Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review – Lost Along the Way (Tales of the Curious Cookbook) by Marie Sexton

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

The fourth in the Cookbook Series, each written by a different author, Marie Sexton brings us an amazing story in Lost Along the Way. It’s complex, heart-breaking, heart-warming, full of angst and simmering sexual tension, then topped with a sweet layer of love.

When Denver meteorologist, Daniel Whitaker, receives word that his parents have been killed in a car crash, his heart is broken. And it’s not only because they are dead—it’s because he’s been estranged from them for fifteen years and had only recently begun speaking to them again. Now his planned trip to his hometown of Laramie, Wyoming won’t be bringing the joy, healing, and peace he had thought it would. His parents rejected him when he told them he was gay and that he planned to spend his life with his soulmate, Chris. Though they aren’t legally married, he and Chris are still together, and Daniel thinks of him as his husband.

Three months later, Daniel finally makes his way to his parent’s home to begin the process of cleaning up and selling their house. He hadn’t needed to go there when they passed since they had made arrangements to be buried in their hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, and their neighbor, Landon Kushner, offered to take care of the house until Daniel could get there.

Landon is as far from Daniel’s imagination as he can get. Based on how beautifully he kept up the property, and the fact that he went through the kitchen and got rid of the perishables, Daniel pictures a neat and tidy middle-aged man. The reality is that Landon is gruff, built, sloppy, but sexy, with a beard that is far past neat and bordering on scruffy. But he has a heart of gold and offers to help Daniel sort and clean out the house. Daniel takes him up on the offer in exchange for giving Landon many of the knickknacks from the overly cluttered house. Each weekend they work together and Daniel sees more and more that Landon is all about joy and freedom. His wind sculptures—huge monstrosities of scrap metal are not ugly like Daniel first thought—they’re beautiful, wild creations that capture the spirit of both the land and the man who created them.

When “Recipes for the Heart: Mystical Meals and Dangerous Desserts” by Granny B. is delivered to Daniel’s address with Landon’s name on it, the real fun begins.

Daniel has been realizing more and more that he is happier on the weekends with Landon than he is on the weekdays at his job and with Chris. Chris has been cold and distant for months and turns down every opportunity to go to Laramie with Daniel. He also works evenings and weekends—when he is working and not losing another job. They have no sex life either, so as the stress of traveling back and forth and getting no support from Chris starts to wear on Daniel, he begins to wonder if they should stay together or break up. Then one morning after going for a jog, Daniel discovers that Landon has made bread from the Granny B cookbook and the sexual tension heats up. Each recipe in the cookbook solves a problem, or brings out an emotion, and apparently this particular bread brings on the sexual tension, so much so, that Daniel escapes quickly and goes home to shower. In the shower, he’s seized with images of Landon taking a shower at the same time across the street at his home. Though it’s in his imagination, the sex that follows feels very real, and it shows him that he really needs to do something about Chris.

What happens, and what Daniel finds out when he decides to make the meatloaf that is “for finding what was lost along the way”, shocks Daniel and turns his world upside down.

I really liked this story. I’ve always loved a slow burn/ust story and this one definitely has that and more. Plus, the characters are so well-described and their personalities so well-developed, that I felt like I knew them. To me, this is the best of the series to date. As I stated at the beginning of this review, it was romance at its best. This one is a beautiful love story of not only one man for another, but of family—both family of origin and family of the heart—and it’s one of those stories where the HEA is so worth the wait! Don’t hesitate to buy this book.

Cover Art by Reese Dante depicts a loaf of bread in front of an open cookbook. Since that bread features prominently in a very interesting scene in this story, the cover is perfect for this book and ties it to others in the series.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 128 pages
Published April 15th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
original titleLost Along the Way
ISBN139781632168580
edition languageEnglish
seriesTales of the Curious Cookbook

Tales of the Curious Cookbook series:

6 works, 5 primary works.
Five fun and fanciful stories about a rather curious cookbook!

Authors and Their Stories:

RJ Scott – For a Rainy Afternoon (Tales of the Curious Cookbook) by R.J. Scott
Amy Lane – Food for Thought (Tales of the Curious Cookbook) by Amy Lane
Marie Sexton – Lost Along the Way (Tales of the Curious Cookbook) by Marie Sexton
Amber Kell – Cookies for Courting (Tales of the Curious Cookbook) by Amber Kell
Mary Calmes – Just Desserts (Tales of the Curious Cookbook) by Mary Calmes
RJ Scott – Tales of the Curious Cookbook by R.J. Scott

Our Best Book Covers of April 2015

So many wonderful covers to choose from this month. Covers that pulled you into and made you want to read the story inside. Covers that intrigued, drew you in or were just plain adorable. We all have our favorites…what were yours this month? Write and let us know!

