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A Review Redux: A MelanieM Review: With This Bling (Romano and Albright, #3) by L.B. Gregg

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ★★★★★

With This Bling coverCaesar Romano’s catering career is doing better than he’d ever dreamed. And so is his love life—even if his boyfriend’s house in Staten Island is way too far from civilization for his liking. But then in short order, Caesar is duped into helping his cousin propose, is tricked by his best friend and business partner into appearing on live television, and is harassed by a thug-like personal trainer and his far too beautiful wife. In fact, Caesar is almost too busy to notice that something is troubling his PI boyfriend, Dan Albright.

Almost.

Laid-back, open, charming—that’s the impression hunky former NYPD Detective Dan Albright gives everyone. Caesar can add sexually adventurous and a bit of an exhibitionist. But he also knows that Dan is hiding something—something dark and a little dangerous—and when Dan’s silence over his mysterious past threatens to harm them both, it’s Caesar’s turn to save the day.

But then again, a break-in, a gallery party, an heirloom ring, a new suit, and a stalker with bad BO are all just a typical week for Caesar Romano.

In 2010, L. B. Gregg released a story, Catch Me If You Can (Romano and Albright, #1) which introduced me and so many other readers to Caesar Romano and P.I. Dan Albright.  And I fell in love.  The second novel, also 2010, saw that love affair deepen and become an addiction.

Then the stories stopped.

But I was hopeful.  And patient.  Now I’ve finally been rewarded along with all the other fans of this author and amazing series.  Romano and Albright are back and better than ever!

We dive right back into confirmed city dweller Caesar’s life.  He’s out on Staten Island, staying in boyfriend Dan’s house.

“Sunshine poured into the kitchen, warming a row of spiny potted herbs on the windowsill. Outside, the neat suburban backyard burst with green shrubbery and midsummer flowers. A plump gray bird sat on the clothesline and a squirrel frolicked in the grass, both a reminder that I needed to get the hell back to the city because honest to God, it was like the country out there.”

Yep, nothing suits Caesar so well as the smell of the city and the congested, exuberant life he leads there.  To him, the quiet of a Staten Island neighborhood screams country, even though his beloved city is with well within eyesight.  From that wonderful start, L.B. Gregg’s lively, snarky narrative takes off, her dialogs a perfect match for each and every one of her memorable characters.  A mystery popped up almost immediately (this is Caesar and Dan) and we are off on another case and misadventure.  I was grinning from the very beginning in anticipation and L. B. Gregg didn’t let me down!

Dan’s personal background has always been a bit of a question for Caesar (and the readers).  Some of those are answered here. I had to double check the timeline and it appears its still been about 6 months since the first time they met, so that feels about right in a relationship still working on its foundation.  The author’s characterizations are so good, her plots so well thought out, that everything just comes together just as it should.  We know that Dan and Caesar belong together…no matter how scary it gets.  And yes, it can get plenty scary here.  But the action and suspense never overwhelms the relationship between Caesar and Dan, or any of  the other interpersonal ties going on at the moment.  Plenty of those too.  The connections here are all about the family.

New York City and its neighborhoods is easily not just a setting but a character all of its own.  Gregg’s familiarity with each borough and their unique “feel” gives this book another layer to flavor.  This also carries over to  Gregg’s characters, all of the Romano family (and they are many and varied) to the Albright upright clan and everyone in between.  Lots and lots of in between.   His cousin Joey and Caesar’s business partner, Poppy, uncles Tino and Vito, among the large and hugely entertaining cast.  How I love them all.

But the heart of the series and this story will always be Caesar and Dan, a relationship that continues to flourish and grow.  Here Caesar makes enormous emotional strides forward…even if it comes at the end.

I whipped through this story because I was starved for it, then started through once again.  It got even better the second time around.   I’m not sure I would call this a standalone.  I’m sure you could read it that way but why would you?  Don’t you want to see how it all started?  Watch Caesar meet Dan, watch Dan loosen up Caesar more than a little?  Watch Dan (a ex NYPD Detective) meet the huge Romano family whose connection to the law is somewhat loose and shaky?  The humor in these novels will have you laughing out loud in places.  Romano and Albright!  A couple that sexy, intelligent, fun and full of action in the best sense of the word.  What more could you want?

