Coffee Sip and Book Break with ‘Black Lace’ by LJ Hamlin (excerpt and giveaway)

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 Black Lace by L.J. Hamlin
Release Date: November 18, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: Kris Norris

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Blurb

Jed Chance is the lead singer of Black Lace, a very successful rock band. It’s gone through a few lineup changes: first, Jed was outed by a former bandmate, and now they’re looking for another new member. That’s when Donnie comes to audition.

Donnie is ten years younger than Jed, and he’s beautiful, with a complicated past. He instantly gets a crush on Jed, but is afraid to act on it. Still, Jed and Donnie can’t keep away from each other. But getting together isn’t their only problem: Jed has attracted a dangerous stalker, who means to do Jed serious harm.

 

Pages or Words: 36,000 words
Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Mystery, Romance

Excerpt

Reading about yourself on the Internet might be a bad idea — masochistic even — but during the audition break, Jed has the urge to see the latest gossip. He’s found an article that starts with a recap of Black Lace’s history; his history.

Lead singer of Black Lace, Jed Chance, shocked the world when he confirmed that he is, in fact, gay. Rumors started when ex-Black Lace member Bert Goode sold his story about his affair with the married man.

Jed winces, because it hadn’t been that simple, and because Bert’s betrayal still hurts, even though it’s been nine years. Jed skips over the speculation of why he’d played it straight, marrying Jamie Pierce, his now ex-wife and manager.

At the time, it seemed like the scandal would be the end of Black Lace, but two years after they went on “hiatus” the band was back with a new guitarist, and a new attitude. Mrs. Cherry Lee was a welcome addition to the band, and a breath of fresh air. The once great rock band was back again, delivering some memorable music.

But now Cherry Lee has retired from the band to spend more time with her family, having given birth to three children during her seven years in the band. Cherry Lee and the rest of her bandmates all claim to be parting on good terms. But what this reporter wants to know is what will happen to Black Lace now that Cherry Lee is gone.

The band’s record company claims this isn’t the end of Black Lace; there will be another tour soon and even a new album. Who will step into Cherry Lee’s shoes? And will it be the same? Better? Worse? Watch this space.

Buy the book: Torquere Books

RC

Meet the Author

L.J. Hamlin is a twenty-something (getting older every day) author, who has been writing all her life, mainly in notebooks no one else ever saw. Then she discovered M/M groups online and was encouraged by friends to share her stories. After a while (and with a lot of pushing) she grew brave enough to attempt getting published. Now she shares her stories with others and hopes never to stop. L.J. loves cats and pretty much all animals, is a collector of many things, often weird, but most of all books.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Havan Fellows, The Hat Party, A.M. Leibowitz, BFD Book Blog, Divine Magazine, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Bayou Book Junkie, Jessie G. Books, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Chris McHart, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Happily Ever Chapter, 3 Chicks After Dark, Book Lovers 4Ever, Velvet Panic, V’s Reads, MM Good Book Reviews

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Black Lace’ by L.J. Hamlin.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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In Our Book Spotlight: Love In Uniform Anthology with authors Angora Shade, Kay C. Sulli, DC Juris, Jean Wolfe, Shannen Malone, Kassandra Lea, Dale Cameron Lowry, Louise Blaydon, and Aiden McKenna (excerpts and giveaway)

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Authors Name: Editor: Paige Prince. Authors: Angora Shade, Kay C. Sulli,
DC Juris, Jean Wolfe, Shannen Malone, Kassandra Lea, Dale
Cameron Lowry, Louise Blaydon, and Aiden McKenna

Book Name: Love in Uniform Anthology
Release Date: November 11, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: Kris Norris

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Blurb

There’s just something about a man in uniform…whether it’s the delivery man bringing a special package to your door, the airline attendant taking care of your every need, or the cop with a set of handcuffs on his belt and a gleam in his eye, Love in Uniform provides fodder for every fantasy.

The Encounter – Hoping to escape the hot dance floor at a crowded club, a pilot finds himself wandering a dark secluded hallway. He’s pleased to see a table, but he’s startled when a shadow moves. Suddenly face to face with his ideal man candy, the pilot discovers the beauty of strangers and the thrill of sex in public places.

Wishing on the Perseid – Zach Johnson went looking for an adventure in the Rocky Mountains before settling into grad school. Little did he know Park Ranger Ryan Jenkins was exactly what he was looking for.

Special Delivery – An unexpected phone call turns Camden’s boring day off into a potential disaster when he ends up taking his cousin’s delivery shift with Axel, the tattooed hunk he dreams about. But Axel’s got a plan…and a special delivery that’ll leave Camden wanting more.

Westward Avenue Matchmaker – EMT Peter is getting tired of being called to Westward Avenue again and again for Mrs McKinney’s kitchen fires, but the chance to flirt with an attractive fireman makes it all worthwhile.

On the Wing – Traveling the world for work doesn’t leave a lot of time to find love on the ground. But maybe on the wing.

Let it Hurt – All Leo Shelton wanted to do was patch things up with his boyfriend Caleb Hart. When an accident threatens to take it all away the two realize just how much they need one another.

Loggerhead – Soon after they fall in love, Jake makes Eric a promise inspired by an old track uniform. But demanding work schedules at Jake’s four-star restaurant and Eric’s newspaper keep them from following through. Six years later, they take the honeymoon they never had, heading to the Florida coast in search of sea turtles—and rekindling their passion for each other in the process.

