An Up Close Look at Lane Hayes’ ‘A Kind of Truth’ (author interview, excerpt and giveaway)

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A Kind of Truth (A Kind Of #1) by Lane Hayes
Release Date: January 8, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Lane Hayes author of A Kind of Truth. Hi Lane, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Thank you so much for having me over to talk about my newest release!

  • Is there a character in your books that you can’t stand? (Antagonist for example) And what makes them someone you don’t like?

In A Kind of Truth, there are a couple of antagonists I don’t like, but the one that stands out for me is Will’s mom. She’s horrible. She stands for every fundamental right-winger with tragic tunnel vision. Readers may get the sense she wasn’t always this way, but now she clings to her “moral” choices in order to preserve her own interests. In a reelection year, that sounds awfully familiar, doesn’t it?

  • Are there misconceptions people have about your genre?

Plenty! I think some people don’t like the romance genre on principle. Serious “intellectual” readers scoff and say romance is trash, but mystery, sci-fi and paranormal are “okay”. LGBT romance may be even considered by some as a fetish read, along the same vein as erotica. It’s not up to me to educate the plethora of idiots out there, but I will say this… there is no shame in wanting to write or read beautiful stories with complex characters who grapple with fear and loneliness to find love and hope. There are gorgeous stories by very talented authors in the MM romance genre. I’d hate for a romance lover to miss out due to misconceptions about the genre.

  • Is there message in your novel that you hope readers grasp?

Be true to yourself! And above all, don’ t be afraid to dream big and go for it!

  • How has your writing evolved since your first book?

A Kind of Truth is my eighth published book. I think I’m a more confident writer now than I was when I wrote my first novel, Better Than Good, in 2012. I hadn’t done any serious writing in years at that point so I know the editors at DSP had their hands full! Lol! Confidence in my craft has made me willing to stretch a bit and tackle subjects I wasn’t always comfortable with. I’m definitely still a work in progress, though!

  • One food you don’t care if you never eat it again.

Brussel sprouts. Sorry, but… ew.

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Blurb

Rand O’Malley dreams of superstardom. He hopes to one day sing the blues like a rock god. Moving to New York City and hiring a new manager are steps to make his dreams a reality. But nothing moves as fast as Rand would like, and everyone has opinions, which include he keep certain pieces of himself quiet if he plans on making it in the Big Apple. Like his bisexuality.

Will Sanders is a gifted musician who dazzles Rand with his ability to coax gorgeous notes from an electric guitar one moment and play the piano like a professional the next. He’s a geek, but Rand isn’t concerned about Will’s pressed exterior clashing with his tattoos. His focus is music. Yet there’s something about Will that makes Rand think there’s much more to the quiet college student than he lets on. As Rand’s dreams begin to materialize, he’s forced to reconsider his priorities and find his own kind of truth. One that might include Will.

 

Pages or Words: 82,000 words
Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, Erotica, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt for A Kind of Truth by Lane Hayes

Watching Will’s face turn pink then red was extraordinarily entertaining. I nudged his elbow playfully and tried to gain control of my smile before it threatened to take over my entire face. When I couldn’t take the building pressure of emotion, I winked at the girls then leaned in and kissed his lips, loving that I took him by surprise. The elevator doors slid open a moment later. Will stepped into the empty corridor and gave me a wide-eyed incredulous stare.

“I cannot believe you just did that.”

“What? Kissed you on an elevator? It’s not like farting, ya know.”

Will huffed a sigh that clearly said he thought I was hopeless before turning to walk down the hall. “I was talking about the underwear comment but yeah, the kissing part was awkward too. No one wants to watch two people going at in a confined space. And besides, we’re supposed to be playing this strictly straight while we’re in public.”

He stopped to unlock the door to the classroom then pushed it open, pausing to give me a perturbed look before he moved inside ahead of me. I barked a quick laugh as I set my guitar on the back table and shrugged my jacket off.

“First of all, that was hardly going at it. It was a peck. You were the one advertising I left my clothes at your place in front of a couple cute girls. And who said anything about playing straight?”

“Were we not in the same room two mornings ago talking about this?”

“We were. In fact, we were naked in your bed. Decidedly un-straight. But the way I remember it, I was one who was holding back the gay while you were the one going for it. But let’s go back to the elevator. I think you purposefully blew my cover back there with those girls. Were you jealous?”

He snorted and rolled his eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Thanks.”

“It wasn’t a compliment,” he quipped as he made his way to the piano.

“Well, the next time you announce you’re holding my underwear hostage in a crowd, all bets are off, baby.” I gave him a lascivious once-over and waggled my eyebrows before tightening the strap on my guitar.

Will chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. But I’m pretty sure your tighty-whities never came up. My comment was perfectly innocent. There’s a big difference between hats and underwear.”

“I’m on to you, Will. You wanted those girls to know something’s going on between us. They’re probably talking right now. Bet they’re wondering if we’re in here having sex. Hell, they could be outside that door listening. Maybe we should give ‘em something to talk about.” I made a show of unbuckling my belt and the top button on my 501s. “Is there a camera in this room?”

“Keep your pants on. I’ve got two months left till graduation and I’d prefer not to get kicked out of school, please,” Will said primly, smacking my hand away.

“You won’t get kicked out. I doubt we’d be the first anyway.”

I rezipped my jeans and started to back up, but at the last second, I reached out to cup his chin between my thumb and forefinger. I traced his jaw and let my thumb roam higher to caress his cheekbone just under his glasses. His eyes fluttered shut. I loved the contrast of his fair skin and darker lashes and eyebrows. He was so damn pretty. And those lips. They were sensuous. That was the word. I leaned in and brushed my nose against his. I could feel his breath on my lips. The urge to plunge my tongue inside and take what I was very sure we both wanted was strong, but I waited for his permission.

When he didn’t respond, I let my hand fall to my side and started to pull back. Maybe he really was serious about propriety in the classroom. I wasn’t used to curbing my impulses to suit someone’s else’s sensibilities. I’d spent twenty-five years doing only what I wanted. Screw anyone else. Now here I was, attempting to hide my gay side publicly while trying to follow Will’s lead in private. It felt strange, I thought, just as Will launched himself at me.

I grunted in surprise when he wrapped his arms around my neck and crashed his mouth over mine. He softened the connection and tilted his head as he raked his fingers through my hair. I responded but let him control the tempo. Until he tentatively licked my lips. Fuck, he tasted sweeter than I remembered. Like peppermint candy or hot chocolate. I pulled him flush against my chest and slid my tongue alongside his, twisting and colliding in a passionate fusion. When he gasped for air I pulled back only to have him grind his hips into mine and lick my jaw. He swayed into me with a moan and lost his footing.

