A MelanieM Review: Diamond Flush: Ace of Diamonds Four by Laura Harner (Pulp Friction 2015: Altered States Book 16)

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Diamond Flush coverFor Alpha Jet Gorman, discovering the origins of his pack’s newest members has provided more questions than answers. Like why would someone deliberately expose the existence of supernatural beings to the human world through in vitro fertilization? And more importantly…cui bono? Who benefits most from the Revelation? With the threat of betrayal a constant presence running through the Vieux Carré, at least Jet can count on Nico to have his back.

Ancient vampire Nico Sanzio da Urbino has been given an order to kill a werewolf—not unusual given his job as an enforcer. The problem lies in the fact the targeted Alpha is often in Nico’s bed—or vice versa—and may just be that elusive soul mate he has never quite believed in. Not to mention Jet’s blood fairly sings through Nico’s veins. Caught somewhere between the Paranormal Odd Squad, the all powerful Vampire Council, and a promise to his oldest friend, Nico must make a choice before someone realizes he hasn’t carried out his orders—and takes the matter out of his hands.

With the New Orleans preternatural population continuing to increase at an unnatural rate, the local Alpha and the Odd Squad’s chief enforcer should have their attention focused on maintaining the human-to-super status quo, but with things between them at an incendiary high, their mutual distraction could prove deadly—for everyone.

Heading into the all important fifth book, Laura Harner lines up her angst and mysteries here, her characters waiting to see who will survive the upcoming evil tide of events.  Nico and Jet’s relationship has gotten deeper and richer, despite the fact that both are keeping important secrets from each other.  But Nico’s maybe the most important of them all as he has been ordered to kill the Alpha, who just happens to be his lover and perhaps his soulmate Jet.  Jet also is keeping things hidden from Nico, the worst betrayals seeming only moments away and all blended together with scenes of smoking hot sex.

One of the things I so appreciate about Laura Harner is her ability to balance the elements of  sex, suspense and horror with those of tenderness, love, and angst.  The early scene of Jet and Artie had me in tears.  It was quiet, moving, and a needed reminder of what was at stake for them all.  A gem of a moment among many.

So here we are.  So close to the end.  I have thoughts about where this might go but rarely does that line up with the author’s! This is a superb series as are all the interconnected stories associated with it.  They make a perfect Halloween read, or book choice for anytime of the year.  I highly recommend this for lovers of the supernatural, the paranormal, for M/M romance…it really has it all.

Cover art by Laura Harner.  I think its missing that wonderful sexy aspect of the last cover.  Not my favorite.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 67 pages
Published September 29th 2015 by Hot Corner Press
ASINB0160AL7V4
edition language English

 

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About Pulp Friction 2015

Lee Brazil ~ Havan Fellows ~ Parker Williams ~ Laura Harner

The Pulp Friction 2015 Altered States Collection.
Four authors.
Four Series.
Twenty books.
One supernatural finale.

Spend a year with the creatures that go bump in the night…fighting for their rights to exist and protecting the innocents of The Big Easy. A diverse group of friends trying to find their place in a world they never had to “fit” into before.

Although each series can stand alone, we believe reading the books in the order they are released will increase your enjoyment.

Round One:
Drawing Dead (Jack of Spades: 1) by Lee Brazil
Blind Stud (King of Hearts: 1) by Havan Fellows
The Devil’s Bedpost (Four of Clubs: 1) by Parker Williams
Diamonds and Dust (Ace of Diamonds: 1) by Laura Harner

Round Two:
Dead Blind (Jack of Spades: 2) by Lee Brazil
Stud Player (King of Hearts: 2) by Havan Fellow
Up the Ante (Four of Clubs: 2 ) by Parker Williams
Diamond Draw (Ace of Diamonds: 2) by Laura Harner

Round Three:

Dead Button (Jack of Spades #3) by Lee Brazil
Blind Man’s Bluff (King of Hearts #3) by Havan Fellows
The Devil’s Playground (Four of Clubs #3) by Parker Williams
Diamonds Edge (Ace of Diamonds #3) by Laura Harner

Round Four:

Dead Man’s Hand (Jack of Spades 4) by Lee Brazil
Blind Heart (King of Hearts 4) by Havan Fellows
High Stakes (Four of Clubs 4) by Parker Williams
Diamond Flush (Ace of Diamonds 4) by Laura Harner

A Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Boyfriend For The Weekend (Boyfriend #1) by Diana DeRicci

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Boyfriend for the Weekend coverJayden Sindler’s sister is getting married, and she’s extremely adamant that he be sure to bring a date to Florida where the wedding party will be spending the five days before the wedding getting acquainted and having a mini-vacation before the big day. Stressing the names of her friends who don’t care that Jayden is gay and will “man hunt” him all week, she finally makes her point. So when he’s out with his best friend Tim and meets not only Tim’s new boyfriend Bill but also Bill’s cousin, Nash, he decides to ask if Nash would be interested.

It doesn’t hurt that Nash is gorgeous, tall and lean with long dark hair, eyeliner-highlighted eyes and a smile that captures Jayden’s interest immediately. But Bill has reservations about letting Nash go, since Nash is newly out and actually moved in with Bill to escape his homophobic father. Nash has never had a boyfriend, nor any opportunity to explore his sexuality, but it’s a chance for Nash to relax and be away from his father in a safe environment, so when Jayden swears he will keep his hands off Nash, Bill relents and nineteen-year-old Nash is allowed to accompany the twenty-six-year-old playboy to Florida.

On the plane, the two decide to act the part of boyfriends, deciding that their act will be more convincing, and after all, they wouldn’t want anyone to think that Nash is a paid escort, would they? But what happens when the pretending becomes real? Not only does Nash lose his heart to Jayden, who treats him with the utmost respect, but Jayden loses his heart to Nash, perceiving the younger man as the sweetest gift he’s ever been given.

