A MelanieM Release Day Review: Slip (Recovery #2) by BA Tortuga

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Love is a fragile thing, and it can slip through your fingers if you don’t hold on tight….

When Zack Jung’s AA sponsor and friend commits suicide, he’s desperate to hold it together, and there’s only one place he can turn. He calls Josh and Kris, and they take him back to their ranch outside Santa Fe.

A cowboy to the bone, Cimarron Duran cherishes his orderly life and routine. He likes his neighbors, Kris and Josh, but he has less than no interest in the hipster personal trainer who comes to stay with them—or at least, he plans to fight his interest in favor of his solitary life and his art.

But some things are as inevitable as the weather, and when Zack and Cimarron finally come together, they find they don’t want to let go. It won’t be easy, though, for two men with pasts like theirs to forge a happy future together.

When it comes to writing men fighting their demons, B.A. Tortuga is immediately that author whose characters come off as people leveled by life, wounded, and so believable that I expect to hear them cough and laugh and sometimes curse soundly right off the page or in my case my Kindle. Her stories… their stories are gritty, full of passion and fire, and yes, pain.

None of that is more true that Slip, the second in B.A. Tortuga’s Recovery series. The meaning of the title of the story isn’t clear until the very end. Oh but the getting there. The author takes us and her characters, Cimarron and Zack on quite the journey in Slip. It’s a revelation really because through her scenes with these hurting, damaged men we get to almost taste the rain, feel the biting cold, revel in the wildness of a primal dance, and feel the tug of not only passion but the healing nature of love that occurs over time through the relationship between Zack and Cimmaron.

From the amazing intimacy of the conversations that make us feel as though we’re standing in the room listening to something wonderful unfold to the flow of the narrative that seems as natural as the setting that surrounds the men themselves, we feel a part of this couple and their journey towards love and a home together. I became heavily invested in their future and their happiness because they felt so real.

There’s also the frank treatment of substance abuse here. How does a person live with the fact that he’s an alcoholic? How does one live with an alcoholic? The manner in which it’s folded into the story is perfect as well as realistic.

In short, I can’t rave enough about this story. From the superb characterizations to a romance that will ignite your senses to a love story that you’ll tuck into your heart…Slip is a story to remember. You don’t have to have read the first one in the series but it helps to give you a better knowledge of the people you meet here in this story. I highly recommend them all.

Cover art by Maria Fanning. Love the cover. Incorporates the right elements and does a nice job with the characters.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 246 pages

Expected publication: December 22nd 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN13 9781635338027

Edition Language English

Series Recovery #2

B.G. Thomas on Writing, Names and his latest novel ‘Getting His Man (Getting His Man #1)’ (guest post)

Getting His Man (Getting His Man #1) by B.G. Thomas
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Bree Archer

BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Amazon UK

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host B.G. Thomas here today to talk about many things including his latest release, Getting His Man. Welcome, Ben.

✒︎

Hello Constant Readers!

My name, for those of you who don’t know me, is BG Thomas. But I prefer to be called Ben.

I wish I had gone with my first name when I started in this wonderful business, but it was a time where interviewers for jobs frequently Googled prospective employees, and I didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. And sadly, if they saw that you wrote gay romance, they immediately jumped to the wrong idea and concluded that you wrote porn.

Geeze! One of my best friends introduced me to a group of his friends by telling them I wrote porn that made you cry and smile and…etc. I pulled him aside and asked him why he did that. “If I wrote heterosexual romances would you have told people I wrote porn?” He shamefaced told me no, and that he was sorry. But the kicker is—he is gay!

Things have changed enough that today I wouldn’t be concerned with a possible employer Googling me. Heck! I don’t care who knows what I do. And if they think I write porn, I don’t care. Except that if you are buying my new book, Getting His Man, or any of my books, for the sex, you’re going to be disappointed. Not that I don’t write good sex. I think I write hot sex. But it is also sweet, and doesn’t come into the story until the very right moment!

Here are some questions that Scattered Thoughts and Rouge Words asked me to answer. I hope you enjoy…!

STaRW: How much of yourself goes into a character?

Ben: Well, it depends on the character. Some yes, some no. For instance, in my new book, there is a lot of me in Artie. In fact, the whole part where he gets arrested for drug dealing could very well have happened to me. My first roommate was quite the druggie and blasted his music and when you walked into the apartment building, you could often smell the pot smoke downstairs. I was scared to death I would get arrested. I used the scenario and how I would have reacted if I actually would have gotten in trouble with the law. Then with the other character in the book, August, well I am no fearless bounty hunter! LOL! August is more of a dream man hero, or even the kind of man I wish I could be.