“Steady there.”

Will was sexier than he knew, which spelled potential danger for me. It was better to let the music take over for now.

Buy the book: Dreamspinner eBook & Paperback 

 

Meet the Author

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions in the 2014 and 2015 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow Lab ever in an almost empty nest.

Where to find the author:

 


BannerTemplateTour Dates & Stops:

12-Jan

Prism Book Alliance, KathyMac Reviews, Carly’s Book Reviews, Hearts on Fire

14-Jan

Happily Ever Chapter, Nic Starr, Joyfully Jay, The Novel Approach

19-Jan

Havan Fellows, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Love Bytes

21-Jan

Unquietly Me, Gay Book Reviews,

26-Jan

Bayou Book Junkie, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Gay Media Reviews, Open Skye Book Reviews

28-Jan

Book Lovers 4Ever, Molly Lolly, Alpha Book Club, Full Moon Dreaming

2-Feb

BFD Book Blog, MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

4-Feb

Divine Magazine, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads

 Final

 Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $20 gift card from retailer of choice and choice of book from Lane’s backlist.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

 

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Its Release Day for Louise Lyons’ ‘Favorite Toy’ (excerpt and giveaway)

Favorite Toy cover


Release Date: January 31, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Louise Lyons
Cover Artist: Simon Searle

Blurb

Determined to stay single, Dean Simpson and his best friend Ryan have been playing a game, where each man chooses a potential hook-up for the other, usually someone nothing like their usual type. But with Ryan now off the market, Dean agrees to one final round of the game and allows his friend to choose his toy for the evening.

Casper Mancuso is about as far from Dean’s type as he can get. Casper is pretty, flamboyant, and attention-seeking, but sexy with it. Dean decides one night can’t hurt, but when Casper makes it clear his aim is the same as Dean’s – to have one bit of fun and then move on – Dean finds himself surprisingly disappointed.

With both men keen to avoid a relationship at all costs, it seems there can be no chance for anything between them. And yet the pair are drawn to each other and despite some hurtful comments and a very public argument, they just can’t stay away from each other. Eventually Dean is forced to admit that the very antithesis of what he usually likes is exactly what he’s been waiting for.

 

Pages or Words: 35,600 words
Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance

Excerpt

My heart sank as one of the other trainers from the gym caught up to me. “Wait up, Dean. I’ll go with you.”

I glanced at Mark and nodded. “Okay.”

“Where are you headed?”

“Not sure yet. I just wanted some fresh air. Maybe Subway.” It was the first thing that came into my head, although I really didn’t fancy a sandwich.

“I could go for that. Meatball marinara. Mmm.”

“I like the tuna.”

“I always have cheese and slather it in ranch dressing, and get a cookie.” Casper’s words made me smile and I wondered if he’d be having Subway today. Shit.

“Are we eating in, or taking it back to work?” Mark pushed open the door and walked inside.

“Um, maybe sit outside here?” I followed him to the counter, lining up behind a family ordering an early lunch. Most of the tables both inside and outside were empty and I stared up at the menu board as I waited, even though I knew I’d order tuna. Mark bought a foot-long meatball marinara with cheese and salad and I requested a six inch with cheese, salad, and ranch dressing. As we sat down at a table outside the window, I looked around and caught sight of Casper, just yards away and heading right for us. Automatically I ducked my head and unwrapped my sandwich, hoping he wouldn’t see me. My heart thumped wildly and my dry mouth made me wish I’d ordered a drink.

“Are you okay?” Mark raised his eyebrows.

“Yeah.”

Casper entered Subway, apparently not having noticed me. I’d kick myself if I didn’t speak to him. I might not get another chance. The fact that he’d happened to turn up at this exact moment, when he could have gone anywhere, or not even taken a break at this time, was too much of a coincidence for me to throw away. Hesitating, I debated going into the shop to speak to him, or waiting for him to come out where Mark might hear. While I thought about it, Casper got his sandwich and came out again and then I had no choice. I jumped up quickly, scraping my chair noisily on the pavement, and his eyes immediately met mine. He halted, half in and half out of the door, then shuffled forward to get out of the way of someone trying to enter.

Mark looked up at me and frowned. “Dean?”

“I’ll be back in a minute.” I moved away from the table toward Casper, aware that only about six feet separated us from Mark. “Can I speak to you for a minute?”

“What about?” His eyes narrowed.

“I wanted to say sorry. I─”

“Don’t bother. Like we both said, it was a hook up.” His voice was much too clear and I glanced anxiously at Mark, who stared back at me with wide eyes.

“Casper…shh. Can we just…?”

“Don’t shush me!” Clutching his wrapped sandwich fiercely in one hand, he planted the other hand on his hip and glared. “I don’t know why you even bothered speaking to me! You slept with me for a bet, and we all know what your real type is. Don’t think I didn’t see you with that blond guy on Friday.”

“Fuck.” Grabbing his arm, I tugged him a few steps along the street until he wrenched free. “Thanks a fucking bunch. You just outed me to one of my workmates.”

“Oh!” His scowl vanished and his cheeks flushed. “Shit. I didn’t know. I’m sorry, Dean.”

“Forget it. Like you said, I shouldn’t have bothered.” Mortified, I turned away and went back to the table. Mark’s expression said it all. I didn’t need to hear anything he might have to say, but I listened anyway. Casper had already disappeared.

Buy the book

Amazon UKAmazon US  | Smashwords | All Romance Ebooks  | Barnes & Noble

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Meet the Author

Louise Lyons comes from a family of writers. Her mother has a number of poems published in poetry anthologies, her aunt wrote poems for the church, and her grandmother sparked her inspiration with tales of fantasy. Louise first ventured into writing short stories at the grand old age of 8, mostly about little girls and ponies. She branched into romance in her teens, and MM romance a few years later, but none of her work saw the light of day until she discovered FanFiction in her late 20s.

Posting stories based on some of her favorite movies, provoked a surprisingly positive response from readers. This gave Louise the confidence to submit some of her work to publishers, and made her take her writing “hobby” more seriously.

Louise lives in the UK, about an hour north of London, with a mad Dobermann, and a collection of tropical fish and tarantulas. She works in the insurance industry by day, and spends every spare minute writing. She is a keen horse-rider, and loves to run long-distance. Some of her best writing inspiration comes to her, when her feet are pounding the open road. She often races into the house afterward, and grabs pen and paper to make notes.

