LJ Hayward on 1% Inspiration and her new release Where Death Meets the Devil (guest blog and giveaway)

Where Death Meets the Devil by L.J. Hayward
Riptide Publishing

Cover art by: L.C. Chase

Read an Excerpt/Buy It Here at Riptide Publishing

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host L.J. Hayward today on tour for her new story Where Death Meets the Devil. Welcome, L.J.

♦︎

1% Inspiration? by L. J. Hayward

Most writers claim to hate the old “Where do you find your inspiration?” question. Personally, I love to talk about my thought processes and progression and, yes, inspiration, for my stories. My problem is finding anyone to ask the question who is also willing to listen to me ramble. I’ll promise not to ramble here.

Inspiration for Where Death Meets the Devil wasn’t a single ‘eureka’ moment. I bet few ‘inspiring’ events are. Rather, I think of it as a catalyst. That often indescribable thing that lets a bunch of random thoughts coalesce into a workable idea. For me, all my random ideas were centred around wanting to write an M/M book but feeling incapable of producing a romance novel. One of my all-time favourite M/M series is Manna Francis’s Administration and its distinct characters. I’m also a proud Aussie and while I do get immersed in stories set in the USA and UK, I want to see more stuff set in Australia.

All these things clicked into place with the single thought, what does Australia have an abundance of? Empty land that can be deadly.

Suddenly, I had a setting. The middle of the desert, a dangerous place to be alone. But what if you weren’t alone? What if you weren’t sure if the man with you was friend or foe? What if he happened to be so intriguing you began to forget your doubts? Around these questions, the rest of the story began to take shape.

Hi all!! Welcome to my inaugural blog tour. I’m incredibly excited to be here, introducing you to my new book, Where Death Meets the Devil!! It’s full of action and suspense and two damaged men who shouldn’t be friends—or more—coming together to uncover a common enemy—and more. I’d love to have you join me on the tour where I’ll be dorking… ah hem, talking about the importance of titles, the dangers of research, theme songs and other stuff. And if watching while I potentially embarrass myself isn’t enticement enough, there’s a chance to win a $10 Riptide gift card!

About Where Death Meets the Devil

Jack Reardon, former SAS soldier and current Australian Meta-State asset, has seen some messy battles. But “messy” takes on a whole new meaning when he finds himself tied to a chair in a torture shack, his cover blown wide open, all thanks to notorious killer-for-hire Ethan Blade.

Blade is everything Jack doesn’t believe in: remorseless, detached, lawless. Yet, Jack’s only chance to survive is to strike a bargain with the devil and join forces with Blade. As they trek across a hostile desert, Jack learns that Blade is much more than a dead-eyed killer—and harder to resist than he should be.

A year later, Jack is home and finally getting his life on track. Then Ethan Blade reappears and throws it all into chaos once more. It’s impossible to trust the assassin, especially when his presence casts doubts on Jack’s loyalty to his country, but Jack cannot ignore what Blade’s return means: the mess that brought them together is far from over, and Ethan might just bring back the piece of Jack’s soul he thought he’d lost forever.

Available now from Riptide Publishing!

About L.J. Hayward

L.J. Hayward has been telling stories for most of her life. Granted, a good deal of them have been of the tall variety, but who’s counting? Parents and teachers notwithstanding, of course. These days, the vast majority of her story telling has been in an honest attempt to create fun and exciting ways of entertaining others (and making money).

As such, she is still a mad (always provoked!) scientist in a dungeon laboratory (it has no windows—seriously, the zombie apocalypse could be going on outside and she’d have nary a clue) who, on the rare occasions she emerges into the light, does so under extreme protest and with the potential hazard of bursting into flames under the Southeast Queensland sun.

Connect with L.J.:

● Webiste: http://www.ljhayward.com/

● Twitter: @lj_hayward

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Where Death Meets the Devil, one lucky winner will receive a $10 Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on March 3, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

A Lila Audiobook Review: Off the Beaten Path by Cari Z. and Jack Wesley (Narrator)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

When Ward Johannsen’s little girl Ava shifted into a werewolf, she was taken into custody by the feds and shipped off to the nearest pack, all ties between father and daughter severed. Ward burned every bridge he had discovering her location, and then almost froze to death in the Colorado mountains tracking her new pack down. And that’s just the beginning of his struggle.

