Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Boys of Summer by Sarah Madison




About the Author:

Like most writers, Sarah Madison was a story-teller as a child. She couldn’t help herself! She carried a grubby spiral notebook with her everywhere she went, filling it with stories about dogs and horses. When she reached the end of high school, however, she packed up all her creativity in a box and placed it on a shelf, to be stored with other childhood memories. She worked hard at her job and thought that being passionless was just what growing up was all about.

One day she woke up. She opened the box on her shelf and discovered much to her surprise, her passion was there, just waiting to be claimed again.

Now, writing sometimes takes precedence over everything else. In fact, when she is in the middle of a chapter, she usually relies on the smoke detector to tell her when dinner is ready.

To learn more, visit Sarah on her website, on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

Author Interview:


What is your favourite food?

Bread. I would have killed Marie Antoinette, too. :-) Sadly, I have developed an intolerance for wheat in the last few years and I feel much better if I limit the amount of grain in my diet. I’d be better off if I was truly allergic because then I could quit cold turkey. Instead, I cheat a little here and there until I feel so crappy I wonder why I do this to myself. It’s an addiction, seriously.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

A night owl by nature, a morning person because of work. I’m so conditioned to rise and hit the day running as soon as I put my feet on the floor that it doesn’t matter how late I’m up the night before, I will stagger out of bed at the same time regardless.

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

I’ve done so little traveling in my life that I scarcely know where to begin with the dreaming. When all you know is the briar patch, it is hard to imagine a larger world out there. I would very much like to see the countries of my ancestors. I recently visited the UK on a short trip and fell in love. It felt like I was coming home. I would love seeing more of the British Isles.

Do distant places feature in your books?

Not really. Having felt what it was like to step foot in a different country and experience first hand what that was like, I realize now how impossible it is to really get the feel for a place that you’ve never seen. You can use your imagination, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing it firsthand.

Do you listen to music while writing?

No, I don’t I find it too distracting. I listen to music when I’m brainstorming for a story—I commute long distances to work and I have playlists I listen to while I drive. The familiar music lets my mind wander and I frequently have ‘eureka!’ moments during these trips, but when I sit down to write, I can’t listen to music unless it is a quiet instrumental in the background.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

The Boys of Summer is a story about two very different men who otherwise would be two ships passing in the night; only circumstances force them to rely on each other for survival. In the normal course of events, they’d have gone their separate ways without ever acting on their attraction to one another. Now they have to re-evaluate what is important to them and how much they are willing to put on the line for each other.

What makes this story different is the there is a long dream sequence in the middle of the novel that mirrors some of the decisions that Rick and David have to make about each other and the risks each of them would be asked to take. Like the reliance on each other to survive being marooned on a deserted island in the South Pacific, both men have to decide if putting their hearts on the line is worth the risk.

What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?

Whew-boy! I’ve learned so much—and part of that is that I have so much still to learn. The publishing industry is in the throes of major upheaval right now as e-publishing changes the face of the industry in ways no one could have seen fifteen years ago. It has made it possible for publishing houses to take chances on no-name writers such as myself with minimal risks to their bottom line, but it has also made it easier than ever for anyone to become a published author. As such, the overall quality of the mass market stories has gone down, and reader expectations of cheap, readily available stories has gone up.

I hear lots of authors wish that they could just write their stories and find some publisher willing to do all the work they don’t want to do: the self-promotion and marketing aspect of things. Sadly, I think that’s a fantasy now. Legacy publishing has really fallen down on the job of keeping up with the changes in the industry, and social media promotion on the part of authors is probably here to stay.

I’ve worked with publishers and I’ve self-published. There are pros and cons to both but I can honestly say that I never fully appreciated how much my publishers do for me until I tried doing it all on my own. There are some people for whom self-publishing gives them the total control they desire. For me, with limited amounts of time in which to write, I’m better off working with a publisher who can take care of the things I don’t have the skills to handle well and putting my time resources into the one thing I do know how to do: writing the next story.

Is there anything you would do differently?

I’d have concentrated on one type of story rather than writing whatever caught my interest. I’d have buckled down and written my sequels rather than moved on to the next set of shiny characters that enthralled me. In the genre of M/M romance, what sells best is the long, contemporary romance—preferably part of a series as well. Unfortunately, I write what I love and that isn’t necessarily what sells the best.

Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?

I’ve always read a lot. My favorite genres are mystery and sci-fi, so when I write my own stories, I like plotty adventures. I do love seeing my favorite characters get together, so I refer to my stories as romances with detective (or paranormal) interruptions. I am a huge sucker for witty banter and clever dialog, so I aim to include that in my own stories. And even though I like torturing my characters, I want to make things right in the end. I believe in happy endings. Life is tough enough. At the end of the day, I want to read a story that will make me forget about how hard my day was. So what if it is a little fluffy and not very intellectual? What is important to me is whether or not the author makes me care about their characters and transports me to another world for a few hours. If I can do that for any reader, I am thrilled.

I want heroes that are better than I am. Heroes that inspire me to live up to their standards. I want to be good enough to be considered for the crew of the Enterprise. I don’t want to read about characters that might as well be my boss or my co-workers or the man-next-door.

I love intelligent characters and adult relationships. One of the main reasons I am attracted to M/M romances is because the characters usually meet as equals. On the whole, I read very little traditional romance because I loathe what falling in love does to the average heroine.

I’m a huge fan of David Weber, Jane Austen, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Elizabeth Moon, Laurie B. King, Elizabeth Peters, Josephine Tey, Tasha Alexander and more. If I could produce a story a tenth as good as any one of theirs, I’d be happy.

Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?

Write more, talk less. I know there is this whole thing about Promotion is King and how you need to spend x amount of time self-promoting and a certain amount of that is true. But remember this: it is easier to sell books and workshops on marketing than it is to teach you how to be a better writer. Your best promotion is your next story. Never forget that.

What are three words that describe you?

Loyal, hard-working, self-deprecating.

What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?

My all-time favorite must-have-on-a-desert-island book is Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers. By this point in the series, you know that Harriet Vane has been acquitted of the murder of her former lover with the help of Lord Peter Wimsey, who has been pursuing her romantically ever since. Gaudy Night is a grown-up novel with adult issues, disguised as a mystery. Not to mention, it has the hottest scene ever for a novel that contains no overt sex whatsoever.

Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book


The Boys of Summer: Working for a California-based film production company, David McIntyre is the go-to man for matching the right location to the right project for the right price. On an extended trip to Hawaii, he hires Sutton’s Air Service to cart him all around to some of the most exotic locations in the South Pacific. During one of those trips, a freak tropical storm forces them to make a crash landing, leaving both men stranded without a radio and with very little in the way of food and water. Rick Sutton’s injuries make it imperative that they be rescued soon, and David finds himself calling on all his professional skills to keep both of them alive.

It takes a vivid dream about WW2 however, to make David realize that he has real feelings for Rick—more than just his natural concern that both of them get out of this mess alive. But putting his heart on the line might be the greatest risk David has ever taken—does he have the courage to make it before time runs out on both of them?

