Category: MLR Press

Coffee Sip & Book Break: Please Understand by Fai Marie Dawson (author interview, excerpt and giveaway)

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Please Understand by Fai Marie Dawson
Release Date: July 30, 2015

Goodreads Link 
Publisher: MLR Press
Cover Artist: Melody Pond

Buy the book:  MLR Books  |  Amazon

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Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Fai Marie Dawson, author of Please Understand. Hi Fai, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

  • Talk to us about your characters in this book. What makes them unique?

Fox is a bookstore owner in an eclectic part of Seattle. He is a frustrating character however, because although he appears to be self-assured, he struggles to place durable boundaries with his mother.

Gloria is Fox’s mother, and she will do anything to maintain top billing in his life. Lie? Cheat? Manipulate? You bet!

Audrey is beautiful, and Fox is attracted to her immediately. Their relationship blossoms until she has to return to Montana to care for her elderly parents.

Tommie, Audrey’s twin brother appears on the scene and creates havoc in Fox’s orderly life. Damaged in many ways, Tommie struggles to heal the parts that are broken.

Mrs. Jones, the fairy godmother of the story, aims to protect them all. Can she save herself?
The element that keeps these characters unique is that each has a weakness they struggle to conceal. That conflict intensifies throughout the story.

• What was one of the most surprising things you learned in getting your book from start to publish?

I had never worked with a professional editor before, and discovered it was a very positive experience! The staff at MLR is great to work with. They provided excellent feedback and suggestions, patiently led me through the complicated process and treated me respectfully.

• Have you ever gone to a convention? If so, how was it? If not, do you think it’s something you’d like to do in the future?

Yes, I’ve attended a few conventions, and really enjoyed it. The classes they offered were incredibly valuable and the experience opens up opportunities of networking. Some of them offer pitching sessions with agents and publishers. That is how I met and got my contract with MLR. I love to talk about my characters, so the sessions were fun. And yes, I have plans to attend another in September.

• Would you like to be a full-time writer?

Yes! Although I am not currently working outside the home, I have until now considered myself a part-time writer. With two projects in hand this fall, I plan on adjusting my writing time to six hours a day, and I’m looking forward to it.

• Design the ultimate pizza.

The perfect pizza! I start with a crust made from sourdough. On that, I place a generous layer of homemade sauce: tomatoes, sautéed garlic and onions, basil and oregano cooked down until smooth and thick. I cover that with layers of pepperoni, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced onions, shredded mozzarella, green peppers, olives and mushroom slices. Cover that with shredded Parmesan cheese. Bake. When done, I add slices of cold tomatoes on top. Yum!

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Blurb

To keep his mother off his back, Fox struggles to live life as a straight man. Following his failed marriage, he thinks he’s found a piece of heaven when he meets Audrey, a sexy dark-haired beauty. When he’s introduced to her twin brother, his life turns upside down. Mrs. Jones, a regular shopper at Fox’s quaint neighborhood bookstore, steps in to referee the fall-out. Can Fox maintain relationships with both Audrey and her brother? Can a late night train chase bring Fox closer to the one he loves? How far will Fox’s mother go to keep her son tight in her clutches?

Pages or Words: 239 pages/82,000 words

Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance, *Trans

Excerpt

It was shortly after lunch on Friday that Mrs. Jones came in. Although she had shown such tenderness to Audrey, I was still in fear and awe of this woman. To me she was curt and demanding. I still dreaded Fridays on account of her. Today she barged through the door: middle aged, shaped like a tank, with a formidable purse that I suspected she could brandish as a weapon if she so chose. I shamefully admit that I hid, shaking, in the back room. I remained hidden behind the door as I watched through the space under the hinge.
She marched straight over to Tommie, who was innocently concentrating in his chair, bent over his laptop. He didn’t stand a chance.
“You, there!”
Tommie looked up and scanned the shop. Not finding me, he sacrificed himself for the greater cause.
“Yes?”
“Tommie?”
He said something I couldn’t hear then he looked around the shop again, I supposed in a vain hope that I might come rescue him. I saw him take a deep breath, preparing himself for the inevitable. Poor man didn’t have a clue what he was up against. I knew I should come out of hiding, but so help me, I didn’t have the strength. I had been dealing with her on my own every Friday for over a year, and my morbid curiosity wanted to see what she could do to someone else.
“What can I help you with, Ms. ––?
“Mrs. Jones.” She said it decisively and firmly. No question about it, she was Mrs. Jones. Like no other, she stood like a rock.
He nodded and snapped his laptop shut. “What can I help you with, Mrs. Jones?” When he stood, her eyes scanned down his body like a CT scan, slowly taking in and savoring every inch carefully.
He carried his laptop and set it on the shelf under the front counter. Mrs. Jones took in the view from behind, her head tilted thoughtfully.
I remained silent. This was getting interesting. I was seeing a side of Mrs. Jones I hadn’t known existed. I was anxious to see if Tommie could handle her.
“Well,” she said a bit breathlessly. “Tommie, your jeans are a bit tight.” He turned slowly, but her eyes settled on his mid­section, centering on the zipper of his jeans.
“My eyes are up here, Mrs. Jones.”
“Totally inappropriate!” But her eyes still wandered appreciatively over Tommie’s landscape.
“Very well, Mrs. Jones,” I saw him smile pleasantly then ask, “But may I help you find something?”
I didn’t hear what she said, but to my dismay, he led her to the closet where my adult books were stashed. I almost came out to prevent the disaster that I anticipated, but instead of indignation, within moments they returned to the front desk, and I watched as he rang up her purchases. She had chosen several books.
“I hope you enjoy these, Mrs. Jones.”
“You’ve been most helpful, Tommie, not like that naughty Fox that you work for.”
She waved goodbye happily and blew him a kiss as she went out the door, her purchases held tightly to her ample chest.
“Coward!” I assumed he was talking to me, although he didn’t look up.