Henry Dormer is an alpha werewolf and an elite black ops soldier who failed his last mission. He returns home, hoping for some time to recuperate and help settle the pack’s newest member, a little pup named Ava who can’t shift back to her human form. Instead he meets Ward, who refuses to leave his daughter without a fight. The two men are as different as night and day, but their respect for each other strikes a spark of mutual interest that quickly grows into a flame. They might find something special together—love, passion, and even a family—if they can survive trigger-happy pack guardians, violent werewolf politics, and meddling government agencies that are just as likely to get their alpha soldiers killed as bring them home safely.

Off The Beaten Path is one of the best stories I have read or listened to this year. The actual plot, characters, and settings were fresh and interesting even when it was a shifter story. The world-build goes hand-in-hand with the current time and it’s easy to imagine this semi-dystopian place where werewolves are part of everyday society.

The pacing in the story gives the reader enough information about where the story was heading without missing the opportunity to include small details like smells and the weather. Even the type of cars, electronics, and clothes played an important role without weighting the story down.

The only thing I wanted more of were details about the pack’s life after everything was set and done. How everything changed and how everyone reacted. How they dealt with the changes and the new work—if any—the alphas got assigned.

Overall, this is a perfect story for those who want something different. It has a lovely romance, the right about of smexy times, a lot of flirting, angsts, and drama without taking from the tension and the serious side of the plot. It has great balance and a hit of humor.

The narration by Jack Wesley gave the book the extra push needed to make it four dimensional. It was more than then narration, it was the whole production. From the characterizations to the distinctions when the scenes took place outside or over the phone. Even the video calls had their own distinct feel. It was worth listening to it.

The cover by Brooke Albrecht shows Ward and Henry in front of a setting that matches the story’s descriptions. It really works.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Jack Wesley

Length: 6 hours 23 minutes

Published: January 12, 2018 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B078Y8KP96
Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: Alpha Dragon: Bronaz by Kellan Larkin and Kaz Crowley

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Bronaz has a family in his best friends at Treasured Ink, the dragon-owned tattoo shop, and a job he loves. But since his twin brother’s death years ago, he’s been reluctant to open himself to anyone—which is hard when he meets his fated mate.

Omega Kuras wants to meet his fated mate and have a baby more than anything. But time is running out, and dating apps aren’t any help. When he meets Bronaz, he’s overjoyed. But what if Bronaz doesn’t feel the same way?

Meanwhile, the dragons of Treasured Ink investigate a dangerous organization targeting mythical shifters. After a friend’s sister is kidnapped by the organization, Bronaz vows to find her—so his friend doesn’t suffer the same fate he did.

As Kuras pushes, Bronaz pulls. Bronaz realizes he can’t ignore the bond pulling them together, but he can’t get hurt again. That’s what love brings. But Kuras is determined to show him love can bring healing too—and that it’s worth everything.

The two have to learn to work together if they’re going to be fated mates. But can Kuras help heal Bronaz’s heart? And will they find the kidnapped shifter before it’s too late?

Kuras spends his days helping pregnant humans and omegas adjust to their pregnancies all while dreaming of his own someday. Bronaz doesn’t seem to want to make up his mind about their mating and pulls Kuras close just to push him away later.

In this book we go deeper into the mystery that began in the first book and even find some more about the people causing trouble but there is more to be done to fix the problems. This book had the alpha doing the push and pull instead of the omega like the last book. I just can’t help but feel like there is something missing from the stories and they end right after the characters fulfill their mating, there just isn’t much about them actually working through their relationship past accepting the mating.

The cover art is nice and continues to follow the pattern for the series.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 145 pages

Publication: February 16, 2018

Edition Language: English

Series: Treasured Ink #3

Gay Superheroes and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Gay Superheroes

Last week I started off the discussion of LGBT Superheroes because of the new film Black Panther and the colossal response that’s its engendered, due in no small part to representation. Of course it helps that its an outstanding movie too. But people of color are seeing themselves represented in a major motion picture in a way that they’ve never seen before and perhaps never been possible before. Its origin? A comic called Black Panther.

