In the Spotlight: M.A. Church and To Touch The Sky (Leap of Faith #2)

To Touch The Sky (Leap of Faith #2) by M.A. Church
Goodreads
Release Date: April 3, 2015

And now a mini Q and A with M. A. Church…

E-books or Print?

Hmmm, boy that’s a hard one. I like the convenience of E-books. I remember the days of having stacks of paperbacks in my walk-in closet that reached the ceiling, lol. But I have to say that nothing beats holding a book in your hand. *grin* Nothing beats seeing your name on the spine, either!

Do you have a library card and know where it is?

I do, actually! (Ex-teacher, here. Of course I have one, lol.) It’s in my desk. When my kids turned five years old many years ago (no, not saying how many is many, lol), they got one too. Now, if *they* knew where theirs were, I’d be impressed, lol.

If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

I’d do what I used to do, lol: teach Kindergarten. I loved the little guys. There’s nothing better than seeing the light bulb go off once a child finally ‘gets’ it.

About M.A. Church

M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!

When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, watching her beloved Steelers, or sitting glued to HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.

She was a finalist in the Rainbow awards for 2013.

Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ma.church3
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nomoretears00
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nomoretears00/
Other: Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007A8JA4C
Other: Goodreads Author Page

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook and Paperback

He can run, but he can’t hide…

Centuries ago, Hawk made a terrible mistake which has haunted him since. Fear of responsibility and feelings of unworthiness leads him to denying the mate Wha-tay showed him in a vision. So now Hawk runs his bar, has casual sex, and never, ever dates men with blond hair and brown eyes. But then Simon walks into his bar, and the future he’s feared is about to end up in a brawl if Hawk doesn’t do something—fast.

Simon Carter has a smart mouth and a bulldog temperament. So when Hawk runs, Simon pursues the sexy man, only to be rejected. Just as Simon decides to give up, someone—or something—visits him to change his mind… and scares him to death. Now Simon is backpedaling, and Hawk is in pursuit.

Desperate to reassure Simon, and keep him safe, Hawk is forced to reveal his secrets before he’s ready. Can Simon learn to accept things aren’t always as they seem? Is the connection between them strong enough to help Hawk overcome centuries of pain? The only way the two men will move beyond Hawk’s past is for both of them to take a leap of faith.

Categories: Fiction, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Paranormal (shifters), Romance

Two hours later he was back up, pacing the floor, beyond annoyed. Why was he doing this now? He knew who his mate was supposed to be, and he wanted no part of it. He was responsible for himself only, and he liked it that way. Too bad the spirit that shared his body didn’t agree.

Really? What about all those people at the bar who depend on you?

“It’s not the same thing, and you know it.” A quick glance out his bedroom window confirmed dawn was about to break.

Freaking A, arguing with you is like arguing with a signpost. Why don’t you go stretch your wings, old man? We’ll chill on the breeze. Shift and we’ll find a nice juicy pigeon or rabbit for breakfast. That sounds dee-lish.

Hawk rolled his neck. His totem spirit’s mentality was that of a fifteen-year-old hopped up on sugar and running on three hours of sleep. The spirit was very old, but damned if it acted its age.

Whatever, dude. Just do something, will ya?

Pages or Words: 67,000 words

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-book copy of Shadows in the Night (#1) and To Touch the Sky (#2). Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopeter links and prizes provided by Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
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Tour Dates & Stops:

16-Mar

Full Moon Dreaming

Velvet Panic

20-Mar

Carly’s Book Reviews

Hearts on Fire

23-Mar

EE Montgomery

MM Good Book Reviews

27-Mar

Michael Mandrake

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

30-Mar

It’s Raining Men

The Novel Approach

Prism Book Alliance

3-Apr

The Blogger Girls

BFD Book Blog

6-Apr

Inked Rainbow Reads

Wake Up Your Wild Side

Bayou Book Junkie

10-Apr

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

13-Apr

Love Bytes

My Fiction Nook

17-Apr

Emotion in Motion

Divine Magazine

20-Apr

Molly Lolly

24-Apr

Cate Ashwood

Redz World

A Mika Review: Signs by Anna Martin

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

After spending most of his life in special schools, Caleb Stone now faces public high school in his senior year, a prospect that both excites him and threatens to overwhelm his social anxiety. As a deaf teenager, he’s closed himself off to the world. He speaks a shorthand with his parents and even finds it hard to use American Sign Language with people in his local deaf community. But Caleb finds comfort in his love of photography. Everything he can’t express in real life, he posts on his Tumblr.

Struggling to reconcile his resentment for his father’s cruelty with the grief of losing a parent, Luc Le Bautillier scrolls through Tumblr searching for someone who might understand his goth look and effeminate nature. When Luc reblogs a photo by Caleb, sparking a conversation, they both find it easier to make friends online than in person.  Luc and Caleb confront their fears about the opinions of the outside world to meet in New York City. Despite Caleb’s increasing confidence, his parents worry he’s not ready for the trials ahead. But communication comes in many forms—when you learn the signs.

Anna Martin’s writing usually goes two ways for me. I either love it enough that it’s a 5 star read, or it’s a DNF for me. I was super skeptical of reading this because of the blurb. My main weakness is hurt/comfort, throw in a disability and I’m trapped. I read this book and one sitting and I feel in love with the characters.

