An Aurora YA Review: Carnival-Decatur by Zoe Lynne

Rating: I give this book 4 out of 5

A Harmony Ink Press Young Adult Title

In a world of lights, music, fanfare and fun, there’s not a lot left to the mundane, and nothing can be truer for four special boys whose lives intertwine in a most unusual, unexpected way. They all have secrets and supernatural powers that set them apart from the average small town high-schooler.

Jessie’s world revolves around his family’s traveling carnival. Tate’s busy being the good son to Decatur, Alabama’s first black mayor. Rand knows everyone’s secrets. And Donny wants a family. When sexuality and special abilities become each boy’s focus, a whole new realm of possibilities opens up. With an uncertain road ahead of them, their talents to see the future, hear other people’s thoughts, and manipulate wills might help them change their destined courses and find the right path.

Four boys. Each with his own cross to bear. Just trying to grow up.

Carnival – Decatur is about four boys with abilities that are certainly outside of the norm, who have to deal with their own personal problems and ambitions as well as some things that are much less mundane. The book takes place in Decatur, Alabama, and centers around the Macon Brothers’ Carnival coming into the small town, and Jesse, whose father works in the carnival business and drags his son along from place to place, not something Jesse is entirely fond of.

This book was definitely strong, and I really enjoyed the balance between characters wanting basic things that everyone wants, but also having these special abilities that they had to focus on. I thought every single one of the four boys were strong and the differences between them and what they wanted really helped communicate that. There was strong world building, even for a modern fantasy, and I really found it an interesting book to read. Each of the characters also had realistic flaws, and I have to say that I absolutely loved the fact that there was a main character of color!

Often having LGBTQIA+ representation in books causes other diversity to fall by the wayside and I love seeing books where so many different people are represented, and represented so well. I really enjoyed the plot behind the book, too, although it definitely seemed like a more character driven story than anything else. Which was great, because I think the characters were really well written. There were times with each of them when I loved them, and times when I definitely didn’t, but I enjoyed their stories and was definitely invested in what happened to all four of the boys.

Cover Artist: Allison Cassatta. I liked the cover of this book. My personal preference is drawn covers rather than photo manipulated, but it represented the book well and I think it would draw a reader’s attention if they were in a book store or browsing online.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook & Paperback All Romance eBook amazon Carnival-Decatur

Book Details:

ebook, 202 pages
Published August 29th 2014 by Harmony Ink Press (first published August 28th 2014)
ISBN 1632162458 (ISBN13: 9781632162458)
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

A MelanieM Review: Say Something by BA Tortuga

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Jensen Thackerson has loved Mike Simon throughout high school. Mike was always the rising star even then and Jensen knew Mike was destined for something bigger than their small town. When Mike leaves for college, Jensen stays behind on the family farm in Texas. Ranching and being a cowboy is the only thing that Jensen knows or thinks he’s good at, other than loving Mike. But being in that small town atmosphere means that Jensen will forever be in the closet, about his feelings for men and Mike in particular. It means abiding by his family’s expectations suborning his own dreams and love in the process.

Mike Simon is thrilled to leave Texas behind. It’s a place he never felt he belonged. When acting and UNC beckoned he took off, his only regret was leaving Jensen, the boy he loved behind. As close as two boys could be, they could never figure out how to move their relationship past friendship into romance and beyond. As Mike’s journey to stardom begins, Jensen and Mike cross paths again and again, but always with the same results. Mike rockets upward and Jensen remains in Texas, a place Mike never wants to see again.

As the years pass along with personal milestones for them both, a tragedy gives Jensen and Mike one last shot at a relationship and togetherness. But it will take courage and trust, something both have lacked in the past, to make this last chance work. Could the timing finally be right for love and a HEA?

I have taken my time writing this review for Say Something by BA Tortuga because this story has me so divided over my thoughts about the writing, the characters, and the narrative. I have loved BA Tortuga from the moment I read her Stormy Weather and Roughstock series. A prolific writer, I could always spot a BA Tortuga story from the opening line. I didn’t have to look for the author’s name because Tortuga’s impeccable regional voices and dialects combined with an intimate knowledge of her settings and regional culture leapt off the page with a vitality that couldn’t be ignored. Her boys bounced, drawled, bucked and rode off into the sunset with humor, sexiness, and a charisma that few other authors achieved. Even when this author’s stories lacked one element or another, there was always something uniquely hers that set them apart and made them worth reading. So to say my expectations regarding Say Something were high is a tad on the understated side.