The Night Shift – Jonas Kelshiker works the night shift in the Evidence Room at the police depot, where the crimes have become monotonous and the policemen unremarkable – until the night Dan Harris shows up at his window.

Roadside Assistance – When Robert sees flashing lights in his rear view mirror, he doesn’t know just how wild a turn his night is going to take. With the threat of his first speeding ticket imminent, he tries to use his clever mouth to get him out of trouble. But this cop won’t let him get off that easy.

 

Pages or Words: 46,366 words
Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt

“I like this hallway,” he says, turning back to me and placing two hands directly upon me. His fingers flex over my pecs and the tips of his short nails dig playfully into my shirt. He pushes his body square against me, the movements of his breathing mimicking my own surprised and excited rhythm. Bringing his face closer to my ear, he speaks in a teasing whisper. “I prefer my company in the dark.”

I’m a little shocked at his bold and aggressive personality, but I like it. I hate how so many men I’ve been with have played the come-chase-me game, or the, I’m-only-going-to-pretend-I’m-into-you thing. This guy is different; clear intentions. No games. No jokes.

No problem.

I’m about to introduce myself when he pushes me backward against the wall. I hit the brick with a genuine oof of both astonishment and force, and find my hands have shot out around his hard waist. His muscular abs flex under my thumbs, and I feel drowned by his intense gaze.

His breath falls warm against my face. “I think you want what I want.”

What I want… I want this man. Every inch of my body is ready to fly at him, twitching and pushing for release like the stiff nudge of my dick against my government issue boxer briefs. Screw Jay. He’s late and I’m feeling attention starved. I’m single and I don’t want to be.

He looks me up and down, licking his lips. “God, I love a man in uniform.”

-from “The Encounter” by Angora Shade

 

Buy the book: Torquere Books Amazon ~ Are ~ B&N ~ Google Play

RC

Meet the Authors:

Angora Shade: Angora Shade is an American author living in what she lovingly refers to as “Sheep Shit Nowhere” Europe. In an attempt to add some spice to her small town life, Ms. Shade began writing explicit erotica as a form of self-entertainment. Exploring the boundaries of acceptable sexual literature, she often seeks to create stories that not only entertain others, but also expose and push against the negative stigma surrounding sex in modern day society. She believes that sex in literature, art, personal thought, and physical nature, should be celebrated and expressed openly and as easily as any God-given freedom. Her favorite themes in writing include revenge, self-discovery, alternative materials for love play/BDSM, as well as anything that produces a good tingle, sizzle, or laugh. When not writing, Ms. Shade enjoys red wine, travel, dancing, classic cartoons, baking, and creating fine art.

Kay C. Sulli: Kay C. Sulli is a queer asexual writer often found scribbling in the wilderness. She writes from the heart with a passion for history, nature, and the American West.

DC Juris: Romance author, sci-fi fan club Captain, cosplayer, reigning Queen of Monkeyland, and random menace. Yep, we’re talking about DC Juris. She’s a cupcake making, football watching, rubber duck collecting, drag show loving, full of fabulous with a Capital F kinda gal. She’s also an Ordained Minister and an amateur photographer. She lives in Upstate NY with her husband, three dogs, and two cats. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her favorite chair watching “Star Trek” and “Supernatural” repeats on Netflix, or surfing the web for porn. Er…research. Surfing the web for research. She may speak softly but she lives and loves loudly. Just ask the neighbors.

Jean Wolfe: Jean Wolfe would really rather go hide under a rock somewhere than have to fill out author bios.

Dale Cameron Lowry: Dale Cameron Lowry is a writer and editor living in the Midwest with a partner and three irritable cats. This is Dale’s second story for Torquere Press.

Shannen Malone: Shannen Malone is an Irish student studying English, in the second year of her degree. When not scaling the monolith of her required reading list, Shannen can be found in her blanket nest, writing all things queer.

Kassandra Lea: Kassandra Lea has been writing for far longer than she cares to admit. She lies in southern Wisconsin with her mother, a gang of furry little monsters, and a ghost lovingly dubbed Bob.

Louise Blaydon: Louise is an academic, editor and writer. She primarily writes m/m and f/f fiction, and has published a number of novels and novellas and many short stories. She lives in England and has too many cats.

Aiden McKenna: Aiden McKenna is a writer and editor living in the dirty south. When not bent over the writing desk, she enjoys time spent with family on her farm and relaxing on the porch with a strong drink and a good novel.

Where to find the author:

Angora Shade

Kay C Sulli

DC Juris

Jean Wolfe

Dale Cameron Lowry

Shannen Malone

No social media information available

Kassandra Lea

Louise Blaydon

Aiden McKenna


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Havan Fellows, The Hat Party, A.M. Leibowitz, BFD Book Blog, Divine Magazine, Dawn’s Reading Nook, KathyMac Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, Jessie G. Books. Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Chris McHart, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Happily Ever Chapter, Book Lovers 4Ever, Velvet Panic, V’s Reads, MM Good Book Reviews

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of the anthology, must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the authors and  Pride Promotions.  

 

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WillPride

It’s Thanksgiving In the US and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

 

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This week is one in the US where we take stock and give thanks.  The end of the year is getting closer and we will have a year in review in December. But 2015 has been pretty remarkable and I have plenty to be grateful for, only some of which I will talk about here.

