A MelanieM Release Day Review: Earning His Trust by Alicia Nordwell

Rating: 3.5 Stars out of 5

Evin lost the only two men he ever loved. But he might get a second chance with one of them—if he’s willing to take the risk.

Following the death of his husband, Evin is living in Portland and raising the infant son they had through a surrogate. Six-month-old Micah is his life, and if it means no time for activities or friendships beyond his minuscule support network, that’s a sacrifice Evin is willing to make. When he suffers a burn baking teething biscuits, the last person Evin expects to encounter in the ER is Ben, his lover from college—and the man who left him without a word of explanation.

Ben knows it won’t be easy to earn Evin’s trust and prove he’s not the same man Evin once knew, but he can’t bear to watch Evin struggle to care for Micah, hurting and alone. He wants back in Evin’s life, as a friend and hopefully more, but Evin’s heart is fragile, and the years have changed him too.

Earning His Trust by Alicia Nordwell is such a sweet, heartfelt contemporary romance in the second chance at love trope. The author has many elements that always makes a story for me, a slow burn between the main characters, lovers reunited after a long period of time and given a chance to have their HEA, all wonderful aspects of this story. Nordwell even throws in an adorable baby, Micah, who realistically burbles, coos and wins you over page after page.

Actually the best relationship here is between Evin and Micah. It’s the deepest, the most realistic and the most heartfelt. The love, the exhaustion, the deep joy, the questioning over his ability to parent while putting Micah first…that makes this story. The reunion, establishing a friendship once more and perhaps a romance with Ben? Definitely falls second, maybe third.

For me, that’s not due to the characterization but to the length of the story. I feel it just needed more than 112 pages to pull off a finished, satisfying relationship between these two men. Why? Well, for one, Nordwell has the readers absolutely believing in the deep grief and mourning that Evin is still doing for David, his husband and Micah’s father. By the end of the story, I didn’t quite feel that Evin had put that away or that the author had put Evin through the steps of grief after making it such a huge part of the story. In fact, it started to sound as though she was taking a cheaper route, which I found sort of appalling.

I like slow burn stories and this is definitely one of those. It has to be considering the circumstances they meet back together again and the ones they parted under. Did all the past explanations roll out way too easily? Perhaps, although these were very young men and running is sometimes the easiest option. Again, a longer story would have brought more depth and layers to this section as well as to others.

I liked the ending and felt Nordwell brought the sweetness and romance we wanted here. Could there have been so much more to Earning His Trust? I believe so but as it is I think it’s a story one might enjoy if you like romance, second chances at love and totally adorable babies.

Cover art by Maria Fanning is adorable and perfect for Evin and Micah.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Book Details:

ebook, 112 pages
Expected publication: September 6th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781635339031
Edition LanguageEnglish

J. Leigh Bailey on Reading, Romances and her latest novel and series ‘Stalking Buffalo Bill (Shifter U #1)’ – author interview and giveaway

Stalking Buffalo Bill (Shifter U #1) by J. Leigh Bailey
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host J. Leigh Bailey here today. Welcome, J. Leigh and thanks for the great interview and bringing along such a wonderful giveaway!

♦︎

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with J.Leigh Bailey

Before I get started, I wanted to say a big “thank you” to Scattered Though and Rogue Words for letting me stop by today and celebrate the upcoming release of STALKING BUFFALO BILL. I had so much fun writing this book, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Dreamspinner Press’s new line, Dreamspun Beyond.

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

I’ve been reading romance—bodice rippers, category, cowboy, paranormal, pick a subgenre and I read it—since I was ten years old. Some were age-appropriate, some were definitely not. But I’ve always chased the Happy Ever After ending. As a writer, there was never any question in my mind that I would be writing romance. Because my reading choices were eclectic within the romance umbrella, my writing has been just as varied. The only requirement: HEA. As a result, I’ve written YA romance, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance. I mostly write male/male now (and I didn’t actually start reading that particular subgenre until well into my 20s), but I’ve had short stories published in horror and erotica with M/F pairings as well. Though, to be fair, even my horror stories could be categorized more as horror-lite and they had the promise of an eventual HEA. So, yes, it’s fair to say that my childhood and teenage reading habits DEFINITELY carried into my choices as a professional writer.

Do you like HFN or HEA? And Why?

I’m a big believer in Happy For Now (HFN) endings. Sometimes the traditional Happy Ever After (HEA) is unrealistic in the storyline as written. Sometimes the characters are 17 and clearly the are not going to get married and have a passel of kids. That being said, I can admit that, while the HFN endings are appropriate and logical, I always assume, in the deepest parts of my brain and heart, that the characters will ultimately have their HEA. Yes, even my 17-year-old boys will be together forever and ever, hopelessly devoted to each other for all eternity.

That’s what makes romance such an amazing genre. It’s all about the hope, the promise for a future together for two people (or more, if that’s your thing). The world can be a crappy, scary place, and I love that in romance no matter how bad things get, or how many obstacles they face, a couple will end up together, love will conquer all, and good will defeat evil.

Do you/did you read romances as a teenager and as an adult?

