A MelanieM Review: Not Fade Away (Hell or High Water #3.5) by S.E. Jakes

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

not fade awayProphet Drews and Tom Boudreaux are still adjusting to living together.  That includes Prophet’s habit of stealing his neighbor, Cillian’s couch, as a part of an ongoing bet, something that irritates Tommy.  For Prophet, pushing Tommy’s buttons is a favorite pastime, even better than stealing Cillian’s couch.

Nothing is worse for Prophet than boredom and one icy winter night sees Tommy and Prophet engaged in a game of Truth or Dare, the outcome of which sees Tommy stealing Cillian’s  couch for the last time.  But Truth or Dare brings into light a few truths that Prophet has been holding back from Tommy.  Can Tommy handle the truth from Prophet one more time?  And what will Tommy’s answer be in return?

What a pair Prophet Drews and Tom Boudreaux make!  Passionately wild about each other, torn between their present and uneasy future, Not Fade Away is an interlude that steps away from the immediate mystery and concentrates on moving their relationship forward yet one more level.

I thoroughly enjoyed this side story.  In a way, I think it is every bit as important to Prophet and Tommy’s saga as the main stories.  Sometimes the complexity and newness of this duo’s relationship, along with its challenges and personal highpoints, can get lost under the mysteries and intricacies of the plot threads running through the Hell or High Water series. The other stories must balance out other characters needs and appearances such as Mal and Cillian, along with the rest of the group. Prophet and Tommy has to be folded in, with SE Jakes juggling all their stories along with the overall plot the author wants to tell.  But there is so much to Tommy and Prophet’s love story and relationship that it needs it’s own time to shine.  And Not Fade Away puts that focus squarely on this dynamite pair.

I love that there is always some new revelation about Prophet’s and Tommy’s background.  And each new fact(s) brings a set of ripples that carry an increasingly large impact on both men and those around them.  Nothing is ever easy for these two and aren’t we thrilled that’s the case.  Here boredom brings about a game of Truth or Dare that explodes into a sexual melee, game forgotten until later.  It’s incredibly sexy, totally hot and once again demonstrates just how perfect these two are for each other.

Prophet pushes Tommy’s buttons and Tommy pushes back.  Their give and take, the balance they (and the author) maintains works here perfectly.  From action to dialog, this 52 page story sings with verve.  It’s fun, smoking hot, and this story deepens the relationship and love between Prophet and Tommy, taking their love and trust further than before.

If you are new to this pair and their convoluted story, this might not make too much sense.  It needs to be read in order so the events and character development makes sense.  I have listed the books in the order they were written and should be read at the end of this review.  I love the Hell or High Water series.  SE Jakes and her men just do it for me.  Start with Catch a Ghost and read your way through.  You are going to love these men and their growing relationship.  The ongoing mystery is pretty wild too.  You are going to love it!

Cover art by LC Chase. Love it!

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing   All Romance eBooks (ARe)  Amazon        Not Fade Away

Book Details:

ebook, 52 pages
Published August 18th 2014 by Riptide Publishing (first published August 16th 2014)
ISBN139781626490994
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://riptidepublishing.com/titles/not-fade-away
seriesHell or High Water #3.5, Extreme Escapes, Ltd

Hell or High Water Series in the order they were written and should be read:

Catch a Ghost (Hell or High Water, #1)
Long Time Gone (Hell or High Water, #2)
Daylight Again (Hell or High Water, #3)
Not Fade Away (Hell or High Water, #3.5)
If I Ever (Hell or High Water, #4) Expected publication: October 1st 2014

Associated Series: Extreme Escapes Universe: Men of Honor and Dirty Deeds:

Dirty Deeds (Dirty Deeds #1) Mal and Cillian 
Free Falling (Extreme Escapes, Ltd.) Blue and Mick

Book Blast: Morticia Knight’s Dangerous Wish Book Tour/Contest

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Its a Book Tour!  It’s A Contest!  And It’s A Scavenger Hunt!

Contest: Rafflecopter Prize: Signed copy of Dangerous Wish.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Please take note of the Dangerous Wish Fact below.  You will need it in order to enter the Rafflecopter entry for the contest!

dangerouswish_800Book Name: Dangerous Wish (Uniform Encounters 6)
Although part of a series, all installments can be read as standalones. For more information, visit Morticia Knight’s author page at Totally Bound:

  • Set Ablaze (Uniform Encounters 1):Hunky fire chief Eric is out of the closet after twenty years of marriage. Can he find true love, or will a spate of arson fires destroy his chances with Tom, the sexy young firefighter?
  • Arresting Behaviour (Uniform Encounters 2):Native American Quinn and Detective Jake come from two opposing worlds. But when opposites attract, the result is explosive.
  • Lust Emergency (Uniform Encounters 3): The new ER doctor is smoking hot, and the exotic African American paramedic can’t keep his eyes off of him. Tricky relationships and subterfuge at a Phoenix sex club almost drive a permanent wedge between the two, but a bombing at City Hall changes the endgame.
  • Guarded Desires (Uniform Encounters 4): A sexy young National Guardsman, a snarky bear of a DEA Agent and a vicious Mexican drug cartel. Someone’s going to be sorry.
  • Secret Fire (Uniform Encounters 5):Police officer Zach and Fire Marshal Daryl would be perfect together—if they would ever quit fighting long enough to find out. A devastating fire and the secret behind it almost keeps them from getting what they really need—each other.

Author Name: Morticia Knight
Author Bio:

M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy tale – after all, who doesn’t? Since she loves several genres, you may find your heroes in a contemporary, historical, paranormal or sci-fi setting. One of her passions is bringing people’s fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor.

When not indulging in her obsession for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. The Pacific Northwest is the ideal spot to enjoy both hiking and beachcombing. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She now resides on the northern coast of Oregon, where the constant rain and fog remind her of visits to family in England and Scotland when she was a child.