Is there any chance their caring and concern for each other could ever be more? And is there any chance Bill won’t kill Jayden if he breaks his promise about remaining hands-off? And last, but not least, is there any chance for them when they re-enter the real world and school and job responsibilities demand their attention?

This is a really sweet story—the kind that put a smile on my face and kept it there throughout the book. There are sexy times and sweet, tender moments, and there are also family conflict and hurt feelings when Jayden realizes how others perceive him. But overall, it’s just plain fun to read this romance. On a negative note, though it ends on a HFN, it does end somewhat abruptly with a “to be continued” at the end of the Epilogue. No cliffhanger, thankfully, but nevertheless, no HEA. I do believe I will be picking up the next story in the series because I enjoyed these guys so much I want to see where their careers and commitment to each other take them. I recommend it to all who enjoy a sweet M/M romance with age gap, virgins, and very little angst. Can’t go wrong with this one.

Cover art by Melody Pond depicts the torsos of two suited men, arms linked, in the top panel of the cover, with a script-style title across the center and a fancy wedding-style place setting across the lower panel. Very bright and cheerful, and it definitely indicates the content of the story.

Sales Links: MLR Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 164 pages
Published August 20th 2015 by MLR Press
original title Boyfriend for the Weekend
ASIN B0148RTW1S
edition language English
series Boyfriend #1

A Jeri Review: The Making of Matt (Souls of the Knight #3) by Nicola Haken

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

The Making of Matt coverMatt Carter, self-proclaimed sex-god and drummer for world renowned Souls of the Knight, didn’t have the time or inclination for planning his future, preferring to fill his days with music, women and alcohol. He didn’t want or need anything else in his life.

Until the band parted ways and he found himself no longer living the dream.

Bored and lonely, with too much time and money on his hands, Matt turns to his best friend, Alex Clark, to help devise a new direction to take his life in. Together, they embrace their newfound venture, as owner and manager of one of L.A.’s hottest gay clubs – Kaleidoscope. For the first time, Matt has a plan. He knows where life is heading.

Until a devastating phone call turns his whole world upside down, sending him straight into the comforting arms of his best friend and leading him to doubt everything he’s ever known or believed about himself.

Alex had always been content with his unrequited feelings for his rockstar friend, but as Matt starts to question if he might actually feel the same, he runs as fast as his feet will allow.

Has Matt gone too far? Has his reputation as an irresponsible womanizer who refuses to take life seriously, finally managed to push his best friend away for good?

Or is Alex hiding secrets of his own?

I discovered Ms Haken with her book Being Sawyer Knight (Souls of the Knight, #1). I could be wrong, but I believe before that her books were all M/F romances. I loved Being Sawyer Knight and the second in the seriesTaming Ryder (Souls of the Knight, #2) so I was very excited to read Matt’s story.

Matt’s story begins after the demise of their popular and famous rock band. He is aimless, living on the money he made and not knowing what to do with himself. Luckily, his best friend, Alex, is the rock he needs in his life to help keep him grounded. But Matt doesn’t realize that Alex is half in love with Matt even though Matt is straight.

Cue the typical drunken kiss, misunderstanding and broken friendship. While this is happening we get the voice of reason Sawyer, the fabulousness of Ryder and the rest of the band and their mates. I love when a series brings back former characters, not just as short mentions, but solid pieces of the story.

Matt and Alex make it back together and while Matt thinks Alex is hesitant because Matt has never been with a man before, he is shocked to learn the real reason. Honestly, I was too. But the way that the subject was treated, with respect, honesty and care really made it so much more heartfelt.

Being that I refuse to spoil anything in the book, I will have to leave that there for you.

*evil laugh*

This book made me literally laugh out loud on one page, cry on another and swoon on yet another. This book absolutely had it all and I loved it. If you haven’t read the first two- READ THEM! Then read this as well.

The cover art is a perfect depiction of Matt and the life he is moving toward after Souls of the Knight.

Sales Links:   Amazon | “>Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook
Expected publication: October 19th 2015 (first published October 14th 2015)
edition language English

 

In our Author Spotlight: Sarah Madison of Truth and Consequences (Interview, Excerpt and Giveaway)

TruthandConsequences2 - Copy

Truth and Consequences ( Sixth Sense #3) by Sarah Madison
Release Date: October 14, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

Buy the book: Dreamspinner Press

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Today I’m very happy to be interviewing Sarah Madison, author of Truth and Consequences, Book 3 in the Sixth Sense series. Hi Sarah, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

Well, my mother swears I’m a changeling, a fact I find both disconcerting and pleasing at the same time. However, since this is mostly based on the fact I dislike tomato and mayo sandwiches, I’m not sure I buy that.

I have in turn been an actress, a biologist, worked at a stockyard, ridden event horses, and am a life-long sci-fi geek. I’ve dewormed a snake, faced down an angry Rottweiler, and castrated bull calves. I once hiked 40 miles in 4 days, and wanted to be a naturalist, like Jane Goodall. But all-in-all, I think I’m a pretty boring person.

Truth and Consequences is book 3 in the Sixth Sense series. It features FBI Agents Jerry Lee Parker and John Flynn, and the events that occur when Flynn accidentally touches a mysterious artifact and gains unusual powers. As the Sixth Sense series unfolds, we learn there is a set of such boxes, and that Lee and John aren’t the only ones looking for them. They’re in over their head, and the water is just getting deeper…

• Why do you write?

