A MelanieM Release Day Review: No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

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.

No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese is a solid terrific MM mystery romance, my first from this author. I really enjoyed it on many levels, not just the slow building attraction between Cameron and Pete that happens over the course of the story and the investigation but the investigation itself. That mystery has some very nice twists to it, made all the more suspenseful by the format that includes the pov from the killer as well.

Yes there are multiple povs here but it works, the flow of the plot is even and fast paced, and the bodies pile up nicely. I can say that while admitting the author still makes you care only for a portion of the characters here, not a broad spectrum of townspeople, so when certain people fall you don’t feel nary a twinge.

I also figured out who exactly the killer was but by then I wanted to know how it was all going to play out. Reese did a good job in the action scenes and in making the reader care in the outcome. Plus I have to admit I loved the Minchelli family, all of them. Having them as a support for Cameron and Pete’s relationship gave it depth it needed.

This was a first story for me by this author and it was really entertaining. It is certainly going to send me seeking out more to see what else they have written. If you enjoy contemporary romance with more than a dash of action and suspense, pick up No Tears for Darcy. I recommend it for everyone looking for new authors and a story to add to their TBR pile.

Cover Artist: Tiferet Design. I like this cover. It’s certainly eye catching and has all the right elements.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Expected publication: April 3rd 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640803787
Edition LanguageEnglish

An Alisa Release Day Review: Kiss Me Forever by M.J. O’Shea

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Forever is too long to be alone.

Professor Avery Cook has spent his career researching the mysterious side of New Orleans. Superstitions, legends, and lore—Avery has an academic explanation for all of them….

Until one night when he walks into a bar and his life changes.

In a sea of impossibly beautiful people, Tyson stands out, and he sweeps Avery off his feet with his old-world charm and romanticism. But there’s a darkness in Tyson too, and Avery discovers Tyson is part of a world he thought existed only in books and stories—the paranormal tales he studies at the university.

Tyson’s been lonely for a long time, and he’s falling in love with Avery. But his past is a long one, and it’s full of enemies and danger. The best way to keep Avery safe is to push him away….

I loved this story. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book by MJ O’Shea and I’m glad I didn’t miss this one. It gave a different view on the paranormal world and I really enjoyed reading about it.

Tyson is lonely for a long time it’s only been him and Mrs. Peggs and when he decides to go out and visit a friend’s bar he meets Avery. Avery is a quiet bookworm and often feels awkward in social situations but something about Tyson pulls at him and starts to put him at ease.

Avery is adorable, I could feel how lost he seemed at times but determined he would be to figure out what he was missing. Tyson is a martyr through and through, he will do what he feels is best to protect those around him even if it hurts him and them. I loved seeing these two grow together but also how they learned to trust in each other. I loved watching them overcome the obstacles in their way to be together forever.

The cover art by Aaron Anderson is great and I love the picture of Tyson.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages

Published: April 3, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-442-5

Edition Language: English

Series: Dreamspun Desires

Fresh Starts and Into April We Go. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Fresh Starts and into April We Go

Here it is April 1st and I’m full of plans and hopeful for fresh starts as I sip on my coffee as gaze out into the disaster that’s my backyard. That’s right you heard me, a mess of a backyard. So why so hopeful? Because now instead of dwelling on that huge old white pine that crashed during that last Nor’easter, taking down fences, crushing gardens and things, I’m looking at planning new ones, planting new storm resistant trees, and having a ball. I’ve got a clean slate to start over. Do things differently, better hopefully. Maybe try new plants that are more in accordance with my changing climate and planting schedule. Who knows? It will be fun figuring things out and seeing what my blank slate brings….

Same with reading. Of my last ten books, most of the the authors have been new to me. I have liked that. Not all have sowed roots in my library garden of books. Some I will gladly return to because I thoroughly enjoyed their stories, others showed promise even though I thought their books more outline than finished product. I like finding authors with a fresh approach to writing and stories. I like finding new authors period. Several of them I will be reviewing this week. So many of our reviewers are wonderful about bringing new authors to my attention. I love it when that happens. There can never be too many books or too many new authors to my mind.

