A Stella Release Day Review: Nachos & Hash (Mary’s Boys Novella One) by Brandon Witt

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Darwin Michaels is living his dreams in the Mile High City. While Denver offers the perfect job, scrumptious dining, and whirlwind dating options, Darwin is losing hope he’ll find the right man to spark his interest for more than a one-night stand—until he sets eyes on Cody Russell.

Cody has just accomplished his life’s goal—get the hell out of Kansas. In one fell swoop, he lands a job at Hamburger Mary’s and gets a newfound family and the chance to be with other gay people! All that’s missing is someone special. But when Darwin shows his interest, Cody is sure it’s too good to be true. After all, what can Darwin possibly see in the high school dropout serving him nachos?

As Darwin falls in love, Cody struggles to realize his worth. When his past threatens the fragile life he is building, Cody spirals into a moment of dark desperation. But Darwin is determined to show Cody that love and family and home are there for him… will Cody accept what is offered?

Darwin is on a cheap date with (the awful) Mark and after two seconds with the boring and nonsense man found on Match.com, he starts planning his escape until ManDonna helps him getting rid of his date. While swearing off online dates, Cody happens in his life. Cody, the waiter who can’t shut up for a moment. Cody who has just moved to Denver where he is living his dream, go away from Kansas and finally be himself in a safe place like Hamburger Mary’s with people who actually care for him. Darwin has everything he wishes from his life except a boyfriend, a real one, someone to find a HEA with and Cody seems to be the right one.

Brandon Witt is one of my favorite authors, I adored everything he wrote so far, this novella, the beginning of a new series called Mary’s Boy was awesome in the writing, in the dialogues, in the setting, in the characters. I loved not just Cody and Darwin, but most of all the second characters, like Pat and Stevens, the owner, who have become Cody’s new family.

In Nachos & Hash I truly adored how I soon and easily was able to feel and see the love between all the characters. It wasn’t necessary the use of “I love you”, it was clear in their thoughts, words, actions. I saw their strength, I sadly saw their weaknesses and their unfounded inadequacy.

As always, Brandon entertained me with an emotional reading full of real persons. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series, I’m so excited for Vahin to have his own HEA.

The cover art by AngstyG is lovely, I like it.

Sales Links

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 122 pages

Expected publication: January 25th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ASIN B01N1Z5WDW

Edition Language English

Series Mary’s Boy #1

A Lila Review: The Impossible Boy by Anna Martin

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

This is not your average love story.

Ben Easton is not your average romantic hero. He’s a tattooed, badass, wannabe rock star, working in a perfectly horrible dive bar in Camden Town. His life is good, and he’s totally unprepared for how one man will turn it upside down.

Stan isn’t your average heroine. As a gender-fluid man, he proudly wears his blond hair long, his heels sky-high, and his makeup perfectly executed. A fashion industry prodigy, Stan is in London after stints working in Italy and New York City, and he quickly falls for Ben’s devil-may-care attitude and the warm, soft heart Ben hides behind it.

Beneath the perfect, elegant exterior, Stan has plenty of scars from teenage battles with anorexia. And it only takes the slightest slip for his demons to rush back in while Ben is away touring with his band. With the band on the brink of a breakthrough, Ben is forced to find a way to balance the opportunity of a lifetime with caring for his beautiful boyfriend.

The Impossible Boy is more than a romance. It’s the story of a young man adjusting back into life when dealing with anorexia. And how his sexuality, love life, and career were affected by it–before and after. It can be considered a coming of age novel set in London.

The book is divided into two parts. The first sixty-four percent is more of an introduction to Stan’s and Ben’s life and romance. I’d have been okay if the book ended there. Not that the rest isn’t worth it, but the second part felt like an addition or a longer view to a well-established relationship.

We spent a lot of time experiencing the story as Stan. And perhaps, that’s one of the reasons I find a disconnected between the two parts of the story. Almost like he blocked us from what was really happening, just like he was doing with the rest of the world. But by the end of the story, it’s easy to see that we were indeed blocked. It was part of Stan’s coping mechanism and we need to understand it like Ben had to.

The amount of detail in the story could be a bit overwhelming, but just like Stan, it was like learning more about the country, new people, and himself. One thing I appreciated was how the symptoms of Stan’s anorexia were presented as part of his personality, and not as a checklist to diagnose his medical condition.

This story is mostly sweet. It has a very young adult feel even when the main characters are older than what’s expected. There’s a slow burn that becomes love making; never fucking. They go on dates, spend time together, talk about work, and hang around with friends. The topics discussed are serious but there’s not a lot of angst. If not for Stan’s anorexia, this could be a fairytale romance.

All the secondary characters are great. The bandmates acted as normal young people trying to get into the spotlight. They’re not perfect, but they do work well together. They look out for each other and are a family. I do need to accept that my favorite character in the book was Tone, not the MCs. He’s more than Ben’s & Stan’s best friend, he’s the reason they understand each other. Plus, he’s lovely.

Overall, this is a good read. Just be sure you’re looking for something more than a simple romance story. It’s slow-paced and some of the switches between scenes can be quite abrupt, but it brings the story together in the end.

The cover by Garrett Leigh is beautiful. It fits Stan perfectly, not only physically, but emotionally.