It’s a compulsion. I have always written and shared stories, but when I graduated from high school, I decided it was time to put childish things away and get on with ‘being an adult’. I thought growing up meant living a passionless life, working hard, and serving the public selflessly. I still do those things, but now I write too. Rediscovering my joy of storytelling was like waking from a coma. I’d need a 12 step process to quit it now.

Which of your books was the most difficult to write?

In some ways, Walk a Mile, Book 2 in the Sixth Sense series. See, I’d had this big, over-arching idea for the series, but I let a few ‘meh’ reviews derail me from starting the next installment, and it was years before I came back to it. I was floored at the reaction I received, and vowed never again to let a review make me doubt myself. I was truly stunned by the level of excitement over the release of Walk a Mile, and it was fascinating (and gratifying) to find out how many people had been waiting for the next installment.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Truth and Consequences is told from Lee’s first person POV, which is a departure for me. The nature of the plot dictated the choice, however, and I have to say that I was surprised at how easily Lee’s personality came across in this format. He’s smart but self-deprecating, tougher than he realizes and concerned John is out of his league. He’s been rejected a lot, and on some level still expects to be rejected again. If that happens, he’s prepared to shrug it off as though it is no big deal. But he’s loyal, so fiercely loyal to the people he loves.

How much research do you do for your books?

I LOVE research. I do. I love immersing myself in a time period. I love the excuse to buy reference materials, to watch television shows and movies I think will be useful, and to spend hours on Google Maps or Wikipedia. I have to reel myself in at times so that I actually get the story written!

Who designs your covers?

I am fortunate to have the amazing artist Paul Richmond design the covers for the Sixth Sense series. His talent is truly amazing, and he has really outdone himself for the cover of Truth and Consequences!

RC

Blurb

When FBI agent Jerry Lee Parker wakes from a coma after a murderous attack on his life, he has no memory of his immediate past. In the blink of an eye, he has gone from having a nearly photographic memory to recalling nothing of the last six months of his life, including his partner and lover, John Flynn. While Lee tries to reboot his past and reconnect with John, there are events at play around him he doesn’t understand. John is keeping secrets from him, secrets which could get them both killed.

Matters come to a head when Lee is hounded to turn over a mysterious artifact, of which he has no knowledge. The two men wind up in a fight for their lives as they risk everything to keep the powerful relic out of the hands of a ruthless killer. In order to protect those he loves, however, John may be forced to make a deal with the devil.

 

Pages or Words: 258 pages
Categories: M/M Romance, Mystery, Paranormal

Excerpt

I knew the moment John walked into the bar. It was like my sonar pinged, my radar lit up—you name it. I heard the door open, and without turning around, I knew it was him because the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Because something in my gut tightened, and my cock lifted in earnest. I watched him in the mirror as he scanned the room, locked in on my presence, and stalked toward me like a panther in a pen full of sheep. Everyone else in the room was aware of him as well. I practically preened when he came up beside me. He took a seat and signaled the bartender, who came over with flattering attention.

 

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Meet the Author

Sarah Madison is a veterinarian with a big dog, an even bigger horse, too many cats, and a very patient boyfriend. She is a terrible cook, and concedes that her life would be easier if Purina made People Chow. She writes because it is cheaper than therapy.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

 

 

Giveaway

Final

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Unspeakable Words’ – Book one in the series.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link  and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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The Final Word, Famous Last LInes of Novels and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

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The last couple of weeks I have been talking about the first lines in novels.  The ones that pull  you in, set the tone, even lay out some of the plot.  Its so hard to get that all important first line right.  Look how few make it into the top 10, 20 or even top 50 lists.  Not many.  It was even harder to compile our own.  So many first lines had the name of the main character or rambled on or just didn’t do their job.

Now let’s switch to the end of the story.  The last line to be exact. The last lines of novels are the final word. The author may offer resolution (or just more questions). The last line may make us scream in frustration and clap in joy and stare silently in shock. In the end, we take what we can get. Here are a few famous last lines. Notice how many authors and novels also had the most famous first lines. Which of the famous last lines in literature is your favorite?

“Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity!”
– Herman Melville, Bartleby the Scrivener

“Before reaching the final line, however, he had already understood that he would never leave that room, for it was foreseen that the city of mirrors (or mirages) would be wiped out by the wind and exiled from the memory of men at the precise moment when Aureliano Babilonia would finish deciphering the parchments, and that everything written on them was unrepeatable since time immemorial and forever more, because races condemned to one hundred years of solitude did not have a second opportunity on earth.”
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude

“It was the devious-cruising Rachel, that in her retracing search after her missing children, only found another orphan.”
– Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

“The knife came down, missing him by inches, and he took off.”
– Joseph Heller, Catch-22

“So in America when the sun goes down and I sit on the old broken-down river pier watching the long, long skies over New Jersey and sense all that raw land that rolls in one unbelievable huge bulge over to the West Coast, and all that road going, all the people dreaming in the immensity of it, and in Iowa I know by now the children must be crying in the land where they let the children cry, and tonight the stars’ll be out, and don’t you know that God is Pooh Bear? the evening star must be drooping and shedding her sparkler dims on the prairie, which is just before the coming of complete night that blesses the earth, darkens all rivers, cups the peaks and folds the final shore in, and nobody, nobody knows what’s going to happen to anybody besides the forlorn rags of growing old, I think of Dean Moriarty, I even think of Old Dean Moriarty the father we never found, I think of Dean Moriarty.”
– Jack Kerouac, On the Road

“But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before.”
– Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

“He loved Big Brother.”
– George Orwell, 1984

“His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead.”
– James Joyce, Dubliners, “The Dead”

“I don’t hate it he thought, panting in the cold air, the iron New England dark; I don’t. I don’t! I don’t hate it! I don’t hate it!”
– William Faulkner, Absalom, Absalom!

“Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision.”
– Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

“If I were a younger man, I would write a history of human stupidity; and I would climb to the top of Mount McCabe and lie down on my back with my history for a pillow; and I would take from the ground some of the blue-white poison that makes statues of men; and I would make a statue of myself, lying on my back, grinning horribly, and thumbing my nose at You Know Who.”
– Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
– Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Now what famous last lines, no not death lines, last lines of books can you remember?  Yep, a list of those is coming too.  But not this week.  Next up, our up coming schedule.

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This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Lily CoverNecromancy and You coverDead Money coverHaunted Hotties Cover

Sunday, October 18:

  • The Final Word, Famous Last Lines of Novels and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 19:

  • Coffee Sip and Book Break with Sarah Madison’s ‘Truth and Consequences (excerpt and contest)
  • A Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Boyfriend For The Weekend (Boyfriend #1) by Diana DeRicci
  • A Jeri Review: The Making of Matt By Nicola Haken
  • A MelanieM Review: Dead Flush by Laura Harner (Pulp Friction 2015)
  • Scary Redux Review: Necromancy and You (Guidebook #02) by Missouri Dalton

Tuesday, October 20:

  • In the Spotlight: Minotaur by JA Rock (Riptide  Tour and Contest)
  • Romance Hits a Triple Play by Sloan Johnson (Tour and Contest
  • A Free Dreamer Review: Hemovore by Jordan Castillo Price
  • A Mika Review: Redeeming Hope by Shell Taylor
  • A Jeri Review:  Triple Play by Sloan Johnson

Wednesday, October 21:

  • Cover reveal for ‘Cardinal Sins’ by Lissa Kasey (excerpt and cover reveal)
  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Coming Back Home by April Kelley  (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Looking for Something New? Check Out Rain Shadow by LA Witt (contest)
  • A BJ Review: Just a Bit Wrong (Straight Guys #4) by Alessandra Hazard
  • A PaulB Review: Scarred Mate by A C Katt

Thursday, October 22:

  • In the Book Spotlight: Aspect of Winter by Tom Early (excerpt and contest)
  • Jess Buffett and ‘Packmaster’ book blast and giveaway
  • A Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Bowerbirds (Nested Hearts #2) by Ada Maria Soto
  • A Jeri Review: Deliver Me by Faith Gibson
  • A MelanieM Review: Children of Noah by Neil S.Plakcy

Friday, October 23:

  • Scary Spotlight: Haunted Hotties 2 Anthology from Torquere Press (excerpts and contest)
  • Paul’s Paranormal Portfolio: My favorite Non traditional Shifters
  • Scary Review Redux: Lily by Xavier Axelson
  • A MelanieM Review: Dead Money by Lee Brazil (Pulp Friction 2015)
  • A Jeri Review:  Hollywood Secrets (Hollywood) by T.S. McKinney

YA Saturday, October 24:skeleton reading books

  • A Stella YA Review: Go Your Own Way by Zane Riley

 

☠ – Look for on our October Scary Reads and Recommendations coming soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superhero Spotlight: ‘A Man of Unusual Talent (Lee Brazil) and ‘Flyboy’s First Misadventure (Havan Fellows) Series: Story Orgy Superheroes (guest post, excerpt and contest)

Flyboys First_1400 Man of Unusual Talent_1400

Book Names: ‘A Man of Unusual Talent ‘ by Lee Brazil

and

‘Flyboy’s First Misadventure’ by Havan Fellows

Series: Story Orgy Superheroes
Release Date: October 12, 2015

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Goodreads Links:   A Man of Unusual Talent  and   Flyboy’s First Misadventure

Publishers:

A Man of Unusual Talent: Lime Time Press
Flyboy’s First Misadventure: Appleton Publishing Avenue
Cover Artist: Startled Monkeys Media

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We have a first here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.  Four characters from two books have stopped by to be interviewed. Collin Crane (CC) and Mathias Giraud (Matt) from A Man of Unusual Talent by Lee Brazil along with Dean Wades and Gavin Trevor from ‘Flyboy’s First Misadventure by Havan Fellows.  Let’s welcome all four!

  Our Interview with Characters Dean, Matt, CC, and Gavin!

Dean: Did Havan Fellow and Lee Brazil really leave us here to do this one all by ourselves?

Mat: We’re adults. We can handle it. I think the truth is, there’s no coffee and they saw a Starbucks on the corner when we drove up.

CC: Now that sounds like the truth.

Dean: But they had to realize that letting us all talk at once could be…um…

Gavin: They said something about not wanting to be around when we air our dirty shit. I guess we should introduce ourselves at least.

Dean: Not sure we’re airing any dirty stuff. I vote for Mat to start, he’s the person of authority here.

Mat: I’m Mat Giraud. I’m a policeman, and this is my lover CC who is a student of physics.

CC: Nice. Gloss over the whole career as a convenience store clerk thing. Are you practicing that for when I meet your parents?

Mat: Don’t be silly. My family get’s gas at the convenience store, same as everyone else in town. Of course they know where you work. But where you work isn’t who you are.

CC: But you called yourself a policeman.

Mat: Because I am. And always will be. You aren’t always going to work at that place.

CC: *glowing* Thank you.

Dean: Well, that leaves us, Gav. Hello. I’m Dean Wades. I’m from the west coast but currently visiting Florida, have a crazy best friend, and oh yeah, I can fly. This is Gavin Trevor…

Gavin: And I have an annoying older brother, I’m training to be a damn good tattoo artist, and he might be able to fly, but he can’t land worth shit.

Dean: Ouch… Crash land with someone one time and they never let you forget it. We’re the main characters of Flyboy’s First Misadventure and from Havan Fellows imagination.

Gavin: Really warped imagination—

CC: Uh… maybe I should have mentioned the marshmallows?