List of previous books if any

Unspeakable Words
Crying for the Moon
Raincheck
Practice Makes Perfect
Going for Gold (anthology)
A Summer Fling


Any websites/places readers can find you on the web

All my links (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc, are available on my website.
http://www.sarahmadisonfiction.com/




Book Trailer:



***

The Boys of Summer
by Sarah Madison
M/M Romance
Amazon Paperback | Kindle
Amazon UK Paperback | Kindle


David McIntyre has been enjoying the heck out of his current assignment: touring the Hawaiian Islands in search of the ideal shooting locations for a series of film company projects. What’s not to like? Stunning scenery, great food, sunny beaches…and a secret crush on his hot, ex-Air Force pilot, Rick Sutton. Everything changes when a tropical storm and engine failure force a crash landing on a deserted atoll with a WWII listening post. Rick’s injuries, and a lack of food and water, make rescue imperative, but it takes an intensely vivid dream about the war to make David see that Rick is more than just a pilot to him. Will David gather his courage to confess his feelings to Rick—before it’s too late?

The Boys of Summer has recently been given an Honorable Mention and is one of the finalists in the 2013 Rainbow Awards! The winners will be announced sometime in December.

“Settings are used wonderfully here, becoming so vibrant that they played out like a movie in my mind as I read.” Jessewave

“I devoured it and it has moved into my top ten books of all time.” Josie Goodreads

“Ms. Madison writes with a wonderful, flowing style, her words effortless and magical, drawing you into her story.” Susan Mac Nicol

Giveaway

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Book Review: The Gentleman and the Rogue by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon


The Gengleman and the Rogue
by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon
M/M Historical Romance
5 Stars
Review Copy supplied by author.
Amazon

Blurb:

Lad from the streets meets lord of the manor. Both men's lives will be changed forever.

When Sir Alan Watleigh goes searching for sex, he never imagines the street rat he brings home for one last bit of pleasure in his darkest hour will be the man who hauls him back from the edge of the grave. Despite his harsh life in the slums of London, Jem is a bright, cheerful young man. He's also witty, irreverent, glib, and makes Alan laugh--a rare occasion since war time trauma and the death of his family have made the man a ghost of his former self.

A single night of meaningless sex turns into an offer of permanent employment. Jem acts as Alan's valet, but offers him so much more than polished boots and starched cravats. Just as the men are adjusting to their new living arrangement, news about a former soldier under his command sends Sir Watleigh and Jem on the road to save a child in danger.

The journey brings them closer together as they travel from lust toward love. They rescue the girl from the clutches of an insane surgeon, who is as interested in experimenting on the vulnerable human spirit as he is on physical bodies. Alan realizes his love for Jem when he nearly loses him, but is Alan's love strong enough to risk society discovering the truth about him? And is he strong enough to finally accept his sexual nature?

Review:

I adored this book, I could hardly read it fast enough, but then I wanted to eke out the last few pages so it wouldn't finish too soon, so engrossed was I in Sir Alan's and Jem's tale.

Jem is a male prostitute, hired by Sir Alan for one night, one night of pleasure before he leaves this world for good. Only things don't quite turn out that way. Alan decides against suicide and to his amazement, he offers Jem a place as his valet to get him off the streets for good.

Despite the first intimate scene being between Alan and Jem, a street whore, I am going to call it a love scene rather than a sex scene, because it was so emotionally fraught for both of them. When Jem began by kissing Alan's battle scars so tenderly, I was almost in tears.

Despite being a sometime thief, liar and whore, Jem is still a good character; he's the light to Alan's darkness, his remembered horrors of the war. Both are damaged characters, but both find new purpose with each other.

The story is so well-written and the characters speak as if they are in Regency times, not in the modern world. You won't get any 21st century slang in here. The history just blends in with the story, the reader isn't lecutured on the past.

Jem and Alan are delightful, their love scenes hot and sensual and again, flow within the story. There's a villain you'll love to hate but any more than that I won't say in case I spoil it.

It was just a wonderful read all round.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby


Book Spotlight & Giveaway: The Sex Doctor by Jessica Frost




The Sex Doctor
Sexy Men of Mystery
Book 4
Jessica Frost
Genre: Erotic MM Paranormal Romantic Suspense, vampires, light consensual BDSM, whipping
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Number of pages: 120
Word Count: 30475
Cover Artist: Harris Channing

Bookstrand  |  Amazon  |  Amazon CA |  Amazon UK


Book Description:

Low sex drive? The Sex Doctor can cure that!

Detective Marshall Ray’s hoping the Sex Doctor, Dr. Sébastein Thibeault, can cure him of his low libido. When he meets the handsome, charismatic hunk, he’s flustered and can’t stop thinking about him. But to partake in the doctor’s unconventional therapy, he has to open his heart, which scares the hell out of Marshall.

The reason Sébastien’s therapy’s so successful is he’s an empathic vampire. He uses his sixth sense to cure people. With Marshall, who makes his heart pitter-patter, his senses tell him the cure for Marshall is him. The sexual attraction they have is something Sébastien cannot dismiss. But something’s happening to Sébastien that frightens him. He’s having blackouts and waking up with bloodstains on his clothes that aren’t his.

People are being mysteriously killed in the city, their bodies bled dry. Marshall tries to figure out who the murderer is when a witness identifies Sébastien as the killer. Marshall must secretly investigate Sébastien while trying not to let his emotions affect his job. Easier said than done when his heart’s telling him Sébastien’s his soul mate.

***

Excerpt:

The room spun, and Sébastien found focusing on his handsome blond-haired, hazel-eyed patient before him impossible. He knew he’d have this side effect if he stopped the purification process in midstream. But if he drank an orange juice, it would raise his sugar levels and lessen his vertigo.

He stood, and trying not to show his dizziness by gently bracing his weight on the love seat’s armrest, then the wall, he approached the side bar. Afraid his head would spin out of control if he turned now to gaze at Marshall, he asked blindly, “Would you care for a drink?”

“No, um, are you all right, Doctor? You are awfully pale.”

No use in lying now. The cat is out of the bag. “Yes, of course. I’m just a little dizzy is all.” He drank the cold glass of orange juice as he made his way back to his seat. Not moving his head, the whirlwind scene settled and the good-looking man before him once again came into focus.

Marshall’s gaze teetered between Sébastien and the direction of the room, which held the Purifier. “Um, you stopped the dialysis instantly. Isn’t that dangerous?”

If he confessed the truth, he would say that yes, stopping a kidney dialysis quickly like that was extremely dangerous, but he wouldn’t boldface lie, either, so he did the next best thing without compromising his values. He said a white lie. “Well, the process had ended and I was going to remove the needles when you saw me.”

“Oh, I see.” Marshall nodded, sitting back.

The dizziness was gone, but Sébastien knew that it hadn’t disappeared entirely. It lingered in the crevices of his brain, waiting to wreak havoc once more. If he turned or tilted his head in any direction, it would return with a vengeance. So sitting stiffly and unmoving, Sébastien asked, “Before I tell you about my nonconventional treatment, could you tell me why you wanted to see me?”

“Well, Sheryl told me you helped her with the sexual problems she was having with her husband and I thought…” Marshall paused, his eyes shifting from right to left.

“It makes you uncomfortable to say it, doesn’t it, Marshall?”

“Yes, Doctor, it does.”

“Well, then you don’t have to say it. I’ll speak and you only need to nod if I’m correct or not.”
Marshall nodded, wide-eyed.

“You thought I could help you with the problems you’re having with your wife.”

Marshall shook his head. “No, I’m not married.”

“Then with your girlfriend?”

He nodded. “With past girlfriends. Not just one.”

“How many? Two? Three?”

Marshall continued to shake his head, then added, “All of them.”

