A Jeri Release Day Review: Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #6) by Tara Lain

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Another in the Balls to the Wall series by Tara Lain. While it was an ok read, it definitely wasn’t my favorite.

Ultimately it had a good message: be true to yourself and who you are. And that went for BOTH of the main characters.

Even though his friends warned him not to, JJ pretended to be who he wasn’t. The big football player type guy was really a queen who loves pink and is deathly afraid of spiders. But he doesn’t think that newly transplanted cop Ryan went for femme guys. So he gets a crash course on football, does everything not to flail his arms around when he is talking and tries to act super masculine. And Ryan falls for it.

But Ryan has his own secret. He doesn’t want his coworkers to know that he is gay. And while he had a reason for this, this still kind of bugged me. They were in Laguna which is kind of known as a having a large gay community. If you are going to move from NYC to Laguna, be yourself! But alas, he wanted to stay in the closet.

Inevitably the truth comes out for both. And both men need to learn to love and accept themselves so that others will love and accept them as well.

Fairly fluffy with a couple of dark points- mainly the past rearing it’s ugly head for both characters- it was an ok read. It felt like it jumped around a bit and for Ryan who was determined to stay in the closet, he rationalizes hanging out with JJ in public. Even going away for the weekend.

They were a cute couple who reversed the “norms” (big guy alpha, smaller guy beta) and we got to see most of the previous characters in the series which was nice. Ultimately I am glad it was a short book.

Cover art by Reese Dante is cute and fits in with the rest of the series.

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd Edition, 121 pages
Published December 6th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press (first published December 5th 2012)
ISBN139781634773669
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesBalls to the Wall #4, Balls to the Walls (DSP) #6

In the Spotlight: The Deadly Lies (The Delingpole Mysteries #2) by David C. Dawson (excerpt)

The Deadly Lies (The Delingpole Mysteries #2) by David C. Dawson
DSP Publications
Cover art by LC. Chase

Available for Purchase at

Goodreads

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host DAvid C. Dawson here today on his tour for The Deadly Lies. Welcome, David.

✒︎

The Deadly Lies is the second in the Dominic Delingpole Mysteries series. The first The Necessary Deaths was published a year ago, and won an FAPA award for mystery and suspense.

Blurb

Dominic and Jonathan are on their romantic Spanish honeymoon, and things are perfect… except Dominic has kept a secret from his husband. He’s failed to tell Jonathan that he plans to meet his former lover, Bernhardt, who is speeding on his way from Germany to present Dominic with a mysterious gift.

But Bernhardt is killed in a suspicious car accident. Shortly before he dies, he sends Dominic a bizarre text message that will take the newlyweds on a hair-raising adventure.

Lies upon lies plunge Dominic and Jonathan into an internet crime that could destroy the lives of millions of people. What is the mysterious Charter Ninety-Nine group? And will their planned internet assault force Dominic to choose between the fate of the world and the life of his lover?