About The Author

Meet Fai Dawson:
Fai Dawson lives in a small town thirty miles northeast of Seattle Washington in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains with her beloved wife, Becky. Together, they work on restoring their 110-year-old Victorian home. She spends her days writing, blogging and walking Moxie, their Newfie-Chow through the rainy streets of town. Pepe, a brave and proud tuxedo cat is her muse, ever mindful of providing inspiration for her next project. Although she has filled countless journals in her life, she began writing seriously in 2009 as a way to deal with anxiety. She is currently working on her next manuscript.

Where to find Fai Dawson:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fai.dawson
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/faimariedawson?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Faidrah
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/faimarie/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/faidrah/

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Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: TBD, must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.
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Tour Dates & Stops:
31-Aug MM Good Book Reviews
1-Sep Inked Rainbow Reads
2-Sep Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My
3-Sep Iyana Jenna
4-Sep Molly Lolly

7-Sep Jessie G. Books

8-Sep Love Bytes

9-Sep Mikky’s World of Books

10-Sep Divine Magazine

11-Sep Nephylim

14-Sep Prism Book Alliance

15-Sep LeAnn’s Book Reviews

16-Sep BFD Book Blog, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy

17-Sep Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My:

18-Sep My Fiction Nook

21-Sep Kimi-Chan, Happily Ever Chapter

22-Sep Bayou Book Junkie

23-Sep Hearts on Fire

24-Sep Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

25-Sep Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

WillPride

 

Its More Storming Love with MLR Press’ Storming Love: Earthquake Collection (giveway)

Earthquake Combo - Release

MLR Press: Storming Love: Earthquake
Publisher: MLR Press
Cover Artist: Kris Jacen

Sales Links: Amazon

 | MLR Press

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Author Mini Interview with Nicole Dennis

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Nicole Dennis, author of Earthquake: Xavier & Devin

Hi Nicole, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

Hello and thanks for having me. I’m a quiet single author with a furry kid – known as Fat Cat. I grew up in NJ and moved to Florida with the family. For some odd reason, I stayed in this sauna of a state. My current book is part of the MLR Press Storming Love series of natural disasters. From the title – this is the Earthquake series, one of six books, all set in the same place during the same disaster. Since everyone is familiar with California quakes, the other authors and I decided to change things up. We chose the great state of Alaska.
• Where do you find your inspiration?
From almost anything can inspire me. A movie, a TV show, another book, and music. Sometimes those darn plot bunnies come all on their own and attack with ideas.

• When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I dabbled for so long, I was always a writer. I became an ‘author’ when I signed my first contract for a short story that was part of an anthology.

• Do your characters become like real people to you?
Oh yes, I argue and complain to them all the time about not cooperating with me or going a completely different direction than I decided.

• If you weren’t a writer, what else would you like to have done?
I would love to have been an artist of some type. No matter what, I have this creative need.

• What do you want your tombstone to say?
LOL. What a question… Umm.
A writer who shared her rainbow with others.

Now more about the Storming Love: Earthquake Collection!

Book Names & Blurbs:

7/3 Gabriel & Avery by Ann Anderson

Earthquake Cover - AnnLoneliness has been Gabriel’s companion for since his parents’ passing, growing with each sibling that leaves home to start their own life. When a big earthquake hits Alaska, Gabriel finds himself taking in Avery, his two daughters, and their grandmother and relishes not being so alone. Yet, Gabriel feels a spark of recognition he can’t explain about Avery, but more than that, he likes the company and wishes he could have a deeper relationship with the man. But when the small family has their new home, what could make Avery want to stay?

