Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have B.A. Tortuga here today talking about characters, writing and her latest story in her Recovery series, Slip. Welcome, B.A.

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with B.A. Tortuga

What traits do you find the most interesting in someone? Do you write them into your characters?

I love a sense of humor – maybe not a good sense of humor, but a sense of humor, and I think you can find that in almost all my characters.

I’m also a huge fan of believing in something. You know that old adage, if you don’t believe in something then you’ll fall for everything? I think you can see that in my characters, over and over.

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?

*snort* I am the queen of working my shit out in a book. Leaving Texas, my sight failing, being chronically ill. I let the characters talk out my problems for me. When my son had cancer, I wrote Say Something to cope with all eventualities.

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?

Honestly? I write because I have faith. I believe in forever. I believe in happily ever after. I believe in soul mates. I believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that love will overcome.

Much love, y’all.

Slip blurb

Recovery: Book Two

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.

Available December 22 from Dreamspinner Press:

About BA Tortuga

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds and her beloved wife, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head. Find her on the web at www.batortuga.com

A Kai Advent Release Day Review: All Creatures Great and Small by Kasper Quill

Rating: 3.75 out of 5

Growing up an orphan meant Charlie never celebrated Christmas. He’s committed to making sure his newly adopted cat, Max, doesn’t miss out like he did. Unfortunately, he discovers that giving Max the perfect Christmas might be easier said than done—and not without risk.

Charlie’s landlord, successful and wealthy real estate developer Aemon Scotfield, is charmed by the gorgeous redhead and his shameless alley cat. He finds himself compelled to help orchestrate a memorable celebration for Max—and Charlie—despite the mishaps that seem to just keep coming. As difficult as it will be to pull off the perfect holiday, the real challenge might be walking away when it’s over.

Guys, think of a super silly, but charming and adorable Christmas story. All Creatures Great and Small is just like that!

This book was my first holiday read in this season and I really enjoyed it!

I don’t know why, but I do love all the Christmas stories. I’m such a sappy this time of year. Don’t judge! Lol

The story started with Charlie in a motivational lecture where the speaker was trying to sell the slogan “small risks lead to great rewards”. Charlie couldn’t help but be intrigued by it since he never took any risk in his life. He was that type of person who did always the same thing every day. Then, on his way home, he had a little accident with a street cat and with the motivational slogan in mind he decided to adopt the little creature.

Charlie was such a sappy with the cat, Max, and that was so cute! He would buy presents for Max. Would take hundreds of pictures of the little animal and would proudly show around. It was adorable.

Since Charlie lived in a Condo, he needed to pay an animal deposit now that he was the owner of a little cat. When Charlie’s landlord, Aemon, arrived to take the deposit, he was immediately charmed with how much Charlie wanted to make Christmas special for his new animal. Aemon decided then to help Charlie to make a really good Christmas for Max.

Of course, there was an attraction between Charlie and Aemon, but I won’t give you any spoiler. Don’t even ask!

What I can say is that I really liked the characters and their interaction, the subtle evolution in Charlie taking risks and the silliness of the novella.

It’s a super short and adorable Christmas story. If you are looking for something like that, go there and read it. I hope you enjoy!

The cover by Paul Richmond is generic for the Christmas and doesn’t fit this story, but it shows a nice Christmas spirit.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon

Book Details:

Ebook: 34 pages

Publication: December 01st, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press.

A Lila Advent Release Day Review: Trading Tridents by C. M. Taylor

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

DecemberCon 2017. John Perlan, aka YouTuber “SmileyNibor,” has come to the con for one reason and one reason only: to see his idol, actor Derek Kitow. And since Derek has announced he’ll be dressed as the original Aquaman, Perlan decides to come as the Aquaman reboot. It helps that he already has the beard and the bod to make a convincing Momoaman.

But when Derek Kitow makes his entrance, he recognizes Perlan from his tiny YouTube channel and wants him onstage! Has Kitow been following him online? Could SmileyNibor’s hero also be a fan? And what exactly does Kitow have in mind by inviting Perlan to meet him after the panel?

Trading Tridents is different than any other holiday story I have read before but it falls short to deliver a warm tale. The premise is interesting and the beginning promising until the action starts. Everything moves too fast and no amount of suspension of disbelief can keep the reader believing in the couple.

