Thoughts on Holiday Movies and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Thoughts on Holiday Movies

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I grew up with the tradition that at a certain time of the year, our tv screens at home were constantly filled with holiday movies. A quick check of the TV Guide (oh yes, that bible of channels back then) to see when to watch such traditional fare like Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, Holiday Inn, A Charlie Brown Christmas (cartoon), Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer (cartoon), Santa Claus is Coming to Town (cartoon), and of course the classic of all classics It’s a Wonderful Life.

I got older and the movies graduated to The Grinch, A Christmas Story, The Santa Claus, Elf, Home Alone, and Love Actually. And the Hallmark movies. Oodles of them!

You leave home but somehow the traditions made growing up during the holidays follow you, especially when your mother calls to see if you are watching the movies (you are), she’s sniffling (as she always does) because, hey, holiday movies. Hallmark has this down pat. And after Thanksgiving they start running Christmas movies 24/7 (2 channels) which makes my mother giddy with seasonal bliss. All the movies have a similar look and comforting feel, nothing too out of the ordinary to upset its viewing audience. Snow, adorable couple which has always looked the same movie after movie (often the same actors) and picturesque small towns in New England or lately the Northwest, ala islands in the Puget Sound. Similar scripts with heartwarming happy endings, usually with the snow starting to swirl about the couple’s head as they kiss (under the mistletoe, under a star, skating rink, etc.).

And almost always the couple is white and hetrosexual. Very homogeneous right down to the religion. Which shouldn’t be surprising given Hallmark’s years in business, background, and, yes, audience.

Now that has started to change as people of color have appeared in roles as main characters, not just as the person running through the scene or the best friend you never see again. But something happened last week that made me wonder if Hallmark is thinking of making another tentative step forward again. Hence this blog today.

There I was trying,once more to get involved in a story that just refused to contain my interest, my RPG laid closeby calling my name, the dogs were on the bed, and I had the new Hallmark Christmas movie playing on the tv, Road to Christmas. I was only half heartedly paying attention to it when I heard some dialog like “you and your partner have your own Christmas traditions”….and boom! Interest engaged!

So story about a tv chef named Wise, her 3 adopted estranged sons (the Wise men ,get it?), and the young woman who works for her who reunited them at Christmas time during a tv special. She gets a boyfriend out of it too. Well, it turns out that one, (sweater, black rim glasses, perfectly coiffed hair) runs a animal rescue with his partner where it seems they live as well. They have developed their own holiday traditions for themselves. I blink. They, uh, seem to be a couple. Huh. No touching, no indication of that really, cause Hallmark. And at the end when the brothers are reunited at their mother’s home in the lovely picturesque mountains, guess who is watching it happen on live tv, adoringly, from their pet rescue/home? Yep, it’s the partner. Home alone.

But it made me think. Was it a step forward? Or was I reading too much into it? Classic gay guy(s)? Or Hallmark’s version of nerdy pet rescuer? Hmmmm. Don’t know excerpt I’ve read that guy over and over again in countless M/M novels. So yes, I recognized him. I think you all would too. Thoughts, anyone? Did anyone else see that movie?

Hallmark isn’t the only cable channel with holiday movies on it. There’s Lifetime (Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever is one in case you were wondering), ABC Family, Oxygen, and a couple whose names escape me at the moment. The amount of diversity in the movies varies, from none to, well, let’s say getting better. Holiday movies really seem like the last frontier in my mind that remains to be (and needs to be) broken. I’m hoping what I saw is the first baby steps taken by a major player in the holiday movie industry. I can always hope. Tis the season after all.3+

Until then I will have Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys, Charlie Brown and that woeful tree in A Charlie Brown Christmas, Love Actually and Colin, God of Sex, White Christmas with “Sisters”,Miracle on 34th Street and that cane, and of course, Clarence and his bell in It’s a Wonderful Life. And all the other countless movies and memories that mean the holidays to me. How did I forget A Christmas Carol, every single version? Oh my!

So yes, my tv is full of holiday movies, my Kindle getting primed with holiday stories, of which the reviews are just now starting to be posted.

