A Jeri Review: Death Dancer (Dangerous Dancers #2) by Tara Lain

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

death-dancer-by-tara-lainNormally I am not a big fan of mysteries or murder mysteries. But couple it with a romance AND an author I enjoy- sign me up. To top it off, it is set in the ballet world. Second only to baseball for me.

Valentin is a professional ballet dancer earning his dues and wanting the lead he feels he deserves, but the current lead isn’t giving up his spot.

Andrew meets Val when one of the dancers from the corp turns up dead. He isn’t the first and likely isn’t to be the last. Andrew and Val are immediately drawn to each other. But then Valentin’s rival is the next dead body and Val himself is the prime suspect.

The heat and chemistry between Andrew and Val is off the charts! I really liked seeing their relationship develop while also dealing with these murders and Valentin being a suspect.

The supporting characters were great- loved Andrew’s work partner. She cracked me up with her straight talk. The supporting dance characters were very typical of the dance world. The literal and figurative prima donnas, the corp members desperately trying to get ahead and their near hero worship of those who are principals.

The mystery itself was done really well. A nice twist or two kept me turning the pages to see “whodunit”.

This is the second in the series but easily read as a stand alone.

Cover art is wonderful.

Sales Links

Pride Publishing | AMAZON | B&N | Kobo

Book Details:

ebook, 199 pages
Published November 1st 2016 by Pride Publishing
Original TitleDeath Dancer
ISBN 1786515172 (ISBN13: 9781786515179)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series Dangerous Dancers:

Cover Reveal Blitz : Volley Balls by Tara Lain (excerpt)

Volley Balls
(Balls to the Wall Series, Bk #1)
By Tara Lain
 
 
Blurb:
 
A double dose of alpha male might be better than one. Tara Lain’s popular novella, Volley Balls, is now expanded and revised. 
Despite just getting out of an abusive relationship with an asshole alpha, David Underwood’s wandering glance lands on two hot members of the Australian volleyball team on Laguna Beach and gets him harassed again. Still, when the delicious Gareth Marshall proves his interest by coming out to his team, David succumbs to his attraction. But Gareth’s volleyball partner, Edge, who’s equally hot, makes the lovers’ lives miserable.
For Gareth, a lifetime of hiding his orientation—and his attraction—from his best friend, Edge, as well as everyone else around him, adds up to hurt and frustration. David’s the first man to ever compete with Edge for Gareth’s passion. But Edge has secrets of his own, and David’s ex-lover will never be happy without David under his fist. With everything stacked against him, can a gay Laguna man find happiness with an alpha male–or two?
Release Date:
January 11, 2017
Pre-Order at

 

Excerpt

Gareth shifted uneasily in the darkened amphitheater. Another scene change. The effects were lovely and sometimes awe-inspiring, but he’d gotten the idea in the first half hour. He was ready to go.

He glanced to his left at Edge, who seemed fascinated with the show. Intriguing, since Edge had the attention span of a gnat. The other guys were more restless, jabbing each other when the bare-breasted art pieces appeared, but they managed to stay on the near side of rude.

He settled back for the duration. Maybe a little catnap. The lights came up as he started to close his eyes. He heard an indrawn breath and looked up. Holy, bloody, everlasting hell.

In the center of the vast stage, on a rotating platform in a single perfect spotlight, was David, the masterwork of Michelangelo. Gareth had seen it in Florence several times, and every sense he had told him he was looking at the actual statue, although his mind knew this was a human being. Glowing, luminous, absolutely still… sweet bloody Christ, how could someone do it? How could they have found a person so perfect?

He noticed a deep stillness in the audience and also among his mates. Edge was absolutely motionless. Unusual for him. But the statue, the guy, was just that beautiful.

Gareth cocked his head. The model’s legs were not as big and muscular as the Michelangelo. This “statue” was a bit leaner and even more graceful. The pedestal kept turning. He squinted. Bloody hell, he’d seen that perfect ass before. He peered into the pool of light as the David rotated. He’d seen those amazing cheekbones.

It was the guy from the beach and the shop. Gareth rifled through his program for the name. David Underwood. The one who owned the gallery. The fag. Gareth shifted onto his hip, leaning away from Edge. Wouldn’t do to let his pouf-hating friend see his massive erection.