She is currently working on a new series about men in uniform entitled Sin City Uniforms and a BDSM spin-off to the Gin & Jazz series entitled The Hampton Road Club.

Cover Artist: Posh GoshFireRed600x600Banner
Publisher: Totally Bound
Buy Link:   Totally Bound   Amazon US     Amazon UK

Dangerous Wish Blurb:

Love is a dangerous emotion that EMT Jared won’t risk. But it looks as though a sweet and sexy National Guardsman is about to make him wish for that—and much more.

EMT Jared Li loves his job, his friends and clubbing. There’s nothing like a night of fun getting glammed up, throwing on some heels and shaking his ass to the latest Britney tune. Life is all about having a good time with as many hot guys as possible.

Dan Harrison has been in the National Guard for about six months and out for not much longer than that. At twenty-two, he’s somewhat innocent, a little shy and not interested in meaningless hook-ups. One night at a karaoke bar changes everything for him when his fellow Guardsman Joseph introduces him to his friend Jared. Dan’s never met anyone like the luscious twink who’s filled with so much life and laughter.

A night of passion shakes them to their very cores. Jared really likes Dan, but doesn’t want to get caught up in any type of exclusive thing. Dan wishes there could be more between them, but is willing just to be friends in order to remain near the androgynous stunner.

Hanging out strictly as friends proves to be almost impossible for them both. Not only does Jared continuously lust after the muscular soldier, but he’s also falling for the caring and compassionate man. Dan’s every sex fantasy stars Jared in one of his daring club outfits, but his heart is what really matters and it’s already been lost to Jared.

A traumatic event breaks down the barriers between them and gives them the chance to be together the way they both want. But after Dan is called up by the Guard to assist at a natural disaster, the same bravery that Jared admires in Dan might be the final thing that separates them forever.

 

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Dangerous Wish Fact: Fact #7 – EMT Jared Li’s favorite heels are a sparkling silver, but he’s decided they’re too uncomfortable to dance in.  (you will need this for the contest).

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Excerpt: 

There was a line to get in.

Unbelievable.

It wasn’t even a Saturday night. And it wasn’t as if they were in Phoenix, for heaven’s sake. Of course, that probably had a lot to do with it. Mesa and the surrounding ‘burbs might have underestimated their gay population just a tad. Although, he wasn’t so sure they should all be standing on display out on the sidewalk dressed as they were. He was fairly certain that picketing and hate crimes weren’t completely out of the question.

“Sorry, it’s not usually this crowded unless it’s ladies’ night.”

Dan frowned at him, obviously puzzled.

“If you’re dressed as a lady, you get in free.”

Dan’s mouth formed a small ‘o’.

The door to the club opened and a few people exited, another few ushered in.

“Dammit.”

“That’s okay, Jared. I don’t mind waiting.”

“Oh, that wasn’t what I meant. They’re playing Crazy Law, my favorite Kazaky song, and I’m not even in there to dance to it. Where’s the justice?”

He wrapped his arms around himself. If he’d known they would be stuck outside, he would have brought his jacket. It hadn’t seemed like it would be worth the hassle to bring it to only go from the cab right into the club then back out again. Jared startled as Dan wrapped his bomber around his shoulders.

“Oh, Dan, no. You’ll be cold.”

Dan shrugged. “I’m fine. I’ll consider it part of my non-active duty training.”

“I’m not sure how a scantily clad gay man in heels fits in with your Guardsman training.”

Dan chuckled, his dimpled smile drawing Jared’s gaze.

“What I meant was that we do various types of scenarios that you might encounter in a battle situation, such as extreme heat or cold. As a matter of fact, there’s an unusual heatwave predicted for this time of the year, so Joseph and I are headed out to the Mojave Desert this weekend for some extreme heat training. We’ve done it before, but they have some new exercises planned.”

“Wow.”

Jared let his eyes wander over Dan’s muscled torso now that he’d sacrificed his coat to Jared’s cause and Jared wasn’t so vainly caught up in his own fashion drama. The tight black T-shirt that had some sort of rock music festival logo on it hugged Dan’s body perfectly. Jared hadn’t been oblivious to the stares they’d been getting. Although he was sure that Dan was completely unaware they were drawing any attention, Jared made it his business to be aware of any and all attention he might be drawing. It was clear that their fellow would-be clubbers thought they were a couple. That the muscular stud he stood next to was the top to his very cute bottom. Somehow, the idea didn’t bother him.

“So, Dan, what other manly military exercises have you done?”

Dan regarded him with a lazy smile. “Well, my favorite one was the pre-dawn vertical insertion.”

Jared dropped his mouth open. “Excuse me? That sounds dirty.”

“It can be if you land wrong.”

Dan chuckled, leaning in, his warm breath giving Jared gooseflesh as it hit the skin on his neck.

“It’s a parachute drop.”

“Oh my God, you are so bad.”

Tour Dates/Stops:DangerousWishBadge
August 8: Kimi-Chan, Rainbow Gold Reviews
August 11: Hearts on Fire, MM Good Book Reviews
August 12: Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Love Bytes
August 13: The Hat Party
August 14: Prism Book Alliance
August 15: Tara Lain
August 18: Parker Williams, The Blogger Girls
August 19: Emotion in Motion
August 20: My Fiction Nook
August 21: Decadent Delights, Lee Brazil
August 22: Smoocher’s Voice
August 25: Amanda C. Stone
August 26: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
August 27: LeAnn’s Book Reviews
August 28: Reviews and Ramblings
August 29: Nephylim

WillPride
Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

A MelanieM Review: Head-on by John Inman

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Head-On coverAt 24 Gordon Stafford had it all. A rising career as a tv meteorologist, a loving family, a wide circle of friends…everything anyone could want. By 26, Gordon Stafford had lost it all. And all it took was the decision to drive home drunk from an awards ceremony. That decision shattered three mens lives immediately. For one man, the driver of the other car, it cost him his life. His passenger? Multiple injuries and the love of his life. And for Gordon, the driver that hit the other car head on, it cost him his career, his home, his friends, his self esteem…everything that had mattered to Gordon at the time.

Two years later, Gordon is a changed man. Consumed by guilt and shame, Gordon spends his days thinking about suicide and working at court appointed community service at Mama’s Soup Kitchen, the local shelter for the homeless. It’s there he meet’s Squirt, a young man barely surviving. At first meeting, Gordon realizes that Squirt is special. He seems shy and fragile. But when Squirt saves Gordon from a beating or worse from thugs under a nearby bridge, Gordon realizes that looks can be deceiving and that Squirt is much more than he appears.

From that moment on, Gordon finds a new meaning to his life. He rediscovers his will to live and perhaps even found love. And it’s all due to having Squirt in his life. But Gordon still needs to find forgiveness. Forgiveness for himself and the destruction he caused.  And that the forgiveness Gordon needs the most will come from the one person he least expects, the one closest to his heart.

Head-On is a huge departure from the comedic stories John Inman normally writes.  Unlike those novels which are full of laughter and humorous moments, Head-On naturally has little to none, which should  be expected given the nature of the plot and the gravity of the subject matter at the heart of this story.  With Head-On, John Inman demonstrates he has as deft a gift for writing characters full of pain and poor life choices as he does people with lives filled less with drama and more the search for romance.

The opening chapter of Head-On is astonishing for a number of reasons but the most important of them is that Inman pours us into the seat next to Gordon, first at the awards dinner as he consumes multiple congratulatory drinks and then in the passenger seat of his car as he makes that fateful decision to drive home drunk.  We’re in his head, and his thoughts could so easily be that of anyone who has taken one drink too many and decides to drive.  But this time Gordon’s poor judgement results in a fatal car crash that we catch in shocking glimpses just before Gordon passes out after the cars collide.  That one scene will stay with you for some time to come.

From there we move to Gordon’s life post crash, and here Inman pulls no punches, makes no excuses for Gordon who is mired in guilt and self loathing.  And yes, still drinking.  Inman’s realistic portrayal of  Gordon shows a man totally aware of the consequences of his actions, the life cut short, the destruction of families, someone who is living with a pain that has no balm.  Gordon exists in a prison of his own making.  And for those who get frustrated and angry when they hear of drunk drivers getting off with a so-called “slap of the wrist”, especially those whose actions caused the deaths of others, this feels like a window into the post accident life of one of those drivers who “got off lightly”.

Just the subject matter of drunk drivers is inflammatory.  That category covers the range from repeat offenders to those who make a one time bad decision when they decide they are sober enough to drive home. And while this book opens up the conversation about drunk drivers and asks the question “what is ample punishment for their deeds”, it remains focused on those drivers like Gordon.  For some, like Gordon, theu are their own warden, turning their lives into a sort of prison of their own making.  It’s a wretched life John Inman constructs for Gordon and it reeks of authenticity and despair.

Only Gordon’s court ordered community service at Mama’s Soup Kitchen provides a temporary relief to the cycle of drinking and hangovers that has become Gordon’s life.  Again, Inman brings Mama’s to life, from the kitchen preparations to the customers who line up for what might be their only meal of the day.  Inman gets the details exactly right, including all those homeless and down on their luck people who need a shelter like this so badly.

Squirt who appears to get a meal isn’t exactly homeless but he is clearly a person who has been damaged in more ways than are visible.  His mental faculties are simplistic while  still remaining that of an adult.  His is a lovely character, vulnerable and easy to connect to.  Which is exactly what Gordon does.  Squirt is  another lost soul and when he rescues Gordon from an attack, he ends up saving Gordon emotionally as well as physically.  Watching this relationship form is such a heartwarming element of this story.

The “revelatory” aspect of Head-On is not as surprising as one might expect.  But here it’s the journey to the “denouement” and not the revelation itself, that drives the story.  Its the twists and turns, the stops along the way as Squirt and Gordon try to figure out a way to move forward towards redemption and forgiveness that make this story such a memorable read.  Inman’s writing style works so beautifully here to bring us into Gordon’s thoughts and life.  And then it does the same for Squirt.  From wretchedness to hope, from personal darkness to atonement and light, this story works on every level.

I highly recommend this moving story.  With it John Inman moves into the ranks of authors who can move easily from one genre to the next, from angst to comedy and any combination thereof.  If he was not a “must read” author for you before, Head-On should bring John Inman into that circle for you now.  Don’t miss out on this remarkable story.

Cover art by Reese Dante.  Explosive and Emotional. Perfect for this story.

Sales Links:         Dreamspinner Press               All Romance eBooks (ARe)          Amazon              Head-On

Book Details:

ebook, 220 pages
Published July 9th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press (first published July 8th 2014)
ISBN 1632160064 (ISBN13: 9781632160065)
edition languageEnglish

A MelanieM Review: John & Jackie by T.J. Klune

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

John & Jackie coverFor seventy one years, Jackie and John have been inseparable.  They met in class as 12 year olds and formed a bond and love that has only gotten deeper and stronger as the years  passed.  But now all that is about to change.  John’s body is riddled with cancer, his pain unbearable.  And he has asked Jackie to give him the ultimate gift of love and compassion.

As the two men wait for dusk, the moments are passed in recollections of their long abiding love, a love that has no boundaries, not even death.

Well, I was unable to even get through the synopsis of this incredibly moving story without tears.  John & Jackie is an eloquent and deeply emotional story of a love that has endured through the years.  Jackie and John meet as children in school.  Neither one is particularly popular, each with their own “stigma” that makes them targets and standouts.  Drawn together immediately, they forge a bond first of  an indelible  friendship that turns into love.  Jackie and John’s need to protect the other is formed right from the start.

We learn this through Jackie’s memories as he sits by John’s bedside waiting for dusk and the time they will say goodbye. Jackie wheels John’s medical bed through the front doors of their cabin that John built out onto the porch to watch for dusk and hold hands one last time.  Hands clutched as tightly as John’s illness will let them, Jackie reminiscences with John over their time together.

TJ Klune portrays these men and their long partnership realistically and with great understanding for types of experiences that a true “Jackie and John” might have gone through as children and as adults.  John is such a strong, poignant character with an upbringing that includes the stigma of being poor and an alcoholic,abusive father.  His need is only for Jackie, that is his world and we can  totally understand the basis for that isolation. A isolation that doesn’t work for Jackie who came from a loving family and a need for others. For Jackie, the world needs to be a little larger and the subsequent misunderstandings that brings rings authentic and heartbreaking.  Jackie’s character is a wonderful complement to John’s, his yin to John’s yang.  Klune makes us believe in their bond with a sureness and brevity that is wondrous.

What is so remarkable about this story is the fullness and complexity of their long term relationship is relayed through small  recollections and bits of shared history while the men wait together for the sun to fall.  This book could have easily extended to over 300 pages but TJ Klune manages to pull us into Jackie and John’s life and love in half that length and make it feel real and deep and unforgettable.

As we and the characters wait for dusk to fall on their  life together, be prepared for the tears to start falling.  It has taken almost no time for us to fall for these men and as the story moves towards it’s gut wrenching conclusion, we will be their heartbroken companions as witness.  But TJ Klune has one more thing in store,..for us and Jackie and John before their story is over.  I love the ending and hope you will too.  This is a story about a never ending love and that ending brought that home.  Pick up this remarkable story and delve into Jackie and John’s romance for the ages.

Cover art by Reese Dante.  Poignant, perfect, and one of the top covers this year.

Sales Links:       Dreamspinner Press            All Romance eBook (ARe)        Amazon                    John & Jackie

 

Book Details;

ebook, 2nd, 122 pages
Published July 25th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781627988551
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

VBT: Lilah Suzanne’s Pivot and Slip Tour, Interview and Contest!

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Lilah Suzanne has stopped by today on her Pivot and Slip Book Tour to take a moment to answer some questions and talk a little about her latest release, Pivot and Slip.  Along with a terrific contest with multiple winners outlined below, there’s an excerpt to read to pull you into the story!  Read on……


Contest: Lilah will be awarding a $25 Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Barnes and Noble GC and a print edition of Pivot and Slip (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn host. A free download of an Interlude Press eBook title or an author/book swag pack (US ONLY) will be awarded to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter at each stop during the tour. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter,  To enter the contest and for more details, use this Rafflecopter link!

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Now on to my interview with Lilah Suzanne…magnifying glass and focus

STRW:  What was your inspiration for the story?

Lilah: I was intrigued by the sort of opposites attract idea of a boxer falling for a yoga instructor, but as I wrote it I really wanted to explore this idea of dreams and failure and what that means, as well as finding someone who wants to stick by you during the hard stuff.

STRW:  Do you have a muse?

Lilah:  I don’t think so, but I usually have a cat or two hanging out at my desk so maybe they’re my muses and I just don’t know it.

STRW:  Do you work on one project at a time or many?

Lilah:  I do tend to have a few things going at once, I guess I’ve gotten used to juggling multiple things and now I can’t stop!

STRW:  Hero or Antihero?  Who would you chose and why?

Lilah:  Hero. I like writing about people making difficult choices and doing the right thing even when it’s not easy. Though there is something to be said for trying to figure out why someone would do the wrong thing and how it may not seem that way to them.

STRW:  People say write what you know.  Do you think that is right or even important?

Lilah:  I think there will always be parts a writer in a story, even if they try to make it the total opposite of what they know. So in that sense, yes it’s important because it lends itself to authenticity. But only sticking to characters who are like you and to experiences like yours is boring and won’t get you very far. As long as I can find the core of a character and a sense of understanding I feel like I can go a lot places. I may not know what it’s like to be a boxer, for example, but I do know what it’s like to watch a dream slip from my fingers.

STRW:  What is the first book you read that really meant something to you?

Lilah:  “A Wrinkle In Time” is probably the first book that I remember just being really astounded by and I felt changed after I’d finished it.

STRW:  What do you find sexy in a person?

Lilah:  It’s a cliche, but in a man or a woman I really find a sense of humor and kindness and the type of confidence where someone is just genuine and honest about who they are really attractive. Physically I’m a sucker for tattoos and pretty eyes.

STRW:  What’s next up for you?

Lilah:  I’m actually just starting the process of editing my second book, “Spice” a romantic comedy about a sex advice columnist who is struggling a bit with his own love life and searching for his happy ending. That will be coming out early next year so stay tuned!

Cover_PivotAndSlipPivot and Slip
by Lilah Suzanne
Publisher:  Interlude Press
Buy Link:   Interlude Press

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Blurb:

Former Olympic hopeful Jack Douglas traded competitive swimming for professional yoga and never looked back. When handsome pro boxer Felix Montero mistakenly registers for his Yoga for Seniors class, Jack takes an active interest both in Felix’s struggles to manage stress and in his heart, and discovers along the way that he may have healing of his own to do.

Faced with the ghosts of his athletic aspirations, can Jack return to his old dream or carve out a new path, and will their budding romance survive the test of Felix’s next bout in the ring?

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Excerpt:

Felix settled his hands on Jack’s shoulders, positioning him directly in front of the punching bag. “Now, plant your feet, like that, yeah. And bend your knees.” Felix’s hands slid from Jack’s shoulders and down his arms as he moved in closer, speaking into Jack’s ear from behind. “Keep your arms tucked in. You always want to remember to be defensive and not just go in for the attack. Keep your guard up.”

Jack bent his arms in front of his face and tried bouncing on his toes, though he imagined the effect was more Tigger than Tyson. Felix chuckled, his warm breath puffing against Jack’s neck and spreading heat across his skin.

“Focus on using your shoulders and legs for strength.” Felix’s hands trailed back up, from shoulder to shoulder, then fleetingly touched Jack’s thighs. “You have really strong shoulders. I always admired that about swimmers.” He lips brushed Jack’s ear. “Always had a thing for blonds, too.”

Jack shivered with the touch but narrowed his eyes and tried to focus on sending energy to his core, on breathing deeply, on trying not to think about the heat of Felix’s body; the tremors left in the wake of his hands; the heady scent of him, inviting and inebriating; his voice murmuring low in Jack’s ear, breath hot against the shell. “Excellent focus. Now, Jack.”

He hit the bag one-two, one-two, one-two, the blows reverberating through the gloves and his skin and humming in his bones.

“Good, right?”

Jack turned, his eyes finding Felix’s hopeful and searching.

“Yeah,” Jack replied. “That was… pretty intense.”

Felix circled around him and reached out to remove the gloves from Jack’s tingling hands.

“That was power. Strength. The only time I ever felt safe was when I was fighting, as strange as that sounds.” Felix tucked the gloves under one arm, opening and closing one dangling strap with a harsh rip of velcro.

“It makes sense,” Jack shrugged. “Like you said, you have to keep your guard up.”

Felix offered a half-smile. “Maybe I could try letting it down a little.”

Jack’s heart gave a little flutter in his chest. “Well in that case, I solemnly swear that I will not knock you out.”

Felix tipped his head, eyes low, lips softly curved.

“I think it may be a little too late for that, Jack.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:VBT_PivotAndSlip_CoverBanner

Lilah Suzanne has been writing actively since the sixth grade, when a literary magazine published her essay about an uncle who lost his life to AIDS. A freelance writer, she has also authored a children’s book and has a devoted following in the fan fiction community.
lilahsuzanne.com

Contact Lilah Suzanne at:

  • Website : lilahsuzanne.com
  • Twitter: @lilahsuzanne
  • Pinterest: pinterest.com/lilahsuzanne
  • Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Lilah-Suzanne/653282624749516
  • Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/8281044.Lilah_Suzanne

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Jackie Nacht’s ‘Wrong Locker’ Book Tour (contest)

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Contest:   Enter to win Rafflecopter Prize: $10 Amazon card and a PDF choice from Jackie’s backlist.  Use this Rafflecopter link to enter and for additional contest details.  

maginifying glass with Take a LookNow that the contest information is out of the way, let’s focus in on Wrong Locker by Jackie Nacht…

 

Book Name: Wrong Locker
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.

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Title: Wrong Locker by Jackie Nacht
Cover Artist: Zathyn Priest – Scarlet Tie Designs
Publisher: Featherweight Press

Buy Links:  Featherweight Publishing      Amazon

Blurb:
Sometimes the best way to turn your bad luck around, is reach out for the hand willing to help.

Sophomore Shaun Richards could not have any worse luck. The front office ended up placing his locker in the senior wing this year. A month into the year and it hasn’t gotten any better. A group of seniors make it their mission to prove that he doesn’t belong and gives him a hard time on a daily basis.

While eating lunch alone one day senior, Nash Wilder comes to sit with him. Shaun has had a crush on the senior all year and wonders what the heck the senior was doing sitting with the geeky underclassman?

 

 

 

Excerpt:Wrong Locker by Jackie Nacht

I was in pure hell. As I stood in front of Northeastern High, I could already feel my body tremble in panic. I was barely able to swallow, my throat dry with fear. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I wiped away the stray beads of sweat that showcased my anxiety to everyone passing me by.

Why was I so afraid to walk through those double doors? Oh that’s right. The front office had assigned me a locker in the senior hallway this year due to overcrowding. A sophomore in the senior wing? What in the world had they been thinking?

“You get up late, Shaun? Do you need me to start calling you in the morning again?” Wade adjusted his backpack as he came to stand next to me.

Wade was my only friend in school. We had grown up together and were tight as they came. He was protective of me and vice versa. He was also the only one I’d ever told I was gay, outside of my mom, even though I was teased ruthlessly by the jerks who just assumed. I wasn’t hiding it, but it was no one’s business either, so I didn’t confirm or deny.

How could I tell Wade that every day I tried to be this late? That way I might avoid having to walk to my locker in a hall crowded full of jerks that made it their life’s mission to put me through hell on a daily basis. If I came in late enough, I would only have to deal with a few stragglers as opposed to the whole gamut.

“No, I’m good, Wade.” My voice quivered. I hated feeling this way.

We entered the school together, and Wade paused at the front of the sophomore wing, pursing his lips. “Do you want me to go with you?”

As much as I wanted to say yes, I knew these jerks would be horrible to Wade, and I wanted to protect my one and only friend. “Go on to your locker. We only have a few minutes to make it to class.

“

Walking away from Wade was a test of my courage. My whole body started to go on lockdown, ready to be verbally attacked, insulted and made to feel like a piece of chewing gum on the bottom of a shoe.

Putting my head down, I turned the corner, heading for my locker. I learned that if I didn’t make eye contact with the seniors, usually they would ignore me. I prayed that this would be one of those days. Getting to my locker, my fingers trembled as I grabbed my lock. Sheesh, I couldn’t even get the combination in I was shaking so badly. After screwing it up once, I had to try 

spinning the combination out and trying again.

I took too long. The presence behind me confirmed that my day of hell was about to begin. Leaning my forehead against the cool locker, I didn’t even bother to try opening it up as my breath quickened.

A fist slammed next to me, causing me to jump.

Blake was there, leaning against the locker next to me with two of his buddies standing next to him. I have no clue what I ever did to offend the guy, but he hated me with a passion and was the ringleader to a group of seniors that gave me hell on a daily basis.

“Why haven’t you left yet? No one wants you here, fag.”

Blake all but sneered at me.

It was the same thing every day. A sophomore wasn’t wanted in the wing, but it was more than that. This guy hated me. And I absolutely loathed being called a fag. That was just as bad as a slap to the face. Worse.

There was no point in responding. I’d tried the first couple times, explaining administration couldn’t switch my locker and that the sophomore wing was on overflow to other wings. Heck, there were a few more sophomores in this wing too, but they didn’t seem to have half as much trouble as I did. Of course, those sophomores were athletes.

Me, I was more on the small side, skinny as they came with stylish brown hair that I used to love but now seemed to be a beacon for these jerks.

“I don’t want to see you anymore. I don’t care how you do it, but I don’t want you walking in this hallway again.” Blake slammed the locker with his fist again. The three walked away, laughing and jeering at my humiliation.

I had hoped that it would get better, that these guys would get bored and leave me alone. Yeah, they hadn’t physically hurt me, yet. I knew that it was only a matter of time. Things had escalated too quickly in the last month since I had started school.

The bell rang, and I groaned, knowing that I was going to get into trouble for another tardy. Some days it just didn’t pay to wake up.

I ran all the way to my classroom and got a stern look from my Spanish teacher before sitting down in my assigned seat. This was the best part of my day. While one group of seniors were jerks, they weren’t all bad. Spanish was an elective that students were required to take two years of. Most waited until the last two years but I knew that I wanted to minor it in college so I wanted to have four years of languages.

This period, I got to stare at the back of the football co-captain, Nash Wilder. The man was gorgeous with sun-streaked light brown hair that had a short messy style to it. He was filled out 

with muscles that I would forever lack and a tan I wish I could achieve. However, in my paleness, all I could hope for was a third degree burn. The man was handsome and unattainable. It seemed every girl dreamed he would ask them out, but the guy remained oblivious, concentrating on sports and school.

Glancing up at the dry erase board, I began doing my silent work of conjugating verbs and putting them into sentences. The tension in my body was still there from my earlier confrontation, but a small amount slipped away, knowing that I would have at least a small reprieve.

I was just about finished when Nash turned and stared at me. I glanced up from my paperwork into his puppy dog chocolate-brown eyes, surrounded by long dark eyelashes.

My jaw threatened to drop as he just scrutinized me. What was he thinking? Did I have something on my face? Oh God I did, didn’t I?

“You okay, Shaun?” Nash whispered, doing a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure the teacher wasn’t looking.

Nash knew my name? He freakin’ knew my name. I didn’t think anybody as popular as him would ever notice someone like me, unpopular and not an athletic bone in my body. He also sounded concerned. About me?

“I’m fine,” I croaked out.

Someone in Nash’s social stratosphere didn’t want to hear about all my problems. Probably would bore the guy to death.

Nash stared at me for a moment more before he went back to his work. I blew out a breath with relief that I didn’t have to discuss the jerks that constantly harassed me. How embarrassing would it be to admit to Nash the extent of my struggles, while crowded hallways seemed to simply part for him as he strolled along?

Rolling my pencil between my fingers, I frowned down at my work. This year was going to be so long for me. How was I ever going to be able to get through it? Sighing, I decided to try not to think about it as I got back to my work. Maybe in time I would have an answer, but right then, all I wanted was to survive the day.

BadgeWrongLockerTour Dates: 8/20/14WillPride

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, MM Good Book Reviews, Full Moon Dreaming, SA McAuley, My Fiction Nook, Love Bytes, Prism Book Alliance, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, Will Parkinson, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Charli Green, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Cate Ashwood, Hearts on Fire, Iyana Jenna, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Trisha Harrington’s Blog, Fallen Angels Review, Rainbow Warriors
Posting on 8/21/14:
Amanda C. Stone

Contest:
Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway for $10 Amazon gift card and your choice of a pdf formatted eBook from Jackie Nacht’s book list.  Do not have to be 18 years of age as this is a YA novel.

 

On Tour with Jay Northcoate and Nothing Special Book Tour/Contest

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 Jay Northcote is here with her latest release, Nothing Special.  She has brought along a contest to enter and an excerpt or two to read.  For all the contest details, scroll down to the bottom of the post, Rafflecopter link included.

 

Book Name: Nothing SpecialNorthcoteBannerBlue
Author Name: Jay Northcote
Author Bio:

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.

She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

Nothing Special-cover-finalTitle:  Northing Special
Author:  Jay Northcoate
Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Buy Link:  Amazon

Blurb:

Noah thinks he’s nothing special. Average height, a bit on the skinny side, and cute but rather geeky, he’s relentlessly ordinary. He certainly doesn’t expect to be noticed by Sol, the gorgeous dark-haired stranger Noah sees on his commute home most days. But when Noah’s friend, Dom, persuades Noah to take a huge risk in a bid to get Sol’s attention, things turn out better than Noah dared to hope. Noah and Sol start dating, and much to Noah’s surprise, his feelings seem to be reciprocated.
But Noah’s insecurities make him doubt Sol. He doesn’t believe he’s interesting enough or sexy enough to hold Sol’s attention, and as Sol tries to get closer, Noah’s instinct is to pull away to protect himself. If their relationship is going to survive, Sol needs to convince Noah that he sees Noah very differently to how Noah sees himself. Because to Sol, Noah is something very special indeed.