Gavin: *snorts* Okay, not as warped as Lee Brazil, evidently. But hey, our writers are pretty cool. They write for this group the Story Orgy and that’s where they got the prompts for these superhero type books.

CC: Seriously? Is that what this is all about? Here I’m trying to use physics and biology and it’s that simple?

Dean: Yeah, because only they would call us superheroes.

Gavin: Well, I think you’re kinda super…

Share a list of things you’ll never do again.

Dean: I’ll never forget to take my allergy medicine again. Levitating while you sneeze is not good.

Gavin: I’m never letting my brother get the better of me again…

Dean: Really? So this is a fantasy list?

Gavin: Fine, I’m never doing high school again, not with my brother and his group of buddies.

Dean: We might all go for the no high school again thing.

Mat: Uhm… let’s see. I’ll never let my cousin Thorne answer a call from the convenience store again. And I’ll never sleep alone again. And I’ll never go to a Marvel movie alone again…

CC: Wow…you uh… Okay. I’ll never doubt Mat again. And that other one he said, except the Marvel thing. I’m not going to go see Ant Man.

Mat: Then I won’t either.

For more Story Orgy Superhero goodness, our co-writers Hank Edwards and Em Woods will be releasing their books soon. 🙂

Blurb(s)

A MAN OF UNUSUAL TALENT:Man of Unusual Talent_1400

Collin Crane is a man of unusual talent. Really unusual. Too weird for the Guinness Book unusual. On the fifty-year plan to a doctoral degree in physics, and a quiet quest to understand his own oddities, Collin clings to obscurity. This superhero has learned the hard way that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Enter Mathias Giraud, football hero, local cop, and CC’s secret fantasy since high school. Mat’s a simple man with a hero complex fostered by comic books and Marvel movies. Saving the world is his fantasy, but since his roots are firmly planted in Morrisonville and reality, he’ll settle for protecting and serving. Until he clashes with CC at the local convenience store and is reminded of his own high school crush.

When marshmallows are involved, the course of true love is bound to get sticky.

FLYBOY’S FIRST MISADVENTURE:

Flyboys First_1400Secrets? Oh yeah, Dean Wades has a doozy. When he goes up, he doesn’t necessarily come back down. Okay, that’s not true. Dean’s a master at falling, it’s the landing that could use improvement—a lot of improvement. After thirteen years of attempting to conquer this gravity defying mystery, he can no longer live with not knowing what he is anymore. So he heads cross-country to see the two people who just might be able to give him the answers he seeks…his folks.

Easygoing Gavin Trevor is always willing to help his family, even when they have ulterior motives…like forcing him to make up with his annoying older brother. When a simple task at his parent’s house puts him in a position of danger, he’ll need a lot more than luck to avoid a serious injury—he’ll need his very own superhero.

And the fates collide, well sort of. It may not be love at first sight—Gavin was unconscious in Dean’s arms for their initial introduction…but perhaps these two men can make it a relationship at first flight?

A threat against Gavin’s family throws a wrench in their plans, and while Dean gladly offers his amateur talent to help the mission, Gavin doesn’t want to put his rescuer’s life in jeopardy by risking exposure of the greatest secret ever.

This proves to be a rescue adventure for the books. Or is that a rescue misadventure?

 

Pages or Words: A Man of Unusual Talent (28,000), Flyboy’s First Misadventure (32,000)

Categories:

  • A Man of Unusual Talent: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Humor, Paranormal, Romance
  • Flyboy’s First Misadventure: Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance

 

Excerpts:

A Man of Unusual Talent:

Mathias squirmed on the seat. Had to piss. He cast a glance at his partner. Dillon was such a hard-nose. “Hey…how about you pull into that gas station over there? I got to take a leak.”

Dillon’s lip curled, but he swung the patrol car into the convenience store parking lot. “I told you not to get the grande coffee at Mabel’s. Good thing it’s dead tonight.”

“Want anything while I’m in there?” Mat paused with his hand on the door latch, cocking his head at Dillon. Guy wasn’t so bad…just a walking encyclopedia of procedure and a nitpicker. He gave out more jaywalking and broken taillight tickets than any cop on the force.

“No eating in the squad car.” Dillon turned to face him, lips narrow and tight, radiating disapproval.

“You know…if you weren’t my brother…” Mat shoved the door open with unnecessary force. The captain was punishing him…all because he’d missed last Sunday’s dinner with the family. Well, Pop should learn to separate work from personal. Riding with Dillon for a week was going to be torture. If Pop…Captain Giraud, head of Morrisonville’s twenty-five man police force…made good on his threat to force his grandsons to ride together for a month they’d be lucky if the both of them survived.

Shaking his head, Mat slammed the cruiser door as forcefully as he’d opened it. A poster on one of the convenience store’s huge plate glass windows boasted of sixty-four ounce sodas in refillable Hulk, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Thor cups. Mm. I need to go see that new movie. “I’m getting a soda,” he called over his shoulder to Dillon as he opened the door. “Can I get the restroom key?”

His gaze automatically surveyed the interior, noting it was deserted except for the cashier…a cute little guy named CC he vaguely remembered from high school…and two hoodie-wearing teens. “Everything okay tonight, CC?” he asked. Not that he expected a negative answer; it was just that Collin Crane looked a little freaked. The two kids weren’t any bigger than Collin and weren’t familiar to Mat, so he figured they weren’t troublemakers. Generally he’d had dealings with most of the town’s rowdy teens.

“Yeah, fine, these two were just getting gas. Thanks for coming in, fellas.” CC stepped back, grabbed the restroom key off the hook, and tossed it to Mat.