About the Author

 

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.  She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

 

You can find Tara at Lain
               

 

Presented By

 

In the Spotlight: Cowboys Don’t Come Out by Tara Lain (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Cowboys Don’t Come Out
by Tara Lain
 
Blurb:
Rand McIntyre settles for good enough. He loves his small California ranch, raising horses, and teaching riding to the kids he adores—but having kids of his own and someone to love means coming out, and that would jeopardize everything he’s built. Then, despite his terror of flying, he goes on a holiday to Hana, Hawaii with his parents and meets the dark and mysterious Kai Kealoha, a genuine Hawaiian cowboy. Rand takes to Kai’s kid brother and sister as much as he drools over Kai, but the guy sports more prickles than a horned toad, and more secrets than the exotic land he comes from.
Kai’s earned his privacy and lives to protect his “kids.” He ought to stay away from the big, handsome cowboy for everyone’s sake—but since the guy’s just a haole on a short vacation, how much damage can he do? When all of Kai’s worst fears and Rand’s darkest nightmares come true at once, there’s not much chance for two cowboys who can’t—or won’t—come out.
Available for purchase at
            

 

Also available in paperback
Excerpt

 

He stopped and tried to hear over the rushing of the surf out beyond the reef if anyone else hid in the dark. No sounds. Fortunately, no big water hit this beach, so he didn’t have to worry about getting swamped. Actually, between the lapping waves and the brilliant moonlight, the scene resembled some fairy-tale romance. Fuck that.

Right where the dry sand verged on the wet, he flopped on his butt. What she’d said—that he settled for a good-enough life. That he wasn’t happy. Don’t I get to decide that?

He leaned back on his elbows. Yeah, but she’s right. I created a whole life—as if I was somebody else. Most people find “the one” and build a future so it suits them both. I imagined a cowboy and slid into his boots—Rand McIntyre. Say that with a drawl, son. Just one problem. I’m gay—always have been—and cowboys don’t come out. Where does that leave me? A-fucking-lone, pardner. Always will be.

You’re not the only gay cowboy.

Have you seen Brokeback Mountain? Shit.

Phosphorescence sparkled on the tops of the waves farther out. Pretty. Guess there could be all kinds of weird man-eating shit in that water.

Do you think more sharks and barracudas swim at night than during the day?

Yeah, right.

He sprang up, stripped his Hawaiian shirt off and tossed it on the sand, then pulled off the shorts his mom had given him. Commando. What would it feel like to have fishes nibbling at his balls? Not like anybody else was doing any nibbling. He strode into the water. Whoa! Not cold, just startling.

When he waded out past his thighs, his penis and balls started to float. He chuckled. Kind of like being a kid in the bathtub. Endless hours of fun playing with your own built-in toys. A few more steps, and he submerged to his shoulders. He gave a tiny shiver. Weird being sunk in inky blackness. Still, the water felt good. He kicked off and swam a few yards out, turned, and stroked back towards shore. He wasn’t a good enough swimmer to push his luck alone at night.

After treading water a couple of minutes, he pulled himself back into the shallows and sat on the hard wet beach. He glanced down. Some shrinkage, but his balls still lay on the sand. Remember to rinse them off or you’ll itch. Slowly he released his breath. What was he going to do? Answer? Same as always. Nothing. He couldn’t risk all the great shit he’d made to try to make it better.

 

About the Author

 

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.  She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

 

You can find Tara at Lain

               

Giveaway

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Presented By

Tara Lain on Writing and Cowboys Don’t Come Out (author guest blog)

cowboys-dont-come-out-by-tara-lain

Cowboys Don’t Come Out by Tara Lain
D
reamspinner Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Tara Lain here today to talk about her latest release Cowboys Don’t Come Out. Welcome, Tara!

