerry was settling for a guy who was a raging homophobe. That just didn’t sit right with me.

So they story was ok, I don’t regret reading it, but if there are more in the series I hope they are better.

Cover art by Reese Dante is dramatic and works for the storyline.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd Edition , 153 pages
Expected publication: July 12th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press (first published September 18th 2013)
ISBN139781635334746
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesBalls to the Wall #5 settingCalifornia (United States)

A Lila Audiobook Review: Forgotten Paradise by Shira Anthony and Narrator: Andrew McFerrin

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

It’s dangerous diving for secrets.

When a mega company threatens to take over his family-owned business, programming prodigy Adam Preston escapes the stress with a much-needed vacation in the Dominican Republic. There he meets attractive, intelligent, insightful Jonah James, a scuba dive instructor, and what starts as a holiday fling soon blossoms into much more.

But Jonah has a secret: ten years ago he woke up on an island beach with no idea how he got there… or even who he is. Their paradise may not be as perfect as it seems. When Jonah’s memories come crashing back like waves on the sand, will it be Adam clinging to the proverbial life raft, or will the two men find a safe harbor to ride out the storm?

Forgotten Paradise is a quick summer read with a delightful love story. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the company of great characters and an easy going, but interesting plot.  The traditional troupes of this series let the reader’s imagination free and into a travel adventure.

Adam and Jonah are both “bigger than life characters.” They live in that imaginary bubble with all want to believe in. The spin on the amnesia plot brought the two parts of the story together–the vacation and their real lives.  I enjoyed the time the author took making each part unique.

There are a lot of descriptions about the settings, the diving trips, and Adam’s vacation. It was a bit overwhelming at times, but it added to the color of the story. The romance itself is the central part, but the small twists and turns framed the story well.

One thing I appreciated about the story was the path Adam and Jonah followed. They both grew as individuals and businessmen. And their HEA work well with the rest of the story.

Andrew McFerrin did a remarkable job with the narration. My only complaint comes from the accents of the Dominican characters. They really didn’t sound the part, but overall, it was an enjoyable work.

The cover by Bree Archer matches the series and Jonah’s description. A bit generic, but it follows the format.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | iTunes | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Andrew McFerrin
Length: 5 hours 49 minutes
Published: June 1, 2017 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B071LTJB8J
Edition Language: English

Andrew Grey on Inspiration and his new release ‘Fire and Fog’ (guest blog and exclusive except)

Fire and Fog (Carlisle Cops #6) by Andrew Grey
Dreamspinner Press
Cover art by L.C. Chase

Release Date: July 7 2017

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Dreamspinner Press

 

 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Andrew Grey on his Fire and Fog Blog Tour. Welcome, Andrew!

 

♦︎

The Carlisle Cops series is close to my heart.  It takes place in the town where I live, but each story also comes from a local news story in some way.  Every now and then a story in the news will really piss me off for some reason.  Usually these stories involve children in some way, either that or someone who’s hurting, being hurt more.  Those stories I file away and then make an appearance in these stories.  This story is no exception.  There was a local story about rent scams that I saw.  People were taking advantage of the poor who had no resources to know better.  Scams in general piss me off, but those on the people with the least to loose make me angry.  So I included that story line in Fire and Fog.  I really hope you enjoy the story as much as I liked telling it.

 

Blurb/Synopsis

Carlisle police officer Dwayne knows what Robin is doing the moment he lays eyes on the young man at Bronco’s club. But he doesn’t know that, like him, Robin also comes from a family who cast him out for being gay, or that he’s still lugging around the pain of that rejection. Robin leaves the club, and soon after Dwayne decides to as well—and is close by when things between Robin and his client turn violent.

When Dwayne finds out Robin is the victim of a scam that lost him his apartment, he can’t leave Robin to fend for himself on the streets. Despite Dwayne’s offer of help and even opening up his home, it’s hard for Robin to trust anything good. The friendship between them grows, and just as the two men start warming up to each other, Robin’s sister passes away, naming Robin to care for her son. Worse yet, their pasts creep back in to tear down the family and sense of belonging both of them long for.

Will their fledgling romance dissipate like fog in the sun before it has a chance to burn bright?

The capitol complex shone like a beacon, and Dwayne headed in that direction. Light meant safety, and this wasn’t a familiar neighborhood for him. There were others on the street, some couples walking close together. It was a great summer night to be outside. He walked a block or so, the beat from the club still pulsing through the ground at his feet.

“That’s not what—” a voice called. Dwayne listened for more. “No!” Fear spiked the air, and Dwayne was on alert, listening for where the sound had come from. He heard the rip of fabric between passing cars. “I said no!” The voice got louder, and Dwayne picked up his pace.

“I paid and you’re going to put out.”

Dwayne reached the alley entrance, stopped, and peered around the corner. A huge guy stood near a dingy brick wall. It was hard to see, but Dwayne could just make out another man pressed to the brick, the side of his face against the unyielding wall.

