Bisexual

Very Undead Romances–MY ZOMBIE FIANCE and MY ZOMBIE CAT

Hi there! Today I’m helping to spread the word on two new books coming soon from T. Strange. I liked MY ZOMBIE BOYFRIEND, a novel I reviewed for Joyfully Jay and thought I’d recommend it, here. It’s quirky and sweet, the story of a Canadian medical student–who happens to be a necromancer–and how he resurrected Kit, a murdered man, and they fell in love. On July 13th, the sequel MY ZOMBIE FIANCE and the companion novella MY ZOMBIE CAT get released. They sound like fun!

My Zombie Fiancé (The Undead Canadian, #2)About MY ZOMBIE FIANCE:
Edward Grey is no stranger to the undead; since raising his cat as a zombie when he was a child, he and his mentor Mariel have explored and developed his power as a necromancer. Despite everything he’s learned, as a necromancer and a medical student, he’s never encountered a ghost.

While Mariel is unreachable in Haiti on mysterious business, a ghost wakes Edward in the middle of the night, claiming to be his grandfather. When the ghost offers to teach him about this different form of undeath, Edward has little choice but to trust the spirit.

After receiving a phone call from a young girl claiming her father is possessed, Edward and his Undead Canadian fiancé, Kit, must travel to an acreage in Kingston…Ontario.

The haunting proves far more complicated than Edward could ever have guessed, and he finds himself pitted against an ancient evil determined to engulf everyone on the farm.

Edward’s love and connection to Kit will be tested, and his necromancy stretched to his limits as he has to find—and destroy—a twisted spirit more powerful than anything he’s ever encountered.

A little taste…

“Edward, answer the phone.” In our hurry to undress so we could ‘get Kit to sleep’, my phone had ended up on Kit’s side of the bed. He passed it to me, narrowly avoiding smacking me in the face with it. Miraculously, it was still ringing.

“’lo?” I managed.

“Is this Edward?”

It was a little girl’s voice, I thought. I didn’t know many little girls, so I made my best guess.

“Tia? It’s the middle of the night; I can’t come over to play right now. Isn’t it way past your bedtime? Go to bed. Bed is nice.” I closed my eyes, almost dropping the phone when my hand relaxed.

My neighbor two houses down has a very precocious four-year-old niece. She likes to play actual doctor with me—nothing creepy! I’ve taught her a few basic stitches for fixing her toys and dolls, though I suspect she may damage them on purpose so she can practice with me. Whoops. I also let her use my stethoscope and a few other safe, child-friendly pieces of medical equipment. I’ve heard her tell her aunt she wants to go to uncle Edward’s house, so I also suspect at least part of the reason she visits her aunt is to see me.

“Who’s Tia? This is Sarah. Mariel said that I should call you if it happened again. It happened again.” There was an expectant pause.

I don’t know anyone named Sarah, never mind a young girl. “Mariel told you to…? In case what happened again?”

“My daddy’s possessed,” she said, very calmly and matter-of-factly.

I felt goosebumps prickle along my arms at the word. I knew precisely as much about demonic possession as anyone who’d watched The Exorcist, and I had no idea what had, well…possessed…Mariel to refer this girl to me for help. “What exactly did Mariel say?”

The girl, Sarah, sighed deeply. She probably thought I was pretty slow, and at the moment I couldn’t blame her. “She said, call Edward, he’ll know what to do.” She sounded impatient, but not frightened. Maybe her father was possessed by something more benign than a demon.

Mariel had told her I could help, so I would do my best. Even though it was 3 AM and I knew nothing about possession. “What’s your daddy possessed by?” Not words I ever thought would come out of my mouth.

“Mister Jenkins.”

Mister Jenkins. That didn’t sound very frightening. “And what does Mister Jenkins do while he’s possessing your father?” Had she named the…spirit? It sounded like something a child might come up with.

“Not very much. He makes breakfast.” She lowered her voice. “Mister Jenkins is a better cook than daddy.”

Not much of a haunting, if movies were anything to go by. I envisioned a comedy, sort of like Three Men and a Baby, but with a ghost. Besides the one apparently caught on tape when they’d filmed that movie, come to think of it. “Does he…scare you?”

She laughed, high-pitched and genuine. “No, silly! I like Mister Jenkins, but Mariel says it’s bad for daddy if he stays too long.”

This was one of the strangest conversations I’d ever had, and I’ve lived with Kit for more than a year. And I’d dated Bone. It was even stranger than my recent conversation with my grandfather. “Where do you live, Sarah?” If there was a way to do an exorcism-by-telephone, I didn’t know it. Not that I knew any kind of exorcism, but hopefully I had enough time to find a solution before Mister Jenkins…burned toast or something. Maybe I could come up with something if I was physically present.

“Kingston.”

I had to go to Jamaica? If Mariel was in Haiti, she was much closer. I didn’t know why she didn’t just pop over and take care of Mister Jenkins.

Kit would love a tropical vacation—I wondered if his fair skin would tan or burn, or if his undeath made him immune? I wondered if he would be upset about it, one way or the other.

I was less than thrilled by the thought of the tropics. I don’t like heat, or the diseases that tend to accompany it.

“It’s in Ontario,” Sarah said, sounding very pleased with herself.

Oh. Kingston, Ontario. That was a relief, even if it was black fly season.

Great, now I’d have that song stuck in my head for days.

“Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can. Can you tell me your address?” I would have to fly—driving would take several days, even if Kit and I switched and we drove continuously.

“No, but Mister Jenkins can.”

Her voice was replaced by a man’s, gentle and with a hint of a British accent. Part of his directions were, “Past Kingston Family Funworld”, which definitely sounded like a place to avoid. He apologized that he couldn’t meet me at the airport because he was bound to the house.

That was a good excuse. I wished I could use it.

My grandfather hadn’t been bound to a particular place, but he had reminded me over and over that he wasn’t a typical ghost. I wondered if most ghosts had a limited range, or if Mister Jenkins was unusual in that regard.

I told him I’d call when we landed, and he hung up.

I turned on my bedside lamp. “Kit, sweetie?” I poked him, gently.

“Mmm…”

“I have to go to Kingston.” It was a good thing I had a few weeks off from school. Hopefully I would get time to study during this trip. Study medicine, that is, not necromancy.

That got Kit’s attention. He gave a happy shriek and grabbed my hand. “Oh my God, no way! I’d love to go to Jamaica!”

“Kingston, Ontario.”

“Oh. Ew.”

“Why ew? Have you ever been there?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Then why—never mind. Do you still want to come with me?”

“Who calls you at three in the morning and tells you to go to Kingston, Ontario?”

“Sarah.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“I’m sorry! I’m still half asleep. This little girl, Sarah…Mariel told her to call me if her father got possessed again.”

“Mariel’s father? Is that why she left?”

“Sarah’s father.”

“Possessed again? Like, this is a regular occurrence?”

“Apparently. I have to book a flight.” I hunted beneath the bed for my laptop.

Kit had found his phone and was furiously typing on it. “Oooooh, Florence and the Machine is playing there! We can totally go!”

“Sure. Of course.” I found a flight that left early the next morning—in a few hours, really—and bought our tickets. “I don’t know if it’s worth going back to sleep; I’ll make us some coffee.” Not that coffee did much for Kit, except make him ill if he drank too much. Or, for some reason, if he used non-dairy creamer. It seemed to be some sort of…zombie kryptonite. I’d like to tell you I didn’t give some to Boo to see how he’d react, but I would be lying. The results: not pretty.

“What about the cats?”

Of course, the cats couldn’t come with us. While Winston could happily stay at the pet spa while we were gone, Boo could…not, and if we had someone taking care of one cat, it made sense for Winston to just stay at home. I felt a pang at the thought of being away from Boo for any length of time. “My parents can take care of them.” They wouldn’t be pleased—they’d actually thrown a “Boo is out of the house” party when I’d moved out, but they’d also get to spend time with Winston, and that was always a treat.

“I guess I’ll start packing. For both of us.”

He was welcome to do so.

