An Ali Audiobook Review: Groomzilla by Tere Michaels and Nick J. Russo Narrator

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

When drama threatens to ruin a romance on a reality show, only a true friend can save a groomzilla’s wedding.

Daniel Green, an event planner with a neat, quiet, orderly life, reluctantly agrees to plan the wedding of his childhood friend Ander, an outrageous fashion designer soon to marry a wealthy entertainment lawyer named Rafe. To complicate matters, the happy couple have agreed to have their wedding made into a reality show—something that practical Daniel isn’t sold on.

Daniel is neither a romantic nor a wedding planner, but he’s the only person in the world who can manage Ander. Distracting him from his mission is Owen Grainger, a too-handsome-to-be-true producer whose quiet charm pulls Daniel into his orbit.

When the stress of the show triggers bad behavior from Ander, co-producer Victor Pierce decides it’s the key to a ratings bonanza, and he begins to undermine Ander and Rafe’s relationship to create more drama. Daniel is determined to protect his friend and his own reputation, but when he finds himself falling hard for Owen, there’s much more at stake than ratings.

I don’t know how I missed this book when it came out and I wish I would have read it sooner. What a gem this was. It was both funny and adorably romantic. Daniel and Owen had the greatest chemistry together. They shared some really touching and emotional moments, a few that even made my eyes tear up. Their smexy scenes on the other hand burned up the pages. I had a few issues with Ander’s behavior and if he had been my friend I would have been furious at some of the stuff he did. That part of the story though wrapped itself up in to a very beautiful and emotional moment also and I once again got teary-eyed.

This book was narrated by Nick J. Russo. I’ve listened to a lot of his narrations and have enjoyed them all but I think this may be one of his best. He did a great job on all of the voices and his narration of Owen in particular was great.

I definitely recommend this book. I really enjoyed everything about it. I highly recommend the audio version. It’s short, about 5 hours, and worth every minute.

Cover by Anna Sikorska: I like the cover but don’t love it. The models on the cover do represent the way the characters are described in the book. It’s nice enough but doesn’t really stand out to me.

Audiobook Sales Links

Audiobook Details:

Audible Audio, 5 pages,Listening Length: 4 hours and 52 minutes

Published September 1st 2016 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published August 10th 2015)
ASINB01L9GLLZQ
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Kind of Honesty (A Kind of Stories #3) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5 hearts out of 5

a-kind-of-honesty-by-lane-hayes Music is drummer Tim Chalmers’s great escape and the one thing that’s never let him down. But his band Spiral’s meteoric rise to fame has made it difficult for him to maintain a low profile. Unwanted press pesters him after a public breakup with a volatile ex-girlfriend who loves the limelight as much as he loathes it. Tim’s main goal is to avoid confrontation. However, when a handsome stranger in a dive bar turns out to be someone he might know, everything changes.

Carter Hamilton-Temple might be a successful financial consultant with more brains, sophistication, and charm than most, but he always falls for the wrong guys: closet cases or men with issues. He can’t fight his attraction to tattooed rock star Tim, but can he trust his own judgment? When the thrill of danger combined with a fierce physical connection proves too strong for either man to resist, a quiet liaison away from the public eye and curious friends seems like a safe bet. But some secrets are hard to keep. When rumors threaten to rock his world, Tim realizes it’s time to confront his fear with his own kind of honesty.

When Spiral’s drummer, Tim Chalmers, finally dumps his bat-shit crazy super model girlfriend, he finds solace in a seedy gay bar in LA. Disappointed that he can’t find what he needs, he’s preparing to go when he meets a gorgeous cowboy, though it’s evident that this cowboy with his designer label clothing is from somewhere other than “the range”.

It’s an unforgettable night of sex, but just that, nothing more. Until one night back in New York when Tim attends a party for friends Zeke and Benny, and there he is—his cowboy, but now in his true persona—a stunning man who’s self-assured, happy, and drop-dead gorgeous. Tim has to have him, and the feeling is mutual.

The two embark on a friends-with-benefits strategy that seems to work for a while to keep their connection under the radar, except that Tim slowly starts to realize he wants more with this man, and the demands of being in a band rising in popularity in a rock star world, plus the fact he’s never told his mother he’s bisexual, make it seem like an impossible dream.

I’ve always enjoyed Lane Hayes’s stories, and this one is right up there with the best. Tim is one of those guys that you sometimes want to hug and sometimes want to slap. But when I stayed with him, through his ups and downs, it was a treat to see the change in him that the love of a wonderful man brought out. He had to face reality or lose Carter, and believe me, Carter is not someone you’d want to lose. For all his outward appearance of an intelligent, confident, wealthy, and self-assured businessman, inside Carter was still the little boy with no mom and an elderly father who never participated in Carter’s youthful endeavors, leaving him lonely and afraid to reach out for love.