Sébastien sighed. “Hmm, well, unfortunately, I won’t be able to help you answer the next question. You’ll need to do so alone. If you aren’t comfortable answering, then I can’t help you any further.”

Marshall grinned. “I’m fine, Doctor. I’ll answer whatever question you want me to.”

“All right, that’s excellent.” Sébastien drummed his fingers on the right armrest. “What type of problem did you have with all your former girlfriends?”

Marshall took a deep breath and, gazing directly into Sébastien’s eyes, responded, “My libido. Or rather my lack of libido.”

Sébastien’s brow lifted, and he couldn’t help but wonder how this muscular and handsome man before him found it hard to make love to women. But if Marshall decided to continue with the therapy, he would soon find out. His lips spread into a half grin to show encouragement. “Well, the good news is treating a low libido is easier than treating an overactive one.”

Marshall shook his head. “If you’re talking Viagra or other meds like that, I tried them. They don’t work.”

“No, I wasn’t talking medication. But your remark does raise a question for me.” He paused, then asked, “Have you seen a medical doctor for your problem?”

“Yes, I did, and I went through a slew of tests, which showed I was normal. So he prescribed me Viagra and other meds like that. None of the meds helped. And I won’t mention the side effects.”

“Yes, the side effects can be many,” Sébastien said, imagining how painful it could be if his cock stayed erect for long periods of time.

“After that I figured maybe homeopathic medicine would help. That’s how I met Sheryl. But she couldn’t help me and referred me to you.”

“I see.” He took a deep breath and tried to lift the man’s spirits. “All right, then we know it isn’t a physical thing. Which makes this easier for us.”

“Easier for me? Not really, Doctor.”

Sébastien grinned. “No, of course not, Marshall. I didn’t mean what you’re going through is easy. What I meant is now that I know that this isn’t physical, the therapy will be straightforward.”

Marshall leaned in closer, and with scrutinizing eyes, he asked, “What type of therapy are we talking here, Doc?”

Sébastien placed the empty glass on the table, and when he saw the dizziness didn’t return with the movement, he thanked God and said, “I’m not sure how much Mrs. Todd told you about me or my therapy, so it’s best I tell you exactly what I tell all my patients before I begin with any treatments.” He sighed. “First off, I’m not a certified sex therapist.”

“But you are a doctor. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, I have a doctorate, but not in psychology. In biochemistry.”

Marshall frowned. “Then why do you practice sex therapy?”

“Because I found my vocation in this. I have helped many people who couldn’t find the help they needed from doctors or psychologists or psychiatrists.” He leaned forward. “So shall I continue or has this news unsettled you and now you wish to terminate any further treatments and leave?”

A hesitant “No” slipped off Marshall’s lips. His eyes though showed his indecisiveness.

Sébastien continued, “You don’t sound that sure, Marshall. Let me tell you what some of my therapy sessions entail. Maybe that will help you make up your mind.”

“All right.”

***

About the Author:

Jessica Frost has always had a passion for fiction and the written word. Add to that her wild, vivid imagination and her pure romantic tendencies and she soon realized she had the traits needed to become a romance author. She decided to take the very big first step not that long ago and wrote her first erotic romance story. And she has not looked back since.


Being a romance writer is a dream come true for her. Having the opportunity to create fantasy worlds where anything and everything can happen is an amazing feeling. She hopes these worlds and the delightful characters she creates will bring hours of enjoyment to her readers as they have done for her.

Website: http://www.authorjessicafrost.com/

Blog: http://authorjessicafrost.blogspot.ca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_JesFrost

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Author.Jessica.Frost

***

Giveaway:


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$50 Amazon gift ecard


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Book Review: Clipped by Devon McCormack


Clipped
by Devon McCormack
M/M Erotica/Paranormal
3.5 Stars
Review copy from Netgalley

Blurb:

Though mortals have been convinced that God cares about their souls, nothing could be further from the truth. He created the world as a gift for his lover, Satan. But when Satan left him, he decided to end what he saw as his most grotesque creation.

Satan and his army of demons are man's only hope...

The demon Kinzer and his lover, Janka, have been sent by Satan to spy on The Raze, a gang of rogue demons who are working with God to bring about Armageddon. When someone exposes their true allegiances, The Raze clips Kinzer's wings and murders Janka. Kinzer manages to escape. He tracks down Satan's allies to warn them about a mole in their midst when he learns that they've located the Antichrist—a powerful weapon that could prevent the apocalypse. Now, he's on a mission to protect the Antichrist and avenge his lover’s death.

Review:

Love and hate, good vs evil, the fate of the world.

At the beginning of this book, I felt as if I had started reading halfway through. A lot seemed to have happened before the book started and I was left feeling very confused as to what was going on. The exotic names didn't help either.

Kinzer is one of the fallen, a fallen angel who is trying to save humanity and wakes up with his wings clipped, which negates all his supernatural powers as well, and realises he is now a sex slave in a very rough club. He meets Kid, the youngest person there, who has been a prisoner in the club since he was fifteen and doesn't really know any other life.

Being new, Kinzer doesn't know the rules and strikes up a conversation with Kid in the club's weight room, but it's Kid who gets punished by being tasered, as he did know the rules - no fraternising with the others.

Eventually, Kinzer had enough and engineers an escape, taking Kid with him and trying to figure out who betrayed him to the Raze, the unfallen angels who are trying to bring about Armageddon.

They meet up with two other angels, Dedrus and Treycore (who'd been working as strippers) and these two angels have kidnapped a pregnant woman, who they believe is about to give birth to the Antichrist, the saviour of humanity, not its downfall.

This book was not a boring read, but for me it was an uncomfortable one. There are lots of scenes with very rough sex, including biting, blood play and a lot of pain - as angels are very well-endowed and it hurts, a lot. I don't mind erotica, but that much pain for me isn't erotic. It is erotic for Kid, he enjoys it.

It's definitely erotica rather than romance, as Kid and Kinzer have sex almost within minutes of meeting, despite it breaking the rules. Then Kinzer gets with Dedrus, and Kid ends up with Treycore, an angel who detests humans and thinks they smell foul. It doesn't stop him from having sex with Kid, in many places and positions, even though having sex with him could kill a human because he is so large. Not a book for the faint of heart.

The sex scenes are a bit more raunchy than I was used to, very explicit, no purple prose here. But there did seem to be sex in every chapter, sometimes more than once and that just seemed a bit excessive.

I did come to grow to like Kinzer and Kid, Dedrus I'm still not sure of and I didn't really like Treycore at all.

Towards the end of the book, the betrayer is revealed and I didn't guess who it was, so kudos to the author for pulling that twist. I loved the paranormal elements with a twist on the fallen angels etc., but for me there was a bit too much sex and not enough plot.


Author Interview: Kelli Wilkins Talking about Ultimate Night's Delights


Talking with Kelli A. Wilkins About… Ultimate Night’s Delights 

Q: Ultimate Night’s Delights is the third book in a series of erotic historical romances. Tell us more about the trilogy.

A: Ultimate Night’s Delights is the third (and final) story in a trilogy that began with A Midsummer Night’s Delights and continued with A Midwinter Night’s Delights. I never intended to write a trilogy, but the characters kept popping up in my head, and I knew they had more stories to tell.

I want to mention that although the books start off as “straight” romances, everything heats up for the characters and before long they’re experimenting with M/M, F/F, and various group encounters. All three books are super-hot and have something for everyone!