“That’s enough.”

“Get out of here. He and I have business,” the guy growled.

Dwayne stepped closer, ready for action. “You need to leave now!” He used his cop voice and saw the guy flinch. He might be big, but as Dwayne got a closer look, he saw the beer gut and flabby arms. This guy probably was used to throwing his weight around, but there really wasn’t much to him.

“Fuck off. I paid and I’m getting my money’s worth.”

“So you’re admitting to soliciting someone for sex… to a police officer. That makes my job very easy.” Dwayne pulled out his phone, and the lug took a step back and then ran the other way. Well, he sort of waddled fast, but the response was the one Dwayne wanted. He made sure the guy was gone and then helped the smaller man, who had crumpled to the alley floor.

“It’s all right. He’s gone.” Dwayne lifted the guy, who wasn’t verbally responding, off the concrete and carried him out to where there was more light. As soon as the glow from the street shone on golden hair, Dwayne knew who it was.

“Robin.” He caressed his cheek, and Robin groaned. Dwayne set him down and waited for the shock to wear off. “You want to tell me what happened?”

Robin managed to stand and rubbed the side of his face, then pulled the remains of his tattered shirt together. “No.”

“I’ve got a pretty good idea already.” Dwayne half expected Robin to try to bolt, but instead he just shook, and Dwayne held him upright. “Let me guess. For all the bravado, this was the first time you’ve done anything like this.”

“Shit… I can take care of myself.” The defiance was back, and Dwayne was glad Robin was able to manage it, even if he knew it was all just a front.

“Like you did back there.” He wasn’t in the mood for nice at the moment. “I’m not dumb. I know what you were doing and what nearly happened. So you can tell me about it, or I can call some friends of mine and you can talk to them about prostitution.”

“You’re a real jerk, you know that?” Robin’s stomach rumbled loudly, and he put his hands over it as though it ached.

“No. The jerk was the guy in the alley. I’m the man who saved your ass from God knows what.” Dwayne saw some of the fire go out of Robin’s eyes. “And you’re acting defensive to the guy who saved your ass, quite literally, from what was about to happen. So I think you can open up and tell me what’s really going on.”

Robin quivered once again. “I was about to leave the club because I wasn’t going to get anything in there. Too many people watching. That guy approached me and asked if I was up for a little fun. We left and he paid me fifty bucks. I figured I could blow him as long as I was careful, but it turned out he wanted more than that, and I wasn’t going to give it to him, so he was planning to take what he wanted anyway.” Robin sniffed. “He stank and shuffled all the time, like he might have been sick or something, but fifty bucks will feed me for like two weeks. And….”

“How long has it been since you ate?” Dwayne asked.

“I don’t know. Probably yesterday.” Robin suddenly seemed even smaller and weaker. Dwayne knew he should be a little ashamed, but Robin’s vulnerability seemed to make him more attractive.

“Come on, then.” Dwayne guided Robin down the block to the corner. “There’s a diner just that way. We can get something to eat and then you can tell me what’s really going on.”

About the Author

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing)  He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

For Other Works by Andrew Grey

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)

The ones listed below is for the Carlisle Cops Only

Fire and Water (1)

Fire and Ice (2)

Fire and Rain (3)

Fire and Snow (4)

Fire and Hail (5)

Fire and Fog (6)

Leigh Carman on Tour for her Players of LA and ‘Two-Man Advantage’ (exclusive excerpt)

Two-Man Advantage (Players of LA #3) by Leigh Carman
Dreamspinner Press

Available for Purchase at

Amazon

iBooks

Kobo

B&N-

Dreamspinner

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to  host Leigh Carman today on her Two-Man Advantage tour.  She’s brought along an exclusive excerpt for everyone to enjoy!

 

Blurb

A hockey star skating on the edge of a catastrophe.

A PR specialist so adept, he’s called “the Fixer.”

Working together will be the biggest challenge of both their careers.

The LA Vikings hockey team is fed up the violent outbursts of its huge, intimidating enforcer, Viktor Novak. Hounded by a homophobic and domineering father, Viktor takes out his frustrations by spilling blood—on and off the ice. Now he has one last chance to clean up his image, or his career is over.

That’s where Bowen Miller comes in.

Bo has taken on the hardest cases and succeeded—by micromanaging every aspect of a client’s life—at the expense of his own happiness. But in the stubborn, hot mess that is Viktor, Bo might have met his match—both in and out of the bedroom. One man is out of control, and one controls everything. But when sex and attraction come into play, those roles are open to negotiation.

Exclusive Excerpt

Vik and Bo’s first encounter

Bo

When Vik doesn’t move, I take a closer look. I know what I’m seeing; I just don’t believe it. No fucking way. His lightly stubbled face is flushed, nostrils flaring wide. His light blue irises are nearly gone, eclipsed by enormous dark pupils. Vik’s full red lips are slick, and I can see the restraint in his clenched jaw, his twitching muscles, all of them jumping as he fights his primal urges.