I don’t think you can underestimate the power of seeing yourself represented…in a book, graphic or not, or on a screen, small or large. The above section of a comic book panel belongs to a long running comic book called Life with Archie. Here’s the full cover:

Amazing isn’t it. More and more of the regular comics introduced gay characters or had characters come “out of the closet” in recent years. Anyone remember seeing this Green Lantern panel?

And while the “mainstream” comics have been busy, so have many Quiltbag authors for writing LGBT superhero books and graphic novels. Yes, it turns out there is a burgeoning niche and demand here. We want to see gay superheroes too!

Some of the ones I love?

Katey Hawthorne’s Superpowered Love series (up to eight books now)
Andrea Speed’s Infected Series (Roan) up to eight books minus the connected series
Light by Nathan Burgoine
Panopolis by Cari Z

Here are some of the wonderful Gay Superhero Recommendations from all of you:

From Jen:

Here are some that I found:
KIM & KIM https://www.comixology.com/Kim-Kim-1/digital-comic/396452
MIDNIGHTER & APOLLO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnighter_and_Apollo
AMERICA CHAVEZ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_America_(America_Chavez)

And here’s one that I read. It is not quite traditional superheroes, but the kids do battle bad things with magic. MAGIC BOY BASIL https://magicalboybasil.com

From Purple Reader:

Oh boy, now we’re talkin’! I’ll be seeing BP this week, and now you are stoking my love of superheroes even more. I’m looking forward to see what others rec. There’s some fanfic that is decent, as well, as well as gay sidekicks (and then there’s separating out paranormal powers from superhero stories), but here are ones with gay MCs that I’ve read and enjoyed over the years:

– QUEEROES by Bereznai – light-hearted look at gay teens w/ powers. My first such story – me: “What?! There are gay superheroes?!” *faints*.
– HERO by Moore – misfit group of teen superheroes.
– MASKS series by Thorne – another team of YA superheros, still enjoyable.
– BROKEN HEROS series by Perdita – now how about some college superheroes.
– FIERCE by Rosen – or a nerdy college freshman.
– PANOPOLIS series by Cari Z – creative take that has you rooting for the villain.
– WAYNE OF GOTHAM by Hickman – Not the best, but decent for me – it’s a gay Dark Knight after all.
– KING CAGE series by Mike Stop Continues – new & offbeat; urban graffiti superhero.

Ami

I think Roan and Holden from “INFECTED” series by Andrea Speed to be LGBTQ superheroes :). I admit I don’t follow comic. Not my cup of tea. So I don’t know much about LGBTQ superhero in comic unless they’re being turned into movie

Moondrawn

Deadpool is pansexual. His kiss in 2009 with gay superhero Rictor was the first same-sex kiss in a mainstream Marvel comic. The movie Deadpool 2 will feature a bisexual and polyamorous superhero!

I love this thread and our recommendations and Giveaway continues until March 3rd!

It’s our LGBTQIA Superhero Hunt Giveaway!

Find stories and LGBTQIA Superheroes! We will give you all the entire month that’s left. Must be superhero stories, can be graphic novels (comics). Giveaway ends March 3 at midnight. Gift certificates will be given away! Must be 18 years of age or older. Let the hunt begin!

And the winner of our Valentine’s Day Giveaway is announced at the very end of today’s blog. Don’t miss it!

LGBTQIA Superhero Lists You May Not Be Aware Of!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, February 25:

Perfect by Felice Stevens Release Day Blitz
RELEASE BLITZ for Captive Hearts (Deviant Hearts #1) by A E Ryecart LILY RECEIVED (2 emails)
Gay Superheroes and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, February 26:

Bite Me by Beth Bolden BLOG TOUR
Blog Post- Katze Snow – Demons & Wolves Series
Release Blitz – Closets Are For Clothes – Addison Albright
RELEASE BLITZ FORSAKEN by J.R. Gray
A Lila Audiobook Review: Off the Beaten Path by Cari Z. and Jack Wesley (Narrator)
A Stella Review: Bite Me by Beth Bolden
An Alisa Review: Alpha Dragon: Bronaz by Kellan Larkin and Kaz Crowley

Tuesday, February 27:

RIPTIDE TOUR Where Death Meets the Devil by LJ Hayward
Release Blitz – Bitten By The Alpha (Regent’s Park Pack #4) by Annabelle Jacobs
NDIGO BLITZ A Matter of Justice by J.C. Long
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: Exodus ( Heaven Corp #2) by CC Bridges
A MelanieM PreRelease Review: Apocalypse Alley (Blue Unicorn #2) by Don Allmon
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Camp H.O.W.L. by Bru Baker and Dorian Bane (Narrator)

Wednesday, February 28:

BLOG TOUR FORSAKEN by J.R. Gray
DSP Publications Promo Sean Michael
Release Blitz RJ Scott – Winter Cowboy
A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Runner by Parker Williams and Patrick Zeller (Narrator)
A Stella Review :New Heights by Quinn Anderson
An Alisa Review: Say Cheese by Michael P. Thomas

Thursday, March 1:

Release Blitz – Room For Recovery – DJ Jamison
DSP Publications Promo Chris E. Saros
BLOG TOUR Found (Hamilton’s Heroes #1) by Annabella Michaels
A Free Dreamer Review: Celestia by J.D Evergreen
An Stella Release Day Review: Touch by Remmy Duchene

Friday, March 2:

Review Tour – Jay Northcote – Pretty In Pink S
DSP GUEST POST BG Thomas
Hurri Cosmo – Ghost Wolf – Virtual Book Tour
Riptide Tour and Giveaway: Apocalypse Alley by Don Allmon
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review : Pretty In Pink by Jay Northcote
A MelanieM Review: Where Death Meets the Devil by LJ Hayward
An Alisa Release Day Review: Touch by Remmy Duchene

Saturday, March 3:

Ever After by Riley Hart & Christina Lee Release Day Blitz
Release Blitz CLOSER by F.E. Feeley Jr.

💘

Valentine’s Day Giveaway Winner is H.B.! Congratulations, H.B. Contact Stella at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com and she will arrange to get your gift card to you.

A Lila Audiobook Review: Ante Up by Kim Fielding and Narrator: Andrew McFerrin

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Love is a high-stakes game.

A century and a half ago, Ante Novak died on a Croatian battlefield—and rose three days later as a vampire. Now he haunts Las Vegas, stealing blood and money from drunken gamblers and staying on the fringe of the powerful vampire organization known as the Shadows. His existence feels empty and meaningless until he meets beautiful Peter Gehrardi, who can influence others with his thoughts.

An attraction flares instantly, bringing a semblance of life to Ante’s dead heart. But the Shadows want Peter too, and they’re willing to kill to get him. As Ante and Peter flee, they learn more about themselves and each other, and they discover that the world is a stranger place than either of them imagined. With enemies at their heels and old mistakes coming back to exact a price, how can Ante and Peter find sanctuary?

Ante Up is a different type of paranormal story. When the majority of the characters are vampires, not all the traditional troupes are followed. I enjoyed those differences and Ante’s Croatian background. The number of details worked well for the story and added to its depth.

The author did a nice job making Ante unique. He’s not the traditionally rich, alpha vampire with a legion at his feet. He’s a down the mill hustler whose only worry is where to be at sunrise. He’s comfortable living in the fridges and doesn’t believe in causing harm to survive. Most of the men he feeds from are as lonely as he is, and their times together are beneficial for both of them.

Enters Peter to change Ante’s organized life. With his quick charm and good looks, he brings out Ante’s curiosity. He’s not sure about his heritage or his powers but he tries to keep both under wraps. Just like Ante, he’s not the traditional hero, but it works for them.

The more time they spend together, the more they discover about themselves and other paranormals. The descriptions, settings, and new characters are interesting and only added to the plot.

The meeting and battle at the end felt a bit rushed. After so many details, it was unexpected to have such a simple resolution. Overall, it’s a good story if you are looking for more than sparkling vampires.

The narration by Andrew McFerrin worked well with the story. The characters came to life and he showed Ante’s slight accent.