I love the main characters of the story, not so much the execution. I’m giving 5 stars for Luc & Caleb because this was a love story between two sweet boys. That’s my basic description of the story. I’m not really sold on the writing aspect as much as the character development. Let me explain; she was able to bring the most vulnerable boys together and put them together to show they had the strength and determination in them all along.

Luc is this short, emo/goth twink who was just living. Not really doing anything but waiting for high school to be over and move to Seattle to face his dreams. He is closed off to the world, and most of it is because that’s they way he wants it. He grew up with no comfort, love from his parents except from his sister who basically was his surrogate mother. I love Ilse… his sister was so supportive. I definitely liked her as soon as she entered the picture. Caleb was the total opposite of Luc he is this 18 year old boy in Boston, who lives with his parents who are his biggest support system. Caleb wants the normal, he wants the friends at school, he wants to answer question when the teachers ask them. They meet through Tumblr through Caleb’s photography blog and Luc’s music blog it’s sweet and mostly innocent. From there we definitely see the characters develop really fast. Caleb has this protective streak for Luc, it’s adorable. It is a definite re-read for me.

They meet, fall in love with each other and we just see them shine in different roles. I loved that Luc feels the need to take charge on some things regarding Caleb’s well being. I like the Caleb knows Luc well enough to expect unexpected visits. I fell in love with these two boys. That’s it, that’s all there is for me. I would have really liked to see what happened after the summer. Where do these two go? What happened to the question Caleb asked Luc using finger ASL? I would have liked an epilogue for these two, but again they bring a smile to my face just writing this review.

Cover Art by. Ethan James Photography. I loved this picture so much, it definitely reminded me of Caleb all the way. He is one of my favorite characters by this author.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Expected publication: March 20th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632168115
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.dreamspinn

In the Spotlight: The Jewel Cave by Elizabeth Noble (author interview and contest)

The Jewel Cave by Elizabeth Noble
Release Date: April 1, 2015
Goodreads Link

And Now An Interview with Elizabeth Noble…

Q. What was the inspiration behind the Title The Jewel Cave or is that going into spoiler territory?

Jewel Cave National Monument is an actual place. A good portion of the story and back story happen in that area.

Q. It sound as though the story contains a stalking element or a character with an obsession. Do you treat that as a person with an illness or with criminal inclinations or both?

In the story I’ve treated this as someone who develops an obsession due to illness. The stalker doesn’t see life properly because of his illness. This is often the case in real life. I tried very hard not to blame the stalker for his illness, but for his actions. He takes that obsession to the point of criminal activity.

Q. Again what prompted you to include such a topical subject matter into your plot?

It’s a fact of life, people commit crimes and sometimes hurt other people. Mainly I wanted to write a story about two men who are faced with adversity and how they work to survive and overcome those traumatic events. I wanted to tell a story that showed bad events don’t always have to tear people apart, but can sometimes make them stronger and bring them closer together.

Q. As a dog lover myself (3 terriers), I do admit to loving an animal element in the story (pets, what have you) but it can go wrong if not handled in a way that readers will accept. The pet gets hurt, or disappears halfway through the story never to reappear. How do you balance the needs of the reader with the needs of your plot?

First of all I have to say I’m a veterinary nurse and no pet is killed in my books. One or two might die of old age, that’s it. I treat the animals I use in my books the same way I do my human characters as far as continuity and wrapping up their part of the story.

In many of my books a dog or horse becomes a supporting character. This is the case in Jewel Cave. The dogs play important parts in the crime, investigation and aftermath of the events.

Q. Or do you feel that is even something an author should take into consideration?

The animals I write are characters. For me it’s something I have to take into consideration.

Q. I have to ask you,what dogs own you?

Right now I own (more like I am owned by and live to serve) an utterly delightful canine princess named Rosie. I’ve had her since she was three and a half weeks old, she’s 10 now. She’s a rescue and a collie/corgi type mix. She was the inspiration for one of the dogs in the book, Fern.

Q. Do you write what you love to read?

Very much so. In genres I mean? Yes. I love mystery/suspense and action as well as scifi. I think it’s great there are so many of these types of books that also feature M/M relationships.
Q. What’s next for Elizabeth Noble?

I’ve just completed the manuscript for book one of an espionage series featuring a few of the guys from The Sleepless City series I wrote with Anne Barwell. The last two books of that series will be out later this year. Anne wrote book #3 and I brought up the caboose with book #4.

About author Elizabeth Noble

Elizabeth Noble started telling stories before she actually knew how to write, and her family was very happy when she learned to put words on a page. Those words turned into fan fiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M romance fiction. Being able to share her works with Dreamspinner is really a dream come true. She has a real love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural and a bit of an unnatural interest in a super-volcano in Wyoming.

Elizabeth has three grown children and is now happily owned by an adorable mixed breed canine princess named Rosie, and two cats, Murphy and Yeti. She lives in her native northeast Ohio, the perfect place for gardening, winter and summer sports (go Tribe!). When she’s not writing she’s working as a veterinary nurse, so don’t be surprised to see her men with a pet or three who are a very big part of their lives.