In the meantime, it was definitely time to call Mariel. I wasn’t sure what time it was in Haiti, but I could definitely use her advice. For several panicked minutes I was worried that I’d lost the piece of paper she’d written the number on, when I remembered that she’d put it directly into my phone. I let it ring, over and over, but no one answered so I eventually gave up. Well, if Sarah had been able to get ahold of Mariel, she wouldn’t have needed to call me. Though she probably didn’t have Mariel’s number in Haiti…I’d just have to deal with the situation on my own for now, and call Mariel again when I had the chance.

Oh! Edward’s in trouble again.

Interested? You can find MY ZOMBIE FIANCE on Goodreads and Torquere Press.

****GIVEAWAY***

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a copy of MY ZOMBIE FIANCE.

My Zombie Cat (The Undead Canadian, #2.5)About MY ZOMBIE CAT:
Edward Grey has hardly spent a night away from his cat, Boo, since before he was in preschool. Not even death could separate them, as Edward resurrected Boo as a zombie when he was five. Now, Boo has gone missing, and the cat isn’t in any of his usual haunts.

A tasty tidbit!

Kit was at work, and I was —miraculously—caught up on my coursework. I was full of restless energy after spending the previous day sitting on the couch watching TV with Kit, so I decided to give Boo a bath. He doesn’t groom himself very often, and when he does, he usually just makes his fur worse. He was definitely getting a little…ripe.

Unfortunately, Kit came home from work partway through the bath, and I don’t even want to imagine what he thought was happening when he walked in and heard Boo’s unearthly howls and me pleading with him—loudly, to be heard over him—to hold still so I could rinse him off and it would all be over.

I heard Kit shout for Winston, so he could be heard over Boo’s yowling, and then he burst into the master bathroom, holding a purring, contented bundle of blue-grey fur.

Boo and I were frozen in an epic tableau of wet, reeking cat and equally wet—and, probably, reeking—medical student.

Kit paused in the doorway, then started laughing. “Oh. God, I thought something was really wrong. You shouldn’t scare me like that.”

“You could help,” I grumbled, as Boo got his head free of my hand, which he proceeded to bite. Hard. And not let go of.

Kit looked at the…less than clear, decidedly murky…water and shook his head. “Ew. I don’t think so. Doesn’t that hurt?”

“Yes, of course it hurts! Being undead doesn’t turn his teeth into…candy corn!” With a sadly practiced motion, as Boo bites me on a regular basis, I wedged my free thumb into the corner of the cat’s mouth and pried his jaws apart. My hand was white where he’d bitten me, and then each depression slowly filled with blood.

“You’re not going to turn into a zombie, are you?” He’d gotten a little more relaxed about the ‘Z’ word, though last week he left his browser open to a site called the Zombie Rights Campaign. I wasn’t sure if it was a joke, or something he’d made himself. I try not to snoop on his computer.

I also hadn’t asked him about it. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

“Kit, if I turned into a zombie every time Boo bit me, I’d be…”

“It only takes one time, Edward.”

These guys! The subtle humor always charms me.

Interested? You can find MY ZOMBIE CAT on Goodreads and Torquere Press. It comes as a freebie when you buy MY ZOMBIE FIANCE.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a copy of MY ZOMBIE CAT.

About the Author:
T. Strange didn’t want to learn how to read, but literacy prevailed and she hasn’t stopped reading—or writing—since. She’s been published with Torquere Press since 2013, and she writes M/M romance in multiple genres, including paranormal and BDSM. T.’s other interests include cross stitching, gardening, watching terrible horror movies, playing video games, and finding injured pigeons to rescue. Originally from White Rock, BC, she lives on the Canadian prairies, where she shares her home with her wife, cats, guinea pigs and other creatures of all shapes and sizes. She’s very easy to bribe with free food and drinks—especially wine.

Catch up with Ms. Strange on her blog, Facebook, twitter Tumblr and Pinterest.

IndiGo

Learning To Be FIERCE & FABULOUS–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new contemporary M/M romance from Elizabeth Varlet. FIERCE AND FABULOUS is a sexy match between an androgynous male dancer and a seemingly straight construction worker.

Catch my review and enter the giveaway for a chance to win $25 below!

Fierce & Fabulous (Sassy Boyz, #1)About the book:
The first book in a scorching new male/male series by Elizabeth Varlet. Behind the Sassy Boyz’s seductive smiles and sinful dance moves are desires that will leave readers breathless.

Fitch Donovan never thought a lap dance could change his life, but from the moment the gorgeous dancer’s lips touch his, his world comes screeching to a halt. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t shake the desire that rocks him to his core. He’s longed for this passion all his life—he just never dreamed he’d find it with another man.

Sharing a soul-shaking kiss with a straight boy is the kind of drama Ansel Becke just doesn’t need. Spotlights aren’t made for two and Ansel prefers to keep things on a one-night-only basis. So when Fitch shows up asking for an encore, Ansel knows he should send his gorgeous ass packing.

Though Ansel tries to pretend that what’s between him and Fitch is far from fabulous, there’s something about the big, burly contractor that makes Ansel’s world sparkle in a way no amount of glitter ever could. And Fitch will do whatever it takes to convince Ansel that when the thing you need most in the world falls right into your lap, you’d be a fool to let it go.

My Review:
This is the first book in a series that features a five-man gay burlesque-type dance troupe, the Sassy Boyz.

Fitch is out at a gay club in Manhattan celebrating his beloved (lesbian) sister’s 21st birthday when he’s struck by the beautiful lead dancer in a risque set. Fighting an attraction to an androgynous male dancer was not part of his designated driver duties…but his sis buys him a lap dance with Ansel, and that’s a worldview-shaking event for Fitch. Big burly and macho, Fitch’s never even fantasized about being with a man before; nearing thirty he’s been disappointed in love-a bunch. Still, he can’t get Ansel out of his brain.

Ansel Becke was a homeless teen, brutally abused by his German mother for his cross-dressing activity as a child. Unable to tolerate the abuse he ran away, turning tricks to stay alive on the streets. In the past five years he’s had some better turns, meeting four other out-gay runaways at a shelter and building the Sassy Boyz together has given him and income and a purpose. Still, the past never quite goes away; Ansel self-medicates with booze and drugs. Meeting Fitch is too good to be true. How could a decent man, a straight man, have a serious interest in a former hooker and current hedonist, amiright? It’s not like Ansel even screws the same man twice… Still, Ansel is intrigued by Fitch’s interest and sincerity. For a short time he even cuts out the booze–just so he can fully enjoy all of his delicious experiences with his enchanting construction foreman.

It seems like everything is going great for Ansel, really, he even reunites with his younger brother who seeks him out while on a trip to NYC, but it’s really too good to be true–in Ansel’s head. The past never really leaves us, does it? And for Ansel, his history is especially painful. I really loved how Fitch sought the truth of Ansel’s backslide. And, how he wouldn’t let Ansel’s self-loathing destroy what they had built. I was also really stoked that Fitch came clean about his new lover–even if that lover was a man–to his conservative friends and family. He acknowledged his bisexuality without being on the hook, at all, in many ways. The reaction of his confidantes was mixed, but not horrible. My god. When Fitch took Ansel to “meet the ‘rents” I just completely fell into everlasting love with Fitch. He’s the Best Boyfriend Ever. #Certified

This book sets the scene for four more books, I expect, one for each of the dancers in Sassy Boyz. The femme vibe is strong with these young men, and it’s an interesting dynamic. I liked how they all had an interest in women’s fashion and they seemed to be very well-recieved within their gay community. There was some bashing, particularly when Ansel sought out straight men while in his female attire and make-up. There are several plot threads open for conflicts in future books, but this one ends with an HEA. Expect Ansel and Fitch to make it happen and make it werk.
Or twerk.
Probably both.
Looking forward to the next book in this series!!!

Interested? You can find FIERCE AND FABULOUS on Goodreads, Carina Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter Giveaway Link for your chance to win a $25 Amazon GC or a copy of FIERCE & FABULOUS!

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:

Elizabeth Varlet is a nerd at heart and spends way too many hours binging on episodes of her favorite television shows. If you love Doctor Who, Supernatural, Stargate, Star Trek, Sherlock, or Firefly you are already her best friend.

She started writing stories in high school and hasn’t stopped. Now, her characters like to get frisky under the covers – or the stars, they’re not picky. She’s a thirty-something, newly married, world traveler who devours books like they were candy.

You can catch up to Elizabeth online on her website, Facebook and twitter.

Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!

Making It Work–ROCKIN’ IT FOREVER–Review and Giveaway!

tour-banner-e1466348530531Hi there! I’m so excited to share a review and giveaway for an new contemporary M/M rock romance from Morticia Knight. You know how I loved ROCKIN’ THE ALTERNATIVE, and ROCKIN’ IT FOREVER is the full-frontal sequel, sharing Bryan and Aubrey’s love with each other and the world.

Catch an excerpt, my review and enter to win one of three stunning prize packs below!

Rockin’ it ForeverAbout the book:
Music journalist Bryan Gallagher’s life has completely changed in an unexpected way. Not only has he snagged a dream assignment as the memoirist to alternative music’s rock superstar Aubrey King, but he’s also promised to give the beautiful and enigmatic musician a chance for them to forge a relationship. It’s all very overwhelming for Bryan since, up until he spent a sexually charged day and night with Aubrey, Bryan has never even dreamed of being with a man.

Aubrey is completely smitten with the boyishly handsome, young rock writer, Bryan. After their instant spark grows into something more, Aubrey is desperate to keep Bryan by his side for always. He’s promised Bryan that their love is for real, that Bryan isn’t simply one of his rock star conquests.

Their road isn’t an easy one, though. Despite their deepening bond and growing need for each other, other factors intrude. Neither Aubrey nor Bryan is ready to come out, and their relationship needs to remain a carefully guarded secret. In addition, Aubrey has to answer to the demands of his profession and Bryan has to traverse the shifting waters between his personal and business relationship with his famous lover.

Then a secret is revealed and everything in their joint world implodes. When a love is so strong that two men can barely take a breath without thinking of the other, will that be enough to bridge the loss of trust? The only way they can rock their love forever is if Aubrey can reach Bryan before it’s too late.

How about a little taste?

Aubrey barked out an easy laugh and Bryan joined in. Once they’d gotten a hold of themselves, Bryan spoke up again.

“This is probably going to sound really stupid, but I have to ask.”

“Ask me whatever you want, Bry. I don’t want you to think I’ll mock you in any way. I get it, man. This is all new. Unexpected. You didn’t sign up for it and I guess…”

Bryan waited, but it seemed as if Aubrey might not continue. “You guess?”

“Aw, man. I suppose if I want you to feel free to say anything, I should give you the same respect. Like we said before—no games, no bullshit. Right?”

“Absolutely.”

“Well, I’m worried I pushed you too fast. I’m not gonna lie. I wanted you before I met you, I… Shit.” Aubrey mumbled something unintelligible. “Fuck. We should wait to have this conversation in person.”

Bryan swallowed down the fear of what Aubrey might be about to reveal. “Come on, Aubrey. You’ve already brought it up and it’ll be at least a couple days before we can talk face to face.”

“Oh hey, that’s right. When are you—?”

“Aubrey. What conversation?”

Aubrey let out a slight groan on the other end. It didn’t sound happy. “Please, Bry. Please don’t be angry. I care about you. I believe in you as a writer. I wouldn’t want anyone else to do my memoir—I’d rather not do it at all if that were the case. This isn’t just about sex. For real, no games.”

“That’s… That’s all wonderful. But I don’t see how that would make me angry.”

What amounted to a small, strangled noise could be heard from Aubrey. “I only decided to do the memoir so I could have the chance to meet you.”

Aubrey’s confession was like a rock that had landed in the pit of Bryan’s stomach. “You… You what?” He breathed in through his nose a few times, his heart pounding at the thought he’d been played by the master player.

“Bry, baby, please listen. Think about it. I couldn’t very well call you up and ask you out on a date. I had no idea if you were gay or straight, or open to the possibility of exploring or if we’d click… Anyway, I wasn’t about to send you an email inquiring if you’d ever considered whether your sexual options should include cock.” Aubrey mumbled a ‘fuck’ under his breath. “Do you know how difficult it is to meet a decent guy in my position? Someone who I might actually have a real connection with, who might ‘get’ me?” Aubrey’s voice had risen in pitch. He paused, then sighed before speaking again. “I’m a public figure. I’m in the closet. The men I meet only want to put their dick into a celebrity or they want an out and proud partner. The few others who might be prospects are usually a part of the circle I’ve always traveled in—sanctioned members of the wretched institution we call the music business.

“I don’t like the industry. I hate the corporate machine. Does that mean I’m biting the hand that feeds me? Probably. But I can’t help it. I came back to the music biz because I decided I had more I wanted to say. I don’t need the cash. The adoration is great, as long as it’s from a place of sincerity, from a love of the tunes. But I don’t need that mindless hero worship I once had.”

Aubrey lowered his voice, spoke with a pleading tone that gripped Bryan’s heart. “I need real. A genuine bond. A future with the possibility of love. Everything I said to you before was the absolute fucking truth, Bry. I’ve been looking for someone who speaks the only language I understand, the language of music. When I asked you if you might be that someone, I said it from my heart. Yeah. I orchestrated our meeting and I’m damn glad I did. Because you’re the best person I’ve come across since I can remember and I’ll do anything to be worthy of you.”

My Review:

Bryan Gallagher is a rock writer who has signed on to write the memoir of his rock idol, Aubrey King. In their first meeting Aubrey made it clear that he’s gay, closeted, and totally attracted to Bryan. They shared a weekend of sexual exploration together, and separated with the promise to reunite in a week–after Bryan settled his affairs (temporarily) in New York and Aubrey appeared at a concert in Italy.

Time and distance certainly makes these hearts grow fonder, and they become bold when they meet again. Bryan’s supposed to stay at an apartment in LA, but Aubrey convinces him to stay in his home. There, Bryan and Aubrey explore each other, in depth. The bond between them is strong, and growing, but neither man is ready to come out. Bryan’s never been with a man, and Aubrey has had horrible problems with homophobic band mates in the past. He can’t bear to suffer that emotional abuse again.

Still, Aubrey’s inner circle recognize the relationship for what it is, and one of Aubrey’s ghosts decides the time is ripe for another shake-down. In the middle of everything, keeping their growing love a secret proves to be difficult, and pointless.

The pace of the book is good, with the span of time roughly several months. There are moments of intense heat, and sweet longing, and dismay for separations. Aubrey’s both smitten and stubborn. He wants Bryan all the time, and struggles with how to accomplish a lasting relationship under cover of the memoir. He’s sure that at some point Bryan will tire of him, or finish the book. Then what? Bryan is conflicted. His friends all assume Aubrey’s gay, and he’s hard pressed to keep denying his own changes. That said, Aubrey’s the one person he’s connected with at so many important levels. Could he come out? Would Aubrey and he make it in the long run, if he did?

I liked how compassionate these guys are, and how they took care of one another, but I was frustrated with how quickly Bryan was able to walk away when faced with a problem. That said, we didn’t spend a ton of page time in angst about loss. Just the pertinent scenes, which were heartbreaking. The reunion at the end was pretty much epic and I think readers will really enjoy how it all worked out.

Interested? You can find ROCKIN’ IT FOREVER on Goodreads, Pride Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

Rockin’ it Forever Grand Prize giveaway:

Grand Prize – Rockin’ it Gift Basket including: 

Signed paperback copy of Rockin’ it Forever, Skull Candy ear buds, a $30 Spotify gift card, a Falling in Stereo Concert T-shirt (made to order for your size), a music speaks necklace, Mosh Potatoes – a rock ‘n’ roll cookbook and a Rockin’ it Forever canvas messenger bag.
 
2nd prize: Signed paperback of Rockin’ it Forever, $10 iTunes gift card and Falling in Stereo concert T-shirt.
 
3rd prize: Signed rack card, Morticia Knight pen, 2017 calendar magnet.

Click here to enter!!

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys hot stories of men loving men forever after. They can be men in uniform, Doms and subs, rock stars or bikers – but they’re all searching for the one (or two!) who was meant only for them.

When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She is currently working on more installments of Sin City Uniforms and The Hampton Road Club, as well as the follow-up to Bryan and Aubrey’s story from Rockin’ the Alternative.