And it’s not even Thanksgiving yet.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, November 11:

Thoughts on Holiday Movies
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, November 12:

Beat of Their Own Drum by KM Neuhold Release Blitz
Release Blitz,for Lucky Town by Morgan Brice
Promo for Rick R. Reed
A MelanieM Review: Mary, Queen of Scotch by Rob Rosen
A Lila Review: Death Benefits by William Holden
A Free Dreamer Review: A Vampire’s Heart by Kayleigh Sky
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Loving Loch by Kris Jacen

Tuesday, November 13:

In The Spotlight Tour and Giveaway:Renewing Forever by Kelly Jensen
Release Blitz A Kiss Before Christmas by A E Ryecart
On Tour with Rob Rosen on Mary, Queen of Scotch
An Alisa Release Day Review: Heart of a Redneck by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga
A MelanieM Review: Renewing Forever by Kelly Jensen
A Lucy Review: A Kiss Before Christmas by A E Ryecart

Wednesday, November 14:

In the Spotlight Tour for Heart of a Redneck by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga
Release Blitz – A Vampire’s Heart – Kayleigh Sky
Alan Semrow Ripe: Letters *Author Tour*
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick
A Jeri Review: Pay It Forward (Giving Back #1) by Nic Starr (
An Ali Release Day Review: Blood Red Roulette by Jana Denardo

Thursday, November 15:

DSP Promo Z.A. Maxfield
Pay It Forward by Nic Starr Author Promo Tour
Release Blitz Tour – LA Witt – The Husband Gambit
Release Blitz & Review Tour – Mr Frosty Pants by Leta Blake
An Ashlez Review Kinky Pride Collection by Shannon West, TS McKinney, Sara York, Susan E Scott
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Nova Praetorian by N.R. Walker
A Stella Review: Bishop Ridge (Sawyer’s Ferry #2) by Cate Ashwood

Friday, November 16:

HARMONY INK GUEST POST Gene Gant
Release Blitz – Irresistible Indigo (D’Vaire, Book 9) by Jessamyn Kingley
Review Tour – Ari McKay’s Seeking Solace (The Walker Boys #3)
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Fair Isn’t Life by Kaje Harper
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Cops and Comix (Murder and Mayhem) by Rhys Ford
A Lucy Review: Seeking Solace (The Walker Boys #3) by Ari McKay

Saturday, November 17:

Release Blitz – Walking In A Winter Wonderland – Claire Castle
A MelanieM Review: Best in Show by Kelly Jensen

A Lucy Release Day Review: The Kinsey Scale (Campus Connections #1) by CJane Elliott

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Life is good for Eric Brown. He’s a senior theater major, an RA for a freshman dorm, and has a great circle of friends. Single since sophomore year, Eric isn’t looking for love. But then Will Butler—fellow senior, co-RA, and the cutest guy Eric’s ever seen—walks into his dorm. Will has a girlfriend he sees off campus—a minor disappointment that becomes a major problem when a housing shortage causes Will and Eric to become roommates, and Eric is forced to witness Will’s hotness day in and day out. For protection, Eric asks Jerry, his ex-boyfriend, to pretend they’re still together. Jerry warns him it’s a stupid idea, but he reluctantly agrees.

Too bad it won’t save Eric from losing his heart.

Will Butler has never believed in himself. His dysfunctional family saw to that. Although Will has loved music since childhood, he’s never seriously considered pursuing it, and the person he’s dating doesn’t encourage him. Then he and Eric Brown become roommates, and everything changes. Eric believes in Will and his talent. He’s also gorgeous and playful and fast becoming Will’s best friend. And that’s not good, because Will is hiding some big things, not only from Eric, but from himself.

This novella (89 pages) does a good job of making me like both Eric and Will. They are co-RA in a freshman dorm who, by some overcrowding of the college, end up having to room together. The fact that Eric initially takes Will for a freshman and then has a little meltdown about it, “Uh, don’t take it personally. I’m a drama queen on my best days” show how laid back Will is. So it shouldn’t be a hardship for them to share a room, right?

Together, they make a great RA team and they take it seriously. They also get to be friends, even as Eric has a crush he hides due to Will having a girlfriend, Jesse, that he visits every weekend. Will’s Texas drawl, his musical talent and his sense of humor all work together to make Eric fall even more. In desperation, he calls on his friend and former boyfriend, Jerry, to act as his current boyfriend. Jerry is a doll and with some bribery, agrees. I have to say I loved both Jerry and Tyrone and hopefully they will be getting stories as well but I didn’t really see the point of the fake boyfriend being thrown in there.

