Month: October 2015

Fairytale Love in SINDERS AND ASH–Excerpt Review & Giveaway

Sinder and Ash Blog Tour BannerHi there! Today I’m sharing my re view for SINDERS AND ASH, a contemporary retelling of Cinderella, with a M/M romance twist. You know I adore Tara Lain’s contemporary romances (Knight of Ocean Avenue and Knave of Broken Hearts) so I jumped at the chance to read this one!

Check out the sexy teaser below, and make sure to enter the $20 Amazon GC giveaway.

SindersAndAsh-400x600About the book:

Housekeeper Mark Sintorella (Sinders) works diligently at a resort hotel while designing clothes anonymously, hoping to get into fashion school. Then his carefully planned life is upended with the arrival of Ashford Armitage, son of the fifth richest man in America—and the most beautiful guy Mark has ever seen. Ash must find a wife or he’ll lose his grandfather’s inheritance, and he settles on Bitsy Fanderel. But secretly Ash is gay, and the guy who cleans the fireplaces sets his heart ablaze.

Further stirring the pot is the little elf of a man, Carstairs Pennymaker, who has Mark wearing his own designs and masquerading as a girl to impress the fashion investors in the hotel. When the clock strikes twelve, two beautiful princesses line up for the wedding—but one isn’t a woman. Will the slipper fit? Only Mr. Pennymaker knows for sure.

How about a sexy little taste?

Ash’s heart hammered. He cradled Mark’s face, his fingers overlapping the knit of the cap. Mark’s breath smelled like coconut, and his lips looked more delicious than the crème brûlée. Okay, be gentle. Don’t scare him. Gently he laid his lips against Mark’s. One second. Sweet. Two seconds. Exploration. Three seconds. Hot! Oh God, heat crept from that soft contact up to Ash’s head and straight down to his cock. Whoa. Down, boy. He pulled back. Needed more control.

Before he got an inch away, Mark grabbed his head and pulled him back until his tongue pressed like a hot intruder into Ash’s mouth. Oh yeah. Ash slid his hands down Mark’s round butt and tugged him close. Hmmm.Got a nice moan on that one. Mark ate at Ash’s mouth, sucking in his lips. His tongue pressed deep. Wow. This guy was not kidding. Had Ash just thought he should go easy?

Mark pulled back a little and sipped at Ash’s lips, then ran his tongue over the bottom one. First outside and then… oh God, he slipped his tongue inside Ash’s lip and caressed that soft, sensitive skin.

Sweet Jesus, he couldn’t stand up. Ash leaned back hard against the counter, but he knew his knees were crumpling. Strong hands reached around and smoothed over his ass, and then a finger pressed against the crack of his butt like Mark was tracing the seam of the denim—up and down. Jesus, Ash’s cock throbbed. Too much blood in there. Too long since that cock had any exercise. He wanted to rip his pants down and let that finger do its business where it belonged.

Like Mark had read his mind, one hand moved to the front and began to unfasten the buttons on Ash’s fly. Shit, he couldn’t help it. His hips pushed forward, forcing his cock against that hand like a puppy looking for milk.

Mark murmured, “Yessss.” He undid the last button, slipped his hand into the top of Ash’s boxer briefs, and found the promised land.

Whoa! Slow down there boys! LOL. Having read that scene, I can tell you, it only heats up from there!

My Review:
This is a cute tale with creative use of the Cinderella trope. Mark Sintorella, “Sinders” is a housekeeper at a posh NY resort known for its privacy and discretion. Mark is a self-trained clothing designer and spends all his spare money and time sewing couture gowns for women, using himself as a model for patterning. Because Mark’s a man, he’s often given the unwelcome task of cleaning the many fireplaces that decorate the hotel. He’s versatile, however,  (yes, pun intended) in that he also works as a server in the dining room when they are short-staffed. Enter a funny little man, Carstairs Pennymaker, who assures Mark that his androgynous physique and face are the ticket to getting his designs noticed, and Pennymaker promises to introduce Mark to prominent fashion designers. Only, when he does so, Mark is identified as “Mariel,” Pennymaker’s “niece.”
Graphic Teaser 1v2 - Sinders and AshMark’s caught up in the hubbub surrounding the arrival of billionaire Ashton Armitage and his impending wedding.

Problem? Ash isn’t engaged.

Nope, not engaged and not even interested in getting married. However, Ash has two weeks to find a spouse or risk losing his trust fund. His grandfather had written a clause into the trust mandating Ash be married by his 25th birthday or his entire trust would be liquidated and given to charity. Ash is the typical playboy, without any of the scandal. He’s got a prime education, but never worked, and he’s a closeted gay man. He’s considering making an ‘arrangement’ with a suitable woman. one who would understand he has no sexual interest in her, and would be a good companion for the ten years the trust proscribes his marriage must last.

Graphic Teaser 3 - Sinders and AshWhile staying in the posh hotel, Ash meets two women, Bitsy, who has no desire to marry him, and Mariel, niece of Mr. Pennymaker. While he’s intrigued by Bitsy, and is sure he could get along with her, Mariel turns him on. And, well, that’s NEVER happened. He’s not sure if Mariel is Pennymaker’s niece, or “piece,” but he wants to know her better. And, finding out that Mariel is Mark is only more appealing.

I liked the fast-paced transitions in this story. We have several points of view, mostly Mark’s but also Ash and even Ash’s BFF Ronnie, who has her eyes on the voluptuous Bitsy.

There are some good mis-directions, here, and a couple indecent proposals. I was glad there was so much candor, actually. I didn’t want to hate any of the characters for being liars, and I didn’t have to. As this is a M/M romance expect Mark and Ash to get to together. And expect it to be sexysexy. The whole drag thing, Mark/Mariel was a little campy and also a little rom-com-y, and I was reminded that this is more of a romantic comedy than a gritty romance. There are preposterous stakes, marrying in two weeks to receive a trust, and an equally preposterous wedding scene, which (after a big switcheroo) was something actually totally endearing when I read it.

I liked Ash and wanted him to grow up, which he did. I thought he was a little clueless regarding the clauses of his trust agreement, but that only made him seem more romantic and lovable for being willing to toss it all away. Mark is a good sport about a lot of stuff, and I was glad to see that his hard labor was appropriately rewarded. Plus, who doesn’t love androgynous fashion models and kitchen sex? Answer: Nobody.

Interested? You can find SINDERS AND ASH on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card.
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her best­selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft.

She lives with her soul­mate husband and her soul­mate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!

You can find Tara at:

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Super Heroes? Not So Fast My Friends! Reviews & Giveaway!

Superheores banner
Hi there! Today I’m reviewing two novellas about men with superpowers. Or, are they? In FLYBOY’S FIRST MIADVENTURE we learn this hero can fly. Sorta. Mostly he excels at crash landings. And CC, A MAN OF UNUSUAL TALENT? Well, ain’t nobody gonna believe what he can do. At least he’s sweet. These two “average Miltons” star in their own romances, and I had a fun time reading their misadventures.

Don’t forget to scroll down and enter the gift card giveaway!