Excerpt

“What the hell are you two doing down here?”
Steve pushed his head past Sinon’s naked torso, to see a short, red- haired female flight attendant staring furiously at them.
Sinon levered himself up on Steve’s chest and poked his head out from the tiny bunk bed situated eight feet above the floor. It was one of fourteen similar bunks in the compact crew quarters hidden below the plane’s economy deck. “I can explain, really. Charlie said—”
“I don’t for a minute believe Mr. O’Donnell gave you permission to come down here to—” The flight attendant struggled to find words. “— do that.” Her voice, hardened by the edge of a strong Glaswegian accent, seemed to explode across the cramped cabin.
“Right, gentlemen,” continued the flame-haired woman firmly. “You have exactly one minute to put your clothes on and get back upstairs. Otherwise we’ll be getting the flex cuffs out to restrain you two reprobates for the rest of the flight.”
Sinon jumped down from the bunk bed, stretched out his arms to the flight attendant, and grinned. “Flex cuffs? Yes, please. A bit of bondage is always welcome—” He peered at her name badge. “—Margaret. Didn’t know you were such an accommodating airline.”
Margaret looked Sinon up and down with disdain. “I thought that tall boys like you were supposed to be well-endowed. I was clearly misinformed.” Sinon dropped his arms and reached down to pick up his clothes from the floor. Steve jumped down beside him and began to dress. In the cramped space of the crew compartment, he towered over the diminutive woman.
“Well, love,” said Steve, “you should know more than most that size doesn’t matter. It’s what you do with it that counts.” He winked at Margaret, pulled up his briefs and bleacher jeans, and reached for his polo shirt.
“Margaret? Are you all right?” At the sound of a man’s voice, Steve turned. Another member of the cabin crew had joined them. His name badge showed him to be Charles O’Donnell, In Flight Services Manager. O’Donnell looked to be in his early forties, with crew-cut salt-and-pepper hair and a deeply tanned face and forearms. He looked past Margaret, saw Steve and Sinon, and rolled his eyes.
“It’s all right, Margaret,” he said. There was a strong Northern Irish accent in his voice. “I’ll take care of this.”
Margaret looked from her boss to the giggling figures of Steve and Sinon. “If I had my way, I’d tan their backsides,” she said and pushed past O’Donnell to climb the stairs back to the passenger deck.
O’Donnell folded his arms, leaned against a bulkhead, and closed his eyes. “Of all people to discover you, it had to be Margaret the Mouth. I’m really going to be in the shite now.” He opened his eyes. “Couldn’t you two wait a few more hours until you were back on the ground before you got your dicks out?”
Sinon finished buttoning his fly. He stepped forward and clumsily tried to hug O’Donnell. “Sorry, Charlie boy. But you did slip me the key. I didn’t think we’d been spotted.”
“With him dressed like that?” O’Donnell pushed Sinon away and refolded his arms, glowering at Steve. “Shaved head, tattoos, braces, Doc Marten boots—”
“Grinders, Charlie,” interrupted Sinon. “Steve’s got a really smart set of Grinders.”
“Whatever,” Charlie continued. “It might be an attractive look for some people—”
“People like you and me, Charlie,” added Sinon, grinning. “You know it makes you horny.”
“All right, all right.” O’Donnell sighed. “Look, I’ve had several people ask me why we’re allowing a Nazi thug to y with us. He’s been scaring the life out of my passengers. Couldn’t he have toned it down? Just for a few hours?”
“Why should I?” asked Steve, stepping forward. “Why should I be forced to dress like everyone else? I’m Steve, by the way. And for your information, I’m not a Nazi thug. I’ve been a member of Unite Against Fascism since I was sixteen. Just because I like the look—as do you by the sounds of it—”
Charles O’Donnell’s face flushed red.
“—doesn’t mean I like the politics.”
“That’s a bit naïve, isn’t it?” replied O’Donnell.
“No, Charlie boy,” Sinon said. “What’s naïve is judging people by appearances. Just because someone’s wearing a smart suit and tie doesn’t mean they’re a good little boy.” He turned to Steve. “You should have seen Charlie in his leathers during London Fetish Week. On Masters and Slaves night, he had them eating out of his—”

“Enough, you little shite,” said O’Donnell, holding up his hand. “Get up those stairs, the pair of you.” Steve and Sinon squeezed past him, kissing O’Donnell on the cheek as they went. “And keep a low profile, please,” he continued.

When he heard the hatch slam shut at the top of the stairs, O’Donnell leaned back against the bulkhead and closed his eyes. “For my sake. I’ve got a boyfriend and two Yorkshire terriers to feed.”

Links to The Necessary Deaths – The Delingpole Mysteries: Book One

A young journalism student lies unconscious in a hospital bed in Brighton, England. His life hangs in the balance after a drug overdose. But was it attempted suicide or attempted murder? The student’s mother persuades British lawyer Dominic Delingpole to investigate, and Dominic enlists the aid of his outspoken opera singer partner, Jonathan McFadden.

The student’s boyfriend discovers compromising photographs hidden in his lover’s room. The photographs not only feature senior politicians and business chiefs, but the young journalist himself. Is he being blackmailed, or is he the blackmailer?

As Dominic and Jonathan investigate further, their lives are threatened and three people are murdered. They uncover a conspiracy that reaches into the highest levels of government and powerful corporations. The people behind it are ruthless, and no one can be trusted. The bond between Dominic and Jonathan deepens as they struggle not only for answers, but for their very survival.