Louise has always been a bit of a tomboy, and one of her other great loves is cars and motorcycles. Her car and bike are her pride and joy, and she loves to exhibit the car at shows, and take off for long days out on the bike, with no one for company but herself.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Open Skye Book Reviews, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Caraway Carter, Gay Media Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, The Jena Wade, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Jessie G. Books, Happily Ever Chapter, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Making It Happen, Multitasking Mommas, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Charley Descoteaux, 3 Chicks After Dark, Unquietly Me, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, Nephy Hart, Elin Gregory, Mikky’s World of Books, V’s Reads, Alpha Book Club, Velvet Panic

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: An e-book from Louise’s backlist.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.
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Posy Robert’s Farm Fresh Spotlight Tour-Day Two(2nd Character Interview) (guest post, excerpt and giveaway)

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Farm Fresh by Posy Roberts
Release Date: January 28, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Posy Roberts  sent another character,Hudson Oliva from her novel, Farm Fresh,  today to sit down for some questions. Welcome, Hudson  Help us get to know you a little better.


Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I love to help people. Always have. When I lived at home, my Papi and I would help build Habitat for Humanity houses or cook for people at the homeless shelter. Giving back makes me feel like my life is worth something more. Living at Kaleidoscope Gardens, I get to help people every day doing various things. I fix broken parts around the commune, work in the gardens, and cook communal meals, and every single day I have people thanking me for helping them.

Q. If you could have any job or profession, what would it be?

I’m actually doing it. In the simplest terms, I’m a farmer. I grow plants from seedlings, harvest them, and sell them at the farmers market. That’s where I met Jude, which ended up being one of the best things to happen to me. I’m a handyman too, I suppose. I’m very good with my hands, which is good considering school wasn’t really my thing.

Q. What is your biggest regret?

Not going back home to confront my parents for what they did to me when they found out I was gay. I think it’s kept me living in the past. I tend to react by withdrawing when I get scared. I know that’s because my parents essentially abandoned me. It’s easier to push people away than to get hurt again. At least that’s what goes through my head when I freak out. So to go back and yell at my mom and papi about what they did to me… yeah, I think that would help fix a lot of my regrets over the years.

Q What is your favorite food?

My absolute favorite is Alfie’s cherry pie. It’s sweet and tart and perfect. It was one of the first things I ate when I arrived on Kaleidoscope Gardens’ soil. To me it’s the ultimate comfort food. It says home.

Q. Who is your hero?

Hands down, Leo. Leo took me in when I wandered onto the land, fed me Alfie’s pie, and gave me a home and a purpose at the commune. He’s seen me at my worst and my best, and he doesn’t let me get stuck in my bad habits. He knows all the skeletons in my closet and is always challenging me to better myself. And he’s a fantastic lover, on top of all that.

Thanks, Hudson.  That was terrific.  Now more about Farm Fresh…

Farm Fresh in the dirt

Blurb

Jude Garrity visits the farmers market every Saturday. As an environmental engineering student, he’s curious about living off the grid and sustainable agriculture.

And one particular farmer.

Hudson Oliva has worked hard to support his commune, where queer people live without fear of harm or retribution. When Jude asks pointed questions about living there, Hudson realizes he needs to be honest about his home. Few people know what the farm is actually about, but Jude is insistent.

Jude moves to Kaleidoscope Gardens, however, his sexual hang-ups make it hard to adjust. He’s an uptight virgin living among people who have sex freely and with multiple partners. When Jude finally loosens up, Hudson is flooded with emotions. Falling for Jude wasn’t part of Hudson’s life plan. But when vindictive rumors about the commune begin to spread, love might be all he has left.

Pages or Words: 202 pages, 63,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Ménage/Poly, Romance

Excerpt

“You wanted to know where I’m from,” Hudson said. Jude nodded but remained tight-lipped. “I grew up north of Miami in a small city. I couldn’t wait to get out, so I tried to hitch a ride to Seattle. Didn’t get that far.”

“How far did you get?” Jude looked surprised as he asked, so Hudson reached out and pressed his palm to the center of Jude’s chest.

“About five miles away. I’ve been here ever since.”

“What made you run? I mean… maybe that’s too personal.”

Hudson coasted his hand over the slight swell of Jude’s pec and thumbed over his nipple, which stood at attention, pert and flushed, like his lips and cheeks. It was a good color on him.

“My parents sent me away to one of those ‘pray away the gay’ places, which obviously didn’t work, but it probably saved my life since my mom had to haul Papi off me when she told him why I needed to go there. He had so much pride, and having a gay son wasn’t something he could live with. It was as if me being gay made him gay. I was accosted by religion and hatred for who I was from that day until I left, so I became an expert at being secretive and learned to lie through my teeth while living with them. My eighteenth birthday Papi and I fought, and I ended up with another black eye. I packed a bag and snuck out of the house while they were sleeping.”

“Did they call the cops or anything?”

Hudson shook his head and knew his smile was pathetic. He still held hope he and his father could reconcile. He knew Papi would be proud of him and what he’d accomplished on the commune. “I left a note and eventually let them know my address, but in all the years, I’ve gotten one letter.”

“I’ve talked to my parents twice since I left, and both times left me feeling shredded inside.”

“I’m sorry.” Hudson scooted closer and pulled Jude into a tight embrace. The feel of Jude’s warm skin against his own had Hudson’s body responding in no time flat. He kissed Jude’s neck and the sharp line of his jaw. He thrust his fingers into Jude’s spun-gold hair and drew their mouths together.

Jude moved his lips, pressing chaste kisses to Hudson’s, and then he snaked his arm between their bodies. Jude splayed his fingers across Hudson’s chest and pushed him away. He hung his head, looking down at the mattress in what appeared to be shame.

Hudson took the sting out of the rejection by thumbing over Jude’s bottom lip, shiny with saliva. “You have a delectable mouth, like it’s made for kissing.”

Jude laughed. “So do you.” Then he bit his lip and made brief eye contact before scooting back a few inches.

Buy the book:

Book Trailer:

Meet the author:

Posy Roberts writes about the realistic struggles of men looking for love. Whether her characters are family men, drag queens, or lonely men searching for connections, they all find a home in her stories.

Posy is married to a man who makes sure she doesn’t forget to eat or sleep. Her daughter, a budding author and dedicated Whovian, helps her come up with character names. When Posy’s not writing, she enjoys crafting, hiking, and singing spontaneously about the mundane, just to make normal seem more interesting.