That’s why I’m so happy to announce we are adding a new reviewer here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. Please be on the look out for review from Lucy. Here’s an introduction:

Lucy

HI! My name is Lucy and I’ve been an avid reader since I was a kid. I was the one taking a book everywhere and then missing what I was supposed to be doing. Still that way, I think. My iPad is always in my purse and my commute to work as a teacher resource specialist is filled with audiobooks. I read a variety of works but MM remains my favorite. I am a big fan of super sweet and gooey and I love novellas and short stories. I am sort of wimpy when it comes to heavy angst – reading is my escape. I live in the Midwest, where we have two seasons – hockey and baseball!

Welcome, Lucy!

**************

And with everything that went on during the last few months that opened up much needed dialog about racism, books featuring POC and change within the publishing community, I would like to think we are moving forward here as well. A fresh outlook, a fresh perspective on publishing, covers, and even widening our own outlook on books we read, myself included.

Several of our readers chimed in with suggestions which I’m including here. I have linked all the story suggestions for you. Plenty of time to get your own suggestions in:

From Steve Wroten:

Thanks, so true about how spring has sprung.
Nice way to bring in spring. Sorry for this long comment, and I don’t know if this is what you had in mind for “What’s New,” but it spurred these thots:
After the previous two weeks of high winds, I took a week off and didn’t respond to last week’s post yet, but wanted to. And this week’s topic is a nice segue. I had previously given my thots in your Mar 11 post; and just wanted to say I appreciate your keeping that, while some other bloggers deleted my similar posts. I think it’s improving that we can talk about these issues. As another example, I think I see increased representation of people of color, and I thought I’d suggest some recent books I found to be good stories:
– A Love Like Blood, by Victor Yates (powerful YA that won Lambda debut novel)
– Nobody’s Son, by Shae Connor (two strong black leading men)
– Asylum, by Robert Winter (just finished ARC, about illegal immigrant from El Salvador finding love)
– Cut Hand series, by Mark Wildyr (nice Native American perspective)
– Southernmost Murder, by C.S. Poe (I’m becoming a fan of Poe – Asian FBI agent helps soon-to-be boyfriend with a cozy mystery)

From jen:

I think there are more books with diverse characters – sexuality, ethnicity, culture etc. And I hope that trend continues, both because these types of stories are needed and because I like them. 🙂 Some of my recs from recent reads are:
Wildflowers by Suki Fleet (the love interest is mute & middle-eastern)
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue (audiobook) by Mackenzi Lee (historical adventure/love story with a theme about race, class & a person’s “worth”; plus awesome narration)
Throwing Stones (Glasgow Lads on Ice #1) by Avery Cockburn (One of the MCs is demi-sexual, the other one has ADHD and there is curling)
The Long Past & Other Stories by Ginn Hale (Cool steampunk AU with an ex-slave MC & the love interest is an amputee plus there is magic)
I second the rec for Southernmost Murder by C.S. Poe.

Soooooo……

What new things have you all noticed, if anything? New issues that the authors have incorporated? New ways in which they’ve kept it real (if contemporary) and fresh (no matter the genre). So this is the start of ….

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.

Meanwhile, happy April, happy Eostre or Easter, whatever you may celebrate. Spring is here and with it new beginnings. Let’s celebrate that. I’m a true gardener and forever hopeful and yet pragmatic. Garden catalogs and new stories await me. What’s waiting for you? Have a wonderful week. Here’s what’s ahead for you here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, April 1:

A Free Read Alert from Jay Northcote ~ International Transgender Day of Visibility and Starting from Scratch
Fresh Starts and Into April We Go. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, April 2:

Harmony Promo Julie Aitcheson on First Girl
BLITZ Bank Run by Alli Reshi
Release Blitz – Garrett Leigh – Soul To Keep (RH #2)
A Caryn Review: The Moth and Moon by Glenn Quigley
A Lila Review: Promise Me We’ll Be Okay by Nell Iris
A MelanieM PreRelease Review: Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall

Tuesday, April 3:

BLITZ On a Summer Night by Gabriel D. Vidrine
BLOG TOUR Nobody’s Prince Charming by Aimee Nicole Walker
Eyes Wide Open by V.M. Sanford Blog Tour
A MelanieM Release Day Review: No Tears for Darcy by Vicki Reese
An Alisa Release Day Review: Kiss Me Forever by M.J. O’Shea
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Sweet Nothings (Amuse Bouche #1) by T. Neilson

Wednesday, April 4:

Release Blitz: Midnight Twist by Rian Durant
TOUR Tested in Fire (Art Medium #2) by EJ Russell
A Caryn Review: Tested in Fire (Art Medium #2) by EJ Russell
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Vice Enforcer (Vice City #2) by S.A. Stovall
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The Ballerino and the Biker (The Hedonist #1) by Rebecca James