He wants me. Viktor Novak wants me.

“That picture in your office,” Vik says, his voice a low, seductive rumble that vibrates straight to my cock. “The one of the football player, Van Archer.”

Wait, what?

Now I’m the one who tenses up, once again ready for a fight with the exhausting Viktor Novak. Maybe what I’m reading as desire on Vik’s face is actually hostility. Maybe I’m only seeing what I want to see when in reality, there’s nothing there.

“What about it?”

“He’s gay.”

“He is,” I answer, bracing myself for an almighty argument.

Vik nods. He begins to say something, and then his mouth snaps shut as he hesitates. More curious than cautious, Vik presses on. “Are you?”

“Does it matter?” I snap, every one of my defenses at the ready. It’s no secret I’m gay. I don’t hide my sexuality, but I don’t announce it when I meet people either. If Vik wants to come at me, he’s going to get a knockdown, drag-out fight.

Vik shifts closer, splaying an immense hand on the stone countertop on either side of my waist. Intimidated by his sheer size and proximity, the fight drains out of me, and I lean back, the unforgiving granite pressing painfully into the base of my spine, making me acutely aware that this man has the ability to hurt me quite seriously any time he chooses. The fact that he could so easily dominate me physically unexpectedly turns me on so much my dick is suddenly harder than the granite surface I’m trapped against.

What the hell? I dominate, I don’t submit. So why am I rock hard and leaking like a faucet at the thought of Vik overpowering me?

“It matters to me,” Vik murmurs, his gaze dropping to my mouth before returning to my eyes.

The way Vik answers allows me to exhale, letting go of some of my fear. My initial assumption was correct. The man before me isn’t angry, he’s… hopeful.

I inhale a shaky breath and swallow. “Yes. I’m gay.”

For the briefest of seconds, Vik’s gaze widens, and a spark of desire flashes in his bright blue eyes. Then so many things happen at once, I have no time to process it all. Vik’s heavy lids drop to half-mast and he closes the remaining space between us, pressing the hot, hard length of his body against mine. Two strong, masculine hands grip either side of my head, fingers long enough to curl around the base of my skull, and Viktor Novak, star hockey player and noted brawler, lowers his face to mine and kisses me.

Sensory overload hits, and I’m frozen in place. Hot skin covered in tattoos, the faint taste of mint toothpaste, the warm scent of Viktor, the feel of his rough hands on my clean-shaven face—all of it combines to render me completely useless as his lips move over mine. It’s only when Viktor boldly thrusts his stiff cock against my groin, grinding it against my own rigid length as he simultaneously swipes his tongue across my mouth, that I wake up and get with the program.

Vik slides that wet tongue over my lips again, more insistent this time, and I can’t help but groan, opening my mouth as heat builds at the base of my spine. Vik takes advantage of my parted lips, immediately plunging his velvet tongue deep into my mouth. I release the countertop and wrap my hands around his backside, grabbing two big handfuls of those spectacular, rock-hard glutes, and tug him closer, smashing our erections together.

“Oh fuck,” Vik breathes against my lips. Those two little words nearly have me coming in my pants. I’ve never been so out of control in my life. The threads of reality unravel around me, spinning away as raw instinct takes over my conscious behavior. No twink hookup has ever incited this type of reaction from me. I’m wanton, willing, and completely uninhibited. Out of control. It’s frightening yet… freeing.

Viktor’s hands leave my skin, and I whimper from the loss of contact, leaning forward to chase that delicious mouth. When Vik’s thick fingers begin pawing desperately at my clothes, shoving the custom-fitted jacket down my arms to land on the floor then moving to unbutton my shirt, I realize his intentions. In a flash, I begin to eagerly assist Vik in shedding my clothes, yanking my silk tie loose and sliding it off my neck.

Halfway through undoing my dress shirt, Vik growls and loses patience with the dozen tiny pearl buttons. With one swift tug, he tears open the front of my shirt, buttons pinging off the kitchen cabinets and skittering across the hardwood floors. My cuffs are still fastened by a pair of platinum cuff links, so now my shirt is inside out, hanging from my wrists, and I can’t get my hands free. Vik either doesn’t notice or could care less. In the blink of an eye, he has my slacks unzipped, shoves his hand in, and takes my aching cock in his scorching hot palm.

“Jesus, Vik,” I rasp, my chest heaving. The touch of his hand on my dick is blistering hot and so fucking good, but much too brief. Vik lets go of my cock, and I panic. “What? Why are you—?”

My question dies in a strangled moan as I watch Vik shove down his own sweats and underwear, not even bothering to pull them all the way off. Instead he hooks them under his huge, tight sac, lines up our cocks, and wraps a calloused hand around both of our rigid lengths. Vik squeezes them together and my eyes roll back in my head. I struggle to free my arms, desperate to touch this man and his gorgeous, thick cock. Vik lets out a low growl when I fight the fabric binding my hands. His eyes flash, and quick as a whip, he reaches behind me, grabs the remains of my shirt, and twists it around his free hand until my wrists are tightly bound at the base of my spine, trapped by a pair of cuff links.