Where to find the author:


BannerTemplate Tour Dates & Stops:

January 28, 2016

Parker Williams, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, KathyMac Reviews, A.M. Leibowitz, BFD Book Blog, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Gay Book Reviews, Jessie G. Books, Kirsty Loves Books, Nautical Star Books, Book Lovers 4Ever, Caraway Carter, Charley Descoteaux, V’s Reads, Mikky’s World of Books, Alpha Book Club

January 29, 2016

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, My Fiction Nook, Just Love Romance, Unquietly Me, Open Skye Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Kiki’s Kinky Picks, Happily Ever Chapter, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Louise Lyons, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, 3 Chicks After Dark, Inked Rainbow Reads

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Silver Scars’ or book of choice from Posy’s backlist.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.
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Its Back to the Past with Victoria Sue’s The Innocent Auction (excerpt and giveaway)

The Innocent Auction. Cover.

Author Name: Victoria Sue

Book Name: The Innocent Auction

Release Date: December 28, 2015

Blurb:

London 1810.

Their love was a death sentence.

Deacon, Viscount Carlisle, was aware of the slums and gin-lanes of London. Just as he was aware of the underground traffic that furnished the brothels and bath houses with human innocents. He was also aware that the so-called justice system would hang the accused without much of an attempt at a defense, unless the unfortunate had deep pockets to pay for it.

He just hadn’t expected to be directly involved in any of it.
It started with a plea for help and ended with forbidden love, the love between a Viscount and a stable-boy. An impossible love and a guarantee of the hangman’s noose.

Will Deacon fight for Tom? Will he risk the death sentence and take that fight from the stately halls of his English mansion to the horrors of Newgate Prison and the slums of London?

Or will he realize that if he doesn’t, death will be a welcome end to the loneliness of the sentence he is already living?

 

Pages or Words: 61,000 words

Categories: Historical, M/M Romance

Excerpt:

Tom was stunning in the candlelight. The servant’s clothes he wore were a hundred times softer than the rough shirt he had taken off him in the stables. Tom’s skin was just as soft, though, the muscles just as firm, and the reaction to Deacon’s touch just as thrilling.

He heard the small moan from Tom’s lips as he pulled the shirt from his trousers, his fingers touching the skin on his abdomen. Tom lifted his arms above his head in silent invitation, and Deacon’s cock swelled in eagerness. Tom let his arms fall as the shirt was thrown aside, and Deacon hurriedly unbuttoned his trousers, as Tom’s fingers went to work on Deacon’s.

Neither of them said a word. It wasn’t just fear that they would be heard, but more an affirmation that while ever they didn’t speak, they were equals, lovers. The sensation of Tom’s teeth as he grazed his collarbone was perfect. Something to be celebrated, not reviled. Surely something that made him feel so complete could never be a sin? For in that one moment, Deacon didn’t have to pretend anymore and he was content.

In moments, Tom had him undressed. “Stay still.”

Deacon groaned as the order went straight to his cock.

Tom’s calloused fingers swept over his shoulders and down his chest. Tom’s nails dug in around his nipples, and Deacon swayed towards him with every pull as if there were invisible strings attached. Tom bent his head, his warm lips drugging Deacon’s movements till they stilled. How could his skin vibrate as if alive, yet his body remain immovable as if cast in stone?

When Tom knelt in front of him, Deacon gasped. “You—” can’t? That was ridiculous, and Deacon bit the words off before they were uttered. His breaths came out in hurried gasps when Tom looked up, blue eyes on fire almost as they smoldered with heat.

Deacon almost couldn’t breathe as Tom wrapped his lips around his cock. His knees wobbled, inspiring Tom to bring two strong hands around to clasp his buttocks, pulling him nearer and making Tom almost seem to swallow him.

Almost immediately, Deacon felt the tingles in his spine. He had to hang on, and he threaded his fingers through Tom’s hair, desperate for some anchor before he exploded. Thrice. He’d had this done three times by whores, but never had he wished to think of something else while it was being done. Tom had his full attention.

“Oh.” Deacon pressed his lips together hard as Tom’s teeth scraped back and his tongue followed the fold on his foreskin, pushing it back slowly. He could nearly feel the come rush from his balls at the same speed as the blood pounding through his veins. Tom must have sensed this, because when Deacon’s back arched, he intensified the suction nearly to the point of pain, his fingers digging in Deacon’s buttocks to keep him close. That sinful tongue and commanding mouth wringing Deacon’s orgasm from him.

Deacon gasped. Eyes blinded by momentous pressure that rose in him and threatened to take over his body. He heard a small satisfied sound from the man on his knees and that was it, the catalyst that sent him over the edge. Deacon shot his pleasure into the warm mouth compelling it thus, and flung his head back, mouth open in a silent cry, his legs supported only by Tom’s hands.

Deacon’s cock jerked a final time just as Tom swallowed around it and let it drop from his lips. His eyes still closed, he felt the pressure from Tom’s hand pushing him backwards towards the bed. One more step, and Deacon hit the bed with the back of his knees, which folded, ably helped by the push of Tom’s hand. Deacon felt the bed dip and a cautious tongue lick at the side of his throat until he moved his head to the side to give the man better access. He vaguely heard a chuckle, and answered it with a tilt of his lips. He had neither the command of his body nor the presence of mind to do any other.

He just needed a minute. Then he would explore the gorgeous body laid beside him and return the favor. Just one minute.

Buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Innocent-Auction-Victoria-Sue-ebook/dp/B019WV8IOW/ref=sr_1_1

Meet the author:

Has loved books for as long as she can remember. Books were always what pocket money went on and what usually Father Christmas brought. When she ran out of her kids’ adventure stories, she would go raid her mom’s. By the age of eight she was devouring classics like Little Women, and fell in love with love stories.

She especially loves writing gay romance because as far as she’s concerned the only thing better than one hot guy, is two of them.

Where to find the author:

www.victoriasue.com

@vickysuewrites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sue.kellett

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28236823-the-innocent-auction

Publisher: Victoria Sue

Cover Artist: Drawn2Designs


Tour Dates & Stops:

25-Jan

Jessie G. Books, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, MM Good Book Reviews, Parker Williams Louise Lyons

26-Jan

Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Elaine White, Kirsty Loves Books, Caraway Carter, BFD Book Blog

27-Jan

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Happily Ever Chapter, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Book Lovers 4Ever

28-Jan

Inked Rainbow Reads, Alpha Book Club, Love Bytes

29-Jan

Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Velvet Panic, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews

 

 

Giveaway

Enter to win the following giveaway.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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Its Country Love Time with Posy Robert’s Farm Fresh (character interview,excerpt and giveaway)

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Farm Fresh by Posy Roberts
Release Date: January 28, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Posy Roberts  sent Jude Garrity from her novel, Farm Fresh, in her place today to sit down for some questions. Welcome, Jude.  Help us get to know you a little better.