Thursday, April 5:

BLOG TOUR Syncopation by Anna Zabo
DSP Dreamspun Promo T. Neilson on Sweet Nothings
RELEASE BLITZ for Omega Shadow (Book 3 of the Pine Creek Lake Den series) by Quinn Michaels
A Stella Review :Wheels and Heels (Stories from the Hen and Hog #1) by Jaime Samms
An Alisa Review: Kept in the Dark by H.L Day
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Heart Unheard (Hearts Entwined #2) by Andrew Grey and Greg Tremblay ((Narrator)

Friday, April 6:

DSP Publications Promo S.A. Stovall on Vice Enforcer
Inked in Vegas by K.M. Neuhold Release Blitz and Giveaway
Release Blitz and Giveaway for Captain Merric by Rebecca Cohen
A Jeri Release Day Review: Roses in the Devil’s Garden (Fallen Rose #1) by Charlie Cochet
A Stella Review: The Little Library by Kim Fielding
A Lila Release Day Review: Roses in the Devil’s Garden (Fallen Rose #1) by Charlie Cochet

Saturday, April 7:

Austin by Felice Stevens Release Day Blitz
Campus Life by TC Orton Blog Tour
A MelanieM Review: Murder Takes the High Road by Josh Lanyon

A Caryn Release Day Review: Summer Ride by Susan Laine

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

This book made me laugh. But not in the way the author intended…

Toby and Jimmy are best friends in high school, but they lose touch almost immediately after graduation – Toby basically stopped returning calls. It was never quite explained why – something about disapproving fathers – but bottom line, they haven’t seen each other or thought of each other in 5 years when they run into each other in an east coast bus stop. Jimmy is looking for a map, and Toby is looking for a bus, and they both intend to head out west, no particular destination, and no particular plans, but both have something they need to escapr. Jimmy graduated from Harvard and is now in Harvard Law School, and Toby has graduated with a degree in engineering and is now in grad school, also in Boston. Jimmy asked Toby to drive with him because he’s always wondered what happened to their friendship, and Toby reluctantly agreed.

That’s the setup, and it’s all in the blurb, and there isn’t much else to the book. They dance around each other, unwilling to admit what they’re running from, but eventually they find out that they’re both gay, both attracted to each other, and sex ensues. Lots of it, and not much else, but at least this was the amusing part. OMG, the purple prose! My favorite line:

They kissed, Jimmy drinking from Toby’s succulent fountain.

I laughed out loud! Then there was abuse of alliteration:

Toby continued torturing Jimmy with a lascivious litany of pornographic promises, sweet swears, and inviting imagery.

There is of course more, but those are my favorites. Really these two guys were pretty interchangeable, there was nothing in particular distinguishing one from the other, and nothing at all that made me interested in knowing them, or invested in their relationship. I was just enjoying things like the multiple near-wrecks when one or the other would react to something provocative that was said and the car would swing out of the lane, but then the driving would be perfect while they gave each other blowjobs. Hmmmm, if you can maintain good driving skills during a blowjob, but lose them just because someone says something surprising, that doesn’t say much for the quality of the BJ, does it?

Anyway, they made it 3 days, got as far as Wisconsin, and then turned back around to face their demons in Boston, declared true love, and planned another road trip. And had a lot of sex in the car on the way back, and only got caught by the cops once, which made them proud. Guess ya gotta take your affirmations where you can…

Anyway, I did have to give this book an extra ½ point because the writing of the sex scenes just made me laugh so hard. I would recommend this book for anyone else who wants to read more like that I copied above, because there is plenty more there!

Cover art by Tiferet Design really nailed it with these two models. I can totally see them drinking from each other’s succulent fountains 🙂

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 112 pages
Expected publication: March 30th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640804555
Edition LanguageEnglish

A MelanieM Audiobook Review : I Heart Boston Terriers by Rick R. Reed and Tom Askin (Narrator)

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Love at first sight can work for dogs as well as humans.

When Aaron finds Mavis, an emaciated and timid Boston terrier, at a pet adoption fair, his heart goes out to her—irrevocably.

When Christian, who is manning the adoption fair for the Humane Society that fateful autumn Saturday, finds Aaron, his heart goes out to him—irrevocably.

