A Sammy Review: Corkscrewed by M.J. O’Shea

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Isaac lived a life on the streets. With little memory of his childhood, he wandered for ages without knowing who he truly was. Being found by Roman was a gift, and soon the lifestyle of a grifter became all he knew. But Roman’s leaving, and he’s left him with one last big con… to pretend to be Isaac Shelley, missing heir to a huge trust fund and loving grandson of Marigold Shelley.

When he meets Cary, the “insurance man” there to check on Marigold’s beloved wine collection, there’s instant chemistry. What he doesn’t know is that Cary is a grifter as well, and he’s after very rare and very pricey wines, the Nine Sisters.

They each had their own elaborate con, but can do con artists work the same target without losing it all? Maybe, but when a wrench gets thrown in their plans, and items begin to disappear, there just may be another con going on, bigger than both of them.

Yeah, seduction was part of his act a lot of the time, and he’d always been very good at it with men and women, but he was breaking the first fucking rule he’d ever learned, the first rule he’d teach any student. Just the first damn rule, period. Never ever fall for your own con. Never.

I have some mixed emotions regarding this story. I loved the premise. Two con artists crossing paths, trying to out-con the other without even knowing the other is conning. Yes, lots of conning going on. It sounds great, and it had so much potential, but somehow, it fell a little flat.

It’s hard for me to explain, but there are some stories where when you stop you feel like you can’t wait to go back and read more. This wasn’t one of those stories. There were actually parts where I had to force myself to keep reading, and I wasn’t at all excited to come back and read it. Yes, I wanted to know what was going on, but it wasn’t really that built up need that I wish I had gotten.

As for the mystery, well, it had a lot of potential. I feel like the author thought a lot about different aspects, especially in the beginning regarding Cary and his plan to get the Nine Sisters. After that, it unraveled quite a bit. I had thoughts for who the Black Mamba was very early on, and I literally headdesked at some of the paths it took and conclusions characters came to. It seemed so obvious to me, and in the end, it was.

To top it all off, the ending was lackluster. There was no oomph to it. It just sort of happened and oh, okay, that’s it. Alrighty then.

This story wasn’t necessarily bad, but if you want a serious mystery with twists and turns, I’d suggest something else. If you want a more cozy, hokey kind of mystery, then this just might be for you.

The cover art by L.C. Chase is pretty much divine. It’s perfectly subtle and so fitting to the story from the very start. After all, it does take place on a vineyard.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook & Paperback All Romance (ARe) amazon buy it here

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Published December 1st 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632165268
edition languageEnglish

A Mika Review: Tangled Mind by Posy Roberts

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

For years, Beck Lund has taken care of his volatile boyfriend, Brady, always putting Brady’s needs above his own and walking on eggshells to keep the peace. After Brady overdoses on heroin, his death devastates Beck. Thankfully, Beck’s best friend, Timothy Kallis, finds him the help he needs. Beck slowly starts to recover and moves in with Timothy to get back on his feet, but he’s oblivious that Timothy is secretly nursing romantic affection for him.  Beck focuses on his own healing for the first time in his life. After months of challenging his codependent tendencies and learning how to stand up for himself, Beck finally starts to trust his gut and hopes to one-day love again. Timothy is patient throughout, taking care of Beck in ways no one ever has. But if Beck can’t recognize Timothy’s affection for him, it might be too late for them to move beyond friendship.

I loved this book. Wow, I am thoroughly impressed with this book. Posy Roberts definitely brings the emotions out of you. I love her Northern Spark series too. That was such an realistic fiction series, and I truly adored it. This book was such an easy read as it was the right pace for me. Not too fast, or slow but just right It was easy to fall in love with Timothy. He was this perfect guy. I mean he did not once push boundaries, he was there for Beck, he did not judge him.

Beck was such an amazing guy. How did he put up with being in a relationship for 11 years and it all being about the other guy? I applaud his strength, his will, and his heart. This book touched on a lot about grief, guilt, and death. The beginning of the story was hard to read since it was from Beck’s point of view, it was everything he had to endure. I could not imagine being in love, or dedicating myself for so long to one person who is not in love with you first. I mean it is almost like Beck having to sacrifice him in order to be in a relationship. Throughout all grief he endured was Timothy standing in the background willing to help, listen or just be a friend to Beck.

I would recommend this book to anyone. I truly loved it, I found myself crying at some parts but it was elation for Beck mostly. He had to learn how to be about Beck. He should growth from the beginning towards the end. Why 4.5 stars instead of 5? I loved it for sure, but I did feel like I need an epilogue at the ending. While I was happy with ending, I just didn’t want it to end, but it is classic Posy for her to cut it off. Crosses fingers we at least get a novella about these two.