STaRW: 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?

Ben: Oh yes! Most of my novels take me two to four months to write. Winter Heart took me over a year. The main character, Wyatt, was very much a reflection of me and what I went through with an emotionally and mentally abusive ex-spouse. It kept bringing up so much hurt and pain I had to set it aside. But it was also cathartic and helped me work through it all, and heal as well!

STaRW: Do you like to write HFN or HEA? And why?

Ben: Again, it depends on the book. But I can tell you as the writer, pretty much any story I end with for a HFN? It is a HEA! The book just doesn’t go on long enough for the reader to know that for sure. That is why my characters are bound to show up in other books so readers can see that the lovers from one book are still happily together weeks, months, and even years later! 🙂

STaRW: Ever drunk written a chapter and then read it the next day and still been happy with it? Trust me there’s a whole world of us drunk writers dying to know.

Ben: LOL! Would you believe it if I said, again, that it depends on the scene/book? See I have written scenes where my character got drunk or stoned or whatever and I got pretty darned tipsy to feel what they were feeling and wrote it from that angle. In another story was sort of a paranormal experience they were having. The “drunk” state helped me write the scene with that “feeling.” And I was surprised (and happy) how very little editing I had to do. And as some famous person once said, “Write drunk, edit sober!”

STaRW: If you could imagine the best possible place for you to write, where would that be and why?

Ben: A beach house. OMGosh yes! With lots of glass. And a big deck. I am a water baby and that connection to the sea would be unbelievable. A house that is not crammed up against the next house. Not a mile away mind you! Oh no. I am way too social an animal for that. I like people. So I’d want the ability to have privacy, but also to have coffee with a neighbor. And I wouldn’t mind if I had lots of gay neighbors. The commonality would be wonderful and a constant influence and inspiration.

STaRW: 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?

Ben: Yes. That is exactly what I do and why.

STaRW: What’s next for you as a writer?

Ben: In several of my novels some of my characters have gone to a vegan restaurant called Café Namasté. I am finally writing the story about the man who owns that place. I am learning a lot. And it is going to be a book that explains, lets you get away, to move past and to widen your knowledge. And it is going to make you laugh and cry too. And get all gushy inside. And maybe turn you on too!

And there! I hope you liked my answers. Now here is the cover blurb of my new book!

GETTING HIS MAN

A love story worthy of an old movie… with a new twist.

Artie needs a hero, a man like those he’s always revered in Golden Age films. His drug-dealing jerk of a roommate got him arrested, and since his savior isn’t likely to sweep in and save the day, Artie calls a bail bondsman.

August has always imagined himself a hero from a black-and-white movie, but he’s never found a man willing to let him play that role—at least not until he gets the call from Artie.

Both of their dreams might come true, but not before August must use his skills as a bounty hunter as well as a bondsman. Artie is on the run for his life, and August must protect him and help him clear his name. Only then can they both finally get their man.

And hey, after you’re done reading it, I would love to hear what you think!

Love, Namasté, and Happy Holidays!

BG “Ben” Thomas

About the Author

B.G. Thomas lives in Kansas City with his husband of more than a decade and their fabulous dogs Sarah Jane and Oliver. He is blessed to have a lovely daughter as well as many extraordinary friends. He has a great passion for life.

B.G. loves romance, comedies, fantasy, science fiction, and even horror—as far as he is concerned, as long as the stories are character driven and entertaining, it doesn’t matter the genre. He has gone to literature conventions his entire adult life where he’s been lucky enough to meet many of his favorite writers. He has made up stories since he was a child; it is where he finds his joy.

In the nineties, he wrote for gay adult magazines but stopped because the editors wanted all sex without plot. “The sex is never as important as the characters,” he says. “Who cares what they are doing if we don’t care about them?” Excited about the growing male/male romance market, he began writing again. He submitted a novella and was thrilled when it was accepted in four days. Since then the romantic tales have poured out of him. “It’s like I’m somehow making up for a lifetime’s worth of story-telling!”

In 2015 he made an entry every day in his blog “365 Days of Silver,” where he found something every day to be grateful for. You can find it right here: https://365daysofsilver.wordpress.com/

“Leap, and the net will appear” is his personal philosophy and his message. “It is never too late,” he testifies. “Pursue your dreams. They will come true!”

