Check Out the Series Review Tour for Fairground Attractions Series by L M Somerton

SERIES REVIEW TOUR

FAIRGROUND ATTRACTIONS

Zach, Stevie, Adam and Garth are four friends spending their summer break from university working at the local amusement park. A shared interest in kink brought them together though their personalities and preferences are as varied as the rides they run. The last thing they expect is to be drawn into a world where the thrills are more about danger and death than an adrenalin rush.

Genre/s: Contemporary Romance, M/M BDSM Thriller

 Heat Rating: 4 flames

The stories are best read in order.     

 

BOOK 1

Book Title: Ghost Train

Author: L M Somerton

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Cover Art: Erin Dameron-Hill

Length: 20 337 words/ 84 pages

Release Date: November 13, 2018

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M BDSM / thriller

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The ride of your life could be your last

Blurb

Garth’s summer job running the ghost train at the local amusement park is supposed to be a stress-free way to earn some much-needed cash. His Goth looks are a bonus as far as his boss is concerned. The sunshine is a stark contrast to the macabre, spooky scenes inside the ride, but when one of the corpses proves to be more realistic than it should be, shadows are cast on the summer.

Clem sees potential in the moody fairground assistant with spiky hair and pretty blue eyes. He can’t wait to explore Garth’s submissive nature. But Clem isn’t quite what he seems and he might be all that stands between Garth and a violent death. Earning Garth’s trust won’t be easy in a world where secrets can mean survival.

Buy Links

Pride Publishing  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon US

 

BOOK 2

Book Title: Merry-Go-Round

Author: L M Somerton

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Cover Art: Erin Dameron-Hill

Length: 21 056 words/ 86 pages

Release Date: February 26, 2019

Genre/s: MM BDSM contemporary / thriller

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Even the brightest places have shadows.

Blurb

Stevie is sweet and shy—the only hint of an independent spirit comes from his lilac hair. For years he’s harboured a crush on his best friend, Adam, who is everything Stevie isn’t. The problem? When it comes to love, Adam is a bit slow on the uptake.

On top of that, Stevie fears the escaped killer known as Harlequin is targeting his friends, and clings to his role managing the merry-go-round for some semblance of normality. But someone is watching from shadows even the summer sun can’t penetrate.

Realising that life can be all too short, Adam takes steps to ensure that Stevie will be his. All his protective instincts kick in when Stevie attracts some unwanted—and very dangerous—attention, but he can’t take care of him alone. The group of friends needs to band together because the bright lights and whirling horses of the merry-go-round won’t be enough to keep Stevie alive. Some killers are far too good at hiding in plain sight.

Buy Links

Pride Publishing  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon US

 

BOOK 3

Book Title: Helter Skelter

Author: L M Somerton

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Cover Art: Erin Dameron-Hill

Length: 22 697 words/ 93 pages

Release Date:  July 30, 2019

Genre/s: Contemporary MM BDSM / thriller

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Life can slide out of control when you least expect it.

Blurb

Of his group of friends, Zach is the only one yet to find his kinky-ever-after. The contract killer, Harlequin, is still on the loose, Zach’s dad is ill, a result of the stress caused by knowing the family amusement park is being used as an exchange point by drug runners, and Zach is faced with problems much tougher than the mathematical equations he’s used to.

Daniel Raynott has had his eye on Zach for some time. Now that Zach is no longer in his class at the university, he can act on his instincts and give Zach the guidance he desperately needs. As a Dom, Daniel demands obedience. As a man, he falls hard for Zach’s vulnerable innocence.

A boring summer has a lot of appeal, but Zach has about as much control over events as he does a trip down the helter skelter. He finds himself in danger more than once. Will Daniel be able to protect him or will the holiday season culminate in tragedy?

Buy Links

Pride Publishing  |  Amazon UK  | Amazon US

 

 

Excerpt 1 – 18+, from Helter Skelter

“Turn around,” Daniel said. “Bend over the bench.”

Zach stared at him. The expression he got in return was implacable.

“You can always use your safe word.”

Slowly, an internal debate raging in his mind about the wisdom of his actions, Zach did as he was told. The top of the bench cushioned his body. He shifted his feet wider apart for more stability. It felt strange to have his arms loose and dangling so he grasped the handle set in the side of the bench. He wondered if Daniel would tie him down and the thought made him grip the ring harder, palms sweating. When Daniel touched him, he gasped.

“Try to relax. We are going to take this as slow as you need. I’m not going to restrain you—you don’t even need to think about your safe word. You can just stand up and walk away if this gets too much.”

“If what gets too much, Sir?”

Daniel stroked his back, then his arse, resting his hand on the curve of his butt. “I’m going to paddle you, give you something else to think about other than your dad. The pain will focus your thoughts.” He undid Zach’s jeans then pushed them down to his thighs. “I’d prefer to do this with you naked but that might be a step too far for today.” Zach’s underwear went next, the fabric catching on his erection as Daniel rolled the cotton shorts down.

Zach trembled and his breathing sped up. He can see my arse. He’s going to spank it. Oh my God. The tip of his cock brushed the side of the spanking bench.

“Stunning.” Daniel stroked Zach’s backside. He pushed a finger between his cheeks to brush his hole and Zach’s mind blanked. “I’ll start slowly. The heat will build before it becomes painful.”

The first blow was little more than a tap. Zach sighed as Daniel built a rhythm, placing the strikes evenly on each arse cheek.

“Nice and pink now. Very pretty.”