“Only you could get three flaming queens like me, Jerry and Tyrone to have brunch in a sports bar.” That’s the power of the likeability of Will. As they get to know each other more, Eric is fighting his attraction, Will is spending less time with Jesse and more time with Eric, and we have the lovely Jerry there being awesome. Jerry is actually the one who tries to tell Eric that straight or not, Will has a thing for Eric. Which of course Eric doesn’t believe. A discussion about the Kinsey scale turns Eric’s preconceptions around a bit.

Since it is just a novella, there are things I wish had been fleshed out more. Will’s right-wing, Trump supporting, homophobic, alcohol loving family is mentioned but no real background is given. I’d loved to have known the why’s of the music vs economics in more detail. This isn’t insta-love because they take their time becoming friends but I’d loved to have had more. Just more. That aside, I liked this one very much and I hope the series continues.

Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas. The cover was a little off for me. It shows a shirtless man (Eric?) peeking out what appears to be a shower door as another man (Will?) is studying. I didn’t get it – Will isn’t overly studious in the book, at least no more than Eric is – and Eric doesn’t flaunt himself throughout. So was kind of a miss.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 89 pages
Expected publication: November 9th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB07HPD6Z82

Series Campus Connections #1

A MelanieM Audio Review: Love You so Madly (Love You So Stories #2) by Tara Lain and Ry Forest (Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

A Love You So story.

Ben Shane has it all…and he’d like to give some of it back. While he loves his job heading a foundation that funds worthy causes around the world, his engagement to one of America’s wealthiest men leaves him feeling more like a trophy wife than a valued partner. The first warning that his relationship might not be designed to last is his irresistible lust for Dusty Kincaid, the golden-haired, bright-eyed handyman for his company.

Though Dusty is odd for a 23-year-old – no liquor, no sugar, and he can’t even drive – the more Ben gets to know Dusty, the more he admires him. But is Ben going to give up a guy who drives a Ferrari for one who takes the bus?

He must be mad. Dusty knows he and Ben can never work. After all, Ben’s perfect…and Dusty isn’t. But Ben might surprise everyone with proof that he’s only mad in love.

If you love sweet contemporary MM romance, then here is a light-hearted story that is high on the warmth, feel goodery aspect and pretty much low on the angst. It’s also on the short side, so if you are new to the experience of listening to novels in the audioformat, this is just the right length for a first introduction.

Lain’s character of Ben Shane is someone we can all connect with. Hardworking, Ben is totally invested in his job working with charities and finding investors to partner with them. It’s rewarding work and he enjoys it, long hours and all. Not so his wealthy, privileged fiance,Alan Ashland, who feels that Ben’s time should be spent with him, ala kept husband since Alan has more money he can spend in several lifetimes. It doesn’t seem to matter what Ben is saying about the importance of his job or work, Alan doesn’t seem to be getting it. Not a great thing with a wedding in the works.

I loved the character of Ben, he’s well defined, layered, and relatable. Alan? Well, he’s just about every rich boy stereotype rolled into one, and that may be accurate, as a person, he doesn’t come across as anything but less dimensional. Probably intentionally as he’s not someone you would want to spend time with. The voice given to him by narrator Ry Forrest reinforces that impression perfectly of a spoiled rich young man with all the depth of a summer puddle on a 100 degree day. Nope, not lidable at all.

Than there’s Dusty who comes with a bit of a mystery. It won’t take a genius for someone to figure out it’s medical but as I don’t do spoilers I won;t go further here. Dustry is the polar opposite of Alan. With a wide open personality, charming and fun, happy and easy to be around, Ben is quickly drawn to the man that is everything he needs and wants.

This romance drew me in as quickly as I connected to the men involved. The contrast with Alan’s annoying appearances with Dusty’s interaction with Ben and, well, everyone around him, it was clear chemistry in the air. There is a riotous, strong woman at the center as well. Adored her too. No, not Dusty’s mother.

If I had my concerns, it was bringing up a serious medical issues in a short story of this length. I don’t believe you can adequately address it but Tara Lain does a good job.

This story moves along quickly, there’s obstacles (because of course you have to have a few), and and absolutely lovely ending. The original story is only 120 pages in all, so when I say it goes by swiftly, it does. The narrator, Ry Forest , does an excellent job with all the characters, different voices no matter the gender, and manages to sweep us along on this sweet emotional rollercoaster ride of a romance.