Jude Garrity

Q. What is your biggest fear?
I’m afraid of going too far and not knowing I’ve crossed some invisible boundary until it’s too late. See, I grew up in a very strict household where my parents essentially controlled everything about my day. Seriously, everything. They even tried to control how I thought and felt about stuff. It wasn’t until I left home that I realized I had to draw my own lines in the sand and figure out my own morals rather than trying to filter my world through their messed up way of thinking. I’m still working on that.

Q. What is your most prized possession?
I don’t have many possessions. They all fit in my car when I moved to Kaleidoscope Gardens, and I drive a tiny hybrid. Maybe my guitar. But really, the most important thing to me isn’t tangible. It’s my freedom to be who I want to be.


Q. What do you enjoy doing on your day off?
There aren’t many days off now that I live on the commune, and I really like it that way. I’m trying to finish my degree in environmental engineering, so I’m currently swamped. But if I could do anything for an entire day, I’d want to spend my time with Hudson, maybe walking around the commune, working on little projects here and there, and taking some time out to get down and dirty. I just want to spend time with him on the farm, to be honest.


Q. Your best childhood memory?
I grew up on a diary farm, and one year I got to bottle raise and calf, whose mom rejected her. I was homeschooled, so I did as much of my schoolwork outside with Clover as I could. It got me away from my parents, even if it did add a whole lot of chores onto my day for months. It was worth it.


Q Where do you hope to be in five years?
That’s a hard question. I got away from under the thumb of my parents only four years ago, and a lot has happened since. I’m truly just starting my life and figuring out who I am now that the commune has helped me loosen up. I’d like to be on the commune living with Hudson, Charlie, and Leo, but I’m not sure if I’ll feel the pull of graduate school or not. The commune fulfills most of my needs, but who knows about in five years. No matter what, I want to make a difference in the world. If I could keep working on environmental issues from the commune, I don’t see any reason to leave. Especially if Hudson’s still here. If he leaves, I’ll follow him.

Thanks, Jude.  That was terrific.  Now more about Farm Fresh…

Blurb

Jude Garrity visits the farmers market every Saturday. As an environmental engineering student, he’s curious about living off the grid and sustainable agriculture.

And one particular farmer.

Hudson Oliva has worked hard to support his commune, where queer people live without fear of harm or retribution. When Jude asks pointed questions about living there, Hudson realizes he needs to be honest about his home. Few people know what the farm is actually about, but Jude is insistent.

Jude moves to Kaleidoscope Gardens, however, his sexual hang-ups make it hard to adjust. He’s an uptight virgin living among people who have sex freely and with multiple partners. When Jude finally loosens up, Hudson is flooded with emotions. Falling for Jude wasn’t part of Hudson’s life plan. But when vindictive rumors about the commune begin to spread, love might be all he has left.

 

Pages or Words: 202 pages, 63,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Ménage/Poly, Romance

Excerpt

“You wanted to know where I’m from,” Hudson said. Jude nodded but remained tight-lipped. “I grew up north of Miami in a small city. I couldn’t wait to get out, so I tried to hitch a ride to Seattle. Didn’t get that far.”

“How far did you get?” Jude looked surprised as he asked, so Hudson reached out and pressed his palm to the center of Jude’s chest.

“About five miles away. I’ve been here ever since.”

“What made you run? I mean… maybe that’s too personal.”

Hudson coasted his hand over the slight swell of Jude’s pec and thumbed over his nipple, which stood at attention, pert and flushed, like his lips and cheeks. It was a good color on him.

“My parents sent me away to one of those ‘pray away the gay’ places, which obviously didn’t work, but it probably saved my life since my mom had to haul Papi off me when she told him why I needed to go there. He had so much pride, and having a gay son wasn’t something he could live with. It was as if me being gay made him gay. I was accosted by religion and hatred for who I was from that day until I left, so I became an expert at being secretive and learned to lie through my teeth while living with them. My eighteenth birthday Papi and I fought, and I ended up with another black eye. I packed a bag and snuck out of the house while they were sleeping.”

“Did they call the cops or anything?”

Hudson shook his head and knew his smile was pathetic. He still held hope he and his father could reconcile. He knew Papi would be proud of him and what he’d accomplished on the commune. “I left a note and eventually let them know my address, but in all the years, I’ve gotten one letter.”

“I’ve talked to my parents twice since I left, and both times left me feeling shredded inside.”

“I’m sorry.” Hudson scooted closer and pulled Jude into a tight embrace. The feel of Jude’s warm skin against his own had Hudson’s body responding in no time flat. He kissed Jude’s neck and the sharp line of his jaw. He thrust his fingers into Jude’s spun-gold hair and drew their mouths together.

Jude moved his lips, pressing chaste kisses to Hudson’s, and then he snaked his arm between their bodies. Jude splayed his fingers across Hudson’s chest and pushed him away. He hung his head, looking down at the mattress in what appeared to be shame.

Hudson took the sting out of the rejection by thumbing over Jude’s bottom lip, shiny with saliva. “You have a delectable mouth, like it’s made for kissing.”

Jude laughed. “So do you.” Then he bit his lip and made brief eye contact before scooting back a few inches.

Buy the book:

Amazon Universal link: myBook.to/FarmFresh

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Fresh-Naked-Organics-Book-ebook/dp/B01A2PHDPW/

Book Trailer:

 

Meet the author:

Posy Roberts writes about the realistic struggles of men looking for love. Whether her characters are family men, drag queens, or lonely men searching for connections, they all find a home in her stories.

Posy is married to a man who makes sure she doesn’t forget to eat or sleep. Her daughter, a budding author and dedicated Whovian, helps her come up with character names. When Posy’s not writing, she enjoys crafting, hiking, and singing spontaneously about the mundane, just to make normal seem more interesting.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

January 28, 2016

Parker Williams, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, KathyMac Reviews, A.M. Leibowitz, BFD Book Blog, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Gay Book Reviews, Jessie G. Books, Kirsty Loves Books, Nautical Star Books, Book Lovers 4Ever, Caraway Carter, Charley Descoteaux, V’s Reads, Mikky’s World of Books, Alpha Book Club

 

January 29, 2016

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, My Fiction Nook, Just Love Romance, Unquietly Me, Open Skye Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Kiki’s Kinky Picks, Happily Ever Chapter, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Louise Lyons, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, 3 Chicks After Dark, Inked Rainbow Reads

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Silver Scars’ or book of choice from Posy’s backlist.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.
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Its Greek Gods and Rock n Roll with ‘The Backup’ by Erica Kudisch (guest post and giveaway)

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The Backup by Erica Kudisch
Published by Riptide Publishing
Cover Artist Jay Aheer

Read An Excerpt/Buy It Here

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Erica Kudisch here today to talk about her latest novel, The Backup, along with the music and a touch of mythology.  Welcome, Erica.