The impact increased, creating a deep-seated ache. Zach clenched his glutes, craving more. As if sensing his need, Daniel landed a blow on the crease between arse and thigh. Zach sucked in his breath.

“Too much?”

“No, Sir. More please.” Zach lost himself in sensation as endorphins flooded his system. He humped the side of the bench, desperate for friction, and sobbed, overwhelmed by the revelation that he took pleasure from pain.

 

About the Author

LM lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She’s fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

LM is winner of the National Leather Association’s Pauline Reage Award for best novel and the 2016 and 2018 Golden Flogger Awards for best BDSM novel in the LGBT category. She has received multiple Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards and won the Action and Adventure category of Divine Magazine’s Book Awards.

 

Author Links

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Website

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Twitter

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Amazon Author Page

Queer Romance Ink

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MeWe

 

 

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Looking for Your Next Love Story? Check Out the Book Blast for The Artist’s Boxer by Este Holland (excerpt)

BOOK BLAST

Book Title: The Artist’s Boxer

Author: Este Holland

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Este Holland

Release Date: July 11, 2019

Genre/s: LGBT Action, Gay Romance

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 47,000 words         

It is a standalone story and the first in a series.

Add on Goodreads

 

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Amazon Link 

Amazon US

Amazon UK

 

 

Blurb

Winning the welterweight championship was everything Rake had worked for. Now it’s all come crashing down, and he has no choice but to flee his hometown of Las Vegas.

When he stops in a small town in Utah, Rake meets a man who makes him forget all about the danger he’s in.

Rio has a good life. He loves his family and career, but when Rake blows into town, something stirs in his blood. 

Something like desire. 

Rio doesn’t do relationships, not since the last disaster, but Rake makes it impossible for him to say no. 

When Rake comes clean about what he’s running from, Rio just might have a way to help.

Now the two of them must fight to free Rake from the man who took everything…and stay alive until the end.

 

The Artist’s Boxer is the first book in the Yours to Protect series.

 

Excerpt 

Reality crashed in as he lay down, and he didn’t like what it brought. He’d run away. Cowardly? Maybe. But what else was he supposed to do? People didn’t say no to Damian Corsetti, and that was exactly what Rake had done.

Now, there he was, in Rio Danvers’s home, his bed, after getting off twice with the man. The man who’d built the bar where he’d sat and laughed with Hunter for years. 

Maybe it would all be okay. Deep inside, where he seldom looked, something told him it would be. He was solid and safe. Untouchable. But was that arrogance?

What had that figure in the road said? Love came in many forms, accept help…or something like that. Well, he sure as hell was. Rio had taken him in, fed him, kissed him, and invited him into his bed.

Rio came out of the bathroom and slid in next to him.

“Thanks for everything,” Rake said as they got under the covers. Rio wore sleep pants while he remained naked.

“Everything?”

“Bringing me here, feeding me, letting me stay. You don’t know anything about me.”

Rio stared at him until a soft expression came and went in his dark eyes. “You’re welcome.”

He got comfortable, and oh God, the bed was so nice. Rake burrowed deeper.

“About what happened in there,” Rio began.

His heart thudded, and Rake stilled. “What?”

“You kissed me. You know what this means?”

“What?” Rake asked again, his voice going up an octave.

“We have to go on at least two dates before we do anything else.”

Rake sprang up, taking the covers with him. “Are you serious?”

“Very. I told you, I have a rule.”

Rake pursed his lips. “So, if we’re going on a date, that means I can kiss you again.”

He leaned over to do just that, but Rio stopped him. “Not until after the first date.”

“Dude, seriously, what’s with all these rules? Don’t you ever go with the flow?”

“Go with the flow?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“You mean like meeting a stranger in town and bringing him to my home?” Rio asked, amused.

“Well…kind of—not really.” Rake scowled. “You know what I mean.”

Rio chuckled and pulled Rake down beside him. “Get some sleep. I’m always up early.”

He snapped off the light, but there was no bedside lamp.

“How did you do that?”

“There’s a button on the side of the bed. There’s one on your side too.”

“Oh, cool.” Rake searched around until he found it and pressed it on and off a few times.

He settled back and got comfortable again. His leg bumped Rio’s, and he threw it over him, hugging a pillow to his chest.

“ ’Nite,” he said around a big yawn.

“Good night.”

He liked not knowing what the hell time it was, or when he had to get up to train in the morning. He lived on a tight schedule Luis and Hunter set for him. When had his life become so rigid? He never had any free time. Even his downtime at Hunter’s bar had to be scheduled in.

“I like kissing you,” he whispered into the dark.

He wasn’t sure if Rio had already fallen asleep, but he didn’t answer

 

About the Author 

Este Holland is a writer and reader of all things romance. She’s also a treasure hunter, a word wizard, a lover, and a fighter. She was born in southern WV, and is a reader and writer. She lives in Virginia now, and works in marketing. Her favorite book is impossible to name. Her favorite movie are Romancing the Stone and Some Like it Hot. She began writing her first novel in 2012 and has practiced and studied ever since to get better. She’s still learning.

 

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Instagram: @este.holland.writer 

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A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Shaman of Kupa Piti (Shaman’s Law #1) by A. Nybo

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

When an international case involving a series of ritual murders lands in his lap, strait-laced and logical Agent Leon Armstrong is going to need some help.

Leon follows the trail to the opal-mining town of Coober Pedy, Australia, where he gets tangled up with the wild Russian mystic Sergei Menshikov. Despite his commitment to rationality, Leon discovers he isn’t immune to the way of the spirits, no matter how much he’d like to think. When Sergei tells him he treads a predestined path, Leon’s world turns upside down.