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best Covers of April 2015

In no particular order…

To Touch The Sky (Leap of Faith #2) by M.A. Church, cover art by LC Chase
Burn the Sky by Jaye McKenna. cover art by Chinchbug
Fire (Dreams of Fire and Gods #2) by James Erich, cover art by Paul Richmond (in fact all the covers in this series
Spiretown by Lia Black, cover design by the author

Fallout by Lisa Henry and M. Caspian, cover art by Natasha Snow
A Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate (Being(s) in Love #3) by R. Cooper, cover art by Paul Richmond
Slasherazzi by Daniel A. Kaine, cover art by Wilde City Press art director
A Way Home by Keira Andrews, cover art?

Thirty Things by Cate Ashwood, Cover art by Alexandria Corza
Food for Thought by Amy Lane (Tales of the Curious Cookbook), cover art by Reese Dante
Hoarfrost by Jordan L. Hawk, cover art by Jordan L. Hawk
Family of Lies: Sebastian by Sam Argent, cover art by Anne Cain

Our Best Books of April 2015

This year has been a little crazy and we got away from our monthly Best of Lists! But they are back starting with April 2015.

Let’s take a closer look at those stories we read and loved so much. One or two are 4.75 stars rounded up to 5, the rest are 5 star rated stories. Are some of yours there t0o? Drop us a line and let us know what books and authors stood out for you this month!

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best Books of April 2015

Fantasy:

Spiretown by Lia Black (5 stars from BJ for this urban fantasy)

YA – Aurora Reviews (Both 5 stars)

A Stella Review: Family of Lies: Sebastian by Sam Argent

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

Sebastian Orwell did the only thing a smart wizard could do when he stumbled upon the wounded Crown Prince: he healed him and dumped him in a tavern where he could continue not being Sebastian’s problem. Unfortunately, the prince isn’t content with just being alive, and he hunts Sebastian down to thank him personally. Not only is Sebastian stuck with the prince’s unwanted affections, he’s also confronted by growing evidence linking the assassination attempt to someone from his father’s past.

Lord Orwell is a lot of things: thief, liar, drunk, and all around horrible father, but Sebastian knows he’s no murderer. In order to prove it, Sebastian has to keep the prince alive long enough to discover the truth—a task made considerably harder because the idiot prince prefers wooing Sebastian over securing his own survival. On top of everything, Sebastian needs to save the day without revealing his magical powers and the real reason he hides his appearance.   Sebastian had no intention of playing the hero, but whoever is stirring up shit in his country will pay for destroying his quiet life.

Family of Lies: Sebastian by Sam Argent was really great! A well done debut book. I couldn’t find a lot about this “new to me” author. I suppose Family of Lies: Sebastian is his/her first published work. To me it was love at first sight with the cover but the plot is good too, with a great development of the story and a lot of funny moments. I can’t believe how I found myself caught in the story untill the end.

Sebastian is the younger (and smarter) son of Lord Orwell, a not so good father of a big and messy family. He wears a strong magical cloak, an enchanted item that hides him totally. Sebastian is arrogant, mysterious, with no tact at all, stubborn and smartass. He annoys everyone, but everyone loves him. He is the lead character, everything and everyone revolves around him and his mysterious ability.

Turren, Prince of Larnlyon, has been in love with Sebastian since forever, even before he burned the first edition of a book very precious to Sebastian, becoming hated by him. He’s determined to woo Sebastian in every way he can, following him around and forcing him to save the Prince more than once.

The book is set in a magical world, of which (sadly) we know very less about. This is the only negative note I can talk of. It’s high fantasy but when I was expecting some explanation on how it works or on the various breeds we meet, I got almost nothing. It was hard at the beginning but I tried to just follow Sebastian in his (dis)adventures and I can assure you the story flowed amazingly good.

There is a HUGE cast, a lot of people considering Sebastian’s family and all the royal members plus the various guards and wizards. Of course they weren’t well defined and in this case I appreciated. It was confusing at the start but as soon as I started to get familiar with them, then it was okay. I’m pretty sure it would have been almost impossible for me to know a little more about each of them and the lack of characters’ description helped me to focus more on Turren and Sebastian. Especially because there is a plot to follow, intrigues and mysteries to solve, wizards to defeat and two young men waiting for their HEA.

Most of all this story is a funny reading, almost real in the banter between all the Orwell family. They brawled at each other in the same way we do with our parents or brothers/sisters everyday. Dysfunctional and crazy and mouthy as mine.

You can’t miss this book if you are a fan of the fantasy genre, you won’t be disappointed. But I’m going to recommend to everyone who wants to read a well written and funny story. I am very happy to have discovered this new author. I can’t wait to read more about Sam Argent, maybe more of these amazing characters I met in Family of Lies: Sebastian. So… next book on Kevin and Luke? Please?

Cover art by Anne Cain. I’m in love with this cover. It is so magical and mysterious and it sparkle!! I couldn’t resist it.

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

Book Details:

Published March 18th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ebook, 324 pages
ISBN13 9781632166814
Edition language English

In the Spotlight: E E Montgomery’s Just The Way You Are (Just Life #4) (excerpt and giveaway)

Just The Way You Are (Just Life #4) by E E Montgomery

Release Date: April 17, 2015

E.E. Montgomery is here with their latest book, Just The Way You Are. Check it out below and don’t forget to enter the contest at the end.

