A Free Dreamer Review: Dawn (Expedition 63 #3) by T.A. Creech

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Sequel to Expedition 63 Book 2: Dark

Yakecen Sinohui can see the end in sight for the stranded crew of the Station. Each breath is a countdown until they’re able to return to Earth, until the poison clouds have cleared enough to leave. Though it’s a bad idea, Yakecen is drawn into the orbit of their resident biologist, Eli, someone who has kept Yakecen’s head in the game with his sunny presence.

The universe, however, has one last middle finger to give the weary crew.

Eli Palamo doesn’t object to Yakecen’s covert attention. He’s pined for his friend from the first moment they met, and isolation has strengthened their bond as the hardships forced them lean on each other completely. Yakecen is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing will be enough to tear them apart, if Eli has anything to say about it, not even Yakecen’s own demons. Definitely not the end of their disastrous mission and their fight for survival.

“Dawn” is the third and most probably final part of the “Expedition 63” series. While each book features a different couple, I don’t think it will work as a stand-alone.

Just like the two previous books, I found “Dawn” too short and shallow for my likes. The setting is fascinating and has great potential but the execution just kind of fell flat for me.

This time, Eli and Yakecen are paired off, the last two singles on the station. There are some hints that Yakecen has faced abuse in the past. He’s very particular about personal space, loud noises and intimacy. He also seems to have some physical scars. We never find out what kind of abuse he faced, though. Really, we learn next to nothing about either of our MCs, only small bits and pieces but not enough to make them feel like real people with actual depth.

The relationship felt very rushed. Which is odd, because they’ve known each other for years and were stuck on the small space station for three whole years. But the book is so short, and there was need for some actual plot in the second part, I guess there just wasn’t time for any kind of build-up. We don’t learn much about these two in the previous books, so that’s no help either.

The action in the second half was actually kind of exciting. Quite dramatic, certainly. Again, I wish it had gotten more depth, though. As such, it was all a mad rush with very few details.

I’m assuming this will be the final part of the series, since there’s nobody left to pair off. As such, I found the ending kind of dissatisfactory. There were just too many unanswered questions left. I’d love a fourth book for some kind of closure, but I don’t think there will be one.

Overall, the “Expedition 63” series was an okay read for me. Great potential, but lacking in the execution. It was all too short and shallow and “Dawn” was probably my least favourite of the three.

I’m still not a fan of the cover. Once again, the space station and the planet underneath are gorgeous, but the guy just looks like an alien. At least it fits with the rest of the series.

Sales Links: JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book details:

Kindle Edition, 101 pages
Published July 28th 2018 by JMS Books LLC
ASINB07FSGDZJN
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesExpedition 63 #3

Release Blitz – Promises by Ruby Moone (excerpt and giveaway)

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books

Length: 32,000 words approx.

Publisher: JMS Books

Blurb

Captain Charles Hawkins has returned from the Napoleonic wars desperate for solitude. When the man who saved his life asks a favour, he feels honour bound to agree, but the request fills him with horror.

Sebastian Farrah knows the only useful thing he can do with his life is join Wellington’s army. He has tried everything else and failed. He agrees to his brother’s ridiculous request to spend a month in the country because it is the only way his brother will agree to purchase him a commission.

Charles and Sebastian clash but quickly form a bond that deepens into much more. However, they are running out of time. Charles begs Sebastian to stay, but Sebastian knows to do so he will be forced to reveal what it is that stopped him from succeeding in everything. The shameful secret he carries from the schoolroom.

Excerpt

Another week passed, and Farrah had become an integral part of the household. He was everywhere. Working in the garden, eating with him, accompanying him when he left the house to tour around the estate, working with him with the shipping company, although he was still curiously resistant about that. Charles watched him apply himself to his evening meal with gusto. The man ate like a horse but hadn’t a spare inch on his frame. All the physical work meant that he had arrived in reasonable shape for someone who did nothing but gamble and drink, but now, now he was bursting with good health, humour, and a physique that made Charles want to weep with envy as he thought about his own skeletal frame. There was a warmth to his companionship that made getting up in a morning easier. He realised just how much he was enjoying having him in the house. As they talked, he hoped that he was helping Farrah to see that there were options open to him that didn’t involve him risking his life on the continent. To see that there were a whole host of things that he was good at. Farrah’s comment about the army being all he was good for had stayed with him and it surprised him how annoyed it made him that his family had allowed him to feel that way, and constantly surprised that Farrah seemed to believe it.

Coulson arrived with the tea tray and Charles smiled as he realised Farrah had lost that slightly frantic look he’d had on realising there was no port or brandy on his arrival. When Coulson had retreated, Charles raised his cup in a toast.

“Congratulations on another sterling week Mr Farrah.”

Farrah laughed and raised his cup in response. “Congratulations on putting up with me for another week. You deserve a medal, Captain Hawkins.”

“Nonsense. No medals required.”

Farrah tilted his head on one side and observed him. “You really are the best of men. I know I’m not easy to have around. Too loud, too … much.” He laughed again.

And there he went again. He really seemed to believe that his company would not be valued. That he would be some sort of burden. Charles was stunned when he realised that in that moment he wanted nothing more than to take him in his arms and tell him in no uncertain terms that having him in the house was no hardship, and not only that, he discovered he wanted to hunt down the people who had told him that he was a burden, or a nuisance, and hurt them. It was a disconcerting.