Leon’s experiences in Coober Pedy will change his life forever, but can he hold out against Sergei and the spirits—who Sergei claims have chosen them for each other?

I find it fascinating when authors bring in the mythology of cultures I’m not familiar with into their stories.  It adds a depth to them, and elevates them to a level above those that, however lovingly, keep reverting to the same  well used  classical Greco-Roman mythology or even native  American Indian culture mashups I’ve read.

Here immediately I knew I was in for something totally different, unknown to me, and captivating.  In the often brilliant novel,  The Shaman of Kupa Piti (Shaman’s Law #1) by A. Nybo, the author  weaves into this murder mystery romance  an astonishing mixture of elements! All guaranteed to intellectually blow your mind, grip your heart, and keep you totally connected to this story and characters through every white knuckle page turning ride of a mystical narrative wowser.

For starters?  The location.  That would be Coober Pedy, Australia.  Look it up.  Or better don’t.  Because here, through the vivid, sometimes claustrophobic, hotter than hell itself, covered in red copper dust, descriptions, this tiny town of opal mining and life lived underground comes alive in these  pages.  So hot the heat feels incendiary and the dust itself choking.  And that’s just for starters.

Laid on top of that are the miners, and the townspeople of Coober Pedy.  An erasable and unique lot, made up of many nationalities of miners, each off alone at their own opal stake, men and women, tough as nails.  Forgetful of time passing down in those shafts deep underground.  And the author makes us feel it all …at a cellular level.  From the men in the only pub, again underground to the police.  And again layered on top of that is the mythology and culture of the native Aboriginals,  Also Aussie slang and colloquialisms.

But that’s not what I’m talking about, although that alone would make this story special.  Nope.

That’s setting the stage for local opal miner, Russian and mystic Sergei Menshikov.  Through this amazing and incredibly complex character, Nybo weaves elements such as the SAAMI/(Sa’mi) culture and mythology, Russian geography and slang, and mystical terms such as psychopomp which I had not seen used before.  All melded seamlessly while being used to great effect in this magnificent story.

Not enough?

Ok, let’s talk characters.  Starting with Sergei, at man at war… within himself. And with the spiritual plane for rejecting his heritage.  And another war is being brought to him as his past catches up.  He’s wild, thoughtful, mystical, larger than life, almost elemental.  And broken.  Sergei is unlike any other I’ve read before.  A wildman who’s impression still lingers even now.  Agent Leon Armstrong really grows on you, especially once he enters Coober Pedy and encounters the crime scene and Sergei.  As more of the case is revealed, the layers start to peel back on Leon too.  Yes, you believe Sergei when he says they are meant to be together.

And there’s Lucy (how i love her, I won’t spoil you meeting this character) and Charles.   Everyone here has such depth and lasting power to their personality.

That plot!  Scary, intriguing and yet, oh so spine-chillingly scary.  Especially as the author made it seem so real, so authentic.  My heart raced as the story paced practically screamed towards the finish.

Did I mention there’s going to be a second book?

When I finished this one, I wrote immediately to the author begging to know that a sequel was coming.  That these characters and universe wouldn’t be left to a single story.  I couldn’t fathom that.  And the answer was no, more would come.  Eventually.   That I could handle.

I will wait for however long it takes to come back here again with these people and this tiny township of heat, opals, and mystics.

After reading this you will feel the same.

The Shaman of Kupa Piti (Shaman’s Law #1) by A. Nybo is beautifully written, full of three dimensional characters, little known elements used for the author’s world building, and an amazing plot and setting.  I can recommend it highly enough.

Cover  art by Kanaxa.  Love the feel of the cover. You will never find someone as wild looking as Sergei.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 193 pages
Expected publication: July 30th 2019 by DSP Publications
ISBN1 39781644052600
Edition Language English
URL

A MelanieM Review: Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan

Rating: 4.75 stars out  of 5

When evil stirs in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, heroes come in both ordinary and extraordinary packages.

Ignatius Faber knows a few things for absolute certain. He’s half-demon, his father is the unequivocal prince of darkness, and demons want to destroy his city. And if he doesn’t make the first move on his crush, they’re never going to be anything more than a teenage fantasy that’s lasted into his thirties.

Lalo Pavia grew up hard and fast, orphaned at a young age. As an autistic, he’s learned to approach life cautiously. He throws his energy into gardening and photography—allowing both to provide a buffer between himself and the rest of the world.

Except for Iggy.

Can they find triumph, life, and even love in the middle of a city in flames?

Their fight for the mile high city has just begun

Well this was just superb!  Long a fan of Dahlia Donovan’s stories, her contemporary romances, her mystery cozies here springs a totally engrossing supernatural urban fantasy yarn so full of twist, turns and great characters that I was up until the wee hours reading until I was finished.

Yes, Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan is a book whose characters I embraced and whose plot kept me guessing.

Don’t you love it when that happens?

Not only that but the relationships are so remarkable.  Starting with Ignatius Faber, aka Iggy,  and Lalo Pavia .  Their tight, bond and love for each other is so deep, compounded by Lalo’s autism and Iggy’s understanding of Lalo’s special needs and drive to insure that Lalo can live as best as possible within their universe, given his autism.  And it’s quite the universe.