Ten Facts About Tara Lain’s Cowboys Don’t Come Out

Hi! I’m Tara Lain and I write the Beautiful Boys of Romance. I’m so delighted to be at Random Thoughts and Rogue Words today to celebrate the release of my new novel, Cowboys Don’t Come Out. This is a somewhat unusual book so I thought I’d share some fun facts about it with you –

  1. It’s a contemporary cowboy romance but it takes place mostly in Hawaii
  2. Hawaii had cowboys before the United States (Hawaii wasn’t a state then).
  3. The name for Hawaiian cowboys, paniolo, comes from the Hawaiian pronunciation of espaniol since the original paniolos were Mexican vaqueros. One of my heroes is a paniolo.
  4. Most of the story takes place in Hana, which is on the far side of Maui and can only be reached by driving the “long and winding road”, which takes hours, or by small plane, or by boat.
  5. Both of my heroes love to dance, especially two-step, and that’s how they meet
  6. During the story, the heroes visit some fun sights on the island such as the town of Makawao and the Seven Sacred Pools, so the reader gets to go too.
  7. The Seven Sacred Pools aren’t seven and aren’t sacred! They are, however, very beautiful and worth seeing.
  8. Beyond the pools is the most amazing bamboo forest and my heroes have sex in that forest!  LOL
  9. For this book, I had to learn a whole lot about child custody laws
  10. Since the story takes place on a Christmas vacation, I think you can call it a holiday story!

I hope you enjoyed my Facts. Here’s an excerpt –

Excerpt — Cowboys Don’t Come Out by Tara Lain

Rand McIntyre settles for good enough. He loves his small California ranch, raising horses, and teaching riding to the kids he adores—but having kids of his own and someone to love means coming out, and that would jeopardize everything he’s built. Then, despite his terror of flying, he goes on a holiday to Hana, Hawaii with his parents and meets the dark and mysterious Kai Kealoha, a genuine Hawaiian cowboy. Rand takes to Kai’s kid brother and sister as much as he drools over Kai, but the guy sports more prickles than a horned toad, and more secrets than the exotic land he comes from.

Kai’s earned his privacy and lives to protect his “kids.” He ought to stay away from the big, handsome cowboy for everyone’s sake—but since the guy’s just a haole on a short vacation, how much damage can he do? When all of Kai’s worst fears and Rand’s darkest nightmares come true at once, there’s not much chance for two cowboys who can’t—or won’t—come out.

By now the place was jumping. People had been squeezing into the cracks ever since they arrived, and the music clearly signaled dancing time. Couples bopped out onto the floor and the Texas two-step, Hawaiian style, began.

Rand slugged back a mouthful of beer. “You wanna?”

“You can dance? Hell yes.”

She was out of the booth and onto the floor in record time. Apparently she didn’t get enough dancing. She’s come to the right place. Dancing R Us. He took her in the semiclose two-step hold and set off onto the floor.

After a couple of twirls and close-hold side-by-sides, she grinned up at him. “You really can dance.”

“As advertised.” That might be the only thing about him that was.

A few people had come to the edge of the dance floor and were clapping Rand and Julie on. Rand released his inner exhibitionist and put on a little show. Julie had no problem keeping up. Suddenly a loud whistle cut through the music, and someone yelled, “Go Kai!”

Rand looked around and saw a guy dancing with a pretty redhead. Whoa. Maybe he should say a pretty guy dancing with a redhead—tallish, lean, with caramel skin that glowed in the soft light, and below-the-ear-length black hair that swayed under his cowboy hat as he danced. And shit, could that guy dance. Graceful, sure-footed, and sexy. Holy hell.

“Hey, can’t stand the competition?”

“What?” Julie grinned at him. Damn, he’d stopped dancing to watch. “Oh, hell no.”

The band segued into something far more up-tempo and fiddle-based. Most of the dancers gave up, but not the beautiful guy. He just stepped it up and out, twirling his partner across the floor. Rand took up the gauntlet, adding in some line-dance steps. Julie picked it up fast, and they held their own. Rand glanced at the other couple and got a stare from Mr. Gorgeous, who filled out his jeans like sin in blue denim, his ass rounding the back and worn fabric cupping his package in front. Stop looking, asshole, before you get a very embarrassing boner.

About Cowboy Don’t Come Out

Rand McIntyre settles for good enough. He loves his small California ranch, raising horses, and teaching riding to the kids he adores—but having kids of his own and someone to love means coming out, and that would jeopardize everything he’s built. Then, despite his terror of flying, he goes on a holiday to Hana, Hawaii, with his parents and meets the dark and mysterious Kai Kealoha, a genuine Hawaiian cowboy. Rand takes to Kai’s kid brother and sister as much as he drools over Kai, but the guy sports more prickles than a horned toad and more secrets than the exotic land he comes from.