Cover Artist: Maria Fanning did a lovely job, poignant and perfect.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) amazon Buy It Here
Book Details:

eBook, pages

to be Published December 24, 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632164667
Edition Language: English

In the Book Spotlight: My Mate Jack by Garrett Leigh (book tour and contest)

Book Name: My Mate, Jack
Goodreads Link: My Mate Jack
Author Name: Garrett Leigh

Author Bio:

Rainbow Award winner Garrett Leigh is a British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Black Jazz Press. Her protagonists will always always be tortured, crippled, broken, and deeply flawed. Throw in a tale of enduring true love, some stubbly facial hair, and a bunch of tattoos, and you’ve got yourself a Garrett special.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible. That, and dreaming up new ways to torture her characters. Garrett believes in happy endings; she just likes to make her boys work for it.

Garrett also works as a freelance cover artist for various publishing houses and independent authors under the pseudonym G.D. Leigh. For cover art info, please visit blackjazzpress.com

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighbooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garrett-Leigh/484336074987986
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: G.D. Leigh

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press amazon

Blurb:

Will Barter’s been in love with his best mate Jack for as long as he can remember. They’ve shared everything: love, life, laughs, even Will’s first kiss. But Jack’s straight, and Will’s long-buried infatuation means nothing until their last summer together draws to a close.

Then one night, everything changes, but with Will bound for university in Leeds, and Jack for his dream DJ job in Ibiza, there’s no time to explore their blurred lines. Before long all that’s left are secrets, lies, and misunderstandings.

In the months that follow, anger and hurt overshadow fifteen years of friendship, and Will must dig deep to remember Jack is his mate… his best mate, and nothing matters more than that, right?

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

Excerpt:

“So, are you game, or what?”

Will blinked. “Eh?”

Jack laughed. He lay back on Will’s bed and folded his arms behind his head, all dark eyes and shaggy hair. “You’re such a dreamer. No wonder you don’t notice any blokes. I was saying we could practice kissing if you want. You know, so you’re not nervous next time the bottle lands on you.”

This time Will couldn’t stop the beer going down the wrong way. He coughed. “Next time? What are you going to do? Out me to the whole school by snogging my face off? I’d rather smooch the girls.”

“Liar.” But Jack looked sheepish all the same. “Okay, maybe we shouldn’t mess around in front of other people, but I still reckon you should try your techniques out on me. Ginny says I’m the best kisser in the whole school, and she should know.” Jack swooned and pitched into a fit of weed-fueled giggles.

Will dove at him and pushed him off the other side of the bed. “It’s not funny, arsehole. I’m the only gay in the whole bloody town. I’m going to die a virgin at this rate.”

Jack hit the floor with a thump. He lay there a moment, still laughing, then hauled himself back onto the bed. “Chill out, mate. No one said anything about bonking.”

Will tried to grin. Chill out. Yeah, right. Jack had been taking the piss since that stupid bloody bottle had put the idea of them kissing in his daft head. “You’re not funny.”

Jack sobered and stared with an expression Will couldn’t decipher. “I wasn’t joking, at least not about the kissing part. We’re friends, right? Ginny and Meg snog all the time.”

He had a point. The girls were always messing around with each other, and Will had often watched them and maligned the fact that girls had it easy… from his point of view, at least. They could do whatever they wanted and no one cared. It would be a different story if Will jumped on Jack in the middle of the park. Snogged his face off and squeezed his arse.

So why not do it here? No one will ever know.

Pages or Words: 104 pages

 Tour Dates: December 23, 2014

Tour Stops:

Parker Williams, Velvet Panic, Havan Fellows, Lee Brazil, Bayou Book Junkie, Love Bytes, EE Montgomery, 3 Chicks After Dark, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Molly Lolly, BFD Book Blog, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Carly’s Book Reviews, Charley Descoteaux, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Sinfully Sexy, Fallen Angel Reviews, Dawn’s Reading Nook, MM Good Book Reviews, Up All Night, Read All Day, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-book Copy of ‘My Mate, Jack’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided to enter and for all additional contest details.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Mika Review: My Mate Jack (A Heated Beat Story #1) by Garrett Leigh

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Will Barter’s has loved his best mate Jack for as long as he can remember. They’ve shared everything: love, life, laughs, even Will’s first kiss. But Jack’s straight, and Will’s long-buried infatuation means nothing until their last summer together draws to a close.  Then one night, everything changes, but with Will bound for university in Leeds, and Jack for his dream DJ job in Ibiza, there’s no time to explore their blurred lines. Before long, all that’s left are secrets, lies, and misunderstandings.   In the months that follow, anger and hurt overshadow fifteen years of friendship, and Will must dig deep to remember Jack is his mate… his best mate, and nothing matters more than that, right?

