Xenia Melzer on Writing, Romance, and her new release A Dom and His Artist (Club Whisper #2) (author guest blog)

A Dom and His Artist (Club Whisper #2) by Xenia Melzer
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Xenia Melzer here today answering questions and talking about her new release A Dom and His Artist. Welcome, Xenia.

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with Xenia Melzer

Do you have a favorite among your own stories? And why?

Yes, I do have a favorite and even though I’m supposed to be promoting my new book here, the favorite is Ummana, the third in the Gods of War series. For the series, that book is a turning point plot-wise, and for me it’s important, because one of my favorite characters, Sic, finally reaches calmer waters after a tumultuous journey.

If you write contemporary romance, is there such a thing as making a main character too “real”?

Actually, I had that problem with the previous book in the Club Whisper series, A Dom and His Writer. Some people complained that the way Richard behaved toward Dean after they got Emily made him a jerk, and that they couldn’t understand how anybody could act that way, and how Dean could forgive him. The problem was that I used some incidents I had experienced as a new mom to show how a baby could overthrow one’s life completely and how difficult it is to deal with all the change. So in a sense, Richard’s character – and by extension the whole situation – were too real. Though I do want to mention that other readers found this realism one of the strongest points of the book – because they could relate to the situation. The problem here (if you want to call it a problem) is, that different readers have different definitions of ‘too real’ or ‘not real enough’. I think it depends on what one expects. Personally, I, as a mother, always feel a bit mocked if having a baby is depicted as pure bliss and a walk in the park, because I know better. (Boy, do I know better…). I also can understand if other parents or people who plan to become parents, want a bit more romanticism in their stories about babies.

Do you think you can bring too many faults into a character that eventually it becomes too flawed to become a love interest?

This question relates to the previous one. Many readers hated Richard, because he reacted so negatively to baby Emily in his life. I made him act the way he did because I knew – and had experienced – that this is a perfectly normal reaction with some people. It doesn’t say anything about their character, more about their ability to adapt to change. I know a lot of people, mostly women, who have decided to not have children because they simply don’t like them. This is still not a very popular opinion for a woman to have, but it’s valid. Not everybody likes children and that’s okay. And sometimes people come around and realize having children isn’t as bad as they feared, or they don’t. For the sake of the story, Richard did come around, but the fears he had in the beginning mirror what many people think about children. Which relates back to the ‘too real’ part of the first question. I surely didn’t want to make a statement or tut the horn of how wonderful children are. That’s a very personal decision for everybody to make on their own. I just wanted to show a realistic situation, with realistic fears that are overcome by romance.

Have you ever had an issue in RL and worked it through by writing it out in a story? Maybe how you thought you’d feel in a situation?

Funny you should mention that. When I still was a teacher, my pupils asked a lot of questions about how I write my books and how I come up with plotlines and characters. One day, they were really getting on my nerves, not concentrating at all, and I looked at them and told them I had just come up with a whole battle scene in my head, thanks to them. (They were all fifteen or older at that point and found my comment hilarious.) Of course they wanted to know who I killed how and believe it or not, that discussion turned into a very productive lesson about using writing as an outlet. They all came up with scenes of their own and we guessed what real-life situation they were referring to.

So, yes, I sometimes do work issues in RL out in my books. Sometimes I let my characters act exactly like I acted, sometimes I let them react differently, in a way I wish I had reacted. Writing never happens in a vacuum. Even if we aren’t aware, our daily lives do interfere a lot with our plots and characters.

With so much going on in the world today, do you write to explain? To get away? To move past? To widen our knowledge? Why do you write?

I’m a firm believer in Escapism. I do my best writing when I’m stressed because of things happening in my personal world. Writing helps me to establish a distance and look at things from a new perspective, even if what I’m writing about isn’t directly related to my real life problems. It also helps me to work through my own issues. Sometimes things get clearer once I wrote them down and let’s be honest, with the way the world is at the moment, it’s nice to escape once in a while.

As for the knowledge part… there’s a lot to be known about BDSM and my research for the sake of the Club Whisper series still leaves me blushing in front of the screen more often than not. But I will continue to sacrifice my innocence to bring my readers realistic, yet romantic stories about the wonderful world of kink 😉

Blurb

Sometimes the perfect man can be found in the most unexpected place….

Martin Carmichael owns a security firm and is part owner of Club Whisper. He’s a Dom in search of the right guy, and when his car breaks down on a lonely stretch of road, he thinks he might have found him.

Artist Collin Malloy is talented, easygoing, but somewhat insecure. Still, he has a big heart and is quick to offer help when he sees Martin in need. To thank him, Martin invites Collin to dinner, where the attraction between them becomes harder to resist.

But what will become of their budding relationship when Martin reveals that he likes his men bound, submissive, and in pain? Is it something Collin can accept… and possibly enjoy exploring? Even if he can, Collin has a secret of his own—a secret he doesn’t even realize he’s keeping.