The Cover by Aaron Anderson follows the Dreamspun Beyond style and has a depiction of Ante.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon | Audible

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Andrew McFerrin

Length: 5 hours 52 minutes

Published: January 12, 2018 (Audio Edition) by Dreamspinner Press
ASIN: B078YC6477
Edition Language: English

KA Mitchell on Characters, Writing and her story Bad Boyfriend (Bad in Baltimore #2) (author guest post)

Bad Boyfriend (Bad in Baltimore #2) by K.A. Mitchell
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art:Kanaxa

Buy Links: Google Books | Dreamspinner Press | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have KA Mitchell here today talking about Bad Boyfriends. Welcome, KA!

✒︎

Hi again!

Thank you so much for having me back to talk about writing. I love answering interview questions (the only thing that’s more fun is when someone interviews my characters!).

I know I answered a ton of them last time, so I’m just going to answer a few here.

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

I don’t have a favorite, honest. There are always books and characters who are easier to revisit, but I believe firmly in loving the one you’re with. My favorite is almost always the book I’m working on now with the next one I plan to work on a close second. It’s kind of like having a wife and a mistress. You love the story you committed to, but sometimes you’ve been together so long you start looking at something sexy on the horizon. But I always go back to my commitment. Until after edits do us part.

My readers, on the other hand, often email or talk to me about favorites (Thank you, readers!) and Bad Boyfriend is definitely a favorite of readers. Readers like to tell me that Peter is irredeemable scum and that they love Eli and Quinn. I’m thrilled that their story has stayed with readers for the past few years, and I’m excited to share them with new readers.

If you could imagine the best possible place for you to write, where would that be and why?

I announced my career intention as authoress at the ripe old age of six. (I was very into gendered suffixes at the time.) I didn’t really know what they did except made books. As I got older, the career never lost appeal. I always envisioned myself typing away in some cozy mountain cabin with a view of the lake. (I don’t know what lake, but it’s really picturesque.) In reality though, I love writing everywhere. I love when the words come so fast and good I have to write them down: at the beach, in line at Walt Disney World, in a meeting, at four a.m., and even in cardiac ICU (my dad was in surgery but the characters were talking). The best possible place to write may be that cabin (I don’t know, I’m still waiting to get there), but right now it’s wherever the words are flowing.

With so much going on in the world today, do you write to explain? To get away? To move past? To widen our knowledge? Why do you write?

I write to be read. By me and hopefully by readers. I write stories I want to read. I’ve always made up stories. I can’t imagine life without them. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have imaginary friends and some alternate reality going on in my head. (If that makes me a little—or a lot—crazy, I’m fine with that.) I need to have a bedtime story to tell myself, it’s usually a scene I’m working on, or I can’t fall asleep. Why I write is because I love it. But sometimes, there’s a character who absolutely grabs me and will not stop until I tell his story. That can be an exciting ride and lead to sleepless nights, even without a looming deadline. I find myself jerking awake in bed and when I grab pen and paper in the middle of the night my wife says, “Tell the boys to be quiet. It’s bedtime.”

Tl;dr. I write because being in a story is the best thing ever.

Bad Boyfriend

A Bad in Baltimore Story

Bad in Baltimore: Book Two

Causing trouble has never been more fun.

Eli Wright doesn’t follow anyone’s rules. When he was seventeen, his parents threw him out of the house for being gay. He’s been making his own way for the past five years and he’s not about to change himself for anyone’s expectations. For now, romance can wait. There are plenty of hot guys to keep him entertained until he finds someone special.

Quinn Maloney kept the peace and his closeted boyfriend’s secrets for ten years. One morning he got a hell of a wake-up along with his coffee. Not only did the boyfriend cheat on him, but he’s marrying the girl he knocked up. Inviting Quinn to the baby’s baptism is the last straw. Quinn’s had enough of gritting his teeth to play nice. His former boyfriend is in for a rude awakening, because Quinn’s not going to sit quietly on the sidelines. In fact, he has the perfect scheme, and he just needs to convince the much younger, eyeliner-wearing guy who winks at him in a bar to help him out.

Eli’s deception is a little too good, and soon he has everyone believing they’re madly in love. In fact, he’s almost got Quinn believing it himself….