A new Garrett Leigh series, sure I’ll take it. Garrett Leigh is dubbed Queen of Angst in my mind palace. She produces the angst like no other. I was on pins and needles throughout Will and Jack’s separation the entire time. I was angry at both of them for not being angry themselves at the long bouts of time between communications. Why couldn’t Will get a better bloody phone? G.L. had me fussing using proper English words. I think I called my husband a wanker four or five times while reading this. You men don’t get it, someone step up and say something; now back to the story at hand, lol.

Will and Jack have been best mates since they were seven years old. Things changed the summer year before graduating high school. We can all guess since it’s a friend to lover’s thing. I automatically thought when things changed we’ll see them at college doing what all new couple do, try to maintain their relationship. Well no, that didn’t happen. Will went to uni, and Jack went to Ibiza to d.j. I didn’t think it would be so hard for two guys who spent most of their lives together to have communication issues once they leave home. Lots and lots of communication issues. I was livid, I wanted one of these guys to grow up and throw out the first line, but of course we got the run around. In between them we had family issues, resolved issues, jealous boyfriends,and much, much more. Not in those orders but they could have the catalyst for an entire different ending. I was happy with the ending, I don’t know if Will & Jack were but I am. Maybe they are happy but not happy with their journey to romance. I hope we find out.

I would recommend this to fans of Garrett Leigh it’s her typical angst filled novels. I would recommend to new readers who are interested in realistic fiction, and or new to angst, and enjoy friends to lovers themes. I enjoyed reading it, I wish it was more, but I’m okay because it’s book 1 in a series. I look forward to reading about the Will & Jack next time.

Book Cover: G.D. Leigh. I thought it was just alright.

Sales: Dreamspinner Press eBook All Romance (ARe) amazon buy it here

Book Details:

ebook, 104 pages
Expected publication: December 10th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632164988
edition languageEnglish

On Tour with Lauren Gallagher and her release Razor Wire (book tour and contest)

Welcome to the Riptide Publishing/Lauren Gallagher blog tour for Razor Wire!

Contest: Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for a choice of two eBooks off my backlist (as L.A. Witt or Lauren Gallagher; excludes Razor Wire) and a $10 Riptide Publishing store credit. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on December 28th, and winners will be announced on December 29th. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries.

RAZOR WIRE Blurb:

Two women. One terrible crime. Zero allies.

After being raped by a superior officer, MA3 Kim Lockhoff wants to leave the whole thing in the past. A cop herself, she knows all too well that it’s her word—and slutty reputation—against that of a respected Navy officer.

MA2 Reese Marion, a tough cop hiding her own trauma behind a hard-as-nails exterior, has no patience for pretty little princesses who use their cleavage to win favor with the guys. But when Reese is partnered with Kim, she slowly realizes that reputations can lie. Kim is whip-smart, ambitious—and scared. The man who attacked her won’t let anything damage his career, least of all Kim . . . or the baby she’s carrying as a result.

Isolated on Okinawa, thousands of miles away from home, the two women lean hard on each other. But when Kim confides in Reese, she unwittingly puts her new lover—and both of their careers—in the line of fire. Now her attacker just might have the leverage he needs to keep her quiet for good.
Razor Wire is available December 22nd from Riptide Publishing.

Book Details:

Author: Lauren Gallagher
eBook ISBN: 978-1-62649-187-8
eBook release: Dec 22, 2014
eBook Formats: pdf, mobi, html, epub
Print ISBN: 978-1-62649-188-5
Print release: Dec 22, 2014
Word count: 52,900,Page count: 215
Type: Standalone
Cover by: L.C. Chase
– See more at: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/razor-wire#sthash.y1fztIC5.dpuf

Buy It Here!
About Lauren Gallagher

Lauren Gallagher is an abnormal romance writer currently living in the wilds of Omaha, Nebraska. She and her husband, along with a coyote-iguana hybrid and two and a half cats, are thought to be in hiding from the Polynesian Mafia and a debt collector in search of a fine for an overdue book from the Library of Alexandria. Lauren continues to skillfully, if somewhat clumsily, elude them, but continues to have run-ins with her arch nemesis, M/M erotic romance author L. A. Witt. The implementation of Operation: I Don’t Think So is expected to resolve that problem soon enough.

Lauren’s backlist is available on her website, and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter (@GallagherWitt).

