Category: Loose id

In the Book Spotlight: The Playhouse (a Superpowered Love Story) by Katey Hawthorne (guest post and giveaway)

Playhouse_500

The Playhouse (a Superpowered Love story) by Katey Hawthorne

STRW In The Spotlight Header
Published by Looseid LLC
Cover Artist P.L. Nunn

Here’s Katey Hawthorne on writing her first F/F story and her Superpowered Love series….

Hello, and thanks for letting me drop in, Melanie! I’m running around celebrating because the very first f/f book in my Superpowered Love series, The Playhouse, just came out yesterday. It’s about—well, yes, there are superpowers, but it all takes place in a summerstock theater. Sounds like a weird combo, but it works… hopefully.

There are some pretty serious undercurrents in the book too, though, and that’s what I want to talk about a little here. While Lily’s dream is to make her beloved Playhouse more viable, Genevieve, the starlet who has her full and undivided romantic attention all summer, brings new goals to the table. Goals like better representation for people of color and minorities on the small town stage. (See also, Genevieve’s character stat entry on my website, where she goes on about her Les Miserables fanfiction.) Lily is, of course, delighted at the prospect and throws her heart and soul into that, as well.

Now to get personal. The reason I write queer characters all the time is because I wanted more of that as a kid. I wanted to see myself reflected in characters who lived crazy lives, loved interesting people, and yeah, maybe even had some superpowers. I’m writing the books I wanted to read, books that have queer people finding their happiness. But there’s more work to be done. More women, more people of color, more gender non-conforming people, more responsible representation of all kinds is my goal.

 Giveaway: So tell me: what would you like to see more represented in fiction? What pieces of you and your friends do you think deserve more reflection and attention? Leave a comment with a suggestion or thought, your email address where you can be contacted  and be entered to win a copy of The Playhouse!

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Author is providing the book, thank you, Katey!

The Playhouse Blurb

Summer has been Lily McBride’s favorite time of year since she was a kid, because that’s when the Brookesville Playhouse opens its doors. Now that she’s an adult and works as their tech director, Lily wants more for her beloved Playhouse: a larger audience, a longer season, and exciting shows to draw new patrons.

This year, though, she also wants Genevieve Mason, a pretty starlet-in-the-making from the local university, recruited for the season’s tech crew. Genny throws her heart and soul into the place too, adding her own dreams of representation to the ‘must-have’ list, and using her sweet voice and surprising flare for pyrotechnics to draw the crowds in droves. They work so well together, it’s not long before their summer crush blossoms into a steamy affair.

Lily’s falling hard, but always feels like Genny’s holding something back. And then there’s the dreaded Brookesville Arts Council—supposed to be a support system for all things cultural, instead dragging the Playhouse down with their old-fashioned stubbornness. There are a lot of hurdles to jump and egos to deflate before they can get what they want, both for the theater and from each other.

Sales Links:   Loose id   (special sales price of $4.99)

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Author bio: Katey Hawthorne is an avid reader and writer of superpowered romance, even though the only degree she holds is in the history of art. (Or, possibly, because the only degree she holds is in the history of art.) Originally from the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia, she currently lives in Ohio. In her spare time she enjoys comic books, B-movies, loud music, Epiphones, and Bushmills.

Contact/follow Katey at:

In the Spotlight: In Memory of Us by Ana J. Phoenix (excerpt and contest)

 AJP_in memory of us_coverin

 In Memory of Us by  Ana J. Phoenix

Release Date: March 31, 2015

STRW In The Spotlight Header

 

Ana J. Phoenix has a new release out, In Memory of Us.  Just that gorgeous cover is enough to draw you in, don’t you think?  Here is more information about the book and its author.  Don’t forget to enter the giveaway located at the end of the post.

 

STRW Author BookSynopsis

About In Memory of Us….

Kite’s had a crush on Shin since middle school, but never acted on it until the eve of his yearly trip to the States, when he slipped up and kissed his best friend. Shortly after, a tsunami wrecked the country and his hometown, and put all his plans on hold. Now, two years later, he’s back in Japan and he wants to set things right.

When he finds Shin, though, his former best friend isn’t who he used to be. Losing his parents changed Shin and now, instead of following his heart, he’s dedicated his life to studying for university entrance exams and ignoring everything else. He won’t let Kite get close, denying his obvious attraction and all their good memories.

Kite doesn’t want to give up on Shin, but he can’t shake the feeling that there’s something his friend isn’t telling him. Something else that happened two years ago on the day of the tsunami. He doesn’t know what it is, just that it’s destroying his friend—and possibly their shot at love.

Pages or Words: 28,000 words, 100 pages

Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance, New Adult, Romance

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

“You know I watched you all through high school.”

“Watched me do what?”

“Fuck around.”

Kite grimaced but didn’t know what to say. He had been promiscuous, no denying that.

“I didn’t have a crush on you in third grade,” Shin went on. “Not consciously.”

“When did it become conscious?”

Shin leaned back a little, as if he needed the distance to be able to think. “Middle school,” he said then. “We were having ice cream and suddenly you told me you’d kissed Kaoru.”