Excerpt:

He must have slept for a little while, because he was awoken by a warm hand on his shoulder and the brush of lips on his forehead. “Hey, sleeping beauty. I’m done. Want to see?”

“Please.” Noah opened his eyes and moved over so that Sol could sit beside him. Sol handed him the sketch pad so Noah could admire his handiwork.
“Wow… that’s….”

Noah traced the lines of the drawing with his fingertip while he tried to find the words. His body was lean and slender where he lay sprawled on the rumpled sheets. Sol had shaded every dip and shadow to show the curve of muscle and the angle of his bones under the skin.

“You made me look beautiful.” He heard the surprise in his own voice. Noah had never seen himself like this before. It was so different from a photo or looking in the mirror.

“You are beautiful.” Sol’s voice was matter of fact, as though stating that the sky was blue or grass was green.

“I’m not,” Noah protested. “I’m nothing special. I’m just… ordinary.”

Special Excerpt!

Noah stopped by the door, waiting for Sol to open it. His heart was thudding fast now. He was nervous. It had been a while since he’d hooked up with anyone, but he was impatient too. He badly wanted to kiss Sol again. But Sol paused, looking at Noah. “Fuck, sorry. I just realized I completely forgot to offer you a drink. I know you don’t want coffee, but do you want anything else?”

Noah shook his head. “No,” he said. Then with a surge of frustration, he took control of the situation, grabbing Sol by the belt loops and hauling him in. He buried his nose in the crook of Sol’s neck and breathed him in before sucking a biting kiss that made Sol gasp and clutch at Noah’s shoulders. “No. I don’t want anything to drink… or eat… or smoke,” Noah muttered against Sol’s neck and cheek, punctuating his words with wet kisses. He pulled back and looked at Sol’s upturned face. “Can we just…?”

“Skip the pleasantries and get off?” Sol suggested. “Sounds good to me.”

NorthcoteBadgeBlueTour Dates: 8/11 – 8/22 & stopsWillPride
8/11 – My Fiction Nook
8/12 – Emotion in Motion
8/13 – Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Love Bytes
8/14 – Velvet Panic
8/15 – The Novel Approach
8/18 – Prism Book Alliance, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
8/19 – MM Good Book Reviews, Smoocher’s Voice
8/20 – Parker Williams
8/21 – The Blogger Girls
8/22 – Amanda C. Stone, Book Reviews and More by Kathy

Contest:  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the Rafflecopter link provided for the entry form and further contest details. Winner gets the Rafflecopter Prize: Winner’s choice – An e-copy of ‘Nothing Serious’, ‘The Little Things’ or ‘Not Just Friends’

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Review: You Can’t Go Home Again by Michael Murphy

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

You Can't Go Home Again coverAt 32, Jack is a seasoned police officer.  He has done everything possible to prepare his rookie partner, Kevin “The Kid”,   for their undercover operation.  But during the drug bust, things go horribly wrong and Jack is left with his partner dying in his arms.  Off duty and beset by guilt, Jack and his Chief accept the responsiblity of relaying the news to Kevin’s wife, another police officer. At loose ends, Jack and Marie become friends and he agrees to go with her to Alabama to bury Kevin in his home town.

At the church, Jack is in for another shock when Devin, Kevin’s twin brother,appears at the funeral.  Devin is a photographer and gay.  He is also determined to help Marie when they all find out that Marie is pregnant.   A tentative romance continues when Devin makes the surprise decision to leave California and move  east to help Marie,.  Such impetuousness is rewarded with a slammed door and an offer of a guest room from Jack. Soon their romance is hotter than ever.

But each time, things start to settle down for Jack, Devin, and even Marie, obstacles rise up to shatter the calm and bring them all to the edge of despair once more.  Kevin’s mother blames Marie for Kevin being a police officer and his death.  And the aftermath of the drug deal is still playing out.

You can’t go home again but what happens when the new home you are trying to make is threatened at every turn?  Jack,and Devin are about to find out.

The opening chapters of You Can’t Go Home Again are so heartbreaking that they will stay with you for the entire  book.  It brings the short-lived character of The Kid alive, and he ends up hovering over the proceedings for the rest of the story.  You get a real feel for Jack and his partner as things go very wrong and the Kid makes one shattering bad decision that will cost him his life.  It’s shocking, painful, and the death scene is gut wrenching.  Michael Murphy really delivers in the scenes where the officers are helping a shattered Jack dress and leave for Kevin’s home to relay the news of Kevin’s death to his wife.  Here the pain and strength of the Thin Blue Line is poignantly portrayed and it gives a ring of authenticity to Jack as a law enforcement officer.

The power of those opening pages are so strong that sometimes the rest of the story fades under its impact.  But that element of soft discourse is needed after such an emotional start.  Marie’s character, especially, almost requires a quiet fortitude that comes through in the narrative.  Murphy shows the restrained and stress filled support both Jack and Marie bring to each other.  Jack in feeling that he hadn’t done enough to get to know his partner and Marie filling in the gaps for Jack from Kevin’s perspective and hers.  It’s a lovely relationship and a touching one.

The ugliness of the Alabama family and the strain of the funeral are realistic and shocking .  Here the antagonism of the mother and the reveal of the twin brother come together to show how shattering Kevin’s death is and how far its impact spreads.  It also helps to bring  Jack, Marie and Devin together as a unit as characters and in the eyes of the reader.  You can almost feel the scrabbled together family bonds forming.

Murphy’s story still have some twists and turns as it turns the halfway point,  One ties up neatly with the events that occur in the beginning and others from relationships still playing out  from peoples pasts.