I want to struggle, to shout and kick until I can get my hands free. To demand my freedom so I can take charge of the encounter. But Vik ignores any effort I make to unbind my hands. He gives me a dark, lust-filled look and waits until I stop fighting and calm down. Once I’m still, Vik keeps his eyes locked on mine and spits obscenely into his palm before lowering it to stroke our cocks in tandem. At that moment, any fight left in me dies, superseded by the unbelievable pleasure of Viktor’s talented hand and the feel of his sculpted body against mine. It’s uncomfortable to give in to someone, to willingly let Vik overpower me, and part of me is still freaking out. My sexual partners are always smaller than me for a reason. I just can’t let go of that damn need to control everything and everyone. It’s my experience that when you have no power, you get hurt.

“Let it go,” Vik whispers as if reading my mind, all the while continuing to stare into my eyes as his hand speeds up between us. The friction of Vik’s slick, rough palm, the sensation of his smooth cock rubbing against mine, is sublime. But with the nagging need to free my hands still plaguing me, I can’t enjoy his talented touch to the fullest.

“I see your brain working to figure out how to take charge,” Vik says. He gives me a dark look, those sensual lips curling into a wicked smirk. “You can’t take control here, Bowen. I won’t let you. You can’t get away either. I have you at my mercy.” He leans in to growl in my ear. “I can do anything I want to you.” Vik’s husky, dominating voice reverberates through my body, making my cock impossibly harder. “Let go and enjoy the ride, Bowen, because I plan on blowing your goddamn mind.”

To find out what happens next, check out Two-Man Advantage

About the Author

Leigh Carman is the pen name for the M/M romances written by bestselling Contemporary romance writer, Heather C. Leigh.

She lived outside Atlanta for 15 years and recently moved to Houston with her husband, 2 kids, and French bulldog.

She is leaving explicit directions in her will for her friends to discreetly scatter her ashes around Fenway Park. Then they are to sit back, watch a game with a beer and a Fenway frank and have a wicked good time.

Twitter- @heatherleighauthor

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LeighCarmanAuthor/

Website – http://heathercleighauthor.com/leigh-carman-novels/

A MelanieM Release Day Review: M4M by Rick R. Reed

Rating: 4..75 stars out of 5

2nd Edition 

Finding and keeping love can be a challenge in the modern world of blogging, social media, and online dating, as one man will learn in this trilogy.

VGL Male Seeks Same

Poor Ethan Schwartz. At forty-two, he’s alone, his bed is empty, and his HDTV is overworked. He’s tried bars and other places where gay men are supposed to find each other, but it never works out. Maybe he should get a cat?

But his life is about to change…

NEG UB2

Poor Ethan. He’s received the most shocking news a gay man can get—he’s HIV positive. Until today his life was perfect, with a job he loves and Brian, who could be “the one.” The one to complete him and fill his lonely life with laughter, hot sex, and romance.

But Ethan’s in for another shock. Could Brian have infected him?

STATUS UPDATES

Alone again, Ethan wonders if life is worth living, even with a cat. When an old nemesis sends a Facebook friend request, Ethan is suspicious but intrigued. It seems this old acquaintance has turned his life around, and the changes might hold the key to Ethan getting a new lease on life… and love.

I  truly can’t imagine reading M4M by Rick R. Reed as anything except one deeply moving story…to me it doesn’t even register as three separate tales. Rather three stages in one man’s life, two so heartrending that the tissues seemed inadequate at times to stop the amount of tears that flowed.  Even now just thinking about Ethan and his journey, I start to choke up which is funny because I wasn’t sure I was even going to connect with Ethan at the beginning.  Or even like him.

That would be at the start of VGL Male Seeks Same when Ethan wants to date and after a shocking lack of response on a dating website, makes a rash decision.  This section of M4M made it harder for me to connect with Ethan.  Understand him? Yes, but like him?  Not quite.  That came at towards the end of this section of Ethan’s life when everything changed for him and me as a reader.  I started to love Ethan which made the next two section all the more moving and devastating.

Rick R. Reed does a beautiful job of making me love all the people who surround Ethan too.  Ok maybe not Bubbles at the beginning.  But Brian, how I took Brian into my heart.  And Jan?  I’d love to have Jan as my friend.  They also hold the key to making M4M so real, so poignant and moving that I can guarantee it and these characters will stay with you long after the stories are done. The church aspect as a panacea is an element that I didn’t really connect with but that doesn’t matter.  It was the vehicle that delivered Ben and hope to Ethan and that’s what counts.

M4M by Rick R. Reed is a beautifully written, incredibly moving story about love found, profound loss,  grief, recovery and the ability to find hope and perhaps love once more.  That it includes two men who are HIV positive?  Part of the huge picture, not the picture itself….that was part of their individual story and journey too.  The HIV element seemed authentic (as it should…read the author’s note), but M4M is about life.  Ethan’s life.  It’s a story you will want to read about, a man you will want to get to know.  Have your tissues handy!