Kai’s earned his privacy and lives to protect his “kids.” He ought to stay away from the big, handsome cowboy for everyone’s sake—but since the guy’s just a haole on a short vacation, how much damage can he do? When all of Kai’s worst fears and Rand’s darkest nightmares come true at once, there’s not much chance for two cowboys who can’t—or won’t—come out.

You can buy Cowboys Don’t Come Out at –

Dreamspinner Press — https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/cowboys-dont-come-out-by-tara-lain-7841-b

Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSMP73Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479427995&sr=1-1&keywords=cowboys+don%27t+come+out

All Romance — https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-cowboysdontcomeout-2174047-145.html

B&N — http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cowboys-dont-come-out-tara-lain/1125150649?ean=2940156993840

Kobo — https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/cowboys-don-t-come-out

And at iBooks

____________________________________________________________________

dsc02846

About the Author

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 34. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.  She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

Contact her at:

A Lila Release Day Review: Cowboys Don’t Come Out by Tara Lain

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

cowboys-dont-come-out-by-tara-lainRand McIntyre settles for good enough. He loves his small California ranch, raising horses, and teaching riding to the kids he adores—but having kids of his own and someone to love means coming out, and that would jeopardize everything he’s built. Then, despite his terror of flying, he goes on a holiday to Hana, Hawaii, with his parents and meets the dark and mysterious Kai Kealoha, a genuine Hawaiian cowboy. Rand takes to Kai’s kid brother and sister as much as he drools over Kai, but the guy sports more prickles than a horned toad and more secrets than the exotic land he comes from.

Kai’s earned his privacy and lives to protect his “kids.” He ought to stay away from the big, handsome cowboy for everyone’s sake—but since the guy’s just a haole on a short vacation, how much damage can he do? When all of Kai’s worst fears and Rand’s darkest nightmares come true at once, there’s not much chance for two cowboys who can’t—or won’t—come out.

Cowboys Don’t Come Out is a different type of cowboy story. Californian cowboys are common in romance books, but a Hawaiian cowboy, a paniolo, was an interesting addition. We don’t get to see Kai in a ranching environment, but the guiding expeditions he offered gave the reader a little inside about his riding style. Together with the background and cultural information provided through the story.

The beginning of the book is slow and it takes some time to get into it, but in the end, the wait is worth it. As always, the author did an excellent story describing the settings and giving us a tour of the area; showing us exactly what the characters saw and their reactions to their surroundings—from Kai’s modest home to the beautiful Hawaiian views.

I liked Rand’s & Kai’s dancing duels and how good they were together. I enjoyed how they interacted as a family when the kids were with them. They might be from different backgrounds, but their differences merged well. I do think Rand was too young for the way he acted. I wished he has at least in his early thirties.

The story has many supporting and secondary characters, but Mrs. O was my favorite. Her relationship with Rand worked for me. There are many events during the story in which the reader needs to suspend disbelief, but overall, they gave the book an air of separation from reality. Almost like glazed-view of contemporary events. This is a story for fans of Tara Lain’s over-the-top plot lines.

The cover by Reese Dante shows a bare-chested Rand with a faint view of Hawaii in the background. It’s nice, but a bit generic.

Sale Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon | ARe

ebook, 200 pages
Published: December 7, 2016, Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 1634778375 (ISBN13: 9781634778374)
Edition Language: English

Cover Reveal for Cowboys Don’t Come Out by Tara Lain (excerpt and cover reveal)

 
Cowboys Don’t Come Out
by Tara Lain
 
Blurb:
Rand McIntyre settles for good enough. He loves his small California ranch, raising horses, and teaching riding to the kids he adores—but having kids of his own and someone to love means coming out, and that would jeopardize everything he’s built. Then, despite his terror of flying, he goes on a holiday to Hana, Hawaii with his parents and meets the dark and mysterious Kai Kealoha, a genuine Hawaiian cowboy. Rand takes to Kai’s kid brother and sister as much as he drools over Kai, but the guy sports more prickles than a horned toad, and more secrets than the exotic land he comes from.
Kai’s earned his privacy and lives to protect his “kids.” He ought to stay away from the big, handsome cowboy for everyone’s sake—but since the guy’s just a haole on a short vacation, how much damage can he do? When all of Kai’s worst fears and Rand’s darkest nightmares come true at once, there’s not much chance for two cowboys who can’t—or won’t—come out.
Release Date: 
December 6, 2016
Available for pre-order at

 

Also available in paperback
Excerpt

By now the place was jumping. People had been squeezing into the cracks ever since they arrived, and the music clearly signaled dancing time. Couples bopped out onto the floor and the Texas two-step, Hawaiian style, began.