Dreamspinner https://www.dsppublications.com/books/the-necessary-deaths-by-david-c-dawson-321-b

Amazon Kindle US https://www.amazon.com/Necessary-Deaths-Delingpole-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B073Q86B5Q/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1473457953&sr=1-4

Amazon paperback US https://www.amazon.com/Necessary-Deaths-Delingpole-Mysteries/dp/1634774507/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1473457953&sr=1-4

Apple iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/the-necessary-deaths/id1135889190?mt=11

About the Author

David C. Dawson is an award-winning author, journalist and documentary maker. He lives near Oxford in the UK with two cats and his beloved Triumph motorbike.

He writes mystery & suspense, with men in love at the heart of each story. His books have been described as “real page-turners” and “un-put-downable”. His debut novel The Necessary Deaths, won a FAPA award for Mystery & Suspense.

One reviewer for his latest book The Deadly Lies described it as “very sexy”. He campaigns hard for equal rights, and sings with the London Gay Men’s Chorus.

SOCIAL LINKS

Website http://www.davidcdawson.co.uk

Blog http://blog.davidcdawson.co.uk/#home

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/david.c.dawson.5

Twitter https://twitter.com/david_c_dawson

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidCDawson

A MelanieM Advent Review Day Calendar:Salvaging Claus Day (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers) by J. Alan Veerkamp

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

For three years, Filo has reveled in silence and solitude as the sole occupant of a space station, where he maintains the communication satellite.

Everything changes with the appearance of Luz Espina’s lifepod. Filo shares many interests with the flirtatious Luz, though Filo’s isolation has strained his communication skills. Still, Luz pushes all his buttons… and reminds him of the last man he was attracted to—an attraction that ended in disaster because the man was straight. When Luz learns Filo has never celebrated a holiday, he vows to cobble together a Claus Day celebration for them to share. But is it merely a friendly gesture… or something more?

Salvaging Claus Day by J. Alan Veerkamp is not the type of story you normally think of when you conjure up your idea of M/M Holiday Romances. Its neither contemporary or even that romance with a touch of fantasy. No, this is straight up science fiction with an HFN ending that you sort of have to decide for yourself what you think is happening within the story.

The starting point is typical hardcore syfy. Filo is a genetically engineered human being, designed for warfare but oddly ill prepared temperamentally for the job. In this universe, that means he finds he has another aptitude (IT software) and follows that into a job in space. Here he’s been living by himself since most of the previous crew left for various reasons. The scenario is real, the descriptions of Filo and his job suitably science worthy and believable. It feels isolated, scary, and tough.

Until you realize that Filo has a visitor on board…Lux Espina. Luz came aboard after an accident and they’ve been dancing around each other the entire time he’s been on the station.

The rest of the small story concerns their evolving relationship, Lux helping Filo celebrate Claus Day, something a genetically modified human doesn’t understand, and watching them come together with hot sex, warm sympathetic emotions and much more.

Then the small twist appears. Such a lovely little thing that sits there evilly daring the reader to keep processing this new thread further in their minds, extrapolating all the possible endings, unable to leave it alone at the simple way the story closes. At least it worked that way for me.

It irritated me in the best way. So yes, definitely not your typical Christmas romance, but a terrific one just the same. I liked it and recommend it as wonderful holiday reading.

Cover art by Paul Richmond is humorous, romantic, and fun as well as being the generic cover for the series. Loved it.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 34 pages
Published December 1st 2017
ISBN139781640802926
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers

A Stella Advent Release Day Review: The Mature Man’s Guide to Surviving Change by Chris Scully

RATING 5 out of 5 stars

In the sunny playground of Palm Springs, growing up was something confirmed bachelor and bad-boy chef Joel avoided at all costs—until a close friend’s death made him reevaluate his priorities. Ever since, he’s been dedicated to helping his widowed friend Perry get back on his feet by teaching him to cook and providing a shoulder to cry on. But when Perry announces that he’s ready to start dating again and then begins receiving gifts from an anonymous secret Santa, Joel is forced to confront the feelings he’s suppressed for so long.

As Joel struggles with jealousy and guilt amid the holiday season, he must decide if he’s ready to grow up and reach for what he’s always wanted but never thought he could have.

This is exactly what I’m looking for in a holiday short, to be engaged and conquered by the characters and the plot since the first words. That’s exactly what the author gave me with this story. I fell in love with Joel and Perry from the start and I couldn’t wait for them to finally act on their feelings. It took some time but that time was needed to better see and understand both men and their minds, I felt their thoughts in my mind and the deep love they shared for each other and for the beloved Dale.