Website/blog: bthomaswriter.wordpress.com

Cover Reveal for Bases Loaded by Sean Michael (guest post and cover reveal)

Bases Loaded by Sean Michael
Dreamspinner Press

Buy links: Dreamspinner Press eBook | Paperback

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Sean Michael here today revealing his cover for his re-release of Bases Loaded. Welcome, Sean.

✒︎

Thank you to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for hosting the cover reveal for Bases Loaded.

As always, when I have a re-release of an older book, I welcome getting another set of edits on the book, but most of all I appreciate getting a new cover. And I’m very happy with this new cover for the book.

This book was a part of all the ‘going for the gold’ sports books that I wrote a bunch of years back, but this one was different from the others. There was no coach, instead the love story is between a baseball player and his lover and it happens off-season. They have to survive the things life throws at them.

The irony of having this be off-season is that I am a huge baseball fan from back when I was in a teenager, avidly following the Montreal Expos, keeping track of stats, listening on the radio to the games that weren’t televised, keeping a scrapbook of all the clippings from the newspaper. And with all that knowledge locked in my head, so I wouldn’t need to research that aspect of the book, I basically didn’t need it.

Ah well, I still love baseball, though without a home team here in Ottawa, I don’t follow it like I used to.

Hopefully you like the new cover for Bases Loaded as much as I do and I hope you decide to give the book a try and that you think it’s a homerun!

Sean Michael

smut fixes everything

Blurb:

Can they survive the off-season and keep from striking out?

Baseball player Brett must get rehabilitation for his shoulder if he wants another season in the Major League. He and his partner, Benj, take off to the boonies to stay with physical therapist Ralph, a tough-talking, routine-setting guy, and Jean, Ralph’s Cajun lover, who cooks as well as he loves.

Brett and Ralph butt heads from the beginning. Ralph wants Brett to be more in touch with his feelings; Brett wants Ralph to give him his therapy and leave him alone. Benj and Jean get along far better, with Jean showing Benj around the kitchen and reassuring him when things with Brett get strained.

Before Ralph can even begin to work on Brett’s shoulder, though, Brett faces an even more difficult physical challenge, one that does more than threaten his career. He and Benj have to work through some tough issues, making decisions that will affect the rest of their lives together. Their gradual friendship with Ralph and Jean helps them through the bad times, but even that might not be enough to pull them through.

About the Author

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/

A Kai Advent Release Day Review: The Last Gift by Chrissy Munder

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

College student Nick Reed works late shift at a convenience store and dreams of graduation, a job he can be proud of, and finding the man of his dreams.

But the man of his dreams is about to find him.

A change in his lab hours forces Nick to swap shifts with a coworker. But no one prepared Nick for Mr. 5:25—Aaron Hampton—a beefy blond who’s Nick’s perfect guy, but professionally and socially out of Nick’s reach. Soon Aaron becomes the highlight of Nick’s workday, and when the overly focused lawyer needs Nick’s help with holiday gifts, Nick is eager to spend time with Aaron.

They become friends, share book recommendations, and are surprised to find themselves at the same charity run. But is that all? When Aaron learns Nick is heading back to his old shift, will he find the courage to ask for one last, very special gift?

Loved this short story guys! Just loved it!

This was a new author for me, so I wasn’t sure what expect of it, but was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this short story. It was fluid, sweet and well written.

I loved the characters and was evolved in the plot as soon as I started reading it. You know those short stories where you really want a sequel so you can see your characters again? This novella was that for me. I was so in love with the characters that I really would love more about them.

Nick and Aaron were great! They felt real and adorable. I connected with both and enjoyed myself cheering for them to change their friendship for something more (and theattraction was so clear between them). But I also liked they started it as friends and that the connection they developed after they met each other was gradual. It was adorable to read.

This was one of my favorite Christmas story in the Dreamspinner Advent Anthology this year. And if you are looking for an adorable, interesting, sweet and short Christmas reading, I really recommend this one.

Sales Links

Dreamspinner | Amazon:

Book Details:

Ebook: 51 pages

ublication: December 01st, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press.

Jenn Burke on Writing, Fantasy and her story The Gryphon’s King’s Consort

The Gryphon King’s Consort by Jenn Burke
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art by Aaron Anderson

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Jenn Burke today on her tour for The Gryphon King’s Consort. Welcome, Jenn.