About the Author

Xenia Melzer is a mother of two who enjoys riding and running when she’s not writing stories. She doesn’t like beer but is easily tempted by a Virgin Mojito. Or chocolate. Truffles are especially cherished, even though she doesn’t discriminate. As a true chocoholic, she welcomes any kind of cocoa-based delight.

Visit me at www.xeniamelzer.com or contact me at info@xeniamelzer.com

Or befriend and follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xeniamelzer/

A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Unlikely Hero by Sean Michael and Jeff Gelder (Narrator)

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Eric doesn’t know where else to turn when his daughter is kidnapped, so he calls on his powerful ex-lover, Brock. Brock never expected to hear from Eric again, but he never got over the man, either. When Eric comes to him to help find the three-year-old Josie, there’s no way Brock can turn him down. He has the money and the contacts Eric needs, and he can’t let Eric walk out of his life again. Not after all these years.

Brock has no idea what he’s letting himself in for. Together, Eric and Josie turn Brock’s world upside down while they work with police and private security to find the people who took Josie, and to keep Eric and Josie safe while they do. Even as they get to know each other again, Brock has to fight the feelings he still has for Eric, at least for time being, which just makes it all that much harder. Can Eric and Brock find out who wants to hurt them before it’s too late, or will Brock fall off his pedestal as Eric’s hero?

I had read Unlikely Hero by Sean Michael when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed the story then so I was curious to revisit it in audiobook format.

It had been some time so the audiobook made the story fresh again. I love tales with ex lovers getting that second chance at love and Unlikely Hero certainly has that with Eric turning to Brock for help after nine years because his daughter has been kidnapped. We get an extremely emotional setup that eventually leads to their breakup details later as they work on getting Josie back.

Brock is all big, strong, hugely rich, and gorgeous man…he all but has the word hero written on his chest. Eric is the more vulnerable high school teacher who broke it off years ago because he wanted a “normal life”, read that one outside that of a multi-millionaire, with a house in the burbs with kids. He now has that child who has been kidnapped for no reason anyone can understand.

The rest of the novel seeks to unravel the mystery behind Josie’s kidnapped and watching Brock, and Eric reconnect, and try to figure out how to move forward as a couple, and then as a family with Josie. Josie, a three year old, is a major character here. I found her far more successful in the novel than here in the audiobook. That’s due primarily to the narrator.

Narrating the voices of children accurately is incredibly tough. You either nail it or you don’t. And imo, Jeff Gelder just can’t get a child’s voice right. Josie comes off sounding more like a elderly woman than a three-year old, which is very disconcerting. Not only does she sound “older” than she is., but it comes dangerously close to being portrayed like a comedy routine because of the disconnect between the voice and the character. That’s too bad because Gelder’s other voices are just fine for the men he’s playing.

Other factors that seem highlightered here that perhaps I didn’t notice in the other format? The length of time it took for the police to put all the clues and details together to catch the perpetrator seemed odd and too long. I can’t remember. Maybe the book was written back in 2009, so forensics was less advanced than now and that’s hard to remember when the audiobook comes out in 2018. But when you start to focus on things that annoy you like a badly done child’s voice, then other elements start to pop up as well. Funny how that happens.

Still, Unlikely Hero is a sweet contemporary romance with a child firmly at the center. Love that element? Then you are sure to love this story. You might want to read it, however, instead of listening to it. Jeff Gelder’s “Daddy B, Daddy B” after a while was downright irritating instead of endearing as it was in the story. What a sham

Cover art: LC Chase is just adorable and perfect for the story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Audible Audio, Second Edition
Published March 2nd 2018 by Dreamspinner Press (first published September 2009)
Original TitleUnlikely Hero
ASINB07B4GW8Z9
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Lila Audiobook Review: Red Fish, Dead Fish ( Fish Out of Water #2) by Amy Lane and Greg Tremblay (Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

What they say this book’s all about?

Two months ago Jackson Rivers got shot while trying to save Ellery Cramer’s life. Not only is Jackson still suffering from his wounds, the triggerman remains at large—and the body count is mounting.

Jackson and Ellery have been trying to track down Tim Owens since Jackson got out of the hospital, but Owens’s time as a member of the department makes the DA reluctant to turn over any stones. When Owens starts going after people Jackson knows, Ellery’s instincts hit red alert. Hurt in a scuffle with drug-dealing squatters and trying damned hard not to grieve for a childhood spent in hell, Jackson is weak and vulnerable when Owens strikes.

Jackson gets away, but the fallout from the encounter might kill him. It’s not doing Ellery any favors either. When a police detective is abducted—and Jackson and Ellery hold the key to finding her—Ellery finds out exactly what he’s made of. He’s not the corporate shark who believes in winning at all costs; he’s the frightened lover trying to keep the man he cares for from self-destructing in his own valor.

Red Fish, Dead Fish is even better than Fish Out of Water. I have forgotten that when Amy Lane goes for gritty and sad it’s always detailed and perfect. What Jackson endures in this second story takes off with the same intensity and suffering. Yes, it’s more than redeeming in the end, but he has to fight with everything he has to get to the other side, where Ellery is always waiting for him.