I want to recommend this short story in the Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar and actually, all the books Chris Scully writes.

The cover art by Alexandria Corza is simple and clean but I don’t like it. In my opinion it misses a connection with the story.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 66 pages

Published December 1st 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ASIN B078CQKKN7

Edition Language English

Series 2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers

Tara Lain on Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #6) and her Series (author guest post and giveaway)

Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #4) by Tara Lain
Dreamspinner Press

Cover Art by Reese Dante

Book Links:

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Tara Lain here today on her tour for Snow Balls

Hi everyone. Welcome to the holidays and the celebration of my re-release of Snow Balls, one of my most popular stories.

Recently someone asked me if I base my books on myself or my own life. And, of course, the answer is yes, great pieces of me are transmitted in my books. My belief in true love, my quest for authenticity, my enjoyment of humor is all in there big time. And, of course, actual events also make it onto the page. Bits of people I know, places I’ve been. A lot of details about the town where I lived for 28 years, Laguna Beach, CA, are included in many of my books. And —, oh yes, my hatred of skiing! This latter detail has occupied a complete scene in my brand new re-release, Snow Balls. My hero, JJ LaRousse, who is pretending to be more alpha male than he is, goes cross country skiing with the man he has a passion for. He’s never been skiing, but keeps hoping it can’t be too hard. HA!

Yep, hatred is a good word. I have only been skiing once. It was plenty. Like JJ, I pictured myself shushing along the frozen pathways enjoying the beautiful scenery and the crisp air. Oh so wrong. I spent more time in a heap on the snow with skis tangled like pickup sticks. I could not stay upright for more than a few minutes before I would fly once again into a giant pile of Tara. Painful and humiliating. Not surprising, however. While I am moderately athletic — hiking, walking, Pilates, Yoga — I have always been terrible with anything attached to my feet more challenging than a pair of Jimmy Choos. Even as a kid, roller skating and I were only on passable terms and I never learned to ice skate. Give me a bike and I could go anywhere. On skates, I barely made it down the sidewalk. And skis were even more miserable.

Now, I’ve inflicted this calamity on my poor hero from Snow Balls. And he, like me, has to face the skiing instructor who stares down at his tangled mess of a body and says, “Let’s get organized!” LOL.

I hope you enjoy Snow Balls and, despite the humiliation I put him through, enjoy rooting for JJ and his happy ever after.

Blurb

JJ LaRousse looks like a quarterback but acts like a queen. He’s trying to be proud of who he is—until a robbery at the famous Laguna Winter Fantasy brings JJ face-to-face with tough cop Ryan Star. JJ hears Ryan likes manly men, so he drops his voice an octave, colors his pink hair, and tries to pass as a football fan.

Ryan Star may be tough, but he keeps his sexuality to himself at work. He learned in New York that being a gay cop can be deadly. His attraction to JJ threatens his secret, but he’s finding it hard to back away from a guy who’s so totally his type. Then, during a ski trip and a confrontation with JJ’s biggest nemesis, all the façades come crashing down. In the aftermath, can Ryan love JJ for who he really is? More importantly, can JJ?

Excerpt

JJ stuck out his fist. Ryan looked a little startled, then bumped it. “So maybe I’ll see you Sunday.”

Ryan nodded. “Yeah. Yeah.”

Star turned and walked a couple of steps. He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Hope so.” And he walked away toward the entrance to the grounds.

O. M. G. JJ wanted to sit down in the middle of the sawdust. Did he really see that look in Ryan Star’s eyes when the guy said those two words “Hope so”? Something that looked like he cared if he saw JJ again?

JJ certainly cared if he saw Ryan again. But what the hell? A Chargers game? How could he ever fake his way through that?

He took off at a run and made it to the booth in seconds. Rodney was talking to a few customers and David was on his cell, fingering the twinkle lights in JJ’s display. JJ took a deep breath. Finally, David hung up and JJ pounced. “Oh my god of the last kid chosen for kickball, Ryan Star asked me out.”

David grinned. “Of course, I’m a champion matchmaker.”

But what if…. “Actually, I’m not sure it’s a date. I mean, he asked me to go with him, but it could be just a guy thing, you know?”

“Tell me what he said.”