Cover Artist: Reese Dante. I love this cover. It’s in keeping with the branding for the series but it’s lightness and sweetness is in character for Dusty.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Listening Length: 4 hours and 36 minutes

Audible Audio, 5 pages
Published September 14th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press (first published May 29th 2018)
Original Title Love You So Madly
ASIN B07HB5VT9L
Edition Language English
Series Love You So Stories #2
setting California (United States)

Cover Reveal for Nomad’s Dream by August Li

Title: Nomad‘s Dream

Author: August Li

Release Date: January 29, 2019

Category: Paranormal

Buy Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook and Paperback

Blurb:

Two men, each with a hidden destiny. Can they defeat a web of deceit and dark magic to ensure their fates intertwine?

Bedouin Isra al-Grayjaab’s dreams lead him to Janan, an amnesiac beggar on the street of Qena—one who steals his heart and starts him on a seemingly hopeless quest. With only their wits, Isra’s knowledge of the desert’s secrets, and the aid of a mercurial djinn, they must recover Janan’s past. But neither can predict his true identity or the lengths others will go to see that his mind remains broken and his true power out of his reach.

In a sweeping romantic adventure that takes them across the Eastern Desert to the modern streets of Cairo and on to the luxurious Red Sea Coast, Janan and Isra seek a truth that will either bring them into each other’s arms or tear them apart forever.

Pages: 200

Author Bio:

August Li plays every game as a mage. He thinks the closest thing to magic outside of games and fantasy is to bring things into existence from nothing, which he does in words and images. As a proud trans man, he hopes to bring diversity and representation to all those who want to see themselves in the art and stories they enjoy. He’s a perfectionist, travel enthusiast, and caffeine addict.

Gus makes his home on the coast of South Carolina, where he spends his days in search of merpeople, friendly cats, and interesting pieces of driftwood. He collects ball-jointed dolls, tattoos, and languages. He believes in faeries and thinks they’re terrifying… but still wants to meet one.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ninja.Gus

Fox-Hat’s Den on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FoxHatsDen/

Twitter: @Ninja_Gus

Instagram: www.instagram.com/augustninja1816/

Queeromance Ink: www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/august–li/

Book Bub: www.bookbub.com/profile/august–li

Tumblr: ninja-gus.tumblr.com

Sean Michael on Time Change, Routine, and his latest release ‘Personal Best 2’ (author guest blog)

Personal Best 2 by Sean Michael
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Sean Michael here today talking about his latest release Personal Best 2. Welcome, Sean.

✒︎

Thank you to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for hosting me today!

So, we fell back by an hour over the weekend and I haven’t been able to catch up since. The time change – both of them – really mess me up. You wouldn’t think an hour would make that big a difference, but it does, every time, and it seems to be getting harder to deal with the older I get.

Plus it’s now dark at like 4:30, and that’s only going to get worse the closer we get to Christmas. I think that’s why we do lights and decorations outside – it really brightens the dark nights up.

I imagine for someone like Mike, from Personal Best 2, who very much relies on his routine, it wouldn’t matter. He’d simply adjust everything by an hour. Or at least his coach Jessy would!

Mike and Jessy were such a joy to write, I did all three books over one summer and it was a sad thing for me when they were done with their story because I didn’t want to let them go. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I loved writing them.

Sean Michael

smut fixes everything

Blurb:

Swimmer Mike Gauliet is moving up in the elite ranks of the American swim team, despite his repetitive stress injuries. He’s hiding his pain from coach Jessy Turner, not wanting to give in to it or let his coach and lover down, and by the time he gets treatment, it’s almost too late.

Jessy helps Mike heal, both in an out of the bedroom, and their need for each other grows as quickly as Mike’s career. They’re scorching hot and ready to go to the top competitions when another injury forces Mike to the sidelines. Jessy thinks this one is no accident, and Mike has to work hard to recover the lost ground.

Mike needs a break from the nonstop stress of training, so they move to the coast so Mike can recuperate once again. But their struggles don’t end with getting him back in competition form, and they can’t truly call it a victory unless they can find the balance between their romantic relationship and Mike grabbing the success he’s earned.

About Sean Michael

Best-selling author Sean Michael is a maple leaf–loving Canadian who spends hours hiding out in used book stores. With far more ideas than time, Sean keeps several documents open at all times. From romance to fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi, Sean is limited only by the need for sleep—and the periodic Beaver Tail.

Sean fantasizes about one day retiring on a secluded island populated entirely by horseshoe crabs after inventing a brain-to-computer dictation system. Until then, Sean will continue to write the old-fashioned way.