K.A. Mitchell

About the Author

K.A. Mitchell discovered the magic of writing at an early age when she learned that a carefully crayoned note of apology sent to the kitchen in a toy truck would earn her a reprieve from banishment to her room. Her career as a spin-control artist was cut short when her family moved to a two-story house and her trucks would not roll safely down the stairs. Around the same time, she decided that Ken and G.I. Joe made a much cuter couple than Ken and Barbie and was perplexed when invitations to play Barbie dropped off. She never stopped making stuff up, though, and was thrilled to find out that people would pay her to do it. Although the men in her stories usually carry more emotional baggage than even LAX can lose in a year, she guarantees they always find their sexy way to a happy ending.

K.A. loves to hear from her readers. You can email her at ka@kamitchell.com. She is often found talking about her imaginary friends on Twitter @ka_mitchell.

Email: ka@kamitchell.com

Twitter: @ka_mitchell

Website: http://www.kamitchell.com

Blog: authorkamitchell.wordpress.com

Tumblr: kamitchellplotbunnyfarm

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Lover, Lover ( Dreamcatchers story) by Liv Olteano

Rating: 3.25 stars out of 5

A Dreamcatchers Tale

Twin souls reunited.

Drew’s always been a fighter: first in martial arts competitions, and now as a dreamcatcher—keeping the people of Seattle safe from spaga attacks that would drain their life force in their sleep. All he has to do to become a full member of Team 32 is complete his first mission.

But the first person he must defend is his ex, Angelo… the only man Drew ever loved, even if he was the one to leave. Drew never got over Angelo, and it seems Angelo might feel the same, despite the heartbreak he suffered at Drew’s hands.

As the chase after a powerful and resourceful caster hits close to home, old feelings resurface. But if Angelo learns of the dreamcatchers, he’ll be a target for the spaga. And how can he trust Drew now that Drew’s keeping bigger secrets than ever?

I’m a fan of Liv Olteano and her Leader Murder series, so I was really looking forward to Lover, Lover, another story in Dreamspinner’s Dreamspun Beyond series. One of the things I notice it mentions is that its a Dreamcatchers tale but I can find no mention of previous stories so I can only assume this is the first of a series.

That might explain several things I noticed about this story. I have always loved Olteano’s worldbuilding. She has a wonderful imagination and pulls from so many different mythologies to construct a fascinating and compelling universe to dive into. In Lover, Lover, she has started to do the same with her Teams of Dreamcatcher fighters and their “boss”. In this case, the foundation is loosely native american, and the author layers upon that her monsters, her fighters (and all the ramifications that comes with acceptance into the Unit,) and above all the amazing arachnid Goddess/Boss/Head of their Region. All this comes complete with training into the Guild, chants, elaborate settings (think gorgeous weblike interiors)….clearly Olteano has given much thought to their construction.

But I still was left wanting more. It’s still all very vague about the spaga, and the other creatures they are chasing and killing. Plus there were holes left about the men’s ages etc. Yes, I needed more information.

So all that attention to world building indicates that Lover, Lover is building up to a series where the other men in the team and story would find their HEA as well, hopefully.

But for me, that left the characterizations of and the romance between Angelo and Drew lacking. I just don’t think the author had enough pages to do both here. Neither Angelo or Drew felt very substantial and because of that, I just was never very invested in their romance. For me, Lady Arachnid (no not her name) was far more interesting and layered a personality then both of them. From her vivid descriptions to her lively airs, she stood out among them all.

Then there was the ending. That resolution of the storyline was so rushed that it made your head spin. No , consider this a case where the world building came to the rescue here because as sweet as the characters were, they just didn’t feel fleshed out, nor was there past history to glomb onto to make you feel you knew them.

Still I’ll look for another story to see if this Dreamcatcher world deepens and what further adventures await the troop. If you like sweet paranormal romance with really no angst you might want to check this one out.

Cover art: Aaron Anderson. I like the cover but it could use more details.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 195 pages
Expected publication: February 20th 2018 by Dreamspinner Press LLC
ISBN139781640801660
Edition LanguageEnglish

BA Tortuga on HEA, Romances, and her latest collection Road Trip Vol 2 (author interview and tour)

Road Trip Vol 2 By BA Tortuga
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza

Release Date: Feb. 16, 2018

Purchase Links: Dreamspinner Press ebook and Paperback

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host BA Tortuga on tour for her latest collection, Road Trip 2. Welcome, BA.