I Heart Boston Terriers is all about embracing love, whether it’s for someone who walks on four legs, or someone who walks on two. The Boston terrier Mavis’ journey back to wholeness and finding her forever home runs parallel to the story of two men discovering one another at just that perfect moment—a moment that defies logic, propriety, and common sense.

But then when do the dictates of love follow a rational course?

Come along for a journey about a man and his dog and see how that journey teaches him the truth about love and making a caring connection that just might last a lifetime.

I have listened to other of Rick R Reed’s contemporary romances that had dogs at the heart of the stories and loved them so I was particularly looking forward to I heart Boston Terriers. After all Reed’s own Lily is well known so I knew his affection for the breed and love for her would carry over into the story. Which it did.

In fact, for me, Mavis is the most endearing character here and the one I connected with the most. Everyone else I had an issue with, but Mavis? Nope, absolutely loved and deeply care for this abused creature looking for her forever home who for better or worse ended up with Aaron and his sister (who I disliked the most) as a impulse adoption.

Ok, now see, all my dogs are rescues. At adoption fairs here, minimum fees start at $250 not $75 but that could differ state by state. There are home visits, all sorts of things to make sure that the people adopting the animals are a good fit. Some of that comes across here, in that yes, they would have taken Mavis back (most rescue agencies will). But sending a dog home with somebody who doesn’t have the means to support him? And who is living with someone else? Uh no. Red flags all around.

I actually liked Aaron for realizing he wasn’t ready to adopt a dog but instead his sister pushed him into the adoption. That sister. Ok, honestly, this whole thing with Mavis would have ruined any relationship I would have had with that sister. But some things just didn’t ring true. She’s supposedly a “shoe whore” who overspends because she must have her designer shoes. Got that. But people that crazy over shoes handle them in certain ways. Even in a one room apartment, those shoes are gods! They buy even the poorest of shoe racks, keep them pristinely in their boxes, labeled. I mean, honey, those are Jimmy Choos! Or Manolo Blahniks or whatever designer brands you covet. What you do not do? Lay them on the floor for a traumatized dog to destroy. Not in a million years. Especially her favorites. So she can overreact like a total horror of a sibling, throw out all sorts of dire threats, use the imbalance of power that should ruin any relationship permanently against her brother, and genuinely create a nightmare where none was needed.

A total turn off.

The relationship between Aaron and Christian didn’t strike as me as better because instead of helping Aaron, Christian seemed too busy trying to get into Aaron’s pants. How about just helping Aaron and Mavis because they needed help? What a novel idea.

So yes, Christian had a heart, volunteered at a rescue organization but he seemed to push his own agenda first.

Then there was that ending or lack of one for both Aaron and Mavis. This is one book where an epilogue was definitely called for.

Finally, there was the narration. It was the first time I had listened to a story narrated by Tom Askin and I’m not sure I would do so again. His narration and voices just didn’t work for me. Combine that with a story that I was also having issues with and you come up with an audiobook I just can’t recommend.

If you love the writing of Rick R. Reed and dog stories, check out Lost and Found on audiobook and give this a pass.

Cover art: Reese Dante. I loved this cover. It, as well as the blurb, drew me to the story. Heartwarming and perfect in every way.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Listening Time: 1hr., 43 min.

Audible Audio, Unabridged, 2 pages
Published February 22nd 2018 by Dreamspinner Press (first published January 12th 2012)
ASINB079YB2QDT
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Caryn Release Day Review: The Architect and the Castle of Glass by Jade Mere

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I’ve read fantasy, and this book definitely lives up to the genre. The universe created is a little bit middle east, a little bit steampunk, a little bit of magic in a world just entering an industrial age. The cast includes a spoiled but genius aristocrat, his eccentric brother who sees things not of this world, a reclusive and secretive prince and his insane mother, and the man who calls himself brother to the prince. It’s long (as a fantasy book should be), and this is the first in a series, but it does end with closure of the initial story arc, and no cliffhanger (thank God, because those drive me crazy!)

The protagonist of the story, Takhi, starts out as an arrogant, selfish, entitled jerk. He’s the son of the ambassador, wealthy, aristocratic, given all the things wealthy men can give to their children. The only thing he wants, though, is to be a famous architect. His country is peaceful and meditative, and has been essentially sealed off from the largest and most modern country, Vatalokit, and that is the only place Takhi feels his genius will be appreciated. So he runs away, convinced that the only reason he is not already renowned as the greatest architect is because his country is backwards and resists innovation. Although I knew that he was going to be humbled and come out a better man – because that’s how fantasy works and this book follows the formula – I have to admit the process took so long I almost gave up on him. Truthfully, that’s probably more realistic, but I kept getting angry at him until the end of the book for being so conceited and self-absorbed, and because it led him into quite a few TSTL (too stupid to live) situations.