Yep. I was the girl who had my nose in a book—a ROMANCE book—all through middle school and high school, up through my adulthood. I was the one whose 7^th grade English teacher wanted to know if my mother knew what I was reading (the answer is yes, she absolutely did). I’d been known to have a romance novel with me at the ROLLER RINK(!) and at the football game (!). During high school I read in study hall which taught me two things: First, sex scene sound WAY different when read aloud by a 15-year-old boy than they do in your head; Second, in historical romances of 350-450 pages written in the early/mid-90s, there is always a sex scene on page 200. I was (and am) the lady in the office breakroom reading a different romance novel every day at lunch. It was more obvious back in the day when people could see the cover of the book, but in this age of digital, it just looks like I’m one of the many people staring at my phone.

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

I suspect that for an author choosing a favorite among her books would be like a parent choosing a favorite among her children. That being said, there are a couple of my stories that are favorites for different reasons. In some ways, GUYLINER (a YA coming out/coming of age story) is my favorite because it’s the “book of my heart” that authors talk about. It was the first manuscript I finished and will always hold a special place in my heart. NOBODY’S HERO is a favorite because it was my first published book, and so holds a special place in my heart. It also allowed me to explore some different family dynamics that I really enjoyed. But I have to admit, my newest book, STALKING BUFFALO BILL, though, is my current favorite-favorite because it was the most fun to write of any of my books. I completely fell in love with Donnie and his voice and personality. I got to be over-the-top and dramatic in a way I’d never been able to do before.

What’s next for you as an author?

I’m currently working on edits for the next book in the Shifter U series, CHASING THUNDERBIRD, and writing the third book, THE NIGHT OWL AND THE INSOMNIAC. Ford, the love interest in CHASING THUNDERBIRD, is introduced in STALKING BUFFALO BILL. He’s Donnie’s roommate and best friend. Ford and Simon—a geeky ornithology professor—have to pair up to battle a serpent-worshipping cult who are trying to gain immortality through the destruction of the entire race of thunderbird shapeshifters. Like STALKING BUFFALO BILL, it’s a little quirky and a little fun. I mean, a bird nerd and a mythical bird of prey battling a serpent-worshipping cult? So much fun to write.

Blurb

Stalking Buffalo Bill—A Shifter U Tale

A smitten coyote isn’t the only one stalking Buffalo Bill.

A buffalo walks into a cafe. Sounds like the start of a bad joke, but for coyote shifter Donnie Granger, it’s the beginning of an obsession. Donnie is a little hyperactive and a lot distractible, except when it comes to William. He finally works up the nerve to approach William but is interrupted by a couple of violent humans.

While William—don’t call me Bill—is currently a professor, he once worked undercover against an international weapons-trafficking ring. Before he can settle into obscurity, he must find out who leaked his location and eliminate the thugs. He tries keeping his distance to protect Donnie, but the wily coyote won’t stay away.

It’ll take both Donnie’s skills as a stalker—er, hunter—and William’s super-spy expertise to neutralize the threat so they can discover if an excitable coyote and a placid-until-pissed buffalo have a future together.

About the Shifter U Series

A fun, male/male take on shapeshifter romance, the Shifter U stories include characters who shapeshift into more than the average apex predator. Sure, there are wolves, tigers, and bear shifters, but there are also coyotes, owls, beavers, bison, and more.

All books in the series center around Cody College, located on the outskirts of Cody, Wyoming, where the occasionally furry have a safe place to further their education. Affectionately known as Shifter U, the school offers shapeshifting students a “special track” which gives them the chance to learn important subjects like mathematics, philosophy, and, most importantly, how to hide their secret identity from local humans.

Maintaining secret identities is tough. Dark secrets, old enemies, mythical heritage, and a mysterious illness challenge the stealth skills of even the sneakiest students and staff. While these shifters struggle to handle their type of “normal,” thorny complications of attraction pop up—always at the worst possible times.

**GIVEAWAY** I’ll be giving away a signed copy of GUYLINER (US only) or a digital copy of any of my Letting Go (new adult contemporary romance) series books (open internationally) to a random commenter who tells me: Why do you read romance? What does HEA mean to you?

Author Bio

j.leigh bailey is an office drone by day and the author of Young Adult and New Adult LGBT Romance by night. She can usually be found with her nose in a book or pressed up against her computer monitor. A book-a-day reading habit sometimes gets in the way of… well, everything…but some habits aren’t worth breaking. She’s been reading romance novels since she was ten years old. The last twenty years or so have not changed her voracious appetite for stories of romance, relationships and achieving that vitally important Happy Ever After. She’s a firm believer that everyone, no matter their gender, age, sexual orientation or paranormal affiliation deserves a happy ending. For upcoming releases and appearances information, sign up for her newsletter at https://t.co/FfL9gFVJLQ.