A Midsummer Night’s Delights introduced readers to newlyweds Julian and Annabelle. They were strangers trapped in an arranged, sexless marriage. To loosen them up, Julian’s father sends them to the Marquis of Demby’s estate to attend a Midsummer Ball. (And this type of ball isn’t for dancing…)

Julian and Annabelle meet the Marquis, Vincent, and his wife, Sabrina. Over the course of their visit, they learn how to open up and explore their sexuality. When they attend the Midsummer Ball, they shed their inhibitions while indulging in their wildest fantasies.

A Midwinter Night’s Delights picks up six months after the first book. (If you haven’t read the first story, that’s okay – each novella stands alone as an individual read. And yes, this book is just as hot – if not hotter – than the first one.)

In the sequel, we discover that Annabelle and Julian have taken what they’ve learned and gone wild. Ever since the summer ball, they have been overindulging in all sorts of erotic activities and are more than eager to give in to their desires whenever (and wherever) the mood strikes – even if it’s at a formal dinner party. Needless to say, Julian’s father sends them back to Vincent’s estate to be disciplined and learn self-control.

A Midwinter Night’s Delights is more intense than the first book. From the outset, readers know that Julian and Annabelle are learning lessons and being disciplined – but it’s all for their own good. I sprinkled in some B/D/S/M to make things interesting. It was fun to explore a different side to the games that take place at the estate and watch how the characters reacted as they received their ‘punishments’ throughout the book. I also shared the backstory about how Vincent and Sabrina met, and introduced two new characters, Lono and Lobo.

Both books got excellent reviews and readers fell in love with the characters. After writing a few other romances, I knew I needed to wrap up the series, and Ultimate Night’s Delights was born.

Here’s the summary:

Julian and Annabelle are back for a final ball!

The Marquis of Demby’s Midsummer and Midwinter Balls changed Julian and Annabelle forever. Freed from their inhibitions, they now help other shy couples explore their sexual urges and hidden desires.

But life on Vincent and Sabrina’s estate is anything but tranquil. The notorious Duke of Blackwell has discovered the secret about the naughty balls and is out to destroy the marquis.

Vincent refuses to deny the rumors about the “anything goes” parties he hosts, and turns to his friends for assistance. Together, they devise a plan to defeat the Black Duke…and still find time for a few erotic games.

**

In Ultimate Night’s Delights, I expanded Lono and Lobo’s characters and made them an essential part of the story. I think readers will enjoy the last installment of the series and be satisfied at the ending.

Q: Was it your plan all along to have someone try to end the erotic parties hosted by Vincent and Sabrina?

A: Not at all. When I started plotting the book, I wasn’t sure what direction to go. I knew there had to be something interesting (beyond a naughty ball) that raised the stakes for everyone, and I thought about blackmail. (It’s always a good motive!) From there, I developed the idea of the Black Duke out to destroy Vincent. Then I had to devise a clever way to tie it all together at the end.

Q: Is this the end or will there be more books in the series?

A: This is the last book in the trilogy/series. But just because Vincent’s games will end, it doesn’t mean the characters won’t have fun off-page. I invite readers who fell in love with these characters to visit my site and catch up on all of my romances. I’ve written spicy stories in all genres, including another historical trilogy.

Q: What’s next for you Kelli?

A: I’m working on a few new romances for Amber Quill Press, including a paranormal and another gay romance. Readers can keep up with my news, get inside looks at my books, writing tips, and more on my blog.

Thanks for letting me share a bit about my latest romance. I love talking about books and writing, and I invite readers to contact me with questions about my stories. (Links are below.)

Happy Reading,
Kelli

Readers can find me on the web here:

Website: www.KelliWilkins.com

Blog http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kelli-A.Wilkins/e/B001JSAB24/

Amber Quill Press Author page http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/bio_Wilkins.html

Medallion Press Author Page http://medallionmediagroup.com/author/kelli-wilkins/

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/@KWilkinsauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1123678.Kelli_A_Wilkins

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelli.wilkins1


About the Author:

Kelli A. Wilkins writes in several genres including romance, horror, and non-fiction. Her Amber Quill Press romances span multiple genres, including gay, historical, fantasy, contemporary, and paranormal. Her most recent romance, ULTIMATE NIGHT'S DELIGHTS, an erotic historical, was released in September 2013. Readers can learn more about Kelli’s romances on her site: www.KelliWilkins.com and her weekly blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/



Book Trailer: Forever is Now by K. Vale


Forever is Now
Shooting Stars Book 1
by K. Vale
M/M Contemporary/Rock Stars
Liquid Silver Books
Available from: Amazon | Allromance

Blurb:


If you love someone, set him free. If he steals something of yours, hunt him down and make him sorry.

Alex Bremen is over Chance Ralan. Ever since his high school boyfriend ditched him nine years ago, Alex has barely thought of Chance at all. Sure, Alex attended a concert or two when his ex’s band, Armageddon Showdown, was in the area, but that was more curiosity than anything else. Who wouldn’t want to see firsthand how his once clean-cut boyfriend transformed into a pierced and tattooed heavy metal god?

But when Chance has the nerve to record a love song Alex wrote for him years ago, Alex crosses the country to confront him. Revenge becomes a dish best served sizzling hot. The two men lock horns, but find the chemistry between them has only intensified with time, and occasionally love needs to do some growing up before it can be done right.

***



Book Review: And if I Offered Thee a Bargain by Jules Jones


Review orignally posted at The Romance Reviews
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10642


And if I Offered Thee a Bargain
by Jules Jones
Musa Publishing
M/M Paranormal/Faerie
Short Story
5 Stars

Blurb:

One night of your life for seven years of love. Would you pay the price?

Jack never dreamed that a reluctant trip back to his home town would thrust him into the world of the sidhe. He finds that the legends are true, but the sidhe have changed. They have a new bargain to offer the mortals who bring them fresh stories and share new technologies.

But is the price of this new bargain worth it?

Review:


This was a wonderful, passionate short story that keeps you reading from the very first line. It being set in Ireland endeared it even more to me, being Irish myself. It was lovely to read again some of the legends I grew up with and the twists the author added to them.

Sci-fi and fantasy fan Jack falls asleep on an Irish hillside while listening to his latest audiobook. When he wakes, a handsome stranger with pointed ears and golden cat-like eyes is staring down at him.

Jack at first mistakes the man for an escapee from a nearby fandom con, but he soon discovers the truth. The stranger is one of the Fair Folk, the Sidhe, also known as elves. There is an instant attraction between them and after they first make love, Fergal the elf offers his bargain. One night will pass in Jack's world, if he will stay with Fergal for seven years in the land of the Sidhe.

But can you ever really trust the Sidhe?

This was a short story, but was as satisfying a read as longer novels.

It's told in first person from Jack's point of view, and while that normally isn't my preference, it works here so that you too are drawn into the mystery and magic with Jack.

Fergal and Jack were both great characters and they feel well-rounded, even though it's a short story. I loved the fact that the elves adored stories and Jack spent many a night reading from his ebook collection to rapt elves.