I am thankful for all the wonderful reviewers that have come to read and review here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words, and we have gained quite a few this year.  Our perspectives on books have grown, we’ve brought in more authors and countries.  My own TBR list now resembles something like Santa’s…long and winding because of all the new books and authors our reviewers have brought to my attention and hopefully yours.

We’ve brought new original blogs online.  Paul’s Paranormal Portfolio and Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Word’s Author Discovery, YA Saturday, M/M First Line Quizzes, whatever comes to mind, our group of reviewers seem to chime in with great ideas and new possibilities for our blog.  I love that!  And yes, grow we will (channeling my inner Yoda).

To my Reviewers! Thank you in no particular order, Barb the Zany Old Lady, Sammy, Paul B, BJ, Mika, Stella, F. D., Jeri, Wynter, Ali, and Aurora.  To totally embarrass you all.  Wild things! You make my heart sing, you make everything groovy..and this blog wouldn’t work without you all and your wonderful contributions.  Mwah!

To Our Readers! I’m thankful for all you readers who follow us on here, on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and wherever else we land.  We love our books, its why we write our reviews. We write them for our readers, for you. So please keep your comments coming.  We love to hear them.  And if you think there is a author out there for us, suggest them to us too!

 

 

Whew!  Like those Academy  Awards, I think I hear the music and its telling me to stop now, pleases stop!  Almost done.

Last Saturday, we started our November M/M First Line Quiz.  You have 1 more week to find the answers and send them in if you want to win the prize.  Get going!  Here is the link.

Everyone who celebrates have a safe and happy Thanksgiving in the United States and for all the expats abroad.

Now for this weeks schedule.

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This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

A Guy's Thanksgiving coverChrysalis Corporation coverLike No One Is Watchingstranded_250

Sunday, November 22:

  • It’s Thanksgiving and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
  • RJ Scott Guest Post for  End Street 5 – The Case Of The Purple Pearl (contest)

Monday, November  23:

  • Author Spotlight: My Interview with Max Vox, author of ‘My Hero: The Olympian’ by Max Vos (excerpt/contest)
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break with Love In Uniform anthology (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Can Love Return? Check Out HelenKay Dimon’s Stranded (contest)
  • A MelanieM Review: The Devil’s Due by Parker Williams
  • A Stella Review: What Happens At Christmas by Jay Northcote

Tuesday, November 24:

  • Adrian J. Smith ‘Spirit of Grace’ series – Keep Me In Mind tour
  • Will & Patrick Are Back in Will & Patrick Do the Holidays by Leta Blake & Alice Griffiths (contest)
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Driven Snow by Tara Lain
  • A Mika Review: Reaping Havoc by A.J. Rose
  • A BJ Review: Chrysalis Corporation by T.A. Venedicktov

Wednesday, November 25:

  • Contemporary Spotlight: Becca Burton ‘Something Like A Love Song’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break with ‘Black Lace’ by LJ Hamlin (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Elizabeth Wilde’s Defiant Loyalties Blog Tour and Contest
  • An Ali Review: Dangerous Territory by Cari Z‏
  • A BJ Review: Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts (Claimings #1) by Lyn Gala
  • Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Stranded by HelenKay Dimon

Thursday, November 26 :

  • Happy Thanksgiving to all in the U.S. and Americans abroad!
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady: Easy Evening by Mary Calmes
  • A Stella Review: The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn
  • A MelanieM Review: A Guy’s Thanksgiving by Skylar M. Cates
  • A Ali Review: The Werewolf of Grey Lake Inn by Megan Derr

Friday, November 27:

  • Kim Fielding’s “The Sacrifice and Other Stories.” Guest Blog and Giveaway
  • RJ Scott: The Guardian Angel by Liam Livings Tour and Contest
  • A Jeri Review: Like No One is Watching (Dance, Love, Live #1) by Jaime Samms
  • Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: The Fitzwarren Inheritance by Chris Quinton, RJ Scott and Sue Brown
  • A Paul B Review: Branding an Icy Heart (Wolves of Stone Ridge 32) by Charlie Richards
  • A BJ Review: Sacrifices and Other Stories by Kim Fielding

Saturday, November 28:

  • In the Spotlight: Legal Brief’ by Kyan Christopher (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Free Dreamer YA Review: You Promised Me Two Years by Angela Yseult

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Supernatural Spotlight: Emerald: Good and Evil ( The Stones of Power #5) by M.D. Grimm (excerpt and giveaway)

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Emerald: Good and Evil ( The Stones of Power #5) by M.D. Grimm
Release Date: November 18, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: Kris Norris

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Blurb

Home. Family.

Those words often invoke a sense of love and comfort. But for the dark mage Morgorth, they mean hate and pain. As the seventh son of a seventh son, many believe Morgorth’s destiny is to become the Destroyer. His father embraced such a future and trained Morgorth through torture and fear to become his weapon. Morgorth managed to escape his father’s cruelty, but not the nightmares that still haunt him. For many years he’s lived with the stain of his father’s savagery, but now he must confront his nightmares head-on.

His father has found a stone of power.

Morgorth must return to his land of birth, to the memories he’s tried his entire life to suppress. Aishe is determined to help Morgorth defeat his inner demons, but he knows he might not be enough to save Morgorth from embracing his darkness. They know it will be a fight to the death and know Morgorth won’t be the same if he survives. With Aishe by his side, Morgorth hunts for his father, and finds answers to questions he never dared to ask—and must live with the truths they reveal.