Takhi was recruited to serve as architect for the prince of Vatalokit, to convert his castle into a weapon. The castle itself is almost like another character – it is made of obsidian, dark, brooding, and strangely alive (Howl’s Moving Castle kept coming to my mind, but really it is nothing like that!). People who stay in it too long tend to go a little crazy. At the castle, Takhi met Rye – a man the prince rescued from the slums and who is now the closest thing the prince has to family. Takhi didn’t know why the prince wanted such a weapon, and didn’t believe the flimsy reasons the prince gave, but he thought only of making a name for himself, and was going to do that however he could.

The entire book was really well written, steadily paced with a natural plot evolution. I got irritated at Takhi many times and wanted to skip past the consequences of his stupidity, but it was worth it in the end to hang in there. The romance aspect of the story is almost peripheral, with only hints of interest from Rye and Takhi, and they are not together until the very end of the book. There was more written interaction between Takhi and his twin brother Sorjian, who actually became my favorite character. The reveal of the secrets of the castle, and the prince’s plotting, was abrupt and the only really jarring exception to the plot progression, and left several threads hanging, but I think those will be taken up in the next books in the series, and I’m looking forward to reading them!

Cover art by the author is typical of a fantasy book, pretty, and probably why I kept picturing Howl’s Moving Castle every time I thought of it….

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 230 pages
Expected publication: March 27th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640802629
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Bone to Pick by T.A. Moore and Michael Fell (Narrator)

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

This is a highly enjoyable, very-difficult-to-solve mystery adventure. Both MCs have issues with relationships so though they don’t want romance, they do have sexual chemistry and they act on it. Plus, there’s a dog—a police dog named Bo—who stole the show, as far as I’m concerned.

Children have gone missing over the past ten years, not often enough or apparently connected enough for anyone to link them until the recent disappearance of a ten-year-old boy. FBI agent Javi Merlo is assigned to the case and he’s not particularly happy about working with a dog and his cop handler. But that’s too bad because not only does Cloister Witte have plenty of experience with his dog, he also has personal experience with the disappearance of his own brother many years ago—a brother who was never found. But he’s dedicated and committed to his task and won’t stop until he finds the boy—dead or alive.

Javi doesn’t trust Cloister, though, and continually pushes him away from the case, but Cloister plods along following his own leads and his two-plus-two investigation style eventually leads to four. This isn’t a typical romance, and in fact, it ends with the case solved and with the men in bed, but not in love, so it’s a HFN at best. But it honestly doesn’t matter because the mystery itself is so good. It’s exciting and fast-paced with just the right amount of snarky ’tude from both MCs. And, of course, the dog is the hero at the end of the story so the dog lover in me was quite happy.

The narrator was new to me and he did a very good job with the voices, which were definitely different and easy to pick out. On the other hand, I hated the voice he gave to the mother of the missing boy—I wanted to smack her so bad. She was entitled and bitchy and nasty and the voice he gave her fit her personality like a glove. So yes, he did a good job—enough to evoke a lot of emotion from me, so that’s a win in my book.

I highly recommend this audiobook version to those who enjoy an interesting whodunit topped off with two sexy law enforcement MCs and a dog named Bo.

Cover art: Anne Cain. Love the cover. Interesting and it pulls your eye into the character and details.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Length: 9 hrs

Audible Audio
Published February 22nd 2018 by Dreamspinner Press LLC (first published August 14th 2017)
Original TitleBone to PicksettingSan Diego, California (United States)
California (United States)

Parker Foye on Research , Procrastination, and the new release Mage of Inconvenience (author guest blog)

Mage of Inconvenience by Parker Foye
Dreamspinner Press
Dreamspun Beyond

Cover art: Aaron Anderson

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Parker Foye here today talking about writing, research and Mage of Inconvenience. Welcome, Parker.

♦︎

Research …and Procrastination by Parker Foye

Hello, and thanks to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for hosting the final stop on my blog tour! It’s been a lot of fun celebrating the release of Mage of Inconvenience, and I hope you’ve enjoyed it too.