✒︎

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words – Interview with Jenn Burke

How much of yourself goes into a character?

I think all writers put something of themselves into their characters. I tend to take one of my traits—usually a flaw—and give it to my MC. For example, Luca’s unbending stubbornness in The Gryphon King’s Consort is all me.

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

Although I like to make up my own worlds and cultures, that doesn’t mean there’s no research involved. I strongly believe that science fiction or paranormal elements need something of a root in reality in order to be consistent and relatable. But there’s such a thing as too much research, too—especially if you’re constantly getting stuck in a research rabbit hole and not actually writing.

Has your choice of childhood or teenage reading genres carried into your own choices for writing?

Absolutely yes. I didn’t discover science fiction until I was in my pre-teens, but I devoured stories by Madeleine L’Engle, Monica Hughes, Jane Yolen, Anne McCaffery and others, and they definitely influenced what I love to write. As I got older, I graduated to paranormal and urban fantasy stories, and some of my favourite authors include Tanya Huff, Mercedes Lackey, Charles de Lint, Kelley Armstrong, and more.

Do you read romances, as a teenager and as an adult?

Definitely. I didn’t really get into romances until I was an older teen, but I loved the old Silhouette Shadows paranormal category romances. I do like contemporary romances, but my true love is romances with a speculative side to them—science fiction romance, paranormal romance, fantasy romance, etc.

Do you like HFN or HEA? And why?

If it’s a romance, it has to have a HFN or HEA. Full stop. But I don’t prefer one of those types of endings over the other—it all depends on what fits with the story. Sometimes a HFN is what makes the most sense, especially for a short story, novella, or a multi-book series. But I think a standalone novel or the final book of a series needs to have a strong HEA—that’s the payoff for your reader.

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

I loved writing Inversion Point (book four of the Chaos Station series) for a number of reasons. Zed and Felix’s relationship crisis was finally resolved in book three, and this was the first book where they really had a chance to start looking at the future. Zed faces his first challenge in his new role as the emissary for the omnipotent Guardians. Felix has to face the creatures who’d held him as a prisoner of war for four years. There’s a new alien race that gets introduced to the galaxy. And there’s intrigue, adventure, and lots of romance. It was just such a fun book.

That said, I absolutely love the interpersonal conflict I’ve written between Luca and Eirian in The Gryphon King’s Consort. It’s the best sort, where neither side is wrong and both sides are right—depending on your perspective. It was really satisfying to be able to bring these two characters with such different philosophies together to form a strong, loving partnership.

If you could imagine the best possible place for you to write, where would that be and why?

It would be in a cottage on the lovely and pastoral Prince Edward Island in the Canadian Maritimes. Somewhere with a screened-in porch to protect me from the mosquitoes while still allowing me to enjoy the ocean-fed breeze and admire the red sand beaches. PEI has such a wonderfully sedate pace of life, too. The entire place is just so relaxing.

What’s next for you as an author?

I’m attempting to write my first full-length contemporary novel, featuring a couple of head-butting stepbrothers—one who’s a spoiled rich brat used to getting his way and the other who’s a Brazilian-American ex-cop—who are forced to work together to complete the stipulations of their manipulative father’s will. It’s an ambitious project, but I’m hopeful!

I also plan to make my self-pub debut early in 2018 with a sexy contemporary short story. Stay tuned!

The Gryphon King’s Consort

Love takes flight.

The sudden death of the Gryphon King throws the kingdom of Mythos into uncertainty, and Crown Prince Luca rushes both his coronation and an arranged marriage to a man he’s never met. Eirian is young and idealistic, and while they both want what’s best for their people, their philosophies couldn’t be more different. While Luca believes in honoring tradition, Eirian is determined to infuse modern values into their kingdom of magical creatures. When given the choice between loyalty to his husband and his own crusade, Eirian makes a decision that might doom their marriage.

Still, Luca is committed to making their union work, and that means forgiving his brash consort. But when Eirian becomes the target of a deadly conspiracy, Luca must act fast—or forever lose the chance to explore their burgeoning love.

Buy links:

About Jenn Burke

Jenn Burke has loved out-of-this-world romance since she first read about heroes and heroines kicking butt and falling in love as a preteen. Now that she’s an author, she couldn’t be happier to bring adventure, romance, and sexy times to her readers.