Social Media Links

Twitter @JenniWrites (http://twitter.com/JenniWrites )
Facebook @JLeighBailey (http://www.facebook.com/JLeighBailey )
Instagram @j.leigh.bailey_author (https://www.instagram.com/j.leigh.bailey_author/ )
Website (www.jleighbailey.net )

A Stella Release Day Review: The Hike by John Inman

RATING 4,25 out of 5 stars

Ashley James and Tucker Lee have been friends for years. They are city boys but long for life on the open trail. During a three-hundred-mile hike from the Southern California desert to the mountains around Big Bear Lake, they make some pretty amazing discoveries.

One of those discoveries is love. A love that has been bubbling below the surface for a very long time.

But love isn’t all they find. They also stumble upon a war—a war being waged by Mother Nature and fought tooth and claw around an epidemic of microbes and fury.

With every creature in sight turning against them, can they survive this battle and still hold on to each other? Or will the most horrifying virus known to man lay waste to more than just wildlife this time?

Will it destroy Ash and Tucker too?

The Hike is one more proof ( one I didn’t need to know) how talented John Inman is. With this new release he made a hit again. The book is a succession of emotions, I was enthusiastic as soon as I saw the author had a new book coming soon, I was curious as soon as I read the blurb. Then I fell in love with Ash and Tuck in a bit, and it was inevitable. Later I was intrigued because I wasn’t understanding what was going on and John was amazing at keeping the suspense on high levels, I was scared and yes the tension was at eating me. At some point I admit I wanted to kill him because he wrote about something I’m not going to mention, but it’s something he should have avoided and I won’t forgive him (that’s also the only reason I didn’t give the story the full five stars). And at the end the feeling of satisfaction I got from the reading was deserved, to the characters since they went through so much, and to me too, because let’s be honest, I suffered with them.

And to me here stands the winning element of The Hike, how much I was able to connect with the characters, to feel them and their minds, to empathize with their hurting. Both Ash and Tuck were loveable, sweet and cute how I like my MCs, caring and brave. They are best friends first of all and even if now, ten years later their first meeting in high school, they are ready to admit their feelings for each others, they are determined to put the friendship on the first place. But the love is too strong and the hike they began will bring them to be fiercely sure of their future together.

I want to recommend The Hike because it is a great reading, the author writing is perfect and the mystery part is the ice on the cake, a little more that the author likes to add in his stories, like he did in the latest Love Wanted. I am definitely going to put John Inman among my favorite authors.

The cover art by Maria Fanning is very well done, and so fitting in the colors, the font, and looking at it now that I finished the book, I like it more cause I can truly see The Hike in it.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

ebook, 206 pages

Publication Date: September 4th 2017

ISBN13 9781635335361

Edition Language English

International Literacy Day and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

International Literacy Day

International Literacy Day in on Friday, September 8th. What is International Literacy Day you might ask? Consider these quotes:

Books were my pass to personal freedom. – Oprah Winfrey

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. – Edward P. Morgan

A book is a dream that you hold in your hand. – Neil Gaiman

A book is a device to ignite the imagination. – Alan Bennett

No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance. – Confucius

Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body. – Joseph Addison

Reading takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere. – Hazel Rochman

For each of those and for us, books unite us, make us bigger, pull us forward, out of ourselves and into something larger. Maybe into something we can’t even define for ourselves yet. And now we are doing so in multiple ways on various devices.

But first we must learn to read.

That’s where the International Literacy Day comes in.

From the International Literacy Day Website:

International Literacy Day History

International Literacy Day serves to recognize the importance of literacy and acknowledge the need to create a globally literate community. Literacy refers to a person’s ability to read or write, an ability that connects and empowers people, allowing them to communicate and interact with the world, and one that the United Nations considers to be a basic human right. Today, approximately 16% of the world’s population, two-thirds of which is female, is unable to read or write at a basic level in their native languages. Illiteracy in nearly all parts of the world has been linked to socio-economic issues like poverty and demographic factors such as gender.

In an effort to combat illiteracy, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) created International Literacy Day in 2000. During the 2015 campaign, themed Literacy and Sustainable Societies, UNESCO stressed the importance of literacy as the most powerful accelerator of sustainable development and pledged that by 2030, the organization will ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. This international holiday is observed annually on September 8th.

This year the theme is Literacy in a Digital World exploring what skills people need to live in an increasingly digital oriented world. Here at STRW we have talked about the increase in eBooks. That’s also true at the educational level where computers and computer programs are rapidly replacing traditional methods normally associated with schooling, right down to eTextbooks.

Here is another paragraph that struck me from the International Literacy Day website:

Just as knowledge, skills and competencies evolve in the digital world, so does what it means to be literate. In order to close the literacy skills gap and reduce inequalities, this year’s International Literacy Day will highlight the challenges and opportunities in promoting literacy in the digital world, a world where, despite progress, at least 750 million adults and 264 million out-of-school children still lack basic literacy skills.

Contact information
- Contact us for more information on the global event: literacy@unesco.org(link sends e-mail)
- Inform us about your local and regional ILD 2017 celebrations: ild-celebrations@unesco.org(link sends e-mail)

The more that you read, the more things that you will know, the more that you learn, the more places that you’ll go – Dr. Seuss

International Literacy Day – References and Related Sites

So what can we do to help? There are many shelters, especially LGBTQIA Youth shelters, that maybe in need of books, even Kindles with suitable YA stories already loaded into them, that you can donate. Donate books to local shelters for domestic violence. They often take in families with younger children that might need books to read. Check first with the shelters before donating. Need addresses of LGBTQ Shelters to contact?