Did this story even come close to meeting those predictions? Unfortunately not. Had the cover not plainly stated that BA Tortuga authored Say Something I would never have guessed this was written by her. And that disappointment flavored my overall view of this story and its characters. Readers without prior knowledge of BA Tortuga, and therefore, lacking in assumptions, might have a differing outlook. But I don’t think so because other elements as well crowd in to make this one of the harder reviews I have had to write.

Say Something’s plot is large in scope,including its timeline. From high school students to middle age and beyond, this story covers decades of Jensen and Mike’s lives, the majority of which is spent apart. Tortuga’s novel has Jensen and Mike’s life break off in far different paths at the end of high school. One stays closeted and down on the farm, the other is out, proud, and rocketing to fame and fortune. Only tragedy, terminal illness and death brings them back together…again and again. Each reader will have to look at their own tolerance for this meandering, frustrating, and in my opinion, unsupported separation between them. I say unsupported because the rationale for Jensen’s actions and rejection of Mike feels believable only at the beginning. After a decade or so, it becomes as tiresome and forced as Mike feels it to be. It’s never a good thing when I find myself wanting to see a main character die off by mid story, so yes, my tolerance for the character of Jensen and the various contrivances the author uses to keep Mike and Jensen apart started waning pretty quickly.

Even when these two come together where is the joy? The joie de vivre so associated with characters that feel breathtakingly alive? Not here. Neither are the quintessential colloquialisms or regional flavor that add so much depth to her men and women and settings. Instead there exists a blandness and anonymity to the locations, people and events that take place throughout the decades here. And when this element of tepidness and well, just overall sense of “beigeness” that hovers over the characters along with the disheartening events (terminal illness, and death) that the author uses to bring them together over and over again…well, then this turns into one sad and seemingly interminable journey.

What will also bother readers (without giving away spoilers), is that both men have other romances and love affairs, meaningful ones, throughout their lives apart. That was a very realistic aspect to this story but I know that some readers will be put off just by that element alone. Some readers will say “why harp on a lack of joy amidst so much sadness and death? Because it’s the need to feel alive that’s missing here, from the characters and from the story.

So why give it 3 stars? Because BA Tortuga is still an accomplished author and sections of this story are very well written whether or not I think it comes together as a whole. That alone deserves a 3 star rating and it gets one. If you are a fan of stories of this type and content, you might be the reader Say Something is looking for. For all others,, pick up one of BA Tortuga’s other stories. There are many to choose from and several that are sure to delight. Start there to get familiar with BA Tortuga and the stories that make her a “go to author’ the majority of the time.

Cover Artist: AngstyG has created a beautiful cover in tone and composition. Love it.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook & Paperback All Romance eBook (ARe) amazon Say Something

Book Details:

ebook, 226 pages
Published September 29th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1632163829 (ISBN13: 9781632163820)
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://batortuga.blogspot.com/

A MIka Review: Heart by Garrett Leigh

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Cornish pastry chef Seb Wright dreads the summer tourist season. The cash injection to his artisan fudge pantry is more than welcome, the extra work, less so. Then one summer, a shadowy Good Samaritan catches his eye. Irish Traveller Dex is bewitching, a beautiful sullen enigma who turns Seb’s world upside down until he disappears in the night, vanishing like a mystical summer rain.   Twelve months later Dex is in the midst of a dark storm. A slave to his master, ‘Uncle’ Braden, he spends his days cleaning caravans and his nights working in Braden’s other businesses. His short summer with Seb seems a lifetime ago. Lost in the savage violence of the murky underworld, he doesn’t dare dream he’ll ever find his way back, until one night, a brutal crime opens the door for a chance escape. A new life beckons, old faces emerge, and immersed in the heady vibe of London’s East End, new love begins to heal his fractured heart.

Garrett Leigh has become a must read author for me since she put out Only Love. That book is still my favorite m/m book of this year. Heart is about finding one self, finding love, what it means to be in love, and family. Garrett Leigh always seems to put us in these dark places and we get to see these guys find their way to the light. From the beginning of the story we are introduced to this amazing man name Seb, for someone his age which is mine, the amount of compassion and love he has is astounding. I’m a sucker for abuse, dark gritty tells, under educated that’s just me. Seb was a twenty-something guy working in a town that he grew up end making fudge. He is about the only good Samaritan around in my opinion. He finds himself walking home one night and he got the feeling that someone was close which they were. It was Dex, beautiful, sweet, homeless gypsy Dex, and what does it do, honest Dex tells Seb he dropped his wallet he did. I think for me from that view point I wanted more Dex, that’s all I cared about. Reading from Seb’s point of view was so satisfying because he was enthralled just as much as the reader was. It’s a point in the beginning of the story where it’s the weather conditions are horrible and Seb see’s Dex underneath an awning trying to stay warm, Seb invites him in for food and shelter. What broke my heart was what Dex said next. He automatically went into thinking what did he owe Seb for doing this for him. As if everyone in the world expect something from a 19 yr old boy.

