In Our Book Spotlight Today: Just Jack by Meredith Russell (contest included)

In Our Book Spotlight Today: Just Jack by Meredith Russell

When the line between fairy tales and magic, and the real world become blurred, can love really conquer anything?
Leo Marsh is having a bad day. He just caught his boyfriend cheating on him, and not for the first time, then he falls, quite literally, for a man who has to be too good to be true….

When Leo slips and falls on some ice in front of Jack, Jack sees something all too familiar in Leo’s eyes. For over fifty years, Jack has existed in a solitary life of ice and bitterness. Just like Leo, he was betrayed by a man he loved, and swore no one would ever break his heart again: he gave up on love, and it seemed love had given up on him.

But if by fate or magic, Jack and Leo find their paths crossing for a second time, and with a little guidance from friends, dare to take a chance on each other. The problem is, Jack isn’t the charming and uncomplicated guy Leo thinks he is. When Jack gave away his ability to love, he became something else, someone cold and unloving. He became Jack Frost.

As Jack and Leo get closer, Jack is left torn and confused. Jack yearns for anything that reminds him of his humanity, but the truth is, he feels nothing, not warmth, not love, and he knows he might never be able to love Leo the way he deserves to be loved.

About Meredith – Bio and Contacts

Meredith Russell lives in the heart of England. An avid fan of many story genres, she enjoys nothing less than a happy ending. She believes in heroes and romance and strives to reflect this in her writing. Sharing her imagination and passion for stories and characters is a dream Meredith is excited to turn into reality.

Email: meredithrussell666@gmail.com
Webpage: http://www.meredithrussell.co.uk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meredithrussellauthor

Buy Link at Love Lane Books

Excerpt

Cramming his hands in his jacket pockets, Jack looked at the ground, and with the toe of his boot, he drew a circle in the snow. Adding eyes and a smile, Jack admired his masterpiece for a moment. It wasn’t quite right. He crouched and held his hand over the simple drawing. Slowly, he pulled back his hand. The soft flakes quivered. He teased the snow, rearranging the picture, then straightened up. The image’s smile was gone, replaced with a frown.

“Hello, Jack,” he said to the drawn face.

With a heavy sigh, he dragged his foot across the image, wiping the sidewalk clear. If only it was that easy to wipe away the morose feeling from inside him.

He rubbed a hand over his face and took a deep breath. There was a smile on his lips as he looked ahead at the elderly gentleman making his way toward him.

“Too cruel?” he asked himself.

Maybe. Jack smiled. Or maybe not. He wiggled his fingers and felt the cold air surge between them. This was who he was—the bringer of mishaps, ice, and mischief, and of the frost on the window panes.

He was Jack Frost.

Contest: Enter to Win $15 giftcard from Amazon or ARe, and two other prizes of free ebooks. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Open world wide.

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A Mika Review: We Found Love by Kade Boehme & Allison Cassatta

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

It’s no surprise Riley Connors is dealing with issues. He was kidnapped as a young boy, and his parents abandoned him after his newsworthy return. He bounced from foster home to facility and back. Now an adult, ghosts from his past continue to haunt him. After a suicide attempt, he is locked away in Hartfield so that people can make him tune in to emotions he has tried to bury.   Hunter Morgan had the kind of love that spans ages. But the stress of college and adulthood became too much to handle, and the love of Hunter’s life turned to drugs. After he overdoses, Hunter finds himself soaring out of control on the same miserable path. His brother finds him and calls an ambulance, and the sister Hunter would rather not have calls it a suicide attempt, landing Hunter in Hartfield.   Finding love isn’t easy, but it can happen under the most dire circumstances. Together Hunter and Riley may be able to grow from their pain. But they will need to learn to live for themselves, letting love come second.

Kade Boehme & Allison Cassatta are one of my new favorite writing duos, oh man, the potential that comes out of their stories are so exciting. Best description for this story is Rihanna’s song “We found Love”. How could two people survive love in this situation? They survived and came out on top. My emotions were all over the place with this one. For the life of me I couldn’t see an outcome for these two with the situation that was presented. Riley and Hunter were such sweet guys who met at their worst but made it until the best of them was okay. I loved how the authors presented each guy with different reasons of being institutionalized. I really enjoyed the concept, damaged guys are my weakness. These two hit all the marks for me.

Riley had such an angry disposition about himself but it’s totally understandable seeing as what he went through. I hated that he basically had given up on life because of his past until Hunter came along. I’m glad he did who knows what would Riley have done if not. I wanted Riley to get better for himself instead of his love for Hunter, but he did what he needed to do. I do think it was harder for him because of the letdown his life has been up to this point. One of the most emotional parts of the book was when Hunter told the story of Cory which started his self destruction. I cried super hard through it, it was so sad to see a young person go through that. That event shaped his life into something he wasn’t happy with. I was extremely happy to see the outcome of these two, and wanted more from them as far as their future plans. I know they both had to work on themselves but I would have appreciated a longer ending.