Two of Elizabeth’s books have received Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards.

Author Contact:
Website http://www.elizabeth-noble.com
Circles website: http://elizabeth-noble-circles.weebly.com/
Dreamspinner Circles Page
Dreamspinner Author Arcade
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.noble.77
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/ElizabethNoble
Google+ pages: https://plus.google.com/110207268360224371489/posts
Twitter: @elizabethnoble1

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist:

Sales Links:

Through ten wonderful years Griff Diamond and Clint Bishop weathered good times and bad together. Lately they haven’t spent as much time together as they’d like, and their physical relationship is suffering. Then Clint loses his job at the steel mill. Instead of worrying, he sees it as an opportunity to lean on his steady partner, start his writing career, and rekindle the passion they’ve lost.

But a friendly relationship with another author turns to obsession, putting Clint’s life in danger. Taken against his will to the Jewel Cave system in South Dakota, Clint must rely on the skills he’s learned from Griff to survive.

Fearing the worst, Griff tracks Clint across the country. As a US Marshall, Griff’s always been the man who keeps everyone safe, but he doesn’t know how he and Clint will survive this.

Categories: Contemporary, Crime Fiction, Gay Fiction, Mystery, Romance

It was time to back away from Dylan, what had been a friendship had definitely shifted to territory uncomfortable to Clint. He didn’t want to hurt Dylan’s feelings. He’d tried sending a few emails telling Dylan some of his pictures weren’t appreciated, but it did no good. The guy was either dense or stubborn.

Unlike some of his other friends, Clint knew nothing about Dylan’s family or the people who lived near him. As far as Clint could tell, Dylan was alone in the world, and his sudden attachment to Clint was starting to feel creepy. So, lately, Clint had been taking longer and longer to answer emails and tried to keep subjects of conversation as neutral as possible or focused on writing projects.

The pictures Clint deleted. Griff would flip if he ever knew about those photos, not that Clint would blame him in the least. He would have loved to share some of his other concerns about Dylan’s wellbeing with Griff, but Clint knew the man would turn Dylan into one of America’s Most Wanted in under a minute.

Such was the hazard of sharing his life with a US Deputy Marshal.

He’d made a vow to himself long ago he’d never use Griff’s job or badge unless there was a solid, valid reason. Someone he’d known for a few years all of a sudden annoying him online was not solid or valid in Clint’s mind. Clint kept reminding himself Dylan was lonely and had no family. He was probably merely one of those people who didn’t get the concept of boundaries. That didn’t make him a criminal, just socially awkward.

Clint nearly jumped out of his skin when someone’s strong arm snaked around his waist and pulled him back against a firm body. Warm breath blew in his ear along with the words, “You left the door unlocked again. I could be the neighborhood whack job here to bludgeon you to death after defiling you.”

“You scared the crap out of me!” Clint yelped, trying to squirm away, but it was useless. “You’re the guy on this street with all the big guns.” Behind him Griff chuckled and used one finger to move Clint’s hair away from his neck. He pressed a soft kiss to the spot. Clint glared down at the dogs. “And you two! You need watchdog lessons.”

Griff gave a little jerk forward with his hips and snickered. “And those big guns are all yours.” He let go of Clint, turned him, and shook him by the shoulders for a second. “Lock the goddamn doors. Even if someone smashes through the storm door, you’ll at least hear them.” He raised his eyebrows and leaned away from Clint, letting him go. “For me. Please. ’Cause the only defiling that goes on in this house is done by me.”

Clint burst out laughing. Griff’s blue-gray eyes twinkled, and the corners crinkled in a way Clint loved when Griff smiled. “Sorry, I’m late,” Griff said. He used his free hand to pet the dogs.

Pages or Words: 42,000 words

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-book copy of The Jewel Cave. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prizes provided by Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
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Tour Dates/Tour Stops:

25-Mar

Inked Rainbow Reads

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

Multitasking Mommas

Hearts on Fire

1-Apr

MM Good Book Reviews

Dawn’s Reading Nook

Smoocher’s Voice

Nephylim

Parker Williams

8-Apr

Romancing The Book

Because Two Men Are Better Than One

Velvet Panic

Love Bytes

Cate Ashwood

15-Apr

Jade Crystal

Molly Lolly

Fallen Angel Reviews

Bayou Book Junkie

22-Apr

Wake Up Your Wild Side

Queer Town Abbey

BFD Book Blog

Christy Loves 2 Read

The Blogger Girls

Foxylutely Book Reviews

Amanda C. Stone

6-May

3 Chicks After Dark

Prism Book Alliance

13-May

Rainbow Gold Reviews

My Fiction Nook

Spring is Here, Do you hear that, Weather? This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Spring is Officially Here!

So it snowed on the first day of Spring and now its 60 degrees outside. Yep…its Spring! My snowdrops are trying valiantly to come up through the remaining snow and the flower and gardening catalogs are starting to pile up in the mailbox and side tables. I love this time of the year. Planning, planting…a fertile time for garden and the imagination…..