Yes, it’s a quick steamy read with lots of possibilities, an interesting cast, and an atypical story for the season, but unfortunately, it’s not enough. Perhaps, less kink and more sweetness would have worked better for such a short story. I do appreciate all the pop culture references and cosplay dynamics, though.

The cover by Paul Richmond is the standard for this year’s collection. Cute, but a bit too cartoonish for my taste.

Sale Links: Dreamspinners | Amazon | NOOK

ebook, 32 pages
Published: December 1, 2017, by Dreamspinners Press
ISBN: 9781640803039
Edition Language: English

More of STRW Best of 2017! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

More of STRW Best of 2017!

This week we have more lists from our reviewers and some from our readers. We have best books and best covers from Stella and Barb the Zany Old Lady. Check out their recommendations. See where they fall on your lists, if they made your lists or if you have read them at all and perhaps need to put them on your TBR lists!

That last always happens to me.

Then I started to include more lists from our readers as well. The Best of Giveaway is still going on. Look for it at the bottom of this post before our schedule of the week! And now for Stella’s Best Books for 2017:

Stella’s BEST BOOKS of 2017

Be My Best Man by Con Riley

Permanent Ink by Piper Vaughn and Avon Gale

Spun! by JL Merrow

Haven’s War by Parker Williams

Back to You by Chris Scully

Gone by the Board by August Li

The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

Wake Up Call by JL Merrow

Renaissance by Lillian francis

Beneath The Stars by Lynn Charles

Second Chances by TA Webb

Ringo and The Sunshine Police by Nick Wilgus

Love Rising by Piper Vaughn

Lunch with the DoNothings at the Tammy Dinette by Killian B Brewer

BEST COVERS

The World in His Eyes by AJ Thomas

How to Save a Life by Eli Easton

The Half Wolf by Jay Northcote

The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

From Barb the Zany Old Lady

My top 10 for 2017, in any order (I can’t decide which is the best of all):

Slow Heat by Leta Blake

Tender With a Twist by Annabeth Albert

Outside the Lines by Anna Zabo

Shelter the Sea by Heidi Cullinan

Controlled Burn by Erin McLellan

On Point by Annabeth Albert

Tender Mercies by Eli Easton

Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge

Trust with a Chaser by Annabeth Albert

Risky Behavior by L.A. Witt and Cari Z.

And from one of our Readers!

From Didi:

Sorting out the best list is what I never did – or at least announced – before. I’m not that organized, lol. Since I consider this year is one of the good reading year for me though, I have a few best-of-2017 list based on my reading. Here are a couple in a random order..

Best Suspense Romance
– Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge
– Risky Behavior by LA Witt & Cari Z
– Trustworthy by Astrid Amara
– Single Malt by Layla Reyne
– Enemies of the State by Tal Bauer

Best Covers
– Kill Game by Cordelia Kingsbridge
– The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish
– Off the Ice by Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn
– Ghostwriter of Christmas Past by TA Moore
– The Castaway Prince by Isabelle Adler

Best of 2017 Giveaway

Who has made an impact on you this year? Start thinking about it. This week starts our Best of 2017 Giveaways. We need your Best of in whatever Categories you would like to submit. Have a Best of Covers? Great! How about a Bests of Supernatural Romance? Perfect! Best Historical Romance? Love it! Getting the idea? So what’s your Best of 2017? I will be gathering mine for the next 2 weeks and will trot them out at the end of the month. Prizes will be offered up! Gift certificates, more than one, for participations and more.

Ends on Saturday, December 30th. So get those lists in and let’s starting comparing! Happy compiling! Must be 18 years old to enter.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 17;

A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: Welcome Home Soldier by Deanna Wadsworth
An Alisa Release Day Review:Table for One by Connie Bailey
More of STRW Best of 2017! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, December 18:

Release Blitz – Nell Iris’ Unexpected Christmas
Review Tour – Ruby Moone’s The Mistletoe Kiss
Riptide Publishing’s Tour and Giveaway: Outside the Lines by Anna Zabo
A Caryn Review: The Mistletoe Kiss by Ruby Moone
A Lila Advent Release Day Review: Trading Tridents by C. M. Taylor
A Stella Review: Yours For The Holiday by DJ Jamison
An Alisa Review: The Christmas Eve Craigslist Killer by Jill Wexler