He had to fight to retain his composure and answer in kind. “Piffle. You’ve brightened the place up no end. Once you’d sobered up, that is.” He kept his tone light, but his heart was thumping.

“Really?”

For a big, handsome, seemingly confident man sometimes there was a hint of such wistfulness about him, and it was there full force in that softly spoken word. It was filled with such fragile hope it hurt something inside Charles.

“Really.” Charles spoke softly and something in Farrah brightened. “Now, stop fishing for compliments and tell me what the plan for tomorrow is.” He had to resume his usual brisk tone because if he didn’t, he would have … Charles’ heart stopped in his chest. Oh God. Oh God.

He wanted to kiss him.

My name is Ruby Moone and I love books. All kinds of books. My weakness is for romance, and that can be any kind, but I am particularly fond of historical and paranormal. I decided to write gay romance after reading some fantastic books and falling in love with the genre, so am really thrilled to have my work published here. The day job takes up a lot of my time, but every other spare moment finds me writing or reading. I live in the north west of England with my husband who thinks that I live in two worlds. The real world and in the world in my head…he probably has a point!

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/RubyMoone/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter – @RubyMooneWriter
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rubymoone/

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

Series Review Tour for Revving It Up Series by W.S. Long (excerpts)

SERIES REVIEW TOUR

REVVING IT UP SERIES by W.S. LONG

The stories revolve around two main characters, Caleb Youngblood, and Sebastian Rush. Caleb was raised in a NASCAR racing family and wants to pursue a racing career, but being gay and in the closet causes a problem when he falls in love with Sebastian who doesn’t want to keep their love hidden.

Although they can be read as standalone, the stories are probably best read in order to get the full character developments.

BOOK 1

Book Title: Starting His Engine

Author: W.S. Long

Publisher: JMS Books LLC

Genre/s: male-male romance; erotic romance

Length: 16 336 words/59 pages

Add on Goodreads

Blurb

Athletic and handsome, Florida boy Caleb Youngblood has always wanted to race stock cars like his father and his brother. The roar of the engines, the smell of the burning rubber and the thrill of speed courses his veins. Racing is as much a part of him as the sun and surf of the Florida ocean he loves.

But, when Caleb falls in love with sports writer Sebastian Rush, he must make a decision. Will he stay in the closet and follow his dream, or can he make a life with Sebastian and follow his heart?

Excerpt

Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

Garrison didn’t say anything until Joan and Earl left the room. Caleb moved closer and hugged his brother. “Glad you’re okay, man.”

“Thanks. What’s in the paper bag?”

“Clothes. I figured you needed to borrow a fresh shirt and shorts. Joan suggested I stop by your place and get you some clean clothes, but I wanted to come over right away without stopping at New Smyrna so I just grabbed you some of my clothes.”

Caleb handed the bag to Garrison who peered inside.

“What’s this?” He lifted a pink muscle tank top. “Holy shit! I’m not wearing this!”

“What about the shorts I brought?”

Garrison took out the blue shorts and eyed them. “These are girl’s shorts.”

“No. They’re male shorts, just a really, really, really short pair, meant to highlight posterior assets.”

“I’m not wearing these. My balls would be hanging out of them!”

Caleb snorted while Garrison threw the clothes at him. “You’re never appreciative of the things I do for you.”

Garrison mouthed the word asshole and then laughed.

“Did you expect anything less?”

“I guess not, little brother. Where have you been, by the way? You’ve been MIA for like two to three weeks.”

“Dad and I, well, I don’t know how to explain it,” said Caleb.

“Joan told me. She said dad wants Youngblood racing to focus on one driver for marketing and endorsements.”

“I guess that’s one way to put it,” said Caleb as he walked toward the window. “I asked him why, you know. He said he didn’t have to explain himself. That’s when I told him I didn’t want to ever talk to him again.”

“Dramatic much?” laughed Garr.

Caleb turned away from the window and sat next to Garr. “If he never wanted me to race the majors, why would he even let me drive period?”

“I don’t think we ever had a choice did we? I mean this is the family business. At least I didn’t have a choice — not like I’d want to do anything else. But you? You shouldn’t have dropped out of college. I know you came back because of Mom.” Garr patted Caleb’s thigh. “I’ll talk to Dad and see if I can talk some sense into him. I don’t know what’s going on lately. I know Joan and he like to keep the business side of things to themselves, but we all need to know why Dad is doing what Dad is doing.”

“You’re the better driver, Garr.” Caleb paused. “If he just came out and said, we’re going with Garrison because he’s the better, I’m fine with that. But to just say, I’m not racing anymore, especially the majors? I’m not ten years old. Dad should just give me the reasons why, not just say, I’m out. I’m done.”

They both sat in silence for a moment before Garrison spoke. “So what have you been doing lately? Bob says you show up in the shop and check out the cars when Dad’s not there and then leave.”

“I’ve been trying to send out feelers here and there about Formula racing and maybe racing for another team.”

“Does Dad know this?”

Caleb shook his head. “Nope. And don’t tell him either.”

“Joan said you’re dating a new guy?”