Things progress from there for a while. One morning Seb wakes up and Dex is gone. Surprisingly I didn’t cry, which I thought I was going to the entire time. The point of view changes to Dex story now, and man did I cry. He went through so much hard ache and pain. I can’t imagine people having to go through this. He was apart of a gypsy carnival. He was a prostitute who never seemed to come out on the winning side. As I don’t like to give away the plot I can only talk about how I felt towards these characters. I felt anger mostly. I felt anger because he had to go on years with out Seb and only have his memories as the only good thing in life. He does get save it’s not sweep off your feet. It’s hard, and Dex worked really hard for whatever he did in life. Those moments in the story pulled at my heart more and more. I really appreciate his growth, determination and usefulness.

Seb Wright is an amazing character. One thing I could say that really gave him an edge was his patience. He was super patient with Dex when they reunited. I loved how Seb was willing to move mountains for Dex. I will continue to support this author as long as Garrett continues to write. I wish I had beautiful words to encompass of how I felt. Sometimes I do have the words, and other times I just write what comes to me. I can say the angst was alive and kicking. I recommend this book to lovers of Garrett Leigh, lovers of angst. People who want to believe and succeed in life. Don’t ever give up is my only words of wisdom.

The cover artist: G.D. Leigh. I liked the cover; it doesn’t give much away for the story. Upon reading the story you kind of guess which character it’s for. The cover does make you feel at peace with what has transpired for one of the main characters.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook & Paperback All Romance eBook amazon Heart

Book Details:
eBook, 204 pages
Published October 27th, 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781632163677
Edition Language: English
url

Barb, a Zany Old Lady Review: Wholehearted by Cate Ashwood – Audiobook narrated by John Orr

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

When police officer Declan Grant goes to investigate the report of someone sleeping at the end of the town dock, he’s shocked to find a bruised, bloody, and unconscious man. And he’s even more shocked by his reaction to the man— under all the blood is a handsome young man who grabs Declan’s heart and won’t let go. Though he’s not happy with the hostile reaction he gets from the man when he finally wakes in the hospital, he finds himself offering a home and friendship to Lucas Hale and the offer comes from a deep and warm place in his heart.

Against his better judgment, Lucas accepts the offer of this stranger, a man who he feels safe with, and, we later learn, finds very cute and hot. The two grow closer together over the time that Lucas is recuperating and slowly Lucas begins to trust Declan until he finally tells him the full story of the homophobic attack that occurred while working on a lobster boat. He makes Declan swear to keep it confidential, and Declan, even though he’s a police officer, agrees to do that. But Declan didn’t agree not to investigate on his own, and he manages to gather information on all the men involved in case Lucas changes his mind someday.

Over time, Declan and Lucas grow stronger together and eventually declare their love and hope for a future together. But when Mack finds the file Declan had hidden, and arranges for arrest warrants, Declan is the one who has to tell Lucas of his betrayal. And that’s exactly how Lucas sees it. Broken-hearted over the break in his trust, Lucas leaves, telling Declan that he never wants to see him again.

The next few months are hell for Declan, but bring a happy surprise to Mack and Oliver, MC’s in the first book in the series, “Brokenhearted” in the form of a new addition to their family. Eventually Declan and Lucas get to see each other again while preparing for the trial, and after a long and heartfelt talk they begin to work their way toward their HEA. A large part of the story revolves around the separation period as we see it’s a difficult journey for Declan, one for which he has to travel alone for a while, and begin to see what he most wants in this world and what he’s willing to do to get it.

I loved the story and the narration was superb. John Orr’s narrator voice was different from the inflections he gave to Declan and Lucas and they were different from Mack, Oliver and Hayden who all return for a cameo appearance. He also brought reality to each scene— from panting to, crying, laughing, and sighing— all were done to perfection. I would normally give this story 4 stars but his narration is so good it moves the rating up to 4.5 overall.

I recommend this book and this series to all lovers of M/M romance, especially to those who love angst and hurt/comfort stories. The audiobook is outstanding so I recommend this format for not only this book but the entire series. Since I’ve listened to the other two books in the series, I can honestly say that they all have outstanding narration by John Orr.