Cover Artist Allison Cassatta’s cover was amazing! Both guys definitely portrayed the guys to a T. I love this description of these two it made them more human on cover, the scars, tattoos and gruffness was accurately portrayed.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) Amazon buy it here

Book Details:

ebook, 214 pages
Published January 5th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632166777
edition languageEnglish
url

Down Under Author: Maggie Mitchell aka Maggie Nash!

Meet Maggie Mitchell aka Maggie Nash!

Maggie Mitchell is the author of Muses Across Time series, Illuminations (Maggie Nash) and other books listed below.

To get to know Maggie Mitchell a little better, the author agreed to an interview. Look for the interview below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

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Maggie Mitchell lives in her dream place by the sea. Of course, sometimes she even gets the dreams written down in a story. Lucky for her she has a musician for a husband who understands the creative spirit. In her other life she’s a nurse educator who manages Learning & Development for a large private hospital. When she’s not working, you’ll find her out on her balcony enjoying a glass of Moscato or a cappuccino made on her beloved espresso machine.

Contacts/Follow at :

Twitter @mmitchellwrites
Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4996618.Maggie_Mitchell
Website: www.maggiemitchell.net
Blog: www.maggiemitchell.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggie.mitchell.129

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Books:

Muses Across Time Series:
Chasing Terpsichore : https://www.totallybound.com/chasing-terpsichore
Calling Calliope: https://www.totallybound.com/calling-calliope

Sun Man Meets Moon Woman (in Moonlit Encounters) : Amazon

Genre(s):

Maggie Mitchell – Contemporary/Fantasy/Greek Mythology
(I also write as Maggie Nash – Erotic Romance/Contemporary BDSM/Victorian BDSM/Romantic Suspense)

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Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, Maggie Mitchell) is the Winners choice of:
eBook (any format) of Chasing Terpsichore OR Calling Calliope . Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2. Down Under Scavenger Hunt – find the Hunt “word or phrase” in bold green . Collect all the words from each author and submit the list in writing no later than midnight on February 1st. Make sure you include an email address where you can be reached. Prizes will be given to 5 people selected, from 1st place to 5th! Happy Hunting.

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How do you think books written from authors in Australia or New Zealand differ in style, language, and culture?

I think Aussie authors like to break rules, so if there is a genre or literary rule to break, the Aussies will give it a try! We’re also very irreverent, and I think that comes through in our voices. I always get a laugh when I read an Aussie book.

My first impression of AUS/NZ was from stories and novels like Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds or Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice as well as from movies like The Man from Snowy River, The Dish, Rabbit Proof Fence, Strictly Ballroom, and yes, Crocodile Dundee! There are so many out there. What is your favorite AUS/NZ stories and favorite Australian/New Zealand movies?

One of my all time favourite Aussie movies would have to be Muriel’s Wedding. It encompasses so much of what it was like growing up in Australia – and the difficulties of trying to fit in to what society wants us to. The good thing is that it didn’t take itself too seriously. Who can forget those ABBA costumes!

If you were a tour guide, what would you like a visitor to see and what impression would you want them to take away with them when they leave?

I think Australia is the best country in the world, but of course I’m biased If there was one thing I would want people to remember when they leave, it’s the beauty of the wide open spaces, the freedom to do as you please, and the way we all pull together and support each other.

What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

At the moment I can’t go past the place where I live on the South Coast of New South Wales. It’s a small city with friendly people, and the coastline is awe inspiring. I grew up by the beach, so many years later I feel like I’ve come home.

What are your current projects?

I’m working on more stories in my Muses Across Time series. The next one is about Thalia, and she finds herself stranded on a large sheep station in the Kimberly region in the Top End of Australia. Needless to say, her lack of knowledge of all things farming leads to much hilarity.

A MelanieM Review: A Minor Inconvenience by Sarah Granger

Rating: 4.75 (rounded up to 5) stars out of 5

Duty, honor, propriety…all fall in the face of love.

As Lord Wellington wages war against Napoleon, Captain Hugh Fanshawe, third son of Lord Fanshawe, returns from the Peninsular War permanently injured. His leg torn apart by a French musket ball, Hugh is reduced to quiet, lonely days compiling paperwork at Horse Guards headquarters, the one place he can still make a difference.

From the battlefields to his office, now Hugh’s life is only interrupted by his mother and sister’s social schedule as he accompanies them to functions and galas. Hugh’s only solace is that his mother no longer tries to fix his up with “suitable girls” with large dowries, thanks to his injuries. Then Hugh’s restricted, lonely life is upended with the arrival of Colonel Theo Lindsay.