Rand slugged back a mouthful of beer. “You wanna?”

“You can dance? Hell yes.”

She was out of the booth and onto the floor in record time. Apparently she didn’t get enough dancing. She’s come to the right place. Dancing R Us. He took her in the semiclose two-step hold and set off onto the floor.

After a couple of twirls and close-hold side-by-sides, she grinned up at him. “You really can dance.”

“As advertised.” That might be the only thing about him that was.

A few people had come to the edge of the dance floor and were clapping Rand and Julie on. Rand released his inner exhibitionist and put on a little show. Julie had no problem keeping up. Suddenly a loud whistle cut through the music, and someone yelled, “Go Kai!”

Rand looked around and saw a guy dancing with a pretty redhead. Whoa. Maybe he should say a pretty guy dancing with a redhead—tallish, lean, with caramel skin that glowed in the soft light, and below-the-ear-length black hair that swayed under his cowboy hat as he danced. And shit, could that guy dance. Graceful, sure-footed, and sexy. Holy hell.

“Hey, can’t stand the competition?”

“What?” Julie grinned at him. Damn, he’d stopped dancing to watch. “Oh, hell no.”

The band segued into something far more up-tempo and fiddle-based. Most of the dancers gave up, but not the beautiful guy. He just stepped it up and out, twirling his partner across the floor. Rand took up the gauntlet, adding in some line-dance steps. Julie picked it up fast, and they held their own. Rand glanced at the other couple and got a stare from Mr. Gorgeous, who filled out his jeans like sin in blue denim, his ass rounding the back and worn fabric cupping his package in front. Stop looking, asshole, before you get a very embarrassing boner.

About the Author

 

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.  She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

 

You can find Tara at Lain

               

 

 

Presented By

 

Love A Wonderful Supernatural Romance? Check Out Tara Lain’s “Spell Cat” (Excerpt and Giveaway)

 

Spell Cat
by Tara Lain 
 
Blurb:
When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor—or a human. As the most powerful male witch in ten generations, Killian must bolster his dying race by reproducing—despite the fact that he’s gay.
Even a fling with Blaine is out of the question, because Killian has been told sex with humans drains his power. But if that’s true, why can young human Jimmy Janx dissolve spoons with the power of his mind? If Killian can sort through the lies he’s been fed, he’ll still face his biggest obstacle — convincing rational scientist Blaine to believe in magic.
With his ancient and powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.
(Don’t forget to check out Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words’s Review Here…Its a Recommended Read!
Available for purchase at
            

 

Also available in paperback
Excerpt

Blaine was standing at the end of the counter a few feet away, staring at Killian.

How long could a witch live with his heart stopped?

Oh gods. He understood. Heat. The way he felt this moment dwarfed every emotion he’d had with Moran by a thousand. A million. The chasm between indifference and… passion. His heart beat fast, his breath caught in his chest, and his eyes never wanted to look on another sight, just Blaine.

He ought to run, but whether away or straight to Blaine, he wasn’t sure.

“Mrwar.”

Blaine seemed to catch the welcome in that meow. He smiled and took a step closer. “Hi, Al. Good to see you, buddy.”

Aloysius unwrapped himself from Killian’s neck, did one bound off the tabletop, and launched himself into Blaine’s waiting arms. Oh Powers, would that Killian could do the same. He actually had to hold himself still, or he knew he’d follow the cat.

Blaine petted Al as the cat did his imitation of a moving fur coat, purring so loudly Killian could hear him, even a few feet away. “You seem happy to see me, anyway.” He looked up. “Are you happy to see me, Killian?”

Killian nodded. Correction—his head nodded. He had no power over it.

Blaine walked even closer. “Could I have lunch with you? Talk to you?”

The head nodded again.

The human slipped into the chair beside Killian. Sweet Powers, he smelled so wonderful. That sweet and spice together.

“This sure is one great cat. Where did you get him?”

Killian cleared his throat. “Gift, uh, a gift from my mother.”

Blaine chucked Al under the chin, and the cat let him. “My mother hates cats.” He looked up, and Killian swam into the pools of deep green. “Of course, my mother hates me, so she’s not likely to give me the time of day, much less a pet.”