Cover Art depicting a fishing boat with a blood stain on the side is by Aaron Anderson. I found that the art was a perfect depiction of the boat on which Lucas was hurt and the blood symbolic of the injuries he suffered there.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner audio book iTunes Audible amazon

Book Details:

Cover Artist Aaron Anderson
Narrator John Orr
Length 6 hours and 18 minutes
Categories
AudiobooksCate AshwoodHope Cove Series by Cate Ashwood
Book Type Audiobook
Other Formats eBookPaperback

Cover Reveal for Lane Hayes’ The Right Word (cover reveal tour and contest)

Book Name: The Right Words
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Lane Hayes

It’s cover reveal time for Lane Hayes’ The Right Words. There’s an excerpt to read, a contest to enter. and, of course, a cover just waiting to be revealed!

Author Bio:

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and her third received an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow Lab ever in an almost empty nest.

Author Contact:
Website: http://lanehayes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LaneHayes3
Facebook: LaneHayesauthor
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook Dreamspinner Paperback

The Right Words Blurb:

Escaping an abusive relationship left Luke Preston anxious and spouting panic-induced poetry. Desperate for a fresh start, Luke accepts a job remodeling a tired old beach house for a professional soccer player and his model girlfriend. While his passion is literature, not sports, focusing on the renovations eases his anxiety. Until the job he signed up for turns out to be more complicated than advertised.

Sidelined with a serious injury, soccer star Michael Martinez decides his beach house is the perfect place to recuperate. Remodeling might be the diversion he needs to keep his mind off his busted knee. Falling for the pretty designer with some quirky habits wasn’t on the drawing board. Unfortunately, Luke didn’t build a big enough closet for Michael to hide in. Having a star-powered sports career used to be all Michael lived for, but he’ll have to reevaluate his plans and find the right words if he wants to build more than a beach house with Luke.

Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Humor, Romance

The Right Words Excerpt:

“You think you are braver than any other people—whereas you’re just as brave, and no braver.”

“Quote?” His eyes sparked with humor.

“Yes. Mark Twain. Sorry. It’s a weird habit.”

“It’s not weird. It’s… refreshing. Different. I’m used to hanging out with a bunch of jocks who honestly might not know who Mark Twain is.”

“Please tell me you do,” I pleaded with mock gravity.

“I do. Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer.” He smirked.

“Well done.” I giggled when he pumped his fist in the air like an adolescent.

I held his gaze in silence and allowed myself to bask in the peaceful moment.

“I think it’s awesome you have something that gives you strength. And pardon me for saying so, but… it’s really fucking sexy that it’s bookish. Maybe a pair of librarian glas—”

“Shut up.” I felt an insta-blush at his suggestive words and was glad twilight had taken over.

Michael chuckled beside me. Not so long ago, I would have been sure he was laughing at me. My experience with jocks was limited to thuggish high school idiots who I carefully kept at a distance. They intimidated me with their size and musculature. I tried to intimidate with my brain. It didn’t always keep me from getting teased but certainly solidified the divide between us.

Michael wasn’t like those boys. I sensed an innate kindness in him, evident in his willingness to hold my hand while I shared my own war story with my ex. Instead of pissing me off, the mention of me wearing sexy librarian glasses went straight to my groin. I stood up and tried to clandestinely adjust my half-hard cock as I walked toward the edge of the terrace.

I heard the scratch of his crutches behind me and turned to find him standing a couple feet away.

“You know I was teasing, right?” His voice sounded deep and impossibly sexy. “I like you, Luke. I like that you’re different. You’re extraordinary.” He smiled softly and reached out to brush a stray hair away from my eyes. I was bewitched and in danger of being swept away by the moment. He was too charming for my good.

“You don’t know me. Not really. So please don’t be offended if I don’t—”

“Fine. Don’t believe me. But you’re a fighter. I can tell. And I see this colorful, rainbow aura around you I think is… sexy as hell.”

“Thank God! I was sure my rainbow glitter bag had a hole in it, and I’ve been desperately trying to gather the bit—”

“Stop it. Take the compliment. You’re going to have to work on believing the good things too, you know.”

I chuckled. He was right. “Thank you. I can tell I’m getting better, but I’m a work in progress.”

“Aren’t we all?”

We stood in the dusky evening staring at each other for a long moment. I licked my bottom lip and had moved to step aside when I felt his hand on my shoulder.

“Come here.”

I swallowed hard. “Why?”

He didn’t answer right away, but when he did, he pitched his voice low in an exaggerated whisper. “You have something in your hair. Let me get it.”

I knew he was up to something but I played along. “What is it?”