“He said he could pick me up, or we could meet somewhere.”

David screwed up his smooth forehead. “Hmm. That’s too neutral to tell. What else? Where’s he taking you?”

JJ’s grin defined sheepish. “A Chargers game.” JJ grinned anxiously. “That’s football, right?”

“You’re joking, darling?”

“It’s not football?”

“Yes, it’s football, but you’re seriously considering going to a football game?”

“Yes.” JJ’s hands started to flutter. “Oh God, David, what am I going to do? I don’t know anything about it at all.”

“About what?” Rodney stepped up next to David.

David glanced at his miniature friend. “Football. Somehow JJ has managed to get himself invited to a football game.”

JJ wailed. “And I don’t know the first thing!”

Rodney shrugged. “Simple.”

JJ frowned. “What’s simple?”

“Just ask Jerry. He’s the magical knower of all things boringly athletic. He will be your guru of football. Mick might help too.”

Of course, their good friends Jerry and Mick could cram some facts into JJ’s head.

David threw an arm around Rodney’s shoulder. “Brilliant. You’re brilliant, my dear.”

Rod smiled, then looked up at JJ’s head. “And speaking of football, where on earth did you get that ridiculous cap?”

JJ shrugged. “Ryan Star bought it for me.”

David whooped. “That’s it. In answer to your question, Detective Star is taking you on a date.”

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Series Info:

Series’s Name: Balls To The Wall

Books: http://amzn.to/2p4bQgd

Bk #1 Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33349613-volley-balls

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2imkfqv
B&N: http://bit.ly/HighBallsNookTL
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/volley-balls-1

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/volley-balls/id1189190904?mt=11

Dreamspinner: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/volley-balls-by-tara-lain-8014-b

Bk #2 Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33796355-fire-balls

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2k5WIuf
B&N: http://bit.ly/FireBallsNookTL

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/fire-balls-1
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/fire-balls/id1193306447?mt=11

Dreamspinner: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/fire-balls-by-tara-lain-8126-b

Bk #3 Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34774527-beach-balls

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2q5BXlp

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/beach-balls/id1218355957?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/beach-balls-1

B&N: http://bit.ly/BeachBallsNookTL

Dreamspinner: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/beach-balls-by-tara-lain-8440-b

Bk #5 Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35214758-f-a-s-t-balls

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2sFwv94

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/fast-balls/id1231549302?mt=11

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/fast-balls-1

B&N: http://bit.ly/FASTBallsNookTL

Dreamspinner: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/fast-balls-by-tara-lain-8651-b

Bk #6 Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36098493-high-balls

Dreamspinner: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/high-balls-by-tara-lain-8904-b

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2fNezpg

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/high-balls/id1275142177?mt=11

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/high-balls

Nook: http://bit.ly/HighBallsTLBN

Paperback

Paperback bk 1 & bk2

Volley Balls & Fire Balls

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rD3VoU

B&N: http://bit.ly/VollyAndFireBallsPbTLBN

About the Author

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in gay romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 40. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, Best Romantic Suspense, and more. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

Author Links:

Website: http://taralain.com/

Blog: http://www.taralain.com/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/taralain

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/taralain

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541791.Tara_Lain

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/taralain/

Sign Up here: http://eepurl.com/ceU1nj

Social Media Posts

Is it always wrong to pretend to be Mr. Right? Snow Balls @taralain http://amzn.to/2jIN5SP

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Regret Me Not by Amy Lane

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Pierce Atwater used to think he was a knight in shining armor, but then his life fell to crap. Now he has no job, no wife, no life—and is so full of self-pity he can’t even be decent to the one family member he’s still speaking to. He heads for Florida, where he’s got a month to pull his head out of his ass before he ruins his little sister’s Christmas.

Harold Justice Lombard the Fifth is at his own crossroads—he can keep being Hal, massage therapist in training, flamboyant and irrepressible to the bones, or he can let his parents rule his life. Hal takes one look at Pierce and decides they’re fellow unicorns out to make the world a better place. Pierce can’t reject Hal’s overtures of friendship, in spite of his misgivings about being too old and too pissed off to make a good friend.

As they experience everything from existential Looney Tunes to eternal trips to Target, Pierce becomes more dependent on Hal’s optimism to get him through the day. When Hal starts getting him through the nights too, Pierce must look inside for the knight he used to be—before Christmas becomes a doomsday deadline of heartbreak instead of a celebration of love.