Cover art by Reese Dante is perfect for the story.

Buy links:

Ebook: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/m4m-by-rick-r-reed-8647-b

Paperback:  https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/m4m-by-rick-r-reed-8648-b

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/M4M-Rick-R-Reed-ebook/dp/B0732LXD95

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd edition, 200 pages
Expected publication: July 10th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781635335422
Edition LanguageEnglish
URLhttps://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/m4m-by-rick-r-reed-8647-b

A Lila Audiobook Review: Bonfires by Amy Lane and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Ten years ago Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron George lost his wife and moved to Colton, hoping growing up in a small town would be better for his children. He’s gotten to know his community, including Mr. Larkin, the bouncy, funny science teacher. But when Larx is dragged unwillingly into administration, he stops coaching the track team and starts running alone. Aaron—who thought life began and ended with his kids—is distracted by a glistening chest and a principal running on a dangerous road.

Larx has been living for his kids too—and for his students at Colton High. He’s not ready to be charmed by Aaron, but when they start running together, he comes to appreciate the deputy’s steadiness, humor, and complete understanding of Larx’s priorities. Children first, job second, his own interests a sad last.

It only takes one kiss for two men approaching fifty to start acting like teenagers in love, even amid all the responsibilities they shoulder. Then an act of violence puts their burgeoning relationship on hold. The adult responsibilities they’ve embraced are now instrumental in keeping their town from exploding. When things come to a head, they realize their newly forged family might be what keeps the world from spinning out of control.

Bonfires is a lovely story with mature characters and well-behaved teenagers. The best part is that everyone acted their age and the plot, even when a little fantastic, move forward following an interesting set of developments and real love and family relationships.

This is not only a romance but a bit of a mystery with the added drama of small towns. We have several story lines running parallel and in normal Amy Lane fashion everyone in town, including the animals play an important part in the plot and the MCs’ love story.

Everyday events, like breakfasts & homework, are well-mixed with Larx’s and Aaron’s developing relationship. They not only get to know each other but those around them before and after they met. Their pasts are as important as their present and how they want to shape their future.

I did want to see more alone time between the main characters. They spent a lot of time just solving other people’s problems and dealing with their families. I wanted a bit of downtime for them to really have a chance to discover each other without interruptions or expectations.

Overall, this is another hit by this author. It’s the proverbial big book of everything, but as always, it works.

Nick J. Russo did an excellent job giving all the characters a unique voice. It was easy to get immersed in the story.

The cover by Anne Cain shows one of the story’s main scene to perfection. It’s a bit different than traditional MM romances, but so it’s the book.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | iTunes | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Nick J. Russo
Length: 9 hours 34 minutes
Published: June 9, 2017 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B071WQJ72H
Edition Language: English

STRW Interviews Rick R Reed: Characters, Influences and his romance trilogy ‘M4M’ out now!

M4M by Rick R. Reed
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Release Date July 10, 2017

BUY

Dreamspinner Ebook | Dreamspinner Paperback | Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Rick R. Reed here today answering questions and sharing insights into his latest release M4M. Welcome, Rick!

✍🏼

An Interview with Rick R. Reed, author of the trilogy of romance, M4M

How much of yourself goes into a character?

Well, if you’re talking about Ethan Schwartz, my romantic underdog hero who’s central to all three of the stories in M4M, he and I do share certain similarities.

At the start of the book, in VGL Male Seeks Same, he’s looking for love online. I know first-hand how daunting, terrifying, frustrating, and exciting that can be. But I do believe in online romance because I met my husband fifteen years ago on an online dating site. So, I know it can lead to true love!

The middle of the book (NEG UB2) occurs some years later when the love Ethan finds in the first part becomes strained when Ethan is diagnosed HIV-positive. I also am HIV-positive (and have been healthy and undetectable for over seventeen years now—thank God), so I know the terror that comes with that diagnosis. My heart went out to Ethan as he deals with his health status and the fear that the man he loves betrayed him. The story is a true test of love.

The last part of the trilogy that I call M4M is called Status Updates to reflect our current social media centralization into our daily lives, my own included. Social media can be a double-edged sword, bringing people from your past into your life. On the one hand, things like Facebook can be a wonderful way to reconnect—and even find the road back to love, if you’ve been hurt as Ethan was. On the other hand, it can easily bring someone back into your life that you aren’t sure you ever wanted there in the first place. That’s the crux of my story, which, oddly enough, reflects my own spiritual journey.

Do you feel there’s a tight line between Mary Sue or should I say Gary Stu and using your own experiences to create a character?

In everything I write and every character I breathe life into, there has to be a part of me in order for him or her to become real. So yes, I draw from my own life, but the comparisons, even if you know me well, may not be so apparent. That’s because similarities from my own life and that of a character can be metaphorical or symbolic. But I think any writer would be hard-pressed not to draw from his/her frame of reference when creating a character.