Mat caught the keys, watching the boys leave without speaking. “Seriously, CC. Those kids giving you trouble? I can talk to them.” Something about the smaller man…regret probably, for ignoring the way the kid was bullied in high school…made him feel a little protective. It was weird, but Mat had learned a lot since he’d turned his back on bullying when he was a kid. Then he’d thought it was enough that he didn’t participate when Jake and Thorn and the others messed with the younger kids. Now…social guilt? Whatever. He was a better person at thirty than he had been at fifteen.

CC looked up, cheeks flushed a little, lower lip trembling. “No…it’s okay. They just wanted gas.”

“Okay. I’ve gotta go, but I want a Thor cup when I get back.” He nodded and walked toward the narrow hall lined with empty boxes which led to the restroom.

“You a fan of The Avengers?” CC called after him.

Mat paused and glanced back over his shoulder, letting his smile widen. “I’m a huge fan of Thor…that is one well put together man.” He was still chuckling over CC’s strangled response when he closed the restroom door.

FLYBOY’S FIRST MISADVENTURE

He attempted to roll the green-eyed man with the dreamy voice off him, but only succeeded in flipping them over so he was now stuck on top. What the fuck? He glanced down their bodies and noticed a cord of some kind wrapped repeatedly around their midsections and legs. No wonder his legs had stopped obeying him. A quick look up showed him numerous clothes line poles with no actual line attached to them.

Well, that was probably because it was all bound around their bodies…and tight too. In the middle of their airborne Cirque du Soleil auditions, their bodies managed to rearrange themselves so the clothesline wrapped them up in the missionary position. With them being damn near close to the same height they lined up quite perfectly with each other.

And that thought made Dean’s cock jump and want to do a few flying lessons of its own.

Dean saw the fog lift from his captive’s eyes as they narrowed with suspicion. His voice was steely this time, not whimsical and light with confusion. “What is happening?”

When all else failed, there was one surefire way to handle what appeared to be an unhandleable situation—channel his snarky best friend Tia.

So he put on a lopsided smile and shrugged as he tried to loosen their bonds somewhat. “You know how Mondays are…run out of coffee, get an extra dose of paperwork at the evil day job, end up in a neighbor’s backyard tied to a charming and well-meaning stranger…” He forced a chuckle out for good measure.

The man’s intense voice didn’t cut him any slack. “Today’s Sunday.”

 

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A Man of Unusual Talent:

 

Flyboy’s First Misadventure:

RC

Meet the Authors

LEE BRAZIL:

Somewhere in a small town in up-state New York are a librarian and a second grade teacher to whom I owe my life. That might be a touch dramatic, but it’s nevertheless one hundred percent true.

Because they taught me the joy of reading, of escaping into worlds crafted of words.

Have you ever been nine years old and sure of nothing so much as that you don’t belong? Looked at the world from behind glasses, and wondered why you don’t fit?

Someone hands you a book, and then you turn the page and see… There you are, running from Injun Joe in a dark graveyard; there you are fencing with Athos; there you are…beneath the deep blue sea- marveling at exotic creatures with Captain Nemo.

I found myself between the pages of books, and that is why I write now. It’s why I taught English and literature for so many years, and it’s why my house contains more pounds of books than furniture.

If I’d had my way, I’d have been a fencer…or a starship captain, or a lawyer, or a detective solving crimes. But instead, I am a writer, and I’ve come to realize that’s the best thing in the world to be, because as a writer, I can be all those things and more.

If I hadn’t learned to value the stories between the pages, who knows what would have happened? Certainly not college…teaching…or writing.

 

Where to find the author:

LEE BRAZIL:

HAVAN FELLOWS:

 

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Tour Dates & Stops:

12-Oct: Michael Mandrake, Jessie G. Books

13-Oct Love Bytes, MM Good Book Reviews

14-Oct Unquietly Me, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Happily Ever Chapter

15-Oct Joyfully Jay, Inked Rainbow Reads, Molly Lolly

16-Oct Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, V’s Reads, Bayou Book Junkie

 

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: 2 – $10 ARe Gift Cards (One each to two winners).  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the authors and Pride Promotions.  

 

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A BJ Review: Kraken by M. Caspian

Rating:  5 stars out of 5

Looking for a spooky, creepy Halloween month read?! Check this one out!

Kraken: A gothic erotic horror with tentacle non-con.

Kraken coverWill MacKenzie’s boyfriend Parker gave him an ultimatum: move to a remote off-shote island with him or call it quits. Will initially chooses the latter but it rips his heart out. It doesn’t take him long to decide that he’d picked wrong, and he finds himself heading off into the unknown to fix his mistake. After a terrifying incident on the docks sets the mood for the excursion, Will is further chilled to find that most of the locals think they recognize him? And why can’t he seem to leave the island once he’s arrived?

Please do heed the reader advisory. This story contains scenes that may offend some people, including rape, extreme violence, tentacles, and reference to past sexual abuse of children.

If you can get on board with all that, then step right into a tale that is deliciously eerie right from the beginning with a bit of a gothic feel to it. Ominous and foreboding are good words to describe how this made me feel right off the bat. It made me shiver even as it gripped me and drew me inexorably in.

Next came enticing layer upon layer of mystery that kept me guessing as to exactly what the heck was going on. I encountered quite a few WTF moments before things began to become clear. And them, YIKES! It’s horrifying, and the author pulls no punches in describing that in detail for us folks. Strong visceral visual images abound.

Do not doubt it, this book is a m/m horror, genuine monster erotica—and it’s high on the gore and slime factor. Not recommended for the squeamish. Take a sociopath, cross him with tentacles, give him time to mature into a truly evil villain and you have the inkling of the idea of what a read is in for here.

One of the more unusual takes on shape shifters that I’ve encountered. Nice world-building. Well-rounded characters that grow and change throughout the story.