Theo is everything Hugh is not—a man of physical perfection and easy yet distinguished address. Surprisingly to Hugh, Theo appears to be interested in befriending him. Theo turns out to be a pivotal person in Hugh’s life. An embarrassing turn of events reveals their fondness for the company of men, and soon, a friendship forms that quickly turns into something sexual and deep.

But there’s a mighty war still being fought, and a suspicion of a French spy at work in the Horse Guards. The search for the spy’s identity and the subsequent revelations will have drastic consequences on all involved, not the least of which is Hugh’s heart!

What an amazing story! I am so fond of M/M historical romances but accompanying that love of historical fiction is a critical eye towards the locations, settings, and cultural references of the times. Too often that’s where a novelist goes astray, with dates, people and events not thoroughly researched. But not here! No, Sarah Granger has done a fabulous job of bringing the tumultuous times of the Peninsula War (1807 to 1814) to life in every way. Through the eyes of Hugh (our narrator) we overhear the correspondence to and from Wellington as the war wages overseas and the incompetence and politics interfering with Wellington’s progress (or lack of) at home. There are recounted clashes and tortured remembrances of bloody campaigns in Spain, and every scene, every bit of dialog feels believable and authentic.

But Granger doesn’t stop there with pulling us into the life of the English ton and upper society. Hugh’s young sister, Sophie is fond of milliners, mantua-makers and such and is often found regaling Hugh with the descriptions of her latest gowns even as Hugh’s eyes glaze over. I adored Sophie and her relationship with Hugh is telling, tender and happily contributes to our portrait of the man.

There are the uniforms of the 52nd Foot, the 95th Rifles and Horse Guards, the dress of the men in formal and informal occasions, the barouches, curricles, and phaeton’s and other horse drawn carriages of the times. There’s the mention that Hugh’s valet wishes his master would have his coats made at Weston instead of patronizing Scott, an inferior tailor. And when Hugh’s not paying attention, the valet manages to tie Hugh’s neckcloth in the Mathematical style. I could go on and go, the references accurately framing out the author’s time period for her story and giving A Minor Inconvenience a solid historical foundation and universe upon which her characters and plot stand quite easily.

However, wonderful an author’s world building translates, it still needs great characters to breathe life into the story. Hugh and Theo are marvelous characters believable in their ages, experiences and background. But no matter how much I adored Theo, its Hugh that’s this story’s emotional center. Hugh sees himself as a stolid, good sort of fellow. Not up to the gloriousness of his brothers and sister. The oldest George is now Lord Fanshawe, intelligent, responsible and grave in his duties. The second brother is James, a god in appearance, brave without fault, charismatic and an officer close to Wellington. Then there is Sophie, gorgeous, huge hearted, Sophie who looks like their mother, who made a brilliant marriage because she was and still is a well-known beauty. And then there’s Hugh, whose eyes and hair color are not a match for his mother or siblings. He’s serious, hurting over the loss of his career and disability and hiding his “unnatural” love of men. Hugh loves to fade into the background where he thinks he belongs. Trust me, Hugh will grab at your heart with all his awkwardness and serious demeanor. I adored Hugh, even more so when fitted into his family’s framework ( I love his family as well). Every character here is a marvel and necessary component to this story.

There is a mystery, well not so much of a mystery as I had the spy’s identity figured out. This part of the story is the only place that I felt needs a little more construction and layers to it. We build up to a reveal that never quite comes off as explosive or as dramatic as it could have been. That said, this part also caused me to bawl like a baby over the pain it causes a a main character and the events that follow. And yes, I love, loved the ending. It was funny, believable and a HFN as it had to be while the war was still being waged.

I would love to see a return to this couple and England after the war. What happens to Lindsay and Hugh? Does Sophie ever marry her rose-growing lord? I need to know and hope there’s a sequel to follow.

A Minor Inconvenience is what is said when referring to the damage done to Hugh’s leg. It’s just a “minor incovenience” , to all but Hugh who has to live with it. How I love this story and I highly recommend it to all, not just the lovers of m/m historical romance but romance period. I am going to search out more stories by Sarah Granger. I’ll let you know what I find!

Cover Artist ? I’m not sure who the cover artist is but they did a terrific job with the different uniforms and backdrop.