You can find Morticia online on her website, Goodreads, Totally Bound, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook.

Time For ROCKIN’ THE ALTERNATIVE–Review and Giveaway!

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Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review and giveaway for a sweet and sexy contemporary M/M romance from Morticia Knight. ROCKIN’ THE ALTERNATIVE puts a journalistic fan boy in touch with his favorite signer/songwriter, and the results are explosive. The book is currently on sale for $.99 through May 25th!

Catch the review and enter the giveaway for some cool book swag below!

Rockin’ the AlternativeAbout the book:
The chance of a lifetime and the touch of a rock god are offered to music journalist Bryan Gallagher on the same day. Embracing one is easy, but resisting the other is harder than he’d anticipated—especially since Bryan has never been with a man.

It could be his dream assignment. Aubrey King, the legendary god of alternative rock music has requested to meet with journalist and writer Bryan about penning the star’s memoir. Aubrey and his dark, angsty songs are the reason Bryan was inspired to become a leading rock journalist. His obsession for his career has alienated the women in his life, but Bryan doesn’t care. What really matters to him is the music.

Aubrey King has been out of the music scene for almost ten years—ever since his alternative rock band, Falling in Stereo, broke up. Questions about his sexual preferences have always surrounded him, and now that he’s ready to make a solo comeback, he wants to tell his story, his way. He’s followed journalist Bryan Gallagher’s career for a while and believes that Bryan’s obvious passion for music mirrors his own. He loves his writing style, but is also enraptured by the boyishly handsome writer.

Bryan finds pushing his fanboy nervousness aside is difficult when Aubrey finally stands before Brian. He’s amazed at how little Aubrey has changed—his intense gaze, his unique style and his still youthful looks epitomise the star he’s always been. But Aubrey’s vulnerability when he sings and shares the deeply personal lyrics of a new song triggers something in Bryan that he never knew was there. The need to give himself to Aubrey, to let the rock god do to him what he’s never before desired a man to do.

My Review:
Aubrey is a rockstar working on a comeback. He’s been disenchanted with his fellow musicians who seem to only be out for money. Aubrey’s kept a good bit of himself private for the sake of “the business” and he’s unwilling to sacrifice any longer. It’s interesting that he seems to have a crush on a young, but prolific, rock writer–Bryan Gallagher, so much so that he’s willing to divulge his biggest secret–his sexuality–to only Bryan, if Bryan will agree to write his memoir.

Bryan Gallagher has been a fan boy of Aubrey King’s music since forever. His love of rock caused him to seek a career in writing, and Aubrey’s music was a huge reason for that passion. Their first meeting is more like a date, and Bryan is both flattered and unsettled. His admiration for Aubrey is keen, and the suggestion that Aubrey may want him for more than his skills as a writer is terrifying, in an exciting way.

This is a quickie love story, with Bryan willing to try and accept Aubrey, as a man and lover. Bryan’s never had a solid relationship with a woman, but he’s also never been attracted to men. Bryan’s hero worship of Aubrey causes him to take a giant leap, and he finds he’s far less repulsed by a physical experience than he might have guessed. I really liked the vulnerability of both men, and how they talk–although the this whole story unfolds over a very short period–about their feelings and fledgling attractions. It gets hawt up in there pretty quick, with a connection that feels deeper than instantaneous likely due to their mutual professional admiration.

This novella has a sequel novel, ROCKIN’ THE FUTURE, releasing June 14th.

Interested? You can find ROCKIN’ THE ALTERNATIVE on Goodreads, Pride Publishing, Amazon (US, UK, AU, and DE) and AllRomance. It’s currently on sale for $.99 through May 25th.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on the  for your chance to win in the big sales blitz-book tour giveaway. For the next three weeks Ms. Knight will give away two small prizes a week, and all entrants will be eligible for the big prize pack giveaway following the book tour. The first giveaway is for exclusive coffee mugs with Morticia’s official Author logo on it!

(To see the weekly giveaways visit Morticia Knight’s site. There is a list of all the blogs participating in the blitz where you can visit and comment for additional entries into these giveaways, as well as a new post each week with that week’s giveaway items.  The winners will be chosen via rafflecopter)

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys hot stories of men loving men forever after. They can be men in uniform, Doms and subs, rock stars or bikers – but they’re all searching for the one (or two!) who was meant only for them.

When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She is currently working on more installments of Sin City Uniforms and The Hampton Road Club, as well as the follow-up to Bryan and Aubrey’s story from Rockin’ the Alternative.

You can find Morticia online on her website, Goodreads, Totally Bound, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook.

Freefall Into Love on THE SPIRAL DOWN–Review and Giveaway!

spiral down book tourHi there! I’m sharing a review and giveaway for a new contemporary M/M romance from best-selling author Aly Martinez. THE SPIRAL DOWN is quite the clash of hearts between a bisexual pilot and the prima donna rocker that aims to convert him.

Catch the excerpt, my review and enter to win a $50 Amazon GC below!

the spiral down coverAbout the book:
I was afraid to fly.
He made me soar.

After years of climbing the ladder of success in the music industry, I finally had everything I could want.

Yet I still found myself wandering through life alone.
Captain Evan Roth was the one man I never saw coming.
Tall, dark, mysterious… Straight.

We were both damaged beyond repair and searching for something so elusive we weren’t sure it even existed.

But, when two broken souls collide in midair, falling is a given.
I just never expected to crave the spiral down.

Now for a tasty excerpt!

“How about you and one of your girls come out to my show in L.A. next week? My treat. Dinner, drinks, the whole deal. Evan and I would love to take you two beautiful ladies out for an evening.”

“Excuse me?” he exclaimed, cocking his head to catch my gaze.

I leaned back into my seat and lifted a hand to massage his shoulder. I was barely able to suppress a moan when the angle of his firm trap muscle met my palm.

Fuck, this guy was built like a brick wall. And I was going to love every second of watching him crumble for me.

“Oh, come on, Evan. It’s the least we can do. Double date.” I winked at Jessica. “You can fly them out! My plane should be ready by then.”

Jessica’s eyes jumped to Evan’s. “You’re a pilot?” Her smile spread irritatingly wide.

Back off, Ginger Spice.

Snapping my fingers in her direction, I corrected, “He’s my pilot.”

Subtlety was not a virtue I possessed. Was subtlety a virtue at all?

“Your temporary pilot,” he amended before shaking his head and then tipping his beer to his lips for a long pull.

“Anyway. Do we have a date?” And, by date, I meant feeding her dinner while I attempted to work my way into Evan’s pants.

She pressed one finger to her lips and then nervously flashed her eyes around the cabin.

“Oops. Sorry.” I shrugged sheepishly. Lifting my drink to my mouth, I discreetly passed her my cocktail napkin and then not-so-discreetly brushed my forearm against Evan’s chest as I pulled away.

He offered her a tight smile just before she disappeared.

I grinned proudly.

“What the fucking hell was that?” he whisper-yelled at me.

“That was me getting a woman’s number.”

He arched an eyebrow. “A woman. Really?”

“What? Is that not allowed?” I feigned innocence.

He clenched his fist in his lap, and it made me suddenly aware that my own hands had stopped trembling—and in record time, I should note. Evan seemed to be quite useful in the art of distraction.

He leaned closer. “Don’t bullshit me. I looked you up. You’re…” He stopped, unwilling to say the big, bad “G” word.

“I’m what?” I taunted.

He rolled his eyes and chugged the rest of his beer.

We went back to silence until Jessica came back by with another drink, complete with her phone number written on the napkin.

“I’m not going on a double date,” Evan said as I tucked the napkin into my pocket. “You want me to fly them out? Not a problem. Schedule it with Jackson. But that’s the extent of my professional responsibilities. And, since I’m off the clock right now, I’d also like to mention that I think whatever play you’re planning to run on that woman is fucked up.”

My head snapped to his. “I’m sorry. Play?” I asked with more attitude than I had originally planned.

“Yes. Play,” he sneered.