 

Pages or Words: 78,000 words
Categories: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance
Not standalone novels, should be read in order 

Excerpt

I glanced at Aishe to see he had his bow, an arrow nocked, and quiver at his side. He was crouched, still looking ill, but his eyes were hard and flat. I grinned in pride. Nothing could keep my mate down. I let the wind die and the ship slowed, rocking violently, the water lapping hard at its sides. The tentacles caught up and tried to wrap around the ship once again. I didn’t risk fire, but I had another element that was aplenty around me: water. Just as I gathered focus for the next spell, a tentacle tried to slither onto the deck, heading toward me. Before I could react Aishe shot an arrow, puncturing the slimy flesh of the tentacle. Then he ran and leapt over it, and with his sword, sliced off the tip. The tentacle shot back into the water, and the monster bellowed in pain. Aishe spun around, nocking another arrow. He was now close to me, and I could see it was a struggle for him to remain focused. He was sweating profusely and deathly pale. I would have ordered him below deck if I thought he would listen.

More tentacles were now slithering around the ship and the crew did what they could, cutting at the appendages and shooting their own arrows. They gave me the time I needed. I ran across the deck and realized the monster’s tentacles seemed to be following me. I wasn’t surprised, since most creatures could sense magick and many predators were attracted to it. If a predator ate a mage, they sometimes gained the power of their food: you are what you eat. I could use that to my advantage.

I reached the other side of the ship and flung my hand down with another word, using the magick in the water—every element had magick, instilled there by the Mother—and used it to freeze the water. But not just on the surface, I made the ice sink below where the beast rested. I continued the spell, causing the tentacles to freeze. It wasn’t easy to freeze saltwater but as I was using the magick within the element, and not my own to control it, it was much easier. Once the tentacles stopped moving, I instantly swung around and used the wind again to get the ship to move. We shot across the water once more, and I happened to look back to see what the beast was doing. We hadn’t gone very far before the ice broke. I realized the beast was far bigger, and stronger, than I’d suspected. I watched, fascinated and terrified, as the beast surged completely to the surface. Its bulbous head and gaping mouth appeared, its tentacles writhing in rage. Those black, pitiless eyes focused on us, and then the monster dove back into the water. It sped toward us, creating a hump in the water.

I took a deep breath, reaching a decision. It wasn’t going to stop, not until it had eaten me and destroyed the ship. I stopped the wind.

“Everyone hold onto something!” I bellowed. I glanced at Aishe as he clung to the rail, his eyes huge and locked on me.

I stood in the middle of the ship again and closed my eyes. My magick flashed hot inside me, and I used it to once again grab hold of the water’s magick. I clenched my fists and let the foreign magick fill me, feeling the pressure of it, the fluidness of the water, the refreshing and cool sensation. Then I opened my eyes and quickly grabbed a crystal from one of my pouches. It was small but it would serve for the task I gave it. I clasped the crystal between both hands and unleashed the spell with a focused word inside my mind. The spell latched onto the crystal and just as the beast reached us, intent on smashing the ship to pieces, the water suddenly shot upward, like a reverse waterfall.

A large column of water lifted the ship out of harm’s way and the tentacles of the beast slashed at the column as it roared in frustration. I made sure the ship reached a good height before locking the spell into the crystal. Spells only lasted if there was enough energy, or rather, magick, to sustain them. With crystals, I could hold the spell longer by pumping a predetermined amount of magick into them, turning the spell into an enchantment. I used such techniques for Geheimnis. I frequently had to recharge the crystals but it meant I didn’t have to consciously think about the spells anymore. They were very nearly freestanding. I used the same concept here but of a shorter extent. What I had planned wouldn’t take very long.

I ran to Aishe and pushed the crystal into his hands. “Hold onto this. It will keep you all airborne.”

“What are you doing?” Aishe made to grab me, but I had already leapt onto the rail, struggling to keep my balance.

“I’ll be right back,” I said.

“Morgorth—”

I took a deep breath before I dove off the rail. I locked my hands over my head and made sure my magick was bubbling right below the surface. The beast rose out of the water and opened its mouth. This was going to hurt.

Buy the book: Torquere Books | Amazon

 

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Meet the Author

M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade and nothing has changed since then. Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills. After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, she embarked on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day, writing by night, she enjoys journeying on romantic quests and daring adventures and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, and find their soul mate in the process.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001710645622

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Mikky’s World of Books, Bayou Book Junkie, The Hat Party, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, MM Good Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Happily Ever Chapter, Nephy Hart, Full Moon Dreaming, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Books A to Z, Moonbeams Over Atlanta, Book Lovers 4Ever, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Louise Lyons, EE Montgomery, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Velvet Panic, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Inked Rainbow Reads

 

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of Emerald: Good and Evil. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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WillPride

November’s M/M First Line Quiz and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

november first line quiz

November’s M/M First Line Quiz

Today is our second First Line in Novels Quiz, the first was October.  As I said back in my October 11th blog (you know the one with the answers to the month’s quiz), we need that all important first line to do its job. We need that line to pull us in, to set a tone and even impart a little about the story to follow.  That’s a huge load for one sentence to carry and yet some first lines  do it so well that we can’t get them out of our heads, quoting them in conversations, even if partially. “It was the best of  times, it was the worst of times…”. There is more to that first line from Charles Dickens’  ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, but rarely is it heard.  And how many times do you hear people saying “Call me Ishmael”.  Do you think they know it came as the first line from Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’? I wonder if we will hear it said in the new movie coming out? If I read you the line

Anyhow, I combed through my books (as did some of my reviewers) and we found more first lines from some of our favorite M/M stories and here they are below.  I wonder if even their authors would recognize their own first lines? Hmmm.  How well did these lines do their job?  Do you want to read these books?  Did you read these books?