Has your choice of childhood or teenage reading genres carried into your own choices for writing?

Well, when it comes to my horror and dark psychological suspense, yes. As a kid, I was obsessed with horror movies, books, and TV shows (I was a huge fan of Dark Shadows). Romance, though, I didn’t really get into until I was much older, and I wanted to bring love stories that would resonate with gay people to life because those stories aren’t told as much in mainstream fiction.

Do you like HFN or HEA? And why?

Yes, because it gives people (myself included) hope. I believe very strongly in intention and how our own thinking shapes the reality we get and, with that in mind, HEA or even HFN is a given.

Who do you think is your major influence as a writer?  Now and growing up?

My main influences are Patricia Highsmith, Flannery O’Connor, Stephen King, and Ruth Rendell, all have a twisted and dark world view, but in the end, I think, they all believe in redemption—and so do I.

How do you feel about the ebook format and where do you see it going?

It’s here to stay. Personally, I love it and seldom even read a paper book anymore. In fact, I’ve bought ebooks of paper books I’ve gotten as gifts because I know I won’t read the paper book because I’m so used to the ease and convenience of ebooks.

How do you choose your covers?  (curious on my part)

Most of my work is published by Dreamspinner Press, and I’m blessed to work with Reese Dante, who’s just amazing and wonderful—extremely talented. We usually huddle on what I want to get across, what my characters look like, and tone. Reese takes it from there and usually sends me dozens of stock photos of handsome male models to look at (such hard work!) to help find the best fit for the characters. But she’s truly inspired and I love every cover she’s done for me. The more we work together, the more we think almost as one, so that’s really nice.

What’s next for you as an author?

I have a short coming out in September called I Heart Boston Terriers. It’s about how a rescue dog brings two men together. I just got the cover and it’s amazing. I can’t share it, but can tell you it features my own Boston terrier, Lily, on the cover (by Reese Dante).

BLURB

Finding and keeping love can be a challenge in the modern world of blogging, social media, and online dating, as one man will learn in this trilogy.

VGL Male Seeks Same

Poor Ethan Schwartz. At forty-two, he’s alone, his bed is empty, and his HDTV is overworked. He’s tried bars and other places where gay men are supposed to find each other, but it never works out. Maybe he should get a cat?

But his life is about to change…

NEG UB2

Poor Ethan. He’s received the most shocking news a gay man can get—he’s HIV positive. Until today his life was perfect, with a job he loves and Brian, who could be “the one.” The one to complete him and fill his lonely life with laughter, hot sex, and romance.

But Ethan’s in for another shock. Could Brian have infected him?

STATUS UPDATES

Alone again, Ethan wonders if life is worth living, even with a cat. When an old nemesis sends a Facebook friend request, Ethan is suspicious but intrigued. It seems this old acquaintance has turned his life around, and the changes might hold the key to Ethan getting a new lease on life… and love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Real Men. True Love.

Rick R. Reed draws inspiration from the lives of gay men to craft stories that quicken the heartbeat, engage emotions, and keep the pages turning. Although he dabbles in horror, dark suspense, and comedy, his attention always returns to the power of love. He’s the award-winning and bestselling author of more than fifty works of published fiction and is forever at work on yet another book. Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…” You can find him at www.rickrreed.com or www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA with his beloved husband and their Boston terrier.

FIND RICK ONLINE

What’s Your Favorite Story Time Again and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

What’s Your Favorite Story Time Again – Soldiers and Wounded Warriors

With the holidays flashing by…Memorial Day, Independance Day….I thought about all the stories that I love so much that contained soldiers and/or vets returned from tours of duty.  Some of them are series and some are stand alone novels but there’s no denying the impact on your mind and heart they leave behind.

Some stories are contemporary and some reach far into the future or into the past but the soldier’s lot (no matter the gender) remains the same in its basics.  The dealing with the fear of the unknown, the stress, the pain, the loss, and the battles.  And then for some, the re-entry into civilian life.  So let’s hear again from all of you, what are your favorite stories with soldiers and why?  I thought we’d divide them into categories this time.  This week its contemporary fiction.  Next week: Other, from Science Fiction to Historical.  Let me know if you think that’s too broad a category and I’ll adjust it.

So I’ll start off our list of contemporary fiction with a series near to my heart:

♦︎The Release series by B.A. Tortuga (3 books) – all dealing with vets being released back into civilian life.  It’s outstanding.

♦︎Manny Get Your Guy by Amy Lane – wounded vet dealing with rehab and reentry at the same time.

That’s just for starters.  What’s yours?  Of course, there’s a giveaway attached for this List.