Sales Links: Samhain Publishing All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy it here

Book Details:

ebook, 264 pages
Published January 14th 2014 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN 161921766X (ISBN13: 9781619217669)

A MelanieM Review: The Red Heart by Isabelle Rowan

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Daniel Evans is a man in search of himself, a better, drug free self and heads into the outback to see if he can find him. Pierced, and goth, complete with black eyeliner and nail polish, Daniel also has a trunk-load of demons to vanquish or at least come to grips with. He’s on the road to Uluru with his twin brother’s car and no real plans. Until he runs into Sam Collins, ex-Army vet still dealing with the repercussions of the wars he has fought.

Sam needs the isolation and quiet that the red dirt of the Northern Territory affords him and he lives by the odd jobs he hires out for from station to station. When ex soldier meets goth on the run, the expected explosion never happens. Instead two damaged men find the other half of their heart in the red desert and rocks of Uluru.

The Red Heart is perfect Isabelle Rowan. A quiet story full of magic, strength and endurance, it surrounds itself in the elemental power of the Northern Territory desert and the ancient stones of Uluru, previously known as Ayer’s Rock. With this setting as a foundation, Rowan brings into emotional clarity two damaged men in search of peace and an end to their anguish. One, Sam suffers from PTSD and the memories or flashbacks that haunt both his days and nights. Daniel is a drug addict just out of rehab and looking at the mess he’s made of his life. He also happens to have a mirror image that underlines the poor choices he has made. Daniel has a twin brother whose live took a happier, drug free path and the pain of that knowledge only adds on to Daniel’s guilt and confusion.

Rowan’s characterizations come across as completely believable poignant human beings, as does all the people in this short story. Whether it’s the tourists Sam and Daniel find at Uluru or the workers at the Station that accept Daniel, although not without a good amount of kidding that never falls into bullying or spite. The station felt alive, busy and dusty from the red dirt all around them. But it’s the desert and the ancient formations that Daniel and Sam hike through that give this story its magical power and elemental sense of timelessness. Through Rowan’s vivid descriptions you can feel the pull of the rocks, the vibrations that flutter through the soul that forever changes Sam and Daniel.

What final part of this story grabbed at me? The fact that nothing was magically solved or that each man’s problems were eradicated. No, Daniel and Sam still had issues to deal with, including once an addict always an addict for Daniel. But they would be dealing with their realities together. That made this story and this couple real, and wonderful, and meaningful.

I love this story and highly recommend both the author and The Red Heart!

Cover Artist Anne Cain does a great job with the landscape. I just wish that the model was a little leaner, someone who looks as though they had hit the end of the road.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy it Here

Book Details:

ebook, 114 pages
Published March 13th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press (first published March 12th 2013)
ISBN139781623805500
edition languageEnglish
seriesUnder the Southern Cross

Down Under Author: Isabelle Rowan

Meet Isabelle Rowan!

Isabelle Rowan is the author of A Note in the Margin, Twelve Days, and many other books listed below.

To get to know Isabelle Rowan a little better, the author agreed to an interview. Look for the interview below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

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By day I teach English and Media in a suburban High School, but whenever I manage to find I spare minute I fill it with writing.

Although I wrote a lot as a teenager academia ate my brain and stifled my urge to write fiction. The odd poem here or a very short story there until a midlife crisis made me pick up my pencil again. Several years of blogging encouraged me to try my hand at longer fiction and my vampire short was picked up by Dreamspinner Press for their Desire Beyond Death anthology.

Although I write mainly mm romance I am also a member of the Australian Writers of Horror Association.

I’m also co-director (with Matthew Lang) of the Queermance Festival. Please have a look at our website and maybe join us! http://www.queermance.com.au

Contacts/Follow at :

Twitter: @Aussie_Izzy
Goodreads: Isabelle Rowan
Website & blog: http://www.isabellerowan.com
Facebook: Isabelle Rowan
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Isabelle Rowan Books:

A Note in the Margin: Rainbow Awards (Elisa Rolle) – Runner up, Best Contemporary Romance (2009) – Best debut novel (2009)

Blurb:

John McCann, a man who judges life by the tally of an accounts ledger, has a supreme goal in life: To achieve, live, and enjoy the rarified executive lifestyle. But he’s encountered one problem: The migraines are going to continue to get worse unless you make some major changes in your lifestyle. What you need is a ‘sea change’… Perhaps buy a nice little business in the country, settle down, something easier to occupy your time…

While John knows the doctor is right, he just can’t resign from the job he’s fought so hard for. He decides the sacrifice of taking a year’s leave of absence won’t interfere too much with his plans, and so he finds himself running Margins, a cozy little bookstore, with the help of the former owner’s son, Jamie. John expects to put in his year, get his stress under control, and then get back to business.

What John doesn’t expect is how Margins and its denizens draw him in, particularly the quiet, disheveled man who takes refuge in the old leather chair in the second-hand book section. John’s plans for an unattached year of simple business crumble when he meets David and is forced to reevaluate life, love and what he really wants from both. John and David are forced to come to terms with their pasts as they struggle to determine what possible future they might build together.