7/10 Derek and Hayden by Megan Linden

Earthquake Cover - MeganDerek Warden is certain his boss sent him to cover the conference in the middle of nowhere, Alaska, to punish him for something. After an unpleasant phone call from his father who tries to stop him from going, Derek is ready for the whole thing to be over before it even begins.

Hayden Shaw has been looking forward to this conference for months. The problem of fracking is very dear to his heart and he couldn’t wait to spend the long weekend with like-minded people.
Neither of them expected the big earthquake, but most importantly – they didn’t expect each other. Meeting again after over a decade may result in something even more surprising that the ground trembling under their feet.

7/17 Rhody & Brendan by Diana DeRicci

Earthquake Cover - DianaRhody Witte is on his way to Alaska for two weeks of fishing and not much else. Mountains, clean air, and all the bait he can waste. What he gets is the largest earthquake to rock the Alaskan wilds in sixty-plus years.

Brendan Skorvarski isn’t the kind of man Rhody usually finds himself attracted to, much less want to know, but there’s something in the gentle giant that Rhody can’t seem to resist.

When they’re locked up in a cabin together for days in the Alaskan wilderness, resistance seems futile when survival takes precedence. Especially their survival when Rhody sees a bear outside their window.

7/24 Anders & Ujaruk by Caraway Carter

Earthquake Cover - CarawayGeologist Anders Thorpe has sworn off relationships with colleagues, after his last one ended in a dirty little game of sabotage. Six months later and he’s preparing to camp and investigate a gold mine that might still be active. He’s joined by Ujaruk an archaeologist who fights an inner battle with the fact that he’s a native Aleut, and wondering if he’ll ever find the perfect man.

Will Anders break his vow? Will Ujaruk find the right guy? Will they survive whatever is thrown their way?

7/31 Xavier & Devin by Nicole Dennis

Earthquake Cover - NicoleTremors are a part of everyday life in big Alaska.

Bush pilot, Xavier Markovic, goes with nature’s flow and loves it. He guides guests through Denali National Park to show off his beloved state. Until health issues arise for his mentor, Daniel Chevalier, and Xavier flies him to the hospital.

An almost fatal tumble down a mountain ends Devin Chevalier’s professional mountain biking career and brings him to a crossroads. Learning his grandfather is ill, he makes a rash decision. Uprooting his life for a chance to meet Daniel, he crosses paths with a brash Alaskan.

Alaska throws them another surprise in the form of a huge earthquake. Differences put aside while they struggle to survive.

8/7 Asher and Emmett by Anna Lee

Earthquake Cover - AnnaCelebrating their fifth anniversary, Asher and Emmett are on a romantic getaway in a cabin in Alaska. They have plans to adopt when they return home. But their paradise is destroyed when a huge earthquakes hits. Being a firefighter and a paramedic, both men put themselves at risk to save others when the tragedy strikes. Will they be able to make it home to start a family?

Pages or Words: Varies by book

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, Historical, M/M Romance, Paranormal (Please keep in mind that not all stories feature all categories)

 

Author Names, Bios, and Release Dates:

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7/3 Ann Anderson
Born and raised in Illinois, Ann spends her time reading, writing, working, and playing video games whenever the cats, and her family, don’t demand her attention. The second born of four, Ann has learned to listen and observe, a skill she’s honed because the simplest words or gestures can be the next big story idea, and she’s always on the lookout for ideas.
Contact Info:
E-mail: author_ann_anderson@yahoo.com
Blog: http://authorannanderson.blogspot.com

7/10 Megan Linden
Megan is one of those people who dreamed of being a writer since they were a little kid and then didn’t do anything about it for years. Then as a teenager she was introduced to fandom and… well. She fell head first into it and never looked back. At some point she decided to try writing her own characters in her own stories. And that’s where she is today.
Megan is also a psychologist and continues to learn the hard way that she can’t give all her clients their happy ending (she truly believes everyone can save themselves, though). That’s why she makes sure to give it to her characters, always.
Contact Info:
Email: meganlindencom@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megan.linden.54
Website/Blog: http://www.meganlinden.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7789392.Megan_Linden

7/17 Diana DeRicci
Diana DeRicci is the sexy, flirty pen name of Diana Castilleja. A romance author at heart, DeRicci’s writing takes you into a saucier spectrum of sensuality and sexual adventure, where a happily-ever-after is still the key to any story. Diana lives in Central Texas with her husband, one son and a feisty little Chihuahua named Rascal. You can catch the latest news on all of Diana DeRicci’s writing and books on her website. Feel free to drop Diana an email. She’d love to hear from you.
Contact Info:
Website/Blog: http://dianadericci.com/