Sean Michael on the web:

WEBSITE: http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com

BLOG: http://seanmichaelwrites.blogspot.ca

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWrites/

TWITTER: seanmichael09

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/seanmichaelpics/

An Ali Audio Review: No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese and Brock Hatton (Narrator)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Letting love pass them by would be a crime.

Former forensic accountant Cameron has lost nearly everyone he’s ever loved, and now his vintage clothing shop has been broken into and trashed. When town police chief Will Carson asks an out-of-town cop friend of his for help, Cam takes one look at the dark-haired, blue-eyed detective and knows he’s in real trouble—and it has nothing to do with vandalism or murder.

Pete Minchelli is on leave from his job in Philadelphia due to a gunshot wound, but he figures he can help an academy buddy with some light police work. Plus, he’ll have a chance to experience small-town life. He’s tired of the big city and all its corruption. But he quickly discovers that not all the bad stuff happens in cities. What he doesn’t expect to find is death, treachery—or love.

This was a romantic suspense with a pretty entertaining plotline. The story is told from multiple points of view. This is not something that always works for me but in this case I found myself enjoying see the story unfold through the various character’s eyes.

I liked both Cam and Pete and I thought their romance was lovely. It was sweet and I really liked the two of them together. They had what I would consider a happily for now. I would definitely like to read a short story about them down the road.

This was narrated by Brock Hatton who was a new narrator for me. I thought he had a nice voice and did a good job on the different characters and the different points of view.

Overall I really enjoyed this and would recommend it. Both the author and narrator were new to me but I would try both of their works again.

Cover Artist: Tiferet Design

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Audible | Amazon

Audiobook Details:

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Audible Audio
Published September 13th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published April 3rd 2018)
Original Title No Tears for Darcy
ASIN B07GVRFNKN
Edition Language English

A MelanieM Audiobook Review: The Lion and the Crow by Eli Easton and Scott Richard Ehredt (Narrator)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

In medieval England, duty is everything, personal honor is more valued than life itself, and homosexuality is not tolerated by the church or society.

Sir Christian Brandon was raised in a household where he was hated for his unusual beauty and for his parentage. Being smaller than his six brutish half-brothers, he learned to survive by using his wits and his gift for strategy, earning him the nickname the Crow.

Sir William Corbett, a large and fierce warrior known as the Lion, has pushed his unnatural desires down all his life. He’s determined to live up to his own ideal of a gallant knight. When he takes up a quest to rescue his sister from her abusive lord of a husband, he’s forced to enlist the help of Sir Christian. It’s a partnership that will test every strand of his moral fiber, and, eventually, his understanding of the meaning of duty, honor, and love.

Per Eli Easton herself,”this new edition of The Lion and the Crow from Dreamspinner has about 12K new words added, including new scenes and a new epilogue, plus it’s been fully re-edited.” Having read the original novel when it first came out and loved it, I couldn’t wait to see what this new, revised version sounded like in an audiobook format. What a unmitigated joy this audio turned out to be!

In The Lion and the Crow, Easton sinks her teeth into 1300’s England. It’s a crude and cruel place, where brawn, privilege, and brutality thrive and all else struggle to survive. Especially beauty in youth, no matter the gender. It’s a product and something to be used by others, and a weakness. It’s a mean, savage land of titles, and entrenched nobility and their rules. The poor, the odd, those on the edge are bound to suffer and die.

It’s in this setting, that we have Sirs Christian Brandon and William Corbett. One the youngest son and least regarded in his household because of his beauty, small size, and the fact that his mother was the second wife. Sir William Corbett, who came looking for help for himself and his abused sister from Christian’s father, is the opposite. Huge, a first son and heir, a lion in stature in every way. The characters the author has created in each man is perfect for the time, the personalities, the words and dialog the flows between them that reflects the society and the world around them. Whether or not, you are a fan of historical fiction, you can’t help but be pulled into this story and their lives by her authentic descriptions and vivid scenes.

The romance between Christian and William as it progresses from attraction to deep love on their journey from Christian’s castle to the land where Willian’s sister lives also feels historically accurate as it does believable. William is filled with shame over his feelings towards Christian, how they come to work through the issues in their heads and hearts rings true in every way. It’s sexy, scary, hard, and utterly romantic in a Medieval way. Through the action, the adventure of the journey to save Elaine from her abusive husband in an age where she’s considered his property, the dangers inherent in their weak numbers in an enemies land…it has all the elements of an harrowing and memorable tale.

