Bisexual

Getting Past the BAD MAGIC–Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-6Hi there! Today I’m so excited to share an exclusive excerpt for a fantasy M/M romance form Evelyn Elliot. BAD MAGIC is the first book in her Spell Slave series, and certainly looks intriguing!

I’ll admit, I was *supposed* to post a different excerpt, but it was a randy sex scene, and my blog is PG-13, so….sorry! If you want a bit more risque read, check out the excerpt I could have shared on The Novel Approach.

Also, enter to win your own copy of BAD MAGIC below!

BadMagicFSAbout the book:
Morality is relative. At least that’s what young sorcerer Regis Teller convinces himself. He’s done what he must to survive: working for a witch since he was nine, helping her throw the kingdom into anarchy, and taking his only comfort in her mysterious son, Crow. And soon, Regis is going to commit his first murder.

A do-gooder named Jonathan White has information the witch needs, and it’s Regis’s job to get that information and slit Jonathan’s throat. But then Regis actually meets Jonathan. And Jonathan is perfect—a hero with a passion for justice and little regard for civility.

Lucky for Regis, Jonathan has a weakness for attractive men. Lucky for Jonathan, Regis is fast developing a conscience and a heart. But for Regis, keeping both of them alive at their adventure’s end means breaking a magical oath and surviving his ruthless boss—all without telling Jonathan the truth. Falling in love is never easy, especially when everyone involved is lying through their teeth.

This tasty bit…

They stopped at dusk. Regis set about making a fire to stave off the cold, Jonathan vanished wordlessly. Regis didn’t bother to ask where he was going.

As soon as Jonathan left, Jonathan’s dragon friend—Chartreuse—slunk over. What did you do to Jonathan?

“What did I do? He kissed me.”

Kissed you, hm? She sat on her haunches. That’s one of those pre-mating rituals, isn’t it? You don’t smell like you mated.

“I rejected him.”

Truly? Disbelief colored her voice. Regis frowned at her. Well, it’s nothing personal, but…. Jonathan is skilled. Protective. Fierce. You are small, ill-tempered, and easily bruised. You’re not going to find a better mate.

“Oh, stop. You’re just angry I rejected your precious hatchling.”

How dare you. Flirting with him for weeks, then shattering his hopes. I have a question for you, Regis. What drives you to such sadism? Do you simply enjoy ripping out hearts?

“Oh, shut up.” He kicked a rock. “If I’m such an awful person, I did the right thing, pushing him away.”

Well, do it more nicely, Chartreuse said. He won’t talk to me.

He was saved from further debate by the reappearance of Jonathan. Empty-handed, Jonathan stopped at the edge of the campsite and looked at Chartreuse with an expression that neither confirmed nor denied that he had heard any part of their conversation.

Chartreuse could “speak” to only one person at a time, if she so chose. Regis remembered this from their time on the river. Had Jonathan heard the whole conversation or only half? Had he heard anything at all?

“No game tonight?” Regis asked. Jonathan shook his head. Chartreuse curled around him, her back facing Regis. Cold, irritated, and hungry, Regis lay down close to the fire. He wished he could share body heat with Jonathan like they had before, but likely the attempt would get him a black eye.

After a few minutes, he remembered something. “Hey,” he said, sitting up. He untied Jonathan’s sword from his pack. Jonathan gave him no attention. Irritated, Regis laid the sword next to Chartreuse. Shivering, he retreated to his side of the fire.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

He awoke in a pile of warmth. A cloak lay over him. Thick, expensive, heavy with fur trimmings. The cloth was blue bordered with gold. Jonathan’s cloak.

He glanced at Jonathan, who poured water on the campfire, extinguishing the last embers. Was the cloak a peace offering? Regis wrapped it about his shoulders and hugged it close. It smelled like sword oil and leather.

Jonathan relaxed after that but remained silent as a corpse.

Sometimes, Regis caught him looking from the corners of his eyes.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The next day, Chartreuse spoke to him again. Jonathan says I should apologize to you.

The man in question was out of earshot. “So?” Regis said. “Are you going to?”

I suppose, she said heavily. You’re not so bad for a human creature. I still think this quarrel of yours is ridiculous, but it’s just as much Jonathan’s fault as yours. Besides, something has been bothering me. I must ask. Why did you fertilize two females at once during that human mating dance? To increase your chances of producing offspring?

Regis made a face. “Gods, no.”

I thought not. Well, aren’t you worried? What if you come back in a year or two and find a hatchling with gray eyes and a surly face?

Someone really ought to tell her that humans didn’t hatch from eggs. That person was not going to be Regis. “No worries. There’s this herb called childsbane. Any man who chews it becomes sterile for a few days. I had some last night. It’s a pretty common practice.”

But why did the two females want to share? There were other males available.

He shrugged. “Some people like that sort of thing.”

Are all Tyrians so promiscuous?

He was surprised. “Promiscuous?”

I take it this kind of behavior is common, then.

“I’m not promiscuous,” he said. “I generally sleep with the same person, it’s just that he’s not around right now. And even if I was, so what? It’s not like he cares. I’m not ashamed of it. If he wanted me to stop sleeping around, I would. Gods know he’s fucking every barmaid from here to the Frozen Wastes.” He kicked the grass. “Do dragons only have one mate forever?”

Chartreuse sniffed. Dragons form prides. We females band together, select one superior male mate, and produce offspring with him. Is mating with both sexes common among humans?

“Pretty common, yeah. I hear they’ve got some weird taboos elsewhere.”

Chartreuse hummed to herself. The noise was bloodcurdling. The humans where Jonathan is from don’t use childsbane. Perhaps it does not grow in cold climates.

He shrugged. “Probably. It would explain why they’re so uptight about sex. I mean, if they can’t sleep together without producing children, then of course they associate sex with pregnancy. Of course they think men sleeping with men is unnatural. Of course.”

I have a counter-theory, Chartreuse said.

Regis perked up. “Oh?”

Tyrians are whores.

“You’re a dick,” he said, and went back to ignoring her.

This one sounds absolutely fun. I do know that it’s got some serious naughty bits, too. Yay!!

Interested? You can find BAD MAGIC on Goodreads, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

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

About the Author:
At first glance, Evelyn Elliott seems like a perfectly normal person. Do not be deceived. Her hobbies include watching grisly horror movies, torturing her characters, and tending to her flower garden. She enjoys long walks on the beach and collecting the souls of small children. Whenever she reads a book, she always roots for the villain.

Avoid her at all costs. Certainly do not find her on Facebook or befriend her Goodreads. You have better things to do.

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Their Lives Became KNIT TIGHT–Review and Giveaway!

Knit Tight Blog Tour BannerHi there! Today I’m so excited to share a review for a brand new book in the Portland Heat contemporary M/M romance series from Annabeth Albert. I’ve really enjoyed other books in the series, including SERVED HOT, BAKED FRESH and DELIVERED FAST, so I jumped at the chance to review this one. KNIT TIGHT features an overburdened bisexual barista and the fussy knitter from whom he can’t tear himself away.

Check out the excerpt and be sure to enter the giveaway for a $20 gift card below.

Knit TightAbout the book:
It’s no secret that Portland, Oregon, has some of best restaurants, shops, and cafés in the country. But it’s the hard-working men who serve it all up that keep us coming back for more…

One of Portland’s hottest young baristas, Brady is famous for his java-topping flair, turning a regular cup of joe into a work of art. Every Wednesday—aka “Knit Night”—hordes of women and their needles descend on the coffeehouse, and Brady’s feeling the heat. Into the fray walks a tall, dark, and distractingly handsome stranger from New York. His name is Evren, and he’s the sexy nephew of Brady’s sweetest customer, the owner of the yarn shop down the street. He’s also got a killer smile, confident air, and masculine charm that’s tying Brady’s stomach in knots.

The smitten barista can’t wait to see him at the next week’s gathering. But when he tries to ask Evren out, his plans unravel faster than an unfinished edge. If Brady hopes to warm up more than Evren’s coffee, he’ll have to find a way to untangle their feelings, get out of the friend zone, and form a close-knit bond that’s bound to last a lifetime…

How about a delicious taste?

The People’s Cup wasn’t huge by any means, and Knit Night tended to fill the joint up. The space was longer than it was wide, with couches in front of the plateglass window, the coffee bar running along one wall, tables in the middle of the room, and a long wooden farmhouse bench and table for communal seating in the back of the room. The Knit Night ladies liked to turn the couches around and group the center tables together, creating a setup conducive to conversation but a tripping hazard for the rest of the patrons. And the arrangement resulted in an unholy din really, especially on nights when their ranks swelled to thirty or more.

“Remember to keep the aisle clear,” I said to Violet and her minions. I’d warned them about creating tripping hazards with their knitting gear, but it was as futile as telling the twins and Jonas to keep their Legos in one area. Like my siblings, the ladies loved to spread out their projects.

“What’ll it be?” I swung back to the register, no closer to having the right banter for the stranger, but no longer in a position to care. However, he’d stepped aside for Violet and her herbal tea order.

“I’ll be back when the line clears,” he said with a wink. He had a leather messenger bag, the sort meant to look like something Indiana Jones would haul around, for which one paid for every crinkle in the distressed finish. He’d probably come in wanting a quiet place to work.

He had the look and accent of a displaced New Yorker—working some cushy freelance job, no doubt. I liked thinking up little stories about my customers, but I didn’t bother coming up with a lengthy one for him. He wouldn’t be back once he saw how loud Knit Night got. And the ladies were likely to pester him about his intricately knit scarf with its pattern of interwoven cables. One time, I’d made the mistake of wearing a wool beanie I’d found for a buck at the thrift store. Every single knitter needed to remark on its construction. Dude was so going to be beating feet once Knit Night got underway.

My Review:
This is the fourth book in the Portland Heat series and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Brady is a bisexual barista who’s working hard to support his four younger siblings in the wake of the death of his mother and step-father. He’s stressed and barely coping when the Knit Night crowd arrives at his cafe in Portland. A beautiful man, Evren, shows up. Turns out Evren’s the nephew of Mira–the knitting store owner, and he’s gay. And he’s got a bi prejudice. His last two boyfriends were either cheaters or left him for a woman.

Brady’s frustrated, but still intrigued as Evren shows up every week, caring for Mira who’s dying of pancreatic cancer. They begin a friendship, which ends up leading to more, but a highly regualted more as Evren’s got some astounding hangups about messy, penetrative sex.

The book spans a few months time, during which Evren and Brady come to lean on each other in their mutual grief. Brady’s chaotic life is further frustrated by his adult sister who doesn’t want to be a surrogate mom, while Mira’s truly dying and Evren can’t cope.

I liked the tiny vignettes from Evren’s knitting blog. It showed the vulnerability that he didn’t want to reveal to Brady. I loved Brady. He’s a selfless guy who doesn’t know how to ask for help. The meshing of their families was really special, for me. Plus, I’m a bit of a sucker for handicrafts and Evren lavishes Brady with plenty of knit socks to keep his feet toasty. (Wondering if Evren’s next book will feature ball cozies…)

There are a little bit of sexytimes with some low-level dominance kink at play. I liked how Brady stood up for his needs, as Evren’s kind of aloof, and he also didn’t let Evren discount him for his bisexuality. The book has some serious down moments, due to Evren’s struggle with Mira and her illness, who is the mother he got when his own family disowned him as a teen. They are a special family, and addition of Brady’s motley crew was rather charming to me. I like when characters have real life issues that impair their ability to connect, and do so anyway.

interested? You can find KNIT TIGHT on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Google Play. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $20 gift card to Amazon or Starbucks (winner’s choice!)
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children. Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Find Annabeth online on her website, Goodreads, twitter and Facebook.
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Out Now! THE SARRAN SENATOR–Excerpt and Giveaway!

BannerTemplate-4Hi there! Getting the word out on a new book in the M/M, menage/poly sci-fi Sarrans series from A.C. Katt. THE SARRAN SENATOR looks to be an intense read.

Catch an excerpt and enter the giveaway for a four-book Sarrans set below.

The_Sarran_Senator_400x600About the book:
The Sarrans return home from Earth in triumph, having gained many new Earthen fems, coffee, chocolate, and cats.

Senator Samuel Johnson joins his grandson Michael, his daughter Sara, and her WarriorPair on Sarran. To his delighted surprise, he bonds irrevocably with Tarin, one of Sarran’s top engineers. Tarin had been bonded before and thought he would never experience a bond again, yet Sam’s love gives him a new lease on life. Now they only hope the Goddess has a fem for them.

Then the Sarran Elders host a mixer for Sarran warriors to meet the Earthen fems. Margaret Mary O’Neil, Meg to her friends, is a talented woman who fled to Sarran like so many Earth women looking for a new life. When she meets Sam and Tarin, her life changes forever.

But while things are looking up for the Sarrans, with new babies being born and WarriorPairs settling down, their enemy the Zyptz are relentless in their efforts to wipe them out. When the Zyptz attack both Sarran and Earth, the mutual dependence between the two becomes ever more evident.

How about a little taste?

::We will need to get our promise rings and Asta glasses, but we can decide where to live and get our rings and glasses later. Right now I want you under me.:: Tarin pushed Sam’s shoulders down into the softness of the couch pillows. Sam turned on his side so they faced each other.

::I foolishly didn’t bother to ask, although I should have consulted Mark, but now that I’ve taken the vial, does my equipment work the same way?::

::Yes and no. Externally you will see the slick that pours from under your foreskin. This enables one of us to penetrate the other and our fem without pain when we bond. Internally, there will be a type of a tube, a Secondary Sperm Valve that connects your channel to the seminal vesicle in your partner. When a Sarran Warrior receives sperm from his bonded, it opens the valve. The sperm goes through the valve to connect to the seminal vesicle where they mix with the sperm of your bonded. It is only when they mix that we can impregnate our fem. Our offspring are born with half of our fem’s DNA and one-quarter of each of ours. After we form the bond with our fem, we may make penetrative love with her or without her, as the Triad chooses.::

::I feel foolish asking for such basic information. I had the whole voyage to research this aspect of Sarran physiology. I was concentrating on helping Michael adjust to Sara’s Warriors.::

::You did the right thing, my fox. From the holos you showed me, Michael had reason to be wary.::

::Now I feel like a pre-pubescent offspring in health class, not knowing how my body is supposed to function.:: Sam blushed. ::How do I please you?::

::All the ways you’d please yourself without penetration. Let me show you.:: Tarin sat up, got off the couch, and knelt in front of Sam, removing the boots Mark and Juraens had fabricated for him on board the Brightstar. Tarin kissed the inside of Sam’s knee. Sam moaned. He never knew he had a hot spot there.

Tarin removed his own boots and then attacked Sam’s flightsuit. The one-piece garment came off quickly, giving Tarin access to Sam’s body.

Sam looked at his lover in appreciation. “You have a beautiful, hard form. I love your wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. You are everything I ever looked for in a man. If I had met you before Mary, I doubt I would have joined the army. I’d have become a college professor and lived in a house very much like this with you always at my side.”

Sam ran his palm down Tarin’s side from his shoulder to the curve of his ass. “Beautiful … I can’t believe how lucky I am and it seems even our dreams are in alignment.”