Kite furrowed his brow. He didn’t remember much about Kaoru, but he did remember coming out to his best friend over ice cream. Ice cream made him think of a time in California when his sister would take him out for a treat to get away from their parents’ fighting and she’d tell him that she would definitely never get married. He figured since he was kissing boys, he probably wouldn’t get married either.

“Kaoru was a test run,” he told Shin.

“Yeah? Was everyone after him a test run too?”

“No.” Kite lifted his hand and ran his fingers through the soft hair at the nape of Shin’s neck. “Everyone after him was to take my mind off you.”

Banner300x250

Publisher: Loose ID
Cover Artist: Dar Albert

Sales Links:  Loose Id    All Romance (ARe)  Amazon

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Ana is a writer of m/m romance and erotica. Her interest in hot guy-on-guy action was first sparked by reading scandalous Japanese mangas. A dirty secret she couldn’t resist. In a long bout of insanity – also known as her life — she decided to learn the language and escape to the land of sushi, sumo, and yaoi.

She’s since moved back to Europe to be with the love of her life – delicious European chocolate.

Now she resides in the sunny part of Germany where she fills her days chasing her dreams and writing about men in complicated relationships. Her family believes she’s writing “erotic manga stories.” She’s pleased they got the erotic part right, at least.
Where to find the author:

Facebook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anajphoenix
Website: http://anajphoenix.com
Goodreads Link

BannerTemplate

Tour Dates & Stops: April 21, 2015

Parker Williams, BFD Book Blog, Nephylim, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Hat Party, Chris McHart, My Fiction Nook, Bayou Book Junkie, Rainbow Gold Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Boys on the Brink Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Cate Ashwood, Velvet Panic, Multitasking Mommas, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Divine Magazine

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: From Ana J. Phoenix: “To keep with the theme, I’m giving away a small goody bag with Japanese things.” (Giveaway open to everyone anywhere in the world.) Japanese good luck charms play an important role in the story, so I’m including one in this gift bag. Note: You must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Prizes and link provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

In The Spotlight: Driven By Fire by Draven St. James (excerpt and contest)

STRW In The Spotlight Header

Driven by Fire (Firehouse Six #4) by Draven St. James
Cover Artist: Dar Albert

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Goodreads LinkSMDSJ_Driven by Fire

Firefighters are hot!  Draven St. James’ firefighters from Firehouse 6 are back in Drive By Fire.  Check out the blurb and excerpt below and don’t forget to enter the contest at the end of the post!  Happy reading.

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Publisher: Loose ID
Cover Artist: Dar Albert
Sales Link:  Loose id  Amazon  All Romance (ARe)

About Driven By Fire:

Taber Delane is lucky to be alive, but his career as a firefighter ended
the day a beam snapped, resulting in a crushing spinal injury. Most of his
friends are willing to give him space, everyone except paramedic,
Deacon Hall.

Deacon hasn’t met a challenge he couldn’t tackle and he knows Taber
needs someone in his corner who isn’t afraid to stand up to the big bad
fireman. The longer he’s around Taber, the more the sexy vulnerability
of the man comes through. Deacon finds he doesn’t just want to be
Taber’s live-in caregiver, he wants a chance at the passionate man
beneath the stubborn shell.

A shell that is cracking, no matter how Taber tries to hold it together.
Deacon being in his home starts to open him up—and open his eyes to
the man Deacon hides from the rest of the world. Without seeing it
coming, Taber soon craves more. A lot more.

Now if only Deacon can get Taber to see that it isn’t so bad having him
there to assist. Even if and maybe especially when Taber is naked,
dripping wet, and angry as hell.

Pages or Words: 43,556 words

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance

DSJBannerTemplate

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

from Driven By Fire...

“You’re not giving me a sponge bath,” Taber snapped and glowered at Deacon as he wheeled himself into the locker bay. The sweat ran down his temples, his shirt soaked through with it. He took in his motionless legs and grimaced before shooting Deacon another irritated look.

Deacon sat with his feet on one of the peeling dark blue benches, his back reclined against a bank of gray lockers along the far wall in the physical therapy building. A book was balanced on his knees, and black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. His shaggy auburn hair fell to curl around his ears in disarray.

Deacon peered at him with pale green eyes. “There go my dreams of rubbing you down and tweeting the pics.”

 

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

Draven St. James is a born and raised Oregonian. She has traveled extensively in search of mischief and mayhem to fill her books. Her ventures have been quite successful in inspiring a wealth of stories. Of course at the end of the day, coffee within reach, laptop at the ready is where she finds her peace.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draven.stjames
Facebook Author Page: https://dravenstjames.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DravenStJames
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dravenstjames/

DSJBanner300x250

Tour Stops and Dates:

Parker Williams, Bayou Book Junkie, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, My Fiction Nook, BFD Book Blog, Amanda C. Stone, Divine Magazine, Molly Lolly, Inked Rainbow Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Kimi-Chan, Carly’s Book Reviews, Kristy’s Brain Food, Decadent Delights, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Bike Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, 3 Chicks After Dark, Rainbow Gold Reviews

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: A book from Draven’s backlist. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link and prize provided by Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway