It’s Release Day for The Climb by Kirifox!

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Title: The Climb
Author: kirifox
Genre: gay romance, M/M, paranormal/supernatural
Length: short story

Synopsis

A hidden Rocky Mountain alpine meadow and glacial lake are an escape, a small personal paradise for Jessie. Climbing to the overview above camp, however, proves he does not know his sanctuary as well as he thought. How can a strange storm, a fog, and the scent of flowers change his worldview, and ultimately, his life?

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Buy Links

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Climb-kirifox-ebook/dp/B00UUE5J4S/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Climb-kirifox-ebook/dp/B00UUE5J4S/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Climb-kirifox-ebook/dp/B00UUE5J4S/
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/the-climb-by-kirifox/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-climb-kirifox/1121479586?ean=9781925222333
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theclimb-1766729-145.html

Excerpt

I pounded on the door with my fist, getting more and more upset, but no one answered. The cabin was solid and definitely there. No way could anyone have constructed this thing in the little time I was gone. I cracked the door open and peered inside; entering when I found it was empty. I discovered a few belongings, a pile of blankets, and tanned skins on the floor, and a handmade table and bench seat, with a couple of tin dishes and a large black pot near the open fireplace. Reaching toward the ashes, I could feel some warmth, so the fire hadn’t been out too long. Someone had to be close by.

The door slammed open. I jumped, ashamed to have been caught where I didn’t belong.

“What ya doin’ in my home? Who are ya?”

As I turned, I was stunned into silence. A well-built man stood silhouetted in the doorway. I couldn’t see his face, but his shoulders were broad, his bare forearms muscled, and he was holding an axe in front of him as if to ward off an enemy. Belatedly, I realized that enemy was me.

“Speak man! Who are ya?”

I shook my head, but couldn’t get my tongue unstuck. Holding my hands in front of me in the universal sign of surrender and peace, I prayed he wouldn’t start swinging until I could get my wits about me.

“Are you mute, boy? Can’t cha talk?”

“I-I can talk.” I stuttered.

“Whatcha doing here? You lost?”

Shaking my brain loose, still unable to see his face in the gloom of the cabin, I started to lower my hands when he motioned with the axe to keep them where they were.

“Listen, I don’t know what’s going on, but I woke up in a cave in the cliff and I was all alone. My friends are supposed to be right here, right now, and this cabin wasn’t here a few hours ago. If this is a prank, can we just get to the funny part and have a good laugh?”

About the author

kirifox-avikirifox is an accountant by day and a writer by nightóat least, when the muse allows!

She has been an archaeologist, a minister, and a salesperson in her past lives, moving from Ohio to Maine, and then to Colorado where she lives today. Her three kids, of the feline persuasion, love to sit on her keyboard and ëhelpí her write. Angel, Eagle, and Lotus think it is their duty to make sure ìmomî always has a tail in her water glass, a fuzzy mouse near her computer, and a lap full of love.

In her limited spare time she enjoys counted cross stitch, making jewelry from beads and found objects, building 1/12th scale miniature furniture, gourmet cooking and gardening, not necessarily in that order. Her Lego castle collection fills one wall of her library. She reads voraciously and has at least three books open at all times. She thinks eBooks are awesome, although nothing will ever replace the smell and feel of a print book.

Writing fills a creative need for kirifox. As a child she made up stories to amuse herself and her friends. Then life got in the way and more mundane chores filled her days, until she discovered fanfiction. Writing about her book and movie loves turned into an obsession, fueled by reviews, both good andÖless good. The friends she developed through her fanfiction reading and writing led kirifox to the belief she could write stories other people wanted to read. The only difference between her childhood writing and today is she types her stories into the computer rather than keeping steno pads and sketchbooks filled with messy handwriting and drawings. A small notebook still collects ideas, sentence fragments, and sketches in the middle of the night, or anytime a computer is not accessible.

She has two published short stories, both with Wayward Ink Publishing, and is working on two full length books.

kirifox can be found at:

Website: www.kirifox.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joann.fox.140

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kirifox01

A Mika Review: Young at Heart by Kay Ellis

Rating: 1 star out of 5 stars

Young at HeartDevon Alexander is a wealthy successful businessman. The world is his oyster. In his work life he is decisive and in control.

His private life is another matter.

There, he doesn’t know if he’s coming or going in his on-off relationship with Jesse Young, an unemployed aspiring model half his age.

Can Devon and Jesse overcome the obstacles and outside influences standing in their way? Can they leave behind their own fear and mistrust? Or will they be their own worst enemies?

Okay I think I have the right to be harsh when writing this review of Young at Heart by Kay Ellis. This is present day setting London. I don’t have a problem with their age at all. One was 40 and the other was 18. Fine when you are a legal adult, that’s your decision to deal with it. I HAD a big freaking issue when the “grown up” in this situation goes to pick up his boyfriend and finds him disheveled crying, alcohol on his breath and you don’t take him to emergency room. My biggest issue in reading this story was Jesse being “forced” because they don’t want to use the word rape doesn’t get any medical attention, mental attention. Like who are these people. Devon was dumb, naive, stupid for his age. He seriously should have known better. He’s a millionaire playboy who usually does background on all his boyfriends yet this one time you didn’t, and turns out he’s 18 instead of 20. You find out he’s been abused since he was 13 yrs old and then you turn around and have sex with him after one of these times because you couldn’t over power him to stop him. No protection throughout this book. It was disgusting. Your best friend forced himself on Jesse twice and you weren’t man enough to make him see that you didn’t want to be around.

Jesse is not an angel, if fact he does a lot of things that he shouldn’t have had to. He also goes from this bad boy, bad attitude domineering guy to a damn church mouse. I just can’t with this train wreck, oh and just make matters worse let’s throw a baby in the mix. The mystery kid came out of no where. So all in all this was not for me, the concept was okay. The delivery of it was not.

Cover Art by Jay’s Cover by Design. This is the only thing I really liked about this book. The cover was done nice and I liked it.

Sales Links: Wayward Ink Publishing   All Romance (ARe)   Amazon   Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 129 pages
Published March 6th 2015 by Wayward Ink Publishing
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url https://www.facebook.com/kay.ellis.79274

Love M/M Romance and Musicals? Here is An Anthology for You! Encore is Out!

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Synopsis

An anthology about musicals with a twist.

Who can resist a musical?

We at Wayward Ink certainly can’t!

Boys and Girls, go don your tux. Slink into your gown. Strap on your heels. Dust off that tiara and wrap yourselves in a feather boa!

Come celebrate the extravaganza with us!

Waltz through ten short stories inspired by some of the worldís most popular musicals.

Book Trailer

 

Buy Links

***Buy your copy from the Wayward Ink Publishing website by the end of March and take advantage of the 25% discount on all WIP titles!

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Stories Include:

What’s Up Pussycat? by Louise Lyons

Heartbroken Finley fears heíll never recover from the loss of his lover, Andrew, who was a star of the Cats musical.

But then Finley has an ideaÖ

What if her were to take Andrew’s part in the musical and hopefully make his man proud?

Over The Rainbow  by Lily G. Blunt

Dorian has been cast as Dorothy in his schoolís production of The Wizard of Oz.

Like his character, Dorian is about to discover whether dreams really do come true.

Broadway Devils  by Eric Gober

A geek and his flashy rival . . .

A leading man they both love . . .

A starring role they both want . . .

Allís fair in love and Broadway.

May the best diva take it all!

Angel in the Wings by Asta Idonea

When handsome Phantom, Christopher Keane requests Marcus as his dresser, the action in the wings could be just as exciting as anything taking place on stage.

My South Pacific by Taylin Clavelli

British born Callum has given up on love.

Will he find it again among the Hawaiian reefs?

Or will there be more sharks?

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Enjoy The Show by Lisa A. Adams

Dylan Ruckerís online dating adventures landed him the perfect match.

When Mister Rightî stands him up at the dinner theater, Dylan wants to crawl home defeated.

But, the night is young

With an unexpected flirtation with the lead actor, Dylan must decide.

Hold out for his Mister Right?

Or, sit back and enjoy the show?

The One That I Want by  R.J. Jones

What, you don’t think Dannyís hot?

I prefer Kenickie. He can pin me against a wall anytime.

A Touch Glamour by Alina Popescu

Tudor has big plans for New York City.

Ditch his homophobic colleague. See a musical. Definitely check out the go-go boys.

Meeting one Phantom on Grindr wasnít in the script.

Tudor gets caught up in a whirlwind when his favorite musical character steps off the stage and into his life.

A Man Who Measures Up by Cecil Wilde

When you’re in musical theater, love is just a jump to the left and a step to the right.

A Night at the Opera by Vanessa Clark

Rick never cared for opera.

He thought opera singers were old, outdated, and fat.

That was until he met Giovanni, an opera singer whoís far from that!

No. Giovanni is statuesque, young, refreshing, and beautiful.

Giovanni opened Rickís mind to a new world, and Rickís first ever opera experience definitely wasnít going to be his last.

But little does Giovanni realize that Rick will open his mind to a new experience too!

Join Us for Release Day for Eric Gober’s Out of Order

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It’s Release Day for Out of Order by Eric Gober

Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing

Synopsis

After bombing a job interview, Trent wants to get to the airport and fly home. But high up in a San Francisco skyscraper, he stumbles upon Rob, an old crush who mysteriously vanished from his life. Little does Trent know he’s about to be broadsided. In a moment, Rob will make a startling confession, old feelings for him will reignite, and the city’s worst disaster in decades will erupt around them. Can the two survive the deadly shaking? Or will they perish in the shattered, blacked-out city?

*originally published in the Stranded anthology

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Book Details:

  • Author: Eric Gober
  • Length: short story
  • Genre: M/M, gay romance, contemporary

Buy links

Excerpt

Rob emerged from the hallway wearing an Oakland A’s baseball cap.

I didn’t know you were a baseball fan.

I’m not much of one, really, just supporting the home team. Iím going to a World Series party after our drinks.

You live in Oakland?

Yep. He came and stood very close to me and pointed. South of Calís clock tower, near Rockridge BART Station, so I take a train into the city for this project.

So many trees. It must be pretty there.

I like it.

Does Chris live with you?

He shook his head. We split up.

I’m sorry.

Me too.

Well, if you ask me, it’s Chrisís loss, not yours.

Trent, what I meant was I’m sorry I wasn’t completely honest with you in Arizona.î He looked at me as if I knew what he was talking about.

What do you mean?

Chris was my boyfriend, not girlfriend.

As I gazed into his handsome green eyes, comprehending his revelation, a crust around my heart ruptured, and feelings Iíd stored for him rippled through me. I felt the office sway as I tried to steady myself.

Then my knees buckled and everything shook.

Plate glass quavered. Lobby chairs lurched. Kaleidoscopic serigraphs rattled and fell off walls. Fluorescent light tubes popped from fixtures and shattered around us. A big beige computer monitor flew from the reception counter and exploded on the parquet floor.

Rob seized my arm and tugged me under the counter. The ground vibrated beneath my hands and knees, and the ceiling cracked so hard I feared it was caving and rubble from floors above would bury us. Something hissed, and I felt drops soaking my suit. I looked up. The fire sprinklers were on. Rob grabbed me and pulled me close, and I shut my eyes and nestled against him hard. If I were going to die, at least I’d be in the arms of someone I’d loved.

About the author

Eric’s fiction often explores complications and entanglements in romance. His debut novel, Secrets of the Other Side, won three Reader Views literary awards, including Best Fiction Book of the Year. Described by critics as an emotional journey of love, loss, and self discoveryî and ìan incredible coming-of-age story, the novel chronicles one gay youthís quest for love and happiness during the tumultuous eighties and nineties.

His short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, including Encore, A Likely Story, Stranded, First Time for Everything, and Best Gay Romance 2014. He earned his MFA in creative writing from Wichita State University.

Eric grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has lived in Arizona, Kansas, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Today he makes his home in Los Angeles, where he enjoys trail running, spending time with friends, and working on new short stories and his next novel.

Social links

Website: www.ericgober.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoberEric
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gobereric
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6964936.Eric_Gober

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Book Spotlight: Young at Heart by Kay Ellis (author interview and giveaway included)

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Kay Ellis has a new release for all to check out!  It’s Young At Heart, a M/M contemporary romance.  As part of the release celebration, we have a giveaway contest for all to enter.  Check out all the book and author details below and enter to  win!

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Title: Young at Heart by Kay Ellis
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
M/M Contemporary Romance novella

Now a Q & A with Kay  Ellis….

Q.I love the title, the song comes immediately into mind.  Do you listen to music as you write?

I think I had the title before the song came out so they copied me! I don’t tend to have music on while I write. More likely the television. I’m amazed at my ability to keep track of programs while barely glancing toward the tv!

Q.Ff so, what did you listen to as you wrote Young at Heart?

If I had been listening to music it would have been Adam Lambert, Garth Brooks, Bon Jovi or John Barrowman. Eclectic mix but they’re my regular choice of listening in the car.

Q.Were you a prolific reader as a child?

Most definitely. My mum says she doesn’t remember me learning to read. I just could. I remember going back to school after the summer holidays when I was in my early teens. The English teacher told the class to put up their hands if they had read one book in the holidays. Then two, three, four… She stopped at seven and asked me why I hadn’t put my hand up at all. I told her she hadn’t got to my number yet. For the record, it was thirteen!

Q.What childhood authors or/books made the greatest impact on you as a writer?

I think I probably always read above my age group so I don’t recall a particular childrens’ author I liked. I loved Louisa Alcott and The Little Women series though. I was a bit of a tomboy like Jo.

Q.What or who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

I hate to say it but I read Fifty Shades of Grey, and although I have always written stories from an early age, it was that book that gave me the confidence to write what I wanted to write and not be embarrassed or ashamed of writing sex scenes. A television programme ran a competition to find a new ‘racey’ author and I thought “I can do that.” I finished in the top three which gave me a bit of belief in myself and my writing.

Q There is a large age difference between the men in the relationship and that can be tricky to write.  Why include that element into your story?

My answer to that has to be – they are what they are! It’s hard to explain but usually my characters come in to my head fully formed before I ever get a word on the page.

Q.What was the inspiration behind making them generations apart in age and status?

Truth be told, Young At Heart started out as a relationship between a older woman and a younger man. It was basically flipping the whole rich man, innocent young woman which every one else seemed to be writing. I was told by a publisher my work was more sorted to a niche market and as I had just had a short story accepted by a m/m publisher I decided that must be my ‘niche’ and I changed the older character to a man.

Q. I know from past blogs and conversations, that readers (and some authors) have problems with switching a het romance over to a M/M romance without that being the original pairing to begin with. How do you respond to that?

I don’t have an issue with making the switch from HET to M/M. People are people. Gay, straight, black, white – we are all faced with the same problems. And it wasn’t simply that I went through and changed she to he, I changed some parts that didn’t work in the same way between two men. And Devon was one of my first gay characters from years ago. I never wrote his story but he was always a rich, older man in a relationship with someone much younger. I also think matching Jesse with Devon made Jesse a stronger character.

Q.  What’s next for Kay Ellis?

What’s next is whatever is finished first! I can have half a dozen different works in progress at anyone time and I always write which ever characters are shouting loudest in my head at the time. But the main two at the moment are the third book in my Evolin series and a kind of post-apocalyse tale of a mercenary sent out to kill a man who he ends up falling for once he finds him.

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Devon Alexander is a wealthy successful businessman. The world is his oyster. In his work life he is decisive and in control.

His private life is another matter.

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There, he doesn’t know if he’s coming or going in his on-off relationship with Jesse Young, an unemployed aspiring model half his age.

Can Devon and Jesse overcome the obstacles and outside influences standing in their way? Can they leave behind their own fear and mistrust? Or will they be their own worst enemies?

Genre: LGBTQ, MM, romance, gay romance

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

Devon pulled down his shirt and straightened his tie before bending to retrieve his underwear and trousers. Once dressed, he lifted his hands to his head, checking his hair. Vain, maybe, but he had an image to protect. All the while, he covertly watched Jesse tuck his rather impressive manhood into tight white boxer briefs and zip up the fly of his jeans. Jesse 
glanced up to catch Devon watching and a smug smile spread across his handsome face.

“Shit, did we even lock the door?” Devon asked suddenly, trying to remember if there had been time to turn the key in between Jesse walking into the office and them ending up sprawled half-naked across the desk. Emily, his personal assistant, was terribly efficient, but she was a shy, quiet girl and he hardly dared think what effect it would have on her if she saw 
Jesse in all his glory. “What if Emily had come in?”

“She wouldn’t have,” Jesse said confidently.

“Really? What makes you so sure?”

“I told her not to.”

Devon narrowed his eyes, not sure he liked the thought of Jesse giving orders to his staff. The last thing he needed was Jesse getting ideas above his station. Devon would be a laughingstock if his much-younger boyfriend started throwing his weight around like he was the one in charge.

“What did you say to her exactly?”

“I told her not to come in because I was going to fuck you hard over your desk,” Jesse replied with a smirk.
“I sincerely hope that’s meant to be a joke.”

Jesse looked at him, assessing his change of mood. There was a sudden gleam in Jesse’s velvet-brown eyes and Devon smothered a sigh, knowing he was about to be lied to. Such were the consequences of taking a man twenty years his junior as a lover. Jesse was Young in name and young in nature. Fortunately for both of them, his good looks and sexual prowess 
generally outweighed his immaturity.

“Of course it was a joke,” Jesse said, flashing his most disarming smile, the one that made women and quite a lot of men melt whenever they saw it. “You know I wouldn’t do anything like that, Dev.”

Dev. Nobody had ever called Devon that before Jesse. In the press and business life, he was Devon Alexander. To family and friends, plain old Devon. Only Jesse got away with calling him by the abbreviated form. Privately, he quite liked it when Jesse called him Dev, although recently he had come to realise the shortened version of his name was used most 
when Jesse either wanted something or was trying to wheedle his way into Devon’s good books after doing something wrong.

Sales Links:

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Giveaway

Prizes: 1 x $20 WIP Gift Card and 1 x ebook copy of Young at Heart.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by Eyes On Books Promotions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

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Kay Ellis lives in rural Oxfordshire in the UK, where sheís mum to two beautiful daughters. From an early age, she has written stories, with a sole readership of one ñ her mum, Sylvia. In 2013, someone suggested Kay enter a competition on national television to find a new ëracey readsí author. Much to Kayís surprise, she made it to the final three, and although she didnít win, the high praise received for her work gave her the confidence to start submitting to publishers.

When not writing, Kay enjoys reading, eating out and the theatre.

Social links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kay.ellis.79274

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KayEllisAuthor

In the Spotlight: Release Day for One Snowy Night by Louise Lyons

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 One Snowy Night by Louise Lyons
Publisher:  Wayward Ink Publishing
Release Date:  March 13, 2015

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 Spring may almost be here but we are bringing all of you one more winter’s tale.  It’s Release Day for Louise Lyon’s One Snowy Night!  Check out the synopsis and excerpt below.

Title: One Snowy Night
Author: Louise Lyons
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing 

Sales Links:   Amazon US    Amazon UK       Amazon AU   WIP      All Romance (ARe)    B&N

 

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STRW Author BookSynopsis

About One Snowy Night….

Main character, Keith Brambles, is an up and coming British singer. He has had one disastrous first date after another, finding most men are only interested because of who he is. After yet another failed meeting, he sets off for home, driving too fast for the conditions. He loses control of his car in the snow and finds himself stranded – with no mobile phone signal and an outfit completely unsuitable for braving the freezing conditions.

Just as Keith has begun to think he’s destined to spend a night in his car, possibly suffering from hypothermia, a potential rescuer arrives, but Keith wonders whether he might have more to fear from the man, than the weather.

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

“You’re Kent Brambles,” his rescuer said; a statement rather than a question.

Shit. “Uh…yes. Keith, actually. Kent’s just my…um…my…”

“Stage name?” The man grinned, but then grimaced a little.

“Yeah. I’m guessing my…uh…my music isn’t your cup of tea,” Keith said nervously.

“I’m into my rock and roll.” He smiled again and extended a large hand. “Mike Talbot.”

Surprised, Keith swapped hands with the cup of coffee, and slid his small, frozen hand into Mike’s big warm one. Mike gripped it firmly and gave it a brief shake, then let go.

“So what are you doing out here, driving in these conditions?” Mike asked.

“I…um…I went to meet a friend in Lincoln. It wasn’t snowing when I set off,” Keith replied.

“A friend? You mean a date?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s he doing letting you drive home in this shit? Couldn’t you stay over?” Mike’s brows furrowed, and Keith’s eyes widened. Appearances certainly could be deceptive. White Van Man, big, bearded, and apparently tattooed, didn’t seem to care that Keith was gay. Keith silently reprimanded himself for stereotyping his rescuer.

“Well…he…um…” He paused and shrugged. “It was a first date. He was only interested because of who I am.”

“That must be a pain in the ass. Do you get that a lot?” asked Mike.

“More often than not.”

“Maybe you’re looking in the wrong place, or for the wrong type of guy. You should try one who’s not into your music, and you might have better luck.” Mike grinned and winked.

 

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About Louise Lyons

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 eight, 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 Fan Fiction in her late twenties.

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.

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Social media links
Website: http://louiselyonsauthor.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louiselyonsauthor
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/louiselyons013

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A MelanieM Review: In Darkest Peru by Louise Lyons

Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5

In Darkest Peru coverRhys White’s life has take a sharp tumble.  His boyfriend of 5 years has dumped him and his employer just told him that her services are no longer needed. And although Rhys is sure that he can find another job as a computer programmer all his interviews to date have gotten him nothing.

Oddly enough it’s a stuffed animal given to Rhys as a gift that prompts Rhys to do something extraordinary and out of character for him. He buys a plane ticket to Peru.

Rhys’ adventure in Peru starts out well enough, but then disaster strikes. All of his belongings are stolen. Everything is gone—passport, wallet, phone, clothing, the lot.

Stranded in Cuzco, not too far from the famous Machu Picchu, Rhys tries to find someone to help him. He’s about to give up, when a sexy Brazilian named Rafael, comes to his rescue

I was excited to read In Darkest Peru by Louise Lyons for several reasons. One –  Lyons is a new author to me and I always enjoy finding new writers.  And secondly, the location, Peru, specifically Cuzco and the Inca Trail which is also a huge hook for me.  Unfortunately this book fell far short of my expectations.

The opening pages revealed that the author started off her story on a creative and endearing platform of an idea.  Are you familiar with Paddington Bear?  That wondrous bear of the enormous red hat and blue coat?  No?  Well, his story, a favorite childhood book for many (A Bear Called Paddington) starts out with a small bear who was a stowaway, traveling from “Darkest Peru” to the United Kingdom.  It seems that Rhys’ boyfriend had gifted him with a stuffed Paddington Bear whose gaze prompts Rhys to go off on an adventure of his own after being dumped.  And much like Paddington, Rhys might have just as well had a sign around his neck that reads “Please look after this boy.  Thank you,”  to borrow Paddington’s line.

See?  Right there, Lyons had me.  Rhys was a sympathetic believable human being and I wanted to know more about his story.  So far so good.  But then Rhys landed in Peru, that magical, inspiring land of the Incas and Rhys’s journey and story start to head off course.

If an author is going to use any exotic or foreign location as a setting for their story, then they need to make that place come alive…people, places, culture.  Make us believe that their characters are actually walking the land, and listening to the language and eating the local food.  But here?  Take away the names and the fact that the story states that Rhys flies to Peru, takes various transport here and there, you could relocate this story to Manchester or Liverpool or Kansas and it would give us as much local flavor.  Rhys visits a museum in Cuzco that he said he always wanted to see but other than the name we never find out why.  He flies over the famous  Nazca Lines in a plane and notes he’s disappointed it was over so fast.  Well, so are we because there’s no description of the Nazca Lines or what he sees or is feeling high above them.   That lack.. of physical descriptions, emotions, feelings and thoughts…its everywhere here. What descriptions to be had here are slight in length, shallow in layers, and altogether lacking in any believable content and authenticity. Rhys continually “tells” us where he is going and that maybe he is sweaty but not much else.  A few sentences that felt like plodding paragraphs and the famed Inca trail is done with.   What a wasted opportunity for Rhys and the reader to make Rhys feel a part of the ancient and mystical trail and great adventure it represents.

Basically, its all forgotten when Rhys gets robbed and rescued by another hiker, a man from Brazil who wants to be a guide.  But do we get any indication why (his name is already escapes me) wants to be a guide?  Does he bring any emotion or knowledge really of the trail and conditions they hike?  Nope, not to be found here either.  Let’s just say that much sex ensues and leave it at that.  Really the only reason it feels that Peru and the Inca Trail were used as settings as all was to enable Lyons to use that great idea at the beginning with the stuffed bear.

Now some will say “well, how about the romance?”  What romance?  There is no HEA or  HFN.  No, this is a vacation hookup story, albeit one that gives the main character a little bit more of a backbone that when he started.  The best thing about this story? That bit about the stuffed bear and Paddington’s connection to Peru. I only wish this story had lived up to that inventive and wonderful concept.

So if you are expecting love or romance, this story will leave you absolutely irritated at the lack thereof.  If you are expecting vivid descriptions and a feel for the country and ancient history, you won’t get that either.  If you want a book that makes Peru and its history and people come alive, pick up Ariel Tachna’s The Path.  It’s exemplary and you will feel you are walking those ancient arduous trails to a shining conclusion with its characters.  And if you want an endearing tale of adventure, look no further than A Bear Called Paddington.  Now’s there’s an adventure for you!

Not so here so I definitely recommend that you give this story a pass.  I will try another story from this author and see what promise I may find there.

 

Cover art by Jay’s Covers by Design.  Beautiful cover, one of my favorites this month.  I only wish the book had lived up to it.

Sales Links:  Wayward Ink Publishing     All Romance (ARe)    Amazon      Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 51 pages
Published February 13th 2015 by Wayward Ink Publishing
ASINB00SSCKT58
edition languageEnglish

New Book Alert! Young at Heart by Kay Ellis

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Young at Heart Synopsis

Devon Alexander is a wealthy successful businessman. The world is his oyster. In his work life he is decisive and in control.

His private life is another matter.

There, he doesnít know if heís coming or going in his on-off relationship with Jesse Young, an unemployed aspiring model half his age.

Can Devon and Jesse overcome the obstacles and outside influences standing in their way? Can they leave behind their own fear and mistrust? Or will they be their own worst enemies?

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Buy Links

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TE9XMRG
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TE9XMRG
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00TE9XMRG
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/young-at-heart-by-kay-ellis/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/young-at-heart-kay-ellis/1121199078?ean=9781925222340
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-youngatheart-1751435-149.html

Excerpt

GRADUALLY the harsh sound of ragged breathing abated; heart rates slowed; sweat cooled on skin. Devon Alexander shifted beneath his lover, twisting his head so he could see the clock on the wall. Ten minutes to his next meeting. What would his clients think if they could see him now? The CEO of Alexander Industriesótremendously rich and powerful businessman, well-known public figure, feared and respected alikeóbent over his desk, his trousers round his ankles, and a young Adonis buried balls-deep inside him. His clients knew he was gay, had no problem with it, but there was a limit to how much he could shove it in their faces.

Fucking in the office during work hours was risky at the best of times. Normally Devon was against it, but when Jesse showed up, looking all sexy and gorgeous, the temptation was too much. Once Jesse started whispering in his ear all the things he wanted to do, professional ethics went out the window. But, hey, Devon was the boss. If he couldnít fuck in the office when he felt like it, what good was being in charge?

Reluctantly he pushed himself upward and back in an attempt to dislodge Jesse, who groaned and wrapped his arms tightly around Devonís waist. Devon gasped in surprise, chuckling as Jesse began to harden again inside him.

ìWe donít have time for this,î he said sharply, sliding out from underneath the other man with difficulty, given Jesse seemed reluctant to let him go. ìI have a meeting.î

Devon pulled down his shirt and straightened his tie before bending to retrieve his underwear and trousers. Once dressed, he lifted his hands to his head, checking his hair. Vain, maybe, but he had an image to protect. All the while, he covertly watched Jesse tuck his rather impressive manhood into tight white boxer briefs and zip up the fly of his jeans. Jesse glanced up to catch Devon watching and a smug smile spread across his handsome face.

ìShit, did we even lock the door?î Devon asked suddenly, trying to remember if there had been time to turn the key in between Jesse walking into the office and them ending up sprawled half-naked across the desk. Emily, his personal assistant, was terribly efficient, but she was a shy, quiet girl and he hardly dared think what effect it would have on her if she saw Jesse in all his glory. ìWhat if Emily had come in?î

ìShe wouldnít have,î Jesse said confidently.

ìReally? What makes you so sure?î

ìI told her not to.î

About the author

Kay Ellis lives in rural Oxfordshire in the UK, where sheís mum to two beautiful daughters. From an early age, she has written stories, with a sole readership of one ñ her mum, Sylvia. In 2013, someone suggested Kay enter a competition on national television to find a new ëracey readsí author. Much to Kayís surprise, she made it to the final three, and although she didnít win, the high praise received for her work gave her the confidence to start submitting to publishers.

When not writing, Kay enjoys reading, eating out and the theatre.