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Catt Ford

After ten years in an abusive relationship and a near-fatal knife wound, Jonathan Watson is finally free. Unused to being able to make even the smallest decision and smothered by family and well-meaning neighbors, he’s floundering in the real world. Jonathan is afraid of falling into another relationship too quickly and realizes he needs time to rediscover who he is before he attaches himself to another man.  He never counted on meeting Ben Urquhart, though. Ben tempts Jonathan to forget everything and take a leap. For Ben, it’s love at first sight, and he doesn’t want to take it slow. He wants to build a life with Jonathan, free from harm and full of laughter. But before they can take the next step, they must protect Jonathan from his possessive, threatening ex. Jonathan must find the courage to confront him and break the chains of his past before he can be truly free to build a future with Ben.
Pages or Words: 70,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Chapter ONE
JONATHAN SHIVERED in the early morning air but not from the chill. He wrapped his arms around himself and groaned as his wound tugged against the movement. He relaxed slowly as the pain eased. From where he stood, he could see between the two apartment blocks to where the sun glinted off the Brisbane River. Five years ago he used to watch the ferries puddle their way up and down the river, dropping passengers here at Hamilton and across the way at Bulimba. He’d missed that view for a long time. He wondered if he’d miss the house now that he was leaving it.

The house was gray—morning gray, Anthony had called it, but it had always looked like unwashed, neglected underwear to him. The lines of the house were precise and symmetrical, unlike the yard. The front lawn bore scars, just like his chest. They were from his Cruiser skidding to a stop the night Anthony had sent him to kill Mark. His eyes burned as he thought how close he’d come to doing what his boyfriend told him to.
At the time, he didn’t think he had any other choice. It was kill or be killed. Literally. By the end of that night, Mark had been the only one left uninjured. Liam’s leg had thankfully healed quickly where Anthony had stabbed him. Anthony was still in hospital with a self-inflicted knife wound to the stomach, and Jonathan… Jonathan was done with that life. Anthony’s knife in his chest—so close to his heart it was clearly intended to be fatal—had cured him of whatever delusions he’d held onto that let him believe he was in love with the man. Even Anthony’s assertions that Jonathan was responsible for him being in a wheelchair since the car accident two years before wouldn’t get him to stay.

He was out of it now, or at least he would be as soon as the removalists came and took his stuff away. Then he could begin to heal. The first step had been to learn to breathe again after his lung collapsed when Anthony stabbed him. The next step… he didn’t know what the next step after this was. He wasn’t going to admit it to anyone, but he was just as terrified now, starting a life of his own—on his own—as he was when he thought he was going to die.

The trembling began again. Dizzy. Couldn’t catch his breath. He leaned beside the front door and forced himself to bring his mind back to the here and now and looked around again. There was a new section of fence now, and the Cruiser had been repaired and sat at the curb, waiting for him. His cousin must have had the damage repaired while Jonathan was in the hospital—learning how to make his lung work again after his boyfriend had tried to kill him. He shook the thoughts from his head. He had to stop thinking like this or he’d go mad.

Sleep last night had been impossible. The house had been cleaned, but nothing was going to completely remove the blood splattered on the white carpet. His blood.

A low rumble burbled through the air, and a truck turned onto the street. Jonathan’s heart raced. “You can do this,” he whispered, although he wasn’t quite sure which part of “this” he was talking about. It could be dealing with strangers on his own, or it could be leaving Anthony—finally. He pressed the heel of his hand over the dressing on his chest. Staying with Anthony was no longer an option.

The truck stopped and turned to reverse into the driveway. The high-pitched beeping made Jonathan jump and, to calm himself, he focused on the two men sitting in the cab. The driver looked young and blond, the passenger older and shriveled, his hair sticking out in unkempt tangles.

“Two people. Not Anthony. You’re outside, everything’s marked. You don’t need to go inside with them at all if you don’t want to. You can do this.” He counted his breaths in and out. The beeping stopped, the engine cut out, and the driver’s door opened.
Long, well-formed legs slipped from the cab, by-passing the step completely as a muscled body slid to the ground. Khaki cargo shorts bunched enticingly around a spectacular package before settling loosely around slim hips as the man’s boot-clad feet landed on the ground and he stood away from the truck. Jonathan moved his gaze up the body. The worn T-shirt did nothing to hide the trim stomach and prominent pecs and the sleeves framed the rounded deltoids perfectly. Jonathan sighed as he lifted his focus higher to see the man’s wide smile.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook and Paperback

E E Montgomery wants the world to be a better place, with equality and acceptance for all. Her philosophy is: We can’t change the world but we can change our small part of it and, in that way, influence the whole. Writing stories that show people finding their own ‘better place’ is part of E E Montgomery’s own small contribution.