Take two damaged, hurting men meeting a month before Christmas, needing recovery and someone to help them heal, thrown in an age difference, toxic parents and you get another heartwarming winner of a romance from Amy Lane.

Pierce Atwater is recovering from a car accident, about to be divorced and jobless. He’s bitter, and sinking under the pain of his injuries and self-pity when sitting poolside, he meets Hal, a 23 year old college student, in the chair next to him. Hal is gorgeous, outgoing, downright irrepressible and wants to help Pierce it seems.

Amy Lane starts to build a unique friendship between the men that turns into something more as Pierce’s attitude turns from bitterness and self-pity back into the “unicorn” he’s been for most of his life. As he recovers, the story reveals more of Hal’s painful upbringing and current status. It’s an emotional seesaw with the balance tipping back and forth with each new revelation and sharing as they open up to each other.

The depth and authenticity that Amy Lane brings to her romances and storylines is something that I’ve always appreciated about her novels. Her characters have a certain human fragility, yet solidness about them. You wouldn’t be surprised to meet any of them walking down the road or sidewalk because their situations are easily ones that people you know could find themselves in.

The ending is a wonderful HFN with the promise of updates to come. I can hardly wait. I want to know more about Pierce and Hal’s adventures and what the future holds for them both. Are you listening, Amy? I hope so! Until then, I absolutely recommend Regret Me Not. A terrific read at this or any time of the year.

Cover artist: Reese Dante is wonderful. Great for the characters.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 119 pages
Expected publication: December 4th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781635339956
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Stella Release Day Review: Hope Is the Thing with Feathers (2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers) by Brandon Witt

RATING 4 out of 5 stars

Fifty-six-year-old Samuel Phillips is all alone on his small farm in the Ozarks, with nothing but a menagerie of chickens, pheasants, turkeys, and other birds as company—which is just the way he likes it. In fact, if Samuel had his way, he’d tear down his neighbor’s house so his solitude could be absolute. One day Faloola, his favorite turkey, escapes, forcing Samuel to make the trek next door. When Raymond Webber—sixty-seven—answers the door as naked as the day he was born, Samuel doesn’t know whether he’s more annoyed… or attracted. The two men are opposites in every way—Samuel is serious, while Raymond believes in free love and herbal relaxation. The weeks leading up to Christmas are rocky to say the least, but some holiday spirit might help them get past their differences….

I’m a fan of stories with adult characters, but I have to admit I had never read a mm romance about a character well into his sixty years. I was very curious and of course, being this a Brandon Witt work, I had no doubt he would deliver something good. And he did good, it was easy to picture these two men in my mind. I fell into the story from the start and I had to finish it in a one standing, even if it was too late in the night and I should have been already asleep. I needed to know what was going to happen and I couldn’t wait for the next morning.

I liked how Samuel and Raymond interacted, of course I felt bad for Samuel and Faloola, the wandering turkey. But the ending was really sweet, how Raymond made amends was superlative. I loved them together and would love to read more about them.

Hope is the Thing With Feathers is part of the DSP Advent Calendar, it’s a short story, just what you can expect from this collection. I feel pretty satisfied by what I was able to learn about the characters, still I’m always greedy to have more Brandon Witt works on my hands and I so hope this short will be developed into a novel. I would so read it.

The cover art by LC Chase is cute and I like it.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

ebook, 48 pages

Published December 1st 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN13 9781640802919

Edition Language English

Series 2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffers

A Stella Releases Day Review: Laugh Cry Repeat by John Inman

RATING 4,5 out of 5 stars

Wyeth Becker is a quiet man. Staid, serious, calm. A librarian. When he meets preschool teacher Deeze Long, he discovers joy for the first time in his life. With joy comes laughter, excitement, and a new way to look at the world through the eyes of the kindest, most loving man he has ever met.

When tragedy strikes and Deeze loses his joy, it is Wyeth who helps him find it again. It is Wyeth, the man who never truly understood happiness, who pays that gift back. Giving all he can of himself to the man who changed his life. Restoring in Deeze what he now so desperately needs.

But the road of their relationship doesn’t end there. The joys and sorrows of life are never-ending. As they set out to weather the highs and lows together, Wyeth and Deeze hang on to the one thing that makes all the tears and laughter worthwhile.