“That’s old news. We’ve been dating for more than a little over six months.”

“And you’ve never introduced him to me?” Garrison raised his shoulders and shrugged, and gestured for more information with a wave of his hands. “And?”

“I like him.”

“What’s his name?”

“Sebastian.”

Garrison’s eyebrows arched. “Sebastian?”

“He doesn’t like to use his middle name, Harry.”

“Last name?”

“Rush.”

“Okay. Are we going to do very short answers, now? I’m your brother. You don’t have to be secretive around me.”

Caleb exhaled. “I know.”

Buy Links

BOOK 2

Book Title: Too Tough to Tame

Author: W.S. Long

Publisher: JMS Books LLC

Genre/s: male-male romance; erotic romance

Length: 20 268 words/70 pages

Add on Goodreads

Blurb

After Caleb Youngblood proposed to Sebastian Rush, the two men think everything should be smooth sailing. Marriage planning has started and the future is bright. Caleb is an openly out stock car racer, while Sebastian is offered the chance to work with a major TV studio as a cameraman at the Rio Olympics.

But Caleb is at a crossroads. The racing world may not be ready for an openly gay driver. Even though he wants to race, the family business is barely making money. And Caleb, being the face of Youngblood family, may be too much for conservative fans. Meanwhile, when an ex-lover of Sebastian’s reappears, secrets from his past cause friction between Sebastian and Caleb.

Should Caleb continue to race? Is Sebastian’s and Caleb’s love for one another strong enough to overcome what happened in the past? Or is their life together too tough to tame?

Excerpt

Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

“That’s all you have to say?” asked Sebastian.

Caleb sat on the edge of their bed and removed his dress socks, and then his pants. Clad only in black boxer briefs, Caleb stood and rummaged through the dresser for a tank top, cotton socks, and running shorts. As he put his top and shorts on, Caleb broke the momentary silence. “What else is there to say? That … ummm … maybe you should have told me you were engaged?” Caleb took a seat again on the edge of the bed, and drawled out the last word, his eyebrows slightly arched, his jaw set firm. “I knew you had a serious relationship before me.” Caleb raised his hands up, both palms open. “But a serious relationship and an engagement are two different things.”

Sebastian knew that Caleb was still angry, based on Caleb’s tone and Caleb’s refusal to look him in the eye. “I didn’t tell you I was engaged for only two days because I was embarrassed.”

Caleb straightened and now squinted at him. “Embarrassed?” Caleb’s voice betrayed incredulity.

“David broke up with me. I proposed. He said he didn’t love me enough to marry me.”

“So you proposed to him?” Caleb whispered, who turned away from Sebastian.

“Yes. I did,” answered Sebastian. “But, he’s in the past.”

Caleb stood. “I can’t talk about this right now. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that you wouldn’t tell me about being engaged before. I mean, to me, that’s a pretty serious commitment. It’s something I would tell you if I’d ever been engaged.”

“I didn’t think it was a big deal. If I had known you would be upset by it, by the fact that I was engaged for two days, I would have told you. I don’t love him, Caleb. I love you,” blurted Sebastian. “I didn’t know what love truly was until I met you.”

“Your mom said you were in a pretty serious relationship before me. You said that. Maybe I’m making something out of nothing. Maybe I’m just pissed you’re going to Rio with your ex. I can’t filter all these emotions that are rushing through me right now.” Caleb stood and headed out of the bedroom. “We’re not done talking. But I need to clear my head.”

Sebastian nodded. “I’ll make dinner, okay? I’ll see you after your run.”

Caleb didn’t say anything; Sebastian heard the front door close, then Sebastian sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, his hands clasping the top of his head. Somehow, he had to persuade Caleb that David was in the past. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he fished out the cell.

David had texted him. Nice seeing you. We need to catch up before Rio.

Sebastian had a choice to make, and he knew it. He just didn’t know what to do. He punched in the contact tab on his phone and called his mom.

After a few rings, she answered. “Sebastian?”

“Hey, Mom. How’re you?”

“I’m good. Your sister just picked up your niece.”

“Awesome. Is this a good time to talk?” asked Sebastian.

“Sure, honey. I was about to start dinner but it can wait a few minutes. Why, what’s up?”

“Did Caleb ask you about David?”

“Who?” Ginny asked.

Sebastian repeated the question. “Did Caleb ask you about David?”

‘No. Caleb didn’t.”

“Then how did Caleb know I was engaged?”

“Oh. I told him.” Ginny’s voice trailed then she spoke again. “Was it supposed to be a secret?”

“Mom, I hadn’t told him. You know I was pretty upset about the break-up.”

“I know, honey. And don’t be mad, but I told Caleb that you both shouldn’t rush into getting married.”

Sebastian’s body tensed. “What?”

“Don’t raise your voice at me Sebastian Harry Rush.”

Sebastian rubbed his temples. “Oh, God. Why, Mom? Why?” He pulled the phone from his ear as he closed his eyes and silently counted to five to calm down.

“Sebastian, I’m worried that you’re rushing into a wedding. You haven’t even known each other for a year.”