We are also starting to look ahead to May which is our Authors Across the Pond Showcase month! Just something you all will want to put on your calendars! We have a bunch of wonderful books reviewed this month, so be prepared to add to your TBR list.

Now on to our week.

-This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words-

Sunday, March 22:

Spring is Here and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, March 23:

Thianna D’s As Natural As Breathing Tour and Contest
The Sum of Everything by April March tour and contest
Book Spotlight: Getting Close to the Omega by Lisa Oliver (contest)
A Sammy Review: Song of the Lonesome Cowboy (The Society of Masters ) by Lynn Kelling

Tuesday, March 24:

Book Spotlight: Draven St. James Driven by Fire Book Tour and Contest
Barbara Ellsbourg “Falling” Release Day Guest Post
A Mika Review: Carry The Ocean by Heidi Cullinan
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Light From the Dark by Mercy Celeste

Wednesday, March 25:

Book Spotlight Tour: The Jewel Cave by Elizabeth Noble (contest)
A Stella Review: Jumping In by Cardeno C
A Mika Review: Signs by Anna Martin
A BJ Review: Wizard’s Moon by Josh Lanyon

Thursday, March 26:

Patricia Logan ‘Silver Ties Audiobook’ Guest Post and Contest
Book Spotlight: Opposites By T.M. Smith (contest)
A Stella Review: The Belgian Chocolate Remedy by Julie Lynn Hayes
A Mika Review: Young At Heart by Kay Ellis
A MelanieM Review: Death by Dragon by Madeleine Ribbon

Friday, March 27:

Book Spotlight: MA Church To Touch the Sky Tour and contest
A Paul B Review: To Touch The Sky by M. A. Church
MelanieM Review: The Devil’s Bedpost by Parker Williams
A Stella Review: Two Howls by Sean Michael

Saturday, March 28:

RJ Scott’s Book Tour for *Max and the Prince*
An Aurora YA Review: Dreams (Dreams of Fire and Gods #1) by James Erich

It’s Here! Shira Anthony’s Sexy Vampires are Back in Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2)! (contest)

Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2) by Shira Anthony
Goodreads Link
Release Date: April 20, 2015

Shira Anthony’s sexy, star crossed vampires are back in Blood and Ghosts, her sequel to Blood and Rain. Check out the synopsis and excerpt below and don’t forget to enter the contest as well!

About Blood and Ghosts, Sequel to Blood and Rain  :

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.

Pages or Words: Approximately 70,000 words/250 pages

Categories: Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Historical, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook and Paperback

Excerpt:

Adrien walked back onto the main street and over to the curb, where someone caught his eye. A man with short black hair walked toward him. Dressed in dark jeans, with a white shirt and dark wool jacket, he wore a single diamond stud in his left ear. A woman hurrying down the sidewalk dodged Adrien as he stopped, but the man behind him knocked him to his knees.

“Are you all right?” someone said with a hint of a French accent.

Adrien looked up into familiar brown eyes. Adrien inhaled slowly, hoping to head off the bloodlust that buzzed at the back of his brain. Heat tingled at the back of his neck, raising the hairs there. His palms felt suddenly sweaty. He felt sick. Not nausea—shock at seeing Nicolas here, realizing it really was Nicolas.

“Yes, I….” Adrien took the hand Nicolas offered and struggled back to his feet. The world spun and he grabbed Nicolas’s arm to steady himself.

“You’re not all right. You look ill. I should call an ambulance—”

“No ambulance.” Adrien righted himself. “I just need to eat something. It’s hotter than I realized.”

Nicolas glanced around, frowned, then said, “There’s a coffee shop at the corner.” He didn’t appear convinced by Adrien’s words. “Why don’t I help you over there?”

As if Adrien would object. “Thank you.”

Five minutes later they sat at a booth by the window, Adrien drinking coffee with a trembling hand. Adrien had watched Nicolas as they’d walked the short distance to the restaurant, his swordsman’s muscles straining against the fabric of his shirt. He looked only slightly older than he’d been when they met. “I’m sorry,” he said, coming back to himself and wondering why Nicolas was sitting with him when he could have left. “I must be keeping you from something.”

“No,” Nicolas answered. “In fact, I just came from a meeting. I’ve got the rest of the afternoon free.”

“I’m Adrien.” He forced a smile and set the empty mug down.

“Nicolas.”

“It’s good to meet you, Nicolas,” Adrien said in French. He drew another long breath and his heart slowed its gallop.

“Please call me Nico,” Nicolas said, also in French.

About Author Shira Anthony

Shira Anthony was a professional opera singer in her last incarnation, performing roles in such operas as Tosca, i Pagliacci, and La Traviata, among others. 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. You can hear Shira singing Puccini’s “Tosca” by clicking here:

Where to find the author:

Facebook
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: @WriterShira
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/anthony0564/

Tour Stops:

Parker Williams, MM Good Book Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Molly Lolly, Amanda C. Stone, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Bayou Book Junkie, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, My Fiction Nook, Andrew Q. Gordon, Emotion in Motion, BFD Book Blog, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Charley Descoteaux, Love Bytes, Divine Magazine, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Carly’s Book Reviews, Because Two Men Are Better Than One

Contest: Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions. Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: 2 prizes: 1 Wibbly wobbly timey wimey pendant or 1 e-copy of Blood and Ghosts.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A MelanieM Review: A Curse on the Mountain by Missouri Dalton

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Long ago the god Cai was torn from the mortal woman he loved by Death and his fellow gods refused to let them reunite. In a rage born of loss and pain, Cai cursed a city and watched his curse doom generation after generation of humans who live on a mountainside made almost inhabitable by Cai’s curse.