Donovan has taken her time building a world full of demons, priests, levels at war with each other, scary scientists, and even Lucifer himself.  And none are exactly what you might think.  So many twists here that the plot at points resembles a maze of story threads and wandering possibilities.    None of which I will discuss, but the payoffs are tremendous as far as the narrative are concerned.

The author has built in depth everywhere you look. Layers to her characters.  She has certainly done her homework with regard to people with autism and it shows in Lalo’s character, mannerisms, and behavior.  Lalo is real!  And so is Iggy and his love and commitment to him.

The world building has just as many layers to meet this convoluted plot.  If I had any issues it’s that i  wanted more.  More of the characters, more of Lucifer, more  past the ending.  It’s that sort of story.  Your mind keeps racing past the ending into the thousands of “what ifs” the characters and story keep generating.

Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan is a splendid example of how imagination and plot plus characters and worldbuilding send a novel soaring….it grabs your heart, messes with  your mind, and leaves you wanting more. How great is that?

Cover art is just wonderful.  Works for the character and novel.

Sales Links: Hot Tree Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads

Book Details:

ebook
Published July 27th 2019
ISBN 139781925853568
Edition Language English

Review Tour and Giveaway for Cold Pressed (Seacroft #2) by Alison Temple

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal LinkExclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited
 
Length: 80,000 words approx.
 
Cover Design: Cate Ashwood Designs
 
Seacroft Series
 
Book 1 – Top Shelf – Amazon US | Amazon UK
 
Blurb


No strings attached is all Oliver can offer. He’s hiding a broken heart that holds him back from diving into a new relationship, but he’ll go on a blind date to make his family happy. Just one date, though; he doesn’t have time for love to derail his plans.

Divorced and demoted to the night shift, Nick has his own problems. He’s got an ex-wife who needs him and a kid with one foot in juvie. The last thing Nick needs is to butt heads—or other body parts—with a tempting hipster who wears a sad smile on their blind date.

Their chemistry can’t be denied, though, in an argument or in bed. No strings sex is uncomplicated and that’s what Nick and Oliver need. But getting into bed together is one thing. Staying out of each other’s hearts soon becomes so much more complicated than either one imagined.

Cold Pressed is an 80k contemporary MM romance. It features a smoldering bisexual single dad, a broken-hearted hipster with a thing for beet juice, and a friends-with-benefits arrangement that blooms into the HEA you’ve been looking for.

 Read Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review here. We definitely recommend it.

Allison Temple has been a writer since the second grade, when she wrote a short story about a girl and her horse. Her grandmother typed it out for her and said she’s never seen so many quotation marks from a seven-year-old before. Allison took that as a challenge and has gone on to try to break her previous record in all her subsequent works.


Allison lives in Toronto with her very patient husband and the world’s neediest cat. She splits her free time between writing, community theater stage management, and traveling anywhere that has good wine. Tragically, this leaves no time to clean her house.


Newsletter (get two free shorts right now): https://allisontemplebooks.com/newsletter
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Tour Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan (excerpt and giveaway)

Here Comes the Son

Dahlia Donovan has a new MM urban fantasy romance book out: “Here Comes the Son.

Special Excerpt:

“And don’t eat my slice. Why are you so distracting?”

“Have you seen me?” Iggy licked the chocolate spread from his fingers, sighing when the move was completely wasted on Lalo, who hadn’t bothered to turn around. “You’re hard on my ego.”

“Good.” Lalo finally glanced over his shoulder with a grin. “Yours has needed deflating since high school. You’ve got Nutella on your cheek.”

“Want to lick it off?” Iggy infused the question with all his charm.

“Are you this unsanitary on all your dates?” Lalo wrinkled his nose and turned back to his camera. “They put napkins in with the pizza.”

Iggy fell backwards with an aggrieved sigh, staring up at the stars in the night sky. “Why do I bother?”

“No idea,” Lalo muttered. “Don’t know why you bother either. You’re less obnoxious when you aren’t using your chili senses to spice up your life.”

They snickered together.

The slightly defensive tone in his voice caught Iggy’s attention. He sometimes forgot Lalo misread teasing for seriousness. Silently kicking himself for not being more careful, Iggy got to his feet and walked toward him as their laughter faded away.

Great job, Iggy; put your foot in it on the first date. You’ve only known Lal for years.

Iggy brought his hands up, giving Lalo plenty of time to retreat, and gripped him by the shoulders. “I bother because you’ve had my attention since high school. Not that you noticed or cared.”

“You were joking.”

Joking?

Oh, right, the misunderstanding a minute ago.

“I was.” Iggy tilted his head to put their lips closer, bending a little to close the two-inch height difference. “I’m not joking about wanting to kiss you.”

“Your face is still sticky.” Lalo’s green eyes glinted with mischief in the glow of the moon and stars overhead. He reached up to grip Iggy by his hair and tugged him into a kiss. “Mouth tastes of Nutella as well.”

Iggy smirked hungrily and sought Lalo’s lips again. He only pulled back when oxygen became an issue; they stared breathlessly at one another. “Ever had sex under the stars?”

“Not—”

“Damn it.” Iggy cut Lalo off when the telltale sensation of a demon on the prowl hit him, the strange, otherworldly rush of energy up his spine causing his hair to stand on end. “Fuck.

“Chili on the loose?”

“Chili on the loose.” Iggy gave him a crooked grin. “Rain check on the date?”

“Rain check?” Lalo scoffed, stepping away to begin packing up his camera. “I’m coming with you.”

 

 

Blurb:

When evil stirs in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, heroes come in both ordinary and extraordinary packages.