The author did an excellent job integrating this volume within the main story. We get to learn more about Jackson’s life, his fears, and the need he has to love and be love. Ellery is always there with him even when Jackson tries to push him aside. They have learned to work together and comfort each other better. There’s always an internal fight not to give the other too much but in the end, they always provided what the other needed.

There’s a large variety of secondary characters, new and old, that make the reader want to know more about their stories. Plus, in Amy Lane’s fashion, we get to see characters from her other books making small cameos in this book. It works and is always best to read the other books first; in this case, Racing for the Sun. There are also some bonus short stories at the end of the audiobook that are worth listening to. They bring all three books together.

I don’t think this series is over. The reader gets a complete story, but there’s always the possibility for more. Opened doors and new phycological adventures for Jackson and Ellery. This book was long and action-packed. Parts are cringeworthy and you get to suffer with the characters but in the end, it goes perfectly with the characters and their story.

Greg Tremblay brings the characters back to life without missing a step. They’re as strong and individual as on the first book, getting the reader submerged into the story within minutes.

The cover by Reese Dante matches the previous book with its clean lines and out of the ordinary elements. Still, quite literal, but it works one more time.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Greg Tremblay
Length: 11 hours and 48 minutes

Published: March 2, 2018 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B01LZQ0MBK

Edition Language: English

Series: Fish Out of Water
Book #1: Fish Out of Water
Book #2: Red Fish, Dead Fish

Vicki Reese on Writing, Characters, and her new release No Tears for Darcy (author interview)

No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art: Tiferet Design

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Vicki Reese here today talking about writing, characters and her new release No Tears for Darcy. Welcome, Vicki.

~ Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with Vicki Reese ~

How much of yourself goes into a character?: I’m not sure. I’d say a little of me goes into all of them. Actually, a little of a lot of people that I know. I take bits and pieces of myself and everyone I know and those pieces go into my characters.

Does research play a role into choosing which genre you write? Do you enjoy research or prefer making up your worlds and cultures?: With a degree in Library Science, I love research. I can get lost in the research – which is not always a good thing! LOL. As for making up my own worlds and cultures – that is my first love, but to do it right requires a lot of research so the two are not mutually exclusive. I’ve been known to create entire worlds in the sand while vacationing, but when I bring those worlds (in the form of pictures) back home, then I get to work researching to make them viable, whether contemporary or fantasy or science fiction. You have to make it real for yourself and the reader.
Has your choice of childhood or teenage reading genres carried into your own choices for writing? Sort of. I read a lot and always have – in a lot of different areas. From Shakespeare to Asimov. From DuMaurier to Clancy. I read almost everything – so for me, it came down to picking one (or three). And some that are my favorite to read I don’t write (like historical fiction).
Do you like HFN or HEA? Why?: It has to be HEA for me. I’m a firm believer in HEA and committed relationships. Yes, it takes work and it’s not always easy, but there has to be that “hope” that the couple will make it. After all, they’ve already made it through the worst, so the rest can’t be bad, right? I need that happiness and hope that all will work out. I’ve read several HFN and they just didn’t work as well for me because I didn’t have that feeling they would stay together. I need that for a satisfying ending.
Do you read romances?: Definitely. I started reading romances in college and haven’t stopped. In all genres- historical, contemporary, paranormal, suspense – you name it, if it’s a romance, I read it.
How do you feel about the ebook format and where do you see it going?: I know for a lot of readers, that’s all they read, and that’s fine. I kind of have a love/hate relationship with it. I definitely prefer the feel of a book in my hand, not my tablet (or computer). But, after a recent issue with my vision, I find that I like being able to enlarge the text and that means ebooks. Plus, as I’ve moved a lot over the years (23 times so far), it’s a lot easier to move a library of ebooks than my actual library. As to where it’s going… your guess is as good as mine. Ebooks are here to stay…until something better comes along. LOL
How do you choose your covers?: I’m fortunate to have worked with some great artists for my covers. I give them what I would like, and they come up with amazing drafts. For me, I usually like one or two of the main characters, a little of one of the settings, good fonts, and colors that carry the mood of the piece. I’m not a fan of “cartoonish” covers-though they work for many books. But I don’t like them for mine. I like the characters to be real, for both myself and the reader.
Do you have a favorite among your own stories and why?: That’s like asking if I have a favorite child. They’re all my favorites. LOL. From the first silly story I wrote as a child to my latest novel, they all mean something special to me.
What’s next for you as an author?: I’m currently working on my next romantic suspense for Dreamspinner as well as a high fantasy story I hope to shop around.
Have you ever put a story away, thinking it just didn’t work, then years later you loved it?: Actually, No Tears for Darcy is one of those stories. I wrote this several years ago, but the timing wasn’t right for it. Then I met Dreamspinner and, voila… a love was born.
Ever drunk-written a chapter and then read it the next day and still been happy with it?: LOL!! No, sorry. Due to a medical condition, I don’t drink. But I have written while under the influence of medication – interesting outcome, but it made little sense so it didn’t make it in.
If you could imagine the best possible place for you to write, where would that be and why?: I kind of have that now. I have a private office with a great view outside, good music on the stereo, multiple bookshelves stuffed to overflowing and a big, comfy chair to sit in. Back before the kids grew up, I wished for a place like this instead of the chaos of the kitchen table. Funny thing is, I miss that chaos, but I cannot write in a place like a coffee shop or the library. I find those surroundings too distracting—watching people, listening to conversations, and so on. So I’m good with where I am.
With so much going on in the world today, do you write to explain? To get away? To move past? Why do you write?: I write to escape. To show a better world, or a world where the possibility of a HEA exists. Where someone normal like me can face difficulties and still come out on top of things. I write to give hope to myself and my readers. In today’s world, we all need a little hope, and happiness. We all need our HEA, even if only for a short while.