Start with

Ali Forney Center – NYC NY

http://www.aliforneycenter.org/

Lost-n-Found Youth: Home (Atlanta GA USA)

https://lnfy.org/

Lost–n–Found Youth is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization whose … More than 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ and this disparity in the homeless youth population continues to grow. …. 2585 Chantilly Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324

Note: They have a Wish List which includes underwear, food, bedding. Contact them first before donating other than these staples.

Albert Kennedy Trust – Helping young LGBT people – Manchester UK

http://www.akt.org.uk/

The Albert Kennedy Trust support lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans homeless young people in crisis. Every day … We have offices in both London and Manchester.

What else? Check with your local libraries. Volunteer with people who need assistance learning to read. Send us suggestions on things we haven’t come up with. What should we be doing for International Literacy Day? It’s actually being celebrated on the 7th and 8th. All comments and suggestions are welcome! The more the merrier! Our reviewers stretch around the globe, so do our authors and readers. Let’s make this a global effort too.

International Literacy Day Giveaway

How do you think we can make a difference these days in promoting literacy? Here at home and abroad? Also, tell us what how reading and books has changed your life? What does it mean to you that you can pick up a book, sink down into other lives and worlds? Two winners will win a $10 gift card. Leave your comment along with your email address. Contest ends on Sunday, September 9th. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 3:

An Alisa Series Review: Only You Series by JS Finley
International Literacy Day
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, September 4:

BLITZ A Matter of Courage by J.C. Long
Review Tour – Ann Gallagher’s Having Her Back
RIPTIDE TOUR Foxglove Copse (Porthkennack #5) by Alex Beecroft
A MelanieM Review: Foxglove Copse (Porthkennack #5) by Alex Beecroft
A Stella Release Day Review: The Hike by John Inman
An Alisa Review: Eye Candy (Candy Men #2) by Amanda Young
A Stella Review : Having Her Back by Ann Gallagher

Tuesday, September 5:

Dreamspinner Promo j. leigh bailey on Stalking Buffalo Bill + Giveaway
RELEASE BLITZ Leaning Into Always by Lane Hayes
Review Tour – Hard Time (Responsible Adult #2) by C.F. White
A Kai Review: Hard Time (Responsible Adult #2) by C.F. White
A VVivacious Review: The Highlander (Order Series #2) by Kasia Bacon
An Ali Review: A Matter of Courage by JC Long
An Alisa Review: Talk Bunny To Me (Hoppity Shifter #2) by A.R. Barley

Wednesday, September 6:

3 day release Blitz for Sunder by Lexi Ander
Blog Tour For Elin Gregory’s The Bones of Our Fathers
A Melanie Release Day Review: Earning His Trust by Alicia Nordwell
A Lila Review: The Curse (Witches of Salem #1) by T.S. McKinney
An Alisa Review: Broken Pieces by Ruby MacIntyre

Thursday, September 7:

Release Blitz & Review Tour for Garrett Leigh’s Circle (Roads #3)
Release Blitz: Hard Time by CF White
Victoria Sue on her new release The Alpha Heir + Giveaway
A Kai Review: Facing West (Forever Wilde #1) by Lucy Lennox
An Ali Review: Making It (Ringside Romance #3) by Christine d’Abo
A Lila Audiobook Review: Tart and Sweet (Candy Man #4) by Amy Lane and Narrator: Philip Alces
An Ali Review: Circle (Roads #3) by Garrett Leigh

Friday, September 8 (International Literacy Day):

TOUR The Dragon’s Devotion by Antonia Aquilante
Release Blitz : Con Riley’s Be My Best Man
RIPTIDE TOUR & Giveaway: Her Hometown Girl by Lorelie Brown
The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic by F.T. Lukens YA Tour
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Friendly Fire by Cari Z and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)
A Lila Review: The Dragon’s Devotion (Chronicles of Tournai Book 5) by Antonia Aquilante
A MelanieM Review: Broken Records (Spotlight #1) by Lilah Suzanne

Saturday, September 9:

Living Out Loud by Nyrae Dawn & Christina Lee Release Day Blitz and Review
Cover reveal *September 8th* His Dark Reflection by Heloise West
A MelanieM Review: Sūnder (Darksoul #1) by Lexi Ander

SJD Peterson On Third Chances, Writing and Remember When (author guest post)

Remember When by S.J.D. Peterson
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have SJD Peterson here today talking about her latest release Remember When. Welcome, Jo!

♦︎

Remember When

Remember When, is all about second…actually, third chances. Nelson and Luke are best friends having grown up living next door to each other. They had big plans and dreams none that include marriage or being tied down and everything to do with the freedom of the road and the rodeo circuit. Problem is, neither have ever been on a horse and at thirteen it’s their parents and a job opportunity across the country that throws a wrench into childhood desires.