Tuesday. December 19:

Blog Promotion Tour – Why I Left You by Colette Davison
DSP Promo BA Tortuga on Slip
Riptide Publishing Bluewater Bay Tour and Giveaway: New Hand by LA Witt.
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: New Hand (Bluewater Bay #23) by L.A. Witt
A Jeri Review: New Hand by LA Witt
A Kai Advent Release Day Review: All Creatures Great and Small by Kasper Quill
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Beloved Son (Aisling Trilogy#3) by Carole Cummings
A MelanieM Review: Why I Left You by Colette Davison

Wednesday, December 20:

Book Blitz – Jamie Fessenden – A Viking For Yule
Book Tour – Short Order by Pat Henshaw
DSP Promo SJD Peterson on Roger
A Kai Review: Only with You (Only Colorado #1) by J.D. Chambers
A Lila Advent Release Day Review: Wreck the Halls (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers) by Jessica Payseur
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The King’s Courage (North Pole City Tales #6) by Charlie Cochet
A Lila Release Day Review: Roger by SJD Peterson

Thursday, December 21:

Jenn Burke on Fantasy and her story The Gryphon’s King’s Consort
A Holiday to Remember Tour (J. Scott Coatsworth)
DSP Promo Sean Michael
A MelanieM Review: Old Christmas Magic by Kassandra Lea
A Kai Advent Release Day Review: The Last Gift by Chrissy Munder
A MelanieM Review: Old Christmas Magic by Kassandra Lea
A VVivacious Review: Tournament of Champions by Tamryn Eradani
An Alisa Review: I Brake for Christmas by Michael P. Thomas

Friday, December 22:

BOOK TOUR – In Blood and Pain by Aldrea Alien
Cover Reveal – Lost In Time – A.L. Lester
DSP Dreamspun Promo B.G. Thomas
A Caryn Advent Release Day Review: The Holly Groweth Green by Amy Rae Durreson
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Slip (Recovery #2) by BA Tortuga
A MelanieM Review: Make The Yuletide Gay – Various Authors

Saturday, December 23:

DSP Promo B.G. Thomas
AN Alisa Advent Release Day Review: A Gift of Family by Tami Veldura
A MelanieM Review: King (Executioners #3) by J.M. Dabney

An Alisa Release Day Review:Table for One by Connie Bailey

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Exposing his body for work is no problem, but after his heart’s been broken, putting it out there again won’t be so easy.

Up-and-coming young executives Copeland Shore and William Donnelly have been friends and sometimes more for years. For Cope’s birthday, Will plans a very special dinner—at a nantaimori restaurant where the most enticing thing is the table. Dai—the naked man beneath their sushi—has both their mouths watering, but when it comes to Dai’s heart, there’s only room at the table for one, and Will gets there first.

Will’s everything Dai thinks he wants in a man… until he’s betrayed. The betrayal also ends the friendship between Will and Cope and leaves Dai shaken and unsure if he can put his trust in another man—not even when a second chance for love and happiness rises from the ashes of the broken relationship. Cope wants to tempt Dai to take a risk with him, but the pain of the past is hard for Dai to shake off… and Cope has obstacles of his own to overcome.

I’m not sure what I was expecting out of this story but I have to day what I read did not work for me. First off Will is a self-important asshole from the very beginning and I don’t think that he has ever been anything else in his life. Cope lets his first opportunity to woo Dai slip by and by the time he returns from his work trip he knows he has missed his chance when Dai is with Will. Dai is looking for the one, which he says but then contradicts himself with his actions and words throughout the story.

I could not connect with any of these characters or understand most of their actions as they often did the opposite of what they said. We saw almost everyone’s view point in the story which made it even harder to keep up as I would suddenly be reading another characters thoughts. I had thought more of this story would have been Dai and Cope working through their issues but most of it seemed to be when Dai and Will were together and then the time until he is with Cope. There wasn’t enough actual building of a relationship that I couldn’t feel it. This story had all characters making assumptions about the others that weren’t true and then it caused problems later.

Cover art by Aaron Anderson is wonderful and eye catching.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:
ebook, 224 pages
Published: December 18, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-083-0
Edition Language: English

A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: Welcome Home, Soldier by Deanna Wadsworth

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Clay and Daniel fell in love as enlisted men during Desert Shield, but Don’t Ask Don’t Tell meant they had to keep it secret. After Clay’s convoy was ambushed, PTSD changed him, and their relationship ended in a horrible fight on Christmas Eve.