Thankfully, there’s never a shortage of inspiration for stories that show people growing in their acceptance and love of themselves and others. A dedicated people-watcher, E E finds stories everywhere. In a cafe, a cemetery, a book on space exploration or on the news, there’ll be a story of personal growth, love, and unconditional acceptance there somewhere.

Where to find the author:
You can contact E E Montgomery at eemontgomery11@gmail.com; on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewynelaine.montgomery; on Twitter: @EEMontgomery1; or at her web site: http://www.eemontgomery.com/ and blog: http://www.eemontgomery.com/blog.

Contest: Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Prize: One copy of the each of the first three books in the series
Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Dates & Stops: April 20 – May 1, 2015

20-Apr

Amanda C. Stone

21-Apr

Love Bytes

Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

Prism Book Alliance

22-Apr

Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My

The Novel Approach

23-Apr

Hearts on Fire

Molly Lolly

24-Apr

Divine Magazine

Full Moon Dreaming

27-Apr

MM Good Book Reviews

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

28-Apr

TTC Books and More

Bayou Book Junkie

29-Apr

Rainbow Gold Reviews

BFD Book Blog

30-Apr

Bike Book Reviews

Cate Ashwood

1-May

Inked Rainbow Reads

Chris McHart

Where Did the Month Go? This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Where on earth did April go? It seems like yesterday that the first of April was just approaching and now its almost over. With the arrival of May, spring finally settles in and we can see summer edging towards us. What a lovely time of the year!

Spring is a month rich in fertility, new growth, new beginnings are everywhere. There’s an almost luxurious feel to this time of year. So it seems with the books releasing as well. What authors and stories have me over the moon? Truth and Tenderness from Tere Michaels, the end of her Faith, Love & Devotion series, an all time favorite of mine. I am savoring every line and paragraph not wanting it to end….it’s truly marvelous. Joy Lynn Fielding’s Blowing Off Steam has me singing her praises and that of this incredible story too! Barb is loving The Tales of the Curious Cookbook series including Lost Along The Way by Marie Sexton! Paul loved Amber Kell’s Unexpected Alpha, a book whose proceeds go to The Autism Society of Washington, so check that out, including the author’s note at the end. An Intrepid Trip To Love by Charlie Cochet brought a 5 out of 5 stars from Stella while Hoarfrost, in Jordan L. Hawk’s Whyborne and Griffin series, is a favorite of Mika‘s. If you haven’t already entered that contest, find it here, along with our author review. Sammy is busy reading and writing as is BJ, more from them soon! And I have the first in the Round Two stories from the Pulp Friction 2015 Altered States connected series for you this week as well. More great books are on the horizon and we can’t wait to tell you about them. What a great way to end the month of April!

So stay with us all week, here is our schedule along with some favorite covers….

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, April 26:

Where Did The Month Go? This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, April 27:

Where There’s Smoke by Cari Z Tour and Giveaway
E.E Montgomery’s ‘Just The Way You Are‘ virtual tour – contest
A Stella Review: Family of Lies: Sebastian by Sam Argent
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Foolish Encounters Anthology
A MelanieM Review: Dead Blind by Lee Brazil (PF 2015)

Tuesday, April 28:

A Paul B Review: A Good Deed Done by Pelaam
A Mika Review: Scarred Souls (Scarred Souls #1) by T.T. Kove
A MelanieM Review: Blowing Off Steam by Joy Lynn Fielding
Best Covers of April 2015
Best Books of April 2015

Wednesday, April 29:

Morticia Knight ‘Justice Prevails‏’ Tour and Contest
In the Book Spotlight: Dreams of the Forgotten by Lexi Ander (excerpt and contest)
Lisa Oliver’s The Biker’s Omega Tour and Giveaway
Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review – Lost Along the Way (Tales of the Curious Cookbook) by Marie Sexton
A Mika Review: Crossed Hearts by K. Vale

Thursday, April 30:

Jayson James – How It Was Supposed to Be book blast and contest
In the Spotlight: K. Vale ‘Crossed Hearts‘ and contest
A Paul B Review: Unexpected Alpha by Amber Kell
A MelanieM Review: The Line by Angel Martinez

Friday,May 1:

MelanieM Review: Truth and Tenderness by Tere Michaels
A Stella Review: An Intrepid Trip to Love by Charlie Cochet
A MelanieM Review: Emerald Keep by A Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder
A Mika Review: I’m The Guy You Hate by Isa K.

Saturday, May 2:

An Aurora YA Review: Once Upon a Time in America (The Knight Cycle #5) by Michael J. Bowler

Author Highlight! Shira Anthony on Blood and Ghosts & Writing Time Travel! (contest and guest blog)

“Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2) by Shira Anthony”

Special Guest Blog

We are so happy to have Shira Anthony here today to talk about her sequel to Blood and Rain (Blood 1), Blood and Ghosts! In her latest series, Shira Anthony has vampire characters, time travel and many other elements that we haven’t seen from this author before. So today we are offered a little insight into her characters and how it is to write time travel into her stories. For more details about the book and its author, continue on after the guest post. Happy Reading.