I was about thirteen when I decided I was going to spend my life raising horses and hell, maybe I would have even joined the rodeo. I was in awe of the barrel racers. At fourteen, I received my first horse and it didn’t take but one hard winter to have me questioning my dreams. Like Nelson and Luke, I never joined the rodeo, but plenty of other dreams did come true.

Did you have a childhood dream? Did it come true or did you make new ones as you grew? Leave a comment for your chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Good Luck

~Hugs~

BLURB:

Life is simple and hopeful in youth. Luke and Nelson are best friends exploring their budding sexuality. They have big plans for the future, and nothing can stand in their way or tear them apart—except a family move that puts a continent between them.

Ten years later Luke and Nelson meet again, but nothing is simple anymore. As strong as the attraction remains, obligations and expectations come between them as Luke is forced to honor family responsibilities over the desires of his heart.

Impossibly, fate sees fit to offer them a last opportunity to see what might have been. Will the third time be the charm, or is trust so badly broken it is impossible to repair? Can they recapture the innocent love they once knew and make up for all the wasted years? In a love story that spans half a lifetime, two friends destined for each other will have to fight hard for their happily ever after.

BUY LINK: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/remember-when-by-sjd-peterson-8788-b

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

AUTHORS AMAZON PAGE

Release Blitz for Clare London’s Between A Rock & A Hard Place (A London Lads Story) ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Buy Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 19,598 words

Cover Design: Tibbs Design

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

London Lads Series

Chase The Ace (Book #1) Amazon US | Amazon UK | Dreamspinner

How The Other Half Lives (Book #2) Amazon US | Amazon UK | Dreamspinner

A Good Neighbour (Book #3) Amazon US | Amazon UK Dreamspinner

Peepshow (Book #4) Amazon US | Amazon UK | Dreamspinner

Blurb

Garry’s at the end of his tether. He’s waiting at Glasgow Airport to meet his friend Will, on their way to a holiday in a Scottish Highlands hotel. Now there’s a ten-hour delay to incoming flights, the seat in the lounge is more like an instrument of torture, and he’s beyond tired of airport food.

He’s also dreading having to apologise for the pass he recently made at Will, his colleague at a London bank, under the influence of too many beers and a long-held crush. Now Will’s been offered a new job offer on a continent thousands of miles away, Garry realises it may be the end of their close friendship—let alone anything more.

To add to Garry’s stress, he’s treated to the company of Emily and Max, two young people who think he needs educating in the ways of the world. Struggling with their well-meaning help and the startling mess from spilled ketchup and noxious-smelling sweets, he’s encouraged to re-examine how he feels about Will and to decide what kind of journey he’d really like them to take together.

Excerpt

Garry suspected he knew what tipped psychotics over the edge.

It wasn’t childhood trauma or thwarted world domination. Far from it! It was the agony of a plastic bucket chair digging into the back of your legs in the middle of a chaotic Arrivals lounge. Add to that the robotic monotone of the Glasgow Airport PA system offering “apologies for the inconvenience caused to those customers awaiting incoming flights from the USA,” and it was like salt rubbed into a wound.

He slumped back in the seat, his arms folded tightly across his chest. He could feel the scowl on his face etching into the muscles. There was noise everywhere—booming announcements over the speakers and the incomprehensible swell of people’s excited chatter. Kids shrieked, and suitcases rattled over the threadbare carpet. Rolling neon signs flashed up reminders to boarding gates, constant alerts to keep your bags beside you at all times, and then—almost as an afterthought—the price of the latest, must-have mobile phone package.

Airport lounges had to be one of the least comfortable places on earth. He hunched down farther, trying to nap. Like it’d be possible in this maelstrom. Bad mood, or what? He’d been up since the crack of dawn, maybe even before. He couldn’t exactly remember the time, as over the years he’d found that lack of sleep caused him, one, serious memory problems, two, to leave the house in an unmatched pair of socks, and, three, the unmitigated loss of his sense of humour.

He was jolted back to attention as a man hauling a heavy suitcase let it run over Garry’s feet. With a cry of pain, Garry wrenched his long legs back under his seat, but not before the wheels had left neat little tramlines over his boots. His toes felt bruised, and his mood teetered further toward homicidal. Luckily the perpetrator had taken a sharp left and vanished into the direction of the car hire franchises, else his suitcase—and probably his limbs—might have been scattered to the four winds.

Garry winced. So much for keeping your luggage with you at all times.

So… what was currently on his agenda? A too-early start; a wickedly uncomfortable waiting area; a psychotic bunch of fellow passengers. The bad omens were already stacking up. He’d arrived at Glasgow Airport rather travel-worn from his own flight from London Heathrow, preparing to meet up with his friend Will somewhere in amongst this mess of humanity.

Then he’d been greeted with the worst of news—a delay.

Ten hours? He felt like shouting it aloud, as in fact a few of the less self-disciplined airport visitors already had. What do they mean, incoming flights to Glasgow delayed ten fucking hours? He’d stumbled onto his own flight at some godforsaken hour of the morning to get to Scotland on time, only to find the connecting transatlantic airlines couldn’t meet the same punctuality. Ten hours! It was only late morning. Ten hours would take him on into the evening and a large part of the night. Ten hours of sitting on this seat, with nothing but overpriced airport snacks and the metallic xylophone tones of the airport announcer for company.