About No Tears for Darcy

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.

Andrew Grey on Writing, Romance and his latest release Redeeming the Stepbrother (Tales from St. Giles #2) (author guest blog)

Redeeming the Stepbrother (Tales from St. Giles #2)

by Andrew Grey

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas

Release Date: April 10 2018

Book Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Dreamspinner Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Andrew Grey here today talking about reading, romance, and his new release Redeeming the Stepbrother (Tales from St. Giles #2) . Welcome, Andrew!

♦︎

Has your choice of childhood or teenage reading genres carried into your own choices for writing? It’s funny, but in some ways. As a teenager I didn’t read romance. It wasn’t something that was necessarily open to boys and times were quite different then. However I remember reading stories and getting caught up in the romance portion of them. There was the action and suspense, but what turned the pages for me was to find out what happened to the main characters and if they finally worked things out between them. So I guess I was always a romantic at heart, I just didn’t realize it until later.

Have you ever had to put an ‘in progress’ story aside because of the emotional ties with it? You were hurting with the characters or didn’t know how to proceed? Yes, that has happened. There have been times when I was feeling what my characters were to the point hat I actually had to walk away from the story for a period of time. I remember the beginning of Fire and Hail, after I wrote the first chapter I was shaking to the point that I had to set the whole story aside and allow myself to calm down before I could continue.

Blurb/Synopsis:

Family can be a blessing and a curse, but for artist Florian, it’s a nightmare he longs to escape.

As chief designer for Bartholomew Artist Porcelain, Florian specializes in painting birds. He also watches them in the wild to distract himself from his short-tempered mother, at least temporarily. Florian’s heart is too soft to leave his stepsister, Ella, to suffer alone. Still, he can’t help dreaming about one day finding happiness and love.

When Count Dieter von Hollenbach arrives in town to visit a friend and present an award, he isn’t looking for romance. Then again, he doesn’t expect someone as perfect as Florian to come into his life. To make sure Florian is all he seems and that their connection is genuine, Dieter keeps his title to himself.

But he isn’t the only one with a secret.

At a masquerade ball to celebrate the award, some of the masks fall away, but those that remain in place could destroy the love beginning to grow between them.

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Excerpt

I crouched in the reeds, finding a dry spot and using the tall grasses as cover to watch, listening and filling my camera with images. There was almost too much activity to take in all at once.

An engine sound grew near, and I turned but didn’t see the car. I didn’t want to scare any of the birds away, so I stayed where I was until slurpy footsteps came closer.

“Florian,” Dieter said with his deep voice and German accent.

“Right here. Stay low and move slowly. There is a lot of activity today.” I waited until Dieter got nearer and moved over to share my firm, dry patch of ground. I pointed. “Look over there. The baby egrets are learning from their mother to hunt for food.” Dieter leaned in the direction I had pointed, and I inhaled his sweet, slightly musky scent. Dang, he smelled good. I inched a little closer, just so I could get another whiff of him. Too bad I’d never learned how to add scent to a painting—other than the smell of paint, that is.

“Look over there.” Dieter pointed to a sandpiper as it scampered over the sand, poking its long beak down every now and then.

A motor sounded in the distance and grew louder and louder. It was one of those large cabin cruisers going full speed, motors rumbling throatily as it approached. The birds scampered for cover or took to the air, flying off for safety.

“I hate that. They’re supposed to slow down in this section of the Bay, but they don’t always do it. Danged tourists.” This was a known birding area and most locals left it alone or stayed clear when they were on the water.

There was no use sitting here any longer. The birds were gone, and while they’d return eventually, they were scattered now. Besides, it was getting late.

I stood, stretching my back and legs. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s not your fault.” Dieter was wearing the same sort of clothes as he had the last time I saw him. Definitely something out of another era. His gaze traveled downward as I smiled. “My clothes?”

I nodded. “Where did you get them? At an antique store?”

Dieter shrugged. “They were my father’s. He used to take me bird-watching in Bavaria when I was a little boy. It was one of the few things he and I did together.” He slowly and carefully made his way back toward the cars, and I followed him, enjoying the view. “My father was a difficult man.” Dieter opened the trunk, took off his binoculars, and set them inside their case. “He didn’t seem to have a lot of time for me, but we used to go hiking in the Alps and to lakes, where we watched birds. My father used to take me hunting, but I was miserable at it.”