A MelanieM Review: Blood and Rain (Blood #1) by Shira Anthony

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Born in the 1800s into a clan of fabled vampire hunters, Adrien Gilbert wanted nothing more than to tend his family’s vineyard in southern France. Adrien loved his family and their life but all that changed when his older brother, François, is murdered, or so he thinks. Bound by his hunter’s oath and lost in grief, Adrien sets out to find and destroy his brother’s killer, the vampire Charles Duvalier. But nothing is as it seems and the course of Adrien’s life is forever changed by his hunt for the killer and truth.

Desperate to find Charles after months of fruitless searching, Adrien reluctantly makes a bargain with Nicolas Lambert, an ancient vampire. In exchange for Adrien escorting Nicolas to Paris for his arranged marriage to a rival clanswoman, Nicolas will help Adrien find Charles. A simple agreement that would have profound effects on them all. Because despite the fact that Nicholas is a vampire and Charles a vampire hunter, they are drawn together by a bond neither understands.

In searching for Charles, Adrien’s established view of the world is fundamentally shaken, first by what he finds out about the history between hunters and vampires and secondly by his feelings and actions towards Nicholas. As his world falls apart around him, Adrien must still deliver Nicholas to the wedding ceremony that is to make peace between the two warring families. This peace is necessary for the safety of all Adrien loves but will he be able to let the one man he loves above all else go to make that happen?

In Blood and Rain, first installment in the 3-book “Blood” series from author Shira Anthony, Anthony must lay down a complicated foundation for the three couples and stories involved. The author starts in Europe, France specifically, with a history of the hunter and vampire dynasties that exist, the troubled and convoluted political jockeying for power, and a mythology so strange that some of the hunters and vampires have buried it under layers of disbelief and legend, until most of those involved arent’ sure what is fact or fiction. Added over top of that like an intricately patterned lace cloth lies the Gilbert, Lambert and Rousseaus families, (hunters and powerful vampire clans) as well as the Council of Hunters, a governing body in deadly disarray. Anthony has so much basic series universe building to do that it can feel a little heavy and complicated trying to remember it all.

And woven into the middle of this 18th century political drama is several love stories, the first two are as intwined as the brothers involved. Two human brothers, Adrien and Francois, and the vampires they love or loved. The destinies of this quartet are tied together by love, blood, and power. Adrien and Nicholas, the vampire scion whose helps Adrien enlists to find ancient vampire Charles Duvalier, are the primary couple here, but only just. Adrien is something of a naif at the beginning, full of absolutes and a certain provincial lack of sophistication. That you believe in him as a character while not exactly liking him is to the credit and talent of Anthony’s ability to build realistic characters who act, think, and feel as humanly possible.

Nicholas, and the other vampires closely associated with Adrien, Francois, Nicholas, and others are constructed along the same believable lines, although I found these characters to be far more appealing and affable than Adrien at first. Luckily for all, the reader included, Adrien runs headlong into some life altering events, ones that will change his perception of everything he knows, family, history, even the laws of nature. But until he does, don’t be surprised if you want to smack him up head the head a time or two.

This story is full of mythical elements, from hunts for revenge, secret passages and hair raising escapes from malignant villains and vile dangers. That means over the top fights with magical swords, life altering wounds, and bloods, tons and tons of blood. I loved the action sequences and the mystical elements that Anthony has created are marvels themselves. Plus there is angst, almost as much angst as there is blood that flows. The suspense will keep you riveted as the narrative speeds along.

And yes, there is a cliff hanger too.

All of this adds up to a supremely entertaining and engrossing read. It’s a vampire swashbuckler, full of romance and evil deeds, that includes thwarted, star crossed lovers and the stuff heroes are made of. Errol Flynn (a swashbuckler above all swashbuckers…google him) would have felt right at home. I kept flipping the pages until it was over and then was ready for the next story to see what happens next.

The only thing that kept this from being perfect was that it got a bit dense in trying to establish all the histories, mythologies, political intrigues and alignments, (and yes, genealogies too) for all the character involved. At times that tended to weigh down the action and derail the romance, but once established, the story swung perilously along to our horror and delight.

A new series from Shira Anthony is always cause to celebrate. By adding vampires to her mermen and musicians, she has given us a triumph of genres and couples to root for and love. Add this to your Holiday wish list or just go ahead and get it right now, you know you deserve it!

Happy Reading.

Cover art by Reese Dante. Great cover, very brooding.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner eBook & Paperback All Romance (ARe) amazon buy it here

Book Details:

ebook, 268 pages
Published December 15th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632166074
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5805

A Sammy Review: Les faits accomplis by Anna Martin

Rating: 4.5 rounded up to 5 out of 5 stars

“So you’re saying not to trust her.”