Michael set his forefinger on his lips, then reached out to caress my ear before running a lazy hand through my hair.

“Glitter. And there’s a lot of it. Red, purple, orange, gr—”

I giggled and swatted at his hand. He didn’t back away. Instead he gently moved his hand to my neck and pulled me forward so that our lips were inches apart.

“Can I kiss you?”

Pages: 204 pages

 Tour Dates: November 12th

Tour Stops:
Parker Williams, Fallen Angel Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Regular Guys, Hot Romance, Andrew Q. Gordon
Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Love Bytes, Molly Lolly
Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Multitasking Mommas, Cate Ashwood, Sinfully Sexy
MM Good Book Reviews, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Book Reviews and More by Kathy
Havan Fellows, Rainbow Gold Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $10 Gift Card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided for the form and for all additional contest details.
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November is Here and the Week Ahead at Scattered Thoughts!

“O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being.
Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead
Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing.”
– Percy Bysshe Shelley

Yes, November has arrived along with the falling colored leaves and winds that briskly move them over the landscape to hide the few flowers that remain of summer and the ordered gardens where they reside. The last of the plants that migrate indoors and out have returned to their wintering places inside and all the pups have gotten their new sweaters to ward off the approaching cold.

I love this time of year, the month that Emily Dickinson always called “..the Norway of the year.” The cold sets in, birds swarm in flittering layers looking for warmth and food, and the days grow shorter until the sunlight feels fleeting indeed. It’s a wonderful time for reflection, reading, writing, and knitting. Of cosy rooms and closeness. Its Thanksgiving, family gatherings and sharing. Its quiet, and dark, and contemplative. So many things to so many people.

For the terriers, it’s the deer in the backyard munching on acorns and the remnants of the hostas. It’s the squirrels, and raccoons, and possums at the feeders, sharing along with the birds and odd field mouse. And always watching in the background, still and opportunistic, wait the fox, the hawk and the owl. Even as the pups voice their objections to our visitors, I love the interplay I can observe and the many places they all find within the confines of my gardens and trees.

Even now as the wind whips by and the threat of our first frost appears, I love that it’s November.

I hope you all had a wonderful October. There were so many great books released that your lists should be bulging by now. If you missed it, check out our October 2014 Summary of Reviews and Best Covers. Let me know what covers you loved that we missed and what books you have added to your pile of novels you’re swearing to get to now.

Here is this week’s schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words:

Monday, November 3:

A MelanieM Review: The Devil Lancer by Astrid Amara
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Starstruck by L.A. Witt

Tuesday, November 4:

Riptide tour: Cornelia Grey’s Circus of the Damned Tour
A MelanieM Review: Circus of the Damned by Cornelia Grey
A MelanieM Review: Sleigh Bells: Minnesota Christmas by Heidi Cullinan

Wednesday, November 5:

Book Tour: Jude Dunn’s One Thing Leads (contest)
Riptide Book Tour: L.A. Witt’s Starstruck
A MelanieM Review: Heat by Chris Quinton and RJ Scott

Thursday, November 6:

TB Tour: LM Brown’s Between Heaven and Hell
A MelanieM Review: The Best Corpse for the Job by Charlie Cochrane
A MelanieM Review: Cold Day in Hell by Lee Brazil (PF2014, story 5)

Friday, November 7:

RJ Scott Book tour: Darach, book 2 in the Fire Series
DESERT FOXE: A Skyler Foxe Mystery‏ Haley Walsh Book Tour (contest)
A MelanieM Review: Off Course by Bailey Bradford

YA Saturday, November 8:

An Aurora YA Review: Carnival-Decatur by Zoe Lynne

We are still looking for reviewers. If you are interested, please email me at melaniem54@msn.com.

An Aurora YA Review: The Key of Behliseth by Lou Hoffmann

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

“On his way to meet a fate he’d rather avoid, homeless gay teen Lucky steps through a wizard’s door and is caught up in a whirlwind quest and an ancient war. He tries to convince himself that his involvement with sword fights, magic, and interworld travel is a fluke, and that ice-breathing dragons and fire-breathing eagles don’t really exist. But with each passing hour, he remembers more about who he is and where he’s from, and with help, he begins to claim his power.

Lucky might someday rule a nation, but before he can do that, he must remember his true name, accept his destiny, and master his extraordinary abilities. Only then can he help to banish the evil that has invaded earth and find his way home—through a gateway to another world.” – blurb

The Key of Behliseth is a book about a seemingly ordinary – although wholly unfortunate – fifteen year old boy named Lucky with a past that brings a great deal of complications into his life.