I shivered. “I hate hunting. I could never get the hang of shooting.” I opened the trunk to my car and starting taking off my gear, getting out my sneakers. “My stepfather took me once and I nearly shot my foot off and then dropped the gun. It almost disappeared into the mud. After that, I decided that watching birds was a lot more interesting than trying to shoot them. I can buy chicken in the store when I want poultry.” I smiled, and Dieter grinned in return.

“I can shoot very well. I just don’t think hunting is very sporting. Not when my father’s version was standing in a field while the gamekeepers released captured birds and he shot them as they tried to get away.” Dieter looked downward once again. “But these were what he wore when we went bird-watching, and I kept them after he passed away.” He changed his shoes, and I did the same.

I wasn’t sure what to do or talk about now that we were done watching the birds. I needed to get some dinner and was about to ask if Dieter wanted to join me, but his phone rang before I could.

Dieter answered it and spoke softly in German before ending the call. “I must go. It was very nice bird-watching with you.” He nodded once, sort of a small bow. I didn’t understand what it meant, but I did the same in return. “I hope to see you again.” Dieter got into his car and hurried away. I watched him go and for a second wondered if I suddenly smelled bad.

With nothing more I could do, I packed up my things and headed to town. I wasn’t particularly interested in going home, so I figured I’d get something to eat and read for a while. I had my Kindle in my bag, and some quiet time away from family chaos was probably a good thing.

As I passed through town, I noticed the dark Mercedes parked outside the café. I thought it was Dieter’s and debated eating there. It was my favorite place in town, and Betty, the owner and hostess, usually gave me a table by the window so I could watch people and relax. I didn’t want Dieter to think I was following him, though, and nearly drove past before deciding to park and go anyway.

“Hi, honey,” Betty said as I stepped inside. “Your usual table?”

I nodded. “Thanks.” I sat down, and she brought me a cup of tea and took my order for a chicken salad sandwich. One of these days I really needed to work on becoming less predictable. Even I thought my life was a bit boring and a little redundant.

“How are things going at the studio?” Betty asked after she put in the order.

“Good,” I answered, glancing over at the tables on the other side of the café. Dieter sat with Dante, talking quietly. I didn’t want to appear to be eavesdropping on my boss, but I had to confess that I barely saw Dante, my gaze only for Dieter. Dieter leaned over the table, his hair falling slightly forward, framing his profile, and I might have sighed slightly.

“I see,” Betty said, and I looked up at her. “You know Mr. Dante is taken.”

I must have looked askance at her because she nodded.

“Honey, the other man is a business associate of Dante’s. He’s dreamy, if you ask me, but I don’t know how long he’s going to be staying, so don’t get your heart set on that one.” Betty and husband had run the diner for three decades or so, and due to diner gossip, had a pretty good idea of everything that went on in town. “There haven’t been any rumors as to why he’s here, but there have been various ladies who’d like to take him for a spin.”

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

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

For Other Works by Andrew Grey

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

Authors of Color and Culture to Explore. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Authors of Color and Culture to Explore

We have been talking about new things, new themes, new authors as we launch ourselves and our reading habits into Spring. One of my favorite authors BA Tortuga offered up a list on her FB page of some of her favorite authors of color or diversity in other areas like culture. Others soon chimed in and the list grew and grew full of wonderful recommendations and authors that I wasn’t familiar with or books I hadn’t read.

Since this has been our topic this month and really last as well, I thought it was timely and wanted to share it with all of you. Please feel free to add more. Let’s keep this list growing!

LGBTQIA* and/or Romance Authors of color or/ of different cultures(no particular order)

AE Via,
Jade Lee,
La Quette,
Tigris Eden,
Chudney Defreitas-Thomas,
Bru Baker,
Piper J Drake,
T.j. Michaels,
Nikki Prince
Avril Ashton
Cole McCade

Pearl Love

AC Arthur
Angelicque Bautista
Jayce Ellis
Matthew Lang

Zhara Freytes

Nicole Forcine
Kevay Grey

Seressia Glass ,
Shaila Patel ,
Hildie McQueen ,
Daniel José Older
Riley Hart ,
N K Jemisin
Rhys Ford ,
Rebekah Witherspoon,
Sherry Thomas,
Jeannine Li Nina Crespo ,
Stacy Reid ,
Pintip Dunn ,
Alisha Rai,
Xio Axelrod ,
Robin Covington ,
Caridad Pineiro ,
Dahlia Rose ,
Naima Simone
Theodora Taylor

Xio Axelrod
Falguni Kothari
Sienna Snow
Alexis Daria
Denny S. Bryce

Farrah Rochon .
Jacob Z. Flores
Angel Martinez

*I hadn’t realized how many of the authors rec’d were outside the LGBT spectrum. Smh. Double checking them now.

General Fiction Authors:

Toni Morrison, Malinda Lo, Isabel Allende, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Beverly Jenkins, Yolanda Wallace, CB Lee, Carla de Guzman, Lydia San Andres, Sonali Dev, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Chinelo Okparanta, Alice Walker, Carla Trujillo, Marino Tamaki, Terri de la Peña, Shani Mootoo, Krystal A. Smith,Brooklyn Wallace,Reese Ryan

What’s New In LGBT Romance Fiction Giveaway?