Twenty-five years later, they’ve reconnected on Facebook, and Clay finds out Daniel will be alone on Christmas Eve. Impulsively, he sets out for Daniel’s hometown of Gilead, Ohio—where Daniel is now the mayor—to surprise him with a visit. But a blizzard strikes and Clay wrecks his car. All hope of seeing Daniel is lost—until a mysterious old man named Nick offers Clay a ride. The weight of past wounds and the scars of war might make their reunion awkward, but Clay is willing to take the risk to win back his lost love. Despite a lifetime of disappointing holidays, Clay hopes that this soldier is finally coming home for Christmas.

I don’t know if it was the mood I was in or if I’m just such a sap for Christmas stories like these but Welcome Home, Soldier by Deanna Wadsworth just hits all my buttons for Christmas stories. It has the second chance at love after a long period of time, a blizzard and a wonderful mystical element. Yes, even a dog. I just loved it right down to that cover.

Two men love each other deeply as young men during the Army during Desert Shield. It’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell but most importantly it’s the times and their youth, and then the changes in Clay when he’s the only one to survive an ambush of his team. They can’t survive as a couple and split up. Now it’s twenty-five years later and Christmas Eve and they are about to reconnect.

Deanna Wadsworth has done a remarkable job in creating a story that manages to seem both down to earth and yet at the same time wraps both of these older, worn men in some undefinable magical glow. She gives you that awkwardness as they feel their way back towards each other as all those years apart, trying to see if there’s anything still there. It feels very real. But the author also manages to bring a Christmas magic to her story, a mystical element that makes anything possible, including the second chance at love for these two lonely men who have always loved each other.

Boy, was I sniffling away at parts, enjoying myself immensely. Yes, this story was clearly written for me. I just loved it. Including that ending! If you are just as sappy as I am, trust me Welcome Home, Soldier by Deanna Wadsworth is just the Christmas story for you.

Cover art by L.C. Chase is wonderful. The artist captures them as young men before the breakup. But has the dog from the present times. I just adore this cover.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 76 pages
Published December 1st 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640803022
Edition Language English

An Ali Advent Release Day Review: An Unexpected Sanctuary (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers) by Cassie Decker

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

An aggressive super-flu pandemic wipes out a majority of the population over the course of one Christmas holiday—and brings Tobin and Kyle together. For almost a year, they’ve been trekking across the country from Colorado toward a sanctuary in upstate New York. Kyle’s survival skills have kept them alive, and Tobin wants to repay the man he loves with a very special gift of his own making. He sneaks off in search of the last few pieces… only to get himself and Kyle kidnapped by a desperate stranger. With their journey to New York on hold—possibly indefinitely—they’ll need to accept that home isn’t always defined by a place as much as the person you’re with.

This was one of my favorite stories in the Dreamspinner Advent anthology this year. It was my first time reading this author so I had no idea what to expect. The story starts with Tobin and Kyle coming into a small town as they try to find some shelter from the cold weather. Kyle is focused on finding them a safe house and Tobin is distracted by his desire to finish a gift for Kyle. Neither realize that while they’re focused on these things, someone is watching them.

There was just the right amount of tension at the beginning. It’s an apocalypse story so I definitely want to be a bit on the edge of my seat whether it’s Christmas time or not. The author provided that as well as a story that also ends up having a touching and sweet aspect to the romance. I liked both of the MC’s and the world the author created. I actually would have happily read a story about these two’s relationship prior to this story.

There is nothing scary or gory in this so it’s fine for those of you who don’t do typically do apocalypse type books. The main focus is the romance and the holiday.

Cover by Paul Richmond: The cover to this was the standard one of the Advent book and it was done by Paul Richmond. I thought it was well done and fits the holiday spirit. Since it is the generic one for the entire anthology it did not fit this story specifically

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 33 pages
Published December 1st 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640803015
Edition LanguageEnglish

A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Gryphon King’s Consort by Jenn Burke

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

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.