Perched on a mountaintop surrounded by a frigid swamp, the rain never stops in the cursed city of Var Eldore. Here a former pleasure slave Myr lives in hiding, trying to stay a step ahead of his captor. But Myr is far more than he realizes, and fate has other plans for him. Reunited with his mate Ryall and their daughter Quinn, Myr and his family gathers together a group of disenchanted soldiers, spies, nobles, and wizards to oppose the king and all he stands for. This includes certain nobles and their houses who perpetuate slavery Myr and his following intend to fight for the freedom of their land. As they uncover secrets and conspiracies, each more tangled than the last, Myr also discovers he has unique abilities to aid their cause—the Redeemers.

As the strength of the Redeemers grows, so does the number of enemies they must face. Each member of their alliance has his or her own demons to battle, and Myr must confront the truth about himself and become the leader they need. Alongside his lover Ryall and the people who have become his family—as well as some unlikely friends—Myr and the Redeemers must prepare for war. If they fall, the city in the rain will follow.

I fell in love with Missouri Dalton when I discovered her Guidebook series (a must read that included Necromancy and You) as well as her Night Wars (The Hanged Man’s Ghost..)series. Both are exceptional supernatural series which can always be found high on my Recommendations lists. So I was thrilled to see a new story from Dalton from Dreamspinner Press and gobbled it up with a certain amount of anticipation and glee. But what I found didn’t live up to my high expectations for this author and book blurb.

What was amazing about The Curse on the Mountain was Missouri Dalton’s world building. From the vengeful god Cai to the denizens of Var Eldore, Dalton brings alive a city dark, icy cold and constantly wet from the endless rains and snow. Life is perilous unless you are weathy and on the right side of the King. For those who are poor, out of favor and just unfortunate enough to block someone’s ambitions or path to power, well, then death would be favored over the imprisonment, slavery or torture that follows. The author’s descriptions can give the reader a good case of the shivers based on the people and places that appear in her narrative.

Even Dalton’s characters hold out such promise for a suspenseful and rich story. Myr, Ryall, and fierce adopted daugher Quinn are terrifically realized people and I would have loved to have seen a story that truly focused in on them, their past history, their love and fight for freedom. Had that happened this would have been a different review.

But instead, Dalton starts piling on more characters, more relationships (old and new) as well as couples who meet, come together, mate, part so quickly that they mimic the life of a mayfly. Here and gone in a blink of a moment. Or if they reappear, its as sudden and short lived as their first appearance. Relationships and people age in a flash as time moves swiftly by as the Redeemers rebellion gains in power and strength and then we flash back to the past and prior events. And along with that ever changing time line the author gives us side stories with Cai, foul supporters of the King, evil creatures, back to Myr and Ryall, past and present, all starts to cram together until it has all the density of a 10 year old fruit cake. Yo can tell it is comprised of many different elements you would enjoy but it’s become so dense and unwieldy that it has become inedible. For me, that’s The Curse on the Mountain.

Dalton just piled on too many characters, plot threads, and elements that all get lost amidst the jumble of timelines, storylines, and relationships that keep folding back on each other. Even if you start to get a glimmer of feeling and interest in certain beings and events, the focus moves away to another part of the story and the power of those characters is lost. It makes it nigh to impossible to feel a connection to any of these people and their situations and the frustrations build as the reader tries to make sense of some of the events and happenings that occur…some threads I never did untangle in my mind. I mean I just take a look at my notes on the story and after a while all I see is a list of names and places and question marks. It’s never a good sign when you feel you should have to storyboard a novel to make sense of it all. Sigh.

Still because of the promise of the world building, the terrific mythology Dalton creates and the largess of the scope of her story, The Curse on the Mountain deserves a 3 star rating. If you are a Missouri Dalton fan, you might want to pick this up and enjoy the elements I have talked about. But if you are new to this author, I would recommend you start with her other series that I mentioned above. They are marvelously addicting and will give you a true taste of this author’s many talents as a storyteller and her wonderful writing skills. Just thinking about those stories prompts me to pull them up on my Kindle again.

Cover art by Paul Richmond. Loved this glorious cover, from its design to the colors used, it works on every level.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 214 pages, also available in paperback
Published December 29th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632162823
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

A BJ Review: Chyna Doll (Horizons #4) by Mickie B. Ashling

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Chyna, an intersexed male raised as a girl, is struggling with identity issues as she enters adolescence. She finds herself suddenly attracted to her brother Chip’s friend, Luca. Luca, who has grown up with two gay Dads, struggles with his own sexual identity when he finds himself torn between an attraction to Chip and his twin sister, Chyna. .