Sebastian sat there on the edge of the bed. He heard his mother continuing to talk, but he stopped paying attention. She said something about September. Then something about his niece, Mindy. But all he could think about was Caleb sitting in his mother’s living room, and Ginny telling Caleb to delay the wedding. “Mom, I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”

“Okay, honey. That’s fine. I got to start dinner anyway. I love you, son. You know I’m only looking out for you, right?”

“Thanks,” he whispered. He wanted to scream, but he knew it would only make matters worse.

Buy Links

BOOK 3

Book Title: Crossroads

Author: W.S. Long

Publisher: JMS Books LLC

Genre/s: male-male romance, erotic romance

Length: 23, 280 words/80 pages

Release date: August 18, 2018

Add on Goodreads

Blurb

Caleb and his husband Sebastian are at a crucial crossroads in their lives. New York City has put challenges and opportunities in their path, and without race car driving in his future, Caleb worries about the future and money. At the same time, Sebastian presses him to have kids. Keeping their love going is Caleb’s main goal.

When their friend Cujo visits from Florida, he meets their roommate Tristan. Cujo has always wondered about having a college romance. What would have happened if he wasn’t afraid of being with another man? Tristan is charming and loving, and presents a new challenge to Cujo, who’s now faced with a decision that will change his life forever. Once he embarks on this path of love, there is no turning back. Can he overcome his fears to find love in a new way?

Excerpt

Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

When Cujo stepped outside the restaurant and walked two blocks, he hadn’t expected the full intensity of Times Square to wallop his senses. All the lights were on and the different screens blasted alternating pictures, advertisements, and music. “Wow, this is amazing.”

“I told you I was going to show you something incredible.”

“You delivered, buddy. You delivered all right. This is epic.” Cujo fished out his cell phone, tapped the camera icon, and took pictures. “Hey, Tristan, stand over there, I want to take some pictures of you.”

Tristan moved so that The Lion King JumboTron was immediately behind him as a Coca Cola sign flashed red and white lights nearby.

Tristan posed effortlessly for Cujo’s camera. The way Tristan walked, talked, and acted reminded him of Brett. Sweet, kind, and shy Brett. Cujo stopped taking pictures and scrolled through the photos of his camera. Tristan had inched closer and Cujo smiled.

“How’d they turn out?” Tristan asked.

“Very beautiful, I think.” Cujo showed him a photo of Tristan smiling. “It doesn’t hurt that the model is pretty attractive.”

“Thanks,” Tristan said. Cujo wasn’t sure with the lighting outside, but Tristan probably blushed at the comment.

“You remind me of someone I knew in college. He was a sweet, kind guy. A little soft. Not in a bad way but just someone who probably didn’t have an ounce of anger or hate toward anyone.”

“If that’s a compliment, I’ll take it,” Tristan said.

“It is.” Cujo showed the rest of the pictures to Tristan. “His name was Brett. And he was my first and only experimentation with the wild side.”

“You’re quoting me a phrase from a Lou Reed song?”

“Yes, I am,” Cujo said. “It’s actually one of my favorite songs. Did you know that David Bowie was one of the producers of that song? And he played guitar for it?”

Tristan nodded. “I love that song, too. So forward for the 70s. You know I think it was the first song about transgendered women and gay men to become popular?” Tristan leaned against a metal rail as they both took in the ever-changing spectacle of lights around them while casually crowd-watching the tourists and locals. “Why do you like it?”

“I just like the feeling the lyrics conveyed and the tempo,” Cujo said.

Cujo wanted to admit that he’d first heard it when Brett had played the song for him. Brett had explained the lyrics when they were both high on pot at the frat house. Then Brett leaned over unzipped Cujo’s pants and jacked him off to Lou Reed and later to Billy Squier’s, “The Stroke.”

“I love this place! I love this city,” Tristan said. “I thought I’d miss Florida but I don’t.”

Cujo laughed. “You know, I’m starting to fall in love with it, too.” And maybe it’s because of you. “Hey, if you’re ready to go, let’s grab a taxi. I don’t want to ride the subway back, if it’s okay. I want to see the lights of the city from the cab.”

“Fine by me,” Tristan said.

It didn’t take them long to stop a taxi as several had dropped off tourists in the same area. Once inside, they settled in the back seat. “Let me text you some of the pictures I took.”

Tristan handed Cujo his cell phone so Cujo could punch his number in and Tristan texted him a greeting text. Hey.

Hey back. Cujo typed before he sent a few pictures. “I had a good time tonight.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

Buy Links – Available for Pre-Order

JMS Books LLC

Amazon US

Amazon UK

About the Author

A military brat, who entered the military himself, W.S. Long practices law in Florida, reads, writes male/male romance, and believes in happily-ever-afters. Married to a great husband, he enjoys theme parks, movies, geeky stuff, and traveling when not working or writing.

Social Media Links

Tumblr

Blog/Website

Twitter

SERIES REVIEW TOUR SCHEDULE

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Release Blitz for Merrick The Art Thief by Michelle Woody (excerpt)

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books

Length: 56,030 words

Publisher: JMS Books

Blurb

Brilliant art thief Merrick Davidson can steal anything, except Grant Silvan’s heart. Merrick has to keep Grant at arm’s length for fear of revealing his secret. When Merrick’s biggest rival exposes his secret to Grant, the rejected lover returns to win back his relationship with Merrick, but there are obstacles to overcome.