I highly recommend this story and all in the series.  Now begins the wait for the next story.  I can be patient.  I know it will be worth the wait.

Cover art by L. C. Chase is absolutely perfect.  Whether its Joey or Caesar (they look almost identical).  Chase has them down.

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 264 pages
Expected publication: December 7th 2015 by Riptide Publishing
original titleWith This Bling
ISBN139781626493599
edition languageEnglish

Series Romano and Albright

Its Release Day for Maelstrom, A Whyborne & Griffin Tale From Jordan L. Hawk! Join us & Read an Exclusive Excerpt from Maelstrom

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Maelstrom (Whyborne & Griffin #7)
by Jordan L. Hawk
Cover Art by Jordan L. Hawk

Available December 11. Order it now at:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | ARe |Smashwords| Kobo | Nook | iBooks

 

About Maelstrom

Between his father’s sudden—and rather suspicious—generosity, and his own rash promise to help Christine plan her wedding, Percival Endicott Whyborne has quite enough to worry about. But when the donation of a mysterious codex to the Ladysmith Museum draws the attention of a murderous cult, Whyborne finds himself in a race against time to unlock its secrets first.

Griffin has a case of his own: the disappearance of an historic map, which quickly escalates to murder. Someone is sacrificing men in dark rituals—and all the clues lead back to the museum.

With their friends Christine and Iskander, Whyborne and Griffin must discover the cult’s true goal before it’s too late. For dark forces are afoot at the very heart of the museum, and they want more than Whyborne’s codex.

They want his life.

 

Exclusive Excerpt

I awoke to a sharp rapping on our door.

The bedroom was dark, without even the light of the moon to seep in through the window. A soft breeze stirred the curtains, bringing with it Widdershins’s distinctly fishy scent. We’d thrown back the coverlets, and I felt Whyborne stiffen beside me, his naked skin lightly filmed with sweat where our bodies touched.

“That isn’t Christine’s knock,” he whispered.

My mind sorted through possibilities as I sat up. A potential client in dire need? A neighbor in some sort of distress?

The knock came again, this time much more heavily. “Mr. Flaherty!” a voice called from the front yard. “It’s Detective Tilton. Open the door.”

Whyborne let out a soft gasp, and my heart started into my ribs in fear. Wild images chased themselves through my mind—the police bursting in, finding Whyborne and I in bed together. Hauling us off to jail. Standing beside him in a docket, both of us facing ruin at best, hard time in jail at worst.

“Go,” I said, switching on the light and reaching for my nightshirt.

He didn’t have to ask, sliding out of the room and into the darkened corridor. A moment later, the light in what was ostensibly his bedroom came on. He’d remember to muss the bed sheets, I told myself, even as I snatched up the pillow his head had rested on and arranged it behind mine, as if I’d used it as a prop. Damn, I should have given it to him, to exchange for the one in his bedroom, the dampness of sweat a guarantee he’d indeed slept on it.

It was too late now. I tied my dressing gown about my waist as I left my room and paused in the study. A photo taken by Iskander showed Whyborne and I on the couch together, and I tossed it hastily into a drawer for concealment, before making my way down the stairs.

Had my theft of the crime scene photograph provoked Tilton too far? Or, as with the investigation that had ended with me in his jail years ago, had my prying angered the wrong people?

“I’ve got the door, Whyborne!” I called once I reached the hallway, loud enough for Tilton to hear. Just a landlord assuring his friend and lodger that the situation was under control, and there was no reason to bestir himself from his entirely separate bed.

Tilton stood on the stoop, dark rings around his eyes. From the stubble on his face, I guessed he’d been roused from bed himself not long ago, and in too much haste to shave. I gave him a look of concern. “Detective Tilton, is everything all right? You don’t seem well.”

He shook his head, and for a moment seemed to be at a loss for words. “I’d say everything is far from all right, Mr. Flaherty. I’ve come about your client. Dewey Lambert.”

The tight knot of fear loosened in my gut. He hadn’t come for Whyborne and me after all.