I’m not going to go into attempting to describe the plot, as it’s better that reader’s experience it for themselves. I’ll just say, it creeped me out, it made me shiver and shudder, it made me very glad I was nowhere near an island or a boat or an ocean or any body of water… but it held me spellbound as all was revealed.

If you’re looking for something unusual and dark with a satisfying ending, this author delivers up tentacle-sex with plot that fits that requirement in spades.

The cover is perfect for this story.

Sales Links:   Amazon | Buy It Here


Book Details:  

ebook, 193 pages
Published December 22nd 2013 by M. Caspian
ISBN1311997350 (ISBN13: 9781311997357)
edition language English

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Author Discovery: Mika on Avril Ashton

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Mika on Author Avril Ashton

If you are looking for an author who talks with her readers, I’d say Mrs. A is one of the best ever. She is funny, she is honest and she writes about glorious guys. I just happened to come upon Love the Sinner (Brooklyn Sinners, #1) one day, never heard of the author and decided to give it a go. Well 2 series later and a couple of stand alones I’m hooked on Mrs. Ashton’s writing. I’m always looking forward to her guys. They are masculine, sexy, passionate, gritty and dangerous. Then she writes about those sweet damaged boys who would hurt you more than those other physically demanding guys.  She has some memorable characters; Rafe, Syren, Mateo, Dima, Tek, Xavier, Donovan. Those are just to name a few. She writes about tropes that are not likely commercialized in this genre. I mean if you want recommendations pick up A Sinner Born (Brooklyn Sinners, #3) and (Watch Me) Save You (Run This Town, #4), I’d start from book one on both of those though.

I like that she writes about guys from all different walks of life. From the privileged to the outcast; she writes a web of story with actions that sometimes I have a hard time seeing. One of my favorite characters ever was written by Mrs. A, that guy Syren. She killed it with him. I love him. He was so damaged, but he pulled on my heart strings. I was interacting with Mrs. A the other day on Twitter and I asked her if she ever considered writing a contemporary M/M romance with no destruction. Her response was yes, she wrote So Far Gone. I laughed because peoples response was the opposite of the book. I on the other hand really liked it. It was realistic fiction. Cheating, scandals, death it all happens in real life so when that was put out there I enjoyed it. 

I like her writing because she delivers the feelings, rawness, the love and the passion from her characters. No matter what she puts her characters through they always come out with a HEA. She is automatic-buy for me. I like that she connects with her readers. If you are looking for some passion with your stories then try out Avril. I really like you would like her guys.

About the Author

Avril Ashton Icon

A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother

Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.

You can connect with her as Mika does through (AvrilAshTwitter, or through her website and check out Avril Ashton’s Goodread’s page for all her stories.  You can find it here.  Looking for a new contemporary novel to read?  Start with one of Mika’s recommendations, Love the Sinner by Avril Ashton.  Check it out below.

Love the Sinner coverLove the Sinner (Brooklyn Sinners #1)
by Avril Ashton

Detective Gabriel Ashby has never looked twice at another man, yet the criminal across from him, the man he’s interrogating, isn’t like any other. Gabe can’t deal with the sudden, intense need he has for one of NYPD’s Most Wanted. Everyone close to Angelo Pagan ends up dead, with the smug gang leader standing amid the rubble. Gabe would love nothing more than to bust Angelo’s ass and lock him up. So why is he seeing the bastard in his dreams at night?

Angelo Pagan knows attraction to Gabe is suicide. He’s resolute to ignore the chemistry…until a police raid goes wrong. He critically injures Gabe, changing the trajectory of both their lives. Now the two can’t get close enough. They settle into a forbidden affair threatened by lies and betrayal, living on different sides of the law with no way of breaching the gap between them. With the authorities looking to make an example of Angelo, Gabe has to decide if it’s really worth it to hate the sin but love the sinner

Book Details:

ebook, 229 pages
Published May 9th 2012 by Ellora’s Cave
ISBN1419939688 (ISBN13: 9781419939686)
edition languageEnglish

A Sammy Review: Where There’s Fire (Panopolis #2) by Cari Z.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5         ★★★★★

WhereTheresFire_600x900Panopolis is a city of stark colors, folks. Right or wrong, black or white, no shades of gray here. Panopolis is epic battles and soaring rhetoric on both sides, and dirty secrets buried so deep beneath layers of lies that you’d need a map to know where to start digging. Moral ambiguity is for stories, not real life. At least, that’s what we’re told.

But the best stories, I’ve found, are the ones that aren’t so clear-cut. No spoon feeding you Truth, Justice, and the Heroic Way, or telling you that every Villain was born flawed from the start, not made into that. The best stories are the ones that make you think and leave you wondering. I think Panopolis needs a new caliber of storytellers, folks. Maybe it’s time to find those maps and ready those shovels.

Maybe it’s finally time for a change in the narrative.

Edward Dinges was once a normal guy in a city of Supers. He worked at a bank, had a plain life… then he fell in love with a Villain and found himself imprisoned. Soon, normal was a thing of the past.

Though he’s been working to harness his new powers, Edward is still trying to gain control over his life. It helps that Raul is always at his side, but it’s time to step out by himself for his first real job as a villain.

But nothing ever really goes as planned. Soon, Edward finds himself needing to fight for Raul’s life and free him from the hands of a true Super Villain. Whether they make it out alive or not, Panopolis will never be the same.

“You made it back. Not a lot of people do. That makes you interesting, maybe worth forming an alliance with. You need to work on making connections, especially if you don’t love to fight for fighting’s sake.” Vibro sounded tired.

“You don’t like fighting either.”

“I like living,” she corrected me.