Love.

For only through love can life be truly savored at all.

This new release by John Inman was another success by this favorite author of mine. He’s an amazing writer and I surely already said it in the past but each new book is a confirmation, with the characters and the plots he builds, the emotions he can make the readers feel. I shed more than one tear as I usually do every time I read his new titles. He has the ability to hit the core of the matter and to leave me without a breath to breathe. I felt like this more than once during my reading of Laugh Cry Repeat.

I fell in love with Wyeth and Deeze as soon as I met them. Both of them positive characters, both of them stubborn people, the first in the strong will to be alone with his lovely dog, Chances,, the second with the strong desire to conquer and be loved by Wyeth. I adored how they met and dated, how they finally admitted their feelings. I was overwhelmed by how lovely and caring persons they were, how passionate about their works as librarians and teacher. And then there were the second characters, the little Jack, the noisy neighbour Agnes, the cousin Laurie. The way the interacted, always right and measured.

Laugh Cry Repeat is a powerful story, a novel hard to forget for the themes it speaks of, some more evident and loud, others subtle but not less important at all. It’s a book packed with love in every form love exists for a soulmate, for a job, for a life deserved to be lived although its cruelty days, although we are about its strongness, because yes it can be a clichè, but love really is all around us and living without it it’s impossible. And this novel showed all.

The cover art by Reese Dante is well done, I like it and I can see the MCs in the models’ faces.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages

Expected publication: December 4th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN13 9781635336344

Edition Language English

December,Time to Say Goodbye, Time to Remember the Best of 2017. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

It’s December.

Time to Say Goodbye, Time to Remember the Best of 2017

At the end of the year, it’s time to look back and reflect on everything and everyone that made an impact on us this year. Instead of remembering what was lacking in 2017, better to remember on those things and people that made life better for us…all of us in 2017 and make note here.

I’m not talking just books this year but people too. This year saw the passing of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words reviewer Paul Berg, someone who’s lively presence here in his reviews and in my emails telling me about his backgammon tournaments I still miss. This year we also lost author Eric Arvin after a long illness, thankfully his amazing stories ensures his incredible mind, heart, and imagination will always be with us. Those two people were just the main two that I was thinking of when writing about those that have made such a lasting impact on me this year.

And not just people. Many of the older LGBT publishing houses closed or have announced they are closing. That includes Loose ID on Friday after 13 years in operation. They join Samhain Publishing, Torquere Press, Musa Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Wilde City Press, ARe (All Romance eBooks), and others that temporarily escapes me. All gone or on the way out. That represents a hosts of authors, editors, cover artists….so many people working to bring LGBTQIA stories to us where before our choices were slim to almost zero. I don’t think I need to tell you that the competition is the primary reason. I know they will tell you the same.

I think of all the first time authors who were cared for by these presses, helped to craft their stories and then given a place for us to find them long before Amazon ever cared about our niche fiction and its readers. How they will all be missed but what an amazing impact they left behind. For that alone, they should be remembered.

Who has made an impact on you this year? Start thinking about it. Next 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!

Now, this week more Advent Release Day Reviews and holiday stories, along with our regular release day reviews, tours and giveaways. Something for everyone! Happy Reading.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 3:

Time to Say Goodbye, Time to Remember the Best of 2017
Romeo Preminger on Thiago
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Release Day Review: The Peppermint Schnapps Predicament by Clare London
A Lila Release Day Review: Thiago by Romeo Preminger
A Stella Release Day Review: Laugh Cry Repeat by John Inman

Monday, December 4:

Dyeing to be Loved by Aimee Nicole Walker Audio Tour
Review Tour – Joanna Chambers’ Merry & Bright
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Regret Me Not by Amy Lane
A Stella Release Day Review: Hope Is the Thing with Feathers by Brandon Witt
An Ali Review: Merry & Bright by Joanna Chambers

Tuesday, December 5:

Dreamspinner Press Promo Tara Lain on Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #6)
INTERLUDE TOUR If the Fates Allow Holiday Anthology
Spotlight on Only With You by JD Chambers
Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway: Junkyard Heart by Garrett Leigh
A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: Salvaging Claus Day by J. Alan Veerkamp
A MelanieM Review: The Botanist (The Sin Bin #3) by Dahlia Donovan
A Stella Review: If the Fates Allow Holiday Anthology
An Alisa Review: My Choice, My Chance by Taylor Rylan