Give us your thoughts. Maybe tell us ways in which you think it can be improved or that it has improved over the last few years. What stories have made you think? Stopped you with elements so current and relevant that it resonated with you? Leave your comments with you email address. Giveaway will continue until April 14th. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, April 8:

Kevin Klehr on Social Media Central
Authors of Color and Culture to Explore
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, April 9

DSP Promo Vicki Reese
Release Day Blitz for Ari McKay – Like The Night
DSP Promo Andrew Grey
RELEASE DAY BLITZ Syncopation by Anna Zabo
A Jeri Review: Once Burned (Anchor Point #6) by LA Witt
A MelanieM Review: Nobody’s Prince Charming (Road to Blissville #3) by Aimee Nicole Walker
A Lila Audiobook Review: Red Fish, Dead Fish ( Fish Out of Water #2) by Amy Lane and Greg Tremblay (Narrator)

Tuesday, April 10:

Cover Reveal for GR Lyons ‘ Ice On Fire
Cover Reveal – On The Ice by Amy Aislin
Cover Reveal for Creature by Kim Fielding (Other Worlds Ink)
Retro Review Tour – Out Of Focus by L.A. Witt
A Jeri Review Retro Review Tour : Out Of Focus by L .A. Witt
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Point of Contact by Melanie Hansen
A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Unlikely Hero by Sean Michael and Jeff Gelder (Narrator)

Wednesday, April 11:

BLITZ Big Man by Matthew J. Metzger
DSP Promo Xenia Melzer
Spotlight Tour for Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall
A MelanieM Review Hangover From Hell by Zakarrie Clarke
A Lucy Audiobook Review: The Secret of the Sheikh’s Betrothed by Felicitas Ivey and Simon Ferrar (Narrator)
An Alisa Audiobook Review: The Supers (The Supers #1) by Sean Michael and Kenneth Obi (Narrator)
A Jeri Review : Hug It Out (Haven Hart Universe #2) by Davidson King

Thursday, April 12:

BLOG TOUR Hug It Out by Davidson King
BLOG TOUR Let Me In by Luna David
Spotlight Tour for Once Burned by LA Witt (Anchor Point #6)
A Free Dreamer Review: Dusk (Expedition 63 #1) by T.A. Creech
An Alisa Review: Oliris by S. Neff
A Lila Audiobook Review: The Gryphon King’s Consort by Jenn Burke and Andrew McFerrin (Narrator)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Squared Away (Out of Uniform #5) by Annabeth Albert

Friday, April 13:

DSP Dreamspun Promo Kim Fielding on A Full Plate
Review Tour – Garrett Leigh’s Soul To Keep (RH #2)
Review Tour – Captain Merric by Rebecca Cohen
A MelanieM Review : Captain Merric by Rebecca Cohen
A MelanieM Review: Soul to Keep (Rented Heart universe) by Garrett Leigh
An Alisa Review: Timtuk Canyon Ranch (Mojave Mountain Wolves, #1) by A.J. Llewellyn
A Lucy Review: Eyes Wide Open by VM Sanford

Saturday, April 14:

RELEASE BLITZ – Rising Tide by Bryce Winters
Release Blitz – Kris T Bethke – Beholden
A MelanieM Review: Lessons in Chasing the Wild Goose by Charlie Cochrane

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Heart Unheard (Hearts Entwined #2) by Andrew Grey and Greg Tremblay ((Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Scott has had a crush on his boss for years, but the older man doesn’t seem to return his flirting so he bites his tongue and enjoys their time together at work. Brent, in the meantime, feels the same way about Scott, but he’s the boss so he’d never act on his crush because it wouldn’t be appropriate. Plus, the age gap bothers him, so he keeps his attraction to himself. Until Scott is severely injured in an accident and Brent can no longer keep quiet. Realizing he almost lost the young man before they had a chance to explore possibilities, he makes sure Scott is aware of his interest.

But it may be too late because Scott has lost his hearing due to the head injury he suffered in the crash, and he doesn’t see himself the same way as he used to. He doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone, least of all Brent.

In this audiobook edition, Greg Tremblay brought the characters to life. Both men had distinctive voices and I liked the way Greg managed Scott’s voice—just the right volume and intonation to indicate someone who can’t hear himself speaking. He also gave a variety of voices to the secondary characters, including Scott’s (sometimes overbearing) mother. Thankfully, he didn’t give her a wicked-witch voice as many other narrators may have done.

Most of the story revolves around trying to determine who hit Scott, since the car hasn’t shown up at any of the auto repair shops. Of course, since Scott and Brent both work at a mechanic’s shop they can easily question their peers about the car, but it isn’t until an accidental sighting by someone picking up a part at another garage that the situation comes to a head.

There’s also back story on Scott’s ex-friends from his church group, all of whom have turned their back on him when one of them lied about Scott making a pass at him. And there’s quite a bit of interaction between Scott and James, the blind character from Heart Unseen, who helps Scott adjust to life with his new disability.