Shira Anthony on Writing Time Travel

Thanks, Melanie, for hosting the Blood and Ghosts blog tour today! I’m so excited to share the second book in the Blood Series from Dreamspinner Press with everyone. Be sure to read down about how to enter the blog tour giveaway for a cool Dr. Who “Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey” pendant.

Have you ever dreamed you could go back in time and do things differently? There are many different concepts of time and how the choices we make affect our future. Speculative fiction is hot right now, and there are some great books out there that delve into what might have happened if, for example, Germany had won World War II, or the South had won the United States Civil War and slavery had never been abolish. These sorts of stories utilize a view of time as linear, but with many twists and turns based on events and choices. This diagram demonstrates that concept. Each green dot is a choice that leads to a different outcome. Decide you’re going to have dinner with Jim, and maybe you don’t meet John. Each choice becomes a fork in the road.

The Blood Series was inspired by a Japanese anime, Noein, which utilizes precisely this concept of time (and yes, I’m a total anime geek, for those who may not already know!). The Blood Series features three M/M pairings, but the main focus is on immortal vampire hunter Adrien Gilbert and the ancient vampire (born a vampire, not created from a human) he loves, Nicolas Lambert. Through Nicolas’s powerful blood, Adrien not only becomes immortal, but he gains powers beyond those of vampires or hunters. In book 2 in the series, Blood and Ghosts, Adrien discovers he has the ability to travel through time. Unfortunately for Adrien, controlling that power is something just beyond his grasp.

Blood and Ghosts features three timelines, or “timestreams”: the original timestream Adrien lives in which is chronicled in Blood and Rain (Blood #1), the timestream Adrien inadvertently changes when he’s sent back to a time before he ever met Nicolas, and finally, a confusing new future I won’t spoil in which he finds himself at the end of the second book (a where he finally gets a happily-for-now with his beloved Nicolas!). Keeping all of these straight, and keeping them understandable for the reader, was a monumental task. How did I do it? With a lot of input from my wonderful beta readers and my Dreamspinner Press editors. Oh, and a crap ton of rewriting!

Adrien meets three versions of Nicolas in the series: the Nicolas he originally fell in love with, the Nicolas whose life he changes when Adrien finds himself in his teenaged past, and a Nicolas of the future who has never met Adrien. Writing each Nicolas was a great deal of fun. At his heart (or soul, as the vampires would say), each Nicolas is the same. But events and choices can change and shape a person, for better or worse.

Adrien wants to spend his immortal life at Nicolas’s side. But which Nicolas he’ll end up with is far from clear. Finding Nicolas isn’t the only challenge Adrien must face—he must also repair the damage created by Verel Pelletier, another immortal hunter bent on reigniting a war between vampires and hunters. And Adrien must fix both past and present before he loses everything he ever cared about.

Blood and Ghosts ends with a happily-for-now for Nicolas and Adrien, and with a question: what would you sacrifice for your own happiness? That question will be answered in the final book in the series, Blood and Eternity, which will be published in early 2016. –Shira

Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2) by Shira Anthony

Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Release Date: April 20, 2015

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

Thank you so much for being part of my blog tour! Below is all the basic information you’ll need to add to the exclusive post. I’ve also attached the artwork for you to use as you wish to dress up the post. If you have any questions, please email me at: shiraanthony@hotmail.com. Thanks again! -Shira

Contest

Blood and Ghosts Blog Tour Giveaway: Enter to win a Blood Series prize basket including a Dr. Who Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Pendant, a paperback copy of Blood and Rain, and a Blood Series pen. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Prizes and link provided by Shira Anthony.
Link to Rafflecopter giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cf0ba94911/?

Blurb: Sequel to Blood and Rain/Blood: Book Two

With vampire Nicolas Lambert’s marriage to a rival clanswoman only weeks away, Adrien Gilbert struggles to come to terms with his defeat at the hands of Verel Pelletier, a vampire hunter and an immortal like himself. Adrien and his former teacher, Roland Günter, begin to explore his newly acquired abilities. But without his soul’s sword, Adrien flounders.

On Nicolas’s wedding day, a two-hundred-year old secret is revealed, sending the wedding party into a blazing battle between hunters and vampires. Once again Adrien finds himself facing Pelletier’s superior strength. Just as Adrien believes all hope of a future with Nicolas is lost, he finally learns his true gift—he can turn back time. But time travel comes with a high cost. To save Nicolas, Adrien must become strong enough to use his power without descending into madness.

Blood and Rain (Blood #1):

Adrien Gilbert has spent several lifetimes searching for the love he lost. Born in the 1800s into a clan of fabled vampire hunters, Adrien once wanted nothing more than to tend his family’s vineyard in southern France or read a good book. But Adrien’s peaceful existence ends abruptly when his older brother, François, is murdered. Bound by his hunter’s oath, Adrien sets out on a path that will forever change his life when he agrees to execute his brother’s killer, the vampire Charles Duvalier.