Then his words registered, and a new kind of fear touched me. “Mr. Lambert? Is he all right?”

It was a stupid question; Tilton wouldn’t have been on my doorstep at this hour if nothing was wrong. “I’m afraid Mr. Lambert died tonight in his cell,” Tilton said, a tremor in his voice. “The circumstances surrounding his death were…odd.”

Odd. The same word Lambert had used when he came to me in the first place. And now the poor bastard was dead.

Book Details:

ebook
Expected publication: December 11th 2015 by Jordan L. Hawk
ISBN13 9781941230169
edition language English
series Whyborne & Griffin #7
Whyborne & Griffin Series at Goodreads

 Would You Like Some Whyborne & Griffin Paper Dolls?

Here is the link to some fabulous Whyborne & Griffin paperdolls on Jordan L. Hawk’s website. Also wallpaper, so many great extras for all you Whyborne & Griffin fans!  Here is a sample:
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                                                            About the Author

Jordan L. Hawk pic

Jordan L. Hawk grew up in the wilds of North Carolina, where she was raised on stories of haints and mountain magic by her bootlegging granny and single mother. After using a silver knife in the light of a full moon to summon her true love, she turned her talents to spinning tales. She weaves together couples who need to fall in love, then throws in some evil sorcerers and undead just to make sure they want it bad enough. In Jordan’s world, love might conquer all, but it just as easily could end up in the grave.

Jordan L. Hawk
Men, Monsters, and Mayhem!
Best-selling author of the Whyborne & Griffin series.

 

Romano & Albright Have Returned in LB Gregg’s ‘With This Bling’ (Giveaway)

With This Bling cover

With This Bling (Romano and Albright #3) by L.B. Gregg
Published by Riptide Publishing
Cover Art by L. C. Chase
Purchase the book here at Riptide

About the Book

Caesar Romano’s catering career is doing better than he’d ever dreamed. And so is his love life—even if his boyfriend’s house in Staten Island is way too far from civilization for his liking. But then in short order, Caesar is duped into helping his cousin propose, is tricked by his best friend and business partner into appearing on live television, and is harassed by a thug-like personal trainer and his far too beautiful wife. In fact, Caesar is almost too busy to notice that something is troubling his PI boyfriend, Dan Albright.

Almost.

Laid-back, open, charming—that’s the impression hunky former NYPD Detective Dan Albright gives everyone. Caesar can add sexually adventurous and a bit of an exhibitionist. But he also knows that Dan is hiding something—something dark and a little dangerous—and when Dan’s silence over his mysterious past threatens to harm them both, it’s Caesar’s turn to save the day.

But then again, a break-in, a gallery party, an heirloom ring, a new suit, and a stalker with bad BO are all just a typical week for Caesar Romano.

About the Author

When not working from her home in the rolling hills of Northwestern Connecticut, author L.B. Gregg can be spotted in coffee shops from Berlin to Singapore to Panama–sipping lattes and writing sweet, hot, often funny, stories about men who love men.

For more info on L.B., because surely one can never get too much of a good thing, you can follow her on her preferred social media, Facebook. You can also e-mail L.B. at lbgregg at lbgregg dot com, visit her website , be her GoodReads pal or follow her sporadic appearances on Twitter.

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Giveaway

To celebrate the release of With This Bling, L.B. Gregg is giving away a Romano and Albright mug with swag, and a $40 gift card to Amazon! Your first comment at each stop on this tour enters you in the drawing. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on December 12, 2015. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. Entries. Follow the tour for more opportunities to enter the giveaway! Don’t forget to leave your email or method of contact so Riptide can reach you if you win!  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Good luck and Happy Reading.

In the Book Spotlight: Laurie Terson’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Ranch’ (excerpt and giveaway)

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Rockin’ Around The Ranch by Laurie Terson
 Release Date: December 11, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: MLR Press
Cover Artist: Melody A. Pond

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Blurb

There a storm is coming. And Christmas is on its way. Jace is supposed to be on his way to Florida. But Jace’s boyfriend Taylor isn’t coming. Taylor’s on a last minute business trip. Hunkering down and taking care of things on the ranch, Jace is trying to make the best of his sorry Christmas. But where the heck did this baby come from?