While the cover and blurb made me think this book concentrated on the relationship of Luca and Chyna, that’s only partially true. A large section of the book concerns the somewhat troubled relationship of Luca’s two Dads, Grier and Lil. This is definitely not a young adult book, since the sex between the two older characters is quite kinky and includes such tantalizing bits as diamond tipped penal plugs, sounding and men who like wearing lacy women’s undies. So a small warning: don’t go into this thinking it focusing only on young adults and their issues. That is not the case.

Chyna’s sexual identity issues were exacerbated by the deplorable way Chyna’s parents handled her upbringing, lied to her and others, and kept from her so many things that could have made it easier on her. Heartbreaking to read about such betrayal from those entrusted with such responsibility.

This book covers some intense and interesting issues pretty thoroughly and from various angles. The ending wasn’t cut and dried but and all tied up sweet, which felt right. But it left me cheering for Luca and feeling hopeful for a HEA for him and Chyna.

This story had excellent potential, but ultimately fell short for me. The writing style varied from extremely readable to parts an info dump of telling. In addition, I found it jarring when we move totally away from the main characters and focus exclusively on the vacationing gay parents and their issues for the space of quite a few characters in the middle of the book. At that point, I’d invested myself in the story of Chyna and Luca and had to resist the deviation to skim forward. Finally, the large number of POVs characters sometimes felt a bit like head hopping and make it hard for me to anchor to any of them long enough to develop a rapport.

Cover Artist: Anne Cain.A lovely cover that portrays two of the main characters close to the way I’d pictured them. This cover gives the impression that these two are the only focus of this story, when actually there’s almost equal focus on Luca’s gay parent’s relationship. In that respect, the cover misleads.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 320 pages
Published February 23rd 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
(first published February 23rd 2014)
ISBN139781632167323
edition languageEnglish
seriesHorizons #4

Horizons series includes the following:

Horizons (Horizons, #1)
Taste (Horizons, #2)
Daddio (Horizons, #3)
Chyna Doll (Horizons, #4)

A Stella Review: Loving the Astrophysicist (Astrophysicist #1&2) by T.N. Tarrant

Rating 4 stars out of 5

At twenty-three, Dr. Liam McGregor is a well-respected astrophysicist, astrobiologist, and geologist. With no family, few friends, and no romantic prospects, he’s used to being alone. Focusing on his various scientific projects and taking care of his decidedly unusual cat help keep the loneliness at bay.  Jareth Manning is starting life over—new town, new job—after the loss of his husband. The last thing he expects is for the most absentminded, and beautiful, man he’s ever seen to take up residence in his heart. Nor did he expect to find himself a willingly humble slave to Her Imperial Highness, Empress the Cat.

But Jareth has learned that love doesn’t come around often and to hold on to it when it does. Jareth is willing to be patient if Liam is willing to take a risk after being burned before. They just have to survive Liam’s past returning.   Eight years after Liam and Jareth marry, they want a child. Things don’t go well when they try to adopt, with terrible accusations thrown at Jareth. After recovering, they proceed with a private adoption, bringing home a beautiful little girl, Carinae. Then things get ugly, endangering not only Liam’s life, but Carinae’s.

How cute is a cat on a leash! Her Imperial Highness sure is amazing.

This book is a second edition and basically put together the two previous books in the Astrophysicist series by T.N. Tarrant. It’s a really sweet book with great MCs and some valuable second ones. I loved the plot too.

In the first part we meet Dr Liam McGregor, a twenty-three years old astrophysicist, geologist and astrobiologist, simply known as the absentminded astrophysicist. After being attacked by a colleague, he is soon rescued by Jareth, the new head of the security in the institute Liam works at. Where Liam is a chubby geek, Jareth is sexy and handsome. How can someone as the strong guard be attracted to the sweet Liam? But Jareth is determined to court him and show him he can be trusted.

“I think you’re beautiful, Liam.”

“How can you think so? I’m fat, scarred, and almost constantly bruised because I can’t even keep an eye on where I’m going, or I fall all over myself when I try to,” Liam objected. “Nobody has ever really wanted me,” he whispered.

Jareth knew only time would show Liam he was serious about wanting him. “You are perfect as you are, Liam. I thought you were absolutely breathtaking the day I met you, and I still think so. […]I was paying a lot of attention to you.” Liam obviously didn’t believe what he was saying. “But why?”

“I have no idea, Liam.” Jareth tipped Liam’s chin up so he could look into Liam’s eyes. […]“To be honest, I don’t really care why. I just know that I find you beautiful and sexy as hell, and one of these days, I want to strip you down and lick you from head to toe, front and back, and have you do the same to me, tangled up together until we can’t sort out who’s where.”

In the second part we find them after being together for eight years, planning on becoming parents. It will be a really hard journey, full of hurts, crisis, accusations, and fears. At the end it will be so worthwhile to get Carinae in their life.

I liked Liam and Jareth, I especially loved how Jareth is a positive characters. After suffering the loss of his husband, he went through dark times and started drinking. Thanks to his family who saved him, now he’s going on with his life and he’s ready for a new love. He’s protective and sympathetic with Liam and his world.

Son of two genius parents, Liam had an incredible and really bad youth, he was stabbed almost to death by his mother cause she couldn’t stand him for being smarter than her, with his father as witness. Liam lives for and in his work, he’s pretty much lonely, apart from his cat Empress and the sweet Aimee. He’s not used to be loved cause a lot of people took advantage of his great mind, just used him.