Tim, on the other hand, does have a family—a mom who he describes as crazy, a sister who is even crazier, and a nephew who adores Tim and vice versa. He doesn’t want to lose them until he reaches a wall. To get past that wall, he has to be honest, mostly with himself, but with his family and friends and the love of his life, Carter. Being there for his emotional tug of war, participating in his struggle, and witnessing the outcome make this one of my favorites of this series. Knowing the prize would be a HEA with Carter certainly fed my enjoyment. Featuring some secondary characters I loved to hate and two MCs who were engaging and endearing, I recommend this one to readers who love a good MM contemporary romance.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson. Works for the story and series.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 240 pages
Published October 7th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634777867 (ISBN13: 9781634777865)
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesA Kind of Stories #3

A Caryn Release Day Review: The First Act by Vanessa Mulberry

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

the-first-act-by-vanessa-mulberry Set in Elizabethan England, this is the story of how William, a young innocent country boy, schemes to win the love of the actor Richard Brasyer. Richard is older, worldly, somewhat jaded, and they come into contact when Richard’s troupe is performing in Oxford while the plague rages in London. William is enraptured, intensely attracted to Richard, and convinces himself he is in love. Through a combination of whining and appealing to his vanity, William bulldozes his cousin (who happens to be co-owner of the troupe) into letting him join as an apprentice, and travels to London where he hopes to end up in Richard’s bed.

Twenty-four hours after arriving in London, that’s exactly where William is. After Richard’s previous apprentice is conveniently dismissed. Now William just has to seduce the older man, who vacillates between being irritated with how naïve William is, and lusting after his body. Their relationship is summed up in this quote:

“William had been in Richard’s employ for several hours now, and already he was growing frustrated with the slow progress of their relationship”

I mean, there’s insta-love, and there’s this. And of course, the attraction is purely physical on both sides, and the next two days find William throwing himself at Richard and being repulsed for various reasons, or deciding he’s fed up with the whole thing and will go back to Oxford, but can’t because he’s just so in love, but really, Richard is not as good as William thought he was, but he still really wants to have sex with Richard, except when he doesn’t. Oh my God, make up your frickin’ mind! Richard of course does the same thing, alternating between admiring William and feeling that resisting him is futile, or wanting him to go home to Oxford because he’s an irritating prat, or feeling that he is not worthy of William’s devotion and must shelter his innocence from the big bad world, or some other repetitive hot and cold waffling.

And then there’s the spy aspect. Which basically just amounts to a little sneaking around. Finding whatever information they need usually takes about 30 minutes. The mastermind uber-spy, Bennett, is a silver fox who is an old lover of Richard’s, who still exerts a fascination that Richard can’t seem to walk away from, though there is some reason why he should. I never figured out what that reason was, other than lying to Richard, or having him followed for no particular reason. But what the hell, he’s sexy, and is able to give it to Richard like no other man ever has, so Richard says yes, then no, then yes, then walks out, then can’t make it past the bedroom door and goes back in, remembers he used to love Bennett, remembers that he actually loathes him now, remains conflicted but can see in Bennett’s eyes that he’s telling the truth this time, but actually he’s lying again…. Just get it over with already!!

I got the feeling that the author really wanted to write about some big cryptic conspiracy that would draw the MCs together via intrigue and danger, but what she actually did was pose some random vague mission about getting some list that was life or death to Bennett and the other spy masters for no particular reason. It was pretty boring. And the MCs are so inconsistent, so wishy-washy, and I felt absolutely no chemistry and frankly, didn’t care if they got together or not. And the purple prose was a little too much, like these examples as William and Richard travel to Cambridge to track down the mysterious list:

“Take me tonight, I don’t want to face danger without knowing what it felt like to have a man inside me”

“[My cock] will be hard all night and all day tomorrow, and it will distract me. Do you want me to die with this throbbing between my legs?”

I had to laugh, remembering how my husband used to describe trashy romances as “creamy thigh and throbbing member” books. Yep, this is one of those, just with two throbbing members. And admittedly I don’t know a lot about Elizabethan England, but I don’t think all these gay men were so open, and I just can’t see two Shakespeare era actors rimming each other.

Cover Artist: AngstyG. Great job, brings in an historical atmosphere.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 206 pages
Expected publication: October 17th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634777824 (ISBN13: 9781634777827)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II). This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II)

Last week, we started our look at eBooks. How has the eBook changed reading, writing, and perhaps even publishing for you? Perhaps some people may share a view from the beginning, when eBooks started to flourish and others when the eBooks were already an established format as they are today. Where do we think this format might go next? I have no idea. Do you?

We’ve asked how do our readers find their stories and authors? What do you think about eBooks? How do authors feel about writing and then publishing their beloved books as ebooks? And we will be asking publishers the same questions too. How has the eBook changed publishing? And where do they see it going from here?