Man of Unusual Talent_1400About the books:
A MAN OF UNUSUAL TALENT:
Collin Crane is a man of unusual talent. Really unusual. Too weird for the Guinness Book unusual. On the fifty-year plan to a doctoral degree in physics, and a quiet quest to understand his own oddities, Collin clings to obscurity. This superhero has learned the hard way that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Enter Mathias Giraud, football hero, local cop, and CC’s secret fantasy since high school. Mat’s a simple man with a hero complex fostered by comic books and Marvel movies. Saving the world is his fantasy, but since his roots are firmly planted in Morrisonville and reality, he’ll settle for protecting and serving. Until he clashes with CC at the local convenience store and is reminded of his own high school crush.

When marshmallows are involved, the course of true love is bound to get sticky.

A delicious nibble…

Mathias squirmed on the seat. Had to piss. He cast a glance at his partner. Dillon was such a hard-nose. “Hey…how about you pull into that gas station over there? I got to take a leak.”

Dillon’s lip curled, but he swung the patrol car into the convenience store parking lot. “I told you not to get the grande coffee at Mabel’s. Good thing it’s dead tonight.”

“Want anything while I’m in there?” Mat paused with his hand on the door latch, cocking his head at Dillon. Guy wasn’t so bad…just a walking encyclopedia of procedure and a nitpicker. He gave out more jaywalking and broken taillight tickets than any cop on the force.

“No eating in the squad car.” Dillon turned to face him, lips narrow and tight, radiating disapproval.

“You know…if you weren’t my brother…” Mat shoved the door open with unnecessary force. The captain was punishing him…all because he’d missed last Sunday’s dinner with the family. Well, Pop should learn to separate work from personal. Riding with Dillon for a week was going to be torture. If Pop…Captain Giraud, head of Morrisonville’s twenty-five man police force…made good on his threat to force his grandsons to ride together for a month they’d be lucky if the both of them survived.

Shaking his head, Mat slammed the cruiser door as forcefully as he’d opened it. A poster on one of the convenience store’s huge plate glass windows boasted of sixty-four ounce sodas in refillable Hulk, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Thor cups. Mm. I need to go see that new movie. “I’m getting a soda,” he called over his shoulder to Dillon as he opened the door. “Can I get the restroom key?”

His gaze automatically surveyed the interior, noting it was deserted except for the cashier…a cute little guy named CC he vaguely remembered from high school…and two hoodie-wearing teens. “Everything okay tonight, CC?” he asked. Not that he expected a negative answer; it was just that Collin Crane looked a little freaked. The two kids weren’t any bigger than Collin and weren’t familiar to Mat, so he figured they weren’t troublemakers. Generally he’d had dealings with most of the town’s rowdy teens.

“Yeah, fine, these two were just getting gas. Thanks for coming in, fellas.” CC stepped back, grabbed the restroom key off the hook, and tossed it to Mat.

Mat caught the keys, watching the boys leave without speaking. “Seriously, CC. Those kids giving you trouble? I can talk to them.” Something about the smaller man…regret probably, for ignoring the way the kid was bullied in high school…made him feel a little protective. It was weird, but Mat had learned a lot since he’d turned his back on bullying when he was a kid. Then he’d thought it was enough that he didn’t participate when Jake and Thorn and the others messed with the younger kids. Now…social guilt? Whatever. He was a better person at thirty than he had been at fifteen.

CC looked up, cheeks flushed a little, lower lip trembling. “No…it’s okay. They just wanted gas.”

“Okay. I’ve gotta go, but I want a Thor cup when I get back.” He nodded and walked toward the narrow hall lined with empty boxes which led to the restroom.

“You a fan of The Avengers?” CC called after him.

Mat paused and glanced back over his shoulder, letting his smile widen. “I’m a huge fan of Thor…that is one well put together man.” He was still chuckling over CC’s strangled response when he closed the restroom door.

My Review:

This is such a cute story. Really. Mat was a jock in high school, a football player and an all-around good ol’ boy. Collin “CC” Crane  was a waifish geek, and routinely harassed by the jocks, including Mat’s own cousin, until he pulled the town’s most epic prank–filling the boys bathroom, full, with marshmallows. Thing is, it wasn’t a prank, per se.

Mat’s returned to his hometown to work on the police force–just like all his family, even his ball-busting grandad–but he’s got a semi-secret. He’s gay. And, he’s attracted to the lean and graceful CC. Mat’s family knows his sexuality, but they’ve asked him to keep things quiet. Mat’s willing to risk a lot to spend time with the man who smells like sugar and kisses like nobody’s business. Cradling slender CC in his arms makes Mat feel like the hero he always dreamed of being.

For his part, CC’s sure Mat’s setting him up, or dating him is destined to become an EPIC mistake, but he can’t help wishing his high school crush fantasies are coming true. With his secret superpower just *itching* to reveal itself, CC’s at a loss to explain the sudden appearance of puffy deliciousness wherever he goes.

This is a sweet and tender tale, with a bit of steam and a cop on the warpath–when his boyfriend is in peril. I dug that the bully tried to make amends, and also that Mat was absolutely smitten with shy, sweet CC. I ate this novella up.

Interested? You can find A Man of Unusual Talent on Goodreads, Smashwords, AllRomance, and Amazon.

Flyboys First_1400FLYBOY’S FIRST MISADVENTURE:
Secrets? Oh yeah, Dean Wades has a doozy. When he goes up, he doesn’t necessarily come back down. Okay, that’s not true. Dean’s a master at falling, it’s the landing that could use improvement—a lot of improvement. After thirteen years of attempting to conquer this gravity defying mystery, he can no longer live with not knowing what he is anymore. So he heads cross-country to see the two people who just might be able to give him the answers he seeks…his folks.

Easygoing Gavin Trevor is always willing to help his family, even when they have ulterior motives…like forcing him to make up with his annoying older brother. When a simple task at his parent’s house puts him in a position of danger, he’ll need a lot more than luck to avoid a serious injury—he’ll need his very own superhero.

And the fates collide, well sort of. It may not be love at first sight—Gavin was unconscious in Dean’s arms for their initial introduction…but perhaps these two men can make it a relationship at first flight?

A threat against Gavin’s family throws a wrench in their plans, and while Dean gladly offers his amateur talent to help the mission, Gavin doesn’t want to put his rescuer’s life in jeopardy by risking exposure of the greatest secret ever.

This proves to be a rescue adventure for the books. Or is that a rescue misadventure?

A tasty morsel…

He attempted to roll the green-eyed man with the dreamy voice off him, but only succeeded in flipping them over so he was now stuck on top. What the fuck? He glanced down their bodies and noticed a cord of some kind wrapped repeatedly around their midsections and legs. No wonder his legs had stopped obeying him. A quick look up showed him numerous clothes line poles with no actual line attached to them.

Well, that was probably because it was all bound around their bodies…and tight too. In the middle of their airborne Cirque du Soleil auditions, their bodies managed to rearrange themselves so the clothesline wrapped them up in the missionary position. With them being damn near close to the same height they lined up quite perfectly with each other.