Social links

Down Under Author Lily Velden

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Meet Lily Velden!

Give me fiction… Reality is overrated.

Lily Velden is the author of  Same Page, The Race Is On, Heart Knot Mine and other listed below.

Today Lily Velden author and owner of Wayward Ink Publishing  (a down under press) is guest blogging about a subject I’m fascinated with…book covers.  Be sure to check that out and leave us a few comments of your own on the subject!

Wayward Ink is helping to sponsor this event and has a special contest for all to enter…more about that later today.

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Author Bio 1

LILY VELDEN lives on the east coast of Australia, her family having emigrated from Holland when she was a child.
She’s both a left and right brain person, holding qualifications in both Finance and Fine Arts. She tells her friends that her way with numbers will make her a profitable artist and writer… one day.

Lily has always had a love of language and a beautifully crafted sentence, and admits to having a fetish for collecting quotes, poems, and song lyrics. What she won’t admit to is how many notebooks she’s filled with those quotes… Her fascination carries on into her artworks where she often incorporates text. When a shoulder injury slowed down her art practice she decided to explore her love of the written word more fully and began writing. “I’ll paint my pictures with words.”

Not that she’s abandoned artmaking in its entirety—Lily collaborates on the designs for all her book covers.
There are many things Lily loves, here are just a few of the PG rated ones: a good laugh (all the better if caused by a naughty joke), the smell of freshly baked goods and mown grass, a smile from a stranger, rainbows after the rain, and witnessing a promise kept.

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Author Contacts

You can contact/follow Lily Velden at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LilyVelden
Blog: http://lilyvelden.wordpress.com/
Tumblr: http://lilyvelden.tumblr.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lily.velden
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Author Books Stories Down Under1 copy

Lily Velden’s Books:

NOVELS / NOVELLAS:

Same Page - Front Cover 600x870SAME PAGE (Book 1: How The Light Gets In)- Dreamspinner Press

He was like the only splash of color in a black-and-white photograph.

The man was beautiful.

At an exhibition opening in Sydney, jaded Hollywood heartthrob Jaxon Moncrieff lays eyes on publicity-shy artist Liam Lassiter for the first time and is immediately captivated. But he doesn’t get far into their first conversation before he realizes what he’s feeling is attraction, which brings him up short. Jaxon has always been a womanizer.

Despite his reservations, Jaxon makes a play for Liam, but Liam has his own issues. Unlucky in love and orphaned at sixteen, he is reluctant to open his heart to anyone, and dismisses Jaxon out of hand.

Driven by a need he doesn’t understand, Jaxon organizes a return to Sydney to film his next project. If he can’t be with Liam, maybe they can be friends. Of course, that creates a whole new problem. Now Jaxon is falling in love for the first time. How can he move their relationship from friends to lovers without destroying the trust he’s worked so hard for?

TheRaceIsOn600x900THE RACE IS ON (Book 2: How The Light Gets In)-Dreamspinner Press

Hollywood heartthrob Jaxon Moncrieff and Liam Lassiter are finally on the same page: committed and in it for the long haul. Now they just have to prepare for the inevitable fallout when they reveal their relationship. Between Jaxon’s career and Liam’s need to prepare for a life in the limelight, they decide to wait until filming of Jaxon’s latest project has wrapped.

Unbeknownst to them, the relentless paparazzi photographer Rafael Cacciatore, aka the Hunter, notices a change in Jaxon and is determined to be the first to break the story of who has captured Jaxon Moncrieff’s heart. In the meantime, Liam and Jaxon have enough on their plate working out the not-so-little issue of how and when Jaxon will come out to his family. The paparazzi aren’t even on their radar. The race to out Jaxon is on, and Liam and Jaxon don’t even know it

HeartKnotMine_previewHEART KNOT MINE-Dreamspinner Press

Despite a successful college teaching career, Noah Daniels has become depressed. He feels he’s leading a monochromatic life: love has eluded him. When he’s offered a chance to teach in London as part of an exchange program, he accepts, hoping a change of scenery will do him good. But once he’s there, his outlook on love and sexuality changes in ways he never expected.

Robert Callinan is Noah’s English counterpart in the program. The men exchange not only their jobs, but also their homes, and it is what Noah stumbles across while staying at Robert’s house that sends him on a journey of self-discovery—both mentally and physically. A journey that puts color back into his life… just not in the way he expected. When the exchange program ends, Noah has to go home, but he doesn’t know if he wants to return to the life he left behind

Read an excerpt here.

Gay As Mardi Gras coverGAY AS MARDI GRAS (Novella)-Dreamspinner Press

After the demise of his relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Janey, Jesse needs to get away. His nan has just the thing: a month-long cruise around Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. It seems perfect—until Jesse realizes what kind of cruise it is.

A gay cruise.