I don’t honestly remember reading anything from Jenn Burke before but if The Gryphon King’s Consort is typical of the tales I can expect from this author, then I’m off to search for other stories to read. It’s full of gryphons, all sorts of magical beasts, political intrigue, an arranged marriage, and happily, a romance that leads to a love that’s forever after. I mean these beings live a long, long time!

Be still my heart!

A story from Dreamspinner Press’ Dreamspun Beyond line, Burke does a lovely job of laying down a complete alternate universe. She delivers on the history of the hidden world of magical beasts revealing themselves to humans, the resultant wars and the peace accord that survives to present day. Also the factions within the Mythos kingdom, the Modernists and the Traditionalists. It’s a neat believable divide albeit complete with magical beasts (which I adore btw). Also, a touch I appreciated is the connection a King has with his people. It’s something I wish more heads of state had these days. That scene was marvelously touching and pulled the reader further into Luca’s character and his new role as King.

Even the author’s take on gryphons and their ability to shift into different creatures is wonderful and used to great effect here within the storyline, along with all the other hosts of magical beasts/beings we meet here and the rituals or parts of their cultures that Jenn Burke has created for the story.

And all that serves as a foundation and stage for her two main characters, Luca and Eirian (as well as some memorable secondary characters). I felt both men/beings were so well done. The story is told from both perspectives and works extremely well that way. The reader can see what the emotional cost of an arranged marriage is as far as trust, lack of friendship, personal knowledge and even missing simple comradeship can be between two people. Especially when the affairs of state seem determined to keep them apart.

This is, quite simply, a slam bang fantasy romance! One you can immerse yourself in and be quite startled at how quickly you’ve come to the end. I loved it and was sorry to see it over. If you are a lover of fantasy and romance, here’s a story for you!

Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson. I like the cover, definitely catches your eye.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 210 pages
Expected publication: December 15th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781635339208
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Caryn Advent Release Day Review: Christmas Grace (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers) by C.L. Miles

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This book really exemplifies what I have come to expect from Dreamspinner’s Advent Collection – short, sweet, low angst, uncomplicated happy ever after. Pleasant way to spend an hour, but when it’s done, you forget all about it.

Aaron and Craig have been dating for 9 months. They are taking their romance slowly, because both of them have been burned by relationships in the past, and they want to make sure this one lasts. The story is told primarily from Aaron’s point of view, and he knows that he is in love with Craig, is pretty sure Craig feels the same way, and he believes they are ready to take that final step. It’s Christmas Eve, and a snowstorm is in the process of shutting down the city, so Craig takes Aaron to his condo for the first time ever. But it turns out there is a reason that Aaron has never been there before, and when he finds out what it is, he feels betrayed and runs away.

Of course, the city is shut down by the blizzard, so he only gets as far as the lobby of the condo building, where the very kind security guard convinces him to give Craig a second chance. Which he does, all is explained and forgiven, and they become a family and promise each other forever. The End.

With such a short story, it is hard to summarize without giving away any significant spoilers. So the rest of this review is a bit of a rant on things that bother me, but since they might not be issues for other readers, I don’t knock many stars off for it. As I was reading this story, it felt like one of those where an author has taken a hetero-romance and just changed one of the MCs to a man. I really hate that – there is a reason why I started reading gay romance instead of het romance! So here it is: Aaron is physically smaller, more insecure, makes less money, has anxiety, and feels that their relationship is not complete until they have penetrative sex. Of course he is the bottom, that was never in question. So this was a classic strong man rescues virginal damsel in distress, has sex and marries her trope, just with the gender changed. I find that misogynistic. And don’t get me started about anal sex being the be-all and end-all of gay sex: not only is it heteronormative BS, it also denigrates all the other forms of intimacy that couples can share. It kind of smacks of Bill Clinton insisting he did not have sex with Monica Lewinsky since it was just a BJ, and therefore didn’t mean anything. OK, rant over!

Cover art by Brooke Albrecht is sweetly generic.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 53 pages
Published December 1st 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640803008
Edition Language English

Release Blitz – Short Order (Foothills Pride #8) by Pat Henshaw (excerpt)

RELEASE BLITZ

Title: Short Order

Series: Foothills Pride #8

Author: Pat Henshaw

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publication date: December 13, 2017

Price: $3.99

Format: eBook

Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Cover Design: AngstyG

Length: 28,400 words/89 pages

Add on Goodreads

Buy links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU

Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Google Play

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.