The ending is bittersweet, but it couldn't really be otherwise for this story. If I had one complaint, it would be that it could have been longer. I would have quite happily tarried a good long while in the magical world the author created.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby





New M/M Releases this week


Sins of the Fathers
by Edward Kendrick
M/M Contemporary/Models
Silver Publishing
Release Date: Nov 4 2013
Allromance

Blurb:


When ex-priest Mark Collins is suddenly catapulted to fame as a super-model, he discovers there is more to it than he expected. With the help of Paul, his boss's assistant, he manages to weather the promotional gigs. Then there is his blossoming involvement with Angelo, a police detective he met soon after arriving in the city.

Everything is thrown into disarray when he finds out his boss may be trafficking with the Mafia. When he's attacked, his life soon becomes a game of 'who do I trust?' Will it be Angelo or the very appealing FBI agent who puts him into protective custody to keep him alive until he can testify?

***


For a Dragon's Protection
by Charlie Richards
M/M Paranormal/Shifter
eXtasy Books
Release Date: Nov 4
Allromance

When Elder Combs—leader for the gray caste of dragons—discovers Ewan MacNiery dying on the side of the mountain, he’s instantly smitten. Helping the human regain his health comes first, followed closely by seducing him and making him his own. Except Ewan claims he’s not interested in males and fights their attraction. Between the danger Ewan’s appearance in the valley represents and the human’s own resistances, can Combs figure out how to convince Ewan that staying and building a life with a male dragon will fulfill the desires of his heart?

***


Almost Paradise
by Caitlin Ricci
Pine Hollow Wolves Book 1.0
M/M Paranormal/Shifter
eXtasy Books
Release Date: Nov 4
Allromance

Travis has done everything to keep his daughter safe. He's fought a long, hard battle in the courts to gain full custody and has finally found some breathing room. But that security comes at a heavy price.


Staying in a motel and living off his quickly dwindling savings is no way to raise a toddler, so when Liam steps into his life and offers him hundreds of dollars just to watch his dogs for a weekend, it almost seems too good to be true.

***


Beautiful Dreamer
by Sam Singer
M/M Fantasy
Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Nov 4
Allromance




From the time he was a child, Nicholas Crittendon, oft-overlooked second son of the Duke of Sanburne, has been outcast because of his fascination with the myth of the Lost Kingdom. As legend has it, the entire population was wiped from existence when its prince was cursed by an evil sorceress into a deathlike sleep.


Convinced that the Lost Kingdom is real, Nicholas devotes his days to reading and research, trying to pinpoint its location. As he grows older, his nights become haunted with dreams of a blond, green-eyed young man calling to Nicholas for help. Nicholas’s interest spirals into an obsession that drives him away from the comfort and safety of his life and toward the unknown of his dreams. Those slumbering visions may hold the key to everything he’s searched for and a lover he never believed could be real.

But when he finds out there is more to Liam than he ever thought, he has a hard decision to make. Can he and his daughter stay and be safe or will he need to leave?

***



M/M Book Trailer: Take me Home by Sloan Parker

Guest Post & Giveaway: Susan MacNicol's Saving Alexander Blog Tour





Guest Post: Pricing
by Susan MacNicol

I have a little bit of a personal bug bear when it comes to buying books on Amazon and other sites. I'm one of those people who really like to get into a book, and into a story hence why I prefer longer novels.

I suppose this is one of the reasons I write such long stories myself- Stripped Bare was 104000 + words, 290 pages (Kindle) Saving Alexander is just under 90 k words, and my other books are much the same, somewhere between these two numbers. I believe that if I'm writing a story, I want readers to get as much out of it as I can give.

Of course there's a place for the novellas, for the short stories, and the 'in between' excerpts to keep reader interest between books that run in a series. I enjoy these as much as the next man or woman and lap them up so I can follow the character's lives between series.

But what I don't appreciate is having to pay a price that I don't believe is commensurate with what is on offer. I've seen books of 20 pages being sold at $4.00, books at 70-80 pages being sold at the same price and then stories of 100 pages or similar going for $6 or more. Now colour me daft, but I tend to want to get value for money when I buy my books to read. So Stripped Bare, for example, priced at $5.45 for 290 pages, to me is not bad value.

But it's got to the stage where I can't tell the length of the book by the price in some cases. It could be that the more popular authors can price their shorter books up simply because they are popular.  Everyone has a pricing strategy and if they can get away with it, well done to them. I just become frustrated when I read a blurb I really like, go and take a look at the book and find out its 100 pages for > $5.

And talking about the short stories, there are a lot of them in the M/M genre, short and sweet tales that are a little like my own publisher, Boroughs Lunchbox Romances , which at around 50 pages and just over a dollar, offer a read that's 'easily consumable in a lunchtime'. You honestly don't mind paying this for a quick read. But I draw the line at paying more unless I'm really dying to read it.

I know that it's up to the reader to decide just how much they would pay to read something by one of their favourite authors. I just wish there was a little more consistency in the pricing. And therein I end my little diatribe about what I deem the unfair pricing of good books on the shelves and I leave it to you to form your own opinion and even tell me if you disagree. I have wide shoulders- I can take it :)

***


Book Trailer:



***


Title: Saving Alexander
Author: Susan Mac Nicol
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Bookseller: Boroughs Publishing Group


Punishing himself for a horrific past that is not his fault, bestselling author Alexander Montgomery seeks redemption and love—and perhaps he will find it.

Famous author though he may be, Alexander Montgomery is not someone you take home to meet Mother. Seriously flawed, damaged by a horrific past, he’s trying hard to claw his way back to normality. But how can anyone respect what he truly is? His therapy involves regular sessions at Study in Scarlet, an exclusive S&M club.

Then comes Sage. Tall, with black hair and blue eyes, an up-and-coming actor with impossible charm and boy-next-door good looks, he’s the perfect choice to play the leading man in a TV adaptation of Alex’s last best-seller. Even more, he is a man you introduce to your family. Which Alex would do—if he weren’t taken by another man who offers the punishments Alex prays will wipe away the past and make him the person he wants to be. Yet, perhaps there is another path to redemption. If only the solution would reach out and touch him.

***


SAVING ALEXANDER EXCERPT
copyright 2013 Susan Elaine Mac Nicol

Sage pulled Alex to him desperately, feeling the steady beat of his heart against his chest. “Jesus, Alex, babe. You might have been fucked up but you were my fuck-up.” He felt the movement of Alex’s mouth against his chest, as if he was smiling. “You could have told me all this instead of writing a stupid word on a piece of paper and breaking my bloody heart.”

“Babe, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done this right now, I’m a selfish son of a bitch.” He drew Alex’s trembling lips to his and kissed him deeply, tasting the salt on his skin. “You aren’t going to lose me. I’m here for you, that was my promise.” He huffed in frustration. “It’s just I really care for you and I want you for myself. Every last, sexy, beautiful bit of you.” Sage to Alex

Sage moved closer to him, pinning Alex between the sink and his body. Alex stared at him defiantly and Sage reached out, cupping his face in his hands, his thumbs caressing the strong curve of Alex’s jaw. He saw something flicker in Alex’s eyes, a fierce hope that disappeared almost as it arrived.
“You don’t have to keep going with this, Sage. I don’t expect you to.” Alex swallowed, his face filled with pain. “You can leave me,” he whispered and Sage’s heart broke at the defeated tone in Alex’s voice.

Alex had found the weapon. He picked it up in and stood to face Sarah
.
“Stop it.” His voice was quiet. “Stop now or I’ll bloody shoot you, you bitch. And nobody fucking owns me. Not anymore.” He stood, steady hands pointing the gun he’d retrieved squarely at Sarah. “Stay back, Sage.”