Okay, so yes, obviously, he was in a less than good mood.

But he had nowhere else to wait for Will. He couldn’t travel on to the Scottish hotel their mutual friend Allen had booked, because he didn’t know which one it was. Allen didn’t seem to be answering his mobile at the moment. Garry had tried seven times already, ever since the first announcements were made about the delay. And Garry knew that was the only number available, not just because Allen could be such a bloody control freak, but because Leonard—Allen’s husband—never even turned his phone on when he was travelling anywhere. Nor would Will be accessible, circling somewhere in the sky between the States and here. And if Garry left the airport to go anywhere else, he ran the risk of missing Will’s flight altogether. No, he knew he was effectively trapped between the proverbial rock and the hard place. In fact, he could feel the hard place biting into his arse right now, as he tried to get comfortable in his seat for the hundredth time.

Besides, what could he do but wait? He was here because his friend Will had specifically asked him to be.

His best friend, Will.

They were both flying in to Glasgow, ready to meet the rest of the gang. It was a long-held tradition, an annual holiday together in June, whatever their commitments for the rest of the year. Friends since university, there were around eight of them on any year’s trip, depending on who could get away from work. Allen was the self-appointed “manager” of it all, and this year he’d suggested they visit the Scottish Highlands, his own home turf. Garry had happily booked the time off, like he always did. He rarely had other plans that might conflict.

Allen always waxed lyrical about Scotland. Most of his multitudinous family had left the home country over the years, moving all over the world, making what sounded like starry marriages with entrepreneurs and lawyers. Even a Hollywood movie star in one case. But Allen had stayed, happy to find everything he needed right there—including the man he met and moved in with, several years ago. He and Leonard often made the trip north to the Highlands on their own. The hotel they stayed in had a fabulous view over Loch Lomond, and the highest star-ratings for food and comfort. And, this year, Allen and Leonard wanted to share it with their friends as well.

Everyone thought it was a great choice, including Will and Garry. Will in particular had always wanted to see more of Scotland. They both lived in London and spent a lot of their social time together, so they usually travelled the same route to the reunion holiday. This year, they’d arranged to fly to Glasgow, hire a car, then drive the rest of the way.

At least, that had been the original plan.

But the plans had changed, hadn’t they?

Author Bio

Clare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with the weekly wash, waiting for the far distant day when she can afford to give up her day job as an accountant. Sheís written in many genres and across many settings, with novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say sheís just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, sheís happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.

Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.

All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!

Website: http://www.clarelondon.com
Blog: http://clarelondon.livejournal.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/clarelondon
Facebook chat: https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarelondoncalling/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/clare_london
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/clarelondon
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/clarelondon

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An Ali Audiobook Review: Legal Tender (Art Series #4) by Andrew Grey and John Solo (Narrator)

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Timothy left home when he was eighteen to get away from his reckless mother, but he never stopped visiting his grandfather, who taught him what love was all about. Now that Grampy has passed away, Timothy finds that the old man’s legacy is everything Timothy has dreamed of—and more.

Inside the house Timothy loves so much is a cache of coins with historical value… and a mystery, because one of them isn’t supposed to exist. In memory of his grandfather, Timothy sets out to make sure that the mystery and the coins are given their due honor. In his quest to keep the government from confiscating his grandfather’s legacy, he meets Joiner, whose interest in Timothy is as clear and open as Timothy is guarded. There are things about Timothy’s life and his past he doesn’t want anyone to know, not even the kind man who is helping him with the complications of legal tender.

This was a lovely story of one man learning to overcome his past and to find himself worthy of a good relationship. When Timothy finds the coins mentioned in the blurb, he needs some assistance in how to handle them/keep them. This is the point where he meets Joiner. Over the course of the story, Timothy begins to open up and share his past with Joiner which allows him to slowly fall in love with the man. The development of their relationship was slow and sweet and touching in a few places. My only complaint was the tragic abuse background Timothy had. This is solely a personal thing but I’m becoming tired of this trope. There seems to me that there are a bunch of hardships/difficulties that characters could go through rather than the abusive parent who does horrible things to their child. (note there are potential trigger issues of child abuse and sexual assault in this story)

This was the fourth book in the series but works fine as a standalone. There are some characters from the previous books as well as some cross over from the author’s Bottled Up series. If you have read those you will probably enjoy seeing the characters. If you haven’t you will be fine reading this. The author does a good job of giving enough information about those relationships that you are easily able to follow along.

The narrator of this audiobook was done by John Solo. I thought it was done fairly well. I find this narrator to be hit or miss for me and I’m not quite sure why that is. There was nothing particularly wrong with this, it was just that Timothy in particular just didn’t sound like I thought a man of his age would. It’s quite probable this is a case of “It’s not you, it’s me.”

Overall I enjoyed this story and the narration. I think this is a good example of this author’s storytelling style and I think this will be a hit with fans of his.