One reader, batchelorboy55 brought up an interesting point I’ve missed so far. Advantages of the eBook and eReaders. Normally, we talk of the amount of books we can now take with us. Some people enjoy the anonymity of it all…no covers to display, its all safely tucked away electronically. Other talk about the types of books we can now buy because the authors have a reader audience that can find them…us! But how about those other advantages? Batchelorboy55 said “I now use my ereader with a large font, and when particularly fatigued can swap across to a digital audio, or text to speech audio setting.” Yes, that’s an important point. One I should have brought up before.Whatever the reason you may be having eyesight issues, being able to have a larger font and make the books easier to read? Its beyond marvelous. Same goes for the backlit readers. It eases the eyestrain. How about being able to look up a word without having to leave to get your Websters? All that should be factored in as well. These are all terrific reasons to use a eBook and eReader. What other advantages do you think I’ve missed?

So here is some of the last of our readers comments. Is yours among them? Be sure to read all the way to the end where we start to move into our authors posts for next week (and I’ve announced the winners) ….

From Theo:

I mainly purchase books from new authors at publisher site, so authors who go independent without publishers are seldom on my radar, except when they are recommended by multiple people/authors (Jordan L Hawk was recommended by Rhys Ford and KJ Charles, River Jaymes and Leta Blake was recommended by multiple friends). However, once I like books by certain authors, I follow them on social media or subscribe to newsletters to make sure I don’t miss their new works.

From Ami:

Independent Authors: Before, I got to know independent authors from Goodreads reviews. But these days, I don’t go to GR anymore for updates. Instead, I tend to go scrounge the ‘recommendation’ section from Amazon based on books I love. I found them to be useful. I also subscribed to few author’s newsletters, diligently keep track of upcoming sections from favorite publishers and ARe, as well as checking out Netgalleys.

batchelorboy55:

One comment that often gets missed is ‘readability’.
As a librarian (45+ years) we always struggled with how technology could help readers with eyesight issues, blind, aged etc.
The ebook seems to have made that much more accessible than the clunky magnifiers collecting dust in the back corner of the library, as no-one knew how to work them, nor did many come seeking it.
Just as cumbersome were the sets of cassette tapes (some 20 tapes or more), with braille stick-ons indicating playing order.
I now use my ereader with a large font, and when particularly fatigued can swap across to a digital audio, or text to speech audio setting.
I have to admit though that Dragon Speaking still daunts me when it comes to shopping online for titles. Thankfully I’m not quite there yet, and I can guarantee that I’ll have a sizeable TBR collection to wade through first.

Jbst:

Mostly, I find them through review blog sites, known authors’ blogs whose books that I’ve enjoyed, Goodreads and Amazon reviews, Also, it may be through an ebook that I won in a contest or if the story or author was nominated and/or won awards. Sometimes, it’s just because I liked the cover, blurb, genre.

Forgot to mention about that sometimes a freebie book or MM group’s free stories have resulted in finding a new author which I’ve became a fan. Although, I’ve become much more picky about the freebies now.

mztikicat:

I get many referrals/recommendations from friends, group threads and updates at Goodreads. Also follow several m/m blogs, receive emails from Dreamspinner Press, ARe and a few other publishers. And I utilize Bookbub and Amazon, not just for the daily deals, but also for updates regarding new books being released by authors I follow.

And finally, ushering us into our blog next Sunday with the author’s point of view, someone who represents both the reader and author’s perspective:

Anna Larson:

As a reader: I don’t pick a book based on author or on publisher. If I like the Blurb and the reviews are decent, I’ll buy it. I get “recommendations” from BookBub, Amazon, Goodreads etc. I don’t check for publisher status at all so I don’t go looking for only from publisher x books. The blurb and a good cover is what will attract me to buy a book from anyone.

As an Author: My first short story was published in e-book format only from a small independent group as the publisher. My first longer book was both print and e-book, the second was e-book only for over a year. And my third is print and e-book from the start. All done independently.

Contest Winners!

I want to thank everyone for their wonderful comments. Here are our winners for the $10 gift certificate (Dreamspinner, or Amazon, or Riptide…your choice) in no particular order. Notice that there are 5 not 3 winners. I have added two more because of all the wonderful comments. I will be in contact with you about your choice of gift card.

Fehu
Tex Reader
batchelorboy55
mztikicat
Monica

New contest starts next week with our Authors Perspective on eBooks so be here with us for that too!