Book Details:

ebook, 276 pages
Published March 2009 by Dreamspinner Press
original titleA Note in the Margin
ISBN139781935192664
edition languageEnglish
seriesA Note in the Margin #1
charactersJohn McCann, David Robinson
settingAustralia

Ink : Rainbow Awards (Elisa Rolle) – Honorable Mention, Paranormal Romance. (2012)
Snowman – released mid year (2015)
Novellas:
Twelve Days (A Note in the Margins Story)
The Road to Byron
The Red Heart – our review follows today.
Anthologies:
Under the Southern Cross

Genre(s): Contemporary, paranormal

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Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, Isabelle Rowan) is an ebook of A Note in the Margin. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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A Chat with Isabelle Rowan

What books as a child has the most impact on you?

Stories have always been part of my life. My parents either read to me at night or made up stories. The Wind in the Willows was always my favourite and I honestly believe it still resonates with me in so many ways – I think I was a mole personality (shy and not very brave) wanting to be Toad (adventurous and fearless). By primary school it was The Hobbit and then The Lord of the Rings. Similar themes that I’ve carried over into my own writing – step up, take the risk to be brave and it might just work out. Ha ha, see, I’m still saying might instead of will, but I’m getting there.

Actually The Wind in the Willows plays a role in Twelve Days (Book 2 in the A Note in the Margins series) and this continues into the book I’m writing now – WIP title – Jamie’s Notes.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Wow, there is no one answer to this question, unless it’s everywhere – sights, sounds and smells! Ink came from my favourite tattoo parlor on Chapel Street. While I was being inked it struck me that the small purple room would be exquisite torture for a vampire. The heady smells of blood and adrenaline. Whereas, A Note in the Margin came from an indulgent night spent in a posh hotel in Melbourne and seeing a homeless man bed down on cardboard in a doorway. I didn’t sleep that night. The Red Heart’s genesis was a conversation with my high school students about the concept of home and country. Many of them are refugees and come from backgrounds I can’t even begin to imagine, so it was amazing to hear them talk country and belonging. Hopefully I captured a little of that essence in the central Australian landscape.

Favorite book/story you have read as an adult?

Poppy Z Brite wrote a vampire novel called ‘Lost Souls’ that I’ve reread so many times that I’ve had to buy at least four copies of the paperback (I still have them all). Her character Ghost stays with me. He is an ethereal character who, although human, seems to exist between worlds. He is a true innocent and for some reason that struck a chord for me.

Do you have a certain regimen that you follow as a writer?

Write whenever I can steal some time. I teach high school so that can be hard. Those who know me or my tweets will know that I usually escape to cafes to write – not with wifi. I have the attention span of an insect so don’t need distractions! Somehow, the steady hum of voices, music and coffee machines soothes me to write. I have a release in June, Snowman, that involves cafes and baristas as well as mountains, dogs and horses!

How do you think books written from authors in Australia or New Zealand differ in style, language, and culture?

Hmm, ask some of my poor frustrated editors! I didn’t realise that there were that many differences until I was told I have very Australian sentence structure. Seriously, I didn’t know there was such a thing! But I do know that we have what a good friend from the US calls Aussie-isms. Other than that I think you’d have to ask a non-Aussie because I can’t necessarily spot the difference – too close to it I guess.

If you were a tour guide, what would you like a visitor to see and what impression would you want them to take away with them when they leave?

I was toying with the beautiful Dandenong Ranges (1 & 2), or my local beaches, but I think the sights and sounds of Melbourne would have to win out. Tourists often head to Sydney and Uluru leaving Melbourne for ‘next time’, but it is an amazing city. So, I would base my tour around Art and coffee culture! We have galleries galore as well as wonderful street art. We could take a tram ride around the city or perhaps up to Lygon Street(3) or down to St Kilda(4). Many café stops would be needed as well as sampling delicious cakes and chocolate. So kick back with an espresso and try to decide how to fit in all the theatre, music, and history Melbourne has to offer.

What are your current projects?

Snowman is just about to start its editing cycle and that should be released in June.
I’m almost half-way through Jamie’s Note (working title only).
I have a zombie YA novel in the works.
I’ve also started musing on a steampunk novel.

Down Under Day 21: Welcome, Isabelle Rowan, and our AUS/NZ Facts of the Day

Welcome, Isabelle Rowan!

Isabelle Rowan’s book, A Note in the Margin, was my first introduction to Australia by way of a M/M author. This novel is Australian with every bit of its heart and mind. From the Australian Christmas to the venues in and around Melbourne, I learned as I read, wept and cried tears of joy. It’s still one of my all time favorite stories to rec. So please stop by Isabelle Rowan’s page, learn about all her stories, and about the author herself! And guess what Isabelle Rowan is giving away for her contest! Yep, A Note in the Margin.