I really enjoyed this book, and I would love to read it again. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves high-fantasy or young adult books. The book is grounded enough in modern life that it can appeal to people who aren’t necessarily avid fantasy readers, but it also has enough fantasy elements and an engaging enough plot that fantasy readers will almost certainly enjoy it, too. The main character, Lucky, is a very realistic hero. When he’s thrown into things that, to him, don’t make much sense, he doesn’t just immediately understand. He’s confused and has questions and is a very realistically flawed character. The story overall is also very interesting. The plot is complex, but represented in such a way that it’s easy and fun for a reader to understand.

One thing that tended to pull me out of the story in the first few chapters was the way Lucky spoke versus the way the narration was phrased. They seemed to be on two different levels. The narration was just phrased more the way an old fantasy book would be, where Lucky was in modern times and spoke with a more contemporary feel. As the story progressed, I got used to it, and it didn’t distract from the story so much that I didn’t enjoy the book.
Cover Artist: Catt Ford – The cover art for this book is beautiful. The blues and golds and blacks really make it appealing to the eye even before a person looks more closely at what the pictures on the cover are. It’s very indicative of what the book will be about and I think it’s a very well done cover, and well suited to the book.

Sales Links: Harmony Ink Press All Romance eBook amazon Key to Behliseth

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd , 296 pages
Published September 11th 2014 by Harmony Ink Press (first published November 2010)
NOTE: This is a previously published work. The title, author, and/or publisher may have changed.
A Harmony Ink Press Young Adult Title 2nd Edition
original titleBeyond the Wizard’s Threshold
ISBN 1632162482 (ISBN13: 9781632162489)

October 2014 – Summary of Reviews and Best Covers of the Month

It’s once again time to look back over the month’s reviews and best covers of October 2014. So many great books and authors to choose from, so many covers to love. Check them all out, add to your Must Have, Must Read list and, as always, happy reading!

October 2014 Book Review Summary

*Key:
STRW S series
C contemporary
F-fantasy
SF-science fiction
PN-paranormal
SP-supernatural
H-historical
HR-horror
N-Nonfiction
YA-young adult

Rating Scale: 1 to 5, 5 stars is outstanding

5 Star Rating:

A Taste of Poison (Memory of Scorpions #3) by Aleksandr Voinov, STRWFS (MelanieM Review)
Last Marine Standing by RJ Scott, STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Red Dirt Heart 1 by N. R. Walker STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Red Dirt Heart 2 by N. R. Walker STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Red Dirt Heart 3 by N. R. Walker STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
The Broken Road Cafe by T. A. Webb, STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, STRWC (An Aurora YA Review)

4 to 4.75 Star Rating:

A Heart for Robbie by J. P. Barnaby (4.5) STRWC (PaulB Review)
A Taste of Copper by Elin Gregory, (4.75) STRWH (MelanieM Review)
Accidental Contact and Other Mahu Investigations ()Mahu #7.5) by Neil S. Plakcy, (4.5) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Anchored by Rachel Haimowitz, (4.5) STRWSFS (A Barb Review)
Ben Raphael’s All-Star Virgins by K.Z. Snow (4) STRWC (Sammy Review)
Brothers in Arms (The Broken Road Cafe #2) by T.A. Webb. (4.75) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Counterpunch (Belonging #2) by Aleksandr Voinov, (4) STRWSFS (A Barb Review)
Cutting Out by Meredith Shayne, (4.5) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Dead Things by Meredith Russell (4) STRWH (MelanieM Review)
Death Gets A Boyfriend by Sophie Bonaste (4) STRWF (PaulB Review)
Foundation of Trust (Cost of Repairs #5) by A. M. Arthur, (4) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Hidden Gem by Lissa Kasey (4.75) STRWSF (MelanieM Review)
Phoenix Heart (Stolen Elements #1) by A.L. Wilson, (4.5) STRWSNS, (PaulB Review)
Spaghetti Western by E.M. Lynley (4) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Stand By You by A. M. Arthur (4.25) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
The Trouble with Elves by Therese Woodson (audio book version) (4) STRWFH (A Barb Review)

3 to 3.75 Star Rating:

Acting Out (Calm and Chaos #1) by Sharon Maria Bidwell (3) STRWCS (MelanieM Review)
Burning Ashes by H. Lewis Foster (3.5) STRWC (MelanieM Review)
Confetti, Cake & Confessions by K. C. Wells STRWC (MelanieM Review)
DMZ by Andrea Speed, (3) STRWC (MelanieM Review)
His Sleeping Beau by Jess Buffett (3.5) STRWF (PaulB Review)
Merry Christmas, Josh by Andrea Speed (3.75) STRWSNHS (MelanieM Review)
Midsummer Baker by Megan Derr (3.5) STRWFS (MelanieM Review)
Midsummer Law by Megan Derr (3.5) STRWFS (MelanieM Review)