And that thought made Dean’s cock jump and want to do a few flying lessons of its own.

Dean saw the fog lift from his captive’s eyes as they narrowed with suspicion. His voice was steely this time, not whimsical and light with confusion. “What is happening?”

When all else failed, there was one surefire way to handle what appeared to be an unhandleable situation—channel his snarky best friend Tia.

So he put on a lopsided smile and shrugged as he tried to loosen their bonds somewhat. “You know how Mondays are…run out of coffee, get an extra dose of paperwork at the evil day job, end up in a neighbor’s backyard tied to a charming and well-meaning stranger…” He forced a chuckle out for good measure.

The man’s intense voice didn’t cut him any slack. “Today’s Sunday.”

My Review:
Oh the drama! This is a fun, but harrowing, tale of amateur heroes making a big ol’ mess and also saving the day.

Dean and his snarky BFF Tia are traveling to Florida to visit his parents and determine if they can help him with his dubious superpower. See, Dean can fly. Not well, mind, but he can fly. It’s landing that’s his problem. He falls. A lot.

En route to his folks’ retirement community home, Dean rescues Gavin, who had bashed his head on the gutter and was tumbling off a tall ladder to the cement sidewalk. In the process Dean revealed his secret flying skills and now he’s sure Gavin will blow his cover. Gavin, who’s got a bit of a hero complex due to his bossy cop of a big brother, has no problem blowing, ahem, something of Dean’s, but his cover it is not. Wink. Wink.

In usual big bro fashion, Gavin’s brother, Melvin, assumes that Gavin had been attacked when he sees the bloody gutter and overturned ladder. He stages a siege on Gavin’s life just when Gavin and Dean were getting much better acquainted.

This is a quick little short that seemed ultra-fluffy and took me in a whole different direction when Melvin gets caught in a bad situation and Gavin calls on Dean and Tia to help. Expect blood. And serious bad stuff going down. And domestic violence. And a dramatic rescue that is 87% crazy and 13% dumb luck.

I enjoyed this Most Excellent Misadventure, which seems to be the beginning of a possible series of books for Gavin and Dean. Yay! They are a cute couple and Tia and Melvin seem to be getting on like an Arizona brush fire. Hot and fierce.

Interested? You can find Flyboy’s First Misadventure on Goodreads, AllRomance, Smashwords, Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win one of TWO $10 gift card to AllRomance Ebooks.
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Meet the authors:
LEE BRAZIL
Somewhere in a small town in up-state New York are a librarian and a second grade teacher to whom I owe my life. That might be a touch dramatic, but it’s nevertheless one hundred percent true. Because they taught me the joy of reading, of escaping into worlds crafted of words. Have you ever been nine years old and sure of nothing so much as that you don’t belong? Looked at the world from behind glasses, and wondered why you don’t fit? Someone hands you a book, and then you turn the page and see… There you are, running from Injun Joe in a dark graveyard; there you are fencing with Athos; there you are…beneath the deep blue sea- marveling at exotic creatures with Captain Nemo.

I found myself between the pages of books, and that is why I write now. It’s why I taught English and literature for so many years, and it’s why my house contains more pounds of books than furniture.

If I’d had my way, I’d have been a fencer…or a starship captain, or a lawyer, or a detective solving crimes. But instead, I am a writer, and I’ve come to realize that’s the best thing in the world to be, because as a writer, I can be all those things and more. If I hadn’t learned to value the stories between the pages, who knows what would have happened? Certainly not college…teaching…or writing.

Where to find Lee online:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Newsletter

HAVAN FELLOWS:
I annoy, love, respect, scare, seduce, hurt, anger, infatuate, frustrate, flatter, envy, amuse and tolerate everyone. I just do it better in writing thanks to a little thing called…edits.

Okay no, seriously…I’m a simpleminded person who enjoys the escape from real life through a book. I write with the group Story Orgy and hope to continue doing so for a long time. I also am privileged to be with the Pulp Friction writers, creating intermingling books in a world all our own.

I recently took the drastic step of quitting my EDJ (evil day job) and am now living in the gorgeous desert in Arizona making a go at this writing stuff full time…and I can’t see me regretting this decision ever.

Just like every other red-blooded human—I get a little bouncy when I get mail (any kind too…email, comments, private messages…you wanna do it, do it with me *winks*). So feel free to drop me a line—whether it’s on my blog, twitter, Pinterest, or you track me down on FaceBook or Google +…it’s easy to catch someone who wants to be caught.

I specialize in writing boyxboy though I read almost everything…and I fancy myself as slightly funny every once in a while. 🙂

Find Havan online on her blog, Facebook Page, twitter, Pinterest.

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Double Cover Reveal for SAFETY IN NUMBERS–Excerpt & Giveaway!

SIN-BannerHi there! Today I’m sharing TWO covers for the upcoming contemporary M/M romance from Jessie G. SAFETY IN NUMBERS is the fifth book in the Sizzling Miami series. As you may remember, I adored FOR A REASON. While all these books feature recurrent characters, they can be fully enjoyed on their own.

Take a gander at these gorgeous covers, enjoy the excerpt and make sure to enter for a chance to win one of FIVE copies of SAFETY IN NUMBERS.

Front Cover Safety In Numbers - 400wBack Cover Safety In Numbers - 400w

OMG! *STUNNED*

About the book:
“Bros stick together no matter what.”
When Chris and Liam made that promise, they had no idea how important it would become or how it would be tested in the most brutal way. Nine years later, their bond cemented in blood, that relationship is all they have to hold on to.

“No matter what happens, this friendship will be the one constant we can count on.”
When Billy and Owen made that promise, they knew exactly how dangerous the world could be. They survived prison by protecting each other and they survived freedom by holding that promise sacred. Now they want more than just to survive and they want it from the brothers whose bond is as strong as their own.

“We are stronger together than we’ll ever be apart.”
When Owen reaches his breaking point, Chris jumps at the chance to make things right for all of them. With the future in their grasp, will they realize their strength is in their numbers and finally become the family they crave?

Author’s Note: This is NOT a foursome, but the story of two couples that needed to be told together.

How about a little taste?

That silence hid a lot from their friends, but Liam knew Chris was plagued with memories far worse than his. That’s why they decided not to celebrate alone this year. Billy and Owen were expected any minute and it was the first time they invited anyone to join them. The anniversary was bittersweet for them and they chose to celebrate it because becoming brothers meant that much to them. “Do you think they’ll find it stupid?”

Chris just shrugged as if it was no skin off his back what they thought and Liam knew that was just bravado. Fact was, they both very much cared what the two men thought. “Liar.”

His brother sighed and dropped his head back. As if shit wasn’t fucked up enough, they fell for two bastards just as fucked up as they were. “I know you’re worried about Owen. The business with Colin is growing out of their control and I’m not sure why he thinks it’s a good thing. Is he trying to prove something? And the middle of the night phone calls from the FTR? He’s looking more and more fragile every day.”