Now for this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 16:

Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II).
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
A PaulB Review: The Promise (Sirius Wolves, #4) by Victoria Sue

Monday, October 17:

Riptide’s Tour and Giveaway: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
Cover Reveal for Quarry by Elizabeth Noble
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Slave Hunt (The Subs Club #5) by J.A. Rock
A Jeri Release Day Review: Guyliner by J. Leigh Bailey
A Caryn Release Day Review: The First Act by Vanessa Mulberry
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Kind of Honesty by Lane Hayes

Tuesday, October 18:

Love those Spooky Boys? Check out Katey Hawthorne’s WITCHY BOYS (excerpt and giveaway)
Release Day Tour : Sirius Wolves are back in Full Circle by Victoria Sue (excerpt)
Love Wins in ‘Touchdown (Game Day Book 1)‘ by T.S. McKinney Tour (excerpt and giveaway)
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Witchy Boys by Katey Hawthorne
A Stella Review: Of Love and Corn Dogs by Parker Williams
An Ali Audiobook Review: Groomzilla by Tere Michaels and Nick J. Russo Narrator
A VVivacious Review: Gryffon Hall by Alexis Duran

Wednesday, October 19:

In the Spotlight: Riptide’s Bluewater Blues by G.B. Gordon (giveaway)
Release Tour: Tempting Tristan: Tristan Brewer (Harborside Nights #3)by Melissa Foster (giveaway)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Bluewater Blues by GB Gordon
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Timing by Mary Calmes
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Hexmaker (Hexworld #2 ) by Jordan L. Hawk
An Alisa Release Day Review: A-Viking by Kiernan Kelly

Thursday, October 20:

In the Series Spotlight:Mockingbird Place Series Tour by Kris Cook
An Alisa Review: The Cowboy in Unit E by Kris Cook
An Alisa Review: The Doctor in Unit H by Kris Cook
A Jeri Release Day Review: Turn the World Upside Down by Nyrae Dawn
A PaulB Review: The Dilemma by Victoria Sue

Friday, October 21:

Riptide Tour and Giveaway: Friendly Fire by Cari Z
Release Blitz & Review Tour – Con Riley’s Must Like Spinach
Blog Tour and Giveaway:AF Henley’s Wolf in League
A Caryn Review: One Pulse Anthology
A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Disciple (The Wheel Mysteries #4) by Susan Laine
A VVivacious Review: My Bare Naked Heart” by David Avery

Saturday, October 22:

Review Tour – Alyson Pearce – The Viscount And The Artist
A MelanieM Review: The Viscount and The Artist by Alyson Pearce
A MelanieM Review: Dragon Detective by Mell Eight

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Suddenly Yours (One Fine Day #2) by Jacob Z. Flores

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

suddenly-yours-by-jacob-z-flores 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.

If you are having a bad day and seriously need a lighted hearted, quick fun read to make the blues fly out the window? Here’s a story for you. Suddenly Yours by Jacob Z. Flores takes that workhorse of a plot, the wake up married in Las Vegas, and makes it adorable and warmhearted all over again. Cody Hayes is taking part of a drunken bachelor party celebration when a dare brings Cody over to Senator Julian Canales, enjoying a night off. What happens next is the sort of thing that movies and Las Vegas is famous or should that be infamous for.

But now post marriage equality, these stories can take on an entirely new spin and really, that’s also the joy here. There’s no hiding in the closet, no tragedy (yes, I know that still occurs) but now its equally possible for a happy ending, for people to blink and move on. Sometimes, I think we forget that. We get the absolutely adorable Cody with his buoyant personality, from his dress to his expressions. On the other side, we get the very serious politician, Julian Canales, whose determination to be a Senator and deliver the type of agenda that will help people most perhaps cost him a personal life and more a deep romantic one. Flores brings them together for one night of hazy, explosive sex and then more when reality sets in and they (and us) really get to know each other. Its the days that follow that seems believable, funny, and real.

Its a format that works when done right as its done here. The author’s execution carries us along quickly in the story, we connect to the characters and we root for their romance. Yes, its light and warmhearted. You know where the plots going but its ok, you like the couple and the secondary characters and the ride is immensely enjoyable. All that adds up to a satisfying romance.

This is book two in Flores’ One Fine Day series. I’ve loved them both. Can’t wait to see what book three brings. I recommend them all.

Cover art by Paul Richmond is just as adorable and cuddly as the story. I adored it.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 244 pages
Expected publication: October 15th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634776763 (ISBN13: 9781634776769)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series: One Fine Day

A Jeri Release Day Review: THIRDS Beyond the Books: Volume 2 by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

thirds-beyond-the-books-vol-2 If you are a THIRDS fan, you get excited about the next book coming out. If you are a rabid THIRDS fan, you join fan groups and wait for Thursdays. Because on Thursdays, Ms Cochet gives us what she calls “THIRDS Thursday”. A snippet of a story that isn’t in the books. We love those magic words “THIRDS Thursday is up!” so we can run to her website to sate our thirst for all things Dex and company.

If you have no idea what I am talking about at this point- just move on. Or actually, go back and start with the first book Hell and High Water. Then you will understand. If you are wondering how you had no idea you were missing THIRDS Thursday- it’s your lucky day! Volumes I and II of Beyond the Books brings together all those shorts into one convenient place.

These stories are at times sweet, sometimes hot, very often funny, and when she really wants to torture us, they can make you cry. These shorts are almost like movie outtakes, or scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor. I know that there are “prompts” that she uses to get a story started- often sent to her by fans. Like me. But, sadly, my prompt hasn’t yet been deemed worthy of a story.