“Surely not.”

He grinned. “That she hates me? Oh yeah. I keep defying her by choosing to be gay when her preacher has clearly cleansed me of this delusion at least ten times, so she washed her hands of me.”

“But you didn’t choose—Oh, you’re joking.”

Blaine’s grin faded. “I wish it were a joke. Then a lot of beaten-up, confused kids would have parents who loved and understood them.”

There were worse things than having a manipulative witch for a mother. “I’m so sorry, Blaine. I didn’t mean it like that.”

Blaine smiled. “I never thought you were making fun. I just have a weird sense of humor sometimes.”

Then he did it. He put his hand on Killian’s arm. Such a simple gesture. Flash! Heat blazed in Killian’s head, and hot steel filled his cock. Blaine started and pulled his hand away. Those green eyes widened, and he stared at Killian like he was either the answer to a dream or a cobra, and Blaine wasn’t sure which. “Holy shit!”

Killian tried to make sense of his brain synapses and grasped at the first thought. “Uh, food—did you want food?”

Blaine leaned over and whispered in his ear. “I want to eat with you and talk to you and sleep with you and take you home with me. But right now I want to make love to you so badly I’m having trouble focusing.”

There was that head nod again. Where the fuck did that come from?

“Does that mean you want to make love to me too?”

Killian stared at Blaine, the human physics professor whose simplest touch could drain a witch’s power until his own mother didn’t know him and his people couldn’t benefit from his great sperm and—and all that dogma. The answer was yes. He did want to make love to Blaine. He wanted it more than anything. The evil witch voice piped up in his head. Yep, these humans are tempting. That’s how the witch race got so depleted. He was the strongest male witch in ten generations. That had to be worth something. He’d never had a really satisfying relationship with a man, even for a short time. He wanted one. Didn’t he deserve just a little happiness before he gave his life for his people? He’d tried it the right way, the witch-stamp-of-approval way, and nearly got his back broken for his trouble.

Blaine was staring at Killian like he was in suspended animation; only the fingertips that scratched Al’s head moved. There. That was it. Blaine had the best possible credentials. Aloysius, who was no dumb cat, adored the human… and so did Killian. Just that simple. He didn’t care if he rotted in witch oblivion, or if he lost some of his fabled power. How much damage could he do in such a little while? “Yes.”

Blaine came to life. “Excuse me?”

“Yes. Please take me home with you.” He swallowed. “And all those other things.”

Blaine’s smile lit like a midwinter bonfire.

“Mwrarrrrr, mrrrrrwarrrr, mrrrrwarrrr.”

The bloody cat was singing while he slithered around Blaine’s neck in some happy dance known only to strange and powerful blue-eyed familiars.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.  She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

 

You can find Tara at Lain

               



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Cover Reveal for “Spell Cat” By Tara Lain (excerpt and preorder link)

Spell Cat
by Tara Lain 
 
Blurb:
When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor—or a human. As the most powerful male witch in ten generations, Killian must bolster his dying race by reproducing—despite the fact that he’s gay.
Even a fling with Blaine is out of the question, because Killian has been told sex with humans drains his power. But if that’s true, why can young human Jimmy Janx dissolve spoons with the power of his mind? If Killian can sort through the lies he’s been fed, he’ll still face his biggest obstacle — convincing rational scientist Blaine to believe in magic.
With his ancient and powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.
Release Date:
Oct. 31, 2016
Pre-Order at 

 