Today I’m answering questions about research: Does research play a role in choosing which genre you write? Do you enjoy research or prefer making up your worlds and cultures?

I’ve posted a bit on Twitter recently about how difficult it is to find methods of magic World of Warcraft hasn’t named already, so research has been on my mind lately. Honestly, it usually is; I primarily write speculative fiction, but set in the world we know. This tends to involve two threads of research/development: real world locations, and whatever I’m using as a magical system.

Though I’ve set spec fiction stories in historical periods before, Mage of Inconvenience takes place in a contemporary setting. When I started writing this story, I lived in a small town in Ontario, and this is where I located West’s home. Julian, meanwhile, has an office in Toronto, and a cottage elsewhere in the province. These locations were places I knew, or could easily research with added local insight, and I thought I was being quite clever to choose these settings. But then I moved over 4,000km across the country.

Thank you, internet.

The internet is less helpful when it comes to making up magical systems, aside from checking someone hasn’t done it first (see the comment about WoW above). But this is actually something I really enjoy doing, and one of the reasons I write in this genre. Making the impossible possible but flavouring it with things we can relate to—for example, with the magic in Mage of Inconvenience, I imagined something like a magical DVLA (DMV, for those of you across the pond!), with all the connotations that invokes.

Creating magical systems is one of the (many) areas where beta readers and editors are invaluable. Their insightful questions really helped draw out and solidify how magic and its corresponding bureaucracy worked in this story, cementing the foundation for how the marriage of convenience comes to be in the first place.

But, absorbing as it can be, the problem with research is knowing when to stop! I’m a chronic procrastinator and can trick myself into researching all day long, but at some point it’s time to close the browser and start cranking out words.

Or write a blog post or two.

What about you guys? Any favourite methods of procrastination? Asking for a friend…

Mage of Inconvenience

Can they find the magic in a practical union?

West is on the run from his werewolf pack, but if he cannot renew his magical defenses, he won’t get far. What he needs is a mage….

Julian is part of a wealthy and ancient family, and one day, his legacy will include his mother’s vast library of spell books—and the knowledge he needs to correct his past mistakes. But his inheritance comes with a stipulation: he has to be married before he can collect. What he needs is a husband….

West and Julian can help each other, and at first they don’t want anything further. But as they dodge meddling cousins, jealous rivals, and an insidious drug, it becomes clear that their lives are entwined in ways they never imagined—and they’re in greater danger than they thought possible.

Buy the book at Dreamspinner | Amazon CA/COM/UK | Kobo | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Parker Foye writes speculative-flavored romance under the QUILTBAG umbrella and believes in happily ever after, although sometimes their characters make achieving this difficult.

An education in Classics nurtured a love of heroes, swords, monsters, and beautiful people doing stupid things while wearing only scraps of leather. You’ll find those things in various guises in Parker’s stories, along with kissing (very important) and explosions (very messy). And more shifters than you can shake a stick at.

Used to living out of a suitcase, Parker is currently of fixed abode in the UK but still travels regularly via planes, trains, and an ever-growing library.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

March Winds Blowing In a Fresh Start. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

March Winds Blowing In a Fresh Start

We end this tumultuous month as we started it…with the high winds blowing bringing with it all sorts of changes. To my mind, and with Spring in mind, I’m hoping these will be positive ones, showing new growth and a new start for tomorrow. Isn’t that what Spring is all about?

True, some of the new starts can get a little shaky. Those March winds are fierce. First tries don’t always end up like we want. Small seedlings droop in unexpected snows, and kites get caught up in trees. But then the sun comes up, the temperatures rise, and yes the winds finally die down….and boom, back on track again. The ability to absorb and move forward, the strength to be resilient…well, we see it time and again.

So this week let’s finish out March and get a brand new start in April! Let’s look at romance, new loves, maybe even renewed love no matter the age. Spring is a time for growth in our romance novels. What new things have you all noticed, if anything? New issues that the authors have incorporated? New ways in which they’ve kept it real (if contemporary) and fresh (no matter the genre). So this is the start of ….

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.