Ignatius Faber knows a few things for absolute certain. He’s half-demon, his father is the unequivocal prince of darkness, and demons want to destroy his city. And if he doesn’t make the first move on his crush, they’re never going to be anything more than a teenage fantasy that’s lasted into his thirties.

Lalo Pavia grew up hard and fast, orphaned at a young age. As an autistic, he’s learned to approach life cautiously. He throws his energy into gardening and photography—allowing both to provide a buffer between himself and the rest of the world.

Except for Iggy.

Can they find triumph, life, and even love in the middle of a city in flames?

Their fight for the mile high city has just begun.

Hot Tree Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads


Giveaway

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Excerpt

Here Comes the Son

*contains explicit language*

Stowing both the journal and pen into his backpack, Iggy focused on the YouTube video playing on the library computer. The Siren. She was a beautiful, sultry vlogger who’d rapidly gained a cult-like following on her channel. No name, no history, no previous website. She’d sprung up from nowhere and catapulted to viral infamy.

Iggy hadn’t needed a cryptic dream warning him of another demonic invasion in his beloved city or the strange shiver up his spine to immediately put her onto his list.

The whir of the printer behind him drew Iggy away from the video as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. His dark-brown eyes scanned the library slowly. He’d apparentlyrun out of time for research; somewhere in the city,a demon had come out to play.

Time to hunt.

Strapping on his bag, Iggy dragged a hand roughly through his short black hair. He winked at the librarian who grumbled at him when he leaped over a book cart in his path on the way toward the front entrance. She blushed, a response he was used to with his inherited looks and charm.

As one of his best friends from high school used to say, he had wickedly devilish good looks. He told her to stop reading Regencyromances. From his jet-black hair to his deep-brown eyes, he knew his face balanced the angelic with the roguish.

I’d do me.

Blinded by the bright sunshine, Iggy took a moment to adjust after stepping outside. Denver’s Central Library had always been a favoriteof his for research, with its massive collection. Plus, he always thought the building seemed almost like a grouping of castle turrets.

He paused on the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth Avenue. Spring was supposed to have sprung in the Mile High City. Not that the weather had noticed; they’d only just thawed out from winter.

And judging by the crisp air and gathering clouds on the mountains, they’d be inundated with another blizzard before the end of the day.

Jogging down Thirteenth, Iggy skidded to a halt on Lincoln. He tilted his head, trusting his finely honed instincts. Half a block down, he spotted an alley between a parking lot and the Art Institute that was shadowed more than it should’ve been in the bright early afternoon sun.

One step into the gap between the buildings, and he’d plunged into nighttime. The smell of sulfur swirled around him. He slipped his bag around his body, reaching inside for a spray can.

“Ah, Son of the Morning Star. Half-breed. I hoped you’d sense my presence.” Rastran stood at the end of the unnaturally dark alley. He leaned casually against the industrial air conditioner with one foot resting on a body, completely disregarding the dirt now staining his designer suit. Demons always enjoyed life’s luxuries. “Ignatius Faber, we’ve saved you for last. Your father’s brightest light. A beautiful irony. All of his hopes pinned on the one offspring who matched him most in appearance and strength. Pity he can’t see the monster he created.”

With a hardkick, Rastran sent the body rolling along the filthy ground to land barely a foot away from Iggy. Titus.One of his many half-siblings. Iggy hadn’t seen his brother in weeks. They’d all assumed Titus was on a hunt.

They generally kept in close contact, particularly since hundreds of other half-siblings had been culled over the past eight years. Titus and Iggy were the only ones left. Rage erupted deep inside him.

“I’m the monster?” Iggy calmly stepped over Titus, shoving grief and anger viciously down to remain focused. He had a demon to deal with. His fingers wrapped tightly around the canister of compressed holy water in his pocket. It resembled pepper spraybut worked to stun creatures of Hell long enough for him to send them home. “You should’ve stayed away from my city.”

Kicking a piece of brick at the demon, Iggy charged toward him, leaping over a dumpster. He caught Rastran in the chest with a kick, then doused him with the holy water. With the demon stunned, he swiftly dug the lighter from his bag and set fire to the expensive suit.

“Fuck off back to Hell.” Iggy stared intently at the brilliantly red flames rapidly burning the demon into nothing.

Flashy, fiery piece of shit.

Demons, as a species, seemed drawn to anything expensive or shiny. Titus had joked about their being the Kardashian brand of hellspawn. Iggy swallowed down his desire to both laugh and sob uncontrollably.

When the last bits of ash disappeared on a sudden brisk breeze, Iggy twisted toward Titus. With Rastran banished, lighthad returned to the alley. He didn’t have time to process his brother’s death.

His shoulders dropped with the weight of sorrow. A dead man in the middle of the city would draw attention Iggy didn’t need. He had no real explanation for how Titus had died.

Demons tended to kill without leaving a trace of evidence of their presence or method. Of their army of siblings, Titus had been the most dedicated to demon hunting. More than Iggy. Ironic, given fighting came a little too easily to Iggy.

With no way to transport Titus, Iggy gently removed the rosary from his brother’s neck and fled the alley.He left no clues to his presence, making sure to avoid any cameras in the area. Catching a bus on Lincoln allowed him to quickly return to where he’d parked his vehicle earlier.


Author Bio

Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.

Author Website: https://dahliadonovan.com/

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005993479215

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/dahliadonovan/

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Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/dahlia-donovan/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dahlia-Donovan/e/B00KFNZFHU?