And, of course, this is Andrew Grey, who is such a sweetheart that it always shows through in his work, so readers know going into this that it will have life lessons, foolish choices by some characters, and finally, a HEA for two very deserving young men. I definitely recommend this one in audio format. It’s a great way to spend a day, a commute, or a relaxing weekend.

~~~~

Cover art by LC Chase depicts a young auto mechanic working on the underside of a car while another man looks on. While it does represent the characters from the story, it’s done in a sepia tone so is not very attention-getting and wouldn’t draw me to this book.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Book Details:

Audible Audio
Published March 8th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published November 17th 2017)
ASINB07B8TCLRY
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesHearts Entwined #2

A Lila Release Day Review: Roses in the Devil’s Garden (Fallen Rose #1) by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Working for the Bureau of Prohibition means facing dangerous criminals, desperate gangsters, speakeasies springing up overnight, a city controlled by corruption, and an employer that can’t be trusted. If that’s not enough, best friends and lovers Harlan Mackay and Nathan Reilly still bear the scars—both seen and unseen—that they earned fighting in the First World War. When a ghost from the past resurfaces to destroy everything they hold dear, it might be the last straw for Harlan and Nathan.

New York City is a war zone, the government is in the pocket of organized crime, and the exposure of their illicit romance is a constant danger. For Harlan and Nathan, it’s not a question of whether they’ll escape unscathed, but of which enemy will get them first….

Roses in the Devil’s Garden is not what I was expecting. This is my first time reading this book even when the original story was part of a free writing event and I’m a fan of this author. I read the blurb and was curious about a love story taking place during the Prohibition. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect with the characters.

It takes a moment to get used to the voices in the book and to situate the characters within the period. The beginning is a bit stiff, but it is to be expected when being introduced to a new setting. The characters are locations are detailed but in this case, it makes the story slow.

As most of this author’s books, the story has funny moments and a lovely relationship. If you want something other than contemporary or one of the author’s paranormal stories this may work for you. If you are not a fan of historical shorts, you should skip this one.

The cover art by Aaron Anderson goes well with the characters and the time period. It’s definitely inviting.

Sale Links: Dreamspinner| Amazon | Nook

ebook, 67 pages
Published: April 6, 2018, by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781640802346
Edition Language: English

Series: Fallen Rose

Book #1: Roses in the Devil’s Garden

T. Neilson on Favorite Stories, Research and Sweet Nothings (Amuse Bouche #1) (author guest post)

Sweet Nothings (Amuse Bouche #1) by T. Neilson
Dreamspinner Press
Dreamspun Desires
Cover art: Aaron Anderson

Buy Links:

Dreamspinner

Amazon

Kobo

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have T. Neilson here today answering a few questions and talking about Sweet Nothings, the first in a new series. Welcome!

♦︎

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with T. Neilson

Does research play a role into choosing which genre you write? Do you enjoy research or prefer making up your worlds and cultures?

You could say I did some research for these books! I spent over twenty years in the food industry. I started out as a waitress — that was my first job, at age 14. When I finally left the food industry, I was 28. By then I was a professional coffee taster (AKA a cupper, which is a thing you have to be careful about calling yourself when you also write romance) and I was sick of the industry.

I kind of grew up in cafes and kitchens, and a huge part of my social life and social circle was food-world-adjacent, too. All my friends were in coffee, or beer, or kitchens. I was sick to death of the work and ready for a change, so I ventured out to become a full-time writer. And slowly, bit by bit, I started to miss the food scene. I guess it was sort of like kicking the dust of your hometown off your feet, and then starting to feel homesick.

These days, I get my food industry fix by work emergency cover shifts as at a friend’s cafe. I love having the chance to jump back into the food scene, but it’s incredibly physical work, and I don’t think I could make it full time in a kitchen any more. I still love the food industry. It is a different world, really unique, and the camaraderie is incredible.

When I set out to write the Amuse Bouche books (of which Sweet Nothings is the first), I wanted to recreate that world for myself, and for readers too. And it’s not by accident that Sweet Nothings takes place in a teeny tiny town in the middle of nowhere, and parts of it are an awful lot like the town I grew up in. There are a lot of parallels between the food industry and small town living.

Do you read romances, as a teenager and as an adult? Who do you think is your major influence as a writer? Now and growing up?

I loved reading fantasy and science fiction as a kid, with a little mystery on the side sometimes. Ursula le Guin, Tolkien, and Melanie Rawn were my favourites for SSF, and Ian Rankin, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L Sayers for mystery. I grew up in a small town with a family that was coming apart at the seams, and I loved the way people went away and had adventures, created all-new families, and solved mysteries. I only really started reading romance as an adult, after I had done a little travelling, and moved to the big city, and settled with my partner, and had some adventures of my own. Then I think romance filled a different need for me, a sense of home being a feeling rather than necessarily a place.

When I found romance, holy cats I fell right into the genre. I have a TBR list that is embarrassingly huge, but I love to read (especially audiobooks) and to discover new authors. My current desert-island romance authors are Victoria Dahl, Damon Suede, and BA Tortuga, but there are so many great authors out there who I haven’t had the opportunity to read yet. Part of why I read audiobooks is because I can read while I’m cooking or in the car. I really wish you could order reading time from a store.