Taylor is on a business trip when a co-worker’s flu extends his trip. When he should have been heading on vacation with Jace, giving him the best Christmas present ever, he’s stuck in an airport talking to some old guy with a white beard.

 

Pages or Words: 16,000 words
 Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance, Romance, Ranch Hand/Cowboy, Holiday, and a little humor

Excerpt

Chapter One

Jacen Assante hurried past the split rail fence toward the barn. He’d told his co-workers, Shep and Carl, that he’d take care of the barn animals if they took care of the horses. They’d been out riding along the fence line all day looking for holes. Pausing at the barn door, he removed his gloves, pushed his battered Stetson back, and wiped a trickle of sweat from his brow. Even in the dead of winter, riding hard and pulling barbed fence wire could cause a body to sweat. He glanced around taking in the stark beauty of the world surrounding him. Nestled in the closed end of a wide valley and in the distance, mountains rose on three sides. This late in December, other than the pines, the trees were bare of leaves. The late afternoon sun glistened, reflecting from the few patches of snow on the ground. A few still clung to the tree branches. They had gotten their first dusting of snow just a couple of weeks ago. Jace knew they had a lot more snow to come.

They’d moved the cattle to the lower pastures a while back. Keeping them closer to the ranch buildings made sense—easier to get to and care for them. This late in the year, the only ones remaining were the few breeding stock animals his boss, Conner, wanted to keep. His boss sure had his own way of wanting to do things. Not like any other boss Jace had ever worked for.

Like the animals in the barn. Jace shook his head. No weathered wood for this barn. The barn was so darn fancy it was better than a lot of people’s houses. Got to love people with more money than brains. The critters in there had lights and heating. Hell, Conner had even put in central air conditioning. And all for a frickin’ cow, a goat, an ornery mule, and a miniature horse. The cow no longer gave any milk, just stood there chewing her cud. The goat head-butted anything that got close enough, and the mule tried to bite everything it could reach. Useless damn animals. Their horses had their own barn, not as fancy as this one but what the hell. The horses weren’t considered pets. Jace guessed he didn’t care except caring for them took up time when other things needed doing. There wasn’t enough time to get all of the work done. With just a few hands, as soon as they finished a chore they had to start all over again.

Jace watched as the other two cared for the horses they’d used. Shep had the tanned leather face of cowpokes from years ago. But Jace knew Shep was only about fifteen years older than him. That made Shep late forties. Jace always teased him about using sunscreen and moisturizers. Carl was the same age as Jace and took care of himself, much like Jace did. Neither man left the ranch house without sunscreen on. But even with care Jace knew there were a few laugh lines crinkling around the corners of his eyes.

Over the winter months it was usually just him, Shep Lambert, and Carl Drummer on the ranch. During peak season it was the three of them plus a couple of part-timers that worked a few days a week or as needed. Along with the teens that Conner sent their way. Sending at risk teens to the ranch had been a family tradition. Jacen had met Conner the summer he’d been sent there. They had struck up a friendship that lasted to this day.

Conner had spent every one of his summers working the ranch with his grandfather. Then while Conner had gone off to make his millions in real estate, Jace had stayed on to work the ranch. When Conner had inherited the ranch from his grandfather nothing had changed. Things had kept on the way they always had except now there was enough money to improve and expand the bunk house. This had upped the number of teen boys that could spend their summers learning about life and teamwork. Conner still dropped in to visit at least once a year, spending a week or so doing the things he had during his youth.

Shep’s voice bellowed, breaking into Jace’s musing. “Hey Jacen, ya going to move your ass or you going to stand there and daydream about your vacation instead of leaving on it?”

Shep and Carl were having way too much fun teasing Jace this year. It was good natured teasing because both of them knew how devastated Jace had been last year when his plans had been cancelled.

“Don’t be an ass.” He heard Carl chide Shep.

“I’m going, I’m going. But one, only Taylor or my momma call me Jacen. And you don’t look like either one. And two, I only have a few things left to pack. Like the toothbrush I’m using tonight.”