Contest Details:

Answers in 2 weeks.  The winner who correctly gives us all or the most correct answers will get a $10 Amazon gift card.  Thinking hats on.  Start thumbing through the Kindles and novels, get your friends to help.  Who recognizes these first sentences and books? Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Contest ends at midnight on Saturday, November 28th.  Send your answers to melaniem54@msn.com. There will be a time and date on them so I will know who will be first.

November’s M/M First Line Quiz

  1. “AND NOW, I will tell you of my plans to take over the Kingdom,” the evil wizard and total douchebag Lartin the Dark Leaf said with a cackle.”
  2. “A PERSISTENT, annoying sound kept infiltrating my mind.”
  3. “I WONDERED if praying that she wouldn’t pull out of this episode made me a terrible son.”
  4. It was like those old Choose Your Own Adventure novels.
  5. “My father always told me, If I’m gone for three days, call the police.”
  6. I didn’t like lying to my friends, but it was necessary.”
  7. Running naked through the woods was exactly what Dylan Green needed.”
  8. “ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, IN ANY CITY IN THE WORLD, SOMEBODY WILL DIE BEFORE SUNRISE and most of them will die alone.”
  9. “IT WAS cold outside. It was really cold. Freezing cold.”
  10. “MUSIC was his companion.”
  11. “I was treated as a curiosity by this group of Irishmen.”
  12. “BEFORE MY LIFE WENT SUDDENLY pear-shaped, and I slunk, tail tucked between my legs, into a shitty, crowded pub, I had been sober for three… almost four years.”
  13. “Four o’clock in the morning wasn’t a good time to be thinking about torture.”
  14. “By nightfall, he was begging to die.”

 

falls leaves 2And now onto our schedule this week and the countdown to Thanksgiving.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Winter Wonderland coverStranger in the Wizards TowerHow To Walk Like A Man coverMinotaur_600x900

Sunday, November 15:

  • November’s M/M First Line Quiz and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, November 16:

  • Karen Stivuli’s  ‘Moment of Silence’ cover reveal and giveaway
  • Release Day for Perie Wolford’s Jimmy’s Erotic Adventure In Time And Space Continuum (Episode 1)
  • Cover Reveal for Uniform: A Man in Uniform M/M Bundle (contest)
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break with J. Johanis ‘ Dream Gods (guest post, excerpt, contest)
  • A Mika Review: Exchange of Heart by N.R. Walker
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Minotaur by J.A. Rock
  • A PaulB Review: Curling Up With His Critter (A Loving Nip #7) by Charlie Richards

Tuesday, November 17:

  • Early Bird’s Book Look: Secret of the Manor by Taylin Clavelli (excerpt and giveaway)
  •  An Inside Look at Y-Negative by Kelly Haworth (guest post and contest)
  • A  Special Look at Havan Fellows & Lee Brazil ‘Heart on the Run (guest post, excerpt and giveaway)
  • Lynn Lorenz Keep Me In Mind tour and contest
  • A Stella Review:Betting on Forever by Felice Stevens
  • A Paul B Review: Stranger in the Wizard’s Tower by Deric McNish

Wednesday, November 18:

  • A New Press Comes On Line ~ The Launch of NineStar Press (an inside peak)
  • A Closeup Look at ‘A Home for the Holidays’ by Joe Cosentino (giveaway)
  • Book Spotlight: Grein Murray’s ‘I Have You’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • M.D. Grimm’s ‘Emerald: Good and Evil’ book blast and contest
  • A MelanieM Review: With This Bling by LB Gregg
  • A Sammy Review: Better the Devil You Know by Bey Deckard

Thursday, November 19:

  • Getting Into the Season with Jay Northcote’s ‘What Happens At Christmas’ book blast and contest
  •  Coffee Sip and Book Break with Jessie G. ‘Strength in Numbers’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Author Discovery: Sera Trevor
  • An Ali Review:  Owner of a Lonely Heart by Mel Bossa
  • A MelanieM Review: A Gentle Kind of Strength by Kendall McKenna

Friday, November 20:

  • Thianna Durston ‘959 Brenton Street’ book blast and contest
  • RJ Scott Sanctuary 8 Book Release Tour and contest
  • Heidi Cullinan Book tour Winter Wonderland book tour
  • Review Redux:  MelanieM Review:  Winter Wonderland by Heidi Cullinan
  • A Mika Review-The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn
  • A MelanieM Review:  A Home for the Holidays by Joe Cosentino

Saturday, November 21:

  • A MelanieM NA Review: Jefferson Blythe, Esquire by Josh Lanyon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zombies are Here in DC Juris’s ‘Bad Moon Rising’ (excerpt and contest)

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Bad Moon Rising by DC Juris
Release Date: November 11, 2015

Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: Kris Norris

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Blurb

Bryce never expected to find himself smack in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, and he certainly never expected to meet the man of his dreams along the way. But there’s more than zombies in the way of his happily ever after. Richard comes with baggage, in the form of his on again, off again bipolar lover Cole, who is off his meds and descending into his own mental hell at an alarming rate. Will the three men be able to work out their romantic feelings? Oh yeah…and then there’s that little issue of the zombies…

Previously published by Breathless Press.