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A MelanieM Review:Trusting the Elements (Never Too Late #1) by Elle Keaton

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

There’s nothing like a near death car accident to open your eyes. Otto Proulx decides surviving was a sign; he’s being given a second chance to claim the life he wants to live. For the past few years he’s been hiding in the shadows, vague texts from a troubled ex-partner keep him at home along with his general lack of luck in the romance department. This is his last chance, he’s certain, this time he’ll meet the man for him, the one he’s sure is out there somewhere.

Greg Trainor runs a specialty kite shop and helps his friends out when they ask. That’s the kind of guy he is, if somebody needs something, they call on Greg. He’s a big guy and no genius, but he’s dependable. So…yeah, when he sees a car precariously perched on the side of the road, he stops to help out; it’s what he does.

One night of passion leads to…several more and suddenly both men are searching around to define what they have together. Neither wants to scare the other off and neither wants to ask for more. Will the two men be able to set aside their fears and create a family together, trusting the elements are in their favor?

Trusting the Elements  by Elle Keaton is the first in her new Never Too Late series and its a total charmer.    As the first novel in her series, Keaton spends time building her new universe, introducing us to the seaside town of Westfort, a place of broken industrial dreams that’s trying to rebrand itself and stay alive. Many of the characters you meet are trying to help Westfort in it’s rebranding efforts, starting with the kind and endearing Greg Trainor.  Greg fled to Westfort, a mess of family induced emotional pain, physical wounds, and in need of a new path in life.  He found it in a Kite Shop and locals who soon became his friends and family.

As Keaton builds a picture of a waning fishing/lumber town slowly turning into a tourist destination, from a local Great Blue Heron full of quirks to a bar with a saloon owner we need to get to know better, the reader feels Westfort come alive.  Another character as piquant and needy as all its residents.  Truly I would have boarded the ferry myself if I could have and headed over.

After Westfort, Keaton fills her story with characters we love to connect with.  From the gentle dyslexic Greg, still haunted by his family’s rejection, to the utterly charming Otto, who’s pull with people is almost magnetic yet fights his own personal battle with an ex, the author has created people for her story that we enjoy spending time with  and root for in their romance.   Otto and Grey have a chemistry that makes the short timetable of their relationship work!  It’s adult, sexy, and clearly these two are meant to be together.  Second chances indeed.   Plus we get kittens! And Amy.

There are two side threads for each man.  For Greg, it’s the resolution of the issues he has with his family, sister and her husband.  I enjoyed this aspect of the story and thought it worked well, especially Otto’s “take charge gently” attitude.  It felt right and fit in with the whole atmosphere of the story.

Less successful imo was Otto’s stalker ex and how that all played out.  That was far too serious theme (as the author notes) and I don’t think it meshed with the overall tone of the rest of the story, especially the resolution.  Because in my fact finding, people with those traits don’t simply “let it alone:”.  Then again this is a series.   But that is the only storyline that struck me as somewhat less well developed.  From the character of the ex to the denouement.

What I adored, apart from the kites too?  All the characters waiting for their partners.  Jake, Dante, and others.  I can’t wait to see who gets the next story.  I will be waiting for it’s release and get reacquainted with everyone I met here.

Love second chance at happiness stories?  Pick up Trusting the Elements (Never Too Late #1) by Elle Keaton.  I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

 

Cover art: Cate Ashwood.  Its ok but where are the kites?  He’s cute and all but I’d like to have something more relevant to the story on the cover.

 

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 200 pages
Published July 25th 2019
ASINB07TMPKB2L
SeriesNever Too Late #1

An Alisa Review: Between the Covers Anthology

Rating:  3.5 stars out of 5

Get lost in a book store and find something hot.

Behind the stacks, tucked into the dark corners, and reading nooks, you’ll find an adventure, and you might just find more. Grab this hot boxset and get into these six tales of passion and possibly love.

Using book stores as a source of inspiration, these six bestselling authors take you on a journey you won’t forget. Your heart will be warmed as you dive in and discover our men from the heart of the book store.

I love anthologies and was so happy to get the chance to read this one.  I like that they give the opportunity to read a few different authors in the same book.

In Love – Limited Edition Rory is trying to find his happiness and a chance meeting with Brett helps jump start that journey.  I loved these characters and how cute they were together and that Brett was able to give Rory the chance to connect with his parents but also find the love he wanted.  Riley and Evan in Bent Corners have a couple chance meetings that give them the chance to explore their attraction.  I loved Riley’s determination to help his uncle and Evan’s situation with his grandma but their story seemed a bit unfinished to me especially with Evan’s jealous reaction near the end.

A Rhythm You Feel was the one story I had the trouble with the most unfortunately, it’s mainly a pet peeve of mine when an author does a to be continued story in something like this,  It was unfinished but other than getting to know Blade and Nico, they just meet a couple times, there wasn’t any romance.  Howie in Coffee, Tea, or Me just longs for love and affection from someone and Jackson needs to find the confidence he needs to provide it.  I liked these two, especially Howie, but felt that Jackson just kept reverting back into himself and had some trouble thinking about what he was saying but worked hard to prove himself to Howie.

Love Potion No. 69 was a bit of a departure from the other stories in this collection.  Keith and Sadler meet by chance and concocting their “love potion” helps jump start their relationship but I don’t know something about it didn’t sit right with me.  Stackswas absolutely the sweetest story of all.  Levant is so patient and wants nothing more than for Nic to be happy which he shows in every way.