Shep threw his dandy brush at Carl’s head. “And who wanted to bet on the vacation going off as planned?”

Jace turned toward them. “What the hell? You guys have a bet going?” With each word out of his mouth he got pissed just a little bit more. What the hell where they thinking?

Holding up both hands, Shep looked to Carl for help. “Now, Jace, don’t go getting your mad on. We’re mostly betting on it so that it does happen. And it wasn’t just us. Jesse and Pete both have money on this too. Hell, Evan does too.”

His jaw dropping, Jace stared at the two ranch hands. “What the fuck? Carl, even your boyfriend is in on this?”

“Hell, Evan wasn’t going to pass on this bet. And yeah, we were just doing that reverse psychology thing.” Carl smiled at Jace, seemingly pleased with his logic. “You know like when you want something bad enough you make it seem like you don’t so you aren’t disappointed.”

“Yeah, right guys.” Jace shook his head, not believing any of it as he made his way over to the barn. “And next you’re going to tell me you believe Santa Claus is real too. Keep talking and digging that hole deeper.”

Today he wanted the last of his chores for the day to be done. He had to get back to the farmhouse and finish the packing so he and his boyfriend could leave on vacation in two days. They were going for seven warm, sunny, tropical days in Florida. Just him and Taylor, lying on the beach, soaking up all the sun they could handle. They would be drinking all kinds of fruity rum drinks all day. No bosses, no cattle, no cowhands, no snow, no worries. After canceling last year’s vacation, Taylor had promised this year it was going to happen. Damn, he was looking forward to it. It felt kind of strange that he wasn’t going to be on the ranch for Christmas. He was such a sentimental sap about Christmas. He loved everything about the holidays here on the ranch. The snow, then going out and cutting a tree. The cooking, decorating and the shopping for that special present, yep, he loved it all. Oh, he’d never admit any of that out loud or anything, but it was still all true.

Thinking of Taylor, Jace rolled his eyes. He hated the label of boyfriend. After three years together you’d think there would be a better word. It made them sound like they were back in high school or something. Taylor Lawless was thirty six, for Christ sakes. And a regional manager of a restaurant chain, too. Jace hated that Taylor had to travel some for his job, but there wasn’t anything Taylor could do about that.

Taylor’s job was the only bone of contention they had between them. Taylor lived on the ranch with him, mostly. He still had a place in town but never stayed there. And there was enough to do around the ranch for Taylor to be put on the payroll. Taylor could do the office paperwork and payroll. And he was such a good cook, he could do that too. It was his pride that made Taylor stay at his damn job, since he hated his boss—or at least that was what Jace thought from the things Taylor said.

Shaking his head Jace decided that he wasn’t going to think about it anymore. They were going on vacation. That was all there was to it. He couldn’t let thoughts of last year derail this year’s plans.

Sliding the door open, he went into the barn. Taylor would be home in about an hour. They’d have dinner with the guys, and then get the rest of their packing done. Then Jace had plans that involved him, Taylor, their king-sized bed, and a whole lot of lube.

Buy the book:  All Romance (ARe) 

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Meet the author:
Laurie Terson grew up in So Cal, where she lived most of her life. She met her husband of thirty plus years there. A victim of the empty nest, when her daughter and son moved out, she has replaced them with a 5 lb dog named Peanut. The three of them currently live under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Always a daydreamer, stories of one kind or another have lived in her head. She has always been and still is avid reader. She decided to try her hand at writing when she was challenged by a friend after they discussed how she was re-writing scenes from books to make them go the way she thought they should go.

When not reading or writing she can be found watching sports, of all kinds. A tomboy while growing up, she loved fishing, camping and traveling. She also enjoys going to the movies, cooking, wine tasting and crafting.

She is a believer that love is love, no more, no less. And that gender doesn’t matter because everyone deserves a happy ever after.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Bonkers About Books, Bayou Book Junkie, 3 Chicks After Dark, Happily Ever Chapter, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, BFD Book Blog, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Inked Rainbow Reads, Book Lovers 4Ever, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Divine Magazine, MM Good Book Reviews, Alpha Book Club, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Velvet Panic, The Hat Party

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $5 Gift Card to the retailer of choice, link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

 

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WillPride

Coffee Sip and Book Break with ‘Indigo’ by RJ Jones‏ (excerpt and giveaway

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Title: Indigo Road
Author: R.J. Jones
Cover artist: Meredith Russell

Synopsis

Two best friends take a year off to find themselves… and end up finding each other.