✍

Hey y’all, it’s BA Tortuga, resident redneck and lover of the characters that are cracked.

*grins*

Do you like HFN or HEA? And why?

I am a 100% complete total HEA girl. I believe in forever. I trust in it. And dammit, I want it in my romance.

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

Lord yes. I love historicals, western romance, shifters, contemporaries, menages – you name it, I’ve read it. I started with the bodice rippers of the 70s and never stopped.

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

Weirdly enough, Stephen King. He tells stories the way I want to tell them. Also, my wife, who is my muse. She touches everything I do.

What’s next for you as an author?

Right now I’m writing on an action/adventure called Spaghetti Western. It’s a m/m romp with a bunch of goofy characters and a huge sense of humor.

Much love, y’all.

Blurb

Road Trip Collection

The course of love is a rough ride, but for ecoterrorist MJ, ridge runner Sonny, physicist Paddy, psychic Neil, genetically enhanced English professor Duncan, and the assassin known as Cowboy, the road to romance is a heart-stopping trip—one full of kidnappings, explosions, secret programs, and supersoldiers. They’re an awful ragged bunch to be considered heroes.

Under Pressure

Sonny and MJ’s retirement may be in jeopardy, but at least they’re together on a new boat—with no annoying hostages. Then Cowboy, MJ’s old friend, gets in touch, bringing with him a host of complications, including Professor Duncan, who has ties to the Program. A call for help from Paddy sets them all on a collision course with a deadly specter from the past. As MJ makes his plans, Sonny is shaken by the possibility of losing everything.

Walking on the Sun

Sonny is determined to raise hell to hunt for MJ—problem is, will MJ know anyone, or himself, once they catch up to him? Neil and Paddy are healing but reluctantly join the effort, as Cowboy and Duncan help Sonny prepare for a showdown. Sonny might be ragged, but he’s MJ’s hero, and he is not about to give up on the most important thing in his life, even if it kills him. Will everyone survive the last epic battle, or will they go out in a blaze of glory?

First Edition of Under Pressure published by TOP SHELF: An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers, March 2009.

First Edition of Walking on the Sun published by TOP SHELF: An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers, September 2010.

About BA Tortuga

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds and her beloved wife, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head. Find her on the web at www.batortuga.com

Christine d’Abo on Ringside Romance’s Finale, Losing It (Ringside Romance #4) (Riptide Publishing’s Tour and Giveaway)

Losing It (Ringside Romance #4) by Christine d’Abo
Riptide Publishing
Cover Art: L.C. Chase

Read an Excerpt/Buy It here

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Christine d’Abo here today on tour for Losing It, the last in her Ringside Romances. Welcome, Christine.

✒︎

Hello, my name is Christine d’Abo and I’m so happy to be here today.

All things, no matter how good and loved, must eventually come to an end. When I originally planned to write my Ringside Romance series, it was only going to be three books. But then my lovely Justin came into being and there was no way I could leave this world without giving him his happy ending. So here we are, at the final stop on the journey, with both excitement and a few tears.

Justin’s character was my way of showing myself that every character can be his or her own hero. That we don’t have to be slaves to our circumstances, that given the right motivation and support from those who love us, we can move past our own negativity and become someone more.

Justin thought the person to help him was Grady.

That was because he hadn’t met Finn yet.

By helping Finn find his voice, Justin realizes that there’s more to life, more to himself, than he’d ever realized. I hope you’ll join me for LOSING IT, the final tale in the world of the Ringside Gym, where even the most unlikely of heroes can find his happily ever after.

About Losing It

Finn Miller doesn’t do social. He works his IT job from home as often as he can to avoid people. If it weren’t for his weekly training sessions at Ringside Gym, he might never leave his apartment. And he only does that because of Leo, the gym member he’s in love with. When Finn gets talked into attending a speed dating fund-raiser at the gym, his greatest wish is to have the courage to try to say something—anything—to Leo.

Justin McCormick has spent most of his adult life being used, whether playing a corporate heavy, or acting as guard dog for his ward. So when he leaves Vancouver for a fresh start in Toronto, he doesn’t quite know what to do with himself.