Liam knew he wasn’t stating anything new. What he didn’t know was what Chris intended to do about it. Lately, when it came to Owen, Chris conveyed zero intent and seemed to be waiting for Owen to read him as effortlessly as Liam did. Their brother bond had been forged through blood and he was afraid Chris’s expectations of Owen were unreasonable. “Do you see his face every time he thinks he’s failed to understand you? The weight of it is crushing.”

Instead of regret, all Liam saw was anger in Chris. It wasn’t a common emotion for Chris and Liam could name every time he saw it. The fact that Chris knew what he was capable of if provoked had made him extremely conscious of that emotion and he often went to great lengths to contain it.

Owen was the very definition of insecure. Just the type to inspire Chris’s protective instincts, which Liam knew for a fact Owen did. Hell, he inspired Liam’s protective instincts. Owen was stubborn though and he often distanced himself, keeping things bottled up until they manifested elsewhere. Like in panic attacks that felt like heart attacks, which he also tried to hide. Liam nearly lost it when they found out that Billy was keeping Owen’s secret.

Chris nodded slowly, as if he completely followed Liam’s train of thought and waited for him to connect the dots. And just like that, Liam understood. “You’re pissed because he doesn’t come to you when the panic sets in. That he hides it from you and they hide it from us.”

It made total sense, but he had to wonder if they were expecting too much. After all, they couldn’t call what was going on with either man a relationship. No, they were four fucked up bastards trying to come together in some romanticwhat? Not a foursome, eww…he loved Chris, but yeah, that just wasn’t happening. And Owen wasn’t his type any more than Billy was Chris’s type. But—always with the fucking buts, right?—what was happening was very definitely happening to the four of them, and Liam now had to wonder if that was the problem, because trying to come together was definitely not the same as being together.

Chris shook his head and shifted in his seat. No, he was right. It wasn’t just their brother bond that made it impossible to move forward as two separate couples. Billy and Owen had formed their own unique friendship in prison and were no more likely to move forward without the other one either. “Just once, couldn’t we have done something the easy way?”

The fire door banged open and Liam turned to see Billy and Owen, arms full of brightly wrapped packages, struggling to pull a huge cluster of balloons through the door. It was a shocking contrast to their dark thoughts and so uncharacteristically sweet of both men. Billy caught their surprised stare and yelled, “Is this where the party’s at?”

“It is now.” It might seem silly, but it was exactly what they needed and exactly who they needed it from. Maybe they hadn’t been expecting too much at all. Liam rose to give them a hand and glanced down to see the look of longing in Chris’s eyes and thought maybe it was time they all expected more.

Wow! I cannot wait to read this one. Look forward to my review in the coming weeks.

Interested?  SAFETY IN NUMBERS will release on Halloween, but you can pre-order it now on Amazon, AllRomance, and Kobo.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win one of FIVE copies of SAFETY IN NUMBERS.
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Meet the author:
Like many readers, the dream of being a writer has been with me a long time. After three decades of trying, I’d begun to doubt. Thanks to social media, I followed my favorite authors hoping to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half-formed ideas with alarming regularity. Two repetitive themes emerged: to be a great writer you must read a lot and your butt must be in the chair every day like it’s a job. The more you write, the easier it will be to write and the better you will be at writing. I took that advice to heart and write every day. With six published books to date, three series in the works and a full schedule of releases planned for the next two years, it’s been amazing to have made this dream my reality.

I am a firm believer in marriage equality, love at first sight, power dynamics and happily ever after. I’m a lover of strong secondary characters and series filled with families, biological or chosen. All are themes you’ll find throughout my books.

You can find Jessie G on these social media outlets:

Facebook | twitter | Pinterest | Tsu | Google+ | Ello | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Here Come the HAUNTED HOTTIES!

HH-BannerHi there! I couldn’t pass up the chance to get the word out on a new anthology for those who love LGBT stories and paranormal romance! HAUNTED HOTTIES is a collection of yummy sexy short stories sure to please.

hauntedhottiesv11400About the book:

This Halloween collection has a little something for everybody. With demons, ghosts, psychics, reapers, shifters, and witches… a rainbow of paranormal/supernatural is included.

In Nine-Tenths of the Law by Kiernan Kelly, Oliver discovers he has a haunted sex toy. In Bear Hugs by Laney Cairo, Martin’s boyfriend might be bear shifter and apparently that’s news to him. In Houdini’s Masquerade by Alex Cohen, when Lila meets a succubus, everything changes. In Præsidium by Katey Hawthorne, Thackeray needs helps from a witch who won’t help him until he explains his demon. In Black Cat by Jamie Jennings, when a cat shifter can see ghosts, Micah’s simple life suddenly isn’t. In Haunted Honeymoon by Aaron Michaels, Dylan and Jake seem to be sharing their non-honeymoon with a couple of ghosts.

In And the Tarot Cards Said by Jacey Mills, an insistent ghost shouldn’t be too much to handle for psychic Vassily and his Tarot-reading assistant Ben. In Spirit Wolf by L.J. Hamlin, when Dawson rescues an injured wolf shifter, it’s not just his book that gets worked on while getting back to nature. In Wet Nails by Shira Glassman, it’s not every day a glamorous ’50s actress comes out of a TV but lonely grad student Adina isn’t complaining. In Possessed by Love by Sheri Velarde, a storm trapping them together gives Andrew and Damian the chance they’ve been waiting for. In The Last Night by Kassandra Lea, Eric gets one night a year and he always picks one particular Halloween. In Molly by Mychael Black, Detectives Cameron and Chase discover the murderer plaguing their city is more sinister than they could have known and not entirely human.

Here is where I would normally feature a tidbit of the book, but alas, while I love to read steam, I don’t put #NSFW scenes on the blog. I can assure you, however, that the scene I read made me want to read on, and on, and on… 

Interested? You can find HAUNTED HOTTIES on Goodreads, Amazon and Torquere Press.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win an e-copy of HAUNTED HOTTIES.
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Good luck and keep reading my friends.

You can find out more about Torquere Books on the website, blog, Facebook, twitter and Pinterest.

 

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Second Chance Love For THE BOLLYWOOD BRIDE

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review for a newly released contemporary romance from bestselling author Sonali Dev. THE BOLLYWOOD BRIDE is a reconnection romance between two people whose lives went astray after their families got involved. It features Ria, a Bollywood star, and her forsaken love, Vik, meeting at the wedding of their mutual cousin Nik after a ten year separation. It is tender and torrid, and deals with mental illness and the Indian community.

The Bollywood BrideAbout the book:

Ria Parkar is Bollywood’s favorite Ice Princess–beautiful, poised, and scandal-proof–until one impulsive act threatens to expose her destructive past. Traveling home to Chicago for her cousin’s wedding offers a chance to diffuse the coming media storm and find solace in family, food, and outsized celebrations that are like one of her vibrant movies come to life. But it also means confronting Vikram Jathar.