“Don’t trust anyone,” Adam said seriously.

“Not even you?”

“Especially not me.”

Jared Rawell is the new kid in school for his senior year, but New Harbor Academy isn’t just any other school. It’s founded on old money and even older blood, full of only the wealthiest and most elite.

Adam Hemlock is one of the kings of the school. He’s not just popular, but he’s connected and known for being a bit of a player. So when the resident HBiC (Head Bitch in Charge) bets him a priceless item to sleep with the new kid, there’s no way he’s about to pass it up.

But these halls are full of games and tricks, and in the vicious life of high school, you can be anyone’s pawn, and just when you think you know who to trust and who your friends are, think again.

My mom always told me it was smart not to trust people. We live in a society which sort of demands we fall in love with someone, and they automatically have this key to your heart and soul, and that’s how it’s supposed to be. But that’s bullshit, you know? If you love someone, it’s probably healthier to not trust them for a while.

I had so much fun with this book. I don’t know if it’s just my luck lately or what, but this and the past couple books I’ve read have just been so incredibly satisfying.

If I had to explain this book to someone who had no idea what it was about, it would go something like this: the love child of Mean Girls, She’s All That, and Gossip Girl. But really, all together in a perfect mesh of gossip and the dirty little lives of the elite. LOVE IT.

This book is chalk full of characters, and I mean big characters. We have Biggie, the reincarnation of the true Biggie (but really), and Clare, who reminded me a bit of her namesake from the Breakfast Club, turned up a few hundred notches to account for today’s society, and then Ryder and Mia who have each have their own little line in the story.

If you’re someone who is opposed to the idea of a female being presented as a bitch in any way, shape, or form, you probably won’t like this. It plays off that whole evil high school vibe and owns it, and there are evil plots and bitchiness does ensue. Also, if you don’t like any of the things that I mentioned this story being the love child to, well, again, it may not be for you. It definitely has a certain slant that will not hit everyone’s funny bone, but it totally hit mine, and more.

To top it off, Adam and Jared were so good together. I felt the balance between them and the build up was well done. There are times when I ask for more, or plead, but this time, I’m going to take a line from Clare and pretty much demand it – well, with a please. So please, Anna Martin? Can we have more?

The simple but lovely cover art by Aaron Anderson may not seem to fit the book at first glance, but once you get into the story, this little bug will have a special role in the story. All bets are off on what you can expect out of this.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook & Paperback All Romance (ARe) amazon buy it here

Book Details:

ebook, 234 pages
Published November 24th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press LLC
original title Les faits accomplis
ISBN139781632164728
edition languageEnglish
setting New Harbor, Washington (United States)
Washington (United States)

Love Bleeds Blood Red with Shira Anthony’s Blood and Rain (Blood #1) Book Tour and Contest

Book Name: Blood and Rain (Blood #1)
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Shira Anthony

Q You’ve gone from musicians to mermen to vampires. That’s quite the changeup. What prompted such a wide swing in genres and main characters?

I love just about every sub-genre of gay romance: contemporary, historical, BDSM, supernatural, sci fi, you name it! And really, my first love of reading came from fantasy and sci fi, so the switch from contemporary musicians to vampires isn’t as surprising as you might think. I grew up on Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover series of sword & sorcery books, and I was a total Star Trek and later, Star Wars geek.

Writing in different genres is a great way for me to keep my writing fresh. In fact, I wrote the first book in the Mermen of Ea Series when I felt I needed a break from writing angsty musicians. I had promised my publisher another Blue Notes Series book, and instead I wrote Elizabeth North an email and said I’d like to swap out mermen for musicians. She’s so incredibly cool, she didn’t bat an eye!
Q. What drew you to each romance and couple you wrote about?

In the Blood Series, there are three MM couples, two of whom you meet rather quickly, the third which you discover a bit later in the story. Without spoiling the plot, I can say that I liked the different dynamics of the couples. Romance needs tension and resolution, and these three couples each represent a different sort of tension.

Up front, and the main focus of the story is the pairing of Nicolas Lambert, an ancient vampire, and Adrien Gilbert, a vampire hunter. The appeal here was Adrien’s hatred for vampires and his black and white outlook on things. When he starts to have feelings for Nicolas, it shakes the foundation of his world. He’s forced to rethink his opinions and assumptions.

The other two pairings also have dynamics that lead to some great romantic tension. Charles Duvalier, a vampire, and François Gilbert, Adrien’s brother are like sunshine and gloom. Charles feels guilty for turning François into a vampire, and he can’t forgive himself for what he’s done in the past. François is bright and curious—Charles’s opposite in so many ways. I love writing that kind of couple.