I have to admit that epilogue had me choking back the tears and then finally just bawling like a baby. Nothing like living a lifetime with these two men that you have come to love deeply and finding it has been lived well and true.

And oh that narrator! Such a richness in his voice, such gravel and depth that the English language and Eli Easton’s story just flows off his tongue with a sort of poetry. Each character has a distinct personality/voice. Scott Richard Ehredt makes each man or woman someone we can believe in and relate to. It’s the first time I have heard him narrator a story but now I will actively seek out more novels read by him because he’s just superb. He took an already excellent story and elevated it further.

If you love to listen to novels, The Lion and the Crow by Eli Easton and Scott Richard Ehredt (Narrator) is one I highly recommend. I recommend it to lovers of historical romance and fiction and to lovers of romance no matter the era. I think its perfection, especially as narrated by Scott Richard Ehredt. Don’t pass this one up.

Cover Artist: Maria Fanning. I love this cover. It’s one of my all time favorites in tone and composition. That’s truly the Lion on the cover.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Narrated by: Scott Richard Ehredt
Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
Unabridged Audiobook

Audible Audio
Published July 14th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published June 1st 2013)
ASINB011LNDE3Y
Edition LanguageEnglish
CharactersSir Christian Brandon, Sir William Corbet settingEngland

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Seeking Solace (The Walker Boys 3) by Ari McKay

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

All hands on deck for a shipboard romance—with a secret.

Like his cousins, Devin Walker aspires to be a chef, but he wants to indulge his wanderlust while feeding his customers, and working a cruise ship seems like the solution. Since he can’t find an opening in the kitchen, he’s happy to start out in a position behind the bar.

While onboard Poseidon’s Pearl, Devin is assigned to shepherd a visiting executive. Paul Bailey is quiet and unassuming, and the car accident that cost him his leg also shattered his confidence. He doesn’t think he’s attractive to other men anymore, and Devin is eager to show him just how wrong he is. Paul has a surprising secret that might sink their passionate affair before it even leaves port.

The Walker Boys series by Ari McKay all center around main characters that are or have aspirations to be chefs with their own restaurants. Seeking Solace (The Walker Boys 3) by Ari McKay falls into the latter category. Devin Walker, of the enormous Texas Walker clan, has been working on board the Triton line cruise ship learning the kitchen and “the ropes”, waiting for the chance to move up into the role of chef. It’s a job he loves, even though he wants it to be temporary in the long run with his goal of opening his own restaurant, just as a trained chef would.

Everything is going according to plan, until he is assigned the role of liaison to a visiting executive who needs to learn more about the Triton cruise business from the bottom to the top, never realizing who the man is that he’s showing around.

So, yes. It’s the false identity trope but it works here. I mean haven’t you all seen Undercover Boss on tv? Not that far fetched an idea anymore. The addition of Paul working through his acceptance of his disability, the worries over his appearance (scars and prosthetic) felt authentic and grounded this romance in a definite reality as opposed to a sheltered cruitse glow. I liked that the author(s) gave the readers a believable “behind the scenes” feel to the cruise line and it’s workings. I enjoyed that and the staff.

The chemistry between Devlin and Paul was hot, sweet, and lovely to read. I delighted in their romance and the cruise in general. Plus don’t get me started on the food here. I felt as though I was going to gain weight just through reading some of the detailed, vivid descriptions of the drinks and drool worthy menu items alone! Really mouth watering and scrumptious!

The cruise takes place over two weeks so the attraction/instant love element is a bit of a stretch for me. The physical attraction and like? Absolutely. Love? On the road to, yes. Which is why I enjoyed the HFN ending that McKay left the couple at. That felt more honest with one exception involving the ship. Won’t go there, spoiler territory. I just thought it was unlikely that Devlin would have done that given his working relationship there.

The Walkers Boys and their search for HEA or in this case HFN is a fun series for people who love sweet contemporary romance with a mixture of food and travel. From Texas to North Carolina and New York (Breaking Bonds) to cruising and back to Texas, this series has a little something for everyone. They work well as standalone stories but are fun read together as well.