Finally Sage released Alex and grinned wickedly. “Could you really give that up?” he said softly in his ear as he nuzzled his neck.

Alex shook his head as he leaned into him, enjoying his scent and the warmth of his body. “I could never give you up. I love you far too much to do that.”

Sage let him go and Alex saw him take two small pieces of paper from his pocket. He watched as Sage laid them in an ashtray on the kitchen tab and bought out a box of matches from the kitchen drawer.

“What the hell are you doing?” Alex asked, puzzled. Sage kept quiet, picking up the two pieces of paper to show him what was written on them.

Chrysippus. Tallulah.

Eric chuckled quietly. “Sometimes I like to exercise my prerogative and change my mind. You’ve been through enough tonight. Time to end it, don’t you think?”

The distinct desire in his voice was evident and Alex thought Eric had chosen to end it for his own pleasure, to finish off the evening for him in the way Eric liked most. Inside Alex.

He leaned in toward Alex’s face, his mouth just short of brushing his lips. One of Alex’s cardinal rules was no kissing. Eric wasn’t allowed to take Alex’s mouth with his and it frustrated him. Sometimes he really wanted to kiss him, taste him, feel Alex’s tongue in his mouth, but he knew Alex would choose someone else if he disobeyed. It was probably why he treated him harsher than his other clients. He didn’t like being denied something he badly wanted.




About the Author:

Susan Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, UK, and left for South Africa when she was eight. She returned to the UK thirty years later and now lives in Essex. Her debut novel Cassandra by Starlight, the first in a trilogy, was published earlier this year by Boroughs Publishing Group in the US. Sue’s latest story, Saving Alexander is her second m/m romance.

Sue has written since she was very young, and never thought she would see herself being a Romance writer, being a horror/psychological thriller reader all her life. But the Romance genre is now something very close to her heart and she intends continuing the trend.

Sue is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Novelists Association here in the UK.

To learn more, visit Susan on her website and blog on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and Pinterest.

Susan Mac Nicol is also author of The Magick of Christmas, Confounding Cupid, Cassandra by Starlight , Together in Starlight and the best-selling Stripped Bare.

***

Tour Wide Giveaway:

Susan and her publisher, Boroughs Publishing Group, will be awarding a five-book subscription to their Lunchbox Romance line, plus a copy of Stripped Bare to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.





a Rafflecopter giveaway




Book Review: Stoned by Shelley Munro


Stoned
by Shelley Monro
Ellora's Cave (Spectrum Imprint)
M/M Paranormal Elements/Erotic Romance
Length: Quickie
4 Stars

Blurb:

Life is a chariot race for Marc Angelo and Tarquin Navona. Friends, rivals and rock stars of Circus Maximus in ancient Rome, they wow the fans with their daring driving and take their choice of lovers. A fine life indeed—if Marc weren’t harboring feelings for Tarquin. It’s difficult to behave normally when he craves physical contact with his friend’s muscular body, but Marc resists, too afraid of losing Tarquin entirely.

He needn’t have worried. Fate has plans for them. Very long-term plans…

When a powerful sorcerer catches Marc and Tarquin with his wife, he curses them to imprisonment in stone. Centuries pass, and Marc’s love and lust for Tarquin only increases. His friend doesn’t have a clue, but that’s the least of their problems. They have no idea how to escape their predicament—and may be doomed to spend eternity Stoned.

Review:

Marc has been in love with his best friend Tarquin, who is also his main competitor on the chariot racing circuit. Tarquin has no qualms about bedding any conquests, male or female, it's all just sex to him.

Sometimes they share a woman, although that isn't really Marc's preference, but he does it as a way to get closer to Tarquin. One night they woman they've chosen is not one of the regular courtesans at the brothel, masked and hooded, they suspect she's a married woman.

She is indeed married, to a powerful sorcerer and when he catches Marc and Tarquin with her, he turns them both to stone statues and after centuries they end up in Las Vegas as a statue in one of the hotels, probably Ceasar's Palace :)

They return to their human form for a day on the anniversary of the curse and they've spent the intervening years researching the curse and how to lift it as well as amassing quite a bit of money over time.

They can still talk to each other through their minds while statues, but they can't move and Marc still hasn't got the courage to admit his love for Tarquin, afraid of losing the only friend he has.

It's quite a short story that fits a lot in and is easily read in one sitting. We get both points of view, which was good, but at times I felt like shaking them. Neither wanted to take the first step to progress from friendship to something more. They both evolved over the years they were trapped and probably learned a lot more about each other as they could only communicate with each other while in statue form. They took their time to figure out they really did want each other!

The love scenes between them are hot and sensual and contrasted well with the scenes in the brothel, where they were just there for sex. It's a sweet story overall, not too much angst, but enough to keep you wondering whether they will ever get the curse lifted and get their happily ever after. I would have liked a bit more of the setting to have been Ancient Rome, but that's probably just the history fan in me coming out.



Series Spotlight: Legends of the Red Sun by Mark Charan Newton


Nights of Villjamur
by Mark Charan Newton
Legends of the Red Sun #1
Tor Publishing
Fantasy/LGBT characters

The ancient city of Villjamur is threatened by a long-expected ice age, and thousands of refugees from the coming freeze are camped outside its gates, causing alarm and the threat of disease for the existing population. When the Emperor commits suicide, his elder daughter, Rika, is brought home to inherit the Jamur Empire, but the sinister Chancellor plans to get rid of her and claim the throne for himself.

Meanwhile an officer in the Inquisition, in pursuit of a mysterious killer, also uncovers a conspiracy within the Council to solve the refugee crisis by wholesale slaughter, and a cultist magician is causing a trail of havoc in his search for immortality and his obsessive quest to gain access into another world. To the far fringes of the Empire is despatched military commander to investigate a mysterious new race of undead that seems intent on genocide of the most gruesome nature.

Gradually the separate strands of romance, jealousy, political intrigue and dark violence converge in a superb new action series of enthralling fantasy.

***


City of Ruin
by Mark Charan Newton
Legends of the Red Sun #2
Tor Publishing
Fantasy/LGBT characters

In the frozen north of a far-flung world lies Villiren, a city plagued by violent gangs and monstrous human/animal hybrids, stalked by a serial killer, and targeted by an otherworldly army. Brynd Lathraea has brought his elite Night Guard to help Villiren build a fighting force against the invaders.

But success will mean dealing with the half-vampyre leader of the savage Bloods gang. Meanwhile, reptilian rumel investigator Rumex Jeryd has come seeking refuge from Villjamur's vindictive emperor--only to find a city riddled with intolerance between species, indifference to a murderer's reign of terror, and the powerful influence of criminals. As the enemy prepares to strike, and Villiren's defenders turn on each other, three refugees--deposed empress Jamur Rika, her sister Eir, and the scholar Randur Estevu--approach the city. And with them they bring a last, desperate hope for survival . . . and a shocking revelation that will change everything.

***


The Book of Transformations
by Mark Charan Newton
Legends of the Red Sun #3
Tor Publishing
Fantasy/LGBT characters

A new and corrupt Emperor seeks to rebuild the ancient structures of Villjamur to give the people of the city hope in the face of great upheaval and an oppressing ice age. But when a stranger called Shalev arrives, empowering a militant underground movement, crime and terror becomes rampant. The Inquisition is always one step behind, and military resources are spread thinly across the Empire.