Jenn is the author of The Gryphon King’s Consort from Dreamspinner Press and the co-author of the critically acclaimed Chaos Station science fiction romance series (with Kelly Jensen) from Carina Press. She’s also the author of Her Sexy Sentinel, a paranormal romance from Entangled Publishing.

She’s been called a pocket-sized and puntastic Canadian on social media, and she’ll happily own that label. Jenn lives just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, with her husband and two kids, plus two dogs named after video game characters…because her geekiness knows no bounds.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Sean Michael on the Family Side of Romance and his new release Daddy Needs a Date

Daddy Needs a Date by Sean Michael
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art:

Buy links:

Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

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

I really enjoy writing stories like Daddy Needs a Date. I like exploring the family side of gay romance. Part of it is that I love seeing any father be sweet and caring with their children, so having two melts my heart even more.

In Daddy Needs a Date, Alex isn’t so sure about dating a single dad. He’s never had any desire to have children of his own and his job isn’t conducive to having kids. Hell, it’s not even conducive to dating, really. It’s not that he doesn’t like kids, he’s simply never considered having any of his own.

To be honest, I had thought the story was going to go in a very different direction than it did. But as always, the characters have their own ideas. And what was supposed to be a tug and pull between Alex wanting to date Ryan, but not being at all sure about the children angle turned into something else. In part because Ryan was an even better father than I’d anticipated, and because Alex was a better man than I’d originally painted him as when I started the story.

I think it’s a good thing the characters zigged when I would have had them zag because the story is better for it. I hope you enjoy the direction they insisted I go in.

Sean Michael

smut fixes everything

Blurb:

With four girls, single dad Ryan Withers has his hands too full to look for romance. He’s not complaining—he loves his daughter and the three nieces he adopted when their parents died, and he would do anything for them. He’s caught off-guard when his mother and daughter conspire to play matchmaker.

Alex Bernot works in disaster relief, his job taking him all over the world for extended periods of time, helping others. He’s staying with his aunt while he’s home, and she sets him up on a blind date. Finding a special someone isn’t really on his mind, but he goes to make his aunt happy.

Ryan and Alex enjoy each other’s company more than either of them expected, and they soon make a second date. Their lives are complicated, though, in very different ways, and soon family needs and their jobs conspire to pull them apart. They’ll need to figure out how to work through the things keeping them apart, but first they’ll have to decide if they even want to….

About the Author

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/

A Lila Release Day Review: Roger by SJD Peterson

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Texas native Colt Burrow isn’t happy about his third cold, lonely Christmas in frozen Michigan. But when fate sends him a gift in the form of an abandoned puppy, he can’t keep his heart from melting. With the puppy’s companionship, he doesn’t feel so isolated anymore, and the holidays don’t seem as bleak. He even finds enough Christmas spirit to take Roger tree shopping. But just when Colt’s starting to hope Roger’s owner doesn’t show up… he does, and Colt doesn’t want to say goodbye.

Will Roger end up being Colt’s Christmas heartbreak… or his Christmas miracle?

Roger is an adorable Christmas story. It’s not a traditional romance since most of the story is about Roger and Colt but we get to know them well, and when is time for love we can see how much they both deserve it.

This book is all about the holiday season, family, and loved ones. We get to see how much Colt needed someone there for him and how the little Feist filled that space in his heart. We cannot forget the well-meaning owner who noticed the connection between Roger and Colt and helps create their little family. It’s a romance after all.

Love, family, and a bit of fluff make this a perfect short for those who can’t stay away from a sweet story with a hint of romance.

The cover by Reese Dante goes perfectly with the story. Reflecting one of the scenes in the book.

Sale Links: Dreamspinners | Amazon | NOOK

ebook, 51 pages
Published: December 20, 2017, by Dreamspinners Press
ISBN: 9781635339994
Edition Language: English

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The King’s Courage (North Pole City Tales #6) by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

A sweet, exciting, and endearing conclusion to a beautiful holiday series, Charlie Cochet brings it in with a homerun with this tale of Eirik, the King of Frost, and Dasher, a, uh, dashing member of Rudy’s Rein Deer squad.

Dasher’s friend Rudy Rein Deer is finally marrying Jack Frost. The wedding of the year will take place at Jack’s palace in Svalbard, Norway, but Dasher isn’t looking forward to the wedding as much as he’s looking forward to the opportunity to get closer to Eirik, Jack’s father. Dasher sees beyond the royal persona to the man beneath and he’s hoping to convince the king of his feelings and longing to someday having those feelings returned.