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Hi all! Erica Kudisch here, promoting my debut novel THE BACKUP, queer urban fantasy with a side of myth and music. Thanks so much for keeping up with the blog tour! Be sure to swing by the other stops for awesome multimedia content and a $50 prize package giveaway!

Nik’s Latest Album: LAST AGAINST THE PRECIPICE

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Nicole Peterson of Inappropriately Adorable has graciously supplied the cover art for Nik’s new release!

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About The Backup

I’m supposed to be better than this. I’m supposed to have a tenure-track job teaching music history to undergrads, writing papers about Bach, and proving to kids like me that you can work your way out of Harlem. I’m not supposed to be following a rock star around the country, fetching his mail, making sure his groupies are of age.

I’m definitely not supposed to be sleeping with said rock star, who claims to be the Greek God Dionysus. At first I thought it was a load of crap. Nik’s fans might think his music captures their hearts—and souls—but I knew better. Until one of Nik’s orgiastic concerts gets out of hand and I don’t know which is worse: that he might be a god after all, or that he has a body count.

Nik doesn’t care what I want or what I should be. He wants to tear down the world I’ve built, warping all I am, until his music is all that’s left of me. I can’t let him do that. I shouldn’t believe in him. I’ve seen what happens to the people who believe in him.

But I can’t get his song out of my head.

About Erica Kudisch

Erica Kudisch lives, writes, sings, and often trips over things in New York City. When not in pursuit of about five different creative vocations, none of which pay her nearly enough, you can usually find her pontificating about dead gay video games, shopping for thigh-high socks, and making her beleaguered characters wait forty thousand words before they get in the sack.

In addition to publishing novellas and short stories as fantastika-focused alter-ego Kaye Chazan (What Aelister Found Here and The Ashkenazi Candidate, both available at Candlemark & Gleam) Erica is responsible for the BDSM musical Dogboy & Justine, and serves as creative director and co-founder of Treble Entendre Productions.

She also has issues with authority. And curses too fucking much.

Connect with Erica:

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The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of The Backup, Erica is giving away iTunes and Riptide credit totaling $50! Your first comment at each stop on this tour enters you in the drawing. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on January 30, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. Entries. Follow the tour for more opportunities to enter the giveaway! Don’t forget to leave your email or method of contact so Riptide can reach you if you win!

A Must Read Series Spotlight: Of Gods and Monsters: Hades (Of Gods and Monsters #2) by Wulf Francu Godgluck (excerpt and giveaway)

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Of Gods and Monsters: Hades (Of Gods and Monsters #2) by Wulf Francu Godgluck
Release Date: January 22, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Wulf Francu Godgluck
Cover Artist: Wulf Francu Godgluck

 

Blurb

******WARNING*******
This is not a story about a hero, or some bad boy-badass-antihero.
This is a love story between two monstrous villains and one valiant kid, held together by their entwined heartstrings.
It won’t be pretty.
It won’t be pleasant.
There’s no fluffy good feelings about it.
It will rip out your heart and never give it back.

Breno Hades el Oscuro took no bullshit from anyone. He ruled the crime world of the United States. When the King fell, what was left in the ashes was not the small boy that grew up without his father, not the same kid that chose a life of crime at seventeen, nor was it the King who had killed and clawed through a river of blood to stand at the top.

The King was dragged from his throne of bones into a deep dark pit, leaving only the raw flesh of a savage monster to crawl out of Hell.
One that knew love, but didn’t want it again.

Kemono Orochi was destined to inherit the legacy of his father, known as The Dragon’s Tongue. It was an inheritance he never wanted it, never desiring the power that came with the title of Dragon. Kemono ended it all by tearing off the Dragon’s head, watching the serpent’s remains be consumed in hellfire. Now tormented by the scars of his past inflicted by his father, he is struggling to come to terms with the Akuma he has become.

One that wants to devour everyone in his path to protect the only one that matters to him.

The only person that had ever made his icy heart beat.

His heart. His love. His beautiful pride.

Rex Hunter dreams of becoming a principal ballerino…all fierce, like a Phoenix. But this Phoenix has lost his wings and fallen prey, straight into the clutched claws and callus hands of two vicious beasts. Each bore the blackest of hearts, each desiring to keep him safe, cherished and loved unconditionally. Or was Rex just destined to be the goo that would stick two shattered souls together and prevent them from forever falling to pieces?

There will be blood, gore and nasty shit.

There will be watersports, crude, angry, sometimes sensual and other times just downright dirty and dysfunctional sex.

BUT…

There will always be LOVE…

Because even villains understand the tortured scars love leaves in her wake.

 

Pages or Words: 118,000 words
Book may be read as as standalone, but it is suggested you read both for the full story
Categories: Contemporary, Crimed Fiction, Erotica, Gay Fiction, Romance, Thriller

Excerpt

He knew Wendigo wouldn’t follow him into this place. Any club, lounge, brothel that even hinted at the use of whips and chains freaked the pup out. Wendigo wasn’t weak. What irked Hades was that this shit still had a grip over Wendigo’s life. That he’d never had a childhood, he never once knew what it was to be a kid, to be happy. It tore at Hades to still see that shit haunt Wendigo’s eyes. And the brother did deserve some happiness. But he would never get it as long as he held on to the past.

He looked up at the sight in front of him. The upgrade had sure been worth it. Max had long talked about giving the VIPs their own private lobby. Before, they’d had a separate entrance via a short hall leading straight into the White Room. Now it held one as large as the main entrance. Hades moved past the black marble counter and stepped into the White Room.

He peered around, the fireplaces were unlit, but the antique ceramic stoves were already going. The light was set too brightly, bouncing off all the white in the room. And Dios, his dick went hard behind his leathers ’cause that thought sent images jumping into his head of a little fire kitten sprawled out naked on the plush carpet in front of one of those fires. Light dappling over the pale flesh of Rex’s body while Hades explored—each and every cut, mold and curve the boy’s muscles made—with his fingers.

Dios, he needed to get a fireplace installed. Hades closed his eyes and clenched his fists, vibrating as the growl trembled his chest.

Don’t motherfuckin’ make plans for a future you know for fuck will never fuckin’ be. He shouldn’t be touching Rex, tasting him, not again. He knew he should walk away ’cause he would make that kid break and that Hades didn’t want to do. But hell, fuck, couldn’t he at least allow himself some happiness before he went?

Buy the book:

Meet the author:

They come to me in the night, creeping into my head. Their voices are all different, their stories all dissimilar, but they keep saying the same thing…

“Show us, tell us, bring us into your world, and make us known.”