Now for this week’s reviews and tours! Let our week take flight!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, March 25:

March Winds Blowing In a Fresh Start.
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

Monday, March 26:

Retro Review Tour – Ann Gallagher’s The Left Hand Of Calvus
DSP Dreamspun Promo Parker Foye
Review Tour – Lynn Michaels – Out Of The Ocean
A MelanieM Review : The Left Hand of Calvus (Warriors of Rome #1) by Ann Gallagher
A VVivacious Review: You’re My Everything by Lily G Blunt
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Bone to Pick by T.A. Moore and Michael Fell (Narrator)

Tuesday, March 27:

Blog Tour – The Rescuer by Eric Huffbind
Book Blast – Love Worth Fighting For by Dara Nelson
EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT TOUR Moon Illusion by Michelle Osgood
In Our Spotlight:KIM FIELDING on The Little Library
A MelanieM Review: Flamecaller by Caitlin Ricci
A Caryn Release Day Review: The Architect and the Castle of Glass by Jade Mere
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The Little Library by Kim Fielding

Wednesday, March 28:

Blog Tour Bones of Belief by Jess Thomas
RELEASE DAY BLITZ INVITATION TO THE BLUES (Small Change #2) by Roan Parrish
A Stella Review : One Under by JL Merrow
VVivacious Review: You’re My Everything by Lily G Blunt
A MelanieM Audio Review : I Heart Boston Terriers by Rick R. Reed and Tom Askin (Narrator)
A MelanieM Review: Squared Away by Annabeth Albert

Thursday, March 29:

Release Day Blitz Hug It Out by Davidson King
Leaning Into the Look by Lane Hayes Blog Tour
Release Day Blitz: Hug It Out by Davidson King
A Lila Review: Bad Seed by Gareth Vaughn
A Stella Review: The Little Library by Kim Fielding
A MelanieM Review The Rescuer by Eric Huffbind

Friday, March 30:

Release Blitz Riza Curtis – Rended Hearts
PROMO Men of London series by Susan MacNicol
Release Blitz – You’re My Everything by Lily G. Blunt
A Caryn Release Day Review: Summer Ride by Susan Laine
A MelanieM Review:Dragon Magic by Megan Derr
An Alisa Review Promises Part 4 by A.E. Via

Saturday, March 31:

An Alisa Review Promises Part 4 by A.E. Via
A MelanieM Review: Murder Takes the High Road by Josh Lanyon

A Lila Release Day Review: Going Off Grid (States of Love) by S.J.D. Peterson

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Clay and Elliott are working toward a dream—working sixty-hour weeks for one of the oil companies that recently sprung up in North Dakota. The pay is good, but is it a fair trade for never seeing each other? The point becomes moot when the company folds, like so many others, and the couple is left with a difficult choice.

Should they find comparable work somewhere else, or is it time to throw caution to the wind and go after their goal—years earlier than they intended?

What they’ve always wanted is to be together and have time to enjoy it, so they follow their hearts. They’re going off the grid and fixing up an old cabin so they can be self-sufficient. But when they go from all the conveniences of the modern world to outhouses, solar power, a shoestring budget, and more mosquitos than they ever thought possible, will they find there’s such a thing as too much time together?

Going Off Grid is literally a story about living in the middle of nowhere. Almost like a manual on how Clay and Elliott remodeled their cabin and spent their winters in it. At moments, it felt too detailed and other parts just glanced over.

The romance between the main characters takes place before the story begins. They are an established couple suffering from a lack of time together. It’s obvious they still love each other and they do their best to maintain their relationship. Their love is beautiful even when the reader is not a witness to it.

As for the setting, the descriptions in the story could have been taking place in any oil loving state like Texas or Oklahoma. I don’t think I learned any new details about North Dakota. It was easy to forget the location.

Overall, it is another nice story by one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, there’s nothing memorable about it to make the story unique.

The cover by Reese Dante fits most of the State of Love series and it gives the reader a small glimpse of the plot.

Sale Links: Dreamspinner| Amazon | NOOK

ebook, 78 pages
Published: March 23, 2018, by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781635338935
Edition Language: English

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Fresh Starts and into April We Go

What’s New In LGBT Romance Fiction Giveaway?

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, April 1:

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Mage of Inconvenience by Parker Foye Dreamspinner Press Dreamspun Beyond

Mage of Inconvenience

About the Author

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March Winds Blowing In a Fresh Start

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, March 25:

Monday, March 26:

Tuesday, March 27:

Wednesday, March 28:

Thursday, March 29:

Friday, March 30:

Saturday, March 31:

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Mage of Inconvenience by Parker Foye
Dreamspinner Press
Dreamspun Beyond