You can easily read the whole book at once- or you can savor it and read a few at a time. Because they are all the characters we know and love but they hold not great importance to the Books (the original series), you can pick it up and put it down.

Of course I recommend these books. Any THIRDS fan worth their Cheesy Doodles needs them in their library. And the proceeds go to Big Cat Rescue.

All royalties from this book will be donated to the Big Cat Rescue.http://bigcatrescue.org/

Cover art by L.C. Chase works perfectly, including the Cheesy Doodles.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 138 pages
Expected publication: October 12th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 163477308X (ISBN13: 9781634773089)
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesTHIRDS

An Alisa Release Day Review: Chase This Light by Francis Gideon

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

When Jason Flores moves to the Yukon for a new job, he’s not sure what to expect. His son Micah seems enchanted by the wildlife, but his recent fear of the dark means that the eighteen-hour nights in the winter will be a difficult adjustment. When Jason takes Micah to the local museum’s interactive lecture series on the gold rush, it turns out to be one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

Pete Odjick, a tattooed First Nations and Inuit man, dresses up for the weekly lectures as Skookum Jim, one of the first prospectors to find gold. He takes an immediate interest in Micah and an even bigger interest in Jason.

As their flirtation grows into something more serious, Jason’s job at a big name oil company and Pete’s volunteer work with an environmental group become a point of contention. Can they come to an understanding and give Micah a family again? Or will the drastic differences between them tear them apart? As the winter nights grow longer, Pete and Jason worry their love won’t be enough to chase the darkness away.

This was a wonderful story. Jason has uprooted his whole life to move to the Yukon when he is transferred for his job. He can only hope that this move will give his son, Micah, a chance to grow after the loss of his mother and grandmother.

Jason and Pete meet when Jason brings Micah to the museum to get out of the house after the long move. Pete and Jason both recognize the need to move slowly because of Micah and also what they are both looking for. Micah is such a sweet boy, but not unnaturally so as I see in so many stories.

We see this story from both character’s points of view. Jason has to deal with not only his own grief when he and Pete have a misunderstanding, but also Micah’s. They both are willing to make compromises to help each other so that their relationship can grow.

Cover art by Bree Archer is perfect and I wouldn’t change anything.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 117 pages

Published: October 12, 2016 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 9781634777582

Edition Language: English

Series: A World of Love Story

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Ben and Shiloh (The Belladonna Arms #4) by John Inman

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

ben-and-shiloh-by-john-inman Shiloh Smart is alone and looking for a fresh start. Convinced he’s finished with love forever, he signs a lease at the Belladonna Arms, a tacky, run-down apartment building situated high on a hill in downtown San Diego.

Determined to turn his back on romance, Shiloh works hard at carving out a life for himself where love doesn’t stand a chance and staying single is all that matters.

Then his drag queen landlord’s nephew, Ben Moss, moves in. Thanks to a rumor Ben has heard since childhood of a fifty-year-old crime and a fortune in stolen money, he sets out to find the loot supposedly hidden decades ago in his uncle’s apartment building.

The minute Ben spots a kilted Shiloh toddling off to work at the Scottish restaurant up the street where he waits tables, he falls hard and fast for the aloof young redhead. Even a hidden treasure can’t compete in Ben’s eyes with the beautiful waiter with the fiery copper hair.

But even while he diligently works to break down Shiloh’s defenses, Ben doesn’t give up his quest for buried treasure. Soon, as their friendship deepens, the two young men join forces in a search for the stolen cash.

As the treasure hunt gathers steam and all the tenants get involved, Ben and Shiloh come to realize the greatest treasure isn’t buried in the Belladonna Arms at all. It’s buried far deeper—in each other’s hearts!

Its always a pleasure to take a trip back to the Belladonna Arms, that aging apartment building sitting high on a hill in San Diego that happens to be full of love pollen waiting to fall on the most unusual of couples. In this fourth installation, its Ben and Shiloh who gets the heap helping of pollen and much, much more.

Shiloh Smart, like all the people who end up at Belladonna Arms, has been dumped by his boyfriend. Now homeless, he needs a new place, close to his work (a restaurant that calls for him to wear a kilt) and that’s also cheap enough for his budget. He has no intention of ever, EVER, falling in love again. His heart is closed up good. Except that the Belladonna Arms has other ideas and people in store for Shiloh and that would be Ben, the nephew of our endearing drag queen, Arthur.