Sale Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon | Nook

Book Details:

ebook, 204 pages
Published: January 17, 2017, Dreamspinner Press (Perchance to Dream)
ASIN: 1635332052 (ISBN13: 9781635332056)
Edition Language: English

An Ali Review: Duncan Andrews Thrillers Vol. 1 (Duncan Andrews Thrillers #1-4) by Stephen Osborne

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Private detective Duncan Andrews’s best friend Gina is a witch. His dog is a zombie. And his dead boyfriend, Robbie, is a ghost. So it’s hardly any wonder that he uses his connection to the supernatural to help him solve cases. In Pale as a Ghost, Duncan’s on the trail of a serial killer who may not be human, while also trying to move on in his dating life. In Animal Instinct, someone is using the skull of a powerful wizard—Gina’s father—to control animals and attack young Ashton Marsh. In The Scarlet Tide, Duncan’s latest case leads him to Chicago and a band whose members are all vampires. And in Dead End, Robbie’s cousin Jason has moved into a house that’s haunted by a serial killer, and Gina’s on the run from witch-hunters. Through it all, Duncan must solve the case and balance a complicated personal life.

Pale As Ghost

This first book introduces us to Duncan and his band of misfit friends. He’s a private detective who just so happens to have a best friend who’s a witch, a dog who’s a zombie and a dead ex-boyfriend who’s ghost lives with him. During this story Duncan works on two different cases, a missing girl and a blue ghost that is haunting a family. There’s some action and some comedy and it a little bit of bittersweet as Duncan realizes that a ghost can’t meet his needs and maybe it’s time for him to move on to a living boyfriend. I enjoyed this first book and getting to know this crazy cast of characters.

Animal Instinct

On this installment someone is using the skull of a powerful wizard to control animals and they’re not doing good things with them. Duncan’s friend Gina is distressed because the skull is that of her father and she knows how much damage he could do. Something serious happens that prevents Gina from being able to help and in addition Robby decides that maybe it’s time to move on to the after life. This one was one of my favorites. The plot was fast paced and entertaining and the side stories with Robby and Gina were emotional in parts.

The Scarlet Tide

Book three has Duncan heading to Indianapolis on case. This leads him to a rock band made up of vampires. He sets out to destroy them but the charismatic leader, Hunt, gains a psychic hold on Duncan, and forces him to look at things in his life he doesn’t really want to. There’s a lot going on relationship wise in this book and the author keeps me guessing as to how things will end up in the long run. The rest of the plot was fast paced and super entertaining.

Dead End

This story finds Duncan investigating the ghost of a serial killer that is haunting Robbie’s cousin’s house. Duncan goes in thinking it will be an easy case until the ghost almost kills him. Things get serious quickly and they have their hands full with this ghost. There is also a major plot development with the ongoing plot line between Duncan and the men in his life.

Some of the books I liked more than the others but overall I felt that this was a really good box set. Duncan is a great MC and his attitude was super fun and entertaining. There is a unique cast of characters who all add to the overall story line. The romance aspect was as entertaining as the mysteries were. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and while the first person story telling style doesn’t always work for me, it did here. I’ll definitely be continuing with the other books in this series.

Covers by Anne Cain: I liked all of the covers for these books. I think they are really well done. They are cohesive and yet each stands out. I especially like the use of color on them.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 642 pages
Published December 2nd 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1635331080 (ISBN13: 9781635331080)
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesDuncan Andrews Thrillers #1-4

In Our Hot Release Spotlight: Broadway Babe by J.C. Long (author interview)

Broadway Babe by J.C. Long
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anne Cain

BUY LINKS:

Hi Everybody, I’m J. C. Long, author of Broadway Babe! Thanks so much for joining me, and thanks to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for having me today! In preparation for my novella Broadway Babe coming out tomorrow I did a little interview for you guys! Enjoy!

Where do you normally draw your inspiration for a book from? A memory, a myth, a place or journey, or something far more personal?

It really depends on the story. Broadway Babe came from my personal life more than anything else. I was a huge theatre geek in high school, and even now have an immense love of musicals. I performed in a lot of shows, and though I never made it to Broadway I can imagine what it’s like, and have a few friends who actually did and helped provide a little insight for this story.

Are you a planner or a pantzer when writing a story? And why?

Again, the answer is it depends on what I’m writing. For a mystery, I’m a planner—I need to be so I can lay the scenes properly, leave the right hints and clues in the right places. With contemporaries I’m a bit of a pantzer in that I know where I’m starting and where I’m ending, but only have a vague idea of the middle bit.

Contemporary, supernatural, fantasy, or science fiction narratives or something else? Does any genre draw you more than another when writing it or reading it and why does it do so?

Scifi and fantasy were my first loves as a reader. These stories provide true escapism, with real, easy to recognize heroes and villains that are pretty black and white. It’s fun as a reader and a writer to fully immese yourself in a fantasy world where you get to make up the rules of the game. Recently, though, contemporaries have drawn me as a writer, because they provide me a way to show people around me that there is still happiness out there, and love really does win.

Can an author have favorites among their characters and do you have them?

I definitely think it’s possible to have favorites—some characters come from a very real experience for an author, a very raw emotional center. For me my favorite in any given book I’m writing is the character that is the easiest to write, the one who’s voice I hear the strongest. In Broadway Babe that’s definitely Annabelle—though of course I love my boys. Annabelle just spoke so strongly to me, even when Tate or Mike didn’t want to.

If you were to be stranded on a small demi-planet, island, or god forbid LaGuardia in a snow storm, what books would you take to read or authors on your comfort list?