Also available in paperback
Excerpt
The
man’s shaggy head cocked. “Sorry to bother you, but I’m new here. Can you tell
me how to get to the physics building?”
Physics. Not my best subject. But right now he needed mechanics to keep his
cock from rising. This man seemed to radiate heat even from several feet away,
and it lit a fire in places Killian hardly recognized. Standing there with a
rapidly rising hard-on came nowhere near cool. “Uh, I, uh, believe it’s
directly across the street from here.”
The
guy flashed dimples at Killian. “Damn. You’re not the first to say that. I’m
not usually so bad at directions. Can you tell me which street? I’ve already been across a couple of streets.”
“The
side street, Templeton.”
“Oh.”
The stranger produced a wide smile. “Wouldn’t you know I’d choose every street
but that one?” He paused as if he was searching for a new topic. “Quite a group
I saw leaving here. What’s your subject?”
“Witchcraft.”
The
laugh burst out explosively. “You’re joking?”
Gorgeous, but rude. “Not even slightly. I teach the
history of witchcraft, among other things.”
“Sorry.
Guess that was impolite.”
“Yes,
I guess it was.”
The
guy cocked his head and peered at Killian over the tops of the black rims.
There was a lot of mischief in that handsome face. “Since I’m on a roll with
being insulting, I think I’ll go all the way. I hope you won’t think I’m a
stalker, but I stood here and watched while your class filed out. You’re about
the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen. Is there the slightest chance you’re
single—and gay?” He ducked and held up his hands as if to deflect a blow, but
he never stopped smiling.
Killian
arched an eyebrow. A lot of people assumed he was gay because of his long hair
and pretty face, but he never confirmed or denied. “Who wants to know?”
The
paragon thrust out a slim hand. “Blaine Genneau. New professor of quantum
physics.” He grinned wickedly. “Gay
professor of quantum physics.”
Killian
took that hand and got a flash of heat straight to his balls. Like lightning
streaked through the window into his jeans. Extraordinary.
He pulled his hand back. Maybe the lightning loosened his tongue. “Killian
Barth, professor of history. Gay professor of history.”
He
gazed into those eyes. Deep green like
ancient Chinese jade
. A carved mouth. Just the type he imagined wrapped
around his cock in his daydreams. But with one big difference. Killian sighed
so deeply, it felt like his heart cracked. Yes, this man was gorgeous. Yes,
Killian was gay. In truth, he was dying for a real relationship with a partner
who both attracted him and fulfilled him, and if he’d ever been allowed to
discover the type of partner he wanted, he knew Blaine Genneau would have fit
every parameter—every parameter but one.

 

He
tucked the helmet under his arm. “Good to meet you, Blaine.” He walked past the
man and out into the sunshine toward his motorcycle. He couldn’t stay. He
couldn’t find out what he’d been missing. Because no matter how perfect this
man might be, Killian Barth didn’t do physics professors. In fact, he didn’t do
humans. Sex with humans stole his energy and depleted his community, and that
wasn’t allowed, because he was the most powerful male witch in ten generations,
and he was expected to reproduce.
About the Author

 

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.  She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

 

You can find Tara at Lain

               

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In the Spotlight: Lord of a Thousand Steps (Love in Laguna #4) By Tara Lain (character bio, excerpt and giveaway)

Lord of a Thousand Steps
(Love in Laguna #4)
By Tara Lain

Character Inspiration - BradenCharacter Bio – LORD OF A TOUSAND STEPS by Tara Lain – Blog Tour

Name — Braden Lord

Age – 36

Orientation – gay although was married to a woman for many years and is only now coming out

Hair – dark brown with auburn highlights

Height – 6’2”

Body – Slim and athletic

Occupation – CEO of Lord and Kendrick and a renowned architect

Family – two children, JoJo, 14 and Mireille, 6; going through a bitter divorce and child custody battle with his wife

Home – south Laguna CA, on a cliff above the Thousand Steps Beach

Desires – to have custody of his two children and a love of his own

Loves – His children, architecture, and finally Ian Carney

Blurb:

To architecture student Ian Carney, family means everything. Taken in by his brother, Jim, when his father threw him out at eighteen for being gay, Ian yearns to create his own family with his boyfriend, Rico. But Rico’s in Mexico caring for a sick father, Ian hasn’t had sex in a month and a half, and his gorgeous boss, Braden Lord, CEO of the architectural firm Ian interns for, is looking better and better.

Braden’s life is chaos. Just out of the closet and going through an ugly divorce from his wife of fifteen years who’s trying to take custody of his two children, he desperately resolves not to succumb to a completely inappropriate attraction to Ian—even though his kids adore both the man and his crazy cat.

When Rico proves to be a snake in the grass and Ian exercises his powers of seduction, what starts as a “friends with benefits” fling turns into real life real fast. Can Ian give up his romantic dreams for an “old guy” who didn’t come out until he carried a mountain of baggage? It’ll only take a thousand steps.