And because she is from Melbourne, that’s where our Australia fact of the day looks in on:

Australia Fact of the Day – City of Melbourne!

Interesting & Fun Facts About Melbourne:

Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria, Australia.
Melbourne is located in south-east Australia.
A person from Melbourne is called a Melburnian.
‘The Story of the Ned Kelly Gang’, made in Melbourne in 1906, recognized as the first feature film of the world, running to five reels.
About 90 tons of dog poo is left on the streets of Melbourne every day.
According to the RSPCA, Melbourne is the “Fox Capital” of the western world, with 6-23 foxes every square kilometer in the metropolitan area.
Before Melbourne came to be known as the ‘City of Melbourn’e, it was called Batmania, Bearbrass, Bearport, Bareheap and Bearbury. (I personally love Bearbrass or Bareheap!)
Melbourne’s famous beer, Foster’s Lager, was actually produced by two Americans. – See more at:
Luna Park, in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of St Kilda, is the oldest amusement park in the world under private management.
Melbourne had the first gay and lesbian radio station in the world.
The expression ‘call girl’ that is used for a prostitute, was invented in Melbourne. – See more at Melbourne Lifestyles

New Zealand Fact of the Day

New Zealand is made up of two primary isles, North Isle and South Isle, with further outlying isles known as the Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Isle, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands. The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland.

Original Maori name for New Zealand: Aotearoa
Original Maori name for Auckland: Tamaki Makaurau

New Zealand has over 4.5 million inhabitants, of which 1/3 lives in Auckland. Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world and is also known as “the city of sails”. It has more boats per capita than anywhere else in the world.

A Sammy Review: Unfortunate Son (Sons #1) by Shae Connor

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

After being dishonorably discharged from the military and disowned by his family, Evan Day turns to the world of porn. For Trevor Hardball, Evan’s porn persona, everything comes easily. He can focus himself, knows the way around a good scene… things as Evan aren’t so easy. He’s still dealing with the scars war left internally, not to mention to pain of losing his family, lover, and job all at once.

One night, Riley literally falls into his lap. He’s not Evan’s typical type, but somehow he just intrigues Evan, and after a night of steamy sex, Evan can’t seem to get him off his mind. But life is full of surprises, including his mom reaching back out to him, and Riley’s cold exterior after a hot night…

Their paths may have been different, but they’d ended up much in the same place: isolated, so alone in so many ways, and yet here, together, sharing desire and intimacy.

When I read the blurb for this, I was pretty excited. With porn stars, military, and a loss that’s sure to be gut wrenching, what’s not to love? It should’ve hit all the right buttons, but I’m afraid it was pretty much a complete miss for me.

There was quite a bit of “honey” and other little phrases that just became overused very quickly. It even had me rolling my eyes when a third character started to use them too. It was just… too much. That takes me to another point, which is that I don’t think the characters had enough of their own personality. They all seemed to come from the same template with some slight changes, but I didn’t feel like they were different. For me, it was at times like reading different versions of the same person.

On top of that, the book tries to tackle a lot of issues. Evan had nightmares, sometimes has some conflict between himself as Trevor and Evan, lost his lover and his brother, was disowned by his family (who are now trying to win him back), then you have his best friends in a large part of the story, and then we take Riley who also has family issues and who knows what else – we don’t really get to know, as we hear very little about Riley as a person. I understand that people in general have a lot of stuff happen in their life (to put it mildly), but this was just too much for the author to try to tackle.

I was also very uncomfortable toward the end when there was a BDSM scene that went very wrong, and we knew it would from the very start… but Evan still went into it. We never do find out what happens with that – or Riley’s family.

Having so many issues in one book made it easy to forget to resolve things, or to resolve them too quickly. Besides just the two things I mentioned above, the issue with Evan’s family is fixed super nice and neatly, but then the issue of his nightmares and all the other issues in his life are not paid much attention to.

All of these things got to me, but I think that even if those were all resolved, I would still have a problem in that I did not connect with the characters, and I certainly did not connect with their relationship. I honestly felt more connection in Evan’s porn scene with Adam than I did between Riley and Evan, which made me quite dissatisfied.

That being said, I think the author has potential. The writing wasn’t terrible, and she certainly doesn’t lack for ideas. It’s just a matter of knowing when and how to use them, and making sure that everything is actually treated with the time and respect it needs. If that can’t happen, it probably shouldn’t be in the story at all.