Oh God, I’ve been there—minus a snowstorm, and it was LAX instead of LaGuardia—after a hellish return trip from Japan (where I now live) that should have been 21 hours total that evolved into a 3 day odyssey thanks to bad flights and an unexpected overnight stay in China. I go to old favorites at that point, comfort reads, and high atop that list is Rhys Ford—I adore her work, particularly her Cole McGinnis series.

How early in your life did you begin writing?

I started writing actual coherent stories in the 6^th grade for my English class. My teacher assigned us weekly vocab, and we had to use each word in a sentence. I found that boring, so I started writing a story where each word came up in the prose or dialogue somewhere.

Were you an early reader or were you read to and what childhood books had an impact on you as a child that you remember to this day and why?

I was raised by my grandmother, and I wanted to be just like her. She was an avid reader, so I forced her to teach me to read. By 4 years old I was sitting next to her on the couch with a book in my lap and read. As for the books that impacted me, I’d say the work of Alexander Lloyd. His were my first introduction to fantasy, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Also, Chris Wooding’s Broken Sky series showed me that not all fantasy has to look the same.

What question would you ask yourself here?

What would I ask myself? I’d ask myself why the hell I didn’t bring ranch dressing to Japan from the states! Dumb move, really dumb move. Oh—you mean about writing? Hmm. Why is it impossible for me to get any work done without cartoons from my childhood in the 90s playing in the background—or Bob’s Burgers; I love that show. Answer: Who knows?

If you were writing your life as a romance novel, what would the title be?

My life as a romance novel? That would be boring, guys. I wouldn’t want to read it. I guess I’d call it Mistakes Were Made. Oh my God, there’s an idea! The plot bunnies just started racing! Thanks, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words! I really hope that you enjoy Broadway Babe and the sweet story between Tate and Mike! It’s out tomorrow!

BLURB

Tate O’Connor has worked hard to realize his dream of dancing on Broadway, and it’s about to pay off with a premier in his first show. He doesn’t expect the distraction of sharing the stage with his celebrity crush: Broadway superstar Mike Chang. Drama ensues both onstage and off as Tate and Mike work closely and realize there could be something between them. However, there are those who don’t think an up-and-coming dancer is good enough for someone with Mike’s talent and fame, and rumors and misunderstandings might lead to broken hearts if Tate and Mike can’t work through their confusion and insecurity.

AUTHOR BIO

J. C. Long is an American expat living in Japan, though he’s also lived stints in Seoul, South Korea—no, he’s not an Army brat; he’s an English teacher. He is also quite passionate about Welsh corgis and is convinced that anyone who does not like them is evil incarnate. His dramatic streak comes from his lifelong involvement in theater. After living in several countries aside from the United States, J. C. is convinced that love is love, no matter where you are, and is determined to write stories that demonstrate exactly that.

His favorite things in the world are pictures of corgis, writing, and Korean food (not in that order… okay, in that order). J. C. spends his time not writing thinking about writing, coming up with new characters, attending Big Bang concerts, and wishing he were writing. The best way to get him to write faster is to motivate him with corgi pictures. Yes, that is a veiled hint.

A Paul B Release Day Review: Love in the Line of Fire by Michael Murphy

Rating:4.5 out of 5 stars

Special Agent Jonah Pratt heads the security detail for First Gentleman Dr. David Hammond. Basically his work is his life. His private life, what there is of it, is just that, private. Nobody in the Secret Service knows he is gay except his supervisors and one agent he began with years ago. Protecting the husband of the first gay president comes first in his life. Or so he thought until an assassination attempt on his protectee changes things.

Benji Campbell is a student at Georgetown University. Having served a couple of terms in Iraq, he has been trained to handle dangerous situations. Having been in the Middle East for most of the past ten years, he has hardly had time to find a one night stand, let alone something long term. When someone starts taking shots on campus, his training kicks in and subdues the shooter. What does he get for his trouble? He gets punched in the jaw by a Secret Service agent.

Jonah realizes that his friend was killed in the line of duty. Benji, having lost men in his missions in Iraq, tells Jonah that he knows what he feels and offers to listen to Jonah. Jonah shows up one night at Benji’s apartment and gets drunk while telling his tale. Benji feels something for Jonah but as neither have had any real experience in dating, things start awkwardly. However, the two men find a groove and things are going great until Benji has a flashback in a restaurant. Benji feels that Jonah needs someone whose head is screwed on right. He also realizes what it is like now that he is the one waiting for someone with a dangerous job to come home at night. His fears come true as there is another assassination attempt on the First Gentlemen. He must find out if Jonah is alright but will he be able to?

I found this book more enjoyable than the Michael Murphy’s previous book The President’s Husband, which shares some of the same characters. The slow developing romance between Jonah and Benji worked well as neither man had been in a relationship before. After Benji has his panic attack in the restaurant, his sense of foreboding seems to telegraph future events in terms of the second attempt on the First Gentleman. You can almost feel what every spouse or partner of a law enforcement official goes through every day they send their love one to work. I thought that David Hammond worked better in a supporting role rather than as a primary character as he was in Husband. Having read that book does provide some insight into his actions in this book. However, Love can be read on its own.

The cover art by L. C. Chase is outstanding. It has images of Jonah (in a suit you find Secret Service agents usually wear) and Benji (in a muscle shirt with dog tags around his neck) in the top half of the cover with a photo of the National Mall on the bottom half.