Available for purchase at 
              
Also in paperback
Excerpt
 

Excerpt 4: Lord of a Thousand Steps by Tara Lain

Excerpt Title: Buddies

Braden picked up his glass and turned it in his hands. He’d been the recipient of a rebound blowjob. He slowly released his breath. Better than no blowjob at all, I guess. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

“Yeah. Well, maybe it’ll help me grow up and stop looking for romance on every street corner, you know? Just about the time I moved in with my brother, he fell for Ken, and I think that warped my perspective. They’re so happy. But I guess I haven’t kissed enough frogs yet.”

Braden sucked wine up his nose and gargled. “Mmft, I shall cherish my new amphibian category.” Although it kind of stung.

“Oh, hell no. That’s not what I meant.” He shook his head wildly. “Actually, you’re the antiamphibian.”

Braden laughed. “Okay, explain.”

“I mean, you’re the shoot-for-the-moon guy. The prince’s prince. But you’re so far out of my league, you won’t tempt me to hope.” He grinned. “I can be your secret blowjob guy, your fuck buddy, while you’re getting yourself out of your marriage. You won’t have to worry about some random spy photographer catching you in the throes with me. Hell, if they see us together, you have a perfect reason to be with me. Combination design mentee and babysitter.”

Braden’s head spun. This made weird sense—and gave him a bellyache. “What do you get out of it?”

“Are you kidding? Sex with the hottest dude on two feet—and a break from fairy-tale romance.”

His mouth opened—and closed. Try again. “Uh, are you sure about this?”

Ian’s grin faded. “Okay, I’m more beat-up than I’m letting on. But I really like you. If we go into this with eyes open and solemnly promise that when one of us finds a realistic boyfriend we can still work together, then I’m in. But seriously, I don’t want to jeopardize my job. I love working for Lord and Kendrick. If you think I’m kidding myself, say so.”

Kidding? Fuck, they’d both lost their minds.

 

Love in Laguna Series

 

 

Available for purchase at
              

 

Paperback from Dreamspinner 
Available for purchase at 
 
              
Paperback from Dreamspinner
Available for purchase at
                 

 

You can order the paperback here.
 




 

 

 
About the Author

 

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.  She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books.  Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

 

You can find Tara at Lain
               

 

Presented By

A Jeri Release Day Review: Lord of a Thousand Steps (Love in Laguna #4) by Tara Lain

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Lord of a Thousand Steps by Tara LainTo architecture student Ian Carney, family means everything. Taken in by his brother, Jim, when his father threw him out at eighteen for being gay, Ian yearns to create his own family with his boyfriend, Rico. But Rico’s in Mexico caring for a sick father, Ian hasn’t had sex in a month and a half, and his gorgeous boss, Braden Lord, CEO of the architectural firm Ian interns for, is looking better and better.

Braden’s life is chaos. Just out of the closet and going through an ugly divorce from his wife of fifteen years who’s trying to take custody of his two children, he desperately resolves not to succumb to a completely inappropriate attraction to Ian—even though his kids adore both the man and his crazy cat.

When Rico proves to be a snake in the grass and Ian exercises his powers of seduction, what starts as a “friends with benefits” fling turns into real life real fast. Can Ian give up his romantic dreams for an “old guy” who didn’t come out until he carried a mountain of baggage? It’ll only take a thousand steps.

I’ve been a big fan of this series since the beginning.  One of the great things is that they are all good stories, not recycled tropes that you’ve seen again and again.

In this installment we get to know Ian, a young architect student who is young, in love, and interning at his dream firm. Until his boyfriend goes to Mexico and doesn’t come back.

Braden is a partner in the firm. Going through an ugly divorce, fighting for custody of his kids, and recently coming out of the closet makes his life crazy. He does not need to be attracted to Ian, the young intern.

So the boss/intern thing has been done to death, but I really like how this was done. Involving the kids and a cat who likes walks and the beach was a fresh perspective.  Being friends while fighting their attraction. And finding out that collaborating on projects brings magic.

Ian craves the life Braden can bring him, but Braden fears losing what is important in his life if he succumbs to Ian.

The tentative love affair they begin is both sweet and hot. The chemistry between the two was obvious and not forced at all.

Definitely add this to your list. You don’t have to read the others, but you’ll be glad you did.

Cover art by Reese Dante is gorgeous and in step with the novel.

Sales Links

        

Book Details:

ebook, 220 pages
Expected publication: August 31st 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634776666 (ISBN13: 9781634776660)
Edition LanguageEnglish