Cover by Anne Cain. This cover was done by Anne Cain and I think it is a nice cover. It is a good representation of the story and the characters.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Audible Audio
Published July 27th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press (first published April 5th 2012)
ASINB0747VJ9BG
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesArt Series #4

A Kai Review: Like Two Parting Seas (States of Love) by Zhara Freytes

Rating: 2.75 out of 5

After two years of internet chats and crappy video calls, Nathan and Leonardo will finally meet face-to-face, and the anticipation is killing them both. Their slow-simmering desire to be together soon boils over as Nathan shows Leo around his hometown of Boise, Idaho. Witty conversation fills their days, passion fills their nights, and both young men know they belong in each other’s lives. But how can a romance, let alone a relationship, work when Nathan’s career is in Boise and Leo must soon return to his home in Italy? Since neither is ready to say goodbye to the budding love affair, they’re determined to find a solution before the end of Leo’s holiday.

Well, the story’s premise was great. The long-distance friendship turning into something more, caught my eye and I needed to read this. I thought would be a sweet and great story. Unfortunately, the execution was disappointing. The story was flat, really fast paced and felt very incomplete.

The plot was Okay and could be so much more if it had been better developed. Unfortunately, the novella was really short to the reader really to connect with it.

There were a lot of events where the author “told” what happened and didn’t “show” it. That was frustrating. I couldn’t get a sense of the MC’s friendship before they met face-to-face, nor when they truly hooked up. Even when they were together spending time with each other, there were gaps in the story telling. That was a big turn off for me about the story.

The sex wasn’t much described. Actually, it was basically off-pages and it felt like we were losing a part of the story where the MC’s was really bonding their feelings.

The novella wasn’t all bad, though. This book is part of States of Love series. In this series, each author selects one state and surround their story around that area.

Idaho is where Like Two Parting Seas’ story took place and I really liked to know more about this state: some of its sights and culture.

I also liked the easy and fluid writing. I would be very interested in reading a longer romance by this author, where she could actually develop the story.

The end was abrupt and without a conclusion. A kind of HFN, that absolutely needs a sequel.

The cover art by Brooke Albrecht is nice and sweet. I like it!

Sales Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Book Details:

Ebook: 49 pages

Publication: August 30th, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

Séries: States of Love

ISBN13: 9781635338966

Edition Language: English

In the Spotlight: Zhara Freytes on Writing, Characters, and her release ‘Like Parting Two Seas’ (author interview)

Like Two Parting Seas (States of Love) by Zhara Freytes
Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Brooke Albrecht
Purchase Link: Dreamspinner Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Zhara Freytes here today talking about her latest release Like Two Parting Seas. Welcome, Zhara!

~ Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interview with Zhara Freytes ~

How much of yourself goes into a character?

I tend to write from personal experiences because I feel it makes my writing more authentic, but I also like to give my characters their own personality that might defer from my own in a lot of ways. So I would say it’s an even balance depending on what the story is and what the message that I’m trying to get across is.

Do you feel there’s a tight line between Mary Sue or should I say Gary Stu and using your own experiences to create a character?

There definitely is a tight line. A character should be multidimensional and should be their own person. Making them like anyone else, making them have no flaws, is doing an injustice to any character an author might create. Using personal experiences can help, but it’s important to remember that you’re not writing about yourself, so to speak. You’re writing someone else’s story through your writing.

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

Research, for me, is important, especially when writing about a real place or culture. I wouldn’t want to misrepresent something that might offend someone. Even in the supernatural genre, I think it’s important to research and make sure the world you’re creating is your own and that you’re not stepping on any toes.

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

Definitely. I think it helped me realize what genres I like more and which I could relate to more so that in my writing it will sound authentic and not forced.

Have you ever had to put an ‘in progress’ story aside because of the emotional ties with it? You were hurting with the characters or didn’t know how to proceed?

Yes, more than once. Sometimes I get so sucked into the world of my characters that I start to believe I’m the one going through it. It’s heartbreaking to watch your characters suffer because they become your children, your family. You want them to be happy and when the story isn’t heading that way, it can be emotionally stressful.

Do you like HFN or HEA? And why?

I like happy for now ending more because I think it’s more enjoyable for the readers to make up their own conclusions about what happens in the future. I never want to force my readers to accept something that they, maybe, don’t agree with. HFN allows everyone to make their own ending and be happy with the result.

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

Yes. Romance is my absolute favorite genre to read. Especially because there’s so many different romantic relationships to explore and the content it neverending.

Who do you think is your major influence as a writer? Now and growing up?

I don’t think I have a specific major influence other than life itself. There’s so many stories that need to be told and I enjoy telling them and putting my own spin on them. Life is the best experience that I can have as an author.

How do you feel about the ebook format and where do you see it going?

The internet grows by the year and I think nowadays it’s so much easier to read something off a phone or tablet and not have to deal with a paperback. Sure, it’s always nice to read a paperback, but it’s so much simpler to not have to lug a physical book around and be able to pull it up on your electronic and read it whenever. I think as the days go on, it will become more popular.

How do you choose your covers? (curious on my part)

I like to have it represent something from the book. If it’s a book that has a strong music influence, I’d like my cover to have something with music on it.