Joshua Simpson has just finished four years at Purdue University, but that’s not why he’s buzzing with excitement. Once they’ve said goodbye to their families, Josh and his best friend Alex are taking off to discover America in an old but reliable VW van, planning on not seeing snow for an entire year.

Josh has always considered himself straight—except for that one time in college—so when he and Alex are living in such close proximity on the road, he’s unsure what these new feelings mean. Is it because they’re spending 24/7 together, or is it something deeper? And does it really matter since Josh has only ever seen Alex with women?

While in Oregon, Josh meets Johnno, a sexy but confusing Aussie surfer. While having an impromptu surfing lesson, Johnno helps Josh realize who he is and what he wants—but Alex’s reaction leaves Josh confused.

From a Montana ranch to the bright lights and dangerous streets of Los Angeles to a dark and lonely deserted highway in Alabama, join Josh and Alex as they drive around the US, discovering not only who they are, but who they can be together.

Genre: New Adult, Gay Romance, Contemporary
Length: Novel

Indigo Road Cover

Buy Now

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01867I9M4/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01867I9M4/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01867I9M4/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/594892
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-indigoroad-1926713-149.html

Giveaway

Prizes: 1 ecopy of Indigo Road; 1 ecopy of any RJ Jones’ backlist titles, winner’s choice.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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About the Author

R.J. Jones started as a reader and eventually made the progression to reviewing. It wasn’t until two men popped into her thoughts, insisting on telling her their story that she started to write.

It started with one scene. A hot and dirty one in the shower…

R.J.’s initial thought was if she could write their scene then they’d shut up and allow her to concentrate on other aspects of her day. Not so. That shower scene ended up being 3000 words long and three hours of work.  And still, they didn’t shut up.  They told her their entire story and she didn’t sleep for days. Sometimes she couldn’t keep up with what they were telling her and she had to keep a notebook by her bed.

Whilst she was writing their story a side character decided he needed his story told too. Then other characters followed suit.

You see the problem? If she ever wants to sleep again then she needs to write.

R.J. is a wife and a mother to two boys. She is surrounded by males. Even her dog is a boy.

R.J. Jones can be found at:

Website: http://rjjonesauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robyn.j.jones.1711
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rjjonesauthor
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/rjjones-author
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rjjonesauthor/

In the Book Spotlight: Voss Foster’s ‘A Fool’s War’ (excerpt and giveaway)

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A Fool’s War ( #3) by Voss Foster
 Release Date: December 2, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Prizm Books
Cover Artist: Kris Noriss

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Blurb

Marley is alive, and back with Toby and the rest of Zirkua Fantastic. But King Jester, the spirit of discord, still roams free, and his most fearsome creations, the Princes, have been loosed from their prisons. Now, human and immortal alike are disappearing, no sign of a body or a struggle to be found. More and more of them each day.

Now, it’s the duty of the last remnants of resistance to stand strong against the impossible, battle back the chaos before it ravages Earth. And all the while, a single question remains unanswered: can life ever return to normal after this?

 

Pages or Words: 51,000 words
 Categories: Fantasy, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Urban Fantasy

Excerpt

Toby wrapped an arm around Marley, felt the hard muscles of his arms. “You’re wonderful.”

“Well, I try.”

They wandered through the camp. Once, it had been a circus, the greatest circus in all the world: Zirkua Fantastic. But it died when King Jester escaped. Now, only haunted remnants remained. Hawkers’ corridor, once lively with trade, stood as dusty, weather-beaten booths, the machines and stock left abandoned. The tent frame stood, its fabric long burned away.

And there was the graveyard. It started with Darius, killed in King Jester’s escape. But it grew. It grew too much, too fast. After they rescued Marley, they buried what was left of the victims, of the old performers.

Toby turned his eyes away from the graves, back to the skeleton of the tent. Those humans who chose to stay, after everything, spent most of their time here. Toby shook his head. Again, was this really safety? Could they really be safe, even with the protections. Those who stayed behind stayed to fight.

When Toby looked at them, he didn’t see them alive. Just dead. Killed by Coyote or killed by King Jester or, done away with. Whatever happened down in the town. And he wasn’t the one who could keep them safe. Not against King Jester or his army of half-breeds.

Buy the book: Torquere Books

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Meet the Author

Voss Foster lives in the middle of the Eastern Washington desert, where he writes science fiction and fantasy from inside a single-wide trailer. He is the author of Tartaros, The King Jester Trilogy, and the Evenstad Media Presents series, among others. His short fiction has been featured in various magazines and anthologies, including Andomreda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. When he can be pried away from his keyboard, he can be found cooking, singing, practicing photography, and belly dancing, though rarely all at the same time.

 

Where to find the author:

 

Tour Dates & Stops:

December 9:

The Hat Party, Bayou Book Junkie, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, KathyMac Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Velvet Panic, Full Moon Dreaming, Happily Ever Chapter, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Nephy Hart, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Mikky’s World of Books

December 10:

Havan Fellows, Parker Williams

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: Zirkua Fantastic (King Jester #1).  Must be 18 years of age or older.   Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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A BJ Review: Y Negative by Kelly Haworth

Rating:  1.5 stars out of 5

Y Negative coverIn the last surviving cities of a ruined world, the concept of “woman” has been forgotten to history. Those unfortunate enough to lack a Y chromosome live as second-class citizens in a world dominated by mascs.

Ember is Y negative. He is scorned, bullied, abused by every masc he encounters, at work and at the gym. Not even his Y negative roommate cuts him any slack. He wants so desperately to be accepted as a masc that he’d rather buy black market testosterone than food. Something’s gotta give—he needs a change in his life, but has no idea how to find it.

Jess is a masc with a passion for studying the recovery of their devastated world. His boyfriend is pressuring him for more commitment, and his father expects him to take over the family business. He can’t wait to get away from civilization for his seasonal research out in the wild.

When Jess offers Ember a job, their lives collide in the isolated wasteland, and their initial attraction turns into a relationship that horrifies those around them. Soon their struggle to stay together and to be who they are turns into a fight for their lives.

This is going to be a hard review to write, but maybe that is fitting since the story itself was hard for me to read. It became clear as I got further into the book that this was not a story for me. For one thing, when I read a story, I need to feel a connection to at least one of the characters in order to fully engage with it. I didn’t feel that here. Didn’t feel any sort of chemistry between the characters.

The writing style didn’t work for me either, it actually seemed to distance me rather than draw me in. At various parts of the book, I despised pretty much every character, and that is saying something as I’m an easy-going sort of person.

At a few parts I just sat there staring at my kindle with my mouth open. Really. For example, a scene where Jess and Ember are first intimate, Jess’ appalling reaction at seeing him, his lack of caring even when he had to have known how he’d hurt Ember since he’d screamed out his pain and we know from a prior scene the walls are thin… then just telling him an hour later to get out there to work. OMG. No. Especially when Ember was right back to wanting him as if it didn’t happen a few pages later.

And try as I might, this story left me confused, frustrated, and alternately pissed off with various characters. Perhaps if there had been some sort of backstory in the book to explain why women were no longer thought of as women but as Y negatives and well, to explain so much more. Because I was confused.

After finishing the book, I read an article by the author that was published on this site a while back. Perhaps I should have read it before the book, it might have helped a little. But considering that math and science aren’t my thing, it still had my eyes crossing a bit. However, I recommend it prior to reading the story.

Overall, the premise is interesting, but the delivery of it didn’t work well for me personally.

The cover art by Jay Aheer made me look at this story, its dark and haunting and interesting.

Sales Links:  Riptide Publishing | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here


Book Details:  

ebook, 317 pages
Published November 16th 2015 by Riptide Publishing
ISBN 1626493332 (ISBN13: 9781626493339)
edition languageEnglish
url
other editions (2)
Y Negative
Y Negative