Sales Links

Book Details

EBook, 200 pages

Edition Language: English

Published: January 23, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN: 978-1-63533-207-0

Reece Pine on ‘In Your Court’, A Dreamspinner Press World of Love story (DSP GUEST POST)

In Your Court (World of Love) by Reece Pine
Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

Available for Purchase at

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Reece Pine here today to talk about her release, In Your Court. Welcome, Reece!

Hi and thanks for letting me introduce In Your Court, part of Dreamspinner’s World of Love series, which sees Californian college grad Ray in Vietnam for a week teaching basketball and English to elementary-age kids. For Ray, the chance to hide his (often) invisible physical disability while he’s far from home is a way to have a holiday from what he hates most about it, which is being unable to play basketball anymore. So although he knows that doing a lot of physical activity all at once is a bad idea, he plans to indulge himself for as long as he can until his chronic pain catches up with him.

Translator/businessman Xin considers himself a pro communicator – he takes pride in patching up communication gaps between other people, and is frustrated when he can’t help people fulfil their desires. Secretive Ray is a tough case for him to handle, but their shared interest in seeing Ho Chi Minh’s sights and in the Vietnamese language lets him scratch Ray’s surface and get him to begin to open up. The hard part is Ray already knows that communication is the key to getting what he wants, but first he and Xin both have to figure out what they want and can realistically have in a relationship and in their futures.

The inspiration for the book came from a weird, jealous, nostalgic thrill I felt watching a lot of basketball while being myself laid up with a condition. It’s one thing to fully understand the limits physical disabilities impose, but another thing to actually obey them, so I’m sure Ray’s not the first character (or person) to want to push such limits to their breaking point for the sake of enjoying a sport. The on-court atmosphere of a tense basketball game has a lot in common with the bustling, humid streets of Ho Chi Minh, so I jumped at the chance to set the story there, since Vietnam and Singapore (which is also seen in the book) are also incredibly scenic and romantic cities. I hope you check it out, or any of the other beautiful places represented in the World of Love series.

Blurb

With a shot at happiness in sight, it’s no time to drop the ball.

A back condition ruined Ray’s basketball ambitions, but he wants one last opportunity to play before hanging up his sneakers. While volunteering as a coach at a special needs school in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, he meets Singaporean Xin, who works matching wealthy corporations with compatible charities. Xin helps the American navigate the local customs in order to see the smile Xin fell for at first sight, but Ray makes sure no one sees how hard it is for him to keep upright, let alone keep enjoying Vietnam and playing the sport he loves.

When Ray’s back pain becomes too great to hide, Xin accommodates him in Ho Chi Minh and in Singapore—and in bed. Ray wants to imagine a future for them but fears he’s damaged goods, and Xin’s obligations in Asia aren’t easily forgotten. Ray won’t be another charity of Xin’s, especially when Xin also needs someone by his side. Their romance will be cut as short as Ray’s basketball dreams unless he can close the Pacific-sized distance between them.

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

Excerpt

Gray dawn and blaring big-band music that sounds like it’s been filtered through three DIY crystal radios creep in on the draft spilling under our door. The electro-pop communist march song is an effective call to arms in that I’m up and swearing, just not in allegiance.

“Good morning, Vietnam,” Xin mumbles, rolling over on his creaking cot and snaking a hand under his thin cotton sheet to scratch his stomach. A pirated copy of The Quiet American, the kind of photocopied book I saw street stalls selling yesterday, sticks out from beneath his pillow. I loved the movie they made of that. Good Morning, Vietnam too.

I have six days left. Still in yesterday’s stinking jersey and slacks, hair damp with old or new perspiration, I peel myself off my mattress to start my usual routine of push-ups on the floor between our beds. In no time, sweat drips Rorschach splatters on the concrete, on which I try to focus rather than on the dude beside me moaning as he languidly stretches his body to its full horizontal height.

“Aren’t you energetic?” He sits up, head tilted to match his half smile, and lazily reaches for my shoulder. “If I sit on your back, will that help—”

“Don’t,” I snap, wrenching straight up and crawling a step away. My morning voice rattles in my throat and in the heavy air, so I clear both with a cough before spreading my hands on the floor and recovering my rhythm within two push-ups. My lower back’s familiar ache is waking up too, but it has yet to seep into my hips. I shouldn’t have played yesterday after so long sitting in a cramped airplane chair. Not that it was that cramped for little old me, but it was too rigid, and I didn’t pace the aisle as much as I should have.

In the corner of my eye, I watch Xin quietly unlatch his hefty wheeled suitcase to extract linen shorts and a long-sleeved raglan tee. He looks comparatively casual today, but the outfit’s clearly styling. The cotton shirt is luxuriously creamy in color and texture and spills down his pale back as he dresses, eyeing me warily. “Are you against queer folk?”

I laugh. “When I’m lucky.”

Xin pauses, silent.

Shit. Did he just come out to me? Did I just come out to him? And did I imagine him calling me cute last night? Probably. “You’re queer?”

An automatic smile pulls at my lips. I stop doing push-ups at the count of a hundred and the sight of Xin’s calm expression probing my hard-to-hide relief. “’Cause I am.”

“Are you touch-averse ace or anything? Because I’ll let people know if you need. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“No, I’m gay. You planning on making me uncomfortable?”

“No, I’m gay,” he parrots, preening his short hair with a black lacquer comb. I can’t tell its fine teeth from the shining hair it parts. “Just… that was a pretty strong shutdown to being nearly touched, Ray. This is Asia. Guys are going to touch you, no sex implied.”