Ria and Vikram spent childhood summers together, a world away from Ria’s exclusive boarding school in Mumbai. Their friendship grew seamlessly into love–until Ria made a shattering decision. As far as Vikram is concerned, Ria sold her soul for stardom and it’s taken him years to rebuild his life. But beneath his pent-up anger, their bond remains unchanged. And now, among those who know her best, Ria may find the courage to face the secrets she’s been guarding for everyone else’s benefit–and a chance to stop acting and start living.

Rich with details of modern Indian-American life, here is a warm, sexy, and witty story of love, family, and the difficult choices that arise in the name of both.

My Review:
I really enjoyed many aspects of this second-chance romance.

Ria is a Bollywood star, with a reputation as an Ice Princess. She has no trysts, and only a few skeletons–a casting couch issue and her clinically insane mother who beat her near to death as a child and killed her father after setting their home on fire. The press hounds her and catches her in a compromising position on her balcony–but her manager has it handled…for now.

In the meantime Ria’s cousin Nikhal is getting married and she’s being summoned back the the only real home she ever knew: her aunt and uncle’s house in suburban Chicago. Problem? Nik’s other cousin, Vikram, will surely be there. And Ria and Vik had a bold love affair ten years ago that ended REALLY REALLY badly. Ria hurt Vik super, duper bad (it was for his own good!!!) and he’s not likely to let that go.

First, and foremost, I loved the Indian cultural aspects–from tumultuous Mumbai to the Chicagoland settings. The relationships were delightfully depicted. All the auntie’s and uncle’s weighing in on the proceedings. All the families of their community being so close-knit is an accurate representation of first-gen immigrants here in Chicagotown. I’ve had many experiences with the Indian community (even dated a young Indian man as a girl) and they are a lively and loving group. Be prepared to lose track of the accessory characters…there are many and they all have actual names and nicknames.

Second, I loved how loving this part of Ria’s family is. Everyone embraces everyone else with open arms. Nik’s fiance is Chinese, but she is so captivated by Nik’s family that she plans a proper Hindu wedding. Ria’s expertise (having been a bride in about 20 Bollywood films) is indispensable and welcomed.

It’s not all sunshine and samosas, however. Vik’s absolutely furious with Ria, still, after ten years. He lost his youthful heart to her, and it set his whole life off course, in his parents’ opinions.

Anywho, Ria’s a big celebrity in the Chicago Indian community, and she’s aloof but gracious, as always. Inside, she’s a wreck. She’s still gone over Vik, who’s a Class A Jackass to her and his current girlfriend. I get that he’s had it rough, but I half expected him to demand sati over the pyre of his broken heart. He’s ice-cold, then luke warm, then cold, then burning hot, and it’s a lot to take in. Especially for Ria who’s not sure she’s altogether there, mentally. Remember, her mom’s crazytown, and everyone said she was normal until she gave birth. And the same was said about her maternal grandmother. Ria “comes from insanity” so she can never be a true partner to anyone, least of all her beloved Vik.

I think the ending was spectacular. And I was so glad that there was some happiness for Ria, and for Vik (though this was less of a priority for me). By the end I didn’t dislike Vik anymore, and I really, really liked Ria. I know she’s supposed to be hesitant, and second-guessing due to her fears of insanity, but it got to be a little much. She clearly drove herself to obsessive-compulsive behaviors in her contemplation of her mental health. Which, was NOT GOOD.

That said, I loved the culture, I loved the family, and I liked the romance, which heated up quite nicely. I wanted more likable main characters, but I got human ones with reasonable frailties instead, and that’s pretty okay, too.

Interested? You can find THE BOLLYWOOD BRIDE on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Also in libraries and discount booksellers like Target, Walmart, etc. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

About the Author:

Sonali Dev’s first literary work was a play about mistaken identities performed at her neighborhood Diwali extravaganza in Mumbai. She was eight years old. Despite this early success, Sonali spent the next few decades getting degrees in architecture and written communication, migrating across the globe, and starting a family while writing for magazines and websites. With the advent of her first gray hair her mad love for telling stories returned full force, and she now combines it with her insights into Indian culture to conjure up stories that make a mad tangle with her life as supermom, domestic goddess, and world traveler.

Sonali lives in the Chicago suburbs with her very patient and often amused husband and two teens who demand both patience and humor, and the world’s most perfect dog.

You can find Sonali online on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends.

Finding Love in the ETERNAL CIRCLE–Excerpt & Giveaway

EC-BannerHi there! Today I’m spreading the word on a newly released menage, polyamorous shifter romance by Victoria Sue. ETERNAL CIRCLE is sure to be a combination of steam, schemes and action.

Check out the tasty tidbit below and make sure to enter the Amazon gift card giveaway. Oh, and how’s about that cover? #Edible

Orion 3 (3)About the book:

How can you repair something that should have been unbreakable? Darric, Blaze and Conner had been together for centuries, and their bond, like their love, should have been eternal. Blaze is trying not only to hold his family together, but stop himself falling apart.

The fragile relationship between the werewolves and the humans is at risk once more, and the goddess Sirius seems to have deserted them. Inexplicable changes are taking place to their little omega, and whilst Aden’s powers are increasing, Conner seems to be losing his.

The terrorist group, The Winter Circle, is getting bolder and placing everyone in danger. Worse, there is a traitor among them, perhaps someone a lot closer than they want to admit. Just when Blaze thought the worst that could have happened is behind them, the traitor is revealed, and Blaze realizes that their circle is not only broken, but in danger of being irreparably torn apart.

How about a little taste?

It was stunning. Even though his vision was black and grey, the world looked sharper, cleaner. Aden felt the soft touch of Darric’s wolf in his mind, and felt the love swirl around him. The other, bigger, black Alpha- marked wolf stood beside him, Blaze’s massive head swinging cautiously to one side, scenting for possible danger. Always on the lookout, always in full-on protective mode. Aden whined and lowered himself down. Blaze was making him rest. Memories clawed at him, hurt, and he tried to push them away. This. This was when Aden felt truly, irrevocably free. As a wolf he wasn’t small and scarred. Pathetic, abused, and beaten.

He felt a nudge against his side. Blaze’s wolf came and stood close, gently brushed his snout along the grey fur on Aden’s round belly protectively. No, that wasn’t fair. He was none of those things now, even as a human. Aden tucked his paws under him and panted. He knew Blaze was urging him to go home. They had agreed on the advice of the doctor that this was the last time he would shift before the baby was born. He’d known it was a risk, and not something the she-wolves did at all, but this was when he felt the most connection to his lover.

This was the one time Darric had never died. The time before that beautiful body had been laid finally to rest and gone to Sirius. He knew Darric would be with Sirius until it was finally time for Aden to join him, and it wasn’t as if he was in a rush to die, but these moments as a wolf were all he had left of his silver-haired, beautiful mate, and he wanted to hold on for just a few seconds longer.

Sometimes Aden wanted to disappear in his wolf and never come back.

Interested? You can find ETERNAL CIRCLE on Goodreads, Amazon, AllRomance, Barnes & Noble and Bookstrand.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card.
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the author:
Victoria Sue 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’s still in love with them. Any size, any shape, any creature – love is love, no matter what it says on the box. In fact if they don’t fit very neatly into any box she loves them even more!