Wyatt Silvan, Grant’s father and Merrick’s employer, is after the famous seven Xanderclied paintings, which all contain clues to a treasure. If Merrick succeeds in obtaining all the paintings and find the treasure, he can retire as an art thief and start a normal, uncomplicated life with Grant.

Together, they hunt the paintings from art galleries to private collections, from city to city, dodging bullets and escaping from life threatening attacks. With danger all around and the FBI on their tails, will Wyatt and Merrick find the paintings and treasure they are looking for? Will Merrick realize love is the biggest treasure of it all, before it is too late?

Excerpt

Rhonda and Grant stood at the end of the hallway, looking around.

Merrick caught Rhonda’s gaze.

“There you are.” Rhonda approached him with Grant following.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like this.” Rhonda leaned close. “I told him you two would look less suspicious with the family around.”

“Oh boy.” Merrick rubbed his chin as he glanced down the hall in hopes Wyatt would be there.

Wyatt’s voice came through the earpiece. “Honey, I can hear you.”

“Where are you?” Rhonda started toward the desk.

“We’ll look around. Bye.” Merrick removed his earpiece. “Let’s try the second floor.”

“Are they fighting?”

“Probably.”

“I’ve never heard them fight.”

Merrick pursed his lips. “Let’s just look for the painting.”

They took the sprawling cream-colored marble stairs to the second floor. The landing branched out to their left and right, walls on both sides lined with framed paintings and photographs. They started down the hall to their right. Only three people moved past the works of art and didn’t seem to pay Merrick and Grant any attention.

Beside him, Grant fidgeted with his watch. He wanted to hold Grant’s hand, to enjoy the stroll through the museum. How nice it’d be if there was no stress or danger, only the feel of Grant’s soft hand, his arm resting against Merrick’s as they walked.

After they passed several paintings, Merrick grinned, bowed his head.

“What?”

He glanced at the security cameras in the corners, then at Grant. “You’re distracting me.”

“I’m not doing anything.”

“You are.”

Grant smiled.

Merrick stared into Grant’s eyes for several breaths. The blue reminded him of the ocean; inviting and healing.

Grant lowered his voice. “Can my dad hear us?”

“Oh.” He looked at the earpiece in his hand. “Maybe.”

Grant nodded as he walked on.

Merrick fell into step beside him, forcing his attention to the art, even though he could feel Grant’s looks.

Grant moved closer so their arms touched. He wrapped his pinkie around Merrick’s, grinning as he turned his gaze away from Merrick.

The simple contact rushed through him. His fantasies of a life with Grant weren’t coming close to how wonderful it felt to really have him at his side.

Grant stopped them. “You’re blushing.”

“See? Distracting.”

Behind Grant, two sets of double doors led to a room where paintings in vivid colors of blues and reds flanked Xanderclied’s Despair. He took Grant’s hand. “Let’s look in here.”

As they stepped through the doorway, Merrick studied the rectangular room. With the recent thefts of Xanderclied works, the upgraded security around Despair wasn’t surprising. A wire ran from the bottom of the canvas, probably attached to a motion-activated alarm. Cameras aimed down from each corner of the room. At the two doorways, nestled into the high ceiling, were roll cages, which Merrick presumed were set to drop once the motion alarm was triggered. It was daunting, but nothing they couldn’t handle. What troubled him was whatever trick Jordan had waiting for them.

Grant faced the door, sliding his arm through Merrick’s. “I’m so nervous.”

“Relax. Nothing is going to happen right now.”

Grant caught his breath. “I’ve seen that guy before.”

Merrick glanced at the doorway, finding it empty. “Who?”

A red-haired man with a bushy beard walked along the far side of the hall. Merrick had seen him before, too. He was the flirt from the Cunningham opening. Why was he there, today of all days? Was he a part of Jordan’s game?

Merrick gripped Grant’s hand as he slid his earpiece back into place. “Guys, we have a problem.”

Author Bio

Michelle Woody lives in Springfield, Missouri. Her other titles include Riley, winner of the 2010 National Indie Excellence Award for Gay/Lesbian Fiction, The Scarecrow’s Kiss, and Figment of the Heart.

For more information, please visit michellewoody.com.

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

Release Blitz for Dawn (Expedition 63::Book #3) by T.A. Creech (giveaway)

Buys Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books

Length: 31,400 words

Publisher: JMS Books

Expedition 63 Series

Book #1 – Dusk – Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books

Book #2 – Dark – Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books

Blurb

Sequel to Expedition 63 Book 2: Dark

Yakecen Sinohui can see the end in sight for the stranded crew of the Station. Each breath is a countdown until they’re able to return to Earth, until the poison clouds have cleared enough to leave. Though it’s a bad idea, Yakecen is drawn into the orbit of their resident biologist, Eli, someone who has kept Yakecen’s head in the game with his sunny presence.

The universe, however, has one last middle finger to give the weary crew.

Eli Palamo doesn’t object to Yakecen’s covert attention. He’s pined for his friend from the first moment they met, and isolation has strengthened their bond as the hardships forced them lean on each other completely. Yakecen is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing will be enough to tear them apart, if Eli has anything to say about it, not even Yakecen’s own demons. Definitely not the end of their disastrous mission and their fight for survival.