I stirred my drink. “Let me get this straight. I’m offering to fly her out in a private jet, feed her dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city, and put her front row at a concert that has been sold out for over a year. That doesn’t seem like a play to me. It sounds like I’m trying to do something nice for a woman I was rude to earlier.” I casually leaned back in my seat. “My conscience doesn’t ‘play’ when it comes to apologies.”

“Right. Well, maybe you should have a chat with your conscience, because she looks like she just won the date of a lifetime. Meanwhile, you don’t even like women.” He stalled, no doubt looking for just the right word to express his disgust without sounding like a bigot. Judging by his gentleness when we’d taken off, he wasn’t the type of guy to go for the fag bomb.

I watched him intently, excited to see how he was going to handle this.

“You’re gay.”

I frowned at his lack of creativity. “Not that it’s any of your damn business. But I’ll have you know I love women.”

It wasn’t a lie. I adored women. Especially Levee and Robin.

I just didn’t like pussy. Meh. Semantics.

He gaped. “You’re bi?”

“And I’ll repeat: None of your damn business. But yeah. Do you have a problem with that?”

Again, it wasn’t necessarily a lie.

Was I bisexual? Fuck no. My cock was in no way an equal opportunity employer.

I was somewhat bilingual though. I knew how to ask for a blow job in English and Spanish. I pretended that was what he meant.

Chupame la verga.

My Review:

I really enjoyed this contemporary M/M rock romance. Henry is an out-gay singer, newly rich and perpetually single. As an orphan that suffered through many a lacking foster home, Henry craves a partner that will be completely gone over him. His ideal mate is a straight man that he “converts” because this man will have (in Henry’s mind) no previous experience with male lovers and also be completely smitten, because…reasons. Did I mention Henry’s a little neurotic? Oh yeah, and a terrible flyer after a REALLY bad experience a few years back.

He owns his own plane, even if he only flies a few times annually. This allows him to completely lose his shit and not risk the public humiliation of being bumped off a commercial flight. Unfortunately, Henry’s flight to LA is grounded when his highly-vetted pilot experiences chest pains. The replacement pilot, Evan Roth, is stunning, young, and apparently straight. Henry has acquired his newest target…

Thing is, Evan’s not exactly straight. He’s pretty much the right guy for Henry, though. Henry’s chase is hampered by Evan’s refusal to repeat the mistakes of his youth, falling for a man who’ll surely let him down. That said, Evan gets on board with the sexytimes plan without TOO much delay.

That’s when things go sideways. Henry and Evan share a connection, one that builds over the course of a couple of months. Still, Henry’s childish attachment to being The Only Man Ever for his perfect mate is patently ridiculous and causes undue heartache. It’s good that he has peeps who are willing to call him out for his prejudice, and that Evan’s willing to forgive his mistakes. I really liked Evan bunches. Henry wasn’t my fave love interest, but I found space to forgive his nonsense, much the same as Evan did.

There’s some fun sexytimes, including a busted menage that blows the smoke out of Evan’s eyes. If only Henry could have been that forthright all the time.

interested? You can find THE SPIRAL DOWN on Goodreads, and Amazon (US and UK).

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

aly martinezAbout the Author:

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Tsror

Finding Love on the POWER PLAY–Review and Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-19Hi there! I’m so excited to share a review and giveaway for a new contemporary M/M sports romance from Avon Gale. As you know I adored her hockey playing hunks in SAVE OF THE GAME so I was ecstatic to get my hands on POWER PLAY. So, so good! I’m not even a hockey fan, and I treasure these stories!

Check out the excerpt below and enter to win the first TWO books in the series, too!

PowerPlayfsAbout the book:
A freak accident during the Stanley Cup Playoffs put an end to Max Ashford’s hockey career. Despite everything, Max gets back into the game he loves—only this time, behind the bench as an assistant coach of the Spartanburg Spitfires, the worst team in the entire league. But nothing prepares him for the shock when he learns the new head coach is Misha Samarin, the man who caused Max’s accident.

After spending guilt-ridden years for his part in Max’s accident, Russian native Misha Samarin has no idea what to do when he’s confronted with Max’s presence. Max’s optimism plays havoc with Misha’s equilibrium—as does the fierce attraction that springs up between them.

Not only must they navigate Misha’s remorse and a past he’s spent a lifetime to forget, but also a sleazy GM determined to use their history as a marketing hook. But when an unwelcome visitor targets the team, Misha revisits his darkest days, which might cost him and Max the beginning they’ve worked so hard to build.

How about a little taste?

“I’d never watched this, you know.”

“The YouTube video?” Misha had seen that too. It was filed with angry commenters yelling that he should be deported back to Russia.

“The hit.”

Misha blinked. “You’ve seen the commercial, though. Yes?”

“Yeah, I wish I could say I haven’t seen that. But I meant, I didn’t watch this until a few months ago. They played that game on the NHL channel, so I watched it.”

It never occurred to Misha that Max wouldn’t have seen it, but then he remembered that Max was the hero, not the villain of the story. Misha watched the hit play out on the screen. What must that feel like, to watch the moment it all ended? When Max hit the ice, did he know that game was his last? Did Misha know it was his? How had he felt? He couldn’t remember.

The scene switched to the replay. Misha watched dispassionately, retreated into the blinding pain of his migraine, and told himself that it was all right to suffer, that he should, that he deserved it.

Max paused the video. “Look. See what I have there?”

Misha blinked. He had not expected questions. “I—what?”

“The puck, Misha. The puck. Your hit wasn’t late.”

Oh. “Yes. I know.”

Max stared at him. On the television screen, their younger selves were suspended at the moment everything changed.

My Review:
This is the third book in a series and can be completely enjoyed as a standalone.

Max and Misha are new coaches on the Spartanburg Spitfires low-pro hockey team. They were competitors back in the NHL, and both of their careers ended at the same time, due to the same injury–a hit that Misha put on Max caused him to have a bum knee and decreased peripheral vision.

They returned as coaches, and their new boss is hoping that sparks will fly by reuniting them on the ice. Not so much, however. Max and Misha are consummate professionals. Misha’s the head coach, and Max is his assistant. They work well together, building a team of misfits into contenders through solid fundamentals. Misha’s known his whole life that he’s gay–it was one reason he fled from Russia as a teen. Max always considered himself hot, but he’s had some experience with men, and both of these guys find the other attractive.

They try to hold off their lust, for the team’s sake, but it’s too strong. Plus, working together really strengthens their mutual regard. They realize they work in complimentary fashion, and that’s to the teams benefit.

I really loved the development of the love story here. They are strangers in a strange land, so to speak, and their lust is a constant presence. I liked how Misha took the lead when necessary to build something with Max. And, I loved how Max accepted Misha’s terrible history with grace and recognized the strength it took for Misha to survive in terrible circumstances–this back in Russia. They have a great influence on their goalie and captain–the irreverent Isaac Drake of the blue hair and lip piercings…(expect him to find love int he next book in this series!!). It was so fun how the whole team knew about Max and Misha, and wanted them to stay together because Misha was a more gentle coach when he was getting regular loving! Ha!

I loved that there was a great team dynamic in the story, how they banded together against all odds. Even Jack Belsey, smarmy manipulative owner of the Spitfires was rendered likable, the bastard with the heart of gold, if you will.

Of this series I’ll say one thing:  More. I want more. I adore it all, and I honestly don’t give a fig about hockey! I’m so captivated by the struggle, and the stories, that the sport is low on my list of issues. I’ve learned more about hockey from reading these books than 40+ years living in Chicago and bearing witness to several Blackhawks Stanley Cup runs. That’s a testament to the writing, and creating a world that is accessible to all readers, not just those who love hockey. Highly recommend.

Interested? You can find POWER PLAY on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win the first two books in this series, BREAKAWAY and SAVE OF THE GAME.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the author:
Avon Gale was once the mayor on Foursquare of Jazzercise and Lollicup, which should tell you all you need to know about her as a person. She likes road trips, rock concerts, drinking Kentucky bourbon and yelling at hockey. She’s a displaced southerner living in a liberal midwestern college town, and when she’s not writing you can find her at the salon, making her clients look and feel fabulous. She never gets tired of people and their stories — either real or the ones she makes up in her head.

You can find Avon on Facebook, twitter, Pinterest or sign up for her newsletter.