Without giving the plot away, I can say that the last pairing (I won’t name names here) is all about misunderstandings and the past getting in the way of love. Love lost, and the promise of rekindling that love. Another great way to write tension into a story. The happy ending comes when both men can forgive each other and learn to trust each other again.
Q. What was the inspiration behind Blood and Rain?

There are a few things that inspired me to write the series, including my longtime love of Anne Rice’s vampires, in particular. Add to that mix a few haunting songs that have stuck with me, The Indigo Girls’ “Ghost,” and Evanescence’s “My Immortal,” and my muse took off at a run!

Q How long have you been thinking of writing a vampire couple?

I’ve had this series simmering on the back burner for a few years, and after finishing another Blue Notes Series book, I needed a change of pace, so I trotted out what I’d already written and finally finished the first book in the series. The second book is finished, by the way, and will be released in the spring.

Q. Your favorite vampire in literature?

Louis de Pointe du Lac from Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles! Lestat, the main focus of the books, is fun, but Louis has all the angst and the doubts I love in a fictional character. He’s gentle and conflicted, and he didn’t want to become what he is. I love angst, and Louis has it in spades! Louis, for those who may not know, is the narrator of Interview with the Vampire.

Q. Your favorite vampire in the movies?

Brad Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac in Interview with the Vampire. Although Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman in True Blood also rocks my world!

Q. Do you know how many books you have planned for this series?

Three books in all. Blood and Rain, Blood and Ghosts (Spring, 2015), and Blood and Eternity, which will probably release in late 2015.

Q. You love the water and sailing. Any chance of seeing more sailors or captains in future stories?

I’m just about finished writing the last of the Mermen of Ea series, Running with the Wind, so that’s your next chance to get into the water with me! But you know there will be more sailing and captains at some point after that, as well. We’ll just have to see what genre they decide they want to be!

Q. What’s next for Shira Anthony?

Next up is Blood and Ghosts (Blood #2), which is currently in edits and due out this spring. After that, look for Running with the Wind (Mermen of Ea #3). After that, I’m working on a contemporary romance set in eastern North Carolina with my good friend and fellow Dreamspinner Press author, Cody Kennedy (writing under his adult pseudo, Aisling Mancy). Beyond that, look for the last Blood Series book, and maybe another Blue Notes novel. We’ll see!

Thanks for hosting me today, Melanie and crew! It’s been a pleasure, as always. -Shira

Author Bio:

Shira Anthony was a professional opera singer in her last incarnation, performing roles in such operas as Tosca, Pagliacci, and La Traviata, among others. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle.   Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs, and when she’s not writing, she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 35’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel.

Author Contact:

Shira can be found on: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shira.anthony 
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4641776.Shira_Anthony
Twitter: @WriterShira
Website: http://www.shiraanthony.com
E-mail: shiraanthony@hotmail.com

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook All Romance (ARe)

Blood and Rain Blurb:

Blood: Book One   Adrien Gilbert has spent several lifetimes searching for the love he lost. Born in the 1800s into a clan of fabled vampire hunters, Adrien once wanted nothing more than to tend his family’s vineyard in southern France or read a good book. But Adrien’s peaceful existence ends abruptly when his older brother, François, is murdered. Bound by his hunter’s oath, Adrien sets out on a path that will forever change his life when he agrees to execute his brother’s killer, the vampire Charles Duvalier.   After months chasing the elusive Charles, Adrien reluctantly makes a bargain with Nicolas Lambert, an ancient vampire. Adrien will escort Nicolas to Paris for his marriage to a rival clanswoman, and Nicolas will help Adrien find Charles. Nicolas’s quiet strength and gentle heart soon convince Adrien that Nicolas is nothing like the vampires he has sworn to destroy. As the wedding date draws nearer, a force intent on destroying the fragile peace between the vampire clans threatens to tear apart both the vampire realm and the world of the hunters. To secure both past and future for those he loves, Adrien must find a way to stop the looming war between hunters and vampires. But first he’ll have to let Nicolas go.

Categories: Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Vampires, Historical, M/M Romance, Romance, Paranormal

Blood and Rain Excerpt:

Adrien licked the skin of Cole’s neck, feeling the blood pulse there, hearing it call to him. Cole tilted his head in anticipation, opening himself to Adrien.

Adrien buried his teeth in Cole’s skin. Blood flooded his mouth and danced on his tongue, sweet and salty.

Too long. His body was far more vampire-like in its craving for blood than when he’d first been given the gift of an ancient vampire’s soul. He wondered if it was the same for other immortals.