About the Author

I am a house-parent to a rambunctious small child and happily mated to an equally rambunctious military spouse. My adventures in writing began with fanfiction, and once I was hooked I never looked back.

While I’ve always tried to make my fanfiction unique, what I enjoy most about creating original work is the ability to delve into my stranger ideas without worrying about how I might apply them to someone else’s world and characters. With my own creations, I take pride in twisting familiar tropes into something new and unexpected.

When I write, it is with the intention that my stories will leave a lasting impression. I hope you enjoy the characters and the worlds I create, and that they help you to find a place to exist, for a while, outside of your own.

–T.A. Creech

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

A Free Dreamer Review: Dark (Expedition 63 #2) by T.A. Creech

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

As the stranded inhabitants of the Space Station mark the opening of their second year since the world ended, Saito Naotatsu is determined to shake off some part of the grief infecting their temporary home. Maybe find a little happiness, too, with his best friend and communications specialist, Turlach Quinn.

The situation explodes when Turlach finds his attraction to Saito confusing and relentless. At every turn, it seems Saito is there to break his control. With the Station falling apart around their ears and the crew breathing down his neck, Turlach finally has enough.

Problems keep piling up. The crew is weary and waiting. Earth is a dark shadow of what it once was. Will they ever get home? Is there even anything left to go home to?

While “Dark” features a different couple than “Dusk”, I do believe you need to read part one before you can fully understand part two.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue the series after “Dusk”, which was just an okay read overall, but when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t resist. And it paid off. “Dark” was definitely better than “Dusk”.

Part of it was probably because Turlach and Saito are just getting together and we get to experience the whole falling-in-love thing. Usually, I enjoy established couples, but in this case, I think the new couple had a better dynamic than the established one. The connection I missed in part one was much more present in this sequel.

We also see a bit more of how life on the station works from day to day. Once again, not a whole lot actually happens action-wise. But we do get more details of how the crew stays alive, which was mostly skipped over in part one.

But once again, the book is just too short to fully live up to its potential. The setting is really unique and not one I’ve come across before. It’s a shame the story doesn’t get more room to truly unfold. There was also a bit of gay for you and drama because of lack of communication, which are two tropes I don’t particularly care for.

If you liked book one, you should read part two as well. While there’s still room for more, I definitely liked “Dark” more than “Dusk”. And now I really want to find out how this all ends.

The cover looks good but doesn’t really fit the story imo. The person looks like an alien, when there are none in the story. Once again, it would’ve looked better with just the space station.

Sales Links: JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book details: ebook,110 pages

Published May 19th 2018 by JMS Books

A Lucy Review: Erik the Pink by Matthew J. Metzger

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

While this is a love story, it is more the story of a first year with a new baby and how much it can take for someone to bounce back from it. Andreas and Erik are an established couple who, as the book starts, are having their first baby. A girl, named Beatriz. Both of them have some trauma in their past. Erik is very English and was abandoned by his mother at 18 months and then bounced around foster homes until he aged out; Andreas is from Spain and was verbally abused and kicked out of his home when he came out to his family as trans. These two couldn’t be more different. Erik is a red-headed giant of a man who has wanted nothing more in his life than a family he could call his own. “He’d waited his entire life to be here, and the enormity of it threatened to burst him right out of his own body.” Andreas is slim, fashionable and has wanted nothing for than for his body to match who he really is and while he wanted a baby, the consequences to himself were really horrible. “Nine months of absolute hell-unimaginable hell, from the horrifically persistent misgendering to the disgusting betrayal of his own body.” His dysphoria was out of control, “…nine months of hating himself for hating being pregnant…”

Beatriz is everything Erik has dreamed of, except he’s too terrified to touch her. “She’s too small. I’ll break her.” Despite what he had to go through, Andreas does as well. “He’d been so scared it wouldn’t be worth it. But here she was. And despite all of his fears, he already know he loved her.”

There are a lot of baby details here so those who don’t like to read about children should be aware. There is sweetness to the point of overload at times, but for me it matched the enormity of what Erik was feeling. “Erik didn’t care it he looked a bit bonkers, having a cry while holding his baby and hugging his partner. He’d wanted her for his entire life – he was allowed to have a bit of a meltdown now she was actually here.”

What made the book more balanced in terms of the sugar was the incredible struggle Andreas was going through to try to get back to himself. He had already been struggling with dysphoria and now genital dysphoria has been added. “The dysphoria had taken everything from him – the gym, his job, the spa, Saturday mornings in coffee shops while Erik was at work, even going to the pub for an evening meal to walk home with Erik after he’d closed up for the night. Everything. And it had been a struggle to remember it hadn’t been Beatriz taking it all away, but himself.” I can’t even imagine the pain he had to go through to have this baby he’s always wanted so desperately that turns him into something he’s hated. He has always called the worst days his “dizzy days” and the pregnancy and aftermath are nearly all dizzy days. Erik knows he can’t understand but he tries so hard to make things easier for Andreas. He doesn’t look at just Beatriz as what he spent a lifetime waiting for but Andreas as well. He knows how much Andreas has struggled since starting to show. “And I miss you, and I know I can’t make it better because it’s all tangled up with your body and how it makes you feel, but I love you and I hate seeing you down, so I want to make you feel good for a bit, even if it’s just surface good.”