Excerpt

“Stay down!”

“What’s going on?” I whispered.

“Looters,” Cole revealed. “They’re going up and down the street, searching cars.”

Well, at least they wouldn’t steal it, since we had the keys, and the chances of them sticking around to do any real damage to it seemed pretty slim, too. All we had to do was wait it out, and they’d go away.

Dolly stood and paced to the door, walking back and forth in front of it like she was on guard duty.

On the street, yelling broke out, and gunshots echoed in the night.

Richard cursed.

Our visitors had apparently been discovered. Shouts of run and look out descended into just inarticulate screaming and then the unthinkable: Dolly started barking.

Cole lunged for her, but the damage had already been done. The people outside started banging on our door, pleading to be let in.

“What do we do?” I looked to Richard, who was shaking his head.

“Nothing.”

“But if we don’t let them in, they’ll be infected,” I argued. Those were people outside — we had to help them. What if the roles were reversed? What if that had been me outside?

“And if we do let them in, we’ll be infected.” He reached for one of our backpacks and started shoving things inside. “We can’t stay here. Cole, shut that damned mutt up!”

“I’m trying!” Cole struggled with Dolly, trying to get her calmed down and quiet.

Richard threw a bag at me, hitting me square in the chest and bringing me back to reality. “Pack light. We’ll be walking.”

“The car–“

“Is compromised. We’ll never get near it. Hurry up. Cole!”

Cole scrambled back to us, dragging Dolly behind him.

Outside the shouting and banging intensified. Someone must’ve gotten smart, because a brick came careening through an exposed part of the door glass near the top. It sailed through the air, barely missing Richard’s head.

“Time to go!” Richard shoved Cole toward the back door. “Bryce, help me with the boards!”

I grabbed up a discarded hammer and handed it over to him while I fished in my bag for the crowbar I’d brought. We struggled with the boards, hacking and pulling. Richard’s face turned red with his exertion, and the warmth of my own efforts spread out from my arm muscles, making my chest tight and painful.

“Hurry up, guys!” Cole shouted.

I glanced back at the front door. The newcomers — two beefy men and a scraggly haired woman — had managed to get several of the boards free and were shouting at us. Behind them, I could see the horde moving closer. The woman let out a scream and disappeared from sight. The men didn’t even look back for her — they just kept on coming.

“Bryce!” Richard had gotten enough of the boards cleared for us to get through. I jumped out after him as he pulled Cole through. We ran along the back alley, Cole carrying a still-barking Dolly.

“Shut her up! She’s going to give us away!” Richard smacked at Dolly’s muzzle as he ran.

That seemed to stifle her for a few minutes, and we made it down the alley and through two more without chase. At last Richard stopped, heaving for air, and leaned against the wall of a building. I didn’t want to stop. My nerves on fire with adrenaline and fear, I ran past him.

“Bryce!”

I ignored him. Fight or flight had kicked in. I wasn’t much to look at size-wise — I had no hope of fighting off a crowd of hungry zombies, so flight it was. I had to get away from there. Like a rat in a maze, I kept running through alleys and streets I didn’t know and couldn’t really see, until I stepped square into a hole and stumbled. I put my arms out and tried to catch myself, but only succeeded in falling on my wrist, wrenching it back against my arm. I couldn’t keep from crying out, but even the momentary pain didn’t stop me.

I surged to my feet again, but I must’ve injured my left ankle in the fall as well, because it wouldn’t support my weight and I fell back down. Undaunted, I crawled for my life. Footsteps grew nearer and nearer. They’d catch me, but I’d be damned if they’d catch me easily.

“Bryce! Stop!”

I rolled over under the power of someone else. At any other time, I probably would’ve registered that the person was Richard. But right then, I didn’t recognize him. He knew my name, kept yelling it over and over — that much I realized — but it made no difference to me. I fought him as hard as I could, and at last, he simply pinned my wrists and collapsed on top of me.

He stopped yelling, instead resorted to just whispering my name in my ear again and again in a monotonous tone that finally managed to bore into my brain and made me stop struggling.

Richard pulled back and looked down at me. “I’m getting up, okay?”

I nodded. Still feeling skittish though, I tried experimentally to wrest one of my wrists out of his grip.

“Easy,” he cooed. “You’re not in danger.”

“Not yet,” Cole chimed in from behind him.

“You’re not helping,” Richard snapped at him.

Pages or Words: 31,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Horror, M/M Romance, Romance, Thriller

Buy the book: Torquere Books

 

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Meet the author:

Romance author, sic-fi fan club Captain, cosplayer, reigning Queen of Monkeyland, and random menace. Yep, we’re talking about DC Juris. She’s a cupcake making, football watching, rubber duck collecting, drag show loving, full of fabulous with a Capital F kinda gal. She’s also an Ordained Minister and an amateur photographer. She lives in Upstate NY with her husband, three dogs, and three cats. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her favorite chair watching “Star Trek” and “Supernatural” repeats on Netflix, or surfing the web for porn. Er… research. Surfing the web for research. She may speak softly but she lives and loves loudly. Just ask the neighbors. ::wink::

 

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Bayou Book Junkie, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Inked Rainbow Reads, Happily Ever Chapter, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, BFD Book Blog, MM Good Book Reviews, Ogitchida Book Blog, Bonkers About Books, The Hat Party, V’s Reads, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Kimi-Chan, Jessie G. Books, Open Skye Book Reviews

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Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Bad Moon Rising’ by DC Juris.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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Coffee Sip and Book Break with Elle E. Ire ‘Vicious Circle’ (excerpt and giveaway)

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Book Name: Vicious Circle (Guardian Assassin #1) by Elle E. Ire
Release Date: November 4, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Torquere Press

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Blurb

Assassin meets innocent. When sweet and attractive Kila asks Cor to eliminate her abusive brother, Cor is more than willing to take the contract, but things aren’t what they seem, and for Cor, her trust and love aren’t easy to give.