Tarin blushed. ::I keep in shape because any Sarran Warrior can be called to battle at any time. You were in governance, how did you train? You have a hard and well-made body, my fox.::

::In the Senate Gym. I exercised and had a trainer. If I were going to be the President, I had to be in the best shape I’d ever been in my life. The job is debilitating. Although the United States is only one country on Earth, the President of the United States carries the weight of the world on his shoulders because we act as the planet’s police and are the only major power left on Earth. Russia and China have the land mass and China has population, but the United States still has the upper hand in weaponry. We, like the Sarrans, also have fierce Warriors.::

::Being on council is much the same as you describe the presidency. The Elders aged quickly during the war and later when the Zyptz took our fems, the Elders bore the brunt of finding a solution. Our population is dangerously low, a mere twenty-thousand WarriorPairs. If you add the unbonded Warriors and offspring, it is another ten thousand. We need all of these bebes our fems are carrying and we must keep them safe.::

::You have too much open land to police properly. What you need is a type of radar that lets the government know immediately if the atmosphere has been breached, or better still, something that shields the planet from all but our own vessels.::

“I’ve been working on that project with Bron. It’s almost ready.”

Sam was about to speak and Tarin put a finger on his lips. ::My fox, I want to know everything about you. We could talk until dawntine but right now, I want to love you. We’re naked and wanting. Can we make love?::

Sam smiled and kissed his bonded’s eyes. “I was counting on it.”

Interested? You can find THE SARRAN SENATOR on Amazon and JMS Books.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win the four-book Sarrans series set from author AC Katt.

Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
AC Katt was born in New York City’s Greenwich Village. She remembers sitting at the fountain in Washington Square Park listening to folk music while they passed the hat. At nine, her parents dragged her to New Jersey where she grew up, married and raised four children and became a voracious reader of romantic fiction. At one time she owned over two thousand novels, until she and her husband took themselves and the cat to New Mexico for their health and its great beauty.

Now, most of AC’s books are electronic (although she still keeps six bookcases of hardcovers), so she never has to give away another book. AC is a late bloomer, however, she claims to have found her niche writing LGBT romance.

She hangs out at ACKatt.com and ackattsjournal.com; where she keeps her blog. To get snippets of new releases and Works in Progress subscribe to AC Katt’s Kattery by sending an e-mail to mlhansel@gmail.com.

You can reach AC online on her website, blog, Facebook, twitter, and Pinterest.

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Conflict in BLACK LACE–Excerpt and Giveaway

BannerTemplateHi there! I’m helping to spread the word on a newly released novella from L.J. Hamlin. BLACK LACE is a contemporary M/M rock romance that features a band coming apart at it’s seams…

Check out the tidbit below, and enter to win a copy for yourself!

blacklace1400About the book:
Jed Chance is the lead singer of Black Lace, a very successful rock band. It’s gone through a few lineup changes: first, Jed was outed by a former bandmate, and now they’re looking for another new member. That’s when Donnie comes to audition.

Donnie is ten years younger than Jed, and he’s beautiful, with a complicated past. He instantly gets a crush on Jed, but is afraid to act on it. Still, Jed and Donnie can’t keep away from each other. But getting together isn’t their only problem: Jed has attracted a dangerous stalker, who means to do Jed serious harm.

How about a little taste?

Reading about yourself on the Internet might be a bad idea — masochistic even — but during the audition break, Jed has the urge to see the latest gossip. He’s found an article that starts with a recap of Black Lace’s history; his history.

Lead singer of Black Lace, Jed Chance, shocked the world when he confirmed that he is, in fact, gay. Rumors started when ex-Black Lace member Bert Goode sold his story about his affair with the married man.

Jed winces, because it hadn’t been that simple, and because Bert’s betrayal still hurts, even though it’s been nine years. Jed skips over the speculation of why he’d played it straight, marrying Jamie Pierce, his now ex-wife and manager.

At the time, it seemed like the scandal would be the end of Black Lace, but two years after they went on “hiatus” the band was back with a new guitarist, and a new attitude. Mrs. Cherry Lee was a welcome addition to the band, and a breath of fresh air. The once great rock band was back again, delivering some memorable music.

But now Cherry Lee has retired from the band to spend more time with her family, having given birth to three children during her seven years in the band. Cherry Lee and the rest of her bandmates all claim to be parting on good terms. But what this reporter wants to know is what will happen to Black Lace now that Cherry Lee is gone.

The band’s record company claims this isn’t the end of Black Lace; there will be another tour soon and even a new album. Who will step into Cherry Lee’s shoes? And will it be the same? Better? Worse? Watch this space.

 

Interested? You  can find BLACK LACE on Torquere Books and Amazon.

 ****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win an e-copy of BLACK LACE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

Meet the author:
L.J. Hamlin is a twenty-something (getting older every day) author, who has been writing all her life, mainly in notebooks no one else ever saw. Then she discovered M/M groups online and was encouraged by friends to share her stories. After a while (and with a lot of pushing) she grew brave enough to attempt getting published. Now she shares her stories with others and hopes never to stop. L.J. loves cats and pretty much all animals, is a collector of many things, often weird, but most of all books.