Oh wow, after being possibly called ‘cute’ last night, I’ve been shot down before my eyes are even properly opened. ‘No sex implied’—well, at least I know where I stand with him today. “Is it an Australian thing too to touch up your… mates?”

Xin laughs. “Fuck, no. There it’s only cool for men to slap around butch, strapping athletes like you, especially when you’re panting and glistening.”

It takes me a second to get that the lascivious wink he hits me with is a sarcastic stand-in for ‘Apology accepted.’ He didn’t take my snapping personally. “Do even Australians get Australian humor?”

“When we’re lucky. Shower’s three doors down on the left. It’s a faculty one, but all the teachers who live here are housed in another block, so we don’t have to share it.”

“Except with each other,” I mumble into the tangle of clothes I’ve gutted from my backpack.

“Thanks for the invite, but right now it’s all yours. Mate.”

“I take back yesterday’s request. You’re the last person whose job it should be to rein me in for stepping out of line.”

“Then I’ll just have to do it for fun.”

About the Author

Reece is a human pinball who’s moved around the world 20-odd times in the last 15 years. At the moment she’s in Australia, ignoring her handful of degrees in law, science and other subjects in order to make things up instead. She loves genre-jumping when writing and reading, and seeing diverse characters appear everywhere, as in real life. Although she’s a big fan of twists and drama, good representation of genders, sexualities, and disabilities remains as important to her as ensuring all of her stories end well, because we all deserve a happy ending.

Social media links:
Personal website: http://www.reecepine.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/reecepine
Tumblr: http://www.reecepine.tumblr.com

Best of 2016 Lists and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best of 2016 Lists Continue

Yes, our Best of 2016 Lists roll on. Our readers have been contributing some wonderful lists of their own and our own reviewers choices still pour in as well. I have both for you all today.

The lovely thing is that we don’t have to let go of some of our favorites. If they are series that haven’t wrapped up, we have new stories to look forward to in 2017. So many authors spring to mind that we are waiting on new stories in their series: Jordan L. Hawk, Mary Calmes, Megan Derr, Mell Eight, Rhys Ford…to name a few. Which authors are you waiting on new stories from? And which series? My personal list is endless to be honest. I added to it with new authors this year including Amelia Faulkner and her Inheritance series. Don’t know how I missed that and her. But I did. My list will be the last to arrive. This week we hear from Stella, Free Dreamer, and some of our readers on their favorites from 2016.

From Stella

Stella’s BEST BOOKS 2016

His Fairy Godfather by Cate Ashwood and Nico Jaye
Falling Down by Eli Easton
Willy the Kinky Elf & His Bad-Ass Reindeer series by Candi Kay
Where We Belong by Tia Fielding
Everything by Brandon Witt (I read and loved Mapping the Forest, The Imperfection of Swans Then the Stars Fall Under a Sky of Ash ),
Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles by Eli Easton
Must Like Spinach by Con Riley
Defenseless by AJ Rose
Slam! and Out! By JL Merrow
Unbreak My Heart by K-lee Klein
With or Without You by Zane Riley
Daniel & Erik’s Super Fab Ultimate Wedding Checklist by KE Belledonne
Into the Blue by Pene Henson
Naked Organics series by Posy Roberts
Spirit by John Inman
A Fortunate Blizzard by LC Chase
Something Like a Love Song by Becca Burton
Sugar Tree series by Nick Wilgus
Patchwork Paradise by Indra Vaughn
Happy and Until September by Chris Scully

Stella’s Best Covers 2016

His Fairy Godfather by Cate Ashwood and Nico Jaye

The ‘True Love’ Solution by Julie Bozza

Must Like Spinach by Con Riley

Freckles By Amy Lane

When the Dust Settles by Mary Calmes

Murmuration by T.J. Klune

Daniel & Erik’s Super Fab Ultimate Wedding Checklist by K.E. Belledonne

Snakes Among Sweet Flowers by Jason Huffman-Black

Free Dreamer’s Best Covers of 2016

The Little Crow by Caitlin Ricci (Cover artist: Natasha Snow)

Stygian by Santino Hassel (Cover artist: Damonza)

Dreams by Erich James (Cover artist: Paul Richmond)

Love Can’t Conquer by Kim Fielding (Cover artist: Brooke Albrecht)

Salt and Iron by Tam MacNeil (Cover artist: AngstyG)

ACID by Wulf Francu Godgluck (Cover artist: Wulf Francu Godgluck)

Foxes by Suki Fleet (Cover artist: AngstyG)

Free Dreamer’s Best Books of 2016:

“Stalking Darkness”, “Traitor’s Moon” and “Shadows Return” by Lynn Flewelling

Lima Oscar Victor Echo and The Truth About Everything by Suki Fleet

Salt and Iron by Tam MacNeil

ACID by Wulf Francu Godgluck

“Every Day” and “Two Boys Kissing” by David Levithan

The Hunger Man by Scott D. Pomfret

Love Can’t Conquer by Kim Fielding

O/s by Jane Davitt

Crush by Caitlin Ricci

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Stygian by Santino Hassel

Dark Space by Lisa Henry

The Lodestar of Ys by Amy Rae Durreson

And from our Readers….