7/24 Caraway Carter
Caraway Carter has worn numerous hats. He’s been a furniture salesman, a dresser, a costumer, an actor/waiter, a rabble rouser, a poet and most recently a writer. He married his husband on Halloween and they are the loving parents of two rambunctious cats. He loves words and stringing them together, he loves sex and sexy men, he loves seeing how far his muse will take him and he’s looking forward to entertaining you.
Contact Info:
Email: carawaycarter@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/CarawayCarter?fref=nf
Website/Blog: http://www.carawaycarter.com/
Goodreads: Group: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13539002.Caraway_Carter

7/31 Nicole Dennis
A quiet one growing up, Nicole Dennis left reality for the comfort of books, filling a personal library over the years. Characters started talking about their own stories. Writing them down whether during or after class, she continues to this day. She lets others meet her characters, walk through her worlds, and sigh as a romance overcomes all obstacles. All of her romances include delightful twists of GLBT, paranormal, fantasy, and erotica and always have their Happily Ever Afters.
She lives and works in Central Florida. Thanks to a quiet working environment, she can escape into her stories. At home, a semi-demonic tortie calico, affectionately known as Fat Cat on social media, rules their home.
Contact Info:
Email: nicoledennis.author@gmail.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nicoledennis.author/
Website/Blog: http://nicoledennisauthor.blogspot.com
Goodreads: Member: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2791975.Nicole_Dennis

8/7 Anna Lee
Anna Lee graduated from the University of California Riverside with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing. Living with a disability, she has overcome many challenges and puts her passion for life and love into her writing. She lives with her family and dogs and enjoys writing late into the night. When she isn’t writing, Anna enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephew or chatting with her friends about her favorite books and TV shows.
Contact Info:
Email: annalee509@gmail.com
Twitter: annalee59
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/authorannalee
Website/Blog: http://www.storiesbyannalee.com

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $30 gift card.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the MLR Press and Pride Promotions.
Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tour Dates & Stops:
9-Jul
Dawn’s Reading Nook
16-Jul
The Hat Party
Bayou Book Junkie
23-Jul
Velvet Panic
30-Jul
Mikky’s World of Books
Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
6-Aug
Hearts on Fire
Jessie G. Books
13-Aug
MM Good Book Reviews
The Novel Approach
20-Aug
Happily Ever Chapter
Prism Book Alliance
27-Aug
Inked Rainbow Reads
BFD Book Blog
Love Bytes

A Paul B Review: Remy’s Painter (The Werewolves of Manhattan #2) by A.C. Katt

 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Remy's Painter coverRemy Clavier has just taken over as second in command of the North American Council of Werewolves and Garou Corporation. While searching for a base of operations in Manhattan, he finds a series of buildings in Brooklyn. As soon as he can get his townhome renovated, he can move out of the leader’s condo that he is staying in while the Alpha and his mate go on a year long combined honeymoon and business trip.

Ian Sullivan is desperate. His brother and father have been killed in a car accident. However, Ian believes that it was no accident. He believes that their deaths are attributed to the loans that his brother owes to Sal Ferrara, a member of one of the New York mobs. During the funeral, the mobster comes to Ian and tells him that he know owes his brothers debt. He can either pay up or become his personal sex toy. He gives Ian until Friday to come up with the first payment or else Ian becomes his.

Not wanting to have anything to do with the Sal, Ian decides to keep the one appointment remaining before his family was killed. Now being a one-man operation instead of three, he knows there it little chance of getting the job. He vows he would rather kill himself before he has to fulfill the terms set out by Sal.

When Remy opens the door to the man who is bidding to repaint the townhome, he recognizes two things. First, Ian is his mate. Second, the desperation smell coming of Ian. Third, the man is human. He makes up his mind to convince the young man to be his. He bends over backwards to award the job to Ian. Then he sets out a plan to convince Ian to accept that werewolves are real and that he can help him solve his problem with his mob stalker. When Remy sends representatives to pay off the debt, he is flatly refused. Remy realizes that this is personal. How can he solve Ian’s problems without starting a war with the mob?

I enjoyed this second novel in the Werewolves of Manhattan series. It follows the same basic premise of the first in which a human is in trouble and stumbles into his werewolf mate rescuer. Sal is a decent bad guy and furthers the story line of the tense relationship between the New York mafia and those of North American Council of Werewolves. I expect this tension to continue in further novels.

The gorgeous cover by Winterheart Designs shows depiction of Remy and Ian as I would picture them with Remy’s wolf howling at a moon. This is set above a New York skyline.

Sales Links:   MLR Press  |  All Romance (ARe) |  Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:
Add it to your Goodreads List here
EBook: 172 pages
ASIN: B0106CFR7C
Published: June 2015 by MLR Press
Edition: English
Series: The Werewolves of Manhattan:
His Omega (Werewolves of Manhattan #1)
Remy’s Painter (Werewolves of Manhattan #2)