Catch up with LJ on her blog, Facebook, Pinterest and twitter.

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Love Happens WHERE THE GRASS IS GREENER–Review & Giveaway

Grass Banner
Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for WHERE THE GRASS IS GREENER, a contemporary M/M romance that blends two of my fave guys in love, an Irishman and a cowboy! Though this is the second book in a series, this is easily a standalone romance from Raine O’Tierney and Debbie McGowan and I very much enjoyed it.

Don’t forget to scroll down and enter the book giveaways for Raine and Debbie!

DMRO_WTGIG_533x800About the book:
Mistakes were made, that’s for sure. But was it the night of passion? Or walking away afterward?That’s the question Seamus Williams must face when he gets a late night phone call from someone he never expects to hear from again.
“I miss you, Shay.”

Chancey Bo Clearwater is a cowboy through and through. He spends his days finding work on whatever ranch will take him and his nights at the pool hall. He’s always done what needed doing and never thought much about what he wanted. ’Til that drunken night with Seamus.

A world of problems now stand between Seamus and Chancey exploring what might have been, the least of which being the Atlantic Ocean. On one side there’s Chancey’s daughter who mood swings from angel to demon in two seconds flat; on the other there’s the new lodger, hogging Shay’s telly and his cornflakes, and making private Skype time hard to come by.

Is this relationship doomed before it ever begins? Or can a surprise announcement from Seamus’s brother be enough to help the two find their second chance?
Where the Grass is Greener features Seamus Williams – the older brother of Patrick from Leaving Flowers.

How about a little taste?

“You’re quiet today, Seamus. What’s up?” the landlord asked.
“Just tired, is all. Got a leaky roof and the fecker was drippin’ all the damn night. And didn’t I get up this morning and kick the bucket?”
“You look alive and well to me, so you do. I say well…you look like shite.”
“Yeah, thanks very much. Think I’ll go join the lads, see if I can’t get a few more insults thrown at me.”
Seamus gave the landlord a wry grin and went over to the others, who were already well into the first of the three games they got in every lunchtime. He watched one of them take a bad shot and accidentally pot the black, the clunking of the ball as it rolled its way through the machinery of the table setting Seamus’s teeth on edge. John was right: he was dog-tired and probably did look like shite. He’d barely slept after the missed call, trying to decide whether to return it or not. His mind played tricks on him, one minute convincing him it was urgent and he should call back, the next telling him to stay strong. He’d made the move. He’d come back to Ireland. That’s what he’d wanted all along.
He had wanted it. Ever since Mam died, his sights had been set on coming home. He’d only stayed for Paddy’s sake, and now Paddy had Aidan there was nothing to keep Seamus in the States, although he was no further away from his brother now than he had been in Kansas. Never mind that he’d already made the decision before he knew Aidan even existed. No. It was a good decision. He was just—
He already knew, before he pulled his phone from his pocket: same Kansas number, same caller. His thumb hovered over the red button. Reject the call. Reject the call.
He answered.
“Seamus Williams.”
“At last! I thought I was calling a wrong number. Man, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Er, yeah. Yours too. What’s up? Has something happened?”
“Nothing new. I just…”
The rapid-hard thump of Seamus’s heart filled the pause, two seconds, three, four, and more. He drew breath to speak, but there was nothing to be said. Or nothing he should say.
“I miss you, Shay.”
***
The first call had been a drunk dial. Thank the heavenly father that Seamus Williams hadn’t picked up. Lord, the shit that might have come tumbling out of Chancey’s mouth. Now he was dead sober, but only slightly more composed. Had he really just said he’d missed Seamus? He tried for a laugh. It sounded as fake as it felt. Well he had missed Seamus. Nothin’ wrong with that.
“You gonna say somethin’?” He knew he was putting on the accent. Drawing out his vowels, droppings his g’s. His grandmother—who was from south Texas and who had an accent so deep it was digging itself a hole to the centre of the Earth—used to yell at him when he’d get lazy with his words.
You jus’ sound ign’rant, Chancey Bo Clearwater. Full name, cue snickering cousins, and young Chancey sank down low in his chair, ashamed at the way he sounded despite the fact they all talked just alike. The accent followed him when he moved to Oklahoma, where he picked up a whole set of strange ‘O’s, and even having lived in Kansas now for the better part of his life, it was still there underneath, just waiting to crop up in stressful situations.
“I didn’t expect to hear from you, that’s all.”
“Surprise.” He was trying for friendly, for calm. Trying to keep the I wanna put my fist through the wall and did you really mean to let me find out through Lulu? out of his voice.
“Isn’t this call costing you a million dollars?”
“Skype. On my phone. I bought minutes, y’know?”
“Is that right then?”
“But I didn’t think. It’s probably charging you too.”
“It’s fine.”
Is it? Seamus sure as hell wasn’t saying much. There was a long pause as Chancey considered his next move. He’d called because he’d wanted to talk. Not talk. Not like that. Nothing to say on that front. Seamus had made it all as clear as crystal dropped in the mud when he’d left his parting message with Lulu down at the pool hall, Rack ’Em. In a last-ditch effort, Chancey said the only thing he could think: “Boss Tina asked after you the other day when I went around for work.”
That got a laugh out of Seamus, which gave Chancey more relief than he cared to admit.