Thanks for your list, and this has inspired me to think about mine (at least the gay ones, and I like a lot of different subgenres, but not all were out this year).
– Purple Reader, TheWrote
Fav Gay Book Group read: Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Fav SciFi: Interscission Project series by Arshad Ahsanuddin
Fav Steampunk: Blue on Black by Carole Cummings
Fav Fantasy: finished the Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling
Fav Paranormal: Widdershins by Jordan Hawk (and a mystery)
Fav M/M Romance: Lavender in Bloom by Lily Velez
Fav Gay Romance: My Bare Naked Heart by David Avery
Fav YA: Foxes by Suki Fleet
Fav Mystery: Third Man Out by Richard Stevenson (oldie but goodie)
Fav Western: The Search for Soaring Hawk by Terry O’Reilly
Fav Historical: Frontiers/Man & Beast by Michael Jensen
Fav History/NonFiction: Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality by Debbie Cenziper, Jim Obergefell
Fav paperback/hardcover: Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan (also a good YA)

📚 H.B:

Thank you for sharing your list Lila! They all sounds great =) Here’s my list:
Made in Marian series by Lucy Lennox
A Kind of Story series by Lane Hayes
How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune
Wolfsong by TJ Klune
At First Sight series by TJ Klune
Soaring Hearts by AL Boyd
Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Charlie Cochet
Smoke & Mirror by Charlie Cochet
The Weight of It All by NR Walker
Red River by Cardeno C.
Not a Game by Cardeno C.

Trust me, both of you, I’m taking notes of any books and authors I’ve missed! There’s plenty of time still to get your list in and be entered in our giveaway. Here’s all you need to be entered.

STRW 2016 Best of Giveaway

We will pick one random reader who leaves a comment with their year end Best of (along with their email addresses) to receive a $10 DSP gift card. Contest ends January 29, at midnight. Must be 18 years of age or older.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, January 22:

Best of 2016 Lists Continue
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, January 23:

DSP GUEST POST Reece Pine on In Your Court
Amy Tasukada –Blood Stained Tea Tour
Club Raven Blog Tour for BA Tortuga, Julia Talbot, and Kiernan Kelly (3 books, one series)
BLOG TOUR People Fish by Medella Kingston
A MelanieM Review: Blood Stained Tea by Amy Tasukada
An Alisa Review: Twelve Gifts by Casper Graham
A Paul Release Day Review: Love in the Line of Fire by Michael Murphy

Tuesday, January 24:

DSP GUEST POST J. C. Long on Broadway Babe
A Free Dreamer Review: Speakeasy by Suzey Ingold
A Paul Review: The Last Dragonet by Shannon West and Susan Scott
An Ali Release Day Review: Gaining Trust (Kiss of Leather #5) by Morticia Knight
An Ali Review: Duncan Andrew’s mysteries (bundle) by Stephen Osborne
A MelanieM Review: The Case of the Wandering Wolves by Mell Eight

Wednesday, January 25:

RIPTIDE Tour: Whiteout by Elyse Springer (giveaway)
Review Tour – Anna Martin – The Impossible Boy
A Stella Release Day Review: Nachos & Hash (Mary’s Boys, Novella One) by Brandon Witt
A Lila Review: The Impossible Boy by Anna Martin
A Stella Review: Whiteout (Seasons of Love #1) by Elyse Springer
An Alisa Release Day Review: Just like Cats and Dogs by BA Tortuga

Thursday, January 26:

Cover Reveal – Sue Brown’s Goodnight My Angel
Release Blitz – K.A. Merikan’s Hipster Brothel
Max Vos : blog tour for the re release of his novel P.O.W
DSP GUEST POST Caleb James on”Exile”
DSP GUEST POST BA Tortuga on Just Like Cats and Dogs
A Caryn Review: Hipster Brothel by K.A. Merikan
A Lila Audiobook Review: Lord or a Thousand Steps by Tara Lain

Friday, January 27:

DSP GUEST POST M.J. O’Shea on The Worst Best Man
DSP GUEST POST Michaela Grey on Broken Halo
A Caryn Pre Release Review: The Black Sheep and The Rotten Apple by K.A. Merikan
An Alisa Review: Rockin’ the ‘Nog by Michelle King
A VVivacious Release Day Review: Trust Trade by Ki Brightly
An Ali Audiobook Review: Close to You (Sunshine and Happiness #3) by Skylar M. Cates and Tristan James (Narrator)
A VVivacious Release Day Review: Spell Fall by Jacob Z. Flores

Saturday, January 28:

Victoria Sue with a New Release – The Alpha King + Giveaway
A MelanieM Review: The Case of the Wandering Wolves by Mell Eight

An Alisa Release Day Review: Camouflage by Jon Keys

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Nash Gallo and Luke Meyers seem like complete opposites on the surface. Nash is a city boy from Atlanta, while Luke is a rancher from rural Oklahoma. Nash is covered in tattoos and piercings, while Luke is self-conscious about his muscular, hairy body. Luke doesn’t have much sexual experience with other men, while Nash has plenty to go around.

But both men are lonely, and neither of them has ever been in love.

They also both have secrets. For Luke, it’s his shame over an affair with a local closeted and married man, something Nash accepts. Will Luke be as tolerant of what Nash is hiding—his job as a prostitute back in Georgia?

A week-long vacation on Luke’s ranch and the idyllic landscapes surrounding it gives both men the chance to relax and explore the attraction growing between them. But can the budding relationship survive secrets and small-town prejudices? As they search for the place where their lives might intersect, Nash and Luke risk far worse than broken hearts.

This story seems that it would be complete opposites attract, but not quite. Nash may seem like the epitome of city boy with the tattoos and piercings, but he grew up in a small town near an army base until he was forced to leave for being gay. He loves the quietness of Luke’s ranch and the company of the unassuming rancher, but knows his time is limited before he has to go back to his life.

Nash and Luke have been video chatting for months and when Nash gets assaulted by his latest John he takes Luke’s offer of a place to stay as the perfect opportunity to get away and heal for awhile. Luke will do anything for a friend, but can be the shyest person around and for all that Luke has been out forever he has never been on a date or anything for his small minded town to see. Both of these characters need to heal, but need each other to grow.

We get to see both of these character’s points of view, which helps to know what the characters are thinking. Luke is very open and tells Nash everything about his past and is amazed as Nash’s acceptance. Nash is open about his youth, but keeps a tight lid on his life in Atlanta; he waits until just before he is to leave before he opens up to Luke about his life because he doesn’t want to see the man he loves look down on him. I love that it takes the wisdom of and old woman for Nash to decide to not just give up but to fight for them.

Cover art by LC Chase gives great visuals of the characters for the story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages

Published: January 20, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 9781635332339

Edition Language: English

A Lila Audiobook Review: Suddenly Yours by Jacob Z. Flores and John Solo (Narrator)

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

Cody Hayes is having one epic morning-after. The hangover following a Vegas bachelor party is nothing new to him, and neither is the naked man in his bed.

His apparent marriage is a different story.

Carefully plotting every detail of his life carried Julian Canales to a Senate seat as an openly gay man. A drunken night of Truth or Dare isn’t like him… and neither is marrying a man he just met. He’d get an annulment, but the media has gotten wind of his hasty nuptials. If Julian’s political career is going to survive, he has to stay married to a man who’s his opposite in every way.

Now he must convince Cody that all they need to do is survive a conservative political rival, a heartbroken ex, their painful pasts… and an attraction neither man can fight.

Suddenly Yours is a classic day after tale. Waking up married suited Cody, but challenged Julian’s well-planned life. At the same time, they balanced each other. Something that’s evident from the very beginning. The opening scene sets the stage for the rest of their relationship and gives the readers hope of a happily ever after.

This is when my problem with the story starts. I’m not a fan of stories that go back in time until they meet again later down the road. Prologues are fine as set ups, but having to wait to see how everything happens doesn’t work for me. My lack of patience makes me skim through the pages. I wanted to see their future together, not their past.

When we are finally back in real time, the story moves smoothly. I did enjoy Julian’s and Cody’s banter and easy friendship. I think they were right for each other. I like how Cody took charge and how Julian tries to do his best for his new husband.

The secondary characters fit the story line and added to the couple’s troubles. Their lack of trust in love feeds from them but in the end, they are surprised when the realization of their relationship catches up with them. There’s no one more clueless about their love than Cody and Julian.

John Solo is one of my favorite narrators and he didn’t disappoint. The mirth behind Cody’s words was evident and the rest of the voice transitions flow easily.

Another cover by Bree Archer. The model works perfectly for the story and the standard Dreamspun Desires background complemented the quirkiness of the book.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: John Solo
Length: 6 hours and 33 minutes

Published: December 7, 2016 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B01MQSQ07S
Edition Language: English

Series: One Fine Day
Book #1: Undercover Boyfriend
Book #2: Suddenly Yours

DSP GUEST POST Rayna Vause on Extrasensual Perception

Extrasensual Perception by Rayna Vause
Dreamspinner Press
Cover art by Paul Richmond

Available for Purchase at

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Rayna Vause, author of Extrasensual Perception, one of our highly recommended stories. Welcome, Rayna!

I want to thank everyone here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for having me here today to celebrate the release of my latest novel, Extrasensual Perception, and for taking the time to get to know me a little bit better. This has been an exciting week for me, but I think release weeks is for all authors. So, let’s dive into these questions shall we?

Where do you normally draw your inspiration for a book from? A memory, a myth, a place or journey, or something far more personal?

My inspiration for a story can come from anywhere and everywhere. A news story, a television show, a movie that you would have like to have seen go in a different direction. The possibilities are endless. My book Demon of Mine was inspired by a combination of the show Supernatural and the movie Office Space. My latest release Extrasensual Perception was the result of a writing prompt. We were challenged to look at old school Harlequin romances and write a gay romance in a similar fashion. Some of my favorite category romances were the ones that pushed the boundaries of the line. I was drawn to the books that had paranormal elements such as psychics. So, when I was issued the challenge of writing a Dreamspun desire a psychic seemed like the perfect choice for my book.

Are you a planner or a pantzer when writing a story? And why?

I’m a total planner with a hint of pantser. I need a story road map or I get nowhere fast as I write myself into corners. If I have my outline when I sit down to write, I know what scenes I need. I know what they need to accomplish. The pantsing comes in with how the scene unfolds on the page.

Contemporary, supernatural, fantasy, or science fiction narratives or something else? Does any genre draw you more than another when writing it or reading it and why does it do so?

I have eclectic tastes. I like to read a wide variety of genres. Although you’ve got a better chance of catching my eye if there are paranormal/urban fantasy elements as I like getting caught up in other worlds or alternative realities. When it comes to reading, if it’s an engaging story, with a strong romance and an HEA I’ll go along for the ride.

As to writing, I love paranormal/urban fantasy. I love for me a story is that much more fun to write when I can take the everyday world and toss in something strange and unusual. I love the idea of the werewolf or demon next door. Someone who’s a regular joe, but has the one extra special quirk like magical abilities or shapeshifting. There’s are a certain level of freedom as well as control to paranormal and UF. It’s my world and I make up the rules.

If you had a character you’ve written you would write differently now at this time in your writing career, who would it be and why?

At this point, I can’t say that there are characters that I would write differently. As write more and your craft gets stronger. When I look at my books I see things that I would strengthen technique wise, but not in character development.

Can an author have favorites among their characters and do you have them?

I absolutely think authors can have favorites among their characters. Generally, it’s the characters in the book I’m working on at that time that are my favorites. However, I will always hold a special place in my heart for the cast of characters in my in-progress Hell Inc. series. The first book being Demon of Mine. My favoritism is likely a byproduct of sentiment. I spent years with these guys. They are the stars of my first full length book to get published. They let me poke and prod at them as I got a better handle on my writing voice and improved my storytelling craft.

If you were to be stranded on a small demi-planet, island, or god forbid LaGuardia in a snow storm, what books would you take to read or authors on your comfort list?

Good question. I’d have to say:

Charlie Cochet. I’m absolutely addicted to her Thirds series.

Tere Michaels. I just love the way she tells a story.

Mary Calmes I love Jin and Logan and well pretty much anything Mary has written.

I figure that’s enough to keep me busy for a while. Thank god for ereaders so I can carry the bulk of my library with me. This way I don’t have to choose just a couple books to take with me.

How early in your life did you begin writing?

I started writing in grade school around 5^th or 6^th grade. I remember having assignments in English class where we were supposed to make up our own fable or tall tale or something. I remember writing this story about how ocean waters become salty (PS it’s because the sky giants knocked over an enormous salt shaker. LOL!) We were always doing creative writing in that class, when we weren’t diagramming sentences, and I absolutely loved it. You know, I think my mom still has some of the short stories I wrote around the house somewhere.

Were you an early reader or were you read to and what childhood books had an impact on you as a child that you remember to this day and why?

I was indeed an early reader, but I think that’s because I was read to as a child. As a baby my mom would read to me then as I got older we would take turns reading to each other. Some of the earliest books I remember reading with her was a series about a vampire bunny, the first book in the was entitled Bunnicula. From there we moved on to A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engel, and a bunch of books by Roald Dahl (The Witches, James and the Giant Peach). It seems, even as a child I leaned toward books with a paranormal bent. I don’t remember if these were books that mom choose for us to read or if we picked them together. But I do recall loving every minute of them. I loved the magic and mystery and adventure in these books. I guess they had a bigger impact on me then I realized because in my books I try to incorporate a little magic, a bit of action/adventure, and a ton of fun. That’s what these authors gave me as I was reading the tales the wove and that’s what I hope to give to my readers.

What’s coming next?

I’ve got two project in progress at this moment. First another urban fantasy. It’s a contemporary set story where Vampires exist and some humans are not so happy about that. The story features an anti-vampire activist and the vampire that he eventually falls for as they work together to save the activists life as after a vicious vampire attack. The other book is Angel of Mine. This is the second book in the Hell Inc series that features Adrian, an angel, and Leland, a demon. There are two men with centuries of a history and baggage that they have to sort through all while trying to stay alive while on the run from someone who wants Leland dead.

If you were writing your life as a romance novel, what would the title be?

It’s not exactly steamy or sexy, but I guess my title would be A Work in Progress and it would be a paranormal romantic comedy featuring a woman who could magically remove all calories from food, a laptop and a cat. ☺

Blurb

If a stalker doesn’t kill them, the heat between them might.

Christopher Vincent is desperate enough for a job that he accepts an offer to entertain as a psychic in a friend’s nightclub. Jackson Whitman, one of the club’s co-owners, is less than thrilled by the new act. To him, psychics are ridiculous and a liability. But when they come face-to-face, attraction flares to life between them.

Someone is watching Jack and Chris from the shadows. What starts as a series of creepy encounters leads to deadly attacks.

Jack and Chris must set aside their differences and work together to survive a homicidal stalker. But can they survive their explosive connection?

About the Author

Rayna Vause is a lifetime learner who wants to live on a Disney cruise ship travelling the world and thinks purple should be considered a natural hair color. She’s fascinated by the magic and mystery in the world; things like angels, demons, cats (especially cats!) and true love. A proud geek, she injects some of her tech-obsessed soul into every story she writes. When not writing, she’s pursuing another degree, running a conference, working through her massive TBR pile, losing herself in a video game, and plotting her next novel.

Author links

Website- http://www.raynavause.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/raynavauseauthor

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/rayna_vause

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Broadway Babe by J.C. Long Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Anne Cain

BLURB

AUTHOR BIO

Share this:

Share this:

In Your Court (World of Love) by Reece Pine Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

Available for Purchase at

Blurb

Excerpt

About the Author

Share this:

Best of 2016 Lists Continue

From Stella

Stella’s BEST BOOKS 2016

Stella’s Best Covers 2016

Free Dreamer’s Best Covers of 2016

Free Dreamer’s Best Books of 2016:

And from our Readers….

STRW 2016 Best of Giveaway

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, January 22:

Monday, January 23:

Tuesday, January 24:

Wednesday, January 25:

Thursday, January 26:

Friday, January 27:

Saturday, January 28:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Extrasensual Perception by Rayna Vause Dreamspinner Press Cover art by Paul Richmond

Available for Purchase at

Blurb

About the Author

Share this:

Broadway Babe by J.C. Long
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anne Cain

In Your Court (World of Love) by Reece Pine
Dreamspinner Press

Extrasensual Perception by Rayna Vause
Dreamspinner Press
Cover art by Paul Richmond