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They Had to FIGHT TO FORGIVE–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new contemporary M/M reconnection romance from j leigh bailey. FIGHT TO FORGIVE is a sweet and tender story about childhood besties, and later sweethearts, that got derailed, yet find each other again, at a time when they really need a good friend to lean upon. I really liked NOBODY’S HERO and RECKLESS HOPE, so I was eager to dive into this one!

Fight to Forgive (Letting Go, #3)About the book:
Recent college grad Aaron Elliott is a pro when it comes to avoiding conflict. So when he hears his mother and stepfather plan to sell the family’s rambling summer retreat, it takes everything in him to object. The lake house is where he feels closest to his late father. It’s where he fell in love with his best friend…and it’s where he let family pressure decide his future rather than following his heart.

A combat injury has naval officer James “Freddie” Fredrick dry-docked, possibly for good. But the pain in his shoulder is nothing like the hurt he feels when he sees Aaron back in town. It’s been four years since the love of his life left without a word—and though Freddie would give anything to deny it, the heat between them hasn’t faded.

Once upon a time, Aaron let Freddie go without a fight. He won’t screw up their second chance to have a happy ending. But unless he makes peace with the past, Freddie won’t be able to face their future.

My Review:
This is the third book in a series that can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Aaron and Freddie were childhood besties and high school sweethearts who are now reconnecting after a four-year silence.

Aaron’s family is wealthy, and they have a summer home, Elliott House, in Door County, Wisconsin–the place of peace Aaron relished living in, as opposed to the palatial Chicago Gold Coast digs. His late father fostered a deep love of books and literature, a love that Aaron wants to pursue with a Masters degree, but his mother and stepfather have been pressing him to join his stepfather’s marketing firm. Aaron gets physically ill from confrontation–likely due to the tumultuous relationship his mother and father shared. He’s standing up for himself, now, however, when he learns that his father specifically bequeathed him Elliott House and his mother is attempting to sell it without his consent. He vows to go and spend the summer in the house, reconnecting with his memories–of his father, not his love for Freddie.

Freddie is a bisexual, biracial Navy boat pilot on medical leave as he recuperates from fallout of a mission gone wrong. He’s unsure if he’ll regain enough use of his arm to return to active duty, and that fear is making him despondent. He’s especially upset when his sister–Nessa–has her plans to purchase Elliott House and make it a B & B derailed by the return of his first–and only–love, Aaron. Freddie’s still frustrated about Aaron’s abrupt departure four summers ago, when he literally ran off the night of his own mother’s second wedding, with a brief note leaving no explanation.

Aaron had never expected Freddie would remain faithful to him–he’s not female, and Freddie always dated girls, before him. Plus, no one knew their relationship had moved from friendship to physical. Aaron was afraid outing Freddie would cause him to break things off. While Aaron played the dutiful son to his mother, socializing at her wedding and avoiding claiming Freddie, he also experienced dramatic heartbreak–witnessing an apparent tryst between Freddie and a girl. That night stands between them, and is responsible for a host of rash decisions that might have been avoided by having a simple conversation. Thing is, I got the disconnect: they were 18 y/o and headstrong and foolish. Aaron left, Freddie freaked and joined the Navy. Their new lives are really only getting started, and a summertime reconnection will likely be too much heartache and trouble. Unfortunately, Freddie’s family adores Aaron, and actively invites him to be the same bosom friend they had always known. Freddie doesn’t want to relive their nightmare, and Aaron’s too meek to confront Freddie about his observations. Their interactions are very strained. At first…

I liked how this unfolded. Aaron’s a mouse of a man, and I could accept that given his age and history. I liked how he grew up in this book. His mother’s more than happy to dump all the house business on her book-educated, but reality-slash-adulting-feckless son, hoping that he’ll fail and she’ll get what she actually wants: money. Freddie is constantly around to pick up Aaron’s shattered pieces, because Freddie’s a man of action. He makes a decision and sticks with it–and being Aaron’s protector is a decision he made years prior. But Aaron doesn’t just dump everything on Freddie, he researches and makes choices that benefit others–mostly–but he makes them of his own free will, and takes stands that are important to him. This I liked. It showed maturity that Aaron had lacked.

I also liked the interracial issues these boys faced. Having spent some time in rural/leisure area Wisconsin, I could relate to Freddie’s struggle as a (mostly) black kid–and I also got how that was no issue for cosmopolitan Aaron. I say “mostly” because Freddie is mixed-race and this poses unique issues of being neither black nor white “enough” for different factions.  It’s a real situation, and Freddie had residual anger from growing up in a locale where he was often considered lesser–for myriad reasons, but often for his skin color.

There are secondary players in the book who have vested interests in Aaron keeping or selling the house–and their motives are hard to tease out, at first. Aaron’s inability to decide actually leads to revelations about his family, and That Night, which have Aaron kicking himself. It’s another big reason he grows as a character. There could have been more drama here, but, again, Aaron’s too conflict-averse to hand out the smackdowns that were definitely earned. It made sense, even if it was a little less satisfying. Who doesn’t love when a jerk gets what’s coming, amiright?

I think the end was realistic, in that neither man was sacrificing his dreams–instead they recognized the commitments the other had made, and respected that. Their long track record of long-distance friendship and romance gave me the sense that they’d weather the storms of separation well, and come out a strong, united, couple when they completed schooling and enlistment.

Interested? You can find FIGHT TO FORGIVE on Goodreads, Carina Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

About the author:
j. leigh bailey is an office drone by day and the author of New Adult and Young Adult LGBT Romance by night. She can usually be found with her nose in a book or pressed up against her computer monitor. A book-a-day reading habit sometimes gets in the way of… well, everything…but some habits aren’t worth breaking. She’s been reading romance novels since she was ten years old. The last twenty years or so have not changed her voracious appetite for stories of romance, relationships and achieving that vitally important Happy Ever After. She’s a firm believer that everyone, no matter their gender, age, sexual orientation or paranormal affiliation deserves a happy ending.

She wrote her first story at seven, which was, unbeknownst to her at the time, a charming piece of fan-fiction in which Superman battled (and defeated, of course) the nefarious X Luther. She was quite put out to be told, years later, that the character’s name was actually Lex. Her second masterpiece should have been a best-seller, but the action-packed tale of rescuing her little brother from an alligator attack in the marshes of Florida collected dust for years under the bed instead of gaining critical acclaim.

Now she writes New Adult and Young Adult LGBT Romance novels about boys traversing the crazy world of love, relationships and acceptance.

You can find j. leigh online on Facebook, her Facebook Author Page, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Thanks for popping, and keep reading my friends!

Coming Out With A LOVER ON TOP–Excerpt and Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-16Hi there! Today I’m sharing an excerpt and giveaway in support of a new contemporary M/M romance from Kristing Cayne. LOVER ON TOP is a love story between a straight fire fighter and his good friend’s gay younger brother. There’s a guarantee that this book is a hot read.

Catch the excerpt below and be sure to enter to win a $10 gift card.

Lover on Top FinalAbout the book:
A straight firefighter discovers an irresistible attraction for his best friend’s younger brother—one that could lead to complete disaster.
A perpetual bachelor, firefighter lieutenant Hollywood Wright hops from one woman’s bed to another, searching for something he never finds. Has his father’s emotional and physical abuse somehow damaged him? Or is something else going on, something that involves the intense and uncomfortable feelings aroused by his best friend’s little brother?

Sexy-as-sin paramedic Chad Caldwell has always been out and proud. Sure, some gay-bashers are harassing him, but he’s determined to be true to himself. There’s just one problem: He’s hung up on Hollywood, his older brother’s straight best friend. When Hollywood’s apartment is damaged by fire, Chad reluctantly takes him in. Will Chad’s heart survive such close proximity to a man who’s both unattainable and everything Chad wants?

To their mutual surprise, Hollywood finds Chad and his world fascinating—and much hotter than anything he’s ever experienced. But with a rabidly homophobic father, is Hollywood doomed to die in the closet? Chad won’t accept anything less than a public relationship, no matter how amazing the sex is. Can Hollywood ever accept the man he’s always kept buried deep inside?

How about a little taste?