About Sweet Nothings:

Will a bitter bite from the past spoil a sweet romance?

Tristan Love, the youngest of seven brothers, is back in his hometown. He’s left the New York food scene and an abusive relationship behind him, but he holds his love of French pastries close to his heart and is determined to put his skills to use in a bakery of his own.

Returning to his childhood home means his meddlesome brother Simon will butt into his business, but before the bakery even opens its doors, Tristan’s delectable creations have the town’s mouths watering, and Jake, a cute mechanic, asks Tristan out. It all seems worthwhile….

That is, until the bakery burns down, Jake’s criminal past comes to light, and Tristan’s nasty ex rears his head where he is decidedly not wanted.

About the Author:

T Neilson writes flirty, silly, contemporary m/m romance featuring recovering addicts, mental health problems, and abuse survivors. Honestly, honestly, the books are silly. I swear.

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Sweet Nothings (Amuse Bouche #1) by T. Neilson

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Will a bitter bite from the past spoil a sweet romance?

That is, until the bakery burns down, Jake’s criminal past comes to light, and Tristan’s nasty ex rears his head where he is decidedly not wanted.

Sweet Nothings by T. Neilson was another terrific contemporary romance for me this week. A first story in a new series (Amuse Bouche which means one bite) this had many elements I just love to find in my stories. Food, in this case baking, some hurt/comfort, large families, a ‘bad boy’ looking for redemption, and a whole lot of love.

Tristan Love or Tris is a wonderful character coming home carrying secrets with him from his recent breakup with his long time boyfriend. Determined to make it on his own, not even his large (and popular) family is aware of his homecoming and the fact that he’s bought out the town’s old bakery. I loved this character from the moment we met. Neilson has created a man both of strength and vulnerability, full of purpose and yet so full of doubt as well. Tris is easy to identify with and connect with emotionally. Doubly so as the revelations start to come.

Jake, the mechanic with the past is also an easy personality to fall in love with. He’s almost too good to be true as can be shown in a scene with a person from his past. I thought given what he’s still going through and has been through, some anger and resentment would have been human. Yet his reaction was almost serene. Honestly I found that a little unrealistic. But that’s my only quibble here. A little more of the bitterness that the character demonstrates at the beginning of the story would have made this scene more authentic. But that’s just my opinion.

I liked their build towards a relationship and the brothers antagonistic behavior towards it and Jake (understandable in protective older brothers who act first, think later). That seemed right on the money. And the brothers lack of understanding of Tris and his ex’s relationship as its effect on the brother/brother relationship over the years was toxic. That too was only briefly addressed. I’m glad the author went there but like other elements here it could have used more storytime.

There’s an abusive element here that needed more exploration or perhaps a little deeper treatment. I thought it was thrown into the story, then its effects on Tris handled a little too casually (domestic violence after all). Same goes for the resolution for the criminal at the end. Was the wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly? I think perhaps so. For men, domestic violence is a harsh reality that’s never addressed or passed by because of gender. The author used an important topic as in element in their story but then sort of slide it aside, much like it is in society itself.

All this said, I still really enjoyed this story. I liked the characters, their relationship, the secondary cast, and the plotlines. I will most definitely be seeking out the other stories in this series. Amuse Bouche. Does that indicate that each will be a standalone? Seems to be, although I was hoping for a Love family long run of romances. I guess I’ll be waiting and reading as they come out. Until then, I’m recommending Sweet Nothings (Amuse Bouche #1) by T. Neilson.

Cover Artist: Bree Archer did a great job. That’s definitely Tris and his bakery.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 248 pages
Expected publication: April 3rd 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640802483
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Amuse Bouche #1

A Dom and His Artist (Club Whisper #2) by Xenia Melzer Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Blurb

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No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese Dreamspinner Press Cover Art: Tiferet Design

~ Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with Vicki Reese ~

About No Tears for Darcy

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Redeeming the Stepbrother (Tales from St. Giles #2)

by Andrew Grey

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas

Release Date: April 10 2018

Excerpt

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Authors of Color and Culture to Explore

LGBTQIA* and/or Romance Authors of color or/ of different cultures(no particular order)

What’s New In LGBT Romance Fiction Giveaway?

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, April 8:

Monday, April 9

Tuesday, April 10:

Wednesday, April 11:

Thursday, April 12:

Friday, April 13:

Saturday, April 14:

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Sweet Nothings (Amuse Bouche #1) by T. Neilson Dreamspinner Press Dreamspun Desires Cover art: Aaron Anderson

Buy Links:

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with T. Neilson

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A Dom and His Artist (Club Whisper #2) by Xenia Melzer
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art: Tiferet Design

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas

Sweet Nothings (Amuse Bouche #1) by T. Neilson
Dreamspinner Press
Dreamspun Desires
Cover art: Aaron Anderson