The cover art by Paul Richmond unfortunately did nothing to add flare to the book. I’ve seen Paul do a lot of really great work and praised it, but this isn’t necessarily one of those. Sure, it’s fine, but it’s pretty bland. There’s nothing particularly special about it, and as someone pointed out, it appears that the flag, if considering the height of the model and the way the flag is positioned, is likely touching the ground, something seen as taboo in normal society – so having a model who is meant to depict an ex-marine hold a flag that could be touching the ground is a bit unsettling. To put it simply, I’ve seen Paul do far better.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook & Paperback All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy it here

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Expected publication: January 12th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press LLC
original titleUnfortunate Son
ISBN139781632165312
edition languageEnglish
seriesSons #1

A Stella Review: A Bond of Three by K.C. Wells

Rating: 3,5 out of 5 stars

I was really curious about this book and so happy when I scored the ARC. But it disappointed me a little.
Let’s start from the beginning. The blurb tells you everything you need to know, but I honestly thought I was going to read a different story, in some ways I thought it would have been more troubling. Instead what I found was a really sweet book.

Set in the kingdom of Teruna where young boys and girls are forced to leave their family and join the Seruan, becoming the lower caste, Prince Tanish and Seruan Feyar are together for seven years. It’s love at first sight but it needs to be a secret. When the fear of an attack from an enemy kingdom brought the King to look for an alliance with the neighbor King of Vancor, the wedding between Tanish and the Prince of Vancor, Sorran, seems the only way to join two kingdoms and be ready to face a war.

The young Sorran is sweet and innocent and he needs someone to teach him the art of love. Guess who’s chosen as a teacher? Our Feyar. Both Tanish and Feyar can’t oppose to the king’s order but they are resolute in their dislike of the young one. But Sorran is hard to resist and as Fate would have it, love will become the bond that will tie the three of them forever.

I loved how the author presents the three MCs. They’re so young but so firm in their decisions and their love. Each one of them is the perfect one for the other ones. Especially I loved Sorran, cause he will be the one to show Feyar and Tanish the path to a new era full of equality and justice.

Now, why the disappointment? I honestly was waiting for something to happen. But everything went pretty smooth. I’m not saying the book is boring. On the contrary, it is enjoyable, really sweet and things happened. But I was waiting for something more, especially for a fantasy book where pretty much everything is allowed. Just a little more action or drama.

I want to add that the characters and every scene are described very well. KC is a master in her writing. I like her style, her fluency and easiness in every sentence. I was so glad she chose to use an alternate POV between the three men , it was perfect way to understand every shade of their feelings.

I can honestly say I preferred her contemporary books. But if you are looking for a light read with a lot of sweetness, some hot sex and some magical aspects, you can’t miss A Bond Of Three.

Cover Design Alexander Tsopanakis,Cover Photo R.J. Sebastian

The cover fits the three MCs perfectly and the models aren’t bad at all. If you have read anything by Miss Wells I think you’re already used to see some beauty on her covers. This one is no exception.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) Amazon to come Buy It here

Book Details

ebook, 264 pages
Expected publication: January 19th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632166838
edition languageEnglish

Down Under Author: L. J. Harris

Meet L.J. Harris

L.J. Harris is the author of Heart of Glass and other story listed below.

To get to know L. J. Harris a little better, the author agreed to an interview. Look for the interview below and the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word found somewhere within.

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L. J. HARRIS is a mother of teenage twin boys who she loves with all her heart. Her family is her life, her soul, and the very reason she gets out of bed every day. Coming a close second to her family is her writing.

She only just discovered a passion for writing in the past five or so years. She’d always written little poems in birthday cards for family members, but that was as far as her writing aspirations went…until she decided to write poems and give them to family members as homemade gifts.

It was then a spark was lit, and ever since, she hasn’t been unable to switch off the urge to write.

After a close family member fell ill, she began questioning what she wanted and searching for answers. Unable to sleep one night, she sat up and typed out her feelings on the laptop. Her husband read what she’d written and encouraged her to write more. It was then she knew she wanted to share her thoughts with others. She began with writing what she knew–her life story, but couldn’t get into it. Instead, she decided to write about something not based on fact, but fiction, and wrote a dream sequence which she showed to her family. They encouraged her to expand on it, and she hasn’t stopped since.

L.J. Harris discovered that as much as enduring pain, loss, betrayal, or any other negative thing in our lives can be devastating, if she hadn’t experienced them for herself, she not only wouldn’t have found some lifelong friends, she doubts she would have been able to write the feelings of anguish and loss that some of her characters have had to endure.

L.J. has been previously published and has shared several online stories and looks forward to continuing to share her work.