After months chasing the elusive Charles, Adrien reluctantly makes a bargain with Nicolas Lambert, an ancient vampire. Adrien will escort Nicolas to Paris for his marriage to a rival clanswoman, and Nicolas will help Adrien find Charles. Nicolas’s quiet strength and gentle heart soon convince Adrien that Nicolas is nothing like the vampires he has sworn to destroy. As the wedding date draws nearer, a force intent on destroying the fragile peace between the vampire clans threatens to tear apart both the vampire realm and the world of the hunters. To secure both past and future for those he loves, Adrien must find a way to stop the looming war between hunters and vampires. But first he’ll have to let Nicolas go.

About Author Shira Anthony….

Shira Anthony is a complete sucker for a happily-ever-after, and rarely reads or writes a story without one. Never a fan of instalove, Shira likes to write stories about real men with real issues making real relationships work.   In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Series is loosely based upon her own experiences as a professional musician.  Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs and when she’s not writing, she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 36’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle.  Interested in hearing Shira sing? Here’s a link to a live performance of Shira singing an aria from Puccini’s “Tosca”: http://www.shiraanthony.com/wp-conten…

You can subscribe to Shira’s monthly newsletter for updates, free fiction, and subscriber-only contests here: http://www.shiraanthony.com/newsletter/

Blood and Ghosts Blog Tour Participants:
April 20th – Prism Book Alliance
April 21st – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
April 22nd – My Fiction Nook
April 23rd – Love Bytes
April 24th – MM Good Book Reviews
April 25th – Andrew Q. Gordon (The Land of Make Believe)
April 26th – Aisling Mancy
April 27th – Bike Book Reviews
April 28th – Charlie Cochet
April 29th – Hearts on Fire Book Reviews
April 30th – Kim Fielding

A Stella Review: Even the Innocent by D.W. Marchwell

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Salvatore Terranova is a teacher at the local high school. He used to live in the big city of Charlottetown, but never did meet the man of his dreams. Jaded but not defeated, Sal returns to Montague, completely unaware that the mysterious new neighbor in the old Victorian across the street is much more than he seems.

Having uprooted himself, Behr Kincaid settles in a small town, thousands of kilometers from everything and everyone he’s ever known. And with good reason, because he wasn’t born with that name. Behr always knew his brother was a criminal, but when Maurizio killed Behr’s husband of ten years, Behr gave up the life he had in order to see justice served. Despite his new identity, Behr knows the inevitable showdown will come when Maurizio tracks him down.

As Sal gets to know Behr, he realizes the man is lying about more than his name. While Behr wonders if there’s room for the truth, Sal wants to know who he’s falling in love with and must decide if it can lead to anything but a broken heart.

Even the Innocent by D. W. Marchwell was not the story I hoped for. I was waiting for something better. It’s a good story with good characters, main and secondary ones too (Sal’s family was amazing). The blurb sounded really good and the premise caught my interest. The reason why I can’t give it more than three stars is that it didn’t deliver as I was expecting. Let’s start from the beginning.

Behr just moved to Montague, Canada with his two Shepherd dogs, Charlie and Lucy. He had to start a new life, in a new place, a new home and a new identity, after testifying against his own brother Maurizio, who killed Dino, a policeman and Behr’s husband for ten years.

Sal teaches physical educational and has a large, overwhelming Italian family but he is pretty much lonely. When he meets the beautiful man with redhair and cute dogs, he is soon attracted to him, but the man flees. The Fate will give Sal a second chance when the fearful man ends up being his new neighbor, Behr.

Behr is often on the edge, always watching his back for some revenge from his brother. Sal knows he is hiding something but he’s not worried about, he just wants to live this story, be able to make Behr smile again and show him how much Sal cares about him. I liked Sal a lot, he’s funny, caring and a great family man, just what Behr needs.

I was expecting more angst at the start but honestly the story is not heavy or depressing, cause the author chose to bring Sal and Behr soon quickly. So while I was waiting for something to happen, what I really got was simply a sweet story between two lonely men. It was a light reading, with some funny moments in it too.

I liked the story in general but I’d have preferred for the MCs to not be together so soon. In my opinion it was too early because Behr went through so much hurt. I expected him to wait a little more before trusting someone who was basically a stranger with his secrets, that would have been better, especially when his own blood betrayed him in the worst way. Through all the reading I had the feeling Sal and Behr didn’t realize the danger they were in. They acted too careless, foolishly. At the end the story resolved too simply, missing depth in the characters I had expected.