When the king lost his queen long ago, he locked away his frozen heart, but when he and Dasher have a chance to really talk and Dasher relates his own story of a lost love, that heart begins to thaw.

Of course, evil forces try to draw them apart and put Dasher in mortal danger. Can Eirik, Kringle, Jack, and Rudy find a way to save the day?

This isn’t intended as a standalone as most of the characters from the previous series are present for this wedding and play a role in the story. If you haven’t ever read these books, by all means, go get them! It’s a wonderful series and this story provides the perfect ending to a set of stories that will warm your heart on a cold winter’s day.

~~~

Cover by Paul Richmond depicts a young man dressed formally and holding a glass heart in his hands. Behind him stands a larger man in royal robes, representing the King of Frost. Bright and colorful, the cover conveys a part of the story beautifully.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 77 pages
Expected publication: December 20th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640800328
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesNorth Pole City Tales #6

In Our Holiday Romance Spotlight: Roger by S.J.D. Peterson (excerpt)

Roger by S.J.D. Peterson
Dreamspinner Press
Cover art by Reese Dante

Sales Links Dreamspinner Press

Blurb:

Will Roger end up being Colt’s Christmas heartbreak… or his Christmas miracle?

Exclusive Excerpt

“I’m sorry, sir. The shelter is full.”

“What? I can’t take him. I have to get to work.”

Erin gave Colt a sympathetic smile. “I wish there was something I could do, but we can’t take him. We simply don’t have the room. I can give you a list of other rescue centers that may be able to take him. Unfortunately, the number of abandoned and surrendered animals increases this time of year.”

“That’s heartbreaking. It’s freezing out there, and no one should be alone for Christmas, not even a dog.”

“I totally agree with you.” Erin reached out and stroked the fur along Roger’s back. “It’s a good thing he found you.”

“Actually…. Never mind. Doesn’t matter.” He rattled off his number. “Please call me if you find his owner.”

Erin wrote down Colt’s number, then held out a pamphlet.

“What’s that for?”

“It’s the list of rescue centers.”

Colt studied it for a moment, then shook his head. “I’ll keep him.” Erin smiled broadly. “For now.”

“Like I said, it’s a good thing he… I mean, you found him.”

“Oh, hey, do you happen to have any leashes?” He held up the end of the rope. “This really doesn’t work when he’s in a hurry to pee.”

“Right there,” she said, pointing past Colt.

He turned to see a wall of colorful leashes, harnesses, and collars. He went and picked out a thin, light blue one, brought it back to the counter, and pulled out his wallet.

“That will be five dollars and thirty cents,” Erin informed him.

Colt pulled out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to her. “Just donate the rest to the shelter.”

“Thank you. That’s very generous of you.”

Colt attached the new leash to Roger’s collar. “Thanks for your help, Erin.”

“My pleasure and Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” Colt called back, then stepped outside. The instant they were out the door, Roger perked up. The trembling eased, and his tail began to wag.

Colt couldn’t blame him. He wouldn’t trust a place like that if he’d had his nuts cut off at one. He cringed at the idea. “Looks like we’re stuck with each other.” Roger licked his face, and Colt couldn’t help but laugh.

Meet Jo Peterson

SJD Peterson, better known as Jo, hails from Michigan. Not the best place to live for someone who hates the cold and snow. When not reading or writing, Jo can be found close to the heater checking out NHL stats and watching the Red Wings kick a little butt. Can’t cook, misses the clothes hamper nine out of ten tries, but is handy with power tools.

FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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Book Tour for Short Order (Foothills Pride #8) by Pat Henshaw (excerpt and giveaway)

BLOG TOUR

Title: Short Order

Series: Foothills Pride #8

Author: Pat Henshaw

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publication date: December 13, 2017

Price: $3.99/£2.99

Format: eBook

Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Cover Design: AngstyG

Length: 28,400 words/89 pages

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Blurb

When recent horticulture graduate Dr. Fenton Miller arrives in Stone Acres, California, he thinks his only concern is which job offer to accept after spending the holidays working at his cousin’s plant nursery. But after he rents a room from another shorter-than-average man, sous-chef John Barton, Fen falls in lust.

While he’s attracted to Fen, John’s got bigger concerns when two men from his past arrive in town and pressure him to return to San Francisco. Although John tries to stop Fen from getting involved, Fen realizes his lover is in trouble and is determined to protect him.