Contemporary Soldier/Wounded Warrior Story Recommendation Reader List

Comment with recommendations and your email address and one or two readers will be picked to receive a $10 gift cert from Dreamspinner Press.  Giveaway ends next Saturday, July 15th in time to start our next Soldiers-Others category.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, July 9:

  • Review Tour THE SHAPE OF YOU by Felice Stevens
  • A Jeri Review: The Shape of You by Felice Stevens
  • What’s Your Favorite Story Time Again
  •  This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, July 10:

  • Blog tour Racing the Sky by Layla Dorine
  • DSP GUEST POST Rick R Reed on M4M
  • A VVivacious Review: Regret by Christina Lee
  • A MelanieM Release Day Review: M4M by Rick R. Reed
  • A Lila Audiobook Review: Bonfires by Amy Lane and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)
  • An Alisa Review:  Facing Fears by Morticia Knight

Tuesday, July 11:

  • DSP GUEST POST Leigh Carman on Two-Man Advantage
  • RIPTIDE TOUR All Wheel Drive by ZA Maxfield
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Moro’s Price by M Crane Hana
  • A Jeri Review: Chief’s Mess (Anchor Point #3) by L.A. Witt
  • A Julia Review: Painting Class ( Chiaroscuro, #1) by Suzanne Clay
  • An Alisa Review: Different Dynamics by Tamir Drake

Wednesday, July 12:

  • DSP GUEST POST Andrew Grey on Fire and Fog
  • Review Tour – Meg Harding – Finding Home
  • Tour: Unscripted Love by Aimee Nicole Walker RDB,
  • A Jeri Release Day Review: FAST Balls (Balls to the Wall #5) by Tara Lain
  • A Lila Audiobook Review: Forgotten Paradise by Shira Anthony and Narrator: Andrew McFerrin
  • A MelanieM Review: Broke Deep (Porthkennack #3) by Charlie Cochrane
  • A Stella Release Day Review: Mascara & Bandages (Mary’s Boys#3) by Brandon Witt
  • A Stella Review: Finding Home by Meg Harding

Thursday, July 13:

  • Harmony GUEST POST Gene Gant
  • Review Tour – RJ Scott – The Ranchers Son (Montana #2) narrated by Sean Crisden
  • A Lila Audiobook Review:  The Ranchers Son (Montana #2) by RJ Scott and Sean Crisden (Narrator)
  • A MelanieM Review: Werecat: The Sim Ru Prophecy by Andrew J. Peters
  • An Ali Audiobook Review : The Innocent Auction (Innocent #1) by Victoria Sue and Joel Leslie (Narrator)
  • An Alisa Review: A New Way to Dance by Sean Michael

Friday, July 14:

  • Letting Go by Morningstar Ashley Release Day Blitz
  • RIPTIDE TOUR and Giveaway: The Other Five Percent by Quinn Anderson
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Kind of Home by Lane Hayes
  • A Jeri Review: The Other Five Percent by Quinn Anderson
  • A VVivacious Review:  Rent Mate by Ash Penn
  • An Alisa Release Day Review: Who We Truly Are (Enhanced #2) by Victoria Sue

Saturday, July 15:

A MelanieM Release Day Review: All In (Wild Cards #3) by Ava Drake

 

 

 

Avery Duran on Writing, First Stories and the wonderful release ‘Ahava is Love (World of Love)’ by Avery Duran (guest post and giveaway)

Ahava Is Love (World of Love) by Avery Duran
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist Reese Dante

Release Date July 5, 2017

Buy Links:

Dreamspinner | 

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon Australia

Barnes & Noble

Google Play

Kobo

Books2Read

Add to Goodreads

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Avery Duran here today.  Welcome, Avery, please share with our readers something about your newest story!

Thank you so much to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for hosting me today! I really appreciate being given the chance to talk about my upcoming release, Ahava is Love.

I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of three anthologies over the past eighteen months, but this novella represents the first time I’m the sole author. While the experience is beyond exciting, it’s is also terrifying. At all stages – submission, editing, and release – you are exposing a tender part of your soul for others to judge.

This was a story I felt needed to be told and that gave me the impetus to push through my own doubts and insecurities. Thankfully, I’ve had a publisher like Dreamspinner Press in my corner. Working with a company that offers so much support and respect for authors has certainly made this experience much less stressful. If I hadn’t been willing to face my fears, I never would have had this amazing opportunity.

In Ahava is Love, Yaron has lost his long-term boyfriend to a terrorist attack, as a result he is afraid to open his heart to someone new. Charming, outgoing, handsome – Yaron has so much to offer in a relationship, but instead chooses to play the field rather than risk being hurt again.

When Yaron meets Josh, who brings out emotions in him Yaron thought were long buried, he realizes if he wants to give their relationship a chance, he is going to need to work through his fears and expose himself to possible heartache.

I’m sure most of us can relate to this theme, in some way we have all had to push through something that scares us in order to achieve a sought after goal. Not every effort needs to be a big one—we all have daily fears we need to face: bugs, doctors, clowns—but facing them and moving forward is part of what makes life so thrilling!

Two men, traveling together for ten days, both with a great deal of love to offer, yet each afraid to open his heart to someone else. The attraction is instant, but nothing good can come of them getting together…or can it?