 

Excerpt

Kila might not pose a threat, but she was not what she appeared to be.

She pulled the covers from me and examined the wound on my arm. It showed no signs of infection. She’d done a good job, a better job than a barmaid should have.

My eyelids grew heavier. The room became dim, and I blinked to clear my vision. “You’ve had medical training.”

“You could say that.” She wrapped the blankets around me and tucked them in like a mother for her child. Something about her made me feel warm and safe. I fought to shake it off.

“What else could I say? Who are you?” I demanded.

She smiled cryptically. “I’m the least important member of my family. Not like you.”

I scowled at her. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” My voice rose and fell in my ears, echoing in a disconcerting manner.

She turned away from me, instead facing my table, the bag, the book. “You are

Corianne Sandros, the Core of Sardonen. And I want to hire you to kill my brother.”

Pages or Words: 92,800 words
Categories: Lesbian Romance, Science Fiction

Buy the book:  Torquere Books

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Meet the Author

Elle E. Ire resides in the Disney-created town of Celebration, Florida, with her spouse, twin daughters, and two dogs. A graduate of the University of Miami, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in creative writing but left the MFA program when they refused to allow her to write genre fiction, instead receiving a Master’s in Literature mostly made up of writing courses. Currently, she teaches writing to seventh and eighth graders. She and her spouse run several writing groups, as well as present at many local and statewide conferences.

Where to find the author:

 

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Jessie G. Books, Full Moon Dreaming, Bayou Book Junkie, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Inked Rainbow Reads, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Happily Ever Chapter, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Unquietly Me, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Bonkers About Books, The Hat Party, Havan Fellows, Nephy Hart, Velvet Panic

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Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Vicious Circle.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

 

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Young Readers Week and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

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Tuesday is National Young Readers Day

How many of you were read to as children? Then kept reading on yourself, in libraries, in beds, where ever you could lose yourself in your story. Still remember those stories and even perhaps have those torn and well worn books to this day?  Tuesday is National Young Readers Day and I will be blogging about favorite and popular children’s stories, childhood reading and the impact I feel it has into adulthood.  Have a favorite childhood book as a kid?  Let me know, I’d love to hear from you.

November’s First Line Quiz Starts Next Week

Yes, I let it slide a week.  I finished gathering all my first lines for the quiz.  It’s 14 first lines from current books and not so current novels.  Some might be easy, others will be some you might have to work for.   How I loved compiling this list!  In fact, this list will come with a prize attached.  The winner will  receive a Amazon gift card but its still not the big Quiz.  That will happen in December.

Now here is our schedule for the week, baring any RL events or disruptions like book releases being pushed back (hey, it happens more than you think):

 

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

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Sunday, November 8:

  • Young Readers Week and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, November 9:

  • Will and Patrick Meet the Family Tour and Giveaway
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break with Elle E. Ire ‘Vicious Circle’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Oracle, The Complete Collection by RJ Scott
  • A BJ Audiobook Review: Into Deep Waters by Kaje Harper
  • A Stella Review: A Man of Unusual Talent by Lee Brazil

Tuesday, November 10:

  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Brina Brady ‘Make Me’ book blast and contest
  • Supernatural Spotlight: Lisa Oliver ‘Watching Out For Fangs (excerpt and giveaway)
  • National Young Reader Day- “Does Childhood Reading Make An Impact On You As A Grownup?”
  • A Mika Review: Will & Patrick Wake Up Married #2 by Leta Blake
  • A MelanieM Review: Under The Gun by Havan Fellows (A Pulp Friction 2015)

Wednesday, November 11:

  • Early Bird Spotlight: DC Juris ‘Bad Moon Rising (excerpt and contest)
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break for ‘Duce’ by Kai Tyler (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A Solitary Man Blog Tour with Shira Anthony and Aisling Mancy (excerpt and contest)
  • A MelanieM Review: A Solitary Man by Shira Anthony and Aisling Mancy
  • A Stella Review: Flyboy’s First Adventure by Havan Fellows

Thursday, November 12:

  • A BJ Review: Heart (Spotless #14) by Bailey Bradford
  • A Jeri Review: Wolf, WY by AF Henley (double dip review)
  • A Wynter Review: Wolf, WY by AF Henley (tale of two reviews)
  • A MelanieM Review: Hopelessly Devoted (The One That I Want #2) by R.J. Jones
  • A Free Dreamer Review: My Magical Palace by Kunal Muherjee

Friday, November 13:

  • Early Spotlight Tour: Raider Captured by J.J. Lore‏ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Rebound Remedy blog tour with Christine d’Abo (contest)
  • Contemporary Romance Highlight with Pat Henshaw’s ‘Behr Facts’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A MelanieM Review:  Behr Facts by Pat Henshaw
  • A Mika Review: How To Walk Like A Man by Eli Easton
  • A Sammy Review: Entwined by Liberty Lace

Saturday, November 14:

  • A MelanieM NA Review: Jefferson Blythe Esq. by Josh Lanyon

 

 

 

 

 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best Books and Book Covers of October 2015

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Best Books and Book Covers of October 2015

Its time to look back over the past month and pull out the books that stood out from the crowd.  No matter the genre, the author’s characters, plot and writing made us want to shout out about the book we just read, share it, wave it, let everyone know “here’s a book you just can’t pass up”.