2 to 2.75 Star Rating:

Changing Tide by D. P. Denman (2) STRWC (MelanieM Review)
Fire and Light by Berengaria Brown (2.5) STRWC (MelanieM Review)
Grumble Monkey and the Department Store Elf by B. G. Thomas *audiobook* Barb Review (2.5) STRWFH

Best Covers of July 2014

A Heart for Robbie, cover art by Angsty G
A Taste of Copper by Elin Gregory, cover artist Meredith Russell
A Taste of Poison (Memory of Scorpions #3) by Aleksandr Voinov, cover artist Reese Dante
Accidental Contact and Other Mahu Investigations ()Mahu #7.5) by Neil S. Plakcy, Kris Jacen artist

Ben Raphael’s All-Star Virgins by K.Z. Snow, Cover artist Maria Fanning
Cutting Out by Meredith Shayne, Mumson Designs artist
DMZ by Andrea Speed, cover artist L. C.Chase
Hidden Gem, cover artist Shobana Appavu

Spaghetti Western by E.M. Lynley, cover artist L.C. Chase
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, unknown artist

On Tour with Garrett Leigh and her latest release Heart (contest)

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Check out the latest release from Garrett Leigh, Heart. Read the blurb and excerpt and don’t forget to enter the contest at the end!

Book Name: Heart
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Garrett Leigh

Author Bio:

Garrett Leigh is a British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Black Jazz Press. Her protagonists will always be tortured, crippled, broken, and deeply flawed. Throw in a tale of enduring true love, some stubbly facial hair, and a bunch of tattoos, and you’ve got yourself a Garrett special.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible. That, and dreaming up new ways to torture her characters. Garrett believes in happy endings; she just likes to make her boys work for it.

Garrett also works as a freelance cover artist for various publishing houses and independent authors under the pseudonym G.D. Leigh. For cover art info, please visit blackjazzpress.com

Author Contact:
garrettleighbooks@gmail.com
Facebook
Facebook Author Page
Twitter

Heart by Garrett Leigh
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: G.D. Leigh (Blackjazzpress.com)

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press amazon US amazon UK amazon CA

Heart Blurb:

Twelve months later Dex is in the midst of a dark storm. A slave to his master, ‘Uncle’ Braden, he spends his days cleaning caravans and his nights working in Braden’s other businesses. His short summer with Seb seems a lifetime ago. Lost in the savage violence of the murky underworld, he doesn’t dare dream he’ll ever find his way back, until one night, a brutal crime opens the door for a chance escape. A new life beckons, old faces emerge, and immersed in the heady vibe of London’s East End, new love begins to heal his fractured heart.

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

Heart Excerpt:

SEB TOOK a drink of his beer and set it down again with undue care. “You can’t read, can you?”

“Can.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Dex slid off his stool and shoved his hands into his pockets. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected when Seb had ambushed him, but it wasn’t this. So what if he couldn’t bloody read? It wasn’t like he’d ever been to school to learn.

Seb caught his arm. “Don’t go, Dex. I’m sorry, okay? I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”

Seb’s hand engulfed Dex’s wrist, his touch as charged and heated as it had ever been. Dex felt his resolve melting, ebbing away until it was all he could do to fall back onto the bar stool. “I can read some,” he said mutinously. “I can read numbers, and names. Knew the name of your shop, didn’t I?”

“Can you write?”

“Never tried.” Dex looked down. Lying to Seb felt all wrong. He’d heard the name of Seb’s shop on the street, and the only name he could read was his own.

Seb was silent for a moment, then without warning, Dex felt his fingers brush through his shower-damp hair. “It really is brown. I thought it was just wet.”

Dex fought for the strength to shy away from the soft gesture, but nothing happened. “The bleach grew out.”

“It was dyed?”

“Couldn’t you tell?” Dex had forgotten his brief stint as a blond was all Seb had ever known of him.

“No, not at all. You look totally different now. Not sure I would’ve recognized you without the scowl. You just about shocked the shit of me. I… I thought I’d never see you again.”