They have some great friends in Jo (a former foster sister of Erik’s), her husband, Mike, and Lauren. The airport broke my heart for Erik, I have to admit it. I know it was always to help Andreas but once in a while Erik’s feelings should be considered too. The dysphoria did affect him during the pregnancy as well. “It had been nine months of juggling his excitement with his partner’s horror. It had been nine months of trying desperately to navigate when he could be excited, when he had to pretend it wasn’t happening and when he had to consider the possibilities of termination without outright begging Andreas not to do it.” While maybe not as painful as what Andreas is going through, still painful.

The writing is very realistic and even without the added trauma of being trans, I appreciated the attitude toward being pregnant. Despite what some would have us believe, not everyone enjoys being pregnant. Some people hate it. That doesn’t mean hating the baby, Andreas shows that very well, but hating the process, what it does to your body, the aftermath of trying to get that body back while you are exhausted and trying to adjust to having this new person in your care. As a cisgender person I can’t speak for how much it would affect a trans man but I definitely was in the not loving pregnancy group. There were a few baby things that made me say “huh?” but those were minor. The major focus of this book was adjustments. Adjusting to a new life for all of them. Getting back to the real him for Andreas. I loved the reason for “Erik the Pink”, probably the sweetest thing in the whole book for “An abandoned, unwanted, unloved survivor.” The book is sweet without being overly fluffy. It ends on a high, hopeful note and I can only wish the best things for all of them.

Cover art, showing a baby held in gentle hands, conveys the feeling of the book well. Soft and sweet.

Sales Links: JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 212 pages
Published June 30th 2018 by JMS Books LLC
ASINB07DK7MFG1
Edition LanguageEnglish

An Alisa Review: A Desperate Love by J.D. Walker

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

The universe hates Mel Stokes. He quit his job, lost his boyfriend, and missed the last train, all in one night. And then, some guy tries to rob him after he walked miles to get home. In shoes that pinched his toes. Nope. Last straw. When a stranger witnesses his lowest life moment and gives him an offer he can’t ignore, what does Mel have to lose?

Working with good Samaritan Lenny Mitchen is the best and worst thing Mel has ever done. Because Lenny is kind and honorable, and there’s no way that Mel can ever erase the first impression of a desperate loser down on his luck, can he? So, he makes a decision, and hopes that maybe, he can turn things around, for a change.

But will it be enough to get what he really wants?

This was a nice sweet story. Mel is having the worst day and when Lenny gives him the chance to move ahead he can’t refuse. He just has to accept that there can never be any more between them.

I felt for Mel and everything was going wrong at the same time but he doesn’t completely give in to the depression he is starting to feel. Lenny came along at the perfect time and Mel quickly gets to start moving forward again but I could feel his pain at how he felt Lenny saw him. I loved watching Mel really make his life better with and after Lenny gives him a chance and their chance meeting a few months later give them both the chance to find the love they wanted.

The cover art by Written Ink Designs is nice and gives a nice visual for the story.

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 5,633 words

Published: May 26, 2018 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634866842

Edition Language: English

A Lucy Review: Nobody Else’s by Nell Iris

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Beckett’s best friend, Matt, comes from a big family. As in, a really big one with eleven children. Matt is the oldest and his younger brother, Levi, is three years his junior. Levi is also the focus of Beckett’s crush. “I’d had a crush on him for years, but he was Matt’s little brother, and besides…what would he see in someone like me?” Beckett is a bit of a bear, hairy with a chubby belly. When he sees Levi, he “…pulled in my stomach and sat a little straighter. Not that it helped. My belly couldn’t be hidden.”

In a family of loud people, Levi is the exception. While everyone else is yelling over each other to be heard, he is quiet. He is a tech wizard, nearly dropping out of high school to open his business (though parents put the stop to that). His business is very successful and he lives in an apartment over the garage at his parent’s, helping out financially and with the siblings, particularly the Hell Sisters, twins age 5.

The story is told in back and forth first person point of view from both Levi and Beckett. This is something I always appreciate as I like to know the why of what each person does, says and how they react. It begins with Matt and Beckett meeting for a meal and Beckett is surprised by the arrival of Levi. I was a little surprised at Matt’s behavior – when Beckett reads a horoscope (which is racy, gay and funny) from a website, Matt is shocked. “It’s a site for gay people.” Because Beckett is bisexual and his last partner was female, Matt thought, well now he’s straight. Which is sad considering Levi is gay, but they call him out on it.

I loved reading the horoscopes, one for each chapter. First it was surprising and then they were funny. You can see where it’s going early but that didn’t detract from them at all. That’s the kind of horoscope I would read!

The story is sweet with very little angst, if any. Beckett is a serious Harry Potter fan, which I enjoyed, being one myself. Beckett is an accountant and offers to help Levi with his business accounting and that’s how the courtship begins.

“Levi: Why would you offer something that valuable to me?

Beckett: Because you always help everyone else. It’s time someone has your back.”

Like I said, sweet. There is quite often mentioning of how each thinks the other is so cute and so kind. I liked that when Levi talks to Matt about asking Beckett out, Matt gives the “don’t hurt my friend” speech to Levi, rather than to Beckett about Levi. Their first date is an amazing one and shows how much Levi understands Beckett.