There are a few things I wish had been added, last names for one.  I feel having a whole name  contributes to a complete character identity and that was lacking all over the place here.  Too, I wish the character of Devin had been a little more realized.  He came across as less a complete person than his brother who is alive for only a small amount of time on the pages.  Still, I loved the relationships that formed here.  Whether it is the romance between Jack and Devin, or the brothers/sisterly ones that formed between  Jack, Devin, and Marie, I enjoyed watched each and every one form and deepen over time.

I do recommend this story and think you will find You Can’t Go Home Again a rewarding way to spend the day reading.

 

Sales Link:              Dreampsinner Press           All Romance eBook (ARe)      Amazon You Can’t Go Home Again

 Cover art by L.C. Chase.  I like the cover but that model is either fine for The Kid or Devin but too young looking for Jack.

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Published July 18th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press (first published July 17th 2014)
ISBN139781627988995
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://gayromancewriter.com/wordpress/?

Book Blast: Cate Ashwood’s ” Wholehearted” Audio Book Tour & Contest!

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Take a Closer Listen To……….

Wholehearted by Cate Ashwood!

(Audiobook from Dreamspinner Press)

 

Book Name: Wholehearted (Audiobook)

Author Name: Cate Ashwood
Author Bio: Cate Ashwood wrote her very first story in a hot-pink binder when she was in the second grade and found her passion for writing. Her first successful foray into romance writing came five years later when she wrote her best friend, who was experiencing a case of unrequited love, her own happily ever after.

Cate’s life has taken a number of different and adventurous roads. She now lives a stone’s throw from the ocean, just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband and two cats. Her life is filled with family and friends, travel, and, of course, books.

Wholehearted600x600BannerTitle: Wholehearted by Cate Ashwood
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Narrator: John Orr
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press


Buy Link:   Dreamspinner Press

Blurb: Officer Declan Grant responds to a call at the Hope Cove docks to find Lucas Hale barely alive after being beaten and tossed off his fishing boat. The violent crime rocks this tranquil community where everyone knows each other and doors are rarely locked. Despite Declan being new to Hope Cove, he wants to keep his new home and Lucas safe. He starts by volunteering to care for Lucas after he’s released from the hospital.

Lucas just wants to put the whole incident behind him and move on, but the more he gets to know Declan, the harder he finds it to push Declan and his do-right attitude away. The investigation into the assault continues, but Declan will soon face a moral dilemma, a choice that may topple his tidy life and force him to choose between Lucas and the law.

Audio Excerpt: Listen to an audio excerpt from Wholehearted here!



TBadgeWholeheartedour Dates: 8/11/14

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Regular Guys, Hot Romance, LeAnn’s Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, SA McAuley, My Fiction Nook, Love Bytes, Kimi-Chan, Prism Book Alliance, Havan Fellows, Hearts on Fire, The Hat Party, Amanda C. Stone, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Fallen Angel Reviews, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake,, Iyana Jenna, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Emotion in Motion, Tara Lain, Velvet Panic,

 

Contest:  To celebrate the release of the audiobook, Wholehearted,  Cate Ashwood is giving away a audio copy.    Visit the Rafflecopter link below to enter and for additional contest details.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

WillPride

Sunday expectations , Sounds of fall in the air and the week Ahead at ScatteredThoughts

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Sunday is  upon us once more.  How quickly it seems to come around each week.  Normally I would be outside planting, weeding, enjoying the gardens and the dogs but the sounds I hear lately remind me that fall is coming and preparations need to be made.   The whites, yellows and purples associated with late summer, early fall flowers are out in full force.  The “Daisy Mae:” Daisies are hanging in there, the Black-Eyed Susans have thwarted the deer, and the purples of liriope, False Dragonhead, and Great Blue Lobelias are just starting to make their presence known.

Overhead flocks of Canada Geese and Snow geese are reforming, heading to the marshes surrounding the Bay in huge masses, reading for migration and winter.  My feeders are being emptied at an astonishing rate after piddling interest all summer long.  Some leaves have started falling, and the sunlight has that slanted, cooler look to it that proclaims that the Summer Solstice has passed and it is filtering the landscape through an autumnal lens.

The pruning shears are out, the mulch bags waiting for someone other than me to cover the beds.  The hummingbirds are still here, the feeders still full, and the offerings in the yard are getting scarcer by the day.

It also means that GRL is fast approaching in October and I hope soon to be able to make an announcement about a new reviewer here at ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords.  I love fall.  Its every bit as beautiful to me  as Spring and Summer. In fact it may be my favorite of all the Seasons.  Brisk, clean air that puts a snap to your step as your walk and a little color in your cheeks.  I know the dogs are happier…its terrier weather for sure.

Ahhh, the sounds of change is in the air…how sweet, how promising, how wonderful!

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 You Can't Go Home Again coverBadgeWholehearted

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the upcoming week ahead at Scattered Thoughts….

Monday, August 11:

  • Blue Notes continues with Shira Anthony’s Dissonance Book Tour (contest)
  • Book Blast:  Cate Ashwood’s Wholehearted Audio Book Tour (contest)

Tuesday, August 12:

  • On Tour with Rory Ni Coileain’s SoulShares Series (contest)
  • Lou Hoffman is Here with Key of Behliseth, a YA Book Release (contest)
  • Review:  Dissonance by Shira Anthony

Wednesday, August 13:

  • Review: Wicked Winds by Havan Fellows
  • Review: Out in the Cold by Lee Brazil

Thursday, August 14:

  • In the Author Spotlight: Jason Lloyd and his release, Queer Dirty Laundry (contest)
  • Review:  Devil’s Own by Susan Laine

Friday, August 15:

  • In the Author Spotlight:  Lee Brazil on Writing, In From the Cold, and More (contest)
  • Review: You Can’t Go Home Again by Michael Murphy

Saturday, August 16:

    • Review: Queer Dirty Laundry by Jason Lloyd