Thanks for taking the time to get to know a little about me and my writing process. I will be sharing more over the next week, so please join me as I visit the below blogs. They have been kind enough to host me to celebrate the release of Ahava is Love on July 5th!

Ahava is Love – Ahava is the Hebrew word for love, I think you’ll enjoy falling in love with Josh, Yaron – and Israel!

June 29 – MM Good Book Reviews

July 4 – Open Skye Book Reviews

July 6 – Love Bytes

July 7 – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words  

July 10 – Divine Magazine

Blurb

Brooklyn Realtor Josh Perlman desperately wants to settle down. Unfortunately he can’t find a man who wants the same. Tired of disastrous dates, he travels to explore his heritage.

Yaron is an Israeli security guard and medic charged with looking after Josh and his pilgrimage group. For Yaron, the need to protect has become more a duty than an honor since he lost his long-term boyfriend to a terrorist attack—a loss that continues to haunt him.

As they embark on their journey through the Holy Land, it’s hard to deny the attraction that sparks between Josh and Yaron. Yet with America calling Josh home, and Israel, and the death of his lover holding Yaron prisoner, it seems only a miracle can keep them together.

But Israel is an ancient land, one that has seen miracles before. Surrounded by structures that have been destroyed and rebuilt time after time, Josh and Yaron might just learn that their futures can be found in the wisdom of the past.

World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.

About the Author

Parent Association President by day, Romance Author by night, Avery Duran enjoys the best of all worlds. She’s a minivan-driving, cupcake-baking, soccer mom, who works outside the home while raising three rambunctious boys. Easily distracted by shiny things, Avery found making up stories in her head was an effective way to fool people into thinking she was paying attention. Eventually she decided to write down one of those stories, and her alter-ego was born.

She’s always been a voracious reader, Avery’s mother still brings up the time her school called because she refused to stop reading during math class. Avery is pleased to confirm that she has managed just fine without whatever important math lesson was being taught that day.

A native New Yorker, she often incorporates her favorite city into what she writes. During the day, while driving, watching endless YouTube videos, or animated shows with her offspring, she plots her stories. At night, when her husband and children go to sleep, Avery sits in a quiet house and puts those words on paper. She loves spending her down time creating a world filled with people loving and laughing their way to happily-ever-after.

She’d really love to hear from you!

Author Social Media Links

Giveaway

AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream + one $5 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
class=”s8″>http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b68a4d3f6/

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Ahava Is Love (World of Love) by Avery Duran

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Brooklyn Realtor Josh Perlman desperately wants to settle down. Unfortunately he can’t find a man who wants the same. Tired of disastrous dates, he travels to explore his heritage.

Yaron is an Israeli security guard and medic charged with looking after Josh and his pilgrimage group. For Yaron, the need to protect has become more a duty than an honor since he lost his long-term boyfriend to a terrorist attack—a loss that continues to haunt him.

As they embark on their journey through the Holy Land, it’s hard to deny the attraction that sparks between Josh and Yaron. Yet with America calling Josh home, and Israel, and the death of his lover holding Yaron prisoner, it seems only a miracle can keep them together.

But Israel is an ancient land, one that has seen miracles before. Surrounded by structures that have been destroyed and rebuilt time after time, Josh and Yaron might just learn that their futures can be found in the wisdom of the past.

Ahava Is Love (World of Love) by Avery Duran is one man’s journey to find himself, exploration why he repeats the patterns that has him stuck in life and try to move forward.  Of course, on this path, he happens to find that one man he’s been looking for.  Avery Duran has done a marvelous job with bringing not only his characters to life (Josh and company are terrific) but also connecting the reader to their love of their religion and deep feelings for Israel, the setting for the story.  Josh is active in his local temple and when a chance to chaperone a trip (it’s actually more than that) to Israel arrives just when he most needs a change in his life, he jumps at it.  Duran is excellent is pulling us into Josh’s issues, as Josh is the narrator who looks at himself in a dry, self deprecating outlook.  He’s more than aware of his faults, yet seems to overlook his good ones too.  Luckily, the author shows us those through the eyes of his traveling companions/soon to be great friends.

Yaron seems to perfect at the start, thank goodness the author brings a poignant reality to this character, allowing him his own deep issues that almost derail his relationship with Josh.  The sights the groups visits, the rituals they do as a whole that brings them all closer together just makes this story such a gem.  The author really brings the sights, sounds and locations alive for us.

All the characters here are one I grew extremely fond of, not just the main ones of Josh and Yaron.  They are so lively, bright and real that they go beyond that of secondary character and become those of family.  What a joy it was to spend time with them as it was with the main couple.

Ahava Is Love is beautifully written, full of great characters, a setting with deep meanings for all those involved and an ending you will adore.  I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read more by this author.

C0ver art by Reese Dante is great.  Perfect for the character and great on the background.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 110 pages
Published July 5th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781635336993