As the holidays get closer and Fen makes his own enemy, the joy of the season gets lost in the ill will around them. To ensure love triumphs, Fen and John must stand tall to show that short, dark, and handsome is a recipe for love.

Excerpt

That night I stood freezing at Barton’s door, admiring Blue Cottage. The snow drifts piled on the lawn made the house look greeting-card perfect. I searched for a doorbell. Instead, a lion-headed knocker snarled at me. I grinned. Every house needed an intimidating guardian, right?

A man who looked about my age and height opened the door and slipped out, shutting it behind him. I was curious to see inside, but I got that the guy wanted his privacy. No problem.

“Hi. I’m Fen.”

He looked me over, then turned to the left along the shoveled porch. As he walked, he played with the keyring, bouncing a key in his hand. Did I make him nervous? If so, was that a good thing?

“This way.”

Okay. I took a breath and followed his pert ass and brisk steps as we rounded the porch to a steep staircase. From my brief glance at his face, he seemed okay. I was still slightly put off by his brusque manner. But hey, I reminded myself, I was renting from him, not fucking him.

In silence I followed him up to a small porch and a solid-looking back door, which he opened after only a little fumbling.

I was greeted by the stuffy, closed-up odor of a place long left undisturbed.

“You’d be my first renter. It’s furnished, but I can store anything you don’t want.” He made quick eye contact with me. The words erupted from him like I made him uncomfortable or something. Maybe it was my piercing and the tattoo, or maybe the hair color. I tried a smile, but he blushed and turned away, gesturing to the rooms.

Even though the air inside was chilly, I looked around and fell even more in love than I had when I’d first seen the house. The 1940s era furniture and knickknacks turned what could have been sterile rooms into my kind of home. I exhaled, letting the ambience settle in my soul as I wandered through a country kitchen, tiny dining room, sitting room, two bedrooms, and a classic bathroom, ending eventually at a circular tower room. I fell even deeper in love along the way as I touched the scratched kitchen table, a velveteen-covered parlor settee, a solid-looking four-poster bed, and the needlepoint-cushioned window seat in the tower.

If I were Barton, I’d charge thousands a month for this place. I prayed he wasn’t me and was relieved when my prayers were answered.

“You want to keep the furniture?” He still didn’t look at me as he bent over the kitchen table to fill out the rental agreement. Who needed him staring? I could live with letting his voice pour over me and seeing his kissable lips.

“I can’t imagine living here without all of it.” Or maybe even you, I thought, eyeing his pert butt wiggling at me as he wrote.

He stopped, stood, and eyed me for a few seconds before bending and going back to writing. I hadn’t said that about his butt out loud, had I?

As I was daydreaming about his ass and the scarred table, he stopped writing, looked over the form, and finally twisted it toward me. “Sign here, initial here, and date it. Then I need your rent for the month.”

I was signing before he changed his mind. The rent was ridiculously cheap. “No deposit?” There had to be a catch, right?

“No.”

I glanced up. He was gazing down at the table, or maybe at my hands. Or my groin? I signed as fast as I could and wrote a check to John Barton, the name on the rental agreement. So he had a first name, and we had a deal.

I drove back to my cousin’s house whistling. Within an hour, and with Beth and Kate’s help, I was moved in. Having only clothes and electronics made the move a one-trip job. Then I went food shopping for breakfast stuff and frozen dinners. We all celebrated by eating a late dinner outside town at a diner called the Rock Bottom Cafe. Renting a place with a wonderful kitchen hadn’t automatically taught me to cook.

Even with an enigma for a landlord, my life was perfect.

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About the Author

Pat Henshaw, author of the Foothills Pride Stories, has spent her life surrounded by words: Teaching English composition at the junior college level; writing book reviews for newspapers, magazines, and websites; helping students find information as a librarian; and promoting PBS television programs.

Pat was born and raised in Nebraska where she promptly left the cold and snow after college, living at various times in Texas, Colorado, Northern Virginia, and Northern California. Pat enjoys travel, having visited Mexico, Canada, Europe, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Egypt, and Europe, including a cruise down the Danube.

Her triumphs are raising two incredible daughters who daily amaze her with their power and compassion. Fortunately, her incredibly supportive husband keeps her grounded in reality when she threatens to drift away while writing fiction.