Then I sit and they take over. They tell their tales of love, loss and sinister misfortune. Not all of them get a happy ending, but they are pleased when their part is written.

I sometimes find myself lost in my own mind; a world very similar to our own yet so different. Things don’t go bump in the night— they squeal and crawl under your skin, making you grind your teeth, and making your stomach turn over and putting your nerves on edge. Then there’s the drama. Oh, the drama!

Wulf Francú Godgluck hails from South Africa. His work is not for the faint-hearted! In his books you’ll find… all the beasties with their nasty claws and teeth, and some you didn’t even know existed.

But the monsters aren’t all real. Some live inside us. Who knows what he will make you discover about yourself, lurking in your heart, behind the closed walls in the deep, black recesses where no light penetrates? Wulf will steal your heart and never give it back. More than likely, he’ll pin it to the wall with a bobbypin and sit there sipping his tea while you writhe and squeal on the floor…

Where to find the author:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheWulfChronicles/?ref=hl

Twitter: @turboverse


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, KathyMac Reviews, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Good Book Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, The Hat Party, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Inked Rainbow Reads, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, BFD Book Blog, Happily Ever Chapter, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Unquietly Me, Book Lovers 4Ever, The Jena Wade, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Charley Descoteaux, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Molly Lolly, Alpha Book Club, the Twins: Talon ps & Princess so, 3 Chicks After Dark, Lee Brazil, Divine Magazine, My Fiction Nook

 

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 5 Star Recommended Story and Author

Final

Giveaway

 

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ‘Hades’ by Wulf Francu Godgluck.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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WillPride

Its Back to the Wonderful Urban Fantasy Series SoulShares with Rory Ni Coileain’s ‘Mantled In Mist’ (excerpt and giveaway)

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Mantled In Mist (SoulShares #6) by Rory Ni Coileain
Release Date: January 20, 2016

Goodreads Link:
Publisher: Riverdale Avenue Books
Cover Artist: Insatiable Designs

Blurb

Fiachra Dubhdara is a Fae living a stolen life, in a stolen body, and the newest detective on the D.C. Vice squad. Peri Katsura is the newest and hottest masseur at Lochlann Doran’s Big Boy Massage, inexplicably drawn to the gorgeous cop assigned to bust him. And the owner of Fiachra’s body has a plan to get it back – a plan that may cost Fiachra his SoulShare.

 

Pages or Words: 79,547 words
Series should be read in order
Categories: Erotica, Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Excerpt

The human’s laughter was completely unFae.

And it made everything perfect.

But then it faded. “Let me turn around.” Peri’s gaze dropped.

“Why do you —”

“Please.” He slid his legs off Fiachra’s shoulders, easing up onto his elbows. “Don’t treat me like something I’m not.”

Fiachra’s eyes narrowed. “Am I not allowed to treat you like a male whose smile I would give my left nut to see just because money changed hands?”

Peri stared.

“We agreed I’m not renting you, right? So I’ll do everything I can to make you pass out from pleasure if I fucking well feel like it.” Fiachra could feel his face flushing. Where is all of this coming from? Fae didn’t act like this. Didn’t feel like this.

Then he remembered Conall, looking at Josh. Cuinn and Rian, both of them Fae to the core, every breath either one took all wrapped up in the other.

Peri’s my SoulShare. Or I’m insane. And I don’t think I’m insane.

Buy the book:

Amazon | All Romance eBooks  | Riverdale Avenue Books

Meet the Author

Rory Ni Coileain has been writing almost as long as she’s been reading, and reading almost as long as she’s been talking. She majored in creative writing in college, back when Respectable Colleges didn’t offer such a major, so she designed it herself—being careful to ensure that she never had to take a class before nine in the morning or take a Hemingway survey course.

She graduated Phi Beta Kappa at the age of nineteen, sent off her first short story to an anthology being assembled by an author she idolized, received the kind of rejection letter that fuels decades of therapy, and found other things to do for the next thirty years or so, including nightclub singing, working as a volunteer lawyer for Gay Men’s Health Crisis, and studying ballet in New York City, until her stories grabbed her by the shirt collar and announced they were back.

Now she’s a legal editor, a soprano in her church choir and the St. Mark’s Cathedral Choral Society (unless they’re singing Mozart, because she’s decided that Mozart didn’t like second sopranos very much), the mother of a teenaged son and budding film-maker, and amanuensis to a host of Fae, Gille Dubh, and shapeshifters who are all anxious to tell their stories, and some of whom aren’t very good at waiting their turns.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops: January 22, 2016

Parker Williams, Open Skye Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Dawn’s Reading Nook, A.M. Leibowitz, BFD Book Blog, MM Good Book Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, Jessie G. Books, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Happily Ever Chapter, Multitasking Mommas, Charley Descoteaux, Divine Magazine, Molly Lolly, Mikky’s World of Books, Alpha Book Club, Velvet Panic

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of the first book of the series.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

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A Stella Review: THE UGLIEST SWEATER by Gillian St. Kevern

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

The Ugliest SweaterDan’s favourite festive sweater is so ugly, it’s cost him not one but three boyfriends and sent him back to his parents’ place for the third Christmas in a row. About to give up hope of ever having a Christmas date, Dan meets Jake, a hot guy with a rock and roll edge. Jake is infatuated with Dan’s sweater but vanishes before Dan can decide if Jake is for real or really in need of an eye-check. After all, no one has ever liked the sweater.

Dan’s sweater is rocketed to national attention, when Jake’s radio colleagues launch a hunt for the mystery man in the hideous jumper. Dan jumps at the chance to meet Jake again, and they hit it off in a big way, to the accompaniment of intimate gigs, exclusive clubs, and the paparazzi. Dan falls hard, but despite obvious mutual attraction, Jake refuses to take him back to his apartment. Is the relationship real – or a ratings stunt? After all, Jake has a reputation for cool that Dan, a lowly gym instructor, could never approach. Is a fondness for tacky Christmas clothing the only thing they have in common? Or does uber-cool Jake hide a Christmas secret of his own?

“Have you lost your goddamn mind?”

“That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?” Dan looked down at himself. “It’s only a sweater.”

Aston snorted. “That is ‘only a sweater’ the same way the Titanic was a bit of a wreck.”

Dan forced a laugh. “You can’t compare a sweater to an actual tragedy.”

“That sweater is an actual tragedy. Honestly, Dan. Have you gone blind?”