Contacts/Follow at :
Twitter: @LJHarrisAuthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/heartofdark0858/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6506545.L_J_Harris
Blog: https://theworldofljharris.blogspot.com.au
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/heartofdarkess
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LJHarrisAuthor?ref=hl author page

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Out now:

Heart of Glass (Bottom Drawer Publications)

This story was originally included in the SECOND CHANCES Anthology released in August 2012 and has been individually released to celebrate BDP’s anniversary.

Days after arriving in Australia for a working holiday, Zack Doherty is blindsided by the connection he instantly feels to Heath Connors, but circumstances don’t work in their favour. Zack is uncharacteristically forward in pushing Heath to accept a date when fate gives him a second opportunity.

Heath has only recently had the courage to admit his true self, walking away from his marriage and a good job when he could no longer lie to himself. The attraction he feels for a stranger that fleetingly crossed his path confirms he made the right choice.

Will Zack be the one to mend Heath’s heart of glass?

Kindle Edition, 203 pages
Published August 31st 2012 by Bottom Drawer Publications
ASINB0094AEQK2
edition languageEnglish

Just Like Pulling Teeth (Bollocks Anthology from Wayward Ink Press)

A trip to the dentist has never been so… interesting…
Kindle Edition, 54 pages
Published November 7th 2014 by Wayward Ink Press
ASINB00OJ31N2I
edition languageEnglish

Genre(s):

m/m romance/erotica

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Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, L.J. Harris) is an eBook copy the reader’s choice of either my e-book Just Like Pulling Teeth or Heart of Glass via amazon. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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When did you start writing?

Five years ago.

Were you a reader as a child?

Yes.

What books as a child has the most impact on you?

My favourite was a pop up Wizard of Oz book. Also loved Disney stories such as Pinocchio and Cinderella.
Did that impression carry over into adulthood when you started writing?

I worked in a library for 11 years so that fed my addiction.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

People watching. Situations I find myself in can also often trigger an idea. And when I get writers block the shower is my place from which to draw inspiration.

Favorite genres to write in and why?

Love a good love story! I’ve always been a fan of reading the story of how two people meet.
Title or characters or plot? Which comes first?

Characters 90 percent of the time.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written?

That’s like choosing one child over another. All my characters have different aspects I love about them.

Favorite quote (doesn’t matter the source):

“Friends are the family you wish you had.”

Favorite book/story you have read as an adult:

Too many to name.

Do you have a certain regimen that you follow as a writer?

Not at all. I’m a ‘fly by the seat of my pants’ kinda girl.

What inspired you to write your first book?

As stated in my bio, a close member of my family fell ill. My father was my inspiration, my rock, and as a talented musician himself, the one person who understood me. He passed 2 years ago, and I miss him every day. He and my husband were the ones who inspired me to write my first sentence, and I haven’t looked back since.

Do you have a specific writing style?

See above (fly by the seat of my pants). I find that until I start to write a character, and peel back the layers little by little, only then will plot points make themselves known.

What’s the hardest part of writing your books? Writers block! They need to make a pill…

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your first book?

Oh God yes! Mostly tweaking bits and pieces, nothing major.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor or has the biggest influence on you?

It’s impossible to choose one, but a group of people including M B Feeney, R E Hargrave, Kaye P Hallows and my co-author in a story that is close to my heart P Austin are among the endless number of people who have encouraged, inspired and made me feel as though I belong in the world of the author.

What book are you reading now?

Kaye P Hallows ‘Take my Chances’.

How do you think books written from authors in Australia or New Zealand differ in style, language, and culture?

Well the spelling and slang is often something readers from countries outside Aus/NZ have to contend with. The unique settings these countries provide also make for a nice change in backdrop, language, characters and scenes, the whole shebang.

Anything by N R Walker (Red Dirt Heart series is my fave) or Renae Kaye (Safe in His Arms and The Shearing Gun are fab!).. I have read everything he’s written and it’s all fantastic. Movies: The Lord of the Rings series (and Hobbit) for NZ, and Strictly Ballroom is my fave Aussie film.

If you were a tour guide, what would you like a visitor to see and what impression would you want them to take away with them when they leave?

I haven’t travelled so long I couldn’t say, but I guess the Great Barrier Reef would be a great start, followed by going to Crystal Creek rainforest retreat on the mid-north coast of NSW. Hubs and I went on our honeymoon there.

What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I haven’t travelled much, but do go between home and the coast to see family on a regular basis.

What are your current projects?
His Personal Assistant, my new m/m novel.

What’s next up for you?
Finishing up HPA early 2015 and publishing, then working on whichever of my partially done documents inspires me.

Q: Is there any genre you love to read but wouldn’t tackle yourself?

Most definitely. Anything kinky – yes I am naughty and I love to read it (but it has to have a good plotline too) but would be terrified to write it.