Cover art: Alexandria Corza. Has the moon and ship as the backdrop and Paul as the center model. If that is supposed to be Devlin, a total miss of the mark.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Dreamspinner

Book Details:

ebook, 206 pages
Published November 6th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 139781640805231
Series The Walker Boys

Striking Sparks

Breaking Bonds

Seeking Solace

Andrew Grey on the Top 5 Type of Romance he Likes to Write and his new novel Fire and Agate (Carlisle Deputies #3) (guest post and excerpt)

Title: Fire and Agate

Author: Andrew Grey

Series: Carlisle Deputies #3

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Nov 6 2018
Cover Artist: Kanaxa

Book Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Dreamspinner Press

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Andrew Grey here today. Andrew is on tour for the next story in his Carlisle Deputies series, Fire and Agate.. Welcome, Andrew.

✒︎

I wanted to have some fun, so I thought a top 5 post would be in order. Here are my Top 5 favorite types of romances to write. I must say that I read and write a wide range of characters, but these are some of my favorites in no particular order.

Andrew Grey’s Top 5 Favorite Types of Romances to Write

1) Cops – given the title that we’re celebrating, that’s probably a no brainer.

2) Firemen – Hunky guys in fire pants sometimes sleeping in the same room together.

3) Rural – I spent part of my childhood in the country, so I know first hand those boys know a lot about the birds and the bees.

4) Cowboys – They’re iconic and can be stunning, cantankerous, and a lot of fun to write.

5) Discovering love – There’s something that feeds the soul about writing a character that is really just discovering that they are worthy of being loved.

Blurb/Synopsis:

When Chris Anducci is moved off jail duty and into the sheriff’s office, he doesn’t expect his first assignment to be protecting a witness against a human trafficking ring. Knowing the new sheriff doesn’t abide screw-ups, Chris reluctantly agrees to work the case.

Pavle Kasun has spent the last four years of his life at the mercy of others. When an opportunity presented itself, he took it, resulting in his rescue. Now the safe houses he’s placed in are being threatened and he needs protection if he is to have any sort of chance at a life.

Chris opens his home to Pavle, but he doesn’t expect Pavle and his story to get under his skin… and stay there. Soon they discover they have more in common than either of them thought. Slowly Pavle comes out of his shell and Chris finds someone who touches his heart. But as the men looking for Pavle close in, they will stop at nothing to get him out of the way. But even if Chris can keep him safe, he might not be able to protect his heart if Pavle moves back home.

Genre:M/M Contemporary Romance/Law Enforcement

Excerpt

Slowly a figure, curled up and small, made an appearance from around the side of the dresser. The first thing Chris noticed were the biggest, brownest eyes he had ever seen, filled with the pain of years of hurt. They blinked, and then Pavle stepped farther into the light. Even standing, he looked half hunched over.

“This is Deputy Chris. He’s here because he’s going to help keep you safe.”

Pavle raised his head slightly, his black hair, long and uneven, falling to the sides of his face.

“Hello,” Chris said, mimicking the soft tone the others had used. “I’m Chris. They told me you needed help, so I’m going to protect you so no one hurts you anymore.” In that moment, he made up his mind to do whatever was needed to help this man, and if that meant moving him into his home to protect him, so be it.

“I’d like it if you went with Deputy Chris. He is a good man and will not hurt you,” Marie explained slowly and gently.

Chris didn’t expect Pavle to believe her or to agree to come. “It’s okay if you don’t want to,” Chris said, crouching down so he was at the same level as Pavle. “This is your choice.”

“Choice?” Pavle asked in a raspy voice that tore at Chris’s insides, looking at him and then back to Marie.

“Yes. You can choose to stay here or go with Deputy Chris. We want you to be safe, but we aren’t sure how well we can protect you here. If you go with Deputy Chris, he will protect you. Keep you safe.”

“INS?” Pavle asked.

“No. He is good man. Caring. He will help you.” Marie seemed to have infinite patience.

Pavle blinked, standing still, then nodded and walked to Chris. It seemed as though he either didn’t understand or thought he didn’t have a choice, even though he was being given one. Chris held out his hands, palms up, to show that he wasn’t going to hit him. When Pavle looked at him with those huge eyes and the face of an angel, he looked much younger than the twenty-four listed in his file. Maybe that was his previous owner’s fetish. Still, after all he’d been through, Pavle’s handsomeness and light shone through, with soft features and an almost delicate frame.

“I’ll gather his few things,” Annette said.

Marie extended her hand to take Pavle’s gently. He went with her in silence. She led him out of the house, and once they were in the sun, Chris got a better look at him. Pavle was pale, probably from years of being inside. Chris reminded himself to ask Marie about any past injuries. He suspected that Pavle had been treated very badly in the past and he needed to know if he was okay physically.