So, first off, I want to put it out there that I absolutely loved this. The series is set in such an interesting world that it really pulled me right in from the get-go and I continued to be incredibly interested in it even months after reading the first book. Cari does a brilliant job of building a world that is so unique, but in this book, I really felt it resonated with reality.

I’m not sure if it’s that social justice has been on my mind a lot recently or what, but the way Cari writes about the dichotomy in the city, pitting two sides against each other, having this large body of power that rules over everyone and manages to cast aside the undesirables… the book takes massive and frustrating issues and puts it into an abstract and easily digestible manner. What do I mean with that? I mean people can turn their face to the real world and it’s social justice, but if you really read this, you’ll find yourself feeling everything the SuperTruther conveys and not even realizing how much Panopolis resembles the world just outside your door.

Now, onto the characters. Edward continues to grow on me. At first, I felt like he was just as boring as he projected himself to be, but in the first book we got to see his evolution when it came to morals. Now he’s crossed that line and is trying to find himself within his new powers.

Raul was a lot less present in this, but I didn’t really mind that, as I think this story is so much more than a romance. Sure, the romance is there, but the story is just front and center, adorned with action and alliances and… okay, just, really great story telling.

And new characters – Vibro is just freaking fantastic. I mean, she has purple hair! On top of that, she seems to have such an interesting personality and I would love to learn more about her and her brother.

The only downside I can think of is that the editing was off a bit. There was a lot of misplaced commas and such. But besides that, it was great.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Cari set us up for a great sequel.

The cover by L.C. Chase is very nice. It fits the previous book well and has a nice punch of color. Additionally, getting to see Edward is a nice treat. Great job.

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

Book Details:

book, 113 pages
Published July 13th 2015 by Riptide Publishing (first published July 12th 2015)

Stella’s Top Comfort Reads for a Spooky October Night!

skeleton reading books

Stella’s Top Comfort Reads

“On a scary, spooky October night, you just might need to settle in with your favorite romantic story.  The one that warms your heart and soul….

I have been reading exclusively mm books from more than three years, since the first time I put my eyes on Testa Calda, the Italian translation of Hot Head (Head, #1) by Damon Suede. I never looked back and in the years I read a lot but there are some stories thatHot Head cover stayed in my mind and heart and that I have re read often, especially when I need a cuddle after a hard book or when I simply need a strong story.

Let’s start with one of the best, Mary Calmes. I can always count on her cause she never disappoints me, I think I read everything she wrote, all of them are strong and emotional but I want to mention just a couple I love so much. Mine, as the title says, is full of that “not always sane” possessiveness and tight dependence between the MCs, Landry and Trevan, that can sound strange in RL but it works so good with Mary’s writing, especially cause it’s Frog coverenclosed in so many positive feelings I could forgive anything else. My all the time favorite book is Frog, it was love at first reading. I have a soft spot for this kind of story, with characters that came from different social worlds and with children. This is a magic book to me, it has the power to let me forget of everything bad in my life and just focus on Weber and his big heart. I fall in love with him each time. Melanie loved Frog too, she used it for our MM Romance First Line Quiz, did you see it?

There a series I like to reread by another favorite author of mine and it’s the Shifters one by Chris T Kat. SecretSecret Chemestry cover Chemistry and Secret Energy are both a five stars to me, sweet and light, and both the covers by Anne Cain are so cute. Same author, different cover artist (Paul Richmond), same love (mine), different shifters, The Wolf and His Diva is funny and adorable too.

Other times I need a different kind of comfort read, a little more emotional to me since I already know I will end up sobbing under my blanket, sad and happy tears either.

One of the  most emotional is Second Chances by TA Webb, there are no words to explain how much this book is Second Chances cover TAbeautiful. It’s a second chance at love story, overwhelming in the heartbroken it gives me, it drawn me in each time I read it. But it’s full of hope. It’s one of that stories I call complete, it evolves in a long time frame and the relationships and the events that happen are all well developed.

Then there is The Last Thing He Needs by JH Knight. Another emotional story based on the strong and brave love Tommy, the MC, has for his own family, and the amazing people that surround him. I cry for him and his so heavy life but I laugh too and most of all I cheer on him and his HEA till the beautiful end.The Last Thing He Needs Cover

One more is Finding Zach by Rowan Speedwell is one of the first MM I read in Italian and one of the few I read about abduction cause I am not brave enough, it is a little hard to take but it deserves my tears. It’s scary and awful Finding Zach coverand amazing. What zach suffered was unbelievable and his long and hurtful journey to take his life back was so well written I could feel all of him.

It’s cristal clear I like to suffer with all those tearjerker comfort reads, so I can’t not talk a little about Nick Wilgus. The Sugar Tree series and Get Your Shine On are all emotionally beautiful and so real. The unexpected union of an angsty sadness and hilarity. He’s a master at creating imperfect characters and make them growing on you. I could read anything by him.Get Your Shine On cover

All of the books I mentioned are five stars to me, they are highly recommended, for different moods, but each one is simply the perfection. If you’d like, let me know what are your comfort reads.

                                                                                                                 ~ Stella

Stella’s Comfort Books with Goodreads Links

Hot Head (Head, #1) by Damon Suede

Frog by Mary Calmes
Mine by Mary Calmes

Secret Chemistry (Shifters, #1) by Chris T. Kat
Secret Energy (Shifters, #2) by Chris T. Kat

 

Second Chances (Second Chances #1) by T.A. Webb

The Last Thing He Needs (The Last Thing He Needs, #1)
by J.H. Knight

Finding Zach by Rowan Speedwell

Shaking the Sugar Tree (Sugar Tree, #1) by Nick Wilgus
Get Your Shine On by Nick Wilgus

Mine coverHot Head coverSecret Energy CoverShaking the Sugar Tree cover