Cover art by Kris Jacen is okay, it works with the theme of this anthology but all the items don’t seem cohesive.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 242 pages

Published: June 24, 2019

Tia Fielding on Characters, Genderqueer, and the new release Four (Love by Numbers #2 (author guest blog)

Four (Love by Numbers #2) by Tia Fielding

Dreamspinner Press
Published July 23rd 2019
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh
Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

 

Blog post:

Hi, I’m Tia, and I’m here to talk about… well, at first I didn’t have a clue about what I was going to write here. Promo posts can be the worst! I’ve also been at this blog before and answered interview questions, so I thought going another route this time.

So what should I write about? I thought about Four, the book I’m here to promote, and came to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, Kaos would like me to talk about identity. After all, that’s why there’s an author’s note in the front matter of Four.

See, both Kaos and myself identify as genderqueer. What is genderqueer exactly? Well, here’s the definition (of the adjective) you find if you google it:

Denoting or relating to a person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions but identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders.

Wikipedia goes on longer about it, but I’ll let you google that yourself. In short, “genderqueer” can be a blanket term for people who are nonbinary. There are many, many ways to be nonbinary, so some people like this word over the more concrete definitions.

In my personal life, gender doesn’t really play as much of a role at all, which is something that many cis-people (that is, people who are happy with the gender they were assigned at birth) don’t necessarily understand.

These days, you often hear the “But why do you have to kick up such a fuss over it? Why can’t you just be happy without being so vocal about your gender?” These things are 99% of the time said by cis-people.

I guess it’s hard to understand how it feels to be something else, to be other, when you never have had that feeling. If you’ve always felt comfortable with the gender assigned to you, how would you know how we, the non-binary people, feel?

So, let’s get back to genderqueer. For me personally, it feels good because it states that I’m non-binary, but it also has the word “queer” in it. I won’t even go to the whole discussion about “queer” and how some people still see it as a slur. It isn’t that for me, for me it’s badge I wear proudly.

Personally, I don’t feel feminine, or female, at all. But then I also don’t feel like I’m that masculine (on purpose) or that I want to be a man. If I wanted to, if I felt I was male, then that would make me transgender (if I chose that label for myself.)

Where does Kaos settle inside the same almost umbrella term? Well, he likes it because he isn’t transgender. He’s still a man, he still likes being a man, but he also has a side that’s very feminine. That side goes beyond liking makeup (say, like James Charles the makeup artist who still, to my knowledge, identifies as a man) with how he has what he likes to call “girly days.”

In Kaos’s mind, girl days are different. He starts to feel different during them. He feels maybe softer and more vulnerable in some ways, less ready for confrontation and above all, he likes to look feminine. He likes to wear blouses and/or skirts. He likes a jacket cut for a female shape.

But he doesn’t have gender or body dysphoria. He doesn’t hate his body, he likes it. He doesn’t need the parts that seem to go with the makeup and blouses in most people’s eyes. And that’s something I share with him.

While I don’t feel female (which is my assigned at birth gender), I don’t hate my “girl bits.” I don’t want “boy bits” either. If I could freely mix and match on daily basis, I probably would, if I’m completely honest, but I also know I’m not alone with that thought. Sadly the technology isn’t there yet, hahah!

The thing about labels is that they’re amazing when we get to decide them for ourselves. They help with feeling like we belong. Feeling like we’re on even ground after potentially floundering for a long time. It’s never too late to find a label that might just explain yourself to… yourself, and maybe even some others.

So if you ever encounter someone who doesn’t seem like they fit the label they say they are, remember this: their labels aren’t really for you and there’s no way for you to know how that person feels on the inside. For you, something might be simple, but to someone else, it might be the hardest thing to figure out in the whole wide world, and they might not be able to feel good about themselves before they do.

All in all, in Four, Kaos has gone through a lot, and some of it has been because he’s found his gender identity doesn’t match what he was assigned as a baby. Trusting all of it to the hands of Padraig isn’t going to be easy.

On the other hand, from Padraig’s point of view… well, he’s never liked anyone who isn’t purely male before. He’s never even been into feminine men. So getting a bit older and having to figure out your attractions might not run purely into the direction you’ve always thought they do can be a challenge.

I hope you enjoy Four and Kaos and Padraig’s journey together!

 

Blurb:

A Love by Numbers Story

When unlikely attraction blossoms between a twentysomething genderqueer tattoo artist and an older, small-town veterinarian, both are forced to face their pasts for a chance at a loving future.

Four years ago Padraig Donovan lost his husband, the only man he’d ever been with. Now his life consists of the work he loves, a big empty house, and the possibility of a lonely future.

Kaos’s experiments with makeup landed him in the hospital at the hands of his disapproving ex. With nowhere else to turn, he flees to Acker, Wisconsin… and runs into a sexy widower and the kindest man he’s ever met.

Padraig and Kaos know there’s something worth exploring between them, and as they raise a puppy and deal with the ups and downs of their respective jobs, they fit into each other’s lives in ways they never expected. Being with Kaos—who is so different than the guys he’s always been attracted to—opens up an exciting new world for Padraig. But can he convince Kaos to trust another man with his body… let alone his heart?

Author Bio:

Tia Fielding is a Finnish LGBTQ+ romance author. She lives in a small middle-of-nowhere town surrounded by nature and silence, just like she prefers. Tia identifies as genderqueer, but isn’t fussy about pronouns, because her native language doesn’t have gender-specific ones. She’s a lover of caffeine, sarcasm, peppermint, cats and dogs, sleeping and witty people.