If you missed these books and reviews the first time around, now is the perfect time to remedy that fact. Left off the list are the Scary Review Redux Books in October.  Here in the order their reviews were posted this month, are :

Best Books of October 2015:

All are 5 Star Rating Novels, All are Linked to our Reviews.

Best Covers of October 2015

Kaminishi coverWinter the Haunted Heart coverBlueberry Boys coverMad About the Hatter cover

 

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Winter Oranges coverDarker Space cover

Winter Oranges by Marie Sexton, artist L.C. Chase was perfection with the snow globe and young man with the slight historic feel.

Dark Space by Lisa Henry, ? artist.  BJ felt the cover was perfect for the story.

Did our Best Books and Covers match up with yours?  What books were we missing?  Leave us a comment and let us know how we did!  We love hearing from you all.

The First of November, Announcements and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

 

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The first of November!  The calendar date arrived among the leftover goblins,  vampires, ghosts,  candies and soft blowing spider webs from our Halloween celebrations.  If you celebrate Samhain, you are still celebrating today.  As it is one of my favorite holidays, it will be some time before my decorations come down.  And all those blowing multi colored leaves will do nothing but add some autumnal flavor!

We have added just another reviewer.  Welcome Ali, another voice to to our ever expanding family of book lovers.  You can find Ali’s bio here, along with everyone else’s.  But here is a closer look at Ali.

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About Ali ~ I don’t remember a time when reading wasn’t a love of mine.  From elementary school when I had a Hardy Boys obsession, through high school and the gothic romances that filled my time, to all of the genres I love now, I always have a book in my hand when I have some spare time.  My current favorite genres are murder mysteries/suspense, urban fiction and of course m/m romance.  I prefer darker, edgier stories and I’m like bees to honey if you can promise me angst and/or a hurt/comfort theme.  Some of my favorite authors in the m/m genre include Lisa Henry, KJ Charles, JA Rock, Nash Summers, Santino Hassell, Heidi Cullinan and TJ Klune.

When I’m not reading I enjoying gardening, baking and pouring through cookbooks.  I have an obsession with teas and all things tea related  and a love of loud rock music, photography and visiting old cemeteries.  My home is a mad house filled with three kids, a Boxer, a parrot and dance offs to old boy band songs are a frequent occurrence.

 I hope everyone will welcome her. That bring’s the Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Word’s group of reviewers up to 12.  I hope you are starting to notice the difference in the number of reviews and types of books we are reading.  We are also increasing the number of reviewer special blogs such as our Scattered Thoughts Author Discovery this week BJ on Alessandra Hazard and Paul’s Paranormal Portfolio of last week.  October was a wonderful month and I can’t wait to see how we finish out 2015!

Now I’ve been on a bit of a thing about first and last lines in novels lately and next week will see our next Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words First Line Quiz.  So you have one more week to send in those lines to me in order for you to get a line up on our quiz!

Now on to this week schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

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Sunday, November 1, 2015:

  • The First of November, Announcements and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, November 2:

  • Peri Wolford’s Release Day for Extraterrestrial Anthology
  • In Our Science Fiction Spotlight: Triumph by Kate Pearce (contest)
  • Riptide’s Upcoming Tour: A Fortunate Blizzard by  L.C. Chase(contest)
  • A BJ Review: Darker Space by Lisa Henry
  • A Mika Review:Between the Devil and the Pacific Blue by Charlie Cochet

Tuesday, November 3:

  • Audiobook Spotlight: Felice Stevens “Audible of the Heart Blog”
  • A Mika Review: Twinks in Bearland by Kendall Morgan
  • A Paul B Review: Flint Fury by Stephanie Hecht
  • A MelanieM Review: Corin’s Chance by Hannah Walker
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:Sinders and Ash (The Pennymaker Tales #1) by Tara Lain

Wednesday, November 4:

  • Tempted in Texas Tour and Giveaway
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Viki Lyn ‘Perceived Love Virtual Tour and Giveaway
  • Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best Books of October 2015
  • Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Best Book Covers of October 2015
  • A Wynter Review: Secret Funding by S. M. May
  • A MelanieM Review: Dirty Secret (Cole McGinnis #2) by Rhys Ford

Thursday, November 5:

  • Kate Lowell Book Blast for ‘Flesh Market’ and Contest
  • Melissa Graves ‘Tainted Heart’ virtual tour and giveaway
  • A PaulB Review: Stranger in the Wizard’s Tower by Deric McNish
  • A MelanieM Review: Cardinal Sin by Lissa Kasey
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Rain Shadow by L.A. Witt

Friday, November 6:

  • Early Morning Book  Tour: Awkward in Love by Lily Adile Lamb (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Author Discover:   BJ on Alessandra Hazard
  • Open Call For Writers for A Free New Anthology From Love Lane Books
  • A Jeri Review: Wolf, WY by AF Henley
  • A Wynter Review: Wolf, WY by AF  Henley (Double Dip Review)
  • Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Boyfriend Forever (Boyfriend #2) by Diana DeRicci

YA Saturday, November 7:

  • A Stella Review: How We Began ( YA anthology)