Wednesday, December 6:

DSP Publications Promo David C. Dawson
Release Blitz for Love Happens Anyway by RJ Scott
Release Blitz for Raven by HJ Perry
A Jeri Release Day Review: Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #6) by Tara Lain
A Stella Advent Release Day Review: The Mature Man’s Guide to Surviving Change by Chris Scully
An Alisa Review: Corey’s Christmas Bundle (Atherton Pack 5) by Toni Griffin

Thursday, December 7:

DSP Dreamspun Promo Julia Talbot
Spotlight on Andrew Grey
Release Blitz for Jesus Kid by Kayleigh Sky
Release Blitz for On Your Knees, Prospect by KA Merikan
A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: An Open Window by Rick R. Reed
A MelanieM Review: Hurricane (Stormy Weather #3) by B.A. Tortuga
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Embrace the Fire (Through Hell and Back #3) by Felice Stevens and Kale Williams (Narrator)

Friday, December 8:

Amy Lane on Writing, Books, and her release Regret Me Not
Solstice Prince by SJ Himes Blog Tour
Review Tour : Deep Edge (Harrisburg Railers #3) by RJ Scott & VL Locey
A MelanieM Review:Deep Edge (Harrisburg Railers #3) by RJ Scott & VL Locey
A MelanieM Advent Release Day Review: Red Popcorn Strings and Gumball Rings by Nell Iris
An Alisa Review: Once Bitten (A Darker Hollow #2) by Shannon West and T.S. McKinney
A Lila Audiobook Review: Fool of Main Beach (Love in Laguna #5) by Tara Lain and K.C. Kelly (Narrator)

Saturday, December 9:

An Alisa Advent Release Day Review: Pining for Perfect by Ki Brightly
Blog Tour Snow Falling by Davidson King
Release Blitz for Ruby Moone’s The Mistletoe Kiss

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Release Day Review: The Peppermint Schnapps Predicament by Clare London

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

What happens when the flamboyant (and alliterative) Frankie Faraday finally finds his boss in the storeroom at the end of annual inventory? Not much until both men freak out when the lights go out and the door accidentally locks behind them, leaving them alone in the building because Bill, the boss, had told the others they could leave.

Frankie is ever resourceful, however, and fearing starvation twenty minutes or so into the forced captivity, he breaks out the chocolate Santas and starts eating. It isn’t until he finds the excess Peppermint schnapps, however, that his mind and his mouth really act independently and he babbles his life story. But Bill Mason, son of the owner, and manager of the store, finds Frankie cute, adorable, and remarkably funny and intelligent. Frankie’s stories aren’t his usual airheaded tales, although he does tend to talk with his hands. He’s quite insightful and pulls Bill into a conversation about what he’d really like to do with his life. He then offers suggestions for improvement of the store and for how Bill can incorporate his love of floral design.

The next few hours before rescue go by rather quickly, but the time isn’t wasted as Frankie and Bill finally act on their attraction and find more to do in the storeroom than just simple inventory.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short thirty-nine-page story. Infused with humor and laugh-out-loud moments, I knew immediately I’d want to share this with others who enjoy a good holiday laugh. Though there are serious moments, overall this is simply an enjoyable light-hearted MM holiday romance. Those who enjoy a quick pick-me-up will definitely like this one.

Cover art by Paul Richmond is the 2017 Stocking Stuffer Cover for most of the stories, full of humor and romance.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 39 pages
Published December 1st 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781640802902
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series2017 Advent Calendar Daily – Stocking Stuffer

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The Deadly Lies (The Delingpole Mysteries #2) by David C. Dawson DSP Publications Cover art by LC. Chase

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Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #4) by Tara Lain Dreamspinner Press

Cover Art by Reese Dante

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It’s December.

Time to Say Goodbye, Time to Remember the Best of 2017

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 3:

Monday, December 4:

Tuesday, December 5:

Wednesday, December 6:

Thursday, December 7:

Friday, December 8:

Saturday, December 9:

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The Deadly Lies (The Delingpole Mysteries #2) by David C. Dawson
DSP Publications
Cover art by LC. Chase

Snow Balls (Balls to the Wall #4) by Tara Lain
Dreamspinner Press