Hands gripping his head, Hollywood paced back and forth between Chad and the neighboring building, like a caged lion. “I’m confused. It’s your fault. You and your tight ass. Your tattoos. And don’t get me started on your little twink boyfriend.”

“My boyfriend?” There was no way Chad could follow Hollywood’s leaps of logic.

“Fucking cowboy told me about it. You slept with Blondie. It was that same night with Candy, wasn’t it?”

Chad clenched his jaw. “Sandy.”

“Who the fuck cares?” Hollywood shouted.

“Why are you so upset?” Chad asked. “You’re straight.”

“I don’t know what the fuck I am. You’ve got me watching gay porn. Fantasizing about—” Hollywood gritted his teeth together and rubbed his face with both hands. The sound of his stubble scraping against his palms had Chad’s heartrate shooting up. Even when he was a mess, Hollywood was hot.

“What do you fantasize about?” Chad couldn’t help asking any more than he could help the rasp in his voice.

Hollywood stopped his pacing, hesitated, then advanced on Chad. Each step slow and deliberate. Chad sucked a breath into suddenly deflated lungs. Oh God. He was so fucking turned on. And what kind of slut did that make him? He didn’t know if Hollywood was going to kiss him or beat the shit out of him. All he knew was that he needed to find out.

With rough movements, Hollywood gripped the sides of Chad’s head. “I can’t think of anything except kissing you. Your lips, are they soft or hard? How would your stubble feel against my skin? What do you taste like? It’s driving me crazy.” He stared into Chad’s eyes. “You are driving me crazy.”

O.O These guys got some talking to do!!!

Interested? You can fin LOVER ON TOP on Goodreads, and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $10 gift card!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Kristine Cayne’s books have won numerous awards and acclaim. Her first book, Deadly Obsession, was an RT Book Reviews Top Pick and won Best Romance in the 2012 eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards. Her second book, Deadly Addiction, won two awards at the 2014 eFestival of Words and 1st place in the INDIE Awards, Romantic Suspense Category (a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).

Her book Under His Command won Best BDSM Romance at the 2012 Sizzling Awards and was a finalist in the 2013 eFestival of Words and 2013 RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) Awards, and her book Everything Bared was a finalist in the Erotic category of the I Heart Indie awards.

To learn more about Kristine and her stories, visit her website, Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, Tsu, Google+ and Goodreads.

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STRIP SEARCH–Exclusive Excerpt, Review and Treasure Hunt Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-11Hi there! I’m so excited to share a new release from Morticia Knight’s Sin City Uniforms contemporary M/M romance series. I really enjoyed HELD HOSTAGE, NEGOTIATING LOVE and SEARCHING FOR SHELTER, so I jumped at the chance to read and review STRIP SEARCH.

Check out the exclusive excerpt, my review and follow the blog tour clues so you can get in on the signed paperback and book swag giveaway below.

stripsearch_800About the book:
Stripping used to be fun, lucrative and a place for Dakota to practice for his professional dancing career. But the owner of Glitter Boys wants Dakota for himself and will stop at nothing to possess him. When his thirteen year-old brother runs away from home to escape their abusive father, Dakota is determined to find him before something awful happens to him on the streets.

Patrol officer Reed hasn’t been attracted to a man in a very long time, but when he’s called to an assault in progress at the LGBTQ teen shelter, a young man approaches him, begging for help in finding his missing brother. An instant spark occurs, but he pushes it away. When the same man is attacked outside a strip club later that night, he discovers the desire is mutual.

As the two men learn more about each other and become closer, the spectre of his obsessed ex-boss remains. In addition to that, Dakota has to fight the system to gain guardianship of his brother and keep him out of foster care. Dakota doesn’t know if the hunky cop he’s fallen so hard for can handle a relationship with an ex-stripper struggling with raising a teenager. But, will Reed be able to give up dating women for good and dedicate himself to their new family?

And now for that EXCLUSIVE excerpt!

Backstage at the Glitter Boys strip club:

“What about you, Kota?”

Dakota jerked his head up at Rocky standing in the doorway with Noah. “What about me?”

“Yuri said you’d be there tomorrow.”

Rage coursed through Dakota. That fucking snake. He took a deep breath through his nostrils. He didn’t want his anger to be misconstrued by his friends as being a judgment against them.

“Oh, uh, I wasn’t planning on it. You must’ve misunderstood him.”

“No misunderstanding.”

Yuri appeared between them, his friends quickly stepping aside, their surprised expressions making it clear they hadn’t realized Yuri was standing there either. Yuri didn’t take his eyes off Dakota.

Rocky rubbed his hand across the top of his head. “So, uh, yeah. Tom’s waiting for me outside, so I should bounce. See ya to… Uh, see ya later.”

As Rocky shuffled out of the door, Noah moved back into the room. “Hurry up, Dakota. We don’t want to be late. Everyone’s waiting back at the apartment.” Noah widened his eyes, silently begging him to pick up on the ruse.

“Sorry, Noah. Almost done.” He glanced at Yuri, working with all his might to keep his expression implacable. “It totally slipped my mind, Yuri. Maybe we can talk in a couple days, after my next shift?”

“Out.”

Dakota blinked a few times, trying to grasp what Yuri meant and who he was directing it at.

“Out.”

The second time had been laced with anger and clearly meant for Noah.

“Cool. Yeah.” Noah shuffled nervously on his feet. “So I’ll just be waiting –“

“Out! Out of the room, out of my club, out!”

Noah’s reaction was instantaneous. He bolted from the dressing area before Dakota had been able to utter a word. Dakota clutched his dance bag in front of him on his lap. The false sense of security it hinted at was all he had in the face of Yuri’s ire.

Yuri advanced closer, looming over him. His features softened as he gazed down, his expression as he seemingly drank in Dakota’s form one of intense lust. Yuri licked his lips, then skated his palm across the growing bulge in his pants.

He wouldn’t…take me against my will? Would he?

Dakota’s breathing accelerated as he calculated what his chances of success would be if he were to push the formidable Yuri out of the way then make a run for it. Probably not so great.

“Oh, my little bublik. Why you fight me like this?”

“I…” Dakota cleared his throat. “I don’t know what you mean, Yuri. You know my situation. I want to be a dancer in one of the aerial shows, be a star there. That’s my dream.”

He wasn’t sure if he’d been stupid or smart to share what he hoped for when he’d first met Yuri. Back when Yuri had pretended to be warm and welcoming to him. It had come to the point where Yuri could either be made to understand that it was nothing personal that Dakota didn’t want to be in his films, or instead be something Yuri could somehow use against him.

“I’ll make you a star. Everyone will want you. You can have money, clothes, jewelry, cars, anything you want. I buy you beautiful estate for us to live in together.” Yuri stroked Dakota’s cheek as he tried not to cringe. “You’ll be mine.”

Dakota drew his eyebrows together. Wait. What? The last he’d heard, Yuri wanted him for his porn flicks. He must’ve missed the part where he’d be Yuri’s little pampered bitch.

“That’s an amazing offer, very generous. But…” How to word this? “I don’t really know you. We’ve never even dated or anything.” Wait. Could’ve been a wrong move.

“Oh, I see.” Yuri laughed, looking almost pleased. “Baby wants sample first.” He tapped his own temple. “Smart boy.”

Dakota panicked. “I… No. What I meant, uh, well, I didn’t mean that. No sample.”

Yuri’s features clouded over. “What you mean ‘no sample’? I’m not good enough for you?”

Oh Jesus. “I’m sure you’re great. Really, really great. But I don’t want to be in a relationship with anyone right now, no matter how wonderful they are. I just want to dance. That’s all I meant.” He swallowed hard, praying that his words would placate the beast.

“Maybe you let me show you what real man can give you and dancing will mean nothing.” Yuri caressed his face again. “Except when dancing for me.”

Fuck. I gotta quit this place. There’s no way I can come back here.

My Review:

Dakota Crane is a 23 y/o trained dancer who is working at a Vegas strip club to save money for aerial dance classes, all to attain his dream of professional aerial performing in the big shows. Dakota is a relatively quiet, out gay man sharing an apartment with a fellow stripper and eschewing club life to save every penny. He hates giving lap dances and sees his current job as a means to an end–one that’s becoming difficult as his boss Yuri pressures him (unsuccessfully for the moment) to do porn and unwelcome sexual favors. His family accepts his sexuality, but the connection there has been crumbling due to his father’s recent gambling addiction and violent temper.