So Emperor Urtica calls upon cultists to help construct a group to eliminate those involved with the uprising, and calm the populace. But there's more to The Villjamur Knights than just phenomenal skills and abilities - each have a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything they represent. Investigator Fulcrom of the Villjamur Inquisition is given the unenviable task of managing the Knights, but his own skills are tested when a mysterious priest, who has travelled from beyond the fringes of the Empire, seeks his help.

The priest's existence threatens the church, and his quest promises to unweave the fabric of the world. And in a distant corner of the Empire, the enigmatic cultist Dartun S r steps back into this world, having witnessed horrors beyond his imagination. Broken, altered, he and the remnants of his cultist order are heading back to Villjamur. And all eyes turn to the Sanctuary City, for Villjamur's ancient legends are about to be shattered...

***


The Broken Isles
by Mark Charan Newton
Legends of the Red Sun #4
Tor Publishing
Fantasy/LGBT characters

War spills into the Boreal Archipelago, as two rival cultures bring their eternal battle into this adjacent realm. Fresh from a military victory, Commander Brynd Lathraea plans to rebuild the city of Villiren, where he is confronted with a dilemma. There are friendly forces who have no other choice but to live alongside his own people, and their numbers will be required to fight in the looming conflict. The commander turns politician as he seeks to build bridges and embrace mysterious new technologies to further his ambitions. However, many in Villiren are sceptical of aliens coming to their city, tensions run high, and even the dream of a peaceful future brings with it inevitable clashes of beliefs.

Meanwhile, Villjamur has been destroyed. A vast swathe of refugees from the legendary city are now on the run from an immense alien presence in the sky. Villages are being cleared and people are dying en masse. And Inquisitor Fulcrom finds himself at the helm of an operation to aid the refugee exodus to the coast, but it's a race against time before this threatened genocide is complete. Ancient civilisations line up on the field of battle. Exotic creatures and a possible god walk alongside citizens of the Empire. As the Legends of the Red Sun series draws to a close, there will be one final and immense conflict to decide the fate of multiple cultures forever.

Amazon

Author's website







Book Spotlight: Changing Tide by DP Denman





Title: Changing Tide
Author:  DP Denman
Genre: M/M contemporary romance 
North Shore Publishing
Paperback & Ebook
Amazon | Smashwords

For Jack Lewis love comes from unexpected places…so does tragedy. When David arrived on Vancouver Island, he was just another tourist looking to charter a boat. A few hours on the water together proves he is more than that. As a world traveler, David is a man of mystery who has been everywhere and seen everything.

Attraction draws them together but an attempt at a meaningless fling fails one touch at a time when Jack feels more than he thought he would. The love affair sparks fear in David and jealousy in Emerson, the man who frequents Jack’s bed in a relationship that is all sex and no soul.

At odds with the men in his life Jack tries to talk David into staying and Emerson into going. The attempt sends things spinning out of control and he struggles with the consequences that could leave him empty handed.


Excerpt:

Emerson aimed for alluring and innocent as he lay stretched out on the bed with that look and a pout on his lips. He missed it by several yards but Jack saw no reason to tell him that. He just pulled on his boxers and let that make the statement for him. He could beg if he wanted but it wasn’t going to work.

“Fine,” Emerson huffed and pillowed his head in his arms, turning his face to the wall. “If you’re going to treat me like a whore then I’m not going to bother getting up to make you coffee.”

“I can make my own coffee,” he stepped into his jeans and zipped them. “And I’m not treating you like a whore,” he crouched beside the bed and slid fingers into Emerson’s hair, gripping the strands to tug his head back and kiss the pout.

Emerson tried to turn it into something more but he broke it before he had a chance. He knew that game and like a lot of things, it didn’t work anymore. Over the past year, he’d grown immune to Emerson, to a certain extent, most of the time.

“One of these days I’m going to put my foot down, Jack,” Emerson called after him as he headed for the door. “None of this coming and going whenever you please, bullshit. I deserve better than that.”

“Funny, but I’ve never heard you complain about the coming part,” he tossed him a smile, stepped outside and pulled the door closed on the rest of the argument.


About the Author:

DP Denman is an M/M (gay) contemporary romance author from the soggy splendor of the Pacific Northwest. She is a long-suffering hockey fan and an enthusiast of all things coffee. In addition to being an obsessed writer, DP is also an eclectic reader and determined LGBT rights activist. She lives with her fur babies and a pair of hyper-caffeinated muses.

Links

Website: www.dpdenman.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dpdenman
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dpdenman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dp.denman
Blog: http://dpdenmanauthor.blogspot.com/


Book Spotlight: No Flag by Liz Borino

No Flag
by Liz Borino
M/M Contemporary Romance


Blurb: 

For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive”, but will their love survive what happens next?

Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his Army contract. Mike agrees, and they spend a year building a life together, getting married, and starting a business.

Only days before their café’s grand opening, Mike receives news that threatens everything he and Will have built. The Army invokes the Stop Loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas. Will, left alone to cope with the café, must rely on the support of old friends who may be no longer be trustworthy. Through emails and Skype calls, Mike and Will keep their love and structure alive…until the day a horrific terrorist attack occurs on Mike’s outpost.

Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no his memory of the attack. As the only survivor, Mike’s memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles to support the man who always held him up. Both fear they have lost their previous relationship. Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before? Especially when those closest to them may not have their best interests at heart?

Excerpt: 
(July 7, 2012) The News

Bombs exploded on the evening news, one after the other. Body parts flew past the camera. The headline across the bottom of the screen read: “20 Army Intelligence Officers Dead.”

“Early this morning, a bomb exploded in the Army Intelligence building, killing twenty American soldiers from Platoon 518,” the blond newswoman reported.

Will Kelley squinted as the fuzzy security images played behind the woman’s head, searching through the chaos for reassurance. Nothing. His heart pounded and he tried to swallow, but found only dry air in his mouth and throat. The female reporter described the weapons used and structural damage done in vivid detail, which made for sensational television, but failed to answer any questions for the people at home. Victims’ families had to be notified before the media could release their names. So blondie would lose her job if she read the list in front of her.

“What the hell are you doing, man? We open in thirty minutes and you’re watching television?” Seth, his roommate, demanded from the doorway of the living room.

“Answered your own question, didn’t you?” Will responded.

“Are you ready?”

“No.” Will did not take his eyes off the screen. “I’ll drive myself.”

“When?”

The report flashed to an increase in allergies in children, so Will switched to another station while typing “Attack on American S2 Building in Afghanistan” into Google. It wouldn’t be that easy, though. So Will tried several more combinations of search terms before finding a video shot by an insurgent involved in the attack. The camera shuddered. Focused on different areas of the chaos. Men ripping clothes off soldiers. Looting. Bodies blown to bits. A man removing computer hard drives. And only one face. On the severed head of Major Evans.

“Will!” Seth jabbed him in the shoulder with a pen. Will forced his eyes away from the computer. “What happened?”

“Mike’s platoon was attacked. Twelve survivors.”

“Shit,” Seth said. “Can you call…?”

Will took a slug from the nearby water bottle. “Who? No one will talk to me. I’m not my husband’s family.”
Seth stared at him for a long moment and said, “I’ll have Casey cover for you.”

Will stood and shook his head. “Why? I can’t do anything here except watch the same videos over and over. May as well see if I can make some money.” He shut his computer and set it on the side table. “Meet you there. I won’t be too late. Promise.” He had to stop himself from scoffing as the meaningless word left his lips.