The moment Justin sees Finn at a speed dating event, he knows there’s no way he’ll make it without a little help, so he offers to coach Finn on the art of conversation. What he doesn’t count on is his unexpected attraction to this shy boxer, or his fear that if Finn gets his way, Justin might lose out on his best chance at love.

Available now from Riptide Publishing!

About Ringside Romance

Deep in the heart of Toronto lies Ringside Gym. Once a safe haven for troubled teens, Ringside has gone derelict, a forgotten memory of past days. Until a group of friends set out to do what they can to bring life back to the ring and create a new home for LGBT youths.

But when their lives threaten to pull down their dreams, each man must turn to others to help make it a reality. Winners take all—but there are no losers in love.

Check out the Ringside Romance universe!

About Christine d’Abo

A romance novelist and short story writer, Christine has over thirty publications to her name. She loves to exercise and stops writing just long enough to keep her body in motion too. When she’s not pretending to be a ninja in her basement, she’s most likely spending time with her family and two dogs.

You can visit Christine at her website www.christinedabo.com, and chat with her on Facebook and Twitter. Want to keep up with Christine’s new releases? Sign up for her newsletter and receive a free book!

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Losing It, one lucky winner will receive a $25 Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on February 24, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

An Alisa Audiobook Review: The Soldati Prince (Soldati Hearts #1) by Charlie Cochet and Narrator: Manuel Pombo

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

One moment Riley Murrough is living a normal life working in a coffee shop, and the next he’s running for his life from demons, learns he bears the mark of a shape-shifter king from a magical realm, and—worst of all—he’s destined to become the mated prince to the arrogant tiger shifter he would rather strangle.

Khalon, the shifter king, is equally distraught at the idea of being bound to a human prince, and along with his Soldati warriors, he sets out to return Riley to his own world where he belongs. On their journey they might discover why the priestess brought them together—if they can escape the demons and make it to her alive.

I didn’t really know what to expect going into this story but I did enjoy it. Khalon is appalled at the idea of mating with a human and he does not disguise this while Riley is just trying to figure out what is going on.

Khalon pretty much just acts like a spoiled brat to Riley and their situation. Even when Riley sees the sweet side of him it’s hard to really start to like him. I could feel Riley’s confusion about the situation and what would you expect but those around him seemed to think he needed to adapt faster. The characters started to grow on me some more as the story went on.

Manuel Pombo did a nice job narrating this story. I could get a feel of the characters’ emotions while listening. The different voices he used for the characters helped me keep up with what was going on.

I love the cover art by LC Chase is nice and seems to work well for this story.

Sales Links: Audible | Amazon | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook, 3 hrs 27 min
Published: January 10, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
Edition Language: English

Series: Soldati Hearts #1

Where Death Meets the Devil by L.J. Hayward Riptide Publishing

Cover art by: L.C. Chase

Giveaway

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Gay Superheroes

Some of the ones I love?

Here are some of the wonderful Gay Superhero Recommendations from all of you:

Moondrawn

LGBTQIA Superhero Lists You May Not Be Aware Of!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, February 25:

Monday, February 26:

Tuesday, February 27:

Wednesday, February 28:

Thursday, March 1:

Friday, March 2:

Saturday, March 3:

💘

Valentine’s Day Giveaway Winner is H.B.! Congratulations, H.B. Contact Stella at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com and she will arrange to get your gift card to you.

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Bad Boyfriend (Bad in Baltimore #2) by K.A. Mitchell Dreamspinner Press Cover Art:Kanaxa

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Road Trip Vol 2 By BA Tortuga Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza

Release Date: Feb. 16, 2018

Purchase Links: Dreamspinner Press ebook and Paperback

Blurb

About BA Tortuga

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Losing It (Ringside Romance #4) by Christine d’Abo Riptide Publishing Cover Art: L.C. Chase

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Where Death Meets the Devil by L.J. Hayward
Riptide Publishing

Bad Boyfriend (Bad in Baltimore #2) by K.A. Mitchell
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Art:Kanaxa

Road Trip Vol 2 By BA Tortuga
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza

Losing It (Ringside Romance #4) by Christine d’Abo
Riptide Publishing
Cover Art: L.C. Chase