I put this book in my comfort list, a beautiful list to me. First of all it means that I’m surely going to reread Loving an Absentminded Astrophysicist. I really loved it, it was an emotional reading but at the same time all the bad things were faced with lightness and positivity. So this is definitely a book to reread when I need a hope glimmering in a dark moment. So happy to have met Liam and Jareth and really well done, TN!

Cover Art by Bree Archer. What can I say about it? I’m a sucker for children, so I honestly can admit I even have read the blurb before requesting the ARC. I saw the cover and I had to read it. So if the aim of a cover is to catch the reader’s eye before the story, this cover to me is a winner, so sweet cute aww.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 226 pages
Published February 20th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632164773
edition languageEnglish
Author Website: http://tntarrant.blogspot.com/
seriesAstrophysicist #1-2

A Stella Review: Moment of Truth (Moments in Time #2) by Karen Stivali

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Collin expected to spend another summer fixing cars and working at the college pizzeria. Instead, he’s living in a beach house on Fire Island, waiting tables at a hip seaside restaurant and, for the first time since he and Tanner got together, they can publicly be known as boyfriends. Being “out” takes some getting used to, but with the help of new and old friends, Collin is happier than he ever imagined. And more in love. But newfound freedom brings unexpected challenges, and when friends get flirty, old insecurities arise. Moments of doubt and jealousy threaten their happiness, and Collin and Tanner must confront the truth or risk losing it all.

In Moment of Truth we meet Collin and Tanner three months after the beginning of their relationship. They are going to spend the summer in Fire Island working in a restaurant and on their relationship too. In fact this is the first time they’ll be together in front of other people. No one know they are a couple apart from Collin’s mum (remember the disaster at the hospital?) and Tanner’s parents which are really great. Collin is still afraid of not being accepted, but he’s tired of trying to forget who he really is and pretending he’s straight. Now he has Tanner and it’s time to start fighting for his love openly.

“The date.”

“That was the best day of my life.”

“Why?” I needed to know why he thought it was so important.

He pushed my hair back, away from my face, and held it there with both hands. “Because that’s the day that you and I became us.”

I’m sure my heart was actually still in my chest, but it felt like it was in my stomach, in my throat, ready to burst out of me altogether.

I loved this second book, not as much as the first one cause I found it a little less emotional. Nonetheless I felt Moment of Truth so realistic, in the MCs’ insecurities about each other and most of all in Collin, who is struggling with his fears and he’s finally able to tell Tanner his feelings.

So there will going to be some misunderstandings, a lot of jealousy but not too much angst. In all, Moment of Truth is a quick and light read. It’s also a book about first times, a lot of them, first tattoo, first kiss on public, first sex. Oh I forgot… first manscaping, don’t miss it, it was funny and sexy!

Another well written, sweet book, I’m so waiting for the last one. Most of all I’m curious about the possibility of developing related stories with MCs some of the second characters of Moment of Truth in it. I’d really like it cause I feel a couple of these guys totally deserve to be known better.

I love this series and these guys but as I already said in the Moment of Impact review, I’m still not sure if the choice of publish three separates novellas is the right one. I hope to have a final opinion at the end of the series. So this is the reason I still can’t give it more than 4 stars.

Cover art by Anna Sikorska. Nothing to say about it but I preferred the cover of Moment In Time, maybe cause the model was more interesting LOL

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

Book Details:

Published March 4th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ebook, 130 pages
ISBN13 9781632166500
Edition language English
Series: Moment in Time #2

Moments in Time series in the order they were written and should be read:

Moment of Impact (Moments In Time, #1)

Moment of Truth (Moments In Time #2)

In the Book Spotlight: Strangers in the Night By: Jaycee Edward and Helena Stone (interviews and contest)

Strangers in the Night
By: Jaycee Edward and Helena Stone
Published by Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: March 11, 2015

A Mini Author Q & A with Helena and Jaycee!

Q. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

Helena: Stephen Fry. The man is smart, knowledgeable about an endless amount of subjects, and hilariously funny. I imagine an evening spend with Stephen Fry would be enlightening, mentally stimulating and ultimately uplifting. For me there are few (if any) things more sexy than an intelligent conversation. Stephen Fry may well be the personification of ‘smart’.

Jaycee: Hmm. This is a tough one because lately I’ve been saying I’d love to meet Harry Styles’ mom. But after telling her what a lovely job she did in such a short amount of time, I’d be out of things to say, so I’m going to say Tiffany Reisz. I met her briefly at a book signing and have tweeted with her often enough to know she’d be entertaining as heck and I wouldn’t have to be the one to keep the conversation going.

Helena: And now you have me imagining a dinner party with you, Stephen Fry and Tiffany Reisz. That may well be the ultimate date.

Jaycee: Stephen Fry might not think so, but, heck, I’m game.

Q. Would you like to be famous? In what way?

Helena: No, I would not want to be famous. At least not if the definition of famous includes being recognised when going about your everyday life, having your appearance as well as every single word you say scrutinized and the whole world feeling it has the right to have an opinion about you and vent it. On the other hand, you won’t hear me complaining if I were known as someone who writes entertaining and memorable books (well, a girl can dream, can’t she?)