“Will…” Seth began.

“You wanted me to move, I’m moving! Go. I’ll be there.” He walked toward his bedroom, Seth’s gaze burning into his back. Stopping to throw a glance over his shoulder, he added, “Don’t tell Casey. I can do without her mother-henning me.”

“Will…”

“Please, Seth.”

“Sure,” he agreed.

“Thanks,” Will said as he climbed the steps and closed his bedroom door. He leaned against the wood cutting him off from the rest of the world. His eyes roamed the four walls decorated with band posters, a white board, and his wedding picture. Will strode over and fingered the golden frame. Behind the glass lay a photograph of Will and Mike in tuxes in the middle of their first dance. Their smiles easily outshined the gold on the frame. Mike had always been handsome with broad, built shoulders and muscular pecs, leading to abs you could grate cheese on.

But none of that stood out to Will, not on their wedding day of the year before. Mike’s blue eyes radiated a strength and hope. Will removed his wedding band to read the promise inscribed: No Flag.

Please keep your promise, Mike, Will thought as he took a deep breath and tore himself away from the picture and the crushing memories it brought. He had a job to do tonight.

Links: 

No Flag: Amazon | Goodreads
Backlist: Amazon | Goodreads


WH Smith, Kobo and Indie Publishing

Last week, WH Smith and Kobo in the UK removed all self-published books from their sites after tabloid journalists pointed out that people could find pornograpic books depicting abuse, incest, rape or bestiality on their websites. Instead of removing the offending books, they removed ALL self-published titles: sci-fi, fantasy, horror, children's books as well as erotica. I won't link to the particular articles, but I'm sure a search will find them.

Now, it seemed to be that their stance was they didn't want all this horrible erotica cluttering up their pristine servers. But wait, erotica isn't gone, just self-published erotica. They are still selling Fifty Shades of Grey, The Story of O and lots of stuff from Marquis de Sade for example. WH Smith also sells explicit top-shelf porn magazines and they haven't been removed from their stores. Not to mention Flowers in the Attic, rape and incest in that one.

This is not so much a cull of erotica as it is a cull of self-published books no matter what genre. All my books are gone from there, only 2 of which were erotica and 1 was with a small press publisher.

Have the big 6 suddenly woken up one day and realised that their margins are being eaten away by authors who have cut out the middle-man and are finally able to make a reasonable income from their work rather then the 10 per cent a publisher could offer? What to do? Let's get rid of the competition, that will help!

I don't know if Kobo and WH Smith realise that most writers are also readers. I spend a lot of money on books, a lot, but WH Smith or Kobo won't be seeing one penny of my money any time soon. I will be buying my books from book websites or shops that are friendly to independent authors.

The sites are also worried that children might see these erotica books which begs the question - what is a child doing unsupervised on the Internet? Shouldn't the parents be parenting? And if Smashwords can have an adult filter, why can't every other book site? It can't be that difficult to implement, surely? Oh, but wait, if they had an adult filter things like 50 Shades won't show up in a general search. They don't want to lose out on the money.

So if you're a reader who wants to support independent authors, give Kobo and WH Smith a miss.

Try All Romance, Omnilit and Smashwords instead.


Book Spotlight & Giveawat: Blood Brothers by Susan Arden





Title: Blood Brothers (Rocky Mountain Shifters #2)
Author: Susan Arden
Genre: Werewolves, Vampire, Ex-military
Publication Date: September 22, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Event Organised by Literati Author Services

Synopsis

As wolf shifters, Tristen and Fin’s loyalty knows no bounds. Yet these close shifters lack the ability to speak from the heart. This pervasive silence leaves them without the means to overcome problems plaguing their relationship. Tristen suffers from PTSD and refuses Fin’s suggestions for help. Fin becomes a shifter of fewer and fewer words. As lovers, they meet each other’s beta needs until Fin craves a rougher edge. A kinky edge.

Santo, another ex-soldier and vampire is looking for work, a place to belong after he swears off bloodsucking, given his battlefield experiences. Running security for the head of the local shifter’s council seems perfect. Cue Fin and Tristen to help.

Now, the three come together for a night of kink, learning that sex can be a means to discover deeper desires. Fin and Tristen must decide if they will stay together, or if sex with a seductive vampire is the doorway to the end.

Caution: This tale will tantalize, causing flaming fantasies to the point of searing. Be ready to sweat.

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18598207-blood-brothers?from_search=true

Purchase Links

Amazon | Amazon UK | All Romance eBooks | Decadent |

Excerpt:

Fin watched as Santo lifted his jacket off the seat of the booth, and extracted an envelope. He slid it across the table to Tris. “My references.”

As a wolf shifter, Santo had lost that sensual allure that had captivated Fin. He was still a powerfully built man, but the fluid, seductive qualities that had fascinated him originally were gone. The wolf was earthy while the vampire was air.

Fin swung his gaze to his partner. Tris’s skin glowed and he appeared pumped, ready for action. Excitement lashed around Fin’s chest. Pulled tight. Tristen was fire, burning and blazing, his heat so consuming it was hard to be next to him without being overtaken and incinerated. It became easy to acquiesce to Tris’s suggestions.

It was also the reason Fin wanted to have a third for one session. Someone who’d make Tristen understand his needs that typically got shoved aside as his lover fucked him every which way except what he needed. Now it was like being in a home pack, a very cagey clan that made him think of running up the valley and along the southern range, and he’d be low man. He had no desire to be a wolf tonight. He wanted seduction in his human form.

What he wanted was candlelight, hot oil, and chilled vodka shots while they explored each other’s bodies.

He glanced at his partner and did a double-take. Tristen casually rubbed his hands down the front of his body, over his very prominent hard-on, and a growl worked up his throat as he smiled that mesmerizing smile of his at Santo. Fin didn’t need to be a mind reader to know Tristen liked what he saw. Goddammit. His lover was actually excited. Now the condom might very well be on the other dick.

Without another thought, he stroked downward along Tristen’s crotch and sure enough, he was ragingly rigid. The man rocked against his fingers, their eyes snapping together. Fin didn’t know if he should laugh or punch Tristen.

“Now who’s ready and willing?” Fin asked dryly.

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Spotify Playlist:

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Tourwide Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author:

“I don't write about sex to solely titillate. I write about being in love and that consuming emotion is expressed at every level of human understanding. Whether it's a paranormal shifter romance weaving a primal instinct into the tension of the story or a woman learning to trust again. This instinct to connect exists and binds us together."

Susan Arden is a third generation Floridian. Previously, a teacher in the field of special education and biology, now Susan pursues her dream of writing fiction with several releases this year. Crafting sweet and spicy tales, she writes crazy-hot love stories across romance subgenres including contemporary (erotic), Western, fantasy/paranormal, and rock star.

Susan also writes under the name of Susan D. Taylor when it comes to mermaids and evil twin sisters. Susan currently lives in TN along with husband, two cattle dogs, two outlandish cats, a gecko and a corn snake. Having lived through the 70's, she is currently on a mission to bringS back glam rock. "I love to laugh. More than anything in the world, humor is food for the spirit."

Connect with the Author: Blog | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Playlist | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon

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Fan Giveaway:

FAN CONTEST: WHERE THERE’S SMOKE THERE’S FIRE – KINDLE FIRE OR $150.00 PAYPAL GIVEAWAY



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