I honestly can say this story disappointed me a little, maybe my hopes were too high, because I fell in love with the gorgeous cover and then I read the blurb and thought The Ugliest Sweater could be original and sweet. What I got was a lovely reading with cute characters (main and secondary too) but nothing more. Even in stories so short, I need some characters’ background or just an epilogue to see where the relationship has gone after the first sex night together. While here I got none. As a matter of fact, the ending felt to me rushed and very unexpected, I turned page on my kindle and there was the author’s bio. It was frustating.

That said, if I try and forget about these things, I had a good holiday story, sweet and fluffy. I was looking for a light book because  I was coming from a heavy reads, and The Ugliest Sweater was perfect, it took my mind away from dark places and filled it with colors and gingerbread smells.

Plus the cover art by Aria Tan caught my attention at first sight. It’s super cute and adorable.

Sales Links:  NineStar Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 65 pages
Published December 14th 2015 by NineStar Press
isbn13 9781911153108
Edition Language English

 

Cover reveal for Dev Bentham’s ‘Whistle Blower’‏ (excerpt and giveaway)

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Whistle Blower by Dev Bentham
Release Date: February 5, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Catt Ford

Blurb

Money can’t buy happiness. Jacob Nussbaum knows this better than anyone. He’s a corporate lawyer deep inside a huge New York firm, where he works overtime, sacrifices any chance at a personal life, and has been selling his soul for years. With a secretary as his only friend, he trudges on, until his whole world is blown apart by a manila envelope of photos—evidence that one of the firm’s partners is the dirtiest lawyer in one hell of a filthy business.

In search of the truth, Jacob travels to a small northern Wisconsin fishing resort. There he meets Ben Anderson, a brutally lonely man, who knocks him off his feet. Ben prompts Jacob to reevaluate his life. He’s a dozen years older than Jacob, still recovering from the death of his long time love, and doesn’t want to leave anyone a widower. But a jaded New Yorker on a soul-searching mission might be just the man to convince the grieving Ben that it’s never too late to begin again.

 

Pages or Words: 214 pages
Categories: Contemporary, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt

Ben got waylaid by a bunch of little things, so it took him longer than he’d expected to get back to the dock for Nussbaum’s—Jacob’s rowing lesson. As Ben approached the dock, Jacob was facing away, staring out over the lake. Which was good, since he was naked except for a skim of bright red Lycra that barely covered his ass. And what an ass. What a body in general. It had been a long time since Ben had seen a muscular olive-skinned back on which dark hair grew in such fascinating patterns. Manny had a back like that. Ben had loved to run his tongue along the thin lines of fur along his lower back. Manny hadn’t been hairy, really, just never quite naked. Jacob had that same look, except he was younger, stronger, and better built.

Feeling uncomfortable with that comparison, Ben tore his eyes away from Jacob’s body. Aside from leaving him feeling unfaithful to Manny’s memory, this was neither the time nor the place and, in all probability, not the man to indulge that kind of fantasy. Ben cleared his throat, and Jacob turned around. Jesus. Who’d have thought under all those clothes, there’d be this—high definition, perfect tone, and all that gorgeous skin. Ben forced himself to meet Jacob’s eyes. He reached into the boathouse, pulled out one of the clean tee shirts he kept for changing after rowing, and handed it to Jacob.

“It’s easy to get sunburned out here.” For the love of God, he had to cover up the guy if he was going to teach him anything, other than…. He cleared his throat again. “The beginner scull is up here.” He walked back up the dock to the boat rack, yelling at himself the whole way for unprofessional thoughts.

As Ben uncovered the practice scull, he was hit by an unexpected wave of memory. Manny had bought it for him their first summer in the Northwoods. It had taken Ben two years to outgrow the added stability and another to decide to try Manny’s MAAS. He ran a finger over the fiberglass patch from when he’d run the boat into the shore. Manny, from his own scull twenty feet away, had admonished, “Never get in a fight with a rock. The rock always wins.”

From behind him, Jacob asked, “Need any help?”

Ben straightened and walked to the far side of the boat. “Get the stern, would you?”

Jacob picked up his side of the boat, and in a monkey-see-monkey-do motion, lifted it onto his shoulder. Ben turned around, settling the bow onto his left shoulder, and led the way back down to the dock. On three they flipped the scull into the water. Ben squatted beside the boat, pointing and describing the various parts until he felt comfortable enough in his role as teacher that he could glance over at Jacob, who knelt beside him. Jacob was focused on the boat, taking in Ben’s instructions. Ben exhaled. Jacob covered up and concentrating on the boat was easier to deal with than he was as a just-about-naked man basking in the sun at the end of the dock.

Ben noticed Jacob’s shoes for the first time. No shorts, no water shoes. Evidently Mr. Nussbaum had been expecting an entirely different resort vacation, probably involving mai tais on the beach and plenty of bikini-clad young women. If he tipped over in the scull, which he was going to do, everyone did when they were starting out, those shoes would take a long time to dry. Ben had an extra pair of water shoes. Maybe they’d fit.

“What size feet do you have?” he asked.

Jacob glanced up. “Ten. Why? Does it matter for the stirrups?”

Of course he wore tens, because otherwise the physical comparison wouldn’t be perfect. “Your shoes will be awkward as hell in the stirrups. You need something lighter and better in the water. Don’t worry. I’ve got some you can borrow.”

Jacob wouldn’t fit in Ben’s nine and a halfs, but Manny’s old tens were still where they’d always been, on the top shelf in the boathouse. Ben found them. He brushed off the dust and cobwebs. The shoes weren’t sacred, and it wasn’t disloyal to let Jacob wear them. They were just old water shoes with cracks in the soles. Ben grabbed a pair of oars and stepped back onto the dock, dropping the shoes by Jacob. “Try these. I’ll get the oars set up.”

Ben fixed each oar in its oarlock, concentrating hard so he wouldn’t have to watch another man put on Manny’s shoes. Then he set about teaching Jacob Nussbaum the rudiments of rowing.

Buy the book: Dreamspinner Press | B & N | Amazon | Kobo | ARe

 

 

Meet the Author:
Dev Bentham writes soulful m/m romance. Her characters are flawed and damaged adult men who may not even know what they are missing, but whose lives are transformed by true love.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, BFD Book Blog, KathyMac Reviews, Love Bytes, Bayou Book Junkie, Happily Ever Chapter, The Hat Party, The Jena Wade, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Charley Descoteaux, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, MM Good Book Reviews, Unquietly Me, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Gay Book Reviews, Making It Happen, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews, Molly Lolly, Alpha Book Club

Final for Dev Betham's Whistle Blower

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: A signed paperback copy of Nobody’s Home OR an ebook, reader’s choice, from Dev’s backlist which can be found at http://www.devbentham.com

 

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