My Review:
Seamus and Chancey were ranch hands on a Kansas ranch. They’d known each other for years, had a solid friendship, and shared one night of drunken passion. And then Seamus left without a goodbye. He returned to Ireland, bought a cottage and tried to put aside his desire for the man he wasn’t sure he could keep.

He’s still unsure 10 months later when his phone rings and it’s Chancey. That Texas drawl alternately chills and heats his blood. Like Seamus, Chancey’s bisexual–though neither of the men had acted on their urges until that night. Even more stunning than Chancey’s call is his admission–that he missed Seamus.

There begins something that Seamus had been too afraid to hope for: a connection to Chancey. Naturally, it would come when there were 4000 miles and an ocean separating them. Still, it is likely that distance which allowed both men to be honest, and inordinately brave. They begin to Skype, video sexytimes being far more enjoyable than phone sex, but life gets in the way. Chancey’s got a teenaged daughter, Dee, and a hellcat of an ex-wife who’s out on the road searching for her fame and fortune. Being both dad and mom is an exhausting experience, and it leaves little time for even cyber-dating.

Plus, Seamus feels compelled to take in one of his work crew when the boy is kicked out of his home after coming out. The cottage isn’t big, and it cramps Seamus’ arousal. Though there’s a plan brewing for a return to the States–and a potential rendezvous with Chancey. Is it meant to be for them? Will Dee accept their relationship? Will Chancey’s ex be even more of a self-serving human?

I just adored this book. I’m not sure there are readers who can withstand the lure of not only an Irishman, but also a cowboy. The swoons! I wasn’t sure if I stepped into THE QUIET MAN or BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, but in any case I was enchanted by this quiet romance. Seamus and Chancey are lonely men who develop a connection as friends and then lovers. They struggle with coming out. They struggle with finding time for each other. Their lives are complicated, but they find a way through–to each other.

Really, the storytelling was beautiful. This is a long slow burn, with many fits and starts. We get to see deeply into each man’s world, and understand his experiences, thanks to the dual POV. I really admired Chancey’s relationship with Dee. He’s a fantastic father, and just protective enough. Man, Dee is a quintessential 13 y/o. The boys. The catty friendship angst. The sorrow over being fifth, or lower, on her mother’s list of priorities. Even when I wanted to smack her, I loved her. And, yes, she is one potty-mouthed girl. #HeckYeah

Seamus is a tentative man, quite used to moving on. He’s never had such strong feelings for anyone as Chancey and he’s afraid to admit it to himself, but he finds the courage to admit it to Chancey.

The ending was so spectacular. I ached for it, and I was rewarded for my patience, much like Chancey and Seamus. I can only wonder how their new life together will turn out. I think I’ll go search the clover for a shamrock. I gotta wish these guys some luck.

Interested? You can find WHERE THE GRASS IS GREENER on Goodreads, Beaten Track Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AllRomance.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win an e-copy of one Debbie McGowan titles and an e-copy of one Raine O’Tierney titles. (winner’s preference of file type and title)
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Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the authors:
DEBBIE McGOWAN is an author and publisher based in a semi-rural corner of Lancashire, England. She writes character-driven, realist fiction, celebrating life, love and relationships. A working class girl, she ‘ran away’ to London at seventeen, was homeless, unemployed and then homeless again, interspersed with animal rights activism (all legal, honest ;)) and volunteer work as a mental health advocate. At twenty-five, she went back to college to study social science— tough with two toddlers, but they had a ‘stay at home’ dad, so it worked itself out. These days, the toddlers are young women (much to their chagrin), and Debbie teaches undergraduate students, writes novels and runs an independent publishing company, occasionally grabbing an hour of sleep where she can.

You can find Debbie online on her website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Tumblr.

RAINE O’TIERNEY wants to change the world…one sweet story at a time.
Known as “The Queen of the Sweetness” (well, a few people have said it anyway!) Raine loves writing sweet, character-driven stories about first loves, first times, fidelity, forever-endings and…friskiness? In addition to her solo works, she’s one half of a collaborative team with author Debbie McGowan.
When she’s not writing, Raine is either playing video games or fighting the good fight for intellectual freedom at her library day job. She believes the best thing we can do in life is be kind to one another, and she enjoys encouraging fellow writers.
Contact her if you’re interested in talking about point-and-click adventure games or discussing which dachshunds are the best kinds of dachshunds!

Raine online on her website, LGBT Author Interviews, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
pride

Building a LIFE, SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing my review of a new contemporary M/M romance from Kaje Harper. LIFE, SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED is a sequel that can be read as a standalone. It relates the mundane acts of a newly out gay couple as the traverse the hate-infested waters–and everyday occurrences of life–in a way that is anything but mundane. I really liked it.

imageAbout the book:
Finding love in the ashes was easy. Building a life together? Don’t make Fate laugh.

After spending the first part of his life chasing pretty girls, love has finally come to Ryan in the form of John, a tall, lanky, red-headed landscape architect with wide shoulders and a five-o’clock shadow.

For the first time in his life, love feels easy. Hell, he even ran into a burning building for John and his son, and he’d do it again if he had to. But telling his father and brothers “I’m gay. I’ve met a man”? That’s a bumpy ride he’s not looking forward to.

For John, loving Ryan is as natural as breathing. Now if only the rest of his life would fall into place. Dealing with his teen son is complicated enough, but with his ex-wife causing trouble and his daughter wanting to move in, John’s house—and his relationship with Ryan—threaten to split at the seams.

Would one month without a new surprise knocking him upside the heart be asking too much? If the sound of Fate’s laughter is any indication, the answer must be yes…

Product Warnings: Contains two formerly straight guys learning to navigate the gay-guy waters, sometimes without a paddle. Plus six kinds of family ensuring nothing comes easy.

My Review:
This is the second book in a series, and I read it as a standalone. I think the reader loses nothing in doing so. I had a brief recap of the previous book in this one, and I’m kinda glad I skipped that book, on account of I get triggers over evil-scientist plots….but that’s MY issue.

John and Ryan are two men who have always had straight relationships but have recently embarked on a relationship with each other. They came to terms with their bisexuality in the first book, and are just trying to figure this “gay thing” out. This causes a lot of conflict within their families.

John is a divorced man with two teenaged children, Mark and Torey. He doesn’t have joint custody, but Mark had run to John in the previous book, and currently lives with John and Ryan, with his mother’s grudging permission. John’s ex, Cynthia, is not cool with the “gay thing”–she and her husband are blatantly homophobic. Cynthia lives in LA with Torey, and John tries to keep a decent relationship for his daughter’s sake.

Ryan’s family is mixed; one brother is totally okay with his orientation, his father and other brother are not. Well, dad’s kinda okay, and he gets better, but Brent is really hostile. I had to give props to his bride-to-be, Anne, who makes Brent adjust his attitude.

Ryan and John are stable, and love each other, but they have a lot of stress–Ryan is a medical student, recovering from burn injuries suffered as a fire fighter. He had recently saved Mark from a fire, and John, Ryan and Mark suffer nightmares over that ordeal. John is a parent, and has the associated parental worries, especially as Mark begins to close in emotionally, and Torey’s calls from LA are becoming more regular and more upsetting–she hates her stepfather, and Cynthia is sick with pregnancy issues (and perhaps depression).

The stress peaks when Torey and Cynthia turn up on their Wisconsin doorstep, essentially destitute. Ryan is afraid that John will reconnect with his pregnant ex, and all his heart will be broken–plus he will have come out and estranged himself for nothing. John is a stalwart and the best kind of man. He only cares for Cynthia in that she’s the mother of his kids and soon to deliver his kids’ half-sister. His love is really more of agape, than amore. I didn’t wonder much regarding Ryan’s angst. Both Mark and Torey really like Ryan, and want him to remain their dad’s partner–and perhaps more.

This book is big on reality. It deals with the mundane in an approachable way. Life is messy, and Ryan and John’s life is especially messy. At times I wondered if the stress would break them apart, but they consistently took steps to come closer; even if Ryan’s motives seem selfish. It’s funny, though. People say love is selfless, and it isn’t always. Motives can indeed be selfish, and still be the right thing to do. Ryan has a right to be suspicious of Cynthia’s motives. She is a crafty gal, and focused on finding a good provider for her infant–and John is a demonstrated good provider.

The end of this book is not the end of this story, I’m sure, but it does end with a solid resolution and a solid HEA. There are some nice sexytimes that, again, are realistic. First times and fun times and aborted missions…which only drew me into this relationship more. I think there were plenty of ways for this book to go wrong, to get melodramatic and absurd, but it never did. It stayed the course and captivated me.

Interested? You can find LIFE, SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Samhain Publishing and AllRomance.

About the Author:
I live in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, the mosquito is the state bird, and where sometimes in winter it can be breathtakingly beautiful. Of course, the deepfreeze chill contributes to the breath-taking, but Minnesota’s a kindly, quiet place and it’s home to me now. I’ve been writing for far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – forty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, and currently am focused on M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, history, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories released under the pen name Kira Harp.

My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. My husband finally convinced me that after all that time writing, I really should submit something, somewhere. I was thrilled when it was accepted. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing the four novels and three freebie short stories in the series. I’ve been just delighted by the reception Mac and Tony have received.

My first free book became the first story that I actually released – I put it up a month before Life Lessons just for the fun of getting it out there. Lies and Consequences began as a reaction to the November 2010 election. It looked like the repeal of DADT might be derailed by the political shift and I put the insanity of that law into the book. Then as I was finishing the first draft in mid-December the repeal passed. Which was great, but prompted a rewrite to a lighter and more action/romance book. This was a solo effort and I learned a lot from writing and releasing it and from the reviews. Check Smashwords for that one and many of my other freebies.

I now have a decent backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my Books page. This writing thing is addictive. So read, comment, tell me what you like and what you don’t, and help me make the upcoming books even better.

You can find me to chat on my author page here on Goodreads most easily – I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group there. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.

You can also find me on my blog.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!

They Found Love OFF CAMPUS–A Review

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary new adult M/M romance from fellow Chicagoan, Amy Jo Cousins. OFF CAMPUS is an “Odd Couple” for the college set, with d-lish loving, redemption, prejudice and good ol’ fun.

Off Campus (Bend or Break, #1)About the book:
Everyone’s got secrets. Some are just harder to hide.

With his father’s ponzi scheme assets frozen, Tom Worthington believes finishing college is impossible unless he can pay his own way. After months sleeping in his car and gypsy-cabbing for cash, he’s ready to do just that.

But his new, older-student housing comes with an unapologetically gay roommate. Tom doesn’t ask why Reese Anders has been separated from the rest of the student population. He’s just happy to be sleeping in a bed.

Reese isn’t about to share his brutal story with his gruff new roommate. You’ve seen one homophobic jock, you’ve seen ’em all. He plans to drag every twink on campus into his bed until Tom moves out. But soon it becomes clear Tom isn’t budging.

Tom isn’t going to let some late-night sex noise scare him off, especially when it’s turning him on. But he doesn’t want any drama either. He’ll keep his hands, if not his eyes, to himself. Boundaries have a way of blurring when you start sharing truths, though. And if Tom and Reese cross too many lines, they may need to find out just how far they can bend…before they break.

Warning: This book contains cranky roommates who vacillate between lashing out and licking, some male/male voyeurism, emotional baggage that neither guy wants to unpack, and the definitive proof that sound carries in college housing.

My Review:
Tom Worthington is homeless. Destitute. A college junior who earns his tuition money as a cab driver in Boston. Life hasn’t always been this way, however. He was rich, once. The only son of a successful investment manager. Tom’s mother died when he was young, and his relationship with his dad was always more of a mentoring, rather than nurturing, one. Well, until his father was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and Tom’s silver spoon was yanked straight from his mouth. It took Tom a year to save up enough money for his college term, and he’s not giving that up for anyone.

Reese Anders is sophomore who survived abuse last term. He was promised a single room, and is livid that a “brutish jock”, Tom, has been assigned to share with him. Reese is out, a bit of a “twink” and planning to make Tom’s life miserable–parading a line of sex partners and nude man posters into their room.

Problem is, Tom’s not so put off. Seems Tom is bisexual, and strangely attracted to the hands-off spitfire, Reese. Tom has had precious little contact with anyone for nearly 18-months, not since his dad was arrested, and later tried to commit suicide, so he’s basically on emotional sensory overload sharing living space with Reese.

Okay. There are lots of issues at play. Tom is too proud to admit he’s homeless. Reese assumes he has money, because many of their fellow students are pretty well off, and Tom does nothing to dismiss this notion. Tom works really hard, studying like crazy, knowing he must make the most of this time–he may not earn enough money to pay for next semester. Reese begins to confide in Tom why he’s so afraid of big guys, jocks, and Tom, in particular. It’s not as (completely) horrifying as I had anticipated, but violation is violation and I’m not going to downplay it. It, nonetheless, is a big part of Reese’s character, and an issue he and Tom must work through if they are to forge ahead with a relationship.

Of course, Tom doesn’t want to be a blip on the radar anywhere. He had troubles with tabloid articles in the past–some stories having been sold from “friends” when he actually broke down and confided in some of them–and is intensely private, now. So, being “out” with Reese is a Not Gonna Do It scenario. I was a bit dismayed by Tom’s rationalizations–as was Reese.

This story unfolds over the course of two semesters, and is completely told from Tom’s POV. Tom’s fear of scrutiny and Reese’s unwillingness to be silenced clash, a good bit. It was great to see Tom open up, be more of a real person than a shadow-student. He and Reese are unlikely partners, but they work. I appreciated Tom’s pain and embarrassment over his father’s criminal activity–and how determined he was to not take help that should go to “more deserving” kids. One’s whose parents weren’t thieves. His righteousness was admirable, in that regard. I wasn’t so taken with his reticence to accept his sexuality, but I think that goes along with the age. Tom’s 22, and Reese’s 20.

I got a real kick out of Tom’s buddy, Cash.

Tom ignored Cash’s staring back and forth between the two of them.
The struggle to wrap his brain around the sex thing was occupying most of Cash’s working brain cells.
“Just, why?” He needed to talk it out. Great. “Okay, cute dude, not my thing, but whatever floats your boat. And I guess it makes sense that a dude knows his way around a dick, so okay, I can see how that works. But your ass, man. Why you wanna go sticking something up there?”
“Does my sex life have to make sense to you? Because I am not having this conversation!” Tom’s words were muffled by the sweatshirt he dragged over his head, but he was pretty sure everyone on the hall heard that one.

The resolution is good. The story has real heart and some fun bits. It’s also very naughty, in parts, so….yay for me! Not for the kiddos, however.

Interested? You can find OFF CAMPUS on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, iBooks, and on the Samhain website. I got a review copy of this book from NetGalley.

Amy Jo CousinsAbout the Author:

Amy Jo Cousins lives in Chicago, where she writes contemporary romance, tweets more than she ought, and sometimes runs way too far. She loves her boy and the Cubs, who taught her that being awesome doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with winning.

You can find Amy Jo online on her website, Goodreads, Facebook and twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!