Adrien tried to ignore the images that flashed through his mind—the sound of silvery laughter, a mother’s loving caress. Cole’s memories. Adrien despised this forced intimacy, but he’d come to see it as the price of blood. Something to be tolerated.

It hadn’t always been that way. When he’d shared Nicolas’s blood, Adrien had experienced great joy. He’d seen himself through Nicolas’s eyes and felt the depth of Nicolas’s love. Each drop of that precious liquid had opened new doors. Each taste offered insight into Nicolas’s heart and soul. A beloved memory. A mystery—the mystery of Nicolas—unfolding with every swallow.

Adrien drank his fill, then claimed Cole’s mouth. This kind of contact he could stomach. He didn’t need sex to survive, but he enjoyed the release. Cole unbuttoned Adrien’s black silk shirt and his cock swelled against Adrien’s thigh. Adrien moaned as Cole skated his fingertips over his chest.

“I have never known a hunter to crave blood,” Cole whispered in his ear. “I thought only we experienced the bloodlust.”

“You were wrong,” Adrien said as he pulled Cole’s shirt over his head and mouthed a pretty pink nipple. Sex was always better after he fed, and Adrien’s cock was already hard at the thought of fucking such a lovely ass. He drew Cole’s body against his, walked backward into the living room, and pulled Cole with him onto the rug. Soon they were naked and he was no longer a hunter or an immortal, he was simply a man, seeking release, seeking pleasure.

For at least an hour after, Adrien lay on the floor and allowed the night air to caress his bare skin. He closed his eyes and dozed.

“Adrien.”

The voice awakened him. Nicolas’s voice again. Why sleep if it only served to reawaken the pain he sought to suppress?

He stood and pulled on his jeans. He walked onto the balcony in his bare feet, then climbed to the roof of the penthouse.

Pathetic.

Having reached the edge, he spread his arms. He leaned forward and fell unimpeded, riding the wind like a sigh. The glass of the building sailed by him, the breeze buffeting his face. He hit the water and sank into the cold blackness. He wished he could die.

Pages: 280

Tour Dates:/Tour Stops:

15-Dec

Joyfully Jay

16-Dec

Prism Book Alliance

17-Dec

Rebecca Cohen Writes

Rainbow Gold Reviews

18-Dec

Love Bytes

19-Dec

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

22-Dec

Amanda C. Stone

23-Dec

Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

24-Dec

Emotion in Motion

25-Dec

Molly Lolly

26-Dec

Book Suburbia

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: Handmade “Blood and Rain” unisex pendant from artist Martin Brodour.

$10 Dreamspinner Press Gift Certificate. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided for the entry form and for all additional contest details.

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Time to Go Nuts with Jackie Nacht’s A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas! (book tour and contest)

Book Name: A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas
Goodreads Link
Author Name: Jackie Nacht

Author Bio:

Short, sexy and sweet— where a little love goes a long way.

That’s the best way to describe Jackie Nacht’s stories. She was introduced to M/M Romance through her sister, Stephani, and read it for years. Then, she thought it was time to put her own stories on paper. Jackie began writing short and sweet stories that ended with a happily ever after.

Thinking back to her own book addiction, where there were many nights Jackie stayed up way too late so she could read just one more chapter— yeah, right— Jackie decided to write short romances for young adults as well as adults. Hopefully, they will give high school and college students, or working men and women something they can read during their lunch hour, in between classes or just when they want to briefly get away from the daily stresses of everyday life.

Where to find the author:

Website: http://www.jackienacht.com
Blog: htttp://www.jackienacht.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackie.nacht?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieNacht

Publisher: MLR Press
Cover Artist: Zathyn Priest

Sales Links: MLR Press LLC

A Paranormal Chipmunk Christmas Blurb:

It’s time for the chipmunk brothers to take their bear and wolf home to meet the family for the holidays.

A vicious horde of chipmunks? Dallas and Gunner knew that meeting their mate’s family wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. How could it be when they had eighteen brothers and sisters? This bear and wolf are about to be put to the test, surviving this family holiday. Will they be able to escape just the four of them or will they be taking some of the siblings back to White Pine…involuntarily?
Categories: Holiday, Paranormal, Contemporary

Excerpt: Chapter One

Gunner gripped the armrest, stale air brushing over his face from the tiny fan above. He fucking hated to fly, he really did, but the destination was well worth it in the end. His mate, Phillip, sat next to him, smiling out the window as they flew toward Atlanta. Phillip and Nikko had grown up there and their mother had invited him and Dallas to spend the holidays with them. Gunner was all too excited to meet the family of his mate. Phillip talked about them often and Skyped with them frequently. Gunner had talked to a few of them, but he had a feeling that he was ill prepared for meeting eighteen of Phillip’s brothers and sisters.