Dakota’s overwrought by the disappearance of his thirteen year old brother, Donovan, frequent target of his father’s rage. While searching for him Dakota meets patrol officer Reed Armstrong who is totally banging–and Reed finds Dakota instantly appealing, as well. They don’t make a strong connection, but a spark exists.

Knowing the situation with Yuri is untenable, Dakota flees his apartment and finds a new job–but his stalker finds him. Reed is called to the scene of a disturbance: Dakota being nearly kidnapped by Yuri. This time, Reed and Dakota can’t deny their attraction. As Dakota can’t go back to his own apartment, he agrees to meet Reed for dinner after his shift ends. Their conversation stretches into the wee hours and ends with Reed chaperoning Dakota to empty his place. Oh, and sexytimes.

Over the course of a few days they become close, and Reed helps Dakota track down Donovan. As time winds on Dakota’s life becomes a wrangle, balancing his nascent love, keeping Donovan safe, and staying out of Yuri’s grasp. I liked how this all developed. There was time for the romance to build, for real life to intrude, and for the specter of Yuri to raise the tension. For Reed and Dakota, the sexytimes are incendiary. Reed’s bisexual, yet had very little experience with men. He was married–and faithful–for years and has a teenaged daughter for whom he shares custody. With Dakota’s lust turned loose Reed gets a crash-course in all things gay sex as their intimacy deepens.

Expect Yuri to make things bad–for a few very tense moments, and for Dakota and Reed to make things good–for a lifetime. It’s a sweet read with a fun and yummy couple. Little bit of instalove, but I was still on board.

Interested? You can find STRIP SEARCH on Goodreads, Pride Publishing, Amazon, and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

Morticia has a special contest for you! The exclusive excerpt for Strip Search that I shared today may or may not have really happened to Morticia. Follow the tour to read the other excerpts. If you believe you know the correct one then come back and enter your answer in the Rafflecopter giveaway link. Of the correct entries, one winner will be chosen to receive an autographed copy of Strip Search and bag filled with book swag!

Here are the tour dates and links, so you can keep up!
19-Apr: The Novel Approach
20-Apr: V’s Reads
21-Apr: Carly’s Book Reviews
22-Apr: Love Bytes
25-Apr: MM Good Book Reviews
26-Apr: Molly Lolly
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Morticia KnightAbout the Author:

Author Morticia Knight spends most of her nights writing about men loving men forever after. If there happens to be some friendly bondage or floggings involved, she doesn’t begrudge her characters whatever their filthy little heart’s desire. Even though she’s been crafting her naughty tales for more years than she’d like to share – her adventures as a published author began in 2011.

Once upon a time she was the lead singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She currently resides on the northern Oregon coast and when she’s not fantasizing about hot men she takes walks along the ocean and annoys the local Karaoke bar patrons.

You can find Morticia online on her website, Goodreads, Totally Bound, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook.

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A Whole New World: AWAKENING–Excerpt and Giveaway!

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Hi there! Helping to get the word out on a newly-released bisexual erotic novella from Megs Pritchard. AWAKENING is a story of a man who considered himself heterosexual, until one fateful morning…

Check out the excerpt and enter the book giveaway below.

Awakening-crossing Desires BK 1About the book:
Tony likes women. Always has. Always will. So when he wakes up in a strange bed after a drunken night out, he isn’t too concerned.
Thinking he’d scored with a woman from the club he’d been in the night before, he was shocked and horrified when he realized he was in a man’s bed. Naked.
What the hell happened last night?
With that question in mind, Tony quickly leaves before seeing the man he spent the night with, but in his haste leaves something important behind.
When the man he spent the night with calls him, Tony realizes that he has to meet him in order to get back what he left and that maybe he might not be as straight as he once thought.
With his brother’s help, Tony begins to question what he thought he knew about his sexuality and where the answer to that question might lead him.

A morning surprise…

Tony woke up slowly and sluggishly. He moved slightly on the bed and tensed when his stomach reminded him of just how much he had drunk the night before. He groaned and repeatedly swallowed as saliva flooded his mouth. His stomach didn’t want the contents it contained and was attempting to eject them.

He ran his hands over the bedding and stopped. He rubbed his fingers over the material noticing the softness. His breath caught. It wasn’t his bedding, and now he was aware that the mattress was completely different to his too. He swallowed again but this time it wasn’t to stop himself from being sick.

He blinked his eyes a couple of times before he could open them and stared at the white ceiling above him, seeing it through gritty and filmy eyes. Yep, didn’t recognize it. His breathing started to quicken as he became fully aware that he was in a room he didn’t recognize. Refusing to give in to the panic that was starting to rise in him, he slowly and carefully turned his head to the side so he could look at the room. He grimaced and closed his eyes as his head pounded in protest, and he took another couple of deep breaths before he was ready to open them again.
Blue walls stared back at him. He glanced around the room, noticing the dark furniture. Walnut maybe? Closing his eyes again, he tried to recall if he knew who had a bedroom like this. No, couldn’t think of a single person. The furniture looked expensive, too expensive for any of his friends to have.

On his second look around the room, he started to notice the details he hadn’t picked up the first time he’d glanced at it. Pictures on the walls, a bookcase in the corner, dark blue curtains, clothing strewn across the floor, black bedding. Frowning he looked more closely at the clothing on the floor and recognized his own among the scattered items. Was he naked? Why hadn’t he been aware that he was naked in someone else’s bed?

Then he noticed the type of clothing. Jeans, a shirt and boxer briefs that were definitely not his. His heart rate increased, and a fine film of sweat broke out over his body. He scanned the room again, looking more closely at the pictures he could see. There were men and women in them but only one man appeared in all of the pictures. Fuck, he was in a man’s room. He was in a man’s room and naked in his bed.

He closed his eyes. What the hell was he doing in a man’s bed? What had happened? His brother might like cock, but he didn’t. Absolutely not. Opening his eyes, he lifted the sheets and looked down his body. A strange keening sound left his mouth as he saw the marks that travelled down his chest and abdomen. He dropped the sheets quickly hoping to erase the image of his body from his mind and tried to think about the night before.

What had he done? How much had he drunk? He couldn’t remember much after he had gone into the club with his brother and their friends. He had a vague memory of a woman in a skin tight dress and a man wearing a black shirt. He looked at the shirt on the floor. Shit, the shirt was black. Oh God, he was in the bedroom of the man from the club.
As he lay there, he became aware of another sound entering the room: the shower. The shower was running. That meant the man from the club was still here and virtually in the room. He had to get out before he finished in the bathroom. He couldn’t face him. What if he had fucked him? Oh fuck, what did he do? Why couldn’t he remember?

He rolled cautiously to his side and had to pause, rubbing his stomach as he attempted to settle it. He swallowed convulsively as he took deep breaths. God, he felt like a woman in labor with all the deep breathing he was doing. When he felt more in control, he gingerly sat up and then slumped over as his stomach heaved. He put his head between his knees again as he was forced to stop himself from being sick.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and shivered uncontrollably. Sinking gently to his knees, he crawled on the floor over to where his clothes were. He dressed as quickly as he could, which wasn’t quick at all, and as he was attempting to stand to find his shoes, he heard the shower switch off.

Wow! Quite the predicament. Can you imagine? O.O

Interested? You can find AWAKENINGS on Goodreads and Amazon (US, UK, and Can)

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a copy of AWAKENING for yourself.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the author:
Megs Pritchard lives in England and is a mother to two small boys. When she isn’t working or being mummy, she is busy writing about complex characters that know the harsh realities of life but want a HEA. A lover of M/M and M/F romances she believes everyone deserves to be happy, healthy and loved.

Growing up in a military family, Megs has traveled Europe and has a great deal of respect and gratitude for all the men and women who have and who still serve. Her dream job was to be a Bomb Disposal Expert and even had her own ‘kit’ when she was younger.
She is currently working on her first novella series called Crossing Desires and full length series called Second Chances.

Catch up with Megs online on Facebook and twitter.
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