She has a very patient husband and three wonderful children. In 2010 in search of adventure they all moved from the UK to the US and are happily settled in Florida. Finally, after reading love stories for so long, she decided to write her own.

You can find Victoria online on Facebook and twitter. 

pride

He Needed To ASK AGAIN

ASK-AgainBannerHi there! Today I’m sharing the word about ASK AGAIN, a M/M second chance shifter romance releasing tomorrow from B.A. Tortuga. This is a novella that sounds a bit bittersweet, as Andy comes home to see his fated mate Levi, before Levi marries someone else. It’s got me wondering…

Check out the snippet below, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway, too!

askagain1400About the book:
Hearing that his ex-best friend is getting married might be the only thing that can lead Andy back to his wolf pack deep in the Colorado mountains. He’s a city wolf now, leaving behind the awkward, skinny teenage geek he was once upon a time. All he wants to do is see Levi one last time, and maybe lament what might have been between them if Levi had been brave enough to leave the pack with Andy all those years ago.

Levi has been a good soldier in his Alpha’s army, the second-in-command for several years. Seeing Andy again reminds Levi how he’s toed the line, and how all he’s gotten for it is a lonely life. He’s not sure why Andy came back, and at first he’s not even happy about it. Their need for each other runs deep and strong, though, and Levi has to wonder what he would do for Andy if the man would just ask him one more time.

How about a little taste?

Dad winked as Mom cackled from the kitchen. “So, really, why are you here?”

“Gran called and suddenly, I needed to come.”

Levi’s getting married, Andy. You should be here, stand up for him. His Levi. His mate. Getting married and settling down to start producing more wee pack members. The Alpha’s head enforcer, which Andy thought was odd, since enforcers usually didn’t allow distractions. He just wanted…

Shit, he wanted to prove that the runt of the litter had grown up, was as big of a stud as his brothers. Well, okay, no one was as ripped as Adam, but he was a throwback. Andy was totally hotter than Ashton.

“Here, let me get the trash can.” His dad gave him no satisfaction on the gossip.

“I’m going to make brisket for supper and an apple pie.” Mom stopped, pierced him with a look. “You are staying for supper, aren’t you?”

“I was thinking of staying for a few days, if that was okay.”

“Adam’s room is a nice guest place now,” Dad told him. “Knock yourself out.”

“Thanks.” Suddenly he felt freaked the fuck out. What was he doing here? Proving that he was a giant dipshit to the man he’d lusted after since he was fourteen?

Trying to prove that geek chic was in?

Christ.

Okay, first off, asshole, he told himself. No longer a geek. A hipster, sure, but a sexy one. Second, he was going to get his mom’s brisket. He’d have to Skype Ashton and gloat.

“You do have wireless, right, Dad?”

“Ashton had it and satellite installed. Said we had to move the pack out of the nineteenth century.” Dad rolled his eyes. “Me and Mom. Trendsetters.”

“Good deal.” Andy would bet the Alpha had the same or a better set up now, too. Did he even know the Alpha?

Huh.

He spent his full moons in his basement, not running with the pack. The pack had never fucking wanted his sorry ass, and he wanted nothing to do with them, but he was sure glad to see his folks.

“Come on out to the garage, son. I’ll show you the Mustang I’m working on. She was in terrible shape when I found her. It was enough to break your heart.”

“Yeah?” Andy kissed his mom’s cheek before heading outside. Dad did love his classic cars. That was one thing they had in common, so he might as well look.

His burning questions about Levi could wait until after supper, he supposed.

Hell, maybe he wouldn’t even ask them.

Interested?  You can find ASK AGAIN on Goodreads, Torquere Books, Amazon, and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

CLick on the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win a copy of ASK AGAIN.
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing porn sites in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife (still amazing to say that), Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has gone to the high desert mountains and fallen in love. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery ménages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

Find Ms Tortuga online on her website, blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and twitter.
pride

Dangerous Love Between THE SHEPHERD AND THE SOLICITOR-A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review for a new historical M/M romance from the writing team of Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon. THE SHEPHERD AND THE SOLICITOR is a slow-burning romance that develops between two people of completely different worlds. One is a cheeky London lawyer, and the other is a reclusive sheep farmer–who is likely the missing heir the lawyer was sent to find….

The Shepherd and the SolicitorAbout the book:
When a storm is brewing, taking shelter could be the most dangerous move of all.

One careless, public sign of affection cost Daniel Pierce’s lover his life at the hands of a hate-filled mob. Grief-stricken, Daniel retreated from society to a sheep farm in the wilds of the north. Years later, Gregory Tobin erupts into his solitary life.

Sent to confirm the existence—or the death—of the Pierce family’s lost heir, Tobin isn’t sure he’s found the right man. The gruff, shaggy hermit calling himself Jacob Bennet bears little resemblance to photographs of the younger Pierce. Tobin needs more time to study his quarry.

With lambing season in full swing, Daniel grudgingly admits he could use an extra hand. Through a long, exhausting night, they parry back and forth as Tobin probes closer and closer to the truth. And something beyond casual attraction simmers between them.

They come together in a crash of desire, but ultimately Daniel must overcome the terrors of the past to reconcile the man he was with the man he’s becoming—a man capable of loving again.

Warning: Many sexy encounters on a sheep farm—NO, not like THAT!—between two adult males with temperaments as different as night and day.

My Review:
This is a historical M/M romance about a reclusive sheep farmer, who may be a missing heir, and the solicitor who’s tasked with the job of finding him. It is set in 1880’s England.

Daniel Pierce saw his lover, Jacob, murdered by a mob when Jacob made one slight romantic overture in public. That was three years ago. Since then he fled London and changed his name. Jacob Bennet is a sheep farmer, and a recluse. He’s worked hard to hide himself away, but he’s not put his past away–only buried it under grueling hours of work.

Gregory Tobin knows exactly who he is: a conscientious solicitor with a moderate income and a lackluster life. He enjoys being sent to track down missing persons, and is good at cajoling them to come home. His most recent regular lover has caved to his family’s pressure to marry–and wants to keep Tobin as his “bit on the side” which is unappealing and appalling to Tobin. He’s glad for the opportunity to hunt the Pierce heir far away from London.

The adventure begins in Kentshire, with dubious leads and a spooked nag–who drops Tobin unceremoniously at the remote grazing field of Mr. Bennet. Being dusty and mucky and unwilling to walk the 8 mile return trip to the village, Tobin begs to stay one night; Bennet grudgingly agrees. It’s lambing season and he’s up to his elbows, quite literally, in sheep. Tobin’s enchanted with the vagaries of farm-life, and looking to ingratiate himself with Bennet, so he pitches in where he can. Tobin’s quite caught unawares regarding his interest–it’s such a different life from his own well-ordered, clean, natty-dressed existence. Under the wide night sky he feels able to breathe, in a way he hasn’t in a long time.