Pages: 204
 Tour Dates: October 31, 2014

Tour Stops:
Parker Williams, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, MM Good Book Reviews
Cate Ashwood, BFD Book Blog, My Fiction Nook, 3 Chicks After Dark, Foxylutely Book Reviews
Smoocher’s Voice, Carly’s Book Reviews, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews
Hearts on Fire, Fallen Angel Reviews, The Blogger Girls, Love Bytes, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
Andrew Q. Gordon

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Heart’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided for the entry form and for all additional contest details.
Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Barb, a Zany Old Lady, Review: The Trouble With Elves by Therese Woodson ~ Audiobook narrated by Ryan Kennard Burke

The Trouble With Elves by Therese Woodson ~ Audiobook narrated by Ryan Kennard Burke

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Cal Martin manages the sporting goods store that happens to be directly across from the Christmas Village in the mall—the dreaded Christmas Village where Santa and his elves cause children to scream and cry and run around with very sticky candy-cane fingers. Cal should adapt “Grinch” as his nickname because he not only hates the whole scene, but he despises listening to the continuous loop of boring old Christmas music.

Cal was once a promising athlete, heading to college on a scholarship when he blew his knee out. Now he lives with his younger brother Brock who has a job in the food court so that they can commute and commiserate together. None of his employees are aware that he’s gay so when he spots a very sexy elf, one who would be able to grant all of Cal’s wishes, his employees, in particular nosy Mia, think he’s drooling over the cute female elf. As it happens, the elves are twins, and Mia knows them.

Unfortunately, due to a major misunderstanding, when Mia works her magic and gets Alex over to his store to meet him, it turns out that Alex is the female elf. Cal wants to be with Zander, her twin. Cal is astounded that their parents named one of them Alexandra and one Alexander. No wonder there was a misunderstanding! The problem is that Cal is so shy and awkward, he can’t find the words to straighten the situation out.

One misunderstanding leads to another until Cal finally realizes that he has to man up and just tell Zander outright that he’s interested in him, not his sister. Of course, it’s never simple, and it’s fun listening to this audiobook rendition of this very entertaining story. Ryan Kennard Burke does a great job with the youthful voices of Cal and Zander and even with singing the traditional Christmas songs which seem to be chapter headings. For a short story, it packs a lot of punch with humor, angst, and romance all sharing equal time.

I would recommend the audiobook to anyone who enjoys listening to their m/m romance and to those who want to enjoy a cute Christmas story with a sweet HEA.

Cover Art by Catt Ford is a very bright holiday green showing MC Zander’s guitar and elf hat. It’s nice and attractive and fits the short story well.

Note: A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming”.

Sales Links (audio) Dreamspinner Press Amazon The Trouble with Elves iTunes Audible

Book Details:

Audio book, Narrator Ryan Kennard Burke

Amazon
Length 1:54:00
ebook, 78 pages
Published December 1st 2013 by Dreamspinner Press (first published November 30th 2013)
ISBN 1627985948 (ISBN13: 9781627985949)
edition languageEnglish
seriesHeartwarming

Rating: I give this book 4 out of 5

Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook & Paperback All Romance eBook amazon Carnival-Decatur

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Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook & Paperback All Romance eBook (ARe) amazon Say Something

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Rating: 4 stars out of 5

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Book Name: The Right Words Goodreads Link Author Name: Lane Hayes

The Right Words Blurb:

The Right Words Excerpt:

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Here is this week’s schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words:

Monday, November 3:

Tuesday, November 4:

Wednesday, November 5:

Thursday, November 6:

Friday, November 7:

YA Saturday, November 8:

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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Sales Links: Harmony Ink Press All Romance eBook amazon Key to Behliseth

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It’s once again time to look back over the month’s reviews and best covers of October 2014. So many great books and authors to choose from, so many covers to love. Check them all out, add to your Must Have, Must Read list and, as always, happy reading!

October 2014 Book Review Summary

5 Star Rating:

4 to 4.75 Star Rating:

3 to 3.75 Star Rating:

2 to 2.75 Star Rating:

Best Covers of July 2014

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✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍

Check out the latest release from Garrett Leigh, Heart. Read the blurb and excerpt and don’t forget to enter the contest at the end!

Book Name: Heart Goodreads Link Author Name: Garrett Leigh

Heart by Garrett Leigh Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: G.D. Leigh (Blackjazzpress.com)

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press amazon US amazon UK amazon CA

Heart Blurb:

Heart Excerpt:

Share this:

The Trouble With Elves by Therese Woodson ~ Audiobook narrated by Ryan Kennard Burke

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Book Details:

Share this:

Book Name: The Right Words
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Lane Hayes

Book Name: Heart
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Garrett Leigh

Heart by Garrett Leigh
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: G.D. Leigh (Blackjazzpress.com)