It is an okay reading, if you’re in the mood for something light. Since I thought I was going to read a different story, Even The Innocent disappointed me in some parts, definitely not the best book I read by D.W. Marchwell.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson

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

Book Details:

Published March 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ebook, 200 pages
ISBN13 9781632166487
Edition language English

Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review – Food for Thought ( Tales of the Curious Cookbook #2) by Amy Lane

Rating: 4 stars out of 5:

Emmett Gant was planning to tell his father something really important one Sunday morning—but his father passed away first. Now, nearly three years later, Emmett can’t seem to clear up who he should be with—the girl with the apple cheeks and the awesome family, or his snarky neighbor, Keegan, who never sees his family but who makes Emmett really happy just by coming over to chat.

Emmett needs clarity.

Fortunately for Emmett, his best friend’s mom has a cookbook that promises to give Emmett insight and good food, and Emmett is intrigued. After the cookbook follows him home, Emmett and Keegan decide to make the recipe “For Clarity,” and what ensues is both very clear—and a little surprising, especially to Emmett’s girlfriend. Emmett is going to have to think hard about his past and the really important thing he forgot to tell his father if he wants to get the recipe for love just right.

The second story in the new series, Tales of the Curious Cookbook, features tall, socially awkward, shy Emmett Gant who has not been able to act on his desire for another man since he broke up with Jordyn, his college roommate and first love, three years ago. On the day he had been planning to come out to his father, he discovered his dad had passed away alone at his home. Devastated, and unable to vocalize the fact that he is gay to anyone else because, after all, he tried to tell his father but he died first so now he can’t tell anyone, and he turns to the solution of dating a woman.

He’s a pretty emotionally damaged young man in want, in need, of a big family of his own. When he was a kid he was “adopted” by his best friend Vinnie’s large and boisterous family and that’s what he wants for his life now. Thinking that being married to a female is the key to that happiness, he’s been dating Christine, but he’s been unable to go further than to kiss her. Even his new best friend, Keegan, the cute guy who befriended him when he bought his home in a neighborhood not far from his workplace, discourages him from pursuing Christine.

Emmett needs to have clarity, to be able to see the truth about himself as others see him and Flora, Vinne’s mom, has just the solution. She presents him with a copy of an old handwritten cookbook, Recipes for the Heart: Mystical Meals and Dangerous Desserts, by Granny B. He can’t believe she’d entrust him with something that should be a family heirloom and tries to leave it behind, but he finds it in his car when he gets back home.

The key to Emmett’s issues is found in that cookbook with a recipe for beet porridge—the recipe for clarity. He and Keegan decide to make that recipe, and though the recipe itself is a disaster, the outcome is not. Both men find the truth and each other <spoiler> and unfortunately, Christine finds both of them in bed!</spoiler> But clarity indeed does ensue because Emmett pulls up his big boy panties and sets out to make things right—first with Christine, and then with his dad, and finally with Keegan.

This was a short, but very sweet and emotionally charged story. Hey, it’s Amy Lane—of course, there’s emotion! It amazes me that she can wrap characters around my heart as quickly as she does, and she fills in family relationships with a few quick strokes of her keyboard, yet they are rich in detail and serve as a strong support for the MCs.

I recommend this story to all lovers of M/M romance, but especially to those who love an emotionally damaged hero who finds the strength to accept love and move forward toward his HEA.

~~~

Cover Art by Reese Dante depicts a cat in front of an open cookbook. Emmett’s cat, George, is featured prominently in this cookbook story, making the cover perfect for this book.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 92 pages
Published April 8th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press LLC
original title Food for Thought
ISBN13 9781632168597
edition language English
series Tales of the Curious Cookbook

Tales of the Curious Cookbook series:

6 works, 5 primary works.
Five fun and fanciful stories about a rather curious cookbook!

Authors and Their Stories:

Jump Back Into the Past with R. E. Nelson, His Memories Of Vietnam, And Palace Dog (guest post and giveaway)

Palace Dog by R. E. Nelson
Goodreads Link:

We have R. E. Nelson, author of Palace Dog, here today to talk about his memories of Vietnam and his story, Palace Dog. It’s one of our highly recommended reads, and you can find our review here.

R.E. Nelson on his Travels in Vietnam….

In spite of having spent a considerable amount of time in Viet Nam over the past twenty years or so, including living there pretty much full time for 4 years, I have not really traveled through as much of the country as you would think.

My first time in Vietnam, 1971-1972, I was in the Air Force and assigned to teach English at the Armed Forces Language School in Saigon. Because the war was still going on, we were restricted to Saigon, so my travels then were only within the city limits. But it was an exciting time and became the basis for the setting of PALACE DOG.

In 1991, travel to Vietnam opened up and I began a series of regular (generally annual) trips back with Vietnamese friends. In 1991, the US still did not have diplomatic relations with Vietnam, and travel there, for me, was very restrictive. If I wanted to leave Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon’s new name) and go to other places, I needed both an official government guide and a driver—even if I was traveling with Vietnamese friends who were now US citizens and were also returning to Vietnam. The restrictions on them were not as stringent

Those first few years, as travel restrictions eased, I generally traveled by train or car, mostly from HCM to Nha Trang, a beach resort area about 225 miles away. The infrastructure was not good, so the trip would take over 8 hours by train, which was narrow gauge and slow, with aging upholstery and no air conditioning. It was nearly as long by car, driving over very rough, two-lane highways. It was interesting seeing the countryside when I went by car. It felt like a steady stream of people and small villages or towns the whole distance. I never felt alone. But the roads were not repaired and sometimes the movement was slowed to a crawl for long sections. So once I got to Nha Trang, I wasn’t keen on getting out of there until my month was up and I journeyed back to HCM. Besides, there was plenty to see in the surrounding countryside that consisted of wide expanses of rice paddies and tall coconut palms. Local trips to nearby villages could be made by taxi—the fare bargained for in advance. If it was close enough, cyclos were available, pedaled by hard working Vietnamese happy for the fares they could get. I spent time walking the streets of the city, lounging at the clubs along the beach, and eating the wonderful food prepared in even the simplest of restaurants. Staying put was a good way to relax and unwind from the tensions in the day-to-day life at home.

Flying was possible, and I did that once, from HCM to Nha Trang. It was a small Soviet built propjet that had bald tires and steam that poured from the air vents when the engines were turned on. It took several hours and was very rough. I only took that flight one time. After that, I relied mostly on the train or car.

In the mid-90’s, diplomatic relations grew and the country opened up. Traveling was easier, but the infrastructure was slow in catching up. I still relied mostly on train or car getting from one place to another. I used Nha Trang as home base. The farthest north I got from Nha Trang was Hue-Danang-Hoi Anh. They were interesting places to see historically, but again the difficulty of travel was wearing.

Now the air system within the country has been revised and updated and it is much easier. The primary fleet is made up of newer Boeing aircraft, but the local airports have given way to regional airports so there’s still the necessity of traveling by car (taxi usually). But the roads are definitely better now. There are also large and comfortable air conditioned buses that run regularly from HCM to points north and south. And the trains now have classes that have updated rooms and air conditioning, even though the times for the trips are about the same.

Visiting Vietnam as it was transitioning from the war years was interesting. Returning again in 1991, I found things much the same as they had been in 1972, and as I describe in PALACE DOG. Living there more recently, actually made me nostalgic for the Vietnam of the early 70’s that I discovered as a young Airman assigned to teach English. Now the Internet is widely available (though certain sites are blocked by the government). And everyone has a cell phone. Bicycles have given way to motorcycles and automobiles. Motorized cyclos have all but vanished. Change is constant and sometimes for the better. But it just doesn’t seem as much fun now.

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook & Paperback Amazon

In April 1975, as the government in Saigon is falling, Michael Andrews prepares to make his way back to Vietnam to find the love he was forced to leave.   But Michael’s journey begins four years earlier. He joins the Air Force to keep out of the Army and out of Vietnam, but his first assignment is teaching English in Saigon to members of the Vietnamese military in an Army program called Palace Dog.   As an artist, and a man, before his time in Vietnam, Michael found life lonely and unsatisfying. In the midst of war, Michael searches for direction and meaning. He ultimately finds love and hope with Thao, a young Vietnamese art student, only to have their already uncertain future wrenched from them when he is pulled out of the country.   For Michael, his return in 1975 is inevitable and without question, though the outcome he hopes for is anything but assured.
Categories: Gay Fiction, Historical, M/M Romance

The cyclo had bumped across the bridge, following the curve in the road, then moved quickly down the final straight stretch, past houses and shops, past rows of trees and walls and occasional open spaces, past vendors who lined the street’s edge selling gasoline in glass bottles. Motorcycles, Lambretta mini-buses packed with people, cream-and-blue Renault taxis, pedestrians with baskets and boxes—all crowded the street. Noises, smells, and smoke came from everywhere, and as the driver increased his speed, I smiled, gripping the metal frame tighter and pushing slightly with my feet as the moist wind rushed around me.

Speeding through the streets of Saigon, wearing the green Air Force-issued jungle fatigues, my life of a year ago seemed unreal.

Author R. E. Nelson
R.E. Nelson was born in Texas and raised in Southern California. He has been writing for as long as he can remember. One of his earliest recollections related to writing is winning an essay contest in sixth grade–something patriotic about the American flag. When he travels, his preference is staying in select areas for an extended period of time and learning about that place. He has lived in both Vietnam (twice, actually) and Saudi Arabia, and also spent time in Egypt, South Korea, Shanghai (his only China visit thus far), and Dubai. Now he is happy to call San Francisco home.

Where to find the author:
Twitter: @RENelson13
Pages or Words: 206 pages

Contest: Enter to win Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Palace Dog’. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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Just The Way You Are (Just Life #4) by E E Montgomery

Release Date: April 17, 2015

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“Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2) by Shira Anthony”

Special Guest Blog

Shira Anthony on Writing Time Travel

Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2) by Shira Anthony

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About Author Shira Anthony….

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Palace Dog by R. E. Nelson Goodreads Link:

R.E. Nelson on his Travels in Vietnam….

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Palace Dog by R. E. Nelson
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