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

No, I don’t think so because each story is unique and it wouldn’t be fair to my characters to choose a favorite. It’s like choosing a favorite child; not a very nice, or easy, thing to do for most.

What’s next for you as an author?

I hope to only grow as an author, make the next book bigger and better than the last. That’s my goal.

Blurb

COVER REVEAL for Waking the Behr (A Foothills Pride Story) by Pat Henshaw (excerpt and giveaway)

WakingtheBehrFS_v1

Book Title: Waking the Behr (A Foothills Pride Story)

Author: Pat Henshaw

Cover Artist: AngstyG

Genre: contemporary gay romance

Length: 29,689 Words/88 Pages

Release Day Date: September 20, 2017

Pre-Order Link

Dreamspinner Press

Blurb

Both Ben and Mitch think they know exactly what they want. Turns out, they don’t even know their own hearts.

Good old boy Ben has dated women his entire life, while gay nightclub owner Mitch has never considered unsophisticated country boys his type. But after they start hanging out, the small-town contractor and the urban entrepreneur are both stunned by the electricity sparking between them.

As they step outside their comfort zones to spend time together, Mitch finds he enjoys rural car rallies, and Ben is intrigued by the upscale bars Mitch owns in San Francisco. When they share their lives and grow closer, they start to question the way they’ve always defined themselves. Then they kiss and fling open the door to love. Now they must step up and travel the road that may lead to happily ever after—even if that path isn’t one they ever expected to walk.

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Excerpt

(From Ben Behr’s point of view. Contractor Ben has signed up new client Mitch O’Shea and is going to lunch with him outside Stone Acres, California, at the Rock Bottom Cafe in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Mitch has nicknamed his custom-made muscle car Rita.)

Driving Mitch’s Rhino GX up to the Bottom was every good old boy’s wet dream. The thing greedily gobbled up the road. A couple of times I felt like I was holding it back with a thin piece of rope that was on the verge of breaking.

Mitch, the bastard, laughed at me the whole way.

“Let her have some head.”

“Can’t. We’re coming up on a couple of tight switchbacks. Don’t want us to go off the road before we’ve had lunch.”

“Pussy,” he whispered.

Easy enough for him to say. I was sure glad I hadn’t let him drive. We’d have been careening all over the place and probably would’ve had a lot more near misses.

I could just imagine my cell lighting up with calls as we passed some of my friends in their trucks. I felt them all staring at Rita as we flew by.

“You could have let her go,” he grumbled after we parked at the Bottom.

My hands were shaking from exhilaration. My zillion-dollar smile had to be glowing. Fuck. A guy could come just from driving this baby.

“Whatever,” I mumbled, because I really didn’t have any words at all. I had no native language at that point. I was cruising on the blissful release of having danced with Rita.

As we rounded the corner of the parking lot and headed for the front door, my brother Connor nearly bumped into me.

“What the fuck is that thing, Ben?” He was practically panting as he took in Rita.

“Well, damn me. There are two of you beauties,” Mitch whispered close to my ear.

“Yeah, well. Mitch O’Shea, this is my younger brother, Connor. Connor, Mitch.”

They stared for a split second before Mitch thrust out his hand and Con grabbed it.

“Hey, nice to meet you. What kind of car is it?”

They stood much too close, in my opinion, as Mitch listed Rita’s specs.

Not that I was jealous or protective or anything. I mean, Mitch had said he was gay, and Con definitely was. So they were a perfect match, right?

Are you kidding? my dick sneered.

My gut screamed that Con was encroaching, which was really weird. It wasn’t like I had any real designs on Mitch. I mean, I’m straight, even though I was between women and didn’t really feel like hunting down another one at the moment.

So what if I was attracted to Mitch? He was a good-looking guy. I had a lot of good-looking friends.

True, none of them made me want to run my hands all over them, though. Which was beside the point, right?

“So you’re here for lunch?” Con asked Mitch.

I nodded, but Con didn’t acknowledge me.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, staring at Mitch.

Couldn’t he tell he was the third wheel at this party?

I shrugged, and Mitch nodded. I had no clue what the nod meant.

Lorraine, the Bottom’s co-owner, latched on to us near the hostess stand, scooped up three menus, and said over her shoulder, “Right this way.”

Connor was having lunch with us, then.

“Let me give you a quick overview about the roadhouse, Mitch. Then you’ll have some basic info to think about. Okay?” This was a working lunch, right? So I’d best be acting businesslike.

Mitch nodded, and Con, fortunately, figured out what was going on and shut the fuck up.

After we ordered, I walked Mitch through the building’s long list of minuses and its one plus—it was a sturdy old bugger. He told me he’d get back to me about what he was going to do. I had a feeling he’d already decided and was going to call the Realtor to make an offer once we were back in town. You don’t often find guys dancing around like crazy idiots who don’t already have their minds made up.

As we ate, I watched Mitch and Con chat. I sat there and mentally took notes on how gay guys flirt. If nothing else, I guess I could chalk lunch up as a learning experience.

Meet 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.

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