Over the course of a couple days, Bennet and Tobin exchange confidences–Tobin could see the changes in the young man he’d sought, buried beneath the ragged clothes and unkempt beard. Still, there’s an attraction brewing in the lambing shed. It’s an awakening for Bennet, who hasn’t had a man since Jacob was murdered–and never expected to want one again.

Dealing with his secret being out is not so easy, Daniel Pierce is a different man, now–one afraid of crowds and loud voices. Try as he might, Tobin coaxes and cajoles, with little budging on Pierce/Bennet’s part.

I liked how these two lonely souls found solace. That’s what Tobin offered Bennet, and that was what Bennet needed most. The end went a different direction than I expected, which was all to the good. Daniel Pierce restarted his life twice, and the second time was far better than the first. There’s a bit of heat, here. Not too much, but enough to build a bond and drive their growing affection forward. Tobin is a cheeky man–and this is both scary and fantastic to Pierce. The idea of openly loving a man is too dangerous, but their remote locale provides enough cover for their illicit acts. I love historical books which have a realistic depiction of clandestine love affairs. The resolution was excellent, for me. It’s the best kind of HEA in an environment where cohabitation is not feasible, but affection and love still thrive.

Interested? You can find THE SHEPHERD AND THE SOLICITOR on Goodreads, Samhain Publishing, Amazon, AllRomance and Barnes & Noble. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

About the Authors:

Summer Devon is the pen name writer Kate Rothwell often uses. Whether the characters are male or female, human or dragon, her books are always romance.

You can visit her on twitter or her facebook page, where there’s a sign up form for a newsletter (she’ll only send out newsletters when there’s a new Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell release and she will never ever sell your name to anyone).

Her blog is available here.

She also has a blog with Bonnie Dee, a frequent co-author. It’s mostly just announcements, but we might do good give-aways on occasion.

Bonnie Dee began telling stories as a child. Whenever there was a sleepover, she was the designated ghost tale teller. She still has a story printed on yellow legal paper in second grade about a ghost, a witch and a talking cat.

Writing childish stories for her own pleasure led to majoring in English at college. Like most English majors, she dreamed of writing a novel, but at that time in her life didn’t have the necessary focus and follow through. Then life happened. A husband and children occupied the next twenty years and it was only in 2000 that she began writing again.

Bonnie enjoys dabbling in many genres. You can find her online on her website, twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Out today THE ONE THAT I WANT–And a Cover Reveal!

The One That I Want Facebook Cover ArtHi there! Today I’m sharing my review of THE ONE THAT I WANT, a new contemporary M/M romance from RJ Jones. This book is a mix of musicals and men, which I can’t not love! Also, I’ve got the cover for the sequel, too!

TOTIW_Cover_RJJonesAbout the book:
Jason escapes into the magic of a Broadway play every weekend. Musicals always have a happy ending and for a few hours he can believe there’s a happy ending waiting for him, too. When the tall drink of water who works on the top floor of Jason’s building, wants to take him on a date, Jason is surprised. After all, Jason is awkward and skinny, and sees himself as a boring accountant, while Paul is tall, dark, and incredibly hot.

Despite Jason’s reservations, Paul and Jason start dating and attending the shows Jason adores. But if Paul likes musicals as much as Jason, why does he always doze off? Is Paul leading a double life? Does he have a wife tucked away somewhere?

Jason knows Paul is hiding something and when the secrets come out, Jason finds his fantasy comes to life, right there on the stage.

My Review:
Jason is a non-descript accountant working in a cube in NYC. Nothing special really, though, when he was disowned by his family after high school for coming out, he simply worked hard to educate himself and afford the small studio he now rents. He has recently noticed the growing attention he receives at the elevator bank by a gorgeous man in tailored suits. Paul, as he learns, works on the top floor of the high rise–for a marketing agency. Jason knows it’s too much to hope that his admiration is reciprocated. Likely that Paul would despise him, or worse: use him.

So, Jason decides to walk the three flights to his office everyday instead of bumping into Paul. And that’s when Paul gets creative!

This is a quick read with a cute romance. Jason is easily overwhelmed by attention, as attention has always meant trouble in his experience. Thing is, Paul is really persistent. He tracks Jason down, and fully demonstrates his earnest interest. This could have come off creepy, but it didn’t. They begin to build a rapport over work lunches and Broadway shows. And sexytimes…

Paul’s hiding a secret about himself that is beginning to wear on Jason. They can never go to Paul’s place, and he isn’t allowed to meet his family, and Jason suspects Paul’s married and he’s just a “closet bit on the side”…which is unappealing, but also not problematic enough for Jason to flee. He’s been affection-starved for too long, and vulnerable. Still, when Jason’s offended there ain’t nothing like his pullback.

I was glad this turned out positively. And, it was a sweet resolution. Especially as I got my GREASE fix handled. Yep, expect LaRPing, in the Broadway sense.

Interested? You can find THE ONE THAT I WANT on Wayward Ink Publishing, Amazon (US, UK, AU, and DE) and AllRomance.

Also, this is a quick read, but the author has a one-two punch planned: the sequel is due out very, very soon. (October 23rd!) Look at this cover and tell me a happy ending isn’t guaranteed!
HD_1000x1595
About HOPELESSLY DEVOTED:
One year on from Paul’s proposal, Jason is living a life he never dreamed of. As he fusses with his tie and readies to walk down the aisle, he reminisces about the previous twelve months. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the happy couple in the lead up to their wedding, with obstacles big and small thrown in their way.

Marrying one of New York’s most eligible bachelors has Jason’s stomach in knots. Expectations of their society wedding are high, but out of love for Paul, Jason goes along with the grand plans because he understands Paul’s family has a reputation to maintain. But Paul has a surprise up his sleeve that just may see Jason getting the wedding of his dreams.

Follow Jason on his journey as he prepares to marry one of the most eligible bachelors in New York and find out just how Dave the cat got his name.

You can pre-order HOPELESSLY DEVOTED on Wayward Ink, Amazon (US, UK, AU, and DE) and AllRomance.

About the author:
R.J. Jones started as a reader and eventually made the progression to reviewing. It wasn’t until two men popped into her thoughts, insisting on telling her their story that she started to write.

It started with one scene. A hot and dirty one in the shower…

R.J.’s initial thought was if she could write their scene then they’d shut up and allow her to concentrate on other aspects of her day. Not so. That shower scene ended up being 3000 words long and three hours of work. And still, they didn’t shut up. They told her their entire story and she didn’t sleep for days. Sometimes she couldn’t keep up with what they were telling her and she had to keep a notebook by her bed.

Whilst she was writing their story a side character decided he needed his story told too. Then other characters followed suit. You see the problem? If she ever wants to sleep again then she needs to write. R.J. is a wife and a mother to two boys. She is surrounded by males. Even her dog is a boy.

R.J. can be found online on her website, Facebook, twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

EyesOnBooks

Their Love is OTTER CHAOS–Review and Giveaway

OC-BannerHi there! Today I’m sharing my review for PD Singer’s new release, OTTER CHAOS. This is a super fun contemporary M/M shifter romance which features an otter shifter! In Colorado. Oh, the powder.