Since Jesse’s roommate, Daniel, is recovering from a broken heart, the two decide to buddy up. They hit it off, and with Daniel now Jesse’s partner in crime, they explore the boat and participate in all the fun activities on offer—with some, ah, interesting results for straight boy Jesse.
Genre(s): Contemporary, Humor

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animal magnetism coverHunter or Hunted

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT STORIES IN THE FOLLOWING ANTHOLOGIES
STRIPPED BARE: Animal Magnetism Anthology (Dreamspinner Press)
WRITTEN IN THE STARS: Bollocks! Anthology (Wayward Ink Publishing)
LIFE ACCORDING TO BUDDY: Love, Loss, Laughter & Lust Anthology(Wayward Ink Publishing)
HUNTER OR HUNTED?: Love, Loss, Laughter & Lust Anthology(Wayward Ink Publishing)
DR. JUSTIN GAYLORD: A Likely Story Anthology (co-authored with Taylin Clavelli, Wayward Ink Publishing)

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Contests and Giveaways:

1. Today’s Giveaway (thank you, Lily Velden) is an eBook copy the reader’s choice of her books. Enter using this Rafflecopter link here. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

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Author Guest Blog

Lily Velden is guest blogging today about….

THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD COVER

Let me start by saying how close to my heart cover design is. I have loved the arts, pottering away at it since I was a child. In my late twenties I went back as a mature age student to gain a degree in Fine Arts and have been a practicing artist ever since. A smattering of samples of my work can be found on my website.STRANDED_preview

When I began writing for publication I decided that if it was at all possible, I’d design my own covers, so other than my first published short story in an anthology, that’s what I’ve done.

Wayward Ink is an Aussie publishing house and we like to think we’re easy to get along with, but when it comes to our covers we don’t go by the popular Aussie refrain ‘She’ll be right, mate.’. We realise how important good Cover Art is in assisting authors to market and promote their stories.

The cover is, after all, the first thing a potential reader will see of a book. People are visual—when the word dog is said, they aren’t picturing the letters D-O-G, but rather picturing their favorite pooch. A well-designed cover will entice a potential reader to pick up the book and read the blurb which in turn, if done well, will help encourage them to purchase the book.

Cover artists in the digital age are faced with a new challenge—the final cover must work both as a thumbnail on a website and as the cover of a paperback.AClosedDoor-preview

At Wayward Ink we believe that in order to design a fantastic cover the author’s input is essential—nobody knows their characters and the journey they go on better than the author. It’s important to us that the author be over-the-moon thrilled with their cover. As we say here in Australia, we’d like our covers to put a smile on their dial. In other words we want out authors to be happy, because a happy author is one who can’t wait to share.

Now about Wayward Ink Publishing’s contest:  

WAYWARD INK PRIZES: 3 x $25 gift cards (please let me know if you would like or require more sponsorship) We have paperbacks and gift packs we could do as well. Gift packs would contain: Novelty USB drive, USB extension cord, fridge magnet, 2 x pens, lip balm. (Happy to do these for the event and not just in WIP’s timeslot)

So how to enter?  Write a comment below on book covers, what you like, favorites ones, etc.  Make sure to add your email address in the body.  And use this Rafflecopter link below (different from the Lily Velden giveaway) to enter also:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 24 of STRW Down Under Showcase-Welcome, Lily Velden and our AUS/NZ Facts of the Day

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Welcome, Lily Velden

and

Wayward Ink Publications!

 

We’re closing in on our last week of our Down Under Author Showcase, and its been so rewarding to see readers discover new authors and books along the way. And we still have another week to go.  We are finishing out this week with author Lily Velden who is also the owner of Wayward Ink Publications, a Down Under press.

So in addition to all of Lily Velden’s wonderful books, check out Wayward Ink as well!  How can you not love a press that has an anthology called Bollocks! Wayward  Ink is offering up a wonderful contest for all to enter.  Look for the link for Wayward Press as well as the link to Lily Velden’s giveaway! Yes, two giveaways instead of one, plus the Down Under Scavenger Hunt word of the day!

AUS flag over countryNow on to our Australia and New Zealand Facts of the Day!

Australia Fact of the Day

Unusual and interesting facts about Australia include Australia’s only armed rebellion, the “Eureka Stockade” took place in the Ballarat Goldfields in 1854. The goldfield workers (known as ‘diggers’) were opposed to the government miners’ licences. The rebellion became a significant event in the reforming of unfair laws, the developing of democracy in Australia, and the formation of the Australian identity and a fundamental principle of Aussie ‘mateship’. The Anzac soldiers of World War 1 went on to adopt the term ‘diggers’ and Australian soldiers have been known as ‘diggers’ since.interesting-facts-eureka-rebellion

See more here!

What author gave us the recipe for Anzac biscuits? Do you remember?

 

 

kiwi and NZ countryNew Zealand’s Interesting Facts of the Day 

“Lord of the Rings” was filmed entirely in New Zealand.  It’s director?  Sir Peter Robert Jackson is a New Zealand film director, producer and screenwriter living in Wellingon, NZ.The Lord of the Rings

 

New Zealand is part of the Pacific Rim of Fire. Mount Ruapehu, situated in the middle of North Island, is the most active volcano on mainland.New Zealand Mountain