Jaycee: Nope. Wildly successful would be okay, though. ;o)
Q. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

Helena: I detest making phone calls. I’d rather make a 20 mile round trip in my car to speak to someone face to face than call them. Therefore yes, I will rehearse what I’m going to say during almost every phone call I have to make and probably won’t punch in the numbers until I have procrastinated for as long as I can possibly get away with. Unless of course I can get someone else to make the call for me.

Jaycee: Never. But then I worked in an office environment for 35 years. I spent more hours with a phone plastered to my head than not. For once, Helena and I differ – I’d much rather talk to someone on the phone than in person. That way I can roll my eyes and make faces without them knowing it! Plus, there’s a certain satisfaction of slamming down the receiver after an especially frustrating conversation. Did I mention I did tech support? LOL!

Now let’s find out more about the short story, Strangers In the Night…

When Army veteran, Slade, stumbles upon an isolated cottage on a cold, dark, night, the young man finds more than just the shelter he’s seeking.

Former club Dominant Callum is surprised to find a handsome stranger knocking at his door but invites him in despite his reservations. A nightmare reveals Slade’s deep-seated emotional issues, and Callum knows he needs to get creative if he’s going to help Slade leave the past behind.

Neither man is prepared for the feelings Slade’s introduction into the world of BDSM will unleash, and thirty-six hours will either be enough to bind them, or they will remain forever strangers in the night.

Length: 51 pages
Series: Strangers #1

Book Links:
• Goodreads
• Dreamspinner Press (DSP)
• All Romance (ARe)
• Amazon UK
• Amazon US
• Barnes & Noble (B&N)
• Beam Ebooks
• Google Play

About the Authors….

Helena Stone:

Helena Stone can’t remember a life before words and reading. After growing up in a household where no holiday or festivity was complete without at least one new book, it’s hardly surprising she now owns more books than shelf space while her Kindle is about to explode.

The urge to write came as a surprise. The realisation that people might enjoy her words was a shock to say the least. Now that the writing bug has well and truly taken hold, Helena can no longer imagine not sharing the characters in her head and heart with the rest of the world.

Having left the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the peace and quiet of the Irish Country side she divides her time between reading, writing, long and often wet walks with the dog, her part-time job in a library, a grown-up daughter and her ever loving and patient husband.

Helena Stone can be found in the following places: Twitter, Facebook, Website, Pinterest, Goodreads, or by email.

Jaycee Edward:

Jaycee Edward is no longer seventeen years old but don’t tell her that. She’s actually a tad older and lives in northeast Ohio with her handsome husband and one, big gorgeous dog. She has two grown stepdaughters and is proud to be the ultra-cool Nana to two amazingly incredible grand-teens. Jaycee loves pistol shooting and is has earned her Bar 7 Sharpshooter status in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program and hopes to someday reach the level of Expert Marksman. She is the token liberal and constant source of fascination to the other members at her gun range. Jaycee knows way too much about the inner workings of Walt Disney World and anything related to One Direction. She’d love to pull you into the rabbit hole with her. All you have to do is ask. Find her there or contact her through social media.

You can find Jaycee Edward in the following locations: her website, Facebook, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, TSU, Ello, or Tumblr.

Contest: Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prizes provided by Indigo Marketing and Design and the authors.

Giveaway Details: Jaycee and Helena have kindly donated a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner! Enter through the Rafflecopter for your chance to win.

Contest Begins: March 11, 2015
Contest Ends: March 21, 2015

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:
March 11 – Joyfully Jay
March 12 – M/M Good Book Reviews
March 13 – The Novel Approach
March 14 – Sinfully Sexy
March 15 – Fallen Angel Reviews
March 16 – 3 Chicks After Dark
March 17 – Love Bytes
March 18 – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
March 19 – Prism Book Alliance
March 20 – JP Barnaby

To Touch The Sky (Leap of Faith #2) by M.A. Church Goodreads Release Date: April 3, 2015

And now a mini Q and A with M. A. Church…

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The Jewel Cave by Elizabeth Noble Release Date: April 1, 2015 Goodreads Link

And Now An Interview with Elizabeth Noble…

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Spring is Officially Here!

-This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words-

Sunday, March 22:

Monday, March 23:

Tuesday, March 24:

Wednesday, March 25:

Thursday, March 26:

Friday, March 27:

Saturday, March 28:

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Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2) by Shira Anthony Goodreads Link Release Date: April 20, 2015

About Blood and Ghosts, Sequel to Blood and Rain :

Excerpt:

About Author Shira Anthony

Where to find the author:

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A Mini Author Q & A with Helena and Jaycee!

About the Authors….

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To Touch The Sky (Leap of Faith #2) by M.A. Church
Goodreads
Release Date: April 3, 2015

The Jewel Cave by Elizabeth Noble
Release Date: April 1, 2015
Goodreads Link

Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2) by Shira Anthony
Goodreads Link
Release Date: April 20, 2015

About Blood and Ghosts, Sequel to Blood and Rain  :