For me, Ben and Shiloh was a little different story then the normal Belladonna Arms tale. For one, we have a mystery to contend with, plus it seemed more of a ensemble story than normal. While we do concentrate on Ben and Shiloh who are an odd and adorable mixture, all our other couples are very present here as well. I have to admit I loved seeing them all, making it even harder to pick favorites. I might even have a new favorite character in Shiloh’s mom. She’s hilarious. Inman surrounds his new couple with all his old ones, adding in the resident cat and her kittens (also adorable), and a mystery from the past to boot. My mind was swirling all over the place, thinking about Sylvia and the new baby, our fav kleptos, and where the heck did that new couple with the bow ties come from? So it wasn’t always on Ben and Shiloh like perhaps it should have been, least that’s my opinion. Not that there wasn’t tons of sex. Hey, there was! I was just missing some other component…

I’m just not sure Ben and Shiloh got the depth of treatment that, say Ramon and Barney did in Coming Back (Belladonna Arms #3). That was an amazing, angst driven story. My heart hurt for Ramon. Certainly that’s not called for in every story. Not everyone needs to go through what Ramon did. And perhaps comparing the two isn’t fair as the characters aren’t the same in makeup and history. However, the differences struck me none the same. One book was deeply centered about one couple, and this was lovingly a Belladonna Arms affair.

However was my heart and mind happy and satisfied? You betcha! I love Belladonna Arms. I could sit on the steps and watch the goings on all day and all night long side by side with the kitties. There are still rooms to be filled. Another just got emptied. Love pollen at work again. Who will be next up the steps of the Belladonna Arms? I can’t wait to find out!

I highly recommend this series and this story. Pick them all up and get acquainted with some of the most delightfully quirky characters you will ever want to fall in love with.

Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson. The artist does a terrific job with the character and with branding the series.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 204 pages
Published October 10th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 163477146X (ISBN13: 9781634771467)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series: Belladonna Arms: Add to your Goodreads shelf here:

Here’s Reading You! Readers on eBooks! This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Here’s Reading You! Part I

Readers on eBooks!

Today we are starting to look at ebooks from a number of perspectives ~ that of the reader, the author, and the publisher! Remember when the eBook was a startling new format? And the eReader? Oh my! Some people railed against them both! Calling them the demise of the book world, saying print would be forgotten, the bookstores demolished…fish falling from the skies, dimensions colliding…well, uh hem…you get my drift. Did that happen?

Nope.

Were there some adjustments to be made? Certainly. But other factors were at large too. Big box stores were giving way to internet sales, niche bookstores were on the rise and ebooks? Establishing themselves as a format. No longer an experiment…sales were rising! eBook publishers were being founded to meet demands of the readers in all niches. eReaders from different sources were coming on the market to meet the demand. ! I still have my first generation Kindle. Guess what? Works just fine. ‘Course its long been replaced by a new one with fancy lighting that’s easier on my eyes. Or maybe you are reading on a notebook now…so many options. All this is my way of saying the ebook is here to stay. Its just another format now, along side the printed form, and the audiobook. Its no longer the “new” guy in town. And predictably the sales demonstrate that as well. Its audiobooks that demonstrate the greatest growth in numbers.

So I was curious. For our readers, authors and publishers. What’s the take on ebooks these days? Where are we finding them? How do we feel about them from many angles and where do you think we are going from here?

Last week, I started to ask our readers for some answers to the questions, where do you find your ebooks? Where do you go to find that next story or next new author? It used (and maybe still is) to be the NY Times Best Seller List for the hardback and softcover, but for the eBook the answer is a variety of places I was happy to see:

From Suze 294:

I get my read recommendations from a number of review blogs I subscribe to, including Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words! I have gradually whittled them down to about 6-8 whose reviews seem to match my reading wants.
I also subscribe to a few favoured authors newletters and/or follow on wordpress to get both their new releases and those they have enjoyed.
I also get the newsletters/updates from ARe, Pride Publishing, Dreamspinner, Riptide (think there is more too) to pick up new releases and deals!!!
On GR I check the feed from friends to see what they are reading but I dont get so many new reads there. The New Releases/Deals and Steals threads are handy too though it does rely on us posting what we see elsewhere.

From Tex Reader:

Thanks for the offer and the inquiry. I mainly have 3 sources, and I mainly search for gay-themed books across a number of favorite genres. Most recently I’ve usually used GR – I’m a member of several glbtq groups and follow their posts, as well as have several fav authors, and I find books on various “best of …” lists. Initially, I mainly looked at library and Amazon “best” lists and various award nomination lists, like Lambda, Rainbow, etc. Finally, I’m a member of a gay men’s book group in Chicago, and our discussions can lead me to some authors of interest.

From Monica:

I tend to find my authors from a variety of sources. I get recommendations on Amazon based upon books I’ve already bought. I have discovered a few that way. I also participate in Goodreads M/M Group’s Don’t Buy My Love program and discover a lot of new authors/books. Also just general recommendations on Goodreads. I’ve recently subscribed to Scribd and have discovered a couple of new authors there. I still have my old standby of favorite authors but every now and then I like to break away and discover something new.