Except, there isn’t any powder, just conniving werewolves and one mixed up otter. I adored! Check out the excerpt and giveaway, too!

Otter ChaosAbout the book:

Lon Ewing snowboarded in and turned economist Corey Levigne’s life upside down, introducing him to a world he didn’t know existed. Corey’s still adjusting to a boyfriend who shifts into an otter and raids the koi pond—and now Lon says Corey’s department chair is a werewolf?

Wolves at the university, wolves in the bank—across Lon’s desk sits Professor Melvin Vadas and his hench-wolves, demanding a construction loan for the pack’s new lodge in the mountains. There’s just one little problem: the proposed building site is home to a breeding population of rare fish.

What do wolves care for stupid human rules, an otter who’d barely make a good snack, or one pesky human determined to protect the environment? Once they’re snout to snout with Corey and Lon, there’s more than silverscale dace on the Endangered Species List.

Includes Tail Slide, the short story that launched Otter Chaos.
Fresh powder snow and running water in the Colorado back country call Lon like the moon calls the wolves. Belly-sliding to a good time on the weekends makes up for a workweek at a desk, and meeting Corey adds a whole new level of fun to snowboarding.

It’s easy to slip away for time alone in the woods without raising suspicion, but how’s Lon to entertain himself when bad snow and a worse spill force them off the mountain too early?

Never give an otter a box of Cheerios.

How About a little taste?

Threading his way between the tables to reach the group, Corey intended to set the glass down on the small table in their center without interrupting the flow. Maybe he didn’t really need to steady himself on Lon’s shoulder, but it was a good excuse to touch his boyfriend, get a little squeeze and a promise for later in at the same time. “Bet you need to wet your whistle.”

Lon jerked up hard enough to jostle Corey’s arm. Brown liquid slopped over the rim of the glass. At least it missed Lon’s instrument, but what—?

“No. Sorry. But no.” Lon twisted under the strap of his guitar. “We need to leave. Now.”

“Wha—?” Corey all but dropped the glass. “Why?”

“Now. Please.” Lon was up and sidling toward his guitar case.

Corey followed. What else could he do? The man who’d been gleefully leading fiddles and mandolins had cased his instrument and bolted out the side door. Lon barely waited on the porch of the old house turned brewpub, dashing to the passenger side of the RAV4 before Corey was quite outside in the chill spring night.

“Go, go, go,” Lon begged. “Quick.”

“Okay.” Corey tucked his long legs under the steering wheel and peeled out of the parking lot. “Want to explain the sudden need to be elsewhere?”

Lon’s knuckles practically glowed with their whiteness—if the armrest of the passenger seat breathed, Lon would have choked the life out of it three blocks back. “I smelled wolf.”

That again. “I did see Melvin come into the pub.” Corey aimed the truck toward south Boulder, because Lon had that trembly look where his dark brown hair and beard seemed to puff out bigger. Absolutely no reason to stress him, and every reason to take him home and pet him into exhausted, sweaty peace.

“Can you get a job at Harvard or Stanford or somewhere far, far away from CU?” Lon whimpered. “Or decide you don’t like me anymore?”

“No and no.” Corey gave his lover a stern look on the turn into the driveway. “I’m headed for tenure here and I love you. I don’t want to change either one of those things.” He pulled Lon across the console to plant a kiss in short, sleek, hair. “Let’s go look at the koi one last time, and then last one into bed is a rotten egg.”

“Rotten egg! Ick!” But Lon was diverted enough to scamper to the back yard, not too fast to be caught.

My Review:
This is a sweet and different M/M shifter romance.

Lon and Corey are newly coupled–just moved in together–and are working out all the kinks. As is normal for a new couple they need to figure out who’s gonna do the household chores, and how they’re going to manage car use and date night activities–but these “usual” issues are complicated by one simple fact: Lon is an otter shifter.

Every week he needs to spend some time in his otter form, 1-5 hours generally scratches that itch, while longer than 12 hours of otter fun has Lon lost in a haze between both worlds where the water is his best friend and all he wants to do is play. See, when he’s an otter, Lon’s really an otter–lost in his otterness. He hunts and behaves like and otter–even if it means eating the decorative koi he and Corey put into the pond out back, or shredding all the toilet paper rolls in the house.

In his human form, Lon’s a loan officer for a Boulder bank, and he’s not happy when a trio of werewolves appear at his desk for a loan to fund building the Full Moon Conservancy on forestry land. Lon knows that the property is part of the protected habitat of the silverscale dace, an endangered indigenous fish, and that’s part of why he declines to approve the loan–approval can only come after the environmental impact studies.

Some problems? Werewolves don’t like to be told no. Also, the alpha of the pack, Melvin, is Corey’s department chair at U-Colorado. He recognizes Lon’s scent on Corey, and that’s a whole new dimension of TMI. Lon fears that the werewolves will eradicate the dace from their property, or kill Corey, or himself, and takes some bold strokes to prevent that–little does he know the werewolves have a dastardly plan to get rid of the dace “naturally” with the help of a few hungry otters…

What I really enjoyed about this story is the in-depth characterization of Lon, and Corey. They both have to deal with the otterness of Lon, and Corey’s doing his darnedest without knowing truly how to help Lon. Because Lon’s pretty protective about the ins and outs of shifting. In some ways it seems that Lon doesn’t actually KNOW the answers to the questions Corey poses, because he’s a whole different being as an otter and this is not translatable. Like, there aren’t words much when he’s an otter. And, if he’s an otter for several hours Lon loses his ability to speak when he pulls his fur back.

As Lon deals with the werewolves, Corey tries his best, though it’s not good enough. Lingering effects of shifting threaten to pull Lon into otterness forever, and it’s all Corey can do to keep him on this side of the pelt. It was a great psychological story, and I loved the development of the relationship between them. Poor Lon, who loves the tasty koi! Poor Corey, who doesn’t know how to deal with a truly wild mate!

They are a great pair. The pace of the story, and the switching POV both hit the mark for me. I liked the sexytimes, and the emotional context for this couple felt right. They are still getting acquainted–they’ve only dated a couple of months, and the growing pains of coupledom had authenticity.

Also, baby otters!
Baby ottersSeriously, this book is filled with cute. I loved the short story, TAIL SLIDE which is part of the book, and gives up the skinny on how Lon and Corey met and fall, quite literally, for one another… D-lish!

Interested? You can find OTTER CHAOS on Goodreads, Amazon, AllRomance eBooks, Smashwords, Rocky Ridge Books, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.

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Good Luck and keep reading my friends!

About the author:
P.D. Singer lives in Colorado with her slightly bemused husband, two rowdy teenage boys, and thirty pounds of cats. She’s a big believer in research, first-hand if possible, so the reader can be quite certain PD has skied down a mountain face-first, been stepped on by rodeo horses, acquired a potato burn or two, and will never, ever, write a novel that includes sky-diving.

When not writing, playing her fiddle, or skiing, she can be found with a book in hand.

Catch Ms. Singer online on her website, email, Facebook, twitter, and Pinterest.

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