The plane tilted, and Gunner blew out a breath, feeling his stomach churn, his eyes frantically searching for the tiny bag in the pouch in front of him but coming up empty. The seats had seen better days, and he focused on the tear in the corner of the seat in front of him until the plane leveled off, praying he didn’t throw up in his mate’s lap.

A hand touched Gunner’s sweaty one, and he glanced over at Phillip, who eyed him with concern. “Didn’t you take the Dramamine?”

Gunner swallowed thickly. “I took three.”

“Three!” Phillip shouted in alarm, turning toward him. “You’re supposed to take one, no more than two.”

“I thought…” I was going to crash and die. “Being a bigger guy, it wouldn’t work, and it hasn’t.”

“When did you take it?” Phillip placed his soft hands to his forehead. Silly chipmunk, Gunner wasn’t running a fever, just feeling the effects of motion sickness and fear take hold of him. He might be a bit clammy, but hot he was not.

“Right before we took off, and I’m a big guy. It goes by weight.” Gunner blew out a quivering breath.

Phillip was staring at him, shaking his head as if he’d lost his damn mind. “You’re a doctor…”

“Dentist,” Gunner interrupted.

“You know better. This is going to knock you on your ass,” Phillip hissed at him. Gunner wasn’t sure what Phillip was worried about. His mate should be reading the damn emergency brochure because they were starting to have turbulence.

Oh shit! We’re gonna die!

Nikko stared at them from across the aisle. “What the hell is your problem? It’s not that bad.”

Not that bad.

He was going launch himself out of the seat and choke his brother-in-law. That is if he could unglue his hands from the armrest. Like the pieces of plastic would save him if they plummeted to their death, but the grips were a damn security blanket for him right now, so screw it.

Dallas shook his head from next to Nikko. “He hates to fly.”

“Well, it’s all fun and games until we’re dragging his ass all over Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. You know how big that airport is. Did you hear how much motion sickness medicine he took?” Nikko tattled on him to Dallas.

“They have a train,” Phillip defended him.

Nikko gave his brother an incredulous stare. “Then you carry him to the train yourself. By the time you’re through, you’ll look like fucking road kill.”

Tour Dates: December 19th, 2014

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Gaylist Book Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Tara Lain, My Fiction Nook, Christy Loves To Read, MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Velvet Panic, The Hat Party, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Love Bytes, Queer Town Abbey, Fallen Angel Reviews, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Havan Fellows, Nephylim, Up All Night, Read All Day, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the link provided for the entry form and for all additional contest details.

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A Sammy Review: Thunder Snow by Owen Keehnen

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Jim Franklin lives a life in the closet. With no real connections, he seems to drift as the wind blows him. Where he ends up this time is at Windsor college. He’s got a girlfriend and friends, and while life may not be all butterflies and roses, it’s good enough.

A romantic literature class places Jim and Glenn Martin in each others paths. Glenn is a live-in boyfriend of a rich man. He came from nothing, and now he’ll do anything to hold on to what he’s got.

Snowy nights and alcohol bring them together, but could they also drive them apart?

For the longest time I had trouble distinguishing between a showing narrative and telling one, but this story is the perfect example of full-fledged telling. Actual dialogue is rare and discussions are often summarized. To make matters worse, there’s no clear point of view, and the story lacks heart.

Within the first few pages I was bored. I didn’t get to know any of the characters, they were all just kind of there. In the end, I didn’t really care what happened to them, but that didn’t stop me from being taken aback with the final chapters. Could the way this ended be more realistic? Absolutely – but the fact is that, like everything else, it was glossed over so easily and without much thought, that it had no effect other than to irritate me.

There was a point in the story where I felt like I was reading the script of a bad soap opera, and I’m sad to say that that’s the impression this book left on me.

So why two stars? Well, there’s a few reasons. The cover art by Wilde City Press is great. It fits the story and was what lured me into reading it in the first place. Secondly, the author must’ve put some effort into the story, even if it didn’t connect with me. And finally, I truly believe that the author has potential. There were some words put together that were lovely, and if you read the bio, it sounds like maybe this author is better placed in a different type of writing – something that isn’t gay fiction for the current M/M fan base. Still, I thank the author for writing the story, and applaud their effort.

—

Cover artist: Wilde City Press. Just lovely, see comments above.

Sales Links: Wilde City Press ARe amazon Thunder Snow

Book Details:

Published by Wilde City Press

Release date: 29 October 2014
ISBN: 978-1-925180-58-9
Category: Gay Romance, Erotic, Romantic
Number of words: 15,000
Formats available: ebook only

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