From Ana:

I find them mostly on goodreads, by friend’s recommendations, or in post on goodread’s groups when other reader mention them. I also find some in reviews from reviewing blogs i like. If the book sounds interesting I’ll go to goodreads to check it out and if i liked it i buy it. Also by suggestions from authors i follow on twitter, facebook or their blogs. I’ve found some great authors that way. I read either from publisher or independent authors, i don’t really have a preference there, if the book sounds good, i’ll read it.

From Natalie:

I get lots from friending authors and bloggers on FB. I check Amazon lists but probably most from GR friends, and their friends, in reviews and comments. I follow all my authors on GR and most on Amazon. I usually know about new books faster from GR and FB than from notifications from Amazon. I buy direct from publishers or/and ARe as often as I can.

From Fehu:

I use Scribd, it a subscription service for ebooks mostly, if there is a book I want to try but am uncertain if I’d like it I’ll use my credit there to get the book. Some of their books are unlimited and thats also a good way to get a new author/book to get noticed, since one only has 3 credits per month. When looking for things to chose for the credits on Scribd, I use the monthly lists of new releases at Goodreads or themed lists if I am looking for some particular genre/theme.
Especially for new independent authors its important that the book are shelfes correctly, since a lot of people use the Goodreads lists for reading challenges. A nice cover and a good summary are also a must. Drawn covers get more attention at least its that way for me, a leftover from my manga reading days. Reviews are nice especially if its been around a few month.
I buy my books where its convenient for me, like ARe and Amazon but also Kobo. Sometimes the publishers website but its inconvenient to have a lot of accounts. KU is also a good way to get noticed, again it should be shelfed, the author might think about joining the GR M/m KU group, add the book to the upcoming list there and shelf it on the bookshelf of the group.

That’s just a small sampling of the replies so far. But the trend is clear. When searching out for that next book or author, there is no one source. As a reader, we are looking everywhere. That includes myself. I love that! To me, it means we are open to new possibilities, new authors, new stories! That the new author has a better chance of finding a audience for their voice, their story, because readers are searching through a multitude of venues for their next book. And yes, if that author wants it, perhaps they have a better chance of finding a publisher. The internet and its various communities has become our book and author hunting ground and we are putting it to good use.

We also follow those authors we like through a number of sources as well be it Goodreads or their own blogs or their publishers. Let us not forget we follow them on Twitter, Pinterest, FB, Snapchat and various other media too. I wonder if writers these days wish they could just write and not worry about the rest. We will hear from them later on.

There is one week left to get your comments in before our reader winners are chosen. Next week we will finish up with our readers perspective and be on to how our authors view ebooks and writing.

Contest Reminder:

Readers, tell me how you find your independent authors. Buy randomly? Pick them out from Goodreads? Already follow them? Or maybe you don’t? Maybe you only buy books from a publisher or a author linked to a publisher. I want to know that too. 3 winners who leave comments will get a $10 gift certificate (Dreamspinner, or Amazon, or Riptide…your choice). This contest will end quickly as I need the answers to use in in my blog, so think about them. Contest ends Oct 15th, midnight. Make sure you leave your email address where you can be reached. More winners maybe chosen if the comments are extra wonderful. Thanks.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 9:

Here’s Reading You! Readers on eBooks!
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 10:

Spotlight Tour and Giveaway – Pansies by Alexis Hall
Changing on the Fly- M/M Hockey Charity Anthology Tour
A MelanieM Review: Changing On the Fly Anthology
A Stella Review: Defenseless by AJ Rose
A Melanie Review: Reading the Signs by Keira Andrews
A VVivacious Review: The Alpha’s Revenge by Shane Keleher
A Paul Review: Eternal Circle (Sirius Wolves #3) by Victoria Sue

Tuesday, October 11:

Book Release Recap: A Cowboy’s Home by RJ Scott (giveaway)
New Book Blitz & Giveaway –Crazy Joe (Tales From The 77th Precinct) by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly
Release Blitz – Breaking Hell’s Rules – Lyssa Dering (excerpt and giveaway)
An Ali Releases Day Review: Breaking Hell’s Rules by Lyssa Dering
A Melanie Release Day Review: Ben and Shiloh (The Belladonna Arms #4) by John Inman
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Enjoy the Dance (Dancing #2) by Heidi Cullinan

Wednesday, October 12:

Riptide Tour & Giveaway – Wolf’s Clothing by EJ Russell
In the Spotlight:A Rancher’s Son Recap Tour by RJ Scott (excerpt and giveaway)
An Alisa Release Day Review: Chase this Light by Francis Gideon:
A Lila Review: Prince of Land and Fire by Emily Carrington
A Jeri Review: THIRDS Beyond the Books: Volume 2 by Charlie Cochet
A Caryn Review: Morning My Angel by Sue Brown

Thursday, October 13:

Jessie G’s His Premier Blog Tour and Giveaway
A Caryn Review: Pictures of You (’90s Coming of Age #1) by Leta Blake
A Paul Review: To Catch His Mate by JD Walker
An Alisa Review: Amen To Love by Carolina Valdez
A Stella Review: A Selfless Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Friday, October 14:

Blueprint by RJ Jones Blog Tour
Release Day and Review Blitz for Suncatcher – Smilodon Pride Book 2 by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus
Overly Dramatic -Series Recap Tour & Giveaway- Treading The Boards Series – Rebecca Cohen
Release Blitz Tour – Annabelle Jacobs – All Hallows’ Eve
Storming Love: Tsunami Tales are Here with Nic Starr’s Sebastian & Owen (exclusive excerpt)
A MelanieM Review: All Hallows’ Eve by Annabelle Jacobs
An Alisa Release Day Review : Sunchaser by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus

Saturday, October 15:

In the Spotlight: The Captain’s Promise by T.J. Land (excerpt)
A MelanieM/Barb the Zany Old Lady Joint Review: The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Suddenly Yours by Jacob Flores

A MelanieM Review: Rain and Whiskey (Stormy Weather #1) by B.A. Tortuga

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

rain-and-whiskey Galen Frost buys a house and a bait shop in a small Florida town to get away from his life as a semipro football player. When he meets good-time bartender Shane Barton, the heat between them is instant and intense—like the burn of good whiskey.

Galen and Shane don’t have much in common beyond their healthy libidos and their love of a good time, but the intoxicating heat brings them together like rain on the ocean, whipping up a frenzy of weather… good and bad. When trouble blows ashore, they will have to ride out the storm that breaks between them as Galen’s past rears its ugly head.

I first read Rain and Whiskey way back when so I was beyond delighted to get reacquainted with Len and Shane of B.A. Tortuga’s Stormy Weather series. Turns out I had missed them something fierce.

From the moment Shane and Galen lay eyes on each other in Miss Lynn’s bar where Shane is tending bar there is no keeping these two apart! In true Tortuga style, they almost combust right on the bar floor but make it to Galen’s new home in the swamp and Bait shop. Its heat, sweat, and sex…all delivered in that wonderful Tortuga vernacular and style!

Shane grabbed a bottle of Cuervo and started pouring a round of shots, laughing at Vic’s lame-assed joke about titty bars and avoiding Old Man Roberts’s roving hands, all the time moving to the music, knowing his ass in those jeans in the big mirror behind the bar? Money in the bank, baby.

Everybody who was anybody stopped by, chatted him up a second, grinning and trying to talk over the music. Jake kept giving him that “how do you do that,” stupidass, monkey-face look. Shit, he’d been tending bar here for a good long time— since spring break in ’95, just under seven years ago. He’d come down to play with a couple three baby faces from college and sorta got stuck in the sand and the surf and the good life.

He was thinking he’d not go home after his shift tonight. He liked the crowd, liked the band, and got his booze for free. That way he wouldn’t have to deal with that… smell in his apartment.

Whatever the hell it was.

“Can I get a whiskey?” He could hear that voice right through the music, maybe because it had a drawl that wouldn’t quit. Brown eyes, cowboy hat pulled low, and tall enough to lean right over the bar.

Oh, hello.

It doesn’t matter whether the person talking is a Florida conch or a Tennessee country boy, Tortuga has the sayings and dialog that flow from their lips just right. It fluid and natural without sounding corny, unless of course that’s her intension. This author has the ability to throw you not only into the characters but the location and the local culture as well just by a few utterances by a person, no matter their importance. It’s right there in the “Miss Lynn”, “Old Man Dewey’s bait shop”, and what’s in those ever present coolers outside. Nothing is left to chance.

Part of what I love about these stories is learning about the characters as we go. That slow reveal, the peeling back of layers. The spark is instantaneous but both men take the time to get to know each other. That includes why a semi pro football player is down in the swamps with a bait shop. This story is chock full of sex but its being had by very believable men.

For those who like some angst with their romance, there is an element of that here for you. Its realistic and well done. There’s also a bit of kink here too. These are some hot, feisty men who can’t keep their hands off each other. So be prepared for lots of sex.

As I said, I was so happy to see this back, and that mean the next will follow. Normally you find B.A. Tortuga’s men out west, but don’t miss out on Shane and Galen residing in the swamps in Florida. I absolutely recommend them.

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza. I liked the cover. It works for the story.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd Edition, 220 pages
Published October 7th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press (first published March 1st 2005)
Original TitleRain and Whiskey
ISBN 1634775694 (ISBN13: 9781634775694)
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesStormy Weather #1

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Here’s Reading You – Readers and Authors (Part II)

Contest Winners!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 16:

Monday, October 17:

Tuesday, October 18:

Wednesday, October 19:

Thursday, October 20:

Friday, October 21:

Saturday, October 22:

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Sales Links

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Here’s Reading You! Part I

Readers on eBooks!

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 9:

Monday, October 10:

Tuesday, October 11:

Wednesday, October 12:

Thursday, October 13:

Friday, October 14:

Saturday, October 15:

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