Social Media:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authortiafielding/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/tiafielding

 

Check Out the Blog Tour for Rules to Follow (Davey’s Rules #1) by Susan Hawke (excerpt)

Rules to Follow Tour Banner

Rules to Follow

Davey’s Rules Series, Book 1

Susan Hawke

M/M Romance – Daddy/boy

Release Date: 07.14.19

Rules to Follow ebook

Blurb

Davey’s Rule #86: A good Daddy will never lie to his boy… even by omission.

Travis Miller has a pretty solid life in the small California beach town he calls home. He’s working his way up in the district attorney’s office, he owns a home with an ocean view, and he has close ties with his family. Life is good. If only he could find a sweet boy to call his own, life would be… perfect.

Adam Nichols’ life has never been easy. Growing up in foster care taught him to be strong, so finding himself in a violent relationship was a shock. Now that he’s finally free of it, he faces new problems. He’s jobless, homeless, and terrified of starting from scratch.

With a little help from an old friend, Adam discovers a whole new world. He goes from rock bottom to renting a room from a hot assistant DA and working at Daddy’s Lap, a kink club that opens his vanilla eyes to things he’d never imagined. His new roommate is a balm to Adam’s damaged soul. The tender way Travis cares for him is almost like the Daddy kink community he’s seen at the club. But Travis isn’t a Daddy… right? If he were, surely he’d have said so.

What happens when a lie by omission threatens to bring their budding relationship tumbling down around them? Will Travis ever be able to earn Adam’s trust again?

This is the first book in a new series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book. Possible trigger for references to domestic violence.

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rule31 (1)

rule86 (1)

Excerpt

After the movie, we finally took our groceries home. Travis insisted on putting everything away himself. “While I do this, how about you order us a pizza? After that scare fest you talked me into watching, I’m in the mood for something lighter. While we eat, maybe we can watch that Adam Sandler movie we never finished.”

“That sounds like an excellent plan. Same order as last time?” I was already on my phone, loading the website to order online.

“Yes, but no onions or extra garlic on this one.” He sounded so certain, I couldn’t help but look up curiously. He was bent into the refrigerator, so I couldn’t see his face. Not that I minded the view I did have, though. In fact, I was so busy checking out his butt that it took me a second for his next comment to register. “Unless you promise to eat the same thing. If we end up kissing again, I refuse to have bad breath unless it’s mutual.”

This was the first time he’d acknowledged the kiss. And he was hinting at another? My mouth went dry as I adjusted my pants that had suddenly gotten a little too tight in certain areas. “I-I, umm…” I gave my head a shake and started again when I couldn’t get the words out the first time. “I vote for onions and garlic on the whole thing. Mutual bad breath for the win. Besides, there’s garlic in the sauce anyway.”

When he stood and looked over at me, I focused on my screen. I could feel my stupid cheeks blushing. I knew he’d noticed it when I heard a quiet chuckle. Deciding this was a good time to excuse myself and get a little bit under control, I headed out of the room.

“I’ll be right back; I’m just going to change. If we’re going to be in relaxation mode, these stiff jeans need to go.” Just the mention of the word stiff had me blushing all over again, because my pants weren’t the only stiff thing on my body.

By the time I cleaned up and changed into pj pants, Travis was waiting in the living room with our pizza and a couple glasses of wine. My eyes widened when I took in the dimly lit room with the movie paused and waiting on the TV. Gulping, I glanced at Travis. “Wow, I didn’t mean to take that long.”

He shook his head and patted the couch beside him as he turned and stretched a leg out like he had last time. “You didn’t take too long, they were just really fast with the delivery this time. Come sit with me. I was thinking maybe we could cuddle. Unless you think that’s too much, too soon?”

“No, that sounds… ah… nice.” My heart pounded as I scurried over and got settled between his legs with my back to his chest. Travis pulled the coffee table closer and opened the pizza box.

“I brought napkins, if you need one. But I figure we can forgo plates tonight and keep it casual. Does that work for you?” His voice was like velvet as it caressed my ear.

I felt my blush return as I awkwardly nodded. “Y-Yes. That sounds good.” I waited while he started the movie then reached into the pizza box. I figured I would grab my slice after he’d taken first pick.

Instead of biting into the piece he’d chosen, he held it to my mouth instead. “Take a bite, sweet boy. You always tease me about wanting to feed you. Tonight I’d like to live up to my reputation.” He chuckled and waited for me to bite into the pizza.

It was weirdly nice to be fed. He patiently waited, lowering the slice while I chewed each mouthful. It wasn’t until I’d finished three slices and groaned that I couldn’t handle another bite that he finally ate his own. I slouched back against his shoulder, watching the movie while he had his turn at dinner. I didn’t even bother with the wine; I was buzzed enough on Travis.

If anybody had walked up right then and asked me about the movie, I doubted I could have told them anything more than who starred in it. I was too aware of Travis and how good it felt to snuggle against his hard body.

Was I falling for him? It sure felt like it. The way I kept blushing, the way my palms got damp, the way my heart raced when he was near… the signs were definitely there. I thought back over everything I’d seen of this man, poking my memories for a sign of anything wrong with him.

Something had to be, because I did not have a good track record where men were concerned. The more I considered it, though, I couldn’t find a single thing that would put up a red flag. If anything, he made me feel protected and special.

 

As an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I’d care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I’ve found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that’s what I try to bring to every tale I tell.

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I’m a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown “kids of my heart.” I’m more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly

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