“Thank you for doing this,” Marie said once she had opened the door to Chris’s car and gotten Pavle settled in the passenger seat. He sat without moving or looking to either side. “You have to keep him safe. He is the main witness against the man who held him for nearly two years. We need to get that man and then trace back to the people who sold Pavle to him. We’re pulling each thread to see what we can unravel.”

“Okay. I will do my best, I promise you.”

“I’ll follow you to your house and help Pavle get settled.”

As Marie got to her car, Pavle reacted for the first time.

“She’s just riding separately. She will be back in a few minutes.”

Chris drove the short distance to his house and pulled into the garage. He didn’t want Pavle to be seen, and yet he also didn’t want him to feel like a prisoner again by being hidden. He got out and waited, hoping Pavle would get out on his own. After a few moments, Pavle opened the door and climbed out of the car. Chris opened the door to the yard and motioned for Pavle to go ahead of him.

Marie came though behind him, and Chris closed the garage doors and joined the two of them in the yard. Pavle looked around, saying nothing. Chris wished he would say something… anything. He was way too quiet, and that worried Chris because he had no idea what he was thinking, and damn it all, those eyes still held buckets of fear.

“It’s okay. This is where you are going to stay.” Marie gently coaxed Pavle toward the house, and he shuffled along, looking at the yard. Hopefully he liked what he saw. Chris had spent too many hours working out stress for the garden to be unappreciated.

Chris opened the back door, went inside, and turned on lights, letting Marie bring Pavle in the kitchen, motioning toward the living room. Maybe this was the biggest mistake of his life. He wasn’t equipped to handle someone as fragile and frightened as Pavle. Chris had no clue what he needed or even how to get through to him.

“I sold?” Pavle finally asked barely above a whisper.

Chris caught Marie’s gaze, and his heart twisted in his chest. God, this was going to wrench his guts six ways from Sunday.

“No. This is where you are going to live. You are not going to be sold to anyone any more. Deputy Chris is here to help you and nothing more.” She patted his hand and took Pavle through to the other room.

Chris got three glasses of water and put some cookies on a plate. He needed some sugar if he was going to get through this in one piece.

Marie and Pavle were talking softly on the sofa when Chris handed each of them a glass and offered them cookies. Marie took one, and Pavle stared at the plate as though it were a foreign object. Finally, he took one and ate a small bite before shoving the whole thing in his mouth, chewing and swallowing like he hadn’t eaten in days, then he drank the entire glass of water.

Chris offered him another, and Pavle took it in disbelief, ate it quickly, and then rested his hands in his lap.

About the Author

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing)He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

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For Other Works by Andrew Grey

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)

An Alisa Release Day Review: Fangs for the Memories ( A Dead and Breakfast #2) by Julia Talbot

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

One wolf lost his memory, but they’ll both lose their hearts.

Bitten werewolf Tom owes the folks at the Dead and Breakfast big for saving his life. So when they ask for help with a rogue wolf on the premises, he’s happy to do his part….

Though he isn’t quite prepared for what he’ll find.

Werewolf Nathan lost everything to a sadistic kidnapper—his freedom, his memories, and maybe even his ability to be human. But as soon as he meets Tom, he knows he might be able to reclaim his life. And even a turned wolf like Tom feels the mating call. The trouble is, Tom isn’t the only one who wants Nathan, and they’ll need help from all their supernatural friends at the D & B to defeat a powerful enemy and keep their love—and themselves—alive.

This was another cute story in this series. Tom doesn’t think he will ever have a mate and is even more surprised when he finds him at the D and B. Nathan is struggling to survive and find how he can trust, he feels a pull to Tom and the safety he provides.

There are many more at the D and B now, which gives the hope of more stories to come. Once Nathan regains himself he is the bouncy one in this relationship, with the help of Ed, but I think it also helps Tom to unwind and let go a bit too.

We get to see the story from both characters’ points of view and it helps to understand them both. Though we don’t see as much into Nathan’s past probably because it would be painful for him we find out what has happened which made me so happy that he has found love and a new family. Tom will carry everything on his shoulders if he can and I love that his friends won’t let him do that. I continue to love how the characters give into their animal’s basic instincts so much, it is so entertaining.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson is great and I love how it goes with the series.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 222 pages

Published: November 6, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-835-5

Edition Language: English

Series: A Dead and Breakfast #2, Dreamsun Beyond