The book is very relationship focused, with little outside plot. We get insights into both Levi’s and Beckett’s families. I liked this book but be warned that at times it is very sugary.

Cover art, depicting both Levi and Beckett, was pretty close to what I imagined they would look like.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books

Book Details:

ebook
Published June 30th 2018 by JMS Books, LLC
ISBN139781634866712
Edition LanguageEnglish

Release Blitz for Nobody Else’s by Nell Iris (excerpt and giveaway)

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books

Length: 20,000 words approx.

Publisher: JMS Books

Blurb

Mars enters Pisces, giving Beckett Cooper the opportunity to assert himself when it comes to a secret infatuation; his best friend’s younger brother Levi. But can Beckett trust what’s in front of him and be brave enough to take what he wants?

With Venus in Virgo, people usually become more reserved, but Levi Byrne always takes the opposite road of what’s expected of him. So, instead of pulling back, he reaches out for a man he’s been interested in for years; Beckett Cooper.

Is it the celestial bodies aligning to bring together two people destined for each other? Or is it a simple tale of boy meets boy, boy likes boy, and boy wants to kiss boy? Do Beckett and Levi even care, or are they too busy getting to know each other … and falling in love?

Excerpt

“Beckett?”

The voice made my stomach jump and the corners of my mouth turn up even though I was so tired I’d thought I’d never smile again just a moment ago.

“Levi. Hi!” Stubble covered his face and he approached me with a spring in his step and a happy grin that made my heart pitter-patter in my chest. Oh gawd, he was cuter than ever. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

He threw his arm around my neck in a quick, one-armed hug. The heat of his body penetrated my cold soul, but before I had time to hug him back, he let go of me and stepped back. I missed his warmth instantly. I wanted more. I wanted to bury my nose in the crook of his neck and just stay there until this crappy day was gone and forgotten. Feel his hands on my back and his soothing breaths in my ear.

Shit. I swallowed around a lump that appeared in my throat. I had it bad.

“I’m here to get some celebratory ice cream. I finished my project on time, so I thought I’d treat myself.”

“Great job. Congratulations!”

“Thanks!” His eyes sparkled at me. “Are you getting ice cream, too?”

“No. I was trying to figure out what to eat for dinner. I can’t decide what sounds the least disgusting,” I said and picked up two depressing looking boxes. “Lasagna or pepperoni pizza?”

Levi drew his eyebrows together and then took both from me and threw them back into the freezer. “You can’t eat crap like that. It’s no good for you.”

“I know,” I sighed. “But my fridge is empty and I’m too tired to both shop for groceries and cook.”

He looked at me then, swept his gaze from head to toe. “You look exhausted. I’m sorry I didn’t notice earlier.”

“It’s fine.”

With an unconvinced look on his face, he asked, “Are you all right?”

“Yeah. Just tired. I had a terrible day at work.”

“I know all about those.” He sucked his lower lip into his mouth, letting his eyes flick over my face, taking in what I was sure was tired lines around my eyes and a mouth trying its best to smile. “I have an idea,” he said after a few moments. “What if I make you dinner? I’d need to borrow your kitchen of course, but if you feel like a homecooked meal … I’m your guy.”

I drew a breath and held it. Blinked. “Are you serious?” I asked in a whooshing exhale.

“I am.”

“But what about your ice cream celebration?”

“It can wait.”

His kindness coupled with my fatigue choked me up. Half a second from bursting into tears, I asked, “Why?”

“Because you look like you need someone to take care of you.”

I couldn’t help it then. A tear escaped. I turned my face away and squeezed my eyes shut. A part of me wanted to turn and run away, hide my stupid sensitivity from him and not be the guy who cries in the grocery store aisle. But another part knew he could be trusted and even if I broke down completely here, he wouldn’t make fun of me.

“Then yes. Thank you,” I choked out.

Gentle fingers plucked the shopping basket from my grip. His other hand found it’s way to my nape and caressed me for a second. It was just a brief touch, but it gave me the strength to wipe away the tear and look at him again.

“Let’s go. I know just the thing.”

Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies’ room), loves music (and singing along but, let’s face it, she’s no Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (“Make it so”). She loves words, poetry, wine, and Sudoku, and absolutely adores elephants!

Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender, or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.

Nell is a forty-something bisexual Swedish woman, married to the love of her life, and a proud mama of a grown daughter. She left the Scandinavian cold and darkness for warmer and sunnier Malaysia a few years ago, and now spends her days writing, surfing the Internet, enjoying the heat, and eating good food. One day she decided to chase her lifelong dream of being a writer, sat down in front of her laptop, and wrote a story about two men falling in love.

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angst, and wants to write diverse and different characters.

Email contact@nelliris.com
Web www.nelliris.com
Twitter @nellirisauthor
Facebook page www.facebook.com/nellirisauthor
Facebook profile www.facebook.com/nell.iris.12
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/nelliris
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nell_iris/
QueeRomance Ink https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/nell-iris/

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

Share this:

Giveaway

Share this:

SERIES REVIEW TOUR

Share this:

Share this:

Giveaway

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Giveaway

Share this: